n Frackville: The Frackville Free Public Library has announced its annual Art of the Pumpkin Contest, held in conjunction with the Frackville Pumpkin Festival slated for Oct. 5. Wooden pumpkin blanks are available now at the library at $5 for adults or families and $3 for students and seniors 65 and older, Elaine M. Mykolayko, library director, said in a press release. The blanks can be decorated using any medium desired by the artist. Past entries have made use of paint, cut paper, wood burning, glass, fabric and other material, she said. Completed pumpkins must be turned in by Sept. 4 and will be displayed around Frackville for several weeks. Winners of the contest will be determined by a public vote on the day of the festival. For more information, call the library, 56 N. Lehigh Ave., at 570-874-3382.
n Hometown: Due to new regulations, Pennsylvania residents may no longer place electronic devices out for curbside pickup on trash days. Mauch Chunk Trust Bank and the Tamaqua Chamber of Commerce will jointly sponsor a free electronic recycling event on July 20 at the Mauch Chunk Trust office along Route 309 in Hometown. Items to be collected and recycled include televisions, telephones, cell phones, keyboards, cables, cords, CRT monitors, copiers, printers, fax machines, stereos, speakers, DVD players, VCRs, video game systems, LCD monitors, hard drives and computers.
n Millersburg: The Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art still has openings in several sessions in its 2013 summer camps. For information about the slots and to register, call 717-692-3699. Online registration is available at www.nedsmithcenter.org.
n Orwigsburg: The Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce honored local people and organizations during its annual awards breakfast held at the Schuylkill Country Club and sponsored by pcSentry Computer Consulting. The 2013 award winners include: Business Woman of the Year, E. Lori Smith of Waddell & Reed; Business Man of the Year, William W. Wydra Jr. of Ashland Technologies Inc.; Entrepreneur of the Year, Charles Sophy of Sophy Jewelers; Non-Profit Organization of the Year, Schuylkill Alliance for Health Care Access; For-Profit Organization of the Year, M&T Bank. Along with their awards, all of the award winners received proclamations from Governor Tom Corbett, U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, state Sen. Dave Argall and state Reps. Neal Goodman, Jerry Knowles and Michael Tobash. The Schuylkill Chamber launched the awards program in 1991.
n Pottsville: In recognition of Independence Day, a rosary will be prayed at 7:30 a.m. Thursday for the nation in the upper church at St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, 319 Mahantongo St. The Hail Marys in the five rosary decades will be offered for each of the 50 states. The rosary will be recited prior to the 8 a.m. Mass, which will also be celebrated in the upper church. Everyone is welcome.
n Pottsville: Schuylkill On the Move is a countywide grass-roots movement of people and organizations with an interest in promoting health and fitness through walking, according to information on the Schuylkill County's VISION website: www.schuylkillvision.com/Recreation/Schuylkill-On-the-Move. Its goals include assisting local communities with establishing walking programs for their residents; advocating for walkable communities and encouraging people to take positive steps toward good health. SOM sponsors hikes throughout the county on National Trails Day, which this year will be June 1. SOM hikes continue through fall and winter and residents are invited to join.
n Saint Clair: American Legion Post 0719 will hold its annual picnic from noon to 5 p.m. July 14 at the Saint Clair Gun Club. Thursday is the deadline to register. The cost is $5 per member and $5 per guest. Members will have their $5 refunded the day of the picnic, according to a press release. To register, contact any member or call 570-429-2129 or 570-429-0524.
n Valley View: A "David A." pizza sale will be held July 20 to raise money to defray medical expenses for Donna Rhody. The following varieties are available; Plain, pepperoni and special pizzas available at $7, $8 and $10, respectively. For more information or to order, call David A. Lucas at 570-682-9140 or the gun club at 570-682-3424.