n Girardville: The St. Vincent de Paul Holy Rosary Society will resume its monthly meetings after a summer hiatus. The first meeting will be Thursday , in the parish meeting room after the 6:30 p.m. Mass in St. Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Church. New members are welcome.
n Gordon: The Gordon School Reunion was held Aug. 10 in the Gordon Municipal Building with 143 people on hand. Tom Dando was master of ceremonies. He introduced the following reunion committee members: Co-Chairpersons Susan Hocking Peifer and Cathy Troutman, Treasurer Rose Yost, Secretary Pat Monroe plus Betty Lou Bridle, Lynn Korn, Faythe Mervine, Bruce Mervine, Helen Wolfgang and Jo-Ann Young. Dando also shared memories of growing up in Gordon. The Rev. Dennis Miller offered grace. Following the meal, Dando continued the program with a moment of silence for deceased Gordonites and recognition of the remaining Gordon school graduates, who included Ruth Burns, 1932; Marie Richardson and Jack Stitzer, 1940; Bruce Mervine, 1943; Clara Wagner, 1944, and Betty Wolfgang, 1945. Former teacher aide Julia Trommetter was recognized with presentation of a flower. The oldest graduate, Ruth Burns, was given the floral centerpiece. Betty Wolfgang, a member of the original reunion committee, was given a flower. The reunions began in 1976 and are held every three years. Jay Smar, Landingville, provided entertainment. Each attendee received a gift of magnets with pictures from the past of the Gordon Post Office, the World War I cannon monument that was once in the town square, and the Gordon train station. A Chinese auction during the event included jewelry, bags and visors made by Monroe and pillows made by Young. A model of the Gordon school, created by Mervine, was on display, as were water color paintings of houses in Gordon by Martha Sosar and R. Mel. The display also included school and railroading memorabilia and a copy of the memory book written by James Ringenary. According to Monroe, the gathering has also become a homecoming for anyone living in Gordon or anyone who has ever lived in Gordon. It will be held again in 2016.
n Pottsville: The Pottsville Free Public Library recently acknowledged the following memorial donations: For Rose Garbetti from Rhonda and Rose Johnson; for Sheldon Gitman from Mr. and Mrs. Sylvan Lehrman; for Michael Gretsky from Owen and Elise Gretsky; for S. David Liddle from mother Virginia Liddle-Fessler; from Edward Shay from Owen and Elise Gretsky; for Gail M. Spleen from Joe and Sandi Murton; for James Watt from Tom and Diana Beausang.
n Shenandoah: The Bernardine Franciscan Sisters and Associates pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet and recite the rosary at 3 p.m. every Friday in the Father Walter J. Ciszek Chapel, 231 N. Jardin St., and the public is invited to participate. The chapel is adjacent to St. Casimir Roman Catholic Church, the native parish of Father Ciszek, who is a candidate for sainthood in the Catholic Church.
n Shenandoah: The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Pennsylvania and Southern West Virginia is looking for people to volunteer their time and friendship in order to assist with wish fulfillment. To become a wish volunteer, people must be at least 21 years old, pass a criminal background check and attend a training session. According to a foundation press release, volunteers are important components of fulfilling wishes. Wish teams meet with a wish child's family, act as liaisons between Make-A-Wish staff and the family and aid in determining the most suitable wish for the child. Volunteers also help at special events such as golf tournaments and walks. The training will familiarize volunteers with their duties to Make-A-Wish and the families. To register for the upcoming training in October, or for more information, call 800-676-9474. The Make-A-Wish effort was founded in Pittsburgh.