Piecemakers Quilt Guild
        Piecemakers Quilt Guild meets the first Wednesday of each month from 10:00am to 12:00pm at the Lincoln County Senior Center, Lincoln Campus of Gaston College, 511 Aspen Street, Lincolnton, NC, in room 319. We are here to teach and encourage those interested in the art of quilting. Visitors and new members are welcome. We also have a new class that meets on the second Thursday of each month from 10:00am to 3:00pm to provide one to one instruction to beginning quilters. Contact Linda at 704-483-2778 for more information on this class. Contact Tony Darr, Publicity, for information, 704-992-2871 or ldarrnc@aol.com
The Shelby Lions Club
        The  Shelby  Lions  Club  has  made  changes  in  its  meeting  schedule. The  first  Tuesday  of  each  month  will  be  a  business  meeting held  at  the  Lions  Senior  Village  on  North  Morgan  Street. The  regular  membership  meeting  will  be  held  on  the  second  Tuesday of  each  month  at  Deerbrook  Country  Club. Shelby Lions are making this change to encourage local residents to take a look at the club and consider getting involved.  Shelby Lions are active in the community and offer fellowship and fun to members.  The meeting schedule change will help us to keep our membership dues low, reduce the monthly meeting time, and still offer the fellowship and community involvement that many are looking for. To learn more about Shelby Lions, contact Lion Dave Titus, Membership Chairperson, at 704-406-9331.
COA/Neal Senior Center, Shelby
        A Parkinson Support Group Meeting will be held the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 1:30 p.m. at the Neal Sr. Center, 100 Harris Dr., Shelby. Sgl. Doug Murphy 704-487-8822.
        The Council on Aging/Neal Senior Center, 100 T.R. Harris Drive, Shelby, will have “Bingo” each Monday night (except holidays). Doors open at 5:30 (no admittance after 7:00pm). Jackpot up to $500. Public invited 12 years old and up.
        New Years Eve Bingo, Monday, December 31. Doors will open at 5:30pm. Bingo packets may be purchased in advance or at the door. Lots of door prizes. Guaranteed $500 jackpot.
NAMI Rutherford Cleveland
        The National Alliance on Mental Illness/Rutherford Cleveland hosts a Mental Illness Family Support Group, always on the 3rd Tuesday of the month, 6:30-8:00pm., Cleveland County Red Cross Building, 1333 Fallston Road, Shelby, NC. This Family Support Group is specifically geared to the parents, grandparents, spouses, siblings, adult children and close relatives of persons suffering from severe and persistent mental illnesses. The illnesses covered are: Depression (unipolar), Manic Depression (bipolar), Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and other neurobiological brain disorders.  These meetings are confidential and a safe place to talk with other families members going through the same experiences.  We Are Families Helping Families! For more information please call Betty Frye at 704-434-5166 or 704-583-0845
Mental Health Association Support Groups
        Family-to-Family Caregiver Support Group, meets every third Tuesday of the month, 6:30 - 8:00pm at the Cleveland County Red Cross (1333 Fallston Road, Shelby, NC 28150) Co-sponsored by the Mental Health Association in Cleveland County and NAMI Rutherford/Cleveland, this support group offers a safe space for close relatives of persons suffering from a severe mental illness to share their experience with others in a similar situation. For details, contact the Mental Health Association at 704-481-8637 or mha@clevelandcountymha.org       
        Survivors of Suicide Support Group will meet Tuesday, December 18 from 11:30am - 1:30pm at the Cleveland Memorial Library. Sponsored by the Mental Health Association in Cleveland County, this support group offers support to those who have lost a loved one to suicide. All members of the group, including the facilitator, have experienced this unique loss. For details, contact the Mental Health Association at 704-481-8637 or mha@clevelandcountymha.org
Kiwanis Club, Shelby
        Kiwanis Club of Shelby meets the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month at noon at Deer Brook Restaurant, 201 Deer Brook Drive, Shelby. 704-482-4419. Membership dues are $110 per quarter which includes meals and dues.
Cleveland County Memorial Library, Shelby
        THROUGH THE GARDEN GATE…Spend your lunch hour at the library and feed your mind! The Main Library in Shelby, Cleveland County Memorial Library, 104 Howie Drive, Shelby, is continuing the series of programs for our community that will give folks a chance to spend their lunch hour being entertained. The idea is to bring your bag lunch and the library will provide water, tea and a great program. The programs will be held in the Plaster Meeting Room and you can “come through the garden gate” entrance. The programs will be on the first and third Thursdays of every month from 12:15 to 12:45 and will feature stories, music and educational topics.
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, Shelby
        DBSA support groups are open to anyone who is diagnosed with a mood disorder, has a family member or friend who is diagnosed, or who thinks they might have depression or bipolar disorder. DBSA support groups are not run by professionals, but instead offer peer-to-peer support. The support group meets every Tuesday from 6:30-8:00pm at The Episcopal Church in Shelby. For questions or information contact 704-232-5147 or laura@dbsafoothills.com.
Kings Mountain Historical Museum
        Kings Mountain Historical Museum is open Tuesday - Saturday, 10:00am - 4:00pm, and Sunday, 1:00pm - 4:00pm. The cost of admission is free, however donations are appreciated. All donations go towards supporting the museum’s mission of informing the public of the history of the City of Kings Mountain and surrounding areas by preserving and exhibiting the 19th and early 20th century collection. Visit the Kings Mountain Historical Museum this holiday season for the following events: 
        Old Salem Cookies and Cheese Stars are back and will be available at the Museum starting Saturday, November 17, 2012.
South Mountains State Park, Connelly Springs
        South Mountains State Park Environmental Programs:
        Saturday, December 29, 11:00am - “Bats”: Are bats blind? Do they fly into your hair? Do they turn into vampires? Join a Park Ranger at the Visitor Center at 2:00pm to learn some bat facts and have an opportunity to view some Bats.
        Tuesday, January 1 - “First Hike”: Start the New Year with some fresh air! This hike includes the 80 ft. High Shoals waterfall. This moderate 2.75 mile hike will last approximately 1.5 hours. Please bring water, appropriate clothing and footwear. Space is limited. Please call the park office for more information and to pre-register for this hike. 828-433-4772.
        Saturday, January 5 - “Wintergreen Hike”: Enjoy a leisurely walk along the Hemlock Nature Trail, and learn about some of the many plant species that stay green all year long. Meet at the Jacob Fork Parking Area at 11:00 am for this easy one mile walk. Sunday, January 6 & Saturday, January 26, 2:00pm. Meet at the Jacob Fork Parking Area.
        Saturday, January 5 & Sunday, January 13 - “Black Bears: Majestic Creatures of the Wild”: How dangerous are black bears? Can we coexist? Why are black bears so unique? What should I do if I see a black bear? The program will begin at 2:00 pm in the Visitor Center.
        Saturday, January 12 - “Where Am I?  How to Use a Map and Compass” Solid knowledge of basic map and compass skills are essential when traveling in the backcountry.  Join a Park Ranger to learn the fundamentals of map reading, identification of land features, and compass use. If you have a compass bring it and come prepared to test your skills in the field.  Meet at the Jacob Fork parking area at 11:00 am. Saturday, January 19, 2:00pm at the Jacob Fork parking area.
        Saturday, January 12 & Sunday, January 27 - “Skulls & Skins”: Drop by between 2-3:00 pm and hear about some of the animals that call South Mountains State Park home.
         Saturday, January 19 - “Crafts Gone Batty”: Are bats blind?  Do they fly into your hair? Do they turn into vampires? Join a Park Ranger at the Visitor Center at 11:00 am to learn some Bat facts, make some batty crafts and have an opportunity to view some Bats.
     Sunday, January 20 - “Owl Pellets”: Join a Park Ranger at the Visitor Center at 2:00 pm to examine owl pellets and reconstruct prey skeletons.  Owl pellets are clean of flesh, odorless and can be handled easily by all age groups.  
        Saturday, January 26 - “The Roles and Responsibilities of a NC State Park Ranger”: What does a Park Ranger do on a day to day basis?  Meet in the Visitor Center auditorium at 11:00 am. 
        South Mountains State Park is located south of Morganton off of old Highway 18. We welcome the community to join us for our monthly educational interpretive programs. Call the park office at (828) 433-4772 for more information.
 Cleveland County Blood Drives 2012-2013
        Thursday, January 10 - 10:00am-2:00pm, First National Bank
106 Lafayette Street, Shelby.
        Sunday, January 13 - 8:30am-12:30pm, Aldersgate Methodist Church, 1207 W Dixon Drive, Shelby.
        Wednesday, January 16, 1:30pm-6:00pm, Fallston Elementary
112 Gary Street, Fallston.
        11:00am-4:00pm, Gardner Webb University, 110 South Main Street, Boiling Springs.
        Saturday, January 19 - 11:00am-3:00pm, Royal Praise Ministries sponsored by Boy Scouts, 2055 Shelby Road, Kings Mountain.
        Thursday, January 24 - 2:30pm-6:30pm, Elizabeth Baptist, 301 North Post Road, Shelby.
        Friday, January 25 - 10:00am-2:00pm, Patrick Senior Center
909 East Kings Street, Kings Mountain.
        Saturday, January 26 - 10:00am-2:00pm, Buffalo Baptist, 1410 Buffalo Church Road, Shelby.
        Tuesday, January 29 - 2:30pm-6:30pm, Polkville Baptist, Hwy 226, Polkville.
Mauney Memorial Library, Kings Mtn
        Mauney Memorial Library, 100 South Piedmont Avenue, Kings Mountain, will be having free computer classes. Dates are as follows: Thursday, January 3, 2013, 3:30-5:00, Email. Thursday, January 10, 2013, 3:30-5:00, Resume. Thursday, January 17, 2013, 3:30-5:00, Intro to Internet. Thursday, January 24, 2013, 3:30-5:00, Intro to Computers. Call 704-739-2371, main desk to reserve your place.