Photo submitted to Times Observer The winners of the Eisenhower Elementary School essay contest — How the Citizens of Sugar Grove helped escaped slaves on the Underground Railroad — are (from left): fifth grade social studies teacher Rhonda Thomas, Honorable Mention Huntley LaVigne. Honorable Mention Piper Knisley, Honorable Mention Hunter Nuttall, First Place Winner Riley Gafner, Second Place Michael Palmieri, Third Place Landon Frederes, and presenting the awards Magisterial District Justice Laura Bauer. A total of 72 students participated in the contest and the top three place winners will read their essays at a reception following the unveiling of a Pennsylvania State Historical Marker honoring Sugar Grove abolitionists Cynthia Catlin Miller and her son, Franklin. The dedication of the marker will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, at the Miller Mansion, 881 Big Tree Road, Sugar Grove. The reception will follow at First United Presbyterian Church in Sugar Grove. Also following the dedication, the Sugar Grove Free Library will have the Miller Diaries on display and will show the documentary — Safe Harbor — regarding the Underground Railroad. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend all events.

Humane Society donations

Donations to Paws Along the River were made in September and October in memory of or in honor of the following:

In honor of Laura Hultberg and Stacy Cronmiller, and; In memory of Constance Albaugh, Jean Riche, Christine Kintner, Betty Mott, Sally Metzgar Merle Anderson, Naomi Walstrom, Jerry Borden, David LeMeur, Martin “Marty” Kasaback, Mary Akif, Marvin Gustafson, Michael Madigan, and Kenneth E. Peterson.

ANF closure

The Warren, Marienville, and Bradford offices of the Allegheny National Forest will be closed Wednesday, Nov. 6, and Thursday, Nov. 7, for training. All offices will reopen for normal business hours and operations on Friday, Nov. 8.

Military Share

Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania will hold a Military Share Produce Express food distribution at 4:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8, at the Warren VA Clinic on Farm Colony Drive. Veterans of any branch of the military, members of the National Guard and Reserves, and active-duty military personnel, and their families, who qualify on the basis of income are eligible. The distribution is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Class lunch

The WHS class of 1959 will meet for lunch at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 5, at Richards Restaurant. As always, spouses and guests are welcome.

Winter Wonderland Craft Show

The Winter Wonderland Craft Show, sponsored by the Youngsville Fireman’s Auxiliary, will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, at Youngsville Fire Hall. Admission is free. There will be 108 craft tables and a Chinese Auction. For information, call 563-4042 or 726-4904.

Drug Takeback results

On Saturday, Oct. 26, Warren County Law Enforcement (YPD, WCSO, and WCPD) collected approximately 456 pounds of expired, unused, and outdated medication. The DEA collected the 18 boxes of medication from our county and will destroy it all.

From the very first one of 21 pounds in 2010 to nearly 500 pounds in 2019, local residents really seem to appreciate the police departments collecting it all and don’t have to worry about burglars stealing it or flushing it into the water system.

Russell VFD Auxiliary craft show

Each year, the Russell Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary has a Holiday Craft Show. This annual event has been held since 1982. It’s a great opportunity to get your Christmas shopping done early from local businesses and crafters.

The event will be held Saturday, Nov. 9, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Russell Volunteer Fire Department, 111 Perrigo Lane, Russell. A Silent Auction of items from each vendor will be held, a drawing will be at 3 p.m. Chances will be 50 cents or three for $1.

Lunch will be available from the auxiliary. For more information, contact 757-8106.

In the last 10 years, the auxiliary has given the fire department over $73,000 in monetary support for equipment, upkeep on the fire hall, and Werner Park.

The auxiliary meets on the fourth Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. and does not meet in November, January or February. Contact the fire department at 757-8211 if you are interested in volunteering with this great organization.