What's going on in and around Somerset County?
Pius Spring Woman’s Club
The Pius Spring Woman’s Club met Dec. 5, at the Berlin Borough Building for the annual Christmas Banquet. There was a collection for “Santa’s Workshop” that evening. Dorothy Smith conducted the installation of officers, which included Lori Gindlesperger, president; Marci Miller, vice president; Mary Engle, secretary and Kayla Custer, treasurer.
The Fall Girl of the Semester was awarded to Kayla McClucas. She was accompanied by her grandmother, Janet McClucas and sister, Haley McClucas. Kayla is a senior at Berlin Brothersvalley High School and enrolled in several honors classes and advanced placement courses, including studies at Allegany College of Maryland. She is active in volleyball and involved in the youth group at the Berlin Brethren Church. Her future plans are to obtain a PhD in psychology, specializing in neuropsychology. The evening was concluded with musical entertainment by Dr. David Reeder.
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Grantsville Lions
Local Vietnam veterans distribute food
Glass collection
There will be a bin accepting all colors of glass at the Somerset Education Center, 6024 Glades Pike, Somerset, starting from Dec. 28, and will stay put until it’s full. Save all your glass bottles over the holidays and drop them off. Although all colors of glass are encouraged, no ceramics will be accepted. There is no cost associated with the glass collection. Rinse your glass bottles before dropping them off. All glass bottles will be recycled through CAP Glass. Contact Recycling Coordinator Bryony Tilzey by phone at 814-445-1571 or by email at tilzeyb@co.somerset.pa.us with any questions.
Bottle Works’ Arts Academy returns
Young creatives, ages 5 to 18, who have a real passion for art can hone their artistic skills and techniques at the Bottle Works’ Arts Academy program, Johnstown. Participants will learn fine art basics and folk art trades during specially designed classes, workshops and more starting Jan. 4. Aspiring artists have the opportunity to learn from and work alongside professional artists and art educators in the disciplines of drawing, painting and folk art. The program Jan. 4, is a special evening sculpting series with Colleen Albright, BFA; Bottle Works Studio Artist and Indiana University of Pennsylvania graduate. The sculpting series has three sessions: hand-built ceramics, mold making and casting, and paper making. In addition to the sculpting series, a small metal series with Erika Boas, BFA begins in February. She will lead students for two sessions: copper creations and wire-wrapped jewelry. These evening folk art experiences will explore these century old crafts on Wednesday and Thursday nights. All supplies are included. Register online at www.bottleworks.org; or call 814-535-2020 for more information.
Winter Speaker Series
The Mary S. Biesecker Public Library new craft-themed “Learning at the Library” Winter Speaker Series is the first Friday of the winter months (until February). A local speaker will be featured at 6 p.m. to offer free crafts, activities and informational lectures for the public. The series is being held in conjunction with Somerset Inc.’s “First Fridays in Uptown Somerset” event, where local businesses are open from 4:30-8 p.m. hosting special events, exclusive shopping experiences, popup vendors and more. On Jan. 6, a local health professional will be discussing ways of beating the winter blues while learning how to make Mason Jar Hot Chocolate. The winter series concludes on Feb. 3, in collaboration with the uptown bakery Heirloom Pines, who will be demonstrating techniques and insights on cupcake decorating just in time for Valentine’s Day. Attendance for any of the winter speaker series events is free, but materials are only guaranteed for those who RSVP ahead of time by submitting a form on maryslibrary.com or Facebook, or by calling the front desk at 814-445-4011.
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Christmas Music Festival
The Friedens Lutheran Church will host its annual Christmas Music Festival at 7 p.m. Jan. 6, in the church sanctuary. The tradition began at the church as a way to extend the Christmas season and provide support to a local charity. The concert also gives church musicians and local musicians a chance to perform their songs of the season for the community. There is no admission fee, but a free-will offering will be taken to benefit the Somerset Mobile Food Bank. Featured this year will be musicians from the church including the senior choir, Exultation Praise Band, vocalist Liz Brunelli, and organist Preston Showman. Guest musicians will include "Just Brass" and guitarist/vocalist Arnie McFarland. Members of "Just Brass" are first trumpet, Kari Hostetter; second trumpet, Scott Holbert; horn, Katie Strong; trombone and leader, Rick Showers; and tuba, Jason June.
The Friedens Lutheran Church is also gearing up to begin the winter Coffeehouse season. All performances take place 7-9 p.m. Fridays in the church's "Friendship Hall." Along with entertainment, coffee and dessert are served. Coffeehouses are open to the public. The schedule this year will be: Jan. 27 Swing City, Feb. 10 Jeff Webb and the Delectible Sound, Feb. 24 Echo Valley Bluegrass, March 31 Rugg Band, and April 28 John Larimer. There is no admission charge, but the church suggests a donation of $5 for each concert. More information about each group and any weather related cancelations will be provided on the church's facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/friedenslutheran.
Celebrate agriculture at PA Preferred® reception
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding invited Pennsylvanians to celebrate the state’s $132.5 billion agriculture industry at the 107th PA Farm Show’s PA Preferred® Reception, where they’ll enjoy the finest in Pennsylvania-grown and produced food, drinks and desserts. The reception will be held Jan. 6, in the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex. “This year’s Farm Show theme, Rooted in Progress, invites visitors to explore the breadth of Pennsylvania agriculture, our heritage, and the innovations driving us forward,” said Secretary Redding. Tickets are available to the public for purchase. The ticket includes admission to the reception, parking, food and drinks, and a short program. More information, including ticketing details can be found at farmshow.pa.gov. RSVP for the event on Facebook.
Yard sale benefit
A large indoor yard sale will be held 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 7, at Unity UCC, along Route 160 between routes 30 and 31. More than seven families participating. Food will be available. Proceeds benefit Jason Benning Cancer medical fund.
Community dinner
A free community dinner, served at the Windber Area Community Kitchen, will be held from 4-6 p.m. Jan. 7, at Calvary United Methodist Church, 1800 Stockholm Ave., Windber. The menu will be spaghetti, vegetables and fruit. The meal will be served by BSA Troop 611.
Lifesaver’s Ball 2023
The American Red Cross invites the community to the annual Lifesaver’s Ball Blood Drive from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 7, Richland Township Fire Hall, 1321 Scalp Ave., Johnstown. January is also National Blood Donor Month. The goal of this drive is to collect more than 65 units of blood to help people in need of transfusions. All who come to give Jan. 1-31 will automatically be entered for a chance to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LVII in Phoenix. The trip includes travel, hotel stay, a $500 gift card, pre-game activities and more. Terms apply; visit RedCrossBlood.org/SuperBowl. To make an appointment, visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter the sponsor code LIFESAVERS, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). All presenting donors will receive a free T-shirt.
Turkey and ham dinner
The Meyersdale Volunteer Fire Department Sunday turkey and ham dinner from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 8, sponsored by BDH/Konhaus, will be half-price.
Project FeederWatch
Laurel Hill State Park is hosting Project FeederWatch to observe backyard birds for science. Participants will count birds and submit data for an international research project. Counts will occur on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at the Laurel Hill Visitor Center. Count dates are: Jan. 10, 11, 24 and 25; Feb. 7, 8, 21 and 22; March 21 and 22; and April 11 and 12. For more information, call the Laurel Hill Visitor Center at 814-352-8649. For those who need an accommodation to participate in park activities because of a disability, contact the Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks: at 888-PA-PARKS (voice,) 717 558-2710 (local or international voice,) 711 (AT &T Relay Services.) With at least three days’ notice, interpreters for people who are deaf or hard of hearing are available for educational programs.
Fire & Ice Festival
The theme for the 28th annual Fire & Ice Festival in Somerset, Jan. 13-15, is Jurassic Somerset. Carnegie Museum of National History is bringing a mini dino museum to be displayed in the Glades Court Mall. The festival includes a winter marketplace, 25th annual Fire & Ice 5K Run/Walk and more. Check out the list of events on the Fire & Ice website, https://www.somersetinc.org/fireandice/.
CACCC exhibition
The Community Arts Center of Cambria County presents its first exhibition of 2023, "The Secret Landscapes of the Mind," an exhibition featuring a mixture of acrylic painting, relief painting, and sculptures by artist ZheKa. Relief painting is when both painting and sculpture are featured together on the work, creating a 2D pieces into having 3D components. The exhibit will be hosted in the Goldhaber-Fend Fine Arts Center gallery. Anopening reception will be from 1-3 p.m. Jan. 14. A video tour and artist lecturewill be available at the Community Arts Center’s YouTube & Facebookpages after the start of the exhibit.
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Spaghetti dinner
Spaghetti dinner for Char and Lonnie Prinkey is 4-7 p.m. Jan. 14, at the Ohiopyle-Stewart VFD.
JSO concert
The Johnstown Symphony Orchestra (JSO) will present a concert in honor of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at 3 p.m. Jan. 15, at the historic State Theater. The JSO string ensemble and orchestra will be conducted by Grammy® Award-winning Music Director James Blachly. Pick Your Price general-admission tickets are available at johnstownsymphony.org/20222023-concerts. Two artists from the chorus, Kim King and Sidnee Baxter, will be featured in the program. The MLK concert is part of a 90-minute program which features a keynote address by the Rev. Brian Hutton Jr. The live stream will begin at 3 p.m. Jan. 15, from a link on the JSO web site https://www.johnstownsymphony.org/more-about-mlk-concert where complete details about the program can be found. Purchase tickets at johnstownsymphony.org or call the Box Office between 12-4 p.m. Wednesday and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays.
Violin and piano duo
Working together as a violin and piano duo, Maureen Gonlon-Guitierrez, concertmaster of the Johnstown Symphony, and Rodrigo Ojeda, principal pianist of the Pittsburgh Symphony, will perform classical works, at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 14, at The Grand Halle on Broad Street, 306 Broad St., Johnstown. For more information or go purchase a ticket, call 814-254-4033 or visit www.GrandHalle.com. Tickets will also be available at the door.
Roast beef or ham dinner
As part of the Fire & Ice Festival, the Ladies Auxiliary of the Somerset Volunteer Fire Department will be serving a roast beef or ham dinner from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 15, at the Somerset Borough Safety Building, 340 West Union St., Somerset. Drink and dessert is included and eat in or takeout will be available.
Chicken N' Biscuits
Chicken N’ Biscuits, (take outs only) being served 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Jan. 20, or until sold out at the Meyersdale Masonic Temple, Beachley Street, Meyersdale. Meal consists of creamed chicken over biscuits, mashed potatoes, green beans, apple sauce and dessert. To order in advance, call Donna 814-267-5111 or Michelle at 814-341-2117. Calls can be made to the Temple on Friday only 814-634-5709. Sponsored by Meyersdale Eastern Star.
Subs and pizzas
Friends of the Library are offering Marianna's subs and pizzas for sale. Subs include 14 " Italian, All American, Ham & Swiss, Ham Club, Roast Beef, Smoked Ham & Cheddar, Turkey, Traditional and Three Cheese. The pizzas are 12" and include: Pepperoni, Cheese and White. Orders can be made at the library's front desk or with any member of the Friends. Orders with payment are due by Jan. 18. Pick up is at the library between 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Jan. 31.
This article originally appeared on The Daily American: What is happening around the Somerset County area in early January?
