Schuylkill County's VISION

Summer Jams

Feel like jamming? Why not start out the summer season with this Saturday, May 26. Gates open at 5:00 pm at the Pottsville Lion's Club Ampitheater, Joulwan Park, Schuylkill Manor Road and East Norwegian Streets, Pottsville for the Summer Kick-Off concert. For just $5 a person and FREE for those under 12 this is a bargain that includes Bad Habit at 5:30 p.m., Sterling Koch at 7 p.m. and Red Halo at 8:30 p.m. All profits benefit the Fourth of July fireworks display.

A Night in the Country concert series at Heisler's, 743 Catawissa Road, Tamaqua begins on June 1 at 7 p.m. with "The New Individuals".

Welcoming the Weekend

OK, I'm getting a bit of a jump on the weekend but there's so much going on I want to give you plenty of time to find time in your schedule, get your tickets, and call your friends. And there's so much going on it's hard to decide what to do! Of course I want to do it all. When will they make a weekend with more hours in it?

Ready for a magical journey beneath the sea? Then head to the Sovereign Majestic which will be transformed to an underwater kingdom for Disney's The Little Mermaid Jr., based on the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale and Walt Disney film. You'll have three chances to witness the beautiful mermaid Ariel be transformed into a human and find true love with the help of the unlikely combo of her enchanting voice and the evil sea witch Ursula. Tickets are $15 or $12 for those 12 and under.

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Looking for a Doggone Good Time?

My two doggies spend most of the day sleeping so, by the time everyone arrives home around suppertime, they are ready and raring to go! Fun, fun fun! People! Dogs! Food! Smells! They are the original good time gals. If you and the canines in your life are searching for some fun too this must be Doggie Week because there is not one, but TWO events dedicated to dogs and dog owners.

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Finding Help

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), 18.1% of Americans over the age of 18 or approximately 40 million people suffer from anxiety. This can be a debilitating problem but doesn't need to be. There are many ways to take control of your anxiety and take control of your life.

This Thursday, Schuylkill Health will be hosting a presentation to help our friends and neighbors who are dealing with this issue in their life. The presenters will be Elmer Cupino, M.D. an adult, child and adolescent psychiatrist and Helene Creasy, LCSW the Program Director of Behavioral Health Services. The free presentation will happen at 6 p.m. at the Schuylkill Medical Center, South Jackson Street, Multi Purpose Room, Joseph F. McCloskey School of Nursing Building, Pottsville. You can register for the presentation by calling 570-621-5108.

Flower Days

My husband and  young son have know me for a combined 33 years. Despite these many years they are gift-challenged. Over the years they've chosen some...odd...gifts. But last year they miraculously hit the jackpot with the Schuylkill Technology Center Flower Sale, MarLin Campus. Basically they set me loose in the school parking lot and trailed behind me grabbing everything I "ooohed" over. And trust me, there was plenty of "ooohing".

This year's sale will be on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. -- in case no one mentioned it, that would be the day before Mother's Day! The sale will offer a wide variety of plants raised by the Technology Center landscaping students: annuals, perennials, hanging baskets, even shrubs. And the prices are SUPER affordable ranging from $1.25 for a four pack to $12 for a large flower pouch. I have three tips for you

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Spring Has Sprung

Need to get out and do something now that the beautiful weather has arrived? For the bargain basement price of $1 you can attend Photo Safari ar Sweet Arrow Lake County Park. Bob Evanchalk, the Parks and Recereation Supervisor -- and a great photographer -- will be leading the Photo Safari on Tuesday, May 14 at 6 p.m. Bring your digital camera download cable, and an empty card. This event is for teenagers and adults and will be held rain or shine. Register by calling 527-2505.

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Night at the Museum

My teenager does some pretty unusual things with her friends to entertain herself on the weekends and school vacations. Seems this weekend will be one of those times. On Saturday, May 11 she's going to be Civil War enactor at the Schuylkill County Historical Society.  My daughter is a hostory fanatic which most people at her high school know so it's no surprise that one of the teachers (who also is involved wth the Schuylkill County Historical Society) approached her.

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Spring Into Action

True, today is a bit rainy...at least in my backyard but yesterday was tremendous! and hopefully we'll be having lots more of those great days ahead. So it's time to get out and enjoy one of the things Schuylkill County is famous for (no, not the food) -- the Great Outdoors. Seems the folks at Hawk Mountain know that May will be a great month for returning to nature because they have a slate of events scheduled all through the month. Chances are you'll find something you and your family will enjoy.

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Circle of Understanding

This week my daughter's school had a visit from a Ukranian religious leader so they could learn a little about their faith through a religious service. From what I hear the students had quite a few questions about the different language and traditions that are a part of the Ukranian faith.  In our area, the Protestant, Catholic and Jewish religionsare the ones that most of us are familiar with. But the fact is, even though they may be less visible, there are many other religions that have a home in Schuylkill County. And. like the students this week, we adults have a chance to learn more about other religions.

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Run for a Cause

Today my daughter will be competing in a Track and Field event. It's the first time since the Boston Marathon bombing that she's running and  I suspect, like there have been in countless sporting events throughout the country, there will a moment of silence for the victims of the bombing. But a moment of silence isn't the only memorial of the people affected by this horrible event. The Run for Boston movement is sweeping across the nation, and indeed the world, as people lace up their sneakers and run -- showing those who want Americans to cower in fear that we are not those kind of people.

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