The Gordon Gazette updates the Community Calendar three times per week. The Community Calendar is a listing of events in Calhoun-Gordon County that the Gordon Gazette provides as free content.

If you'd like an event added, please email the information to staff@gordongazettega.com and we will add it free of charge!

ONGOING

VETERANS COFFEE TIME EACH FRIDAY AT THE CALHOUN-GORDON COUNTY LIBRARY: Veterans coffee hour is every Friday at 10:30 a.m. at the Calhoun-Gordon County Library, located at 100 North Park Avenue in downtown Calhoun. Veterans are invited to enjoy coffee and chat in a relaxed environment.

PARKINSON'S SUPPORT GROUP: Bradley Wellness Center (BWC), 1225 Broadrick Drive in Dalton, is beginning a Parkinson’s Support Group on Oct. 2. Whether you are newly diagnosed, a long-term fighter or a caregiver, this group can help. The sessions will include tips, resources and encouragement to help with daily life. The meetings will be held in the upstairs classroom at BWC from noon to 1 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month. Please call 706-278-9355 to register.

SILVER SNEAKERS CLASS EACH TUESDAY AND FRIDAY: Make sure to join in on this fun Silver Sneakers class every Tuesday and Friday mornings at 9am. Silver Sneakers is a fitness and wellness program offered to seniors that helps you get active, stay fit, and connect with others. Some insurance plans cover the class, however anyone is welcome for a price of $4 per class.

For more information visit call 706-629-2599.

HAMILTON HOSPICE GRIEF & BEREAVEMENT GROUP EVERY FOURTH THURSDAY OF THE MONTH: Hamilton Hospice will begin a new grief and bereavement group every fourth Thursday of the month. The group meets from 12 noon - 1 p.m. at the Dalton-Whitfield County Library, 310 Cappes Street, Dalton.

MUSIC LESSONS AT HARRIS ARTS CENTER: The Harris Arts Center is offering a variety of music lessons with Lauren Talley and Stephen Hare. For more information call the Harris Arts Center, 706-629-2599.

BREAST CANCER SUPPORT GROUP AT PEEPLES CANCER INSTITUTE: The local Breast Cancer Support Group will meet on the first Thursday of each month from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Peeples Cancer Institute (1215 Memorial Drive in Dalton) conference room. If you have questions, please call 706-226-8966.

ATRIUM HEALTH FLOYD HOLDING STROKE SURVIVOR SUPPORT GROUP: Stroke survivors and caregivers can find support, camaraderie and education during a free monthly support group organized by Atrium Health Floyd. The Stroke Survivor Support Group will meet the first Thursday of each month at noon at Suite 101, 304 Shorter Ave., Rome. The first meeting will take place Nov. 6. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet other stroke survivors, share experiences and learn how they can better navigate daily living. Topics include: – general stroke education – nutrition – disease management – physical therapy
– occupational therapy – speech therapy – spiritual support – emotional wellbeing – community – resources – peer support

For more information or to attend, contact Merrell at 706-509-5994. Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center is designated as a Primary Stroke Center by The Joint Commission. The certification recognizes that the hospital has critical elements to achieve long-term success in improving outcomes for stroke patients.

HARRIS ARTS CENTER TO OFFER MAKE & MINGLE MONDAYS: The Harris Arts Center is thrilled to announce their latest art offering! Every fourth Monday, the Arts Center will host their Make & Mingle class! This is your opportunity to work on whatever project you've got going on -- whether it's drawing, painting, crotchet, stitching, sewing, writing…you name it! Bring your materials and chat with other local artists and makers. You might even bounce ideas off one another. Don't have anything to work on but still want to socialize? That's perfect -- there is always something crafty to be done around the Harris Arts Center! This is completely free, however storage and supplies are not offered. Bring what you need and take what you brought! Don't miss out on this fun (& FREE) new avenue. The first Make & Mingle class will be on March 25th from 10 a.m. until Noon.

PUBLIC CAN NOW RECYCLE CANS AT GCF&R RANGER STATION TO ‘GIVE BURNS THE BOOT’: Gordon County Fire & Rescue’s Station 10 in Ranger invites the public to recycle their aluminum cans in the trailer outside of the station, located at 131 US-411, Ranger, to help the ‘Give Burns The Boot’ campaign through the Georgia Firefighter Burn Association. “Give Burns The Boot” is an annual campaign in which more than 100 fire departments throughout the State join together and collect funds to benefit the organization’s mission and programs. The trailer will be a permanent fixture at the fire station.

OCTOBER 2026

HALLOWEEN FREE MOVIE SERIES AT THE GEM! The FREE Halloween Movie Series is back at the historic GEM Theatre this fall! From beloved animated adventures and feel-good family favorites to spine-tingling supernatural classics and bone-chilling cult hits, this series runs the full spectrum of Halloween fun. Grab your costumes, round up your bravest friends, and make plans to spend your spookiest season yet at Calhoun's Historic GEM Theatre!

Bettlejuice

Thursday, October 29 at 7pm

FREE Admission

Sponsored by: Estella’s Taqueria

NEW TOWN BAPTIST TRUNK-OR-TREAT HAPPENING WEDNESDAY NIGHT, OCT. 28: New Town Baptist Church, located at 897 Newtown Church Rd NE in Calhoun, is holding a TRUNK OR TREAT Wednesday night! Costumes Are Encouraged! Wednesday, October 28th, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM, Meal at 6:30 PM. YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS IT!

BEGINNING SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3RD…AND EVERY SATURDAY IN OCTOBER! COOLADE THE CLOWN AT ALL STAR HALLOWEEN! You’ll want to be at All Star Halloween, located at at 976 Highway 53 W/SW Spur in Calhoun, for Coolade the Clown, every Saturday in October! Coolade the Clown will be on site each Saturday in October, from 12 - 3 p.m., making balloon figures!

CHILDREN’S INSTITUTE HOLDING ABILITIES WITHOUT LIMITS CONFERENCE, EXPO: Anna Shaw Children’s Institute (ASCI) will host its Abilities Without Limits Conference & Expo (formerly known as the North Georgia Autism Conference) from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 30 at the Dalton Convention Center, 2211 Tony Ingle Parkway in Dalton. The event has been held annually for 11 years. The Abilities Without Limits Conference & Expo is a collaborative event designed to empower, educate and connect individuals who support people with differing abilities across the lifespan. This conference brings together parents and caregivers, educators, healthcare professionals, therapists, young adults, self-advocates and community members for a day of learning, networking and resource sharing. The event will feature Tanner Smith, autism advocate and Netflix’s “Love on the Spectrum” cast member, and his mother, Nicci. Together, their goal is to use their family’s autism story to connect with and inspire others. Attendees will gain practical knowledge, evidence-based strategies and valuable resources to better support individuals with a wide variety of differing abilities in home, school, healthcare, workplace and community settings. Through engaging presentations, interactive discussions, and an extensive exhibitor expo, participants will explore topics related to education, healthcare, independent living, employment, advocacy, community inclusion and family support. Early-bird rates are available through Oct. 10. For more information or to register, please visit VitruvianHealth.com/abilities or contact Coker at NGAC@hhcs.org or 706-226-8928.

DOWNTOWN CALHOUN'S MAIN STREET TRICK-OR-TREAT TO BE HELD FRIDAY, OCT. 30: Downtown Calhoun's Main Street Trick-or-Treat, with the downtown merchants handing out candy, will be held from 4 - 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 30, 2026.

WATERCOLOR CLASS AT THE HARRIS ARTS CENTER TO BE HELD SATURDAY, OCT. 31, 2026: You’ve seen Ruthie Eilers’ work in the Harris Arts Center Art Market—now it’s your turn to create! Join the Harris Arts Center for their Watercolor Class with Ruthie Eilers on Saturday, October 31, from 10 AM–12 Noon. Ruthie will guide you through creating your own beautiful fall-inspired watercolor print, with all supplies included! October 31 | 10 AM–12 Noon; $40 per person | $35 HAC members. Limited spots available! Registration is required. Call 706-629-2599 to sign up.

GRACE CHURCH TO HOST NEIGHBORHOOD FALL FEST ON OCT. 31: Grace Church, located at 401 Peters Street in Calhoun, will host their Neighborhood Fall Festival this Saturday, Oct. 31, from 1 - 3:30 p.m. The public is invited this Saturday to the Neighborhood Fall Fest! Everyone is welcome! Bring your family, invite your friends, and come enjoy an afternoon of fun, faith and fellowship! Hot dogs, Trunk or treat, Inflatables, Music, games & photo booth. Family fun for everyone!

SOUTH CALHOUN BAPTIST FALL FESTIVAL TO BE HELD SATURDAY, OCT. 31: Faith, Family, and Fall Fun! A Community Event for All Ages. South Calhoun Baptist Church invites the community to a fall celebration featuring trick-or-treating, food, games and more! Saturday, October 31, 2026 from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. Dinner at 5 p.m. South Calhoun Baptist Church, 500 Pine Street, Calhoun. Activities and Attractions: Trunk or Treat: Safe, fun trick-or-treating for the whole family; Free Meal: Hot dogs and chips; Games and More: Games, prizes and activities; Free Hot Chocolate and Apple Cider: Warm drinks for a cozy time.

THE BEND HOLDING TRUNK OR TREAT IN PLAINVILLE ON HALLOWEEN: The BEND, A Place to Build • A Place to Belong • A Place to Become, will be holding their Trunk or Treat on Saturday, Oct. 31st! Saturday, OCTOBER 31ST at 6:00 PM. Plainville Rec Dept, 610 School St SW, Plainville, GA 30733. Bring your family, wear your costume, and enjoy a safe, fun-filled evening!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR GORDON COUNTY E-9-1-1’S 3RD ANNUAL FIRST RESPONDER MEET & TREAT! Gordon County E-9-1-1’s Meet & Treat has been set! Saturday, October 31st from 6 - 8 PM at the 911 Center located at 100 Nine One One Blvd., Calhoun, GA.

NOVEMBER 2026

GNTC ANNOUNCES FREE APPLICATION MONTH FOR SPRING 2027 SEMESTER: Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) will host a Free Application Month throughout November to help those who are seeking to enroll in the spring 2027 semester. Through Nov. 30, GNTC will waive the $25 application fee for all incoming students. Applicants should enter the code NOVFREE27 (all capital letters) to waive the fee. The admissions deadline for the spring semester is Nov. 20; applications completed after that date will be eligible through March 7 to enroll for Term C of the spring semester. Classes are scheduled to begin on Jan. 11. GNTC’s call center is available Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., at 866-983-4682. For more information on applying for the spring semester, visit GNTC’s main webpage and click “Apply Now.” For any questions about GNTC’s Free Application Month, contact the Office of Admissions.

FAIRMOUNT'S HOMETOWN CHRISTMAS JUBILEE TO BE HELD SATURDAY, NOV. 7TH: Fairmount’s Hometown Christmas Jubilee, presented by Morning Star Lodge #349, will be held Saturday, November 7, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. The event features: Food; Music; Vendors. Want to be a Vendor? Contact Kim Patterson at 706-273-6647 -Text Preferred. Vendor Fee: $35

ADVENTHEALTH TO HOST "NIGHT OF HOPE - TESTIMONY" FREE CONCERT FOR THE COMMUNITY: Following a powerful storm that prompted the cancellation of Night of Hope in September, AdventHealth is excited to announce, “Night of Hope – Testimony”, a renewed sense of purpose and a reminder that our hope is never dependent on circumstances. Join us at The Forum River Center on Saturday, November 7, at 7 p.m. for Night of Hope – Testimony, a special one-night worship experience celebrating the faithfulness of God and the stories of how He continues to work in our lives. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Bring your family, your church and your community as we gather for an unforgettable evening filled with worship, inspiration and powerful testimonies of God's goodness. Through stories of miracles, redemption and perseverance, attendees will be reminded that God is still moving, still working and still providing hope. The evening will feature music from Georgia's own Daniel Mulkey and special guest Terrian. Night of Hope – Testimony is more than a concert. It is a celebration of what God has done, an opportunity to worship together and a chance to leave encouraged by stories that remind us He is not finished writing our testimony.

RESURRECTION - A JOURNEY TRIBUTE COMING TO THE GEM ON NOV. 7TH: You won't want to miss Resurrection: A Journey Tribute, which will take The GEM stage on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026 beginning at 7 p.m. Since 2014, Resurrection has built a reputation for being the gold standard by which other Journey tributes are measured. In its near decade long existence, the band has developed a Facebook following of over 52,000, nearly twice that of the next most followed Journey tribute act. During that time, the band has played in nearly 40 of the 50 states in the United States, including playing for 40,000 Chicago White Sox fans at US Cellular Field as part of their 10th anniversary celebration of having won the 2005 World Series. The GEM is located at 114 North Wall Street in downtown Calhoun. For tickets, visit https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=gemth

COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING WORSHIP TO BE HELD NOV. 16TH: Community Thanksgiving Worship presented by the Gordon County Christian Ministerial Alliance (GCCMA) will be held Monday, November 16, 2026 beginning at 6 p.m. at the Harris Arts Center, located at 212 South Wall Street in downtown Calhoun. The community is invited to a special Thanksgiving worship service featuring Georgia-Cumberland Academy (GCA), which will lead the worship. Admission is Free, and the program is open to all ages. An offering will be collected and donated to local food banks. Guest speaker for the event is Mike Reynolds from HERO Agriculture, who will share a message on gratitude.

SAVE THE DATE! DOWNTOWN CALHOUN'S MERRY & BRIGHT WEEKEND TO BE HELD NOV. 21 & 22: Downtown Calhoun is inviting the community to celebrate the holiday season during this year’s Merry & Bright Weekend. There’s nothing quite like the joy of coming together as a community during the holidays, and organizers can’t wait to make this year’s event one to remember! Saturday, November 21, 2026 and Sunday, November 22, 2026. What to Expect: Holiday magic and festive fun, Local shopping, Special moments celebrating the community, More exciting events and new features planned for both Saturday and Sunday. Organizers say they look forward to sharing more details and updates soon.

FEEDING THE HUNGRY CALHOUN TO BE HELD THURSDAY, NOV. 26: Calhoun First United Methodist Church will again be hosting Feeding the Hungry Calhoun on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026, from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Calling on volunteers, churches, businesses, and community groups to unite for a common cause. Want to volunteer or donate? If you're passionate about giving back, contact Dr. Walter Harris at 706-263-4584 to learn how you can contribute or donate. Let's come together to bring joy and hope to our homeless, elderly, and veteran neighbors on Thanksgiving Day! Don't miss this opportunity to be part of something amazing! Together, we can make a real difference in our community! This year's menu: Turkey and Ham; Dressing; Green Beans; Mac & Cheese; Corn; Yams; Collard Greens; Desserts; Drinks; Rolls; Potato Salad; Cranberry Sauce. The event is focused on bringing awareness to impoverished areas within the city and surrounding communities and caring for the city's elders.

BETHLEHEM CHRISTMAS TREE FARM OPENS THANKSGIVING DAY! It’s Christmas Tree Time at Bethlehem Christmas Tree Farm with fresh-cut Fraser trees. Opening Thanksgiving, November 26, from 4–8 p.m.; a Black Friday sale November 27 from 4–8 p.m.; All the Festivities will be held on Saturday, November 28, from 11 a.m.–4 p.m. 115 Bethlehem Church Road SE in Calhoun.

DECEMBER 2026

SNOWMAN SPECTACULAR RETURNS DEC. 4TH: The Snowman Spectacular returns to Calhoun this holiday season for its fourth year, bringing festive fun and creative snowman displays to the community. Festivities begin on Friday, December 4, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Calhoun Recreation Department, located at 110 Recreation Drive. The free, family- friendly Frosty Fest Launch Party will feature activities for all ages. Bring the whole family for an enchanting evening featuring carnival games, a human snow globe, train rides, food trucks, Santa’s Workshop, a magical “snow” play area, live entertainment from local school choirs and bands, and the unveiling of this year’s snowmen. But the holiday fun does not stop there! From December 4-13, stroll along the paved path at the Calhoun Recreation Department to admire the delightful display of snowmen designed by local businesses, organizations, and residents. Here is the fun twist – these snowmen are not made of snow! Constructed from weather-resistant materials, they will proudly stand throughout the event. Be sure to stop by and vote for your favorite snowman! Prizes will be awarded in two categories: People’s Choice and Judges’ Favorite. Want to Build a Snowman? Participants are still needed for the Snowman Spectacular! Individuals, families, businesses, and organizations are invited to showcase their creativity by building a snowman for the community display. To participate, pre-register by Friday, November 6, 2026. Registration forms and rules are available online at www.ExploreCalhounGordon.com. The entry fee is $40 per snowman.

RHONDA VINCENT AT THE GEM THEATRE ON SATURDAY, DEC. 12: Rhonda Vincent takes The GEM stage on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2026 beginning at 7 p.m. With a voice that can stop a room and a mastery of the mandolin that is second to none, Rhonda Vincent is widely regarded as one of the greatest performers in bluegrass music today. A multiple GRAMMY nominee and IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year award winner too many times to count, Rhonda brings the magic of the season to life with blazing instrumentals, soaring harmonies, and the kind of genuine joy that only a Bluegrass Christmas can deliver. Backed by her world-class band, The Sally Mountain Show, A Bluegrass Christmas Celebration is a holiday experience that belongs on every music lover's bucket list! For tickets, visit https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=gemth

FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS AT THE ROCK GARDEN TO BE HELD DEC. 20-26TH: Go ahead and mark your calendars for this week-long Christmas Light Celebration! The Festival of Lights at The Rock Garden will be held December 20th – 26th, 2026, featuring a beautiful Christmas light display with illuminated stone buildings, Christmas trees, lanterns, and holiday lights. The Rock Garden is located at 1411 Rome Road SW, Calhoun, GA 30701 (behind the Calhoun Seventh-day Adventist Church). A special FESTIVAL KICK-OFF PROGRAM will be held Sunday, December 20th, from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. and will feature: Live music, Delicious hot drinks AND Snacks and sweet treats. EXTENDED HOURS AT THE ROCK GARDEN DURING THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS! Open until 8:30 p.m. every night Dec. 20th - 26th! A Celebration of the Light of the World…Celebrating the Birth of Jesus Christ Under Twinkling Lights. For more info, email: rockgardengeorgia@gmail.com