Gather in the Glow light show runs daily on Erwin's Opekiska

Unicoi Ruritan Fish FryThe Unicoi Ruritan Club will hold its monthly fish fry from 5 to 7 p.m., while supplies last, on Friday, Nov. 21. The event, held the third Friday of each month, is drive-thru only and is held in the parking lot of the Unicoi Methodist Church New Life Center, 115 Mountain St., Unicoi. The cost is $12 per meal. The menu includes fried fish, baked potato, coleslaw, hush puppies, a drink and dessert.Southside FWB Thanksgiving Food DistributionSouthside Freewill Baptist Church will conduct a special Thanksgiving food distribution from 4 to 6 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 24. You do not have to register. Due to the limited amount of food available there will be a limit of two households per vehicle. Please have trunk or backseat empty prior to arrival. Please enter from the Jackson Love Highway rear entrance and follow directions from the traffic control volunteers. Please take note that the parking lot will not be open until 2:30 p.m. as that is when traffic volunteers arrive. Please don't arrive early. Visit and follow the church's Facebook page for updates and more information.Friends of the Shelter MeetingThe Friends of the Shelter will meet at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 25, in the meeting room of Erwin Town Hall. The group has a lot of exciting news about the Unicoi County Animal Shelter and some upcoming fundraisers. New members are always welcome.Local Churches Offering Thanksgiving MealsGrace Church, Centenary United Methodist Church, Fishery Community Church, North Ridge and Ninth Street Baptist will be providing Thanksgiving meals to those in need. The distribution of meals will take place Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27. Anyone who needs a hot, delivered thanksgiving meal can call Ninth Street Baptist at (423) 743-7551 to order the number of meals you needed. Orders must be received by noon on Wednesday, Nov. 26. Meals will be delivered hot and ready to eat between the hours of 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. If you know any families who would benefit from this food distribution, please encourage them to call and order their meals.Trinity FWB Church Thanksgiving MealTrinity Freewill Baptist Church will serve a free Thanksgiving meal for widows, those living alone or those who otherwise will not have a Thanksgiving meal.The meals will be served at the church between 11 a.m. and noon on Thursday, Nov. 27. Carry-out and delivery will be available. For more information and to place an order call the church at (423) 743-9751 or Jean Laws at (423) 743-5594. Trinity Freewill Baptist Church is located at 1221 N. Main Ave., Erwin.Erwin Christmas ParadeDowntown Erwin will host the annual Christmas Parade at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 29, to help kick off the holiday season. The theme of this year's parade will be "Miracles on Main Street." The Unicoi County Chamber of Commerce will once again include a sensory-friendly zone to make the event more inclusive and accessible to all. This section is designed to provide a comfortable and enjoyable experience for individuals with sensory sensitivities, ensuring that everyone can be a part of the celebration. The section will be along the Main Avenue block from Seventh Street to Eighth Street, which includes the Food Lion shopping plaza parking lot. This specific designated viewing area will have subdued lighting and minimized loud noises to create a more comfortable atmosphere for those with sensory sensitivities. Signage will be posted in this area and parade volunteers will be available to interact and support individuals with sensory sensitivities, fostering a welcoming atmosphere. The parade will begin at the Erwin Village Shopping Center on N. Main Avenue and travel through downtown Erwin, ending at Erwin Utilities on Love Street. For information on float entry, call the Chamber of Commerce at (423) 743-3000. Applications are required for entry.Train and Book SaleThe Johnson City Railroad Experience will host a Train and Book Sale. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 29, in the museum at 207 N. Boone St., Johnson City.CSAC Christmas Kickoff BreakfastThe Clinchfield Senior Adult Center will hold a Christmas Kickoff breakfast fundraiser from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 3 at the center. The cost is $8 per person and will include pancakes with a choice of bacon, sausage or hashbrown casserole along with juice and coffee. All proceeds will be matched by Modern Woodmen of America. The Clinchfield Senior Adult Center is located at 220 Union St., Erwin.Band Boosters Spaghetti DinnerThe Unicoi County High School Band Boosters will present a spaghetti dinner and Christmas market from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6. The Christmas market is free and tickets for the spaghetti dinner are $10 each and are sold prior to the event. The meal includes spaghetti, salad, bread, drink and dessert. The event will be held in the UCHS cafeteria. For more information on tickets call UCHS at (423) 743-1632.Bryan Bielanski to perform Dec. 6Bryan Bielanski will perform at 7 p.m. at The Appalachian Station at 19E in Roan Mountain on Saturday, Dec. 6. Bielanski, a resident of Charlotte, North Carolina, is making his second visit to the venue this year for a performance. He describes his music as rock and roll and noted that his audiences always remark about the authenticity, positive vibes, high energy and originality of his music, all of which he considers the greatest of compliments. "There's a lot of storytelling going on with the lyrics," he explained. "Traveling the world on my tours has provided a lot of source material for songwriting." The Appalachian Station at 19E is located at 9367 US-19E, Roan Mountain. For more information, visit his website at bryanssuperhappyfuntime.com.Reece Blue Ridge Pottery ExhibitA new exhibit at the Reece Museum on the campus of East Tennessee State University in Johnson City celebrates the vintage charm of Blue Ridge Pottery produced in Erwin. The exhibit, which will remain on view through Dec. 12, is titled "Vintage Charm: The Collecting Legacy of Blue Ridge Pottery." Southern Potteries, the producer of Blue Ridge Pottery, began operations in 1917 in Erwin, and went on to become the largest producer of hand-painted pottery and china in the United States. Southern Potteries ceased operations in 1957, but in the ensuing decades the pottery has become coveted by collectors in the region and beyond. Don and Susan Burkett generously loaned 21 pieces from their private collection to diversify the offerings in Vintage Charm, which features about 80 Blue Ridge Pottery pieces throughout the gallery. "Vintage Charm" is now on view through Dec. 12. The Reece Museum is open and free to the public Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.Weaverville Candlelight StrollThe 20th annual Candlelight Stroll will be held from 6 to 9 p.m., Dec. 12, in downtown Weaverville, North Carolina. A tree lighting will be held at 7 p.m. at the Main Street Clock Lot. The event will feature storytelling, festive singing and caroling, gifts, kids crafts and much more. The Community Center and The Dry Ridge Museum will also offer a full night of festivities, as well as a ride back and forth from the Community Center to Main Street. Attendees can easily enjoy all of the fun at both locations. A scavenger hunt will be held with holiday characters hidden throughout Main Street. Santa Claus, as usual, will be hosted by Keller Williams Realty. Donation jars Cops 4 Kids will be dispersed along Main Street.Gather in the Glow Light ShowEast Tennessee Lights of Hope is presenting "Gather in the Glow," a residential drive-thru light show designed to shine hope, love and connection across East Tennessee. The holiday event will be held each evening 6 to 10 p.m., Nov. 15 through Jan. 1., weather permitting. Take a slow drive through Opekiska Extension in Erwin, tuning in to FM 101.1 to enjoy synchronized Christmas lights dancing to music, then continue up the hill, make a left on Tipton and follow the glow to the end, where a special surprise awaits on the big screen. The event is to remind one another that even in the darkest nights, hope still shines. The event is sponsored by the non-profit organization Action & Awareness for Suicide Prevention. Follow the organization on Facebook, aasptheymatter on Instagram and online at https://www.aasptheymatter.org for event updates.Toys for Tots Drop-offErwin Town Hall will serve as a drop-off location for Toys for Tots during the holiday season. Bring new, unwrapped toys to Town Hall from 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday. The toys need to be received by Dec. 12. Town Hall is located at 211 N. Main Ave., Erwin. For more information call (423) 743-6231.Care & Share HoursUnicoi County Care & Share has announced new expanded operating hours. The new hours will be 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Hours on Saturday are from 9 a.m. to noon. Care & Share is closed Tuesdays and Sundays. Care & Share is located at 344 Carolina Ave., Erwin.•••Send your community calendar events to ksilvers@sixriversmedia.com or bstevens@sixriversmedia.com. You can also use the submission form at erwinrecord.net.