1) The Artfull Palette Held Friday, Aug. 22
Planning for the Watauga County Arts Council’s annual fundraising event is well underway and tickets are now available. The Artfull Palette is a delicious smorgasbord of the arts filled with performances, visual art, food, wine, dancing and more. During the evening guests will enjoy several performances representing several styles and genres. Guests will be able to bid on their favorite silent auction treasures and put their tickets into the raffle for other great items. This year’s event will be held at the Harvest House on Friday, Aug. 22 from 6:30-10 p.m. Tickets are now on sale and can be obtained at the Blue Ridge ArtSpace at 377 Shadowline Drive, through an Arts Council Board Member or volunteer, online at www.Watauga-Arts.org or by calling the Arts Council at 828-264-1789.
2) Free Concert at the Watauga County Library July 19
The Watauga County Public Library will host a free concert on Saturday, July 19, at 2 p.m. Please join local blues duo Rob “Hound Dog” Baskerville and Penny “Queen Bee” Zamagni for free music and a presentation of the history of the blues. For more information please contact the reference department at 828-264-8784 ext. 2.
3) McGee, Palmer and Taylor Inducted into Appalachian’s Rhododendron Society
Three Appalachian State University graduates whose careers have helped change the lives of countless students were inducted into the Reich College of Education’s Rhododendron Society during ceremonies held July 12 at the college. Honorees for 2014 are Dr. Jerry E. McGee of Monroe, president of Wingate University; Dr. Michael H. Palmer of Durham, a retired Louisburg College educator; and J. Warren Taylor of Sparta, retired Alleghany High School teacher and community servant. Established in 1999, the Rhododendron Society recognizes exemplary service to education and community. It is the highest honor awarded by Appalachian’s Reich College of Education.
4) Watauga Soil and Water Meeting July 23
The Watauga Soil and Water Conservation District Board will hold its regular board meeting on Wednesday, July 23 at 8 a.m. in the District Office located at 971 West King St. The public is invited to attend.
5) Baha’i Devotional Meeting Held July 20
There will be a Baha’i devotional meeting from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. on Sunday, July 20 at 300 Beaver Dam Rd. in Bethel. The theme of the meeting will be “Create in Me a Pure Heart.” All are welcome. Baha’is believe in the divine origin of all the world’s major faiths and the teachings center on creating unity. For more information and directions call 828-297-6222.
6) Jink and Diddle Scottish Fiddlers Perform July 26
The Jink and Diddle Scottish Fiddlers is a select group of teens and twenty-somethings who gather in Valle Crucis each July under the direction of Dr. John Turner to learn and perform traditional Scottish music from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Among these players are regional, national and international Scottish Fiddling champions. The Jink and Diddle School of Scottish Fiddling is in its 31st year. The event will take place on Saturday, July 26 from 7:30-8:30 p.m at Baird’s Creek Presbyterian Church in Vilas. For more information call Charlene Trestain at 828-964-0614.
7) Blowing Rock Hosts Monday Night Concert July 21
The Monday Night Concert Series, sponsored by the Town of Blowing Rock and Blowing Rock Parks and Recreation will be giving its third concert of the season on July 21. Performers are Amy Marie Young, pianist Steve Sensenig and guitarist Andy Page. Young is the originator of the series, which has been providing entertainment for locals and tourists for 15 years. She is an ASU graduate, a former Farm House Singing Waitress and the music director at the Blowing Rock Methodist Church. Sensenig has been performing in the park concerts for more than five years. He is currently performing and traveling throughout the U.S. but will be in the area this summer playing at the Barter Theatre in Abington. Page is well known throughout the High Country performing with various bands such as Swing Guitars and Bafoodus. Concerts take place in the Broyhill Park off of Clark Street in Blowing Rock. Each show will feature various types of music from jazz, musical theatre, folk, country and contemporary music. Concerts begin at 7 p.m. and audiences are asked to bring a lawn chair or blanket for their comfort. The inclement weather location is the American Legion Building on Park Avenue or the Rotary Building next to the swimming pool. Dates and performer lineup for the remainder of the season are Aug. 4 and 18 – Brother Gravity.