Wednesday, Feb. 03, 2010

Community Notes

Red Cross benefit

A "roof-sitting" fundraiser for the American Red Cross will be held Saturday, Feb. 6, at Reedy Creek Gas and Grocery on N.C. 210 between Smithfield and McGee's Crossroads. Amanda Ennis, a Queen of Hearts contestant, will be sitting on the roof and seeking donations to get down.

In the annual Queen of Hearts contest, young women from Johnston County compete to raise the most money for the Red Cross. To support Ennis, send a check to 65 Glen Road, PMB 218, Garner, N.C. 27529.

Ennis is a cadet on the 50-210 EMS squad, she volunteers at blood drives, and she is a member of the Health Occupations Students of America at West Johnston High School.

Book signing

At 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6, author and Wake Technical Community College instructor Suzy Barile will read and sign her book "Undaunted Heart: The True Story of a Southern Belle and a Yankee General" at All Booked Up, 104 N. Salem St., Apex. For more details, call 919-412-3135 or e-mail allbookedupsalemstreet@gmail.com.

25th anniversary

The Rand's Mill Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will celebrate its 25th anniversary at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 7, at the Rand-Bryan House, 2518 Benson Road, Garner. To attend or to find out more details, call regent Kaye Whaley at 772-5692.

The chapter was formed in February 1985 with 14 members. Membership has grown to 31 members. The chapter's purpose is to promote patriotism, preserve American history and secure America's future through better education for children.

Youth seek donations

The Youth Division of the Johnston County NAACP will visit the International Civil Rights Museum in Greensboro on Saturday, Feb. 27. The youth are seeking sponsors for the trip, which is $25 per person. To help, send an e-mail to youth adviser Gracie Wells Chamblee at graciechamblee@juno.com, call Chamblee at 919-553-8729, send an e-mail to the Rev. Russell Cotten at info@russellcotten.org or call NAACP president Timothy Hodges at 919-780-1135.

Valentine Ball

Harbor Inc. will hold its annual Valentine Ball from 7:30 till 11 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, at the Johnston County Agricultural Center, 2736 N.C. 210, Smithfield.

The night will feature food, drink and dancing to music by the Upbeats. The cost is $50 per person with beer and wine, or $45 per person without. For tickets, call Harbor at 919-938-3566.

Gardening seminar

The gardening seminar, Gardening 101: Growing Your Own Produce, will be held from 6:30 till 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 3, at the Arboretum at Johnston Community College.

This hands-on class focuses on spring gardens, how to test and prepare beds, selecting spring vegetables and herbs, bed preparation, vegetable care and maintenance. Participants will leave with soil test kits, garden plans and seed starts for a successful vegetable garden. The arboretum is located at 1240 E. Market St., Smithfield. For more details, call 919-209-2052.

Boy Scout awards

The Tuscarora Council of Boy Scouts of America will hold its 87th annual awards presentation at 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 7, in the Paul A. Johnston Auditorium at Johnston Community College, 245 College Road, Smithfield. Tickets are $8 if bought before Jan. 29. After that date, they're $15. For more information, call 919-734-1714 or visit bsanc.org.

Volunteers sought

The Guardian Ad Litem program is seeking volunteers in Johnston County.

Volunteers serve as advocates of children who find themselves in the courts because of abuse or neglect. To learn more, call John Webster, program supervisor, at 919-934-3348.

Girl Scout cookies

Girls Scouts in Johnston County are taking cookie orders. The cost is $3.50 per box. This year's flavors are Thin Mints, Caramel deLites, Shortbread, Peanut Butter Sandwich, Thanks-A-Lot, Lemonades, Daisy Go Rounds and Peanut Butter Patties. For more information, visit nccoastalpines.org.

Greeting cards

A workshop on making greeting cards and envelopes is scheduled from 2 till 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 7, at River City Arts, 310 E. Johnston St., Smithfield. The class is for people ages 6 and older. The cost is $8, plus supplies. For more information, visit myspace.com/rivercityarts.

Recreation report

The Clayton Parks and Recreation Department has scheduled several upcoming classes.

Beginning Feb. 22 (classes are six weeks long):

Adult Basic Drawing -- 10 a.m. till noon Tuesdays. Cost: $65 for residents, $75 for non-residents.

Adult Pencil Drawing -- 1 till 2:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Cost: $55 for residents, $65 for non-residents.

Watercolors -- 7 till 9 p.m. Mondays. Cost: $65 for residents, $75 for non-residents.

Acrylics -- 7 till 9 p.m. Tuesdays. Cost: $65 for residents, $75 for non-residents.

Beginning March 2:

Calligraphy -- 5:15 till 6:45 p.m. Tuesdays. Cost: $35 for residents, $45 for non-residents.

After-school Art -- 4:30 till 6 p.m. Wednesdays. Cost: $55 for residents, $65 for non-residents.

The Clayton Senior Center is located at 303 Dairy Road. The Clayton Center is located at 111 E. 2nd St.

For more details, call Matt Lorion at 919-553-1550.