1) 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.
2) Upcoming Events at Grandfather Mountain State Park
SAT. MAY 9: Wildflower Walk at Grandfather Mountain State Park. 3 p.m.
FRI. MAY 15: Wildflower Walk at Grandfather Mountain State Park, 6:30 p.m.
SUN. MAY 17: Wildflower Walk at Grandfather Mountain State Park, 1:30 p.m.
FRI. MAY 8: Twilight Hike at Grandfather Mountain State Park, 7-9 p.m.
SAT. MAY 9: Hiking Comfortably program at Grandfather Mountain State Park, 9-9:30 a.m.
SUN. MAY 10: I Spy hike at Grandfather Mountain State Park, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
SAT. MAY 16: Volunteer Trail Work Day at Grandfather Mountain State Park, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., registration required
SUN. MAY 17: Profile Trail Sensory Hike at Grandfather Mountain State Park, 9:45 a.m. to noon
FRI. MAY 22: Gems of the Forest Wildflower and Bird Hike at Grandfather Mountain State Park, 8-10 a.m., Meet at Lowe’s Foods parking lot
SAT. MAY 23: Profile Trail Stream Ecology at Grandfather Mountain State Park, 4-5 p.m.
SUN. MAY 24: Who Polluted the Watauga River? at Grandfather Mountain State Park, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
FRI. MAY 29: Salamander Safari at Grandfather Mountain State Park, 8-9 p.m.
SAT. MAY 30: Origami Flowers at Grandfather Mountain State Park, 2-3:30 p.m.
SUN. MAY 31: Basic Orienteering Skills at Grandfather Mountain State Park, 1-2 p.m.
3) Regional Democrat Meeting in Winston-Salem on May 16
The N.C. Democrats will host a district convention meeting for all fifth district democrats at Forsyth Tech Community College, 1300 Bolton Street in Winston-Salem, on Saturday, May 16.
The officers will offer four workshops prior to the convention, which are designed to help you organize your counties and prepare for the upcoming elections.
Workshop options:
- The Work of the Precinct: How to Make Precinct Meetings Fun
- How to Make “Votebuilder” Work for Your County
- Best Practices for Your County Party
- Candidate Selection
U.S. Congressman Bob Etheridge will host a convention pep talk. See the program flyer for more information.
4) Public Library to Screen Shakespeare in Love on May 11
High Country Lifelong Learners in association with the Watauga County Public Library invite you to join them for a movie viewing of Shakespeare In Love from 2-4:30 p.m. on May 11.
In this romantic comedy, a young Shakespeare, out of ideas and short of cash, meets his ideal woman and is inspired to write one of his most famous plays. Tom Stoppard, who penned Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, knows a thing or two about the modern deconstruction and reconstruction of Shakespeare’s work and it shows in this movie.
The movie won 7 Academy Awards.
Stars: Gwyneth Paltrow, Joseph Fiennes, Geoffrey Rush, Judi Dench and many others.
This film has an MPAA rating of R and an approximate run-time of 123 minutes.
Email Deb Gooch at high.country.lifelong@gmail.com for more information.
5) ASU Biology Department Plants Trees in Honor of Dr. Connell
Student members of Tri Beta Biology Honors Society and the Department of Biology at Appalachian State University have planted two trees on campus in honor of their former biology professor, Dr. Mary Connell.
Connell, who taught at Appalachian, died unexpectedly in December 2014.
“Dr. Connell dedicated 40 years of her life to the advancement of Appalachian students. She was a highly regarded teacher, a valued colleague and a dear friend. She is very much missed by all who knew her,” said Dr. Sue L. Edwards, chair of the Department of Biology.
The evergreen trees were planted in a location that overlooks Connell’s former research and teaching laboratories in Rankin Science Building.
6) Crestwood to Host “Brew-Cause” on May 14
The Inn at Crestwood will host “Brew-Cause” on May 14 to support Partners! Canines. Enjoy local brews for a great cause! All proceeds raised help transfer great but un-adopted dogs and puppies from shelters in North Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee into “no kill” facilities and rescue organizations. A number of local breweries will be participating. Enjoy barbecue with your beers. $25 ticket includes barbecue and beer tastings. View the flyer for more information.
