The Stroller, Sept. 6, 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.

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Open house and kids fun day set Sunday

Washington Township Volunteer Fire Company will host an open house and kids fun day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at the firehall, 4078 Route 66.

There will be food trucks, rescue demonstrations, vendors, free smoke alarms, a touch-a-truck, and gifts and games for children. The Greensburg Bloodhound Team will appear from noon to 3 p.m., the Murrysville Dive Team, K9 Officer Buc Rogers and Sparky the Fire Dog will be on hand and there will be a visit from Life Flight.

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Fall festival to feature barbecued chicken and ham dinners

St. Francis Parish in Winfield will host its annual fall festival from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at St. Joseph Church, 315 Stoney Hollow Road, Cabot.

There will be a basket raffle, games, cash raffle, instant bingos, children’s games, a country store and bingo.

Ham and barbecued chicken dinners will sold, dine in or takeout. The menu will include your choice of entrée, sides, beverage and dessert. Cost is $15, children younger than 12, $6.

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Calendar

Allegheny Township

Saturday: The Kiski Area Marching Band Festival will be held at Richard J. Dilts Field at Kiski Area High School. Gates open at 4 p.m. and the opening ceremony will be at 5:05 p.m. Featured bands will include Fox Chapel Area, Mars Area, Gateway, Norwin, Southmoreland, Baldwin-Whitehall, Mt. Lebanon and Kiski Area. There will be concessions and a 50-50. Admission: $10; students, $8.

Sept. 22: Markle Volunteer Fire Department is accepting space reservations for a flea market set for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the firehall parking lot, 470 Joyce St. Cost: indoors, $25; outdoors, $15. Details and reservations: 724-236-0665.

Sept. 24: The Academy Singers Community Choir is looking for new voices to join their group for the Christmas season. All voice parts welcome. Rehearsals are from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays starting Sept. 24. Cost: $50. Details: 724-994-8872.

Apollo

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: Sept. 30. Registration: tinyurl.com/3dpznwah. Details: apolloridge.cheerleading@gmail.com.

Arnold

Saturday: Arnold United Methodist Church, 1801 Leishman Ave., will host an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon at the church. Menu: choice of plain, blueberry, pecan and chocolate chip pancakes, sausage and drink. Dine in or takeout. Cost: $9; 12 and younger, $7. Details: 724-339-2377.

Avonmore

Saturday: A bingo to benefit the Avonmore Senior Center will begin at 1 p.m. at the center, 458 Railroad Ave. Doors open at 11 a.m. Packets must be picked by 12:30 p.m. and early birds will begin at 12:45 p.m. There will be a 50-50 raffle, 14 regular games, five specials and a $300 last jackpot game. Cost: $25 before Friday; at the door, $30 door, cash only. Tickets: 724-697-4014.

Saturday: “Summer’s Last Fling,” a fundraiser to benefit the Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek, will be from 6 to 9 p.m. at the center, 142 Kerr Road. The event will be family-friendly and there will be music by the 7 Mile Run Band and Endless Thirst, a buffet dinner, drinks, a silent auction, raffles and a variety of nature-themed activities for the whole family. Admission: $20; 5 to 12 years old, $12; younger than 5, free. Tickets: tinyurl.com/mvuctyjf.

Bethel Township 

Wednesday: The Armstrong County Memorial Hospital Medical Staff Foundation will sponsor an intro to kayaking class at 6 p.m. on Crooked Creek Lake. Cost: $20 per person and space is limited. Participants must be at least 13 years of age with a parent/guardian who is 18 or older as a paid participant on the water as well. Learn the basic equipment paddling techniques and how to steer and board a kayak from experts at Venture Outdoors. Reservations required. Reservations: armstrongodc.org.

Brackenridge  

Sept. 21: The auxiliaries of Pioneer Hose and Hilltop Hose companies will host a super bingo at Pioneer Hose Company, 124 Morgan St. Doors open at 11:30 a.m., early birds start at 12:45 p.m. and regular bingo begins at 1 p.m. Cost: $35, in advance, will be $40 at the door; includes a light lunch and bingo packet. There will be 20 regular games, specials and a $1,000 must-go jackpot game. Tickets: 724-882-5908.

East Vandergrift  

Saturday : Our Lady, Queen of Peace will sponsor a cash bash in the parish social hall, 411 McKinley Ave. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the first number will be drawn at 7 p.m. Cost: $30, includes food, beverages and five numbers for the drawings. Must be 21. There will be pull tabs, a scratch-off lottery board, a basket auction and 50-50. Tickets: Crystal, 724-882-9212 or in the parish office in Apollo.

Sunday: Our Lady, Queen of Peace Parish will have bingo at 6:30 p.m. in the church social hall, 411 McKinley Ave. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. There will be a 49-number jackpot game, a 47-number picture frame game and a magic number game. Details: 724-478-4958.

Fox Chapel

Sept. 12: Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church, 384 Fox Chapel Road, will host a 13-week GriefShare Christian-based support group from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Thursdays Sept. 12 to Dec. 12 at the church. Details: Kim Power, 412-965-8794 or kimfpower@gmail.com. Registration: griefshare.org/findagroup.

Freeport

Sept. 15: St. Mary, Mother of God Church, 608 High St., will host a 13-week GriefShare Christian-based support group at 4 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 15 at the church. Anyone who has lost a loved one is welcome. Reservations and details: 724-295-2281 or visit the Find A Group area at Griefshare.org.

Gilpin 

Saturday: Leechburg Area Pool will host a dog swim from 10 a.m. to noon at the pool, Park Road. Free admission. This will be the last swim of the season.

Harrison   

Today: 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.

Saturday: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will have a yard sale from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Details: 724-226-3491.

Saturday: A free paper shredding event will be from 9 to 11 a.m. at the office of Sen. Lindsay M. Williams, 1826 Union Ave. Residents may bring a maximum of two boxes per car. Remove all metal fasteners except staples. Sponsored by Rep. Mandy Steele and Sen. Williams. Details: 724-224-2131.

Saturday: Highlands Area Rotary Club will sponsor a food truck festival from noon to 6 p.m. at the Blessed Sacrament church grounds, 800 Montana Ave. There will be music, raffles, face painting and a bounce house. Proceeds will benefit the Salvation Army Backpack program and the Allegheny Valley Association of Churches Food Bank.

Sunday: The Veterans of Foreign Wars will sponsor a craft show from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the post, 894 Veterans Drive. Details: Deb, 412-298-6175 or dmckillop@hotmail.com.

Sunday: The Knights of Columbus will host a pancake and sausage breakfast from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the council home, 28 Garfield St., Natrona. Cost: $7; younger than 6, $4.

Sunday: Allegheny County Park Rangers will host an open house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Harrison Hills Park Environmental Learning Center, 220 Chipmunk Drive. One-hour guided nature walks will be offered at 10 and 11 a.m., and 1 p.m.

Sunday: The Veterans of Foreign Wars will sponsor a craft show from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the post, 894 Veterans Drive. Details: Deb, 412-298-6175 or dmckillop@hotmail.com.

Sept. 14: A happy hour cash bash will be from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 894 Veterans Lane. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Cost: $25; includes food and five numbers for the drawing; $10, food only. Karaoke with Bucky will be afterward. Cash bar. Funds raised will be donated to the post building fund. Tickets: Deb, 412-298-6157 or dmckillop@hotmail.com or the post, 724-904-7649.

Sept. 15: A super bingo will be at 2 p.m. at the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 894 Veterans Drive. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. Cost: $35 in advance; $40 at the door; includes package and lunch. Tickets: Lorraine, 412-537-5954, or the post, 724-904-7649.

Sept. 21: The Veterans of Foreign Wars will have an Oktoberfest from 2 to 5 p.m. at the post, 894 Veterans Drive. Doors open at 1 p.m. There will be food, music by the Heritage Band, a 50-50 raffle and cash bar. Cost: $15. Tickets: after 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays at the post or at the door.

Jefferson Township

Tuesday: Concordia at Cabot sponsors a free monthly caregiver support group at 2 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month in the Lund Care Center private dining room, 134 Marwood Road. Use Entrance 4. Anyone who cares for a loved one with a physical problem or diminished reasoning skills at home is welcome. Details: Stefanie Dietrich, 724-352-1571, ext. 8271.

Leechburg   

Saturday : A night at the races to benefit the Leechburg 175^th Anniversary Celebration will be at the Marconi Club, 135 River Ave. Cost: $20 includes horse, food and soft drink; food and soft drinks only, $20. Tickets: stop in at Leechburg Public Library, 139 Market St.

Lower Burrell

Saturday: The Veterans of Foreign Wars post will feature the Memory Lane band from 8 to 11 p.m. Members and three guests welcome.

Saturday: The Joseph “Bud” Myers Farmers Market will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Bon Air School parking lot, 3260 Leechburg Road.

Sept. 14: The fifth annual Monarch Hospice Memorial Walk and Celebration of Life will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at K-9 Officer Derek Kotecki Memorial Park, 730 Wildlife Lodge Road. There will be a walk in memory of loved ones, bell ringing ceremony, food, refreshments and fellowship. The walk route is wheelchair accessible. Reservations required by Monday. Reservations: 724-335-1600.

Sept. 14: The Westmoreland County Republican Committee will host a spaghetti dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. at Kinloch Firehall, 915 New York Ave. Menu: spaghetti, garlic bread, salad, drink and dessert. Cost: in advance, $8; children, $4; at the door, $10, children, $6. There will be speakers, a raffle and Trump gear. Tickets: wcrcd1@gmail.com.

New Kensington

Saturday: East Kensington Community Circle will host bingo in the Community Circle building, 1785 Seventh St., across from Martin Elementary School. Doors open at 11:30. Lunch will be served at noon and bingo starts at 1 p.m. Menu: quiche, side dish and dessert. There will be a progressive bingo, magic number game, a quickie and drawing for $5 off next month’s bingo admission. Cost: $20, includes lunch, eight regular games and eight specials.

Sunday: Aluminum City Terrace Bingo Committee will host bingo from 2 to 4:30 p.m. in the activity center. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. Cost: $5, includes one board, snacks and drinks; extra boards, $1 each. There will be a 50-50 raffle. Public welcome.

Sept. 28: St. George Orthodox Church is accepting orders for its Middle Eastern food sale. Menu: grape leaves, green beans and rice, kibbee, baba ganoush, spinach pies, meat pies, pita bread, hummus and baklawa. Order deadline: Sept. 19. Pick-up: 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sept. 28 in the church hall, 1150 Leishman Ave. Orders: 724-335-9988 or saintgeorgeorthodox.org.

Oct. 5: Knead Community Café, 1011 Barnes St., is accepting space reservations for an indoor/outdoor fall craft and vendor show set for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the café. Vendors who sell unique crafts and giftware are preferred. No food vendors will be accepted. Cost: $35 for a 10 x 10-foot space. No electricity is available. Application deadline: Sept. 14. Applications: Susie@kneadcommunitycafe.org

Oakmont

Saturday: A free paper shredding event will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Third Street parking lot in Riverside Park. Staples and paper clips need not be removed.

Parks Township 

Today: Parks Township Volunteer Fire Department will host bingo at 7 p.m. in the firehall, 1119 Dalmation Drive. Doors open at 5 p.m.

Sunday: Parks Township Sportsman’s Club will have a country music jam night from 5 to 8 p.m. at the club, 1111 Shipman Road. Bring your favorite stringed instrument and sing along. Refreshments available. Public welcome. Details: 724-845-2390.

Pittsburgh

Thursday: A Vitalant community blood drive will be from 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in café dining rooms A and B at UPMC St. Margaret Hospital, 815 Freeport Road. Appointments are recommended, but walk-ins are welcome. Appointments: 877-258-4825 or visit the Donate Blood button at Vitalant.org.

Saxonburg

Saturday: Saxonburg Memorial Presbyterian Church will present Dan Byerly in concert at 4 p.m. at the church, 100 W. Main St.

Saturday and Sunday: The Saxonburg Artisan Market will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday along Main Street in the borough. There will be demonstrations, handcrafted goods, an art show and more.

Springdale 

Wednesday: Springdale Free Public Library will offer a free program, “Beaver Habitat Exploration” with the Allegheny County Parks Department at 6 p.m. at the library, 331 School St. Children in prekindergarten through sixth grade welcome. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-274-9729.

Tarentum   

Saturday: The Clothing Closet at Central Presbyterian Church, 305 Allegheny St., will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Details: 724-224-9220.

Saturday: The Manos Gallery will host an evening of miniature art from 4 to 8 p.m. at the gallery, 330 E. Fifth Ave. There will be music by Eric Susoeff, cocktails, raffles and food. Proceeds will benefit this year’s Highlands High School musical production. Details: 484-529-1597.

Sunday: BridgePoint Church will have a worship service at 10 a.m. in Riverview Memorial Park, First Avenue. A free lunch and children’s games will be afterward. Details: 724-671-7580.

Sunday and Tuesday: Alcoholics Anonymous will meet from 7 to 8 p.m. at Central Presbyterian Church, 305 Allegheny St. An opportunity for silent prayer will be at 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 26 to 28: Summit Hose Company is accepting vendor applications for its fall festival. No food or alcohol vendors will be accepted. Details: Carrie Fox, 724-448-1470.

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.

Verona

Sunday: A kickball tournament between children from Verner Elementary School and public officials will be at 4 p.m. at Cribbs Field.

Washington Township 

Today: 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.

West Deer

Saturday: Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh will host a free star party at 7:30 p.m. at the Nicholas E. Wagman Observatory, 225 Kurn Road, in Deer Lakes Regional Park, weather permitting. Bring binoculars, a blanket and camping chair. Use only parking lights when entering through the park gate. Donations will be accepted. Details and weather updates: 724-224-2510 or 3ap.org.

West Kittanning

Today: The Pennsylvania Preparedness Educational Network will meet at 7 p.m. at West Kittanning Volunteer Fire Department, 401 Arthur St. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The topic will be food preparation with a focus on canning. President Ruth Wible will be the presenter. Details: Ruth Wible, 724-525-0773, pa.preparednesseducationnetwork@gmail.com or papreparedness.org.

West Leechburg 

Sept. 14: Lower Burrell American Legion will host its annual gun and purse bash from noon to 5 p.m. at West Leechburg Fireman’s Recreation Hall, Gosser Street. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. Cost: $25. Tickets: Renee Munshower, 724-594-8257, Breandon McIlwain, 717-979-3098 or at the American Legion post.

Sept. 22: “God Discovery: How Science Reveals Evidence for the Existence of God,” will be presented at 4 p.m. at the West Leechburg Firemen’s Recreation Hall, 1116 Gosser St. Scientist and former NASA consultant Kevin Smith will be the speaker and there will be food, music and a basket raffle. Cost: $20. Reservations required by Sept. 12 and confirmations will be sent by text or email. Reservations: call or text 724-433-0794 or email goddiscoverybanquet.com with your name and number of people. Payments of cash or checks made out to the fire department will be accepted at the door. Proceeds will benefit the fire department.

Categories: Local | Valley News Dispatch