MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Saturday, Feb. 8

On Saturday, Feb. 8, at 2 pm, Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park will conduct a special 1-hour tour on Chickamauga Battlefield, focusing on African American stories associated with the battlefield. This program begins at the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center in Fort Oglethorpe and will car caravan to various locations. There are countless stories to be told on Chickamauga Battlefield, but until recently, some of the accounts, long buried and seemingly forgotten, have resurfaced. These are the stories of the African American participants who, though not officially soldiers, still risked life and limb as they worked toward seizing their freedom. For more information about upcoming programs at Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, 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.

The red carpet will roll out again for the upcoming LaFayette Parks &

Recreation Mother & Son Dance. The LaFayette Recreation Center will host the fourth annual MotherSon Dance on Saturday, Feb. 8, from 6-8 p.m. Advanced tickets are priced a $5 and it will be $7 at the door the day of the dance. Food and beverages will be provided with no additional charges. Dress as fancy as you like and come for a night of dancing, games and family fun. Call 706-639-1590, or come by the LaFayette Recreation Center to learn more. You can also purchase tickets at www.eventeny.com/ events/Fourth-AnnualMotherSon-Dance-482.

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 All-Inclusive Playground, which will be completely accessible for individuals of all abilities.

Monday, Feb. 10

The Catoosa County Historical Society will meet on Monday, Feb. 10, at 7 p. m. at the Old Stone Church Museum. The speaker will be Leslie Thomas, past president of the Georgia Trail of Tears Association. She is now a Georgia Trail of Tears Association Historic Preservation officer and also president of the Gilmer County Historical Society. Thomas will be speaking on the preservation of Cherokee and Creek sites in Georgia. The National Trail of Tears Association implemented a preservation officer position as a go-to for information regarding the preservation of historic Cherokee sites in the old Cherokee Nation East. It was put into place in 2018. Thomas is calling for local historians to identify Cherokee historic and cultural sites in Catoosa County for certification and preservation. This is very important work since new construction is destroying historic sites before they can be identified and preserved. Come and get involved in this worthwhile project. The Old Stone Church Museum is located two miles south of Ringgold on U.S. Highway 41 just before the intersection with G. Highway 2 ( 41 Catoosa Parkway). The meeting is open to the public and everyone is welcome. Refreshments will be served after the meeting.

Tuesday, Feb. 11

Northwest Georgia Council of the Blind will meet Tuesday, Feb. 11, at 1 p.m. at the LaFayetteWalker County Library.

Thursday, Feb. 13

Joe Appio, voter education coordinator for the Georgia Secretary of State’s office, will attend the Catoosa County Chamber of Commerce networking meeting and luncheon on Thursday, Feb. 13, at 11:50 a.m. to discuss the state’s new voting equipment. A representative from the state Department of Community Affairs will discuss the upcoming census. The luncheons are at The Colonnade, 264 Catoosa Circle, Ringgold, and registration is $17. Contact the chamber at 706-965-5201 to register and for more information. Registration is required.