Chestnuthill column

Lioness speaker

Cindy Starner of the Center for Vision Loss was the speaker at last week's Western Pocono Lioness club meeting. Starner detailed the growth of the organization in Monroe County, the change of the name from VIABl to its current name and the various services the Center for Vision Loss offers.

All is offered free to adults and children, although the focus is on uninsured and under-insured.

Services range from transportation and prevention to screening and education, especially for seniors.

The clinic at Burnley, where the center office is, saw 600 clients last year.

The club began its full evening with a covered dish supper.

Announcements included the need for signing up for the District 14U Lioness Rally, being held at Cherry's Family Restaurant in Kresgeville on Monday, Oct. 8., beginning at 6 p.m., and the invitation extended to the club to attend the NEPA Lions Eye Bank 55th Anniversary Recognition dinner in Harrisburg on Oct. 13. The club is one of the honorees to be recognized at that dinner and members will be offered a free dinner.

Also announced was that the West End Pink Light Walk will be held Thursday, Oct. 11.

Upcoming for the club is its Halloween evening party set for Tuesday, Oct. 23, and the Halloween Trick or Treat activity at the Chestnuthill Park on Oct. 31. That event will be from 5-7 p. m. and all community organizations have been invited to participate in giving the children treats.

Prizes will be awarded for two age groups (Funniest, Cutest, Scariest and Most Original) for 5 and under, and 12 and under. For more information, contact, Bernie Kozen, West End Park & Open Space Commission, (570) 992-9733.

Old Halloween costumes

From now through Oct. 19, the Leo Club at Pleasant Valley High School will be collecting used Halloween costumes in good shape, as well as new costumes, for children ages 0-18 years old.

Any community member interested in donating can bring it to a drop box in the high school lobby, as well as PVE and PVI.

Those donations may benefit children from a variety of local locations.

Daisies meet

Daisy Troop 556 meets twice a month at Zion Lutheran. Those meeting begin at 5:30 p.m. The next meetings are Wednesday, Oct. 3, and Wednesday, Oct. 17.

PV band parents

The next meeting of the Pleasant Valley School District Band Parents is 7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 4. The group meets in the high school.

Monroe Seniors

Friday, Oct. 5, and Wednesday, Oct. 10, the Monroe County Seniors will meet at Zion Lutheran Church in Brodheadsville. The day's activities begin at 9 a.m. and end at 2 p.m.

Park Work Day

Work will take place on the trail at Chestnuthill Township Park, beginning at 9 a.m. on Columbus Day, Monday, Oct. 8. The intent is to clear the trail of small trees, limbs and other forest debris.

Participants are asked to meet at the park, on Route 715 in Brodheadsville, and to bring any or all of the following: gloves, rake, pruning shears, chain saw (if an experienced operator is available), wheelbarrow and shovel.

For more information contact Bernie Kozen at bkozen@weposc.org.

Self-guided farm tour

On Saturday, Oct. 13, from 10 a.m. to 3 p. m., area folks will have an opportunity to see how farms work.

Participating farms include Gould's Produce in Brodheadsville, Apple Ridge Farm in Saylorsburg, Big Creek Vineyard and Winery in Kresgeville, and Stryker Farm in Saylorsburg.

For directions and other participating farms, call the Monroe County Conservation District at (570) 629-3060 or the Monroe County Extension at (570) 421-6430.

Pet food collection

The Leo Club at Pleasant Valley High School is collecting dog food, cat food, kitty litter and blankets and towels through Oct. 31. Donations will be presented to A.W.S.O.M. no-kill shelter in Stroudsburg.

Pink Light Walk

The West End Pink Walk for Breast Cancer Awareness as hosted by West End Happenings is taking place Thursday, Oct. 11, with doors opening 6 p.m., at the Gilbert American Legion post home.

The walk begins promptly at 6:30 p.m.

Refreshments and educational materials will be available.

The walk is to happen regardless of the weather so participants are asked to dress accordingly. Pink is suggested as the main color.

For more information one can e-mail questions to: pinklightwalkwe@yahoo.com.