Christmas decorating contest underway
EBENSBURG -- Ebensburg is decked out for the holidays. Business storefronts are decorated and homes are glowing with beautiful Christmas lights. There are two decorating contests currently underway and we need the community to vote for their favorites! The first contest is for participating homes in Ebensburg Borough and Cambria Township. Judging will take place through December 16th via www.ebensburgmainstreet.com or at the Ebensburg Borough office during normal business hours (M-F 8am-4pm). The community will vote for the winners of three categories: White Lights, Colored Lights and Best Scene. Personalized ornaments with a picture of each winning property will be awarded to the three winners, as well as, other various prizes. The second contest is for participating businesses in Ebensburg Borough and Cambria Township. Over twenty businesses have decorated their storefronts for all to enjoy. 1st, 2nd & 3rd places will be awarded with personalized ornaments as well. They will also receive a free 2006 membership to the Ebensburg Main Street Partnership. The contest will run through December 16th. Pictures of the participating business storefronts and homes will be posted online and at the Borough office. Voting is free and open to the public! All are welcome to take part! For more information, please contact Christine Strugala at (814) 472-8414 or cstrugala@ebensburgpa.com!

Need help with your heating bills?
-- With the rising costs of keeping warm this winter, many of us are looking for ways to pay the extra costs. Check Senator Wozniak's website to find out how you can apply for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Applications will be accepted starting November 8, 2005.

Ebensburg Christmas decorating contests announced
EBENSBURG -- The Ebensburg Area Business Commission and Main Street Partnership are asking residents and business owners to participate in two holiday decorating contests celebrating the Magic of Christmas. Residents of Ebensburg Borough and Cambria Township are being asked to sign-up their homes in the holiday decorating contest to take place from December 2 nd – December 16th. During these two weeks, the registered homes will be judged by the community via www.ebensburgmainstreet.com or by voting at the Ebensburg Borough office during regular business hours. Prizes will be awarded in the following categories: White Lights, Colored Lights & Best Scene. Residents who would like to register their home can do so at any of the following Ebensburg businesses: Amici’s Restaurant, O’Donnell Photography & Graphic Design, High Street Emporium, First National Bank in Ebensburg and Highlands Café. Registrations will be accepted until the end of the day on Thursday, December 1 st. The contest will run from December 2 nd – December 16th. Winners will be announced in the Ebensburg Mountaineer-Herald newspaper on Thursday, December 22 nd. Businesses in Ebensburg are being asked to decorate their storefronts and buildings for the holidays. All businesses that wish to take part in the contest must contact Christine Strugala, Ebensburg Borough Community Development Director, by Thursday, December 1st. The community will be asked to judge the businesses as well by voting online or voting at the Ebensburg Borough office. 1 , 2 and 3 place prizes will be awarded. For more information, please contact Christine Strugala at (814) 472-8414 or cstrugala@ebensburgpa.com!

Holiday planning has begun
NORTHERN CAMBRIA -- The Northern Cambria Borough Vision Committee and Civic Committee met to discuss preliminary plans for the annual Light-Up Night and Christmas parade. This year's events will be held on Sunday, December 4 starting at 4pm.
-- With the warm weather still lingering on, now is a great time for groups to begin planning floats and marching units. The groups are looking for youth groups, businesses and musicians to start thinking about submitting a float or marching unit in the parade. More information will be coming shortly. For questions or to register your group, please call Mary Ellen Tibbott at 948-8066 or e-mail Fran Filkins at filk@surfshop.net. A form is also available HERE in .pdf format to fill out and mail in today!
-- There will be some changes this year. Instead of having the events on two separate days the events will be held on the same day. In addition, the celebrations will be moved to the weekend after Thanksgiving. This will afford the planners and participants the opportunity to enjoy the Thanksgiving weekend with their families. The date and time change should avoid Thanksgiving travel, Black Friday, church services, football games and hunting season. The committee is hoping that by moving the date and time, more people will be able to participate. "Although the Friday after Thanksgiving worked well for some people, we had more concerns from participants.  A lot of families had plans and some of the participants backed out at the last minute because they didn't have time to work on floats while trying to decorate, shop and cook at their own homes. There is a lot of work that goes into this by a few people. Hopefully by giving an extra week and moving it off the Thanksgiving holiday weekend we will get more people involved. Maybe it won't work well, but we have to try. December seems more like Christmas. Sometimes we rush the season," commented one organizer.
-- Businesses and citizens who would like to make a donation to the event are asked to please mail donations to: NC Civic Committee (memo Christmas donation), c/o NC Borough Office, PO Box 1188, Northern Cambria, PA 15714.  The groups are looking for donations to help defray the costs of the events and are also looking for gift certificates and prizes.
-- In other matters, the NCVC discussed the removal of two large trees in Fridmann Park. The trees have overgrown and are becoming unmanageable. Instead of removing the trees, a committee member suggested having the trees cut down so far and having them carved by a chainsaw artist. The committee has already contacted an artist to determine the cost. The Civic Committee also discussed the purchase of a PA system to be used for borough events.

Ebensburg Christmas events announced
EBENSBURG -- Ebensburg is gearing up for Christmas! New wreaths have been placed on the Borough’s new light standards and holiday banners hung. Several annual holiday events are being planned:
-- A Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony will take place on Friday, December 2nd at 6:40 p.m. in Gazebo Park (center of town) – this will follow a Streetscape Dedication ceremony being held at 6:30 p.m.
-- A Christmas parade will take place through the streets of downtown on Saturday, December 3rd at 10 a.m. Our Grand Marshall is Mr. Freemont McKenrick, a long-time resident of Ebensburg; he was born and raised here since 1923.
-- Following the parade, Sounds of the Season, featuring local talent, will take place at the Cambria County Courthouse. This year’s theme is “The Magic of Christmas.”
-- For more information, please contact Christine Strugala at 472-8414 or cstrugala@ebensburgpa.com! These events are sponsored by the Ebensburg Area Business Commission and Main Street Partnership.