Library book club

The Tamaqua Public Library’s Book Club selection for April is “The Lady in Gold,” the true story about a celebrated work of art stolen during the Nazi reign over Germany and Austria. Written by Anne Marie O’Connor, a contributor to The Washington Post, the story focuses on the portrait of Adele Bloch-Blauer. Painted by Gustav Klindt in 1907, the portrait was the focus of a decadeslong battle for custody between Bloch-Bauer’s heirs and the Austrian government.

The U.S. Supreme Court became involved in the dispute and the resolution had wide-ranging effects in the art world.

The book club will meet at 6 p.m. April 22 at the library, 30 S. Railroad St.

Kids and cops

Tamaqua Mayor Nathan Gerace has announced his plans for an evening designed to introduce local children to members of the Tamaqua Police Department. The kids and cops event will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday at the police station. In addition to meeting the officers, there will be tours of the station and the police vehicles.

Gerace will also provide a free ice cream sundae party for the children in attendance.

The police station is located at the rear of 320 E. Broad St.

Empty bowl dinner

The fourth Empty Bowl Dinner, sponsored by the Tamaqua Area Faith Fellowship Network, will be held on May 15.

A planning session to prepare for the annual event will be held at 7 p.m. on March 25 at Trinity United Church of Christ, 22 Lafayette St. The meeting will be held in Founder’s Hall, which is located on the bottom floor of the building.

The dinner offers soups and bread from various Tamaqua area restaurants. All proceeds benefit the three Tamaqua food banks, which are sponsored by Trinity UCC, the Tamaqua Salvation Army and American Primitive Methodist Church.

Brownie Troop news

Brownie Troop 33013 is currently working on two projects — the continuation of the community garden and the creation/installation of a “little free library.”

The troop is currently collecting book donations, any and all genres, for the “library” and has a public garden planning meeting scheduled for 6:30 p.m. April 3 at Hope and Coffee, 137 Pine St.

Spring planting day is scheduled for 10 a.m. on April 27, at the community garden, which is located at the corner of Lehigh Street and Cottage Avenue.

Anyone interested in helping the girls on their journey may call or text 610-554-7673/915-329-6761, or follow them on their Facebook page, Tamaqua Community Garden.

Tourism survey

The Schuylkill County Visitor’s Bureau has created a survey as part of the process of creating and enhancing the image of Schuylkill County. The purpose of the survey is to gather information that aids in the development of a brand that builds value for and showcases Schuylkill County’s authenticity as a destination. The survey takes about five minutes and can be completed at www.schuylkill.org and on the Visitor’s Bureau’s Facebook page.

Anyone who completes the survey and provides their email address will be entered into a drawing for a $200 gift card, courtesy of the Schuylkill County Visitor’s Bureau. The survey will be available until June 30.

Zion Lewistown

Pastor Jim Williams will officiate at the 10:30 a.m. service this Sunday in Zion Church, Lewistown Valley. Sunday school classes will meet at 9:15 a.m.

A meeting to begin planning for Vacation Bible School will be held at 6:30 p.m. on March 28 at Calvary Church.

St. Peter’s

The Rev. Brenda Boyer will officiate at the 9 a.m. worship service this Sunday at St. Peter’s West Penn Church, Mantzville.

Also on Sunday, Sunday school classes will meet at 10:15 a.m.; junior choir rehearsal is at 11 a.m.; Girl Scouts meet at 6 p.m.

Activities for next week include: Tuesday, prayer group meets at 5 p.m.; Wednesday, Confirmation class is at 5 p.m., midweek Lenten service at 7:30 p.m. at St. John’s; Thursday, senior choir practice is at 7:30 p.m.

Calvary Lewistown

Pastor Susan Moore will officiate at the 10:25 a.m. worship service this Sunday in Calvary Evangelical Methodist Church in the Lewistown Valley. The service will include special music by Terry and Darlene Gerber.

There will be a Sunday evening service, hymnsing and Bible study, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

The community Lenten service on March 27 will be held at Steigerwalt’s Church of God in McKeansburg. A hymnsing will be held at 6:45 p.m., with the service set to begin at 7 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.