Chamber Briefing

SPECIAL LABOR DAY CONCERT: Invite your friends for a special Labor Day Weekend Music in Crouse Park, Sunday from 2 to 5p, featuring the Crouse House Pickers opening for Paula Dellenback & Fox River. Fox River's youngest member is local sensation Jeffery Roten of Ennice who plays mandolin, guitar, banjo and upright bass. This is a free concert but your donations are appreciated and will go to toward the trip expenses for Fox River to participate in the International Bluegrass Music Week in Nashville.

Strutting Our Stuff -- Pedestrian Mall Opening: Transformation of the re-purposed alley beside Chamber and the new Public Restrooms are complete 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 by anytime between 1oa and 4p to see all that has been accomplished. We plan to have some refreshment for you. Plan to drop by. 336-372-5473

Stevens to intro new representatives: Rep. Sarah Stevens will explain how redistricting affects Alleghany County at the Sept. 8 supper meeting of the Alleghany Republican Party at the Silver Dollar Music Park. She will also introduce the county's new House and Senate members, Shirley Randleman and Dan Souek. To ensure there is enough food prepared, please RSVP by calling Barbara Church, 372-8729; Susan Murphy, 657-7187; or Lawanna Murphy, 657-8549; by Sunday, September 4.

The deadline for the Alleghany Photography Contest has been extended to Saturday, September 3, at 1:30p. This will be the final date for entering. The theme for the contest is Alleghany at Work and Play. Your photos of hard-working or hard-playing locals could be winners. For more information, contact the Alleghany County Library at 336-372-5573 or by email at dbrewer@nwrl.org.

Happening Every Week: Alleghany Farmers' Market: Check the Alleghany Farmers Market Facebook page for information on upcoming vendors for Thursday (3:30-5:30p) and Saturday (10a-2p) in front of the Farmers' Hardware Parking Lot.

Weather permitting, there's lots to do in our community. Where provided, click on the links for more information.

Wednesday, August 31

The 2011 Blackberry and Raspberry Workshop will be held at the Upper Mountain Research Station, in Laurel Springs. It is a chance for local farmers to learn the latest techniques in raising these fruit.

Annis Jackson will present a special evening program at the Library on Cooking with Herbs.

Downtown Merchants, sweep the sidewalk in front of your storefronts. The Town will sweep Main Street early Thursday morning.

FREE Seminar on Positive Approach to Weight Loss: Get yourself focused on putting yourself in charge of your weight at this program at the Alleghany Wellness Center.

Thursday, Sept. 1

Noted children's authority Dr. Katharine Leslie leads this program in "Children in Crisis Training" to help equip caregivers of children who've experienced trauma.

The local campus of Wilkes Community College offers a free program on starting a tax exempt non-profit cooperation.

The Library holds a Lunch and Learn program on Reverse Mortgages and Investment Options. An RSVP is appreciated for those attending. 336-372-5573

Sunday, September 4
Don't forget 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.

Thursday and Friday, Sept. 8 & 9

Quilt Seminar on Feathered Radiant Star at Sparta United Methodist Church. Local quilters you won't want to miss out on the learning opportunity with Candy St. Lawrence of Butler, TN. Space is limited. Register today.

Thursday, September 8
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

Want to start a business? This FREE program How to Start A Business will get you off on the right foot.

Friday - Sunday, September 9-11

Agnes of God, John Pielmeier's play that explores the limits of faith, will be performed at 7p in the Sparta School Auditorium on Friday and Saturday, and at 2:30p on Sunday. The play stars Melissa Halsey, Debbie Brady and Dyani Vanhoose in the title role. Admission $8 at the door. The Sunday performance will be followed by a discussion with a panel of clergy on the play's religious implications. 336-359-8000

Saturday, September 10

Noted author and speaker in Bible studies, Beth Moore, will be sharing her insights in this Living Proof Live simulcast at First Baptist Church. This all-day event includes lunch.

Sunday, September 11

Second Sunday Mission Meal at Sparta United Methodist Church. Come to the 11a worship and stay for this lunch to benefit a worthy local cause. No charge but donations appreciated.

Anne Graham Lotz, daughter of the Reverand Billy Graham, will challenge the Church to get ready for the return of Jesus at this special program at First Baptist Church.

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. 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.

>>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.

>> Veterans' Morning Coffee at the VFW: The VFW hosts an informal coffee just for veterans every Wednesday from 8:30-11 a.m. Click to learn more.

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

This email is a weekly update of news and information from your Chamber of Commerce. If you do not receive a fully formatted copy, it can be viewed on the Web at http://www.blogger.com/www.sparta-nc.blogspot.com. If you would prefer not to receive this communication, please just send a return email to Director@Sparta-NC.com with the words Unsubscribe in the subject line, and we will remove you from the distribution list.