ChickenFest is this weekend

The fifth annual ChickenFest – a celebration of Americana music and the area’s poultry industry is this weekend.

The three-day festival will be held Friday, May 28, Saturday, May 29, and Sunday, May 30, at The Record Park at the corner of Fourth and E streets in North Wilkesboro. The event is free.

And, Friday evening will be Hometown Opry Night, hosted by WKBC Radio personalities Steve Handy and Ed Racey.

ChickenFest, hosted by The Record, will feature more than 20 acts performing on The Sammy Lankford Stage in the Tyson Pavilion. Many others will perform on the Tut Taylor Spotlight Stage.

This year’s lineup includes Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame member David Johnson, who will close out Saturday’s entertainment with a blue grass set.

Other will include:

The Local Boys, Charles Tesh, String Hysteria, Zephyr Lightning Bolts, R.G. Absher and Friends, Linda Cabe, Steve Englebert, Lauren Stutts, Gabriella and Anna Lankford, The Bobby Billings Band, Porch Dog Revival, Rude Mood, Ernest Johnson and Friends, Lynn Stallmach and Kirk Walker, Deeper Roots String Band, BackPorch Bluegrass, Sonny Remington and Friends, Maple Creek, The Elkville String Band, Tut Taylor and Friends, the Davis Family and the Key City Boys.

Other musicians will include, Lynn Swaim, Jimmy Wagoner, Larry Griffin, Edwin Osborne, Andy Rhodes, Wes Osborne, Keith Mangold, Matt Dewer, Adam Younce, Ralph Clanton, Keith Watts, Jerry Lankford, and members of the Wilkes Acoustic Folk Society.

Food, which will feature all chicken dishes, will be for sale from Arbor Grove United Methodist Church, Church of God Union Assembly and Dennyville Baptist Church.

On Friday, May 28, ChickenFest will run from 6 p.m. to around 9:30 p.m. Saturday’s hours will be from 11 a.m. until around 9:30 p.m. Sunday’s segment will begin at 11 a.m. with a church service conducted by Rev. Ed McKinney and members of Arbor Grove United Methodist Church. An afternoon of gospel music will begin after the church service.

ChickenFest is a alcohol-free family event.

For more information, call The Record at 336-667-0134.

ChickenFest is an alcohol-free family event.

Parking is available at The Record Park, on adjoining streets and at Benton Hall. The Record asks that all festival attendees not block anyone’s driveways and reminds those attending that the Key City Condominium property is now occupied and not available for festival parking.

 

 

ChickenFest 2010

Sammy Lankford Stage schedule

 

Friday May 28

6 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. The Local Boys

6:40 p.m. – 7:10 p.m. Charles Tesh

7:20 p.m. – 7:50 p.m. String Hysteria

8 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Zephyr Lighting Bolts

8:40 – 9:30 p.m. R.G. Absher and the Grasshoppers

 

Saturday May 29

11 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. - Linda Cabe

11:40 – 12:10 Steve Englebert

12:10 p.m. to 12:25 Memorial Day Service, members of VFW Post 1142, Lauren Stutts will perform the National Anthem

12:25 – 12:45 – Gabriella Lankford and Anna Lankford

12:55 – 1:25 The Bobby Billings Band

1:35 – 2:05 Porch Dog Revival

2:15 – 2:45 Rude Mood

2:55 – 3:25 Ernest Johnson and Friends

3:35 – 4:05 Lynn Stallmach and Kirk Walker

4:15 – 4:45 Deeper Roots String Band

4:55 – 5:40 BackPorch Bluegrass

5:50 – 6:20 Sonny Remington and Friends

6:30 – 7 Maple Creek

7:10 – 7:40 Elkville String Band Reunion

7:50 – 8:20 Tut Taylor, Steve Barker and Friends

8:30 – 9:30 David Johnson and Friends

 

Sunday, May 30

Church Service by Arbor Grove Methodist Church 11 to noon

12-12:45 Lorrie and Steve Barker

12:55 – 1:40 Davis Family

1:50 to 2:35 Key City Boys

Closing remarks

 

 

 

 

Benton Hall for sale

By JERRY LANKFORD

Record Editor

Benton Hall is for sale.

The historic red brick building on D Street in North Wilkesboro has been home to Wilkes Playmakers, which own it, for many years. The price is $800,000.

During a meeting of the Playmakers’ board last Thursday it was unanimously decided to sell the three-story structure, which also houses Tiffany’s Place Teen Center.

Tiffany’s Place Director Melissa Walker said that she hopes to keep the teen center in the building.

“If the building is sold, and the new buyer does not wish for us to stay, we will find a new home, but the organization is not dissolving,” Walker said. “We have no intentions of discontinuing the service we offer our local teens.”

According to Wilkes Playmakers President Susan Ringo, upkeep and utility bills on the building was more than the theater group could afford.

“We’ve been discussing it and decided it was time to go ahead and try to sell it,” Ringo told The Record on Monday.”

She added, “Our main purpose is to look for a smaller space and get back to the basics and just focus on theater. That building has a lot of unique challenges, particularly in that its historic integrity should be preserved. But, we want to continue to provide quality theater productions, just in a different location.”

Ringo said no new location has been found, but that ideally, it would be one with a small office space and a theater. Benton Hall’s Critz Auditorium seats more than 200 audience members. Ringo said that a new theater would not necessarily have to be that large.

So far there have been no offers on Benton Hall, formerly the old North Wilkesboro School built in 1913. “But, it’s only been on the market since Friday,” Ringo said.

When asked how she feels about the sale, Ringo said, “I’m actually pleased. This will help give us a chance to get back to our original mission and to focus on theater productions and not have to focus so much on upkeep.”

 

 

 

Confederate veteran honored

By JERRY LANKFORD

Record Editor

Edward Bunyon Hendren left his home on the Brushy Mountains to go to war in 1862.

And by the time the hard-fought War Between the States ended, he had endured many hardships.

Hendren, a member of Company I, 26^th N.C. Regiment, served in the Confederate Army until the end of the Civil War in 1865. During his time in service he witnessed numerous battles, most notable the titan clash of gray and blue at Gettysburg, Pa., where he was wounded in Pickett’s famous charge.

On Saturday afternoon, in a small clearing in a family graveyard off Bethany Church Road in the Bethany community – formerly known as Cline – Hendren’s grave marker was dedicated in full Confederate military honors.

The ceremony was spearheaded by members of the Gen. James B. Gordon Camp 810 of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. About 75 visitors and family members, including Grace Shepherd, 95, of North Wilkesboro, and Ober Hendren Pauley, 94, of Charlotte – both granddaughters of the honored veteran, attended.

Gary Coffey, commander of Camp 810, welcomed the crowd, which included more than a dozen Confederate Army reenactors.

Carol Shepherd, the great-granddaughter of Hendren, gave a history of her ancestor, which included letters he wrote home during the war. She is the daughters of Grace Shepherd, Hendren’s oldest living granddaughter.

She thanked members of the Gen. James B. Gordon Camp 810 of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, Archie Millsaps for cleaning the grave yard and the gravestones, Virginia Anderson and her family, who are owners of the property; for their cooperation for the service; the Elkville String Band for providing music; and her family, including Brenda and Monica Shepherd who helped her coordinate the service and a reception.

 “Look around this family cemetery – although we do not see much more than graves and wooded area, 150 years ago, this area was a thriving community known as Cline, North Carolina,” Carol Shepherd said.  “Located near here was a three story building, which housed a watermill which ground wheat and corn,  a cabinet shop, a post office, and a general store.  Each of these businesses was owned by the Hendren Family.  Edward B. Hendren operated the cabinet shop where he hand made furniture and coffins.  He lived in a two-story framed dwelling house near here.  Clearly, this area was the hub of the community.  The main road between Wilkesboro and Salisbury passed through here.”

She also gave a history of Hendren’s life.

Edward Bunyon Hendren was born in Wilkes County on March 22, 1836 to Jabez and Nancy Combs Hendren, she said.  He married Mary Queen on March 14, 1861.  Their first child was a son named Vance McNeil Hendren.  When Vance was approximately 6 months old, Edward B Hendren joined the Confederate Army and left to go to war.  He was wounded in the Battle of Gettysburg.  He served in the Army until the end of the Civil War in April 1865.  Edward and Mary Hendren had seven children:  Vance, Jesse Hix, Lula Mae, William, Lillie, Dora, and Grace. 

Edward B. Hendren was also a Representative in the State Legislature, serving in 1899. 

After the death of Mary Hendren on August 28, 1905, Edward B. Hendren remarried.  His second wife was Dora Roberson and they were married on July 2, 1906.  Edward and Dora had two children, Lunda and Mattie. 

Edward B. Hendren passed away on Nov. 5, 1909 –“ just over one hundred years ago – and we are now gathered at his grave.  He was actually buried in a casket that he made at his cabinet shop which was located near this very spot,” she said.

“At least two of Edward B. Hendren’s grandchildren are here today,” Carol Shepherd added. “Grace Jennings Shepherd, who is 95 years old, is his oldest living grandchild.  She is the daughter of William Andrew and Grace Hendren Jennings.  Grace Shepherd grew up in Pores Knob and lives in North Wilkesboro.  Ober Hendren Pauley is 94 years old and she is the daughter of Vance and Mae Holbrook Hendren.  She lives in Charlotte. Edward B. Hendren has four other grandchildren still living who reside in Maryland, South Carolina, and North Carolina.”

But letter, which Hendren wrote during his time in the Confederate Army made the memories of the bitter conflict all the more real.

The following are some of those correspondences.

 

Camp French near Petersburg, Va.

Dec. 3, 1862

 

My dear and affectionate wife,

You requested me in your last letter to write often and I am thankful that I am blessed with the opportunity of answering your request, informing you that I am tolerable well at present.  I sincerely hope these lines may come safe and speedily to hand and find you and little Vance blessed with good health.  I have written one letter since I received one from you but hoping it would be some satisfaction to you to hear from me.  I concluded to write again. 

 

I will tell what I want you to write about.  Please let me know how little Vance is getting along.  I cannot get to see him but I want to hear from him often.  I want to know whether you have got money yet to get things that you need.  If you have not, please let me know it and I will send you some more the first chance.  Write to me for postage stamps, envelopes, or anything you need and I will try to send it to you.  I have drawn $14 of my monthly wages and I had about $5 when I drew. 

I would be glad if you can send me a small box of provisions if it will not be too much trouble.  If you send me a box, I want you to have the staples and lock put to it that I had to the door where we moved from if you do not need it.  I want you to send me some chestnuts if you can get them.  I heard that Mr. Chappel was coming to the camp again.  If none of my folks do not come, it may be that you can get him to bring a box for you.  Tell him if he will bring it, I will pay him for it. 

Tell Father and Mother that I saw Elza last Sunday and he was well.  His regiment is on picket down towards Suffolk and he said he was going to his regiment on Monday. 

We are building winter quarters here and I think they will not fight much more this winter.  It is the opinion of a great many that peace will be made between this and next spring.  The soldiers are getting very tired of the war.  I learn that they are running away very fast lately. 

I want to see you very bad.  I have seen many a lonesome hour since I left you.  Although we parted in tears, I have some hopes that we will meet again.  I will promise you to try to live an honest, humble, and prayerful life hoping and believing you will do the same so we may meet where troubles are no more.

 

Affectionately yours,

E. B. Hendren

 

***

Camp near Petersburg, Va.

Sept. 20, 1864

 

Most dear and affectionate companion,

This note will inform you that after two years, trouble, hardship, and dangers, I am yet blessed with life and health.  I remember well the feeling of sorrow which I felt this morning was two years ago when I first parted with you to go to the army.  I received your kind letter of the 14^th yesterday.  I was truly glad to hear that you were all well and I hope to soon hear from you again and hear that you are still well. 

If I had time and could recollect, I would tell you of the many dangers I have passed through in the last two years.  I was first in the battle at Roleses Mills.  I believe about the 7^th of November 1862.  Then the 14^th of March was a half a day under the shelling of gunboats at Newbern, NC.  Then for the last week or two in March was exposed to the shells from the yanks boats near Washington, NC.  Then on the first day of July 1863, I was in the great battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.  I also heard some shells whistle at Williamsport, Maryland.  Then, on the 5^th of May, 1864, the great battle of the wilderness in Virginia, next the artillery duel at Spotsylvania CH.  Then a terrible shower of shells at Hanover Junction, next about the last of May we were exposed for several hours to the fire from a strong picket line and also a charge from the enemy but without much affect and the next was a severe battle at cold arbor the 1^st and 2^nd of July.  Next, we were about two weeks under a continual musket fire and cannonading in front of Petersburg.  Then, on the 21^st of August, we charged the enemy works on the railroad three or four miles from Petersburg.  Then on the 25^th, we made another gallant charge at Reams Station on the Wellden Road which was a dangerous affair. 

We are now throwing up breastworks some number four or six miles from Petersburg.  These are some of the many dangers I have had to pass through and how thankful I am that I have been blessed and spared to the present time.  I hope by our prayers I will be spared to return home safe once more.  You wished to know if I thought I would get a furlough this winter.  I think I will if they furlough as much as they did last winter.

I will say to you that I think you can surely do better to stay with your papa till I come home.  If you cannot keep all of your stock, sell some of it.  I will say to your parents to give their advice on it and do as well as they can for you as you need help now as bad as you ever will. 

It is my great desire to be at home to help provide for you and little Vance but I cannot but it is not my fault.  I am glad to hear that little Vance is well and growing fast.  Tell him to be a good and smart boy and I will come home sometime and bring him a pretty. 

 

I will close asking you to still remember me and to do the best you can, live in hope, trust in God and I will do the same.  Please keep all my litters till I come home if I ever get there. 

Direct letters to Petersburg, Va., Mc Brigade all the rest as usual.

 

Yours with much respect,

E. B. Hendren

 

Col. Lockett B. “Skip” Smith, of the 26^th North Carolina reenactors group gave a history of the regiment. He told how the 26^th was one of the most honored of the Civil War – on both the Union and Confederate sides – and also had one the highest casualty rates.

Smith told how at the Battle of Gettysburg alone, 89 percent of more than the 800 men entering the battle from the 26^th North Carolina were either killed or wounded.

The Elkville String Band, which includes members Herb Key, Drake Walsh, Jeff Michael and Bill Williams, gathered near the grave, instruments in hand.

Key, the singer and guitarist of the group, told about the song Lorena – how soldiers from both the North and South would sing the mournful song.

After singing the song, Key said to a friend, “You know, hearing all this history, especially what was in those letter, makes it all seem so real. Those fellas went through some really rough times.”

 

 

 

 

Wilkes Public Library faces big cuts

By JERRY LANKFORD

Record Editor

Myra Helms is 100 years old and doesn’t drive any more. But, the retired school teacher remains an avid reader.

The Wilkes County Public Library’s outreach services visits Helms at home every couple of weeks and brings her new books to read.

“It’s a wonderful service,” Helms said. “I am so pleased with it. I don’t know how I’d manage without them.”

But, she may have to soon.

Reduced hours of operation and less services seem to be looming for the Wilkes County Public Library.

Although no formal notification of cuts have been announced, Wilkes County Librarian Jennifer Murray said Wilkes Public Library is looking at a predicted $123,480 in cuts to the library’s  2010-11 operating budget.

And, that’s only figuring on projected county cuts. The state budget, now in the hands of the Senate, could bring more bad news.

Library hours have already been cut from 60 hours per week to 54. Another reduction in funds will mean cutting even more hours.

Staff hours have also been cut from 775 to 678 per week. The upcoming budget will bring more cuts.

“We’re going to have to reduce hours because we’re gong to have to reduce staff,” Murray said.

Outreach services would also suffer. Budget cuts may lead to a discontinuation of all outreach services. 

Wilkes County’s budget will be approved in June. A public hearing on the matter will be held next Tuesday.

“Wilkes County has always viewed the library as education, however, that is not a mandated service as the schools and colleges are,” said Commissioner Luther Parks.

 “We highly value the library’s contribution to the county, but in these current economic times we have to fund the mandated services,” Parks said. “This of course does not diminish how much we value the library and we hope in the future to be able to resume the current level of funding.”

Murray and Louise Humphrey, the director of the Appalachian Regional Library System, met with state officials last week in Raleigh.

Humphrey said they spoke with both Rep. Shirley Randleman and Sen. Steve Goss.

“They’re very supportive of public libraries,” Humphrey said. “Given the situation we feel that they will do what they can.”

The Senate’s current version of the budget shows $15.7 million statewide for public libraries, Humphrey said, showing a $938,000 cut.

“The Governor’s version of the budget shows public libraries at full funding,” she said.

It will likely be September before the state approves its budget.

In the meantime, Humphrey said the library would operate as if it were getting the same funding as the current fiscal year from the state.

The Wilkes County Public Library offers numerous programs and outreach services. Outreach services include the bookmobile, which makes stops in low income neighborhoods and outlying portions of the county. Other outreach programs go to senior citizens at various facilities and to homes of elderly shut-ins. Programs are also taken to day care centers where staff members present story time activities for young children.

Patrons of the library and its services are worried about what the budget cuts may bring.

Lani Cook said she and her children use the library weekly.

As for the prospects of the cuts, Cook said, “I think it’s a travesty. The library is such an asset to our community.”

She said her 4-year-old daughter attends programs at the library and that her 15-year-old daughter uses the facility for homework.

“I also use it for school work,” Cook said. “I’m finishing up my teaching degree at ASU.”

Cook added, “There are so many children who need the library to do school work. I am deeply saddened by the budget cuts. Now, with the way the economy is, people rely on the library more. The luxury of buying books is something not everyone has. And, not everyone has computers at home. A lot of children come here to get on the computers to do their homework. I think in the long run, cutting funding will wind up hurting the community.”

Sen. Goss calls the looming library cuts disturbing.

 “To me, this is one of the toughest things we need to look at,” Goss said. “People use the libraries more during times of economic downturn than ever. Not ever child in our public schools have computers at home and use the libraries on a regular basis. People also use our libraries to learn about employment opportunities.”

Goss added, “I will continue to support our libraries. There is still hope that there will be some reconsideration on the library cuts on the state level. This issue is just really emotionally difficult for me to grasp.”

 

 

County may see tax hike

By JERRY LANKFORD

Record Editor

Wilkes County commissioners are considering a tax hike.

An 8-cent per $100 property valuation is being discussed for the 2010-2011 fiscal year.

According to Wilkes County Manger John Yates, the hike to the current 57-cent per $100 valuation rate would still mean many cuts.

“With the economy the way it is, it’s just really tough and it’s taking its toll on the county,” Yates said.

Those cuts, according to Yates, would mean a 15 percent cut to the Wilkes County schools and Wilkes Community College, a 20 percent cut to the Wilkes County Public Library and a 20 percent cut to all non profit organizations.

There will also be a reduction in county employees, Yates said.

There are 32 county employees planning to retire. “We will not fill 21 of those positions,” Yates said, adding that that would mean an annual savings of $798,000.

A public hearing on the budget is set for next Tuesday set at 5 p.m. in Commissioners Meeting Room in the County Office Building in Wilkesboro.

County Commissioner Keith Elmore has suggested furloughing county employees two days per month. Elmore said that would mean an annual savings of $1.6 million. But, it’s unclear how much support he may have for the plan.

Yate’s proposed budget was outlined in his budget message recently given to the county board.

The total recommended budget including all funds:  general, 911, grants, airport, landfill, and volunteer fire districts is $73,114,190.  This appropriation reflects a decrease in the total budget of $2,721,325 or 3.59 percent.

The recommended general fund budget for fiscal year 2010-2011 is $63,903.433.  This appropriation reflects a decrease of $3,714,279 or 5.49 percent compared with the prior year budget of $67,617,712.  Over the last two years the General Fund Budget has decreased by 12 percent.

This year’s recommended appropriation for the Wilkes County School system is $11,013.397.  This appropriation includes $10,413,397 for current expense/operations and $600,000 for capital outlay/improvements.  This year’s appropriation reflects a decrease of 15 percent in funding.  

The 2010-2011 recommended appropriation for the Wilkes Community College is $3,165,129.  The recommended budget for current expense is $2,649,129, $150,000 for capital outlay and $366,000 for salary supplements.  The total appropriation represents a 15 percent decrease in funding.

Yates’ proposed budget also reflects no salary increases, and has the county’s self-insured Blue Cross Blue Shield employee health insurance premiums remaining the same as last year.

Yates said the Social Services General Administrative budget is recommended at $5,246,382 or $69,619 more than the prior year.  The General Health budget is recommended $2,032,557 or $105,895 (4.95 percent) less than the prior year.  The Smokey Mountain Center budget is recommended an appropriation of $259,200 or a 20 percent decrease.

The Wilkes Sheriff’s Department recommended appropriation is $3,827,973, or a $25,062 (.65 percent) decrease.  The Jail recommended appropriation is $2,236,206 or a $269,950 (13.73 percent) increase.

The Emergency Communications recommended budget is $967,167 a decrease of $67,548. 

The Emergency Medical Services budget is recommended $3,126,426, an increase of $263,398. 

Yates said the county is working with the Town of Wilkesboro and North Wilkesboro to secure grant funds for the construction of a new water intake project in the amount of $9 million to $11 million to be located at W. Kerr Scott Reservoir.  This project will enhance the ability to supply water for the municipalities and five  rural water companies providing water service in the County.  “We have budgeted $50,000 to finish an environmental assessment with the Army Corps of Engineers for the water intake project,” he said.

The county is also working with the Town of North Wilkesboro on the Industrial Park access road.  “This road will hopefully open up the park for more industrial use,” Yates said.  $100,000 has been budgeted for this.

Currently the Wilkes County Airpark is almost complete.  The taxiway construction should be completed by July 1, Yates said, adding, “ We have been awarded $1.3 million in grants from the Rural Center, EDA, IDF, Gold Leaf, and ARC for the water and sewer project.  The County’s share of the water and sewer project is $68,000.  I have budgeted $100,000 for final Airpark expenses.”

Ad valorem taxes for the recommended budget are estimated at $33,420,299.

“This year’s tax base has zero growth including real property, vehicles, and business personal property,” Yates said. “In a normal year, we expect the growth to be between 3 percent and 4 percent.  Due to the current economic conditions we are projecting no growth.”

Sales Tax revenue is budgeted at $9,902,289 a decrease of $1,861,925 compared with the current year.

“The decrease is due to current economic conditions,” Yates said, adding that no General Fund Balance appropriation is required to balance this year’s recommended budget. 

The Wilkes County Airport operating budget is recommended at $1,167,658 or $220,702 less than the prior year.  The capital budget is recommended at $1,460,500. 

The Wilkes County Landfill operating budget is recommended at $2,295,100, Yates said. This includes a $2 per ton increase in tipping fees.  This increases revenues by about $100,000.  “As mandated Jan. 1, 2011, we will be recycling electronics so an amount was budgeted for that expense.”

In the proposed budget there are no increases or decreases in taxes for the 25 volunteer fire departments in the County.

“Wilkes County, as other counties, has suffered an extreme loss in sales tax and ad valorem tax collections this past year,” Yates said. “This has complicated an already strained budget that has decreased 8.5 percent in the past year.”

He added, “The economic conditions can be blamed but nonetheless we must prepare a budget that addresses the demand for continued public services.  We must also, per the Local Government Commission, have a Fund Balance set aside in case of catastrophic events. They strongly recommend having 8 percent and say other counties of similar size have 25 percent.  Our Fund Balance last year was at 5.03 percent and for 2009-2010 that number will be less.  The proposed tax increase will cover expenditures and allow for a small Fund Balance in the 2010-2011 budget.”

 

 

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Community Happening

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.

 

Vacation Bible School will be held at Congo Pentecostal Holiness Church, located off West Hwy 421 N on South Holinesses Church Road, and the theme will be Son Harvest, Growing the Fruit of the Spirit. The dates are May 30, June 6, 13, and 27 (Sunday evenings only.)  The times will be from 5:30-7:30 each night.

Classes for all ages.

 

Revival services will be held at Billings Hill Baptist Church, May 24-29 at 7 p.m. nightly and prayer room opening at 6:45. There will be special singing each night and the guest speaker is Claude Lloyd. For more information, call 957-8287.

 

Mayo's Baseball School: Dream Bat Baseball Camp Fundamental Baseball Clinic. June 29-July 2 9:00 a.m.-12:00 noon, ages 6-14, Memorial Park, North Wilkesboro $150.00 membership fee. Free T-shirt for every camper. Registration deadline June 4, after which a $15.00 late fee will be charged. Spaces are limited. For more information contact Jeff Mayo at 336-684-4861 E-mail: mayosbaseballschool@charter.net.

 

Allen and Sharon Yates will be singing on Sunday night, June 6 at 6 p.m. at Sandy Flat Baptist Church, located on Highway 221, two miles from Blowing Rock.  Everyone is welcome. For more information, call

336-264-3357.

 

A benefit bake sale featuring homemade cakes will be held for Pam and Eddie Osborn on Saturday, May 29 at Cricket Baptist Church Fellowship Hall from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.  For more information, call Diane at 336-452-8216 or Ola at 336-984-6645. 

 

The Humane Society of Wilkes offers registration for the low cost spay/neuter clinic every Tuesday night, from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the Wilkes County Public Library.  Registered pets are transported to the clinic on the second Monday of each month. For more information please call 336-984-0227.