AVOCA all decked out and ready for St. Patrick’s Day

Pittston Dispatch // Area Notes

AVOCA

March 15

AVOCA all decked out and ready for St. Patrick’s Day

Happy St. Patrick’s Day everybody! I know my greeting is two days early, but it’s never too early to spread some Irish cheer! That is especially true in Avoca. Have you taken note of the Irish flags hanging from just about every pole along Main and McAlpine streets?

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Speaking of Irish cheer, if you’re looking for the perfect place to enjoy some cheer as well as a traditional ham and cabbage dinner, why not stop by the West Side Social Club this Tuesday? The members of the club will be serving dinner from 4-7:30 p.m. Dinners are $6 each, and takeouts will be available too.

Happy Birthday

Happy birthday to Francine Greco of Nuangola, formerly of Avoca, who recently celebrated her special day.

Happy birthday to Patty Chernesky who will celebrate her special day Wednesday, March 18.

Congratulations

Congratulations to Avoca firemen Jim “Jimbo” McMahon, Brian Leffler, and Mike Lampman who were presented with plaques by the Avoca Council for their heroic efforts in assisting the Duryea Borough at the January 25th fire at Frank P. Crossin Towers.

Stations of the Cross

The parishioners of St. Mary’s Church invite the community to pray the Stations of the Cross Fridays during Lent at 7 p.m. at the church, 715 Hawthorne St.

The parishioners of SS. Peter and Paul’s Church invite the community to pray the Stations of the Cross Fridays during Lent at 7 p.m. at the church, 1000 Main St. The Stations will be preceded by the traditional singing of the Gorzkie Zale (Bitter Lamentations) at 6:40 p.m. The Sacrament of Reconciliation will also be available from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Living Stations

The children of St. Mary’s Church will have practice every Saturday during Lent at 6 p.m. in the church, 715 Hawthorne St., to prepare for their Good Friday presentation of the Living Stations.

Avoca AOH

The members of the Avoca A.O.H. will attend the 11 a.m. Mass today at St. Mary’s Church, 715 Hawthorne St. All members should meet outside of the church at 10:40 a.m. Following Mass, any A.O.H. member who wants to participate in the Wilkes-Barre St. Patrick’s Day parade should meet at the West Side Social Club for transportation to and from the parade courtesy of Parrish Limousine.

First Penance

St. Mary’s First Communion Class will receive their First Penance today at 1:30 p.m. at the church, 715 Hawthorne St. Refreshments will be served in St. Mary’s School following the service.

Centennial Committee

The SS. Peter and Paul Church Centennial Celebration committee will meet Tuesday, March 17 at 6:30 p.m. in the church hall, which is located in the lower level of the church, 1000 Main St. Volunteers are needed to help make this a memorable and great success for the parish.

Honor Roll

SS. Peter and Paul’s Church is updating their parish Honor Roll of parishioners who served in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War I and/or II, or the Korean, Vietnam, Gulf, or Iraq wars for their memorial booklet. If you know of a past or present solider that is deserving of this honor, please submit his or her name, branch of the service, and the war he or she served in to the rectory office, 912 Vine St., Avoca PA 18641 ATTN: Centennial Committee.

Senior Outreach

The Area Agency on Aging for Luzerne and Wyoming Counties is establishing a monthly outreach program in Duryea for senior citizens and for individuals who take care of an elderly person. The first meeting is Wednesday, March 18 from 1-3 p.m. at the Duryea Municipal Building, 315 Main St., Duryea. The program will inform individuals about care giving, aging services, care options, nursing homes versus assisted living facilities, gambling, elder law, power of attorney, living wills, and home safety.

Lenten Services

Several Protestant churches in Duryea, Avoca, and Moosic will have joint weekly Lenten services Wednesdays at 7 p.m. throughout Lent. This year’s theme is “They Heard Him Gladly.” The next service is March 18 at the Moosic Assembly of God Church where the Rev. Rich Rock, pastor of St. John’s Primitive Methodist Church, Avoca, will speak. The public is invited to attend.

Nite at the Races

The family and friends of 1st Lt. Jeffrey F. DePrimo will have a night at the races Saturday, March 21 in the Seton Catholic School Auditorium, William Street. Attendees are asked to use the Church Street entrance. The doors open at 6 p.m., and the races begin at 7 p.m. Admission is $5 which includes food and beverages. Admission is free with the purchase of a horse. Horses are $10 each. Racing forms can be obtained by calling Ron Gitkos at 654-2261 or 466-1232. The sponsor of the winning horse will win $50 and does not need to be present to win. All proceeds will benefit the 1st Lt. Jeffrey F. DePrimo Memorial Fund, Luzerne Foundation.

Youth Group

SS. Peter and Paul’s Church youth group will meet Sunday, March 22 from 6:30-8 p.m. in SS. Peter and Paul’s Church hall, which is located in the lower level of the church, 1000 Main St. New members are welcome. Please note the youth group also meets every Wednesday at 6 p.m. in preparation for their presentation of the Living Stations during Holy Week.

Cleaning Help

St. Mary’s Altar and Rosary Society is seeking volunteers to help clean the church Wednesday, March 25 at 9:30 a.m. in preparation for Easter. Volunteers are asked to please bring a bucket with them.

Food Give-away

The Avoca Lions Club will have their monthly food drive Thursday, March 26 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Bethel United Methodist Church, 532 Main St. Volunteers are needed to unload the truck at 1:30 p.m. Individuals who use this service are encouraged to bring boxes and bags with them for their goods.

Pasta Dinner

St. John’s Primitive Methodist Church will have a pasta dinner Saturday, March 28 from 4-6 p.m. at the church, 314 Main St. Takeouts will be available from 3-4 p.m. The menu includes pasta with meatballs, a salad, a roll with butter, dessert, and beverages. Dinners are $7 for adults and $4 for children 4-12 years old. Children 3 and under eat for free. Reservations are appreciated and can be made by calling Jenn Baker at 457-3231, Nelda Cavalari at 457-6686, or Caroline Rabender at 457-4543.

Chicken Dinner

SS. Peter and Paul’s Church will have its spring chicken dinner Sunday, March 29 from 12-4 p.m. in the church hall, which is located in the lower level of the church, 1000 Main St. Tickets are $9 for adults and $4 for children. For more information or to purchase tickets, please call the rectory office at 457-2483.

King’s Kids

The King’s Kids children’s group, created by Senior Girl Scout Cara Sepcoski in completion of the Girl Scout Gold Award, will have a “Swing into Spring” day Sunday, March 29 from 4-5 p.m. in St. Mary’s School Hall, 742 Spring St. This meeting will feature plenty of spring themed games that are sure to bring a smile to everyone’s faces.

There will be food and drinks for the kids and a coffee table reserved for parents. Children in grades 1-3 from the parishes of SS. Peter and Paul’s; St. Mary’s, Avoca; and Sacred Heart of Jesus, Dupont, are welcome to attend. To make a reservation please call Cara at 472-3253.

Pot of Gold

The parishioners of St. Mary’s Church are currently selling the April Fools’ edition of their Pot of Gold Match the Daily Number raffle tickets. For just $10 per ticket, you will have a chance to win $75 daily and $100 on Fridays throughout April.

You will also have a chance to win $250 on April Fools’ Day and April 15, and $1,000 on April 30.

The winning number is based on the evening daily number of the Pennsylvania Lottery. To purchase a ticket, please contact the rectory at 457-3412 or 715 Hawthorne St., Avoca, PA 18641. Please note tickets can be mailed if you are unable to stop by the rectory.

Easter Party

The V.F.W. Post 8335 will have their annual children’s Easter party Saturday, April 4 at the post home, 915 Main St. Lunch will be served at 1 p.m. followed by a visit from the Easter Bunny. The public is invited to attend. Please note priority seating will be given to children.

Yard Waste

The Avoca Borough will have yard waste collections Tuesday, April 7 and 21. In addition to collecting grass clippings and leaves, the borough workers will also collect shrubs, hedge clippings, and tree limbs. Please note that grass clippings and leaves may be placed in the same container but other yard waste must be placed in a separate container. The tree limbs should not exceed three feet in length and one-half inch in diameter. Please note that rocks, stones, dirt, and animal waste are not acceptable forms of yard waste and will not be collected.

A maximum of three open containers, not exceeding 30 pounds, will be allowed per collection. Please do not put your collection items in plastic bags. They will not be collected.

Containers must be placed curbside by 8 a.m. on the collection dates.

Comedy Show

Back by popular demand, the Avoca Fire Department will sponsor their annual spring comedy show Friday, April 17 at the West Side Social Club, 700 McAlpine St. The doors will open at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m. The show, presented by Comedy Blast, Inc., will feature two comedians, a host, and an emcee. Beer, soda, and snacks will be provided. Tickets are $20 each and can be obtained by calling John at 451-2681 or the fire department at 457-2894. The public can also request tickets and obtain additional information about the event by visiting www.avocafire.net. You must be at least 21 to attend.

Tax Reminder

Residents are reminded the 2009 Avoca Borough and Luzerne County taxes can be paid at the Avoca Municipal Building, 752 Main St., Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30-11:30 a.m. and 1:30-3:30 p.m. as well as Fridays from 6-7 p.m. during the rebate period. If you would prefer to mail your tax payment, please submit both copies of the bill to Avoca Borough c/o Therese Wrubel, 129 Factory St., Avoca, PA 18641. If you need a receipt, please include a self-addressed stamped envelope with your payment. If you do not need a receipt please include the bar coded tax bill with your payment. If you have any questions please call Therese at 457-4891.

Garbage Stickers

Residents are reminded 2009 Avoca Borough garbage stickers can still be purchased from Therese Wrubel at the Avoca Municipal Building, 752 Main St., Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30-11:30 a.m. and 1:30-3:30 p.m. as well as Fridays from 6-7 p.m. The fee schedule for purchasing the window sticker in order to have up to three bags collected weekly is as follows: $155 if purchased between by March 21 and $165 if purchased between March 22 and April 21. Residents who are unable to stop by the municipal building to purchase a garbage sticker, can mail a check with a self-addressed stamped envelope to Avoca Borough c/o Therese Wrubel, 129 Factory St., Avoca, PA 18641. If you have any other questions please call Therese at 457-4891. Please note that delinquent accounts will be referred to District Court after June 21.

Eucharistic Adoration

Eucharistic Adoration takes place Tuesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. at SS. Peter and Paul’s Church, 1000 Main St. The public is welcome to come and spend some time in quiet reflection and meditation. In case of inclement weather, a decision to cancel adoration will be made during the day. For more information please call Ken and Ann Francis 457-8241 or the rectory office 457-2483.

Duryea Bingo

Duryea bingo takes place every Monday at the Germania Hose Company, 430 Foote Ave., Duryea. The doors open at 4:30 p.m. and the games begin at 6:30 p.m. There is a guaranteed $1,000 jackpot every week! Free bus transportation is available by calling 457-3062 to make a reservation for pick-up.

Taylor Bingo

Bingo also takes place every Friday and Sunday evening at 6:30 p.m. at the Taylor Hose Company, 614 Union St., Taylor. The fun includes 20 regular games with prizes of $100 each, four specials, progressive bonanza, and a guaranteed jackpot of $1,000 every Friday and Sunday. Need a ride? Call 562-3191 or 351-6911 to make a reservation. All proceeds benefit the Agency for Animal Care Association.

Al-Anon Meetings

Al-Anon, a support group offering hope and help to families and friends of alcoholics, meets Mondays at 7 p.m. in the basement meeting room of St. Mary’s Rectory, 715 Hawthorne St., and Thursdays at 7 p.m. in the basement meeting room of the Brick United Methodist Church, 935 Foote Ave., Duryea. Anyone who has been impacted by someone else’s drinking can find solutions that lead to serenity in the Al-Anon fellowship.