Community Briefs

Black Cat Station Railroad Club to host Open House Saturday
On Saturday, April 11, there will be an open house at the Black Cat Station Railroad Club, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. They will raffle the Depot Print at 1:30 p.m.

A non-profit organization, the Black Cat Station Railroad Club, is a large HO Scale Model railroad, operating many trains at the same time. No admission will be charged.

The Club is located at 800 Elizabeth Street in North Wilkesboro, at the Old Wilkes Art Gallery. For more information, click to www.blackcatstation.com.

Annual Carl Hagel Memorial Golf Tournament
The 14 Annual Carl Hagel Memorial Golf Tournament will be held on Satuday, May 2, at the Mountain Aire Golf Course Club. Format is captain's choice with tee times at 8:30 a.m. or at 1:30 p.m. Mulligans will be available. There are three sponsor options: team sponsor at $260; hole sponsor at $100; and tournament sponsor at $400. Entry fee per player is $65 and includes green and cart fee plus a grilled chicken luncheon. Proceeds go toward the 4-H Ashe Youth Connection.

The local 4-H Ashe Youth Connection is dedicated to matching qualified adult volunteers with youth who live in the communities. 4-H Ashe Youth Connection recruits, trains, matches and coaches adult volunteer mentors to serve as a friend to a youth in need. For details, call (336) 846-5850.

Pancake and Waffle Breakfast in Fleetwood
A pancake and waffle Breakfast will be held Saturday, April 11, at the Fleetwood Community Center, located on Highway 221 South in Fleetwood. Breakfast will be served from 8 until 10:30 a.m. Price depends on what you choose, but nothing will be more than $5.

There will also be books for sale and a Easter egg hunt at 11 a.m. There is extra parking off Railroad Grade Road. Proceeds will benefit the center.

Farmers Market Opens for 2009
Spring in Ashe County brings the start of a new season at the Ashe County Farmers' Market which opens on Saturday, April 11, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Last year was a very successful one for the market and the 2009 season is off to a great start with a high number of vendors turning out for the March Expo registration event. The Market offers fresh seasonal produce, a wide variety of nursery items, locally raised meats, artisan cheeses, homemade breads and pastries, honey, molasses, jams, jellies, culinary vinegars as well as fine, locally made arts and crafts. Throughout the year, visitors will find local musicians playing at the market as well as area chefs cooking up locally grown and raised food.

Special events planned for 2009 include an Earth Day Celebration on April 18; Fiber Arts Day on May 9; Father's Day Grilling Event on June 20; Cooking Demonstration on July 11; Blueberry Pie Contest on July 25; Quilt Day on Aug. 8; Celebrate the Tomato Day on April 22; Berry Pie Contest on Sept. 5; Country Fair and Apple Pie Contest on Sept. 26; and Pumpkin Day on Oct. 10.

Ashe County Farmers' Market is located on the Backstreet in downtown West Jefferson and is open on Saturdays from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m through Oct. 31. The Wednesday market will open on July 8 through Oct. 28, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. All items sold at the market are "Homegrown or Handmade" in Ashe County. For more information, contact Market Manager John Smyre at (336) 877-4141 or (910) 309-1932.

Jeffersons Rotary Club Sponsoring Cancer Screenings
The Jeffersons Rotary Club will sponsor free prostate cancer screenings at Ashe Memorial Hospital, on the third floor in the outpatient clinic, on Thursday, April 23, from 1 to 5 p.m. with Dr. David Cooke.

Blood draws will be conducted all day on Friday, April 17. Appointments are necessary and need to be scheduled before Monday, April 13. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (336) 846-0744.

Pancake Breakfast to Benefit Middle School Pool Repairs
The Riverview Lions Club and Riverview Community Center Café will hold a pancake breakfast on Saturday, April 25, from 7 to 10 a.m.

They will be serving pancakes with a choice of bacon or sausage with coffee, milk or juice. Adult plates will cost $6 and children under age 10 can get a plate for $3.

Proceeds will be donated to the Ashe County Middle School Pool Repairs. Tickets are available from any Lions member, Riverview Community Center and Parker Tie Company. Parker Tie has agreed to donate $1 for every ticket purchased there.

A Week with Pandolfi at River House
Have you ever wished you could sit on the piano bench while Emile Pandolfi plays, wanted some pointers on a piece you're working on, wanted him to play just for you or wished you could simply get to know him a bit and hang out? Now's your chance!

From Sunday, April 19 to Friday, April 24, join Pandolfi in Grassy Creek at the River House, a special place in the North Carolina mountains, at an extraordinary country inn overlooking the New River.

The week starts off with the Sunday Salon; a late afternoon performance by Emile served in a casual atmosphere with passed hors' d ouevres, an extensive wine list and full bar. A gourmet dinner follows the performance (usually four courses) and then a little more piano music before you head back to your room under a sky filled with stars.

For more information, call (336) 982-2109 or e-mail riverhouse@skybest.com.

Leviton Donates Two Facilities to Ashe
The Leviton Corporation has donated two facilities, the River Plant and the Jefferson Plant to Ashe County Job Development, Inc., a county non-profit that holds assets for economic development and job creation purposes. The Ashe Board of Commissioners is extremely grateful for the generosity of Leviton, a company that has had a presence in Ashe for over 40 years. Over those years, they have employed hundreds of Ashe's citizens, providing good jobs for families and the community. This donation, at an appraised value of $3 million, will allow the county to proactively recruit jobs and businesses to these facilities.

"We believe this donation will help us retain a strong manufacturing base that we have seen evolve and change over time to meet the changing needs of society," said a press release from the County of Ashe.