n Ashland: A Christmas concert, presented by Ashland Area Community Choir under the direction of Betty Chappell, will be held at 3 p.m. Dec. 15 at Zion's Reformed United Church of Christ, 2400 Centre St. Light refreshments will be served after the concert. Free-will offering will be gratefully accepted.
n McAdoo: Those who have loved ones or friends in the military and would like them to receive Christmas cards from home are asked to call Mary at 570-929-3658. McAdoo officials and residents want them to know that they are thinking of them and to thank them for their service. This holiday greetings project is sponsored by the McAdoo Community Civic Association.
n Pottsville: Salvation Army kettle bell ringing by the Pottsville Kiwanis Club is scheduled for Saturday. Kiwanians wanting to sign up as bell ringers should contact Al Barnes. The club's Dec. 17 meeting will be at Luther Ridge with the choir of the Pottsville Area School District's D.H.H. Lengel Middle School singing Christmas songs. The residents of Luther Ridge will also be invited to enjoy the choir. No club meetings are scheduled for Christmas and New Year's eves.
n Ringtown: The Ringtown Valley Community fund drive committee is reminding residents that the 2014 drive will end in January. Residents are asked to make contributions on or before Dec. 31. Contributions support the Ringtown Community Ambulance Association and nonprofit organizations serving the Ringtown area. A minimum donation of $30 for households of three or more or $20 for households of two or less will make the donors ambulance service subscribers. For subscribers, the Ringtown Ambulance Association will accept the reimbursement received from an insurance carrier as payment in full for ambulance services. Those who are not subscribers will be billed for services not covered by insurance. The Ringtown Valley Community Fund board thanked area residents for their continued support of the annual drive. Checks can be made payable to Ringtown Valley Community Fund and mailed to P.O. Box 204, Ringtown, PA 17967.
n Summit Hill: Summit Hill police Chief Joseph Fittos Jr. recently reminded borough residents the community's winter parking regulations went into effect Saturday and will be enforced through March 31. All vehicles must park facing west on East White Street between Spruce and Pine streets and all vehicles must park facing west on West White Street, between Poplar and Coal streets. From Dec. 15 through March 15, all boats, trailers and campers must be off borough streets. Fittos said violators will be fined and units positioned illegally will be towed at the owner's expense.
n Tamaqua: People are invited to participate in the Spirit of Christmas Cookie Contest. Cookie entries will be judged in four categories: drop, bar, decorated and filled. Baked entries are to be taken to the Tamaqua Chamber of Commerce office, 114 W. Broad St., from 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday. A minimum of two dozen cookies are needed for each entry. Winners will be announced at the tree lighting ceremony slated for 6 p.m. Sunday in Depot Square Park. The goodies will then be shared with the community. The registration deadline is Friday. The winner of each category will receive a $25 Tamaqua area gift certificate, courtesy of Linda Yulanavage's Sweet Treats. For more information or to register, call 570-668-3268.
n Zion Grove: Mount Zion Lutheran Church will hold a hoagie sale from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday. The deadline to order is Wednesday. The cost is $3.50 each. Regular and turkey hoagies with or without onions are available. Lettuce, tomatoes, onions, dressing and mayonnaise will be on the side. Orders can be placed with a church member or by calling Kathy at 570-384-3367 or Deb at 570-889-5401. Checks for hoagies and monetary donations should be made payable to Mount Zion Lutheran Church, Zion Grove. All proceeds will benefit the church's general budget fund.