Panther Valley news

Tax office

The tax office of Patricia Vito will be closed from Oct. 20-23. It will reopen on Oct. 27.

Nesquehoning

Halloween party

The annual Halloween party for children of Nesquehoning will be held on Oct. 31 at 6 p.m. at the Nesquehoning Recreation Center. Only children of Nesquehoning, age 10 years and under, will be accepted.

Parents may register their children on a Wednesday night during bingo, from 5 to 10 p.m.

Summit Hill

To aid troops

Lance Corporal John J. Kennedy Jr. and the 2nd Battalion/2nd Marines will be deploying to Afghanistan this fall. Parents and families of the division are planning to honor them by sending each of the 1,000 members a package during the holidays. It is their hope to bring comfort, smiles and a bit of home to them.

One item they are hoping to include in each package is a hand-knitted helmet liner. The group is seeking people willing to make them. The directions are specific to fit under their helmets and supply needed warmth.

They can be found on the Internet at www.the2-2family.blogspot.com or by contacting the Kennedy family, (570) 645-5709.

Other items needed are: chap-stick, disposable razors, baby wipes (small portable-size packages), and Colgate Wisp disposable toothbrushes.

If you are willing to knit (or know someone who would like to knit), donate items or contribute financially to purchase items and help with postage, contact the Kennedy family, 12 E. Walter St., Summit Hill. Monetary donations will also be used to purchase wool to supply local volunteers for knitting the helmet liners.

The deadline for the collection is Nov. 4.

Food distribution

The Summit Hill Food Pantry conducts a monthly distribution of food boxes to the needy in the community. Anyone in need of the assistance, or knowing of individuals or families who do, is asked to contact Rose Marie Armon, (570) 645-3604, or Emma Weaver, 645-7348.

The pantry, a non-denominational entity, is always in need of donations and manual assistance. To donate items or your time, contact the above persons as well.

The Summit Hill Lions Club has taken on the task of assisting the pantry with its distributions as a service project. Boxes are usually packed on a Thursday (Oct. 22), beginning at 9 a.m., and are distributed on the fourth Tuesday (Oct. 27), starting at 9 a.m. The Second Harvest truck delivery of commodities (which needs to be unloaded) usually takes place on the last Thursday of the month (Oct. 29). Lions Club members are reminded of these upcoming dates and can contact President Kenneth Vermillion for additional information on helping with the duties.

Election dates

The General Election in Carbon County and Summit Hill will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

The Jeffersonian Democratic Club, Summit Hill, reminds voters of the following deadlines:

Last day to apply for an absentee ballot is Oct. 27.

Last day for the county Board of Elections to receive absentee ballot is Oct. 30.

Anyone who needs an application to register or an absentee application can contact one of the following committee persons: First Ward, Michael Crampsie, (570) 645-7843; Second Ward, John Shemansik, (570) 645-7933; Third Ward, William O'Gurek Jr., (570) 645-3549; or White Bear, Debbie Giglotti, (570) 645-5783.