n Ashland: The Ashland Flag Committee is having a fundraising campaign to replace flags that are worn beyond repair. People can buy new flags in memory of or honor of a loved one. Donations can be of any amount and will be greatly appreciated, according to a committee press release. The flags are displayed for patriotic events throughout the year. For more information, contact Jim Gruber, 912 Centre St., Ashland, PA 17921 or call him at 570-875-2805.
n Hometown: The student council and development office at Marian High School will host the ninth annual Easter egg hunt beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday on the high school grounds. Children through age 8 are welcome to participate. Gift bags will be distributed to all youngsters and prizes will be given to some lucky participants, according to a Marian press release. For more information, contact Susie Gerhard in the development office at 570-467-0641. The hunt will be held rain or shine.
n Kulpmont: The St. Mother Pauline Healing Heart of Jesus Auxiliary will meet at 7 p.m. April 8 at the center, 1150 Chestnut St.
n Mar Lin: Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29's Preschool Early Intervention Program will offer free speech, language and developmental skills screening for county preschool children ages 3 to 5 who are not eligible to attend kindergarten in the 2013-14 school year. Parents interested in having their child tested should contact the IU preschool office at 570-544-9131, ext. 1222 or 1298. Screenings, according to an IU press release, will be held at the following sites and days: Blue Mountain, Blue Mountain East, April 15; Mahanoy Area, education complex, April 10; Minersville Area, IU 29 Maple Avenue Campus, April 9; North Schuylkill, elementary school, April 4; Pine Grove Area, elementary school, April 5; Pottsville Area, John S. Clarke Elementary, April 4; Saint Clair Area, elementary school, April 5; Schuylkill Haven Area, elementary school, April 4; Shenandoah Valley, elementary school, April 9; Tamaqua Area, Tamaqua Elementary, April 5; Tri-Valley, Hegins-Hubley Elementary, April 5; Williams Valley, elementary school, April 15.
n New Ringgold: Horses & Horizons Therapeutic Learning Center Inc. is looking for volunteers to help with its program of therapeutic horseback riding for children and adults with special needs. The center, which offers riding lessons on Monday and Wednesday evenings May through October, is located 10 miles south of Tamaqua, near Route 309. There is a required volunteer training session from 1 to 5 p.m. April 7 at the center. Anyone who wishes to volunteer to help with the riding lessons must attend the hands-on training. To become a volunteer or for more information, call Janie Miller at 570-386-4280 (or email wintsprg@ptd.net) or Elaine Smith at 570-386-5679 (elshhtlc@ptd.net).
n Pottsville: The Penn State Master Gardeners of Schuylkill County have established a Horticulture Hotline for county residents with questions about their lawns, landscapes and gardens. The hot line is staffed by volunteers and will be open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays April 1 through Sept. 27. The master gardeners program is also recruiting new volunteers. An informational meeting will be held at 7 p.m. April 16 at the Ag Center, 1202 Ag Center Drive. Potential volunteers will meet with current master gardeners who will explain volunteer duties, expectations and responsibilities. New volunteers will be required to attend instructional classes, which will begin in August. For more information, call 570-622-4225 or by email at schuylkillmg@psu.edu.
n Shenandoah: A remembrance vigil is planned for 8 p.m. today for a woman and three children who lost their lives during a tragic house fire on March 27, 2012, on East Coal Street. They were Tiffany Matejick-Sanchez, 28; Christian Sanchez, 10; Damian Lopez, 10, and Aziah Hernandez, a 7-month-old baby. The vigil will be held in front of the razed home at 117 E. Coal St. Organizers ask that people bring their own candles. The vigil will be held regardless of weather conditions.
n Shenandoah: The borough hall, Washington and Main streets, will be closed Friday. Thursday's garbage will be picked up today. There will be no recycling today. Friday's garbage will be picked up Thursday and there will be no garbage collection Friday, according to a release from borough Manager Joseph L. Palubinsky. Recycling will resume April 3. For more information, call borough hall at 570-462-1918.