High Country Press

March 20, 2019 It was a total surprise for Jim Cottrell on Tuesday afternoon. Friends, family and ski patrol members and ski instructors gathered at Appalachian Ski Mountain for a surprise party to celebrate Jim’s long and distinguished career in the ski community. Cottrell was the original founder of the French-Swiss Ski College at Appalachian Ski Mountain in 1969 along with retired businessman Jack Lester. The college taught its 1,000,000th skier in 2005. “We’re here to enjoy a fun day with our beloved friend, Jim Cottrell, and share some of his passion and enthusiasm for skiing. We’ve got a room full of people that are joined by their love of Jim and love of skiing,” said Brad Moretz, owner of Appalachian Ski Mountain. Walter Jaeger of the Professional Ski Instructors of America presented Cottrell with an award for his longstanding dedication to and enthusiasm for snow sports education in the southern region. He is just the sixth person to ever receive the award from the PSIA Eastern Division Region 7, which extends from Maryland to Florida. The award started in 2005. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

March 20, 2019. The following are recent obituary notices from Austin and Barnes and Hampton funeral homes in Boone and Reins-Sturdivant in Newland. / Read more…

March 20, 2019 Sugar Mountain Resort will be the last one standing after this weekend. Both Appalachian Ski Mtn. and Beech Mountain will have their final few days of skiing through the end of this weekend before closing for the 2018-19 year. Beech Mountain will officially close for the season on Saturday, March 23 at 5p.m. Tubing and ice skating have already closed for the season. Skiers and snowboarders will receive 25 percent off slope passes, rentals and lessons. Appalachian Ski Mtn. will be closing out the season as they always do with the Meltdown Games. The end of winter celebration will begin on Saturday with the Impossible Box/Rail Contest at 11 a.m., followed by the Cardboard Box Derby at 12:30 p.m., Ski and Snowboard Big Air at 2 p.m. and the Trash Bag Downhill Race at 4 p.m. On Sunday, events pick back up at 11 a.m. with the High Ollie Contest followed by the always-fun Pond Skim and Costume Contest at 1 p.m. and finally the Chinese Downhill at 4 p.m. to cap off the season. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

March 20, 2019 At Tuesday’s meeting of the Watauga County Commissioners, the commissioners in attendance unanimously approved a resolution to support the most recent changes of the Highway 105 Superstreet project that were presented on Thursday by the North Carolina Department of Transportation. Chairman John Welch, Billy Kennedy, Charlie Wallin and Perry Yates voted to support the project changes. Commissioner Larry Turnbow did not attend the meeting due to feeling a bit under the weather according to Welch. The commissioners that spoke about the road project seemed to be in agreement that something needed to be done to improve the traffic flow and safety of Highway 105. “At the hearing, they (NCDOT) did mention that time is of the essence and we’ve already lost six months with the redesign on this and if we don’t support it, that project will be all the way down at the bottom of the list again, which I’m not going to see it in my lifetime,” said Kennedy. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

March 20, 2019 Grandfather Mountain will open its gates to High Country residents, employees and their guests for only $3 each throughout April, as the park’s “Dollar Days” promotion returns in time for spring. Discounted admission aside, April offers mountains of activities on Grandfather, including the return of animal encounters, the seasonal reopening of the Fudge Shop, discounts on behind-the-scenes habitat tours and more naturalist programs. “We’re always excited for Dollar Days, as the mountain seems to spring to life with warm weather, friendly faces and new activities,” said Frank Ruggiero, director of marketing and communications for the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, the nonprofit organization that owns and operates the Linville, N.C., nature park. The Dollar Days promotion allows anyone who lives or works in Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Mitchell, Watauga or Wilkes counties — along with their guests traveling in the same vehicle — to visit at the discounted rate. Students attending a local college or university are also eligible for the discount. / Read more…

March 20, 2019 The Turchin Center for the Visual Arts at Appalachian State University invites the community to a Spring Exhibition Celebration on Friday, April 5, 6-10 p.m. Held in conjunction with the downtown Boone Art Crawl, the public is invited to engage, discover and connect through the arts at the Turchin Center, where the festivities will include costumed dancers and live music in the Main Gallery, refreshments, and a cash bar. During this event, the Turchin Center will celebrate four exhibitions and many of the artists will be on-hand to meet visitors and provide insight into their intriguing work. This event is free and open to the public. / Read more…

March 20, 2019 Prom night is always a time to remember, but few events capture the magic like that of Joy Prom, now in its sixth year in the High Country. Scheduled for Saturday, April 13 from 1 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. at Alliance Bible Fellowship in Boone, Joy Prom is a unique party for a very special population. It is equivalent, on a local level, to a Hollywood event — complete with glamour and glitter, valet parking, the red carpet, flowing gowns, food, flowers, music, dancing, flashing cameras — and more. Special guests — teens and adults with developmental or physical disabilities — are made to feel like shining stars, treated with the dignity and respect they deserve, with a large group of volunteers coming along beside them to make sure it truly is a memorable, stress-free occasion. By Sherrie Norris / Read more…

March 20, 2019. As if we need a reason to eat chocolate, we are in the midst of National Chocolate Week, always the third week in March. It’s not like millions of dollars weren’t spent recently on chocolate hearts and kisses for Valentine’s Day — or that chocolate Easter bunnies will not have their day in the very near future. But, who’s complaining? Yes, we need one special week devoted to chocolate. Let’s not waste another minute. / 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

Lonnie Bedwell at Footsloggers March 23

Banner Elk Chamber of Commerce March 2019 After Hours Event Held at Feeding Avery Families

Toe River Arts’ 13th Annual Blacksmith Exhibition Showcases Metal Work from Acclaimed National Smiths

Banner Elk Chamber of Commerce Easter Eggstravaganza to be Held Saturday, April 13 at 10 a.m.

Our State Parks & Their Family Roots: Chimney Rock & Grandfather Mountain

Grandfather Mountain Hosts Free Environmental Educator Workshops

Tickets On Sale for Third Annual Boone Area Chamber of Commerce 4 Under 40 Luncheon

Upcoming Events at Grandfather Mountain State Park

Read more…
Compiled by Nathan Ham

March 19, 2019 March 20 is a big day on the calendar for those looking forward to warmer weather, and those that look up to the sky at night. Wednesday is the first day of spring and will be the third and final supermoon of 2019. There was a supermoon in both January and February as well, but this one coming up tomorrow will be the final one of 2019. The next supermoon will not occur until February of 2020. Spring will officially arrive at 5:58 p.m. Wednesday evening. The full moon happens at 9:43 p.m. The supermoon gets its name because it is a full moon that also happens to be right around its nearest distance from Earth. That gives the moon the appearance of looking larger and having a brighter color at night. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

March 19, 2019 The Boone Police Department will be holding a special presentation during the town council meeting on Tuesday night at the Boone Town Council Chambers, located at 1500 Blowing Rock Road. The forum will be from 6-8 p.m. and will give residents a chance to hear about information on numerous topics, including ways to be environmentally friendly, enforcement of drug laws, asset forfeiture and community policing. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

March 19, 2019 The superstreet proposal for Highway 105 in Boone has been a popular item of discussion around the High Country since the original draft was revealed in September of 2018. Last Thursday, North Carolina Department of Transportation officials along with county and town staff and elected officials met to discuss potential changes to the original draft. Some of the changes included additional U-turn bulbs and keeping a left turn lane at the intersection of N.C. Highway 105 and the 105 Bypass so drivers do not have to turn right and then make a U-turn to go back towards Boone. One of the biggest changes was keeping Casa Rustica in its current location. The previous draft would have forced the restaurant out of the spot it has called home for decades. “It meant a lot to myself, my family and my staff to know that people cared enough to write letters and do the things they did to help us,” said Rick Pedroni, the owner of Casa Rustica. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

March 19, 2019 Appalachian Regional Healthcare System will host a town hall meeting on Thursday, March 21, 2019 from 6:00-7:30pm in the auditorium at Watauga Medical Center to discuss the impact of closing the coverage gap in North Carolina. The event will be moderated by David Jackson, President of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce (www.boonechamber.com) and will feature Erica Palmer Smith from Care4Carolina (care4carolina.com). Care4Carolina is an organization that seeks to strengthen the economic and social wellbeing of our state by increasing access to affordable, quality healthcare for all North Carolinians. Ms. Palmer Smith will highlight who is currently eligible for Medicaid in our community, who might be served by Medicaid expansion and the economic impact of such an expansion. She will also discuss current legislation that seeks to close the coverage gap. / Read more…

Mar. 19, 2019   “Wonder Park” seems like it was conceived as a writing exercise: come up with the most agreeable premise in the world and then screw it up. This is a movie that dares you – dares you – to dislike it. Go ahead and dislike an animated film largely set in a giant amusement park of the main character’s creation where all the rides are fun and unique. Go ahead and get mad at the supporting cast of cute furry mascots. Go ahead and get mad at the film’s promotion of creativity and its message to cherish the best parts of a relationship with someone who may be gone. All of these elements should make for an excellent family adventure, or at least a passable diversion for the kids. Instead we get a film that squanders one opportunity after another to do so much as entertain. By Bob Garver. / Read more…

March 18, 2019 An award-winning film shot locally by a Watauga County teen will be available for public viewing this coming week. the screening will be held at Hardin Park School on Saturday, March 24 at 6:30 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults and free for children 12 and under. “Doofuses,” a comedy that would appeal to fans of “Napoleon Dynamite” and ‘Hot Rod,” won the Youth Category in the 2018 Boone Film Festival. The story follows two brothers as they try to throw their wheelchair-using friend the best birthday party ever while dealing with the  crushing weight of grief. Elec McCready, now 18, wrote the screenplay when he was 16 and produced and directed it when he was 17. / Read more…

March 18, 2019 Some of the best skiers and snowboarders the High Country has to offer made an appearance at the Daniel Boone Rail Jam on Saturday with over 3,000 fans in attendance. Snow piled up at the Daniel Boone Amphitheater as riders prepared for Saturday evening’s event. Combining the rail jam with the St. Patrick’s Day Parade made Boone the happening place to be this past weekend. “I think the rail jam just continues to increase in participation and they keep taking it to the next level every year,” said Pilar Fotta, the Town of Boone’s Director of Cultural Resources. “This year being the fifth year, I think we had an outstanding rail jam. I can’t say enough positive things about what that event is doing for that venue, what it’s doing for our area and what it is doing for us as a complete event destination.” By Nathan Ham / Read more…

March 18, 2019 In just its second year of existence, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Boone continues to grow in popularity with over 4,000 spectators lining the streets to see one of the 60 floats go through downtown. Pilar Fotta, the director of cultural resources for the Town of Boone said that everything she has heard so far about the parade has been all good news. “I have heard people say how wonderful and creative the floats were and how talented the dancers and the people playing music on the floats were,” she said. “I have heard how festive the whole town felt and heard from a couple businesses that it was just an extremely busy day for them. All around, I’ve heard nothing but positive feedback.” Floats during the parade were judged by a panel of four judges that included Boone Mayor Rennie Brantz, Appalachian State University Chancellor Sheri Everts, Appalachian State football head coach Eli Drinkwitz and U.S. Olympic snowboarder Louie Vito. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

March 18, 2019 Last Friday climate change activists flooded through downtown Boone waving signs and chanting “Climate action! Climate justice!” and “Our lives are not for sale!” They converged on the intersection of Blowing Rock Road and Rivers Street, where they chanted slogans and waved at passing cars. Many of the cars seemed delighted to see the protesters and honked their horns to show their support. Maggie Rumley, an App State student and organizer of the protest said, “today is all about collective action and making our voices loud for what we care about and speaking up for the planet and the people and for our future.” This action brings attention to an issue that has received little notice in the U.S., and it is a sign that public attention might be shifting toward climate change. Last Friday’s protest comes as momentum is building behind local, national, and international climate justice movements.. By Joe Wiswell / Read more…

March 18, 2019 MerleFest, presented by Window World, is proud to announce the 2019 lineup for their beloved Late Night Jam. Sponsored by The Bluegrass Situation and hosted by Chatham County Line, this year’s Late Night Jam will feature Molly Tuttle, Jim Lauderdale, The Brother Brothers, Donna the Buffalo, Presley Barker, Ana Egge, Steve Poltz, and more. The annual homecoming of musicians and music fans returns to the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, April 25-28. A printable MerleFest schedule, as well as a MerleFest smartphone app, are now available to smoothly plan and enjoy your festival experience. / Read more…

March 15, 2019 At Thursday’s meeting between the North Carolina Department of Transportation and officials from the Town of Boone and Watauga County, it appears the project is now up to the town to decide what they want to do with it. Several changes from the NCDOT were presented to town and county officials, including adding a U-turn bulb-out prior to the Blowing Rock Road intersection, a U-turn bulb-out near the Ingles shopping center and a left turn lane from the Highway 105 Bypass onto Highway 105. According to the NCDOT, however, the option of adding a center turn lane from the Blowing Rock Road intersection down to the 105 Bypass intersection is out of the question due to safety concerns. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

March 15, 2019 More dump truck loads of snow showed up on Friday afternoon as preparations continue for this Saturday’s Daniel Boone Rail Jam. Skiers and snowboarders will hit the ramp and put on a show for spectators that will be there watching the riders take on 18 tons of shaved ice. “Things are going very well, the weather is behaving now, we’re starting to get some snow put down. So far so good, everything is rocking and rolling and we’re getting prepped for tomorrow,” said Shauna Godwin, the event coordinator for the Daniel Boone Rail Jam. “We are expecting our snow truck to arrive mid morning or early afternoon and we will put down the rest of the base. It looks like its going to be a really nice competition and we’re really excited about it.” By Nathan Ham / Read more…

March 15, 2019 Appalachian State Director of Athletics Doug Gillin announced Friday that head men’s basketball coach Jim Fox has been released from his contract following his fifth season at the helm of the Mountaineers’ program. “I want to thank Jim and his staff for all they have done for our basketball program,” Gillin said. “Jim inherited a challenging situation, worked hard and has brought in high-character student-athletes. Our vision for basketball is to annually compete for a conference championship and a berth in the NCAA Tournament. We will conduct a national search to find the best leader to accomplish that vision. There is significant opportunity to achieve basketball success here at Appalachian.” / Read more…

March 15, 2019 North Carolina State Senator Deanna Ballard, who represents North Carolina’s 45th District, comprised of Alleghany, Ashe, Surry, Watauga and Wilkes Counties, was recently recognized for her ongoing support of the Christmas Tree Industry. Senator Ballard received the North Carolina Christmas Tree Association’s Outstanding Public Official Award at its 2019 Winter Meeting in February. The North Carolina Christmas Tree Association is headquartered in Boone. Harry Yates, spokesperson for the North Carolina Christmas Tree Association, commented about Senator Ballard: “The North Carolina Christmas Tree Association (NCCTA) values and appreciates Senator Ballard’s attentiveness to our industry’s needs, as well as her participation in our semi-annual meetings and farm visits. She has also participated in special events including Trees for Troops and the White House Tree selection and presentation. She has been very supportive to our industry’s concerns and we recognize her efforts in assisting the Christmas Tree Industry and Agriculture.” By Tim Gardner / Read more…

March 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

March 15, 2019 The High Country Food Hub, a program of Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture is offering a special dinner series this spring that celebrates local food and farmers. This dinner series highlights the unique flavors of High Country agriculture through food and inspiring presentations from local farmers, chefs and food entrepreneurs. Each ticketed dinner will highlight local farms and food entrepreneurs that sell their goods through the High Country Food Hub, Boone’s new online farmers’ market. Each chef will share about the unique meal that they prepared using the local ingredients and the farmers will share about their business, explaining why building a strong local food system is so important and beneficial. / Read more…

March 15, 2019 The field of Democratic and independent contenders for the presidency is becoming increasingly crowded as voters look ahead to the first presidential primary next year. At the same time, North Carolina is poised to retain its status as a battleground state, with Charlotte preparing to host the Republican National Convention in August 2020. With that in mind, the Elon University Poll surveyed N.C. voters to gauge their impressions of 12 men and women who have already launched a bid for the Democratic nomination or are expected to do so in the near future. The poll, conducted between Feb. 20 and March 7, found that former Vice President Joe Biden and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who made a strong bid for the nomination in 2016, are the most recognizable among the group, with 55 percent of voters having a positive impression of Biden and 44 percent of voters having a positive impression of Sanders. Many speculate that Biden could soon announce a plan to run. / Read more…

March 15, 2019 North Carolina’s number of flu-related deaths has reached 135, the state’s Department of Health and Human Services reported Thursday. That’s a huge spike of sixteen deaths since last reported by the High Country Press only a week ago (March 8). A spokesperson from the NCDHHS reported that 85 of the victims (deaths) were age 65 or older; 47 were between the ages of 18 and 65; and 3 were age 17 and under. The agency does not provide details, such as name of the deceased, age, gender or county of residence, to protect the privacy of the families affected. Flu season officially begins on September 30 each year. It peaks in February and March and officially ends on May 18. By Tim Gardner / Read more…

March 14, 2019 Virginia Foxx today announced her intention to seek reelection in 2020 for North Carolina’s 5th Congressional District, which covers much of northwest North Carolina. “To anyone paying attention, it’s become very clear in the first few months of liberal control of the House that the Democrat party has lurched far, far to the left,” Foxx said.  “Our nation is founded on the concepts of individual liberty and personal responsibility.  That’s why I am committed to working to halt the left’s headlong slide into what increasingly looks like socialism.  We cannot afford the out of touch policies peddled by the far-left that will squelch the entrepreneurial, problem-solving, and hard-working ethos that has made the United States the greatest nation in the world. / Read more…

March 14, 2019 Regional home sales for the first two months of the year have been the busiest in a decade, according to the latest monthly report from the High Country Association of Realtors®. Home sales are up 8 percent compared to the start of last year, and up 29 percent compared to the start of 2017. Meanwhile interest rates continued a slow decline through February, and remain below their levels a year ago. In the first two months of the year, area Realtors® sold 287 homes worth $90 million, according to the High Country Multiple Listing Service. It records all Realtor® activity in Alleghany, Ashe, Avery and Watauga counties.  / Read more…

March 14, 2019 Empty Bowls at Watauga High School is gearing up…. So have the potters from the High Country. On March 13th, Potters of the Blue Ridge Sponsored a tea party to celebrate the making and presenting of a collection of Tea Pots made for our Local Empty Bowls event. These Tea pots are in Doe Ridge Pottery Gallery and will be on display until they are moved to Watauga High School to be added to the silent Auction at the Watauga County Empty Bowls event. WHS Empty Bowls takes place March 30th from 4:30-6:00 . All proceeds are given back to our county for “families struggling with food insecurity” / Read more…

March 14, 2019 Monkee’s of Blowing Rock will be the exclusive seller of the Gal Meets Glam collection from Instagram influencer/blogger Julia Engel. Engel turned her social media following into a fashion empire. 14 Monkee’s boutiques will debut the Gal Meets Glam collection on Saturday, March 16th, including Monkee’s of Blowing Rock. The first ten customers to purchase Gal Meets Glam merchandise will receive a free limited-edition GMG scarf. The Gal Meets Glam features jumpsuits and dresses with a decidedly feminine flair. We invite you to join us at the launch party to see what style conscious customers will add to their closets for spring. / Read more…

March 14, 2019 The luck of the Irish returns to Boone on March 16, 2019, for the Town of Boone’s second annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Make plans to come celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Boone; you might even get a chance to see a real leprechaun! The celebration kicks off on March 16, at 2:00 P.M. on King Street in Boone with the parade. The parade begins at the Poplar Grove Extension traveling east on King Street through Boone, concluding at Appalachian State University’s Legends parking lot, located on Hardin Street.  / Read more…

March 14, 2019 Christie Hughes has been appointed as an alderman in the Town of Newland, its officials have announced. Hughes was approved to be an alderman by a 3-1 vote. Aldermen Jamey Johnson, Lauren Turbyfill and Dave Calvert voted in favor of Hughes, while Alderman Kenny Caraway voted against. Hughes will fill the remainder of the term of former alderman Greg Seiz, who stepped down from the post on February 5. That will give the Town five aldermen—its usual number. Hughes’ appointment will become effective at the April 2 Board of Aldermen meeting when she will officially be sworn in. That meeting will start at 6:00 p.m. in the Town Hall, located at 301 Cranberry Street.. By Tim Gardner / Read more…

March 14, 2019 If the enthusiasm displayed during the 2019 Watauga County Relay For Life kickoff on Tuesday evening is any indication of success, this year’s main event, celebrating 25 years on June 14, will be one to remember. Approximately 50 cancer fighters rallied at Deerfield United Methodist Church fellowship hall in Boone at 6 p.m. on March 12 to wrap up last year’s event and officially begin a new Relay For Life fundraising season in Watauga County. Among those present were returning captains and team members, including former event chairs, several of whom have been involved since Relay for Life began. Current Relay chair Brian Barker welcomed those present, expressed gratitude for their ongoing support of the event and, in turn, offered encouragement and valuable information to each one in their continued efforts. By Sherrie Norris / Read more…

March 13, 2019 The Town of Blowing Rock celebrated its 130th birthday in the Town Hall on Monday with cake, singing Happy Birthday, fellowship, and the 11th annual presentation of markers. Two properties were awarded markers this year. Jim Freeman, Interim Town Manager, shared his thoughts on the anniversary, “It’s always great to be at a birthday party, as y’all know, especially when it’s not your own. But y’all all have a great community here. I’ve been working with the board and with the community at large, and I am really impressed. I’m impressed with what you have here, and I’m impressed with what Blowing Rock has done… You need to be really proud of yourselves, and happy birthday to all of you!” The first marker was awarded to the oldest property for this year, the Craig Cottage/Knitters Rest, which is currently owned by Bunky and Tina Devant. The second marker was awarded to the Miller/Robbins House. By Hailey Blevins / Read more…