Masontown News
Free concert
A Grace Celebration Free Concert is being held at Mount Moriah Baptist Church, 30 Church St., Smithfield, today at 6 p.m. Glory Bound Express, Still Waters, Witness Jesus Band and Zach Ellsworth will be performing.
A free-will offering will be received to benefit Mount Moriah Christian School. A fellowship time will be held following the concert. All are welcome to attend.
Farmer’s Market
Farmer’s Market is held every Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the German-Masontown Park.
Masontown Matters
Masontown Matters will have the October meeting on Monday at Paesano’s Restaurant at 7 p.m. Please plan to attend to help us plan for our October and November events for our town. Your input is welcomed.
Spooktacular
Masontown Matters will be sponsoring a “Spooktacular Halloween Parade and Event” on Oct. 27. Parade participants will begin formation at the South Main Street and Church Avenue traffic light at 5:30 p.m. The parade will begin at 6 p.m., ending at the German-Masontown Park. In case of inclement weather, the parade will end at the All Saints Social Hall.
At either location, there will be music, food vendors, games, costume prizes, treats, activities, prizes and loads of fun.
Any group, individual or organization that would like to help with this event is asked to contact Brian Coll, 724 583-9883, for more information.
Act 80 Day
There will be no school for students in the Albert Gallatin Area School District on Oct. 12.
Teachers will report for a full day to participate in professional development activities related to classroom climate improvement, data analysis and positive behavior support.
Cemetery cleanup
The McClellandtown Presbyterian Church Cemetery will be holding fall cleanup. All seasonal items must be removed by Oct. 15.
Cash bash
St Mary’s Church in Leckrone will hold a cash bash on Nov. 5 at the Parish Center. Tickets are available after Mass or by calling Brenda at 724-583-2782. The event is open to the public.
Halloween Party
The combined Pal’s Club and Auxiliary annual children’s Halloween party will be held on Oct. 20 at 1 p.m. at the club’s main social hall. Treats and refreshments will be provided to the club members’ children. Prizes will be awarded by age. Club President is Bruce Plaski and the Ladies Auxiliary President is Betsy Kopacko.
Historical Society
Anyone willing to be an active member and take part in preserving the treasures that have been collected throughout the years is asked to contact Clara Pento at 724-583-2069. Monetary support is also appreciated.
Donations and memorials can be mailed to: Fort Mason Historical Society, Box 246, Masontown, PA 15461
Library news
German-Masontown Public Library just observed Banned Books Week, which is an annual observance from the American Library Association’s Office of Intellectual Freedom that “celebrates the First Amendment right of the freedom to read.”
At various times, books such as “Little House on the Prairie” and the Harry Potter series have been challenged. “The Hunger Games” was recently challenged by a parent in New Hampshire because it gave her child nightmares. Have you read any banned or challenged books? Stop by the library and check one out.
October is a busy month for us. Story time occurs every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. and our Knitting group meets Thursdays at 3:30 p.m. We will be holding a Wii Games night on Monday, Oct. 15, at 5:30 p.m. and a guest storyteller will be sharing stories on Oct. 27 at 10:30 a.m. On Oct. 29 at 4:30 p.m., the library will be showing the movie “Dark Shadows.”
Our special event on Oct. 15 is “Snapshot PA,” a day where all Pennsylvania libraries tell their “day in the life” stories. Stop by the library from 3 to 7 p.m. to have a tour and learn more about German-Masontown Public Library.
It’s not too late to sign up for our preschool program, “It’s B.E.A.R. Time! (Be Excited About Reading). Dorothy Gruskowski, beloved first grade teacher from Masontown Elementary, will be leading the class of 4-year-olds on Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. starting on Oct. 16. Space is limited so please sign up promptly. For more information, please call the library at 724-583-7030.
Community Kitchen
The next Masontown Community Kitchen meal will be held on Tuesday beginning at 4 p.m. The meal will be Cheeseburger pie, tossed salad, Panera breads and desserts. The Community Kitchen is located in the First Presbyterian Church at 102 W. Church Ave., where meals are served between 4 and 7 p.m. every other Tuesday.
You are asked to invite someone to attend who you may know is in need of a nutritious meal and a generous serving of social and Christian fellowship and the hometown hospitality found there. The soup kitchen’s meals are free to anyone in need but donations are welcomed and are used to provide the food and supplies for the kitchen.
Information for making a contribution or to schedule your time as a volunteer to help the Community Kitchen may be obtained by contacting Kathy West at 724-583-9514 or Judy Julian at 724-943-3013.