New Seed Library Installed At Daniel Boone Native Gardens Published: 20 January 2021
The Blue Ridge Chapter of the North Carolina Native Plant Society has installed a seed library box at the Daniel Boone Native Gardens in Boone.
The Mountain Times reports the seed library will be a permanent installation for sharing wildflower seeds with the public.
You may have seen some of the little free library boxes around that people use to share books. The idea behind these seed libraries is similar in that people can share seeds.
The box will be restocked for National Seed Swap Day on Jan. 30.
The seed library will focus on wildflowers, shrubs and trees native to North Carolina. Seeds will come primarily from plants propagated locally by members, or growing at the Daniel Boone Native Gardens, to ensure suitability for garden use here in the High Country.
Watauga Library Hosts NC Symphony Virtual Event Published: 19 January 2021
The Watauga County Library presents the NC Symphony s Virtual Music Discovery Program Wednesday, from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm.
The a 30-minute program via Zoom is intended for pre-K and elementary-age children and their families, featuring a Symphony musician reading a book about music, playing their instrument, and talking about the other instruments in the orchestra.
The program is funded by PNC s Grow Up Great Initiative.
For more information on the event and instructions for accessing the program, call Youth Services at the Watauga County Library at 828-264-8784 ex. 2.
Toe River Health Receives COVID-19 Vaccines Published: 19 January 2021
Toe River Health District has received more than 6000 COVID-19 vaccines to distribute across Avery, Mitchell and Yancey counties.
High Country Press reports Diane Creek, Director, said the district has received 6675 doses combined of the Moderna vaccine, as of January 17. According to the report, Toe River Health District has only the Moderna vaccine available, which requires two does, one month apart.
Toe River has vaccinated 759 individuals 75 years and older as well as their healthcare workers in Avery, 482 in Mitchell and 576 in Yancey.
North Carolina is now making vaccines available to anyone age 65 and older and all health care workers, regardless of whether they are exposed to coronavirus patients. Avery, Mitchell and Yancey counties will begin inoculating its citizens age 65 and older beginning this week.
Ashe Hospital Receives Grant From NC Healthcare Foundation Published: 19 January 2021
Ashe Memorial Hospital recently received a $149,839.42 grant through the North Carolina Healthcare Foundation and the COVID-19 Hospital Preparedness Program.
The Ashe Post and Times reports the funding is intended to support the urgent preparedness and response needs of hospitals, health systems and health care workers on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic while also strengthening their ability to protect their patients, staff and communities.
With the additional funding, Ashe Memorial Hospital will purchase additional beds and additional COVID-unit specific equipment, including a crash cart, a LUCAS Chest Compression System, a vital signs machine, pulse ox meters and iPads for isolated patients to communicate with their families.
Toe River Health District Releases COVID-19 Update
Toe River Health District has released COVID-19 case numbers for the last two weeks, ending January 13.
Avery County had 138 active cases, with the total now at 1376. There have been 21 deaths in Avery.
Mitchell County had 79 active cases, a total of 1098, with 25 deaths in Mitchell.
Yancey County was at 157 active cases, a total of 1317, with 14 deaths.
On Saturday, Mitchell County Health Department was notified of two CoVID-19 associated deaths. Both individuals were in their 90s.
Yancey County Health Department was also notified Saturday of two additional CoVID-19 associated death. One individual was in their 80s, the other was in their 90s.