DEADLINE: The deadline for submitting Area Happenings, Church Events, Reunions or Society items is Thursday at noon. See our website each week for a full listing of local governmental meetings: www.claiborneprogress.net.
Beekeeping Group
Interested in beekeeping and meeting beekeepers? Whether you are looking for information, want to get started or have been beekeeping for years, you are welcome! BEE FRIENDS is your local beekeeping group. We meet monthly, on the first Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the Tazewell Campus of Walters State in the auditorium. April 7 will be our next meeting. Club members will be discussing their experiences of this spring season and exchanging ideas and answering questions. Even if you are not a beekeeper, these subjects may be of interest to you. The meeting is open to everyone and this meeting a great time to check the group out, just ask questions, and meet people from the area with all levels of beekeeping experience. There will be a yellow banner at the door from the parking lot. As always, coffee and dessert will be served.
Claiborne ECD Meeting
The next meeting of the Claiborne Economic and Community Development Board will be April 8 at noon at the Old Town Grill in Tazewell. The public is invited to attend.
Claiborne County Kindergarten Registration
Children who will be five by August 15 are asked to pre-register for kindergarten. You are required to bring your child’s immunization record, a valid birth certificate, child’s social security number and food stamp or AFDC number, if applicable. School registration dates and times: Midway, April 8, 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.; Forge Ridge, April 15, 9 a.m.until 2 p.m.; Springdale, April 22, 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.; Clairfield, May 3, 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.; TNT Primary, May 11, 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. and May 12, 8 a.m. until 3 p.m.; Powell Valley, May 6, 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.; Ellen , May 13, 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.
VFW Fish Fry
It’s time again for the annual fish fry at the VFW Post #8779. The event will be April 9. Take-out is $8, beginning at 11 a.m. In-house all you can eat is $10 and starts at noon. This includes fish, fries, hush puppies, cole slaw, dessert & drink (non-alcoholic). Come on out for some great catfish. All proceeds go to the Christmas Angel Fund. Thank you for supporting our local VFW Post #8779.
Arthur Community Center Association
The Arthur Community Center will be having a clean-up/restoration day April 9 beginning at 9 a.m. Inside and outside work will be done. Volunteers are needed. Please, come and help us repair the Community Center for the public to use. Some materials and donations are needed. For more information, call 423-441-9083.
Rabies Clinics
The annual Claiborne County Rabies Vaccination Clinics will be held April 9 at the following locations and times: New Tazewell Citizens Bank, 1-1:45 p.m.; Springdale Elementary School, 2-2:45 p.m. On April 23 clinics will be held at HY Livesay School, 1-1:45 p.m.; Servolution, 2-2:45 p.m. The price is $10 for the one year rabies vaccination for qualifying dogs and cats. Clinics are sponsored by the Tennessee Department of Health. Participating veterinarian: Michael Rowland, D.V.M. Clinics will be held rain or shine.
Lily Grove Cemetery
The Lily Grove Cemetery annual clean-up will be April 9, beginning at 10 a.m. Afterward, a covered dish lunch will be served. Donations can be made to Bridget Day or Roy Fortner, 1318 Locust Grove Road, New Tazewell, TN 37825. If you have loved ones buried there, please help in the care of the cemetery.
CCSWA Board
The Claiborne County Solid Waste Authority Board will meet for the regular monthly meeting on April 11 at 6 p.m. in the large courtroom at the Claiborne County Courthouse.
Dog Obedience Classes
Dog Obedience Classes begin at 6:30 p.m. on April 11 at Harrogate Hospital for Animals outside in the parking area. Bordetella vaccine required for participation. For info, call 865-585-1998, 423-201-2438 or 606-246-1753.
Budget Committee
The Claiborne County Budget Committee will meet at the large courtroom in the Claiborne County Courthouse at 6 p.m. April 12 and April 19. The public is invited to attend.
American Legion Post #109
All veterans are invited to attend monthly meetings on the second Tuesday of each month. The next meeting is April 12. Activities begin at 6 p.m. with a meal. The meeting is at 7 p.m. at 335 Fulkerson Street in Tazewell.
Claiborne County Historical and Genealogy Society
The Claiborne County Historical and Genealogy Society will hold its regular monthly meeting April 16 at 3:30 p.m. This will be the last meeting before our annual re-enactment “The Battle for Tazewell.” If you would like to volunteer for the event please attend this meeting. The re-enactment will be held on April 23-24. The society is located on Old Knoxville Rd. across from the library. For more information call the office 526-5737 and leave a message. CCHGS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the history of Claiborne County. Please mail your tax deductible contributions or annual membership dues to: CCHGS, P.O. Box 32, Tazewell, TN 37879.
Bulldog Jog
The Claiborne High School Track & Field Team will be holding a Bulldog Jog 5K and 10K run/walk on April 16 beginning at 9 a.m. at Claiborne High School. The cost is $20-30 (student discount available). For more information contact Amy Munsey at CHS at 423-626-3532 or amy.munsey@claibornecsd.org.
Bereavement Support Group
The death of a loved one by suicide presents special problems in grieving. There is often more shock, a greater sense of injustice, more guilt and blame and a heightened sense of helplessness – and these all tend to complicate the healing process for survivors. You are not alone.
There is a safe place in this community for survivors (families and loved ones of suicide victims) to share their loss with others who are experiencing similar thoughts and feelings. Surviving Our Loss After Suicide (SOLAS) is a bereavement support group that will provide help, hope and healing. Groups are open to all adult survivors of suicide and will be held at The Well Being Foundation, 557 Narrows Road, Tazewell, TN 37879. To reach Well Being, go approximately 8.1 miles from the stop light at Cedar Fork Road then turn left on Narrows Road. The meetings will take place from 6-7:30 p.m. Upcoming dates are April 19, May 3, May 17, June 7, June 21, July 19, Aug. 2, Aug. 16, Sept. 6, Sept. 20, Oct. 4 and Oct. 18. For more information call Tammy Wilson, facilitator, at 865-585-2917.
Powell River Regatta
Powell River Kayak & Canoe Regatta in Tazewell will be held April 23. The race will begin at the Well Being Conference Center and end 12 miles downstream at Riverside Rentals. Non-racers are also welcome. Cash prizes of $150 for first place and $50 for second in each category. Return shuttles will be provided. More info at www.PowellRiverBlueway.org and www.Facebook.com/PowellRiverRegatta. The regatta is a production of the Claiborne County Chamber of Commerce.
Alzheimer’s Support Group
Smoky Mountain Home Health & Hospice, Alzheimer’s Support Group will meet the last Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. at Laurel Manor Nursing Facility. The next meeting will be April 28. Community partners: Alzheimer’s Tennessee; Smoky Mountain Home Health & Hospice; Laurel Manor Nursing Facility; Lambert Bookkeeping & Financial Services; Senior Citizens Home Assistance Service, Inc.; Claiborne-Overholt Funeral Home; Eastridge Apartments LLC; Claiborne County Office on Aging. Everyone welcome.
Crazy Aunt Sadie’s Yard Sale
The annual Crazy Aunt Sadie’s Yard Sale will be held in Cumberland Gap April 30 from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. Bring your own table, tent and whatever you need to make your booth. The spaces are 9’ by 18’ down Main Street. The fee for Cumberland Gap residents is $10, $15 for non-residents. Spaces are limited and reservations are recommended. Call 760-574-1052 to reserve a space. Proceeds go to the Cumberland Gap Volunteer Fire Department. There will also be a pancake breakfast for purchase to support the fire department. The cost for the breakfast is $5.
Community Yard Sale
The Tri-State Youth Choir will host a community yard sale on May 7 in the parking lot of HY Livesay Middle School. It will begin at 8 a.m. The donation for a table is $20 unless you will be donating the proceeds to the choir. To reserve a table or for more information call 865-585-7724.
VFW Christmas Angel Ride
It’s time for the Annual VFW Post #8779 Christmas Angel Ride. This is the eleventh year of helping the less fortunate kids in our community have a better Christmas. Registration is at 11 a.m. on May 21 and kickstands up at 1 p.m. Registration fee is $15 per single rider and $5 for a passenger (includes meal and one free door prize ticket). T-shirts will be available for $13 and $15 for XXL & up. We are offering women’s shirts this year. (Pre-sale will be available). Poker hand is optional for $5, plus 50/50 for $1 a ticket. There will be door prizes (extra tickets available for $1 each) and auction items. Sponsorship is available again for $100. This gets your name on the T-shirts and one free T-shirt. We are proud to announce that Bad Decision will be the entertainment this year starting around 8 p.m. All the proceeds go to the Christmas Angel fund and as always thank you for supporting your local VFW Post #8779. For more information call the VFW at 423-626-3220.
Robertson Cemetery
The Robertson Cemetery in the Clouds community is maintained by your donations. It is mowing season. Please make a donation for the upkeep of the cemetery to Citizens Bank in New Tazewell. All donations are appreciated. Every year it takes more to keep the grounds looking good, so please help with the upkeep with your donations. Thanks.
Riverview Cemetery
Riverview Cemetery donations are needed for the upkeep of Riverview Cemetery. Please send donations to: Hazel Gilbert, 537 Pump Springs Road, Harrogate, TN 37752.
Story Time at Library
The Claiborne County Public Library will be having a Story Time every week in the Children’s Room. Story Time will be held on Fridays at 10:30 a.m. with books, music and crafts. Children of all ages are welcome. Call the library at 423-626-5414 for more information.
Clinch-Powell Head Start Registration
The Clinch-Powell Head Start Program is currently taking applications for children 3 and 4 years of age at all Head Start Centers in Claiborne County for the 2016-2017 program year. The child must be 3 years old by Aug. 15, 2016 to be age eligible for the program. Services are provided five days a week with centers open 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Transportation services may be provided dependent upon availability. The program provides services to special needs children including children with severe disabilities. All services, meals and snacks are provided at no cost to the family. For more information or to complete an application, please contact: Child Development Center – 626-6423; Clairfield Center – 784-7700; Ellen Myers Center – 869-4513; Powell Valley Center – 869-0222; SMMS Center – 686-1622; Springdale Center – 626-5152; TNT Center – 626-5708.
Free Spay and Neuter
The Animal Welfare League of Claiborne County is sponsoring a free spay/neuter for dogs and cats in the Claiborne County area for families with income less than $30,000 per year, depending upon the number of people in the household. Pick up applications at Harrogate Hospital for Animals, Russell Veterinary Services or Rowland Veterinary Services. You can also request spay applications at awlccspay@gmail.com . Complete application, including proof of income and mail to AWLCC, 200 Hatfield Morgan Lane, New Tazewell, TN 37825 or scan/email to email address above. Be sure to include a phone number.
Town of Tazewell Brush Pickup
Brush pickup for the residents of the Town of Tazewell is resuming. A maximum quantity of two brush piles 4 ft. wide x 4 ft. tall x 10 ft. long will be collected from each household per visit. Brush and limbs shall be neatly stacked in 4 ft. x 4 ft. piles with the ends facing the same direction. Exceptions: Leaves or other debris may not be mixed with brush. No stumps will be picked up or limbs larger than 6 inches in diameter. Brush must be brought to the curbside and not placed in the street or on sidewalks. Lumber or construction waste materials will not be collected. No commercial, industrial, construction, or land clearing projects are included in the brush collection program. To schedule pickup call the Tazewell City Hall at 626-5104.
Pre-K Program
The Claiborne County Pre-K Program is now accepting applications for the 2016-2017 school year. You can fill out an application at any of the classroom locations or contact The Alpha School at 423-626-3323. Locations: The Alpha School, Ellen Myers, Powell Valley, Forge Ridge, Midway and Springdale.
Free Tech Classes at Library
Need help with technology? Would you like to learn more about your mobile device? You can now schedule an appointment at the Claiborne County Public Library for free help sessions. The library will be able to help with the following: Computers, tablets, phones, use of apps, etc.
Come prepared with: The device you need help with; any necessary usernames and passwords needed to access your device and/or accounts; the device fully charged, if not, please bring a charger; questions and/or concerns about your device.
The library staff will not: Run diagnostics; troubleshoot or fix any malfunctioning devices (unless related to library services); run antivirus scans; computer maintenance; replace parts on a device; credit card transactions.
Call for information, more details or to schedule an appointment at 423-626-5414 or email at claibornelibrary@gmail.com. One-on-one or group appointments are available.
Drug Test Kits Available
Free Saliva Based Drug Testing Kits are available, provided and sponsored through UNITE and (SIGCO) Stand in the Gap Coalition. Give Me a Reason (GMAR) is designed for parents/guardians to use to talk with their children and randomly test them, which gives them a reason to say “no” when tempted or offered drugs. They can be obtained at 44 different distribution points throughout tri-state area & at the SIGCO office, located at 502 Pennlyn Ave., Cumberland Gap, Tennessee. For more information where to find a distribution point near you contact the SIGCO office at 423-300-1302 or to pick one up stop by on Thursdays between noon and 5:30 p.m.
Free GED/High Set Classes
Classes are held in the Claiborne School Board office. For more information call 423-317-1064 or email hiset@tcatmorristown.edu.
Arthur Community Center Association
The Arthur Community Center Restoration Organization has regular meetings the second Thursday and fourth Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Arthur Community Center. All residents of Arthur Community are encouraged to attend. The ACCA is a non-profit organization dedicated to the restoration of the Arthur Community Center for the public to use for meetings, family reunions, wedding receptions, etc.
Free Classes
The Claiborne County Adult High School will be offering classes for students to earn credits to receive their Tennessee state high school diploma. Flexible scheduling will be available for both day and evening classes. If you do not have your high school diploma, please contact the Claiborne County Adult High School at 423-626-8222 for more information.
Claiborne County Historical and Genealogy Society
The Claiborne County Historical and Genealogy Society is located on Old Knoxville Road across from the library. For more information call the office 526-5737. Research hours are Sundays from 1-5 p.m. CCHGS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the history of Claiborne County. Please mail your tax deductible contributions or annual membership dues to: CCHGS, P.O. Box 32, Tazewell, TN 37879.
Homeless Veterans Reintegration Project
Outreach workers Tommy Brooks and Erin Haverland will be available to assist eligible veterans with enrollment in HVRP. The Homeless Veterans Reintegration Project helps veterans find secure employment through case management, job training, and referrals and links with other local service providers. Outreach workers can arrange visits with veterans in outlying areas who are unable to travel to the program office.Veterans Can Help is located at 511 Broadway, Knoxville, TN 37917. Phone: 865-524-3926. In Knoxville, call 865-546-4813 for more information.
Town of Tazewell BMA
The board meetings for the Board of Mayor and Aldermen of the Town of Tazewell are conducted at Tazewell City Hall at 1830 Main Street, the second Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. The BMA workshops are on Wednesday prior to the scheduled board meeting at 6 p.m. as needed. The public is invited to attend all meetings of the board.