Lenten Services

• Effort Methodist will continue its focus on Give up Something Bad for Lent with Give up Pettiness.• Jerusalem Lutheran, Trachsville, will host the multichurch Lenten service tonight. It begins with a simple soup supper at 6 p.m. The mixed churches choir practice is at 6:30 p.m. and the worship service at 7 p.m. Pastor Deb Scheffey will preach on pain.• Zion Lutheran, Brodheadsville, will begin with a simple soup supper at 6 p.m. At 6:30 a study on Islam continues, with Islam and finance - What does Islam teach about finance and Islam State - What is an Islamic state? The Lenten worship begins at 7:30 p.m.Helping othersThe GFWC Western Pocono Women's Club is collecting nonperishables for Easter food baskets that will be distributed to clients of the Supplemental Food Resource Center at Effort United Methodist Church on March 26.A collection bin for donations has been placed at West End Physical Therapy in Kresgeville. Items needed are canned goods such as fruits, sweet potatoes and veggies. Also needed are 5-pound bags of potatoes, brown sugar, boxed cake mixes and canned frostings. Cash donations toward the purchase of hams are accepted. To help raise funds for hams, baby pictures of the staff at West End Physical Therapy will be on display in a contest for people to guess whose baby picture it is.On Monday the group will in meet in regular monthly session at 7 p.m. at Effort UMC. The program will focus on the Relay for Life with Lisa Hoey from the American Cancer Society.Meetings heldEldred Township's governing bodies have the following meetings scheduled: at 7 tonight, a hearing will be held at the Kunkletown Firehouse on whether to amend the Eldred Township Zoning Ordinance to change the definition of water extraction so it is considered industry rather than manufacturing, light. After that hearing, the board will consider other business at the Community Center, including whether to extend Nestle's lease. Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Planning Commission regular meeting at the Municipal Building in Kunkletown.Two eventsMrs. Bush's in Kunkletown is offering two more free intergenerational events.At 2 p.m. Tuesday there will be a chalk talk: The Easter Story. It comes via Snyder Chalk Talk, which illustrates a biblical message. Special chalk, elaborate lighting and Christian music are used to share the Gospel truth.From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Mrs. Bush's is holding its Spring Open House and free hearing screenings by Monroe Hearing Aid Center. Call 610-381-1009 to schedule an appointment to see Mrs. Bush's and receive a free hearing screening.Exercise classExercise is crucial for maintaining quality of life as we age but, in order to benefit, it has to be done on a regular basis, says Rosemary Allocco, exercise physiologist at PMC.Pocono Medical Center's Older Adult Exercise Program at Kunkletown Fire Hall is held from 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. each Tuesday and Thursday morning. Alloccoleads the classes and can be reached at 570-422-8340.Zion SeniorsThe Senior Citizens Group at Zion Lutheran will hold its monthly meeting for those 50 and older at 11 a.m. Thursday. Attendees are reminded to bring a sandwich. Beverages are provided. Yearly dues are minimal.PVI PTO meetsThe Pleasant Valley Intermediate School PTO will meet at 4 p.m. Thursday.Football boostersThe Football Booster Club will meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.Bingo nightThe West End Park and Open Space Commission will host a bingo night at the Chestnuthill Township Park at 6:30 p.m. Friday.Doors open at 5:30.Contact 570-992-9733 or

bkozen@ptd.net for information.Drop-in nightTeen Towers at Salem-St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Kresgeville, will host a Drop-in Night from 7 to 9:30 p.m.The youths will be hanging out, playing games and watching "When the Game Stands Tall" on the big screen, an inspirational film about an extraordinary team.Snacks, popcorn and beverages are free. Those who wear green can enter in a prize drawing.Menu setThe menu for the Chestnuthill Group of Monroe County Seniors includes beef and bean chili for this Friday and a cheeseburger for next Wednesday.For meal reservations, please call the site manager by 11 a.m. one day in advance at 570-242-6770 or 570-420-3735.On March 23, Nutrition BINGO will be led by LaTania R. JonesFeast of St. JosephOur Lady Queen of Peace church celebrates the Feast of St. Joseph on Saturday.After the 8 a.m. Mass, worshippers are welcome to join in a traditional St. Joseph's Day breakfast in McCawley Hall.Clothing swapThe Pleasant Valley School District clothing swap will be held at the Pleasant Valley Elementary School Saturday beginning at 9 a.m.Craft showAn Easter craft show is being hosted by the West End Fire Company on Route 715 in Brodheadsville on Saturday. Doors are open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Parking and admission are free.Egg huntThe annual Easter Egg hunt at the Ross Township Park, Anchorage Road, Saylorsburg, will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday. It is for youngsters through age 10. There will be 5,000 treats plus prize eggs.Spaghetti dinnerThe Pocono PANDAS, the youth group of the Effort United Methodist Church located at 178 Merwingsburg Road, Effort, will be hosting a spaghetti dinner from 4-6 p.m. Saturday.Proceeds will benefit the youth programs at the church. Dine in or take out. Menu: salad, spaghetti with or without meat sauce, garlic bread, beverage and a dessert.The church is handicap accessible. For more information, including dinner costs, contact the church office at 570-629-1890.Hockey nightThe West End Park and Open Space Commission is sponsoring a hockey night with the WBS Penguins at 7:05 p.m. Saturday against the Hershey Bears. A portion of each ticket sold will be donated to help develop the West End Regional Park. For more information contact 570-970-3607 or

csipsky@wbspenguins.com.Bunny picturesSafe Haven Pet Rescue will hold a fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at Sit, Stay N Play, 1501 N. Fifth St. in Stroudsburg.Pictures with Safe Haven's Easter Bunny will be available.For costs and other information, call 570-872-9748.Irish paradeThe Pocono Irish American Club presents its 39th annual St. Patrick's Day Parade on the streets of Stroudsburg and East Stroudsburg on Sunday. It begins at 1:30 p.m.Sunday egg huntZion Lutheran Church is holding its second annual community Easter egg hunt at 2 p.m. Sunday.It is for children ages 0 to fifth grade. There will be activities, the hunt and prizes.Food will be available for purchase.Call 570-992-6988 to register or email Zion at

zionulc@ptd.net.Sunday supperA Sunday supper will be happening from 3-4 p.m. Sunday in McCawley Hall at our Lady Queen of Peace Church.Talent showFor any PVE student still wanting to participate in PVE PTO Talent Show, there will be a final act screening from 5:30-8 p.m. on Monday in the cafeteria.The show will be held at 6

p.m.April 16 in the PVHS auditorium in Brodheadsville.RepublicansThe West End Republican Club will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Cherry's Sunset Family Restaurant in Kresgeville for a regular meeting. The optional dinner is at 6 p.m.Lioness clubThe Western Pocono Lioness Club will meet Tuesday at the American Legion in Gilbert beginning at 6:30 p.m. for dessert. The meeting begins at 6:45.The special guest will be Lions District 14U Past District Gov. Sharon Kimmel, who is coming to speak onwhat members liked about Lioness and what needed improvement.Special eventThe first Veterans' Community Fest will be held July 25 and July 26 by various suborganizations at American Legion Post 927 in Gilbert.The post has been sponsoring a Boy Scout troop for over a year. Troop plans include weekend camping trips and attending summer camp at Trexler Scout Reservation in Jonas.Boys 14 and older will have the opportunity to earn their 50 Miler award by canoeing for 25 miles and hiking for 25 miles in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area or travel to Canada for a week of canoeing and fishing in Algonquin Provincial Park.Five boys working on Eagle Scout projects.Contact Adele Argot at 717-933-4028 or

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

tneditor@tnonline.com.