n Ashland: The Ashland Area Historic Preservation Society will host author Thomas M. Malafarina at 7 p.m. Wednesday at its headquarters, 316-318 Centre St. Malafarina will give a Halloween presentation that will include two unpublished scary stories. A native of Ashland, Malafarina has books published in the horror genre, including "Ninety-Nine Souls," "Thirteen Nasty Endings," "Burn Phone," "Eye Contact," and his most recent works, "Malafarina Maleficarum Volume 1" and "Malafarina Maleficarum Volume 2." His first book, "Ninety-Nine Souls," is set in Schuylkill County in the fictional town of Ashton, according to a society press release. It tells the story of how three miners were trapped in a cave-in and how one miner sold his soul to Satan to get revenge for the disaster. In turn, Satan turns the miner into an immortal, soul-feeding demon that must remain trapped in the mine until he gathers 99 souls. A 1973 graduate of North Schuylkill High School, Malafarina went to Penn State University but left after one year. During that year there was a mine strike and he wrote song parodies about the strike and sent them to the Shenandoah Evening Herald, where editor William E. O'Brien published them along with his own parodies. That began Malafarina's writing career. The program is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.
n Pine Grove: The Ruth M. Steinert Memorial SPCA will stage a "Non-Black Cat Event" at the shelter, 18 Wertz Drive, Oct. 22 through 26. There will be no-fee adoptions for all non-black cats throughout the week. The shelter will just ask for a donation of bleach. For more information, call the shelter at 570-345-3540.
n Saint Clair: The third annual Rhoades Race 5K and Trick-or-Treat 1-Mile Fun Run and Walk will be held at 10 a.m. Sunday in the Saint Clair Industrial Park. The 5K course begins at the park, heads into Saint Clair and then back. The event is sponsored by The James J. and Mary Edith Rhoades Foundation. The fun run and walk will also begin at 10 a.m. with an out-and-back flat course open to all ages. Participants can trick-or-treat along the way and wear their "coolest costumes." All fun runners and walkers will receive a ribbon and be eligible for post- race random drawings. Medals will be given to first-, second- and third-place finishers, male and female, 13 or younger. The registration fee is $10, with each additional family member at $8. Children 3 and younger will be free. The entry fee for the 5K is $20 on race day. Awards will be as follows: First place, overall male and female, $75; second place, overall male and female, $50; third place, overall male and female, $25; first place masters (40 and over), male and female, $50. The William I. Messerschmidt Memorial Award will be given to the oldest runner. There will be overall open winners eligible for masters prize money. Handcrafted pottery created by potter Mary Byrne will be awarded to first-place winners in each age group. Second- and third-place finishers will receive medals. For more information or a registration form, go to www.rhoadesfoundation.com/RhoadesRace.html.
n Shenandoah: St. Michael Ukrainian Catholic Church, 114 S. Chestnut St., will hold a healing service at 3 p.m. Sunday. Cathy, Bill and Susan will present praise and worship music at 2:30 p.m. All are welcome. For more information, call 570-462-0809.
n Tamaqua: St. Jerome Regional Catholic Youth Organization is accepting registrations for the winter sports program, which includes basketball and cheerleading. The program is open to children attending St. Jerome Regional School or its religious education program. For more information, or to register, contact Jane Habel at 570-668-1211.
n Tamaqua: In an effort to educate parents and athletes about athletic scholarships and the college recruiting process, Mike Hromyak, Tamaqua Area School District athletic director, contracted Dynamite Sports to conduct an hour-long seminar titled "Guiding the College-Bound Athlete" at 7 p.m. Monday in the high school auditorium. In a press release, Hromyak said the seminar will help parents to become more knowledgeable and realistic about athletic scholarships and the recruiting process. He also said middle school families should attend to learn that "now is the time to prepare for playing sports in college." He said parents and athletes will learn how to find the right college and where to look for financial aid and scholarships.