Beach party

The East End Playground Association is throwing a beach party this Friday, beginning at 7:30 p.m. There will be prizes for the best outfits and free freeze pops.The movie "Teen Beach" will be shown at dusk, approximately 8:30 p.m.The playground will also host an appearance by the Cressona Band at 7 p.m. Wednesday.Community fellowshipThe Tamaqua Area Faith Fellowship Network will host an evening of ecumenical music, messages and fellowship on Aug. 9. The event will be held at the Tamaqua Arts Center, 125 Pine St., Tamaqua, beginning at 7 p.m.Guest musicians will be the Praise Band from the Blue Mountain Community Church in Palmerton.Volunteers are needed to spread word of the event, greet patrons as they arrive the night of the event, serve complimentary ice cream after the concert and clean up afterward.To volunteer, send an email to

gtay200@verizon.net.Raider nightIt's time to start preparing for the 2015-2016 school year for students in the Tamaqua Area School District. Classes will start Aug. 24.The Fall "Meet the Raiders night" will be held at 7 p.m. Aug. 26 in the district's sports stadium. Participants in the fall sports programs, including players, cheerleaders and coaches, will be recognized.The Blue Raider Marching Band will present its field show.The event is free and open to the public.Field to forkSchuylkill County Master Gardeners will offer a free learning experience for county residents to learn more about how vegetables go from the fields to the dinner table.The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Aug. 22 at Hope Hill Lavender Farm, 2375 Panther Valley Road in Pottsville. Participants will learn about growing vegetables almost anywhere as well as growing varieties of lavender. Bring your questions and the experts will provide answers.There will also be samples of fresh, locally grown produce.This free event will be held rain or shine.To learn more, go to

www.extension.psu.edu/schuylkill or

www.hopehilllavenderfarm.com.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 finance committee will meet at 6:30 p.m. July 30.The office will be closed for a few hours on Monday and all day on Tuesday.St. Peter's UnionThis Sunday's service will be held at 10 a.m. at the West Penn Grove and will include closing ceremonies for Vacation Bible School. A luncheon will be held after the service.Activities for next week include: Monday, church board meets at 6 p.m.; Tuesday, prayer group meets at 5 p.m.