Valentine’s Day brings local entertainment, activity options

By BRITTANY FHOLER
Cove Leader-Press 

For those looking to do something different for Valentine’s Day this year, there are several opportunities for couples, families and singles to support local groups and businesses. 
Christian Freedom Ministries is holding its 15th annual Sweetheart.s Ball this Friday at 6:30 p.m., at the Harker Heights Event Center. The event will feature live music, dancing, a cash bar and door prizes. There will be the option to request favorite songs from the DJ and a professional photographer will have Valentine’s package specials on site. Proceeds from the event will go towards the support of local outreach charities such as the Cove Soup Kitchen, Cove House Emergency Homeless Shelter, the Hill Country Rehab and Nursing Center, youth scholarship programs, Philippines and Kenya Missionary teams and more. Tickets for the event are still available without a meal for $25. For more information about tickets, call Shaun Locke at (254) 319-0578 or the church office at (254) 542-7981. 
The Copperas Cove VFW Post # 8577 will be hosting a Valentines Dinner Friday evening beginning at 5 p.m. The cost is $25 for a couple, which covers the meal for two, two non-alcoholic beverages or one adult beverage plus the option for a personalized message for one’s significant other. There will also be an option for singles, with $10 tickets covering one meal and either one non-alcoholic beverage or one adult beverage. There are four seating times available: 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.; 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.; 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.; and 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the VFW, located at 1506 Veterans Ave. 
The Copperas Cove High School Copperettes will be offering their services for babysitting for Valentine’s Day evening, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., in the CCHS Dance Room. The cost will be $20 per child and $10 per additional sibling. There will be pizza, drinks, games, arts and crafts and a movie showing for the kids. This is open to children in grades Pre-K through fifth grade. For additional information, contact Copperettes Director Antonia Parrish-Brooks at parrish-brooksa@ccisd.com or 254-547-2534 ext. 10100. Payment will be made at the door and should be made payable to CCHS Copperettes. The CCISD Facebook page has a picture of the registration form with a QR code to register online. 
Central Texas College will be hosting a Minute-To-Win-It event featuring games and crafts on Thursday, February 13, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Oveta Culp Hobby Memorial Library, Building 102, Room 211. 
GymKix will be holding a Love Is In the Air Daytime Playtime event, open to the community, starting at 10 a.m. on Friday. The cost is $5 per family. Tickets can be found through the GymKix Facebook page. Advanced registration is required so that each child’s liability forms are on file. The Daytime Playtime event will feature Valentine’s Day crafts, activities, dancing, outside play, bouncing fun, pictures with Snow White and more. All activities are designed for ages six and under. 
Outside in the parking lot, GymKix will partner with Texas Humane Heroes in hosting a free adoption event, featuring dogs for adoption and local pet vendors. GymKix is located at 1352 Matthew Spicer Road, Copperas Cove, Texas. 
The Copperas Cove Animal Shelter will also be holding a free adoption event on February 13 and February 14 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for all adoptable cats and dogs. Animals will still require spay/neuter and vaccination contracts and microchipping for animals over six months old. 
Camp Caylor will be hosting a Singles Mingle on Saturday, February 15, from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., featuring live music by Todd Barrow, conversation starters, games and drinks. The event is open to the public and free to attend. Camp Caylor is located at 146 CR 4814, Copperas Cove, Texas. 
The 5 Hills Cowboy Church will be hosting their annual Sweetheart Trail Ride with MLB Pony Rides and Petting Zoo on Sunday, February 16, after their 10:30 a.m. church service and potluck lunch. The trail ride will leave from the arene area behind the church around 12:30 p.m. and return to the church at approximately 4 p.m. The church is located at 139 CR 4630, Kempner.