Strutting Our Stuff -- Pedestrian Mall Opening: Transformation of the re-purposed alley beside Chamber is almost complete and the new Public Restrooms are finished. It's time to celebrate! Friday, Sept. 2, at 10a, we will cut the ribbon on the Sparta Public Walkway between the Chamber and the Smithey's building. And we will open the Chamber and the town's new Public Restrooms for everyone to drop anytime between 1oa and 5p to see all that has been accomplished. We plan to have some refreshment for you. Plan to drop by. 336-372-5473
The Fair Comes to Sparta: The Alleghany County Fair has begun with Livestock Competition every night this week and the carnival arrives on Thursday with that great carnival food and rides. There are special activities just for kids Thursday. See all your friends at the fair and dare to ride the Ferris wheel. Check out all the entries in the Black Building. The grand finale is the Saturday Mower Race and fireworks! Click for all the details.
Mario Gonzalez at the Bear Creek development in Piney Creek has several well maintained golf carts and ATVs for sale. The price is right, so if you are interested c
ontact: Mario Gonzalez, 336-200-4343 Cell, 336-372-8256 Office, or mariogonzalez64@yahoo.com.
QUICK EDITORIAL: When I was a youngster there was a lady who had been confined to bed since childhood and our Sunday school class and others would visit and sing carols to her every Christmas. I remember that she was chronically in an ill spirit. I assumed it was because she had been born with such profound limitations.
While this woman could not walk, I remember her as having the upper body flexibility that would probably have allowed her to get around in a wheelchair. She may have suffered two disabilities. The first was the unfortunate condition she was born with. Second, she may have been victimized by the attitude of that time that the crippled were to be pitied, kept comfortable and out of the way. At some level she may have been ill spirited because she longed to be out enjoying Christmas rather than on public display in her bedroom as an object of pity.
Attitudes change, in part because some people refuse to be defined by old attitudes. Kandi Sheets was such an individual. I mark a turning point in my own attitude about the so-called disabled the night I was driving through town and passed Kadi in her electric wheelchair whizzing down Main Street -- I mean the street, not the sidewalk. (She might have run into a power pole on the sidewalk.) “Why she could be hurt,” I thought. “She should be” – then I stopped. She could be bedbound at home marking time till her life was over? Not Kandi. She went where she desired. She worked. She lived a normal life.
I won’t miss Kandi for the example she set for the disabled. I have long since quit looking at her -- and others -- as people to be pitied for their disability. I miss her for her always friendly greeting and upbeat manner. She was one of those rare people that always lifted my spirits when I saw her. She was a special person for the strength and nature of her character. I’m not sure my character is yet so well honed.
She did a lot of living in her 39 years.
Posted on FACEBOOK. I have yet to find anyone that was at Saturday's Solid Rock Food Closet benefit concert in Crouse with Fried Pies who didn't have a good time and who did not rave about the band. Fried Pies -- Dennis Shaw and company -- did a great job. I managed a few pictures before it got dark and fun really began. Check the Chamber's Facebook page at http://sparta-nc.com/facebook to see if I snapped you. I tagged some of the folks, but tagging sometimes works for me and sometimes not, so help me out and tag anyone you know.Music in the Crouse Park with the Crouse House Pickers opening for Paula Dellenback and the Fox River bluegrass band. You know how good the Pickers are, But you're in for a treat if you haven't heard Fox River with Alleghany's own Jeffrey Roten, a talented 13-year-old that plays mandolyn, banjo and upright bass. 2-6p. This is a free performance on the Crouse Park Stage.
The public is invited to Business After Hours and Ribbon Cutting for the New Multi-Skills Classroom at Wilkes Community College, Alleghany Center, co-located with the Blue Ridge Business Development Center, 115 Atwood Street, Sparta, from 5p to 7p. Come see how this facility expands the training available in the county for our youth. I think you will be impressed. Ribbon cutting and remarks at 5:30p. Light refreshment served. 336-372-5061
>> 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
GREAT ACTIVITIES TO DO ANYTIME
>> Alleghany Farmers' Market: Check the Alleghany Farmers Market Facebook page for information on upcoming vendors at the Thursday (3:30-5:30p) and Saturday (10a-2p) in front of the Farmers' Hardware Parking Lot.
>>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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