Oct. 31 This Week in the Swannanoa Valley

Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry needs 

A current list of needs at the Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry: Our clothing room is in desperate need of children’s coats, hats and gloves, men’s coats and men’s jeans.  With winter coming our shelves are bare and we need new or used blankets. We can also use sheets, and towels. Drop off items at 101 North Ridgeway Avenue, Black Mountain.

Celebrate Recovery meetings

Are you or someone you know struggling with anger, codependency, eating disorder, love & relationship addiction, abuse, alcohol, drug of other forms of addiction? Celebrate Recovery, which meets every Tuesday evening at Mountain View Church on 2221 North Fork-Right Fork, features inspiring teaching and testimonies of God’s healing power by our family in recovery.

Meetings begin at 6:15 p.m. with a free meal, before worship, testimony, or lessons begin at 7 p.m. Small groups take place at 8:00 p.m. for open share and 12-Step studies,before dessert is served at 9 p.m. Free child care is available. For more information contact Connie at 669-1981 or Jeanie at 669-4146.

Poker night at the VFW

VFW Post 9157 is now hosting Sunday night poker night. The weekly tournaments are open to the public, with the first one beginning at 5 p.m., followed by a 7 p.m. tournament. 

Dinner plates are available for $5. A $5 credit will be awarded to the winner of each tournament.

Free GED tutoring

Free tutoring for the GED is offered every Tuesday and Thursday evening from 5:30 - 8 p.m. at the Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry Opportunity House on 101 North Ridgeway Avenue, Black Mountain.

Tutoring is available in all subjects. For further information contact Martha Hubert at 828-231-5748.

Free seminar for caregivers of people with dementia 

The Lakeview Center for Active Aging has partnered with the Western Carolina Chapter Alzheimer’s Association to conduct a series of free Caregiver Dementia Educational Seminars for those affected by Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia. 

These seminars, which will be held from 11 - 11:45 a.m. on the first Monday of the month through November, are for caregivers or anyone wanting more information and resources. 

The Lakeview Center is located at 401 Laurel Circle Drive in Black Mountain.

For more information contact Melinda Polites  at melinda.polites@townofblackmountain.org or call 669-8610.

Broad River Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department annual meeting

The Broad River Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department annual corporate meeting will take place at 7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 2, in the Broad River Community Center at 44 Broad River VFD Road, Black Mountain.

Agenda items include financial review; external auditor’s report; election of three board members; addition of our third station and (DOI) Department of Insurance inspection, new rating of 5/9 and what that means for our residents and their home owners insurance

All Broad River fire district tax payers are encouraged to attend, see your tax dollars working to provide emergency services to you, your property and the community.

Made in Montreat Craft Fair

The Made in Montreat Craft Fair will take place from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 2, on the first floor of the Moore Center. The event will feature handmade local crafts. 

All purchases must be completed by cash or check, no credit cards. Parking is available in the Anderson Auditorium lot across the street. 

Homer's Chapel barbecue dinner

Homer's Chapel Free Will Baptist Church will hold a barbecue from 4 - 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2. The fundraiser will benefit the church's Chapel Gleaners Circle. 

Plates are $7 and include barbecue, baked beans, potato salad, cole slaw, roll, drink and a dessert. 

Homer's Chapel is located on 202 Chapel Road in Black Mountain. 

Launch party with Sarah Loudin Thomas

Local author Sarah Loudin Thomas will sign copies of her latest Appalachian story, "When Silence Sings," at Sassafras on Sutton, located at 108 Sutton Avenue, from 3 - 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov 3. Copies of the book will be available for purchase, and Thomas will host a talk and question and answers session. 

For more information or to preorder copies of the book, call the store at 828-419-0677.

Chamber of Commerce holds annual rocking chair auction

Black Mountain is known as the “Little Town that Rocks”. Literally. Giant rocking chairs are located at the Black Mountain Town Square and the Visitor Center. These chairs are a mecca for visitor photo ops and selfies.

People-sized rockers are also located throughout Black Mountain for visitors and residents to rock and relax during their shopping or dining excursions. Decorating the chairs with scenes in and around Black Mountain and placing the rockers around town began six years ago and quickly became a tradition.

But the best part about the rocker tradition is that anyone can own a one-of-a-kind rocker for their home. The Black Mountain-Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce, from 2 - 4 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 3, will hold its annual Rocker Silent Auction and Reception at the Andy Andrews Visitor Center at 201 East State Street.

Sixteen rockers will be placed on display and available during the auction. Refreshments will be provided by Black Mountain Bistro and desserts provided by volunteers using recipes from cookbook author and mother extraordinaire, Ruth Brown Begley.

The highest bidders at 4 p.m. will own a one-of-a-kind rocker for their front porch.