HRMC raises money for breast cancer detection

The Haywood Regional Medical Center Foundation and the Haywood County Health department are working on a collaborative effort to raise funds for mammograms for citizens in need.

Dubbed “The Power of Pink”, the multi-faceted fundraising and awareness events held on Saturday, Nov. 10, at the Haywood Regional Health & Fitness Center include a 20-mile relay team run for “Women Only,” a 5K, “Real Men Wear Pink” run and a Bubble Gum Fun Run.

The Breast Cancer Control Program at the Haywood County Health Department previously received state funding to provide free cancer screening mammograms to Haywood County women who meet certain socio-economic criteria.

Proceeds from the Power of Pink fundraisers will allow the continuation of the program.

“The Power of Pink initiative is a great example of how the HRMC Foundation can work together with community initiatives for health care,” said HRMC Foundation Director Robin Tindall-Taylor. “This collaborative program with the health department fosters our mutual concern for the health of Haywood County citizens.”

Cancer survivor and Healthy Haywood Cancer Action Team member Allison Best-Teague knows the value of this community service first hand.

“I’m one of the lucky ones,” she said. “A mammogram detected my breast cancer in its earliest stages, the time when treatment is most effective.”

Because of a history of cancer earlier in her life, Best-Teague was unable to have insurance at the time.

“My family doctor referred me to the Haywood County Health Department, and they were able to pay for my mammogram through special grant funds,” she said. “Grant monies go away, but I know that as a caring community we can provide funds to pay for mammograms so that other women will be as lucky as I was. That’s why I’m so glad to be a part of this effort.”

The Pink Relay is an all-women’s relay covering 20 miles around Haywood County. Each team is allowed up to five members. Transportation is provided to move runners to their start points and back from their finish points. The “Real Men Wear Pink” 5K is open to men and women of all ages. The course begins and ends at the HRMC Health & Fitness Center and utilizes Jones Cove Road. The Bubble Gum Fun Run is designed for children, non-athletes and those who cannot run in the other events. The course is on the hospital property.

For more information on donations, sponsorships, volunteer opportunities or to receive a brochure, call the HRMC Foundation at 828.454.9340.

Family Fun Day set for Aug. 26 in Canton

The 9th annual Family Fun Day will be held from 1- 4 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 26, at the Canton Recreation Park.

In addition to educational health information, activities include free swimming at Canton Recreation Park’s outdoor pool, tubing down the river, popcorn, playing with bubbles, music provided by a DJ, face painting, sack races, puppet shows, door prizes, fire safety house and fire trucks, a bouncy house for the kids, a dance demonstration with chances to participate, and more.

Sponsored by Healthy Haywood, Family Fun Day will be presented by Asthma, Cancer, and Obesity Prevention, and Mental Health Action Teams, and the Haywood County Health Department.

Healthy Haywood is a collaborative community partnership dedicated to improving the overall health status of Haywood County residents.

Healthy Haywood is based on the concept that community members are the most qualified to effectively prioritize the health and safety issues in their community and to plan and execute creative solutions to these problems.

HRMC plans annual gala, golf event

The Haywood Regional Medical Center Foundation tees off its 16th Annual Charitable Classic Golf and Gala fundraising event Sept. 4 and 5 at Laurel Ridge and Waynesville Country Clubs.

Each golf participant receives lunch, a goody bag and two complimentary gala tickets for 6:30 p.m., Sept. 5, event at the Waynesville Country Club. The gala will feature a dinner buffet, beverages, live music and dancing.

Tournament highlights include various cash and prizes for the closest-to-the-pin shoot-out, a hole-in-one, gross and net closest-to-the-pin shots, and the longest drive. Organizers will attempt to accommodate foursome preferences and all entries are first-come, first serve. Ladies’ play at the Waynesville Country Club begins with a shotgun start on Tuesday, Sept. 4 at 1 p.m. The men’s tournaments will ensue Sept. 5 with shotgun starts: 8 a.m. at Waynesville Country Club, 12 noon at Laurel Ridge Country Club, and 1 p.m. at Waynesville Country Club.

Since 1992, the Charitable Classic Golf & Gala has been a traditional fund-raiser event for the HRMC Foundation. Proceeds from this year’s fund-raiser will benefit the Foundation’s Unrestricted Annual Fund, or sponsorship may be directed to the Foundation’s Capital Initiatives: the Hospice End-of-life Care Center or the Surgery Center Building Project.

For more information about the 2007 Charitable Golf and gala contact the HRMC Foundation at 828.454.9340.

Tourism official to speak at Maggie Valley dinner

This Maggie Valley Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner will feature Lynn Minges, executive director of the N.C. Department of Commerce’s Division of Tourism, as the keynote speaker.

The 44th Annual Chamber Dinner will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 17, at the Maggie Valley Inn and Conference Center. A reception will begin at 5:30 p.m. the same night. Tickets are $35 per person.

Minges plays a key role in providing leadership and strategic direction for the state’s tourism, film, sports and wine industries.

The event celebrates the chamber’s accomplishments for the year and provides a preview of the year to come. The event will also include the presentation of various awards such as the Business of the Year, Event of the Year, Wade Reece Visionary Award, and Volunteer Appreciation Awards.

Tickets may be purchased in advance at the Maggie Valley Chamber of Commerce located at 2961 Soco Rd. Sponsorship opportunities are still available and include free tickets, advertising, and special recognition at the event. For more information call 828.926.1686.

WNC Visitor Center plans clothing recycling event

The WNC Visitor’s Center is sponsoring a back-to-school clothing recycle at the Old Armory in Waynesville.

Clean out your children’s closets for their gently used, outgrown, and never worn clothing, jackets, shoes, and more, from sizes 2t to adult. The items must be clean and in good condition folded or on hangers. Drop the items off at the Old Armory Friday, Aug. 24, between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. in exchange for Clothing Recycle coupons. Bring your coupons back to the Old Armory Sat., Aug. 25, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. to “buy” the new items and clothes of your choice. New school supplies donated by local organizations will also be available for the price of one Clothing Recycle coupon. At 2 p.m., all clothes will be free even if you don’t have a coupon.

The Old Armory is located at 44 Boundary St. in downtown Waynesville. For more information call JoLynn Bryant at 828.452.3545.

Program focuses on passing along family heirlooms

Haywood County Cooperative Extension, the Haywood County Library and Haywood Community Connections have teamed up to bring a new program to Haywood County.

“Who Gets Grandma’s Yellow Pie Plate” is a family centered approach to passing along favorite possessions in a planned and peaceful way. Come to both sessions and leave with a personal plan to get your family treasures transferred when the time comes. The program will be held at the Waynesville Library on Sept. 5 and 12 from 1 to 3:30 p.m.. Call the library at 828.452.5169, ext. 2507 to register by Friday, Aug. 31. Light refreshments will be served, compliments of Haywood Community Connections.

Hay shortage subject of Aug. 24 meeting

The drought has left mountain farmers with a shortage of hay, corn and silage to feed their livestock. To help address the situation, a meeting for farmers will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 24, at the Mountain Research Station in Waynesville.

The purpose is to bring drought affected livestock owners to look at the option of buying round bales of corn stalks and soybean hay from areas in the eastern part of the state. Unfortunately there is little traditional hay to be found in North Carolina or surrounding states. Corn and soybean fodder produced and baled after grain harvest is an option that could work.

The meeting will give farmers a chance to see and touch this baled forage. There will also be a forage specialist to discuss the nutritional value and suggested supplements where necessary to help producers understand how to use this feed.

For more information,call 828.586.6344.

Jackson County tourism up 10 percent

Jackson County’s tourism revenues rose 10.5 percent in 2006, according to the latest figures available from the N.C. Division of Tourism.

For the 2006 calendar year, Jackson County tourism brought in $68.21 million, compared to $61.71 million a year earlier. Jackson County’s increase easily outpaced the statewide average of 8.3 percent and marked the second straight year the county posted double-digit gains over the previous year. In 2005, revenues rose 10.8 percent.

WCU to offer course in mediation

Western Carolina University’s N.C. Agriculture Mediation Program will offer a course in Superior Court mediation Oct. 7-11.

The course comes as a response to a growing need for neutral mediators to resolve agricultural disputes. The program, which operates through WCU’s College of Business, was started nearly a year ago at the request of Gov. Mike Easley and with funding from a $95,000 federal grant. It is the only agricultural mediation program for the state. The program has been recertified by Easley and the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the 2008 fiscal year.

“Litigation in the United States can be out of control—it’s very expensive, it takes too long, and it often doesn’t get to the underlying issue,” said Jayne Zanglein, assistant professor of business law at Western. “Mediation allows parties to get to the real issue at stake. This is especially important for long-term relationships such as those between the U.S. Department of Agriculture and farmers and producers.”

The Oct. 7-11 training will be led by Barbara Davis, a certified Superior Court mediator and former member of the state’s Dispute Resolution Commission. Davis will include a 40-hour course toward certification as a mediator in the North Carolina Superior Court. An additional 20 hours of specialized training in Agriculture Department program issues, necessary to become an agricultural mediator, will be offered at a later date.

The course is limited to the first 30 participants to sign up and costs $900 per person. The registration form is available via e-mail, and the deadline for registration is Monday, Sept. 10.

For more information, contact Zanglein at 828.227.7191 or jzanglein@email.wcu.edu.