Etc. events

For the week of May 20-26

This week

Pets On Parade & Costume Contest, Helen. Benefits the Charles Smithgall Humane Society Adoption Center. Non-motorized vehicles only. Registration 9 a.m., parade 10:30 a.m. Saturday, downtown Helen. $20 per booth for pet-related vendors; $1 to vote for participants. Parade entry: $5 for parade or costume category, $10 for animal-pulled floats or carriages. Children or adults without pets can dress in animal costumes and join the parade for $5. 706-878-3663 or 770-823-0568.

Getting Older and Better Workshop, Flowery Branch. Lunch and presentation of "Taking it to Heart: Heart Disease Treatment and Prevention." 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, First United Methodist Church, 2780 Thompson Bridge Road, Gainesville; 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 27, Spout Springs Library, Flowery Branch. Door prizes. $5 registration. Deadline to register is Friday. 770-219-8099.

Digital Camera Workshop, Gainesville. Bring your camera and learn the basics. 6 p.m. Tuesday, Main branch of the Hall County Library, 127 Main St. NW, Gainesville. Preregister. 770-532-3311, ext. 114 or mhunter@hallcountylibrary.org.

Upcoming

Brenau Barbecue Championship, Gainesville. Ronald McDonald, inflatable playground structures, crafts for kids and barbecue contest. Barbecue for sale. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 28, Brenau University, 500 Washington St., Gainesville. Funds will benefits scholarships for Brenau University students. $5 festival entry.

Contra Dance, Sautee. The Elftones will perform; calling by Bob Dalsemer. May 29: Potluck, 6:30 p.m.; lesson, 7:30 p.m.; dance, 8-11 p.m., Sautee Nacoochee Center Gym, 283 Ga. 255 N., Sautee. $8 adults, $7 SNCA members, $4 students, free for children age 7 and younger with a supervising adult. 706-754-3254.

Northeast Georgia Writers Conferences, Gainesville. Aug. 4, Amy Wallace; Oct. 6, Sandra Brim. Workshops are 1-3 p.m. at Peach State Bank, third floor, 325 Washington St., Gainesville. Free for members; $25 preregistration required for nonmembers. No registration at the door. 770-297-0680 or holmeslynda@bellsouth.net.

Ongoing

Beginning Mainstream Square Dance lessons, Gainesville. Lakeshore Squares square dance club. 7:30-9:30 p.m. Mondays. First Presbyterian Church, 800 S. Enota Drive, Gainesville. $3; first three lessons free. 404-372-6707.

American Business Women's Association, Gainesville. 6 p.m. the fourth Tuesday of each month, Ryan's Family Steakhouse, 2415 Browns Bridge Road, Gainesville. 770-967-3352.

Toastmasters, Gainesville. Improve your public speaking skills. 5:45-6:45 p.m. Mondays. Jacobs Building Room 208, Brenau University, 340 Green St., Gainesville. Free. 678-469-2777 or gainesvilletoastmasters@yahoo.com.

Old-fashioned square dance, Hiawassee. 7 p.m. Mondays. Senior Center, 48 River St., Hiawassee. Free. 706-896-1060 or info@townshistory.org.

East Georgia Genealogy Society, Winder. Meets 7 p.m. second Tuesday of each month, Betty Jo Maddox Community Room, The People's Bank Financial Center, 76 Broad St., Winder.