n Kelayres: The Kline Township Beautification Committee meeting for December has been canceled. The next meeting will be in January.
n Millersburg: The Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art has announced the publication of "Gone for Another Day," the sequel to Ned Smith's "Gone for the Day." The book is drawn on Smith's 46 years of original field journals and illustrated with scores of his previously unpublished sketches, drawings and paintings, according to a release from Alexis Campbell, director for creative programming. "This is something we've wanted to do for years and the timing was perfect to bring out the book in time for the center's 20th anniversary," center Executive Director Steve Quigley said in the release. The project was sponsored by the state Game Commission, which published the original book; by the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, which holds the original journals and many of the field sketches that appear in the new book; and by several private donors. Scott Weidensaul, a natural history writer whose life was molded by Smith's original book, according to the release, said, "I bought a copy of 'Gone for the Day' with my allowance money when I was 11 or 12 years old, and it was a revelation." Weidensaul added: "Here was an adult who seemed to spend most of his time outside, watching and drawing wildlife. It was the first time I realized such a thing was even possible." For the past two years, Weidensaul culled Smith's journals, which fill nine three-ring binders, to select the most interesting and revealing entries. The earliest dates from the summer of 1936, when Smith was 17 years old, and recounts an encounter with a weasel defending its prey. The journals continue for the next 49 years, until the day before his death on April 22, 1985. For more information, call Campbell at 717-692-3699 or email her at adow@nedsmithcenter.org.
n Pottsville: The Pottsville Area High School Guidance Department will conduct an informational scheduling session in the high school's Wachter Auditorium for eighth-grade students planning to attend the high school for the 2014-15 academic year, according to Michelle G. McGinty, director of guidance. In a press release, McGinty said it is "extremely important" that Saint Clair Area and parochial students register with the Pottsville Area School District before attending the session by calling the district office at 570-621-2915. For parents/students whose last names begin with A through L, the session will be 7 p.m. Jan. 13. For those whose last names beginning with M through Z, the session will be at 7 p.m. Jan. 14. All students and parents of D.H.H. Lengel Middle School and Saint Clair Area should bring the course selection booklets they received in school.
n Pottsville: A holiday concert titled "Home for the Holidays" is set for 7 p.m. Saturday at the Sovereign Majestic Theater, North Centre Street. It will feature many winners of the Sovereign Majestic Awards including this year's vocal winners Makenna Copeland, Carrollynn Schwent and Jacob Tarconish. Other winners from years past who will participate include Shaina Graff, Tom Guastavino, Bridget Mealia, Daniel Romberger, Julia Schultz and Samantha Wood. The theater association hopes to make this an annual event. For tickets, call the theater box office at 570-628-4647. Tickets will also be available at the door the evening of the show.
n Pottsville: The Pottsville Free Public Library recently acknowledged the following memorial donations: For Matthew Christian Bann from attorneys Ronald and Linda Pellish; for Sally Gerace from Laura Chattin, Zane and Linda Rist, Peggy Schappell; for Sheldon Gitman from Dr. Leslie and Mrs. Jean Dubowitz; for Charles "Chow" Heffner from Pam and Bill Heffner; for Ross Heffner from Pam and Bill Heffner; for Beth Lehrman from the Devlin W. Dormer family; for Phyllis Schupak from Dr. Leslie and Mrs. Jean Dubowitz; for Frank Tenenholz from Dr. Leslie and Mrs. Jean Dubowitz.