Photo submitted to the Times Observer Cyber students are pictured in the Youngsville Public Library parking lot using wifi to complete assignments during a power outage last week. The library still had wifi through a boosted hot spot.

Cyber students Nick and Gretchen were able to complete their cyber assignments and not receive a mark of absence during the power outage last Tuesday, thanks to taking advantage of Youngsville Public Library’s boosted WI-FI hotspot “Homework Hub” which is available and free to the public 24 hours a day.

The WI-FI hotspot signal extends from the library’s parking lot toward High Street.

“Our Verizon connection is the only connection available at our house and it drops frequently,” Nick and Gretchen’s mother, Lynette, wrote in an email. “Sometimes for a couple of hours or a couple days. It seems to always be when the kids are doing their cyber school classes and can make school difficult. Our community is blessed to have an alternative place to go and use the internet so we can keep up with school work in difficult times.”

“Our library understands that access to free WI-FI is more important than ever, not just because of COVID-19 restrictions and the increase in distance learning needs for K-12 and beyond. That is why we are constantly adjusting our budget to meet the ever changing needs of our residents countywide,” said Kristy Wallace, Youngsville Public Library director. “Reliable internet access is a big concern and Youngsville Library offers free boosted WI-FI access 24-7 to meet those needs. As many of our patrons know, Warren County is peppered with so many areas that either receive spotty Wi-Fi service or are known as simply ‘Wi-Fi deserts’ — meaning that you can’t even access Wi-Fi at all from your home.”

The Youngsville Public Library relies heavily on patron donations and patron participation in fundraisers each year to maintain relevant programming and services, such as free, boosted WI-FI access for everyone whether they have a library card or not. The library also does not receive any federal funding. In addition, Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Department of Education will be cutting library funding to 5/12 in 2021. Wallace said losing 58% of the $9,000 the library receives in state aid would force cuts to programs.

The library is having a one-day book sale and crafts fundraiser today from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The library will be open for regular services during this time as well. In order to be in alignment with mandated OCL protocols, all patrons and library volunteers will be required to wear a mask, wear protective gloves and to social distance while they browse the book sale items. Protective gloves will be made available, for a donation. All the materials that are being used for the book sale are from donations that the library received pre-COVID. All the materials have also been properly quarantined and cleaned in accordance with OCL protocols. There will also be a large selection of Christian fiction and large print fiction to choose from this year. At this time the library still cannot accept any donations from the general public as it does not have the space, staff or cleaning supply resources to properly quarantine donations in the manner required. Visit YoungsvilleLibrary.org for more information about the free WI-FI access, the new book sale procedures, and other resources.

TROOP 22 RUMMAGE SALE FUNDRAISER

Boy Scout Troop 22 is holding a rummage sale fundraiser at the Irvine Presbyterian Church, 905 National Forge Road, Irvine, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. today. Proceeds will be used to benefit the troop’s Christmas Community Outreach Program.

LEGION BINGO STARTING IN SEPTEMBER

Youngsville American Legion Bingo is open to the public and will resume starting Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. Food will be available starting at 5 p.m. No smoking will be permitted during bingo hours. Masks are required when not seated. For more information, call 814-563-4412.

FREE CONCERT, PROGRAMS WORKSHOPS AT CHAPMAN STATE PARK

The following programs are free and open to the public. Chapman State park is located at 4790 Chapman Dam Road, Clarendon, PA 16313. For more information visit Chapman State Park on Facebook or contact Jen Moore at 814-723-0259 or jennmoore@pa.gov. Participants are asked to occupy designated area to meet social distancing guidelines. Possession of face coverings will be required to attend all programs. Registration is only required for some programs.

Sunday: a non-denominational chapel service begins at 10 a.m. at the Amphitheater (or Pavilion 4 in case of rain). No registration required.

Saturday, Sept. 19: Free Outdoor Concert by “Simple Gifts” from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the amphitheater. In case of rain, the concert will take place in Pavilion 4. Karen Hirshon and Linda Littleton play a wide variety of ethnic folk music, and those attending hear selections that range from lively Irish jigs and down-home American reels to hard-driving Klezmer freilachs, Gyspy melodies and Balkan dance tunes. Throughout their performance, Simple Gifts puts their own distinctive stamp on traditional tunes, creating some of the finest arrangements in folk music today. Those attending are welcome to take photos, but please no videos without written permission from the artists. The musicians will be available during intermission and after the concert for visiting and album signing. For more information, call the artists at 814-238-8048, email linda@simplegiftsmusic.com or visit www.simplegiftsmusic.com.

Sunday, Sept. 19: A “How to Play the Spoons” workshop will be held from 4:30 to 5:40 p.m. at the amphitheater. In case of rain, the workshop will take place in Pavilion 4. There is no cost to attend, but pre-registration is required and those attending must bring two teaspoons. The program is recommended for ages 8 to adult. The Band “Simple Gifts” will teach participants of all ages to play spoons, following in the Appalachian tradition where two teaspoons are held in one hand and played as a percussion instrument. Attendance is limited to 25. Contact Jen Moore at 814-723-0259 or jennmoore@pa.gov to register.

Self-Guided GPS Scavenger Hunt: No registration necessary. The scavenger hunt is a self-guided activity to complete at one’s own pace. Those participating will need a GPS unit or smartphone to participate. Read the clues and enter the coordinates at each location. The final location will be a traditional container. Remember to log the visit when finished. The hunt is a temporary activity/program so it will not be posted on geochaching.com. Enter the following to get started- Coordinates: N41.45.030 W079.10.353. Contact Moore with questions.

“SAL”CHICKEN BBQ FUNDRAISER

The Youngsville Sons of the American Legion is holding a chicken barbecue fundraiser from noon to 3 p.m. today or until gone. The public is welcome to attend. The cost is $10 donation per meal.

STILL TIME TO JOIN CUB SCOUTS

It’s not too late for girls and boys to join Youngsville Cub Scout Pack 30. All boys and girls ages kindergarten through fifth grade are welcome. There is especially room for the Kindergarten Den. All den meetings start Monday at 6 p.m. at the Youngsville Free Methodist Church, 179 Davis St., Youngsville. All interested children can come on Monday and sign up then or contact Cubmaster Sandy Benedict at 563-3489 or 814-706-8975 with questions or to sign up early.