COMMUNITY & LOCAL BUSINESS NEWS
“read all&aLOCAL b outBUSINESS it!” NEWS COMMUNITY books and magazines, or those in poor condition can be taken to a recycling center. The Book Exchange also offers other programs to the community: • Book Discussion Groups • BE Readers • (Children’s book discussion) • Play & Learn Sessions • Science/Nature Programs for Children • (NCexplorers.com) • Music Jams For a complete summer list of events, visit BannerElkBookExchange.com.
The Banner Elk Book Exchange Reopens to the Public The Banner Elk Book Exchange at the Historic Banner Elk School is back on its regular summer schedule through October: Tues.Fri. 10 a.m.–4 p.m., and Sat. 1-4 p.m. The Banner Elk Book Exchange is a community-based, volunteer-run book exchange for Banner Elk and Avery County, operating on a “bring a book, take a book” policy. There is no check-out or return of books. Simply bring a book or books and exchange them for the same number of different books. No books to trade-in? In lieu of a book to exchange, you may make a small donation to take a book home. “We are grateful for the donations that allow others to enjoy reading,” said Donna Dicks with the Book Exchange. “Many people have contributed the books in the Book Exchange that fill our shelves, and a year of being sequestered at home will probably produce an abundance of book donations.” Before bringing book donations to the Book Exchange, she asks that people consider these guidelines: The Book Exchange accepts hardback books, and paperbacks in good condition. “We keep the larger, high-quality ones on the shelves of the Book Exchange, and share those we cannot use with organizations like the V.A. hospital in Asheville. Some books also are sent to the correctional facility in Spruce Pine.” The Book Exchange cannot accept textbooks, reference books (dictionaries, thesaurus, etc.), outdated magazines or selfhelp books, or books that are damaged, mildewed, smelling of smoke, or otherwise unable to be placed on our shelves. When in doubt, ask yourself if you would like to take home the books you are donating. Outdated
104 — Summer 2021 CAROLINA MOUNTAIN LIFE
Make Friends in Valle Crucis For 38 years, the local community has collaborated to preserve the Valle Crucis Community Park. What was originally slated for development instead became, and remains to be, a free local park filled with immeasurable opportunity for life to be explored through nature, environmental education, friendship, play, music, exercise, and much more. Walking paths throughout the park and wetlands meander between Dutch Creek and Watauga River. Trees, gardens, and native vegetation are living proof of abundant, loving preservation. Convenient picnic shelters remain popular destinations as people seek the refuge of outdoor assembly, particularly in efforts to maintain social distancing. Summer months naturally invite extended outdoor exploration. Fishing expeditions and leisure river fun soak up considerable public interest. The anticipated return of events, such as Music in the Valley, also promises to keep the community adoring of the park. The increase in public traffic, in addition to the growing tourism in the area, creates more need for support from the community and acts as a catalyst for the new suggestion for paying $5 for weekend parking. The Valle Crucis Community Park exists as a nonprofit organization. Eighty percent
of operational funding is composed of public donations, and the remaining percentage is supported by an endowment fund, invested and administered by the North Carolina Community Foundation. Every helping hand plays a part in preserving the park, as it requires $500 per day to maintain the park in its naturally beautiful condition. Patrons have ample opportunity to support the park. “Friends of the Park” donate monthly or annually and—in addition to facility rental discounts, local business coupons, and a parking hangtag—are allowed maximum tax deductions to the extent of state and federal law. Volunteer opportunities are available for all ages and skill levels. Individuals and businesses are invited to take part in donating items for the annual Park Auction. Memorial gifts and projects are always open for discussion with the park’s director. Additionally, park visitors can abide by the park rules, leave their leisure space better than they found it, and utilize the environmental education opportunities in an effort to further appreciate and maintain the value of the park. The founding board of directors envisioned the land to be preserved for every person to enjoy the natural resources, for all time. With this vision comes a need for respect and caretaking of the land as its needs evolve. The daily, monthly, and yearly conservation of the park’s features are prioritized in the annual strategic plan, created and carried out by the board of directors. Ashley Galleher, the park’s executive director, stated, “We [as humans] want what’s best for the people we love and for future generations.” vallecrucispark.org
Grandfather Home Visitors’ Center and Museum An important piece of Banner Elk history resides in a house on Hickory Nut Gap Road. This house, once known as the Grandfather Home for Children’s “director’s house,” opened last summer as the Grandfather Home Visitors’ Center and Museum.
