MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Wednesday, Jan. 22

The Secretary of State will have a presentation and demonstration of the Secure the Vote initiative and the new voting equipment. The public is invited to hear Joe Appio present on Wednesday, Jan. 22, at 1 p.m. at the Walker County Civic Center in the A/B room.

The Chickamauga Public Library Board of Trustees will meet Wednesday, Jan. 22, at 4:30 p.m. at the Chickamauga Public Library.

Friday, Jan. 24

Join Walker County Extension as it hosts a Fruit Tree Field Day on Friday, Jan. 24, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Mt. Pleasant Community Center, 5981 Ga. Highway 157, Rising Fawn. Classroom sessions are from 9:30 a.m. to noon and topics are: recommended varieties, site considerations, disease and insect management. Field demonstrations will be from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at a local orchard and will cover proper pruning, planting, spray equipment, and safety. Registration is $10 and due to Walker County Extension by Jan. 20. Refreshments will be provided. Participants are encouraged to bring their own lunch. The class is limited to the first 20 participants. To register call Walker Extension at 706-638-2548 or visit the Extension office at 102 East Napier Street in LaFayette.

Sunday, Jan. 26

The Walker County Historical Society will meet Sunday, Jan. 26, at 3 p.m. at the Welcome Center, 309 N. Main Street, LaFayette, for the annual planning meeting. Bring ideas for interesting programs. Is there something in local history that you have always wanted to know? The public is invited. There will be a welcome reception for new and returning members. Membership in the society is $12/year. More information: David Boyle at 706-764-2801.

Dallas Rogers will be in concert at Kensington Church of God, 85 Halls Mill Road, Chickamauga, on Sunday, Jan. 26 at 11 a.m. Pastor Dennis Chambers invites everyone. For more information, call 423-315-1544.

Monday, Jan. 27

The LaFayette-Walker County Public Library Board of Trustees will meet Monday, Jan. 27, at 4 p.m. at the LaFayette-Walker County Public Library.

Tuesday, Jan. 28

The Rossville Public Library Board of Trustees will meet Tuesday, Jan. 28, at 4:30 p.m. at the Rossville Public Library.

The Southern Lit Book Club will meet at Caffeine Addict, 7819 Nashville Street in Ringgold, on Tuesday, Jan. 28, at 6 p.m. The selection is “Christy” by Catherine Marshall. For more information, call Donna Greeson at 706935-2810.

Thursday, Jan. 30

Walker Democrats’ Reception for Potential 2020 Candidates will be held Thursday, Jan. 30, from 5-7:30 p.m. in the banquet room of the Dari Dip, 302 W. Villanow St., in LaFayette. Anyone interested in running for any office is welcome to come and learn the process. More information: 706-764-2801.

The Cherokee Regional Library Board of Trustees will meet Thursday, Jan. 30, at 4 p.m. at the LaFayette-Walker County Public Library.

Saturday, Feb. 1

On Saturday, Feb. 1, at 2 p.m., Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park will present a special 45-minute program at the Moccasin Bend National Archeological District focusing on how the Cherokee felt under the influence of English trade and, ultimately, the real cost of that trade. The program takes place at the Gateway Site, near 130 Hamm Road in Chattanooga. It could easily be said that man constantly looks for ways to make things easier. After all, an easier way of life is all anyone wants, right? Once Europeans introduced iron tools and guns to the indigenous American Indian population, their destiny was set. Today, we still search for ways to make our lives easier. However, the luxury we find may cost us in ways we have taken for granted much like it did the Cherokee. For more information about upcoming programs at Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, please contact the Lookout Mountain Visitor Center at 423-821-7786, the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center at 706-866-9241, or visit the park’s website at www.nps.gov/chch.

Monday, Feb. 3

A Northwest Georgia area corn and soybean production meeting is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 3, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Olim Tatum Agricultural Building, 320 W. Cherokee Ave. in Cartersville. Bartow County Extension will host UGA specialists presenting topics including: corn and soybean plant disease management, weed management, insect pest management and agronomic practices. Pesticide credits will also be offered. Pre-registration (lunch included) is due to Bartow County Extension by Jan. 30. There is no cost for the update. To register or for more information contact Bartow Extension at 770-387-5142 or uge1015@uga.edu.

Saturday, Feb. 8

A charity concert and fundraiser benefiting the building of Balian’s All-Inclusive Playground will be held Saturday, Feb. 8, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the former Osburn School, 925 Osburn Road, Chickamauga. There will be live local bands playing all day, a bake sale hosted by the Girl Scouts, BBQ, face painting, jump houses and a silent auction. All proceeds will go towards the building of Balian’s AllInclusive Playground, which will be completely accessible for individuals of all abilities.

Wednesday, Feb. 26

Lyerly United Methodist Church is selling it its “Feeding the Flock” cookbook for $10. It can be purchased from any church member, at Pine Ridge Outdoor Supply or at Gilliland’s Island in Lyerly. The cookbook can also be ordered by mail by sending $13, which includes $3 shipping and handling, to Lyerly United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 152, Lyerly, GA 30730. For more information, call Jo Ann Mitchell at 706-895-2636.

GENERAL

♦ COOKBOOK Now is the time for a steaming bowl of homemade soup. Lyerly United Methodist Church has just the recipe you are looking for. The church’s “Feeding the Flock” cookbook is for sale for $10, plus $3 S/H. It can be purchased from any church member, at Pine Ridge Outdoor Supply or Gilliland’s Island, in Lyerly, or by sending $10 (plus $3 shipping and handling) to Lyerly United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 152, Lyerly, GA 30730, and a church cookbook will be mailed to you. If you have any questions, call Jo Ann Mitchell at 706-895-2636.

♦ NEW RULES From Catoosa County Probate Court Judge Jeff Hullender: Effective Jan. 1, 2020, if you are applying for a marriage license with the Catoosa County Probate Court and have been divorced please note the following require♦ LOSE WEIGHT TOPS ments. Proof of dissolu(Take Off Pounds Sensition of prior marriage: bly) ♦ meets on Wednesdays If either applicant has been at 9:30 a.m. at the LaFayette previously married and the Recreation Department. Have marriage was dissolved by fun while losing those extra divorce or annulment, a copy pounds. Call 423-432-0520 of the decree of divorce or anfor details. nulment must be presented ♦ PRAYER LINE LaFayette at the time of application. Presbyterian Church, 107 Applicants who have been N. Main St., has established married and divorced more a prayer line for the commuthan once need only provide nity. The LPC Prayer Line a certified copy of the decree (706-383-3922) ♦ is availdissolving the last previous able 24 hours a day, 7 days marriage. a week. Those who call may

♦ NEW CHURCH Open leave their concerns anony

Bible Full Gospel Church mously or request a member at 2803 Ga. Highway 151 in of the LaFayette Presbyterian LaFayette opens Sunday, prayer team return their call. Jan. 5. The pastor is Roy R. ♦ LET FREEDOM RING Huskins. For more informaGolden Sound Music Inc., a tion, call 706-996-1815. 501c3 public charity, sponsors

♦ VOLUNTEERS NEEDselective drawing each patriED Georgia Northwestern otic holiday. Get a cast-iron Technical College’s adult farm dinner bell inscribed education program is seek“Let Freedom Ring,” July 4, ing volunteers at its Walker 1776. Contributions are $5 County Campus Learning each. Register at The Bank Center who can tutor adult of LaFayette, main branch.

learners in reading, writMail checks to: The Bank of

ing, basic math and EngLaFayette, Attn: Shelia Ridlish Language skills ♦ . By dle, 101 West Patton Street, volunteering, you can offer LaFayette, GA 30728 help to those in need in the ♦ GORDON-LEE MANcommunity. You can make a SION TOURS The Friends difference in someone’s life of the Gordon-Lee Manand provide the opportunity sion will open the historic for students to develop new mansion in Chickamauskills or build on existing ga for tours ♦ on Saturday, experience or knowledge. June 1, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Volunteers should have a Tours will be held each Sathigh school diploma or GED urday until Labor Day. All diploma and have a strong proceeds go to the Friends of commitment to help others. the Gordon-Lee Mansion, a Hours are flexible to volun501c3 organization. Admisteer. Volunteers can work sion is $5 adults and $1 for several hours a day or as little 12 and under. Contact the as two hours per week. Adult Friends at 423-488-0861 for Education courses are offered more information or visit the morning, afternoon and evegroup’s Facebook. ning. Contact Carla Hyde at ♦ CAMP Camp New Dawn 706-295-6976 or cahyde@ is accepting applications for gntc.edu to volunteer. summer camp for chil

♦ BE A VOLUNTEER Readdren and youth ♦ from grade ing Buddies ♦ is an effort 1-12. Limited scholarships on the part of volunteers in are available for children Catoosa County to support who need financial assiselementary school teachers, tance. Just check the webespecially teachers of K-3 site or call at 706-539-2235 students. This initiative is for details. Grands Raising supported by the Catoosa Grands scholarships provide County Early Literacy Task financial assistance to grandForce. Volunteers are aware parents who have stepped of the challenges of teaching up to raise their grandkids. elementary school students Register soon. to read. They are also aware ♦ HEAD START Childthat elementary students must care network Head Start be proficient readers by the and Early Head Start in third grade when they take Catoosa County are actheir first Milestone assesscepting applications ♦ for ment. By supporting teach2019-20 for ages 6 weeks to ers and students, Reading 5 years old. For more inforBuddies volunteers believe mation call Crystal Leonard they can make a difference at 706-965-4322. in the lives of children and ♦ CLASSES Free craft classes students in Catoosa County. in quilting, sewing, crochetReading Buddies volunteers ing, knitting and scrapbookagree to work with at least ing are provided by Dorcas one student for 30 minutes Ministry at Oakwood Baptist one time per week. They also Church, 115 Oakwood St., agree to participate in an oriChickamauga, every Tuesentation offered by Catoosa day night from 4:30 p.m. to County Schools and undergo 8:30 p.m. For information, a background check. There call Mary Ann 423-596-1344. is no expense to the volun♦ CLASSES Free English teer. The volunteer is paired as a Second Language ♦ with a teacher and the teach(ESL) classes are available er provides instruction and at Oakwood Baptist Church resources for the volunteer. Prayer House, 115 Oakwood St., This usually involves helpChickamauga, on Wednesdays ing the child to learn their from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. sight words, spelling words, Books are $40. For informareading aloud to the child or tion, call Mary Ann at 423having the child read aloud. 596-1344.

Anyone interested in volun♦ MEETINGS Chickamauteering to be a Reading Budga American Legion Post dy should contact Patti Long 217 ♦ meets the first Saturday by email at pattilong0708@ each month at 8 a.m. at West gmail.com. 14th Street in Chickamauga.

♦ MEETINGS Georgia ♦ MEETINGS Southern Transparency Coalition ♦ Lit Book Club ♦ meets at meets the third Thursday of Caffeine Addicts, 7819 Nasheach month. Location and ville Street in Ringgold, the guest speakers announced last Tuesday each month at on our Facebook page each 6 p.m. For more informamonth. GTC is a non-partisan tion, call Donna Greeson at watchdog group committed 706-935-2810. to fostering transparency, ♦ CHURCH Join Fosaccountability, accessibility, ter Mill Drive Baptist integrity and the highest ethiChurch ♦ in LaFayette for cal standards in government, worship. Sunday school is politics and law. Open to inat 10 a.m., with classes for terested residents in Catoosa, all ages. Morning worship Dade and Walker counties. service is at 11 a.m. Sunday For information email Geornight worship is at 6 p.m. giaTransparencyCoalition@ Wednesday night worship gmail.com or call Dean Kelis at 7 p.m. For more inforley at 706-866-4656. mation, call 423-667-4521.

♦ NEW PASTOR Walnut ♦ MEETINGS The AmerGrove Baptist Church ♦ ican Legion, LaFayette invites the community to Post 339 ♦ meets on the third come and grow with them Monday of each month. The as they worship the Lord. meeting is held at 6 p.m. in Walnut Grove Baptist serthe Wardlaw-Bible meeting vices are Sunday school at room at the LaFayette-Walker 10 a.m., with Sunday services County Public Library. This at 11 a.m. Wednesday night meeting is open to active and service begins at 6:30 p.m. prospective members of The Walnut Grove Baptist is at American Legion and their 55 Walnut Grove Road, Laguests.

Fayette. ♦ COMMUNITY A secure drug drop box ♦ is available at the Fort Oglethorpe Police Department from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. to safely dispose of unused or expired medications. Drop boxes are available at the Catoosa County Sheriff’s, Rossville Police and Fort Oglethorpe Police departments.

♦ FOOD PANTRY Rossville Community Ministries ♦ , a ministry of Rossville area churches, is a food pantry to help families or individuals in the Rossville area. Non-perishable food items, cash donations and volunteers are needed. The Rossville Community Ministries is open Mondays and Thursdays from noon until 3 p.m. They are at South Rossville Baptist Church, 101 East Peachtree Street. Those coming for the first time should call 706-8663888 during office hours to find out what is necessary to avail themselves of this service.

♦ CHURCH Lee’s Chapel Community Church ♦ located at 3253 Catoosa Parkway, Tunnel Hill, holds Sunday services at 2 p.m. in the fellowship hall. The church holds a monthly singing to raise the money to repair the church. Singings are the second Saturday of the month.

♦ MEETINGS There are AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) ♦ meetings every Monday at 7 p.m. at the Rock Spring United Methodist Church. The church is located at 3477 Peavine Road, Rock Spring. For more info contact 423-605-3388 or for complete area times and meeting places, visit AAgeorgia.org.

♦ MEETINGS Recovery at Ringgold ♦ is a Christcentered, Biblically-based, non-denominational recovery program that is designed to provide support for anyone who is struggling with compulsive issues or addictive behaviors. It is a “safe place,” which means no one will judge you or try to force their idea of “normal living” on you. You will find people who are going through the same issues you may be facing from whom you can gain experience, strength and hope. Dinner served from 6-6:45 p.m., a worship service at 7 p.m. and open sharing groups offered at 8:15 p.m. every Thursday night, 52 weeks a year, at Ringgold United Methodist Church. Details at RecoveryAtRinggold.com or 706-935-4777.

♦ MEETINGS The Seniors and Friends of Fort Oglethorpe ♦ group meets each Wednesday from 10 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at Constitution Hall on Forrest Road. This all-volunteer group offers games, crafts, blood pressure/blood sugar check, bingo and refreshments. For information or transportation, call Karon Parker at 423-595-7109 or Taire Pulver at 423-227-7720.

♦ MEETINGS The Catoosa County Democratic Party ♦ generally meets the third Thursday each month at 6:30 p.m. For more information contact Cathy Griffith by email at cagdemocrat@ gmail.com.

♦ MEETINGS The 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.

♦ CHURCH True Life Church ♦ at The Renaissance Center, 630 North Avenue, Rossville, invites you to services on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. and Wednesday Food & Fellowship at 6:30 p.m. followed by adult bible study at 7 p.m. Visit us at www.thetruelife.org or call 423-260-2774.

♦ MEETINGS A Suicide Survivors support group ♦

meets the first Thursday of every month from 7-8:30 p.m. at Memorial Hospital in Chattanooga in the main dining room. For more information, call Hilda at 697-9432. This group is for surviving family members and friends of those who have died by suicide.

♦ MEETINGS Kids 4 Christ ♦ , a non-profit children’s ministry, meets Thursdays from 6-7:30 p.m. at 108 Wither Street, in LaFayette. Activities include a free hot meal, Bible study, activities and games. Six bus routes run within the city limits. For more information call 706639-3234 or 423-602-1046.

♦ CLUB Guests are welcome when the Ringgold Kiwanis Club ♦ meets every Tuesday morning, from 7-8 a.m. for breakfast and fellowship at the First Baptist Church of Ringgold, located at 7611 Nashville St. Call Wayne Pennington, 423-838-3535, for more information.

♦ COMMUNITY 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.

♦ CHURCH The Men’s Ministry of Keith Baptist Church ♦ invites you to join them on the second Saturday of each month at 9 a.m. for a free breakfast, fellowship and Bible study. The church is located at 1573 Keith Road in Ringgold. For more information, please call Dustin Salter at 423827-2930.

♦ COMMUNITY The Northwest Georgia Chapter of the American Red Cross seeks volunteers ♦ to do disaster work, office administration and community outreach at health fairs and other events in Chattooga, Dade, Catoosa, Gordon, Murray, Walker, Whitfield counties. Training will be provided. For more information, call 706-728-3408 or visit redcross.org/nwga.

♦ MEETINGS The Boynton Lions Club ♦ meets the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the Boynton United Methodist Church fellowship hall. Dinner catered by the Dinner Bell is $6.50 and annual membership dues are $21 per quarter. For information call 423-321-2481.

♦ MEETINGS The Northwest Georgia Master Gardeners ♦ meets at 7 p.m. the second Thursday of the month at the Walker County Ag Center, 10052 Highway 27, in Rock Spring. Its mission is to stimulate and share the love and knowledge of gardening. Each month a program is presented on a topic relevant to gardening in the area. Attendees do not have to be a master gardener to attend. For more information, contact Ivana at lavender-nrustherbsatgmail.com; Linda at lindac576atgmail. com or the Walker County extension service at 706638-2548.

♦ COMMUNITY The Fort Oglethorpe Caring Closet ♦ is at Rosewood at Fort Oglethorpe Assisted Living, 14 Town Drive. The Caring Closet is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. -4 p.m. For more information, call 706-866-4443 and ask for Tracy or Connor.

♦ MEETINGS Narcotics and Alcoholic’s Anonymous (NA/AA) ♦ meetings are open to the public every Monday at 7:30 p.m. at LaFayette Presbyterian Church, 107 North Main Street. For more information, visit na.org or call 888479-9696.

♦ COMMUNITY 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.