Community briefs

Teague earns Girl Scout Gold award

Girl Scouts Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont announced that Amanda Teague, of Waynesville, has earned her Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest achievement a Girl Scout can earn.

Teague, daughter of Mark and Denise Teague and a member of Girl Scout Troop 30032, created a sensory area for the town of Canton. The different sensory boards portray animals and river scenes common to the area. Teague also developed a website to bring more awareness to the animals living around the community.

Girls in high school can earn their Girl Scout Gold Award by creating sustainable change on a community or world issue. Gold Award Girl Scouts address the root cause of a problem, plan and implement innovative solutions to drive change and lead a team of people to success. Each girl must dedicate a minimum of 80 hours to planning and carrying out her project, which must benefit the community and have long lasting impact.

As they take action to transform their world, Gold Award Girl Scouts gain tangible skills and prove they are the leaders our community and world need.

“Earning the Girl Scout Gold Award designation is truly a remarkable achievement. It is the culmination of so many things, from a girl’s self-discipline and leadership abilities to time management and the creativity, initiative and mastery of skills it takes to complete these kind of projects,” said Jennifer Wilcox, CEO for Girl Scouts Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont. “Every girl who earns this prestigious award is making a difference not only in her community, but her own life as well. The skills gained through the Gold Award process- strategic thinking, communication, collaboration, problem solving- are ones that will be used often in her future endeavors.”

Thousands of Girl Scouts earn the Girl Scout Gold Award each year, which first began in 1916 as the Golden Eaglet. Earning the Gold Award opens doors to scholarships, preferred admission tracks for college and amazing career opportunities.

Amanda Teague of Waynesville was given the Golden Scout Award, the highest achievement a Girl Scout can earn. Donated photo

FUR rings in the holidays with December events

Feline Urgent Rescue of Western North Carolina (FUR) is ringing in the holidays with two special events in December: a kitty adoption day and a special drawing for a handmade tree skirt.

Anyone looking for a festive addition to their family can come to FUR’s Home FUR the Holidays adoption event from 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 4.

While visiting the sanctuary is usually by appointment only, on this special day, the public can stop by the cage-free, no-kill sanctuary without an appointment to meet and play with available kittens, adult cats and senior cats. The sanctuary is located at 38 Safe Haven Drive in Waynesville.

“Adopting a cat from a sanctuary like ours,” said Lisa Sanborn, FUR Board president, “is usually safer and less expensive for families in the long run. All FUR cats have been vaccinated, spayed or neutered and microchipped for no extra cost, so families don’t have to worry about those initial expenses.”

For this special event, FUR will reduce its standard adoption fees to encourage adoptions ($35 per adult cat and $50 per kitten).

“We’re eager to place our available kitties in loving homes,” said Syd Klocke, co-coordinator for the event. “The more cats we adopt out, the more cats we can rescue. The need is so great in our area, but we can only help the cat population when we have the space and funds to do so.”

On Dec. 6, FUR will draw the lucky winner of a beautiful, appliqued tree skirt, handstitched and donated by Lisa Siegrist. Tickets are just $3 each or eight for $20 and can be purchased at Smoky Mountain Dog Bakery (4 North Main St., Waynesville) until Dec. 5. Winner need not be present to win. All proceeds benefit FUR.

For more information about FUR’s adoption day or the tree skirt drawing, visit furofwnc.org or call 844.888.CATS.

Dr. Michael Wall takes the reins at Balsam Mountain Trust

the pioneering and recently retired Executive Director Michael Skinner, who led the Trust since 2002.

Dr. Wall, a distinguished leader in the field of environmental conservation and education, came to the Trust from the San Diego Natural History Museum where he most recently served as Vice President of Science and Conservation. Upon his leaving, the museum’s president and his boss Judy Gradwohl shared, “To say that we are grateful for his outstanding leadership, scientific skills, camaraderie and kindness, and his many professional talents is an understatement. We’re excited for him and so appreciative that his almost two decades of dedication leaves us in a position of strength.”

Wall received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in botany from Auburn University and Ph.D. in entomology from the University of Connecticut. While at UConn, he was selected as a Visiting Fulbright Fellow at the Australian Museum in Sydney, Australia. He was also an Adjunct Professor at San Diego State University for many years.

Describing his own work ethic, Wall said, “My first and unending love is teaching about the wonders of nature. Though a scientist, I’ve always leaned more into science communication than research…to not just tell people about nature, but to give them gateways to experience it. In short, my mission is to deepen community involvement in the science and practice of conservation.”

“We’re thrilled to have Dr. Wall lead the Trust,” said Balsam Mountain Trust Board Chair Sheri Wiltshire Straw. “His background and ideas will benefit our community at large in so many ways. It’s thrilling to imagine the next chapter of the Trust.”

Coming to Western North Carolina fulfilled Wall’s desire of returning to his roots, as most of his formative years were spent in the south. His father was employed by Michelin Tires and thus young Wall primarily attended schools in Greenville with stints in Winston-Salem, the south of France, Dothan (AL), and Nova Scotia. Now, extended family is not far for he and his wife, Allison Teem, a pre-school teacher, except for their son and daughter who are completing college in California.

Memory Lane collection debuts at Fontana Regional Libraries

Fontana Regional Library is pleased to announce the debut of a new Memory Lane Collection at all library locations. This collection offers books, DVDs, and jigsaw puzzles created primarily for older adult library patrons. Folks who enjoy reminiscing and telling their stories will appreciate this alternative-format collection. All items are available for checkout.

Lifelong readers who enjoy books, DVDs, and puzzles, yet are finding reading is a challenge, can continue to enjoy the mental stimulation, visual appreciation, and entertainment value of the resources they always appreciated. Loved ones and caregivers who make use of these items to share conversations and togetherness may add significantly to the overall quality of life.

Images are a powerful way to activate personal thoughts and memories. The books in this visually oriented collection offer high-quality pictures, oversized print, and minimal details to recall. Instead of too-small print and complex plot lines, Memory Lane books are designed to spark interest, reminiscences, and conversations with family, friends, or caregivers. Books range from short fiction to wordless picture books, all designed specifically for adults to enjoy.

Jigsaw puzzles range from 35 pieces to 300 pieces with attractive topics at adult interest levels. Ambient DVDs, with engaging videos of puppies, sunsets, aquariums, etc. can be customized with different background tracks, and can be set to loop for unlimited entertainment.

Fontana Regional Library is delighted to be able to offer these new resources to the community. The Memory Lane project is made possible by funding from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under the provisions of the Library Service and Technology Act (LSTA) as administered by the State Library of North Carolina, a division of the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.