What's going on in and around Somerset County?
Complimentary paint party
Grantsville Lions donation
Children's Aid Home Nut Sale
The 2022 Children's Aid Home nut sale proceeds benefit the Children's Aid Home programs. Holiday nuts and candies. Go to Children's Aid Society Foundation on Facebook post and click on the TerriLynn Link, or Childrens-Aid-Home.terrilynn.com.
Onsite Career Fair
The State Correctional Institution Laurel Highlands is hosting an onsite career fair from 2-6 p.m. Oct. 19, at SCI Laurel Highlands, 5706 Glades Pike, Somerset. The Department of Corrections has open positions as corrections officer trainees.
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Vegas-style Casino Night fundraiser
The Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation will be hosting its first Casino Night fundraiser at 5 p.m. Oct. 20, at Sunnehanna Country Club. The college Foundation’s Black Bear Casino Night will feature authentic casino games with real card dealers (craps, blackjack, roulette, and poker), raffle prizes, 50/50 winnings, appetizers, drinks and assorted desserts. Attendees will be entertained with live music by Jazz in your Face. Raffle prizes range from a 50” flat screen smart TV, gym memberships, YETI prize packs, authentic Coach purse and matching wallet, Apple watch, and more. Every dollar raised goes back to the students at Penn Highlands Community College through the Supporting Scholars Fund. To purchase tickets, visit https://www.pennhighlands.edu/CASINO or call the Foundation at 814-262-6448.
Beer, Bacon & Business
Beer, Bacon & Business, sponsored by Guy Chemical, is 4 p.m. Oct. 20, at Uptown Works, Somerset. A fun networking event where they get together and enjoy local craft beer, bacon-y goodness and good conversation. RSVP to the Somerset Chamber of Commerce at 814-445-6431 or info@somersetcountychamber.com.
‘Wellness Isn’t Scary’ Health Fair
The Cambria County Health & Welfare Council and Cambria County Suicide Prevention Task Force is featuring a "Wellness Isn’t Scary" Health Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 22, at Greater Johnstown High School. The health fair will raise awareness about health and social services available to the public. Attendees will also learn how to take care of their physical and mental health. Parents are encouraged to bring their children dressed-up in their Halloween costumes to trick-or-treat at each of the vendor tables. There will be children’s activities, including a bouncy house. Event tote bags will be provided on a first come, first served basis. Lunch will also be provided on a first come, first served basis. Individuals who wish to attend the health fair but struggle with finding transportation are encouraged to contact CamTran to schedule a free “Reserve a Ride” or fill out the form at https://forms.gle/ad9SBjiDvAcekJJv6. Choose to be picked up directly at your front door or at a neutral location.
Oh So Artsy Halloween Party
The Bottle Works Arts on Third, 413 Third Ave., Johnstown, presents Oh So Artsy Halloween Party for l'il monsters and grown up ghouls, 3-7 p.m. Oct. 22. Kids crafts, treat bags, art vendors, pumpkin carving demo, pumpkin painting, drawing, sculpting, face paint and silent art auction. www.bottleworks.org. 814-535-2020.
8th annual "Eunice Smith" Coat Giveaway
Scalp Level Trinity UMC's 8th annual "Eunice Smith" Coat Giveaway is from 12-3 p.m. Oct. 22, at the Calvary United Methodist Church, 1800 Stockholm Ave., Windber. Nearly 2,000 coats have been distributed through the coat giveaway during the past eight years. Donations of new or gently used children's coats of all sizes are welcomed. Monetary donations as well as donations of hats, gloves and scarves are also appreciated. Bring donations to Scalp Level Trinity UMC by Oct. 17. Call 814-467-9051 for more information.
Berlin VFD Fall Toy Train Show
The Berlin Volunteer Fire Department Fall Train Show is 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 22, at the Berlin Community Building, 700 North St., Berlin. Dealer tables, all scales, drawing for train set all featured. Food by Berlin Ladies Auxiliary. For more information, call Robert Metheney at 814-279-8883.
JSO concert
The Johnstown Symphony Orchestra (JSO) returns to the Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 22, for Homecoming: Opera Returns with Shawn Roth and Ravel’s Bolero. In addition to Shawn Roth, localsoprano Nicole Khouzami, will be joining him on stage for two duets and an all-star chorus of performers from Conemaugh Township High School and Richland High School. To purchase tickets or learn more information aboutSeason: 94 Hometown, visit http://www.johnstownsymphony.org or call the box office at 814-535-6738.
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Blacksmithing Workshops
Compass Inn Museum will be offering the ever-popular "Hands-On History: Blacksmithing Workshops" for those wanting to try their hand at the trade, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. or 1-4 p.m. Oct. 22. Participants will work with an experienced blacksmith to learn basic skills and create an item to take home. Classes will consist of safety training, fire skills, and discussion of tools used and metal properties. The instructor for this workshop is Ed Appleby of Crafty Apple Forge and a long-time volunteer for Ligonier Valley Historical Society. Participants must be 16 years of age or older. No previous blacksmithing experience is necessary. The workshop is help at the forge on Compass Inn Museum property and is limited to four participants in each class. Call 724-238-4983 or email at lvhscompassinn@gmail.com.
Safe, family-friendly trick-or-treating at the Somerset Historical Center
Trick-or-treat along lantern lit paths, visit historic structures and talk to costumed interpreters, and take a tractor-drawn wagon ride through the woods at the Somerset Historical Center Annual Historical Halloween, 5-8 p.m. Oct. 22, four miles north of Somerset on the Somerset Pike / Route 985. Follow the complimentary passport to get a treat at each station and be on the lookout for the infamous Robber Lewis. "Catch" him for a special treat. At the end of the trail, warm-up under the pavilion with hot chocolate and maple kettle corn and a taste of fresh-pressed apple cider from the working cider press. Costumes encouraged, but not required.
Jackie’s Garden Works Rooftop Concert Series
Cambria City has a new music haven in Bottle Works Ethnic Arts Center's Jackie’s Garden Works Concert Series. Doors open at 6 p.m. and music starts at 7 p.m. The concert series is hosted in Jackie’s Garden Works — rooftop terrace atop of the ArtWorks Building, 413 Third Ave., Johnstown. The rooftop garden includes a large deck, native plant garden, a pergola, and a live flower feature wall. Oct. 22 — The Evergreens. Concert goers can indulge in a limited menu featuring bar-food classics and drinks all provided by Downtown Johnstown’s Stadium Pub & Grille. Cash sales only. Tickets can be purchased online (www.bottleworks.org), by phone (814-535-2020), or in-person at the Gallery Shoppe in the ArtWorks Building.
Harvest Fest
Stage Right! School for the Performing Arts will host a full day of fall fun at their fundraiser from 12-7 p.m. Oct. 22, at Greensburg Garden and Civic Center, 951 Old Salem Road. Harvest Fest is a family-friendly indoor/outdoor event featuring fall-themed activities, local beer and wine tastings, Oktoberfest-inspired foods, and live music all day long. Continuous live outdoor performances by local artists and Stage Right! students will keep attendees entertained with popular hits and original music in a variety of genres. Oktoberfest-inspired foods for purchase with options suitable for the entire family. A children’s area will be provided by Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Laurel Region. There will also be games and fall activities for children of all ages, including caricatures drawn by Beck Scasselatti. Attendees looking for a more challenging activity can enter a stein-holding contest and play in the cornhole tournament. There will also be a variety of vendors on site selling handmade items and snacks.
Haunted Hills Estate Scream Park
Haunted Hills Estate Scream Park, 236 Rolling Hills Estate Road, Uniontown, added three brand-new attractions for the 2022 season. The park will run weekend nights through Nov. 5. The most significant addition is Twisted Nightmare 3-D, a walk-through attraction that combines high-tech effects, horrifying, distorted clown characters, and Chromadepth 3D technology to produce a dizzying trip through a nightmarish funhouse. Also debuting at the park is a Mutant Paintball experience as well as Stalker Hollow Corn Field, where visitors must survive encounters with Cryptids. The Park’s creative team has added new walk-through sections to their “fan favorite” attraction, The House, as well as a new interactive “flashlight” element. Patrons brave enough to trek through the famed “Woods Trails” that gave the park its reputation in the 2000s, will experience new sections of path, new effects and several new scenes in “The Burial,” “Deadwoods” and “Sin Creek.” Order a “Scream Park Shake” or a “Twisted Nightmare Shake” at Day & Night Exotic Cereal Bar in Morgantown, West Virginia. Combining elaborately-decorated ice cream shakes with bits of Halloween-related Cereal, these menu items will be available at the High Street location until Oct. 31. Tickets can be purchased online or at the event. Guests can visit www.HauntedHillsEstate.com for tickets and more information.
Cornhole Tournament
Dough Girls Pizza Cornhole Tournament promoting breast cancer awareness is Oct. 22, at 303 Kingwood Road, Rockwood. Proceeds will benefit Kristi Latuch Burkett. Tournament at 1 p.m. Live music at 2 p.m. Movie night at 7 p.m. Children can wear Halloween costumes or pink and receive free ice cream. Adults enjoy free beer.
Super Fall Bingo
Ladies Auxiliary to the Somerset Volunteer Fire Department Super Fall Bingo is Oct. 23, at the Somerset Fire Department/Safety Building, 340 W. Union St., Somerset. Doors open at 11 a.m. Bingo games begin at 1 p.m. There will be a variety of food and drinks available to purchase. Coffee will be free. Package to play includes Quickies, Early Birds and 12 regular cards. There will be a $1,000 Jackpot. Payout for regular games will be based on number of players. For any questions, contact Pat Miller 814-233-1675.
Iron Powder & Lead
Doug Plance will present a program “Iron, Powder, & Lead” at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 24, at the Folk Meeting House in Springs. He will talk about the development of the charcoal iron industry that led into the development of the Pennsylvania Long Rifle and accoutrements that support the long rifle as well as the products needed to produce black powder, linen patches and lead. The program is free and is sponsored by the Springs Historical Society. The program will be presented in the Folk Meeting House on 1711 Springs Road in Springs. Refreshments will be served after the program. For further information contact 814-442-4594 or go to www.springspa.org or Facebook.
Croatian Genealogy Seminar
Croatian Genealogy Seminar sponsored by the Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 5, featuring Robert Jerin, Croatian genealogist, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 5, at Croatian Hall, 610 Broad St., Johnstown. Reservation required by Oct. 25. Includes learning how to research your Croatian heritage, locate important Croatian records, translate Croatian records and names, additional genealogy research tips. Lunch and refreshments. Reservations can be mailed to CFU Lodge 5; Attn Patty, 610 Broad St., Johnstown, PA 15906. Memo: Genealogy. Questions call Patty 814-241-8136 or email cfulodge5@atlanticbb.net.
Dinner and a seminar
The Area Agency on Aging of Somerset County Older Adult Protective Services Unit is hosting a dinner and seminar on "Will, Living Will and Power of Attorney, What is the difference?" by Attorney DeAnn McCoy, from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 25, at the Church of the Brethren, 606 Berlin Plank Road, Somerset. Dinner will be provided, but a reservation is required by Oct. 14. Call 814-443-2681. somersetaaa.org.
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Halloween hauntings/pumpkin carving
Hear spine-chilling stories with origins from the Valley of Ligonier in the annual "Halloween hauntings" event at Compass Inn Museum. This year is "Hair-Raising History: Frightfully True Stories from the Ligonier Valley." Listen to local eerie fables of the 19th century told by docents from 6-9 p.m. Oct. 28-30. The path to the museum will be illuminated with torches and newly-carved Jack-O-Lanterns, and the Inn will be lit by candlelight only for a very scary atmosphere. Tours will start approximately every 30 minutes. Child-friendly stories will be told from 6-7:15 p.m. and from 7:30-9 p.m. the spooky stories are designed for more mature audiences. Tickets may be purchased on-site, the day of the event or in advance through Eventbrite.
Drop off your ghouliest gourd between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Oct. 28, at the museum, 1386 U.S. Route 30 East, Laughlintown, for the seventh annual Pumpkin Carving Contest. Although pre-registration is encouraged, walk-in submissions will be accepted. Both families and individuals are encouraged to enter. Only carved pumpkins will be included in the judging this year. Painted pumpkins or pumpkins decorated any way other than carved will not be judged. Finished entries need to be free-standing. Only battery-operated flameless candles are allowed to light the Jack-O-Lanterns. Winners in each category will be chosen by popular vote during "Hair-Raising History: Frightfully True Stories from the Ligonier Valley" tours on Friday and Saturday evenings. Winners will be announced the morning of Oct. 30. Contest prizes include cash and each winner will receive two free tickets to "Hair-Raising History" Oct. 30. For those with questions, call at 724-238-4983 or email at lvhscompassinn@gmail.com.
Steel City Comedy Tour
Meyersdale Volunteer Fire Department presents the Steel City Comedy Tour Oct. 29, for 21 years of age and older. Doors open 6 p.m. Showtime 7:30 p.m. Featuring Shannon Norman, Joey Purse and headliner Mike Wysocki. Show hosted by Chuck Krieger. Tickets include dinner and drinks. DJ before and after the show. Prizes for best costume. For tickets call 814-634-5120.
Karnival 4 Kids
Order of the Eastern Star Region 78 presents Karnival 4 Kids from 1-4 p.m. Oct. 30, at Somerset Masonic Temple, 145 Temple Drive, Somerset. Kostume Kontest Parade, Klowns, prizes and games. Preregister your child for the Kostume Parade. Any age can participate. All children must be accompanied by a ticketed adult. Contests, games, acts, raffles, door prizes, surprises, main events and food. Proceeds support Children's Hospital of Pennsylvania and Central Pennsylvania Down Syndrome Awareness Group.
36th annual College & Technical Fair
The 36th annual College & Technical Fair is 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 3, at the Somerset County Technology Center, 281 Technology Road, Somerset. Information available on educational opportunities after high school, including college, technology and skilled trades; upgrading your work skills to stay competitive in today's evolving workplace; skills and training required to enter specific careers; representatives fro local businesses will be available to answer questions concerning local high demand occupations and training required; planning your child's future after graduation; taking classes just for the fun of it. Visit www.somersetcountychamber.com for a list of participants. Sponsored by the Somerset County Chamber of Commerce and the Somerset County Foundation.
Wine at the Mansion
Friends of the Meyersdale Public Library hosts the Wine at the Mansion from 4-6 p.m. Nov. 5, at the Levi Deal Mansion, 301 Meyers Ave., Meyersdale. This year’s event is dedicated to the late Kim Clapper, a long-time member of the Friends of the Meyersdale Public Library and of the library board of directors. A variety of wines will be featured along with local wines made by Wayne Miller and Ron Miller. Other refreshments will include cheeses from FireFly Farms Creamery and Market in Accident, Maryland, chocolates, fruit and crackers. There will be a silent auction and door prizes. The doors open at 3:45 p.m. With the limited number of tickets available, purchase tickets at the Meyersdale Public Library ahead of time. For more information, contact the library at 814-634-0512.
Craft Class
Pysanky eggs aren't just for Easter. Create a Christmas themed one for your tree from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 1:30-5:30 p.m. Nov. 5, at the Windber Community Building upstairs fitness room. Sign up on Vagaro.com under Windber CB Fitness Program. Proceeds benefit ADA chair lift at Windber Recreation Pool.
Cash Bingo
The Meyersdale Salisbury Berlin Relay For Life Cash Bingo is at 2 p.m. Nov. 6, at the Meyersdale Elks Lodge, 235 Dale St., Meyersdale. Doors open at 12 p.m. Early birds at 1 p.m. for an additional charge. Basket raffle, 50/50 and concession stand. Contact any Relay For Life volunteer for tickets.
Surviving the Holidays
Somerset Alliance Church free one-night seminar "Surviving the Holidays" for teens and adults is at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 11. The holidays are a time when the difficult emotions of grief hit even harder, and people need guidance and encouragement to make it through. This class will help you prepare for the upcoming holidays. Call the church office at 814-445-8949 to register.
Somerset Alliance Church is hosting an American Red Cross blood drive from 1:30–7 p.m. Nov. 15, in the Fellowship Hall. Call 1.800.RED CROSS or visit REDCROSSBLOOD.ORG to schedule your appointment, ask questions, or to complete RapidPass to save time on donation day.
Local Hero Bingo
Local Hero Bingo, Nov. 12, at 413 Grant St., Meyersdale, benefits Meyersdale American Legion and Meyersdale Volunteer Fire Department. Doors open at 12 p.m. Early birds at 1:30 p.m. Games begin at 2 p.m. Ticket includes three cards, 20 games played, $500 guaranteed jackpot. Only 200 tickets sold. Food available for purchase. Tickets available with any Meyersdale VFD member or by visiting the Meyersdale American Legion.
This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Fundraisers, fairs and activities going on for Somerset County
