An evening of good food, games and fellowship will be featured at a Sweetheart Banquet being presented at Middletown First Church of God on Saturday, Feb. 10, beginning at 5:30 p.m. The annual event is open to both singles and couples. Child care will be provided for youngsters age 10 and under.

This year's menu will include appetizers, salad, ham with brown sugar pineapple sauce, au gratin potatoes, a vegetable medley and dessert. "It's all homemade," said Patty Kuharic, one of the event organizers. "One of the ladies from the church cooks the meal every year."

The sit-down dinner will be served in the church's fellowship hall, which will be decorated with a Valentine's Day theme. "There will be an area where you can take photos with props and things," noted Kuharic.

A highlight of the event is the church's version of "The Newlywed Game," which will be hosted by pastor Kim Shifler. Just like the television show, the pastor will ask questions of the men after the wives are taken offstage. The wives will then come back to see if they know the answers. The process will then be repeated with the husbands.

There are also games and activities offered throughout the evening. "We play table games and each table competes against (people at the other) tables like 'Minute To Win It,'" said Kuharic, adding that a queen and king are also crowned at the banquet.

While the banquet is being held at the church, the event is open to the public. Kuharic noted that last year about half of those in attendance were community members. "We get a lot of the same community people that come every year that are not church members," she said. "In our announcement about the event, we always say, it is not just for couples. You can bring a friend or come by yourself and make some new friends."

Middletown First Church of God is located at 245 W. High St., Middletown. Sunday worship is held at 8 and 10:30 a.m. The church also offers a Wednesday Night Live program, which includes dinner at 5:45 p.m., followed by classes and small group discussions at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday Night Live features a children's class for youngsters age 4 through fifth grade, a youth group for middle school and high school students and adult classes. A nursery is offered for children from birth through age 3.

Tickets to the Sweetheart Banquet must be purchased in advance. Tickets will not be sold at the door. The deadline to purchase tickets is Thursday, Feb. 8.

Tickets are available during Wednesday Night Live, by calling the church at 717-944-9608 or by contacting Margaret Houser at margaret.houser@verizon.net.

For more information about the event, visit http://www.middletowncog.org, choose "Events" and then select Sweetheart Banquet. More information about the church and its activities can be found at the aforementioned website and at http://www.facebook.com/middletowncog.