Wilkes Chamber seeks display material
for new U.S. 421 Welcome Center
Lodging, restaurants, attractions and event sponsors: the Wilkes Chamber of Commerce is seeking brochures and promotional material for the new US 421 Welcome Center opening this fall. Materials must be approved by the State of NC Division of Tourism . Click for information on approval requirements. There is no charge to display these items, but the Wilkes Chamber needs the brochures and other materials no later than Sept. 14. Call their Chamber at 336-838-8662 for more details.
Camerata fall rehearsals announced
The Highland Camerata’s fall rehearsals will begin Tuesday, Sept. 8 at 7p at Brush Creek Hall on US 21, 1 mile north of the VA-NC border, near Independence, VA. This first rehearsal will give new members an opportunity to visit with Camerata regulars and to go over the music. As the major work for this season, director, Mary Elizabeth Whartenby, of Galax, Virginia has chosen Schubert’s “Mass in G Major.” The Camerata will also be rehearsing several carols from “A Stephen Paulus Christmas.” Rehearsals are Tuesday evenings from 7-9. Concerts will be held near the beginning of December. Persons interested in singing are invited to call Debbie Brady at 336-372-4402 or visit http://www.highlandcamerata.org/ to learn more.
Non-profits, churches, civic groups:
Friday deadline to reserve free Festival space
Non-profits, churches and civic groups: Friday is the deadline to reserve your booth at the Mountain Heritage Festival. These booths are free and will be located on Main Street between the Cheek Street (Kangaroo convenience store corner) and Grandview Drive. They can sell fund-raising items that include the organization's name (t-shirts, ball caps, etc.), ask for donations, sell raffle tickets and pass out literature. However, these booths are not intended for the sale of handmade crafts. Those sales are designated for the paid booths located between Whitehead and Cheek streets. Whatever you do, join the celebration of the county's 150th Anniversary and use this opportunity to tell the story of your organization's history and heritage in Alleghany County. It's our birthday. Let's all strut our stuff a bit! Click for booth assignment form that explains all the details. Call the Chamber, 372-5473, with questions.
Tuesday, August 25
Final Grief Support Group at Alleghany Inn
Sparta - Hospice's final grief support group in the conference room of Alleghany Inn, is tonight, 6-7:30p. Individuals dealing with the death of a loved one are invited to attend. The loss of a loved one is never easy and no one has more experience in such matters than the Hospice program. For questions or more information, call Mary Lee at Hospice at 336-372-8018. The program is co-sponsored by Grandview Memorial Funeral Home.
Thursday, August 27
Borderline to play at the Library
Sparta - Be impressed by this group that includes some of the area's youngest musicians offering a free concert beginning at 6:30p in the Alleghany County Library. Band Members are Chris Johnson, claw-hammer banjo; Chip Moyer, guitar; Justin Willey, mandolin; Lucas Pasley, fiddle; and Gerald Willey, bass. 336-0372-5573
Thursday-Saturday, Aug. 27-29
Carnival joins the County Fair
Sparta - Rides, fair food, Saturday night lawn mower racing and fireworks -- a lot of fun -- at the County Fair. Livestock competition continues each night at 6p in the barn area. Check out who won blue ribbons in the agricultural entries are in the Black Building. Click for all the info. 336-572-2995
Saturday, August 29
USA 10K Trail Championship at Laurel Ridge
Laurel Springs - The Laurel Ridge Moravian Camp is hosting the Continental Divide Trail Run, part of the U.S. Trail Championship competition, beginning at 8a. 336-326-5344 http://www.continentaldividetrailrace.com/
Upper Mountain Research Station hosts Expo
Laurel Springs - Find new ways to diversify your farm and learn the newest tools of the trade 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 Saturday 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 beginning at 12:30p and that includes a meal at the close of the event. Sponsored by NC Farm Bureau and Carolina Farm Credit. Note: the announced deadline for dinner tickets has passed. Call 336-372-5597 for more information. Learn more at sparta-nc.com/expo.pdf.
Medicinal Plants subject of Park program
Jefferson - Join a ranger at 2p at the Wagoner Access off NC 88 of New River State Park to discover the variety of herbaceous and woody plants in New River State Park and also learn about their medicinal uses. 336-982-2587
Monday, August 31
Business Appreciation Picnic at Crouse Park
Sparta - A hot-dog picnic dinner for local business people and employers will held at Crouse Park beginning at 5:30p. Music provided by the Crouse House Pickers. No need to register, just show up and eat for free in appreciation for all you do. 336-372-5473
Ashe author Sam Shumate at the Library
Sparta - Alleghany County Library will host a book reading with Ashe native Sam Shumate, author of "The Bridge Crew," which recounts his boyhood adventures growing up in Warrensville, NC, at 6:30p, Monday. Sponsored by the Alleghany Historical-Genealogical Society. 336-372-5597
Mark your calendar
Marketing on the cheap
"Visual Merchandising as a Marketing Tool" is a webinar (seminar broadcast on the Web) provided through Cooperative Extension at 2p on Sept. 10. To participate, click on this link at approximately 1:45p where you will be presented with a log-in screen where you enter your name and can log-in as a guest. Follow instructions to hear workshop audio and participate in the discussion by phone.
PLAYING IN OUR COMMUNITY: There's music in these hills. When and where below.
>> Alleghany Jubilee: Tuesday, RISE AND SHINE BAND, 7p; Saturday, TBA, 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: DJ FAST FREDDIE; 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. 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: THUNDER VALLEY BAND
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
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