Ashe Mountain Times

The Calendar of Events listings are printed when space allows. Complete listings can be found on our website at http://www.ashemountaintimes.com .

Thursday, Oct. 13

Veterans Affairs program: The rural health program from the W.G. (Bill) Hefner VA Medical Center in Salisbury will provide VA services from 10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., at Ashe County Public Library. VA nurses will conduct an informational health care class from 10 to 10:30 a.m. Additional health care education and registration will be conducted from 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. For more information, call (800) 469-8262, extension 4958, 4960 or 4962 or visit http://www.salisbury.va.gov.

Medicare open enrollment kick-off: From 3 to 6 p.m., the Medicare open enrollment kick-off will be held at the Ashe Senior Center to educate the public on the new open enrollment dates and Medicare plans for N.C. citizens. SHIIP Medicare counselors and local pharmacists will be available to answer questions. The Ashe County Sheriff's Department will be doing a drug drop for the public and there will be a limited number of free flu shots for uninsured residents who cannot afford flu shots. The event will be catered and is sponsored by the High Country Community Resource Connection and SHIIP. For more information, call (336) 246-4347.

Beekeeper's meeting: At 7 p.m., the Ashe Beekeepers will meet at the Agricultural Service Center in the conference room. The meeting is sponsored by the N.C. Cooperative Extension, Ashe County Center. For more information, call (336) 846-5850.

Friday, Oct. 14

Ashe Services for Aging meeting: The annual meeting of the Ashe Services for Aging Inc. and Ashe Senior Village Inc. Board of Directors will be held at 8:30 a.m. in the Ashe Services for Aging conference room.

Semper Fi Breakfast Club: All active, retired, officer or enlisted Marines in Ashe County are invited to come out and join the Semper Fi Breakfast Club. Participants will swap sea stories, share old photos or just come enjoy the camaraderie with fellow Marines. For more information, contact Sgt. Ron Fitzwater at (336) 620-6422. The next gathering is set for 0900, at Smithey's.

Thriller Theater: Ashe County Public Library announces Thriller Theater, presenting a scary movie at 4 p.m. in the auditorium at the library. Popcorn and beverages will be available. For more information, call (336) 846-2041, extension 227.

Fall Crawl: The last Gallery Crawl of the season will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. featuring 11 galleries, sponsored by the Ashe County Arts Council. The arts center will feature the juried exhibit the Best of the Blue Ridge with winners being announced at 6 p.m. For more information, call the arts council at (336) 846-2787.

Benefit art sale: The Blue Ridge Art Clan will hold a benefit art sale from 5 to 8 p.m. at Baron Cooper Photography Studio on North Jefferson Avenue in West Jefferson. BRAC members have donated artwork and proceeds will benefit the Ashe Sharing Center. For more information, contact Ed Kline at (336) 877-2290 or email mekline@skybest.com.

Woolly Worm Warm Up: Antler Realty in downtown Banner Elk will host the Woolly Worm Warm Up from 6 to 9 p.m. The Wolf Creek band will perform, and hot dogs and beer will be available. Smores by the bonfire will be served for kids. For more information, call (828) 898-3111.

Saturday, Oct. 15

Harvest Celebration: From 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., Jefferson United Methodist Women will host their annual fall bazaar, entitled “Harvest Celebration: a Celebration of our Heritage.” Featured will be handcrafted and homemade items, a Circuit Riding preacher, vintage jewelry, cakewalks, entertainment, old-fashioned children's activities, a dog show, food, apple cider pressing and a tribute to the heritage of the church. For more information, call (336) 846-9512.

Stompfest: Featured will be contemporary art and music from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. at the New River Winery on Piney Creek Road in Lansing. Food will be available and there will also be a free tasting and wine glass. Cost is $10 in advance and $12 at the door and free for children under 12. For more information, call (336) 384-1213 or visit http://www.newriverwinery.com.

The Northwest Ashe High School Class of 1975 will have a 36-year class reunion, beginning at 1 p.m., at Smoky Mountain Barbecue in West Jefferson. It will be an informal get-together. The group may travel to Mount Jefferson State Park after the meal and to the home of Greg Miller in Lansing. For more information, call Greg Miller, (336) 384-3645 or (336) 977-8201, or Donnie at (336) 385-1125, or Pat Segraves Blevins at (336) 385-7007 or (336) 977-2546.

Fairies & gnomes houses building: At 2 p.m., meet at the Mount Jefferson State Natural Area at the picnic area. Imagination and natural materials will be used to build a woodland creature house. Each person or family will build a small house for an imaginary small creature. For more information, call (336) 246-9653.

Night hike: At 7:30 p.m., meet at the Mount Jefferson State Natural Area park office. The park ranger will lead a 1-mile hike along the ridgeline out to Luther Rock. A small flashlight and sturdy shoes are required. Parts of this hike are considered strenuous and hiking at night can be physically challenging. Children must be closely supervised. For more information, call (336) 246-9653.

Sunday, Oct. 16

Tamale Sale: From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church will hold a tamale sale in the church hall. Tamales are $1 each. Take out or dine in. Tickets can be purchased during business hours at the office or after the weekend Masses. The church is located at 326 East Main Street in Jefferson.

River otters: Join a park ranger at 2 p.m. at the U.S. Hwy 221 Access Visitor Center for this informative program. You will learn about the otters and their habitats. Call the park office for more information at (336) 982-2587.

Monday, Oct. 17

Farm Bureau annual meeting: Ashe County Farm Bureau will hold its annual meeting at 6 p.m., at Jefferson United Methodist Church in the fellowship hall. For a reservation, contact the county office before Wednesday, Oct. 12, at (336) 246-8828. Food and entertainment will be provided for members with the donation of three cans of non-perishable food for a local assistance center.

Tuesday, Oct. 18

Job searching classes at Lansing Tech, the new community technology center located in Lansing Town Hall will begin with basic computer skills from 11 a.m. until noon, Tuesday, Oct. 18 and Wednesday, Oct. 19. Classes are free. To register, call Lansing Tech at (336) 384-4000 and leave a message with your name, phone number and the desired class. Class size is limited.

A community forum hosted by the Golden LEAF Foundation and Alleghany County will beheld at 5:30 p.m. at Blue Ridge Electric at 1889 Highway 21 South in Sparta. The forum is planned to begin the implementation of the Golden LEAF Foundation's Community Assistance Initiative. For more information, contact Pat Cabe at (888) 684-8404 or email pcabe@goldenleaf.org.

Wednesday, Oct. 19

Customer service breakfast: From 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., the Ashe County Chamber of Commerce will host the “Outrageously” Good Customer Service Breakfast at Fraser's Restaurant. Those planning to attend the breakfast should RSVP by Friday, Oct. 14. For more information, call (336) 846-9550.