Coloring winners

There were 44 entries in the recent West End Park and Open Space Commission turkey coloring contest.

The winners include Troy/Joel Howey, 4, of Ross Township, in the ages 3-5 category.

In the ages 6-8 category the winner was 7-year-old Adilyn Beal from Jackson Township.

And in the 9-11 ages category 10-year-old Samantha Ianelli of Chestnuthill Township was the winner.

These turkeys were slated to be hand-delivered by Pack 98 Cub Scouts to Getz Nursing home the night before Thanksgiving to help brighten the residents’ holiday.

Advent preparation

The congregation of Effort UMC will begin decorating the church and preparing the sanctuary for Advent and Christmas at 10 a.m. Friday.

Santa is scheduled to visit the children of families already signed up on Saturday at the family Christmas celebration that begins at 5:30 p.m.

Senior lunchtime

Those attending the Chestnuthill Senior Center as part of Monroe County Seniors on Friday can order cheese ravioli for their lunch. The Dec. 5 choice is an Italian wrap, as well as low-salt chips, sliced peaches, Jello, yogurt and milk.

The order must be placed by 11 a.m. the day before with the site manager at 570-242-6770.

Blood drive

With the weather and the many accidents, blood donations are sorely needed. The American Legion Post 927 in Gilbert will host an American Red Cross blood drive from 1 to 6 p.m. Friday. Both Power Red and regular blood donations will be accepted.

Polk Historical

Members and friends of The Polk Township Historical Society will hold their annual Christmas gathering on Saturday at Cherry’s Sunset Family Restaurant in Kresgeville.

They will be meeting for lunch at 11:30 a.m. and order separately off the regular menu and pay their own tabs.

This is a great opportunity to get know the Polk Township Historical Society and its members. Call Pat at 610-681-8984 if planning to attend.

The group hopes to see more of the community present.

Sponsor a maple

The Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center is once again promoting its Sponsor-A-Maple Tree program. Help Monroe County students by sponsoring one of their maple trees. Sponsoring a tree includes many benefits: receipt of a certificate of sponsorship, a map of the sugarbush showing the location of the tree, a pint of pure maple syrup and free admission for up to four people to the Center’s Annual Public Maple Sugaring Day on March 2, 2019.

For costs of sponsoring a tree and other information call the Center at 570-629-3061, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday or visit the center website at www.mcconservation.org to download a sponsorship form and a schedule of the programs offered.

Old Time Christmas

Quiet Valley’s Old Time Christmas will held on Dec. 1, 2, 8 and 9.

It includes a Victorian skit, a cabin story, a visit from the Belsnickel, seasonal carols, candlelight, a live Nativity, and so much more. There are a bonfire, complimentary refreshments and gift shopping.

Tours are every 15 minutes and begin from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

For more information including admission costs, call Quiet Valley at 570-992-6161 or go to quietvalley.org.

Volunteers needed

Retired Senior Volunteer Program is seeking new volunteers to conduct interactive presentations that address situations like home fires, floods, etc.

All training is provided by American Red Cross in group sessions. One must be comfortable presenting the subject in a classroom setting and enjoy young children. Red Cross will provide necessary additional clearances that may be needed.

Also, Blood Drive Ambassadors are needed to assist with registration and refreshments. They must be positive, upbeat and enjoy meeting new people. All training is provided. This is an ongoing volunteer opportunity. Volunteers will be called as needed.

Additional clearance may be required; they will be provided by the agency. For these and other volunteer opportunities call RSVP at 570-420-3747. The office is located at 411 Main St., Suite 102B Stroudsburg.

Santa luncheon

A Santa luncheon will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Pleasant Valley Elementary School.

Christmas luncheon

Church Women United of Monroe County invites everyone to its Christmas covered-dish luncheon at noon on Saturday at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 9 N. Ninth St., Stroudsburg, which is serving as host site.

Attendees are asked to use the back entrance.

For more information call 570-629-0649.

Contest winner

Amateur photographer Lora Kuehner of Saylorsburg has won the honor of having her photo on the cover of the 2019 calendar because she won the Monroe County Conservation District’s photo contest focused on Monroe County’s natural resources.

There is an opening reception from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 1 at the Monroe County Conservation District building on Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. The reception marks the beginning of the exhibit that will run from Dec. 1 through Jan. 31, 2019.

At that time the winners of the contest will be revealed and the top 12 photos will be available on a 2019 calendar.

Proceeds from calendar sales will benefit Environmental Education programs at Kettle Creek.

For more information, call the Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center at 570-629-3061, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, and some Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information on other programs being offered, visit www.mcconservation.org.

Tree lighting

Ross Township invites residents to come to the annual tree lighting at the VanBuskirk/Haney Park in Saylorsburg at 4 p.m. Saturday.

The event will include singing Christmas carols around the tree and having some cookies and hot chocolate inside while waiting for Santa Claus to arrive on a fire truck and then listening to the wishes children have.

Families may bring a camera to take photos for pictures with Santa. Nonperishable food items for PVEN and new unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots will be collected.

Deer removal

At a time when there are many dead deer on the roads, call the Monroe County Waste Authority at the toll-free number 888-502-6055.

Contact Adele Argot at 717-933-4028 or arargot3@verizon.net. Contact the Times News at 800-443-0377 or tneditor@tnonline.com.