Today’s Email Announcements

1) Johnson Brothers July Performances in Avery County

THURS. JULY 2: Newland Riverwalk Park, 6-9 p.m.

FRI. JULY 3: Pixie Motel Concert Series, 6-9 p.m.

SUN. JULY 19: Linville Falls Winery, 2-5 p.m.

2) Grandfather Mountain to Offer Early Bird Discount July 4-5

Grandfather Mountain is offering an “Early Bird Discount” to guests who enter the park before 9 a.m. on July 4 and July 5, 2015.

The discount provides $2 off each adult admission and $1 off each child admission for those who enter the park between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. on those dates. This discount can be applied on top of already reduced tickets (military, senior, AAA discount).

The July 4 holiday weekend is traditionally busy at Grandfather Mountain, with the majority of visitors arriving between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Besides the cost savings, “early birds” will appreciate entering the park before the largest crowds arrive, providing a more leisurely experience.

Summer park hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., with ticket sales ending at 6 p.m.

Those who are unable to take advantage of the early bird discount have another method for avoiding traffic on the Independence Day weekend.

Visitors who purchase tickets online at tickets.grandfather.com can use the “Prepaid Lane” on July 4-5, which bypasses the main Entrance Gate on high-volume dates and grants access through MacRae Meadows during peak times of the day. Visit grandfather.com to read more about Online Ticketing and prepaid access.

Regardless of when guests arrive, Grandfather Mountain staff will be ready to help make the process smooth and enjoyable. Visitors can cross the Mile High Swinging Bridge, stand eye-to-eye with native wildlife in natural habitats or hike one of the mountain’s 11 trails.

In preparation for the Highland Games, Grandfather Mountain will close at 6 p.m. (rather than 7 p.m.) on Thursday, July 9 to prepare for “The Bear” footrace. The park will be open on a regular schedule for the remainder of the Highland Games on July 9-12.

For questions about the Early Bird Discount or Grandfather Mountain hours, call 828-733-4337.

The not-for-profit Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation strives to inspire conservation of the natural world by helping guests explore, understand and value the wonders of Grandfather Mountain. For more information, call 800-468-7325 or visit www.grandfather.com to plan a trip.

3) Music at the Old Hampton Store

The Old Hampton Store and Barbecue in Linville will host regularly scheduled music events from noon to 3 p.m. on the following days:

THURS. JULY 2: Tom Pillion

FRI. JULY 3: Typical Mountain Boys

SAT. JULY 4: Typical Mountain Boys

SUN. JULY 5: Redleg Husky

MON. JULY 6: live music TBA

TUES. JULY 5: live music TBA

WED. JULY 8: live music TBA

THURS. JULY 9: live music TBA

4) Fairy Day July 11 at Daniel Boone Native Gardens

The Daniel Boone Native Gardens will host the third annual “Fairy Day in the Gardens” on Sat., July 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The free event features activities for children and families. Participants are encouraged to wear fairy costumes and bring a picnic to the gardens. The Children’s Playhouse of Boone and The Incredible Toy Company will offer activities. Face painting available for a small fee.

DBNG Coordinator for Fairy Day Rebecca Kaenzig said, “this is our most popular summer day in the garden. Lots of photos with fairies and fun for your child!”

About the Daniel Boone Native Gardens: Opened in 1963, the mission of the gardens is to protect and conserve NC native plants in addition to educating visitors about native plants of North Carolina. The gardens focus on wildflowers, ferns and trees. The Daniel Boone Native Gardens are located at 651 Horn in the West Drive, Boone, N.C. and open from May to October. Suggested donation is $2 for adults and free for children under 16. For more information see www.DanielBooneNativeGardens.org or call 828-264-6390. Visit Facebook.

5) Summer Wine Classes at Erick’s Cheese and Wine

We have fine-tuned the details on our summer wine series that we believe is the best ever offered here, or maybe anywhere in the world for that matter!  As usual, we’ll offer classes on wines from familiar regions (Tuscany, Rioja) as well as unfamiliar ones (Roussillon, Val d’Aosta).  We’ll pour wines from familiar, pronounceable grapes (Syrah, Sangiovese) as well as unfamiliar grapes (Prié Blancandgrapes whose names defy pronunciation (Kratosija, incidentally, whose 94-point rated juice will knock your socks off).   And, as we announced earlier, this year we will be offering a few classes on Thursday evenings in response from many of you.

Here’s the line-up: Discover what you’ve been missing from this exciting region as we kick off our summer 2015 wine series with a class featuring wines from some of the Langnedoc-Roussillon premier producers.

A limited number of seats are remaining for the class.

Sunday, July 5, 5:30 p.m.  — Northern Italy (think Friuli, Alto Adige, Val d’Aosta and other areas off the beaten path)
Thursday, July 23, 6:00 p.m.  -” Small Vineyards” of Italy Portfolio.
Sunday, August 2, 5:30 p.m.  — Rioja and Priorat
Thursday, August 20, 6:00 p.m.  — Top value (i.e., highly-rated and inexpensive) imports from Eric Solomon
Sunday, September 6, 5:30 p.m (Labor Day weekend) — Syrah/Shiraz from around the world

Wine classes will be accompanied by cheeses and hors d’oeuvres; cost is $25 per person and costs for attending multiple classes will be discounted by 10%; seating is limited and reservations are required; and all wines presented will be available for purchase at discounts up to 15%.  You may reserve your seat(s) for any or all of these special events by emailing us at rlyar@aol.com), calling the store at 828.898.9424 or signing up in the store.

IMPORTANT: If you sign up and later determine that you will not be able to attend, please call us at least 48 hours in advance so we can offer your seat to others who may wish to attend.

6) In/Visible Theatre to Offer Special Preview of “Without Words” at Local Library

On the evening of Tuesday, July 7, the Evelyn Johnson Meeting Room at Watauga County Public Library will host a very special “sneak peak” at one of this year’s Appalachian Summer Festival presentations.

“Behind the Scenes of ‘Without Words’, An App Summer Fest Show” will be held at 5:30 p.m.

Join author Susan Schaller and Artistic Director Derek Davidson (In/Visible Theatre) for a presentation, discussion, and preview of the dramatic presentation “Without Words,” based on the book A Man Without Words.

A Man Without Words is a book by Susan Schaller which chronicles her work with ldefonso, a 27-year old indigenous person from Mexico, who was born deaf, never learned sign language, and lived on the fringes of human interaction. Susan, a sign language interpreter, found him intelligent, observant, and isolated from the world around him, and despite the experts, she was determined to help him communicate.

A Man without Words poignantly portrays the challenges, the frustrations, and the exhilaration of introducing  the mind of a person born deaf to the world of language.

In/Visible Theatre uses dance, drama, sound and silence in this remarkable true story of how language is so much more than words.

During the special preview at Watauga County Library, deaf and hearing actors from the stage play will be present to discuss, present, and interact with the audience. American Sign Language interpretation will be provided.

Persons with special needs please contact the Library five or more days prior to the event in order that reasonable arrangements may be made.

7) Western Square Dancing at Linville Land Harbor

Friday July 3, 2015

Western Square Dance

Our Western Square Dance will be held at Linville Land Harbor

Recreation Center, 22 Land Harbor Plaza, Newland

7:00-9:00PM This is a mainstream dance with announced plus tips.

Caller is Jerry Biggerstaff, Marion, NC. Dress is casual.www.mountainmixers.com

Sunday July 5, 2015

Western Square Dance

Dark. Our weekly Plus/A2 Western Square Dance will be not be held at Linville Land Harbor

this Sunday due to the holiday.

A2 Square Dancing from Monday June 1, 2015-Sept 28, 2015 Mondays

7:00-7:30PM Advanced workshop 7:30-9:30PM A2 Dancing with Jerry

Biggerstaff, Marion, NC Wednesdays 7:00-9:00PM A2 Review and Dance with

our resident caller Ron Libby