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LIBRARY EVENTS
Here are a few of the events happening during the month of December at the Friendship Community Library on Main Street in Beech Creek.
From Dec. 1 through Dec. 14 there will be a Card Making Station in the library lobby to make cards for local elderly people who may be alone during the holiday season. Stop by to make a card to brighten someone's Christmas season!
On Monday, Dec. 11, there will be an Art Class with George Stefanski. The class runs from 4:30-6 p.m. Everyone who is serious about learning to draw or looking to improve on your skills is invited to participate. The class is free and supplies are provided. Registration is not necessary.
On Dec. 12 there will be a kid's movie, Mary Poppins Returns, and a craft. The movie begins at 5 p.m. Popcorn is available, but bring your own drinks in a container with a lid to prevent spills.
On Dec. 19 there will be a kid's movie, The Polar Express, and a craft. The movie begins at 5 p.m. Again, drinks will be permitted but must be in spill proof containers.
Technical support is available at the Friendship Community Library each Tuesday from 6-7 p.m. Bring your cell phone or tablet to meet with Claire, the technical support person. Bring your computer related questions for Claire to help solve as well. Technical help is available on Dec. 12, 19 and 26.
The Library's Chatty Book Club will be held on Dec. 12 beginning at 4:30 p.m. The book that is being read is Nicci French's "The Unheard."
On Thursday, Dec. 14, there will be another movie, The Wizard of Oz, showing at the library. The movie begins at 4:30 p.m. The handicapped side entrance door will be open on movie nights for those needing assistance entering/exiting the library building.
On Dec. 21, the movie, A Christmas Carol, will be shown at 4:30 p.m. and on Thursday, Dec. 28, the movie will be Willy Wonka.
Be sure to check the Friendship Community Library Facebook page for schedule changes or call Courtney at the library at 570-962-2048 with questions. The Friendship Community Library is generally open on Monday's, Tuesday's and Thursday's from 3-7 p.m., but changes may vary this month because of Christmas.
MOBILE CLINIC
The Lions Mobile Clinic will be coming to Howard United Methodist Church on Wednesday, Dec. 13, from 1-5 p.m. The clinic is free and open to the public. No appointments needed and health insurance is not required.
PSU students man the mobile clinic and offer blood pressuring screenings and medication counseling. Flu shots for anyone age 3 and older are also available.
For more info on the Lions Mobile Clinic you may email lionmobileclinic@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.
LIBERTY BAPTIST EVENTS
Liberty Baptist Church in Blanchard announces some upcoming events during December that the public is invited to join in.
On Friday, Dec. 15, the church will host a Community Family, Food and Fun Night in the church gym and fellowship hall from 6-9 p.m. Parents and grandparents should bring the kiddos out for a fun filled evening.
On Thursday evening, Dec. 21, at 6 p.m., will be the Community Blue Christmas Service. This will be the longest night of darkness during the year because of December's Winter Solstice. So many in our community have gone through the loss of a loved one(s) and just don't enjoy the Christmas season because of depression and loneliness. The church invites those who may be going through the same feelings as others who have lost loved ones to join the Blue Christmas Service. For more info call the church office at 570-962-2214.
LIVE NATIVITY
Bald Eagle Valley Community Church will be holding their annual The Reason for the Season: A Live Nativity, at the Eagle Towing and Recovery facility next weekend. The event is free and will be held on Friday, Dec. 15; Saturday, Dec. 16; and on Sunday, Dec. 17. There will be two presentations each evening, the first at 6:30 p.m. and the second at 7:30 p.m.
The Live Nativity is a 20 minute narrated presentation with live actors and animals portraying the birth of Jesus. There is bleacher seating at the event and lawn chairs are invited. Be sure to dress warm for the outdoor weather.
Eagle Towing is located at 1049 S. Eagle Valley Road, Bellefonte, just past the BEA High School in Wingate.
LEARN HOME SKILLS
Winter Wellness for Mind and Body will be this month's topic for Our Homesteading/Traditional Home Skills group. Self-care to help the winter blues. Come relax and refresh with us.
If you're interested in learning or sharing traditional homesteading skills that our parents and grandparents used, come on Thursday, Dec. 21, from 6 to 8 p.m., to the Friendship Community Center on Main Street in Beech Creek. Learn more about what homesteading is: cooking from scratch, short cuts, what to do with your food and where to get it, preserving (canning, fermenting, etc), soap making and so much more. Become part of a growing community that wants to learn how to take care of themselves and their families. Light refreshments are shared -- many times that food is related to the topic of the month. This month the topic is comfort food. For more info., contact Billie at 570-660-1742 by text or just show up on Dec. 21! Hope to see you there!
SPORTMEN'S CLUB
Liberty Township Sportsmen's Association will be holding a turkey shoot on Sunday, Dec. 10, beginning at 1 p.m. Registration begins at noon with the cost to enter at $13 with an extra $1 for the bonus round. Ammo is provided. Prizes will be awarded. Food and drinks are available for purchase.
Muzzleloader Shoots are held every second Saturday of the month. Sign-ups are at 9 a.m. and shooting starts at 9:30 a.m. at the rifle range. The pistol range is closed during the shoots. There will be a slight change to the shooting schedule in 2024 so check the web-site, libertysportsmen.com, for additional info.
HOUSE DECORATING
Snow Shoe is having a Christmas House Decorating Contest. A list of rules and regulations can be found along with completing the registration for your decorated house can be done by sending an email to snowshoelightthenight@gmail.com. You must provide a photo of your decorated Christmas house, uploaded to the Facebook page before Dec. 15 to qualify. Winners will be chosen the week of Dec. 18.
BENEFIT BINGO
There will be a Benefit Bingo for Jake Weston tonight, Dec. 8, at the Milesburg Community Center. Doors and the kitchen will be open at 4:30 p.m. and Bingo starts at 6 p.m. Tickets are $25. In addition to Bingo there will be rip tickets, 50/50's and a basket auction. Call Heather at 814-312-2453 to reserve your tickets.
Weston suffered a stroke in October and was life-flighted to Hershey Medical Center, but is home now recovering and doing physical therapy. Jake is a husband and father of four. He's a self-employed small business owner and the only source of income for his family.
Your support of this fundraiser for the Weston family would be very much appreciated!
LIONS NEWS
Howard Area Lions Club will hold their next Bingo on Dec. 14 at the Beech Creek Fire Company social hall. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and Bingo starts at 6:30 p.m. Lions Bingo will also be held on Thursday, Dec. 28.
Howard Area Lions Food Bank distribution will be on Dec. 18 for those residents living in Beech Creek Borough and BC Township as well as those Centre County residents who missed their distribution date earlier this month. Residents need to live in the Lions servicing area which includes Howard, Blanchard, Hunter Run, Hublersburg, Lamar, Marsh Creek, Mount Eagle, Monument and Orviston. Bring your sturdy boxes back each month to be refilled at the next distribution. Food bank hours are from noon to 3 p.m.
The Lions provided Food Bank aid to more than 215 people during November.
Toys for Tots will be given out to Food Bank recipients on Dec. 18. Registration begins at noon, so please don't come before noon. Everyone will be helped, but your patience is expected. Contact Lion Ron Davy for Food Bank information at 570-962-2407.
Sympathy is extended to the family of Lion Gerald Vargo who passed away on Oct. 20, 2023. Jerry is survived by his wife, Patricia, and their children.
Sympathy is also extended to the family of Lion Donna Bennett who passed away on Nov. 8, 2023. A Lions Memorial Service was held for Donna.
FIRE CO. NEWS
Undine Fire Company will be holding a Jingle Bell Bazaar on Dec. 9 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lambert Hall, 303 Forge Road, Bellefonte. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there from noon until 2 p.m. and The Grinch will be visiting with shoppers and the 27 vendors all day long. Food is available for purchase.
Breakfast with Santa at Centre Hall Fire Company will be held on Saturday, Dec. 16, from 8-11 a.m. The breakfast will be free for children 6 years and under; a $5 donation is requested for ages 7-12 years and an $8 donation for ages 13 through adults. Also enjoy Winter Wonderland Arts & Crafts sponsored by Potter Township Park & Rec.
Breakfast with Santa will also be held at Walker Township Fire Company on Dec. 16 from 8-11 a.m. Donations of $5 for children and $10 is requested for adults to benefit the fire company. Bring your cameras for photo opportunities with Santa!
Millheim Fire Company will be bringing Santa to town on Saturday, Dec. 16. The fire trucks will be transporting Santa through town and along various streets to meet all the children. The fire trucks will leave the station at 9 a.m., so watch for the trucks and come to the curb to get a special treat from Santa.
Santa will be having breakfast with area children at Millheim's fire station on Sunday, Dec. 17, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. The menu will feature pancakes, sausage patties, scrambled eggs, toast, orange juice, chocolate and white milk and sweet treats. Children 8 and under eat for free; ages 9-12 can eat for a $5 donation and adults are asked to make a $7 donation for their meal to benefit the fire company.
SPONSOR A RESIDENT
Centre County's RSVP is looking for volunteers to bring a little joy to residents at Eagle Valley Personal Care Home in Milesburg this Christmas season. There are 49 residents at Eagle Valley PCH and each has provided a list of three things (totaling about $25) that they would like to receive as Christmas gifts. Some of the resident's suggestions were body wash and lotion, hair brush, Chapstick, fuzzy socks, candy, Word Search books, puzzles, etc.
If you would be interested in choosing a name and providing gifts for that resident, please contact Amber at RSVP by calling 814-355-6816 or send an email to aebrownson@centrecountypa.gov. Gifts should be taken to RSVP, Willowbank Building, Room 245 in Bellefonte before Dec. 15.
SANTA VISIT
Take a picture with Santa for free on Saturday, Dec. 9, from 10 a.m. until noon at Howard United Methodist Church, 144 W. Main St, Howard. Instead of going to the mall, waiting in line and paying big bucks for a picture, bring your own camera or smartphone and get a picture with Santa for free! There will be refreshments and each child will receive a small gift from Santa. Call 814-625-2362 for more info.
HOLIDAY CONCERTS
Students at area schools will be performing in holiday concerts at their respective schools this month, and the public is invited to attend and enjoy the songs of the season. Elementary concerts will be held in the multi-purpose room of each elementary school.
On Dec. 11 Port Matilda Elementary students will perform at 1:30 p.m. Doors open at 1 p.m.
On Dec. 13 Mountaintop Elementary students will perform at 1:30 p.m. Doors open at 1 p.m.
On Dec. 18 Bald Eagle Area High School students will perform in the high school auditorium at 7 p.m.
Students of the high school band, jazz band, concert chorus and honors chorus will be performing. Come early for a good seat!
CALENDARS & SNOWFLAKES
Howard Parks and Rec committee will have 2024 calendars for sale along with this year's tree ornament, a snowflake. Both the calendars and ornaments are $10 each and benefit the beautification and upkeep of the local parks in town. This year there will be stickers, too, for $3 a sheet. The items can be purchased outside the post office on Saturday mornings from 9-11 a.m. during the month of December or by calling Debbie at 814-625-0054.
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Howard Happenings is written and compiled by Tammy Coakley who can be reached by email at tammysue0115@gmail.com or by telephone at 814-625-2684.