Alleghany is Luke Strong
One of the great things about living in this small town is how it rallies around its own and this has never been more true that for Luke Hampton, son of Randy and Benita Hampton. This senior wrestler is top rated in the state and in a match last Saturday was charging an opponent and ran headlong into a wall. He broke his neck and was airlifted to Baptist Hospital and is being airlifted or has been air lifted to Shepherd Center, a spinal cord trauma facility in Atlanta. I hope what I'm telling you is accurate. I'm piecing together what I've heard and the one news report on WXII. When I opened my Facebook page this morning, every post were expressing concern about Luke, many of them headlined. "Alleghany is Luke Strong." This is the kind of injury that will create a lot of expenses not covered by insurance -- the airlift to Atlanta being one -- and efforts are ongoing to raise money to assist his family. Please consider a donation. An account has been opened at the State Employees Credit Union. There are others collecting money, but it's the only account I can be sure that all of the money will go to Luke and his family. Checks can be made out to Luke Hampton. Just approach one of the tellers and say you want to make a contribution for Luke. And keep him and the family in your thoughts and prayers.
Weather permitting, there's lots to do in our community. Where provided, click on the links for more information.
Tuesday, December 6
Come to the Alleghany Library for a special Salute to our Veterans.
Wednesday, December 7
You are invited to the Community Advent Service, held at noon at Sparta Methodist Church, followed by a light lunch.
Toys for Tots and Free Chiropractic. Donate a new toy and received a free exam from Dr. Robert Klingensmith.
Thursday, December 8
The Fish Wagon will be at S&L Outdoors.
Catch the spirit at Sparta Presbyterian Church for the Blue Ridge Christian School performance of The Meaning of Christmas.
Enjoy the Trojan Playmakers for a performance of A Patchwork Christmas at the Senior Center.
Don't forget Bookfest/Business After Hours.
Friday, December 9
You'll find great treats and great company 10a until 4p at the Christmas Open House at BB&T, 173 South Main Street.
Enjoy the Trojan Playmakers for a performance of A Patchwork Christmas at the Alleghany Library.
Saturday, December 10
Concealed Handgun Carry Class offered at Wilkes Community College.
Enjoy crafts, cookies, singing, hayrides, decorating and more at the Moravian Mountain Christmas.
Hear Grammy nominee Judy Pancoat perform at High Country Lights.
Dance into Christmas with the Big Blues Beat at the Silver Dollar.
Sunday, December 11
You're invited to the Second-Sunday Mission Meal at Sparta United Methodist Church.
You'll be inspired by the annual Christmas Coffeehouse at Cornerstone Christian Fellowship.
Learn about Winter Birds at New River State Park.
Sunday Holiday Movie at the River Country Clubhouse.
Wednesday, December 14
You are invited to the Community Advent Service, held at noon at Christ Episcopal Cburch, followed by a light lunch.
Thursday, December 15
Bring the family to the FREE Evening Out at the River Country Clubhouse.
Saturday, December 17
Discover the Winter Wonderland at New River State Park.
One of the great things about living in this small town is how it rallies around its own and this has never been more true that for Luke Hampton, son of Randy and Benita Hampton. This senior wrestler is top rated in the state and in a match last Saturday was charging an opponent and ran headlong into a wall. He broke his neck and was airlifted to Baptist Hospital and is being airlifted or has been air lifted to Shepherd Center, a spinal cord trauma facility in Atlanta. I hope what I'm telling you is accurate. I'm piecing together what I've heard and the one news report on WXII. When I opened my Facebook page this morning, every post were expressing concern about Luke, many of them headlined. "Alleghany is Luke Strong." This is the kind of injury that will create a lot of expenses not covered by insurance -- the airlift to Atlanta being one -- and efforts are ongoing to raise money to assist his family. Please consider a donation. An account has been opened at the State Employees Credit Union. There are others collecting money, but it's the only account I can be sure that all of the money will go to Luke and his family. Checks can be made out to Luke Hampton. Just approach one of the tellers and say you want to make a contribution for Luke. And keep him and the family in your thoughts and prayers.
BUSINESS AFTER HOURS CO-HOSTS BOOKFEST: THIS COMING THURSDAY, the Alleghany Historical Museum and The Sparta Store are holding a book signings and are welcoming Kay Bodeen, author of Pat Crisp - Like a Moth to a Flame; and Suzanne Mellow and Zack Hamm, author and illustrator of Stratford Oaks Tales - The Tale of Grethen as well as a Hospice representative with Meals and Memories, featuring recipes from the high country. I have read both books and while I've not kitchen-tested all the recipes, I can recommend each of them for Christmas gifts. Bodeen's book is a biography of her grandfather. For me it was a page turner. I found Crisp interesting. Kay did an excellent job of recreating his life on paper and I loved the snapshot of mountain life almost a century ago. I had just finished Lynn Salsi's The Live and Times of Ray Hicks. Both books involve the same geography and their time spans overlap. It was an interesting contrast between Crisp, a middle-class politician and merchant, and Hicks who grew up on a dirt-poor farm. Stratford Oaks Tales is a delightfully written and illustrated for children. Meals and Memories? I haven't tried all the recipes, but I can recommend Martha Allred's easy pecan pie (page 168). Drop in betweeen 3 and 6p for hors d'oeuvres, good company and stimulating company. 336-372-5473
NEW MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Next time you are in town, drop by Sparta Produce, 35 East Doughton Street (across from the Wash Pot), and treat yourself to a lower grocery bill. Tomatoes are $1.19 a pound and these are not the small plumb-shaped tomatoes but big round ones that will cover a hamburger bun when sliced. Sparta Produce also carried Neese's sausage and liver pudding at a price you will find hard to believe. You can get items that are favorites with country cooks not found elsewhere, like Daniel Boone stone-ground corn meal mix, Allen County Kentucky pure sorghum, the Dutch Kettle line of jellies and jams and Relish Barn chow chow. When you stop in, introduce yourself to owners Ray and Shirley McCraw and tell them that you heard about them on the Chamber Briefing. They are open Monday through Friday 10a-6p and 10a-5p on Saturday. 336-200-2924
HELP ALLEGHANY PREPARE FOR HAZARDOUS WEATHER: Your help is need to help prepare for future hazardous weather event and it only takes a few minutes. Please visit this website and take a few minutes to answer some simple survey questions. 336-372-6220
SPA PACKAGE -- JUST RIGHT GIFT FOR HER: Check out the Holiday Spa Packages at A Perfect Image Hair Design and Spa, 265 South Main Street (gray building across from First Baptist Church). Ladies, they are a great way to treat yourself during the hectic days before Christmas. And men, Perfect Image has gift certificates that make great gifts, even for the hard-to-shop-for sweetheart on your gift list. Call 336-372-2499 and get all the details from Mary Jane Watson, Annette Wagoner or Dawn McLean.
WALT GREEN: A LIFE OF GRATITUDE AND SERVICE: Sparta and Alleghany County mourn the death of Walt Green. Walt retired here after a career first with Eastern Airlines and later with NASCAR. He is probably best known as the prime mover for the Alleghany Mower Racing Association that sponsors a series of lawn mower races each summer. Click for the rest of the story (opens in new window)
HAPPENING EVERY WEEK: Santa is at Trojan Village every weekend right up to Christmas
Chamber Gift Certificates: Green like money! Can be redeemed at any Chamber Merchant for goods and services (even tires and an oil change)
Tuesday, December 6
Come to the Alleghany Library for a special Salute to our Veterans.
Wednesday, December 7
You are invited to the Community Advent Service, held at noon at Sparta Methodist Church, followed by a light lunch.
Toys for Tots and Free Chiropractic. Donate a new toy and received a free exam from Dr. Robert Klingensmith.
Thursday, December 8
The Fish Wagon will be at S&L Outdoors.
Catch the spirit at Sparta Presbyterian Church for the Blue Ridge Christian School performance of The Meaning of Christmas.
Enjoy the Trojan Playmakers for a performance of A Patchwork Christmas at the Senior Center.
Don't forget Bookfest/Business After Hours.
Friday, December 9
You'll find great treats and great company 10a until 4p at the Christmas Open House at BB&T, 173 South Main Street.
Saturday, December 10
Concealed Handgun Carry Class offered at Wilkes Community College.
Enjoy crafts, cookies, singing, hayrides, decorating and more at the Moravian Mountain Christmas.
Hear Grammy nominee Judy Pancoat perform at High Country Lights.
Dance into Christmas with the Big Blues Beat at the Silver Dollar.
Sunday, December 11
You're invited to the Second-Sunday Mission Meal at Sparta United Methodist Church.
You'll be inspired by the annual Christmas Coffeehouse at Cornerstone Christian Fellowship.
Learn about Winter Birds at New River State Park.
Sunday Holiday Movie at the River Country Clubhouse.
Wednesday, December 14
You are invited to the Community Advent Service, held at noon at Christ Episcopal Cburch, followed by a light lunch.
Thursday, December 15
Bring the family to the FREE Evening Out at the River Country Clubhouse.
Saturday, December 17
Discover the Winter Wonderland at New River State Park.
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
ACTV SPECIALS
>> Alleghany Jubilee on TV: Every Thursday at 7p on Alleghany CableVision channel 98 (formerly Channel 50) and Skybest cable channel 21.
>> Alleghany Memories: Interviews with long-time Alleghany residents recalling local history Every Thursday at 8p on Alleghany CableVision Channel 98 (formerly Channel 50) and Skybest cable channel 21.
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.
>> 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 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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