Summer concerts

The Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce is celebrating the seventh year of its free Summer Concert Series. The concerts are held, from 6-8 p.m. on the platform at the Tamaqua Train Station throughout the summer season.The next concert will be held this Thursday, Aug. 29 and will feature Jay Smar. The series ends Sept. 13 with a concert by Large Flower Heads.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.Senior citizensThe Tamaqua Senior Citizens group met Aug. 22 at the Masonic Lodge in Hometown, with 71 members in attendance. President Jean Machamer conducted the business session and provided an invocation titled "God Is Everywhere."Reports were presented by the vice president and secretary. Grace Moser and Madeline Heffelfinger were added to the sick list.The bus trip to Shady Maple will be held on Sept. 9. Pick up time will be 10 a.m. Nominations for officers will be accepted during the Sept. 12 meeting. A representative from Rite Aid will be at the Sept. 19 meeting for flu shots. Forms will be available at meetings until that date.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 PaulFirst Friday will be observed next week in SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church.First Friday confessions will be heard at 7:30 a.m., followed by Mass and devotions at 8 a.m. Communion calls will begin at 9 a.m., with the exception of parishioners in the Tamaqua ABC Hi Rise, Coaldale and Hometown. Communion calls will be made to those areas on Thursday morning.Sept. 7 will be a Fatima Saturday. Confessions will be heard at 7:30 a.m., followed by a Recitation of the rosary and Devotions before the 8 a.m. Mass.Members of the parish Holy Rosary Society will attend the 8 a.m. Mass this Sunday, Sept. 1, and receive Holy Communion as a group. A rosary will be said before the Mass.Bethany ECThe Rev. Kevin Roberts will officiate at the 8 a.m. traditional service this Sunday in Bethany Evangelical Congregational Church. The contemporary service will be held at 11 a.m. at the Tamaqua YMCA. Sunday school classes will meet at 9:15 a.m., at the church.Activities for next week will include: Wednesday, Tamaqua Youth Ministry meets at 6:30 p.m.; Saturday, musician practice at 8:30 a.m., praise rehearsal at 9:30 a.m.St. Peter's UnionSunday worship services are held at 9 a.m. in St. Peter's Union Church, Mantzville. This week's service will include Holy Communion. Summer Sunday School will be held at 10:15 a.m.Also on Sunday, Daisies, Brownies and Cub Scouts will meet at 6 p.m.Activities for next week will include: Thursday, prayer group will meet at 4:45 p.m., senior choir practice at 7:30 p.m.