West End news for July 11, 2019
Senior Expo
State Sen. Mario Scavello, co-hosting with state Reps. Rosemary Brown, Jack Rader and Maureen Madden, is hosting a Senior Expo at the Pocono Mountains Swiftwater Elementary Center from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday.
It offers free admission, door prizes, health screenings, educational seminars and refreshments as well as exhibitors from government agencies and senior citizen organizations.
CarFit, a free interactive and educational program designed to improve older drive safety, will be part of the day. To register contact Tracy Fox at 570-954-8310 or tfox@hsnet.org.
Kresgeville VBS
Salem-St. Paul’s Lutheran Church is holding its VBS this week, beginning Monday morning at 10 a.m.
The theme is: Who is my Neighbor.
Women’s Club
The Western Pocono Women’s Club next meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Monday at Effort United Methodist Church.
The speaker will be CVS pharmacist Sandra Green. She will be presenting an informative program on the epidemic of the use of opioids called One Choice.
The club has a new project: Blessing Bag Purses. It will benefit Women’s Resources. As such the members will be collecting items for the project including: gently loved purses, chap stick/lip balm, small packs of tissues, gum, mints or hard candy, small brush, comb or mirror, panty liners or tampons, small note book with pen, hand sanitizer, small hand lotion, travel-size hair spray.
Free summer meals
The Pleasant Valley Ecumenical Network is providing free summer meals for kids and teens at five different locations at various times and days including the Sun Valley Firehouse, Pleasant Valley Middle School, Chestnuthill Township Park, Pleasant Valley Elementary School and the Western Pocono Community Library.
For more information, visit the PVEN website at PVEN.net, email PVEN@ptd.net or call 570-992-3136.
Bake oven
Quiet Valley will hold a bake oven workshop from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, rain or shine, at the farm’s bake oven.
There is a cost and there is a limit of eight people. Sign up and pay by this Thursday. Call 570-992-6161.
Bug Fest event
A photo exhibit, featuring the work of Maya Shikman, is part of Bug Fest on Saturday at the Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center on Running Valley Road. The information that goes with it has been provided by Monroe County 4-H Club’s Insects Are Us members. Shikman’s photos will be on display through July 31.
The show will highlight the biodiversity of the entomological world of the Pocono Mountains. It will coincide with this summer’s Kettle Creek Bug Fest event, in conjunction with Monroe County 4-H Club’s Insects Are Us education.
Families are invited to come out and have some buggy fun with live critters, a butterfly tent, displays, games and take-home crafts; all day, all about those six-legged friends. All day activities include insect safaris, live insects, insect collections, painting with maggots and games.
The Insect Olympics will take place twice at 11:30 a.m. and again at 1:30 p.m. Come dressed as your favorite bug, nymph or caterpillar and participate in the Insect Parade.
There is an admission fee for children under 12.
Habitat seeking help
Monroe County Habitat for Humanity has announced an opportunity to volunteer to help the veterans in the community have a safer, more decent place to live.
MCHFH is partnering with the Pocono Builders Association to paint Valor’s Paul’s House in Jonas. Paul’s house provides beds, meals and community to the veterans in the community.
Painting of Paul’s House starts on Monday. Work will be scheduled every day, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. except Sundays. The project will last for two weeks, and 240 volunteers are needed to help get the job done.
Groups, businesses and corporations are encouraged to sign up for this opportunity. If one only has time even to volunteer for one day, the help can really be used.
No skills are needed, but if one is skilled that is great. Contact the volunteer administrator, Guy Patra, now for more information.
MCHFH is also looking for donations of lunches for each day that the volunteers will be painting Paul’s House.
Any restaurants, pizzerias or catering facilities that would be interested in donating lunches for 25 volunteers on a given day, is asked to contact MCHFH, either by email to Volunteer Coordinator, Guy Patra, at volunteer@habitatmc.org or sign up online at http://www.habitatmc.org/get-involved/volunteer-forms. Interested people can also call the office directly at 570-216-4390.
Prayer Shawl time
Effort UMC’s Prayer Shawl Ministry members and friends will gather from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday to do their stitches of love and caring for those who are hurting.
Newcomers are welcome.
Chestnuthill Supervisors
The Chestnuthill Township Supervisors are slated to meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the township municipal building on Route 715.
Kettle Creek
The Monroe County Conservation District’s summer Kettle Creek for Kids program continues for three more Wednesdays. It is a one-hour program from 10 to 11 a.m. and a parent must accompany the child.
On July 16 the topic is: Hiding in Plain Sight.
Beautiful Birds is the topic on July 23 and on July 30 it is Solar Art.
There is a cost and preregistration is required and limited to 25 kids per program. It will only be accepted one week in advance online, www.mcconservation.org/calendar, or by calling 570-629-3061.
Community dinner
Zion Lutheran Church will host a free community dinner at 5 p.m. Wednesday.
Sub vets meet
The U.S. Submarine Veterans, Pocono Base, meet regularly on the third Wednesday of each month at the Wilson Fisher American Legion, Post 413, Old Route 940, in Pocono Pines. It is a local chapter of the national organization U.S. Submarine Veterans Inc.
The purpose of the organization is to perpetuate the memory of shipmates who gave their lives in the pursuit of their duties while serving their country. Submarine veterans from all eras are encouraged to join.
This month’s meeting will be at 7 p.m. July 17.
For additional information and directions, visit http://poconosubvets.org or call 610-681-2606.
Family Table
St. Matthew’s UCC, Kunkletown, will hold its next Family Table service at noon July 21.
Bog walks held
Monroe County Conservation District’s Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center offers guided weekly Tannersville Bog Walks at 10 a.m. Wednesdays through Sept. 11.
This coming Sunday it will host a 2½ hour walk, beginning at 1 p.m. and meeting at the bog parking lot. The group will be guided by an Environmental Educator from the center who will teach participants about the bog, a unique boreal bog for this area, owned by the Nature Conservancy. Feet may get wet. Participants should wear appropriate footwear. The bog is filled with bird songs and interesting insect eating plants.
Participants will meet at the bog parking lot by 10 a.m. for the weekly walks which can be reached by traveling on Route 611, and at the light at the Tannersville Inn turning onto Cherry Lane Road. The parking lot is 1.9 miles on the right from Route 611.
There is a cost. Participants are asked to wear appropriate footwear for walking in the woods and through fields. Preregistration is required. To preregister, call the center at 570-629-3061, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and some Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Volunteers sought
Retired and Senior Volunteer Program has volunteer opportunities throughout Monroe County:
Minor Home Repair: needs men or women to help with minor repairs including ramps, grab bars, hand rails and more. Help residents remain safely in their homes.
Friendly Visitors: weekly or biweekly visits or phone calls to lonely clients in need of socialization and kindness. Visits needed for one or two hours within one’s availability.
Hospital Volunteers: needed for various positions; times and dates can be flexible. Positions include patient escort, receptionist, clerical, main entrance greeter, or gift shop.
For these and many opportunities call RSVP at 570-420-3747. Office is located at 411 Main St. Suite 102B Stroudsburg. Emily or Merle will be happy to assist volunteers.
Nature day camp
Monroe County Conservation District’s Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center has announced Get in Touch with Nature, a day camp for 7- to 13-year-olds being held from Aug. 5-16.
Children can go for one or two weeks.
For times, costs and stay-late fees, call the center at 570- 629-3061, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and some Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. or visit the website www.mcconservation.org.
Contact Adele Argot at 717-933-4028 or arargot3@verizon.net. Contact the Times News at 800-443-0377 or tneditor@tnonline.com.
