Community Calendar

The Gadsden County NAACP Branch meets every second and fourth Thursday of each month at Union Hall at 6:30 p.m. All interested citizens are invited to attend and join. This branch will host its annual banquet March 28 at New Bethel AME Church’s Multippurpose Center at 6 p.m. Contact Sam Palmer at 627-2673 for information and tickets.

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Teen Court will be held March 3, 17 and 31, April 14 and 28, May 12 and 26, and June 9 and 23. The Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office Teen Court program offers youthful offenders an alternative to prosecution through the juvenile justice system. The program meets on the above dates from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Courthouse Annex. For more information, contact Tiffany Parsons-Braswell at 875-7596.

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Quincy City Commission meets at Quincy City Hall at 6 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesday of each month.

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Gadsden County Commission meets at 6 p.m. the first and third Tuesday of each month in the commission chambers in downtown Quincy.

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Gadsden County Planning and Zoning meets the second Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. in the commission chambers in downtown Quincy.

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Gretna City Commission meets at Gretna City Hall at 6:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month.

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Chattahoochee City Commission meets the first Tuesday of the month at the Chattahoochee City Hall.

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Havana Town Council meets the last Tuesday of each month at 9 a.m. at Havana Town Hall.

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Greensboro Town Council meets the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at Greensboro Town Hall.

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Midway City Council meets the first Thursday of each month at Midway City Hall at 7 p.m.

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Gadsden County School Board meets the fourth Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m.

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Quincy Rotary Club meets every Tuesday at the Quincy Women’s Club at 1 p.m.

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Lion’s Club meets the first and third Tuesday nights each month at 6:30 p.m. at 37 N. Cleveland St. in Quincy.

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Pilot Club meets the first and third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at El Ranchito Restaurant, Quincy.

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Quincy Kiwanis Club meets at Kittrell’s every Thursday at 12:30 p.m.

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Greensboro Kiwanis meets each Thursday evening at 7 p.m. in the Greensboro Town Hall. Call Ann Blount for more information at 544-0905.

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Home-schooled children age 6-12 are invited to join the sports program at Tallavana Christian School. Sports opportunities include volleyball, girls and boys basketball, fast-pitch softball and baseball. Call the school office at 539-5300 between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. for more information.

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Gadsden Leadership and Law Academy will offer three programs to all high school seniors. The traditional correctional basic training program trains students to become certified correctional officers and requires 592 hours of study. In 2007-8, the academy added two additional programs including public safety telecommunications ddispatch (911 operator training) and armed and unarmed private security officer ttraining, requiring 232 hours and 80 hours of study, respectively. Each graduate of the corrections programs earns 28 college credits, a three-year scholarship to Tallahassee Community Colege and, after successfully completing the state of Florida correctional officer examination, will be eligible to earn a starting salary between $32,000 to $34,000 per year. For further information, call Tinika McNeil, East Gadsden High School Academy coordinator, at 539-5882, ext. 1127 or Kimblin E. NeSMith at 545-5597.

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The family of Curtis King, the Talquin Electric lineman killed during Tropical Storm Fay, has established an education fund for King’s daughter Kendall. Contributions may be made at any Envision Credit Union. Make checks payable to “Kendall King Education Account.”

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Veterans may qualify for a bonus, retirement, medical, dental or life insurance. Contact NC1 Gaines or PS2 Tyson at 575-0014 or 575-0671, 251-1419 or 528-9353.

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To be a part of the upcoming Quincy Relay for Life, call Amanda May at 297-0588, ext. 3705, or Angie Carter at 544-1467. Groups are needed to participate, along with committee members and chairs.

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The Gadsden County Democrats executive committee meets the third Thursday each month at 6:30 p.m. at Quincy City Hall.

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Gadsden Technical Institute’s GED evening preparation program is accepting applications for enrollment. This special enrollment is for persons 18 years or older who are no longer enrolled in another educational program within the Gadsden County School District. For more information, call 875-8324.

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New Macedonia MB Church is offering free tutoring sessions for all school-age children each Wednesday evening at 6 p.m. For more information, call 597-7630.

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The Foundation For Dreams after school homework and tutoring program is currently providing services for students in pre-K thru fifth grade. Each child is asessed to determine his or her academic needs and any special assistance that may be needed. The program provdes snacks, as well as additional activities including arts and crafts, indoor and outdoor activities, games, computer access and much more. Individual tutoring sessions can also be arranged. The program is held at Antioch MB Church, 1003 W. Clark St. in Quincy, Monday - Thursday, 3:45 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. Contact Cheraka Thomas at 212-4764 for rates and information.

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Greensboro Elementary School launched its new male involvement program, Watch Dads of Great Students. WatchDOGS will be used by the school to invite male role models to sign up for one full day of volunteering. This program isn’t just for fathers; ggrandfathers, uncles, brothers, cousins, godfathers and friends can participate. The males will be utilized in the school in such areas as breakfast duty, bus duty, safety patrol, weekend activities and much more.

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The city of Quincy asks that before digging in any service area, please call the Sunshine State one-call line at 811 or 1-800-432-4770 for utility directions.

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The District 2 Neighborhood Network is recuriting residents to serve as board members to help affect change in the city of Quincy’s District 2. For more information or to sign up, call Stacey Hannigon at 322-5468.

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A caregivers meeting is held on the first and third Tuesday of each month from noon to 1 p.m. at the Quincy library. For more information, call Mike Miller at 562-1325.

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The Gadsden County Coalition for Change is organizing a food drive as an answer to President-elect Barack Obama’s call for Americans to give back to their communities. The drive will supply food to various food banks in Gadsden County. If you would like to donate a nonperishable food item, please call Rick at 539-5338, Johnnie Mae at 663-3900 or Monica at 510-4015.

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Parents, grandparents and caregivers of preschool-age children are invited to a weekly story time at the Bill McGill Library in Quincy. Young children will enjoy singing, crafts and free play every Tuesday from 10:30 a.m. to noon. For more information, call 627-7106. The programs are free and everyone is invited.

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The Gadsden County Extension Service, in cooperation with Florida A&M University/CESTA Extension and Outreach Programs and University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, will offer a nine-day home horticulture training program March 4, 11, 18 and 25 and April 1, 8 and 15. Participants that successfully complete the program will have the title of Master Gardener Volunteer. Training will

be conducted jointly between Jackson County Extension (through March 25) and Gadsden County Extension (April 1-15). Transportation from the Gadsden County Extension Office will be provided to the Jackson County Extension Office. Applications can be obtained by contacting one of the following county extension telephone numbers: in Gadsen County, 850-875-7255; and in Jackson County, 850-482-9620. Registration is required. The cost of the training program is $65 with an optional textbook fee of $75. For more information, call your local county extension office.

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Boys and Girls Clubs throughout the country accept donated cars. The money from the sale of those cars is used to help the clubs fund programming. To donate, call 1-800-246-0493. Cars will be picked up within a few days of the call, and there are no restrictions.

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The Gadsden County Community Health Council meets the second Wednesday of each month in the TCC Quincy House Conference Room at 10 a.m.

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The New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church education program, in collaboration with Havana Elementary, Havana Middle and East Gadsden High schools, is providing FCAT tutoring. This program is specifically designed to assist serious students in grades three through 12 in preparation for the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test. The last session is scheduled to be held at Havana Elementary School March 7. A continental breakfast will be served at 10 a.m., and the session will end at 12:30 p.m. Parents must provide transportation for children to and from the school. All tutors are trained and certified. For more information, contact Maurice Stokes at 850-727-3579 or New Jerusalem MB Church 850-539-1155.

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To better understand ways to prevent cancer the American Cancer Society is recruiting 5,000 adults across the U. S. and Puerto Rico for a landmark new research study cancer prevention study-3(CPS-3). Erollment will take place at Quincy Relay April 24, from 6-10 p.m. Individuals may choose to participate if they are between the age 30 and 65 years old and have never been diagnosed with cancer and are willing to make a long-term commitment to the study(which involves completing a followup questionaire every few years. For more information, visit www.cancer.org/cps-3, call 1-888-604-5888 or e-mail cps3@cancer.org. You may also call Emma Baker, local volunteer chair, at 627-8734.

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Nations Traffic School is offering classes in traffic safety. Call 539-1143 or go online at www.nationstrafficschool.com for more information.

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The Gadsden Soil and Water Conservation District is sponsoring a poster contest for children in kindergarten through sixth grade. Students are encouraged to create posters that express their thoughts about soil, water and related natural resource issues. Contest date is April 13-17 at the USDA Service Center Livestock Pavilion, 2148 W. Jefferson St. in Quincy.

There is also a public speaking contest for students in grades 6-12, and is open to any student. This contest is designed to develop speaking skills and to stimulate awareness in natural resource conservation efforts. Contest date is April 20 at 7 p.m., also at the pavilion, and cash prizes will be awarded.

Contact Jimmie Barkley at 627-6355, ext. 3, for more information and contest rules.

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Dixie Youth Baseball is awarding scholarships to 2009 graduating seniors. The scholarship is for $2000. In 2008, 70 scholarships were awarded in the Dixie Youth organization. To apply for this scholarship, see your school guidance counselor, your local Dixie Youth official, or contact District 5 Director Marty Toole at 850-519-4241 or go online at www.dixie.org/dyb for the application form. The application deadline is March 1.

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The Gadsden Arts Center is hosting a three-day watercolor workshop with Panama City artist Don Taylor, offering participants the opportunity to master the art of Watercolor painting. Taylor has won numerous awards for painting and has studied with many nationally known artists. He exhibits nationally and draws his subject matter from trips around the world. Taylor is the Southern Watercolor Society President, and is a Signature Member of the Southern, Florida, Texas, Pennsylvania and Texas watercolor societies. He has had work accepted in numerous National Watercolor Society, regional and local exhibitions. The workshop is offered in the arts center art studio for three days, March 6-8: Friday, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Sunday, 1-5 p.m. Participants will learn a broad range of content, from planning a strong composition, mixing color, transparent painting techniques and composition, to designing a complete work of art. Tuition is $150 for all three days. Call 850-875-4866 to register or enroll online at www.gadsdenarts.org.

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The Havana Lion’s Club is putting together a cookbook for sale to the general public and is looking for residents willing to share their favorite recipes (desserts, main course, outdoor cooking, breads, etc.). Please send your favorite recipes (as many as you like) to havanalionsclub@aol.com or mail them to The Havana Lion’s Club, P. O. Box 723, Havana, FL 32333. If you have questions, call Trish Yahn at 539-4115 or Hardie Rogers at 509-4635. Entry deadline is March 24.

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The West Florida Livestock Steer and Market Swine Show will be held through today at the William Inman Agricultural Center in Quincy.  Everyone is invited to attend this youth steer and market hog show. The Swine Show will begin today at 9 a.m., and the Steer Show will be at 1 p.m. There will be approximately 30 to 40 animals in the shows.

An old-fashioned barbeque supper will be served to the public today at 5:30 p.m. at the William Inman Agricultural Center. Plates are $5 for adults and $3 for children. Carry-out plates will be available.

The awards presentation will begin at 6:30 p.m. followed by the auction of animals around 7 p.m. The pig scramble for kids under 8 years old will be held following the auction. Registration and release forms for the pig scramble are available at the pavilion and must be signed by parents before 5:30 p.m. on Thursday. For more information, call 875-7255.

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The Gadsden County Humane Society will hold a garage sale fundraiser April 4 from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Faith Apostolic Christian Tabernacle, located at 2540 Florida-Georgia Highway, just south of Havana. All proceeds will directly benefit homeless animals in Gadsden County. We are seeking donations of clothes, furniture, books, knick knacks, and anything else you no longer need. Please e-mail gadsdenhumane@bellsouth.net or leave a message at 539-0505 to arrange drop-off or pickup of your items.

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Would you like to become a program commissioner and manage a city recreation program? Quincy Parks and Recreation is now accepting applications for the following programs: youth softball, T-ball, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, baseball and volleyball. Call Greg Taylor at 618-0042 for more information.

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A memorial scholarship has been established in the name of Bobby Presnell for students attending Robert F. Munroe or Sneads High School. Students who wish to apply must have at least a “C” average, and include a resume of school and community activities with a completed application. Students must also explain why they need financial assistance to attend college. This can be don e in a personal letter. Applications and more details are available in the offices of the schools’ guidance department. Deadline for application submission is April 10.

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The Quincy Kiwanis Club is sponsoring its 11th annual golf tournament to raise funds for its college scholarship program. The tournament will be held April 24 at the Golf Club of Quincy. Format is select-a-shot, with two-person teams at $120 per team, with a shotgun start of 9 a.m. There will be prizes for three flights, closest to the pin, longest putt and longest drive, plus a $10,000 hole-in-one. Lunch and practice balls will be provided. Hole sponsorships are available. Contact Judge Helms at 627-2205 or Richard Combs at 385-4078 or 627-9647 for more information.

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The Wetumpka Volunteer Fire Department is not selling tickets for its annual pilau dinner, to be held March 21 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. The station is located at the corner of Pat Thomas Parkway and McCall Bridge Road. Tickets can be purchased from a member or pay at the door. Price is $7 per plate. All proceeds will go to the department.

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The Carter-Parramore Class of 1970 will meet March 14 at 4 p.m. at the Quincy Library to discuss its 40th reunion. For more information, call Leonard Brown at 875-1327 or Ethel McCray-Marshall at 856-5408.

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The Big Bend Baseball League elected officers Feb. 14. Those officers are: Morrell Bailey, commissioner; Donald Stephens, assistant commissioner, western division; Ray Carver, assistant commissioner, eastern division; Charollett Bailey, treasurer; and Harold Bailey, publicity and promotions chairman. Five teams have committed to the league.

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The Southeastern Farmer’s Network and the University of Florida will host a goat seminar in Jasper March 4 at 9 a.m. The event is free and lunch is provided. For more information, call 875-8555.

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The Class of 1969 will meet to plan its 40th reunion at Bethel AME Church on March 15 at 5 p.m. Call 875-4043 or 627-7078 for more information.

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Chattahoochee Elementary School is holding a Saturday Morning Blitz to “sting the FCAT” March 7, from 9 a.m. until noon. Transportation and snacks will be provided, and the event is for students in grades 3-6 only.

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Gadsden Technical Institute is offering scholarship and grant programs for students for the 2009-10 school year. A workshop will be held March 11 and 12 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Applications must be submitted prior to the workshop in order to participate. For more information, call Margaret Farmer at 875-8324, ext. 1239.

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Robert F. Munroe will host its annual open house for prospective students March 12 at 5:30 p.m. All interested parents are welcome to bring their children for a visit. Information about next year’s enrollment process will be available.

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Gardening Friends of the Big Bend Inc. will hold its second annual speaker dinner March 28 at 6:30 p.m. at the Fountain H. May Sr. Building, NFREC, in Quincy. For more information, call 671-2565 or e-mail clara.skipper@yahoo.com.

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Barbara Shapley, a local author and Havana resident, will be onhand May 2 at QuincyFest for a book signing for her new book, “The Woodrow Tales.” The book is currently available at the Gadsden Arts Center. E-mail Shapley at barbaashapley@comcast.net for more information.

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History Flight, a nonprofit organization that restores old airplanes and finds missing World War II soldiers, will be at the Quincy Municipal Airport to offer flights in two World War II planes, a T-6 Texan or open cockpit Stearman Biplane this weekend.

From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, pilots will be on hand to help people experience smooth flights, aerobatics or combat maneuvers.

Passengers can ride in the planes for 15- to 60-minute tours for a price tag of $245 to $695.

For more information, call 1-888-743-3311.