Chestnuthill column
MC Council of the Blind
The Monroe County Council of the Blind invites all for meetings and events at the group's new location, the Pocono Medical Center, Brodhead Room, in East Stroudsburg.
The organization meets from 10 a.m. to noon, the first Saturday of each month with coffee and camaraderie at 9:30 a.m.
The new officers of the MCCB for 2010 are: Thomas Reid, president; Helen Koshensky, vice-president; Michael Bryant, treasurer; Maryann Alexander, recording secretary, and Elida Gares, corresponding secretary.
New and educational and social programs are planned and all are welcome to attend a meeting, join the council or enjoy a special event.
The Monroe County Council of the Blind is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating, promoting independence and improving social and economic opportunities for the visually impaired and blind community.
For more information, call Koshensky at (570) 619-4286.
Individuals should not let the lack of transportation be a barrier to becoming a member. Koshensky says the group is innovative and will do its best to find solutions.
West End Rotary
The speakers at the weekly West End Rotary meeting will be Roosevelt Franklin on Thursday, Jan. 14, and Nick Hawkey, on Thursday, Jan. 21. Their topics will be, respectively, "Pocono Boxing" and "Marine Corps League."
The club meets weekly every Thursday at 7:30 a.m. at the Western Pocono Community Library in Brodheadsville.
Women of the ELCA
The January meeting of the Women of the ELCA at Zion Lutheran Church in Brodheadsville is set for 2 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 19.
King celebration
In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Pleasant Valley schools will be closed on Jan. 18.
The district's Diversity Task Force is scheduled to meet from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the district office.
Lions' agenda
The Western Pocono Lions Club has set an aggressive agenda to usher in the New Year.
The program for the January meeting will be Lions Adele Argot and Charles Rush who will explain the District 14-U Lions program for "Feeding the Hungry." In February Joanne Kochanski will speak on the needs of the Red Cross, in anticipation of the club's blood drive at the American Legion in Gilbert on Thursday, March 18, from 2-6 p.m.
Four new members will be officially inducted into the club on Wednesday, Jan. 20. They include Pat Buccieri, Barbara Konawalik, Richard Miller and Cathleen Pagano. Also to be present that evening is Cindy Starner of VIABL (Visual Impairment and Blindness Services) to receive a donation from the club.
Community members interested in being a part of an active local service club are encouraged to contact President Helen Koshensky at (570) 619-4286, or secretary Charles Rush at (610) 381-3759.
The first meeting of the club in the New Year will be on Wednesday, January 20, at The Hamilton in Saylorsburg. Social time is from 6:30 to 7 p.m. with dinner served at 7 p.m. Call Koshensky for reservations.
Souper Bowl 2010
More than 20 years ago, the Souper Bowl of Caring began on the same day the Super Bowl is played. Since then, more than $60 million has been raised for local charities.
This year that date is Feb. 7.
Area churches, including Zion Lutheran in Brodheadsville, will be part of the reportedly largest youth-led weekend of giving and serving in the nation.
That church's donations will be presented to the Pleasant Valley Ecumenical Network, which helps serve the hungry of the West End.
Birthday greetings
Happy Birthday to: Andrew Armitage, Kayla Dorpfeld, David Gares Jr., Wanda Kunkle, Ruth Wilson, Jan. 12; Michael Becker, Jan Hagen, Lucas Hoover, Christopher Boylan, John Frost, Julia Pinter, Jan. 13; Amanda McShane, Mel Oxenreider Jr., Connie Trantafelo, Christopher Buck, Jan. 14; Elaine Klein, Tracy Toth, Jan. 15; Julie Foley, Adele Argot, Christine Hrbek, Thomas Scocozza, Jan. 16; Nancy Beck, Jon Evans, Kris Kramer, Jan. 17; Joshua Thompson, Kathleen Wathen, Ean Lofstrom, Randy Gares, Jan. 18; Shelley Kuehn, Brenda Davis, Edwin Wimperis, Barry Kram, Lisa Oxenreider, Kathleen Winkler, Marissa Smyth, Brianna Armitage, Jan. 19; Clara Bond, Nathan Burger, Arlene Burger, Brian Greif, Shari Edwards and Christina Everett, Jan. 20.
Chestnuthill seniors
"Let it Snow," (Winter Safety) will be the program at the Chestnuthill Senior Center, Friday, Jan. 15. For more information call (570) 420-3746. The program is open to the public.
