Free Rice

Want to improve your vocabulary and do some good at the same time?

Check out the Free Rice website. For each word you get right, Free Rice donates rice thru the United Nations. It is funded by the advertising on the site. Seems to be on the up and up, and the words can be tough.

Give it a try!

"The Smallest Elf" Performance

“The Smallest Elf” Performance

TOP HAT Talented Young Performers - Homeschool Acting Troupe invites you to a FREE performance of our first production, "The Smallest Elf", a Christmas story for the whole family. The Smallest Elf, Elwyn, just can't get any of the toys she makes right. Now, there is a little boy named Luke who doesn't even want a Christmas because his parents are too busy. Santa wants to make him happy for Christmas and has given the elves a challenge to make the perfect gift for Luke by Christmas Eve. Will Elwyn be able to make him a gift that doesn't fall apart? Will Luke be happy for Christmas? Come find out! The touring schedule is: Wednesday, November 28 - 11:00 AM - Haywood Arts Regional Theatre, Waynesville. Friday, November 30 - 11:00 AM - Henderson County Library, Hendersonville. Monday, December 3 - 11:00 AM - Hendersonville Little Theatre, Hendersonville. Friday, December 7 - 11:00 AM - Pack Memorial Library, Asheville. Tuesday, December 18 11:00 AM - Asheville Community Theatre, Asheville. Please RSVP to cary@3dkarting.com for a seat count. Some locations have a limited number of seats and we would like to know how many people to expect. TOP HAT is a new theatre troupe in the Asheville area comprised entirely of home school students. Our cast for this show ranges in age from 7 to 16. They have all worked very hard rehearsing this show, learning lines, and creating their own costumes and set. Come out and see a great show at a location near you while you get to support fellow homeschoolers and the price is right! The show lasts about 40 minutes and will be sure to put you in the holiday spirit!

Rwandans Come To SCC

Southwestern Community College (JACKSON Campus) will be hosting the Mizero
> (Hope) Children of Rwanda Tour, on Tuesday October 23 from 10:00-11:40 in
> Myers Auditorium.
>
> The tour is coming to the States to perform at two UN sponsored events,
> one
> in Montreal and one in New York City. We are able to host the group
> because
> one of the tour group coordinators is a former SCC graduate.
>
> The person leading the tour is Jean Paul Samptu, an internationally known
> musician. In addition to Jean Paul, the group is composed of 12 boys and
> girls ages 9-15 who are either orphans of the genocide of 1994 or AIDS.
> The
> group brings a message of how real reconciliation can come from the world,
> even when it arises out of the worst possible trials.
>
> The 90 minute performance consists of an educational component, some
> testimonies by the children, traditional drumming and dancing.
>
> In addition to seeking support to stay on the radar screen of the world,
> the
> kids are also attempting to raise money to provide basic housing for the
> boys - they live in a bank parking lot when they are home in Kigali,
> Rwanda.
> If they don't get to their parking lot by the time it is locked up at the
> end of the day, the police pick them up an put them in jail, which is both
> unsanitary and unsafe.
>
> Performances like this happen upon us much too infrequently. I hope you
> will seriously consider including this performance in your educational
> offerings.
> If you have any more questions, please give me a call at 800-447-4091 ext.
> 245.
>
> Cheryl
>
>
> Cheryl Contino-Conner, Director
> Student Support Services
> Southwestern Community College
> 447 College Drive
> Sylva NC 28779
> (800) 447-4091, ext. 231
> cheryl@southwest.cc.nc.us

We're on our way home

Hi everyone! We're winding up our out west trip - at present we are in Nebraska, working our way back east. Our target is to arrive back in Bryson City around Oct 20th. Although we are way behind on the website  (http://www.HaveSchoolWillTravel.com), we've stayed busy the last month and a half - visiting Glacier, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. We have just wrapped up a couple of weeks in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

Vance is very anxious to see all his friends, and it will be great to catch up with everyone.

See you soon!

Mark, Denise and Vance Tyson

Self-Paced Courses

Check out...

www.fridaycenter.unc.edu/cp/catalog

for info on self-paced courses 

Paging all Jane Austen Fans!

Those interested in joining a library-hosted Jane Austen Book Club call Miss Christine at the Marianna Black Library, 488-3030  x30.

MHC events

 

Upcoming Events
at the
Mountain Heritage Center
October 3
Appalachian Lunchtime Series  
Tim Barnwell
On Earth's Furrowed Brow:  The Appalachian Farm in Photographs
Mountain Heritage Center Auditorium
12:15 p.m.
 
October 4
Exhibit Opening
Southern Stews: Traditions of One-Pot Cooking
Gallery B
 
October 7
Arti-Facts!
The History of Photography
Children's program – for reservations please call 227-7129
2:30 - 3:30 p.m.
 
October 7
Book Signing
Victoria A. Casey McDonald
The African Americans in Jackson County
Mountain Heritage Center Auditorium
3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
 
October 9
Living with the Land Folklife Series
Tom Sheridan
Wilderness & Working Landscapes: Putting People Back in Nature
Mountain Heritage Center Auditorium
5:30 – 6:30 p.m.

For more information please call 227-7129.

Great Smoky Mountains Book Fair

Saturday, November 10th

9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Sylva First United Methodist Church

www.gsmbookfair.org

Adult Tickets $5 ~ kids free

 

 

Teachers' Night at City Lights Bookstore/Sylva

Tuesday, October 30th, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Join children's bookseller Jenifer Ross for an evening devoted to teachers (home school parents have attended).

She will present the newest books for children of all ages, K - high school.

Please note that this event is geared toward adults and is not intended as a parent/child activity.

For more info  www.citylightsnc.com   828-586-9499

High School Options Forum

 

 
> Hello all.
>
> This is an advance notice / request for RSVP / plea for
> help for a HIGH SCHOOL OPTIONS forum being planned
> for next month.
>
> It will be on Tuesday, October 23rd, from 7-10 pm,
> at the Friends Meeting House on Edgewood Road.
> If you plan to come, please RSVP (tahani@charter.net)
> by October 9th. The Meeting House is not huge, and
> we'll need time to find a bigger space if necessary.
>
> We are hoping to find a parent/student pair to represent
> each of the options listed below. Each pair will be
> asked to speak briefly to these general questions:
> What else did you consider?
> How was the transition from homeschool?
> What are the pros and cons?
> How has the academic experience been?
> How has the social experience been?
> And then will have a few minutes to answer questions.
> Unfortunately, to keep the forum from lasting into the
> small hours, we can only allot 10 minutes to each pair.
> There will be an hour of free mingling and munching time
> at the end to informally discuss things further.
>
> We plan to have a table with any literature we've gathered
> about the programs/places, but no "presentation" talks.
>
> Here are the options we've come up with. If we've missed
> anything, please let me know. If you would be willing to
> represent any of these, or have ideas of whom we might ask,
> PLEASE let me (tahani@charter.net) know. We do of course
> have leads for some -- others are wide open.
>
> * distance learning high schools (Laurel Springs, what else?)
> * internet AP classes
> * Asheville High
> * Asheville School
> * Carolina Day
> * New Classical (only 9th grade so far)
> * AB Tech Early College program
> * NC School of Math & Science in Durham
> * NC School of the Arts in Winston-Salem
> * AB Tech concurrent enrollment program
>
> We'll send out another announcement closer to the date,
> but mark your calendars and RSVP!!! (or you'll be relegated
> to the porch, lipreading through the windows).
>
> Thanks!
>
> Tahani S.

---

Explore the seven wonders of the world Learn more!

Downtown Trick-or-Treat

Bryson City's Downtown Trick-or-Treat will be Oct 31, from 3:30-6:30 P.M.

Candy is being collected at various places around town;  Mountain Discovery Charter School, Swain County High School, and Swain County Chamber of Commerce to name a few.

Happy Halloween!

 

 

Love and Logic Conference in Asheville

Laugh the day away as you learn simple and practical techniques to raise responsible kids!

 

Jim Fay from Love and Logic Institute  

Monday, November 5, 2007

8:30 -2:30 p.m.

$99.00

Crowne Plaza Resort

Asheville, NC

828-254-3211

 

visit the website for more information www.loveandlogic.com

 

 

Bryson Yoga

 

Hi Everyone,

 

Just a note to let you know that I will begin another 4 week session of Bryson Yoga at Lakeview on Oct. 3 - 24.  Class will meet from 5:30 - 6:30 pm, in the Yoga studio at Lakeview Resort and Spa, off of Hwy. 74.

 

The cost will be $30.00 for the entire session, payable the first night of class.  Eight student minimum.

 

Please pre register with me via e mail or by phone if you plan to attend, 479-9373.

 

Wear comfortable clothing that allows movement, bring a yoga mat or borrow one of the studio mats. 

 

Feel free to forward this along to any one who might have interest.

 

Hope to see you there.

Namaste,

Cathy Woods

 

Anne Frank Library Programs

 

---

These are all at Pack Memorial Library, in downtown Asheville,
during the month of October. There are actually several more
programs.

==========================================

Anne Frank: Her Story, Our Story
Thursday, Oct. 4 at 6:30 pm
Pack Memorial Library Children's Department
This evening performance brings Anne Frank's thought provoking
legacy alive in a contemporary context for children and adults.
- Readers' Theater of The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
performed by local youths.
- "I Remember" a musical performance based on "The Diary of Anne
Frank" presented by the Keowee Chamber Music Players.

==========================================

Design Your Own Journal!
Thursday, Oct. 11 from 6-7:30 pm
Pack Memorial Library Children's Department
Learn to create your own artistic journal with laurie Corral from
BookWorks! The program is free, but registration is required.
Please register by calling the Pack Library Children's Department at
250-4720 by October 4. This program is for ages 10 and up.

==========================================

The Art of Journal Writing
Thursday, Oct. 18 from 6:30 to 7:30 pm
Pack Memorial Library Children's Department
Using Anne Frank's words as inspiration, we will practice the art of
journaling ina creative and encouraging atmosphere. The program is
free, but registration is required. Please register by calling the
Pack Library Children's Department at 250-4720 by October 11. This
program is for kids ages 10 and up.

============================================

.

__,_._,___

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Gear up for Halo® 3 and get a $25 Best Buy gift card. It's our way of saying thanks for using Windows Live™. Get it now!

Stained Glass classes offered by Jim Meyers

All e-mail correspondence to and from this address is subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law, which may result in monitoring and disclosure to third parties, including law enforcement.

This message may contain confidential and/or proprietary information, and is intended for the person/entity to whom it was originally addressed. Any use by others is strictly prohibited.

In compliance with federal law, Swain County Schools administers all state-operated educational programs, employment activities and admissions without discrimination because of race, religion, national or ethnic origin, color, age, military service, disability, or gender, except where exemption is appropriate and allowed by law.

 

 

MYERS ART ENRICHMENT STUDIO

19 Everett Street, Bryson City NC

ART CLASSES

 

WHAT: Stain Glass Classes

 

WHO: Adult Classes (4 weeks, 12 hours total )

 

WHEN: Every Monday or Thursday (you pick the night)

Starting September 24 and September 27th 2007.

 

TIME: 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, but you can come and leave as your schedule allows.

 

COST: $60 per person-this will include your materials, all tools will be provided by the studio. Call to register for classes.

 

OVERVIEW: This class will introduce you to the history, materials, and the tools of the ancient art form of stained glass. Artists will be able to bring their supper or snacks into class. This will be a relaxing time to enjoy the pleasures of art, and to share good times with old friends and some new ones.

 

Questions? Call Jim Myers at 735-3391/488-3963 or email him at flappylips1@yahoo.com to sign up. Classes will be limited to size, please make checks payable to Jim Myers.

 

I look forward to sharing the joy of art with you !

 

 

 

 

 

---

Kick back and relax with hot games and cool activities at the Messenger Café. Play now!

MHC

Mountain Heritage Center Events

September

9 - Arti-Facts! - Making Apple Head Dolls. Mountain Heritage Center 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.
 
10 - Exhibit Opening - Let the Thunder Roar:  A Pictorial History of African-Americans in Jackson County, NC.
 
11 - Living with the Land Folklife Series:  Dave Cooper - The Hidden Destruction of the Appalachian Mountains. Mountain Heritage Center Auditorium 5:30 p.m.
 
16 - Nature's Tracks - Stream Exploration!  Mountain Heritage Center 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.
 
29 - Mountain Heritage Day
 
30 - Exhibit Closing:  Bartram's Journey
 
October

3 - Appalachian Lunchtime Series:  Tim Barnwell- On Earth's Furrowed Brow:  The Appalachian Farm in Photographs. Mountain Heritage Center Auditorium 12:15 p.m.
 
4 - Exhibit Opening:  Southern Stews: Traditions of One-Pot Cooking
 
7 - Arti-Facts!: The History of Photography. Mountain Heritage Center 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.
 
7 - Book Signing - Victoria A. Casey McDonald - The African Americans in Jackson County. Mountain Heritage Center 3:00 p.m.
 
10 - Exhibit Closing:  Let the Thunder Roar:  A Pictorial History of African-Americans in Jackson County, NC.
 
11 - Living with the Land Folklife Series:  Tom Sheridan - Wilderness & Working Landscapes: Putting People Back in Nature. Mountain Heritage Center Auditorium 5:30 p.m.
 
21 - Nature's Tracks:  Gourds! Mountain Heritage Center 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.
 
28 - Southern Stews exhibit presentation:  Kay Moss - Harvest to Table. Mountain Heritage Center Auditorium 2:30 p.m.


For more information, please call 227-7129

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Discover the new Windows Vista Learn more!

Tennis Lessons

Tennis Classes Offered for Homeschooled Children

My name is Michael Baer and I am a teaching tennis professional.  I am
proudly mentoring 18 homeschooled children in Henderson County.  The groups
I teach are of different sizes and skill levels.  The age range has been
from 7 – 16.  My intention is to expand my homeschool tennis teaching into
neighboring communities.

The classes offered for an hour, during weekdays between noon and 3 pm have
been popular!  The cost ranges between $10-15 per student depending on class
size and length.  I will form the classes considering student availability,
age, and skill level.

I draw upon my experience of over thirty years as a tennis instructor and
seven years as a parent.  I enjoy being a part of and am committed to the
overall development of each one of my students.  I am very fortunate and
blessed to have what I love doing be so well supported by local homeschool
families.

I look forward to hearing from interested families at either 697-0953 or
e-mail at michaelbaer@bellsouth.net.  Several of the parents whose children
I teach have gladly agreed to be references.

---

Messenger Café — open for fun 24/7. Hot games, cool activities served daily. Visit now.

Dance Classes in Sylva

> > Triple Threat Performing Arts Academy in Sylva is offering homeschool
> classes this fall. The classes are on Thursdays. They are:
>
> Beginner Ballet (ages 8-15): 1:00-2:00 pm
>
> Beginner Tap/Jazz (ages 7-10) 2:00-2:45 pm
>
> Intermediate Tap/Jazz (ages 11+) 2:45-3:30
>
> Go to www.ttpaa.com for more information.
>
>

Be Free Yoga and Dance

Something new to Bryson City!

 

http://befreeyogaanddance.com/

Perseid Meteor Shower

Sunday, August 12

Storyteller Gary Carden to be a Franklin Library August 2

All e-mail correspondence to and from this address is subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law, which may result in monitoring and disclosure to third parties, including law enforcement.

This message may contain confidential and/or proprietary information, and is intended for the person/entity to whom it was originally addressed. Any use by others is strictly prohibited.

In compliance with federal law, Swain County Schools administers all state-operated educational programs, employment activities and admissions without discrimination because of race, religion, national or ethnic origin, color, age, military service, disability, or gender, except where exemption is appropriate and allowed by law.

 

Storyteller,Gary Carden of Sylva will be at Macon County Library in Franklin on August 2, 2007, at 7:00 pm.  Check out the news release below.  Please direct any questions to the Macon County Library.  Their contact information is below press release.

 

Eugenia (Jenny) L. Johnson, Director
Swain County Center for the Arts
1415 Fontana Road
Bryson City, NC 28713

 

Phone:  828-488-7843
Fax:  828-488-0523                                                                 
Website:  www.swaincountyschools.com/cfta/index.htm
Email:  Jenny.Johnson@swaincountyschools.org

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   

Thursdays at the Library presents local storyteller Gary Carden at the Macon
County Public Library on Thursday, August 2, 2007 at 7:00 pm.

Gary Carden is the winner of the North Carolina Folklore Society's 2006
Brown-Hudson Folklore Award and author of several books and plays including
'Mason Jars in the Flood and Other Stories' and 'The Prince of Dark
Corners'.

Brought up in Sylva, North Carolina by his grandparents in a "house filled
with the past," Carden was steeped from birth in mountain culture, lore and
language.  Carden relates telling his first stories to his grandfather's
leghorn chickens when he was six years old.  Later he would retell community
happenings and funny stories to his fellow students at school.  His
saturation in the culture was soon complemented by an insatiable appetite
for literature, ultimately leading him to an unlikely education at Western
Carolina University.  >From such beginnings Carden has become the vehicle of
the region's oral heritage.

This program is free and open to area residents and visitors.  Please join
us for an evening of storytelling. 

Thursdays at the Library is an eclectic mixture of programs by authors and
musicians on topics designed for enjoyment and education. All programs are
sponsored through the generosity of the Friends of the Library and the Macon
County Public Library. For more information, please call the library at
524-3600 or check out our website at www.fontanalib.org.

Tracy Fitzmaurice (tfitzmaurice@fontanalib.org)
Assistant County Librarian
www.fontanalib.org
819 Siler Road
Franklin NC 28734
Voice 828-524-3600
Fax   828-524-9550

 

---

Don't get caught with egg on your face.    Play Chicktionary! 

Music Programs Planned for MBL

Frank Lee  (July 26th)

Karen Barnes (August 9th)

David Russell (August 23rd)

Larry Barnett & George Krashaar (August 30th)

Call the Library for more info, 488-3030, or better yet STOP BY!

Shape Note Singing and Basic Music Theory Class!

Monday, Tuesday and Thursday

July 9th ~ 26th

5:00-6:30 P.M.

9 Classes

$50

 

Class will meet at Swain County East Elementary, Auditorium

Adults and Children Welcome

 

Taught by Rachael Lewis

488-2606 or 788-1179

 

Class will cover history of Appalachian shape note singing, using shape note singing in the classroom, singing with shapes in four part harmony, understanding key signatures, reading rhythms and reading on the treble clef.

 

Useful in the elementary class!  CEU credits possible. 

 

Mountain Heritage Center Events

Mountain Mysteries Summer Camp
June 18 - 22
8:30 – 12:00 p.m.
MHC, HFR Building

Mini-Camp for Middle Schoolers
June 26 - 28
8:30 – 12:00 p.m.
MHC, HFR Building

A few spots remain in both the Mountain Mysteries Camp (for rising 4th and 5th graders) and the Mini-Camp for Middle Schoolers (rising 6th and 7th graders). Activities for both will include historic crafts, artifact exploration, field trips to historic sites in Jackson, Macon, and Swain counties. Charge is $25 per child.

Please call 227-7129 or visit http://www.wcu.edu/2401.asp for more information, or go straight to  Educational Outreach's website for the registration form. http://www.wcu.edu/90.asp

Asheville Nature Center

 

 Nectar Day

 The nature center in Asheville has a butterfly exhibit Saturday, June 30th 
  from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. activities include getting your face painted,
  making arts and crafts, and learning how to attract butterflies to your 
   garden.
  takes place in a 15' by 40' mesh greenhouse.
  regular admission fees, friends of the nature center and members free.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Reptile Beauty pageant

 Saturday, July 21st 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. register you talented reptile 
pet in the annual reptile beauty pageant. all reptiles (please 
non-venomous) welcome to compete for the silver scale.
 please have an educational display for their pet.
 the dimensions for the display should be 2' by 3' or less.
 poster boards, photographs, and literature on your pet species. should be 
included.
 those entering must have have their display set up by 10:00.
 those entering, friends of the center, and members free. all others 
regular admission fees.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Feathered Frenzy
 Saturday, August 11th 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
 baffling and brilliant, brainy and bold, the world of birds is something 
to behold.
 programs, art, and survival games are all part of this educational day.
 regular admission fees, friends of the center and members free.

 

For more information ~ www.wildwnc.org

 

Quinn Morris Visit

Quinn will be visiting for the weekend with Jesse. The weather looks favorable for an outing at Santeelah Lake on Saturday (swimming & picnic lunch). If anyone is interested in joining us, give Jesse (or Barb) a call.

Bryson Yoga

 

 

          Bryson City Yoga Class will begin this Wed. June 6th

in the Yoga Studio at Lakeview Resort & Spa.  (off hwy. 74).  5:30 - 6:30 pm.  This is a 4 week session that runs through June 27.  The cost being $30.00 for the entire session, payable the first night of class. 

 

Please pre register with me via phone or e mail.  479-9373 or cathw@graham.main.nc.us 

 

Students should wear comfortable clothing that allows movement and can bring their own yoga mat or borrow one of the studio mats.

Class is open to any one, as always, it is a work at YOUR own pace class, suitable for all. 

Feel free to forward this along if you know someone who might have interest.

 

Hope to see you there.

 

Thanks,

Cathy Woods

 

Love to Learn Conference in Hickory

Saturday, August 11, 2007

Catawba Valley Community College

Hickory, NC

 

http://www.lovetolearnconference.com

Homeschool Dance Classes

 

I spoke last week with Valerie Tissue who owns Triple Threat Performing Arts Academy in Sylva. She is exploring the possibility of offering homeschool dance classes this fall! The times and classes that were mentioned, but are not set or confirmed are:

 

Ballet (beginner/intermediate): Tuesdays 1:00-2:00 pm

Tap/Jazz: Tuesdays 2:00-3:00 pm

 

The cost would be $40.oo per month per class.

 

There must be a minimum of five students enrolled to offer the class. If you are interested, please e-mail Valerie at: valerie@ttpaa.com . She will only offer these classes if she has a good response form the homeschool community. E-mailing her does not mean that you are enrolling in a class, but it will give her an idea of how many families would be interested.

 

Also, Triple Threat is offering a number of week long summer camps and short term dance and music classes over the summer. You can go to: www.ttpaa.com to see what's offered.

 

Please Pass this on to any other homeschoolers that you think would be interested.

 

Angela Frye

 

Summer Day Camps in Cullowhee

Jenny,

The summer camps are actually programs of Appalachian Homestead Farm & Preserve, co-sponsored by CSA.  Thanks for circulating. 

Vera

The following information is from Amy Garza, co-founder of Catch the Spirit of Appalachia.  In her message below, she describes the Catch the Spirit Summer Day Camps they will be involved in through the Appalachian Homestead Farm & Preserve in Sylva.  If you or someone you know is interested in more information or in registering for one of the camps, please contact Vera Guise by phone at 828-293-1013 or email at vguise@verizon.ne or contact the person listed in the camp description.

 

Eugenia (Jenny) L. Johnson, Director
Swain County Center for the Arts
1415 Fontana Road
Bryson City, NC 28713

 

Phone:  828-488-7843
Fax:  828-488-0523                                                                 
Website:  www.swaincountyschools.com/cfta/index.htm

MESSAGE FROM AMY GARZA:

CSA SUMMER DAY CAMPS
at the Appalachian Homestead Farm & Preserve

by Amy Ammons Garza

Catch the Spirit of Appalachia, a Jackson County nonprofit heritage organization, has been involved in Summer Day Camps for 17 years. Each summer, the concept and planning has been unique and creative. With each day camp we've included information about knowing and valuing the child's heritage and homelife, about the natural environment that surrounds our beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, and about the heritage and culture of the mountains. We are now booking for the 2007 summer months. All day camps will take place at the Appalachian Homestead Farm & Preserve on Tilley Creek in Cullowhee. Each distinctly different from the other, each day camp will be planned so that young campers will build their knowledge and skills base progressively throughout the summer, and will develop their natural creativity skills in ways that build self-confidence and higher academic achievement. To reserve a spot for any of the day camps and/or more information, call 828-293-1013 or email vguise@verizon.ne. (Please ask about scholarships. We want every child to have a camp experience.) Dates, times and descriptions of the Day Camps are:

June 20, 21, 22, 2007—9am – 5 pm
Ages 9 -14 $ 100 per person

Mountain Discovery Camp
CSA board members Amanda Dills Stewart, accomplished fiddle performer and teacher of the renowned Fiddlin' Dills Sisters, and Pam Dengler, also a seasoned fiddle performer and teacher will be leading this musical day camp. (If you don't have a fiddle, let us know.)
Blain Ogburn (field biology) and Ron Lance (botanist) will be with us for the afternoon outdoor excursions, courtesy of Balsam Mt. Preserve.
This camp balances the days between mountain culture and the great outdoors. Mornings will be devoted to beginning lessons in fiddle and traditional fiddle music from some of the best around, and after lunch campers will explore the higher elevations of the mountain and learn about native plant and wildlife from Blain Ogburn, Outdoor Educator. Campers will end the week able to play basic beginning pieces on the fiddle and, hopefully, a desire to continue to develop their skill. They will also leave with a greater appreciation of the natural environment, to understand and appreciate the complexity, interrelatedness and stewardship of nature.

June 27, 28, 29, 2007—9am - 5pm
Ages 9 – 14 $75 per person

Heritage Alive! Mountain Folkways & Folk Tales
With author and storyteller, Amy Ammons Garza, performance artist, Doreyl Ammons Cain of Catch the Spirit of Appalachia, and other mountain growers, artists and storytellers. With Blair Ogburn, outdoor educator courtesy of Balsam Mt. Preserve.
Campers will explore mountain culture and history and its role in the new tourism-economy. They will discover the power of the pen as they learn to craft fiction and nonfiction. Campers will learn
· About planting and harvesting vegetables and fruits in season.
· About native wildlife, their habitat and behaviors.
· About mountain folklore as an art and a survival tool
· About famous storytellers and their art
· How to tell a twist of a tale of your own!
· How to write and publish your very own book from start to finish.
· Performance readings and storytelling
· Grand Finale' is a live performance for parents & guests.

July 26 & 27, 2007—9am – 4 pm
Ages 10 – 14

A Step Back In Time
Catch the Spirit of Appalachia will be taking part in this Jackson County 4-H sponsored workshop, hosted by Appalachian Homestead Farm. Among the "A Step Back In Time" new activities this year will be an honest to goodness old fashioned birthday celebration where we'll celebrate every camper's birthday, helping to build a trail and a tent pad, and making limberjacks. Don't know what that is? Just ask an old-timer and he'll tell you!
To register for this camp contact Heather Gordon, Jackson County 4-H Director, at: heather_gordon@ncsu.edu or call her at 828-586-4009.

Other Day Camps offered by Appalachian Homestead Farm & Preserve are:
July 12-13, 2007—Little Strokes of Genius, Craft & Culture of Appalachia
July 24 & 25, 2007—Mountain Dulcimer Camp
July 29, 2007—Women's Retreat
July 30-31, 2007—Mother-Daughter Camp

Amy Ammons Garza
Co-Founder, Catch the Spirit of Appalachia
29 Regal Avenue • Sylva, NC 28779
828-631-4587
v.ammons@mchsi.com
Website: www.spiritofappalachia.org

Summer art classes at Jim Myers Studio

 

                                    Art Enrichment Classes

 for Children and Adults

 

 

Myers Art Enrichment Studio at 19 Everett Street in Bryson City, NC will be offering art classes for children and adults in stained glass, printmaking, painting, drawing, pastels, candle making, sculpture, ceramics, collage, mosaics, and art history.

 

 Summer Studio Hours

 

                         Monday thru Friday - 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm evening session

      Saturday-9:00 am to 1200 pm morning session

                         2:00 pm to 5:00 pm afternoon session

              Sunday-2:00 pm to 5:00 pm afternoon session only  

 

Students can sign up for a monthly membership which includes 4 classes, each 3 hours long; fee is $60.00/including materials, or a $20.00 fee per individual 3 hour art session. Please call Jim Myers at 735-3391 or 488-3963 for more information about times and scheduled art projects.

Basic Storytelling Seminar in June--Bryson City

 

There will be a three-session Basic Storytelling Seminar taught at Swain County Center for the Arts by Janice Inabinett in June.  Call Janice Inabinett to register.  See details below.

 

June 7, 14, 21            Basic Storytelling Techniques—a three-session seminar taught by Janice

(Thursdays)                 Inabinett.  This is a three-session seminar experience for those interested in

                                   using the power of story to inspire, educate, and entertain.  Discover the

                                   historical perspective of storytelling and explore the uses of storytelling in

     today's world.  You will learn what makes a good story and prepare a story for telling. 

     Swain County native, Janice Hilda Inabinett, MSW, has been a performing storyteller

     since childhood and became a professional storyteller in 1991.  Cost:  $40.  

    Pre-registration is required.  Call toll-free 866-433-4683 to register.

    5:30 pm to 8:00 pm in the Lobby of Swain County Center for the Arts

 

 

Eugenia (Jenny) L. Johnson, Director
Swain County Center for the Arts
located at Swain County High School
1415 Fontana Road
Bryson City, NC  28713

Phone:  828-488-7843
Fax:  828-488-0523
Website:  www.swaincountyschools.com/cfta/index

UNTO THESE HILLS

Marianna Black Library Presents.........

The Last Performance of the Original Drama

 

UNTO THESE HILLS

 

Projected onto an 8 X 10 foot screen in the MBL auditorium

 

Thursday, May 10th at 5:30 PM

Thursday, June 14th at 5:30 PM

Thursday, July 12th at 5:30 PM

 

Call the library for more information 488-3030

FREE TESTING TALK Tuesday, May 8th, 2007, 6:30 p.m. ~ ASHEVILLE

Because so many people contacted me and said they wanted to come, but couldn't attend here's another date...

FREE TESTING TALK Tuesday, May 8th, 2007, 6:30 p.m.

On Tuesday, May 8th, 6:30 p.m. in Lord Auditorium, at Pack Library I will present 'Testing Talk'.
This one hour discussion is open to all homeschool families interested in finding out more about end of grade testing options.
We will cover the Division of Non-Public Education testing requirements, and frequently asked homeschool testing questions.
I will specifically address the Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Achievement (WJIII), the California Achievement Test (CAT) and the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (IOWA) the evening of April 4th.
Please tell your homeschool friends, all are welcome.

RSVP's are encouraged, but not required.
If you RSVP, I will have copies of the handouts for you.

Thank you,
Tamara
--
Tamara M. Rutledge, M.Ed.
Academic Language Therapist
K-12, N.C. Exceptional Children Teacher
Fast ForWord Provider
Woodcock-Johnson Examiner/Administrator
828-654-9180
tamara.rutledge@charter.net 
www.SmartTesting.net
Tamara M. Rutledge, M.Ed.
828-654-9180

 
Tamara Rutledge has been happily married for 14 years and homeschooling for 5 years. She and her husband relocated to Western North Carolina in 1998. Tamara holds an M.Ed. in Special Education from the University of Maryland; she is an Orton-Gillingham Tutor in the Certificate and Associate Levels, and a Certified Fast ForWord provider.  Tamara has been working with our special needs population since 1990, and offers assistance to children with difficulties in the areas of mild Learning Disabilities, Dyslexia, and Central Auditory Processing Disorder.  She is a member of the International Dyslexia Association (IDA) and attends the annual NC-IDA Conference to keep abreast of current research, legislation and best practices regarding Dyslexia.  She was a Special Education middle school teacher, high school teacher and continues to maintain her NC Special Education Teaching License (grades k-12) by attending classes and workshops. Tamara has been an advocate for students with learning disabilities in Virginia, South Carolina, and North Carolina by helping parents gain free and appropriate, individualized education programs for their children while attending public school. When Tamara is not working with children she enjoys traveling, hiking with her family, and making arts and crafts. Please feel free to contact Tamara to discuss your child's testing needs. In addition to daytime office hours, she offers evening and weekend testing opportunities.

  
    

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We're on the road again!

Friends,

We have departed on an extended camping trip to the American West. We are hoping to stay out this time until mid-September or so. Right now we are headed to the Southwest, then we are planning on heading north thru California, then returning via Yellowstone and maybe northern Colorado.

You can follow our trip at our website blog: http://www.haveschoolwilltravel.com

There are many articles and pictures covering our 3 month New England camping trip last fall on the website, and we're trying to keep it relatively up to date on our travels out west. To make it easy on yourself, if you'll enter your email address into the 'subscription' box at the bottom of the right hand column, you will get email notifications whenever a new item is posted to the blog.

We're currently in Amarillo, Texas, heading towards Carlsbad Caverns today in New Mexico...

Keep in touch!

- Mark, Denise and Vance Tyson

Summer Art Classes

Summer Art Classes at Myers Art Enrichment Studio in Bryson City

For more information contact:

 

James B. Myers

Artist and Art Educator

19 Everett Street

BC, NC

828-735-3391

828-488-3963

flappylips1@yahoo.com

 

Singing at GUM

Hello folks (whom I like to consider my local fan club),

 

I wanted to let you know that I will be performing at Greening Up the Mountains this coming Saturday in Sylva. I will be playing from 10:45 - 11:15am at the Heritage Stage. So, if you feel like coming on over and supporting me in my first performance of 2007 that would be great! I'll also be hanging out at the SCC pottery booth for a lot of the day, if you make it to the festival after I've performed, drop by. Have a great week and hope to see you next Saturday, April 28th.

 

Happy Earth Day!! all the best - hannah

Voices in the Laurel

Voices in the Laurel Children and Youth Choirs will be holding open auditions on Tuesday, May 8^th .


For more information contact Derrick Robinson at voicesinlaurel@bellsouth.net.

Children's Choir consists of 3^rd-6^th graders and Youth Choir is 7^th-12^th graders.

Botany Class for Teens

A Botany class for homeschooled teens at Highlands Nature Center (www.wcu.edu/hbs/Naturecenter.htm).

The speaker, Patrick Brennan, will speak on plant and flower anatomy and function and instruct students on basic plant identification and terminology while walking  through the garden. It will last for 60-90 minutes and will be held at 2 pm on Thursday, May 3.
 
The fee is only 50 cents per person.
 
All older homeschoolers (and their parents, etc.) are invited.  Call (828) 349-1111 or email at linda@faith-llc.com if you plan to attend. 

Linda Bibb

Music Event Moved

The Music Event at the Library on April 24 at 3pm is expected to be well attended!  (Hope you still are planning to come!)

They have so many folks responding they are MOVING the site to MARK WATSON PARK.

 

So the HOMESCHOOL PROGRAM sponsored by the Jackson County Library on APRIL 24 at 3pm will be at MARK WATSON PARK.

Mark Watson is the one past the downtown area on the left coming from Sylva where the baseball fields and tennis courts are.  There is a nice covered area so it is possible to meet even in rainy weather.

 

Hope to see you there!

Crystal Akers

Flower Walk at MHC

The Mountain Heritage Center presents

Nature's Tracks:  A Flower Walk with Dona West

Sunday, April 22
2:30 - 3:30 p.m.

Meet at Pinnacle Park parking area.
From Skyland Drive take Fisher Creek Road to the top which ends in the
parking area.

Please call the Center and leave a message if you plan to attend. Thanks!

227-7129

Botany class at Highlands Nature Center

I've arranged a Botany class for homeschooled teens at Highlands Nature Center (www.wcu.edu/hbs/Naturecenter.htm).

The speaker, Patrick Brennan, will speak on plant and flower anatomy and function and instruct students on basic plant identification and terminology as we walk through the garden. It will last for 60-90 minutes and will be held at 2 pm on Thursday, May 3.

 

The fee is only 50 cents per person.

 

All older homeschoolers (and their parents, etc.) are invited.  Please forward this to anyone you know of who might be interested.  Call me at (828) 349-1111 or email me at linda@faith-llc.com if you plan to attend, so I can tell Patrick how many to expect. 

Linda Bibb

New Museum opening in East Tennessee

East Tennessee State University is opening a new museum this summer - just off Interstate 26. Soon, fans of fossils will be able to get a nearby fix, without having to go out west!

Discovered by a highway construction crew in 2000 during a road widening project, the Gray Fossil site was determined to be from the late Miocene in age (between 7-4.5 million years ago). This is the only Miocene site in Appalachia.

The road was rerouted to avoid the fossil site, and money was appropriated for a museum.

The 33,000-square-foot visitor's center will be adjacent to State Route 75 less than two miles from I-26 in an area that does not intrude on the dig site. The location of the visitors center provides easy access to the site for travelers from the region.
The center will include storage space for the fossil collection, a preparation lab, a museum, an education center, and a workshop for display construction and assembly of the fossils.

Music Program at the Jackson County Library

Tuesday, April 24th at 3:00 P.M.  Tim Beck will be leading a music program for home schooled children/families.  For more information call the JCL at 586-2016.  All Are Welcome! 

Homeschool Day at PARI - May 4, 2007

 

It is time once again for the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute (PARI) to conduct our Spring Homeschool Day at PARI. The November program was a great success. We have developed all new programs for the session which will be held on Friday, May 4, 2007. The see a fact sheet, the schedule of classes, the curriculum and the registration form, go to http://www.pari.edu/programs/students/Homeschool on our website. You can also find direction on how to get to PARI at http://www.pari.edu/directions. We are limited to 100 students, so it is important to register as soon as possible.

 

We hope you and your student(s) can make it.

 

 

David E. Clavier, Ph.D.

Vice President of Administration & Development

Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute

One PARI Drive

Rosman, NC 28772

(828) 966-4097

Main (828) 862-5554

Fax (828) 862-5877

Cell (828) 553-9713

dclavier@pari.edu

 

Teachers' Night at City Lights Bookstore

Join City Lights children's bookseller Jenifer Ross on Tuesday, May 1st at 6:00 P.M. for an evening devoted to teachers.  She will present the newest books for children of all ages, K - High School.  Lots of giveaways and door prizes such as posters, advance reading copies, reading guides, activity sheets, and more.  Light refreshments will be provided.

Please note that this event, which will run from 6:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M., is geared toward teachers and is not intended as a parent/child activity.

For more information call 586-9499 or toll-free (888) 853-6298  ~  www.citylightsnc.com 

The store is located in Sylva.   

Easter Egg Hunt Photos

You can view pictures of the Easter Egg Hunt here

Don't Miss 'Kilowatt Ours' at Library on Monday

Kilowatt Ours
Monday, April 16th at 5:30 pm

Vance and I saw this film a couple of months ago - it's focused on where a lot of our energy comes from (coal), the impact of strip mining, but more importantly, what each of us can do to save energy. The last part of the film talks about what steps a normal family can take to save energy, specifically the savings in energy usage (and dollars!) possible by swapping over to Compact Florescent Lights (CFLs, now available at most stores that sell light bulbs).

It's a really cute film that packs a powerful message. Vance came home a convert, and really took an interest in saving energy (he faithfully turns out the light in his room now after viewing this film, and hounded me until we swapped over most of our lights to CFLs).

Highly recommended! There was a decent sized crowd to view 'An Inconvienent Truth' last week, so you probably won't be sitting by yourself ;-) - Mark

Reminder: Big Read at Library starting next week

The Big Read for this year is Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird

Friday, April 20th
5:30 pm

Join Janet Smith, local teacher and parent of a teen, as she leads a discussion with teens and their parents on Harper Lee's classic story of tolerance and justice.

---

Thursday, April 26th
5:30 pm

Janice Inabinett, Recognized Story-teller and Bryson City native will lead a book discussion.

---

Friday, May 4th
5:30 pm

A showing of the classic film 'To Kill a Mockingbird", starring Gregory Peck - followed by a discussion of the movie and the book.




All programs held at the Marianna Black Library in Bryson City

A Bone-afide Good Time

On Saturday, April 21, Chimney Rock Park is going to the dogs with our 3rd Annual Bark in the Park. We're cooking up a tail-waggin' good time for Fido and his friends from 11am-3pm. There is no additional fee other than the normal park entrance.

We're excited to have a very special guest at this year's event, Maggie the Wonder Dog. Maggie has a full bag of tricks, but perhaps the most impressive is her knack for math. Yes, math! She's been on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Animal Planet's Pet Star. Maggie will show off her skills at noon and 1pm. We promise you'll be as smitten with her as we are!

Blue Ridge Agility Club is back with agility demos. Watch talented dogs jump, weave and run through an obstacle course and find out what it takes to train your pooch to do the same. Working dogs from Possum Hollow Farms will demonstrate herding skills. The Guide Dog Foundation will be on hand with dogs in training to help people with special needs.

Several animal rescue agencies will raise awareness of the needs of animals in our community and show you how you can help. The Blue Ridge Humane Society will have dogs that need good homes. Perhaps you'll find a new member of the family. Plus, canine caricatures, pet and owner look-a-like contest, most phenomenal pet trick contest and lots more!

Puppeteer Coming to Discovery Camp at Tremont

First Ever Artists-In-Residence During Summer Camp

This summer we are excited to welcome puppeteer artist Hobey Ford to summer camp. Hobey will be our first ever Artist-In-Residence at Discovery Camp, June 11-16 and June 25-30. Hobey is the winner of puppetry's highest honor, the UNIMA Citation of Excellence, and recipient of three Jim Henson Foundation grants. He travels around the country and is widely known for his excellence in puppetry performance and craft.

During Discovery Camp, Hobey will conduct his Shadow Puppetry Workshop, which combines storytelling with shadow puppetry bringing a variety of cultures to life through folktales. During the workshop students will learn shadow puppetry performance techniques and how to construct their own shadow puppets. Each student will construct a puppet and get to work with Hobey.

In addition, Hobey will perform his newest production, "Animalia". The performance explores the magical world of animals with Hobey’s "Foamie" puppets – large animal puppets carved from blocks of foam. After studying each animal's characteristic movements, he designs various control mechanisms to make the puppets themselves move in a life-like manner. For each performance he utilizes the entire theater as his stage.

As our artist-in-residence, Hobey will be eating with us and staying on site, and will also lead several Nature Clubs, a regular part of the Discovery Camp experience. For an artist to come live with us for several days, giving campers the chance to interact with him on a personal basis, is a real treat. Sign your child up early this year for Discovery Camp!

For more information refer to the Tremont Discovery Camp Website

Friends of the Library To Host Coffee-House Event with Live Music

Sunday, April 15 - 2:30 pm

Everyone is invited to the library auditorium for fresh, home-baked desserts, drinks and traditional acoustic music provided by Larry Barnett and George Kraushaar. Both play a variety of instruments, including guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle and squeeze box.

All proceeds from the sale of food and drink go toward new books and videos for the collection, programs for the children such as storytime, the summer reading program and Family Movie Day, as well as adult programs.

Even if you can't stay for the music, please stop by for a dessert and cup of coffee to support the library.

At 1:30 prior to the music, you are invited to the Friends Annual Meeting. Find out how you can get involved to help improve the library.

Love to Learn Homeschool Resource and Information Conference

This conference was created to fill the need for up to date, accurate, unbiased, information concerning issues that affect the climate of homeschooling in North Carolina.

Date:  August 11, 2007

Place:  Catawba Valley Community College, Multipurpose Complex ~ Hickory, NC

For more info....

http://www.lovetolearnconference.com

 

 

 

 

Shrek at Library

Family Movie Day at the Marianna Black Library

Monday April 9
3:30 pm

Shrek

Movies are FREE and projected onto an 8 x 10 ft. screen in the auditorium.

Popcorn and refreshments provided.

State Easter Eggs

Did you know that since 1994, each state has sent an 'official' Easter Egg to the White House?

Artists from across the United States create the decorated eggs, which represent each state and the District of Columbia.

Each year the artists vote amongst themselves to select the artist to create the following year's commemorative egg which is presented to the President and First Lady.

You can view all of the 2007 Eggs at the White House website

Seminar in Andrews

Homeschooling - Methods that Win and Methods that Wipe Out
The seminar will be from 1:30 - 5:00 on Saturday, April 14th.
The cost will be $5.00 for early payment and $10.00 at the door. 
For more information and to register.
http://www.jeanniefulbright..com/NC.html

Pizza and Politics!

Last night while eating at the newly remodeled Papa's Pizza, Vance and Jesse met Congressman Heath Shuler, who was visiting Bryson City. Congressman Shuler shook hands with both of the boys, and spoke with them back in the gameroom!

Alas, we didn't have a camera on hand to record the event, but as we recently studied the structure of the U.S. government, it was neat for the boys to meet our new Congressman in person.