Summer concerts

The Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce is celebrating the sixth year of its popular free Summer Concert Series, with mini concerts scheduled every other Thursday into September. The next concert will be held June 21 and will feature Fred Douglas, whose genre is described as "oldies music."Additional events will include: July 5, Jeremiah Jones (country); July 19, Steve Brosky and Jimmy Meyer (blues); Aug. 2, Lizard Creek (Celtic); Aug. 16, Large Flower Heads (60s classics); Aug. 30, The Todd Wolfe Band; Sept. 13, It Takes Two (variety).The concerts are held from 6-8 p.m., on the platform at the Tamaqua Train Station, weather permitting.For more information, contact the chamber at (570) 668-1880 or email

tamaquachamber@verizon.net.For more information about chamber activities, visit online at

www.tamaqua.net.Rush-Ryan seniorsThe Rush, Ryan and Delano Senior Citizens Inc. met June 12 at the Ryan Township Fire Company with 47 members in attendance. The business session was conducted by President Eleanor Schmerfeld.Chaplain Kathleen Valentine offered an invocation. Reports were presented by secretary Florina Martin and treasurer Shirley Becker. A get well card was sent to Eleanor Friend and birthday wishes were extended to Faye Sweeney and Helene Clouser.An election of officers will be held during the June 26 meeting.The group meets the second and fourth Monday of every month. Anyone 50 or older is welcome to join.Zion correctionZion Church in the Lewistown Valley will hold an old fashioned social this Saturday, June 23, from 4 to 7 p.m. Festivities will be held in the church social hall and will include food and games.The Rev. Sunny Stock will officiate at the 10:45 a.m. worship service this Sunday. Sunday school will meet at 9:30 a.m.Bethany ECThe Rev. Kevin Roberts will officiate at the 8 a.m. traditional worship service this Sunday in Bethany Evangelical Congregational Church. The service will include a hymn sing.Also on Sunday, the annual church picnic will be held, beginning at 10:30 a.m., at the West Penn Park.Activities for next week will include: Tuesday, Prayer time at 8:30 a.m., Playground Pals at 11:45 a.m., at the South Ward Playground; Wednesday, Waterside Whistle Stop at 2:30 p.m., at the Bungalow, Tamaqua Youth Ministry meets at 6:30 p.m.; Saturday, musician rehearsal at 8:30 a.m., praise practice at 9:30 a.m.Zion LutheranThe Rev. Jeffrey Kistler will officiate at the 9:30 a.m. worship service this Sunday in Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church.The blanket ministry will meet at 9 a.m. on Monday.Food distributionThe Tamaqua Area Faith Fellowship Network is collecting items for its "One Nation Under God Fourth of July Food Distribution." The network hopes to provide meals for families in need on the anniversary of our nation's birthday.Many items have been donated, but the group is still seeking donations of freezer pops and five pound bags of potatoes, as well as monetary donations to help defray costs.Anyone willing to donate, or help on the day of distribution, may contact Melody Casler at (570) 449-3024 or Ann Marie Hadesty at (570) 449-8510.