Chestnuthill Column
Celebrating
the holidays
The Western Pocono Lioness Club held its December meeting/holiday party at the American Legion Post home in Gilbert, Dec. 21.
Among the activities was a gift exchange game some call: "Now you have it, now you don't," and charades dealing with holiday songs and movies. Refreshments included a variety of treats.
The group will not meet again until Feb. 22, weather permitting.
An upcoming event in which the club will participate is Pleasant Valley School District's A Night of Unity, set for 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 2.
Mass schedule
Masses will be said at the following times at Our Lady Queen of Peace in Gilbert: 4 p.m., New Year's Eve; 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 1; and 8 and 10:30 a.m. as well as noon, Jan. 2.
Helping Santa
The Sons of Italy West End Pocono Lodge recently held a Christmas luncheon. A large quantity of toys was collected and distributed to the needy in time for Christmas.
The Order Sons of Italy in America West End Pocono Lodge 2725 holds its meetings on the first Sunday of each month at 2 p.m. at the Chestnuthill Park Building. The January meeting is set for Jan. 9.
The Chestnuthill Park & Senior Center is on Route 715, one half mile north of Route 209.
Order Sons of Italy in America raises funds for scholarships, Thanksgiving turkeys for the needy, research for Alzheimer's disease, Cooley's anemia (thalassemia), Christmas toys for hospitalized children and other community activities.
New members are always welcome. Anyone who can claim Italian ancestry by birth or marriage is eligible to apply for membership.
Anyone interested in becoming a member should call Joseph Falotico at (570) 242-2761.
To view club photographs, visit the organization's website at: www.sonsofitaly.net.
200,000 hours
Monroe County RSVP logged over 200,000 hours in 2010 according to Merle Turitz, acting director. This coming year offers many volunteer opportunities all over the county, including one specific need right here in Chestnuthill Township.
That is the Effort UMC Supplemental Food Resource Center needing stockers on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For more information, call RSVP at (570) 420-3747 or the church at (570) 629-1890
Caregiver's Support
A support group for caregivers is set for 6 to 7:30 p.m., Jan. 5, 2011, at the Loder Building in East Stroudsburg, first floor. The event is free and open to the public.
It is sponsored in conjunction with the Alzheimer's Association and allows caregivers to get some support from trained facilitators and share their experiences with other caregivers.
For more information, call (570) 420-3746.
Band Parents
Pleasant Valley Band Parents are scheduled to meet at 7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 6, 2011, at the high school.
Soup kitchen
For those who have a need for a hot meal, the East Stroudsburg United Methodist Church will serve a meal on both Thursday, Dec. 30, and Friday, Dec. 31.
On serving days, the doors open at 10:30 a.m., and lunch is served at noon.
Free Mammograms
Pocono Medical Center has offered free mammograms to qualifying persons for some time.
For income guidelines and other criteria of eligibility, call (570) 476-3488.
Welcome 2011
May you all have a happy and healthy New Year and continue to send your group's news to the address above.
