Chestnuthill column

Western Pocono Lions

The Western Pocono Lions Club will hold it's regular meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 18, beginning at 6:30 p.m. with the social hour, with Tammy Graeber of McMichaels of the Garden of Giving as the featured speaker.

Graeber was the featured speaker at last week's meeting of the Monroe County Interagency Council, where she reported how the Garden is impacting what foods three area food pantries are giving their clients and how the Garden helps supply soup kitchens.

Unique speaker

Effort United Methodist Church had two special speakers at this past weekend's services.

Member Ken Edwards led the Saturday service in the absence of the pastor while Sunday's services were led by the Rev. Dr. Lee van Rensburg, originally from South Africa.

A resident of Bartonsville now, the retired pastor has lived in Switzerland and other places as well. His wife is also from South Africa.

Area Seniors

Wednesday, Aug. 18, and Friday, Aug. 20, are the meeting dates for the Monroe County Seniors. They meet at 9 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Brodheadsville. A second group, Zion Senior Citizens, will meet at Zion Lutheran Church at 11 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 19.

Members of this group bring their own sandwiches, whereas the Monroe Seniors gather for a paid lunch and activities via the county-supported program.

Senior Fair

State Rep. Mike Carroll and state Rep. John Siptroth are bringing their 5th Annual Senior Fair to the West End Fairgrounds in Gilbert on Friday, Sept. 10, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

There is free parking, free admission and refreshments.

Free screenings are being offered, including blood pressure, oxygen levels, vision, glucose, pulmonary function, hearing and more.

For more information, one can call Rep. Carroll's office at (610) 681-2940.

Raises funds

Mary Sharer, who has volunteered at Pocono Area Transitional Housing for years, raised $1,443 in connection with the yearly PathWalk for the organization.

Kindergarten orientation

On Thursday Chestnuthill Elementary School's incoming kindergartners will have orientation and a bus ride to prepare them for the upcoming school year.

Meeting change

The Monroe County Council of the Blind will hold its September meeting on Saturday, Sept. 11 from 10 a.m. until noon, at Pocono Medical Center, Brodhead Room, located on the first floor. The meeting is generally held the first Saturday of the month.

For more information call Helen Koshensky at (570) 619-4286.

Visitors are welcome to monthly business meetings or to any special events held immediately following the meeting.

The Monroe County Council of the Blind is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating, and promoting independence and improving social and economic opportunities for the low vision and blind communities. Call the help line at (570) 421-4118, press Option 2, to find out what special programs and events are planned for the next meeting.

Birthday greetings

Folks celebrating their birthdays this week include: Ebony Fenstermaker, Eric Riedinger, Daniel Heckman, Kelley Krenski, Aug. 18; Nancy Bird, Season Scheirer, Aug. 19; Robert Mackes, Ryan Schmidt, Anthony Haynes, Donald Nydam, Mike Haney, Aug. 20; Lee Hoffman, Wendy Hammerstone, Anthony Nasto, Jared Frost, Emily Weichand, Aug. 21; Warren Mikels, Jeanette Mitchell, Richard Hatt, Diane Kitchen, Danielle Snyder, Aug. 22; Jason Schuler, Janet Akers, Tonya Garland, Shane Meeker, Aug. 23; and Sasha Wolf, Herman Hastings, Greg Magill, Schyler Jacobson, Daniel Szczesny Aug. 24;