Senior citizens

The Tamaqua Senior Citizens group met July 10 with 65 members in attendance. President Melody Weicker conducted the business session.Several members were welcomed back, including Nora Scheidy, Florina Martin, Rosetta Folk, Rose Vallee and Pat Brown. The meeting included a pizza party.The annual picnic will be held on Aug. 14 at the West Penn Rod and Gun Club's grove.The meeting concluded with cards and social games.The group meets at 1 p.m., every Thursday, at the Masonic Lodge, located on Route 54 in Hometown. Anyone 55 or older is welcome to join. The center is handicap accessible.Honor rollThe name of Steven Modesto was missing from the Tamaqua Elementary School Honor Roll. He is a fourth-grade student who earned high honors.Movies in the parkThe East End Playground Association continues its Summer "Movies in the Park" program Thursday with a presentation of "Star Wars IV," which is the movie that introduced the characters to the world. The movie begins at 8:30 p.m., and the concession stand will open at 7:30 p.m.Bring a blanket or a lawn chair as seating is extremely limited.The playground will also host a concert by the Cressona Band at 7 p.m. on July 23. The newly formed Junior Cressona Band will also perform.Summer concertThe next event in the Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce's Summer Concert Series will be July 17 and will feature Shannon Miedaner Marsyada. Concerts are held from 6 to 8 p.m., on select Thursdays, on the platform at the Tamaqua Train Station throughout the summer season.Bethany ECThe Rev. Kevin Roberts will officiate at the 8 a.m. traditional service 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, for all ages, will meet at 9:15 a.m. at the church.Also on Sunday, volunteers are needed at 12:30 p.m. to set up for vacation Bible school; the monthly service at the Hometown Nursing Home will be held at 2:30 p.m.Activities for next week will include: Monday through Friday, 6 to 8:30 p.m., vacation Bible school; Tuesday, prayer time at 8:30 a.m., GriefShare at 10 a.m.; Friday, VBS closing ceremony at 7 p.m.; Saturday, musician rehearsal at 8:30 a.m., praise practice at 9 a.m.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 11:30 a.m. 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 program is open to all children. 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.