The Middlesboro Daily News will publish local events in the community calendar free of charge as space allows. We do not accept submissions called in via phone. All submissions should be emailed to beth.key@harlandaily.com or dropped off at our office, 1275 North 25th Street, Middlesboro. Submissions should be received no later than four business days prior to the event. If received in time, it will be published one or two days prior to the event. Announcements are also available at middlesborodailynews.com.

OCT. 22

There will be a special meeting of the Middlesboro Independent School District Finance Corporation on Oct. 22 in concert with the regular meeting of the Middlesboro Independent Board of Education (approximately 4:45 p.m.) at Middlesboro Middle School, 4400 Cumberland Avenue.

OCT. 24

The League of Women Voters is sponsoring a town hall meeting on the drug problem in Bell County at 7 p.m. on Oct. 24 at the Middlesboro Public Library. Recognizing that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” this meeting will focus on prevention and education. Special guests will be Debra Hampton of the Cumberland River Regional Prevention Center, Tom Vicini from UNITE and Farra Shoffner from the Middlesboro School System. The public will be encouraged to participate, to ask questions and make comments and suggestions.

OCT. 24-26

Wilderness Road State Park will host Pumpkins in the Park on Oct. 24-26. Trunk or treat will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Oct. 24. Haunted Trail Hayride will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. on Oct. 25 and 26.

OCT. 25

The Cumberland Valley Chapter of the Kentucky Public Retirees (KPR) will meet Oct. 25 at David’s Steak House in Corbin. Mealtime will begin at 11:30 a.m. with the meeting to follow. The guest speaker will be 87th District State Rep. Adam Bowling. Retirees (and spouses) receiving retirement benefits from KERS, CERS or SPRS are welcome to attend. Membership information will be available at the meeting or at kentuckypublicretirees.org. For more information, call 606-260-0490.

OCT. 26

Middlesboro Country Club will host a Halloween Party beginning at 8 p.m. on Oct. 26. Tickets are $50 per couple or $39 single through Oct. 24, then $70, couple or $50 per single. Food, drinks and DJ John Day. For tickets, call 423-494-6731.

Clay County minister Jason Root will be leading a community-wide prayer meeting from 2 to 4 p.m. on Oct. 26 at the Middlesboro Community Center, located on 30th Street. Anyone desiring prayer is welcome to attend.

Hayride at Riverside Baptist Church in Harrogate will begin at 4 p.m. on Oct. 26 with fun and food. Everyone is welcome to attend. A preaching service will also be held at 6 p.m.

OCT. 28, NOV. 2

The 14th annual Friends of the Shelter Beastie Bash Auction and Fundraiser will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 2 at Pine Mountain State Resort Park with a social hour and item viewing. Live music will be provided by Larry Goodwin and Ken Wilson. The silent and live auction, led by Lawrence McGeorge of Auction 58, will follow a buffet dinner. Tickets must be purchased by Oct. 28 due to seating limitations and can be obtained from Nagle Law Office in Middlesboro, Taylor Drugs in Pineville, Pizazz Salon in Harrogate or from many Friends of the Shelter members.

OCT. 29

Prayer vigil and candlelight service for victims of domestic violence, sponsored by Bell County Peace in Kentucky Homes Network, will be held 7 p.m. Oct. 29 at the Presbyterian Field on Kentucky Avenue in Pineville. For more information, contact Jim Woodring at 606-337-7292.

Bell County Cooperative Extension Service will be host Holiday Ideas at 5 p.m. on Oct. 29 in the third floor meeting room of the old courthouse. To register, call the office at 606-337-2376.

OCT. 31-NOV. 2

All Saints Day and All Souls Day will be observed at St. Julian Catholic Church in Middlesboro and St. Anthony Catholic Church in Pineville. The schedule for All Saints Day includes: Oct. 31 — Vigil Mass at St. Julian, 7 p.m.; Nov. 1 — Holy Day Obligation with Mass at St. Julian at 8 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Nov. 1 — Holy Day Obligation with Mass at St. Anthony at 5:30 p.m. The schedule for All Souls Day includes: Nov. 2 — St. Julian Church at 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.; St. Anthony at 10 a.m. You are encouraged to visit the churches prior to the Holy Day Masses to sign the listing for your departed loved family and loved ones. Print legibly as these names will be read aloud during All Souls Day Mass.

OCT. 31

Bell County will observe Halloween on Oct. 31. Trick or treat hours are from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Trick or treat hours for the city of Middlesboro are from 5 to 7 p.m. on Oct. 31.

Trick or treat hours for the city of Pineville are from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 31.

Malloween will be held on Oct. 31 for children 12 and under at Middlesboro Mall. Trick or treat hours are from 5 to 7 p.m. No full facial masks unless you are 12 years old or younger.

Old Yellow Creek Baptist Church, located 225 South 38th Street in Middlesboro, hosts its 10th annual trunk or treat on Oct. 31 for ages ages 12 and under in costume.

Indian Creek Baptist Church will be hosting a Trunk or Treat on Oct. 31 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Hot dogs will be served.

TODAY-OCT. 31

October is set aside as “Adopt a Shelter Dog” month by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), and there’s no better time than now to find your next best furry friend. For the entire month of October, the Friends of the Bell County Animal Shelter (FOS) will be paying half the adoption fee for any puppy or adult dog adopted from the Bell County Animal Shelter. That means you pay only $35. That price covers having your pet spayed or neutered, examined and vaccinated for rabies, parvo and distemper.

NOV. 4

The Bell County Cooperative Extension Service is partnering with the Middlesboro Public Library to host the Crock Pot Cookin’ program monthly. The Healthy Choices for Every Body Curriculum lessons will be paired with easy and tasty Crock pot recipes. Each participant will be able to sample a recipe with each lesson. This program is free and the next meeting begins at 11 a.m. on Nov. 4.

NOV. 6

Bell County Cooperative Extension Service, in cooperation with Middlesboro Public Library, will host Bell County 4-H Outdoor Skills Club at 3:30 p.m. on Nov. 6 at the Middlesboro Public Library. All youth ages 9-18 are welcome. For more information, contact Brian Good, Bell County 4-H sgent, at 606-337-2376.

NOV. 8

Come decorate a Wooden Barrel Lid with the Bell County Cooperative Extension Service at 10 a.m. on Nov. 8in the third floor meeting room of the old courthouse in Pineville. The cost is $15 (covers all materials). Limit one lid per person. Limited to 12 participants. Registration is required by Nov. 6. To register or for more information, call the Extension Office at 606-337-2376.

NOV. 10

The Warwick Family will be singing at Indian Creek Baptist Church at 6 p.m. on Nov. 10.

NOV. 12

First State Bank of the Southeast will host the annual Veterans Day Program on Nov. 12 at the Community Center in Middlesboro. Registration and reception to begin at 4:30 p.m. with dinner at 5 p.m.

Bell County Cooperative Extension Service, in cooperation with Middlesboro Public Library, will host Bell County 4-H Outdoor Skills Club at 3:30 p.m. on Nov. 12 at the Middlesboro Public Library. All youth ages 9-18 are welcome. For more information, contact Brian Good, Bell County 4-H sgent, at 606-337-2376.

NOV. 26

Bell County Cooperative Extension Service will be hosting Learn, Laugh and Craft at 1 p.m. on Nov. 26 in the Extension Office of the old courthouse. The topic is pumpkins. Participants are asked to bring their own 18 inch square pierce of fall colored fabric. To register, call the Extension Office at 606-337-2376.

TUESDAYS

Stand in the Gap Coalition will host Support Transition and Recovery Training (START) on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at 325 Straight Creek Road in New Tazewell (old Powell Valley Electric office). START, conducted by James Shoffner, pastor of Riverview Baptist Church, will address substance abuse and addictive processes as well as provide support and education to individuals and families to help them overcome the strongholds associated and will also be providing life skills trainings. For more information, contact Shoffner at 865-279-9661 or the Stand in the Gap office at 423-300-1302, email Standntgap@gmail.com.

WEDNESDAYS

Those who are mourning the death of a loved one are invited to attend the Griefshare at New Beginning Baptist Church in Harrogate. This non-denominational Christ-centered program features biblical teachings by grief experts and testimonies of grieving people. GriefShare offers insights that help to renew hope for the future as well as providing the chance to be around other that understand. Meetings will be held on Wednesdays, from 6 to 7:30 pm through Oct. 9. For more information, contact the church office at 423-7378 or Bob and Nancy Jackson at 423-869-4422. You may also visit nbbctn.com or www.griefshare.org.

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The Freedom at the Hill Recovery Program meets at 6 p.m. every Thursday at the Hill Church, located at 1216 Cedar Fork Road in Tazewell. Groups for Addiction Recovery, Setting Boundaries in Relationships, Anger Management and more. Everyone is welcome. For more information, call 423-526-5655.

RCIA inquirer sessions have begun at St. Julian Catholic Church, located at 118 East Chester Avenue in Middlesboro, for anyone wishing to learn more about the Catholic faith. Sessions will be held on Tuesdays following 6:30 p.m. Mass (approximately 7:15 p.m.) in the Adult Education room in the parish hall. All are welcome.

The Middlesbsoro Elementary School SBDM Council will meet every second Tuesday of each month at 3 p.m. in the school’s conference room.

GED classes are being offered to anyone 19 years or older: Improve your reading, writing, mathematical skills, and study to receive your GED. Follow your children by improving your education free of charge. For more information please call Southeast Campus at 606-248-3175, Bell County Literacy Center at 606-248-2014, or Pineville Learning Center at 606-337-3044

Want to improve your reading, writing, and mathematical skills? We can help! We also offer help with introduction to computers, resume creation, and personal finances/budgeting. For more information please call Bell County Literacy Center at 606-248-2014, Bell County Skills U at 606-248-3175, or Pineville Learning Center at 606-337-3044.

Effective the first week of August, Appalachian Promise of Claiborne County (APCC), a 501(C)3 faith-based organization, will provide monthly support meetings for MADD, Mothers Against Drunk Drivers, located inside the office, located at N. 1718 Broad Street in Tazewell. Meetings will be held weekly, times will be announced. A victims advocate is available now. You may stop in for assistance or by calling. For more information, call 832-377-5223 or 877-ASK-MADD for the 24-hour victim line.

Stand in the Gap Coalition (SIGCO), a 501(c)3 nonprofit, faith-based organization, along with local churches in the Tri-State area is hosting an evening out for grandparents and caregivers by providing childcare on the second Tuesday of each month. SIGCO is located at 325 Straight Creek Road, New Tazewell, Tennessee. A service of SIGCO is to provide free saliva-based drug testing kits with instructions, called Give Me a Reason. For more information on the evening out, addiction treatment or how you can help “Stand in the Gap“ call 423-300-1302, email standntgap@gmail.com or mail P.O. Box 539, Cumberland Gap TN 37724.

Volunteers are needed for the Kentucky Long Term Care Ombudsman Program (Cumberland Valley District) to read a while, play a game of checkers, discuss the day’s events, reminisce or just sit and watch TV with a local senior. If you currently visit someone in a long-term care facility or would like to become involved, contact Arlene Gibson at 606-864-7391, ext. 119.

Free saliva-based drug testing kits are provided and sponsored through UNITE and Stand in the Gap Coalition (SIGCO). Give Me a Reason is designed for parents/guardians to use to talk with their children and randomly test them, which gives them a reason to say no when tempted or offered drugs. Kits can be obtained at 44 different distribution points throughout the Tri-State area and at the SIGCO office, at 325 Straight Creek Road, New Tazewell, Tennessee. For more information, contact the SIGCO office at 423-300-1302. To pick up a kit, stop by on Mondays from 1 to 5:30 p.m.

The American Red Cross is seeking volunteers with flexible schedules to respond to single- and multi-family home fires in the Lake Cumberland service area, which includes Bell, Harlan, Knox and Whitley counties. Red Cross Disaster Action Team volunteers respond to assist families with shelter, support and access to basic needs immediately following a home fire – often arriving on scene even as the fire is still burning. Volunteers may apply online by visiting http://www.redcross.org/volunteer or by contacting chapter Executive Terry Burkhart at 859-253-1331 or terry.burkhart@redcross.org.

The Lighthouse Homeless Shelter, at 117 South Pine Street in Pineville, is open seven days a week. For more information, call 606-337-9736.

Lighthouse Lifeline of Bell County non-residential support groups are held at the Lighthouse Mission Center, 3609 Hwy. 119 in Pineville. For more information, contact Sharon Teaney at 606-269-2187. Men’s and women’s support groups meet from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays.

Lighthouse Mission Center, 3609 Hwy. 119 in Pineville, will have food giveaways at 11:30 a.m. on the third and fourth Tuesday of each month. Emergency food boxes are available from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. For more information, call 606-337-1834.

A military support group for all active, separated or any former military men or women meets at 6:30 p.m. each first and third Monday of the month at the Middlesboro National Guard Armory, located on 30th Street. If you face financial, relationship, criminal, adjustment, substance abuse or other problems, this is for you.

Benchmark Family Services, serving Bell, Harlan, Clay, Knox, Laurel and Whitley counties, invites you to become a foster parent. Free orientation classes are held from 5 to 6 p.m. on any Tuesday. For more information, call 606-526-6992 or toll free at 866-526-6992.

Narcotics Anonymous will meet at the Living Clean Group Wallsend Community Room in Pineville. Meetings begin at 6 p.m. on Mondays; at noon on Wednesdays, closed for addicts only; and at 3 p.m. on Saturdays. For more information, call 606-499-0238 or 606-302-6972.

Narconon is reminding families that the use of addicting drugs is on the rise. Take steps to protect your family from drug use. If you know anyone who is struggling, get them the help they need. For a free brochure on the signs of addiction for all drugs, call 800-431-1754 or visit DrugAbuseSolution.com. Narconon also offers free screenings and referrals.

Appalachian Promise of Claiborne County (APCC), a 501(C)3 faith-based organization, has announced new office hours: Mondays and Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The office, provides smart recovery services for those battling addiction provided by a licensed facilitator, these services are by appointment only, rehab placement services are also available. Job placement services and money management classes are also offered. For more information, call 423-259-8189.