Happenings

November 12, 2020

Dairy Queen Turkey Day 5K cancelled

This has been a tough call to make but this year’s DQ Turkey Day 5k has been cancelled. With COVID cases rising in Wise County, we feel that this is the right decision to make. We encourage everyone to continue to run on Thanksgiving morning and donate money or time to a cause you care about.

We hope to be back next year with our 6th Annual Race—bigger and better than before.

Norton storefront

decorating contest

Norton holiday to host storefront decorating contest. Theme is: Hope in the Mountains. Registration deadline is Monday, Nov. 30 at 5 p.m. There is no entry fee. Judging begins at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2. Window lights should be turned on for judging. Top three winners will be awarded a plaque and monetary prizes for first place $200, second place $100 and third place $75. For more information or application contact Judy Miller, 679-0031 or Michele Knox, 679-0754. Winners will be announced during the month of December.

Take It And Make It,

Kid’s Thanksgiving holiday craft

Norton Parks and Recreation is offering free Thanksgiving themed craft kits to children 12 years and younger. Get festive and create a Thanksgiving plate to hold delicious treats and a turkey candy holder using a flower pot. Each kit includes two crafts with instructions. All materials to make each craft are included. Craft kits may be picked up at the Norton Community Center, located at 201 Park Avenue NE, Norton on November 23 or 24 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Craft kits are limited. For questions or concerns, contact Michele Knox, Director of Parks and Recreation at 679-0754 or MicheleK@nortonva.org.

Wreath workshops, Nov. 18, 19, 20

What could be better than wine and wreaths! Join Suzanne Lawson and create your own beautiful wreath using live greenery, just in time for the holidays! Classes will be held around the firepit on our Outdoor Pavilion with social distancing. So dress warmly and don’t forget your mask!

Call for reservations! Classes held nightly, 6 pm. Mulled wine or hot chocolate included in ticket price. Guided class is $20, with Big Bows $5 available for purchase! Call 276/328-2013.

Syrup and sawmills topics of online

classes Nov. 21

Two upcoming online classes will focus on products from the forest.  On Saturday, Novl. 21, the 3rd Annual Southwest Virginia Tree Syrup School will be conducted on Zoom from 9 am to noon.  This school is organized by Virginia Cooperative Extension, the High Knob Chapter of Virginia Master Naturalists and the Virginia Tech College of Natural Resources and Environment.

Topics and presenters will include…

• Potential impacts of the Asian longhorned beetle to the maple syrup industry by Dr. Joe Boggs, Ohio State University

• American beech syrup by Dr. Mike Farrell, former director of Cornell University’s Maple Research Field Station

• Reverse osmosis theory and considerations for beginners by Carl Nylen, The RO Bucket

• Alternative markets for tree sap by Dr. Tom Hammett, Virginia Tech

• Making syrup with minimal investment, by High Knob Master Naturalists and Extension.

            

DEC. 3

At 6 pm on Thursday, Dec. 3, Dr. Brian Bond, Virginia Tech Professor of Sustainable Biomaterials will present “You have the portable sawmill.  Now what?” as part of the Mountain Zoom Series. 

Bond will discuss the steps for turning a portable sawmill hobby into a sustainable business.

Both of these online events are free, but please register by contacting Phil Meeks at pmeeks@vt.edu or phoning (276) 328-6194 for log-in information.

Phillip Meeks, Extension Agent

Virginia Cooperative Extension,

Wise County