If you would like to list your meeting or event in the Community Area Calendar please email all the information to ladonna@ cookson.news or call 918-473-2313 (o_ce) or 479-422-4210 (cell). You may also mail the information to McIntosh County Democrat, 300 S. Broadway, Checotah, OK 74426. Include the event, time, place and contact information.

Checotah Spring Band Concert

May 5 at 6 p.m. at Checotah High School Cafe Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser Free to watch, $6 to eat

March for Mental Health + Self-Care Carnival

Peoples National Bank Parking Lot May 17 at 5:30 p.m.

Food trucks, a bounce house for the kids and fun activities to practice self-care.

Bene_t Dinner hosted by FAIC VFD

Saturday, May 13 from 4 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

At FAIC, 110209 Hwy 150, Checotah All proceeds and donations will go to Ross Blackwell.

Oklahoma Retired Educators Assoc. to meet

_e McIntosh County Oklahoma Retired Educators Association (OREA) will hold their next monthly meeting at 1 p.m., Friday, May 12, at the Jim Lucas Checotah Public Library.

All surrounding area retired school personnel are invited and encouraged to attend this meeting. For more information please contact Imogene Duvall at 918-473-2781.

GriefShare Bereavement Support Group oers classes Free GriefShare classes have started on Wednesdays at 6 p.m.

No matter what your circumstances are at this time, grief recovery is a painful process for most people. We invite you to join us as we journey through grief together: Where: First Baptist Church, 210 SW 2nd Street, Checotah Facilitated by: Wilmatine Grin, 918-473-2275

Heartland Heritage Museum & Gallery

Checotah Art Guild to host “Art in the Park” on May 6 _e Heartland Heritage Museum and Gallery is full of activities and fun. From paint parties to self-guide tours in the gallery to various art classes for adults or children that can be scheduled.

Come join the Checotah Art Guild that meets on Tuesdays and _ursdays at the art gallery located at 116 N. Broadway.

CAG will host “Art in the Park” on May 6 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Veterans Park at 112 N. Broadway in Checotah. _ere will be food vendors and spaces available to rent. Contact Iris Park at 405-570-3569 for more information.

Armed Forces Day along with Family Freedom Festival Armed Forces Day Parade at 10 a.m. on May 6 Family Freedom Festival is from 12:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.

BEMAC Supply, 1900 East Electric Ave., McAlester Patriotic Youth Talent Show; Live Bands; Youth Fishing Tournament; Cornhole Competition; Car Show; Veteran Organization Booths; Food Trucks; Dunk Tank; Ra ; Games and more.

For more information contact Tricia Bear at 479-414-0952.

Muskogee Gun Club Renewals May 6-7 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Gun Club of Checotah For more info call 918-490-2141.

Muscogee Nation Head Start accepting applications _e Muscogee (Creek) Nation Head Start is accepting applications for the 2023-2024 school year. _ere is no cost to families but the following documents are required: parent’s income veri_cation; previous year’s income tax (front sheet only), pay stubs, W-2 form, TNF letter, SSI letter, SNAP documentation or statement from employer; child’s immunization record, medical card, citizenship card (if applicable) and birth certificate.

For more information call: 918-618-6220 (Eufaula); 918-4730605 (Checotah); 918-732-7904 (Okmulgee); 918-296-0357 (Tulsa); 918-623-2000 (Okemah); 405-452-1180 (Wetumka).

Langston University Extension Market Gardening Classes 3 L Farms, 708 East A St., Rentiesville. May 11, August 24 and October 19. From 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Topics: Soil preparation, Starting seeds and planting, Irrigation setup, Weed/Disease control, Harvesting and marketing, Canning and storage Call or email to register for classes. Contact Leonard Hill at 918-441-6214 or email hat365247@gmail.com or Micah Anderson at 405-476-6725 or email mande24@langston.edu.

DAV McIntosh County Chapter #3 meets monthly _e DAV McIntosh County Chapter #3 meets the _rst _ursday of each month, 111092 S. 4184 Rd., Checotah (1/2 mile west of Onapa Rd.). Meetings are in the evening but daytime meetings are being considered if enough are interested. _e DAV would like to invite anyone who is at least 10 percent disabled to come to their meetings and have their voice heard. Come be a part of the Disabled American Veterans organization. For more information contact Andy Killingsworth at 918781-9752.

Free clothing closet

_e First Freewill Baptist Church has a free clothes closet that is open on Tuesdays and _ursdays from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. If anyone needs clothing or would like to donate clothing, please stop by.

Green County Cattlewomen meets monthly

_e Green County Cattlewomen meets the last _ursday of each month at 6 p.m. at Watson Farms Meat Market in Checotah. For more information or to join, call 918-616-2526.

Lions Club meets biweekly

_e Checotah Lions Club general meetings are at noon on the 2nd and 4th _ursdays of each month. Lions meet at the First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall and would like to invite others to come join the Lions Club and help serve your community. For more information contact Lion President Tony Fields at 918-617-2954.

Least of se Food Ministry has monthly distribution _e Least of _ese Food Ministry o_ers free grocery distributions to anyone in Checotah or the surrounding area who struggles with food insecurities. Participants must provide ID and proof of residency. Grocery distribution is the third Friday of each month at 2 p.m. at the First Assembly of God located at 401 N. Broadway.

Join the Chamber of Commerce General Meetings _e Checotah Chamber of Commerce General Meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month at noon at the First United Methodist Hall. All Chamber members are encouraged to come.

Finding Hope oers support

Finding Hope is a support group for loved ones who have been impacted by addiction. Find education and inspiration during meetings on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month at 6:30 p.m. at North Fork Baptist Church. Contact information: _ndinghopeeufaula@gmail.com.

Free training for caregivers and services for seniors Are you caring for someone 60 years of age or older and wanting to learn how to be a better caregiver? Get free “Caregiver Training” classes. Ask about respite vouchers.

Are you 60 years of age or older and need access to services such as meals (home delivered, etc), legal help, caregiver services, or transportation? Please contact the Area Agency on Aging- Outreach Program. For more information contact the SENIOR INFO LINE at 1-800-211-2116.