TAMAQUA NEWS for July 19, 2018

Out of the darkness

Safer Streets for Tamaqua’s Little Feet will hold its Third Annual Out of the Darkness, Into the Light event on July 21 at the Owl Creek Reservoir.

For the past two years the event has been held as a candlelight walk through the streets of Tamaqua as a means to draw attention to drug overdose awareness. This year, organizers have expanded to a full day of activities to promote awareness, celebrate recovery and offer support to those in need. In addition to inspirational speakers, there will be free face painting, popcorn, snow cones, basket giveaways, prevention education and resource material. Children will be given five free tickets for games.

There will still be a candlelight walk, which will begin at 4 p.m. Following the walk, there will be a live butterfly release.

One of the guest speakers will be former NFL star Vance Johnson, who will share his personal story of recovery.

Blood Drive

Tamaqua Masonic Lodge 238 will sponsor a blood drive for the Miller-Keystone Blood Center on July 26. The drive will be held from 2 to 7 p.m. at the lodge, located at 7 Shawn Ave., Route 54 in Hometown.

Anyone 17 or older who weighs at least 110 pounds and is in good general health is eligible to donate blood. For more information, call 570-668-3852.

Car show

The Tamaqua Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a series of free, informal car shows at Heisler’s Dairy Bar in the Lewistown Valley. Billed as “Sundae Drivers Park and Gawk, organizers say the events are meant to be fun, informal shows where car enthusiasts can spend time together swapping stories and enjoy good food. The next event is scheduled for 4 p.m. on July 22.

Family fun

Bethany Evangelical Congregational Church will sponsor a Community Carnival on July 28 at 223 E. Broad St.

Festivities will begin at 11 a.m. and continue to 6 p.m. Organizers are planning to have free games, hot dogs, popcorn, snow cones, a dunk tank, door prizes and a ga-ga pit.

J.J. Beauvais will perform a free concert from 4 to 6 p.m.

Sal news

The Tamaqua Salvation Army is preparing for the new school year by scheduling a book bag giveaway on Aug. 13 and 14. Hours both days will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Dates to sign up for holiday food baskets will be Oct. 9, 10 and 11.

Vacation Bible School, with the theme Hero Central, will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. July 23-27.

St. John Lutheran

The Rev. William Thompson will officiate at the 9:15 a.m. Sunday service in St. John’s Lutheran Church.

Calvary Lewistown

All services for Calvary Evangelical United Methodist Church in the Lewistown Valley will be held at the Lewistown Valley Tabernacle. The Rev. Susan Moore will officiate at the 10:25 a.m. service this Sunday. Sunday school classes meet at 9:15 a.m.

Also on Sunday, there will be an evening service at 6:30 p.m. Pie night will be held after the service.

The Dixie Melody Boys will perform on July 26. The concert of gospel music will begin at 7 p.m. The public is welcome.

Contact Kathy Kunkel at 570-668-1250 or kkunkel@tnonline.com. Contact the Times News at 800-443-0377 or tneditor@tnonline.com.