Thursday, Nov. 8

COMMUNITY · Ridgeland High School will host a Veteran's Recognition Ceremony Thursday, Nov. 8. This event is open to all veterans in the local communities. Retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Anthony W. "Bud" Bell, Jr., will speak. Veterans are encouraged to complete a short form, which they can get from students or the office at Ridgeland, or to call Junior ROTC at 706-820-7131, to have their name added to the veteran list. On the morning of the ceremony veterans should arrive at the school by 8:45 a.m. and go to the gym to sign-in.

COMMUNITY · The 4-H Chicken Show and Sale will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, behind the Civic Center in Rock Spring. Bring a cage, pen or box if planning to purchase chickens. For more information, call the Walker County Extension Office at 706-638-2548.

COMMUNITY · Baby Care & Safety will be offered from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, at Erlanger at Hutcheson (Women’s Center). With times changing and discharge occurring earlier, “Baby Care” provides you with helpful items on caring for your baby at home. This class will help you plan and prepare for a safe home environment. Registration is free if mother is delivering at Hutcheson or $5 if delivering at another location. Call Erlanger’s HealthLink at (423) 788-LINK (5465) to register.

COMMUNITY · Friends of the LaFayette-Walker County Public Library will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8. The library doors close at 6:45 p.m., so arrive early. Members will vote on officers for the 2012-2013 year and plan upcoming fundraisers.

COMMUNITY · Jackson Realty will host an educational seminar, “Own Your Own Home,” at 5:30 p.m. Nov.8. This seminar is free and open to the public. Are you tired of paying rent and want to buy a house, but unsure if you can get a loan? Then, this seminar is for you. Learn how to own your own home and pay the same monthly fee or less. A lender will be available to pull credit scores, provide loan pre-approvals, if eligible, and offer credit recovery counseling. Real estate agent Freddy Caheely will lead the seminar.

COMMUNITY · The Catoosa Chamber of Commerce Networking at Lunch will begin at 11:50 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, at The Colonnade, 264 Catoosa Circle, in Ringgold. Georgia Department of Labor Commissioner Mark Butler will speak. Cost is $30 for non-members, $15 for members. To pay on-line go to catoosachamberofcommerce.com/payonline. RSVP to info@catoosachamberofcommerce.com. Deadline for reservations is 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2.

COMMUNITY · The Walker Talkers Toastmasters Speaking Club will meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, in the community hall behind Woodstation Baptist Chruch, 42 Round Pond Road, in LaFayette. Contact Glenn Roberts at vglennroberts@gmail.com or 706-264-6525.

COMMUNITY · The Civic Arts League, Inc. of Chattanooga will hold an art exhibit titled “Heritage” to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the “Battle of Ringgold” now through Friday, Nov. 9, at Ringgold Art & Frame Gallery, 7825 Nashville Street, in Ringgold. For more information call 706-935-2844.

ENTERTAINMENT · Bright Night: An Evening of Inspiration, Music & Comedy will be held at the Tivoli Theatre in Chattanooga on Thursday, Nov. 8 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets may be purchased by calling (423) 642-TIXS or visiting chattanoogaonstage.com.

COMMUNITY · The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s 20th annual Symposium on the 19th Century Press, the Civil War, and Free Expression will be held Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, Nov. 8-10. The conference will begin Thursday afternoon at the Sheraton Read House Hotel and continue Friday and Saturday at the UTC University Center. All paper sessions are free and open to the public. For more information, contact David B. Sachsman at 423-425-4219 or david-sachsman@utc.edu.

Friday, Nov. 9

COMMUNITY · The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) will help Protemps fill a number of production jobs at a manufacturing facility in Chattooga County. The recruitment will be held Friday, Nov. 9, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Chattooga County Civic Center, 44 Highway 48, across the street from the BB&T Bank, in Summerville. The company will recruit creelers and creel changers. In the textile industry, creelers feed yarn through a machine called a creel. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or a General Education Diploma (GED) and a resume. If they have passed the Georgia Work Ready test, they should bring their certification. For more information, contact Cathy Toles at the LaFayette Career Center at (706) 638-5525, or e-mail cathy.toles@gdol.ga.gov

COMMUNITY · The Share America Foundation will host the bluegrass group Spatial Effects and southern gospel singers the Jeff Hullender Family at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 9, at the Ringgold Depot, corner of Depot Street and U.S. 41 in Ringgold. Randall Franks from TV's "In the Heat of the Night” will emcee. The event is a fundraiser for the Pearl and Floyd Franks Scholarship Fund helping musicians achieve higher education. Donations for tickets are adults: $5, Children 5 and under free with adult. Tickets may be purchased locally in advance during business hours at SonShine Christian Books (706) 861-7675 in Fort Oglethorpe. For more information, visit myspace.com/shareamerica or shareamericafoundation.org.

COMMUNITY · Registration deadline for North Georgia Community YMCA adult, children and youth athletic programs (includes basketball, indoor soccer, volleyball, swim lessons, water aerobics and karate) is Dec. 8. Most seasons begin January 2013. Cost varies for members and non-members. To register, call 706-935-2226 or go to ngaymca@ymcachattanooga.org.

COMMUNITY · Registration deadline for the North Georgia Community YMCA Christmas Break Camp (Dec. 26-28 and Jan. 2-4, 2013) is Tuesday, Dec. 18. The camp is for children ages 5-12. Cost is $25 per day for members, $30 per day for non-members. The camp will be held at Fort Oglethorpe United Methodist Church gym. To register, call 706-935-2226 or go to ngaymca@ymcachattanooga.org.

COMMUNITY · Walker County Farm Bureau is collecting monetary donations until Friday, Nov. 16, for the Georgia Food Bank Association and its seven food bank affiliates to help Georgians in need. Donations may be dropped off Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. at the WCFB office, 101 South Cherokee Street in LaFayette. For more information, call 706-638-3237.

COMMUNITY · The Salvation Army needs volunteers to ring bells, sort toys, and deliver meals this holiday season. For more information, visit csarmy.org.

COMMUNITY · The deadline to nominate the Walker County Chamber of Commerce "2012 Small Business of the Year" is at 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16. The winner will be recognized at the Chamber's Annual Dinner on Friday, Jan. 18, 2013. The honor is given to a company that demonstrates best practices in business sustainability and growth, commitment to employees and a track record of community involvement. To be eligible, nominees must be a small business (less than 200 employees) and members of the Chamber in good standing as of Oct. 30, with a minimum of one complete full year in business. Chamber members may nominate a business, including their own. Judging will be conducted by the Chamber's Board of Directors.

COMMUNITY · The Dalton Freight Depot is hosting an exhibit on 20 years of the “Nutcracker Ballet in Dalton”on loan from the Dalton Arts Project through Jan. 7, 2013, at the historic 1911 depot. The Dalton Freight Depot is at 305 S. Depot Street, in Dalton. Hours are Monday-Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and is free and open to the public. For more information, call the Dalton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau at 706-270-9960.

Saturday, Nov. 10

COMMUNITY · Retired four-star Gen. (and former vice-chief of staff) Ron Griffith of the U.S. Army will speak during a Veterans Day program at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, at Armuchee Valley Community Center in Villanow. Refreshments will be served.

COMMUNITY · Memorial Health Care System’s Mobile Health Coach will provide mammogram screenings for women at Wal-Mart in Brainerd on Saturday, Nov. 10, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ladies age 40 and over who have not had a mammogram in the last 12 months are eligible with or without insurance by calling the MaryEllen Locher Breast Center at (423) 495-4040. Ladies will need to know their doctor’s first and last name, and those with insurance will need to bring their insurance cards and a photo ID.

COMMUNITY · Parkridge East Hospital (in East Ridge, Tenn.) will offer free tours of the BirthPlace from 1-2 p.m. Saturday Nov. 10, and from 5-6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6. Prenatal services and classes will be discussed. The tour begins in the Rowe Conference Room. To register and for more information, call MedLine at 800-242-5662 or visit ParkridgeEastHospital.com.

COMMUNITY · A Craft Bazaar will be held from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, at the Bank of LaFayette Community Room to benefit Georgia Baptist Children’s Home. Anyone interested in a booth, call Fannie Green at 706-639-7361.

COMMUNITY · Cloudland Canyon offers hay rides every Saturday now through Nov. 24. Hot dogs, S'mores, snacks and drinks will be sold. Leashed and licensed pets may also ride. Meet at the Interpretive Center. Rides start on the hour from 2-6 p.m. Park entrance is $5. Hay rides cost $5 for adults, $3 for children ages 4 to 12. The park is off Highway 136 near Trenton.

COMMUNITY · The Walker County Health Department will offer two series of eight-hour free basic diabetes education classes, taught by Linda Long, RN, Certified Diabetes Educator. The second series will be held on Saturday, Nov. 10, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Chickamauga Public Library. Call 706-638-5577 to register.

CHURCH · Noble Fellowship’s 13th annual “Cruzin for the Lord” car, truck and motorcycle show will be held Saturday, Nov. 10, 5994 Highway 27 North in LaFayette (two miles south of Georgia Northwestern Technical College). Registration is from 9 a.m.-noon. Awards will be presented at 2 p.m. Entry fee is $15. Donations go toward “Light the Future” building fund. Joe Dodd is pastor. Call 706-764-2917.

COMMUNITY · The 33rd annual Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon will be held on Saturday, Nov. 10, with the marathon and half-marathon races both starting at Barnhardt Circle in Fort Oglethorpe at 7:30 a.m. Packet pickup will be held on Friday, Nov. 9 from 4:30-8:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Fort Oglethorpe, 2645 Lafayette Road. A photo ID is required for packet pickup and runners may not pick up someone else's packet. A pasta din-ner will also be held at the same location on Friday from 5:30-8 p.m. and tickets need to be purchased in advance. There is plenty of free parking for spectators and partipants in the field adjacent to the race start/finish. There will also be a free shuttle service for spectators. The awards ceremony will be held at 10:30 a.m. for the Half-Marathon and 1 p.m. for the Marathon.

COMMUNITY · A pocketbook auction will be held at 7 p.m. at the Bank of LaFayette Community Room off Main Street in LaFayette. For more information, call Fannie Green at 706-639-7361.

COMMUNITY · Parkridge East Hospital (in East Ridge, Tenn.) will offer a breastfeeding class from 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Nov. 10. Cost is $15 per couple or is free with any Labor of Love Lamaze class. Topics include physiology of breasfeeding, advantages of breastfeeding, techniques for successful breastfeeding, returning to work and pumping. To register and for more information, call MedLine at 800-242-5662 or visit ParkridgeEastHospital.com.

COMMUNITY · Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park will hold Veterans Day activities Saturday, Nov. 10 through Monday, Nov. 12. There will be infantry demonstrations, historical presentations, rifle firing demonstrations at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday, and at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, call 706-866-9241 or 423-821-7786 or visit nps.gov/chch.

COMMUNITY · The Georgia Winery off Battlefield Parkway in Ringgold will hold a holiday open house from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. each Saturday in November. Call 706-937-9463 for more information.

CHURCH · Garrett’s Chapel Baptist Church will hold an open house beginning at 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10. The church is at 3235 Garrett’s Chapel Road in Chickamauga. New Day Gospel Singers will perform. Refreshments will follow. David Harris is pastor.

COMMUNITY ·The Battlefield Farmers’ Market ends its eight season with its annual Crafters Day event on Nov. 10, from 8 a.m.-4 p.m., at the Walker County Agricultural Center, 10052 Hwy 27 N in Rock Spring. Vendors exhibit items that are locally-grown and locally-crafted. There will be a “Kids Corner” with face painting and live music. Concessions will include soups, chili, barbeque, hot dogs and desserts. Payment via EBT transactions is available, and with the support of Wholesome Wave Georgia, these dollars can go further. For more information, visit battle-fieldfmkt.org or contact Karen L. Bradley at 706-638-7366.

COMMUNITY · The Georgia Chapter of the Trail of Tears Association will meet at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 10, at the office of the Chattooga County Historical Society in the Old Summerville Train Depot in Summerville. Georgia TOTA member Bill Barker will speak about his efforts to get sites and roads in Chattooga County added to the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail. For more information, contact Leslie Thomas at aeriehollow@ellijay.com or 770-757-0931.

COMMUNITY · Camp New Dawn in Southwest Walker County is holding its 5th annual Turkey Shoot, Yard Sale, Pancake Breakfast and more on Nov. 10 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Vendor space for crafts, flea market, etc., can be rented for $10. To reserve, call 706-539-2235 or e-mail admin@campnewdawnga.org.

COMMUNITY · Crabtree Farms at 1000 E. 30th St. in Chattanooga will host a Fall Farm Fair on Nov. 10 from noon to 5 p.m. The event features fun-on-the-farm activities like tractor rides, competitions for prizes, scarecrow stuffing, a photo booth, corn hole and horse shoes, tours, live bluegrass music and a raffle. Concessions will include hot mulled cider and cold beer. Guests who bike to the farm will receive two additional tickets at the door. The event ends at 5 p.m. with a Crabtree Farms’ staff versus volunteer tug-of-war. Two complimentary tickets are included in the $5 entrance fee, and additional tickets can be purchased to use for games, competitions, beer, food and more. Visa, Mastercard or cash accepted. For a complete list of Crabtree Farms events as well as directions to the farm, visit crabtreefarms.org.

COMMUNITY · The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) of Catoosa County will hold disaster preparedness and community response training on Nov. 10 and Nov. 17 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Catoosa Fire Station 1 in Ringgold. The training is free, and pre-registration is strongly encouraged. The CERT classes will help residents correctly respond to natural or man-made disasters such as tornados, hurricanes or chemical spills. Please email catoosacert@att.net or call Larry Miller at 423-313-5053 to register.

COMMUNITY · The next meeting of the Georgia Chapter of the Trail of Tears Association is at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 10, at the office of the Chattooga County Historical Society in the Old Summerville Train Depot in Summerville. GA TOTA member Bill Barker will talk about his efforts to get sites and roads in Chattooga County added to the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail. For more information, contact Leslie Thomas at aeriehollow@ellijay.com or at 770-757-0931.