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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:
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. 19 and 26.
On Dec. 19 there will be a kid's movie, "The Polar Express," and a craft. The movie begins at 5 p.m. Drinks will be permitted but must be in spill proof containers or have lids. 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 Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3-7 p.m., but changes may vary this month because of Christmas.
LIBERTY BAPTIST EVENTS
Liberty Baptist Church in Blanchard announces some upcoming events during December that the public is invited to join in:
Tonight, 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., there 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.
COPING WITH LOSS
Losing a loved one can cause you to look at the holiday season with more hesitancy than excitement. Typically a joyous time, the season might take on a whole new meaning when the traditions are reminders of a person who is no longer present. While the grieving process can be unpredictable, there are a few actions that can make navigating that process against the backdrop of family festivities easier.
St. Mark Lutheran Church, 850 Snydertown Road, Howard, is having a service about coping with grief and the loss of loved ones during the Christmas season. Called a Worship Service for the Weary, the public is invited to attend at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 21.
Pastor David Pencek is available to speak with those who may be struggling at this time of the year by reaching out to him at 814-383-4882.
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 this weekend. The event is free and will be held this evening, Dec. 15; Saturday, Dec. 16; and on Sunday, Dec. 17. There will be two presentations, 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.
CHRISTMAS SERVICES
Howard United Methodist Church will have Christmas Eve services for Sunday, Dec. 24, will be at 9 a.m. with a casual Christmas Carol hymn sing.
The evening candlelight service will begin at 7 p.m. After the service, you are asked to gather in the fellowship hall to sing Happy Birthday to Jesus and celebrate with cake and ice cream!
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!
LIONS NEWS
Howard Area Lions Club will hold Lions Bingo at the Beech Creek Fire Company social hall on Thursday, Dec. 28. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and Bingo starts at 6:30 p.m.
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.
SANTA & FIREMEN
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 through 12 years and an $8 donation for ages 13 through adult. 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 for adults are requested 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.
HOLIDAY CONCERT
On Dec. 18, students of the Bald Eagle Area High School band, jazz band, concert chorus and honors chorus will be performing a holiday concert in the high school auditorium at 7 p.m. 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.
BASKETBALL ALUMNI
Bald Eagle Area Boys Basketball will have a Basketball Alumni Night on Thursday, Dec. 21. Former players, managers and coaches are invited to be guests of the Eagles as they host local rivals, the Philipsburg-Osceola Mounties.
All basketball alumni and participants will be recognized on the court prior to the start of the varsity game which begins at 7:15 p.m. Come earlier than 7:15 p.m. Please RSVP to say you'll attend to Kris.Glunt@beasd.net.
BLOOD DRIVE
The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive at the Bald Eagle Valley Community Church on Tuesday, Dec. 19, from 12:30-6 p.m. This drive is part of the Bleed Blue blood collection campaign, and donors will be entered into a drawing for grand prizes of a PSU Football package or a PSU Hockey package.
Blood supplies are critically low, so all blood types are needed. Contact the American Red Cross to set an appointment, or just walk in to donate.
The church is located at 111 Runville Road, Bellefonte, just behind the Sheetz store in Wingate.
CORNHOLE LEAGUES
Cornhole is coming back to the Yearick Center! Beginning on Dec. 19, the Howard Fire Company will be running two leagues back to back, both for a six week duration.
All players are encouraged to download the "Switchholio" app so accurate stats can be kept.
Doors open at 6 p.m. each Tuesday and bags fly at 7 p.m. The cost will be $10 per person. Teams are made of two people, with each team selecting one alternate player that will be the only person allowed to fill in for the evening if a team player is absent.
No solo playing will be allowed. If one person is out and the alternate player cannot be there then the team will take a 0 for the week.
This is a BYOB event. Payouts depend on the number of teams involved. All proceeds will benefit the Howard Fire Company. For more info or questions, feel free to contact Don at 814-404-5012.
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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.