n Frackville: The Frackville Ministerium Food Bank will be open from 9 to 10 a.m. Thursday to serve eligible families in the borough. New applicants will need proof of eligibility - a Frackville borough address. The food bank is located at Zion Lutheran Church at Oak and Nice streets. Participants must use the downstairs entrance at the parking lot.
n Frackville: Rotarian John E. Domalakes announced during a recent meeting of the Frackville Rotary Club that the group will again take part in the Schuylkill Keep It Pretty cleanup program. Members will gather at 4 p.m. April 24 at South Line Street and Industrial Road. Bags, vests and gloves will be provided. Treasurer Karen Domalakes said the club co-sponsored an American Red Cross blood drive on April 7. Rotarian Charles Miller said 60 people participated in the recent Omega/Quest Health Scan that was held at the Frackville Area Senior Citizen Center. He thanked fellow Rotarians as well as Grant Klock of the senior citizens group. Rotarian Helen Miernicki said the group's Yankee Candle sale was successful. The club agreed to help sponsor the opening of the Frackville swimming pool and to host a free swim night during the summer. Frackville borough Councilwoman Karen Domalakes thanked the Rotarians for their support of the Frackville pool.
n Mahanoy City: The second annual community financial fair will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. April 30 in the cafeteria at Mahanoy Area High School. Representatives will be on hand from local banks, law offices, county, state and federal programs. Featured topics will include the PA529 tuition savings program, financial aid, banking, mortgages, investing, retirement planning, estate planning, insurance, disability insurance, family law and elder law. The fair is hosted by the Mahanoy Area High School Business Department. The fair will also include door prizes and a concession stand with light refreshments.
n Millersburg: The Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art has partnered with the Astronomical Society of Harrisburg, Millersburg borough and the Millersburg School District to present "Cruisin' the Cosmos," a free astronomy program, at 7 p.m. April 26. In the event of rain or too much cloud cover, the event will be held May 3. Those who have telescopes should bring them. Star party leaders and their telescopes will remain on-site until 10:30 p.m. The program schedule is as follows: 7 p.m., The Globe at Night (indoors), regarding using a computer or smartphone to measure the brightness of the night sky and 8 to 10:30 p.m., Public Observing for All, featuring the wonders of the night sky through telescopes provided by members of the Astronomical Society of Harrisburg. Advance registration is suggested by calling the center at 717-692-3699 or going online to http://nedsmithcenter.ticketleap.com/cruisin-the-cosmos-spring-star-party.
n Schuylkill Haven: The Our Haven Foundation Economic Restructuring Committee is inviting interested people to a wine-and-cheese reception from 5 to 6:30 p.m. April 22 at the economic development office, 17 E. Main St. Participants will learn about the committee's initiatives, including reprinting of the Schuylkill Haven welcome packet, installation of interpretative signs in the borough depicting scenes of Schuylkill Haven history, development of mile markers on the Irish Flats Trail and way-finding signs designed to assist visitors in finding points of interest in the borough. Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP to Carl Berger, coordinator of the office of economic development, by Thursday. Email to relive.haven@yahoo.com or call 570-593-8272. The event is being sponsored by VIST Bank, a Tompkins Community Bank.
n Summit Hill: Food distribution times and dates for the Summit Hill Food Pantry, located in the Summit Hill Heritage Center, Hazard and Chestnut streets, are 10 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays, May 27, June 24, July 22, Aug. 26, Sept. 23, Oct. 28 and Mondays, Nov. 24 and Dec. 22. No parking is allowed in the adjacent alley before 9:45 a.m. and no parking at all is allowed in the vacant lot. Recipients should bring shopping or tote bags.