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House of Mercy, a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of Mercy, invites the community to join us for the 31st Annual WALK for AIDS on Saturday, April 18th, 2026, in Belmont, NC. For more than three decades, this annual event has united individuals, families, faith communities, businesses, and local partners in support of people living with HIV/AIDS.

This year’s fundraising goal is $25,000 to support House of Mercy’s mission of empowering people living with HIV/AIDS in their transformation toward a more independent life through housing, case management, and supportive services. Funds raised directly sustain critical programs that promote stability, improve health outcomes, and combat stigma and discrimination surrounding HIV/AIDS.

Check-In: 9:00 a.m. at the Stone Shelter on the Sacred Heart Campus in Belmont, NC
Walk Start Time: 10:00 a.m.
Route: Participants choose a 1-mile or 2-mile option through historic downtown Belmont
Closing ceremony: 1:00 pm

Walkers of all ages are invited to participate by registering to walk, forming a team, becoming an event sponsor, volunteering, donating, or spreading the word. Following the walk, attendees will enjoy music by DJ Buddy Love, community vendors, prize giveaways, confidential HIV/STD Testing, and a small reception to celebrate the collective impact of the day. Awards will also be presented for the top individual fundraiser, the team with the most members, and the biggest cheer/pep spirit. This event provides an opportunity not only to raise funds, but to build meaningful connections and stand in solidarity with some of our most vulnerable neighbors.

House of Mercy envisions a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Every step taken and every dollar raised strengthens our shared commitment to ensuring that people living with HIV/AIDS have access to safe housing, compassionate care, and supportive services.

To register or learn more about the 31st Annual WALK for AIDS, please visit thehouseofmercy.org/events.

Media Contact:
Peytan Medlock
Communications & Development Specialist
(704) 825- 4711 ext. 6
pmedlock@thehouseofmercy.org

Explore the mountain after hours with your own personal guides during our Grandfather by Night series! You’ll discover some of the park’s nighttime wonders, watch a stunning sunset (weather permitting) and experience the mountain as never before! The Naturalist Program version of Grandfather by Night includes an outdoor interpretive program about flora, fauna, folklore and other topics after sunset. This edition of the event series is accessible for those in a wheelchair or with limited mobility. Advance registration required.

Explore the mountain after hours with your own personal guides during our Grandfather by Night series! You’ll discover some of the park’s nighttime wonders, watch a stunning sunset (weather permitting) and experience the mountain as never before! The Naturalist Program version of Grandfather by Night includes an outdoor interpretive program about flora, fauna, folklore and other topics after sunset. This edition of the event series is accessible for those in a wheelchair or with limited mobility. Advance registration required.

Explore the mountain after hours with your own personal guides during our Grandfather by Night series! You’ll discover some of the park’s nighttime wonders, watch a stunning sunset (weather permitting) and experience the mountain as never before! The Naturalist Program version of Grandfather by Night includes an outdoor interpretive program about flora, fauna, folklore and other topics after sunset. This edition of the event series is accessible for those in a wheelchair or with limited mobility. Advance registration required.

Midnight Marathon, Arts & Science Council's signature performance art-based fundraiser, returns this April 17, transforming the Carolina Theatre into an immersive and enchanting showcase of local art for one night only!

This seven-hour showcase celebrates the depth of Charlotte's artistic community. Set inside the newly renovated and historic Carolina Theatre at Belk Place, this one-night-only event features nearly 30 local performers presenting a continuous stream of dynamic art forms, including dancers, poets, singers, storytellers, filmmakers, comedians, improv artists, musicians and more. Don't miss the event that transforms a single evening into a landmark moment for Charlotte's arts community.

Explore the mountain after hours with your own personal guides during our Grandfather by Night series! You’ll discover some of the park’s nighttime wonders, watch a stunning sunset (weather permitting) and experience the mountain as never before! The Naturalist Program version of Grandfather by Night includes an outdoor interpretive program about flora, fauna, folklore and other topics after sunset. This edition of the event series is accessible for those in a wheelchair or with limited mobility. Advance registration required.

Come hear the exciting life episodes of America’s pioneer hero Daniel Boone during the tumultuous, eventful years of our Founding Era (1773-1783). He takes the initial steps to begin America’s First Westward Movement to create Kentucky and then fights to keep a new nation free. Follow the challenging adventures of this favorite son of North Carolina on the western front in rhythm with the Revolution back east.

Randell Jones is an award-winning writer and storyteller, serving 14 years as an invited member of the Road Scholar Speaker’s Bureau of the NC Humanities Council and recipient of the History Award Medal from the National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution. He is the author of In the Footsteps of Daniel Boone and Before They Were Heroes at Kings Mountain as well as other books of the pioneer era and the American Revolution. This presentation is illustrated by scores of images he has captured at historical reenactments during the last 20 years.

"Daniel Boone" is donating $10 from the purchase of each copy of In the Footsteps of Daniel Boone at this event to the Charlotte Museum of History to help us all commemorate and celebrate 250 years of independence. Autographed copies are $30, including sales tax, so one-third of your purchase benefits everyone who visits Charlotte Museum of History. Huzzah!

The focus of this 10-hour workshop is to prepare participants from a variety of educational backgrounds and experiences in both the formal and non-formal sectors to use exemplary Environmental Education teaching methods. Participants will learn about a variety of teaching techniques, methods and instructional strategies; and the workshop will include multiple interactive components. This is a required workshop for all NC Environmental Education Certification candidates. This workshop may also count for Continuing Education for those educators who are already certified. This workshop is free to attend, although advance registration is required. Tickets for this event go online on Grandfather Mountain’s website April 13 at 10 a.m.

Wide variety of plants for sale including natives, perennials annuals and houseplants. All proceeds will fund gardening education in Mecklenburg County. We will offer educational booths with demonstrations on the following subjects: Growing tomatoes, Pesticide-free mosquito control and tool sharpening. We will be giving away FREE plants to the first 50 visitors and will be offering free tree and shrub saplings (while supplies last). We will also provide free tool sharpening (up to 2 hand tools, first come-first served). Extension master gardeners will be on site to answer questions and provide gardening expertise. Will include Children's gardening activities. Donut I Love U food truck will be on site selling donuts and coffee.

This month’s program explores urban gardening, box gardening, and raised bed mechanics from a panel of Master Gardeners, with a hands-on activity examining container-based horticulture and native species integration.

Tools and materials will be provided for all activities, but participants are welcome to bring their own small hand tools such as gloves, trowels, clippers if they prefer.

To register, contact us at (803) 313-7172 or email usclnasp@mailbox.sc.edu. Please direct any questions or comments regarding the series to program organizer and facilitator Professor Claudia Y. Heinemann-Priest at chpriest@mailbox.sc.edu.

Free and open to the public; reservations are strongly encouraged!

The Odyssey: A Comedy, Mostly” is an adaptation of Homer’s The Odyssey. It follows the well-known story of Odysseus’s journey from the battlefields of Troy back home to Ithaca and features familiar characters such as Odysseus, Athena, Poseidon, Circe, Penelope, and the Cyclops. The play was written with casual and modern language and a comedic tone, but it involves some dramatic moments and routinely breaks the fourth wall. About 90 minutes.

Tickets are non-refundable

Join Shannon Burbridge, an experienced movement instructor and educator with over 37 years of experience in the fitness and wellness field, to immerse yourself in a full day of yoga and grounding techniques to help you ground deeper into yourself and the nature around you. Along with a warmup flow, peaceful hike and longer, more in-depth, yoga practice, you will gain a basic understanding of foot reflexology, spinal connection, self-myofascial techniques and grounding rituals to connect yourself to the natural world around you. Tickets for this event go on sale online on Grandfather Mountain’s website April 20 at 10 a.m. Advance registration required.

Join WFAE for an intimate evening with the internationally recognized chieftess of the Gullah Geechee Nation, Queen Quet, Marquetta L. Goodwine. Queen Quet will join WFAE President & CEO Ju-Don Marshall for a conversation that explores the history, culture and heritage of the Gullah Geechee people, who live along the coasts from North Carolina to Florida.

You'll hear how the Gullah/Geechee's roots in Africa shaped their culture in America and how that culture continues to influence so much of what we think of as African American and mainstream culture today: from our music and language to our food and traditions.

Queen Quet will share her wisdom, stories, and tireless advocacy for preserving the culture and heritage of the Gullah/Geechee people.

Evening Schedule:

• 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM: Opening Reception
• 6:30 PM – 7:15 PM: Fireside Chat & 30-minute Address, followed by a live Q&A session.
• 7:15 PM – 8:15 PM: Book Signing & Meet-and-Greet.

Support the Mission

During the event, you will have the opportunity to purchase Queen Quet's works. All book proceeds directly support the Gullah/Geechee Nation’s vital work in coastal protection and cultural preservation.

Make it a Two-Day Experience! 

Want to hear Queen Quet talk about the impact of climate change on the Gullah Geechee way of life? All registrants for this Fireside Chat will receive an exclusive discount code for WFAE’s annual Carolinas Climate Summit, on April 16, where Queen Quet will be our keynote speaker.

Keep an eye on your inbox—your promo code will be included in your registration confirmation email.

The evening with Queen Quet is part of our EQUALibrium Live series, discussions on culture, equity and opportunity.

Special thanks to our sponsor: Novant Health

This workshop is open to individuals studying for the NC Environmental Education Certification or those needing CE Credits to maintain their certification and will focus on bears in North Carolina. Hosted by Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation’s own Interpretation and Education staff, this workshop will teach participants about the life history and management of black bears, as well as how to incorporate activities about bears into the N.C. Curriculum. Participants will also get to meet the black bears who call Grandfather Mountain home and what it takes to keep them healthy and happy. N.C. EE Certification Credit: Criteria II or III and CEU credit are available upon completion of workshop. Tickets for this event go online on Grandfather Mountain’s website May 29 at 10 a.m.

Join us for an in-depth exploration of the natural community types found on Grandfather Mountain. In this class, you’ll learn to recognize distinct habitats by studying their characteristic flora, fauna and environmental conditions. Guided by ecological principles and scientific tools, we’ll examine how factors such as elevation, topography, soil composition and microclimates shape these unique ecosystems and provide habitats for some of the rare and endangered species that we’ll see during our exploration. This workshop will enhance your ability to classify habitats and deepen your understanding of the complex interplay between species and their environments. Tickets for this event go on sale online on Grandfather Mountain’s website June 1 at 10 a.m. Advance registration required.

The southern Appalachians are world-renowned for different types of fungi, from mushrooms to lichens, and are home to more than 2,000 species. Here’s a chance to learn about the lifestyle and habitats of fungi, as well as observe many kinds of fungal fruiting bodies, including mushrooms growing at higher elevations. Participants will learn how to identify them by size, shape and color. You will also inoculate a log with shiitake mushroom mycelium to take home with you. After an interactive introduction to the fungi kingdom, which includes inoculating the logs, we’ll take a short slow stroll in search of mushrooms growing on the mountain to collect representatives of different fungal families to study back in the classroom. Through this workshop and field exploration, you’ll learn about fungal habitats, toxicology and the important roles fungi play in the forest ecosystem. The workshop is designed for beginners, but veteran foragers will also glean new insights. Tickets for this event go on sale online on Grandfather Mountain’s website June 8 at 10 a.m. Advance registration required.

Join us for the 3rd Annual Meditative Melodies! Escape the daily grind and immerse yourself in an environment of harmony, joy, and community. Nestled in the heart of North Charlotte, Meditative Melodies is a vibrant, family-friendly afternoon dedicated to inner wellness and outward cultural celebration.

While our cultures and languages are diverse, our core human need for peace and togetherness is universal. Come experience this shared harmony through expert-led relaxation and a breathtaking showcase of global arts!

✨ Event Highlights:

Guided Meditation & Wellness: Led by Distinguished Speaker Brian Jones (author and Heartfulness trainer with 50+ years of experience), featuring an introduction to Heartfulness, a relaxation experience, Q&A, and a special Brighter Minds demonstration.

Special Guest: We are honored to be joined by Concord City Mayor Steve Morris as our Chief Guest of Honor.

Global Arts Showcase: Breathtaking live music and dance performances celebrating diversity, including:

Indian Traditions: Carnatic music, Kathak, and Bharatnatyam dance by Amruthavarshini & Ragamalika schools and Shri School of Dance.

Latin American Heritage: Mexican Folklórico by Luz de mi Tierra.

African American Culture: Contemporary saxophone performance by Stay Cozy Studios

Chinese Arts: Bamboo flute and Erhu melodies by Chinese American Association in Charlotte

Japanese Culture: Upbeat J-Pop music by Japanese Association in Charlotte

Classical & Contemporary: Traditional Ballet by Miller Street Dance Academy and energetic sets by Rock University.

Delicious Eats: Enjoy healthy and delicious options from a popular local vegetarian food truck.

🎟️ Tickets & Registration:

Early Bird Special: Just $10 until March 31st!

Kids 10 and under: Completely FREE!

Note: Advanced registration is required to secure indoor auditorium seating.

⚠️ IMPORTANT: An RSVP on WFAE.org does NOT secure your ticket.
Please complete your official registration here: https://www.heartfulnessinstitute.org/event/meditative-melodies-2026/

Date & Time: Saturday, April 18, 2026 | 3:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Location: 6400 Prosperity Church Road, Charlotte, NC

The hardy settlers who made these mountains home were resourceful and made what they needed from what was at hand, and what was at hand was wood. We will examine the types of things Appalachian people have made for themselves from the forests around them like chairs, bowls, spoons, tool handles and more. We will also observe the tools they used to make these items. After taking a walk through the forest which was the pioneer’s lumber yard, where we will identify trees and some of their uses, we will focus on a hands-on project – each participant will make an example of that ubiquitous piece of pioneer woodcraft, the hook. Made from a small, forked tree branch, often of rhododendron, these hooks were found in homes, barns and outbuildings to hang cloths, tools, horse harness and more on the wall in an organized fashion. Tickets for this event go on sale online on Grandfather Mountain’s website June 12 at 10 a.m. Advance registration required.

BEETLES Professional Learning Sessions are active experiences crafted to encourage instructors to look at different specific aspects of research-based science pedagogy and to inspire shifts in instructors’ thinking about their own teaching and learning. This session will cover the “Making Observations and Promoting Discussion Sessions” where we will learn how we can help learners make careful observations while encouraging wonder and curiosity and how productive talk leads to deep learning. This workshop qualifies for Criteria I or II in the EE Certification Program. CEU renewal credits are available. This workshop is free to attend, although advance registration is required. Tickets for this event go online on Grandfather Mountain’s website June 29 at 10 a.m.

The Project Learning Tree Educator Workshop is organized by N.C. State University and hosted at Grandfather Mountain. This workshop will take place in the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery.

Join Grandfather Mountain’s Interpretation and Education staff and Matt Robinson from the Town of Beech Mountain Parks and Recreation as we explore activities in the Project Learning Tree Explore Your Environment K-8 Activity Guide. This workshop is geared toward K-5th educators, though all educators, formal and nonformal, are welcome. Every participant will leave the workshop with a copy of this guide that includes 50 hands-on, multidisciplinary activities to connect children to nature and increase young people’s awareness and knowledge about their environment. The activities in this resource are supported by a robust Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) correlation guide, building durable STEM Skills, and differentiated instruction. This workshop qualifies for Criteria I or II in the EE Certification Program. CEU renewal credits are available. This workshop has a $20 registration fee.