Benefit today

The local chapter of Beta Sigma Phi, an international service sorority, is holding a benefit for PATH (Pocono Area Transitional Housing) today from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Moe's Southwest Grill in Bartonsville, 290 Frantz Road, Suite 101, Stroudsburg. Takeout food is included for the day.Bible studyPleasant Valley Assembly of God's Bible study was not held last week. It will be held at the Western Pocono Community Library tonight.WEPOSC meetsThe West End Park and Open Space Commission will meet at 7 p.m. today at the Chestnuthill Park Building.PVEN BoardThursday at 10 a.m. the Pleasant Valley Ecumenical Network board of directors meeting will be held at Zion Lutheran Church in Brodheadsville.Envelope stuffingThe leadership of the West End Democratic Club is asking its membership to come help stuff envelopes at 7 p.m. Thursday at the West End firehouse on 715 in Brodheadsville.School BoardThe Pleasant Valley School District Board of Education will meet at 8 p.m. Thursday in the district's Administrative Building in Brodheadsville.Free fishingFishing season is starting and once again Chestnuthill and Jackson townships have partnered with the Pohoqualine Fish Association to provide half-day permits for residents on the McMichaels Creek.Applicants must provide proof of residency, photo ID and valid state fishing license with applicable stamps. For more information, Chestnuthill residents should contact 570-992-9733 or

bkozen@weposc.org; Jackson residents need to contact 570-629-0966 or

director@hjpparks.org.Bingo nightThe West End Park and Open Space Commission will host bingo night at the Chestnuthill Township Park on Friday, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Doors open at 5:30.For more information contact 570-992-9733 or

bkozen@ptd.net.Seniors menuThe main lunch component for the Chestnuthill Seniors meeting at Zion Lutheran Church in Brodheadsville as part of the Monroe County Seniors is hamburger on Friday, and meatloaf next Wednesday.For meal reservations, call the site manager by 11 a.m. the day before at 570-242-6770 or 570-420-3735.PIC cleanupMembers of Pride in Chestnuthill will meet at 7 a.m. Saturday at the Chestnuthill Park building for a PIC cleanup day.Planting scheduledThe first planting for the Garden of Giving in McMichaels is scheduled from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Saturday. Over 5,000 red and yellow onion bulbs, as well as kale, spinach and parsley seedlings are scheduled to be sown.For more information, contact the Garden of Giving at 570-402-1282 or at

GardenOfGiving@gmail.com.Work day setEffort UMC's Board of Trustees hopes to hold a work day at the church Saturday. It will begin at 9 a.m.Those planning to help are asked to call the office at 570-629-1890.Lions bowl-a-thonThe 2016 annual bowl-a-thon hosted by the Western Pocono Lions Club is set for noon to 3 p.m. Saturday at Blue Valley Lanes in Wind Gap. For more information contact Lion Fred Klein at 610-760-1127.The money earned is used by the club in the community including making donations to various local nonprofits, assisting in buying eyeglasses for those who need help and giving two $500 scholarships to graduating seniors at Pleasant Valley High School.The club has a 501c(3) status, so donations are tax deductible.Consignment salePocono Old-Tyme Farm Equipment Association Inc. will hold its 20th annual consignment sale at the West End Fairgrounds in Gilbert this Saturday. The event begins at 9 a.m.Items to be sold include: household goods, lawn and garden equipment, trees, plants and shrubbery, farm equipment, antiques and just about anything else imaginable.Talent showThe PVE PTO Talent Show will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday in the high school auditorium in Brodheadsville.Contemporary worshipEffort UMC offers a Saturday evening contemporary worship service. It begins at 6 p.m. and is led by Pastor Ken Edwards. Contact him at

hishands@ptd.net or the church office at 570-629-1890.Adoption DayBoomer's Angels (BAARC) will hold a meet and greet dog adoption day from 11 to 2 p.m. Sunday at Tractor Supply, Route 209, Brodheadsville. All adoptions must be preapproved so fill out an application, available at

www.boomersangels.com, in advance.Contact Boomer's Angels Animal Rescue & Care at the group's website at

www.boomersangels.com, find it on Facebook, or call 570-350-4977.Holy CommunionSalem-St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Kresgeville will offer Holy Communion at the 8:15 a.m. service on Sunday as well as at the 10:30 service. Sunday school for all ages and Confirmation class will be held at 9 a.m.At 1 p.m. a bowl-a-thon to benefit the mission trip will be held at Haja Lanes in Palmerton.Bingo fundraiserSt. Matthew's UCC Christians In Action and the Youth Group are holding a gift card bingo on Sunday at the Kunkletown Fire Company, 597 Kunkletown Road. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. and bingo starts at 1 p.m. Lunch will be available for purchase. Event includes raffle and drawings. For more information, including costs, contact 610-951-4214 or

stacigeorge0317@gmail.com.PTO meetingThe Pleasant Valley Elementary PTO will meet at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday.Prayer Shawl groupEffort UMC's prayer shawl group will meet at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday. Newcomers are welcome.Republican ClubThe West End Republican Club will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Cherry's Sunset Family Restaurant in Kresgeville.The optional dinner begins at 6 p.m.SupervisorsThe Chestnuthill Township board of supervisors will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the township's municipal building on Route 715 in Brodheadsville.Historical societyThe Eldred Township Historical Society will meet at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Kunkletown Volunteer Fire Company.Community luncheonOur Lady Queen of Peace Church in Gilbert is hosting its next community luncheon at 12:30 p.m. April 20. It will take place in McCawley Hall. There is no charge for the luncheon.Hydroponics talkThe Western Pocono Lions Club will hold its monthly dinner meeting at 6:30

p.m.April 20, at the Old Mill Pizza in Sciota. The guest speaker will be Brian Bruno of Apple Ridge Farm in Ross Township presenting information about his hydroponics and organic growing practicesSoup and muffinsThe Western Pocono Lioness Club is starting is soup mix and muffin mix sales on Friday, April 22. Lioness members will be at the ESSA in Brodheadsville then and onApril 23 with chicken pasta and love soup mixes as well as the muffin mix that makes a dozen.Both mixes will also be on sale at the Holistic Fair being held on April 30 at the Polk Township Fire Company.CWU outreachMonroe County 's Church Women United project for 2016 is to provide new underwear to area organizations. Churches and individuals who would like to participate can contact Betty Campbell at

bcll@ptd.net. Items may also be brought to the September CWU meeting. If a group collects and donates to an agency, let Campbell know so a list can be tallied.The ecumenical group is also seeking quilters to help with a 24-by-26-inch quilting project that reflects the area for National CWU Quilting Project in October.For more information call Marlene 570-619-5251.New date setThe Regional Park Clean Up scheduled for last Saturday was postponed. It has been rescheduled for 9

a.m.April 30.Bags, vests and gloves will be provided. Participants should meet at the Chestnuthill Park, 221 Route 715, Brodheadsville.For more information call 570-992-9733.Open houseIn celebration of EMS Week 2016 the West End Community Ambulance invites the community to its station at 965 Gilbert Road, in Effort, from 11 a.m. to 3

p.m.May 21.There will be information on subscriptions and services offered by the agency, as well as local fire departments and emergency management. In addition, folks can tour and see apparatus and the station, as well as fire department apparatus and Penn Star helicopter.A coloring contest will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. for ages 2 to 12. Refreshments will be available. For more information contact Melissa at 610-681-5810, ext. 2, or Lisa at

lisahoffman@westendems.com.Holistic fairThe Western Pocono Lioness Club will be holding its annual Holistic FairApril 30at the Polk Township Fire House in Kresgeville.The club is seeking crafters of such items as soaps, oils, jewelry, hand sewed items, bird houses, leather, etc. to participate. For more information contact Cynthia Waters at 570-629-1505.Monroe CWU projectChurch Women United of Monroe County has chosen its service project for 2016 providing new underwear to be given to area organizations.The leadership suggests that those wishing to help can shop sales, inquire if their respective church would like to participate, etc.Donations will be collected at CWU's September meeting.Anyone needing more information about CWU or the project can contact Betty at 570-629-0649 or Marlene at 570-619-5251.Contact Adele Argot at 717-933-4028 or

arargot3@verizon.net. Contact the Times News at 800-443-0377 or

tneditor@tnonline.com.