District Nine

District Nine of the Pennsylvania Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs held its Spring meeting at Zion's Social Hall in the Lewistown Valley. The Tamaqua BPW hosted the event. Jean Towle, a member of the Tamaqua Club, is District Nine director. Featured speaker was Marion Waelchli, BPW/PA president-elect, who also conducted the installation of officers for the 2010-2011 club year.District Nine is comprised of BPW clubs from Tamaqua, Lehigh Valley, Pottsville, Schuylkill Haven and Reading. The organization's mission statement is to "achieve equality for all women in the workplace through advocacy, education and information." Statistically, women currently make up 50 percent of the U.S. population and 49 percent of the U.S. workforce. Health care for women continues to be more expensive than for men, while women earn 75 cents to every dollar earned by men, creating an average 22 percent wage gap between the sexes. In 2009, two million wives were the sole financial support for their families, due to massive layoffs that cost their husbands their jobs and health benefits. Legislation is currently before Congress to address such issues and the BPW continues to work toward having that legislation become law.Through the efforts of BPW members, a foundation has been established to award scholarships, loans and other forms of help for women in need. Information is available at the state website

ww.bpwpa.org.Class of 1990The Tamaqua Area Class of 1990 will hold a 20th anniversary reunion on Aug. 14 at Kelly's Banquet Room, Lansford. The cocktail hour will begin at 5 p.m. In addition to an open bar and appetizers, the evening will include a full dinner buffet and entertainment by Coolbreeze Imaging.A planning session will be held May 22, at 5 p.m., at Kelly's in Lansford. All class members are welcome to attend.For more information, or to make a reservation, contact Brenda Skasko Brajkovich at (215) 260-3032.MinisteriumThe New Ringgold Ministerium will sponsor a community Ascension Thursday service, tomorrow, at 7:30 p.m., at Salem United Methodist Church, Drehersville. The church is located on SR895.Senior newsThe Tamaqua Senior Citizens group met last week with 76 members in attendance. One new member, Eugene Perla, was welcomed to the group. The business session was conducted by President Jean Machamer. A moment of silence was observed in memory of Joe McCafferty.Eleanor Roberts offered the invocation, entitled "A Mother's Love." Reports were presented by treasurer Dolores Walck and secretary Eleanor Schmerfeld. Vice President Doris Brobst added Pat Regalis to the sick list. Guest speaker Susan Conners presented a program on RSVP of Schuylkill County.The next meeting will be held May 13, at 1 p.m., at the Tamaqua Community Center, located to the rear of Boyer's Food Mart. The meeting will include a pizza party. Anyone 55 or older is welcome to join.Praise eventTamaqua Youth Ministries will sponsor a Praise Event May 19, at 6:30 p.m., at Bethany Evangelical Congregational Church, 223 E. Broad St. Light refreshments will be served.Rush watchdogsThe Rush Township Concerned Citizens will meet this Thursday, at 7:30 p.m., in the Hometown Fire Company. All residents of the township are welcome to attend.St. Jerome'sAscension Thursday will be celebrated this week in St. Jerome's Catholic Church. Masses will be held Wednesday at 5 p.m. and Thursday at 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.The St. Vincent dePaul Society will meet held May 20, at 7 p.m., in the alumni room. Applications are now being accepted for the St. Vincent DePaul Service Award. Deadline for applications is May 27.