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.
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.
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. The church will hold a roast beef dinner April 25, noon to 4 p.m.; takeouts only. There will be a basket raffle. Dinner is gluten-free. Donation is $15. Tickets: contact any member or call 570-876-4896; leave message and someone will call you back.
St. John’s Russian Orthodox Cathedral: Mayfield, will host a Polka Party on Aug. 25, 2 to 5 p.m., featuring John Stevens’ Doubleshot, at St. John’s Center, 703 Hill St., Mayfield. Cost is $15 per person. Cash bar; light fare available. Reservations: contact Maureen at 570-466-3433 after 4 p.m.
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. A spring raffle fundraiser is underway, with the drawing date on Mother’s Day, May 10. Prizes include a 50-inch smart TV, lottery tickets, bicycle, cash, gift cards and more. Tickets are $6 per sheet of 10 tickets and $10 for two sheets. Ticket holders don’t need to be present to win. For soup sale and/or to buy raffle tickets, stop at the church weekdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. or call the office at at 570-282-3620.
ONGOING PROGRAMS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Atlantic City bus trip: The Friends of the Valley Community Library will host a bus trip to Atlantic City on June 13. Bus will leave the library, 739 River St., Peckville, at 7:30 a.m., will drop attendees off at Resorts Casino at about 11 a.m. and will return to the library at around 10:30 p.m. Tickets are $60 a person ($63 for credit); payment is needed to reserve your space on the bus. Ticket cost includes the bus and driver’s tip. No rebates. Signup available at the library. Info: contact Ann at 570-479-0806 or valleylibraryfriends@outlook.com.
Marjon Men Senior Golf League: Plays every Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. from the end of April until the middle of September. Info: call 570-489-8458.
Olyphant Hometown Hero banners: Unclaimed banners will be on display and may be picked up during the week of May 23-30 at the Freedom Fighter Veterans Memorial Park on Nestor Chylak Boulevard. Banners that remain unclaimed will be disposed of honorably.
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.
Sidewalk sale seeks donations: Donations for the St. Joseph’s Center sidewalk sale will be accepted until April 25 at the DeNaples Building, 320 Blakely St., Dunmore, on the Pine Street side, every Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. After April 25, call Jeannie at 570-335-7150 for arrangements; drop-off will be at the front door at the DeNaples Building. Accepting small furniture and new or gently used housewares, jewelry, home accents/decor, purses, lamps, holiday decorations, tools, toys, books and DVDs. No clothes or large furniture.
MEMORIAL DAY SERVICES
Olyphant: May 25, Memorial Day Program and free “Concert in the Park.” American Legion Post 327, Ladies Auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion, 11 a.m., at 113 Willow Ave. Honored guest speaker is Sgt. Maj. Claudette Williams, U.S. Army retired, founder of the Women Veterans Museum in Mount Pocono. Following will be the program at the Freedom Fighter Veterans Memorial Park, with honored guest speaker SP4 Shamus Gower McGuigan, U.S. Army, Afghanistan, Wounded Warrior. A free patriotic “Concert in the Park” by Brass Storm will follow. Seating will be available. Light luncheon will be provided in the American Legion Post 327 hall by the Ladies Auxiliary and Sons of Post 327. In case of rain, the program and concert will be held inside the legion hall. Info: call Kim Atkinson at 570-892-0378.
PERFORMING ARTS
Arts at First Presbyterian concert: Nate Worrell and Friends, April 26, 4 p.m., sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church, 300 School St., Clarks Summit. The young pianist and FPC church member is a senior in the Ithaca College music program. He will be joined by fellow Ithaca students, cellist Eli Jort and mezzo-soprano Anastasia Inglima, and by flutist Catherine Huhn. Concert is open to the public free of charge; free-will offering will be taken to help defray the cost of the event. Meet the artists at a reception following the concert.
Double “R” Twirlettes will present “America 250″: May 13, 7 p.m., Mid Valley Secondary Center, Throop. The show will feature the Twirlettes as they celebrate America’s birthday and their invitation to represent Pennsylvania in the Salute to Independence Parade, which will be held in Philadelphia in July. To purchase tickets, call 570-489-1935 or visit doublertwirl.com; tickets will also be available at the door.
To submit your event listing for publication, email advantage@scrantontimes.com. (Metro)
DAILY EVENTS
April 25
Chicken barbecue and bake sale: Noon to 3 p.m., St. Adalbert’s Polish National Catholic Church, 515 Mary St., Dickson City. Take-out only. Dinners are $15 and can be purchased at the door. To reserve in advance, call Mike at 570-947-2333.
Greater Carbondale YMCA Healthy Kids Day: 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., YMCA Community Park, 82 N. Main St., Carbondale. In case of inclement weather, the free event will be held inside the YMCA. Games, crafts, giveaways, basket raffles and informational booths from community organizations. Public is welcome. Info: call the YMCA at 570-282-2210 or visit greatercarbondaleymca.org.
Griffyn’s third annual Autism Acceptance Craft Fair and Vendor Market: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., William Walker Hose Company, 803 Penn Ave., Mayfield. Free admission. Local vendors, sensory-friendly activities, arts and crafts, prizes, face painting, food sales and more. Basket raffle to benefit Collaborative Autism Movement.
Medication take-back event: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Blakely Borough Building, 1439 Main St., Peckville. Bring unused or expired medications for proper disposal. Accepted are prescription medications, over-the-counter medications (pain relief, antacids, cold medications and laxatives), eye drops, dietary supplements, vitamins, herbal supplements, topical medication (creams/ointments) and pet medication. No needles, inhalers or open liquid medications. Info: contact 570-963-6820, ext. 1514.
Scout Troop 322 annual pasta dinner: Takeouts, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., and dinner, 5 to 7 p.m., Eagle Hose Company Fire Hall, Eagle Lane, Dickson City. Cost is $12/adults, $10/children (age 10 and under). Tickets can be purchased at the door.
April 26
Cash bingo: 2:30 p.m., Trinity Episcopal Church, 58 River St., Carbondale. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. 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. Games start at 2:30 p.m. There will be 50/50, door prize and snack bar. Tickets: Available for purchase weekdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., or at the website, trinity-episcopal.weebly.com/. No children under 18.
Movie screening: The 1940 movie “Movie Queen Parade,” showings at 2 and 6 p.m., at the Jermyn Historical Society, 710 Madison Ave., Jermyn. Watch Ellen Badger as the Movie Queen. Attendees may see their ancestors in the parade or coming out of Sacred Heart and Jermyn high schools, Sacred Heart Church and the Methodist Church.
Roast beef dinner: Hrichak-McAndrew American Legion Auxiliary Unit 869 annual roast beef dinner and basket raffle, noon until 4 p.m., at the post home, 161 S. Main St., Archbald. Dinners will be available for eat-in or take out. Tickets are $15 and are available at the legion or by calling 570-876-1615.
April 27
Get Your Spud On! Growing Potatoes: 6:30 p.m., Greenhouse Project, 200 Arthur Ave., Scranton. Penn State Master Gardener Gary White will explain how to choose and prep seed potatoes, soil mixes, different ways to plant, watering and harvesting. Participants will take home seed potatoes. Fee is $10. Registration required by emailing programs@scrantongreenhouse.org.
April 28
Monarch Butterflies program: 1 p.m., Gathering Place, 304 S. State St., Clarks Summit. Penn State Master Gardener Janelle Zigon will describe the monarch’s life cycle and unique migration to Central Mexico. Decline and conservation efforts will be described, with emphasis about what each of us can do to help. Cultural significance and life lessons will be highlighted as well. Fee is $5. Register online at gatheringplacecs.org.
May 2
32nd annual Fred Ciotti 5K Race: 9 a.m., Greater Carbondale YMCA, 82 N. Main St., Carbondale. Participants can choose from a 5K run, 5K walk or a 1-mile Color Fun Run. Trophies awarded to overall male and female runners; medals will go to top three finishers in both run and walk races. High School Cup is back; top three finishers from the same school will take home the cup. Registration, $20 early bird rate available through April 18; afterward, $25. Youth ages 12 and under, $15. Register: visit greatercarbondaleymca.org or stop by the Y’s Member Service Desk.
Chicken barbecue: Annual spring chicken barbecue, noon to 4 p.m., Throop VFW Post 7251, 179 Boulevard Ave. Drive-thru or eat-in. Dinner includes half-chicken, vegetable, baked potato, roll and cake desert. Cost is $15; tickets available at the post home.
Greater Scranton YMCA Healthy Kids Day: 10 a.m., Greater Scranton YMCA, 706 N. Blakely St., Dunmore. Free annual event features rides, vendor fair, bounce houses, face painting, entertainment, refreshments and more. Info: contact Brandon Whipple, senior director of programming, at 570-828-3116 or bwhipple@gsymca.org or visit greaterscrantonymca.org/healthy-kids-day/.
Purse bingo: Eynon/Sturges Volunteer Fire Department annual purse bingo, 3 p.m., Club at the Highlands, Archbald. Tickets are $30. Doors open at 1 p.m. Food and beverages available for purchase. There will be 16 regular games and four specials; specials will be purses and cash. 50/50 will be a purse and cash. Door prizes and raffle baskets. To buy tickets, reach out to any member, send a message through the Eynon/Sturges Hose Co. #3 Facebook page or buy through PayPal at paypal.me/ESVHC3.
Spring craft fair and bake sale: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Montdale Community Church, 961 Lakeland Drive, Scott Twp. Indoor event features craft vendors selling a variety of items, along with a bake sale featuring Welsh cookies, pies, cakes, cookies and breads, and a basket raffle. Lunch will be served; soup, chili, wimpies, hot dogs and homemade pierogies available.
May 3
Healing service: Monthly healing service at Christ Episcopal Church, 9 a.m., Delaware and Dundaff streets, Forest City, with the Rev. Bill McGinty. All are welcome. Light refreshments to follow.
Spring into Cash event: Noon to 2 p.m., Christ the King Hall, 429 Church St., Archbald. Donation is $20 and non-refundable. Ticket holders do not need to be present to win. $100 drawings held every 15 minutes, with the last drawing being a mystery cash amount of at least $100 or more. Winners returned to the drawing for multiple chances to win. Basket raffle, 25 chances/$10; 50/50, three chances/$5; lottery tree, three chances/$5. Live music and light fare provided. Tickets: Available at the parish office, 570-876-1701, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., or call/text Karen S. at 570-604-7682; Venmo accepted by contacting Karen. Tickets and all raffles will be available after Masses starting April 11 through May 3 in Christ the King Hall.
May 7
Books Appétit: 6 to 9 p.m., Valley Community Library, 739 River St., Peckville. Annual fundraiser features local food, beer, wine, raffle baskets and live music by The Wanabees. For individuals 21 and older. Tickets cost $35 in advance or $40 at the door. All proceeds benefit Valley Community Library. Tickets can be purchased online at givebutter.com/books-appetit-2026 or in person at the library.
Chicken and biscuit dinner: Noon to 5 p.m., Trinity Episcopal Church, 58 River St., Carbondale. Dinners are $14 and include biscuits with roasted chicken, mashed potatoes w/gravy, vegetable and dessert. Preordering is suggested but not necessary. To place preorders, call 570-282-3620.
May 9
Free community lunch: Noon to 1 p.m., Trinity Episcopal Church, 58 River St., Carbondale. All are welcome.
May 14
Growing Strawberries: 6 p.m., Greenhouse Project, 200 Arthur Ave., Scranton. Penn State Master Gardener Gary White will explain the best practices: plant habits and needs, recommended varieties, containers or beds, common pests and diseases. Fee is $5. Registration required by emailing programs@scrantongreenhouse.org.
May 16
Community luncheon: Noon to 12:45 p.m., Christ Episcopal Church, 700 Delaware and Dundaff streets, Forest City. All are welcome.
Magic show fundraiser: Damian the Magician will perform a Concert of Magic, 2 to 4:30 p.m., Trinity Episcopal Church, 58 River St., Carbondale. Doors open at 1 p.m. Snack bar available. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12. Stop by the church office for tickets weekdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. or buy online at trinity-episcopal.weebly.com.
May 18
Vegetable Gardening program: 1:15 p.m., Carbondale Public Library, 5 N. Main St., Carbondale. Penn State Master Gardeners will conduct a free program that will explain how certain vegetables grow well together, manage your garden growing space and yield. Register: call the library at 570-282-4281.
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.