1) High Country Christian Church Announcement
A non-denominational Christian Church serving the High Country provides morning worship at 10 a.m. at Blowing Rock Elementary School. Childcare is provided and everyone is welcome. Visit the website at www.highcountrychristian.com or email pastor@highcountrychristian.com for more information.
2) Beanstalk Community Theatre Presents Nunsense March 21-22
Beanstalk Community Theatre presents “Nunsense: A Musical Comedy” by Dan Goggins on Friday, March 21 and Saturday, March 22 at Harvest House Performing Arts Center as a dinner theatre. Dinner begins at 6 p.m. and the show will begin at 7 p.m. Individual tickets for “Nunsense” go on sale Feb. 1 at Boone Drug at Deerfield and online at beanstalkcommunitytheatre.com for $35 prior to March 1 and $40 after March 1. Individual tickets and for a table of 8 may be purchased at Andrew McDonough’s State Farm Insurance Office at 450 New Market Blvd. Suite 1 in Boone. Table purchases for $250 result in $30 savings if purchased before March 1. After March 1, tables will be $300, a savings of $20. Prices include sales tax. Casa Rustica will be catering the dinner. Gluten free and vegetarian entrees will be available with advance notice prior to March 10. On-site childcare will be available for a fee. For further information about BeanStalk and its upcoming production “Nunsense,” call 828-312-0263 or email beanstalkcommunitytheatre@gmail.com.
3) ASU Included in 150 Best Buy Schools List
Appalachian State University is one of 150 institutions included in The Princeton Review’s 2014 edition of “The Best Value Colleges” The 150 Best-Buy Schools and What it Takes to Get In.” The publication profiles, but does not rank, 75 public and 75 private institutions based on surveys conducted in 2012-13 of 2,000 undergraduate institutions concerning their academics, cost and financial aid. Student survey data collected during the past three academic years was also used to create the list, as well as the percentage of graduating seniors who borrowed from any loan program and the average debt these students had at graduation. Appalachian was also included in The Princeton Review’s “Best in the Southeast” publication released in August 2013. “The schools that made our ‘Best Value Colleges for 2014’ list are exceptional for two reasons,” according to information provided by the Princeton Review. “They provide stellar academics at an affordable cost-either via a completely low sticker price or generous financial aid or both. Students who attend these schools don’t have to mortgage their futures to pay for their degrees.” Sixty-five percent of students at Appalachian receive some form of financial aid, from loans to scholarships. Families typically borrow $18, 274 in federal loans for a student’s undergraduate study, according to the College Affordability and Transparency Center. Students who responded to the surveys commented on the university’s “open and accessible administrators” and “caring and stimulating professors” as its challenging courses. One student wrote that the university is “completely focused on the students. Undergraduate research is greatly encouraged. This is truly a teaching university.”
4) Join Hunger and Health Coalition at Red Onion Cafe Jan. 28
Please join the Hunger and Health Coalition for dinner at The Red Onion Cafe. Enjoy a wonderful meal at the Red Onion and help feed local families. Proceeds from dinner will go to the Hunger & Health Coalition’s Food Assistance Programs. This event will be held today, Jan, 28 at 5 p.m. at the Red Onion Cafe located at 227 Hardin Street in Boone.
5) February Programs at Grandfather Mountain State Park
- Right or Knot: On Saturday, Feb. 1, at 2 p.m., join a ranger to learn how to tie the right knots and the applications they should be used for. We will cover knots for use tying canoes or other objects and we will also talk about knots to use when camping and several knots that can be useful for daily use. Rope will be provided but you are free to bring your own. Please dress appropriately for the weather.
- Winter Tree Identification Hike: On Sunday, Feb,. 9 and 23 at 2 p.m. participants will learn how to identify local trees without the aid of leaves by learning differences in bark, limb, bud and branching patterns. Participants are encouraged to bring local field guides and hiking boots are recommended.
- Ten Essentials to Day Hiking: On Sunday, Feb. 16 at 2 p.m., join a ranger to learn about the classic ten essential items of backpacking, the Grandfather Mountain ten essentials and see examples of the types of equipment that hikers should be taking with them. Please dress appropriately for the weather.
- Unwanted Necklace: On Saturday, Feb. 22 at 2 p.m. Many things we throw away can harm animals if they are not disposed of properly. This program will teach how to properly dispose of certain items so that they do not end up killing or harming our birds. So what kind of necklace is it and how do we keep birds from wearing them. Join a ranger to find out and also make a necklace to take home as a reminder. Please dress according to the weather.