High Country Press

November 16, 2018. Appalachian Ski Mountain is all set to officially open for the 2018-19 ski season on Saturday morning, joining Sugar Mountain who decided to open on November 11. Appalachian will open at 9 a.m. tomorrow and the first 100 guests at the ticket window will receive a free ski ticket. With the cold weather and wintry precipitation that rolled through the High Country this week, conditions for snowmaking have been very good and the current plan, according to Appalachian Ski Mountain, is to have six or eight slopes open this weekend. Appalachian will be open on a regular schedule, which means Midnight Blast Nights will also be in effect from opening day forward. / Read more…

November 16, 2018. The Downtown Boone Development Association has a Façade Incentive Grant program that has been in place for many years and has helped improve several downtown buildings. This year the DBDA has received and approved two grants, one for Ransom Pub and another for the Horton Hotel. Ransom was recently given their grant money and when completed the Horton Hotel will receive theirs as well. In April of 2018, Wine to Water applied for a Façade Grant for Ransom Pub and it was approved at the May Downtown Boone Development Association meeting. In September, they received $5000 for the renovations they completed. The Façade Improvement Grant program is a part of the Design Component of the Main Street Four Point Economic Development Implementation plan. These façade grants are an important part of the design plan because they help retain the charm and history of downtown Boone. Ransom has done a beautiful job with the outside of the building as well as the inside. / Read more…

November 16, 2018. December 15 is the final day to sign up for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act Marketplace. If you are not sure if you are covered or would like to know if there might be a better plan that fits you, High Country Community Health is more than happy to help out. Alex Noriega, the Open Enrollment Coordinator with High Country Community Health, is taking appointments for the next month to help people navigate the health insurance marketplace. “Anyone that enrolled last year should contact us and see if there’s something different or more affordable they can buy,” said Noriega. “In general, I have seen people find cheaper plans this year. Most of the plans have lower deductibles and lower max expenses out of pocket.” By Nathan Ham / Read more…

Nov. 16, 2018 I am of the boring opinion that the 1966 animated holiday classic “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” is a work of genius and the 2000 live-action take on the same story is an ugly, mean-spirited abomination. Is it any surprise that the new animated film “Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch” falls somewhere in between? I suppose it might be a mild surprise that it’s not as bad as the 2000 version, given the painful, obnoxious ad campaign for the film (The Grinch threw a sarcastic compliment at “The Emoji Movie,” ha… ha?). But Illumination Animation films are rarely as bad as their Minion-filled ad campaigns, and this film itself doesn’t do much to tarnish The Grinch’s legacy. And the little tarnishing it does do, it makes up for with a few welcome additions. By Bob Garver. / Read more…

Nov. 16, 2018. A look at the recent deed transfers in Watauga County. The information comes courtesy of the Watauga County Register of Deeds. Compiled by Debbie Carter / Read more…

November 16, 2018 Letters to the Editor. BY KAREN CARTER / Dear Editor, Well, the decisions of the past are coming back to haunt Boone town residents and their civic and business organizations.   The decision to allow transient college students to vote in local elections and even run for local offices had some serious repercussions for longtime townspeople as well as rural communities.  Also, local people soon realized that college officials and professors would be vying to run the town, and also, try to influence the entire county, if not run the county, too. Read more…

November 16, 2018. High Country residents woke up to a little snow on the ground and some more cleaning up to do after blustery winds continued through the night bringing down tree limbs and scattering more debris. Several roads had moisture freeze again over night, forcing schools to cancel after initially expecting to operate on a two-hour delay. In Boone, the highest wind gust recorded so far reached 42 MPH at 12:59 a.m. Friday morning. Wind gusts have measured in at 33 MPH in Linville, 26 MPH in Valle Crucis and 19 MPH in Blowing Rock. Windy conditions will continue across the High Country throughout most of the day, although not nearly as strong as overnight Thursday and early Friday morning. Temperatures will remain cold on Friday with high temperatures in the area expecting to stay in the upper 30s or maybe reaching 40 degrees. A wind advisory remains in effect until noon on Friday. / Read more…

November 16, 2018. Blue Ridge Energy crews and over 100 additional line and tree technicians continue battling outages from overnight winds coupled with Thursday’s ice storm that have left nearly 4,000 members without power this morning. Currently without power at 5:30 am Friday are: 2,094 in Ashe County; 1,136 in Alleghany County; 587 in Watauga County; 73 in Wilkes County; and one Alexander County. Overnight winds coupled with Thursday’s ice storm left widespread damage, impacting thousands of Blue Ridge Energy members.  / Read more…

November 16, 2018 WATAUGA SCHOOLS STATEMENT: Due to additional overnight snowfall and a number of snow and ice covered roads across our county as well as power outages and downed trees, there will be no school for students on Friday, November 16th.  It will be an Optional Teacher Workday.  Teachers and staff may report on a two hour delay to ensure safe travels to work. AVERY SCHOOLS STATEMENT: Overnight, Avery County received a fair amount of snow that has covered most roads. Even the main roads are dangerous in spots. This combined with temperatures well into the low twenties has created dangerous travel conditions this morning. Forecasts suggest the weather will improve after lunch today but not early enough to allow our buses to safely run this morning. Due to this, the Avery County Schools will be closed with an optional teacher workday today, Friday, November 16th. Staff members are to report on a regular schedule if safe to do so. Thank you for your patience and understanding.  / Read more…

November 15, 2018. The Watauga Pioneers received the top overall seed in the 3AA West Region, setting up a first round matchup with #16 Ashbrook this Friday night. The Pioneers head into playoff action with an 11-0 overall record and finished a perfect 7-0 in the Northwestern 3A/4A Conference. Offensively, the Pioneers have been tough to stop for any team they have faced so far. Watauga has averaged 350 rushing yards per game and has scored 51 rushing touchdowns in 11 games. Junior Bryce Satterfield led Watauga in rushing during the regular season with 163 carries for 1,090 yards and 14 touchdowns. Fellow junior Jaiden Bond always seemed to find a big play on the ground. He finished with 12 rushing touchdowns and 1,074 yards on just 67 carries, averaging over 16 yards per carry. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

November 15, 2018 The New River Water Intake Project that was supposed to be completed by November 7 still has some work to be done to reach its completion. At the October 18 meeting of the Boone Town Council, W.K. Dickson & Co, Inc., the engineering company for the water intake project, received authorization for up to three months beyond the original completion date to finish up the project. According to the agreement, Harper Corporation, the contractor for the project, will be working at least 60 hours per week through the end of the project to complete everything in the additional three-month extension. The agreement states that the “Not to Exceed” (NTE) cost for the remaining services will be $137,600 to be paid by the Town of Boone. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

November 15, 2018. At the November meeting of the Watauga County Board of Education, the board had five special recognitions for students and faculty. The recognitions included Watauga Education Foundation grant winners, district-wide spelling bee winner Sam Nystrom, Watauga High School Spanish teacher Carmen Scoggins, GEAR UP students and school board member Jason Cornett.  / Read more…

November 15, 2018. The first winter storm of the season has certainly taken its toll on several trees and power lines throughout the High Country. According to an update provided by Blue Ridge Energy on their Facebook page around 3 p.m., crews are attempting to restore power to over 6,000 residents in Blowing Rock and Aho who just recently lost power. The post also says that Blue Ridge Energy has requested an additional 100 line technicians and workers from sister cooperatives and contractors to assist 75 Blue Ridge Energy line technicians and personnel. Things are not much better in Ashe County as the number of people without power has climbed throughout the day, even as the bulk of the precipitation is leaving the area. The Blue Ridge Energy outage map currently shows 3,882 members in Ashe County without power. 1,403 members in Alleghany County are without power and 78 members in Wilkes County are currently without power as of 3:30 p.m.  By Nathan Ham / Read more…

November 15, 2018. Come share the excitement at the Watauga County Farmers’ Market this Saturday from 9 a.m. until noon at Daniel Boone Park, Horn in the West parking lot in Boone. From market manager Michelle Slaton: “There are just two more Saturdays in November. What a wonderful season it has been. And with Saturday promising to be the sunniest and nicest day of the week it is the perfect time to come out and do some early holiday shopping and talk to our vendors about how to order from them through the Winter months. It’s been a wonderful season and we appreciate all our amazing customers and their continued patronage. We need to give a big thank you to Hatchet Coffee for generously donating coffee for sale during the four November market days. All proceeds from coffee sales will benefit the Blue Ridge Conservancy, a local, nonprofit land trust dedicated to conserving land and water resources in Northwestern North Carolina, who will be joining us throughout the month. Come by for a cup of coffee and hear about the good work that these folks are doing right here in our back yard!”  / Read more…

November 15, 2018. The following are recent obituary notices from Austin and Barnes and Hampton funeral homes in Boone and Reins-Sturdivant in Newland. / Read more…

November 15, 2018. In 1988 the term “The Year of The Perfect Christmas Tree” originated in Avery County and became nationally famous. Thirty years later in 2018, the same term has become nationally famous in a different manner, yet in another of the most momentous happenings in the county’s 107-year history. Avery County is the backdrop of the highly-popular “The Year of The Perfect Christmas Tree” children’s book written by local native, the late Gloria Houston. The book is a heart-touching story about a little girl and her mother carrying on in preparation for Christmas while her father is away at war. Since its publication in 1988, the book has become a holiday classic, reaching number one on the New York Times best-seller list with some 3.5 million copies in print. By Tim Gardner / Read more…

November 15, 2018. May 2019 could easily be an eye-opening, life-changing month for hundreds of individuals in the High Country, if Denise Presnell has her way. And, anyone who knows Denise Presnell knows it can happen. The innovative school counselor who heads up the Watauga Compassionate Community Initiative is growing more excited by the day as she and her team plan the upcoming State of the Child, State of the Community Event. Slated for Saturday, May 4, from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Watauga High School, the conference is expanding its size, strength and focus with expected attendance between 500-600 people and double the breakout sessions from last year. Holding the event on a Saturday in a larger, more conducive classroom setting, Presnell said, will allow for more participants, as well as presenters, and will make it more convenient for childcare workers and educators to attend, as well as parents, many of whom will not have to hire substitutes or miss a day’s work to come. By Sherrie Norris / Read more…

November 15, 2018. Appalachian State University women’s basketball (0-2) seeks its first win of the season on Thursday in the home opener against UNCG at 6:30 p.m. in the Holmes Center. App is coming off a tough two-game weekend, as it faced a pair of WNIT opponents from 2017-18 in UAB and Georgia Tech. Following a setback to the Blazers in the season opener, the Black and Gold gave GT fits despite a  71-53 defeat. Appalachian at one point took a 33-32 lead late in the second half and later tied up the game in the third period, 42-42. But the Yellow Jackets turned App State turnovers into transition points to pull away for the win. Pre Stanley and Tierra Wilson led the team in scoring with 13 points. Wilson posted an efficient 4-of-6 shooting from the floor with three trifectas. Bayley Plummer collected a game-high 15 rebounds, which was the ninth time in her career she posted at least 15 off the glass.  / Read more…

November 15, 2018. Temperatures hovered around the freezing mark across the High Country Thursday morning causing widespread icing. Public schools are closed and many businesses are announcing a delay in their opening times today. Ray’s Weather Center is reporting that freezing temperatures could last through the morning hours. The National Weather Service says that slippery road conditions are possible, especially on bridges and secondary roads. And tree damage and power outages are possible. The Blue Ridge Energy Electric Outage Map is showing some power outages across the High Country, more so in Ashe county. / Read more…

November 15, 2018 Due to widespread icing and poor road conditions in the district, Watauga County Schools will be closed for students, teachers and all 10 month employees on Thursday, November 15th.  It will be an Annual Leave Day and this day will be made up later in the school year.  All 11 and 12 month employees may report on a two hour delay to ensure safe travels to work. The Holiday/ Snowday Program at Hardin Park will NOT open today..   / Read more…

November 14, 2018. Tent sales have become a bit of a tradition for the Mast General Store. This time around, the sale has expanded to the National Guard Armory in Boone, located at 274 Hunting Hills Lane. “Basically the reason we decided to do it at the armory is because it’s a little colder now than when we typically have our tent sales so we want everyone to be comfortable and want to have a large area to display our goods in,” said Sheri Moretz, spokesperson for Mast General Store. “The armory presents us with the opportunity to have a wide open space to let things spread out, kind of like a tent sale that has been moved inside.” Employees from the Boone and Valle Crucis locations will staff the sale and there will be areas to try on clothes and make sure you get the right fit with your purchases. Many items will be discounted by as much as 50 and 75 percent off of retail prices on brands that include Lulu-B, Honeyme, Merrell, Sperry, Dansko and many others. Both summer and winter apparel will be available at these discounted prices. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

November 14, 2018. It’s that time of the year where we all reflect on the things we are thankful for. What most consider basic human needs—a roof over our heads, a warm bed to sleep and at least three meals a day—are things many others consider a luxury. In 2017, John Mena, Owner and Master Stylist at Haircut 101 in Boone, started a “Lunch Money for Kids” raffle, offering salon services as the prize to raise money that the children would normally go without. We were able to raise $2,000 last year, and we are hoping to beat that this year! Please join us for our second annual “Lunch Money for Kids” raffle.  / Read more…

November 14, 2018. “Get Lit” is a group of local writers seeking to promote literature and the craft of writing in and around Boone. Through planned community and pop-up events, Get Lit seeks to engage readers, writers and all who love story and language in fostering and developing a thriving literary community. The first event, “PUB-lish,” will be held at the Boone Saloon on Wednesday, Nov. 28. Eight writers and poets will read from their work (about seven minutes per reading) and be available for conversation after. Skip and Kelly, the owners of Boone Saloon, have been promoting literary events since they opened their establishment in 2004, and in 2012 hosted a standing-room-only evening with The Moth, emceed by internationally acclaimed author, Neil Gaiman. / Read more…

November 14, 2018. 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

November 14, 2018 In preparation for the impending winter storm, Avery County Schools are dismissing early on Wednesday. Avery County Schools will dismiss today at 2 p.m. with Newland Elementary dismissing at 1:30 p.m. “Our goal is to get students and staff home safely before the incoming wintry weather arrives,” said a statement released on the Avery County Schools Facebook page.   / Read more…

November 14, 2018. A Winter Storm Warning has been issued for Watauga, Ashe and Avery counties through Thursday afternoon as the first winter storm rolls through the area on Wednesday night and Thursday morning. A wintry mix is expected to begin late this afternoon and this evening. The biggest threat from this storm will be the sleet and ice potential. According to the National Weather Service, sleet accumulations could reach as much as two inches and ice accumulations reaching a half-inch. There may be some snow mixing in with this storm, however ice will be the biggest factor overnight. Wind speeds will also pick up with this storm. Wind gusts between 20-35 MPH could bring down trees and power lines that may be covered in ice. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

November 14, 2018. Appalachian State looks to avoid a major upset and inch closer to playing for the Sun Belt Conference’s East Division Championship this Saturday, November 17, when the Mountaineers host Georgia State. Kickoff in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) battle is set for 2:30 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time) in Boone’s Kidd Brewer Stadium. The game will be televised live on ESPN-Plus and via radio airways on the following affiliates: 97.3 FM (North Wilkesboro) – FLAGSHIP; 96.5 FM/1450 AM (Boone); 1270 AM (Gastonia/Charlotte); 1150 AM (Rock Hill, SC/Charlotte); 101.5 FM/600 AM (Greensboro/Winston-Salem/High Point); 107.7 FM/1450 AM (Hendersonville); and 1350 AM (Asheville). With home games left against Georgia State (2-8 over-all, 1-5 conference) and Troy (8-2 over-all, 6-0-conference) to close the regular season, Appalachian State (7-2 over-all, 5-1 conference) needs victories over both to clinch the East Division title and earn the right to host the first Sun Belt Championship Game on Dec. 1. If Troy beats Texas State this week and then defeats Appalachian State, Troy wins the East outright as the Trojans would have the division’s only final unblemished record. By Tim Gardner / Read more…

November 14, 2018. The Boone-based High Country Caregiver Foundation, and specifically its Relatives as Parents Program, was recognized as one of six finalists for the coveted 2018 Janet Sainer RAPP Award during the annual RAPP National Orientation and Training Conference on October 25-27, held at the Glenpointe Marriott Hotel in Teaneck, New Jersey, just outside of New York City. Sponsored by The Brookdale Foundation Group, the RAPP conference is the only national conference focusing exclusively on the issues faced by grandparents and other relatives who are primary caregivers of children. The Janet Sainer RAPP Award seeks to recognize the creativity, enthusiasm, dedication and commitment of Relatives As Parents Programs by honoring a RAPP that has achieved excellence in the delivery of supportive services to relative caregiver families. / Read more…

November 14, 2018. We certainly have much to be thankful for as we reflect upon our blessings this year and a chance to celebrate our bounty with loved ones in the coming days. Always falling on the fourth Thursday in November, Thanksgiving was first celebrated in 1621. History tells us that Governor William Bradford of Plymouth Colony appointed a day for feasting and for giving thanks for all that had been bestowed upon the colonists. The first Thanksgiving Proclamation was issued by President George Washington in 1789. More and more states soon began to celebrate the holiday, and in 1863, President Abraham Lincoln set the last Thursday of November as the official Thanksgiving Day. Thanksgiving has continued as one of the true American holidays — a time for gatherings among families and friends, and, as we all know, a time for good food. Today, most American cooks feel compelled to showcase their skills centered around the turkey. Accounts of the earliest recorded Thanksgivings include turkey, as well as roast pork, goose, deer, and seafood, as main entrees. Sweet potatoes, homemade stuffing, gravy, Brussels sprouts, green beans, cranberries, pumpkin pie and similar dishes continue to receive honorable mention on the holiday menu in most homes. I have discovered the easiest and most efficient way to prepare a turkey is to place one thawed bird into an appropriate sized purchased baking bag and follow directions. It might be cheating to some, but the results will ease any pangs of guilt. Your turkey will be moist and delicious, I promise. There is no substitute for homemade dressing, or stuffing, as it is often referred to, but I do have a simple, delectable recipe that will make it look like you worked for hours. By Sherrie Norris / Read more…

November 13, 2018 The Town of Blowing Rock is still searching for a full-time town manager, but for the time being, a man with over 30 years of town manager experience has been chosen as interim town manager. Jim Freeman, a graduate of Appalachian State University who spent 33 years as a town manager in different locations across North Carolina, will take over as interim town manager on December 3. Current town manager Ed Evans’ final day will be November 30 after announcing his intention to resign last month. Evans decided to stay on through November to help the town transition to its next manager. By Nathan Ham / 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.

LMC Men’s Volleyball Unveils its 2019 Schedule

What’s Happening This Week at Lost Province Brewing

Small Business Saturday and Alta Vista Gallery Hosting Annual Christmas Open House Saturday November 24

Casting for Hope’s Sixth Annual Winter Music Fest Happening December 15

High Country Soccer Association 2018/19 Indoor Winter Soccer Camp Coming Soon

Bischof is New Superintendent at Mount Mitchell State Park

Read more…
Compiled by Nathan Ham

November 13, 2018. MerleFest, presented by Window World, is proud to announce the initial lineup for MerleFest 2019, which will be held April 25-28. 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. The complete lineup for MerleFest 2019 will be announced over the next few months. Today’s lineup announcement includes Wynonna & The Big Noise, Keb’ Mo’, The Earls of Leicester, Sam Bush, Tyler Childers, Peter Rowan and The Free Mexican Air Force, and many more. The 2019 Late Night Jam on Saturday, April 27th will start at 10:30 p.m. and run well past midnight, hosted by Chatham County Line. This very popular after-hours hootenanny in the Walker Center gathers many performers from the festival for impromptu artistic collaborations and one-of-a-kind superstar jams that have become legendary in the festival’s history. Ticket sales for both the festival and Late Night Jam begin at 10 a.m. EST on Nov. 13th. / Read more…

November 13, 2018. The Hunger and Health Coalition has recently expanded their Backpack Program to include five additional elementary schools in order to help fight childhood hunger in Watauga County. Here in Watauga County, an astounding one in five children do not know where their next meal will come from. Local schools and area non-profits have come together to help ensure that Watauga County students have access to the essential nutrition they need to thrive and learn. Designed as a supplemental nutrition program to protect children against the consequences of hunger, the BackPack Program provides participating children with nutritious meals to take home each weekend during the school year. The menu rotates and always includes two servings of grains, three servings of fruit, two servings of protein, two servings of milk and one serving of vegetables. The program in Watauga County is a collaborative effort of the Hunger and Health Coalition, Watauga County Schools and Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC. “The Backpack Program is a literal lifesaver for our students who may be home alone over the weekend, or need supplemental items to carry them through a weekend with little food in the house” said Hardin Park Social Worker Denise Presnell. “It helps them return to school on Monday with their nutritional needs met and ready to learn.” / Read more…

November 13, 2018 The Black Saturday 5k will be on November 17th, 2018 at 8a.m. Come join Appalachian students and other members of the community to celebrate the 10th annual Black Saturday 5k. Not only are door prizes awarded to lucky participants but there will also be an opportunity to get a t-shirt! The Black Saturday 5k was started to raise money for the James Avant Academic Scholarship Fund. This scholarship goes to Recreation Management students at Appalachian State. For early registration prices, be sure to register before November 14th.  / Read more…

November 12, 2018. The High Country Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (HCCMOAA), Boone Mall and the Watauga Community Band came together on a rainy Monday morning to honor the many veterans in the High Country. Veterans of each branch of the military and from each military conflict were honored for their service and Col. Benjamin Covington III (ret.) spoke before a big crowd inside the Boone Mall. Covington, a graduate from the West Point Academy, commanded two cavalry troops in Germany and Vietnam. He was also one of the co-founders of the High Country Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America. This year’s celebration also commemorated the 100th anniversary of the establishment of Veterans Day and the Armistice that ended World War I. By Nathan Ham / Read more…