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Interfaith leaders organize community Thanksgiving service

Dozens of people filled the pews at Christ Community United Methodist Church on Nov. 20 for the 94th annual Greater Altoona Interfaith Thanksgiving service. Participants shared reflections from their own faith traditions, guest speaker the Rev. Dr. Lillian Smith spoke of hope at this harvest season and the blessing of caring for others, and donations were collected for the IvySide Eats Food Bank at Penn State Altoona, which provides meals to food insecure students.

On campus

Winchester, Va. Shenandoah announces 2026 orientation leaders Shenandoah University has announced the 38 students who will serve as summer orientation leaders in 2026. Those selected include: - Layla Kurtz of Bellwood - Alison Griffith of Alum Bank - Madison Cavalet of Lilly Orientation leaders serve as liaisons for new students as they arrive at Shenandoah, and play a vital role in helping incoming first-year and transfer students make the transition to SU by offering mentorship and guidance. The 2026 head orientation leaders are Blain Griffin, Jailynn Rivera and Layla ...

Provost scholars

Students from the area have been recognized as Provost Scholars at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Provost Scholar status is achieved when students complete a minimum of 45 semester hours at IUP and have a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher. Provost Scholar recognition is given only once during a student’s time of study at IUP. Provost Scholars from this area and their majors include: Altoona: Mason Yingling, marketing; Madison Brinkman, English studies; Emma Chirdon, nursing; Peyton Daniel, nursing; Brooke Hann, biology; Taylor Lane, mathematics education; ...

Keep your paint can neat by trying this rubber band trick

Among the most annoying things when painting a room are all of the drips along the edges of the can. It can become extremely messy and make it difficult to reseal the can when you’re finished. To prevent drips, do this: Stretch a rubber band over the paint and across the center of the opening. Each time you dip the brush, run it across the rubber band so excess paint drips back into the can and not over the sides. How easy is that? - - - When storing your recyclables outdoors, be sure to keep them in a shaded area and not in direct sunlight. In the warmer months (and in ...

Local news on this date: Dec. 6 and 7

Dec. 6, 1950 Penelec sent five additional crews into Altoona to work on restoring electric power to homes and businesses knocked out by the recent ice storm. Penelec President D.W. Jardine toured Altoona and said, “In my more than 40 years in the utility business, I have never seen or heard of a storm that had caused such widespread destruction.” Dec. 6, 1975 The Alto Cadets Marching Band members met at the Howard Avenue Armory to plan to add a rifle drill team. Gary Louder was band director, Mark Warfel drum line director and Tom Schraff would be the rifle drill team ...

Horoscope and meditation — Dec. 7

Sunday, Dec. 7 ARIES (March 21-April 19): Things get hectic. Step back and ask: “What’s the larger pattern? What’s this moment trying to show me?” From the most loving, wise version of myself, how would I view this?” Big-picture thinking lifts you above the drama. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Fate loves conviction. You walk like you mean it, and your confidence will attract allies, followers and potential team members. Feel like you’re pretending? That’s a good sign. Pretending is for the creative and the bold. Pretending becomes truth. GEMINI (May 21-June 21): You feel ...