SUMMER FOOD PROGRAM free for anyone under age 18 or under at Benton, South Polk, and Copper Basin elementary schools. Breakfast at 8 a.m., lunch at 11.

ATHENS AREA COUCIL FOR THE ARTS presents, “Visual Arts Students of the Arts Center, 2007-2008,” an exhibit of artwork by students of the Arts Center to be on display June 5-Aug. 29 at the Arts Center 320 N. White St. in Athens. Call 423-745-8781.

SETHRA will take apps. For the low-income energy assistance program for the fiscal year beginning July 1-June 30, 2009 You must meet specific criteria to qualify for the program. You can pick up your application at the SETHRA office.

SETHRA will open the waiting list for the Housing Choice Voucher Program, formerly Section 8 Housing on  July 1 Pre-applications can be obtained and returned to the SETHRA office. Everyone may apply but qualified applicants will be low income, with preference given to disaster victims, elderly, disabled, and those working 32 hrs. wk. Or more.

FREE CHILDREN’S DAY CAMP at First Baptist Church of Benton, Grades 1-6 every Thurs. beginning June 26 through July 31, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Each camper is to bring a sack lunch and drink.

BOATER SAFETY COURSE July 3 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Completion of the course is required for anyone who wishes to operate a watercraft in TN and was born after Jan. 1, 1989. There is no charge, however participants must purchase a TWRA testing permit to bring to the class. The permit can be purchased at most retail businesses that sell fishing licenses. The class will be held in the north training room of the Judicial Center, 2290 Blythe Ave. on the westward-facing side of the bldg.

VEC TO CLOSE OFFICES JULY 4 all nine of its customer service centers and Corporate Offices on July 4 for the Independence Day holiday, crews will be on hand to answer phone calls and to respond to emergencies as needed.

EPWORTH 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION starts with a pancake breakfast at the Epworth Campus from 8-10 a.m. then down to the park for family fun. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy the noon patriotic program rain or shine.

PRAYER MEETING every Friday night with alternate locations with this week July 4 at Turtletown Baptist Church at 7 p.m. call Tommy Graves for more info. 423-745-7300.

AIR NATIONAL GUARD BAND of the South to perform a patriotic concert on July 5 starting at 6:30 p.m. on the stage in downtown Blue Ridge City Park. Bring your lawn chair or a blanket. For more info. Call 706-632-2144.

FEATURED ARTIST D. MORGAN for Ne’Qwa Art July 5, noon-2 p.m. at Christmas Is Here! 111 Ocoee St. Copperhill call 423/496-1166.

DUCKTOWN HIGH SCHOOL July 6, at the Copper Basin High School cafeteria. Doors will open at 12:30 p.m. and the program at 1:30 p.m. Anyone who ever attended Ducktown School is invited.

WELCOME VALLEY BAPTIST CHURCH monthly singing July 6 at 10 a.m.  with special singers being Shields of Faith.

BASEBALL CAMP PCHS The 2008 Wildcat Baseball Camp will be taking place July 7-10 at the Sue Bettis Baseball Complex at PCHS. The camp will be conducted by Coach Bill Triplett and assisted by current PCHS collegiate players and former PCHS players. The $35.00 registration fee includes awards and tee-shirts. To register call Coach Triplet at 423/338-2704 or 423/650-1550.

PCHS GIRLS BASKETBALL CAMP July 7-11 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. with the gym opening at 8 a.m. cost is $60.

WOODBURNER Orchid Davis will be teaching an intensive 4-day class in ‘Woodburning for Color’. Students will learn different types of surfaces that can be burned, and much more July 7, 8, 9, 10 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. each day. For more info. Call The Art Center at 706-632-2144.

AMERICAN RED CROSS HIWASSEE CHAPTER will conduct the following classes: July 9, Adult CPR/AED 5:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m., July 26 Babysitting Training 9 a.m.-5 p.m., July 28, Nursing Assistant Day course, July 28, Nursing Assistant Night Course. You must pre-register for all courses. Questions/info. 423/472-1595.

POLK COUNTY ELECTION COMMISSION will meet July 10 at 3 p.m. at the Polk County Election Commission Office.

CASTING CALL FOR “OUR TOWN,” at the Blue Ridge Community Theater July 10, 11 & 12 Thurs. & Fri. at 6 p.m. and Sat. at 12 noon. Reharsals will begin July 14 and will be held Mon. through Thurs. from 6-9 p.m. May parts will require very little rehearsal. Show dates are Aug. 29, through Sept. 21.

SUMMER GATEWAY REVIEW AND TESTING PCHS will be conducting summer sessions for those students that need to retake failed Gateway exams. Session will be held July 11, 14, 15, 17, and 18. Please call for times or additional info. At 338-5063 or 559-0504.

SOCCER CAMP offered at Young Harris College July 11, 12, 13, call Kathy Brown at 706-379-5189 for more info.

2008 NFL PUNT, PASS AND KICK July 12 with registration at 9 a.m. and competition at 10 a.m. at Englewood Footbal field. Event is free! Call Joe Guy at 462-1230 for more info.

BIBLEAND DAY at Ducktown United Methodist Church 218 College St. July 12, 9 a.m.-? Registration is 9:30-2:30

CHILDREN’S ART PROGRAM Jazz July 14-18, during the week of July 28-Aug. 1 artist Linda Dennison will offer a class in mosaics for students 12 and older from 10:00-12 noon on Monday, Wed. and Fri. Call 706-632-2144.

PRESERVING & PICKLING stretch your garden—sign up for home preservation classes now! Learn to preserve jellies, vegetables and pickles, July 14, 15, 16 and 17 6-8 p.m. classes are limited, cost of the 4 classes is $30.00. For more info. Call Donna Calhoun 338-4503 sponsored by UT Extension of Polk County.

OLD OCOEE CEMETERY ASSOCIATION will be conducting an open meeting on July 20 at 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church. The association is currently attempting to clean up, fill in, etc. to beautify the cemetery. Anyone who is interested should attend this meeting. Donations are certainly appreciated.

PCHS CHEERLEADING CAMP July 21-25 8:00 a.m.-12 noon ages 4 yrs. Thru 8th grade with the cost being $35 per girl. Each girl will receive a trophy and a t-shirt. Cheers, chants and a dance will be taught. Call Tina Davenport at 338-4300 or 716-1372 for more information.

WELCOME VALLEY BAPTIST VBS July 21-25 7 p.m.-9 p.m. nightly.

HUNTERS SAFETY COURSE July 21-25 6 p.m.-9 p.m. age 9 and up at Benton Sporting Clays, free, sign-up at Benton Shooter’s Supply, class is limited to 20.

TRYOUTS FOR PCHS LADY WILDCATS SOFTBALL Team will be July 24 & 25 from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. both days at the softball complex.

PCHS CLASS OF 1988 is excited to announce their upcoming reunion July 26 from 6-10 p.m. for more info. Or to make reservations contact Kendra Howard Johnson at 423/263-5910 or 423/368-6310 or Jada Ledford Daves at 423/894-1269.

COMMUNITY DAY July 26, 12 p.m.-4 p.m. at Welcome Valley Baptist Church.

VOLLEYBALL CAMP AT PCHS scheduled for July 28-31 is rapidly filling up. If you are interested and want to ‘speed register’ call Coach Ginger Harness at 423-284-7460. The fee is $45 for the camp and you can by-pass the registration fee by calling Coach Harness direct.

FLAG COMPUTER CLASSES call 706/492-4499.

TEN STAR ALL STAR Basketball Camp is now registering call 704-373-0873.

RELATIVE CAREGIVER PROGRAM  support services for families who have in other family members children call 1-866-735-8752.

TRINITY HOSPICE VOLUNTEER to be one call 892-3737.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE NOW Become a state health ins. Assistance program volunteer and get your chance to help seniors call Nicole Robinson at 423-424-4287.

POLK COUNTY SOIL SURVEYS are available at the Polk Co. Soil and Water Conservation District Office at 6042 Hwy 411 Benton or call 338-4555.

TENNESSEE ELDER LAW HOTLINE Free legal help for Tennessee Seniors age 60 administered by  SE Tennessee Legal Services. 1-800-836-0128.