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LOCAL BRIEFS: New Methodist minister, Harry Potter, Smokey Bear

Ralls takes puplit at First Methodist

MarkRallsThe Rev. Mark Ralls is the minister of First United Methodist Church.The Rev. W. Mark Ralls joined the ministerial staff of First United Methodist Church of Hendersonville as the senior pastor effective July 1.

Ralls comes to FUMC from Centenary United Methodist Church in Winston-Salem.
Ralls did his undergraduate study at UNC Chapel Hill, and received his masters in divinity from Duke University. He was awarded a Ph.D. from Princeton University and is currently completing study toward a Certificate in Strategy and Innovation from the Sloan Business School of MIT University.
“I have known about First United Methodist Church of Hendersonville for many years,” he said. ‘Its excellence in worship and music, its passion for missions, and the creative discipleship for all ages is widely recognized.”
His appointment to this church brings him back to the mountains he loves. Several years ago, when Ralls served St. Timothy UMC in Brevard, he and his wife, Jennifer, would visit Hendersonville and frequently comment, “Wouldn’t it be great if one day we were appointed to First Methodist?” With this appointment, “I feel like I’ve just won the clergy sweepstakes,” he added.

Program celebrates Harry Potter’s birthday


On July 31, Harry Potter will turn 35. Harry Potter fans of all ages are invited to celebrate from 2 to 4 p.m., Friday, July 31, in the Kaplan Auditorium at the Henderson County Public Library.
Drop in to participate in the costume contest, sorting hat ritual, scavenger hunt, trivia quiz, Quidditch, crafts and more. Adult and children’s costume contests will began at 3 p.m. The event is sponsored by the Friends of the Library.
Civil rights is topic
of program at Trinity
Trinity Presbyterian Church continues its annual Ohmann Lecture Series in August with a program by Philip Bentley, most recently of the Agudas Israel Synagogue, on “Race in America: From Selma to Charleston.”
Rabbi Bentley will share recollections of his civil rights-era work, including his participation in the March to Selma, and offer insights on the current state of race relations in America. Trinity invites the community to the free lectures at 9:45 a.m. on Aug. 9 and 16 at Trinity Presbyterian Church (PCUSA), 900 Blythe Street.

Extension service offers sewing camp

Kids can learn to sew or improve their skills at 4-H Sewing Camp Aug. 10-14 at the NC Cooperative Extension office in Jackson Park.
Open to boys and girls ages 8 to 18 from beginner to advanced levels, the camp offers several different projects to choose from. You do not have to be a 4-H member. The fee for each session is $10. All supplies and materials are provided. Register by Aug. 3, by calling 697-4891 or emailing Sue Janowiak at sue_janowiak@ncsu.edu or Renay Knapp at renay_knapp@ncsu.edu.

Workshops teach canning, pickling


A bountiful harvest can sometimes be overwhelming. Renay Knapp, Extension Service family consumer sciences agent, will lead workshops on pickling and canning in August at the Henderson County Cooperative Extension Office in Jackson Park.
• Fermented Products, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2 and 6 p.m. $15.
• Tomatoes, Thursday, Aug. 27, 2 and 6 p.m.
Call 697-4891 to register.

Cradle of Forestry fetes Smokey Bear


The Cradle of Forestry invites kids of all ages to Smokey Bear’s 71st Birthday Party on at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 1. from 11:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Smokey Bear turns 71 years old this year.
The fire prevention bear will help cut his birthday cake and meet and greet his friends during the celebration. Admission fee is $6 for adults and $3 for youth ages 4-15 and America the Beautiful and Golden Age pass holders. Admission is free for children under 4 years old.
Activities include music, making birthday cards, Smokey Bingo, prize drawings and birthday cake. Party favor bags for children include a little book “The True Story of Smokey Bear,” the Smokey Bear song and Smokey memorabilia. Families are welcome to pack a picnic. At 1:30 p.m., the party continues with a live animal program by Carolina Naturalists on native wildlife.

The Cradle of Forestry is on U.S. 276 in the Pisgah National Forest six miles north of Looking Glass Falls and four miles south of the Blue Ridge Parkway milepost 412.

HLT stages ‘The Crucible’


Hendersonville Little Theatre will present Arthur Miller’s Tony award winning play “The Crucible” Aug. 21 through Sept. 5.
The searing portrait of a town engulfed in hysteria and the story of John Proctor and the accusations brought against him by the young Abigail Williams is set against the background of the Salem Witch Trials of the 1660s and will be directed by veteran director Tana Jencks.
The large cast of 20 stars Hamilton Goodman as John Proctor and India Furney as Abigail and also features Richard Blue, Bryan Bird, Mikeala Ferguson, Bruce Green, Martha Hogenboom, Rick Huhn, Kaitlin Rose Jencks, Jenny Lee, Jack McConnell, Tab Lyn Merkel, Jr., Philip Packer, Stef Prestol, Mary Kathleen Riddle, Jackie Roberts, Ryan Silva, Christina Velderman and Earl Ward.
Performances are 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for students and $10 for children under 18. To reserve seats call 828-692-1082 or visit hendersonvillelittletheatre.org.

Cubcat Crawl set for Aug. 7


Hendersonville Elementary School will hold its annual Cubcat Crawl at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7. The 3-mile run will start and finish on the school campus. Registration check-in begins at 5:30 p.m. Preregister by Friday, July 31, to get a T-shirt. Cost is $15 for adults and $5 for students. Late registration cost is $20 and $10. Strollers are welcome. No bicycles or pets.