Senior citizens

The Tamaqua Seniors met Sept. 8 at the Tamaqua Community Center with 75 members in attendance. President Jean Machamer conducted the business session.Rose Valle provided the invocation, entitled "The Sun is Always Shining." Vice President Doris Brobst and secretary Joan Ann Garber provided their reports.Jean Yanick was added to the sick list and updates were provided on the health of Carol Sedlock and Dolores BoyleNominations were accepted for the 2011-2012 term. Nominees are: Jean Machamer, president; Doris Brobst, vice president; Joan Ann Garber, secretary; and Antoinette Triano, treasurer. An update was also provided on the Sept. 12 trip to Vanity Fair and Red Lobster.A Health Fair is scheduled for Sept. 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Hometown Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Health screenings are free.For more information, call (570) 668-1775.The group meets every Thursday, at 1 p.m., at the community center.Anyone 55 or older is welcome to join.Every meeting is followed by social and pinochle games.Summer concertThe Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce continues its Summer Concert Series this week with a performance by the Christopher Dean Band, a group specializing in blues and soul music.This concert was postponed from last week due to inclement weather.The concert will be held on the platform at the Tamaqua Railroad Station, from 6-8 p.m.Bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy an evening of free musical entertainment.The series will end with a Sept. 22 concert by the Todd Wolfe Band, playing the blues.For more information, call (570) 668-1880.South wardThe South Ward Neighborhood Committee will meet this Thursday, at 7 p.m., at the South Ward Community Center, located at the South Ward Playground.The public and new members are always welcome.Community growthBethany Evangelical Congregational Church is offering the community the opportunity to make an impact through a series of small, Bible based "Growth Groups." In all there will be a total of 10 different groups, each meeting one night a week from October through December.Some of the sessions require a small fee for materials.Men, women, couples and children will each have a separate session dedicated to their individual needs.For couples, "Growing Together in Christ" will meet Sundays, at 6 p.m., beginning Oct. 9, at Bethany, 223 E. Broad St.The study sessions show how the power of personal faith can increase through the partnership of marriage as couples grow together in Christ.Men's Fraternity will met Thursdays, at 6:30 p.m., beginning Sept. 21, at the church.It is designed to help men understand their roles modeled by Christ and as directed by the Word of God.The Women's Group will examine the story of Esther, a woman under pressure, and ways to live a godly life despite modern day pressures. beginning Oct. 3, the group will meet at 6:30 p.m., Mondays, in the Reeds' home on Broad Street.For pre-teens, Bethany offers To save A Life, questioning each individual's plans for the future, encouraging participants to question their lives with a boldness and honesty.This group will meet Sundays, at 7 p.m., beginning Oct. 9 at Bethany.For more information, or to register, visit

www.bethanyec.org and click on the "growth groups" tab.