Holiday concert

The Tamaqua Senior High School Music Department will present its annual "Holiday Music Program" at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the Tamaqua Area Auditorium.The concert will feature the best in holiday selections presented by students in the Concert Choir, Jazz Chorale, Senior High Wind Ensemble and the Raider Concert Band.The program will conclude with the audience joining the band and choir for a festive singalong.Accompanists for the choirs are Antonetta Gerace, Sierra Petrucci, Faith Roberts and Patrick McMullen.The Raider Band and Senior High Wind Ensemble are under the direction of Mark Beltz. The Concert Choir and Jazz Chorale are under the direction of John Buglio.Doors to the auditorium will open at 6:45 p.m.Library newsThe Tamaqua Public Library will hold its Christmas Storytime event from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Children ages 5 and younger are welcome to attend.The evening will include the telling of Christmas tales, crafts, snacks and a special visitor from the North Pole.Registration is required and may be made by calling 570-668-4660 or by stopping in at the library on South Railroad Street.The library is also having a Christmas book sale of like-new and gently used books.Tamaqua seniorsThe Tamaqua Senior Citizens held a Christmas party on Dec. 3 with 63 members in attendance. President Melody Weicker welcomed everyone and offered holiday wishes.Ruthann Feane and Brenda Zellers provided candy and candy cane treats to everyone. the meal was provided by A and C Catering.Kathleen Valentine and Joan Wall were added to the sick list.The next meeting will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday at the Tamaqua YMCA, 1201 E. Broad St. November and December birthdays will be celebrated.The group is open to anyone 55 or older and the YMCA is handicap accessible.Bethany ECThe Rev. Kevin Roberts will officiate at the 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. worship services this Sunday in Bethany Evangelical Congregational Church. Sunday school classes are held at 9:15 a.m.Also on Sunday, the local conference and nominating committees and the ministry council will all meet at 11:45 a.m.; the monthly service at the Tamaqua ABC High Rise will be celebrated at 6 p.m.Activities for next week include: Tuesday, prayer time at 8:30 a.m.; Wednesday, Tamaqua Youth Ministry meets at 6 p.m., GriefShare meets at 7 p.m.; Saturday, worship team will practice at 8:30 a.m., rehearsal for the children's Christmas Eve musical presentation will be at 11 a.m.Christmas Eve services will include a traditional service at 3 p.m., a contemporary candlelight service at 3 p.m. and a candlelight service at 11 p.m.Contact Kathy Kunkel at 570-668-1250 or

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

tneditor@tnonline.com.