In the News
More than 1,000 receive degrees from Appalachian
Neither snow nor sleet delayed fall commencement Dec. 12 at Appalachian State University.
Despite some two to four inches of snow on the ground, and forecasts for more wintry
precipitation, approximately 1,100 students received degrees during ceremonies held in the Holmes
Convocation Center on campus.
"You are prepared, you are ready and you will make a
difference in our world," Chancellor Kenneth E. Peacock told the graduates.
The commencement
speaker was Dr. Regina M. Benjamin, Surgeon General of the United States Public Health Service.
She told graduates and guests that there was no more serious challenge facing the nation's
health and well being than that of obesity.
Benjamin urged graduates to remember to take care
of themselves in terms of good health habits as they become leaders in their communities and
continue their focus on public service which they began while students at Appalachian.
"I
believe that exercise is medicine," she said. "We need to have fun, have a good time, dance and
play. Enjoy being health, enjoy being fit."
Watauga library recognized
The Watauga
County Public Library received the Outstanding Teen Program Award for a medium sized library for
"Thingummywut," the first annual Literary Arts Magazine for Youth at the Dec. 2 meeting of the North
Carolina Public Library Directors Association in Chapel Hill.
Youth Services staff
Judith Winecoff, Owen Gray and Susan Poorman, as well as former staff member Kristen Street,
accepted the award and provided an overview of the project that showcased the artistic and literary
talents of many young people in Watauga County.
Friends of the Library provided funding to
cover the cost of printing multiple copies of the magazine.
Awards are given by the North
Carolina Public Library Directors Association annually to recognize exceptional achievements in
public library service in several categories, including library programming, library promotion,
service innovations, staff development, and new/improved library facilities.
Project on
Aging seeks volunteers
Watauga County Project on Aging needs volunteers to deliver Christmas
meals to homebound clients. Meals will be prepared by First Baptist Church in Boone and picked up
there between 11 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. on Christmas Day. For more information, call Diane Williams at
(828) 265-8090.
Holiday bus schedule changes
Starting Thursday, Dec. 16,
AppalCART will run the Red, Green, POP 105 bus one, Orange bus one, and Purple routes only during
the time between fall and spring semesters at Appalachian State University. The Express, Blue,
Gold and Pink routes will resume service on Jan. 7, 2011.
AppalCART will run parking lot
shuttles on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2011, beginning at 4 p.m. with the Red and Gold routes and 6 p.m. with
the State Farm Shuttle.
All buses will run on Monday, Jan. 10, 2011, for the start of the
spring semester at Appalachian State University.
On Friday, Dec. 24, and Saturday, Dec. 25,
and Monday, Dec. 27, AppalCART will be closed for the Christmas holidays. All van routes will
likewise be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
AppalCART will also be closed on
Friday, Dec. 31, and Saturday, New Year's Day.
