n New Philadelphia: The Blythe Township Senior Citizens group meets at 1 p.m. the third Monday of every month in the Holy Cross Parish Center, Lombard Street. New members are welcome. For more information, call Mary at 570-874-3535.
n Pine Grove: The Penn State Master Gardeners will conduct a workshop from 6 to 8 p.m. April 26 at the pavilion at Sweet Arrow Lake County Park offering information and assistance in drilling and constructing a rain barrel. The $35 fee includes fittings, barrel and education, according to a press release. Participants will learn how to improve water quality, reduce flood damage and soil loss with “just a few small changes,” organizers said in the release. Checks should be made payable to PSCE Program Account, Schuylkill, and mailed to the Penn State Extension, 1202 Ag Center Drive, Pottsville, PA 17901. For more information, call 570-622-4225, Ext. 20.
n Pine Grove: The Pine Grove Area High School FBLA and the Pine Grove Ambulance unit will sponsor a blood drive from 1 to 6 p.m. Thursday at the Pine Grove Ambulance Social Hall, Spruce Street. The drive is open to the public. For more information or to make an appointment, call 800-733-2767. All presenting donors, according to a release, will receive an American Red Cross St. Patrick’s Day T-shirt. People 17 and older (16 with parental consent), weighing at least 110 pounds and in general good health are urged to donate blood. In the release, organizers called on residents to “help our PGAHS students receive scholarships by supporting our annual community drive.”
n Pottsville: Diakon Living and Learning has a host of activities, classes, workshops and creative initiatives on its agenda to be held at a wide variety of locations. For more information regarding costs and types of sessions, call Susan Long at 570-624-3018 or email her at longs@diakon.org. More information also is available online at www.diakon.org/community-services/Living-Learning-After-50.
n Shenandoah: The Greater Shenandoah Area Historical Society will have a Chinese auction March 20 at its history center, 201 S. Main St. Doors will open at noon and the auction will begin at 1:30 p.m. There will be a shop-and-drop from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $3 and refreshments will be available. Everyone is welcome.
n Shenandoah: The Schuylkill Historical Fire Society Museum, 105 S. Jardin St., is open for fire department, school and private tours. There is no charge for tours but donations are gratefully accepted, according to the society website, which also lists museum hours as 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Appointments can be made for visits at other times by contacting President Michael Kitsock at 570-628-3691 or Vice President William Kline at 570-622-3678. Membership inquiries are welcome. The museum’s phone number is 570-462-4400. The museum was formally dedicated in 1999 with several commemorative events and a dedication parade. Housed in the former Columbia Hose & Steam Fire Company station, the site also serves as the society’s headquarters. Its collection of equipment and other artifacts is among the finest anywhere. For more about the society and photos of antique equipment, go to its website at www.theshfs.org.
n Shenandoah: Divine Mercy Roman Catholic Parish will hold a summer music camp for children ages 7 to 13 at the Annunciation Rectory, West Cherry Street, June 14 to 25 (weekend excluded). The 10-day program, according to a bulletin announcement, will end with a mini-concert by the participants at 7 p.m. June 25 at Divine Mercy Church, Cherry and Chestnut streets. During the camp, children will be taught the vocal techniques of breathing, dynamics and pitch matching. The fee is $200 per child. For more information or registration, call Father Johnson, parochial vicar, at 570-599-5265 or the parish office at 570-462-1968.