News

LOCAL BRIEFS: Patriot Club, Christmas services, special trikes

By Bill Moss, Published: December 3, 2014

Disabled children getting special trikes

Two local children will receive specially adapted AmTryle therapeutic tricycles at no charge through the joints efforts of Western Carolina Friends of AMBUCS, the Community Foundation of Henderson County and physical therapist Emily Freeman of Kids N Motion. The families will receive the therapeutic tricycles at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 4, at Kids N Motion, 2560 Chimney Rock Road (red roof building just east of Golden Corral). The public is invited.
Formed in 1922, AMBUCS (American Business Clubs) is dedicated to creating mobility and independence for people with disabilities. The Hendersonville chapter, Western Carolina Friends of AMBUCS, was chartered in 2005. For more information, contact Allan Berg at 692-0911.

Sentinel Patriot Club holds 2nd essay contest

The Sentinel Patriot Club, a local organization that promotes the teaching of the Constitution, has been approved as a 501(c) (3) nonprofit public charity, the club announced.
Founded last year by Hendersonville residents Ron Kauffman and Henry Leissing, the club holds an annual essay contest for all Henderson County public, private and home-schooled high school students.
Before announcing the 2015 Young Patriot Essay Contest, Kauffman took the necessary steps to apply for an IRS designation as a nonprofit club, and
"That changes so many things for us," Kauffman said in a news release. "Now when we approach corporate donors, local businesses, individuals or seek grant funding, we can tell them that their donations or grants are tax deductible. For us, that should open the doors to many more people and businesses who previously were not able or willing to contribute without that nonprofit designation.
"Over 95 percent of all funds raised are used for cash prizes for the winning students," he added, "and all the members of the club including the founders donate their time and efforts, so no administrative overhead needs to be supported by donations, just basic expenses like printing and postage, and of course the prize awards."
The 2015 Young Sentinel Patriot Essay Contest offers $4,000 in cash prizes. The student winner will receive $2,000 to help defray educational costs, and prizes for 2nd and 3rd place winners will be awarded. One of the new elements in this year's awards include a cash donation to the winner's school for a project by a classroom teacher to promote awareness about the founding of the U.S. and the Constitution.
Contest registration is open until Jan. 23. The essay deadline is Feb. 28. All entries must be submitted by email. Contest rules and entry information may be found at www.sentinelpatriot.com.

Presbyterian Church presents 'Morning Star'

The adult choir of Hendersonville Presbyterian Church, 699 N. Grove St., will present the Christmas Musical "Morning Star" by Pamela and Joseph M. Martin on Sunday, Dec. 7 at 10:55 a.m. in the church sanctuary. The musical will be narrated by Dwayne Durham. The choir will be accompanied by Gayle Stepp, director of music and organist/pianist. Music for the 8:30 service will be carols and classical musical selections played by violinist Lillian Hall accompanied by Stepp on the piano.

Brevard Music Center extends president's contract

The Brevard Music Center Board of Trustees and President Mark Weinstein have agreed to a five-year contract extension that will keep Weinstein at the helm of the renowned institution through its 80th anniversary season in 2016 and beyond.

Weinstein will continue to work with the board, staff and Artistic Director Keith Lockhart to implement a long-term vision and strategy for the 78-year-old summer institute and festival.
Weinstein holds a BA from Carleton College and an MBA from Harvard Business School and has served as Executive Director of the New York City Opera, General Director of the Pittsburgh Opera, Executive Director of the Washington National Opera, and CEO of the AT&T Performing Arts Center in Dallas.

Keep dollars local, win chance at $500

Shoppers who buy from a Henderson County merchant or dine locally may enter a drawing for a $500 gift package sponsored by the Henderson County Chamber of Commerce, First Citizens Bank, McDonald's and Henderson County government.
Each $100 in spending through Dec. 19 qualifies the shopper for an entry in the drawing. Bring receipts to the chamber office at 204 Kanuga Road. The drawing will be held on Dec. 19. Because the "Shop and Dine Henderson County" promotion encourages holiday shopping, everyday items like gas, groceries and prescriptions do not qualify.

Agencies cooperate to help needy family

The Blue Ridge Humane Society is partnering with the Children and Family Resource Center to help a family suffering hardship because of the economy or other circumstances by meeting the family's basic needs.
The Children and Family Resource Center staff will identify a Henderson County family for the joint project. Working with CFRC, the BRHS Thrift Store will use store inventory to meet those needs. BRHS will help the family through the end of the year by providing furniture, clothing, shoes, linens, housewares, books, and other items as needed. The Blue Ridge Humane Society Animal Shelter will provide food for the family's cat from their Community Pet Food Pantry.
"We are all used to the proceeds from our Thrift Store helping to care for the animals in our shelter until they are adopted," said Terri Thompson, director of retail for BRHS. "But this time our store's staff and volunteers wanted to give back to the community since Henderson County residents support us by donating and shopping in our Thrift Store."

Grace continues Advent services

The community is invited to the second of three Advent services at Grace Lutheran Church on Wednesday, Dec. 10, at 6 p.m. The service will follow the Holden Evening Prayer format and the theme for the service will be "how Christians live as immigrants in the world today." The worship message will be delivered by Pastor Alfredo Oviedo.
A light supper (free will offering requested and reservations required) will be served from 5 until 5:30 p.m. in Stull Hall for those who wish to eat at the church before each Advent worship service in the Sanctuary at 6 p.m. Reservations for supper may be made by calling 828--693-4890 no later than Friday, Dec. 5. Nursery care is available for children ages birth to 5 years old during the Advent service. Grace Lutheran Church is located at the corner of Sixth Avenue West and Blythe Street in Hendersonville. For further information call 828-693-4890.

First Congregational offers holiday peace

First Congregational United Church of Christ invites the community to its inaugural "In the Stillness of Night" service at 5:30 pm on Wednesday, Dec. 17. A time of quiet meditation, music and prayer, the service will offer an opportunity for remembrance, preparation and hope and a respite from the busyness of the holidays.
Music will be performed by the choir directed by Bev Ward and by Michelle Skeele on the Native American flute. Words come from Scripture, poetry and prose.
A celebratory worship service takes place on Sunday, Dec. 21, at 10:30 and features unique Christmas musical arrangements by the choir, clarinetist/flutist Joel Helfand as guest artist and traditional carols by the congregation. A traditional Christmas Eve celebration of the Nativity with carols, Scripture and candlelight is at 5 p.m. The church is on Fifth Avenue West at White Pine Drive in Laurel Park.

Grace blood drive is set for Dec. 11

Grace Lutheran Church will holds its annual December Blood Drive for Pardee and Park Ridge hospitals, the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Asheville and Mission Hospital on Thursday, Dec. 11, from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The blood drive at Grace Lutheran will be held in the red and white Blood Connection mobile vehicles that are now being used throughout the community. To schedule an appointment to donate blood or if you have questions about your eligibility, to donate please call the Hendersonville Blood Connection office at 828-233-5301.
Those planning to donate blood on Dec. 11 are asked to NOT make another blood donation after Oct. 17, which is eight weeks before this blood drive. Healthy individuals from 16 years old to 106 are allowed to give the "gift of life". You need only weigh 110 pounds or more. As a thank you gift, donors will be given their choice of a movie ticket or a t-shirt. For more information call the church at 828-693-4890.

'Giving Tuesday' set aside for needy

With two holidays fast approaching, shoppers are engrossed in buying gifts for family members, other relatives and good friends. While this advance shopping has become routine, the Mediation Center is reminding the community of another key aspect of the season: the need to remember and invest in the lives of the needy.
"One efficient way to aid those who need help," says Angela Bryner, community mediation coordinator in Hendersonville, "is to give to or through community organizations, including non-profit agencies, that assist the people in need in various, essential ways."
In this connection, the Mediation Center is participating in a national movement that culminates with "Giving Tuesday, " on Dec. 2.
The Mediation Center will use donations from Giving Tuesday to support peacebuilding in Western North Carolina. It offers these suggestions for individuals and groups to support Giving Tuesday by:
• Donating directly to The Mediation Center online, or by mail at 40 North French Broad Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801;
• Using a portion of money saved during Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales to make a gift to support The Mediation Center and its program and services.
The Mediation Center's office in Henderson County is at 101 S. Grove St.