MARK YOUR CALENDAR
THURSDAY, FEB. 16
The Catoosa County Democratic Party will hold its February meeting on Thursday, Feb. 16, at the Catoosa County Library Community Room. The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. Elections will be held for the committee officers, as well as the Catoosa County representative on the state Democratic Committee. For more information, contact Greg Bentley at Gbentley61@gmail.com.
SATURDAY, FEB. 18
On Saturday, Feb. 18, at 2 pm, Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park will present a special 45-minute ranger-led program exploring the events of Cherokee Removal and the subsequent arrival of the railroads in Southeastern Tennessee and Northwestern Georgia. This program will be conducted on Moccasin Bend, at 10 Hamm Road, Chattanooga. There is a parking lot located at this site. Cherokee Removal is one of the nation’s most controversial subjects. Many question how, why, and when did this happen? In short, money motivated this horrible chapter in our nation’s history. Please join us as we explore this fascinating topic. For more information about programs at Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, contact the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center at 706-8669241, the Lookout Mountain Battlefield Visitor Center at 423-821-7786, or visit the park website at www.nps. gov/chch.
MONDAY, FEB. 20
Hamilton Medical Center (HMC) in Dalton will offer its next Take it to Heart Program on Monday, Feb. 20, at 6 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 25 at scheduled times. The program includes a free cardiac risk assessment and information to help you prevent future heart problems. This program is free and open to anyone who has not participated in Take it to Heart in the last five years, is not currently being treated by a cardiologist, has not had stents put in, and has at least two of the following risk factors: Family history of heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, history of smoking and being overweight. A physician’s order for the cardiac scoring is required. Please have your physician send the order to Hamilton Diagnostics Center on or before Feb. 20 in order to receive a free CT scan. Fasting for lab assessment is required. If you would like to attend this event and need assistance with interpretation services and/or auxiliary aids, please indicate when registering. To register or for more information, call 706-272-6114. Space is limited. CDC guidelines for healthcare facilities will be followed to minimize the risk of spreading COVID-19.
SUNDAY, FEB 26
The February meeting of the Walker County Historical Society will be held on Sunday, Feb 26, at 3 p.m. In recognition of African American History Month, the program topic will an in-depth tour of the new African American History and Heritage Museum, 309 N. Main Street, Lafayette, led by staff Stacey Suttle, assistant director. The public is invited. The WCHS normally meets on the fourth Sunday each month at 3 p.m. at the Marsh House. Membership is $12 per year to WCHS, 305 South Duke St., Lafayette, GA 30728. More information: 706-764-2801.
TUESDAY, FEB. 28
The Lafayette Woman’s Club is hosting “Whiskers for Wellspring” on Saturday, Feb. 25, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Lafayette Recreation Department. This is a fun family fundraiser for you and your pet. There is a $10 pet entry fee and an additional $2 fee to enter the pet pageant. Additional pet contests and opportunities will be available during the event. Register on site at 638 South Main Street or go to www.gfwcgeorgia.org to register now. This will be a tail-wagging event. Make sure your four-legged friend is there. For more information, contact Rachel Oesch Willeford at 706-200-8099 or racheloeschwilleford@ gmail.com.
There will be a
special Zoom meeting of Walker County Democrats
on Tuesday, Feb. 28. Email walkercodems@gmail.com for the link or call 706-7642801. To comply with recently changed state bylaws, the only agenda item will be the election of a state committee member for Walker County.
Walker County African American Historical and Alumni Association Inc.’s
2023 African American History Month Contest
consists of designing a minimural for the Walker County African American Museum and Cultural Center. WCAAHAA has a professional muralist for the actual mural design; however, the student winners’ murals will be exhibited in the center and on Beverly’s Historical Moments television show. There will be a first-place, second-place and third-place winner in each of the following categories: elementary school, middle school and high school. Elementary school includes kindergarten. Private, public, home school and GED students 18 years old and under may enter. Winners will not be per school, but per category. In each category, first place will receive $100; second place $50 and third place $25. The Lafayette Woman’s Club will be partnering with this project with Theresa Dorsey, chair of the art committee. Deadline for entries is Tuesday, Feb. 28, at 5 p.m. Please contact WCAAHAA’S African American History Month program chair, Kisha Caldwell-thomas, EDD, for more information and contest rules. Email: kisha.thomas@ chattanoogastate.edu.
FRIDAY, MARCH 3 Catoosa County Public Schools is accepting applications for Georgia’s lottery-funded prekindergarten through March 3.
Parents or legal guardians who want to enter their child’s name in the drawing must complete and return a Request to Participate in Pre-k Drawing Form. Any request received after March 3 will be placed on the school system’s waiting list after the lottery drawing is completed. The Request to Participate in Pre-k Drawing Form is available at all primary and elementary schools in Catoosa County (8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.) and may also be completed at the Student Enrollment Center, 108 High Street, Ringgold, Georgia (8-11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.) Monday through Friday. A public drawing to award available prekindergarten assignments will be held virtually on the Catoosa County Public Schools website on Friday, April 21, at 9 a.m. Pre-kindergarten enrollment is open and nondiscriminatory, based on a public lottery among those eligible to participate. Children will not be denied participation on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, or disability. Eligibility: Currently, a child must be born between September 2, 2018, and September 1, 2019, to be eligible for Georgia prekindergarten services. The child must be a Catoosa County resident at the time of the drawing. Georgia residents outside of Catoosa County will be placed on a waiting list until all children within the district are enrolled.
GENERAL
Walker County African American Museum and Cultural Center features graphic and interactive exhibits highlighting the history and culture of African Americans of the Lookout Mountain Judicial District with emphasis on Walker County but includes Catoosa, Chattooga and Dade counties. Located at 309 N. Main St. in Lafayette, the center is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 1-4 p.m. Closed: Mondays and Tuesday, the first weekend of each month, 1-2 p.m. for lunch and holidays. Museum phone: 706670-1165, email: wcaahaa@ yahoo.com; website: www. walkercountyafricanamerican.com; like us on Facebook at Walker County, Georgia African American Museum and Memorial Park (https:// www.facebook.com/walkercountygeorgiaafricanamericanmuseumandpark).
The
NWGA Baptist Food Pantry is open
on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. until noon at Second Baptist Church, 500 West Main Street, LaFayette.
Lookout Mountain CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) needs volunteers
to advocate for the best interest of the abused and neglected children of Catoosa, Dade, Walker and Chattooga counties who are in foster care. CASA volunteers serve as the eyes and ears of the juvenile court judges. For more information, email Annice Goodwin at lookoutmtncasa@gmail.com or call 423402-0843.
The
Friends of the Gordon-lee Mansion offers tours of the mansion
in Chickamauga from Memorial Day to Labor Day, each Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The cost is $5 for adults and $1 for children 12 and under. Proceeds benefit the Friends 501c3 group to improve and enhance the mansion. For more information, visit www.friendsofthegordonleemansion.org or call 423-488-0861.
The local board of
EFSP (Emergency Food Shelter Program) of Walker County
consists of nonprofit agencies within Walker County that work toward assisting Individuals and Families With Children with Food, Shelter, Household Assistance, Counseling, and much more. EFSP of Walker County is part of the national board of EFSP in Virginia. Any agency within Walker County desiring to be a part of the local board to receive federal funds please contact Tanya Nave at 423-903-9779 or Denise Jackson at 404234-7211.
Narconon would like to remind families that the use of addicting drugs is on the rise. If you know anyone who is struggling with drug addiction, Narconon is available to help. Call for a free brochure on the signs of addiction for all drugs. Narconon also offers free screenings and referrals. Call 800-431-1754 or visit Drugabusesolution.com. The opiate epidemic is an ongoing issue that doesn’t seem to be going away any time soon. Fentanyl is being laced in drugs, including marijuana, in order to get the consumer addicted and returning to the supplier for more. Pills are being sold as if they are produced by a legal manufacturer when they are in fact pressed Fentanyl pills. People are overdosing and dying due to the intense potency of Fentanyl. It is important to seek help before it’s too late and you buy and consume a lethal dose of Fentanyl. If you or a loved one are struggling with Fentanyl addiction, reach out for help as soon as possible. We can help you get your life back on track and learn to live a drug-free life. To learn more about the growing opiate epidemic, visit: https://www. narcononnewliferetreat.org/ blog/how-fentanyl-is-accelerating-the-opioid-epidemic.html. Narconon can help you take steps to overcome addiction in your family. Call today for free screenings or referrals: 1- 800-431-1754.
The
Rossville Downtown Development Authority
generally meets the first Tuesday each month at 8 a.m. at the Rossville Public Library.
The
Catoosa County Democratic Party
generally meets the third Thursday each month at 6:30 p.m. For more information, go to www.catoosadems.org or contact Greg Bentley at Gbentley61@gmail.com.
Open Bible Full Gospel Church,
2803 Ga. Highway 151 in Lafayette, invites the public to worship on Sundays: Sunday school at 10 a.m., morning service at 11 a.m., and night service at 5 p.m.
The
Kiwanis Club of Fort Oglethorpe
was chartered in 1954 and is Catoosa County’s oldest service club. The club meets each Friday at noon at Park Place Restaurant. To learn more about Kiwanis contact Club President Chris Mckeever at 706-861-2860 or visit its Facebook page at https:// www.facebook.com/groups/ ftoglethorpekiwanis.
Chickamauga & Chattanooga Civil War Roundtable
meets monthly to discuss the complex history of the Civil War and Reconstruction period. Meetings are the first Thursday each month at 7 p.m. Zoom meetings for now. Reputable historians/ authors for each meeting. Email address: cccwrtable@ gmail.com. Facebook group: Chickamauga & Chattanooga Civil War Roundtable Group.
Catoosa County Historical Society
meets every second Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Old Stone Church, Highway 41, in Ringgold. The Old Stone Church is also open for tours Friday-sunday, from 1-5 p.m. For more information, call 706-935-5232.
Georgia Transparency Coalition
meets the third Thursday of each month. Location and guest speakers are announced on our Facebook page each month. GTC is a non-partisan watchdog group committed to fostering transparency, accountability, accessibility, integrity, and the highest ethical standards in government, politics, and law. Open to interested residents in Catoosa, Dade and Walker counties. For information email Georgiatransparencycoalition@gmail. com or call Dean Kelley at 706-866-4656.
TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly)
meets on Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. at Harbor Lights Baptist Church, 600 Crane St., Lafayette. Have fun while losing those extra pounds. Call 423-432-0520 for details.
Chickamauga American Legion Post 217
meets the first Saturday each month at 8 a.m. at West 14th Street in Chickamauga.
Southern Lit Book Club
meets at Caffeine Addicts, 7819 Nashville Street in Ringgold, the last Tuesday each month at 6 p.m. For more information, call Donna Greeson at 706-935-2810.
Join
Foster Mill Drive Baptist Church
in Lafayette for worship. Sunday school is at 10 a.m., with classes for all ages. The morning worship service is at 11 a.m. Sunday night worship is at 6 p.m. Wednesday night worship is at 7 p.m. For more information, call 423-667-4521.
The
American Legion, Lafayette Post 339
meets on the third Monday of each month. The meeting is held at 6 p.m. in the WardlawBible meeting room at the Lafayette-walker County Public Library. This meeting is open to active and prospective members of The American Legion and their guests.