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Today’s Email Announcements

Toe River Arts Council Auction: July 9

At 7:00 the evening of Saturday, July 9, the Toe River Arts Council (TRAC) will begin its 39thAnnual Benefit Live Auction at their Arts Resource Center in downtown Spruce Pine. But already, the Silent Auction is in full swing downstairs in the TRAC Gallery. It opened June 18. Donated art from regional artists and service packages from several local businesses fill the tables; and 8” x 8” wall pieces dot the back wall. These colorful creations were made by professional artists and students from Harris Middle and both Mitchell and Mountain Heritage High Schools. All the adult work is being offered for $75, the student’s for $50. First come, first served, but there is still a number of beautiful hanging pieces. The Silent Auction runs through July 9 at 6pm when the tables begin to close. At 4:30 on the 9th, TRAC will host a wonderful wine and cheese reception for all those folks sharpening their pencils and bidding. And WKYK’s own Bruce Ikard will keep the enthusiasm going with his own brand of excitement.

The ticketed Live Auction event begins at 7pm upstairs with a real down-home party, complete with barbeque catered by Wayne Jackson, 2015 winner of the Spruce Pine Barbeque Festival. Jared McQueen on guitar and Bill Gerhardt on keyboards will entertain as Jeff Goodman gets ready to get down to the business of auctioneering at 7:30pm with 25 chosen works that include four artist made place settings, each piece individually selected by Robin Warden. These will make sitting down to a meal at home an arts experience.

Denise Cook, TRAC’s Executive Director said, “We rely on the community for their support so we can continue. We have over 75 handcrafted items showcased and over 85 8×8 pieces that have been generously donated to benefit TRAC. This year we are focusing on paying off the mortgage at our Spruce Pine facility and the auction event is a great opportunity to show your support for TRAC by placing the winning bid at the silent auction that is free again this year, raising your paddle at the live event, or taking an 8×8 piece off the wall.”

The Spruce Pine Gallery (269 Oak Avenue) is open from 10:30am to 5:00pm, Monday-Saturday. Call to make your reservation for the Live Auction—828-682-7215. Seating is limited. $40 per person. Please visit www.toeriverarts.org for a complete schedule of events and a peek at some select lots. The TRAC Annual Benefit Auction Event should prove to be another winner for those who donate and those who bid and win.

The Toe River Arts Council is a non-profit organization founded in 1976 to promote the arts in Mitchell and Yancey Counties and partially funded by grants from the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Natural and Cultural Resources Department, a state agency.

July Programs at Elk Knob State Park

 Wildflower Walk

Come see the summer wildflowers, hear about their history and uses. Meet at the trailhead parking lot Saturday, July 16th at 2:00 p.m.

Mountain Music Jam

Celebrate Southern Appalachian music with local musicians as they play traditional, Old Time and Bluegrass Sunday, July 17th. All musicians are welcome, so bring your instrument and join in, or enjoy the view and entertainment. Participants will meet at the Outdoor Amphitheater from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. All programs are free and open to the public.

Centennial Festival            

Take a trip back through time and experience what it might have been like to visit a park 100 years ago! Join us for an old fashioned celebration Saturday, July 23rd 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.   We will have old-time mountain music, old fashioned games, and home-made food commonly eaten in this area 100 years ago. Bring a picnic blanket for lounging on the grass while eating lunch. A few chairs will be on hand for anyone with accessible needs.

Salamanders                  

Join a Park Ranger on Saturday, July 30th at 4:00 p.m. to learn about salamanders and how they are great indicators of the state of the environment. Through a PowerPoint program you will learn about the native salamanders found at Elk Knob State Park. Afterwards we will see if we can find any out in the park. Meet at the Elk Knob State Park Office.

Ranger Programs on the Parkway July 6-10

 Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Cone Manor – Milepost 294

10:30 am – Informal Upstairs Tour at Cone Manor

From 10:30-12:00, the second floor of Cone Manor will be open for a do-it-yourself tour. Rangers will be on hand to answer questions.

Thursday, July 7, 2016

Cone Manor – Milepost 294

10:30– Children’s Hour

Activities may include storytelling, traditional games, and/or hands on simple crafts. An adult or older responsible attendee must stay with children in order for them to participate (best suited for ages 4 – 12)

Friday, July 8, 2015

Cone Manor – Milepost 294

10:30 am – Informal Upstairs Tour at Cone Manor

From 10:30-12:00, the second floor of Cone Manor will be open for a do-it-yourself tour. Rangers will be on hand to answer questions.

Saturday, July 9, 2016

Cone Manor – Milepost 294

10:00, 11:00, 2:00, 3:00 -Upstairs Tours at Cone Manor

Ranger led tours of the second floor of the former home of Moses and Bertha Cone. Tour is approximately 45 minutes long and reservations are required. To reserve a tour: call 828-295-3782 or sign up at the NPS information desk at the Manor House. Reservations are accepted beginning at 10:00am Friday for the upcoming weekend only. No advance reservations, please.

 Julian Price Campground Amphitheater – Milepost 296

7:00 p.m. From Scottish Highlands to Southern Highlands

The early American settlers from Scotland were drawn to the Appalachians because it reminded them of their homeland. This talk will look at the similarities of the Appalachian Mountains and the Scottish Highlands. Join us for an amazing geological comparison and surprise conclusion.

Approximately 45 minutes in length

Sunday, July 10, 2016

Cone Manor – Milepost 294

10:00, 11:00, 2:00, 3:00 -Upstairs Tours at Cone Manor

Ranger led tours of the second floor of the former home of Moses and Bertha Cone. See Saturday (above) for details.

ALL PROGRAMS ARE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Special Program on the Parkway July 9: From the Scottish Highlands to the Southern Highlands

Saturday, July 9, 2016

Julian Price Campground Amphitheater – Milepost 296

7:00 p.m. – From Scottish Highlands to Southern Highlands

The early American settlers from Scotland were drawn to the Appalachians because it reminded them of their homeland. This talk will look at the similarities of the Appalachian Mountains and the Scottish Highlands. Join us for an amazing geological comparison and surprise conclusion.

Alex Glover, PG is a Professional Geologist who is now retired after 40 years as an Industrial Minerals Geologist and lives just off of the Parkway in Little Switzerland, NC. During his work, he visited Scotland during a geology forum at the University of St. Andrews in Fife Scotland (near Edinburg) and decided to speak about the amazing similarities of his ancestral home and his new home. Alex now teaches geology part time at Mayland Community College near Spruce Pine.

Approximately 45 minutes in length.