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Today’s Email Announcements

1) September Programs at Elk Knob State Park

Trail Work Days

Every Saturday beginning April 4 and running through the middle of November (except September 12 and 26), staff and volunteers will meet at the Summit Trailhead at 9 a.m. and work until approximately 2:30 p.m., weather permitting. Tools are provided, but volunteers should wear close-toed shoes and bring work gloves, lunch and water. Most of the time will be spent on repair work on the Summit Trail or completing the Maple Run Trail. If you would like to be involved in a fulfilling project that will fill you with a well-deserved sense of pride, then join us on Saturdays at Elk Knob State Park. For more information, please call 828-297-7261.

Web Weavers

Spiders are something that many people fear but if you educate yourself about them, they are not as intimidating. Come learn about the different types of spiders that call North Carolina home and find out if your fear is really founded. Meet at the Park office on Sunday September 6 at 2 pm for a PowerPoint presentation about our beneficial arachnids. Then we will head outside to see what we can find.

Elk Knob Community Headwaters Day

Saturday, September 12 enjoy a day filled with live music, games, nature activities, hikes, wagon rides, craft and cultural demonstrations, hands-on activities, history and FOOD! Please bring a dish of food to share and join us between 11 am and 3 pm for our 11th Annual Elk Knob Headwaters Community Day sponsored by the Elk Knob Community Heritage Organization (EKCHO, Inc.). Enjoy a day of cultural heritage and pride. Please note that if you are interested in participating in the potluck, you should bring a dish of food to share and plan to be at the park by noon.

International Observe the Moon Night

People all over the world are encouraged to view the moon on Saturday, September 19 at 7:30 p.m. It will be close to a quarter moon, the perfect time to view the moon through a telescope. Join us at Elk Knob as we participate in some astronomy related activities and view the moon through our telescope. Dress appropriately for the weather keeping in mind that it may be 10 degrees cooler her at Elk Knob than in surrounding communities.

2) Watauga Leadership Alumni Event Sept. 17

What does it take to grab a great life? How do you find a way to get rid of all the negative “stuff” that makes life such an effort? In “10 Secrets to Grabbing a Great Life,” Mike Collins will show you how to push aside negative, small-minded obstacles and reach out to grab the life you deserve. Collins will speak at the Watauga Leadership Alumni Event on Sept. 17. 2015. Graduates of the program can join from 1-4:30 p.m. at High Gravity Adventures and then from 5-7 p.m. at Tweetsie for dinner and a message from Collins. Get your tickets now by calling 828-264-2225. $60 for both events or $25 for dinner and guest speaker only.

3) See “The Denim Dynasty” Documentary at ASU on Sept. 10

Appalachian State University faculty member and documentary filmmaker Beth Davison will present her film “The Denim Dynasty” Thursday, Sept.10, at 6:30 p.m. in Belk Library and Information Commons room 114. The screening is free and open to the public.

The documentary runs approximately 50 minutes. A question and answer session with Davison will follow.

“The Denim Dynasty” is a documentary about the legacy of the Cone family that shaped prominent features of North Carolina’s landscape. A national park, a regional medical center, an amazing art collection, roads and schools all bear the name of the family whose corporation made North Carolina a leading producer of textiles for much of the 20th century.

The documentary explores the early days of North Carolina’s textile history through stories of the Cone family and the textile workers who lived and raised their families in the mill villages. Together, the Cone family and workers helped make Cone textiles a world leader in producing denim. The Cone family’s story encompasses many of the themes that form the American narrative: immigration, reconstruction, industrial revolution, paternalism and philanthropy.

“The Denim Dynasty” includes interviews of former Cone mill villagers and features faculty members from Appalachian.  Moses Cone was one of the first financial contributors and board members of Watauga Academy, now Appalachian State University.

For more information about the screening or film, contact Beth Davison at davisonb@appstate.edu or 828-262-6397.

4) “The Beauty in All Things” at ASU’s Looking Glass Gallery

The exhibit “Beauty in All Things” is on display in Looking Glass Gallery at Appalachian State University. The exhibit, featuring work from Professor Elaine O’Quinn from the Department of English, will be on display through Sept. 10. A reception will be held Friday, Aug. 28, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The gallery, located in Plemmons Student Union, is open weekdays 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays from 2 to 7 p.m.

O’Quinn has always dabbled with art while pursuing her career in English. She has attempted everything from acrylic paintings to pottery, but when she discovered alcohol inks, she was hooked. The abstract tendency of her work portrays her intention to synthesize inspiration, materials and techniques to create a mood and composition that in the end is simply about the color and beauty that surrounds us.

5) Quit Day at the Ashe County Farmers’ Market Saturday

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 am – 1:00 pm. Look for the Tents setup 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 on Doris Phillips. There will be kits available to purchase that day also. The Quilt Guild efforts in Ashe County 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 apart of the Quilters Guild, please talk to any member for the times and date they meet.

Also, Shop the Market for all your produce need, crafts, baked goods, flowers, jewelry, nursery items, pottery, local photograph, fresh grass feed beef & pork and the ACFM accepts EBT/SNAP Cards and WIC Vouchers.   The Saturday Market opens at 8:00 am – 1:00 pm and please don’t forget our Wednesday Market, also open from 8:00 am – 1:00 pm.

See you Saturday,

John Smyre

Market Manager

6) Weekly Events at Lost Province Brewing Co.

Wednesday August 26

½ Off Beer and Wine Specials.

7pm-9pm Trivia Night: Beginning at 7pm, Lost Province will be hosting Trivia Night with Zak Norris. Compete on your own or on a team! The competition gets started at 7pm so come a little early for a pizza and a pint and get your seat!

Thursday August 27

$3.00 Thursday-$3.00 pints on all Lost Province brewed beers (except high gravity)

8pm-Closing Live Music: The King Bees. THE KING BEES have been stingin’ & swingin’ the blues since 1987. Paris, Rome, Amsterdam, Lincoln Center New York City (several times), we’ve played ’em all as well as Mississippi juke joints.. Our great good fortune has allowed us to tour & record with the best & most culturally significant Blues artists including Carey Bell, Nappy Brown, Jerry McCain and many others…We’ve played with Bo Diddley and were part of B.B. King’s 80th Birthday Tour.

Friday August 28

Freakin’ Firkin Friday at Five continues with a special keg of Cucumber Summatime Saison.

8pm-Closing Live Music: The Djangovers. The Djangovers, formerly The Hot Club of Lenoir (HCOL), features some of the best musicians the area has to offer. Steeped in the Americana tradition mixed with Manouche Swing flavors and modern styles, the HCOL is a family friendly musical group of amazing talent.

Saturday August 29

8pm-Closing Live Music: Tin Can Alley. Classic soul and R&B from the 1960’s brought to you by Tin Can Alley.

Sunday August 30

Lost Province Sunday: Residents of “The Lost Province” (Watauga, Ashe, Avery and Alleghany) receive 10% off food with verification of residency.

7) Ribbon Cutting for new ARMA Internal Medicine Specialists on Sept. 2

Appalachian Regional Medical Associates is pleased to announce the opening of Appalachian Regional Internal Medicine Specialists (ARIMS) on Monday, August 24. The multi-specialty practice is located in the Boone Point Building at 148 Hwy 105 Extension, Suite 104 in Boone.

This multi-specialty practice will include Rheumatology, Pulmonology and Internal Medicine. Dr. James Logan of Appalachian Regional Rheumatology and Dr. Kevin Wolfe of Appalachian Regional Pulmonology will join new providers, Dr. Richard Stark and Stephanie Walker, FNP.

The newest member of Appalachian Regional Medical Associates (ARMA) is expected to improve accessibility for both primary and specialty care services through its “all in one” design. The 6,000 square foot, state-of-the-art medical practice will include an infusion room with wall-to-wall windows and an on-site pulmonary function test center – the first in the region not located within a hospital.

“We are very pleased to open Appalachian Regional Internal Medicine Specialists to provide better access to healthcare to the High Country community,” said Robert Johnston, Director of ARMA. “We are building the clinic around the patients and their needs in one location. That is specifically why we have combined internal medicine, pulmonology, rheumatology, pulmonary function testing, a state of the art infusion center, and on-site lab draw center, in one central location.”

The public is invited to an Open House/Ribbon Cutting event on September 2nd from 4 to 6 pm.

To learn more about Appalachian Regional Internal Medicine Specialists or to schedule an appointment, please call 828-386-2746. For more information about Appalachian Regional Healthcare System visit www.apprhs.org.

8) Town of Wilkesboro Approves First Ever Halloween Parade

Plans are in place for the first ever Halloween Parade, to be held on Saturday September 12, 2015. The Historic Wilkesborough Halloween Parade will travel down Main Street Wilkesboro at 3:30 p.m.

The parade this year is being held in conjunction with the 4th Annual Zombie Fest, a family friendly fundraiser for the Wilkes Heritage Museum.

“The September date was chosen, not only to coincide with Zombie Fest 2015, but also to kick off the Haunt Season.” lead organizer Heather Dean said. “Halloween season doesn’t just start October 1. Many Haunted Trails open the weekend after Labor Day and run through Halloween weekend. Some even stay open through the first weekend in November. This way, those who would normally be working at a Haunt will be able to come and have fun with us. October is such a busy time to have something like this, and we want as many as possible to come out. That’s one of the reasons we moved our Zombie Fest from October to September after the first year.”

The theme for the 2015 inaugural Historic Wilkesborough Halloween Parade is TV, Books & Movies. You can go with the traditional Halloween/Horror, or you can take your favorite characters & bring them to the Dark side. “We look forward to the pop culture usual, like Frankenstein, Dracula, Harry Potter, Addams family & the like. But I can’t wait to see what people come up with when they put their imagination into it. I mean, a zombie Tigger? How cool would that be?” she said.

And Town Officials concur. When Heather went to speak to the Wilkesboro Town Council Meeting, the proposal was passed unanimously.

Ken Noland, Wilkesboro Town Manager said “We (Wilkesboro) are excited to host this event. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to see how creative our community can be when they come out to participate in the Halloween Parade.”

Major Craig Garris of the Wilkesboro Police Department said “We are excited to have the First Ever Halloween Parade come to Downtown Wilkesboro. We feel like it will attract many to the town and county. This will be a fun event, and we are making it our goal to aid the organizers to make this a safe and family oriented parade.”

Registration for organizations and groups wishing to march in the parade runs through Sept. 7, with space limited to the first 85 approved applicants.

“There will be no discrimination in our parade- everyone is welcome, ghosts, ghouls, marching bands, dancers, Historic Entities, even the Easter Bunny. The only thing we ask is that you come out, have fun & dress up. It’s a FUNdraiser, after all. Our team of organizers and volunteers are working hard to make this a not-to-be-missed creative community event and hopefully, an annual event for Wilkesboro, like in many cities across North Carolina.” she said. The parade begins at 3:30 p.m.

They have groups coming from all over North Carolina-Rock Hill, China Grove, Salisbury, Rockwell, Greensboro, just to name a few.

Gage Guffey, a 9 year old fighting inoperable brain cancer, is slated to be the inaugural Grand Marshall. You can find out more about Gage on his facebook page “get well, Gage!”

Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places for entrants, as well as a “Mayors Choice” Prize with North Wilkesboro Mayor Robert Johnson and Wilkesboro Mayor Mike Inscore judging together. Performance entrants may stop in front of the judge’s tent.

Some of those participating so far are: Wilkes County BROC agency featuring their little Miss Princess, Miss CAG winners; Ghoul Skool Entertainment featuring Zombie Princesses & other storybook Characters; Wilkes Playmakers with actors from their upcoming play “Where the Lillies Bloom” that opens September 18; Forbidden Forrest Haunted Attraction from Rockwell with actors and a moster-truck hearse; The Wilkesboro Qdoba employees are going the route of the Sisters Three from Hocus Pocus, Benjamin Livingston will be at the wheel of his Trains; The Dispensary Restaurant & Pub are making a Zombie Pirate float (ship included); The Little Brushy Mountain Volunteer Fire Department will be showcasing their Haunted Hayride that opens later in the month; The Wilkes Heritage museum will have some of their Candlelight Ghost Tour Guides in Period Costume; ; Forbidden Forrest Haunted Attraction from Rockwell with actors and a moster-truck hearse; The Wilkesboro Cruisers will have several of their cars, from the classics to the newer models cruising down the street, Hillside Horror Haunted Trail will have characters and the “Last Ride” Hearse; “Vaudeville after Dark” actors from Greensboro NC; “Best Wishes” children’s Birthday Party event center; Carolina Coffin Cruisers Hearse Club; Reapers Realm Haunted House and Trail from China Grove; The Christmas Gator; Rowan County Zombie Outbreak Response Team Unit 12; a Zombie Themed Motorcycle, Horse Riders; Scouts; Local School Teams; Dance Troupes, and even Santa’s oldest and long lost sidekick, The Krampus. “”The applications are pouring in and some of the participant’s ideas are very unique indeed. The support from the Town of Wilkesboro has been amazing and I just cannot say enough good things about our administration in Town Hall and The local Police Department, as well as the support from the Historic Downtown Wilkesboro Merchants Association. I was honored to be invited to the August meeting and share with them my vision for this event, and they took it one step further. They are really getting into the spirit of things and will have their businesses “costumed” too! This is going to be a great draw to our cool little downtown area.” Heather said.

 

But don’t just come for the Halloween Parade. Stay for the ZOMBIE FEST! The Wilkes Heritage Museum will host the 4th annual Zombie Fest right after the parade. Kid friendly games (12 and under) and mini-ghost tours will take place from 5-8 p.m. Zombie Passports to the games are $5 per child, adults accompanying their children are free. Children are encouraged to dress in their favorite costume.

 

And The Wilkes Heritage Museum isn’t the only beneficiary. True to character, Heather has found a way to help more than just one agency at a time. There will be a BLOOD DRIVE for the Community Blood Center for the Carolina’s, and a food drive for Wilkes Ministry of Hope. “We have so many places in need in Wilkes…. I am just really blessed to have some great friends and family that are as quick to help me in my shenanigans as I am to help them with theirs. I could not do this with out them.”

Ghoul Skool Entertainment will be doing free Zombie makeovers from 4pm-7:30pm. At 8:30pm the yearly Zombie Walk through the Streets of Wilkesboro (and by one of the oldest graveyards) will take place, for those 13 and up. Children under the age of 13 may participate if they are accompanied by a paying parent/guardian also taking part in the walk.   Zombie Walk wristbands are $10 per person.

Trophies will be awarded to those with wristbands after the Zombie Walk as well as other great prizes and raffle items throughout the evening.

Vendors for the event will be on site selling their wares and giving out information about upcoming events and programs.

For additional information, including the parade route and Halloween Parade application form, email historicwilkeshallows@gmail.com or check their face book page at Historic Wilkesborough Halloween Parade.

For information on setting up a booth at Zombie Fest contact Museum Director, Jennifer Furr at 336.667.3171

The Wilkesboro Police Department will be on hand to aid in the Zombie Walk through downtown Wilkesboro.