Bookfest/Business After Hours features local authors: The Chamber has partnered with the Imaging Specialists and the Alleghany Library to showcase local authors Dr. Suzanne Mellow Irwin and Zach Hamm (illustrator) for their book Stratford Oaks Tales -- The Tale of Gretchen, and Kate Clay Bodeen for Pat Quist -- Like a Moth to the Flame, this Thursday, June 2, from 3-6p at Imaging Specialists, kitty-cornered to Farmers' Hardware. Music will be provided by the Joines boys, Ernest, Gary and David, and of course, there will be refreshments. Come, meet the authors, have them sign your book and answer questions. Click to learn more. 336-372-3002
The Challenge Course scores Farm Bureau article: NC's Farm Bureau Magazine May/June issue not only did a very informative article on Sparta Challenge Course, but it was noted on the front cover! I suspect some of you reading this don't know what a challenge course is. If I'm right, you are lucky, because the full article is online! Now doesn't that photo at the left from the article pique your interest? Check it out.
Chamber Member Restaurants: We need your menus! We have a notebook of the menus of Chamber members and it is woefully out of date. Please send (PO Box 1237, Sparta), email (pdf preferred) or drop off a current menu. If you drop it off while we are closed, there's a slot just left of the front door that you can deposit it. You can fax it -- 372-8251 -- but fax copies aren't nearly as attractive. This goes in an standard notebook (8.5 by 11 inch paper). Anything larger will have to be reduced. Carry out menus work well.
Lunch and Burn: If you want to lose weight or de-stress your workday, I recommend that you skip lunch and use your lunch hour to work out at the Alleghany Wellness Center. Actually on June 22, you don't have to skip lunch. On that day Mary's Splashers is hosting a "Raise the Roof Luncheon". Delicious salads and desserts will be offered in support of Alleghany Wellness Center Raise the Roof building effort. The cost is $10. Tickets can be purchased at the Center. Lunch will be offered from 11:30a to 1:30p. You can eat in or take out. Let's turn out such a crowd for what I'm calling Lunch and Burn, that the Center will do this on a regular basis! 336-372-2944
QUICK EDITORIAL: In Alleghany County we are experiencing a resurgence in appreciation and recognition for our service people that is long overdue, as exemplified by the increased activity and involvement by Bruce Wayne Osborne Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7034 and by the formation of the Marine Corps League Walter Frank Osborne, Jr. Detachment 1298. Both remind us of the importance of past and present military service and bring honor to service people and to the county.
Upon reflection, I hope all Americans learned a lesson from the Vietnam conflict that we must always honor and appreciate the soldier regardless of our opinion of the cause they are called to serve. Opinion in this country is divided over the wisdom of our involvement in Vietnam and our current involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan, but we should not be divided in our appreciation for those who serve. You can't defend a country if each soldier is given the option as to whether to serve in harm's way or in the safety of a stateside duty station and I don't think any American wants this country to be defenseless.
Members of the Bruce Wayne Osborne Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7034, thank you for all you did this weekend and do throughout the year, often without recognition. As always, the flag ceremony Saturday was moving and inspiring and your participation in the Memorial Parade helped convey the message of the true meaning of Memorial Day. The May 30 program on the Courthouse lawn could hardly have been more professional and respectful.
To the Marine Corps League Walter Frank Osborne, Jr. Detachment 1298, you have certainly added to the recognition given to military service and to the statue of Alleghany County. With the enthusiasm of your members, you will continue to grow in numbers and service to our community. Your participation in the parade and your program on the Courthouse lawn was a fitting finale to the weekend.
To the Lions Club, thank you for the effort to line our streets with Old Glory on such occasions.
Additional thanks to those who helped make our first Memorial Parade and our second Expo such a success. Barbara Lucier, Sandy Rost and Cheri Turner deserve special thanks for their work on the parade. And everyone who entered the parade, thank you. I think this first Memorial Parade was a success. We will plan it again for next year. DW Miles, Carole Conrad and the AHS Trojan Band deserve special commendation for the Expo. DW not only provided Village Park for the Expo, but also spent a lot of his own time and put several of his employees to work on the event. Carole worked tirelessly to pull the Expo together. Helpers at the Expo that helped make it happen included Susan Miles, Scott and Alana Smith, Jim McIntyre, Avin Joines, Steve Mitchell and Brandon Hawkes. The AHS band marched in the parade and then played for the Expo. That would not have been near the sacrifice if they had been in shorts and t-shirts, but they were in their full uniforms. They put their talent and sweat into the effort.
And I shouldn't leave out a thanks for our Expo sponsors: Scott's Landscaping, Nursery and Rent-All, Sparta Revitalization Committee, Blue Ridge Business Development Center and Miles Companies/Village Park Business Center. I've posted pictures from these two events and the Monday 1p program at the Courthouse on the Chamber's Facebook page. Check it out and Facebook friends, see how many people you can tag.
~ Bob Bamberg
Weather permitting, there's still lots to do in our community. Where provided, click on the links for more information.
>> 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. 336-372-5473
>> Alleghany Farmers' Market: Held Thursday from 3:30 to 5:30p and Saturday from 10a to 2p, drop by for produce, transplants for your garden and local crafts. Support these vendors and watch their numbers grow. Held in the Farmers' Hardware parking lot.
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 Alleghany Chamber of Commerce and Visitors' Center for a brochure. We are in the rock building with the green awning (58 South Main Street, 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 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 Street, Sparta). Our foyer is always open and a brochure is always available.
>> Alleghany Historical Museum is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Stop by to experience local history and to see the new displays, 7 North Main Street, Sparta.
Check our calendar for upcoming events: On our website are listings for our Calendar. Check them often and let us know if your activity is not listed.
Bob Bamberg
Executive Director
Alleghany Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 1237 Sparta, NC 28675
336-372-5473
Director@Sparta-NC.com
Sparta-NC.com
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