n Frackville: Milton Hershey School will host a family event from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the community room at the Schuylkill Mall. In a press release, the school said family events are informal get-togethers that offer everyone a chance to learn more about the school. A brief presentation will follow a free meal. People will be able to ask questions and talk with the school staff. No registration is required. For more information, call 800-322-3248. To be considered for enrollment at the school, according to the release, a child must come from a family of low income, be 4 to 15 years old, be free of serious emotional and behavioral problems that disrupt life in the classroom or home, and be born in the United States. Enrollment is not guaranteed and prospective students must demonstrate the capability to benefit from the programs the school offers. Children are accepted year-round through a rolling admissions process. Preference is given to children born in Pennsylvania, in accordance with the school's deed of trust. The school is a cost-free, private, co-educational home and school for children from families of low income, funded by a trust established by Milton S. Hershey and his wife, Catherine. For more information, visit the school's website at www.mhs-pa.org.
n Jim Thorpe: St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 21 Race St., will sponsor a free community dinner, a turkey feast, from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call 570-325-2241.
n Lansford: The Panther Valley Public Library, 117 E. Bertsch St., is collecting nonperishable food items throughout November. The items will be donated to the local Shepherd House Food Pantry to help families in need. Food items may be placed in the collection bin in the library.
n Mahanoy City: The borough will again have "The Dressing of the Greens" Nov. 30 with its annual tree-lighting ceremony, set for 6 to 8 p.m. The dressing event will feature themed Christmas trees and all school groups are invited to participate. The decorations will be on a timer, lit from 5 to 10 p.m. throughout the holiday season. Awards will be presented in the categories of youth, adult and best overall. Groups wishing to participate are asked to call Patricia Schnitzius at borough hall, 570-773-2150, ext. 210.
n Pottsville: Wayne Stump, executive director of the YMCA, recently addressed the Pottsville Rotary Club, saying the Y is no longer a gym, but a cause. The last time he spoke to the Rotary, he said, the Y's North Centre Street headquarters was just opening. Things have "taken off" since, he said, noting that in the past year, the Y has served more than 10,000 people in Schuylkill County and distributed more than $93,000 in financial assistance and subsidies. The county has supported the Y, he said, with more than $143,000 in contributed income. He also spoke about three areas that define the Y: Youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. To meet the needs of youngsters in the county, the Y has sports programs, gymnastics, competitive cheerleading and competitive swimming as well as indoor soccer. It also includes a wellness center with programs to improve mental health and group exercise. A new family health program has just kicked off to provide facts to families to encourage healthy lifestyles. He said social responsibility means providing members the opportunity to give back to their community, offering the opportunity to volunteer to help others. Regarding Rotary news, it was noted that the Pottsville club will man the Salvation Army bell site outside Boscov's in Fairlane Village mall on Dec. 21.
n Pottsville: A session titled "2014: The New Look of Health Insurance," is set for 8 to 9:30 a.m. Thursday in the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce Conference Center, Union Station, 1 Progress Circle, Suite 201. The presenter will be Jessica Dean of Power Kunkle Benefits Consulting. The cost is $10 per person. Today is the deadline to register. People can register online at www.schuylkillchamber.com or fax to 570-622-1638.
n Shamokin: The Anthracite Heritage Museum, located above the library on Independence Street, is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays.
n Shenandoah: St. Michael Ukrainian Catholic Church, 114 S. Chestnut St., will hold a healing service at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. For more information, call the rectory at 570-462-0809.