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JACKSONVILLE
FESTIVAL
The Jacksonville Cemetery Association's annual Jacksonville Festival will be held tomorrow evening, July 18.
Documentation shows that the festival dates back 100 years, so this is a milestone year for the festival as well as for America's celebration. The festival is always held on the third Saturday in July.
The food stands should be ready starting at 5 p.m. so come out and support the festival.
There will be games for the kids and adults, a dime pitch, raffles, lots of your favorite festival foods and live music by the Lomison Family and Friends band.
New this year, in celebration of America's 250th birthday, will be a Baking Contest and a Kids Poster Contest. These contests are only open to residents of Marion Township as participants.
Bakers are needed to enter the pie baking contest using only red, white and blue flavors!
Those pie flavors will be blueberry, cherry or apple! The pies being entered into the competition should be dropped off at the Marion Township building this evening, July 17, from 6-8 p.m., or on Saturday morning from 9-11 a.m. You can also bring your pies to the festival grounds at 4:30 p.m on Saturday. Be sure to bring a small paper with your name and phone number with your pie entry when you drop it off.
Judging will be done at 5 p.m. at the festival and winners will be announced right after the tasting.
All of the pies entered will then be donated to the festival's dessert and ice cream stand where they will be sold throughout the evening. The proceeds from your pie donations will help to benefit the cemetery association!
Also new this year for the kiddos is a poster decorating contest. The contest is for children in kindergarten through fifth grades who live in Marion Township. The theme is All Things Patriotic. Kids have decorated posters that have been judged and the winners will be announced at 7 p.m. during the festival.
LIGHTHOUSE CAMP
CONCERTS
Lamar Lighthouse Camp has announced its Summer Concert Series. Each of the concerts will be held on Sunday evening beginning at 6 p.m. The concerts are free, with a love offering taken each week.
The Gospel Harmony Boys will perform in concert on July 19. On July 26, The Hyssongs and Divinity Trio will be on stage.
The concerts continue each Sunday evening through Sept. 27.
Lamar Lighthouse Camp is located along Route 64 in Lamar. More info is available at www.lamarlighthousecamp.org or by calling 570-337-0203.
REUNIONS
If you're having a family reunion this summer and would like to have it listed in our Reunions column, please feel free to send me the details. Be sure to provide a phone number in case there are questions.
-- Andrew and Etta Confer Reunion will be held tomorrow, July 18, at noon, at Bald Eagle State Park at Pavilion 7. Bring a covered dish to share. Contact Sydney Sayers for additional details at 814-883-6449.
-- The Thompson Reunion will take place on Sunday, July 26, at Faith Chapel United Methodist Church Pavilion in Hunter Run, near Howard. Bring a covered dish to share. Lunch is at 12:30 p.m. followed by a meeting and games.
-- Descendants of Lewis and Ella (Wagner) Boone will gather for their annual Boone Reunion on Saturday, Aug. 1, at noon, at Camp One Point, 3091 Little Marsh Creek Road, Howard. Bring a covered dish to share along with a gift for the White Elephant auction. Questions can be directed to Makenzie by calling 814-933-7730.
-- Descendants of Eva and Wallace Strouse will hold a reunion on Sunday, Aug. 9, at noon, at Bald Eagle State Park, Pavilion 6. Bring a covered dish to share, table service for your family and a wrapped gift for the auction. For more info call Audrey (Strouse) Oakes at 814-364-1832
BASKET BENEFIT
A basket raffle benefit will be held on Sunday, July 19, from 3-6 p.m., at the Friendship Community Center in Beech Creek to help Tina McKinley in her fight against cancer.
Baskets are needed for the event! Call Pam at 570-0295-9592 to arrange a time for basket drop off. Baskets can also be dropped off at the community center on Sunday afternoon before the event.
Please come out and support Tina and her family during the basket raffle.
LIONS NEWS
-- Howard Area Lions will have their food distribution on July 20 at their food bank headquarters, the former Beech Creek Elementary. Folks can come for food aid from 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. Those seeking food must live in the Lions servicing area.
More Lions, teens and other volunteers are sought to help fill the boxes from the basement and place them into cars. It's a cumbersome job for our older group of Lions to navigate the steps with the heavy boxes.
School is out for the summer so this would be the perfect way for teenagers to help the Lions and to feel good about helping folks who live in our community. This would also be a perfect way for folks to see what Lionism is all about. The Howard Area Lions Club accepts both men and women into their membership. Come and volunteer with the Lions during their activities and then ask for a membership application to officially become a Howard Area Lion.
-- Snow Shoe Lions Club is selling "Lucky Lotto" raffle tickets for $5 each for a chance to win $1,000 in Lottery scratch off tickets. The winning number will be the one drawn in the Pick 3 Lottery game on Sept. 22 at 7 p.m. Tickets are available from any Lions Club member.
-- 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 have their 2027 Lottery calendars for sale. The calendars are $10 each and you can win all during 2027. See any Lion to get your calendars. If you can help to sell a few please see Lloyd Rhoades for calendars.
Lion Rhoades also has a supply of Weis and Giant gift cards for sale as well. For every $20 grocery gift card the Lions sell they earn a small percentage for the club.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
Happy Anniversary (belated) to Melvin and Carol Coakley of Beech Creek. The couple celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary on June 21.
FIRE NEWS
-- Snow Shoe Fire Company's carnival continues this evening and tomorrow, July 18, held at the Snow Shoe Carnival Grounds at 310 E. Sycamore St. Rides are provided by Bartlebaugh Amusements. Saturday night is the grand finale fireworks show starting at 10:30 p.m.
Be sure to get your tickets for the Snow Shoe Fire Company's annual raffle that will be held on Aug. 1 from noon to 5 p.m.
-- Sugar Valley Fire Company in Loganton is sponsoring a Red Cross Blood Drive on July 23 at the fire station from 1-5:30 p.m. Donors of all blood types are needed.
-- Gregg Township (Spring Mills) Fire Company's carnival will be on July 30-Aug. 1. The parade is on Thursday evening. On Friday night, from 7-10 p.m., The Needhams will be performing live music.
-- Centre Hall Fire Company's Car, Motorcycle, Tractor and Craft Show will be held on Aug. 8, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. If you'd like to be a craft vendor you need to reserve your $10 spot by calling Jake at 814-360-4357.
-- Pleasant Gap Fire Company's flea market will be held each Thursday through Aug. 20. The flea market will run from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Food, produce, antiques, collectibles, crafts and more will be available at the flea market each week. Please call Mark at 814-355-2753 if you'd like to be a vendor.
There is also a bonus flea market happening on Sunday, Aug. 9. The flea markets are held at the Pleasant Gap Fire Company's carnival grounds, 475 Robinson Lane, Pleasant Gap.
-- Be sure to get your raffle ticket for the Miles Township (Rebersburg) Fire Company's Gun Raffle that's planned for Sept. 12. Tickets are $10 each or 3/$20 and will be available at the carnival or from any fire company member. The grand prize is a 2026 Polaris Ranger 1000 RTV.
-- Pleasant Gap Fire Company's annual gun raffle will be held on Sept. 12 at the carnival grounds, 475 Robinson Lane, Pleasant Gap. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the station or from any fire company member. There are 25 gun and cash prizes along with other chances to win during the drawing. Gates open at 11 a.m. and the drawing runs from noon until 4 p.m. Food and beverages will be provided. Must be 21 with a photo ID to enter.
-- Undine Fire Company's Cash Bash and Basket Raffle is planned for Oct. 24, starting at 3 p.m. Tickets are $10 each. From 3-6 p.m. a winner will be drawn every 15 minutes. The cash prizes total $4,600. The grand prize winner of $1,000 will be drawn at 6 p.m. Stop by the station or see any member to get your ticket today!
UPCOMING EVENTS
-- Faith Chapel's Bargains and Blessings Community Closet will be open on Saturday, July 18, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., in conjunction with the annual Roger White Fun Fair being held at the church. 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.
-- Faith Chapel Church in Hunter Run is having their annual Roger A. White Fun Fair and Silent Auction on Saturday, July 18, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the church. There will be a moon bounce, games, food, baked goods, a jello eating contest at 1 p.m. and the Silent Auction winners chosen at 2 p.m. Special guests include a balloon artist and the Bald Eagle State Park environmentalists.
For more info on these events at Faith Chapel, follow the church at their Facebook page, faithchapelumc.
-- A benefit is being held at the Howard VFW Club on Saturday, July 18, for Jeff and Dorothy Snoberger. The Snoberger's live in Howard. Jeff suffered a stroke and his eyesight has deteriorated so he isn't allowed to drive and work.
The benefit will include a Scottish Doubles pool tournament with entry fee being $20. The tournament starts at 11 a.m. with registration beforehand. The kitchen will be open, there will be 50/50 drawings and a basket raffle and more! Stop by the benefit to lend your support!
-- On Monday, July 20, from 4:30-6 p.m., you can learn to draw or enhance your sketches by getting instruction at the Friendship Community Library in Beech Creek. This drawing class is free to those ages 12 and older. The drawing class is held each Monday of the month, unless otherwise noted. For more info call the Library at 570-962-2048. The library is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 3-7 p.m.
-- Beech Creek Wesleyan Church will host the New Love Center's Mobile Food Pantry on Thursday, July 23, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Individuals are invited to come into the church for a short pre-registration before obtaining the free food. Bring along any small boxes or reusable bags that you might have for transporting your food items in lieu of using the pantry's supply of plastic bags.
-- Clothes for the Community will be open at Bald Eagle Area High School in Wingate on Saturday, July 25, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Sunday, July 26, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free clothing, shoes, accessories and more! Sizes range from newborns to 5X! Donations are now being accepted. Clothing should be clean, slightly used and free of stains! Call Heather at 814-769-0523 for drop off times and locations. Volunteers are needed to help sort and arrange the items by sizes to be put on tables at the school and on Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. to pack up leftover items.
-- The Back Porch String Band will have their Country Jam on Sunday, July 26, 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. The afternoon of music is free, and those attending should bring a snack to share with others there. A hat is passed for you to contribute a few dollars to thank the Howard Fire Company for allowing the folks to gather there for Country Jam each month. If you play an instrument bring it along and join in the fun!
For more info on the band call Connie at 814-625-2724.
-- Milesburg Food Bank is open on Tuesday, Aug. 4, from 1-3 p.m. This food distribution is held the first Tuesday of each month at the Milesburg Presbyterian Church.
-- Red Cross Blood Drive will be held at the Howard fire hall on Wednesday, Aug. 5, from 12:30-6 p.m. Donors of all blood types are needed.
-- Senior Cheer Club will meet at noon on Thursday, Aug. 6, at Bald Eagle State Park at the pavilion with the restrooms located down by the beach. Bring a covered dish to share and your own drink. Bring an unwrapped item for the game. We'll have fellowship, food and fun. Anyone age 55 and over is invited to join us. Call Larry at 570-726-6635 for more info.
We had planned to have the picnic at the dam for our July meeting but it was just too hot that week, so we will try to meet at the dam for our August meeting, weather permitting. If there's rain or the temperatures are too hot and humid then we'll meet at the Friendship Community Center as usual. Larry will watch the weather and decide.
-- Food distribution will be on Thursday, Aug. 6, 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 held the first Thursday of each month, call Leilani "Loni" at 814-548-7835.
-- Blanchard Church of Christ will have their Food Pantry open on Wednesday, Aug. 12, from 3-5 p.m., at the church. For more info call the church office at 570-962-2423.
-- There will be a ballroom dance on Sunday, Aug. 16, from 2-5 p.m., at Lambert Hall in Bellefonte. Bring a snack to share and join us. For more information call/text Rod at 717-543-8348.
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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.