Lackawanna County
Third annual veterans Mass: Divine Mercy Parish will honor veterans with a special veterans program Nov. 9 at 5 p.m. at 320 Davis St. in Scranton. The event will begin with a Mass at 5 p.m. during which a blessing will be offered for all veterans in attendance. The Rev. Bert Kozen from Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Dushore, a native of Williamsport, will serve as guest celebrant and homilist. He served in the Army National Guard in Iraq, Bosnia and Kosovo, eventually achieving full colonel, and state chaplain for the Pa. National Guard. A reception and veterans recognition program will follow the Mass and will feature guest speaker Sean Douglas, retired member of the Air Force and founder of Success Corps. Veterans and their families of all faiths are invited to attend this event organized by the Men of Divine Mercy Church. Refreshments provided by Arcaro and Genell Restaurant, Old Forge, and Gerrity’s Fresh Grocer Supermarkets. Contact Divine Mercy Parish for additional details at 570-344-1724 or Terry Deitz at 814-242-4244.
Toys for Tots campaign: Eagle Cleaners is holding its 28th annual Toys for Tots, serving as both a sponsor and a drop-off location. Eagle Cleaners partners with the Marines and sailors of MWSS 472 Det A, out of Wyoming. New and unwrapped toys can be dropped off at Eagle Cleaners, 531 S. State St., Clarks Summit, from now until Dec. 6. Business hours are Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-7 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. This year’s greatest need age group is 11-16-year-olds. To make an online contribution to Toys for Tots to have Marines buy the toys, visit their website. All donations are kept in our area, benefiting local families. The local chapter serves Bradford, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga and Wyoming counties.
Plaque dedication: St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, accepted on the National Register of Historic Places administered by the National Park Service, will dedicate its National Register Plaque on Saturday with a 10 a.m. All-Saints Eucharist service followed by an 11 a.m. plaque dedication. The church, at 232 Wyoming Ave., Scranton, joins 65 federally recognized properties in Lackawanna County as an enduring example of the nation’s heritage for events, people and achievements. Nationwide, the National Register recognizes about 100,000 properties worthy of historic preservation. Completed in 1871, the church is a product of architect Richard Upjohn, followed with later changes by Louis C. Tiffany. The altar, high altar and Accession stained-glass window, plus a mosaic of Christ and John the Baptist, are Tiffany studio additions. The Throop Memorial Parish House, designed by Scranton architect Frederick Brown and opened in 1899, is included in the National Register recognition. Both buildings are in Gothic architectural style.
Wayne County
Rummage and bake sale: Rummage and bake sale, Nov. 7, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., and Nov. 8, 9 a.m.-noon, with a bag sale from 12:30-2 p.m. ($5/bag), St. John’s Lutheran Church, Seventh and Church streets, Honesdale, featuring books, games, puzzles, holiday items, kitchen items, jewelry and more.
West Scranton
Turkey dinner: SS. Peter & Paul Russian Orthodox Church annual turkey dinner, Nov. 9, noon to 2 p.m. or sold out, 1720 Academy St.; eat in or take out, no preorders, $15/donation day of dinner, church center, 570-961-3147.