Show sponsors and public school representatives also attend

 

Front row l to r: Tabitha Hudler, Walker Center director, Lynn Osborne, Betty Thompson, Betty Warren, Linda Church, Elaine Carson, WCS, Mona McRae, Carolyn Sheets, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist | Wilkes Medical Center, Lori McNeil, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist | Wilkes Medical Center, Angela Johnson, Walker Center; and Ruth Adams, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist | Wilkes Medical Center.
Back row l to r: Bill Cardwell, Mark Byrd, Superintendent Wilkes County Schools, Philip Osborne, Mary Henderson, Kathy McLelland, Linda Farthing, Dion Stocks, Wilkes County Schools, Jim McRae, and Terry Cleary.

The annual Walker Center Volunteer Breakfast took place on Tuesday, September 13, to honor those who help with the season shows and school events program. The School Events program is celebrating its 36th year, and the Walker Center Season Shows is celebrating its 40th season. The Walker Center began with a ribbon cutting on August 24, 1984.

“This is an invitation-only event to honor the volunteers who are essential to the success of the Walker Center,” says Tabitha Hudler, Walker Center director. It is a pleasure to gather with these individuals who do so much to make this a success.”

Walker Center School Shows volunteers are Ray Boone, Bill Cardwell, Linda Church, Terry Cleary, Linda Farthing, Linda Handy, Mary Henderson, Elizabeth Hull, Nila Johnston, Arnold Lakey, Kathy McLelland, Jim McRae, Carol Osborne, Sharon Osborne, Jimmy Reavis, Susanne Reavis, Mary Jane Rich, Ray Rich, and Betty Thompson.

Walker Center Season Shows volunteers are Ray Boone, Linda Church, Evelyn Colvard, Jerry Elledge, Barbara England, Rebekah Gardner, Leon Haymore, Cathy Hubbard, Adam Holloway, Ernie Holloway, Karen Holloway, Elizabeth Hull, Kathy McLelland, Lynn Osborne, Philip Osborne, Phyllis Thompson, Jason Pilkington, Jimmy Reavis, Susanne Reavis, Gary Stone, Shirley Stone, Betty Thompson, Ashley VanHoy, Mark VanHoy, Betty Warren, and Cole Wright.

Guests included representatives from Wilkes County Schools and representatives from sponsors Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Wilkes Medical Center.

Hudler added, “Volunteering is about giving; it’s about service to others, bringing the community together, making a difference, being hands-on, having a mission, loving others, and celebrating together. These volunteers are wonderful examples of what it takes to make us all a part of the Wilkes Community College family.”

With the help of dedicated volunteers, the Walker Center has provided over 500,000 students with first-class cultural experiences, including live theater and music and the annual MerleFest School Day, which is offered to students free of charge. The 2023-24 School Events program will offer six shows and MerleFest School Day. These shows are Diggery Dino, Aliens Alive, Buckets & Boards, Rainbow Fish, Mister C, and Ace Marvel.

The 2023-24 Season Shows began on Friday, September 8, with Dailey & Vincent. The remaining season shows will bring a diverse mix of world-class entertainment featuring A Charlie Brown Christmas – Live on Stage, Drumline, Hypnotist, Michael Swenson, The Four Phantoms, and This is the 60’s LIVE.

We have already experienced a special evening of music with local musician, Presley Barker and THE VOICE finalist, Ian Flanigan on August 24, in the Lakey Ballroom. Other additional feature shows include Haunted Illusions on Friday, October 20, along with a costume contest and a chance to win a family four-pack of tickets for dinner and the show A Charlie Brown Christmas. There will also be haunted concessions available for purchase. There will be a dance party as we Dance Through the Decades on Friday, January 12. This is a 21 and older event. Our live DJ will play hits from the sixties through to the current.

The John A. Walker Community Center is proud to be this region’s premier venue for cultural experience in Wilkes and surrounding areas and the preferred gathering place for meetings, weddings, receptions, conventions, banquets, and parties.

For more information about the School Events program or the Walker Center Season Shows, call 336-838-6260 or email walker.boxoffice@wilkescc.edu. Visit online at www.walkercenteronline.org or on Facebook.