Even though there’s a new executive board in place for the Carter County Community Advisory Board (CAB), the job stays the same heading into the 2017-18 fiscal year.
Jilian Reece, the new vice-chair of CAB, led the meeting Thursday as newly-elected chairman, Josh McKinney, was away due to work requirements and provided members with an update of the community gardens put on by the organization.
While the current gardens experienced success with community planting days, Reece added CAB is working to implement a garden near the Roan Highlands nursing home facility in Roan Mountain.
Reece went on to thank the efforts of Lowe’s in Elizabethton. The business provided the plants that were planted in each of the community gardens.
The gardens weren’t the only piece of agriculture CAB dabbles with. Coming off a successful two weeks, Jessica Bitner, CAB secretary, also provided members with an update about the Downtown Elizabethton Farmers Market. Bitner went on to state that the market experienced a successful two week stretch and that vendors and entertainers are continually being looked at to join in on the growth.
The market, which was formed out of CAB months ago, is located on East F Street in Elizabethton, in the First Christian Church parking lot directly across from the city police department.
While the board heard from the agricultural developments, Elizabethton City Schools Public Relations Coordinator Bekah Price attended the meeting and said the second annual Back-2-School Bash is still seeking sponsors and volunteers and encouraged the entities to possibly join in the initiative.
During its inaugural year in 2016, the Back-2-School Bash hosted approximately 3,000 individuals and were able to provide around 800 backpacks to students.
This year’s event, scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 5, from 10 a.m. to noon at Citizens Bank Stadium, is sponsored by the school system, Carter County Health Department, city police department and East River Park Christian Church.
Sponsorships for the event go directly toward funding the ability to provide backpacks, with school supplies, to age-appropriate students.
According to the school system, $16 from a sponsor can cover the cost of one backpack. Businesses or individuals that assist with the event receive special recognition from the school system, via social media and in print editions of local publications.
For more information on the event, contact price via email at bekah.price@ecschools.net or call (423) 547-8000.
In other business, CAB heard from Michele Denegar with Free Will Baptist Family Ministries.