n Orwigsburg: The borough geared to kick off its bicentennial celebration on New Year's Eve, Dec. 31, at the Orwigsburg Community Memorial Building, Grove and Washington streets. The event, according to organizers, is for adults only and will feature musical entertainment by the Sterling Koch Band as well as food and refreshments. Tickets are $40 per person and $75 per couple and are available at Orwigsburg Borough Hall. "Orwigsburg is known for our ability to come together in celebration, and this event is a great way to kick off our year-long celebration," Jen Bowen, bicentennial committee chairwoman, said in the release. A special feature at the event will be a "red carpet screening" of a video that was produced to promote the borough and its bicentennial as well as the town's features for future businesses and residents. The video was spearheaded by Dave and Stacy Rubright, who are both members of the bicentennial committee. It will include interviews with past and present residents plus information on what Orwigsburg has to offer as a community. Other bicentennial events also are on tap throughout the year, including the annual Memorial Day parade May 27, Heritage Day Sept. 7 and the Festival of Lights Dec. 7. A dedication ceremony to officially commemorate the bicentennial is scheduled for April 13, during which members of Schuylkill Masonic Lodge 138 will unveil the work they completed on the original clock from the Schuylkill County Courthouse, which was first located in Orwigsburg. The bicentennial committee meets at 7 p.m. the fourth Wednesday of the month at the community historical society quarters, Mifflin Street. Everyone is welcome to attend. The committee's approach to the bicentennial events, according tot he release, is to "include the entire community." The group is encouraging local businesses, groups, organizations to plan and organize events throughout the year. The community's churches are working to organize an old-fashioned camp meeting for April and also have an event involving tours of all of the churches. A list of all of the bicentennial celebration activities and fundraising opportunities is available on the borough's website at www.orwigsburg2013.com. Anyone interested in contributing to the effor should call borough Manager Mike Lonergan at 570-366-3103.
n Pottsville: Due to a huge influx of cats and kittens, the Hillside SPCA will stage a Kitten Adopt-A-Thon throughout January. The usual adoption process will apply but there will be no adoption fee for qualified applicants. Hillside is open every day of the week, with feline adoption hours set for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, to online to www.hillsidespca.com or call either of the following phone numbers: 570-847-6845 or 570- 622-7769.
n Pottsville: Michelle G. McGinty, director of guidance at Pottsville Area High School, said in a release that the guidance department will conduct an informational scheduling session in the high school auditorium for eighth-grade students planning to attend the high school for the 2013-14 academic year. It is "extremely important," she said in the release, that Saint Clair Area and parochial students register with Pottsville Area before attending the meeting. For more information, contact the guidance department at 570-621-2915. Parents/students whose last names begin with A through L are assigned to the group session to be held at 7 p.m. Jan. 7. Parents/students whose last names begin with M through Z should attend the group session scheduled for 7 p.m. Jan. 8. All students and parents of Pottsville Area's D.H.H Lengel Middle School and Saint Clair Area must bring the course selection booklets they received in school.
n Shenandoah: Men's and women's prayer groups meet weekly at St. Michael Ukrainian Catholic Church, Chestnut and Oak streets. The men's group meets 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays and the women meet 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays. All are welcome. For more information, call 570-462-0809.