Haiti home

The family of Our Lady Queen of Peace Church has collected enough funds during Advent to build a home in Haiti. The cost for that simple home is $5,520.The church thanks all those who donated.OES meetsChapter 99 of the Order of the Eastern Star will meet at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Rimrock Masonic Center, Bartonsville.Those attending are reminded of the detour on Rimrock Drive and advised to allow extra traveling time.Meetings at LegionSeveral meetings are on tap at the American Legion West End Memorial Post 927 in Gilbert.Tonight: The West End Home Association at 7:30 p.m.Thursday: The Legion itself is slated to meet at 7:30 p.m.Sunday: The 927 Riders meet at 10:30 a.m.Monday: The Auxiliary at 6 p.m.Tuesday: The Korean War Vets meet at 7 p.m.The Riders will present a Wise Cracker Fundraiser comedy show on Feb. 6.For costs and to make a reservation for the night of dinner and dancing, contact Everett Shaver at 570-977-8208.Must be over 21 to attend. Post 927 is a smoke-free post.De-decoratingWith Epiphany past, volunteers will de-decorate the church at Effort UMC Thursday, beginning at noon.Those members and friends willing to help are asked to call the church office.Band parentsThe first meeting of 2016 for the PV Band Parents is set for 7 p.m. Thursday.Chestnuthill SeniorsThe Monroe County Seniors meeting at the Chestnuthill Center, at Zion Lutheran Church in Brodheadsville, will be served an open-faced roast beef sandwich on Friday. On Jan. 13, the menu offering is pork and peppers.Those wishing to eat are reminded to notify the site manager at 570-242-6770 or 570-420-3735 by 11 a.m. the day before.On Jan. 13, a special program, Fraud and Financial Exploitation, will be offered at the Chestnuthill Center.All programs are open to the public.For further information, call 570-420-3746. If the schools are closed due to inclement weather, the Senior Centers will be closed.BreakfastMcMichaels UMC is again hosting a breakfast-by-donation from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday.The church is located on White Church Drive in McMichaels off Route. 715, about midway between Brodheadsville and Tannersville.Food pantry openEffort UMC's Supplemental Food Resource Center will be open from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday.It serves people in need from the Effort, Gilbert, Kunkletown, Kresgeville, Brodheadsville, Saylorsburg, Sciota and Albrightsville who can prove an address verification and who are going through emergency or other short-term situations that are not eligible for local, county or state programs and is limited to a 12-week lifetime duration per family.Sunday breakfastEffort UMC's trustees are fixing another breakfast to aid in the funding of the capital/building fund. There is a suggested donation per person to help that fund and also cover the breakfast's cost.Breakfast will be served from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Sunday.Cornerstone YouthParents of the Cornerstone Community Church's Youth Group on Polk Township Road are invited to a parents' meeting scheduled for 5 to 6 p.m. Sunday.Touch of HomeOperation Touch of Home is slated to meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday.All Sports ClubThe Pleasant Valley School District's All Sports Club is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday.Hot tea monthJanuary is National Hot Tea Month, so come celebrate with Western Pocono Community Library.On Tuesday stop by the library to purchase some hot tea and cookies. All proceeds benefit the Western Pocono Community Library.For more information, contact the library at 570-992-7934.Polk planningPolk Township Planning Commission will meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.Call the Township Office to confirm meetings times as they are subject to change.Yoga begins anewThe yoga classes on Wednesdays at the Chestnuthill Park took a break during the holiday season but will resume at 9:30 a.m. Jan. 13.New lectureA new lecture series begins on at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 13 at the Western Pocono Community Library in Brodheadsville.Peter Kern will present his program: Duracell Batteries and Matchbox Cars: What Do They Have In Common?This lecture is free and open to the public. All lecture series programs, however, require preregistration. Call the Heritage Center at 570-402-1906 or the library at 570-992-7934 to reserve your seat.WEPOSC meetsThe West End Park and Open Space Commission will meet at 7 p.m. Jan. 13.Shingles clinicsAccording to Eldred Township, the Monroe County Health Center is offering two low-cost shingles vaccine clinics. The clinics will be held at the Monroe County State Health Center at 1972 W. Main St. Stroudsburg, PA 18360.The first date is Jan. 14. The clinic will be open from 10 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 3 p.m.Anyone aged 50 or older and who has had chickenpox is eligible to receive the vaccine at a greatly reduced price.The maximum price is $5.Garden of GivingAt the Garden of Giving 2015 ended on a great note and 2016 is looking to be even better. Although the growing season was over, the good work continued. On Dec. 12 the compost bins were completed thanks to the combined efforts of three great supporters. Pocono Transcrete donated the large concrete blocks, Hoffman's transported them to the site, and E.F. Possinger & Sons unloaded and placed the blocks.Composting is nature's way of recycling, turning what could be waste into rich, wonderful food for the plants that will then grow the nutritious produce to feed our Monroe County neighbors in need. Besides reducing waste it conserves resources, including water, energy and fuel, and saves money.Alex Steigerwalt installed the playground to keep little ones busy while their parents and older siblings worked in the garden as his Eagle Scout project. He received his Eagle Scout badge at the Polk Fire Hall on Dec. 13. The Garden of Giving is always in need of volunteers to help in the office and garden, as well as donations of skills, supplies and funding to purchase what is needed for the garden and chickens. The Garden of Giving is an excellent opportunity for youth and scouting groups to learn about gardening, science, health, nutrition and many other valuable life skills and lessons on a weekly, biweekly or monthly basis. For more information, call 570-402-1282 or email

gardenofgiving@gmail.com.Seekers Bible studyEffort UMC's The Seekers Bible Study Group meets Monday morning for fellowship and Bible study and will begin the 22nd year in 2016. Study will resume Monday, and each Monday at 10 a.m. in Fellowship Hall until May, weather permitting.Chili cook-offSalem UCC, Gilbert, is hosting a chili cook-of on Jan. 30.Trophies will be presented to first, second and third place. There is no entry fee for registration.Contestants are asked to call 610-681-4733 to register by Jan. 24, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday, Wednesday, Friday.The cook-off will be held from noon to 3 p.m. Taste testing has a small fee, as does adding hot dogs or nachos.A bake sale will also be held.Volunteer driversMany cancer patients need to get to their treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation, but they don't have transportation. The American Cancer Society is recruiting more volunteer Road To Recovery drivers to take patients to their treatments in Monroe County. Call 800-227-2345 to learn how you can become a volunteer driver.Contact Adele Argot at 717-933-4028 or

arargot3@verizon.net. Contact the Times News at 800-443-0377 or

tneditor@tnonline.com.