n Orwigsburg: A softball tournament and fundraiser for Stevie Lynn Wilkinson, 10, is set for this weekend at the Blue Mountain High School softball field. She is the daughter of Denise “Dee Dee” Markopolis Wilkinson, who was shot and killed by her husband July 11 in a murder/suicide domestic violence act in Junedale, Carbon County, leaving Stevie Lynn Wilkinson without parents, according to a press release from Tara Dolzani, Sheppton. “Dee Dee” Wilkinson was a member of the Deer Lake Pub Cagekickers softball team. She would have taken the field for the recent Mothers of Make-A-Wish Softball Tournament in Minersville, but her life was cut short, Dolzani said, adding that “Dee Dee” lived for and loved softball, which she played for more than 20 years, and also “adored” her daughter. She said the Mothers of Make-A-Wish group is accepting monetary donations, basket donations to be raffled off Sunday and volunteers to assist with the concession stand. The tournament is open to all female softball teams and participants must be 23 or older to be eligible to play. For more information, call Dolzani at 570-527-2511 or Pam Hartz at 570-401-2093.
n Pottsville: The Pottsville Rotary Club’s annual Hops, Vine & Dine fundraiser is set for Sept. 18. The HVD committee, according to the Rotary Bulleting, is looking for sponsors to donate gifts for the auction. Members will bring items to donate and people who can get items for the effort are asked to see a committee member.
n Shenandoah: Schuylkill on the Move, which promotes steps toward good health through walking, will sponsor the Lofty Dam and Pumping Station hike from 2 to 5 p.m. Sept. 14. Northern Schuylkill outdoors enthusiast Tom Pesock will lead the walk in the woods of the north slope of Locust Mountain. Participants will meet along Route 924 north of Shenandoah and along the road by the wind mills. The 3-mile hike is rated moderate. SOM walks and activities are held monthly and feature a variety of locations throughout the county and region. People can get a copy of the hike schedule by emailing Patrick M. “Porcupine Pat” McKinney at porcupinepat@yahoo.com or by calling at 570-622-4124, ext. 113. SOM is a consortium of health and wellness organizations and agencies that include Schuylkill County’s VISION, the Schuylkill County Visitors Bureau, Diakon Social Services for Seniors and Schuylkill Conservation District.
n Shenandoah: The Greater Shenandoah Area Historical Society will meet at 6 p.m. today in its history center at 201 S. Main St. Michael Kitsock, president of the Schuylkill Historical Fire Society, Shenandoah, will speak on the history of the Shenandoah Fire Department. There is no admission fee and the public is invited to attend.
n Shenandoah: The Greater Shenandoah Area Senior Citizens hold a weekly get-together at noon Wednesdays at the senior center, Washington and Market streets. Participants enjoy lunch and play bingo. New members are always welcome. For more information, call 570-462-3155.
n Shenandoah: The Shenandoah Downtown Open Air Farm Market is in full swing from 8 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and Fridays through November. Regional farmers and growers set up shop along the east side of the first block of South Main Street and the south side of the first block of East Centre Street near the more than century-old Bolich & Burke building. They offer fruits, vegetables, various plants/flowers and other fare. The event, the oldest of its kind in the region, is sponsored by the Greater Shenandoah Area Chamber of Commerce. Chamber Treasurer Mark Bernardyn is the market committee chairman. Additional farmers/growers are welcome to participate.
n Shenandoah: A Padre Pio Healing Mass with a relic will be held in Divine Mercy Roman Catholic Parish, St. Casimir worship site, North Jardin Street, on Sept. 19. For more information, call Father Jose Kochuparambil at the parish office at 570-462-1916, ext. 26.