Photo submitted to Times Observer The Youngsville Marching Eagles High School Band is currently ranked first out of 20 bands in TOB Competition which encompasses nine states. The Eagles have held this ranking for the past three weeks. They compete this Saturday at Penn-Trafford in the Region 8 Chapter Championships. They will go on to compete Oct. 27 in the TOB Atlantic Coast Championships in Hershey.

Church dinner

The Akeley United Methodist Church Harvest Dinner will be held from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9. The cost for the homemade turkey and ham dinner with all the fixings is a donation that will benefit the church.

Allegheny Outdoor Club

On Saturday, Oct. 19, Greg Burkett will lead a bike ride on the Red Bank Valley trail. Bikers will meet at Betts at 10 a.m. Bring water and snacks. Greg can be reached at (814) 723-4989 or (814) 730-4686.

On Sunday, Oct. 20, members will bike/hike from Franklin to Van, approx. 15 to 20 miles. Members will meet at Betts at 1 p.m. Earl Ross is the leader and can be reached at (814) 706-1198.

Photo submitted to Times Observer While the new Spotted Salamander at Audubon Community Nature Center is expected to be enjoyed primarily by kids, staff members Katie Finch (left) and Kim Turner demonstrate that adults can use it for a bench as well. The addition to Audubon’s Nature Play Area was created and donated by Mike Whitmire of Whitmire Outdoor Living in Starbrick. See Briefs...

Youngsville Library Census taker

The 2020 Census is looking for people to fill roughly 400 census-taker jobs within Warren County. During the week of October 21, the Youngsville Public Library will be hosting Census representatives who will help you to complete the 20-minute online application to become a door-to-door 2020 census worker from January through April. Help will be available from 2 p.m. to close on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, but a public computer will be reserved during all of YPLibrary’s business hours to facilitate census taker registration.

Census takers are paid $16 per hour, plus mileage must be available for a minimum of 20 hours per week (but may work up to 35 hours per week)

Youngsville Halloween events

The following free and open-to-the-public events will take place on Saturday, Oct. 26: Spooktacular Fun at St. Francis Church from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. No costumes please, let them scare you. Come when you can, you do not have to attend all activities; pumpkin carving from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.; GOULash, corn and bread for dinner from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.; haunted stories from the Bible from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.; and ice cream sundaes, treats, fortunes, and the Haunted Lane from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Photo submitted to Times Observer Checkers the Inventor made a grand entrance on his unicycle to entertain children at the Warren Public Library on October 12 with magic, juggling, comedy, and a giant balloon stunt. He even discussed Halloween safety. The sound of children hooting and hollering in response to Checkers echoed throughout the library and this put a smile on the patrons’ faces throughout the building.

For information, call 563-9491.

In addition, Trunk or Treat will be held at Otterbein UMC (258 Dalrymple St., Pittsfield) from 6 to 8 p.m. Costumes are encouraged.

Warren’s Big Small Catch-up

There will be a breastfeeding support group meet up (Warren’s Big Small Catch-up) in the Wetmore Room at the Jefferson DeFrees Center at 10 a.m. October 19. Come and chat and connect with other moms. Children and spouses/partners are always welcome. Learn more at www.facebook.com/biglatchonwarrenpa, or contact Nikki at huntingtonfamily15@gmail.com.

Benefit dinner

The “Butch” Hulings Memorial Scholarship Benefit Dinner will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, at Tidioute Fire/Social Hall.

The dinner will be chicken & biscuits, and the admission donation is $8 for adults, and $6 for children ages 10 and under. DJ Travis will be playing music until 9 p.m., and there will be a 50/50 raffle, Chinese Auction, Lollipop Lotto, and quilt raffle.

In-town deliveries are available. Call 730-0021 or 688-3630.

Haunted house

Come out and get scared! On Friday, Oct. 18, and Saturday, Oct. 19, there will be a haunted house at the St. Paul Center, one mile west of Sheffield on Route 6. Doors open at 6 p.m. Admission is $1. Hot dogs, chips and drinks will be available to purchase. This event benefits the Sheffield Elementary PTO.

Giant Spotted Salamander

A new creature is making its home at Audubon Community Nature Center (ACNC).

Measuring roughly 14 feet from its nose to the tip of its tail, a Spotted Salamander is now part of ACNC’s outdoor Nature Play Area.

The enormous concrete sculpture was designed, created, and donated to Audubon by Mike Whitmire of Whitmire Outdoor Living in Starbrick.

The salamander sits across the trail from Tank the Turtle. It weighs less but is about two feet longer than Tank, the 1,500-pound creature that Whitmire made and gave to ACNC last fall.

The Nature Play Area’s many young visitors will enjoy climbing on the salamander just as they do the turtle.

Adults will find that the salamander makes a great bench for taking a breather or just relaxing and appreciating the outdoors.

ACNC’s education team is delighted with this most recent unique gift and most grateful to Whitmire for giving visitors yet another reason to come and explore all Audubon has to offer.

Audubon Community Nature Center is located at 1600 Riverside Road, one-quarter mile east of Route 62 between Jamestown, N.Y., and Warren.

To learn more about Audubon and its many programs, call (716) 569-2345 or visit auduboncnc.org.