Uptown Gallery’s Spring Reception is Thursday, April 10, 4 to 6 p.m. View the latest work by Macon County Art Association member artists in diverse forms from paintings and photography to jewelry, pottery, and so much more. Refreshments served, everyone welcome. www.franklinuptowngallery.com or call (828)349-4607.
Trails Then Ales Trivia Night at Outdoor 76, Friday, April 11, 6-9 p.m.
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 April 12 is George James, “The Human Jukebox’; on April 19, Greg Thomas on Keyboards and then Mary Beth & Friends; April 26, Jim Austin’s Classic Country Band. Upcoming events are Pet Adoption Day, April 12, Spring Frog Fair, May 3.
A Benefit for Dawn Dills will be held Saturday, April 12, at South Macon Elementary School with a BBQ dinner beginning at 5 p.m. Music by the White Sisters, a cake walk, 50/50, and a live auction. Dawn is battling stage three cancer. The school is located at 855 Addington Bridge Rd., Franklin. For more information, or to make a donation, contact Frances Seay, (828)371-6192; Hazel Allen, (828)421- 5710; or Christy Russell (828)200- 5881 and leave message.
Litter Pickup Event hosted by the Holly Springs Community Development Club is Saturday, April 12 from 9 am to noon. Meet at the Holly Springs picnic shelter prior to 9 a.m. to get trash bags, vests, and gloves. This is a part of the statewide, 2025 Spring Litter Sweep initiative taking place from April 12 – 26. Snacks will be available and everyone is welcome.
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.
A Red Cross Blood Drive will be held at the Otto Community Center, 60 Firehouse Rd., from 1 to 5:30 p.m. on April 23. To make an appointment or for more information, call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter Sponsor Code “Otto”. Bring your Red Cross Donor Card or Photo ID.
Aglow International Franklin Lighthouse hosts a gathering the third Saturday of each month at 164 Iotla Church Rd., at 10 a.m.
The Franklin Bird Club leads walks on Wednesday mornings along the Little Tennessee Greenway. Walks begin at 8 a.m. at alternating locations. The schedule and directions are listed at www.littletennessee.org/franklin-bird-club The public is welcome, all walks are weather dependent. Upcoming walks are: April 16: meet in Macon County Public Library parking lot; April 23: meet at Big Bear parking lot near the playground; and April 30: Salali Lane.
Outdoor Music Jam at Lazy Hiker Brewing Co., April 27, 7-10 p.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 Otto Community Development Club.
Adult and Teen Challenge Thrift Store Spring Yard Sale Saturday, April 12, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., 4812 US-441, between Franklin and Sylva
Trivia nights are the fourth Monday of each month, from 6 to 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; Wednesdays at 6:30 at Rathskeller Coffee Bar and Pub, in Franklin; and Mondays at 7 p.m. at Currahee Brewing Company.
Opportunities for karaoke at Lazy Hiker, every other Friday, and The Rathskeller Coffee Bar and Pub every other Wednesday.
Franklin Lions Club meets the second and fourth Mondays, 6 p.m., Louisa Chapel Methodist, 470 Louisa Chapel Road, Franklin.
Awake America prayer meetings are on the first Thursday of each month from 12-1 p.m. at the Robert C. Carpenter Community Building on Georgia Road across from Ingles in 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.
Nar-Anon is a support group for friends and families whose lives have been affected by addiction. Meetings are held Tuesday nights at 7 p.m., Hickory Knoll Global Methodist Church, 86 E. Hickory Knoll Rd., in the fellowship hall building. Contact Karen (408)829-4452.
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.
Teen Poetry Night in Franklin Monday, April 14
The annual Teen Poetry Night, an open-mic event for high school-age poets and poetry lovers, will be held Monday, April 14, at 7 p.m., in Franklin’s Rathskeller CoffeeBar & Pub.
To celebrate National Poetry Month, young poets are invited to read or recite their original works, as well as favorite works by other poets, earning RATBucks to be spent at the event on The Rathskeller’s beverages, sandwiches, snacks and desserts. No pre-registration required; participants are given stage time in a round-robin format. Family members and friends are invited to come and cheer their teens on.
The Rathskeller Coffee Haus is at 58 Stewart Street, a half block south of Main Street. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. For more information contact the event sponsor, the Arts Council, 828-524-ARTS or email [email protected].
Email calendar items to [email protected].