n Ashland: Zion’s Reformed United Church of Christ, 2400 Centre St., will host a free soup-and-sandwich lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 16. The free lunches are available to the community on the third Wednesday of every month. For more information, call 570-875-2700.
n Heckscherville: Clover Fire Company, 8 Clover Road, will host an all-you-can-eat breakfast from 7 a.m. to noon Nov. 13 at the firehouse. The cost is $8 for adults and $3 for children. Organizers will donate $1 from each of the adults breakfasts to the Disabled Veterans Association. Representatives will be available to answer any questions veterans may have. For more information, call 570-294-0612.
n Hegins: The Barry Township tree lighting will be held at 6 p.m. Nov. 27 at Weishample Grange Hall, Deep Creek Road. There will be crafts, entertainment and a visit from Santa. Children must be accompanied by adults. Food will be available and there will also be door prizes. For more information, call 570-817-6107.
n Lansford: The Tamaqua Area Faith Fellowship Network will have a Christmas shopping winter wonderland from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 19 at the CancerTelethon.Org office, 33 W. Ridge St., formerly the American Cancer Society office. The event will benefit the American Cancer Society. For more information, call 570-645-4228 or email to madula@ptd.net.
n New Philadelphia: AMVEST Post 256 will meet at 7 p.m. Nov. 17 at Vett’s Inc., 94 McComb St. The date change is due to the Thanksgiving holiday. For more information, call Tom Hill at 570-277-6031.
n Pine Grove: Hetzel’s Church Praise & Worship will have a Fall Fun Fellowship Hoe Down from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday in the church social hall, 261 Hetzel’s Church Road. Admission is $5 for adults and free for children 12 and younger. Refreshments will be available. All are welcome.
n Pottsville: Leo Haley, a longtime member of the Pottsville Lions club and a prominent leader of the local Irish community and the Ancient Order of Hibernians, recently addressed the Lions, sharing his knowledge of Irish heritage and the origins of Halloween, which had been a Celtic pagan celebration. Called Samhain, it was observed since ancient times in Ireland as noted in Irish literature and mythology, Haley said, according to the Lions Bulletin. Samhain marked the beginning of Gaelic winter and also was a festival in which the “doorways” to the other world opened, allowing supernatural beings and the souls of the dead into our world, he said. People at that time would dress in various costumes, burn the hides of cattle and setbon fires to help keep away evil spirits. According to Haley, the bonfires evolved into turnips that were carved out and then made into lanterns and placed in the windows or on the doorsteps of the villagers’ homes. Samhain has become known worldwide as Halloween and is celebrated on the Eve of All Saints Day. Haley has been the chairman of the annual Pottsville Lions Halloween Parade for the past 38 years.
n Primrose: St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic School will host its fifth annual Murphy Jewelers Bingo at 1 p.m. Dec. 4 in St. Nicholas Hall, Route 901. Tickets are $25 each and include 16 regular games and four specials. Doors will open at 11 a.m. Holders of advance tickets will be eligible for a special drawing. For tickets or more information, call 570-544-5767 or 570-544-4581.
n Tamaqua: An American Red Cross blood drive is set for 1 to 6 p.m. Friday at St. John’s United Church of Christ, Pine and Biddle streets. People 17 and older (16 with parental consent), weighing at least 110 pounds and in general good health are urged for donate blood. Walk-ins are welcome. For more information or to arrange for an appointment, call 800-733-2767.
n Tamaqua: Tamaqua Area High School’s annual financial aid night will begin at 6 p.m. Nov. 16 at the high school library. The state’s regional PHEAA representative will present information on completing the FAFSA and answer general financial aid questions. This year there will also be a community agency on hand to offer information about local scholarships. Advance registration is not required.