1) Beech Mountain to Host Covered Dish Birthday Party, Arbor Day Celebration on Friday
The Town of Beech Mountain will host its 34th birthday party and Arbor Day celebration on Friday, May 1 from 5-7 p.m. at the Buckeye Recreation Center. There’s icing on the cake and the fried chicken will be hot, just bring a covered dish to share and a beverage of your choice and let the celebration begin.
Come and learn some “must-know” information, which will enhance your summertime fun.
Head home with a “live” party favor and schedules for summer hikes and special events. Sign up to volunteer for special events.
R.S.V.P. to 828-387-3003 and let us know what you’re bringing.
2) Avery County Habitat for Humanity to Host “Women Build” Events May 7, 9
Avery County Habitat for Humanity invites all High Country women to participate in its local “Women Build” days during the week leading up to Mother’s Day. No construction skills or experience required, just willingness to serve. Build events will take place on Thursday, May 7 and Saturday, May 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with lunch provided. Work will take place at the future site of the ACHFH Administrative Office on Taylor Road right behind the ReStore. Meet at the worksite at 8:30 a.m. for a group orientation. A maximum of 25 volunteers can participate each day. Potential volunteers should call Melanie Burgin, office and programs manager, at 828-733-1909 to sign up as an individual or a group.
3) Beanstalk Community Theatre to Begin Audition Process for SHREK on Sunday
Beanstalk Community Theatre will host a pre-audition workshop for “SHREK: The Musical” on May 3 at 2 p.m. at Three Forks Baptist Church and auditions May 16 at the same location. Auditions for ages four and up, many adult roles. To sign up for auditions, call Beanstalk Community Theatre at 828-312-0263 or schedule online at www.tinyurl.com/shrek-audition-signup. Visit www.beanstalkcommunitytheatre.com for more information.
4) Genealogy Presentation to be Held at Public Library on Tuesday
Join family history researcher Terry Reigel for a presentation on “Mining All the Census Data.” Reigel will present on using the data contained in the U.S. Census for finding more than names and ages of your ancestors. Free and open to the public at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5 in the meeting room of the Watauga County Public Library.
5) Wilkes Community College to Host Anniversary Celebration Concert on May 16
The public is invited to attend Wilkes Community College’s 50th anniversary celebration on Saturday, May 16 at the Doc and Merle Watson Theatre on the Wilkes Campus. This is a free event for the entire family.
The gates will open at 4:30 p.m., and a concert, featuring The Hit Men – former stars of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons – will begin at 6 p.m. There will also be children’s activities, and food vendors will provide food for purchase. Guests may bring a picnic basket and cooler but no glass containers or alcohol are permitted.
“This is going to be a wonderful celebration for our college,” said Dr. Jeff Cox, president of Wilkes Community College. “In 50 years, this college has grown from its three original buildings on the Wilkes campus into a multi-location college serving over 11,000 students each year in Wilkes, Ashe and Alleghany counties. I believe that is worthy of a fabulous event. So, grab your lawn chair or a blanket and come out to have fun.”
The Hit Men will perform the hits of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Jim Croce, Tommy James & The Shondells along with other favorites from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s, including songs from “Grease.”
Wilkes Community College, a member of the North Carolina Community College System, is a public, two-year, open-door institution serving the people of Wilkes, Ashe and Alleghany counties and beyond. Established in 1965, WCC continues to build on a strong history of meeting the educational needs and cultural interests of our students, community and workforce. WCC prepares learners for success in a dynamic world.
6) May Programs at Elk Knob State Park
Trail Work Days: Every Saturday beginning April 4 and running through the middle of November (except June 27 and September 12), staff and volunteers will meet at the Summit Trailhead at 9 a.m. and work until approximately 3:00 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, call 828-297-7261.
Animals of Elk Knob: On Sunday, May 3 and Saturday, May 16 at 2 p.m., a Park Ranger will be at the start of the Summit Trail sharing information about animals that live at Elk Knob. There will be skins to touch and taxidermied animals to view. This is an informal program that will be canceled in the event of rain.
Wildflower Walk: The weather is finally warming up so let’s get outside and explore as plants spring to life after a long winter. Please dress appropriately for the weather and note that it may be several degrees cooler at Elk Knob than in surrounding areas. Meet at the trailhead parking lot on Saturday, May 9 at 2 p.m.
Nature Hike: The weather is finally warming up, so let’s get outside and explore as plants spring to life after a long winter. Please dress appropriately for the weather and note that it may be several degrees cooler at Elk Knob than in surrounding areas. Meet at the trailhead parking lot at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 17.