Wesley Woods’ board has been engaged in a season of prayer and discernment over the past 12 months, calling it a “crossroads as a ministry.”

As such, the board and staff together have made some decisions about the direction, mission and vision of this ministry.

First, effective January 1, 2019, Wesley Woods, Inc. will no longer offer any onsite horse programming. While the horse program has historically been an important part of the Wesley Woods summer camping program, in recent years the program expenses have grown cumbersome and untenable.

Secondly, Wesley Woods will be launching a complete program overhaul for summer 2019; adding several new program offerings such as: BMX biking, mountain biking, an extensive fine arts program, and a revamped outdoor sports program.

Furthermore, Wesley Woods announces a new partnership with Game Changers Sports Ministry. The partnership will provide access for campers to NCAA and professional level coaches and athletes for sports camps such as: Acro-tumbling, BMX Biking, Cross Country, Mountain Biking, Soccer and Swimming.

Finally, Wesley Woods will be offering a new line of family-friendly camp programming in conjunction with the current summer camp offering.

Wesley Woods is a Christian camp and conference center located in Grand Valley. Since 1953, Wesley Woods has hosted a summer camp annually. Its mission is to connect people to God through His Son Jesus Christ, and envisions its ministry as a place of hospitality for all of God’s children to meet with the Creator in Creation. Wesley Woods is an extension ministry of the Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.

Class to lunch

The Warren High School class of 1951 will meet for lunch at 12:15 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 10, at Olmstead Manor in Ludlow.

Retired ladies to lunch

The retired ladies of Osram Sylvania will meet for lunch at 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6, at Wendy’s Cafe in Russell.

Class to breakfast

The Youngsville High School class of 1961 will meet for breakfast at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 10, at Richard’s Restaurant in Youngsville.

Otterbein movie night

Otterbein U.M. Church, 258 Dalrymple St., Pittsfield, will host a free movie night, including popcorn and soft drinks, Friday, Oct. 12. The movie this month is “Left Behind.”

LICC to meet

The Local Interagency Coordinating Council will meet from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Oct. 9, at the Forest-Warren Human Services Building on Hospital Drive in North Warren in room 322.

Swedish Union Church and Cemetery meeting

The Swedish Union Church and Cemetery Fall Meeting will be held at 2 pm. Sunday, Oct. 21. The meeting is held at the Swedish Union Church on Swede Road in Tidioute. Anyone is welcome to attend.

Class of ’76 birthday

The WAHS Class of 1976 is having a “60th Birthday Celebration Party,” from 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, at the Fraternal Order of Eagles #313, Warren.

Business news

On July 1, Dr. James P. Jones, formerly of Youngsville, became a Clinical Professor of Medicine at the John A. Burns School of Medicine in Honolulu, Hawaii. Dr. Jones is a 1985 graduate of Youngsville High School, and the son of Jennie Jones, and the late Clarence Jones, of Youngsville.

Tech 101

Tech 101, presented by Craig Schneider, will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 11, at the Allegheny Community Center. Technology can be overwhelming, but also very beneficial. Find out more about the basics of computers and the internet and how smartphones and tablets work.

The Skinny on Fat

The Skinny on Fat, presented by Craig Schneider, will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 11, at the Allegheny Community Center. Fat has a bad reputation, but not all fats are bad. Find out which fats you should avoid and which you should keep.

Coming Home events

Although all the members of the YHS 1971 Homecoming Court might not be in attendance, all alumni and public are still welcome to attend a special “Coming Home” bonfire event, hosted by the Youngsville Class of 1971 on Friday, Oct. 5, from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Youngsville Free Methodist Church pavilion (148 Davis Street). Bring a snack to share, lawn chairs, and your own non-alcoholic beverages.

Be ready to reminisce about YHS memories of yesteryear. Contact Becky Walters at (814) 563-4791 or bswalters@verizon.net with questions. More information about this event and all other Coming Home events can be found on the Youngsville Library Community News page at www.youngsvillelibrary.org.

Additional Coming Home events include:

Saturday, Oct. 6: Alumni breakfast at 9 a.m. at Richard’s Restaurant (side room reserved); Alumni dinner from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Youngsville Fire Hall. Reservations were required for dinner/dance. Cost $20 per person; Alumni dance from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. at Youngsville Fire Hall, featuring band “American Pie.” Cost $10 per person.

For more information, call Kathie Irwin at 489-3535, Sam or Becky Walters at 563-4791, or Lou Ann Lauger at 563-3566.

Class meeting

The YHS Class of 1969 will be holding a class meeting at 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 5, at the Brokenstraw Valley Winery.

ANF permits

The Allegheny National Forest’s Marienville Ranger District is proposing to issue new special use authorizations to replace 27 existing or expired authorizations for recreational uses including fishing, hunting, biking, hiking, horseback riding, canoeing, kayaking, and various other recreation events on the Allegheny National Forest. The uses proposed for reauthorization are located in Elk, Forest, McKean, and Warren counties, Pennsylvania.

Maps and additional information are available on the Allegheny National Forest website (https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=54349) or by contacting Kevin Treese, District Planning Team Leader at ktreese@fs.fed.us or (814) 927-5759.

Box City

St. Joseph Church Box City participants will be collecting canned/boxed goods, door-to-door, between 6 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6, on Warren’s east side.

The canned/boxed goods will benefit area soup kitchens. Box City funds raised will benefit the Warren County School District Food Pantry program.

Box City is an event to raise homelessness awareness.

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