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Drums Alive
The Kokomo Howard County Public Library will hold its next Drums Alive event on Mon., Oct. 3, from 1:30-2:15 p.m. and 6:30-7:15 p.m. at the south branch’s Cardinal and Peony rooms, 1755 E. Center Road. Use drumsticks and exercise balls to foster physical, emotional, mental, and social health. Visit “Events” at www.khcpl.org to register for the class.
Walking Readers Club
The Kokomo Howard County Public Library will hold a session of the Walking Readers Club on Tue., Oct. 4, at 8 a.m. at the Russiaville branch’s Nature Explore Outdoor Classroom, 315 Mesa Dr. Join the club as participants walk around the library neighborhood, discussing everyone’s latest and greatest reads.
Friends in Nature
The Kokomo Howard County Public Library will hold a Friends in Nature event on Tue., Oct.4, from 5-6 p.m. in the main branch’s meeting rooms A and B, 220 N. Union St. Kids can join the event to learn way to give back by protecting nature. Girl Scouts can earn a badge by attending this event. To register or for more information, visit “Events” at www.khcpl.org or visit and library branch.
Candidate forums
Two candidate forums will be held on Oct. 4-5 to introduce the public to the candidates running for local office in November. The forums are hosted by the Greater Kokomo Chamber of Commerce, the Kokomo Tribune, and the League of Women Voters of Howard County. The first forum will be held on Tue., Oct. 4, at 6 p.m. in Indiana University Kokomo’s Kresge Auditorium, 2300 S. Washington St., and will feature the County Council Districts 1-4, Circuit Court Clerk, Center Township Assessor, and Howard County Commissioner Dist. 1 races. A reception will follow for candidates in all races, opposed and unopposed. The second forum will be held on Wed., Oct. 5, at 6 p.m. in the Inventrek Auditorium, 700 E. Firmin St., and will feature the county recorder, county assessor, State Senator Dist. 21, and State Rep. Dist. 30 races. Both events are free and open to the public.
Book sale
The Kokomo Howard County Public Library will hold a Friends of the Library Book Sale, Oct. 6-8 at the library’s main branch, 220 N. Union St. Educators only are invited to attend the sale on Thu., Oct. 6, from 4-6 p.m. Members of the Friends of the Library may participate in the book sale from noon until 5 p.m. on Fri., Oct. 7. The book sale is open to the public on Sat., Oct. 8, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.
IUK Campus Con
Indiana University Kokomo will hold its first-ever Campus Con on Fri., Oct. 7, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. in Alumni Hall, 2300 S. Washington St. The event will include board games, costumed characters, arcade games, comic books, graphic novels, tabletop gaming supplies, and more. The event is free and open to the public.
First Friday Lunch and Learn
The Kokomo Family YMCA and Community Howard Regional Health will hold a Lunch and Learn on Fri., Oct. 7, at 12:10 p.m. in the YMCA Community Room, 114 N. Union St. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. At this First Friday free healthcare education program, Dr. Annette Moore will lead a discussion on breast health. Dr. Moore, a medical oncologist with Community Health Network MD Anderson Cancer Center, will discuss breast screening guidelines, lifestyle, and hereditary factors that increase the likelihood of breast cancer as well as the latest advancements in treating breast cancer. A free lunch will be provided at the event. Registration is required. Register by visiting First Friday Lunch and Learn | Community Health Network (ecommunity.com) or by calling 800-550-1266.
Family Literacy Game Night
Taylor Community Schools will hold a Family Literacy Game Night on Fri., Oct. 7 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Taylor Elementary School, 5500 Wea Dr. This is a free night of reading games form all students and families in preschool through 4th grade. There will be free pizza, popcorn, and drinks, and raffles for students and adults. Parent resources to help students at home will be available, and each child will take home a book of their choice, courtesy of the Taylor Elementary PTO.
First Friday Masquerade
This month’s First Friday event in downtown Kokomo takes place on Fri., Oct. 7, from 5:30-9 p.m. The theme is “Masquerade,” and participants are encouraged to dress up in their favorite costumes for some early trick or treating in downtown. Many downtown businesses will be participating in the event. Admission is free. For additional information, visit www.firstfridaykokomo.com.
Glo in the ‘Mo
The Kokomo Family YMCA will hold its Glo in the ‘Mo 5K run/walk on Fri., Oct. 7 at 7 p.m. beginning at the YMCA, 114 N. Union St. Participants will run at night with glow sticks through glow in the dark powder, black lights, and foam while a DJ pumps out tunes. The run ends with a splash party. Late registration through Oct. 6 is $40 for individuals, with a race shirt guaranteed two weeks after the race. Children ages 4-12 race for $15, and children ages 3 and under participate for free. Groups of 4-10 participants can late register for $25 each. Registration on the day of the race is $50. To register, click this link: https://bit.ly/3AZQ3va
Curtain Call’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’
Curtain Call Theatre for Children will present its latest production, “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast: The Broadway Musical,” on Oct. 7-8. at 7 p.m. The shows will take place at Havens Auditorium, 2300 S. Washington St., on the Indiana University Kokomo campus. Reserved seating for each show is $15. To obtain tickets, visit www.kcctc.Booktix.com.
Clean Up Kokomo
The City of Kokomo will hold its next Clean Up Kokomo day on Sat., Oct. 8, from 8:30-10:30 a.m. Volunteers will meet at Pettit Park School near the Cloverleaf Trail along West Madison Street. All are welcome to participate. The city will provide supplies such as gloves, trash bags, and safety vests. Participants will receive a one-day pass to the Frozen Sandlot when it returns this Christmas season. For additional information, visit www.cityofkokomo.org.
Rush to Russiaville Arts and Crafts Show
Nearly 40 booths of handmade items and products from direct sales vendors will be featured at the Rush to Russiaville Arts and Crafts Show, Sat., Oct. 8, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. in the Russiaville Lions Club Building, 555 N. Liberty St., and the Jeff Stout Community Center, 650 N. West St. The two buildings are connected by a walking path. Food vendors will be on-site, including Guac Box and Tastefully Indiana. Proceeds help support the Russiaville Lions Club and Russiaville Community Outreach. This is a free event to attend.
Titans of Taylor Hall of Fame
Taylor Community School Corp. will hold its Titans of Taylor Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Sat., Oct. 8, at 4:30 p.m. in the high school, 3750 E., CR 300 S. Tickets to the event, which includes dinner, are $20 and are available at the school’s central office. Inductees at this event include: Charles Wolf ’72; Henry “Hank” Taylor ’72; David Nijhawan ’96; and Brittni Oliver ’07. For additional information, call 765-453-3035.
Riverwalk Concert Series
The Riverwalk Concert Series presents J. Elliott and Davey and The Midnights on Sat., Oct. 8, from 5-10 p.m. at the Riverwalk Stage, 307 S. Main St. behind The Foxes Trail restaurant. The concert is free to attend.
American Legion Night Golf Tournament
American Legion Post 6 will hold a night golf tournament in memory of Preslie Lynn Dennis on Sat., Oct. 8, at 7 p.m. Registration is $60 for individuals or $200 for a team. This is a shotgun start, captain’s choice tournament. There will be a 50/50 raffle and silent auction during the event, as well as food and drinks. All proceeds support the Indiana National Guard Relief Fund, and donations are accepted.
Family Movie Night
The Kokomo Howard County Public Library will host a Family Movie Night on Sat., Oct. 8 at 8 p.m. at its Russiaville location, 315 Mesa Dr. This is an outdoor viewing, so dress appropriately. You supply the car, blanket, or chairs; the library provides the popcorn. This is a free event.
Touch a Truck
The City of Kokomo’s Touch a truck event will take place on Sun., Oct. 9, from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. in the Inventrek parking lot, 700 E. Firmin St. Sensory hour is from 11 a.m. until noon. See fire trucks, police cars, lightning loaders, wheel loaders, dump trucks, and more at the event.
KCT Auditions for Christmas production
Kokomo Civic Theatre will hold auditions for its next show, “One Christmas at Evergreen Mall,” on Oct. 9-10 at 7 p.m. each evening. The auditions will be held at KCT’s warehouse, 722 N. McCann St. The 22 characters in the show are meant to be played by six actors, but KCTY may cast more. The show dates are Dec. 2-4. A script is on reserve at the downtown branch of the Kokomo Howard County Public Library. For additional information, visit the Kokomo Civic Theatre Facebook page.
IUK blood drive
Indiana University Kokomo will host a blood drive on Wed., Oct. 12, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. in the Kelley Student Center, Room 130, 2300 S. Washington St. All blood types are needed. Sign up now to donate at www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/donation-time.
Pumpkin painting at Jackson Morrow
The Kokomo Parks and Recreation Department will hold pumpkin painting at Jackson Morrow Park in the Kirkendall Nature Center on Sat., Oct. 15, from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Free pumpkins will be available while supplies last, but participants can bring their own pumpkins if preferred.
Discussion on Dolby
The Kokomo Howard County Public Library will hold a discussion about Howard County historic trailblazer Mattie Cunningham Dolby on Sat., Oct. 15, in the main branch meeting rooms A and B, 220 N. Union St., from 2-3 p.m. Professor Nicholas Patler from Harvard Extension School will lead the discussion on Dolby, who is known as being the first student to enroll at and graduate from Manchester College. She also was the first woman to be installed as a minister in the Church of the Brethren.
Bona Vista all-abilities prom
Bona Vista Programs will hold “A Night Under the Stars” all-abilities prom on Fri., Oct. 21, beginning at 7 p.m. at The Venue, 1201 W. Alto Road. This is a free, ticketed event. Secure tickets with Bona Vista Development Coordinator Alika Altmiller by emailing aaltmiller@dsiservices.org or by calling 765-457-8273, ext. 1330.
Howard County Reads author visit
The Kokomo Howard County Public Library will present a visit from author Sherri L. Smith, on Tue., Oct. 25 from 7-8 p.m. in Indiana University Kokomo’s Kresge Auditorium, 2300 S. Washington St. Smith is the author of “Flygirl” a selection in the Howard County Reads 2022 program. Copies of the book will be available for purchase at the event, and there will be an author signing to follow. Tickets are free but must be obtained in order to attend. To secure tickets, visit any KHCPL branch or the Indiana University Kokomo library.
Carver Center’s 75th anniversary banquet
Carver Community Center will celebrate its 75th anniversary with a banquet on Sat., Oct. 29, from 5:30-10 p.m. at Bel-Air Events. Tickets to the banquet are $40, or tables of 8 are $350. The keynote speaker will be Bob Knowling. A silent auction will be held at the event. For information or to purchase tickets, call 765-457-9318.
Humane Society Autumn Cat-Ch dinner
The Kokomo Humane Society will hold its Autumn Cat-Ch fundraising dinner on Sat., Oct. 29, from 6-9 p.m. at the Continental Ballroom, 920 Millbrook Lane. Admission is $60, which can be pre-paid by visiting the Kokomo Humane Society, 729 E. Hoffer St., during regular business hours. Attendees will not receive tickets this year. Instead, they will receive bid paddles after checking in. The dinner will feature New Orleans cuisine and a live dessert auction.