CENTRAL BLOUNT COUNTY LIONS CLUB will have a Charter Night Banquet tomorrow, June 27, at 6 p.m., at One Way Outreach Ministries, 36560 State Highway 79, Cleveland. Tickets are $20 per person.RSVP to Russell Murphree at 205-625-2013 or russellanddenise@yahoo.com by Monday, June 24.
TOWN OF LOCUST FORK Town hall remains closed through tomorrow, June 27.
ONEONTA BUSINESS ASSOCIATION presents its fifth Saturday Classic Cruise-In June 29, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m., in downtown Oneonta. Enjoy classic vehicles, shopping, dining, and entertainment by the Travis Posey Band. Singing Showdown winners are invited to perform as music continued beyond 8 p.m. Limited booth space is available (free for OBA members; $25 nonmembers). Online preregistration at www.oneontabusinessassociation.com is required. No charge to display classic vehicles.
UPWARD FLAG FOOTBALL AND CHEERLEADING Firstthrough sixth-graders may register and pay at registration.upward.org/UPW68519.You may also register by filling out a brochure at Cleveland First Baptist Church.Early registration and discounted fee ($95 per child) ends June 30. Registration and fee ($100 per child) are due Aug. 12. Every registered player or cheerleader must attend evaluation or orientation on Saturdays, July 13, or July 20, from 9 a.m. until noon. First practice will be Tuesday, Aug. 13. Games will be on Saturdays beginning Sept.7.Phone Rex Branham at 205-353-1425 for more information.
BLOUNT COUNTY COURTHOUSE will be closed Thursday, July 4, and Friday, July 5, in response to the governor’s declaration of a state holiday on Friday.
OHS YOUTH FOOTBALL CAMP scheduled to begin July 8 has been canceled. Registration forms already sent in will be returned by mail.
BLOUNTSVILLE HISTORICAL PARK presents ‘Sounds of Liberty’ Thursday, July 4, at 12:30 p.m. Jon Ogle will be guest speaker as we understand why we celebrate Independence Day. 200 birthday gifts will be given and the winner of a pine bench and table will be chosen. Phone 205-429-2468 for info.
ONEONTA PUBLIC LIBRARY Tomorrow, June 27, 5:30 p.m.: We read the book; now join us for the movie The Martian. We will discuss book vs. movie afterwards.
Friday, June 28, 6:30 p.m.: Family movie night featuring Alabama Moon. Refreshments provided.
Saturday, June 29, 1 p.m.: Twisted Stitchers, a group for crocheters to quilters, invite needlecrafters to come work on their projects while enjoying good company. Resources and instruction to learn to crochet will be available.
Tuesday, July 2, 6 p.m.: Teen movie night featuring Ender’s Game. We will discuss book vs. movie afterwards.
Wednesday, July 3, 10 a.m.: Deborah Sarcinelli from Neely School of Music and Arts will lead children in song and dance as we celebrate Independence Day.
Thursday, July 4, and Friday, July 5: The library will be closed for Independence Day.
English as a Second Language lab is Mondays at 4:30 p.m.
Story hour is Mondays at 10 a.m.
Lego Club is Saturdays at 10 a.m.
Hours are Monday and Thursday, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Visit www.oneontapubliclibrary.org or phone 205-274-7641 for more information on library programs.
USDA NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE (NRCS), in partnership with the Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee, announces a new initiative focusing on improving water quality and riparian area habitat through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). The intent of the initiative is to help landowner limit livestock access to streams, creeks, rivers, and other sensitive riparian areas through the implementation of selected conservation practices that address water quality related resource concerns. Eligible producers are encouraged to apply by July 8 by visiting the local USDA service center at 55545 U.S. Hwy 231, Suite A, Oneonta. For more information phone 205-274-2363 ext. 3.
BAMACARRY OF BLOUNT COUNTY will meet Thursdays, July 11, and August 8, at 6:30 p.m., at SwampTails in Oneonta. All gun rights enthusiasts are invited to attend.
CLEVELAND HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1963 will have a reunion Thursday, July 11, from 12:30 p.m. until 2 p.m. at Charlie B’s in Oneonta. Phone Darnell at 205-625-4835 with questions.
COLLEGE COUNTS 5/29 GIVEAWAY The fifth annual statewide giveaway focuses on babies born between May 29, 2018, and May 29, 2019. CollegeCounts will randomly select 29 winners to receive $529 in contributions toward an existing or newly opened CollegeCounts account. Parents, grandparents, and legal guardians can visit CollegeCounts529.com/giveaway to register by entering their contact information and the child’s name and date of birth. Selected winners must provide a birth certificate or commemorative birth announcement to receive funds. No purchase necessary to enter or win a prize. All entries must be submitted by July 13, 2019. Winners will be contacted by July 25, 2019.
BLOUNT-ONEONTA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE is hosting a Volunteer Fair Tuesday, July 16, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., at the Frank Green Building. Organizations in search of volunteers may register to have a table at the event. Volunteers in search of opportunities may come explore different options. There is no cost for the event. Phone the Chamber office at 205-274- 2153 for more information about these and other Chamber events.
SAFE SITTER® BABYSITTING TRAINING CLASS for boys and girls ages 11 to 16 will be Wednesday, July 17, at Cullman Regional. The one-day class costs $35 for children of Healthy Life members and $55 for others. Lunch and snacks are provided. Visit www.cullmanregional.com or phone 256- 735-5600 for more information or to register.
GO BUILD ALABAMA has launched a new scholarship. Go Build’s Career Kickstart Scholarship will provide up to $10,000 in first-year tuition for two qualified candidates who plan to attend an Alabama community college in the fall of 2019 and are studying a skilled trade. Students who are already enrolled may apply by submitting a 250-word response on why they believe they belong in a skilled trade now through July 17 at GoBuildAlabama.com.
THE WHOLE BACKSTAGE COMMUNITY THEATER presents The Will Rogers Follies: A Life in Revue on July 19, 20, 25, 26, and 27, at 7 p.m., and Sunday matinees on July 21 and 28, at 2 p.m. To purchase tickets phone 256-582-7469 or visit www.wholebackstage.com.
BLOUNT COUNTY SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT is currently offering financial assistance to agricultural landowners and operators within the Graves Creek Watershed to apply conservation practices. Through the Alabama Nonpoint Source Management Program and Section 319 of the Clean Water Act, agricultural landowners or operators may be eligible for financial assistance to correct environmental problems. Cost sharing assistance is available, but not limited to: channel stabilization, watering facilites, heavy use areas, interior fencing, stream protection, spring development, and stream crossing. For more information phone 205-274-2363, ext. 3.
DAIRY MARGIN COVERAGE PROGRAM The USDA’s Farm Service Agency announces that signups have begun for the new Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program. The program is the cornerstone of the dairy safety net that helps dairy producers manage the volatility of milk and feed prices. All dairy producers in the United States are eligible for the DMC program. For more information, visit farmers.gov webpage or contact your local USDA service center at 205-274-2363, ext. 3.
ONEONTA BUSINESS ASSOCIATION “Light the Town,” a fundraising campaign to replace downtown rooftop Christmas lights, is underway. Contributions can be made through the OBA’s website or mailed to P.O. Box 1976, Oneonta, AL 35121.
OBA now meets monthly on the third Tuesday at 5 p.m. in the St. Vincent’s Blount board room. Members and those interested are invited to attend.
Visit www.oneontabusinessassociation.com, www.facebook.com/oneontabusinessassociation, or phone 205-446-0462 for more information about all OBA special events.
BLOUNT COUNTY AMERICAN LEGION Blountsville Post #129 meets the second Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Blount American Legion Hall. Oneonta Post #72 meets the second Saturday of each month at 8:30 a.m. at Charlie B’s. Snead Post #818 meets the first Monday of each month at 6 p.m. at the old Snead Senior Center. Locust Fork Post #2014 does not have a regular meeting schedule. For more information on any post, email Larry Stone at LarryLStone4@gmail.com.
PICTURE MAKERS PHOTO CLUB meets at 6:30 p.m., on the last Thursday of each month at the Cleveland Fire Department. Those with an interest in photography at any skill level are invited. Phone 205-559- 2203 or 205-274-8608 for more information.
A PLACE AT THE TABLE meets on Tuesday nights from 6:30 p.m. until 8 p.m., at Main Street Coffee, adjacent to Miller’s Soda Shoppe. A light supper will be served at 6:30 p.m., followed by casual conversation about the real-life topic of the week. Visit www.aplaceatthetableoneonta.com to learn more. No charge.
BLOUNT COUNTY BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION meets every fourth Thursday (January through October) from 6:30 p.m. until 8 p.m., at the Blount County Resource Center, 62561 U.S. Highway 231, Cleveland. Those interested in honey bees or beekeeping are invited. Beekeeping classes will be held in the fall for those desiring to become a beekeeper. We regularly purchase bees and supplies as a group. Door prizes are given at each meeting. You must be present to win. For more information contact Lonnie Funderburg at funder@otelco.net or Harold Deason at hdeson@aol.com.
HAYDEN LIONS CLUB meets the first and third Mondays of each month at 7 p.m. at Top Hat Barbecue Restaurant on US 31 in Blount Springs. Phone club president Doug Jones at 205-590- 1726 for more information.
MILITARY ORDER OF THE PURPLE HEART Chapter 2213 meets the first Tuesday of each month at Azteca Tex-Mex Grill, 300 Springville Station Blvd., Springville (behind Walmart), at 6 p.m. for dinner and 7 p.m. meeting. Guest speakers address subjects of interest to veterans. Contact Cmdr. Lonnie Wadsworth at 205-790- 1141 or email lonnie. wadsworth@charter.net for more information.
ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS The Blount County office is now open Wednesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS The Blount County group meets Wednesdays at 7 p.m., Saturdays at 7 p.m., and Sundays at 8 a.m. Alanon meets Mondays at noon. Both groups meet in Allgood. For information and directions to the meetings, phone 205-274-7780 or 205-274-0596. ONE-ON-ONE SMALL BUSINESS COUNSELING The Blount-Oneonta Chamber of Commerce partners with Jacksonville State University to provide free counseling sessions for new and existing small business owners the second Tuesday of each month at the Chamber office. Phone Ken Grissom, director of the Alabama Small Business Development Center Network at JSU, at 256-282-3380 for an appointment. MUSIC ON THE MOUNTAIN There will be a gospel/bluegrass/ ole time country acoustic open jam at the Amilea Porter Building at Palisades Park the first Thursday of every month from 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. Phone 205-612- 4239 or 205-274-0017 for more information. RECOVERY SUPPORT GROUP R.O.S.S. holds free, open to all, recovery support group meetings every Tuesday from 6:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at Cleveland First Baptist Church. Help is available for those battling addiction, those in recovery needing support, and families struggling with addiction. Phone Susan Sweatman at 205-837- 5436 with questions. DISABILITY RIGHTS AND RESOURCES is located in the Family Services Center. The group enables people with disabilities to fully participate in the community. Services include independent living skills training, employment assistance, and home modification. Questions? Phone 205-251-2223 ext. 400 to make an appointment or visit www.ilrgb.org.
NEWS BRIEFS Phone 205-625-3231 or email production@blountcountian.com.
COVERED BRIDGE PLAYERS announces the 2019-2020 season: “Rumors” – Sept. 13-22; “Greater Tuna” – Nov. 15-24; “Elvis Has Left the Building” – Jan. 17-26; “Wedding Belles” – March 13-22; “Miss Nelson is Missing” – May 8-17. Season tickets are available.
Season auditions will be held Saturdays, July 6 and 13, at 2 p.m., at the theater located at 413C 6th Street South, Oneonta. All ages are needed and all experience levels are welcome. Cold reads only; no monologues necessary. For more information, phone 205-274-7469, like our Facebook page, or visit www.coveredbridgeplayers.com.
CHAPTER 28 DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS The Blount County group has a service office at 1004 2nd Street East, Oneonta, open each Monday from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. The Hayden office is open 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. each Friday at Hayden Town Hall. Free services include assistance with forms for veterans benefits, insurance, and more. For information or to make an appointment, phone Cmdr. Frank Cannon at 205-359-1865 or Gary Clements at 256-655-4867.
BLOUNT COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT Firearms Training Course is currently being offered, teaching gun safety, handling, and care of a handgun. The free course is open to the public, but individuals must have their own handgun and ammunition.
For more information or to register, contact Lt. Russ Claburn or operations officer Tim Kent at 205- 625-4127, or email rclaburn422@yahoo.com.
THE CRISIS CENTER serves individuals who have experienced sexual assault and offers medical exams, counseling, and advocacy. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m., with additional hours provided as needed. Individuals who have experienced sexual assault may reach the Crisis Center at any time via the Rape Response hotline at 205-323- 7273, or during business hours at 202 2nd Avenue West, Oneonta.
LITERACY COUNCIL READING TUTORS Know an adult who wants to learn to read? The Blount County Literacy Council has trained volunteer reading tutors and the service is free to Blount County residents. For more information, phone Sondra Horsley at 205-681-7888 or the Literary Council of Central Alabama at 1-888-326-1925, or email blountcountyliteracycouncil@gmail.com.
BLOUNT COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT To find out if you meet income and nutrition guidelines to qualify for WIC, phone 205-274-2120. WIC is an equal opportunity provider.
MURPHREE VALLEY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT is seeking volunteers. Phone fire chief Mike Gunn at 205-353-1696 for more information.
‘FIX YOUR MAMA’ is a spay/neuter program with Crossing Paths Animal Rescue for Blount County residents who need financial assistance to fix female dogs or cats and male pit bulls or pit mixes. A $25 fee covers the surgery and a rabies vaccination.
Financial assistance is available. There are a limited number of appointments. Donations are needed to keep the program going and may mailed to PO Box 262, Cleveland, AL 35049. Phone 205-559-7007 for more information or to make an appointment.
DOG FOSTER FAMILIES NEEDED Crossing Paths Animal Rescue finds homes for hundreds of Blount County dogs every year. Dogs can be saved if there are foster homes to house them for a short time. Contact Mary Ellen at 205-559-7648 if you are interested in being foster parents to a homeless dog. All food and medical care is provided while the dog is in foster care.
BLOUNT COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER Hours are Tuesday through Friday, noon until 4:30 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., phone number 205-625-6026.
CROSSING PATHS ANIMAL RESCUE A GoFund- Me account has been set up for county residents to contribute to the non-profit charity. Crossing Paths is a no-kill shelter and is seeking to raise funds to continue operating. Visit www.gofundme.com, search Cleveland, AL, and choose Crossing Paths Animal Rescue to donate.
FRIENDS OF THE LOCUST FORK RIVER Entries for the 2019 Art & Photo Contest will be accepted through Wednesday, July 31. Participation details are available on our website.
FLFR is looking for volunteers for various projects. If you can spare four hours a month, we have interesting and rewarding activities. Email info@flfral.com to join our team.
Register for hikes and cleanups, learn more about FLFR, donate, and much more at flfr.org. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY EXERCISE CLASS will resume in the fall.
BLOUNTSVILLE MUNICIPAL POOL Pool hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., and Sunday from 1:30 p.m until 5:30 p.m. Admission is $6 for ages 5 and up, $3 for ages 4 and under. Summer passes are available for $50 single pass, $80 two-person pass, $100 family of three, and $160 family of four.
LOVE WRITING AND/OR ART? The Oneonta Public Library is starting a club for teens interested
in helping produce an E-zine where teens can submit their poems, short stories, and art for online distribution. If you are interested in submitting work or helping produce the E-zine, stop by the library or email oplprogramming@gmail.com.
BLOUNTSVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY Library hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Phone 205-429-3156 or visit www.blountsvillepubliclibrary.info for more information.
BLOUNT COUNTY MEMORIAL MUSEUM The museum is searching for information about: Mountain Brook Grocery Store (located near Blount Springs) before it was moved in 1957; the low water bridge located on Jerry Marsh Road and a covered bridge in the same area; the Blow Gourd community west of Ala 79 between Locust Fork and Cleveland (specifically a more than 100-year-old home at 43 Sullivan Drive that was a store where customers used a gourd to call the proprieter.)
Blount County Bicentennial Home School Program is offered for students ages 8-18. Phone the museum for details and to sign up for the class.
Visit www.blountmuseum.org or phone curator Amy Rhudy at 205-625-6905 with any information or for details on events. Museum hours are Tuesday through Thursday, 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
BLOUNTSVILLE HISTORICAL PARK The park is open for weddings, reunions, and meetings. The park is open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., to stamp your 200th celebration passbook and to view several old and interesting artifacts on display. Phone 205-429-2468 for reservations.
ALACARE HOME HEALTH Breakfast Club is for adults experiencing the loss of a loved one and meets the second Thursday of each month from 9 a.m. until 10 a.m. at 1409 2nd Avenue East (across from Sonic). Phone 205-274-9188 to register or for more information.
DIVORCECARE BLOUNT COUNTY has sessions at First Baptist Church Oneonta, 300 3rd Avenue East. Separation and divorce can be a difficult time for families, especially children. DivorceCare 4 Kids, geared toward ages 5-12, whose parents are separated or divorced, is also offered. Phone Dawn King- Smith at 205-283-3357, email dking8669@yahoo.com, or visit DivorceCare.org for more information and times.