n Auburn: Vacation Bible School at the Auburn Church of God, 230 Market St., is set for 6 to 8 p.m. June 10-13. It will feature crafts, snacks, games, stories and songs, according to a release. The theme is "Adventures on Promise Island Where Kids Disover God's Love." For more information, call 570-754-7736.
n New Philadelphia: The Schuylkill Valley Food Pantry at the Good Intent Fire Company, 15 McComb St., distributes food from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. the third Wednesday of odd months. The site contact is Rip Rowan, 570-277-6326. The pantry serves New Philadelphia, Middleport and Blythe Township. Jason Schally, program organization specialist with Schuylkill Community Action, provided information about the food pantries.
n Port Carbon: Fire Chief Michael E. Walsh announced there will be fire hydrant flushings at 6 p.m. Wednesday in Port Carbon and on Thursday in Mechanicsville. Residents can expect cloudy or discolored water for several hours.
n Pottsville: Sylvia Nabholz, board of directors at Hillside SPCA Inc., announced that June is "Adopt a Shelter Cat Month," and Hillside SPCA will be conducting "no fee adoptions" for spayed and neutered cats. Hillside is a no-kill shelter and through this program they are hoping it will reduce the cat population in order to accommodate the large number of incoming cats and kittens that summer always brings. Adoption hours are 1 to 3 p.m. daily. For further information, visit www.hillsidespca.com or call Becky at 570-622-7769.
n Ringtown: The Polski Swingmasters will be the featured entertainment Saturday at the annual St. Mary Roman Catholic Parish block party, which will run Friday and Saturday. The Swingmasters have reunited after a multiyear hiatus. Their tune "Mommy's Homemade Chicken Soup" was a huge hit in the 1970s. The group often performed in the pavilion at Postie's Grove and at the former Lamana's in Hazleton. The band Another Side will be the featured block party entertainment on Friday.
n Schuylkill Haven: The Schuylkill Haven Area Food Pantry at the Walk-In Shoe Factory, Parkway, rear entrance, distributes food from 1 to 4 p.m. on the third Friday of the month. The site contact is Shirley German, 570-205-1763. The pantry serves Auburn, Cressona, Deer Lake, Landingville, North Manheim Township, Orwigsburg, Schuylkill Haven, South Manheim, Wayne and West Brunswick townships. Jason Schally, program organization specialist with Schuylkill Community Action, provided information about the food pantries.
n Shenandoah: The Greater Shenandoah Area Historical Society, 201 S. Main St., will present the Eckley Miner's Village Skit Players and 19th century funeral customs at 6 p.m. Tuesday. The public is welcome to attend. There is no admission charge.
n Shenandoah: The Shenandoah Area Food Pantry at St. Stephen Roman Catholic Parish Hall, Main and Oak streets, distributes food from 10 a.m. to noon the last Wednesday of odd months. The site contact is Jason Schally, program organization specialist with Schuylkill Community Action, 570-622-1995. The pantry serves Shenandoah, Gilberton and West Mahanoy Township. Advance registration is required. Registration is held from 10 a.m. to noon the Wednesday before the distribution day. Schally provided information about the food pantries.
n Tamaqua: Horses & Horizons Therapeutic Learning Center Inc. is looking for volunteers to help with its program of therapeutic horseback riding for children and adults with special needs. The center, which offers special riding lessons on Monday and Wednesday evenings May through October, is located 10 miles south of Tamaqua near Route 309. There is a required volunteer training session from 1 to 5 p.m. June 16 at the center. Anyone who wishes to volunteer to help with the riding lessons must attend the hands-on training. To become a volunteer or to request more information, contact Janie Miller at 570-386-4280 or wintsprg@ptd.net, or Elaine Smith at 570-386-5679 or elshhtlc@ptd.net. The center will hold its 12th annual open house from 1 to 5 p.m. June 10. There will be light refreshments and lesson demonstrations.