First Posted: 2/3/2013

You don’t need to go to New Orleans for a good time. St. Barbara’s Mardi Gras celebration will be held from 7 to 11 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 9 at the church hall. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Cost of the dinner buffet is $25 per person. Food will be catered by Maranacci’s Restaurant and DJ Mike Arcarese will provide the music, so get ready to do the Mardi Gras Mambo! This is an over 21 BYOB event. Coffee and soda are included with dinner.

Tickets are on sale at the rectory after each Mass or by calling Loretta Semenza at 654-0936 or Barbara Russo at 654-8670. Tables will be reserved for groups of eight or 10. Deadline for reservations is Monday, Feb.4.

Financial aid classes

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Wyoming Area is offering a FAFSA Financial Aid hands on computer course on Wednesday, Feb. 13 in the high school computer lab for senior parents, preferably those applying for financial aid the first time. The FAFSA application will be utilized during this program. Linda Pacewicz, the Northeast Region: Higher Education Access Partner for FAFSA, will conduct the class. Those in attendance will be able to work on the actual FAFSA form for this year.

Senior parents who already signed up will be contacted as a reminder. There are still a few more seats available for this class. Any parents interested in attending may call Mrs. Rabel at 655-2836, ext. 2339.

Kiwanis Mardi Gras Party

Members of the Wyoming Area Kiwanis Club completed arrangements for their fifth annual Mardi Gras Party from 7 to 11 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 9 at Gober’s Deco Lounge, Wyoming Avenue and Schooley Street, Exeter.

There is entertainment by CNR and a Cajun buffet. Beer and soft drinks are included in the $20 cost. Basket raffles and games will be held and prizes awarded throughout the night. Tickets can be purchased from any member of the Kiwanis Club or at Gober’s Deco Lounge. Tickets will be limited to 100 people and will surely sell out.

Kiwanis Secretary Tiffany Calliao said funds raised will be used to continue the Kiwanis programs of service to children in the community and support the costs of our Youth leadership programs; Key Club, Builders Club and KKids.

Cosmopolitan Seniors

The Cosmopolitan Seniors next meeting will be at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 5 in St. Anthony Center, Exeter. Hosts/hostesses are Aggie Abromavage, Maureen Gosart, Ron Gosart, Johanna Malinowski and Vic Malinowski.

The previous meeting was attended by 45 members. After the call to order by President Malinowski, Vice President Joe Kleback led the group in prayer, Pledge of Allegiance and a patriotic song. Secretary Terri Mislan read the minutes, Treasurer Amy Alpaugh gave the treasurers report. .

After the meeting, the group enjoyed refreshments and Bingo was played. Fifty/fifty winners were Aggie Abromavage, Rosalie Ferarra, Rosemary Golenski, Maureen Gosart and Kathy Loucks. Amy Alpaugh won the Bingo special game and the jackpot winner was Rosalie Ferarra.

Travel coordinator Johanna is accepting reservations for a trip to Sands Casino on Thursday, Feb. 14 with pickups in Exeter and Pittston. Non-members are welcome. Details can be obtained from Johanna at 655-2720.

Snow emergency notes

The Exeter Borough Police Department reminds residents that, in the event of a snow emergency, all residents have 30 minutes to remove vehicles on both sides of Wyoming Avenue. In the event vehicles are not removed, they will be cited, along with being towed at the owner’s expense as per ordinance. All residents shall be aware that, once a significant amount of snow is forecasted, this procedure will be placed in effect.

The Exeter Borough Police Department reminds businesses and residents that all sidewalks are to be cleared within 24 hours after the completion of a snowstorm. Failure to comply will result in the issuance of a citation, punishable by a fine at the district magistrate

WA scholarship program

Wyoming Area High School announces the addition of seven new scholarships to its website this year. In the past four years, 23 new scholarships have been added to the already generous list. Through the generosity of families memorializing their loved ones, businesses, civic groups and individuals, these new scholarships are available.

Seniors and their parents are urged to visit the scholarship website by logging onto wyomingarea.org and clicking on Guidance Department Scholarships to view all the scholarships available. Other important information regarding how to apply, to view the application which may be used for all the scholarships found on this website, requirements for each scholarship and other important information is contained on this website.

Deadline for handing in completed applications to Mrs. Rabel in the guidance office is Wednesday, Feb.13. The Scholarship Celebration will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 23 in the high school cafeteria. Invitations will be issued in late April.

Lenten food sale

The Exeter Borough Hose Co. #1, 1450 Susquehanna Ave., will sell potato pancakes, pierogies and haluski at 4 p.m. on Ash Wednesday, Feb.13 and every Friday during Lent. Good Friday sales will begin at noon. To place an order, call 602-039

WA Night at the Races

The Wyoming Area High School Class of 2013 Night at the Races is Saturday, Feb. 16 at St. Barbara’s Center. Parent volunteers are needed. Information on selling horses, gift basket donations and food donations was sent home this week with each senior. For more information, call Mary at 885-2472 or Gina at 332-7817. The next meeting of the committee will be at 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 28 in Room 164.

Little League sign ups

The Exeter Lions Little League will hold signups for the 2013 season on the following dates: Saturday, Feb. 9 – noon to 2:30 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 23 – noon to 2:30 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 24 – noon to 2:30 p.m. at the Scout Home on Lincoln Street behind the Exeter Borough Building. Each player needs a copy of his or her birth certificate and three proofs of current residency. Registration fees are as follows: Little League Baseball & Softball – $50 per player ($20 each additional player in family) plus $50 for lottery ticket fundraiser; Jr and Sr League Baseball – $100 per player plus $50 for lottery ticket fundraiser. For more information, email Jaime Hizynski at jaimehizynski@gmail.com

Recycling, refuse reminder

Exeter residents may pick up a 2013 recycling calendar at the following businesses along Wyoming Avenue: Turkey Hill, Uni Mart, Sabatini’s Pizza, Modern Market and Donut Connection. The calendar can also be picked up any time in the white mailbox to the right of the front door at the Exeter Borough Building, 1101 Wyoming Ave.

Exeter 2013 refuse stickers are now on sale at the borough building, 1101 Wyoming Ave. The price is $150 and $110 for senior citizens until Feb. 28.

From March 1 to 31, the price will be $180 and $130 for senior citizens. Starting in April, stickers will be in the penalty phase and will cost $250 for everyone. For more information, call Lynda at 654-3001, ext 2 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. The borough office is open until 7 p.m. on Wednesdays. Payment can also be made by mail. Send a self-addressed stamped envelope with a check or money order to Refuse, 1101 Wyoming Ave, Exeter. Pa 18643. Make checks or money orders payable to Exeter Borough.

JFK Vera Bradley Bingo

The JFK Elementary School in the Wyoming Area School District is holding a Vera Bradley Bingo Fundraiser at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 10 (doors open at 1 p.m.) in the Wyoming Area Secondary Center cafeteria, 20 Memorial St., Exeter. Tickets are $20 and will be available at the door but seating is limited. To purchase tickets in advance, make check payable to JFK PTO and send to 50 Penn Ave., Exeter PA 18643, Attn.: Bingo. Include name, address, phone and e-mail address. For more information, call 362-1680.

St Barbara’s Parish

St Barbara Christian Women’s Organization will hold its monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 12 at the church hall. Upcoming events will be discussed.

Anyone needing individual financial statement for tax purposes please may call the rectory at 654-2103.

The Golden Age Club will hold its Valentine Party at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 7 in the parish center. Hostesses are Lena Seman, Rose Shurmanek and Ronnie Spliethoff.

Couples celebrating their 25th or 50th year of marriage are invited to participate in the Diocese of Scranton’s Wedding Anniversary Celebration scheduled for June 16. Eligible couples should call the rectory by Feb. 8. The Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of Scranton, will celebrate the 2:30 p.m. Mass on June 16 in St. Peter’s Cathedral, Scranton, where couples will renew their vows. Following Mass, a reception will be held for the couples at the former Holy Cross High School.

Plans continue for the special student 10:30 a.m. Mass on Feb. 24. Teachers will walk children from the Parish Center to the church. Students will serve as readers, gift bearers and will sing. Classes will sit together. The seventh and eighth-grade retreat will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. on May 17.

First Reconciliation will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 16 in St. Anthony’s Church. Parents are asked to attend.

A meeting for parents of second-graders (including those who attend parochial schools) is scheduled for 9:15 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 10 in the Parish Center.