Weatherization Assistance Program: Lincoln County residents who meet federal low-income guidelines can apply for Weatherization Assistance Program services. The services typically lower monthly energy bills by $30-$50.

The Weatherization Assistance Program will assess qualified homes for needed energy improvements then make the improvements at no cost to the household. Services may include: replacing existing lighting with energy efficient bulbs; addressing carbon monoxide levels and combustion safety; sealing air leaks; installing insulation; sealing and insulating ducts; installing a smart thermostat and performing tune-ups and repairs to heating and cooling systems.

The Weatherization Program is not a remodeling, maintenance or rehabilitation program. The amount that can be spent on each dwelling is limited. For details call 704-872-8141 or visit www.icare-inc.org.

Gaston County

Terrific Toddler Tuesday: This month’s Terrific Toddler Tuesday event will be held 10-11 a.m. Feb. 26 at the Gaston County Museum of Art and History, 131 W. Main St., Dallas. The topic will be the “Anansi the Spider” stories.

Participants will hear Anansi the Spider tales, make a craft and sing some songs. A snack will be provided at the end of the program. The program is geared towards preschoolers ages 3 and older. An adult must stay with children during the program.

The program is free to members at the family level and above and $2 per child for others. For details, call 704-922-7681 or visit www.gastoncountymuseum.org.

Family concert: Children’s entertainer Roger Day will present a free concert for school-age youth and their adults at 2 p.m. March 16 in the auditorium of the Gaston County Public Library, Main Branch, 1555 E. Garrison Blvd., Gastonia.

Day has received multiple Parents’ Choice Awards and is an approved Dove Family Foundation artist. He performs more than 200 concerts every year and Parenting Magazine chose his album “Ready to Fly” as a “Parenting Pick.”

Advance reservations required for organized groups. For details or to make group reservations, call 704-868-2164 / Dial 4 or visit www.gastonlibrary.org.

Photography contest winners: In January, Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden held its ninth annual Shutterbug Photography Contest. The contest received more than 250 entries. The judges were Rick Haithcox of Haithcox Photography, Mike Hensdill of the Gaston Gazette and Peter Zay of Zayphoto.com. The winning photos are displayed in the garden’s Visitor Pavilion through March 18 and can be viewed at www.dsbg.org.

The Best of Show winner was Rebecca Thomas of Charlotte. First place winners in the adult categories include Architecture/Artwork in the Garden, James Taft of Charlotte; Events/Celebrations, Paul Hancharik, Fort Mill; Orchids, Rebecca Thomas, Charlotte; People, Edgar Payne, Gastonia; Plants, Ann Larson, Denver; Water, Ken Barrett, Charlotte; and Wildlife, Larry Hale, Charlotte.

In the youth categories, first-place winners include Architecture/Artwork in the Garden, Alexis Gowlis, Fort Mill; Orchids, Brenne Frost, Charlotte; Wildlife-Joy Cassidy, Rock Hill; Plants-Alexis Gowlis, Fort Mill; Water-Alexis Gowlis, Fort Mill.

Music and Ballads of Appalachia: Musician Susan Sherlock will perform Appalachian ballads on the hammer dulcimer 1-2 p.m. March 2 at the Gaston County Museum of Art and History, 131 W. Main St., Dallas. After the performance, Sherlock’s CDs will be for sale. Tickets are $5 each. RSVP is required. To RSVP contact Jeff Pruett at 704-922-7681 ext. 101 or jeff.pruett@co.gaston.nc.us.

Coffee with the Curator: A museum curator will identify objects and offer preservation advice during the Coffee with the Curator program 10:30-11:30 a.m. March 6 at the Gaston County Museum of Art and History, 131 W. Main St., Dallas. Participants should bring photographs of large objects. There is a limit of three items per person.

Donations of objects to the museum will also be considered. No monetary appraisals will be done. The program is free and open to the public. For details call 704-922-7681 or visit www.gastoncountymuseum.org.

Lincoln County

Grants: The Lincoln County Community Foundation is accepting applications from nonprofit organizations, church congregations, governmental and educational institutions for its 2013 Grants Program. Grants will be awarded to projects and programs that address a community need.

The 2013 grant cycle will be conducted through an online application process. Interested organizations must begin the application process by March 22. Completed applications must be submitted by noon on March 29. To register and begin the application process, visit www.lincolncounty-cf.org. For details contact Karen Coppadge at 704-973-4559 or kcoppadge@fftc.org.

Youth crime prevention funding: The Lincoln County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council has nearly $165,000 available for services to youth most at risk of court involvement. The council requires a local cash or in-kind match of 30 percent.

Signed program agreements are due by 4 p.m. March 15. For guidelines and to apply, visit www.juvjus.state.nc.us/jcpc/forms_agreements.html. For details, contact Linda Graney at the Area Office of the Department of Public Safety, Community Programs Section at 828-250-3809.

Kings Mountain

Museum events: An exhibit of baseball artifacts and memorabilia of the late Negro League player Frazier “Slow” Robinson continues through Feb. 28 at the Kings Mountain Historical Museum, 100 E. Mountain St., Kings Mountain. The museum is open to the public 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Admission is free but donations are appreciated. For details, visit www.kingsmountainmuseum.org.

Other upcoming events and exhibits are as follows:

Home Made: Aprons from the Area exhibit-March 1-31. Antique aprons from the collections of Kings Mountain area residents.

Celebration of Women’s History: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. March 9. Weaving and spinning demonstrations, a book signing and program by author Shelia Ingle and history demonstrations by the 49th North Carolina Civil War Re-enactment Group.

Compiled by Gina Smith