Bellwood-Antis offers farmers market

The Bellwood-Antis Community Trust is holding a farmers market from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the first Friday of every month through October at the Amato Pavilion in Bellwood-Antis Community Park.

Products include produce, baked goods, meat, cheese, raw milk, honey, organic health and beauty products and flowers, as well as hot food and coffee.

At this time of year, the produce for sale at the market includes asparagus, lettuce, onions and herbs, said market coordinator Cheryl Smearman.

The first market in May attracted 16 vendors, most from within about 30 miles of Bellwood, Smearman said, noting this Friday the market is expected to feature 20 vendors.

The first market was “completely packed” with customers, she said.

The B-A market is currently the only one between Altoona and State College, Smearman said.

The Trust is holding the market in cooperation with Antis Township and Bellwood Borough, according to Antis Manager Doug Brown.

RA/LB recognizes student logo design

During a recent meeting, the Altoona Redevelopment Authority/Land Bank recognized Penn State Altoona students who had submitted proposals for an RA/LB logo, after the organization had invited them to do so.

In addition to praise for Sheetz Fellows Kenny Nguyen, Jadie Pensyl, Jimiere Hardison and Lia Ann Simanski, plus coordinator of student entrepreneurship programs Katerina Fischer, the students were provided with gift cards.

Nguyen’s design was chosen by the RA/LB, with a small font-size modification.

HBCC to conduct health needs survey

The Healthy Blair County Coalition is conducting a community health needs assessment beginning in June. As part of that effort, households are being surveyed to learn more about the strengths and challenges in Blair County.

Three thousand surveys are being mailed to a random sampling of households in Blair County, and responses from individual households will remain anonymous. Households that receive a survey are asked to complete and return it using the envelope provided, or go online and use the website link or QR code in the letter.

Either way, all responses should be received by July 15. In addition, other surveys are being emailed to service providers, associations, key leaders and faith-based organizations. Any resident who did not receive a survey in the mail and is interested in completing one can visit www.healthyblaircountycoalition.org for a link or QR code to the survey.

The information gathered from the needs assessment will be compiled over the next few months and used by many organizations to improve services and programs throughout Blair County.

Free CPR class planned

A free class in cardiopulmonary resuscitation will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on June 15 at the AMED building in Lakemont. An AMED paramedic will instruct attendees in CPR basics, although the class will not satisfy requirements for CPR certification, according to Terrina McIntosh, who organized the event with her husband, Tom, after Tom’s life was saved twice by timely application of CPR. Donations will be accepted to benefit AMED. The event is the second of its type the McIntoshes have organized. The first one in April drew 35 people, Terrina said. Anyone with questions can call Terrina at 814-505-7309. The event will be worthwhile “if we can just save one life,” Terrina said.

Logan United to hold blueberry sale

The Logan Township United Fire Department is holding a blueberry sale fundraiser.

Ten-pound boxes are $35 each.

Purchases can be made at a website that can be reached through the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2024BLUEBERRYORDER.

Purchases can also be made by accessing a QR code or the same link as above on the Logan Township United Fire Department Facebook site.

Blueberries will be available for pickup at the Grandview Road fire station, 611 Grandview Road, between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. June 26.

For more information, call the fire station at 814-943-2668.

The department has been conducting the blueberry fundraiser annually for years, according to department President Jeff Blake.

It helps pay for a program designed to reward firefighters for frequent responses to calls, with the names of those who qualify placed in a lottery for a chance to win a gift card, Blake said.

Butchers of America to host fundraiser

The Butchers of America will hold a “Beef & Brews” practice demonstration June 23 at the Blair County Convention Center to raise money so a team sponsored by the organization can compete in the “Olympics of Meat” in Paris, France, in March 2025.

It’s one of a number of practice demonstrations of whole beef butchery for the six-member team, and the first to be held outside the organization’s home base in Sacramento, Calif., because one of the team members is Mark Madden, who runs The Meat Shop on East Pleasant Valley Boulevard in Greenwood.

At the local event, “Team USA will break down the familiar (and not so familiar) cuts of beef you enjoy at the dinner table,” according to a news release from Madden.

Spring Dam Brewing will provide craft beer to attendees.

Cost for general admission at 1 p.m. is $20, which will entitle attendees to a raffle ticket for a chance to win a custom butcher box.

Cost for VIP admission at noon is $75, which will entitle attendees to a raffle ticket, a knife, their first beer and participation in a question-and-answer session with the team.

Butchers of America and Team USA have been competing internationally since 2018, according to Madden.

Butchers of America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Madden said.

The money raised by the practice demonstrations will help the team pay for practices as well as the Paris trip, Madden said.

In addition to Madden, one team member is from New York, one from Utah and three from California.

Tickets to the local event are available at The Meat Shop, 2031 E. Pleasant Valley Blvd., Altoona.

For more information, call Madden at 814-419-6463 or email mark@themeatshoppa.com.