Playground news

The Tamaqua North and Middle Ward Playground Association will meet at 2 p.m. this Sunday, April 29, in the playground.One of the topics for discussion will be ways to keep the playground open despite a lack of volunteers. Volunteers are needed to ensure the safety of the children who use the park, as well as operate the concession stand and raise funds.Anyone willing to help may attend Sunday's meeting.Baseball competitionThe West Penn Athletic Association will sponsor a Pitch, Hit and Run competition on April 28 at the West Penn Park. The event will be held from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. and is open to girls and boys between the ages of 7-14.Participation is free and there are four levels of competition: local, sectional, team championship and national finals.Pitchers will be asked to throw strikes to a designated target. Hitters will use a stationary batting tee and be judged on distance and accuracy. Runners will be timed in sprints from second base to home plate.For more information, visit

www.mlb.com/phr or contact Scot Dietrich at (570) 449-6084 or email

sdtrich@ptd.net.Rain date will be May 5, same time and place.Art showThe Tamaqua Area Middle School Spring Art Show will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. on May 3 on the main floor of the middle school. Students from sixth, seventh and eighth grades will have their art work displayed, including paintings, 3-D interiors, murals, sketches, masks, group projects, cultural art, tiles, watercolor, fashion design, collages and more. There is no entry fee for the art show.The evening's festivities will also include the Spring Chorus Concert at 7:30 p.m. in the district auditorium.Computer classesThe Tamaqua Salvation Army is sponsoring a series of free computer classes to the public. Computer labs are held every Monday, from 4-5 p.m, at 105 W. Broad St. with instructor Andy Leibenguth.Seating is limited, so please contact Leibenguth to confirm your space by calling (570) 668-1234 or emailing AndyLeibenguth @TamaquaArea.com.No previous computer experience, or ownership, is required.Artist receptionSeveral Tamaqua Area Senior High School students will have their art work displayed at Stonehedge Gardens, South Tamaqua, for the next few weeks. An artists' reception is planned for 6-8 p.m. today at Stonehedge.The public is welcome to attend.Zion LewistownThe Rev. Sunny Stock will officiate at the 10:45 a.m. worship service this Sunday in Zion Church in the Lewistown Valley. Sunday school classes will meet at 9:30 a.m.Bethany ECThe Rev. Kevin Roberts will officiate at the 8 a.m. traditional and 10:30 a.m. contemporary worship services this Sunday in Bethany Evangelical Congregational Church. Sunday school classes will be held at 9:30 a.m.Activities for next week will include: Tuesday, Prayer time at 8:30 a.m.; Wednesday, Tamaqua Youth Ministry meets at 6:30 p.m., "The Story" growth group meets at 6:30 p.m., GriefShare will be held at 7 p.m.; Thursday, Men's Fraternity will meet at 6:30 p.m.Zion LutheranThe Rev. Jeffrey Kistler will officiate at the 9:30 a.m. worship service this Sunday in Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church. Sunday school classes will meet at 8:30 a.m.Also on Sunday, the Scouts will meet at 6 p.m.Activities for next week will include: Monday, blanket ministry meets at 9 a.m.; Tuesday, property committee meets at 6 p.m., Scouts meet at 6:30 p.m.; Thursday, Scouts meet at 6 p.m., senior choir rehearses at 7 p.m.