DEADLINE: The deadline for submitting Area Happenings, Church Events, Cemetery News, Reunions or Society items is Thursday at noon. See our website each week for a full listing of local events: www.claiborneprogress.net.
Free Classes
The Claiborne County Adult High School is now offering free classes for students to earn credits to receive their Tennessee state high school diploma. Flexible scheduling is available for both day and evening classes. For more information, contact the Adult High School at 423-626-8222.
LEGO Club at Library
A LEGO Club is meeting at the Claiborne County Public Library. All ages are welcome to attend. The club meets on the second Monday and fourth Thursday of each month from 4-5 p.m. to create, build and express your imagination with LEGOs. All LEGO supplies will be provided by the library. No sign up is required – just show up for a building good time. The library is located at 1304 Old Knoxville Road in Tazewell, below Walters State. For more information call 423-626-5414.
Town of Tazewell Meetings
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 Planning Commission Meetings are held at 5:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month. The public is invited to attend these meetings.
Cumberland Gap Meetings
The regular monthly meetings for the Cumberland Gap Historical Zoning Commission will be held the first Tuesday (following the first Monday) of every month at 7 p.m. at the Cumberland Gap Town Hall, 330 Colwyn Street Cumberland Gap (if no items are to be discussed a meeting will not be held). The public is invited to attend.
The regular monthly meetings for the Cumberland Gap Planning Commission will be held the second Thursday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Cumberland Gap Town, 330 Colwyn Street Cumberland Gap (if no items are to be discussed a meeting will not be held). The public is invited to attend.
The regular monthly meetings for the Town of Cumberland Gap Board of Mayor and Alderman will be held the first Monday evening of every month at 7 p.m. at the Cumberland Gap Town Hall, 330 Colwyn Street, Cumberland Gap. The Cumberland Gap Beer Board meeting follows the board meeting each month. At least one week before the regular scheduled meeting the board meets in a study session to review and finalize the agenda. That meeting starts at 6 p.m. and is usually held the Monday before the regular scheduled meeting. Both meetings are open to the public.
Free Eat Smart During Pregnancy Classes
A free six-lesson cooking class, Eat Smart During Pregnancy, will be offered at the Claiborne County Health Department from 10-11:30 a.m. on Wednesdays starting Aug. 24 through Sept. 28. This hands-on class for expecting mothers will be taught by Jackie Payne, Program Assistant with UT Extension Claiborne County TNCEP program. Participants will learn how to choose healthy foods, prepare healthy meals, and save money as they prepare and sample new recipes. Each week participants will receive a helpful kitchen tool. To register for this class call Jackie Payne at 423-626-3742 or email jpayne34@utk.edu. This workshop and all programs offered by Extension are open to anyone who would like to participate. If you would like to learn more about how UT-TSU Extension serves Claiborne County you can visit the office, call 423-626-3742, visit our website at claiborne.tennessee.edu, like us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/extensionclaiborne), or follow us on Twitter @ClaiborneExt.
Tazewell Senior Citizens Center
The Tazewell Senior Center and Claiborne County Office on Aging are hosting a focus group on housing for seniors and those with disabilities on Aug. 31 at 11 a.m. The purpose of this group is for community members to come and give their opinions and input on floor plans, design, etc. for independent living options. Please plan to join us for this special event. The Tazewell Senior Center is located at 180 Jaycee Lane in Tazewell (behind the fairgrounds). For more information call 423-973-3673 ext. 2 for Denise West, director of the Office on Aging.
Bee Friends
Interested in beekeeping and meeting beekeepers? Whether you are looking for information or just curious, you are welcome to join us, BEE FRIENDS, a 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. September 1 will be the next meeting. Mike Studer, the Tennessee State Apiarist, will be presenting information and available to answer any questions that you may have. This is also a great time to check the group out, just ask questions, and meet others with all levels of experience. There will be a sign at the door from the parking lot. As always, coffee and dessert will be served. For more information call 423-648-4785.
Relay For Life
Win two Battle at Bristol tickets! Tickets are $10 per chance and can be purchased at Speedwell, Harrogate and New Tazewell Commercial Bank branches. All proceeds benefit Relay For Life. The drawing will be held on Sept. 2 at 4 p.m.
Middlesboro Heritage Day
Visit the Palace on Cumberland Avenue in the heart of downtown Middlesboro and celebrate the city’s first Heritage Day on Sept. 3 from 2 -6 p.m. Among the festivities will be an era Tea Party, to begin at 2 p.m. at Kirby Commerce Park, on Cumberland Ave., beside the Palace. Bell County Historical Society Museum will have a booth, as will local merchants with antiques to offer. Beverages and other refreshments will be on-site also. Bill Sturdivant will be doing drawings for anyone interested. There will be re-enactors in period dress and live music provided by Brandon Fulson and more.
McNew Reunion
The annual McNew Reunion will be Sept. 3 at the Powell Valley Community Center near the Powell Valley Elementary School. The doors will open at 10 a.m. We are asking that you bring old picture, recipes for our cookbook and a picnic lunch. Be sure to invite others. For more information call Nila McNew at 423-869-3482.
PVHS Class of 1981
The Powell Valley High School class of 1981 35 year reunion will be held at the old PVHS vocational building on Sept. 3 at 1 p.m. For more information call 606-269-7278.
Seal Chapel School Reunion
The annual reunion for Seal Chapel School, also known as “Rip Shin” (Howard’s Quarter Community of Claiborne County) will be held Sept. 4 beginning at 2 p.m. at the Seal Chapel Church House. All former students, teachers and their families are invited to attend and bring pictures or other memorabilia to share with others. Also, bring lawn chairs for your family. For more information, contact Margaret Seals Bull 423-626-3075.
Poore – Carmon Reunion
The family of the late Chester Poore and Lula Carmon Poore will have their annual family reunion on Sept. 4 at the Cumberland Gap High School in Arthur. All family and friends are invited to come. Bring a picnic lunch, which will be served between 12:30-1 p.m. For more information, call 423-869-3823, 423-489-9793 or 423-869-8652.
Hatfield – Sutton Reunion
The 20th annual reunion will be Sept. 4 at Berkau Park, located at 603 Pennlyn Ave. in Cumberland Gap. The reunion will begin at 10:30 a.m. and end when everyone leaves. Lunch will be 12:30-1 p.m. Please bring a covered dish, etc. to share with everyone and drinks for your own family. Bring a lawn chair for yourself; bring old pictures and info to share if you want. Also includes surnames Cowan, Blaylock, Yeary, Rosenbalm, Brooks, Maples, Dean, Snavely, Longworth and others. For more info contact, Jeanie Vaughn at 770-943-4974 or jrevelle@bellsouth.net or Evelyn at 423-489-2749.
Harrogate Labor Day Celebration
The annual Labor Day Celebration by the City of Harrogate will be held Sept. 5 at the Harrogate City Park. Entertainment will begin at 3 p.m. and end at 9 p.m. with fireworks. There will be crafts, food vendors, inflatables, train rides and more – fun for all ages.
Claiborne County Regional Planning Commission
The Claiborne County Regional Planning Commission will hold its next scheduled meeting at 12:30 p.m. on Sept. 6 at the Chamber of Commerce Office, 1732 Main Street, Tazewell, TN 37879. The public is welcome to attend.
Catfish Dinner
Shawanee Lodge No. 546 F&AM will host a Catfish Dinner from 4-7 p.m. on Sept. 9 — eat-in or carry-out. Everyone is welcome.
Caylor – Fultz Reunion
The Caylor & Fultz family reunion will be held Sept. 10 at Springdale School from 1-4 p.m. Bring a covered dish.
Rosson Family Reunion
The Rosson Family Reunion will be held Sept. 10 at 12:30 p.m. in the Pleasant Point Fellowship Hall in New Tazewell.
Learn To Paddle Day
Learn to Paddle Day will be held Sept. 11 from 2-5 p.m. at Riverside Rentals. This is a great chance to get out on the Powell River and find out how easy it is to paddle a kayak or a canoe. There will be boats, instructors and volunteers on hand to help you in and out of the boats. Hot dogs will be available as well. The event is free of charge. For more information visit www.powellriverblueway.org/learn-to-paddle or contact Kyle Prichard at 423-489-1927.
CCSWA Board
The Claiborne County Solid Waste Authority board will meet for the regular monthly meeting on Sept. 12 at 6 p.m. in the large courtroom at the Claiborne County Courthouse.
Dulcimer Convention
The 40th annual Great American Dulcimer Convention will be held at Pine Mountain State Resort Park Sept. 23 and 24 featuring free learning workshops during the day on Saturday and must-see evening concert on Friday and Saturday. The Frontier Night Buffet will also be held on Saturday at the Mountain View Restaurant with buffalo and elk entrees. For more information, visit parks.ky.gov or call 606-337-3066.
Glow Run 5K
A Glow Run 5K will be held Sept. 24 on Main Street in New Tazewell. Registration will begin at 6 p.m. and the race will begin at 7:30 p.m. The entry fee before the event is $20 to race, $25 the day of the race; kids 10 and under are free. A prize will be given for the wackiest dressed runner and all runners will receive a T-shirt and glow sticks. The proceeds will go toward Harvest Fest on Main Street, which will be held Oct. 22. Race it, jog it, walk it or run it – just come out and do it. Register at the Claiborne County Chamber of Commerce. Call 423-626-4149 for more information or visit www.claibornepartnership.com.
Chili Cook Off
The Claiborne County Chili Cook Off will be held Sept. 24 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the Tazewell Municipal Park, located at 201 Richardson Road, Tazewell. The competition is open to any individual, business, church/school group or community organization. If you think your chili is the best, let the voters and judges decide! The cost to enter is $15, and judging will be held from noon until 3 p.m. Prizes will be awarded for Judge’s Favorite and People’s Choice. There will be arts, crafts and antique vendors as well. For more information or to register, contact the Claiborne Economic Partnership Chamber of Commerce at 423-626-4149 or visit www.claibornepartnership.com. The office is located at 1732 Main Street in Tazewell.
Alzheimer’s Support Group
Time change: Smoky Mountain Home Health & Hospice, Alzheimer’s Support Group will meet the last Thursday of each month at 3 p.m. at Laurel Manor Nursing Facility. The next meeting will be Sept. 29. 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.
Sporting Clays Tournament
The inaugural Sporting Clays Tournament will be held Sept. 30 at the Chilhowee Sportsman’s Club in Maryville. The tournament proceeds will benefit the Children’s Centers of Campbell, Claiborne, Fentress, Scott and Union counties. The tournament is sponsored by the Office of the Eighth District Attorney General in conjunction with the Children’s Centers of the Eighth Judicial District. This is a 100-shot competition in which shooters will participate in teams of four people. The entry fee is $125 per shooter, which will include lunch and a golf cart per team. There will be a morning and afternoon flight. Individual and team prizes will be given. The morning flight registration will begin at 8:30 a.m.; the afternoon flight registration will begin at 11:30 a.m. The shoot will take place rain or shine. Pick up a registration form at the Claiborne County Office of the District Attorney General, located at 411 Blue Top Rd., Suite 2, Tazewell. The tournament location is 7601 Old Railroad Bed Rd, Maryville.
Harvest Moon Art Festival
The Cumberland Gap Artists Co-op is extending an invitation to all Tri-State artists and artisans of Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia to participate in The Harvest Moon Art Festival on Oct. 8, where your work will receive great exposure. Call 606-269-1281 for more information and to register.
Fire In The Gap Festival
The Fire In the Gap Festival, chili and cornbread cook off with music and a street dance will be held Oct. 15 in downtown Cumberland Gap. Crazy Aunt Sadie’s Yard Sale will be held 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the festival will be held 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. There will be a 5K run, bike run, a fall pageant with overalls, classic cars, best beard contest, a kid’s area, homemade Halloween costumes, food, crafts and art vendors and more. If you are interested in being a vendor or sponsor, call Katrina at 423-300-8225.
American Legion Post #109
All veterans are invited to attend monthly meetings on the second Tuesday of each month. Activities begin at 6 p.m. with a meal. The meeting is at 7 p.m. at 335 Fulkerson Street in Tazewell.
Beginner’s Computer Class
The Claiborne County Public Library is hosting a beginner’s computer class at the Harrogate Senior Citizens Center every other Friday at 1 p.m. For more information call the library at 423-626-5414.
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.
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.
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.
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.