Photo provided to the Times Observer Pictured is a Youngsville Hometown Heroes banner installed last year of Norris Freeborough. Freeborough, part of Cannon Company, 180th Infantry Regiment, 45th Division, fought in Italy and then in France and Germany, including the liberation of the Dachau concentration camp. The fifth round of the banner program has begun.

Round 5 of the Hometown Heroes Banner Project is under way.

Each 24′ by 48′ banner will be printed on both sides of a heavy vinyl with UV protection and will honor a specific Youngsville-area service person. The banner will include his/her photo, name, branch of service and era of service. The sponsor’s name will appear on the bottom. Special brackets will display the banners on street poles. The cost of the banners for Round 5 is $200 and includes the brackets, scanning, setup, proofs, corrections and printing, all barring no price changes by vendors. Having the banners up from Memorial Day to Veterans Day allows for Christmas banners and decorations to go up and will extend the life of the Heroes Banners.

The Hometown Heroes Project is being supported by the Warren County Veterans’ Affairs Office, the Youngsville Borough, Youngsville Public Library, Warren County commissioners, Warren County Historical Society and the Warren County Visitor’s Bureau. The project is designed to pay tribute to the contributions and sacrifices of Youngsville-area veterans from as far back as the Revolutionary War up to the present war in Iraq and Afghanistan and those serving here at home and abroad during war or peace time.

Applications are being accepted through a firm March 1 deadline. Round 5 banners will be unveiled on Memorial Day 2021. Hard copy applications are available at the Youngsville Borough office and the Youngsville Public Library. Downloadable copies of the application and overview letter are also available on the Youngsville Public Library website at YoungsvilleLibrary.org.

Individuals, businesses, and corporations may help sponsor those who can’t afford the cost of a Hometown Heroes Round V Banner. Sponsorship benefits include: sponsor’s name on each banner purchased, listing in Hometown hero Celebration book, identified as a sponsor in all promotional material and media information, an invitation to participate in the hometown Hero Celebration in the spring, and a copy of the Hometown Hero Celebration Program Book. Sponsorships are $200 each and include all expenses and the bracket. Sponsorship applications are also available at the borough offices and Youngsville Library. Downloadable sponsorship applications are available at YoungsvilleLibrary.org.

YOUNGSVILLE FREE METHODIST CHURCH EVENTS

The following pertains to the Youngsville Free Methodist Church on 179 Davis St.

A free community meal day at the Joyfull Cafe is scheduled for Wednesday from 5 to 6 p.m. The menu includes meatloaf, cheesy potato casserole and a vegetable. Volunteers are needed to help with these meals. Message the church office to sign up to volunteer. Visit YBFree.org for more information.

The Food Ministry is available on a first-come, first-served basis every Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. or until gone (as food quantity varies weekly). Food is also available on a first-come, first-served basis on the first and third Monday and Wednesday on each month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. or until food is gone. Use the Marsh Avenue entrance. All available food is located right inside the door. Masks are requested and those picking up food are asked to sign in on the notepad provided with their name, phone number and email address. Bring your own bags, as this is self-serve and “extra” bags/boxes are not readily available. Since the ministry receives food weekly, church officials ask people to only take is needed.

FUEL Youth Group meets Thursdays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. for teens in sixth grade and up. FUEL is a youth ministry designed to provide a safe environment for teens to come together in worship, have fun and build relationships with God and each other. FUEL has its own Facebook page; those interested are asked to email fuel9009@ybfree.org to connect to that page. The email will also connect interested teens or parents with one of the FUEL leaders.

GVFD BINGO OPEN

On Monday, the Garland Fire Hall will be starting bingo again. Doors open at 4 p.m. and bingo starts at 6 p.m. Due to social distancing seating is limited to 90 people and new seating arrangements during BINGO have been made. Garland Volunteer Fire Department officials ask those who are not feeling well not to attend. For more information, visit the Garland Volunteer Fire Department Facebook page. The kitchen opens at 4 p.m. featuring bacon cheeseburger and cheesy fries.

LEGION AUXILIARY ESSAY CONTEST

Each year the American Legion Auxiliary sponsors an Americanism essay contest for students in third through 12th grades, including students with special needs. Grade levels are divided into six classes: Class 1 — third and fourth grades; Class 2 — fifth and sixth grades; Class 3 — seventh and eighth grades; Class 4 — ninth and 10th grades; Class 5 — 11th and 12th grades; and Class 6 — students with special needs. Word count requirements for the essay are dependent upon the class and grade level. The point system for judging is 50% content, 20% English, 10% originality, 10% neatness and 10% spelling. Each essay must have the National Essay Contest Cover sheet. Downloadable copies of the contest cover sheet and essay details are available on the YoungsvillePublicLibrary.org website and hard copies are available at the Youngsville Public Library, which is open from noon to 6 p.m. Monday and Wednesday and noon to 4 p.m. Friday, and at Youngsville area schools.

This year’s essay title is: “How can we address the health and well-being of our veterans, military, and their families?” Essays must be submitted to the Youngsville American Legion Auxiliary by March 1. There are three cash prizes awarded at the local level (Youngsville American Legion Auxiliary) for each class. First place is $75, second place is $50 and third place is $25. Winning essays will then be submitted to the American Legion Auxiliary at the national level.