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COMMUNITY DIGEST: March 18, 2025

Wyoming Valley

AFSCME Retired Public Employees 8702 meeting: 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 19. Norm’s Pizza, North Sherman Street, Wilkes-Barre. Lunch provided to current members.

Wyoming Valley Chapter of The Embroiderers’ Guild of America public stitch-in: 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 22. Barnes & Noble Bookstore, Arena Hub Plaza, Wilkes-Barre Twp. Public welcome; bring something to stitch or stop by and check out what the group is doing.

Fourth annual NEPA’s Got Talent Show: 2 p.m. Sunday, March 23. F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts, Wilkes-Barre. Performance by 25 finalists with cash prizes awarded. Tickets, $23 adult; $18 senior/student; two free tickets to veterans. Visit http://kirbycenter.org.

Lithuanian Woman’s Club of Wyoming Valley meeting: 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 26. The Cafe, Highway 315, Plains Twp. New members always welcome. For information, call Betty at 570-868-3852.

Holy Redeemer softball cash bingo: Doors open 5:45 p.m.; games start 6:30 p.m. Saturday, March 29. St. Maria Goretti Church Hall, 42 Redwood Drive, Laflin. Concessions, basket raffles, and 50/50 raffle. Admission, $25; includes 20 regular games. Tickets available at the door or contact Carrie at 570-574-5894 for tickets in advance.

North Branch Land Trust hosts amphibian migration watch: 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, March 29. Bureau of Forestry’s Pinchot State Forest: Manny Gordon Pavilion off of Bear Lake Road, Thornhurst Twp. Less than one-mile walk; dress appropriately. Led by Leah Malarkey, environmental education coordinator, who will guide participants through various locations where amphibians migrate after coming out of winter inactivity called brumation. For information and to reserve your spot, visit nblt.org/events.

St. David’s Society of the Wyoming Valley hosts talk: 3 p.m. Sunday, March 30. First Welsh Baptist Church, 168 Girard Ave., Plymouth. Talk on the Welsh Women’s Peace Project started after World War I. Ann Griffiths will lead the talk. All welcome.

Slovak Heritage Society of Northeastern Pennsylvania hosts Slovak Stations of the Cross and Lenten Slovak Hymn Sing: 2 p.m. Sunday, March 30. St. Ignatius Loyola Church, 339 N. Maple Ave., Kingston. Words and translations provided. Refreshments and fellowship to follow. Open to the public. Free; free-will offering accepted. For information, call Anna Hudock at 570 510-1655.

Wyoming Valley Barbershop Harmony Chorus fundraiser: Noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, April 6. Murphy’s Pub, 347 Slocum St., Swoyersville. Supports the Youth in Harmony program. Basket raffle, brunch buffet, drinks, entertainment by chorus members. Tickets, $20. For information, visit www.singwb.com or call 570-285-4810.

National Association of Active and Retired Federal Workers Chapter 342 membership meeting: 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 8. Grotto Pizza, Edwardsville. For information, call Joann at 570-283-3388 or John at 570-855-5061.

Fine Arts Fiesta call for submissions for 2025 Adult and Student Juried Art Exhibitions: Delivery for all artwork, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 12. Fiesta Artwork Central, (the old Rite Aid Pharmacy Building), 33 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. Open to artists within a 100-mile radius of Wilkes-Barre. Original works of art, which have been recently completed, may be entered. For full guidelines, categories, awards and applications, visit https://fineartsfiesta.org.

Irem Shrine Circus: Monday, April 21 through Saturday, April 26. Kingston Armory. Tickets, $8 to $22; purchase at the circus office, 22 E. Union St., Kingston, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays. Group rates available. Concessions, $2 to $4. For information, call 570-714-0783 or visit iremshrinecircus.com.

Annual Allan Hamilton Dickson Spring Writers Series: Tuesday, April 18, novelist George Saunders, author of twelve books, including the novel “Lincoln in the Bardo.” Wilkes University. Registration is required for Saunders; all events are free and open to the public. For information and registration details, visit wilkes.edu/dickson.

Penn State Extension Luzerne County Masters Gardeners host Spring into Gardening event: RSVP by Thursday, April 24; event, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. Saturday, April 26. Bell Technology Center, Penn State Wilkes-Barre campus. Presentations on gardening topics. Plant sale including annuals, perennials and indoor plants and a garden accessories rummage sale. Register by Thursday, April 24; $25 registration fee. Light refreshments available. To sign up, call 1-877-345-0691. Visit extension.psu.edu for information.

Scranton Coin Club 61st Annual Coin Show: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 26 and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, April 27. Oblates of St. Joseph Gymnasium, 1880 Route 315, Pittston. Featuring ANACS Coin Grading Service. Coin, currency, and bullion dealers will be available to buy, sell, and trade coins, currency, and precious metals. The club is seeking new members. Information is available at nepacoinclubs.com or Scranton Coin Club Facebook page.

Ashley

Holy Name Society sponsors Lenten food sale: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fridays through April 11. St. Leo’s Parish, 33 Mahattan St., Ashley. Haluski, pierogi, Manhattan clam chowder, mushroom soup, tuna hoagies/rolls and potato pancakes. To order ahead, contact 570-266-8835 or email Lenten.food.sales@gmail.com.

Back Mountain

Lehman-Idetown United Methodist Church pastie sale: Order deadline, Wednesday, March 19; pickup, 8 a.m. to noon Thursday, March 27. Church hall. To order, call Jayne at 570-814-8263. Cost, $8. Limit of 400.

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church labyrinth walk: 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 19. St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 474 Yalick Road, Dallas. No reservations required. Shoes are not worn while walking the labyrinth; wear or bring socks. Finger labyrinths available for those with physical or visual disabilities. For information, contact stpaul@epix.net or 570-675-3859.

Back Mountain Railroad Club open house: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 5; noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, April 6. Trax on the Hill clubhouse, Education Building of Dallas United Methodist Church, Parsonage Street, Dallas. The Easter Bunny and Mrs. Bunny will make an early appearance at noon Saturday. All are welcome.

Traditional sit-down, dine-in roast beef dinner: 4 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, April 5 and Saturday, May 17. St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 474 Yalick Road, Dallas. Tickets, $15; $5 for children under 12; sold at the door only. Includes tender roast beef with gravy, mashed potatoes, two vegetables, pepper hash, a dinner roll, beverages and dessert. Take-outs begin at 3:30 p.m. For information, call the St. Paul’s Church office at 570-675-3859.

Back Mountain Knights of Columbus hold kielbasa sale: Order deadline, Sunday, April 6; pickup noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 12. Komensky’s kielbasa (smoked or fresh), $13; and NEPA’rogis (potato and cheese, farmer’s cheese and sweet cabbage), $12 a dozen. Order by emailing wleandri@aol.com or kkertesz@comcast.net or by calling Gate of Heaven at 570-675-2121 or St. Therese’s at 570-696-1144.

Bear Creek

Bear Creek Township Volunteer Hose Company’s annual fish and shrimp fry: 5 to 7 p.m. Fridays through Lent, Hose House, 3500 Bear Creek Blvd. Choice of fish, shrimp, or a combination of both with French fries and cole slaw, $12. Raffle for Blackstone Griddle and sale of hose company merchandise. Easter Bunny available for photos on Good Friday.

Dupont

Polka Sundays: 2 to 5 p.m. Sundays. Dupont Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4909. March 23, Pennsylvania Villagers; April 6, John Stanky and the Coal Miners; April 13, John Stevens Double Shot; April 27, Pennsylvania Villagers.

Dupont Veterans of Foreign Wars meeting: 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 7. Post home. Home Association meeting to follow.

Dupont Veterans of Foreign Wars annual member appreciation dinner: 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 24. Post home. For paid-up members; membership cards will be checked.

Glen Lyon/Newport Twp.

Lenten pizza sale: Order deadline, March 19; pickup, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 26. Church of St. Adalbert, Market Street, Glen Lyon. Sponsored by the Altar and Rosary Society. Cost, $12 for a box of 12 slices made by Sanitary Bakery, Nanticoke. To order, Carol at 570-736-7149 or fill out an order sheet available in back of the church. Delivery available to homebound folks in Newport Township, Mocanaqua, and Nanticoke.

American Legion Post 539 and VFW Post 8353 of Glen Lyon hold Honor Guard training: 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 26. Social room, 62 Newport St., Glen Lyon. Military honor guard workshop including flag-folding, rifle salute, “Taps” at ceremonial events.

American Legion Post 539 and VFW Post 8353 host Veterans Night: 7 p.m. Saturday, March 29. Canteen, 62 Newport Street, Glen Lyon. All veterans in Wyoming Valley and a guest are welcome. Canteen open; showing of the movie “Warhorse One.” Monthly event.

Newport Township women’s activity group hosts annual spring bingo: Doors open noon; games begin 1 p.m. Sunday, March 30. St. Adalberts /Holy Spirit Parish, Glen Lyon. Cost, $15 for all day package. Raffles, bake sale and homemade food will be available.

American Legion Spring Fling: 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, April 26. American Post 539 social hall, 62 Newport St., Glen Lyon. Sponsored by members of the American Legion, auxiliary, and Sons of the American Legion. Cost, $20. Live music by John Wildes’ band 2B1; cash bar; and roast beef dinner at 6 p.m. at 6:00 p.m. Basket raffle; donations of baskets sought and appreciated. For information, call Tim Derr at 570-854-3758.

Hunlock Creek

Welsh cookie sale by Mt. Moriah’s Helping Hands: Pickup 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 29. Oakdale Fellowship Hall, 485 Oakdale Drive, Hunlock Creek. Cost, $6 per dozen. Call 570-258-2822 to order.

Jenkins Twp.

Breakfast with the Easter Bunny: RSVP by Sunday, March 30; event, 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, April 5. St. John’s Masonic Lodge, 498 Yatesville Road, Jenkins Twp. Children younger than age 10, $5; children age 10 and over, $10. To RSVP, call 570-212-0915.

Kingston

Cash bingo: Doors open 5 p.m.; games start 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 19. Veterans of Foreign Wars Post, 757 Wyoming Ave., Kingston. Games, 15 for $20 with $100 payouts; three specials with payouts of $250 or $500. Food and beverages available for purchase; no outside items permitted.

Mountain Top

Mountain Top Social Club meeting: 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 25. American Legion Post 781, 1550 Henry Drive, Mountain Top. Pizza party at March 25 meeting. Club to hold a Mother’s Day/Father’s Day luncheon at Sand Springs, May 6. For trip information, call Dolores, trip coordinator, at 1-732-690-9609. For club information, call Sharon, club president, at 570-868-6598.

Mountain Top Hose Company No. 1 Auxiliary pre-Lenten food sale: Order deadline, Friday, March 28; pickup, 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 4. Mountain Top Hose Company No. 1. Potato pancakes, $2 each or three for $5; American pierogi, $6 a pint or $12 a quart; New England clam chowder and broccoli cheddar soups, $7 a pint and $14 a quart. To order, call or text Jina Kohl at 570-328-6623 or Tiffany Herron at 570-498- 5580.

Homemade Easter candy sale: Order deadline Sunday, March 30; pickup, Saturday, April 12. St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, Mountain Top. Raspberry Crunch (white chocolate/raspberry crunch candy) and almond pretzel bark (dark milk chocolate/ sprinkled with almonds and pretzels). Cost, $8 per 1-pound box. To order, contact stmartin.mountaintop@ gmail.com or 570-868-5358.

Crestwood Area Community Education classes: Registration open for April and May classes; check out the Facebook page for a list of all offered class details. To register, visit https://forms.fillout.com/t/nPKp5JkG4Zus.

Pittston

Potato pancakes and pizza sale: Order by Thursday before; pickup, 3:30 to 6 p.m. Fridays in Lent and Good Friday through April 18. St. John the Evangelist Parish’s Monsignor Bendik Pastoral Center, 35 William St., Pittston. Potato pancakes, three for $5; take-and-heat red pizza or white pizza with broccoli, $15 a tray. Order by Thursday of each week by calling the parish office at 570-654-0053.

Plymouth

Plymouth Legion Auxiliary and SAL Squadron members host cash bingo: Doors open 1 p.m.; games begin 2 p.m. Sunday, March 23. Post hall. Ten games, two specials and 50/50 drawings. Food and drinks available for purchase. Free admission. All proceeds benefit local veteran and community groups. For information, call 570-779-9154.

Swoyersville

Sons of the American Legion, Squadron 644 of Swoyersville meeting: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 19. Post home. All members urged to attend; 2025 membership dues still accepted. Lenten dinners and Mother’s Day Breakfast will be discussed, along with other upcoming events. Commander Thomas Walsh will preside. For updates, visit @Sons of the American Legion Squadron 644 on Facebook.

Sons of the American Legion Squadron 644 of Swoyersville Lenten food sale: 4 to 7 p.m. Fridays during Lent. Check the menu on the “Sons of the American Legion Squadron 644” page on Facebook.

Cash bingo: Doors open noon; games start 1 p.m. Sunday, April 6. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, 116 Hughes St., Swoyersville. Sponsored by the Social Concerns Committee. Admission, $25 for 15 regular games ($100 prize; four specials ($200 prize); and coverall ($500 prize). Tickets must be purchased in advance; available in the church vestibule before and after 4 p.m. Saturday Masses on March 23 and 29; and 8:30 a.m., 11 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Sunday Masses on March 24 and 29. Door prizes, basket raffles, 50/50 drawing, bake and food sales. No tickets sold on day of the event.

Wilkes-Barre

Wilkes-Barre Rolling Mill Hill/Iron Triangle Residents’ Association meeting: 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 19. Heritage Point Apartments Community Building, 151 Dana St. Speakers, Dhalia Evans and Chandra Galliford, representatives of the Commission on Economic Opportunity. All welcome.

Lenten potato pancake sale: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays through April 11. Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, 401 E. Main St., Miners Mills section of Wilkes-Barre. Variety of soups also available.

Wilkes-Barre Twp.

Easter bake sale: Pickup, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 26. St John The Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church, 526 Chestnut St., Wilkes-Barre Twp. Baking days, March 23 and 24. Nut, poppy, apricot and prune. Cost, $14. To order, call Robert at 570-954-1171.

Wyoming

Annual Easter egg delivery for Wyoming residents: Signup by Wednesday, April 9; delivery Wednesday, April 16. Registration forms available at the borough building, 277 Wyoming Ave, Wyoming, or online at wyomingpa.org.

Live performances

“Jekyll and Hyde” presented by the Music Box Players: March 21-23 and 28-30. Music Box Dinner Playhouse, 196 Hughes St., Swoyersville. Doors open 6 p.m. with curtain at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; doors open 1 p.m. with curtain at 3 p.m. Sundays. Tickets on sale for dinner and show or show only. Call 570-283-2195 or purchase at musicbox.ticketleap.com.

Actors Circle presents the ancient Greek comedy, Aristophanes’ “Lysistrata”: 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays; March 21-23. Providence Playhouse, 1256 Providence Road, Scranton. Tickets, $15; $12, senior; $10, student. Preview, 7 p.m. Thursday, March 13; tickets $10. Cash at the door or buy at http://www.actorscircle.com. For reservations, call 570-342-9707.

“Disney’s Little Mermaid Jr.” youth theatre workshop for children ages 5 to 12: Sessions begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 19. Music Box Dinner Playhouse, 196 Hughes St., Swoyersville. Performances are June 13, 14, and 15. Tuition $250 (discounts available for siblings). For applications and information, e-mail office@musicbox.org, or call 570-283-2195.

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