[naviga:h3]Novelist will read from book at BC3[/naviga:h3]

BUTLER TWP — A novelist and John Grisham Fellowship recipient who wrote part of his debut novel at Butler County Community College’s former library will today become the first author to host a reading at the college’s new library.

Dr. Tom Bennitt, who was raised at a home on Old Plank Road in Butler Township, will read from his novel “Burning Under” — a legal thriller that unfolds in the wake of a coal mine explosion in southwestern Pennsylvania — starting at 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Heaton Family Learning Commons at BC3’s main campus.

A combination reading and book signing will continue until 6 p.m. at the library and is open to the public. The event will include light refreshments.

[naviga:h3]Fall food drive slated at school[/naviga:h3]

ADAMS TWP — Mars Elementary School will hold its annual fall food drive from Oct. 29 to Nov. 16.

Donations of nonperishable food items may be dropped off at the school’s main office, Monday through Friday, during school hours. Collected items will be distributed to local families in need.

For more information, call 724-625-3161.

[naviga:h3]Trick-or-treat night set at Mars school[/naviga:h3]

ADAMS TWP — Mars High School student council will hold its annual trick-or-treat night from 5 to 6 p.m. Monday.

The event, which is open to district children through third grade, will offer visitors a chance to trick-or-treat in the halls of the high school. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Members of the school’s clubs, sports teams and other organizations will be handing out candy.

In conjunction with trick-or-treat night, student council will hold a food drive to benefit St. Kilian’s Food Pantry in Mars. Eventgoers are asked to donate a canned good or other nonperishable item.

In addition, the high school will be selling tickets for its fall production of Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland,” to be held at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 16 and 17 in the auditorium.

For more information, call 724-625-1581.