West End news for May 15, 2019

Reservations due

The GFWC Western Pocono Women’s Club will hold its annual May banquet at the Boulder View Restaurant Monday. However, reservations and payment are due with member to Mary Minnucci today.

At the banquet, Pat Mackes of Effort will install the officers for the year and Greta Weaver will initiate six new members.

Awaken conference

Registration for the Awaken Conference being hosted by the Pleasant Valley Assembly of God Church, Brodheadsville, on May 24-25, is due today to be automatically entered for a chance to win the prize basket filled with Awaken merchandise and other free items.

For costs and other information, contact the church olga@pvag.net or call 570-992-6799.

The last day to register online will be May 21. Please note that prices will increase by $5 if registering at the door on the day of the event.

Free dinner

Zion Lutheran in Brodheadsville is hosting a free community dinner from 5 to 6:30 p.m. today.

Walk with a Doc

From 5 to 6 p.m. today, Walk with a Doc at the Chestnuthill Township Park.

The walk is free, but one must register to participate in this event at the Chestnuthill Township Park.

St. Luke’s Health Center in Brodheadsville provides the doctor and asks that people register for the free walk at www.sluhn.org or 1-866-STLUKES (prompt 4).

Chestnuthill Township

The Chestnuthill Township Planning Commission is slated to meet at 7 tonight. Next week’s supervisors meeting, set for Tuesday at 7 p.m., has been canceled and the township office will be closed.

Eldred Supervisors

The Eldred Township Board of Supervisors is slated to meet at 7 tonight at the township municipal building in Kunkletown. To verify, call the township office at 610-381-4252.

Submarine vets

The U.S. Submarine Veterans, Pocono Base, meets 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. Submarine veterans from all eras are encouraged to join. This month’s meeting will be at 7 p.m. today.

For additional information and directions, visit the website http://poconosubvets.org, or call 610-681-2606.

Blood drive

The American Legion Post 927 will be hosting an American Red Cross blood drive from 1:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, at the Legion Post Home in Gilbert.

Book signing

The Western Pocono Community Library will host Walter Stoffel, local freelance writer and publisher, at a book signing at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, in the Community Room.

He will read “Lance: A Spirit Unbroken,” and will also have books available or purchase.

For more information, call the Brodheadsville library at 570-992-7934.

Volunteer appreciation

The Pleasant Valley Elementary School is scheduled to have a volunteer appreciation ceremony Friday in the elementary cafeteria, beginning at 9 a.m.

Absentee ballot

The last day for the County Board of Elections to receive your already in-hand absentee ballot is this Friday.

Seniors menu

The regular menu for lunch at the Senior Center at the Zion Lutheran Church complex in Brodheadsville for Friday is Italian fish and brown rice, stewed tomatoes, broccoli and cauliflower and banana.

The lite fare includes spinach salad, orzo salad, sliced peaches, Jell-O and juice.

For next Wednesday the regular menu is sausage and peppers, whole wheat penne, carrots, Chuckwagon blend and a nectarine.

The lite fare for next Wednesday is chicken and cheese quesadilla with corn chips, Mandarin oranges, pudding/juice.

Meal reservations should be made by 11 a.m. the day before by contacting the site manager at 570-242-6770.

Post 927 cleanup

The American Legion monthly post cleanup in Gilbert is set for 9 a.m. Saturday. No tools are required, just hands to help.

Trail run/walk

The West End Park and Open Space Commission is hosting he annual 5K9 Fun Trail Run/Walk at the West End Regional Park on 578 Evergreen Hollow Road in Chestnuthill Township on Saturday, beginning at 10 a.m., with registration beginning at 9 a.m.

The run/walk is open to all ages and abilities, and the Dave Fleetwood Memorial Trail will be available for those wishing a leisurely walk on a firm and stable surface accessible to all wheeled devices.

Dogs are welcome as long as they remain on a leash, with a 6-foot maximum.

All proceeds will fund the new West End Regional Leash-Free Dog Park located off Merwine-Hilltop Drive. The dog park will be completely fenced with areas for both large and small dogs.

This project represents Phase II of the development of the 244-acre West End Regional Park. The 3.1-mile trail run winds through the open space property and includes a flat trail, an open field and woods trails. Walkers are invited to use the 5/8 mile portion of the flat trail, and/or the 3/4-mile field trail or the entire running course.

There is a registration per person but children under 12 are free. The first 100 preregistrants will receive a bandana. Door prizes, raffles, vendors and refreshments will be available.

Register at RunSignUp.com: https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Brodheadsville/5K9FunTrailRunWalk. Forms are available at the Chestnuthill Park, Ross and Chestnuthill Township Buildings and area businesses. Complete the form, make entry payment to Friends of WEPOSC and mail to P.O. Box 276, Saylorsburg, PA 18353.

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

Flea market

Effort UMC’s United Methodist Women is holding a flea market from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the church complex in the pavilion.

Planting time

The youth and adults of Salem-St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Kresgeville are slated to help plant at the Garden of Giving from 9:30 a.m. to noon Sunday.

Youth plant sale

The Youth Ministry of Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, Gilbert, will hold a plant sale will Saturday and Sunday after all Masses. It will benefit the Youth Ministry.

Farm Frolic

Quiet Valley will celebrate its 31st Farm Animal frolic on Saturday and Sunday and again on May 25 and 26.

For more information, call 570-992-6161.

Hug-a-Tree program

Monroe County Conservation District’s Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center has announced It Could Happen to Anyone, a Hug-a-Tree Program, for Saturday.

This program is from 10 to 11:30 a.m. with Environmental Educator Karen N. Boyle and is for children ages 5 to12 and their parents. It will teach children what to do if they do get lost and include a demonstration with the Northeast Search and Rescue K-9 Unit.

For costs and other information, call the Kettle Creek Environmental Education 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.

Guest speaker

Salem-St. Paul’s in Kresgeville will welcome PVEN Director Hope Christman at its two services on Sunday. Those services are at 8:15 and 10:30 a.m. Both services include Holy Communion. Confirmation meets at 9 a.m.

Next Sunday, the church will be involved in the Polk Township Memorial program at Faith Garden, set for 2 p.m.

LAMA meeting

The Pocono Chapter of LAMA will meet in the main hall of the American Legion post home in Gilbert at 10 a.m. on Sunday.

The Riders monthly meeting will be held in the pavilion at the same time to complete officer nominations and elections.

Potluck luncheon

Salem UCC, Gilbert, will have a potluck luncheon after its 10 a.m. worship service Sunday.

The church is anticipating its annual Strawberry Festival from noon to 5 p.m. on June 9.

Retirement reception

Zion Lutheran, Brodheadsville, will hold its Sunday school superintendent’s retirement social Sunday after the 10:30 a.m. worship service. It is a covered-dish luncheon.

Christians in Connection

The Older Adult Fellowship at Effort UMC will be having a potluck lunch in Wesley Hall after the 11 a.m. service on Sunday. Chili will be provided as the main course. Sign-up sheet for attendees, as well as what each one may be bringing, is on the Welcome Center at the church.

Family Table

St. Matthew’s UCC, Kunkletown, will have Family Table service at noon on Sunday. It will be preceded from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. by the graduation of the children involved in Sunday school. Parents and family members are invited to join the celebration.

Bike blessing

The American Legion Riders, Chapter 927, is holding its annual Blessing of the Bikes on Sunday. It is open to the public and begins at noon. Individual blessings will be at 12:30 p.m. with the service performed by American Legion Riders Chaplain Wanda Murphy-Smith.

It is hosted by American Legion Riders. Hot dogs, snacks, soda, coffee will be available.

All bikes are welcome. For more information visits American Legion Post 927. The post is located at the corner of Route 209 and Fairgrounds Road in Gilbert.

For more information, contact Dana Pellerin, drplrn@msn.com.

Cranberry bog tour

On Sunday, folks can join an environmental educator at 1 p.m. at the bog parking lot and take a 2½ hour journey into the unique Tannersville Cranberry Bog. Along the way, the environmental educators will explain the bog’s formation, its interesting plant and animal life, and the role the local Preserve Committee and the Nature Conservancy play in its continued protection. Feet may get wet. Attendees should wear appropriate footwear.

There is a cost. Preregistration is required and limited.

For directions, more information and to make the required registration call the center Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and some Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 570-629-3061.

Children’s programs

The Western Pocono Community Library Children’s Department hosts two new programs. On the first and third Monday of the month at 1 p.m. the library will hold a program titled Books and Toys, which is for children from baby to age 3. During Books and Toys the children will hear a story and then bring that story to life with toys provided.

On the second and fourth Monday of the month at 1 p.m. the library will host a Block Party for children ages 3 to 6 years old. A Block Party is a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics program for young children, which provides children and parents the opportunity to explore block play and imaginative play.

For more information about either of these programs, contact the library at 570-992-7934.

Polk Supervisors

The monthly meeting of the Polk Township Board of Supervisors is set for 7 p.m. Monday.

Prayer shawl group

Effort UMC’s prayer shawl group will meet from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday at the church.

Peer to Peer

Valor’s Peer to Peer meeting is scheduled for 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the American Legion Post Home in Gilbert. It is open to all Post and non-Post veterans and families.

For more information, contact G. Lippincott at 570-242-0810.

Special program

At 1 p.m. May 22, the Western Pocono Community Library will host West End Community Ambulance Association for an informative program and a tour of the equipment.

Demonstrations on hands only CPR, bleeding control and stroke assessment will be given as well as a tour of the equipment used, including the truck, this program is for all ages.

For more information, contact the library at 570-992-9734. Staff reminds all not to forget to thank local Emergency Services workers during EMS Week, May 19 through 25.

Rescheduled event

Due to the rain this past weekend, the Ranger Campout and fishing event at Pleasant Valley Assembly of God Church was postponed. It has been rescheduled for May 31.

For more information, email the Brodheadsville church at olga@pvag.net or call 570-992-6799.

Older Americans

On May 31, the Monroe County senior centers will come together at the American Legion in East Stroudsburg to celebrate Older Americans Month. Anyone interested in attending is asked to call 570-420-3735 to reserve a seat.

There are well more than 30,000 older adults, ages 60 or over, residing in Monroe County, according to Brian LaVacca, administrator of the Monroe County Area Agency on Aging. If the Senior Centers are collecting responses and submitting them, one need not call if on such a list.

West End Wings

The 40th annual Father’s Day West End Wings radio-controlled flight program will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. June 16, in Effort with a rain date of June 23.

Admission is free.

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