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Today’s Email Announcements

Joseph Bathanti to Speak at High Country Writers Meeting July 14

Joseph Bathanti will be speaking to High Country Writers about his new novel, The Life of the World to Come, his recent book of personal essays, Half of What I Say Is Meaningless, and about Appalachian State University’s newly formed Appalachian Veterans Arts and Humanities Collective, a working group of Appalachian employees and students dedicated to bringing hands-on arts and humanities programs and workshops to campus veterans as well as veterans and their families in the areas surrounding Watauga County and beyond. The meeting, which is open to the public, will take place at Watauga County Public Library in Boone on Thursday, July 14 at 10 am.

Joseph Bathanti is former Poet Laureate of North Carolina (2012-14). He is the author of eight books of poetry, winner of the 2010 Roanoke Chowan Prize, awarded annually by the North Carolina Literary and Historical Association for best book of poetry in a given year; Sonnets of the Cross; and Concertina, winner of the 2014 Roanoke Chowan Prize. His novel, East Liberty, won the 2001 Carolina Novel Award. His novel, Coventry, won the 2006 Novello Literary Award. His book of stories, The High Heart, won the 2006 Spokane Prize. They Changed the State: The Legacy of North Carolina’s Visiting Artists, 1971-1995, his book of nonfiction, was published in early 2007. His new book of personal essays, Half of What I Say Is Meaningless, winner of the Will D. Campbell Award for Creative Nonfiction, is from Mercer University Press. A new novel, The Life of the World to Come, was released from University of South Carolina Press in late 2014. His new volume of poems, The 13th Sunday after Pentecost, will be released by LSU Press in 2016. Bathanti is Professor of Creative Writing at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. http://nchumanities.org/joseph-bathanti

High Country Writers has been “energizing writers since 1995!” Regular meetings are at the Watauga County Public Library on the second and fourth Thursdays of most months from ten until noon and speakers’ presentations are co-sponsored with the Library. HCW members present writing skills workshops the first Thursday of the month, and have recently partnered with the Watauga County Arts Council in hosting these workshops. For more information and a current calendar, visit the website: http://highcountrywriters.tripod.com/. Guests are welcome.

Authors Cline and Troutman to Speak July 13 at Caldwell Heritage Museum

The Caldwell Heritage Museum’s monthly Coffee with the Curator will be at the Museum on Wednesday, July 13th at 10:00 am. This month’s program will be a discussion and book signing regarding the newly released title, Pitch Perfect in the 50’s with authors Jeanie M. Cline and “Chuck” Troutman. The book is a collection of memories about the Lenoir Junior High School Band and Chorus, as well as the Lenoir High School Band and Glee Club. The Museum building, itself, was once used as the Lenoir Junior High School.
Coffee and pastries will be provided. Admission to the Museum and the program is free, however a $5.00 donation is suggested for the maintenance and support of the Museum.
Please contact Director Jeff Stepp at the Museum with any questions at: (828) 758-4004 orcaldwellheritagemuseum@yahoo.com

High School Students Explore Local Opportunities Through New Summer Camp

A group of Caldwell County High School students recently participated in a week-long Project TEAM Summer Camp experience through Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute, exploring local career opportunities and training options.

The summer camp, the first of its kind in Caldwell County, was created as part of Project TEAM, a partnership initiative with CCC&TI, the Caldwell County School System, the Caldwell County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Commission, Communities in Schools, local employers and the local NCWorks Center. Funding for the initiative, which provides a structured pathway for individuals to be trained to fill high-demand jobs in the areas of Technology, Engineering, and Advanced Manufacturing (TEAM), is provided by a grant from the Golden Leaf Foundation awarded to CCC&TI in 2015.

Students who participated in the program visited several local manufacturing facilities to learn about local job opportunities and also spent time on the CCC&TI campus in Hudson to learn more about training opportunities.

Students toured MDI, Bemis Manufacturing, Bernhardt Furniture, Fairfield Chair, Stallergenes Greer Labs and Exela Pharma Sciences. At CCC&TI, students toured the Industrial Maintenance Lab, Truck Driver Training facility, Electronics and Engineering Lab, Electrical Lineman pole yard and other areas on campus. Students also got the opportunity to meet and interact with CCC&TI Technology, Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing instructors who led hands-on activities for the students.

Students also heard from Brad Hefner and Jeff Paine from Google’s Lenoir Data Center, who talked to students about the skill sets that Google looks for in potential employees. Hefner and Paine also worked with students on a variety of computer science labs using Raspberry Pi, a credit-card sized computer that plugs into a computer monitor or television and uses a standard keyboard and mouse. The device can be used for computing, programming in various languages, and most other tasks that a regular desktop computer can handle. Each student was able to take one of the Raspberry Pi devices home to continue experimenting and sharpening their computer skills.

CCC&TI administrators hope that the initiative will help students find viable career options while also helping meet the demand for a skilled labor force. “This summer camp experience is a great way for students to learn more or really, discover for the first time, just some of the career options that exist right here in Caldwell County,” said Donna Bean, CCC&TI Continuing Education Department Chair. “At the same time, we’re showing them local, affordable training programs through CCC&TI that can help them land these high-paying, rewarding jobs. Helping students train for jobs and providing a skilled workforce for local employers is a win-win for everybody. And when we can demonstrate the strides we’re making toward both goals, we can attract more businesses to the area.”

Carlos Hernandez Named Administrator at Avery-Mitchell Correctional

SPRUCE PINE – The Division of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice has named Carlos Hernandez as the new superintendent at Avery-Mitchell Correctional Institution in Spruce Pine.  He assumed his new duties this week.

Hernandez is 24-year corrections veteran who has served as the assistant superintendent for custody and operations at Mountain View Correctional Institution since 2014. He began his career in 1992 as a correctional officer at the former Western Youth Institution in Morganton and has served in staff and supervisory positions at Marion and Alexander correctional institutions.

The native of Cuba has an associate’s degree in business administration from American Inter-Continental University, is a graduate of the Department of Public Safety’s Correctional Leadership Development Program and is a certified state mediator. Hernandez is a leader of the DPS Mountain Region Drug Interdiction Team and has been a member since the team was established. He has also been a member of the Prisons Emergency Response Team for six years.

Avery-Mitchell Correctional Institution houses approximately 850 adult male inmates in medium custody. It employs a staff of about 315 employees.

Hernandez succeeds Mike Ball, who retired.

Mid July Western Square Dancing at Linville Land Harbor

Western Square Dancing www.mountainmixers.com Linville Land Harbor Recreation Center 20 Linville Harbor Pkwy, Newland, NC 28657 Plus Dancing with announced advanced by National Callers on Sundays. Schedule: 1:30-2:00PM advanced 2:00-4:00PM plus. Dress is square dance attire or dressy casual. July 10th Ron Libby, Land Harbor, NC; and July 17th Jimmy Roberson, Oxford, NC Linville Land Harbor Advanced Dancing from June 1st until late September. Dress is casual. Every Monday starting June 6th 7-9PM Jerry Biggerstaff, Marion, NC Every Weds starting June 1st 7-9PM Ron Libby, Land Harbor

Genealogy Gathering at the Library Saturday

Saturday, July 9

2 pm

Genealogy Gathering

This Saturday at 2 pm, join the Watauga Library Genealogy gathering for a special presentation by Jill Privott of the Daniel Boone Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Jill will be speaking on The Great Wagon Road, and other related patterns of family migration.

Free and open to the public.

The Watauga County Public Library is located in Downtown Boone at 140 Queen Street.

Gospel Bluegrass with Blessed Assurance at the Library Saturday

Saturday, July 9

11 am

This Saturday at 11 am, visit the Meeting Room at Watauga County Public Library for a special concert featuring bluegrass and gospel music by the group Blessed Assurance, out of Charlotte, N.C.!

Free and open to the public.

The Watauga County Public Library is located in Downtown Boone at 140 Queen Street.