Rummage sale to benefit Humane Society
The National Guard Armory in Boone will be filled this weekend with good deals for a good cause with the 27th annual rummage sale to benefit the Watauga County Humane Society.

The sale will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday. There will be baby items, craft materials, bedding, kitchenware, furniture, exercise equipment, appliances, computers, records, books and more. Clothing is sorted by type and a ladies boutique will be set up for the nicer clothing.

Volunteers are still needed to set up and sort items, and clean up on Sunday. Anyone interested in helping can contact co-chairs Claudia Strickland at (828) 963-4649 or via email at cjsandmom@skybest.com, or Dee Dundon at (828) 264-9116 or via email at deedundon@bellsouth.net.

Organizers are seeking a donated vehicle, boat, trailer or motorcycle to auction to help boost the total amount raised. The donor would receive a tax deduction for the donated item. The Watauga County Humane Society is a non-profit organization. If interested in donating a large item, contact the above co-chairs of the event.

— Melanie Marshall

High Country Toastmasters to hold open house July 28
High Country Toastmasters will be holding an Open House with refreshments provided by the members on Tuesday, July 28, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church’s fellowship hall, located at 259 Pilgrims Way, Boone.

The open house will feature a demonstration of a normal Toastmasters meeting. Speakers will vary from beginners to advanced levels, and a Q&A session will follow the prepared portion of the meeting.

North Carolina Toastmasters dignitaries participating at the open house include District 37 governor Deb Lee, lieutenant governor marketing Bryan Walsh, division A governor Michael Beach, division C governor Ken Miller, area 14 governor Gigi Sampson and area 41 governor Karen Hedrick.

High Country Toastmasters is only one of more than 12,000 clubs worldwide that make up Toastmasters International. “Toastmasters teaches the skills and confidence needed to effectively express one’s self in any situation,” a spokesperson said.

High Country Toastmasters meets every Tuesday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at St. Elizabeth’s fellowship hall. Guests are always welcome.

For more information, contact Katherine Alford at (828) 264-9010 or by e-mail at alford.katherine@gmail.com.

Also available to answer questions is Glenda Teams, immediate past president of Ballantyne Toastmasters, at 828-310-8491 or e-mail at glenda_teams@ucbi.com.

Benefit bike ride and car show to aid Mark Wellborn
Friends of Mark Wellborn have organized a benefit bike ride and car show for Aug. 8.

Wellborn was recently diagnosed with cancer. The fundraiser is being organized to assist him with medical expenses.

The benefit bike ride is scheduled to a take off from Laurel Springs Baptist Church in Deep Gap at 11 a.m., with registration beginning at 9 a.m. The cost is $20 a rider, with doubles for $25. The cost includes food.

There will also be a 50/50 raffle, silent auction and door prizes.

Tickets are on sale now for a genuine fire department helmet that has been donated by Deep Gap fire department. It will have Wellborn’s number on it.

Car show registration is $5.

There will be separate activities for children, live entertainment and barbecue dinners for sale.

All of the proceeds will benefit Wellborn.

For more information, e-mail friends4mark@yahoo.com or check out the sponsoring group on Facebook at Friends4mark.

Reduced cost spay/neuter
The Watauga Humane Society can reduce its already low cost to fix your dogs and cats, thanks to a grant from Watauga County.

“If you live in Watauga County, are in financial need, and think you can’t afford to have your dogs or cats fixed, call us,” a spokesperson for the Humane Society said.

“Fixed dogs and cats are healthier, better behaved, and live longer. Kittens and puppies as young as 5 months old can have litters of their own. Kittens and puppies that are at least 3 months old and weigh at least 2 pounds can be fixed in this program. If you don’t want that “oops” litter, fix your female dogs and cats – before they become pregnant,” the spokesperson said.

Surgeries are performed by Humane Alliance spay and neuter clinic in Asheville (www.humanealliance.org).

Pet owners must be a Watauga County resident to use the grant money, but the Humane Society’s low-cost program is open to everyone.

Call the Watauga Humane Society at 828-264-7865 Tuesday through Friday from 12:30 to 6 p.m. or Saturday or Sunday from 12:30 to 5 p.m. to schedule an appointment.

For more information, visit the Web at www.WataugaHumaneSociety.org.

Boone Service League to meet
The Boone Service League’s next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 4, at 6:30 p.m. at Deerfield United Methodist Church on Deerfield Road in Boone. All interested women in the High Country are invited. Refreshments are served at each BSL meeting at 6:30pm and the general business portion of the meeting convenes at 7 p.m.

The organization is open to High Country women ages 21 to 91 who are interested in making new friends and building leadership skills while participating in fundraising and community service projects.

“This organization strives to live up to our motto, ‘A Heart for the High Country,’ as we provide assistance through a number of channels,” a spokesperson said in a press release.

Throughout the year, Boone Service League holds several major fundraisers, sponsors high school scholarships, provides grant money to local non-profit organizations, and participates in Meals on Wheels, the Adopt a Street program, and many other hands on service events. The group offers financial assistance to those in need in Ashe, Avery, and Watauga counties.

The organization meets the first Tuesday of each month, August thru May, at Deerfield United Methodist Church on Deerfield Road in Boone.

For more information, log on to www.booneserviceleague.org.