EGG HUNT

The Bellefonte Community Easter Egg Hunt is on Saturday, April 4, at Talleyrand Park. The egg hunt is held rain, snow or sunshine, so bring the kiddos out for it. The egg hunt begins at 2 p.m. There are sponsors set up in the park at 1 p.m. and many are giving away free items. There are also games, crafts and refreshments. The Easter Bunny arrives at 1 p.m. and roams the park grounds with other costumed characters to greet the children.

The egg hunt is for all kids ages 12 and younger, and there is a section roped off to accommodate children who have special needs. There are 15,000 colorful eggs filled with candy and some have a coupon inside indicating that you’ve won a special prize at the Bunny Shack. Prizes include many donated Easter baskets, bicycles or something even better!

To donate candy, baskets or other prizes or to sign-up as a sponsor, please contact Mary McMurtrie by email at marym9109@yahoo.com or call her at 814-574-3240. To sign-up for a special needs accommodation for your child send an email to Mary’s email or to egghuntbellefonte23@gmail.com

Thanks to Historic Bellefonte, Inc. and the many businesses, clubs, churches, fire companies and volunteers, the Bellefonte Community Easter Egg Hunt is free and fun for everyone!

MILESBURG EGGS

Milesburg Museum and Historical Society is selling their homemade Easter eggs again this year.

The eggs are $10 a dozen and are ready for pick-up. The museum is open on Wednesday afternoon from noon to 3 p.m. As weather permits, sales may also be conducted at the post office on Saturdays.

The museum uses the Easter egg sale to help with expenses and upkeep of the building.

I’m hoping someone from the museum calls me to let me know the flavors they have made this year and how many dozen are left that I can buy some!

THANK YOU!

Thank you to everyone who helped in any way with the fundraising benefit at The Golden Axe last Saturday for Mike Neff.

Thanks goes especially to Kira at The Golden Axe and to Spencer for setting up the benefit. Thanks to the pool teams who participated, and a special thank you to the first, second and third place teams who so graciously donated their winnings back to Mike.

Thanks to those who provided food, prizes for the raffles, including all of the baskets, gift cards and gift certificates for the benefit.

Mike had a liver transplant operation in November at John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Md. His doctors are continuing to monitor his progress and stress that the first year following the transplant is a critical time, especially making sure that his body doesn’t reject the new liver. There have been some complications with managing his diabetes and he took a bad fall at the hospital a couple weeks ago and had to have staples put into the back of his head, but Mike was well enough to be there at The Golden Axe benefit to express his appreciation to those who came out.

Mike hasn’t been able to work and hasn’t yet received any disability benefits. It’s a stressful time for Mike and his wife, Lori, so please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Another benefit is planned for Mike at the Susquehanna Valley Big Twins Motorcycle Club on Saturday, March 21, from 7-11 a.m. The club is having a breakfast and Mike’s family and friends will be gathering baskets to have a basket raffle, too.

Please help us by donating a basket or prize for this upcoming benefit. To donate raffle baskets, please contact Lori at 570-502-1827 or Josie at 570-660-0988 for local pick-up or drop them off at the SVBTM Clubhouse before the event.

SHOE DRIVE

Marsh Creek Brethren in Christ Church will be collecting shoes again this year for the Gospel Tide’s “Your Soles for Their Souls” collection campaign. The Shoe Drive will end after church services on Sunday, March 1.

Last year the Tide received 7,500 pairs of shoes. The goal this year is to collect 10,000 pairs. We’re hoping that other churches, businesses or individuals will search their closets and shoe racks and donate to the campaign.

Our church coordinator is Bonnie Young, who is willing to pick up shoes locally or arrange for convenient pick-up in the community, ranging from Bellefonte to Lock Haven and all the little towns in between. We have congregation members living in Bellefonte, Julian, Milesburg, Blanchard, Howard, Lamar and Lock Haven who would be able to help with collection efforts as well. Folks can call Bonnie at 570-962-2665 for pick-up or to schedule drop offs at her home in Beech Creek.

All sizes of shoes, sneakers, boots and sandals need to be new or only gently worn. Shoe strings need to be included, and it’s best to tie the pair together using the shoe strings so they don’t get separated in shipment.

This is the fifth year the Marsh Creek BIC Church has collected shoes to support Gospel Tide, and thanks to the community support we’ve exceeded our goal each year.

WINTER FESTIVAL

Walker Township Park & Rec Board is holding a Winter Festival tomorrow, Feb. 28, from noon to 2 p.m., at the Walker Township Park, 816 Nittany Valley Drive, Bellefonte. All are welcome to come out and enjoy some winter fun!

During the festival you will have the opportunity to meet and greet a sled dog team, learn about animals in winter from the Game Commission and participate in a Discovery Space Winter STEM activity. Weather permitting (THINK SNOW) you can build a snowman, make snow angels and castles, participate in snow painting, play snow games and participate in a sensory scavenger hunt while you enjoy free hot chocolate and cookies.

For more info feel free to call Leah at 814-360-3099.

UPCOMING EVENTS

— Liberty Township Sportsmen’s Association will hold a Coyote Hunt and Flea Market this weekend, Friday, Feb. 27, through Sunday, March 1. Check the website for more info. I know preregistration was required for the hunt, and the club will be open on Saturday and Sunday for the flea market vendors to make sales. The kitchen at the club will also be open during the event.

— Wingate Faith Church will have a meal and fellowship time at the church this evening, Feb. 27, from 4-6:30 p.m. Take a break from cooking and come enjoy a chicken and waffles meal with mashed potatoes, desserts and drinks. The cost will be $12 for adults and $6 for those ages 6-12 years. Younger kiddos get to eat free! Wingate Faith Church is located at 111 Runville Road, Bellefonte, which is directly behind the Sheetz store in Wingate, and next to Wingate Elementary. Everyone is invited! Call Janette at 814-883-0893 for more info.

— Milesburg Food Bank is open on Tuesday, March 3, from 1-3 p.m. This food distribution is held the first Tuesday of each month at the Milesburg Presbyterian Church.

— Cheer Club will be held on Thursday, March 5, at noon, at the Friendship Community Center in Beech Creek. Anyone 55+ years or older is invited to attend Cheer Club. Bring a covered dish to share for the noon meal and an unwrapped item for the Chinese auction game.

— Howard United Methodist Church will have a free food distribution on March 5, beginning at 5 p.m. Please do not line up until after 4 p.m. Line-up is in the area of Rothrock Street (by the borough building) and back Spearing Street. Please do not block driveways so that homeowners can get home from work without any problems.

At 5 p.m. a church representative will release 10 cars at a time to travel to the church to get their food. From Rothrock Street, you would make a left onto Black Street, then a right onto Grove Street and go straight to the church. For more info, call Patti at 814-625-2182.

— Daylight Saving Time begins on Sunday, March 8. Don’t forget to “spring your clocks ahead one hour” before going to bed on Saturday night.

— Centre Ballroom Dance will sponsor a ballroom dance on Sunday, March 8, from 2-5 p.m., at Lambert Hall in Bellefonte. Cost is $10/person and bring a snack to share. For more info. call/text Rod at 717 543 8348.

— The Howard Winter Festival will be held on Saturday, March 14, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This Winter Festival benefits the Scouting America Pack and Troop 353 of Howard. Both boys and girls are involved with the scouting program in Howard.

This year the Cookie Crawl tin features a winter scene of the Eagle Iron Works at Curtin Village. The tins are $25 and can be pre-ordered and picked up at the park’s gazebo the day of the festival.

The festival features a variety of food vendors and about 40 craft and public service vendors have signed up so far. A bounce house obstacle course and lots of games run by the scouts, face painting, a petting zoo and more will make this event fun for the whole family! This year there will be a DJ in addition to the Mennonite choir performing at 1 p.m. You won’t want to miss the Father-Scout Cake Bake auction, with all proceeds going to our local scouts! To pre-order a cookie tin, or for additional information, call Patti at 814-625-2182.

— Beech Creek Wesleyan Church will have the free Mobile Food Pantry at the church on Thursday, March 19, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Anyone may come and receive food. This distribution is being administered by the New Love Center in Jersey Shore.

The food distribution will be held on the third Thursday of the month at the church, 217 Main St., Beech Creek.

— Susquehanna Valley Big Twins Motorcycle Club will have a Breakfast Benefit at the Clubhouse on Saturday, March 21, from 7-11 a.m. An all you can eat hardy breakfast will cost just $10 for those 13 years and older. Meals for children ages 6-12 are just $6 each. Younger kiddos eat free. The clubhouse is located at 84 Harley Drive, Lock Haven, in the Woolrich area. SVBTMC uses the monthly breakfasts to generate funds that are then donated to those in our community who are in need.

In addition to the big breakfast on March 21, there will be a basket raffle and 50/50 drawing to help Mike Neff who is recovering from liver transplant surgery. Mike hasn’t been able to work for more than six months now. Winners need not be present to win.

Please consider making a basket up or providing some sort of prize (gift cards to local stores, gas stations or restaurants are always nice) for the basket raffle to help Mike and his family through this difficult time. Baskets can be dropped off at the SVBTMC prior to the raffle or call 570-502-1827 for basket pickup. You can stop by the SVBTMC on Friday evening to preview the baskets that have been donated and enter the raffle if you aren’t able to be at the breakfast on Saturday morning.

— The Sneaker Bank at the Milesburg United Methodist Church will be open on March 21 from 9-11 a.m. Sneakers are provided for children who live in the BEA and Bellefonte School District areas.

— Nittany Valley Amish Benefit Dinner will be held on March 28 in Hublersburg at the Walker Township Fire Company station, 125 Firehouse Lane, Howard. This is an Amish Wedding Meal that is served from 12-7 p.m. I’ll have more info as the event draws closer, but menu details and pricing are available on the Nittany-Valley-Benefit-Dinner Facebook page. Reservations can be made by calling Sylvia at (814) 810-7959 or Dorothy at (814) 810-8664.

— The Penns Valley FFA and the Penns Valley Young Farmers will be hosting a Donkey Basketball game on Friday, April 24. The PV Rams will take on the Little Lions from State College. Doors at the Penns Valley High School New Gym will open at 6 p.m. and the game starts at 7 p.m. I’ll get ticket information for you once it’s provided to me.

SCOUTING FUNDRAISER

Pleasant Gap Scout Troop 66 is holding a Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser on Saturday, March 7, from 6-8 p.m., at the Pleasant Gap American Legion, 435 S. Main St., Pleasant Gap, Pa. The meal will consist of spaghetti with meatballs, tossed salad, garlic toast, and dessert for $10. Both sit-down meals and take-outs are available.

Funds from this dinner will be used by Troop 66 during their Scouting trip this summer to Philmont Ranch in New Mexico.

Eight scouts along with Scoutmaster Matt Coll and Assistant Scoutmasters, Marc Burns and Brent Smith, are all very excited for the opportunity to make the trip to New Mexico. The troop will be leaving Pleasant Gap on June 8 and will be doing a 12-day backpacking trip that will cover 60-70 miles of trails in the rugged wilderness terrain of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains at Philmont Scout Reservation before returning home on June 25.

Your donation will help to cover the cost of the Scout’s travel expenses and gear needed for this fabulous adventure.

For more info on Troop 66 or the spaghetti dinner please call 814-404-5432.

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 Food Bank distribution next month will be on March 2 and March 16 at the food bank headquarters at the former Beech Creek Elementary. Food distribution is from noon to 3 p.m. Bring a large, sturdy box with you.

Howard Area Lions Bingo will be held on March 12 at the Beech Creek Fire Company social hall. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and Bingo starts at 6:30 p.m.

Howard Area Lions Club has gained four new members. John and Robin Lyons and Carl and Joyce Nyman will be sworn in at the club’s next meeting. The club is open to both men and women and we’re excited about the new members who have a willingness to serve their community. If you would like to join, please ask a Lion for a membership application today!

Help the Lions with their ongoing fundraising efforts by buying Weis and Giant gift cards. The Lions have the gift cards and usually they are sold at Lions Club functions, or you can contact Lion Lloyd Rhoades to make arrangements to buy the gift cards directly from him. You can use the $20 gift cards when shopping for your own groceries or use them as a last minute gift idea for someone else. If the Lions sell $1,000 in gift cards then they receive a small percentage of the sales. Lion Lloyd can be contacted at 814-355-1776.

FIRE NEWS

— Centre Hall Fire Company’s First Friday of the Month Bingo will be held on March 6.

Doors and the kitchen open at 5:30 p.m. The Early Bird games begin at 6:30 p.m. and regular Bingo starts at 7 p.m. Each month through May, the fire company has chosen a “bonus organization” to help during their First Friday Bingos. The March 6 Bingo will help the Penns Valley Indoor Majorettes and Color Guard to get to the TOB Indoor Championships in Wildwood, N.J. The students have been working hard to perfect their routines and are really looking forward to their trip. For every Early Bird packet you buy $2 will be donated to the students along with 100% of the raffle proceeds! Come out and play Bingo and help our local school students with their adventure!

— Citizen’s Hook and Ladder Company in Milesburg will have Wing Night on Saturday, March 7, from 5-7 p.m. Wings are $12 a dozen with side orders of fries at $4. Bone-in or boneless wings are offered in seven different flavors. Come early because they sell out fast! Proceeds benefit the fire company.

— Millheim Fire Company will be having an Amish Wedding Dinner on Saturday, March 7, from 3:30-7 p.m., at the fire station. The traditional wedding supper is being prepared by the members of the Penns Valley Amish community. Adult meals will be $20 and children ages 6-12 will cost $8. Take outs are available for $20, too. Cash or check only, credit cards are not accepted.

— 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.

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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.