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AVOCA

October 18

Those autumn leaves: tips for sparing your back

The fall leaves are certainly starting to pile up in Avoca. And with the blustery winds we experienced last week, there are even more on the ground to rake. Luckily, we have two great chiropractors in town, Dr. Margaret Breznay and Dr. Nestor deQuevedo, who can soothe our aching backs if we need their help.

I recently spoke with Dr. Breznay, of Breznay Family Chiropractic, 1125 Main St., Avoca, and asked her for some advice on how to avoid back muscle strain while raking leaves. She offered the following seven safety tips:

1. Warm up before you start. Stretch your muscles to avoid stress and strain.

2. Wear proper shoes with good traction to prevent slipping and watch out for holes or dips in the ground while you work.

3. Rake using both hands. By switching sides you distribute the work more evenly and will be less likely to overuse your muscles.

4. Take breaks every 10-15 minutes especially if you do not exercise regularly.

5. Do not rake leaves while they are wet as they are easy to slip on and are much heavier to bag.

6. Don’t overfill leaf bags and lift anything that is too heavy.

7. Always lift from your knees rather than your back. And be sure the bag is in close proximity to your body before picking it up.

That’s good advice that all of us can benefit from. Thanks, Dr. Breznay.

Happy Birthday

Happy birthday to Cody McAdarra who celebrated his 17th birthday on October 12. When Cody is not busy studying or serving as an altar boy at St. Mary’s/SS. Peter and Paul’s Churches, he enjoys hunting, dirt bike riding, attending youth group, and spending time with his mom, Linda; his dad, John; and his brothers and sister: Charlie, Nicholas, Mary, and Johnnie.

Pot of Gold

Congratulations to the winners of St. Mary’s Church’s pot of gold raffle for October 6-12: Darlene Cortes, Dan Oshal, and Kathy Geter.

Raffle Winners

Congratulations to the winners of SS. Peter and Paul’s Church match the daily number raffle for October 6-12: Rose Borgna, Avoca; Audrey Yaker, Duryea; Rita Morris, Pittston; and Dennis Morgan, Moosic.

Rally Today

There will be a breakfast rally today for Bruce Knick, candidate for Pittston Area school director, from 8:30-11:30 a.m. at the Dupont V.F.W., Main Street, Dupont. Tickets can be purchased at the door.

St. Mary’s A&R

St. Mary’s Altar and Rosary Society will meet today at 2 p.m. in St. Mary’s Rectory, 715 Hawthorne St.

Bowling Today

St. Mary’s/SS. Peter and Paul’s Youth Club will have a bowling outing today from 6-8 p.m. at Chacko’s Family Bowling Center, Wilkes-Barre. A caravan will leave SS. Peter and Paul’s Church parking lot, 1000 Main St., at 5:30 p.m. The cost is $10 per person and includes two hours of open group bowling and shoe rental. Lori Ostrowski is the youth group coordinator. New members are welcome.

Pastoral Council

St. Mary’s/SS. Peter and Paul’s Churches will have a combined parish pastoral council meeting Monday, Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. in SS. Peter and Paul’s Church auditorium, 1000 Main St.

Yard Waste

The Avoca Borough will have a yard waste collection Tuesday, Oct. 20. 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.

Prayer for Life

St. Mary’s/SS. Peter and Paul’s Churches will have a prayer for life holy hour followed by benediction Tuesday, Oct. 20 from 7-8 p.m. at SS. Peter and Paul’s Church, 1000 Main St. The public is invited to attend.

Senior Program

The Area Agency on Aging “Center Without Walls” program will present a healthy eating program for individuals with diabetes and heart problems Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 1 p.m. at the Duryea Municipal Building, 315 Main St., Duryea. The guest speaker will be Bobbie Sendick who is the nutrition manager for all Area Agency on Aging programs in Luzerne and Wyoming counties. Senior citizens and caregivers of elderly people are invited to attend this free event. Refreshments will be served.

Food Giveaway

The Avoca Lions Club will have their monthly food drive Thursday, Oct. 22 from 4-6 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. For more information please call Mary Ann at 457-7619. Please note you must be a Luzerne County resident to participate in this program.

Liturgical Workshop

The combined liturgical worship committee of St. Mary’s/SS. Peter and Paul’s Churches will meet Thursday, Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. at St. Mary’s School.

Bake Sale

The United Baptist Church will have a bake sale Saturday, Oct. 24 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church, 125 Church St., Taylor. Just a few of the sale items include fruit squares, pumpkin roll, and zucchini bread. All proceeds will benefit the food pantry at the Moosic United Methodist Church.

Harvest Tea

The parishioners of St. Mary’s Church will have their harvest tea Sunday, Oct. 25. For more information or to reserve a table, please call Debbie Callahan at 457-8887 or 407-0740, Kay Price at 457-8470 or 504-4199, or Debbie Robinson at 963-8802 or 903-2031.

All Saints Day

St. Mary’s/SS. Peter and Paul’s Churches will have vigil Masses for All Saints Day Saturday, Oct. 31 at 4 p.m. at SS. Peter and Paul’s Church, 1000 Main St., and 5:30 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church, 715 Hawthorne St. During these Masses, the parishioners will remember the deceased members of the parish as well as their individual families in prayer. The deceased members of each parish you have died this past year will also be honored by having a family member or a friend carry a candle in their memory to the altar at the beginning of the liturgies.

All Souls Day

St. Mary’s/SS. Peter and Paul’s Churches will have All Souls Day cemetery services Sunday, Nov. 1 at 2 p.m. at SS. Peter and Paul’s Cemetery and 5 p.m. at St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Eye Bank Meeting

The Avoca Lions Club will have an eye bank meeting Thursday, Nov. 5 at 7 p.m. at the V.F.W. Post 8335, 915 Main St.

Christmas Trees

The members of the Avoca Hose Company will have their annual Christmas tree sale beginning Sunday, Nov. 29. If you would like to order a tree that is more than 10 feet tall, please call the hose company at 457-2894.

Baby Shower

St. Mary’s/SS. Peter and Paul’s Youth Club will have a baby shower during October in honor of Respect Life month. During the month, they will collect new and next to new clothes and blankets. They are also seeking baby food, formula, diapers, and other baby items. Donations can be placed in the collection containers in the vestibules of St. Mary’s and SS. Peter and Paul’s Churches. All proceeds will benefit the Pennsylvanians for Human Life and the Care and Concern Free Health Clinic located in the former Seton Catholic High School, Pittston.

Smoke Detectors

The Avoca Fire Department, in conjunction with WNEP-TV 16’s Operation Save a Life program, is distributing free smoke detectors to residents. For information about the program or to request a smoke detector, please call 457-2894 or visit www.avocafire.net. Please note the detectors are available on a first come, first served basis.