Groundhog Day

Friday, at approximately 6:30 a.m., a local tradition calls for a Pennsylvania Dutch gathering at Cherry’s Restaurant in Kresgeville to have breakfast and then gathering outside around 7 to 7:15 a.m., courtesy of Grundsow Lodge #6 and other Lodges’ members and community guests, to see what the groundhog says in terms of the yearly weather prognostication.

President of the Grundsow Lodge #6 is Hauptman Bruce George. He says the group’s annual dinner will on Feb. 23, at the Polk Township Vol. Fire Company.

Fellow Hauptman of local Grundsow Lodge #10 is Kenny Oswald. Their annual dinner is April 5. More information to follow.

Seniors menu

The Chestnuthill Senior Center is meeting Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Brodheadsville.

The lunch choices for those attending are baked fish or spinach salad.

Meal reservations must be called in by 10 a.m. one day in advance.

Holy Communion

Salem-St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Kresgeville, will offer Holy Communion at its 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. services of Feb. 4 and Feb. 11.

February breakfast

Kunkletown Volunteer Fire Company is hosting a breakfast buffet from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. Feb. 4.

Bingo Sunday

St. Matthew UCC’s Social Hall in Kunkletown is the host site for the Monroe County Rotary Club’s Designer Bingo taking place this Sunday. Doors open at noon. Bingo starts at 1 p.m. Chips & daubers are needed and food will be available as offered for sale by the CIA.

Hearts & Crafts

From St. Matthew’s UCC comes word of the annual Hearts & Crafts Faith and Family Fun Night taking place from 6 to 8 p.m., Feb. 9.

Participants will decorate cookies, make cards and crafts as gifts, play Valentine Bingo, and Miss Dora will lead the lesson about “Measuring God’s Love.” It will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. in the social hall.

Recipes accepted

The Western Pocono Community Library is collecting recipes for a new community cookbook until Feb. 16. Submission forms are available at the Circulation Desk, or one can submit a recipe on the library’s website.

Spaghetti takeout

Salem-St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Kresgeville, is holding a spaghetti takeout dinner Saturday, Feb. 17, with dinner pickups from 4 to 5:30 p.m.

The full meal will include spaghetti and meatballs, salad with celery seed dressing and garlic bread.

Orders can be placed and cost information can be obtained by calling the church at 610-681-5191.

Deadline tomorrow

Fun Science Saturday is taking place from 9 a.m. to noon, Feb. 17, at the Chestnuthill Park. Registration is due tomorrow.

Anyone interested in registering or have questions may email: athieling@chestnuthilltwp-pa.gov or call 570-992-7247.

The event promises much learning, including the science of magic, movie effects, and toys.

Story Time

Saturday is Take Your Child to the Library Day. The Western Pocono Community Library will be having a special Story Time at 10 a.m.

Purpose focus

Pleasant Valley Presbyterian, Brodheadsville, has announced its Feb. sermon’s focus: Our Purpose.

Coming this Sunday at 10 a.m. is: Our Purpose - Sharing our Faith.

Celebrating family

Salem-St. Paul’s Lutheran Church will host a Family and Youth event Sunday, beginning at 11:15 a.m.

There will be games and crafts, a Bible story, a service project (making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches) and a light lunch.

Sunday shoot

Kunkletown Rod & Gun Club will hold its next block shoot and meat raffle at the Kunkletown Rod & Gun Club at 122 Gun Club Lane, Saylorsburg, on Sunday, beginning at 11 a.m. It is a 12-gauge shotgun event only. The public is welcome.

For more information call 610-381-3215.

Art show opens

The Wide Blue Sky, by Chester Rideout, will be the Monroe County Conservation District’s February art show in the Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center from Tuesday through Feb. 29. It is a collection of photographs from his many adventures although the artist is deceased since June 12, 2023, when he died from ALS, which he had contracted in early 2023.

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

For more information on other programs being offered, visit www.mcconservation.org.

Valentine’s Potluck

Pleasant Valley Presbyterian has planned a Valentine’s Day potluck for the church family again.

It will be held Friday, Feb. 16, beginning at 6 p.m.

Bring a dish to share for a night of fun, food & fellowship. It is for church adults who are asked to bring a friend or two. See Ann or call the church office for more information.

Maple sugaring

Monroe County Conservation District’s Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center has announced its Public Maple Sugaring Days set for two Saturdays, March 2 and 9.

Environmental Educators will lead the Public Maple Sugaring Days and share learn the history of pure maple syrup, how it is made give participants a taste a sample of the pure maple syrup on pancakes.

The event includes a 90-minute tour of the sugarbush focusing on the history of maple syrup from the Native Americans to the early settlers in this region. Attendees can learn how to “tap” a maple tree to obtain sap, and watch how to cook the sap until it is sweet maple syrup is demonstrated.

Preregistration is required by calling 570-629-3061. Participants may choose a time from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for their 90-minute tour.

There is a cost. Tree sponsors attend free of charge.

Attendees are asked to dress appropriately for the weather Including shoes appropriate for trail walking.

Philly flower show

A Philadelphia Flower Show bus trip is hosted by Chestnuthill Township’s Park Commission on March 4.

Attendees are to be at the site for leaving at 7:45 a.m.

To obtain cost, other information and make a reservation call 570-992-7247 or contact athieling@chestnuthilltwp-pa.gov.

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