Garden hot line

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 entirely by volunteers and will be open, Mondays and Wednesdays, from April 1 through Sept. 27. Hours will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.The master gardeners program is also recruiting new volunteers. An informational meeting will be held April 16, at 7 p.m. at the Ag Center, 1202 Ag Center Drive, Pottsville. 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.The PSMG have an office at the Schuylkill County Cooperative Extension Office, 1202 Ag Center Drive, Pottsville, but are also available by phone, (570) 622-4225, or by email at

schuylkillmg@psu.edu.Sorority newsThe Preceptor Alpha Upsilon chapter of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority will meet at 7 p.m., March 13, at Basile's Italian Restaurant, Hometown. The meeting will include an election of officers.Mini ThonThe Tamaqua Area High School's Second Annual Mini Thon will be held from 2-10 p.m., this Saturday in the high school.Main events will include a co-ed basketball tournament pitting students against faculty members and special music by D.J. Brandon Fritz, Waking Up the Dead, Shane and Livi, Acoustic, Jake Kulick Acoustic and Toolshed Jack.There will also be a special appearance by "The Rebel Legion," a Star Wars re-enactment group.This event is being sponsored by Tamaqua's Student Government, World Language Club, Leadership Council and National Honor Society. Any proceeds will benefit Camp Can Do and pediatric cancer research.St. John UCCSunday worship services are held at 9:30 a.m. in St. John United Church of Christ. A time of food and fellowship will be held following the service. Sunday school for all ages is held at 11 a.m.Also, this Sunday is the deadline for ordering Easter lilies.Next week's joint Lenten service will be held at 7:30 p.m. at St. John UCC.The Rev. Jim Williams will officiate at the 10:45 a.m. church service this Sunday in Zion's Church, Lewistown Valley. Sunday school and the Confirmation class will meet at 9:30 a.m.The community Lenten service for March 13 will be held at 7:30 p.m. at Immanuel UCC in West Penn Township.An open house for the Valley Christian Preschool will be held from 6-8 p.m. on March 14. The preschool is located at 489 Valley Road in the Lewistown Valley, next to the church. For more information, call Carolyn at (570) 668-6038 or Nancy at 386-5027.St. Peter's UnionThe Rev. Cheryl Moore will officiate at the 9 a.m. worship service this Girl Scout Sunday in St. Peter's Union Church, Mantzville. The service will include a joyous noise offering.Also on Sunday, the Sunday school class will meet at 10:15 a.m., Confirmation class will meet at 11:30 a.m., Daisies, Brownies and Cub Scouts will meet at 6 p.m.Activities for next week include: Monday, food co-op meets at 9 a.m.; Wednesday, retirees meet at 10 a.m.; Thursday, prayer group meets at 4:45 p.m., worship and music committee meets at 6 p.m.The choirs rehearse on Thursdays. Next week's schedule will include: junior choir at 7 p.m.; senior choir at 7:30 p.m.SS. Peter and PaulNext week's Stations of the Cross in SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church will be held on Tuesday. Stations will be held at 7 p.m.This change is for next week only.