Military Food Share set for Aug. 11

Across the area

Military Food Share set for Aug. 11

The monthly Military Food Share distribution at the Duncansville VFW Auxiliary 8724 will be held Monday, Aug. 11, beginning at 11 a.m.

This is for all active military, veterans and widows or widowers of veterans living in Blair County. We are currently serving veterans in need. A military ID, DD214 or VA card and photo ID are required. Please enter from Dunnings Highway/Newry Lane and line up on Turek Drive.

The VFW and its auxiliary wishes to thank all the volunteers and local businesses for helping to keep this program going each month. Food shares are held on the second Monday of each month.

The auxiliary hosts a fundraising event monthly at Texas Roadhouse. With a coupon, a portion of your bill will be donated directly to the auxiliary to help fund this Military Food Share. Ask any volunteer for a coupon. Coupons are also available from the bartender at the post. The next fundraiser will be held from 3 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 13. You can dine in or get it to go.

Society sets bus tour of 3 neighborhoods

Altoona had three large housing developments that were the result of the Elias Baker family and its land holdings: Columbia Park, Mansion Park, and ultimately the initiation of the Knickerbocker Development.

A historical and architectural bus tour of these developments is scheduled for 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7, with a repeat at 3:30 p.m.

The tour will include homes, churches, schools and in the Knickerbocker Development, the commercial and residential units and the original hotel and opera house.

Also included are the site of the former Columbia Park baseball field and Rivoli Movie Theatre, and the home of Altoona's Hollywood movie star, Janet Blair.

Each tour will seat 25 people. A tour brochure of more than 50 photographs depicting all sites will be provided with the cost of the ticket. In addition, a separate and newly published 20-page illustrated booklet on the history of the Knickerbocker Development will be available.

The booklet features early, rare photos of the development and the progress and setbacks that encompassed it.

Tours will begin and end at Baker Mansion. Cost for the tour is $35.

Reservations can be purchased at blairhistory.org where one can indicate which tour time is preferred or call the Blair County Historical Society at 814-942-3916.

The bus is handicapped accessible. The tour guide will be Michael Farrow.

Ballroom dance to be held Aug. 17

A ballroom dance will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 17, at Lambert Hall, Bellefonte.

Cost is $10 per person. Please bring a snack to share.

SAMA fundraiser includes hybrid lease

The Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art, in partnership with Courtesy Kia of Altoona, announced a limited-ticket raffle offering participants the chance to win a three-year lease on a 2026 Kia Sportage Hybrid or $10,000 in cash.

This exclusive fundraising event supports SAMA's mission to provide high-quality art exhibitions and educational programming across the Southern Alleghenies region.

Tickets are $50 each, with only 500 tickets available -- giving participants a unique opportunity to "try a hybrid" without a long-term commitment.

Two chances to win are included with every ticket, and the winning number will be drawn based on the PA Lottery's first three-digit number at 7 p.m. on Saturday,

June 13, 2026, coinciding with SAMA's 50th anniversary gala.

Tickets are available at:

n SAMA Altoona, 1210 11th Ave.

n SAMA Bedford, 137 E. Pitt St.

n SAMA Ligonier - 1 Boucher Lane

n Courtesy Kia - 401 Pleasant Valley Blvd., Altoona

n Online at www.sama-art.org

Bedford historical society plans banquet

BEDFORD -- The Bedford County Historical Society will hold its annual History Banquet on Sept. 6.

This year's honoree will be Gillian Leach. She will be honored with a life time achievement award. Tickets are on sale for $20.

For more information, contact the society at 814-623-2011, email bedfordhistory@embarqmail.com or visit www.bedfordpahistory.com.

Scout Troop 19 reunion set for Aug. 16

The public is invited to a reunion of Boy Scouts of America Troop 19 of Lakemont.

The group will meet at 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, at the Serena House on Marian Heights Drive, behind Garvey Manor on Logan Boulevard.

Food and refreshments will be provided. If you plan to attend, contact Jim Amigh, 215 Marian Heights Drive, Hollidaysburg, PA 16648; or 717-572-7493.

Zupe to perform at ballroom dance

The Indiana Ballroom Dance Club will kick off the new dance season with a dance on Friday, Sept. 5, at the Elks Lodge in Indiana, Pa.

Music provided by the entertainer Zupe, and an optional dinner buffet is available.

RSVP and payment are required by Aug. 25.

For information about the meal, costs, times and dress contact Mary Ann at 1686mam@gmail.com or

724-541-0589.