Dwell House tour next weekend

The North Carolina Modernist Houses is offering a tour 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 29 of what is known as the “Dwell House” in Pittsboro.

The house is slated to be auctioned off in November, like James Taylor’s childhood home was auctioned this summer. N.C. Modernist Houses organized tours of the James Taylor house as a fundraiser before the auction; it was so successful that the group is doing that again with this house, which has been described as “the most high-profile modern prefab house in America.”

“Dwell” is an American magazine devoted to modern architecture and design. In 2003, the magazine’s editors partnered with the original homeowners to initiate the Dwell Home Design Invitational, a 21st century version of the Case Study Houses program. The designs submitted had to be prefabricated, with sections no wider than 16 feet so they could be moved by truck to the site on the top of a small mountain in Pittsboro.

Tickets for the tour are $10. Entrance is on a timed basis. Tickets are available at ncmodernist.org/pittsboro.htm. Participants will take a free shuttle to and from the house.

North Carolina Modernist Houses is a nonprofit dedicated to documenting, preserving and promoting modernist residential design across North Carolina. Info: ncmodernist.org

Fern propagation workshop

Bob Payne, an extension master gardener, is leading a fern propagation workshop 9 a.m.-noon Oct. 29 at Raleigh’s JC Raulston Arboretum.

Payne has been shade gardening in Wake County for 28 years. He developed an interest the propagation of ferns, a group of plants that he feels are underutilized and underappreciated. Cost: $40-$55.

To register, call 919-513-7005 or go to jcra.ncsu.edu.

Garden Halloween events

If you are looking for Halloween fun for your children or grandchildren, here are a few upcoming events:

▪ The N.C. Botanical Garden in Chapel Hill is hosting “Pumpkins in the Bootanical Garden” 5:30-8 p.m. Oct. 28. You can bring a carved pumpkin and enter it into a “best nature-themed pumpkin” contest. Attendees can wander the garden to see glowing pumpkins, make natural potions, meet live critters, design a candy catapult, create leaf art, and enjoy treats and prizes. Cost: $6 per child, with a $1 discount if you bring a pumpkin. Info: ncbg.unc.edu/calendar/

▪ Raleigh’s JC Raulston Arboretum is hosting Pumpkin Palooza 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 31. This day designed for those in second to fifth grade will cover pumpkin science, pumpkin crafts and pumpkin treats. Students need to bring a lunch and snack and clothes for going outside. Cost: $55-$70. Info: 919-513-7011 or go to jcra.ncsu.edu.

▪ Sarah P. Duke Gardens in Durham is offering a Creepy Crawlies Camp 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 31. The camp, designed for kindergarten to fifth-grade students, will include games, crafts, outdoor explorations and hands-on activities in the gardens. Cost: $50 with nonrefundable $25 deposit to reserve. Info: gardens.duke.edu/

This story was originally published October 20, 2016 at 10:03 AM with the headline "Dwell House tour next weekend."