n Drehersville: Hawk Mountain Sanctuary's two-day native-plant sale is set for Saturday and Sunday. According to a sanctuary press release, people will be able to browse and choose from more than 200 species of native plants, flowers, ferns, vines, ground covers, shrubs and trees. Free gardening talks will be held both days. All proceeds will benefit Hawk Mountain conservation programs. Free gardening talks will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday with "Butterflies and the Native Plants They Use" by Karl Gardener and, at 1 p.m., "Pollination by Native Bees and Other Insects" by Mike Slater. On 11 a.m. Sunday, Frank Fluchinsky will present "Native Plants for Your Garden" followed at 1 p.m. by Susan Munch, who will host "Native Ferns in the Landscape." At 3 p.m., Jason Deeter will present "Knowing Pennsylvania Trees." There will also be live raptor programs at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. both days. Everyone is welcome. For more information, call 610-756-6961 or email info@hawkmountain.org or go to the sanctuary's website at www.hawkmountain.org.
n Gordon: The Friends of Gordon group will sponsor an Americana house decorating contest and is calling upon borough residents to decorate their homes in Americana style to celebrate Memorial Day. In a calendar release, Angela Kempsey said prizes will be awarded. For more information, email Kempsey at akempsey@northschuylkill.net or call 570-875-1049. The Friends will also sponsor a Memorial Day parade beginning at 10 a.m. May 28 starting from the local firehouse, Otto Street. Children can decorate bikes, scooters and wagons or walk in the parade in Americana-related costumes. No motorized vehicles will be in the parade. Prizes will be awarded by the Friends. In yet another event, the Friends will sponsor a townwide yard sale from 8 a.m. to noon June 2 at Simpson United Methodist Church, Biddle Street. Yard sale shoppers can stop by the Friends' tent to get a reusable shopping tote they can use to carry their purchases for the day.
n Minersville: St. Nicholas School is taking registrations for the 2012-13 school year for pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. For information or to arrange a visit, call the school office at 570-544-2800. Pre-kindergarten, for children ages 3-4, offers full- and half-day programs. Before and after-school care also is available.
n Pottsville: Schuylkill County Sheriff Joe Groody announced that the sheriff's office will be open from 4:40 to 8:30 p.m. today and Sept. 13 and 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 18 and Oct. 13, at the Schuylkill County Courthouse. They also have normal Monday through Friday hours from 8:30 to 4:30 p.m. On the Thursday/Saturday application days for the office to accept applications for licenses to carry firearms for renewal or new applicants. The fee for the license is $20, payable by check or money order. Cash will not be accepted on the special Thursday/Monday extended hours. When paying with check or money order, make them payable to: Schuylkill County Treasurer. Cash will be accepted during normal office hours.
n Shenandoah: Advance tickets for a Longaberger Basket Bingo, to be held Sunday at Columbia Hose Company, 742 W. Centre St., are available. Doors will open at 12:30 p.m. and bingo will begin at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20, which buffet and desserts. Proceeds will benefit the William Penn Fire Company. There will be a special basket drawing for advance ticket holders. For information and tickets, call Lisa at 570-462-2242.
n Tamaqua: Gene Morrison, with his family and friends - The Morrison Group - will host a concert and musical tribute to Rita Morrison, matriarch of the Morrison Family, who died of breast cancer last year. The tribute, titled "A Song for Rita," will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday at Trinity United Church of Christ, 22 Lafayette St. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12 and will be available at the door. All proceeds will benefit the services of Hospice of Central Pennsylvania. The family, according to a release, is dedicated to raising money for the hospice and to foster awareness of the need for a hospice house in the region. For more about the hospice, call 570-628-2290.