MARK YOUR CALENDAR

SATURDAY, APRIL 15

On Saturday, April 15, at 2 p.m., Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park will present a special 45-minute ranger-led fishing program at Lee and Gordon Mills at 71 Red Belt Road in Chickamauga. During the American Civil War, food was very often in short supply. Many times, soldiers relied on fishing to try and fill a void in their daily food intake. Fish provided protein, which in turn, gave soldiers energy to conduct the various tasks required of them. It also provided an escape from the horrors they witnessed and gave them a sense of respite and of home. However, soldiers did not carry fishing poles or tackle in order to catch fish. So, how did they catch fish? We hope to answer this question and others about how fishing provided sustenance and healing both 160 years ago and today. We would like to thank the City of Chickamauga for allowing us the opportunity to conduct this program on their property. Attendees are encouraged to wear clothing and shoes appropriate for the weather. Chairs, sunscreen, and water are also recommended. For more information about programs at Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, contact the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center at 706-866-9241, the Lookout Mountain Battlefield Visitor Center at 423-821-7786, or visit the park website at www. nps.gov/chch.

The

Model Train Expo will return to the Chatsworth Depot

on Saturday, April 15. The event features model trains of various scales and includes a couple of rideon trains as well. The trains will operate both inside and outside the depot. Groups from the Atlanta and Chattanooga areas will display their model railroads. A model train set will be raffled that day. Tickets are $2 each or 3 for $5 and can be purchased at the event or in advance from the Crown Achieves, the Murray County Clerk of Court office, Pat’s Antiques, or from depot committee members. The model train is a complete ready-to-run train with locomotive, cars, track, and power supply. A cash prize and a restaurant coupon prize will be included in the raffle. Funds raised will be matched by the Woodmen of the World. The historic 1905 L&N Railroad Depot is located at 219 N. First Avenue and will be open from noon until 5 p.m. The 1960 SCL Caboose located behind the depot will also be open during the same hours. The adjacent Wright Hotel, at the corner of Market Street and Second Avenue, will be open from 1-4 p.m. to give visitors one last chance to view the Tennga exhibit highlighting Keith’s Store, a long-time landmark in this railroad town on the Tennessee-georgia border. The Chatsworth Section Foreman’s House, in the corner of the city park, will be open to again showcase its collection of early 20th-century furnishings and photographs with local connections. Admission is free compliments of current business partners including: Peeples Funeral Home, Murray County Elected Officials, Captain D’s, Bojangles, Krystal, Dr. John Robison, First National Community Bank, and Bradley’s Ace Hardware. Donations are always appreciated. The Chatsworth Depot is located at 219 N. First Ave., Chatsworth, Ga.

MONDAY, APRIL 17

Join CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children) during April, Child Abuse Awareness Month, for a profound way to change a child’s story. CASA is looking for volunteers willing to speak up for children in foster care.

Lookout Mountain CASA serves Chattooga, Catoosa, Dade and Walker counties with CASA volunteers. The next CASA onboard training will start the week of April 17. Contact CASA to schedule a date and time that fits your schedule. In-person, virtual and online training options available. Contact Lookout Mountain CASA at 423-402-0843, 706-6396472 or lookoutmtncasa@ gmail.com or stop by the office at 901 N. Main Street in Lafayette. Qualifications for CASA volunteer: 21+ years, clean background check, completed CASA application with four references, completion of 30+ hours of training, compassionate and willing to speak up for a child/s best interest, no fee or cost, everything you need is provided. Children in foster care need you. Highlights of a CASA volunteer: build relationships with children, families, school and providers that are a part of the child’s life; commit to at least oncea-month visits with the child; gather pertinent information from various sources to prepare a written report to the judge; attend juvenile court proceedings in 3-6 month increments.

THURSDAY, APRIL 27 “My Voice Matters: A Walk to End Sexual Violence”

will be held Thursday, April 27, at 5 p.m. at Gilbert-stephenson Park (large pavilion behind pool) on Van Cleve Street in Fort Oglethorpe in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Ticket purchases will include a one-mile walk, a self-defense presentation, a guest speaker, a butterfly release, and an event T-shirt. Tickets are $25 and available at http://bit.ly/3tsbkqs.

SATURDAY, MAY 13

Sons of Confederate Veterans will hold a barbecue from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 13, on Robin Road (by the old slaughterhouse) in Ringgold. For more information, call Terry Cain at 423-637-8239.

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 423-402-0843.

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 501(c)3 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 706-996-8150 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.