n New Philadelphia: AMVETS Post 256 will meet at 7 p.m. Dec. 17 at Vetts Inc., 96 McComb St. Members will discuss ongoing and past events. For more information, call 570-277-6031.
n Pottsville: Four regional youths are aiming to go to the 100th PA Farm Show in January as exhibitors, according to a release from the Blue Mountain 4-H Livestock Club. All four are club members and each is raising a market lamb. Stephani and Sara Strouse, Auburn, are raising two lambs, and in Orwigsburg, Collin Felty and Casmira Keller also are raising two lambs. They hope to place well in their respective Junior Market Lamb class on Jan. 10 and then be able to sell their lambs in the Junior Market animal sale, to be held On Jan. 12. The opportunity to sell their lambs, according to the release, will be enhanced by their participation in the Outstanding Young Shepherd Program, in which exhibitors test their knowledge on the fundamentals of sheep management practices through a test called a Skillathon. Participants in the test are quizzed on quality assurance and general health of sheep, meat identification, equipment identification and use, feeds, feeding and nutrition as well as sheep raising management practices. Samantha Strouse will test her knowledge of raising sheep by participating in the Skillathon portion of the Outstanding Young Shepherd Program. The 4-Hers have been raising the lambs since August, seeing to their daily care with fresh water and feed and with special attention to raising the animals for competition at the superior level. Special feeding and nutritional supplies plus exercise are part of the regular routine. Although the 4-Hers have experience raising lambs for show and sale at the Schuylkill County Fair, raising them in the fall and winter months adds to the challenge, according to the club release.
n Saint Clair: An American Red Cross blood drive is slated for 2 to 7 p.m. Friday at Tractor Supply Co. in the Coal Creek Commerce Center complex. People 17 and older (16 with parental consent), weighing at least 110 pounds and in general good health are urged to donate blood. For more information or to set an appointment, call 800-733-2767.
n Shenandoah: The revitalization group Downtown Shenandoah Inc. will stage a soup and sausage sale beginning at 10 a.m. Thursday at its downtown center, 116 N. Main St. The cost for soup is $5 per quart and $2.50 per pint and the cost for sausage hoagies is $3.50 each. Soup varieties will include chili, chicken noodle, vegetable beef, pasta fagiole, New England clam chowder, split pea and kielbasa. To order or for more information, call 570-462-2060.
n Shenandoah Heights: The Shenandoah Heights Fire Company, 148 Swatara Road, will sponsor a visit with Santa from 1 to 3 p.m. Dec. 19 at the firehouse. Santa will arrive at the firehouse after a tour through the villages of Shenandoah Heights and Weston Place aboard a fire engine. Every child will receive a gift from Santa and light refreshments will be served. For more information, call 570-640-6536.
n Shenandoah: Efforts to collect food for the food bank, which distributes items from the Divine Mercy Roman Catholic Parish office, 108 W. Cherry St., are ongoing. People are asked to bring donations of nonperishable food to the Divine Mercy or St. Casimir worship sites on the weekend or drop items off at the parish office during regular office hours. Examples of useful items include tuna, Spam, canned meats, powdered milk, peanut butter and jelly, cereal, spaghetti, sauce, pasta and similar fare.
n Tower City: An American Red Cross blood drive is set for noon to 5 p.m. Thursday at Williams Valley High School, Route 209. People 17 and older (16 with parental consent), weighing at least 110 pounds and in general good health are urged to donate blood. For more information or to set and appointment, call 800-733-2767.