Financial aid

The Tamaqua Area High School Guidance Department will sponsor an informational financial aid night on Jan. 6. The event will begin at 6 p.m. and be held in the district auditorium.The 2015-2016 financial aid form will be reviewed and general financial aid questions will be answered by a representative of the PHEAA. Junior and senior class students planning to further their education, as well as their parents, are welcome to attend.Information on local scholarships will also be available.No preregistration or fee is required.Middle school concertThe music department of the Tamaqua Area Middle School will present its annual "Holiday Music Program" today in the school auditorium.The evening will feature selections by the sixth-grade band, under the direction of Marsha Rodgers; the Middle School General Chorus and the Middle School Select Chorus, both under the direction of John Buglio.Accompanists will include Antonetta Gerace, Sierra Petrucci and Faith Roberts.Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and the music is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.The public is welcome to attend. There is no admission fee.Theater auditionsThe Tamaqua Area Community Theatre will be holding auditions for its upcoming production of "Aladdin."Auditions for those between the ages of 6 and 21 will be held on Sunday and Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Tamaqua Community Arts Center, 125 Pine St., Tamaqua.A one-minute monologue will be needed for the auditions. Monologues will be provided if necessary.For more information, email

tamaquaareacommunitytheatre@gmail.com or text/call 570-590-7621.Bethany ECThe Rev. Kevin Roberts will officiate at the 8 and 10:30 a.m. worship services this Sunday in Bethany Evangelical Congregational Church. Sunday school will meet at 9:15 a.m.Also on Sunday, the monthly service at the Hometown Nursing Center will be held at 2:30 p.m.Activities for next week include: Tuesday, prayer time at 8:30 a.m.; Wednesday, Christmas Eve services at 3 p.m. (traditional) and 7 p.m. (contemporary); Saturday, musician rehearsal at 8:30 a.m., praise practice at 9 a.m.Calvary EvangelicalThe Rev. Ed Bean will officiate at the 10:25 a.m. worship service this Sunday in Calvary Evangelical Methodist Church in the Lewistown Valley. The service will include the celebration of Christmas, with a children's program of music and skits. Sunday school classes are at 9:15 a.m.Also this Sunday, a Christmas candlelight service will be celebrated at 6:30 p.m.There will be a Christmas Eve service on at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Christ Church in McKeansburg. It is sponsored by the New Ringgold Ministerium.