PVEN needs

The Pleasant Valley Ecumenical Network is hoping to receive donations of peanut butter and jelly. However, all nonperishable food donations are welcome.Donations may be taken to aPVEN participating church or given directly to the PVEN in McIlhaney from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Fridays.Other times by appointment.Call the PVEN at 570-992-3136.Polk HistoricalMonday at 7 p.m. the Polk Township Historical Society will meet at the Polk Township Municipal Building in Kresgeville.The group was formed in 1997, and is dedicated to documenting and preserving the history of Polk Township and maintaining the R.M. Andrews Memorial Archives located in the historic former Patriotic Order Sons of America Lodge Hall.Open house is held at the lodge hall during the summer months, and group tours are available by appointment. Informational tours of the historic Jonas Bake Oven are conducted during the West End Fair in August and upon request from interested organizations.The group is actively seeking new members and everyone is invited to attend the meetings.For additional information, call Pat at 610-681-8984.Senior health fairMrs. Bush's Personal Care Homes is holding a Senior Health Fair from 9 a.m. to 1

p.m.at the Chestnut Ridge Home onMay 6.This is the first senior-focused health fair of its kind in the West End and will be offering refreshments, raffles, free health screenings and local agency information, including Veterans Affairs. The public is invited to come for educational and informational opportunities.For more information contact Carrie Shafer, Community Life Director, at 610-381-1009 or email

carrie@mrsbushcares.com.Flea marketEffort United Methodist Church, 178 Merwinsburg Road, Effort, will host a flea market from 9 a.m. to 2

p.m.May 7 rain or shine.Contact Joyce at 570-643-3334 ASAP to reserve a table space. Advance payment is required to reserve a table.Lunch and bake sale will be available.Child Safety FairGFWC Western Pocono Women's Club, a service organization in the West End for 40 years, along with the West End Park and Open Space Commission, is having a free child safety fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. onMay 14 at the Chestnuthill Park, Route 715, Brodheadsville. The Pennsylvania State Police will fingerprint children and the West End Fire Company and the Ambulance Association will have their equipment available to view.A Fire Safety or simulated Smoke House from the Tobyhanna Army Depot will be available to demonstrate safe ways to escape a house fire. Pocono Medical Center will check blood pressures and child car seats. The West End Health Care Center will be represented and Exercise with Kids demonstrations by Leslie Glover will be done with the children. Free literature will be available.Concessions will be sold by Boy Scouts.For information,

emailwpwomensclub@gmail.com or contact Bernie Kozen at the park building at 570-992-9733.Registration dueThe Chestnuthill Township Historical Society's fifth annual yard sale fundraiser is May 21. Applications are available at the Chestnuthill Township municipal and park buildings.The deadline for application with payment is May 6.Kids' craft dayThe West End Park and Open Space Commission will host a Mother's Day Craft event from 10 a.m. to noonMay 7, at the Ross Township Park, Anchorage Road, Saylorsburg.Kids will get everything needed to decorate a flower pot, fill it with potting soil and add a growing plant for mom. For more information contact 570-992-9733 or

bkozen@weposc.org.Fill the truckThe Garden of Giving will hold its annual Fill the Truck event from 8 a.m. to 6

p.m.May 14 at the Brodheadsville Tractor Supply Company on Route 209.Light refreshments will be for sale, with proceeds going to The Garden of Giving. The Brodheadsville TSC will also donate a portion of its proceeds to The Garden of Giving and everyone who contributes will also receive a thank-you gift.The Garden of Giving is located in McMichaels and produces fresh, nutritious, organic produce and eggs for neighbors in need. It is a great place for scouting, youth and church groups to learn and have fun while giving to their community. Also welcomed are team leaders with gardening knowledge to guide the groups.There is always in need of chicken feed, volunteers to help with the chickens, in the Garden and office, on the website, on the board - there is an immediate need for a board secretary - and at fundraising events. For more information contact the Garden of Giving at 570-402-1282 or email

GardenOfGiving@gmail.com.Remembrance rideAmerican Legion Riders Post 927 Valor motorcycle ride and party is being held in Memory of Jack McCloskey onMay 21. The start and finish will be at the American Legion Post 927, corner of Route 209 and Fairgrounds Road, Gilbert.Registration begins at 9 a.m., kickstands up at 10:30 a.m.All proceeds will go to VALOR, whose mission is to improve the lives of the nation's veterans by providing free access to coaching and care that will address service-connected conditions and improve life skills for work and life outside of service.For more information, including costs to participate in the ride, the barbecue pork roast, raffles, live music in the afternoon, entry fees, and vendor space costs, contact Everett Shaver at

e.shaver@ampost927.com. Preregister bike run and/or vendor space by sending check to: American Legion Riders 927, PO Box 335, Gilbert, PA 18331.For more information about the American Legion Post 927, visit

www.ampost927.com.Princess tea/brunchThe Western Pocono Lioness Club is hosting a princess tea/brunch from 11 a.m. to 2

p.m.June 18 at Cherry's Family Restaurant in Kresgeville.Limited seating and advanced tickets only. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Princess dress-up is suggested.There will be a special meet and greet happening. For further information, including costs, contact Lioness Anne at 610-509-3519 or Lioness Carol 610-681-8135.Contact Adele Argot at 717-933-4028 or

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

tneditor@tnonline.com.