Around Town: Oklawaha Greenway walk, Fletcher's Concert Series, program by quilter set

Staff reports
·4 min read

Nature walks, outdoor summer concerts kicking off, an award-winning quilter talking about her book and a nationwide blood drive highlight this week's edition of things to do around town.

Native Plants Walk set for June 25

The Oklawaha Greenway will be the site of this month's Native Plants Walk, set for June 25.
The Oklawaha Greenway will be the site of this month's Native Plants Walk, set for June 25.

Join Blue Ridge Community College's Head of Horticulture, Rachel Meriwether, for a Native Plants Walk along the Oklawaha Greenway at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 25. According to a press release, she will introduce native trees, shrubs, ferns, grasses and wildflowers in the Greenway’s new Burlingame Native Plants Garden and at other points along the Greenway.

The walk will highlight native plants that are attractive to birds and pollinators, as well as many beautiful native plants that are appropriate for home gardens.

“Native plants are easy to take care of because they are adapted to local growing conditions,” Meriwether said in the release.

Meet at the Round Pavilion beyond the basketball court in Patton Park. Comfortable walking shoes, water, sunscreen and hats are recommended.

Fletcher Parks to kick off Summer Concert Series

In this Feb. 1, 2019 photo, Blue Ghost bartender Emily Weber pours the first pint of a new craft beer called Re-cre8 that was brewed specifically for a fundraiser to benefit Bill Moore Community Park in Fletcher.
In this Feb. 1, 2019 photo, Blue Ghost bartender Emily Weber pours the first pint of a new craft beer called Re-cre8 that was brewed specifically for a fundraiser to benefit Bill Moore Community Park in Fletcher.

The Fletcher Parks & Recreation Department will kick off its summer 2022 concert series Friday as The Pleasure Chest band will be performing from 6-8 p.m. with rock, soul and rhythm and blues, according to a news release.

The summer concert will be held at the Blue Ghost Brewery in Fletcher, and it is free for the public to attend.

The sponsor for the summer concert series is Hunter Subaru of Fletcher.

The second concert in the series will be from 6-8 p.m. Friday, July 8 at Bill Moore Community Park. The band performing that night is Flashback.

Award-winning quilter Dever to present "The Story of Soldier's Pride"

Karen Dever
Karen Dever

Award-winning quilter, quilting teacher and author Karen L. Dever, a resident of Moorestown, N.J., will be in Brevard to present her program, “The Story of Soldier’s Pride” from 11 a.m.-noon Tuesday, June 14 at the Transylvania County Election Center, located at 150 S. Gaston St. in Brevard. This event is sponsored by the Veterans History Museum of the Carolinas and is free to attend, according to a press release.

“Soldier’s Pride” is Dever’s name for the patriotic handmade quilt she has donated as a fund-raiser raffle for the museum. Raffle tickets ($5 each or five for $20) and copies of her book ($20) are for sale at the Veterans History Museum (21 E. Main St., Brevard).

Karen Dever's book "Soldier's Pride and More" cover features the quilt that will be raffled off.
Karen Dever's book "Soldier's Pride and More" cover features the quilt that will be raffled off.

Participants can purchase their books and bring them to the program for Dever’s autograph, or they can go with her to the museum immediately after the program to purchase a book. The drawing for the winner of the quilt raffle will be Aug. 6, and there is no need to be present to win.

The Veterans History Museum of the Carolinas is open 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday- Saturday, where raffle tickets and Devers’ book are available for purchase. For more information, call 828-507-3171.

Blood Donor Day is on June 14

Each year on June 14, the American Red Cross joins blood collection organizations around the world to celebrate World Blood Donor Day, which recognizes the importance of a safe and stable blood supply and the donors who make it possible, according to a press release. Nearly 2.5 million people volunteer to give lifesaving blood and platelets every year with the Red Cross.

Blood donations decline in late spring and early summer – especially during holiday weeks, like Memorial Day and Independence Day – but the need for blood and platelet transfusions doesn’t take a summer break, the release said. Blood and platelet donors are critically important in ensuring lifesaving care is available the moment patients need it. To schedule an appointment to donate, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

The opportunities to donate blood in the area are as follows:

Hendersonville

June 20: 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Henderson County Offices, 211 First Avenue East

June 30: 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Henderson County Offices, 211 First Avenue East

Columbus

June 30: 1-5:30 p.m., Steps To Hope, 60 Ward St.

Brevard

June 29: 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Destiny Christian Fellowship, 240 Greenville Highway

This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: Around Town: Oklawaha Greenway walk, Fletcher's Concert Series, program by quilter set