1) Antler Realty Announces New Real Estate Broker Jessica Clawson
Antler Realty is pleased to announce the appointment of Jessica Clawson as new Real Estate Broker. Jessica was previously the Office Manager of Antler Realty and has now decided to pursue her passion in selling real estate. Jessica was born and raised in Banner Elk and is married to Byron Clawson, Chief of Police of the Banner Elk Police Department and together they have 3 lovely daughters. “I am very excited to sell residential property in my hometown.” Jessica can easily be reached on her cell at 828-260-1099 or Antler Realty Office at 828-898-3111.
2) Highway Safety Memorial Day “Click It or Ticket” Campaign Underway
The Governor’s Highway Safety Program (GHSP) launched its Memorial Day “Click It or Ticket” education and enforcement campaign this morning. It runs through the Memorial Day holiday weekend, ending on May 31.
The kickoff event was held at the UNC-Greensboro campus, as GHSP Director Don Nail, Guilford County Sheriff BJ Barnes, and UNCG Chief of Police James Herring were the featured speakers. The event was held in Guilford County as incentive to increase seat belt usage in the area. The county-wide driver and passenger seat belt usage rate in the 2014 seat belt survey was 88.4 percent, two points below the statewide average.
That seat belt survey shows usage has been increasing statewide, with a 90.6 percent compliance by drivers and passengers, compared to 88.6 percent the previous year.
Since its inception 22 years ago, the “Click It or Ticket” program has increased driver seat belt awareness and usage rates and reduced fatalities across North Carolina. Nearly every law enforcement agency in the state participates in the initiative and it is one of the most intensive law enforcement efforts of its kind.
“As we launch the “Click It or Ticket” Memorial Day campaign today it is important that we remind those on North Carolina roads that it is the law to wear your seat belt,” said Nail. “The law applies to all passengers in the vehicle. It doesn’t matter where you sit, you must remember to buckle up, saving yourself from receiving a fine of up to $161 and even your life. We have to remind ourselves it is “Every Seat, Every Time.”
Law enforcement officers will be out day and night enforcing “Click It or Ticket” for drivers and passengers who fail to buckle up. The N.C. Department of Transportation, GHSP and law enforcement agencies across North Carolina have a goal of 100 percent seat belt use among all vehicle occupants. For additional information, please visit ClickItorTicket.org.
3) Senior Center to Host Medicare 101 on May 28
Approaching 65? Confused about Medicare? Work with individuals turning 65? Join the Lois E. Harrill Senior Center in Boone for a “Medicare 101” information session on Thursday, May 28, from 2-3:30 p.m. We’ll discus the basics of Medicare, supplements and drug plans. Call Jen Teague at 828-265-8090 to register. The seminar is part of the SHIIP (Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program) and is not sponsored by any insurance company or agent. For more information about SHIIP in NC, call 1-800-443-9354.
4) ASU Receives Sun Belt Graduation Rate Award
Appalachian State University athletics collected one of the Sun Belt Conference’s most prestigious honors on Monday evening when it was named the winner of the Sun Belt’s 2015 Institutional Graduation Rate Award.
Appalachian State earned the 2015 Institutional Graduation Rate Award on the strength of its student-athletes owning the highest Federal Graduation Rate among all current Sun Belt members for the 2013-14 academic year. The graduation rates are calculated and published yearly by the NCAA in its Division I Graduation Rate Annual Report.
Appalachian State’s student-athletes compiled a 73-percent Federal Graduation Rate in 2013-14, which was five percent better than the next-highest Sun Belt institution.
“We’re proud and honored to receive this award,” Appalachian State director of athletics Doug Gillin said. “Our No. 1 goal as a department is for student-athletes to earn a degree from Appalachian State. This award is a testimony to the commitment of our coaches, academic services personnel, faculty, staff and student-athletes to achieve that goal.”
5) Mountain Dale Baptist to Host Gospel Singing on Saturday
Join Pastor Eric Cornett for a Watauga County Gospel Singing at Mountain Dale Baptist Church on Mountain Dale Road in Vilas at 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 23. Songs will come from the new Jeffress-Phillips book Ready … Sing and the new Cumberland Valley book Sing for Joy. Call Clint Cornett at 828-297-3270 or Neil Oliver at 828-297-3653 for more information.
6) Blowing Rock Farmers Market to Begin May 28
The Blowing Rock Farmers’ Market is busy preparing for the opening of its seventh season on Thursday, May 28. Located in historic downtown Blowing Rock along Park Avenue in front of the Chamber of Commerce, this family-friendly market showcases farm fresh produce provided from local farmers.
Support your local produce suppliers and know where your food comes from. The Blowing Rock Farmers’ Market takes place each Thursday from 4-6 p.m. through Oct. 15 and showcases honey, eggs, plants, fruits, vegetables, cut flowers, herbs, cheese, jams and jellies, natural body products, meats and breads.
Applications from Vendors are welcome. Visit the market online for more information.