There will be a benefit February 25th at Madison High School for the Ryan Coates family. 100% of all proceeds will be given to the family to help with Ryan's medical expenses in his fight against cancer.  It begins at 4 pm with food, raffles, silent auction, live music, cake walk, fun inflatables, face painting and more. Live auction begins at 7 pm. For more about Ryan's story click  here.

Brookside Rehabilitation and Care is starting a new volunteer program called Adopt a Resident. This program is to provide a one on one relationship between the volunteer and the resident, with a specific goal to have residents without family members to have a special volunteer to visit with them. A representative from Brookside will be happy to speak to your Church, Civic Group or on an individual basis about this program. For more information Susan Good, Volunteer Coordinator @ 828-776-9185 or email volunteerbrc@yahoo.com.

Weizenblatt Gallery, located in Moore Auditorium on the campus of Mars Hill College, will feature an exhibit by Asheville-based artist Kenn Kotara  from February 16 to March 9 and is free to the public.  Kotara’s architectural background and southern roots permeate his abstract art, which includes works on canvas, paper and mylar; Braille; screens; Polaroids; sculpture and installations.  His work has been featured in solo and group exhibitions, and public and private collections all over the world.

 

The exhibit in Weizenblatt Gallery will feature a number of two- and three-dimensional pieces, including an installation called “Viaticus,” which features grass growing through ceramic footprints.  
 

Kotara said he originally envisioned the piece as a proposal for the 9/11 memorial.  “My proposal was that the memorial would have dual footprints for each person killed, and I saw it as a garden, a living, growing entity” he said.  
 

Some years later, when Kotara actually created the piece, its meaning grew to encompass the journey of life.  “It’s about having joy but also understanding that we create this path that we’re on, both with what we’ve been given and what we choose to do.” The word “viaticus,” he said, is a Latin term that references a journey.
 

Future exhibits planned for Weizenblatt Gallery include a collection of works by Asheville artist Taiyo LaPaix from March 19 through April 18; and an exhibit of works by Mars Hill College students April 19 through May 23.
 

Weizenblatt gallery is open Monday through Friday 9AM – 5PM.

Rotary club of Spruce Pine President Bill Sweetser (pictured at right) congratulates the Mitchell county winners of principal and teachers of the year. Gary Moore, Deyton Elementary School principal, Cristal Willis from Buladean School and Julie Hoyle from Deyton Elementary School provided the program and were honored at a Rotary meeting on November 17. Spruce Pine Rotary is proud of the quality of education provided by Mitchell County Schools.