Whitewash

The Tamaqua Area Class of 2015 will hold its annual whitewash event on Sept. 29. Students will be showing their school spirit by whitewashing the street leading to the front of the Tamaqua Senior High School.The fun will begin at 3 p.m. and is expected to last about 90 minutes. The road between the gates to the football stadium and the school will be closed for the duration of the event.Motorists should be prepared for possible delays or may want to find an alternate route that day.Rain date will be Oct. 6.Alumni bandThe Tamaqua Area High School Alumni Band will hold its annual gathering on Friday at the TAHS Homecoming game, when the Blue Raiders take on the Panther Valley Panthers. Former members of the TAHS Raider Band are welcome to join in for a fun night of music and memories.Anyone interested in participating may email

thsalumniband@gmail.com or call the high school band room at 570-668-1936. Please include your name, year of graduation and instrument you play.Senior citizensThe Tamaqua Senior Citizens group met Sept. 18 with 58 members attending. President Melody Weicker conducted the business session.Norma Lee Burke provided the invocation "Autumn Time." A moment of silence was observed in honor of slain Pennsylvania state trooper Bryon Dickson and his family.An election of officers will be held during the Oct. 2 meeting.The meeting concluded with cards and social games.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.Spirit of ChristmasIt's not too early to begin planning in earnest for the Annual Tamaqua Spirit of Christmas Festival, which is scheduled for Dec. 5-7. A planning session will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce Office on West Broad Street.The public is welcome to attend and share their ideas on ways to help the festival continue to be a success.Bethany ECThe Rev. Kevin Roberts will officiate at the 8 a.m. traditional service Sunday in Bethany Evangelical Congregational Church. Sunday school will meet at 9:15 a.m. A contemporary worship service will be held at 10:30 a.m. at the Tamaqua YMCA.Also, Sunday is the deadline for registering for growth groups, and commission meetings will be held at 11:45 a.m.Activities for next week include: Tuesday, prayer time at 8:30 a.m.; Wednesday, a Psalms Growth Group will begin meeting at 1 p.m. at the Majestic House, GriefShare will meet at 7 p.m., Tamaqua Youth Ministry meets at 6:30 p.m.; Saturday, musician rehearsal at 8:30 a.m., praise practice at 9 a.m., "His Needs, Her Needs growth group begins at 6 p.m.