Submissions to the community calendar need to be in writing and arrive or be brought into The Mount Airy News office before 5 p.m. at least five days before the event should appear in the newspaper. Be sure to include the full name and address of the event; the time, day and date of the event; and a contact phone number in case our staff has any questions. Information may be mailed to: The Mount Airy News, 319 N. Renfro St., Mount Airy, NC 27030; faxed to 789-2816; or emailed to aeldridge@mtairynews.com.

Ongoing

n Dobson Rescue Squad Inc. hosts bingo with cash prizes every Saturday night starting in January. The bingo is at the Dobson Rescue Squad at U.S. 601 and Rockford Road. Early birds start at 5 p.m. Regular pack begins at 7 p.m. The late bingo depends on the number of players. The regular pack is nine games for $20. The players game is $5. A child pack, for children 13 and under, is $5. Concessions are sold on site by Dobson Rescue. For more information, call 374-4100.

n Jamming in Jamsburg in Lambsburg, Va., is held every Friday from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Community Center. Bluegrass, old-time, gospel and other types of music will be playing. Situated at the foot of the Sugar Loaf Mountain and surrounded by the mountains makes a beautiful backdrop for the jam. There’s plenty of space indoors and outdoors. There are concessions with the clean entertainment for the whole family. All musicians and music lovers are invited to come play, dance or just listen and enjoy. Admission is free, and concessions are available.

n The Surry Arts Council presents free fiddle, guitar and banjo lessons for kids downstairs at the Andy Griffith Playhouse every Thursday evening. Master musician Jim Vipperman teaches fiddle at 5:30 p.m., and guitar and banjo at 6:15 p.m. No sign-up required, instruments are available for use during the lessons. For more information, call 786-7998.

n A Jam Session will be held every Thursday from 7 to 10 p.m., free at the Andy Griffith Playhouse.

n A Jam Session will be held every Saturday from 9 to 11 am, free at the Downtown Cinema Theater.

n WPAQ 740 AM presents a live radio broadcast every Saturday from 11 am to 1:30 p.m. at the Downtown Cinema Theater.

n Every Thursday evening, the American Legion Post 123 hosts Bingo at the American Legion Hall at Veterans Park, 691 W. Lebanon St. in Mount Airy. Cash prizes total up to $2,400 being paid. Early Birds start at 6:30 p.m. and regular games start at 7 p.m. Doors open at 5 p.m. Free coffee is offered and drinks and snacks are sold. Everyone is welcome. For more information, call 710-7322.

n If you or a family member is struggling with substance abuse, help is a phone call away. Twin City Area Narcotics Anonymous Helpline is available 24 hours a day at (800) 365-1035 or at www.teana.org. Call or visit the Web site for meeting schedules and additional information. This is a 12-step recovery program.

n Catch a tribute to “The King” on the second Saturday of each month at the Andy Griffith Playhouse. Professional tribute artist Jimmy W. Johnson brings a unique Elvis performance. Showtime is 3 p.m. Prices for the shows are as follows: first 10 rows are $25, last 10 rows are $20, balcony seats are $15. Contact the Surry Arts Council to reserve tickets at 786-7998.

n The Ararat Ruritan Club, Va., has dances every Saturday from 7 to 10 p.m. Admission is $5. Children under 12 are free. For more information, call (276) 251-5436.

n The Disabled American Veterans meets the fourth Thursday of each month at the National Guard Armory in Mount Airy at 7 p.m. Meetings are open to all members and their families.

n Join the Foothills Arts Council for The Artists Forum on the first and third Thursdays of each month at 5:30 p.m. This is an informal artists group for anyone interested in exploring their creative side. These discussions are presented free at the FAC building, 129 Church St., Elkin. For more information, call 835-2025.

n The Woman’s Club of Mount Airy meets the fourth Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. The club is seeking new members. The Woman’s Club of Mount Airy is a member of the General Federation of Woman’s Clubs of North Carolina. It is a service organization which gives back to the community in many ways including scholarships for local students and projects around Surry County. Anyone interested in attending a meeting should contact Wendy at 786-5747.

n Clayworks is having open studio for ceramics in Elkin on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to noon on Front Street. This is for adults who would like studio time to work on their own projects with or without instruction. The cost is $145 for 12 sessions. Start any date, work on the project of your choosing. To register, call the Yadkin Valley Craft Guild at 835-2717. For more information, visit www.yadkinvalleycraftguild.org.

n Every Thursday, the Mount Airy Public Library will have Game Night at 6 p.m. The library will have games like Scrabble, Boggle, Uno, Life, Sorry, Yahtzee, Trivial Pursuit and other games available to play.

n The Beulah Ruritan Club will have a dance every Friday from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Admission is $5. Children under the age of 12 are free. For more information, call 352-3383.

n Meetings will be held each Thursday at Bojangles from 6 to 8 p.m. for those healing from a broken marriage.

n Jam sessions will be held every Friday from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Willis Gap Community Center. Jammers of all skill levels are invited to attend. Enjoy a night of fun, food, friends and fellowship while hearing bluegrass, old-time, country and gospel music. Admission is free.

n Mayberry Ballroom Dance of Carolina Heartland will have dances at Pro Health Fitness Center in Mount Airy on Nov. 14 and Dec. 12. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Lessons will be held from 7 to 7:45 p.m. and the dance will be from 7:45 to 10:30 p.m. Visitors are $8, USA Dance Members are $5 and full-time students are $3. Beverages will be provide but bring a snack. For more information, call the Mayberry Ballroom Dance Committee at 374-2712 or (276) 755-3072.

n Surry County Health and Nutrition Center, assisted by Reeves Community Center, will be having classes for diabetics to learn and meet others who understand. The following classes will be held: “Start Your Holidays on the Right Foot,” Nov. 18 from 11 a.m. to noon at Reeves Community Center; and “Hints for a Healthy Holiday,” Dec. 9 from noon to 1 p.m. at N.C. Cooperative Extension in Dobson. People with disabilities who would like to participate can be accommodated. For more information, call Kelly Whittington, RN at 401-8459 or Carmen J. Long at 401-8025.

n The Wings of Glory Christian Bikers Ministry will meet the first Monday night of each month at Prime Sirloin in Mount Airy. Fellowship will begin at 6 p.m. and the meeting will start at 7 p.m. Anyone who rides a motorcycle or who would like to join with helping is invited to attend. For more information, call Wayne Todd at (336) 200-0359 or Patsy Payne at 648-5055.

n The Friends of the Mount Airy Public Library will hold its fall book sale on Nov. 11 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Nov. 12 from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Nov. 13 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Nov. 14 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. books will be half price. Proceeds will be used to support various library programs and services including the children’s summer reading program. For more information, call the library at 789-5108.

n A new eight-week session of Chi-Kung class will begin on Oct. 28 from 11 a.m. to noon at the Surry Senior Center and from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the Pilot Mountain Senior Center. The class is $24. This is open to all ages. For more information, call 786-6155 ext. 255.

n The Conservatory of Dance & Theatre in downtown Galax, Va., will present its fifth annual production of “The Nutcracker” at 6 p.m. on Dec. 10 and at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Dec. 13 at the Galax High School Auditorium. Tickets are on sale. Reserved tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for children 13 and younger. General admission is $1 for adults and $4 for children. Discounts are available for civic, church and school groups of 10 or more.

n Two water quality testing workshops will be offered on Nov. 24 at Wille’s Fish Lake, 537 Casstevens Road, and on Dec. 10. at Creekside Carp & Catfish Lakes, 2991 Sam Houser Road. Both workshops will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Basic water quality parameters will be reviewed. Get hands-on experience on testing water quality using chemical test kits. Feel free to bring testing kits or equipment. For more information and to register, call Cheryl Mitchell or Molly Sandfass at (828) 652-7874.

Today

n Just Plain Country Store, located in the old Lowes building in Stuart, Va., is having a 3rd Anniversary Celebration. The Slate Mountain Ramblers, bluegrass, gospel and old time music will start on Saturday at 10 a.m. If anyone is interested in setting up a booth, call (276) 694-5556.

Nov. 17

n The Surry County Cooperative Extension will have a bus tour to the Southern Living Christmas Show leaving from the Dobson town parking lot at 8:15 a.m. and returning around 5:30 p.m. The cost for the day is $30 and spaces are limited. For more information or to reserve a spot, call 401-8025.

n The Surry County Tourism Development Authority will have a meeting at 6:30 p.m.

Nov. 19

n The Annual Meeting of the Surry County Historical Society will be held at 6:30 p.m. at Cross Creek Country Club. The program entitled “Fallen Heroes: The Chestnut in Appalachian Life and Chestnut Trees Now” will be provided by Dr. Charlotte Ross. Reservations must be made by Nov. 13 by sending a check to Jo Ann Eddy, c/o Surry County Historical Society, P.O. Box 469, Mount Airy, NC 27030. For more information, call 789-4304.

n A presentation of the new architectural design of Nancy Reynolds School will be made to the community at 6 p.m. in the board room for Stokes County Board of Education, upstairs in the old Danbury Courthouse Building.

Nov. 20

n Celebrate National Homecare Month with Surry County Senior Service, 1218 State Street, Mount Airy, from 3 to 5 p.m. Free blood pressure screenings will be given and there will be treats and snacks.

Nov. 21

n Meadowview Middle School will be holding bingo starting at 6 p.m. Doors will open at 5 p.m. Admission is $20 and includes 20 games. The last game is a bonus game and the cost is one card for $3 or two for $5. The prize is a weekend get-away to Pigeon Forge, Tenn., that includes a two-bedroom condo and two passes to Dollywood or Dixie Stampede, a $500 value. There will also be lots of door prizes. Daubers are required to play. Daubers will be available for purchase. Refreshments will be available. For more information, call 789-0276.

n Second Harvest Food Bank will have live entertainment by Papa Roxy at the Corpening Plaza, 200 W. 2nd St., Winston-Salem, from noon to 4 p.m. Food and drinks will be available. For more information, call (336) 628-0509 or email jmichelotti@carolinahome-pro.com.

n A ground steak and hot dog plate benefit will be held at 11 a.m. at Faith Baptist Church, Family Life Center, beside Franklin Elementary School, to help pay for Linda Payne’s medical bills due to cancer. Activities include lunch and dinner, live music, a drawing for a swing and an auction beginning at 6 p.m. There will be hot dogs, ground steak sandwiches, potato chips, drinks and dessert available for purchase. The cost is $5 per plate.

n The Elks Care Music Series featuring Blue Grass and Beyond with guest appearance by Melva Houston, a benefit for the Gallery Group and Art Studio for adults with disabilities, will be held from 8 p.m. to midnight in the Mount Airy Elks Lodge Ballroom. Tickets are on sale at Robbys, the Gallery Group Art Studio and the Mount Airy Elks Lodge. For more information, call 786-2061, 786-8017 or 786-0057.

n There will be a gun show and flea market at the Lambsburg Community Center, Lambsburg, Va., from 8 a.m. until. Indoor vendor tables are $5. A hot country breakfast will be served by LCC.

Dec. 3

n The Mount Airy Appearance Commission will sponsor its 14th annual tree lighting at 6 p.m. on the lawn of the Mount Airy Municipal Building. Kelly Epperson will be the Master of Ceremonies with an invocation to be delivered by Mount Airy Commissioner David Beal. Eleanor Powell of “The Mount Airy News” and a member of the Commission will light the tree. Music will be provided by the Nonesuch Players and the House of God Mass Choir. Fee hot chooclate will be furnished by the Beacons of the First Presbyterian Church. Santa will be there with treats for the children. Everyone is invited.

Dec. 5

n New River Trail State Park is hosting the sixth annual Foster Falls Festival of Lights. Bring the family to the holiday charity event to see the historic Foster Falls village alight with more than 100,000 colorful lights. Enjoy a free horse-drawn wagon ride and antique tractor hayrides. Warm up with complimentary hot chocolate, coffee and pastries. Visit Santa and tell him about any holiday wishes. This event is free for those donating canned food or an unopened toy. Make sure all canned food items have not passed its expiration date.

n The Surry Storm Volleyball Club East Team is having a Longaberger basket and Signature Homestyles bingo at Pilot Mountain Middle School in the cafeteria. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. with bingo to start at 7:30 p.m. Hot dogs, chili beans, chips, desserts and drinks will be sold.

n The 37th Annual Pilot Mountain Christmas Parade will start at 6 p.m. Line-up begins at 4 p.m. at East Surry High School. Do not leave floats in parking lot unattended before 4 p.m. For more information and entries, call Chris Wall at 351-5957, Derrick Manuel at 462-3144 or Pilot Mountain Rescue Squad at 368-4280. If there is no answer, leave a message. The parade is sponsored by Pilot Mountain Rescue & EMS, Inc.

Dec. 6

n The Gallery Group and Art Studio, Inc. in Mount Airy will be hosting a reception for Artist of the Month, Jan Atkins. Jan is an expert at Oriental Chinolserie, a special technique of ornate art. Jan has created a style that puts her award-winning artwork into a class of its own. This event is free to the public. Attendees will have the opportunity to peruse the gallery, meet the artist and partake of light refreshments. The reception time is from 3 to 5 p.m. Parking is available on the street and at the Municipal Parking Lot of Historic Downtown Mount Airy, behind the studio. For more information, call Donna Jackson, Gallery Group Director, at 786-0057.