Manna Food Bank is now at Bethel United Methodist Church. To reserve a food box, call (828)634-1116 and leave a message with the following information: your first name and last initial; phone number to confirm pick-up time; number of people in your family; allergies in the family; and any specialty items needed, like diapers, etc. Pick up is at Bethel UMC, 81 Bethel Church Road, off Highlands Road.
Start Your Recovery.org is a groundbreaking website developed by bringing together experts in substance misuse treatment from leading nonprofit, academic, and government institutions. Through this resource, the community can find local support and treatment options; hear stories from individuals with similar life experiences; and learn about recognizing and dealing with substance misuse.
Nantahala Hiking Club will host author Nancy East on Thursday, March 9, 6 p.m., at the Macon County Public Library. She will talk about her book “Chasing the Smokies Moon.” Synopsis: “Two lives lost too soon. When a search and rescue member’s unresolved grief is triggered by tragedy, will a life-changing hike end in hope? An audacious 948-mile hike fueled by love, loss, laughter, and lunacy is a thought-provoking memoir.” All are welcome. www.nantahalahikingclub.org
Holly Springs Community Development Club is sponsoring a litter pickup event in the Holly Springs community on Saturday, March 11 beginning at 9 a.m. Meet at the community building picnic shelter, at 2720 Cat Creek Road to pickup your bags, vests, etc
Macon County Senior Games Annual Pizza Kickoff on will be held onMarch 13, 5:30 pm at the Carpenter Building. Macon County senior residents age 50+ are invited to attend. Registration forms will be available.
Smoky Mountains Quilters Guild will meet on Monday, March 13, 9:30 a.m., at Cowee School Arts and Heritage Center, 51 Cowee School Dr, Franklin. Chris Stephenson and Susan Roper will explain the difference in foundation paper piecing and English paper piecing with demos and a trunk show. Bring your Show and Tell.
Complementary Mental Health Treatments Workshop will be held on Tuesday, March 14, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. in the Macon County Public Library Board Room. This course covers a variety of treatments for overall mental health that can support managing everyday stressors and improving wellness. These treatments can create opportunities for balance, stability, and stress reduction. This is a free event at Macon County Public Library; facilitated by the Vaya Health GERO team. CEU’s are provided through NC Department of Health and Human Services. Register at vayahealth.com/calendar/ or by calling (828)524-3600.
Share the Journey Support Group for Caregivers whose loved ones are experiencing memory loss will meet on Wednesday, March 15 and 22, 2 p.m., at First Presbyterian Church, 26 Church St. Enter the church from the parking lot, come through the double red doors in the courtyard and follow the signs. For more information, call (828)524-3119.
2023 Macon County Republican Party Convention and Precinct Meetings will be held on Friday, March 17, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin. All Macon County Republican voters, are invited to participate. There will be a reception for Century Club members at 5 p.m., delegate registration opens at 5:30 and closes at 6:30 when the convention opens. The business of the convention includes the election of officers for precincts and for the county GOP, and voting for the Plan of Organization, which is posted on macongop.com. There will be an opportunity to meet candidates who will be on the 2024 ballot. For more information, maconrepublicans@gmail.com
Men’s Challenge of the Smokies will have their next graduation Saturday, March 18, at 10 a.m., at the center at 336 Living Hope Way, Franklin. There will be worship, a message, a short video, testimony and a reception after with refreshments. For more information about Men’s Challenge of the Smokies go to www.livinghopeway.com or call (828)524-2157.
Aglow International meeting will be held on Saturday, March 18, 10 a.m. to 12 noon, at the First Pentecost Church, 164 Iotla Church Rd., Franklin. For more information call, Marybeth at (407)951-4286.
An American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held on March 21, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Macon County Library, 149 Siler Farm Rd., Community Bible Church, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., 3645 Cashiers Rd., March 27, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Highlands United Methodist Church, 315 Main St., Highlands. Book an appointment to give blood or platelets by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.
Girl Scout Daisy and Brownie Volunteers needed for Troop 2996 in Franklin. This is a great opportunity to help 5 to 8 year olds learn and grow. For more information, call Diane Peltz at (828)371-2823 or email dianepeltz1953@gmail.com.
Gem & Mineral Museum, located in the Old Jail on Phillips Street in downtown Franklin is open Friday and Saturday from 12 to 4 p.m., featuring gems and artifacts from North Carolina and all over the world.
Macon Chips, Franklin’s Wood Carving Club meets on Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Macon County Public Library and on Thursdays, 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Franklin High School Wood Shop just off McCollum Drive. Anyone interested is encouraged to attend. Anyone under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. For more information, call (828)342-8126.
Uptown Gallery Children and Adult Art Classes and Workshops in acrylic, watercolor, acrylic paint pouring, encaustic, precious metal clay and glass fusing. Free painting in the classroom Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. All skill levels and mediums are welcome. Participants are responsible for their own project and a bag lunch. Membership meeting second Sunday of the month at 3 p.m. The gallery is located at 30 E. Main St. in Franklin. For more information, call (828)349-4607.
A.A. Meetings Franklin Alcoholics Anonymous “Open Meetings” are for anyone who thinks they may have a drinking problem or is interested in the A.A. recovery program. In person meetings with Covid 19 preventive measures are held on Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., at No Wrong Door, 102 Thomas Heights Rd., Sunday, 1 p.m., Monday, Wednesday and Friday 5:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church Outreach Center, 66 Harrison Ave., Monday, noon, Tuesday, 8 a.m, and Thursday, noon at St. Agnes Episcopal Church on 66 Church St., and Wednesday, 7 p.m., at St. Cyprians Episcopal Church, 216 Roller Mill Rd. On Line Meeting information is available by visiting www.aawnc80.org. or to speak with a member of A.A. call (828)349-4357.
Crawford Senior Center officers a variety of classes to older adults in Macon County. Classes include arts, crafts, exercise, and more. They also offer a variety of support groups: dementia caregivers, visually impaired persons, grief support and multiple sclerosis support group. For more information, call (828)349-2058 ext. 0.
Crawford Senior Center Care Connection Adult Day Program offers activities and supervision for adults with dementia and other forms of memory loss. For more information, call (828)349-0211 ext. 0.
Habitat for Humanity of Macon/Jackson County needs volunteers to share skills or gain some experience learning new ones. From carpentry to cleaning, marketing to moral support, computer skills, planning and organizing or just plain common sense, the greatest gift you could ever give is time. Any amount is good. Some great times, lasting friendships and rewarding experiences await. Call (828)369-3716 or (828)371-5442.
Friends of the Greenway FROG Quarters is open Wednesday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at 573 E. Main. Free internet. Reservations taken for the shelters.
Celebrate Recovery at Discover Church Monday nights, 6 to 8 p.m. Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered, 12-step recovery program for anyone struggling with hurt, pain or addiction of any kind. Celebrate Recovery is a safe place to find community and freedom from the issues that are controlling our life. Free childcare up to five years old for attending parents. Discover Church is located at 47 Macon Center Dr. (behind Bojangles). For more information, email cr@discover.church for questions.
Smoky Mountain Pregnancy Care Centers in Cullowhee and Franklin have an educational parenting program to earn “points” to use to obtain free items for your family. The centers carry formula, diapers, wipes, baby items and clothing up to size 6, as well as strollers, car seats, high chairs, pack n’ plays, etc. Donations are always welcome. Services are free and confidential. For more information or an appointment, call (828)349-3200, (828)293-3600 or smpcc.org.
Crawford Senior Center Zoom Classes include exercise, tai chi, and more. For more information, or to register, call the Senior Center at (828)349-2058.
Alzheimer’s Association Western Carolina Chapter Telephone Support Group for Caregivers of Persons with Alzheimer’s Disease or dementia is designed to provide caregivers opportunities for sharing, education, and support through a telephone conference. Support group participants and a support group facilitator connect each month for one-hour confidential sessions. For more information, call (800)272-3900.
Volunteer drivers needed at Macon County Senior Services. Mileage will be reimbursed. For more information, call (828) 349-0211.
Macon County CareNet is in need of volunteers. Positions open are food pantry, soup kitchen and file room. If interested stop by for an application at 130 Bidwell St., or call (828)369-2642.
CareNet on Bidwell Street will be open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. A box of food may be picked up once a week.
Appalachian Animal Rescue Center is looking for volunteers to help at the thrift store. Call for information about the store (828)369-3046 or the shelter (828)524-4588 if you are interested in volunteering.
Macon Medication Assistance Program located at the back of the First Baptist Church is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information call (828)524-5258.
Men’s Teen Challenge Needs Good Quality Lumber for its woodworking Shop. Pick up in Franklin area. To donate, call (828)369-1177.
