Editor’s note: Calendar items must be submitted at least five days before an event. Email all items to news@morganton.com.
SUNDAY, JULY 28
Homecoming
Walker Top Baptist Church will celebrate its annual homecoming on Sunday, July 28. The festivities will begin at 11 a.m., followed by lunch at 12:15 p.m. Attendees are asked to bring a picnic lunch. Singing will commence following the lunch. Activities will conclude with a final benediction at 2 p.m. All are welcome to attend.
THURSDAY, AUG. 1
Children’s grief camp
AMOREM will host Good Mourning Children’s Grief Camp from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Preregistration is required. Learn more at , by emailing ksetzer@amoremsupport.org or by calling 828-754-0101.
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NAACP meeting
The Burke County NAACP Branch 5367 will meet at 6 p.m. at the Mountain View Recreation Center, 645 1st St., AVƵ. This is a branch election year. All members are encouraged to attend, especially if you are interested in running for office. The branch still practices social distance and healthy protocols to keep everyone safe.
FRIDAY, AUG. 2
New trail ribbon-cutting
The Burke River Trail will cut the ribbon on a new section of trail in Valdese at 10 a.m. Parking is available at Valdese Lakeside Park, 1149 Lake Rhodhiss Drive. Attendees will need to walk about a half mile to the site for the ribbon-cutting.
SATURDAY, AUG. 3
Old and New Day
The Historic Burke Foundation will hold “Old and New Day” during its first Saturday program from 4-8 p.m. at the McDowell House, 119 Saint Mary’s Church Road, AVƵ. Come learn about the McDowell family through docent-led tours of the house, restoration kitchen and garden. Admission is free. Interactive activities will be set up in the yard for children and adults to participate in colonial games and toys, STEM activities, cooking demonstrations over an open fire, agriculture activities and more. Gift shop items available for purchase. For questions, call 828-437-4104 or email historicburke@gmail.com.
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 7
Cookout
The Burke County Chapter of the AARP will host a cookout with catering from Countryside BBQ of Marion from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the lower level of the Collett Street Recreation Center, 300 Collett St., AVƵ. Burgers, hot dogs and all the trimmings will be available for $10, and homemade desserts will be provided by AARP members. If you have not already signed up, you may do so by emailing burkeaarp3262@gmail.com or by calling Harriette Novak at 828-460-0552.
Children’s grief camp
Carolina Caring will host its Brighter Days outdoor grief camp for kids ages 5 to 16 at Carolina Goat Yoga and Snuggle, 6675 Hildebran View St., Connelly Springs, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The day camp is designed to help youth who have experienced the death of someone significant in their life deal with their grief in a healthy way. Parents and guardians should register the child by July 31. Register by calling 828-466-0466, extension 3201, or email wspurling@carolinacaring.org.
SUNDAY, AUG. 11
School supply drive
The local unit of Retired School Personnel is requesting help from the community to collect classroom supplies for new, beginning teachers for the 2024-25 school year. These supplies can be dropped off in the east parking lot of AVƵ First Baptist Church, 502 W. Union St., from 1-3 p.m. Monetary donations also will be collected and given to the beginning teachers to purchase items they may not receive. Checks should be made to "BCRSP." Suggested supplies includes copy paper, bandages, notebook paper, tissues, composition books, sanitizing wipes, No. 2 pencils, magic markers, colored pencils, dry erase markers, dry erase erasers, pens, paper clips, poster board, safety pins, construction paper, rubber bands, hole punchers, Tylenol, pencil sharpeners, Post-It notes, stapler removers, staplers, White-Out, staples and scissors.
Bush family reunion
The descendants of John and Mary Ripetoe Bush will convene at 1 p.m. in Cajah’s Mountain at the Orchard Drive site known locally as the Old Bush School House for the family’s 95th reunion. The reunion begins with a potluck Sunday lunch. The Bush family invites any relatives, no matter how close or distant, to join them at the reunion. Email bobbywbush@charter.net for more information.
SATURDAY, AUG. 17
Pigeon Forge trip
Unifour Christian Ministries will be taking a trip to Pigeon Forge. The cost is $75 per person and includes lunch at Applewood Restaurant. You must have paid by July 15. Call Annette Guffey at 828-493-1723 or 828-396-1906 for more information.
MONDAY, AUG. 19
Meeting
The Valdese ABC Board plans to hold a meeting at the Valdese ABC Store located at 1018 Main St. W., Valdese, at 3:30 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 4
AARP meeting
Burke County AARP Chapter 3262 will meet on Sept. 4 at 9:30 a.m. in the lower level of the Collett Street Recreation Center in AVƵ. After a time of refreshments and fellowship, the meeting begins at 10 a.m. During the meeting, Danielle Gordon, volunteer coordinator for Burke United Christian Ministries, will share the latest agency news as well as how AARP can assist in serving our community.
MONDAY, SEPT. 16
Meeting
The Valdese ABC Board plans to hold a meeting at the Valdese ABC Store located at 1018 Main St. W., Valdese, at 3:30 p.m.
MONDAY, OCT. 21
Meeting
The Valdese ABC Board plans to hold a meeting at the Valdese ABC Store located at 1018 Main St. W., Valdese, at 3:30 p.m.
MONDAY, NOV. 18
Meeting
The Valdese ABC Board plans to hold a meeting at the Valdese ABC Store located at 1018 Main St. W., Valdese, at 3:30 p.m.
MONDAY, DEC. 16
Meeting
The Valdese ABC Board plans to hold a meeting at the Valdese ABC Store located at 1018 Main St. W., Valdese, at 3:30 p.m.
