National Night Out

This year's National Night Out event will be held from 6-10 p.m. Tuesdayin the area of Depot Square Park and the south side of the historic Tamaqua Train Station. Festivities will again include the Tamaqua Salvation Army's Kidz Karnival from 2-8 p.m. at the North Railroad Street parking lot.Last year's celebration included a fireworks display and organizers are planning a repeat performance this year. Cost of the fireworks display is estimated to be $5,000 and organizers are about $1,300 short of their goal."In a borough of 7,000 people, if everyone just donated $1, our goal would be accomplished in no time," says Leona Rega, NNO organizer and director of the Tamaqua Community Arts Center.Volunteers are also needed.For more information, contact Rega at 570-668-1192 or stop in at the art center, 125 Pine St., Tamaqua.Summer concertsThe Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce's 10th annual free summer concert series continues Thursdaywith an evening of standards and show tunes presented by D'Lite Side.Concerts are held from 6-8 p.m. Thursdays throughout the summer on the platform of the historic Tamaqua Train Station.Upcoming concerts include: Aug. 4, Crossroads Duo, acoustic blues and blues rock; Aug. 11, Whiskey Creek Acoustic, classic rock and blues; Aug. 18, Christopher Dean Band, rhythm and blues; and Sept. 1, Diaspora, classic rock.Anyone planning to attend is welcome to bring a lawn chair or make a reservation at the new Tamaqua Station Restaurant.Concerts are weather permitting.Tamaqua seniorsThe Tamaqua Senior Citizens met July 21 with 59 members in attendance. President Melody Weicker conducted the business session.Secretary Ruthann Feane provided the inspirational reading "Summer Day." Joe Benarik, Sylvia Houseman, Jane Tarter and Joan Wall were placed on the sick list. Jane McLaughlin, Mike Trubill and Sandy Scott were welcomed back to the group.Gus and Penny Schlorf were congratulated on their 41st wedding anniversary and Barbara Gallagher received birthday wishes.The group is planning a chicken dinner fundraiser on Sept. 22 to benefit the Tamaqua Area Adult Day Care Center.The next meeting will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, July 28, at the Tamaqua YMCA, 1201 E. Broad St.The group is open to anyone 55 or older, and the YMCA is handicap accessible.Bethany ECThe Rev. Kevin Roberts will officiate at the 8 and 10:30 a.m. worship services this Sunday in Bethany Evangelical Congregational Church. Sunday school classes meet at 9:15 a.m.Also this Sunday, commission meetings will be held at 11:45 a.m.Activities for next week include: Monday through Friday, Five day Club, 1 p.m. at the South Ward Playground and 6 p.m. at the East End Playground; Tuesday, prayer time at 8:30 a.m.; Wednesday, Tamaqua Youth Ministry meets at 6:30 p.m.; Thursday, worship team practice at 6:30 p.m., worship leader practice at 7:30 p.m.Contact Kathy Kunkel at 570-668-1250 or

kkunkel@tnonline.com. Contact the Times News at 800-443-0377 or

tneditor@tnonline.com.