Riding Unlimited will have its semiannual volunteer training session from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
The therapeutic riding center in Ponder needs volunteers to work as horse handlers or side walkers. Horse handlers work with an animal before, during and after a riding lesson, and these volunteers need to have some experience with horses, according to a news release.
Volunteers without prior horse experience will be assigned as a side walker to assist a rider either physically or verbally. Side walkers who are interested in becoming horse handlers may work to train for that position.
All volunteers must be 14 or older to work with a horse and rider in the arena.
Classes are 10 weeks long and meet once a week for one hour. Riding Unlimited needs volunteers for hourly sessions between 9 a.m. and noon and 4 and 6 p.m. on Wednesdays, as well as between 9 and 11 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Volunteers do not have to work in all of the classes, but will be assigned to a team according to their schedules.
The first class will be on Feb. 22.
To attend training or for more information, e-mail ridingunlimited@aol.com , visit www.ridingunlimited.org or call 940-479-2016. E-mail communication is preferred.
Event focuses on teaching youngsters financial skills
A seminar titled "How to Raise a Money-Smart Child" will be offered at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Denton's South Branch Library, 3228 Teasley Lane.
Kathy Bower, a financial adviser, will discuss how to teach children or grandchildren about setting financial goals, self-discipline and the basics of making wise choices about money.
To check space availability and register for the program, call 940-349-8752 or e-mail fred.kamman@cityofdenton.com .
'Understanding Hospice' program set for Thursday
The Sanger Public Library, 501 Bolivar St., will host a program titled "Understanding Hospice" at 7 p.m. Thursday.
The featured speaker will be Sandra Mann of Ann's Haven VNA, and the program will explain the role of hospice care and cover the variety of services offered.
The program is free and open to the public. To reserve a space or for more information, call 940-458-3257, visit the library or e-mail library@sangertexas.org .
Keep Lewisville Beautiful plans free class on birds
Keep Lewisville Beautiful will offer a free class about birds and creating an environment to attract them from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday in the community room attached to the Lewisville Public Library, 1197 W. Main St.
The class is part of the "Garden Secrets" series. A speaker from the Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area will discuss bird habitat, silhouettes, field markings and other bird identification tips. A question-and-answer session will follow.
Reservations are requested. Call 972-538-5949 or e-mail info@keeplewisvillebeautiful.org .
Volunteer recruitment, orientation sessions set
The first of two volunteer recruitment and orientation sessions offered by the Denton County Museums will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, according to an announcement from Sherrin L. Hubert, administration specialist for the museums.
The "Lunch 'n Learn" session will be in the 1896 Room of the Courthouse on the Square, 110 W. Hickory St. Participants will have the opportunity to learn county history and share it with visitors.
The second volunteer recruitment and orientation session is scheduled for April 13.
For more information, contact Gretel L'Heureux, tourism coordinator at the Denton County Museums, at 940-349-2850 or gretellheureux@dentoncounty.com , or visit www.dentoncounty.com .
Fundraiser planned Saturday night in Sanger
The Krum FFA Young Leaders of Tomorrow, an alumni group of the Krum FFA, will have the Buffalo Dance fundraiser on Saturday to benefit young people involved in Krum agriculture programs.
The band Eleven Hundred Springs will perform at the event, which will be at The Campsite (formerly Sundown Ranch), 13037 Interstate 35 in Sanger.
Doors are scheduled to open at 6:30 p.m., and a $100 donation will provide admission for two for a steak dinner, dancing, adult beverages, cash prizes and live and silent auctions. Single tickets are also available. The meal will be provided by Old Town Market of Lewisville, organizers said.
For tickets or other information, call Diana Johnson at 214-534-8440; Terry Knight at 940-367-5753; Kara Meyer at 940-368-3578; Jana Bullock at 940-390-3936; or Marilyn or Danny Reeves at 940-391-0638.
Champions for Children Gala scheduled Saturday
The Children's Advocacy Center for Denton County will host the third annual Champions for Children Gala at 7 p.m. Saturday at Circle R Ranch in Flower Mound.
Several current and former professional athletes and coaches are scheduled to attend, and University of North Texas head football coach Dan McCarney is also scheduled to participate, according to a news release.
More than 15 area chefs and restaurants will serve signature hors d'oeuvres, and the event will also include wine tastings, live and silent auctions and live music from Good Question Band.
The evening's theme is "Phantom of the Gala," with volunteers dressed in full costume and UNT College of Music students set to perform songs from Phantom of the Opera. Attire will be cocktail; 1800s Phantom attire and masks are optional.
For ticket availability and other information, visit www.cacdc.org or call 972-317-2818, ext. 244.
Denton American Legion Post hosts competition
American Legion Post 71 in Denton hosted the Division 1 Oratorical Competition on Feb. 5 at the Courthouse on the Square.
John T. Brown of Graham, representing District 13, took top honors. Other contestants were Brad Johnson of McKinney, representing District 4 and taking second place, and Katherine McElroy of Duncanville, representing District 5, who came in third.
Brown now moves on to represent Division 1 at the State Oratorical Competition on Feb. 20 in Brenham.
The American Legion High School Oratorical Competition on the Constitution of the United States is held annually, and this is the 74th year. Any high school student is eligible to participate.
The process begins in the fall, with competitions in January, February and April. Students can get more information from their school principal or by calling Lynn Vowell, Post 71 commander, at 940-727-8067.
Co-chairmen for the event were Jim Heath and Lee Keith.
LES COCKRELL is interested in your input for Out & About. Help share information about Denton County events and people by calling him at 940-566-6887. His e-mail address is lcockrell@dentonrc.com .
 
