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Community Briefs

McSmiles registration for 3 and 4-year-olds is now taking place. To register, call 442-4534. Students must be of age by Aug. 31, 2009.

The following classes will be held at the JobLink Career Center for April: ABE/GED orientation beginning Tuesday, April 7 at 5:30 p.m.; Tuesday, April 21 at 9 a.m.; and Tuesday, April 28 at 5:30 p.m.; an HRD career planning and assessment course beginning Monday, April 27 to Thursday, April 30 from 1 to 4 p.m.; a resume and internet job search course on Monday, April 27 to Wednesday, April 29 from 9 a.m. to noon; and a "Surviving a Layoff" course on Monday, April 20 to Friday, April 24 from 9 a.m. to noon. To register for these classes, call 659-6001, ext. 105.

Kindergarten registration is May 1 at all McDowell County elementary schools. Your child must be 5 years old on or before Aug. 31, 2009 to be eligible for kindergarten. This is a change to the eligible date for entrance into kindergarten. Registration packets will be ready for pickup at elementary schools by today. You must register your child for kindergarten at the school that is in your home district. For more information, contact Donna Gardner at the Central Office at 652-4535.

Anyone planning to take courses at McDowell Tech this summer or fall should come in now to complete a free application for admission, and required placement tests. For more information, call 652-6021. Space is limited.

McDowell Technical Community College is offering an ESL Family Literacy Class through the Basic Skills Program for those who need to improve their English speaking, reading, and writing skills. The class will held every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Story Memorial Presbyterian Church in Marion. For more information, call 652-1319 or 652-3229, ext. 17.

Marion city workers will be cleaning the Oak Grove Cemetery through Friday. Please remove all flowers or other items placed on graves prior to the date. For questions, call the Public Works Department at 652-4224.

The McDowell County Democrat Executive Committee will meet tonight at 5:30 p.m. at headquarters.

The Nebo Lunch Bunch will meet Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. in the educational building of Nebo United Methodist Church.

Anyone interested in helping form a 40-year reunion for the Marion High Class of 1969, is encouraged to meet at Wine Ruels on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

The McDowell County Mental Health Association will meet Wednesday at noon at the Psycho-Social Rehabilitation Center, located at 75 Crawford Street in Marion. For more information, call 652-2610.

The city of Marion administrative offices and Public Works Department will be closed for Good Friday. There will be no change in the residential garbage and recycling schedule this week. There will be a partial brush pick up on Tuesday, April 14. All other residential garbage and recycling will picked up on a regular schedule the week of April 13-17.

Newcomers and Friends of McDowell County will meet Tuesday, April 14, for a luncheon at Story Memorial Presbyterian Church, located on Shady Lane in Marion. The program will feature a tea party presented by Diane Eaton and Sue Wynn. Cost of lunch (optional) is $10. Social hour begins at 11 a.m. To make a reservation, call 652-7628 or 652-1896 before 2 p.m. on Friday. Social hour begins at 11:00 AM with the business meeting beginning promptly at 11:30.

The Dysartsville Volunteer Fire Department will hold a Boston butt sale on Saturday. To preorder, call 659-3692. You can pick up between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The cost is $20.

McDowell Memorial Park will host an Easter Sunrise Service on Sunday. If you, as a church or a pastor, would like to participate or lead this service, contact Janet at 652-3323.

Corpening Memorial YMCA will hold a Lifeline Screening Day on Monday, April 13 in the multi-purpose room. A four-test package including stroke, vascular disease, and heart rhythm is being offered for $139. Osteoporosis screening is an additional $10. Anyone interested in attending needs to call (800) 324-1851, and enter the source code HSC4945. For more information, e-mail Jennifer Ellis at jellis@llsa.com.

McDowell County EMS is holding free CPR classes throughout the year. Here are some upcoming dates and locations: Tuesday, April 14, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Hankins Baptist Church; Sunday, April 19 at First Baptist Church of Marion, from 5 to 7 p.m.; Tuesday, May 12, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., West Court Baptist Church and Glenwood Baptist Church; and Tuesday, May 19, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., McDowell Senior Center. For more information, call 652-3982.

Sheriff Dudley Greene will hold a community meeting for Old Fort and Crooked Creek in the lunchroom at Old Fort Elementary School on Tuesday, April 14 at 7 p.m. Members of those communities are urged to meet with him about their concerns, needs and ideas.

Eat Out for Early Education will be held on Tuesday, April 14. Local restaurants will donate a portion of their sales on that day to the McDowell County Partnership for Children in support of early education. Participating restaurants include Babe's, Bruce's Fabulous Foods, Burger King, Carolina Chocolatiers, Catawba Vale Café, Country Diner, Countryside Bar-B-Que, Dutchy Debs, Elliott's Diner, Hardee's (five-lane location), Holly's Deli, Jalapeno Fresh Grill, Little Siena, Maria's Mexican Diner, Market Grill, Mi Pueblito, Moondoggy's, Nara Express, Tagi's BBQ, Titan Pizza Plus, Waffle House, Wendy's, Whistle Stop Pizza & Subs, and The Wild Moose Steak & Grill. For more information, contact Caroline Rodier at 659-2462.

The American Legion Post No. 56 needs volunteers to transport veterans to the Asheville Medical Center and other medical appointments as needed. A lift van will be furnished and a clean driving record is mandatory. Must submit a current MVR for consideration. For questions, contact Alan Mainer at 652-2911.

A Blue Ridge Park Relocation Fund has been established at Fifth Third Bank. Anyone who would like to make a donation to help can stop by the bank or mail a check payable to "Blue Ridge Tenants Relocation Fund," Fifth Third Bank, 14 South Main Street, Marion, NC 28752. Proceeds will go toward moving and rental expenses.

Extra McDowell High yearbooks are still available and can be purchased for $64.20 by calling the school at 652-7920. Few are left and are available on a first-come-first serve basis.

Registration forms for the 24th annual McDowell County Senior Games are now available at the McDowell Senior Center (between 8:30 and 4 p.m.) and Old Fort Nutrition Site (between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.). All adults 55 years of age and older who have an interest in sports and art are encouraged to signup. Registration deadline is Wednesday, April 15. For more information, call 652-8953.

Yancey Street Baptist Church will hold a benefit singing for Relay for Life on Saturday, April 18 from 2 to 8 p.m. There will be numerous groups performing, a silent auction, and hamburgers and hot dogs for sale.

The Friends of the McDowell County Public Library will have their spring book sale April 18 – 25. April 18 (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.) is a preview day for members of the Friends of the Library. Monday through Friday hours for the book sale will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. On Thursday, items will be on sale for half price. Friday and Saturday will be bag of books for $1.

City Officials has designated the week of April 20 through April 24 as the Annual Clean Sweep this year. During this week, the city will pick up large heavy items that normally require a special pick-up, at no charge to the resident. To insure prompt service, call 652-4224 if you place something out for pick-up.

Sheriff Dudley Greene will hold a community meeting for West Marion in the lunchroom at West Marion Elementary School on Tuesday, April 21 at 7 p.m. Members of the community are urged to meet with him about their concerns, needs and ideas.

Glenwood Elementary's Parent Advisory Council will meet Thursday, April 23 at 6 p.m. in the school's conference room.

The McDowell Mission is having a port-a-pit chicken dinner on Friday, April 24 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Marion Community Building. Cost is $7.50 and includes a half-chicken, slaw, baked beans, roll, dessert and tea.

The McDowell Children's Summit, sponsored by the McDowell Partnership for Children and McDowell County Schools, will be held Friday, April 24, at McDowell Tech. This free children's conference will feature a keynote by John Parker, executive director of Good Work; a State of the Child panel discussion with local leaders; a storytelling demonstration by David Novak; breakout sessions on topics ranging from early childhood to dropout prevention, and much more. Pre-registration is required by visiting www.mcdowellpartnership-smartstart.org.

The McDowell Junior Horse Show and Clinic will be held Saturday, April 25 at 11 a.m. on the showgrounds, located off N.C. 226 South. Those attending are asked to bring two items of non-perishable foods to help support less fortunate families in McDowell County. For more information, call Mario DeLuca at 652-7874 or Dixie Matthews at 803-3777. A rain date is scheduled for Sunday, April 26 at 1 p.m.

Marion Elementary will hold a Family Fun Night on Friday, May 1 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. This Relay for Life fundraiser will include a spaghetti dinner and variety show, with staff and students providing the entertainment. Cost for dinner is $7 for adults and $5 for children. For more information, call 652-2141.

The Glenwood High class of 1969 is planning a 40-year reunion, and the planning committee needs contact information on alumni. Contact Brenda Jones Bailey at 442-6781 or Sue Atkins Morgan at 442-0577 if you have any information.

A reunion for anyone who attended Marion High, formerly located on West Court Street, will be held June 27 at the National Guard Armory. Anyone who hasn't received a mailed notification is asked to contact Leon Daniel at (757) 867-4929 or by e-mail at rldaniel@cox.net.

Helping Hands Thrift Store needs donations of resale items. Clothing, furniture, housewares or any other goods are greatly appreciated. All proceeds go to benefit Hospice. Drop offs may be made during regular store hours; every day but Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 659-1474.

Anyone interested in joining a support group for thyroid cancer patients, as well as their families and caregivers, is asked to call Terri Gates at 724-4849 or e-mail her at tlgates@verizon.net. A thyroid cancer survivor, Gates wants to hold positive, informal sessions.

The Reiki Healing Circle group will meet every third Wednesday of the month at Open Hands Natural Healing Center, located at 76 South Main St. The session will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. For more information, call 527-2563 or 442-3314.

Mysticism, Mythology and Magic is seeking free thinkers for a discussion group. To join, call 527-7839.

Anyone interested in joining the newly formed Young Democrats group may do so by calling Joel at 460-0791.

Money is available to serve children 3 to 5 years old in need of assistance with dental care. Applications are available from the McDowell Partnership for Children & Families, located at 70 N. Main St. in Marion. Funding is limited. For more information, call 659-2462.

Children in the community who have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect need a caring adult to look out for their best interests while in the court system. To find out how you can become a Guardian ad Litem, call 652-4632.

Al-Anon, a support group for families and friends of alcoholics and/or drug users, meets each Wednesday at 8 p.m. at St. John's Episcopal Church parish house, 339 S. Main St. Teens welcome. For more information, call 652-0088.

A Narcotics Anonymous group meets every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 8 to 9 p.m. and an Alcoholics Anonymous group meets every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from noon to 1 p.m. Both groups meet at the Hut of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church on West Court Street.

Local information and services are now available at the Web site www.mcdowellinfo.com. Included are a calendar of events and Web listings for the arts, business support services, education, healthcare, local government, McDowell County facts, public support systems and tourism.

If you or someone you know is a veteran of World War II and currently living in McDowell County, the McDowell County veterans services officer requests you submit a letter with your name, address and phone number for a registry to be made of all survivors. Information will remain private. Information may be submitted to CVSO, 100 Spaulding Road, Marion, NC 28752.

The Marion group of Alcoholics Anonymous meets every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday from 8 to 9 p.m. at St. John's Episcopal parish house located at 339 S. Main St.

The McDowell News has hundreds of old photos from its archives that are now available to the public. These photos are from 1985 to 2000 and include sports events, group photos and random shots of people and places throughout McDowell. You can buy three photos for $1. All money collected will go toward the Newspapers in Education campaign. You can stop by the office at 136 Logan St. and look through the pictures published in our newspapers throughout the years.

McDowell County Animal Shelter has applications for adoption dogs that have been spayed/neutered, vaccinated and completed an eight-week obedience training class issued by the N.C. Division of Prisons. The adoption fee is $150. For more information, call 652-6643.

HOPE, Helping Other People Excel, a nonprofit organization for mentally and physically handicapped people, is looking for donations of money or time to start an activity center. For more information, call 652-5917.

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