Photo submitted to the Times Observer Lilly Tarr, Kaylin Sheets, Spencer Oakes, Declan Almendinger and Ian Lewis, top finishers in the recent Youngsville Elementary School spelling bee, are pictured.

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.

At the end of December, nearly 200 students participated in grade level spelling bees at Youngsville Elementary Middle School.

Out of those 200 students, 24 students in grades fifth through eighth qualified to participate in the school spelling bee.

It was an intense spelling bee, going back and forth at the end, between eighth grader Lilly Tarr and fifth grader Kaylin Sheets. In the end, Kaylin Sheets prevailed by spelling the championship word, ‘repugnant’ correctly.

Kaylin, Lilly, and third place finisher Spencer Oakes will now go on to represent Youngsville at the Warren County Spelling Bee at the end of January. Declan Almendinger and Ian Lewis will go as alternates.

COMMUNITY NEWS

– 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.

LIBRARY NEWS

– Thank you to everyone that stopped by and provided a donation for the Angel Tree. Angel Tree donations to date: Donations were made 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; Ken and Pat Mechling in memory of Sally Asbury; Michael Sanford in honor of Betty Sanford; Amy Trask in memory of Elizabeth Cobb; Barry & Marie Crist in memory of Carl and Sally Asbury; Debra Henry general donation; Anne and Denny Rock in memory of Arthur and Mary Ann Loucks; Roxann Mace general donation; Becky Frazer in memory of Mr. And Mrs. Steele; Lora Ginkel in memory of Susan Jones; Tim and Stephanie Maze in memory of Peggy Nelson; Connie and Kerry Ozer in memory of Peggy Nelson; Mary Sulllivan in honor of her children; Paula Dunn general donation; Ellen Jedermann in memory of Sally Asbury; Cathy Abplanalp Proundman in memory of Jack and Florence Abplanalp.

– 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.

MISCELLANEOUS NEWS

– 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.