Tamaqua news
Board of Health
The December meeting of the Tamaqua Board of Health was held at the municipal building with Randy Gormley, Shirley Becker and Health Enforcement Officer James Barron in attendance.Barron reported making a general inspection at the City Limits Cafe and Bakery. He also received and adjusted nine complaints: three concerning trash/rubbish; three infestations; two properties unfit for human occupancy; and one for no heat/hot water. There were no cases of reportable diseases for November.The board meets the first Tuesday of each month, at 11:30 a.m., in the Tamaqua Municipal Building.SW ChristmasA little thing like a construction site is not going to stop the South Ward Playground Association from holding its annual Christmas party and visit from St. Nick. The event will just be held a little further south and west of the playground, in the Tamaqua Senior High School Cafeteria. Hours will be from 1-3 p.m.In addition to a visit from St. Nick, there will be free face painting and a free bike give away.Anyone planning to attend is reminded to use the rear doors to the cafeteria, NOT the front doors of the school.Bethany ECThe Rev. Kevin Roberts will officiate at the 10:30 a.m. worship service this Sunday in Bethany Evangelical Congregational Church. The service will include the Youth Christmas Program. Nursery care is provided. Sunday school for all ages is held at 9:30 a.m.Also on Sunday, a worship service will be celebrated at the Hometown Nursing Center at 2:30 p.m.Activities for next week will include: Tuesday, prayer time at 8:30 a.m., Men's Fraternity meets at 6:30 p.m.; Wednesday, GriefShare and Tamaqua Youth Ministry meet at 6:30 p.m.Christmas Eve services will be held at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Dec. 24.Calvary UMThe Rev. Brian Reading will officiate at Sunday's 10:25 a.m. worship service in Calvary Evangelical United Methodist Church. Sunday school classes meet at 9:15 a.m.Also on Sunday, the annual Sunday School Children's Program will be presented at 6:30 p.m.St. Jerome'sThe St. Jerome's Youth Group's Christmas party will be held Dec. 19, at noon, in the alumni room.The Christmas confessional schedule will include: Dec. 18, 3-3:45 p.m.; Dec. 21, 22 and 23, from 4-5 p.m. and 7-8:30 p.m.; Dec. 24, 1-2 p.m.Christmas Masses will be celebrated Christmas Eve at 4 p.m. (children's Mass), at 6 p.m. and at midnight; Christmas Day at 10 a.m.Sunday Masses on Dec. 26 will be at 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. There will be no Mass on Saturday evening.St. John UCCThe Rev. Kevin Duffy Guy will officiate at the 9:30 a.m. service this Sunday in St. John United Church of Christ.Nursery care is available during the service, which will be followed by a time of fellowship. Sunday school for all ages will be held at 11 a.m. The weekly service is broadcast on radio station WLSH, AM1410, at 11:30 a.m. Sundays.Also on Sunday, the Confirmation class will meet at 6 p.m.Activities for next week include: Tuesday, bell choir rehearsal at 7:30 p.m.; Wednesday, choir rehearsal at 7:30 p.m.Christmas Eve services will include: Quiet Communion at 4 p.m.; regular services at 7:30 and 10 p.m.Zion LewistownThe Rev. Sunny Stock will officiate at the 10:45 a.m. worship service Sunday in Zion Church in the Lewistown Valley. The service will include the annual Sunday school Christmas program. Sunday school classes will be held at 9:30 a.m.The Youth group will meet Friday, from 7-10 p.m., at Christ Church, McKeansburg.The Christmas Eve service will be held at 4 p.m.For more information concerning Zion's activities, visit