1) LMC Women’s Cross Country Tabbed Tenth in Coaches Poll
The Lees-McRae women’s cross county team was selected tenth in the Conference Carolinas preseason coaches’ poll, the league office announced on Thursday. Coach Ley Fletcher’s squad is filled with youth while his team sports eight freshmen and a sophomore. Sophomore Shelby Reynolds is the Bobcats’ lone returner. LMC finished tenth in the 2013 Conference Carolinas Cross County Championships while King (Tenn.) claimed its second consecutive title. The Bobcats open their season at the Buffalo Stampede in Johnson City, Tenn. LMC will participate in four more events before the conference championship Oct. 24 in Concord. King was tabbed the conference preseason favorite while Mount Olive was in a close second. Barton, North Greenville and Belmont Abbey rounded out the top five. Converse, Pfeiffer, Erskine and Linestone were selected sixth through ninth, respectively.
2) The Blowing Rock Music Festival Held Saturday, Sept. 20
The Blowing ROck Music Festival will be held on Saturday, Sept. 20 starting at 9 a.m. The outdoor event will be held rain or shine at 434 Rock Road in Blowing Rock. Entertainers will play from 11 a.m. until 8:30 p.m. The event is presented by The Blowing Rock and will feature The Harris Brothers. Entertainers will include The Harris Brothers, Wayne Henderson and Friends, Moore Brothers, Lacy Green, Buck Haggard Band, Shelby Moore, Carolina Ray, Cecil Palmer and the Steve Davidowski Band. Tickets are $30 the day of the event and $25 in advance. Advance reserved seating is $35. Children 12 and under receive free admission. VIP tents are available and lawn chairs and coolers are welcome. Overnight packages are also available. Tickets are on sale at The Blowing Rock attraction, the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce and the Boone Chamber of Commerce. Sponsors this year include Blowing Rock Ale House and Inn, Canyons Restaurant, Woodlands Barbecue, Green Park Inn, Shorepark LLC, The Blowing Rock Market, The New Public House and Hotel and the Meadowbrook Inn.
3) B2B Barter 101 Workshop Held Sept. 4
Learn how to use your services/products to get other services/products that you need without spending out of pocket. Nike does it. Honeywell does it. All the major retailers know how to maximize their sales, profits and marketing by using simple barter. Learn the ins and outs from the expert herself, Holly Palm. This event will be held Sept. 4 at 5:30 p.m. in the Appalachian Enterprise Center at 130 Poplar Grove Connector in Boone. Complimentary refreshments and hors d’oeuvres will be provided. This event is open to all businesses and services that are currently in a position to take on new customers.
4) Ranger Programs a the Blue Ridge Parkway
Informal Upstairs Tours of Cone Manor: On Wednesday, Sept. 3, starting at 11 a.m. From 11 a.m.-12 p.m., the second floor of Cone Manor will be open for a do-it-yourself tour. Rangers will be on hand to answer questions.
Stream Discoveries: On Saturday, Sept. 6, at 3:30 p.m., this program will take place at the Julian Price Picnic Ground. Ever wonder what lives below, above and on the surface of a cool mountain stream? Join a ranger to explore the habitat and the critters of Boone Fork Creek. Come prepared to get your feet wet, turn over some rocks and make discoveries.
Upstairs Tours at Cone Manor: This event will be held on Saturday, Sept 6, and Sunday, Sept. 7, at Cone Manor. Ranger led tours of the second floor of the former home of Moses and Bertha Cone. Tour is approximately 45 minutes long and reservations are required. To reserve a tour, call 828-295-3782 or sign up at the NPS information desk at the Manor House. Reservations accepted beginning at 10 a.m. Friday for the upcoming weekend only. No advance reservations, please.