1) Friends of the High Country General Membership Meeting March 22
There will be a general membership meeting for members of the Friends of the High Country State Parks at Elk Knob State Park on Saturday, March 22 at 10 a.m. There will be a brief update on the activities of the Friends of High Country State Parks with a special guided hike for members following the meeting. Bring your own snacks, lunch and water. Don’t miss this special event.
2) Banner Elk Easter Egg Hunt in Tate-Evans Park
The Town of Banner Elk and the Tourism Development Association have collaborated to bring an Easter Egg Hunt to downtown Banner Elk on Saturday, April 12. To start the morning, the Banner Elk Cafe will hold a breakfast with the Easter Bunny from 9-11 a.m. Children 12 and under are invited to Tate-Evans Park at 11:30 a.m. for an Easter Egg Hunt. There will also be a bounce-house, face painting and other activities for children. Following the children’s egg hunt, My Best Friends Barkery will host a Pet Egg Hunt. Dogs of all sizes and ages are invited to join, and don’t forget to bring your owners!
3) Social Justice Week Observed March 19-28 at ASU with Public Events
Social Justice Week will be observed at Appalachian State University March 19-28, featuring a Concert for Justice, documentaries on hunger and nuclear weapons, a Rwandan genocide survivor’s story, a night of TED-inspired talks and more. The general public is invited to attend. Those attending are encouraged to bring canned food items to the events to benefit the Hunger and Health Coalition and the Hospitality House of Boone.
- Wednesday, March 19 – “Concert for Justice,” 6 p.m., Crossroads, Plemmons Student Union – The kick-off concert features performances by a capella groups, dance groups and solo performers. Sponsored by Student Government Association.
- Thursday, March 20 – “World Outside My Shoes,” 8 p.m., Room 114 Belk Library and Information Commons – Carl Wilkens, the only American to remain in Rwanda during the genocide, will speak on his experiences in that country and abroad. Sponsored by the Center for Judaic, Holocaust and Peace Studies and its Center Fellows, PeaceJam and Invisible Children.
- Sunday, March 23 – “Parallel Institutions,” 1 p.m., Room 421 Belk Library and Information Commons – Local organizer Ben Loomis will share the idea of parallel institutions: what they are, where they are needed, and how they make community organizing goals more communicable and fruitful. Sponsored by Boone Community Network.
- Monday, March 24 – “A Place at the Table,” 6 p.m., Plemmons Student Union’s Three Top Mountain Room – One in four American children don’t know where their next meal is coming from. This documentary tells the stories of three people struggling to eat, while showing that the American public has the power to end hunger once it decides such action is in the best interests of all. Sponsored by Graduate Student Social Work Association.
- Tuesday, March 25 – “The Land Sustains Us,” 12:30 p.m., I.G. Greer Theater – This Elkland Art Center documentary explores how the changing landscape (development, infrastructure improvements, and loss of environment) affects the sense of community in the small village of Todd. Sponsored by the Elkland Art Center.
- Wednesday, March 26 – “Countdown to Zero: A World Without Nuclear Weapons,” 5 p.m., Room 114 Belk Library and Information Commons – This film explores the dangers of nuclear weapons, exposing a variety of present-day threats and featuring insights from a host of international experts and world leaders who advocate total global disarmament. Sponsored by SPICE Quaker Student Community and Global Zero.
- Thursday, March 27 – “Panorama – A Night of TED-inspired Talks,” 7 p.m., Crossroads, Plemmons Student Union –Students will offer talks on issues, experiences and ideas. This event gives them an opportunity to share their passions and perspectives in an open, non-persuasive environment with an engaged audience who is willing to consider new viewpoints. Sponsored by Student Government Association.
- Friday, March 28 –“Peace Event,” 4 p.m., Sanford Mall – This celebratory event will mark the end of Social Justice Week. Participants will peacefully march down King Street and participate in an interactive art exhibit on Sanford Mall.
4) High Country Shakespeare Competition Kicks off with “Love’s Labor’s Lost”
The Appalachian State University Department of Theatre and Dance presents Shakespeare’s romantic comedy “Love’s Labor’s Lost” in Valborg Theatre at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 19 through Sunday, March 22 with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, March 23. The production is the first event in the High Country Shakespeare Celebration, a regional initiative sponsored by The High Country Theatre League to commemorate the 450th Birthday of the immortal Bard of Avon. Ticket prices start at just $8 for Appalachian students and are $13 for faculty, staff and seniors and $15 for adults. For more information, call the box office at 828-262-3036 or the Schaefer Center Box Office at 828-262-4046. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Valborg Theatre Box Office Monday through Friday 1-5 p.m. and at the Schaefer Center Box Office Monday through Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. According to director Derek Gagnier, associate professor of theatre, “Love’s Labor’s Lost” is a witty, romantic comedy that pits “idealized wooing” against the need for “direct conversation.” Characters use words to define a reality far different from what is actually going on in the play. Depicted throughout the play is the radiant joy of finding a new love, the thrill of pursuing that special person and the consequences and discoveries that occur during the chase. The story centers around the college-aged King of Navarre and his three devoted friends who agree to “become famous” by studying for three years. Gagnier said, “What they agree to study isn’t important, apparently.” They plan to shun all contact with women as well. Complications occur when the Princess of France comes to visit, bringing three beautiful ladies with her, coincidentally, also all college-aged. Gagnier’s concept is a “spring break-like” romp through the king’s gardens involving local yokels, the parish priest, a schoolteacher. A fantastical visiting Spaniard adds to the fun. This version is produced in modern dress, with original music created by Appalachian junior Daniel Bukin. He is majoring in music theory/composition with a minor in theatre.
5) Hound Ears Club Names Colin Crothers as New Tennis Director
Hound Ears Club has named award-winning tennis coach Colin Crothers as the new Director of Tennis effective April 24. A resident of Boone, Crothers currently coaches the women’s tennis team at Appalachian State University and will continue his coaching duties, working with Hound Ears during the off season. Crothers has served as Head Women’s Tennis Coach at ASU since 1998 and has recorded the most wins of any women’s tennis coach in ASU history. “We are delighted that Colin Crothers has accepted the position as Director of Tennis at the Hound Ears Club. He comes to us with a wealth of experience, skill sets and a true knowledge of tennis with the ability to provide a first-class tennis experience for our members and their guests,” said Hound Ears Chief Operation Officer/General Manager Don E. Vance, CCM, CPC. As a collegiate player at Flagler College in St. Augustine, Fla, Crothers was a three-time NAIA Tennis All-American (1982-84), the team’s MVP in 1982 and was named to the Flagler College Sports Hall of Fame in 2014. Crothers has worked as a head professional or assistant at the Sewickley Country Club, Capital City Club of Atlanta and Yonahlossee Racquet Club and Elk River Club. At ASU, Crothers “has led the Black and Gold to six double-digit win seasons and helped the Mountaineers steadily stay a threat in the ever-changing Southern Conference. 2012 was a banner year for the Mountaineers as Crothers led his squad to a 14-9 record, including a 6-4 mark in league play and the first-ever national ranking in team history (no. 65),” according to ASU Sports Information. And while some may find tennis scoring complicated, Crothers will never get flustered, as he holds a master’s degree in mathematics from ASU. His wife, Dr. Doris Bazzini, is a psychology professor at ASU. Centrally located near Boone, Blowing Rock and Banner Elk, Hound Ears Club comprises 750 acres nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Established in 1964, the private community’s golf course was recently named a “Top 100 Tar Heel” course by Business North Carolina for the sixth consecutive year.
6) A.R.K. Animal Rescue and Life Learning Center Opens
We are announcing the opening of the High Country’s first domestic animal rescue, working alongside other area shelters. Our Mission is to provide sanctuary to all domestic animals while operating as a green and sustainable farm, ensuring that while we care for the animals and that we do not abuse the land on which we care for them. Our farm also house a Life Learning Center where we will teach sustainable living and preparedness, nutrition and health and wellness, along with Christian morals. We are in the midst of closing in on a 10 acre farm where we can give solace to many animals in need. We are already receiving numerous requests for our help and are making temporary arrangements. We are in need of your help to acquire the funds and materials to begin taking in these animals and providing them with a safe and secure shelter. A full list of our needs can be emailed or seen on our Facebook page, and also coming soon on our website. We are excited for all the wonderful joy A.R.K. can provide our community.