Meetings

-- Genealogy Society — The Fayette-Raleigh County Geneaology Society will meet Sunday, Feb. 17 at 2:20 p.m. at the Youth Building of the Church of the Brethren, Oak Hill.

-- Master Gardeners — The New River Master Gardener Association will meet on Feb. 21 at 6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of the Fayetteville Baptist Church. Social time is from 6 to 6:30 p.m. Feel free to come out for this meeting. You may also call Marion Tanner, secretary, at 304-228-5394 if you have questions about Master Gardeners.

-- SCD Board — The Southern Conservation District will hold a special meeting on Thursday, Feb. 21 at the SCD Building, 463 Ragland Road, Beckley, at 10 a.m. Agenda topic items will include review of the operation and maintenance of WVCA/SCD flood control structures and channels in the SCD area, along with any other new business related to the SCD operations. For more information, call the SCD office at 304-253-0261.

-- Fayette County Commission — The Fayette County Commission’s next regular meeting is Friday at 9 a.m. in the Fayette County Commission chambers of the Fayette County Courthouse, and will include the vote canvass from the Feb. 9 excess school levy vote. The Board of Equalization and Review will meet Friday at 1 p.m. The meetings are open to the public.

-- Board of Education — The Fayette County Board of Education will meet as follows: special meeting — excess levy election canvass, Friday, county commission office, Fayette County Courthouse, 9 a.m.; regular meeting — Monday, Feb. 18, BOE office, 6 p.m.; special meeting (personnel if needed) personnel RIF/transfer hearings — Thursday, Feb. 21, BOE office, 6 p.m.; and special meeting (Local School Improvement Council, Midland Trail area schools) — Monday, Feb. 25, Midland Trail High School, 6 p.m.



Announcements

-- Food Pantry — The Ministerial Association Food Pantry will distribute food to those who qualify on Wednesday, Feb. 27 at the Lewis Foundation Christian Community Center (the old Armory) on Central Ave., Oak Hill, from 9 to 11 a.m. Please bring identification and proof of current address. If you are unsure of the qualifications, come and talk to one of the workers. This service to the area is sponsored by the Fayette Plateau Ministerial Association.

-- Blood Drive — There will be an American Red Cross blood drive Thursday, Feb. 28 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Davis Hall lobby. The need is constant. The gratification is instant. For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact Jeanne Smith, 216 Davis Hall, 304-734-6617 or by e-mail at jsmith@bridgemont.edu.

-- Plateau Amateur Radio Hamfest — The Plateau Amateur Radio Hamfest is set for Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lewis Community Foundation’s Christian Community Center, 469 Central Avenue, Oak Hill. Testing will be from noon until 2 p.m. For more information, contact Jane Hardy at 304-640-1120 or wv8jh@frontier.com.



Places to Go/Things to Do

-- Clifford the Big Red Dog Celebration — West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s Clifford the Big Red Dog is turning 50 and School Street School House will celebrate his birthday with an appearance by Clifford on today at noon. Everyone is welcome to bring your child to help celebrate. For more information, contact Tracy Kincaid at 304-228-2180.

-- Concert — Ivy & Stone is pleased to present Sweet Potato Pie, an all-female band with a classy blend of bluegrass, country and gospel music mixed together in a style called “sweet grass,” in performance Saturday, March 9, at 7:30 p.m. at Nicholas County High School. Tickets are available in advance in Summersville at Soundwaves Music, Summersville Public Library, and at all First Community Bank branches, by e-mail at ivyandstone@frontier.com or by calling 304- 872-4228 (leave a message). Advance sale tickets are $12 for adults and $9 for students and senior citizens.  Tickets will be $3 more at the door on the night of the performance.

-- Battle of the Bands — There will be a Battle of the Bands March 1 from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Summersville Convention Center. Cost is $10 per person. All genres of music are welcome: country, rock, bluegrass, praise and worship, rap, etc. First, second and third prizes will be awarded. All proceeds will go to the American Diabetes Association. For more information, call Susan Jones at 304-651-9166, or Cliff Hess at 304-872-9330.

-- Diabetes Expo — There will be a diabetes expo March 1 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Summersville Convention Center. Everyone is welcome to meet and discuss with health professionals about problems and concerns associated with diabetes. Also, find a sponsor and participate in the “Diabetes Step-Out” to raise money for the American Diabetes Association. For more information, call Susan Jones at 304-651-9166, or Nicholas County High School at 304-872-2141.

-- Bean Dinners — The Fayetteville United Methodist Church will host monthly bean dinners for the winter and spring. Each month through May, on the third Wednesday of the month, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the church will serve beans, cole slaw, cornbread, dessert and a drink for a suggested donation of $6. Take out is available by ordering at the church or calling 304-574-0187 in advance to have your order ready. The proceeds from this event help support various missions the church participates in throughout the community and the state. Don’t forget to mark the following dates on your calendar: Feb. 20, March 20, April 17 and May 15.



Fundraisers

-- Fish Dinner — The annual Lenten fish dinner at the Saints Peter & Paul School cafeteria will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. each Friday of Lent: Feb. 15, 22, and March 1, 8, 15, and 22. Meal costs are as follows: flounder, $8; combo, $10; and shrimp, $9. Children’s meals are $5. Dinners include baked potato, baked beans, slaw, dessert, bread and drink. Children can choose from a smaller portion of fish or cheese pizza. Dine-in or carry out. All proceeds benefit Saints Peter & Paul Catholic School.

-- Bake Sale and Bazaar — Montgomery General Hospital Auxiliary is sponsoring a bake sale and a “good as new” bazaar Thursday, Feb. 14 beginning at 8 a.m. There will be delicious baked goods, candy, etc. for sale. Also, on the good as new table will be pocketbooks, jewelry, scarves and other miscellaneous items. If you are looking for a good deal, be sure and put this date on your calendar and make plans to come and shop.

-- Something Sweet — Get your tickets today to enjoy Something Sweet, a special movie and sweet tooth taste-off fundraising event Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. at Marquee Cinemas, Beckley. For only $10 per person, you can enjoy sampling the “Sweet Seven” Just Desserts semifinalists and a seat to enjoy the new Nicholas Sparks’ romantic thriller “Safe Haven” (PG-13). Seating is limited. Visit www.wrcwv.org/somethingsweetevent.html for reservations today. Also, get your copy of “The Family Table Vol. II — Just Desserts” Cookbook, available for the first time at this event for only $10. For more information, call 304-673-6037 or 304-255-2559. All proceeds benefit the Women’s Resource Center serving victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in Raleigh, Fayette, Nicholas and Summers counties.