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Get Ready to Strum, Pick, and Sing Your Way Through Summer at Jones House Cultural Center

June 5, 2025 The Jones House Cultural Center has announced a series of summer “slow” jams, where participants of all ages can come together to explore the timeless sounds of old-time and classic bluegrass music in a fun and inclusive setting. Each session will be led by two music teachers from the Boone JAM (Junior Appalachian Musicians) program. No matter your age or skill level, those who have a passion for traditional music are welcome to join the jams. Bring an acoustic string instrument and come prepared to learn, jam, and make new friends. While some basic chord knowledge is certainly helpful, these sessions are open to beginners and seasoned players alike, offering a supportive environment for everyone to grow and develop their musical talents.

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20 App State ROTC Cadets Commissioned to Serve as Army Second Lieutenants

June 5, 2025 Twenty cadets in Appalachian State University’s Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program, the Mountaineer Battalion, have marked a significant milestone in their military careers, officially entering the ranks of the United States Army as commissioned second lieutenants. During the commissioning ceremony, held May 8 in Valborg Theatre on the university’s Boone campus, cadets were recognized for their commitment, leadership and perseverance throughout their ROTC training. This year’s ceremony featured a keynote address from Lt. Gen. Chris Mohan ’89, Deputy Commanding General and Acting Commander of the U.S. Army Materiel Command (AMC), who administered the Oath of Office to the cadets.

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Grandfather Mountain’s annual Animal Birthday Party to be held June 11

June 4, 2025 Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, will throw its annual birthday bash for all resident animals on Wednesday, June 11 — and you’re invited! Included with park admission, the celebration will feature games, contests, crafts and surprises. The park’s habitat staff is preparing a fun-filled afternoon for guests with programs to celebrate its furry and feathered inhabitants as they mark another trip around the sun. Millie the Bear, the mountain’s mascot, will also make special appearances throughout the day.

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Town of Boone Updated Parking Regulations Effective July 1, 2025; Will be $1.50 Hour

June 3, 2025 The Town of Boone announces an update to its hourly parking rates, effective July 1, 2025. The new rate will be $1.50 per hour, an increase from the current rate of $1.00 per hour. This adjustment supports the Town’s ongoing efforts to maintain and enhance public infrastructure, including parking facilities. The increased revenue will help cover rising operational and maintenance costs, and any additional funds will be reinvested in updating parking infrastructure to ensure continued safety and accessibility.

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Movie Review: “Mission: Impossible” Now Playing at Boone Regal

June 3, 2025 The eighth “Mission: Impossible” movie, “The Final Reckoning,” sees Tom Cruise’s secret agent Ethan Hunt strive to save the world yet again. But this movie has “Final” in its title, so maybe Hunt won’t succeed this time. Maybe the world will be destroyed by the evil A.I. program known as The Entity. Or even worse, maybe Hunt will meet his end and the world will be denied any more of Cruise’s smoldering star power, at least in this franchise. At any rate, Hunt has to defeat not only the all-powerful computer program, but also old human enemy Gabriel (Esai Morales), who is somehow working “for” The Entity. The odds of surviving are really long – and at 170 minutes, so is the movie’s runtime – but Hunt is up to the challenge of saving the world and Cruise is clearly up to the challenge of keeping the audience entertained for that long. I can’t say he succeeds in the latter mission, but he chooses to accept it. 

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Amos Lee Kicks off the 41st Season of An Appalachian Summer on Saturday, June 28

June 2, 2025 Appalachian State University’s annual multi-disciplinary summer arts celebration, An Appalachian Summer, opens its 41st season with Amos Lee, Saturday, June 28 at 7:30pm at the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts. The soulful singer-songwriter released his gold-selling self-titled first album in 2005 and has been known for his association with a long list of collaborators and touring partners, including Paul Simon, Bob Dylan, Zac Brown Band, and Willie Nelson. With a laconic style, gravelly, evocative voice, and acoustic Americana sound, Lee is equally comfortable and affecting amidst a range of genres — from folk, soul, and jazz, to Americana, roots rock, and country — in his quest to connect honestly and emotionally with his audience. 

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The Watauga Arts Council Introduces Summer Art Classes for All Ages 

June 2, 2025 The Watauga Arts Council (WAC) has announced their latest in upcoming summer classes and workshops. Taught by numerous skilled instructors, WAC’s variety of classes provide students the opportunity to learn a new craft or hone in on their current artistic skills. Upcoming courses and workshops for the summer include:

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Blue Scholarship Awarded to Genevieve Li Jing Waugh, Watauga High School Student

June 2, 2025 Genevieve “Gigi” Li Jing Waugh, a Watauga High School student, was awarded the John and Ruth Blue Scholarship. She is the 24th recipient of the scholarship which this year awarded $8,000 and is renewable annually for up to four years. The scholarship is awarded by the John and Ruth Blue Scholarship Endowment, a fund of the Watauga County Community Foundation. Genevieve is the daughter of Lynne and Wes Waugh. She is one of the top academic students at Watauga and an AP Scholar.

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Town of Boone Proposed Budget FY25/26

May 30, 2025 The proposed budget for the Town of Boone has been presented to the Boone Town Council and is available for public inspection by appointment at Town Hall from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and on the Town’s website: www.townofboone.net. The proposed budget will be discussed at a public hearing on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. in Council Chambers located at 1500 Blowing Rock Road. Following the public hearing, the proposed budget will be adopted at the June 25, 2025, regular Town Council meeting at 6:00 p.m. in Town Council Chambers located at 1500 Blowing Rock Road.

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All Ears: Banner Elk Unveils First-Ever Summer of Music Featuring 90-Plus Live Performances

May 30, 2025 While the arts have always played a key role in Banner Elk, the town takes it up a notch in 2025 with its first-ever Summer of Music. Top-level national, regional and local acts take the stage at a variety of venues all summer long. The schedule features 90-plus live performances, highlighted by Country Music Hall of Famer Jimmy Fortune, bluegrass stars Jim Lauderdale and Darin & Brooke Aldridge, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer John Oates and Gary Morris, who has five No. 1 country songs.

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Four Watauga Students Awarded Scholarships from Blue Ridge Energy

May 30, 2025 Blue Ridge Energy recently awarded $32,000 in college scholarships to 14 students across its service area seeking to further their academic goals. The scholarships are part of the Blue Ridge Energy Leadership Track program, designed to help high school students better prepare for acceptance into the college of their dreams. In Watauga County, four students received a total of $10,000.

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Grandfather Mountain April Weather Report Saw Fairly Standard Conditions

May 30, 2025 April 2025 saw fairly standard conditions for the month on Grandfather Mountain, according to data recorded at the park’s official weather reporting stations. The average high temperature for April 2025 was 55.01 degrees Fahrenheit, with an average low of 41.79 degrees and a mean of 48.4 degrees. The weather station on the Mile High Swinging Bridge noted six days in April with a wind gust higher than 60 mph. There were 3.92 inches of precipitation observed at the top in April.

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UNC Health Appalachian’s Local Chapter of “Walk with a Doc” Starts on June 7th

May 30, 2025 UNC Health Appalachian is proud to announce the launch of a local chapter of Walk with a Doc, a monthly walking program led by our Family Medicine residents designed to promote wellness and build community – one step at a time. On Saturday, June 7, the Boone community is invited to join a monthly physician-led walk that begins with a short health talk followed by a casual walk. The program is free and open to all ages and fitness levels. Whether you’re managing a chronic condition, looking for a reason to get outside, or simply interested in connecting with local healthcare providers in a relaxed setting, this is a great opportunity to take charge of your health.

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Watauga County Farmers’ Market Returns to Daniel Boone Park on Saturday, May 31

May 29, 2025 The Watauga County Farmers’ Market is pleased to announce its return to Daniel Boone Park, located at 591 Horn in the West Drive, beginning Saturday, May 31. After a temporary relocation to Appalachian State University’s State Farm lot during a repaving project, the Market is excited to welcome customers back to its longtime home — now with a smoother, safer, and more navigable parking lot and market space. “We are thrilled to return to Daniel Boone Park,” said Michelle Dineen, Market Director. “This is the heart of our Market community, and it’s home for the past 50 years! We’re grateful for the improvements that will make it even more welcoming and accessible for everyone.”

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Beppe Gambetta and Clay Lunsford with Matthew Weaver to Open 2025 Summer Concert Series at the Jones House on June 6th

May 29, 2025 The Town of Boone is proud to kick off the 2025 Summer Concerts at the Jones House series with an unforgettable evening of world-class roots music on Friday, June 6, beginning at 5:30 PM at the Jones House Cultural Center in downtown Boone. The concert is free and open to the public. The evening begins with a performance by internationally acclaimed Italian guitarist and composer Beppe Gambetta, followed by a set from dynamic Appalachian and Americana duo Clay Lunsford & Matthew Weaver, bringing their rich regional heritage to the Jones House front porch

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Elk River Helping Hands Concert Featuring Rock Hall of Fame Member John Oates and Grammy Award-Winning Artist Jim Lauderdale Set for June 20th at Lees-McRae College

May 29, 2025 The Elk River Helping Hands Concert Series proudly announces its next event to be held Friday, June 20, 2025, at Hayes Auditorium on the campus of Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, North Carolina. Doors at 6pm and concert at 7pm. This extraordinary evening of music and community will feature Rock Hall of Famer John Oates (Hall and Oates) and the Grammy award-winning singer and songwriter Jim Lauderdale, with proceeds benefiting Hurricane Helene relief efforts in the area

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W.A.M.Y. Community Action’s Denim & Diamonds 2025 Event Shines Bright, Raising $119,000 to Support High Country Families

May 29, 2025 On May 22, the High Country community gathered at The White Crow Farm in Banner Elk for WAMY Community Action’s annual Denim & Diamonds gala. The enchanting evening welcomed over 250 guests and raised an incredible $119,000 to aid families in Watauga, Avery, Mitchell, and Yancey Counties. Proceeds will focus on supporting low-income families, particularly those still recovering from the damage caused by Hurricane Helene.

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Petco Love and Watauga Humane Society Aim to Stop the Spread of Deadly Preventable Diseases Through Free Pet Vaccination Event on June 2nd

May 29, 2025 Watauga Humane Society will provide free vaccinations for Watauga County pets. The free vaccines are made possible through Petco Love’s national vaccination initiative, Vaccinated and Loved, which is providing an additional one million free pet vaccines to existing animal welfare partners, including Watauga Humane Society, for family pets in need. Parvovirus and distemper in dogs and panleukopenia in cats—the most prevalent deadly diseases affecting pets—are preventable with a simple vaccine. An estimated 30% of pet parents do not take their pet to a veterinarian annually for preventative care. To ensure the health and wellness of our beloved pets and to address this critical need, Watauga Humane Society and Petco Love have partnered to make pet vaccines free and accessible.

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Watauga Economic Development Commission Releases April 2025 Business Snapshot Report

May 28, 2025 In an ongoing effort to track real-time conditions for local businesses as recovery from the impacts of Hurricane Helene continue, the Watauga County Economic Development Commission released its seventh monthly Business Snapshot Report, which highlights activity for the month of April 2025. These monthly reports provide data on the state of business in Watauga County, with a focus on current concerns, performance toward revenue expectations, and ability to meet staffing needs among its core analysis.

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The Wood Brothers Join Lineup for FloydFest 25~Aurora July 23-27; Full Schedule Debuts

May 27, 2025 With 57 days to go before gates open, Across-the-Way Productions & Blue Cow Arts Foundation add a top patron-requested lineup addition — The Wood Brothers — and debut the full music schedule for FloydFest 25~Aurora, the latest annual offering of the Southeast’s premier summer outdoor music festival, taking place Wednesday to Sunday, July 23 to 27, 2025, at its new home, FestivalPark, located at 5826 Floyd Highway North in Check, Va. An unveiling of Children’s Universe performers, as well as Roaming Artists, are also included in today’s FloydFest news. What’s more, and following its “Best Music Festival” accolade in Blue Ridge Outdoors’ ‘Best of the Blue Ridge 2025,’ FloydFest was recently named “Best Festival 2025” in Virginia Living Magazine’s ‘Best of Virginia’ readers’ survey.

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Banner Elk Police Department Partners with Hurricane Creek K9 Foundation to Launch Town’s First-Ever K9 Program

May 27, 2025 The Banner Elk Police Department is proud to announce a new partnership with the Hurricane Creek K9 Foundation to bring the first-ever police K9 to the Town of Banner Elk—a historic step in rebuilding and strengthening public safety after the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene in 2024. Banner Elk, a small mountain town known for its charm, resilience, and thriving tourism economy, suffered widespread damage during the storm. The town was completely cut off, with all entry and exit points washed out, and its residents went without water for over a month. Among the hardest-hit facilities was the Banner Elk Police Department, which was flooded to the point of being rendered uninhabitable. To this day, officers remain displaced, working out of temporary arrangements as recovery efforts continue.

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Movie Review: “Lilo & Stitch” Now Playing at Boone Regal

May 27, 2025 The latest edition of Disney’s trend of remaking its animated classics in live action or “realistic” CGI is “Lilo & Stitch.” I remember seeing the 2002 original with my mom, both of us huge Disney fans, and we agreed that the studio’s magic from its mostly-90’s “Renaissance” era was long gone. I’ve come to appreciate the film more over time, but it doesn’t occupy the same space in my heart as a “Beauty and the Beast” or “Lion King.” I thought this might actually work in the new film’s favor, with less concern about it having to live up to the legacy of a masterpiece. But no, it still does enough wrong to fall short of even lowered expectations. 

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