Blue Ridge Parkway 75th Anniversary
Blue Ridge Parkway construction began Sept. 11, 1935, at Cumberland Knob in Alleghany County. This is OUR National Park. The coming 2010 issue of the SPARTA Magazine will tell the Blue Ridge Parkway's story and Alleghany County's unique contribution to that story. Make sure your listing is as you wish. Print our contact information form, complete and return or fax 336-372-8251 to the Chamber.
Get more exposure with an ad in this special edition. Print the ad form and return to the Chamber with payment by Oct. 19 to receive Early-Bird Special Pricing that SAVES YOU 30% or more. This investment pays dividends all year long. We will be distributing these in visitors' centers, through mail requests for local information, locally to visitors and during Parkway festivities.
Questions? Call 336-372-5473 or 800-372-5473 for more information. Or drop by the Chamber office on Main Street, across from the Farmers Hardware Parking lot in the rock building with the green awning.
Halloween call for Trunk or Treaters
What is trunk or treat? You place candy in your car trunk, pickup bed or in the back of our SUV or station wagon for kids to trick or treat. Most folks decorate their "trunk" in the Halloween spirit. Trunk or Treaters are invited to Crouse Park Saturday, Oct. 31, 5-7p, to line up and welcome the large crowd of costumed youngsters expected to attend. Business, you have two options. You can bring a trunk-or-treat vehicle. Or you can donate a give-away item for the Merchants Wagon. Or you can make a small donation to help with the costume contest prizes. Call the Chamber for details or to register 336-372-5473.
150th Memorabilia for gifts, donation
Because of the slow economy, there is still 150th Anniversary memorabilia available for sale -- T-shirts, puzzles, CDs of local musicians, and photo albums. These would make great gifts that would preserve the memories of our 150th year. The puzzles are great for teaching the very young good eye-hand coordination as well as help them learn more about the county. They are an also a good way to engage older residents of nursing homes and other care facilities. Citizens, businesses and non-profits are encouraged to support the 150th effort to meet fund-raising goals and purchase these as gifts or donations to schools and care facilities. Stop by Imaging Specialists/The Sparta Store, kitty-cornered to Farmers Hardware, or call 336-372-3002 to learn more.
Promote your business to travelers
If 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
H&R Tours will host a tour of this Bedford landmark on Oct. 31. Participants will leave at 8a from the Alleghany Senior Center and return around 7p that evening. The cost is $60 which includes lunch, motor coach transportation and entry into the memorial. Registration and payment must be completed by Oct. 16. Contact Janis Fender of the Council on Aging for more information at 336-372-7677
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
Put Facebook, YouTube, Twitter to work for you
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.
Native American collector Jolly at Library
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 supported by an Alleghany Arts Council Grassroots Grant. 336-372-5573
DANA Poker Run at Station's Inn
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.
Twin Oaks Mountain Estates Grand Opening
The views? You have to see it to believe it. Plan to attend the grand opening of one of the highest, if not the highest development, in Alleghany County, Twin Oaks Mountain Estates, Saturday, Oct. 17, 11a to 3p. Enjoy the music and barbecue and tour this mountaintop. From US 21, 1.5 miles north of Sparta, turn onto Bledsoe Creek Road and follow for 1 miles. Entrance is on the right. Follow to top of the mountain. Click to learn more abou this development. Come Saturday to see for yourself. 336-372-5773
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
Sparta Florist open house celebrates first year
Join John and Janet Goudreau at Sparta Florist on Tuesday, Oct. 20, between 10a and 1p to celebrate their first year as proprietors of the business. If you've not been inside their location between Sparta United Methodist Church and the Alleghany Library, you won't believe all the merchandise they have. This is a great time to stop by. Light refreshments will be served. 336-372-8344
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.
Colby's Ride for Charity
Enjoy two days and one night of music, Native American celebration, horse riding and a casting call for models of all ages. Click to learn more about this diverse event, Oct. 24-25 at Triple E Stables. 336-372-5377 or 336-657-8314
Run for Gracie in Piney Creek
Enjoy this 5K race and walk to support construction of a track at Piney Creek School Saturday, Oct. 24. Registration begins at 8:30a, A 1 mile fun run is at 9a, followed by the 5K run walk at 10a. Awards made by age category. Discount for early registration. Call to learn more: 336-359-8327 or 336-363-3000
You are invited to attend the Bill Leslie fundraiser original music, Reading and Book Signing from "Blue Ridge Reunion" with author Bill Leslie on Saturday, Oct., 24, 6p, at the Silver Dollar Music Park. The evening includes buffet dinner, music, reading and raffle. Tickets are $30 each and will be available for purchase at the Alleghany County Library and several other locations. Pick up your ticket, enjoy this wonderful event, and help support your library. For more information, contact the library at dbrewer@nwrl.org or 336-372-5573.
Start Your Own Business seminar series
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.
Studio Redwood fall classes
Nurture your talent with classes from Chris Davis and Studio Redwood including faux fun, watercolor, and murals . Classes Oct. 19 and 26 and in November. Check StudioRedwood.com for information and schedules. 336.372.7111
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 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.
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.
