High Country Communities Unite to Support Small Business Recovery

March 14, 2025 The Watauga County Commissioners, Beech Mountain Town Council, Blowing Rock Town Council, and Boone Town Council have each passed resolutions advocating for continued financial and technical assistance for small businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene. This collective action sends a strong message about the importance of supporting the long-term recovery of our region’s business community. By formally appealing to the United States Congress and the North Carolina General Assembly, these local governments have taken an important step in ensuring that businesses have access to the resources they need to rebuild and thrive.

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Town of Boone Notices

March 14, 2025 If anyone wishes to have an agenda item considered by the Boone Town Council at one of their upcoming regular meetings scheduled for Wednesday, April 9, 2025, and Wednesday, April 23, 2025, it must be submitted to the Town Clerk by Friday, March 28, 2025, at 5 p.m. AND The Town of Boone is currently soliciting applications from people who would like to serve on the following boards

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Avery County Woman Will Use $466,415 Win to Help People Affected by Helene

March 13, 2025 Tracy Bell of Banner Elk wants to give back to her community after she won a $466,415 jackpot playing a digital instant game. “Everyone around here has been through a lot lately,” she said. “I want to help some friends who lost a lot in the storm.” Bell played a $10 ticket on Sunday and won the top level ‘Epic jackpot’ in the Wheel of Bonuses game, a digital instant game featuring a progressive jackpot that can be won at any time. The odds of that win are 1 in 3.1 million. “It was pretty amazing,” she said.

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Infomation on Becoming a Sports Official in the High Country Coming April 10th

March 13, 2025 My name is Stephen Poulos, retired Director Watauga County Parks & Recreation.  I have been calling NC High School football since 1994 and am still the District Director for Tar Heel Leagues, Inc youth baseball/softball. I have been involved in officiating all sports and levels. Parks & Recreation NCHSAA, etc.  Have lots of contacts in our area if you are on this email. We have a FREE information opportunity, see attached on April 10th, 5:30 – 7 pm at the Watauga Community Recreation Center 231 Complex Drive, Boone.  Several local college and high school officials will be onsite to answer questions and offer assistance.  No matter the sport, no matter the level they wish to work.

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“Dollar Days” Set to Begin April 1 at Grandfather Mountain

March 13, 2025 Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, will open its gates to High Country residents, employees, college students and their guests for only $5 each during the month of April, as the park’s “Dollar Days” promotion returns in time for spring. The promotion allows anyone who lives or works in Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Burke (added this year), Caldwell (added in 2024), Mitchell, Watauga or Wilkes counties — along with their guests traveling in the same vehicle — to visit at the discounted rate (per person).

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Springtime Fun at Grandfather Mountain

March 13, 2025 Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, is gearing up for springtime, with daily programs, special experiences, a slate of events — including new happenings! — and beautiful blooms all ahead. “We are especially excited for spring this year,” said Jesse Pope, president and executive director of the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. “With our area ready to welcome visitors after Hurricane Helene and greatly needing the economic boost tourists provide, we are eagerly anticipating a return to a busier season on the mountain.” Check out these fun ways to explore, understand and value the wonders of Grandfather Mountain in the spring season.

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Blowing Rock Trout Derby Postponed to Saturday, May 3

March 12, 2025 Due to challenges resulting from Hurricane Helene, the 2025 Blowing Rock Trout Derby has been rescheduled to Saturday, May 3. The event, originally slated for April 5, has been postponed to align with the delivery of fish that are being stocked for the event. This delay, in tandem with a shift to Catch and Release-only participation, is also intended to allow some additional recovery for local trout populations following hurricane flooding in September.

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Sherrie Norris Lovin’ Spoonful Cooking Column: Going Green Amid the Shenanigans


March 12, 2025 Another fun observance is upon us and it’s something we’ve celebrated for centuries, whether we know its origin, or not. St. Patrick’s Day honors the memory of Ireland’s patron saint for which the day is named. And, what was originally intended as a religious observance has, through time, become a fun, if not rousing secular celebration of Irish heritage. Wearing of the green as part of the tradition of Irish culture is accompanied by festive music, parades in larger cities, along with shamrocks (which St. Patrick used to illustrate the Holy Trinity to the Irish) and lucky leprechauns, too. Those little men in green clothing, and with a love for treasures, are credited with standing guard over the gold at the end of rainbows. Their “escape” from having their gold discovered has always been a huge part of the celebration, especially for the young at heart. And, did we mention that the day is all about food and drink? Well, of course, it is. And, we’re here to help. Corned beef, cabbage, meat pies, soda bread and ale are among the more traditional items on the menu for St. Paddy’s Day, but in modern times, anything green is acceptable and part of the fun. So here we go as we try to toss a little luck your way By Sherrie Norris

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Tweetsie Railroad Opens for the 2025 Season on April 5

March 12, 2025 Tweetsie Railroad is gearing up to welcome families back for another season of Wild West Family Fun. The park opens on April 5, and families looking to make the most of their visits can save $10 on a Golden Rail season pass if purchased by March 31. “For generations, Tweetsie Railroad has been a place where families come to connect, explore, and make lifelong memories,” said Chris Robbins, president of Tweetsie Railroad. “Whether it’s a child experiencing their first train ride, parents reliving their own childhood visits, or grandparents sharing the joy with their grandchildren, no one is left out of the fun. We’re excited to welcome everyone back for another season of adventure.”

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Gallop for Good: Spirit Ride Kentucky Derby-Themed Fundraiser Tickets go on Sale March 10th – Don’t Miss Out!

March 12, 2025 Spirit Ride Therapeutic Riding Center is excited to announce its Fundraising Derby, taking place on May 3rd, 2025 at the beautiful Broyhill Equestrian Preserve in Blowing Rock. This lively event will support Spirit Ride’s mission of providing equine-assisted learning opportunities for children with a wide array of diagnoses—at no cost to families. Public ticket sales begin March 10th, 2025, with proceeds directly funding Spirit Ride’s essential operating costs. The goal? To raise $25,000 to ensure children continue to learn, grow, and strive toward becoming their ideal selves through equine-assisted services.

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Darren Nicholson & Shawn Lane to Perform at The Jones House in Boone on March 15th

March 12, 2025 Acclaimed bluegrass musicians Darren Nicholson and Shawn Lane will take the stage at the Jones House Cultural Center in downtown Boone on Saturday, March 15th, for an evening of world-class acoustic music. Before the concert, the artists will offer a free mandolin workshop at 5:00 PM, providing fans and musicians alike the chance to learn from two of the finest pickers in the genre. The ticketed concert begins at 7:30 PM, offering an intimate, up-close experience with these award-winning musicians.

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LETTERS: The Cost of Popularity

March 12, 2025 Letters to the Editor. By Sandy Sherrill Womble / I extend my gratitude to Council Member Cat Perry for her recent blog shared on social media titled “How to Destroy A Small Town’s Charm”.  Her wise words caution the travails of maintaining a “charming” and historic town while negotiating the bumpy road of development.  In Blowing Rock’s case, there are multiple projects in the pipeline of government approval, so the devil is in the details for these future buildings.  Hopefully leaders can be counted on to hammer out contracts that will uphold Blowing Rock’s high standards. With arguably two of the most important gateway projects navigating through City Approval, Mrs. Perry’s words could not be more prescient. 

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Join Lees-McRae College in Giving Back to the Community Following Hurricane Helene at this Year’s Mountain Day of Service on March 28

March 12, 2025 Each year Lees-McRae College holds Mountain Day of Service, an important annual tradition celebrated since the early days of the college in which students, faculty, and staff leave the classroom and spend the day at volunteer sites throughout the High Country. This year, in the college’s 125th year of operation, Mountain Day of Service is more important than ever, and parents and families, alumni, members of the local community, and friends of Lees-McRae are all invited to join the college in this important day of service on Friday, March 28. 

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Watauga County Economic Development Commission Opens February 2025 Business Snapshot Report

March 12, 2025 In a continued effort to track real-time conditions for local businesses as recovery from the impacts of Hurricane Helene continue, the Watauga County Economic Development Commission has opened its reporting window for its February 2025 Business Snapshot Report. Businesses are encouraged to fill out survey data by using the link below. The survey is open from Tuesday, March 4th at 9:00AM – Monday, March 17that 4:30PM. This month’s survey also contains a short segment related to the recent Presidents holiday weekend sales and customer activity.

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Switzerland Inn Reopens for its 115th Season in the Blue Ridge Mountains

March 12, 2025  Switzerland Inn, an MMI Hotel Group property, announced today its official opening for the 2025 season. With an earlier start to the traditional season, the property proudly welcomes guests and the local community for an extended period following last year’s abbreviated season. Moreover, in a historic move, the hotel will remain open through the end of the year, providing visitors the opportunity to celebrate the holiday season and New Year’s festivities in the serene beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

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WAMY Community Action Invites Volunteers to Join 2025 WAMY Warrior Volunteer Service Days

March 12, 2025 WAMY Community Action is thrilled to announce its 2025 WAMY Warrior Volunteer Service Days, an initiative designed to bring people together for hands-on projects that benefit low-income families in Watauga, Avery, Mitchell and Yancey counties. Whether you’re an individual, a student, or part of a business, faith group, or civic organization, WAMY invites you to lend a hand and make a lasting impact. To prepare volunteers for this exciting opportunity, WAMY is hosting WAMY Warrior Volunteer Orientation Sessions at various locations in April.

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Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation Announces Ambassadors for Blue Ridge Rising Program

March 11, 2025 Asheville, N.C. – The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation is welcoming a slate of community ambassadors to guide the next steps of its Blue Ridge Rising initiative. The group of leaders will help implement strategies to unify gateway communities surrounding the Blue Ridge Parkway for the betterment of the region. Blue Ridge Rising aims to strengthen relationships and foster economic development within the North Carolina and Virginia communities that neighbor the Blue Ridge Parkway, one of the country’s most visited national parks.

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Community Health Report Released for Watauga County from AppHealthCare

March 10, 2025 “AppHealthCare, in collaboration with various agencies and community partners, has released the Community Health Assessment for Watauga County. This report highlights community-identified public health priorities and provides a foundation for work that will take place in the following years. The Community Health Assessment report is published every four years in partnership with the Watauga Compassionate Community Initiative, Appalachian District Board of Health and AppHealthCare, including many other partnerships, individuals and agencies. The Community Health Assessment report follows a data-gathering and evaluation process involving the community to identify and analyze community health needs and assets. After completion, partners collaborate to strategically address the key health priorities and then implement the plan to address the unmet needs.

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Sherrie Norris Lovin’ Spoonful Cooking Column: Chilly Outside, Chili Inside


March 10, 2025 We’re heading toward Spring, but the month of March is always a game- player. A few days of sunshine, followed by thunder, lightning and rain, with snow, ice and ferocious winds close behind, is nothing new. For us folks who have lived in these mountains for more than a little while, we know that this last month of winter is always fickle. We’ve learned to expect the unexpected, regardless of the forecast. And recently, we’ve come to be on guard whatever the weather. Sitting at my desk on this cold, blustery morning, I can hear the wind and I can see the snow twirling around in its midst, as well as the sun trying to peep through the dark clouds. Even before I cleared away our brunch munching, I was already contemplating a pot of savory chili simmering on the stove through the afternoon. What a perfect way to fend off the outside chill. My typical ground beef and bean concoction, with added tomatoes, onions, green peppers, and a lovin’ spoonful of secret spices added in for good measure, always hits the spot. But, I also love variations. And especially chicken chili. So, I began digging through my files and have come up with a few recipes that I hope will get us over the hump. Chili, cornbread and the trimmings. Yum. Yum. And next week, we’ll be cookin’ green. Can you believe that St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner? By Sherrie Norris

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Movie Review: “Mickey 17” Now Playing at Boone Regal

March 10, 2025 “Mickey 17” is the kind of movie where you just have to trust the filmmaker to take you on a ride. Fortunately, it’s a filmmaker who has proven trustworthy with such rides in the past. Six years ago, writer/director Bong Joon-ho released “Parasite,” another movie that didn’t really telegraph its story. Even if people knew about its early stages about an impoverished family taking on jobs as servants of a wealthy family, they probably wouldn’t have been able to guess where the story was going. But enough people trusted Bong enough to see the film, which they overwhelmingly loved. Word of mouth carried the film to a Best Picture Oscar win, even though it was still a tricky movie to summarize because of all the subtleties and tonal shifts. 

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NFIB Jobs Report: Small Business Job Creation Weakens in February

March 7, 2025 RALEIGH  NFIB’s February jobs report found that 38% (seasonally adjusted) of small business owners reported job openings they could not fill in February, up three points from January and the highest reading since August 2024. A seasonally adjusted net 15% of owners plan to create new jobs in the next three months, down three points from January. “Over half of Main Street firms reported hiring or trying to hire in February, but with little success,” said Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg. “Meanwhile, consistent compensation increases continue to put pressure on small business owners as they look for qualified workers to fill their many open positions.”

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The King Street Farmers’ Market Will Host Senior Day on March 15th From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m

March 7, 2025 Come out to the King Street Farmers Market to show appreciation for our local seniors! Our sponsors, Lifestore Bank, will be tabling the market to provide support for this integral part of the community. We are having a giveaway for our oldest farmers market shopper! If you think that you are the oldest shopper at the market, swing by the manager’s booth to enter to win a King Street Market Tote bag and a $20 gift card. Be sure to stay for a presentation at noon by Lifestore Bank on how to avoid phishing scams.

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Regional Community Centers Recognized at WNC Honors Awards

March 6, 2025 The WNC Honors Awards, a program of WNC Communities, is built on a 75-year tradition of recognizing rural community development clubs for their innovative ideas and grassroots solutions. These centers and clubs are the backbone of community cohesion running through our beloved mountains. The culmination of this year’s WNC Honors Program occurred virtually on February 27th with community leaders and volunteers from 15 Western North Carolina counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. These 73 communities received a total of $106,500 in cash awards.

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Finalists Announced for the 9th Annual 4 Under 40 Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, March 26

March 5, 2025 Sixteen members of the High Country community have been selected as category finalists for the 9th-annual Boone Area Chamber of Commerce 4 Under 40 Awards. Winners will be announced at the annual awards ceremony, set for Wednesday, March 26 2025, from 5:30-7:30pm, at the Appalachian Theatre in Boone. This year, 58 nominations were received across four categories: Business Owner, Education Professional, Non-Profit Professional, and Rising Star. Nominees were acknowledged for their business achievements, community and civic involvement, and other related activities.

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