The snow is gone until next winter - we hope. It's time to come out and enjoy the spring beauty of Schuylkill County.
Schuylkill on the Move and "Porcupine Pat" invite you to join them for a trek today to Aycriggs Waterfalls and Bordner Cabin Tour at the Swatara State Park. The falls is a renowned Native American lookout and smoke signals station. Park at the I-81 and Route 443 carpool lot for carpooling to the site. This is an easy 4 to 5 mile scenic walk.
Diakon Prime Time Health will host a Wolf Creek Falls hike from the Burma Road at 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 23. Meet at the Saint Clair football stadium at 12:45 p.m. to carpool to the site. Registration by Tuesday is mandatory for this difficult 3-mile hike. No walk-ins will be allowed. Call Robin at 570-467-2506 to register.
There will be a community sunrise service at Sweet Arrow Lake at 6:30 a.m. Sunday, Easter morning, at the amphitheater at the clubhouse. The event will feature an Easter devotional, live music and a free breakfast following the service. The pastor of the Wesleyan Church will lead the service. Call 570-345-8422 for details.
"Despicable Me 2" will be shown at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Sovereign Majestic. These are great characters, and you'll be sure to have a fun time.
In the past, I've reported on the importance of giving blood, primarily during busy seasons when car accidents are more frequent. However, I recently witnessed a reason that I hadn't thought of before. Recently, I've encountered two people who were getting IVs of fresh blood to prepare them for up-coming surgery. Perhaps their iron levels were too low, or possibly their blood cell counts were off and needed a boost. Regardless of the reason, blood donations aren't always used to save lives, but sometimes to help the ill.
There will be four blood drives in the upcoming week or so. The Schuylkill Mall will host one Saturday, and Trinity Lutheran Church in Pottsville, the Ringtown Valley Fire and Rescue No. 2 and the Mahantongo Fire Company in the Valley View area will host drives April 22. Your donation can save the lives of up to three people or help improve the quality of health for those needing a bit of support.
Block of Art will take place on April 25 to 27 in downtown Pottsville. The Arts Festival will celebrate its eighth year of bringing painters, musicians, poets and other artists together for three days of family friendly events and exhibits. Find details at www.block-of-art.org.
For information about other volunteer opportunities, call Community Volunteers in Action at 570-628-1426, e-mail jjohnston@co,.schuylkill.pa.us or go to www.schuylkill.us/cvia. Check us out on Facebook at www.facebook.com/communityvolunteersinaction.
Clerical volunteer
Times: As needed and available.
Responsibility: General clerical duties as assigned, attend volunteer meetings and appropriate trainings.
Skills: Ability to follow direction and work independently, be aware of and follow agency policies and procedures and adhere to confidentiality policy.
Location: Schuylkill Women in Crisis, Pottsville
Contact: agency at 570-622-3991.