YARD SALE

Talawanda Middle holds classroom sale today

Talawanda Middle School students with disabilities will hold their third annual classroom yard sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on today in front of Talawanda Middle School.

Students in the class have been pricing items and will work at the yard sale, making change as part of their Math curriculum. All proceeds go toward classroom cooking activities and field trips.

BOOK SIGNING

Lukens book signing set for today

There will be a book signing at The Knolls of Oxford in the Commons library for Rebecca Lukens’ book “It’s Been Great” from 1 to 3 p.m. today.

Follett’s Miami Co-op Bookstore will be on site with Books for sale.

KRAMER SCHOOL

Kramer Carnival scheduled for Saturday

The Kramer Carnival will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday at Kramer Elementary School and will feature bouncy houses, LaRosa’s Pizza, a $100 giveaway, bumper cars and many games.

LANE LIBRARY

Friends of Library book sale set for Saturday

The Friends of Oxford Lane Library will hold its monthly book sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, and also on Nov. 3 and Dec. 1, in the lobby of Oxford Lane Library.

Avid readers and movie and music lovers can find hardcover fiction and DVDs for $2, paperback fiction for $1, and children’s books and CDs 2/$1. Collectible books will be individually priced.

FOOD DRIVE

Event to benefit Community Choice Pantry

The Oxford Branch of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church are sponsoring a food drive to benefit the Oxford Community Choice Pantry.

The pantry serves 320 local households, including 450 children, 520 adults and 70 seniors. Items needed at this time include canned tuna, canned vegetables, canned fruit, chicken noodle soup, peanut butter, pastas (spaghetti, noodles and macaroni) and bar hand soap.

Church members will distribute donation information Saturday. Pick-up will be on Saturday. Donations also can be dropped off at the Oxford LDS chapel (6600 Contreras Ave.) by noon on Saturday. For more information, contact Robert Wicks at (513) 523-6860.

PETS

Pet Blessing to be held Saturday in Eaton

The Humane Society of Preble County is sponsoring a Pet Blessing at the Grace Lutheran Church, located at 111 Lutheran Drive in Eaton. Everyone is welcome.

Pastor Warren Reicher and Pastor David Matevia will perform the pet blessings from noon to 1 p.m. on Saturday. Just drive into the church driveway with your pets and you will be instructed where to go for the blessing.

After the blessings at the church, there will be a blessing of the animals at the Pet Center, located at 951 S. Barron St. in Eaton. Donations are kindly accepted for the day-to-day care of the Center’s animals.

To view a partial listing of the adoptable dogs and cats at the Pet Center, go to www.petfinder.com/shelters/OH95.htlm.

For more information, call the Humane Society of Preble County at (937) 456-7387.

REILY TWP.

Fire station dedication set for Sunday

An open house and dedication of the refurbished Reily Twp. Fire Station No. 2 in Woods Station, located at 4833 Garver Elliott Road, will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday to launch fire prevention week.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at 2 p.m., and there also will be station tours, blood pressure checks, refreshments and pictures with Patches, the safety robot. Learn about becoming an EMT or firefighter.

The station improvements were paid entirely with a Community Development Block Grant through the Butler County Commissioners.

MUSIC

Organ Concert scheduled for Sunday

The eighth annual Ginx Peck Memorial Organ Concert will be held at 4 p.m. on Sunday at Oxford United Methodist Church.

The featured organist, Brenda Portman, is a multiple-award winning concert artist who serves as the resident organist at Hyde Park Community Methodist Church in Cincinnati, where she plays the 88 rank Casavant organ, accompanies the Wesley Choir and Cathedral Choir and serves as executive director of the church’s renowned Organ Concert Series.

FORUM

Special guest to address addiction at Holy Trinity

The community is invited to a series of presentations about addiction to be held on Sundays, Oct. 7, 14 and 21 at Holy Trinity Church, located at 25 E. Walnut St. (the corner of Walnut and Poplar), beginning with coffee at 9 a.m. and followed by the forum at 9:15.

Tiffany Lombardo-Bement, MSW, LSW, and graduate of the University of Chicago, will facilitate the forum. Topics to be discussed are: Addiction’s meaning and effects; Personal responses and recovery; Communal responses and reconciliation. All are invited. For more information, please contact 523-7559.

DAR

Oxford chapter to celebrate anniversary

The Oxford Caroline Scott Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution will hold its regular meeting at 1:30 p.m. on Monday at the Oxford Community Arts Center to celebrate the 96th anniversary of the chapter’s founding.

There will be a display of chapter history by historian Elaine Ortman and the program will be “Fall Cleanup for Winter Gardening,” given by Kevin Wilson of Shademakers. The hostesses will be Sue Moore and Susanne Dunkelberger.

STUDENTS

Destination Imagination sets meeting

Destination Imagination, an international program for creative problem solving for students from kindergarten through college, will hold an informational meeting from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Monday at the Nelson Morrow Building, located directly behind SDS Pizza at 909 Collins Run Road.

The meeting will focus on what DI is, how students get registered and for recruiting volunteers as new managers. Information, dates and expectations will be shared to help with the registration process.

Children work as a team (no more than seven members) to complete a challenge. Team members select the problem and use critical thinking, divergent thinking, creative problem solving, research and communication skills to develop their solution.

The fee for each student is $30 to cover registration costs. For more information regarding DI, contact Jean Pauna at paunaj@talawanda.org.

HALLOWEEN

Oxford sets Trick or Treat times

Trick or Treat in Oxford will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 31, the City of Oxford has announced.

MEETING

College planning to be discussed at THS

The Talawanda High School Guidance Department will host a college planning meeting for parents of juniors and seniors at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 10 in the Talawanda High School auditorium.

Topics to be covered will be: selecting a college, application process, essay writing, campus visits, time management, interviews, ACT/SAT test taking tips, financial aid, scholarships and more.

Juniors and seniors are welcome to attend with their parents. Questions should be directed to the high school Guidance Office by calling (513) 273-3218 during regular school hours.

DINNER

Peacemaker Dinner slated for Thursday

The International Peacemaker Dinner, featuring the Rev. Wilfred Orr, will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct,. 11 at The Campus Ministry Center, located at 16 S. Campus Ave.

Rev. Orr has worked in Northern Ireland on maintaining the peace between the Protestant and Catholic communities. Over the past 29 years he has served as the leader of St. John’s Church Newtownbreda in Belfast. He will share insights on conflict resolution and peacemaking — relevant topics in today’s world, where inter-religious violence makes headlines on a daily basis.

Dinner is free, but please RSVP by calling the CMC at (513) 523-4848 or sending an email to Rebecca@campusministrycenter.org no later than Oct. 7. The event is sponsored by The Campus Ministry Center and Oxford Presbyterian Church.

PREBLE COUNTY

Schools Regional Council to meet on Oct. 11

The Preble County Schools Regional Council of Governments will meet at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 11 at the Preble County Educational Service Center, located at 597 Hillcrest Drive in Eaton. The purpose of the meeting is to review insurance programs, along with other business to be brought before the COG.

AUDUBON

Bird seed sale continues until Oct. 12

Audubon Miami Valley is holding its bird seed sale to ensure the survival of birds over the winter and to help provide hours of pleasure for birdwatchers. It also helps support the many programs provided by AMV.

Order forms are available at Whistle Stop Drive Thru and on the website amvohio.org. Orders must be placed by Oct. 12.

Bird seed pick up dates are Friday, Oct. 19 from 3 to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 20 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Whistle Stop Drive Thru, located at 304 W. Collins Ave. in Oxford.

CHURCH

Bibleway sets special service for Oct. 14

The First Pentecostal Bibleway Church at 100 Homestead Ave. will host a special service at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 14 with Bishop Henry Booker and the congregation of Praise Temple Community Church of Cincinnati.

On Nov. 2-3 First Lady Beverly A. Simmons will host a retreat for ages 18 and up. The theme is “Women Let’s Keep it Real.”

Contact the church at (513) 423-3415 for additional information on both events. All are welcome to worship with First Pentecostal Bibleway.

LANE LIBRARY

Third Thursday event slated for Oct. 18

Adults 18 and over are invited to join in the discussion of “The Night Circus” by Erin Morgenstern at Third Thursday Adult Book Club from 3 to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 18 at the Oxford Lane Library.

Copies of the book will be available at the Circulation Desk after registration.

Registration is required. To register, call (513) 523-7531, ext. 215. The Oxford Lane Library is located at 15 S. College Ave.

For more information about this and other programs at the Lane Libraries, please call 894-6557 or visit the Lane Web site at www.lanepl.org.

CITY OF OXFORD

Leaf pick-up program to start Oct. 22

The City of Oxford will begin the annual leaf pick up program on Monday, Oct. 22, 2012.

Leaves should be raked to the gutter for pick up by City crews, except in areas where it could create a traffic hazard, such as the east side of College Avenue from Chestnut Street to Church Street. Read More at http://www.cityofoxford.org/News.asp?NewsID=931.

BASKETBALL

Cooper to conduct class for women

Miami University men’s basketball coach John Cooper will hold a Basketball 101 class at Millett Hall from 5:15 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 24 at Millett Hall. The event for women is sponsored by Luna Blu Salon and Spa.

Hors d’oeuvres and wine will be served on the Millett Hall concourse and participants will have a chance to meet and mingle with the RedHawk coaching staff.

Basketball 101 attendees will will be treated to a behind-the-scenes tour of the facilities by the coaching staff and will have the opportunity to see members of the 2012-13 squad in action on the court as they conduct some practice drills. Cooper also will conduct a question-and-answer session following the practice drills. Participants will not be playing basketball at the Basketball 101 event, so gym shoes are not needed.

For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Chrissy Ormond at (513) 529-0459 or ormondca@MiamiOH.edu. Tickets are $36 and a portion of the proceeds will benefit Luna Cares.

LANE LIBRARY

Book to Movie Club set for Oct. 29, Nov. 19

Adults 18 and over are invited to the Book to Movie Club from 6 to 8 p.m. on Mondays, Oct. 29 and Nov. 19 at Oxford Lane Library. Read the book and then join the club for a viewing and discussion of the film adaptation.

Registration is required. To register, or for book and movie titles, call (513) 523-7531, ext. 215. The Oxford Lane Library is located at 15 S. College Ave.

For more information about this and other programs at the Lane Libraries, call (513) 894-6557 or visit the Lane web site at www.lanepl.org.

RECYCLING

Hazardous waste, tire recycling days set

Household hazardous waste can be recycled at the former Talawanda High School at 101 W. Chestnut Street in Oxford from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 27. Items which can be recycled include paint, fluorescent tubes and compact fluorescent bulbs, mercury-containing devices, automotive fluids and motor oil, batteries (household and automotive), varnish, pesticides and herbicides, antifreeze, propane tanks, acids, pool chemicals, adhesives and fire extinguishers.

Waste tires can be recycled at Ross High School, located at 3601 Hamilton-Cleves Road, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 3. All tire sizes will be accepted. Tires should be off the rim.

Both programs are open to all Butler County residents free of charge.

LANE LIBRARY

Fall story time programs are offered

The Oxford Lane Library’s story time programs for children ages 4-6 will be held from 10:30 to 11 a.m. on Tuesdays through Nov. 27.

Toddler time for ages 2-3 will be held from 10:30 to 1 a.m. and repeated from 11 to 11:30 a.m. on Wednesdays through Nov. 28.

Baby Time for newborns to babies 11 months old will be held from 10:30 to 11 a.m. on and for babies 12-24 months will be held from 11 to 11:30 a.m. on Thursdays through Nov. 29 (except Nov. 22).

Family Time will be held from 10:30 to 11 a.m. on Fridays through Nov. 30.

Finger plays, songs and other activities designed for each age group expand the experience of featured stories to help parents instill a lifelong love of books. Call (513) 523-7531, ext. 218 for details. The Oxford Lane Library is located at 15 S. College Ave.

For more information about these and other programs at the Lane Libraries, call (513) 894-6557 or visit the Lane Web site at www.lanepl.org.

NAACP

Meeting scheduled for Nov. 12

A general membership meeting of the Oxford Unit, NAACP will be held at 6:30 p .m. on Nov. 12 at Bethel A.M.E. Church, located at 14 South Beech St. It will have the election of officers and at-large members of the Executive Committee.

For more information, call Ann Wengler at (513) 524-8553 or email akweng!@aol.com.

The Oxford NAACP Annual Freedom Fund Banquet is scheduled for Sunday, April 21, 2013 at 5 p.m. at Miami University’s Shriver Center.

REILY TWP.

Historical society seeks volunteers

The Reily Twp. Historical Society seeks volunteers to help at meetings, including cleaning, picking up donations and helping with operation of the Hammond House museum.

Anyone who wants to volunteer can contact Mary Alice at mabob.shupp@gmail.com.

RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL

New themed weekends on tap this year

The Ohio Renaissance Festival will be held Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 21 and has a new themed weekend.

The Oktoberfest Weekend is scheduled for Oct 13-14 and will feature a wide selection of beers and ales at the village pubs with brats on sandwiches and sticks. There will be an Ode to Ale Toasting Contest at the Aleing Knight Pub. Children can join in a game of Topfschlagen (hit the pot) with villagers.

New entertainment includes the KamiKaze FireFlies, who provide comedic adventures of juggling, fire eating, tricks and tomfoolery. The grand finale features a bologna sandwich made with an interesting utensil by a world-record holder.

Other new entertainment will be traditional Irish folk music from the Rogues of Rafferty in the village pubs and lanes.