Putting cows on the front page since 1885.
The community of Roaring Spring was brought together for a weekend filled with fun, food and worship.
To start the weekend, The Roaring Spring Lions held a picnic at Spring Dam Saturday, Aug. 6, Then, Sunday, Aug. 7, the Lions held a free pancake breakfast for the community to attend.
President of the Lions Travis Wagner said the Lions have been doing similar events for over 40 years. It is always held the first week of August
"We used to do it with the Roaring Spring Liberty Days, but they are no longer around," he said. "So now, we do a community picnic."
Now, the event is named in honor of Sonny Steward, a member who passed away in 2010. Steward had been a trash collector in Roaring Spring.
Before the paper mill closed, Wagner said that they had an even bigger turnout for pancakes because the workers would come for breakfast. However, he was still happy with what he was seeing.
"We still do get a lot of people," he said. "It's nice to see that people want to support us."
The breakfast was catered by 16 Lions Club members who worked the griddle, handing out pancakes and sausage, providing beverages and making sure everything was in working order.
Marty Reffner said she was ecstatic to continue volunteering at the breakfast with the other Lions. She has been a member for 42 years.
"I have no idea how many pancakes I have made today," she said. "It's nice to do something for other people that I can't do myself, but doing it with a group is amazing."
It takes a lot to put together, but the work is worth it, including the donations people give.
"As long as the community will have us, we will keep doing it," Wagner said.
Wanting to share this unity with others, Wagner said the Lions are still willing to take in more members. Those interested can either contact them on their Facebook page or contact Wagner directly at (814) 201-4098.
The breakfast ended at 9 a.m., which gave attendees the chance to go across the dam and hear the worship service put together by several local churches. Though the events were not put together by the same groups, it still turned out to work together.
For their own way to show fellowship, the churches of Roaring Spring provided a free service open to everyone of any denomination.
Pastor Steve DiBiase of Bare Memorial Church of God has only been in Roaring Spring for roughly three years but was proud of the community togetherness he saw.
"In many other places, pastors and churches like to keep their people to themselves," he said. "Here, however, we want everyone to be able to love God as one united group."
The day before the service, DiBiase said that different businesses had set up stands to show off their goods and services to the community. He said the churches getting together almost felt like an extension of that.
Bare Memorial helped to provide much of the music that was played during the service. The service's message was provided by Pastor Evelyn Madison from Trinity United Methodist.
Having also been in Roaring Spring for three years, Madison remembered what others had told her about the area before coming.
"They told me there is no place like Roaring Spring and they were right," she said. "I have never seen so much community bonding before."
Other pastors involved were Pastors Joel Kletzing and John Nothwang of Christ Church, Del Smith of Faith Assembly of God, Dave Crumrine of First Church of the Brethren and Amanda McCaffery of St. Luke's Lutheran.
The service also gave the community to put in prayer requests. Each program that was handed out included a prayer card. Once filled in, they could be put into the offering plate to be prayed over.
Not only were both events' organizations pleased, but the Roaring Spring community also showed their pleasure. Rod Clapper said he enjoyed attending.
"My wife and I try to come to as many events as we can," he said. "We love supporting local groups. It's healthy for communities to do this."
These community events set up by the Roaring Spring Lions Club and the local churches are just some of the many events to happen in the community and they do not seem to be ending any time soon.
"It's about one body as opposed to many little bodies," DiBiase said. "It's all about community."
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