Tamaqua news for Jan. 25, 2018

Chamber dinner

The Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual community dinner will be held April 26 at the Mountain Valley Golf Course in Barnesville. This year the chamber will observe the dinner’s 66th anniversary.

The annual event includes honoring the Tamaqua Citizen and Business Persons of the Year.

While the chamber isn’t accepting nominations for those awards as of yet, it isn’t too early to begin consideration of possible nominees.

There are a few guidelines for potential nominations.

The Citizenship Award is open to residents of the Tamaqua Area School District, 18 years of age or older. The recipient is selected on the basis of voluntary contributions to the civic advancement of Tamaqua and the well-being of its residents.

The Business Person of the Year Award is based on accomplishments, contributions to the community and other distinguishable qualities.

Rush Ryan seniors

The Rush-Ryan-Delano Senior Citizens met Jan. 9 at the Ryan Township Fire Company with 41 members in attendance. President Eleanor Schmerfeld conducted the business session after opening the meeting with the invocation “Prayer of St. Francis.”

A moment of silence was held in honor of James Valentine and Betty Bablo.

January birthdays were celebrated, honoring Doris Yeager, who was visiting, Betty Kunkle and Mae Bittner. Joe Stonge was thanked for remodeling the bingo machine.

Upcoming events were discussed, including Jan. 16 trip to Mohegan Sun in Wilkes-Barre; and a May 1 trip to Penn’s Peak for Branson Fever.

Brown bag lunches will be the refreshments until further notice.

The group is open to anyone 55 or older.

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.

Also on Sunday, commission meetings will be held at 11:45 a.m.

Activities for next week include: Monday, Celebrate Recovery men’s training at 5:30 p.m., Celebrate Recovery meets at 6:30 p.m.; Wednesday, Celebrate Recovery women’s training at 10 a.m., TYM REMIX meets at 6:30 p.m.; Thursday, musician practice at 7 p.m., worship leaders meet at 7:30 p.m.

Snow rules

It’s winter and that means 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.

Book club

Adult book discussions are held at the Tamaqua Public Library on the last Monday of each month. January’s book is “Night,” written by Elie Wiesel about his experiences in the German concentration camps in Auschwitz and Buchenwald. It’s only 100 pages long, but has been described as a heartbreaking memoir. Wiesel is a winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. The discussion session will be held at 6 p.m. Jan. 29.

For more information, call 570-668-4660.

The library is located at 30 S. Railroad St., Tamaqua.

Tax exemptions

The Tamaqua Area School District is accepting Assessed Occupation Tax exemption applications for the 2018-19 school year. This will cover the 2018 calendar year. This year’s forms are pink.

Retired people and those with no earned income who have previously been exempted do not need to file again unless their status has changed and they are now earning income.

Also, those who are disabled or at least 75 years of age who have been specifically notified of their exemption by the district need not file an application.

Students who reach the age of 18 by June 30, 2018, will be responsible for paying the tax unless exempt by application.

Requests for exemption must be filed with the district by March 1, 2018.

Application forms are available at the school district administration building, all tax collectors’ offices, Tamaqua Borough Hall, the Tamaqua Public Library, and all post offices and bank branches within the district.

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.

St. John Lutheran

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

Also on Sunday, bells will rehearse at 8 a.m., Confirmation and Sunday school classes meet at 10:30 a.m.

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

Calvary Evangelical

The Rev. Philip Sabas will officiate at the 10:25 a.m. worship service this Sunday in Calvary Evangelical Methodist Church in the Lewistown Valley. Sunday school classes meet at 9:15 a.m.

Also on Sunday, a time of singing and Bible study will be held at 6:30 p.m.

The next prayer meeting will be at 7 p.m. Jan. 31.

St. Peter’s Union

The Rev. Kenneth Buckwalter will officiate at the 9 a.m. worship service this Sunday at St. Peter’s Union Church in Mantzville. The service will include the annual congregational meeting. Sunday school classes meet at 10:15 a.m.

Also on Sunday, the Confirmation class meets at 11:15 a.m., Cub and Girl Scouts will meet at 6 p.m.

Next week’s activities include: Tuesday, prayer group meets at 5 p.m.; Wednesday, junior choir rehearses at 7 p.m., senior choir practice is at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, Candlemas Day observance, 6 p.m. in the fellowship hall.

Primitive Methodist

Pastor Rick Clemson will officiate at the 10:45 a.m. worship service on Sunday in American Primitive Methodist Church. Sunday school classes are held at 9:30 a.m.

Hope in the Mountains NFG will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Feb. 1.

Zion Lewistown

Pastor Jim Williams will officiate at the 10:30 a.m. service this Sunday in Zion Church, Lewistown Valley. Sunday school will be held at 9:15 a.m.

Also this Sunday, a covered dish dinner and congregational meeting will be held following the worship service.

The youth group will meet at 6 p.m. Jan. 31 at Spare Time Bowling in Hometown and the guild will meet at 7 p.m. Feb. 1.

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