Veterans benefit action event
The American Legion will host a Veteran’s Benefits Action Center from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 26-28, at the Johnston County Agricultural Center, 2736 NC Highway 210, Smithfield. The event is for veterans and their dependents that have questions concerning their VA claims, appeals and healthcare. Clients are asked to appear in the following order: Wednesday August 26, Social Security numbers ending in 00-33; Thursday August 27, SSNs ending in 34-67, Friday August 28, SSNs ending in 68-99. For more information call: 919-989-5380.
Storyteller Gale S. Buck hosted by library
The Public Library of Johnston County and Smithfield will host storyteller Gale S. Buck at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27, at 305 E. Market St. in downtown Smithfield. Patrons of all ages are invited to enjoy family-friendly stories in the library meeting room. Buck is the author of over 200 short stories and three published books. Contact: Emily Campbell, 919-934-8146 ext. 5 or ecampbell@pljcs.org.
Creative Spirit Paint Night
ELEOS is hosting Creative Spirit Paint Night from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, at ELEOS Outreach Community Center, 125 Timber Drive, in Garner. The instructor is Eric McRay of Artspace in Raleigh. Proceeds from paint night will go to orphanages and schools in Kenya, Africa. $30 per person or $50 for two. Supplies, professional instruction and hor d’oeuvres are included. Register at: ELEOSgarner.com or call: 919-772-7020.
Love your Money
NC Cooperative Extension is offering a free financial capability series led by family and consumer sciences agent Jayne McBurney, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, Sept. 8-29, at the Johnston County Extension Office, 2736 NC Highway 210, Smithfield. Registration available at the extension office: 919-989-5380.
Garner Veterans Memorial Walkway of Honor
The Town of Garner is taking orders for engraved bricks to be placed in the Garner Veterans Memorial Walkway of Honor. The deadline for submission of brick orders is Sept. 10. Orders are expected to be sent for engraving shortly thereafter with installation planned for late October. Order forms are available at Garner Senior Center, White Deer Park Nature Center and on the Garner Veterans Memorial website at www.garnerveteransmemorial.org. Bricks may be purchased to honor any veteran.
Third Annual Carnaval Latino
The Town of Garner’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department announces its third annual Carnaval Latino, from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13, on the back lawn of Garner Performing Arts Center, 125 Avery St. The free family-friendly celebration will include performances by Mexican pop band Tercer Divisa, Latin jazz group Jazziando and Brazilian drumming and dance group Bataque de Terriero. Food trucks include: D’Burritos, Pupusas y Tacos Marina and Kocina. Vendors will display art, jewelry and handmade goods. Some vendor spaces are still available. If interested, contact: Jill McAllister at jmcallister@garnernc.gov, or call 919-661-4602. All food vendor slots are filled. For more information, visit garnernc.gov/carnavallatino.
Gospel play
“The Waiting Room” will be performed at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sept. 19, at Garner Performing Arts Center, 742 W. Garner Road, Garner. The play is about five strangers whose paths have crossed. Tickets are $20. For information call, 919-588-2848 or visit www.istanetwork.com. Tickets are available at http://bit.ly/1IonW6a.
Golf Tournament
The Garner Optimist Club is hosting its 17th annual golf tournament on Sunday, October 4, at Reedy Creek Golf Course. Tee time is 1 p.m. Format is super ball/captain’s choice four-man teams. Entry fee is $65 per player/$260 per team. Profits will go to St. Baldrick’s Childhood Cancer Foundation. Lunch and dinner will be served. The tournament is limited to 32 teams. Contact: Paul Keene, 919-906-3206 or Bill Oates, 919-302-4648.
Garner Senior High 30-year reunion
The Garner Senior High Class of 1985 will hold its 30-year reunion Oct. 2-3. Class members and their families are invited to the Garner Trojans homecoming game at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, at Trojan Stadium, 2101 Spring Drive, Garner. General admission is $7 per person; a section of bleachers will be reserved for the Class of 1985. A celebration with dinner, music and dancing will take place from 7 p.m. to midnight Oct. 3, at the Garner Optimist Club, 2110 Vandora Springs Road, Garner. Tickets are $25 per person or $45 per couple. Make checks payable to Class of 85 c/o Joey Cagle and mail to Joey Cagle, PO Box 1703, Garner, NC 27529. Include your name (including maiden name) and the name of your guest on your check. For more information, join the class group on Facebook (www.fb.com/GSHSClassof85) or contact class president Joey Cagle at jbsales@bellsouth.net.
Classic Car Club meets
Memory Lane Classic Car Club meets for dinner at 6 p.m. followed by the meeting at 7 p.m. the third Monday of the month at Golden Corral, 60 Son-Lan Parkway, Garner. For more information, call 919-553-6229.
TOPS Chapter 0678
Taking Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) Chapter 0678 meets from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Mondays at The Garner Senior Center, 205 E. Garner Road, Garner. The purpose of the group is to provide support, share information about healthy living and celebrate success with weight loss. Participants must pay $32 for yearly national dues and $3 monthly local dues.
Overeaters Anonymous
An Overeaters Anonymous support group meets at 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays at First Presbyterian Church at the corner of Lakeside Drive and N.C. 50 in Garner. Park in the rear of the church and look for the OA signs. Call Sherylyn at 919-779-6392 or Regina at 919-614-3425 for more information.
Aversboro Run Club
Aversboro Run Club meets at 6 p.m. every Thursday outside Aversboro Restaurant & Sports Bar, 1411 Aversboro Road, Garner. The club is open to every runner and walker, and runs set routes of 3, 4 and 5 miles covering many paces. The restaurant offers food and drink specials to all walkers and runners upon their return.
Johnston County MS Support Group
The Johnston County MS Support Group meets at 11 a.m. on the third Thursday of the month at The Church at Clayton Crossings, 11407 US Hwy 70 W. Clayton. The group is open to those dealing with MS and their families and is free of charge.
Parenting workshops
Partnership for Children of Johnston County offers two programs for parents with young children.
Motheread is a 12-week self-paced program that combines the teaching of literacy skills with child development and family empowerment issues.
The Incredible Years parent program offers weekly group sessions for 14 to 16 weeks. Participants practice skills to promote children’s academic, social and emotional skills.
For information on times and location, contact Erica Reid at 919-202-0002, ext. 258, or email ereid@pfcjc.org.
Cans For A Cure
Vandora Springs Elementary will collect aluminum cans for recycling throughout the summer months to benefit Garner’s Relay For Life. You may drop off cans at any time in the blue dumpster located at the school. For more information, contact Jim Hunt at jhunt@wcpss.net.
Southeast Regional Library events
Southeast Regional Library hosts free and inexpensive events to help educate local residents and promote literacy at 908 7th Ave., Garner. For details, go to WakeGov.com/libraries.
Send announcements at least two weeks before the event to jwhitfield@newsobserver.com.
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