Angel trees

The Tamaqua Salvation Army Angel Tree program is designed to make the Christmas season brighter for children in need. Angel Trees can be found at numerous businesses as well as the Salvation Army Community Center, 105 W. Broad St., beginning Oct. 29.The trees are hung with tags containing the name, age, gender, clothing size and special Christmas needs/wishes of an individual child. Participants select a tag, then purchase new items based on the tag information. The unwrapped items, along with the tag, should be returned to the Salvation Army no later than Dec. 10. Cash donations are also being accepted.For more information, or tree locations, call 570-668-0410.Halloween paradeRegistration forms are now available for the annual Tamaqua Halloween Parade, which is set for Oct. 28, beginning at 7 p.m. Forms are available at the Tamaqua Chamber of Commerce Office, 114 W. Broad St.Completed forms must include the name, address and phone number of a contact person, as well as the entrant's theme, number of floats, vehicles and marchers.All participants will be called in advance of the parade with their position, setup location and entry number. The rain date is Oct. 29.There is no entry fee. Cash prizes will be awarded for the top entries as determined by a panel of judges.The parade will be sponsored by the Tamaqua Lions Club, with assistance from the Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce. Participants will assemble at the east end of the borough by 6:45 p.m. and the line of march will then head west on Broad Street.For more information on the parade, call 570-668-1880 or email

tamaquachamber@verizon.net.Zion LewistownPastor Jim Williams will officiate at this Sunday's Rally Day service in Zion Church in the Lewistown Valley. The service will include special music by the gospel trio "Witness" and will be followed by a covered dish dinner. Sunday school will be held at 9:15 a.m.Bible study sessions will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Thursdays.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.