n Ringtown: The Pennsylvania Department of the American Legion completed its annual Christmas Tour on Dec. 13, covering more than 1,300 miles over a seven-day period. Ringtown resident Joseh Cocco Jr. is the commander of the department, which has been doing the holiday tour for more than 30 years. This year's tour, according to a release, visited the following 15 veterans homes and hospitals throughout the state: Southwest State Veterans Home, Pittsburgh; Oakland Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center, Pittsburgh; H.J. Heinz III Progressive Care Center, Pittsburgh; Butler VA Medical Center, Butler; Pennsylvania Soldiers & Sailors Home, Erie; Erie VA Medical Center, Erie: Hollidaysburg State Veterans Home, Hollidaysburg; Altoona VA Medical Center, Altoona; Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center, Wilkes-Barre; Gino Merli State Veterans Home, Scranton; Lebanon VA Medical Center, Lebanon; Philadelphia VA Medical Center, Delaware Valley Veterans Home, Philadelphia; Southeastern Veterans Center, Spring City, and Coatesville VA Medical Center, Coatesville. "At each location, the Legion party visits each resident, wishes them a very Merry Christmas, and presents them with a book worth $10 to be used at their individual canteens," Cocco said in the release, adding, "We visit over 3,600 patients on our tour." According to Cocco, this was the first tour for which all of the state Legion leaders were on hand. Participants included John Metzger, commander, Sons of the American Legion; Jon Hosfield, state president, American Legion Riders; Barbara Lysic, department president, American Legion Auxiliary, and "Sammy Claus," who is past national vice commander and past state commander, James Hales Jr.
n Shenandoah: The mission of the 8th annual World Hypnotism Day today is to remove myths and misconceptions surrounding hypnotism while promoting its benefits on a worldwide scale, according to a press release regarding a scheduled appearance by a board certified hypnotist during a meeting of Schuylkill Women in Business set for 11:45 a.m. Jan. 23 at Francesco's Restaurant, 10 N. Main St. Deborah Miller, Schuylkill Haven area, the certified hypnotist, said in the release hypnotism is "a gentle, effective, side effect-free method of removing emotional blockages and fears, alleviating pain, adapting to life changes, losing weight and breaking unwanted habits. For positive and healthful personal changes hypnotism has been found to provide quick, gentle, lasting solutions." According to the National Institute of Health, more than 3,000 clinical studies have proven the positive effects of hypnotism, which was approved as effective by the American Medical Association as well as the American Psychological Association in 1958, it is stated in the release. A common misconception is that hypnotism can lead people to do or say something they would not ordinarily do or say. This is untrue, according to the release, because all hypnosis is self-hypnosis with the hypnotist serving as a guide. Changes achieved through hypnotism are those people actually desire on all levels. For instance, if your spouse wants you to quit smoking but you really do not, hypnosis will have no effect on your smoking habit, according to the release. Miller is also scheduled to present a two-part workshop titled "Self-Hypnosis" on March 16 and April 6 for Diakon Living and Learning in conjunction with Diakon's spring course offerings. More information on World Hypnosis Day is available at www.worldhypnotismday.com. For more information on Miller and her practice, visit www.HypnosisCanHelp.Me.
n Tamaqua: The 2012-13 college financial aid form will be reviewed and general financial aid questions will be answered during a financial aid night set for 6 p.m. Jan. 8 in the Tamaqua Area Auditorium, according to Frank K. Dickman, Tamaqua Area High School guidance counselor. Juniors and seniors planning to attend some form of post-secondary institution are encouraged to attend. Advance registration is not required, Dickman said in a release. For more information, email Dickman at fdickman@tamaqua.k12.pa.us.