Greater Hazleton Area and beyond Cranberry Quilt Guild meeting: Doors open 5: 30 p. m. Monday, Nov. 24. Faith United Church of Christ, off Airport Beltway, Hazle Township. Meeting celebrates a themed covered dish social: Italian Christmas. Slate of officers for the 2026-27 term will be elected. The guild will participate in the Dec. 6 White Haven Library quilt show; members should register their quilts with chair Marie Shulenski as soon as possible and bring them in that evening. Each quilt must be in a pillowcase, clearly marked with the owner’s name and phone number. Donations for the group’s annual holiday project, Heartwood Center, can be brought in that evening as well. Fat quarter raffle color is winter or holiday fabrics, and show and tell will be held. Hazleton Art League presents “Clown Town, Code Orange”: Through Sunday, Nov. 30. Hayden Family Center for the Arts, 31 W. Broad St., Hazleton. For information, call 570-455-3333 or visit hazletonartleague. org. Solo exhibition by artist Reese Seigfried. Acoustic Jam, 1 to 3 p. m. Sunday, Nov. 23. Hazleton Camera Club meeting: 6: 30 p. m. Monday, Nov. 24. Conyngham Borough Building. The photo competition theme is “Landscapes”. For information, visit or email hazletoncameraclub@gmail. com. Pennsylvania State Police retirees breakfast: 9 a. m. Thursday, Dec. 4. Antonio’s Breakfast World. Hazleton Area School District senior citizen breakfast: 8 to 11 a. m. Sunday, Dec. 7. Maple Manor Elementary / Middle School, 1700 W. 22nd St., Hazle Township. Senior citizens of Hazleton and surrounding areas are invited to a free breakfast. Guests under age 60, $6. Children under 12, free. Beaver Meadows Chocolate-covered pretzel fundraiser: Orders due Tuesday, Nov. 25; pickup, Wednesday, Dec. 10. Soldy by Over 60 Group of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Beaver Meadows. Half-dozen for $5 in milk chocolate, dark chocolate or sugar-free. To order, call 570-578-0449. Pierogi sale: Order by Monday, Dec. 1; pickup 11 a. m. to 4 p. m. Friday, Dec. 5 or Friday, Dec. 12. St. Peter & Paul Byzantine Catholic Church, Beaver Meadows. Potato-cheese, cabbage, prune, frozen only. Preorders only. To order, call Jackie at 570-427-4283 or Julie at 570-455-8645. Butler Twp./Drums Butler Township Senior Citizens general meeting: 1 p. m. Thursday, Dec. 18. Butler Township Community Center. Cookie exchange. New members welcome. For information, call Dawn at 570-788-4355. Conyngham Homemade holiday crystal sale: Orders due Sunday, Nov. 30; pickup, Saturday, Dec. 13. Christ Church United Church of Christ, Smith Hall, 460 Main St., Conyngham. Cost, $14 a box. To order, call Barb at 570-788-3246 or the church office at 570-788-1964. Drive-thru living Nativity: 5 to 7 p. m. Saturday, Dec. 6 and Sunday, Dec. 7. Christ Lutheran Church, 467 Main St., Conyngham. Twelve scenes with costumed portrayers and live animals depict the story of Jesus’ birth. Free. Toys for Toys collection: Through mid-December. Conyngham Borough Building. Donate new, unwrapped toys in the donation box during office hours. Freeland Freeland YMCA gift card orders: Due by noon, Tuesday, Nov. 25. Forms available at the Y. Must be paid in full by due date. Delivery around Dec. 12. Freeland Fire Department’s annual spaghetti diner: Noon to 3 p. m. Sunday, Dec. 14. The Other Side Restaurant. Tickets available from any firefighter or by calling the station at 570-956-8302. Dine in, take out, or delivery is available. Tricky trays also available. Freeland YMCA lottery calendar fundraiser: For January/February 2026. Freeland YMCA, 600 Front St., Freeland. Tickets, $10. To purchase, visit the YMCA from 9 a. m. to 8 p. m. weekdays or contact 570-636-3640 or freelandymca@outlook. com. Hazleton Christmas rolls sale: Orders due Sunday, Nov. 30. St. Michael’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, 74 N. Laurel St., Hazleton. Selections include nut, poppy, poppy raisin, apricot or apple rolls; $14. To order, call 570-455-5554; clearly and slowly state name, phone number and order. Return calls will be made within a few days to verify and arrange pickup. Madonna del Monte Sodality of Our Lady of Peace Parish at Most Precious Blood Church Christmas Party: RSVP by Sunday, Nov. 23; event, 1 p. m. Sunday, Dec. 7. Top of the 80’s Restaurant. Family-style dinner and festivities open to all parishioners and friends; cost, $35. Send checks with “dinner” in memo and include names, number attending, and phone number. For information, call Diane at 570-401-6411. Hazleton Rotary Social: 8 a. m. Wednesday, Nov. 26. Wendy’s Restaurant, 551 Susquehanna Blvd., Hazleton. Get together for conversation. Order coffee and/or breakfast on arrival. Christmas cashew sale: Order deadline, Tuesday, Dec. 2; pickup, 9 a. m. to noon, Wednesday, Dec. 17 or Friday, Dec. 19. St. Peter’s Episcopal Church office, 46 S. Laurel St., Hazleton. Cost, $13 per pound; $7 per half pound. Salted or unsalted. To order, call 570-454-6543 and leave a message with your order. Helping Hands Society’s tricky tray fundraiser: Doors open noon; drawing, 5 p. m. Saturday, Dec. 6. Treskow Hosey. Tricky trays, 50/50 raffles, Helping Hands lottery tickets, food and drinks for purchase. All proceeds benefit the Helping Hands Society. To donate a tricky tray, call the society at 570-455-4958. Christmas at Christ Lutheran: 11 a. m. to 5 p. m. Saturday, Dec. 6. Christ Lutheran Church Social Hall. Famous scones, tea sandwiches, wassil and tea. Tricky trays and peanut butter truffles for purchase. Advent lessons and carols: 4 p. m. Sunday, Dec. 14. Christ Lutheran Church, Hazleton. Refreshments beginning at 3: 30 p. m. Crystals, pizzelles, viscotti and cookie trays sale: Order deadline, Sunday, Dec. 14. Pickup, noon to 2 p. m. and 4 to 6 p. m. Friday, Dec. 19; or 10 a. m. to noon and after 4 p. m. Mass Saturday, Dec. 20. Our Lady of Peace at Most Precious Blood Church, 131 E. Fourth St., use Fourth Street side door, Hazleton. Crystals, $14 a box; pizzelles (vanilla, chocolate, or anise), $10 a dozen; viscotti (Italian cookies with ricotta cheese), $10 a dozen; cookie trays ( four and a half dozen), on decorated tray with an ornament, $40. To order, call Carol at 570-956-6201 or Maureen at 570-401-4596. Pre-orders only. Annual Christmas pierogi and halushki sale: Noon to 3 p. m. or sell out, Wednesday, Dec. 17. St. John the Baptist Polish National Catholic Church hall, 748 N. Church St., Hazleton. Pierogi, potato and cheese; potato, cheese and jalapeno; prune, all $9 per dozen. Cabbage pierogi, $10 per dozen. Halushki, $10 per quart. In-person sale only. Hazleton Rotary Club daily number lottery calendars sale: Purchase deadline, Dec. 19; drawings take place from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2026. Tickets, $20. Match PICK3 number for 7 p. m. evening drawing; win amount listed for that day. Rotary will track winners and mail out winning checks. Project chair is Amy Roslevege. Purchase tickets from any member or visit Fyzical Therapy and Balance Center, Church Hill Mall, Hazle Twp.; Antonia’s Jewelry and Repair, 289 Airport Road, Hazle Twp.; or Billig-Helmes Insurance, 200 W. 21st St., Hazleton. For information, visit www. hazletonrotary. org or the Hazleton Rotary Facebook Page. McAdoo Christmas Market: 4 to 9 p. m. Friday, Nov. 28. St. Mary’s Ukrainian Church hall and grounds, 210 W. Blaine St., McAdoo. Family-friendly event with handmade crafts, s’mores station, kids crafts and unique gifts, seasonal refreshments. Proceeds support the church’s outreach programs. Free admission. Sugarloaf Valley Kiwanis annual tree-lighting celebration: 5 p. m. Saturday, Nov. 29. (Rain date, Sunday, Nov. 30, with limited activities). Behind Valley Hometown Market, off State Route 93, Sugarloaf. Entertainment, food for purchase, free hot chocolate, visits with Santa, activities and more. Tamaqua Annual Tamaqua Spirit of Christmas Festival: Dec. 4 to 7. Mistletoe reception, visits with Santa, tree-lighting, music, refreshments and more. For information on the various events, visit the Spirit of Christmas Facebook page or contact the Tamaqua Arts Center at 570-668-1192. Marian Catholic High School’s Blue & Gold Club 2026 Lottery Calendar Fundraiser: Cost, $25 per number; match PICK3 daily number at 7 p. m. drawing. To purchase, contact any Blue and Gold Club member, call/text Tracey Zeiler at 570-578-0498; Janis Dvorak at 570-929-2921; Debbie Sypeck at 570-582-5205, Marian Catholic at 570-467-3335, or email BGC@mariancatholichs. org. Marian Catholic High School’s Blue & Gold Club’s 2025 Boyer’s Shopping Spree Raffle Fundraiser: Drawing held Saturday, Dec. 13. Tickets, $10; win a three-minute shopping spree at the Tamaqua Boyer’s. To purchase, contact any Blue and Gold Club member, call/text Tracey Zeiler at 570-578-0498; Janis Dvorak at 570-929-2921; Kathy Goff at 610-704-8037; Marian Catholic at 570-467-3335, or email BGC@mariancatholichs. org. Wapwallopen Annual Christmas open house, craft sale and ticket auction: 10 a. m. to 3 p. m. Saturday, Dec. 13. Slocum Church, Blue Ridge Trail. Features skilled crafters with handmade items; ticket auction with more than 100 prizes, including Christmas decorations, new and vintage items, home décor, and gift cards. Homemade food including wimpies, pork barbecue, hot dogs with sauerkraut and chili, pierogi, haluski, soups, chili, cookies and cakes. Weatherly Dessert sale: Orders and payment due Saturday, Nov. 29; pickup, 10 a. m. to 3 p. m. Friday, Dec. 19. Lehigh and Lausanne Rural Volunteer Fire Company, 390 S. Lehigh Gorge Drive, Weatherly. Place orders for Pellman desserts, including raspberry cheesecake, $25; plain cheesecake, $18; touch of strawberry cake, $18; coconut cake, $18; peanut butter pie, $18; German chocolate cake, $18; Blake Forest cake, $18. To order, call Donna at 484-464-5438. Patchtown Christmas: 11 a. m. to 3 p. m. Saturday, Dec. 6 and Sunday, Dec. 7. Eckley Miners’ Village Museum, Weatherly. Crafts vendors, music, art, raffles, activities and more. For information, visit Spaghetti dinner and basket raffle for Donna Rossman: Raffle, 11 a. m. to 7 p. m.; dinner, 3 to 7 p. m. Saturday, Dec. 13. Lehigh and Lausanne Rural Volunteer Fire Company, 390 S. Lehigh Gorge Drive, Weatherly. To benefit Rossman, an avid volunteer and member who was diagnosed with two types of breast cancer. Donations of baskets, gift cards, cash and bake sale items sought. Dinner includes pasta, two meatballs, salad, roll and butter, $12. To purchase tickets or volunteer, call Suzanne Hines or Celine Gerhart at 570-956-5111 (call Celine to make donations). Christmas Greens for a Cause: Orders taken from Nov. 1 to Dec. 18; pickup begins Thanksgiving week at 563 N. Stagecoach Road, Weatherly. Hosted by Joe and Sharon Lesko, in honor of John Barna, heart transplant recipient; a portion of all sales will be donated to The Gift of Life Howie’s House, a home away from home for organ transplant patients and their families. Wreaths, $30; theme wreaths, $35-$40; large wreaths, special order; grave pillows, $20. No contact order/pickup. To order, call 570-436-3181; pay by cash or check. West Hazleton Frozen pierogi sale: 10 a. m. to noon or sellout, Saturday, Dec. 6. Holy Name of Jesus Parish Center, 217 W. Green St., West Hazleton. First-come, first-served; no preorders. Cost, $8 per dozen. Live performances Hazleton Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra presents Countdown to Christmas holiday concert: 3 p. m. Sunday, Nov. 23. St. John Bosco Roman Catholic Church, 573 State Route 93, Sugarloaf. Free. Christmas Concert: 2 p. m. Sunday, Dec. 14. Ss. Peter and Paul’s Byzantine Catholic Church, Berwick Street, Beaver Meadows. The 18-piece M&J Big Band will be playing a wide variety of Christmas music. Refreshments served in social hall. Free admission; good-will donations appreciated. Helping hands around the area Weatherly Shepherd House Food Pantry distribution: 9 to 11 a. m. Saturday, Dec. 6. Zions Evangelical Lutheran Church, side of church, Fell Street. In case of food emergencies, contact Keri Darraugh at 570-436-4598 or Eva Labanoski at 570-751-6323. Freeland American Legion Post 473 clothing drive: Drop off at post home, 523 Centre St., Freeland. Benefits the Valor Foundation and veterans in need. Items needed include winter hats, gloves, boots, jackets, sweaters and pants for men and women. Monetary donations also accepted. Winter basics drive: Drop off donations from 9 a. m. to 5 p. m. Mondays in December. Willow Foundation, 100 S. Wyoming St., Hazleton. Donate coats/thermal wear, hats/earmuffs, mittens/gloves, socks/boots, blankets, Hot Hands, and tents/tarps. All sizes of new and gently used, clean items welcome. Check out the Giving Tree for the foundation at Boscov’s, Hazleton. For information, visit Beaver Meadows Food Pantry: St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Second Street. Drive-thru format. For information or to volunteer, contact Jennifer Barnasevitch at 570-956-5980. Black Creek Food Pantry: Black Creek United Methodist Church, lower level, 158 Golf Course Road, Sugarloaf. For information or for upcoming distribution dates, call 570-788-1843 or 570-788-3232. Tresckow Food Pantry: Distribution site, rear of 1 E. Maple St., Tresckow. For information, call 570-582-8353 or 570-657-8357. Nuremberg Food Pantry distribution: Third Saturday of each month. North Union Twp. Municipal Building. Operated by the Twin County Lions. Serves eligible residents of Union, East Union and North Union townships and Ringtown. Clients who are already receiving surplus from the Ringtown Pantry are not eligible for distribution at this location. Drive-thru; remain in cars and volunteers will assist. For information or eligibility requirements, call Sue Driscoll at 570-579-8124. Southside Community Partnership Pantry: Hancock Street, McAdoo. Residents from McAdoo and Kline Township within the income guidelines are eligible. One box per household. Bring proof of residence if attending for the first time. Remain in cars; form a line on the west side of Hancock Street and do not block intersections. Walkers come after 10: 30 a. m. Dates to be announced. Free clothing for adults: Third Tuesday of every month. Mobile pantry, Catholic Social Services, 106 S. Church St., Hazleton. Offered by Greater Hazleton Catholic Social Services in collaboration with St. Francis of Assisi. Our Lady of Peace Parish sponsors Children’s Closet: 12: 45 to 1: 30 p. m. Wednesdays. Next to Our Lady of Grace Church, 750 N. Vine St., Hazleton. Free clothing available for infants through teens. St. Vincent de Paul Society’s free baby food and cereal distribution: Appointment only; third Saturday of the month. St. John XXXIII Roman Catholic Parish church hall, 307 Pine St., Tamaqua. For families with babies up to 2 years of age living within the Tamaqua Area School District or belonging to the parish. Proof of residency with photo ID and proof of child’s age are required for the first visit; no income required or WIC. Stages 1 and 2 baby and toddler food and cereal will be provided each month. For information or to register, call 570-225-8620 or email tamaquasvdp@ outlook. com. Diaper Depot distribution: Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Greenwood and Mauch Chunk streets, Tamaqua. Must be a resident of the Tamaqua Area School District. Make a request at www. ziontamaqua. com/diaper-depot and receive an appointment time. Diapers are available for children up to age 4 in sizes NB to 3T-4T.
https://www.standardspeaker.com/2025/11/23/community-digest-nov-23-2025-2/
COMMUNITY DIGEST: Nov. 23, 2025
