Free Lunch and Food Pantry is Saturday, March 29, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Franklin Covenant Church, 265 Belleview Park Rd.
Magnolia Mission basketball tournament fundraiser will be held Saturday, March 29, 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.
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.
Men’s Challenge of the Smokies is celebrating its 10 year anniversary of faith-based addiction recovery by hosting of “Decade of Hope Gala” on March 31 at 6 p.m. at Discover Church.
Stewardship Volunteer Workday sponsored by Mainspring Conservation Trust is Thursday, April 3, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. To sign up, visit www.mainspringconserves.org.
The Macon County Beekeepers Association will meet Thursday, April 3, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Lewis Cauble, State Inspector, will speak on mite management best practices. The group meets at the Macon County Extension Office at 193 Thomas Heights Road, Franklin. More details at www.maconncbeekeepers.com
Entries sought for Tartan Day scone contest April 5: The Annual Scone Contest to celebrate Tartan Day is Saturday, April 5. This event is free and is sponsored by Kitchen Sink in Franklin. First place winner will receive a Smithey 12-inch Dual Handle Skillet (pictured above). Nordic Ware is also donating three large sheet pans for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. Visit the Kitchen Sink Facebook page for current sponsor updates, additional prizes, and information about how to enter. Entries need to be submitted on a plate or in a container that will not need to be returned. Entrees must be dropped off at Kitchen Sink, 72 E. Main Street, anytime on Friday, April 4, between 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for judging purposes. All entries must include the full recipe used for that entry (available at The Kitchen Sink). One entry per contestant. Extra scones will be sold to benefit the Scottish Heritage Museum. Participants do not need to be present to win. Winners will be announced via Facebook around noon on Saturday, April 5. Sign up is required to participate.
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 29, Dave Stewart is the featured musician. Upcoming events are Tartan Day, April 5; Pet Adoption Day, April 12, Spring Frog Fair, May 3.
31st Anniversary Hiker Weekend on Friday, April 4 through Sunday, April 6, at Three Eagles Outfitters, 78 Siler Road, Franklin.
Franklin Garden Club offers “Soil Preparation,” Monday, April 7, 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 activities and learn how to get involved.
Trails & Ales Trivia Night at Outdoor 76, Friday, April 11, 6-9 p.m.
13th Annual Macon County Schools Student Art Exhibition reception is Sunday, April 13, 12:30 – 2:30 p.m., at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts, 1028 Georgia Road, Franklin.
Outdoor Music Jam at Lazy Hiker Brewing Co., April 27, 7-10 p.m.
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 – Life Saving Training, including CPR, 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.
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.
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. Parking is behind the church. Al-Anon is a fellowship of friends and family dealing with the impact of another’s drinking or substance abuse. Contact (334)224-4785.
Email calendar items to [email protected].