Meetings

¯ The Southeastern Ohio Port Authority will hold its regular monthly meeting at 7:30 a.m. today in the Rufus Putnam Room at the Lafayette Hotel. An agenda will be provided.

¯ The District 18 Ohio Public Works Fiscal Year 2026 (Round 39) Executive Committee meeting will be held at 10 a.m. today at Buckeye Hills Regional Council. The purpose of this meeting is to review and approve the Fiscal Year 2026 (Round 39) State Capital Improvement Program and the Local Transportation Improvement Program slate of projects. Questions regarding this program should be directed to Jada Riley, development specialist III/District 18 liaison, via email at jriley@buckeyehills.org or via phone at 740-376-7636. To learn more about Buckeye Hills Regional Council, visit www.buckeyehills.org, call 740-374-9436 or 1-800-331-2644 (toll-free), or email info@buckeyehills.org.

¯ The Buckeye Hills Regional Council Regional Transportation Planning Organization Committee will meet at 11:30 a.m. today at Buckeye Hills Regional Council. Buckeye Hills Regional Council is a designated RTPO for Southeast Ohio in partnership with the Ohio Department of Transportation. Learn more at buckeyehills.org/community-development/long-range-transportation. Questions regarding this meeting should be directed to Melissa Zoller, planning director, at mzoller@buckeyehills.org or 740-376-1027. To learn more about Buckeye Hills Regional Council, visit www.buckeyehills.org, call 740-374-9436 or 1-800-331-2644 (toll-free), or email info@buckeyehills.org.

¯ An OVESC board meeting will be at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19, at Lori’s Restaurant in Caldwell.

¯ Trustees of Ludlow Township will hold their regular meeting at 3 p.m. Dec. 29, at the Town Hall. The 2025 budget, organization meeting will follow.

¯ The Washington County Behavioral Health Board will hold its next board meeting from 6-7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23, at 1115 Gilman Ave., Second Floor, Marietta. All interested members of the public are encouraged to attend. For more information, contact the Washington county behavioral health board at 740-374-6990.

¯ The Barlow Township Trustees will meet at 8 a.m. the second Monday of the month at the Township Hall, 567 Warrior Drive, Vincent.

¯ The Belpre Township Trustees will meet at 6 p.m. the second Monday of the month at 335 Baker Road, Little Hocking.

¯ The Village of Lowell Council will meet at 6 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month at the Village Office Building, 308 Walnut St., Lowell.

¯ The Watertown Township Board of Trustees will meet at 6:30 p.m. the second Monday of the month at the Watertown Volunteer Fire Department.

¯ The Ludlow Township Board of Trustees will meet at 7:30 p.m. on the last day of each month at the Town Hall.

¯ TOPS 0399 Marietta will meet at 2:15 p.m. Tuesdays at the First Church of the Nazarene. Weigh-in is between 1:30 and 2:15 p.m. Visitors are welcome, and the first meeting is free. Call Cindy at 740-629-2957 for details.

¯ The Newport Township Board of Trustees will meet in 2025 at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 2, Feb. 6, March 6, April 3, May 1, June 5, July 3, Aug. 7, Sept. 4, Oct. 2, Nov. 6 and Dec. 4 at the Newport Community Building.

¯ The Reno Boy Scouts of America Troop #200 is in the process of recruiting new scouts ages 10-and-a-half and older and will meet from 6:30-8 p.m. on Tuesdays at the Reno Community Center. If you are interested in joining or have any questions, call Dan at 304-916-4780 or Don at 740-374-5038.

Events

¯ The Village of Lower Salem will hold their annual Christmas Holiday Party Saturday, Dec. 21, for individuals living in the village and all surrounding areas. Soups, sandwiches and cornbread will be served at 4 p.m. at the Lower Salem Village Hall. Residents may bring cookies to share if desired. Come and enjoy an evening of visiting with family, friends, and neighbors. Santa will arrive around 5:30 p.m. with treats for the kids. This is a free event. For questions, call Janet Kidd 740-585-2547 or 740-525-4027.

¯ The Warren Local Athletic Boosters 2025 300 Club Dinner will be held on Saturday, March 15, at the Dyson Baudo Recreation Center at Marietta College. For tickets, to sponsor, donate or for additional information, contact Renee Miller at 740-350-5737.

¯ The Beverly Branch Library, 300 McIntosh St., will present the following events. For more information or to register, contact the library at 740 984-4060

– Every Second Monday: At 4:30 p.m. there will be an informal book discussion at Lock #4 Coffee Shop, 123 Third St., Beverly. A small drink will be provided by the Library.

– Every Wednesday:

¯ The Breakfast Club Story Time begins at 8:15 a.m. and is for children ages 2-6 who are accompanied by an adult. Story Time will include stories, crafts, games and music. The story time will include a small breakfast snack. The library will be closed at this time, so they ask those attending to use the back door.

¯ Starting at 10:30 a.m., Baby Bookworms will meet. Baby Bookworms is a story/play time for children 2 and under who are accompanied by an adult.

¯ Starting at 3:15 p.m. “Once Upon a Time We…,” an after-school fun time for ages 6-12, will begin meeting. Topics for this event will change each week, and activities may include crafts, games or books. No registration is required.

– Every First Thursday: Starting at 6 p.m., teens and adults are invited to learn about basic hand-sewing techniques. This is part of the Let’s Get Crafty program.

– Every Third Thursday:

• At 6 p.m., stop in and make Granny Squares using a Crochet Circle. The Granny Squares will be collected to make a blanket that will then be donated to a worthy cause. Hooks and yarn will be provided. If you don’t know how to crochet, they will teach you. This event is for teens and adults. CAL (Crochet Along at the Library) will meet every third Thursday at 6 p.m. No registration is required.

– Every First Saturday: Anytime between 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., the Builders Club will be meeting. They will set up a kit for everyone to work on together. They will also have some blocks for people to do an independent build. This event is for ages 5 and up and is an “at-your-own-pace” program.

• The Barlow Branch Library, 45 White Oak Professional Center, Vincent, will present the following events. For more information or to register, contact the library at 740-678-0103.

– Every Monday or Tuesday: Story Time at the Barlow Branch is at 10:15 Mondays or Tuesdays for newborns through preschool. Registration is required.

– Every Thursday: The library will hold beginner line dancing classes at 6:30 p.m., with Donnie Allen as instructor. The cost is $16 total for the four sessions. This event is for teens and adults. Registration is required.

– Third Thursdays through May: Teen entertainment for grades five to 12 after school until 4 p.m.

– Every Fourth Thursday: The Junior ALLY Club will meet after school from 3:45 to 5 p.m. Busing will be provided for a limited number of students. Busing options will require calling the library to sign up and sending a note to the school in advance. For more information or to sign up, contact the library. **Junior ALLY Club is open to local home school families too! Just drop your child off at the library by 3:45 p.m.**

– Every Friday: A gaming hour will be held at 4 p.m. for ages 8-18. Participants must reserve their spot in advance and must be picked up no later than 5:30 p.m. The space will be limited to eight people max. Spots will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Grab a group of friends and reserve your spot. A variety of video games will be provided to choose from each week.

• The Belpre Branch Library, 2012 Washington Blvd., will present the following events. For more information or to register, contact the library at 740-423-8381.

– Every Monday: At 10:30 a.m., kids under 3 and their grownups are invited to come for a 30-minute story time experience. This program features developmentally appropriate stories, songs and activities for the littlest library patrons. No registration is required.

– Every Wednesday: The Teen Pathfinder Role-Playing Group will meet at 4 p.m.; 12- to 18-year-olds can join the group for adventure and snacks. Registration is required.

– Every Thursday: At 2 p.m., homeschoolers under the age of 12 can come hang out for some social time with their peers. No registration is required.

– Every Friday: At 10:30 a.m., kids ages 3 to 5 and their grownups are invited to come for a fun and educational introduction to the alphabet and the world around them. Each week will feature a letter or theme, and families will have the opportunity to take home an enrichment packet to continue their learning throughout the week. No registration is required.

• The Marietta Branch Library, 615 Fifth St., will present the following events. For more information or to register, call 740-373-1057.

– Every Monday: Stop by the library from 3-5 p.m. to learn about and explore black inventors throughout history. Make a craft based on their inventions and read about their lives to celebrate Black History Month. This drop-in event is open to all ages and no registration is required.

-Every other Monday: Art Exploration will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. This event is open to all ages, and no registration is required.

– Every Wednesday:

• Story Hour for children ages 3 to 6 and their caregivers will be held at 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. No registration is required. Call the youth services department for more information.

– Every Thursday:

• Preschool movies for kids ages 2 to 6 will be shown at 3 p.m. Movies will last no longer than 30 minutes.

• Afterschool Movies are from 4-5:30 p.m. All movies are rated G or PG and will run no longer than 100 minutes. You may call the children’s department to inquire about the movie titles. Popcorn and bottled water will be served. Open to all ages. Those ages 7 and under must have a caregiver attend with them. No registration is required.

– Every Friday: Toddler Time featuring stories and crafts for children ages 18 months to 3 years and their caregivers will be held at 10 a.m. No registration is required. For more information, call the Youth Services Department at the library.

– Every Second Saturday: Leftover Craft Events will be held 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Come see the assortment available including Paint by Sticker, Friendship Bracelets, Mandalas and Character Drawing. Drop in anytime between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and stay for as long as you’d like (or until the library closes), as well as collect supplies and take them home to complete your project. All supplies are provided. These events are open to all ages, and no registration is required.

– IT Specialist: An IT Specialist will be available to help with technology questions from 1-3:30 p.m on Tuesdays and 9:30-11:30 a.m. on Fridays. They will help you learn how to use your cell phone, computer, tablet, the internet or Microsoft Office programs.

• A faith-based cancer support group will meet at noon on the second Monday of the month at Gilman United Methodist Church, 312 Gilman Ave., Marietta.

• A free men’s breakfast will be held at 9 a.m. on the first Tuesday of each month at the O’Neill Center. Donations will be accepted.

• The 1955 graduating class of Marietta High School will meet at 11:30 a.m. on the second Wednesday of the month at the Harmar Tavern until further notice. All classmates and friends are welcome.

• The Washington County Bar Association and volunteer attorneys are offering a free advice clinic from 6-8 p.m. on the third Wednesday of every month. The clinic will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 501 Fourth St., Marietta (enter through the back door off the alley behind the church from Wooster Street). Walk-ins are welcome.

• Christ United Methodist Church, 301 Wooster St., Marietta, will offer a free takeout meal from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the first Friday of the month. All are welcome.

• Gilman United Methodist Church, 312 Gilman Ave., Marietta, offers worship at 10:30 a.m. Sundays. Adult Sunday school class is at 9:15 a.m. Coffee, light refreshments and fellowship available. A weekly adult Bible study with Pastor Doug Thompson will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesdays and 6 p.m. Sundays. All are welcome.

• Brownsville Church of Christ’s regular services include morning Bible study at 9:45 a.m., morning worship services at 10:30 a.m., evening worship services at 6:30 p.m. and Wednesday Bible study at 7 p.m.

Health

• The Alzheimer’s Association support group meetings in the area include: Marietta Support Group, 10-11:30 a.m. first Fridays at the O’Neill Center, 333 Fourth St., with facilitator Krissy Kearns, 937-974-2387; Belpre Chamber of Commerce, 1-2:40 p.m. second Mondays at 713 Park Drive, with facilitator is Susie Casto.

• The O’Neill Center will hold mani/pedis with appointments 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. second and fourth Tuesdays of the month. Cost is $16 for manicure and $33 for pedicure. Call the O’Neill Center for appointments.

• TOPS 399, Marietta, meets 6 p.m. Tuesdays at the First Church of the Nazarene. Weigh-in is between 5:30-6 p.m. Visitors are welcome, and the first meeting is free. Call Cindy at 740-629-2957 for details.

Classes/Workshops/Programs/Seminars

• Zumba classes will be held from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and 11:30 a.m. Monday at the O’Neill Center. The cost is $5 per class or $25 for six classes. All ages welcome. For more information, call 740-373-3914.

• The O’Neill Center in Marietta will hold bingo at 9:30 a.m. Thursdays. No cost at the door to play 20 games, and it is a nickel per card per game. Seating is limited. Also scheduled are: a free gentle yoga class at 10 a.m. Tuesdays; bridge at 1 p.m. Tuesdays; euchre at 1 p.m. Wednesdays; hand and foot cards at 1 p.m. Wednesdays; chair volleyball at 9 a.m first and fourth Wednesdays, except the second Wednesday of the month; free afternoon at the movies at 1 p.m. Thursdays.

• Weekly ballroom dancing classes will be held 7-10 p.m. second, third and fourth Saturdays of the month at Miller Prosthetics, 2311 Ohio Ave., Parkersburg. Dress is casual. Cost is a $5 per person donation with singles and couples welcome.

• The YMCA of Marietta will be holding free Western Dance Lessons from 7-9 p.m. every Tuesday. For more information call 740-374-7030.