Lecture tonight

Norm Burger will be presenting Forts of Monroe County at 6:30 p.m. today at the Western Pocono Library Heritage Center in Brodheadsville.All lecture series events require preregistration. For more information or to reserve your seat contact the library at 570-992-7934 or the Heritage Center at 570-402-1906.Zion SeniorsIt's time for the annual soup lunch for the Zion Seniors meeting at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Brodheadsville church complex. Then the attendees will play games and fellowship.Auditions continueStorybook Theater, the teen drama club at the Western Pocono Community Library in Brodheadsville, continues its auditions for the upcoming play, "Beauty and the Beast," Thursday beginning at 6:30 p.m.This club is open to all teens ages 13 to 18 who are interested in acting, singing, dancing, stage crew, sound, etc. Audition packets have been available at the library since Oct. 1. For more information or to reserve a time slot for auditions contact Patti at 570-992-7934 or via email at

WPCL6@ptd.net.New deadlineThe deadline to register for Sunday's Halloween Parade in Eldred Township is Thursday, not as previously announced.Fall saleMiddlecreek Christian Church at 343 Dorshimer Road in Kresgeville is holding its fall rummage, soup, baked goods and apple dumpling sale from 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Friday and Saturday.A $3 per bag sale will be held only from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday.For more information call 570-629-4066.Technology NightA PVE/PVI family math, reading, science technology night will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday at PVE.Seniors menuThe Chestnuthill Seniors, meeting at Zion Lutheran, will be able to order lunch for Friday's barbecue pork chop or next Wednesday's chicken and biscuits by calling the site manager at 570-242-6770 or 570-420-3735 by 11 a.m. the day before.A program on winter ready by Primetime's Kate Koehler will be presented at 11 a.m. Wednesday.New men's groupEffort UMC is forming a new men's group. There will be a start-up meeting at 9 a.m. Saturday in the former day care kitchen area. It will include a light breakfast and discussion about the group, which is being headed by Mark Wells, Steve Johnson and Ron Wichman.Bingo nightThe West End Park and Open Space Commission will host a bingo night at the Chestnuthill Township Park on Friday, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. There will be door prizes and refreshments.Come dressed in your best Halloween costume. There will be a prize for Most Original.For more information, contact 570-992-9733 or

bkozen@ptd.net.PVM danceThe Pleasant Valley Middle School dance for seventh- and eighth-graders begins at 7 p.m. Friday.PVEN Angel TreeThe PVEN Angel Tree Toy Drive registration for children up to age 14 will continue Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, Route 209, Brodheadsville.PVEN wintertime needs include men's sweatpants, heavy thermal socks, thermal underwear, winter jackets in all sizes; boys' sweatpants and children's pjs in all sizes; as well as new or gently used blankets, comforters, towels, and queen and king sheet sets.Church dinnerEffort UMC will host a pork and sauerkraut dinner from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday.Rotary car showThe West End Rotary will hold its Oktoberfest Car Show beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday at the American Legion Post 927 in Gilbert.It will include German music, Biergarten, pig roast, old-fashioned cake walk and tricky tray.Proceeds will benefit Operation Warm, coats for kids.For more information call Ed at 610-657-9196 or email

ksbvet@ptd.net.Dinner invitationWestern Pocono Women's Club issues an open invitation to interested women to come to dinner at 6 p.m. Monday at Effort United Methodist Church, 178 Merwinsburg Road, and a meeting that follows at 7 p.m. to find out about this very active women's service club.It is open to all women 18 years and older. For more information about this service club, see

www.westernpoconowomensclub.org, email

wpwomensclub@gmail.com or call Greta Weaver at 570-620-0456.At the meeting the Western Pocono Women's Club's purpose will be shared, along with the many service opportunities in the West End and Monroe County that the group accomplishes throughout the year.The club has also issued an invitation to the women from its Monroe County sister club, Pocono Mountain Women's Club, to be the club's guests for the evening.A demonstration on how to use wreaths to decorate for the fall will be presented by club member and floral designer, Greta Weaver.Adult bullying programOn Monday at 6:30 p.m., the Western Pocono Community Library will be hosting David Shallcross as he presents his program on Adult Bullying. Shallcross comes to the library from the Attorney General's office.Preregistration is requested but not required. Anyone wishing to reserve a seat or for more information can contact the library at 570-992-7934.PVE PTO meetsThe Pleasant Valley Elementary School PTO will meet at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday.Prayer Shawl ministryEffort UMC's Prayer Shawl Ministry will gather at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.Anyone who knits or crochets or would like to learn how to, is welcome to join the group.For more information call 610-681-6419.Young at HeartPolk Township Firehouse's Social Hall in Kresgeville is where the Young at Heart seniors meet.The group's next meeting is 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.Refreshments will include hot dogs, cider and doughnuts. Visitors are welcome. Contact Janet at 570-722-3895 to RSVP.The group's next meeting is Nov. 2, not Nov. 3, due to the firehouse serving as a voting site on Election Day.Free senior bingoMrs. Bush's in Kunkletown is hosting free senior bingo on Tuesday.Doors open at 1 p.m.; bingo begins at 1:30 p.m.All seniors must preregister by calling Carrie at 610-381-1009.Harvest HomeZion Lutheran will celebrate Harvest Home Sunday this Sunday. Anyone bringing fresh produce or canned and dry goods will know that those items will go to the PVEN Food Pantry.The church will continue to collect items the whole month of October.Halloween eventsEldred Township Halloween Parade is Sunday, with check-in time from 11 a.m. to noon. Judging, for those who preregistered, begins at 12:15. The parade starts promptly at 1 p.m.Rain date is Oct. 25.Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, Gilbert, is holding its annual trunk or treat in the parking lot from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Oct 25.Trick or treat in Polk Township is from 5-8 p.m. Oct. 31. People should light their home if planning to participate.Chestnuthill Township's Halloween in the Park will be held from 6-8 p.m. Saturday as hosted by the West End Park and Open Space Commission. There will be a costume contest for ages 12 and under. Categories include: scariest, funniest, cutest, most original.Groups, businesses and families are welcomed to join the excitement. Scare up some business and have fun by grabbing candy, treats and decoration and trimming a window at the Park Building or decking out the car's trunk.Prize for the Most Original Display will be given. For more information contact 570-992-9733 or

bkozen@ptd.net.Chestnuthill supersThe next Chestnuthill Township Board of Supervisors meeting is at 7 p.m. Tuesday, at the municipal building on Route 715.The WEPOSC will meet at 7 p.m. Oct. 21 with Friends of WEPOSC meeting at 6:45 p.m.Contact Adele Argot at 717-933-4028 or

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

tneditor@tnonline.com.