Things are happening with the Ammons Family. Led by Jim Ammons of Dacula, Ga., on April 16, 2011, Ammons family descendants from several southern states gathered together to dedicate a historic Ammons Cemetery in Marlboro County, South Carolina. The cemetery contains the remains of brothers, Joshua and Thomas Ammons (Revolutionary War soldiers), and other of the Ammons family. Joshua is said to have saved the life of the Marquis de LaFayette, after the Frenchman was wounded in battle; and Thomas rode with Francis Marion, who outwitted British troops during the American Revolution. An official South Carolina Historical Marker concerning the cemetery and Ammons family has been erected on US 15-401 near the entrance road to the cemetery. Most of the Ammons’ in Western North Carolina are descendants from one of the brothers, Thomas Ammons... as was my grandfather, Thomas Wilson Ammons.

Western Carolina University’s Academic Success Program, in conjunction with associates from the Sylva Walmart Supercenter, will be partnering up to help benefit several local community- based programs for a Day of Service set for Saturday, July 16.

“The opportunity to partner with Walmart for this Day of Service demonstrates WCU’s ongoing commitment to service learning and community engagement in a way that is meaningful to student learning outcomes and to our community partners,” said Glenda Hensley, director of WCU’s First Year Experience program.

The following is the schedule for Highlands Relay for Life fundraisers for 2011:

— OEI TEAM: 5K Run, 9/10/2011, HFCC, Registration required, Contact David Lin, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

— RBC BANK TEAM: Used book sale, “Fight Like A Girl” t-shirts and Relay candy bars, now until 8/19/2011; Sue Gorski: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

— RBC BANK TEAM: “Relay Roast” coffee sale 12 oz. bag/$10. While supplies last. RBC bank, 225 Franklin Rd. Sue Gorski: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The Scaly Mountain Women’s Club Auction will be held on Friday, July 8. This will be the 8th year the Scaly Women have sponsored an auction. It was started at the Scaly Ski Lodge in 2004 - followed by the auctions being held at the Community Center/Old Scaly School House. This year there is another improvement. The auction is being moved to the new Scaly Mountain Fire Department. The building is much larger and is air conditioned.

Admission is free. The Silent Auction and viewing of the items will begin at 6 p.m. at the Scaly Mountain Fire Department, 169 Hale Ridge Road, Scaly Mountain. The auctioneer will again be Bryan Snyder from Clayton, and he will begin the auction at 7 p.m.