1) NAMI Meeting
NAMI High Country (National Alliance on Mental Illness) welcomes all – those struggling with mental health challenges, family members, professionals, students and anyone with a general interest. Our meetings are the first Monday of each month at 7 p.m. Meetings are held in Public Library Conference Room at 140 Queen Street in Boone. Please go to our website for meeting details at www.namihighcountry.org. If you need a ride or have questions you can call us at 828-278-9293. Please leave a message.
2) High Country Walk Announces 2013 Ambassador Family
The Carolina Foothills Division of March of Dimes is proud to announce Jake Wallace and his family as our 2013 High Country March for Babies Ambassadors. Morethan 20 years ago, wallace was born 7.5 weeks early, weighing a mere 4 pounds, 4 ounces. As a result of being born with jaundice, he spent more than two weeks in the Neonatal Intesive Care Unit (NICU). Unfortunately, Wallace would go on to experience premature birth again. On June 26 of this year, Jake’s girlfriend delivered their daughter at 20 weeks gestation. The baby was a stillborn. “I didn’t realize prematurity was as common as it is, until I had to deal with it firsthand,” stated Wallace. “It’s mind blowing how many babies are born too early or too sick everyday. As ambassador, Wallace will speak at local and regional meetings, explaining how the March of Dimes has benefited him and his family and encouraging others to join the cause. The March of Dimes walk will take place Nov. 2 at Appalachian State University. More information is available at marchforbabies.org. According to Wallace, he is healthy and enjoys anything that involves the outdoors and being athletic. “After learning more about prematurity, I realize just how lucky I am to have been born prematurely but have lived and live with no health issues,” Wallace said. When asked how he feels about serving as the 2013 High Country March for Babies Ambassador, he said, “It’s pretty cool, it’s good to know I’m not alone.” In 2013, the March of Dimes celebrates its 75th Anniversary and its ongoing work to help babies get a healthy start in life. Early research led to the Salk and Sabin polio vaccines that all babies still receive. Other breakthroughs include new treatments for premature infants and children with birth defects. About 4 million babies are born each year in the United States, and all have benefited from March of Dimes lifesaving research and eduation.
3) Appalachian Named a Military Friendly School for 2014
Victory Media, the premier media entity for military personnel transitioning into civilian life, has awarded Appalachian State University the designation of Military Friendly School for 2014. Appalachian has received this designation annually since 2010. “Competition for the 2014 Military Friendly Schools list was fierce, and as a result, we raised the already stringent criteria to a higher benchmark,” said Rich McCormack, president of Victory Media Inc. Now in its fifth year, the 2014 list of Military Friendly Schools was compiled through extensive research and a data-driven survey of more than 10,000 schools nationwide approved for Veteran Affairs tuition funding. The designation places Appalachian in the top 20 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools in the country that are doing the most to embrace America’s military service members, veterans and spouses as students and ensure their success on campus. “Inclusion on the 2014 list of Military Friendly Schools shows Appalachian’s commitment to providing a supportive environment for military students,” said Sean Collins, vice president at Victory Media and a nine-year Navy veteran. “The need for education is growing and our mission is t provide the military community with transparent, world-class resources to assist in their search for schools.” The 1,868 colleges, universities and trade schools on this year’s list exhibit leading practices in the recruitment and retention of students with military experience. According to Victory Media, these schools have world-class programs and policies for student support on campus, academic accreditation, credit policies, flexibility and other services to those who served. More than 350-military affiliated students enrolled at Appalachian during the 2012-13 academic year. Features that make Appalachian a military friendly school include in-state tuition without residency requirements for active-duty military students and dependents. Military students, if called to active service during a semester, may return without penalty. Appalachian also participates in the Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts program (MyCAA). Appalachian has an ROTC program and military specific clubs and organization. The university’s academic program and regionally and programmatically accredited and VA approved. It accepts and gives credit for the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and for military training and experience. Evening programs provide schedule flexibility and on-campus living requirements are waived for veterans. Military members and their family also have access to on-campus child care facilities and full-time counselors and advisors.
4) Annual Apple Butter Gathering
Please come join us on Saturday, Sept. 21, for the Annual Apple Butter Gathering from 9 a.m. to noon with Stan and Travis Daniels making apple butter and bluegrass music by Tru Blu from 10 a.m. to noon. This event is located at 164 Ruins Pasture Road in Minneapolis. Hot biscuits for tasting and apple butter for sale by the jar. 4-wheel drive or all-wheel drive recommended.