Schools need volunteers to help with testing
Most local schools are in need of additional volunteers to serve as test proctors for required state tests taking place in late May and early June.

Proctors help by distributing test materials in the classroom and provide a second adult to monitor testing in each room. No special expertise is required.

Proctors are needed for end-of-grade (EOG) testing May 26-28 for grades 3 through 8, and for the end-of-course (EOC) tests at Watauga High School June 2-5 and June 8.

EOG tests at the K-8 schools are administered in the mornings and typically require no more than three hours each day.

EOC tests take place at the high school from 12:30-3:30 on the afternoon of June 2; from 8:30-11:30 in the morning and 12:30-3:30 in the afternoon on June 3-5; and from 8:30-11:30 in the morning on June 8.

For both EOG and EOC tests, volunteers can serve for as many or as few days as their schedules permit. At the high school, volunteers can help out with EOC tests in mornings or afternoons, or both.

Those who can volunteer to help with EOC testing at Watauga High School should contact Norman Crotts via e-mail at crottsn@watauga.k12.nc.us.

Those who can volunteer to help with EOG testing at one of the K-8 schools should contact the school.

Avery Habitat garners Cannon donation
The Habitat House Committee at Cannon Memorial Hospital in Linville recently presented a check for $10,000 to the Avery Habitat for Humanity.

The donated money was raised over the previous two years through a variety of community fundraisers and support from the Appalachian Regional Healthcare System family.

There are several upcoming summer fundraising events for the Habitat House Fund at Cannon Memorial Hospital.

The third annual Cubby Bear 5k is on May 30, at Camp Yonahnoka for runners and walkers of all ages. The price of admission is $20, which includes a race day T-shirt. Registration begins at 7 a.m. and the race starts at 8 a.m.

Habitat Live After Five will be held twice this summer on July 24 and Aug. 28 in the Land Harbor community from 6 until 9 p.m. featuring local performances and festivities.

For more information about Cannon Memorial Hospital’s fundraising efforts or how to get involved, contact Woodring at 828-737-7574 or e-mail her at swoodring@apprhs.org.

You look great in those genes
A special fashion show, “How to Wear Your Genes” and other health-related activities will be offered Saturday, May 9, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Boone Mall

The event will feature a fashion show by South’s, instruction on how to play Wii fitness games at Gamestop, skin-care tips from a Mary Kay consultant, blood pressure and body fat screenings and diabetes, heart disease and cancer prevention information, as well as tips for stress management. Chef and author Tom Valentino will do a food presentation and book signing.

The Appalachian Regional Healthcare System, Watauga Healthy Carolinians, South’s and Spirit of Women sponsor the event.

For more information, call (828) 268-8961 or send an e-mail to bbelcher@apprhs.org.

Art and golf mix for WEF event
Bob Timberlake, Joe Miller and Richard Tumbleston — These are but a few of the artists who have created one-of-a-kind art for the first Shooting Stars Benefit Art Auction, to be held Friday, May 15, at Hound Ears Club.

The pieces, along with donated artwork created by students, will be sold to the highest bidders to raise money for the Watauga Education Foundation.

Each professional artist was asked to create a work of art from a chalkboard.

“We have some really whimsical and fun pieces,” said Cynthia Fox, Shooting Stars visual arts producer.

“Gayle Weitz carved a pair of glasses from her board, while Joe Miller created a signature watercolor that is stunning. Timberlake and Tumbleston left room on their boards for people to use them as actual chalkboards.
Several Watauga County schools’ art teachers also created chalkboard art or had their classes do the creating.

Tickets for the auction, which begins Friday, May 15, at 6 p.m., are on sale now for $35. This includes dinner and wine.

The foundation is also hosting its first Shooting Stars Golf Classic at Hound Ears on May 15 and tickets to the tournament include the auction.

For more information, contact Bullard at 828-268-1273 or by e-mail at executivedirector@wefnc.org.

Since its inception 20 years ago, the Watauga Education Foundation has allocated more than $600,000 in funding to supplement state and local education budgets, providing Watauga County Schools students with innovative programs, teachers with scholarships and the community with a strong partnership for education.

To learn more about the Watauga Education Foundation and how to get involved, visit its Web site at www.wefnc.org.

Sports memorabilia sale helps local family
The Greenway Baptist Church children’s department will sponsor its spring yard sale on Saturday, May 9, at the church in Boone, and there will be a silent auction to raise funds for a Boone area family.

The profits from the yard sale will be used for scholarships for summer camp. There will also be a bake sale.

The yard sale will begin at 7 a.m., with the silent auction in the church gym from 10 a.m. to noon.

Volunteers sought to help protect river resources
Efforts are under way by area residents to help improve the area’s water resources, and others are invited to be a part as volunteers.

Watch closely as “sticks” in the ground at Cove Creek turn into lush vegetation that will stabilize the stream banks, help manage runoff to the stream, and offer habitat for birds, amphibians, and other critters, said Wendy Patoprsty with the Watauga County Cooperative Extension Service.

The “sticks” are the results of the joint efforts of the Watauga River Conservation Partners (WRCP) and the Watauga County Cooperative Extension. The two groups worked with students from Watauga High School to plant these “live-stakes” that will grow into silky dogwoods, elderberry, silky willow and nine bark shrubs.

This is the first of a diverse array of activities that WRCP has planned for this spring and summer, Patoprsty said.

The town of Boone has installed a stormwater wetland on the greenway in Boone, and in May those who are interested in getting wet and dirty can volunteer to help plant the wetland. This project will offer excellent habitat, as well as manage stormwater runoff from approximately 40 acres of parking lot, buildings and athletic fields, Patoprsty said. The wetland will help keep oil, trash, and sediment from entering the New River.
All of these activities support the Watauga River Conservation Partners’ mission to protect and preserve the Watauga River watershed and promote watershed health.

WRCP is a volunteer organization that works closely with schools and other community organizations to promote education and “on-the-ground” activities to improve river health. As a chapter of the Western North Carolina Alliance, WRCP seeks to engage people of all ages and backgrounds to work together to preserve the mountain environment.

For more information about the WRCP, or to volunteer or become involved in the above activities, contact Patoprsty at (828) 264-3061.