The Hancock Group, Inc.

07/17/2026

Looking for something to do around Blair County this Saturday? There are plenty of great events happening throughout the area for all ages.

• Duncansville Community Days – Enjoy a full day of live music, great festival food, local vendors, and family-friendly fun while supporting local nonprofit organizations.

• Curve Card Show – Sports card, trading card, Pokémon, and memorabilia collectors can browse, buy, sell, and trade at PNG Field.

• Hazardous Waste Collection Event – Take the opportunity to safely dispose of items such as old paint, cleaning supplies, and other household hazardous materials at the Jaffa Shrine in Altoona.

• Crafternoon: Terrarium – Get creative at the Altoona Area Public Library by building your own living terrarium during this adult craft program.

• 2nd Annual Event for Mikey – Enjoy an afternoon and evening of live music at the Railroaders Memorial Museum featuring Alex Shumaker & The Degenerates and FUSE.

• Williamsburg Volunteer Fire Company 100th Anniversary Celebration – Help celebrate a century of service with a community parade, fire apparatus showcase, historical displays, and a look back at the department's rich history of serving the Williamsburg community.

Whether you're looking for family fun, live entertainment, a creative activity, or a chance to support your community, Blair County has something happening for everyone this Saturday. Have a great weekend!

07/15/2026

🛟 Lifeguards Save Lives 🛟

Whether it's at the neighborhood pool, the beach, or the lake, lifeguards play a vital role in keeping swimmers safe. Their training goes far beyond simply watching the water. Lifeguards learn CPR and AED use, first aid, water rescue techniques, spinal injury management, and how to quickly recognize the signs of a swimmer in distress.

Communities across the country are also facing a shortage of lifeguards, leading some pools, water parks, and recreation facilities to reduce their hours or delay opening. To help fill this critical need, many employers offer free lifeguard training and certification for those willing to work during the summer season. It's a great opportunity to gain valuable life-saving skills, earn a paycheck, and make a real difference in your community.

The next time you see a lifeguard on duty, remember that their knowledge, training, and constant vigilance help make our time in the water safer for everyone. A heartfelt thank you to all the lifeguards who dedicate themselves to protecting others!

Interested in lifeguarding? If so, contact your local pool or park and inquire about training and employment. Here's one option.

All applicants must be at least 14 years of age or older at the time the application is completed to comply with child labor laws. Some positions do have additional age requirements. Please carefully review the requirements of the position your are applying for prior to completing the application to...

07/13/2026

At The Hancock Group, Inc., we believe the best conversations start by listening.

We're always looking for new ways to provide helpful information about retirement planning, investments, life insurance, and other financial topics—and we'd love your input!

- What questions do you have?
- Are there investment topics you'd like us to explain?
- Wondering about retirement planning or Social Security?
- Have questions about life insurance or protecting your family's future?
- Curious about estate planning, taxes, or other financial matters?

No question is too simple or too complex. If it's important to you, it's important to us.

Leave your ideas or questions in the comments below, and they may inspire one of our upcoming posts. Our goal is to create content that is informative, easy to understand, and most importantly—valuable to you.

Thank you for trusting The Hancock Group, Inc.. We look forward to hearing from you!

07/12/2026

Today we're celebrating a very special birthday—please join us in wishing Ray Kline a very happy birthday!

If you've ever visited or called The Hancock Group, Inc., chances are you've had the pleasure of interacting with Ray. For more than 25 years, he has welcomed clients with a friendly smile, answered countless phone calls, and personally called each of our clients every year to wish them a happy birthday.

Those are just a few of the many ways Ray helps make The Hancock Group, Inc. the welcoming place it is. Behind the scenes, he plays an important role in keeping our office running smoothly, and we're grateful to have him as both a valued coworker and a friend.

Today, it's our turn to celebrate him!

Please help us make Ray's day extra special by leaving your birthday wishes in the comments below. Happy Birthday, Ray!

07/09/2026

There are so many reasons to create a will this month, but here are three big ones to consider:

Direct Your Property: Creating a will tells the courts how you want your property distributed. Without a will, state laws will determine how your estate is divided, which may not align with your intentions.

Provide instructions to the probate court: A will can help manage the probate process, providing instructions to the court.

Designate Guardianship for Minor Children: If you have minor children, a will allows you to appoint a guardian to care for them. This crucial step directs that your children are raised by someone you trust, rather than leaving the decision to the courts.

07/07/2026

🍫 Happy World Chocolate Day! 🍫

Today is the perfect excuse to enjoy a little chocolate... as if we really needed one! Whether you're a fan of chocolate bars, brownies, truffles, or a handful of Hershey's Kisses, we hope your day is just a little sweeter.

And here's a fun bonus: July 7 is also International Kissing Day! 💋

So, if you're trying to keep those calories in check, you can always skip the Hershey's Kisses and replace them with real kisses instead. They're calorie-free, heartwarming, and they might just make someone's day a little sweeter too! ❤️

Happy World Chocolate Day!

07/06/2026

The Hancock Group Inc would like to wish our Office Manager, Ann Betar, a very happy birthday! Ann works hard for our clients, as well as to keep the office running smoothly, for which we are all grateful.

If you stop in today, or speak with her on the phone, be sure to wish her a happy birthday.

Happy birthday, Ann!

07/04/2026

07/02/2026

The Big Boy is coming to Altoona!

Railroad fans, history buffs, and families won't want to miss this once-in-a-lifetime event!

Union Pacific's legendary Big Boy No. 4014—the world's largest operating steam locomotive—is scheduled to be in Altoona July 8–11 as part of its nationwide America 250 tour. During its visit, the iconic locomotive will be on display in Altoona before making its historic climb over the world-famous Horseshoe Curve on Saturday, July 11.

This marks the first time the massive steam engine has traveled to Altoona, bringing together two of America's greatest railroad legends. Whether you're a lifelong railfan or just looking for an unforgettable family outing, don't miss the chance to experience the thunder, steam, and history of Big Boy No. 4014 right here in Blair County!

Here's a video discussing the history of the Big Boy locomotives.

Big Boy wasn’t just massive — it was built to solve one of the toug...