West End news for Jan. 9, 2019

Church open

In continuing the observance of the National Week of Prayer, Pleasant Valley Assembly of God Church, Brodheadsville, will be open until 7 p.m. today and also from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday.

Recycling trees

Chestnuthill residents may recycle their fresh Christmas tree at the Chestnuthill Township Compost Facility any Saturday after Christmas, from 7 a.m. until 3:45 p.m. The address of the compost facility is 3223 Hillcrest Drive, Effort.

Any township resident with questions about recycling can check the township website or call the Recycling Center at 570-992-4654.

The Chestnuthill Township Recycling Center/Transfer Station is open Monday, Wednesday and Saturday for the above hours, (with 4:45 p.m. for summer hours).

As a result of growth in the township’s program, the township now recycles more than 38 items including newly added recyclables such as fluorescent bulbs, Styrofoam, rigid plastics and batteries.

There is no charge for recycling at the Chestnuthill Township Recycling Center/Transfer Station, and all residents are encouraged to save money by participating in the pay-as-you-throw program.

This simply means that at the recycling center/transfer station you only pay for the items which you cannot recycle (at the current rate per 30-gallon bag).

Additionally, the township offers yard waste shredding and composting services for the residents, who are welcome to use the compost for their yard and garden projects.

Auxiliary meeting

The Legion Auxiliary is slated to meet at 6 p.m. today at the Post Home in Gilbert.

WEPOSC meeting

The West End Park and Open Space Commission will meet at 6:30 p.m. today at the Chestnuthill Township Park Building on Route 715 in Brodheadsville.

Business support

Free business consulting services for startup and existing businesses will be provided at the Western Pocono Community Library in Brodheadsville from 9 a.m. to noon Thursday by the Small Business Development Center at The University of Scranton.

For an appointment for free business consulting services, call University of Scranton’s Leigh Fennie at 570-941-4252.

PVEN board

The Pleasant Valley Ecumenical Network board of directors will meet at 10 a.m. Thursday at Pleasant Valley Presbyterian Church in Brodheadsville.

PV school board

The Pleasant Valley School District Board of Education will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Administrative Center at the school complex in Brodheadsville.

Blood drive

West End neighbor Jackson Township is hosting an American Red Cross blood drive from 1 to 6 p.m. Friday. And on Jan. 25, one will be happening from 1-6 p.m. at the Kunkletown Firehouse. Donate blood or Power Red at either place.

Pantry open

The food pantry at Effort United Methodist is open from 10 a.m. to noon this Saturday.

Blast off event

The West End Park is hosting a free activity, making a straw and paper rocket, on Saturday. It begins at 10 a.m. and ends at noon.

Rocketmakers will be able to test their skills and see how far their creation will fly, as well as if the creator can aim it into the Black Hole.

For more information, call Bernie Kozen at 570-992-9733 or email bkozen@weposc.org.

K of C benefit

A benefit for the Knights of Columbus 7141 at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, a Night at the Races, will be held on Saturday, with doors opening at 5 p.m. Funds raised will benefit the K of C scholarships and charities.

For details, check the church website. It is an adults-only event.

New council

St. Matthew’s UCC, Kunkletown, is welcoming new council members: Darryl Breinich, Norman Burger, Stephen Christiansen, Randy Cramer and Harry Koehler, while thanking the following for three years of service: Leon Barlieb, Joan Madden, Jack Lovewell, Lynn Witt and Leslie Byrne.

The new council members will be installed at the 9 a.m. worship service Sunday.

Fellowship breakfast

Effort UMC is having a fellowship breakfast from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Sunday in fellowship hall. It is a freewill offering event, with all net proceeds going to the Capitol Improvement/Building Fund.

The church is still is taking orders for homemade ham and bean and/or creamy corn chowder soup through Sunday. Pickup is set for Jan. 20.

For availability and costs per quart, call the church at 570-629-1850.

Riders meet

The Riders meeting at the Gilbert American Legion will gather Sunday, beginning at 10:30 a.m. It is the time for the final officer nominations, and elections will be held during the meeting.

For more information, contact everett.shaver@yahoo.com.

Bible study

McMichaels UMC is continuing a Bible study based on “The Shack” on Tuesday, Jan. 22 and Jan. 29 at the church at 104 White Church Road, McMichaels. The class begins at 6 p.m. It is open to all and there is no cost to attend. Anyone with questions can call Pastor Ed at 610-597-1030.

Book fair begins

The Pleasant Valley Intermediate School’s book fair begins on Monday and continues through Friday during in school time.

All Sports Club

The Pleasant Valley All Sports Club is slated to meet at 7 p.m. Monday in the high school library.

WELL registration

The spring 2019 registration for the west End Little League is already underway. It closes Jan. 19.

Register online and pay by check or credit card. If anyone has any registration questions, contact any board member. For more information, visit the league’s registration information page on the web. The site address is: westendlittleleague.org.

The league’s board will meet at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. It is a closed meeting.

An open league meeting follows at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 17 at the Chestnuthill Township Park building in Brodheadsville.

WEFCO statistics

Don Zipp reports that the West End Fire Company in Chestnuthill responded to 30 incidents in December. The volunteers were called out 514 times for the whole year.

Special service

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is being celebrated from Jan. 18-25 this year. It is an interdenominational event.

PVEN is hosting this year’s Prayer for Christians Unity Worship Service at 10 a.m. Jan. 24 at Our Lady Queen of Peace Roman Catholic Church in Gilbert. All are welcome to come and worship together. After the worship service, members of Queen of Peace will be preparing a brunch at no cost for all who attend.

The Rev. Suzanne Brooks-Cope, pastor at St. Matthew’s UCC in Kunkletown, will preach.

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2019 worldwide ecumenical worship service has been written by Christians in Indonesia.

In case of bad weather, the prayer service for Christian Unity will be moved to 10 a.m. Jan. 31 and the brunch will follow.

Essential repairs

Qualifying homeowners may take advantage of Monroe County Habitat for Humanity’s home preservation, which provides for low-cost, deferred payment, volunteer-based home repair.

To find out about qualifying, contact the MCHFH office immediately at 570-216-4390 or email the director at ExecDirector@HabitatMC.org for more information and an application.

For additional information, visit www.HabitatMC.org/Services/Home-Preservation.

Discount tickets

West End Park & Open Space Commission is offering discounted ski tickets for Blue Mountain, Jack Frost/Big Boulder, Shawnee and Elk Mountains. Tickets are available at the Chestnuthill Park office, 221 Route 715, Brodheadsville.

For more information, contact Bernie Kozen at 570-992-9733 or bkozen@weposc.org.

Contact Adele Argot at 717-933-4028 or arargot3@verizon.net. Contact the Times News at 800-443-0377 or tneditor@tnonline.com.