n Frackville: St. Michael Ukrainian Catholic Church will sponsor a two-session workshop on pysanky, the Ukrainian folk art of decorating Easter eggs. The sessions will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. March 18 and 19 in the parish social hall, West Oak Street. Participants must be at least 12 years old. The workshop registration fee is $20 per person, which includes the two sessions, writing instruments, dyes, candle and eggs. The workshop will be limited to 25 participants in order to provide maximum individual instruction, according to a release. To register or for more information phone 570-874-3777.
n Girardville: In action during its February meeting, the borough council approved the following appointments: Marie Finlan to the Girardville Area Municipal Authority (other members are Chairman Thomas Yesalavage, Ed Burns, Annetta Whitecavage and George Misunas); Councilman Joseph Quinn as the chief administrative officer for the pension plan; Councilman Joseph Chiaretti as the borough's open records officer; John Borchick as part-time police officer at $13 per hour. The council also approved the purchase of 22 tons of road salt for the 2012-13 winter season. Members also said the municipal building and the drop-off recycling area are under security camera surveillance. The cameras activate when there is movement in a surveyed area and the video is recorded, which will be helpful for investigating acts of vandalism or illegal dumping of trash at the recycling center. The cameras were donated to the borough by Henry Wayne and the Girardville Crime Watch.
n Pottsville: Jim Clark, vice president of commercial insurance with the Higgins insurance firm, recently addressed the Pottsville Rotary Club, focusing on a tour of his favorite presidential places. Clark lined the meeting site dining room with poster boards full of pictures from various presidential birthplaces and residences, according to the Rotary Bulletin. He also had a display of pins, brochures and books related to presidents and some of their campaigns. Clark credited his granddaughter, Molly, with prompting him to start collection of all things presidential by organizing some photos he had onto poster boards many years ago. His presentation included his five favorite "Wow" places: 1 - Mount Vernon, Va., where his recommendation was to take the 45-minute boat ride and see the animated film on George Washington in the Reynolds theatre; 2 - Monticello, Va., home of Thomas Jefferson, where he recommended taking a camera and get to the west side to see the reflections; 3 - The Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., where he recommended starting at the Washington Monument, walking through the World War II Memorial and along the Reflecting Pool to the memorial and taking photos of the monument in the Reflecting Pool; 4 - The John F. Kennedy gravesite at Arlington Cemetery, which he described as a must visit for everyone; 5 - the White House, which is worth the wait and various checkpoints you now need to pass through for entry.
n Shenandoah: The revitalization group Downtown Shenandoah Inc. will hold a homemade soup and international hot dogs sale beginning at 10 a.m. today at its headquarters, 116 N. Main St. Soups varieties include New England clam chowder, chicken noodle, split pea, kielbasi, Mulligatawny, pasta fagiole and chili. The cost is $2.50 per pint and $5 per quart. Everyone is welcome. Proceeds will benefit DSI's revitalization effort. For more information, call 570-462-2060.
n Shenandoah: The Greater Shenandoah Area Chamber of Commerce is exploring the possibility of creating a regional holiday attraction by lighting up Girard Park. "We spoke about starting to have businesses or organizations sponsor a tree in the park and make our park light up," chamber Secretary Betty Ann Bugden said in her meeting account. A chamber committee will meet with the Shenandoah Heritage Day organizers to determine if businesses or organizations would consider sponsoring a tree at the park. "It would require lights for the tree and a sign," Bugden said. "Other decorations will be considered at the approval of the committee." With a Girard Park light-up, "Hopefully, in the future, we can make a big event and have people driving from all over the county to see our lights and our park (and) maybe have music and serve hot chocolate," she said in characterizing the chamber discussion. The public is asked to provide ideas for the initiative. People with ideas or groups interesting in sponsoring a tree should contact Bugden at 570-462-0811 or via email at hairlady@shenhgts.net.