Community

giveawayThe Tamaqua Community Volunteers monthly giveaway will be held Saturday at the M and M Self Storage center, next to Schickram's Car Wash on Rose Street.Anyone wishing to donate items should have them at the facility between 8 and 9 a.m. Saturday. Donations of clothing, toys, tools, electronics, holiday decorations, pots/pans/dishes, cookware, furniture, appliances and practically anything else are welcome.The only items not accepted are floor model televisions, computer monitors and obvious garbage. All donated items must be clean and odor-free.The giveaway will start at 9:15 a.m.The program is free and open to anyone living within the 18252 ZIP code, regardless of income.The group holds the event the last Saturday of every warm month.For more information, visit the event on Facebook or call 570-668-1234.SummerconcertsThere are only two more events in the Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce Summer Concert Series. The next to last concert will be held on Aug. 28 and will feature the bluegrass band Coal Country Express.The final show will be held on Sept. 4 and will feature Fred Douglas (oldies).Concerts are held from 6 to 8 p.m. on the platform at the Tamaqua Train Station.For more information, call 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. 21 with 60 members in attendance. Two guests, Ruth Nester and Phyllis Bergman, were welcomed.President Melody Weicker conducted the business session. Nancy Gerber, vice president, provided the invocation "A Summer Place." A moment of silence was held in honor of Josephine Willing. Nora Schiedy and Kathleen Valentine were added to the sick list.Flu shots are scheduled for Sept. 11, provided by Rite Aid.The meeting concluded with cards and social games. Ice cream and cake will be served at the next meeting.The seniors meet at 1 p.m. every Thursday, at the Masonic Lodge, on Route 54 (East) in Hometown. Anyone 55 or older is welcome to join. The center is handicap accessible.Library newsThe Tamaqua Public Library has a large number of lightly used books to offer to the public in an effort to reduce inventory. Special deals will be available from Aug. 29 through Sept. 20.Library hours are: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday; and 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday.Bethany ECThe Rev. Kevin Roberts will officiate at the 8 a.m. traditional service Sunday in Bethany Evangelical Congregational Church.Also on Sunday, the church picnic will be held at 10:30 a.m. at the West Penn Park.Activities for next week will include: Tuesday, prayer time at 8:30 a.m., GriefShare at 10 a.m.; Wednesday, Tamaqua Youth Ministry meets at 6:30 p.m.; Thursday, Baptism class at 6:30 p.m.; and Saturday, musician rehearsal at 8:30 a.m., praise practice at 9 a.m.