ADVOCATING FOR LIBRARIES, JUST AN EMAIL AWAY

“Since the editor’s powerful editorial on (Sept.) 16 spotlighting how the public libraries in Pennsylvania are facing down the barrel of a 58% cut in state funding, Youngsville Public Library has received a lot of phone calls from patrons asking what they can do and how they can help. Our main response is please, please, please flood the legislature’s offices with calls, faxes, emails, and letters saying why the library matters to you and that the public library budget should not be slashed. Personal testimonials really do carry clout because they come from the heart,” said Kristy Wallace, library director. “Testimonials don’t have to be long, drawn out stories to be impactful. Just a few sentences are all you need to show what libraries mean to you. For example, we have a patron who said to us ‘Your library is one of the only places that I know I’ll see a smiling face, since my wife died’ and it caused a lump in my throat. I’ve also had patrons express their gratitude with something as simple as helping them to renew their car registration. One patron told me ‘This is the only place that helped me understand my registration without ridiculing me or making me feel bad for asking for help, thank you.'”

“That’s why libraries are so vital. We help bridge gaps in resources and offer options for those that would otherwise be left behind- especially in the digital realm.” Wallace stated. “So to help our wonderful patron advocates get their personal stories directly to those who control the budget, I’ve created quick links on our home page that will make it super easy to connect you to the emails of the state legislators. You can be just a couple clicks away from making a powerful statement and impacting our community, for the good, much more than you could possibly know. The links will also provide information about how you can call or write your representatives, if you do not wish to email.”

The legislation is back in session on Monday, Sept. 21, so now is the time to express one’s views and flood one’s representatives with local stories. Please go to the home page on YoungsvilleLibrary.org and click on the “we need libraries” icon to connect to your representatives’ emails and contact info. On behalf of all the public libraries in Pennsylvania, Wallace said she thanks area residents in advance for taking the time to share why libraries are important and why library funding should not be cut.

LADY EAGLES VOLLEYBALL

FUNDRAISER

The Youngsville Lady Eagles Volleyball team will be holding its inaugural cornhole tournament fundraiser on Sunday, Sept. 27, at Island Park. Registration is from 11 a.m. to noon, with tournament to follow. Any and all skill levels are welcome. The cost is a $20 donation per two-person team, to be paid at registration on the day of the event. Cash prizes will be determined based on the number of team participating. There will also be a 50/50 giveaway, Chinese auction and food.

YOUNGSVILLE FIRE DEPT. CHICKEN BBQ FUNDRAISER

The Youngsville Volunteer Fire Department is holding a chicken barbecue fundraiser today from noon until sold out. Public is welcome. Cost is $10 donation per meal, drive through only. The meal includes half a chicken, coleslaw, corn, and roll.

GARLAND VFD BINGO BACK

Garland Fire Hall Bingo is back beginning Monday. Doors are open at 4 p.m. and Bingo starts at 6 p.m. A $30 donation pays for all the games one wants to play on regular cards. The Cover-All Jackpot is $1,118 plus in 57 numbers or less. Power Ball starting over, dual dab bingo, and even better bingo. Kitchen opens at 4 pm.

FREE WEEKLY COMMUNITY MEALS

RETURNING

The free community meals at the Youngsville Free Methodist Church (179 Davis St.) will begin on Wednesday, Sept. 23. Community meals are served on Wednesdays from 5 to 6 p.m. The Sept. 23 menu includes: chicken and biscuits, mashed potatoes and veggie. The Sept. 30 menu includes fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and veggie. Menus are subject to change without notice for details visit: YBFree.org.

FUEL Youth Group for youth sixth grade and up meets Thursdays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Youngsville Free Methodist Church (179 Davis St.). You do not have to attend every week. FUEL does not meet when there is no school.

LOVE INC. BASKET WINNERS

Love INC. recently held two Picnic in the Park fundraising events, one in Warren and one in Youngsville. Heidi Kafferlin, on behalf of Love INC. extends a special thank you to everyone who made these two events such a success (including business donors, volunteers, and the general public). After the two events, Love INC. was able to raise $1,452.50 in net income. Love INC is looking forward to continuing these two “Picnic in the Park” Fundraising events annual in the coming years and on an even bigger scale. Their goal is to include an actual picnic with food, games, live music, and more.

The following Youngsville Businesses contributed gift certificates, food prizes, and/or services: Genuine Jerky, Huey’s Place, Miss Millie’s Proper Petals, Outlet City, Papa’s Produce, Richard’s Restaurant, Valley Bowling Center, Youngsville Dairy Queen, and Youngsville Public Library. The Evangelical United Methodist Church donated the Gas Card from KwikFill.

Youngsville Picnic Basket Winners: (1) Cleaning Supplies Basket- (courtesy of Otterbein UMC) – Linda Ordiway; (2) Country Decor Basket – (Lander UMC)- Jean Zock; (3) Pasta Night Basket (Hessel Valley Lutheran Church) – Kari Swanson; (4) Auto Care Basket (Sugar Grove Mission Covenant Church) – Cathy Hazeltine; (5) Game Night Basket (Sugar Grove Mission Covenant Church)- Jeff Ewing.

Warren Picnic Basket Winners: (1) Dessert Basket (Praise Fellowship)- Steve Chapple; (2) Youngsville Business Gift Certificate Basket (Youngsville Evangelical UMC)- Don Moore; (3) Movie Night Basket (Grace UMC)- Tricia Houghton; (4) Hog Wild BBQ Gift Card (Warren Alliance Church)- Sheryle McNeal; (5) Game Night Basket (Warren First Lutheran Church) – Patricia Wilcox. Congratulations to this year’s winners.

FREE PROGRAMS AT CHAPMAN STATE PARK

The following programs are free and open to the public. Chapman State park is located at 4790 Chapman Dam Road, Clarendon. For more information visit Chapman State Park on Facebook or contact Jen Moore at 814-723-0259 or jennmoore@pa.gov. Participants are asked to occupy designated area to meet social distancing guidelines. Possession of face coverings will be required to attend all programs. Registration is only required for some programs.

Saturday’s outdoor concert has been rescheduled for October due to a family emergency. The free Simple Gifts concert and “how to play the spoons workshop” which was originally scheduled for the afternoon of Sept. 19 must be rescheduled for Saturday, Oct. 10. Concert at 3 p.m. and workshop at 4:30 p.m., more details as the date approaches. The “How to Play the Spoons” workshop will require registration, due to class size limit, but no registration required for the concert.

Sunday, Sept. 20: Chapel Service: non-denominational service begins at 10 a.m. at the amphitheater (or Pavilion 4 in case of rain). No registration required.

Self-guided GPS Scavenger Hunt: No registration necessary, this is a self-guided activity to complete at your own pace. You will need a GPS unit or SmartPhone to participate in this activity. Read the clues and enter the coordinates at each location. The final location will be a traditional cache (a container). Please remember to log your visit when finished. This is a temporary activity/program so it will not be posted on geochaching.com. Enter the following to get started- Coordinates: N41.45.030 W079.10.353. Contact Jen Moore with questions.

ALLEGHENY COMMUNITY CENTER EVENTS

The Allegheny Community Center (42 Clark St., Warren) is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Join us inside for lunch or take your lunch to-go, sit outside and enjoy the scenery along the river. To learn more about the lunch program visit: AlleghenyCommunityCenter.com (under “Healthy -Lifestyle tab”, diet tab).

Tai chi Classes: Free Tai Chi classes are offered Monday and Wednesday at 10 a.m. If you are interested in a low impact exercise that is good for increasing your balance while helping with arthritis, aches, and pains then Lynda Baxter’s classes are for you.

Genealogy class: The center offers a beginner’s Genealogy class. This class will show you how to get started researching your family tree by using available local resources and also how to use Ancestry in your search. Genealogy classes are offered every Wednesday at 12:45 p.m. Call ahead to reserve your class 814-723-4180 To learn more about the daily schedule of events and more that the center has to offer visit: AlleghenycommunityCenter.com (events and activities tab).