Garden club

The Lewistown Valley Garden Club met June 23 with Judy Kellner, vice president, conducting the business meeting.Guest speaker Howard Dry, a master gardener, presented information on the benefits of adding peppermint to your diet by way of candy tea or as a spice.The herb can also be used medicinally. Simply rub peppermint on your forehead to relieve a headache.Members discussed the Schuylkill County Fair, to be held July 27 to Aug. 1 in Summit Station. The final plans and arrangements were agreed upon.The next meeting will include the annual picnic, which will begin at 6 p.m. Participants are reminded to bring a covered dish as well as their own plate, utensils and beverages.The arrangement for this meeting included using a bird house as an accessory. Evelyn Adams won first place, with June Leiby in second and Mary Bridygham in third.Free lunchThe South Ward Playground Association is conducting a free summer lunch program for all local children up to and including the age of 18. Lunches are served weekdays, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the South Ward Playground.The program is an offshoot of the free school lunch program, with funding provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.The non-discriminatory program is open to all children regardless of race, origin, religion, etc.In addition to a healthy lunch, participants will be offered a variety of summer activities.The playground is located between Penn and Race streets in Tamaqua's South Ward.Calvary EvangelicalAll services and activities for Calvary Evangelical Methodist Church in the Lewistown Valley will be held at the Lewistown Valley Tabernacle, 614 Valley Road, from now through Labor Day.The Rev. Ed Bean will officiate at the 10:25 a.m. worship service this Sunday.An hour of prayer and praise is held at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays.St. Peter's UnionSunday worship services are held at 9 a.m. in St. Peter's Union Church in Mantzville. This Sunday's service will include Holy Communion.Summer Sunday school classes meet at 10:15 a.m.Activities for next week include: Tuesday, prayer group meets at 5 p.m., softball game at 6:45 p.m. at Lehighton High School and at 8 p.m. at West Penn Grove; Thursday, worship and music committee meets at 6 p.m.St. John LutheranThe Rev. Rich Hinkle will officiate at the 9:15 a.m. worship service this Sunday in St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church. The service will include Holy Communion.Activities for nest week include: Thursday, fundraiser at DiMaggio's.St. John UCCThe Rev. Kevin Duffy Guy will officiate at the 9:30 a.m. worship service Sunday in St. John United Church of Christ. The service will include Holy Communion.Also on Sunday, a special picnic-style lunch will be held in the chapel following the worship service. Participants are reminded to bring a covered dish to share.