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 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.
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.
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 also hold its Everything Homemade Pasta Dinner on Jan. 31 from noon to 4 p.m. Dinner is takeout-only. Donation is $15. Tickets available from any member or at the door. Info: call 570-876-4896; leave message and someone will get back to you.
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.
ONGOING PROGRAMS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Church trip to France: Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, Dickson City, is hosting a trip to France from May 4-13 visiting Paris, seeing the restored iconic Notre Dame Cathedral and many famous sites in the City of Lights, traveling through the Loire Valley visiting the renowned Chateau de Chambord, praying at the Shrine in Lourdes, joining in the candlelight procession in the evening and stopping in Carcassonne on the way to the Riviera. This trip is hosted by Monsignor Patrick Pratico and includes travel to and from the Newark airport from Scranton. All arrangements for the all-inclusive trip are being handled by TravelWorld. Info/reservations: contact TravelWorld at 570-342-5790.
Lynnette’s Twirlerettes accepting new students: The baton twirling group is accepting new students for the upcoming spring and summer season during the month of January. Classes are held in three locations: Carbondale, Forest City and Lake Ariel. No registration fee; first month of lessons is tuition free. Info: contact Lynnette at 570-498-7415.
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 AND EXHIBITS
Actors Circle presents “Love, Sex and the I.R.S.”: Comedy directed by Mark Fryer, Jan. 15-18 and Jan. 23-25, Thursday-Saturday at 7 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m., at Providence Playhouse, 1256 Providence Road, Scranton. Buy tickets online via actorscirclescranton.com or pay cash or check at the door. Tickets: $15/general, $12/senior and $10/student. On Thursday, Jan. 15, all tickets are $10. Reservations: 570-342-9707.
Some local churches are holding cash bingo fundraisers. (Metro)
DAILY EVENTS
January 15
Free community dinner: 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., Kinship Kitchen, Court Street United Methodist Church, 816 Court St., Scranton. Eat-in or takeout. Turkey a la king: Fresh roasted turkey in poultry gravy with peas and carrots, noodles, drink and dessert. Info: call 570-342-0898.
January 22
“Test Strategies That Change the Game” workshops: 12:30 to 4 p.m. and 5:30 to 9 p.m., Johnson College, Ideal Saldi Hall, Scranton campus. Hosted by the college’s Workforce Advancement & Value-Added Education Department. Free workshop introduces a focused, proven study system designed to maximize preparation time and significantly boost information retention. Workshop open to individuals 15 and older. PA EMS continuing education is included (3.5 hours, other). Space limited to 65 participants per workshop. Register: visit johnson.edu/workshops. Info: email wave@johnson.edu or call 570-702-8979.
January 23
Blood drive: In memory of Walter Burnis and Joseph “Butch” Vozel, noon to 5 p.m., Forest City Emergency Services, 380 Railroad St., Forest City. To make an appointment, visit redcrossblood.org and use sponsor code: Burnis.
January 24
Free community lunch: Noon to 1 p.m., Trinity Episcopal Church, 58 River St., Carbondale. All are welcome.
Snowflake Gala: Eynon-Archbald Lions Club annual Snowflake Gala, 6 to 10 p.m., Fiorelli’s, Peckville. Tickets cost $90 per person. Benefits Leader Dogs for the Blind and local community events. Music, dinner, dancing, open bar, basket raffles and more. Leader Dog guest and WNEP’s Kurt Aaron will be there. To buy tickets: call 570-470-7838.
January 25
St. Cyril’s cash prize bingo: The Manor on Main, 1505 Main St., Dickson City. Doors open at noon and bingo starts at 1 p.m. Cash prizes and specials, grand prize, $1,000, basket raffles and 50/50 tickets, food available, cash bar. Tickets cost $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Inclement weather date is Feb. 15. Proceeds benefit SS. Cyril and Methodius Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Olyphant. Tickets/info: call Jule at 570-357-6171 or Michaelene at 570-209-2026.
Trinity Episcopal Church cash bingo: At the church, 58 River St., Carbondale. Doors open at 1:30 p.m.; games start at 2:30 p.m. Grand prize is $1,000. $25 admission ticket includes 10 regular games with a $100 prize. Jackpot and special boards are sold separately. There is also a 50/50, lottery wheel raffle and door prize. Snack bar available. Tickets: Stop by weekdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., for tickets or purchase online at trinity-episcopal.weebly.com. Info: call the church office at 570-282-3620.
January 31
Women at the Workbench Electrical workshop: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Johnson College, Scranton campus. Designed for beginners, this hands-on workshop introduces the fundamentals of electrical work in a supportive and encouraging environment. Guided by a skilled female electrician, participants will gain confidence as they learn practical skills, such as changing outlets and understanding switches. No prior experience required. Workshop open to ages 18 and older. Space is very limited. Cost per person is $65. Register: visit johnson.edu/workshops. Info: email wave@johnson.edu or call 570-702-8979.
February 1
Christ the King Parish cash bingo: St. Thomas Aquinas Church hall, 429 Church St., Archbald. Doors open at noon and bingo starts promptly at 1 p.m. Fifteen games with $100 prize and four special games for purchase. Basket raffles, 50/50, food and baked goods for purchase. Cost is $30 for advance tickets; no tickets at the door and tickets are nonrefundable. Tickets: Karen: 570-604-7682 (call/text) or parish office: 570-876-1701 (call). For table reservations of six or more, contact Karen. Tickets available 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at parish office. Snow date is Feb. 15.
February 6
Blood drive: Noon to 5 p.m., Browndale Fire Station, Route 247, 620 Marion St., Browndale. To make an appointment to donate blood, call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org. A few walk-in appointments are available.
February 7
Welsh cookie sale: First United Presbyterian Church of Lackawanna Valley, 1557 Main St., Peckville, is selling Welsh cookies for $7/dozen. Preorders are encouraged, as there will be a limited supply of cookies for sale at the door. To order, call Judy at 570-489-7866; last day to order is Feb. 2. Pickup is from 9 a.m. to noon at the kitchen door on the realty side of the church.
February 15
Chicken barbecue: 11:30 a.m. until sold out, Meredith Hose Co., 100 Main St., Childs. Donation is $15. Dinner includes half-chicken, scalloped potatoes, vegetable, roll and dessert. See any member for tickets. Info: visit meredithhose.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.