Friday

Library hosts magic show

Luther Callaway Public Library in Chiefland will host a magic show at 10 a.m.

Saturday

Auction benefits Chief Theatre

The Suwannee Valley Players are holding a giant auction at the Chiefland Theatre on 25 East Park Avenue in Chiefland at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 8 Proceeds will be used toward restoration of the historic building that is home to the city’s plays, musicals and workshops. Items can still be donated, and can be picked up, by calling (352) 493-2782 or (352) 215-9634 or sending a message to suwanneevalleyplayers@gmail.com.

Withlacoochee Friends meet

The Friends of the Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve will meet on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. at the Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve, 1001 Old Rock Road, Yankeetown. The public is welcome. Bring enthusiasm, a folding chair, and your favorite insect repellant.

LARC Thrift Store sale

The LARC Thrift store located at 515 S. Main St., Chiefland will be holding a back to school sale beginning this weekend. Store hours are Monday thru Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. For more information contact Betty Walker at 352-486-4293.

Shrine yard sale

The Ladies of Suwannee River Shrine Club will be having their biggest yard sale ever from 8 a.m. until it’s all gone at the clubhouse on State Road 26, Fanning Springs.

Tuesday

Water Board meets in Lake City

The Suwannee River Water Management District Governing Board will meet at 9 a.m. at the Columbia County School Board Administrative Complex, 372 West Duval Street, Lake City. The meeting is to consider District business and conduct public hearings on regulatory and land acquisition matters. A workshop will follow the Governing Board meeting. All meetings, workshops, and hearings are open to the public.

August 14

Yum-Yum Shoppe Ribbon Cutting

A grand opening ribbon cutting will be held for Yum-Yum Shoppe at 313 South Main Street at noon. The event is sponsored by the Greater Chiefland Area Chamber of Commerce. Please come out and show your support for a new local business and Chamber member.

August 15

Stuff the Bus with Specials

Take advantage of back-to-school specials now and buy school supplies to help the Levy Schools Foundation  Stuff the Bus on Aug. 15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. All supplies collected will be distributed among the county’s teachers for use by Levy County students.  In Chiefland the bus will be at the Walmart parking lot on U.S. Highway 19 and in Bronson it will be at the Buy N Save Grocery. Cash donations are welcomed and will be used to buy supplies in bulk. Items needed include: Pens, pencils, erasers, colored pencils, paper, pocket folders, crayons, markers, scissors, glue, tissue, handsoap/sanitizer, backpacks. All donations are tax deductible. For more information, call Levy County Schools.

Shrine Breakfast

The Suwannee River Shrine Club will hold its semi-monthly country breakfast from 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the clubhouse on Highway 26, about a half-mile north of Fanning Springs. The menu includes sausage, eggs, bacon, biscuits, sausage gravy, grits, pancakes and coffee. The cost is $5.50 per person. The public is invited.   

August 18

Chamber of Commerce Mixer

A Greater Chiefland Area Chamber of Commerce Mixer will be held at BubbaQue’s restaurant 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Come out and meet your fellow Chamber members and bring a prospective member.

August 20

Chiefland Middle School will hold its Open House on Thursday, August 20 from 5:00-7:00 p.m.   Report cards are ready.  Please pick up your child’s report card and FCAT scores in the front office.     

Post 91 membership meeting

The Jamerson-Sheffield Post 91 will be hold its regular membership meeting in conjunction with the Auxiliary Unit 91.  The dinner will start at 5:30 p.m. with the meeting to follow. Please support the Post by attending. This is a very good opportunity to meet your fellow legionnaires. meet your fellow legionnaires.

August 21

Head Start Open House Childhood Development Services, Inc., the Head Start/Early Head Start provider will hold an Open House from 1:00 to 3:00p.m. The staff will be there to assist parents and answer any questions.  Parents are invited to meet their child’s teachers in the classrooms..

August 28

Suwannee Insurance Ribbon Cutting A grand opening ribbon cutting will be held for Suwannee Insurance by the Greater Chiefland Area Chamber of Commerce. This event will be held at 2467-B North Young Blvd. after the August regular Chamber meeting. Please come out and show your support for a new local business and Chamber member.

August 29

Political rally for Bronson candidates A political rally will be held from noon to 8 p.m. at the Bronson Youth League Park for candidates in the Sept. 8 Bronson Town Council elections. Three seats are up in the election. Candidates will have an opportunity to make speehces, answer questions from members of the Bronson Chamber of Commerce and meet voters and answer their questions.

September 12

Ride to Provide hits the road

The Fourth Annual 2009 Ride to Provide to benefit Levy Association for Retarded Citizens (LARC) through 60 of the prettiest miles in Levy County is today. The ride has a new starting point: the new Bronson Middle High School leaving at 10 a.m. It will reach Chiefland between 10:30 and 10:45 a.m., on its way to the LARC campus in Otter Creek where it ends with as picnic lunch. This is a law-enforcement escorted ride, and all intersections are held for riders no red lights. Entry in the ride is free, although organizers will ask nicely for a donation to help support LARC. Last year’s ride provided $10,000 for the organization that serves more than 40 developmentally disabled adults in Levy, Gilchrist and Dixie counties. For more information, to pre-register for the Ride or to be a sponsor, call Sean Mullins at 352-528-2222 or email smullins@ridetoprovide.net, or visit  “http://www.ridetoprovide.net” www.ridetoprovide.net.

Ongoing

TOPS meeting Come visit a TOPS meeting.

The TOPS convention was last month and members want to share information about it. We meet at St.Albans church on Wednesday at 10:30 am to noon. Both  men and woman are welcome .Taking Off Pounds Sensibly may be just what you need. Rotary Clubs Chiefland Rotary meets at noon Wednesday at BubbaQue’s, Main Street, Chiefland. Williston Rotary meets at 11:45 a.m. Tuesday at the First Presbyterian Church, 247 NE 1st Street. 

Grand Slam Bridge on Mondays  Grand Slam Bridge, with two tables in play, will be held at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Chiefland on Mondays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Those interested in participating are asked to call Joan at 493-0279. Both weekly and substitute players are needed. Upcoming September 10-11 AARP Driver Safety Class Take an AARP Driver Safety class as a refresher at Old Town United Methodist Church on Highway 19. Class begins at 9 a.m. each day. Check with your insurance carrier to ask if you are entitled to an insurance discount, good for three years.            The course fee is $14, for AARP members $12. To register, call Lee Miller at (352) 498-5004.

October 16-17

Cracker Cattle Drive & Hernando Heritage Days  

Saddle up your horses and join in an old fashion cracker cattle drive the weekend of October 16-17. Camp out Friday night with campfire, music, entertainment and much more. Saturday, bright and early, the cattle will be herded towards the heart of town in Hernando, picking up the riders that opt for the Saturday one-day ride. Meals on the trail are included in price. Directions and other pertinent information will be mailed once a registration is received.  Ride one day or two.  Cost of two-day ride: adults, $200, and riders age 18 and under, $150. Cost of one-day, Saturday only: adult, $100, and riders 18 and under, $75.   All proceeds from the Hernando Southern Heritage Days Cattle Drive and Festival benefit the restoration and upkeep of the Historic Hernando School.     For information and registration packets, call (352) 419-4857.

October 15-22

Second Annual Fall Paddle Florida The second annual Fall Paddle Florida event is October 15-22, beginning at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak and concluding at Manatee Springs State Park in Chiefland. Last year’s inaugural event hosted 160 paddlers on the 123-mile, seven-day excursion. The fall excursion includes daily stops and overnight camping along the recently completed Suwannee River Wilderness Trail. Overnight camping is at the Suwannee River State Park, Lafayette Blue Springs State Park, Suwannee River Rendezvous Resort & Campground, Ivey Memorial Park, Gornto Springs, and finally Fanning Springs State Park. Fall registration is capped at 200 paddlers. The registration fee begins at $300 per adult, $275 for senior adults and $250 for children and includes a T-shirt, boat decal, camping, maps and river descriptions and entertainment/activities for the paddlers. “Paddle Florida allows novice and experienced paddlers alike to explore parts of natural north Florida that few natives or tourists have ever experienced,” said Bill Richards, organizer of Paddle Florida   “A unique feature of Paddle Florida events is that participants camp each night on the river, truly immersing themselves in the natural experience. At each campsite, paddlers are treated to professionally catered meals, campfires, professional musical entertainment, and other surprises,” added Richards. Paddle Florida is held in cooperation with the Florida Park Service and the Suwannee River Water Management District.  For more information, go to www.paddleflorida.org or call Bill Richards at (352) 377-8342.