Relay for Life held its second annual Paint the Town Purple fundraising event on the Franklin town square last Saturday. The event was the season kickoff for Macon County Relay for Life's main fundraising activities, proceeds from which go to the American Cancer Society. The activities began around 4 p.m. with a small crowd which grew as the evening went on.

Anna Taylor, who co-chaired the event with Teresa Simmons, noted that at current rates, one in ten people will battle with cancer at some point in their lives. “Relay for Life is committed to funding a cure for cancer in our lifetimes,” said Taylor.

On Friday, United Community Bank held its Customer Appreciation Day.

UCB Relations Manager Michelle Green estimated well over 700 people came throughout the day for free hotdogs and tomato plants.

More than 1,500 hotdogs were given away along with 3,200 tomato plants.

“We just wanted to show appreciation to all of our loyal customers,” said Jim Breedlove, UCB city president.

Bruce and Maxine Elliott of Franklin announce the the engagement of their niece, Carol Gail Norris, to Justin Keith Cabe, son of Keith and Pam Cabe of Franklin.

The groom-elect is the grandson of Wiley Cabe and the late Barbara Cabe, and Al and Joan Ledford and the late Dolores "Dee" Ledford of Franklin.

The bride-elect is a 2011 graduate of Western Carolina University with a degree in Elementary Education.

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Last Saturday, more than a dozen Shotokan Karate students from Abel Fitness Studio in Franklin, held a car wash fundraiser on the Highlands Road as part of a collective fundraising effort to provide relief for Japan, in the wake of its recent tsunami and nuclear disaster.

Abel students, along with students from hundreds of other official Japanese Karate Association World Federation schools throughout the United States, are raising funds this month for the JKA/WF disaster relief fund.