MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Wednesday, April 21
Nearly 2,000 doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine will be available on Wednesday, April 21, and Thursday, April 22, at the CatoosaDade-Walker Vaccination Station at the Colonnade in Ringgold. Online registration is now open for appointments at the Vaccination Station between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. on April 21 and 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on April 22. Register for your shot at https://www.signupgenius. com/go/20f094aa9ad2fa6fd0covid8 or visit any of the following government websites for a direct link: Catoosa County, Dade County or Walker County. As of April 15, 8,237 doses of COVID-19 vaccine had been administered at the Catoosa-Dade-Walker Vaccination Station since launching on March 24.
The Catoosa County Library’s board of trustees will hold its regular quarterly meeting Wednesday, April 21, at 3 p.m. in the Genealogy Room at the library, located at 108 Catoosa Circle, Benton Place Campus, Ringgold.
The Chickamauga Public Library Board of Trustees will meet in-person with a virtual option on Wednesday, April 21, at 4:30 p.m. To receive an invitation to attend this meeting via Google Meet, send an email to leubanks@ chrl.org.
Thursday, April 22
Ringgold High School’s Performing Arts will perform “Anastasia the Musical” April 22-24 in the high school theater. The shows will be Thursday, April 22, at 7 p.m.; Friday, April 23, at 7 p.m.; and Saturday, April 24, at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Ringgold High School Performing Arts has kept theater alive during the pandemic. It has been challenging to practice with the whole cast due to social distancing restrictions, but director Jane Ellis strives for perfection and this year is no exception. RHSPA brought home the region championship for the second year in a row. The group was also honored with the Best Actor award for Cody Ogle, Best Costumes and Best Crew. Also, awarded Allstar cast members, Eli Talley and Iley Barnes. The cast and crew of “Anastasia the Musical” also competed at the state level where they placed second.
Sunday, April 25
Rock Spring SeventhDay Adventist Church will hold an indoor garage sale Sunday, April 25, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 37 Tarvin Road (Highway 95/Tarvin Road), Rock Spring.
Monday, April 26
The LaFayette-Walker County Public Library board of trustees will meet in-person with a virtual option on Monday, April 26, at 4 p.m. To receive an invitation to attend this meeting via Google Meet, send an email to leubanks@chrl.org.
Tuesday, April 27
The city of Ringgold will mark the 10th anniversary of the night of tornadoes that ravaged the region by hosting a brief remembrance program at the Ringgold Pavilion on Depot Street across from City Hall at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 27.
The Rossville Public Library board of trustees will meet in person with a virtual option on Tuesday, April 27, at 4:30 p.m. To receive an invitation to attend this meeting via Google Meet, send an email to leubanks@ chrl.org.
Thursday, April 29
The Cherokee Regional Library board of trustees will meet in person with a virtual option on Thursday, April 29, at 4 p.m. To receive an invitation to attend this meeting via Google Meet, send an email to leubanks@ chrl.org.
Friday, April 30
LIFT Youth Center Inc., in conjunction with the Catoosa County Chamber of Commerce, will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, April 30, at 9 a.m. at 7197 Nashville St. in Ringgold. An open house will immediately follow until noon for those who wish to take a tour and meet the LIFT staff but can’t make the 9 a.m. ribbon-cutting.
The Chief Vann House Historic Site through the end of April will display a collection of framed, unique 18th-century maps featuring the southeastern states or early British colonies, and the development of the charted Gulf and Atlantic shorelines. To regard these hand-drawn detailed works of art in their full size is to understand the pains taken to craft them and to learn their intent. Call the Vann House to sign-up your homeschool family for Homeschool Day: Orienteering with Compasses, on Wednesday, April 21. Participants will gather outside and learn about some of the techniques used by early field cartographers to make the very maps that are on display, as well as run a compassing course around the Vann House property. Call 706-695-2598 for details; event is outdoors and weather permitting. The site is at 82 Highway 225 N., Chatsworth. Regular seasonal hours are Thursday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 1-5 p.m. Last tour of the day begins at 4 p.m. Regular Admission is $6.50 — $5.50 plus tax; children age 5 and under are free. For information, contact vann_house_park@ dnr.ga.gov, or visit Facebook at “Friends of the Vann House,” Instagram at “Vann_House_ Park” or online at www.gastateparks.org/chiefvannhouse.
Saturday, May 1
On Saturday, May 1, at 2 p.m., Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park invites you to participate in a virtual program exploring the 3rd Women’s Army Corps Training Center. This program will be accessible on the park’s Facebook Page (www. facebook.com/chickamauganps) and YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/chchnps). Instructions on accessing an audio described version of the program will be provided on the park’s social media platforms as well. 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.
To kick off Historic Preservation Month, the Fort Oglethorpe Historic Preservation Commission is partnering with the 6th Cavalry Museum on Saturday, May 1, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to meet the public and scan local historic photos. Of particular interest are photos from the Army Post era (1902-47), the beginning of the city and “lost places and events” in Fort Oglethorpe, such as St. Gerard Elementary School, the city’s first businesses, parades, opening of city hall and other events that tell the city’s history through photos. The day’s events include meeting the Historic Preservation Commission members and to view the Historic Preservation Commission newspaper clipping catalog and “Officer’s Row From The Ground Up, a compilation of architectural plans and details of the buildings of the Historic Fort Oglethorpe Post” scrapbooks. Free Museum Saturday will be observed for guests to tour the museum and The Lightfoot and Mountain City Vintage Base Ball clubs will kick off their 2021 season with a 2 p.m. match on the polo field. Spectators are reminded to bring your lawn chairs and snacks to enjoy the game.
Chickamauga American Legion Post 217 will sponsor a yard sale on Saturday, May 1, at 79 Wheeler Ave., Chickamauga, from 8 a.m. to noon. Items include old tools, collectibles, furniture, adult clothing, knick-knacks, books. Funds raised will go to various community organizations which the post supports. For more information, contact Clyde at 706-375-7637.
The Clayton Bell Scholarship Program of the Marsh House Museum
(308 N. Main St., LaFayette) offers rising seniors (those who have completed the junior year) at any of the three Walker County high schools the opportunity to complete an internship of 50 hours in historic preservation
at the Marsh House Museum during the senior year. On successful completion of the internship, the student receives a scholarship of $1,000.
The program offers in-depth experiences in historic preservation and is especially attractive to young people interested in any aspect of local history. Applications will be accepted until May 1. Application forms are posted the website, Marshhouseoflafayette.org, and on the Marshhouseoflafayette Facebook page. For more information, call 706-638-7735.
Friday, May 7
Gordon Lee High School’s graduation will be Friday, May 7, at 8 p.m. at the Billy Neil Ellis Stadium.
Saturday, May 8
Walker County Extension/4H and Cornerstone Veterinarian Services are sponsoring rabies vaccination clinics in Walker County. Pet owners are urged to protect their families from rabies by bringing their dog(s) and cat(s) to one of the clinics for vaccination. The cost is $15 per pet, cash only. The clinics will be held on the following dates and times: Saturday, May 8 — 1-2 p.m. at Gilbert Elementary; 2:30-3:30 p.m. at Lookout Baptist Church (8645 Ga. 193, Chickamauga); 4-5:30 p.m. at Chattanooga Valley Elementary. Saturday, May 15 — 1-2 p.m. at Gordon Lee High School; 3-4 p.m. at Naomi Elementary; 4:30-5:30 p.m. at Rock Spring Elementary.
The Northwest Georgia Arts Guild will host a Mother’s Day Art Show titled “Something for Mother” on Saturday, May 8, from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Welcome Center, 309 North Main St. in LaFayette. Featured local artists in the “6 by 6” art exhibit/sale features six works by six local artists and will include works by Susan Cofer, Johnny Baker, Michael Roberts, Erika Couey and Matt Hammond. Come, find the perfect art piece for your home or office. All proceeds go to the artists. Please support art the local community. Bring a mask. Admittance will be limited to 6 persons at any one time. More information: 706-764-2801. Leave a message.
The Marsh House Museum will hold a soft reopening to the public for a Mother’s Day Tea and Tour, Saturday, May 8, from 2-4:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 for two persons by reservation with prepay only. The tea will include a tour of the house museum decorated for spring, tea and cookies and a visit to the Welcome Center. Tour groups every half hour will be limited to six guests for the tea and tour, then escorted to Welcome Center to visit the Marsh House Gift Shop and view art exhibits at the Six by Six Art Show sponsored by the Northwest Georgia Arts Guild. Masks required except when eating. Spaces are limited. For more information, call 706-764-2801. To register and purchase tickets, visit the Marsh House webpage or reserve spaces by messaging the Facebook page, www.facebook.com/TheMarshHouseOfLaFayette.
Thursday, May 20
Heritage High School’s graduation will held Thursday, May 20, at 7 p.m. at the school’s football stadium.
Ridgeland High School’s graduation will be Thursday, May 20, at 8 p.m. at the football field. In the event of rain, graduation will be on Saturday, May 22, at 9 a.m. at the football field.
Friday, May 21
Ringgold High School’s graduation will be Friday, May 21, at 7:30 p.m. at the school’s football stadium.
Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High School’s graduation will be Friday, May 21, at 8 p.m. at the school’s football stadium.
LaFayette High School’s graduation will be Friday, May 21, at 8 p.m. at the football field. In the event of rain, graduation will be on Friday, May 21, at 8 p.m. inside the gym.
Monday, May 31
The LaFayette Woman’s Club and the LaFayette American Legion Post 339 invite the public to the dedication ceremony of the new Flags and Crosses location at Veterans Memorial Park at the entrance of the LaFayette Recreation Center. The dedication ceremony will take place on Monday, May 31, at 5 pm. City officials, the LaFayette High School JROTC, the LaFayette Woman’s Club, the LaFayette American Legion, Flags and Crosses sponsors, and the community are encouraged to attend. For more information about the Flags and Crosses call 706-766-2499 or email flagsandcrosses2021@ yahoo.com. For more information about the Flags and Crosses dedication ceremony, contact Rachel Oesch Willeford at racheloeschwilleford@ gmail.com.
Saturday, Aug. 7
On Saturday, Aug. 7, LIFT Youth Center Inc. will hold its grand opening. More information will be provided closer to the event. The grand opening kicks off LIFT’s normal hours of operation and begins providing Catoosa County 5th-12th graders and their families this much needed resource.
GENERAL
♦ CANCELED EVENT Saturday tours of the GordonLee Mansion in Chickamauga for April and May are cancelled due to Tennessee Valley Railroad track repairs. These tours were primarily for the TVR’s earlyseason Chickamauga Turn passengers. The Friends of Gordon-Lee Mansion will open the mansion each Saturday from Memorial Day until Labor Day, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., for all who wish to tour the mansion. Tour prices are $5 for adults and $1 for 12 and under, paid at the door, for self-guided tours. All proceeds go to the Friends 501C3 group for promoting and enhancing the mansion. For more information, call 423488-0861 or email Friendsglm@comcast.net.”
♦ SURVEY The Catoosa County Board of Education is reviewing and updating the system’s strategic plan. The board values input from parents and community members, so a stakeholder survey is posted on the system’s website (www.catoosa.k12.ga.us) to receive feedback. Stakeholder input will be used to determine priorities, and establish goals and objectives for the school system for the next five years. Superintendent Reese said, “The board received valuable input from stakeholders on the last strategic plan survey. It is very important for us to understand the community’s priorities and expectations when we are making important decisions for the future.” The survey will be available until May 3, 2021.