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.

COMMUNITY NEWS

– All are invited to come and celebrate the Christmas season with the free December outreach luncheon at the Hessel Valley Lutheran Church on Wednesday, Dec. 17, at 11:30 a.m. The menu is baked ham, scalloped potatoes, green beans, applesauce, roll, and a variety of homemade desserts. Reservations are appreciated by calling Sally Fiscus

at 814-230-9163 with name, number attending and a call back number.

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

– Pittsfield Otterbein Global Methodist Church, 258 Dalrymple Street, Pittsfield, has several events throughout December. An Advent study takes place at 2 p.m. Mondays, Dec. 1, 8, 15, 22. On Dec. 6, from 9 to 11 a.m., the church will host its Christmas kick-off, with everyone welcome to make an ornament and decorate cookies. The church will host its Christmas program at 6 p.m. Dec. 14. A Blue Christmas service will be held at 6 p.m. Dec. 21, with a Christmas Eve candlelight service at 6 p.m. Dec. 24.

– Youngsville Hometown Christmas will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. today, 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.

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 will continue its inaugural Festival of the Trees from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. today, 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.

LIBRARY NEWS

-The Youngsville Library is hosting a “Noon Years Eve Party” on Dec. 31 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. At noon there will be a special New Years alternative for “Noon Years Eve” while the library will also offer games, crafts and food.

– 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; David and Marysue See in memory of Harley and Viola See; Julie Anderson general donation; Ellie Dunn in memory of Susan and Jim Dunn; Tim and Stephanie Maze in memory of Christina Montgomery.

– Holiday hours for the Christmas season are: closed Wednesday, Dec. 24, and Thursday, Dec. 25; open from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 27, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31. The library is closed Thursday, Jan. 1.

– Memorial donations for the month of November were made in memory of Paul Ranson, Donald Jackson and Robert Miles Sr.

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.