n Millersburg: The Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art will launch a new "free Fridays" program on Friday. Admission to the center's galleries is free on Fridays for the remainder of 2014, according to a press release from Alexis Dow Campbell, the center's director of creative programming. Visitors, Campbell said, are encouraged to make a donation of any size to help offset the center's costs. As a "thank you to the community," Campbell said in the release, the center held free open houses on or around the 20th of each month throughout 2013 in celebration of its 20th anniversary. The free events were "a huge hit." Stephen Quigley, the center's executive director, said the center was "so pleased with the response to our 20th anniversary open houses, and we wanted to figure out a way to continue that momentum." The center has two art galleries in its facility in Upper Paxton Township, just outside Millersburg borough in Dauphin County. The Olewine Gallery features the work of many varied artists and has hosted the likes of National Geographic's Joel Sartore, Scottish land artist Andy Goldsworthy and John James Audubon's original elephant folios. The Ned Smith Gallery, presented by the Pennsylvania Game Commission, exhibits the work of the center's namesake on a permanent basis. The center, according to the release, hopes that extending free admission to the community will "bring new visitors and broaden the center's visibility in the region."
n Minersville: The St. Matthew Travelers will sponsor a bus trip to Mount Airy Casino Resort, Mount Airy, on Wednesday. The bus will depart at 8 a.m. at from R&J in Cressona and at 8:30 a.m. from Quandel in Minersville. It will depart from the casino at 4 p.m. for the return trip. The cost is $25 with $25 rebate, free buffet and free Starbucks coffee. For more information or to register, call Julie at 570-544-5231 or Millie at 570-628-5413.
n Orwigsburg: The handbell choirs of St. Paul's Lutheran Church will celebrate their 25th anniversary with a special concert featuring all 3 choirs at 4 p.m. April 27 at the church, titled "Bronze Goes Silver!" The concert will feature the choir's favorite pieces throughout the years, a fashion show of concert attire and the induction of 130 former and present handbell ringers into the St. Paul's Handbell Hall of Fame. All former ringers who attend will be recognized and honored. The handbell program has been under the direction of Beverly Eiche Kriner, who is celebrating her 30th anniversary as St. Paul's music director. Starting in January 1984, she served as organist and directed one adult choir. By the time the handbell program began in 1989, she had grown the music program to include three youth and children's choirs. Two of the St. Paul's bell choirs and one vocal choir have performed at the White House and have appeared on national television with Harry Smith and his "Travels with Harry." The anniversary concert is open to the public. There is no admission fee but freewill offerings will be accepted.
n Ringtown: American Red Cross Blood Services Northeast Pennsylvania Region will hold a blood drive from 2 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Ringtown Valley Fire and Rescue Company, Main Street. People 17 or older (16 with parental permission in Pennsylvania), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in general good health are eligible to donate blood. People should bring their Red Cross blood donor cards or other form of positive identification when donating blood. All presenting donors during April will have a chance to win a $250 gift card. People can make an appointment to donate blood by going online to www.redcrossblood.org.
n Schuylkill Haven: State Rep. Mike Tobash, R-125, issued a reminder for uninsured and underinsured residents of his district that an immunization clinic by the state Department of Health will be held Friday at the Schuylkill Haven Area Food Pantry. Immunizations will include tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis. Depending on each person's circumstance, vaccinations will be given at a low cost or no cost. For more information, call Tobash's district office in Schuylkill Haven at 570-385-8235.