Effort VBS

Jungle at Parable Quest is the theme of this year's Vacation Bible School being held at Effort United Methodist Church. The VBS program will run from 9 a.m. to noon, Monday, Aug. 2, through Friday, Aug. 6.Registration should be made at the church office by calling (570) 629-1890.Head StartMonroe County Head Start in the West End wants to share its history and let folks know where it is now.Sixteen years ago a satellite Head Start classroom opened where the new Palmerton Bank now sits. When Head Start left the little house that used to sit on that spot, the classes moved into the Pleasant Valley School District rooms that were then available.Currently, Head Start is located in Monroe Plaza on Route 209 in Brodheadsville (near Imagination Zone). It is a federally funded preschool program for children who are 3 years old by Sept. 1. This free early childhood program is for preschoolers and their families who meet income eligibility, including children with special needs.During the course of the days, the children receive a nutritious breakfast and lunch, have opportunities to go on field trips, do music and art and prepare for kindergarten.For more information call the Brodheadsville site for Head Start at (570) 992-1767.Western Pocono Lions Club officersThe new officers for the Western Pocono Lions Club for the upcoming program year are Bethlinn Mackes, board of directors; Cathy Pagano, board of directors; Helen Koshensky, president; Charles Rush, Tail Twister; Mary Jane Lucrezi, board of directors; Herman Green, Lion Tamer; Jon Evans, secretary; Mike Piersa, first vice president; Chris Sweeney, board of directors; and Matt Held, treasurer.Touch of HomeOperation: Touch of Home, is requesting names and addresses of area troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. These men and women will be the recipients of the group's November 2010 essentials shipment.Family members or friends with this information are asked to contact:

touchofhome@hotmail.com or mail information to: Operation: Touch of Home, P.O. Box 162, Brodheadsville, PA 18322.The GI's name, rank, address and deploy dates are critical; also provide contact info of provider.Volunteers are also needed. Check out volunteer information on the website events page:

www.operationtouchofhome.orgBirthday celebrantsHappy birthday wishes may be extended to the following persons this week: John Armitage, Kelly Holmes, July 21; Robin Serfass, Lucas Heller, Melissa Russo, Robert Zipp, July 22; Jeffrey Frable, Debra Moczulski, David Gouger, Fallon Singleton, Zondra Zamorsky-Belstra, Glenn Dennis, July 23; Dalton Wilson, Dillon Wilson, Joshua Wilson, Madison Wilson, Zachary Wilson, Cynthia Johnson, Tom Thompson, July 24; Kaitlyn Oberg, Rebecca Fish, Michael Formato, July 26; Charlie Bruno, Jennelle Smith, Tim Parks, July 27.