n Minersville: The 28th annual Minersville Area Food Drive is under way and will run through Feb. 28, Chairman Edward M. Butler said in a press release. The purpose, he said, is to "provide disadvantaged individuals of the Minersville area with food during the holidays season and into the new year." Donations of nonperishable items can be made by calling 570-544-2739. Monetary donations can be mailed to: Minersville Area Food Drive Committee, 529 Lytle St., Minersville, PA 17954. Food will be packaged and distributed Dec. 14 and volunteers are needed to help with the process, Butler said. Last year, more than 21,000 cans, packaged food and other nonperishable items including turkeys and other meats were collected and distributed at Christmastime, he added. "All this was made possible because of the generosity and caring of individuals in the Minersville area," Butler said in the release. For more information about the drive, call Butler at the aforementioned phone number.
n Mar Lin: Parents who have children 13 to 21 with disabilities and who want more information about the transition process and transition section of an IEP - Individualized Education Plan - should attend one of three sessions scheduled by Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29, according to Ashley N. Felker, educational consultant. Each session is for 6 to 7 p.m. as follows: Jan. 14, Pine Grove Area High School, and March 18, Tamaqua Area Middle School. To register, contact Felker at 570-544-9131, ext. 1258 or email to felka@iu29.org.
n Nuremberg: The Black Creek Township Recreation Committee is selling Sheetz coupon books. The cost is $10 and the value of the book is $25. For more information, call Lori Webster at 570-384-3674.
n Pottsville: The Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce has announced that the Schuylkill Leadership Class of 2013 is forming, with the first class to be held Jan. 22. Schuylkill Leadership is a program designed and sponsored by the chamber, in cooperation with the Schuylkill Leadership Association, "to ensure that new, able, resourceful and vigorous leadership will be continuously added to our community to understand the problems and opportunities we face in deciding the future of Schuylkill County," according to a chamber release. For more information on the Schuylkill Leadership Class of 2013 contact Becky Wagner at 570-622-1942 or, toll-free, at 800-755-1942 or email rwagner@schuylkillchamber.com. The 2013 class dates are as follows: Jan. 22, Feb. 5, Feb. 19, March 5, March 19, April 2, April 16, April 30, May 14 and May 28.
n Tamaqua: Volunteers dressed up the South Ward Playground in holiday attire for the Dec. 16 arrival of Santa, who distributed gifts to children. Four bicycles were given away during the event. Youngsters also enjoyed refreshments and a variety of activities. However, the playground is now locked and playground officers said they hope the public will understand the need to close the gates especially in light of the vandalism that occurred to last year's Christmas decorations.
n Tamaqua: One hundred members attended the Dec. 6 meeting of the Tamaqua Senior Citizens held in the Tamaqua Community Center. President Jean Machamer conducted the business session, after which the group held its Christmas party, catered by Christy Joy, Pottsville. The festivities concluded with card playing and social games. The group meets at 1 p.m. every Thursday at the center, which is accessible to the handicapped. Anyone 55 or older is welcome to join.
n Tamaqua: The art exhibit by local students at the Tamaqua Community Arts Center, 125 Pine St., will continue through Thursday. A public reception was held Dec. 13. For more information about the center call, 570-668-1192 or email leona@tacp.org. All current offerings at the center are listed online at www.tamaquaarts.org.