ORVISTON CELEBRATION

The Orviston Community Celebration will be held this evening and all day on Saturday, July 12. Get your summer raffle tickets from any Orviston Community Club member. Tickets are $2 each or 3/$5. The raffle drawing will be held on July 12 at 9 p.m. Call Jay at 570-484-1590 for raffle ticket information.

Vendors have started moving in this morning and are setting up and will be ready to serve customers around 4 p.m. Bring your lawn chairs and settle in to watch the Wiffle Ball Home Run Derby that starts at 6 p.m. (Registration required beforehand!) Get your tickets for the basket raffle that will be drawn on Saturday night at 9 p.m.

On Saturday, breakfast begins at 7 a.m. followed by Opening Ceremonies at 10:30 a.m.

At 2 p.m. the parade starts. Line-up begins at 1 p.m.

Be sure to check out all the scrap books of photos gathered over the years.

The 2025 Orviston Festival will conclude with an awesome fireworks display that begins around 9:30 p.m.

For more info, call Dave Lomison at 814-404-0357.

MUSIC AT THE ADVENT

Join the Advent Historical Society for its “Music at the Advent” series for “Music from the Hearths of Ireland and Scotland” time featuring the popular Callanish Celtic Band, a group that performs traditional music from Ireland and Scotland, as well as contemporary Celtic songs.

The free concert will happen on Sunday, July 20, beginning at 2 p.m. at the Advent Church, 1303 Moose Run Road, Bellefonte. Moose Run Road is between Milesburg and Yarnell and the church is right along the road so you won’t miss it.

The program will also feature 10-year-old Irish dancer, Lyra.

Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy the afternoon of music and summertime refreshments of watermelon, lemonade and iced tea afterward. You’ll also have a chance to meet the performers and fellowship with others there.

Music at the Advent is free, but monetary donations are welcomed to support the Advent Historical Society.

EVIE’S BIRTHDAY

Today our beautiful granddaughter celebrates her third birthday. Eva Rhoda, Evie as we call her, has a head full of curls and a smile that will light up any room.

Evie loves to play with her kitchen set, preparing imaginary meals and desserts for her family. She likes having a book or story read to her before going to bed each night. She also loves being outdoors with her family, whether it’s blowing bubbles, playing in the yard sprinkler or going to the nearby playground. Her daddy even took her hunting for turkeys this spring.

Evie has a big brother, Owen, who will be turning five in August. Evie is the daughter of Abbie (Coakley) and Andy Miller. The family lives in Miles City, Mont.

Happy birthday, Evie! We love you!

GUN RAFFLE

Liberty Township Sportsmen’s Association is having a gun raffle tomorrow, July 12, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the club. You don’t have to be present to win. There will be rip tickets for other guns and prize money during the day. If you want a ticket, please call Dawn at 570-660-7901 or buy yours at the door. Tickets are $20. Food and soft drinks will also be available for purchase during the gun drawing from the club house kitchen.

This event is a BYOB because the club is not allowed to sell or provide alcohol. If you bring your drinks with you, be sure to drink responsibly.

CHURCH CELEBRATION

Emmanuel United Church of Christ will be celebrating 150 years as a church and congregation. The public is invited to the events scheduled for both July 12 and July 13 at the church.

On Saturday, July 12, starting at 4:15 p.m., join local artist, Annie Snyder Reenactor, in revisiting the past 150 years of the Emmanuel United Church of Christ’s building and the congregation.

Following this presentation, there will be light refreshments, an open house and exhibit of historical artifacts and photographs of Emmanuel UCC and the Jacksonville area, as well as a basket raffle.

At 6 p.m. there will be an old-time community hymn sign, featuring special music by Kenna Shenk, followed by the basket raffle drawing and announcement of the winners.

At the church on Sunday morning, July 13, Pastor Cindy Killinger will lead the worship service that begins at 10:30 a.m. Special music will also be featured.

At noon an old fashioned picnic and ice cream sundae bar will be enjoyed.

All events are free of charge and open to the public. Emmanuel UCC is located at 4135 Jacksonville Road, Howard, Pa.

For more info contact Marsha at 814-571-3889 of visit their Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/share/1F3ibZMYfD/

KIDS CONNECTION DAYS

Blanchard Church of Christ is having their Kids Connection Days and your child is invited!

Designed for both preschool and elementary aged children, kids will be guided through daily adventures that spark curiosity and imagination, while solving mysteries, playing with friends and learning about different environments. Each child will have an unforgettable summer experience. Crafts and snacks will be provided.

The program will cost $12 for each day.

Preschool and kindergarten children’s programs will meet on Thursday’s from 9-11 a.m.

Children going into grades 1-4 will meet on Monday’s, from 9-11 a.m.

On July 14 and 17 the program will be about Meadows.

On July 21 and 24 the program will explore Forests and the final program on July 28 and 31 will be about Rivers and Streams.

To register your child, call the church office at 570-962-2423 to request a registration brochure and form, or visit the church website to complete an online registration or stop by the church in person.

FLEA MARKET

Pleasant Gap Fire Company will have a weekly flea market each Thursday at the fire company carnival grounds. The vendor fee of $20 will benefit the PGFC. Vendors will be set up from approximately 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., weather permitting, each week. Vendors are required to bring their own outdoor canopies and tables for the outside event. There are a few buildings/pavilions at the grounds that vendors can use, but they are on a first come basis. There are some trees for shade for vendors to choose those spots as well.

So far the vendor interest has been great! There were more than 30 vendors at the last market and many are excited to return each week. Vendors can call Mark at 814-355-2753 for more info.

Food is also available, provided by some of the food vendors that will be on-site. The fire company may also be contributing to food sales in the future as well.

The flea market is expected to run through July and August, so long as vendor and customer interest continues. Stop by and check this new flea market out! The flea market/fire station location is at 475 Robinson Lane, Pleasant Gap. More info is available by contacting Greg at ggmar1@hotmail.com.

SUMMER CONCERTS

Lamar Lighthouse Camp will be hosting their Summer Concert series each Sunday evening at 6 p.m. Each of the concerts is free and open to the public. A love offering is taken each week to further the ministry of both the groups performing and Lamar Lighthouse Camp.

Divinity Trio will be in concert on July 13, followed by The Hyssongs on July 20 and then Common Bond will be there on July 27.

Lamar Lighthouse Camp is located along Rt 64 at 4746 Nittany Valley Drive, Mill Hall. For more info call 570-337-0203 or visit their Facebook page: Lamar Lighthouse Camp.

FIRE NEWS

Fire companies can use donations of bottled water and Gatorade this summer!

Lamar Township Fire Company will host a blood drive at their station on Wednesday, July 16, from 1-5:30 p.m.

Snow Shoe Fire Company will have a gun raffle on Aug. 2 at the Snow Shoe carnival grounds. Tickets are on sale now at $10 each or 3/$20.

Howard Fire Company will hold a blood drive at their station on Wednesday, Aug. 6, from 12:30-6 p.m.

Centre Hall Fire Company is planning to have a Car and Craft Show on Saturday, Aug. 9. Details will be coming shortly. Tickets are also available for the Centre Hall Fire Company’s Mega Bingo that is planned for Sunday, Sept. 21. Tickets are $50. Check the fire company Facebook page or stop by the station to get your tickets.

Miles Township (Rebersburg) Fire Company will have a gun raffle on Saturday, Sept. 13. Tickets are on sale now for $10 each or 3/$20. There are 30 prizes to be given away on this raffle and one of them is a 2025 Honda Pioneer side by side.

Pleasant Gap Fire Company will have a Gun Raffle on Sept. 13, from noon to 4 p.m. Gates to the carnival grounds will open at 11 a.m. Tickets are $10. Must be 21 with photo ID to enter.

Nittany Valley Fire Company will have their annual Sportsmen’s Raffle on Saturday, Oct. 4, from 3-8 p.m., at the fire station in Lamar. Tickets are $10.

LIONS NEWS

Milesburg Lions Club holds a weekly Bingo every Thursday night at the Milesburg Community Center. Doors open at 5 p.m. and Bingo starts at 6:45 p.m.

The Lions will have their food trailers at the Orviston Festival on July 11-12. Lion Art is looking for people to help with the food wagon sales from Friday night starting at 5 p.m. and on Saturday beginning at 9 a.m.

Howard Area Lions will have their food distribution on Monday, July 21, from noon to 3 p.m., at the former Beech Creek Elementary School. Bring a sturdy box (or boxes) with you as there is always a need for larger boxes for food distributions. Food distribution is for those residents who live in the Centre County areas of Blanchard, Howard, Hunter Run, Lamar, Marsh Creek, Monument, Mount Eagle and Orviston, and those living in the Clinton County area of Beech Creek Borough and Beech Creek Township.

Mark your calendar that the food distribution dates in August will be adjusted because the Lions will be parking cars during Grange Fair. Distribution dates will be on Aug. 4 and Aug. 25.

In addition to the Lions collecting used eye glasses, they have a medical equipment loaner program which lends out items like canes, crutches, walkers, wheel chairs, shower chairs, portable potties and hospital beds to folks who need them free of charge.

If you have borrowed items from the Lions and you are no longer using them please return them so that others may benefit from them. Or, if you have these types of items (or see them at yard sales) that are in good condition that you can donate to the Lions they will certainly be appreciated. Lion Denny Bechdel is in charge of the medical equipment program and can be reached at 570-962-3218. It’s best not to leave things outside the old fire station building where the items are kept because they can get rained on and ruined. It’s best to call Lion Denny and arrange a convenient drop off time so that the items can be moved inside right away.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Lemont Village Association will have their summer concerts on the Village Green each Friday night from 7:30-9 p.m. The concert this evening features Porch Party. If there is light rain the concert will go on, bring your umbrellas and raincoats. If thunder and lightning — then the concert will be moved indoors to the granary. Check the website around 5:15 p.m. on Friday to see if the concert will be moved indoors.

Bring a lawn chair and stop by for the free music. Ice cream cones will be available from Troop 367 for a donation to the scouts. For more info or for weather conditions where the music needs to be moved indoors, please contact Sue at news@lemontvillage.org or visit their Facebook page.

Bargains and Blessings Community Closet will be open on Saturday, July 12, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Faith Chapel United Methodist Church, 551 Hunter Run Road, Howard. This sale is in conjunction with the church’s annual Roger White Fun Fair. Gently used, good quality clothing, shoes and accessories for the entire family are available. Sizes range from infants to 3X and are priced at $5 per bag full. Bags will be provided.

Centre Ballroom will have a Dinner/Dance on Sunday, July 13, from 2-5 p.m., at Lambert Hall, Bellefonte. Call/text Rod at 717-543-8348 for making a reservation.

On July 19, Friendship Community Center in Beech Creek will be hosting a basket raffle from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the center. The kitchen will be open. Basket donations would be appreciated and will be accepted while the library is open on Monday, Tuesday or Thursday evenings from 3-7 p.m., and on Friday evening after 6 p.m. Proceeds from this benefit will help the FCC have a new drop ceiling and lights installed.

The Jacksonville Cemetery Association’s annual Jacksonville Festival will be held on Saturday, July 19, beginning around 5 p.m. Come for some good old-fashioned festival fun. Games for the children, live music, 50/50 drawings and more! The festival food menu includes hamburgers, hotdogs, sausage sandwiches, fries, ice cream, pies, cakes, pizza and more! There’s usually a fruit basket paddle wheel, dime pitch and penny pitch and the 25 cent a card Bingo games. The Lomison Family and Friends Band is the entertainment for this year’s festival. All proceeds go towards the mowing and expenses of the cemetery grounds.

If you can volunteer for a few hours to help with a food stand or game, please reach out to Pam. Help is needed to keep this long-time tradition going each year.

Curtin Village Herb Garden will be undergoing some restoration efforts on July 19, the National PA Day. Sprinkles will not keep those garden workers away but downpours will. A rain date is set for Sunday, July 20. Volunteers are needed beginning at 8:30 a.m. and they should register in advance. The remnants of the decades old herb garden will be rejuvenated by a mini-grant project that will replace the existing flagstone pathway on a new limestone sand base, eliminate accessibility hazards, improve soil conditions and plant additional herbs where needed. This project merges history, nature and local volunteer involvement to enhance visitor experiences and enrich the site’s educational and historical value.

The work will be performed in two phases — the first phase is to remove all of the existing flagstones, restack the perimeter foundation wall where necessary and install geofabric and a limestone sand base to level the flagstone base prior to July 19. Then on National Pennsylvania Day, July 19, volunteers will reset the existing flagstone, top dress the planting area with a mixture of topsoil, compost and sand, replant herbs removed prior to the start of the project and insert new herbs where necessary. Penn State Master Gardeners of Centre County are an integral part of this effort to select historically correct native plants and design a garden that includes culinary, medicinal and fragrant herbs.

Sign up to volunteer today!

Food distribution will be on Thursday, Aug. 7, from 4-6 p.m., at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 216 McAllister St., Bellefonte. There aren’t any income guidelines but a few questions are asked for those attending for the first time. For more info on these food distributions, call Leilani “Loni” at 814-548-7835.

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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.