Thanksgiving dinners

The American Legion Post 927 in Gilbert will host its annual Thanksgiving dinner at noon to 6 p.m. Thursday, Thanksgiving Day. It is free to those in need. Contact Cam Wilson at cameronwilson72@yahoo.com

Effort UMC is also again hosting a community Thanksgiving at the church beginning at 2 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. All are welcome.

Longwoods trip

Registration for the West End Park and Open Space Commission sponsored bus trip to Longwood Gardens on Dec. 9, is due by Friday.

Participants can view festive flower arrangements and the outdoor display of hundreds of trees and over a half million lights. The bus departs Dansbury Park, East Stroudsburg at 11 a.m. and Chestnuthill Township Park, Brodheadsville at 11:30 a.m. Return time to Chestnuthill Park is 9:30 p.m. and Dansbury Park at 10 p.m.

Center closed

The Senior Center in Brodheadsville, meeting at Zion Lutheran Church, will be closed Friday. The next open day is Nov. 29. Attendees can order turkey sausage for lunch, but must do so by 11 a.m. the day before at 570-242-6770.

Poinsettia orders

The family and friends of Effort UMC are reminded that prepaid poinsettias for Christmas orders are due no later than Friday.

All plants will be white this year.

The church will be decorated for Christmas at 1 p.m. Sunday.

Photo fundraiser

The CIA (Christians in Action) of St. Matthew’s UCC in Kunkletown is offering a Christmas photo fundraiser. Times for sessions include: Saturday, from 9 a.m. to noon; Tuesday, from 6 to 8 p.m.; Dec. 3, noon to 2:30 p.m.; and Dec. 10, from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Other sessions will be available as needed or requested.

For more information, including costs, call the church at 610-381-2442.

Craft show

The West End Volunteer Fire Company will host a craft show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the West End Firehouse in Brodheadsville.

Parking and admission are free.

Breakfast served

St. Matthew’s UCC in Kunkletown will hold a pancake and sausage and basket raffle breakfast from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Sunday to benefit the Christian Education program.

Baked goods, coffee, tea and juice will be served. Each person will be given a raffle ticket with a breakfast purchase. Additional raffle tickets can be purchased.

For more information, contact Staci at stacigeorge0317@gmail.com or 610-283-4696.

Sunday school meets from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. weekly. There are preschool (ages 2-5), elementary (ages 6-9), tween (5th and 6th grade), and adults (includes teens who have been confirmed) classes.

The invitation is extended for joining the congregation anytime for a Bible lesson, discussion, activities and games, music, and visual aids.

Sunday supper

Our Lady Queen of Peace Church in Gilbert will host a Sunday supper, beginning at 3 p.m.

Knit & Crochet

Zion Lutheran’s needlework group will gather at 1 p.m. Tuesday in the parish hall in Brodheadsville. New members welcome.

Lioness meeting

The November meeting of the Western Pocono Lioness Club will be Tuesday in the community room at Kinsley’s in Brodheadsville. The Thanksgiving feast will start at 5:30 p.m. and the meeting/gift exchange will be at 6:30.

Family Night

Our Lady Queen of Peace Church will hold an Advent family night at 7 p.m. Tuesday. West End Republicans

The West End Republican Club, will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Lakeside Restaurant, 5154 S. Hamilton Blvd., Saylorsburg.

Those wishing to eat prior to the meeting should arrive by 6 p.m.

For additional information and directions, visit the club’s website at http://www.westendgop.com, or call 443-326-5100.

Animal League

The monthly meeting of the Monroe Animal League will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, at the Eastern Monroe County Library, Route 611, North 9th Street, Stroudsburg.

MAL promotes spay/neuter and humane education as a way to control pet overpopulation, and relieves cruelty and suffering among animals.

For more information call 570-421-7775 or visit www.monroeanimals.org or email monroeanimalleague@gmail.com.

Lifeline screening

The Eldred Township Community Center will host a Lifeline screening Nov. 29, as sponsored by the Pocono Medical Center. Those screening will be done by appointment only. There is a cost and a discount.

Call 1-888-653-6450 or visit www.lifelinescreening.com/community-partners.

Other center activities include: Mondays at noon, acoustical jam sessions, all listeners and musicians welcome; Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., sewing and quilting, to which all are welcome; Tuesdays at 7 p.m., crocheting with Dottie Jeker, with all welcome.

The Thrift Store hours are: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wednesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.

Democratic party

The West End Democratic Committee is gathering for its annual Christmas party at 6 p.m. Dec. 2, at the West End Fire Company Hall in Brodheadsville.

For tickets/cost and information, call 610-381-3016.

AARP class

On Dec. 2 and Dec. 9, the 8-hour, 2-day AARP Smart Driver Safety Class will be offered at the Chestnuthill Township Park Building in Brodheadsville.

The course is a defensive driving course designed for drivers 50 and older. Successfully completing the course leads to all insurance companies doing business in Pennsylvania needing to give a minimum 5 percent discount to all qualified drivers age 55 and over for a minimum of years.

There is a fee.

For more information and to register for the course call the instructor 570-619-4006.

Pets with Santa

Boomer’s Angels Animal Rescue and Care is holding a fundraising event, Pets with Santa, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 3, at Blakeslee Animal Clinic, 5251 Route 115, Blakeslee, 18610.

For more information, visit www.boomersangels.com or email boomersangels@gmail.com

Live Nativity

The Southern Pocono Mission Connexion of the United Methodist Church invites the West End community to attend its second annual Live Nativity to be held on Dec. 9 and 10.

The Connexion, comprised of Effort, McMichaels, Neola and St. Peter’s United Methodist churches, will re-enact scenes from the infancy through the early manhood of Jesus, beginning with His birth and culminating with His baptism by John the Baptist.

The scenes will take place on the grounds of St. Peter’s United Methodist Church, 924 Route 115, Saylorsburg beginning at 5 p.m. each night and concluding at 8 p.m.

Hot chocolate and homemade cookies are offered as refreshment. For additional information, call 610-393-5321 or 570-992-7311 (leave a message), or check online at www.stpetersum.webstarts.com.

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