MARK YOUR CALENDAR

THURSDAY, MARCH 16

Georgia Northwestern Technical College will host a free Kids STEM Festival on Thursday, March 16, from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Whitfield Murray Campus in Dalton. Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB) PBS Kids staff will be special guests and join GNTC’S Early Childhood Care and Education program instructors and students to present activities. There will be snacks and giveaways. This free event is open for all who are interested. GNTC encourages students to come with their children or any other kids to engage in fun learning and STEM activities. For more information, contact Daizha Staples, GNTC’S Special Populations coordinator, at 706-291-3362 or dstaples@ gntc.edu.

SATURDAY, MARCH 18 The annual

Gradurun 5K and 1-mile walk to raise money for Catoosa Communities in Schools will take place Saturday, March 18. Run start at 8 a.m. Walk start at 8:05 a.m. Registration: Before March 13, $25/ individual, $20 per person in teams of 10 or more, $30/ person after March 13. Deadline: March 13, at 6:30 a.m. Registrations before 3/13 include T-shirt, after 3/13 as available. Location (race start): Builtwell Bank, 5102 Alabama Highway, Ringgold. Course: Relatively flat through beautiful Ringgold. Course certification #GA18008WC. Note: Points Race for Runner of the Year (Chip Timed Race), Chattanooga Track Club. Prizes: Yes, for various categories, also some door prizes. More info and register online: https://www. catoosacis.org/graduruninfopage.

The public will have the opportunity to see thousands of bottles at the Antique Bottle Show at the Dalton Convention Center at 2211 Tony Ingle Parkway on Saturday, March 18. There will be 170 tables set up. Time/ cost: Early buyers 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., $20 admission; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., free admission. Contacts: Jason Herron/205-913-9748 or Buddy Lasater/423-718-3521.

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 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.