n Clamtown: The fifth annual Dudefest was held earlier this month at the West Penn Rod and Gun Club. Dudefest is a suicide prevention effort in memory of Cory McCarroll, who took his own life in 2009. The event included music, activities, prizes and homemade food to raise money for the Schuylkill County Suicide Prevention Task Force and other local programs. For more information about the program or to get help, call 800-SUICIDE (800-784-2433) or 800-273-TALK (800-273-8255) or the deaf hotline at 800-799-4889. Key Dudefest organizer Tara Stauffenberg voiced appreciation to all who donated, volunteered or helped, including several bands, the rod and gun club and local businesses.
n New Philadelphia: The 19th annual Schuylkill Valley Joint Veterans picnic is set for noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, rain or shine, at the New Philadelphia Little League site. Donations of any type are needed to ensure a successful event, the group's Tom Hill said in a release. Any contribution individuals or organizations can provide will be greatly appreciated, he added. All paid-up members of the group will be able to attend free of charge. The cost for their guests is $5 and $10 for all others. All who donate will be admitted free. Regarding monetary contributions, checks can be made payable to: Schuylkill Valley Joint Veterans c/o Tom Hill and mailed to 41 Silver Creek Road, New Philadelphia, PA 17959. Proceeds from the picnic will be used toward next year's picnic and for military functions the group does throughout the year. The group Country Grass will provide entertainment at the picnic.
n Port Carbon: The Port Carbon Janet Eich Public Library recently acknowledged the following contributions for its 2013 fund drive: For Julie Hebor from Frank Hebor; for Mary A. Shultz from Sherley L. McGuire, Rosemary Ziegler; for Larry Eich IV from the McDonough family; for Arlin and Dorothy Maurer from Steve and Shirley Pavlick; for Harold S. Rupert Jr. from Teenie Rupert; for George E. and George Bondura from Anna Mae Bondura; for Thomas R. Welsh from Carolyn Wile; for James and Ellen McGowan from Hugh and Kathleen McGowan; for the Lonergan and Melincavage families from Mary and Mike Melincavage; for Michael Mallo from Deborah Mallo-Bound; for Pastor Rodney Stoner from Deborah Mallo-Bound; for Larry Eich IV from Nan and Pop; for John and Theophila Bobbin from Tom and Do Konitsky; for Marlen Scheaffer from Beatrice Scheaffer; for Leah Renninger from Judy Thomas; for Joseph McGuire from Shirley McGuire; for Joseph J. Mitchell from Sandra Mitchell; for Robert Berdanier from Jacqueline Berdanier; for Leo W. Brennan from Stanley J. Burke; for Mary Bondura from EW Bondura; for William Frantz from Anna Frantz; for Hazel Zimmerman from Mr. and Mrs. Charles Zimmerman; for Julia Grabowski from Joseph A. Grabowski; for Tim Matz from Tony and Karen Matz; for Edward Legutgo from Dorothy Legutko; for William F. Wertz Sr. from Mrs. Laverda Wertz; for Mary Shultz from Michael and Susan Rose; for William Manalis from Millard and Loretta Grubbs; for Peg and Bob Forbes from Kathy, Mark, and Brice Brazinsky; for Charles Shattas from Linda and Martin Smith; for Patrick E. Dowling from Joseph and Kathleen Dowling; for Charles and Al Albertini from Mr. and Mrs. Al Albertini; for Patsy Wade from Chub and Joanne Everdale; for Pat Davis from Mr. and Mrs. Michael Quercia; for Michael, Mary and Margaret Chaklos from Joe Chaklos; for Beatrice Lickman from Ronald Lickman.
n Pottsville: St. Patrick Roman Catholic Parish's 26th annual End-of-Summer Picnic will be held from noon to 10 p.m. Sunday on the South Cass Fire Company grounds, Route 901, Primrose. It will feature food, games and entertainment. Performers will include The Golden Tones polka band from 1 to 4 p.m., the McCormick Irish Dancers from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. and the rock band Toolshed Jack from 6 to 9 p.m. There will also be free kids' games from 2 to 4 p.m. Everyone is welcome.