The Stroller, June 22, 2022: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley

Publicize your community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least a week in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15068. Please include a daytime telephone number.

Annual night race scheduled July 16 in Apollo

Roaring Run Watershed Association will sponsor its annual 5K night race/walk, “Race to the Moon,” at 9 p.m. July 16 at the trail along the Kiski River.

Parking will be at 310 Clifford Ave., Apollo, and everyone will be bussed to the starting line. A secure baggage claim will be available at the trail. Cost is $25 and event T-shirts will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Luminaries will be placed on the length of the trail and participants must wear a light. Pizza and watermelon will be served and awards and door prizes will be given out after the race.

To register, visit runsignup.com. For details, visit roaringrunapollo.org or call Ken Kaminski at 724-681-6317.

Free firearms safety seminar offered

A free firearms safety seminar will be at 3 p.m. Sunday at Lost Dreams Awakening, 408 Eighth St. rear, New Kensington.

A certified instructor will conduct the seminar and no live ammunition will be on the premises. No reservations are required.

The event is sponsored by Urban Second Amendment, Elite Tactical Firearms Training and Lost Dreams Awakening.

Calendar

Apollo

Today: Apollo Hose Co. No. 2 will host bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 325 N. Fourth St. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Details: 724-478-4831.

Thursday: The Yarn Good Time needle arts group at Apollo Memorial Library will meet from 5 to 7 p.m. at the library, 219 N. Pennsylvania Ave. to knit, crochet, embroider or cross stitch. All ages and skill levels welcome. Details: 724-478-4214.

June 30: Apollo Memorial Library is selling raffle tickets for a basket of scratch-off tickets and history items. Cost: $1 for 1; $3 for 5; and $5 for 10. The drawing will be June 30. Tickets: Stop in at the library, 219 N. Pennsylvania Ave.

Arnold

July 10: Table reservations are being accepted for a flea market planned from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Arnold Volunteer Fire Company No. 2 social hall, 1702 Fifth Ave. Set up will begin at 6 a.m. Cost: $10 for two tables. Details: Jim Duncan, 724-754-7666.

Bethel

Thursday : A guided mushroom walk will begin at 5 p.m. at the Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek, 142 Kerr Road. Cost: $30. Reservations required. Reservations: armstrongcenter.org/odc-events.

Brackenridge

Today: Al-Anon will meet at 8 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 847 10th Ave. The group offers help and hope for families and friends of alcoholics.

Buffalo Township 

Thursday : Zion United Methodist Church will host a community blood drive from 1 to 7 p.m. in the church Family Life Center, 438 Bear Creek Road. Appointments recommended. Bring ID. Appointments: 412-209-7000 or visit donateblood.centralbloodbank.org and click on the Schedule Now or New Donor buttons. Search for group code C664.

East Vandergrift

July 3 and 4: Our Lady, Queen of Peace Parish is selling raffle tickets to win $1,000 cash and a $200 gift certificate to Naser Foods. Cost: $10 per ticket that has two numbers. Winning numbers will be the first officially drawn 7 p.m. Pa. Lottery Daily Pick-3 number on July 3 and 4. Each day’s winner will receive the cash and a gift certificate. Tickets: Deborah, 724-859-3186 or after Mass in the church vestibule.

Ford City

July 16: Tickets are on sale for the Ford City Community Kennywood picnic at Klingensmith Drug Stores in Ford City, Kittanning and West Kittanning. Cost: $28 for a FunDay Pass. Passes can also be used weekdays through Aug. 19. An extra $10 fee will be charged to use the tickets on weekends through Aug 19. Bus tickets for the day of the picnic are also available for $8. Details: 412-389-8366.

Freeport

Today: The Thrift Store Clothing Ministry at Freeport United Methodist Church, 211 Fourth St., will be open from noon to 3 p.m. Cash only. Donations of summer clothing, shoes, bedding and purses welcome. Donations must be laundered and free from pet hair. Details: 724-295-3095.

Gilpin

Thursday: Gilpin Volunteer Fire Department will host bingo at 7:15 p.m. at the firehall, 113 Firehall Road.

Harmar

Thursday: The free Thursday Music Series at 7 p.m. in the Pittsburgh Shrine Center pavilion will feature the Donnie Bell Band and John Gresh’s Gris-Gris. Gates open at 6 p.m. Rain or shine. Free parking. Food and drinks will be available. No tailgating, outside food or beverages permitted. The weekly event is sponsored by Band Together Pittsburgh, Moondog’s and the Pittsburgh Shrine Center.

Harrison 

Today : The Kitchen Sink Book Club at Community Library of Allegheny Valley will meet at 6 p.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. The selection will be, “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea,” by Jules Verne. Online participation available. Reservations required. Reservations: AlleghenyValleyLibrary.org.

Today: The Agape Thrift Shop at Grace United Methodist Church, 1333 Freeport Road, will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. Masks required. Clean spring and summer clothing in all sizes is needed. Bring donations on Wednesday or leave them on the front porch. Do not place donations in the blue bins behind the church.

Today: Allegheny Valley Association of Churches Food Bank will be open to anyone in need from 1:30 to 5 p.m. at 1913 Freeport Road, Natrona Heights. Pull into the center parking lot and food will be placed into your vehicle. Those who are not yet registered should come from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Friday: Natrona Heights Veterans of Foreign Wars will have bingo at 7 p.m. at the post, 894 Veterans Lane. Doors open at 6 p.m., and there will be specials, a 50/50 raffle and final game jackpot.

July 31: A purse bash to benefit Robin’s Home charity that provides help to low income women veterans and their children will be at Natrona Heights Veterans of Foreign Wars, 894 Veterans Lane. Doors open at 11 a.m., lunch will be served at 12:30 p.m. and bingo begins at 1 p.m. Cost: $35 in advance; $40 at the door; includes lunch. There will be a cash bar, pull tab tickets, a silent auction, pick of the table and raffles. Tickets: 724-904-7649.

Jefferson

Thursday: Bingo will be at 6:30 p.m. at the American Legion, 754 N. Pike Road. Doors open at 5 p.m. Under new management with higher payouts. The kitchen will be open. Proceeds benefit post and auxiliary projects.

Leechburg  

Today: Leechburg Public Library will host a tween craft night to make a seashell necklace at 6 p.m. at the library, 139 Market St. Children age 10 to 12 welcome. Details: 724-236-0080.

Thursday: A New Path Al-Anon Family Group, a free, confidential program for anyone whose life has been affected by someone else’s drinking, will meet at 7 p.m. in First United Methodist Church, 251 Main St. Face masks and social distancing required.

July 10: Team registrations are being accepted for the Shawn DesLauriers Bocce Tournament set for noon at the Marconi Club, River Avenue. Team fee: $300. There will be a basket raffle, food and a 50/50. Proceeds will be used to establish a scholarship in DesLauriers’ name. Details: Dan Swartz, danno6699@gmail.com.

Lower Burrell

Saturday: Bethel Masons, 118 Allen St., will host a Vitalant community blood drive from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the lodge banquet room. Appointments recommended. Appointments: 412-209-7000 or visit donateblood.centralbloodbank.org and use group code C2210076.

Saturday: Church of God is accepting space reservations for a parking lot treasures sale set for 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church, 273 Chester Dr. Cost: $5 per space. Reservations and details: 724-335-4422 or lbcog@hotmail.com.

Manor

July 6: Lenape Tech Adult Education will host a free adult student information night from 5 to 6 p.m. in the school cafeteria, 2215 Chaplin Ave. Sample programs include HVACR fast track, welding fast track, CDL, clinical medical assistant, pharmacy technician, phlebotomy technician and online learning. Funding providers will be on hand. Reservations required by June 30. Reservations: 724-763-5916 or kirskei@mylenape.net.

New Kensington

Thursday: Knead Community Café in New Kensington will pass out free grab-and-go meals from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the café, 1011 Barnes St. This week’s meals are donated in memory of Larry and Ceil Feldman and Cupcake.

Thursday: Sally’s Outdoor Market will be from 2 to 6 p.m. weather permitting, at the Salvation Army, 255 Third St. There will be fresh produce, plants, baked goods, hot foods and more. Vendor spaces available. Details: 724-335-7221, ext. 106 or laruen.suprano@use.salvationarmy.org.

Thursdays: The Secular Organization for Sobriety/Save Our Selves (SOS) a support group for people recovering from alcohol and drug abuse, will meet a 7 p.m. at Lost Dreams Awakening Recovery Community Center, 408 Eighth St. Details: 724-556-0737.

Thursday: New Kensington Eagles Auxiliary Bingo will be at 7 p.m. at the aerie, 2134 Freeport Road. Doors open at 5 p.m. The kitchen will be open. Public welcome. Details: 724-448-7403.

Oakmont

July 31: Reservations are being accepted for the Kerr Museum Victorian Bridal Luncheon set for 12:30 p.m. at Oakmont Country Club. Hats and fascinators welcome. Cost: $75. Reservations required by July 22. Reservations: 412-826-9295.

Plum

Thursday, Friday and Saturday: SummerFest 2022 will be from 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday in Larry Mills Park. There will be carnival rides, food trucks, games and fireworks on Saturday. Cost for all-you-can-ride wristbands: Thursday, $15; Friday and Saturday, $20. Free round trip shuttle service will be available Friday and Saturday from Amplify Church, 9400 Saltsburg Road.

Springdale 

Thursday: Lower Valley Community Food Bank will distribute food from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday from the rear entrance of the Springdale borough building. Do not arrive before 12:45 p.m. Anyone in need of food who lives in Springdale, Springdale Township, Cheswick, Harmar and the sections of Indiana Township and West Deer with a zip code of 15024 is welcome. New recipients can register Thursday.

June 27: The Sherlock Holmes Book Club at Springdale Free Public Library will meet at 6 p.m. at the library, 331 School St. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-274-9729.

Tarentum

Today: The Elks will host bingo at 7 p.m. at the lodge, 219 E. Sixth Ave. The kitchen is open to the public from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Menu: elks644.org/elks-kitchen-1. Orders: 724-226-1644 by 8:15 p.m.

Today: The Tarentum Farmers Market will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the upper parking lot at First United Presbyterian Church, 913 Lock St.

Today: BridgePointe Church will have its free children’s summer reading program from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the church library, 400 E. Ninth Ave. Lunch and a snack will be served. Details: 724-671-7580.

Thursday: The free diaper bank at Highlands Family Center, 415 E. Fourth Ave., will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. One distribution per child per month is available. Details: 724-224-9006.

Sept. 8 to 10: Summit Hose Co. is accepting crafter and vendor applications for its Fall Festival. No food vendors, please. Details: Tami Sudy, 878-302-5367 or tamisudy@gmail.com.

Vandergrift

Thursday: The Farmer’s Market will be open from 4 to 6:30 p.m. in the Columbia Avenue parking lot.

Through June 30: The Books & More Store at Vandergrift Public Library will have a $3 bag sale. Bags provided by the library. Items individually priced will include puzzles, DVDs, audio books and CDs. Hours: 1 to 8 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesdays; 10 to 5 p.m. Fridays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays. Proceeds benefit the library.

Washington Township

Today: Alcoholics Anonymous will meet at 6 p.m. at Union Presbyterian Church, 656 Route 380.

Friday: Washington Township Volunteer Fire Company will have bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 4078 Route 66. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and sales start at 6 p.m. Free coffee. The kitchen will be open. Players must be at least 18 or accompanied by an adult.