Model Railroad club sets open house

The Altoona Association of Model Railroaders is having its series of 2025 winter open houses during the first two weeks in December. Their large HO and N-scale layouts and railroad memorabilia will be on display at 2930 S. 10th Ave., Altoona (gray building, corner of South 10th Avenue and 30th Street). The layouts are open:

– Wednesday, Dec. 3 and 10 from 6 to 9 p.m.

– Friday, Dec. 5 and 12 from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.

– Saturday, Dec. 6 and 13 from 1 to 5 p.m.

Stop by to see the trains and enjoy some hot chocolate and cookies. Admission is free and donations are always appreciated. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/TheAAMR.

Christmas concerts scheduled

The Altoona Community Band will perform two public Christmas concerts in Altoona and Hollidaysburg in December. The first concert will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14, at St. Mary’s Church, 312 Clark St., Hollidaysburg. The second performance will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17, at First Baptist Church, 1209 17th St., Altoona. Admission to both concerts is free of charge.

Breakfast with Santa coming soon

Calvary United Methodist Church, 167 Blue Ball Road, West Decatur, will have breakfast with Santa at 9:30 a.m. Dec. 13. After breakfast, there will be a visit from Santa.

Ice cream social to feature music, stories

An evening of songs, stories and more will be held at 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, at Calvary United Methodist Church, 167 Blue Ball Road, West Decatur, followed by an ice cream social.

Advent Christmas concert planned

The Cathedral Festival Choir will present an Advent of Christmas program featuring readings, music and dance.

The concert will take place at 7 p.m. Dec. 12 at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, 1 Cathedral Square, Altoona. No tickets are required and there will be a free-will offering.

CACCC ‘Nuncrackers’ musical set

The Community Arts Center of Cambria County is providing an enchanting evening of classic monologues and holiday music with “The Nunsense Christmas Musical Nuncrackers” by Dan Goggins at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13.

This hysterical fantastic evening will include the musical production, a cash bar and catered dinner by Joey Del’s 2001 Catering.

“The Nunsense Christmas Musical Nuncrackers” will be hosted in the Atelier at the Community Arts Center of Cambria County, located at 1217 Menoher Boulevard, in the Westmont section of Johnstown.

Tickets are on sale now. CAC members pay $55, while non-members pay $60. Call the center at 814-255-6515 or visit their website to order tickets.

NAACP hosting pictures with Santa

The Blair County NAACP branch will be offering the community to have pictures taken with Santa this holiday season.

The event will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at 1331 12th Ave., Altoona.

Bring your family and friends to capture a magical moment with Santa Claus. The NAACP will also be accepting donations of canned food, dried goods and shelf-stable products to support those in need.

For more information, contact Blair County NAACP Branch #2252 at admin@blairconaacp.org or Facebook.

Volunteer fire company schedules play

The Alum Bank Community Volunteer Fire Company Auxiliary presents “Country Traditions” from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Dec. 13.

Admission $5 a person. Kitchen opens at 5 p.m. Smoke-free, alcohol-free atmosphere. Visit www.facebook.com/AlumBankFireCompanyAux.

Altoona High reunion meeting planned

Altoona Area High School Class of 1976 will hold a reunion meeting at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16, at Perkins Restaurant to continue plans for the upcoming 50th reunion. All classmates are welcome to attend.

The Zoom link as well as additional information can be found on our Facebook page Altoona High Class Of 1976.

Sons of the American Revolution to meet

The quarterly meeting of the Frontier Patriots Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution will be held at noon Saturday, Dec. 13, at Hoss’s Restaurant, Patchway Road, Duncansville.

All current members are encouraged to attend, as well as any male, 18 years of age or older, who desires to obtain membership.

WISE Women announces officers

WISE Women of Blair County is pleased to announce their 2026 to 2028 board officers.

President Angie Yasulitis, CMO and lead strategist of the YaZo Group and co-owner of the Das Gasthaus, The Inn of Claysburg, manages creative collaboration for YaZo clients with her eldest son. Angie has been a member of the WISE board since 2019.

President-Elect Morgan Williams has been an intranet manager for Sheetz Corporation since 2015. She previously planned events and wrote speeches, and also worked as a government contractor creating social media for federal clients. Morgan was appointed to the board in June 2025.

Treasurer Traci Naugle, Esquire, is a partner with the Altoona law firm of Forr, Stokan, Huff & Naugle. She represents clients in the areas of estate planning, estate administration, real estate law, business law and Social Security disability. She has been a member of the WISE board since 2019.

Secretary Florence Shuss retired as a special agent with the Pennsylvania Office of State Inspector General. She investigated and prosecuted welfare fraud and long-term care fraud for the Commonwealth. She had over 25 years of service with the Commonwealth.

Area clubs and nonprofits can email articles and photos to community@altoonamirror.com. For more information, call Brenda Carberry, community news coordinator, at 814-946-7459.