Field to fork

Schuylkill County Master Gardeners will offer a free learning experience for county residents to learn more about how vegetables go from the fields to the dinner table.The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Aug. 22 at Hope Hill Lavender Farm, 2375 Panther Valley Road in Pottsville. Participants will learn about growing vegetables almost anywhere as well as growing varieties of lavender. bring your questions and the experts will provide answers.There will also be samples of fresh, locally grown produce.This free event will be held rain or shine.To learn more, go to

www.extension.psu.edu/schuylkill or

www.hopehilllavenderfarm.com.Soup socialMonthly soup socials are held at Trinity United Church of Christ, 22 Lafayette St. The next outreach social will be held from 4-6 p.m. this Saturday. The event is part of Trinity's monthly "Feeding the Hungry" program.The public is welcome to attend and share in the free soup, friendship and God's love. Those attending are reminded to use the lower parking lot entrance into Founder's Hall.Heisler's concertsHeisler's Dairy Bar in the Lewistown Valley is continuing its tradition of hosting "A Night in the Country Concert Series." Free concerts will be held on various weekend nights, featuring various artists.The next event will be a concert by "Jerry Heines," from 5-7 p.m. Sunday.Additional dates will be July 19, Ann Marie Calabrese from 5-9 p.m.; July 26, M&J Big Band from 3-5 p.m.; Aug. 2, Cressona Band from 3-5 p.m.; Aug. 8, KJ from 6-9 p.m.; Aug. 16, Ann Marie Calabrese from 5-9 p.m.; Aug. 22, the New Individuals from 7-9 p.m.No outside food or beverages are allowed but lawn chairs are encouraged.Also at Heisler's, the Tamaqua Street Machine Association will hold car cruises from 5-8 p.m. on July 18 and Aug. 15.Free lunchThe South Ward Playground Association is conducting a free summer lunch program for all local children up to and including the age of 18. Lunches are served weekdays from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the South Ward Playground.The program is an offshoot of the free school lunch program, with funding provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.The nondiscriminatory program is open to all children regardless of race, origin, religion, etc.In addition to a healthy lunch, participants will be offered a variety of summer activities.The playground is located between Penn and Race streets in Tamaqua's South Ward.St. Peter's UnionSunday worship services are held at 9 a.m. in St. Peter's Union Church in Mantzville. This Sunday's service will include a Joyous Noise Offering.Summer Sunday school classes meet at 10:15 a.m.Activities for next week include: Monday, softball games at 6:45 and 8 p.m. at the West Penn Grove; Tuesday, prayer group meets at 5 p.m.St. John LutheranThe Rev. William Thompson will officiate at the 9:15 a.m. worship service this Sunday in St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church.This Sunday is also the deadline for August Messenger items.