MERLEFEST

Event runs from Thursday to Sunday at WCC

By JERRY LANKFORD

Record Editor

Herb Key and Jim Lloyd sat on one end of a big tent as dozens of instrument-welding visitors to Wilkes Community College milled around the grounds.

Key sang and played guitar as Lloyd clawhammered the banjo as the sounds of old-time Appalachian music resounded in the corner of the tent.

Many others were also playing. Fiddler Ernest Johnson manned one tent. Banjoist Linda Cabe was in another group. The Kruger Brothers were gathered in another packed circle. Outside, beneath a canopy, Jerry and Linda Bobbitt and Billy Ray Summerlin of BackPorch Bluegrass jammed with East Wilkes High School student Jimmy Wagoner.

They were there as part of the Wilkes Acoustic Folk Society's annual pre-MerleFest jams. These began Monday evening and will run until the opening of the festival.

And, MerleFest is set to begin this Thursday on the campus of WCC in Wilkesboro.

MerleFest 2010, presented by Lowe's, will celebrate its 23rd year from April 29 - May 2, 2010 on the campus of Wilkes Community College. Over 100 acts will perform on 15 stages during the course of the event.

Some of the acts attracting attention at this year's festival include Steve Martin, the Zac Brown Band, Steep Canyon Rangers, Elvis Costello, the Avett Brothers, Little Feat and Taj Mahal.

An array of other artists will join host Doc Watson on the campus of Wilkes Community College for a celebration of "traditional-plus" music-a term Doc coined to describe the unique mix of traditional, roots-oriented sounds of the Appalachian region, including bluegrass and old-time music, and expanded to include Americana, country, "plus whatever other styles we were in the mood to play."

Musical acts will include: Richard Watson, Susana and Timmy Abell, Alberti Flea Circus, Jim Avett , Balsam Range, Shana Banana , The Banknotes, Bearfoot, The Belleville Outfit, Roy Book Binder, Brave Combo, Buffalo Barfield, Sam Bush Band, Cadillac Sky, T. Michael Coleman, John Cowan Band, Dailey & Vincent, Dehlia Low, Donna The Buffalo, Jerry Douglas, The Duhks, Eleanor Ellis, Alice Gerrard, The Gibson Brothers, Great Big Sea, The Greencards, Buddy Greene, Mitch Greenhill, George Hamilton IV, John Hammond, Wayne, Henderson, David Holt, Phil Jamison, Jeni & Billy, The Kruger Brothers, Jim Lauderdale, Jack Lawrence, The Lee Boys, Jeff Little, The Local Boys, The Lovell Sisters, Harry Manx, Bill Mathis, Andy May, Nashville Bluegrass Band, Nation Beat, The Neighbors, Ben Prestage, Missy Raines and The New Hip, Red Molly, Tony Rice, Peter Rowan,  Scythian, Anne and Pete Sibley, Joe Smothers, Steep Canyon Rangers, Tut Taylor, Happy Traum, The Travelin' McCourys, Rhonda Vincent and The Rage, The Waybacks, Lightnin' Wells, Pete and Joan Wernick , Shannon Whitworth, The Wilders, Wilkes Acoustic Folk Society, Tony Williamson, W.P.A., Wylie and The Wild West and the Zephyr Lightning Bolts.

Last week, festival producers announced the additions of Dierks Bentley featuring the Travelin' McCourys and Joey + Rory to the lineup for Friday night, April 30.  The award-winning country chart-topper Bentley will perform with the Travelin' McCourys on the Watson Stage, and acclaimed husband-wife duo Joey + Rory will perform on the Cabin Stage.

"We look forward to welcoming Dierks and Joey + Rory to their first MerleFest performances," Hagaman said, "and The Travelin' McCourys have been a favorite here for several years.  I am continually impressed with the great variety of talent that fills all of the MerleFest stages. There's truly something here for all music fans."

In addition to providing the full line-up, the festival's website, www.merlefest.org, is a complete source of information on all aspects of the event. Festival fans are encouraged to visit the website and sign up for the MerleFest e-newsletter or register as a volunteer. Fans can also follow the latest MerleFest developments on Facebook and Twitter.

Ticket purchases can be made on the web at www.merlefest.org or by calling 1-800-343-7857.

 

 

Seven on county commissioners’ race

By JERRY LANKFORD

Record Editor

Voters will decide next Tuesday the party nominations for two seats on the Wilkes County Board of Commissioners.

Then Democrats, incumbent Luther Parks, Roger Elliott and John Shepherd and Republicans Fay Byrd, a former commissioner, Carl Otto Boggs, Sr., David Gambill and Gary L. Blevins will be on the ballot. The winner of the primary will appear on the Nov. 2 ballot.

The polls open at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m.

The following are responses candidates have given to The Record.

Luther Parks, who is currently in his second four-year term. He stated:

“ have been a resident of Wilkes County all my life. I was born here and attended elementary school, high school and Wilkes Community College, receiving an associate degree.  I work with Duke Energy as a distribution engineer specialist.

“I serve as president of the United Way of Wilkes, I am on the Respite Care Board, Aging Advisory Council and attend many Wilkes Chamber of Commerce functions. I am a member of Parks Grove Baptist Church and serve in many different capacities.

“This is my second four-year term as a Wilkes County commissioner. Certainly all of the citizens of Wilkes find that our lives have changed rapidly because of the economic downturn and loss of jobs which  is the top priority on our list. Several leaders in our community are meeting and are addressing the job needs of our community and I believe the results will beneficial to all of us.

“We will continue to support and work with all existing businesses, while attracting new ones. This will take time, so I ask that all our citizens of Wilkes County purchase as many things locally as possible so that the tax dollars you spend will be left in Wilkes County and help our economic situation to improve.

“I encourage all of us to be advocates for our county. We have a visitors center, which probably has 200 to 400 visitors per day, which will bring more people into our county to visit many of the attractions and spend money here. We have two colleges, the North Wilkesboro Speedway coming to life again, beautiful lakes with camping at W. Kerr Scott Reservoir and Harrison Camp Ground in Boomer and several other amenities.

“We can all be advocates of the things we do have in our community. I ask that all of us look at ways to help our neighbors in this county. The first question, which the priest and the Levite asked was: If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me? But the Good Samaritan reversed the question, asking: If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him. This same principle applies for our county. If elected I will serve with the best of my ability and may God bless our county as well as our nation.”

Roger Elliott, who is running for the first time, stated:

“I am a 28 and a half year veteran of the Wilkes County school system. I have seen many of my former students clinging on to a large part of the small business community that still strives here in Wilkes. Many of these students are successful owner operators.

“I am running for the first time for public office because I want to help the citizens of Wilkes County to have not only a future but a presence in this area. If we do not worry about the present state of Wilkes, then no one will need to worry about the future because now is the time to implement changes, for the betterment of our citizens along with our small and large businesses.

“I grew up in Wilkes County and after high school, decided to move away. The honesty and integrity of a small town was definitely lost. I came back to Wilkes to raise my three children and have not regretted it since. I have had many opportunities to move away to a ‘better place,’ for ‘better money,’ but that is not what it is always about. I have seen many parts of this country and bar none, Wilkes County is the place for me and my family. This is what I want my grandchildren to think, not only when they get older, but right now. I want to continue to make Wilkes County a great place to live, work, play and raise a family the way I have.”

John Shepherd did not return calls. During a forum hosted by Wilkes Vision 20/20 last Thursday he said his experience in dealing with people would help make him a good county commissioner.

Carl Otto Boggs, 66, who is a retired textile supervisor, stated”

“The main issues are jobs. We need to bring industry in here. The way I plan to deal with them is work with the chamber of commerce and economic development and talk to some small businesses and CEO’s and see if we can get them interested in coming here. That will be my top priority.

“We need to be very wise in the expenditure of tax dollars and make sure it going in the right place and make sure it counts for what it going for. I would be extra conservative with our tax dollars.”

“I would like to work to help senior citizens to try to take some of the tax burden off of them. As for drugs, my goal is for the county to be rid of drug abuse. I would go to schools and talk to the principals and the teachers and try to come up with a way to educate the students. Start with the youngest ones and teach them that drugs will fry your brain. We have to look to our future.”

Fay Byrd works as director of Learning Resources at Wilkes Community College. She served on the county board and also the school board, stated that she sees the major issues as:

Continue working with the three towns and Chamber of Commerce to be more proactive in seeking business and industry.

Continue providing, upgrading, and adding the infrastructure of water and sewerage.

Support businesses but be responsive to the citizens – noise, traffic, odors.

Market town and county assets using the internet and media.

Assess property based on its value.  Keep a lid on property taxes.

Support education as the way to bring Wilkes County forward.

Organize and work with other elected NC County Commissioners to oppose unnecessary mandates such as a fourth well inspection and to broaden the mental health care to help patients and to relieve the sheriff’s department and the tremendous tax cost for round the clock protection while health providers search for hospital care. Stop mandates that provide no funding.

Be good stewards of tax dollars and consider rent of over $800 a month versus ownership of Traphill Library.

Support Lincoln Heights Corp. to exchange property at magnet school for parking space at Lincoln Heights.

David Gambill, 31, works as a sheriff’s deputy. He stated:

“My name is David Gambill and I am currently seeking the position as a Wilkes County Commissioner.  I have lived in Wilkes for my entire life and as I love Wilkes County, I plan on residing in Wilkes continually.  My Grandparents were born in Wilkes, the late James Church and Hobert Gambill and my desire is for my grand-kids to say the same of their Grandparents and feel the pride that I do in being a Wilkes County native.    I am married to Megan and we have two children, Tyler and Landon and a baby girl due soon.  I currently am employed by the Wilkes County Sheriff’s Department as a Deputy where I have worked for the past eight years.  

“As a parent of young children, I naturally want my children to be able to have the best opportunities in life.  I also want my children to have the desire to live here in Wilkes as I have and I want to do my best to provide for them not only personally but on a much larger scale by hopefully affecting the future of Wilkes County in a positive manner as a Wilkes County Commissioner. 

“I would like to see more jobs available, less wasteful spending, more competitive education opportunities, and more secure financial status for the citizens of Wilkes County.  I would work vigorously and continually for the growth of Wilkes County because I love our county and I feel our citizens deserve only the best living environment and that it is obtainable if working together.  Wilkes County is known for its family values and high moral standards and that is apparent in the actions of its good people.  I am proud to say that I call Wilkes County home and I would like for all Wilkes County citizens to feel the same way.”

“I would greatly appreciate the support of Wilkes County in assisting me by voting for me as a Wilkes County Commissioner.  I know that working together that we can keep all the positive attributes that we currently enjoy and add to the benefits that we have as a citizen of Wilkes County.  Please come out and vote for me so that working together we can obtain goals for Wilkes County.”

Gary L. Blevins, a veteran of the Vietnam Way, did not return calls, but during last Thursday’s forum, hosted by Wilkes Vision 20/20, said his main reason for running was to improve Wilkes County’s detox programs.

 

 

 

Two seats up for grabs on school board

By JERRY LANKFORD

Record Editor

Two seats are up for grabs on the Wilkes County Board of Education and six candidates are lined up to try for those posts.

The seats of board members incumbent Frances Tharpe and Karen Reeves – who chose not to run for reelection, are being contested.

Tharpe wants to reclaim her seat for another four-year term. Also in the running is former board member Rudy Holbrook, Joe Anthony, Sharron N. Huffman, Teresa Livingston Foster and Darren Shumate.

The non-partisan election will be held next Tuesday, while primaries are being held in various partisan contests. Polls open at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m.

The Record asked each of the candidates to state what they feel are the main issues facing Wilkes County Schools and how they would address them. The following are their responses

Tharpe’s responses are as follows”

“The budget, in my opinion, is the most challenging issue that the Wilkes County School System is currently facing.  We do not know at this time how much money we will be receiving from the State and Local governments.  The news is out there that there will be more budget cuts for the coming year, however, and thoughts and preplanning must begin now.  We cannot rely a lot upon this year’s budget as a guide if there are to be more severe cuts.  How will it be possible to meet the educational needs of our students with more budget cuts than we had during this school year?  The budget is the big umbrella under which all of our needs must fit as effectively as we can make them, so it requires much thought and planning.          

“We have experienced much success over several years in improving the education of our students in Wilkes County.  Students have continued to make very good learning growth gains.  In order to preserve this trend, we must continue to keep well qualified teachers and assistants and maintain a small teacher-student ratio in individual classrooms.  Teaching positions do not need to be cut.  We never want to move backwards when it come to the education of our students.

“Transportation of students is another area that could present a serious challenge to the budget.  With increasing fuel costs and the possibility of having more days in the school calendar, the cost of operating the school buses could pose a big problem.  The same is true for the Child Nutrition Program. Fluctuating food prices makes if difficult to plan a fixed budget, so flexibility makes it harder to prepare that budget.  With increasing job losses, it does not seem feasible to increase lunch prices.

“All personnel in the school system contribute to the educational success of our students and it will be great if we can keep personnel as we have during the current school year. It is my hope that we can come up with strategies to save all jobs in the school system.   When considering personnel, we know that there must be a teacher in the classroom, students must be provided a way to get to school, and must have nutritious meals. Positions lost in any area of our school system takes away from the positive education of our number one priority – the education of our children.

“Ways that we can address budget issues include continuing to seek grants, maintaining positive relationships with businesses, organizations, and individuals who have been so generous in giving monetary donations to help with the learning environment of our students.  We have been fortunate to receive funds to support such programs as technology, choral music and bands, athletic programs and equipment, books for media centers or classroom libraries, classroom supplies, volunteer hours, and several other areas that have contributed so greatly to the education of our students.  We must constantly look for resources and ways to expand the budget and make our students as competitive as other students throughout the world.”

Tharpe resides in Hays. She has served the school system as teacher, assistant principal, principal, and as a temporary director of school food services.

Holbrook stated:  “I don't have an agenda or any axes to grind.  I just want to put the children of Wilkes County first and to do what is right for them. 

“Sometimes I feel like the children are not put first.  I don't have any children in school now.  I have three sons who have graduated from high school and all three graduated from N.C. State.  I want to work for what is best for all parts of the county, East, West, North and Central.  I have been in business for 30 years in Wilkes County at Southeastern Cars & Parts, Inc.  This is going to be a tough year for Wilkes County as a whole.  I've been used to working with budgets and spreadsheets.  I want to bring a business aspect to the Board and make sure every dollar is spent with the best interest of all our children. I would like to continue improvements in our technology and vocational/workforce education, as well as all other aspects of education that will help prepare our children for the future.   I love working with children.  I've worked with children at church, school and in the community.  If elected I promise to make every decision from my heart and hope and pray it will be the best decision for all of the children.”

Anthony, who has run twice unsuccessfully for a seat on the Wilkes County Board of Commissioners, drives a school bus for BROC Head Start.

He stated:  “The way the bus drivers and the cafeteria and teacher assistants were being treated is why I’m running. They are such a low paid bunch of people and they cut them. If elected, I want to give them a fair break in their pay. As fair as the rest of the school system gets.

“The main issues, everybody on the board are retired teachers and retired principals. I just feel like you need someone who has had to work on a small salary for living on there. I would appreciate all the votes I could get. I’m a Christian man. I’ve worked in my church and worked with kids all my life. Drove a school bus off and on for 52 years.”

“I would just like to work with the Wilkes County School system to bring it back to where every employee is considered a school worker and treated fairly.”

Huffman, a retired school teacher with more than 34 years of experience, stated:

“Having spent 34-plus years in education as a classroom teacher, I believe I understand the educational needs of students.  My educational experiences may have been in the high school setting, but students are students.  They have the same needs regardless of their ages or sizes.  I know that I made a difference to my students at North Wilkes.  I want to continue making a difference in the educational opportunities of Wilkes County students.

“As a member of the Wilkes County Board of Education, I would strive to provide all  Wilkes County students with equal opportunities for educational experiences.  Students in smaller schools may not have the same courses available to them as students in larger schools.  I do not believe a child should be penalized because of the school he or she attends.  I would also strive to promote fair and equal treatment for all employees of Wilkes County Schools.  School employees are not treated the same from school to school.  This is very evident to those employees who have worked in more than one school in the county.  Also, there should be county-wide policies which apply to all schools.  On school days delayed by weather, some employees may risk their lives to be at school at their regular time to avoid being penalized.  In addition, as a Wilkes County School Board member, I want to be accessible to all school employees.  I would try to be in every school at least once each nine-week period.  School employees would have my phone numbers and e-mail address.  I want to be accessible to talk about concerns, as well as successes.

“I feel it is very important for school employees to know about decisions which affect their lives.                             “Wilkes County is experiencing a serious budget deficit which directly affects the school system.  However, I truly believe that to get the best out of our students, we must be willing to put the best into their educational opportunities.  The use of technology in the classroom is great; however, technology cannot replace a living body in the classroom.  We must make every effort to guarantee that the students in our schools are provided the very best opportunity to learn and develop the skills needed to be successful in the workplace or in college.

“I have lived in Wilkes County all of my life.  My two children attended and graduated from Wilkes County Schools.  I have family members who currently attend Wilkes County Schools.  I want the best for our schools.  If elected to the Wilkes County Board of Education, I will strive to make our schools the best for our children.  I will also strive to make our schools a place in which teachers, teaching assistants, cafeteria staff, custodial staff, and bus drivers want to be.”

Shumate, who has 20 years experience in the healthcare field, stated: “With the issues and challenges that face our children today, we need to be proactive in our approach to their educational issues. With taking a proactive approach, we need to realize that there are several influences that affect our children’s education. Those influences range from their friends and family to teachers and school administrators to community support and personal relationships. So with that, I want to share with everyone two key things that I will bring to the board.

“First is accountability; along with holding myself accountable, I will hold others accountable for their decisions. We have to refocus ourselves and realize that our decisions and actions have a direct impact on the students, parents, and community we serve. We have to realize our primary focal point is to foster an environment that will provide a quality education for our children and in a manner for which our children will excel both academically and socially. It is vital that we remain focused to our true mission and ensure the educational and extracurricular outcomes of our students are the priority of the Board and school administrators.

“Secondly, I believe that schools are here for two primary purposes, to educate our children and to support the needs of the community. With that, the next aspect that I will bring to the Board is the community relationship. It concerns me that as a fact, Wilkes ranked 78^th out of 115 school systems by the John Loche Foundation that was based on “Parent Friendly Schools for 2009”. Even more concerning with this ranking is there are six school systems that adjoin our county ranked in the top 25 with two of those systems in the top five. The parents and community are a very important piece to the educational puzzle that we need to engage and invite to the table more.

Foster did not respond.

 

 

New book highlights Wilkes County history

 For more than 200 years Wilkes County has grown through historic eras and events.  The release of a new book, Wilkes County History-Bits and Pieces, catalogues and showcases the many people and their stories through written accounts and photographs.

 The importance of history is often over looked and under appreciated as time passes and memories fade.  However, in 2006, the Wilkes County Commissioners appointed several Wilkes residents to serve on the Save Our Wilkes County History Committee who's only goal was to preserve, protect and present the rich history of our county for generations to come. 

Grants were written by the committee to produce a series of DVD documentaries done in volumes based on subject matter, era and county districts.  Rebecca Triplett-Johnson, committee member, writer, historian and photographer, immediately went to work scheduling and directing more than 100 interviews.  John and Teresa Litschke of J. Martin Productions captured video footage of first hand account oral histories and stories handed down through generations about times, events and people who's efforts and strengths led to the founding and growth of Wilkes.  Each district of the county was filmed along with veterans, Grandin, Native Americans, African-Americans, business, agriculture, education and much more. 

The entire series, produced by J. Martin Productions, can be viewed in the Perdue Library on the Wilkes Community College campus, Wilkes County Public Library and the Wilkes County School Libraries.  Copies of DVDs are also available for purchase at the Wilkes Heritage Museum.  Using the scripts from this documentary, personnel of the Perdue Library produced, 'Wilkes County History-Bits and Pieces'.

This comprehensive history of the county explores the development of one of the most beautiful and interesting areas of the United States. Drawn from the local history collection of Wilkes Community College, local newspapers, and personal accounts from oral histories, this book will entertain visitors and long time residents alike. 

Wilkes County, North Carolina was formed in 1778. It possesses a rich history, as it has been home to Native Americans, intrepid explorers like Christopher Gist and Daniel Boone, wartime heroes like Benjamin Cleveland and General James B. Gordon, North Carolina Poet Laureate James Larkin Pearson, and well known criminals like Tom Dooley and Otto Wood. Over the years, Wilkes produced timber, agricultural crops, livestock farms, tobacco, NASCAR, Lowe's Home Improvement, Americana music and moonshine. This comprehensive history of the county explores the development of one of the most beautiful and interesting areas of the United States. Drawn from the local history collection of Wilkes Community College, local newspapers, and personal accounts, this book will entertain visitors and long time residents alike.

   History committee member and Director of Learning Resources at Wilkes Community College, Dr. Fay Byrd, shared these words about the book.  “ It is not the purpose of the College to make a percent of the sale, but rather to make it accessible and in fond remembrance of all who worked through Save Our Wilkes County History Committee and those who took the time to save the history such as Mr. James Larkin Pearson, Poet Laureate and Mr. J. J. Anderson; those we do not know to give credit for their photographs, those who shared their histories and those who preserved the collection: Mrs. Janet Atwood, Mrs. Audrey  McNeil Chapel, Mrs. Mary Richardson,  Mrs. Sherry Dancy, Mrs. Mary Houston,  Miss Kate Anthony and others.  Where we left out an interesting story or event, we challenge you to continue the history.”

     The book may be purchased online through lulu.com.  http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/wilkes-county-bits-and-pieces/10291925  If one needs help ordering  they can call the library at Wilkes Community College, 336-838-6114. 

 

 

Click below to visit website

www.pendryforsheriff

Wilkesboro officer frees up time for other duties

By JERRY LANKFORD

Record Editor

Wilkesboro has some of the highest traffic flows in the county. Along with that come many accidents.

Wilkesboro police saw the need for more dedicated enforcement on the stretch of highway. And, through the help of a state grant, has an office committed primarily to patrolling the area.

The police department also initiated the Police and Community Team program, which gives officers more time in neighborhoods and business districts.

With the help of the grant, through the Governor’s Highway Safety Program, training, equipment and salary for a dedicated traffic officer helped free up other members of the department for other duties.

“Traffic issues in Wilkesboro take a lot of time,” said Wilkesboro Police Chief Robert Bowlin. “We knew once we got the traffic program in place we’d have more time to spend in the different communities.”

The grant, which is for $84,413 the first year, covers the expense of the officer’s salary, training, equipment (including car, camera and radar).  The town matches 15 percent of the expense, according to Wilkesboro Police Capt. Tommy Rhodes.

Wilkesboro Patrol Officer K.D. Elledge began the job earlier this year.

Elledge works various shifts, adjusted to be on duty during times of heaviest traffic flow. She looks for speeders, motorists not wearing seat belts and other traffic violations.

“Our goal is to keep the roadways as safe as possible,” Rhodes said.

The system is working well, Bowlin said.

“We needed to get our officers in the neighborhoods, among the residents,” he said. “Traffic accidents take up a lot of time. Now that we have a dedicated officer we have more time for that. Our overall goal is to keep people safe regardless of where they are in Wilkesboro. We’re very proud to have these programs in place.”

Elledge will also conduct community safety seminars, Rhodes said. These seminars will keep residents updated on new traffic laws and regulations.

She is also active in coordinating local involvement in state programs like Click it or Ticket and Booze it and Lose it along with assisting set up traffic checkpoints. Wilkesboro police along with members of the Wilkes County Sheriff’s Department, North Wilkesboro Police and N.C. Highway Patrol team together to conduct these checkpoints.

Rhodes said a recent one – on St. Patrick’s Day – netted  41 charges.

“We feel like the programs are working really well for us,” Rhodes said.

 

 

 

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Community Happenings

The annual Letter Carriers’ food drive will be held Saturday, May 8.  Put your nonperishable food items into a bag by your mailbox and they will be delivered to a local food bank.

 

Please join us at Baptist Home Church, Highway 18 North, for the Second Annual Gospel Music Benefit for the Wilkes Senior Citizens Council.  Date and time is May 7, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. with Phil Barker, The Servants Quartet and The Faith Trio. Refreshments will be available at half time.  There is no admittance charge, but everyone will be given the opportunity to make a donation.  Hope to see you there!

 

Relay for Life Team, Circle of Friends, has planned a pancake breakfast that will he held at Applebee's (cost- $7 per person, children under 6, $2) Tickets must be purchased before the day of the event on May 1, 2010 from 7-10 am. For more information about these events, contact the church at 838-8047.

Wilkes Toastmasters is an interactive workshop to improve your communication and leadership skills.  Meetings are held every Thursday 6:30 pm – 7:45 pm at the Addison Inn on Hwy 421 N in Wilkesboro.  For additional information, email wilkestoastmasters@gmail.com or visit Toastmasters.org.

 

The Wilkes Habitat 2010 Women Build Schedule: May 6-8, Thursday- Women Build Luncheon, 12 p.m. at the Wilkes Art Gallery, $10. Friday- Build Day from 8:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. located behind the Stone Center. Saturday- Build Day from 8-1 or 12-4- behind the Stone Center and at Beaver Dam Lane. *Lunch will provided during Build Days. To buy a ticket or sign-up for work, contact: Wilkes Habitat for Humanity (336) 838-3044 or aisha.little@wilkeshabitat.org.

 

Wilkes Central High School Senior, Shana Thomas, will be holding an Art Show at the Wilkes County Public Library during the Month of May.  There will be an Art Reception on Saturday, May 1, from 2-5 p.m. at the Wilkes County Public Library to Honor Miss Thomas and her accomplishments.  Open to all.

 

The fourth annual Friends of the Library’s antique appraisal event is scheduled for Saturday, May 15 at the Wilkes County Library in North Wilkesboro.  The event will be in the Friends Meeting Room from 2-4 p.m.  Contact the library for more details.

 

Amalfi’s Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser with entertainment by West Wilkes High School Chorus, featuring songs by the TV show “Glee” will be held May 16 at 5 p.m. at the Stone Center. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for kids 10 and under, and no charge for kids 3 and under.  This is a pre-sale event; no tickets will be sold at the door unless circumstances apply for special consideration.  Contact Marilyn at 973-4503, ext. 173 for more information.

 

Shady Grove Baptist Church, located on Highway 268 West across from the Ranger Station, will hold Revival services beginning Sunday, May 2 through Wednesday, May 5 starting at 7:30 each night with the prayer room opening at 7:00. Brother Earl Alexander will be the guest speaker. All are welcome.

 

A Bingo and Hot Dog Supper will be held Friday, May 7 at 6 p.m. at the Fairplains elderly nutrition site on Sparta Road. Come hungry and bring a friend, then have a great meal and play bingo.  Proceeds will go to Fairplains and Maple Springs MISS CAG contest. (Please see the classified page for our yard sale listing.)

 

 

Blue Ridge Opportunity Commission, Inc. (BROC) will hold its Executive Community Meeting on Thursday, May 13 , 2010 at  6:30pm at the BROC Alleghany Office in Sparta. Please call Wilkes Office at 667-7l74, Ashe Office at 384-4543 or Alleghany Office at 372-7284 for additional information.