There’s a new centenarian in our community.

Alice Nero, a resident of Cementon and a member of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Egypt, celebrated her 100th birthday Dec. 15.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 90,000 citizens are aged 100 or older. Alice shares the distinction with a number of well-known Americans who reached the age of 100: composer Irving Berlin, actors Kirk Douglas and Olivia de Havilland and comedian Bob Hope.

Happy birthday, Alice!

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The Cottages at Belmont Glen in Egypt celebrated its first annual Luminaria Night Dec. 12.

By participating in Luminaria Night, residents of the development supported New Bethany Ministries’ programs for people suffering from poverty or disability.

Belmont Glen neighbors worked together to assemble luminaria and place them throughout the development. Afterward, they strolled along, chatting with neighbors and admiring the warm glow of candles flickering in the foggy night. Several neighbors formed a socially distanced circle and sang Christmas carols.

The popular event is expected to be held annually by the residents of Belmont Glen.

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Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 4331 Main St., is collecting items for Whitehall Food Pantry and for Pathways and Daybreak ministries.

Items needed for the food pantry include decaf and regular coffee (no Keurig cups), cereal, pasta (other than spaghetti), pancake mix and large bottles of juice. Pathways and Daybreak ministries need soap and shampoo.

If you’d like to donate, place your items inside the small vestibule entrance off the parking lot in back of the church.

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Is your organization planning an event to be held in Egypt or Cementon? To have information about the event published in this column, please email the details to me at sassamanm@gmail.com.