1) Joseph Bathanti Author Reading and Book Signing Oct. 9
Appalachian State University faculty member and former N.C. Poet Laureate Joseph Bathanti will read from and sign copies of his newest book, “Half of What I Say is Meaningless: Essays” on Oct. 9 at The Scholars Bookshop inside the University Bookstore. Bathanti’s reading begins at 2 p.m. Copies of his book will be available for sale and signing. The event is free and the public is invited to attend. Winner of the 2012 Will D. Campbell Award for Creative Nonfiction for “the best manuscript that speaks to the human condition in a Southern context,” Bathanti’s latest book is poignant and humorous collection written with the soul of a true poet. The book opens with its longest essay, “The Turf of Hankering,” which tells the tale of Bathanti leaving Pittsburgh for his VISTA training in Atlanta, meeting a Southern woman he is destined to marry, his journey into the American South that he would come to call home, and his first attempts at becoming a writer. Other essays touch on topics as varied as his early conflicted obsessions with Catholicism; a life-changing visit to writer Thomas Wolfe’s boyhood home in Asheville; a moving account of how he faced the possibility of being drafted to serve in the Vietnam War; the concept of work and what it means; and marriage and fatherhood. All of Bathanti’s books are available for sale at The Scholar’s Bookshop at a 20 percent discount throughout October.
2) Art Cellar Gallery Hosts Last Reception of the Season Oct. 4
The last reception of the season for The Art Cellar Gallery will be held on Saturday, Oct. 4, from 4-6 p.m. for “Animals of Farm and Field featuring artists Carolyn Blaylock, Nancy Oppenheimer, Margaret Salisbury and Walter Stanford. The exhibition features a rafter of turkeys, herds of cows, flocks of sheep, birds of prey and a sleuth of bears. Enjoy each of these talented artists’ interpretations of the animals that inhabit our farms, fields, forests and beyond. Don’t forget, during the Animals of Farm and Field exhibition, Art Cellar will be teaming up with the Avery County Humane Society to help provide for the animals in the shelter. The Gallery is collecting donations of goods and financial contributions through the end of the exhibition. You may drop off any donations to the Art Cellar Gallery or to the Avery County Humane Society.
3) Buckeye Recreation Center Hosts Munchkinland On Oct. 4
On Saturday, Oct. 4, Buckeye Recreation Center in Beech Mountain will host Munchkinland with nonstop activities for ages 8 and younger. Tickets are just $10 per person and tickets are limited so be sure to get yours soon. For more information call 828-387-3003. Buckeye Recreation Center is located at 1330 Pine Ridge Rd. in Beech Mountain. Activities include a lollipop hunt, photos with Oz characters, story time and twister, brick cookie decorating, flying monkey musical chairs, pin the tail on the lion, rainbow fruit snacks, wacky witch hunt, face painting and more!