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MOVIE REVIEW – Mortal Kombat II

By Bob Garver             The 2021 “Mortal Kombat” movie was a disaster that left fans disappointed for many reasons, not least of which was that it didn’t feature any fights from the much-hyped tournament for universal supremacy. At least in “Mortal Kombat II,” we finally get the tournament. Only the first round is done somewhat properly before the thing breaks down into cheating, sneak-attack shenanigans, but it can’t be said that we are denied the tournament entirely.             A new character, outstanding-fighter-turned-action-movie-star-turned-washout-at-both Johnny Cage (Karl Urban), is the audience surrogate into the five-on-five fighting series on a distant planet that will determine the fate of our world. Cage fights alongside Sonya Blade (Jessica McNamee), Jax (Mehcad Brooks), Cole Young, (Leweis Tan), and Liu Kang (Ludi Lin) under the mentorship of Lord Raiden (Tadanobu Asano) against the forces of the evil Shao Khan (Martyn Ford), such as his queen Sindel (Ana Thu Nguyen), stepdaughter Kitana (Adeline Rudolph), her bodyguard Jade (Tati Gabrielle), and resurrected minions Kung Lao (Max Huang) and Kano (Josh Lawson). The first movie made another mistake killing off humoristic highlight Kano, fortunately this movie brings him back so he can steal the movie all over again.             “Mortal …

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Grandfather Mountain announces Mindfulness and Well-being Series for 2026

June 8, 2026 Boone, NC – June 8, 2026 – “After a stellar turnout last year, we are excited to continue the Mindfulness and Well-being Series this season,” said John Caveny, vice president of conservation and education for the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. “Mindfulness encompasses so many practices, and we look forward to learning a lot from these highly skilled instructors.”

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MOVIE REVIEW – The Devil Wears Prada 2

June 5, 2026 Boone, NC – June 5, 2026- The Miranda character was written to spend more time making demands and throwing shade than acting like she belonged in a position to be so demanding. There was basically only one scene (and granted, it’s arguably her most famous scene) where she came off as someone who had truly mastered the ins and outs of the fashion and editorial industries, and the rest of the time I saw little more than a spoiled child. The main character, Miranda’s second assistant Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway), and her supervisor, first assistant Emily (Emily Blunt) had their off-putting qualities as well, but at least their misery at working for Miranda was understandable and relatable.

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Hospitality House Food Pantry Receives Two Awards

June 4, 2026 Boone, NC – June 4, 2026 – “We are so grateful to Second Harvest Food Bank for facilitating the Farm Fresh Nourish program and were eager to jump on board at the very beginning,” states Hospitality House of Northwest N.C. Food Service Coordinator Emily Lowe. “I have loved participating in this program, it is really rewarding to be part of something that provides fresh, local produce to our clients with chronic illnesses while also knowing that local farms like Springhouse Farm and Kornecopia Farm are being paid full value for the produce shares.”

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Blowing Rock Chamber to Host Spring Home Show on June 11

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 

Vaya Health and Partners Health Management Merger

May 31, 2026 Boone, NC – May 31, 2026 -The new organization will operate under the name Vaya Partners, reflecting complementary capabilities, shared values, and a joint commitment to continuing their decades of service to members, families, providers, counties, and communities.

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Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation Launches Campaign to Provide Retention Bonus to Childcare Workers in Watauga County

May 31, 2026 Boone, NC – May 31, 2026 -“Childcare professionals are the workforce behind the workforce in our community and their love of caring for children certainly outpaces the wages that have been provided during a time of industry-wide financial instability,” said David Jackson, President and CEO of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. “Providing a retention bonus is our way of rewarding these professionals for sticking with these critical jobs despite the challenges, while nurturing our youngest learners during such a critical growth period in their lives.”

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MOVIE REVIEW: “The Mandalorian and Grogu”

May 31, 2026 Boone, NC – May 31, 2026 – The movie follows Din “The Mandalorian” Djarin (voiced and played in “face scenes” by Pedro Pascal), a helmeted human bounty hunter who resembles, but is not related to, beloved franchise character Boba Fett. His young apprentice is Grogu, a non-speaking alien who resembles, but is not related to, beloved franchise character Yoda. I’m sure the origin of the team-up is explained in the series, but for now all I need to know is that that they are a team.

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Watauga County Community Foundations Awards over $42,000

May 31, 2026 Boone, NC – May 31, 2026 – “When donors come together, their generosity can become a powerful, permanent source of community support,” said Scott Elliott, advisory board president of the Watauga Community Foundation. “We’re proud to support these organizations doing great work in Watauga County.”

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Park Visitors Reminded to Plan Ahead for Busy and Dynamic season 

PARKWAY-WIDE, N.C./Va. — As campgrounds, picnic areas and visitor centers open for the season this Memorial Day Weekend, the Blue Ridge Parkway reminds park visitors and neighbors to plan ahead and pack their patience for upcoming visits.   Multiple maintenance and repair projects are underway this season across several sections of the Parkway. This work is primarily related to ongoing Hurricane Helene repairs and two Great American Outdoors Act road projects underway in North Carolina and Virginia, all of which represent historic investments at the park. In a sign of ongoing Helene recovery progress, the Blue Ridge Parkway recently re-opened direct access to the Linville Falls trail system at milepost 316.4. This opens recreation access to the area by way of the 1.5-mile spur road. Visitors may continue to access the Linville Falls trail system from Old NC 105 from the US Forest Service parking lot. The visitor center, picnic area and campground remain closed.   Visitors are encouraged to confirm schedules and operating hours for all Parkway locations before they travel. A comprehensive list of open facilities—including visitor centers, campgrounds, picnic areas and other popular destinations—is available online and through the NPS App. Camping reservations are available at Recreation.gov.  Visitors also play a vital role in protecting this treasured place for future generations. The following simple actions help improve everyone’s experience, such as:  The Parkway has winding grades, limited sight distances and stunning scenic views. Drivers should remain alert at all times. Safety guidance for drivers, motorcyclists and hikers is available on the Parkway website.  The Blue Ridge Parkway is among the largest designed landscapes in the United States, offering countless opportunities to experience southern Appalachian nature, history and culture. Whether driving the scenic …

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Educator Workshop series returns to Grandfather Mountain in 2026

May 31, 2026 Boone, NC – May 31, 2026 -“Environmental education is one of the cornerstones of Grandfather Mountain’s mission,” said Lauren Farrell, director of education for the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. “We are always eager to offer learning opportunities for individuals across the state who are seeking to educate about conservation and the environment like we do here.”

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More artists, outdoor gear giveaways, awards & more announced for FloydFest 26~Daydream (July 22-26, 2026)

May 31, 2026 Boone, NC – May 31, 2026 -Announced today, a hefty handful of artists who elevate the ‘magic’ of FloydFest to technicolor join the lineup, including Bhakti Kulani, Colonel Josh, Community High School Band, Fluidity Troupe, Handmade Music School, HeadSpin Entertainment, Hunter Rhodes Magic, JAM Kids Presents: The Blue Ridge Stringbenders, Juggling Geoff, Pyrocosmic, Sarah Ernst and Tain Collins.

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Boone Area Chamber of Commerce and Watauga County Schools Host Inaugural Trades Signing Day

April 30, 2026 Boone, NC – April 30, 2026 – Ceremony speakers included Boone Area Chamber Summit members Jay Harrill of Foscoe Realty and Development and Talia Freeman of Beech Mountain Resort, both Watauga High School alumni who returned to speak to students about career pathways in the region. Dr. Tierra Stark, Director of Student Services and CTE for Watauga County Schools, and Dr. Scott Strickler, Principal of Watauga High School, also addressed attendees and presented students with a certificate and graduation cord.

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Watauga County Farmers’ Market Kicks Off Main Season with Full Vendor Lineup and Expanded Weekly Programming

April 30, 2026 Boone, NC – April 30, 2026 – After a steady start to the spring season, the market now welcomes back its full vendor community, offering a wide range of locally produced goods—from fresh flowers, garden starts, and seasonal produce to pasture-raised meats, eggs, and cheeses, artisan treats, small-batch pantry staples, handmade crafts, and original artwork.

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Moses, The Musical Splashes into Banner Elk Presbyterian Church

April 30, 2026 Boone, NC – April 30, 2026 – “Summer Theater is excited to present an updated version of Moses,” says Writer and Director Janet Speer. “From palace halls to parted seas, this entertaining musical transforms an epic journey into a joyful, high‑energy adventure that the whole family can cheer for.”

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MOVIE REVIEW: Michael

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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Grandfather by Night Series Returns to Grandfather Mountain for 2026

April 22, 2026 Boone, NC – April 22, 2026 – “Grandfather by Night events provide a great variety of programming, from unbeatable views to unique educational material from our naturalists,” said Lauren Farrell, director of education for the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. “Getting to be in the park outside of operating hours is so rare and special, and we look forward to sharing these moments with guests every year.”

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