High Country Press

Aug. 21, 2017.The second annual CowBelle Classic bike ride takes place Saturday, August 26. This unique event, ridden by women only, is a Boone Area Cyclist club organized road ride. One hundred and fifty riders will depart from the Old Cove Creek School in Sugar Grove at 8:00 a.m. All riders travel Old 421 to Zionville and then split into four different routes of 15, 18, 35 and 64 miles. Routes were chosen by considering the difficulty of the terrain and average traffic volume. All routes enjoy some of the most beautiful countryside that the High Country offers. / Read more…

Aug. 21, 2017. It’s the spookiest time of the year again at Tweetsie Railroad! The Ghost Train® will return on Friday and Saturday nights from September 22 to October 28, 2017, transforming North Carolina’s first theme park into a delightfully frightful destination. Each year, visitors travel from all over the Southeast to enjoy this family-friendly Halloween celebration and take in the gorgeous fall leaves in the Blue Ridge Mountains. / Read more…

Aug. 21, 2017. While some people may see cussing as a cheap way to get a laugh or engage the audience, ‘The Hitman’s Bodyguard’ uses it in a way that does both. In the hands of Jackson, Reynolds and Hayek, the string of cuss words amidst intense action seem perfectly placed as the world’s greatest hitman and a mediocre bodyguard come together for an entertaining movie.By Bob Garver. / 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.

Appalachian Rollergirls Hold Doubleheader in West Jefferson, 8/26

Workshop to Expand Your Creative Voice

Watauga Library Presents : Wild Food Talk and Taste, 8/26

Ranger Guided Walk, 8/19 and 8/26

Blue Ridge Parkway Ranger Programs, 8/23-8/27

Happy Valley Fiddler’s Convention, 9/1-9/3

Tweetsie Railroad Ghost Train Auditions

Weekly Events at Lost Province Brewing Co., 8/22-9/2

The Community Music School at ASU Announces Opening of Online Registration, Now – 8/25

Watauga County Public Library Presents: Small Business Bootcamp

Read more…
Compiled by Katie Benfield

Aug. 18, 2017. High Country Community Health and The Colon Cancer Coalition are partnering to make potentially life-saving cancer screening resources, education and patient support available to the community, the uninsured, and those who may be unable to access the screening otherwise in Watauga, Avery and Burke Counties.. / Read more…

Aug. 18, 2017. Last Saturday morning, as white nationalists gathered for their march of hate in Charlottesville, a very different group of people were gathering less than a mile away. On that city’s Charlton Avenue, members of seven local churches had joined together to lay the floor trusses on the foundation of the community’s newest Habitat home. / Read more…

Aug. 18, 2017. America’s Navy is coming to Boone, North Carolina, one of five cities in two states to host a performance by the United States Navy Band during a 2017 tour — one of the signature outreach programs of the U.S. Navy. The United States Navy Band Brass Quintet performance is scheduled for Sept. 18, 2017, at 8 p.m. at the Hayes School of Music’s Rosen Concert Hall at Appalachian State University. / Read more…

Aug. 18, 2017. The summer months have seemed to fly by with excessive speed, and the beginning of fall classes at Appalachian State University is approaching just as fast. With classes beginning on Aug. 22, there will be an increase in traffic over the next week as students begin to move back into dorms starting on Aug. 18. Welcome back Mountaineers! / Read more…

Aug. 18, 2017. Appalachian Regional Healthcare System (ARHS) was awarded that honor on August 3rd. Specifically, ARHS is being recognized for excellence in employee engagement. This category awards those who sustain high employee engagement scores or demonstrate significant improvements in the area of employee engagement. These scores matter because employee engagement-along with leader, physician, and patient engagement-is linked to clinical quality, the patient experience, and various aspects of organizational performance.  / Read more…

Aug. 17, 2017. As Watauga County Schools prepares to open its doors to students Monday, Aug. 21, teachers and staff came together to celebrate the system’s annual convocation. Held at Watauga High School, the event gave WCS teachers — both new and returning — a chance to meet and connect with community partners, attend health screenings and a benefits fair and prepare to start the new school year together. / Read more…

Aug. 17, 2017. The Watauga County Fair opened on Tuesday and runs through the evening of Saturday, Aug. 19 at the High Country Fairgrounds on Roby Greene Road. Presented by the Mountain View Speedway, this year’s fair features plenty of racing action and other activities around the track, a Watauga County Fair Pageant and rides for the kids. By Jesse Wood / Read more…

Aug. 17, 2017. Soon all of the road construction work through Blowing Rock will be an afterthought. The final paving continues through the town section of U.S. 321 in Blowing Rock. Crews have begun laying the final layer of asphalt along U.S. 321 in Blowing Rock, but the rain has delayed the construction schedule. By Jesse Wood • Photos by Ken Ketchie / Read more… 

Aug. 17, 2017. The new gigantic scoreboard at Kidd Brewer Stadium is currently being installed. When the project is completed later this summer, Appalachian State University will be host to the largest display in the Group of Five collegiate athletic conferences. While the overall scoreboard will measure 50 feet high by 90 feet wide, the 2,500-square-foot LED display will measure more than 37 feet high by 67 feet wide. By Jesse Wood • Photos by Ken Ketchie / Read more…

Aug. 17, 2017. When the New Rivers Blues Festival takes place on Sunday, Sept. 3, Penny Zamagni and Rob Baskerville will celebrate two anniversaries. Their band, the King Bees, has been touring the world for 30 years, while Ashe County will host the 15th annual New River Blues Festival, which the couple founded. By Jesse Wood / Read more…

Aug. 17, 2017. 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…

Aug. 17, 2017. Inc.magazine has released its 36th annual Inc. 5000 list, an exclusive ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies. Western North Carolina-based retail technology firm, ECRS, joins this impressive list for the third consecutive year. / Read more…

Aug. 17, 2017. On Wednesday, August 23, between 11 to 2 p.m. all (especially new and returning ASU students) are once again welcome to F.A.R.M. (Feed All Regardless of Means) Cafe at 617 West King Street for the special monthly event where a local business, group, or organization ‘Buys Boone Lunch’. We are very pleased that our friends at Boone Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, steady supporters of the Café, will be the second local religious community to participate in the ‘Buy Boone Lunch’ program. / Read more…

Aug. 17, 2017. Expect to see buses on the road after this weekend because Monday is the first day of school for the Watauga and Avery County Schools systems during the 2017-18 school year. It’s also the day of the total solar eclipse. While Avery County Schools is dismissing at noon (except for Newland Elementary which is dismissing at 11:30 p.m. to allow students to view the eclipse at home, Watauga County Schools is taking a different approach. By Jesse Wood / Read more…

Aug. 17, 2017. On Monday, Aug. 21, the “Great American Total Solar Eclipse” will occur along a 70-mile wide path from Salem, Oregon on the West Coast to Charleston, S.C., on the East Coast. If you can’t make it to the “path of totality,” the High Country is host to numerous solar eclipse viewing events and parties. Compiled by Jesse Wood / Read more…

Aug. 17, 2017. Artpurveyors, located at 112 Aldridge Park on the 105 highway in Grandfather Community announces a “Pop up” show featuring Cher Shaffer. Cher Shaffer has been a self-taught artist for the past 45 years. She was born and raised in Georgia, on a small farm. Her early rural upbringing, and her heritage have shaped and informed her work from the beginning. Cher’s mother was mixed blood, Cherokee, and Mulengeon, from the Delta of Mississippi. Her father was German and Cherokee, from north Georgia. Both families had strong agricultural roots. Cher will be greeting guests at artpurveyors world headquarters during the August 26 Tour De Art from 12-4. / Read more…

Aug. 16, 2017. The Boone Town Council will meet on Thursday, Aug. 17. The Boone Town Council will appoint and swear in an individual to serve the remaining four months of Councilwoman Jennifer Teague’s position. Teague resigned due to moving outside town limits. Those that applied include Marshall Ashcraft, Quint David and Connie Ulmer. / Read more…

Aug. 16, 2017. The Sun Belt Conference announced the 2018 and 2019 conference football schedules on Wednesday. For the first time beginning in 2018, a divisional structure will be in place as the league will have two divisions (East/West), which will consist of five teams each. Appalachian will be grouped into the East Division with Coastal Carolina, Georgia Southern, Georgia State and Troy. / Read more…

Aug. 16, 2017. The Watauga NAACP Branch is hosting a “Vigil for Charlottesville” on Wednesday, Aug. 16 at 6:30 p.m. at the Jones House on King Street in Boone. / Read more…

Aug. 16, 2017. On Monday, August 21, Lees-McRae will hold a solar eclipse viewing party open to all students, faculty, staff and the local community on the front lawn of Tate Residence Hall. From 12:30-4 p.m., with peak viewing time from 2-3 p.m., attendees can witness the first North American total solar eclipse since February 26, 1979. / Read more…

Aug. 16, 2017. 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 Katie Benfield

Aug. 16, 2017. On Saturday, Aug. 19, join the local faith community at Alliance Bible Fellowship to recognize four longstanding pastors who have between them served more than 180 combined years in Watauga County. The honorees include Harold Bennett, Perkinsville Baptist Church; Gary Watson, Tabernacle Baptist Church; Lynn Powers, Three Forks Baptist Church; and Ray Greene, Willow Valley Baptist Church. / Read more…

Aug. 16, 2017. The final production of Ensemble Stage’s 2017 summer season is Art of Murder by Joe DiPietro. A suspenseful comedy, this play tells the story of Jack Brooks, a renowned artist known for his painting and his eccentricity. As he awaits the arrival of his art dealer, things are not quite what they seem. This visit from his art dealer isn’t just any old visit — this time, Jack has a plan. The production begins on Aug. 18 at 7:30 p.m. and runs until Aug. 26 at the Historic Banner Elk School. By Katie Benfield / Read more…

Aug. 16, 2017. Since 1869 there have been three total solar eclipses in North Carolina: Aug. 7, 1869, May 28, 1900, and March 7, 1970. There will be three more before the end of the century: Aug. 21, 2017, May 11, 2078 and Sept. 14, 2099. The 1869 total solar eclipse covered almost all of the state. / Read more…

Aug. 16, 2017. 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…

Aug. 16, 2017. Seby B. Jones Regional Cancer Center located in Boone, NC, serves as a refuge for individuals diagnosed with cancer. Bettie Bond is one of those individuals who found joy and beauty in all circumstances, even breast cancer. / Read more…

Aug. 16, 2017. On Thursday, Aug. 24, Tom Earnhardt will be exploring Grandfather Mountain, as part of the Grandfather Presents lecture series. The presentation runs from 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 24 in the mountain’s Nature Museum Auditorium, with refreshments served from 6 to 6:30 p.m. in the museum lobby. / 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.

Western Watauga Senior Center’s Annual Craft Sale, 8/24-8/25

The Blowing Rock Civic Association Holds Round Table Discussion, Oct. 12

Avery and Beech Mountain Chambers August “After Hours,” Aug. 17

Open Auditions for “American Idol” in Asheville, 8/27

Get Outside at Grandfather Mountain State Park, 8/19

BRAHM Presents A Weaverly Path: The Tapestry Life of Sylvia Heyden, 8/17

Watauga County Public Library Presents: A Presentation on The Great American Solar Eclipse, 8/16

Compiled by Katie Benfield

Aug. 16, 2017. Letters to the Editor. David Watson / Dear Editor, After observing actions throughout the South to remove statues of confederate generals, I feel compelled to write this treatise condemning such measures. I especially condemn the actions of those who take it upon themselves to break the law by destroying or defacing these statues. / Read more…

Aug. 15, 2017. The second annual Boone Film Festival is slated for next month. This year’s festival features more quality submissions, a bigger venue, a separate youth screening and a double screening on the day of the Boone Film Festival. The youth category screening is set for Sept. 28 at the Watauga High School auditorium, and on Sept. 30, Appalachian State University’s Schaefer Center will host two screenings and an awards ceremony. By Jesse Wood / Read more…

Aug. 15, 2017. On Monday, August 14th officials from Ashe and Watauga counties met with the Todd Volunteer Fire and Rescue (VFRD) Board of Directors to discuss issues that led to the department’s lapse in insurance and operations earlier this month. The County was notified by the USDA that Todd’s property and liability insurance was cancelled. USDA was notified as they provided the financing for the fire trucks. Additionally, the County was made aware of the potential that the worker’s comp policy was also cancelled. / Read more…