Blood drive

The American Red Cross has a drive scheduled at the Northampton Community College Pocono Hall in Tannersville today from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Both blood and Power Red will be accepted.

Miller-Keystone collects blood donations at the Western Pocono Community Library in Brodheadsville the first and third Wednesday of the month. The next drive is also scheduled for today, beginning at noon.

Community dinner

Zion Lutheran Church is hosting its next free community dinner at 5 p.m. today.

Eldred meeting

The board of supervisors for Eldred Township is slated to meet at 7 tonight at the Municipal Building on Kunkletown Road in Kunkletown.

Verify the meeting by checking the website or calling 610-381-4252.

The Planning Commission is slated to meet at 7 p.m. Thursday at the municipal building as well.

To confirm the meeting, call the township at the above number.

League meeting

The West End Little League is holding its open meeting at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Chestnuthill Township Park building on Route 715 in Brodheadsville.

Effort pantry

The SFRC Food Pantry at Effort UMC will be open from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday. For more information call the center at 570-629-1890.

Winter Fair held

A West End Winter Fair is being held at the West End Fairgrounds in Gilbert from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

There will be bands, food, vendors, tricky tray, hayrides, s’mores, fire barrels, lantern releases and much more.

Check it out at: www.thewestendfair.com. There is a small charge per vehicle.

Anyone who would like to be a vendor can all Sue at 570-856-0502 or email hills@ptd.net.

Lanternfly update

Monroe County Conservation District’s Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center is holding a spotted lanternfly update on Saturday at 10 a.m. to learn about this invasive insect. Matt Giambra will lead the discussion of what it is, where it’s at, and where people can go from here. There is a cost for nonmembers and children under 12. Center members attend for free.

For more information, call the Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center at 570-629-3061.

Polk meeting

The Polk Township Supervisors are slated to meet at 7 p.m. Monday at the township municipal building in Kresgeville.

Knit & Crochet

Zion Lutheran’s Knit & Crochet group is meeting at 1 p.m. Tuesday on the church complex in Brodheadsville. Newcomers are welcome.

Night of Unity

The annual Night of Unity will again be held at the Pleasant Valley High School. It is slated to take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday. The snow date is Feb. 26.

Many organizations will be present.

WE Republicans

The West End Republican Club and friends will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Cherry’s Family Restaurant in Kresgeville. Those wishing to have dinner at their own expense before the meeting should arrive at 6 p.m.

Mardi Gras event

Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, Gilbert, is celebrating Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras from 6 to 8 p.m. in McCawley Hall.

There will be food, music, piñatas, fasnachts, and more before Ash Wednesday begins the Lenten season with its fasting.

Ashes to go

Zion Lutheran Church, Brodheadsville, is again offering Ashes-to-go on Ash Wednesday from 8 to 9:30 a.m. and from 3 to 5:30 p.m. in the parking lot.

There will be a special Ash Wednesday worship service in the church at 7:30 p.m.

Lent begins

• Effort UMC will have an Ash Wednesday service, beginning with a Lenten study based on the book “Excellence: Run with the Horses,” by Eugene Peterson. The study, for those who registered by Feb. 16, begins at 5:45 p.m. following the soup and salad supper from 5:30 to 5:45.

The worship service begins at 7 p.m.

• Our Lady Queen of Peace church will offer Mass at 12:10 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.

St. Matthew’s UCC, Kunkletown, will be having its Ash Wednesday service after a 6 p.m. simple supper of soup made by Laymen’s and other small dishes brought by others. The service will begin at 7 p.m.

• Salem-St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Kresgeville, will have a short service at noon with the Imposition of Ashes and Holy Communion.

There will be another service with the Imposition of Ashes and Holy Communion at 7 p.m.

School board meets

The Pleasant Valley School District will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday in the district office in Brodheadsville.

Chestnuthill Seniors

As the group meets this Friday in Zion’s Fellowship Hall, the first activity is Healthy Steps in Motion. That begins at 10 a.m. and continues to 10:30 a.m. Then, for the next hour, it’s paint and sip. The lunch hour begins at 11:30 a.m.

Next Wednesday it is canasta time for 90 minutes.

The light lunch on Friday is egg salad, green bean salad, nectarine, juice and two slices of whole grain bread.

The regular lunch is 10-grain pollock, carrots, broccoli and pineapple tidbits.

Next Wednesday’s light lunch is pork and relish sandwich, carrot and raisin salad, diced pears, whole wheat bun.

The regular menu offers meatloaf, broccoli, peas and carrots, and a mango.

Attendees are reminded to call either 570-420-3735 or 570-242-6770 to give notice of their respective choices by 11 a.m. the day before.

Bus trip ahead

West End Park and Open Space Commission is sponsoring a bus trip to the Philadelphia Flower Show on March 2. This year’s theme is Riviera Holiday. It is inspired by the world’s exotic Mediterranean Gardens. Chat with garden experts, visit top floral designers and purchase cut flowers in the Market Place. Lunch is on one’s own at the Convention Center or the nearby popular Reading Terminal Market.

The bus leaves Chestnuthill Park at 8 a.m. and returns at 6 p.m. For cost and other information, call 570-992-9733 or contact bkozen@weposc.org.

Scholarship time

The Monroe County Conservation District and members of the Stanley Becker family are pleased to announce applications are now being accepted for the 13th annual Stanley Becker Memorial Scholarship. This $500 scholarship will be awarded to a graduating senior in Monroe County who is planning on attending college and majoring in an environmental field. To apply, students may print an application or apply online at www.mcconservation.org. Deadline for applications is March 27, 2020.

For more information, call the Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center at 570-629-3061, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and some Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Elk viewing

Monroe County Conservation District’s Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center is sponsoring an elk viewing trip to the Pennsylvania Wilds.

The three-day bus trip will be offered this coming Sept. 14-16. The past trips were a big success, numerous elk were observed during each trip and participants heard the bulls’ bugling calls.

This year’s trips will not only feature elk viewing opportunities, but also stops at several state parks, including the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon.

A complete schedule and cost is on the website, or call the Conservation District and the information will be sent.

Space is limited to 13 people for each trip.

The office is open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. most Saturdays.

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