1000 x 90

Weekend Roundup: Things to Do This Weekend in the High Country; Check ‘em Out, Make Plans Jan. 17-19

by Madison V. Fisler

Jan. 17, 2014. Even in the middle of winter, the High Country still has so many exciting events to offer its community and visitors. Check our site every Friday for something new and exciting to look forward to while you’re watching the hour hand crawl to 5 o’clock. Find live music down the street, explore a nearby town’s local secrets or try out a new square dancing class. There’s always something fun to do in the High Country, especially with such a beautiful weekend ahead.

Weekend-Long Events

Check out what is playing at the movies this week here. To read this week’s movie review of Lone Survivor, click here.  

Girl Scout Cookies: It’s that time again! Girl Scouts Carolina Peaks to Piedmont (GSCP2P) began their yearly cookie sales in the High Country on Wednesday, Jan. 14.GSCP2P will be out in the community selling cookies at Boone United Methodist Church on Friday, Jan. 17 at 8 a.m. To purchase cookies in your area, contact a Girl Scout in your community, or use the cookie booth locator at www.girlscoutsp2p.org to find the closest cookie booth from Jan. 24 – March 2. To read the article on this, click here

Festival of Lights: Chetola Resort in Blowing Rock is the place to go to see Christmas Lights in the High Country. A drive through the resort reveals over 50,000 lights on display and the lights will stay on until Jan. 26, 2014.

Friday, Jan. 17

Book signing: Becky Alghrary-McRee, former Banner Elk Resident and Lees-McRae alumna will hold a book signing for her new book, From the Catawba to the Tigris at Lees-McRae College on Friday, Jan. 17. The book, McRee’s fifth, recounts her many unforgettable adventures in the years she spent traveling to and from, and living in Iraq in the 1970s and 80s. To read the article on this event, click here

Saturday, Jan. 18

Harmonia Baroque: The Chamber ensemble Harmonia Baroque, will present an evening of classical music at the Ashe Arts Center on Saturday, January 18. Harmonia Baroque offers a unique experience for audience members. The players take great pleasure in the challenge and rewards of performing Baroque music on the instruments for which it was written, as it integrates technical mastery with expressive lyricism.

Geology Program: A program on the geology of Mount Jefferson will be held at 2 p.m. Jan. 18 at Mount Jefferson State Natural Area in Ashe County; meet at the picnic shelter. Mount Jefferson stands today at 4683 feet above sea level. Was this mountain once 15,000 feet high? Have there ever been any major rockslides on this metamorphic mountain? What is amphibolite anyway? Meet a ranger to learn the answers and to take park in a 1.3-mile hike and explore some of the geological mysteries that make this mountain’s geology rock. Bring a coat, and wear sturdy shoes. For more information on the programs or directions to the park, call (336) 246-9653.

Grandfather Mountain Program: North Carolina State Parks has deemed the year 2014 the year of the Lepidoptera. A free program on the topic will be held at 2 p.m. Jan. 18 at Grandfather Mountain State Park; meet at the Boone Fork parking area (Blue Ridge Parkway milepost 299.9). Join a ranger to learn what the word lepidoptera means and what they are. The group will also discuss how to tell the differences between them, their range of distribution, lifespan and some facts about them and why they are important to the environment. If the parkway is closed because of inclement weather, those attending can reach Boone Fork by taking a short .4-mile hike up the Asutsi trail located on highway U.S. 221 past Holloway Mountain Road going toward Linville. Dress appropriately for the weather conditions, as the group will be outside for approximately 45 minutes. For more information, call the park office at (828) 963-9522.

Breakfast at Bella’s: Avery Habitat for Humanity will host Breakfast at Bella’s this Saturday, Jan. 18, from 7:30-10:30 a.m. Bella’s Restaurant is located in the Food Lion Shopping Center at 3585 Tynecastle Highway in Banner Elk. A variety of breakfast items will be served and donations will be accepted. For more information or questions please contact Avery Habitat at 828-733-1909.

Breakfast at the Post: The Watauga American Legion Post #130 will host a Country Breakfast at the Post on Saturday morning, Jan. 18 from 7-10 a.m. Cost is $8 per person for an all you can eat breakfast that includes country ham, sausage, bacon, scrambled eggs, homemade biscuits and gravy, hash browns, grits, cooked apples and fresh fruit, orange juice and coffee, regular or buckwheat pancakes. This event is open to the public. Thank you for supporting our local veterans and veteran programs. This event will take place at 135 Bear Trail at Junaluska Town Park in Boone.

Contra Dance: The Boone Country Dancers will present a community contra dance on Saturday, Jan. 18, at the Old Cove Creek School gym at 207 Dale Adams Road in Sugar Grove. Class for beginning contra dancers will begin at 7:30 p.m. The dance will run from 8-11 p.m. with a waltz and covered dish treat break at 9 p.m. Please wear soft soled shoes to the dance and bring a sweet treat or snack to share at the break, if you are so inclined. Coming to Sugar Grove to perform for the dance will be the band Boom Chuck from Asheville. Calling for the dance will be Anne-Marie Walter from Asheville. For more information, call 828-406-0580. 

Sunday, Jan. 19

MLK Celebration: On Jan. 19 at 11 a.m., Boone Unitarian Universalist Fellowship will host “Reflections on the Beloved Commuity.” Reverend Tommy Brown will lead the celebration of King’s birthday by exploring the concept that Dr. King promoted of the Beloved Community.

MLK Celebration: On Jan. 19 at 11 a.m., Appalachian State University’s Appalachian and the Community Together (ACT) will host the 15th annual MLK Challenge, a full day of community service to honor the life of Dr. King. Participants will meet at Legends (190 Hardin Street) to divide into teams and select a mystery service challenge with a local nonprofit organization. Participants are provided three free meals and transporation to and from the projects. Please dress warmly as some projects will be outdoors. To register or for more information about this event, call 828-262-2193.

Nature Hike: A nature hike will be held at 2 p.m.  Jan. 19 at Mount Jefferson State Natural Area in Ashe County; meet at the picnic shelter. Meet a ranger for a hike into the Appalachian winter. This nature hike will explore some of the wonder and beauty that exists on Mount Jefferson. Participants should wear sturdy shoes. For more information on the programs or directions to the park, call (336) 246-9653.

Elk Knob Program: A winter hike will be offered at Elk Knob State Park in Watauga County at 2 p.m. Jan. 19. Meet at the summit trailhead. For more information, call (828) 297-1004.