Tamaqua news
Garden club
The Lewistown Valley Garden Club held its annual Christmas party on Dec. 27 with 21 members and guests in attendance. Linda Leiby and Mary Bridygham served as hosts.In lieu of a gift exchange, members made monetary donations to the Tamaqua Salvation Army.During the party, judging was held for the arrangements contest. Winners were Evelyn Adams, Carol Kohn and Bridygham.A planning session for 2017 will be held at 10 a.m. Jan. 21, at the home of Carol Kohn. Anyone planning to attend is asked to call 570-386-4783 or 570-668-5022 beforeSaturday.The next regular meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on March 28 at Zion's Church Hall in the Lewistown Valley. New members are welcome.For more information on the club, call 570-386-4783.Snow rulesTamaqua residents are reminded of borough rules concerning snow removal.Property owners are required to maintain a clear path, at least 3 feet wide, on sidewalks. Snow and ice must be removed from these pathways within 24 hours of the end of a snowstorm.Snow, ice and other materials may not be thrown into the streets. Fines of $25 and up may be imposed on anyone caught throwing snow or ice into the street, or who fails to maintain a snow-free pathway.People who plow snow from in front of homes and businesses must remove any piles of snow they create. Anyone piling snow in the street or parking areas could be cited.Residents are asked to refrain from piling snow near fire hydrants or on top of storm drains and are encouraged to clear snow from these areas.Call 570-668-3444 or 570-668-0300 for more information.Tamaqua seniorsThe Tamaqua Senior Citizens met Jan. 5 with 49 members in attendance. President Melody Weicker conducted the business session and provided an inspirational reading.One new member, Judy Smith, and returning member Pearl Davis were given warm welcomes. Doris Yeager and her family were added to the sick list.Members were reminded to bring a brown bag lunch during the winter months and that if conditions call for schools to be closed on a meeting day, that day's meeting will be canceled.Dues for 2017 are now being accepted.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.ESRCThe Eastern Schuylkill Recreation Commission will meet at 6 p.m. on Jan. 26 at the South Ward Community Center, Penn and Oak streets.Meetings will then be held every other month at the same time and place. Other meeting dates include: March 23, May 25, July 28, Sept. 28 and Nov. 16.The commission is also accepting applications for the 2017 Winter Adult Basketball League. Teams may consist of between six and 12 players, with the season tentatively scheduled to begin on Feb. 8. Competition will continue through the beginning of April.Games will be played Wednesday evenings at the Tamaqua Area Middle School gymnasium.For further information, or to register a team (entry fees are required), call ESRC Executive Director Sarah Connely at 570-668-2919.Deadline to register is Feb. 2.West Penn LionsIf helping to make a difference is one of your New Year's resolutions, the West Penn Lions Club is offering to help you keep that resolution.The club meets the first and third Wednesdays of each month as they work toward helping others, both locally and nationally.Meetings are held at 6:30 p.m. in the West Penn Township Annex Building, located just off Route 309 on Municipal Road.This month's meeting will be held onWednesday.For further information, call 570-386-2272.Christmas treesTamaqua's Street Department will be collecting discarded Christmas trees throughout this month. Residents are to place their real trees curbside on their regular trash collection days. Trees will be collected as time and weather permit.Trees must be free of all tinsel and decorations. Residents are also asked to remove any bags that may have been used. Trees may also be dropped off behind the Tamaqua Borough Garage at 421 Rear E. Broad St.No trees will be collected after Jan. 31.St. John LutheranThe Rev. Phyllis Wolford will officiate at this Sunday's 9:15 a.m. worship service in St. John's Lutheran Church. Sunday school and Confirmation classes meet at 10:30 a.m.Also on Sunday, the bell choir will rehearse at noon.Next week, the learning ministry will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday; finance committee will meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday; choirs will rehearse on Thursday - angels at 6 p.m., shepherds at 6:30 p.m., chancel at 7:30 p.m. Also on Thursday, the property committee will meet at 7 p.m.Zion LewistownPastor Jim Williams will officiate at the 10:30 a.m. service this Sunday in Zion Church of the Lewistown Valley. Sunday school classes meet at 9:15 a.m.Bible study sessions are held at 12:30 p.m. on Thursdays.Calvary EvangelicalThe Rev. Phillip Sabas will officiate at the 10:25 a.m. worship service this Sunday in Calvary Evangelical Methodist Church in the Lewistown Valley. Sunday school classes meet at 9:15 a.m.Prayer meetings are held at 7 p.m. Wednesdays.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.Activities for next week include: Wednesday, Tamaqua Youth Ministry meets at 6:30 p.m.; Thursday, worship team practices at 7 p.m., worship leaders meet at 8 p.m.Contact Kathy Kunkel at 570-668-1250 or
kkunkel@tnonline.com. Contact the Times News at 800-443-0377 or