Toy drive ending

The toy drive at PVI for Toys for Tots ends today.

Post 927 American Legion in Gilbert is collecting unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots by way of a special Christmas event.

The instructions are to follow the Star on the Hill behind the old Coordinated Health Building at 137 Pleasant Lane in Brodheadsville where a special Christmas display event takes place Saturday, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Hot chocolate, cookies and candy canes will be there also.

West End churches in various towns in the area are also participating in the yearly giving of gifts to Toys for Tots for its clients.

The deadline at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church for receiving such unwrapped gifts is Sunday.

Members meeting

Post 927, American Legion, Gilbert, will be the site of Post 927 A members monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m., Thursday.

Advent celebrated

St. Matthew’s UCC, Kunkletown, has announced that each week during Advent, one of the church families will light the candle in the Advent wreath and read a passage. Children, youth, their parents, and other family members will be part of this special moment in front of the congregation. Services begin at 9 a.m.

Eucharist series

The Rev. Robert Simon, pastor at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, will present an Advent series on the Eucharist from 6 to 8 p.m., beginning this evening and continuing Dec. 7 and Dec. 21.

Dinner is included.

For more information call the church at 610-681-6137.

Grief Share

Effort UMC hosts a Grief Share program. It will next meet on Thursday.

For more information one can call the church at 570-629-1890.

Winter forest time

The Pleasant Valley Intermediate school is holding its Winter Family Forest from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday. The lighting of the trees is at 5:15 p.m. Tree viewing goes from 5 to 6 p.m. The chorus performance and sing-along runs from 6 to 6:30 p.m.

Wreath workshop

Friday evening, from 6 to 8 p.m., Gary Oiler will lead a holiday wreath-making workshop at Quiet Valley. There is a cost.

For more details call QV at 570-992-6161.

Distribution day

The West End Food Pantry, Kunkletown, will hold a distribution day from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday.

Tricky tray day

Balanced Life Chiropractic is holding its third annual Tricky Tray benefiting the PVEN on Saturday.

Tickets can be bought at the business right across the road from PVEN during BCL office hours now through noon, Dec. 3.

The drawing will be held at noon.

CWU luncheon

Church Women United of Monroe County invites everyone to its Christmas covered dish luncheon at 1 p.m., Saturday, at Faith United Methodist Church, 1160 Clause Drive, Stroudsburg.

The Margaret Wyckoff Wells award and the CWU Valiant Woman Award will be given out at that time.

Also, all groups who filled Christmas stockings bring filled Christmas stockings are asked to bring them in. They are scheduled to be given out to area organizations. FMI call Betty at 570-242-5826 or email bcll@ptd.net.

Football duo days

American Legion, Post 927, will host two football-related events for its members. The first is NFL Sunday, beginning at 1 p.m. The second is Monday at 6 p. m.

Zion’s Advent

Zion Lutheran will hold Advent services on Saturdays at 5 p.m., Sundays at 8 and 10:30 a.m. in the sanctuary. The 8 a.m. service is also broadcast via Zoom and the 10:30 via Facebook Live.

A simple prerecorded spoken service is available each week on Facebook. Adult Sunday School is held on the first and third Sundays and all other ages the second and fourth Sundays of the month at 9:15 a.m. There will be only one worship service on Dec. 25, at 1 0 a.m.

Old Time Christmas

On Dec. 3, 4,10 and 11, Quiet Valley, living historical farm, will hold its Old Time Christmas 2022 tours from 2:30 to 7 p.m., when the last tour goes out.

There will be candlelight, seasonal carols, a live Nativity, a visit by the Belschnikel, and more, as well as refreshments and gifts available in the gift shop.

For ticket costs and other information, call QV at 570-992-6161 or visit the farm’s website at farm@quietvalley.org.

Family celebration

Effort UMC will be hosting a family Christmas celebration at 5:30 p.m. Saturday. Families’ preregistration is required. Call the church to verify if room is still available.

Ross tree lighting

Santa is visiting Ross Township by way of a Blue Ridge Hook and Ladder firetruck at 4 p.m., Saturday, at the Ross Township Municipal Building at 250 Anchorage Road, Saylorsburg.

A tree lighting will also be celebrated after which Santa will visit with guests inside the municipal building and hand out small gifts.

Hot cocoa will be served.

The township is currently looking for volunteers for Parks and Recreation Committee. Volunteers needed to oversee park events held in the park.

Christmas for Kids

On Saturday, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at 137 Pleasant Lane, Brodheadsville, follow the Star on the Hill behind the old Coordinated Health Building for some hot chocolate, cookies and candy canes and to help American Legion Post 927 collect unwrapped Toys for Tots donations at this special Christmas display event.

For more information contact Beth Lutz at 570-213-1481.

Online sale

Our Lady Queen of Peace Church has had a Fair Trade fundraising sale in Partnership with SERRV International Saturday and Sunday. The sale will be a fundraiser that will benefit the parish’s St. Martin De Porres Charity account.

The sale is still available online through Saturday. The parish will receive a certain commission, but one must use the weblink https://www.servv.org?a=QOPFTsale in order for the parish to receive the donation.

Invitation given

St. Peter’s UMC, Saylorsburg, invites all believers to share in Holy Communion on Sunday, Dec. 4, at its 10 a.m. worship service and enjoy its beautifully decorated sanctuary.

Block shoot

A block shoot and meat raffle will be held Sunday at the Kunkletown Rod and Gun Club, at 122 Gun Club Lane Saylorsburg, beginning at 11 a.m., with 12-gauge shotgun only.

The public is welcome.

For more information call 610-381-3215.

Volunteers needed

The Garden of Giving is having a quiet time during the winter months. However, volunteers are still needed including new Board members and someone who can research and apply for financial grants.

Contact The Garden of Giving at 570-402-1282, or email: GardenOfGiving1@gmail.com.

The Garden also has a Facebook page with updates and news. The office is located in the ReMax building on Rt 115 in Effort. One can call for hours.

Prayer shawl

Effort UMC’s group of knitters and crocheters will meet again on Tuesday at 10:30 a.m.

Eldred vacancies

Volunteers are needed in Eldred Township. Among the vacancies are: one opening on the Parks Committee; Historical Society and the Veteran’s Commission.

For duties of each and how to apply contact the township office at 610-381-4252, ext. 2.

PVMS coat drive

Pleasant Valley families are invited to donate new or slightly used coats to the school’s B-6.

Meeting change

The Western Pocono Lions Club December meeting has been changed from the third Thursday to the second Thursday, Dec. 8. That change is only for December.

In January 2023, the club will again meet on the third Thursday at Cherry’s Restaurant in Kresgeville.

Santa’s coming

The man with the beard and red suit is coming to Chestnuthill Township on Dec. 10. One needs to register by this coming Saturday.

He’s coming to Polk Township from 4 to 6 p.m., Dec. 11.

Chestnuthill meeting

The Chestnuthill Township Board of Supervisors will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the municipal building on Rt 715.

Christmas doings

There will be caroling, cookies and crafts from 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m., Dec. 11, at Salem-St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Kresgeville.

Weather permitting, attending folks will be caroling outside to nearby neighbors, so the advice is to dress accordingly. Crafts and music will be inside for those who cannot join the caroling or in case of inclement weather.

Santa visit

The American Legion Post 927, Gilbert, is hosting a children’s Christmas party for children with Santa for ages new baby to age 12, from 1 to 4 p.m., Dec. 11. One must sign up at the post on Fairgrounds Road.

Contact Mary Vanicky as 570-620-6982 for more information.

Counting birds

On Sunday, Dec. 18, the annual Pocono Mountain Christmas Bird Count will be held. Volunteers will take to the field to identify and count birds in designated areas. Bird watchers of all skill levels are welcomed.

Held under the auspices of the National Audubon Society, this count is part of a continent-wide effort to collect data that is used in assessing the health of bird populations and guiding conservation actions.

For more information and to participate in this event, contact Darryl and Jackie Speicher at poconoavian@hotmail.com.

New Year’s plans?

The Western Pocono Lions Club is holding a fundraising pork and sauerkraut dinner from noon to 3 p.m. on Jan. 1, 2023 at Zion Lutheran Church, Rt. 209 in Brodheadsville.

The meal includes pork, sauerkraut, mashed potatoes, green beans, applesauce, roll and dessert. For tickets and cost information call 570-801-7509 or pay at the door. Take out dinners will be available.

Contact Adele Argot at 717-933-4028 or arargot3@verizon.net or the Times News at 800-443-0377 or tneditor@tnonline.com.