CHURCH NOTES
All Saints Orthodox Church: 211 Willow Ave., Olyphant, offers a frozen pierogi sale from 9 to 11 a.m. every Friday and 10:30 a.m. to noon every Sunday in the church basement.
Christ Episcopal Church Forest City: Delaware Street, is conducting its annual Lenten pizza, soup, Welsh cookies and cabbage and noodles sale every Friday, 3 to 5:30 p.m., from Feb. 20 through April 3 at the church; the sale benefits the church’s community programs. Take-and-bake 12 slices of red pizza will be sold for $17 or take-and-bake pagash (potato, cheese) for $19; call and pre-order pizza. Also available for sale are pints of homemade assorted soups for $5; cabbage and noodles, $7; and Welsh cookies, $7 per dozen. Advance ordering of pizza is recommended by calling the church at 570-785-3425 and leaving a message.
Rescue & Restore Church: Members of the church at 120 Willow Ave. in Olyphant, the former Holy Ghost Parish, residents of the Valley, veterans or anyone wishing to support the church may preserve their family name or history on a beautifully designed memorial plaque inside the church for posterity. Two sizes are available: single 7-inch by 10-inch or family 12-inch by 18-inch. Info: call Pastor Jack Munley at 570-483-4114.
Sacred Heart of Jesus Church: hosts a food giveaway from 1 to 2 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month. Giveaways are sponsored by Friends of the Poor and take place in the attached Holy Family Hall, 1101 Willow St., Peckville.
SS. Cyril & Methodius Ukrainian Catholic Church: Pysanky classes, Feb. 22 and March 1, pick either noon or 3 p.m., at St. Cyril’s Parish Hall, 207 River St., Olyphant. Classes taught by Tammy Budnovitch. All supplies provided. Fee is $25, with proceeds going to SS. Cyril & Methodius Ukrainian Catholic Church. Reservations: call Tammy at 570-766-1919.
St. James St. George Episcopal Church: 398 Washington Ave., Jermyn, hosts a food pantry from 1 to 2 p.m. the fourth Wednesday of the month.
St. Mary’s Visitation Church: 625 Dundaff St., Dickson City, holds a weekly Monday night bingo. Early bird starts at 6:30 p.m. and regular games at 6:45 p.m. with doors opening at 5 p.m. Weekly jackpot is $1,000. Kitchen serves food and beverages beginning at 5:30 p.m. Info: call 570-489-2091.
Trinity Episcopal Church: 58 River St., Carbondale, is having a homemade soup sale until sold out; chicken noodle, Italian wedding, pasta fagioli, beef barley and cabbage roll are available. Quarts are $9 and pints are $5. Chili and stew are also available for $6. Stop by weekdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Info: call the office at 570-282-3620 for availability. The church is also holding a cash bingo on Feb. 22. Grand prize is $1,000. Entrance tickets are $25 and include 10 regular games with a $100 prize. Grand prize and specials boards are sold separately. Doors open at 1:30 p.m.; games start at 2:30 p.m. There will be 50/50, lottery wheel raffle, snack bar and door prizes. Tickets available for purchase weekdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. or at trinity-episcopal.weebly.com. No children under 18. Snow date is March 1.
ONGOING PROGRAMS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Browndale Fire Company spring cash raffle: The members of the all-volunteer fire company are selling cash raffle tickets to benefit the services and operation of the fire company. Ticket donation is $20; only 600 tickets will be sold, and there are 16 cash prizes. Prizes will be awarded at the March 10 meeting at 7:30 p.m. All tickets pulled will be put back into the drawing, making chances greater of winning a prize. Prizes are: 16th to 12th prize, $100; 11th-seventh prize, $125; sixth-third prize, $250; second prize, $500; and first prize, $1,000. All the winners will be contacted by phone. Tickets may be purchased by contacting any member or at these locations: Sweet Tooth by Chocolate Creations, Elegante Restaurant in Forest City, M & M Auto in Vandling and Heberling’s Sport Shop in Prompton.
Jessup-Winton 150th Anniversary Committee: seeks community input for a slide show highlighting the public’s ideas of what makes Jessup special (past and present): places, people, events, food, businesses, recreation and more. Submit ideas, photos, news articles or stories to Bonnie Urzen at bonalunni@yahoo.com.
“Joshua” bus trip: “Joshua” at Sight & Sound Theatre, April 30, with lunch at Shady Maple Smorgasbord. Cost is adults, $179; children, $120. Bus will leave at 9 a.m. from Assembly of God Church, Route 6, Peckville. Reservations: call the church at 570-489-4961.
NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade bus trip: The Double “R” Twirlettes will sponsor a trip to the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 17. See performers from around the world march up Fifth Avenue. Plus, have the day free in New York City to sightsee, shop, take in a show, etc. Cost is $70 per person. Bus leaves from Peckville with a pickup in Daleville. Info/reservations: call Kelly at 570-881-2208.
Third Thursdays in the Queen City: Olyphant Borough gears up with retail stores, restaurants, outdoor vendors and events for special promotions and sales every third Thursday of the month all day, especially from 5 to 8 p.m. Walk and shop on Lackawanna Avenue from the bridge to the Queen City train station. Free parking in the evening. Call DJ Gordo for info regarding vendors, food tents, entertainment and school fundraiser events at 570-766-3050.
PERFORMING ARTS
Catholic Choral Society of Scranton Lenten Concert: March 1, 3 p.m., Shavertown United Methodist Church, 163 N. Pioneer Ave. In addition to the Choral Society, the concert will feature selections by the parish choir of Shavertown Methodist Church. Open to the public free of charge. There will be a good-will offering. Ann Manganello is music director; Linda Houck is accompanist. Info: call 570-575-1040 or visit catholicchoralsociety.org.
Some local groups are holding bus trips. (Metro)
DAILY EVENTS
February 19
Free community meal: Kinship Kitchen, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., Court Street United Methodist Church, 816 Court St., Scranton. Piggy casserole (ground beef, rice, tomatoes and cabbage), mashed potatoes, drink and dessert. Eat-in or takeout. Info: call 570-342-0898.
“Bee a Girl Scout” recruitment party: Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania recruitment party for girls entering kindergarten and first grade, 6 to 7 p.m., Valley Community Library, 739 River St., Peckville. Event will be held in the craft room. Register at https://bit.ly/40lPzv6. Info: email Marissa Pilato at mpilato@gshpa.org.
February 20-22
Comic Con: NEPA Comic Con, Moon Tavern & Entertainment Complex (inside Days Inn Hotel), Dickson City, Friday, 7 p.m., VIP party, $100 all weekend/access pass includes buffet, meet and great guest; Saturday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., convention only, $10/advance or $15/at door; Saturday, 8 p.m., after-hours party free with event badge/wristband; cosplay karaoke w/DJ Jenny Monstrosity; and Sunday, noon-4 p.m., convention only, $5/advance and $10/at door. Special guests include voice actor Trevor Devall, actresses Susanna Malak and Christine Galey, and comic book artist Jeff Brennan; www.nepacomiccon.com.
February 20
Food sale: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., All Saints Orthodox Church, 207 Willow Ave., Olyphant. Preorders required. Limited amount available on day of food sale. Sale includes cabbage and noodles, pierogies (butter and onion), clam chowder and frozen pierogies. To place orders, call Ann at 570-383-0785 or Linda at 570-650-1427. During the week of the sale, call hall at 570-489-5591.
Potato pancake sale: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (or until sold out), William Walker Hose Company, 803 Penn Ave., Mayfield. Potato pancakes cost $3 each.
February 21
Hand quilting – mug run workshop: 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Ideal Saldi Hall, Scranton Campus. Participants will experience the relaxing rhythm of hand quilting while learning essential techniques, including preparing and layering a quilt and stitching clean, even lines. Open to all skill levels. Space is limited. Cost is $40 per person. Info/register: visit johnson.edu/workshops, call 570-702-8979 or email wave@johnson.edu.
February 22
Book swap: 12:30 to 2 p.m., Greater Carbondale YMCA, 82 N. Main St., Carbondale. The YMCA has been collecting a variety of books for all ages from donors. Books are free. Info: call the YMCA at 570-282-2210 or visit greatercarbondaleymca.org.
Pasta and meatball dinner: Shopa Davey VFW Post 6082 pasta and meatball dinner, serving 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Eat-in or takeout. Tickets cost $15 at the door or from a member.
February 28
Free community lunch: Noon to 1 p.m., Trinity Episcopal Church, 58 River St., Carbondale. All are welcome.
Garden planning session: Penn State Master Gardeners will hold “Your Garden, Your Questions” free interactive garden planning session, 1 p.m., Albright Library, 500 Vine St., Scranton. Attendees can ask questions about their gardens and plan for the upcoming growing season and beyond. Master Gardeners will be on hand to share Extension resources and help with personal garden questions. Register: call 570-348-3000.
March 3-7
Friends of the Scranton Public Library book sale: March 3-6, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and March 7, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Marketplace at Steamtown on the second floor in the area in front of Crunch Fitness. Fiction, nonfiction, adult, children’s, DVDs, CDs, audio books and large print books. Prices range from $1 to $2, with children’s books from 25 cents to $1. On March 7 only, patrons may buy a Friends’ tote bag for $5 and fill it. Also on March 7, all teachers and people who work for nonprofits may take as many books as they can use for free.
March 7
Meat raffle: Forest City Area Emergency Services is selling chances on 18 meat prizes, in addition to the wheel prizes, to be awarded at their Cabin Fever Meat Raffle, 5 to 8 p.m., at Station 41, 380 Railroad St., Forest City. Chances are $1 each or six for $5. BYOB and snacks. There will be food for sale; menu is limited. To purchase chances, contact any member, or call 570-785-3166 or 570-785-3837. If no answer, leave message and someone will get back to you.
Porketta sale: Eureka Hose Co. No. 4, 717 E. Grant St., Olyphant, is sponsoring a porketta sandwich sale from noon to 5 p.m. at the fire station. Tickets, priced at $7 for two sandwiches, may be purchased from any member or at the station, Mondays from 6 to 7 p.m. Patrons are encouraged to purchase tickets prior to the sale to guarantee availability. Proceeds will be used for station and equipment upkeep.
March 12
Chicken and biscuit dinner: Noon to 5 p.m., Trinity Episcopal Church, 58 River St., Carbondale. Dinners are $12 and include roasted chicken and biscuit with gravy, mashed potatoes with gravy, vegetable and dessert. Preordering is not necessary but suggested. Walk-ins welcome until sold out. Info: call 570-282-3620.
March 13
Blood drive: 12th annual Donald Muchal Sr. Memorial Blood Drive, Noon to 5 p.m., VFW of Foreign Wars Hall Post 7963 social hall, 284 Main St., Eynon. To schedule an appointment, visit redcrossblood.org and use sponsor code: Muchal, or call 1-800-RED CROSS.
March 22
Spring vendor fair: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Greater Carbondale YMCA, 82 N. Main St., Carbondale. Over 30 vendors, door prizes and refreshments. Proceeds benefit the youth scholarship program. Info: call the YMCA at 570-282-2210 or visit greatercarbondaleymca.org.
Contact The Advantage: advantage@scrantontimes.com; 570-212-9657.
Submit community events
The Valley Advantage welcomes upcoming events for its Community Calendar. Please submit calendar items at least two weeks before the event. Email calendar items and photos to advantage@scrantontimes.com.