Coat drive

The Tamaqua Area High School Blue and White staff is sponsoring a winter warmth drive. Students are collecting lightly used winter coats, jackets, hats, scarves and gloves, as well as similar new items, to benefit children in need.Collection boxes have been placed in the all of the school district buildings, including the administration office. Donated items will be placed with deserving students in all grades. Any items not given to students will then be donated to the Tamaqua Salvation Army.Deadline for donations will be Dec. 16.Holiday concertThe Tamaqua Senior High School Music Department will present its annual Holiday Music Program this Thursday, Dec. 12. The concert will be held in the school district auditorium, beginning at 7:30 p.m., and will feature presentations by the student Concert Choir, the Jazz Choral, the Senior High Wind Ensemble and the Raider Concert Band.The program will end with a sing-a-long. Accompanists will be Cailyn Joseph, Patrick McMullen and Andrew Delpais.The Raider Band and Senior High Wind Ensemble are under the direction of Mark Beltz, while the Concert Choir and Jazz Chorale are under the direction of John Buglio.Doors will open at 6:45 p.m.Senior citizensThe Tamaqua Senior Citizens group met Dec. 5 with 71 members in attendance. President Melody Weicker conducted the business session. Jacque Patrick provided the invocation "Something To Ponder."Vice President Nancy Gerber updated the sick list, adding Norma Baker, Bob Betz and JoAnn Garber. Secretary Ruth Ann Feane provided her report.The Christmas party will be held on Dec. 12.The meeting concluded with cards and social games.The seniors meet at 1 p.m. every Thursday, at the Masonic Lodge, located on SR54 (East) in Hometown. Anyone 55 or older is welcome to join. The center is handicap accessible.SS. Peter and PaulThe Youth Choir of SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church will rehearse from 6-7 p.m. Wednesday. The adult choir rehearses from 7-8 p.m. on Wednesdays.Christmas memorial poinsettias, wrapped in gold foil, may be taken to the rectory anytime before Dec. 23.Bethany ECThe Rev. Kevin Roberts will officiate at the 8 a.m. traditional service this Sunday in Bethany Evangelical Congregational Church. A contemporary service will be held at 10:30 a.m. at the Tamaqua YMCA, including nursery and primary church. Sunday school classes will meet at 9:15 a.m., at the church.Also on Sunday, the local conference, ministry council and nominating committees will meet at 12:30 p.m.; the monthly service at the Hometown Nursing Center will be at 2:30 p.m. and the monthly service at the Tamaqua ABC Hi Rise will be celebrated at 6 p.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., GriefShare meets at 7 p.m., praise practice will be held at 8 p.m.; Saturday, musical children's group practice at 9 a.m.