Preschool signup

Applications for Franklin County preschool are being accepted at the Franklin County Board of Education, 215 College St., Winchester, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Children must reach age 4 by Aug. 15. For information, call 931-967-0626.

Lynchburg Jamboree

Everyone is invited to the Lynchburg Jamboree every Thursday from 5-8 p.m. on the Lynchburg Square.

Prenatal classes

A free prenatal class will be held on Aug. 15 at Vanderbilt Tullahoma-Harton Hospital in Tullahoma. Registration is required by calling 931-393-7938.

Food distribution

The following locations are offering free food when available to all those in need: Abundant Life Church, 3310 Cowan Hwy., Winchester, on the second Thursday of each month at 1:30 p.m.; First Baptist Church, 218 N. Main St., Estill Springs, on the second Saturday of each month from 9-10 a.m.; First Baptist Church, 108 S. High St., Winchester, on the first Saturday of each month in February, May, August and November; Campora Resource Center, 900 S. Shepherd St., Winchester, every Thursday from noon to 1 p.m.; Huntland United Methodist Church, 108 Methodist Ave., Huntland, on the third Saturday of the month at 2 p.m.; Good Samaritan Ministries, 1725 Decherd Blvd., Decherd, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; The Table, 106 Roger St., Cowan, every Saturday from 3-7 p.m.; Journey Church, 916 Dinah Shore Blvd., Winchester, every third Thursday.

Help with addiction

If you have a loved one struggling with drug or alcohol use, Narconon can help you take steps to overcome addiction in your family. Call for free screenings or referrals at 1-800-431-1754. To learn more, visit narcononnewliferetreat.org/blog/the-dangerous-waiting-game.html. In addition, a new substance-abuse treatment locator website from the Tennessee Department of Health is available at FindHelpNowTN.org. Also, StartYourRecovery.org is another resource with experts in substance-use-disorder treatment from leading nonprofit, academic and government institutions offering help in finding local support and treatment options including stories from individuals with similar life experiences and help in recognizing and dealing with substance use disorder.

NA meetings

Narcotics Anonymous meetings are held Wednesdays and Saturdays at 7 p.m. at Decherd United Methodist Church, 300 E. Main St., Decherd. Call 866-801-6621.

AlAnon meetings

AlAnon meetings for family members or friends struggling with problem drinkers are held on Thursdays at 7 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 100 S. Jefferson St., Winchester. In Tullahoma, meetings are held at Serenity House, 313 Collins Ave., Tullahoma, on Mondays at 7 p.m. Call 931-327-2165.

AA meetings

Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are held Mondays and Thursdays at 7 p.m. at 100 S. Jefferson St., Winchester. For information, call 866-641-9190.

Full Moon Healing Project

Anyone who has experienced any type of abuse such as domestic violence, sexual assault, sex trafficking or who is struggling with mental health issues or substance abuse may attend the Full Moon Healing Project group meetings held each Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the Campora Family Resource Center, 900 S. Shepherd St., Winchester. For information, call 931-636-1852 or email thefullmoonhealing@gmail.com.

Farmers Markets

The Franklin County Farmers Market is in full swing with local farmers offering their goods each Saturday from 7 a.m. to noon at 817 Dinah Shore Blvd., Winchester. Some vendors are also there on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting at 7 a.m. In addition, a farmers market is held at the Franklin County Senior Center, 74 Clover Dr. in Winchester, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 7 a.m. to noon.

TN Camp Thrive

Tennessee Camp Thrive in Franklin County is looking for 30 committed children ages 9-12 and their families to participate in their year-long day camp that will provide social activities, leadership lessons as well as fun outings. Camp is held on one Saturday each month. For information, call 931-800-9112. This project is funded under a grant contract with the State of Tennessee.

July 27-31

Empty the shelters

The Bissell Pet Foundation has teamed up with MetLife Pet Insurance to bring an Empty the Shelters reduced pet-adoption-fee event to Animal Harbor, located at 56 Nor-Nan Road, Winchester, where adoption fees will be $50 or less today through July 31. A map showing other participating shelters can be found at bissellpetfoundation.org/empty-the-shelters/.

July 27

Unity on the Yard

The Franklin County School System will hold Unity on the Yard today from 2-5 p.m. on the yard of the Franklin County Board of Education, 215 S. College St., Winchester. This event is for students and their families prior to the start of the 2023-24 school year. Enjoy fun, food and activities. The local NAACP will be collecting school supplies.

Ice cream social

The Franklin County Republican Party Ladies’ division ice cream social is tonight at 6:30 p.m. at the Firefly at Twin Creeks. Bring friends and any candidate running in the August city elections.

July 27-29

Early voting

Early voting continues today and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon at the Franklin County Election Commission, 839 Dinah Shore Blvd., Winchester.

July 28-30

Sales tax holiday

Tennessee’s traditional sales tax holiday on clothing, school supplies and computers is this weekend starting Friday at 12:01 a.m. and ending Sunday at 11:59 p.m.

Christmas in July

Downtown Winchester will hold Christmas in July on Friday from 6-9:30 p.m. in downtown Winchester. Enjoy music, art, shopping, food and door prizes. 

July 29

Clothing giveaway

Agape Ministries Winchester, 35 S. Porter St., Winchester, will hold a clothing giveaway on Saturday starting at 9 a.m. All are welcome.

School resource roundup

Everyone is invited to a school-resource roundup Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Frasier McEwen Park in Tullahoma, featuring a free day of family fun including live music, inflatables, a petting zoo, axe-throwing, shopping, a car show and more.

Swiss Heritage Celebration

The public is invited to the annual Grundy County Swiss Heritage Celebration on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Stoker-Stampfli Farm Museum on Swiss Colony Cemetery Road in Gruetli-Laager. Vendors are welcome to apply by calling 931-235-3029. For information, visit swisshistoricalsociety.org.

July 29-30

Monteagle Mountain Market Arts and Crafts Show

The annual Monteagle Mountain Market Arts and Crafts Show will be held Saturday and Sunday in Hannah Pickett Park located behind Monteagle City Hall. Show hours are Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with free parking and admission.

Aug. 1

Meet and greet

North Middle School Principal Holly Eslick and other faculty and staff will hold a meet and greet on Tuesday from 5-6 p.m. in the school cafeteria for all upcoming sixth-graders and new students.

Customer appreciation

A night market will be held Tuesday from 4-7 p.m. at the Franklin County Farmers Market on Dinah Shore Blvd. in Winchester. Shop while enjoying grilled hot dogs with chips and ice cream. Back-to-school bags will be available while they last.

Aug. 1-Oct. 31

Grocery tax holiday

Tennessee’s 2023 grocery tax holiday on food and food ingredients starts Aug. 1 and runs through Oct. 31. Liquor is not included.

Aug. 3

Election Day

Election Day is Aug. 3 where citizens of Cowan, Decherd, Huntland, Estill Springs and Winchester can vote for their respective candidate or candidates at their local precinct from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. For information, call 931-967-1893.

Open house

Huntland Schools’ back-to-school open house is Aug. 3 at 6 p.m. in the gym for grades K-12.

Open house

Rock Creek Elementary’s open house is Aug. 3 starting at 5:30 p.m.

Orientation

South Middle School orientation will be held Aug. 3 for all students and parents/guardians from 5:30-7 p.m. Incoming students may also register. 

Aug. 4

Back-to-school bash

The Cowan Commercial Club and Cowan churches welcome all children to a back-to-school bash on Aug. 4 starting at 6 p.m. on North Tennessee Avenue. The event will feature free school supplies, games and prizes, vendors, food trucks, a kid’s dance party and more. Bring chairs for an outdoor movie behind the old Cowan Texaco Welcome Center starting at 8:30 a.m.

Aug. 5

Hometown Heroes

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office invites everyone to its Hometown Heroes event on Aug. 5 from 4-8 p.m. at the Southern Middle Tennessee Pavilion, 1041 Wilton Circle, Winchester. Meet first responders and see their equipment and enjoy activities including a kid’s zone, a first responders’ vehicle best-in-show competition, food trucks, a K-9 demonstration, a mock DUI crash and much more. 

Aug. 6

Beauty pageant

The Fall Heritage Festival Beauty Pageant will be held on Aug. 6 at 2 p.m. at Monterey Station, 104 Monterey Street, Cowan. For information, call 931-308-5754 or email fhfpageant@gmail.com. See fallheritagefestival.org.

Aug. 7

School begins

Students return to school in Franklin County on Aug. 7 with an abbreviated day from 8-9:30 a.m. Beginning on Aug. 8, regular school hours will be in effect. See fcstn.net for information.

Aug. 26

Bone drop

Animal Harbor will hold their annual bone drop Aug. 26 featuring family entertainment, food, agility demonstration and live music by Julie Taylor. Buy a bone for $100 for a chance to win $3,000, $1,500 or $500. See animalharbor.org or text Emily at 931-308-8785.

Send community events to Lstacy@heraldchronicle.com by 2 p.m. each Monday.