1) Ranger Programs at Moses Cone/Julian Price Park
- Upstairs Tours at Cone Manor: On Saturday, June 14 and Sunday, June 15 at Cone Manor, enjoy a ranger-led tour of the second floor of the former home of Moses and Bertha Cone. The 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. on Friday for the upcoming weekend only. No advanced registration.
- Coyotes!: On Saturday, June 14 at the 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!
2) Wagon Train Revival & Ride Rolls Through Ashe County
The Happy Trails Cowboy Church of Ashe invites you to come find faith, fellowship and fun as their annual Wagon Train Revival & Ride rolls through Ashe County June 20, 21 & 22. Preacher Jack Nunn of Carolinas Cowboy Church is the featured speaker with a powerful, dynamic message that changes lives. Friday check-in begins at 5 p.m. with free hot dogs, a campfire, marshmallow roasting and music, Saturday features trail-riding throughout the day followed by a free BBQ sandwich and Cowboy beans supper at 5:30 p.m. followed by a 6:30 p.m. revival service and music by Buster Green and a bluegrass gospel by Destined 4 Glory. The weekend will conclude with a Sunday morning service at 10 a.m. featuring music and an afternoon ride. Happy Trails Cowboy Church Pastor Roger L. Blevins said, “this annual event is such a good time for the whole community. Come and experience the fun and excitement of the horses, the food and the fellowship. You don’t have to have a horse to have a good time! It’ll be fun for the whole family.” Come find your spiritual renewal at the Happy Trails Cowboy Church of Ashe Wagon Train Revival and Ridge. The event will be held at the Baker Farm at 3460 Dick Phillips Rd. in West Jefferson. For more information please call 336-973-2550 or 336-977-2043.
3) Baker Center for Primary Care Holds Grand Re-Opening on June 19
The Baker Center for Primary Care, located in the Sloop Medical Office Plaza adjacent to Cannon Memorial Hospital is having a grand re-opening on June 19 from 4-6 p.m. The free event will feature guest speakers, guided tours and light refreshments to showcase the newly renovated medical office. In 2012, Dr. Baker along with the other healthcare providers in his office decided to join Appalachian Regional Medical Associations (ARMA) to form the Baker Center for Primary Care. “The goal in joining forces was to create an efficient model for providing sustainable, quality primary care in Avery County,” said Dr. Baker. Since joining ARMA, the practice has added three providers and has experienced an annual increase in patient volume. Toni Gault, Practice Administrator for the Avery County ARMA offices said, “the reason for the remodel really came about out of necessity. We had outgrown our previous space and in order to continue to provide superior care for our patients, expanding proved to be the right and logical next step to take.” The funding for the renovations came about in large part thanks to the Duke Endowment and various donors that live in the High Country. In total, the renovations cost $1.2 million and took approximately four months to complete. To learn more call 828-737-7711.
4) Pastured Pork Workshop this Sunday
Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture (BRWIA) announced a workshop and potluck focused on Pastured Pork production as Springhouse Farms. This workshop is a perfect introduction oh how to produce pastured pork on a small scale – for your farm or your family. The workshop and potluck will take place from 4-6 p.m. on Sunday, June 15 at Springhouse Farm in Vilas. Amy Fiedler owns and operates Springhouse Farm, a certified organic farm in Vilas. Amy received a Mary Boyer Sustainable Food and Agriculture Grant this spring to diversify her farm after intense flooding wiped out most of her crop in 2013. She intends to offer an alternative to factory-farmed pork by starting her own Certified Humane pastured pig and pork operation. Springhouse Farms aims to become a premier local source of feeder pigs and an instructor to local farmers on humane pastured pork production. This informational workshop will be a comfortable setting for those who are new to pastured pork production to learn more about how it can be done on a small scale. Whether you want to raise a handful of pigs for your family or a larger number for sale, this workshop will introduce you to the important aspects that need to be considered. Don’t miss this opportunity to see how an area farmer has integrated pork production into other farm activities. The workshop is free but attendees are encouraged to bring a potluck food item to share. The workshop will begin on June 15 at 4 p.m. at Springhouse Farms located at 433 Silverstone Rd. in Vilas. Please RSVP to Suzanne Fleishman at programs@BRWIA.org or 818-386-1537.