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Today’s Email Announcements

Blue Ridge Conservancy Announces 2017 Guided Hike Schedule

Blue Ridge Conservancy will offer five guided hikes, including the Kids in Nature Hikes, from April to October.  The first hike of the series and is scheduled for Saturday, April 15th at Camp Lutherock in Avery County.

“This is a great chance to get outside and explore some new places in the High Country that you wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to hike,” said Nikki Bauman, Blue Ridge Conservancy’s Communications and Outreach Associate.

To sign up for a hike please visit www.blueridgeconservancy.org. Each Saturday hike is considered strenuous, ranging from 3-6 miles. We meet at 9am, with each hike lasting a few hours, depending on the group’s pace.

On the Kids in Nature hike we will explore the Boone United Trail to learn more about what’s living in the forests in our own backyards. Plan to join your child for a fun-filled morning of adventure on this easy, ~1.5 hour Boone area hike.

Directions and hiking logistics will be emailed to those signed up the week prior to the hike. All hikes are guided by a naturalist and BRC’s staff, and are free to BRC members. Non-members are encouraged to sign up for a membership prior to the hike.

BRC 2017 Hike Schedule

Saturday, April 15 Hike: Camp Lutherock

Wednesday June 21 Kids in Nature Hike: Boone United Trail

Saturday July 15 Hike: Old Orchard Creek Blueberry Farm

Saturday, August 19 Hike: Pond Mountain Traditional & Challenge Route

Saturday, October 7 Hike: Blue Ridge Parkway Waterfall Hike

About Blue Ridge Conservancy

Blue Ridge Conservancy (BRC) is a private, non-profit, non-governmental organization incorporated in North Carolina. BRC has protected over 20,000 acres in Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Mitchell, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey Counties.  In addition to protecting working farmland, BRC’s efforts have resulted in the creation of state natural areas like Beech Creek Bog, Bear Paw State Natural Area and Bullhead Mountain. We continue to help Elk Knob State Park and Grandfather Mountain State Park expand their borders and established Pond Mountain Game Land in Ashe County.  More information about Blue Ridge Conservancy is available at www.blueridgeconservancy.org.

Great American Backyard Campout at Elk Knob State Park on Saturday, June 24th

Novice campers are invited to join the Rangers at Elk Knob State Park for an enjoyable night of camping on Saturday, June 24 beginning no earlier than 2:30 pm. This is the ninth year that Elk Knob has participated in the campout which introduces families to the joy of camping without the expense of buying equipment. It is a great event for two main reasons: it allows participants a night of supervised camping at Elk Knob State Park, and we provide the tents, dinner, s’mores and interesting programs to fill the night with entertainment. Participants should bring their own snacks, non-alcoholic beverages, breakfast for Sunday morning, and their own sleeping bags or blankets. The campout is free, but REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED by June 19. You may register by calling 828-297-7261. Adults must accompany children. Children must be 6 years and older. Pets are not allowed. Don’t miss a great opportunity to try camping without the expense involved. It may be the start of a new hobby for the family.

Activities begin at 4 pm so arrive early enough to get set up and be ready to enjoy the activities.

Upcoming Events at Heritage Hall Theatre in Mountain City

Saturday, April 8, 7pm – Wayne Henderson and Friends

Wayne Henderson’s top-notch finger-picking is a source of great pleasure and pride to his friends, family and neighbors in Grayson County, Virginia. His guitar playing has also been enjoyed at Carnegie Hall, in three national tours of Masters of the Steel-String Guitar, and in seven nations in Asia.Wayne’s genuine personality tinged with colorful mountain stories, musical talent, and a magnetic stage presence all combine in him to create a magical experience for the Heritage Hall patrons as he returns each year to a packed house.

Saturday, April 29, 7 pm – Classic Nashville Road Show

The Classic Nashville Road Show will feature Katie Deal and Jason Petty in a glorious tribute to country music legends. Remember when June fell for Johnny and Loretta was just a coal miner’s daughter? Let Classic Nashville Roadshow take you on a journey down memory lane with your favorite classic hits honoring the world’s most beloved country greats! Starring Jason Petty and Katie Deal, Classic Nashville Roadshow features renowned duets, such as Golden Ring; Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man and Jackson; poignant tunes like Crazy and He Stopped Loving Her Today; and gospel traditions such as Will the Circle Be Unbroken. Adv $20/Door $23

Heritage Hall is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the area with quality live entertainment. Most evening shows start at 7pm; most tickets are $10 advance and $12 at door, and most youth seats are $5. For tickets, or reservations, call 423-727-7444 and leave a message. The Box Office is normally open on Tuesday – Friday, 12 – 2 pm at 126 College Street. For more information visit heritagehalltheatre.org

North Carolina Native Plant Society to Meet on Wednesday, April 12

It’s that time for the North Carolina Native Plant Society monthly meeting soon. It will be held on Wednesday April 12th (second Wednesday) at the Holiday Inn Express on 1943 Blowing Rock Road in Boone. The meeting room will open at 6:15 and the meeting will begin at 7:00.

This month’s speaker is John Neal from Greensboro. His talk will be Garden-worthy native perennials and ferns. There will be native plants available to purchase before and after the presentation. John Neal is owner of Neal’s Natives, a small native plant nursery. He was introduced to wild plants as a child by his father who would take him botanizing.

John may contact members by email with a plant availability list so members can pre-order. He has nice pots at a very reasonable price. The Society will open the meeting room a little early (at 6:15) this month for those who want to come and buy before the meeting.

Watauga County Public Library to Host Viewing of Citizen Kane on Monday, April 10

Audience: Adults (18+)
Location: Watauga County Public Library – Meeting Room
Cost: Free
High Country Lifelong Learners in association with the Watauga County Public Library invite you to join for a movie viewing of “Citizen Kane” on April 10th from 2:00 pm – 5:30 pm.
Director Orson Welles’ 1941 film, “Citizen Kane”, tells the story, through a series of flashbacks, of millionaire newspaper tycoon, Charles Foster Kane, as reporters try to decipher his last word ever spoken: “Rosebud.”

Stars: Orson Welles, Joseph Cotten, Dorothy Comingore

This film has an MPAA rating of Unrated and an approximate run-time of 119 minutes.
For more information please email: high.country.lifelong@gmail.com, Attention: Deb Gooch.