Today’s Email Announcements

Fire Prevention week, 10/8- 1o/14

You and your family are fast asleep when the smoke alarm sounds:

Do you know what to do?

October 9, 2017 — Consider this scenario: It’s 2 o’clock in the morning. You and your family are fast asleep when you awaken to the smoke alarm sounding and the smell of smoke. What do you do? If you and your family don’t have a plan in place, it could jeopardize your safety, or even prove deadly.

In a typical home fire, you may have as little as one to two minutes to escape safely from the time the smoke alarm sounds. That’s why home escape planning is so critical in a fire situation. It ensures that everyone in the household knows how to use that small amount of time wisely.

This year’s Fire Prevention Week theme, “Every Second Counts: Plan 2 Ways Out!” works to educate the public about the importance of developing a home escape plan and practicing it. The Boone Fire Department is working in coordination with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the official sponsor of the Fire Prevention Week for more than 90 years, to reinforce those potentially life-saving messages. Fire Prevention Week is October 8-14, 2017.

In support of Fire Prevention Week, Boone Fire encourages all households to develop a plan together and practice it. A home escape plan includes working smoke alarms on every level of the home, in every bedroom, and near all sleeping areas. It also includes two ways out of every room, usually a door and a window, with a clear path to an outside meeting place (like a tree, light pole, or mailbox) that’s a safe distance from the home.

NFPA and the Boone Fire Department offer these additional tips and recommendations for developing and practicing a home escape plan:

  • Draw a map of your home with all members of your household, marking two exits from each room and a path to the outside from each exit.
  • Practice your home fire drill twice a year. Conduct one at night and one during the day with everyone in your home, and practice using different ways out.
  • Teach children how to escape on their own in case you can’t help them.
  • Make sure the number of your home is clearly marked and easy for the fire department to find.
  • Close doors behind you as you leave — this may slow the spread of smoke, heat, and fire.
  • Once you get outside, stay outside. Never go back inside a burning building.

To learn more about this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Every Second Counts: Plan 2 Ways Out” and home escape planning, visit firepreventionweek.org.

Amy Flieg | Captain | Boone Fire Department | 828-268-6180 | Amy.Flieg@townofboone.net

Blue Prints and Bow Ties Live Auction and Gala, 10/19

About Blueprints and Bow Ties

in 2012, Watauga County Habitat for Humanity hosted the innagural Blueprints and Bow Ties Live Auction and Gala, a memeorable evening supporting Habitat’s mission of building homes, communities and hope. Since then, hundreds of guests have experienced this exciting annual event while sharing the Habitat story and raising awareness of the issue of affordable housing in our community. We are looking forward to housing this gala again and building on its success. 

Habitat looks forward to partnering with the High Country’s business community to continue its unique fundraising event. This brochure outlines ways your business can partner with Watauga Habitat for as a sponsor of Blueprints and Bow Ties. Each sponsorship level offers notable recognition for our business partners and provides ways to meet your company’s philanthropic goals. Thank you in advance for your consideration of supporting Blueprints and Bow Ties, and ultimately supporting affordable housing in our community. 

2017 Event Details

Date: Thursday, October 19     Time: 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.      Location: Habitat Restore/1200 Archie Carroll Road

About Watauga Habitat

Seeking to put God’s love into action, Watauga County Habitat brings people together to build homes, communities and hope. Since 1987, Watauga Habitat has served more than 27 families with affordable housing in our community and dozens more worldwide. 

Tickets are available for purchase at WataugaHabitat.org 

For information about sponsorship levels contact allison@wataugahabitat.org or call 828-268-9545. 

High Country Walk & Run for Breast Cancer, 10/28

Downtown Blowing Rock | Oct. 28th
The First Annual High Country Walk for Breast Cancer is the first event for the Foundation and will be held Saturday, October 28, 2017 at 9:00 am in downtown Blowing Rock. 
 
The walk/run will be a 5K fun event, with turnoffs for a 1,2, and 3K walk. We will begin at the American Legion building in Blowing Rock and continue as follows:
  • Walk around perimeter of Mayview Lake to Devant Field
  • Laurel Lane to Wonderland Dr to Mayview to Wonderland
  • On to Laurel Lane, back to the Devant Ball Field, to Mayview Lake, and finish the race at the American Legion Building.
All money raised will remain in the High Country to help individuals and families in our local community.
Adult: $20.00, Children (5-17): $10.00. Under 5: Free
 
The goal of the High Country Breast Cancer Foundation is to raise funds by organizing events such as the High Country Walk for Breast Cancer Research . These funds will be awarded through scholarships to local individuals fighting breast cancer. 
 
The scholarships can be used for various activities in support of the survivor and his/her family-all in an effort to show the patient that the  community is fighting the fight with them.
 
For more details about the organization, volunteer information, or sponsorships, please call (614)928-6544 or visit www.highcountrybreastcancerfoundation.org 

Entries for Songwriting Contest Accepted, 10/1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Entries for Chris Austin Songwriting Contest accepted beginning October 1
WILKESBORO, N.C. (September 19, 2017) – MerleFest, presented by Window World, will begin accepting entries for the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest (CASC) beginning October 1. CASC is one of the most acclaimed songwriting contests in roots and Americana music, having a reputation for launching careers and discovering important new talent. Winners in four categories – bluegrass, general, gospel, and country – will be chosen at MerleFest, which will take place April 2629, 2018. MerleFest is an annual homecoming of musicians and music fans that takes place on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, N.C.
Now in its 26th year, CASC is an extraordinary opportunity for songwriters to have their original songs heard and judged by a panel of music industry professionals, under the direction of volunteer contest chairperson, Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Jim Lauderdale. Aspiring songwriters may submit entries to the contest using the online entry form (www.merlefest.org/ChrisAustinSongwritingContest/) or by mailing entries to MerleFest/CASC, PO Box 120, Wilkesboro, NC 28697. The deadline to enter is February 1, 2018.
All entries received during October and November will receive an early entry discountprice of $25 per entry. Submissions received in December and January will require a $30 fee per entry. All lyrics must be written in English and no instrumentals will be accepted. To read more about the contest rules and how to enter, visit http://merlefest.org/chris-austin-songwriting-contest/enter-the-contest/
The first round of the CASC competition takes place in Nashville, Tennessee, and is narrowed down to 12 finalists representing four categories: bluegrass, country, general and gospel/inspirational.Finalists are then invited to the final round of the competition, which takes place Friday, April 27, during MerleFest. First place winners will receive $600 cashfrom MerleFest and a 20-35 minute performance set on MerleFest’s Cabin Stage on Saturday between 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. 
“We are extremely proud of the career successes achieved by many CASC alumni. Among these are Gillian Welch (1993), David Via (1997, 2001), Johnny Williams (1998, 1999), Tift Merritt (2000), Becky Buller (2001), Michael Reno Harrell (2003), Adrienne Young (2003), Martha Scanlan (2003), Sam Quinn (2006) and Jeanette Williams (2007),” said Lee K. Cornett, coordinator of MerleFest’s CASC. “More recent alumni include Lara Lynn (2011), Gary Alan Ferguson (2014), Melody Walker (2013) of Front Country and Joseph Terrell (2014) of Mipso. I encourage all songwriters to submit their compositions to the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest!”
MerleFest 2017 bluegrass winners included Linda Jean Stokley (1st Place), Mike Bentley (2nd Place) and Matthew Hurd (3rd Place). MerleFest 2017 gospel winners were Paul Kelly, Buddy Guido and Willie Schoellkopf (1st Place), Ian Meadows (2nd Place) and Kevin Hale (3rd Place). MerleFest 2017 country winners were Mary Bragg and Liz Poston (1st Place), Carly Burruss (2nd Place), and Erin James (3rd Place). MerleFest 2017 general category winners were Catherine Backus (1st Place), Alexa Rose (2nd Place) and Shay Martin Lovette, and Locke Griffith (3rd Place).
Net proceeds from the contest support the Wilkes Community College Chris Austin Memorial Scholarship. Since its inception, the scholarship has awarded over $41,000 to deserving students. To learn more details about the contest, visit www.MerleFest.org/CASC
About MerleFest
MerleFest was founded in 1988 in memory of the son of the late American music legend Doc Watson, renowned guitarist Eddy Merle Watson. MerleFest is a celebration of “traditional plus” music, including old-time, country, bluegrass, folk and gospel and blues, and expanded to include Americana, classic rock, and many other styles. The festival hosts a diverse mix of artists on its 13 stages during the course of the four-day event. MerleFest has become the primary fundraiser for the WCC Foundation, funding scholarships, capital projects and other educational needs.
About Chris Austin
Chris Austin, from Boone, North Carolina, worked as a sideman for Ricky Skaggs for three years, singing and playing guitar, banjo, mandolin and fiddle. During that time, he was discovered by executives at Warner Bros. who offered him a recording contract. While releasing singles including “Blues Stay Away from Me,” “I Know There’s a Heart in There Somewhere” and “Out of Step,” Austin also developed his songwriting skills, as evidenced in “Same Ol’ Love,” recorded by Skaggs in 1991. On March 16, 1991, Austin’s life was cut tragically short when the private plane carrying him and six other members of Reba McEntire’s band, as well as her tour manager, crashed near San Diego. Pete Fisher, then of Warner Songs and former general manager of The Grand Ole Opry, and Kari Estrin, previous “Pickin’ for Merle” video associate producer, initiated the songwriting contest to honor Austin’s memory.
About Window World
Window World, headquartered in North Wilkesboro, N.C., is America’s largest replacement window and exterior remodeling company, with more than 200 locally owned offices nationwide. Founded in 1995, the company sells and installs windows, siding, doors and other exterior products, with a total of over 14 million windows sold to date. Window World is an ENERGY STAR partner, and its window products have earned the Good Housekeeping Seal for 10 consecutive years. Additionally, through its charitable foundation Window World Cares, the Window World family provides funding for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which honored the foundation with its Organizational Support Award in 2017. Since its inception in 2008, Window World Cares has raised over $7 million for St. Jude. Window World Inc. also supports the Veterans Airlift Command, a non-profit organization that facilitates free air transportation to wounded veterans and their families. For more information, visit www.WindowWorld.com or call 1-800 NEXT WINDOW. For home improvement and energy efficiency tips, décor ideas and more, follow Window World on Facebook and Twitter.
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MerleFest media contacts:
Maria Ivey
Amber Herman
Public Information and Relations Officer
Facebook: MerleFest
Twitter Handle: @MerleFest 
Instagram: @MerleFest
Hashtags: #MerleFest #CASC #MidnightJam
 
 

Fall Festival and Campout

Sonic Yonic Productions and Mountain Mermaids Collective invite you to
THE FALL FESTIVAL AND CAMPOUT at THE NEW RIVER BARN
The location of this event is 839 River Road, Todd NC. 
The event will take place on Saturday, September 23, festivities will start at noon.

Tell me more about camping at the Festival, please…

If you would like to pitch a tent and spend the night with us along the banks of the New River, we would love to have your company.  Tent sites are first come, first serve, and there is space for about 30 tents and cars on the field.  Suggested donation is $10.00.  You may bring a camp stove or a grill, but please be advised that no open fires are permitted in the camping field.

What about Day Parking?

There will be plenty of day parking along River Road, near the barn.  When you arrive at 839 River Road, pull off onto the grass along the side, make sure all your vehicle’s wheels are off the pavement, and proceed by foot across the bridge.  There will also be day parking in the field as space allows, with a suggested donation of $5.00.  ADA parking is across the bridge in the field, free of charge. Please bring ADA credentials.

What time does The Sheets Family Band play?

We expect them to start around 4 and end around 7, with a good long set break in the middle.  Bring your dancing shoes!

Will you be serving alcohol?

Why, yes, yes we will.  Beer and wine will be for sale during the event.  As per the alcohol permit, No Outside Alcohol is Permitted.  Thank you for your co-operation.

May I bring my dog/cat/other pet?

Sadly, no. Please leave your pet at home.  If you have a service animal, please keep your animal on a leash and under control at all times.

Will there be activities for kids?

Yes!  We will have face painting and henna tattoos, a Rubber Duck Race (race at 3:30, registration from 1-3) crafts and other art projects provided by The Artmart Academy of Boone, as well as games….and a whole slew of prizes, from toys and gift certificates to original art.  What games we will play depends on how many people want to play them, the ages involved and the weather. Potentials: pumpkin ring toss, egg race, animal tag, corn hole toss. There will also be a costume chest available for any youngsters who want to dress up, as well as an assortment of board games.

Please bring a chair and warm clothes.
There is no ATM on the grounds. Please bring cash for any purchases.
Keep in mind that your cell phone will not work at the barn.
We look forward to sharing this special event with you. See you Saturday!