📰 WEEKLY PREVIEW |
* Top Stories: Loretto Blanketeers share 213 blankets |
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Trivia Question❓Which tree species can grow more than 350 feet tall, making it the tallest tree species on Earth? Answer at the bottom of the newsletter |
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Give your next thank-you or holiday gift a little hometown sweetness. Mid’s Candy has been making handmade chocolates in Ebensburg since 1988, with milk- and dark-chocolate assortments, truffles, chocolate-covered pretzels and custom chocolate boxes. Browse the selection online, or stop at the New Germany Road shop for a locally made treat. From a small gift to a box to share, it’s a sweet way to support a Cambria County business. Plan your visit: Listed hours are Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.; closed Sunday. Call ahead to confirm holiday hours. |
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Loretto's Saint Francis University Community Blanketeers collected 213 handmade blankets in 2026 for distribution through local family programs and fire companies. The completed collection connects volunteer craftwork with children facing difficult circumstances across Cambria, Blair and Somerset counties. The effort has operated on campus since 2006. Quilted, crocheted, knitted and tied blankets provide several ways for people with different craft skills to contribute.
Partners include Healing Patch, which offers free grief support, and Nurse-Family Partnership, which provides nurse home visits and support for first-time mothers. Cambria County families can also find information about Healing Patch workshops and school services. Sharing those program contacts may help a family find an existing resource. The blankets complement broader support; they are one useful part of a community response.
Interested in helping? Contact Melita O'Donnell at modonnell@francis.edu about future Blanketeers arrangements, or check Healing Patch's current donation needs. The 2026 collection is complete, so confirm the next steps before making or delivering items. Ask about current needs, materials and delivery arrangements first. A sewing circle, workplace or neighborhood group can use that conversation to plan a practical future project. Readers who do not craft can still help by connecting interested volunteers with the right coordinator. |
Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site offers a free local outing during the November 11–17 issue week, but choose the day carefully. The visitor center, Engine House No. 6 Exhibit Shelter and Lemon House are closed Wednesday and Thursday, including Veterans Day. A little planning helps families match their outing to the parts of the site they want to see.
For an indoor visit, the regular window this week is Friday, November 13, through Tuesday, November 17, from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Grounds and trails are open sunrise to sunset, weather permitting. Check current conditions before leaving. Build in enough time to explore at a comfortable pace rather than trying to see every feature during one short afternoon.
The main unit combines historic buildings and trails; Staple Bend Tunnel is a separate outing with a Mineral Point trailhead. Pick one destination, allow enough daylight and confirm access at 814-886-6150. The main unit includes Lemon House, Engine House No. 6 and Skew Arch Bridge. Use the park's separate route information if the tunnel is your destination. Bring water, check the weather and choose a route suited to your group. This is an ongoing visitor opportunity, with access dependent on posted hours and conditions. |
Saint Francis men's basketball has hometown connections for Cambria County fans: the roster includes Brandon Rabish of Gallitzin and Penn Cambria, and Maddox Laughard of Nanty Glo and Bishop McCort. Their presence gives followers of local high school basketball another way to stay connected with athletes as they move into college competition.
The Red Wolves opened November 6 with a 101–93 loss to Susquehanna. After games away from Loretto, their next scheduled home matchup is Penn State DuBois on Tuesday, November 17, at 7 p.m. at DeGol Arena. The intervening schedule includes Messiah on November 11 and games in Tiffin, Ohio, on November 13 and 14. The November 17 date is the home opportunity during this issue's week.
The arena is inside the Maurice Stokes Athletics Center, with a listed GPS address of 140 Lakeview Drive, Loretto. Check the official athletics page for current game and admission details before attending. The season offers a nearby way to follow local players in college competition. Learn a few names from the roster beforehand and watch teamwork as well as the score. No admission price is quoted here because the schedule does not establish one. Confirm arrangements directly before planning a family basketball night. |
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Head to Beaver Street Café for a little small-town comfort. Part of the Abel family since 1997, this Hastings eatery serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, with menus covering breakfast favorites, burgers, pizza and homemade desserts. Planning a meal close to home or exploring northern Cambria County? Browse the café’s menus and daily specials online, then stop in or use its online ordering option. Visit: 316 Beaver Street, Hastings, PA 16646 |
Please check out our Survey! |
New on Cambria Buzz: Directory, Hot Spots & Events |
Looking for a plumber, tonight's food truck, or something to do this weekend? It's now all in one place at cambriabuzz.com. Browse the local Directory, see which Hot Spots are out and about, and check the Events calendar. Own a business, run a food truck, or organizing an event? Getting listed is free, takes just a name and email to start, and every listing is reviewed by a real person. Directory - Hot Spots - Events Want premium placement? Upgrades start at about $1 a day. Advertise Know someone who should be listed? Forward this to them. It's the best way to help a local business get found. |
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Family-Friendly Events in Cambria County |
FREE: Little Critters — Wild Turkeys |
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Get to know Pennsylvania’s wild turkeys through a story, song, craft and a walk to look for turkey food and signs. This outdoor program is designed for children ages 3–8. Meet at Pavilion 4 in Muskrat Beach Area 3—use the program’s Buck Road meeting location rather than heading to the park office. A portable restroom is listed at the site. Dress for the weather; check the park’s event page before leaving. Questions: 814-674-1000. Official DCNR program details. |
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PAID: Nutcracker Tea Party |
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Meet Nutcracker characters, enjoy sweet treats and join children’s crafts and activities at Johnstown Concert Ballet’s Nutcracker Tea Party. Festive clothing or a favorite Nutcracker-inspired outfit is encouraged, with opportunities for family photos. The $25 starter ticket includes one adult and one child. Add another child for $15 or another adult for $5. Space is limited, so reserve through the ballet’s ticket page and check availability before making plans. This is the tea party, held at Westmont Presbyterian Church; the full Nutcracker performances take place separately in December. Organizer details · Tickets. Questions: 814-536-7599. |
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Bonus Mentions: Five More Local Picks 🇺🇸 Veterans Day Parade & Ceremony — Wednesday, November 11, 4 p.m. 🔬 STEAM Time — Thursday, November 12, 4–6 p.m. 🎁 Holly Bazaar Opening Weekend — November 14–15 🎻 Johnstown Symphony: Honoring Our Veterans — Saturday, November 14, 7:30 p.m. 📖 Pocahontas: Making Indigenous Meaning of a Young Woman’s Life — Tuesday, November 17, 7 p.m. Confirm schedules and ticket availability with organizers before heading out. All times are local. |
📚 Cambria County Library System — All Branch Events The Cambria County Library System (CCLSYS) operates 14 independent member libraries, each with its own programs and events. The system-wide calendar (covering all branches) can be filtered by library, age group, and event type at: https://cambriacounty.librarycalendar.com/branches/select |
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Bold Athletics Opens a New Downtown Home New Adult Day Program Adds Support in the Johnstown Area Help us welcome the next local opening! Know of a new or soon-to-open shop, eatery or service anywhere in Cambria County? Send the business name, location and opening details to thecambriabuzz@gmail.com. |
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Five Bright Spots: Creativity and Connection November’s shorter days bring bright opportunities to create, connect and learn across Cambria County. Here are five positive picks for November 12–17, with something for different generations. 1. Handmade holiday cheer. 2. Teens find their reading crowd. 3. Beaverdale stitches connections. 4. Local songs reach further. 5. Neighbors help color Cambria City. Check organizer updates, registration requirements and availability before making plans with friends and neighbors. |
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⭐ Local Shoutouts Congratulations to Pitt-Johnstown senior Caroline Knight, named the PSAC Western Division Women’s Volleyball Athlete of the Week on November 9. The outside hitter recorded 16 kills against Gannon and 17 against Edinboro as the Mountain Cats won both matches. Key Details: Recent recognition: November 9, 2026; Pitt-Johnstown volleyball, Richland Township. 🏆 Local Heroes A thank-you to the medical professionals and behind-the-scenes volunteers supporting Highlands Health’s work for uninsured, low-income neighbors. The Johnstown clinic lists both licensed clinical roles and nonclinical help, showing how different skills can contribute to compassionate care. Key Details: Ongoing service spotlight: 315 Locust Street, second floor, Johnstown; 814-534-6242. Contact the clinic about its application and credentialing process. 🤝 Local Causes Small comforts can help adults and children settling into shelter. The Community Help Center/Women’s Help Center welcomes dignity kits, with suggested items including toiletries, coloring supplies, books and small toys; check its current wish list before shopping. Key Details: Ongoing collection: 809 Napoleon Street, Johnstown; info@communityhelpctr.org. Clothing, linens, bedding and pillows must be new. 💛 Fundraisers Oakland Volunteer Fire Company accepts general donations to help maintain equipment and serve its community. Neighbors who want to give directly can support this ongoing appeal without waiting for a special event. Key Details: Ongoing fundraising: mail or deliver general donations to Oakland Volunteer Fire Company, 1741 Bedford Street, Johnstown, PA 15902. Check the official page for current arrangements. 🤲 Volunteer Opportunities Cambria County’s recruitment program connects residents with departments across the county, including Patton, Portage, Gallitzin, Nanty Glo and Spangler. Opportunities include operational roles and auxiliary, administrative or support work, with no prior experience needed to make an initial inquiry. Key Details: Ongoing recruitment: complete the interest form and a recruiter will follow up. Ask the department about age, training, clearance and time requirements for your chosen role. |
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If you apply to adopt, please let the Humane Society know that you saw the listing in The Cambria Buzz Newsletter! |
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💡 Answer to Trivia Question: The coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens). Source: National Park Service — https://home.nps.gov/articles/000/coast-redwood.htm |
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Warmly, Charles Sisk Editor |