Tamaqua news for Jan. 3, 2019

Tree collecting

The Borough of Tamaqua Street Department will be collecting used, unwanted Christmas trees throughout the month of January.

Residents should place their trees at the curb for pickup on their garbage collection day. Christmas trees must be free of tinsel and other decorations.

The street department will check each street on garbage days and collect trees as time and weather permits.

No trees will be collected after Jan. 31.

Residents may also drop off their Christmas trees behind the Tamaqua Borough garage at 421 Rear E. Broad St.

Garden club news

The Lewistown Valley Garden Club held its annual Christmas party on Dec. 18 in the social hall at Zion Church of the Lewistown Valley. Members shared their favorite covered dishes and recipes. In lieu of a gift exchange, a donation was made to a local charity.

The party and dinner were the last garden club event of 2018. The group will be on hiatus until March 2019.

Soup social

Trinity United Church of Christ, 22 Lafayette St., will continue its free, monthly soup social during 2019. The first social of the new year will be held on Saturday.

Free soup and fellowship will be available from 4 to 6 p.m.

Participants are asked to use the lower parking lot entrance to the church social hall.

Tamaqua seniors

The Tamaqua Senior Citizens met Dec. 20 at the Tamaqua YMCA with 38 members in attendance. President Melody Weicker opened the meeting with the reading of “Look For Me.”

November and December birthdays were celebrated, with special wishes extended to: Lillian Tomsho, Lois Millet, Nora Sheidy, Doris Brobst, Grace Sakusky, John Fredericks, Jean Machamer and Joan Camerini.

Brown bag lunches will continue through the winter months.

The group is open to anyone 55 or older, meeting at 1 p.m. every Thursday at the YMCA, with a few exceptions for holidays. The next meeting will be held on Jan. 10.

Library news

The Tamaqua Public Library’s young adult program meets the third Monday of each month. The next session will be at 6 p.m. on Jan. 21, when the discussion will center on “Musicals.”

The library is located at 30 S. Railroad St. For more information on any library event, call 570-668-4660.

Regular library hours are: Monday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Friday, noon to 5 p.m.; and Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

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 classes meet at 9:15 a.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., worship practice is at 8 p.m.; Thursday, outreach planning session at 7 p.m.

Zion Lewistown

Pastor Jim Williams will officiate at the 10:30 a.m. service this Sunday in Zion Church, Lewistown Valley. The service will include Holy Communion. Sunday school classes will meet at 9:15 a.m.

On Jan. 8, the fundraising committee will meet at 6:30 p.m. and the preschool board will meet at 7:30 p.m.

St. John Lutheran

The Rev. Phyllis Wolford will officiate at the 9:15 a.m. Sunday service in St. John’s Lutheran Church. The service will include Holy Communion.

Also on Sunday, Sunday school and Confirmation classes will meet at 10:30 a.m.

Activities for next week include: Tuesday, worship and music committee will meet at 3:30 p.m.; Thursday, angel choir rehearses at 6 p.m., shepherd choir meets at 6:30 p.m. and chancel choir practice is at 7:30 p.m.

St. Peter’s

The Rev. Virginia Heimer will officiate at the 9 a.m. worship service this Sunday at St. Peter’s West Penn Church, Mantzville. The service will include Holy Communion and the installation of church and cemetery board members.

Also on Sunday, Sunday school classes will meet at 10:15 a.m.; junior choir rehearsal is at 11 a.m.; Girl Scouts meet at 6 p.m.

Activities for next week include: Tuesday, prayer group meets at 5 p.m., called to care committee meets at 6 p.m., worship and music committee meets at 7 p.m.; Wednesday, retirees meet at 10 a.m., Confirmation class is at 5 p.m.; Thursday, senior choir practice is at 7:30 p.m.

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