This Week in the Swannanoa Valley
You’re invited to help
increase local tourism
How to get more people to visit and stay in Black Mountain is the topic of a idea-gathering session that the Black Mountain-Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce is putting on at 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 25 at Lakeview Center (upper level). Come share your ideas.
Kirkin of the Tartan
service includes bagpipes
The Kirkin of the Tartan Anderson Auditorium in Montreat on Sunday, May 29 is free and open to all. At 10:30 a.m., the Montreat Scottish Pipes & Drum Band will do the Piping on the Green. At 11 a.m., the Kirkin of the Tartan Worship Service, including a recognition of veterans, begins.
Celebrate Recovery
with free dinner, meetings
Celebrate Recovery is celebrating its 11th anniversary dinner on Tuesday, May 31. Celebrate Recovery is a place to get rid of hurts, habits and hang-ups that keep you sad, lonely and tired. Meetings, held each Tuesday at Mountain View Church at 2221 North Fork, Right Fork Road, Black Mountain, start at 6:15 p.m. with a free meal, then the 7 p.m. worship hour and 8 p.m. small groups (open share and 12-step studies). Free child care is provided. For more, call Connie at 669-1981.+
Lead the Way 5K at Black Mountain Primary
The Lead the Way 5K will take place at 3 p.m. on Sunday, June 5 at Black Mountain Primary. The event is a fundraiser that aims to raise money for the school to implement the Leader in Me leadership program. Registration will remain open through Thursday, June 2 at runsignup/leadtheway5K.
Owen High class
f ’66 plans reunion
The Charles D. Owen High School Class of 1966 is planning its 50th reunion. On Friday, Aug. 19, a picnic is planned at the Lake Tomahawk Park picnic pavilion starting at 3 p.m., and a gathering and dance is planned for Saturday, Aug. 20 at the Lake View clubhouse beginning at 5 p.m. If you are member of the class of 1966 or would just like to attend this reunion, contact one of the following: Lynn Swann at distbswann@gmail.com, Edward Meyers at ed.meyers1946@gmail.com or Bruce Creasman at 669-6136.
Prostate cancer support group meets again
Us TOO of WNC, a prostate cancer support forum for men, caregivers and family members, will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 7 at First Baptist Church of Asheville, 5 Oak St. Dr. James Biddle of Asheville Integrative Medicine will speak at the meeting. It’s free. For more, contact 828-273-7698 or wncprostate@gmail.com.
BM Presbyterian
Church holds blood drive
Donating blood is one of the simplest things a person can do to help save a patient’s life. For the hour it takes to give blood, there could be a whole community of people thankful for another birthday given to their loved one.
On Thursday, June 2, the American Red Cross will hold a blood drive at Black Mountain Presbyterian Church, 117 Montgreat Road, Black Mountain.
Make pillows with
the Linus Project
The Linus Project is a group of sewers and nonsewers who enjoy making quilts and other items for children and adults at Mission Hospital and in the community. It focuses on children’s quilts which are given out by the Regional Linus Project Group to children in crisis in the local area.
While it focuses on quilting, it also pins quilts, sometimes sorts donated fabric, stuffs pillows and does more, all for others who are in need. It meets next from 1-3 p.m. Friday, May 27 on the lower level of the Lakeview Center at Lake Tomahawk in Black Mountain. It will be cutting and stuffing pillows as well as pinning quilts. No experience is necessary. Fabric has been donated, and experienced quilters are available to teach and help out. There is no charge. A sewing machine is not needed. However, projects can be taken home to be finished. Call Sara Hill at 664-0974 for more.
Yard sale helps Lions Club help needy families
The McCune Center at 101 Lions Way, Black Mountain will hold a yard sale and cookout from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, May 28. For sale will be furniture, commercial appliances, tools, clothing, computers, laptops, book, knick knacks and more. The yard sale benefits the McCune Center Lions so that they can purchase school supplies, groceries and Christmas gifts for families in need.
Church holds fashion
show to raise money
The Original Thomas Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church will hold a spring fashion show Saturday, May 28. Tickets are $10 for the 3:30–6 p.m. event held at Carver Community Center, 101 Carver Ave., Black Mountain. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door the day of the event.
The spring fashion show will feature fashions and hats for spring from the Iandell Hat Shop in Mills River. In addition to the modeled clothing, available for sale will be jewelry, books, vases, natural skin care products, scarves, beauty products, lemonade, greeting cards and flower arrangements. Refreshments and tours of the historic church will also be available.
The fundraiser for the church will benefit its handicap accessibility project. For more, contact Sybil Argintar at 828-230-3773 or sybil.argintar@yahoo.com.
‘Dixie Swim Club’
goes out with a bang
“The Dixie Swim Club” plays at the Front Porch Theatre at the Black Mountain Center for the Arts Friday-Sunday, May 27-29. Show times are 7:30 p.m. May 27-28 and 2 p.m. May 29. Tickets can be purchased by calling 669-0930 or visiting BlackMountainArts.org (go to the theater page). The arts center is at 225 W. State St., Black Mountain.
The play, written by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope and Jamie Wooten and directed by Sam Hobson, is a poignant comedy that spans 30 years and centers around five Southern women who rekindle relationships from their time on the college swim team by meeting at the Outer Banks each year. The women catch up on each other’s lives and goings-on, meddling whenever possible and relying on each other for support. When a life-changing event impacts one of the women, the rest demonstrate how teamwork can end up in an unusual and surprising conclusion.
Photographer presents program of common birds
Jim Poling will present “Common Birds of Western North Carolina,” a program of his photographs at 6:15 p.m. on Thursday, May 26 at Black Mountain Presbyterian Church, 117 Montreat Road, Black Mountain. The program is free and open to all and will be preceded by a potluck dinner with chicken provided at 5:30 p.m. Call 669-2725 if you plan to come for dinner.
AND COMING UP ...
Got a prize-winning garden?
Is your flower garden bursting with beautiful blooms? Is your veggie garden filled with incredible edibles? If you said “Yes”, you should enter the Black Mountain Beautification Committee’s fifth annual garden contest. To enter, bring a picture of your garden with your contact information on the back to Mellie Mac’s Garden Shack, 304 W. State St., or email the same to SusanEdwards@live.com.
Gardens must be in Black Mountain and created by the homeowner. The deadline for applications is Monday, June 20. Judging will take place on June 24. Two winners will be selected – Best Flower Garden and Best Veggie Garden. Prizes are $100 gift cards to Mellie Mac’s Garden Shack.
Artist leads a beginner precious metal clay workshop
On Saturday, July 30 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Cathy Green will lead a precious metal clay workshop at Arrowhead Gallery and Studios in Old Fort. The cost is $90 members, $100 nonmembers, plus the cost of the materials.
Participants will explore the many methods of imprinting textures on precious (fine silver) metal clay. They’ll learn the basics while making a pendant and earrings (and wearing the jewelry home). Materials, including clay, argentums silver ear wires and sterling head pin, will be $38 (though you may purchase more clay). Tools will be provided.
Reserve a spot by calling 828-668-1100.
Sign up for adult
tennis classes
The Black Mountain Tennis Association and Black Mountain Recreation and Parks will offer beginning adult tennis classes every Tuesday in June at 7 p.m. To register, call Recreation and Parks at 669-2052.
Community center has
yard sale and free lunch
The Buckeye Community Center is having a yard sale at 8 a.m. Saturday, June 4 at the center, 527 Buckeye Cove Road, Swannanoa. Call Rachael at 301-6286 to reserve a table ($10). Proceeds will help pay for the free community picnic held the same day at 11 a.m.