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Today’s Email Announcements

Tickets Still Available for Richie & Rosie at Jones House Tuesday

There are still some tickets left for the upcoming performance with Richie (Stearns) and Rosie (Newton), who bring their unique blend of singing and fiddle-and-banjo duets to the Jones House Cultural and Community Center on Tuesday, October 4, for afternoon workshops and an evening concert.
Clawhammer banjo master, Richie Stearns, and talented young fiddler, Rosie Newton, have collaborated together in various projects, such as Red Dog Run, over the  past several years.  After spending hours jamming together in Stearns’ kitchen, the two decided to form a duet act that allowed them to experiment with the traditional pairing of fiddle and banjo.  Both players are steeped in traditional musical styles – of America and beyond – and both are also known for pushing the boundaries of roots music with their creativity and artistry.
Richie Stearns has been on the roots music scene since the 1980s, based in the thriving musical scene of Ithica, New York.  He helped form the experimental old-time string band, The Horse Flies, who went on to record eight albums for MCA and Rounder Records.  Stearns was also a founding member of popular roots-rock jamband, Donna the Buffalo.  He has collaborated with a host of popular recording and touring artists, including on-going stints with Natalie Merchant, Bela Fleck, and the late Pete Seeger, who wanted Stearns to play the soundtrack for his autobiographical film.
Natalie Merchant says, “The banjo in his hands can become either a hypnotic weapon of propulsion or the source of some of the most soulful and plaintive sounds I have ever heard.”
Rosie Newton grew up in the Woodstock, NY area and started playing fiddle when she was eight years old.  She went on to study viola at college in Ithica, where she became enamored with the traditional and roots music scene.  Newton has since been part of the popular genre-busting roots band The Duhks, toured with Zydeco legend Preston Frank, and been a member of several other bands and projects.
“Both Richie and Rosie have extensive teaching experience, in addition to their acclaimed recording and touring careers,” says concert organizer, Mark Freed.  “We are really excited to have them here in Boone for fiddle and banjo workshops in addition to the concert.”
Newton will give an old-time fiddle workshop focused on learning tunes by ear and discussing bowing patterns and rhythms typically found in traditional tunes.  Stearns will give a clawhammer banjo workshop with tips on playing with a fiddle player and learning tunes.
“We are very excited to come to the town of Boone,” Newton says.  “The love for old-time music in this community is inspiring, and we can’t wait to meet all the wonderful people who live there.”
The fiddle and banjo workshops will both start at 4:30 p.m. on October 4 at the Jones House.  There is no admission to the workshop for those attending the evening concert.  Those who would like to attend the workshop and not the concert should contact Mark Freed atmark.freed@townofboone.net or 828.268.6282.
The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. on October 4 at the Jones House.  Tickets for the concert are $20 per person.  The venue can seat 40 people, and due to the limited seating, advanced reservations are recommended.  All open seats will be available at the door, which opens at7:00 p.m. on the night of the concert.
The Jones House is located at 604 W. King Street in downtown Boone.  For more information on the community center or the Indoor Concert Series, including a complete schedule of performances, please visit www.joneshouse.org or call 828.268.6280.

Share the Warmth Coat Drive for Hospitality House

Every day is chillier here in the High Country.  Help us share the warmth with our neighbors at the Hospitality House by donating any of the winter wear items above. Can’t make the time to drop off your donations?  Call us at the office at 828-264-4002.

Beech Mtn. Season Pass Sale Starts Oct. 3

It’s that time again!  Beech Mountain Resort’s “super saver” sale is back!  Beginning at midnight on October 3, a limited quantity of season passes will be available at the discount rate of just $400. These passes provide unlimited skiing and snowboarding for the entire 2016-2017 season. Only 200 of these super saver passes will be sold, so be sure to order quickly because once they sold out, they’re gone for good.
Beech Mountain Resort is set for a great season thanks to a busy summer of upgrades.  The resort’s largest investment was the construction of a new slope, which will be dedicated to the terrain park. The newly-constructed facility is the largest terrain park in resort history. The park will have a dedicated snowmaking system, new light towers, and a surface tow lift.  Keep in mind that only 200 passes will be released Oct. 3, so be sure to order yours!
Another nice option for regular skiers and snowboarders is renting a locker for the season.  Season lockers are available for just $125. The lockers are located in a private locker room in the Beech Tree Village. The room features 93 individual/family lockers and is a short walking distance to everything. Locker season pass holders enjoy private bathroom and door access at an annual rate of only $125 per locker.  Please remember that you must purchase a locker before your locker number/location is final.
You may purchase season passes online or over the phone.
Call 1.800.438.2093 for more information!

Pink 4 Lunch at the Library Oct. 6

PINK 4 LUNCH

eat. meet. educate.

The Watauga County Public Library will be hosting a Pink 4 Lunch event with the Susan G. Komen Foundation of Northwest North carolina on Thursday, October 6th from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM.
The Susan G. Komen Pink 4 Lunch program was designed to educate community members about breast health and the importance of early detection of breast cancer. A presentation will be given while participants eat lunch and guests will have the opportunity to win special give-aways!
Food will be served! (No charge).
Registration is required.
To reserve a spot, please call the Library’s Reference Desk at (828) 264-8784, Extension number 2.

Final Organ Recital and Evensong of the Season Oct. 2

The final organ recital and Evensong of the season will be Sunday October 2nd at St. Mary of the Hills Episcopal Church in Blowing Rock.  The recital begins at 3 pm, and Evensong follows immediately at 3:30.

Guest organist for this recital is North Carolina native Jake Hill, principal organist at First Baptist Church of Winston-Salem.  Jake received his Bachelor of Music degree in Sacred Music and Organ Performance at Appalachian State University, where he is continuing his Master’s studies in Organ Performance under Dr. Joby Bell, and in Choral Conducting under Dr. Stephen Hopkins. Jake is also an accomplished accompanist and teaches piano through the Community Music School at ASU.  For this recital, he will be performing works by Francois Couperin, Herbert Howells, and Charles-Marie Widor.

Evensong is sung daily at Anglican cathedrals around the world, as an opportunity for rest and reflection at the end of a day’s work and worry.  Music for this Evensong includes the Magnificat and Nunc dimittis (Collegium Regale) by Howells, Preces and Responses by Clucas, and the exciting anthem by Dering, Factum est silencium, which depicts the battle between the Archangel Michael and a dragon.

The choir of St. Mary’s sings Evensong one Sunday each month through October, and everyone is welcome. You’re also invited to talk to the guest organist and the choir members at a small reception in the Parish Hall after the service.  The church is located on Main Street in Blowing Rock.

For more information on this service, please contact St. Mary of the Hills at 828.295.7323, and ‘follow’ Music from St. Mary of the Hills on Facebook for information about other concerts and musical events at the church.

CCC&TI Students Celebrate Literacy Month with Novel Set at Biltmore House

September is National Literacy Month and students taking courses at Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute’s Family Resource Center have been celebrating literacy through a special study of the novel “Serefina and the Black Cloak,” a mystery set at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, N.C.

Students enrolled in basic education and English Language Acquisition classes at the Family Resource Center are reading the novel and doing classroom activities based on its themes and characters. Students used iPad apps to program small robotic spheres, called Spheros and then maneuver them through obstacles courses designed around themes from the book. In one obstacle, students were Chief Rat Catchers, much like the title character of the novel they’re reading. In the novel, Serefina lives in the basement of the Biltmore House and is an accomplished catcher of rats. Student maneuvered their Spheros through the maze catching “rats” and accumulating points. Student also took a turn at being the rodents and worked to get their robots through a maze of live mousetraps to a “cheesy” prize on the other side. Finally, students used their Spheros like bowling balls trying to knock down pins, much like the family may have done in the estate’s in-home bowling alley.

Students say that the experience of reading the novel thus far has been fun and they are excited to see what happens with the story. “It catches you in the first couple chapters,” said student Samaria Sanders, who is working toward her high school equivalency. “I want to read more and find out what happens.” Student Nick Harrison agrees. “I want to know the secrets,” he said.

 

Students also say that reading the novel has piqued their interest in the Biltmore Estate, the largest privately owned estate in the United States, built by George Vanderbilt between 1889 and 1895. “I’ve never been but I would like to go,” said Mara Stewart, who is working to be the first in her family to earn her high school equivalency.

 

Overall, Shari Brown says the book has been a hit with students. “We are thrilled to be offering this opportunity to our students.  Reading an exciting book that has ties to our area is a great way to get students interested and engaged in their education,” said Brown. “Their attendance has been superb because they are excited about coming to class and reading the next chapter of the book. They are eager to read!”

 

Brown also says that the novel and the diverse background of its author, Robert Beatty, have given instructors an opportunity to teach more than just literacy and English skills. “As instructors, we have been able to use project-based learning to engage our students in the novel and incorporate North Carolina history and geography, advanced vocabulary and literary elements, and even the Solar System,” said Brown.  “The students have enjoyed learning about North Carolina in the late 1800’s and Biltmore House history and are excited about the possibility of actually visiting Asheville and the Biltmore House.  We are currently seeking funding to make that trip possible. Any donations are appreciated.”

 

For more information on the Family Resource Center or Adult Education through Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute, call 828-726-2230 or visit www.cccti.edu.