The Gordon Gazette updates the Community Calendar three times per week. The Community Calendar is a listing of events in Calhoun-Gordon County that the Gordon Gazette provides as free content.

If you'd like an event added, please email the information to staff@gordongazettega.com and we will add it free of charge!

ONGOING

VETERANS COFFEE TIME EACH FRIDAY AT THE CALHOUN-GORDON COUNTY LIBRARY: Veterans coffee hour is every Friday at 10:30 a.m. at the Calhoun-Gordon County Library, located at 100 North Park Avenue in downtown Calhoun. Veterans are invited to enjoy coffee and chat in a relaxed environment.

PARKINSON'S SUPPORT GROUP: Bradley Wellness Center (BWC), 1225 Broadrick Drive in Dalton, is beginning a Parkinson’s Support Group on Oct. 2. Whether you are newly diagnosed, a long-term fighter or a caregiver, this group can help. The sessions will include tips, resources and encouragement to help with daily life. The meetings will be held in the upstairs classroom at BWC from noon to 1 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month. Please call 706-278-9355 to register.

SILVER SNEAKERS CLASS EACH TUESDAY AND FRIDAY: Make sure to join in on this fun Silver Sneakers class every Tuesday and Friday mornings at 9am. Silver Sneakers is a fitness and wellness program offered to seniors that helps you get active, stay fit, and connect with others. Some insurance plans cover the class, however anyone is welcome for a price of $4 per class.

For more information visit call 706-629-2599.

HAMILTON HOSPICE GRIEF & BEREAVEMENT GROUP EVERY FOURTH THURSDAY OF THE MONTH: Hamilton Hospice will begin a new grief and bereavement group every fourth Thursday of the month. The group meets from 12 noon - 1 p.m. at the Dalton-Whitfield County Library, 310 Cappes Street, Dalton.

MUSIC LESSONS AT HARRIS ARTS CENTER: The Harris Arts Center is offering a variety of music lessons with Lauren Talley and Stephen Hare. For more information call the Harris Arts Center, 706-629-2599.

BREAST CANCER SUPPORT GROUP AT PEEPLES CANCER INSTITUTE: The local Breast Cancer Support Group will meet on the first Thursday of each month from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Peeples Cancer Institute (1215 Memorial Drive in Dalton) conference room. If you have questions, please call 706-226-8966.

ATRIUM HEALTH FLOYD HOLDING STROKE SURVIVOR SUPPORT GROUP: Stroke survivors and caregivers can find support, camaraderie and education during a free monthly support group organized by Atrium Health Floyd. The Stroke Survivor Support Group will meet the first Thursday of each month at noon at Suite 101, 304 Shorter Ave., Rome. The first meeting will take place Nov. 6. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet other stroke survivors, share experiences and learn how they can better navigate daily living. Topics include: – general stroke education – nutrition – disease management – physical therapy
– occupational therapy – speech therapy – spiritual support – emotional wellbeing – community – resources – peer support

For more information or to attend, contact Merrell at 706-509-5994. Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center is designated as a Primary Stroke Center by The Joint Commission. The certification recognizes that the hospital has critical elements to achieve long-term success in improving outcomes for stroke patients.

HARRIS ARTS CENTER TO OFFER MAKE & MINGLE MONDAYS: The Harris Arts Center is thrilled to announce their latest art offering! Every fourth Monday, the Arts Center will host their Make & Mingle class! This is your opportunity to work on whatever project you've got going on -- whether it's drawing, painting, crotchet, stitching, sewing, writing…you name it! Bring your materials and chat with other local artists and makers. You might even bounce ideas off one another. Don't have anything to work on but still want to socialize? That's perfect -- there is always something crafty to be done around the Harris Arts Center! This is completely free, however storage and supplies are not offered. Bring what you need and take what you brought! Don't miss out on this fun (& FREE) new avenue. The first Make & Mingle class will be on March 25th from 10 a.m. until Noon.

FOOD CITY PHARMACY OFFERS SEASONAL FLU SHOT: Company officials recently announced that area Food City Pharmacy locations will once again be providing the flu vaccine this immunization season. Seasonal flu vaccine provides protection against the most common strains of influenza. Vaccinations are available on a walk-up basis at Food City immunizing pharmacies and will continue throughout flu season, based upon vaccine availability. Visit foodcity.com for a complete list of immunizing locations.

SOCKS & TOBOGGANS DRIVE UNDERWAY ACROSS CALHOUN: Calhoun’s Historic GEM Theatre is hosting a Socks and Toboggans Donation Drive, collecting new socks and hats to help local community members in need stay warm this winter.

Donations can be dropped off at any of the following locations: Calhoun Aquatic Center, Pickleball 706, Wolves Den Barbell Club, Calhoun Coffee Club, Cassie’s on Wall Street, Cheyenne’s Boutique, Gift of Season, Pete’s Music City, and Tot Roost & Teens. More locations may be added to this list, so stay tuned. You can also bring donations to the first two movies in The GEM Theatre’s FREE Christmas Movie Series - “The Year Without a Santa Claus” on November 22 and “The Polar Express” on November 23, both at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Those who donate at these showings will receive a free popcorn as a thank-you.

PUBLIC CAN NOW RECYCLE CANS AT GCF&R RANGER STATION TO ‘GIVE BURNS THE BOOT’: Gordon County Fire & Rescue’s Station 10 in Ranger invites the public to recycle their aluminum cans in the trailer outside of the station, located at 131 US-411, Ranger, to help the ‘Give Burns The Boot’ campaign through the Georgia Firefighter Burn Association. “Give Burns The Boot” is an annual campaign in which more than 100 fire departments throughout the State join together and collect funds to benefit the organization’s mission and programs. The trailer will be a permanent fixture at the fire station.

NOVEMBER 2025

GNTC ANNOUNCES FREE APPLICATION MONTH FOR SPRING 2026 SEMESTER: Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) will host a Free Application Month throughout November to help those who are seeking to enroll in the spring semester.

Through Nov. 30, GNTC will waive the $25 application fee for all incoming students. Applicants should enter the code FREEAPP26 (all capital letters) to waive the fee. The admissions deadline for the spring semester is Nov. 24; applications completed after Nov. 28 will be eligible to enroll for Term C of the spring semester. Classes are scheduled to begin on Jan. 12. GNTC’s call center is available Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., at 866-983-4682. For more information on applying for the spring semester, visit GNTC’s main webpage at www.gntc.edu and click “Apply Now.” For any questions about GNTC’s Free Application Month, contact the Office of Admissions at 866-983-4682 or via email at admissions@gntc.edu.

HARRIS ARTS CENTER’S FESTIVAL OF TREES BEGINS NOVEMBER 3RD!!! The 21st Annual Festival of Trees Silent Auction Fundraiser is almost here! Mark your calendars — bidding opens NEXT Monday, November 3 and runs through Saturday, December 7! Experience the magic of the season both online and in the Harris Arts Center galleries, where dozens of beautifully decorated trees, wreaths and holiday centerpieces await your bids. Visit www.32auctions.com/HarrisArtsCenter to bid online, or 212 South Wall Street in downtown Calhoun to bid in person!

CHS MARCHING YELLOW JACKETS TO HOLD COMMUNITY PERFORMANCE, FAREWELL CELEBRATION FOR LARRY BROWN: Come out November 6th for a special night as the Calhoun Marching Yellow Jackets present their annual Community Performance. This will also be a very special night as the band honors Mr. Larry Brown on his retirement. The program would especially love to invite any former band students of Mr. Brown and band alumni to come out and participate in a special performance at the end of the band’s show. Any questions can be directed to CalhounBandBoosters@outlook.com. A SignUp genius link will be sent out soon for all participants to RSVP to in order for us to have enough music prepared.

ADVENTHEALTH GORDON HOSTING FREE LUNG CANCER SCREENINNG NOV. 8: AdventHealth Gordon is hosting a FREE lung cancer screening event on National Lung Cancer Screening Day, Saturday, Nov. 8, from 8 am to 4:30 pm, at the AdventHealth Harris Radiation Therapy Center. This event is for community members without insurance coverage who qualify for screening, offering a critical opportunity for early detection against the leading cause of cancer deaths. AdventHealth Gordon is designated as a Lung Cancer Screening Center by the American College of Radiology (ACR), and the staff is committed to providing safe, effective care for individuals at high risk. The accreditation demonstrates the hospital’s adherence to high standards of diagnostic care. For those at high risk, especially current or former smokers, early detection through screening is key to improving survival rates.

Criteria for receiving a FREE lung cancer screening:

• Adults aged 50 to 77

• 20-pack a year smoking history

• Currently smoke OR have quit within the past 15 years

• No insurance coverage

Spaces are limited, and registration is required to participate in this free screening event. To register, please call 706-879-5850.

MORNING STAR LODGE TO HOST FAIRMOUNT'S HOMETOWN CHRISTMAS JUBILEE ON SATURDAY, NOV. 8: Join Morning Star Lodge for Fairmount's Hometown Christmas Jubilee on Saturday, Nov. 8, from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Tate Park in downtown Fairmount. Crafts, Food, Music....and SANTA! Bring your cameras for free pics! Vendor spots available; contact Kim Patterson at 706-273-6647 for more details!

CHS BASEBALL TO HOST FIRST EVER DINKS & DINGERS PICKLEBALL WORLD SERIES: The Calhoun Yellow Jackets Baseball program is thrilled to announce our First Annual Dinks & Dingers Pickleball World Series, taking place on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at Pickleball 706. This exciting event benefits the Calhoun Home Run Club. This baseball style pickleball event day kicks off with bracket team play starting at 9 a.m., marked by the ceremonial “first pitch.” Following the initial round, open play begins around 11:30 a.m., welcoming players of all skill levels to join in the fun. Not a pickleball player? No problem! The event offers plenty of entertainment for everyone. The community can enjoy a variety of raffle baskets, featuring prizes like a putting green, BBQ smoker, Braves memorabilia, and much, much more. Test your luck and skill in the Agility Triple Play Challenge—compete in dink, volley, or speed serve contests for a chance to win a $50 gift card. Enjoy classic baseball-style concessions, including hot dogs, popcorn, and sodas. To gear up for the big day, Pickleball 706 will host Spring Training Clinics on:

· Saturday, November 1 | 7–9 p.m.

· Sunday, November 2 | 4–6 p.m.

For registration for bracket play, scan the QR code, for additional information visit http://Pickleball706.com, call 706-383-6460, or email calhounhomerunclub@gmail.com.

MORNING POINTE OF CALHOUN INVITES COMMUNITY TO SPECIAL EVENT: Morning Pointe of Calhoun Assisted Living and Memory Care invites the community to join them for “Stronger Together: Celebrating Our Morning Pointe Family” on Thursday, November 13, from 4–6 p.m. at 660 Jolly Road NW in Calhoun. The free, family-friendly event will bring together residents, families, associates, and friends for an evening of celebration, music, and community connection. Guests can enjoy live entertainment, a grazing table with desserts and refreshments, and fun for all ages—including face painting, coloring, and games.

SUPPORT GORDON COUNTY 4-H WITH A FARM-FRESH BOX FROM FRONT DOOR PRODUCE! There is still time to order your 20-pound box of produce to support Gordon County 4-H! It's Georgia Grown Produce coming straight to your door! Support Gordon County and Georgia 4-H while enjoying the best of fall’s harvest! To support local 4-H, simply order by Friday, November 7th, 2025 (no orders accepted after this date!), then pick up produce the Week of November 17 (more information will be published as date approaches). Each produce box includes a fresh, seasonal assortment of fall vegetables – a combination of items such as bell peppers, cucumbers, zucchini, yellow squash, corn, jalapeños, green beans and cabbage. Please note: contents will vary. Boxes are $30 each. For questions or to order, please call Gordon County 4-H at 706-629-8685

MISTLETOE MARKET ART AND CRAFT FESTIVAL TO BE HELD ON NOV. 15: Join the folks at Calhoun First Presbyterian Church, located at 829 Redbud Road in Calhoun, for their Mistletoe Market Art and Craft Festival on Saturday, Nov. 15 from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Vendors are now being accepted! Sign up with Tammy Foley at 770-548-5327 or tfoley1969@bellsouth.net.

CORN AND BEANS - TRADITIONAL CHEROKEE RECIPES AT NEW ECHOTA ON NOVEMBER 22: Rangers are going old school with this particular recipe, from "Cherokee Cooklore". Rangers will present a traditional Cherokee recipe in the middle-class cabin which is located behind the museum. From 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Admission fee required. Admission covers Ranger led programs, self guided tours, and guided site tours. $6-$8. 706-624-1321.

FEEDING THE NEEDY CALHOUN SEEKS DONATIONS, VOLUNTEERS FOR THIS YEAR'S THANKSGIVING EVENT: The 2nd annual Feeding the Needy Calhoun, a FREE Thanksgiving event for, not only those who are in need financially, but for anyone who is seeking fellowship and friendship during the holidays, is set to take place on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. The event will be held at Calhoun First United Methodist Church in the Christian Activities Center, 205 East Line Street. Those interested in volunteering at the event, please call Dr. Walter Harris at 706-263-4584. The time slots for the day are 8 – 11 a.m., 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., and 2 p.m. until the event is over. Volunteers are also needed the day prior, Nov. 26, for set-up and prep work. Anyone who would like to make a financial donation, make checks out to “Walter Harris” and add “Feeding the Needy Calhoun” in the memo line. Checks can be mailed to Feeding the Needy, 120 Yarbrough Street, Calhoun, Ga. 30701.

DECEMBER 2025

REGISTER NOW TO BUILD A SNOWMAN! The 3rd annual community-wide Snowman Building Competition will take place in December at the Calhoun Recreation Department, at 110 Recreation Drive in Calhoun. The Frost Fest Launch Party will be held on Friday, Dec. 5, from 4 - 7 p.m. with Food Trucks, Train Rides, Crafts and Free Family Fun! To register to build a snowman this year, visit ExploreCalhounGordon.com or call 706-625-3200.

CALHOUN'S CHRISTMAS PARADE OF LIGHTS TO BE HELD THURSDAY, DEC. 11: Dust off your boots and get ready to jingle all the way—western style! The 2025 Calhoun’s Christmas Parade of Lights rides into town on Thursday, December 11 at 7:00 PM, bringing holiday cheer to spectators of all ages. This year’s theme is Cowboy Christmas, and the streets of Calhoun will transform into a magical winter wonderland, complete with unforgettable floats decked in twinkling lights, festive decorations, and the joyful sounds of local school choirs filling the air. From cowboy hats to Christmas lights, it’s a holiday celebration you won’t want to miss—and yes, Santa Claus himself will be there, spreading cheer with his famous jolly wave! Hosted by the Northwest GA Regional Fair, Explore Calhoun–Gordon County, and Downtown Calhoun. Come join us and be part of Calhoun’s cherished holiday tradition—whether you’re watching from the sidewalk or riding in the parade, it’s going to be a night to remember!

Parade Route
The parade begins at Line Street and makes its way through downtown, ending at Oak Street.

Traffic Notice
North Wall Street will be closed to local traffic from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM for parade line-up. Please plan your route accordingly.
Want to be part of the parade?

Parade registration is now open! Secure your spot and help make this year’s event the best yet. Register here: https://bit.ly/45ICy2l