NARFE Meeting: National Active and Retired Federal Employees Charleston Chapter 0166 will meet at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 12 at the South Charleston Public Library. The meeting will feature a soup luncheon and update on pending issues. For more information, contact Robert Hardesty, 304-346-5250.
Almost Heaven Valentines: The Almost Heaven Barbershop Chorus will deliver singing valentines on Feb. 12 and 13. The chorus will sing two songs to your sweetheart. For information, call Jean Cunningham at 304-988-1704 (home) or 304-342-4988 (work) or Audrey Deel at 304-744-8865 (home) or 304-746-2059 (work). The cost in the Kanawha Valley area is $35 (checks payable to Almost Heaven Chorus).
Clothing Giveaway: The Nitro Church of Christ, Lock Street and Main Avenue, Nitro, will have a clothing giveaway from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 13. Available items will include clothing for all family members, shoes and housewares. For more information, call 304-755-5788 or visit www.nitrococ.org on the Internet.
SCHS '59 Luncheon: South Charleston High School Class of 1959 members will meet for lunch at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, at 248 Henson Ave., South Charleston. For more information or to confirm attendance, call 304-744-3179, 304-541-3069 or 304-552-3583.
Business After Hours: A Business After Hours event for the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce will take place at The Hampton Inn on Thursday, Feb. 18.
Business After Hours is monthly event providing a professional venue for business owners and their employees to make new contacts and increase their client base. The Feb. 18 event will be from 5 to 7 p.m. and is co-hosted by Hampton Inn and McKee & Associates and catered by The Greenhouse of Teays Valley. The cost to attend is $15 per person; participation is limited to Putnam County Chamber of Commerce members and their guests. The cash drawing sponsored by BB&T is valued at $200. Deadline to register is Feb. 15.
To obtain membership information or to make reservations, contact the chamber at 304-757-6510 or chamber@putnamcounty.org.
Blood Drive: The Putnam Chamber NOW (Network of Women) is sponsoring a blood drive Friday, Feb. 26, from 1 to 7 p.m. at Hurricane City Hall. Donors must present photo identification or two other forms of identification. The chamber is also looking for volunteers for the event. Visit www.redcrosslife.org to register as a donor or volunteer or call the chamber office at 304-757-6510.
Coin Show: The Kanawha Valley Coin Club's annual coin show will be held March 6 and 7 at the Charleston Civic Center. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Admission is free. West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky dealers will attend, buying, selling and trading coins, stamps, jewelry, ball cards and coal mine scrip. The club meets at 7 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month at the South Charleston library. For more information, call 304-562-6917 or 304-727-4062 or visit www.kvcoinclub.com
Wine & Cheese: The Friendship Force of Charleston is sponsoring "Wine and Cheese Tasting...Celebrating World Friendship Day 2010" from 2 to 5 p.m. March 6 in the Dunbar Women's Club, 323 14th St., Dunbar. The theme is Celebrating World Friendship Day 2010. The cost is $12 per person. RSVP to Lenora Lawrence, 304-925-4649, by Feb. 20. Checks can be mailed to: Eleanor Byrnes, 2008 Weberwood Drive, South Charleston, W.Va. 25303.
Seniors' Valentine Event: The Hometown Senior Center, Hometown Road and First Avenue in Hometown, will have a '50s-themed Valentine's get-together at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 12, weather permitting. Those who want to dress for the theme are encouraged, but it isn't mandatory. Prizes will be awarded for best outfit. Door prizes also will be awarded. Admission is $3 and a covered dish or dessert. The center will provide meat, bread, tea and coffee. In the event of bad weather on the 12th, call ahead to confirm at 304-586-2745.
Christian Women's Brunch: Charleston Christian Women are sponsoring a "Razzle Dazzle Me!" brunch from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 17, at Wellington's of Scarlet Oaks in Poca. Shirley Snodgrass of McCormick Jewelers will present a program on Pandora beads, and Peggy Siders of Hurricane will sing. Guest speaker Debbie Mills of Christiansburg, Va., will talk about finding happiness. The cost is $13 inclusive. Complimentary nursery is available by reservation only. Call Tina, 304-744-6914 or 304-546-8215, or send e-mail to: CWVCW@yahoo.com. Reservations must be made by Feb. 15.
Basket Bus: The "Spring Fling" Longaberger bus tour, to benefit the American Cancer Society, is March 27. The cost is $110, which includes transportation on a deluxe motor coach, a Longaberger Basket, breakfast, games on the bus, door prizes and snacks. Tour participants will also shop in Dresden, Ohio, and visit the Basket Connection. The first deposit of $55 is due by Feb. 12, with the balance due by March 5. There will be an early bird drawing for those who are paid in full by Feb. 12. All money is non-refundable, but transferable to a friend. For more information or to reserve a seat, call April, 304-881-6876.
Homeownership Workshops: The Kanawha Institute for Social Research & Action Inc. will host free "A Guide to Homeownership" workshops from 5 to 9 p.m. Feb. 16 in the KISRA Empowerment Center at 131 Perkins Ave. in Dunbar. There will also be a workshop from 5 to 9 p.m. Feb. 25 in The Douglass Center, 1448 Tenth Ave., Suite 205, in Huntington. These workshops provide first-time homebuyers with skills and resources to achieve homeownership, including housing counseling, homebuyer education, financial literacy education, mortgage pre-qualification, loan origination, home construction, down payment assistance and personal credit improvement. Call 304-768-8924 ext. 203 to register.
Fur Ball: The Putnam Animal Relief Center's 2010 Fur Ball fundraiser is set for 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20 at the new First State Bank new location in Hurricane. Proceeds go toward the proposed new Putnam County animal shelter. Entertainment will include John-Eric Booth and Lady D. For more information, contact Jeff Barnes at 304-757-5700 or jbar...@jbarnes.com.
Stress Management Program: The West Virginia Institute for Spirituality, 1601 Virginia St., East, Charleston, will host "Post-Traumatic Stress: Searching for Inner Peace" from 8:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13. Participants will explore positive steps in managing grief, anger, depression and night terrors associated with post-traumatic stress. Continuing Education Units are provided for registered nurses, licensed professional counselors and social workers. A $50 offering is requested for CEU applicants. Lunch is included. To register, call 304-345-0926.
Park Discounts: The Waves of Fun water park in Hurricane is offering a 20 percent discount through April 1 on season passes for this summer. After April 1, the passes will be offered at a 10 percent discount through May 21. Visit the park office at #1 Valley Park Drive, Hurricane, or call 304-562-0518 ext. 10.
Seniors' Tax Assistance: If you are a senior citizen age 65 or older, or a younger person with an established permanent disability, who has qualified for the West Virginia Homestead Exemption program, then you should have received information from the W.Va. Tax Department regarding your eligibility for a tax credit benefit. The West Virginia Aging and Disability Resource Centers are helping individuals complete the West Virginia State Personal Income Tax return required to claim the 2009 Senior Citizens Tax Credit. The deadline for filing applications is April 15. To inquire about eligibility or for more information about the free service, call 304-720-6863 or 1-866-981-2372.
NYC Bus Trip: A redeye bus trip to and from New York City is planned for April 16-18. The bus will leave Charleston at 9:30 p.m. Friday, April 16 and return from New York City at approximately 9 a.m. Sunday, April 18. The cost is $90 per person. Contact Janet at 304-546-4500 or Anthony at 304-640-4225 for more information.
LPN Class: The Putnam Career and Technical Center is seeking applicants for the next LPN class, scheduled to begin in August. Classes are five days per week for 12 consecutive months and are offered only in the daytime. Applications will be taken through March 19 and can be picked up at the PCTC main office from 8 a.m. to 3:20 p.m. weekdays. The application fee of $50 is collected for the entrance exam, which consists of reading, writing, mathematics and science. Call the school at 304-583-3494 ext. 238 if you would like additional information or log on to http://putnam.schoolspan.com/PCTC/Academics.asp for information and an application.
Housing Rehabilitation Applications: The City of Hurricane is accepting applications for free housing rehabilitation for Putnam County residents, to be performed by members of REACH. Work to be performed includes everything, with the exception of electrical and plumbing. REACH will work on approximately 80 homes July 18 through July 31. For more information or applications, call 304-562-5896.
Literacy Training: Literacy Volunteers of Putnam County offers a free training session to provide the skills needed to become a literacy volunteer and aid adults in improving their basic academic skills. To find out more, call 304-757-1550.
Landlords: The W.Va. Landlords Association meets at Little Creek Country Club in South Charleston every second Thursday of the month from 6 to 7 p.m. (Social Hour) and 7 p.m. for dinner and a guest speaker. For more information, call 304-342-4343 or visit www.wvlandlords.com
Food Pantry: The Five Loaves Two Fish Food Pantry in the Poca United Methodist Church, 112 Silver St., Poca, distributes food on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month from 9 a.m. until noon, unless otherwise noted. Call 304-755-7341 or 304-755-2911 for more information.
Winfield Building Rental: The Winfield Lions Club building is available to rent for showers, birthday parties and other functions. Overlooking the Kanawha River, with an outdoor grilling area and picnic space available, the building is air-conditioned, has a complete kitchen and seats up to 50. For rates and more information, call 304-755-5539.
DPHS Throws: To raise funds for the 30th-year reunion May 28-30, the DuPont High School Class of 1980 Reunion Committee is selling professionally made, 100 percent cotton tapestry throws (blankets) featuring the DPHS coat of arms. The 50-by-60-inch throws are $40 each, plus shipping, and may be ordered with or without "Class of 1980" embroidered on them. A minimum of 25 throws must be purchased to have them manufactured. For more information or to order, contact Mary Lee Frye Marshman at budda1994@verizon.net or visit the Craigslist listing at https://accounts.craigslist.org/post/shwpst?pii=1564441677&;db=lv
Milton Golf League: Milton Baptist Church has a golf league which plays on Thursday evenings, with starting times from 4 to 6 p.m. You do not have to be a member of Milton Baptist to participate. To sign up, contact Bill Sanders at 304-743-3969 or e-mail marilans@verizon.net
Putnam County Ringers: The Putnam County Ringers, a community handbell choir, is open to anyone interested in ringing or learning to ring handbells. The interdenominational group meets from 7 to 8 p.m. Mondays at Eleanor Presbyterian Church. For more information, call Kathy at 304-546-0259 or Sharon at 304-586-4131.
Republican Women's Club:: The Putnam County Republican Women's Club meets on the third Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Sleepy Hollow Golf Club. Dinner is available for $12, but you do not have to have dinner to attend the meeting. For more information, call Iva Danner at 304-562-9526 or Nancy Bradley at 304-562-3020.
Whittington Cemetery: Donations are being sought for the upkeep of Whittington Cemetery, Cross Creek Road, Buffalo. They may be mailed to: Whittington Cemetery, c/o City National Bank, P.O. Box 513, Eleanor, W.Va. 25070.
China Trip: A trip to China is being organized for April or May 2010. It is a nine-day trip, with an extension to Hong Kong available. Cities to be visited include Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai. The cost is $2,699 for students and $3,034 for adults. The price includes airfare, hotel accommodations, a full-time guide, all meals (except special events) and entrance fees to most places. A $90 down payment will secure a space and a price without change. For more information or to place a deposit, contact Gloria Swecker at 304-965-1993.
Cemetery Upkeep: Shiloah Independent Church on Steele Ridge, Red House, seeks donations to help with church cemetery upkeep. If you have family members buried in the cemetery and would like to make a donation, sent it to: Donald Hawkins, Route 1, Box 167-3, Red House, W.Va. 25168.
Caregiver Support: The Family Caregiver Support Program offers support, training and relief to those providing full-time caregiving for a loved one. Services include in-home respite and counseling. Putnam Aging, the West Virginia Bureau of Senior Services and the Metro Area Agency on Aging sponsor the program. For more information, contact Sally Halstead, 304-562-9451.
Alzheimer's Respite Program: Putnam Aging offers a respite program, through the West Virginia Bureau of Senior Services, for caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's or other dementia. The Family Alzheimer's Respite Program (or FAIR) can provide up to 16 hours of respite weekly for caregivers. FAIR is fee-based on a sliding scale, depending on income. For more information, contact FAIR Coordinator Sally Halstead at 304-562-9451.
Henson Senior Center: The John Henson Senior Center is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Lunch is served daily at 11:30 a.m. Regular activities include rook, spades, dominoes and pool daily; preventive exercise with Wilma Bennett, 10:15 a.m. Monday and Wednesday; Fit Start, provided by the YMCA, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Monday and Wednesday; crafts with Glenda Black, 10 a.m. Tuesday; and line dancing, 1 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. The center also offers in-home respite to caregivers of all seniors 60 and older and caregivers who are caring for those of all ages diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or other dementia. The center is also available to rent on evenings and weekends. For more information, contact Sally Halstead at 304-562-9451.
Infant Care Classes: Once a month, FamilyCare offers a two-hour class to help new parents learn to care and feed their newborn babies. Topics include diapering, swaddling, SIDS prevention, bathing, signs of illness, cord and circumcision care, breastfeeding and more. To register, call Debi Ellis at 304-757-6999, ext. 80, or e-mail Debi.ellis@familycarewv.org.
Childbirth Education Classes: FamilyCare offers ongoing childbirth education classes in the Teays Valley area. These classes discuss birth options, the labor process, medications and more. This class series meets for four Mondays each month from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Registration is required, and Medicaid patients are welcome. To register, contact Debi Ellis at 304-757-6999, ext 80, or Debi.ellis@familycarewv.org.
Free Exam Preparation: The Adult Learning Center at the Putnam Career and Technical Center in Eleanor offers classes to prepare for the GED, ACT and LPN exams. Classes are conducted Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. and Friday from 8 to 11 a.m. Also available is an online class to prepare for these exams. Any potential student wishing to access the online class must come into the Adult Learning Center to register. The cost is free. Call 304-586-2411 for more information.
Moms/Tots Playgroup: Teays Valley Moms and Tots offer weekly activities for children 4 and younger, as well as monthly Mom's Night Outs for mothers. For more information, e-mail tvmomstots@yahoo.com.
Cookbooks: Cross of Grace Lutheran Church in Hurricane is selling cookbooks for $10 each to benefit the youth group. Call 304-562-0616 or 304-562-2496.
Expectant Parents' Program: The CAMC Family Resource Center conducts a "Becoming a Family" program at CAMC Teays Valley Hospital. Programs, services and classes are designed to help expectant parents gain as much information as possible on parenthood. Attendees (including family and friends, depending on the nature of the class) will leave feeling supported and more confident during the process. The program includes special classes on preparing for childbirth, preparing siblings, pediatric CPR, breastfeeding, infant massage and pregnancy massage (for couples). Contact the hospital for more details.
Hometown Space Rental: The Hometown Senior Center is available for rental for showers, birthday parties and other social functions. Reasonably priced, the center has catering available and its dining room seats 75. For reservations or more details, call 304-586-2745.
Humane Society Memberships: The Putnam County Humane Society is recruiting members and meets the first Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Nitro Library. Anyone who cannot attend, but is interested in volunteering, may call the society at 304-562-0300 for more information.
Jazzercise Classes: Jazzercise classes are held at Celebration Sensation in Hurricane on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at 9 a.m.; Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.; and Thursday at 6 p.m. Jazzercise is a dance fitness class for all ages and fitness levels. For more information, contact instructor Linda Mills at 304-743-4084.
Dog Walkers: Volunteers are needed to walk dogs at the Putnam Animal Relief Shelter. Call 304-444-0060 to learn more.
Breastfeeding Classes: International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant Tina Mullins offers private breastfeeding classes to expectant families. Four to eight hours in length, the classes are tailored to individual needs. They offer expectant families the education needed to make informed decisions on infant feeding. To sign up or receive more information, call 304-542-3680.
NWC Event Planning: The Nitro Woman's Club can assist in the planning and staging of special events (weddings, meetings, receptions, birthdays, etc.). Call 304-755-9091 or 304-727-7801.
HLC Volunteers: The Putnam County Commission seeks citizen volunteers to serve on the county's Historic Landmark Commission, which undertakes and assists others in various historic programs and meets at the Putnam County Courthouse monthly. Contact Sherry Otey, Putnam County Commission, 304-586-0201, or Linda Bess, Putnam County Office of Planning and Infrastructure, 304-586-0237, for an application.
Barnett Cemetery: Barnett Chapel Community Cemetery accepts donations for upkeep and beautification. All relatives who have loved ones interred there are urged to make a small donation. Send donations to: D.L. Barnett, Trustee/Treasurer, 117 Poplar Point Estates, Poca, W.Va. 25159.
Silver Sneakers Class: The Tri-County YMCA hosts the Silver Sneakers Muscular Endurance Class from 11 to 11:45 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Move to music through a variety of exercises designed to increase muscular strength, range of movement and activity for daily living skills. Hand-held weights, elastic tubing with handles and a ball are offered for resistance, and a chair is used for seated and/or standing support. Certified instructors lead classes. For more information, call 304-757-0016.
Senior Fitness Classes: Senior fitness classes are held at the John Henson Senior Center in Hurricane from 1:15 to 2:15 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. A certified fitness instructor leads the class. For more information, call 304-757-0016.
CASA Volunteers: The Court Appointed Special Advocate program for Putnam County seeks volunteers to serve as advocates for children who have been abused and neglected. Volunteers must have flexible schedules (some daytime hours are required), complete a 30-hour training session and undergo a background check. For more information, call Kim Runyon Wilds at 304-523-9587, ext. 307.
Book Sale: The Upper Vandalia Historical Society of Putnam County has several books and publications for sale. They include "Paradise Journals," "Poca-Raymond City Story," "Putnam County Cemetery Survey," "Putnam County Marriages 1848-1882," "1899 Map of Putnam County," "History of Putnam County Volumes I & II," "Nitro The WWI Boomtown," "Annals of the Great Kanawha," "Recollections and Reflections of Mollie Hansford," "The Course of History of the Kanawha Valley" and "Two Rebel Sisters." To purchase any of them, call Cheryl Wintz Withrow, 304-760-2121.
Cross Creek Cemetery Upkeep: The Cross Creek Cemetery in Buffalo needs donations for upkeep. Donations may be mailed to: Cross Creek Cemetery Fund, 1503 Cross Creek Road, Buffalo, W.Va. 25033.
Ortin Cemetery: The Ortin Heights Cemetery Inc. in Rock Branch in Putnam County needs donations for the continued maintenance of the cemetery. A contractor has been hired to cut the grass as needed. Cemetery board members are asking that flowers and other items on the ground be removed to make it easier to mow. Volunteer labor is also needed to cut brush and clean drainage ditches. Donations can be sent to: Ortin Heights Cemetery Inc., P.O. Box 51, Nitro, W.Va. 25143. For more information, call the Rev. Delbert Hawley, 304-757-6214, or Bill Lett, 304-755-1737.
Nitro Bingo: The Nitro Senior Citizens sponsor bingo Thursdays in the Nitro Community Center, 21st Street. Doors open at 5 p.m. Regular bingo starts at 7 p.m. Raffles, jackpots and complimentary coffee are included. A smoking area and concessions are available. Proceeds benefit Nitro senior citizens' programs.
Nitro Senior Center: The Nitro Senior Citizen Center, Second Avenue and 21st Street, is open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays. Lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. All seniors are invited to visit, have lunch, play pool or cards, use exercise machines and enjoy other activities. For those needing a ride, the senior van is available by calling 304-755-5502 before 9 a.m.
Clothing Assistance: Dominique's Harvest Mission has coats and sweaters available for those in need and accepts donations. For more information, call 304-755-7009 or visit 1100 Main Ave., Nitro.
Y Aerobics Classes: The Tri-County YMCA conducts aerobics classes, starting at 5:40 a.m. and running throughout the day. All classes are included in membership. Non-members can purchase punch cards for $45. For more information, call 304-757-0016.