Citizen of the year

The deadline for nominations for the Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce’s Joseph M. Plasko Citizenship and Business of the Year Awards is fast approaching.

The citizenship award is open to all residents of the Tamaqua Area School District, 18 years of age or older.

Nomination forms are available at the chamber office, 37 W. Broad St., Tamaqua, or at the chamber’s website, www.tamaqua.net.

Deadline for nominations will be noon on March 2.

The annual chamber dinner will be held April 26 at the Mountain Valley Golf Course in Barnesville.

For more information, call 570-668-1880.

Tamaqua seniors

The Tamaqua Senior Citizens met Feb. 15 at the Tamaqua YMCA with 47 members in attendance. President Melody Weicker conducted the business session after opening the meeting with the invocation “Don’t Count the Years.” A moment of silence was held in memory of the victims of the school shooting in Florida.

Several new members were given a warm welcome, including: Lee Startzel, Shirley Kaiser, Nancy Eisley and Barbara Cessaro. Norma Baker was added to the sick list.

Diane Gould donated several items to be awarded as prizes, including a Valentine’s Day basket, pizza and hoagies.

Brown bag lunches will be the refreshments until further notice.

January and February birthdays will be celebrated at the next meeting.

The group is open to anyone 55 or older, meeting at 1 p.m. every Thursday at the YMCA.

Program postponed

The free educational program, “The Brain” had to be postponed last weekend due to the weather.

The first of the two part DVD series will now be held at 4 p.m. Feb. 25, at Zion Lutheran Church.

The program is designed to help improve understanding humanity through a better understanding of the human brain. Originally presented by PBS, it is considered appropriate material for those 14 and older.

The first DVD deals with issues such as What is reality? What makes me? Who is in control? The second DVD will be presented at a date yet to be determined.

A brief question and answer period will be held following the presentation.

The public is welcome to attend.

Zion Lewistown

Pastor Jim Williams will officiate at the 10:30 a.m. service this Sunday in Zion Church, Lewistown Valley. Sunday school will be held at 9:15 a.m.

This Sunday is also the deadline for CareNet bottles and candy orders.

Next week’s activities include: Tuesday, fundraising committee meets at 6:30 p.m., preschool board meets at 7:30 p.m.; Thursday, Bible study session at 12:30 p.m., guild meeting at 6:30 p.m.

Bethany EC

The 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 on Sunday, a fellowship meal will be held at noon.

Activities for next week include: Monday, Celebrate Recovery men’s training at 5:30 p.m., Celebrate Recovery meets at 6:30 p.m.; Wednesday, Celebrate Recovery women’s training at 10 a.m., TYM REMIX meets at 6:30 p.m., TYM staff meet at 8 p.m.; Thursday, musician practice at 7 p.m., worship leaders meet at 7:30 p.m.

TYM REMIX will participate in the “Refreshing Mountain Retreat” from Feb. 23 through Feb. 25.

Library news

As February comes to a close, there are a few days left to take advantage of the Tamaqua Public Library’s gently used book sale.

It’s also time for the monthly young adult meeting, which will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 26. This month’s topic is the multitude of cartoons created by Hanna-Barbera.

The next adult book discussion will be held at 6 p.m. on Feb. 26.

The library is participating in Schuylkill County’s version of “cupcake wars.” The event will be held at the Fairlane Village Mall in Pottsville on March 11. Bakers and tasters are needed.

Leading up to the event, there is a cupcake coloring contest for children up to age 12. Coloring sheets are available at the library and must be returned by March 1.

There are small fees involved in the cupcake war. All proceeds will benefit Schuylkill County libraries.

For more information, call 570-668-4660.

The library is located at 30 S. Railroad St., Tamaqua.

Tax exemptions

The Tamaqua Area School District is accepting Assessed Occupation Tax exemption applications for the 2018-19 school year. This will cover the 2018 calendar year. This year’s forms are pink.

Retired people and those with no earned income who have previously been exempted do not need to file again unless their status has changed and they are now earning income.

Also, those who are disabled or at least 75 years of age who have been specifically notified of their exemption by the district need not file an application.

Students who reach the age of 18 by June 30, 2018, will be responsible for paying the tax unless exempt by application.

Requests for exemption must be filed with the district by March 1, 2018.

Application forms are available at the school district administration building, all tax collectors’ offices, Tamaqua Borough Hall, the Tamaqua Public Library, and all post offices and bank branches within the district.

Rush Ryan seniors

The Rush-Ryan-Delano Senior Citizens met Feb. 13 at the Ryan Township Fire Company with 36 members in attendance. President Eleanor Schmerfeld conducted the business session after opening the meeting with the invocation “Anyway.”

A moment of silence was held in memory of Faye Sweeney. Lucille Sparr, Nancy Godanis, Lorraine Lupcho, Joan Brown and Pat Brown were added to the sick list.

Birthday wishes were extended to Norma Lee Burke and Eleanor Schmerfeld.

Upcoming events were discussed, including: March 22 trip to Mohegan Sun Casino; April nomination of officers; May 1 trip to Penn’s Peak for Branson Fever; June 6 trip to Knoebel’s Grove.

The group is open to anyone 55 or older.

St. John Lutheran

The Rev. Phyllis Wolford will officiate at this Sunday’s 9:15 a.m. worship service in St. John’s Lutheran Church.

Also on Sunday, bells will meet at 8 a.m.; Confirmation, First Holy Communion and Sunday school classes meet at 10:30 a.m.; adult class will reorganize after the worship service.

Activities for next week include: Wednesday, midweek Lenten service, 7 p.m., at St. John’s; Thursday, angel choir rehearses at 6 p.m., shepherd choir meets at 6:30 p.m. and the chancel choir practices at 7:30 p.m.

Calvary Lewistown

The Rev. Philip Sabas will officiate at the 10:25 a.m. worship service this Sunday in Calvary Evangelical Methodist Church in the Lewistown Valley. Special music will be provided by Chiz Rider, trumpeter from State College.

Sunday school classes meet at 9:15 a.m.

Also on Sunday, Chiz Rider will offer a gospel concert at 6:30 p.m.

Contact Kathy Kunkel at 570-668-1250 or kkunkel@tnonline.com. Contact the Times News at 800-443-0377 or tneditor@tnonline.com.