Christmas at the College

 

By: Samuel Reid

As the school year winds down, leaves spread across the lawn as the bitter cold pierces through even the warmest coats and students scramble to prepare for final exams. It isn’t all bleak however. Aside from festive decorations around campus, there are many fun events that balance out the cold cloudy days. Events such as the Christmas Bazar gift sale, Madrigal and athletic events keep the days just as exciting as summer.

The Christmas Bazar sale took place on Saturday December 7.  It was a sale where small businesses and local vendors could display and sell their work at the Stone Church of the Brethren. Juniata college students and faculty attended the event. Among the small businesses and organizations presenting products was a student started and run non-profit called The Gambia Art Coalition. This non-profit buys art from artists in the Gambia sells it in the U.S. the profits are then sent to the Gambia for the funds to be reinvested in Gambian communities. Getting to know more about vendors and their mission statements is part of what made the event great. Not only was it a great place to find gifts for friends and relatives, but also it was an educational experience of learning about what vendors and organizations are doing. Next year if you want to shop local and grab a few interesting gifts keep your eye out for The Christmas Bazar sale date and put it on your calendar.

Madrigal took place on the 7 ^th of December as well. It is a dance and dinner for Juniata college students. The dinner tickets could only be acquired by tenting. Another Juniata tradition where students must camp out on the campus lawn for a week during middle to late November. This wouldn’t be such a challenging task except that one member of each tenting team must be present in the tent at all times between late afternoon through the night and into the morning. On top of that requirement, there are also events that the tenting teams must compete in. Such as karaoke and other activities. For those individuals who didn’t want to participate in the tenting craziness, the dance tickets were still available for five dollars to any student interested. The event was great for friends to relax and enjoy time together. As finals week approaches it is always a welcome break to be able to unwind and goof off for a bit before getting back to work the following Monday.

Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol was performed by Juniata theater students and accompanied by music students to add to the drama and intensity of the play in the basement of The Stone Church of the Brethren. The story of Scrooge has never been better told and its message of enjoying life and rejecting greed has never been better conveyed. It is a story that prompts the audience to stop and reflect on the past and appreciate all that they have and not take anything for granted. By creating a story that forces the character Ebenezer Scrooge to reflect on his life, the audience is prompted to do the same about their own life. The play was wonderful and got the audience in the Christmas spirit. Juniata plays never fail to disappoint. 

Despite the year coming to an end, the Huntingdon community and Juniata’s campus is as lively as ever with events. Students and community members can stay occupied by either engaging with the Huntingdon community by, enjoying an alternate Christmas gift sale, a school dance or a Christmas play to better get in the Christmas mood. All of the events were enjoyable and memorable. They give students and Huntingdon community members options for entertainment during the most festive time of the year.  

Community Improvement Award Nominations Deadline Approaching

The Chamber has once again partnered with the Huntingdon County Planning Commission to recognize those that have contributed to the attractiveness of our county. Nominations are being accepted until January 6, 2020 in the following categories: New Construction, Preservation, Community Spirit and Special Merit. Information about the categories can be found by clicking on the links below. Once nominations are received, applications will be sent to the nominees to gather additional information that will help with the award selection process. Awards will be presented in March at the Huntingdon County Planning Commission Dinner.

Click here for the nomination form.

Click here for the guidelines.

Small Business Saturday Gift Basket Winner

We'd like to congratulate Fawn Norris on winning this amazing gift basket from the Small Business Saturday drawing!

We'd also like to thank the following businesses for donating items to be included in the basket:

Lincoln Caverns, Inc. and Whisper Rocks

MJEM's Photos

Standing Stone Coffee Company

Cricket Wireless

Strickler's Ice, Bottled Water, & Cold Beer

Thompson's Candle Co.

Simone Family Chiropractic

Wildflower Cafe & Goodnight Moon LLC

Chamber Bucks: Give the Gift of Choice

Chamber Bucks gift certificates can be purchased at the Chamber office at 500 Allegheny Street, Huntingdon, PA 16652. If you would like us to have them ready for you when you arrive to purchase them, please call ahead. (814) 643-1110. The Chamber office is open Monday - Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., but there are times when we need to close to attend meetings and events. If you are interested in purchasing Chamber Bucks and can't make it to the office during those hours, please call us and we will do our best to be available when you are able to stop in.

Chamber Bucks can be used at the following participating businesses:

8th Street Corner Deli & Grill, LLC Visit our gift shop.

Ace Fix-It Hardware (Huntingdon Location)

Appleby's Drug Store

Boswell Pipes

Brenneman's Meat Market

Car Care Auto

Cassville Country Store and Restaurant

Cricket Wirless at One-Stop (Huntingdon Location)

Simone Family Chiropractic Visit our vitamin and wellness product section.

GoDezi Transportation Services

Hoss's Steak and Sea House (Huntingdon Location)

Huntingdon Cinema, Inc.

Lincoln Caverns, Inc. and Whisper Rocks Visit our unique gift shop.

Mt. Union Lumber & Supply, Inc. (muls, inc)

Orbisonia Hardware

ReKlaimed Vines Winery and Vineyard

Standing Stone Coffee Company

The Inn at Solvang

The Uniform Place

Walkin' the Dog

If you are Chamber member, but not on the list and would like to accept Chamber Bucks, please let us know.

Chamber Office Closed

The Chamber office will be closed after 1:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve (December 24) until 9:00 a.m. January 2, 2020 for the Holidays.

The Board of Directors and staff wish you a very Happy Holidays!

Looking to start an endowment or to support community efforts? Click the logo above to learn more about the Huntingdon County Foundation.