Wednesday, February 10, 2010


HELP WITH WRESTLING TOURNEY SOUGHT
AHS is hosting the 1A West Regional Wrestling Tournament Friday and Saturday, Feb. 19-20, featuring 26 area teams, and tournament organizer Stan Houser is looking for help with the tournament. If your business can donate food for visiting coaches or sponsor a spot in the program, contact Stan ASAP at 336-657-1294. (Wouldn't it be nice if we had a sign to announce tournament events. Check our FACEBOOK page to learn more.)

CHAMBER MAILBAG GOES OUT NEXT WEEK
This office will be mailing out a copy of the new, hot-off-the-press 2010 SPARTA Magazine next week. If you have an event or message you want to highlight in this mailing, we will gladly insert your one-page flyer into the mailing for $50. We will need 350 copies at our office by Monday! Call 336-372-5473 for details or for pricing on a larger insert!

CENSUS JOBS AVAILABLE
Every 10 years, our government counts the number of Americans and the 2010 count will begin shortly. Census workers are needed for the local effort. The jobs offer flexible hours, payment for training and weekly paychecks. To learn more, go to: http://2010.census.gov/ or call 866-861-2010. Testing for census jobs is done locally Wednesdays, 10a and 2p, at the Commissioners' meeting room of the County Administration Building and Fridays and Saturdays at 10a at the County Library.

RECIPES SOUGHT FOR HOSPICE COOKBOOK
If you have a great recipe or story about a former Hospice patient in Alleghany County that you would like to have included, mail it to the High Country Hospice office in Alleghany or visit our website, www.highcountryhospice.org/events.html, for an online form to email. For more information call Phyllis Wagoner at 336-372-8018.

CAMP SUNSHINE APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED
High Country Hospice Camp Sunshine, a free 3-day grief camp for children 5-12, is now accepting applications for campers, volunteers and counselors. The 2010 camp will be held June 24-26 at the Lions Club Park. For more information and applications call Mary Lee, MSW, LCSW, High Country Hospice Bereavement Coordinator at 336-372-8018 or visit www.highcountryhospice.org/camp.html
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WEDDING EXPO HELD IN WILKES
Innovative Occasions will be setting up at the Wilkes Wedding Expo, Sunday, Feb. 21, 2-5p, at the Holiday Inn Express, Wilkesboro. Their flowers will be used in the Fashion Show. Denise Brooks of Innovative Occasions invites everyone to attend the show. If you have a service of interest to someone planning a wedding and want more information about the show, contact Denise for details: 336-363-2560.


PARKWAY 75TH PLANNING MEETING
A meeting to plan and coordinate Alleghany County activities with the Parkway's 75th Anniversary Celebration will be held Monday, Feb 22, at 2p in the conference room on the lower level of Sparta Town Hall, 304 S Main. All representatives of organizations wishing to plan activities in coordination with the Parkway Celebration are invited. Meeting will include an update of the Parkway Celebration plans. Take the entrance to the lower parking lot and enter the conference room through the rear door. 336-372-5473


DEADLINE EXTENDED FOR LIBRARY PHOTO ENTRIES
The Northwest Regional Library's deadline for entries in their regional photo contest has been extended to Wednesday, Feb. 24. Awards will be made for Best in Show, Color, Black and White, Digitally Altered, Youth (ages 5-8, 9-12, & 13-17), and Staff. Awards reception will be held at 7p Tuesday, March 9, at the Stone Memorial Library in Mt. Airy. Entries may be submitted at the Alleghany Library of any NW Regional Branch in Stokes, Surry and Yadkin counties. 336-372-5573

LENTEN SERVICE SPARTA METHODIST
Sparta United Methodist Church hosts the Ministerium Lenten services each Wednesday beginning at noon through March. The short service is followed by a light lunch in the fellowship hall. The community is invited to attend. Member churches of the Ministerium, the county ministerial association, lead the services. Rev. John McCray of First Baptist Church leads the Wednesday, Feb. 24, service. 336-372-4441.

GERMAN NIGHT AT SPARTA RESTAURANT
Treat yourself to special German dishes as only Mario at Sparta Restaurant knows how to prepare on Saturday, Feb. 27, 4:30-9p. German night is every the fourth Saturday. 336-372-4447


BUSINESS OWNERS' HELP REQUESTED
The Center for Entrepreneurship and the Center for Economic Research and Policy Analysis are jointly conducting a short survey of businesses in northwestern North Carolina to better inform and assist educational institutions, policy makers and others in improving existing entrepreneurial activity and creating new ways to help grow businesses throughout the region. The aim is to reach as many businesses in Ashe, Alleghany, Avery, Wilkes, Watauga, Mitchell, Yancey and Caldwell counties. The anonymous online survey should take less than ten minutes to complete. It should be completed by one of the OWNERS of the business. No individual names, company names, phone numbers, emails, etc. are required. Click to go to the survey.


CHECK US OUT ON FACEBOOK!


AREA MUSIC/ENTERTAINMENT
>> Alleghany Jubilee:
Come to listen or come to dance to the blue grass and old time musicians who play on Tuesday beginning at 7p and Saturday at 8p. Admission $4. The Jubilee is located on North Main Street, across from the Courthouse. 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
>> Silver Dollar Music Park Line dance lessons every Monday 6-8:30p. Supper served at 6p and lessons at 7p. Get both for $12; just a lesson or just a meal for $7. 336-372-6874

GREAT ACTIVITIES TO DO ANYTIME
>> Barn Quilt Trails: Barns and other structures throughout Alleghany County are adorned with large squares illustrating quilt patterns and add interest to a driving tour of the countryside. Drop by the Alleghany Chamber of Commerce and Visitors' Center for a brochure. We are in the rock building with the green awning (58 South Main St., Sparta). Our foyer is always open and a brochure is always available.
>> Driving Loops: Brochures for three driving loops of the Alleghany countryside are available at the Alleghany Chamber of Commerce and Visitors' Center. Each loop is a about a leisurely hour's drive and includes information on historic points along the way. The Chamber office is in the rock building with the green awning (58 South Main St., Sparta). Our foyer is always open and a brochure is always available.

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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