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Today’s Email Announcements

Blue Ridge Garden Club Tree Planting Ceremony and Garden Party April 27

Blue Ridge Garden Club members are donating a tree to the Middle Fork Greenway for Arbor Day.  A tree-planting ceremony and garden party are scheduled for Thursday, April 27 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at Sterling Creek Park (on the first completed section of the Middle Fork Greenway).  The tree will be planted in honor of Sterling and Barbara Whitener, who donated the land for the park. Mr. Whitener died in January at age 95. The public is invited.

Park at Tweetsie or Mystery Hill and walk the underpass beneath 321 to Sterling Creek Park. For more information, call 264-3754.

JAM Kids Day Camp Planned for May 20 at Blue Ridge Music Center in Galax 

The Blue Ridge Music Center is partnering with Junior Appalachian Musicians, Inc (JAM) for another year to present a day of activities, workshops and performances for young old time and bluegrass musicians on Saturday, May 20.  The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, the National Park Service and JAM have collaborated to extend this day camp opportunity to children in JAM programs throughout the region, as well as other young musicians.  The event is free to participants and their families, as well as the public.  In order to receive a free meal, students must pre-register by May 15 at www.jamkids.org/brmc.

Participating children will choose three workshops or activities beginning at 12 p.m. Regional teaching artists will lead the workshops and include:  Erika Godfrey Testerman of Lansing, NC (fiddle), Stanley Widener of Fancy Gap, VA (mandolin), Chris Testerman of Lansing, NC (clawhammer banjo), Chad Ritchie of Hiddenite, NC (guitar), Terry Gleason of Fries, VA (singing/songwriting), Jacki Spector of Mount Airy, NC (string band), Jerry Martin of Elk Creek, VA (performing with a sound system), and Julie Shepherd-Powell of Christiansburg, VA (mountain dance).

At the close of the day, special group performances from the students will be held on the Music Center’s amphitheater stage.  Participant sign-in will begin at 11 a.m. Activities geared to kids not currently playing a musical instrument will also be offered, and include: a guided hike on the Music Center’s Kids in Parks High Meadow Track Trail, Junior Ranger activities, a craft activity, the American Roots Music exhibit tour, and an instrument petting zoo offered by the Blue Ridge Music Makers Guild.

Junior Appalachian Musicians, Inc., of Independence is the parent organization for 40 after school JAM programs teaching traditional old time and bluegrass music to children.  JAM, Inc. offers a variety of learning and performance opportunities for students, teachers, program directors and volunteers. For more information, please visit www.jamkids.org or contact Executive Director Brett Martin at 276-773-0573 or brett@jamkids.org.

Camp Grier and Presbyterian Episcopal Campus Ministry at ASU Host 2nd Annual Camp-a-Looza April 23

On April 23, Camp Grier and Presbyterian Episcopal Campus Ministry at ASU host their 2nd Annual Camp-a-Looza. Come out for an afternoon of camp activities like arts and crafts, environmental education, riding bikes, field games and more.

Parents are welcome to stay for the fun, but if not, they are more than welcome to sign their kids in and they will be returned worn out at the end of the event.

All rising 2nd-8th graders are welcome to participate!

The event takes place at the Valle Crucis Community Park at 2892 Broadstone Rd. on Sunday, Apr. 23, from 1-4 p.m.

Ashe Family Literacy CommUnity Feast on Saturday, May 6 in West Jefferson

Saturday, May 6 at 6:00 p.m.

Ashe County Arts Council, West Jefferson

You are cordially invited to attend the second annual CommUnity Feast to support a Women’s Fund of the Blue Ridge grantee agency, Ashe Family Literacy!

Join Ashe Family Literacy for a lavish spread of the traditional ethnic cuisine of their students, followed by a Latin dance demonstration, and lessons for those who are interested.

Money raised through this event will support the costs of childcare and transportation for women who attend Ashe Family Literacy’s programs. They provide women with classes for English as a Second Language, Adult High School Diploma or GED prep, college and career transition, and support in being their child’s first and most important teacher.

Tickets for the event can be purchased at the Ashe County Arts Council, or email Ashe Family Literacy’s Executive Director, Beth Sorrell, atbasorrell@gmail.com to reserve your tickets at the door.