n Ashland: During the July meeting of the borough council, members approved a request from Dr. Mary Stout, D.P. T., of Central Penn Physical Therapy, to hold a patient appreciation/community awareness day near the Ashland office at 1836 Centre St. The event will be held next to the office and will include free hot dogs, chips and water as refreshments, free basket raffles and chair massages plus information about the services provided. Live music may also be available. The council also OK'd the suggested dates of either Aug. 3 or 10. They also approved the request of Pioneer Tunnel business manager Kathy Lattis to hold the annual Pioneer Day celebration from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 18 in Higher-Up Park and approved a request from Girardville Mayor Edward Burns for the Ashland Fire Police to assist with traffic control on Aug. 18 for the Girard Hose Company's anniversary parade beginning at 7 p.m. The approval was contingent on the ability of the fire police to assist that day in Girardville after working the entire day providing traffic control for Pioneer Day. Joyce said the fire company will be contacted by the fire police in advance if they cannot attend the parade.
n Barnesville: Kevin Clouser, wildlife conservation officer with the Pennsylvania Game Commission, will present a program on Pennsylvania mammals at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Locust Lake State Park amphitheater. The program, according to a press release, will include information on wildlife habitat, diet and life cycles. He will also speak about some of the unique characteristics of different mammals. In the event of rain, the event will be held in the program shelter. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
n Danville: The annual Danville Iron Heritage Festival, launched in 1999 to focus on the history of the Danville-Riverside areas, will be held today through Sunday. According to organizers and the festival's website, "The Iron Age, 1829 through 1950, and Danville are truly synonymous." In 1829, the first iron foundry was established in Danville to manufacture wagon boxes, plowshares, and iron and griddles. "In 1839-40, iron ore started to be mined locally and in 1840 the first anthracite furnace to efficiently produce iron was opened in Danville. On Oct 8, 1845, the first T-rail in America was rolled out at the Montour Iron Works, the largest iron manufacturing plant in the United States. The T-rail made it possible for Pennsylvania and America to become the leader in the industrial revolution. This festival is a celebration of America's ingenuity and foresight and is of interest for all of our nation's citizens," according to the website at www.ironheritage festival.net.
n Frackville: The next bleenie sale at St. John the Baptist Polish National Catholic Church, 414 W. Oak St., will be at 11 a.m. July 27 at the church. Bleenie sales are held every other week throughout the summer.
n Frackville: Knights of Columbus Council 2580 will hold its monthly Hogan Happy Hoagie sale July 26. Hoagies come in a variety of configurations and may be ordered for pickup only by calling Tom Malloy at 570-874-1843 or Grand Knight John Costa at 570-773-0627.
n Mahanoy City: The Mahanoy City Neighborhood Crime Watch will meet at 7 p.m. Monday at the Sen. James J. Rhoades Downtown Center, Main and Centre streets. The guest speaker will be David Boehm, Pennsylvania State Police public information officer, Troop L, Reading barracks. The public is welcome.
n Port Carbon: The Port Carbon Public Library is having a Deppen pie sale again. The cost is $8.50 per nine-inch pie and all orders are due by July 26, according to a release from Jason Abati, library director. Flavors include are blueberry crumb, raisin crumb, apple crumb, strawberry rhubarb crumb, peach, cherry, shoofly, coconut custard, lemon sponge and no-sugar apple. Orders can also be made by calling the library at 570-622-6115. Pies can be picked up at the library Aug. 8
n Sacramento: The 10th annual Sacramento Community Fire Company Poker Run will be held July 29 rain or shine. Registration will begin at 10:30 a.m. at the firehouse, 2206 E. Main Street. In a release, Ronald T. Radel, fire chief, said that in 2011 more than 700 people participated with thousands of dollars in cash and prizes awarded. Food, refreshments and a live band follow the ride. The entry fee is $25 per hand. A custom-painted 2012 Harley-Davidson will be chanced off that day. Tickets for the bike are available at Koppy's on the Square, Kissinger's Family Restaurant, Erdman Sportsman's Club, Valley View Gun Club, Mayer and Kehler, Jack's Spot, One Stop Recycling, RC's Bar and Grill, Traci's Restaurant, Schaeffer's Harley Davidson and Bubba's Bar. Vendors are welcome. For more information, contact Radel at 570-682-9144 or Gene at 570-682-3082.