Community Almanac

Women of Waynesville accepting new members

Women of Waynesville, a nonprofit organization that supports the needs of women and children in Haywood County, invites all interested women to attend an open house and membership drive event.

The event will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 19, at The Historic Herren House, 94 East Street, Waynesville, and will give prospective members an opportunity to learn more about WOW and its mission before making the decision to join.

WOW is an all-women, all-volunteer organization. The group currently has about 30 members and is operated by a seven-member board of directors and working committees. Members meet twice a month at The Waynesville Inn with the mission of coming up with new and fun ways to raise money for women and children.

The Open House event is a free event and open to all women in Haywood County. WOW will provide food and drinks. For more information about WOW, visit www.womenofwaynesville.org, follow on Facebook or call 828.550.7573.

Bowling for Big Brothers, Big Sisters

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Haywood County will hold its annual fundraiser Bowl For Kids’ Sake from 10 a.m. to noon or noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 14, at Sky Lanes in Asheville.

Supporters are invited to create or join a team, or just raise money, at bbbswnc.org. Each bowler is asked to raise at least $50 ($35 for students). On the day of the event, teams bowl two free games, get a T-shirt and have lots of fun. Teams consist of four to five members.

To register, visit bbbswnc.org.

Workshop to support military applicants

Western Carolina University’s Office of Professional Growth and Enrichment will be offering a workshop entitled, “Understanding the Unique Culture of Military Applicants” from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, March 19, at WCU Biltmore Park.

This workshop is designed to provide potential employers with a better understanding of the military culture, tools to support veterans with the transition to a corporation, resources to connect with the veteran population and information on incentives for hiring veterans.

The registration fee for this course is $89 and includes a networking lunch following the workshop.

For more information and to register, visit pdp.wcu.edu and click on “For-profit and Nonprofit Professional Development Workshops” or call 828.227.7397. Leadership for Equity Summit” from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday, March 20 at the Crest Center in Asheville.

“North Carolina is presently updating the state’s standards for school leaders including a new orientation toward leadership for equity,” said Jess Weiler, program director for WCU’s Educational Leadership (Ed.D.) program. “This summit will increase the preparedness of our schools’ leaders to meet the state’s leadership standards and build the capacity of other educators in attendance, to work toward more equitable outcomes for students.”

The theme of the summit is “What is Equity?” and attendees will hear from regional, state and national educational leaders about how they are building equitable and socially just classrooms, schools and districts.

For more information about the conference, contact Weiler at jrweiler@email.wcu.edu.

Shop with a cop fundraiser

To raise money for the Shop with a Cop program, the Macon County Sheriff’s Office Auxiliary has organized a benefit concert scheduled for Friday, March 13, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts. The concert, A Night with the Legends, begins at 6:30 p.m. and will feature local musicians performing legendary country, bluegrass and rock classics.

This year’s headlining act will be Jackson County native Matt Stillwell. Stillwell is a nationally touring country music artist who has recorded seven full length albums, opened for country superstars and toured the country several times. Tickets cost $15 and will be sold at the door.

Lake J hires new VP of sales

Mike Huber, director of camp and retreat ministries with The Upper New York Conference of The United Methodist Church, will join Lake Junaluska in February as vice president of programming and group sales.

Huber will oversee Lake Junaluska’s programs, events and ministries, and support the group sales team, which works with groups that host conferences, retreats or other events at Lake Junaluska.

He has more than 25 years of experience in outdoor education with expertise in mentoring and leading college-aged students. In addition, he has designed and implemented creative programming on topics of religion, spirituality, vocation and purpose and is a recipient of the Harry S. Denman Award for Evangelism.

Haywood Hospice offers pet therapy

Haywood Hospice and Palliative Care has welcomed the latest canine members to its volunteer “Love on a Leash” program.

These new volunteers will be visiting hospice patients and others at the skilled nursing facilities in Haywood County.

“We are happy to welcome Maggie, Kiah and Cody to our Volunteer program,” states Beverly Murray, Volunteer Coordinator for Haywood Hospice and Palliative Care. “Animals in general form a special bond with people, and trained therapy dogs provide even more positive effects on patients with a chronic or terminal illness.

Pet therapy has been shown to reduce anxiety and stress, increase feelings of relaxation and provide comfort and companionship to terminally ill patients.

For more information on the Hospice Volunteer program, contact Murray at 828.452.5039.

Donations needed for PTSD event

Haywood Vocational Opportunities will be hosting the second annual HVO Stands Up to PTSD Veteran Community Resource, Education and Job Fair on June 27 and is seeking donations.

HVO believes that individuals have the right to be respected, to have equal opportunities, to work, to earn a fair wage, and participate in activities that enrich their lives. To that end, the organization is working on a special project that will help to educate people about and bring awareness of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, also referred to as Post Traumatic Stress) to veterans and civilians alike and offer employment, education and other opportunities to those who have sacrificed so much in service to each and every one of us and this great country.

If individuals or businesses would like to make a donation of goods and services, call 828.454.6857.

Grants available through health foundation

Haywood Healthcare Foundation is accepting Request For Proposals (RFPs) for grants relating to unmet healthcare needs in Haywood County.

Grant proposals can be addressed to a specific healthcare program, health educational materials or equipment. Initiatives can range broadly, such as maternal/infant health, chronic disease-related initiatives, nutrition, substance abuse, dental care for an underserved population, mental health care, senior health care issues and environmental health issues.

Grant applications are available at the Haywood Healthcare Foundation Office, 576-1 Leroy George Drive, Clyde or by calling 828.452.8343.

Grant applications are due by 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 9.

• Suicide Prevention Awareness Training will be offered from 2 to 3 p.m. Thursday, March 12, at the Waynesville Library, 678 S. Haywood St. Registration required. Email athleen.olsen@haywoodcountync.gov or call 828.356.2507.

• A Tai Chi class will be offered at 1:30 a.m. and at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 19, in the Macon County Public Library Meeting Room. The 10:30 class is geared to seniors but open to all, and the 6 p.m. class is geared to veterans of all ages but is also open to all. ALSO:

• Haywood County Health and Human Services Agency is offering another round of Diabetes Prevention Program classes, scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 17. The program has no cost and offers incentives to participants. Call 828.356.2272.