ID seminar tonight

An identity theft seminar is to be held from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Chestnuthil Park in Brodheadsville, coordinated by state Rep. Jack Rader with West End Park and Open Space Commission.

RSVPs were requested. Call 570-643-7683 or 570-620-4341 or go online at www.RepRader.com/events to check if there is still room if you did not register earlier.

Advent series

Our Lady Queen of Peace Church will be having an Advent series about the Mass with Father Bob titled Raise up Your Heads, Lift up Your Hearts.

The service begins at 6 p.m. today, following a supper, and continues on Dec. 8 and Dec. 22.

Legion meets

The American Legion Post 927, Gilbert, will hold its monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the Main Hall.

Advent worship

Zion Lutheran, Brodheadsville, will have in-person worship at 5 p.m. Saturdays, 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Sundays. Masks are required.

The 8 a.m. service is broadcast via Zoom and the 10:30 service is broadcast via Facebook Live. A simple prerecorded Facebook service is also available each week.

Zion’s choir will be performing special music at the 10:30 a.m. service on Dec. 19.

There will not be a 5 p.m. service on Dec. 25.

OES meeting

The Monroe County Chapter of the OES is having its Christmas dinner and meeting Thursday.

Santa’s coming

Santa is coming to the West End, courtesy of being hosted by the West End Park and Open Space Commission.

See Santa arrive on a West End firetruck at 6 p.m. at the Chestnuthill Township Park, 221 Route 715, Brodheadsville, this Friday.

Enjoy hot cocoa, cookies, a craft, and a visit with Santa through 8 p.m.

Santa will also arrive on a Blue Ridge Firetruck at Ross Township Park, at 258 Anchorage Road, Saylorsburg, at 4 p.m. Saturday.

Come and enjoy a tree lighting, hot cocoa, cookies, a craft, and a visit with Santa at his stop there.

These are both free events.

Nonperishable food and new, unwrapped toys will also be collected at both for the PVEN, the Pleasant Valley Ecumenical Network.

WE pantry open

The West End Food Pantry, Kunkletown, will be open from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. It is an emergency food provider that helps those in need who are located in the southern tier of Monroe County, including Polk, Ross, Chestnuthill and Eldred townships as well as local surrounding communities.

New address

St. Peter’s UMC, Saylorsburg, gathers for worship at 10 a.m. every Sunday. Facebook livestreaming of worship services continues with a new address: https://www.facebook.com/petersumc.saylorsburg.

Christian education precedes that service at 9 a.m.

The church also offers Grief Share. December meetings are Sunday afternoons from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. but not on Dec. 26.

Contact the Grief Share counselor by calling 570-992-7311 and leaving a message.

Angel tree help

Folks interested in helping the PVEN be a blessing to families in need with children in the PVEN’s six-township coverage area can still pluck a name from their respective church’s Giving Tree if the church is participating and names are still on the tree.

Gifts must be returned to the church, with the angel tag attached, by this Friday to Sunday, depending on the church.

Annual meeting

St. Matthew’s UCC, Kunkletown, is planning on holding its annual meeting on Sunday. However, if church is canceled for any reason, the meeting will be held on Dec. 12.

The budget will be considered and the church needs three council members.

Bingo time

It is an open-to-the-public Monday Night Bingo at the American Legion Post 927 in Gilbert, beginning with card sales at 6:30 p.m. and calling beginning at 7 p.m.

Ross meeting

The supervisors for Ross Township are slated to meet Monday at 7 p.m. at the township’s Municipal Building on Anchorage Road in Saylorsburg.

Special Mass

Our Lady Queen of Peace will offer a Mass at 4 p.m. Tuesday in recognition of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and also at 12:10 and 7 p.m. on Dec. 8.

The church office will be closed.

WEHA meeting

All Post 927 members are welcome to attend the West End Home Association meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the American Legion Post home in Gilbert.

Gifts for orphans

Sandie Flannery, from Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, is traveling to the orphans overseas she has so cared for to spend Christmas in January with them.

She would like to take gifts to all the orphans at two orphanages and the men at the Synatyn Men’s Boarding house as well.

Her goal is 500 toys, new or gently used. They must be nonedible and no small parts.

Boxes will be available at OLQP bulletin stations.

For more information one can call her at 570-350-9652.

Library activities

The Western Pocono Community Library, Brodheadsville, is hosting several December special activities.

The first one is an adult rock painting time, the second Wednesday of the month, Dec. 8, at 1:30 p.m. All supplies are provided.

The next one is a Gingerbread Jingle family event from 1 to 3 p.m. Dec. 11.

It includes building a graham cracker gingerbread house, making holiday cards & ornaments, and enjoying a special story time. Tickets are necessary, for a small fee, and are available at the WPCL Circulation Desk, while supplies last.

Meal reservation

Local seniors who attend the Chestnuthill Center and those who would like to, can order the following meals for their lunch by making a meal reservation with the Chestnuthill Center manager Donna Riedel at 570-242-6770 by 11 a.m. two days in advance.

The Chestnuthill Center is open Wednesdays and Fridays.

Next Wednesday’s meal is orange balsamic pork and the meal for Dec. 10, is to be announced.

The winners are

The Monroe County Conservation District will have its art opening in regard to the 2022 photo contest winners on display on Saturday.

A slideshow of all entrants will be presented at 11 a.m. This exhibit will run through Jan. 31, 2022.

However, folks who just want to drop in can come at 9 a.m. Saturday and on other days from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The winners are already on display.

Proceeds from calendar sales will benefit Environmental Education programs at Kettle Creek.

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