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Healthy Habits for Healthy Smiles: 1500 Students in Watauga Schools Reached During Children’s Dental Health Month

March 11, 2024 Each year in February, the American Dental Association recognizes National Children’s Dental Health Month, a month-long national health observance with a special emphasis on improving the smiles of millions of children across the country.This year’s theme —“Healthy Habits for Healthy Smiles” — has been a common phrase, especially locally, as more than 1500 Watauga County children have been reminded of the importance of dental hygiene, thanks to the efforts of the Boone-based OP Smiles dental office. According to Dr. Luke Current, who along with fellow pediatric dental care provider, Dr. Chance Powell, see hundreds of children in their office each month, OP Smiles has participated in the outreach for over 20 years, partnering with local schools in providing practical tips and tools to encourage good dental hygiene. By Sherrie Norris

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Mitchell County Chamber of Commerce and Mitchell Economic Development Commission Unite Forces to Drive Local Prosperity

March 11, 2024 In a landmark move shifted to amplify economic growth and foster community development, the Mitchell County Chamber of Commerce and the Mitchell County Economic Development Commission have announced their decision to join forces. The strategic merger brings together two powerhouse organizations dedicated to advancing the economic vitality and prosperity of Mitchell County and its residents. By combining resources, expertise, and networks, the unified, but separate entity will significantly enhance its capacity to attract investment, support local businesses, and cultivate a thriving economic environment throughout the county. This collaboration marks a pivotal moment in Mitchell County trajectory, signaling a renewed commitment to innovation, collaboration, and sustainable growth.

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ECRS Makes Donation to AppHealthCare’s Mother-Baby Home Visiting Program

March 11, 2024 ECRS, a local transaction and retail solutions business, has made a donation to AppHealthCare’s Mother-Baby Home Visiting program. The $5,000 donation will be given to the F.A.R.M. Cafe to support the purchase of meals for families participating in the Mother-Baby program in Watauga, Ashe and Avery Counties. “I’m excited to have the opportunity to give back to a program that gave me a lot of support when I had my son in December of last year.” said Caroline Catoe, ECRS President. “No matter your circumstances, every mother needs a village around her when she has a baby. Having an experienced nurse come to my home, provide me with tips and a warm meal, and check on my health and my baby’s was so beneficial. I only wish this program had existed when I first became a mother several years ago.”

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New River Light and Power Customers Will See a Decrease in Their Electricity Rates


February 27, 2024 Beginning with services rendered on and after March 1, 2024, Appalachian State University’s New River Light and Power (NRLP) customers will see a decrease in their electricity rates due to adjustments approved by the North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC) on Feb. 19, 2024. The rate decrease is due to a decrease in the wholesale costs that the utility pays for electricity. With this rate decrease, NRLP is among the lowest cost energy providers in North Carolina. Beginning with your March bill, the typical residential customer will see a decrease of about $18.78 a month. This is an 18.9% decrease, based on approximate monthly consumption of 750 kWh of electricity.

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Mountain Vista Window Washing Wins Two International Window Cleaning Titles

February 20, 2024 Last week at the International Window Cleaning Convention in Galveston TX both Izzy Smeltzer and Rowen Todd Competed and won first place in Two categories. Izzy competed in the women’s speed cleaning and took first place after going head to head with talented women from 3 or more countries including Brazil, Canada, and USA. Rowen entered the Medley competition which includes cleaning a large array of various windows in under 2 minutes while leaving the fewest mistakes. After Mountain Vista’s strong showing we have been invited to Brazil for the South American competitions this November. 

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Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Releases Its Final Economic Indicators Report for 2023

February 1, 2024  As the first month of 2024 nears its conclusion, the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce released its Q4 Economic Indicators Report for 2023. This redesigned quarterly report examines five key statistics within the Watauga County & High Country Economy, featuring a summary of local impacts by Dr. Harry Davis, Appalachian State and North Carolina Bankers Association Professor and long-standing regional economist. The report also includes quick stats and commentary on local commercial real estate activity provided by James Milner, CCIM, Appalachian Commercial Real Estate and a summary of the residential real estate market supplied by Stacie Pineda, Stacie Pineda Real Estate Group.

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Restaurant at Gideon Ridge in Blowing Rock Named 2024 James Beard Award Semifinalist

January 29, 2024  The Restaurant at Gideon Ridge in Blowing Rock, North Carolina is a 2024 James Beard Award Semifinalist in the Outstanding Restaurant category. Semifinalists are recognized as exemplary in their category; the top 5 in each award category will be announced as Nominees this spring. According to the James Beard Foundation’s website, the Outstanding Restaurant Award recognizes restaurants that “demonstrate consistent excellence in food, atmosphere, hospitality, and operations while contributing positively to their broader community.”

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December Real Estate Reports from High Country Realtors; Numbers Up from Last Year

January 18, 2024 During December, the High Country MLS reported 160 residential sales closed in the High Country Counties of Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, and Watauga, that number is slightly up from this same me a year ago. The combined closing total was $100.8 million in sales, up from a year ago when the combined total was $78.8 million. The median sales price for December sales was $471,500, up 23.3% compared to the median sales price in December of 2022. The median days on the market for the month were sixty-two days, holding steady compared to 2022

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STABLE Workplaces Aims to Create a Healthier Workforce; Seeks to Bring Resources Together

January 18, 2024 BOONE — Health begins where we live, learn, work and play and starts long before any illness. The opportunity to improve health begins in our families, neighborhoods, schools and jobs. These areas can be viewed as building blocks to create a society where everyone can thrive. The STABLE Workplaces initiative officially launched on Wednesday, January 17, 2024. STABLE stands for Staff Training and Business Leadership for Evolving Workplaces and is an initiative focused on filling in some of the gaps to create a healthier workforce and community. 

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AMOREM Welcomes Director of Faith Outreach


January 10, 2024 William Williamson has stepped up to the role of Director of Faith Outreach forAMOREM, formerly Burke Hospice and Palliative Care and Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care. After the legacy hospice organizations integrated in 2021, it was quickly identified that the organization needed an individual who focused all of their efforts on supporting the robust faith community, said Vice President of Community Engagement Kerri McFalls.  “A director of faith outreach is not a common position in the hospice industry,” McFalls said. “But AMOREM wants to ensure its faith communities that they are a priority for the organization and that they feel supported when any of their congregants need end-of-life care.”

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Beyond Pilates Winter Wellness 

December 4, 2023 Beyond Pilates, a premier Pilates studio nestled in the heart of Boone, is thrilled to announce its upcoming Winter Wellness Event on December 8th, from 4:30 to 7:00 pm. This event will bring together a diverse array of wellness-based businesses for a transformative evening of rejuvenation and holistic health.The Winter Wellness Event promises to be a one-of-a-kind experience, providing participants with an opportunity to explore various facets of well-being through a carefully curated lineup of activities, demonstrations, and collaborations with local businesses dedicated to promoting a healthy lifestyle. Highlights of the even include: 

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NEW OWNERS FOR HISTORIC WESTGLOW

November 8, 2023 Westglow Resort and Spa, an iconic Blowing Rock landmark, will soon pass to a new generation of stewards. According to a letter that went out to members on October 31, the legacy that began with Elliott Daingerfield and the Daingerfield family in 1917, continued with Glynda Valentine and then with Bonnie and Jamie Schaefer, continues again as ownership passes to a consortium of Westglow members: Bill Brooks and Dean Bullis, Miriam and Steve Kimsey, Sharon and John McNeely, and Cindy and Cobb Milner. 

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Wire Wrapped: Jessica Russell’s Jewelry Journey

October 20, 2023 There are many arts and craft festivals that take place across the High Country, especially in the summer, and at these events, there are various vendors who are excited to share their creations with others. Anything from drawing, pottery, tie dye, woodwork, jewelry, and more gives consumers lots to explore and appreciate. Ashe County resident Jessica Russell is just one local artist in the area; however, her products are more than just materialistic items – each piece holds a slice of history and a part of her personal story. By Harley Nefe

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Tarpestry: Built in the Blue Ridge

October 12, 2023 With the mountain scenery that surrounds the area and the breathtaking views that can be enjoyed by all, the High Country is a hub for outdoor opportunities. Hiking, camping, and picnicking are just some of the ways nature enthusiasts can experience the environment. And with all of these activities, there is one product available that can take one’s adventure to the next level. Whether you’re going to a live music festival or catching a sporting event at the park, Tarpestry tarps make a statement no matter the occasion. By Harley Nefe

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SouthEnd Brewing Co. boasts original craft beers, elevated pub fare, and fresh cocktails in new King St. home on September 23, 2023

September 7, 2023 BOONE, NC, September 7, 2023 – Nearly a year ago, the Kevorkian family purchased the historic building at 747 W King street with a vision of expanding family-owned, SouthEnd Brewing Co. After six months of renovations, that day is finally here. The Greensboro, NC-based brewery and restaurant is opening its doors in the High Country. The press and public are invited to the grand opening celebration of SouthEnd Brewing Co.’s Boone location on September 23, 2023.

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Samaritan’s Purse Responds To Hurricane Idalia’s Destruction in Florida

September 6, 2023 Before Hurricane Idalia made its way through Florida last week, Samaritan’s Purse was ready and waiting in nearby Georgia to begin picking up the pieces left behind by the quickly-moving storm. Just  as soon as the hardest-hit areas were identified, and it was safe to do so, the response teams of the Boone-based international disaster relief organization — with two tractor-trailers packed with tools and relief supplies, in addition to shower and kitchen trailers — moved in, set up and hit the ground running.  By Sherrie Norris

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SugarTop Resort Opens New Tavern

August 21, 2023  SugarTop Resort on Sugar Mountain recently held a grand opening celebration to launch their new bar lounge at the facility, The Overlook Tavern. SugarTop’s General Manager, Shannon Beaumont, was the chief organizer and hostess of the event. Beaumont said, “We are very excited and proud of this new addition to our resort’s amenities. While primarily the tavern will only be available to our owners and their guests, the venue is also available for lease for local area businesses and organizations for private events. Several local area organizations and civic groups have already reserved it for special meetings or social gatherings.” 

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Yonahlossee Stables: Hoofbeats in the High Country

August 8, 2023 Many counties within the Tar Heel State have been celebrated as the horse country for well over a century. The horse people of the High Country have owned, rode, showed, and enjoyed these four-legged friends for multiple generations. Horses are surely a contender for the title of “man’s best friend,” as animal-human connections like these are rarely seen outside of those formed with dogs and cats. By Peter Morris

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The Mountain Boomer Brings Food, Drink, and Community to the High Country

July 3, 2023 After meeting at App State in 2019 by both being enrolled in the Fermentation Sciences program, Dean Reed of Newland and Willie Olson of Sugar Grove are embarking on a new adventure of bringing quality, tasty ciders to the High Country. Owners, veterans, and cider makers Reed and Olson began being business partners of The Mountain Boomer after realizing that they not only enjoyed each other’s company, but worked well together since completing countless classes, group projects, and brew days. By Harley Nefe

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Farm Fresh: Organic organization cultivates community and fresh fare from the farm

June 26, 2023 Find women doing outstanding work in their field via Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture, a female-led organization dedicated to fostering a sustainable and fair food scene in the High Country. To do this, the organization bolsters local producers and creates connections among the community that contribute to knowledge and excitement of eating farm-grown food—ultimately upping the local demand and desire for local fare. By Anna Beth Adcock

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Tickets Still Available for Good Fields Festival on June 24, 2023

June 21, 2023 Celebrate the 150th Year of Shipley Farms on Saturday, June 24th at the inaugural Good Fields Appalachian Food & Farms Festival. The food festival is aimed at raising awareness of the importance of local farms. “Part of the theme of the food festival is that commodity agriculture is not viable in some places,” Gray Shipley said. The festival will highlight the rich agricultural heritage of the region, with top chefs from across the state drawing from Shipley Farms and other local farm products. With the theme “Local Food Elevated,” Good Fields aims to draw attention and support to the decline in family farms and agricultural land in the High Country and across North Carolina. By Kris Testori

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Bolick and Traditions Pottery Hosting Annual Heritage Day and Kiln Opening, Saturday, June 24

June 19, 2023 This time of year sees festivals on every corner in nearly every community, but few compare to the Annual Heritage Day and Kiln Opening at Bolick and Traditions Pottery, just south of Blowing Rock. Scheduled for Saturday, June 24, the event is always anticipated by folks who come from near and far, making their way into the picturesque valley for a day of intrigue, music, storytelling, shopping, good food and fellowship. By Sherrie Norris

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Roast of the Town

June 14, 2023 Josiah Davis knows beans. He and his wife, Meredith, opened Local Lion roastery and coffee shop in Boone in 2012, and Venture Chocolate and Wine shop on King Street in 2022. By Jan Todd

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High Country Adventure 2023 Brings “visit NC Concierge” To Boone

June 2, 2023 A unique Raleigh-based group taking its state-wide tours from the relaxing coast to the breath-taking mountains — inclusive of “invigorating history, exceptional city and peaceful garden tours” —will be making its way to the area in early June for its High Country Adventure 2023.From June 8-11, “visit NC Concierge” will be escorting 30 guests to visit  some of the area’s premiere sites around Watauga, Ashe and Avery counties.

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