Thurs. July 29

Lost! But Found Safe and Sound. New River State Park will present an interpretive program on what to do if you get lost and what to carry with you in the woods. The program will be held at 10:30 a.m. Meet at the Visitor Center at the US Highway 221 Access Area. The program is geared towards preschool-aged children. The program will last approximately one hour so bring a picnic lunch to enjoy afterward. For more information, call (336) 982-2587.

Fri. July 30

Ken Kolodner Performs at Arts Center. The Ashe County Arts Council welcomes back dulcimer artist Ken Kolodner to the gallery of the Ashe Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. Kolodner has been featured on many recordings with musicians in several different genres of music such as old-time, Appalachian, Celtic and bluegrass. Local musicians will be joining Kolodner for the performance. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and are available at the Ashe Arts Center or by phone at (336) 846-2787.

Sat. July 31

Skeet Shoot Fundraiser. New River Volunteer Fire Department will be having their annual Skeet Shoot Fundraiser at the wildlife club, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Lunch will be served. For more information, contact any New River member or you may call (336) 982-9452 or (336) 977-0243. Best overall and first, second and third place prizes will be given.

Free School Supplies. Grassy Creek Baptist Church will be giving out free school supplies from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the church, located off of Highway 16 North on the Grassy Creek Church Road. Don't forget to bring your supplies list.

Mon. Aug. 2

Tryouts for the Ashe County Little Theater production of "The Mountain In Us," a play about early Ashe County settlers, written by local writer, Jan Gambill. Tryouts are to be held at 6:30 p.m. at the Arts Council Building. There are speaking roles for five women, nine men, one young girl and one young boy. There are also parts for non-speaking singers and walk-ons. Anyone interested in helping off stage is also welcome. Production dates are Oct. 1-3.

The Peak Creek Ruritan Club will meet at 6:30 p.m. at the Peak Creek Community Center on Highway 88 East in Laurel Springs. After the meal, Sheila Jordan of Laurel Springs will give a slide presentation on her "Adventures in Australia and New Zealand." For more information, call (336) 982-9538.

Tue. Aug. 3

The Humane Society of Wilkes will be registering for the Low Cost Spay/ Neuter Transport at the Wilkes County Library from 6 to 7 p.m. This is the last registration for the Aug. 9 transport. Costs: Spay/Neuter male/female dog less than 100 pounds is $55. Female cat spay, $50. Male cat neuter, $40. All animals must be current on rabies or their vaccinations will begiven at that time for $7. If you have any questions, call (336) 984-0227.

Wed. Aug. 4

4-H Afterschool Registration. The 2010-2010 4-H Afterschool Registration will be held at Blue Ridge, Mountain View and Westwood Elementary Schools from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Please ask for the 4-H On-Site Coordinator at the site. If you will be unable to attend the registration on Aug. 4, contact the 4-H On-Site Coordinator for an appointment to register. Parents need to bring the following items to register (if registering for the first time): copy of child's immunization record, doctor's telephone number and address, dentist's telephone number and address, proof of insurance, list of medications taken by the child and list of child's allergies. The 4-H Afterschool program will be available to registered students beginning Aug. 5, at each elementary school. With questions, contact the North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Ashe County Center at (336) 846-5850.

High School Orientation for new freshmen and transfer students at Ashe Countyl High School will be held from 9 to 10:30 a.m. in the ACHS auditorium. Incoming students will meet in the auditorium for half an hour for an information session covering topics such as buses, dress code, attendance and "who's, who." Students will also receive their fall class schedules and have the opportunity to move about the campus locating all their classrooms, locker location and meet some of their classroom teachers. Cadets from the JROTC program will be assisting students and families with finding their way around the school buildings. For more information, contact school counselor Annette Bednosky at annette.bednosky@ashe.k12.nc.us. After Aug. 1, she can also be reached at (336) 846-0503.

Clubs and Organizations 

4-H Target Sports Club meets the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m. at Family Central. For more information, call Jennifer Miller at (336) 846-5850.

4-H Barnyard Buddies meets the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Agricultural Extension Building. For more information, call Jennifer Miller at (336) 846-5850.

AAA Martial arts for kids ages six to 12 and families, taught every Thursday at Family Central in Jefferson and every Monday in Boone. Classes are offered on a donation basis. For more information or to register, call (336) 246-2334 or email register4kicks@yahoo.com.

About your life workshops offered online and year-round in Ashe County. Specializing in creative journalizing, writing to process emotions and memoir writing. Click to www.sheridanhill.com.

ACES is a non-profit networking support group for small business entrepreneurs in the area. Specialize in wedding and event planning business. Meet on the third Tuesday of each month from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. For more information, click to www.a-c-e-s.us.

ACS LOOK GOOD...FEEL BETTER at AMH Mt. Hearts. For women undergoing cancer treatment. Free information, a make-up kit and skin care will be provided. To find out more, call (336) 846-0781.

ASHE AGRICULTURAL EXPO CENTER COMMITTEE meets the second Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. in the first floor conference room of the Agricultural Extension Building, Government Circle, Jefferson. For more information, call Jennifer Miller, (336) 846-5851.

Ashe Arts council meets the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Ashe Arts Center in West Jefferson. Meetings are open to the public. Anyone interested in the arts and getting involved is invited. Call (336) 846-2787 for more information.

ASHE DEMOCRATIC PARTY meets every fourth Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Smoky Mountain Barbecue.

ASHE FIBER FOLKS meet all day Wednesdays and Saturdays at Spin-A-Yarn, located at 207 Backstreet in West Jefferson. Everyone welcome. For more information, call (336) 846-7746.

ASHE GARDEN CLUB meets the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m. If you have an interest in gardening and you would enjoy discussing plants, visiting private gardens or touring public gardens, call Lynda McDaniel at (336) 877-3299 for more information.

ASHE HISTORICAL SOCIETY holds its regular meetings at 6:30 p.m. on the second Monday of each month. All regular meetings are held in the 1904 Courthouse on Main Street in Jefferson. Currently the entrance is in the rear of the building. We welcome everyone with an interest in local history.

ASHE HUMANE SOCIETY meets the first Thursday of every month at 5:30 p.m. at 1175 Old Highway 16 in Jefferson. The Humane Society is open Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. and on Saturdays for pet adoptions from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. For more information, call (336) 982-4297 or click to www.ashehumanesociety.org.

Ashe Home Builders will meet the second Thursday of every month at Jefferson Station in downtown West Jefferson at 5:30 p.m. Anyone involved in the Home Building industry is invited to attend. Reservations can be made by calling Kelley St. Germain at (336) 620-2000.

Ashe Partnership for Children Board of Directors meets on the third Monday of each month at 10 a.m. Call (336) 982-4588 for more information.

ASHE MEDICATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM - Free and low cost medications obtained for those needing help with expenses. Call Shelly Elliott or Jeri Nichols at (336) 982-6000 to find out more and learn if you qualify. Office is located at Family Central.

Ashe Piecemaker's Quilt Guild meets the second Thursday of each month from 1:30 to 4 p.m. at Ashe Services for Aging on Ray Taylor Rd. From beginners to experienced quilters, all are welcome. Call Brenda for more information at (336) 246-3230.

Ashe Planning BOARD meets on the first and third Thursday of each month at 5:30 p.m. in the small courtroom at the Ashe county Courthouse. The public is invited to attend.

Ashe Co. Republican Party meets the third Tuesday of each month. For more information, contact Delores Miller at bringbackbigc@yahoo.com.

Ashe Suicide/depression Awareness prevention task force (Asap) meets the third Thursday of the month at 4:30 p.m. at Ashe Memorial Hospital in Jefferson. For more information, call (336) 846-0781.

ASHE UNITY GROUP OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS meet Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at noon and Sunday at 4 p.m. All meetings are held at the West Jefferson United Methodist Church at 107 West 2nd Street. Use the South entrance. Anyone may attend the Friday meetings. The last Friday of the month is a speaker meeting.

Belly dance classes are offered by Saphira at Studio K on Mondays from 6:30 until 7:30 p.m. For more information, call (336) 830-3479.

BINGO - Disabled American Veterans will have BINGO on the first and third Thursday of the month at Prime Sirloin Steak House in Jefferson. The early bird game will be at 6 p.m. with the regular game at 7 p.m. Come early and eat with us. Bingo is open to everyone, not just veterans. For more information call (336) 982-3743. The Disabled American Veterans hold their monthly meeting on the third Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at the DAV-VFW building in Jefferson. For more information, call (336) 246-5930.

Blue Ridge art clan (BRAC) Just about everyone can paint! During the fall and winter seasons, BRAC will be meeting in the downstairs room of the Ashe County Library. We alwayss meet on Saturdays and begin at 9:30. Our activities are normally on the fourth Saturday of each month, but during November we will meet on Nov. 21 and Dec. 19 in December. Contact either Ed Kline at (336) 877-2290 or LaMay Strange at (336) 877-3433.

Blue Ridge Writers meets at 2 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month at the Ashe County Public Library. All writers are welcome to attend. For more information, call Mickeal Goss at (336) 982-3118.

CIRCLE OF PARENTS, a parent support group offered by Ashe County Parntership for Children at Family Central, will take place every Tuesday morning from 10:30 a.m. to noon, beginning Aug. 10. This group is open to all parents and caregivers who have a child ages birth to 5. Call (336) 982-4311, if you would like to participate or have any questions.

Chess Club meets every Thursday night from 5 until 7:30 p.m. in the Genealogy Room of the Wilkes Public Library.

Exercise Room The exercise room at Riverview Community Center opens at 5:30 p.m. Memberships are $10 month. Call Rose Price at (336) 385-1137.

DULCIMER JAM for lap dulcimers, also autoharps and other "soft" instruments. All ability levels are welcome. Second and fourth Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. in classroom number 2 at the Ashe Services for Aging at 180 Chattyrob Lane in West Jefferson. You don't need to be a senior citizen. For more information, call Diane LaBonte at (336) 877-2300.

FREE Concerts Free outdoor weekend concerts are held from 2 until 5 p.m. at 14300 NC 18 South in Laurel Springs. For more information, call (336) 359-8008. A free outdoor Sunday concert is held at Stations Inn, from 2 until 5 p.m. at 14355 NC 18 South in Laurel Springs. For more information, call (336) 359-2888.

JEFFERSONS ROTARY CLUB meets each Thursday at noon at Jefferson Landing. Rotarians visiting Ashe are encouraged to attend for make up meetings or to become seasonal members. Call (336) 977-1427.

JOHN BIRCH SOCIETY CHAPTER Meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month in Ashe County. Information and Action meetings are also scheduled monthly and are open to the public. Anyone interested in working for "Less Government, More Individual Responsibility and, With God's Help, A Better World" is welcome to attend. For more information, call (336) 846-3948 or (336) 384-2093.

MOMS OF YOUNG CHILDREN GROUP meets on the first and third Thursdays of each month at 10:30 a.m. at Warrensville United Methodist Church. Bring the kids. Expecting mothers and mothers with kids ages 5 and under are welcome. For more information, call (336) 877-6878 and leave a message or e-mail pixiefluffbiz@gmail.com.

MUSEUM OF ASHE COUNTY HISTORY features local artifacts and Virginia Creeper Railroad items. It is open Tues. through Sat. from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., and at other times by appointment. Located in the 1904 courthouse building on Jefferson's Main Street, the phone number is (336) 846-1904. Check out their web site: www.ashehistory.org.

New River Riders, of the Gold Wing Riders Assn. hold their regular meeting on the third Thursday of every month at 6 p.m. at Smoky Mountain BBQ. Meal followed by meeting at 7 p.m. For more information, call (336) 982-4923.

Phipps Farm Friday night Jam Held weekly (rain, sleet or snow) from 7 until 10 p.m. at 2425 Silas Creek Road in Lansing. Admission is free, but donations are welcome for upkeep. Open mountain music jam, all ages and skill levels, dancers too. Snacks and drinks for sale. Coffee free. For more information, call (336) 384-2382.

Pickin' and jammin' fridays at Riverview Community Center from 7 until 10 p.m. Admission is free and refreshments are available. For more information, call (336) 385-9812.

Riverview lions club meets each first and third Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Riverview Community Center on N.C. 88. A brief program, some business and adjourn at 8 for refreshments and conversation.

Rural and Community Safety, a North Carolina SAFE KIDS coalition and a Farm Safety 4 Just Kids chapter, offers car seat checks at Family Central in Jefferson, on the third Fridays of each month beginning at 3 p.m. At these checks, appropriate seats are available for Medicaid eligible children, as long as supplies last. If assistance is needed at another time or if there are questions, call Nancy Kautz at (336) 846-0781.

We The People of Ashe holds its monthly meeting the fourth Tuesday of each month at Faith Fellowship Church in Jefferson at 6 p.m. All are invited to this issue or any non-partisan gathering. For more information, contact Kershaw Getty at (336) 877-3116, Tom Pope at (336) 246-2608 or Ed McClearin at (336) 877-5673.

Al-anon meetings for relatives and friends who live or have lived with an alcoholic or someone who has a drinking problem meets in Boone at St. Luke's Episcopal Church at 170 Council St. Newcomers meeting is Mondays at noon. Other meetings are Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. and Fridays at noon. For information, call Sandy at (828) 264-7091.

Ashe Child Care Resource and Referral, a nonprofit program for the Ashe Partnership for Children, provides referrals and information concerning licensed and legally operating child care facilities in Ashe County. Office is located at Family Central in Jefferson. (336) 982 8870.

BLUE STAR MOTHERS OF THE HIGH COUNTRY meet on the second Monday of each month. These meetings begin at 5:30 p.m. and are held at the National Guard Armory at 274 Hunting Hills Lane in Boone. Hunting Hills Lane is off of State Farm Road, near the hospital. Mothers of military sons or daughters serving in any branch of service who live in Watauga, Ashe or Avery County are invited to attend and be involved in this exciting new group to support our military family members who serve our nation so valiantly and with honor. The group is affiliated with the National Blue Star Mothers and organizes activities to support both the families and those serving in the military. For more information, contact Debbie Branch, president, at branchfamily@earthlink.net.

CANCER SURVIVORS GROUP is open to any woman who has or has had cancer. Meetings are usually held on the third Tuesday evening of each month. Location varies. There is lots of companionship and humor. Come make new friends, share information and renew your spirit. For more information, contact Jean Colvard at 846-3839. If a day-time meeting is better for you, contact Mary Caryl Elmore at 246-7567.

childbirth and newborn care classes are held on Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. at the Ashe Memorial Hospital. To register call (336) 846-0734.

diabetes Self-Management Program. Ashe Memorial Hospital, Mtn. Hearts. Fee varies with individual need. Covered by most insurance companies and medicare. Call (336) 846-0744 to find out more.

Grief counseling services High Country Health Care System Hospice offers free counseling and support to those who are grieving. To schedule an appointment or learn more call (336) 246-6443.

HIGH COUNTRY MOMMIES is a free group for local moms in Ashe and surrounding counties. They offer online support for moms through message boards and support groups. Check us out on-line at www.highcountrymommies.com.

PLAY GROUPS AT FAMILY CENTRAL In the Cooperative Play Center at Family Central. The Play Center is open to the public Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Interactive Play Groups for children ages birth to five years are held on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday's from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For more information, call (336) 982-4311.

SEX AND LOVE ADDICTS ANONYMOUS Mondays and Thursdays at 6 p.m. 12-step group sharing experience, strength and hope in dealing with recovery from compulsive sexual and relationship issues. (828) 266-9368.

SUPPORT GROUP FOR PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH MENTAL DISORDERS meets on the first and third Tuesday of every month from 6:30 until 7:30 p.m. at Mount Paddy Church, 822 N.C. 88 W. For more info call (336) 846-3174.

SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE meet on the second Monday and the fourth Tuesday from 5:30 until 7 p.m. Children are welcome. Refreshments are served. Call A.S.H.E. (A Safe Home for Everyone) at (336) 982-8851 for details.

The Tomorrow Group, a support group for female survivors of incest, meets each Monday morning at 9 a.m. Call (336) 982-8851 for more information.

WIC program (Women, Infant, Children Nutrition Program) offers: nutrition information, free immunizations for kids, vouchers for healthy foods, referral to other health services, health assessment, vouchers for Farmer's Market and breast feeding help. For more information, call: Ashe, (336) 246-2013; Alleghany, (336) 372-5644. Saturday