The Dr. Ann R. Wilke Scholarship fundraiser will be held from noon to  10 p.m. Saturday, March 23, at the Haywood County Fairgrounds, in Waynesville. The event will help to raise higher education scholarship funds for Haywood County young men and women whose lives have been impacted by substance abuse.

Wilke, known as Ann, graduated from medical school in the 1960s. She was one of three women in her graduating class. She practiced medicine in rural communities, often sacrificing her time and effort in making house calls and providing care and comfort to families in need. Wilke was well aware of the negative impact of drug dependency issues on the family structure.

She unexpectedly went on to join the Lord in 2011. This memorial scholarship, dedicated in her name, is to provide financial ...