Meetings, events and happenings.

Foothills Broadband will hold a Fiber Q&A on Monday, March 17, at 6:30 p.m. in the Waldensian Room at the Old Rock School in Valdese. The event is open to the public. Company representatives will talk about their goal of covering all of Burke County with fiber internet service.

The Women’s Leadership Luncheon, hosted by the Burke County Chamber of Commerce, will feature Emmy winner and author Molly Grantham. Her program, “Bet on Yourself,” will focus on five how-tos she has been transparently learning as she reinvents herself in the public eye. Individual tickets are $40 for chamber members and $50 for nonmembers. A reserved table for eight is $500.

The luncheon is Tuesday, April 1, at the Morganton Community House, 120 N. King St. Register online at burkecountychamber.org.

The Morganton Rotary Club’s annual Pancake Breakfast and Silent Auction will be held Saturday, April 12, from 8 a.m. to noon at the Morganton Community House, 120 N. King St. The menu will include pancakes with a topping bar, eggs, sausage, coffee, and juice. The charge is $9 per ticket, with tickets available from any club member. Mimosas will also be available for purchase with ID, provided with support from the Mimosa Insurance Agency.

Entertainment will be provided by the Morganton Ukulele Society and a special appearance is planned by the Easter Bunny.

A Women’s Day fish fry and gospel singing will be held at Shiloh AME Church on Saturday, March 29, from 11 a.m. until sold out at the Julius Moore Building across from the church, 1323 N. Powerhouse Road. The menu will include fish or hot dog plate (baked beans, slaw, drink, and dessert) for $12 or fish sandwich for $8. The dinner is sponsored by Shiloh’s men.

The gospel singing will feature 4ever Faithful, The Wilson Family, and Morning Star Choir from Hickory. All proceeds will benefit the Women’s Day program.

The Rotary Club of Burke-Sunrise invites all runners and walkers to participate in the Strive 5K on Saturday, April 5, beginning at 8 a.m. The scenic course winds through the campuses of Western Piedmont Community College, the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics-Morganton, and the North Carolina School for the Deaf.

A post-race breakfast will be served. A race T-shirt is included in the entry fee and is guaranteed for those registering no later than March 18. Registration is $30 ($20 for those 20 years and younger) through March 18. Registration goes up $5 beginning March 19 through race day. Sign up online at www/runsignup.com/Race/NC/Morganton/BurkeSunriseRotaryStridesForSTRIVE5K.

The Rock School Arts Foundation is hosting one-hour after-school art classes at 3 p.m. on Tuesdays, from March 18 to May 3 (no class April 22 due to spring break). There will be classes for kindergarten through second grade and third through fifth grade. All classes will be at the RSAF, located inside the Old Rock School in Valdese. Kindergarten through second-grade students will be instructed by Krista Skelton and create artwork using the Elements and Principles of Art.

Tuition for this eight-week class is $80 (materials included). Grades third through fifth will create pottery while being taught the basics of working with clay. The instructor is Cindy Douglas. Tuition for this eight-week class is $90 (materials included). Call RSAF at 828-838-9806 for more information.

All Christmas flowers at Forest Hill and Olive Hill cemeteries must be removed by Monday, March 17, so Public Works crews can prepare for the Easter holiday. Questions can be directed to the department’s administrative assistant, Tonya Beam, at 828-438-5248.

Shiloh AME Church will celebrate Women’s Day on Sunday, March 30, during the 11 a.m. worship service. The guest preacher will be the Rev. Wanda L. Howell, who pastored several churches in the western North Carolina Conference before retiring. She is currently an associate pastor at Shiloh. Special music will be provided by the Shiloh Gospel Choir. The Rev. Dr. Wayne A. Johnson Sr. is the pastor. The church is at 1323 N. Powerhouse Road.

The Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Association of McDowell County is hosting a garden symposium, Gardening Outside the Lines, on Saturday, April 5. This symposium brings together amateur backyard gardeners and gardening professionals for a day of insightful presentations featuring dynamic speakers who are leaders in their fields.

Topics will focus on eco-friendly gardening and thinking outside gardening norms. The $65 ticket price includes parking, snacks, lunch, and a day full of learning. Upon registration, you will automatically be eligible for door prizes. The symposium will be held at McDowell Technical Community College, Cedar Building #11, 54 College Drive in Marion. Registration is required. Register online at www.go.ncsu.edu/gardensymposium2025.