Upcoming events and things to do in Asheville, NC. Below is a list of events for festivals, concerts, art exhibitions, group meetups and more.

Interested in adding an event to our calendar? Please click the green “Post Your Event” button below.

Tuesday, July 27, 2021
Tacos + Trivia Tuesday
Jul 27 @ 7:00 pm – 8:15 pm
Down Dog

Tacos & Trivia Tuesday

Join us every Tuesday night for Tacos & Trivia!

Twisted Roots will be cooking up a variety of tacos and authentic sides (vegetarian options available) starting at 5 pm.

Trivia will run from 7-8:15 pm. We will be capping the teams at 20 and teams will not be able to join after 7 so make sure to arrive early to secure your spot!

No reservations needed, just grab your thinking caps and get ready for good food, a good time, and a chance to win a $10, $20, or $30 gift certificate to Down Dog!

Wednesday, July 28, 2021
Nominations for Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award
Jul 28 all-day
Online

NOMINATIONS BEING ACCEPTED FOR THE

2021 THOMAS WOLFE MEMORIAL LITERARY AWARD

The Western North Carolina Historical Association is now accepting nominations for the Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award. Originated by the Louis Lipinsky family and now supported by Michael Sartisky, PhD, the Award is a partnership between WNCHA and the Thomas Wolfe Memorial Advisory Committee. It has been presented by WNCHA since 1955. The award comes with a $2,500 cash prize.

The deadline for submission of nominated works is July 31, 2021. Anyone with knowledge of an author who meets the qualification criteria may nominate the author for the award. To be considered, an entry must be a published work of fiction, nonfiction, drama or poetry and meet the following criteria:

  1. It must be a first edition work; revised editions of published works will not be considered for the Award.
  2. The publication date must be between July 1, 2020 and July 1, 2021.
  3. The author must be a native of western North Carolina or a resident of western North Carolina for at least twelve months prior to the closing date for the Award.
  4. An author may also qualify if the work submitted has a focus on or setting in western North Carolina.

 

Western North Carolina includes the Qualla Boundary and the following 25 counties: Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, Yadkin, and Yancey.

The Award Panel this year consists of: Catherine Frank, Chair, Director, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UNC Asheville; Dee James, retired Director of the First-Year Writing Program at UNC Asheville; Tom Muir, Historic Site Manager, Thomas Wolfe Memorial; Gordon McKinney, PhD, former president, Appalachian Studies Association; Terry Roberts, PhD, Director, National Paideia Center; Jim Stokely, President, Wilma Dykeman Legacy.

Nomination letters must specify the following eligibility criteria:

  1. date of publication
  2. birthplace or residence of author
  3. setting of work

 

Nominators should submit a cover letter along with three copies of the work postmarked no later than July 31, 2021 to:

Wolfe Award Committee

℅ Anne Chesky Smith

WNC Historical Association

283 Victoria Road

Asheville, NC  28801

 

An awards ceremony and reception, in honor of the finalists and 2021 Award recipient, will be held in early December 2021.

The Association presented the first Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award to Wilma Dykeman in 1955 for The French Broad. The Award has continued to be funded, in part, by Mrs. E. Frank Edwin, a member of the Lipinsky family and for the last three years by WNCHA, and the Thomas Wolfe Memorial Advisory Board, both with support from Michael Sartisky, PhD. Other recipients of this prestigious Award include Robert Morgan, Gail Godwin, John Ehle, Robert Brunk, Michael McFee, Lee Smith, Ron Rash, Wayne Caldwell, and Terry Roberts. Sandra Muse Isaacs was the recipient of the 2020 Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award for her book: Eastern Cherokee Stories: A Living Oral Tradition and Its Cultural Continuance.

The 2021 Summer Learning Program: Tails + Tales – an exploration of wildlife and fantastical folktales
Jul 28 all-day
Online

Illustration of animals reading book.

Get ready to go wild at the library for our annual Summer Learning Program. Join us for Tails & Tales – an exploration of wildlife and fantastical folktales. We’ll have an activity sheet with lots of fun adventures for all ages. You can pick up a sheet at any library starting June 1, or download it HERE. Check our calendar to find our most up to date list of programs all summer long.

 

The 2021 Summer Learning Program is open to young people, preschool through teen, with books and activities for every age. All library programs are free and open to children of all abilities. Come in and see what the library has for you!

ASHEVILLE AREA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY SEEKS VOLUNTEERS TO BUILD LARGEST-EVER NEIGHBORHOOD
Jul 28 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
NEW HEIGHTS BUILD SITE

Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity is currently building New
Heights, its most ambitious neighborhood to-date, and volunteers are invited to help build. Take an
active role in ensuring everyone has an affordable place to call home by learning new skills or
honing existing ones while working alongside community-minded people and future Habitat
homeowners.
Asheville Habitat has been bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope for
nearly four decades. The reasons people donate their time and talent to Asheville Habitat are as
varied as the volunteer themselves. Those who so enjoyed volunteering once on the Women Build
House that they keep coming back every week. Those that spent decades in a corporate
boardroom and simply want to do something totally different in retirement. Those that work for a
company that sponsors Asheville Habitat and therefore have the opportunity to participate in an
employee build day. Those that are in high school and learning about our region’s affordable
housing crisis. Those putting faith into action by working on a house their church sponsors. How
people come to volunteer with Asheville Habitat is wide-ranging. Why they continue to volunteer is
the same: Comradery. Meeting the families. Fulfillment. Fun. Making a difference. Feeling part of
something bigger.
If you are ready to be the change you want to see in the world, learn more and sign up to volunteer
at ashevillehabitat.org or call 828.251.5702. “Volunteers are truly an extension of our staff,” shares
Construction Services Volunteer Manager Stephanie Wallace. “We offer year-round opportunities
for those age 16+. It’s hard work, but very rewarding. Stepping back at the end of the day, you can
SEE the difference you’ve made and feel proud about it.”
If construction isn’t your cup of tea, contact Carrie at 828.210.9381 or
[email protected] to learn about volunteer opportunities in the Asheville and
Weaverville ReStores. Proceeds from ReStore sales support Habitat’s building programs, so your
volunteer efforts there directly support affordable housing, too. Volunteer positions include
customer service, such as running the cash register and providing sales support on the floor;
intake and receiving; sorting and processing donations; testing and repairing appliances; and other
fun opportunities. More description can be found at ashevillehabitat.org – join the team!
About Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity
Founded in 1983, Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity was the first Habitat affiliate in North Carolina. Through Habitat
homeownership and home repair programs, nearly 2,000 adults and children in Buncombe County have achieved the
strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build a better future. A decent place to call home and an affordable
mortgage enables Habitat homeowners to save more, invest in education, pursue opportunities and have greater
financial stability. Learn more about Asheville Area Habitat, a Charity Navigator 4-star non-profit, and how you can get
involved at ashevillehabitat.org.

Sand Hill Community Garden Workdays
Jul 28 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Buncombe County Sports Park

Volunteers at Sand Hill Community Garden

Looking to get involved, stay active, and meet some new friends? Sand Hill Community Garden workdays take place on Wednesdays (6-8 p.m.) and Saturdays (10 a.m.-noon) from Feb. 27-Oct. 30, 2021, at Buncombe County Sports Park. The garden is located on 16 Apac Dr. in West Asheville/Enka-Candler.

Join friends and neighbors as they come together on common ground to raise fresh, organic vegetables and fruits for the Enka community.

Expect to wear a mask and maintain social distance throughout. Tools and hand sanitizer are available, but any gloves, loppers, pruners, or gardening tools you can bring will decrease the amount of contact between volunteers. Please wear work clothes to get dirty and closed-toe shoes. Sunscreen, water, and a hat are also handy items to have on hand.

Sand Hill Community Garden has been growing fresh produce since 2011 and raised over 1,200 lbs. of organic produce last year.

NOTE: Community workdays are weather dependent. Please join the community garden email list (send your info to [email protected]) to stay up on workday tasks and other garden news.

To receive the I Heart Parks monthly newsletter, sign up online. Follow Buncombe County Recreation on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates.

Witty Wednesday Trivia
Jul 28 @ 6:30 pm
Sweeten Creek Brewing
Scoop: Witty Wednesday Trivia
Free: TRIVIA NIGHT
Jul 28 @ 7:00 pm
Rabbit Rabbit

Robert’s Totally Rad Trivia
Jul 28 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
12 Bones Brewing

Totally Rad Trivia invades 12 Bones South every Wednesday evening for two hours of Pop Culture Trivia. Grab a beer, some BBQ and buckle in for some fun and challenging Trivia.
Thursday, July 29, 2021
Nominations for Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award
Jul 29 all-day
Online

NOMINATIONS BEING ACCEPTED FOR THE

2021 THOMAS WOLFE MEMORIAL LITERARY AWARD

The Western North Carolina Historical Association is now accepting nominations for the Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award. Originated by the Louis Lipinsky family and now supported by Michael Sartisky, PhD, the Award is a partnership between WNCHA and the Thomas Wolfe Memorial Advisory Committee. It has been presented by WNCHA since 1955. The award comes with a $2,500 cash prize.

The deadline for submission of nominated works is July 31, 2021. Anyone with knowledge of an author who meets the qualification criteria may nominate the author for the award. To be considered, an entry must be a published work of fiction, nonfiction, drama or poetry and meet the following criteria:

  1. It must be a first edition work; revised editions of published works will not be considered for the Award.
  2. The publication date must be between July 1, 2020 and July 1, 2021.
  3. The author must be a native of western North Carolina or a resident of western North Carolina for at least twelve months prior to the closing date for the Award.
  4. An author may also qualify if the work submitted has a focus on or setting in western North Carolina.

 

Western North Carolina includes the Qualla Boundary and the following 25 counties: Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, Yadkin, and Yancey.

The Award Panel this year consists of: Catherine Frank, Chair, Director, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UNC Asheville; Dee James, retired Director of the First-Year Writing Program at UNC Asheville; Tom Muir, Historic Site Manager, Thomas Wolfe Memorial; Gordon McKinney, PhD, former president, Appalachian Studies Association; Terry Roberts, PhD, Director, National Paideia Center; Jim Stokely, President, Wilma Dykeman Legacy.

Nomination letters must specify the following eligibility criteria:

  1. date of publication
  2. birthplace or residence of author
  3. setting of work

 

Nominators should submit a cover letter along with three copies of the work postmarked no later than July 31, 2021 to:

Wolfe Award Committee

℅ Anne Chesky Smith

WNC Historical Association

283 Victoria Road

Asheville, NC  28801

 

An awards ceremony and reception, in honor of the finalists and 2021 Award recipient, will be held in early December 2021.

The Association presented the first Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award to Wilma Dykeman in 1955 for The French Broad. The Award has continued to be funded, in part, by Mrs. E. Frank Edwin, a member of the Lipinsky family and for the last three years by WNCHA, and the Thomas Wolfe Memorial Advisory Board, both with support from Michael Sartisky, PhD. Other recipients of this prestigious Award include Robert Morgan, Gail Godwin, John Ehle, Robert Brunk, Michael McFee, Lee Smith, Ron Rash, Wayne Caldwell, and Terry Roberts. Sandra Muse Isaacs was the recipient of the 2020 Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award for her book: Eastern Cherokee Stories: A Living Oral Tradition and Its Cultural Continuance.

The 2021 Summer Learning Program: Tails + Tales – an exploration of wildlife and fantastical folktales
Jul 29 all-day
Online

Illustration of animals reading book.

Get ready to go wild at the library for our annual Summer Learning Program. Join us for Tails & Tales – an exploration of wildlife and fantastical folktales. We’ll have an activity sheet with lots of fun adventures for all ages. You can pick up a sheet at any library starting June 1, or download it HERE. Check our calendar to find our most up to date list of programs all summer long.

 

The 2021 Summer Learning Program is open to young people, preschool through teen, with books and activities for every age. All library programs are free and open to children of all abilities. Come in and see what the library has for you!

ASHEVILLE AREA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY SEEKS VOLUNTEERS TO BUILD LARGEST-EVER NEIGHBORHOOD
Jul 29 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
NEW HEIGHTS BUILD SITE

Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity is currently building New
Heights, its most ambitious neighborhood to-date, and volunteers are invited to help build. Take an
active role in ensuring everyone has an affordable place to call home by learning new skills or
honing existing ones while working alongside community-minded people and future Habitat
homeowners.
Asheville Habitat has been bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope for
nearly four decades. The reasons people donate their time and talent to Asheville Habitat are as
varied as the volunteer themselves. Those who so enjoyed volunteering once on the Women Build
House that they keep coming back every week. Those that spent decades in a corporate
boardroom and simply want to do something totally different in retirement. Those that work for a
company that sponsors Asheville Habitat and therefore have the opportunity to participate in an
employee build day. Those that are in high school and learning about our region’s affordable
housing crisis. Those putting faith into action by working on a house their church sponsors. How
people come to volunteer with Asheville Habitat is wide-ranging. Why they continue to volunteer is
the same: Comradery. Meeting the families. Fulfillment. Fun. Making a difference. Feeling part of
something bigger.
If you are ready to be the change you want to see in the world, learn more and sign up to volunteer
at ashevillehabitat.org or call 828.251.5702. “Volunteers are truly an extension of our staff,” shares
Construction Services Volunteer Manager Stephanie Wallace. “We offer year-round opportunities
for those age 16+. It’s hard work, but very rewarding. Stepping back at the end of the day, you can
SEE the difference you’ve made and feel proud about it.”
If construction isn’t your cup of tea, contact Carrie at 828.210.9381 or
[email protected] to learn about volunteer opportunities in the Asheville and
Weaverville ReStores. Proceeds from ReStore sales support Habitat’s building programs, so your
volunteer efforts there directly support affordable housing, too. Volunteer positions include
customer service, such as running the cash register and providing sales support on the floor;
intake and receiving; sorting and processing donations; testing and repairing appliances; and other
fun opportunities. More description can be found at ashevillehabitat.org – join the team!
About Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity
Founded in 1983, Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity was the first Habitat affiliate in North Carolina. Through Habitat
homeownership and home repair programs, nearly 2,000 adults and children in Buncombe County have achieved the
strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build a better future. A decent place to call home and an affordable
mortgage enables Habitat homeowners to save more, invest in education, pursue opportunities and have greater
financial stability. Learn more about Asheville Area Habitat, a Charity Navigator 4-star non-profit, and how you can get
involved at ashevillehabitat.org.

Weaverville Library Used Book Store
Jul 29 @ 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Weaverville Library

The Friends of the Weaverville Library (FOWL) are excited to announce the opening of their used bookstore in Weaverville on Thursday, July 8. Located in the lower level of the Weaverville Library at 41 N. Main St., the store will be open Thursdays 1-5 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays 11 a.m.-2 p.m., with expanded hours beginning in September. The store is stocked with thousands of books, audiobooks, CDs, DVDs, and more. All adult books are priced at $1.50-$3.00, children and teen books at $1.00-$1.50, audio and video at $2.00.

There is also a bargain-priced area and a collection of special finds that are priced individually. Please feel free to contact us at 828-641-1812 or [email protected]. All proceeds from the store will benefit the Weaverville Library.

Friday, July 30, 2021
Nominations for Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award
Jul 30 all-day
Online

NOMINATIONS BEING ACCEPTED FOR THE

2021 THOMAS WOLFE MEMORIAL LITERARY AWARD

The Western North Carolina Historical Association is now accepting nominations for the Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award. Originated by the Louis Lipinsky family and now supported by Michael Sartisky, PhD, the Award is a partnership between WNCHA and the Thomas Wolfe Memorial Advisory Committee. It has been presented by WNCHA since 1955. The award comes with a $2,500 cash prize.

The deadline for submission of nominated works is July 31, 2021. Anyone with knowledge of an author who meets the qualification criteria may nominate the author for the award. To be considered, an entry must be a published work of fiction, nonfiction, drama or poetry and meet the following criteria:

  1. It must be a first edition work; revised editions of published works will not be considered for the Award.
  2. The publication date must be between July 1, 2020 and July 1, 2021.
  3. The author must be a native of western North Carolina or a resident of western North Carolina for at least twelve months prior to the closing date for the Award.
  4. An author may also qualify if the work submitted has a focus on or setting in western North Carolina.

 

Western North Carolina includes the Qualla Boundary and the following 25 counties: Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, Yadkin, and Yancey.

The Award Panel this year consists of: Catherine Frank, Chair, Director, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UNC Asheville; Dee James, retired Director of the First-Year Writing Program at UNC Asheville; Tom Muir, Historic Site Manager, Thomas Wolfe Memorial; Gordon McKinney, PhD, former president, Appalachian Studies Association; Terry Roberts, PhD, Director, National Paideia Center; Jim Stokely, President, Wilma Dykeman Legacy.

Nomination letters must specify the following eligibility criteria:

  1. date of publication
  2. birthplace or residence of author
  3. setting of work

 

Nominators should submit a cover letter along with three copies of the work postmarked no later than July 31, 2021 to:

Wolfe Award Committee

℅ Anne Chesky Smith

WNC Historical Association

283 Victoria Road

Asheville, NC  28801

 

An awards ceremony and reception, in honor of the finalists and 2021 Award recipient, will be held in early December 2021.

The Association presented the first Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award to Wilma Dykeman in 1955 for The French Broad. The Award has continued to be funded, in part, by Mrs. E. Frank Edwin, a member of the Lipinsky family and for the last three years by WNCHA, and the Thomas Wolfe Memorial Advisory Board, both with support from Michael Sartisky, PhD. Other recipients of this prestigious Award include Robert Morgan, Gail Godwin, John Ehle, Robert Brunk, Michael McFee, Lee Smith, Ron Rash, Wayne Caldwell, and Terry Roberts. Sandra Muse Isaacs was the recipient of the 2020 Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award for her book: Eastern Cherokee Stories: A Living Oral Tradition and Its Cultural Continuance.

The 2021 Summer Learning Program: Tails + Tales – an exploration of wildlife and fantastical folktales
Jul 30 all-day
Online

Illustration of animals reading book.

Get ready to go wild at the library for our annual Summer Learning Program. Join us for Tails & Tales – an exploration of wildlife and fantastical folktales. We’ll have an activity sheet with lots of fun adventures for all ages. You can pick up a sheet at any library starting June 1, or download it HERE. Check our calendar to find our most up to date list of programs all summer long.

 

The 2021 Summer Learning Program is open to young people, preschool through teen, with books and activities for every age. All library programs are free and open to children of all abilities. Come in and see what the library has for you!

ASHEVILLE AREA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY SEEKS VOLUNTEERS TO BUILD LARGEST-EVER NEIGHBORHOOD
Jul 30 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
NEW HEIGHTS BUILD SITE

Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity is currently building New
Heights, its most ambitious neighborhood to-date, and volunteers are invited to help build. Take an
active role in ensuring everyone has an affordable place to call home by learning new skills or
honing existing ones while working alongside community-minded people and future Habitat
homeowners.
Asheville Habitat has been bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope for
nearly four decades. The reasons people donate their time and talent to Asheville Habitat are as
varied as the volunteer themselves. Those who so enjoyed volunteering once on the Women Build
House that they keep coming back every week. Those that spent decades in a corporate
boardroom and simply want to do something totally different in retirement. Those that work for a
company that sponsors Asheville Habitat and therefore have the opportunity to participate in an
employee build day. Those that are in high school and learning about our region’s affordable
housing crisis. Those putting faith into action by working on a house their church sponsors. How
people come to volunteer with Asheville Habitat is wide-ranging. Why they continue to volunteer is
the same: Comradery. Meeting the families. Fulfillment. Fun. Making a difference. Feeling part of
something bigger.
If you are ready to be the change you want to see in the world, learn more and sign up to volunteer
at ashevillehabitat.org or call 828.251.5702. “Volunteers are truly an extension of our staff,” shares
Construction Services Volunteer Manager Stephanie Wallace. “We offer year-round opportunities
for those age 16+. It’s hard work, but very rewarding. Stepping back at the end of the day, you can
SEE the difference you’ve made and feel proud about it.”
If construction isn’t your cup of tea, contact Carrie at 828.210.9381 or
[email protected] to learn about volunteer opportunities in the Asheville and
Weaverville ReStores. Proceeds from ReStore sales support Habitat’s building programs, so your
volunteer efforts there directly support affordable housing, too. Volunteer positions include
customer service, such as running the cash register and providing sales support on the floor;
intake and receiving; sorting and processing donations; testing and repairing appliances; and other
fun opportunities. More description can be found at ashevillehabitat.org – join the team!
About Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity
Founded in 1983, Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity was the first Habitat affiliate in North Carolina. Through Habitat
homeownership and home repair programs, nearly 2,000 adults and children in Buncombe County have achieved the
strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build a better future. A decent place to call home and an affordable
mortgage enables Habitat homeowners to save more, invest in education, pursue opportunities and have greater
financial stability. Learn more about Asheville Area Habitat, a Charity Navigator 4-star non-profit, and how you can get
involved at ashevillehabitat.org.

Volunteer Opportunities at Blue Ridge Humane Society
Jul 30 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Blue Ridge Humane Society

Our volunteers:

  • Improve the quality of living for animals in Henderson County.
  • Make a difference in their community through our community programs like our Spay/Neuter Incentive Program and Meals on Wheels Pet Pals.
  • Provide support for all departments and serve on our board and committees.
  • Help raise crucial funds in our Thrift Store.

It’s easy to get started!

  1. Fill out the Volunteer Application.
  2. Attend a Virtual Volunteer Information Session to learn more about Blue Ridge Humane Society and current volunteer opportunities.
  3. Pick a Volunteer Assignment! Decide what volunteer position works best for you! Some assignments can get started right away and some require prior orientation and training such as animal handling training that you can get started on.
  4. Start Volunteering! Get started in your position. Our volunteers make a huge impact in Henderson County to ensure both pets and their people are happy, healthy, and thriving. We wouldn’t be able to accomplish all we do without them.
Weaverville Library Used Book Store
Jul 30 @ 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Weaverville Library

The Friends of the Weaverville Library (FOWL) are excited to announce the opening of their used bookstore in Weaverville on Thursday, July 8. Located in the lower level of the Weaverville Library at 41 N. Main St., the store will be open Thursdays 1-5 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays 11 a.m.-2 p.m., with expanded hours beginning in September. The store is stocked with thousands of books, audiobooks, CDs, DVDs, and more. All adult books are priced at $1.50-$3.00, children and teen books at $1.00-$1.50, audio and video at $2.00.

There is also a bargain-priced area and a collection of special finds that are priced individually. Please feel free to contact us at 828-641-1812 or [email protected]. All proceeds from the store will benefit the Weaverville Library.

Saturday, July 31, 2021
Nominations for Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award
Jul 31 all-day
Online

NOMINATIONS BEING ACCEPTED FOR THE

2021 THOMAS WOLFE MEMORIAL LITERARY AWARD

The Western North Carolina Historical Association is now accepting nominations for the Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award. Originated by the Louis Lipinsky family and now supported by Michael Sartisky, PhD, the Award is a partnership between WNCHA and the Thomas Wolfe Memorial Advisory Committee. It has been presented by WNCHA since 1955. The award comes with a $2,500 cash prize.

The deadline for submission of nominated works is July 31, 2021. Anyone with knowledge of an author who meets the qualification criteria may nominate the author for the award. To be considered, an entry must be a published work of fiction, nonfiction, drama or poetry and meet the following criteria:

  1. It must be a first edition work; revised editions of published works will not be considered for the Award.
  2. The publication date must be between July 1, 2020 and July 1, 2021.
  3. The author must be a native of western North Carolina or a resident of western North Carolina for at least twelve months prior to the closing date for the Award.
  4. An author may also qualify if the work submitted has a focus on or setting in western North Carolina.

 

Western North Carolina includes the Qualla Boundary and the following 25 counties: Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, Yadkin, and Yancey.

The Award Panel this year consists of: Catherine Frank, Chair, Director, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UNC Asheville; Dee James, retired Director of the First-Year Writing Program at UNC Asheville; Tom Muir, Historic Site Manager, Thomas Wolfe Memorial; Gordon McKinney, PhD, former president, Appalachian Studies Association; Terry Roberts, PhD, Director, National Paideia Center; Jim Stokely, President, Wilma Dykeman Legacy.

Nomination letters must specify the following eligibility criteria:

  1. date of publication
  2. birthplace or residence of author
  3. setting of work

 

Nominators should submit a cover letter along with three copies of the work postmarked no later than July 31, 2021 to:

Wolfe Award Committee

℅ Anne Chesky Smith

WNC Historical Association

283 Victoria Road

Asheville, NC  28801

 

An awards ceremony and reception, in honor of the finalists and 2021 Award recipient, will be held in early December 2021.

The Association presented the first Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award to Wilma Dykeman in 1955 for The French Broad. The Award has continued to be funded, in part, by Mrs. E. Frank Edwin, a member of the Lipinsky family and for the last three years by WNCHA, and the Thomas Wolfe Memorial Advisory Board, both with support from Michael Sartisky, PhD. Other recipients of this prestigious Award include Robert Morgan, Gail Godwin, John Ehle, Robert Brunk, Michael McFee, Lee Smith, Ron Rash, Wayne Caldwell, and Terry Roberts. Sandra Muse Isaacs was the recipient of the 2020 Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award for her book: Eastern Cherokee Stories: A Living Oral Tradition and Its Cultural Continuance.

The 2021 Summer Learning Program: Tails + Tales – an exploration of wildlife and fantastical folktales
Jul 31 all-day
Online

Illustration of animals reading book.

Get ready to go wild at the library for our annual Summer Learning Program. Join us for Tails & Tales – an exploration of wildlife and fantastical folktales. We’ll have an activity sheet with lots of fun adventures for all ages. You can pick up a sheet at any library starting June 1, or download it HERE. Check our calendar to find our most up to date list of programs all summer long.

 

The 2021 Summer Learning Program is open to young people, preschool through teen, with books and activities for every age. All library programs are free and open to children of all abilities. Come in and see what the library has for you!

ASHEVILLE AREA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY SEEKS VOLUNTEERS TO BUILD LARGEST-EVER NEIGHBORHOOD
Jul 31 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
NEW HEIGHTS BUILD SITE

Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity is currently building New
Heights, its most ambitious neighborhood to-date, and volunteers are invited to help build. Take an
active role in ensuring everyone has an affordable place to call home by learning new skills or
honing existing ones while working alongside community-minded people and future Habitat
homeowners.
Asheville Habitat has been bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope for
nearly four decades. The reasons people donate their time and talent to Asheville Habitat are as
varied as the volunteer themselves. Those who so enjoyed volunteering once on the Women Build
House that they keep coming back every week. Those that spent decades in a corporate
boardroom and simply want to do something totally different in retirement. Those that work for a
company that sponsors Asheville Habitat and therefore have the opportunity to participate in an
employee build day. Those that are in high school and learning about our region’s affordable
housing crisis. Those putting faith into action by working on a house their church sponsors. How
people come to volunteer with Asheville Habitat is wide-ranging. Why they continue to volunteer is
the same: Comradery. Meeting the families. Fulfillment. Fun. Making a difference. Feeling part of
something bigger.
If you are ready to be the change you want to see in the world, learn more and sign up to volunteer
at ashevillehabitat.org or call 828.251.5702. “Volunteers are truly an extension of our staff,” shares
Construction Services Volunteer Manager Stephanie Wallace. “We offer year-round opportunities
for those age 16+. It’s hard work, but very rewarding. Stepping back at the end of the day, you can
SEE the difference you’ve made and feel proud about it.”
If construction isn’t your cup of tea, contact Carrie at 828.210.9381 or
[email protected] to learn about volunteer opportunities in the Asheville and
Weaverville ReStores. Proceeds from ReStore sales support Habitat’s building programs, so your
volunteer efforts there directly support affordable housing, too. Volunteer positions include
customer service, such as running the cash register and providing sales support on the floor;
intake and receiving; sorting and processing donations; testing and repairing appliances; and other
fun opportunities. More description can be found at ashevillehabitat.org – join the team!
About Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity
Founded in 1983, Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity was the first Habitat affiliate in North Carolina. Through Habitat
homeownership and home repair programs, nearly 2,000 adults and children in Buncombe County have achieved the
strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build a better future. A decent place to call home and an affordable
mortgage enables Habitat homeowners to save more, invest in education, pursue opportunities and have greater
financial stability. Learn more about Asheville Area Habitat, a Charity Navigator 4-star non-profit, and how you can get
involved at ashevillehabitat.org.

Sand Hill Community Garden Workdays
Jul 31 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
 Buncombe County Sports Park

Volunteers at Sand Hill Community Garden

Looking to get involved, stay active, and meet some new friends? Sand Hill Community Garden workdays take place on Wednesdays (6-8 p.m.) and Saturdays (10 a.m.-noon) from Feb. 27-Oct. 30, 2021, at Buncombe County Sports Park. The garden is located on 16 Apac Dr. in West Asheville/Enka-Candler.

Join friends and neighbors as they come together on common ground to raise fresh, organic vegetables and fruits for the Enka community.

Expect to wear a mask and maintain social distance throughout. Tools and hand sanitizer are available, but any gloves, loppers, pruners, or gardening tools you can bring will decrease the amount of contact between volunteers. Please wear work clothes to get dirty and closed-toe shoes. Sunscreen, water, and a hat are also handy items to have on hand.

Sand Hill Community Garden has been growing fresh produce since 2011 and raised over 1,200 lbs. of organic produce last year.

NOTE: Community workdays are weather dependent. Please join the community garden email list (send your info to [email protected]) to stay up on workday tasks and other garden news.

To receive the I Heart Parks monthly newsletter, sign up online. Follow Buncombe County Recreation on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates.

Volunteer Opportunities at Blue Ridge Humane Society
Jul 31 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Blue Ridge Humane Society

Our volunteers:

  • Improve the quality of living for animals in Henderson County.
  • Make a difference in their community through our community programs like our Spay/Neuter Incentive Program and Meals on Wheels Pet Pals.
  • Provide support for all departments and serve on our board and committees.
  • Help raise crucial funds in our Thrift Store.

It’s easy to get started!

  1. Fill out the Volunteer Application.
  2. Attend a Virtual Volunteer Information Session to learn more about Blue Ridge Humane Society and current volunteer opportunities.
  3. Pick a Volunteer Assignment! Decide what volunteer position works best for you! Some assignments can get started right away and some require prior orientation and training such as animal handling training that you can get started on.
  4. Start Volunteering! Get started in your position. Our volunteers make a huge impact in Henderson County to ensure both pets and their people are happy, healthy, and thriving. We wouldn’t be able to accomplish all we do without them.
Weaverville Library Used Book Store
Jul 31 @ 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Weaverville Library

The Friends of the Weaverville Library (FOWL) are excited to announce the opening of their used bookstore in Weaverville on Thursday, July 8. Located in the lower level of the Weaverville Library at 41 N. Main St., the store will be open Thursdays 1-5 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays 11 a.m.-2 p.m., with expanded hours beginning in September. The store is stocked with thousands of books, audiobooks, CDs, DVDs, and more. All adult books are priced at $1.50-$3.00, children and teen books at $1.00-$1.50, audio and video at $2.00.

There is also a bargain-priced area and a collection of special finds that are priced individually. Please feel free to contact us at 828-641-1812 or [email protected]. All proceeds from the store will benefit the Weaverville Library.

Sunday, August 1, 2021
The 2021 Summer Learning Program: Tails + Tales – an exploration of wildlife and fantastical folktales
Aug 1 all-day
Online

Illustration of animals reading book.

Get ready to go wild at the library for our annual Summer Learning Program. Join us for Tails & Tales – an exploration of wildlife and fantastical folktales. We’ll have an activity sheet with lots of fun adventures for all ages. You can pick up a sheet at any library starting June 1, or download it HERE. Check our calendar to find our most up to date list of programs all summer long.

 

The 2021 Summer Learning Program is open to young people, preschool through teen, with books and activities for every age. All library programs are free and open to children of all abilities. Come in and see what the library has for you!

ASHEVILLE AREA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY SEEKS VOLUNTEERS TO BUILD LARGEST-EVER NEIGHBORHOOD
Aug 1 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
NEW HEIGHTS BUILD SITE

Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity is currently building New
Heights, its most ambitious neighborhood to-date, and volunteers are invited to help build. Take an
active role in ensuring everyone has an affordable place to call home by learning new skills or
honing existing ones while working alongside community-minded people and future Habitat
homeowners.
Asheville Habitat has been bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope for
nearly four decades. The reasons people donate their time and talent to Asheville Habitat are as
varied as the volunteer themselves. Those who so enjoyed volunteering once on the Women Build
House that they keep coming back every week. Those that spent decades in a corporate
boardroom and simply want to do something totally different in retirement. Those that work for a
company that sponsors Asheville Habitat and therefore have the opportunity to participate in an
employee build day. Those that are in high school and learning about our region’s affordable
housing crisis. Those putting faith into action by working on a house their church sponsors. How
people come to volunteer with Asheville Habitat is wide-ranging. Why they continue to volunteer is
the same: Comradery. Meeting the families. Fulfillment. Fun. Making a difference. Feeling part of
something bigger.
If you are ready to be the change you want to see in the world, learn more and sign up to volunteer
at ashevillehabitat.org or call 828.251.5702. “Volunteers are truly an extension of our staff,” shares
Construction Services Volunteer Manager Stephanie Wallace. “We offer year-round opportunities
for those age 16+. It’s hard work, but very rewarding. Stepping back at the end of the day, you can
SEE the difference you’ve made and feel proud about it.”
If construction isn’t your cup of tea, contact Carrie at 828.210.9381 or
[email protected] to learn about volunteer opportunities in the Asheville and
Weaverville ReStores. Proceeds from ReStore sales support Habitat’s building programs, so your
volunteer efforts there directly support affordable housing, too. Volunteer positions include
customer service, such as running the cash register and providing sales support on the floor;
intake and receiving; sorting and processing donations; testing and repairing appliances; and other
fun opportunities. More description can be found at ashevillehabitat.org – join the team!
About Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity
Founded in 1983, Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity was the first Habitat affiliate in North Carolina. Through Habitat
homeownership and home repair programs, nearly 2,000 adults and children in Buncombe County have achieved the
strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build a better future. A decent place to call home and an affordable
mortgage enables Habitat homeowners to save more, invest in education, pursue opportunities and have greater
financial stability. Learn more about Asheville Area Habitat, a Charity Navigator 4-star non-profit, and how you can get
involved at ashevillehabitat.org.

Volunteer Opportunities at Blue Ridge Humane Society
Aug 1 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Blue Ridge Humane Society

Our volunteers:

  • Improve the quality of living for animals in Henderson County.
  • Make a difference in their community through our community programs like our Spay/Neuter Incentive Program and Meals on Wheels Pet Pals.
  • Provide support for all departments and serve on our board and committees.
  • Help raise crucial funds in our Thrift Store.

It’s easy to get started!

  1. Fill out the Volunteer Application.
  2. Attend a Virtual Volunteer Information Session to learn more about Blue Ridge Humane Society and current volunteer opportunities.
  3. Pick a Volunteer Assignment! Decide what volunteer position works best for you! Some assignments can get started right away and some require prior orientation and training such as animal handling training that you can get started on.
  4. Start Volunteering! Get started in your position. Our volunteers make a huge impact in Henderson County to ensure both pets and their people are happy, healthy, and thriving. We wouldn’t be able to accomplish all we do without them.
Monday, August 2, 2021
The 2021 Summer Learning Program: Tails + Tales – an exploration of wildlife and fantastical folktales
Aug 2 all-day
Online

Illustration of animals reading book.

Get ready to go wild at the library for our annual Summer Learning Program. Join us for Tails & Tales – an exploration of wildlife and fantastical folktales. We’ll have an activity sheet with lots of fun adventures for all ages. You can pick up a sheet at any library starting June 1, or download it HERE. Check our calendar to find our most up to date list of programs all summer long.

 

The 2021 Summer Learning Program is open to young people, preschool through teen, with books and activities for every age. All library programs are free and open to children of all abilities. Come in and see what the library has for you!

ASHEVILLE AREA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY SEEKS VOLUNTEERS TO BUILD LARGEST-EVER NEIGHBORHOOD
Aug 2 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
NEW HEIGHTS BUILD SITE

Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity is currently building New
Heights, its most ambitious neighborhood to-date, and volunteers are invited to help build. Take an
active role in ensuring everyone has an affordable place to call home by learning new skills or
honing existing ones while working alongside community-minded people and future Habitat
homeowners.
Asheville Habitat has been bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope for
nearly four decades. The reasons people donate their time and talent to Asheville Habitat are as
varied as the volunteer themselves. Those who so enjoyed volunteering once on the Women Build
House that they keep coming back every week. Those that spent decades in a corporate
boardroom and simply want to do something totally different in retirement. Those that work for a
company that sponsors Asheville Habitat and therefore have the opportunity to participate in an
employee build day. Those that are in high school and learning about our region’s affordable
housing crisis. Those putting faith into action by working on a house their church sponsors. How
people come to volunteer with Asheville Habitat is wide-ranging. Why they continue to volunteer is
the same: Comradery. Meeting the families. Fulfillment. Fun. Making a difference. Feeling part of
something bigger.
If you are ready to be the change you want to see in the world, learn more and sign up to volunteer
at ashevillehabitat.org or call 828.251.5702. “Volunteers are truly an extension of our staff,” shares
Construction Services Volunteer Manager Stephanie Wallace. “We offer year-round opportunities
for those age 16+. It’s hard work, but very rewarding. Stepping back at the end of the day, you can
SEE the difference you’ve made and feel proud about it.”
If construction isn’t your cup of tea, contact Carrie at 828.210.9381 or
[email protected] to learn about volunteer opportunities in the Asheville and
Weaverville ReStores. Proceeds from ReStore sales support Habitat’s building programs, so your
volunteer efforts there directly support affordable housing, too. Volunteer positions include
customer service, such as running the cash register and providing sales support on the floor;
intake and receiving; sorting and processing donations; testing and repairing appliances; and other
fun opportunities. More description can be found at ashevillehabitat.org – join the team!
About Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity
Founded in 1983, Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity was the first Habitat affiliate in North Carolina. Through Habitat
homeownership and home repair programs, nearly 2,000 adults and children in Buncombe County have achieved the
strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build a better future. A decent place to call home and an affordable
mortgage enables Habitat homeowners to save more, invest in education, pursue opportunities and have greater
financial stability. Learn more about Asheville Area Habitat, a Charity Navigator 4-star non-profit, and how you can get
involved at ashevillehabitat.org.

Tuesday, August 3, 2021
The 2021 Summer Learning Program: Tails + Tales – an exploration of wildlife and fantastical folktales
Aug 3 all-day
Online

Illustration of animals reading book.

Get ready to go wild at the library for our annual Summer Learning Program. Join us for Tails & Tales – an exploration of wildlife and fantastical folktales. We’ll have an activity sheet with lots of fun adventures for all ages. You can pick up a sheet at any library starting June 1, or download it HERE. Check our calendar to find our most up to date list of programs all summer long.

 

The 2021 Summer Learning Program is open to young people, preschool through teen, with books and activities for every age. All library programs are free and open to children of all abilities. Come in and see what the library has for you!

ASHEVILLE AREA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY SEEKS VOLUNTEERS TO BUILD LARGEST-EVER NEIGHBORHOOD
Aug 3 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
NEW HEIGHTS BUILD SITE

Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity is currently building New
Heights, its most ambitious neighborhood to-date, and volunteers are invited to help build. Take an
active role in ensuring everyone has an affordable place to call home by learning new skills or
honing existing ones while working alongside community-minded people and future Habitat
homeowners.
Asheville Habitat has been bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope for
nearly four decades. The reasons people donate their time and talent to Asheville Habitat are as
varied as the volunteer themselves. Those who so enjoyed volunteering once on the Women Build
House that they keep coming back every week. Those that spent decades in a corporate
boardroom and simply want to do something totally different in retirement. Those that work for a
company that sponsors Asheville Habitat and therefore have the opportunity to participate in an
employee build day. Those that are in high school and learning about our region’s affordable
housing crisis. Those putting faith into action by working on a house their church sponsors. How
people come to volunteer with Asheville Habitat is wide-ranging. Why they continue to volunteer is
the same: Comradery. Meeting the families. Fulfillment. Fun. Making a difference. Feeling part of
something bigger.
If you are ready to be the change you want to see in the world, learn more and sign up to volunteer
at ashevillehabitat.org or call 828.251.5702. “Volunteers are truly an extension of our staff,” shares
Construction Services Volunteer Manager Stephanie Wallace. “We offer year-round opportunities
for those age 16+. It’s hard work, but very rewarding. Stepping back at the end of the day, you can
SEE the difference you’ve made and feel proud about it.”
If construction isn’t your cup of tea, contact Carrie at 828.210.9381 or
[email protected] to learn about volunteer opportunities in the Asheville and
Weaverville ReStores. Proceeds from ReStore sales support Habitat’s building programs, so your
volunteer efforts there directly support affordable housing, too. Volunteer positions include
customer service, such as running the cash register and providing sales support on the floor;
intake and receiving; sorting and processing donations; testing and repairing appliances; and other
fun opportunities. More description can be found at ashevillehabitat.org – join the team!
About Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity
Founded in 1983, Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity was the first Habitat affiliate in North Carolina. Through Habitat
homeownership and home repair programs, nearly 2,000 adults and children in Buncombe County have achieved the
strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build a better future. A decent place to call home and an affordable
mortgage enables Habitat homeowners to save more, invest in education, pursue opportunities and have greater
financial stability. Learn more about Asheville Area Habitat, a Charity Navigator 4-star non-profit, and how you can get
involved at ashevillehabitat.org.