West End news for June 5, 2019

WEF activities

Don Zipp of the West End Fire Company reports that the volunteers had 28 calls for service in May, making the total for the first five months of the year 171.

Currently the company is working with Polk Township, preparing various firefighters for their National Accreditation test to become Firefighter Level 1 certified on June 15, serving at the Pleasant Valley High School graduation on June 7 with a truck and a crew, and Polk Fire Company’s 50th anniversary June 8, as well as the usual call response, weekly training and weekly fleet maintenance.

Coming also in June is the Festival of Fire Companies being held at the West End Fair on June 27-29.

That is a combined fundraiser for the four local companies, including West End, Blue Ridge Hook and Ladder, Polk Township and Kunkletown.

The days will include food, rides, games and entertainment,

On Saturday, there will be fireworks, weather-permitting.

Gates open at 5:30 Thursday and Friday and at 2:30 on Saturday.

Discounted tickets

WEPOSC has discounted amusement park and attraction tickets available, including from Hershey Park, Six Flags, Dorney Park, Knoebels, Philadelphia Zoo, Crayola Experience, Adventure Aquarium, Medieval Times, Maryland Zoo, Franklin Institute, PA Renaissance Faire and Diggerland. Tickets are available at the Chestnuthill Park Building, 221 Route 715, Brodheadsville.

For more information, call 717-992-9733 or email bkozen@weposc.org.

Headed to Ukraine

West Ender Sandie Flannery from the Orphan Outreach Ministry at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church will be traveling to Ukraine to join a group of eight orphans who are going on a pilgrimage to Medjugorje with a group of Ukrainian volunteers.

The journey by bus from Ukraine to Medjugorje in Bosnia will be a challenge. Prayers are requested.

Home Association

The West End Home Association will meet at 7:30 p.m. today at the American Legion post home in Gilbert.

Eldred Township

The Board of Supervisors for Eldred Township is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. the first and third Wednesday of the month at the Eldred Township Municipal Building in Kunkletown Road. To verify tonight’s meeting, call the township.

Photo exhibit

A breast cancer photo exhibit is slated for the Western Pocono Community Library for 6 p.m. Thursday. A free program and reception to see the exhibit 67 Women, 67 Counties: Facing Breast Cancer in PA will take place.

To RSVP, call 800-377-8828, ext. 3050.

Legion meets

American Legion Post 927 will hold its monthly meeting at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Post Home in Gilbert.

Blood drive

The Rimrock Masonic Center is hosting an American Red Cross blood drive from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday.

Clothing distribution

PVEN has posted a clothing distribution for Fridays, beginning at 9 a.m.

All recipients who have qualified for help must call at least 24 hours in advance to reserve a time slot on pickup day. The number is 570-992-3136.

Bike Night event

All bikes and cars are welcome at the Bike Night being held at the Post 927 pavilion in Gilbert, beginning at 5 p.m. Friday and running until 9 p.m. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.

In addition, there will be a Best Bike contest and a live band, Knobby Whistler.

For more information, contact Spears at 941-400-2293.

Commencement

The Pleasant Valley school district is having its last day of school on Friday. That day is also the commencement for graduating seniors, beginning at 7 p.m.

Memorial ride

American Legion Riders Post 927 are holding a motorcycle run and barbecue in memory of Jack McCloskey to benefit Valor on Saturday, with the start and finish at the American Legion Post 927, corner of Route 209 and Fairgrounds Road, Gilbert.

Registration begins at 9 a.m.; kickstands up at 10:30 a.m. There is a donation requested for the bike run and for a passenger.

The event includes a family friendly party at noon at the American Legion, with barbecue pork roast, Nicest Bike Contest, Valor shirts, Tricky Tray, raffles, vendors, music by Slammin Jam. There is a barbecue/party only entry fee which includes a meal.

All proceeds to Valor, whose mission is to improve the lives of our nation’s veterans by providing free access to coaching and care that will address service-connected conditions and improve life skills for work and life outside of service.

For more information, and vendor space, contact Everett Shaver at e.shaver@ampost927.com or 570-977-8208.

For more information about the American Legion Post 927, visit www.ampost927.com.

Effort pantry

The Supplemental Food Resource Center at Effort UMC will be open from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday. It is an outreach of the church and serves the communities of Effort, Gilbert, Kunkletown, Kresgeville, Brodheadsville, Saylorsburg, Sciota and Albrightsville. A valid driver’s license or state ID with address proving residency in the West End is required.

Family funtime

Western Pocono Community Library will be holding a Saturday Family Fun Time every Saturday beginning at 10:30 a.m. This program is open to families of all ages; there will be stories, songs, games and crafts. For more information, contact the library at 570-992-7934.

Chartered trip set

A chartered bus trip to Hollywood Casino and Race Track, hosted by the Kresgeville TOPS group, will be leaving Country Junction parking lot Saturday. The bus is to be boarded at 2:45 p.m. and then leave the casino at 11 p.m.

For more information, including cost or to book a seat, call Ellie at 570-778-7381.

Confirmation held

Salem-St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Kresgeville has a filled Sunday morning scheduled.

It includes the 8:15 a.m. service with Holy Communion, the 9 a.m. Confirmation class, the 10:30 a.m. Service with Holy Communion with Confirmation and Sunday school, and at 11:40 a.m. a reception for the confirmands.

Riders meet

The Riders monthly meeting will be held at 10:30 a.m. Sunday. The final officer nominations will be on the agenda and the election will be held that day during the meeting.

For more information contact everett.shaver@yahoo.com

Strawberry festival

Salem UCC, Gilbert, will hold its strawberry festival from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

There will be sandwiches, a basket raffle, entertainment and fabulous strawberry desserts.

The worship service is at 10 a.m.

UMW meeting

Effort UMC’s United Methodist Women will be meeting at 7 p.m. Monday.

It is a business meeting, with devotions provided by Michelle Wichman. She is also the hostess for the evening.

Knit & Crochet

Zion’s group of flying fingers, the Knit and Crochet group, will meet at 1 p.m. Tuesday to do their good works.

Newcomers are welcome, whether beginners or experienced.

Annual meeting

Operation: Touch of Home will hold its annual members meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the American Legion Post 927, located on Route 209, Gilbert.

Proxy materials for the annual meeting are available for members at www.operationtouchofhome.org if needed.

Korean Vets

A Korean War Veterans meeting is scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Gilbert American Legion.

For more information contact Danny Insalata at 570-977-3046.

Walk with Doc

On Tuesday, beginning at 5 p.m., walk with a doctor as the West End Park and Open Space Commission hosts another walk at 5 p.m.

One can enjoy some exercise and conversation in the company of friendly health care providers from St. Luke’s Health Center in Brodheadsville and other community members.

The walks are free, but registration is necessary at www.sluhn.org or 866-STLUKES (prompt 4).

Auxiliary meets

The Legion Auxiliary is to meet at 7 p.m. June 12 at the American Legion Post Home in Gilbert.

For more information, contact Pat Froncek at 570-242-0497.

Crime watch meeting

In the interest of keeping the town and neighborhoods as safe as possible, Eldred Township will be hosting a meeting June 12, with a representative of the Pennsylvania State Police to discuss how to set up and operate a successful Community Watch Program. The format will include information and a question-and-answer session.

The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. at the Eldred Township Municipal Building on Kunkletown Road in Kunkletown.

All members of the public and representatives of other Community Watch and Crime Watch organizations are invited to attend. Anyone interested in being a member of, or organizing a Community Watch in their neighborhood, is encouraged to participate.

Birding ID series

Monroe County Conservation District’s Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center and Pocono Avian Research Center have announced a Learn the Birds: Birding Identification Series.

On June 13, join Pocono Avian Research Center from 7 to 8:30 p.m. to learn some new tricks or hone some old skills at identifying breeding birds including the black-capped chickadee, indigo bunting, house wren and more. All ages welcome. There is a cost, though EE Center members are free.

For more information, call the Kettle Creek Environmental Education 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.

Majesty to come

St. Peter’s United Methodist Church, Saylorsburg, will host worship through song on Father’s Day, June 16, by inviting Majesty from Penn View Bible Institute into its sanctuary.

Worship begins at 10 a.m. The young folks are studying for Christian mission field work as ministers, missionaries, and Christ-like servant leaders at the Penn’s Creek, a Pennsylvania college.

All are invited to attend and be blessed by their message. St. Peter’s United Methodist Church is located at 924 Route 115, Saylorsburg.

VBS announced

Middlecreek Christian Church will hold its Vacation Bible School from June 24-28. Sessions will run from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

This epic African adventure, ROAR, engages the whole herd. Kids ages 4 to 12 will explore God’s goodness through Bible lessons, games, crafts and snacks. They will also celebrate a ferocious faith that powers them through this wild life.

To register, contact Colleen Hoffman by calling or texting 570-730-9453, or email Cmw8914@gmail.com or online at vbspro.events/p/middlecreek-christian-church. People may also call the church office at 570-629-4066.

The church is at 343 Dorshimer Road, Kresgeville.

Film competition

The Kettle Creek Environmental Fund is currently accepting submissions to its Annual Outdoor Environmental Short Film Competition from filmmakers attending a school in Monroe County. The director of the first-place film will take home a $500 cash prize, second place $250 and third place $150. Each winner will also receive two tickets to the Kettle Creek Environmental Fund’s Fundraising Dinner on Sept. 20. at Trout Lake where the winning films will be shown.

Films are required to have an environmental or outdoor recreational theme and be no longer than five minutes in length. Films must be submitted on a flash drive or disc at the Kettle Creek Environmental Center no later than Aug. 2, 2019, along with completed entry form.

There is no entry fee for this competition. Entry forms and full list of rules are available at www.mcconservation.org/kcef-film-competition. For questions, email kettlecreekfund@gmail.com.

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