Saturday the Caldwell Humane Society will host its fourth annual Bark-in-the-Park from 2:30 until 5 p.m. at the Lenoir Soccer Complex on Zacks Fork Road. In the event of rain, the event will move to the National Guard Armory near West Caldwell High School.
The primary event is a dog walk, with pledges raising funds for the county's spay and neuter clinics. The dog walk will take place on the Lenoir Greenway, which runs through the Rotary Soccer Complex.
There will be other activities, too, including pet games, a Frosty Paws Eating contest, and competitions for Best Dressed, Best Trick, and Pet and Owner Look-Alike.
The Caldwell Chamber Web site describes this event as "the ultimate event for dogs and dog lovers, young and old alike."
Last year more than $5,000 was raised, even though it rained. In addition to defraying spay/neuter costs for low-income pet owners, funds raised will be used for educational programs in local schools and the community. The CHS does not receive any governmental funding.
The registration fee charged to participate in the dog walk is used to cover event expenses. It is the pledges and sponsorships that will provide the fundraising intended.
Pledges are not based on time or distance walked. In fact, they are collected in advance of the event in order to be turned in on Saturday.
But then the public should come out and enjoy the fun with or without pets. In addition, look for the bake sale as well as a silent auction. And concessions will be available.
There is a significant pet overpopulation problem in the county, according to the Caldwell Humane Society. In fact, their statistics show that Caldwell euthanized more dogs and cats in 2006 than the surrounding counties.
Perhaps more surprising is that, although the population of Catawba County is almost double that of Caldwell, more animals are euthanized in Caldwell. More than 5,600 dogs and cats were euthanized in 2006, nearly 90 percent of those animals that enter the shelter.
For more information, contact the Caldwell Humane Society at 828-499-0289 or caldwell4pets@gmail.com.
Downtown Lenoir Cruise-Ins begin
For the fifth year, Chip Strickland is organizing the Downtown Lenoir Cruise-In for the streets of downtown Lenoir.The owner of Strickland Body Shop in Lenoir, Strickland, his wife Dee, Sherri and Roger Austin have continued to build this successful Lenoir car event since 2002.
The first Cruise-In for 2008 was on April 5. But there are still more opportunities to participate, since the event is held the first and third Saturday through August, plus Oct. 4 and 18. None will be held in September this year.
The auto events are set up in downtown Lenoir near Main Street and West Avenue. They run from 4:30 until 9 p.m. on these Saturday nights. There is no admission fee.
Visitors bring chairs to set up on sidewalks to enjoy the music. No alcohol is allowed outside, but restaurants are open for dining.
Cars and people come from all across North Carolina, as well as from Virginia, South Carolina, Florida and Tennessee.
The goal for the car event in Lenoir is to provide wholesome, family entertainment. But this is also an opportunity for fundraising for two causes the Stricklands have chosen -- the Helping Hands Clinic in Lenoir and the Shelter Home of Caldwell County.
Special evenings planned for the year include a Fifties Night on June 7 and Red, White & Blue Night on July 5. A live band is scheduled for both of these events.
July 19 and Oct. 18 will be Paint Giveaway Package nights. The grand prize these evenings is a $500 auto repainting by Foothills Paint.
To see photos of many cars that participated in the past few years, browse the Web site at www.lenoircruisers.com. For more information about Downtown Lenoir Cruise-Ins, contact Chip Strickland at 828-728-3811 or 828-728-2456.
Youth Wind Ensemble concert
The second annual Harper Youth Wind Ensemble concert will take place next Sunday beginning at 3 p.m. This is one of the groups formed through the creation of the James C. Harper School by the Lenoir High School Foundation to promote musical instruction in the area.
This year's performance will honor Bob Love, the longtime Caldwell County band director.
Love directed the Granite Falls High School band from 1953 to 1954, Hudson High School band from 1957 to 1977, and the South Caldwell High School band from 1977 until his retirement in 1984.
Honors previously bestowed on Love include being elected to the American School Band Director's Association in 1965. In 1968, he started a part-time business, named the Music Center, which expanded across the western part of the state.
Love is also a graduate of Lenoir High School, the county school for which the LHS Foundation is named. In fact, he played trombone in the Lenoir High School band under the direction of James Harper.
Music performed during the concert will feature a number of titles identified as Love's personal favorites, including Suite of Old American Dances and Incantation and Dance.
Guest conductor Ed Whitener and cornet soloist Tim Phillips will perform. Both were Love's students.
The Harper Youth Wind Ensemble is in its second year of existence. It is composed of high school musicians, competitively selected from schools in Caldwell and the surrounding counties.
The band performs under the direction of Bill Witcher, the former band director, of Hibriten High School and LHS Foundation Board member.
Admission is free and open to the public. Donations will be accepted.
For more information about the LHS Foundation and the Harper School for Performing Arts, contact Executive Director Janet Bloom at 828-754-2297 or jbloom@theharperschool.org.
Betty Stone
