Summer lunch

The South Ward Playground Association is providing a free lunch from now through Aug. 19.The free summer lunch program is open to children up to and including the age of 18. Lunches will be served weekdays, from noon to 1 p.m., at the South Ward Playground.The program is an offshoot of the free school lunch program, with funding provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The nondiscriminatory program is open to all children, regardless of race, origin, religion, etc. In addition to a healthy lunch, participants will be offered a variety of summer activities.The playground is located between Penn and Race streets in Tamaqua's South Ward.Tamaqua seniorsThe Tamaqua Senior Citizens met June 2 with 52 members in attendance. President Melody Weicker conducted the business session.Secretary Ruthann Feane provided the inspirational reading "Happiness." Francis Hill remains on the sick list. One new member, Gloria Lack, was welcomed to the group.Upcoming events include; June 13, trip to Mohegan Sun; June 14, seasonal food voucher distribution, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Salvation Army; Aug. 11, picnic at the West Penn Rod and Gun Club in Clamtown.The next meeting will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, June 9, at the Tamaqua YMCA, 1201 E. Broad St.The group is open to anyone 55 or older, and the YMCA is handicap accessible.Kids ClubThe Revive Community Fellowship will sponsor a series of free events for children during June.Originally part of an outreach program of the Hazleton Community Church, the fellowship is composed of 15 members, meeting in small groups.The Kids Club events will be held on June 14, 15 and 16 from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the South Ward Playground and from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the Dutch Hill Park; and on June 28, 29 and 30, from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the North and Middle Ward Playground and from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the Willing Memorial Skate Park.In addition to the Kids Club, the group will be repainting and sprucing up Tamaqua's neighborhood playgrounds, starting with the North and Middle Ward Playground on June 14, 15 and 16. Volunteers are welcome between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.Teen readersThe Tamaqua Public Library will sponsor a Young Adult/Teen Summer Reading Program beginning Friday. There will be two sessions, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. each in June, July and August.Themes will be:Friday, Dystopian; June 24, Zombie Survival; July 8, Olympics; July 22, everything Harry Potter; Aug. 5, exercise and music; Aug. 19, end of summer party.For more information or to register, stop in at the library or call 570-668-4660.Hours are: Monday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday, noon to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.Bethany ECThe Rev. Kevin Roberts officiates at the 8 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday services 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.; Thursday, worship team meets at 6:30 p.m., worship team leaders meet at 7:30 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.