The Stroller, May 6, 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. Please include a daytime telephone number.

Children welcome at free fishing derby

Concordia Lutheran Ministries in Jefferson will have its free Fishing Derby for kids 14 and younger from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 14 at Saxony Farm Estate in Saxonburg.

Participants should bring a fishing rod. Concordia will provide bait and a limited number of fishing rods. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Hot dogs and refreshments will be available.

Registration is preferred. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Fishing licenses are not required for children under 16. Registration and information: visit the Events and News page at concordialm.org or call public relations at 724-352-1571, ext. 8268.

Big Band concert planned at Casino Theatre

A concert featuring the Jazz Warriors Big Band will be at 2 p.m. at the Casino Theatre, Vandergrift.

The new theater fire escape will be dedicated at 1 p.m. Advance reserved tickets are $10; and will be $12 at the door. For tickets, visit casinotheater.org or stop in at Pomfret’s Paints and Variety, 149 Farragut Ave., Vandergrift.

Free smoke alarms available in New Kensington

Free smoke alarms will be installed from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 14 by appointment for New Kensington residents.

The program is sponsored by the New Kensington Volunteer Fire Department, the American Red Cross and South the Alarm. For an appointment, call 833-315-0882.

Business news

Concordia to present seminar about retirement living

Concordia Haven Apartments will offer a program, “What Other Retirement Communities Won’t Tell You,” at 2 p.m. May 19 and 23 at the retirement living community, 112 Marwood Road, Jefferson Township.

Open house events will be available both days. Attend either day. Registration is preferred. To register, call Peggy Trettel at 724-352-5378.

Reunion

• Shaler Area High School Class of 1975 will have a 65^th birthday reunion from 6 to 11 p.m. June 4 at Teutonia Mannerchor of Pittsburgh, 857 Phineas St., North Side. Cost: $55, includes a buffet dinner. There will be a cash bar, music, karaoke and a photo booth. Details and registration: SAHSclass1975@gmail.com or visit Shaler Area Class of 1975 on Facebook.

Calendar

Apollo

Tuesday: Apollo Memorial Library will host a new summer reading book club for students who are 14 to 18 years old at 5 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-478-4214 or apollo@armstronglibraries.org.

Saturday: Apollo Events Committee will host the May Daze celebration from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. throughout the borough. There will be yard sales, a kids fun zone and food trucks. Apollo Volunteer Fire Department No. 2 will sell food and sell chances for tip board raffles. Menu: hot sausage sandwiches, corn dogs, baked pretzels, popcorn, water and pop.

May 14: A vendor fair will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parish center at St. James Parish, 109 Owens View Ave. All vendors needed. Cost: $20 per table; without electricity, $15. Details: Linda, 724-882-8776.

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 or French toast, sausage and drink. Dine in or takeout. Cost: $7.50; 12 and younger, $5.50.Details: 724-339-2377.

Saturday: Homemade doughnuts will be sold from 6 to 10 a.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church, 1721 Victoria Ave. Cost: $6 per dozen. Orders: 724-335-0101.

Bethel

Tuesday: The Armstrong Nature Book Club will meet at 7 p.m. at the Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek, 142 Kerr Road. The selection will be, “Entangled Life,” by Merlin Sheldrake. Reservations and masks required. Reservations and details: armstrongcenter.org/odc-events.

May 11 and 23: The Knee High To Nature Series at the Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek will offer a free science program, “Awesome Opossums,” for children in elementary school at 6 p.m. May 11 and 23 at the center, 142 Kerr Road. Children can attend either session. Reservations required. Reservations: armstrongcenter.org/odc-events.

Gilpin 

Today : A Red Cross community blood drive will be from noon to 5:30 p.m. at Gilpin Volunteer Firehall, 113 Firehall Road. Appointments: 800-733-2767 or visit redcrossblood.org and use sponsor code GTVFD.

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: The Veterans of Foreign Wars will feature trivia at 8 p.m. at the post, 894 Veterans Lane. Public welcome. Bring a team or form one at the post.

Saturday: Friends of Harrison Hills Park will sponsor a spring Bird Hike from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Harrison Hills Park. Join birder and photographer Dave Brooke and Trib reporter and nature enthusiast Mary Ann Thomas for a hike through the park and learn about the migrant and resident birds in the park. Meet in the Environmental Center parking lot, bring binoculars and wear hiking boots or shoes. Reservations required. Reservations: davbrooke@gmail.com. Details: 724-487-3586.

May 12: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will offer, “Honeybees: The Perfect Pollinator,” at 6 p.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. The speaker will be Bill Kopar of Kopar Honey Farm. Reservations required. Reservations: alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.

May 21: Harrison Township Recreation board is seeking owners of commercial and non-commercial vehicles to participate in its third annual touch-a-truck event planned at Highlands High School, Natrona Heights. Details: Natalie Cale, 724-448-6588 or nmcajka@yahoo.com.

Kittanning

Sundays and Thursdays Armstrong County Historical Museum, 330 N. McKean St., will be open from 1 to 3 p.m. Other hours available by appointment. Free parking available behind the museum via the North Grant Avenue entrance. Details: 724-548-5707 or achgs300@gmail.com.

Leechburg 

Today: A fish fry will be from 3 to 7 p.m. at Leechburg Volunteer Fire Company, 268 Canal St. Dine in, curbside pickup or local delivery available. Menu: fried fish or shrimp dinner, chicken strip dinner, macaroni and cheese, fries, coleslaw, apple sauce, fruit cocktail and drinks. A 3% surcharge will be added to all debit and credit card orders. Orders: 724-842-3141 or 724-845-1684.

Saturday: A craft show and car show will be from noon to 5 p.m. at Leechburg Volunteer Firemen’s grounds, 268 Canal St. There will be food trucks and raffles. Vehicle registration will begin at 11 a.m. and awards will be given out at 4:30 p.m. The first 50 vehicles receive a dash plate. Registration fee: $5 each. Proceeds will benefit the fire company.

Lower Burrell

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

May 14: Church of God is accepting space reservations for a parking lot treasures sale set for 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church, 273 Chester Dr. Rain date: May 21. Reservations and details: 724-335-4422 or lbcog@hotmail.com.

May 14: The annual Animal Protectors Hearts for Strays spring luncheon will be at 11:30 a.m. at Hill Crest Country Club. Doors open at 10 a.m. There will be a basket raffle, door prizes, card games and a 50/50 raffle. Cost: $30. Reservations: jlessig@animalprotectors.net or the events tab at animalprotectors.net.

May 28 to Oct. 8: The Lower Burrell Farmers Market is seeking vendors for the upcoming season. Markets are from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays at 2800 Bethel St. Setup begins at 8 a.m. Cost: $40 for the season and free electric is available. Merchandise must be home grown, homemade or hand crafted. Vendors must participate the whole season. Details: TimPamKey@yahoo.com.

Manor

Tuesday: An American Red Cross Blood community blood drive will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Manor Township Volunteer Firehall, 167 Byron St., McGrann. Appointments: 800-733-2767 or visit redcrossblood.org and search for manortwpvfc.

May 14: The Pa. Fish and Boat Commission will offer a Basic Boating Course from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Armstrong County Fire School, 1999 Route 66. Upon successful completion, students will be able to apply to the state with $10 and the proper paperwork for their Pa. Boating Safety Certificate with the state Fish Commission. Those attending should bring a bagged lunch, paper and pen. Reservation deadline: May 6. Reservations: email name, address and telephone number to jeburns@co.armstrong.pa.us.

New Kensington

Today: A towel bingo will be hosted by East Kensington Community Circle at the community circle building, 1785 Seventh St. Cake and coffee will be served at 7 p.m. and bingo will begin at 7:30. Cost: $2, includes one board, cake and coffee; additional boards, 50 cents each.

Saturday and Tuesday: The Community Clothes Closet, 1129 Kenneth Ave., will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and noon to 2 p.m. Tuesday. Note the change in days and times. Items available include clothing, shoes, purses, linens, blankets and Mary Queen of Apostles School uniforms. Donations are accepted during open hours.

May 14: Vendor applications are being accepted by Knead Community Café for an outdoor Mother Nature’s Garden Market at the café. Items must be natural of plant-based products or garden related. No hot food vendors. Rain or shine. Details and applications: kneadcommunitycafe.org/vendorapplication.

May 17: East Kensington Community Circle is accepting orders for its Election Day beef vegetable soup sale. Cost: $8 per quart. Pickup: May 17 at the Community Circle Building, 1785 Seventh St. Road. Advance orders strongly recommended. Orders: Judy, 724-339-7887.

May 18: St. George Orthodox Church is accepting orders for a kibbee sale. Cost: $50 per dozen or six for $27. Order deadline: Wednesday. Pickup: 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. May 18 in the church hall, 1150 Leishman Ave. Orders: 724-337-3918.

North Apollo

May 21: North Apollo Volunteer Fire Department is accepting vendor applications for a crafter, vendor and food truck event planned at the firehall, 311 16^th St. Applications: kingal0103@gmail.com or rachelann1975@yahoo.com.

Oakmont

Saturday: Garden Club of Oakmont will host its annual plant sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hoffstot’s Café Monaco, 533 Allegheny Ave. Offerings will include hanging baskets, annuals, perennials, flower containers, and lettuce and herb bowls. Oakmont Lions will sell brooms. Cash, checks and credit cards accepted.

Parks

Sunday: Parks Township Sportsman’s Club will host 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.

Saxonburg

Through Saturday: South Butler County Library, 240 W. Main St., will sponsor a jigsaw puzzle exchange at the library. Bring a new or gently-used puzzle during operating hours and take home one for yourself. Puzzles for all ages accepted and must have all the pieces. Selections change daily. Details: 724-352-4810.

Springdale   

Monday: The Mystery Lovers Book Club at Springdale Free Public Library will meet at 10 a.m. at the library, 331 School St. The selection will be, “The Hypnotist,” by Lars Kepler. Copies available at the library. New members welcome. Reservations: 724-274-9729.

May 11 and 12: Springdale Free Public Library will sponsor a plant exchange at 6 p.m. at the library, 331 School St. Bring your extra plants and exchange them with others. Details: 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.

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.

Vandergrift

Saturday: Bingo will begin at 7 p.m. at the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 141 Sumner Ave. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. The kitchen will be open.

Wednesday : Vandergrift Public Library will have a free Toddler Time for children 4 and younger at 11 a.m. at the library, 128C Washington Ave. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-568-2212.

May 21: Vandergrift Presbyterian Church is accepting donations for a rummage sale. Hours: 9 a.m. to noon Mondays through Thursdays at the church, 195 Washington Ave. Please no televisions, furniture, computers or suitcases without wheels.

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.

May 19: Union Presbyterian Church, 656 Route 380, is accepting orders for a hoagie sale. Cost: $8. Order deadline: Sunday. Pickup: 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 19 at the back of the church. Orders: 412-398-7603.

West Deer

Today and Saturday: Amateur Astronomers of Pittsburgh will host star parties at 8:20 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. Please use parking lights only when you drive through the park gate. Donations will be accepted. Details and weather updates: 724-224-2510 or 3ap.org.

Saturday: East Union Church will host a craft fair from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church, 292 East Union Road. Free admission, food and a basket auction. Details: 412-767-5750.