The Stroller, Oct. 1, 2024: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley

Publicize your non-profit’s community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least two weeks in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number. Follow the Stroller on X at @VNDStroller.

Concordia to celebrate Oktoberfest

Concordia Lutheran Ministries’ annual Oktoberfest will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Haven I, 112 Marwood Road, Jefferson.

A German-themed menu will be offered including pork roast, kielbasa and sauerkraut, bratwurst, apple cider and more. Children 12 and younger receive a free food voucher and there will be free children’s activities. Entertainment will be by the Mikey Dee Polka Band from 4 to 7:30 p.m. A fireworks display will end the day at 7:45 p.m.

Free parking and shuttle service will be available. Admission is free. For details, call 724-352-8268.

MyHeritage research database available at Harrison library

The local history department at Community Library of Allegheny Valley, 1522 Broadview Blvd., Harrison, offers the use of the MyHeritage Research Database that includes billions of historical documents for nearly 50 countries, historical photographs, public records, indexes and more.

For details and to schedule an appointment, call the library at 724-226-3491. Local history requests may be emailed to alvalley@einetwork.net.

Harmar concert series to host Tina Daniels Band

The free Thunder Thursdays Summer Music Series will feature the Tina Daniels Band Thursday at the pavilion at the Syria Shrine Center, 1877 Shriners Way, Harmar.

Concerts start at 7 p.m., rain or shine. Gates open at 6 p.m. There is free parking, and food and beverages will be sold. Tailgating and outside food and drinks are not permitted.

Calendar

Apollo

Wednesday: Apollo Hose Company No. 2 will have bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 325 N. Fourth St. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. There will be specials and wish jars. Details: 724-478-4831.

Oct. 12: St. James Parish, Apollo, will sponsor a Night at the Races at 7 p.m. at the parish activities center, 109 Owens View Ave. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and light fare will be available at 6 p.m. Cost: $20, includes food and a horse. There will be a basket raffle, instant lottery ticket raffle, pull tabs and a 50-50. Those present will be entered into a drawing to win $500. Tickets: 724-882-8776, at the parish office and at the door.

Oct. 11: Apollo-Ridge Cheerleaders will host a cheer alumni night at 7 p.m. at the homecoming football game at Owens Field. Alumni will cheer during the fourth quarter with the current squad. Cost: $20, cash or check, includes an event T-shirt. Registration deadline: Tuesday. Registration: tinyurl.com/3dpznwah. Details: apolloridge.cheerleading@gmail.com.

Arnold

Friday: St. Vladimir Church, 1610 Kenneth Ave., is accepting orders for its pierogi sale. Varieties: potato or sauerkraut. Pickup: 12:30 to 4 p.m. Friday in the church social hall. Cost: $14 per dozen. Orders: 724-339-9257, 8 to 10 a.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Brackenridge

Wednesday: 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.

Thursday: Bingo will be at 7:15 p.m. at the American Legion, 845 First Ave. Details: 724-994-6030.

Thursday: The Allegheny Valley Salvation Army and Community Center will distribute free grab-and-go lunches from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the center parking lot, 917 Brackenridge Ave. Free grocery items from Walmart and Aldi will be available. Everyone is welcome.

Oct. 12: A bingo to benefit Paws Across Pittsburgh will be from 7 to 10 p.m. at the American Legion, 845 First Ave., second level. A chairlift is available. There will be a basket raffle, food, non-alcoholic drinks, a cash bar, merchandise, 50-50 and puppies! Cost: $30. Tickets: pawsacrosspittsburgh.com/events.

Buffalo Township

Wednesday: Sarver Momco, formerly known as MOPS, will meet from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Christ Community Fellowship, 160 Singleton Road. This is a non-denominational faith-based group for mothers of children in 12^th grade and younger and those who are expecting. Reservations required. Reservations: Sarvermomco@gmail.com or SarverMomco on Facebook.

Freeport

Wednesdays: The Thrift Store Clothing Ministry at Freeport United Methodist Church, 211 Fourth St., will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. All items are free, but donations will be accepted. Items available include clothing of all sizes, bedding and window items. Donations of clothing, shoes and boots welcome; must be laundered and free from smoke and pet hair. Wheelchair accessible. Details: 724-295-3095.

Thursday: Freeport Renaissance Association will meet at 7 p.m. at United Presbyterian Church, 411 High St. New members welcome.

Gilpin

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

Harrison  

Today: Pa. CareerLink Job Assistance will be available from noon to 2 p.m. at Community Library of Allegheny Valley, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Help will be available for resume building, mock interviews, job search and apprenticeship opportunities. No appointment required, just drop in.

Today: The Accordion Club is seeking new players of all ages. Meetings are from 6 to 8 p.m. the first and third Tuesday of each month at 6003 Freeport Road. Details: 724-236-0665.

Wednesday: The Agape Thrift Shop at Grace United Methodist Church, 1333 Freeport Road, will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. Clean clothing in all sizes is needed. No housewares or bedding please due to lack of space. Bring donations on Wednesday or leave them on the front porch. Do not place donations in the blue bins behind the church.

Wednesday: Allegheny Valley Association of Churches Food Bank will be open from 1:30 to 5 p.m. at 1913 Freeport Road, Natrona Heights. Food bank participants can receive food allotments twice per month. Those who are not yet registered should come from 3 to 4 p.m. on Wednesday. The Sparrow’s Nest clothing and home goods ministry will be open from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Details and alternate times: 724-226-0606, ext. 10.

Wednesday: The Becky’s Closet community clothing store at Faith Lutheran Church, 1500 Broadview Blvd., will be open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church. Cost: tops and bottoms for men and women, $50 cents; children’s clothing, 25 cents. Donations welcome during these hours. Everyone welcome.

Thursday: Friends of Community Library of Allegheny Valley will meet at 10 a.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Details: 724-226-3491.

Oct. 20: Natrona Heights Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary will have a chicken dinner from 1 to 5 p.m. at the post, 894 Veterans Drive. Menu: half chicken, vegetable, mashed potatoes, roll and dessert, $10. Dine in or takeout. Tickets: Linda, 412-980-4075.

Jefferson Township

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

Leechburg

Wednesdays and Saturdays: Leechburg Area Museum, 118 First St., will be open from noon to 3 p.m.

Thursday: The free genealogy group at Leechburg Area Museum and Historical Society will meet from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the museum, 118 First St. The group will meet on the first and third Thursday of each month. Basic computer skills required. Details: Judy, 724-681-9154.

Lower Burrell

Today: A family story time will be at 1 p.m. at Peoples Library, 3052 Wachter Ave. Details: 724-339-1021.

New Kensington

Today: A wellness class for those with Parkinson’s Disease will be offered from 1:15 to 2 p.m. at Valley Points Family YMCA, 800 Constitution Blvd. Sponsored by the Parkinson’s Foundation of Western Pennsylvania, the program is a mix of exercises designed to help manage Parkinson’s Disease and includes aerobic and resistance training, stretching, balance, facial and voice exercises. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-335-9191 or tinyurl.com/5n8jp8y9.

Today: A family story time will be at 11 a.m. at Peoples Library, 880 Barnes St. Details: 724-339-1021.

Wednesday: Peoples Library will offer an online talk with Smithsonian scientist Rachel A. Page at 2 p.m. Page will discuss the world of tropical bats. Recordings will be available to watch on demand. Registration required. Registration: libraryc.org/peopleslibrary.

Wednesday: The Ken High Class of 1960 will meet for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Knead Community Café, 1011 Barnes St. The group meets the first Wednesday of the month. Spouses and guests welcome. Details: Robert Grden, 440-269-0345 or bgconcord@aol.com.

Wednesday: Peoples Library will host Puzzles For Grownups at 1 p.m. at the library, 880 Barnes St. Details: 724-339-1021.

Thursday: New Kensington Eagles Auxiliary Bingo will be at 7 p.m. at the aerie, 2134 Freeport Road. Doors open at 5 p.m. Sales are from 6 to 6:50 p.m. Cost: $25 for a 12-on package; specials will be available. The kitchen will be open. Public welcome. Details: 724-448-7403.

Thursday: Knead Community Café will hand out free grab-and-go meals from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the cafe, 1011 Barnes St. This week’s meals are sponsored by Wesley Family Services. To sponsor a meal, visit kneadcommunitycafe.org or call 878-847-7997.

Thursday and Saturday: The Community Clothes Closet, 1129 Kenneth Ave., will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Items available include clothing for all members of the family, shoes, linens, purses and handbags. Household items, dishes, appliances and books will no longer be accepted. Donations welcome during business hours only. Do not leave donations at the door.

Nov. 29 to Dec. 1: Memorial Park Dek Hockey will host a Turkey Cup tournament at the dek hockey rinks in Memorial Park. Cost: $300 per team, includes referee fees and event T-shirts. There will be a silent auction, toy drive for Toys for Tots and 50-50. Team reservation deadline: Nov. 1. Details: bit.ly/3ZaLpqA.

Oakmont

Today: Taking Pounds Off Sensibly (TOPS) meets at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1261 Pennsylvania Ave. Private weigh-ins will be from 5:45 to 6:10 p.m. and the meeting will be afterward. The first meeting is free. Details: 412-828-3854 or jmjkwj@gmail.com.

Springdale

Nov. 15: Springdale Free Public Library is accepting orders for pies and pumpkin rolls from The Pie Shoppe in Laughlintown. Varieties: chocolate meringue, coconut cream meringue, lemon meringue, apple, blackberry, cherry, Dutch apple, harvest, peach, raisin, razzleberry and pumpkin pies, and pumpkin rolls, all $12. All items arrive fresh and can be frozen. Paid order deadline: Nov. 4. Pick-up: Nov. 15. Orders: 724-274-9729.

Tarentum  

Wednesday: The Farmers Market will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the parking lot at 10^th Avenue and Lock Street.

Wednesday: The Elks will host bingo at 6:30 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.

Wednesdays and Saturdays: The Alle-Kiski Valley Heritage Museum, 224 E. Seventh Ave., is open from noon to 3 p.m. and other times by appointment. Details: 724-224-7666.

Oct. 26: Tarentum Recreation Board is accepting vendor, craft and food booth applications for the annual Boo Festival. Details: Carrie Fox, 724-448-1470 or carriefox170@gmail.com.

Ongoing: Tarentum Area Lions Club has a variety of styles of brooms for sale. Types available include soft and hard bristle push brooms, $16; kitchen brooms, $13; heavier duty mill brooms, $15; children’s brooms, $8; and whisk brooms, $8. Details: Jody Shumaker, 724-954-2341; Donna Holsing, 724-899-6277 or send a message to Tarentum Area Lions Club on Facebook. Proceeds benefit local and global Lions charities.

Torrance

Thursday: The Board of Trustees at Torrance State Hospital will have an open meeting at 1:30 p.m. in the CEO conference room, first floor, Greizman Building, Route 1014. Details: 724-459-4411.

Vandergrift

Wednesday: The Anime Club for children in fifth through 10^th grade at Vandergrift Public Library will meet from 6 to 7 p.m. at the library, 128C Washington Ave. Details: 724-568-2212.

Washington Township

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

Winfield

Thursday: The Matrona Family Resource Center at Cabot Church, 707 Winfield Road, will be open from 6 to 8 p.m. New and gently used clothing in sizes preemie through 10/12 will be available, as well as strollers, car seats, toys and more. No reservations required. Details: 724-524-1809 or tinyurl.com/mw9kd9cp.