CENTRAL CITY — A Windber motorist died in a one-vehicle crash Saturday in Ogle Township, state police in Somerset said.

Teresa Marie Fleck, 49, was driving a Pontiac G5 on state Route 160 just north of Central City when she lost control on a curve and hit two trees, troopers said.

Fleck was pronounced dead at the scene by Somerset County Coroner Wallace Miller.

State police were assisted by Central City and Windber fire companies and Northern ambulance.

Donations sought for community dinner

Community leaders are looking for donations for the annual Christmas dinner to be held from 1 to 5 p.m. Dec. 25 at Christ Centered Community Church, 531 Somerset St. in Johnstown.

To donate or for additional information, contact the Rev. Sylvia King at 244-2737 or the Rev. Reginald Floyd at 361-2393. Volunteers are needed for preparation and tear-down assistance.

The event is free and open to the public.

Program provides gifts for seniors

Area residents are invited to participate in an initiative to get Christmas gifts into the hands of senior citizens living in personal care facilities – many of whom do not have family or visitors.

“Presents for Patients” is a division of St. Barnabas Charities in Pennsylvania. The program matches a resident with a donor who receives information on the resident and his or her wish list. The donor is asked to purchase one of the gifts on the list and bring it to the resident.  

Several personal care homes in the region participate in the program, including Harmony House in Johnstown, Rebekah Manors in Ebensburg and Portage and Cambria Care Center in Ebensburg.

For additional information call (724) 444-5521 or go to www.presentsforpatients.com.

Smoking-cessation strategies offered

Information about strategies and help available for kicking the tobacco habit will be distributed during a Great American Smokeout exhibit Wednesday at Memorial Medical Center’s main campus.

The public event, which also targets hospital employees, will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday in the hospital’s Atrium area.

Materials will be provided by the American Cancer Society, Conemaugh employee wellness and cardiac services departments. There will also be free food, chair massages and prizes.

Beginning Jan. 1, Conemaugh Health System hospitals will implement tobacco-free employee work shifts. This means that employees are not permitted to use tobacco products of any kind from the time they report to work until their shift is over.

Funeral home collecting items for soldiers

Hindman Funeral Homes & Crematory Inc is one of the nearly 1,000 Veterans and Family Memorial Care providers across the country that is participating in the annual “Christmas Stocking for Soldiers” initiative.

From now through Dec. 3, residents are invited to stop by the funeral home to pick up a free Christmas stocking to take home, decorate and stuff with Christmas items. A list of recommended items will be available.

Hindman will ship the stockings at its expense to troops abroad in time for Christmas.

“Sending our heroes some good tidings and holiday cheer is a great way for us to show our support and appreciation for the sacrifices they make to keep our country safe and secure” Bill Hindman, owner of Hindman Funeral Homes, said.

Hindman Funeral Homes are located at 1521 Frankstown Road and at 146 Chandler Ave. in Johnstown and at 333 Beaver St. in Hastings.

Gingerbread House Contest planned

The Ligonier Valley Chamber of Commerce is planning its eighth annual Gingerbread House Contest.  

The gingerbread houses will be on display Dec. 1 through 9 at the Ramada Ligonier. Visitors will have the opportunity to make a donation, vote for the community favorite and place a silent bid on the houses with all proceeds going Ligonier Valley Meals on Wheels.

Guidelines and applications can be obtained at the chamber office or by calling (724) 238-4200.  

All entry fees and forms must be received by Friday. First-, second- and third-place cash prizes will be awarded as well as best in show.

Event promotes adoption, fostering

Arrow Child & Family Ministries will host the fifth annual Adopt PA event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Logan Valley Mall in Altoona.

Through the combined efforts of local foster care and adoption agencies and family support groups, interested individuals will have the opportunity to ask questions and find out more about fostering or adopting a child.

There are currently 2,522 children in the Pennsylvania foster care system.

Adopt PA participating agencies include: Adelphoi Village, Arrow Child and Family Ministries, The Bair Foundation, Bethany Christian Services, Children’s Aid Society, Cove Adoptive Families, KidsPeace, and several more.

For more information, call 201-9330

 

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