n Millersburg: The Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art has extended the submission deadline for its 21st annual youth art contest until June 23. This year's theme is "Wildlife and Water." Aspiring artists in grades one through 12 may enter. All participants will receive a Ned Smith Center Signature Series patch. All artwork must represent birds of the world in their natural habitats and all subjects depicted in the artwork must be identified by scientific and common name and listed on the entry form. Categories will be grades 1-3, 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12. First-, second- and third-place winners and an honorable mention will be selected from each category. Certificates and ribbons will be awarded at the Ned Smith Center Nature and Arts Festival on July 26. All entries must be submitted with an official entry form, available for download on the center's website at www.nedsmithcenter.org. Complete contest rules also are available on the website. Questions about the contest may be directed to Beth Sanders, director of education, at 717-692-3699 or via email at sanders@nedsmithcenter.org.
n Pottsville: The Schuylkill Area Community Foundation handles the James J. and Mary Edith Rhoades Scholarship Fund and the scholarship committee has selected the 2014 recipients as Eric M. Zimmerman from Blue Mountain High School, Ashley Schultz from North Schuylkill High School and Brittany Smeltz from Tri-Valley High School. According to Eileen Kuperavage, SACF executive director, the fund provides annual scholarships to qualified Schuylkill County high school seniors planning to further their educations. Students must exhibit a commitment to education, citizenship and community. "Education was the cornerstone of my husband's personal and professional life. He was always trying to help kids better themselves by supporting, creating and developing programs to enhance their learning capabilities. This scholarship fund is our small way to continue his work and to 'pay it forward' as he did through his life," Mary Edith Rhoades said. SACF is a charitable nonprofit organization that works to strengthen and promote philanthropy in Schuylkill County, according to Kuperavage. The foundation will accept donations at any time throughout the year and in any amount. For more information about SACF or to make a donation, go online to www.sacfoundation.com or call Kuperavage at 570-624-7223 at any time.
n Shenandoah: Young readers will have the opportunity to explore all things scientific this summer via the Shenandoah Area Free Public Library's "Fizz, Boom, Read!" Activities will include science experiments, robot building, grossology fun and nature explorations. The library's summer reading program is open to young people in preschool through young adult with prize drawings, story hours and a reading club. Families will be invited to join the read-to-me segment of the program. Registration for Dig into Reading will begin June 14. The programs are free. For more information, call the library, Washington and Main streets, at 570-462-9829.
n Shenandoah: The 34th annual Coal Cracker 10K and Fun Run are set for June 14 starting from the first block of North Main Street in downtown Shenandoah. Registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. at the 116 N. Main St. office of the revitalization group Downtown Shenandoah Inc. The Fun Run will begin at 9 a.m. followed by the 10K at 10 a.m. The event is sponsored by the Shenandoah Flites Running Club with Tom Talerico and Dan Lewis as organizers. In racing circles, the Coal Cracker event is billed as "one of the most esteemed runs in Pennsylvania." From North Main Street, runners will head south to the Gold Star Highway (Route 924), turn down the Gilberton exit and then east toward St. Nicholas and north on Route 54 to head back to Shenandoah going the length of East Centre Street to the finish line.
n Tremont: A Wing Night is slated for 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Tremont Fire Company. Jumbo wings come in a variety of flavors. French fries and chicken tenders will also be served. No alcoholic beverages will be available. Eat in or take out. For takeout, call 570-695-3915.