Senior citizens

The Tamaqua Seniors met July 12 at the Tamaqua Community Center with 88 members in attendance.President Jean Machamer conducted the business session and offered an inspirational reading. Rose Vallee provided the invocation, entitled "Summer Blue." Vice President Nancy Gerber provided her and the secretary's reports. A report was also provided by treasurer Antoinette Triano.Upcoming events include a trip to Shady Maple and Vanity Fair on July 30; the annual picnic on Aug. 9 and the bi-monthly birthday celebration on July 26.The meeting included refreshments of pulled chicken sandwiches and concluded with cards and social games.The group meets every Thursday at 1 p.m., at the community center. Anyone 55 or older is welcome to join. The center is handicap accessible.High school parkingThe Tamaqua Area School District will have 69 parking spaces available for senior class members for the 2012-2013 school year. Applications will be available this week, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Thursday.Completed forms must be returned to the senior high office no later than July 30.A lottery will be held Aug. 6 to determine which students receive a parking permit as well as space assignments. Students will then be notified by mail. Permits will be issued from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Aug. 20.Summer concertsThe Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce is celebrating the sixth year of its popular free Summer Concert Series, with mini concerts scheduled every other Thursday into September. The next concert will be held July 19, and will feature Steve Brosky and Jimmy Meyer, whose genre is blues.Future events include: Aug. 2, Lizard Creek (Celtic); Aug. 16, Large Flower Heads (60s classics); Aug. 30, The Todd Wolfe Band; Sept. 13, It Takes Two (variety).The concerts are held from 6-8 p.m., on the platform at the Tamaqua Train Station, weather permitting.For more information, contact the chamber at (570) 668-1880 or email

tamaquachamber@verizon.net.For more information about chamber activities, visit online at

www.tamaqua.net.Cressona bandThe Cressona Band will be appearing locally two more times over the summer months, providing free entertainment to all.The next performance will be held at the East End Playground, at 7 p.m., on July 18.The final appearance will be Aug. 5, from 4-6 p.m., at Heisler's Dairy Bar in the Lewistown Valley.All of the performances will include show tunes, marches, overtures and songs of yesteryear.SW neighborsThe July meeting of the South Ward Neighborhood Committee has been cancelled. The next meeting will be held Aug. 16.Cheer boostersThe Tamaqua Area Cheer Boosters will meet at 6:30 p.m. on July 20, in the middle school band room. Any adult interested in supporting the squads is welcome to attend.St. Peter's UnionThe Rev. Cheryl Moore will officiate at the 10 a.m. worship service this Sunday as St. Peter's Union Church, Mantzville, travels to the West Penn Park for closing ceremonies for Vacation Bible School. This is a special event and will be for this Sunday only.The lunch fundraiser will also be held on Sunday.The prayer group will meet at 4:45 p.m. next Thursday.