DEADLINE: The deadline for submitting Area Happenings, Church Events, Cemetery News, Reunions or Society items is Thursday at noon. See our website each week for a full listing of local events: www.claiborneprogress.net.

Claiborne County Public Library

Come celebrate National Library Week April 8-14, and participate in amnesty of any outstanding fines or fees due to overdue materials. The Library wants to welcome you back by wiping the slate clean. This does not apply to existing fines on previously returned materials. Lost library cards will also be replaced at no cost to you.

Claiborne Library Spring Book Sale

Drop by the basement of the Library May 7-12 to peruse an assortment of books, movies, CDs, magazines, puzzles and audio books deeply discounted for your enjoyment. Hours are Monday through Wednesday, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Thursday and Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Prices range from 10 cents to $1.

Computer classes at the Library

The Claiborne Public Library is offering free computer classes for beginners. Participants will learn how to use E-mail, FaceBook, Microsoft Word, TEL and R.E.A.D.S. programs and will become familiar with common computer terms and features. The classes last six weeks and will be held each Wednesday, from noon to 2 p.m. For more information, or to register, call 423-626-5414.

WSCC Special Exhibit

A special exhibit, “From Bystander to Upstander” will be on display at the Walters State Claiborne County Campus April 2-6. The potential power of the individual is highlighted by examining those who stood by during the Holocaust and those who stood up and spoke out. The exhibit features 12 stand-alone panels and was created by the Center for Holocaust and Humanity Education. The exhibit is sponsored by the college’s Global Connections program, which seeks to enhance the global awareness and competitiveness of Walters State students.

Bee Friends

Bee Friends is a group of local beekeepers who meet on the first Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in Room 111 at Walters State Community College (the old high school) in New Tazewell. If you are a beekeeper or a person curious about honeybees, join us at our April 5 meeting. This month Bodie Osborne will be talking about the basics of beekeeping and answering questions. All are welcome. Free coffee and dessert will be available. Please call Jay at 423-268-4785 with any questions.

Steer and Heifer Show

The Claiborne County 4-H Steer and Heifer Show will be held April 6 at the Claiborne County Fair Livestock Show Barn. Support Claiborne County’s 4-H members as they begin a new year of showing. More information and photos can be found at www.claiborne.tennessee.edu or www.facebook.com/extensionclaiborne/.

Bingo and Dinner Fundraiser

The Broken Spur Dance Club will be hosting their annual Bingo and Dinner Fundraiser on April 6 from 6-9 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., come early and grab supper before the games begin at 6 p.m. The Dance Club is located on the top floor of the American Legion Building, below SMMS, 335 Fulkerson Street, Tazewell. The Broken Spur Dance Club is family friendly and alcohol is not permitted. Dinner will be a BBQ pork plate. Nachos & cheese, baked goods and drinks will also be available. There will also be a silent auction table and door prizes. Bingo games will be $20 per card, per person, for unlimited play and $10 for each additional household family member. Children 8 years and under free. All proceeds will go toward the upkeep of the American Legion Building. For additional information call Jamie at 423-489-9829.

VFW Fish Fry

The annual Fish Fry at the VFW Post #8779 will be held April 7 from noon until 4 p.m. This is a fundraiser for the VFW’s Christmas Angels program.

Cancer Workshop

The Claiborne County Health Department and University of Tennessee Extension will be offering a free Cancer: Thriving and Surviving workshop beginning April 10. The six-week program is designed for people with cancer and caregivers to learn basic skills necessary to self-manage their disease and work effectively with their health care professionals. The Cancer: Thriving and Surviving Program is conducted by two leaders certified by Stanford University Cancer: Thriving and Surviving Trainers. Classes will be held every Tuesday from 12:30-2:30 p.m. at the Claiborne County Extension Office, beside of the Courthouse in Tazewell. For more information, or to sign up for the program, please contact Carol Brandon, extension agent, at 423-626-3742. You need to register for the class by April 6 so class materials will be ready for everyone.

CEASE Overcomer Obstacle Challenge

The CEASE Overcomer Obstacle Challenge will be held April 7 at Frank Lorino Park in Morristown. The event is designed to test the body, mind and spirit of participants regardless of fitness and experience level. Overcomers will run, climb, jump, crawl and muscle their way through to conquer the obstacles along the way, similar to the journey that survivors of domestic and sexual violence take to recover and reclaim their lives. The life of a survivor of violence is full of obstacles and CEASE Inc. offers supportive services to help them overcome throughout East Tennessee and beyond. This is an endurance challenge for ages 12 and up, with 30+ obstacles over 4+ miles. There will be an Overcomer Mini, for ages 11 and under, which will consist of fun obstacles over a one-mile course. All participants will receive a medal and a T-shirt. Volunteer and receive a discounted fee on registration. Registration starts at 8 a.m. and will continue through the final wave of racers. The first wave starts at 9 a.m. For more info, visit Facebook.com/overcomerobstaclechallenge or overcomerobstaclechallenge.com.

Claiborne County School Board

The next regular monthly meeting of the Claiborne School Board begins at 6 p.m. on April 12 inside the large courtroom of the Claiborne County Courthouse. The next committee meeting will occur on April 26 at 6 p.m., inside the BOE Central Office board room. The public is encouraged to attend these informative monthly meetings.

Great American Cleanup

The annual Great American Cleanup was rescheduled for April 14. Claiborne County Mayor Jack Daniels, the Harrogate Garden Club and Clairfield Volunteer Fire Department will sponsor the event from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Commercial Bank in New Tazewell, Harrogate City Park and at the Volunteer Fire Department in Clairfield. This event will be part of Keep America Beautiful’s Great American Cleanup™, which is the largest volunteer event in America. Groups and individuals are encouraged to help us make our communities a more beautiful place to live and work. Contact Shaunta Wilson at 423-626-2592 or claiborne_grants@yahoo.com, or Judy Robertson at 423-851-1258 or judyrobertson06@gmail.com for further information and to sign up group participants.

County Schools Testing Schedule

The 2018 TNReady Assessment schedule for students in the Claiborne County Schools will be administered during the three week window from April 16 – May 4. This will include TCAP for grades 3-8 which includes assessments for English Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies. TCAP End Of Course tests will be given to high school students currently enrolled in English I, II, III, Algebra I, II, Geometry, Biology, Chemistry and US History. Also, students in second grade will be taking an assessment in English Language Arts and Math the week of April 23 – May 4. Parents may contact your child’s school for a more detailed assessment schedule or Lori Duncan, Claiborne County Testing Supervisor, at 423-626-3543 for more information.

Independent Home School students in fifth, seventh and ninth grades grade are required in the state of Tennessee to take the TNReady Assessments. If you are a home school parent of a fifth, seventh or ninth grade student please contact Lori Duncan, Claiborne County Schools Testing Supervisor, at 423-626-3543 to schedule testing for your child. The TNReady Assessment window for the Claiborne County Schools will be April 16 – May 4.

Honey Convention

A Honey Convention is being held April 20-21. This event is being presented by local volunteers from four local beekeeping groups and will include lectures, workshops and classes with 25 different speakers and provide networking opportunities for beekeepers with all levels of experience and background. A free beginning beekeeping class will be featured on April 21. There will also be vendors, food, door prizes and an auction. The Honey Convention 2018 will be held at Walters State Community College in New Tazewell. Tickets are $20 per day or $30 for two days. Detailed information is available at http://www.honeyconvention.com or http://www.facebook.com/BeeFriendsOfClaiborneCoTN and 423-268-4785.

Benefit Singing and Silent Auction

There will be a benefit singing and silent auction hosted by Midway Baptist Church to go toward medical bills for Shelia Trent due to her battle with cancer. The event will take place April 21 from 5-8 p.m. at Claiborne High School. Tickets are $5 per person. Concessions will be available for purchase. Singers scheduled include Steve Gulley and Friends, Jamey Brown, Clarissa Trent, Caroline Trent and Cody Long, Cave Springs Youth Group, Heritage Christian Academy choir, Jaylen Pressnell, Master Peace, Chelsea Pressnell Estes, Living Waters, Howards Quarter Baptist Church, Wade Grooms, First Baptist Ladies and Youth Ensemble. If you would like to donate to the silent auction, contact any Midway Church member or the Trent family, or call Barbara at 865-585-0970. Monetary donations may be mailed to Shelia Trent, P.O. Box 575, Tazewell, TN 37879.

Free Beekeeping Class

Bee Friends, a local beekeeping group, will be offering a free short course on beekeeping for anyone interested in becoming a new beekeeper on April 21 at Walters State Community College in New Tazewell, in conjunction with the Honey Conference. Learn what it takes to become a beekeeper and talk with local beekeepers. People committed to becoming new beekeepers will be eligible for a drawing for a free Hive Kit to begin. Classes will be held between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. with a short break for lunch. You do not have to participate in the Honey Conference to attend the free beginner’s class. All are welcome, but minors must be accompanied by a responsible adult.For more information you can contact Jay at 423-268-4785, go http://www.facebook.com/BeeFriendsOfClaiborneCoTN, or check out the http://www.honeyconvention.com website.

DAV Meetings

Disabled American Veterans meet on the first Tuesday of every month. The meetings are held at 7 p.m. at 1703 Main St. Tazewell (directly next door to the Claiborne Progress office). All vets are welcome. Also, find us on Facebook.

American Legion Post #109

All veterans are invited to attend monthly meetings on the second Tuesday of each month. Activities begin at 6 p.m. with a meal. The meeting is at 7 p.m. at 335 Fulkerson Street in Tazewell.

Cumberland Gap Meetings

The regular monthly meetings for the Town of Cumberland Gap Board of Mayor and Alderman will be held the first Monday evening of every month at 7 p.m. at the Cumberland Gap Town Hall, 330 Colwyn Street, Cumberland Gap. The Cumberland Gap Beer Board meeting will follow. The public is invited to attend.

At least one week before the regular scheduled meeting the board holds a planning meeting to review and finalize the agenda. Those meetings begin at 6 p.m. and are usually held the Monday before the regular scheduled meeting. The public is invited to attend.

The regular quarterly meetings for the Town of Cumberland Gap Parks and Recreation Advisory Board will be held the last Monday in February, May, August and November at 5:30 p.m. at the Cumberland Gap Town Hall, 330 Colwyn Street, Cumberland Gap. The public is invited to attend.

The regular monthly meetings for the Town of Cumberland Gap Planning Commission will be held the first Monday of every month at 6 p.m. at the Cumberland Gap Town Hall, 330 Colwyn Street, Cumberland Gap (if no items are to be discussed a meeting will not be held). The public is invited to attend.

The regular monthly meetings for the Town of Cumberland Gap Historical Zoning Commission will be held the first Tuesday (following the first Monday) of every month at 7 p.m. at the Cumberland Gap Town Hall, 330 Colwyn Street, Cumberland Gap (if no items are to be discussed a meeting will not be held). The public is invited to attend.

Narcotics Anonymous

There is a Narcotics Anonymous meeting each Thursday at 8 p.m., located at 1501 Tazewell Rd., Tazewell, behind Hardee’s.

NA meetings are also held every Wednesday and Saturday at 6 p.m. at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Middlesboro, Kentucky. For more information call 606-670-4356.

Family Support

Do you or someone you know living in Claiborne County have a severe intellectual and/or physical disability? There may be public assistance available for their special needs. Call Greene County Skills, Inc. at 423-798-7137 or 7144 and ask Karin or Teresa about the Family Support Program. Family Support is a Tennessee state-funded program geared to serve individuals of all ages who are currently not enrolled in a Tennessee medical waiver program. Family Support may be able to help with respite or homemaker services, minor home or vehicle modifications, specialized equipment and more. We also serve individuals with disabilities in Greene, Hamblen, Union and Grainger counties.

Child and Adult Care Food Program

Cumberland Mountain Industries has announced participation in the Child and Adult Care Food Program. Meals will be provided at no separate charge to eligible adults served at CMI, located at 1214 Cedar Fork Rd., Tazewell. For more information contact CMI at 423-626-6757.

Adult High School

Need a high school diploma? The Claiborne County Adult High School is now offering free classes. There is flexible scheduling offered to accommodate working adults. “The tassel is worth the hassle” – with a diploma, you can earn higher wages, have better job opportunities, can attend college, enter technical school and have careers in the military. For more information call 423-626-8222.

Free Drug Testing Kits

The Stand in the Gap coalition (SIGCO) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, faith-based organization and is providing free saliva based drug testing kits with instructions. They are called “give me a reason” (GMAR) kits. Anyone with questions about or needing to obtain GMAR kits or information regarding addiction treatment or anyone interested in getting involved with SIGCO or volunteering in the office, with the jail ministry or in any other area of SIGCO can call the Stand in the Gap office, located at 502 Pennlyn Ave. in Cumberland Gap, at 423-300-1302. Leave a message with contact information and someone will return the call. You may also email standntgap@gmail.com or mail P.O. Box 539, Cumberland Gap, TN 37724.

City of Harrogate Meetings

The following meetings are held at Harrogate City Hall, 138 Harrogate Crossing: Board of Mayor and Aldermen – fourth Monday each month at 6 p.m.; Work Sessions – each month on the Tuesday prior to the BMA meetings, at 6 p.m.; Parks and Recreation Committee – second Monday of the month at 6 p.m., on an as-needed basis; Planning Commission – second Monday each month at 6:30 p.m. The Book Station Committee meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month at 5 p.m. at the Harrogate Book Station, 310 Bristol Road. All meetings are open to the public.

Cumberland Gap Meetings

The regular monthly meetings for the Cumberland Gap Historical Zoning Commission will be held the first Tuesday (following the first Monday) of every month at 7 p.m. at the Cumberland Gap Town Hall, 330 Colwyn Street Cumberland Gap (if no items are to be discussed a meeting will not be held). The public is invited to attend.

The regular monthly meetings for the Cumberland Gap Planning Commission will be held the second Thursday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Cumberland Gap Town, 330 Colwyn Street Cumberland Gap (if no items are to be discussed a meeting will not be held). The public is invited to attend.

The regular monthly meetings for the Town of Cumberland Gap Board of Mayor and Alderman will be held the first Monday evening of every month at 7 p.m. at the Cumberland Gap Town Hall, 330 Colwyn Street, Cumberland Gap. The Cumberland Gap Beer Board meeting follows the board meeting each month. At least one week before the regular scheduled meeting the board meets in a study session to review and finalize the agenda. That meeting starts at 6 p.m. and is usually held the Monday before the regular scheduled meeting. Both meetings are open to the public.

Greene County Skills

Greene County Skills, Inc. is seeking individuals in Tennessee that have developmental or physical disability. Tennessee has a grant program offering assistance. For more information, call Greene County Skills, Inc. at 423-798-7137, ask for Karin Hagenburger or 423-798-7144 Teresa Crawford, Family Support Coordinator.

Homeless Veterans Reintegration Project

Outreach workers Tommy Brooks and Erin Haverland will be available to assist eligible veterans with enrollment in HVRP. The Homeless Veterans Reintegration Project helps veterans find secure employment through case management, job training, and referrals and links with other local service providers. Outreach workers can arrange visits with veterans in outlying areas who are unable to travel to the program office.Veterans Can Help is located at 511 Broadway, Knoxville, TN 37917. Phone: 865-524-3926. In Knoxville, call 865-546-4813 for more information.

Town of New Tazewell Meetings

The Town of New Tazewell board meetings for the Board of Mayor and Aldermen are conducted at New Tazewell City Hall at 413 First Avenue, the second Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. The Board of Mayor and Aldermen workshops are held one hour prior to the regular meeting. The Planning Commission meetings are held at 5:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month. The public is invited to attend these meetings.

Town of Tazewell Meetings

The board meetings for the Board of Mayor and Aldermen of the Town of Tazewell are conducted at Tazewell City Hall at 1830 Main Street, the second Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. The BMA Workshops are on Wednesday, prior to the scheduled board meeting at 6 p.m. as needed. The Planning Commission Meetings are held at 5:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month. The public is invited to attend these meetings.