Regional planning group meets

The Chestnuthill-Jackson-Eldred-Ross-Polk Regional Planning Commission will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Chestnuthill Township municipal building in Brodheadsville.Filling shoeboxesMcMichaels UMC has begun collecting items for Samaritans Purse Operation Christmas Child.In July and August girls' shirts, sizes small and medium in children's sizes, are being sought. Also needed are children's sunglasses, winter gloves and winter hats.The church hopes to fill 50 shoeboxes, but no more empty boxes are needed as enough are already on hand.PANDA meetsEffort UMC's youth group PANDA will meet at 7 p.m. Friday.Rosary bonfireOur Lady Queen of Peach Church, Gilbert, will host a Family Rosary Night and bonfire for church family members and friends at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Weir Lake side of the church grounds, weather permitting.There will be games, music, prayer and s'mores.The event is a bring-your-own chair, blanket and family event. It is requested that one sign up on the sheet in the atrium.Dance demonstration and lessonKen and Judi from the Wild Rose Dance Club in Kresgeville will hold a country dancing demonstration/lesson at the Eldred Township Community Center from 7-9 p.m. Monday.This event is free courtesy of the Wild Rose Dance Club.Art workshopOur Lady Queen of Peace will host another art workshop led by artist Jean Perry. It will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday in McCawley Hall.The focus for this session is Botanical Art: The Trumpet Vine and the Hummingbird.There is a fee for the drawing and watercolor painting class. Materials are supplied.Knit and crochetZion Lutheran's Knit & Crochet Group will meet at 1 p.m. Tuesday in the parish hall. New members, including those who don't know how to knit or crochet, are welcome. Experienced members will teach newcomers. Supplies are available to get newcomers started.West End GOPThe West End Republican Club will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Cherry's Family Restaurant in Kresgeville. The dinner begins at 6 p.m. The club includes interested Republicans and others from Chestnuthill, Eldred, Polk, Hamilton, Jackson Township and other areas.Eldred CenterA large donation of yarn and knitting books has prompted the center to ask if anyone is interested in knitting lessons. June Wedderman not only donated the yarn, but has offered to teach basic knitting to interested residents.If anyone is interested in learning to knit, call Darcy Gannon at 610-381-4252, ext. 2.Fabric pieces were also donated. Would anyone be interested in teaching or learning quilting?Center personnel are looking for donations of sewing machines and quilt frames to set up the sewing/knitting/quilting room.Ongoing activities also include a jam session every Monday at noon and pinochle at 12:30 p.m. Tuesdays.Call Shirley at 610-381-4560.Lions leadershipThe Western Pocono Lions Club 2015-2016 leadership was recently installed by Past District Gov. Bob Kelsey. Serving the club for the year are: Cindy Rodenbough, president; Pat Buccieri, first vice president; Charles Rush, secretary; Joanne Rush, treasurer; Linda Hinton, Lion Tamer; Jeff Hinton, Tail Twister; Charles Rush, program chair; 1-year directors, Chris Sweeney, MaryJane Lucrezi; 2-year directors, Bob Kelsey and Jon Evans.The club welcomed Monroe County Correctional Facility Warden Donna Asure at its last meeting. She spoke about how things are done at the prison using tax dollars.She also detailed how juveniles who are being held as adults must be kept in separate quarters, away from the other inmates.Mock crashThe Western Pocono Community Library in Brodheadsville has been celebrating heroes during the Summer Reading Program. Next Thursday at 6:30 p.m. the library will be celebrating Our Community Heroes. The West End Volunteer Fire Company will be performing a mock crash for the young adult group (8 years old and up).The community is invited to come out and see what it really takes to be a volunteer firefighter who also responds to motor vehicle accidents.For more information, contact the library at 570-992-7934.Garden award honoreeThe Garden of Giving, McMichaels, was one of 16 community organizations honored at Pocono Health Foundation's 23rd annual grant reception this summer.Funds for the grants came through generosity of the Dr. Alberta Finch Children's Health Endowment Fund and the Dr. Claus G. Jordan Endowment Fund.The work of helping county food pantries serve their clients better with fresh produce continues under the direction of Garden of Giving founder Tammy Graber.Mountain bikingThe West End Park and Open Space Commission as part of the Parks for Good Living partnership with Stroud Region and HJP Parks and Pocono Medical Center is providing a free introduction to mountain biking event from 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 15, at the West End Regional Park, 278 Evergreen Hollow Road, Saylorsburg.Enjoy 244 acres and more than 3 miles of trails with a mountain bike.The day is designed for beginners but all are welcome. Free riding, clinics, refreshments, raffle prizes.Rental bikes are available from The LOFT, call 570-629-2627.For more information, contact 570-992-9733 or

bkozen@weposc.org.Chestnuthill historical societyThe Chestnuthill Township Historical Society's next meeting will be at 6 p.m. Aug. 19 at the park building on Route 715. ShopRite in Brodheadsville has given the society permission to submit its register receipts as a fundraiser for the nonprofit group. Drop off Brodheadsville ShopRite receipts off to the society at the Chestnuthill Township Municipal Building or at the monthly meetings. Residents are asked to help preserve the history of the township.Beautification awardPride in Chestnuthill announces the annual Chestnuthill Township Beautification Award. This honor is given to a business in Chestnuthill Township for its outstanding beautifying of the property.Previous winners not only had a clean, well-kept property, but also planted a host of different beautiful annual flowers.The latest issue of the township's recycling information booklet is available. Not only does it give a list of approved garbage haulers, but it tells about the township's own recycling/transfer center on Hillcrest Drive.The booklet lists what can be recycled (at no cost) plus map, times and days of operation. Residents can also drop off a remaining bag of garbage for a minimal charge.The booklet is available at the municipal building on Route 715 in Brodheadsville.