n New Philadelphia: The Schuylkill Valley Food Pantry is located at the Good Intent Fire Company, 15 McComb St. Distribution is 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. the third Wednesday of odd months. The site contact is Rip Rowan, 570-277-6326. The food pantry services New Philadelphia and Middleport boroughs and Blythe Township.
n Pottsville: The Pottsville Free Public Library, 215 W. Market St., will sponsor free laptime from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays through April beginning today. There will be free play, a read, sing and simple craft. The event is for children 17 months to 3 years. People are asked to register at the library.
n Ringtown: The Ringtown Area Library recently acknowledged the following memorial and honorary contributions: For all veterans from Disabled American Veterans Chapter 31; for Nancy Blackwell from Gene and Clare Zimmerman; for Elizabeth “Betty” Davis from Lenny and Tanya Savitsky; for family from Duane C. Daley; for Joseph Faust from Laura Faust, Ashley and Cassandra Teter; for Stella Gurecki from Kay Faust and family; for Shirley Hart from brothers and sisters; for John “Jack” Hinderliter from brothers and sisters; for Bernard Hughes from Gene and Clare Zimmerman, Jim and Jody Wasser, Joann Zogfrom, Lenny and Tanya Savitsky; for Richard K. Lutz from Jim and Jody Wasser; for Joseph and Betty Suszko from Lynette Crawford. The library also acknowledged the following honor donations: For Kathryn Fetterman from Lois Faust; for the library staff Tanya, Heather, Beverly and Marian from Mary Frizzell.
n Ringtown: The Ringtown Area Library is accepting donations of good-condition, gently-used books, DVD movies, jigsaw puzzles, board games and select magazines for the Friends of the Library’s annual used book sale to be held April 2 and 3 at the Schuylkill Mall, Frackville. Magazines are limited to women’s interest, hobby, outdoors, cooking, gardening and similar fare — no National Geographic magazines and no magazines more than three years old. Also, textbooks or encyclopedias will not be accepted. Donations can be dropped off at the library, 132 W. Main St., during library hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays, noon to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays.
n Schuylkill Haven: The Forest Committee of Schuylkill County will host “Woods in Your Backyard” from 8 a.m. to noon Feb. 20 in the Health and Wellness Center at Penn State Schuylkill campus. The cost is $15 per person and $25 per couple. It is for people who own property of about 10 acres and would like to take a step toward remediation and enhancement, according to a release. Participants will receive a manual and speakers will focus on landscape planning for recreation and wildlife, using native plants to enhance property, attracting pollinators and managing water runoff. For more information, call 570-385-1750.
n Schuylkill Haven: The Schuylkill Haven Area School District is conducting its annual kindergarten screening for students who will be 5 years old on or before Sept. 1. Parents and guardians are asked to call the elementary center at 570-385-6731 between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily to register a child for the screening process, which will be held March 14 to 18. All children must be registered before they can be screened, according to a district press release.
n Tamaqua: A first-time home buyer event is set for 1:30 to 4 p.m. Feb. 27 at the Tamaqua Community Art Center, 125 Pine St. The focus will be learning where to start, the realtor’s role, financial aspects, types of home sales, house hunting tips, making a plan, making an offer, closing the deal and other aspects. Matthew Himmelreich of Mortgage America will be the guest presenter. To register or for more information call 570-668-1192.