Band festival

The 18th annual Land of the Running Water Marching Band Adjudication, hosted by the Tamaqua Area Raider Marching Band, will be held Saturday at the Tamaqua High School Sports Stadium. This year's event will feature 10 participating high school marching bands: Annville-Cleona, Bangor, Exeter Township, Mahanoy Area, Minersville, Nativity

B.V.M., Pottsville Area, Shenandoah Valley, Tri Valley and Wilson.Gates will open at 5 p.m. and the competition will begin at 6:30 p.m.Trick or TreatTamaqua Mayor Chris Morrison has designated Oct. 31 as Trick or Treat Night in Tamaqua. Hours will be from 6-8 p.m. Residents willing to offer treats to the tricksters are reminded to turn on their porch/exterior lights.Fire callsTamaqua Fire Chief Thomas Hartz Jr. released the following information on his department's activities during August.The all-volunteer department responded to 25 calls during the month: one all call; nine silent calls; five chief calls; and 10 calls for mutual aid.The total number of man hours volunteered by firefighters reached 2,342.5. That time was divided among man hours on scene at fire calls, 196; training, 447.5 in house and 186 state classes; meetings, 64; vehicle/building maintenance, 47; fundraising, 1,282; and fire prevention, 120.Animal blessingCalvary Episcopal Church will sponsor a blessing of the animals church service at 10:45 a.m. on Sunday. The church is located at 300 W. Broad St. and the public is welcome to attend.For those unable to make the service, a second animal blessing will be held outside the church at noon. Light refreshments will be served.Pet owners are responsible for the proper control of their animals, as well as taking care of any accidents that may happen.For more information, contact Gary Price at 703-668-2775.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 class will meet at 10:30 a.m.Also on Sunday, the Confirmation class will meet at 10:30 a.m. and the allegro bell choir will rehearse at noon.Activities for next week will include: Monday, church council meets at 7 p.m., deadline for Messenger items; Thursday, property committee meets at 7 p.m., angel choir meets at 6 p.m., shepherd choir practice is at 6:30 p.m., and the chancel choir will rehearse at 7:30 p.m.Zion LewistownPastor Jim Williams will officiate at this Sunday's service in Zion Church in the Lewistown Valley. Sunday school will be held at 9:15 a.m.Upcoming activities will include: Tuesday, fundraiser committee meets at 6:30 p.m., preschool board meets at 7:30 p.m.St. John XXIIIThe consolidation of SS. Peter and Paul and St. Jerome Catholic churches in Tamaqua has led to a few changes in the Mass schedules at both churches, as well as a name change for St. Jerome's.Now known as the Parish of St. John XXIII, Masses will continue to be held at both churches.At St. John XXIII (former St. Jerome's), weekend Masses are held at 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays and at 11 a.m. on Sundays. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is from 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. on Saturdays.Masses at SS. Peter and Paul are held at 8 and 9:30 a.m. on Sundays. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is from 8:45 to 9:15 a.m. on Sundays.