Happenings: Events, activities and community announcements

Email announcements at least two weeks in advance to community@reflector.com for publication in The Standard and The Daily Reflector.

Youth basketball

The Greene County Parks & Recreation Department, 84 N. Perry Drive, Snow Hill, is holding registration for its summer basketball league 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday through June 15 in the Wellness Center lobby. The league is for ages 7-16 and the fee is $40. Cash and debit cards are accepted.

Nature Saturdays

The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences at Contentnea Creek, 949 Contentnea Lane, Grifton, hosts Nature Saturdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays. During this time, the park’s trails and play areas are open for visitors to explore. Visit atimeforscience.org.

FCAC Auditions

Farmville Community Arts Council will host auditions for the youth summer show “Once Upon a Mattress Jr.” from 6-8 p.m. May 31-June 1 and 2-4 p.m. June 2 at the Paramount Theatre, 3723 N. Main St., Farmville. The show, scheduled for Aug. 1-4, will provide singing and acting opportunities for ages 4 to 16. Visit facebook.com/FarmvilleArts.

Pops concert

Community Pops Singers will present “Singing Through the Decades,” at 2:30 p.m. May 19 at Christ Presbyterian Church, 4889 Old Tar Road, Winterville. There is no admission charge.

Memorial Day

The Greene County Memorial Day Ceremony to honor America’s Military men and women who lost their lives in service to their country is planned for 11 a.m. Monday, May 27, on the front lawn of the Greene County Courthouse, 301 N. Greene St. Contact Jasper Jones at jejon50@aol.com.

Browntown picnic

The annual Browntown Community Picnic Day will take place at 3:30 p.m. on Aug. 3 at 4618 N.C. 258, Snow Hill. Each family invited to set up a tent or picnic table. Bring your own food/drinks and chairs. Personal grills are welcome or bring charcoal to use the community grill. Tents are available for rent via Cederic Warren. Call 315-7002 for information. The event also will feature historians on site to examine antiques brought in by participants.

Project Fan

The Pitt County Council on Aging is providing free fans to individuals older than 60 who have no air conditioning or are unable to afford utilities, have not received a fan from the COA in the last two years and can present a photo ID. Call 752-1717, Ext. 206.

Shred event

The Greene County Senior Center, 104 Greenridge Road, will host a Shred A Thon 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 22. Shred old tax records, employment records and bank statements. Reduce clutter. Don’t bring cans, bottles, food/wrappers, thick material, copier/printer cartridges, corrugated cardboard, non-recyclable materials, plastics, biohazard materials, medical waste, three-ring notebooks, newspapers, books or magazines.

Farmers Market

The Leroy James Farmers Market, 4560 County Home Road, will be open 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. For more information call 902-1724 or visit www.PittCountyNC.gov/MarketEvents.

Pesticide Collection Day

The Pitt County Pesticide Collection Day will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 22, at the Pitt County Agricultural Center, 403 Government Circle. The Pitt County Cooperative Extension Center, in partnership with the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Pesticide Disposal Assistance Program, will be conducting the free event for residents in Pitt County and surrounding North Carolina counties.

Health Talks

Health Talks with Jennifer Lane, health educator with the Greene County Department of Public Health, are 11 a.m. every third Thursday at the Greene County Senior Center, 104 Greeneridge Road. They are free and open to Greene County Residents. Call 252-747-5436.

Farmville Senior Council

The Farmville Senior Council, which has been a nonprofit since 1979, meets the third Wednesday of the month at the Farmville Public Library, 4276 W. Church St., Farmville. Meetings start at 1 p.m. either in-person or via Zoom. For more information or to attend online send an email to farmvilleseniorcouncil@gmail.com.

Concert on the Common

The Concert on the Common series will present Captain Mike: Shipwrecked-A Tribute to Jimmy Buffet at 6 p.m. May 23 at the Greenville Town Common, 105 E. First St. The series will feature a half dozen shows through July. Events will feature food trucks and other vendors, along with adult beverages. Pets are welcome. No coolers or glass containers are allowed. Visit concertonthecommon.org.

New Carolina Sinfonia

S. Rudolph Alexander Performing Arts Series will present the New Carolina Sinfonia in concert at 7:30 p.m. May 25 in Wright Auditorium on the ECU campus. This professional orchestra gathers ECU faculty members, alumni, and other regional professionals under the baton of Jorge Richter. Tickets are $50 for the general public, $40 for groups and $15 for students. Visit artscomm.ecu.edu/alexander-series.

Farmworker Donation Drive

Amexcan is sponsoring a donation drive for farmworkers through mid July at the Pitt County Cooperative Extension, 403 Government Circle. Items needed are long-sleeve shirts, gloves and hygiene items. Call 902-1709.

Hospice volunteers

3HC is seeking volunteers for its hospice program. Volunteers provide support to caregivers, offer companionship to patients and take part in meaningful activities. They also can offer spiritual support, administrative and clerical support, take part in special events and fundraising activities and assist the Wings Program for Grieving Children or the Veterans to Veteran program. Residents of Greene, Pitt, Beaufort or Lenoir counties who would like to spend time with patients and their families in need can email volunteer coordinator Nena Ellis at nellis@3hc.org.

Give Blood

The American Red Cross Donation Center, 700 Cromwell Drive, is open from 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Friday-Sunday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday. Visit www.redcross.org or call 758-1140 or 1-800-733-2767 to make appointments at the center or at blood drives coming up at the following locations.

Animal adoptions

The Humane Society of Eastern Carolina, 3520 Tupper Drive, is open by appointment only from 1-5 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and 1-4 p.m. Sunday. Visit hsecarolina.org or email HSECgeneral@gmail.com for an adoption application, which must be approved before an appointment is scheduled. Call 413-7247. The organization always is in need of foster families provide temporary care for kittens, puppies, dogs, and cats. Visit hsecarolina.org/become-a-foster.

Pitt County Animal Services, 4550 County Home Road, is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays by appointment only for adoptions. No owner surrenders are available. Call 902-1725. Visit petango.com/pittshelter to view animals available for adoption. Animal services offers several volunteer opportunities including dog walking, doggie day out and reading buddy programs. Visit pittcountync.gov/153/Animal-Services

The Greene County Animal Shelter, 1985 N.C. 903 North, Snow Hill, is open 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2-5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday. Call 253-2237 for questions about adoptions and lost pets and visit facebook.com/ greenecountyanimal services. Call to schedule appointment for rabies vaccinations and for animal control issues. Call 747-8000 for after hours animal control.

Family Chess Club

The Family Chess Club meets from 6-9 p.m. Wednesday at Apt To Learn, 650 E. Fire Tower Road, Suite B, Winterville. Chess lectures will be from 6-7 p.m. Chess sets are provided. All levels of players are welcome. The club is an affiliate of the United States Chess Federation and conducts sanctioned chess tournaments on occasion. Direct any questions to President Jerry Skinner, (252) 209-4148 or email howlandbakerjarvis@yahoo.com.

Garden tours

The Pitt County Arboretum from noon to 1 p.m. on the second Friday of each month at noon for a fun and educational garden tour experience. The Northside Plant Walks utilize the arboretum and the Northside Walking Trail to tell a unique story about our plants with each tour. Attendance is free but visitors should pre-register for each event at pitt.ces.ncsu.edu/the-pitt-county-arboretum/northside-plant-walks/. Planned walks include:

May 10: Plants With Historic or Cultural Significance

June 14: Container Garden Plants that Make a Splash

July 12: Plants that are Edible and Ornamental

Aug. 9: Drought Defying Darlings for Dry Gardens

Sept. 13: Landscape Plants with Medicinal Value

Oct. 11: Better Late than Never: Fall Landscape Standouts

Nov. 8: Berries, Twigs, and other Unappreciated Attributes