* The third annual Marathon Jam was held on May 19, noon to midnight in the Ashe County Arts Council building.

* While pickin’ and grinnin,’ both awareness and funds were raised for military families by supporting the Fisher Houses at Camp Lejeune and Fort Bragg.

* Each of the musicians who participated for all 12 hours of the jam - noon to midnight - were rewarded with the designation "Iron Picker." They include (pictured L to R, below right) Jonathan Phipps, Henry Doss, Catalina Burns, Henry Burns, Vance Archer, Chris Binkowski and Earl Inge.

* Several times during the day-long event, time was taken to honor the service of veterans and present them with a quilt made by the Ashe County Piecemakers Quilt Guild. Look at the thumbnails to the right to see many of the beautiful quilts that were used to wrap the veterans in it's warming support for their service and sacrifice.