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6/18 THURSDAY

The Linville Falls Visitor Center – milepost 316 – on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Avery County will have a 30-minute program on the “Animals of Linville Falls” at 1 p.m. Meet a ranger to learn about the animals that live in the Linville River and the forest that surrounds it.

The Watauga Leisure Biking group on Thursday, June 18, will bike the Old Turnpike Loop. Meet at 9 a.m. at Valle Crucis Community Park.

The Wellness Forum of the High Country will offer the health seminar “Leafy Greens in Tough Times” on June 18. Dr. Matt Brown Jr. of High Country Proactive Health and Susan Bacot, director of the Wellness Forum of the High Country, will talk about the great benefits of eating green vegetables, as well as demonstrate how to use them. The seminar will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the High Country Home Builders Association building, 755 NC Highway 105 Bypass, Boone. Cost is $5 per person. Call toll-free at 1-866-303-8191 to register.

Watauga County Chapter of the American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 1:30 to 6 p.m. at the Boone Golf Club. For an appointment or more information, contact Dr. Judith B. Carlson at 264-2414.

Cheap Joe’s Blue Ridge Art Sampler is June 18-20 at LaQuinta and Best Western Blue Ridge Plaza in Boone. This is a mini-workshop series, in conjunction with a huge retail sale at Cheap Joe’s Retail Outlet in Boone.

6/19 FRIDAY

High Country Hospice Annual Bazaar will be held June 19, from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. and June 20, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at the National Guard Armory. All proceeds will go to patient care. For more information call 828-265-3926.

Julian Price Park – Milepost 296-297 @ 11:00 a.m. – Julian Price Picnic Area, MP 296 – “Junior Rangers: Bears, Berries, and Burgers…” What do they all have in common? Come look in the tent to see what the bear was sniffing … was he after the chocolate bar or the toothpaste? Learn about the bear’s keen sense of smell and what to do if you ever encounter a bear during this 40 minute program.

“Stagnant Skies: The Plight of Our Bats and Bees” @ 8:00 p.m. –Julian Price Amphitheater MP 297 – “Stagnant Skies: The Plight of Our Bats and Bees” – Our country’s bats and bees are in trouble. Honeybee populations, the primary contributors to crop pollination, have plummeted. Meanwhile, a mysterious and fatal illness has been sweeping through northeastern bat caves. Learn the facts about the bat and bee troubles and what you can do to help in this 45 minute program.

The Watauga Arts Council presents the 13th annual performance by the High Country Jubilee Chorus. It will feature a variety of choral music, including solos, and selections from The Sound Of Music. There will be two concerts at 7:30 pm. The first is Friday, June 19. at the Banner Elk Presbyterian Church with a $7 admission. The second is Saturday, June 20, in Rosen Concert Hall on the ASU campus in Boone with a $10 admission. Students and children are admitted free. Net proceeds benefit music programs and scholarships.

The Linville Mountain Mixers will hold an evening of western square dancing. From 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., it will be mainstream. Dress is square dance or casual. Caller will be Donnie Chapman of Statesville. Visitors are welcome to join the Mountain Mixers for western square dancing. All dances are held at the Recreation Hall, Land Harbor Parkway off N.C. 181/U.S. 221 in Linville. For more information, visit the Web at www.mountainmixers.com

The Linville Falls Campground Amphitheater – milepost 316 – on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Avery County will offer a 45-minute program at 7 p.m. on the “Snakes of the Blue Ridge Parkway.” Since the Garden of Eden, we have been taught to loath and fear snakes. Are they the villains they have been made out to be?

The Foscoe Fishing Company on N.C. 105 in the Foscoe community will celebrate its official grand opening of their new facility on Friday, June 19. The Boone Area Chamber of Commerce will co-host the event from 4 until 6:30 p.m.. The official ribbon-cutting ceremony will be at 4:30 p.m., along with a wine and cheese reception. The Foscoe Fishing Company will extend its grand opening all day Saturday for other patrons.

Relay For Life wooden roses From June 19-20, wooden roses (purple and pink) will be sold for 50 cents each or a dozen for $5. They will also be available all night at the countywide Relay For Life at the Watauga High School. Sponsored by Relay For Life team Watauga High Hustlers, captains – Deanna Reary and Lana Anderson. Event coordinator is Shelley Armour (phone 264-2407, ext. 419 or 443-844-6622).

High Country Hospice’s annual bazaar will be held June 19 from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. and June 20 from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at the National Guard Armory in Boone, For more information or item pickup, call 828-265-3926. All proceeds will go to High Country Hospice patient care.

The High Country Caregiver Foundations’ Avery Family Caregiver Council will present its fourth annual Caregiver Appreciation Evening on June 19 at the Avery Senior Center in Newland. This year’s theme will be “Dancing with the Stars.” The event will be an evening of dinner, entertainment, information and assistance, networking, fellowship and recognition for community members who are caring for an older family member, neighbor or friend. There is no charge for this event, but registration is limited. If you are interested, or know a caregiver who needs an enjoyable night out, call 733-8220 or 265-5434, ext. 128, to preregister.

Watauga County Chapter of the American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 1:30 to 6 p.m. at Walmart in the Watauga Shopping Village. For an appointment or more information, contact Monica Nunley. Donors giving blood or platelets between June 1 and 30 may enter a regional drawing for a seven-day spring cruise for two. For more information about the Watauga County Red Cross chapter, contact executive director Sonny Sweet at (828) 264-8226 or Lu Johnson, senior donor recruitment representative (Carolina Blood Services Region), at (800) 234-1646, ext. 206.

The Hickory Ridge Homestead Living Museum is open and will be through Aug. 15 at the the Horn in the West grounds in Boone. Open every evening, except Mondays, from 5 to 8 p.m. The Hickory Ridge Homestead Museum gives visitors a glimps back in time. Re-enactors and historians educate audiences about everyday life from the 1700s to the early 1900s. Patrons are treated to demostrations in weaving, blacksmithing, candlestick making, smokehouse cooking and others. Call (828) 264-2120 for more information.

The free Concerts on the Lawn at the Jones House in downtown Boone are held on Fridays starting at 5 p.m. Bring your own chair. Featured this evening will be Michael Reno Harrell and Rod Farthing. Presented by the Watauga Arts Council.

Boone’s outdoor drama “Horn in the West” opens for the season and is performed at 8 p.m. every night except Monday. The nation’s oldest Revolutionary War drama brings to life the famous frontiersman Daniel Boone and the hardy mountain settlers in their struggle to preserve their freedom during the turbulent years of the War for Independence. Gates open at 7:30 p.m. Call (828) 264-2120 for more information.

15th annual Watauga County Relay For Life will take place at the Watauga High School stadium. On Friday, an opening ceremony and Survivor Lap will be at 7 p.m., a Parade of Teams at 8 p.m., and a Luminaria Ceremony at 9 p.m. There will be live entertainment, food, Bingo, silent auction, Relay Store, Kid’s Area with large inflatables, dunking booth and more.

Free tennis clinics On June 20 and July 11, the Blowing Rock Parks and Recreation Department will be offering free tennis clinics for kids and adults. The clinics will begin at 1 p.m. and end at 3 p.m. on both dates. For kids 8 and under, the clinic will start at 1 p.m. and end at 1:30. For kids between the ages of 8-15, the clinic will start at 1 p.m. and end at 2. For adults, the clinic will start at 2 p.m. and end at 3. There is going to be limited space available due to popularity, so call in advance to reserve your spots. For reservations or questions on the free clinic, contact (828) 295-5222.

The Chargers and Rechargers Hiking Club on Saturday, June 20, will hike Carvers Gap to Grassy Bald on Roan Mountain; 6 miles, 4 hours. Rated: moderate/strenuous. The group will begin at the Carvers Gap parking area. which is on the North Carolina/Tennessee line at the top of N.C.261 (143 on the Tennessee side.) Spectacular 360 degree views along part of the AT that crosses the bald. Great valley views from Grassy Ridge. Trail is rocky with three steep slopes to climb in each direction; 5,000 foot elevation. No dogs. Leader: Gloria Marquez, 828-262-0357.

The Chargers and Rechargers Hiking Club is inviting volunteers to work on an area section of the Mountains-to-Sea trail on Saturday, June 20. Volunteers are needed to join the Chargers and Rechargers Hiking Club in building a 16 mile section of the trail near the Blue Ridge Parkway. Meet between 8:30 and 9 a.m. at the Watauga Mini Warehouses on old 421 in Deep Gap (behind the Deep Gap Post Office). Workday is from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; any amount of participation is appreciated. Wear closed-toe sturdy shoes; dress for the weather. Bring water, snacks and lunch. No experience necessary. Tools, safety equipment, work gloves and instruction provided. For questions, contact John Lanman at 828-963-6901 or jelanman@charter.net. For more information on the trail, go to www.ncmst.org.

6/20 SATURDAY

“Working The Night Shift” @ 8:00 p.m. –Julian Price Amphitheater MP 297 – “Working the Night Shift” What can eat more than fifty percent of its body weight in insects per night? What has sometimes been called a tiger with wings? Join a ranger for this 40 minute program to learn about some creatures of the night. All programs are free and open to the public.

Flat Top Manor Upstairs Tours Blue Ridge Parkway – Moses H. Cone Memorial Par – Milepost 294 – Saturdays and Sundays – Flat Top Manor Upstairs Tours – Join a ranger for a tour of the second floor of the beautiful, former home of Moses and Bertha Cone. Tours are held Saturdays and Sundays and last about 30 minutes. Tours begin the weekend of June 6th and will end the weekend of October 18th. Tour times: Saturday and Sunday at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m. & 4 p.m. Reservations are Required. For Reservations: Please call (828) 295-3782 or sign up at the NPS information desk at the Moses Cone Manor House. Registrations are accepted beginning at 9 a.m. for the weekend of the requested tour only. All programs are free and open to the public.

Free Photography Workshop, Saturday June 20, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Do you feel that you are just not getting the most out of your camera ...that the pictures you take of the High Country don’t do it justice? Join award-winning professional photographer Marty Hulsebos in a free workshop where he will give you tips on advancing your photographic skills, and suggest the best light and the best locations for shooting. For beginning and advanced camera users alike. Marty has specialized in photographing the high country since 1994. Come armed with plenty of questions. The workshop will be at The Kind Grind coffee shop at the Grandfather View Village Retail Center, 9872 Hwy 105 South, Foscoe. 828-963-1996. See Marty’s photos at highcountryimages.com. Email: marty@blueridgemail.com

The Watauga Arts Council presents the 13th annual performance by the High Country Jubilee Chorus. It will feature a variety of choral music, including solos, and selections from The Sound Of Music. There will be two concerts at 7:30 pm. The second is Saturday, June 20, in Rosen Concert Hall on the ASU campus in Boone with a $10 admission. Students and children admitted free. Net proceeds benefit music programs and scholarships.

Award-winning author Maggie Bishop will be signing books after lunch at ArtWalk in downtown Boone on Saturday, June 20. Stop by and chat with her about her novels set right here in the High Country. Some of her minor characters may be people you know. For more information, call 828-265-2862.

Country breakfast Watauga American Legion Post 130, located at 135 Bear Trail, Boone, will have an “all-you-can-eat home-cooked “Country Breakfast at the Post” on Saturday, June 20, from 7-10 a.m. Cost is $7 per person. The breakfast menu includes country ham, sausage, scrambled eggs, homemade biscuits and gravy, grits and cooked apples, coffee and orange juice. Regular and buckwheat pancakes are available upon request. For take out, call 264-2864 Saturday morning only.

Fish fry fundraiser A fish fry will be held at the Foscoe Grandfather Community Park (located off of N.C. 105 in Foscoe behind the Trout Farm) on Saturday, June 20, from 5-7:30 p.m. The meal will feature fresh fish, favorite fixings and dessert, too. Take-outs will be available. The cost is an $8 donation. Extra donations are appreciated. All proceeds will go to support the Foscoe Grandfather Community Park.

The Linville Falls Campground Amphitheater – milepost 316 – on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Avery County will present a 45-minute “Birding for Beginners” at 7 p.m. “What is the yellow and black bird that is sitting on that tree?” Come listen to the songs at sunset and hear a few tips on learning how to identify the birds around you.
The Watauga Leisure Biking Group on Saturday, June 20, will bike the Todd-Fleetwood Falls area, a round trip led by Sarah Brown, Meet at 9 a.m. at gravel lot at intersection of Castleford and Railroad Grade. Another biking opportunity will be the Todd-Big Hill-Grassy Island area. Meet at 9 a.m. at South Fork Baptist Church in Todd.

Book signing at Walden Books Linda Hudson Hoagland will be having a book signing for her book, “The Backwoods House,” from 1-3 p.m., Saturday, June 20, at Walden Books in the Boone Mall.

Valle Arts Benefit The community will join together on June 20 to help one of its own, with the Valle Arts Benefit in Valle Crucis. Many artists from local guilds and individual crafters are marketing their wares at the Little Red Schoolhouse to help an individual with mounting medical bills. Several different media will be represented, including clay, hand-tied flies, weaving, photography, wrought iron, and furniture. At the end of the day, each participant will donate 10 percent of their day’s sales to help diminish the medical expenses. The event will begin at 10 a.m. and run until 6 p.m. Vendors will be located in the Little Red Schoolhouse and on the surrounding grounds behind the Original Mast General Store in Valle Crucis. For more information, call 828-963-6511.

A churchwide yard sale to benefit church youth will be held Saturday, June 20, from 8:30 a.m. until noon at Grace Lutheran Church, 115 E. King St., Boone.

Ryan’s Rock n’ Roll Run will be held June 20 and is a benefit run for the late Will Dicus. It will consist of 1 miler-5k-5 miler at the Boone Greenway Trail. The $20 entry fee includes a T-shirt. Register online at www.ryansrocknrollrun.com. Race starts at 9 a.m. Live music will be featured throughout the run.

The Simmons Cemetery’s benefit pinto bean supper will be held at the Stewart Simmons Fire Department in Triplett on Saturday, June 20, beginning at noon. “Join us for lunch or dinner,” a spokesperson said. The menu will include pinto beans, roasted potatoes, slaw, cornbread, sliced tomatoes, onions and a selection of desserts (drinks included). The cost is $5 per person. Local talent will perform and Triplett’s very own Elvis will perform at 2 p.m., with a special gospel performance at 4 p.m. In addition, there will be a raffle for a handmade quilt; only $1 per ticket. There will also be door prizes; you must be present to win. All proceeds will go towards the maintenance of Simmons Cemetery. If unable to attend, donations would be appreciated. Make checks payable to: Simmons Cemetery Fund.

Go-Skate Day will be held June 20 from 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at Razor’s Edge Skate Park, N.C. 18 North and Grayson streets, in Alleghany County. There will be skateboard demonstrations and competition. For details, call (336) 372-2942.

The 62nd Rhododendron Festival at Roan Mountain State Park in Roan Mountin, Tenn., will be held June 20-21 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the park. This traditional mountain celebration of the rhododendron features handmade crafts, food, and a variety of traditional music, plus an array of old-time folk demonstrations.
Call 800-250-8620 for more information.

A lawn mower race will be held June 20 from 5 to 11 p.m. at the Alleghany County Fairgrounds, U.S. 21, 1.5 miles north of Sparta. See NASCAR wannabees race for the checkered flag. Admission is $6.

Chargers and Rechargers Hiking Club on Saturday, June 20, will hike Carvers Gap to Grassy Bald on Roan Mountain, Tenn.; 6 miles, four hours. Rated: moderate/strenuous. The group will begin at the Carvers Gap parking area, which is on the N.C./Tennessee state line at the top of N.C. 261 (143 on the Tennessee side). Spectacular 360 degree views along part of the AT that crosses the bald. Great valley views from Grassy Ridge. Trail is rocky with three steep slopes to climb in each direction; 5,000 foot elevation. No dogs. Leader: Gloria Marquez, 828-262-0357.

The Chargers and Rechargers Hiking Club is inviting volunteers to work on an area section of the Mountains-to-Sea trail on Saturday, June 20. Volunteers are needed to join the Chargers and Rechargers Hiking Club in building a 16 mile section of the trail near the Blue Ridge Parkway. Meet between 8:30 and 9 a.m. at the Watauga Mini Warehouses on old 421 in Deep Gap (behind the Deep Gap Post Office). Workday is from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; any amount of participation is appreciated. Wear closed-toe sturdy shoes; dress for the weather. Bring water, snacks and lunch. No experience necessary. Tools, safety equipment, work gloves and instruction provided. For questions, contact John Lanman at 828-963-6901 or jelanman@charter.net. For more information on the trail, go to www.ncmst.org.

A summer wine tasting dinner will take place June 20 at Raffaldini Vineyards, 450 Groce Road, Ronda. It features four seasonal food courses and four specially chosen wines to complement the meal. Culinary and wine descriptions will be given during the evening. Make prepaid reservations at 336-835-9463 or by e-mail eventplanning@raffaldini.com.

A High Country Community Yard Sale will be held June 20 from 8 a.m. to noon at Beech Mountain, across from the Beech Mountain Town Hall.

6/21 SUNDAY

VBS – Meat Camp Baptist Church You’re invited to Gospel Light VBS Son Rock Kids Camp, where kids build their lives on the rock: Jesus! – Bible stories, crafts, skits, games, songs, snacks, and much more. Meat Camp Baptist Church, June 21-25, 6-8 p.m. Call 265-3057 for more information.

“Who Was Julian Price?”@ 5:30 p.m. – Julian Price Amphitheater MP 297 – “Who was Julian Price?” – Join the ranger for a 2.3 mile moderate walk around Price Park Lake. Hear the story of a man who loved the natural beauty and restful solitude of the mountains, and how he wished to share this beauty with others. Approximately 1 hour. All programs are free and open to the public.

The Linville Mountain Mixers will hold a western square danc, from 1:30-2 p.m. for A2; and 2-4:30 p.m. for plus rounds between tips. Dress is square dance. Caller will be Randy Page of Charlotte. Visitors are welcome to join the Mountain Mixers for western square dancing. All dances are held at the Recreation Hall, Land Harbor Parkway off N.C. 181/U.S. 221 in Linville. For more information, visit the Web at www.mountainmixers.com

The Linville Falls Campground Amphitheater – milepost 316 – on the Blue Ridge Parkway will feature a 45-minute program on “Vultures: the Misunderstood Raptor” at 7 p.m. What would the world be like without the vulture? Come learn about this misunderstood raptor and the beauty and value it has in nature.

VBS at Willowdale Baptist Vacation Bible School with the them“Studio Go Game Show” will be held at Willowdale Baptist Church June 21-25 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. each day. Preschool and older are invited to take park.

David Blust will be the special guest soloist at Brookside Presbyterian Church-ARP in Boone on Sunday, June 21, at 11 a.m. Brookside is located at 1122 Old 421 S, off highway 421 (turn at NISSAN). Call 262-5020 for more information.

Trip to ‘Phantom of the Opera’ fundraiser Appalachian Senior Programs at ASU will host a fundraiser with a special trip to see the “Phantom of the Opera” on Sunday, June 21, at the Blumenthal Theater in Charlotte. Tickets are $110 per person, which covers the ASU coach transportation and theater ticket. Dinner will be on your own outside of Charlotte. Contact Appalachian Senior Programs at 336-846-4898 for more information.

The High Country Farmers’ Market is open for the season at its new location at Earth Fare on King Street in Boone Hours are Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 pm.

6/22 MONDAY

The Linville Mountain Mixers will hold western square dancing on Monday, with a 7L00 C1 review; and from 7:30-9:30 p.m. an A-2. Dress is casual. Caller will be Jerry Biggerstaff of Marion. Visitors are welcome to join the Mountain Mixers for western square dancing. All dances are held at the Recreation Hall, Land Harbor Parkway off N.C. 181/U.S. 221 in Linville, N.C. There will be round dancing between tips on Sunday afternoon. Sunday dances feature national and international callers. Friday dances feature regional callers. www.mountainmixers.com

Parkway Craft Center demonstration Artist Lynn Jenkins (clay and raku) will be demonstrating at the Parkway Craft Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Watauga County June 22-28. The demonstrations are free.

A variety of topics will be explored in the 4-H Super Summer series for 5- to 12-year- olds. Spaces are still available for the week of June 22. Topics include: “Cycling Back to Nature: Explore the 3 R’s (not readin’ and ‘ritin’)”; “For the Birds: Build your own bluebird house”; and “Plant-a-thon: plant a flower container.” Preregistration is required and forms can be received through the 4-H office, 971 West King St., Boone, phone 264-3061; or downloaded from http://watauga.ces.ncsu.edu

NASW meeting The June 2009 meeting of the National Association of Social Workers Local Program Unit will be held on Monday, June 22, from 12:30 to 2 p.m. at Appalachian Brian Estates, 163 Shadowline Drive in Boone. The program will be “Understanding Traumatic Brain Injury: What Social Workers Need to Know” with Karen Harrington, community outreach coordinator. An hour of in-service training will be provided; cost is $5 for non-NASW members, free for members. Lunch is served from 12:30-1 p.m.; RSVP before June 18 to register. For further information and to respond, call Dev Looper at (828) 268-2249 or write dlooper@mtnvistas.com

A Taking Charge of Your Diabetes workshop will be held Monday-Thursday, June 22-25, fromn 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. each day at the Agricultural Conference Center, 252 Poplar Grove Road, Boone. Participants will learn how to better control their blood sugar to delay or avoid health problems related to diabetes. For more information, call the N.C. Cooperative Extension at 264-3061. Make checks payable to NCCES at 971 West King St. Primary sponsors NC Cooperative Extension and Watauga County Health Department.

Deadline nears for pet spaying, neutering Boone residents with financial need and have a cat or dog they want to fix can use grant money from the town of Boone as part of the Watauga Humane Society’s low-cost spay and neuter program. Kittens and puppies that are at least 3 months old and weigh at least 2 pounds can be fixed in this program, too. The program operates every Thursday but, to be eligible for this discount, surgeries must be performed by Thursday, June 25. Surgeries are performed by Humane Alliance spay / neuter clinic in Asheville (www.humanealliance.org) and animals are transported to and from Asheville at no additional cost. If you live in the town of Boone and have financial need, call the Watauga Humane Society shelter at 264-7865 during its regular business hours (12:30-6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday or12:30-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, closed Monday) to schedule an appointment. Ask the staff about grant money. You can also visit the Web at www.wataugahumanesociety.org

The Chargers and Rechargers Hiking Club on Monday, June 22, will hike the Boone Greenway. Meet at the parking area on Deerfield Road, approximately one block northeast of the Watauga Medical Center, at 9:30 a.m.

6/23 TUESDAY

The Watauga Leisure Biking Group on Tuesday, June 23, will bike the Watauga River Road area for a round trip. Meet at 9 a.m. at the Valle Crucis Community.

The Boone Worthwhile Woman’s Club will meet on Tuesday, June 23, at 11:30 a.m., at the Sagebrush Steakhouse, located on N.C. 105, Boone. The club’s scholarship recipients have been invited to join them. For more information, contact Frances at (828) 262-2539 or Baben (828) 264-2539.

Watauga County Chapter of the American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at St. Mary of the Hills, sponsored by the Blowing Rock Rotary Club. For appointment or more information, contact John Rundell at 266-0681.

The Marco Vega Quintet will be in concert June 23 at Hayes Auditorium at Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk. The quintet has a huge repertoire of familiar favorites such as “A Time for Us,” “Somewhere My Love,” “Don’t cry for me Argentina,” plus native songs and costumes of Paraguay. Call 828-898-8709 for more information.

6/24 WEDNESDAY

Peace Corps Recruiter Sarah Bartfeld will speak at the Espresso News Café on Wednesday, June 24, on the importance of international volunteerism and why today’s Peace Corps is more vital than ever. The Peace Corps General Information Meeting will be held Wednesday, June 24, 2009, from 6-7 p.m. at Espresso News, 267 Howard St., Boone, N.C. Join returned Peace Corps Volunteer Sarah Bartfeld at Espresso News Café, as she sharers information on the application process, what it takes to become a volunteer, and how you too, can become part of the Peace Corps family.

Andrew Long, chef at Storie Street Grille will hold a cooking demo at Watauga County Farmers’ Market on Wednesday, June 24. New market hours are from 4-7 on Wednesdays. Find us at the Horn in the West in Boone, turn next to First Citizens Bank on Highway 105 Extension and go to the top of the hill. Call WCFM manager Karen Bauman at 1-828-355-4918 or visit our website at http://wcfm.info for more information. We will be there rain or shine!

Ashe Friends of the Library meeting, Weds., June 24, 11:00 a.m., at West Jefferson United Methodist Church, Hensley Hall. Program by Anne Whisnant, PhD.: “Grandfather Mountain and the Blue Ridge Parkway: The Untold Story.” Public invited; refreshments provided. Call Karen Moll, 336-384-4255, for more information. Dr. Whisnant sponsored by the NC Humanities Council’s Roads Scholar program.

Mountain Friends (formerly The High Country Newcomers) will hold a book discussion at the Senior Center in Boone at 1:30 p.m. Call Bev at 264-2718 for more information. If you would like to know about membership and activities, give Joy a call at 295-9521.

Chargers and Rechargers Hiking Club on Wednesday, June 24, will hike the Famous Lost Cove Creek; 7 miles, five hours. This is a loop trail starting with moderate climbing to top of ridge then a steep descent down to Hunt Fish falls and a large swimming hole where the group will have lunch. The return has climbs and follows several tributaries of Lost Creek, where there are several falls, cascades and swimming holes. On a hot day, it’s nice to wear clothes to swim in. There are six to eight water crossings, which are not a problem unless the water is high. No dogs. Hike leader: Carol Ann Mitchell, 423-772-4280.