Community

Events

Aug. 12-14

The 6th annual Ola Belle Reed Festival will be held in downtown Lansing. This tribute event features regional old-time, bluegrass and Celtic artists, performing center stage for the 3-day celebration. This musical extravaganza begins Friday, Aug. 12 at 5 p.m. Saturday’s events begin at noon with Sunday’s tribute beginning at 11 a.m. Food booths will be located in the Lansing Creeper Trail Park, the site of the festival. The event is free. Donations are welcome. For further information, please visit the Ola Belle Reed website at www.olabellefest.com.

Friday, Aug. 12

5-8 p.m. Gallery Crawl Open house at downtown galleries and shops. Free. 336-846-ARTS. Opening exhibit for Ashe Camera Club exhibit at the Ashe Arts Center.

Saturday, Aug. 13

Blue Ridge Brutal 100 Bike Ride at the Ashe Civic Center. 22nd year for riders to challenge the mountains. To register go to www.ashecivic.com. 336-846-ARTS

8 a.m. Underground Railroad Hike. Traverse the history of Mount Jefferson with a ranger as he travels back in time to the days of the Underground Railroad. Participants will experience the folklore and history surrounding Mount Jefferson as you hike along the mountain ridge. Meet at picnic shelter at Mount Jefferson State Natural Area.

8-10:30 a.m. Pancake and Waffle Breakfast will be served at Fleetwood Community Center. Price depends on what you choose but no plate over $5. Books available too. Proceeds benefit the center. Located on U.S. 221S in Fleetwood. Parking off Railroad Grade Road.

4 p.m. Beaver Creek Class of 1962 Reunion at Mountain Aire Sea Food. Call 846-9988 or 877-1046.

Sunday, Aug. 14

2 p.m. Hike into History. Come on up the mountain and learn about the history of Mount Jefferson. You will dig into the past as you hike the mountain ridgeline. Wear sturdy shoes. Meet at picnic shelter at Mount Jefferson State Natural Area.

8 a.m. Where the Dirt Doesn’t Hurt. Join a ranger as he explains how Mount Jefferson’s soil impacts the diversity of its plants and animals. This program is weather dependent. Please wear appropriate clothing to include hiking boots. Meet at picnic shelter at Mount Jefferson State Natural Area

Tuesday, Aug. 16

6:30 p.m. High Country Audubon (HCAS) will meet at the Watauga County Agricultural Conference Center behind the Cooperative Extension building at 252 Poplar Grove Road in Boone. The meeting will feature a presentation on the March Nicaragua trip that many HCAS members attended. The group will share their experiences and photos of the trip. High Country Audubon Society covers Avery, Ashe, Alleghany, Watauga, and Wilkes counties and is designed to encourage beginning birders and experts alike to engage in conservation, education, and research for the birds of western North Carolina. HCAS invites the public to attend the monthly meetings and field trips. Information can be found at www.highcountryaudubon.org.

Wednesday, Aug. 17

2 p.m. The Rural Transportation Coordinating Committee (RTCC) and Rural Transportation Advisory Committee (RTAC) of the High Country RPO will hold a joint meeting at the High Country Council of Governments building located at 468 New Market Blvd, Boone. The meeting is open to the public.

Friday, Aug. 19

4-8 p.m.: Fish Fry to benefit Ashe Outreach Ministries and Mobile Meals will be held at Riverview Community Center. Cost is $10 donation for large portion of fish, fries, hushpuppies, slaw, dessert and drink. Take-out available. Live bluegrass music. Center is located in the Clifton/Creston community on N.C. 88. Look for the flashing Fish Fry sign. Call 385-1314 for information and take-out. Fish fry is held the first and third Fridays of each month throughout the year.

5-7:30 p.m. Backstreet Concert Series welcomes the Appalachain Mountain Girls. Held at the Backstreet Park behind the old West Jefferson Hotel. In case of rain, event will be held at the Ashe Arts Center.

Saturday, Aug. 20

11 a.m.-4 p.m. Festival by the River hosted by the Riverview Lions Club at the Riverview Community Center (located on 88 W in Creston.) Pork barbecue, hot dogs, hamburgers, ice cream, and funnel cakes will be available. Gary Poe Show live on stage. Come enjoy food, fun, music, and free kid’s rides.

2 p.m. Where am I? Orienteering and what to do if I get lost. Come up after lunch and learn some basic orienteering and map skills. Once the basic skills are learned you will be given the challenge of locating an object. Group will discuss search and rescue. What could you do if you were lost? Meet at picnic area at Mount Jefferson State Natural Area.

7:30 p.m. Coffee House Talent Night at West Jefferson Methodist Church Hensley Hall. Songs, stories, and more. $10 adults, $5 students. 336-846-ARTS

Sunday, Aug. 21

2 p.m. Acid Rock Hike Crank it up; not the music - the ph. Come on up and find out for yourself why Amphibolite makes the soil on Mt. Jefferson so good for plants that don’t like natural aicds. See why Mount Jefferson is a National Natural Landmark and learn how to identify some local tree leaves. Group will hike and discover the world of plants rock and soil. Closed-toe shoes necessary. Meet at the picnic area.

Monday, Aug. 22

Alleghany County Fair at the Alleghany County Fairgrounds, 1.5 miles north of Sparta on U.S. 21. For more information, call 336-372-5597. Experience this traditional agricultural fair that features everything from blue ribbons from prize farm animals and best canned beans to cotton candy and carnival rides. Agricultural competition begins Aug. 22 and the carnival rides come to town on Aug. 25. Lawnmower race and fireworks finale on Aug. 27.

Tuesday, Aug 23.

6-8 p.m. High Country Christian Women’s Club invites all women to attend meeting. Located at Deerfield Fellowship Hall, Deerfield Road, Boone. $10 catered meal available.

Wednesday, Aug. 24

11 a.m. Friends of the Library present Dr. Karl Campbell of ASU who will reintroduce you to the political career of U.S. Senator Sam Ervin by telling stories from his book on the Senator. Light refreshments. Open to the public.

Aug. 25-28

Ashe County Little Theatre presents The Fantasticks. All performances held at the Ashe Civic Center with 7:30 p.m. shows Aug. 25-27 and a matinee performance Aug. 28 at 2 p.m. Reserved seating is available in advance from the Ashe County Arts Council. Tickets are $12 for adults and $5 students. Tickets available at the Ashe Arts Center, in person, or by phone at 336-846-ARTS. Credit cards accepted.

Saturday, Aug. 27

2 p.m. Nature Hike. Meet the park ranger for a hike into a mountain forest habitat. Explore and enjoy the natural wonders on top of Mount Jefferson. Group will be hiking on the ridge trail so wear sturdy shoes. Meet at the picnic shelterat Mount Jefferson State Natural Area.

Sunday, Aug. 28

1 p.m. The Legend of Tom Dooley (music) Join a Western North Carolina native at Mount Jefferson State Natural Area as he relives the last days of the N.C. legend Tom Dooley. Did Tom Dooley murder Laura Foster in the shadows of the Blue Ridge? The infamous story will be accompanied by songs to include the Ballad of Tom Dooley. Participants should meet at the picnic shelter; all programs are free and open to the public.

5-10 p.m. Innaugural Whitetop Music Festival at Whitetop Community Center-Food will be available. Admission $7 adults, children $4, under 10 free. 5-5:30 bluegrass, 5:30-6 surprise, 6-10 featuring Common Ground Band. Bring a lawn chair and blanket and join us. No alcohol or coolers allowed.

Church

Events

Aug. 11-13

7 p.m. Homecoming Services at Gillespie Community Church Nightly with Sunday service at 10:30 a.m. and dinner on the grounds. The singing and preaching will feature The Delp Family from Jamestown Kentucky. A special invitation goes out for all who have ties to Gillespie from 1932 until now. For information, call Pastor Jim Francis at 384-2560.

Aug. 12-14

Missions Conference at Scottville Baptist Church Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m., Sunday at 10 a.m.-11 a.m., and 6 p.m. Main speaker is Plato Shepherd. Midwest church planter serving Kansas for the past 18 years. Formerly of Wilkes County. Conference goal is to promote missions that they may reach others around the world for Christ.

Saturday, Aug. 13

4 p.m. Bethany United Methodist Church Men’s Club Summer Pork Barbecue. Plates with chopped BBQ, baked beans, slaw, rolls, drinks and desserts will be sold for $8 adults and $6 for children under 12. Take-outs will be available. For more information or for advance tickets, contact the church office at 336-877-2801.

Sunday, Aug. 14

Calvary Free Will Baptist Church in Glendale Springs will present a celebration and reunion as they mark their 70th year in ministry with the annual Homecoming. Sunday school begins at 10 a.m., and a special morning worship service begins at 11. Guest speaker will be Rev. Jerry Roten of Sparta. Following the morning worship service, you are invited to a meal in the fellowship building. At 2 p.m., they will re-gather in the church sanctuary for a special gospel sing with old favorites, The Southern Aires of Dayton, Ohio. For more information and/or directions, call the church at 982-4840 or Pastor Sonny Thomas at 982-4743.

8:30 and 11:30 a.m. Southern Heirs performing at Mt. Paddy Church. Everyone is welcome.

10:30 a.m. North Beaver Baptist Church “Friends Are Special” Day. The Pine Ridge Boys will present a concert of Southern Gospel music. Pastor Rick Miller will bring the message; dinner on the grounds will follow the service. For more information, call 982-8568 after 5 p.m. or 336-649-0395.

10:30 a.m. Landmark Baptist Church Homecoming with meal to follow in fellowship hall. Pastor Charlie McCoy will bring the message, everyone invited to attend. Located in Silas Creek community.

11 a.m. Transou United Methodist Church Annual Homecoming with special music provided by the Worship Four. A potluck dinner will follow the service. Pastor Rob Brooks and congregation invite anyone to attend.

2 p.m.: Decoration will be held at Severt Cemetery on the Boggs Road. Everyone welcome.

2 p.m. Smethport Community Cemetery Decoration Day. If unable to attend you may send donations for upkeep of grounds to 626 Claybank Road, West Jefferson, NC 28694.

6 p.m. Ashe County Worship Center Night of Worship Everyone is welcome. 863 Ray Taylor Road. 846-1189

Friday, Aug. 19

2 p.m. The 125th Annual Meeting of the Ashe Missionary Baptist Association with the Healing Springs Baptist Church and on Sunday, Aug. 20 beginning at 9 a.m. with the Welcome Home Baptist Church.

Sunday, Aug. 21

Decoration at Johnson Family Cemetery located on the Hartsog Farm on Hwy. 88 West in Creston. Everyone is welcome and can come by anytime that day. For donations to the cemetery fund, please mail to Mrs. Mildred Graybeal, Box 2550 Big Laurel Road, Creston, NC 28615.

10:30 a.m. Homecoming at the Little Helton Baptist Church with Pastor David Brooks bringing the message along with special singing. Dinner to follow on the grounds.

6 p.m. Bristol Baptist Church hosts Cornerstone Quartet. Everyone welcome.

6:30 p.m. Liberty Grove Baptist Church invites you to hear America’s One-Handed Pianist, Brian Arnold, who will be speaking and singing. Brian is the former lead singer and pianist from the Chosen Few of Branson, Mo. Pastor John Elledge and the congregation invite everyone to attend.

Aug. 22-25

7 p.m. Revival at Little Helton Baptist Church with Rev. Chris Goodman as guest speaker. Special singing each night.

Sunday, Aug. 28

10 a.m. Chestnut Hill Baptist Church Homecoming Pastor Randal Greene and congregation invite you to Homecoming 2011 with special singing and lunch to follow.

11 a.m. Transou United Methodist Church Annual Homecoming with special music provided by the Worship Four. A potluck dinner will follow the service. Pastor Rob Brooks and congregation invite anyone to attend.

11 a.m. Mount Jefferson Presbyterian Church celebrates its 50th anniversary. Join them for a special worship service of reminiscences about their first 50 years, followed by a covered dish luncheon. Call 846-7481 for more information.