Tick warning

The Tick Research Lab of Pennsylvania has announced that the American dog and Lonestar ticks are less active during the winter months. However, blacklegged (deer) ticks are still active, so there could be hitchhikers in your backyard.

For preventive tips contact: Tick Research Lab of PA, 562 Independence Rd., Suite 114, East Stroudsburg PA18301 wildlifedna@esu.edu or call 570-422-3139.

United Way

Pocono Mountains United Way is glad to share some statistics with the community.

In 2023, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program completed 219, which generated $184,266 in refunds.

In addition U.S. Sen. Bob Casey also visited the site to learn about the program and speak to the VITA volunteers.

On Giving Tuesday, $29,000 was raised, including a special $1,000 for most funds raised through the AllOne Foundation.

On Jan. 19, there will be free training open to all nonprofit staff, volunteers, and board members of Monroe and Pike counties on the topic of LGBTQ+ terminology, concepts, and effective engagement strategies while acquiring practices to create inclusive environments for LGBTQ+ clients and team members.

For more information contact Robyn at 570-517-3956 or go to Robyn@PoconoUnitedWay.org.

Soup sales

Effort UMC has announced that the soup sale will resume in January. Being offered are New England clam chowder and/or beef barley.

There will be a sign-up sheet on the church’s Welcome Center.

For more information, call the church at 570-629-1890.

McMichaels UMC

A donation-only breakfast will be served by McMichaels UMC from 8 to 10 a.m. Jan. 13.

A complete breakfast will be served along with coffee, tea, orange juice, and milk.

Everyone is welcome.

The church will also continue to host Alcoholics Anonymous every Wednesday at noon and every Saturday at 6:30 p.m.

One can get the help one needs and desires to overcome a problem or maintain accomplishments. The meetings are free and confidential.

The church also offers Bible study every Thursday evening from 7 to 8 p.m. on Zoom.

Anyone interested in joining the group, is asked to call pastor Ed at 610-597-1030.

Open museum

The Ross Township Historical Society museum will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 13, and every second Saturday of each month thereafter at the same time.

There is no charge for admission and all are welcome to view photographs, artifacts and items specific to historical Ross Township. The museum is located at 258 Anchorage Road, Saylorsburg.

For more information contact judyj@ptd.net or visit the website at rosshistoricalsociety.com.

Jesus Day

Our Lady Queen of Peace Church is hosting Jesus Day from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Jan. 16. The snow date is Jan. 17.

Church families are invited to begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. for an evening of fun and learning.

Among the components: work with wood in Joseph’s carpenter’s shop; make bread and butter in Mary’s kitchen; try writing in Hebrew; visit the pottery shop to make something out of clay; and much more, including tasting foods that Jesus probably ate as a child.

Think spring

A trip to the March 4 Philadelphia Flower Show has been announced by Chestnuthill Township’s Aralee Thieling, Program Coordinator, for March 4, 2024.

The bus is slated to leave 8 a.m. and return at 7 p.m.

For costs, other information and to reserve a spot, call 570-992-7247 or email athieling@chestnuthilltwp-pa.gov.

Church need

Our Lady Queen of Peace Church is seeking a part-time bilingual secretary to start as soon as possible.

For details contact the church office by email at churchoffice@qopchurch.org or call 610-681-6137.

First meeting

Operation Touch of Home has announced that its first meeting of the new year will be at 7 p.m. March 12.

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