Zion VBS

Zion Lutheran Church in Brodheadsville is holding a two-day event for Vacation Bible School Friday and Saturday. Each day begins at 9:30 a.m.The outreach project for this time is school kits for Nepal.There will be a wrap-up VBS program at the 10:30 worship service on Sunday.The church can be reached at 570-992-6988 for more information.Fill the canSalem-St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Kresgeville, is collecting items to fill the black garbage can with good things to benefit the families in need served by the Pleasant Valley Ecumenical Network.Through July 19, bring nonperishable foods such as canned spaghetti and SpaghettiOs, tuna fish, peanut butter and cereals, but no canned corn.Greyhound adoptionPocono Greyhound Adoption will be holding a Meet & Greet from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday at Tractor Supply Co., Route 209, Brodheadsville.Visit

www.poconogreyhound.org, or phone 570-856-0377 to learn more about this event, or about adopting a greyhound.Veterans AffairsThe United States Department of Veterans Affairs of Monroe County will be speaking at Mrs. Bush's Personal Care Homes Inc. in Kunkletown, at 6 tonight. This speaking engagement will only be covering information regarding the Veteran and Widow Pension. Please RSVP to Carrie Shafer at 610-381-1009.Carnival comingThe West End Fire Company annual carnival in Brodheadsville begins tonight and continues through Saturday.The entertainment lineup includes Jump Start Band tonight. It is a hand stamp night.Thursday, Chris Eckert and Leigh Lombardo Cole will entertain and it is time for a cake walk.On Friday it is Steel Creek Band and fireworks by L TNT Pyrotechnics with a 5-minue finale around 10:30 p.m.Olde Friends Band will entertain Saturday.Every day includes homemade food, rides, games, bingo, Chinese auction, with a big main prize. No outside food or drinks are permitted.Family Fun FestivalMiddlecreek Christian Church on Dorshimer Road in Kresgeville will host a Family Fun Festival from 6-9 p.m. Friday and from 3-8 p.m. Saturday. There will be free games and prizes, crafts, hot dogs, contests, races and movie on Saturday night.The entry fee is one nonperishable food item per person.Children must be accompanied by an adult. See

www.middlecreekchurch.org. It is fun for the entire family.The church holds its worship service at 10:30 a.m. Sundays.Mission Trip BlessingSalem-St. Paul's Lutheran Church will be sending a group to Blue Nob, near Altoona, on a mission trip. On Sunday at the 9:30 a.m. worship service, there will be a blessing of that venture and the people who are going.The worship will also include children's songs.A social hour will follow the worship time.Festival announcedOur Lady Queen of Peace Festival Sunday will be held Sunday after the noon Mass in the Church Hall. It begins the afternoon with a Procession of Mary.There will be a deejay, games, a Queen of Peace talent show and a bake-off. Members wishing to enter the third annual bake-off must get in touch with Jane Martin.Desserts will be judged on: Taste, 10 points; presentation, 5 points; and originality, 5 points.There will also be a Kids Kupcake Wars for children 12 and under with the same criteria.Attendees can enjoy a delicious picnic banquet or bring their own food or drink.All food is a la carte this year.Adoption DayCamp Papillon will hold a Meet & Greet/Adoption day from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday at Tractor Supply in Brodheadsville.For more information, a preapproval if planning to adopt, or to volunteer, visit

www.camppillon.org or call 570-420-0450.Mission weekOur Lady Queen of Peace Church will celebrate Neighborhood Mission Week from Monday through Friday, with adults and teens serving at such places as Habitat for Humanity, Garden of Giving, VALOR Clinic, and at the community luncheon.Busy Post HomeThe American Legion Post Home in Gilbert has the following meetings on the schedule for the coming week: Sunday at 10:30 a.m., the 927 Riders; at 6:30 p.m. the SAL; Monday at 6 p.m., the Auxiliary; and Tuesday at 7 p.m., the Korean War veterans.Knit & CrochetZion Lutheran's Knit & Crochet Group will meet at 1 p.m. Tuesday in the parish hall in Brodheadsville. Newcomers are welcome.Pinochle players soughtEldred Township residents who are interested in playing pinochle for fun are invited to attend a gathering from 12:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Township Center's Community Room.Limited seating available.Call Shirley at 610-381-4560 by Sunday to reserve a spot.Operation Touchof HomeThe group will hold a regular meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the American Legion in Gilbert.DaVinci Science visitsAs part of the Summer Reading Program at Western Pocono Community Library, The DaVinci Science Center will be visiting the library for a program on Heroes in Science at 1 p.m. July 15.Registration for the Summer Reading Program is required. Contact the library for more information at 570-992-7934.Fair Queen deadlineJuly 15 is the West End Fair queen application deadline. Go to

www.thewestendfair.com for an application and details.It's also the deadline for submitting talent for the West End Fair's Got Talent competition.Smart Driver courseThe next AARP Smart Driver course will be given July 18 and 25 at the Chestnuthill Park Building on Route 715 in Brodheadsville. This is the eight-hour course taught in two days, four hours each, beginning at 1 p.m.There are no tests and membership in AARP is not necessary.There is a $20 fee, though it is $15 for AARP members.All automobile insurance companies doing business in Pennsylvania are required by law to give a minimum discount of 5 percent to all qualified policyholders age 55 and over who take the course. The discount is for a minimum of three years.Class size is limited so advance reservations are necessary.Call the volunteer instructor at 570-619-4006 to make a reservation. Must provide a driver's license.The next four-hour refresher course, for those who have proof of having taken the eight-hour course within the past three years, will be offered at 1 p.m. Aug. 22 at the same location. Reach the instructor for that course at 570-619-4006.Red Cross blood driveWawa on Route 209 in Brodheadsville will host an American Red Cross blood drive from 1-6 p.m. July 20.Pre-K registrationThe Pleasant Valley School District has collaborated with The Growing Place to provide Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts, a high-quality preschool funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. This program is free to eligible families. Applications are now being accepted for the 2015-2016 school year. Space is limited. For more information, call 570-402-0127 or visit thegrowingplacecenters.org.Stargazing eventThe 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 July 18.Participants are to meet at the Chestnuthill Park Building, 221 Route 715 in Brodheadsville, at 8:15 p.m. The free program will include telescopic views of Saturn with its moons and rings, Hercules Star Cluster, constellations and more.Attendees should dress to be outside, bring a lawn chair, blanket and bug spray. This program is recommended for adults and children 6 years and older. Call 570-992-9733 or

bkozen@weposc.org to register.Fashion showThe Western Pocono Lioness Club will hold its 2015 fashion show on Sept. 20. Lioness Ruth Hebron will serve as chairwoman.The next regular club meeting is July 28 at the Legion in Gilbert. The meeting begins at 6:30, with the business meeting starting at 6:45.Golf tournamentMonroe County Habitat for Humanity's Annual Golf Tournament will be held Oct. 2, at Buck Hill Falls Golf Course. Sponsorships and registration are available now.Monroe County Habitat for Humanity is focusing on home preservation this year. Home preservation allows homeowners affected by low income, age and disability to make necessary repairs on their homes.Currently Monroe County Habitat for Humanity is doing an outdoor painting project on a home in Effort.The group intends to complete 30 of these projects this year, so the need of volunteers of every skill level is great.Contact the office if interested at 570-476-9846.Director Kelly Kemmerer says Habitat can only continue to build better lives in Monroe County for the next 20 years with the support of community members and asks people to contact the office to learn more about volunteer opportunities.Award nominationNomination forms for the Church Women United Margaret Wyckoff award will be available for honoring a deserving woman from the community. The CWU Margaret Wyckoff Award will be given out in December. The forms must be in to Betty Campbell by Sept. 25. For more information, call 570-629-0649.