TEPTO

The Tamaqua Elementary Parent Teacher Organization met Jan. 10 in the school library with 20 members in attendance.Topics included a dance for students in grades three through five, which will be held today, from 7-9 p.m., in the school gym. Cell phones are not permitted.Due to the number of snow days this year, classes will be in session on President's Day, Feb. 21. Jay Smarr will present a program at the Rush Elementary School Feb. 22 and at the Tamaqua Elementary School Feb. 23. A Choral Concert will be at the Tamaqua Middle School at 7 p.m. on Feb. 23.A book fair is being organized for Feb. 28 through March 4. It will be open to families on Feb. 28 and March 2, from 6-8 p.m.The next meeting will be held Feb. 14, at 6:30 p.m., in the school library.Class of 1976The Tamaqua Area High School Class of 1976 will hold a reunion planning session this Sunday, at 7 p.m., at the Lewistown Valley home of Sandy Kleckner. All class members are welcome to attend.For directions or more information, call (570) 668-1555. The class also has a page on Facebook: Tamaqua Sr. High Class of '76.St. John's LutheranThe Rev. Phyllis Wolford will officiate at the 9:15 a.m. worship service this Sunday in St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church. The service will include Holy Communion. Confirmation and Sunday school classes meet at 10:30 a.m.Activities for next week include: Monday, Congregational Council meets at 7 p.m.; Thursday, Chime Choir meets at 5:30 p.m., Angel Choir rehearses at 6 p.m., Shepherds at 6:30 p.m. and Praise Choir at 7:30 p.m.The Confirmation Class will meet Feb. 19, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.Library newsThe Tamaqua Public Library is gearing up for its Spring Storytime sessions. This year's theme will be "See If You Can Guess the Theme for the Day." Sessions are open to children between the ages of 2 and 5.Storytime begins March 7 and will continue for 10 consecutive weeks. Identical programs will be held Mondays and Tuesdays, from 10-11 a.m. Sessions will include stories and crafts.For more information, stop by the library on South Railroad Street, call (570) 668-4660 or visit the website at

www.tamaquapubliclibrary.com.Library hours are Monday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday, noon to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.St. John UCCThe Rev. Kevin Duffy Guy will officiate at the 9:30 a.m. worship service this Sunday in St. John United Church of Christ. The service will be followed by a time of fellowship. Sunday school classes for all ages will be held at 11 a.m. The weekly radio program will be aired on WLSH - AM1410, at 11:30 a.m.Also on Sunday, the Confirmation class will meet at 6 p.m.Choir rehearsals are held Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m.Zion LewistownThe Rev. Sunny Stock will officiate at the 10:45 a.m. worship service Sunday in Zion Church in the Lewistown Valley. Sunday school classes will be held at 9:30 a.m.Zion's Women's Guild will meet Monday, at 7:30 p.m., in the social hall. Tuesday's activities will include: fundraiser meeting at 6:30 p.m., preschool meeting at 7:30 p.m.Fitness for Friends, a community exercise class, meets Mondays and Thursdays, 6-7 p.m., in the social hall.First MethodistThe Rev. James Cavallero will officiate at two worship services Sunday: 9:30 a.m. at Salem United Methodist, and 10:45 a.m. at First United Methodist Church. Guest speaker Lois Sterling, program manager for Diakon Volunteer Home Care, will be at both services.First Methodist activities for next week include: Tuesday, quilters meet at 9:30 a.m.; Wednesday, senior choir rehearsal at 7:30 p.m.The churches have combined forces to offer a new program, the Methodist Outreach Ministry. The committee will meet Feb. 15, at 6:30 p.m., at the home of Frances Zukovich.United Methodist Women will meet Feb. 12, at 12:30 p.m., at the Beacon Diner in Hometown.Also, a Lenten Christian Development Series, "God Is Closer Than You Think," will begin March 13 and run for six consecutive weeks. The 6 p.m. workshops will be preceded by covered dish socials.First Church is now on Facebook. Church news, schedule changes and motivational thoughts will be available.Plans are underway for the annual Tamaqua-Panther Valley Welsh Songfest, scheduled for March 13, 2 p.m. The event is sponsored annually by First Church.