Healthy living

A "Living a Healthy Life" series will be held in Tamaqua beginning on March 6. The six-week series, designed to help people with chronic illness, will be held at the Tamaqua Salvation Army, from 12:30 to 3 p.m. on Thursdays.The sessions are also open to caregivers, spouses, family members and the general public. Participants will learn ways to improve healthful behavior, health status and help reduce hospital stays.The sessions are free, but registration is required through Diakon Community Services for Seniors. For more information, or to register, call 570-624-3017.Rush-Ryan seniorsThe Rush, Ryan and Delano Senior Citizens met Feb. 11 at the Ryan Township Fire Company in Barnesville with 36 members in attendance. The meeting was conducted by President Eleanor Schmerfeld.Chaplain Kathleen Valentine provided an invocation. Reports were offered by the secretary and treasurer. Dorothy Schmerfeld was added to the sick list.Birthday greetings were offered to Eleanor Schmerfeld and Norma Lee Burde. Anniversary wishes were extended to Nancy and Bill Godanis, 45 years, and Dolores and Roger Walck, 50 years.Valentine's Day was celebrated with Rosetta Foulk named queen and George Carvello selected as king.Members were reminded of upcoming trips to Spirit of Philadelphia on May 27 and Country Kitchen on March 24. An election of officers will take place in May.The group meets the second and fourth Tuesday of every month at the fire company. Anyone 55 or older is welcome to join.Rush TaxesRush Township Tax Collector Dolores Walck is advising residents of a few changes to the dates and times her office will be open.During March and April, the tax office will be open from 9 to 11 a.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays. In May and June, hours will be 9-10 a.m. and 6-7 p.m. on Wednesdays.Walck will have additional hours on April 24 and April 29, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.; April 22 and April 28, from 6 to 7 p.m. The office will be closed on March 5, April 16 and June 11.SS. Peter and PaulSS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church will observe First Friday next week with confessions at 7:30 a.m., followed by Mass and devotions at 8 a.m. Communion calls will begin at 9 a.m., with the exception of parishioners in the Tamaqua ABC Hi Rise, Coaldale and Hometown. Communion calls will be made to those areas on Thursday morning.March 1 is a Fatima Saturday. Confessions will be heard at 7:30 a.m., followed by a recitation of the rosary and devotions before the 8 a.m. Mass.Members of the parish Holy Rosary Society will attend the 8 a.m. Mass this Sunday and receive Holy Communion as a group. A rosary will be said before the Mass.Bethany ECThe Rev. Kevin Roberts will officiate at the 8 a.m. traditional service this Sunday in Bethany Evangelical Congregational Church. A contemporary service will be held at 10:30 a.m. at the Tamaqua YMCA, including nursery and primary church. Sunday school classes, for all ages, will meet at 9:15 a.m. at the church.Activities for next week will include: Tuesday, prayer time at 8:30 a.m., Good News Club meets at 3:45 p.m. at the South Ward Playground; Wednesday, Tamaqua Youth Ministry meets at 6:30 p.m.; Saturday, musician rehearsal at 8:30 a.m., praise practice at 9 a.m., music workshop at 10:30 p.m.The Northeast District Youth Retreat will be held at Twin Pines from March 7-9.