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Email Announcements We Are Receiving Today: See What’s Going On Around The Community

1) N.C. Highway Historical Marker to Honor Jimmie Rodgers, “Father of Country Music”

Jimmie Rodgers moved to Asheville in 1927 and worked as a railway brakeman, janitor, cab driver and even a city detective. But it was appearances on WWNC radio that gave him his big break in music. He went on to become known as the “singing brakeman” or “yodeling cowboy.” He will be honored with dedication of a N.C. Highway Historical Marker Sept. 8 at 2 p.m. at Haywood Street at Battery Park Avenue, as part of Jimmie Rodgers Day in Asheville. Rodgers played live weekly with his friend Otis Kuykendall on WWNC, beginning in April 1927. Other musicians were added and the group was known as the Tenneva Ramblers and later as the Jimmie Rodgers Entertainers. WWNC featured old-time country musicians and broadcast from the Flat Iron Building. Record producer Ralph Peer captured Rodgers’ first two tracks Aug. 4, 1927. “The Soldier’s Sweetheart” and “Sleep, Baby, Sleep” were recorded in Bristol, Tenn. The well-known Carter Family also made their first recordings that week in what became known as the “Big Bang of Country Music.” When a successful Rodgers returned to Asheville in December 1929, he was touted as “Asheville’s Own.” He died of tuberculosis in 1933. In addition to the public highway marker dedication at 2 p.m., there will be a parade with street musicians and performers leading to a ticketed musical celebration at the Asheville Music Hall at 4 p.m. For information on the highway marker dedication, please call (919) 807-7290. For information on the musical celebration, visit http://ashevillemusichall.com/music-schedule/event/jimmie-rodgers-day/. The N.C. Highway Historical Marker program is within the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources and a joint program with the N.C. Department of Transportation.

2) Ashe County Farmers Market, Backstreet, West Jefferson Presents: Quilt Day

Calling all quilters! Come to the Ashe County Farmers Market for a great day of learning the art of quilting and just plain fun from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Look for the tents set up in the grassy area behind the shelter and bring your machine and a chair (electricity available) to the free class and demonstration put on by individuals from the Quilt Guild and our own Doris Phillips. There will be kits available for purchase for $20 per kit. Also, there will be a beautiful quilt available that the Quilting Guild is raffling off. All proceeds from the raffle go to support their efforts in the county. They provide quilts and accessories to burn out victims, children of domestic violence, the senior centers, our military and other groups or victims. If you would like to be a part of the Quilters Guild, please talk to any member for the times and date they meet.

3) Parkway School Gets New Picnic Tables Thanks to Local Scout

Parkway Schools now enjoys five new picnic tables and several that have been repaired thanks to the Eagle Scout Project of Aaron Williams (frontrow, second from left). Williams and Boy Scouts Troop 100 completed the project after investing 124 person hours of labor. Materils for the project were donated by New River Building Supply, Blue Ridge Supply and Millworks, and Watauga Building Supply.  “The Troop did such an outstanding job and their work has provided our students with safe and comfortable places to sit outside,” said Parkway Principal Melissa Costin. “One of the special things about Parlway is how our parents, volunteers and the business community work together for the school. This project is a perfect example of that type of collaboration.”

4) Craft Enrichment at Appalachian State

Appalachian State Craft Enrichment classes are now enrolling. Register now for basket making, acrylic painting, glass bead making, fiber spinning, sewing, weaving, pottery, wood working, welding, photography, video documentary production, Asian brush painting, jewelry, portrait sculpting in clay and stained glass. Register now at craftenrichment.appstate.edu. You may also contact Eric Reichard at 828-262-6360 for additional information. The Fall 2013 classes are designed for the hobbyist, advanced students or someone that is ready to learn something new. Small classes provide individual attention from faculty who are dedicated professionals, committed both as teachers and craft artists. Weekly classes allow time to see where an idea leads, and time to explore your creative self and develop your distinctive artistic signature. New classes begin throughout the month of September. Come join the fun.