Relay for Life
The Relay for Life Team Captain's Meeting dates are March 14, 2017, April 11, 2017, 6:00pm til 7:00pm, at Hampton Inn & Suites, 2001-B East Dixon Blvd., Shelby, NC. Other events:
Double Springs Baptist Church, 1130 Double Springs Church, Shelby, NC, will hold a yard sale Friday, March 17 and Saturday, March 18, 2017, that will benefit Relay For Life. The sale is 6:00-8:00pm on Friday and 7:00-11:00am on Saturday. A biscuit breakfast will be available at 7:30am.
Habitat for Humanity Cleveland County
Habitat is taking initial applications for its 2017 Home Build now through April 15, 2017. The applicant must be able to make no interest house payments of $475 to $550 a month, must have a real need for better housing, must live in Cleveland County, and must be willing to partner with Habitat by completing "sweat equity" on the home and by attending Homeowner Workshops. The typical Habitat home has 3 bedrooms, 2 baths and is approximately 1100 square feet. Applications may be picked up at the Habitat ReStore, 323 W. Grover St., Shelby or to receive an application by mail, call the Habitat office at 704-482-6200. In order to be considered, completed initial applications must be received by the Habitat office no later than April 15th. Habitat is an Equal Housing Opportunity organization.
Cleveland County Department of Social Services
The Cleveland County Department of Social Services would like to remind all potentially eligible households that the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) is still underway. This is a Federally-funded program that provides for a one-time vendor payment to help eligible households pay their heating bills. Any household can be potentially eligible to receive this one time assistance through March 31, 2017 unless the funds are exhausted before then. A household that applies must: Have at least one U.S. Citizen or non-citizen who meets the eligibility criteria; Meet an income test; Have resources at or below $2,250.00. Be responsible for its heating bills; Live in Cleveland County, North Carolina. A household can apply by coming into the Cleveland County Department of Social Services during working hours Monday thru Friday. If you wish for more information, please call 704-487-0661 ext. 394 which is the Energy Information Line. Leave your name and phone number and someone will return your call to discuss this program.
South Mountains State Park, Connelly Springs
South Mountains State Park, 3001 South Mountains Park Avenue, Connelly Springs, NC: Upcoming Environmental Programs:
Saturday, March 11, 2017 - "Knot Tying 101" - Knot tying is a fundamental skill for many tasks. Whether you are a beginning climber, backpacker or just want to learn a few knots. Join a Ranger at the Visitor Center at 11:00 am. "Streamside Hike" - Join a Park Ranger for an easy walk to learn more about the Jacob Fork River. We'll talk about watersheds, common plants and animals, and water quality. Meet at the Jacob Fork Parking Area at 2:00 pm.
Sunday, March 12, 2017 - "Masked Bandits" - Fact or Fiction: Do raccoons wash their food? Find out the answer to this and much more about those furry little "masked bandits" at South Mountains State Park. Meet Ranger Amanda at the Visitor Center at 2:00 pm to learn a few myths and legends as well as fun facts about raccoons. All ages welcome! "Fly Tying 101" - Get Hooked! Join angler Jeff Newton at the Visitor Center at 2:00 pm for an introductory class on fly tying. Please bring all personal equipment available. Classes may vary based on interest and skill level of the participants.
Saturday, March 18, 2017 - "Streamside Hike" - Join a Park Ranger for an easy walk to learn more about the Jacob Fork River. We'll talk about watersheds, common plants and animals, and water quality. Meet at the Jacob Fork Parking Area at 11:00 am. "Skulls & Skins" - Drop by between 2-3:00 pm and hear about some of the animals that call South Mountains State Park home. "Wilderness Survival 101" - Wilderness Survival 101 will cover basic survival information as covered in the Boy Scouts of America handbook. Topics covered will include basic first aid, shelter and others based on class interest and instructor discretion. Program will be presented by park volunteer, Jeff Newton, who also teaches Fly Fishing 101 and has a great deal of experience in the outdoors. Program is free and open to the public. Please meet at the Visitor Center at 2:00 pm.
Sunday, March 19, 2017 - "The 10 Essentials" - What items should you always carry with you when hiking? Meet a Park Ranger at the Visitor Center at 2:00 pm to learn about the "10 Essentials". "Fly Tying 101" - Get Hooked! Join angler Jeff Newton at the Visitor Center at 2:00 pm for an introductory class on fly tying. Please bring all personal equipment available. Classes may vary based on interest and skill level of the participants.
Kings Mountain Historical Museum
Mountain Historical Museum, 100 East Mountain Street, Kings Mountain, NC, will hold an event starting at 2:00pm on Saturday, March 11, 2017. Admission free! Textile worker, labor activist, and protest balladeer Ella May played a central role in the Loray Mill strike of 1929, the biggest communist-led strike in United States history. Ella's union involvement, ability to move audiences with her music, and her efforts to support desegregation and labor rights for African Americans at the height of Jim Crow made her a target of violence. At only 28-years old, pregnant and a mother of five surviving children, Ella May was assassinated on her way to a union meeting in Gastonia, NC. Although there were many witnesses, no one was ever held accountable for the crime. Kristina Horton, great-granddaughter of Ella May, will discuss the 1929 strike and ongoing efforts to memorialize Ella May's legacy, as well as her personal journey in discovering an unsung heroine in one of her ancestors.
Cleveland/Lincoln County Rose Society
The Cleveland/Lincoln County Rose Society will be teaching the public how to prune and fertilize their rose bushes Saturday, March 11, 2017 at 10:00am, in the Memorial Rose Garden at the Charles R. Jonas Library, 306 W. Main St., Lincolnton, NC. This is free to the public. No registration is needed. Refreshments will be served. For more information please call 828-310-1636.
Lost Playwrights, Hendersonville
Lost Playwrights will meet Saturday, March 11, 2017 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm at Kapplan Auditorium of the Henderson County Library, 301 North Washington Street, Hendersonville, NC. Anyone interested in any aspect of theater or creative writing is invited. There are no dues.
The Lord Provides Soup Kitchen, Belwood
The Lord Provides Soup Kitchen will hold a free meal on Saturday, March 11, 2017 from 11:30am -1:00pm at the Belwood Community Center Cafeteria, 1114 Belwood Lawndale Rd. The meal will include an entree, two sides, and a dessert. For more information contact Karen at kself98@gmail.com or Greg at nygfan215@gmail.com.
Shelby Parks & Recreation Beginner Shag Lessons
Shelby Parks & Recreation will hold Beginner Shag Lessons on Tuesday, March 14, 2017, at the Shelby City Park (Girl Scout Hut). No partner needed. (Registration at 6:00pm) Call Instructors, Sam and Regina Lail, 704-482-6376 or 704-692-6801.
The Salvation Army Administrative Office
The administrative/social service office of The Salvation Army will be closed Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, March 14, 15 and 16, 2017. This down time is in preparation for moving the office from its rented space into the church building complex next door. Normal operating hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:00am to noon and 1:00pm to 4:30pm. The office is closed on Fridays. Social services offered include emergency assistance with rent and utilities and a food pantry. The corps also issues vouchers for clothing that can be redeemed at The Salvation Army Family Thrift Store. Call 704-482-0375 for more information.
The Shelby Amateur Radio Club
Interested in becoming a FCC licensed Ham Radio operator? The Shelby Amateur Radio Club will hold a testing session at the Cleveland County Memorial Library, Shelby, NC on Saturday, March 18, 2017 from 10am-12pm. The library is located at 104 Howie Drive, Shelby. For information call 704-466-3975.
Lincoln County Parks & Recreation
LCPR Adventure 5K Race Information will be held on Saturday, April 15, 2017! The purpose of this event is to promote health and fitness in Lincoln County and to invite the community to learn more about the local parks. Youth ages 13 and under can register for only $10 and adults can register for just $25! To sign up, visit https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/Vale/LCPR5k.
Lincoln County Parks and Recreation will again be holding their Spring Break Camp on April 17-21, 2017. Camp is for Kindergarden-6th graders and is being held at East Lincoln Community Center and Denver, and Howard's Creek. Cost is $95 for the week and includes two field trips. For more information, contact Program Coordinator, Lindsay Ross at (704) 483-8980.
They are now accepting reservations for the picnic shelters for 2017. Fees are based on length of reservation and reservations are made for the picnic shelter only, the remainder of the park stays open to the public. For more information or to check availability, call 704-748-1518.
The Lincoln County Parks and Recreation Office has moved to 206 Gamble Dr., 1st Floor (With the Veterans Admin. Office) Lincolnton, NC.
Friends of Shelby
Friends of Shelby, a group, (mostly seniors), who enjoy dining together, dances and other activities. They dine together third Thursday of the month Showmars 5pm and member's choice first Friday monthly. Many have found lifelong companions and lasting wholesome friendships. Feel free to bring some fresh ideas to share. For information, 704 756 0551.

BENEFITS
Benefit Concert For Life Enrichment Center
There will be a Benefit Concert for Life Enrichment Center on Friday, April 7, 2017, at The Don Gibson Theatre, 318 South Washington St., Shelby, NC. Door opens at 6:00pm. Show starts at 7:00pm. Featuring "Oak Grove String Band", "Charlie Carpenter", "Ashely Hea th", and "Bryon McMurry". Great pickers for a great cause! 100 Percent of proceeds going to the Life Enrichment Center. Tickets available at DonGibsonTheater.com.

Copeland Corp. Employee Reunion
Copeland Corp. employee reunion - May 20, 2017, 5pm - 10pm at Shelby City Park gym. Cost is $25/person, includes BBQ and Chicken dinner with all the trimmings and entertainment. Event is open to all former employees and their guests. Deadline for registration is April 25th. Send email to CopelandReunionInfo@gmail.com for questions and reservations. We need your name, years you worked there and department or job title. You can pay for reservation on PayPal using the gmail account or mail a money order to Attn: Erin Crow, PO Box 66, Earl NC 28038. If you want to pay in person send a message. Additional contacts are Annette Johnson or Tim Curtis through Facebook.