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Email Announcements Received Today: See What’s Going On Around The Community

1) High Country Locals to March for Babies

On Sunday, Oct. 12 at Appalachian State University, family and corporate teams from Boone and surrounding areas will join together in the March of Dimes annual March for Babies walk. March for Babies is the nation’s oldest fundraising walk honoring babies born healthy and those who need help to survive and thrive. Many top companies, schools and local leaders will be in attendance.  Multiple events will take place across the state from April to November aiming to raise more than $1 million. Local and national companies are aligning their brands with a cause that’s important to their employees’ and community’s hearts – the health of babies. Locally, March for Babies is supported by, Appalachian Regional Healthcare System, GE Aviation- West Jefferson, FastMed Urgent Care, Appalachian State University Athletics. “This will be the seventh year the ASU Athletics has participated in the High Country March for Babies event, several members of our department have been directly affected by the March of Dimes,” stated David Jackson, 2014 High Country March for Babies Chairman. To register for March for Babies, visit marchforbabies.org or marchofdimes.org/northcarolina

2) High Country Turkey Trot Takes Place Thanksgiving Day

The High Country Turkey Trot will take place on Thanksgiving Day starting at 9 a.m. at Clawson-Burnley Park at Boone Greenway Trail to raise food and funds for hungry neighbors in need. In 2013, 750 participants in 22 states, 2 foreign countries and 58 North Carolina cities raised $23,000 and collected 800 pounds of food. This event benefits the Hospitality House Bread of Life Community Kitchen, which serves 12,000 meals per month, three meals per day, seven days a week, 365 days per year. For details, contact Todd Carter at 828-264-1237 or todd@hosphouse.org.

3) Ranger Programs at the Blue Ridge Parkway

Coyotes!: This program will take place on Saturday, Oct. 11 at Julian Price Campground Amphitheater. This newcomer to North Carolina has rapidly spread from the mountains to the coast, and is now found in all 100 counties. Why are they so successful? Are they to be feared? How should we treat this new neighbor? Come find out!

4) Medicare Open Enrollment Begins Oct. 15

The Lois E. Harrill Senior Center wants to remind people that the Medicare Open Enrollment period (Oct. 15 – Dec. 7, 2014) is the one time of the year when Medicare beneficiaries can make changes to their coverage.  During this time, Medicare recipients can review their Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage and/or their Medicare Advantage plan.  Individuals who are turning 65 can receive assistance enrolling in Medicare.  The Senior Center has SHIIP volunteers available to meet with individuals about their unique needs.  Please call Jen at the Senior Center, 828-265-8090, to schedule an appointment with a SHIIP volunteer.

5) Appalachian Retains Its Military-Friendly School Status

Appalachian State University continues to be recognized as a military friendly school by Victory Media, which compiles the annual Military Friendly Schools list. Appalachian has received this designation annually since 2010. The Military Friendly® Schools designation for 2014 was awarded to the top 15 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools in the country that are doing the most to embrace military students, and to dedicate resources to ensure their success in the classroom and after graduation. The methodology used for making the Military Friendly® Schools list has changed the student veteran landscape to one that is much more transparent, and has played a significant role over the past six years in capturing and advancing best practices to support military students across the country. Victory Media’s Military Friendly® Schools listing, now in its sixth year, is based on a data-driven survey of more than 50 leading practices in supporting military students and is available free of charge to the more than 8,000 schools approved for Post-9/11 GI Bill funding. Victory Media’s online Schools Matchmaker enables student veterans and prospective military students to review more than 4,000 schools approved for Post-9/11 GI Bill tuition benefits, as well as schools that have earned the elite Military Friendly® Schools designation. This year, the list of approximately 1,600 Military Friendly® Schools highlights those institutions that exhibit leading practices to support military students. Schools earned rights to the coveted Military Friendly® trademarked designation via qualifying scores from a rigorous survey assessment. “Our goal is to get all 8,000 schools approved for taxpayer-backed Post-9/11 GI Bill funding into the Schools Matchmaker in 2015, and to have them participate in our free survey assessment,” said Sean Collins, vice president at Victory Media and a nine-year Navy veteran. “The more transparent schools are in what they offer, the better decisions military students can make with their hard-earned benefits—and the more we can share leading practices among schools.” Appalachian’s Office of Admissions maintains a website for veterans and military service members considering enrolling at the university. The university also has veteran counselors or advisors on staff, a veteran specific page on the university’s financial aid website, a chapter of the Student Veterans Association on campus and assists veterans with career placement. Appalachian offers in-state tuition without residency requirements for military students who are in the N.C. National Guard or on active duty at a military base within North CarolinaThe complete Military Friendly® Schools list is available at www.militaryfriendly.com.

6) O Christmas Tree at Linville Campgrounds Held Oct. 11

On Saturday, Oct. 11 at Linville Falls Campground Amphitheater at 7:30 p.m. There is a special place for this holiday decoration in the hearts of everyone. Along the Parkway can be seen this symbol of Christmas, but come and learn about this beloved fir beyond its tradition.