n Frackville: Madeline Domalakes recently spoke to members of the Frackville Rotary Club about her experience at the District 7360 Rotary Youth Leadership Awards camp at Juniata College. "I thought I knew how to work with people, but at the RYLA camp I learned much more about it and I thank Frackville Rotary for sponsoring me for the program," she said, according to the clubs newsletter. Domalakes attended the camp with Justine Paul in representing the local club. Domalakes is a senior at Nativity BVM High School and was one of 70-plus students who participated in the program. She described the day-by-day activities designed to enhance leadership skills in participants. Some of the exercises demanded the development of listening skills, while others involved projects requiring close cooperation among team members. The group consisted of students from Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Domalakes also described the Rotary's shelter box program and said it would be a good project for students at her high school. Justine Paul, who also was sponsored at the RYLA camp, has embarked on a shelter box project at North Schuylkill High School. Lauren Damiter, another student at North Schuylkill, has joined her in the project. Frackville club President Suzanne Domalakes reminded members that the joint visit by Rotary district Governor Sharon Benner will take place on Sept. 12 at The Mineshaft Cafe, Ashland. The Rotary clubs of Ashland, Frackville, Mahanoy City, Ringtown, Shenandoah and Tamaqua will participate in the visit.
n Minersville: A night of healing and forgiveness will be held at St. Matthew the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, 135 Spruce St., on Sept. 10. The celebrant will be the Rev. Larry J. Hess, pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church, Reading. The evening will begin at 6:30 p.m. with confessions and adoration, followed by Mass at 7:30 p.m. According to a parish release, Hess has been involved in the healing ministry for more than 30 years, has written a prayer card for healing and is sometimes referred to as the "Priest of the Holy Card." Everyone is welcome.
n Pottsville: City mayoral candidate Scott Thomas recently spoke to members of the Pottsville Rotary Club about his passion and vision for the city, according to the club newsletter. Thomas, a recent graduate of Kutztown University, pledged to work with the Rotary and other civic organizations for the betterment of Pottsville. He said he is proud to serve on the Pottsville Area school board, having been elected as the youngest member ever four years ago. Many of his ideas for the city, he said, are based on some of the things he has seen while serving on the school board. He cited his work on the school dress code, ensuring fairness for all, as well as his being a steward of taxpayers' money, specifically regarding no tax increases in four years. The city's greatest strength, he said, is its people. First and foremost, he continued, the mayor is the director of public safety. He said a safer downtown area will help to create a healthier business climate. He pledged never to cut the police force and to give officers the training and resources needed to do their jobs. He also spoke about the city's streets, saying he will investigate long-term bonds to fund street projects using city employees instead of outside contractors. Another priority, he said, will be stopping the outmigration of younger people. He said he would form a coalition to study the problem and to find ways to entice younger people to stay. Thomas said be believes Pottsville could develop into a tourist destination in the fashion of Jim Thorpe, noting the D.J. Yuengling & Son Inc. brewery brings thousands of people to the city every year, and he would try to come up with ways to get them to also visit other parts of the city.
n Ringtown: St. Paul's United Church of Christ, 100 E. Main St., will sponsor a Kauffman chicken barbecue with pickups set for 3 to 7 p.m. Sept. 11. Tickets for the takeout-only meal are $8 each. Each meal will include a half chicken, baked potato and cole slaw. Everyone is welcome