Tamaqua news
Rush-Ryan seniors
The Rush, Ryan and Delano Senior Citizens Inc. met March 8 at the Ryan Township Fire Company in Barnesville with 51 members in attendance. The business session was conducted by President Eleanor Schmerfeld.Chaplain Kathleen Valentine offered the invocation "Summer Heart." Vern Balliet was added to the sick list. Birthday greetings were offered to Shirley Shellhammer, Pat Fredericks and Paul Rarick. Margaret Miller was welcomed back.A number of upcoming events were discussed, including the anniversary dinner on May 10 and the annual picnic on July 26 at St. Peter's Grove in the Locust Valley.Readings were offered by Shirley Becker and Ruthann Feane.The group meets the second and fourth Tuesday of every month at the fire company. The next meeting will be held March 22. Anyone 55 or older is welcome to join.Trout derbyThe Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce is busy planning its Annual Trout Derby, which will be held between April 23 and June 20 in the Little Schuylkill River in Tamaqua.Registered anglers will have the opportunity to catch one of many prizewinning tagged trout during the eight-week derby, which is open to all ages. Participants 16 and older must have a valid Pennsylvania fishing license and trout stamp to compete or even to fish.All anglers must comply with Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission rules.Prize-winning, tagged trout will be stocked for the derby and all tags must be returned to the auto body shop by 5 p.m. June 20 to be eligible for the prizes.Preregistration is required to be eligible to win any of the prizes. There is a small entry fee.Registration forms are available at the chamber office, 114 W. Broad St., or at Tom's Auto Body & Marine, 250 S. Greenwood St., both in Tamaqua. Registrations will also be accepted on April 23, before 10 a.m., in the lot across from the All American Jeep dealership on Route 309.For more information, call 570-668-5066 or 570-668-1880.St. Peter's UnionSunday worship services in St. Peter's Union Church in Mantzville are held at 9 a.m. This Sunday's service will include the observance of Palm Sunday. Sunday school classes will meet at 10:15 a.m.Also on Sunday, the ACS survivor's breakfast will be held from 10 a.m. to noon; the confirmation class will hold a stewardship bazaar at 10:30 a.m.; a viewing of the "Passion of the Christ" will be held at 11:30 a.m.; Cub and Girl Scouts will meet at 6 p.m.Next week's activities include: Tuesday, prayer group meets at 5 p.m.; Wednesday, junior choir practice is at 7 p.m., senior choir rehearses at 7:30 p.m.; Thursday, Maundy Thursday Tenebrae Service, with Holy Communion, at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, Good Friday service at 7:30 p.m.Easter Sunday services will be held at 6:30 and 9 a.m. Both services will include Holy Communion.St. John's LutheranThe Rev. Phyllis Wolford will officiate at this Palm Sunday's 9:15 a.m. worship service in St. John's Lutheran Church. The service will include the Blessing of Palms and Holy Communion.Also on Sunday, Confirmation, Sunday school and First Communion classes will all meet at 10:30 a.m. and the bell choir will rehearse at noon. Sunday is the deadline for Messenger items.Next week's activities will include: Wednesday, midweek Lenten service at 7 p.m. at Zion Lutheran; Maundy Thursday, First Holy Communion and stripping of the altars at 7 p.m.; Good Friday, Stations of the Cross, 7 p.m. in Zion's Lutheran Church.Easter Sunday's service will be celebrated at 9:15 a.m. and will include a Gospel procession, Holy Communion and special music.Contact Kathy Kunkel at 570-668-1250 or
kkunkel@tnonline.com. Contact the Times News at 800-443-0377 or