News

LOCAL BRIEFS: Books for babies, Bradford pear bounty, progressive postcard party

By Lightning Reports, Published: March 7, 2026

DKG providing books for families of newborns

The Alpha Lambda chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, a professional honorary society for women educators, is currently partnering with Pardee Hospital to provide books to the families of newborn babies. 

Alpha’s Lambda Literacy Committee selected children’s board books in English and bilingual editions to give to new mothers, along with a special onesie and an informational pamphlet.

“Our objective is to encourage reading to babies and young children,” Literacy Committee chair Mary Small said. “The pamphlets include suggestions the parents can use to help their child’s mental development.”

“We are thrilled with our relationship with Alpha Lambda as a recipient of their donations in their work to promote early literacy,” Baylee Huff, volunteer services manager at UNC Health Pardee, said. “Their donation of children’s books has been a wonderful gift to new parents who have given birth at Pardee Hospital.”

Mountain State Fair accepting vendor applications

The 2026 N.C. Mountain State Fair is accepting applications for food and commercial vendors, heritage crafters, wholesale vendor suppliers and “Got to Be NC” growers and producers for the late-summer fair Sept. 11-20 at the WNC Ag Center in Fletcher.

The deadlines to submit applications range from April 28 for outside food vendors to July 24 for outside and inside vendor spaces, outside and inside Got to Be NC food vendors, inside Got to Be NC non-food vendors and wholesale vendor suppliers. The deadline to apply to be an inside food vendor or a heritage crafter is June 26.

“So much goes into the success of the Mountain State Fair, including the food, crafters and exhibits,” said Sean McKeon, general manager of the N.C. Mountain State Fair. “Interested vendors and crafters are encouraged to apply early as the application period will remain open until the deadline or until all spaces are filled. We are looking forward to a great 2026 Mountain State Fair and hope you will join us.” 

For an application visit wncagcenter.org/p/mountainstatefair.

Bradford pear bounty scheduled for April 25

Aiming to combat the spread of the invasive Bradford pear tree, the Hendersonville Tree Board and N.C. State University are sponsoring the Bradford Pear Bounty, an invasive tree replacement program that rewards property owners for removing Bradford pear trees from their property. 

Bradford pears are an invasive tree species that causes significant ecological harm to the environment by displacing native species and wildlife that depend on native species for food and habitat. 

The exchange is free and open to the public with preference given to city residents based on demand. For every Bradford pear tree removed, residents can receive one free replacement tree — up to five total. Participants must register at treebountync.com to be eligible for the program. Several local tree-care service providers are also offering discounts for those participating. A list of participating providers can be found at treebountync.com/removal-discounts. 

The event will take place 9-11 a.m. Saturday, April 25, at the city Operations Center, 305 Williams St. Pre-registration is required. Participants must provide a photo of the Bradford pear that they have removed or treated with herbicide. Registration does not guarantee a tree. Applicants will be contacted via email after submitting. 

Progressive Alliance hosts Postcard Party

The public is invited to join the Progressive Alliance of Henderson County at its free Postcard Party and Social Time from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Friday, March 20, at Trailside Brewing Co., 874 Lenox Park Drive.

All who plan to attend are encouraged to bring friends and family.  The Progressive Alliance has postcards for youngsters to color. Free parking is available but limited; carpooling or arrival on foot or by bicycle via the Ecusta Trail is encouraged. The Postcard Party is an opportunity for civic-minded individuals to mingle and write postcards to elected officials and others on current legislative topics and concerns of participants. Postcards, suggestion sheet, recipient addresses and postage are provided. For the March postcard party, the alliance is partnering with Moms Demand Action, which advocates for a future free from gun violence.