Middle school news

Christopher Czapla, principal of the Tamaqua Area Middle School has announced an orientation session will be held Aug. 5, beginning at 6:30 p.m.Parents of sixth graders, as well as seventh and eighth graders new to the district, are welcome to attend.Information will be presented on student schedules, activities, facilities and discipline.Individuals will meet in the school district auditorium, then have the opportunity to tour the building accompanied by student guides. Information will be provided on student schedules and activities, facilities and discipline. The middle school store will be open.Homeroom assignments will be posted on the school's front/main door as of Aug. 5.BloodmobileThe American Red Cross Bloodmobile will return to Tamaqua on July 17. The Tamaqua Salvation Army gym will be turned into a blood collection center, which will be open from 1-6 p.m.Anyone 17 or older, who weighs at least 110 pounds and is in good general health is eligible to donate blood. A mini health history will be done at the time of donation to further determine eligibility status.There is an urgent need for platelet donors and the American Red Cross has issued an emergency appeal for blood donors of all blood types, and those with O negative, B negative and A negative blood.All donors will receive a coupon for Friendly's ice cream.Free lunchThe South Ward Playground Association is conducting a free summer lunch program for all local children up to and including the age of 18. Lunches are served weekdays, from noon to 1 p.m., at the South Ward Playground.The program is an off shoot of the free school lunch program, with funding provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The non-discriminatory program is open to all children regardless of race, origin, religion, etc. In addition to a healthy lunch, participants will be offered a variety of summer activities.The playground is located between Penn and Race streets in Tamaqua's South Ward.Rush taxesThe office of Rush Township Collector Dolores Walck will be closed July 22 and July 23 instead of July 29 and 30 as indicated on the tax bills.St. John UCCSunday worship services are held at 9:30 a.m. in St. John United Church of Christ.Calvary MethodistDuring the Summer months, all services and activities affiliated with Calvary Evangelical United Methodist Church in the Lewistown Valley will be held at the Lewistown Valley Tabernacle, 614 Valley Road, Tamaqua. The Rev. Dr. Edward Bean will officiate at the 10:25 a.m. service this Sunday. Sunday school for all ages will be held at 9:15 a.m.Also this Sunday, a time of praise, worship and Bible study will be held at 6:30 p.m.On Wednesday, an hour of praise and prayer will be held at 7 p.m.On July 25, at 7 p.m., the Dixie Echoes from Pensacola, Fla., will present a mini concert at the tabernacle. The public is welcome to attend.