Board reorganizing

The Pleasant Valley School District Board of Education is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. Thursday for its reorganization meeting.

Eastern Star

Monroe Chapter 99 of the Order of the Eastern Star will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Rimrock Masonic Center, Stroudsburg.

Emergency plans

The Office of Emergency Management is offering a presentation on emergency planning from 9:30-11 a.m. Dec. 10 at the Chestnuthill Senior Center, Zion Lutheran Church, Brodheadsville.

Cannoli pickup

Folks who ordered cannoli from Zion Lutheran Church, Brodheadsville, are reminded that the orders need to be picked up between noon and 3 p.m. Saturday.

Angel tree gifts

Various West End churches are involved in the Pleasant Valley Ecumenical Network’s angel tree program, which allows the PVEN to help families in need to provide Christmas gifts for their children in Chestnuthill, Eldred, Hamilton, Jackson, Polk and Ross townships.

Anyone shopping for an angel tree child must have that unwrapped gift to PVEN by Saturday.

Polk history

The Polk Township Historical Society will meet at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Kresgeville Eatery, 593 Interchange Road, Kresgeville, for the group’s Christmas dinner.

All citizens interested in local history are invited. Anyone planning to attend is asked call Norm Burger at 610-681-7561 and leave your name and the number of people planning to attend.

Award dinner

Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, Brodheadsville, is holding a family pasta and meatball award dinner from 5:30-9:30 p.m. Saturday in McCawley Hall.

There is a cost, but children are free. Tickets must be purchased in advance, and dessert donations are welcomed.

The event is sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Council 7141.

Communion set

St. John’s Lutheran, Effort, will offer Holy Communion at its 9:30 a.m. Sunday worship service. Grape juice and gluten-free wafers are available.

Congregation meeting

Salem-St. Paul Lutheran Church, Kresgeville, will hold a congregational meeting at 10:20 a.m. Sunday.

Holiday craft fair

Pleasant Valley High School cheerleading is hosting a Christmas Craft Fair from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday in the new gym at the high school in Brodheadsville.

Christmas caroling

Zion Lutheran, Brodheadsville, will go Christmas caroling on Sunday. Participants will meet at the Parish Hall at noon for a light lunch. At 1:30 participants will leave to carol to Zion’s homebound members and friends. Snow time and date is 5 p.m. Dec. 12.

For folks attending the 10:30 a.m. Sunday worship at Zion, the church anticipates having the Memory and Remembrance Tree decorated with new mittens, gloves, socks, scarves, underwear and hats that will be donated to the Pleasant Valley Ecumenical Network.

Holy Communion will be part of the worship service.

Blue Christmas service

Effort UMC will hold a Blue Christmas service at 3 p.m. Sunday. It will feature special music and hymns, selected Scripture, candle lighting and the poem “Blue Christmas” by Cathy Wells.

Kunkletown Christmas

St. Matthew’s EC Church is hosting a Kunkletown Christmas at 6 p.m. Sunday.

It will feature RJ Cramer and friends, the church choir and more.

RSVP requested

The Young Adult group (ages 18-35) at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church is slated to meet at 6 p.m. Sunday at the rectory for a potluck dinner and desserts. The topic for discussion will be Christmas themed.

RSVPs are requested by today by emailing youthminister@qopchurch.org.

Cookie exchange

The Ladies Auxiliary of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Effort, will meet at noon Monday.

A cookie exchange will be featured at the meeting. Attendees are asked to bring three dozen of the same cookies and a covered dish for lunch. All women of St. John’s are welcome to attend.

The group will continue to collect nonperishable foods for the Pleasant Valley Ecumenical Network and Valor. Donated items should be placed in the baskets in the vestibule or the Fellowship Room.

QV Christmas

Quiet Valley, Monroe County’s living historical farm, will host its Old Time Christmas on two weekends: this Saturday and Sunday and also Dec. 13 and 14. The tours for visitors will run about every 15 minutes, from 2:30-7 p.m.

The event will feature seven different “stations” each day, ranging from the live Nativity and caroling to Pennsylvania German traditions and Christmas Tales of Yore, to the Belsnickel visit, handcrafted gifts and tasty baked treats.

For more information, call 570-992-6161.

Soup orders due

The Seed Sowers of Salem-St. Paul is accepting orders for its soups, Chicken Noodle Soup for the Soul and The Good Shepherd’s Hearty Chili, through Sunday.

Pickup is set for Dec. 13 at the church.

For cost and even a cost discount, call 570-688-5381.

Wreath sponsors

Wreaths Across America will take place on Dec. 13. For more information on the event or how to sponsor a wreath for a local veteran’s grave, call Operation: Touch of Home or check the website www.operationtouchofhome.org, call 570-236-9695 or 570-350-2981, or email tlgower@ptd.net or mbent35@gmail.com.

Gun club event

The Kunkletown Rod & Gun Club is holding a block shoot and meat raffle beginning at 11 a.m. Sunday at 122 Gun Club Lane in Saylorsburg.

It is a 12-gauge shotgun only event. The public is welcome.

For more information, call 610-381-3215

Xmas tree lighting

The Polk Township tree lighting is set for 4 p.m. Sunday at the Veterans Memorial and Salem-St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Kresgeville.

The event is free and is scheduled to include games, crafts, music and special visitors.

Poinsettia orders

Anyone who wants to place a poinsettia on the altar at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Effort, is reminded that orders have to placed with the church no later than Sunday.

Tools needed

Monroe County Habitat for Humanity is seeking tools, including new power drills, batteries and hammers, as the group is currently repairing 30 homes in Monroe County. There are more than 90 homes on the waiting list.

For more information, call 570-216-4390 or email development@habitatmc.com.

Medicare enrollment

Monroe County Area Agency on Aging reminds people that the annual open enrollment period for Medicare runs through Sunday. Counselors for the county’s several centers are trained and are free.

The West End’s senior center is at Zion Lutheran Church.

Seniors with questions can call 570-420-3735 to set up an appointment.

OTOH meeting

Operation: Touch of Home will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday at American Legion Post 927 in Gilbert.

Santa breakfast

Polk Township Volunteer Fire Company is hosting Breakfast with Santa from 7-11 a.m. Dec. 21. He is expected to arrive no later than 8 a.m.

Children under 6 can eat for free. For menu and costs for others, call 610-681-4370.

Christmas Eve

• St. Peter’s UMC, Saylorsburg, has announced that it will have two services on Christmas Eve: at 5 and 7 p.m. Child care is to be available for nursery through preschool.

• Zion Lutheran, Brodheadsville, will hold services on Christmas Eve: at 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. Both are candlelight services with Communion. The services will also be broadcast on Zion’s Facebook Page.

Christmas dinner

A free community Christmas dinner on Dec. 25, either ham or turkey with all the trimmings or vegetable lasagna, has been announced by Zion Lutheran Church, Brodheadsville.

A drive-thru pickup time will be assigned starting at 1 p.m. Call the church office at 570-992-6988 for a reservation or to volunteer. All skill levels are welcome, and sit-down jobs are available.

Help is needed to prepare, package, distribute and clean up.

The church also reminds folks that its parish hall “is perfect for birthday parties, baby and bridal showers, retirement parties, etc.” Call 570-992-6988 for more information.

Zion offers several worship opportunities: Saturdays at 5 p.m., Sundays at 8 a.m. (also via Zoom) and 10:30 a.m. (also via Facebook Live). A simple prerecorded spoken service is available on Facebook.

Sunday School is on the second and fourth Sundays at 9 a.m.

Rebate reminder

The deadline for Property Tax/Rent Rebate for applicants 65 or older, widows/widowers 50 or older, or 18 or older with a disability has been extended to Dec. 31.

The amount to be issued is based on an applicant’s annual income, which must have been $45,000 or less in 2024.

For more information, contact the Monroe County Area Agency on Aging at 570-420-3735 or monroeaging@monroecountypa.gov.