Planning has begun for the 31st annual telethon benefiting the American Cancer Society.

The telethon will be cablecast live from Penn's Peak April 10 and 11 from noon to midnight both days.Invitations for talent to appear on the program will be sent out in the next week. Most of the invitations go out to individuals and groups that have appeared on the telethon previously.A few time slots are reserved for new talent.To be considered for these slots, individuals and groups need to contact talent coordinator George Taylor at

gtay200@verizon.net or by calling 570-668-4451. E-mail and phone messages should include a brief description of the act and contact information.The telethon is a project of volunteers from the Carbon-Tamaqua Unit of the ACS.