Take part in the Polar Plunge for a good cause

Saturday, Feb. 10 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 

The Polar Plunge is a unique fundraising opportunity for individuals, organizations and businesses to support local Special Olympics by jumping or running into a cold body of water in the middle of winter!

Shoes or water shoes must be worn, but you can wear anything else you want, bathing suit, clothes, costume, etc. Don’t forget to bring a towel and a change of clothes.

Prizes will be awarded for best costume in categories: Male age 11+, Female age 11+, “Little Bit” age 10 and under, and Group). Trophies will be given out in categories: School that raises the most money, Organization that raises the most money, School with the most plungers, Organization with the most plungers, and Individual that raises the most money). Additionally, there will be food and drinks, music and door prizes.

$25 registration fee to jump; donations also accepted. Salisbury Elks River Park, Long Ferry Road (I-85, exit 81)

To learn more, contact at jbyrd@rowanymca.com or 704-738-5134

Gary Freeze speaks on Backcountry North Carolina

Jan. 25, 6:30 p.m.

Catawba College’s Dr. Gary Freeze will speak at the Iredell Museum. Backcountry North Carolina was where the Cherokee, Catawba, and other American Indian tribes lived and moved. White settlers descended on the backcountry from the north and east. In the conflicted time between 1750-1790, this diverse group of people did their best to survive.

Catawba College Professor and Historian Dr. Gary Freeze will speak on this “Backcountry Mosaic: the Pattern of the Peopling of the Early Piedmont, 1754-1763.” This program is free and open to the public.

For details visit www.iredellmuseums.org or contact Angel Johnston at ajohnston@iredellmuseums.org or 704-873-7347.

Program on the Paris Accord

The Tuesday, Jan. 16 Rowan County Tea Party meeting at BlueBay on Statesville Blvd. will host a special program on the Paris Accord. Dinner is at 6 p.m. and the program begins at 7 p.m.

Opening reception for Stephenson exhibit

Friday, Jan. 19, 6-8:30 p.m.

In the summer of 2017 Mark Stephenson led a workshop based on Victor Franck’s “The Zen of Seeing: Seeing/Drawing as Meditation,” focusing on being in the moment and drawing what was in front of you. Often we don’t draw what we see, we draw what we think we see, what we expect to see. But you have to take the moment you are in and draw what is there. “Immediacy” will feature works created by Stephenson.

At 7 p.m. Mark will give an artist’s talk. Light refreshments; entertainment by Destiny Stone.

Center for Faith and the Arts is behind Haven Lutheran Church. www.faithart.org or 704-647-0999.