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Join others this Saturday for what is called the world's largest potluck dinner. Part of Elk Knob Headwaters Community Day, this event will also include live mountain music, wagon rides, old time games, environmental programs, apple butter making and much more.

All of this fun for the entire family will be held at Elk Knob State Park at 11 a.m. There is no cost to attend, but organizers ask for everyone to bring a covered dish.

And to bring people even more together, the ASU Center for Appalachian Studies will be on hand to record oral histories and scan in old photographs for future use in heritage exhibits.

Elk Knob Headwaters Community is a non-profit organization that promotes the natural and cultural heritage of the communities surrounding the park.

Although the outbreak of the H1N1 flu occurred months ago; it continues to be a topic of concern.

With students back in school and fall vastly approaching, health officials are trying to get the public to become more aware of their surroundings and take precautions.

Appalachian District Health Department, Jennifer Greene, now is the time to get a flu shot.

Greene also mentions that although the H1N1 flu will continue to spread, it's important to not panic, and to simply take care of your self.

Many enjoyed the various flavors of beer and learned a thing or two at the 2nd Annual High Country Beerfest.

Music, food and beer lovers entertained those who attended the beerfest on Saturday at the Broyhill inn. Local breweries from Blowing Rock and Asheville showed that North Carolina can be known for more than just their wine. And if that wasn't enough, regional and international breweries also showcased their specialties.

People could also attend educational seminars on brewing and pairing food with beer. All proceeds from this festival went to the Hospitality House in Boone and the country's first non-profit, educational brewpub at ASU.

Ridership for Appalcart continues to increase. For the month of August, there was a 15 percent increase compared to last year during the same month.

According to Appalcart Director, Chris Turner, adding the second bus on the orange route this year made the biggest difference.

Appalcart's Paratransit service also found an increase in ridership. It rose to almost one-thousand trips for August. This service is for people whose disabilities prevent them from riding the bus service.

For more information about Appalcart, go to their website appalcart.com, or call 264-CART.

Bluegrass fans got together at the Old State Fairgrounds in Boone on Saturday for Music on the Mountaintop. Performers this year were Sam Bush, Keller Williams, The Steep Canyon Rangers, and Yo Mama's Big Fat Booty Band, as well as 15 regional and local acts from around Western North Carolina.

This show was not only entertaining, but also green. There was a solar powered stage, recycling programs, as well as the addition of renewable energy nonprofit organizations.

A portion of the proceeds from this year's festival will go to the Appalachian Institute for Renewable Energy and the Appalachian Energy Center.

Many brought their pets to the Boone Mall on Sunday for a Pet Show! The Watauga Humane Society hosted the show, and good thing is, all pets were a winner.

The show allowed all animals to attend, not just dogs and cats. In the past, the Humane Society has had birds, goats, mice, rabbits, snakes and more. Events this year was a pet costume contest, an adopted pet parade, an agility course and more.

This free event was for the entire family.

A lane is closed on Highway 421 this week as part of a widening project. Contractors' plan to begin work on U.S. 421 in front of the hotels across from New Market. This section will include work on building the retaining walls.

Crews are also beginning to install water lines and sewer lines at N.C. 194. The lanes will close between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The project will widen U.S. 421/King Street from a four- to six-lane divided highway with a raised concrete median from U.S. 321/Hardin Street to east of N.C. 194.

The project is to cost around $15 million and be completed by the end of 2011.

Lees-McRae College will hold their opening convocation ceremony on Wednesday. Beginning at 3 p-m at the Hayes Auditorium, a 'coming together' of the college community will celebrate the beginning of the academic year.

Lees-McRae College President Dr. Scott Colley will be this year's speaker. Colley is President Emeritus of Berry College in Mount Berry, Georgia where he served as President from 1998-2006. He has also published three dozen scholarly articles and reviews in several publications.

For additional information on the ceremony, contact Meghan Wright, at (828) 898-8729 or email wrightm@lmc.edu.

Congresswoman Virginia Foxx will host a district-wide telephone town hall on the topic of healthcare reform for 5th district constituents on Thursday.

Foxx claims we need sensible healthcare reform that is patient centered, not government-centered or insurance company-centered.

Constituents can call into the town hall meeting by dialing 1-877-850-4133 at 6:30 p.m. and enter the password 3699 or Foxx. Those who call will be connected to a live conference call with Representative Foxx and other constituents in the 5th district.