BLOWING ROCK, NC — The Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce invites the community to attend the 2026 Spring Home Show presented by Peak Sanitation on Thursday, June 11, at the Blowing Rock School Gym.  The Home Show brings together local businesses and home service professionals from across the High Country, offering attendees the opportunity to connect with experts in building, remodeling, landscaping, roofing, interior design, home maintenance, and more.  The event is free to attend and will feature door prizes, networking opportunities, and inspiration for homeowners planning future projects  Spring Home Show presented by Peak Sanitation  Thursday, June 11, 2026  10 AM – 4 PM  Blowing Rock School Gym  165 Morris St., Blowing Rock, NC  Learn more at LoveBlowingRock.com 

April 28, 2026 The following are recent obituary notices from Austin and Barnes and Hampton funeral homes in Boone and Reins-Sturdivant in Newland

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By Bob Garver             The big problem with “Michael,” the new Michael Jackson biopic, is that it has the approval of the Jackson family. As such, we are going to get a very flattering portrait of possibly the single most controversial personality in the history of the music industry. The scandals that plagued his later years are an unignorable part of his legacy, no matter how much this movie tries to ignore them. Simply put: a movie with this much love for Michael Jackson, made by people who unconditionally love and want to protect Michael Jackson, is not going to be an interesting portrait of Michael Jackson.             The film follows Michael from his youth until 1988 – basically the first 30 years of his life. Growing up in Gary, Indiana, young Michael (Juliano Valdi) was essentially robbed of his childhood by his father Joe (Colman Domingo), who demanded that his musician children pursue fame at the expense of their happiness, and some would argue, sanity. The real Jackson family – so protective of Michael’s image – apparently has no problem with Joe being portrayed as a monster. Valdi does an excellent job singing, dancing, emoting, and overall playing a …

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April 22, 2026 Boone, NC – April 22, 2026 -“We’re thrilled to host this market experience,” said Robin Miller, CEO of the Blowing Rock Chamber. “It’s a great way to support local businesses while creating a fun and welcoming gathering space each week.” 

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[Boone, NC] –  Children’s Council of Watauga County joins Positive Childhood Alliance North Carolina, the State affiliate of Prevent Child Abuse America,  in recognizing Child Abuse Prevention Month 2026. This April, organizations and community members across North Carolina, including nonprofits, government agencies, educators, policymakers, health care providers, faith groups, and businesses, are coming together to highlight the role we all play in supporting families from the start.  “This year’s Child Abuse Prevention Month theme, ‘Positive Childhoods Start With Us,’ reminds us that everyone has a role in creating the conditions children and families need to thrive,” said Sharon Hirsch, President and CEO of Positive Childhood Alliance North Carolina. “When we all work together to strengthen communities and support all families, we build a stronger future for us all.”  Child Abuse Prevention Month is an opportunity for community members to learn more about what it means to create communities where families have what they need so their children can reach their full potential.   The Children’s Council offers a wide range of resources to support families with young children.  Parent education programs like the Incredible Years series strengthen relationships between parents and children and provide caregivers with tools to manage challenging behaviors appropriately, rather than using harsh discipline.  Classes are available for parents …

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  By Bob Garver           Prior to what I will generously call his “new take” on “The Mummy,” director Lee Cronin was best known for 2023’s “Evil Dead Rise.” Original “Evil Dead” director Sam Raimi had a new movie out earlier this year with “Send Help,” and he didn’t put his name in that film’s title. And his name carries real weight, he directed the Tobey Maguire “Spider-Man” trilogy back in the 2000’s. But the guy who directed the fifth “Evil Dead” movie thinks his name belongs in the very title of his next project. At least this way I know who to blame for this movie, so points for “owning it,” I guess.             The film follows the Cannon family: father Charlie (Jack Reynor), mother Larissa (Laia Costa), son Sebastian (initially Dean Allen Williams, later Shylo Molina), and daughter Katie (initially Emily Mitchell, later Natalie Grace). They’re an American family living in Cairo next door to a mean matriarch known as The Magician (Hayat Kamille), who we know from the film’s prologue is the protector and caregiver of a malevolent Egyptian entity. Katie goes missing, and the local police, including young detective Dalia (May Calamawy) are no help.             Eight …

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