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.
Rescue & Restore Church: 120 Willow Ave., Olyphant, is holding a back to school backpack giveaway on Aug. 29, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., including free children’s haircuts, backpacks, school supplies, hots dogs/snacks, pony rides, giveaways which will include four brand new bicycles and more, for children in kindergarten-grade 8. Register your child(ren) at rescuerestorechurch.com by Aug. 21. All are welcome to this family-friendly community event, but only those who register for a backpack will receive one.
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.
St. John’s Russian Orthodox Cathedral: Mayfield, will hold a flea market on Sept. 18, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Sept. 19, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the church center, 701 Hill St. The flea market will feature many unique items, including collectibles, jewelry, kitchenware, pictures, home décor, seasonal items, flatware, pots, mugs, furniture and more. Along with the flea market on Sept. 18, the kitchen will be open and will be serving St. John’s homemade fried pirogie and mac & cheese by the pint or by the quart. On Sept. 19, a take-out-only chicken cordon bleu dinner will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in advance by contacting 570-335-2128; 570-876-3576; 570-254-6882; 570-466-8431 or the rectory at 570-876-0730. A very limited number of tickets will be sold at the door. Tickets are $15 for dinner and dessert.
St. Mary’s Orthodox Greek Catholic Church: 522 Main Street, Dickson City, is holding a pork chop dinner Sept. 17 from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Cost is $15 per dinner; public is invited. Dinner includes a grilled smoked pork chop w/pineapple, mashed potatoes, vegetable, roll/butter and dessert. Takeout only. To order, call by Sept. 14. Orders/info: 570-309-5990.
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 cash bingo Aug. 23; games start at 2:30 p.m., 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 sold separately. There will be 50/50, lottery ticket wheel, snack bar and door prizes. Tickets available for purchase weekdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., and also at the church’s website, trinity-episcopal.weebly.com.
MUNICIPAL MEMOS
Throop Borough tax collector hours: Throop Borough tax collector has office hours on Saturday, Aug. 29, from 10 a.m. to noon in council chambers. There are no tax office hours on Saturday, Aug. 22, or Sunday, Aug. 23, as printed on the tax bills.
ONGOING PROGRAMS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Browndale Fire Company sporting arms or cash raffle: Throughout August, the winning number will match the “Pick3” lottery number of the first drawing of the Pennsylvania evening lottery. Each day participants will have the chance to win the daily prize of either a shotgun, rifle, cross bow or inline and the winner has the choice of the sporting arm or the cash value as stated on the ticket. Donation is $25 with tickets available from any Browndale Fire Company member, by calling 570-785-5300 and leaving a message or through the Browndale Fire Co. No.1 Station 43 Facebook page. Winners will be contacted by phone or mail. All sporting arms may be upgraded at the winner’s expense. Winners must comply with all firearms regulations, otherwise they must take the cash value for that day. All sporting arm prizes must be claimed by the winner at Heberling’s Sport Shop in Prompton by Oct. 3.
Eureka Hose Co. No. 4 fund drive: The annual envelope drive for funds is being conducted during August. Donation materials have been sent to residents, businesses and industries seeking financial assistance for the volunteer company, 717 E. Grant St., Olyphant. Proceeds will be used for station maintenance, insurances and protective equipment for members. Envelopes may be mailed to the station or dropped off at the Olyphant Borough Electric Office.
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.
Walk with a Doc program: Hosted by the Wright Center for Community Health, Aug. 22, 9 a.m., Lackawanna River Heritage Trail in Jermyn; walkers should gather at the Delaware Street Trailhead entrance. Free and open to the public, welcoming individuals of all fitness levels. No preregistration is required. Info: contact Melissa Germano-Ryczak at germanom@TheWrightCenter.org.
Wind Creek Casino bus trip: AARP NEPA/Scranton Chapter 3731 will host a bus trip to Wind Creek Casino, Bethlehem, on Oct. 14. The casino houses over 3,000 slot machines and 150 table games. Shop the outlets and eat at the large food court or the many restaurants onsite. Rebate $25 free slot play. Board at the former Kmart on Business Route 6, Dickson City at 9 a.m.; depart the casino at 4:30 p.m. Payment of $40 due with reservation. Trip is open to the public. Call David at 570-892-1619 or Eileen at 570-328-3359.
To submit your event listing for publication, email advantage@scrantontimes.com. (Metro)
DAILY EVENTS
August 20
Cremation information session: 2 p.m., Valley Community Library, 739 River St., Peckville. Join Christine Banditelli, a pre-arrangement adviser at the Cremation Society of Pennsylvania, for a presentation explaining their cremation services as an alternative to traditional funeral homes. Planning ahead allows individuals to make their wishes known in advance, lock in today’s affordable prices, and provide peace of mind for themselves and their loved ones during a difficult time. This program is for adults. Registration required at LCLSHOME.org/Valley.
August 22
Abstract Photography — Seeing Beyond the Ordinary: 11 a.m., Valley Community Library, 739 River St., Peckville. Kids and teens ages 10-17 will explore photography as a form of artistic expression in this hands-on introduction to abstract photography. Through creative experiments with light, color, texture, perspective and composition, participants will discover how everyday objects can become extraordinary works of art. No photography experience is necessary. Cameras or smartphones are welcome to be used by participants. Registration required at LCLSHOME.org/Valley.
Barn quilting workshop: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Johnson College Scranton campus. Participants will create a 12-inch-by-12-inch hand-painted barn quilt, selecting their own pattern and colors. Instead of stitching fabric, attendees will use paint to bring their chosen quilt block design to life. All materials will be provided; participants are asked to bring a hair dryer to assist with the painting process. Cost is $75 per person. To register, visit johnson.edu/workshops. The workshop is part of Johnson College’s WAVE (Workforce Advancement & Value-Added Education) Workshop Series.
Softball tournament: Strong and Coura’Jess Foundation’s fifth annual coed softball tournament, Throop Little League fields, Sanderson Street. Double-elimination format. Enter a raffle for a chance to win 18 tickets for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders NBT Box Suite for a Sept. 17 game; tickets are $5 and drawing will be held at the tournament. Donations of gift baskets, raffle items or concession stand items sought. To donate items, contact Julie Rutkowski at 570-972-4266 or email strongandcourajessfoundation@gmail.com. All proceeds benefit the Strong and Coura’Jess Foundation.
August 23
Ukrainian Folk Festival 2026: Noon to 8 p.m., Ukrainian American Sport Center – Tryzub (tryzub.org), County Line and Lower State roads, Horsham. Celebrating the 35th anniversary of the ancestral homeland’s independence. Includes an outdoor summer stage concert and show (1:30-4:30), live orchestra music (5-8), traditional Ukrainian foods and baked goods, BBQ pit, standard picnic fare, vendors’ grove, Ukrainian arts and crafts displays and bazaar, cool refreshments, live reenactments from Living Ukrainian History Exhibitors and Ukrainian hospitality. Featured performers at tryzub.org/Festival-Bios-2026. Admission (open to general public at gate only) is $20; a portion of each paid admission is donated to relief of war victims in Ukraine; and free/under 15; free parking; information: 267-664-3857 or info@tryzub.org.
August 29
Black Diamond Hose Company No. 2 pork dinner: Noon to 5 p.m., Rock Street Station, Archbald. Tickets are $15; takeouts only.
September 12
Community lunch: Free monthly community lunch, noon to 1 p.m., Trinity Episcopal Church, 58 River St., Carbondale. No income requirements. Everyone is welcome.
Jessup second annual Fall Block Party: 2 to 7 p.m., Church Street between Constitution and Second avenues, Jessup. A day of food, fun and live entertainment, with over 50 vendors, live music, and sausage and Lonza contests. A special CommUNITY train in conjunction with Archbald and Carbondale will arrive at 2 p.m. Some of Jessup’s history and heritage will be celebrated.
September 13
9/11 memorial service: 10 a.m., Peckville Assembly of God, 3364 Scranton/Carbondale Highway, Route 6, Blakely. All first responders are invited to attend. Info: call 570-881-1465 or email peckvilleag@gmail.com.
September 19
Welsh cookie sale: First United Presbyterian Church of Lackawanna Valley, 1557 Main Street, Peckville, is having a Welsh cookie sale. Cookies are $7/dozen and must be pre-ordered by calling Judy at 570-489-7866. Last day to order is Sept. 14. Pickup is from 9 a.m. to noon at the church door on the realty side of the building.
October 3
Fall Fair: Valley Community Library second annual Fall Fair, 1 to 4 p.m., at the library, 739 River St., Peckville. Attendees can browse unique goods from local vendors and meet talented local authors. Families can participate in activities for kids at the all-ages event. The library is looking for raffle baskets, event volunteers and baked good donations that can be dropped off Oct. 3 from 10 a.m. to noon. Info: email Kwallo@albright.org.
October 4
Barbecue event: Hosted by the Greater Scranton Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association in honor of the memory of Dr. Wayne Sebastianelli, 1 to 4 p.m., the Waldorf, 14 Waldorf Lane, Scranton. Cost is $30/person. Menu includes pulled pork, barbecued chicken, salad, coleslaw, corn on the cob, dessert. Soda, tea and coffee will be available. Cash bar. Chapter will name a scholarship to the Scranton campus in Sebastianelli’s name and present a plaque to the family. Matt McGloin, former PSU and Oakland Raiders quarterback, will provide comments. Reservations/payment: contact Jeff Mallas at JRM9@psu.edu, Ann McDonough at AFM8252@gmail.com, Nick DeLeo at NDeleo52@yahoo.com, Walter Telech at psuchief1@gmail.com, Mike Duricko at Mduricko2@gmail.com or Dave Garvey at dgf1747@aol.com.
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.