Senior citizens

The Tamaqua Senior Citizens met Feb. 28 at the Masonic Lodge in Hometown with 70 members in attendance. President Jean Machamer conducted the business session. Jacquie Patrick provided the invocation.Pearl Davis was added to the sick list. Dues for 2013 were discussed and it was agreed to keep the rate the same for returning members, with an increase for new members.Secretary Joan Ann Garber resigned her position and an election was held, with Carol Yanalavage elected to fill the vacant seat. Upcoming events include a pizza party at the March 7 meeting and a Chinese Auction to be held before meeting on March 14.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.Tax helpTax return assistance is available for low income and senior residents of Schuylkill County through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program, sponsored by Schuylkill Community Action. Volunteers are available to help low income residents between the ages of 25 and 65 with their federal, state and local returns.VITA volunteers will be at the Lehigh Carbon Community College Morgan Center, 234 High St., every Wednesday from 5-7:15 p.m.For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call (570) 622-1995.Special edRuth Gardiner, director of Special Education for the Tamaqua Area School District, is offering a training session for students with disabilities, ages 13-21, and their parents. Transition 101, a guide for post school life, the transition process and the transition section of the students' IEP, will be provided at 6 p.m. on March 11.The session will be held in the Large Group Instruction room at the Tamaqua Area Middle School.For more information, contact Gardiner at (570) 668-2566.Fitness programA free exerette fitness program, designed for the young at heart, will be offered at the Tamaqua Salvation Army, 105 W. Broad St., every Tuesday and Thursday in March. The sessions will be held from 9:30 to 11 a.m. and will feature gentle exercises designed to enhance posture, improve balance and increase flexibility.For more information, contact Dina at (570) 668-0410.SS. Peter and PaulStations of the Cross are held at 7 p.m. Wednesdays in SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Pine Street. Stations are preceded by a holy hour, a recitation of the Rosary and confessions.Choir rehearsals are held following stations on Wednesdays.The Holy Name Society will meet this Thursday, at 8 p.m. The meeting will be preceded by a Mass at 7:30 p.m.The Sacrament of Confirmation will be administered in the parish at 4:30 p.m. on April 24.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. Nursery and primary church are offered during the later service. Sunday school classes will meet at 9:30 a.m.Also on Sunday, the outreach commission will meet at 11:45 a.m., to save a life growth group will meet at 6:30 p.m. and the couples sacred marriage growth group will meet at 7 p.m.Activities for next week will include: Monday, drama growth group meets at 7 p.m.; Tuesday, Good News Club meets at 3:45 p.m. at the South Ward Playground, Homes of Honor parents growth group meets at 7 p.m.; Wednesday, community Lenten service at noon at First United Methodist Church, Tamaqua Youth Ministry will meet at 6:30 p.m., GriefShare meets at 7 p.m.; Thursday, coffee shop theology growth group meets at 7 a.m., encountering Jesus growth group meets at 1 p.m., men's fraternity meets at 6:30 p.m.; Saturday, musician practice at 8:30 a.m., followed by praise practice at 9:30 a.m.