Chamber Board Members
are now on the website
In response to an enquiry, the names of the Chamber Board have been added to the Chamber's website home page. A Chamber member had questioned why they were so anonymous, noting that there was no mention of them on our website. This has been remedied. Look for the Chamber Board link in the green menu bar on the far right at Sparta-NC.com. Check out who serves and then if you bump into one of these fine folk, express your appreciation for the time and effort they give to this organization.
Handmade musical instruments
on display at Teapot Museum
If you missed Saturday's reception for the Sparta Teapot Museum Preview Gallery's exhibit of handmade musical instruments, you missed a good time. Rob Mangum and Dennis Shaw put on a boffo musical performance and the hors d'oeuvres were great. Kudos to Museum Director Cynthia Grant and her staff and volunteers! Best of all this great show of local workmanship is on display through Sept. 26. Drop by any Thursday, Friday or Saturday between 10a and 5p. And no charge for admission! 336-372-7238
Make plans for Ag Expo in Laurel Springs
Find new ways to diversify your farm and learn the newest tools of the trade at the Aug. 29 Farm Expo at the Upper Mountain Research Station. Hosted by the Alleghany and Ashe Christmas Tree Associations, NC Cooperative Extension, Ashe and Alleghany Cattlemen’s Associations and the Upper Mountain Research Station, this event begins at 1p and will target all agricultural commodity groups including Christmas trees, livestock, row crops, and small fruits and berries. Farmers from the entire High Country Region of North Carolina and Virginia are encouraged to attend. There is $10 admission and that includes a meal at the close of the event. Sponsored by NC Farm Bureau and Carolina Farm Credit. IMPORTANT: Please RSVP to the Alleghany or Ashe County Extension Office by August 17 in order to receive your dinner ticket. Learn more at sparta-nc.com/expo.pdf. 336-372-5597
Saturday-Sunday, Aug. 8-9
Farm Tour rolls through Alleghany Co.
Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture is sponsoring a tour of 16 farms in the high country of North Carolina and Virginia and two Alleghany farms are included: Crosscreek Farm (Scott and Colette Nester's farm featuring pastured hogs, free range poultry, goats, Jersey cows, horses, and working dogs), 2416 Nile Road, Sparta, and Rocking S Farm (Alan and Pam Souther's farm featuring certified organic vegetable transplants and antibiotic and hormone free cattle), 567 Garvey Road, Piney Creek. This is a fun day for kids and adults. There is a small fee for the tour that goes to benefit Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture, a 501(c)3 non-profit. Click to download their brochure for more information. Tell them you heard about the tour from the Alleghany Chamber. And while your out, check out the Crosscreek Farm's eggs, jams, jellies and pork products at the Blue Ridge Farmers Market, 10436 US 21 South, Roaring Gap (On the other end of the building they share with High Meadows Real Estate).
Saturday, August 8
Rotary Auction to benefit
Alleghany Memorial Hospital
Sparta - Don't miss the opportunity to find a bargain at the big auction and bazaar on the hill above Alleghany Memorial Hospital (behind the former Public Health building) to benefit the hospital beginning at 10a. Tom Atwood and Allen Reinhardt will be putting these gently used items on the block for sale to some lucky bidder. Items are still being accepted for donation (no clothing please), so clean out your attic, basement and garage and call Pat Polly, 336-372-8684, or Patsy Jarrett, 336-372-3281, to arrange delivery.
Brinegar Days tells the story
of early life in our community
Blue Ridge Parkway - Learn about early life in the Blue Ridge through demonstrations, music and special workshops at the Brinegar Day Celebration at Brinegar's Cabin at Mile Post 238.5 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, Saturday, 10a-4p. This is a fun and educational way to learn about our mountain heritage. More information at www.sparta-nc.com/brinegar.
Tennessee Green headlines at the Dollar
Glade Valley - Tennessee Green brings their mix of country, bluegrass and good dance music that includes a wicked sax to the Silver Dollar Music Park, Saturday, beginning at 8p. You'll be surprised at how great a sax can sound in a country band! Come early and enjoy good food served home style at the Dollar's Silverspoon Supper Club. And see PLAYING IN OUR COMMUNTY below for information about Friday night karaoke. Learn more at SilverDollarMusicPark.com.
Sunday, August 9
Second-Sunday Mission Meal at
Sparta United Methodist Church
Sparta - Sparta Methodist Church invites you to join them for their 11a worship service and stay for the Second-Sunday Mission Meal in the fellowship hall. There is no charge for the meal, but donations are appreciated and go to benefit Samaritan Ministries of Winston-Salem that serves the homeless and hungry. 336-372-4441
Wednesday, August 12
Big NC DOT Auction at the Fairgrounds
Sparta - If you've ever wanted a yellow pickup or just about any piece of equipment that the North Carolina Department of Transportation owns, then you'll want to be at the Fairgrounds for this huge auction. DOT will conduct a surplus vehicle and equipment public auction beginning at 9a and continuing until the last item is sold. All items can be previewed on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2009 from 8a to 4p, and on Wednesday, 8a-9a. Click for a list of all items to be sold along with registration and payment requirements. The fairgrounds is on US 21, 1.5 miles north of Sparta.
Thursday, August 13
Ernest Joines & Friends at the Library
Sparta - Enjoy this special program at the Alleghany Library with some of the area's premier traditional musicians. Ernest Joines and Friends will play beginning at 6:30p as part of the Hometown Heritage Program series. With wife Agnes, Joines operates the Alleghany Jubilee that offers traditional bands Tuesday and Saturday evenings and are featured in PLAYING IN OUR COMMUNTY at the bottom of the Brief. 336-372-5573.
PLAYING IN OUR COMMUNITY: There's music in these hills. When and where below.
>> Alleghany Jubilee: Tuesday, RISE AND SHINE BAND, 7p; Saturday, CLOSED, THIS SATURDAY ONLY, 8p, 25 N. Main. Admission each night is $4. 336-372-4591.
>> Crouse House Pickers: Local blue grass and old time musicians jam each Monday, 2 blocks north of the Courthouse at the Crouse House in Crouse Park, beginning at 6 p.m. Come and play or just listen. No charge, but a donation is appreciated. 372-5473
>> Freeborne's Eatery & Lodge: Free outdoor weekend concerts from 2-5p at 14300 NC 18 South, Laurel Springs. 336-359-8008. Playing Saturday: TBA; Sunday: COMMON GROUND. Thursday and Friday specials and music in the bar.
>> Silver Dollar Music Park: Supper and karaoke each Friday. Supper begins at 4p and is served home style. Karaoke begins at 8p. Come for one or both events. Big Karaoke contest begins July 10 and continues through the summer. Cash prizes offered so have your vocal pipes tuned. Saturday, 4-WHEEL DRIVE, a popular area country/rock band plays. Come early and enjoy supper, served home style. The band begins play at 8p. Check their Web site for more information
>> Stations Inn: Free outdoor Sunday concerts from 2-5p at 14355 NC 18 South, Laurel Springs, 336-359-2888. Playing this Sunday: TGA
ONGOING ACTIVITIES IN OUR COMMUNITY
>> Craven Studio: Saturday Open House: Drop by Saturdays between 12n and 4p for refreshments on the porch. From Independence, VA, take US 58 toward Mouth of Wilson for 8.8 miles. At Route 711, turn right and go 1 1/2 miles to Little Fox Creek Rd. (Route 680, an unpaved road). Turn right and go 1/2 mile to Foxfire Lane. Turn right and take the unpaved road for 400 yards to the end of the lane to #333. 276-579-2195 or 800-764-2402
Check our calendar for upcoming events: On our website are listings for Recurring Activities, Events and local Meetings. Check them often and let us know if your activity is not listed.
Bob Bamberg
Executive Director Alleghany
Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 1237 Sparta, NC 28675
336-372-5473
SpartaChamber@inbox.com
Sparta-NC.com
This email is a weekly update of news and information from your Chamber of Commerce. If you would prefer not to receive this communication, please just send a return email to spartachamber@inbox.com with the words Unsubscribe in the subject line, and we will remove you from the distribution list.
