n Pottsville: Local author and fictional historian Art Marsicano will unveil his latest novel titled "Nowhere," from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Schuylkill YMCA, North Centre Street. He will be available for book signings, a live chat, and a "Good & Evil" continental breakfast to complement the book's theme, according to a Y press release. It is a story about three famous personalities in history who changed the course of the world during their lifetime but now face uncertainty and new challenges once they've passed on. Over the course of a game of pinochle, they make some interesting discoveries through introspection and soul-searching epiphanies. In the release, Marsicano, a Hazleton native who resides in Pottsville, said "Nowhere" is "a book that has gotten me through some difficult times in my life and I only hope my readers will find the subject as interesting as I do." He is a retired engineering consultant and educator, retiring from Penn State University in 2002 after 37 years. He said it was discussions with his wife during her five-year battle with ovarian cancer that inspired him to write "Nowhere." A limited number of Marsicano's books are available now at the Y. Readers are welcome to purchase any of Marsicano's works and bring them to the Y on Saturday to be signed. Marsicano donates all proceeds from his book sales to charity. The continental breakfast will offer a choice of healthy food or more devilish eatables. Marsicano also is slated to lecture on "The Afterlife, History, and the Path to Nowhere" at the Schuylkill County Historical Society at 7 p.m. Sept. 26. For more information on the book signing or any Y program, call 570-622-7850. The Y is a Schuylkill United Way member agency.
n Shenandoah: A healing service will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday at St. Michael Ukrainian Catholic Church, 114 S. Chestnut St. Praise and worship music will be performed by Susan Shaw. For more information, call 570-462-0809.
n Shenandoah: The Shenandoah Valley High School Class of 1973 will hold the first planning meeting for its casual 40th-year class reunion at 7 p.m. Thursday at RJ and Friends, Centre and Vine streets. All interested classmates and ideas area welcome.
n Shenandoah: The next big event in downtown Shenandoah is Italian Day in the Garden set for 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 13 at American Legion Memorial Garden, adjacent to the Anthony P. Damato American Legion "Medal of Honor" Post 792 in the 100 block of North Main Street. There will be entertainment from noon to 4 p.m., children's games, face painting and Italian specialties such as pasta fagiola, Italian wedding soup, Pierogies Italiano, pasta with pepperoni meat sauce, sausage hoagies with peppers and onions plus hot dogs and a sweets table. Proceeds will benefit the 100th anniversary celebration of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Roman Catholic Church, West Washington Street. The planning committee is seeking donations of cakes, cookies and homemade baked goods for the sweets table. Those wishing to help with baked goods donations should contact Sue Probition at 570-462-4477. Contributions can be dropped off at the party or donors can call to arrange for pickups. Everyone is welcome to participate in Italian Day.
n Shenandoah: Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court Annunciation 175 will hold a soup sale after the 4 p.m. Sept. 22 at Annunciation BVM Roman Catholic Church, Cherry and Chestnut streets. The court will hold its monthly meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the West Cherry Street parish center.
n Sudeberg: Tuscarora State park naturalist Robin Tracey and conservation volunteer Dave McSurdy will lead a hike near Swatara State Park at 10 a.m. Thursday. The four-mile trek is rated difficult. It will go along the Gold Mine Run and explore the ruins of an old coal-mining town, Tracey said in a release. Participants will meet at the parking lot along Swopes Valley Road, just off Route 443 in Suedberg and carpool to the site. Dogs are welcome but they must be leashed and get along with other pets and people. The hike will be canceled in the event of inclement weather. For more information, contact Tracey at 570-467-2404.