Benton Community Event for the National Day of Prayer “ONE NATION UNDER GOD”. The LifeStyle Center of Benton invites the Benton community to come together Thursday, May 3 from 10am-11am for National Day of Prayer. Join voices to Heaven for our country and our community with heavenly music, scripture and sincere prayer.

The Monroe County Historical meeting will be held Thursday, May 3, 7 p.m. at Ft. Loudoun State Historic Area Visitor Center. The speaker will be local writer, humorist, and historian Larry Smothers. He will speak on the subject of “Cemeteries & Burial Customs in East Tennessee.” The meetings are open to the public.

GARAGE AND MOVING SALE! May 4th and 5th, Friday and Saturday 9am-5pm. For Sale: Furnished Motor Home, Collector Dolls, Furniture, Shoes, Housewares, Toys, Collectables, Wall Art, Much More! 113 Brannon Lane, Benton, TN, Contact Number 423-715-0679.

Relay For Life Yard Sale at Life Care Center of Copper Basin, Saturday, May 5, 2012 8:00am - 12:00 noon. For info or to donate items call Shirley Williams 707-455-3133.

The Miss Sunshine Pageant will be held Saturday May 5th at the Benton Elementary School Auditorium beginning at 10 am.  All girls ages 0-18 years old are encouraged to participate. All participants will receive a trophy. Early entry forms are due April 20th for a reduced price. ALL entry forms must be turned in by May 1st. Entry forms can be picked up at all area schools. For more information call Benton Elementary School.

BAKE SALE AT LOTTIE’S DINER to help pay medical costs and financial expenses for Penny and Paul Chambers on Saturday, May 5, 2012 at Lottie’s.

YARD SALE at 180 Freeman Circle, Benton Sta., Benton, TN. Saturday, May 5 from 8 until ?, Furniture, Old Records, Book, Tools, Jewelry, Antique Baby Carriage. Lots more and some cheap and free! Cancelled if raining.

THE SONS OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS PRESENT CANJOE JOHN of the Grand Ole Opry. He will be performing May 5 and 6 at the Civil War Re-enactment event, “The Battle for the Rails”, in Sweetwater (Behind the Sweetwater Flea Market). Performances will be throughout the day from 9 am to 5 pm Saturday, and from 9 am to 3 pm Sunday. Admission is $3 for adults, 12 and under free.

CIVIL WAR RE-ENACTMENT by the Sons of Conferderate Veterans, “Battle for the Rails”, Saturday, May 5 from 8:30 am to 5 pm, and Sunday, May 6 from 9 am to 3:30 pm. Event will be held on the top of the hill, above the Sweetwater Flea Market (1-75, Exit 60). See Confederate and Union Soldiers Fight, Talk with the soldiers of both sides about Camp Life, their Weapons, and Uniforms. Learn about cookie, candle-making, and sewing practices of the time. Enjoy Great Food, and see the “General Lee” Car and Boss Hog! Free Parking, Admission is $3 for adults, 12 and under free.

THE SINGING ECHOES May 6th at 11:00 AM - The Singing Echoes will be at Ball Play Baptist Church in Old Fort, TN.

REVIVAL AT NEW GROUND BAPTIST CHURCH, Copperhill, TN. Monday, May 7th to 11th, starting at 7:30. Assistant Rev. Carlton “Tyke” Prince, Rev. Enoch Martin. And Tuesday Night 6 year-old preacher Mason Thompson.

POLK COUNTY DEMOCRATIC WOMEN will meet Tuesday, May 8, at 6:30 pm in the 3rd floor courtroom in the Benton Courthouse.

Free Tobacco Cessation Classes Offered Murphy Medical Center is offering a free 4-session smoking and tobacco cessation class series on May 10th, 17th, 24th, and 31st from 5pm-6pm in the hospital cafeteria. To sign up or get more information, please call 828.835.7620.

2012 Culberson Reunion at Pat’s Country Kitchen, 256 Blue Ridge Drive, McCaysville, GA, call 706 492-5477 on May 12, 2012 – 11:00 am. To  2:30 pm. Also at approximately 2:30 pm you are invited to join the James Lewis Culberson / Mary Jane Roberson/Robinson Culberson branches of the William & Nancy C. Culberson family at the Salem #2 Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery for a short gravestone placement ceremony. Order from the menu 45 minutes before the meal is to be served. Jim Culberson @ 864 244-2050 for additional information.

MEMORIAL DAY PROGRAM presented by the Veterans Affairs Office of Polk County, Saturday, May 26, at 11am, at the Polk County Courthouse to pay tribute to the memory of Polk County Veterans who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Everyone is invited, and thank you in advance for your attendance.

ROBERTSHAW REUNION Saturday, May 12, 2012 from 11:00am – 2:00pm At the ETC Pavilion on 255 Legion Rd, Hwy 5 South, Ellijay, Hotdog – Cookout. Please bring a side dish, or a desert and a drink. For all former employees and their family.

EVERYONE IS WELCOME.

The Overhill Shutterbugs, a regional photography club, present their 2nd Annual Photography Exhibit from April 17 through June 1, 2012 at the Etowah Arts Commission, next door to the Gem Theater in downtown Etowah. A public reception will be held on Friday, April 20 from 5-7pm. The 2nd Annual Overhill Shutterbug Photography Exhibit will be on display from April 17 though June 1 at the Etowah Arts Commission in downtown Etowah, located next door to the historic Gem Theater at 700 TN Avenue. They are open Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 12-6pm. Public reception April 20 from 5-7pm. More information at www.EtowahArts.org or call 423-263-7608.

PCHS 94TH ANNUAL ALUMNI BANQUET Saturday, June 2, at 7 pm.  $12 admission. Classed of 1932, 42, 52, 62, 72, 82, 92, 02, and 12 will be honored.

The Coordinated School Health Wellness Policy will be presented for review by the public at the May 14th School Board meeting. Recommendations and comments will be welcomed.

CALL TO ALL ARTISTS Be a part of the Murphy Art Walk, First Fridays, May through November, 5:00 – 8:00 pm in downtown Murphy, NC. (May 4, June 1, July 6, Aug. 3, Sept. 7, Oct. 5, Nov. 2) Join our Artist Registry to be used by 21 downtown businesses participating in Art Walk. They are looking for 2D, 3D, and Performance artists to feature at their places of businesses on these dates. Join by visiting www.ValleyRiverArts.com , or contact Alex Peers at flutie1999@yahoo.com or (404) 372-9610 with your name, email, phone, website, and a short description of your art. This is event is sponsored by the Valley River Arts Guild.

COPPER BASIN HIGH SCHOOL REUNION Class of 1977, 35 Year Reunion, to be held Saturday, June 30th from 6-9 pm. RSVP to Sonya Russell-Edwards by May 30th. snyhwkns@yahoo.com or leave a message at 954-575-9737.

SAFE HAVEN Animal Rescue is in need of people who have fenced in yards to foster dogs.  We provide all food and veterinary care including spaying and neutering. Our existing foster families are overwhelmed with the number of dogs in our possession.  We work hard to find forever homes by advertising on Petfinder and Pooches on the Move. Last year we found great homes for 80 dogs.  Please call the SHARP line 299 3640.

EAST AND WEST POLK LIBRARY HOURS East Polk-Mon., Tues., Thurs. & Fri. 1:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Sat 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. West Polk-Mon., Wed., & Fri. 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 1-4:30 p.m.

LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE available through SETHRA by calling (423) 338-2335 or (423) 496-2644.

REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETINGS

-County Commission, 3rd Thursday, 7 p.m. alternating between courthouse in Benton and the community center in Ducktown.

-School Board, 2nd Monday, 7 p.m. at the various schools.

-Benton Town Commission lst Monday, 5 p.m. at Benton Town Hall.

-Copperhill City Council 3rd Monday at 6 p.m. at City Hall.

-Polk County Planning Commission, 3rd Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. alternating between the Ducktown Courthouse and Benton Courthouse.

-Ducktown City Commission 1st Thursday at 7 p.m. at City Hall.

-Ocoee Ruritan Club, 1st Thursday, 7 p.m. at the Fire & Rescue Hall in Ocoee on Hwy. 411.

- West Polk Republican Women will meet Monday, May 21st, 6:30 pm, at the Ocoee Dam Deli on Hwy 64.  All are welcome.