Tamaqua news for Dec. 13, 2018
Garden club news
The Lewistown Valley Garden Club met on Nov. 27 for an evening of Christmas crafting, hosted by Louise Flexer. Everyone in attendance had the opportunity to create a unique Christmas decoration.
The club will hold its annual Christmas party on Dec. 18 in the social hall at Zion Church of the Lewistown Valley. Members are to bring a covered dish and recipe to share. In lieu of a gift exchange, members will make a donation to a local charity.
The party and dinner will be the last meeting of 2018. The group will then go on hiatus until March 2019.
Rush-Ryan seniors
The Rush-Ryan-Delano Senior Citizens held its annual Christmas party on Dec. 4 at Capriotti’s in McAdoo. The invocation “Christmas Spirit Eternal” was offered by the chaplain.
Gloria Gerhart provided the table favors and Ruthann Feane distributed candy canes to everyone in attendance. Several door prizes were awarded, including two gift baskets that went to Fred Herb and Dorothy Fegley.
Bill Morrison, Larry Bower and Alice Tite were added to the sick list.
The group meets the second and fourth Tuesday of every month at the Ryan Township Fire Company in Barnesville and is open to anyone 55 or older.
Zion’s events
Zion Lutheran Church is hosting several community events this month in celebration of the Christmas holidays.
“Pastor White and Friends” will highlight a Christmas concert on Dec. 15. Free will offerings will be donated to the church’s capital campaign fund and the Tamaqua Public Library.
The concert will begin at 4 p.m. and will include traditional carols, folk tunes, lullabies and a few seasonal singalongs. The acoustic performance will be provided by Pastor Cindy White, Dave Miller, Matt McCluskey and Emily Ahern.
“A Charlie Brown Christmas” will be presented at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 16. There will be games, cookies, candy, hot chocolate, a train display and time spent with Santa.
The church is located at the corner of Mauch Chunk and Greenwood Streets.
St. John Lutheran
The Rev. Phyllis Wolford will officiate at the 9:15 a.m. Sunday service in St. John’s Lutheran Church.
Sunday school and Confirmation classes will meet at 10:30 a.m.
Next week’s activities include: Tuesday, learning ministry meets at 6:30 p.m.; Thursday, property committee meets at 7 p.m., angel choir practice is at 6 p.m., Shepherd Choir rehearses at 6:30 p.m., chancel choir meets.
The bell choir will rehearse at 8 a.m. on Dec. 23.
Zion Lewistown
Pastor Jim Williams will officiate at the 10:30 a.m. service this Sunday in Zion Church, Lewistown Valley. Sunday school classes will meet at 9:15 a.m.
Also this Sunday, the church Christmas party will be held following the worship service.
The Christmas Eve candlelight service will be held at 4 p.m. on Dec. 24.
St. Peter’s West Penn
Glenn Rarick will be the worship leader at the 9 a.m. worship service this Sunday in St. Peter’s Church in West Penn. Sunday school classes meet at 10:15 a.m.
Also on Sunday, the junior choir will rehearse at 11 a.m., Girl Scouts will meet at 6 p.m. and the church board will meet at 6:30 p.m.
Next week’s activities include: Tuesday, prayer group meets at 5 p.m.; Wednesday, preschool will present its Christmas program at 6 p.m.; Thursday, senior choir rehearsal at 7:30 p.m.
Christmas Eve services will be at 2 p.m., with the Rev. Kenneth Melber Jr. officiating; and at 7 and 10:30 p.m., with the Rev. Virginia Heimer as celebrant. All services will include Holy Communion.
Calvary Lewistown
The Rev. Susan Moore will officiate at the 10:25 a.m. worship service this Sunday in Calvary Evangelical Methodist Church in the Lewistown Valley. The service will include the Sunday school Christmas program, directed by Ryan Troxell.
Christmas carolers will meet at the church at 4 p.m. on Dec. 15.
Also on Sunday, an evening service, featuring the Max Lucado Advent series, will be held at 6:30 p.m.
A prayer meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 19.
The Christmas candlelight service will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 23.
Bethany EC
The Rev. Kevin Roberts will officiate at the 8 and 10:30 a.m. worship services this Sunday in Bethany Evangelical Congregational Church. Sunday school meets at 9:15 a.m. On Sunday, the TYM Remix staff meets at 11:45 a.m. and the Hometown Nursing Center service is at 2:30 p.m.
Activities for the next week include: Monday, Celebrate Recovery women’s training at 5 p.m., Celebrate Recovery men’s training at 5:15 p.m., Celebrate Recovery meets at 6:30 p.m.; Wednesday, TYM Remix meets at 6:30 p.m., GriefShare meets at 7 p.m., worship practice is at 8 p.m.
Three services will be celebrated on Christmas Eve: traditional service at 3 p.m. and candlelight services at 7 and 11 p.m.
Snow rules
With the onset of winter weather comes the reminder that snow could fall at any time. Tamaqua residents are reminded of borough rules concerning snow removal.
Property owners are required to maintain a clear path, at least 3 feet wide, on sidewalks. Snow and ice must be removed from these pathways within 24 hours of the end of a snowstorm.
Snow, ice and other materials may not be thrown into the streets. Fines of $25 and up may be imposed on anyone caught throwing snow or ice into the street, or who fails to maintain a snow-free pathway.
People who plow snow from in front of homes and businesses must remove any piles of snow they create. Anyone piling snow in the street or parking areas could be cited.
Residents are asked to refrain from piling snow near fire hydrants or on top of storm drains and are encouraged to clear snow from these areas. Call 570-668-3444 or 570-668-0300 for more information.
Contact Kathy Kunkel at 570-668-1250 or kkunkel@tnonline.com. Contact the Times News at 800-443-0377 or tneditor@tnonline.com.
