ASHEVILLE, NC – “Well-a-Bration,” a week of activities showcasing UNC Asheville‘s health and wellness programs and the grand opening of the new Sherrill Center, will take place Monday, Sept. 12, through Saturday, Sept. 17. The week will feature cooking and exercise programs, meetings of health policy leaders, two expos, and a talk by Dr. Patch Adams, the physician and social activist who inspired the Robin Williams film named for him. Many Well-a-Bration events and activities will be free and open to the public.
“Well-a-Bration will help focus attention on what we can all do to make this a healthier community and a healthier state,” said David Gardner, executive director of UNC Asheville’s N.C. Center for Health & Wellness (NCCH&W). “We’re also celebrating the opening of a great new resource, the Sherrill Center, home to NCCH&W and the Kimmel Arena.”
Well-a-Bration will feature two expos in the Sherrill Center: The N.C. Health Expo, featuring interactive exhibits and demonstrations, will take place on the Kimmel Arena concourse. Downstairs, the Sports Expo, held in conjunction with the Asheville Citizen-Times Half Marathon, will be held on the Kimmel Arena floor.
“We take a holistic approach to health and wellness, so we have a variety of activities,” said Jill Moffitt, director of student life in UNC Asheville’s Campus Recreation Department, who has scheduled certain events just for students and their families, faculty and staff. “Some activities will introduce the campus community to the new fitness facilities in the Sherrill Center.” said Moffitt. “Other events will highlight the social and emotional aspects of wellness and healthier eating options.”
Well-a-Bration highlights that are free and open to the public include:
- Dr. Patch Adams, physician, clown, activist, and founder of the Gesundheit! Institute, a nonprofit project in holistic medical care based on the belief that one cannot separate the health of the individual from the health of the family, the community, the world, and the health care system itself. 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, Sherrill Center, room 417.
- Eat Smart, Move More North Carolina statewide leadership team meeting, including Dr. Jeffrey Engel, State Health Director; David Gardner, executive director, UNC Asheville’s N.C. Center for Health & Wellness; Keith Ray, associate professor and chair, UNC Asheville Department of Health and Wellness; others, 1-4 p.m., Friday, Sept. 16, Sherrill Center, room 417.
- NCCH&W Partners Health Expo, featuring interactive exhibits and demonstrations, 2-4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16, Kimmel Arena, Sherrill Center.
- 2011 Asheville Citizen-Times Half-Marathon & 5K Run & Walk Sports Expo, 4-8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15 and noon-8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16, Kimmel Arena, Sherrill Center.
For the complete Well-a-Bration schedule of evening health policy seminars, cooking and exercise programs and more, visit unca.edu/wellabration.
Laura Hope-GillLaura Hope-Gill, the first poet laureate of the 
Brian Lee KnoppBrian Lee Knopp, author of the memoir “Mayhem in Mayberry: Misadventures of a P.I. in Southern Appalachia,” (2010 Malaprop’s bestseller) teaches “The Devil You Know: The Art, Skill and Thrill of Writing Your Memoir.” The course involves in-class “lifestorming” sessions and writing, at-home writing and reading assignments, and a chance for “a daring rescue of the truth trapped inside your life’s labyrinth.” This 10-week class meets from 6-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays, beginning Sept. 14, at Malaprop’s Bookstore/Café, 55 Haywood St., Asheville.
Katherine Soniat“Advanced Poetry and Flash Fiction: Glimpsing Yourself through Archetypal Imagery” will be led by Katherine Soniat, whose fifth collection of poems, “The Swing Girl,” is forthcoming from Louisiana State University Press. Using photographs and Jung’s “The Book of Symbols: Reflections on Archetype,” the workshop will help participants “re-vision” their writing and unlock latent parts of their creativity. This 10-week course meets 6-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays, beginning Sept. 14, at Randolph Learning Center, 90 Montford Ave., Asheville.
Vickie LaneVicki Lane, author of the 2010 novel, “The Day of Small Things,” and the Elizabeth Goodweather mystery series (Bantam Dell), will lead “The First Forty: A Fiction Workshop for Intermediate or Advanced Writers.” This course is for writers with a novel in progress or in need of final polishing who want their first 40 pages to catch the attention of agents, editors and publishers. This 10-week class meets 6-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays, beginning Sept. 14, at Randolph Learning Center, 90 Montford Ave., Asheville.
Tommy Hays, photo by Michael MauneyNovelist Tommy Hays, executive director of the GSWP and lecturer in the Master of Liberal Arts Program at UNC Asheville, will lead “Keeping Ourselves Company: An Advanced Creative Prose Workshop.” This course, with an emphasis on reading and critiquing each other’s work, is for advanced prose writers embarking on new works or with projects in progress. Hays, the author of “The Pleasure Was Mine,” “Sam’s Crossing,” and “In the Family Way,” will respond at length to participants’ submissions. This course meets from 6-8:30 p.m. Thursdays, beginning Sept. 1, at Asheville School.
Elizabeth LutyensThe “Prose Master Class,” taught by Elizabeth Lutyens, is a next step for experienced writers with an ongoing project – essays, stories, a novel or memoir – looking for an intensive writing and critiquing experience. This workshop is for those who are committed to writing well and writing a lot, who are ready to commit to giving the best possible attention to others’ works. Lutyens is editor of “The Great Smokies Review,” a graduate of the MFA in Writing Program at Warren Wilson College, and is completing a novel set in the 1860s. The “Prose Master Class” will be limited to eight participants; admission is by invitation from Tommy Hays. This course meets from 6-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, beginning Aug. 30, at Asheville School.
