MERRY CHRISTMAS

I wanted to take a minute to wish all of my Howard Happenings readers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and safe New Year!

If you have events that you’d like mentioned in The Express, please reach out to me by email or telephone. I enjoy hearing from readers both near and far.

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 Bingo will be held on Jan. 8 and Jan. 22 at the Beech Creek Fire social hall. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and Bingo starts at 6:30 p.m.

At the last Bingo we sang Happy Birthday to Ivy Woomer, Lion Jim Kellerman and Amy. I’m sorry I don’t know Amy’s last name.

Mark your calendar for the Howard Area Lions Sweetheart Dinner that will be held on Saturday, Feb. 14. This is a free meal for local residents who are 60+ years of age that live in the Howard Area Lions servicing area. Sweetheart Raffle tickets are on sale now and will also be sold at the dinner. Contact Lion George Mochan at 814-482-0507 if you can sell some tickets before the dinner. Proceeds from the raffle are what pays the rent at the food bank headquarters in Beech Creek.

At a recent Lions meeting, Mike Davy was sworn in as a new member. The Howard Area Lions Club membership roll is now at 103 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.

The Lions would like to increase the numbers of the Leo Club membership and will be contacting the BEA assistant principal to help with this endeavor. Please encourage high school students to become interested in the Leo Club at school.

Howard Area Lions want to give a big SHOUT OUT to Mark “The Shark” Schlesinger and his Toy Drive. The Lions were supplied with an abundance of toys from his toy drive this year. In addition to providing toys for the families that use the Food Bank, the Lions were also able to fulfil the needs of the Angel Tree children in the Howard area.

Howard Area Lions Food Bank will be open on Monday, Jan. 5, from noon to 3 p.m., at the former Beech Creek Elementary School. Bring any large sturdy boxes that you have for food distribution.

The Lions will have their dinner meeting on Jan. 6 beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Emmanuel Church of Christ in Jacksonville.

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.

FIRE NEWS

— Centre Hall Fire Company will be holding their first Friday of the month Bingo on Jan. 2, with a special focus on supporting Penn State THON. For every early bird purchase, $2 will be donated to Thon, and special Penn State Raffle baskets will be raffled off with all proceeds from the raffle going to Thon. Additionally, a generous anonymous donor will match, dollar for dollar, all funds raised for Thon up to $1,000!

Start 2026 off by playing Bingo at Centre Hall Fire Co and supporting Thon. Doors and the kitchen open at 5:30 p.m. and Bingo starts at 6:30 p.m. Food, raffles and rip tickets will be available for your enjoyment.

— Millheim Fire Company has their gun raffle chances for sale so ask a fireman 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.