Tamaqua news

Spirit of Christmas

The annual Tamaqua Spirit of Christmas Festival is scheduled for the weekend of Dec. 5, 6 and 7 and will include a variety of festivities, music, food, contests, crafts and theatrical performances.

And let's not forget the arrival of that "Jolly Gent" from the North Pole and Mrs. Claus. The merry couple will arrive in town at 6 p.m. on Dec. 5 and make their way to Depot Square Park, where they will flip the switch to illuminate the annual Christmas light show.

After the ceremony, festivities will move to the Tamaqua Art Center, 125 Pine St., where children will be able to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Saturday's events starts with breakfast with Santa at the Tamaqua Salvation Army, 105 W. Broad St. Other food related activities will include a Victorian Tea, at 2 p.m., at St. John's Lutheran Church; and a cookie judging contest, at 3 p.m., at the Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce Office, 114 W. Broad St.

On Sunday, a holiday craft show will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Salvation Army. Holiday musical entertainment will also be held at the Sal, from noon to 4 p.m. A storytelling time, with Mrs. Claus, will begin at 1 p.m. Sunday at the art center. Following Mrs. Claus will be a Christmas concert, performed by Susan Featro, at 2:30 p.m., at the art center.

Activities for all three days will include a tree trimming festival, at the art center; the presentation of A Christmas Carol the Musical at the Strawberry Playhouse in Tuscarora; and the production of a Winnie the Pooh Christmas Tail at the art center.

The festival will end with the lighting of the community Christmas Tree at 6 p.m. in Depot Square Park at the Five Points Intersection.

Honor roll

Jack Thorp's name was omitted from the list of students who were named to the Tamaqua elementary honor roll. Thorp is a third-grade student at West Penn Elementary School who earned straight A's.

St. John Lutheran

The Rev. Phyllis Wolford will officiate at the 9:15 a.m. worship service this Christ the King Sunday in St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church. The service will include Holy Communion. Sunday school class will meet at 10:30 a.m.

Also on Sunday, the Allegro bell choir will rehearse at noon.

St. Peter's Union

Sunday worship services are held at 9 a.m. in St. Peter's Union Church, Mantzville. Sunday school classes will meet at 10:15 a.m.

Also on Sunday, the "hanging of the greens" will be held following the service; the Confirmation class will meet at 11:30 a.m.; the Girl Scout Thanksgiving Family Feast will begin at 3 p.m.; bell choir will rehearse at 6 p.m.; Cub Scouts will meet at 6 p.m.

Activities for next week include: Monday, women's Bible study meets at 6 p.m.; Tuesday, prayer group at 5 p.m., Wednesday, filling order pickup from noon to 2 p.m.