n Barnesville: Naturalist Robin Tracey will lead a hike on the Oak Loop Trail at Locust Lake State Park on April 24. The four-mile trek is rated difficult, according to a park press release. The trail loops around Locust Creek and heads up the mountain for a view of the forest below. Part of the hike will include the Tree Identification Trail created by an Eagle Scout. The hike is dog friendly, but animals must be leashed and get along with other pets and people. Participants will meet at 9:30 a.m. at the visitor parking lot. Hikers should have water, bug spray and comfortable shoes. For more information, call Tracey at 570-467-2506. In the event of inclement weather, the hike will be canceled.
n Nuremberg: The Nuremberg Community Players Inc. will present "Café Murder" by Nathan Hartswick for two weekends at two locations. The comedy dinner theater murder mystery will be presented April 26 and 27 at Black Creek United Methodist Church, 158 Golf Course Road, Sugarloaf, and May 10 and 11 at Christ Lutheran Church, 467 Main St., Conyngham, both in Luzerne County. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and the shows will begin at 6:30 p.m. Dinner will be served during the performance. Reservations are required. Tickets are $20 each, which includes dinner and the show. For information or reservations, call 570-384-4407. The Nuremberg Community Players will also hold a breakfast fundraiser May 18 and 19. Supporters of the troupe are asked to go to the Bonanza steakhouse in Hazle Township, Luzerne County, from 8 to 11 a.m. on those days and buy from the regularly priced breakfast buffet. Bonanza will give a portion of the proceeds to the players.
n Orwigsburg: As part of the Schuylkill/Berks Handbell Festival, a concert is set for 7 p.m. Sunday in the Orwigsburg Veterans Memorial Building, Tamany and Washington streets, just off Route 443. Twelve handbell choirs from throughout Schuylkill and Berks counties will perform together and individually under the direction of Beverly Eiche Kriner, handbell director at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Orwigsburg, and handbell clinician for workshops, training events and festivals, according to a press release. The program will include a wide variety of musical styles and handbell techniques, familiar hymn tunes and original handbell compositions. Participating bell choirs include: Trinity Lutheran, Reading; Good Shepherd UCC, Tuckerton; Friedens Lutheran, Bernville; Allegheny Lutheran, Mohnton; First United Methodist, Pottsville; United Presbyterian, Pottsville; Holy Trinity Lutheran, Leesport; St. Mark's UCC, Cressona; Salem United Methodist, Orwigsburg, and St. Paul's Lutheran, Orwigsburg. The event is co-sponsored by St. Paul's Concert Series and the Reading Chapter of AGO. The concert is free and open to the public. Freewill offerings will be gratefully accepted.
n Pottsville: David Plevyak, director of blood services for the American Red Cross, recently addressed members of the Pottsville Kiwanis Club. The club's next evening meeting is slated for May 1, according to the club bulletin. New members will be inducted. The Kiwanis Golf Tournament is set for May 3. Prizes, sponsors, golfers and volunteers are needed. The information contact is Dr. Scott Fellows. Kiwanians also sold tickets for the All-Star Basketball game held at Penn State Schuylkill campus. The club bulletin was provided by Secretary Kelly Malone.
n Schuylkill Haven: The Men of St. Ambrose, a support group, will host the second annual parish yard sale from 7 a.m. to noon Saturday in the parish center, 302 Randel St. The event will include bargains on a wide variety of items, organizers said in a press release. People will also be able to buy food, beverages and baked goods during the event. Everyone is welcome.
n Shenandoah: Trinity Academy in the Father Walter J. Ciszek Education Center, Cherry and Chestnut streets, will stage Bring a Friend to School Day April 24. Families are welcome to arrange for a visit for children attending kindergarten through seventh grade. All guest students must be registered by April 22. Call the school at 570-462-3927 for a registration form or download one online at www.trinitymatters.com. Trinity is a preschool through eighth grade regional parochial school serving all of northern Schuylkill County. Children of all faiths are welcome. Guests will have a school-day experience with a "Trinity buddy" and also get a first-hand look at next year's grade level.