Unicoi Methodist Church to host Tim Lovelace on Nov. 30

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. 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.Holiday MarketA Beary Small Handmade Holiday Market will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 29, during Small Business Saturday and the Erwin Christmas Parade. The market will be held at the Main Street Mercantile in Erwin. The event will feature one-of-a-kind goods from local artists and food trucks. Main Street Mercantile is located at 1021 N. Main in Erwin.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.Unicoi Methodist Church to host Tim LovelaceGrammy and Dove award nominated artist Tim Lovelace will perform at Unicoi Methodist Church at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 30. Lovelace, a storyteller, a musician and a comedian, combines humor with music to present an uplifting program to be enjoyed by all ages. Unicoi Methodist Church is located at 702 Virginia St., Unicoi. For more information, call Larry Parkey at (423) 341-4617. WCFRW to meet Dec. 1Washington County Federated Republican Women will hold its monthly meeting Monday, Dec. 1, at the Jonesborough Visitor Center, 117 Boone St. Lunch is available for purchase at 11:30 a.m. The meeting begins at noon. The Lone Oak Bluegrass Band will provide music. The group's annual Christmas Shop fundraiser will offer members' homemade baked goods and a variety of other gifts. TNFRW State President Sharon Boreing, a former president of the WCFRW, will give a presentation about the history of the WCFRW. Dr. Charlene Thomas, a Carter County commissioner and longtime club member, will provide an overview of the club's accomplishments over the past two years. Membership in the WCFRW is not limited to residents of Washington County. The club welcomes all interested women. Men can join as associate members. For more information, call Brenda Frizzell at (434) 989-3470 or email wcrwtn@gmail.com. Find the Club on Facebook at Washington County TN Republican Women.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.Rocky Fork Full Moon HikeLamar Alexander Rocky Fork State Park in Flag Pond will offer a full moon hike from 7:30 to 9:45 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 4. Join ranger Jeff Sweeney at the park lot adjacent to the interpretive fire pit for a moderate hike up to White Oak Flats to observe December's full moon. This hike is an exclusive after-hours hike to observe the moon along the Rocky Fork Valley and the distant mountain peaks. There is a $7 fee. Attendees are encouraged to bring a flashlight or headlamp, as well as water. Hikers are urged to wear closed toed shoes. To register, visit https://reserve.tnstateparks.com/register/DecemberFullMoonHike. For more information, call (423) 673-5345 or email Jeffrey.Sweeney@tn.gov.Erwin Tree LightingThe Unicoi County Chamber of Commerce will present the 22nd annual Erwin Tree Lighting Ceremony from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5, in downtown Erwin. The event will feature food vendors, music, s'mores by the fire, activities for kids and a train ride. The tree lighting will take place at 7:30 p.m. with a community choir and a reading of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. Free photo opportunities with Santa will also be available. For more information call (423) 743-3000.BVHA Old Fashioned ChristmasThe Buffalo Valley Historic Association will present Old Fashioned Christmas from 4 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Bogart/Bowman Cabin in Unicoi. The event will feature refreshments, music, singing, stories, fellowship, a candy cane hunt and a few surprise guests, including Santa and Mrs. Claus. For more information call (423) 571-4739, or follow the Buffalo Valley Historic Association on Facebook. The Bogart/Bowman Cabin is located on 5012 Unicoi Drive, Unicoi.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.Ornament Painting ClassWeathered and Worn a Softer Side of Whiskey River will host an ornament painting class from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6 at the store. Artist Jo Peterson Burton will teach the class. Cost is $25 per person. Weathered and Worn a Softer Side of Whiskey River is located at 107 N. Main Ave. in downtown Erwin. For more information call (423) 735-3107. Holiday Makers FaireMill Spring Makers Market in downtown Jonesborough will hold its next Makers Faire event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6. The Holiday Makers Faire is a bi-annual juried event featuring more than 70 of the region's best artists, makers and creatives. The outdoor market will take place along Spring Street and throughout Mill Spring Park in Jonesborough and include demonstrations, a food truck and lots of holiday cheer. The event will offer a great selection of unique handmade goods including pottery, fine art, furniture and wood crafts, jewelry, clothing, artisan chocolates and more. Entry to the Faire is free, and parking can be found nearby at the Jonesborough Library, behind the Washington County Courthouse and throughout downtown. Be sure to follow Mill Spring Makers on Facebook and Instagram for event updates and other information about their store, located at 144 E. Main St., Jonesborough.Christmas on Main in MarshallChristmas on Main, a magical Christmas Street Market, will be held in Marshall, North Carolina from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, along South Main Street. The event will also feature a visit from Santa Claus. Shuttles will run to and from the bypass to various parking locations. The event will feature a variety of local businesses, vendors, food and music.Bryan Bielanski to performBryan 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.YMCA Anniversary GalaThe Unicoi County Family YMCA will host its 100-Year Anniversary Gala from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, at its center located at 601 Love St., Erwin. Tickets are priced at $30 per ticket and $225 for a table of eight. The event includes a dinner, awards and recognition, a live DJ and a live auction. A time capsule sealed a few decades ago will also be opened at the event.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.Stockings of Love Christmas CelebrationA Christmas celebration will take place at the Unicoi Visitors Center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13. The event will be sponsored by the Unicoi County Animal Shelter and the Appalachian Stockings of Love. The event is free and will feature an ugly Christmas sweater contest for animals and their owners, a silent auction, hot cocoa, cookies, cookie decorating, pictures with Santa and a meet and greet with Tennessee State Rep. Renea Jones. Gift wrapping will be available for a donation to the Unicoi County Animal Shelter. If you would like to sign up for a Christmas stocking for children up to 18, pets or the elderly, sign up by visiting the Appalachian Stockings of Love Facebook page or calling or texting (423) 341-2928.Breakfast with Santa at UCHSThe Unicoi County High School culinary arts department will present "Breakfast with Santa" from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Dec. 13, in the UCHS commons area. The menu will allow attendees to build their own waffle, enjoy bacon, sausage, hot chocolate and coffee while playing games and taking pictures with Santa. The cost is $20 per person. Attendees are asked to RSVP to hyderm@unicoischools.com by Wednesday, Dec. 10. For additional information, call (423) 743-1632.Cocoa & CarolsThe Unicoi County Chamber of Commerce will present Cocoa & Carols from 4 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13, in downtown Erwin. Everyone is invited to stop by the Chamber of Commerce office to pick up a free cocoa mug and "shopping passport" which features a list of participating merchants you can visit for some hot cocoa. Participants will be entered to win a $150 gift certificate. For more information on the event call (423) 743-3000.JCSO to present 'The Nutcracker'Johnson City Symphony Orchestra will present "The Nutcracker," a performance featuring East Tennessee Ballet Academy at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 14, at Seeger Chapel on the campus of Milligan University. Repertoire includes the entirety of Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker, Ballet in Two Acts," with a live orchestra and ballet dancers. Tickets may be purchased at jcsymphony.com. All students, both school age and college/university, receive free tickets with ID at the box office the day of the concert.Swim with Santa at the YMCAThe Unicoi County Family YMCA will present "Swim with Santa" from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 20. Those attending will have the opportunity to swim in the YMCA pool with Santa and have a photo taken with him. Attendees will have the opportunity to decorate an ornament while enjoying hot cocoa and cookies. The cost is $5 for members and $10 for non-members. Digital images of the photos will be emailed to parents after the event. To register, visit www.ucfymca.org or at the YMCA's front desk. The YMCA is located at 601 Love St. in Erwin. For more information call (423) 743-3361.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." 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.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.