Photo by Ron Johnson 
 ERIN GO BRAGH!
Ann and Jim Swinkola hosted a "Happy St. Patrick's Day" 
dinner for members of the Banner Elk Kiwanis Club at their beautiful Banner Elk home Saturday night. It was a traditional Irish dinner complete with corned beef and cabbage and squash to die for (is that Irish?).
(By the way, Ann had on green slacks). -Ron
 
HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!
 
MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2014 
Volume III Issue 411 
Ron Johnson, Publisher 828-260-5112
Email: ron@bannerelkmagazine.com
Copyright 2014-2013-2012 
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Weather Forecast for Banner Elk, NC
The National Weather Service
 
50-degrees and sunny forecast
for this Thursday, the first day of Spring!
 
  • Today
  • Rain likely, mainly before 2pm. Patchy fog. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 35. Southeast wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
  •  
  • Tonight
  • A chance of rain before 9pm, then a chance of freezing rain. Patchy fog. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 30. East southeast wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
  •  
  • Tuesday
  • A slight chance of freezing rain before 9am, then a slight chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 44. Light east southeast wind becoming southeast 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
  •  
  • Tuesday Night
  • A chance of rain or drizzle, mainly after 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. Southeast wind 8 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
  • ___________________________________________________________
 
 
Help Megan & Christopher Page represent
Banner Elk in a trek across Maine
Megan and Christopher Page at home at Little Main Street Inn & Suites in 
Banner Elk, a hotel owned by Page's parents, Lori and Phil Dean.
(Photo submitted)
 
"The reason Chris and I became involved with the American Lung Association Fundraiser was because for several years now we have donated money to a friend of mine who has been riding the trek annually in memorial of one of his family members. 
 
During this time, Christopher and I have become friends with several other people who have family members who are currently struggling from lung cancer as well as family members who have passed due to this horrible disease. 
 
We decided that this year instead of just donating, we would participate in the Trek Across Maine. Hopefully by doing so, we will raise funds, bring about awareness, and support our friends who are experiencing the hardships from lung cancer. 
 
Thank you for all the support! Every little bit helps and we greatly appreciate all the support! The trek takes place June 13-15 and we will keep you all posted on our progress!"

Sincerely,
Megan Page 
 
Help the Page's represent Banner Elk 
in the 180-mile trek across Maine and help
fight lung disease 

  

Please mail or drop by your check to:
Megan Page 
607 Main Street East 
Banner Elk, NC 28604-7485

Make all checks payable to: 
American Lung Association of the Northeast 
 
Please help us help others!
 
"Christopher and I live in Banner Elk at Little Main Street Inn and Suites. We work at Crossnore Academy. Christopher is the high school science teacher and I work in the kindergarten first grade classroom as a teacher aid while I attend grad school full-time at Liberty University in pursuit of my Masters of Arts in Teaching: Elementary Education and Special Education.

"We are both very excited and nervous about participating in such an extensive fundraiser and event. However, we look forward to it and are ready to make our way across Maine and help benefit such a great cause! We have never done anything like this but have faith that it will be an adventure we will never forget! Maine is a beautiful place and we are anxious to experience all we can while we are there riding 180 miles supporting our friends and raising awareness!

"Christopher had an aunt who passed away two years ago from cancer. We know how it feels to lose a loved one due to chronic illness and we have seen the suffering that those we love have to endure during these hardships. If only in a small way, we want to make a difference for those who are fighting these battles and to help those that will be stricken with this disease in the future. 
 
"Please help us help others! Every little bit helps!" -The Page's 
 
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Photos by Ron Johnson (Joanie Byer photo submitted)
At Bank of America: Top left Joanie Byer, top right Terri Lusk
Bottom photo, left to right: Juanita Cable (she came up with this idea!)

Regardless of Thursday's weather, Banner Elk is going to 
greet all visitors and tourists with a warm welcome: 
"Kaplulau Mauka" which means Spring Into The Mountains 
in Hawaiian. So get your Hawaiian stuff out and wear it Thursday! 
___________________________________________________________________________________ 
 
 To volunteer or donate, contact John Cox, President of FAF, Inc.
Mail: 125 Farm Road Banner Elk, NC 28604
Tel: 828-260-6043

  

Did you know? Avery and Clay counties had the highest increase in childhood poverty 
rates since 2007, the point at which the national recession began, with both having 
more than a 10 percentage point increase in three years. That's double the 
percentage-point increase statewide for the same time period. 
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Information
Email Chairperson Jo-Ann McMurray
_________________________________________________________
 
Runners! Time to register. Click here
Click here for 61 photos from
last year's marathon by Andi Davi
s
The Blue Ridge Wildlife Institute is located in the May Rehabilitation Center on the Lees-McRae College Campus 
 
Licensed by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission and the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Institute annually cares for more than 900 injured or orphaned wild animals from Western North Carolina. 
 
These include animals attacked by cats, hit by cars, gunshot, caught in fences, and a myriad of other human-induced causes. This vital wildlife rehabilitation work includes medical assistance (in conjunction with trained veterinarians), feeding, housing, and supportive care. Fully recovered animals are released in appropriate wild habitats.
 
__________________________________________________________________________
Avery County Chamber members are featured 
in their newsletter and you can find good deals! 
 
Coming up
Avery County Business Expo April 15
Rock Gym 
Fee is  just $30 for Chamber Members 
and $35 for Non-Members

Congressman Meadows will 
be in Avery County on March 19th
Join us from 9am - 10am at Avery High School 
Breakfast is just $5 and will be prepared by the Avery High School Culinary Students. R.S.V.P.898-5605
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As Spring Nears

  

The Blue Ridge Parkway

Near Fancy Gap, VA

Photos by Ron Johnson 

 

  
______________________________________________________________________________________________
 
 
Left to right: Ryan Leonard, Bradshaw Chandler, Robert Leonard
 
The funeral for Steve Chandler was held Saturday in Salisbury, NC. I asked Steve's son, Bradshaw, about his dad's love of scouting over 58-years. "Yes I am an Eagle Scout as is my brother Nick. I began my life of scouting at the age of seven and I am currently still active as an assistant Scoutmaster. My dad has been an active member of Troop 448 since 1956 and achieved all the highest awards available including the Silver Beaver as a part of the Woodbadge Scoutmaster training program. He trained scoutmasters at the highest level. My mother, Rebecca, has also been an integral part of our lifetime of scouting." Condolences
 
 

Click here for the Avery County Humane Society

_______________________________________________________________________
 
Have faith .... 50-degrees and sunny on the first day of Spring in Banner Elk 
 
Hopefully .... will be available for purchase soon. -Ron
 
Photo by Ron Johnson - The Blue Ridge Mountains

Banner Elk Magazine Online
Published Daily Monday - Friday
 
Have a "Marvelous Monday"
and see you tomorrow.