Citizen of the year

The Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce is now accepting applications for Citizen and Business Person of the Year.

The Joseph M. Plasko Citizenship Award is open to all residents of the Tamaqua Area School District, 18 years of age or older. The recipient is selected on the basis of voluntary contributions to the civic advancement of Tamaqua and the well-being of its residents. Any work for which the nominee was paid shall not be considered in the selection.

The Business Person of the Year Award is awarded based on accomplishments, contributions to the community, and any distinguishable qualities.

Nomination forms are available at the chamber office, 37 W. Broad St., Tamaqua, or at the chamber’s website, www.tamaqua.net.

Deadline for nominations will be noon on March 2.

The annual chamber dinner will be held April 26 at the Mountain Valley Golf Course in Barnesville.

For more information, call 570-668-1880.

Tamaqua seniors

The Tamaqua Senior Citizens met Jan. 25 at the Tamaqua YMCA with 46 members in attendance. President Eleanor Schmerfeld conducted the business session after opening the meeting with the invocation “A New Year’s Prayer.”

Two guests, Margitta Stevens and Harriet Groff, along with returning member, Nora Sheidy, were given warm welcomes. Pat Brown, Joe Herbert and Paul Randig were added to the sick list.

Brown bag lunches will be the refreshments until further notice.

The group is open to anyone 55 or older, meeting at 1 p.m. every Thursday at the Y.

St. John Lutheran

The Rev. Phyllis Wolford will officiate at this Sunday’s 9:15 a.m. worship service in St. John’s Lutheran Church.

Also on Sunday, bells will meet at 8 a.m., Confirmation class and Sunday school meet at 10:30 a.m.

Activities for next week include: Monday, worship and music committee meeting at 3:30 p.m.; Thursday, angel choir rehearses at 6 p.m., shepherd choir meets at 6:30 p.m. and the chancel choir practices at 7:30 p.m.

Primitive Methodist

Pastor Rick Clemson will officiate at the 10:45 a.m. worship service on Sunday in American Primitive Methodist Church.

Also on Sunday, Sunday school and adult membership classes meet following the worship service.

Hope in the Mountains NFG will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. every Thursday.

Zion Lewistown

Pastor Jim Williams will officiate at the 10:30 a.m. service this Sunday in Zion Church, Lewistown Valley. The service will include Holy Communion. Sunday school will be held at 9:15 a.m.

The church community is celebrating “Souper Bowl Sunday,” collecting canned good donations for local food banks/soup kitchens.

Sorority news

Members of Tamaqua’s Preceptor Alpha Upsilon chapter of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority have a number of ongoing service projects.

Hats and gloves are being collected and will be donated to the Tamaqua Salvation Army for the “Warming Tree” project; members are also collecting for Tamaqua’s Hunger Walk, which will be held in May.

The secret sister Valentine’s party will be held Feb. 14 at Luigi’s on East Broad Street. This will also be the “hands and heart” meeting and will include an exchange of handmade items.

Silver Circle awards will be presented to Donna Gerber and Lori Schmerfeld in honor of their 25 years as members of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority. The presentation will be made March 14 at a celebratory dinner at the Mansion House in Summit Hill.

Members also plan to attend a comedy night event planned in March at the American Hose Company.

Rush Ryan seniors

The Rush-Ryan-Delano Senior Citizens met Jan. 23 at the Ryan Township Fire Company with 39 members in attendance. President Eleanor Schmerfeld conducted the business session after opening the meeting with the invocation “Heart Gifts.”

Cindy Schroeder and Paul Randig were added to the sick list, while Edna Fegley received warm wished for her birthday.

Pizza will be served at the next meeting.

The group meets the second and fourth Tuesday of every month at the Ryan Township Fire Company in Barnesville and is open to anyone 55 or older.

Bethany EC

The 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.

Activities for next week include: Monday, Celebrate Recovery men’s training at 5:30 p.m., Celebrate Recovery meets at 6:30 p.m.; Wednesday, Celebrate Recovery women’s training at 10 a.m., TYM REMIX meets at 6:30 p.m., TYM staff meet at 8 p.m.; Thursday, musician practice at 7 p.m., worship leaders meet at 7:30 p.m.

Calvary EC

The Rev. Phillip Sabas will officiate at the 10:25 a.m. worship service this Sunday in Calvary Evangelical Methodist Church in the Lewistown Valley. Sunday school classes meet at 9:15 a.m. Canned soup will be collected for Souper Bowl Sunday.

Also on Sunday, Kent and Sur Heisler will be hosting a football game party at 5:30 p.m.

The next prayer meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Feb. 7.

Chiz Rider, spiritual trumpeter will be the special guest at the 10:25 a.m. service on Feb. 25.

St. Peter’s Union

The Rev. Kenneth Buckwalter will officiate at the 9 a.m. worship service this Sunday at St. Peter’s Union Church in Mantzville. The service will include Holy Communion. Sunday school classes meet at 10:15 a.m.

Also on Sunday, the junior choir will rehearse at 11 a.m., Confirmation class meets at 11:15 a.m., Girl Scouts will meet at 6 p.m.

Next week’s activities include: Tuesday, prayer group meets at 5 p.m., worship and music committee meets at 6 p.m.; Wednesday, cherub choir rehearses at 6:30 p.m., senior choir practice is 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.