High Country Press

May 17, 2019  For the past ten weeks, 12 community members have been raising money on behalf of the Watauga County Habitat for Humanity for its fifth annual Big Kahuna contest. The original campaign goal was to raise $35,000 but by completion, over $39,200 was brought in. On May 15, the final day of the campaign, $24,000 had been raised and it was unclear whether or not the $35,000 would be reached. However, in the final hours, the Kahunas managed to not only meet but also exceed the goal. “I did not see how we were going to reach our goal. We had originally budgeted $35,000 but I would have been thrilled to raise $30,000,” said Allison Jennings, director of development for Watauga Habitat for Humanity. “But our community pulled together and supported each other because that was what it was all about: supporting people, not just Habitat.” By Gianna Holiday / Read more…

May 17, 2019 The Newland Board of Aldermen approved a one-time reduced water rate for the new Avery County Pool located in the Town and a pair of sponsorships to help with the municipality’s promotional events during their regular monthly meeting May 7th. During his Town Administrator and Water Works report, Hoilman requested that the Board give a “one-time break” to the Avery County government to fill up the County’s new Dive-In Pool with water from the Town. Johnson made a motion to reduce the pool’s water rates in half for the one-time water fill-up. The motion passed unanimously (5-0) By Tim Gardner / Read more…

May 17, 2019 Although he was struggling with mental illness throughout his mid-teens and young adult life, Jason Matthew Nipper found peace and serenity as he and his parents hiked the challenging trails at Grandfather Mountain in Linville. Jason passed away in 2014, and his parents James & Cheryl Nipper formed a non-profit entity called The Jason Project, Inc., and launched “The Grandfather Challenge” program in 2015 in honor of Jason. This is a very unique wilderness hiking, adventure, leadership and mentoring program which focuses on teenage students who suffer from mental disorders and/or drug addictions, and also serves kids struggling with other personal problems for reasons beyond their control, including instances of parental abuse or neglect, placement in foster homes, and similar obstacles and challenges in their lives. The foundation provides backpacks, hiking boots, raincoats, and all other costs associated with the program.  / Read more…

May 17, 2019 If anyone ever doubted the High Country’s compassion for its fellowman, those thoughts will be dispelled once again as the community comes out in force to remember heroes and to support its neighbors in need.It happens May 17-18, during the Seventh Annual Hunter’s Heroes Community Dinner and Memorial Run, a combined weekend event that serves as a stark reminder of why we care and why we do the things we do around here.It all started when The High Country was shattered by the July 26, 2012 death of Deputy Sheriff William Mast, Jr., and the circumstances that surrounded the tragedy for all involved. However, thanks to the caring community that we are — and one that sticks together in good times and bad — a bright light was illuminated through a memorial event the following year which continues to grow brighter every year.Hunter’s Heroes, an event named for Mast’s son, who was born 17 days after his father’s death, will once again bring the community together as one in an effort to not only remember a fallen hero, but to help others in their time of need. By Sherrie Norris / Read more…

May 17, 2019 Northwestern Studios will present two family-friendly dance productions next weekend. “Just Dance!” will be presented on Friday, May 17th at 6:00pm & Saturday, May 18th at 2:00pm. “The Sun and The Moon: A Children’s Comedic Ballet” will be performed on Saturday, May 18th at 6:00 pm and Sunday, May 18th at 2:00pm. All performances are at Watauga High School’s Ross Auditorium.“Just Dance!” is a lively show blending many different styles of dance.The dancers have worked all year learning various elements within each dance style and now get to share what they have learned. The audience will be delighted by the upbeat tap, contemporary, and hip-hop dances, along with performances by the award- winning Northwestern Starz Competition Team. Come support the dancers in the hard work!  / Read more…

May 15, 2019  In keeping with the CAF’s goal of celebrating the U.S. Air Force’s rich history, the AirPower History Tour offers the people of the Tri-City area the opportunity to experience World War II-era aviation at Tri-Cities Aviation in Blountville May 29 to June 2. Admission to the ramp is free for children under ten years old ($8 for youth, $15 for adults) and will allow visitors to purchase rides and tour the cockpits of the bombers FIFI (a Boeing B-29 Superfortress) and Diamond Lil (a Consolidated B-24 Liberator) when they aren’t in the air. In addition to the two bombers, the C-45 Expeditor and the PT-13 Stearman  and other aircraft will also be available for rides Wednesday through Sunday. While the supporting aircraft will be offering rides all five days, the B-29 and the B-24 will only be flying on the mornings of Saturday and Sunday. By Tzar Wilkerson / Read more…

May 15, 2019 Rick Baker, who grew up in the Banner Elk Community of Avery County and was a multi-sport, standout athlete at Avery County High School in the 1980s, has been named Director of Athletics at Mars Hill University. The appointment was officially announced by the school on May 8th.Mars Hill University is located in Mars Hill, NC, and is a National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Division II school that is part of the South Atlantic Conference (SAC). Baker previously served as Mars Hill’s longtime sports information director and assistant athletics director. He had served as the school’s interim athletics director for several months and will assume the director’s duties on a permanent basis June 1st. By Tim Gardner / Read more…

May 15, 2019 The recent cold front should be coming to an end after today. The low temperatures that we’ve experienced this week will be gradually warming up as we approach the weekend, with highs in the 70s Thursday through Sunday. According to Ray’s Weather Center, “It’s safe to say we won’t experience a morning this cool again until October.”The low temperature in Boone dipped down to 45 degrees on Monday and 43 degrees on Tuesday. Wednesday morning offered up the coldest low temperature of 35.7 degrees, the lowest temperature since April 15 when Boone residents woke up to 35.4 degrees. In Blowing Rock, the lowest temperature reported was 39 degrees on Tuesday morning. It was 43 degrees on Monday morning and 44 degrees on Wednesday morning.At higher elevations, temperatures were even chillier the past three days. On top of Snake Mountain, the low temperature reached 34.3 degrees on Tuesday. At both Beech Mountain and Sugar Mountain, the morning temperatures on Tuesday nearly reached freezing at 33.2 degrees. By Tzar Wilkerson / Read more…

May 15, 2019. Looking to stay up-to-date on what’s happening in your neighborhood? Want to keep an eye on criminal activity in your area? Take a look at these recent incident and arrest reports from the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office and the Boone Police Department. Read more…
Compiled by Nathan Ham

May 15, 2019  The Three Forks Baptist Association’s executive council held an emergency meeting on Tuesday to accept Garland Honeycutt’s resignation. Honeycutt has served as the TBFA’s Executive Associational Missionary since his election on May 1, 2017. Under his guidance, the TFBA had pursued goals of unity and revitalization in the 35 churches in their association. According to a statement from the TBFA, “Garland’s resignation comes after the leadership of the Three Forks Baptist Association and Avery Baptist Association learned of personal and moral failure during his tenure as our executive associational missionary.” Garland has also served for five years as the Director of Missions with the Avery Baptist Association’s 23 Southern Baptist Churches. By Tzar Wilkerson / Read more…

May 15, 2019 The palpable excitement of Appalachian State University’s Class of 2019 — nearly 4,000 students — was evident throughout Friday and Saturday’s commencement exercises. Graduates — including a student veteran, two App State Online students, a bilingual special education major and an aspiring doctor who is an advocate for rural health care — addressed crowds that in turn shared cheers, tears, hugs and laughter. During six commencement ceremonies, approximately 525 graduate students and 3,293 undergraduates decked in black and gold regalia crossed the platforms in the university’s Holmes Convocation Center and Rosen Concert Hall to receive their degrees, turning their tassels toward their future. By Jessica Stump / Read more…

May 15, 2019  Home sales in the NC High Country remained strong in April and outpaced activity a year ago, according to the latest real estate report by the High Country Association of Realtors.Just over half of the sales activity was in Watauga County, which is seeing a rising trend in sold prices. Local Realtors sold 173 homes worth $51.5 million in April, according to the High Country Multiple Listing Service (MLS). It records all Realtor activity in Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, and Watauga counties.Through the first four months of the year, local Realtors sold 649 homes worth $193.75 million. That’s an increase of 4 percent from this time last year (629 homes sold worth $163.13 million) and up 22 percent from 2017 (533 homes worth $137 million). / Read more…

May 15, 2019 Less than a year after an area mineral processing plant illegally discharged hydrofluoric acid into the North Toe River, the facility, along with five other nearby mining facilities, are up for discharge permit renewals from the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Resources. Approximately one hundred concerned citizens, elected officials and representatives from the local mining industry and the Division of Water Resources filled the Mitchell County Senior Center in Ledger May 2, for a public hearing about those draft National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System wastewater permits for the mining facilities in Avery and Mitchell counties. By Tim Gardner / Read more…

May 15, 2019. May is National Egg Month, a celebration of the incredible, edible little oval food staple without which few cooks could make it through the day.According to the American Egg Board, which is the US egg producer’s link to the consumer in communicating the value of the egg, it really is good for us, despite the contrary cholesterol-related data we’ve heard and read about in recent years. Studies now indicate that it’s really OK to eat eggs, without the worry of negative side effects. Those of us aiming for the low-carb, high protein way of life love this tidbit of information.Also, the AEB tells us, eggs age more in one day at room temperature than in one week in the fridge, and that white-shelled eggs are produced by hens with white feathers and earlobes, while brown shelled eggs come from hens with red feathers and red ear lobes.Referred to by some old-timers as “hen fruit,” the egg is one of the most utilized kitchen staples. Currently, according to the egg board, each of the roughly 280 million laying birds in the U.S. produces from 250 to 300 eggs a year. In total, the U.S. produces about 75 billion eggs a year, about 10 percent of the world supply. Each year, about 60 percent of the eggs produced are used by consumers, about 9 percent are used by the foodservice industry and the rest are turned into egg products which are used mostly by foodservice operators to make the meals we eat in restaurants and by food manufacturers to make foods like mayonnaise and cake mixes. Using highly sophisticated technology, egg producers have kept prices low. While other food costs have skyrocketed, eggs continue to be one of nature’s best bargains among high-quality protein foodsWe are also told that it takes a hen 24-26 hours to “lay” an egg, from start to finish — and 30 minutes later, she starts all over again! Without the egg, we would never know the joys of omelets, soufflés or quiche, and it’s one of those things, so versatile in nature that it can be fried, scrambled, poached, baked, boiled and consumed in many different ways. Hope you enjoy a few of our ideas. / Read more…

May 14, 2019. The following are recent obituary notices from Austin and Barnes and Hampton funeral homes in Boone and Reins-Sturdivant in Newland. / Read more…

May 14, 2019  Avery County 4-H Youth Development is back for our 19th year of offering school-age youth, quality summer services where they can learn-by-doing and gain the knowledge and skills they need to be responsible, productive citizens. 4-H Summer WOW, (Wonderful Opportunities Waiting), offers parent/guardians and youth a fun, safe, inclusive environment paired with caring adults and researched based resources! 4-H WOW offers many fun, educational activities that develop life skills and are centered on the 4-Hs’: Head to clearing thinking, Hearts to greater loyalty, Hands to larger service and Health to better living for club, community, country and world. 4-H also focuses on three essential elements of positive youth development: belonging, generosity, and independence. 4-H Summer WOW is offering a wide variety of hands-on activities and field trips for youth ages 5 to 13. / Read more…

What’s going on in your community? Here’s a brief update on the emails we received today. Check back each day for an updated list of events going on in the area. As always, please feel free to email us about your event or update.

What’s Happening This Week at Lost Province Brewing

BE Artists Gallery Third Thursday Social Happening May 16

Sound Traveler Opens St. Mary’s Concert Season on May 19

Haute Route Delivering International Cycling Event and Economic Boost to Asheville 

N.C. Cooperative Extension’s Market Gardening Workshop Scheduled for May 28

Foxx Announces 2019 Teacher in Congress Internship; Foxx Awarded For Conservative Excellence

Read more…
Compiled by Nathan Ham

May 14, 2019  From guitars, ukuleles, mandolins, and fiddles to banjos, harps, cellos, and dulcimers, Burnsville NC’s upcoming Luthier Invitational promises to present a variety of instruments of expert craft, as well as some masterful playing. Held at the Burnsville Town Center, tickets to the Invitational are $10 at the door, or $15 for both days. On May 25th-26th, participants can attend workshops by 30 of the finest luthiers from all over the country, with topics ranging from guitar maintenance to an introduction to the ukulele (individual workshop registrations range from $10 to $25). The Invitational begins on Saturday at 9am and lasts until 4:30pm, then on Sunday from 10am until the it comes to a close at 3:30pm. By Tzar Wilkerson / Read more…

May 14, 2019  I should start off by saying that I’m not a fan of “Pokémon.” I have never found the game or its creatures to be cute, funny, interesting, or worthwhile. Except for Squirtle the Turtle, who I just “get” because of my love of turtles. But I feel that it’s important for you to know that this review is not coming from a place of fandom. If you or someone in your family is indeed a fan of Pokémon, they will probably like this movie more than I did. I’ve been told that many people who don’t like Pokémon do in fact like this movie (it’s currently sitting at a 63% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, making it the best-reviewed video game adaptation of all time), but I am not one of them. By Bob Garver. / Read more…

May 14, 2019 Coming this May 17th-19th, the area’s High Country Wine Trail will be introducing their first-ever Wine Trail Scavenger Hunt event. Participants will buy a ticket good for one free tasting (if they can solve the riddle) at each of the four wineries, Banner Elk Winery, Grandfather Vineyard and Winery, Linville Falls Winery, and Watauga Lake Winery. Those who complete the scavenger hunt will receive a stemless wine glass with an exclusive High Country Wine Trail design. They will also be entered into a drawing to win the grand prize of a $20 gift certificate to each winery, an $80 value. / Read more…

May 13, 2019 Oasis celebrates 41 years of service to the High Country and its victims of domestic abuse this year. The non-profit organization has served survivors of domestic and sexual violence in Watauga and Avery County since 1978. The celebration will be combined with the 16th annual Midnight at the Oasis fundraiser this Friday, May 17. The 16th Midnight at the Oasis will be held from 7-11 p.m. at the Meadowbrook Inn & Suites in Blowing Rock. As usual, the event will feature live music, heavy hors d’oeuvres with Middle Eastern themed food and a cash bar. Capture your favorite moments with friends in a photo-booth throughout the evening. Guests will also have the opportunity to hear success stories from survivors here in the High Country. By Hailey Blevins / Read more…

May 13, 2019 The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation has named Courtney Lane its new director of development. Lane, whose duties include managing the engagement of donors and supporters of Grandfather Mountain, comes from the Crossnore School & Children’s Home in nearby Crossnore, where she served in advancement for nearly four years. The Crossnore School is a nonprofit residential foster care home for North Carolina children in crisis, and Lane was able to assist in fundraising efforts to help improve the lives of its residents. “I loved working with the kids, and the school’s mission is amazing,” Lane said. “It was also amazing to see how generous and kind people can be in their support and giving.” In joining Grandfather Mountain, Lane is taking her career in philanthropy to new heights — literally. / Read more…

May 13, 2019 May is Older Americans Month and the perfect time for local seniors to not only be recognized, but to become more familiar with organizations and services available to them in their communities.A great opportunity for seniors in the High Country to do just that, as well as to meet and greet their peers and advocates, will be at the 17th Annual Adult Services Expo at Boone Mall on Friday, May 17 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free and open to the public, the event attracts hundreds of individuals and dozens of agency/organization representatives each year.Hosted annually by the Adult Services Coalition of Watauga County — which includes a number of local agencies such as Area Agency on Aging, Watauga County Department of Social Services and Project on Aging — the purpose of the expo is to increase awareness about available services by showcasing agencies that provide the services. It also helps to identify needed, but currently unavailable services, and provides networking opportunities among agencies and citizens in the community By Sherrie Norris / Read more…

May 13, 2019 The Lees-McRae College softball team saw its memorable 2019 season come to an end Friday afternoon in Dahlonega, Georgia. The Bobcats did pick up their first-ever NCAA Tournament win as they knocked off Coker College, 1-0, in nine innings before falling to No. 5 North Georgia by a score of 3-2 in 12 innings to end their season. Lees-McRae finishes 2019 with a record of 22-19. The Bobcats are scheduled to return the bulk of this season’s team for 2020. Lees-McRae will lose key seniors in Cunningham, Cassidy and Emily Merriam to graduation but figure to bring back 18 players from this season’s team. / Read more…

May 12, 2019 Letters to the Editor. BY DAN PHILLIPS / Dear Editor, It’s always fascinating to see what kind of information will sneak out from under a rock.There is a Rumor circulating in Town concerning the Blowing Rock Civic Association. It is FAKE NEWS!The BRCA has not had its Computer Server, (located in George and Betsy’s Garage) hacked by the Russians. NO COLLUSION, NO OBSTRUCTION!!! The thoughts I will share, come from Serving a 4-year sentence on the Town Council, as well as being a merchant and homeowner. Read more…

May 10, 2019 The third annual Ramp Festival at the Old Hampton Store Barbeque & Tavern in Linville will offer a fun day of music, food and drinks from 12 p.m. until 9 p.m. The festival will feature lots of North Carolina foods as well as ramp-flavored food dishes for your enjoyment. In addition to the food and drinks available, there will be numerous craftsmen and artists demonstrating their talents including a blacksmith, potter and wood turner. Food dishes will be available all day as well as craft beers and cocktails to celebrate what will hopefully be a nice weather day. Right now a few showers and thunderstorms are popping up on the weather forecast, however, there should be a good mix of dry weather and sunshine as well throughout the afternoon and evening. Ramp festivals have always been popular in the High Country celebrating the native leafy green plant. As old folklore tales have it, ramps were always the first vegetable of the spring. Ramps have an onion taste to them with a mix of garlic aroma. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

May 10, 2019 Carolina West Wireless, the premier wireless carrier in western North Carolina, announced it has signed a multi-year network modernization deal with Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC).Under the agreement, Ericsson will provide Carolina West Wireless with its Ericsson Fast VoLTE Launch solution building on IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) to enable the carrier to offer HD voice over LTE (VoLTE), Wi-Fi calling, and future-enriched communication services on different devices across LTE, Wi-Fi and future 5G access. The agreement also includes a plan designed for the densification, expansion and upgrade of Carolina West Wireless’ network whereby Ericsson will provide 3GPP standards-based 5G New Radio (NR) hardware and software capabilities to allow Carolina West Wireless to deploy 5G when ready. Slayton Stewart, Chief Executive Officer of Carolina West Wireless, says: “Ericsson has a field-proven VoLTE solution, and we’re making the investments today that will help us evolve our networks tomorrow. Ericsson has been a long-standing partner of ours, and their end-to-end 5G-ready solution offerings allow us to provide our customers with the most advanced technology.”  / Read more…

May 10, 2019 Valle Crucis teacher Mitchell Wright was named Watauga County Schools district-wide Teacher of the Year in surprise ceremony held Friday morning at the school. Wright was presented the award by Superintendent Dr. Scott Elliott, Wright’s family, school board members and North Carolina Teacher of the Year Freebird Mckinney. Each year, Watauga County Schools celebrates its Teacher of the Year winner with a surprise ceremony. Wright was presented his award in front of the school’s students and staff who were assembled in the gym. Valle Crucis Principal Preston Clarke said Wright had a great impact on the students and staff at his school. “One of the most important things a school principal can do is to hire good quality teachers,” Clarke said. “There is almost nothing else that has a greater impact on the culture and quality of a school. I can say for sure that hiring Mitchell Wright is one of the best things I’ve done for Valle Crucis in my time here.”  / Read more…

May 9, 2019 Blue Ridge Conservancy (BRC) will host the 19th annual Gamekeeper Auction on Wednesday, June 5 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Barn on the New River, a new event venue in West Jefferson, NC. The Gamekeeper Auction celebrates local businesses and community. Ken and Wendy Gordon of The Gamekeeper will prepare dinner complemented with various beer and wine served.  Local breweries include Appalachian Mountain Brewery, Blowing Rock Brewing, Boondocks Brewing Co., Booneshine Brewing Co., Lost Province Brewing Co., and Molley Chomper Hard Cidery. “BRC is excited to host another Gamekeeper Auction with some great new upgrades, including a plated dinner and a much bigger and scenic venue,” said Nikki Robinson, BRC’s Communications and Outreach Associate. “The essence of the event will be the same. We invite everyone interested in conservation to join us and raise money for the protection of our natural resources.”  / Read more…

May 9, 2019 The 27th annual “Stamp Out Hunger” food drive, sponsored by the National Association of Letter Carriers, is set for Saturday, May 11, and is expected to once again have a huge impact in the High Country. Considered the largest one-day event of its kind in the nation, more than 10,000 communities and cities across the country will participate in the food collection effort, in conjunction with Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger relief organization. Always held on the second Saturday of May each year, it’s possibly the easiest way ever to help our neighbors who are dealing with food insecurity. And, yes, all food collected in the High Country area will stay in the community. “This is a huge thing for us and the families we serve,” said Elizabeth Young, executive director of the Hunger and Health Coalition in Boone, where the majority of local donations are delivered. By Sherrie Norris / Read more…

May 9, 2019 A senior member of the North Carolina Department of Commerce and one of the State’s premier economic development experts round out the agenda for Vision Northwest North Carolina. The one-day summit will highlight local trends in the economic, workforce, and talent development is set for May 22nd at Appalachian State University’s Leon Levine Hall in Boone, North Carolina. Delivering the afternoon keynote address is George Sherrill, Chief of Staff of the North Carolina Department of Commerce. He is a 41-year career state employee, serving many roles during his service, including more than 30 years in various management capacities with the Department’s Community Development Block Grant Program, most recently as its Director. Earlier in his career, Sherrill worked as a grant manager for the N.C. Division of Air Quality and in the Governor’s Office of Intergovernmental Relations. / Read more…

May 9, 2019 Letters to the Editor. BY WILLIAM H. CARTER / Dear Editor, A 40 room hotel with restaurant and bar has been proposed for downtown Blowing Rock by a Charlotte developer who previously has developed a Ramada Inn in Dickinson, North Dakota. The proposed hotel, if approved by Blowing Rock Council, will be located on a less than one acre property back of the Speckled Trout restaurant. This is a major decision for Blowing Rock. We urge all interested Blowing Rock citizens to attend next Tuesday’s important council meeting starting at 6:00 P.M. at Town Hall. A hearing on this major matter will resume at Tuesday’s meeting. Any citizen can speak at this hearing after which council will vote to approve or deny the request for a permit for this development. Read more…

May 9, 2019 Watauga High School was filled with expectancy on Saturday morning, May 4, as nearly 600 individuals came together for the Third Annual State of the Child, State of the Community Forum. From the morning’s guest speaker — through multiple breakout sessions and classes offered on various topics — to the final speaker of the day, expectations were not only met, but easily surpassed. Making a lasting impact on the crowd was the strength and courage of two local women who shared their stories of how their early lives were filled with pain and suffering — and how they’ve been able to not only overcome, but to also survive and thrive. It was all about trauma and resiliency, the core of the conference, and how they bridged the gap from one to the other. Even more so, it answered loud and clear the question in the event’s theme: “What’s Strong in You?”. By Sherrie Norris / Read more…

May 8, 2019. Looking to stay up-to-date on what’s happening in your neighborhood? Want to keep an eye on criminal activity in your area? Take a look at these recent incident and arrest reports from the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office and the Boone Police Department. Read more…
Compiled by Nathan Ham

May 8, 2019 On Tuesday night, the Boone Town Council voted by a 3-2 margin to shoot down the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Highway 105 Superstreet proposal. Mayor Pro Tem Loretta Clawson, Councilman Sam Furgiuele and Councilman Marshall Ashcraft voted against the superstreet proposal while Connie Ulmer and Lynne Mason voted their support for the project. On Wednesday morning, NCDOT board member Cullie Tarleton told the High Country Press that the NCDOT would respect the decision of the town council and move on from any current plans to change Highway 105. “While we respect the vote of council, I’m disappointed for the citizens of Boone that the project is not going to go forward. It has been a safety issue and that’s what it has been about all along,” Tarleton said. “As far as the DOT is concerned, the revised plan that we gave council is what we are proposing, they have turned that down and the project will not be going forward.” By Nathan Ham / Read more…