Fibromyalgia Support Meeting: The Teays Valley Fibromyalgia Self-Help Group will meet from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16, at FamilyCare, 301 Great Teays Blvd., Scott Depot. David Briscoe, owner of MedCare Therapy Center in Cross Lanes, will discuss the benefits of physical therapy and exercise in the management of fibromyalgia. Briscoe has a master's degree in physical therapy. The meeting is free. For more details, call Michelle Kosa, 304-757-6999, ext. 23.
Fruit Tree Fundraiser: The Putnam County Master Gardeners are conducting a fruit tree fundraiser. The public is invited to place orders for trees from Adams County Nursery Inc. in Pa., with a bulk order placed by the local Master Gardener program. Pending on the total number of trees the group orders, typical savings per tree (when ordering 100 trees or more) are $18/tree for apple and pear varieties and approximately $17/tree for peach, plum and cherry trees. Orders and payments must be received by Jan. 18. Price breaks, premium charges, disease-resistant varieties, rootstocks and pollination considerations are located at the company's website, www.acnursery.com/acn_trees.php. A limited number of catalogues are available at the West Virginia University Putnam County Extension Office. A $20 donation to the Putnam County Master Gardeners will be collected for each individual order. To place an order or receive more information, call the Putnam County Extension office at 304-586-0217.
'Color Purple' Auditions: The Charleston Light Opera Guild, 411 Tennessee Ave., Charleston, will hold auditions for its May performances of "The Color Purple" in Charleston at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17 (singing); Wednesday, Jan. 18 (acting); and Thursday, Jan. 19 (dancing). For a list of roles and audition requirements, as well as other information about the show and performance dates, visit www.charlestonlightoperaguild.org
Democrat Club: The Putnam County Democrat Club will not meet in January. The next meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Feb. 13; candidates for the primary election have been invited. The old courtroom in Winfield has been scheduled for the February, March, April and May meetings, which are held on the second Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m.
Boys Day In: The Cabin Fever Boys Day In event for ages 1 to 12 will be held from 10 a.m. to noon March 10 at The Commons of Putnam County Valley Park
(formerly the Museum In The Community). It will include hands-on activities, games, refreshments and more, all at no charge. For more information, call Karen Haynes at 304-757-7584 or Putnam County Parks and Recreation at 304-562-0518, ext. 10.
Princess Party: A Once Upon A Time Princess Party will take place from 10 a.m. to noon April 21 for girls ages newborn to 12 at Valley Park in Hurricane. Princesses Cinderella, Belle, Ariel, Sleeping Beauty, Tiana, Snow White, Tinkerbell and Jasmine will be available for pictures. Participants can ride in a carriage with Princess Cinderella and are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite princess. No reservations are needed. The party is free. For more information, call Karen Haynes, 304-757-7584, or Putnam County Parks and Recreation, 304-562-0518, ext. 10.
Singles' Dance: The SpeakEasy Singles' Winter Wonderland Dance, with DJ Randy Damron, will take place from 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21 in West Virginia State University's Wilson Union Hall in Institute. Admission is $8 for SpeakEasy Singles members and $10 for all others. Visit www.speakeasysingles.com for further information.
Putnam County Ringers: The Putnam County Ringers community hand bell choir is open to all interested in joining. The group meets from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Mondays at Eleanor Presbyterian Church. The group will also schedule bookings for all occasions in advance. For more information, call Kathy at 304-546-0259 or Sharon at 304-586-4131.
ADHD/ADD Support: An ADHD/ADD group is being created in the Teays Valley area. Strategies and topics of discussion will cover organization, procrastination, attention, anxiety, depression and anger/frustration. Limited spaces are available. If you are interested, call 304-972-6097.
Instructors Sought: The Putnam County Parks and Recreation Commission is looking for instructors to teach classes. If anyone has a trade and would like to teach a class, contact the park office at 304-562-0518, ext. 10.
Utility Assistance: If you are having a problem with a utility company and been unable to resolve the problem, the Public Service Commission of West Virginia maintains a staff of consumer affairs technicians who can answer questions and may be able to help. For more information, call 1-800-642-8544 or log on to www.psc.state.wv.us.
Huntington's Disease Support: A peer-led Huntington's Disease support group meets from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the second Saturday of each month in the East Conference Room at St. Francis Hospital, 333 Laidley St., Charleston. The group is for patients, families, caregivers and those at risk. For more information, call 304-549-3266 or e-mail debarm@suddenlink.net.
Cub Scouts: Cub Scout Pack 586 meets on Tuesdays in the Eleanor First Baptist Church on W.Va. 62, Eleanor. Meetings include games, character-building exercises and other activities. For more information, call Cub Master Glen Armstrong, 304-586-1157.
NHAR Meetings: New Hope Animal Rescue (formerly the Putnam County Humane Society) meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. at its thrift store, Paws and Shop, 2806 Putnam Ave. in Hurricane. NHAR is a nonprofit, no-kill animal rescue. The group is seeking new members, volunteers, foster homes or anyone who would like to help. Call 304-562-0300 for more information.
Literacy Training: Literacy Volunteers of Putnam County offers a free training session to provide the skills needed to become a literacy volunteer and aid adults in improving their basic academic skills. To find out more, call 304-757-1550.
Landlords: The West Virginia Landlords Association meets at Little Creek Country Club in South Charleston every second Thursday of the month from 6 to 7 p.m. (Social Hour) and 7 p.m. for dinner and a guest speaker. For more information, call 304-342-4343 or visit www.wvlandlords.com
Dunbar Center Services: The Dunbar Center is a Marshall University teaching clinic offering the community a broad range of mental health wellness and psychological testing services. In addition to therapeutic counseling, student-professionals-in-training provide a full range of psychological testing to people with concerns about relationships, school issues, self-image, time management, career guidance, stress and coping and more. The clinic provides supervised counseling and psychological testing to children, teens, adults, couples, groups and families. It is located at 1213 Ohio Ave., off Stewart Plaza, in Dunbar and is open from 1 to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday for appointments. The clinic accepts calls between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday. Call 304-766-2674, option 3, for more information.
Winfield Building Rental: The Winfield Lions Club building is available to rent for showers, birthday parties and other functions. Overlooking the Kanawha River, with an outdoor grilling area and picnic space available, the building is air-conditioned, has a complete kitchen and seats up to 50. For rates and more information, call 304-755-5539.
European Trip: A 10-day trip to Poland, Hungary and Berlin, Germany, is being arranged for May 25. Cost is $2,900 per person. For more details, contact Gloria Swecker at 304-965-1993.
Milton Golf League: Milton Baptist Church has a golf league which plays on Thursday evenings, with starting times from 4 to 6 p.m. You do not have to be a member of Milton Baptist to participate. To sign up, contact Bill Sanders at 304-743-3969 or e-mail marilans@verizon.net
Caregiver Support: The Family Caregiver Support Program offers support, training and relief to those providing full-time caregiving for a loved one. Services include in-home respite and counseling. Putnam Aging, the West Virginia Bureau of Senior Services and the Metro Area Agency on Aging sponsor the program. For more information, contact Sally Halstead, 304-562-9451.
Henson Senior Center: The John Henson Senior Center is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Lunch is served daily at 11:30 a.m. Regular activities include rook, spades, dominoes and pool daily; preventive exercise with Wilma Bennett, 10:15 a.m. Monday and Wednesday; Fit Start, provided by the YMCA, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Monday and Wednesday; crafts with Glenda Black, 10 a.m. Tuesday; and line dancing, 1 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. The center also offers in-home respite to caregivers of all seniors 60 and older and caregivers who are caring for those of all ages diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or other dementia. The center is also available to rent on evenings and weekends. For more information, contact Sally Halstead at 304-562-9451.
Infant Care Classes: Once a month, FamilyCare offers a two-hour class to help new parents learn to care and feed their newborn babies. Topics include diapering, swaddling, SIDS prevention, bathing, signs of illness, cord and circumcision care, breastfeeding and more. To register, call Debi Ellis at 304-757-6999, ext. 80, or e-mail Debi.ellis@familycarewv.org.
Childbirth Education Classes: FamilyCare offers ongoing childbirth education classes in the Teays Valley area. These classes discuss birth options, the labor process, medications and more. This class series meets for four Mondays each month from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Registration is required, and Medicaid patients are welcome. To register, contact Debi Ellis at 304-757-6999, ext 80, or Debi.ellis@familycarewv.org.
Moms/Tots Playgroup: Teays Valley Moms and Tots offer weekly activities for children 4 and younger, as well as monthly Mom's Night Outs for mothers. For more information, e-mail tvmomstots@yahoo.com.
Expectant Parents' Program: The CAMC Family Resource Center conducts a "Becoming a Family" program at CAMC Teays Valley Hospital. Programs, services and classes are designed to help expectant parents gain as much information as possible on parenthood. Attendees (including family and friends, depending on the nature of the class) will leave feeling supported and more confident during the process. The program includes special classes on preparing for childbirth, preparing siblings, pediatric CPR, breastfeeding, infant massage and pregnancy massage (for couples). Contact the hospital for more details.
Hometown Space Rental: The Hometown Senior Center is available for rental for showers, birthday parties and other social functions. Reasonably priced, the center has catering available and its dining room seats 75. For reservations or more details, call 304-586-2745.
Dog Walkers: Volunteers are needed to walk dogs at the Putnam Animal Relief Shelter. Call 304-444-0060 to learn more.
Breastfeeding Classes: International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant Tina Mullins offers private breastfeeding classes to expectant families. Four to eight hours in length, the classes are tailored to individual needs. They offer expectant families the education needed to make informed decisions on infant feeding. To sign up or receive more information, call 304-542-3680.
NWC Event Planning: The Nitro Woman's Club can assist in the planning and staging of special events (weddings, meetings, receptions, birthdays, etc.). Call 304-755-9091 or 304-727-7801.