Photo submitted to the Times Observer The Red Blazers, a band that used to perform in the 1960s, are pictured.

Youngsville High School alumni celebrations all started 22 years ago with the 2001 Homecoming celebration that included the parade, football game and a reunion concert at the Brokenstraw Fish and Game Club featuring the once popular band, “The Red Blazers.”

Hundreds attended.

In years to follow, the name was became the YHS Homecoming Weekend. Back then alumni participated in the homecoming parade, bonfire, attended the homecoming football game complete with an alumni tent and alumni bleachers. Saturday morning was the alumni breakfast with private dining room at Richards Restaurant., tours at Youngsville High School, class reunions, and walking through their memories in Youngsville. Needing money to continue this annual, the committee raised money to meet the needs along with alumni donations. The alumni committee culminated the weekend with a dinner/dance event that was open to members of the public too.

This year the YHS Coming Home Dinner Dance is on Saturday, Oct. 7, at the Youngsville Fire Hall and is open to the public. Dinner/dance reservation deadline is Sept. 23. Dinner starts at 5:30 p.m., but doors open at 5 p.m. A buffet-style meal provided by Catering Plus will feature chicken cordon bleu and roast pork tenderloin. bring-your-own-beer, mixer, and snacks. Reservations are to be mailed to Sam Walters, 210 W. Main St., Youngsville, PA 16371. Include name and class of all who are attending along with a check to: YHS Coming Home Committee.

The alumni dance is from 8 to 11 p.m., also at the Youngsville Fire Hall, featuring After Dark Performance with Matt Ekstrom. Dance cost is $10 at the door. Any questions contact Kathie Irwin 814-489-3535 or kirwin5@msn.com or contact Sam Walters 814-563-4791.

LIBRARY NEWS

¯ Amazon Raffle: September is National Library Card month. Present a current library card at the Youngsville Library through Sept. 30 or stop in and register for a new library card account and receive a free raffle ticket chance to win a $50 Amazon Gift Card. Four winners will be drawn, winners will be contacted the first week of October. Those unsure if they still have a library card account or can’t find their “old” library card can present a photo ID at the circulation desk and staff will help to get a replacement card or new card if needed. The “Get Carded @ Your Library” campaign runs the entire month of September and is open to all residents of Warren County ages 5 and above. Call the library 814-563-7670 on Monday and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

¯ Free iPhone/Computer Help: Wednesday from 5 to 6 p.m. the Youngsville Library offers free one-on-one assistance with users’ iPhone, tablet, android, laptop, and other computer/electronics questions. No appointment necessary, walk-ins are welcome. “Wi-fi Wednesdays” happens the third Wednesday of each month from 5 to 6 p.m. at the library. This is a casual, open question-and-answer time period for everyone. Topics can include how to remove, add or edit photos, how to tag emails or add an email account to a cell phone, speed up a slow-running phone, delete search history, delete or add phone apps or other topics. Remember to bring fully charged electronic devices as well as associated passwords (such as email passwords, apple account passwords, etc. if needed).

BOROUGH NEWS

¯ Service Award Nominations: The Youngsville Borough is now accepting nominations for a Community Service Award. In the past, Borough Council recognized an individual who has demonstrated outstanding public service with the Community Service award. The borough is again accepting nominations for this award. Nominations must be received by no later than Oct. 31. Nominations will be accepted from the public and shall be based on the following criteria: candidate lives in Youngsville Borough or within a 10-mile radius; contribution to the community is over and above his or her professional duties, and that service is on a voluntary basis. Submit nominations, including a paragraph or two explaining how this nominee has shown outstanding public service in our community, to: Youngsville Borough, 40 Railroad St., Youngsville, PA 16371 or wwilcox@youngsvilleboro.org.

¯ Hometown Heroes Applications: Those who want to honor a Hometown Hero with a custom banner can make orders through Jan. 30 for the Youngsville Area Hometown Heroes Street Banner Program. For purposes of the banner program, the Youngsville area includes Irvine, Pittsfield, Brokenstraw Valley Area, etc. The service member being honored can be currently active. The 24″ x 48″ banners will be displayed on street lights throughout Youngsville from Memorial Day to Veterans Day. Cost of a Round 7 Banner is $230 which includes the cost for banner brackets and the costs associated with scanning, setup, proofs, corrections, and printing. As mentioned on the photo release form, emailed photos are preferred. Any photos that are mailed in with a completed application/order form will not be returned by mail (due to the cost and concern about receipt or damage through the mail). If a hard copy photo is snail mailed, the sender will be responsible for picking up the hard copy photo, in Youngsville, when notified.

Hard copies of the photo release forms/applications and a detailed FAQ page are available at both the Youngsville Public Library and the Youngsville Borough Office. Download the form and FAQ page from Youngsville Public Library’s website at YoungsvilleLibrary.org/hometown-heroes.html or click on a quick link slide found on the library’s homepage: YoungsvilleLibrary.org. There are more details on the Youngsville Library’s website. There is also a QR code option on promotional fliers that will be placed around the Youngsville area, a QR code flier is located on the front door of the Youngsville Library and will connect you to the library’s Hometown Heroes page and download options. Questions, contact Judy Kuzminski at 814-688-8514 or Kuzminje@gmail.com.

MISCELLANEOUS NEWS

¯ A barbecue chicken fundraiser will be held Sunday by the Youngsville Sons of the American Legion starting at 11 a.m. Cost is $12 donation. The public is welcome to attend.

¯ Upcoming Youngsville Free Methodist Church Events: The following Youngsville Free Methodist Church Events are scheduled and open to the public, all are welcome (179 Davis St.). For more information call the church office at 814-563-9009 or email office@ybfree.org: On Sept. 19 the church will host a fellowship breakfast at Station 61 Restaurant starting at 8 a.m. On Sept. 24 there will be a motorcycle fellowship ride after the church’s second service. On Oct. 4 the church will hold its free community meal at 5 p.m. while on Oct. 8 the church will host a Pray, Paint and Praise event at 1:30 p.m. The $25 cost will help raise money for church missions projects. Registration is required by Oct. 6 by calling or texting Deb at 814-706-6094 or contacting the church office. Trunk or Treat will be held Oct. 31.

¯ New BSA Girl Troop: A new Girls BSA scouting troop is trying to form within the Youngsville area. This new troop would be for girls in fifth grade and up. Those interested can call or text Troop 31 Scoutmaster Mike Hornstrom at 814-706-1518.