Notes of Interest
Article Published: Oct. 7, 2010 | Modified: May. 16
ITEMS OF INTEREST
Watauga Humane Society Rummage Sale: will be held Friday and Saturday, June 21 and 22, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the National Guard Armory. Donors are invited to take their donations to Blue Skies Storage, located at 482 State Farm Road in Boone, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Mondays. After pulling into the Blue Skies parking lot, make an immediate right and continue around the building to door No. 5. Signs will be posted to mark the door where volunteers will help you. For more information, contact Dee Dundon at (828) 264-9116 or (deedundon@bellsouth.net)
Riverfest: returns to Valle Crucis Community Park June 29. Riverfest is currently seeking demonstrators and nonprofit vendors with a focus on natural resources and sustainability. To be a part of Riverfest 2013, contact Ashley Wilson at (ashley@wataugariverpartners.org)
Farm Fresh
WATAUGA COUNTY FARMERS’ MARKET: Watauga County Farmers’ Market will be open Saturday mornings from May through November in Boone at the Horn in the West. For more information, visit http://www.wataugacountyfarmersmarket.org.
Wilkesboro’s Weekly Open Air Market: Wilkesboro hosts a weekly Open Air Market on West Main Street in the heart of historic downtown, offering farm-fresh fruits, vegetables and plants, as well as handmade crafts. The market’s focus is on supporting and sustaining the local farm and artisan community. The market takes place every Friday from 4 to 8 p.m., from April 19 through Oct. 18. Admission is free. The town of Wilkesboro will also provide an open mike opportunity during the regular Open Air Market Fridays for local and regional musicians. Open mike signups will be available weekly April through October, not including the Third Friday Events, which are held April through August. To sign up, or for more information, contact Andrew Carlton at Wilkesboro Town Hall at (336) 838-3951 or (planning@wilkesboronc.org)
ART/Theater
ART IN THE PARK: Blowing Rock’s first Art in the Park event for the 2013 season is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 18. The event features about 90 arts and crafts booths set up next to the Blowing Rock American Legion Hall on Wallingford Street. The juried art exhibit and sale is presented by the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce and sponsored this season by Modern Automotive. For more information, call the chamber at (828) 295-7851.
A MEET THE ARTIST: event will be hosted by Bolick and Traditions Pottery and Blowing Rock’s Tervis Store from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. May 18 at the Martin House in downtown Blowing Rock. Artist Caroline Simas will be available to sign her work and to talk about her experience as a licensed artist. Door prizes, freebies and a grand prize will be awarded. For more information, contact Bolick and Traditions Pottery at (828) 295-6128 or the Tervis Store at (828) 295-8095.
ARTIST RECEPTION: featuring Toni Carlton will take place from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. May 18 at the Dickson Gallery at Cannon Memorial Hospital in Linville Her exhibition of works from her “Spirit of the Heart” series will hang in the Dickson Gallery during May. Carlton is celebrating her 31st year in 2013 of owning Carlton Gallery in the Grandfather community.
BRAHM EVENT: The monthly Cork and Canvas class will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. May 23 at the Blowing Rock Art and History Museum. Learn to paint from an experienced instructor. All supplies are included, even the wine. Advanced reservations are required; $35 for BRAHM members, $40 for nonmembers. For more information, email (Leila@blowingrockmuseum.org) or call (828) 295-9099, ext. 3006.
BRAHM: will hold a “Back of the Dock” sale from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 24 at the back parking deck at the Blowing Rock Art and History Museum. Come see the castaways from the museum’s storage, including artsy items, office surplus and other goodies. Cash and carry only. All proceeds benefit BRAHM.
Music
SCHOLARSHIP CONCERT: To help honor the life and work of former Blowing Rock Police Chief Owen Tolbert, a memorial concert will be held at First Baptist Church of Blowing Rock beginning at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 16. The Owen Tolbert Memorial Gospel Singing will feature the First Baptist Church Praise Band, Glenn Bolick and Family, Mercy River, the Cockman Family and the Pine Ridge Boys. All proceeds from the event will go to help sponsor a scholarship for an area student who intends to pursue a degree in law enforcement. Tickets are $15 per person and are available at the Village Pharmacy, the Blowing Rock Police Department and at United Community Bank. For more information, call (828) 652-9695.
HANDBELL CONCERT: The Relay For Life team First Baptist Church Crusaders will sponsor “Ringing For Relay Handbell Concert” at 5 p.m. on May 19 at the First Baptist Church. The team will accept donations that will directly benefit the Watauga County American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life.
FREE CLASSIC VIOLIN RECITAL: Willa Finck, a member of the Celtic band “The Forget-Me-Nots,” offers a classical violin recital at 7 p.m. May 17 in the Recital Hall at ASU’s Broyhill Music Center. Allison Gagnon, director of the Piano Collaboration Program at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston-Salem will join Finck in the performance. A light reception will follow the recital.
VOLUNTEERS
VOLUNTEER TRAIL WORK DAYS: at Grandfather Mountain State Park will be held each month through October. Times will be 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Join park rangers and help fix sections of the park. No experience or tools are needed, as the park will supply these things. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes (no flip flops or sandal style shoes are permitted) and bring work gloves (leather preferred), comfortable work clothes, snacks and beverage (nonalcoholic). For more information, call (828) 963-9522. Volunteer Work Days are scheduled for the third Saturday of each month from March to October. Meeting destinations to be determined. Workdays are May 18, June 15, July 20, Aug. 17, Sept. 21 and Oct. 19.
WILSON CREEK CLEANUP: The “Wilson Creek Faithful” will be organizing a cleanup on Wilson Creek from 8:30 a.m. to noon May 18. Trash bags and beverages will be provided. For more information, contact David Benner at (828) 433-7932 or Todd Cornwell at (828) 640-5618.
Foster homes needed for homeless pets in the High Country: PARTNERS! Canines and the area animal shelter are seeking foster homes for some of the animals in their care. Needs include: temporary foster care (2-3 weeks) for puppies, temporary ‘training homes’ for young dogs (should be able to teach basics, like ‘sit,’ ‘come,’ ‘off,’ crate-training and leash-walking), caretakers for senior or disabled pets, foster care for kittens and young cats. If you can open your heart and home to a homeless dog or cat on a temporary basis, call PARTNERS! Canines at (828) 297-7795.
READING MENTORS: Do you enjoy reading with young children? If you can make a once a week commitment for an hour, then volunteer to become a reading mentor at a local school. Training will be provided, and you will be matched up with a child. Call Elaine Rothenberg at (828) 355-9303 or email at (erothenberg1@gmail.com)
Western Watauga Community Center and the watauga county Project on Aging Volunteer Programs: Contact Toni Wait at (828) 297-5195, or inquire at the Western Watauga Community Center in Sugar Grove for details.
Volunteer Opportunity: Would you like to make a difference in the lives of hospice patients and families using your gifts of compassion and caring? Then Hospice would love to talk to you and share more information on its volunteer services at Medi Home Hospice. Call (828) 733-0663 or (866) 900-4354 to speak with Volunteer Coordinator Ann McMillan.
Volunteer Opportunities at Senior Center: Do you have skills you haven’t used in a while? Would you like to teach a class or help someone understand the world of Medicare? For more information, stop by the Lois E. Harrill Senior Center on Poplar Grove Connector in Boone or call 265-8090 and ask for Tabitha.
Medical providers, health educators and community members with diverse skills: are sought to assist in expanding services at Boone’s Community Care Clinic ( http://www.ccclinic.org), which provides health-care to low-income persons and community members who lack health insurance. The clinic’s telephone number is (828) 265-8591.
Local Guardian ad Litem Program Needs Volunteers: to work with children. After receiving 25 to 30 hours of free training, participants are sworn in and given their first case. Volunteers are currently needed. Call Valerie Daniels, program supervisor, at (828) 737-6721 or visit http://www.nccourts.org.
Volunteer opportunities with Avery County Habitat for Humanity: Volunteer opportunities with Avery County Habitat for Humanity: Would you like to help a family realize the dream of home ownership? If you are interested, contact us at (828) 733-1909 or (info@averycohfh.org)
The Hunger and Health Coalition needs volunteers: to unload the weekly food truck. The food arrives around 11 a.m. on Mondays. Anyone interested should call (828) 262-1628 or send an email to (info@hungerandhealthcoalition.com)
CLASSES/WORKSHOPS
ETHICS SEMINAR: The National Association of Social Workers Local Program will hold an ethics seminar on May 20 at the Watauga County Public Library, Boone. The topic will be “Unintentional violations of social work and family therapy codes and how to minimize them.” One-hour certificates will be available for those who can come from 1 to 2 p.m. The ethics seminar will be 1 to 3 p.m.
A FREE HOOP HOUSE CONSTRUCTION WORKSHOP: will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. May 22, hosted by the Hospitality House of Boone. The workshop, which is sponsored by Heifer International and Blue Ridge Seeds of Change, will be led by Anthony Flaccavento, a farmer and consultant from Abingdon, Va. The workshop will provide a hands-on learning experience. Participants will help construct the hoop house and will also discuss management and crop planning in spring, fall and winter. For more information, contact Chatty Majoni at (828) 264-1237.
TAI CHI: Two 12-week sessions of tai chi (beginner and intermediate) will begin Thursday, May 16, at the Lois E. Harrill Senior Center, instructed by Tim Winecoff. The intermediate class will be held from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Thursdays and will be followed by a 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. class for beginner students. The deadline for registration is 4:30 p.m. on first day of class. The cost is $48 per person for either 12-week series. The senior center is located in the Human Services Building at 132 Poplar Grove Connector in Boone. For more information, call (828) 265-8090.
FREE Yoga Basics in May at Neighborhood Yoga: During the month of May, Neighborhood Yoga will be offering Yoga Basics as a free class to both new and returning students. If you’ve been thinking about trying yoga, or want to refine your practice, now is the time. The class meets every Thursday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. No preregistration required, just dress comfortably and arrive a few minutes early to fill out a health questionnaire if it is your first time. We have all the mats and props you’ll need.
Zumba at the Harrill Senior Center: Come join us for Zumba, a dance exercise program which we modify for older adults. The class meets from 4 to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays in the dining room of the Lois E. Harrill Senior Center in Boone. Suggested donation of $3 per class. Call (828) 265-8090 for more information or just come join us.
WEEKLY CLASSES AT THE WESTERN WATAUGA COMMUNITY CENTER: include “Learn Hebrew,” 9:30 to 11 a.m. Tuesdays; “Knitting,” all levels, 9 a.m. to noon Wednesdays, for those 60 and older; “Lap Quilting Guild,” 9 a.m. to noon Thursdays for those 60 and older; “Hand Built Pottery,” from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wednesdays, for those 60 and older; “Rug Hooking and Stitching,” 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays; “Weaving,” 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fridays; “Weight Loss, Eating well and Diabetic Support Group,” 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., lunch at 11:30 a.m., Fridays; “Gentle Arthritis Exercise,” noon to 1:15 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays; “Decorative Beading and Jewelry Making,” 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesdays; “Art — Drawing and Painting,” for those 60 and older, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursdays; “Walking,” indoors in the old Cove Creek school gym, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. For more information, call (828) 297-5195.
Free Introductory Healing Touch Sessions: Akal Dev Sharonne, CHTP, is offering free introductory sessions to introduce people to this powerful form of energy healing. Healing Touch has been known to assist people with ailments ranging from anxiety and the common cold to debilitating pain and life-threatening illnesses. Sharonne has been practicing Healing Touch for 12 years. Sessions are held at the Blue Mountain Center, located at 1064 Meadowview Drive in Boone. To schedule an appointment, please call Akal Dev at (828) 264-1384.
Knitting Classes: Classes are forming for beginning or advanced classes for individual or group lessons in Boone. Yarn and accessories are also available. For information, call (828) 297-1666 or (828) 964-1405.
CAN YOU READ THIS?: If you know an adult who can’t, we can help. Free one-on-one coaching to improve reading and math is offered by Watauga Literacy Association. Call (828) 265-2963.
CCC&TI offers free Basic Skills courses: For more information, or to sign up, call (828) 297-5253. For a full schedule of free basic skills classes at the Watauga campus of CCC&TI, visit http://www.cccti.edu/basicskills.
At YOUR LIBRARY: One-on-one computer classes are offered. Call to schedule an appointment with the reference department, Watauga County Public Library, 140 Queen St., Boone, at (828) 264-8784.
Learn to be a better dad: The Children’s Council is offering a free service to fathers (old and new). The group will meet at the Children’s Council offices in Boone on Wednesday evenings. Call Matt Cooper to sign up or for more information at (828) 773-5893.
SPORTS/OUTDOORS
High Country Soccer Association: will be holding tryouts for its U10-U18 Boys & Girls Travel Teams on May 20, 21, 22, 23. HCSA programs are designed to complement one another to form a player development progression from U4 to U18. A player development philosophy means our programs are designed in developing individual soccer players technically, tactically, physically, and mentally to reach their full potential. A tryout schedule for each age group along with registration procedures and additional information is available at http://www.hcavalanche.org or by emailing (doc@hcavalanche.org) HCSA is an affiliated member club of the North Carolina Youth Soccer Association.
SECOND ANNUAL WATAUGA HUMANE SOCIETY GOLF TOURNAMENT: will be held May 17 at the Blowing Rock Country Club. For tournament information, visit http://www.wataugahumanesociety.org or call Reba Matthewson at (828) 265-6784 or Jan Watson at (828) 264-1743.
A HIGH COUNTRY KIDS TRIATHLON: will be held beginning at 10 a.m. May 18 beginning at the Watauga County Parks and Recreation Department. Swim is in the pool; bike and run will be on the Greenway Trail. There will be three age groups and distances: 8 and younger, swim 50m, bike 1 mile and run 0.5 miles; 9-12, swim 100m, bike 3 miles and run 1 mile; and 13-18, swim 200m, bike 4 miles and run 1.5 miles. Prizes and refreshments follow the race. Proceeds will benefit Samaritan’s Purse OCC. Entry forms are available at Parks and Recreation Department or register online at http://www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=2081053. Call (828) 964-9378 for more information.
ANNUAL SPRING FLING AND 5K WALK AND RUN: hosted by Glenbridge Health and Rehabilitation will be held May 18. The 5K walk and run will begin at 8:30 a.m.; registration starts at 8:15 a.m. The $20 fee includes T-shirt and lunch. All proceeds will go to support the Boston Marathon families. The Spring Fling will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with live entertainment, silent auction, bake sale, face painting and more. Call (828) 264-6720 for more information. Glenbridge Health is located at 211 Milton Brown Heirs Road, Boone.
NATURALIST WEEKEND: Observe the rare pink-shell azalea (rhododendron vaseyi), endangered birds of prey, mountain crayfish and more natural treasures at Grandfather Mountain, an International Biosphere Reserve, during its annual Naturalist Weekend, May 17-19. The weekend includes a bird count, an owl prowl, a climate workshop, a culture walk, a habitat animal training workshop and other programs, plus a walk across the famous Mile High Swinging Bridge. For more information, visit http://www.grandfather.com.
SECOND ANNUAL WATAUGA HUMANE SOCIETY GOLF TOURNAMENT: will be held May 17 at the Blowing Rock Country Club. For tournament information, visit http://www.wataugahumanesociety.org or call Reba Matthewson at (828) 265-6784 or Jan Watson at (828) 264-1743.
A HIGH COUNTRY KIDS TRIATHLON: will be held beginning at 10 a.m. May 18 beginning at the Watauga County Parks and Recreation Department. Swim is in the pool; bike and run will be on the Greenway Trail. There will be three age groups and distances: 8 and younger, swim 50m, bike 1 mile and run 0.5 miles; 9-12, swim 100m, bike 3 miles and run 1 mile; and 13-18, swim 200m, bike 4 miles and run 1.5 miles. Prizes and refreshments follow the race. Proceeds will benefit Samaritan’s Purse OCC. Entry forms are available at Parks and Recreation Department or register online at http://www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=2081053. Call (828) 964-9378 for more information.
NEW RIVER STATE PARK: in Ashe County will hold a program on black bears at 2 p.m. May 18 at the U.S. 221 Access Visitor Center auditorium. Join a park ranger to learn about this often feared creature. Black bears can be found throughout a large portion of North Carolina. They often make the news when they pass through a populated area. The program will separate the facts and myths about black bears. All programs are free of charge. Call the park office for more information at (336) 982-2587.
MOUNT JEFFERSON STATE NATURAL AREA: in Ashe County will hold a program on Mount Jefferson geology at 2 p.m. May 18; meet at the picnic shelter. Mount Jefferson stands today at 4,683 feet above sea level. Was this mountain once 15,000 feet high? Have there ever been any major rockslides on this metamorphic mountain? What is amphibolite anyway? Meet a ranger for a 1.3-mile hike and explore some of the geological mysteries that make this mountain’s geology rock. Bring a coat, and wear sturdy shoes. For more information or directions, call (336) 246-9653.
WILSON CREEK CLEANUP: The “Wilson Creek Faithful” will be organizing a cleanup on Wilson Creek from 8:30 a.m. to noon May 18. Trash bags and beverages will be provided. For more information, contact David Benner at (828) 433-7932 or Todd Cornwell at (828) 640-5618.
MOUNT JEFFERSON STATE NATURAL AREA: in Ashe County will hold a Luther Rock nature hike at 2 p.m. May 19; meet at the picnic shelter. The group will be exploring some of the ecological interconnections and energy exchangers that make life possible on Mount Jefferson. Wear sturdy shoes. For more information or directions, call (336) 246-9653.
NEW RIVER STATE PARK: in Ashe County will hold a guided canoe trip at 1 p.m. May 19; meet at the U.S. 221 Visitor Center. Come and canoe the New River with a park ranger. Learn the history of the river and basic canoe instruction while you enjoy a leisurely trip down the New. Wear clothing and shoes suitable for being in the water. Water temperature is cooler than the air. Space is limited and reservations are required. There is a small fee per person to cover the cost of shuttle service. Call (336) 982-2587 to reserve a space.
BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY: Join a ranger for a tour of the second floor of the former home of Moses and Bertha Cone on the Blue Ridge Parkway between Boone and Blowing Rock. Tours are held Saturdays and Sundays and last about 30 minutes. Tour times are 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Reservations are required by calling (828) 295-3782 or signing up at the NPS information desk at the Moses Cone Manor House. Reservations are accepted beginning at 9 a.m. on Friday for the weekend of the requested.
