1) Civil rights activist Mary Frances Berry speaks March 23 at Appalachian
Dr. Mary Frances Berry will present “Whatever Happened to the Civil Rights Movement?” Monday, March 23, as part of the 2014-15 Forum Series at Appalachian State University. The series theme is “The Civil Rights Act After 50 Years: Is There Justice for All Now?”
Berry’s lecture will begin at 7 p.m. at the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts on campus. Admission is free and the public is invited.
For more than four decades, Berry has been one of the most recognized and respected voices in the nation’s civil rights, gender equality and social justice movements. As chair of the U.S. Civil Rights Commission, Berry led the charge for equal rights and liberties for all Americans through four presidential administrations.
A prolific author, Berry’s books cover a range of subjects, from the history of constitutional racism in America to the politics of parenthood. Her 2010 book, “Power in Words: The Stories behind Barack Obama’s Speeches, from the State House to the White House,” offers insight and historical context of President Obama’s most memorable addresses.
Berry is the Geraldine R. Segal Professor of American Social Thought and professor of history at the University of Pennsylvania.
The Forum Series is sponsored by the University Forum Committee and University College with additional support from the Joan Askew Vail Endowment and the Office of Multicultural Student Development.
2) Steely Pan Steel Band performs March 22
The Steely Pan Steel Band takes over the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts for a concert Sunday, March 22, at 2 p.m. at Appalachian State University.
Joining the band will be guests Rob Falvo, who will play the vibraphone, and Jonathon Sale on guitar.
Byron Hedgepeth from the Hayes School of Music will direct the performance.
The program includes “Musical Instruments” by Michael W. Smith, “Mambo” by the Skiffle Bunch Steel Orchestra, “My Paradise” by Ellie Mannette, the father of the steel drum, “Sabre Dance” by Aram Khachaturian and arranged by former steel band director Scott Meister, “Pagliacci” by Ruggiero Leoncavallo and “Cha Cha Sandwich” by Phil Hawkins.
Other compositions are “Last Train to San Fernando” by Mighty Spitfire, “Birthday Party” by Len “Boogsie” Sharpe, “Mood for a Day” by Steve Howe and arranged by Jonathon Sale, “Message in a Bottle” by Sting and arranged by former band member Chris Wabich, “Pan2” by Chris Wabich and “Stranger” by Winston Anthony Bailey.
Members of the band are Jerome De Leon, Ward Francis, Caleb McMahon, Greg Peterson, Jonathon Sale, Sarah Snouse, Lindsey Willis (drum kit and iron), Mikey Bard, Jessica Hughes, Taylor George, John Overby, Nicholas Henson, Brady Kennedy, Miranda Stone, Eliza Dutcher, Chris Mayhew and Aaron Richie. Percussionists are John Kleinart (iron, guiro, drum kit, congas, bass pan) and Byron Hedgepeth (drum kit, congas).
3) The Boone Chamber’s Annual “Spelling Bee for Grown-Ups”
Teams of 4 persons will spell words in writing in three rounds (Easy, Intermediate and Difficult). If a word is misspelled, the team has the option to buy “Bee Bucks” and remain in the competition.
In keeping with the Chamber’s call to ShopLOCAL and GiveLOCAL, it has pledged a portion of the proceeds for all their fund-raising events to be dedicated to a local non-profit, human service agency. The recipient of from this year’s Grown-Up Spelling Bee will be KAMPN, a local organization bringing information and programming to address autism.
Registration per team is $100.00 including 4 “bee bucks”
Bee Bucks are $10 each.
Awards for best costumes and table decorations, Prizes for best spellers.
Spectators are invited.
Light refreshments provided.
No admission charge, but donations are accepted.
Proceeds will advance the work of educational projects and the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce.
(DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS MARCH 12, 2015)
4) Bristol author is offering free copy of new book “Jasper Lilla and the Wolves of Banner Elk” for a limited time on Kindle
Author C.S. Thompson is getting ready to release the first book in a 3 book mystery/fable series, The Jasper Lilla Chronicles. During the week of March 16th – March 20th of 2015, readers can download a copy of “Jasper Lilla and the Wolves of Banner Elk” on Kindle at no cost to them.
For readers who enjoy mysteries with fable undertones, “Jasper Lilla and the Wolves of Banner Elk” is a must read.
“Loved the book,” said Debbie McLeish, Dreamland Alpacas. “Each chapter is filled with clues that draw you in closer to the amazing conclusion. You may want to put it down but you simply can’t until the very end when the writer reveals all the pieces of the puzzle. This book leaves you with the hope that there will be more adventures to follow.”
Another reader enjoyed the surprises that unfold at the end of the book. “It is good. I really liked the ending,” said DeeDee Galliher. “A total shock.”
Thompson has written several other mystery books as part of his Natasha McMorales Mystery series. When asked the inspiration for the storyline and the cause of the new mystery series, he said there were several things that brought it about.
“In the last mystery novel I wrote, ‘Why Now?’, I wrote parts of the book in first person and realized I really enjoyed writing in first person,” said Thompson.
In “Jasper Lilla and the Wolves of Banner Elk”, there is a wolf tooth necklace that appears to cause super human power when worn along with some unexplainable interactions with a pack of wolves.
“When I was writing the book ‘Why Knox?’, I traveled to Cherokee, N.C. and discovered a story about Nicatani Indians, the legendary, priestly Cherokee clan and I became absolutely fascinated by the legend,” added Thompson.
Throughout the book, readers can connect with main character Jasper, 17-year-old Junior at Watauga High School, as he finds himself in countless predicaments that leave him with many questions. He unknowingly embarks on a journey of self-discovery.
“The whole series is about being true to yourself,” said Thompson. “You can be you or less than you, but you can’t be someone else. You need to be who the creator made you to be and when you’re not, that’s when things can get messed up.”
To provide readers in-depth insight, Thompson traveled to multiple places and consulted several people when writing this book including someone from a wolf conservation, an alpaca farm owner and the director of a Cherokee museum.
After March 20th, 2015, readers can purchase the book in hard copy and/or in digital format for viewing on e-readers. To learn more about the series and other books by C.S. Thompson, visit www.whymystery.com.
5) Watauga Humane Society Hosts Tour For Life
North Shore Animal League America’s TOUR FOR LIFE, “The World’s Largest Mobile Pet Adoption Event,” hosted by the Watauga Humane Society (WHS), rolls into Boone on April 4th. It is being held at the Boone Mall, from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Present will be High Country shelters & rescue groups, pet supplies & services vendors, Bare Bones Thrift Shop, WHS Pet Stop Shop, and SNIPS (Spay/Neuter is a Positive Solution)- selling beautiful crafts and plants. There will be games for kids, goody bags for participants, live music, animal demonstrations, food, a bake sale and other entertainment, including belly dancers….and, of course, adoptable pets will be available for adoption! Admission is FREE! Visit our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tour-for-Life-Boone-NC/594806623939377.
6) Hoppy Easter Party at the Beech Mountain Buckeye Recreation Center
April 4th, 2015
9 a.m.-noon
FREE
The Beech Mountain Buckeye Recreation Center hosts its Hoppy Easter Party from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 4. Peter Rabbit will lead the Eggcellent Egg Hunt and other exciting games and activities. There will be a family photo area, as well as story and color time. A light breakfast snack will be served. The event is free; however, donations are appreciated. Please call the Buckeye Recreation Center at (828) 387-3003 for more information and to RSVP. We want to make sure Peter hides enough eggs!
Facebook – www.facebook.com/BuckeyeRecCenter
7) March Boone Contra Dance
The Boone Country Dancers will be at the Old Cove Creek School in Sugar Grove for its next community contra dance on Saturday, March 21. Everyone is welcome to attend regardless of dance experience. The evening will begin with a beginners’ workshop from 7:30-8:00 p.m. The goal of the workshop is to teach the fundamentals of contra dance with a focus on having fun. After the workshop, the regular dance will run from 8:00-11:00 p.m. with a waltz break at 9:30 p.m. The dance will feature the band Spinning Wheel and the caller is Christi Bothwell.
Dancers of all ages are encouraged to attend and no partner is necessary. Come as you are but you must wear clean, soft-soled flexible shoes for dancing. As always, our dances are smoke and alcohol free. Admission to the dance is $7 for adults, $5 for high school students, and free to anyone 12 years old or younger.
For further information please visit the Boone Country Dancers webpage at boonecountrydancers.org.
8) Come One and All to the Old Time Square Dance, Cake and Cupcake Walks
Saturday, March 21 at 7 p.m.
Green Valley School
Featuring Strictly Strings and Cecil Gurganus with Jule Gurganus as caller
Admission is a donation to Bethany and Grace Lutheran Churches youth attending the National Gathering in July.
You don’t need to know how to square dance. The caller will teach you.