Unaka – Local residents often have to leave their community for fellowship and entertainment, but the Unaka Community Center and Unaka Community Development Club are working to remedy this.
For the last year, the Unaka Community Development Club has been hosting a variety of events at the Unaka Community Center to encourage members of all ages to come together. Now that the game nights have been going on for nearly a year there are typically 15-20 kids at each youth game night and 40 adults at the adult game night.
The youth game night is held every third Saturday of the month from 5-7 p.m. at the Unaka Community Center and welcomes youth of all ages. All games and supplies are provided by the Unaka Community Development Club.
They have cornhole boxes set up and a hoop and room for kids to play basketball inside the community center. Tables with bingo, puzzles, coloring books and cards are also available for kids and families to play together. Typically, youth game nights include pizza and a variety of snacks and drinks provided by the Unaka Community Development Club.
The adult game night is held every last Friday of the month from 5-7 p.m. at the Unaka Community Center. This has a similar setup with the addition of ping pong, pickleball and board games.
Nancy Helms, a vital member of the Unaka Community Center, is often on hand to greet community members at the door.
“We want to give people the opportunity to get out and get together with their neighbors,” she said when asked about the importance of the events the Unaka Community Development Club has put together.
“This gives the community something to do near home, and encourages families to spend time together and with others.”
The Unaka Community Development Club also hosts weekly yoga on Thursdays starting at 6 p.m. and will be starting Hearts & Hands again which is a sewing and craft activity to be held from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays.
Details: Visit the Unaka Community Center at 14945 Joe Brown Highway or call 828-835-8313.