1) Fauré Requiem in Concert on Nov. 1 at St. Mary of the Hills
Gifted organist Dr. Joby Bell and the choir of St. Mary of the Hills Episcopal Church will present a concert performance of the Requiem in D Minor by Gabriel Fauré at 3:00 pm on Sunday afternoon, November 1st in honor of All Souls Day. The performance will be in the nave of the historic Blowing Rock church, where Dr. Bell will return to the bench of its acclaimed Lively-Fulcher organ.
Fauré’s composition is one of the world’s most beloved settings of the Requiem. It is hauntingly beautiful, composed during a period when both of his parents died, and stands in stark contrast to masses that focus on Judgement and Fear. Fauré himself explained that “it is thus that I see death: as a happy deliverance, an aspiration toward happiness above, rather than as a painful experience.” This attitude is perhaps most clearly seen in the final section of the music, In Paradisum – literally a vision of the Kingdom of Heaven, sung primarily by a host of angelic sopranos.
The choir of St. Mary of the Hills is under the direction of Dr. James Bumgardner. Guest organist for this performance is Dr. Bell of Appalachian State University, where he teaches organ and church music and maintains a lively discussion of these topics on his blog www.jobybell.org. Soloists will be Amanda Horton, soprano, and Grayson Milholin, baritone.
St. Mary’s is on Main Street in Blowing Rock. For more information, please see the Facebook page “Music from St Mary of the Hills” or call the church office at (828) 295-7323.
2) Watauga Soil and Water to Meet on Oct. 28
The Watauga Soil and Water Conservation District Board” will hold its regular Board meeting Wednesday October 28, 2015 at 8:00 am at the Soil & Water Office located at 971 West King Street, Boone NC 28607.The public is invited to attend.
3) Avery Tour de Art Set for Saturday
What makes a better combination that beautiful fall leaves and great art! Enjoy winding your way through the High Country this Saturday, admiring all the vibrant fall color and stopping at art galleries featured on the Greater Avery Tour de Art. The galleries have their fall exhibitions in full swing with a vast array of mediums created by local and regional artists. This is a chance to meet artists and see demonstrations. Join us for our fall tour this Saturday, October
24 starting at 10 am. Maps may be picked up at participating galleries: Carlton Gallery 10360 Hwy 105 S.; Mike Hill- Artpurveyors 112 Aldridge Park and Hwy 105 S.; Patti Connor-Greene, Linville River Pottery 2180 Goose Hollow Rd, Pineola; Studio 140, 140 Azalea Circle Banner Elk; Sally Nooney Gallery, 7137 Hwy 194 S.midway between Banner Elk and Valle Crucis; Alta Vista Gallery 2839 Broadstone Rd, Valle Crucis.
4) Local Health Officials Urge Protection Against the Flu
- The “flu shot” – an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle, usually in the arm. The flu shot is approved for use in people older than 6 months, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions.There are three different flu shots available:
- The nasal-spray flu vaccine – a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that is given as a nasal spray (sometimes called LAIV for “Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine”). The viruses in the nasal spray vaccine do not cause the flu. LAIV is approved for use in healthy* people 2 through 49 years of age who are not pregnant.
- Get your flu vaccine!
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)
- While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.