Tamaqua news
Casting call
The Tamaqua Area Theatre group's next presentation will be the musical "The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus." Auditions will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 30 and from 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 1 at the Tamaqua Community Art Center, 125 Pine St.The musical is based on a book by L. Frank Baum and tells the story behind the man known as Santa Claus, his desire to make children happy and his immortality.Those interested in auditioning should bring a one-minute monologue and be prepared to sing.For more information, call 570-668-1192.Tamaqua seniorsThe Tamaqua Senior Citizens met Sept. 15 with 61 members in attendance. President Melody Weicker conducted the business session.The inspirational reading "A Fresh New Day" was offered by the chaplain. One new member, Barbara Reninger, was welcomed to the group.Officers for 2017 will be: Weicker, president; Nancy Gerber, vice president; Ruthann Feane, secretary; and Norma Lee Burke, treasurer.Kerry Lasky will be the guest speaker at the Sept. 22 meeting to speak about services and benefits available to seniors.The group is open to anyone 55 or older. Meetings are held at 1 p.m. Thursdays at the Tamaqua YMCA, 1201 E. Broad St.Sorority newsThe Preceptor Alpha Upsilon chapter of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority held its opening day meeting in August in Lake Hauto, preparing for a new year of community support and special events.At the first regular meeting of the 2016-17 sorority year, members elected a slate of officers, including Susan Hummel, president; Lori Schmerfeld, vice president; Mary Machay, recording secretary; Patti Burke, treasurer; and Helen Walters, corresponding secretary.Beta Sigma Phi is a nonacademic sorority with 200,000 chapters around the world. Members have donated approximately $1 million to medical research and treatment through an endowment fund.Zion LewistownPastor Jim Williams will officiate at the 10:30 a.m. worship service this Sunday in Zion Church of the Lewistown Valley. The service will be followed by a brief congregational meeting.Sunday school classes meet at 9:15 a.m.Bible study sessions are held at 12:30 p.m. Thursdays.The annual turkey and waffle dinner will be held from 4-7 p.m. Oct. 1.Bethany ECThe Rev. Kevin Roberts will officiate at the 8 and 10:30 a.m. worship services this Sunday in Bethany Evangelical Congregational Church. Sunday school classes meet at 9:15 a.m.Also this Sunday, commission meetings will be held at 11:45 a.m.Activities for next week include: Tuesday, prayer time at 8:30 a.m.; Wednesday, Tamaqua Youth Ministry meets at 6:30 p.m.; Saturday, church workday starts at 8 a.m.Bethany is offering the community the opportunity to make an impact through a series of small Bible-based "Growth Groups."There will be a total of seven different groups, each meeting one day each week, beginning in October.For more information, or to register, visit
www.bethanyec.org and click on the "growth groups" tab.St. Peter's UnionSunday worship services are held at 9 a.m. in St. Peter's Union Church in Mantzville. This week's service will include a blessing of the animals.Also on Sunday, Sunday school will be held at 10:15 a.m.; Confirmation class meets at 10:30 a.m.; Daisies, Brownies, Junior, Cadet and Cub Scouts meet at 6 p.m.Activities for next week include: Tuesday, prayer group meets at 5 p.m.; Thursday, junior choir practice at 7 p.m., senior choir rehearsal at 7:30 p.m.Contact Kathy Kunkel at 570-668-1250 or
kkunkel@tnonline.com. Contact the Times News at 800-443-0377 or