This column is designed to give our local readers a place to put news and events that are important to them and others in the community.

Local news such as public meetings, luncheons, events and other non-club local items for not-for-profit associations are listed in this column.

Church events are printed separately in Church News published on Fridays.

To have items placed in the Local Beat column, bring them by the office at 405 E. Collin St., fax them to (903) 872-6878 or e-mail to cmcclanahan@corsicanadailysun.com. Items must have the date of the event, a phone number and must be clearly PRINTED or TYPED.



April 7

Knights of Columbus will have “Friday Fish Fry” from 5 to 7 p.m. at James L. Collins Catholic School cafeteria. Cost will be $6 for adults and $4 for children 12 and under. To-go meals will be available.



Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3366, located at Veterans Drive off West State Highway 31, will have Kuttin Edge Karaoke with Bob and Nancy McQuary from 8 p.m. to midnight. The VFW Post canteen will open at 4 p.m. For more information, call after 4 p.m. to (903) 872-3811.



April 7-9

Warehouse Living Arts Center Theatre, 119 W. Sixth Ave., will present “Taffeta Memories,” a nostalgic musical journey through the fabulous ‘50s, at 7:30 p.m. April 7-8. Due to the show’s popularity, a matinee has been added for 2 p.m. April 9. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for students and senior citizens 65 and up, and $6 for kids 12 and under. For tickets or more information, call (903) 872-5421.



April 8

Central Texas Foundation Quarter Horse Registry Affiliate will have an all breed ranch horse versatility show at the Wild Horse Arena between Malakoff and Athens on State Highway 31. Current negative coggins required. For more information, view the Web site at www.ctfqhra.com or call Charlotte at (903) 288-0043 or AJ at (903) 879-2403.



The third annual educators conference, sponsored by Navarro College, Texas A&M; University-Commerce and the Teachers of Tomorrow Club, will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. in the Waller Classroom Building on the Navarro College Corsicana campus for students interested in a career in teaching along with area classroom kindergarten through eighth grade instructors. Registration will be $30 per person. Lunch will be provided to all attendees. For more information, contact Shari Beck at (903) 875-7518 or by e-mail at shari.beck@navarrocollege.edu; or Brenda Reed at (903) 875-7515 or by e-mail at brenda.reed@navarrocollege.edu.



Richland Volunteer Fire Department will hold a bake sale beginning at 8 a.m. at the Richland Store on State Highway 14. Anyone wishing to donate a baked good for the sale may do so by contacting Robin Shaw at (903) 874-1773 or contacting any members of the Richland VFD.



A rabies clinic will be held from noon to 4 p.m., sponsored by the Kerens Chamber of Commerce, in front of Kerens City Hall on Colket Street. Dr. Beck will be there to give the necessary shots to all your pets. You may also purchase your city tags at this time.



American Legion Post 22, 632 N. Beaton St., invites members and their guests to an evening of karaoke with Nedra and Jerry House. No cover charge. Post will open at 2 p.m. S.A.L. will host a single-elimination horseshoe tournament at 3 p.m. Sign up will be at 2 p.m. There will also be sausage plates sold beginning at 4 p.m. For more information, call (903) 874-3938.



AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary 12 will host a street dance from 7 p.m. to midnight at the corner of Main and Second streets in downtown Wortham. Entertainment will be provided by Untold (formerly known as Sol Shakr), Sloe Ember and Chronicles of a Broken Mind. Bring your lawn chairs. Soft drinks and nachos will be sold, and an auction will be conducted. All proceeds from the event will be used to help graduating seniors attend the college or university of their choice this fall. For more information, contact Mary Kennedy at amvet12@hotmail.com.



Bowie Fun Night will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. at Bowie Elementary School. There will be games, food and a raffle. For more information, call Leah Middlebrooks at (903) 874-1335 or Ashley Rohr at (903) 874-1517.



City of Frost Easter egg hunt will be held at 10:30 a.m. at the Frost City Park. It is open to all residents of surrounding communities. The event will open with combination adult/children races. Prizes will be awarded. The egg hunt will have four age categories: 0 to 3 years old; pre-kindergarten and kindergarten; first through third grades; and fourth through sixth grades. Local organizations will be on site with fund-raising booths, including Frost PTO which will host an egg hunt for seventh graders to adults. Admission is $10 per entrant, and there are over 100 prizes for this event. For more information, call Patricia Steward at (903) 682-2585.



The Coyote Squadron of the Commemorative Air Force will meet at the Corsicana Municipal Airport. Staff meeting will be at 10 a.m. with squadron meeting to follow at 10:30 a.m. Anyone interested may attend the squadron meeting. Bobby Grantham will speak and show some DVDs. Lunch will be served after the meeting.



April 9

Central Texas Foundation Quarter Horse Registry Affiliate will have a two-man feedlot sorting at the Wild Horse Arena between Malakoff and Athens on State Highway 31. Current negative coggins required. For more information, view the Web site at www.ctfqhra.com or call Charlotte at (903) 288-0043 or AJ at (903) 879-2403.



April 10

Navarro County Farm Bureau will have an open house at its new location, 4311 W. State Highway 22. The public is invited.



Woodmen of the World Lodge No. 5 will meet at 6 p.m. for an Easter potluck dinner at Liberty Hall. Members and their guests are cordially invited.



Relay for Life team captain meeting will be held at 6 p.m. at Emmanuel Baptist Church. For more information, call David Dickinson at (903) 654-1842 or Rhonda Davis at (903) 654-0885. It’s not too late to join the fight against cancer.



April 10-12

Kerens Volunteer Fire Department, 305 S.E. Third St., will sponsor a free class from 6 to 10 p.m. on “Principles of Building Construction: Combustible,” instructed by Thomas G. Pritchett III, adjunct instructor, Texas Engineering Extension Service, Emergency Service Training Institute, Texas A&M; University System. The class is open to all members of the emergency services who want the latest training in firefighting and related skills. For more information, call Terry Stovall at (903) 396-2850 or e-mail to terryspaint@yahoo.com.



April 11

Ellis-Navarro Chapter 1191 of National Active and Retired Federal Employees will meet at 11:30 a.m. at Ennis Grand Buffet. The optional dental/vision program now available for FEHBP members will be given by Teresa Ott of Blue Cross/Blue Shield Insurance. All active and retired federal employees are invited to attend. For more information, call Herb Shelton, (972) 937-3224; G.W. Garrard, (972) 878-2934; or Bob Kral, (903) 874-3092.



Navarro College SBDC will sponsor a session on creating a business plan from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Corsicana/Navarro County Chamber of Commerce, 120 N. 12th St. Cost of the workshop will be $20. For more information or to register, call Ophelia Mendoza at (903) 874-0658 or e-mail ophelia.mendoza@navarrocollege.edu.



Navarro County NAACP and the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance will present “Medicare Part D-Prescription Drug Program and Extra Help” for senior citizens and anyone else interested at 6 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, 1114 E. Sixth Ave. Presenters will be Polly Winn and Ann Connor of the Corsicana Social Security office.



Through April 11

“Nurturing Program Part I” for parents of infants, toddlers and preschoolers will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays through April 11 at 100 N. Main St., Bank of America Building, Third Floor, Suite 308. Classes are free and open enrollment. You can join the class anytime. New topics are given each month. For more information, call Valorie at VOICE Inc. at (903) 872-0180.



April 13

North Central Texas WorkForce’s Corsicana Center will host a “Workshop Center Orientation” at 10 a.m. and a job search workshop on “Resume Tips” at 10:30 a.m. at its office, 720 N. Beaton St. “WorkinTexas.com” training will be offered at 5:30 p.m. at the center, but seating is limited and you must pre-register for this training. For more information, call (903) 874-8276.



Navarro College SBDC will sponsor a workshop on marketing from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Corsicana/Navarro County Chamber of Commerce, 120 N. 12th St. Cost of the workshop will be $25. For more information or to register, call Ophelia Mendoza at (903) 874-0658 or e-mail ophelia.mendoza@navarrocollege.edu.



“Hop” Downtown will be held from 3 to 5:30 p.m. in downtown Corsicana. There will be a visit from the Easter bunny, cookies, refreshments and pictures in Pocket Park. Two 4-by-6 photos at $10 will be available from Memories by Melissa. In addition, the animal shelter will have a pet adoption event.



April 14

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3366, located at Veterans Drive off West State Highway 31, will have First Class Karaoke with Jerry and Nedra House from 8 to 11:45 p.m. The VFW Post canteen will open at 4 p.m. For more information, call after 4 p.m. to (903) 872-3811.



April 15

American Legion Ladies Auxiliary Unit 22, 632 N. Beaton St., will host an Easter egg hunt from noon to 2 p.m. for ages 12 and under. Bring your children for lots of prizes and a lot of fun. There will be hot dogs and sodas for everyone. American Legion Post 22 also invites members and their guests to an evening with Texas Tradition Band. No cover charge. Post will open at 2 p.m. There will be a benefit dinner beginning at 6 p.m. for George and Mary Staley to help with medical expenses. Ham and sausage plates will be $5 per person. There will be a silent auction and cake walk. For more information, call (903) 874-3938.



Relay for Life bake sale will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Wal-Mart. All proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society.



Through April 15

Navarro Council of the Arts and Child Advocates of Navarro County will present an exhibit at the Warehouse Living Arts Center Gallery, 119 W. Sixth Ave. This exhibit, Heart Gallery, will feature the beautiful photographs of children from the Northeast Texas region. The exhibit is free to the public. For more information, call the Arts Council at (903) 872-5411.



April 16

Kerens Ex-Students Association will have its annual Easter buffet from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Kerens Alumni Center. Menu will be baked chicken or baked ham, yams or whipped potatoes, green beans or black-eyed peas, macaroni and cheese, homemade desserts, tea and coffee. Cost will be $8 for adults and $4 for children under 12. Bring the whole family or friends. Proceeds will go toward Kerens High School scholarships.



April 18

Twilight Home, 3001 W. Fourth Ave., will host its grand renovation opening beginning with a ribbon cutting at 5:15 p.m. and business after hours/open house at 5:30 p.m. All visitors are welcome to attend.



April 19

Navarro College SBDC will sponsor a combination workshop on government contracting overview and 8a certification from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Corsicana/Navarro County Chamber of Commerce, 120 N. 12th St. Cost of the workshop will be $50. For more information or to register, call Ophelia Mendoza at (903) 874-0658 or e-mail ophelia.mendoza@navarrocollege.edu.



April 20

Navarro County Citizens Advisory Association will have its first meeting for the ratification of bylaws, defining and identifying the scope of activities and the election of the board of directors at 7 p.m. at 3201 W. Seventh Ave., Suite 101, in the Plaza Shopping Center across from Navarro College. The purpose of the organization will be to identify, prioritize and develop an action plan and voice for issues that affect the quality of life for all residents, business owners and employees in Navarro County. All interested people ages 16 and older are invited to attend. For more information or to receive an advanced copy of proposed bylaws, e-mail jwmbishop@aol.com, mail to John W. Bishop, 3201 W. Seventh Ave., Suite 100, Corsicana TX 75110, or call (903) 874-3288.



North Central Texas WorkForce’s Corsicana Center will host a “Workshop Center Orientation” at 10 a.m. and a job search workshop on “Interview Tips” at 10:30 a.m. at its office, 720 N. Beaton St. “Basic Computer Skills” training will be offered at 5:30 p.m. at the center, but seating is limited and you must pre-register for this training. For more information, call (903) 874-8276.



Navarro College will host a blood drive from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in conjunction with Carter BloodCare. Donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. To schedule an appointment, call Amber Theinert at Navarro College, (903) 875-7543.



Grandparents Raising Grandchildren support group will meet from 7 to 8 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church library. Enter off the parking lot on North 14th Street. This first “get acquainted” meeting will be to plan and discuss the support group. Child care will not be available.



April 21

Navarro County Texas A&M; Club will hold its annual muster ceremony beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Corsicana Country Club. For more information, call Dana Nicholson at (903) 695-2839.



Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3366, located at Veterans Drive off West State Highway 31, will have Kuttin Edge Karaoke with Bob and Nancy McQuary from 8 p.m. to midnight. The VFW Post canteen will open at 4 p.m. For more information, call after 4 p.m. to (903) 872-3811.



April 22

Family Fun-Shop will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at The Cook Center on the Navarro College campus. Join in for a morning showing of the large-format film “Ocean Oasis” and then make and take the sea creature of your choice. Each Fun-Shop is $3 per person. For more information, call (903) 874-1211 or (903) 875-7596.



American Legion Post 22, 632 N. Beaton St., invites members and their guests to an evening of karaoke with Nedra and Jerry House. No cover charge. Post will open at 2 p.m. For more information, call (903) 874-3938.



April 24

Warehouse Living Arts Center, 119 W. Sixth Ave., will hold auditions for “Seeing Stars in Dixie” by Ron Osborne at 7 p.m. in the studio theatre. Four roles are available for adult women ages 30s to 50s and one adult man in his 50s. Cranston Dodds will be the director. “Seeing Stars in Dixie” takes place in 1959 in Natchez, Miss., during the filming of the famous motion picture, “Raintree County.” Those who plan to audition should bring date books, school and vacation schedules to the audition. Each will be required to fill out a rehearsal availability form. Production dates will be June 1-10. For more information, call (903) 872-5421.



April 27

North Central Texas WorkForce’s Corsicana Center will host a “Workshop Center Orientation” at 10 a.m. and a job search workshop on “Resume Tips” at 10:30 a.m. at its office, 720 N. Beaton St. “WorkinTexas.com” training will be offered at 5:30 p.m. at the center, but seating is limited and you must pre-register for this training. For more information, call (903) 874-8276.



April 28

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3366, located at Veterans Drive off West State Highway 31, will have First Class Karaoke with Jerry and Nedra House from 8 p.m. to midnight. A raffle fund-raiser will be held during the evening. The VFW Post canteen will open at 4 p.m. For more information, call after 4 p.m. to (903) 872-3811.



April 29

The Palace Theatre, 112 W. Sixth Ave., will present the Bellamy Brothers in concert for Derrick Days weekend. The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. and feature the 30th anniversary for the Bellamy Brothers. Tickets are $30 and $18 and may be purchased at the Palace box office at 110 W. Sixth Ave., or by calling the Palace at (903) 874-7792.



American Legion Post 22, 632 N. Beaton St., invites members and their guests to an evening of karaoke with Nedra and Jerry House. No cover charge. Post will open at 2 p.m. For more information, call (903) 874-3938.



E.E. Wheat-Freestone County NAACP Branch will celebrate its 37th annual Freedom Fund Banquet at 7 p.m. at the Teague Community Center, 517 Main St., Teague. For more information or tickets, call Joycie Burns at (254) 739-2591 (daytime), (254) 739-2302 (evenings) or e-mail to jburns1@farmersagent.com.



May 13

Family Fun-Shop will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at The Cook Center on the Navarro College campus. Come enjoy the newest large-format feature film “Bugs!” and then build your very own bug. Each Fun-Shop is $3 per person. For more information, call (903) 874-1211 or (903) 875-7596.



May 13-July 22

Pickett Playdays will be held at the Retreat arena, located on Farm-to-Market 709 South, beginning at 10 a.m. the second and fourth Saturdays of the month through July. Negative coggins required. Shows will be May 13 and 27, June 10 and 24 and July 8 and 22. For more information, call (903) 489-1746 or (903) 872-6943.



June 3

Family Fun-Shop will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at The Cook Center on the Navarro College campus. Watch a special showing of the favorite family feature “Larry Cat in Space” then build and blastoff your very own simple rocket. Each Fun-Shop is $3 per person. For more information, call (903) 874-1211 or (903) 875-7596.



July 8

Family Fun-Shop will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at The Cook Center on the Navarro College campus. Take a trip through the planets of the solar system in “Our Place In Space” then make and take your own planet model. Each Fun-Shop is $3 per person. For more information, call (903) 874-1211 or (903) 875-7596.