Senior citizens

The Tamaqua Seniors met July 26 at the Tamaqua Community Center with 88 members in attendance. President Jean Machamer conducted the business session and provided an inspirational reading.Rose Vallee provided the invocation, entitled "A Day to Praise." Vice President Nancy Gerber and secretary Joan Ann Garber provided their reports.Birthday celebrants for June and July were honored, with everyone receiving a slice of cake and ice cream.A total of 77 members registered for the annual picnic in August.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.Class of 1973The Tamaqua Area High School Class of 1973 has begun planning its 40th anniversary reunion, which will be held in 2013.The next reunion committee meeting will be held Aug. 7, at 6:30 p.m., at the home of Debbie Eremus, 45 Meadow Ave., Hometown.All class members are welcome to attend.Summer concertsThe Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce is celebrating the sixth year of its free Summer Concert Series, with mini concerts scheduled every other Thursday into September.The next concert will be held Aug. 2, and will feature Lizard Creek (Celtic).Additional events will include: 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.SS. Peter and PaulFirst Friday will be observed this week in SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church. Confessions will be heard at 7:30 a.m., followed by Mass and devotions at 8 a.m. Communion calls for this month have been canceled.Aug. 4 will be a Fatima Saturday. A recitation of the rosary and devotions will be held before the 8 a.m. Mass.Members of the parish Holy Rosary Society will attend the 8 a.m. Mass on Sunday, Aug. 5, to receive Holy Communion as a group. The rosary will be recited before Mass.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.Also on Sunday, the monthly service at the Tamaqua ABC High Rise will be held at 6 p.m.Activities for next week will include: Monday, Acts of Worship-Drama group meets at 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday, Prayer time at 8:30 a.m., Playground Pals at 11:45 a.m., at the South Ward Playground; Wednesday, Waterside Whistle Stop at 2:30 p.m., at the Bungalow, Tamaqua Youth Ministry meets at 6:30 p.m., The Story group meets at 6:30 p.m.; Saturday, musician rehearsal at 8:30 a.m., praise practice at 9:30 a.m., Racing Fuel for the Spirit group meets at 11 a.m.