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Today’s Email Announcements

1) CRAB Meeting March 2

A meeting of the Town of Boone’s Cultural Resources Advisory Board will take place on Monday, March 2, beginning at 3:30 p.m. at the Jones House Cultural and Community Center, located at 604 W. King St. in downtown Boone.

2) Hospitality House Launches Thrift Shop Project

One year in the making, Hospitality House is finally ready to unveil their latest project, “Welcome Home Thriftique.” Located at 182 Boone Heights Drive, this unique shopping experience will open its doors on Friday, July 25 and Saturday, July 26 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sunday, July 27, 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. This three-year project is a collaboration of Hospitality House, Appalachian State University’s ACT Program and North Carolina Campus Compact. In August 2013, Brittany Johnson joined the Hospitality House team as the NC Campus Compact AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteer in Service to America.) Serving as the project manager for the “Thriftique,” Johnson has been working all year on this endeavor, doing everything from writing the business plan, recruiting volunteers, raising money and negotiating the retail space. The purpose of the “Thriftique” is to further connect Hospitality House to the community as well as implement another revenue stream of continuous funding to support the organization. However, what sets this store apart from others is that it provides clients of the Hospitality House an avenue in which they can build a foundation for a successful future and learn sustainable living habits. Clients will have the opportunity to develop and further their skills and experience in the work force with the job skills training, financial literacy and internship programs that are at the heart of this project. Johnson states, “The Hospitality House mission is serve the High Country community, specifically those impacted by poverty, by providing positive, supportive opportunities that teach skills and sustainability that will allow people to emerge from crisis, poverty and homelessness. The store will have no paid staff and will be run completely by client internships and volunteer mentors. “Welcome Home Thriftique” will provide Watauga County and surrounding counties with high quality, gently used and refurbished furniture, home goods, artwork, jewelry and appliances in a dynamic, upscale thrift shopping experience. “All items sold in the store were graciously donated by members of the community”, says Johnson. “We are so thankful for the donations and ongoing support for this project from our community. Without our supporters, this project would not be possible.” In August, the store will launch “Miss Trish’s Community Spotlight” table, named in honor of Trish Burkhart, where clients and community members can donate their handmade artwork and items to be sold and promoted within the store and on all social media sites. “We have so many clients that are very talented and we want to give them a chance to break into the market and give back to the community at the same time,” says Johnson. “Ever since Trish passed away suddenly last year, we wanted to find a way to honor her memory and the legacy of everything that she means to us,” states Hospitality House director of development, Todd Carter. “I have yet to meet another person who so personifies who and what we are. Trish lived our mission every day with the heart, compassion and love that she bestowed on our clients. We still miss her terribly.” Each month, the store will display a different artist with a bio and provide contact information to those interested in purchasing more items from that artist. Items will range from paintings, jewelry, pottery, etc. Information on how to apply for “Miss Trish’s Community Spotlight” table will be online at hosphouse.org. Hours of operation will be Thursday- Saturday 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. and Sunday, 12 p.m.-6 p.m. Volunteer applications and donations are being accepted; however, they must be coordinated in advance by contacting Brittany Johnson at Brittany@hosphouse.org. Also, be sure to “Like” the store’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/welcomehomethriftique

3) Build Your Own Birdhouse Workshop Held March 7

March 7, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., at the Agriculture Conference Center, Master Gardener and NC Audubon Society Volunteer, Doris Ratchford will lead a class on attracting birds to nest in your yard. The program is designed to be family friendly and appropriate for all ages. After learning how to create bird habitat, including what plants to incorporate, attendees will construct a nest box to take home. We will also have all kinds of bird specimens on display that are sure to interest all ages. $10 fee covers materials for construction the nesting box. Please register to ensure that we have enough materials for everyone. Call the Watauga County Cooperative Extension Office, at 828-264-3061

4) Heirloom Apple Pruning Workshop Held March 24

March 24 from 4-6 p.m. Doug Hundley, Avery County Integrated Pest Management Technician, and heirloom apple enthusiast will be coming to assist in this program. In this free workshop we will cover pruning techniques to renovate a neglected apple tree, as well as how to prune a young apple tree. There will be lots of other information on heirloom apples. Workshop will meet at an older orchard that is located at 558 Rocky Rd. Banner Elk, click here for a map For more information call the Watauga Extension Service at 828-264-3061.

5) Watauga County Cooperative Fruit Plant Sale Now Open

Ordering for the Watauga County Extension Fruit Plant Sale is now open. Proceeds help support youth and other programs in Watauga County. Supplies are available at a first-come first ordered basis. Plants available include blueberry, strawberry, blackberry, raspberry, asparagus and heritage apple trees. The plants are bare root, which means they do not come potted in soil. This allows the plant to be sold at a lower cost. For those who do not want bare root plants, we have two varieties of blueberries in 1gallon containers. Orders must be placed and prepaid no later than Monday, March 23.. For an order form and description of varieties, come by the Watauga Cooperative Extension office at 971 West King Street, call 264-3061 or download from our website at watauga.ces.ncsu.edu