Rush-Ryan seniors

The Rush, Ryan and Delano Senior Citizens Inc. met July 14 at the Ryan Township Fire Company, Barnesville. There were 48 members in attendance.President Eleanor Schmerfeld conducted the business session and chaplain Kathleen Valentine provided the invocation, "God Is Always There."Ruthann Feane offered inspirational readings.The annual picnic will be held at noon July 28 at St. Peter's Grove in Locust Valley. Desserts for sharing are welcome.The group meets at 1 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month at the fire company. Anyone 55 or older is welcome to join.TASDextracurricularsTamaqua Area School District students participating in sports and/or any extracurricular activity, or who have a school parking permit, are subject to random drug and alcohol testing, as established in 2010.For the 2015-16 school year, initial registration and testing will take place on July 29 and 30, from 8 to 10:30 a.m., in the athletic center locker rooms of the middle school.Any student who cannot attend on the dates provided should call 570-668-1901; contact Mike Hromyak, athletic director at mhromyak@tamaqua.k12.pa.us; or assistant principal Tom McCabe at tmccabe@tamaqua.k12.pa.us for other arrangements.Random drug testing of nonparticipating students is also available if the district receives a parental request. Students must provide a signed parental consent form before participating.More information is provided on the Tamaqua school district website,

www.tamaqua.k12.pa.us, under athletics.Community eventThe annual Tamaqua Community Downtown Sidewalk and Yard Sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 1. The event is sponsored annually by the Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce.For more information, call 570-668-1880 or email

tamaquachamber@verizon.net.Democrats to meetThe Eastern Schuylkill Democrats will meet at 7:30 p.m. July 27 at the Hang Loose, 300 E. Broad St., Tamaqua.New members are always welcome.West Penn senior dayThe West Penn Lions and Lioness clubs will sponsor the annual West Penn Senior Fun Day on Aug. 1 at the West Penn Park. Activities will begin at 11:30 a.m.The event is open to all township residents age 62 and older and will be held rain or shine.The day will include free entertainment, free food (lunch and supper), informational sessions, games and lots of fellowship.Preregistration is required to ensure there is enough food to go around. To register, call Melissa at 570-386-4138 no later than July 24.Zion LewistownPastor Jim Williams will officiate at the 10:30 a.m. service this Sunday in Zion Church in the Lewistown Valley. Sunday school classes will be held at 9:15 a.m.Bible study sessions are held every Thursday at 12:30 p.m.St. John LutheranThe Rev. Phyllis Wolford will officiate at the 9:15 a.m. worship service this Sunday in St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church.The August edition of the Messenger will be assembled at 9:30 a.m. on July 21.Help would be appreciated.