n Ashland: American Legion Post 434 is interested in re-establishing a community band and in forming a new post dart team. Regarding the band, any musician of any age from Ashland and surrounding communities is encouraged to apply. For more information, call 570-875-3974, 570-875-3428, or 570-875-4190. Active, social and prospective post members interested in forming a dart team should call the post home at 570-875-3428.
n Pottsville: American Hose Company, 323 W. Norwegian St., will sponsor a pick-a-ticket auction on Sunday. Doors will open at 11 a.m. and the pick will begin at 1 p.m. Food and refreshments will be available. Shop-and-drops are set for 6 to 8 p.m. Friday and 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Proceeds will benefit the Pottsville Area Soap Box Derby.
n Pottsville: Tanner Steinhart, a junior at Pottsville Area High School and an exchange student who spent part of the summer in Finland with the family of Axel Yanti, his exchange partner, recently spoke to members of the Pottsville Rotary Club about his experiences. Yanti spent most of June 2013 here, and then Steinhart went to Finland in July. Steinhart, according to the Rotary Bulletin, said he enjoyed meeting new friends, many of whom he is still in contact with through Facebook. He explained some of the differences in the cultures, including the fact that both of Yanti's parents seemed to have most of the summer off for vacation, and that parents seemed more lenient in some circumstances in Finland than is the case here. The geography posed a big difference as the first two weeks Steinhart was in Finland there were 24 hours of daylight every day, making it difficult to sleep, he said, adding the sky at 4 a.m. was "very purple." The driving age in Finland is 15, and kids that age get mopads or "microcars," which are two-seat plastic cars that weigh about 200 pounds and are relatively inexpensive, Steinhart said. Soccer is the main sport in Finland, Steinhard continued, adding that travel in Finland is very well designed and public transportation is easy to navigate. The capital city, Helsinki, was very clean and the people were very friendly, Steinhart said. Many people in Finland speak English and Steinhart said he had no big communication problems during his stay. He said he enjoyed the experience and hopes to enroll in a collage that features a learn-abroad program. The Rotarians thanked Steinhart for his presentation.
n Saint Clair: Kindergarten registration for the 2014-15 school year at the Saint Clair Area Elementary/Middle School has been set for March 24, 25 and 26. To be eligible for kindergarten, district youngsters must be 5 years old on or before Sept. 1. To make an appointment to register, parents/guardians must call the school secretary at 570-429-2716, ext. 1.
n Schuylkill Haven: "A 21st Century History Maker Dinner: An Evening with Shahdae Holland," is set for 6 p.m. March 21 at the Hidden Stream Cafe on Penn State Schuylkill campus. Holland, according to the campus' Spring 2014 Community Cultural Events Calendar, is a college graduate, daughter and mother who has "spent most of her life focused on assuring many there is more to life than just HIV." She was diagnosed at age 18 and during the end of her first trimester of pregnancy she would "never have imagined that what she once thought was a curse, overall, was a blessing," according to the calendar. Now, at age 26, she is a role model to many young teenage girls who may believe "This can't happen to me." Holland gives the example of what it means to overcome obstacles and give back to the community. She has continued to play a key role in HIV education and awareness with speaking engagements nationwide. She also wrote a section of the acclaimed book "Letters to a Young Sister: DeFINE Your Destiny," by author Hill Harper. The show is free but requires an RSVP. It is in connection with Women's History Month. To reach the campus, call 570-385-6000.
n Tamaqua: "Living a Healthy Life," a six-week series, began March 6 at the Tamaqua Salvation Army site, West Broad Street. It is designed to help people with chronic illnesses and is held from 12:30 to 3 p.m. Thursdays. Sessions also are open to caregivers, spouses, family members and the general public. Participants will learn ways to improve healthful behavior, health status and help reduce hospital stays. The sessions are free, but registration is required through Diakon Community Services for Seniors. For more information, call 570-624-3017.