Photo submitted to the Times Observer Students pictured below, from left to right are Matt Shippee, Lilly Lucia, Lilly Tarr and Allyso Peate.

Youngsville Junior Honor Society food drive gets boost

Editor’s Note: Please email community news to Colette Nelson at Colettenel.ypl@gmail.com by Wednesday of each week to be included in the Youngsville News section of the Saturday Times Observer.

The annual Youngsville National Junior Honor Society food drive got a big surprise this year.

Former Youngsville resident David Koontz and family made a donation to the National Junior Honor Society, making the food drive the most successful to date.

Thanks to the generosity of the Koontz family, who now live in Altoona, and the Youngsville Elementary School students, staff, and teachers, 20 families in town received a spiral cut ham and all of the fixings that round out a traditional Thanksgiving dinner along with other snacks and breakfast items.

COMMUNITY NEWS

– St. Francis Episcopal Church, 343 East Main St. Youngsville, will hold a Taize prayer service Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. The quiet, contemplative gatherings offer an opportunity for prayer and reflection. For more information reach out to Vicar Joe McGarry at 814-723-9360.

– Youngsville Hometown Christmas will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, in downtown Youngsville. The parade begins at 4 p.m. with no fee for entries. For more information email Allie at abenedict@youngsvilleboro.org or call 814-563-9300 to sign up to participate. Prizes for parade entries are $100 for first place, $75 for second place, $50 for third place and $25 for fourth place. Vendors are also being accepted at no cost. Call Sara Robinson at 814-730-4272. The deadline for vendors to be placed on the map for the event is Nov. 26.

Also during the “Hometown Christmas” free wagon rides will be provided by Laff-N-Lyon Ranch, beginning after the parade.

Feeling extra festive and jolly this year? Enter your home in the “Home Decorating” contest! Must be a borough resident and must register to be entered in the judging. No fee for entries and email Allie at abenedict@youngsvilleboro.org or call 814-563-4604, ext. 3, to sign up to participate. Judging will occur Dec. 4-5. Prizes are $100 for first place, $75 for second place and $50 for third place.

– The New Life Church, 18 Second St., Youngsville, will host a family dinner and movie night on Dec. 5. The dinner starts at 5 p.m. with the film Best Christmas Pageant Ever being shown at 6 p.m. The 2024 Christmas comedy/drama film directed by Dallas Jenkins is based on the 1972 novel by Barbara Robinson. The plot centers around the Herdmans, a group of juvenile delinquent siblings who have unexpectedly found themselves starring in their small town’s Christmas pageant. Those attending are asked to bring a dish to pass for dinner.

– The New Life Church will host its inaugural Festival of the Trees from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, with a silent auction to win a fully decorated Christmas Tree. The church will also host a bake sale and, on Dec. 6, as part of the Youngsville Christmas walk, will host a light lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the church fellowship hall. The suggested donation is $5.

– Every Thursday, is “Bar-Bingo” at the Youngsville American Legion (10 North Main St.). Bingo starts at 6pm, and the kitchen opens at 5 p.m.. Bar-Bingo is a formal term for this weekly fundraising event and is not intended to imply that bingo participants are required to sit at or near the bar area.

LIBRARY NEWS

– Stop by the library and check out the Angel Tree. Each ornament selected helps support the Youngsville Public Library with daily operations. Whether it’s a donation for children’s books, ink for the printer, or any number of things, a donation helps offset the daily costs to keep the library operating in Youngsville. Stop by during normal hours through Dec. 20 to support the Youngsville Library or go to the library’s website at youngsvillelibrary.org. Forms are also available from the Youngsville Boro office. Names of Angel Tree donors (as well as names of those being honored or donations made in memoriam) will be listed on the Youngsville Library website, Facebook page, and listed in the Youngsville area community news of the Times Observer.

– Angel Tree donations to date: From Brenda Dunn given in memory of Patty McChesney and Connie Hoffman; from Linda Miniaci in memory of Patrick Miniaci; Penny and Gary Lester in memory of Robert and Vivian Sweetland; Janet and Jon Peters in memory of Patty McChesney; Donna Murphy in honor of Zoe and Max; Deb and Rick Brewster a general donation; Donna Herrnberger a general donation; Diane Shannon in memory of

Paul Shannon and Martha Shannon; Michelle Neal a general donation; Barb Luce in memory of Bill Hartmann; Sue Urhon in memory of Debbie Horner; Carl L. Johnson in memory of Carl O. Johnson and Sonna D. Johnson

Don’t forget to stop by and check out the new solar bench out front with phone charging! Instructions on how to access the wifi are visibly displayed.

As a reminder of the library services: Public wifi access 24/7; high speed internet; power library reference and computer applications; computer printing, copier, scanner and faxing available with a fee; Book Club meets the second Tuesday of the month from 3 to 4 p.m.; Preschool story time is the second Tuesday of the month from 10:30 to 11 a.m.; WIFI Wednesday is the third Wednesday of the month from 4 to 5 p.m. Stop by for free help with electronic devices including iPhone, Androids and tablets. No appointment is needed.