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, will hold its Christmas service on Dec. 24 at 5 p.m. The church will also conduct its annual homemade soup, Welsh cookies and cabbage and noodles sale to benefit the church’s community programs. Assorted homemade soups are $5 per pint; cabbage and noodles, $7 per pint, and Welsh cookies, $7 per dozen, for sale each Friday, from 3 to 5:30 p.m., through April 3.
Christ the King Parish: will sponsor a Christmas cookie sale at Sacred Heart of Mary Church, 624 Madison Ave., Jermyn, on Dec. 20 in the parish center from 9 a.m. to noon. The home-baked holiday treats are available in one-pound packages for $12 or two-pound packages for $20.
Holy Ghost Byzantine Catholic Church: 313 First Ave., Jessup, will hold its Christmas Bazaar on Dec. 20, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Dec. 21, 8:45 a.m. to noon, at Holy Ghost Hall at LaSalle Academy, 309 First Ave., Jessup. The bazaar will include the annual cookie walk on Dec. 21, as well as the Olive Wood Carvers from the Holy Land and a Taste of the Valley both days. A basket raffle will be held Dec. 20 at 1 p.m.
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. Peter and Paul Church: Simpson, is selling 2026 six-month lottery calendars. Each $20 calendar includes two numbers for the Pick 3 evening drawing of the Pennsylvania Lottery. Prizes include $25 on weekdays, $40 on Sundays and five $100 prizes. Calendars purchased by check will be mailed to return address. Make checks payable to SS. Peter and Paul Church and mail to: P.O. Box 124, Carbondale, PA 18407. Info: contact Marge at 570-282-5680 or Linda at 570-282-0796.
St. Carlo Acutis Parish: A newly designed 2025 St. Carlo Acutis Parish Christmas ornament is available for purchase before all weekend Masses at the newly formed parish at St. Patrick’s Church in Olyphant and St. Anthony of Padua Church in Throop. Cost of the circular design with the image of St. Carlo Acutis is $20. The 2025 limited edition Christmas memento comes in a box.
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. A Christmas Eve service will be held at 6:30 p.m. with Holy Eucharist. The Everything Homemade Pasta Dinner will be held Jan. 31, with more information to follow.
St. John’s Russian Orthodox Cathedral: will host a homemade bread, kolachi, cookie and raw pierogi sale Dec. 23 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at St. John’s Center, 701 Hill St., Mayfield. Homemade bread (plain or with raisins) will be sold along with homemade nut, poppyseed, lekvar and apricot kolachi. Breads cost $8 each and kolachi are $12 each. Homemade cookies will be sold at $12 a box. Cookies will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Along with the baked goods, homemade pierogi (frozen, uncooked) will be sold for $12 a dozen. Bread, kolachi and pierogi orders can be placed by calling Mott (570-335-2128), Sandy (570-876-3576) or the rectory (570-876-0730). Reminder for those who placed orders at St. John’s Christmas Bazaar that pickup will be between 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For those who did not place an order at the Christmas Bazaar, deadline for orders is Dec. 18.
St. Mary’s Orthodox Greek Catholic Church: 522 Main St., Dickson City, is holding a takeout-only Christmas potato pancake sale on Dec. 19 from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Potato pancakes are $2 each. Advance orders recommended by Dec. 17. To place orders, call 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 Christmas Eve service on Dec. 24 at 3 p.m. There will also be lessons and carols on Dec. 28. The church is also having a homemade soup sale; chicken noodle, Italian wedding and pasta fagioli are available. Quarts are $9 and pints are $5. Chili and stew are also available in pints for $6. New soups are added frequently. Stop by weekdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Info: call 570-282-3620.
ONGOING PROGRAMS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Bill Gerrity Junior High Basketball Tournament: Dec. 26 and Dec. 29, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Scranton High School, 63 Mike Munchak Way. Girls and boys in seventh and eighth grades from schools throughout Lackawanna County will compete, including Scranton, Forest City, Riverside, Mid Valley, Dunmore and more. Admission is free; there are no entry fees for the teams. Each team is assured of playing two games.
Bus trip: AARP NEPA Chapter 3731 will host a bus trip to the premiere showing of “Joshua” at the Sight and Sound Theatre in Lancaster County, May 29. Dinner at the Bird in Hand Smorgasbord is included in the price of $195. Open to the public. Early reservations suggested. Info: David at 570-892-1619 or Eileen at 570-328-3359.
Jessup American Legion Post 411 Toys for Tots collection: A Toys for Tots deposit box is located at the post home, 508 Church St. New unwrapped toys may be dropped off on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday after 6 p.m. or left daily in the front door vestibule area. Deposit box for toys will be available until Dec. 19.
Meredith Hose Co. Princess cruise and cash raffle: $50 per ticket entry. Grand prize winner will receive $3,000 in Princess gift cards and $2,500 in cash. Second-prize winner will receive $1,000 in cash. Third-prize winner will receive $500 in cash. Winners will be drawn at the hose company’s annual Soppressata Contest on May 9. Tickets are available from any member or by visiting meredithhose.com.
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. Upcoming events: Dec. 18. Call DJ Gordo for info regarding vendors, food tents, entertainment and school fundraiser events at 570-766-3050.
Valley Community Library holiday wrap station: Wrap holiday gifts at the library, 739 River St., Peckville, during open hours through Dec. 23. Scissors, tape and an assortment of paper, bags, bows and ribbon will be available. The library will accept donations of wrapping paper, gift bags, boxes, bows, ribbon and more. Registration not required.
PERFORMING ARTS AND EXHIBITS
Anthony Nunziata’s “Christmas & Italy” concert: Dec. 19, 7 p.m., Theater at North, 1539 N. Main Ave., Scranton. Features special guests Valley View High School Chorus and Occhipinti Dance Company. Tickets cost $34 and can be purchased at thetheateratnorth.org or in person at the box office.
Marywood art exhibit: “Tracing the Sky: Steve Poleskie’s Aerial Theater on Paper,” Marywood University’s Maslow Study Gallery for Contemporary Art, through Jan. 14. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Info: visit marywood.edu/community/galleries.
CHRISTMAS DISPLAYS
Carbondale Tinsel Trail: Seventh annual Tinsel Trail, Memorial Park, North Main Street, downtown Carbondale, through Jan. 7. Features dozens of Christmas trees decorated by local businesses, organizations and families.
Marywood Christmas tree: On display in the rotunda of the Liberal Arts Center, Marywood University, through Dec. 22. Hours are Monday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Peckville Christmas House: 1130 Marion St., Peckville. Visiting hours, weather permitting, every Monday through Thursday, 5 to 9 p.m., and Friday through Sunday, 5 to 10 p.m. through Jan. 7. Display is free; donations accepted. Info: visit the Peckville Christmas House Facebook page.
Some local churches are holding Christmas cookie fundraisers. (Metro)
DAILY EVENTS
December 18
Free community dinner: Kinship Kitchen, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., Court Street United Methodist Church, 816 Court St., Scranton. Eat-in or takeout. Meal includes roast beef, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, drink and dessert. Info: 570-342-0898.
December 19
Battle of the Belts: Battle of the Valley wrestling match between Valley View and Mid Valley, Valley View High School, 1 Columbus Drive, Archbald. Doors open at 6 p.m. for girls wrestling, followed by boys wrestling at 7 p.m. Winner of the boys match takes home the belt for the year. Cancer fundraiser benefits Ladies in Pink.
December 20
“Winter Party — Science of the Sky” event: 2 p.m., Valley Community Library, 739 River St., Peckville. Celebrate the Winter Solstice, the shortest night of the year, with a fun science show, games and crafts. Event starts with the Science of the Sky show with demonstrations of the science of air, followed by Winter Party stations throughout the library. For kids of all ages. Registration required at lclshome.org/libraries/valley-community-library.
December 21
Greg’s Journey Benefit: Noon, Cooper’s Seafood House, 701 N. Washington Ave., Scranton. Greg Boock is once again fighting mediastinal non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma B-cell. Donations raised will help defray the costs of travel and treatments. Donation of $20 includes discounted food menu, free draft beer, live music, basket raffles, 50/50 raffle and more. Info: contact Bill at 570-468-6247.
December 27
Free community luncheon: Noon to 1 p.m., Trinity Episcopal Church, 58 River St., Carbondale. All are welcome.
December 30
Winter yoga for kids: Yoga with Mindy, 11:30 a.m., Valley Community Library, 739 River St., Peckville. The holidays can be a stressful and emotional time for all ages, including kids. Kids and teens are invited to come relax. Program made possible by a donation from the Friends of the Valley Community Library. Registration required at lclshome.org/libraries/valley-community-library.
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.