Meeting canceled

The meeting of the Eldred Township Planning Commission scheduled for tonight is canceled.

The commission’s next meeting is at 7 p.m. Aug. 13.

New ministry director

St. Matthew’s ECC, Kunkletown, announces the church’s new Children’s Ministry director, Tiffany Lakatosh from Palmerton, who began her church relationship as of July 6. She will be helping at St. Matthew’s Vacation Bible School, July 13 through July 17.

Missions meal

Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, Brodheadsville, is again holding a West End Missions meal. It will take place at 4:30 p.m. Thursday.

K of C meeting

The Knights of Columbus will meet at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church at 7 p.m. Thursday.

Bug Fest 2025

Monroe County Conservation District’s Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center is celebrating Bug Fest 2025 on Saturday.

A passport to Bug Fest will guide each child to stations including the insect zoo, build-a-bug craft, free face painting, making antennae, outdoor insect safari and live butterfly tent. At the end of the session, participants can turn in their stamped passports to receive prizes.

Volunteers from the Monroe County Bee Keepers Association, Master Gardeners, Penn State Extension and others will be on hand at the stations.

Preregistration is required and space is limited. For cost for children and to register call 570-629-3062. Parents can attend for free.

Prayer shawl ministry

Effort UMC’s Prayer Shawl Ministry will meet at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Lunch program

The Free Summer Lunch Program continues at the Pleasant Valley Ecumenical Network through Aug. 14 from 8-10 a.m. It is being held at the PVEN Food Pantry and Clothing Closet at 2334 Route 209, Sciota.

Families will receive five days’ worth of shelf-stable lunches for each child up to 18 years of age. Young people over 18 enrolled in school programs for persons with disabilities are also eligible.

There are no residency or income requirement.

Call the PVEN office at 570-992-3136 for more details or questions.

Blood drive planned

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

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

Got extras?

The Chestnuthill Senior Center at Zion Lutheran Church in Brodheadsville meets from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. every Wednesday and Friday.

If anyone has acrylic paints, adult coloring books, blank canvases, glue guns and glue sticks, holiday decorations, paperware and party goods, they can be donated to help seniors keep busy.

Homebuyer workshop

The Pocono Mountains Association of Realtors is hosting a free First-time Homebuyers Workshop from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday at the group’s office at 2214 W. Main St., Stroudsburg.

Space is limited so preregistration is required.

For more information or to sign up, visit http://pmuw.org/homebuyercourse.

Parish Feast Day

At the 11 a.m. Mass on Sunday the patroness of Our Lady Queen of Peace Church will be celebrated.

After the service there will be a cookout in the pavilion. Participants are reminded to bring a statue or icon of Mary for the procession.

There will be no Spanish Mass at 1 p.m.

Scholarship news

Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency is hosting no-essay scholarships for $2,500 through its PA Forward and Keystone Student Loan programs.

The scholarship sweepstakes is for college students, graduate students and their parents for the 2025-26 academic year who opt in to receive communications from PHEAA between June 5 and Dec. 15. The sweepstakes is only open to Pennsylvania residents.

For more information, call Rep Jack Rader’s office at 570-620-4341.

Retirees to picnic

A summer picnic will be held by Pleasant Valley Retired Teachers on Tuesday.

C’hill Historical

New officers for 2025-26 for the Chestnuthill Township Historical Society are: Taylor J. Keller, president; Eric Snyder, vice president; Sarah Martini, secretary; and Barbara Wogan, treasurer.

The group’s next meeting will be at 5 p.m. July 16 at the Chestnuthill Township Park Building, located at 221 Route 715, Brodheadsville. The public is welcome to attend.

VBS reminder

Effort UMC’s Vacation Bible School will take place from 9 a.m.-noon July 21 through July 25.

The theme for the week is “Egypt — Joseph’s Journey from Prison to Palace.”

Summer picnic

Effort UMC will hold its annual Church Family Picnic, sponsored by Effort’s Women’s Group, on July 27 in the pavilion beginning at 12:30 p.m. Church family members are asked to sign up if they wish to bring side dish or a dessert.

Participants are asked to sign-up before July 24.

Bring your lawn chairs.

Kunkletown bingo

St. Matthew’s Laymen’s Fellowship is hosting a cash and gift card bingo on July 27, with doors opening at noon. Bingo begins at 1 p.m.

Food and drinks will be sold by Laymen’s Fellowship, with proceeds supporting repairs and updates to the church and picnic grove.

Day camp

Monroe County Conservation District’s Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center offers Summer Day Camp including: “Get in Touch with Nature” for ages 7-10 either July 28-Aug. 1 or Aug. 4-8. Camps are from 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. with an additional fee for late pickup.

Camp registration is limited, so call 570-629-3061 or email dflint@monroecountypa.gov before paying to ensure room is still available.

PVAG flea market

On Aug. 16, Pleasant Valley Assembly of God Church, Brodheadsville, is holding its annual flea market. For vendor information, costs and other details, contact the church at 570-992-6799 or email Olga at olga@pvag.net.

Free dog training

The Chestnuthill Township Parks & Recreation Department is hosting a free dog training session from 11 a.m.-to 1 p.m. Aug. 16, by David with University of Pets, at the West End Regional Park on Merwine Hilltop Road.

Contact the township office at 570-992-7247 for more details.

Rebate deadline

The deadline for Property Tax/Rent Rebate for applicants 65 or older, widows/widowers 50 or older, or 18 or older with a disability has been extended to Dec. 31.

The amount to be issued is based on the applicant’s annual income, which must have been $45,000 or less in 2024.

Contact the Monroe County Area Agency on Aging at 570-420-3735 or monroeaging@monroecountypa.gov. for more information.

Volunteers sought

The Monroe Senior Volunteer Program is seeking volunteers for a variety of opportunities.

Call the MSVP office in East Stroudsburg at 570-420-3747 to see how you could help folks with needs.