TOPS

The Tamaqua Chapter of Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) meets every Wednesday, from 6-8 p.m., in the Tamaqua Salvation Army Community Center, 105 W. Broad St. The meeting includes a short business session and a program.Bertha Vasquez provided an inspirational reading, entitled "Let Your Inner Joy Out," during the Sept. 2 meeting. Vasquez was also named TOPS Loser of the Week. As a special incentive for members to celebrate Labor Day, members who have a weight loss at this week's weigh in will receive two extra charms.TOPS is a nonprofit, weight loss support group for men and women of all ages.For more information, stop by a meeting or call Nancy Barron at (570) 668-4651 or Bernie Kunkel at (570) 645-7702. Information is also available on the Web at TOPS.org.Anyone interested in learning more may attend the meeting without obligation.Box topsWith the start of a new school year around the corner, Maura Streisel of the Tamaqua Area Middle School wants to alert parents and students of the district's participation in the General Mills Box Tops for Education Program. The special box tops are found on a variety of popular products and can be redeemed, by the schools, for a variety of educational items.Students in grades kindergarten through eight will be collecting the box tops and will then turn them in to each school's coordinator. Middle school students are eligible to earn community service hours by participating in the program.More information on the school's program is available by calling Streisel at (570) 668-1210. For more information on the overall program, as well as which brands are included, log on to

www.boxtops4education.com.RecyclingDue to the Monday Labor Day Holiday, curbside recycling has been changed from Wednesday to Saturday this week.Board of HealthThe September meeting of the Tamaqua Board of Health was held at the municipal building with James Gormley, Earl Boettger, Shirley Becker, Randolph Gormley, Health Officer Judith Hadesty R.N. and Health Enforcement Officer James Barron in attendance.Barron reported receiving and adjusting four complaints: one for rubbish or garbage; two possible infestations; and a broken sewer line. he also issued two notices of abatement.There were no cases of reportable diseases for the month of August.