Tamaqua news for April 25, 2019

Farewell

Well, this is it, the very last Tamaqua column that I will write.

Yes, unbelievable as it seems, I have decided to retire from the newspaper industry and its late-night meetings, early-morning deadlines and last-minute assignments. Tomorrow, April 26, will be my last day in the office.

For more than 31 years I have shared in your events, special occasions, community service, your joys and your pain. Every day has been an adventure, but it’s time for me to embark on a different type of adventure.

As I leave you with these last words, know that the Tamaqua column will continue in my absence. It will be written by Susan Eckhart, my friend, who has worked beside me in the Tamaqua office for the past three years. I know I can trust her to care for “my” readers as I did.

So, farewell and Godspeed to each of you. If you get the chance, stop in tomorrow for a goodbye hug.

Pool passes

Applications are now available for season passes to the H.D. Buehler Memorial (Bungalow) Pool. Opening day is tentatively set for 11:30 a.m. on June 1. No season or daily passes will be available that day.

Steeply discounted rates for Tamaqua Area School District residents are made available through the generosity of the John E. Morgan Foundation. Rates have been increased for out-of-district residents.

Applications are available at Tamaqua Borough Hall; the Tamaqua; Fegley’s Mini Mart; the Tamaqua Post Office; and Our Family Mini Mart. Completed applications are to be taken to the borough hall. To ensure having your pass by opening day, have your application completed before April 30.

Borough hall is located at 320 E. Broad St.

May art exhibit

The May art exhibit at the Tamaqua Community Arts Center will feature the work of Maria Stabio, a native of San Francisco who now resides in Grier City.

The exhibit will open with an artist meet and greet from 6 to 8 p.m. on May 8. There will be light refreshments, and the public is welcome to attend.

The art center is located at 125 Pine St., Tamaqua.

Garden helpline

The Penn State Master Gardener program has established a horticulture helpline to answer gardening-related questions from Schuylkill County residents.

Master gardener volunteers will be available from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through Friday, with information about trees, flowers, shrubs, lawns, garden soil, vegetables, insects, plant diseases and more. The helpline will be available through the end of September.

Anyone with a question related to lawns, landscapes and gardens will now have their answers just a phone call away. The helpline number is 570-622-4225, ext. 22. Help is also available by email at schuylkillmg@psu.edu or by visiting the Penn State Extension Office at 1202 Ag Center Drive, Pottsville.

St. John Lutheran

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

Also on Sunday, Confirmation and Sunday school classes will meet following the worship service.

The learning ministry will meet at 6:30 p.m. on April 29.

Choirs will rehearse on Thursday, angels at 6:30 p.m.; shepherds at 6:30 p.m.; chancel choir at 7:30 p.m.

The bell choir will rehearse at 8 a.m. May 5.

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.

Also on Sunday, there will be a time of congregational singing, the presentation of a Lenten video and a Bible discussion at 6:30 p.m.

St. Peter’s Union

The Rev. Virginia Heimer will officiate at the 9 a.m. Sunday service at St. Peter’s Church, West Penn. Sunday school classes meet at 10:15 a.m.

Also on Sunday, the 175th anniversary committee will meet at 10:30 a.m.; junior choir rehearsal is at 11 a.m., Girl Scouts meet at 6 p.m. and the church board will meet at 6 p.m.

Next week’s activities include: Tuesday, prayer group meets at 5 p.m.; Wednesday, Confirmation class meets at 5 p.m.; Thursday, National Day of Prayer, senior choir rehearses at 7:30 p.m.

Contact Susan Eckhart at 570-668-1250 or seckhart@tnonline.com. Contact the Times News at 800-443-0377 or tneditor@tnonline.com.