Volunteers’ duties

West End Volunteer Fire Company Chief Don Zipp reports that the fire company responded to 64 calls for the month of March that the 911 center dispatched the volunteers to.

Additionally, the volunteers responded to 75 calls that Chestnuthill township’s Emergency Operations Center dispatched them to over the three days of the nor’easter storms.

The company also took part in the memorial service for fallen firefighter Zach Anthony at Polk Township Fire Company this past Saturday.

The fire company provided the company’s ladder truck and flag for the Crossed Ladders display, fire police for traffic control, an engine and rescue truck for coverage during the memorial service, and about 15 uniformed members for the service.

The chief said members are thankful to have had the honor to provide those services for Anthony’s family and Polk Volunteer Fire Company.

School conferences

Parent-teacher conferences will be ongoing at Pleasant Valley schools from 5 to 7 tonight. They are rescheduled from March 6.

Eldred supervisors

The Eldred Township board of supervisors will meet at 7 p.m. today at the municipal building in Kunkletown.

Legion events

American Legion Post home 927 is host to several service organizations. Meeting at 7:30 p.m. today is the West End Home Association.

The Legion itself has its monthly meeting at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

The Riders will meet at 10:30 a.m. Sunday and then there will be the annual Blessing of the Bikes at noon.

On Tuesday the Korean War Veterans will meet at 2 p.m. and on April 11, it’s the auxiliary’s monthly meeting at 6 p.m.

Tax time help

Salem UCC, Gilbert, continues to host the AARP free tax assistance volunteers from 9 a.m. to noon this Thursday and next week only as the annual program will then end.

If Pleasant Valley schools have a two-hour delay, the hours of operation will be 10 a.m. to noon.

Band parents

Pleasant Valley Band Parents will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday in the high school band room.

Mission district

The Pocono Mission District will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday at Salem-St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Kresgeville.

OES meets

Monroe Chapter No. 99 OES will have a meeting at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Rimrock Masonic Center in Bartonsville.

Applications due

The 2018 David Fleetwood Memorial Scholarship Program applications are due on or before April 17 at the West End Park and Open Space Commission. Two $2,000 scholarships are being offered to deserving Pleasant Valley School District graduates.

Questions regarding this scholarship can be forwarded to the commission at 570-992-9733 or www.weposc.org.

Pantry open

The West End Food Pantry in Kunkletown, located in the former Eldred Township school, will have distribution day from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday.

Volunteers are welcome for setup and cleanup.

CPR and first aid

The West End Park in Brodheadsville is slated to be the site of a CPR and first aid training session this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Learn to respond to emergencies involving choking, breathing, cardiac issues and the basics of first aid. There is a fee.

The hands-on training will be by a certified American Heart Association professional.

Contact Bernie Kozen at 570-992-9733 or bkozen@weposc.org for more information.

Working together

Members of the Western Pocono Women’s Club and various Girl Scouts will be meeting from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Pleasant Valley Middle School to make Christmas cards for the military.

Religious sales

Lay Carmelite religious article sale will take place at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church after all the Masses and during religious education classes on Saturday, Sunday and Monday in McCawley Hall.

Outreach auction

Effort UMC’s Missions Outreach Auction will be held on Saturday, beginning at 6 p.m. The auction supports local, national and international missions.

Doors open at 5 p.m. so people can review the items, get their bidding paddle and also enjoy some snacks.

Auctioneers this year are Pastor Robin and Mark Wells.

The church’s UMW will hold its annual flea market from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 19.

Holy humor

Salem UCC will be led by Pastor Dennis Schappel for the next five weeks. His first worship service will be on Sunday and has been called Holy Humor Sunday. Congregants will make fun of the devil.

They and friends are encouraged to wear silly suspenders, funny clothes, a red nose, or whatever they want, to make fun of the devil.

The service is at 10 a.m. A fellowship time will follow the service.

Giving and hunting

Salem-St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Sunday school in Kresgeville continues its focus on Love thy Neighbor. In April the church family is asked to help by bringing toiletries for men being served by the Pleasant Valley Ecumenical Network.

Sunday school will start with the Sunday school lesson during the 10:30 a.m. service. During the service the monthly collection will be received.

After service, leaders will have a snack for the children, followed by some games and the egg hunt.

Families whose children are involved in that are asked to have them bring a container for collecting eggs.

It is hoped to have the egg hunt outside, but the ground may be a bit messy, so the children should dress appropriately.

Senior luncheon

Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, Gilbert, will once again host a seniors lunch on Monday after the 12:10 p.m. Mass in McCawley Hall.

A community luncheon will take place on at 12:30 p.m. April 18, also in McCawley Hall.

UMW meets

Effort UMW is meeting at 7 p.m. Monday. The program is being presented by Roxanne Martin. Devotions will be provided by Janet Pierson. The hostesses for the evening will be Tracy Opitz and Jan Decker.

OTH Meeting

Operation Touch of Home will meet Tuesday at the American Legion in Gilbert.

Anyone who committed to making a basket or a donation to the upcoming OTH icky tray is asked to drop off the basket or donation at the group’s meeting, unless other arrangements have been made.

Focus on neighbors

Salem-St. Paul’s Sunday school in Kresgeville is using the theme of: Who is my Neighbor, for this year’s classes.

The Sunday school is meeting twice a month during the worship service, and once each month there will be a fun after-church activity.

As such, each month the focus is a different group of neighbors and the Sunday school collection money will go to the focus group or groups.

The congregation will be asked to help by collecting items that can help those neighbors whether near or far.

For April church members are asked to help with toiletries for men, which will be given to the PVEN and The Welcoming Place.

The worship services are at 8:15 and 10:30 a.m. with Confirmation and a New Members class taking place at 9 a.m. and Sunday school taking place at the same time as the worship service with the fun event, an Easter egg hunt and games beginning at 11:45 a.m.

Garden club

The Monroe County Garden Club will meet at 11:30 a.m. April 11 at the Kettle Creek Environmental Center, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg.

The program will be the preparation, feeding and care for migrating birds’ return, presented by Daryl Speicher, environmentalist at Kettle Creek Environmental Center.

The design theme is spring is here. Designer’s choice of theme utilizing only fresh materials. Horticulture Theme: One flowering stem from a bulb.

The meeting will begin at 11:30, followed by lunch, followed by program.

Everyone interested in gardening is welcome to attend. There is a $5 fee for nonmembers (applied to one’s membership. Luncheon included.

For more information, one call club president Robin Teets at 570-350-8069 or email rteets@ptd.net.

One can visit the group’s website, http://www.monroecountygardenclub.com and join members on Facebook.

Blood drive

Cornerstone Community Church is slated to host an American Red Cross blood drive from 1 to 6 p.m. April 11.

The church is on Polk Township Road in Kresgeville.

Donate either regular blood or the Power Red.

Bingo night

The West End Park and Open Space Commission will host BINGO Night at beginning at 6:30 p.m. April 13 at the Chestnuthill Township Park in Brodheadsville.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

The evening will include specials, pull tabs and door prizes.

For more information, call 570-992-9733 or email Bernie Kozen at bkozen@weposc.org.

Pasta benefit

On April 15, the American Legion will be holding a Pasta with a Purpose, a benefit for Jeanne Gambino. Hours are from 1 to 7 p.m. at the American Legion Post 927, 646 Fairgrounds Road in Gilbert. The requested $10 per person includes all-you-can-eat pasta, meatballs and soda.

Contact Peggy at 610-681-5838. Donations are also being accepted to help with medical bills.

Rummage sale

Middlecreek Christian Church, Kresgeville, will hold a rummage and bake sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 20 and April 21. A $3 bag sale will be held between noon and 2 p.m. on Saturday.

Call 570-629-4066 for more information and directions.

Contact Adele Argot at 717-933-4028 or arargot3@verizon.net. Contact the Times News at 800-443-0377 or tneditor@tnonline.com.