n Ashland: The revitalization group Ashland Downtown Inc. has everything finalized for its annual Old-Fashioned Christmas celebration set for 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday along Centre Street in the downtown business district. The event will include horse-drawn carriage rides, a live Nativity, a visit from Santa and other activities.
n Pine Grove: In cooperation with the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, the Pine Grove Area High School Guidance Department will host a free financial aid night for students and families from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 20 in the high school auditorium. Parents and students will learn what they need to do to apply for all types of financial aid, including completing the FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid - which is required to qualify for most student aid programs such as the Pennsylvania State Grant, Federal Pell Grant, institutional awards and low-cost federal student and parent loans. Participants will also be briefed on Pennsylvania-specific aid programs as well as the importance of searching out free money awards like scholarships to help pay for education costs.
n Pottsville: The Pottsville Lions Club will sponsor a free children's movie, "Beethoven's Christmas Adventure," at 7 p.m. Saturday in the Sovereign Majestic Theater, 209 N. Centre St. In addition to free admission, there will also be free popcorn. In the movie, one of Santa's elves flees the North Pole with a magical bag of toys, only to lose it. He enlists the help of everyone's favorite St. Bernard - Beethoven - to retrieve the bag from an evil toy store owner who finds it and wants to make a profit for himself. Everyone is welcome.
n Pottsville: Michael M. McCord, Schuylkill County register of wills and clerk of the orphans' court, recently released the following report for November: Estates processed, 63; marriage licenses issued, 44; adoptions completed, three; inheritance tax remitted to the commonwealth, $455,748; county fees collected, $17,309.50.
n Pottsville: The Pottsville Free Public Library recently acknowledged the following honor donation: For the 90th anniversary of the Kelly Line, from Lipkin, Marshall, Bohorad & Thornburg, PC.
n Schuylkill Haven: A concert by the Gabriel Chamber Ensemble titled "Gabriela Lena Frank: Cuartro Bosquiejos for Flute and Cello," will be held at 3 p.m. Feb. 26 at Jerusalem Lutheran Church, 252 Dock St. Guest artists will include Dana Weiderhold, violin, and Robin Kani, flute. For more information, call 570-943-2558 or go to the ensemble's website at www.gabrielensemble.org.
n Shenandoah: Prayer of the Divine Mercy Chaplet and recitation of the Rosary at 3 p.m. Fridays is an ongoing devotion by the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters and Associates in the Father Walter J. Ciszek Chapel, 231 N. Jardin St., adjacent to St. Casimir Roman Catholic Church. Everyone is welcome to participate.
n Shenandoah: A meeting to explore the possibility of a regional police setup will be held at 6 p.m. today in borough hall, Washington and Main streets. Shenandoah Mayor Michael J. Whitecavage received the borough council's OK to hold the meeting. Whitecavage said he has sent contacts about the idea to surrounding municipalities.
n Shenandoah: In action during the November meeting, the borough council approved its annual donation of $200 to the Greater Shenandoah Area Chamber of Commerce for the Christmas lighting program. The chamber will meet at 8 a.m. Wednesday at Ridgeview Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center, 200 Pennsylvania Ave.
n Tamaqua: The Tamaqua Historical Society Museum, 118 W. Broad St., is open to the public from 7 to 9 p.m. every Tuesday. People are welcome to browse the museum's collection of local historical artifacts and other items. To tour the museum at other times, appointments must be arranged. Volunteers are always needed to help with society projects and events. For more information, call 610-597-6722 or 570-668-5722 or email to tamaquahistoricalsociety@verizon.net.