Deadline extended

The deadline to apply for the state's 2016 Property Tax/Rent Rebate program is being extended from June 30 to Dec. 31, Rep. Jack Rader, R-Monroe, has announced.Eligible participants can receive a rebate of up to $650 based on their rent or property taxes paid in 2016. The program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians who are 65 years or older, widows and widowers 50 years or older, and those 18 years or older with disabilities.For income eligibility limits, contact Rader's office at 570-620-4341, or visit his website at

www.RepRader.com.Residents are reminded that they need not pay a private entity for assistance in filing the forms. Copies of the forms, as well as assistance with filing them, are available at Rader's office in Effort at no cost. Applicants should be prepared to provide all the necessary income, property tax or rental information required to process claims quickly and accurately.Community workPleasant Valley Assembly of God Church, Brodheadsville, is having several days of outreach to community this week. On Tuesday they worked at the Garden of Giving from morning until 3 p.m.Today they are hands-on at the Chestnuthill Park in Brodheadsville. On Thursday a group will be working at the West End Regional Park on Evergreen Hollow Road in Effort. On Friday, the day has been dedicated to working at the church in Brodheadsville.Two commissionedDori Hurley and Jacki Douglas were both commissioned as two of the first three lay ministers from the Scranton Roman Catholic Diocese by Bishop Bambera at a Mass last week. Both are from Our Lady Queen of Peace Church parish.They completed a three-year program to attain the certificate in lay ministry in the diocese.Man Up meetsAt 7 p.m. Wednesdays at Kinsley's ShopRite in Brodheadsville, Man Up from Pleasant Valley Assembly of God meets to learn. The group is currently studying the book of Acts. The men are having a breakfast on July 1 at the church in Brodheadsville.Mission mealThe West End Mission Meal for those in need will be takeout only this Thursday. It is available from 4:40- 5:45 p.m.SAL meetsSons of the American Legion will meet at 11 a.m. Sunday at the Legion Post Home in Gilbert.Ross SupersThe Board of Supervisors for Ross Township will meet at 7 p.m. Monday at the Ross Township Municipal Building on Anchorage Road in Saylorsburg.Monroe SeniorsThe Chestnuthill group of Monroe Seniors will meet in the Zion Lutheran Church's Fellowship Hall Friday. The menu option for the hot meal is glazed pork roast.For meal reservations, call 570-242-6770 or 570-420-3735 by 11 a.m. the day before.The menus have not been posted for July as of this column's deadline.Fair scholarshipThe West End Fair is offering a West End Fair Queen scholarship of $500 for the first-place winner. The rules include: It is open to young resident women of Monroe County between the ages of 16 and 20; applicants must be single, never married and no children; behave according to the behavior policy; meet all the requirements at the West End Fair; and follow dress code mandates for being at the fair.For more information or to apply, go to:

www.thewestendfair.com/events/281 or email the fair at

wefqueen@gmail.com.Applications are due by Saturday.Grants receivedThe Garden of Giving has been honored at the Lehigh Valley Health Network - Pocono Foundation's reception where it accepted the Dr. Claus D. Jordan and the Dr. Alberta Finch grants, both of which will help fund the expansion of the Garden's capabilities.The free Family Fun Day held mid-June, as the organized by August Randazzo, who made increased awareness of The Garden of Giving his Eagle Scout service project, was deemed a great success with the help of supporting groups, volunteers who manned the tent to raise funds, donors and attendees.It was held on the grounds leased to the Garden by the Pleasant Valley Presbyterian Church. That will enable the Garden of Giving to expand its growing and education capabilities for the next 10 yearsThe Garden of Giving is now open 9 a.m. to noon every day, except every other Sunday.On Saturday, there will be a special presentation at 10 a.m., Companion Planting, by board member Carolyn Jones.The Garden welcomes Will Crasdale as the newest board member, yet is still seeking a CPA.For more information on any event or on how to help at The Garden of Giving, call 570-402-1282 or email

gardenofgiving@gmail.com.Benefit setThe Southern Pocono Mission Connexion of the United Methodist Church, including Effort, McMichaels, Neola and St. Peter's UMC churches, will be holding a fundraising car wash from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at St. Peter's UMC, next to Dollar General in Saylorsburg, to raise money for an EMT/Firefighter Appreciation Day which will be heldAug. 6.There is a requested donation.Men's GroupOur Lady Queen of Peace Church's Men's Group will meet from 6:45 to 8

p.m.July 5 in Room 116 or outside, weather permitting. All men ages 18 and over are welcome.Eldred supervisorsThe next meeting of the Eldred Township Board of Supervisors will be at 7:30

p.m.July 5, at the municipal building in Kunkletown.A hearing will also take place to review, and if appropriate, enact ordinance 2017-01 to reduce the speed limit on Meixsell Valley Road.Old-Tyme clubThe next club meeting of the Pocono Old-Tyme Farm Equipment Association isJuly 6 at the West End Fairgrounds in Gilbert.Members are requested to arrive around 5:30 p.m.There will be a short meeting, potluck supper and show setup for the club's 22nd annual show, being held July 7, 8 and 9, at the fairgrounds in Gilbert.Life Line screeningEffort United Methodist Church will host Life Line Screening onJuly 6, offering safe, painless, noninvasive preventive health screenings that are typically not a part of a routine physical.For more information and costs, contact the church at 570-629-1890.Blood driveOur Lady Queen of Peace is hosting an American Red Cross blood drive from 1-6

p.m.July 11 in McCawley Hall. Both blood and Power Red will be accepted.A Power Red donation collects the red cells but returns most of the plasma and platelets to the donor. These donors must meet specific eligibility requirements and have type A Neg, B Neg or O blood.Walk-ins and registered donors are welcome.For more information, call 800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767) for availability.Winery fundraiserThe West End Park and Open Space Commission is hosting a wine-tasting fundraiser at the Blue Ridge Winery, on Blue Ridge Road in Saylorsburg from 1-4

p.m.July 15.In addition to the tasting, the event will include a tour, music by George Baier, a basket raffle, etc.Tickets are available at Ross and Chestnuthill townships or from any board member.For cost and other information visit

www.weposc.orgThe event benefits the future leash-free regional dog park.Contact Adele Argot at 717-933-4028 or

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

tneditor@tnonline.com.