Walk Out of Darkness to bring
awareness to depression, suicide
I wanted to call special attention to the Walk Out of Darkness that will begin at 10a in the shared parking of Sparta United Methodist Church and Sparta Florist on Saturday, Oct. 10. Participants will each receive a flower to commemorate a departed friend or loved one, and proceed to Crouse Park. At the park, Mary Lee, Alleghany Hospice social worker, will make welcoming remarks and read a poem. Participants will be invited to place their flowers on a bench that will become a temporary memorial, followed by a moment of silence. Reflections by Harold Church, director of Grandview Funeral Home, will conclude the formal program. Music and refreshments will be provided. At the park, participants will also have the opportunity to help create a commemorative quilt under the direction of Sara Harper, hospice nurse.
It's no secret to those of us who have lived in Alleghany County for a long time that we have a high suicide rate. If you’ve lived here as long as I, you know the questions and grief following such a loss. I have compiled suicide rates from the 29 years of data that the state publishes and we have the highest age-adjusted rate in the state. I don’t say that to alarm, but to give appropriate weight to this matter.
Sponsored by the Alleghany Healthy Carolinians Committee, the Walk is to call attention to the problem of suicide and depression in the county and to offer friends and family who have lost loved ones to suicide a chance to commemorate their passing and to acknowledge the loss experienced by survivors. An important point of the walk is to emphasize that most suicide is preventable. It is usually the result of depression, many times masked by the desire to put on a happy face, regardless of how one feels inside.
This is not to say that we should be grumpy and visit our unhappiness on those around us. But rather that good mental health requires that we each recognize that long periods of despondency in ourselves or close friends and family, are warning signs that need to be heeded and can be addressed. A helpful response may be to seek medical attention, spiritual counsel or the advice of close friends. It may include all three. Any action can be helpful if it breaks the isolation that everyone contemplating suicide feels.
One of the interesting trends in that 29 years of data is that the suicide rate is lower in more populated areas. One reason may be that just the greater contact with other people is enough to break through that isolation and downward spiral that can end in taking one’s own life. The purpose of the Walk is certainly NOT to make suicide more acceptable. However, one purpose is to call attention to the problem of suicide and depression and to us all that sometimes our natural discomfort talking about and acknowledging this problem stands in the way of a solution.
I take heart health seriously. My wife, Ruth, sets out two low-dose aspirins, one for her and one for me, to take every day because such has been shown to lower the number of heart attacks. If she complains of discomfort related to her heart, I demand she see a doctor, and she does the same for me. I have read about and take seriously the advice to adjust my diet to favor a healthy heart. I exercise regularly.
If we are to lower the suicide rate in our community, we should pay no less attention to it, discuss it no less frequently and strive to learn about this issues and signs surrounding suicide and depression no less than efforts to combat heart disease. I know that we feel different about suicide and drepression, but if we can take courage and step outside of our comfort zone, that is the first step to combatting this unfortunate statistic.
Thank you for your patience reading this rather long notice. I hope you will consider participating Saturday. 336-657-3032
-- Bob Bamberg
Promote your business to travelersIf you have a business that is of interest to travelers, the new Northwest North Carolina Welcome Center, located along US 421 in North Wilkesboro, is looking for brochures to distribute to travelers. If you have a brochure for your B&B, vacation rental or whatever, this seems like a no-brainer. There's no charge but there are some restrictions and requirements. Follow this link to learn more. Approved material can be mailed to Wilkes Chamber of Commerce, ATTN: NW North Carolina Visitors Center, P.O. Box 727, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659. 336-667-1259
Free books at Books 'N Friends
The folks at Books 'N Friends have an oversupply of business books and they are being given away FREE through Oct. 15! You can't ask for a better deal. 336-372-5155
Please join the staff of Alleghany County Schools for an evening with Dr. Bill Daggett, President, International Center for Leadership in Education, Wednesday, Oct. 7, at 6p in the Sparta Elementary School auditorium. If you have a child, grandchild, a niece or nephew in our school system, or if you are just concerned about how America can continue to compete in the global economy, you are encouraged to attend. Learn more at http://www.alleghany.k12.nc.us/. 336-372-4345
Craft exhibit reception at the Teapot Museum
A reception for Autumn in the Blue Ridge, an exhibition celebrating Blue Ridge craft craftspeople – artists who live, work and hail from the Blue Ridge Crafts Corridor from Georgia to West Virginia – will be held Saturday, Oct. 10, 3-5p a the Sparta Teapot Museum of Craft and Design, 18 South Main Street. 336-372-4237
Spaghetti fund-raiser for Piney Creek VFD
Join your friends and neighbors at Piney Creek United Methodist Church Saturday, Oct. 10, between 4 and 8p for a spaghetti dinner to benefit Piney Creek Fire Department. Adults $6.50, children 6-12 $3, and children 5 and under free. Take outs available.
Chamber Annual Meeting at Olde Beau
Sorry, the deadline for tickets is passed. For the lucky ticket holders, social hour begins Saturday, Oct. 10, at 6p. The program and meal begin at 7p. See you there. 336-372-5473
The public is invited to the 11a worship service Sunday, Oct. 11, and invited to stay for the Second Sunday Mission Meal that follows in the fellowship hall. There is no charge for the meal, but donations are appreciated and go to benefit a worthy cause in the community. 336-372-4441
The Second Sunday Supper at Laurel Ridge Moravian Camp in Laurel Springs offers baked chicken with gravy, rice, steamed vegetables, salad, fresh bread and homemade pecan crips (dessert). For vegetarians they offer stuffed portabella mushrooms. Meals are $10 a person, 5p, Sunday, Oct. 11. Come earlier and enjoy an afternoon on the mountain. Reservations always appreciated. 336-359-2951
Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Meetup, MySpace, and YouTube are now the medium for reaching the “masses” with the same power of a ‘big budget’ Fortune 500 company. Even with your limited budget, you too can capitalize with Social Media marketing. Learn more at Relationship Marketing on the Internet and Social Media, Thursday, Oct. 15, 6-9p at Wilkes Community College, Alleghany Campus. This is a free seminar, but call 336-372-5061, ext. 230, to reserve you spot.
Local arrowhead and Native American artifact collector Jeff Jolly will present a program at the Alleghany Library on Thursday, Oct. 15, beginning at 6:30p. The is a free program suppported by an Alleghany Arts Council Grassroots Grant. 336-372-5573
Plan on a fun day of riding in the mountains at this fundraiser for DANA, the domestic abuse and sexual assault prevention/support program. Riders gather at Station's Inn, Saturday, Oct. 17, at 9a. For more information or to register, call 336-372-3462.
Hillbilly Show at Sparta School Auditorium
Local "talent" will be on stage Saturday, Oct. 17, at 7p for the Hillbilly Comedy Show. Admission only $6 to laugh the evening away. 336-372-4591
Family Business Forum in Boone
So many area small businesses are run by family members. Learn more about the special challenges and opportunities of this arrangement at this Oct. 20 seminar in Boone: The Family Business Forum. It's filling up fast, so make your reservation.
If you've ever dreamed about starting your own business, a series of FREE seminars Oct. 27, Nov. 10 and Dec. 1, 6-9p at Wilkes Community College Main Campus in Wilkesboro, might mean the difference between success and losing your savings. Register ASAP. For more information, please contact James Perez, 828-262-7747 / perezje@appstate.edu or Julia Rowland, 828-262-8325 / rowlandja@appstate.edu. Funding is provided by the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation.
>> 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 6p. 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 Saturday and Sunday at 14300 NC 18 South, Laurel Springs. 336-359-8008. Thursday and Friday specials and music in the bar. Check their website for details.
>> 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. Check their website for details.
>> 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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