• Vietnam vets to be honored March 29

March 29 has been set aside as National Vietnam War Veterans Day. The day will be a chance to honor all Vietnam veterans and a moment to say welcome home and thank you for your service. As Vietnam veterans came home, most were not shown the respect and honor that other veterans from other eras before and after received. Vietnam veterans are America’s greatest population of veterans, who suffered in war and are still fighting the battles of cancers and other diseases caused by Agent Orange today.

• PCMA hosts Lenten worship services

The Pickens County Ministerial Association Lenten Lunch Worship Series will continue on March 24 at Griffin Ebenezer Baptist Church, led by the Rev. Chris Gibson (Amazing Grace Lutheran Church) and then on Tuesday, March 31, at Faith Lutheran Chapel, led by the Rev. Carlton Holley (Griffin Ebenezer Baptist Church). Worship services begin at noon, with lunch following. All are invited.

• Library system to sponsor contest

April is national poetry month. Celebrate by entering the Pickens County Library System’s 10th annual poetry contest sponsored by the Friends of the Library. Those interested may submit an original poem between now and March 31 at any library location or electronically to maryb@pcls.fyi. Winners from each age category will receive a cash prize. Categories are as follows: Youth — up to age 11; Teen — ages 12-18; Adult — ages 19 and up. For official rules, visit pcls.fyi. Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony at 4 p.m. Saturday, April 25.

• WPO offers chance at monthly fellowship

The Widowed Persons Organization (WPO) organization is not a grief therapy group, but it does provide an opportunity for widowed persons to come together, make new friends and share conversation and food while finding a new beginning in life. The group meets on the second Saturday of every month at 1 p.m. in the fellowship building of Lakeview Baptist Church on Mauldin Lake Road in Pickens. For more information, call (864) 850-1987 or (864) 878-6215.

• Walking group starting at Sarlin

With the beautiful spring weather coming up, folks at the Sarlin Library in Liberty are planning ahead for their walking group. Join those interested to walk, talk, get fit and make friends on Tuesdays in March and April. They will be walking at Freedom Park on March 24 and the Easley section of the Doodle Trail on March 31. Call (864) 843-5805 to register. Check Sarlin Library out online at pcls.fyi for more details, including April dates and locations.

• Volunteers needed to paint Hope Globes

The Hope Globe is an Upstate South Carolina charity that was created to provide emotional support for children at Prisma and other hospitals of the Upstate. The charity is currently looking for volunteers to paint globes and raise awareness, and the group is also asking for donations of any kind — furniture, appliances, cars, etc. — for its online thrift store. To find out more about the charity, visit thehopeglobe.com or contact the group at thehopeglobe@gmail.com or (864) 247-0702.

• Beginner sewing lessons offered

The women’s department of the Church of Jesus Christ the Lamb of God is offering beginner sewing lessons on the third Sunday of each month at 3 p.m. All supplies are furnished. For information, call Donna Anderson at (864) 420-9489.

• Samaritan Health Barn Dance April 18

The Samaritan Health Clinic will host its fifth annual Barn Dance on Saturday, April 18, at Arran Farms in Easley. Everyone is invited to attend for a great time whether you want to dance or not and support the free medical and dental clinic of Pickens County. There will be live music, a DJ, great food and drink, along with a live auction, all starting at 6 p.m.

Samaritan Health Clinic is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) that has been serving the Pickens County community for 29 years, helping county neighbors who are not eligible for Medicaid, Medicare or private insurance and who have limited income with their medical and dental needs.

Tickets are $100 per couple or $75 per person. For tickets or more information, visit SamaritanSoiree.com.

• Liberty to host BBQ and Jeep Festival

Liberty Festivals and Events and the city of Liberty are pleased to announce the upcoming Liberty BBQ and Jeep Fest, to be held Saturday, May 9 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. in downtown Liberty.

This year’s festival will offer a wide variety of activities for the whole family: arts, crafts, children activities, displays from nonprofit organizations, food, music and entertainment.

A Jeep cruise-in will be held from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. The BBQ competition that runs from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. is a Certified South Carolina Barbecue Association-sanctioned event.

The main stage will feature Hot as a Pepper shortly after 11 a.m., followed by Split Shot shortly after 3 p.m. Liberty’s festivals have been very successful, with 100-plus vendors and more than 3,000 in attendance. Sponsors and vendors are still being accepted. Find out more information at libertyscevents.com.