The Nantahala Hiking Club will meet Thursday, March 13, at 6 p.m. at the Macon County Public Library. Along with club business, Edwin Grant from the Macon County Sheriff’s Department will discuss the newly created Missing Persons Unit and how the department would like to leverage the NHC knowledge of the Appalachian Trail. The public is welcome.
Live Saturday music offered by Friends of the Greenway (FROG) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 573 E. Main Street, Franklin. On March 15, Tommy Nelson and the Burningtown Bluegrass Gospel Band.
Free Gardening Basics 101 Seminar by the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service will be Tuesday, March 18, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Macon Extension Center, 193 Thomas Heights Rd., Franklin. For more information, visit macon.ces.ncsu.edu/events or contact the Macon County Extension Center to register at (828)349 2046 or e-mail Debbie Hunter at [email protected].
“Seed Starting” offered by the Franklin Garden Club Monday, March 20, during its 12 p.m. monthly meeting at Robert C. Carpenter Community Center, 1288 Georgia Road, Franklin. Visit Franklin NC Garden Club on Facebook to keep up with events and activities and to learn how to get involved.
Magnolia Mission basketball tournament fundraiser will be held March 23 at the Robert C. Carpenter community building, with games beginning at 10 a.m. Food trucks with concessions, raffle items, games for kids and more. Registration for players ends March 9. Proceeds support foster, adoptive, and biological families in Macon County. Sign up at magnoliamission.org.
Aglow International Franklin Lighthearted meets the third Saturday of each month at 164 Iotla Church Rd., at 10 a.m.
James Thompson’s Classic Country Sound bluegrass and gospel music the first and third Friday at 60 Firehouse Road behind the Otto Fire Department. Hosted by the Otto Community Development Organization.
Otto Community Center Events – Celtic Music on March 14; RSVP (828)421-4178 to ensure seating. Refreshments served. Info at mountainmusemusic.com and go2ottonc.com. Life Saving Training, including CRP, administering naloxone, life-threatening bleeding, and safely moving injured individuals, March 30, 1 to 5 p.m. Email [email protected] to sign up. Gentle Stretch & Flexibility Class with Victoria Rundquist, Mondays, 11 a.m. to noon; by donation. Bring mat.
“Spoon” Karaoke at Rathskeller Wednesday, March 26, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. 58 Stewart St., Franklin.
The Nantahala Hiking Club’s Thru Hiker Chow Down for Appalachian Trail hikers will be held on Saturday, March 29 at Lazy Hiker from 12-2 p.m. The public is invited to come support the hikers.
Trivia nights are the fourth Monday of each month, from 6-8 p.m., at Otto Community Center, 65 Firehouse Road, Otto; Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. at Lazy Hiker on Main Street in Franklin; every other Wednesday at 6:30 at Rathskeller Coffee Bar and Pub, in Franklin; and Mondays at 7 p.m. at Currahee Brewing Company.
Head Start is accepting applications for the ’25/’26 school year. Offering engaging curriculum and the opportunity to grow in a safe, nurturing environment for children ages 0-5 years of age. Call (828)524-4471, x324; or visit www.maconnc.org.
Tax preparation and filing assistance is being offered at no charge at the Macon County Public Library on Mondays and Tuesdays through April 15, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., by appointment only. Appointments can be made online at www.wnctaxaide.as.me; by calling the Library’s Reference Desk at (828)524-3600; or by visiting the library located at 149 Siler Farm Road, Franklin.
Franklin Lions Club meets the second and fourth Mondays, 6 p.m., Louisa Chapel Methodist, 470 Louisa Chapel Road, Franklin.
Otto/Franklin Nar-Anon Meetings, Nar-anon Family Groups are a Worldwide fellowship for those whose lives are/have been affected by addiction. New in-person weekly meeting starting Tuesday March 4, 7 p.m., at Hickory Knoll Global Methodist Church Fellowship Hall 86 E. Hickory Knoll Rd., Franklin. Contact (408)829-4452.
Franklin Alcoholics Anonymous “Open Meetings” are for anyone who thinks they may have a drinking problem or for anyone interested in the A.A. recovery program. In-person meetings are held Tuesdays 5:30 p.m. at No Wrong Door, 102 Thomas Heights Rd.; Sundays at 1 p.m., and Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays at 5:30 p.m., at the First United Methodist Church Outreach Center, 66 Harrison Ave.; and Saturdays, at 10 a.m., Tuesdays at 8 a.m., and Thursdays at 12 noon at St. Agnes Episcopal Church on 66 Church St. Online meeting information is available by visiting www.aawnc80. org; or, to speak with a member of A.A., call (828)349-4357.
Franklin Al-anon “Live and Let Live” Family Group in-person meetings are Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. at St. Agnes Episcopal Church Parish Hall, 66 Church St., Franklin. Contact (334)224-4785.
Email calendar items to [email protected].
Old Time Community Dance at Cowee School March 20
An evening of old-time dancing – contras, rounds, squares, and mixers – will be held Thursday, March 20, 7 to 9 p.m., in the Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center. Professional dance caller Claire Takemori, known for her clear teaching and positivity, will open the event at 6:45 with basic instruction for beginners, then walk dancers through each new dance and call the moves in time to the music as the dance progresses. Live music will be provided by Toss the Possum, a popular, high-energy family dance band.
Contra dance is considered the most accessible and sociable of all dance forms, with participants moving in two facing lines or in groups. Frequent partner changes allow dancers to meet new friends and experience different dancing styles. All dances are taught, so no experience or partner is required. People of all ages and experience levels are welcome. Wear comfortable clothes and closed shoes; no strong scents, please. Water bottles and snacks are allowed.
Come for any part of Thursday’s session, to dance or just enjoy Toss the Possum’s lively music. Admission is by donation, $10 is suggested; children and first-timers are admitted free. The Center is at 51 Cowee School Drive, seven miles from Franklin, just off Hwy. 28N, with a hardwood dance floor and ample parking. The event is coordinated by Cricket Woodward and sponsored by the Arts Council of Macon County. For details, phone 828-524-ARTS, email [email protected], or visit www.artscouncilofmacon.org.