Senior news

The Tamaqua Senior Citizens group meets every Thursday, at 1 p.m., at the Tamaqua Community Center, located to the rear of Boyer's Food Mart.Last week's meeting was attended by 72 members. President Jean Machamer conducted the business session and offered readings. Eleanor Roberts offered the invocation, entitled "Guardian Angel."Vice President Doris Brobst and secretary Joan Anne Garber provided their respective reports. It was reported that Alice Miller was hospitalized. Those who ordered daffodils will be able to pick them up at this week's meeting. Pinochle players are still needed.Anyone 55 or older is welcome to join. The meeting room is handicap accessible.TOPSThe local chapter of Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) meets Wednesdays in the education room at St. Luke's Miners Memorial Hospital, Coaldale. Weigh-ins begin at 5:45 p.m., followed by a short business session and a program.Laura Smith, certified nutritionist, will be the guest speaker at the Feb. 16 meeting. Her topic will be the nutrition labels found on today's food and the importance of understanding the nutritional value of the foods we eat.TOPS is a weight loss support group for men and women of all ages. Members learn sensible nutrition, portion control and lifestyle changes that promote lifelong health. Visitors are welcome to attend their first meeting without obligation, free of charge.Honor studentsRosa DiGirolamo of Tamaqua has two grandchildren earning honors at their respective colleges.Michelle O'Connell, a 2009 graduate of Lower Dauphin High School in Hummelstown, was named to the honors dean's list for the fall semester at the University of Pittsburgh School of Arts and Sciences.Jared O'Connell is a recent graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, earning a bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering, with a minor in chemistry. A magna cum laude graduate, he maintained a 3.65 grade point average and also earned a certificate in nuclear engineering. He has accepted a position with BASF Chemical Company in Beaumont, Texas.The siblings are the children of Lisa O'Connell of Elizabethtown.Soccer boostersThe Tamaqua Boys Soccer Boosters will meet today, at 7 p.m., at La Dolce Casa on West Broad Street. Anyone interested in supporting the team is welcome to attend.