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.

Youth Wrestling

Youth wrestling (grades K-8) started Nov. 20. Practices are Mon., Tues. and Thurs. in the Claiborne High School cafeteria from 6-7 p.m. Call 423-626-1931 for further information.

Love For Sophia Benefit

There will be a benefit music show, supper, auction and more to benefit Sophia Turner, 5, who has been diagnosed with stage four atypical Wilms cancer. It will be held Nov. 25 in the SMMS cafeteria and doors open at 1 p.m. There will be music from Steve Gulley and New Pinnacle and many more bands affiliated with the Turner family. The soupbean supper will be $6. Please join for a fun-filled day of bluegrass, country and rock — all proceeds will go toward Sophia’s medical expenses.

Candle Lighting

There will be a candle lighting service at Coffey Funeral Home in Tazewell on Nov. 30, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Everyone is invited attend the memorial service. You can also bring your Christmas ornaments and hang them on the memory tree. Please come and share the memory of your loved ones as you light your famiy candle.

Alzheimer’s Support Group

Smoky Mountain Home Health & Hospice, Alzheimer’s Support Group meets the last Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. at Laurel Manor Nursing Facility. The next meeting is scheduled for Nov. 30. Community partners: Alzheimer’s Tennessee; Smoky Mountain Home Health & Hospice; Laurel Manor Nursing Facility; Lambert Bookkeeping & Financial Services; Senior Citizens Home Assistance Service, Inc.; Claiborne-Overholt Funeral Home; Eastridge Apartments LLC; Claiborne County Office on Aging. Everyone welcome.

Christmas Open House

The Historic Speedwell Academy will be opening its doors for a Memorial Christmas Open House. You can come and tour the academy and experience some local heritage on December 2, 3, 9 and 10 from 1-5 p.m. The academy is located on Academy Road off Old Hwy. 63. Refreshments will be served.

Bee Friends

Beekeeping has more potential benefits than honey. The next meeting of Bee Friends will be Dec. 7 at 6:30 pm. This is the regularly scheduled meeting of Bee Friends, a local beekeeping group. All are welcome, whether you are a seasoned beekeeper, someone just beginning to think about beekeeping, or anywhere in between. Regular meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month in the auditorium of the Tazewell Campus (the old high school) of Walter State Community College. If you have questions, you can call Jay at 423-268-4785. Coffee and dessert will also be available at no cost.

NT Little League

New Tazewell Little League is seeking qualified coaches and volunteers for the 2018 Little League season. Anyone interested is invited to the board of directors meeting Dec. 11 at 6:30 p.m. at First Avenue Hall, located across from Duncan Lumber.

Town of New Tazewell Leaf Pick-Up

The Town of New Tazewell will begin leaf disposal every Wednesday, weather permitting, through Dec. 27. All requests must be called in to New Tazewell City Hall at 423-626- 5242. All leaves must be bagged or raked to the curb side for pick-up. We ask that no limbs be raked with leaves, or trash.

Town of Tazewell Leaf Pick-Up

Bagged leaf pick up in the Town of Tazewell will be through Jan. 1. Place all bagged leaves at curbside for pickup during that time. Keep regular weekly household trash in a separate pile. You must call 423-626-7166 to request pickup.

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) 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 anyone interested in getting involved with SIGCO or volunteering in the office, with the jail ministry or any other ministry can stop by the Stand in the Gap Coalition office, located at 502 Pennlyn Ave. in Cumberland Gap. It is open on Mondays from 1-5:30 p.m. For more informattion you may also call 423-300-1302 and leave a message, email standntgap@gmail.com or mail P.O. Box 530, Cumberland Gap, TN 37724.

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.

Arthur Community Center Association

The Arthur Community Center Restoration Organization has regular meetings the second Thursday and fourth Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Arthur Community Center. All residents of Arthur Community are encouraged to attend. The ACCA is a non-profit organization dedicated to the restoration of the Arthur Community Center for the public to use for meetings, family reunions, wedding receptions, etc.

Bee Friends

Interested in beekeeping and meeting beekeepers? Whether you are looking for information or just curious, you are welcome to join Bee Friends, a local beekeeping group. We meet monthly, on the first Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the Tazewell Campus of Walters State in the auditorium. This is also a great time to check the group out, just ask questions, and meet others with all levels of experience. There will be a sign at the door from the parking lot. As always, coffee and dessert will be served. For more information call Jay at 423-268-4785.

Beginner’s Computer Class

The Claiborne County Public Library is hosting a beginner’s computer class at the Harrogate Senior Citizens Center every other Friday at 1 p.m. For more information call the library at 423-626-5414.

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.

Free Adult High School Classes

The Claiborne County Adult High School is now offering free classes for students to earn credits to receive their Tennessee state high school diploma. Flexible scheduling is available for both day and evening classes. For more information, contact the Adult High School at 423-626-8222.

Free Spay and Neuter

The Animal Welfare League of Claiborne County is sponsoring a free spay/neuter for dogs and cats in the Claiborne County area for families with income less than $30,000 per year, depending upon the number of people in the household. Pick up applications at Harrogate Hospital for Animals, Russell Veterinary Services or Rowland Veterinary Services. You can also request spay applications at awlccspay@gmail.com . Complete application, including proof of income and mail to AWLCC, 200 Hatfield Morgan Lane, New Tazewell, TN 37825 or scan/email to email address above. Be sure to include a phone number.

Free Tech Classes at Library

Need help with technology? Would you like to learn more about your mobile device? You can now schedule an appointment at the Claiborne County Public Library for free help sessions. The library will be able to help with the following: Computers, tablets, phones, use of apps, etc.

Come prepared with: The device you need help with; any necessary usernames and passwords needed to access your device and/or accounts; the device fully charged, if not, please bring a charger; questions and/or concerns about your device.

The library staff will not: Run diagnostics; troubleshoot or fix any malfunctioning devices (unless related to library services); run antivirus scans; computer maintenance; replace parts on a device; credit card transactions.

Call for information, more details or to schedule an appointment at 423-626-5414 or email at claibornelibrary@gmail.com. One-on-one or group appointments are available.

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.