1000 x 90

Today’s Email Announcements

1) Blowing Rock Chamber Welcomes New Membership Services Director

The Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce and welcome Sabrina Burwell as its new Membership Services Director.

Burwell will be responsible for membership retention and recruitment, Chamber communications and Art in the Park.

She joins The Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce from White Glove Express and USA Logistics, located in Summerfield, North Carolina. During her successful tenure with White Glove Express and USA Logistics, she was the Marketing Director and Sales Manager. Burwell also comes to The Blowing Rock Chamber with 15 plus years of experience in Public Relations and Project Management.

Burwell attended Christopher Newport College and William and Mary and holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Communications with an emphasis in Marketing and an MBE.

2) Ameriprise Financial to Host Social Security Information Luncheon on June 18

Private Wealth Advisor Patricia L. Smith and Financial Advisor Gary T. Moss Jr. with Ameriprise Financial will host a Social Security luncheon at noon on June 18. The seminar, “Solving the Social Security Puzzle: What You Need to Know Before You Claim,” will focus on answering common question regarding Social Security and include guest speaker Steve Gaito from Social Security Solutions.

The seminar will be held at Mutton Crossing, 4469 Bamboo Road Ste.105, Boone, NC 28607. Space is limited, so please call 828-264-8990 to reserve your seat. There is no cost or obligation to attend.

As a Private Wealth Advisory practice, Smith and Moss provide customized financial advice that is anchored in a solid understanding of client needs and expectations, and provided in a one-on-one relationship with his clients. For more information, please contact them at 828-264-8990 or visit the Ameriprise office at 4469 Bamboo Rd Ste. 105 Boone, North Carolina 28607.

At Ameriprise Financial, we have been helping people feel confident about their financial future for over 115 years. With outstanding asset management, advisory and insurance capabilities and a nationwide network of 10,000 financial advisors, we have the strength and expertise to serve the full range of individual and institutional investors’ financial needs. For more information, visit ameriprise.com or http://www.ameripriseadvisors.com/patricia.l.smith/.

3) June Programs at Grandfather Mountain

National Trails Day Guided Ranger Hike

Sat, June 6, 2015   |   9:00AM-12:00PM

Meet at: Boone Fork Parking Area (Just north of the 300 Milepost on Blue Ridge Parkway) Appropriate for ages 6 and older; children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Please no pets. Celebrate National Trails Day by taking a guided Ranger Hike. Difficulty: moderately strenuous terrain. Join a Ranger for a guided hike and take in the awe inspiring landscape of Grandfather Mountain State Park. Along the way we will discuss ecology, natural and cultural history and whatever else Mother Nature puts on display for us. Participants should be prepared for a three mile round trip hike over rocky terrain taking about three hours. Bring water and snacks to stay refreshed on the hike. Program is suitable for adults and children over six years of age. Minors must be accompanied by an adult and please no pets.  Participants should be prepared for the weather conditions, dressed appropriately and bring water and snacks for the hike. In the event of inclement weather, contact the park office on the day of the program. 828.963.9522 or email luke.appling@ncparks.gov.

Camping Etiquette

Sat, June 13, 2015   |   5:00PM-6:00PM

Meet at: Boone Fork Parking Area (Just north of the 300 Milepost on Blue Ridge Parkway)
Appropriate for all ages; children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Please no pets. Why not Celebrate “National Get Outdoors Day” by camping? Camping is a fun way to spend time with friends, family, or on your own. Join Ranger Sicard to learn a few things that will help making any camping experience a fun and safe one. During this program participants will learn how to set up the site if it is not already established for you, how to keep food stored, and how to dress properly to stay cool or warm. There will be hands on portions for those who would like to get involved. All participants will be given a checklist for future camping to determine if they are using the proper camping etiquette. The knowledge learned can be used to pass on to others so that our natural resources can be enjoyed but not over used. This program will last approximately one hour and is open to all ages. Dress appropriately for the weather conditions. Bring water and bug spray.  If you have any questions call Andy Sicard at the park’s office 828-963-9522. Email: andy.sicard@ncparks.gov.

Twilight Hike

Sat, June 20, 201   |   8:00PM-10:00PM

Meet at: Profile Parking Lot (Hwy 105 South – 1/2 mile north of the Hwy 184 intersection). Appropriate for Ages 10 and up; children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Please no dogs. Join a Park Ranger for an evening stroll through the Southern Appalachian Forest and see the woods come to life after the sun sets. Experience the park from a different prospective and learn about nocturnal wildlife. Participants must bring flashlights or headlamps and are encouraged to wear hiking boots. Hike will go approximately 1.5 miles. Dress appropriately for the weather.  Please contact Luke Appling with any questions. 828-963-9522 orluke.appling@ncparks.gov.

Volunteer Trail Work Day

Sat, June 20, 2015   |   9:30AM-3:00PM (Registration Required)

Meet at: Call office for location. Suitable for adults and children above 12 years of age. All volunteers under the age of 18 must have a parent or legal adult guardian present. Do you enjoy being outdoors and meeting new people? Share in the adventure by volunteering on one or more of our trail work days. Volunteering is a great way to have a little fun while giving back to some of your favorite hiking spots. Join our park’s staff for a day of trail maintenance and get a feel for what goes into managing a highly popular hiking destination. Volunteers will learn how to safely and effectively use tools, be shown sustainable trail design techniques and become familiar with trail labor. Work will be based on experience and skill level of volunteers and will range from easier, low level physical activity to advanced, highly physical trail construction. Volunteers should be dressed in appropriate clothing for outdoor work, bring work gloves, wear closed toed shoes. Bring food and water for refreshments during the day.  Volunteer Work Days are scheduled for the third Saturday of each month from May to October.   Please note: Registration is now required for our volunteer days. Volunteers must register no later than 2 days before scheduled work day. To register and inquire about the location, please contact our office at 828.963.9522 orgrandfather.mountain@ncparks.gov.

Let’s Race

Sun, June 21, 2015   |   10:00AM-11:00AM

Meet at: Profile Parking Lot (Hwy 105 South – 1/2 mile north of the Hwy 184 intersection). Appropriate for age 8 and older; children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Please no pets. How often do you see trash and debris along the roadsides or along trails you hike? Hopefully you will not see them along the roads and trails in the parks but if so what can you do with it? Join Ranger Sicard to learn of some creative uses for trash that may show up along hikes in the park. During this program we will see a variety of commonly found items that may end up as roadside or trailside trash and use them to make boats, which we will then race down a section of river. During this activity we also discuss how to be good stewards to the land by recycling and picking up trash that we may find. This program will last approximately 30 minutes and is oriented for ages 8 and older. Dress appropriately for the weather conditions. Bring water and bug spray.  If you have any questions call Andy Sicard at the park’s office 828-963-9522. Email: andy.sicard@ncparks.gov.

4) Western Square Dancing at Linville Land Harbor

Events held at Linville Land Harbor Recreation Center, 22 Land Harbor Plaza in Newland.

FRI. JUNE 5: Mainstream dance with announced plus tips. Caller is Jerry Biggerstaff of Marion. Dress is casual. 7-9 p.m.

SUN. JUNE 7: A2 1:30-2 p.m., Plus 2-4 p.m.. Caller is Mike Skorsky of Mesa, Arizona. Square Dance Attire or smart casual. No shorts.

5) ASU to test Campus Siren on Wednesday

Appalachian State University will test its campus-wide siren warning system Wednesday, June 3, at 11:55 a.m.

 The campus drill also will include a recorded message indicating the beginning and end of the test.

To hear the tones that would be used during an emergency on campus, visit http://epo.appstate.edu/siren-warning-system. Also, in the event of an actual emergency, official university information will be posted at www.appstatealert.com.

6) ASU Looking Glass Gallery to Feature April Flanders and Emily Rapp

The Looking Glass Gallery at Appalachian State University presents Breach, an exhibition featuring work by April Flanders and Emily Rapp. The exhibit will be on view through June 19.

Flanders is an associate professor in the Department of Art at Appalachian. Rapp recently received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in studio art from the university.

 In the summer of 2014, Rapp received a research assistantship from the university’s Office of Student Research to help Flanders create a body of work. Together they explored tusche wash, a technique in the printmaking medium of lithography. The technical exploration was intense and the artists encountered many challenges, but the result was a series of prints that address issues with invasive species, as well as themes of identity, home, and place.

 Looking Glass Gallery is located on the first floor of Plemmons Student Union. Gallery hours are weekdays from 8 a.m.-10 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m.-10 p.m., and Sunday from 2-10 p.m. Gallery admission is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.LookingGlassGallery.appstate.edu

7) Town of Boone to Host Hearing, Meeting on Monday

The Town of Boone will hold its next special public hearing on Monday at 6 p.m. A meeting of the Planning Commission will immediately follow.