ASHE NOTES

Ashe Farmers Market Schedule
Ashe County Farmers Market special events for 2009 include: Fathers' Day Grilling demonstration with Chef Rick Cline from Frasers Restaurant on June 20. Cline will be grilling various kinds of meat. All items are homegrown or handmade in Ashe. For more information, call (336) 877-4141 or (910) 309-1932.

High Country Hospice e
Camp Sunshine, a day camp provided by High Country Hospice for children that have lost a loved one, Ashe camp will be held Monday, June 22, through Wednesday, June 24, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Westwood Elementary. Watauga counties camp will be held at the National Guard Armory June 29 through July 1, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The free camp is open to all children between the ages of 6 and 12. The Hospice Quilt Raffle tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5. The quilt is now on display at McNeils Department Store in downtown WJ. For more information, call Jennifer Johnson at (336) 246-6443 or click to www.highcountryhospice.org.

Childbirth/Newborn Care Classes
Childbirth/Newborn Care classes will be held by the Ashe County Health Council on Thursday, June 25. For more information, call (336) 846-0734.

Top Dog Clinic Meeting
The school based health clinic committee (top dog clinic) meeting will be held on Thursday, June 25, at 11:30 a.m. at the extension office. For more information, call (336) 846-9781.

Newly Formed Photography Group
The newly formed Photography Group will hold its second meeting on Thursday, June 25 at the Ashe Arts Council building in West Jefferson, from 5:30 until 7 p.m. The meeting is open to anyone interested in photography. Bring one or two examples of your photography to share. For more information, call (336) 384-9266.

Summer Players Musical
The Summer Players, Ashe counties children, ages 5 to 14-years-old, will present Alice in Wonderland the Disney musical Friday, June 26 through Sunday, June 28 at 2:30 p.m. at the Westwood Auditorium. For more information, call (336) 977-3929.

Shatley Springs Annual Benefit Breakfast
The Shatley Springs Annual Hospice benefit vreakfast will be held Friday, June 26, from 7 until 10:30 a.m. at Shatley Springs, located on Highway 16 N in Jefferson. Tickets are $10 for an "all you can eat" family style breakfast. For more information, call Jennifer Johnson at (336) 246-6443 or click to www.highcountryhospice.org.
Todd Community Preservation Organization
The Todd Community Preservation Organization will hold a series of concerts at the Cook Memorial Park in downtown Todd from 2 to 4 p.m. The lineup will include Amantha Mill on June 27. For more information call (336) 877-5565.

Habitat for Humanity Yard Sale
Ashe Habitat for Humanity will hold a yard sale on Saturday, June 27 from 7 a.m. to noon at Family Central. For donation pick up, call Joyce Fink at (336) 246-3186.

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Ashe County Little Theatre will present Stephen Sondheim's A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum from Thursday, June 25, through Monday, June 29 at the Ashe Civic Center with curtain at 7:30 p.m. and a matinee performance on June 28 at 2 p.m. Reserved seating is available in advance. Tickets are $12 per adult and $5 for students. Credit cards accepted. For more information, call (336) 846-ARTS.

Alleghany Lives 1859-2009
The Alleghany Community Theatre will present the original play, Alleghany Lives 1859-2009, Friday, June 26 through Sunday, June 28 at the Sparta School Auditorium. For more information, call (336) 359-8000.

Skeet Shoot Fundraiser
The New River Fire Department skeet shoot fundraiser will be held on Saturday, June 27 at 9 a.m. at the Ashe County Wildlife Club. Prize money will be awarded for first, second and third place in three different categories and one best over all shooter. To pre-register, contact Rita Phipps at (336) 977-0243 or any fire department member.

Autism Society of NC
Autism Society of NC community meeting will be held June 27 at 6:30 p.m. at Ashe Family Central. For more information, call (336) 877-2921.

Mountain Mystique
Join a park ranger, for a 45 minute slide presentation, on Saturday, June 27 at 2 p.m. at the New River State Park's 221 Visitors Center Auditorium for a look back at Ashe and surrounding counties, when times were simpler and the pace of life was a lot slower. For more information, call (336) 982-2587.

Mount Jefferson Nature Hike
Mount Jefferson State Natural Area will hold a hike with a park ranger and discover the natural world of Mount Jefferson. The group will walk along the ridgeline and view the distant peaks. For more information call (336) 246-9653.

Alleghany Cares High Country Hospice Benefit Day
Alleghany Cares, High Country Hospice Benefit Day will be held Saturday, June 27, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. For more information, call (336) 372-8018.

Campout at Elk Knob State Park
Elk Knob State Park is participating in a national program, called "The Great American Backyard Campout," to celebrate this event the staff will be hosting a free overnight camping experience for families, beginning at 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 27. One time opportunity. Campers must be at least age six and accompanied by a parent. For more information call (828) 297-7261.

Guided Canoe Trip
A 5-mile guided canoe trip, approximately 2 hours from beginning to end, will be held on Sunday, June 28 at 2 p.m. Learn some basic canoe paddling strokes and other useful information to help you get down the river safely. Park staff will interpret many of the sights along the way. One of the local outfitters will pick you up and return you to the park. Nominal fee charged by the outfitter for the use of the shuttle. For more information, call (336) 982-2587.

The Legend of Tom Dooley
Join a western North Carolina native as he relives the last days of the NC legend, Tom Dooley, on Sunday, June 28, at 2 p.m. Did Dooley murder Laura Foster in the Shadows of the Blue Ridge? The free infamous story will be accompanied by song. Participants should meet at the Mount Jefferson State Natural Area picnic shelter. For more information, call (336) 246-9653.

Art-In-Healing Gallery New Exhibit
Caldwell Arts Council will have a new exhibit through Monday, June 29, at the Caldwell Memorial Hospital Art-In-Healing Gallery. Artwork by members of the Brush and Palette Club will be on display and most items will be available for purchase. The gallery is open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. For additional information, call (828) 754-2486.

Interagency Council Meeting
The Interagency Council meeting will be held Thursday, July 2 at 8 a.m. at Sweet Aromas.

Ashe/Alleghany Wool Pool
The Ashe/Alleghany Wool Pool will be held July 2, with agent Charles Young, from 8 until 11 a.m. at the Alleghany County fairgrounds in Sparta.

23rd Annual Christmas in July Festival
The Christmas in July Festival will be held Saturday, July 4, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. in West Jefferson. Free admission. Music, crafts and food. The festivities kick off Friday, July 3, with the Crossroads Band and Blue Country Band on the main stage. New this year will be a second stage featuring four Christian Music bands. Food vendors will be serving up food from 6 until 10 p.m.

Livestock Show
The Ashe County Friends of Agriculture and NC Cooperative Extension will sponsor a livestock show at the AG Expo Grounds in West Jefferson, on Saturday, July 4. For more information, call (336) 846-5850.

Youth Entrepreneurship Camp
The Youth Entrepreneurship Camp will be held Monday, July 6 through Thursday, July 9 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. and on Friday, July 10 from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Wilkes Community College Ashe Campus. The fee is $50 and includes a t-shirt, materials and meals. Scholarships are available. Participants will be introduced to entrepreneurship as a viable career option and they will learn about their community and identify opportunities for small business ventures. To register or for more information, contact Jennifer Miller at (336) 846-5850.

Summer Blues Fest
Summer Blues Fest will be held Monday, July 6, at 7 p.m. at the Hayes Performing Arts Center in Blowing Rock. This year the fest will include Ashe County band, The King Bees.

Annual Cancer Survivors Ice Cream Social
The Annual Cancer Survivors Ice Cream social will be held Thursday, July 9 at the Mount Jefferson Presbyterian Church at 7 p.m. For more information, call (336) 467-0270.

Ninth Annual Ridge Run Car and Bike Show
The Ninth Annual Ridge Run Car and Bike Show will be held Saturday, July 11 at Ashe County High School in West Jefferson. Registration will be held at 7 a.m. until noon. Awards will be at 3 p.m. For more information, call (336) 846-1221.

Relay for Life
The last team captain meeting for Relay for Life teams will be held Monday, July 13 at 5:30 p.m. at Mount Jefferson Presbyterian Church. Relay for Life will be held rain or shine at Ashe County High School.

Ashe County High School Registration New Students
Ashe County High School registration for new or transferring students will be held on July 14, July 21 and Aug. 4 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. New enrollees may be pick up registration materials at the school anytime. Appointments are not necessary. It will be first-come, first-served.

Nominations Sought to Recognize Volunteers
Alleghany Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for the NC Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service. Completed nomination forms are due at the chamber office by Friday, July 17 at 5 p.m. Guidelines are available by clicking to www.Sparta-NC.com/volunteer or by calling (336) 372-5473.

ACMS Pool Project Poker Run
The Ashe County Middle School Pool Project will hold a poker run on Saturday, July 18. For more information, call Darlis Farmer at (336) 877-0322.

Fleetwood Community Center Benefit
An indoor yard sale will be held Saturday, July 18 from 7 until 11 a.m. at the Fleetwood Community Center. A pancake breakfast will also be held from 8 until 10:30 a.m. Call to reserve your space. $10 per space, includes tables. For more information, call (336) 877-4973.

5K Race & Walk
On Saturday, July 18, a 5K Race and Walk will begin at Ashe County High School near the track. A fun run will take place on the track for children. Any fitness level is encouraged to attend. A local D.J. will be there to provide music for the event and make race announcements. Door prizes have been donated by local merchants. Several water stations along the route and at the end of the race with plenty of food to replenish your energy. Awards will be given for the top three runners in 9 different age groups and for the top three overall. Awards will also be given for the top three that walks the course in the fastest time. Race forms can be picked up at West Jefferson Coffee House, Year Round Sports and Little's Gym or on the website at www.asherunforlife5k.org. Early registration is required.