n Ashland: The Ashland Area Rotary Club is sponsoring a house decorating contest with winners announced Aug. 29. Rotary members will be driving through Ashland looking for the best decorated homes in honor of the ABA and Mother's Memorial celebration. First-, second- and third-place winners and honorable mention gifts will be given for the best decorated homes for this event.
n Heckscherville: The annual outdoor Labor Day Mass at the Castle Green Grotto will be held at 10 a.m. Sept. 2 (rain date Sept. 7). The grotto is located at 950 Valley Road, Minersville-Heckscherville Highway. The Mass is dedicated to the late Ann Barone, who was a member of the committee that maintains the grotto. The annual outdoor Mass was started to remember "all who came" to the Castle Green Chapel, which was located at the site, and to honor those who labored in anthracite mining. Refreshments will be served after Mass. Attendees should bring lawn chairs. Parking will be available at the grotto. For more information, call Bob at 570-544-3658.
n Mahanoy City: The All Star Polka Band will present a free concert titled "It's Time to Polka" at 6 p.m. Aug. 18 at the Mahanoy Elderly Apartments, Main and Centre streets. Everyone is welcome and should bring lawn chairs to enjoy the presentation.
n Pottsville: The Humane Fire Company Softball Team will once again host the annual Schuylkill County Law Enforcement, EMS and Firefighters charity softball tournament Aug. 17. The sole purpose of this annual tournament is to raise money for a different charitable cause each year. This year, the group has chosen to play to benefit Olivia Bensinger, 8, who was diagnosed with leukemia, to help with medical expenses, and the Schuylkill County Therapeutic Riding program. The tournament will be held at Sunny Rod & Gun Club field, Minersville, and Seltzer City Gun Club field, Seltzer. The first games begin at 8 a.m. There will be a Chinese auction and food will be available throughout the day. In order to make the tournament a success, the group is asking for any donation be sent to Jay Conway, 71 Red Horse Road, Pottsville, PA 17901.
n Pottsville: Schuylkill County Sheriff Joseph G. Groody announced his office at the county courthouse will have extended hours and days regarding licenses to carry firearms as follows: 8:30 a.m. to noon Aug. 17 and 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 12. On those days, Groody said in a release, "we will be accepting applications for license to carry firearms for renewal or new applicants." The office's normal hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. "To better serve county residents, I will continue to offer office hours on announced Thursdays and Saturdays to accommodate law-abiding citizens an opportunity to apply" for licenses, Groody said in the release. The fee for the license is $20 payable by check or money order, not cash, on the special extended-hours days. Checks must be made out to Schuylkill County Treasurer. Cash is accepted only during the normal office hours. Applications can be found online at www.co.schuylkill.pa.us/Offices/Sheriff/index.asp. Current license holders can only renew up to 60 days before their expiration date. Applicants must be 21 or older and will need a primary identification such as a valid Pennsylvania driver's license or current Pennsylvania Identification Card bearing the applicant's current address. Applicants must also have two references (not family members) - with full names, full addresses and phone numbers. Applications will be processed and permits will be mailed to the applicant's home address.
n Summit Hill: The Summit Hill Heritage Center is still seeking steering committee members to help with planning for the 100th anniversary of historic Ludlow Park. The center and partners will re-institute The Mule Drivers Ball, as seen in the late local historian Lee Mantz's book, for the celebration. Mantz had lived in Summit Hill and Coaldale. Locals interested in participating should contact Deb at quilterdeb@windstream.net or Lyle Mantz at Lyle2@ptd.net.