ARTS

The Southside Players will present “Anything Goes” at 7 p.m. March 14-15 and 21-22 and at 8 p.m. March 16 and 23 at South Forsyth High School. All seats are $10. For more information, go online at www.sfhsperformingarts.com.

The Clinton Gregory Bluegrass Band will be performing live at 8 p.m. March 15 at Sawnee Mountain Music, 1540 Dahlonega Hwy. For more information, go online at www.sawneemountainmusic.net or call (770) 887-7635.

The Sawnee Artist Association will have its annual exhibit, “March Art Madness,” from noon to 6 p.m. March 15 and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. March 16 at the Central Park rec center, 2300 Keith Bridge Road. For more information, go online at www.sawneeart.org.

RISPA Theatrical Productions will present “Seussical the Musical” from March 14-24 at Louchiey Theatre, 14155 Hwy. 9 in Milton, near the Forsyth County line. For more information, call (678) 620-3500 or go online at www.rispa.net.

The Cumming Playhouse Singers will present “Celtic Voices” at 8 p.m. March 26 at the playhouse, 101 School St. For more information, call (770) 781-9178 or go online at www.playhousecumming.com.

The North Georgia Barbershop Singers will perform an a cappella four-part harmony at 8 p.m. March 28 at the Cumming Playhouse, 101 School St. For more information or to purchase tickets, (770) 781-9178.

Forsyth Pipe and Drum is a group of bagpipers and drummers looking for additional members. The group performs a number of annual shows, including a 9/11 tribute, the Christmas parade and St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Savannah. For more information, call Tony Chapman at (770) 359-9873.

CHILDREN

CIVIC CLUBS

The Kiwanis Club of Cumming meets at noon each Wednesday at Golden Corral on Market Place Boulevard. For more information, go online at www.cummingkiwanis.org or call Mike Burns at (404) 771-6582.

The Cumming Civitan Club meets at 11:45 a.m. the first and third Thursday of each month at the Golden Corral on Market Place Boulevard. For more information, call Ann Raines at (770) 887-3778.

The Forsyth-Cumming Optimist Club meets at 7 a.m. Thursdays at Northside Hospital Forsyth, Bennett Training Room, 1400 Building. Breakfast is served, and each week the group has a speaker. For more information, go online at www.forsythcummingoptimistclub.com.

The Forsyth County Lions Club meets at 7 p.m. the first and third Tuesday of each month at the Golden Corral on Market Place Boulevard. For more information, call Diane O’Shields at (770) 893-4411 or go online at www.forsythcountylions.org.

The Rotary Club of Johns Creek meets at 12:15 p.m. every Monday at Johns Creek Baptist Church, 6910 McGinnis Ferry Road.

North Forsyth 400 Rotary Club meets at noon every Tuesday at Coal Mountain Park Community Center, 3560 Setting Down Road. For more information, contact Clayton Rhoads, membership chairman, at (678) 513-1864.

DONATIONS

Home heating assistance for low-income elderly (all residents of home) and the disabled is available. When applying for assistance, applicants must provide proof of age, Social Security cards and written proof of income for all household members. For more information call Pam Morris or Mary Estep at (770) 889-9420 or e-mail pam.morris@ndocsbg.org. More information also can be found online at www.ndo.org.

The Place of Forsyth County has a food pantry for residents in need Monday through Saturday, as well as a meal at noon Wednesdays. Photo ID and proof of residency needed. For times, call (770) 887-1098.

Venturing Crew 39 has constructed an aluminum can collection trailer that’s open to community recycling. It is behind the Cumming Kiwanis Club building at 417 Pilgrim Mill Road in Cumming.

Helping Hands Partners, an organization assisting Forsyth County families, is in need for its empty food pantry. Food and household items are needed. Residents may drop off donations at 523 Veterans Memorial Blvd. or call for pick up. For more information, call (404) 545-5721 or (678) 341-8075.

Cumming Elementary will have a recycle rally from 9 a.m. to noon the second Saturday of each month at the school, 540 Dahlonega Hwy. Bring aluminum cans, plastic bottles and other recyclables.

PIER Thrift and Consignment Center is accepting lightly used items from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays at 5185 Browns Bridge Road. For more information, go online at www.pierfoundation.org.

EDUCATION

AARP Driver Safety will have a two-day class from 1-4 p.m. March 14-15 and a one-day class from 8:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 23 at Northside Hospital Forsyth. Those who complete the course (age 25 and up), may be eligible for an insurance discount. Bring a sack lunch. Coffee will be provided. Registration is $14 for non-members and $12 for AARP members with card. To register, call Ralph Szweda at (770) 343-9500.

Cumming Police Department will present “Refuse to be a Victim,” an educational seminar that teaches methods to avoid dangerous situations and prevent criminal activity, from 5:30-9:30 p.m. March 27 and Sept. 27 at the Castleberry Building, 301 Veterans Memorial Blvd. The seminar, appropriate for teenagers and those older, is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required. Go to http://www.CummingPD.net to register. Student materials will be provided.

FUNDRAISERS

Creekside MOPS will have its spring consignment fundraiser from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 8 and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 9, with a $5 preview sale from 8-9 p.m. March 7. The event will be at 673 Peachtree Pkwy. For more information, go online at www.creekside.net.

Boy Scout Troop 62 is holding a pine straw sale through March 4. Bales are $4.25 with a 10-bale minimum. Delivery will be March 9. For more information, call David Hagle at (770) 888-0094.

Forsyth County Master Gardeners will hold the 2013 Plant Sale from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 22 and 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 23 at the Cumming Fairgrounds. A range of plants, such as perennials, trees, shrubs and vegetables, will be available for purchase. Expert information on planting, growing and caring for plants will also be available. For more information, visit http://fcmg.sharepoint.com.

Whispering Hope will have its annual fundraising gala, “The Great Turnaround,” at 6:30 p.m. April 16 at First Redeemer Church, 2100 Peachtree Pkwy. Presenter for the evening will be national pro-life speaker Susan Baldwin. To RSVP, call (770) 889-8302 or go online at www.supportwhisperinghope.org.

The Sawnee Optimist Club’s annual golf tournament will be May 3 at Hampton Golf Village in Cumming. Proceeds will benefit Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Entries are due April 12. For more information, call Russ Thomas at (678) 997-0013.

The annual Hike 4 Hyde to benefit children with atypical HUS will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 20 at Sawnee Mountain Preserve Park, 4075 Spot Road. There will be food, a bounce house and giant slide, face painting and more. For more information, go online at www.hike3hyde.com.

LEISURE

The Sawnee Mountain chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation will have its 15thannual banquet at 6 p.m. March 12 at the Forsyth Conference Center, 3410 Ronald Reagan Blvd. There will be silent and live auctions and much more. For tickets or more information, call (770) 654-7548 or e-mail nwtf@comcast.net.

Age Well Forsyth offers trips for local seniors:

• May 6-8 in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. — Hatfield-McCoy dinner show, Smoky Mountian Opry, and more

• Sept. 9-13 to Memphis, Tenn., and Tunica, Miss. — Graceland tour, Tunica Museum and more

• March 15-23, 2014, to Costa Rica — Informational meeting at 2 p.m. May 20 at 133 Samaritan Drive.

For more information on any of the trips, call (404) 245-7949.

The Forsyth County High School Class of 1982 is in search of e-mail addresses of its graduates. A 30-year reunion is being planned for March 16 at the Polo Fields, with a pre-reunion get-together March 15. E-mail boulwarp@bellsouth.net with all contact information for graduates. For more information on the event, contact Betsy Hulsey Lively at (678) 207-7249 or betsy2564@msn.com.

Forsyth County Parks and Recreation has released its spring activity guide, featuring details on athletics, camps, classes and more. For more information, go online at www.forsythco.com/parks.

The Humane Society of Forsyth County No-Kill Shelter has a new adoption venue for dogs at Lakewood 400 Antiques Market, 1321 Atlanta Hwy. Dog and cat adoptions are also held at PetSmart and PetCo, with additional cat adoption locations at Rucker Pet & Wild Bird and Pooch and Paws. To preview the animals or for adoption times, go online at www.forsythpets.org/adopt.

The Sounds of Sawnee Concert Band is looking for musicians to join. There are no auditions and no dues. The group rehearses from 7:30-9:30 p.m. every Monday at First Baptist Church of Cumming, 1597 Sawnee Drive. For more information, go online at www.soundsofsawnee.com or call Harold at (770) 889-0866.

MEETINGS

Preceptor Alpha Gamma chapter of Beta Sigma Phi will meet at 7 p.m. March 12 at the home of Veronica Spellman, who will present “Celebrating Woman’s History Among Friends.” For more information, go online at www.betasigmaphi.org.

The Democratic Women of Forsyth County will meet at 7 p.m. March 14 at Windermere Golf Club, 5000 Davis Love Drive. For more information, contact Mary Chatfield at (770) 887-1106.

The Forsyth County Newcomers and Women’s Club will have its monthly luncheon at 11 a.m. March 21 at Windermere Golf Club, 5000 Davis Love Drive. For more information, contact Mary Beth Magallanes at (770) 888-3758 or marybeth.magallanes@gmail.com. Visit the club’s Web site at www.newcomersclubofforsyth.org.

Leadership Forsyth, an education program that develops community leaders, will have a series of free informational sessions to those interested in learning more:

• March 14 — 8 a.m., Forsyth Conference Center, 3410 Ronald Reagan Blvd.

• March 20 — 12:30 p.m., Northside Hospital-Forsyth, Bennett Education Center

• March 28 — 5 p.m., Forsyth County Board of Education, Room 350, 1120 Dahlonega Hwy.

For more information, contact Tammi Bramblett at tammi@leadershipforsyth.org.

The Chestatee River chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution meet at 3 p.m. the second Sunday of each month at the Forsyth County Public Safety Complex on Setting Down Road. For more information, call (678) 513-6127.

VOLUNTEER

AARP Tax-Aide has certified volunteers to assist in tax preparation. Assistance will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays through April 9 at the Central Park rec center, 2300 Keith Bridge Road. No reservations needed, but you must bring last year’s return along with all necessary 2012 documents. For more information, call Pete Rodda at (678) 807-7832 or Ron Boggs at (770) 846-4363.

Treat the Troops Southern Style will send comfort food to soldiers overseas at 7 p.m. April 25 and June 27 at the VFW Post 9143, 1045 Dahlonega Hwy. Please bring homemade cookies (6 per baggy), as well as candy, shippable food items, travel-sized toiletries and more. For more information, e-mail lktjones@bellsouth.net or go online at www.treatthetroops.org.

Meal sponsors are needed for specific Wednesday Noon Day Meals in 2013. Current openings are: April 10, 24; May 1, 8, 29; July 3, 10, 24, 31; Aug. 7; Sept. 4, 11, 25; Oct. 2, 23; and Dec. 4. If your group is interested in providing the meal for about 100 residents and serving and cleaning up, call Sandy or Ruth at The Place of Forsyth County at (770) 887-1098.

The Place of Forsyth County is in need of volunteers with SUVs or vans to help with a weekly food box run from The Place to a church on Majors Road. A team is needed each Saturday. Please call Ashley, Ruth or Sandy at (770) 887-1098 to reserve a spot.

Family Haven, a nonprofit organization supporting victims of domestic violence, has moved its thrift store from Canton Highway to City Shops, 598 Veterans Memorial Blvd. The thrift store also is in need of volunteers. For more information, call (770) 844-0842.

World Heritage Student Exchange Program is seeking local host families for international students for the 2012-13 school year. For more information, contact Roxanne Lawson at (770) 833-5717 or go online at www.whhosts.com.

PIER Thrift and Consignment Center, 5185 Browns Bridge Road, is in need of volunteers from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. The store is a nonprofit group that trains and employs adults with disabilities. For more information, go online at www.pierfoundation.org.

Forsyth County Senior Services is looking for volunteers for Alzheimer's disease respite care. The service is for those with the disease or other types of dementia. The Sunshine Club meets from 11:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Monday through Friday at Forsyth County Senior Services, 595 Dahlonega Hwy. Volunteers assist staff with activities including games, music, crafts and exercise. For more information, call Jim Yarbrough at (770) 781-2178.

Hands On Forsyth is seeking volunteers for its many opportunities in Forsyth County. For more information, go online at www.handsonforsyth.org or call Kerry or Sean at (770) 205-1701.

Ongoing Events

The 82ndAirborne Division Association is looking for members who have served in the military and are airborne qualified. For more information, call Gary Weller at (678) 943-1935.

The Cumming Sunset Quilters is open to anyone interested in joining them at 7 p.m. the second Thursday of each month in Northside Hospital-Forsyth’s Building 1400. For more information, call (770) 889-9471.

The Forsyth County Beekeepers Club meets at 6:30 p.m. every fourth Thursday of the month at the Sawnee Mountain Preserve off Spot Road. Anyone is invited to attend and learn more. For more information, go online at www.forsythbeekeepersclub.org or contact Palmer Hafner at pshpride@comcast.net or (678) 315-5111.

The Cumming Garden Club meets at 10 a.m. the second Tuesday of every month at Cumming Baptist Church in the fireside room, 115 Church St. For more information, call (770) 844-7061.

Navigators Toastmasters meets at 7:30 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at St. Brendan’s Spiritual Life Center off Shiloh Road. For more information, call (404) 597-7612 or e-mail paxtonfinancial@bellsouth.net.

Baby Boomers of Cumming and North Fulton is a group of married couples who enjoy social activities like dinner, theater, trivia and more. For more information, e-mail boomercouples@gmail.com.

The Toastmasters Community Voice invites guests to learn how to effectively communicate in a business, family or social environment. It meets from 6:45-8 p.m. Mondays at the Holiday Inn Express meeting room off Ga. 400’s Exit 14. Visitors are always welcome. For more information, go online at http://communityvoice.freetoasthost.com.

Garden of Empowerment, a nonprofit organization with the purpose of empowering separated, divorced and widowed women to move forward with their lives, is celebrating its 10th anniversary. For more information, go online at www.gardenofempowerment.org.

FairTax Forsyth meets the last Monday of the month at the Golden Corral in Cumming. Dinner and social time will be from 6-7 p.m., with the meeting from 7-8:15 p.m. For more information, call Dave Andrews at (404) 510-2306.

The North Georgia Barbershop Singers is a member of the Barbershop Harmony Society and has grown to 33 men who love to sing. The group welcomes new members to visit from 7-9:30 p.m. Tuesdays at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 1125 Bettis Tribble Gap Road.

Toastmasters of Forsyth County fosters self-confidence and personal growth in a mutually supportive environment. Bi-monthly meetings are from 6:45-8 p.m. the second and fourth Thursday at Midway United Methodist Church, 5025 Atlanta Hwy. Guests are always welcome. For more information, go online at www.forsythtoastmasters.org or call Mary or Steve Williams at (770) 887-8478.

Hand-Me-Rounds Thrift Shop, 102 Buford Dam Road, is a drop-off point for the American Cancer Society Wig Drive. Store hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. on Sundays. For more information, call Ginny Nunnally at (770) 316-4612.

The Humane Society of Forsyth County No-Kill Shelter Thrift Store, 168 Tri-County Plaza, is open and accepting donations from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. The thrift store has a variety of items for sale, often marked down over time. For more information, visit www.forsythpets.org or call (770) 889-1365, Ext. 8.

The Holistic Moms Network meets the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Land of a Thousand Hills Coffeehouse, 5095 Post Road, with informational speakers, yoga groups, and play groups for mothers interested in holistic health and green livng. For more information, e-mail Ann Linke at holisticmomforsyth@yahoo.com, or visit www.holisticmoms.org.

The Sounds of Sawnee Community Band rehearses from 7:30-9:30 p.m. every Monday evening at First Baptist Church of Cumming, 1597 Sawnee Drive. All players are welcome. There are no auditions and no dues. All band instruments and all ages are welcome. In January we will be beginning rehearsals for the Celtic concert March 12-13. For more information, go online at www.soundsofsawnee.com or call Garth at (770) 205-6000.

Newborns in Need Cumming chapter meets from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. the fourth Tuesday of each month at Deer Creek Shores Presbyterian Church, 7620 Lanier Drive. Men and women who can sew, knit, crochet or just cut out and stack fabric are wanted to participate. The group makes various baby items for premature newborns and families in economic need. Donations of money or supplies are also accepted and are tax-deductible. For more information, contact Marlene Baker at (770) 781-8303.

Stitches from the Heart needs volunteers to knit, crochet or quilt blankets, little sweaters and hats for babies in need. These items are donated to hospitals all over the country. Patterns available. Donated yarn for seniors also appreciated. Call (877) 985-9212 or go online at www.stitchesfromtheheart.org.

The Piecemakers Quilt Guild has its monthly business meeting the second Tuesday of each month; the Sewcialbee is the fourth Tuesday. Both meetings are at 12:30 p.m. at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 1125 Bettis-Tribble Gap Road. Membership is open to all interested in quilting.

The Forsyth County CERT, Community Emergency Response Team, is looking for volunteers who would like to learn how they can help the community in an emergency. Classes will be held Thursday evenings. Class participants will learn how to help themselves, their families and their communities during times of crisis. For more information, call Chuck Stoudt at (404) 520-9100 or e-mail chuckstoudt@yahoo.com.

Free community classes from 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesdays are at North Lanier Baptist Church, 829 Atlanta Hwy. Classes are scheduled conveniently at the same time as our Awana Club for children. Classes include quilting, "GriefShare," "First Place weight loss," "He Speaks to Me" and "Hope & Help for the Single Mom." For more information or to register, call (770) 781-5433 or go online at www.northlanier.org.

Venturing Crew 39 combines high adventure activities with character development and life skills for those ages 14 to 21. The outdoor group is sponsored by the Cumming Kiwanis Club. For more information, call Carol at (678) 575-4852.

The Cumming Kiwanis Club, a community service organization serving the needs of children in the community, meets at noon the first through third Wednesdays of each month and at 6 p.m. the fourth Thursday at the Kiwanis Building, 417 Pilgrim Mill Road. All meetings and events are open to the public. Join them for lunch or dinner and a variety of guest speakers each week. For more information, go online at www.cummingkiwanis.org or call (770) 713-0502.

Lanier Jaycees, the U.S. Junior Chamber Forsyth County Chapter, is an organization of motivated and ambitious young professionals who develop management and professional skills through community projects. All professionals ages 21-39 can join at noon the first Tuesday of each month at United Community Bank, 1015 Buford Hwy. For more information, call Bert Durand at (706) 974-8754.

Free food for those in need will be provided from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the fourth Monday of every month at Freedom Tabernacle, 2160 Freedom Pkwy.

The Place of Forsyth County provides a weekly Wednesday noon meal and a monthly senior luncheon in Forsyth County. (The luncheons supplement their surplus and food pantry.) Sponsors are needed. The organization's objective is to ensure that no one in the community goes hungry. Call Sandy at (770) 887-1098, Ext. 225, to reserve a luncheon date.

Angel's Closet Inc. is a free clothing boutique for women, children and young men. It has clothes in all sizes and is open Tuesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Angel's Closet is on the second floor of the Juvenile Justice Center at 875 Lanier 400. Volunteers and donations are needed. Appointments only, no drop-offs please. For more information, call (770) 489-8000.

Hope for the Hungry distributes food through Concord Baptist Church from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every fourth Thursday of each month in the Family Life Center. Please call the church office at (770) 887-9482 for more information.

Forsyth County Sheriff's Office Citizens' Law Enforcement Academy is a free, nine-week course that meets from 7-10 p.m. on consecutive Mondays. The academy is open to all Forsyth County residents, employees and business owners and provides students with hands-on training and law enforcement knowledge. The course is run by the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office, and all instructors in this program are Forsyth County Sheriff's Office employees. Applications can be downloaded at www.forsythsheriff.org and mailed to Deputy Courtney Spriggs, (770) 205-4547.

The Happy Knotters is a group that makes fleece blankets for newly admitted hospice patients. It meets from 9 a.m.-noon the fourth Saturday of every month. Anyone interested in fellowship, laughter and a worthy cause is invited to join. No sewing experience is necessary. Donations are also accepted to help cover expenses of materials. Contact the Rev. Kathie Stasko at (770) 887-2900, Ext. 224, or kstasko@cfumcga.com to join the group or for more information.

The Forsyth Amateur Radio Technical Society meets at noon every Thursday at Lenny's Sub shop next to PetSmart. All amateur radio operators and people interested in amateur radio are invited. For information, call Jerry Adams at W4PX at (678) 831-0110.

Atlanta Woodturners Guild meets from 7-9 p.m. the third Wednesday of every month at Woodcraft Store, 1085 Holcomb Bridge Road. Call David Martin at (770) 891-1686 or visit www.atlantawoodturnersguild.org for more information.

The Forsyth County Rug Hookers meets from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. two Fridays a month at the Sharon Forks branch of the Forsyth County Public Library. Bring a lunch. For specific dates, call Elaine Zimney at (770) 781-5255.