(AP Photo/NASA)

Did you get a new telescope recently or discover an unused one in your attic? Experience has shown that the first night out with a new telescope can be daunting as you try to perform all the initial setup work required. Consequently, many new telescopes are used once or twice, then never again due to frustration. To help get you started properly, YCAS will help you set up your telescope the first time and learn how to use and enjoy it.

Bring your telescope and all the items that came with it (including batteries, if required, and the instruction manual) from 6 to 7:30 p.m. We will check out your telescope, help you align the finder scope, show you how your telescope works, and help you with some initial observations of the sky (clear skies permitting). Afterwards, take home a free Star Chart to help you continue your exploration of the nighttime sky.

The free clinic will be offered even if it is cloudy, but will be cancelled if it is snowing (call 578-9109 for cancellation info). Attendees should dress appropriately for the weather. For directions or more information, visit www.ycas.org.

In celebration of the Pennsylvania Dutch culinary tradition of Fastnacht Day, the York County Heritage Trust will serve free fastnachts, coffee, tea and hot chocolate, 9:30 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Feb. 21, at the Historical Society Museum, 250 E. Market St.

The free event is to thank the York County community for its support of the Auxiliary and its projects. All are welcome to attend.

The Fastnacht Day tradition began with the Pennsylvania German immigrants on Shrove Tuesday, the day that fat had to be removed from the home before Lent. Historically, fastnachts were made to use the fat in the house before the fasting season.

The York County Heritage Trust inspires the exploration of the history, people and culture of our county, state and nation. As a non profit organization, it utilizes collections, historic sites and museums to help tell the American story.

For information about upcoming programs, visit www.yorkheritage.org.

Registration events have been announced for York City Little League’s spring baseball season.

The league offers teams for boys and girls ages 5 to 14. The deadline to register is March 3.

Registration will be held at:

United Way, 800 E. King St.
– Saturday, Feb. 18, 10 a.m. to noon
– Friday, March 2, 6 to 8 p.m.
– Saturday, March 3, 10 a.m. to noon

Allen Field, Tremont Street
– Saturday, Feb. 25, 10 a.m. to noon

Required documents for registration are:
– Each child’s birth certificate.
– Health insurance card.
– Proof of residency, three forms: driver’s license, utility bill, credit card or loan statements are accepted.
– Registration fee: $35 for T-ball (ages 5-6); $45 for baseball for first registration, $15 for each additional child.

For more information, call (717) 478-8547 or email yorkcitylittleleague@gmail.

The East Berlin Community Library will host Family Movie Night, 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16.

The movie is based on true events about Winter, a young dolphin who lost her tail in a crab trap, and Sawyer, an introverted 11-year-old boy who befriends her. This Warner Bros. move is rated PG and is 119 minutes long.

Popcorn will be provided; bring your own drink.

To register, sign up at the front desk or call 259-9000.

Members of St. John Lutheran Church youth groups, and their parents, recently made 400 sandwiches for York’s Helping Hands for the Homeless and later, assisted in serving a hot meal. Pictured are participants, from left, Kim Holland, Connie Stonesifer, Callie Ruffatto, Caroline Ward, Steve Ruffatto, Morgan Schafer, Jeff Stonesifer and Jennifer Ruffatto.

Submit your own kid-friendly news to the Junior Dispatch by e-mailing stories and photos to juniordispatch@yorkdispatch.com. Please see our Submission Information page for ideas on what you and your kids can offer to Junior Dispatch.

Rebecca Roxanne Quattrone works with Brenna Clark on a section of the mosaic.

Under the direction of Shrewsbury-based artist Rebecca Roxanne Quattrone, director of the Busy Bee Mosaic Project by Children with Visual Impairments, children are creating a mosaic artwork.

The completed artwork will be placed at ForSight Vision, 1380 Spahn Ave., York, where Quattrone is the artist-in-residence.

A documentary film is being created about the Busy Bee Mosaic Project and donations are being accepted to fund the film.

Registration opens at 5 a.m. Feb. 10 for seven-week swim lessons, held Feb. 20-April 8 at the York Jewish Community Center, 2000 Hollywood Drive. Certified instructors teach Red Cross standards.

Group swim lessons are held once a week. Cost: $80.

Parent and Child Aquatics:
– Level 1, ages 6 months to 2 years, 6:30-7 p.m. Tuesdays and 11-11:30 a.m. Saturdays
– Level 2, ages 2-3, 5:30-6 p.m. Mondays, 6-6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m.-noon Saturdays

Kids in Miss Lisa’s story time at Martin Library in York recently learned all about groundhogs and shadows.

Submit your own kid-friendly news to the Junior Dispatch by e-mailing stories and photos to juniordispatch@yorkdispatch.com. Please see our Submission Information page for ideas on what you and your kids can offer to Junior Dispatch.

In the early evening sky Jupiter shines brightly in the south. Learn how to find the planets and constellations that are visible in York’s February night sky during three shows presented by the York County Astronomical Society on Feb. 10.

The planetarium shows are:

– “Two Small Pieces of Glass,” an educational program about telescopes, 7 p.m.

– “StarWatch,” an exploration of the current night sky, 7:40 p.m.

– “Space Dreams,” a look at Native American star stories, the ancient Greek ideas of space travel as well as the present realities and future hopes of our eternal quest for the stars (for ages 12 and older), 8:20 p.m.

The planetarium is in the York Learning Center, 300 E. 6th Ave., North York. Admission is $4 for adults, $3 for children and seniors. Admission to any second or third show is $1 each.

York County Department of Parks and Recreation will present a Bee Keeping program from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11 at Richard M. Nixon County Park in Springfield Township.

Beekeeper Morrell Sipe will introduce attendees to the fascinating world of honeybees. Participants will learn how to get started with a hive at home.

The program is free but registration is required. Call the Nature Center at (717) 428-1961 to register or for more information. For more information on park events, go to www.yorkcountyparks.org.