Community Calendar 3-11-2010

Local Government Day: The Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties 4-H programs will jointly sponsor Local Government Day 2010 on Thursday, March 11, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Penn State Worthington Scranton campus in Dunmore. Cost will be $12 and includes a light breakfast and lunch.
Local Government Day is a 4-H educational program designed to increase participants’ knowledge and understanding of the duties and responsibilities of their locally elected officials. Through role playing, team building exercises and public speaking opportunities, participants tackle present day situations that are currently before their elected officials in their own hometowns. 
This year’s topic will be: “Should Pennsylvania Reduce the Size of Its State Legislature?” 
Area students 13 and older are invited to learn more about their local government, how it is run and what they can do to become more involved.  For more information or to make a reservation, contact Tom McHugh at 963-6842, or tam18@psu.edu.  

Soup and Sandwich Sale: There will be a soup/sandwich luncheon on Saturday, March 13, from noon to 3 p.m. to benefit the Tri-Boro Food Pantry that is housed at the Moosic United Methodist Church, Main Street, Moosic. A donation of $5 for adults and $2 for children is requested. The menu will include various sandwiches, soups, desserts and coffee/tea/beverages. The public is urged to attend the fundraiser, as it is a way to show where your donations and dollars are supporting the pantry to help our community and neighbors in need, according to pantry officials.

Easter Bunny Lunch: Holy Rosary School, Duryea, is sponsoring a lunch with the Easter Bunny from noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 14, in the school auditorium. There will be crafts, raffles, face painting and photos with the Easter Bunny. Admission is $3 and includes lunch. For more information, contact the school at 457-2553.

Free Admission: Sunday, March 14, is Charter Day in Pennsylvania. It is traditionally a day when Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission sites open admission-free in commemoration of the document by which King Charles II granted to William Penn the vast tract of land known today as Pennsylvania. From noon to 5 p.m., the Pennsylvania Anthracite Heritage Museum will celebrate the culture of the Welsh, one of the diverse immigrant groups significant in the history of the commonwealth from the time of William Penn.
Activities for the day will include a lecture and book signing by Dr. William D. Jones; a choral performance by St. David’s Male Chorus and the exhibition: “Wales in America.” The exhibition tells the story of the Welsh mining industry and the migration of Welsh miners to the Pennsylvanian coal fields and to other parts of America and is arranged by the Welsh Assembly Government in New York in association with the National Museum Wales, National Library of Wales, National Union of Miners, the South Wales Miners’ Library and the St. David’s Society of Scranton. The exhibition will be at the Anthracite Heritage Museum through May.
 The Anthracite Heritage Museum is administered by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission in cooperation with the Anthracite Heritage Museum and Iron Furnaces Associates.
The museum is located in McDade Park, off Keyser Avenue in Scranton.
For more information or directions, contact 963-4804 or  www.phmc.state.pa.us or www.anthracitemuseum.org.

Kindergarten Registration: Old Forge Elementary principal Nicole VanLuvender announces kindergarten registration for children entering 2110-2011 kindergarten class will be held from 9-11:30 a.m. and 1-2:30 p.m. on Monday, March 15, and Tuesday, March 16, in the elementary school lobby.
 To be eligible for entrance into kindergarten, the child must reach the age of five by Friday, Sept. 30, and the following items are necessary to complete your application. The original birth certificate or a notarized copy of the birth certificate must accompany all registrants.
 For attendance in all grades 2010-2011 children need the following:
Four doses of tetanus (one dose on or after the 4th birthday), four doses of diphtheria (one dose on or after the 4th birthday), three doses of polio, two doses of measles, two doses of mumps, one dose of rubella (German measles), three doses of hepatitis B, two doses of varicella (chickenpox) vaccine and history of disease. 
Parents are requested to bring their child’s immunization records (signed by a physician) to registration. Proof of residency is also a requirement. Accepted proof of residency includes homeowner’s deed, a signed/dated lease, current utility bill or property tax bills.
 No exceptions will be made. A vision-screening project involving children who enter kindergarten will be conducted on the same day. Any questions regarding kindergarten registration may be directed to the elementary office at 457-8391.

Free Workshop: Jarrett Kaminsky, D.C., will be the guest speaker at a free workshop, “The Chiropractor’s Role in Treating Autoimmune Illness,” scheduled for 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 11, at the Lupus Foundation of Pennsylvania, 615 Jefferson Ave., Scranton, and on Wednesday, March 17, at the John Heinz Institute, 150 Mundy St., Wilkes-Barre. 
Dan Golaszewski, D.C., will be the Wilkes-Barre speaker. 
For details and reservations, call (888) 995-8787.  The programs are hosted by the Lupus Foundation and supported by grants from Abbott Immunology, United Way and the Scranton Area Foundation.

Wizard of Oz: The Riverside High School Drama Club will be present “The Wizard of Oz” at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 19, and Saturday, March 20, in the Riverside High School auditorium
Tickets are $5; $3 per child.

Welsh Cookie Sale: A Welsh cookie sale to benefit the Taylor Community Library is currently underway. The cost is $4 per dozen.
Orders and payment due by Friday, March 19, with pickup between 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday, March 29, and on Tuesday, March 30.
 Visit or call the Taylor Community Library at 562-1234 for more information or to place your order.
Cookie Sale: Girl Scouts in the Heart of PA Montage Valley Service Unit are hosting a cookie sale through Monday, March 22. To locate cookies or join Girl Scouts, visit www.gshpa.org or call 800-692-7816.

Toastmasters Meeting: The Greater Scranton Area Roaring Ramblers will meet Tuesday, March 23, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Allied Services Community Room, Moffatt Drive off the Morgan Highway, Scranton.
Visitors are welcome. Call 222-5405 or 587-0232 for more information or visit www.scrantontoastmasters.org.

Tax Help in Taylor: Low and moderate income individuals, families and senior citizens in the Triboro area can receive free assistance in completing and filing their federal, state and local tax returns through the University of Scranton’s volunteer income tax assistance (VITA) program and a group of local human service organizations led by the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties.
Appointments are available at the Taylor Community Library (710 S. Main St., Taylor) on Wednesday, March 24 from 1-5 p.m. Appointments are also available from 4-8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 10.   To schedule an appointment, call Jaime Burns at 343-1267 ext. 222.
Tax clients need to bring: valid photo identification, all W2 and 1099 documents, Social Security numbers or individual tax identification numbers (iTIN) for yourself and all dependents including children, completed W-7 documents as appropriate, invoices for any new car purchases made after Feb. 16, 2009 as well as qualifying home energy purchases, last year’s return (optional, but helpful), any records relating to income and expenses, personal bank account information (for direct deposit in bank account), real estate tax receipts (if applicable.)
For a complete schedule and list of required documents, contact the United Way at 343-1267 or visit uwlc.net.

German Winterfest: The Lackawanna County German-American Society will celebrate its annual Winterfest on Saturday, March 27, at Genetti Manor, 1505 N. Main Ave. Dickson City. Doors open at 4:30 p.m.; 5:30 p.m. buffet; entertainment from 7-10 p.m. by Josef Kroboth and his band. Deadline for reservations is Saturday, March 20. For more information call 346-9278 or 842-4268.

Fundraiser for Old Forge Resident: Old Forge resident David Wozniak, formerly of Taylor, was recently diagnosed with a brain tumor and has undergone surgery. Born and raised in Moosic, educated in the Riverside School District, he joined the Army and served in the “Old Guard,” the presidential guard in Washington, D.C. Upon completing his enlistment he joined the PA Army National Guard, 55th Brigade. In 2005, Wozinak transferred to the PA Air National Guard and is currently a member of the 193rd Special Operations Wing. He completed two tours of duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and was scheduled to deploy to Afghanistan in June. He is also employed as a letter carrier for the US Postal Service in Scranton.
There will be a benefit dinner for Wozniak at Julia’s Old Forge Hotel from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 28. Cost is $15 and include choice of roast beef or chicken strips, salad, stuffed baked potato, vegetable and dessert. Takeouts are available and a cash bar. Tickets can be purchased by calling Ellen Pietrowski at 687-1450, Shannon Cosminski at 885-2291 or Erin Powell at 954-3736. Additionally, there is an account set up at Citizens Bank, Taylor branch, in his name.

Conservation Banquet: The Lackawanna Valley and Endless Mountains Chapters of Trout Unlimited will hold a conservation banquet from 6-10 p.m. on Saturday, March 27, at Amadeo’s Restaurant, 4001 Birney Ave., Moosic. The cost is $30 per person.
Auctions and raffles including wildlife art, wildlife photography, outdoor gear, and fishing equipment will be held.
Proceeds go for river and stream conservation projects and youth education throughout the area. 
For more information, call 562-3383 or e-mail chaps2000@comcast.net.

Easter Egg Hunt: The Old Forge Lions Club will hold its annual Easter egg hunt, open to borough children up to 8 years of age, at noon on Saturday, March 27, at the Old Forge Veterans Memorial Stadium on Elio Ghigarelli Drive in Old Forge. The Easter Bunny will be present to help children in collecting Easter eggs and help in the festivities.

Soup and Hoagie Sale: The Moosic Lions Club will hold a homemade clam chowder (red) and tuna hoagie sale every Friday during Lent. Soup costs $6/quart or $3/pint and hoagies are $4.
Advance orders can be placed by calling the Moosic Youth Center at 457-8552 on the day of the sale. Walk-in orders are also welcome. The sale runs from 11 a.m.. to 4 p.m. at the Moosic Youth Center, Main Street. All proceeds to benefit the Moosic Lions Club’s community projects.

Seeking Input: The Old Forge School District is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year and is seeking information from the community to help celebrate the school’s history.
The 100th anniversary committee is seeking the names of all former students who served as class officers, and all class valedictorians and salutatorians from classes before 1961. Anyone with information can contact the superintendent’s office at 457-6721.
The committee is also seeking graduate family trees.
Forms can be found at the main office in the high school and online at www.ofsd.cc. Graduate family tree forms will also be sent home with elementary students. The next 100th anniversary committee meeting will be held this month with the exact date yet to be confirmed.

Sewer Payment Notice: Old Forge residents are reminded that the Old Forge sewer bills are to be paid at the Old Forge Branch of Penn Security Bank only. Other branches of Penn Security will not accept these payments.

Yard Waste Notice: Recently the state issued new requirements that apply to yard waste collection. All grass, leaves and brush need to be separated. Moosic Borough can no longer accept grass and leaves in any type of plastic bag (biodegradable or not). This is a requirement by the Department of Environmental Protection. Grass and leaves must be placed in separate open containers, weighing no more than 35 pounds. Brush and tree limbs cannot be mixed with grass and leaves. They can be bundled together or placed in separate open containers.

Helen Keller Fashion Day: The Lackawanna Branch, PA Association for the Blind (PAB) has announced its annual Helen Keller Day fashion show and luncheon will be held on Sunday, April 11, at St. Mary’s Center in Scranton.
This year’s event is the 81st annual Helen Keller Day, according to PAB board member and event chairperson Judy Pronko. 
“Since 1930, the Blind Association has hosted this community event to raise funds that support programs and activities for our blind and visually impaired neighbors,” she explained.  
Fashions for men, women and children will be provided by Talbots, Joseph A. Bank, Boscov’s, Small Fryes and Something Blue. Commentary will be provided by WNEP-TV meteorologists Noreen and Tom Clark.  In addition to lunch and the fashion show, the day features a variety of vendor tables, basket raffles, door prizes and musical entertainment. Tickets are $15; and $10 for children younger than 11 years old.
Raffle tickets and admission tickets may be obtained by contacting the Association at 342-7613.

Baby Item Collection: The Old Forge Catholic Community Social Concerns Group is conducting a collection of baby items for the St. Joseph Center’s mother-infant program. This program provides transitional housing for new mothers and their babies.
The mothers participate in parenting education classes and life-skills programs in order to give them the tools they need to be self-sufficient.  They receive support and assistance in obtaining employment and permanent housing.
The program is in need of many baby items, such as gently used clothing and sleepers in sizes newborn to 6, cribs, highchairs, car seats, strollers, swings, pack and plays, nursery monitors and diapers.
They also need Good Start baby formula, baby cereal, blankets and baby toiletries. Due to allergy and sanitary concerns, the center cannot accept stuffed animals or used toys.
Anyone wishing to donate, or who would like more information, is asked to call Mary Ann Jones at 562-1589, or 498-2953. Drop off or pick up can be arranged.

Mass Schedule: The following is a Mass schedule for Prince of Peace Church, Old Forge:
Saturday vigil is celebrated at St. Mary’s at 4 p.m., Church Street, and at 5:30 p.m. at St. Lawrence’s Church on Main Street.
Sunday Mass is celebrated at 8 and 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s and 11:15 a.m. at St. Lawrence’s.

Parent, Family, Friends, Alumni Testimonial: Holy Rosary School, Duryea, is currently putting together several different publications for upcoming use.
If you or anyone with an association to the school and would like to have your thoughts on what the Holy Rosary School experience means to you and your family, e-mail your testimonial to hrsduryea@hotmail.com  (subject: testimonial) or call the school office at 457-2553.

Crohn’s Support: A Crohn’s and Colitis support group meets the third Thursday of every month at 7 p.m. at Community Medical Center in Scranton. For more information, call Maria Huggler  at 947-3575.

100th Anniversary: The Old Forge School District 100th anniversary committee is seeking the names of every student who served as Miss Devilette during the school’s history. It is believed the first Miss Devilette was named in 1949.
The majority of names have been found, but the committee is still seeking Miss Devilettes from 1950 to 1958 and for 1960. Anyone with information can contact the superintendent’s office at 457-6721.
The committee is also seeking the names of every student that has earned the honor of valedictorian during the school’s history.
Donors are needed for 100th anniversary banners that will be placed on telephone poles throughout the borough. Design of the banners is still in the planning stages but will feature the donor’s name.

New Members Welcome: The members of the First United Methodist Church, Harrison Street, Old Forge, announced that anyone new to the area who is looking for a place of worship is welcome to join the parish.  Worship begins at 11:15 a.m. Children and people from all denominations  are always welcome. The church is handicap accessible.

Seeking Volunteers: Serving Seniors is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life and care of nursing home, assisted living/personal care home residents and older adults throughout Lackawanna County through its community services, transportation program, volunteer visitation, guardianship and ombudsman services and PEER (Pennsylvania’s Empowered Expert Residents) program.
Serving Seniors is funded by the Lackawanna County Commissioners through the Lackawanna County Area Agency on Aging with funds from the Pennsylvania Department of Aging, the Federal Administration on Aging and the United Way of Lackawanna County. 
If you are available a few hours a month, 18 or older, concerned about the rights of nursing home and assisted living/personal care home residents and interested in making a difference in the lives of older adults, then you may be perfect for the volunteer program.  For more information, contact 344-3931.

Blue Devil Fundraiser: The Old Forge Jr. Blue Devils are selling five-inch-by-five-inch Devil helmet and megaphone vinyl car decals for $8 each and can be personalized with the player’s number or cheerleader’s name. Decals are available in Blue Devils and Jr. Devils. Contact Paula Rebar at 575-1441 if interested in purchasing.

Borough Meetings: The 2010 Old Forge Borough Council meetings are scheduled as follows: 
Work session meetings are held on the first Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m.; public meetings are the third Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m.; and planning meetings are the first Thursday of every month at 7:30 p.m. 
All meetings are held in council chambers located at the Old Forge Borough Building.

Democratic Meetings: The Taylor Democratic Committee meetings have resumed and will be held the third Sunday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Taylor Community Center. All residents are encouraged to attend. Romayne Nerch presides.

Window Decals: The Lady Devils basketball team is selling 5-inch-by-5-inch window decals. The cost is $10 per decal and they come in two designs: Lady Devils basketball or Blue Devils basketball. Decals can also be personalized with players’ numbers. Purchases can be made from any coach or player or by calling Donna Armillay at 562-3655. Make checks payable to Lady Devils Basketball.

Yard Sign Sale: The Lady Devils softball team is selling yard signs to support all Old Forge Blue Devil athletic programs.
One side has the outline of the Blue Devil head with the word “pride” running through the middle (in support of the Blue Devil Pride Program at the school).  The other side says “Good Luck Blue Devils.” It is a sign that can be placed in your yard throughout the school year as it doesn’t designate any particular sport or activity, just all Blue Devil activities. Cost is $20 a sign.
If anyone is interested in purchasing a sign, contact any varsity softball player.

Recycling Notice: Old Forge Borough officials remind residents that a state law requires recycling in the borough. Cans, bottles and plastic are picked up at the curb on alternate weeks with newspaper and cardboard. If you have any questions or for more details on what can be recycled  please call 457-8852.

Seeking Members: The Moosic Lions Club is opening membership for those interested in becoming a Knight of the Blind and Hearing Impaired and helping people in need. The group also sponsors a children’s Christmas party and a Easter egg hunt.
To apply, call 457-4037 or attend a meeting, which are held the first Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at Grande’s Restaurant, and on the third Wednesday of the month in the rear of the Moosic Youth Center at 6:30 p.m.

Bucks for Books: Children opening a savings account or having a savings account at Old Forge Bank will have $1 deposited into their accounts for each book they read. The maximum is 12 books per year, one book per month.

Big Band Society: The Big Band Society of NEPA is conducting its annual membership drive. Interested persons may call Glenn Smith at 457-5009. Dues are $15. The society meets the first Friday of the month at Genetti’s in Wilkes-Barre.

Lupus Support Meetings: The Scranton area monthly lupus support group meeting is held every third Monday at 7:15 p.m., Lupus Foundation, 615 Jefferson Ave., Scranton.
For more information, call 1-888-99-LUPUS or visit www.lupuspa.org.

Support Group: The Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Pennsylvania hosts a support group meeting every Tuesday of the month from 7-8 p.m. For reservations, contact Rhonda Falk, 585-8099, or Rita Fenton, 342-1776 (work) or 586-0179 (home).

Support Meeting: T.O.P.S. Chapter 1569 will meet at the Taylor Library on Mondays at 5:30 p.m. For more information, call 562-1234

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