A “Chili and Fixins” benefit dinner is set from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11 at the Mount vernon Senior Citizen Meal Center. Franklin County Chili Cook Off Champions Gary and Marsha Romines will be preparing their famous beef chili for the crowd. For more information, see the Feb. 11 edition of the Optic-Herald.

February as Black History Month will be celebrated in an event at the Cultural Arts Center. Activities get underway at 7 p.m. on Thursday. Feb. 11 with the Black Onyx Club board as hosts. See the Feb. 11 edition of the Optic-Herald for more details.

Kids Under Construction Daycare at the First Baptist Church in Mount Vernon had it’s annual food drive contest to help replenish the stock of Franklin County Food Bank after the Christmas season.

Scouting in Franklin County has a lengthy history. Boy Scout Troop 271 and Cub Scout Pack 271 have been operating for more than 25 consecutive years. See the Feb. 4 edition of the Optic-Herald for more information.