Tamaqua news
Middle school
Tamaqua Area Middle School Principal Christopher Czapla has announced an orientation session for students new to the school will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 23.Parents of sixth-graders, as well as seventh- and eighth-graders new to the district, are welcome to attend.Information will be presented on student schedules, activities, facilities and discipline.Parents/guardians will have the opportunity to follow their child's schedule, meet with teachers and become familiar with the MMS Student portal, student planners, the Accelerated Reader course, clubs and Middle States Accreditation.This will not be a time for parent/teacher conferences. Those may be scheduled for another date and time.For those unable to attend, orientation notes will be available on the middle school's website.Homeroom assignments will be posted on the school's front/main door as of Aug. 15.Tamaqua seniorsThe Tamaqua Senior Citizens met Aug. 4 with 63 members and one guest, Rita Thompson, in attendance. President Melody Weicker conducted the business session.Ruthann Feane provided the inspirational reading "The Carefree Days of Summer." Mary Reed and Sylvia Houseman were added to the sick list. Joe Benerik and Jane Tarter were welcomed back to the group.Guest speaker Susan Johns, representing Diakon Community Services, provided information on Medicare Part D.Refreshments were served.This week's meeting will include the annual summer picnic at the West Penn Rod and Gun Club in Clamtown. A trip to the Mohegan Sun is planned for Aug. 15.Free concertsThe Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce's 10th annual free summer concert series continues this week with an evening of classic rock and blues by Whiskey Creek Acoustic.Concerts are held from 6-8 p.m. Thursdays throughout the summer on the platform of the historic Tamaqua Train Station.Upcoming concerts include: Aug. 18, Christopher Dean Band, rhythm and blues; and Sept. 1, Diaspora, classic rock.Anyone planning to attend is welcome to bring a lawn chair or make a reservation at the new Tamaqua Station Restaurant.Concerts are weather permitting.TAFFN celebrationThe Tamaqua Area Faith and Fellowship Network will present Summer Celebration 2016 on Aug. 14 at the Tamaqua Community Art Center, 125 Pine St.The evening of music and fellowship will begin at 7 p.m.Music will be presented by the Blue Mountain Community Church Praise Band, led by Pastor Jennifer Eckhart. The group has frequently performed for the local American Cancer Society Telethon. The band's playlist contains traditional hymns as well as contemporary songs. A singalong will be included.Brief messages will be offered by representatives of the TAFFN and the Tamaqua Ministerial Association.An ice cream social will follow the program and free will offerings will be accepted.Visit the organization's website at
www.taffn.org for more information.Contact Kathy Kunkel at 570-668-1250 or
kkunkel@tnonline.com. Contact the Times News at 800-443-0377 or