PHOTO PROVIDED At his preschool in Montana, my grandson, Owen, 5, was learning about being thankful and giving to others. The preschoolers were encouraged to bring items that would then be donated to the local food bank. Shown with Owen in this photo is his younger sister, Eva, 3, my granddaughter. Evie isn’t old enough for preschool yet, but she participated by helping to carry the items to preschool.

TREE LIGHTING

Wingate Faith Church invites the community to their annual community Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration. The event will be held on Sunday, Dec. 7, from 4-5 p.m., on the front lawn of the church grounds. Snacks of cookies, popcorn and hot cocoa will be provided and a time to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus will begin the event, so be sure to bring your cameras to take photos of the little ones with the jolly couple.

At 5 p.m. as everyone gathers around the beautifully decorated tree, the lighting of the tree will take place.

Everyone is welcome. Dress warm and come expecting to sing many of your favorite Christmas carols!

The church is located at 111 Runville Road, Bellefonte, which is behind the Sheetz store in Wingate and next to Wingate Elementary. Call Janette at 814-883-0893 for more info or visit the church’s Facebook page.

NO COUNTRY JAM

The Back Porch String Band will not have their Country Jam on Sunday, Dec. 28, because of the holidays.

Country Jam will resume in 2026 on Sunday, Jan. 25, from 2-6 p.m., at the Yearick Center/Howard fire hall.

Country Jam is held the fourth Sunday afternoon of each month except in December.

For more info call Connie at 814-625-2724.

LIVE NATIVITY

Wingate Faith and Fleming Free Methodist are once again proud to present a Live Nativity, “The Reason for the Season,” on Friday, Dec. 19; Saturday, Dec. 20, and Sunday, Dec. 21. Show times each evening are at 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

This Live Nativity is a 20-minute outdoor moving live presentation with narration and music of the Nativity story, featuring live animals and characters.

Kylee the camel will be there in her pen to meet visitors and Jim and Ann Taylor of Bald Eagle Valley Alpaca Ranch will have alpacas there again this year.

There will be approximately 52 characters participating in the Live Nativity during the three evenings. Some will be performing two nights and some will be performing just one night. In addition, there are approximately 15 people behind the scenes prior and during the performances who help make the event a success.

This program started in 1988 so this will be the 37th year of the Live Nativity. Some of the children who were participating in the early years are now bringing their own children to watch. It has become a family tradition.

The program is sponsored by Wingate Faith Global Methodist Church, with the Fleming Free Methodist Church providing characters one evening. Join us and celebrate The Reason for the Season! Invite your friends and neighbors. This is a free program for the community that is held at Eagle Towing & Recovery, 1049 S. Eagle Valley Road, Bellefonte. Eagle Towing is located along PA 150/220 S., just past the Bald Eagle Area High School.

Bleacher seating is available, or bring your own lawn chair. Grounds are handicap and wheelchair accessible. Dress warm and bring a blanket as evening temperatures get chilly this time of year. For more info call Janette at 814-883-0893.

CHRISTMAS AT CURTIN

Curtin Village invites the community to celebrate the season at its annual Christmas at Curtin holiday event on Saturday, Dec. 6, and Sunday, Dec. 7, at 251 Curtin Village Road, Howard, Pa. This festive two-day tradition combines family fun with community spirit while supporting the preservation of one of Pennsylvania’s most significant historic sites.

On Saturday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., families can enjoy free holiday photos in the decorated parlors, kitchen and outdoors with the Curtin Excursion Wagon and other photo opportunities. Photos in the parlor are taken by a PSU photographer. Guests can also take their own photos/videos. Santa will also be there! Free children’s crafts will be available in the mansion, with adult supervision required. Donations are encouraged to support preservation efforts.

On Sunday from 1-3 p.m., guests are invited to a ticketed, adult-focused holiday reception featuring a festive reading, wine, food and a special Curtin Village gift. Reservations may be made by emailing curtinvillage@gmail.com with the number in your party. Tickets are $35 for individuals and $60 for couples.

This year’s celebration marks the culmination of a six-year effort by the all-volunteer Roland Curtin Foundation to acquire Eagle Iron Works and Curtin Village, ensuring its return to local ownership and stewardship. The Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, will continue to rely on volunteers, donations, memberships, grants and special events like Christmas at Curtin to advance its mission of preservation and education.

The Roland Curtin Foundation is a volunteer-run nonprofit dedicated to preserving and interpreting Eagle Iron Works and Curtin Village, a nationally significant 19th-century iron plantation. Through education, community engagement and historic preservation, the Foundation works to ensure this landmark remains a vital part of Pennsylvania’s heritage and a valued community asset.

For more info check the Foundation’s website, or follow on Facebook and Instagram at Eagle Iron Works and Curtin Village.

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.

Howard Area Lions Food bank distribution will be on Dec. 15 from noon to 3 p.m. at the former Beech Creek Elementary School. Bring any large, sturdy boxes that you may have for the food distributions. Turkeys for your Christmas meal will also be handed out on Dec. 15 at the food bank.

The Lions will also be distributing Toys for Tots on Monday, Dec. 15, from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. This year, to cut down on congestion at the food bank area, the toy distribution will be from the Friendship Community Center nearby in Beech Creek. Registration is necessary for the toys and can be done at the FCC on Dec. 15. When individuals come to pick up toys, each person will complete a very short form that provides the gender and age of each child seeking toys.

Toys will be available to Food Bank patrons who are in financial need for Christmas gifts for their children and/or grandchildren. Others in the Lions Club service area may also obtain toys for children if you are in true financial need.

All toys will be distributed until they are all gone. When the room is emptied, the toy distribution will stop.

Howard Area Lions have their 2026 Lottery Calendars available for sale. The calendars are good for all of 2026 and are just $10 each. These make great last minute Christmas gifts and stocking stuffers! See any Lion to get yours today.

Howard Area Lions has straw whisk brooms for sale. I believe they are $14 each. Ask any Lion or call Lion Denny Bechdel at 570-962-3218 if you’re interested in purchasing a broom. The proceeds from broom sales benefit the blind.

The Lions Club collects used glasses that are sent overseas to underprivileged countries for individuals to be fitted with. If you have eye glasses to donate you can bring them to any Lions Club function and they’ll know what to do with them there.

The eye glasses (prescription lens and even “readers”) are collected all year long, so keep that in mind when you get new glasses. There’s a drop box in the foyer of the bank in Beech Creek if you’d want to place them there. Funeral directors will also collect them for the Lions Clubs, too.

CANDLEWALK SERVICE

Marsh Creek BIC Church is having a Christmas Candlewalk Service on Sunday, Dec. 14, at 6 p.m., at the church. The public is invited to attend.

The church would love to have all past candlewalkers participate in the special service again this year. The candlewalk was started by Mrs. Cora Buckwalter and had been an annual tradition at the church for many years. There will be one practice at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 11, for those participating in the candlewalk this year.

For info about the Candlewalk Service call Kathy at 814-880-8744.

Also, Pastor Dan Longmore would like to extend an invitation for folks to attend the Children’s Christmas program at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 21.

WESLEYAN SERVICES

Pastor Stan Johnson invites the community to services and special events that will be happening at the Summit Hill Wesleyan Church.

On Friday, Dec. 12, church members will be Christmas caroling to local homes and handing out fruit baskets. If you’d like to go along and help to sing to folks in the area, meet at the church at 5:30 p.m. All are welcome as voices are lifted in celebration of Christ’s birth and to bring cheer to folks in the area.

On Wednesday, Dec. 24, at 6 p.m., the church will have a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. Let your light shine for Jesus!

Looking ahead to the New Year, there will be a Family Movie Night on Jan. 9 at 7 p.m. More info will be coming on this movie. All are welcome!

Summit Hill Wesleyan Church is located at 1725 Summit Hill Road, Howard. The church is located in the Marsh Creek area, about 8 miles west of Howard. Call Pastor Stan for info at 814-937-1092.

UPCOMING EVENTS

— St. John’s United Church of Christ, 145 W. Walnut St., Light of the World Clothing Bank will be open today, Dec. 5, from 2:30-5 p.m., and on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 9 a.m. to noon. New items of clothing for babies to adults will be available. Everything is free!

— The Social Action Committee at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Snydertown is having a Holiday Open House on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Craft vendors, Christmas items, food, baked goods and photo ops with Mr. and Mrs. Claus with be available. Proceeds benefit those in the community.

— On Dec. 13, the Wreaths Across America program will be held at local Centre County cemeteries. The public is invited. Wreaths will be placed at Eagle Cemetery at 1 p.m.; at Milesburg Cemetery at 2 p.m.; at Swamp Poodle Cemetery at 2:45 p.m.; at Trcizulny Cemetery at 3:30 p.m. and at the Advent Cemetery at 4:15 p.m.

For more info about the Wreaths Across America program at these cemeteries, call Samantha at 814-883-1911.

— Howard VFW’s Auxiliary will be holding an All You Can Eat Breakfast Buffet at the club on Sunday, Dec. 14, from 10 a.m. until noon. The cost is $12 for adults.

— Blood drive at Wingate Faith Church on Tuesday, Dec. 16, from 12:30-6 p.m. The church is located at 111 Runville Road, Bellefonte, which is to the rear of the Sheetz store in Wingate.

— Food distribution will be on Thursday, Jan. 8, 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. Normally the food distribution is held on the first Thursday of each month, but since that would fall on the New Year’s holiday the distribution has been moved for January. Please mark your 2026 calendar accordingly. For more info call Leilani “Loni” at 814-548-7835.

FIRE NEWS

Centre Hall Fire Company offers a first Friday of each month Bingo at the fire station. Bingo will be held tonight, Dec. 5. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., early bird games start at 6:30 p.m. and regular Bingo kicks off at 7 p.m.

Centre Hall Fire Company will be having a Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 13, from 8-11 a.m. Prices will be $8 for those 13 and older; $5 for children 7-12, and those six and younger will eat free. Arts and crafts will also be provided by Potter Township Parks and Rec.

Millheim Fire Company’s Auxiliary is having a Winter Warmth Drive. The auxiliary is seeking donations of new, gently used and clean clothing, especially winter coats, hats, gloves and boots. Donations can be dropped off at the Millheim fire station on Dec. 10, from 6-8 p.m.

The date to shop and get everything for free will be on Dec. 13, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., when you can come to the fire hall and select the clothing and boots that you need to stay warm this winter.

Santa Claus is coming to Gregg Township on Saturday, Dec. 13, from 6-9 p.m. Santa will be making his rounds in the area to meet children. His first stop will be at Penn’s Cave, followed by the St. Katori Church, Locust Grove Church, Penns Creek and Lingle Valley, Salem Church, Longview Trailer Park and then ending at the Gregg Township fire station.

Walker Township Fire Company in Hublersburg will be having a Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 20, from 8-11 a.m. This is a pancake and egg breakfast. Donations for an adult meal should be $10 and a $5 donation for children under 12 is expected. Bring your cameras for photos with Santa! Proceeds benefit the fire company. Call Jim at 814-280-6302 for info.

Millheim Fire Company is having their annual Breakfast with Santa on Sunday, Dec. 21, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the fire station. The breakfast menu offers pancakes, sausage patties, scrambled eggs, toast, sweet treats, chocolate and white milk, orange juice and coffee.

The cost will be $7 for those age 13 and older; $5 for children ages 9-12; and free for children ages eight and younger.

Millheim Fire Company has their gun raffle chances for sale. The raffle will be held on April 11, 2026. Tickets are $10 each or 3/$20. There are 25 prizes to be won including guns, cash, a Yeti cooler, binoculars and range finders.

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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.