Board of Health

The March meeting of the Tamaqua Board of Health was held at the Tamaqua Municipal Building with Randolph Gormley, Earl Boettger, James Gormley, Shirley Becker and health enforcement officer Mitch Geist in attendance.Geist reported that a total of 40 health licenses had been approved and issued. Seven properties failed inspection and six applications, including two seasonal, have not yet been returned or inspected. During February, the health office received and adjusted 10 complaints: one leaking sewer; two buildings declared unfit for human habitation; two for animal waste; and five for trash.There were no cases of reportable diseases for the month.The board meets the first Wednesday of each month, at 10 a.m., in the Tamaqua Municipal Building, 320 E. Broad St., Tamaqua.Diabetes supportSt. Luke's University Health Network is sponsoring a Diabetes Support Group. Monthly meetings will be held in the community room at the health network's Miners Hospital Campus in Coaldale.Each month, a different diabetes relevant topic is explored. Topics are based on ways to improve blood sugar control and quality of life. Meetings are generally 45 minutes long and include a question and answer period.This month's meeting will be held on March 25. Reservations are not required and there are no fees. For more information, call 570-645-8107.YMCA newsThe Tamaqua YMCA is now accepting registrations for summer adventure camp and a youth soccer skills clinic.The soccer program will include parent/child sessions for children between the ages of 3 and 5, as well as youth only sessions for those ages 6 to 9.Other upcoming activities include an "all night party" from 9 p.m. until 9 a.m. March 28-29, and a rummage sale on April 13. The after hours access will be available through a donation, which will benefit a planned expansion project. In addition to basketball, dodge ball and the fitness equipment, there will be music and movies to help while the night away.For more information on any YMCA activity, call (570) 668-2903 or visit the Y welcome center, located in the former Jamesway Shopping Plaza.Zion LewistownThe Rev. Jim Williams will officiate at the 10:30 a.m. service Sunday in Zion Church in the Lewistown Valley. Sunday school classes will meet at 9:15 a.m.A preschool open house will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. March 13.For more information about church activities, visit

www.zionchurchlewistownvalley.com.Calvary EvangelicalThe Rev. Dr. Ed Bean will officiate at the 10:25 a.m. worship service Sunday in Calvary Evangelical Methodist Church in the Lewistown Valley. Sunday school classes will meet at 9:15 a.m.Also on Sunday, a Bible study session, led by Andrew Gerber, will be held at 6:30 p.m.A midweek Lenten service will be held at Zion Church of the Lewistown Valley on March 19. Jeff Stonesifer will be the speaker. The evening will begin with a singspiration at 7:15 p.m., followed by the service at 7:30 p.m.St. John LutheranThe Rev. Phyllis Wolford will officiate at the 9:15 a.m. worship service Sunday in St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church. Sunday school and Confirmation classes will meet at 10:30 a.m.Next week's activities include: Wednesday, midweek Lenten services, noon at the Salvation Army, 7 p.m. at St. John's; Thursday, angel choir rehearsal at 6 p.m., shepherd choir rehearses at 6:30 p.m., chancel choir rehearses at 7:30 p.m.The bell choir will rehearse at 11:45 a.m. on March 16 and March 23.