We would like to extend our thoughts and sympathy to the family of Shirley Ann Watson Wise, 76, who passed away January 30, 2013.

We extend our thoughts and sympathy to the Carolyn Jeanette Covington Bunting, 73, of Fort Worth, Texas, who passed away January 29, 2013. She grew up in King but spent most of her adult life in Fort Worth.

We also extend our thoughts and sympathy to the family of Joe Winfred (Joe Bill) Kiser, 89, of King, who passed away Monday morning, February 4, 2013.

The Real Estate Brokers for Stokes County (REBSC) group will be hosting educational seminars in February. The classes will be held at the public libraries in Stokes County: Feb. 7 in King and Feb. 21 in Walnut Cove. These seminars will educate people who may be interested in buying or selling real estate properties in 2013. Each class will begin at 6 p.m. For more information, go to www.stokeshomesandland.com.

King Outreach Ministry and Truffles NC invite you to a Triathlon Truffles Dinner Feb. 23 at 6 p.m. at Beta Verde Farm, 3733 Milhaven Road in Winston-Salem. Tickets are available from Jane Morgan Smith, Truffles NC, at trufflesnc@gmail.com or 631-8080, at a cost of $75 each. The dinner will be prepared by Celebrity Chef Susi Gott Seguret, director of the Seasonal School of Culinary Arts. The dinner will feature an educational component, cooking demonstrations and delicious food, all involving truffles grown in N.C. Proceeds of the dinner will be used to fund the BackPack Program for King Outreach Ministry which helps feed hungry children.

Saturday, Feb. 23, noon-4:15 p.m. — Blood Drive at Capella Church of Christ. Donating one pint of blood can save the lives of up to three people. Please email the church at capellachurch@roadrunner.com to schedule your donation time.

Saturday, March 9 — Feed Stokes 5K Run/Walk (Kids Fun Run at 8:30 a.m. and Run/Walk at 9 a.m.) — Register now! Proceeds will be shared between King Outreach Ministry and East Stokes Outreach Ministry. Please register online at active.com. New for 2013 — chip timing! Fast accurate results! There will be a category for walkers. For more information, contact Zollie Smith at zolliesmith@gmail.com or Sarah Cox at coxtarstate@att.net.

Trinity United Methodist Church’s Community Garden committee is now taking requests for 2013 garden boxes, located behind the church in King. We invite anyone who would like to experience gardening to call and claim one or more boxes. Thanks to a local Scout working on his Eagle Scout project, there will be six additional boxes this year, making 12 in all. The community garden is supported by “Reap More than You Sow.” There will also be three compost bins available to box holders. Contact Linda Lane at love2teach20@windstream.net or 983-5234 for more information.

Thursday, Feb. 7, 3:30 p.m. — Unlimited Success will host the STOP (Stokes Takes on Prescription Drug Misuse and Abuse) meeting. The meeting will be on the third floor of the Ronald Reagan Building in the Stokes County Government Complex in Danbury. The coalition will be planning upcoming events including a medication disposal event in late March. Anyone interested in attending is welcome. For further information please contact Wanda Roberson at 287-2717 or Brian Booe at 593-5409.

Friday, Feb. 15, 2:30-7 p.m. — Mount Olive Baptist Church at 5413 NC Hwy 66 S in King will host a blood drive for the American Red Cross. The event will be held in the church fellowship hall and you may call the church office at 983-2890 to make an appointment.

Wednesday, Feb. 27, 12-1:30 p.m. — Community Update Luncheon will be held in the YMCA Community Room with speaker Ron Dill from Pioneer Health Service Managed Care Contract Division. He will speak on the “Impact of New Legislation on Employee Benefits and Health Care.” The cost which includes lunch is $10 for Chamber members and $12 for non-members. Reservations are required. Please call the Chamber at 336-983-9308 or email us at kcoc@windstream.net.