Jan. 17-23 This Week in the Swannanoa Valley
WNC Knitter knit (and crochet) for others
The WNC Knitters & Crocheters for Others will meet Thursday, Jan. 18 (and the third Thursday of every month, except December) from 1-3 p.m. at Givens Highland Farms, building G-H on Brookside Avenue, in the Birch Room.
All knitters & crocheters are welcome. The group makes items for single mothers, homeless shelters, ill, abused or traumatized children, victims of domestic violence, as well as newborns at Mission Hospital. It welcomes acrylic yarn and new Teddy Bear donations. For more, call Betsy Stobbs at 669-0680.
Red Cross to hold two blood drives in area
The American Red Cross is issuing an urgent call for blood and platelet donors to help tackle a winter blood shortage. Severe winter weather has had a tremendous impact on blood donations so far this year, with more than 150 blood drives forced to cancel causing more than 5,500 blood and platelet donations to go uncollected. Donations are needed right now so that patients can continue to receive lifesaving treatments.
On Friday, Jan. 19 at 6 p.m., there will be a blood drive at Ingles Markets in Swannanoa. On Thursday, Jan. 25 at 4 p.m., there will be a blood drive at Black Mountain Fire Department.
Celebrate Recovery has veterans, bikers groups
Celebrate Recovery features inspiring teaching and testimonies of God’s healing power for people in recovery. “Welcome Home Veterans” is a special open-share small group for men led by a veteran for veterans. "Broken Chains" is an outlet for bikers to combine their love of riding with their need for recovery.
Celebrate Recovery meets every Tuesday evening at Mountain View Church, 2221 North Fork-Right Fork Road, Black Mountain. Meetings begin with a free meal at 6:15 p.m., then 7 p.m. for worship/testimony/lessons, 8 p.m. for small groups (open share and 12-Step studies), 9 p.m. for dessert. Free child care is available. For more, contact Connie at 669-1981 or Jeanie at 669-4146.
Montreat Presbyterian begins Wednesday series
Jeanne duBose will be the lead speaker for the three-part series on mindfulness at Montreat Presbyterian Church beginning Wednesday, Jan. 17 at 5 p.m. DuBose will be leading a discussion on the "spirituality of aging." The following Wednesday, Jan. 24 at 5 p.m., Keith Grogg will talk about "living each day with God." On Wednesday, Jan. 31 at 5 p.m., Ina Hughs will lead participants in a writing exercise to discover "what early experiences have influenced you." All classes will meet in the Allen Building on Lookout Road. The public is invited.
Book group to look at racism and white privilege
A book discussion group is being formed to discuss "Witnessing Whiteness: The Need To Talk About Race & How To Do It" by Shelly Tochluk on Mondays, Jan. 22-March 26 in the Black Mountain Library community room.
The discussions will be 4:30-6 p.m. The recommended donation of $10 a class will go to Be Present Inc., a nonprofit social justice organization rooted in black and female leadership.
This facilitated book discussion group is designed to assist people who identify as white to notice and respond to interpersonal and institutional racism, white privilege and white supremacy. It is meant to help participants understand and practice interrupting racism and to develop and practice skills to act as agents of change.
To sign up, contact Marybeth Wolf, mfrancescawolf@gmail.com. It is recommend that participants buy and bring the second edition of the book to the first day of class.
Montreat book club discusses "Dimestore" memoir
The Montreat Community Book Club sponsored by the Friends of the L. Nelson Bell Library will meet at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 23 at the library to discuss "Dimestore: A Writer's Life " by Lee Smith.
Smith, an American fiction author, incorporates much of the background from the Southeastern United States in her work. Born in the small coal-mining town of Grundy, Virginia, she began writing stories at the age of nine and selling them for a nickel apiece. Since then she has written 17 award-winning works of fiction. "Dimestore" is her first nonfiction piece.
This memoir is a collection of essays about Smith's life, both her childhood in Grundy, Virginia and her adult life in North Carolina. The essays create an emotional journey of laughter, heartbreak, hope , disappointment and love. The author shares the experiences that made her the writer she is today and celebrates the love of reading and writing books.
The discussion will be led by Sue Diehl, a retired librarian from Montreat College. Everyone is invited to attend.
Tomahawk duplicate bridge group posts results
The Lake Tomahawk Duplicate Bridge Group played at the Lakeview Center on Lake Tomahawk in Black Mountain Jan. 9 and had a great time.
Coming in first were Helen Kraus and Walt Tolley. Coming in second were Peter Schoen and Myra Schoen. Coming in third were Elizabeth Lovejoy and Ed Zawaki.
If you would like to join in, whether you are local or from out of town, email rongibson1@yahoo.com for information.