Halloween events

The annual Tamaqua Halloween Parade, sponsored by the Tamaqua Lions Club and the Tamaqua Chamber of Commerce, is scheduled for 7 p.m. Oct. 25.The line of march will form at the east end of town, in the mini-mall parking lot, and travel west on Broad Street.Registration forms for the parade are available at the chamber office, 37 W. Broad St. Those registering should include a contact person, with addresses and phone numbers.Cash prizes will be awarded for the top entries as determined by a panel of judges. There is a $150 prize for Best of Show. Additional prizes will also be presented in two categories: marching units and floats/motorized.For more information on the parade, call 570-668-1880.Tamaqua's trick or treat night will be held from 6-8

p.m.Oct. 31, according to Mayor Chris Morrison.Band festivalThe 20th annual Land of the Running Water Marching Band Adjudication, hosted by the Tamaqua Area Raider Marching Band, will be held Oct. 15 at the Tamaqua High School Sports Stadium. This year's event will feature participating marching bands hailing from the Annville-Cleona, Exeter Township, Mahanoy Area, Panther Valley, Pottsville Area, Southern Lehigh, Tri Valley and Wilson high schools.Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and the competition begins at 7 p.m.Tamaqua seniorsThe Tamaqua Senior Citizens met Sept. 29 with 58 members in attendance. President Melody Weicker conducted the business session.The inspirational reading "This, the Season" was offered by the chaplain.Sandy Scott and Norma Baker were added to the sick list.Representatives from the South Ward Fire Company provided a presentation on fire safety, offering tips and showing how to properly use a fire extinguisher.The group is open to anyone 55 or older. Meetings are held at 1 p.m. Thursdays at the Tamaqua YMCA, 1201 E. Broad St.Bethany ECThe Rev. Kevin Roberts will officiate at the 8 and 10:30 a.m. worship services this Sunday in Bethany Evangelical Congregational Church. Sunday school classes meet at 9:15 a.m.Activities for next week include: Tuesday, prayer time at 8:30 a.m.; Wednesday, Tamaqua Youth Ministry meets at 6:30 p.m.Bethany is offering the community the opportunity to make an impact through a series of small Bible-based "Growth Groups."There will be a total of seven different groups, each meeting one day each week, beginning in October.For more information, or to register, visit

www.bethanyec.org and click on the "growth groups" tab.Contact Kathy Kunkel at 570-668-1250 or

kkunkel@tnonline.com. Contact the Times News at 800-443-0377 or

tneditor@tnonline.com.