West End news
Gospel puppets
BCM International Jim Ecker invites West End Fair attendees to meet Mr. Huey, Miss Dewey and 33 other gospel puppets at the West End Fair, where they will be part of the cast (along with human helpers) to present a cycle of eight Christian living plays.The ministry will again be in a white tent with blue trim near the amusement rides and the puppets will tell their stories from a black and red stage.Educational speakerThe Western Pocono Lioness Club recently welcomed Rita Lacey of locally owned business Close the Loop. She presented a program concerning ways that recyclable materials can be repurposed into new and useful items.Among the products she highlighted were items such as plastic wood for fences made from shredded gallon milk containers from Polk Township; colored glass, broken into small pieces that can become walkways or mulch; and tires can become rubber mulch for playgrounds.Lacey said only 9 percent of all plastic waste produced (300 millions tons) is actually recycled.Pocono SeniorsThe West End Group of Pocono Seniors, meeting at Zion Lutheran in Brodheadsville, will have a picnic at The Roof on Keokee Chapel Road in Paradise Valley on Friday.Next Wednesday, back at the church, the menu is a hot dog on a whole wheat roll, baked beans, dilled cucumber salad, cottage cheese with fruit, and milk.Shared rideWest End Senior Citizens who would like to go to the West End Fair can call the Monroe County Transit Authority for information about the Shared Ride the MCTA offers.The number is 570-839-6282, ext. 1.Backpack blessingOur Lady Queen of Peace, Gilbert, invites all its families to bring their children with the children's backpacks for all Masses on Saturday and Sunday. There will be a special blessing of the backpacks and a gift from the church family as the children begin the new school year.Healing serviceSalem-St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Kresgeville will hold a healing service at 9:30 a.m. Sunday. At 2 p.m. the church will hold a Communion service at Getz Personal Care Home in Jonas.This week the church family and friends are busy serving food at the West End Fair in their stand, as is Our Lady Queen of Peace Church in the West End Kitchen stand.Students to schoolPleasant Valley schools will be busy Monday as it is the first formal day for students to begin the 2015-16 school year. Many, however, have been to the various schools for orientation, the clothing swap, or on Thursday, the find-your-classroom time for Pleasant Valley Elementary and Pleasant Valley Intermediate schools.SupervisorsThe Chestnuthill Township Board of Supervisors will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the municipal building on Route 715 in Brodheadsville.Butterfly programThe Eldred Township Community Center in Kunkletown will be the site of a monarch butterfly presentation from 2 to 5 p.m. Sept. 5 by Shirley and Jayne Kuehner.There will be refreshments.Free stargazingThe West End Park and Open Space Commission, as part of the Parks for Good Living partnership (HJP & SROSRC Parks/Recreation Commissions along with the Pocono Medical Center) will sponsor a stargazing event with astronomer Rich Grebb at the West End Regional Park on Sept. 11.Participants should meet at the Chestnuthill Park Building on Route 715 in Brodheadsville at 7:15 p.m. The free program will include telescopic views of Saturn with its moons and rings, Hercules Star Cluster, constellations and more.Dress to be outside, bring a lawn chair, blanket and bug spray is the advice. The program is recommended for adults and children 6 years and older. Call 570-992-97233 or
bkozen@weposc.org to register.Free diabetes eventPocono Medical Center West End Healthcare on Burrus Boulevard in Brodheadsville will host a free event on preventing and managing diabetes.The educational event will be held from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Sept. 15. It will feature: free diabetes A1C screenings, device demonstrations, diabetes education consults, nutrition counselors and more.RSVPs are required. One can do so online, by phone or email. The respective contacts are: PoconoMedicalCenter.org/healthyliving, Tom Dimino at 570-426-2879, or email at
wellness@poconomedicalcenter.org.It will also be a time of meeting and greeting PMC's diabetes professionals.Chestnuthill bingoThe West End Park and Open Space Commission will host a bingo night at the Chestnuthill Township Park on Sept. 18, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Doors open at 5:30. Howard Beers will be the guest caller.The evening includes specials, pull tabs, door prizes and refreshments.For costs and other information call Bernie Kozen, executive director of West End Park & Open Space Commission at 570-992-9733 or contact him at
bkozen@weposc.org.Contact Adele Argot at 77-933-4028 or
arargot3@verizon.net. Contact the Times News at 800-443-0377 or