Unless otherwise noted all phone numbers are in the (828) area code
Jurors for 11/8 Session 9am Released
Jurors for November 8th, 2011 9:00am session in Mitchell County Civil Superior Court have been released: they do not have to report.
Technical Difficulties at Yancey DSS
The Yancey County
Department of Social Services has been experiencing technical difficulties
with the phone system at the Public Assistance/Administrative offices
(682-6148) for the past several days. Also, the computer system has been
down today. Please be aware that this may temporarily delay the return
of phone calls and the processing of applications and reviews. The
Child and Family Services unit at 682-2470 has a fully operational phone
system. However the computer is down. Phone and computer
technicians are working diligently on these issues. The phone systems
seem to be fully operational while the computer systems are still down.
Yancey DSS apologizes for any temporary inconvenience. Your
understanding and patience is greatly appreciated until both these systems
are fully operational again.
Entry Applications Available for Burnsville Christmas Parade
The Burnsville Christmas Parade will be Saturday, December 3rd at 3:00 pm. Entry applications and Grand Marshall nomination forms are available at the Chamber Office or online at www.yanceychamber.com. The deadline for entries is November 18th. This year’s parade will be followed by caroling on the Square. Any church that wants to participate in the caroling should contact the Chamber office (682-7413) to register or for more information. This year’s theme is Mountain Memories.
Entry Forms Available for 5th Annual Spruce Pine Kiwanis Club Christmas Parade
The 5th Annual Spruce Pine Kiwanis Club Christmas Parade is scheduled for Saturday November 26th at 6:00pm in Downtown Spruce Pine. The theme this years is "Old Fashioned Appalachian Christmas". The Spruce Pine Kiwanis Club is organizing the parade and is looking for all interested groups to participate and get your application submitted soon. For an application and more information click here. You may also contact Main Street at 765-3008 or the parade coordinator Luthur Stroup at 765-1562.
Mitchell County Angel Trees
Angel Trees for Headstart
of Mitchell County (for Mitchell county children only) are now located at
DT's Blue Ridge Java in Downtown Spruce Pine, Western Sizzlin' Steakhouse in
Spruce Pine, United Community Bank of Bakersville and Spruce Pine, Grassy
Creek Golf Course, and the Tropical Grill. Gifts are due back to the
location where you picked the angel by December 5th.
November Trips with Yancey
Transportation
Yancey County
Transportation Authority has the following trips planned for November:
11/5
Quilter’s Guild in Gastonia
11/12 Mars Hill Singing
11/17 Thrift Shops in Asheville
11/22 Asheville Mall
For more information call
682-6144.
F
ree Early Childhood Playgroup
Graham's Children's Health Services is sponsoring a free "Early Childhood Playgroup" that will meet every Wednesday from 10:00am-11:00am at The Burnsville Gym on School Circle in Burnsville. The group is meeting at this time on a weekly basis now through May 2012. Parents must stay with their children while at the playgroup. There will be no formal supervision or childcare. This is a great opportunity to meet other young families in the community and take advantage of a free indoor facility during the winter months. For more information call 682-7899.
Free Living Healthy Workshop
The Yancey Senior Center invites you to participate in a FREE self-management workshop for people with any type of ongoing health problems scheduled to begin Wednesday November 2nd at 10:00am at the Blue Ridge Fitness and Rehabilitation Center. The workshop is held for 2 ½ hours, once a week, for six weeks. Designed at Stanford University, research studies have shown that the workshop is extremely effective in helping people manage their health.. Participation in all sessions is very important to learn better ways of coping and managing your health by: setting goals that are do-able, working with others, finding support and solutions to problems, making daily tasks easier, relaxing and managing stress and working in partnership with your health care team. Pre-registration is required. To pre-register or for more information, please contact Cindi Renfro at 682-6011 ext. 15 between 8:00 am and 2:00 pm, Monday through Friday.
Yancey Youth League
Basketball Registration
The Yancey County Youth League
will be holding basketball registration for girls and boys for the following
grades: 3rd–4th grade, 5th–6th grade, on Thursday,
November 3rd at Burnsville Elementary School Gym from 5:30-8:00. Also on
Saturday, November 5th at Burnsville Elementary School from 10:00-1:00pm.
Mitchell/Yancey Tea Party
Meeting
The Mitchell/Yancey Tea Party
will be meeting Thursday November 3rd at 6:30pm at United Community Bank in
Burnsville. The meeting will be an open forum and everyone is invited.
Mountain Heritage High School Symphonic Band and Jazz Ensemble Fall Concert
The Mountain Heritage High School Symphonic Band and Jazz Ensemble will present their Fall Concert on Thursday November 3, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. in B. M. Tomberlin Auditorium at Mountain Heritage High School. The ensembles are directed by Dr. Tim Babb who says the students have worked very hard and are tremendously talented and promises that the audience is sure to have a wonderful time. Admission to the concert is $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for students. All proceeds will be used to support the Mountain Heritage High School Band.
L
arge
Indoor Yard Sale Benefit for the Needy
Large indoor rummage sale at
South Toe Baptist Church on Lower White Oak Creek Road in Yancey County.
Benefits to go to the needy in the community. Something for everyone! Baked
goods available. November 4, 5, 11, & 12. 8am - ? Follow signs.
Over 50 Challenge: High Country Senior Games
Watauga Parks and Recreation is hosting an OVER 50 Challenge for residents in Watauga, Ashe, Avery, Yancey, and Mitchell Counties 50 years of age and better, sponsored by the High Country Senior Games. This will be held on Friday, November 4th and Saturday, November 5th. On November 4th, starting at 10 am at the Boone Bowling Center, there will be a singles bowling event held. On November 5th, we will hold the following events at the Old Cove Creek School: Bocce, Corn hole, Basketball Hot Shot, Softball Throw, Football Throw and Spin Casting from 11 am to 2 pm with lunch provided. The only cost associated with this program is the $7 for bowling, all other events are FREE!! The events are not competitive in nature. This Inaugural Challenge is being held to provide any interested persons who are over the age of 50 a chance to experience a few of the over 50 events held in conjunction with the High Country Senior Games held annually in May. The High Country Senior Games offers participants an opportunity to qualify for the North Carolina Senior Games which annually hosts over 2,000 participants from across North Carolina. For more information on the North Carolina Senior games visit http://www.ncseniorgames.org/. For more information and to register, contact Watauga Parks and Recreation at (828) 264-9511 or e-mail stephen.poulos@watgov.org. A Registration will be available by clicking here.
Micaville Elementary School Playground Improvement Day
Micaville Elementary School is having playground improvement day on Saturday November 5 from 9:00am-12pm. They are asking anyone in the community to help them with the clean up and improvements being made on their playground. As we all know each and everyone of us in the community use the playground either as our children benefit during school hours or on the weekends with our families. Please if you would like to come support their efforts bring shovels, rakes, gloves, as they embark on an improved playground for everyone in our community to use.
Christmas Extravaganza *
Christmas Extravaganza: Bringing the Holidays to Your Home will be held Saturday November 5, 2011 from 10am-2pm at the Burnsville Town Center. FREE ADMISSION. 20 plus vendors will help kick start your holiday season offering jewelry, hand made Christmas ornaments, locally made Christian t-shirts, candles, totes and purses, beauty products, home décor products and much much more. Enjoy sampling, free products, numerous door prizes and gifts. For more information please feel free to contact 208-9633 or 284-7895.
Benefit Car Show, Barbecue & Gospel Singing for The Charlie Proffitt Family
The staff at WKYK and WTOE will present a Benefit Car Show, Barbecue and Gospel Singing for the Charlie Proffitt Family Saturday November 5th. The car show will start at 12:00 noon at Mountain Heritage High School in the upper tennis court parking lot. Entry fee is $10 per car. Awards and prizes will be given for "Best of Show" and 2nd Place. Entrants will serve as judges. A benefit barbecue dinner begins at 12:00pm with barbecue provided by Bubba's Good Eats, coleslaw provided by Bantam Chef, baked beans,
chips, and drink for $10 per plate. Dine in or take out. Pre-buy tickets at WKYK studios or by calling Lee McFarland at 284-4595. Bluegrass Gospel concert starts at 5:00pm in the auditorium. Admission is free with a love offering accepted. Dylan Wilson will serve as the emcee and performing will be Joshua Generation, Priscilla Jones and Tammy McEntire, His Fold, and The Cody Hull Band.
Buladean Elementary School Fall Festival
Buladean Elementary School and Buladean PTO would like to invite you to our annual Fall Festival on Saturday November 5, 2011. The fall festival will start at 4:00 p.m. and end at 8:00 p.m. Events planned between 4- 6 p.m. are: games, hay ride, pie throwing and family fall pictures. From 4-7 p.m. food will be served. You can choose from a BBQ plate with slaw, chips, beans, dessert and drink or Hot Dog plate with slaw, chips, beans, dessert and drink. Events between 6-8 p.m. include: **raffle prizes (items valued up to $300.00), auction of theme baskets and entertainment tickets, cake walks, concessions, and a small dance for kids. Live Bluegrass music will be played from 4-8 p.m. As you see, there is something for all ages, so come out and have a great evening with family and friends.
Free Learning Lab at Mayland's Yancey Campus
Earn your GED, prepare for college, and improve your reading, writing and math skills all for free at Mayland Community College's Learning Lab offered at the Mayland's Yancey Campus Monday and Wednesday from 9:00am-5:00pm and Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon to 8:00pm. For more information call 682-2154.
Food Giveaway
God's Hand's Ministry continues to give away free food, every Monday from 10:00am until 2:00pm. The food ministry is located at Crabtree Chapel Baptist Church, located on Crabtree Road at the Yancey/Mitchell county line "up the valley" above Young's Mountain Music. For further info call Rev. Fred Proctor at 828-536-4341
.
Drive for the Kids School Fundraiser
"Drive for the Kids" sponsored by Chrysler and Buchanan and Young, Inc. will be held Monday November 7th from 12:00pm-3:00pm at Burnsville Elementary School. Everyone is invited to test drive a minivan and other cars by Chrysler. For each test drive, Chrysler will donate $10 to the school. Buchanan and Young, Inc. will match this donation. Enjoy refreshments, and door prizes will be announced every hour. Please come and support Burnsville Elementary School and test drive the #1 van in America. The money raised from this program will be used to purchase a quilt square designed by the students for Quilt Trails of Western North Carolina, and books for the media center.
Free Meal Every Monday at 5pm
Higgins Memorial United Methodist Church is offering a fresh, nutritious and delicious meal, free to anyone in our community, every Monday at 5:00pm in the Family Life Center located across from the Reconciliation House in Burnsville.
Narcotics Anonymous Meetings
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) would like to announce a new meeting for young persons with a problem with addiction. This meeting will be held every Monday evening at 7pm at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Burnsville, located at 372 Reservoir Road in Burnsville on the hill behind the CVS. From highway 19 turn onto Reservoir road and stay left in front of the Burger King, it is approximately one half mile up the road on the right. Please come.
What is NA? From one of their early brochures, “NA is a non-profit fellowship or society of men and women for whom drugs had become a major problem. We meet regularly to help each other stay clean. We are not interested in what or how much you used but only in what you want to do about your problem and how we can help.” We know that many in our area have drug addiction problems and are in need of the kind of help that NA can offer. We have a wonderful community, but that wonder can be lost if drugs have clouded our hope. NA can help remind those of us with drug problems that there is hope, one day at a time. Young persons, including teens, who need this program are welcome. There is no charge. The meetings are being led by 1 of 2 persons with over 20 years of sobriety. For more info on NA, please see the website, www.na.org.
Al-Anon Meetings
Al-Anon meets Mondays from 7:30pm-8:30pm at the First Presbyterian Church located at 120 Church Street in Burnsville. This meeting is for family members who have someone in their life with an addiction problem. The programs are free and open to the public.
Free Showing of the Movie "Forever Strong"
A free showing of the movie "Forever Strong" will be offered to middle and high school students and their parents at the Yancey Theatre Tuesday November 8th at 6:30pm. "Forever Strong" is an inspirational true story about a talented but troubled high school rugby player who loses his position as the star of an Arizona rugby team when he is sentenced to a boys’ juvenile detention center in Salt Lake City. He ends up playing for Salt Lake’s notable Highland High School rugby team in the national championships – against his old team, which is coached by his father. The story has a strong message about loyalty to family and the team, respect and honor, rising above our mistakes, and service to others. For more information, call Graham Children’s Health Services at 682-7899. This event is a collaborative effort between Graham Children’s Health Services, Yancey County Schools and the Prescription Drug Abuse Task Force. To view trailer click here.
Bakersville Medical Clinic Blood Drive
The Red Cross Carolinas Blood Services Region provides blood to 103 hospitals and must have 1,600 people give blood and platelets each weekday to meet patient needs. There is no substitute for blood and volunteer donors are the only source. You can help out by donating at the Bakersville Medical Clinic Blood Drive Friday November 11th from 2:00pm-6:30pm at the clinic located at 86 N. Mitchell Avenue in Bakersville, NC. Please call Chuck Shelton at (828) 688-2104 for further information or to schedule your appointment.
**All presenting donors will be entered in a drawing for a chance to win one of three pair of Delta Airline tickets!
Medicare Annual Enrollment For Medicare Part D
Medicare Annual Enrollment is now underway through December 7th. All members of Medicare Prescription Drug (Part D) Plans and Medicare Health Plans may change their coverage during this period. All changes made during will be effective Jan. 1, 2012. It is imperative to remember that Medicare beneficiaries will no longer have until the end of the year to make changes, so you need to plan now. Your health needs change from year to year and the benefits and cost of your health plan may change each year too. That's why it's important to evaluate your Medicare choices. It's worth it to take the time to review and compare, but your don't have to do it alone, call the Yancey County Senior Center for an appointment at 682-6011.
In Mitchell County call the Mitchell County Extension Center at 688-4811.
Hospice of Yancey Desperately Needs VolunteersHospice of Yancey County is desperately seeking volunteers to help with our patients and families. Volunteers are needed in private homes to allow the caregiver to have a break or run errands. We also have patients in facilities in Burnsville who need companionship. If you have a couple of hours a week to spend just being a friend to someone, please contact Angie Higgins at 682-9675. This is a very rewarding opportunity.
3rd Annual "Shop With a Cop" Event Seeks Donations
The Yancey County Sheriff Office is currently planning their 3rd annual “Shop with a Cop” event. This program was designed to benefit underprivileged children between the grades of kindergarten thru eighth grade. The purpose of this event is to provide a happier Christmas season to these children and for the children to interact with law enforcement officers in a positive setting. In the previous two years Wal-Mart has provided a grant to fund shopping for 8 children and Western Sizzlin Steak House has helped provide a hot meal for each of the children. Sheriff Gary Banks would like to see an increase in the number of children that can participate in this event. Several individuals, churches and business have expressed an interest in providing support for the “Shop with a Cop” program. They would like anyone who would be interested in donating to have a chance to do so. An account has been set up at the State Employee’s Credit Union in Burnsville.
Yancey Meals on Wheels needs Volunteers
The Yancey County Meals on Wheels program needs volunteers to deliver meals to Yancey County shut-ins, any weekday from 10:30 am to noon. If you would like to volunteer, call the Yancey County Senior Center at 682-6011.
Needs at Brookside Rehabilitation & Care
Brookside Rehabilitation and Care is in need of lap blankets and homemade quilts for their residents. If you are interested in donating new or gently used quilts please contact Derek Freeman at Brookside at 828-682-9759. Brookside Rehabilitation and Care is also looking for volunteer instructors to teach quilting, knitting, and other forms of needlework throughout the week. If you are a quilter or crafter and would like to share your talents with the residents of Brookside weekly or bi monthly, please contact Derek Freeman at Brookside at 828-682-9759.
Pet Adopters Needed
The Yancey Humane Society is overflowing with homeless dogs, cats, kittens and puppies. They range all sizes, shapes, and ages. Help spread the word that these innocent ones need loving homes. If you live in Yancey, Mitchell or Madison County, the adoption fee for dogs and puppies and kittens is $65.00. If you adopt 2 kittens, the fee is $65 for both (2 for 1). If you live outside of that area, the adoption fee is $85.00. The adoption fee for adult cats is $35.00. This fee includes spay/neuter and all vaccinations based upon the age of the pet that you choose. Visit the Animal Shelter web site at www.yanceyanimals.petfinder.com. Adopt now and start creating happy memories with your forever friend.
Donate Furniture to Help U-Turn Ministry
U-Turn Ministry is looking for donations of old wood furniture (not upholstered) that they can restore and sell to help keep the ministry going. Furniture donations can be dropped off at the center between 4pm and 8pm. For more information call Vicky Fortune at 682-2486, and look for them on Facebook.
Resident Artists Exhibit at Penland Gallery
A new exhibition is on display at the Penland Gallery titled “The Barns 2011” after the old dairy barns that house the artists’ studio at the Penland School of Crafts. It features work by the seven resident artists at Penland School of Crafts and includes work in ceramics, textiles, jewelry, painting, sculpture, and furniture and runs through November 27th. The gallery is located on the Penland School campus, just off Penland Road in Mitchell County. Gallery hours are 10 - 5, Tuesday through Saturday; 12 – 5 on Sunday; closed on Mondays. The gallery also offers tours of the Penland campus on Tuesdays and Thursdays. For more information call 828-765-6211 or visit www.penland.org.
Nominate Someone for NC Outstanding Volunteer
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2012 Governor’s Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service. Each county selects five individuals, businesses, and/or groups to be recognized for their outstanding contributions to their communities. One of the five recipients will be nominated to receive the NC Outstanding Volunteer Medallion. A local committee evaluates the nominations. Nomination forms are available in Yancey County at the Yancey County Extension Center at 10 Orchard Drive in Burnsville and must be returned to Linda Semon no later than Wednesday November 9th.
Operation Christmas Child:Yancey Collection Site
This year during the Operation Christmas Child Season Yancey County will have it's first ever Operation Christmas Child shoebox Relay Center as a part of Samaritans Purse, Operation Christmas Child (OCC), High Country Area. The Relay, or Collection Center will be located in the Family Life Center at Higgins Memorial United Methodist Church in Burnsville, located just behind the church at 101 North Main Street in Burnsville, and will be open and staffed during Collection Week of Monday, November 14 thru Monday, November 21, 2011. Collection hours will be noon-3:00pm Monday and Friday, 5-7:00pm all other weekdays and 1:00pm-5:00pm on Saturday and Sunday during collection week. For information on how to pack a shoe box and what items to pack click here. On Tuesday November 22nd they will load all the filled cartons and take them to Samaritan’s Purse in Boone. They are in need of a box van to make the delivery. If you can help contact Wes Presnell at 208-2834.
Free Simple Wills and Advanced Directives
There will be two attorneys from Legal Aid of Asheville at the Yancey Senior Center on Tuesday, November 15th, 2011 from 9:15 am until 3:30 pm to do simple wills and advanced directives. This is a FREE service to all seniors 60 years of age or older. This is a very valuable service and we encourage seniors to take advantage of it. There are a limited number of slots, so call now to reserve a time. For more information or to reserve a time, please call Cindi Renfro at 682-6011, ext. 15.
N
ickels for Know-How Check-Off Vote Set for 11/16
A self-assessed, state-wide check-off that supports agricultural research, extension, and teaching programs in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at NC State University will be held Wednesday, November 16, 2011 subject to approval by the Board of Agriculture. Users of feed and fertilizer in North Carolina will vote on November 16 whether to continue the voluntary 15 cents per ton self-assessment on fertilizer and animal feed produced in our state. Since 1951, the Nickels check-off has been voted on every six years and has passed in the 13 previous referenda by an average 90% favorable vote. The Mitchell County Extension Center, Mitchell-Yancey Farm Service Agency and Griffiths General Merchandise have been designated as polling locations for this year’s check-off vote. For more information contact Jeff Vance at the Mitchell County Extension Center, 828-688-4811.
B
ook Club Discussion of "The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie"
Mayland Community College’s Book Club, BOOKWORMZ, will meet at 2 p.m. on Friday, November 18, at the college’s Main Campus in Spruce Pine to discuss the novel The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley. Anyone who has read the book or who is interested in the Book Club is welcome. For more information call 765-7351 or 1-800-4-MAYLAND, ext. 216 for more information.
Mitchell- Low Income Energy Assistance Program
The North Carolina Division of Social Services has new guidelines andeligibility for Low Income Energy Assistance Program. This program is designed to help meet heating costs by issuing benefits for qualifying households. ♦ Households will No longer receive a Low Income Energy Assistance Program check in February. ♦ Energy payments will be paid directly to the heating provider such as your power, gas, or fuel oil company. ♦ Households must apply for LIEAP December 1, 2011 through January 31,2012 for people who are 60 years of age and over, persons who receive SSI disability, and Individuals who receive Services from the Aging and Adult Services Program, Veterans who receives disability, a disabled surviving spouse, or disabled surviving child, ♦ Application for all other households will be taken from February 1, 2012 through March 31, 2012 or until funds are exhausted.
If you have question regarding this program, Please call MITCHELL COUNTY DSS at 688-2175 Ext. 302
Y
ancey- Low Income Energy Assistance Program
Due to changes in the energy programs the Yancey County Department of Social Services will be taking applications for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) December 1, 2011 through January 31, 2012. This will be for households whose only members are 60 years of age or older or are disabled persons receiving services through the Division of Aging and Adult Services. These applications will be taken as long as funding is available. The benefits will go directly to the provider. Please provide verification of your prior month income and social security numbers for all household members. If funding is still available on February 1st, 2012, applications will be taken for all other households. There will not be any checks automatically issued in February.
B
ranson Show Extravaganza
The Yancey Senior Center and Diamond Tours invite you to join them on a fabulous trip to Branson. The trip is scheduled for the week of April 22-28, 2012 and costs only $599.00. The trip includes the following: -6 nights lodging including 4 consecutive nights in Branson -10 meals: 6 breakfasts and 4 dinners -Admission to 7 fabulous Branson Shows: The Brett Family Show, The Red Skelton Tribute Show, The Duttons Show, The Acrobats of China, The Hooray for Hollywood Show, The Jim Stafford Show and The Showboat Branson Belle. A deposit of $75.00 is due upon signing or no later than December 15, 2011 with the remaining balance due by February 15, 2012. Anyone 21 years of age or older can participate in this trip. We must have a minimum of 30 people signed up for the trip. For more information, please contact Cindi Renfro at 682-6011, ext. 15.
Addiction Counseling
For families in need of drug and alcohol addiction counseling, Narconon Arrowhead can help. Narconon offers free counseling, assessments, and referrals to centers nationwide. Please call toll-free 1-800-468-6933 or log onto their website at www.stopaddiction.com.
Mountain Regional Medical Corps Needs Volunteers
The Mountain Regional Medical Reserve Corps is seeking active and retired physicians, nurses, pharmacists and support staff who are interested in health issues to volunteer for local and state emergencies, disasters, and public health events. Medical personnel from home health agencies, long-term care facilities and mental health would also be an asset. Community members without medical training such as office workers, administrators/interpreters, legal advisers, law enforcement, chaplains, and others who can fill key administrative and essential support positions as volunteers are also needed. If the Toe River Health District (Avery, Mitchell, & Yancey Counties) is tasked with providing a mass flu vaccination clinic in the fall additional volunteers may be needed to assist. Being a member of the Medical Reserve Corps and being trained in advance of the need could make you feel more comfortable in your role as a volunteer. To find out more information on how to volunteer, contact Jamie Davidson at 828-393-0190 or 828-693-6213.
Habitat for Humanity Needs Volunteers
Habitat for Humanity needs volunteers for its Habitat Store in Spruce Pine, 4 to 8 hours a day, 1 to 5 days a week. The days needed are Tuesday through Saturday. Anyone retired, out of work, school or college students can volunteer. Must be able to lift to pick up deliveries and move inventory around the store. For more information call Linda Ledford at 675-5355 or the Habitat Store at 766-9000.
Dog Park Available Free to Pet Owners
The Yancey County Humane Society offers a beautiful community dog park at the Animal Shelter off Cane River School Road. This dog park provides county residents with an area where they can spend quality time exercising their pets and sharing memorable moments with fellow pet owners and volunteers can provide fresh air and exercise to Shelter pets awaiting adoption. The dog park is open to the public from 10 A.M. to sunset, 7 days a week. There is no fee to use the dog park. Needless to say there are Rules and Regulations to follow. Copies of these Rules and Regulations are attached to the dog park fence. Please observe all posted informational signs because the success of the dog park relies upon each of you. If you have any questions, please call 682-9510.
Mayland Offers Free Basic Skill Classes
Mayland Community College’s Basic Skills program offers adults help in improving their reading, writing, and math skills as well as preparing students to complete the requirements to earn their GED. Between yesterday’s regrets and tomorrow’s dreams lie today’s opportunities. Mayland will help you reach your educational goals. These classes are free. The college will be adding a new date and time for this service at the Bakersville Library. Classes will be held on Tuesday and Thursday from 12:30-5:30 p.m. and on Wednesdays from 12-5 p.m. Anyone interested in these classes should call 1-800-4-MAYLAND, ext. 291.
Weekday Schedule at Mitchell Senior Center
Lunch is served every weekday at 11:30am. There is no charge for persons 60 and over: contributions are accepted.
Exercise class is held ever Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10:30am-11:15am: led by a trained instructor from the Physical Therapy Department of Blue Ridge Regional Hospital.
Bingo is played every Monday at 10:00am.
Bible Study is held every Tuesday at 10:30am: Line Dancing Classes every Tuesday at 7:00pm.
Bridge for Fun is played ever Thursday at 12:00pm.
For More information call 688-3019.
Local History Resource Available
Genealogists, historians, students, teachers and anyone interested in local history in Avery, Mitchell and Yancey Counties will now be able to access bibliographic information about the holdings in the Lloyd Bailey Annex in Burnsville through the AMY Regional Library online public access catalog. This will include both those searching online and at the libraries. The Bailey collection contains many resources not owned by the libraries. When searching the online catalog, when your see the term "History Museum" given as the location, that means the item is at the Bailey Museum Annex at 3 Academy Street in Burnsville. The Annex is part of the Rush Wray Museum of Yancey County History and is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10:00am-4:00pm. For more information call the Annex at 678-9587 or the Regional Library Office at 682-4476.
Activities at the Yancey Senior Center
The weekly schedule of activities at the Yancey Senior Center are :
Trip to Wal-Mart – Thursday (if have at least 4 people signed up)
For more information, please contact Cindi Renfro, Activities Coordinator, at 678-3581.
How You Can Help Save a Life
Narconon Arrowhead is saving lives, reuniting families, and making stronger communities through effective drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Learn how and why a person becomes addicted to drugs or alcohol and what you can do to help, log on to www.stopaddiction.com or call 800-468-6933 to receive free counseling, referrals and assessments. Stop the cycle of addiction today!
Lost a Pet? Call Humane Society First
The Yancey County Humane Society is reporting that they have received a higher than normal number of strays that have been turned in to their shelter. If you have lost an animal, please contact the shelter so they can put your information in their lost/found book and notify you should it arrive at their shelter. They also want to make everyone aware that they keep animals for 3 business days and then put the animal up for adoption, so it's very important that you notify them when your animal is missing...otherwise it could have a new home if you wait too long. Since pets tend to roam this time of year, it's a good idea to buy a collar with identification tags for your animal so that you can be reunited quicker should it begin to stray from home. For more information call 682-9510.
WAMY Community Action Looking for Testimonials
WAMY Community Action is searching for former customers and staff of their non-profit agency. Have you ever participated in any of WAMY’s many different programs? Did WAMY help you get back on your feet when you really needed help? Have you even been employed by WAMY? If your life has ever been impacted by WAMY Community Action, give them a call or stop by sometime! Call 682-6618 for WAMY’s Yancey County office and share your story today!
Protect Yourself Against Rabies
Public health officials say that rabies cases have increased compared to this time last year. As a result, they are urging North Carolinians to be wary of wild or strange animals. Precautions include: * Vaccinate pets. * Don't try to rescue, pet or touch wild animals. * Avoid physical contact with unfamiliar dogs and cats. * Do not sleep in a cabin, tent or shelter if bats are present. Any mammal can get rabies, but raccoons are the most common carrier in North Carolina. The disease can occur at any time of year, although humans are most likely to be exposed in the warm months when they are outside more often. More information on rabies in North Carolina, including county-by-county data, is available on the web at http://www.rabies.ncdhhs.gov
Volunteers Needed*
The Blue Ridge Fitness and Rehabilitation Center is looking for a few good men and women to volunteer. Volunteers are needed at the center on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8am-3pm. If you have some extra time on your hands, and would enjoy helping the staff at Blue Ridge Fitness and Rehabilitation Center in providing quality care for its patients and the best fitness services possible for its members call 766-1770.
Mitchell Senior Center
The Mitchell Senior Center needs substitute volunteers for all routes, but for the Bakersville area especially. Substitutes are people who are willing for them to call at the last minute when they need someone to deliver meals. They know a sub can not always drop what they are doing and come out to deliver the Meals on Wheels, and that's okay, they do it when they can. All the Meal Routes are approximately 1 hour from pick-up at the Senior Center until the last meal is dropped off. So all in all it takes about an hour and half to do a Meal Route. They have 7 Meal Routes and serve approximately 85-95 Meals on Wheels 5 days a week. Wed-Bakersville Area Thu-Ledger Area Fri-Glen Ayre Area. Please call 688-3019 or come by the Senior Center. They are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
Shriner's Hospitals
Children with serious medical problems face many challenges in life. That's why Shriner's Hospitals for Children offers help and hope by providing world-class medical care to kids with orthopedic, spinal cord or burn injury problems, totally free of charge! Shriner's Hospitals combine leading edge research with outstanding teaching programs and there is a Shriner's Hospital helping kids from this area. If you know a child they could help call 1-800-237-5055 or visit www.shriners-hospitals.org
Help for Starting or Expanding a Small Business
Are you interested in starting or expanding a small business? If so, then W. A. M. Y. Community Action, Inc. may be able to help with funding or other assistance. W.A.M.Y.'s Micro Enterprise Program makes small business loans and also can arrange for various types of training to help small business owners. Call (828) 733-0156 and ask for the Micro Loan Coordinator to learn more.
Fair Housing is the Law in North Carolina
Fair Housing is the law in North Carolina. If you feel that you have been discriminated against in housing because of your race, color, sex, religion, national origin, handicap, or family status you have options. If you wish to report a fair housing complaint and you live in Yancey County, call the Yancey County Manager's Office at 682-3971, the Burnsville Town Hall at 682-2420, or you may contact the North Carolina Human Relations Commission at 1-866-324-7474. The hearing impaired may dial 711 to access Relay North Carolina.
Community Service Workers Available to Non-Profits
The North Carolina Department of Corrections Community Service Program is seeking non-profit agencies who would like to be considered for placement of court-ordered persons to work off community service hours at their location. For more information call William Whiteside at 682-6300 or email WWH04@DOC.STATE.NC.US.
Spruce Pine Kiwanis Club Meeting
For 50 years, the Kiwanis Club of Spruce Pine has been actively involved in projects that make our community a great place to work and live. They focus on providing services to help children and youth, funded by conducting events such as fish fries and golf tournaments. During the past 2 years, Kiwanis of Spruce Pine has conducted reading and grade improvement programs in local schools, supported clubs and activities in Mitchell High School, distributed and read more than 500 books to Elementary classes, sponsored a dental hygiene education program for students, and established and endowed a scholarship at Mayland Community College. They invite all interested persons to attend their meeting any Tuesday at 7pm at Western Sizzlin' on Highway 226 in Spruce Pine for food, fun, fellowship and a chance to be a part of these programs which support our youth. For more information call Douglas at 766-7777.
SafePlace Fresh Start Program
SafePlace is working with local agencies to improve lives of the underemployed and homemakers who have lost financial support through divorce or death of a parent or spouse through their Fresh Start Program. This program offers job counseling, job training, health and educational services to those wanting to re-enter the work force and is offered free of charge to individuals, both male and female, who qualify. Upcoming Life Skills classes are scheduled for Monday evenings at the Trinity Episcopal Church and Employability Skills Development classes are held at the JobLink Center Tuesday afternoons from 3-5pm. Computer Classes are held at Mayland's Main Campus on Tuesdays and Thursdays. For a complete list of classes, dates and times and more information and registration call Elizabeth Artalejo at 765-4015 or 765-4044.
Domestic Violence Support Groups
Mitchell County Safeplace has a support group for victims of domestic violence, rape and sexual assault. If you'd like more information call 765-4044. The Family Violence Coalition of Yancey County offers a support group for victims of domestic violence and/or sexual assault. For information about this group call 682-0056.
Meals on Wheels Needs Volunteers
The Yancey County Meals on Wheels program needs volunteers to deliver meals to Yancey County shut-ins, any weekday from 10:30am-noon. If you'd like to volunteer, call the Yancey County Senior Center at 682-6011.
Health Department's 5 R's of Rabies Prevention
The Mitchell County Health Department encourages everyone to practice "Responsible Pet Ownership" by following the 5 R's of rabies prevention. (1) Rabies Vaccination...have your dogs and cats vaccinated against rabies and keep their vaccination up to date. (2) Remove food from your yard...food items left outside will attract wild or stray animals that may have rabies. (3) Restrict your pets to your property...this will lesson the likelihood that your pets have contact with sick animals. (4) Receive prompt care from your medical provider if you are bitten by an animal. (5) Report animal bites and unusual animal behavior...such as refusal to eat or drink water, staggering walk, sick wasted look or extremely aggressive or passive behavior. For more information call your local health department. In Yancey County call 682-6118. In Mitchell County call 688-2371. (update: The new North Carolina rabies law allows an owner 5 days to get their pet vaccinated after an encounter with a rabid animal.)
Yancey 4-H Friends
The Yancey 4-H Friends, governor one on one volunteer program needs your help. They need Volunteers, men and women, who can be a role model for referred youth. It only takes 2 hours a week to make a big difference in friends life. Call 682-6186 or 682-6393 and ask for Bob.
Heritage Adult Day Retreat
Need help caring for your loved one? Call Heritage Adult Day Retreat at 682-1556. They're open Monday through Friday 7:30am-5:30pm. They provide assistance with medications and personal care, social activities, a registered nurse on staff...and transportation and financial assistance is available. They're located on Highway 19E at Riverside.
To Tutor or Be Tutored
The Yancey County Literacy council is a non-profit organization that gives free one-on-one tutoring to both children and adults. If you need a tutor or would like to become a tutor with the Yancey Literacy Council call 678-9646 for more information.
MY Meds Medication Ministry
MY Meds Medication and Health Ministry is a local non-profit organization that provides help to Mitchell and Yancey County residents who have no prescription health plan and often have to decide between buying food and buying medicine. No one should have to make that choice. If you need help paying for needed prescription medications call MY Meds office at 766-6336.
Breast Feeding Support
The Yancey Health Department and WIC Program provide breastfeeding education and support to all women in Yancey County regardless of income. Breastfeeding counselors are available 24 hours a day to offer one-on-one assistance before and after pregnancy. This service is made possible through funding from Mitchell-Yancey Partnership for Children. For more information call the Yancey County Health Department at 682-6118.
Facts About Blood Donation
* Every 2 seconds in the U.S. someone needs a blood transfusion. * By donating blood regularly, we can be assured blood will be available for an emergency. * It takes about an hour to give blood (The actual amount of time the needle is in the donors arm is approximately 10 minutes). * Only 5% of the medically eligible population is willing to take about an hour to save someone's life. * You can give blood even if you're on most medications. * You may be able to give blood even if you have had most types of Cancer as long as the Cancer has been in remission for 5 years. * You may be able to give blood if it has been 5 years since your last chemotherapy or radiation treatment. * You have to be at least 17 years old to give blood, but there is no upper age limit. * You have to weigh at least 110 pounds. * Because blood can be separated into 3 components, a single blood donation can save up to 3 lives. * By donating blood you save lives and become a hero, and the American Red Cross would like to thank your for giving the gift of life.
Reach to Recovery
Have you just been diagnosed with breast cancer? Do you have questions about recovery, a prosthesis, or reconstructive surgery? Do you need someone to talk to? Reach to Recovery is a peer support program aimed at women who have been newly diagnosed or just treated for breast cancer that helps to answer these questions. If you or a loved one would like information on Reach to Recovery, contact your doctor or the American Cancer Society toll-free at 1-866-227-7798.
P.O. Box 744 