LIVE NATIVITY

Wingate Faith and Fleming Free Methodist are once again proud to present a Live Nativity, “The Reason for the Season,” tonight, 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. 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.

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 Howard Area Lions Club membership roll is at 101 members. Membership applications are available from any Lion. Both men and women can be members of the club. If you have a willingness to serve and help others, then consider becoming a Lion today! You don’t have to live in Howard to be a part of the group. The Lions have members living in Centre and Clinton County areas, ranging from Snow Shoe and Centre Hall all the way to Lock Haven.

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.

The Lions Club has a medical equipment program to help serve others in our area. Canes, walkers, shower chairs, wheel chairs, bedside potties, hospital beds and more are loaned free of charge to those needing them. If you have any of these items to donate, or if you need an item, please contact Lion Denny Bechdel at 570-962-3218. If you’ve borrowed an item and are no longer using it, please return it so that others may use it.

I wanted to personally thank Lion Denny for his help with providing a hospital bed, walker and other items to a friend of ours who was being released from the hospital after having a liver transplant operation. Lion Denny met us at the old fire station in Beech Creek where the medical equipment supplies are kept and made sure we had everything we would need.

The Howard Area Lions wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year.

CHILDREN’S PROGRAM

Marsh Creek BIC Church is having a Children’s Christmas program on Sunday, Dec. 21, at 9 a.m. Pastor Dan Longmore would like to extend an invitation for folks to attend the service.

The church is located at 417 Summit Hill Road in the Marsh Creek area of Howard.

WESLEYAN SERVICES

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

On Wednesday, Dec. 24, at 6 p.m., the church will have a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. Come to the church service and 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. Call Pastor Stan for info at 814-937-1092.

UPCOMING EVENTS

— 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.

FIREFIGHTERS WELCOME SANTA

— 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 so ask a firemen at the breakfast if you’re interested. 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.

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.)

Country Jam is free and open to the public. A donation is taken during the afternoon to benefit the Howard Fire Company. Those attending are asked to bring a snack to share.

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

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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.