n Minersville: The Thomas Reed Memorial dedication ceremony is set for 5 p.m. Sunday at Union Cemetery, Fifth Street. Reed, according to a release from Marian Twigg, the memorial committee chairwoman, was Minersville's first settler. Speakers at the event will include Frank Reed, a direct descendant, Mayor Joseph Post, borough council President Helen Droskinis, the Rev. Dr. Robert Santucci and Minersville Area Historical Society President Dora Santarell. All are welcome to attend.
n Orwigsburg: St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 215 N. Warren St., will begin its 2013-14 Concert Series on 7 p.m. Sunday with a special program featuring Eva Katherine, an Orwigsburg native and teen country music performer. She will perform popular and traditional tunes as well as original country songs. The performance is free and open to the public. Free-will offerings will be accepted.
n Pottsville: The Gabriel Youth Orchestra will hold its initial open rehearsal from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Pottsville Area School District's D.H.H. Lengel Middle School Auditorium. Music/school students in grades seven through 12 - five through 12 for string players - are needed to fill the orchestra for this year's season, according to a press release. Students who play string, wind, brass and percussion are needed. The open rehearsal, according to John F. Potlunas, music director and conductor, is an opportunity for students to see if they like the symphonic setting and would be interested in auditioning the following week. Audition materials will be distributed along with the season's schedule of required rehearsals and performances. Permission slips will also be available the evening of the open rehearsal and are required for students to participate in the auditions. There is a nominal participation fee for each accepted orchestra member, which may be defrayed through fundraising. The Gabriel Youth Orchestra is an outreach of the Gabriel Chamber Ensemble, which has been in existence for 24 years. Interested students may also get an application form from most school music teachers in the Schuylkill County area, from many county private music teachers or by contacting Agnès Maurer, executive director, at 570-943-2558 or via email at gce@gabrielensemble.org.
n Saint Clair: AMVETS Post 142 will present a POW/MIA ceremony at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Admiral Joel T. Boone park, South Third Street near borough hall. The service will include a brief history of National POW/MIA Recognition Day and the POW/MIA flag. Military honors and flag raising will be by AMVETS members, American Legion Post 719 and the Saint Clair Veterans Honor Guard. The AMVETS post will have a POW/MIA window display at Diehl's building, 29 N. Second St., Sept. 16 through 23. Post member Daniel Jenkins Sr. said in a release the public is encouraged to attend the ceremony and view the window display.
n Shenandoah: A relic of St. Padre Pio will visit Annunciation BVM Roman Catholic Church, Cherry and Chestnut streets, for healing services today and Saturday, according to a release from Monsignor Ronald C. Bocian, pastor of the Roman Catholic parishes of Shenandoah and Lost Creek. Pio was an Italian friar who died Sept. 23, 1968. He was known for having had the stigmata (the wounds of Jesus Christ) , the ability to read penitents' hearts during confession, the gift of prophecy, the power of bilocation, spiritual energy for levitation, the gift of performing miracles and healing even incurable diseases, evoking conversion in people's lives, fighting demonic forces, and a special charisma for raising funds for the cause of the poor and the sick, according to information provided by Bocian. He was made a saint by the late Pope John Paul II in 2002. There will be a healing Mass at 7 p.m. today and the relic will be exposed for veneration. There will be a healing service in Spanish and veneration of the relic at 6 p.m. Saturday. Light refreshments will be served in the Annunciation BVM Rectory, 218 W. Cherry St., after both services. Everyone is welcome to attend the services. For more information, call Father Johnson at 570-462-1916, ext. 26.
n Tamaqua: The Salvation Army's Older and Bolder group is back in action every Wednesday at the Salvation Army center, 105 W. Broad St. Gatherings include a light luncheon. For more information about the group or to join, call Dina at 570-668-0410. The Tamaqua Senior Citizens group meets at 1 p.m. every Thursday, at the Masonic Lodge, Route 54, Hometown. Anyone 55 or older is welcome to join. The center is accessible to the handicapped. The Tamaqua Board of Health meets at 10 a.m. the first Wednesday of each month at borough hall, 320 E. Broad St.