The Friends of Scouting campaign began, Thursday, Feb. 12. Local adult volunteers will be approaching businesses and individuals to contribute to thelocal Boy Scouts of America council. It costs the council about $150 to provide a quality scouting experience for one boy per year. See the Feb. 12 edition of the Optic-Herald for more details.

Members of the Ladies Guild of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church will sponsor a Mardi Gras in Mount Vernon celebration from 7-11 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21 in the church’s Family Life Center.
Tickets are $10 per person.  See the Feb. 5 edition of the Optic-Herald for more details.

John Tutor, fifth from left, Cameron Greenburg, fourth from left, and Judy Shelton, third from left, placed first, second and third respectively, in an owl calling contest. The contest concluded a birding program conducted at the Old Depot Museum Friday night, Jan. 30.

The Franklin County Arts Alliance is currently accepting registrations for a scratchboard workshop scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 28. The workshop will last from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.