At 8:30 a.m. today at King’s Fork High School, the Suffolk School Board’s annual organizational meeting will take place. The agenda includes the election of a chairman and vice chairman, establishing monthly meeting dates and committee assignments. From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today, the school board’s annual retreat will be held at King’s Fork.

At 7 p.m. Thursday, in City Council Chambers on the second floor of the Municipal Building, the school board will hold its monthly meeting.

Skeetertown Civic League

The Skeetertown Civic League will meet at 7 p.m. today at New First Baptist Church, Hosier Road. Community concerns will be addressed. New membership is welcome. Call 539-4041 for information.

Les Gemmes sponsoring

trip to Midway Slots

The Suffolk Les Gemmes Inc. will sponsor a trip to Midway Slots Wednesday, Aug. 17. The bus will leave from Food Lion on Portsmouth Boulevard at 7 a.m. and return around midnight. For more information, call Gracie Eure, president, at 925-4205; Gail Hinton-Copeland at 539-3689; Audrey Knight at 539-7896 or Joyce Garretson at 539-0422.

Nansemond Country

Training School alumni meeting

The Nansemond County Training/Southwestern High School alumni chapter will meet at 7 p.m. Monday, July 18 at the Holland Community Center on Highway 58. All former students are invited to attend. Plans are being made for the grand reunion in July 2006. For more information, call J. Harold Faulk, president, at 934-1624 or Enoch C. Copeland, chairman of the board of directors, at a 657-6179.

STOP to help in summer food service

The STOP organization is participating in the Summer Food Service Program from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Friday now through July 29 at the East End Baptist Church on East Washington Street. Free meals will be provided to children.

Schools participating

in federal food program

Suffolk Public Schools is again participating in the federal summer food service program.

Breakfast will be provided at King’s Fork Middle School from 8 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and at Nansemond Parkway Elementary School from 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. and at Kilby Shores Elementary School from 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Veterans Fish Fry

All veterans and their guests are invited to attend the Suffolk Chapter 5 Disabled American Veterans Fish Fry at 6 p.m. Saturday at 139 S. Saratoga St., Suffolk. The regular monthly meeting of the DAV Chapter 5 will convene at 4 p.m. prior to the Fish Fry.

Midsummer Brunch

The Suffolk Christian Women’s Connection will host a Midsummer Brunch at 9 a.m. Wednesday, July 20 at the Hilton Garden Inn. The cost is $13.95. Complimentary nursery will be provided. For reservations, call 539-4675 or 539-3898. Reservations must be made by July 17.

Lake Kennedy Civic League

The Lake Kennedy civic League will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 21 at Tabernacle Christian Church, 1401 E. Washington St. Members are asked to bring school supplies. Eddie L. Hicks is the president.

Reading program at the library

The Suffolk Public Library System is sponsoring the 2005 Summer Reading Program for children of all ages. The theme is &uot;Funtastic Reading.&uot; Children can register for the reading program at Morgan Memorial Library, Bennetts Creek Library, Chuckatuck Library, East Suffolk Library Station and the Suffolk Bookmobile. The Funtastic Reading activities and programs are offered free of charge. He reading program runs now through Aug. 13.Call 934-7686 for more information.

Storytime at the Station

Now through Aug. 11, the Suffolk Seaboard Station, Railroad Museum, is presenting Storytime at the Station. Children ages 3-8 can participate. Join Whiskers and friends every Thursday. Ages 3,4 and 5 (15 children maximum) can hear stories from 10:15 a.m. until 10:45 a.m.; for ages 6-8, 11-11:30 a.m. (15 maximum in a group). Reservations are required. The cost is $2 per visit. Call the Seaboard Station at 923-4750 to reserve space.

Seniors on Spirit of Norfolk

The Suffolk Parks and Recreation Department is sponsoring a luncheon cruise on the Spirit of Norfolk on July 29. A buffet lunch will be served. Participants will be treated to a musical revue show, dancing and hear a narration on the history of the Elizabeth River. The bus will leave from the Suffolk Senior Center at 9:30 a.m. and return at 3:30 p.m.

The cost is $27 per person, which is due by July 19. For more information, call 923-2372.

1973 JFK Reunion planned

All alumni of the former John F. Kennedy High School, Class of 1973, interested in a reunion should call 923-1006, 232-3194, 722-3194, 538-2523 or 816-3497 for more information.

South Suffolk-Pleasant Hill to meet

The South Suffolk-Pleasant Hill Civic League will meet at 7 p.m. Monday at the St. Paul RZUA Church, 615 Spruce St. The meeting agenda will focus on plans for a Community Appreciation Day. Eleanor Clark is the president. Call 539-5601 or 539-8392 for more information.

Free blood pressure screenings coming up

The Suffolk Health Department is offering free blood pressure screenings from 2-3 p.m. at Chorey Park Apartments July 19, and from 10 a.m. to noon at the Suffolk Senior Center, and from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Suffolk Towers July 20.

Stand up and be counted

Suffolk Public Schools need your help!

Suffolk residents will soon receive a school census form in the mail.

Households are asked to complete and return the form.

The city’s school division will receive $2,100 in state funds for each school-aged child counted. Children between the ages of 5 and 19 must be counted, whether they attend public schools or not.

The survey also seeks children born from 1986 through 2000.

Call 925-5587 for more information.

Families needed to host French exchange students

Hampton Roads area families are needed to host French teens for three weeks in August. LEC is a Paris-based non-profit organization that promotes international friendship via family home stays. The dates are Aug. 3-23. Host families provide room, board and friendship and are compensated $80 per week. The students range from age 14-19. They all speak English, are fully insured, bring their own spending money and may accompany their hosts on vacation. For more information, call 558-3034 or 615-7854.

Six Flags Trip July 22

Youth Striving for Excellence will be sponsoring a trip to Six Flags July 22. The cost is $52 per person, and money is due July 8. Space is limited. For more information, call 642-3644.

East Suffolk Alumni Association

The East Suffolk Alumni Association will not meet in the months of July and August but the association will meet on Saturday, Sept. 3 at the East Suffolk Complex, which is located on Sixth Street. Call 986-2322 for more information.

Children’s golf program

The Suffolk Parks and Recreation Department is sponsoring its first annual Hook-A-Kid on Golf program from 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 9-12. The tee level &uot;beginner&uot; camp for youth ages 7 to 14 will be held at the Suffolk Golf Course. Participants will receive four days of instruction with pro golfer Jason Fox, a starter set of junior golf clubs, a shirt and other golf materials. Cost is $120 per participant, with class capacity limited to 16. Registration ends on July 14, with some scholarships are available. For more information, call 923-2360.

SPOR-AC holding signups

The Parks and Recreation Department is sponsoring the SPOR-AC Summer Leadership Program from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays July 11 to Aug. 4 at Nansemond River High. The program offers a variety of team-building activities, computers, educational seminars and field trips. Parents must have completed registration form, proof of child’s age and a $20 fee. Only checks and money orders payable to Ronald Williams, treasurer, will be accepted. Children must be between 12-15 years. Register at the Parks and Recreation administration office at 1305 Progress Road from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. For more information, call 923-2367.

JFK Class of 1985

It’s reunion time for the JFK class of 1985. Anyone interested in helping plan the 20-year reunion for 2005 should contact Donald Newsome, 925-4899; Betty Hall Jordan, 934-3602; or Elke Costley Boone, 934-8909.

JFK Class of 1975

All who would like to participate in the planning of the former John F. Kennedy High School Class of 1975 reunion, should contact Patricia Sweat Knight at 539-4450 or Wanda Robertson Cross at 875-1791 or e-mail wanda@wcross2264@aol.com.

BTW Class of 1963

The former Booker T. Washington High School Class of 1963 meets every third Friday of each month for dinner at different restaurants or residences. If interested, contact Henry L. Dillard at 934-0983.

LHS Class of 1995

The Lakeland High School Class of 1995 is planning for its 10-year class reunion. For more information and to give suggestions, call Aleda Sharpe at 925-1437 or Nakisha Hill-Porter at 923-4197. Immediate contact is requested.

Windsor High School Class of 1978

Plans for the Windsor High School Class of 1978 reunion are under way. Call or email Calveta (Dickerson) Odom at 562-2233, clvod@aol.com or Phillissia (Robertson) Clinton at 484-0353, Optasia@msn.com

Craft Booth at Wakefield Foundation Inc.

The Wakefield Foundation Inc., 100 Wilson Ave., will be having a Craft Booth on Family Day/Homecoming, Oct. 1 at the Wakefield Foundation. Call (757) 899-2365 or (757) 653-2468 for more information. The application deadline is August 25.

Parks and Recreation offering History Camp

Have you ever wondered what Virginia was like when the first settlers arrived?

The Suffolk Parks and Recreation Department is offering a camp that will allow participants to learn about local history through a series of exciting field trips, including stops at Colonial Williamsburg, Yorktown Victory Center, and The Virginia War Museum.

History Camp takes place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 27 – 30. The program is open to ages 10- 12. Cost is $40 for residents and $50 for non-residents. Registration will end June 23. For more information call 923-2360 or 923-3646

Charter Communications presents Stars and Stripes

Celebrate Independence Day at the Stars and Stripes Spectacular presented by Charter Communications on the banks of the Nansemond River on Monday July 4th from 4:30 to 10 p.m. Entrance to the Constant’s Wharf Park and Marina is free and open to the public. The children’s area has games and prizes and costs $5 per child. Jason Swain and Island Boy will perform. Cold beverages and snacks will be available. Fireworks start at 9:30 p.m. For more information, call 923-2360.

Senior aerobics offered

Senior aerobics is offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Suffolk Senior Center, 350 N. Main St. Betty Cartwright instructs this class, which is free to seniors 55 and over. For more information call the Senior Center at 923-2372.

Holland UCC welcomes seniors

Holland United Church of Christ, 6733 S. Quay Road, is opening the fellowship hall from 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesdays to all seniors for refreshments and games.

LHS class of ’95

Lakeland High School’s Class of 1995 will have a class reunion Friday, Oct. 21-23. For more information e-mail keeping_hope_alive_in_95@yahoogroups.com, or write P. O. Box 3105, Suffolk, Va. 23439-3105 or call 647-8877, 934-0367, or 923-4197. Payments are currently being accepted for the reunion. Contact one of the group members to get package prices. To receive the early bird discount, payments must be received or postmarked by June 30.

Substitute teachers

The New Professional Substitute Teachers Association is asking members to contact the ad hoc committees at these numbers: 539-4373, 923-2997, 483-6320, 539-9363, or 934-1042.