Photo submitted to Times Observer The United Fund’s 95th annual Torchlight Campaign goal of $680,000 was met at the end of last week. The United Fund supports 20 non-profit agencies (children — 50%, seniors 20%, counseling services — 10%, and emergency services — 15%) through donations from private and public sectors. Campaign and administrative expenses are paid for through income from the Community Foundation, so all contributions to the campaign go to the agencies to help with their work. Donations to the United Fund can be made throughout the year in person, by mail, through Warren Gives in May or on the website at www.unitedfundofwarren.org. More information about the Fund is available on the website and on Facebook. From left are Lacey Hanson, middle, executive director of the United Fund, A.K. Keddie, left, and Ruth Barnes-Shaw, Torchlight Campaign co-chairpersons.

Republican dinner

The Warren County Republican Committee’s annual Spring Dinner will be held Friday, April 17, at the Days Inn in Warren. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. The speaker will be Congressman Scott Perry (R-10). Tickets are available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays at the Republican Headquarters on Third Avenue, from any committee member, or by visiting the committee’s Facebook page.

Leek picking

The USDA Forest Service – Allegheny National Forest allows picking of leeks (Allium sp.), or also known as “ramps”, for personal consumption only on most lands within the Forest.

Personal consumption means picking only what you will use for yourself and your family. Persons picking leeks may not sell or exchange any portion of the material gathered for profit.

All persons collecting leeks are expected to exercise reasonable care in protecting the collection area from excessive damage – always leave some plants to produce leeks for the future, and minimize the disturbance to other plants and the soil when collecting leeks.

Collectors shall retain at least 70% of plants within a given site (site is defined as the immediate area in which the leaks are being collected);

Digging of leeks will utilize the smallest implement necessary for the removal of the underground bulbs in order to minimize soil disturbance and/or removal of adjacent non-target plants;

After removal of leeks (bulbs) any soil, rocks, or wood disturbed will be placed back in original position;

You are not allowed to pick leeks, even for personal consumption, from a few areas of the Allegheny NF. These areas include:

The Hickory Creek Wilderness and Allegheny Islands Wilderness (Mgmt. Area 5.1);

Wildnerness study areas (Mgmt. Area 5.2);

The Hearts Content Scenic Area and Tionesta Scenic Area (Mgmt. Area 8.3);

The Buckaloons Heritage Area (Management Area 8.4);

The Tionesta Research Natural Area (Mgmt. Area 8.5).

Collection is prohibited in these management areas to conserve the resource values for which they were designated under the Allegheny National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan.

Indivisible Warren

Indivisible Warren PA will hold its bimonthly meeting this Thursday, March 12, at Emanuel Church of Christ (1710 Pennsylvania Ave. E., Warren), from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. All are welcome. For more information on Indivisible, visit www.indivisible.org or www.indivisible.org/guide.

Bald Eagle Tour

Join our guided tour of Chapman and surrounding area to see eagles, eagles’ nests, and many other birds on April 5 and April 11, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., beginning at the Environmental Learning Center, Chapman State Park, 4790 Chapman Dam Road, Clarendon. The cost is $10 per person. This popular program will feature a driving tour of public lands within Warren County to view America’s national symbol, among various other birds and their nests. Binoculars and spotting scopes will be available to use at each stop. Transportation and lunch will be provided. Registration is required by Friday, March 27. Call the park office at (814) 723-0250 to register. The tours are limited to 10; select only one date and specify at time of registration. For more information, contact Jen Moore at (814) 723-0259 or jennmoore@pa.gov.www.facebook.com/ChapmanStatePark.

Fire Services

Warren County Fire Services will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 12, at Spring Creek Fire Hall.

Class breakfast

The YHS class of 1961 will meet at Richard’s Restaurant in Youngsville for breakfastat 9 a.m. Wednesday, March 11.

Hospice donations

Hospice of Warren County received contributions during the month of February in memory of Helen Clark, Harry Haskins, Roseclaire Curren, Beverly K. Johnson, Marilyn Weissinger, Louise Rensma, Ernest Hoag Jr., Michael Madigan, Lloyd and Lenora Van Tassel, Louise Lynch, Sharon E. Bailey, Joyce Forman, Thomas Laubach, Robert and Anna Marie Conn, Adam and Regina Piccirillo, Norman and Winifred Kenney, Carol Molander Seifert Hart, Leroy Stoddard, Faye Kleckner, Mabel Horner, Bruce Highhouse, Lloyd J. Paul, Sara Mae Sanford, Thomas Brigiotta, Coral Hoover, William K. Barrett, David Fry, Jo Lee Hamm, Ronald Blum, Mrs. Stella Barrett, Valerie Wieliczko, Ronald Morse, Thomas C. Swanson, Joan Hamel, Don and Irene Williams, Sue Kosinski.

Those wishing to make a donation may do so to Hospice of Warren County at P.O. Box 68, Warren, PA 16365, or online at www.hospiceofwarrencounty.org/donations.

Your donations support the comprehensive Hospice Program, including the John and Orpha Blair Hospice Residence, Palliative Care Service, and The Schorman Center — A Place for Healing Grief and Loss.