RecurringCenterport Lions Club: Jamming Sessions will be held every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month. Music starts at 5:30 p.m. All musicians welcome.
Senior Citizens Club of Hamburg: The Hamburg Seniors meet at 2 p.m. the second and fourth Wednesday of each month in the Hamburg Area Middle School cafeteria. If school is canceled on the meeting day because of bad weather, the meeting is canceled.
Hamburg Public Library Story Time: The Hamburg Public Library has story time on Wednesday and Friday mornings at 11 a.m. for ages 18 months through 3 years old, preschoolers and home schooled early elementary. The schedule is available on the library’s website at www.berks.lib.pa.us/hamburgpl.
Hamburg Public Library Board Meetings: Library board meetings are held the second Tuesdays except July. Public encouraged to attend.
Chestnut Knoll Assisted Living: 120 W. Fifth Street, Boyertown, hosts a monthly family support group for those who are coping with Alzheimer’s disease. It is affiliated with the Alzheimer’s Association and is held on the third Thursday of each month at 6 p.m.
Bethany United Methodist Church Young Children’s Choir: Ages 2-6 practicing 1st 3 Wednesday each month at 6:30 p.m. Singing at 10:15 Worship Service. Sunday after 3rd practice each month. Call Mary Sabas at 570-593-8744 or leave a message at 610-562-2861 for more information. Located at 321 Island Street, Hamburg.
Shoemakersville Fire Company Line Dancing: Come out to the Banquet Hall on the second Friday of each month. There will be a DJ playing the best country music and a Cash Bar will also be available. From 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Must be 21 to enter.
Play Competitive Scrabble: Every Tuesday evening from 6 to 10 p.m. at Dunkin’ Donuts, 1618 Mountain Road, Hamburg. Take the next step from the living room to the tournament scene! Free event. For more information call Patrick at 484-665-2303. Please RSVP so we know how much space is needed. Hamburg Scrabble Club can now be found online at http://x2t.com/315285.
Schuylkill Valley Library: Wednesdays 9:30 a.m. StoryRiders Preschool Storytime. Stories, songs, giggles, and games! Ages 0-5.
Fridays 10 a.m. Storytime with Miss Kelly. Stories, crafts, and more! At Schuylkill Valley Community Library, 1310 Washington Rd., Leesport. 610-926-1555. www.berks.lib.pa.us/ssv.
Food Bank: We Agape You, Inc. holds a food bank the last Thursday of every month. The food pantry is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is located at Bern UCC at 3196 Bernville Rd. Leesport. All are welcome to stop in and obtain free grocery items. For more information please visit www.weagapeyou.org.
April 1 through May 15Spring Migration Watch: Welcome returning raptors, daily, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary North Lookout. Join the official counter at North Lookout to watch for returning raptor migrants and other birds. Staff, trainees and volunteers will be on hand to help you spot and identify what you see so it’s a great time to learn more about the migration and in-flight ID tips. Peak is April 15-22. Trail fee applies.
April 3Salamander Search: From 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Irma Broun-Kahn Education Building. Outdoor flashlight walk around nearby Schaumboch’s Pond. Limited to 20 participants and fills fast. Registration required: 610-756-6961. There is a cost. What’s the difference between a salamander and a newt? What are the most common species found on the forest floor? Join us to learn these answers and more during a fun and informative evening focused on salamanders of the Pennsylvania woods. Begin indoors with a brief natural history discussion, then head outside for a flashlight survey of species found in and around the Education Building.
Country and Couples Line Dancing: Doors open at 6:30 p.m., dance 7:30 -10:30 p.m. at the Shartlesville Grange, N. 4th St., Shartlesville. There is a cost. Benefits Shartlesville Lions Club outreach programs. For more information call 610-488-1984.
April 3 & 4Easter Flower Sale: Sponsored by the Leesport Area Historical Society and Boy Scout Troop #160. From 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. both days. At Corner of Rt. 61 North and Apple Street, Leesport.
April 4Breakfast with the Easter Bunny: At the Shoemakersville Fire Company. 300 Church Ave. Shoemakersville. Folk Fotos will be taking photos of kids with the Easter Bunny for a small price. From 7:30 a.m.- 10:30 a.m.
Raptor Egg Hunt: Who doesn’t love a good egg hunt before Easter? Children ages 3-12 can enjoy a non-traditional and non-competitive RAPTOR Egg Hunt as they hunt for wooden raptor eggs hidden in the forest. Children do not require a large basket as they only search for a small number of very specific eggs that are returned, and then everyone receives a take-home prize. Located in the Outdoor Amphitheater at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary. 11 a.m. prompt start. There is a cost. Registration required: 610-756-6961. Limited to first 50 who register. Please be aware that rain will cancel the event.
Easter Egg Hunt: The Shartlesville Lions Club will host its annual Easter Egg Hunt at the Shartlesville Playground at 2 p.m. It is for ages Infant to 5th grade. The Easter Bunny will be there.
Invasive Species Walk: From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Monument Parking Lot, Kernsville Dam Recreation Area. Join Richard Gardner in an informative walk along the trails while talking about how to identify and remove some of the common invaders of our trails and woodlands which are present in early spring. Plants of interest will include Tree-of-Heaven, garlic mustard, Japanese barberry, oriental bittersweet, Autumn olive, Winged Euonymus, Japanese honeysuckle, bush honeysuckles, multiflora rose, wineberry, vinca and others. If time permits Richard will talk about the research projects he plans for this summer and how members of BMW can participate.
April 7Poetry Reading/Open Mic: At Schuylkill Valley Community Library at 6 p.m. Berks Bards will be here to facilitate this program, providing a poet to begin the reading. Then the floor will be turned over to anyone who wishes to read a poem. The poem may be original or may be published poetry. Any style is welcome from traditional to rap.
April 8Wee One’s Walk: At Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Visitor Center from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Connecting kids with nature. There is a cost for non-members. Designed for children ages 3 to 5, this program is a great way to get young people interested in spending more time outdoors. The group will join an educator for a children’s story and nature activity followed by a short outdoor hike and culminating craft. Each month’s Wee One’s Walk will have a new theme linked to seasonal changes the kids can see and experience. Children should dress for weather, and registration is required by calling 610-756-6961. Limited to 15 participants. Additional Wee One’s Walks are scheduled for: Wednesday, May 6, Wednesday, June 3, Wednesday, Aug. 5, Wednesday, Sept. 2. Consider signing up for several walks at one time.
April 9Hamburg Area Historical Society: Because of Easter holidays, The Hamburg Area Historical Society will meet at 7 pm on the Second Thursday at the Hamburg Area High School LGI room. Wear your Top Hat, Easter Bonnet, and a Smile to our April meeting. Lisa High is presenting a program called “HATS,” describing several decades of hat fashion. It is for men too! Bring a hat(s) or just enjoy the discussion. We will not meet if the school is closed because of weather conditions.
April 10Wine Walk: In Downtown Hamburg, from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Gather your friends for an evening of wine tastings! Enjoy wine samples, refreshments, door prizes, and shopping. This self-guided walking tour starts at the Art and Craft Gallery of Hamburg, 335 State Street, where you will pick up your tour map. There is a cost for tickets available in advance and the day of the event. Purchase tickets at Our Town Foundation by calling 610-562-3106.
April 10 and 11Schuylkill Valley Community Library Used Book Sale: Friday, April 10 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. and Saturday, April 11 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Fill a bag for $5 Saturday only, 1310 Washington Road, Leesport 610-926-1555 www.berks.lib.pa.us/svcl.
April 12Strausstown Fire Company’s Breakfast: at the Strausstown Fire Company’s Community Campus, 50 East Avenue, Strausstown; 8:a.m. to 12:noon; full breakfast menu; proceeds benefit the Apparatus Fund.
April 18Hamburg Grange: Meeting at 4 p.m., Donna Reber on National Deaf History Month.
Frystown Lions: Club welcomes 1VDG Ken Snyder, at dinner meeting, 7 p.m., Esther’s Diner. Topic: Leader Dogs & Canines for Life. Guests welcome at own expense. FMI -Lion Zerbe at 717-933-4801.
Hamburg Area High School Mini-THON: Hamburg Area High School’s first annual Mini-THON to raise money and awareness for pediatric cancer. At the high school from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Appalachian Wildlife: Presented by Pocono Wildlife at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Outdoor Amphitheater. From 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Free for members, trail fee applies for non-members. Celebrate spring and an early Earth Day with this very special presentation of live mammals of the Appalachians, such as the opposum, skunk, porcupine, flying squirrel, and more. Specific species to be determined by Pocono Wildlife, but we know this is sure to be a “wild” hour of native mammals. This program replaces the 11 AM Raptors Up Close. Program moved inside the Visitor Center in the event of rain.
New Moon Owl Prowl: Join volunteer Dave Kruel and Education staff. Meet at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary. There is a cost. Registrations required: 610-756-6961. From 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Learn more about owls of the winter woods during this kid-friendly program that begins indoors with a live owl program followed by time outside to call and listen for screech, barred, and great-horned owls. Flashlights and headlamps with red light are welcome, but not necessary. Includes no trail hiking, but does require walking on gravel in and around the Visitor Center area.
Earth Day Clean-Up: From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Monument Parking Lot, Kernsville Dam Recreation Area. Join Blue Mountain Wildlife in some spring cleaning. Help us get the Kerny cleaned up for summer. Clean-Up Central opens at 8 a.m. with hot coffee, pastries, and all the things needed for a good clean-up – gloves, vests, bags, trash-grabbing tools and a list of areas looking for a good cleaning. Dress appropriately for the weather. Some areas may be wet and muddy, so boots may be a good idea. BMW will be placing “Trash Easter Eggs” out – collect the “Eggs” for free BMW gear – hats, patches or T-shirts! Come out alone, with the family or with friends and help get the Kerny cleaned up. Work projects will also be available for groups wanting to do more that collect trash. Once again, BMW will be teaming up with Tilden EAC and the Monument Parking Lot will also be HQ for the Tilden Township Clean-Up. Earth Day 2015 T-Shirts will be available. Contact BMW at info@BlueMountainWildlife.com with questions or requests.
Electronics Recycling: Will be available between 9 a.m. and 12 noon at Monument Parking Lot, Kernsville Dam Recreation Area. Fees of between $5 and $30 will be charged for the following items: computers, monitors, laptops, keyboards, modems, printers, copiers, microwaves, stereos, TVs, VCRs, telephones, answering machines, flourescent bulbs, refridgerators, washers and dryers, floor freezers, air conditioners, dehumidifiers and tube TVs. Call 610-562-7410 for more information.
April 19Hamburg Grange: Pomona Grange Go To Church Sunday at St. Michael’s Church at 10:15 a.m.
Perry PTO Coach/Vera Bradley Bingo and Raffle: At Hamburg Field House. Tickets for Bingo are sold out, those with tickets may purchase upgrades and jackpots. There will also be two 50/50 and more than 100 raffle items. The public or those who without Bingo tickets are welcome to come in from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. to take a chance on the raffles. Food and drink will be available for purchase along with baked goods. Sponsored by Perry Elementary PTO and benefits Perry Elementary Center students.
Polka Spring Fling with Polka Country Musicians: At St. Mary Church, 94 Walnut Road, Hamburg. Music 1- 5 p.m.; Doors and kitchen open at 12 p.m. Ticket includes hot buffet with ethnic foods. Contact the parish office at 610-562-7657, www.rc.net/allentown/stmaryhamb.
April 21Hamburg Lions Blood Drive: From 2 to 8 p.m.
April 25Keep Hamburg Beautiful: A Community Wide Clean Up Effort. Meet at 9 a.m. at the Primrose Alley Tot Lot. Help us to clean sweep the neighborhood! Lunch will be provided to all volunteers at the post-cleanup cookout, thanks to our event sponsors. Please call 610-562-3106 or email otfassistant2@verizon.net to say you’ll come!
Teen Trail Day: At Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Visitor Center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. FREE, but Registration is Required: 610-756-6961. For Ages 13-17. Limited to teens only, no chaperones, please. Leaders: Todd Bauman and Ryan Beltz. Spend a day working with a team to improve the Hawk Mountain trail system and learn more about community service in the outdoors. Participants should be self-motived and call to reserve their attendance. Dress for weather, wear sturdy shoes, and carry a daypack with water and a bag lunch.
Learn Your Trees Walk: At Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Visitor Center from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Members FREE. Trail fee for non-Members. Sign up day of event or by calling 610-756-6961. Limited to first 15 who sign up. Relaxing and informative walk with botanist and educator Dr. Chris Sacchi of Kutztown University is a great way to learn more about native trees of Pennsylvania. Chris will show how you can identify trees by their bark, leaves, seeds and flowers on this guided walked through the Native Plant Garden and nearby trails. Dress for weather, wear sturdy shoes, and carry a daypack with water and snacks.
Demolition Derby: At Mountain Springs Outdoor Arena from 7 to 10 p.m. Big cars, small cars and trucks. Youth Class or 80s and newer class. Food and concession area, covered seating, free parking. Gates open two hours prior to event. There is a cost for tickets only sold at the gate. Mountain Springs Outdoor Arena is located at I-78, Exit 23, Shartlesville.
Bartram Breeze: at 9 a.m. at Kernvsville Dam Recreation Area. First of the 2015 Blue Mountain Wildlife Trail Race Series. 10K, 5K or 2K trail races. Event I of III. For more information contact Gregg Adams (610) 562-1428 or e-mail info@bluemountainwildlife.com. The 10K race, the 5K race and the 2K race will begin at the Monument just off Kernsville Dam Road and run north on the Bartram Trail. This event is the first of the series of three race events and will be followed later in the year by the “Mad Dash” 5-Mile, 5K or 2.5K Trail Races at the Hamburg Reservoir on Saturday May 30 and the “Run To The Rock” 10K, 5K or 2.5K Trail Races at the Hamburg Community Park on Saturday June 27 All BMW Trail Races Series Races have great courses; registrant goodie bags; cash prizes for the fastest male and female racers in the long races and a generous slate of awards for all races; DJ Steel Thunder providing post-race entertainment; plenty of drinks, fruit and baked goodies to replenish the body; post-race activities for the kids; free hot lunch for all participants and volunteers; door prize drawings; and plenty of Trail Race Series and BMW gear for purchase.
April 26Longaberger Baskets & Vera Bradley Purses Bingo: Sponsored by Bern Reformed UCC. At 2 p.m. (Doors open at 1 p.m.). Held at Mt. Pleasant Fire Co., Mt. Pleasant. Donation requested.
