Tamaqua News
Drug take back day
The Tamaqua Police Department will participate in National Drug Take Back Day this Saturday.Unused and no-longer needed drugs may be taken to the Tamaqua Police Station, rear 320 E. Broad St., between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.The nationwide event is designed to provide a safe, convenient and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse and medications.Blessing shopThe Blessing Shop at New Life Assembly of God Church will be open from 9 a.m. until noon on Saturday.The church is located at 407 Schuylkill Ave.Items to be given new homes, for free, include clothing, shoes, books, music, toys and household items. Anyone in need is welcome.Tamaqua seniorsThe Tamaqua Senior Citizens met April 20 with 56 members in attendance. President Melody Weicker conducted the business session and provided the inspirational reading "The Glory That Is Springtime."Faye Sweeney was added to the sick list and James Duke was welcomed as a new member.Guest speaker Colleen Grosek spoke to the group about a Medicare Advantage Plan offered by Vibra health plan.Nathan Gerace, a candidate for Tamaqua mayor, will be the guest speaker at the next meeting, which will be held on April 27.The meeting will also include a celebration of March and April birthdays. Upcoming events include: May 11, basket raffle; May 15, trip to Mohegan Sun Casino.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.Soup socialThe next monthly community soup social at Trinity United Church of Christ will be heldMay 6. The social will be held from 4-6 p.m. in the social hall.The meal is free to the public, and everyone is welcome to enjoy the soup, desserts, refreshments and time with friends.For more information or to volunteer, stop by the church at 22 Lafayette St. or call 570-668-4139.Community giveawayThe Tamaqua Community Volunteers will hold its next community giveaway on Saturdayat the M & M Storage Center, next to the car wash on Rose Street at the north end of town.Anyone wishing to donate items should arrive between 8 and 9 a.m., with the giveaway scheduled to begin at 9:15 a.m.Donated items should be clean and odor free. The group is not able to provide pickup service.The only items not accepted are televisions, computer monitors and obvious trash.In the event of rain, the event will be held the following day, April 30, same time.For more information, call 570-668-1234 or visit the volunteers' Facebook page.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: Tuesday, prayer gathering at 8:30 a.m.; Wednesday, Easter experience growth group meets at 1 p.m., Tamaqua Youth Ministry meets at 6:30 p.m., GriefShare meets at 7 p.m.: Thursday, Daniel plan growth group meets at 6 p.m., membership matters meets at 6:30 p.m., worship team meets at 7 p.m., worship team leaders meet at 8 p.m.; Saturday, church workday begins at 9 a.m.Also on May 4, Bethany will host the National Day of Prayer event, at noon, at Tamaqua Borough Hall, 320 E. Broad St. All are welcome.Movie nightBethany Evangelical Congregational Church, 223 E. Broad St., will present a Family Movie Night on Saturdayin conjunction with the Stamp Out Hunger Campaign.The film will be "Priceless," which is based on a true story in the fight against human trafficing. Admission is a nonperishable food item.The presentation will begin at 6:30 p.m.Other events planned as part of the hunger campaign are the "Empty Bowl Dinner" from 6 to 4:30 p.m. on May 6 and the Tamaqua Hunger Walk on May 7.The events are sponsored by the Tamaqua Area Faith Fellowship Network, a nonprofit organization under the umbrella of the Tamaqua Area Community Partnership.Business womenThe Tamaqua Business and Professional Women's Club will meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesdayat the Tamaqua Station Restaurant.The dinner meeting will provide individual choices from the restaurant's full menu.The program for the evening will be the "Our Town" PBS project, which will be presented by Larissa Verta.The April "paint and palette" event was deemed a success as 38 members and 4 prospective members participated.Anyone interested in supporting working women is welcome to attend the dinner meeting or any BPW event.Library newsThe Tamaqua Public Library is joining the PA One Book/Every Young Child event onSaturday.Children up to the age of 5 who attend will be given a free copy of the book "Daniel Finds a Poem" (while supplies last) between the hours of 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. The book was written by Micha Archer.Older siblings are also welcome to explore all that the library offers.Free Comic Book Day is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on May 6.Book clubThe Bucket List Book Club's May meeting will review the selection "The World According to Garp."Written by John Irving, the novel deals with extreme feminism and the many facets of sexuality, especially as a source of heartbreak.The meeting will be held at 7
p.m.Wednesday at the Tamaqua Community Art Center, 125 Pine St. For more information, call 570-668-1192.New members are always welcome.Calvary ECThe Rev. Phillip Sabas will officiate at the 10:25 a.m. worship service in Calvary United Methodist Church in the Lewistown Valley. Sunday school for all ages is at 9:15 a.m.The 75th anniversary of the church will be celebrated during the 10:25 a.m. service on Sunday, followed by a luncheon.To make reservations for the luncheon, call 570-668-3359.St. Peter's UnionSunday worship services in St. Peter's Union Church in Mantzville are held at 9 a.m. Sunday school classes meet at 10:15 a.m.Also on Sunday, the Confirmation class will meet at 11 a.m.; a VBS organizational meeting will be held at 11:15 a.m.; Girl and Cub Scouts will meet at 6 p.m.Next week's activities include: Thursday, National Day of Prayer, no choir practices; Saturday, youth group sponsored sip and paint at 1 p.m.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.The choirs rehearse on Thursdays - angels at 6 p.m.; shepherds at 6:30 p.m.; chancel at 7:30 p.m.Zion LewistownPastor Jim Williams will officiate at the 10:30 a.m. worship service this Holy Grounds Sunday in Zion Church of Lewistown Valley. Coffee, drinks and pastries will be available on the first floor.Sunday school will meet at 9:15 a.m.Bible study sessions are held at 12:30 p.m. Thursdays.A LuLaRoe fundraiser will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. onSaturday, in the social hall.Contact Kathy Kunkel at 570-668-1250 or
kkunkel@tnonline.com. Contact the Times News at 800-443-0377 or