High Country Press

August 16, 2019. The 34th annual Community Foundation Days are officially underway in Blowing Rock with events happening from now through Friday, August 30 all in an effort to support the Blowing Rock Community Foundation. The events officially started on Friday with bridge Game Day and will continue on Saturday with the Golf Scramble at the Blowing Rock Country Club. The golf event registration is already full. Plenty of events coming up still have registration space, including the wildly popular Groovy Nights parties on Sunday, August 25, Tuesday, August 27 and Friday, August 30. Registration for Groovy Nights is $35. Tennis, croquet, and pickleball are all set for next Saturday, August 24. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

August 16, 2019. Former NASCAR driver and current television analyst for NASCAR on NBC, Dale Earnhardt Jr., as well as his wife Amy and daughter Isla, were able to escape with just a few bumps and bruises after Earnhardt Jr.’s plane crashed off the runway in Elizabethton. Earnhardt and his family were flying into Elizabethton Municipal Airport in preparation for this weekend’s races at Bristol Motor Speedway. The Earnhardt family, their dog and two pilots were on board the plane when it crashed around 3:40 p.m. on Thursday afternoon, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. They were all able to run away from the plane as it turned into a fiery pile of wreckage. The former driver was taken to Johnson City Medical Center and released later in the evening after being treated for minor cuts and abrasions. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

August 15, 2019. On Saturday, August 17 the Watauga Public Library will be sponsoring an event led by Dr. Robert Billinger Jr. about Nazi POW’s that were held in North Carolina from 1942-1946. Billinger Jr., is a Professor Emeritus of History at Wingate University where he taught for over 35 years. Originally from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, he completed his graduate degrees at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and was also was a Fulbright Graduate Scholar to Vienna, Austria. He is the author of several books on Nazi Prisoners of War in America during the mid-twentieth century, such as Hitler’s Soldiers in the Sunshine State: German POWs, published by the University of Florida Press, as well as Nazi POWs in the Tar Heel State published in 2008. The lecture is also made possible by the North Carolina Humanities Council, whom Billinger is still a featured author for. By Colby Gable / Read more…

August 15, 2019. Boone resident Danny Dunn, 67, of 3935 Hardin Road, died late Wednesday evening at Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem. Dunn, the former owner of Wilkesboro Raceway Park, took off in his personal plane from a runway on his property on Hardin Road. According to eyewitness reports, the plane had taken off approximately 100 yards from the crash site about 20 minutes prior to the crash. Witnesses also reported that the plane had circled several times then went down. The plane caught fire once it made an impact, however, Dunn was able to crawl away from the scene of the crash. Dunn was carried out and transported to a landing zone at Mt. Pleasant School in Wilkes County before being airlifted to Baptist Hospital. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

August 15, 2019. The preeminent progressive rock band known as moe., will be taking to the High Country at Beech Mountain Resort on Aug. 24, 2019. Presented by Midwood Entertainment, the band’s career has spanned over the course of 30 years while they have put out more than 20 albums. The resort is oftentimes recognized for its outdoor ski slopes in the winter as well as other outdoor recreational activities in the winter, such as tubing and roller skating. However, live music has become a welcome addition to their expansion. The quintet of moe. consists of Al Schnier and Chuck Garvey on guitars and vocals, Rob Derhak on bass and vocals, Jim Loughlin on percussion and vibes, and Vinnie Amico on drums. By Gianna Holiday / Read more…

August 15, 2019. The third annual James H. Fisher International Grand Prix is changing its event location for this year’s competition; the L.M. Tate Show Grounds in the Broyhill Equestrian Preserve of Blowing Rock was chosen as the new location for the charity-focused Grand Prix, which will occur on September 21 at 2:00 p.m. The past two Grand Prix events were held in Marshall, NC near Asheville. The Grand Prix is being moved to Blowing Rock this year because of the uniqueness and charm of the community, the deep tradition of horse sports ingrained in the region, the large amount of support for local charities shown by community members, and the availability of the Broyhill Equestrian Preserve as a historic facility perfectly suited to host the Grand Prix event. By Joe Johnson / Read more…

August 15, 2019. Boone native ​Willa Finck will be performing with her folk-art band, Copper Hill, in the Bishop Johnson Hall at the Valle Crucis Conference Center on August 18th at 4:00​ ​pm. Copper Hill is making an overdue stop in Boone to promote their recently released debut album “Once Around the Sun.” About the album, a reviewer for the Rochester (NY) CITY Newspaper wrote, “Once Around the Sun” is an odyssey of upbeat, whirling reels and fruitful ballads with melancholic, modal twists.” / Read more…

August 15, 2019. Appalachian State University’s performing arts series, “The Schaefer Center Presents…” kicks off its 2019-20 season with a high-energy concert by the legendary Preservation Hall Jazz Band (PHJB) on Friday, Sept. 27 at 8pm at the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts. The show is being held in conjunction with ASU’s annual Family Weekend, which offers three days of an array of special events for students and their families. Tickets to Preservation Hall Jazz Band go on sale August 19th at 9am at the Schaefer Center Box Office or online at theschaefercenter.org. For more information, visit theschaefercenter.org or call 828-262-4046. / Read more…

Aug. 15, 2019. 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…

August 15, 2019. Predicting the 2019 season for App State quarterback Zac Thomas is in some part heavily reliant on the theoretical, as this year arrives with an abundance of small but vital details in the variation of the team’s anatomy itself. As Head Coach Drinkwitz mentioned more than once on media day, this season, in particular, holds a reverence for identity-creating, the curation of a “DNA” among the team to form a unification of sorts which allows them to understand strengths, weaknesses, and newly incorporated schematics in a somewhat equally new systemic design. This comes about with the arrival of Drinkwitz from NC State, where he served as the school’s Offensive Coordinator and led then quarterback Ryan Finley to be an NFL caliber quarterback, one which the Cincinnati Bengals traded up for in the 2019 draft. Yet it is the “newness” of the exterior, in this case, the coaching staff, which makes both the upside and the downside, admittedly, more into that of the abstract than the easily definable. However, there is one way I would argue we can find to think about how Thomas can fit into the unfamiliar, by examining statistics from last year, especially noteworthy being that of the QBR. By Colby Gable / Read more…

August 14, 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

August 14, 2019. Ensemble Stage in Banner Elk, N.C. will be beginning its production schedule of Cybele May’s suspense-drama “The Redeemer” on Friday, August 16th at 7:30 p.m. with a sold out opening night. Performances will be held in the Hahn Auditorium at the Banner Elk Cultural Arts Center, 185 Azalea Circle. Gary Smith, Artistic Director of Ensemble Stage, is proud to present this rendition of Cybele May’s “The Redeemer” to the local community and emphasized the unique sensibilities that make the production so interesting. By Joe Johnson / Read more…

August 14, 2019. The historic town of Valle Crucis is soon to be home to a brand new school. The location of that school, however, has raised the eyebrows of several residents and town visitors over the proposed location on the Hodges property that the Watauga County Schools currently has under contract. The property is located within roughly a quarter of a mile of the current Valle Crucis School, but according to Lyle Schoenfeldt, the former owner and operator of Mast Farm Inn, the property is within 100 feet of the inn and is within similar flood plain constraints as the current school that has had to deal with its own fair share of flooding over the years. Lyle and his wife owned the inn from 1996 until 2006. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

August 14, 2019. Monday will be a busy day in the High Country with the fall semester getting underway at Appalachian State University and the 2019-20 school years beginning for Watauga County Schools. This weekend will be move-in weekend for App State first-year students moving into their dorms across campus and for the rest of the student body moving into their rental apartments and houses. If you are planning on traveling in and around Boone this weekend, be sure to allow some extra time and be courteous to others on the road, whether it be other drivers, pedestrians or cyclists. It does appear that this weekend and Monday will be gorgeous weather days for college students to settle into their new housing arrangements and for public school students to enjoy one last summer weekend. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

August 14, 2019. A Benefit Concert for Yellow Mountain Enterprises featuring famous Singing Impressionist Conner Lorre will be held Saturday, August 17th at 7:00 pm in the Hayes Auditorium at Lees McRae College (191 Main Street West) in Banner Elk. Lorre is a world class singing impressionist who travels nationwide captivating audiences with his critically acclaimed Variety of Legends and Neil Diamond Tribute shows. He has performed at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, where he received standing ovations. Lorre features stunningly accurate voice impressions of the most legendary singers of our time: Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Elvis Presley, Tom Jones, Paul McCartney, Frankie Valli, John Denver, Barry Manilow, Jimmy Buffett, Elton John, Michael Buble, and, his specialty, Neil Diamond. By Tim Gardner / Read more…

August 14, 2019. On Wednesday, August 14 at 8:57 a.m., Watauga County Communications received a 911 call of a downed aircraft on Hardin Road in Watauga County. Deep Gap Fire Dept., Watauga Medics, Watauga Rescue Squad, NC Highway Patrol, Watauga Emergency Management and Watauga County Sheriff’s Office responded. According to witnesses, the aircraft had taken off from a private airstrip located at 3935 Hardin Road approximately 100 yards from the crash site about 20 minutes prior to the crash. Witnesses also report that the plane had circled several times then went down. The plane caught fire upon impact and the pilot, identified as Danny Dunn, 67, of 3935 Hardin Road had crawled free of the wreckage and was located some distance away. Dunn was airlifted to Baptist Hospital with life-threatening injuries. The NC Highway Patrol is securing the scene and it will be turned over to the FAA upon their arrival.  / Read more…

August 14, 2019. This Friday, August 16, at 5:00pm the Town of Boone is gearing up for a pair of soulful acts performing at the Jones House as a part of the Summer Concert Series. Returning favorites, the Shelby Rae Moore Band and Fwuit will take over the Jones House porch for the evening to perform a playlist of crowd-pleasing covers and originals. Opening the show of Friday will be the Shelby Rae Moore Band, performing a mix of country, rock, and rhythm and blues standards. Closing out the evening’s concert will be Asheville-based band Fwuit. / Read more…

August 14, 2019. The Town of Newland’s Board of Aldermen has approved a site plan for new homes on Vale Road and selling police department body cameras to the Village of Sugar Mountain, it was announced at the Board’s August regular monthly meeting. Board of Aldermen (Town Council) members Kenny Caraway, Christie Hughes, Lauren Turbyfill, and Jamey Johnson attended, while Alderman Dave Calvert was absent. Other town officials present at the meeting included: Mayor Valerie Jaynes; Town Administrator Keith Hoilman; Finance Officer Lise Meinhardt; and Town Clerk and Board of Aldermen secretary Tammy Gardner. Town Attorney Joe Seegers was absent. Rick Snyder, President of Snyder Surveying in Butler, TN presented the Board of Aldermen with layouts for five stick-built homes. Alderman Johnson made a motion to approve the site plan pending it’s within the guidelines of the Town’s ordinances. The motion carried unanimously (4-0). By Tim Gardner / Read more…

August 14, 2019. For 27 years, the Avery County Agricultural and Horticultural Fair has been a mainstay among the North Carolina High Country’s most popular celebrations and festivities. It is a family-oriented event known for the preservation of the mountain heritage that has long been a way of life for people Avery County and throughout the entire High Country. Focused on the education and enjoyment of our children, the fair also reminds us all of how agriculture and horticulture have played a major part in our communities throughout generations. Thanks to the cooperation of Avery County and the community members who volunteer to operate it, this year’s fair runs from Wednesday, September 4 through Saturday, September 7. It will be the second consecutive year that it will be hosted out of the Heritage Park property since the completion of the county’s new agriculture building on the site. Heritage Park is located at 661 Vale Road in Newland, which is approximately one-half mile behind the Ingles Markets Grocery Store. By Tim Gardner / Read more…

August 14, 2019. Anvil Arts Sculpture Garden & Gallery is having an August Open House this Saturday the 17th and everyone’s invited. Join Sculptor Bill Brown for Coffee & Sweets during a casual studio talk starting at 10:30. Bill will share his explorations and inspirations for his work, and will even turn on the “Big Hammer” as he talks about some of the physical process of creating. Brown’s steel sculptures are created with a variety of techniques but his use of heavy forging skills to manipulate the materials are something that his work is known for. One of the tools he uses to shape the materials includes a five ton air hammer that he uses for forging heavy steel materials.  Brown develops a rich tactile surface in much of his work that challenges many expectations for metal sculpture.  The work on exhibit includes large scale and mid size outdoor pieces as well as smaller interior works. Brown’s sculpture will be on display throughout the open lawn and garden, as well as in the gallery and works in progress in the studio as well.  / Read more…

August 14, 2019. The following are recent obituary notices from Austin and Barnes and Hampton funeral homes in Boone and Reins-Sturdivant in Newland. / Read more…

August 14, 2019. The Watauga County Board of Elections will hold an educational seminar about voter photo identification requirements at 2 p.m. Monday, August 19 at the Watauga County Administration Building in the Commissioners’ Board Room, 814 West King Street, Boone, NC 28607 and a second seminar at 7 p.m. Tuesday, August 27 in the Belk Library Lecture Hall (Room 114),  located at 218 College Street,  Boone, NC 28608. The seminars are free and open to the public. Beginning in 2020, voters will be required to provide photo identification before they vote. This includes both in-person and by-mail voting, with some exceptions. In November 2018, North Carolina voters approved an amendment to the N.C. Constitution to require voters to present photo ID at the polls.  / Read more…

August 14, 2019. There’s nothing quite like a fresh, juicy peach on a hot summer day — one of the best things about this time of year, whether coming to the High Country from downstate, Georgia or South Carolina. Delicious as a snack or in a dessert, the round, fuzzy fruit is best when fairly firm without a speck of green; it is better to choose a peach with a yellow, velvety covering for the ultimate taste. There are so many ways to prepare peaches, whether in jellies and jams, combined with other fruit for a cool, refreshing salad or thrown together in a quick cobbler. Any way you slice it, a peach is sure to bring you pleasure! By Sherrie Norris / Read more…

August 9, 2019. The first annual Sculpture Walk at Chetola Resort in Blowing Rock was a resounding success this past weekend with over 2000 people attending the events held from August 9 to August 11. Chetola Resort’s lakeside setting provided the perfect outdoor venue for the Sculpture Walk; 60 sculptors from around the country, even from as far as Puerto Rico, gathered at Chetola Resort this past weekend to showcase their sculptures around Chetola Lake. The sculptures were on display throughout the weekend and Dr. Lawrence J. Wheeler, distinguished juror and retired CEO and Director of the North Carolina Museum of Art, chose several winners out of the competitors displaying their artworks to receive cash prizes. Sculptors were present at the event to answer questions about their artwork and all proceeds from the event benefited the sculptors. By Joe Johnson / Read more…

August 13, 2019. Around 200 pre-sale tickets have been purchased for this Sunday’s inaugural P.B. Scott’s Roundup in the parking lot of Twigs in Blowing Rock, the location where the famous P.B. Scott’s building used to be. “Ray’s Weather has really hooked us up for this weekend,” laughed Jean Travers, who is one of many former P.B. Scott’s fans that decided to organize this event. “It’s going to be beautiful this weekend!” Two bands that played at the original P.B. Scott’s location will be back to play some of their favorite tunes. Sidewinder will get the afternoon started before Nantucket takes the stage as the headlining act. Parking for the event will be in part of the Twigs lot as well as the ABC Store, United Community Bank, Keith’s Exxon and the empty lot that used to be the Scotchman gas station on Valley Boulevard. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

August 13, 2019. Did you attend or graduate from Avery County High School? Would you like to reconnect with former classmates and friends? Would you like to visit with old friends in other classes? Then the First Annual Avery County High School Reunion is for you! The three schools that consolidated to form ACHS (Newland High, Crossnore High, and Cranberry High) have had annual reunions for many years. Avery County High School has been in existence now for 50 years and there has never been an annual reunion for all classes. Big plans are underway for this first reunion to take place on Saturday, October 26, which is the next day after Avery’s Homecoming Celebration. The reunion will take place in the ACHS Gym and the doors will open for fun and visiting at 1:30 p.m. Danica Goodman, Class of 2000, is spearheading the effort to establish an annual reunion for ACHS.  / Read more…

August 13, 2019. In a respite from these troubled times, the choir of St. Mary of the Hills Episcopal Church presents “Keep Watch: Seeking Kindness in Today’s World” on Saturday, August 17th, at 5:30 pm in the nave of the church. Patterned on the familiar Lessons and Carols of the Advent season, this free concert will feature readings and music that focus on the themes of loss, social justice, love, and kindness. The music includes Carissimi’s Plorate filii Israel (Weep, children of Israel), Barber’s Sure on this Shining Night, Gjeilo’s Ubi caritas (Where Charity and Love are), and Carly Simon’s uplifting anthem Let the River Run / Read more…

August 13, 2019. When it comes to autumn music festivals, there is no more beautiful venue in the western North Carolina High Country than Blue Bear Mountain Campground. Located on 155 acres near both Boone and Todd, NC, with teepees, hiking trails, awesome views and a main stage built in a natural amphitheater on the grounds, the Blue Bear Mountain Music Festival is set again for September 5 – 7, 2019. Along with a great lineup of live music surrounded by green mountains and vistas, you will be able to get an even more magnificent view of the N.C. High Country with tethered hot air balloon rides being offered by the Blue Bear Mountain Music Festival this year. / 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 Company

Bethany Jewell Art Residency August 12-18 in Blowing Rock

Road Construction on Boone Heights Drive and State Farm Road Continues

Town of Boone Fire to Hold Structure Fire Training on August 17

Tanger Outlets Blowing Rock to Celebrate Labor Day Weekend with Major Sales and Block Party

Carolina Renaissance Festival Now Hiring

Apple Hill Farm is the First Stop on the 2019 Western North Carolina Agritourism Farm Tour

Read more…
Compiled by Nathan Ham

Aug. 13, 2019 The last few “Fast & Furious” movies have gotten a little heavy on the number of characters. The franchise isn’t as crowded as, say, the MCU, but it’s becoming increasingly reasonable to say that “anybody who’s anybody” has been in one of these movies. So it makes sense that the cast has to be splintered off into two factions: one presumably including Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) and his “family,” and the one featured in this movie, which includes Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson), Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham), and their respective families. By Bob Garver. / Read more…

August 13, 2019. When Sonny Sweet was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, he wanted to establish a lasting legacy that would help kids. He partnered with Western Youth Network (WYN) to establish a scholarship fund to increase the number of needy High Country adolescents who could participate in WYN’s programs. WYN’s mission is “to build youth of character and confidence so that every young person in the High Country reaches their full potential” and WYN’s vision is “to create a community in which every child, regardless of their circumstance, thrives.” WYN has served struggling High Country youth for over 30 years through high quality enrichment programs after school and in the summer, including mentoring, tutoring, substance abuse prevention, and service learning. The next Sweet High Country Salute: An Evening with Elvis will be August 22, 2019, 6 to 9 pm, at Boone’s Harvest House. This exciting evening will include a catered Southern dinner (just like those that Elvis loved), complimentary beverages, a world-famous, award-winning Elvis Tribute Artist, and several surprises!  / Read more…

August 13, 2019. Lees-McRae College Vice President of Athletics and Club Sports Craig McPhail announced on Friday that Shane Calvert has been named the new head coach of the men’s soccer program. Calvert, who is the tenth head coach in the history of the program, brings several years of coaching experience at the high school and collegiate levels to Banner Elk. “We were looking for a dynamic leader for our men’s soccer program,” said McPhail. “Shane showed us everything in the time we spent together. His knowledge of the game, understanding of who we are and desire to make an impact in these young men’s lives were critical pieces to identifying our next head coach. He articulated a plan to continue the strong tradition of men’s soccer at Lees-McRae with a passion we enjoyed. I’m excited to work with him and watch those young men thrive in his system.” Calvert joins the Bobcat family after spending the past two years as the Head Boys Soccer Coach/Director of Operations/Summer Camps Coordinator at the Darlington School Soccer Academy in Rome, Georgia. / Read more…

August 13, 2019. Executive Director Tina B. Krause, along with the Hospitality House Board of Directors will be hosting its annual Hope Luncheon on Friday, August 16 in the heart of the High Country at Blue Ridge Mountain Club, where the Blue Ridge Mountains meet the Blue Ridge Parkway. This year something special is in store as Hospitality House commemorates its thirty-fifth anniversary and honors the legacy of its founding Faith Communities. Presented by Mast General Store, Blue Ridge Mountain Club and The Gropper’s in honor of First Presbyterian Church, this year’s luncheon, “A Legacy of Hope,” will commence at 11:00 a.m. with a wine social and silent auction. Lunch will be served at noon with the program beginning at 12:30 p.m. and slated to end by 1:15 p.m.  / Read more…

August 12, 2019. Some of the world’s best minds in energy policy and practice convened on Appalachian State University’s campus last week for the eighth annual Appalachian Energy Summit, sharing knowledge, innovations and best practices. The three-day event — with a theme of “Creating a Resilient Energy Future” — focused on the need for University of North Carolina System institutions and other state organizations to adapt to changing markets, weather patterns and technologies. In her opening remarks at the summit, Appalachian Chancellor Sheri Everts reported that, to date, UNC System institutions, together with industry partners, have avoided more than $924 million dollars in utility costs. The System is on track to avoid $1 billion in utility costs by 2020 and $2 billion by 2025. / Read more…

August 12, 2019. The Rotary Club of Blowing Rock is proud to announce its 7th Annual Charity Auction to be held on August 17, 2019 at the American Legion Hall on Wallingford Street in Blowing Rock. The previous auctions have raised almost $170,000, 100% of which goes to charities of the high country. This years signature piece is “Twilight Oak” a 30”x48” oil on canvas by Hickory artist, Stephen Brooks. Mr Brooks is an avid hiker and has walked the North Carolina Highlands from deep valleys to the highest peaks. Mr. Brooks is “ever looking upward through the tops of trees with their limbs outstretched to the heavens”. Mr. Brooks works have received numerous awards and have been featured in museums and galleries throughout the region. / Read more…