High Country Press

Camp Crinkleroot Offers Unique Opportunities for Building Friendships Through Recreation and Creative Activities

March 21, 2023 An upcoming innovative day camp opportunity for youngsters on the Autism Spectrum, or with similar disorders, takes place in Boone for one weekend in the spring and one in the fall. And that spring weekend — much like the ones experienced by youth in the summer — is happening this week. Sponsored by the Appalachian State University Blue Cross NC Institute for Health and Human Services, Camp Crinkleroot is a free action-packed day camp for kids, ages 8-14. By Sherrie Norris

March 21, 2023 The local law enforcement support group known as Back our Blue Watauga is preparing to kick off the month of April as a special time to remind officers, their families and the community as a whole, that we continue to stand behind — and beside — our officers. In an ongoing show of solidarity, Back our Blue is promoting its second annual Burn a Blue Bulb campaign. And, according to group spokesperson, Diane Ford, participants are being encouraged to turn on the blue for the entire month of April, not just for one day, as in the past. By Sherrie Norris

March 20, 2023 In just a few months, High Country Press – Blowing Rock will launch and we are proud to announce that we will be carrying a regional artist, MuchKenz and her cartoon, “BIRB.”

March 20, 2023 BOONE, N.C. — Centerfielder Mary Pierce Barnes went 3-for-3 and App State teammates Taylor Thorp and Ambry Lucas clubbed a pair of doubles on March 18, but it wasn’t near enough firepower to overcome a late innings hitting barrage by Marshall at Sywassink/Lloyd Field. The Thundering Herd won the Sun Belt Conference season opener, 8-0. By David Rogers

March 20, 2023 MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN, CA. — By sweeping the top two places in the Snowboard-Cross event, Lilly Kamp (No. 1) and Nicole Yoos (No. 2) propelled Lees-McRae College to first place in the Alpine Combined women’s team competition on March 9 at the 2023 U.S. Collegiate Ski and Snowboarding Championships hosted by Mammoth Mountain. By David Rogers

March 20, 2023 The office of Watauga County Register of Deeds was recognized on March 16 by the Watauga County American Legion Post 130 for its ongoing service and support of the local veterans organization. During the post’s first Thursday morning coffee social for 2023, spokesman Ralph Earp said there were numerous people who work behind the scenes to help the veterans stay active and informed of services, programs and benefits of which they might not otherwise know. By Sherrie Norris

Movie Review: “Shazam! Fury of the Gods”

March 20, 2023 Whether because of the pandemic, the constant comings-and-goings of the DC Extended Universe, or the first movie from 2019 simply not being that memorable, “Shazam!” seems to have gotten lost in the shuffle. I’m going to be pointing out a number of similarities between this character and Ant-Man from the rival Marvel Cinematic Universe, but a key difference is that fans noticed that Ant-Man was absent from “Avengers: Infinity War” in 2018. They wanted to know where he was and how he was going to tie into the larger story. Has any DCEU fan seen any of the franchise’s output since 2019 and thought, “I wonder where Shazam is in all this”? Sure, the new movie won the weekend box office because of its genre, affiliations, and advertising, but did people go to see it because they actually care about it? Or did they feel that it’s their job to see new tentpole releases, no matter how little they care? I went because I had a “job” of sorts to see it for this column – and sitting through this by-the-numbers superhero dreck turned out to be a “job” unto itself. By Bob Garver

March 20, 2023 BOONE, NC – The Department of Theatre and Dance (T&D) at Appalachian State University proudly presents the 2023 Spring Appalachian Dance Ensemble (SADE). The production takes place in the Valborg Theatre on the university campus at 7 p.m. from Wednesday, March 29 through Saturday, April 1 with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, April 2, 2023. All seats are general admission with ticket prices of $17 for adults, $15 for faculty and staff, and $10 for students. For more information, call the Schaefer Center box office at 800-841-ARTS (2787) or visit the website.

March 20, 2023 BOONE, NC – The Appalachian Theatre of the High Country continues its LIVE @ the APP concerts at the historic venue on King Street in downtown Boone, NC with Liam Purcell & Cane Mill Road headlining its March 24 concert. The event will also feature Highland Reverie as an opener starting at 7:30 p.m. Reserved tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students, plus tax & fees.

March 20, 2023 The unexpected death of longtime local dentist, Robert “Lee” Warren, on Friday, March 17, has saddened the High Country. As his obituary so aptly describes, “The world has lost a true gentleman, renowned dentist, beloved husband and loving father. As news of Warren’s death began to circulate over the weekend, tributes began pouring into the family via phone calls, texts, social media and personal visits. By Sherrie Norris

March 20, 2023 VILAS, NC – The Southeast’s newest food festival, raising awareness of the importance of local farms, is already drawing attention from some of the region’s top culinary minds. Hosted at the 150-year old Shipley Farm in Vilas, tucked away in the hills just a few miles West of Boone, Good Fields will highlight the region’s rich agricultural heritage, with 12 top chefs from across the state drawing from Shipley Farms and other local farm products, Appalachian food and culture and their own inspirations to create their dishes. Good Fields brings together chefs and farmers along with live bluegrass music, local craft beer and wine, vendors, and more.

March 20, 2023 The MANNA FoodBank will host another Community Market on Thursday, April 6th at the Old Rock School Gymnasium in Newland. The gymnasium is located at 185 Shady Street and is adjacent to Newland Elementary School. Anyone or any family struggling financially to afford groceries is not only welcome, but encouraged to go there then to receive free grocery staples, fresh produce and perishable items from the MANNA FoodBank. The Community Market will open at 11:30 a.m. and will remain so until its food items run out. By Tim Gardner

March 20, 2023 The 43rd Blowing Rock Trout Derby is happening on Saturday, April 1. This year there are two ways to participate; the Classic Tournament and the Catch and Release Tournament. Participants do not have to pre-register and there are no entry fees. The Classic Tournament begins at sunrise on April 1, 2023, and ends at 4:00 PM. Trout caught in any public Watauga County body of water on April 1 can be entered for measuring. Catches should be taken to the Official Derby Headquarters by 4:00 PM for measuring. Derby headquarters are located in the Blowing Rock Clubhouse, at 108 Lakeside Drive. By Kris Testori

March 20, 2023 The Appalachian Theatre invites music lovers of all ages to their monthly Cabaret Night on Saturday, March 25 from 8-11 p.m. The venue’s upstairs Community Room is transformed into an upscale karaoke cabaret providing an opportunity for the High Country community to sing their favorite songs from a wide variety of musical eras and genres or simply enjoy the performances of friends, family and neighbors.

March 20, 2023 BOONE, NC — Watauga High School will hold a graduation ceremony for the Class of 2023 at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, June 2 at the Holmes Convocation Center on the campus of Appalachian State University in Boone. The final day of school for the 2022-23 school year will be Thursday, June 1.

March 20, 2023 BOONE, NC – As the final installment in this season’s pilot Local Night @AppTheatre series, co-presented with Joe Shannon’s Mountain Home Music, The King Bees will bring their blues and roots music to the Doc Watson Stage for Americana Music on Thursday, March 23 at 7:00 p.m. at the historic Appalachian Theatre located on King Street in Boone, NC. They’ll be introduced by a set performed by student musicians from Boone J.A.M. Reserved tickets for this concert are $10 for adults and $7 for students.

March 20, 2023 Letters to the Editor. By Sarah Davis / My family has lived in Watauga County for generations, and I have been a full-time resident since 2018. I have recently become more involved with community work through Down Home NC and the Watauga Housing Council. Through this work, I have noticed that the public comment for the County Commission is held near the end of the meeting, after the vote.

March 20, 2023 Gaylord Perry, a professional baseball Hall of Famer, who is considered to be one of the greatest pitchers ever and who for years lived in the Town of Spruce Pine, passed away on Thursday, December 1, 2022 of natural causes. He was 84 years old. By Tim Gardner

March 16, 2023 BOONE — Appalachian State University recently hosted more than 80 of Watauga County Schools’ quickest-solving math students for the annual High Country MathCounts competition. In its eighth year, the contest hosted students from 10 different schools in Watauga and Avery counties.

March 16, 2023 Spring springs next week and the clocks sprang forward this past Sunday. Did you change the battery or batteries in your smoke detector or smoke detectors? If not, stop reading, go grab a ladder and some batteries and change them. You back? OK. Good. A lot of real estate columns and blogs will give you tips and tricks and advice on the best improvements to make to your home to “add value” to your investment. Likely, this column will too, eventually. By Bill Aceto

March 16, 2023. High Country Press Publications is proud to announce a new partnership with Appalachian Theatre of the High Country with the launch of High Country at the Movies (HCATM). HCATM is an online movie review forum through which the community can interact and share thoughts on classic and new cinema.

Sure Signs of Spring — Unpredictable Weather, Branch Lettuce and Ramps

March 16, 2023 If we weren’t confused enough by the recent time change, the weather patterns of spring will do the job! We’re seeing it all this week, and hoping the early blooms, including those on the local apple trees, are not damaged by the frigid temps in the current weather pattern. And, of course, there is concern for strawberries in the foothills and citrus, farther south. I think we feel the angst every year at about this same time, but one thing is for certain, spring officially arrives in just a few days. By Sherrie Norris

March 15, 2023 Whether it be at men’s & women’s basketball games, football games, wrestling matches, or other university events, there is a team of around 18 women who are always present with one goal in mind – to promote spirit and pride, while generating crowd involvement at Appalachian State University. By Harley Nefe

March 15, 2023 The State of North Carolina‘s court case against Thomas Dewey Taylor, Jr. on charges of three counts of attempted murder and one count of possession of a weapon of mass destruction has been continued until July 17, 2023. The 44-year old Taylor, Jr., whose last known home address is 316 Snowshoe Loop, Newland, had a court hearing on March 13, 2023 in Avery County Superior Court. By Tim Gardner

March 15, 2023 The Watauga County Board of Education’s Monday, March 13, meeting was highlighted by the announcement of a new assistant superintendent and an update on the new Valle Crucis School. Dr. Chris Blanton, current principal of Watauga High School, will replace Stephen Martin who is retiring at the end of June. Blanton’s tenure will start on July 1. “I believe he is very well qualified for this role,” superintendent Scott Elliot said. “I have the highest confidence in him. He is extremely accomplished and skilled and understands our culture and process.” By Zack Hill

+ More Articles

Camp Crinkleroot Offers Unique Opportunities for Building Friendships Through Recreation and Creative Activities

Standing Strong Behind Local Law Enforcement: Annual Burn a Blue Bulb Campaign Kicks Off April 1

High Country Press Blowing Rock Announces Partnership with MuchKenz and Her Cartoon BIRB

Mountaineer bats cool off in 8-0 loss to Marshall in Sun Belt opener

Kamp, Yoos lead Lees-McRae to Nationals No. 1; LMC Men finish No. 2

Office Staff of Watauga County Register of Deeds Recognized By American Legion Post 130

Movie Review: “Shazam! Fury of the Gods”

Spring Appalachian Dance Ensemble March 29 – April 2, 2023 New Works Showcase Student and Faculty Choreography

Liam Purcell & Cane Mill Road Homecoming @ the APP Highland Reverie Pairing Makes for a Great Night of Music

Remembering Lee Warren —Community Saddened by Death of Beloved Longtime Dentist

“Good Fields” Appalachian Food & Farms Festival Launching this Summer

MANNA FoodBank Community Market to be held at the Old Rock School Gymnasium in Newland on Thursday, April 6th

43rd Blowing Rock Trout Derby on Saturday, April 1

Cabaret Night @AppTheatre is Back Saturday, March 25th

Watauga High School to Hold Graduation Ceremony June 2

Final Local Night @AppTheatre Concert Features The King Bees with Boone J.A.M.

LETTERS / A Letter to the County Commissioners – Let the Community Speak

Honoring Gaylord Perry: Major League Baseball Hall of Famer

Watauga County Students Compete in Mathcounts competition

High Country Real Estate

High Country Press Publications Presents High Country at the Movies

Sure Signs of Spring — Unpredictable Weather, Branch Lettuce and Ramps

App State Dance Team: Promoting School Spirit with Every Performance

Court Case Against Avery County Man on Attempted Murder and Possession of a Weapon of Mass Destruction Charges Continued Until July 17

School Board Meeting Highlighted By Announcement Of New Assistant Superintendent, Update On New Valle Crucis School