What's going on in and around Somerset County for early January?

People or groups with events are invited to post them for free in the Daily American events calendar. https://www.dailyamerican.com/things-to-do/events/

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. 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.

Spaghetti dinner

Spaghetti dinner for Char and Lonnie Prinkey is 4-7 p.m. Jan. 14, at the Ohiopyle-Stewart VFD.

Glass collection

Somerset County Recycling placed a new empty bin out at the Somerset Education Center, 6024 Glades Pike, Somerset, accepting clear, green, blue, brown glass bottles. No ceramics. Drop off your rinsed glass to recycle it before the bin fills up again.

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.

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. The concert is sold out and tickets are unavailable through the JSO website. They encourage Season 94 subscribers who are unable to attend the performance todonate their ticket back to the JSO by emailing info@johnstownsymphony.org. The JSO will release these tickets to the general public for purchase through the JSO website, providing the opportunity for other community members to attend. Check johnstownsymphony.org/moreabout-mlk-concert, for updates regarding available tickets for purchase. The JSO is also providing a live stream of the MLK concert, beginning at 3 p.m. Jan. 15, from a link provided on the JSO web site https://www.johnstownsymphony.org/more-about-mlk-concert.

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.

Subs and pizza sale

Friends of the Meyersdale Public Library is having a Marianna’s Subs and Pizza sale. Jan. 18 is the deadline to order and to prepay. Do so at the library. Pickup day is from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Jan. 31.

Confluence Creative Arts Center

Contact info@confuencecreativearts for details or to register for upcoming events and activities. HOW TO BE A CRANKIE PERSON, LEARN-TO-MAKE-A-CRANKIE WORKSHOP, Mondays 4 to 6 p.m. Jan. 16, Jan. 23, and Jan. 30. Preregistration required. Some general art materials provided. Interested in learning how to make a crankie? Attend one or all of these workshop sessions where you'll learn the behind-the-scenes steps involved in designing and performing a scrolling panoramic crankie. Start your project at the workshop and complete it at home. Participants may have an opportunity to perform their crankie at the Festival for Scrolling Panoramic Arts or an open stage show at the Arts Center. FROGTOWN UKESTRA, Thursdays 6-7 p.m.-ish: Jan. 19, 26; Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23; March 2. Ukuleles are provided or bring your own. Preregistration requested. Frogtown Ukestra is Confluence's premier and only ukulele-playing folk-song singing ensemble. It is open to adults and children who are interested in playing the ukelele. Guitars and other acoustic instruments are also welcome. Instruction will be geared for all ages and ability levels with the objective of playing and performing as a group. A final performance showcase will be planned for March 10. OVERBOOKED : LITERARY DISCUSSION GROUP, 4 p.m. Jan. 22. Join them at the Arts Center for a discussion of Madeleine L'Engle's award-winning book, "A Wrinkle in Time." This 1962 novel, inspired by Einstein's theories, is a young-adult science fiction-fantasy novel that explores the themes of goodness and evil. Next book discussion: March 19. Title to be determined. POSTCROSSING STARTUP AND MEETUP, 3 p.m. Jan. 22. Adults and families welcome. Bring five postcards to send. Postcrossing is an international postcard exchange organization with more than 800,000 participants in 207 countries. More than 70 million postcards have been exchanged. Stop by to sign up and learn how you can send and receive postcards to folks all over the world. They'll showcase the cards that are received and meet again on March 19. More info about Postcrossing can be found here: https://www.postcrossing.com/about or https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postcrossing. CRANKIE KIDS, Thursdays: Jan. 26, Feb. 2, Feb. 9, Feb. 16, and Feb. 23. Performance on Feb. 25. Ages 6-16. Preregistration required. Participate in a collaborative crankie-making project. Over several workshop sessions, participants will work together to help create the artwork for a very large and very funny crankie called "Hairy Things." Participants will also develop a performance that will include singing, shadow art, and learning how to be part of a big-time crankie show. The Crankie Kids will be one of the acts in this year's Festival of Scrolling Panoramic Arts at the Arts Center on Feb. 25. SILENT MEDITATION, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Mondays. Dress comfortably. Judd Evans will guide participants in sitting and walking meditation. Cushions and chairs are provided and tea and refreshments are available after the practice.

The Pale Blue Eye

Fort Ligonier and Compass Inn Museum have teamed up to co-host a fun viewing party for the film "The Pale Blue Eye" Jan. 19, at Fort Ligonier. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m., and a short panel discussion followed by the showing of the movie will begin promptly at 7 p.m. “The Pale Blue Eye” film is an historical Gothic thriller that revolves around a series of fictional murders that took place in 1830 at the United States West Point Military Academy. It began streaming on Netflix Jan. 6, for anyone who wants to watch the film before they come to the behind-the-scenes viewing party. Compass Inn Museum and Fort Ligonier will talk about their behind-the-scenes experience of being a part of this blockbuster film. There will be a brief panel discussion that starts at 7 p.m., right before the film begins streaming and a Q & A session when the film has ended. Pre-registration for the viewing party is highly recommended and can be done via the Eventbrite link- https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-pale-blue-eye-behind-the-scenes-viewing-party-tickets-495077549277. Register also by calling Compass Inn Museum at 724-238-4983. For those with questions about this event, reach out to Theresa Gay Rohall at tgrohall@compassinn.org.

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.

Loss of Spouse seminar

A free one-time seminar "Loss of Spouse" will be held at Somerset Alliance Church from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Feb. 4, in the Fireside Room. Call the church to register by Jan. 21, or with questions at 814-445-8949. GriefShare, a 13-week class for those who are grieving the death of a loved one, will begin at Somerset Alliance Church from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Feb. 15, in the Fireside Room. Call the church to register by Feb. 6, or with any questions at 814-445-8949.

Ligonier IceFest

Ligonier Valley Chamber of Commerce featuring the Ligonier IceFest Jan. 21-22. Activities include merchant indoor sales, Hanson's Kettle Korn, horse-drawn carriage rides by Misty Haven, free concerts Saturday and Sunday (Big Fat Jazz at 2 p.m. Saturday; Candle in the Wind at 12:30 p.m. Sunday), firemen's spaghetti dinner at the Town Hall Community Room at 11 a.m. Saturday, and ice sculptures on display throughout the Diamond and along the streets. Ice carvings by DiMartino Ice.

Friedens Coffeehouse

The Friedens Lutheran Church is 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.

Pool Tournament

Pool Tournament Scotch Doubles is at 1 p.m. Jan. 28, at the Meyersdale Moose Lodge. Bring your own partner. Call 814-634-0623 or stop by the lodge to sign up.

Subs and pizzas

Friends of the Library at Meyersdale Public 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.

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. 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.

Death by Chocolate

Friends of the Meyersdale Public Library will host the 22nd annual Death by Chocolate contest and auction at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 10, at the Amity United Church of Christ Fellowship Hall, 315 Center St., Meyersdale. Judging will be in three categories: cakes and pies, cookies and bars, and candy. Entries may be taken to the church hall between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Feb. 10. Cookies, bars and candy must have at least 12 on a plate for judging. Entries must have a chocolate component. Judging will be based on appearance, intensity of chocolate and taste. Cash prizes will be awarded. The best in show receives an additional prize. Judging begins at 6:30 p.m. and is open to the public. The auction follows the judging.

Baked goods, including non-chocolate items, that are being submitted for the bake sale and not for judging may be taken to the Meyersdale Public Library, 210 Center St., Meyersdale, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Feb. 9 or from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 10. The baked goods will be on sale Friday and Saturday until sold out. Use containers that don't have to be returned. Proceeds benefit the Meyersdale Public Library. For more information, call 814-634-0512.

Rain barrel sale

Somerset County Recycling is hosting a rain barrel pre-order sale and workshop. Orders are taken online at https://enviroworld.us/somersetpa. Pre-order deadline is March 12. Orders will be available for pickup between 9 a.m. and noon March 25. The rain barrel workshop is at 9 a.m. March 25 at the Somerset Conservation District Conference Room, 6024 Glades Pike, Somerset.

This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Check out what's going on in Somerset County this week