Aberdeen
Sunday, Oct. 25
• The Dance Club of Grays Harbor will host a Sunday Dance Party to the music of the Country 4 from 1:30-4:30 p.m. at the Eagles Lodge, 200 W. Market St. Cost is $6 per person and includes refreshments.
Monday-Wednesday, Oct. 26-28
• A boater education course will be offered from 6-9 p.m. each night in the upstairs community room at Aberdeen High School, 410 N. G St. The class is offered through the Aberdeen School District and the Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Office. There is no charge to attend, but the boater education card is $10, and is required as of Jan. 1, 2010 for all boat operators between the ages of 12 and 30, operating a motorboat of 15 horsepower or greater. All boaters born on or after Jan. 1, 1955, will be required to have a card by 2014; those born before the date are exempt from the law. The card is good for a lifetime. The Adventures in Boating Washington, A Course on Responsible Boating manual and exam will be provided at the class. Class size is limited to 30, pre-register by calling Deputy Brad Russell at (360) 249-3711.
Thursday, Oct. 29
• The Dance Club of Grays Harbor will meet to dance to the music of Dukes of Swing from 7-9 p.m. There is no charge for the dance, but dinner will be served by reservations at 6 p.m. and will feature steak for $9 or chicken for $8 per person. To make reservations, call (360) 532-2211.
Saturday, Oct. 31
• The Dance Club of Grays Harbor will host a Halloween party at the Eagles Lodge, 200 W. Market St. Bill Seaman and his band will perform. For time and admission, call the lodge at (360) 532-7520.
The Dance Club of Grays Harbor will also host a Halloween party at the Elks Lodge, 1712 S. Boone St. Bruce Hughes and his band will perform. For time and admission, call the lodge at (360) 532-2211.

Beaches
Friday-Saturday, Oct. 23-24
• Hoptoberfest 2009 will take place from 4-9 p.m. Friday, and from noon to 9 p.m., Saturday, at the Great Hall at Quinault Beach Resort Casino in Ocean Shores. The Oktoberfest themed event will feature craft beers from many Northwest breweries. Live entertainment will be performed throughout the two-day event. Special overnight packages are available by calling Quinault Beach Resort and Casino at (360) 289-9466. Tickets are $10 per person, 21 and older, and are available at Frames and Things, Aberdeen Office Equipment and Grays Harbor Radio in Aberdeen; Pickrite Thriftway and Timberland Bank in Montesano; Foothills Massage Therapy, Elma Lanes and Image Floral in Elma; Mark Reed Hospital in McCleary; and at Quinault Beach Resort and Casino.
Sunday, Oct. 25
• Northwest’s Best, a culinary class offered by Westport Winery, will take place from 3-5 p.m. at the winery and will feature recipes including the region’s favorite products and ingredients. Cost is $25 per person or $20 per wine club member. Reservations are required, call the winery at 648-2224.
Saturday, Oct. 31
• “Bordello of the Damned,” a mystery dinner theater will take place from 6:30-9 p.m. at Westport Winery. Guests wishing to participate as a character should e-mail the winery at kim@WestportWinery.com. Those selected will need to mingle, respond to the narrator’s cues and will receive a bottle of Bordello Blonde. The menu will be a five-course dinner with a barbecue entrée. Tickets are $35 per person and reservations are required. To register or for more information, call the winery at 648-2224.

Elma
Saturday, Oct. 24
• Washington Old Time Fiddlers Association District No. 17 will offer music for listening and dancing from 7-10 p.m. at the Grange Hall. The public and musicians who play acoustical instruments are welcome. Donations and finger food will be accepted.
Sunday, Oct. 25
• The Elma United Methodist Church will celebrate its 125th anniversary with a service and fellowship beginning at 10:30 a.m. The church is looking for historical photos (including wedding, old or recent) and artifacts to include in a display. Call Nancy Thiel at 482-2639.

Grays Harbor College
Tuesday, Nov. 3
• Childbirth classes, taught by Amy Murphy, will begin at 6:30 p.m. in room 308. The class runs for six weeks. To register, call the college at 532-9020 or Murphy at 532-8631, ext. 230. The next series will begin Jan. 5.

G.H. County Fairgrounds
Friday-Saturday, Oct. 23-24
• A haunted barn will take place from 6-9 p.m. The event, sponsored by the fairgrounds, Elma Class of 2012 Boosters and Sunny 102.1, costs $6 per person or $5 if two non-perishable food items are donated.
Hoquiam
Friday-Saturday, Oct. 23-24
• The second annual Art-About and Rain Festival, hosted by the Harbor Art Guild in conjunction with the Hoquiam Business Association, will take place from 2-8 p.m. Friday and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. The traditional art walk will feature glasswork, watercolors, acrylics and found object assemblages. The 7th St. Theatre’s former Sweet Shoppe will serve as the headquarters for the event with maps detailing artists and venues. Music, refreshments and a limited shuttle bus service will be offered. The Rain Festival will take place Saturday, and will feature a Mud Puddle Run (registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and starting time is at 9:30 a.m.), Rain Gear and Umbrella Parade and other events. The headquarters of the Rain Festival will also be at the theater.
Wednesday-Saturday, Oct. 28-31
• The “Not-So Haunted House” sponsored by the Grays Harbor YMCA Senior Companion Program will take place in the Senior Companion Office, in the Hoquiam Masonic building, 508 8th St. The Not-So Haunted House is geared toward young people, one year and older and will feature Tinker Bell and Captain Hook, Pooh Bear and friends, 101 Dalmatians, Beauty and the Beast, and more. Cost is $2 per child, adult escorts are free. The haunted house will be open from 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Friday and from 1-7:30 p.m. Saturday.
Saturday, Nov. 14
• The Grays Harbor Genealogical Society will meet at 10 a.m. in the meeting room at the Hoquiam Timberland Library. Doors will open at 9:30 a.m. Margaret Tingwell will present a program on Women of the Civil War. For more information, call 532-6611.

McCleary
Friday, Oct. 23
• The McCleary School District will offer a free developmental screening for children between the ages of birth to 5. The screening will help identify children who may be in need of early intervention services such as speech/language, therapy, occupational therapy or additional assistance. The screening will take approximately 30-45 minutes. Parents who live in the school district, and have concerns regarding their child’s development, can set up an appointment with the McCleary Preschool between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., at 495-3204, ext. 121.
Tuesday, Oct. 27
• The McCleary Chamber of Commerce will host a candidate forum of the McCleary City Council elections from 7-9 p.m. at the McCleary Community Center.
Friday, Oct. 30
• The McCleary United Methodist Church will be selling doughnuts beginning at 6:30 a.m. on the streets of McCleary for $7 a dozen — rain or shine.

Montesano
Friday, Oct. 23
• A free Kindermusik demonstration class will take place at TEEA Time Playschool, 380 N. Adams. This preview class will feature Village at 9:30 a.m. for 0-18 months, Our Time at 10:15 a.m. for 18 months to 3 years, and Imagine That! at 11 a.m. for ages 3-5. Classes are scheduled to begin in Montesano in February next year. For more information or to reserve a space, call Lilith Piri, licensed Kindermusik educator, at (360) 589-6869, e-mail raindrumstudio@gmail.com, visit www.kindermusik.com or www.raindrum.kindermusik.net.
• The Montesano School District will offer a free Child Find Developmental Screening for parents of children ages birth to 5, and reside within the district. Parents who have concerns about their child’s development will be able to identify potential issues that may affect their child’s success in school. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 249-2114.
Saturday, Oct. 24
• As part of a grassroots global campaign against climate change, everyone is invited at noon in front of the Grays Harbor County Courthouse to urge world leaders to take fast and effective action on global warming. The event is organized by 350.org; for more information, visit www.350.org.
• The Montesano Presbyterian Church will host a craft fair and bake sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. A soup and bread lunch will be offered. The church is located at 201 E. McBryde Ave.
• The Grays Harbor Community Hospital M.A.S.H. Relay For Life Team will host its first annual family barn dance from 7-10 p.m. at the Wynooche Wildwood banquet hall. Dessert, beverages and family activities will be offered. Tickets are $10 per adult, $7 for children 16 and under, and free for children under 2. Tickets are available at All Wrapped Up! in Montesano, City Center Drug in Aberdeen and Harbor Drug in Hoquiam or by calling Diane at 537-6149 or 500-1808. Tickets are also available at the door for an additional $2 per ticket. All proceeds will benefit Grays Harbor Relay for Life.
Sunday, Oct. 25
• A Halloween carnival is planned for 1-4 p.m. at the Montesano Moose Lodge. Admission is free and is geared for children ages preschool to 6th grade. Children should wear the costumes and will be able to play games and win prizes. Hotdogs and fries will be offered for $3.
Monday, Oct. 26
• The Montesano Orthopedic will meet at 7 p.m. at the home of Maxine Vetter, 190 Hemlock St. Candy canes and Valentine hearts will be discussed — anyone is welcome to join. For more information, call 249-4604.
Thursday, Oct. 29
• GriefShare recovery seminar and support group meets from 7-8:30 p.m. every Thursday at the Church of God, 317 E. Spruce St. GriefShare features nationally recognized experts on grief and recovery topics. The topic to be discussed will be “Top Twenty Lessons of Grief Part 2.” The only cost for the series is $12 for the manual. For more information, call the church at 249-3242.
Saturday, Oct. 31
• St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 124 N. Sylvia St., will host an open house from 5:30-7 p.m. for Halloween again this year. The churchyard will be decorated and guests can come in the parish hall to get warm; restrooms will also be available. Treats for the kids and coffee for the adults will be offered.
Sunday, Nov. 1
• St. Mark’s Episcopal Church will celebrate All Saints Day with a service and special prayers to honor those who have gone before at 10 a.m. Everyone is invited to bring pictures and other mementos to place on a table along with some votive candles to light to honor loved ones. The church is located at 124 N. Sylvia St.
Wednesday, Nov. 4
• A public meeting to discuss planning efforts and related interests and concerns of the Olympic National Park will take place from 6-8 p.m. in the commissioners’ meeting room in the Grays Harbor County Administration Building. For more information, call the Pacific Ranger District at (360) 374-6522 or visit http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/olympic.
Monday-Tuesday, Nov. 23-24
• A two-day AARP Driver Safety Class has been scheduled for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Montesano Timberland Library. Participants 55 and older who complete the course will qualify for a reduction in their insurance premium. Drivers under 55 may also qualify — check with your insurance company. Cost is $14 per person and AARP members can receive a $2 discount with proof of membership. Class size is limited and can fill quickly, so pre-registration is required. For more information or to register, call Danny Wills at 249-5977.
Miscellaneous
• The Senior Citizen Lunch Program for Oct. 26-30 will feature:
Monday: Tater Tot casserole, green salad, garlic bread and ice cream.
Tuesday: Cooks’ choice.
Wednesday: Bean and ham soup, rolls, carrot and raisin salad, and chocolate cake.
Thursday: Sweet and sour chicken, rice, green salad and angel cookies.
Friday: Witches Cauldron chili, batty bread and butter, frightful fruit cup and pumpkin patch bars.
The cooks note that the menu is subject to change, due to their mood. Visit www.monteseniorcenter.webs.com for more information. The senior center is located at the Silvia Center, 120 W. Marcy Ave.

Quinault
Thursday, Nov. 5
• A public meeting to discuss planning efforts and related interests and concerns of the Olympic National Park will be held from 5-7 p.m. in the conference room at the Forest Service, 353 South Shore Road, Quinault. For more information, call the Pacific Ranger District at (360) 374-6522 or visit http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/olympic.

Elsewhere
Saturday, Oct. 31
• Downtown Olympia will host “Treats ’N Treasure” from 1-4 p.m. The family-friendly Trick-Or-Treat event will also feature a treasure map, the winner finding the hidden pirate hat inside the store will be eligible to enter to win a treasure chest full of prizes. For a map of stores and rules, visit www.mixx96.com.
• A fall forestry educational seminar, Understanding and Managing Tree Growth, will take place with registration starting at 8:30 a.m. and will finish at 5 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Museum in Chehalis. Various speakers will speak on topics such as how trees grow at different spacings, wood qualities of a 40+ year old stand, global warming, management effects, and more.