Happenings: Events, activities and community announcements

Email announcements at least two weeks in advance to community@reflector.com for publication in The Standard and The Daily Reflector.

Museum open house

The Ayden History and Arts Museum will host its spring open house from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday followed by the quarterly board meeting at 4 p.m. Visit completed exhibits of Ayden history in education, military service, early household items, toys, churches, barbecue and agriculture, with local artists featured in the gallery. The long-awaited mural for the exterior front wall of the building is now in its early stages. Chat with the museum’s creative director and get a glimpse of how this project will be prepared. Weather permitting, the Oakdale Drive Band will be performing light jazz on the front lawn. There is no admission fee, but donations will be used to further current and future exhibits. The museum is regularly open during the week on Thursdays-Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

LCC Golf Classic

The Lenoir Community College Foundation Golf Classic is set for Thursday, May 16, at the Kinston Country Club, 1501 Country Club Drive. A custom-made putter will be awarded to the first-place winners of the morning and afternoon flights. Draken International is the sponsor of the putters. For more information on how to be a sponsor or to participate, contact Katherine Pearson at (252) 233-6843 or email kwpearson52@lenoircc.edu.

Senior info fair

The Greene County Senior Center, 104 Greenridge Road, will hold its Older American’s Month Health, Information & Elder Abuse Awareness Fair, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. May 16, at the Greene County Wellness Center, 84 N. Perry Drive. The event features door prizes, demonstrations, health screenings and samples. Information will be provided for seniors, family caregivers and anyone seeking more knowledge on services for older adults in Greene County. Call 252-747-5436 for more information.

Shred event

The Greene County Senior Center, 104 Greenridge Road, will host a Shred A Thon 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 22. Shred old tax records, employment records and bank statements. Reduce clutter. Don’t bring cans, bottles, food/wrappers, thick material, copier/printer cartridges, corrugated cardboard, non-recyclable materials, plastics, biohazard materials, medical waste, three-ring notebooks, newspapers, books or magazines.

Powder Puff Bingo

A ladies-only bingo event sponsored by the Ayden Chamber of Commerce will take place from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, May 3, at the Ayden Community Center, 548 Second St. The ticket price includes four bingo dames, one special bingo game food and beverages. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at the Ayden Chamber Welcome Center or online at www.aydenchamber.com/event-5660152. Space is limited.

Wheat field day

The N.C. Cooperative Extension will host a the Grow Pro Genetics wheat field day to talk about production topics starting at 9:30 a.m. on May 2 west of Kinston. The event is across from the Mallard BP station, 6130 U.S. 70. Register at tinyurl.com/4sarbc47.

Farmers Market

The Leroy James Farmers Market, 4560 County Home Road, will be open 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. For more information call 902-1724 or visit www.PittCountyNC.gov/MarketEvents.

Pesticide Collection Day

The Pitt County Pesticide Collection Day will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 22, at the Pitt County Agricultural Center, 403 Government Circle. The Pitt County Cooperative Extension Center, in partnership with the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Pesticide Disposal Assistance Program, will be conducting the free event for residents in Pitt County and surrounding North Carolina counties.

Summer career camp

Summer camp at Lenoir Community College is back with a two-week career experience that gives young participants a chance to “Explore Lenoir” in June.

“We are excited to bring back the summer camp experience to LCC with a two-week career camp,” says Vice President of Instruction and Institutional Effectiveness Timothy Maddox-Fisher. “Explore Lenoir will give campers an opportunity to participate in engaging and fun activities in 16 career areas culminating in team building and fun challenges.”

Dusk Stroud, director of Admissions and Enrollment Management, said this year’s camp experience will be different than those in the past. “Before, campers participated in a week focused in one area. We wanted students to explore the different career opportunities at the College in a creative way.”

The first week covers graphics, health sciences and nursing, culinary, fine arts, information technology, young entrepreneurship, basic law enforcement training and welding. The second week includes programs at the aerospace and advanced manufacturing center, aviation, cosmetology/esthetics, emergency medical science, STEM, and sustainable agriculture.

The camp runs 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 10-13 and June 17-20. The deadline to register is May 16. Camp is limited to 20 in age groups 9 to 11 and 12 to 14. Cost is $175 or $125 for one week. Price includes a T-shirt, lunch and snacks.

To register, go to lenoircc.edu/explorelenoir and complete the form, then call Kristen Clayton at (252) 527-6223, ext. 352 to make payments.

Health Talks

Health Talks with Jennifer Lane, health educator with the Greene County Department of Public Health, are 11 a.m. every third Thursday at the Greene County Senior Center, 104 Greeneridge Road. They are free and open to Greene County Residents. Call 252-747-5436.

Farmville Senior Council

The Farmville Senior Council, which has been a nonprofit since 1979, meets the third Wednesday of the month at the Farmville Public Library, 4276 W. Church St., Farmville. Meetings start at 1 p.m. either in-person or via Zoom. For more information or to attend online send an email to farmvilleseniorcouncil@gmail.com.

Plant sale

The Pitt County Master Gardeners and the Pitt County County Arboretum will host a plant sale from 10 a.m. to noon May 18 at the arboretum, 403 Government Circle, Greenville. The event will take place rain or shine. Purchases can be made with cash or check only. A preview sale for Friends of the Arboretum will begin at 9 a.m. Friends memberships can be purchased at the gate.

Farmworker Donation Drive

Amexcan is sponsoring a donation drive for farmworkers through mid July at the Pitt County Cooperative Extension, 403 Government Circle. Items needed are long-sleeve shirts, gloves and hygiene items. Call 902-1709.

Hospice volunteers

3HC is seeking volunteers for its hospice program. Volunteers provide support to caregivers, offer companionship to patients and take part in meaningful activities. They also can offer spiritual support, administrative and clerical support, take part in special events and fundraising activities and assist the Wings Program for Grieving Children or the Veterans to Veteran program. Residents of Greene, Pitt, Beaufort or Lenoir counties who would like to spend time with patients and their families in need can email volunteer coordinator Nena Ellis at nellis@3hc.org.

Give Blood

The American Red Cross Donation Center, 700 Cromwell Drive, is open from 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Friday-Sunday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday. Visit www.redcross.org or call 758-1140 or 1-800-733-2767 to make appointments at the center or at blood drives coming up at the following locations.

Animal adoptions

The Humane Society of Eastern Carolina, 3520 Tupper Drive, is open by appointment only from 1-5 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and 1-4 p.m. Sunday. Visit hsecarolina.org or email HSECgeneral@gmail.com for an adoption application, which must be approved before an appointment is scheduled. Call 413-7247. The organization always is in need of foster families provide temporary care for kittens, puppies, dogs, and cats. Visit hsecarolina.org/become-a-foster.

Pitt County Animal Services, 4550 County Home Road, is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays by appointment only for adoptions. No owner surrenders are available. Call 902-1725. Visit petango.com/pittshelter to view animals available for adoption. Animal services offers several volunteer opportunities including dog walking, doggie day out and reading buddy programs. Visit pittcountync.gov/153/Animal-Services

The Greene County Animal Shelter, 1985 N.C. 903 North, Snow Hill, is open 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2-5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday. Call 253-2237 for questions about adoptions and lost pets and visit facebook.com/ greenecountyanimal services. Call to schedule appointment for rabies vaccinations and for animal control issues. Call 747-8000 for after hours animal control.

Family Chess Club

The Family Chess Club meets from 6-9 p.m. Wednesday at Apt To Learn, 650 E. Fire Tower Road, Suite B, Winterville. Chess lectures will be from 6-7 p.m. Chess sets are provided. All levels of players are welcome. The club is an affiliate of the United States Chess Federation and conducts sanctioned chess tournaments on occasion. Direct any questions to President Jerry Skinner, (252) 209-4148 or email howlandbakerjarvis@yahoo.com.

Garden tours

The Pitt County Arboretum from noon to 1 p.m. on the second Friday of each month at noon for a fun and educational garden tour experience. The Northside Plant Walks utilize the arboretum and the Northside Walking Trail to tell a unique story about our plants with each tour. Attendance is free but visitors should pre-register for each event at pitt.ces.ncsu.edu/the-pitt-county-arboretum/northside-plant-walks/. Planned walks include:

May 10: Plants With Historic or Cultural Significance

June 14: Container Garden Plants that Make a Splash

July 12: Plants that are Edible and Ornamental

Aug. 9: Drought Defying Darlings for Dry Gardens

Sept. 13: Landscape Plants with Medicinal Value

Oct. 11: Better Late than Never: Fall Landscape Standouts

Nov. 8: Berries, Twigs, and other Unappreciated Attributes