News Files

Grove Hill Calendar of Events

January
Grove Hill Cultural Arts Center Annual Fundraiser
The Grove Hill Arts Council will host their annual fundraiser on Sunday, January 24, 2010.  This event will be held at the Grove Hill Cultural Arts Center from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.  Donations for a $25 ticket will give the ticket holder the opportunity to take home a painting done by a local artist.
 Hors d’oeuvres and entertainment will be provided. 

January
Art classes for all ages and all levels of creativity will be offered during the month of January.  Classes will include Stained Glass, Tatting, Beginning Art, Independent Art Classes, and Children’s Art Classes.  For specific information on these classes contact Frances Ohme at 275-3789.

February and March
The Grove Hill Library along with the Grove Hill Arts Council will be participating in the “Big Read” statewide book read of Tom Sawyer.  This event will encourage all Alabamians to read the book and participate in various activities related to the story.  Activities are being planned during the months of February and March at the library. 
Call 275-8157 for information and an activities agenda.

February
The Grove Hill Memorial Hospital Auxiliary’s annual Bridge Tournament will be held Tuesday, February 9, 2010.  Players from Clarke and surrounding counties come together to share their skills and love of the game.  The event will be held at the Café Bella Rhue.  Lunch will be provided along with door prizes.  The feature prize, a $200.00 gift certificate, donated by Sharon Reynolds from The Gift Gallery will be given away at the end of the event.
Participation fee is $20.00. All proceeds benefit the non-profit hospital auxiliary.

February
The Clarke County Board of Education will host a “Parent University” on February 20, 2010 from 8:30 a.m until 12:30 p.m.  Workshops and discussion groups will be held covering all aspects of education for parents to attend free of charge.  The event will be held at Jackson Intermediate School and is open to all citizens in Clarke County.  Transportation will be provided as well as breakfast, lunch, and door prizes.

February
Child Advocacy Center Dinner and Auction
The Regional Child Advocacy Center located in Grove Hill will be hosting their annual “Honor Thy Children” dinner and auction fundraiser on
February 20, 2010 at the H. W. Pearce Memorial Park in Jackson.  The event will begin at 5:30 p.m.  There will be a silent auction and a live auction with proceeds to benefit the non-profit agency.  Admission is $30.00.  Call 251.275.2804 for ticket info.  Tickets should be purchased prior to the event.

March
The Regional Child Advocacy Center along with Twin Rivers Recreational Center will be hosting a “Putt Putt Golf Tournament” in March.  Teams of four can play to win prizes.  Prizes will also be given in different age divisions.  Contact the Advocacy Center for additional info 251.275.2804.

March
The Clarke County Animal Shelter Task Force will be hosting an antiques appraising event on Saturday, March 13, 2010.  “Treasurers of the Past – What Are They Worth” will be a special gathering of antique and collectible appraisers who, for a small fee, will examine and appraise any items you bring.  This event will be held on the grounds of the Clarke County Historical Museum from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.  All proceeds will go towards the funding of the Clarke County Animal Shelter.

April
Grove Hill’s annual Community Spring Clean Up Day -  One weekend in the month of April is set aside for citizens to volunteer and spruce up the town.  Volunteers spread out over the town to pick up trash and unsightly debris on the streets.  A garbage trailer is parked at town hall for anyone to bring trash and debris they collect from the streets or even their yards during the “Annual Spring Clean Up.”  Trash bags, car litter bags, and refreshments are provided by the Chamber of Commerce to all participants.

April
Park Appreciation Day  -  April  2010
This day officially kicks off the baseball and softball season at the town park.  It also celebrates all the facilities that are available for use at the park.  A fun day of food, games, ball, speeches, and good fellowship with the citizens of Grove Hill and the surrounding area are enjoyed by all.  The day begins with a parade through town at 9 a.m. consisting of all the baseball and softball teams playing at the park.  This is followed by the opening ceremony and the beginning of ball season.

April
American Cancer Relay for Life  -  April 9, 2010
This national event is held in April on the grounds of the Clarke County Historical Museum.  Teams are formed to “walk” for donations for the American Cancer Society for cancer research.  The event begins at 6 p.m. and continues on all night long finally ending at 6 a.m. the next morning.  Each walking team sets up their own campsite complete with food, blankets, and good fellowship.  Entertainment and activities go on all night long.

April
Grove Hill Memorial Hospital Auxiliary will hold its semi-annual jewelry sale in the hospital lobby.  Jewelry items all $6 and $12 will be on sale for the two day event.  All proceeds benefit the non-profit hospital auxiliary.  Dates for the event are April 22 and 23rd beginning at 8:00 a.m.

April
The Clarke County Old Timers will be holding their annual reunion on Saturday, April 24, 2010 at Clarke County High School beginning at 10 a.m.
Dedication will be held for the commemorative plaque issued by the State recognizing the event as part of the “Small Towns/ Downtowns” year long tourism project. 

April  
Grove Hill Arts Council Photography Competition and Exhibit
The Grove Hill Arts Council will host their annual amateur photography competition and exhibit during the month of April.  The theme of the event is Backyard Photography.  This year a special category has been created for judging.  It will be “Gates of Clarke County.”  Competition judging is divided into age groups and categories and includes color and black and white photography.  After the competition, winning entrees will be placed on exhibit at the Grove Hill Cultural Arts Center.  The date of the event is
April 23-25, 2010.

May
Clarke County Junior Miss – May 1, 2010
The county-wide competition for the title of Clarke County Junior Miss is held the first weekend of May.  Eleventh grade high school contestants from all over the county compete for the prestigious title and opportunity to travel to Montgomery to represent Clarke County in the state pageant.  The annual event will be held at Thomasville Civic Center.

May - July
Children’s Summer Play
The Grove Hill Arts Council presents an annual Children’s Summer Play in the month of July.  The theme changes every year and includes musicals, drama, or even storybook reenactments.  Try outs are open for all children interested in performing.  The performances are held at Sage Auditorium at Clarke County High School and lead by Amy Clarke-Davis of Clarke-Davis Performing Arts Studio.

July
Children’s Summer Art Camp
The Grove Hill Arts Council will sponsor a weeklong art camp in Grove Hill. Workshops will be held from 9 a.m. until 11.30.  Participants will be instructed in clay modeling, graphite sketching, pastels, and fabric painting.  A $25.00 registration fee is required for the camp.  A reception will be held  for parents and relatives to view all artwork created at the camp.
Location and dates to be announced later.  Call 275-4188 for information.

August
Back to School Breakfast
A “Back to School” lunch is held for all teachers returning to school in Grove Hill.  Lunch, door prizes and appreciation speakers are all part of the event.  School personnel from Clarke Prep School, Grove Hill Elementary School, Wilson Hall Middle School, and Clarke County High School are all invited.  This is sponsored by Grove Hill Baptist Church.

August
Back to School Block Party
Grove Hill Baptist Church hosts a “Back to School Block Party” the first Saturday after school begins from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.  Activities include face painting, inflatables, games, free food, and more.  A special Christian Band concert will be held and local high school football teams, cheerleaders and band members will be recognized.  500 free backpacks will be given away.  The event will be held in front of Grove Hill Baptist Church and Clarke County High School.

September
The annual kick off event for United Way Clarke County will be held September 9, 2010.  This event will feature fun activities and games for kids and adults as well as food and refreshments and entertainment.  Organizations served by United Way will have booths set up with free information and goodies for all in attendance.  This event is free and open to everyone.

September
Litter Awareness Week
The Clarke County Citizens Against Litter Committee conducts an annual Litter Awareness Week in September.  During the designated week in September the committee educates citizens about the evils of littering and a countywide clean up day is held.  Trash bags, car litter bags, coloring books, and book marks are given out to inform citizens.  Also, local restaurants will have available special anti-litter placemats for children. This year’s litter education week is September 19 – 25, 2010.

October
Golf Tournament
Grove Hill Memorial Hospital Auxiliary’s annual golf tournament is held each year to raise money for projects at the hospital.  This tournament is a major fund raiser for the Auxiliary and draws many participants from all over the southwestern part of the state.  Cash prizes are awarded to the winners.
For additional information contact the Grove Hill Chamber of Commerce or Emily Steadham at Grove Hill Memorial Hospital.

October
The Grove Hill Memorial Hospital Auxiliary will hold their bi-annual jewelry sale in the lobby of the hospital.  Jewelry items, all $6.00 and $12.00 are for sale for the two day event.  Luggage and bags are also available for purchase. All proceeds benefit the non-profit hospital auxiliary.  Dates of the event are October 28 and 29, 2010.

October
Pioneer Day
An event that has become an annual attraction is the Pioneer Day festival at the Clarke County Historical Museum.  The building and grounds become a living history exhibit for visitors interested in how syrup was made from sorghum or ribbon cane, the way a pioneer wife the 1800’s washed the family’s clothes, how cotton was cleaned, combed, spun and eventually made into cloth, candle making, lye soap making, corn husk doll making, pottery, outdoor pioneer cooking and many other pioneer activities.  A special part of the day is the presentations made by Indian Blue Heron.  Children can even play games that were played in the 1800’s.  Pioneer Day will be held
October 30, 2010 and admission to the event is free.

November
The annual James Bond’s Charity Raffle & BBQ will be held during the month of November.  This annual event benefits “A Secret Safe Place for Newborns” which is a project of the District Attorney’s Office.  BBQ, Conecuh sausage, and all the trimmings are offered at this event which is held in the Clarke County Courthouse Square.  A special prize is given away each year.  Tickets can be purchased from the Clarke County District Attorney’s Office at the courthouse.

November
Grove Hill Civitan’s Citizen of the Year Banquet
This banquet is held every first Thursday in November in Grove Hill honoring the newly selected Citizen of the Year.  Organizations, schools, individuals, and businesses submit nominations for this prestigious honor and a recipient is selected based on their contribution to the town and surrounding area.  They are recognized at the dinner with speeches, testimonies and awards.  Tickets can be purchased from any Civitan member.  The event for this year will be held November 4, 2010.

November
Grove Hill’s annual Community Thanksgiving Ceremony is held the Sunday night before Thanksgiving.  All churches are invited to participate in the program with includes religious singing and fellowship.  The event is held at various locations every year.  For more information, please call 275-4188.

November
Christmas Open House is held the Sunday after Thanksgiving in Grove Hill.  Businesses in Grove Hill open their doors after church and welcome shoppers and visitors.  Refreshments and door prizes are offered at the businesses along with special holiday sales. 

December
Christmas Parade
Grove Hill’s annual Christmas Parade and activities are held on the first Thursday in December.  The parade begins at 4 p.m. and travels down the middle of town on Jackson Street.  Santa meets with children after the parade at the Clarke County Museum for photos and candy.  Local entertainment is provided along with activities for the kids and food and drink.  The date will be December 2, 2010.

December
Annual Tree Lighting
A very special and solemn event is held at the Grove Hill Memorial Hospital in December.  The Auxiliary sells lights to place on the Christmas tree in front of the hospital.  Over 2,000 lights are sold each year either in honor or memory of someone.  The second Thursday in December is designated as the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at the hospital with entertainment, food and good fellowship.  A reception is held after the program where the names of the honorees and memorials are displayed in the hospital lobby.  The event will be held December 9, 2010.

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