Welcome pastor

St. Peter's UMC in Saylorsburg has welcomed Tresita Beach as pastor of the congregation. She previously served as pastor at Valley Forge and Evansburg and also held other positions within the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference.She and her husband have spent the last decade in Vermont near her children, but have now returned to eastern Pennsylvania.Mt. Eaton VBS"Solid Rock" is the theme of this year's Vacation Bible School at Mount Eaton Church in Saylorsburg. It will run from 6:30-8 p.m. Monday, July 19 through Friday, July 23. Children ages 3 through sixth grade are invited to enjoy Bible stories, skits, puppets, snacks, and other fun activities. There is no cost.For more information and directions, call the church office at (570) 992-7050 or

office@mounteatonchurch.org.Star timeThe West End Park and Open Space Commission will host a "Star Gazing" night at the West End Regional Park on Saturday, July 17. Participants should meet at the Chestnuthill Park Building on Rt. 715, Brodheadsville at 8:15 p.m.Rich Grebb will guide this free intimate look at the night sky. Telescopes will be provided; however folks should bring a lawn chair or blanket. Call (570) 992-9733 for more information.Township potholesChestnuthill Township motorists may call (570) 992-7247, ext. 23, to report a pothole in the township. The road crew begins its work at 6:30 a.m., but the office is not staffed until 8 a.m.Effort VBSEffort UMC will hold it's Vacation Bible School from 9 a.m. to noon, Monday, Aug. 2, through Friday. Aug. 6. The theme will be "Jungle at Parable Quest.To register and for more information call the church office at (570) 629-1890.Banner exchangeThe Lions of District 14U will be holding a banner exchange on July 21. In light of the event at the West Penn picnic grove in Snyders, the Western Pocono Lions Club will not be meeting that evening, but attending the banner exchange instead as fellow Lion Bob Kelsey is now the District Governor and will be receiving the district banner from Immediate Past District Governor Bob Neumoyer. Both attended the Lions International Convention in Australia in late June/early July.Birthday greetingsThe following folks have a birthday this week. Marcia Bruno, Michael Kane, Scott Stephens, July 13; John Ancona, Carl Heckman, Ed Kuc, July 14; Pat (Rittenhouse) Mackes, Peter Kelchner, Danny Washburn, Ross Partington, David Miller, John Holm, Crystal Bauer, July 15; George Middleton, Ed Fehr, Sally Helfrich, Amanda Zorn, Dana McAllister, Rachel Lee, July 17; Melody Griffith, Joanne Armitage, Lindsey Hancock, Allison Obeid, Logan Beck, Shawn Boffa, Herman Mitchell, Steve Carey, Bob Kelsey, July 18; Don Zipp, Susan Delong, Lauren Kingsley, Lindsey Boffa, July 19; and Ken Kingsley, Mark Daubert, Adam Partington, July 20.