April 8

Bladen We Care, along with Smithfield Foods, will hold its 27th annual Gala from 7 to 11 p.m. at The Venue at White Lake. Music will be provided by Black Water Rhythm and Blues Band. Tickets are $100, admit two people, and can be purchased from Campbell Oil, Elizabethtown Chamber, The Venue, Fisher’s, or from any committee member. Interested persons can call 862-8423.

April 9

— Join a park ranger for a hike through the bay forest at Jones Lake State Park and “discover” why this environment is unique. Discussion on the hike will include the flora and fauna of the forest, and why Carolina Bays are important. Participants should meet at the Visitor Center at 10 a.m. for this program. Please bring bug spray, water, and hiking shoes. This event is free of charge and is open to the general public. Contact the park office at 910-588-4550 with any questions.

April 12

— The Bladen Soil and Water Conservation District supervisors will meet at 8 a.m. in the small auditorium at Powell-Melvin Agricultural Center, Elizabethtown. For additional information call 910-862-3179, Opt. 3.

April 16

— The annual Cape Fear River Shad Festival wlil be held at Lock & Dam No. 1 in East Arcadia with a fried shad and steamed roe demonstration, plenty of food and drink, southern soul music and a discussion about how a former pirate and a former slave led to the creation and growth of East Arcadia and Sandyfield. For information, call Earnestine Keaton at 910-685-6735 or email to ektn10@aol.com.

— A rabies clinic will be offered by Elizabethtown Veterinary Hospital at the following locations: Elizabethtown Veterinary Hospital, 12:30 to 1 p.m.; Abbottsburg Post Office, 1:30 to 2 p.m.; Spaulding & Monroe on Hwy. 211 in Bladenboro, 2:20 to 2:50 p.m.; Butters Baptist Church from 3:10 to 3:40 p.m.; and Bladenboro Historical Building from 4 to 4:30 p.m. The cost is $6.

— Join a park ranger for a hike through the bay forest at Jones Lake State Park and “discover” why this environment is unique. Discussion on the hike will include the flora and fauna of the forest, and why Carolina Bays are important. Participants should meet at the Visitor Center at 10 a.m. for this program. Please bring bug spray, water, and hiking shoes. This event is free of charge and is open to the general public. Contact the park office at 910-588-4550 with any questions.

April 21

— The Harmony Hall Plantation Village board will hold a general meeting of members at the Elizabethtown Town Hall at 7 p.m. For information, call Henry Larock at 910-866-4113.

— Bladen We Care will be having its annual Bryon Gooden Memorial Golf Tournament at Vineyard Golf in White Lake. Applications can be obtained at Campbell Oil.

April 22

— In accordance with the Office of State Fire Marshall guidelines the Town of White Lake will be flow testing and flushing fire hydrants and pressure testing all parts of the Town’s water distribution system beginning April 11 through April 22. Change in water pressure in the lines sometimes causes rust and other particles to break from the pipes. These substances are harmless but may cause discoloration of water for brief periods of time. Contact Fire Chief Dale Brennan or Public Works Director Tim Frush at 862-4800 for more information.

April 23

— Join a park ranger for a hike through the bay forest at Jones Lake State Park and “discover” why this environment is unique. Discussion on the hike will include the flora and fauna of the forest, and why Carolina Bays are important. Participants should meet at the Visitor Center at 2 p.m. for this program. Please bring bug spray, water, and hiking shoes. This event is free of charge and is open to the general public. Contact the park office at 910-588-4550 with any questions.

April 26

— The Bladen Community College Board of Trustees will meet at 6 p.m. in the board room in the Essic Williams Administrative Building (building 10), on the Dublin Campus. For information, contact Melissa Hester at 910-879-5502.

April 28

— The Bladen County Health Department will host an open house from 3 to 6 p.m. The public is invited. There will be door prizes, education, health screenings, entertainment and more. Call 910-862-6900 for information.

April 30

— Jones Lake State Park will be showing “Saving the Best: North Carolina State Parks at 100.” This is a PBS video showcasing the natural treasures of North Carolina State Parks and celebrating their centennial. The viewing will be located in the front of the Visitor Center at 8 p.m. and is free to the public. Bring the family, chairs, popcorn, and drinks. For more info please contact Ranger John Privette at 910-588-4550.

May 7

— Join a ranger and learn about the geological mysteries of the Carolina Bays. Formation theories, and the natural communities associated with Carolina Bays will be discussed. Participants should meet at the Park Visitor center at 10 a.m. This event is free of charge and open to the general public. If you have any questions please call the park office at 910-588-4550.

May 14

— A rabies clinic will be offered by Elizabethtown Veterinary Hospital at the following locations: Elizabethtown Veterinary Hospital, 12:30 to 1 p.m.; Tobermory Grocery in Holly Township, 1:30 to 2 p.m.; Tar Heel Rescue Building, 2:20 to 2:50 p.m.; Dublin Primary School 3:10 to 3:40 p.m.; and Walmart in Elizabethtown from 4 to 4:30 p.m. The cost is $6.

— Join a park ranger for a hike through the bay forest at Jones Lake State Park and “discover” why this environment is unique. Discussion on the hike will include the flora and fauna of the forest, and why Carolina Bays are important. Participants should meet at the Visitor Center at 10 a.m. for this program. Please bring bug spray, water, and hiking shoes. This event is free of charge and is open to the general public. Contact the park office at 910-588-4550 with any questions.

May 21

— Join a ranger at 10 a.m. for a guided paddle around Jones Lake. This program will be limited to 11 people. You will need to call the park office at 910-588-4550 to reserve a seat. Canoe, paddle, lifejacket and water to float on will be provided. It is recommended that you bring drinking water, bug spray and a change of clothes. You must be able to swim and anyone under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Please note that this program can be cancelled at short notice due to weather conditions.

May 28

— Jones Lake State Park is offering a viewing of an installment of “Planet Earth.” The viewing will be located at the Visitor Center at 8 p.m. and is free to the public. Bring the family, chairs, popcorn, and drinks. For more info please contact Ranger John Privette at 910-588-4550.

June 11

— A rabies clinic will be offered by Elizabethtown Veterinary Hospital at the following locations: Elizabethtown Veterinary Hospital, 12:30 to 1 p.m.; Barking Lot in White Lake, 1:30 to 2 p.m.; Ammon Grocery & Grill, 2:20 to 2:50 p.m.; F.L. Tatum Store in White Oak from 3:10 to 3:40 p.m.; and Hwy. 41 Grocery & Grill in Dublin from 4 to 4:30 p.m. The cost is $6.

July 9

— A rabies clinic will be offered by Elizabethtown Veterinary Hospital at the following locations: Elizabethtown Veterinary Hospital, 12:30 to 1 p.m.; BullStreet/Old Fayetteville Road in Cypress Township, 1:30 to 2 p.m.; 701/210 Crossroad in Cypress Creek Township, 2:20 to 2:50 p.m.; Rowan Country Store in Creek Township from 3:10 to 3:40 p.m.; and Kelly Store in Frenches Creek Township from 4 to 4:30 p.m. The cost is $6.

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Ongoing

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— Families First, Inc. is now located at 103 East Broad Street, Elizabethtown. They will be holding Parenting Classes each Wednesday from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m.

— The Paul R. Brown Leadership Academy’s Board of Trustees meet every second Saturday at noon at The Paul R. Brown Building on Martin Luther King Drive in Elizabethtown. All meetings are open to the public.

— The Disabled American Veterans meet the second Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. at the VFW building in Elizabethtown. For more information contact David Brown at 910-740-6312.

— Now is a great time to plan your wedding or renew your vows at Harmony Hall Plantation Village. You may decide the amount you wish to give as a donation in lieu of a rental fee. For more information on how to book your wedding at Harmony Hall Plantation Village, call Henry Larock at 910-866-4113.

— Flashback-Community Life through the Lens of Mack Munn will have an exhibit of his work at Bladen Community College’s East Arcadia campus. The exhibit is sponsored by Graham Chapel AME Zion Church and the Lower Bladen Columbus Historical Society. Exhibit hours are Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 3 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. and Tuesday from 12:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. For special group tours call LBCHS at 910-685-6735.

— The American Legion Post No. 404 of Elizabethtown are asking everyone that have worn or aged U.S. flags to please bring them to the Elizabethtown Municipal Building. A used mailbox is located near the front entrance of the municipal building. The American Legion will properly dispose of them on Flag Day which is June 14.

— Narconon would like to remind 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 with drug addiction get them the help they need. Call for a free brochure on the signs of addiction for all drugs. Narconon also offers free screenings and referrals. 800-431-1754 or DrugAbuseSolution.com

— I Am Inc. in conjunction with God’s Garden of Paradise is offering limited amounts of free meals and haircuts on a monthly basis. For more information or participating locations go to Glenda’s Just Desserts and Lunch Counter located at 315 Martin Luther King Drive, Elizabethtown or Barbers Inn (Shaw Wood, manager) located at 410 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Elizabethtown.

— The Baltimore Center Head Start is accepting applications for children who will be 3 to 4 years of age by Aug. 31. Applications for children with special needs are also being accepted. Children will be transported to and from home by bus. Applicants need to bring with them: a birth certificate, shot record, Social Security numbers of all family members in the household, directions to home, mailing and physical address, verification of income, WIC verification and health insurance information. For more information contact the Baltimore Head Start Center, 2100 S. Elwell Ferry Road, Council, or call 910-669-2536.

— Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 8062, meets on the third Saturday of each month at 3 p.m. at the VFW building located at 109 Hill Street, Elizabethtown. All veterans who served in a foreign war are welcomed for membership.

— The Bladen County Military Museum meets on the last Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. on the second floor of the Bladenboro Historical Society Building located at 818 S. Main Street, Bladenboro. All veterans are welcomed for membership.

—The Cape Fear Farmer’s Market welcomes Craft Vendors to sell their crafts the first Saturday each month. For more information contact Sarah Baysden at 910-862-2066.

— Every Sunday, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Harmony Hall Plantation in White Oak, will be various activities and events on the grounds, as well as tours of the 1760s plantation home of Col. James Richardson and the outbuildings. All activities, tours and demonstrations are free — a donation is always welcome. For information, call Henry Larock at 910-866-4113.

— Woodmen of the World Lodge No. 262 meet on the second Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m.

— Low-income families who want to get their pets spayed or neutered at A Shelter Friend’s monthly low-income clinic can call 645-2297 for information and sign-up. Volunteers who wish to help with this worthwhile program are also encouraged to call.

— The Bladen County Health Department WIC office is now open during lunch hours (noon to 1 p.m.). Regular WIC department hours are as follows: Monday through Thursday 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. for ALL SERVICES; Friday 8:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. for certification and re-certification; Pickups are available daily from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. For more information contact 910-872-6218 or 910-872-6219.

— Alcoholics Anonymous meets every Monday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the Cape Fear Bladen County Hospital hospital cafeteria in Elizabethtown. Anonymity will be respected. For more information, contact Jim Lane at 910-433-2276.

— Grandparents and kinship caregiver’s raising grandchildren support group meets every third Wednesday of the month at the Bladen County Division on Aging located at 608 McLeod Street, Elizabethtown. For more information, call 910-872-6334.

— Dublin First Baptist Church Child Development Center is enrolling children ages 2-4 in the half-day program. The program uses the A Beka curriculum. For more information or to enroll call 862-2277 or 876-0419.

— The Bladen County Youth Focus Project will meet every second Saturday of the month at 10 a.m. at the Paul R. Brown Building on Martin Luther King Boulevard, Elizabethtown. All interested persons are welcome to attend.

— Bladenboro Visual Arts Council presents a lifetime collection of art by artist Sam Pait and other artists in the Art Gallery. Some of the art will be for sale. The Bladenboro Visual Arts Gallery is open on Saturday and Sunday from 2 until 4 p.m. and by appointment during the week from 10 a.m. until noon. The art gallery is located in the Bladenboro Historical Building at 818 South Main St.

—The Bladen County Amateur Radio Society meets the first Tuesday of every month at the Bladen County Courthouse in Elizabethtown Room G7 at 7 p.m. The public with or without an amateur radio license are welcome to attend.

— The Elizabethtown-White Lake Chamber of Commerce meets every second Tuesday at the Cape Fear Farmer’s Market in Elizabethtown at noon.

— The Garland Lodge 1511 of the Woodmen of the World Insurance Society meets the first Friday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Ammon community building. Members and guests are welcome.

— A military monument has been constructed by the Bladen County Military Museum on a brick patio at 818 S. Main St., Bladenboro. Brick’s may still be purchased and are $100 each. The bricks honor all branches of service beginning with the Revolutionary War. For more information, call 863-4707.

— Bladen County Habitat for Humanity meets at 9 am. on the third Tuesday of each month at the Elizabethtown Presbyterian Church.

—The Woodmen of The World Lodge 208 meets the first Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Woodmen of the World Lodge on Whiteville Hwy. Meal will be served.

— The Kelly Historical Society meets on a quarterly basis on the third Saturday of each month at 10 a.m. at the Kelly Museum. For more information, call 910-763-6966.

— The Bladen County Chapter of the NAACP will meet the third Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m. in the Focus Building on Martin Luther King Drive in Elizabethtown.

— The Elizabethtown Kiwanis meet the first and third Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Cape Fear Farmer’s Market in Elizabethtown.

— Cape Fear Masonic Lodge No. 300 Prince Hall Free & Accepted meet at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays following the the first and third Sunday of each month at 702 Martin Luther King Drive, Elizabethtown.

— There is a free taxidermy class located at 601 Main Street in Tar Heel for students, handicap, and anyone disabled. Please contact David Monroe at 910-585-1739.