Program vouchers

Seniors are reminded that they can pick up their 2025 Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program vouchers at the Eldred Township Community Center from 9 a.m.-noon Thursday — if they applied for vouchers.

Beginning July 1, after all community sites have been served, the Loder Senior Center will give out vouchers from 10 a.m.-noon and from 1-3 p.m. Wednesdays.

For more information, contact the Monroe County Area Agency on Aging at 570-420-3735.

Hoagie pickup

For the folks who ordered hoagies from McMichaels UMC, orders need to be picked up and paid for Thursday at noon.

Mission dinner

Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, Brodheadsville, is holding its West End Missions dinner at 4:30 p.m. Thursday.

Legion calendar

• The Honor Guard of West End Memorial American Legion Post 927, Gilbert, will hold its monthly practice from 6-7 p.m. Thursday.

• Post 927 will host a penne vodka dinner beginning at 4:30 p.m. Friday.

• Trivia Night at the post begins at 7 p.m. Friday.

For more information about the Legion and upcoming events, visit https://ampost927.org/.

Meet the artist

Come to the art gallery at the Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday to meet artist Nancy Hopping. She will be hosting a family-friendly talk and slideshow titled “Living with Wildlife in the Poconos.”

With over 30 years of photography knowledge, Hopping will share her photos of wildlife. Her work will be on display in the gallery for the month of July. The gallery is open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and will be open Saturdays, June 28 and July 12, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

The program is free. Call 570-629-3061 with any questions. No registration is required.

For more information on other programs, visit https://www.mcconservation.org/.

Band and breakfast

St. Matthew’s ECC, Kunkletown, is hosting a “little” band at its 9 a.m. worship service this Sunday as well as breakfast.

Food pantry open

The Supplemental Food Resource Center at Effort UMC will be open from 10 a.m.-noon Saturday.

Gift card bingo

St. Matthew’s ECC, Kunkletown, is holding a gift card bingo on Sunday. Doors open at noon, bingo begins at 1.

Food and drinks will be for sale. Free door prizes are being offered.

VBS scheduled

• Effort UMC is holding its Vacation Bible School the week of July 21 through July 25. The theme is: “Egypt — Joseph’s Journey from Prison to Palace.” For more details, call the church at 570-629-1890.

• Middlecreek Christian Church, Kresgeville, will hold its VBS with the theme “Live it Out: Learn to Love Like Jesus!” from July 7 through July 11.

The hours are from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Each evening will include Bible lessons, snacks, games, crafts and a family night on Friday, July 11.

For registration, call the church office at 570-629-4066.

• Our Lady Queen of Peace Church will hold its VBS from July 28 through Aug. 1, 9 a.m.-noon. The theme is “True North: Trusting Jesus in a Wild World.” This is for trained pre-K through Grade 6 youngsters. Forms are at the church or via email. Registration is due by July 21.

There will be a family picnic after Friday’s session is concluded. Adults must accompany their respective children to the picnic. Eighth grade volunteers earn Confirmation service hours.

For more information and to volunteer, call the church at 610-681-6137.

• St. Matthew’s ECC, Kunkletown, will host its “Road Trip Vacation Bible School” from 9 a.m.-noon July 14 through July 18. There will be Bible storytelling, crafts, games, snacks, music, science experiments, a Wednesday afternoon field trip and Friday afternoon lunch celebration.

Needed are students ages 3-11, youth helpers ages 12-17 and adult leaders ages 18 and up who have their Pennsylvania background clearances.

A parent or guardian may stay with students who are 3 or 4. For more information or to get a registration form, call the church at 610-381-2442, Monday, Wednesday or Thursday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Registration forms are due to the VBS team by July 1.

Pierogi pickup

Folks who ordered pierogies from the Pleasant Valley Ecumenical Network are reminded that orders will be available for pickup at the PVEN office, 2334 Route 209, Sciota, from noon-3 p.m. July 2; 2-3 p.m. July 3; and 8 a.m.-noon July 4.

If you have items to donate, you could bring them then. Needed are: condiments and spices, pasta, cake mix and tomato sauce for the Food Pantry; cleaning products, blankets/comforters, sheets and towels, deodorant and shaving razors for the Clothing Closet; and baby food and baby formula, adult-sized pull-ups and bed protection pads for the Diaper Pantry.

Freedom celebration

Pleasant Valley Assembly of God is again hosting a Church Family Freedom Celebration. It will take place at 6:30 p.m. July 3.

The church is providing the meat, church “family” members are asked to sign up for bringing side dishes, desserts and drinks, such as water, soda, ice tea and kids’ juices.

Attendees are reminded to bring lawn chairs or blankets.

Camp for kids

The Monroe County Conservation District has announced a four Thursdays of July Kettle Creek for Kids, ages 3-6.

Parents must attend with their child for such topics as “Water Engineers: Design a Frog Float” on July 3; “Nature Scavenger Hunt” on July 10; “Nature’s Neighborhood: Habitat Exploration” on July 17; and “Busy Bees” on July 24.

The programs will be held from 10-11 a.m. There is a cost. People can pay by cash or check the day of the program. Call 570-629-3061 for more information and to register. The class is limited to 20 children per program.

Bottled gift

The recent Baby Bottle Boomerang hosted by Our Lady Queen of Peace Church for the Pregnancy Resource Center was a success.

The congregation raised $2,319 for the center.

Bugfest 2025

Monroe County Conservation District’s Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center will celebrate Bugfest 2025 on July 12.

It is being is co-hosted by Kettle Creek and Monroe County 4-H Insects Are Us Club.

It is to be a day full of fun and educational stations all about those creepy crawly friends. A child’s passport to Bug Fest will guide each one to stations such as the insect zoo, build-a-bug craft, free face painting, making one’s own antennae, outdoor insect safari, live butterfly tent and many others.

At the end of the session, participants are asked turn in his/her stamped passport to receive a special prize.

Volunteers from the Monroe County Bee Keepers Association, Master Gardeners, Penn State Extension and others will staff the interactive stations.

Participants at the afternoon session can enjoy the release of monarch and painted lady butterflies at the end of the day.

To register or for more information about Bug Fest, call the center at 570-629-3061. For more information on other programs, visit https://www.mcconservation.org/.

Blood drive set

There will be a Red Cross blood drive at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church from 1-6 p.m. July 15 in McCawley Hall.

Call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter WEST END to schedule an appointment.