High Country Press

June 17, 2019. Looking for a fun and interesting way to spend your Saturday? Come visit the Village of Banner Elk for the Avery County Wine & Beer Festival for a day of wine and beer tasting and exploring the Village’s venues on June 29th from 12-5 p.m.. According to Melynda Pepple, Executive Director of the Avery County Chamber of Commerce, “Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the gate. It allows 20 tastes, so every participant receives a tasting card and the selections of what’s there so they can taste and, if they want to, purchase the product afterwards. You receive your tasting glass and your card, and then you have the day of being in the complex enjoying live music, and eating, and having fun.”. By Tzar Wilkerson / Read more…

June 17, 2019. The following are recent obituary notices from Austin and Barnes and Hampton funeral homes in Boone and Reins-Sturdivant in Newland. / Read more…

June 18, 2019. During the evening hours of Thursday, June 13, 2019, a team of local law enforcement agencies ended an ongoing investigation into a significantly large source of methamphetamine for western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee. Two arrests were made, and a large amount of methamphetamine was seized by police. “We are very pleased about the cooperation between law enforcement agencies in the county. Unfortunately, meth is still the number one drug of choice in our county and our joint efforts with the Bonne Police Department and other law enforcement partners is making a vast improvement in the safety of our community.”– L.D. Hagaman, Watauga County Sheriff.  / Read more…

June 18, 2019. The 2019 Power of the Purse Luncheon and silent auction, a fundraiser by the Women’s Fund of the Blue Ridge, will welcome author Elizabeth Smart as their guest speaker to discuss her latest book. The event will take place Thursday, June 27, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Holmes Convocation Center on Appalachian State University’s campus, with tickets having been $100 per person. However, the event quickly sold out with 450 people expected to attend. Where There’s Hope: Healing, Moving Forward, and Never Giving Up follows up on her #1 New York Times bestseller, My Story, about being held in captivity as a teenager. She will go on to talk about how she managed to survive with a powerful and inspiring book regarding what it takes to overcome trauma, find the strength to move on, and reclaim her life. By Gianna Holiday / Read more…

June 18, 2019. Mark your calendars for the 16th Annual Safety Fest BBQ Dinner in Seven Devils on Saturday, July 6. The event will also include a raffle, craft show, silent auction and lots of fun and games for the young and young at heart. Everyone is invited to eat in at Town Hall or stop by and grab a dinner to go. Dinners will include pork barbecue, roll, baked beans, cole slaw, drink and dessert. Adult dinners are $10, children 12 and under are $5. Meals will be served from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. The craft show will start at 10 a.m. and will continue until 3 p.m. Silent auction items will be on display at Seven Devils Town Hall beginning on Monday, July 1. Silent auction bids will conclude at 2:30 p.m. on July 6. Grass County Line will be on hand playing some of their favorite tunes throughout the day so please bring a chair or a blanket and stay a while to enjoy the music!   / 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.

Call for Artists – Toe River Arts Juried Exhibit

Announcing 2019 Summer Events at Shady Grove Gardens

Susan Larson to Present During Lees-McRae College Stephenson Center for Appalachia Lecture June 19

Watauga County Public Library Announces Two Free Musical Concerts, Upcoming on Saturdays in July

BRAHM Presents Summer Concert Series: Andrew “Finn the Fiddler” Magill

Meetings with Board of Trustees of Appalachian State University

Read more…
Compiled by Hailey Blevins

June 18, 2019. On Thursday, February 7, 2019, at 3:10 am, the Boone Police Department and Boone Fire Department responded to the Super 8 Motel on Hwy 105 in Boone. Officers and fire officials quickly determined that the fire was set intentionally. An unknown suspect had attempted to set fires in three different locations, causing serious damage in one area on the hotel. There were many occupants sleeping in the hotel that night. An investigative team was assembled from the Boone Fire Department, Watauga County Sheriff’s Office and the Boone Police Department and the team began investigating the incident. A suspect was developed from the interviews of the hotel occupants. The suspect was identified as Ronnie Bumgarner. He was on-scene at the time of this fire. An investigator interviewed him at that time. Bumgarner, 23, denied setting the fire.  / Read more…

June 18, 2019. A special event is planned for Thursday, June 20 at Watauga County Sheriff’s Office in Boone in an effort to kick off the newly formed High Country Law Enforcement Explorers Post #123. On behalf of all local law enforcement agencies, as well as partners on the state level, Watauga County Sheriff’s Office is hosting the event as a way to attract young people who have an interest in law enforcement careers. According to WCSO spokesperson, Lt. Toby Ragan, who is coordinating the program, young men and women, ages 14-20, are invited to attend the open house and meet with agency representatives who will explain the Explorer’s program and all it has to offer. By Sherrie Norris / Read more…

June 17, 2019. After resigning as Avery County Schools Superintendent, it didn’t take Bryan Taylor long to find a new job as he was hired by another school system only two days later. Taylor has been named Assistant Superintendent of Stokes County, NC Schools, according to a press release from that school system dated June 13. Taylor’s start date with Stokes County Schools has not been established, the press release noted. He will replace Tony George in the post. The Stokes County School System is headquartered in Danbury, NC, approximately 20 miles North of Winston-Salem. Taylor told the Avery County Board of Education members of his intent to step down as Superintendent during a closed session of its meeting on June 11. Taylor had said that the exact date of his resignation was not set and that he would be available to help the transitional process with the hiring of a new Superintendent. By Tim Gardner / Read more…

June 17, 2019. The music lineup for the 2019 Christmas in July Festival in downtown West Jefferson has been confirmed with many favorites once again returning to perform at the annual event, as well as some new performers making their festival debut this year. The festival has once again lined up a great variety of local and regional musical acts featuring a great mix ranging from traditional bluegrass to “newgrass,” country to classic rock hits, and a few other surprises sprinkled in which will surely entertain people of all ages. Live music is scheduled to begin during the afternoon of Friday, July 5 at 3 p.m. until 10 p.m. during the festival kick-off event of music, food vendors, farmers market & street dance. Music will continue all day on Saturday.   / Read more…

June 17, 2019. They bought tablespaces and they donated gently used treasures.  Then they came to the giant Banner Elk Community Yard Sale on June 15—all to support the Historic Banner Elk School. Sponsored jointly by the Rotary Club of Avery County and the Banner Elk Chamber of Commerce, supporters were up with the birds in pursuit of high sales and special bargains. “Many items ranging from household goods to furniture were donated by town businesses, groups and individuals to help raise money for the Historic Banner Elk School,” according to the chamber’s Allen Bolick. Bolick noted that visitors also had the opportunity to tour the school “to see all the renovations that have been made to the school.”  The Book Exchange, Ensemble Stage, the BE Artists Gallery, and a variety of small businesses occupy the building.  Mayland Community College also provides programming in several renovated classrooms.  / Read more…

June 17, 2019. Saturday, June 22, opens the 11th season of the Tour de Art, a coalition of galleries and artists’ private studios. These tours are held on the fourth Saturday, June through November. Hours are 10 am to 5 pm and maps are available at the gallery. Local artist, Arlene Mandell, plans to discuss her oil and pastel figurative work. New gallery artist, Karin Neuvirth, plans a painting demonstration from 1 to 3 p.m. The 37th Spring Group Exhibition is ongoing and features “New Beginnings with Jewels of Art” with new work in all media which can be viewed through July 15. This exhibition also features paintings by other new gallery artists, Allison Chambers, Mary Kamerer and Ralph James. / Read more…

June 17, 2019. Wahoo’s Adventures will be holding its annual Float Fest June 23 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., which includes a day of tubing in the New River and camping the night before and day of. Float Fest is a BYOB event and will take participants on a 3-hour leisurely float that loops and ends where it began. The water is knee-deep at some parts and waist-deep at others in this “slow-moving, natural mountain stream” as General Manager Jim Roberts said. The event will start at 10 a.m. with tubing and continue until 2 p.m. with live music from The King Bees, a blues band. Staff member Katrinka Walsh, who has sung blues all around the world, will also be giving her first performance at this event. By Laura Boaggio / Read more…

June 17, 2019. The ninth annual Doc Watson Day Celebration takes place at the Jones House Friday, June 21, starting at 4:00 p.m., featuring performances by Brooks Forsyth, Charles Welch, the Burnett Sisters, Jack Lawrence and Patrick Crouch, and The Jeff Little Trio. In 2011, Mayor Loretta Clawson declared the third Friday in June as Doc Watson Day, and the downtown statue of Watson picking his guitar on a bench was unveiled. Watson attended and gave one of his final performances in Boone, passing away the following spring. / Read more…

June 14, 2019. A total of 11 town council seats and one mayoral seat in four Watauga County towns will be up for grabs in November as the filing period for candidates will begin at noon on July 5 and will last through noon on July 19. “In order to file for these seats, candidates must live within the town limits of which they are applying,” said Donna Houck, Watauga County Board of Elections Deputy Director. The Boone Town Council will have three seats up for election, currently filled by Marshall Ashcraft, Lynne Mason and Loretta Clawson. In Blowing Rock, two town council seats held by Albert Yount and Jim Steele will be up for election as well as the mayoral seat currently held by Charlie Sellers. Blowing Rock’s mayoral seat is up for election every two years while Boone’s mayoral seat is up every four years. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

June 14, 2019. A day in the North Carolina mountains can be so magical you never want it to end – and the year’s longest day is just around the corner. Blue Ridge Mountain Club is thrilled to help families and fans of the High Country celebrate the occasion with Summer Soulstice 2019. Once each year, the BRMC community in Blowing Rock opens its gates to the public for a day of camaraderie and community – and next Saturday, June 22, is that day. Summer Soulstice will offer a host of exciting activities for guests of all ages, and it’s sure to be a memorable way to kick off the season. Best of all, the day-long event benefits the Boone Hospitality House, a non-profit agency devoted to helping those in crisis, poverty and homelessness rebuild their lives. For the adventurous, a full view of the property’s 6000+ acres and gorgeous mountain views can be enjoyed via guided UTV trail rides, and the new Lamborghini Urus SUV will be available on-site.  / Read more…

June 14, 2019. The proposed 2019-2020 budget has been presented to the Boone Town Council and will be discussed at a public hearing Tuesday, June 18 followed by a meeting on Thursday to adopt the new $28,749,600 budget. The budget was put together by Finance Director Amy Davis and will be presented by Town Manager John Ward. The budget will maintain the current tax rate of $0.41 but there will be an overall 1.18 percent tax increase for the Town of Boone of 1.82 percent from $5,713,950 to $5,782,321 for the Boone. The general fund totals $17,071,448 – a 2.3 percent increase above the current year budgets. With that comes many other increases, such as the Narcotics Department which will increase $5,600 (from $27,000 to $32,600). Water and Sewer will rise $920,730 (from $7,074,900 to $7,995,630). By Laura Boaggio / Read more…

June 14, 2019. Avery County Schools Superintendent Bryan Taylor has formally announced his resignation. Taylor told the Avery County Board of Education members of his intent to step down from the post during a closed session of the Avery County Board of Education’s meeting on Tuesday, June 11. Taylor sent an email throughout the Avery School System the next day (June 12) to announce the resignation. The email reads: “After much thought and prayerful consideration, I have decided to resign as Superintendent of Avery County Schools. The unexpected death of my father and unexpected health issues have led me to reevaluate various aspects of my life. I am very proud of the achievements we accomplished during my tenure. Thank you for all you do for the young people of Avery County. I wish you the best moving forward.” By Tim Gardner / Read more…

June 13, 2019. Boone, North Carolina drone pioneer Nelson Aerial Productions has taken home first place in the Second Annual Engineering Drone Video of the Year contest held at AUVSI Xponential in Chicago, IL. The video titled “The Big Boom” documents 10 separate building implosions across the United States. Of the 10 implosions, eight were for Greensboro, NC based D.H. Griffin Wrecking Company and two were for explosives demolition company, Pettigrew Inc., based out of Swedesboro, NJ. Jordan Nelson of Nelson Aerial Pros was in attendance to receive the award. “Most people will never get to experience the raw power of an implosion. I love the challenge of telling the story from every angle,” said Nelson.  / Read more…

June 13, 2019. At Tuesday’s Blowing Rock Town Council meeting, a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for the hotly discussed Rainey Lodge was approved by a 3-1 vote. Doug Matheson, Jim Steele and Virginia Powell voted to support the permit while Albert Yount voted against it and Sue Sweeting was recused from voting. Rainey Lodge is a proposed 40-room hotel that will be constructed in downtown Blowing Rock on less than one full acre of land near Rainey Street, Morningside Drive and U.S. Highway 221. The project has drawn the ire of elected officials and residents in Blowing Rock with complaints ranging from traffic impacts, the height of the building and property valuation. “This has been a very tough situation for all of us, council and citizens,” said Blowing Rock Mayor Charlie Sellers prior to the council’s vote on Tuesday. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

June 13, 2019. Singing on the Mountain has been welcoming one and all for the past 95 years, and this year is no different. On Sunday, June 23rd, all are welcome to join in a free gospel music festival set in MacRae Meadows at the base of Grandfather Mountain. The 95th annual Singing on the Mountain will return to Linville, N.C., with a full lineup of gospel music sensations, including: The Collective, The Cockman Family, Michael Combs, Patricia Smith, New Covenant and Adam Beard. Singing on the Mountain is not only about the music, but the gospel message, as well. This year’s message will be delivered by David Chadwick, host of the radio program, “The David Chadwick Show,” and accomplished author, who is passionate about sharing the gospel. / Read more…

June 13, 2019. The Lees-McRae College Summer Theatre will kick off the month of July with the premiere of A Whale of a Tale Saturday, July 6. A Whale of a Tale is the creative re-telling of the biblical story of Jonah. The show will kick off on Saturday, July 6 with additional showings July 20, 27, and August 3. All shows begin at 10 a.m. in the Shelton Learning Commons on the campus of Lees-McRae and cost $10. / Read more…

June 13, 2019. Avery County High School held its annual commencement and graduation ceremony on June 7th in the school’s gymnasium, sending off the latest group of graduates into the next journey of their lives. There were 134 in the 2019 graduating class, which marks the 50th in the school’s history. The ceremony had to be moved indoors from the school’s MacDonald Stadium due to heavy rain. According to Avery Schools Superintendent Bryan Taylor, the 2019 graduating class received a half million dollars ($500,000.00) in scholarship awards to attend colleges, universities and other institutions of higher learning. The Avery High Band and chorus were featured during graduation as “Pomp and Circumstance” was played as the graduates marched into the gymnasium in front of a capacity crowd of family, friends, special guests, teachers and school system officials.  By Tim Gardner / Read more…

June 13, 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…

June 13, 2019. The beginning date for replacing the bridge that crosses the Watauga River on Highway 105 will be March of 2020, according to North Carolina Department of Transportation Division 11 Project Manager Ramie Shaw. “Our letting schedule is March 17, 2020, for this project,” Shaw said Wednesday afternoon. Construction will begin soon thereafter and will include both daytime and nighttime construction and there will not be any required detours for travelers. “We will not be closing the bridge so there will be no detours. We will be doing staged construction, building one lane of the bridge at a time keeping one lane open to traffic,” Shaw said. There will also be some blasting needed at times for this project, however, Shaw said that the blasting will not be done during peak travel times. Lane closures during blasting are expected to be around 30 minutes. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

June 13, 2019. Virginia “Ginny” Stevens – a woman whose respect for Blowing Rock’s history was so sincere that she spent the last 3 decades of her life ensuring its preservation – will be leaving one more indelible mark on the town’s rich history. At 4 pm this Sunday, June 16th, the Friends of Ginny Stevens will commence the dedication of the street formerly known as Chestnut Street. As of Sunday, it will be known as Ginny Stevens Lane. Ever since she arrived in town with her husband David in 1985, Ginny Stevens had made her love for the town of Blowing Rock clear. In addition to co-founding the Blowing Rock Historical Society and leading its important work for many years, Ginny Stevens worked at the 1888 Museum (housed in the last remaining cottage of the historic Watauga Hotel), was active in Preservation North Carolina (in which role she helped to preserve many historically relevant buildings in Raleigh), and made herself heard often at Blowing Rock Town Council meetings. By Tzar Wilkerson / Read more…

June 12, 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

June 12, 2019. Looking for a way to be active and spend time with your family? Run, walk or crawl your way to the summit at Sugar Mountain Resort is hosting their 3rd annual Summit Crawl on July 6. The Summit Crawl is a fun and competitive (if you want it to be) event via foot to the mountain’s 5,300’ peak where participants can find first aid and water stations sponsored by Lowes Foods. Once you’ve finished at the top, board the Summit Express and enjoy a relaxing and scenic ride back to the base. The event features a mass start on the gravel/dirt road directly in front of the base lodge at 10 a.m. The route follows Easy Street, Gunther’s Way and Northridge slopes and will be marked on event day. Kim Jochl says that “it’s tough, but it’s fun. You feel really good when you get to the top.” By Hailey Blevins / Read more…

June 12, 2019. Sponsored by the Blowing Rock Historical Society, Jerry Burns Day is Tuesday, June 18. An informal celebration will be held at Edgewood Cottage at 3:30 pm. A resolution to celebrate June 18th each year as “Jerry Burns Day” commemorating the town’s greatest cheerleader of his generation, and the man who is still remembered by many as the spirit of goodness in our village, was made in 2012. It’s been said that Jerry put the sunshine in every story for the Blowing Rocket; he was the editor for over 44 years. Jerry’s birthday is celebrated each year with a program highlighting a particular family’s history here in Blowing Rock.This year, Susie Greene will share her family’s history along with stories of the nightlife in Blowing Rock during the 40’s through the 80’s  / Read more…

June 12, 2019. Chetola Resort and artist/curator Brenda Councill have created an event filled weekend featuring renowned national artists, celebrities and star entertainment, including imaginative, family-friendly activities. August 9-11 from 10 a.m.-11 a.m. each night features continuous engaging entertainment for the entire family. Chetola Resort’s lakeside setting provides the outdoor venue that has achieved landmark status among travelers to the High Country. The lake provides a dramatic backdrop for juried exhibition of over 50 nationally renowned sculptors traveling from the west coast, the southeast and midwest. Monumental scale and mid-scale works of art curated by Ms. Councill will be temporarily installed along the path around the lake. / Read more…

June 11, 2019. Rarely does a high school student graduate at the age of 15 — even before obtaining a driver’s license — but that’s exactly what is happening this week in Boone when Christian Hughes walks across the stage for his diploma. Set to graduate from Watauga High School on Friday night, Hughes will head to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in the fall, the top Aerospace Engineering program in the nation for 16 years. It is at that prestigious school that he plans to prepare for a career in aerospace engineering, and also hopes to one day become an astronaut and go to Mars. On the surface, Hughes seems a lot like other teenagers. He likes to play video games, particularly Counter Strike. He hangs out with his family, goes bowling with his father every Monday night and looks forward to “Wing Night” at Elevation 3333 every Friday night. Most days, he wakes up around 6 a.m. and goes to sleep around 9 p.m.  By Sherrie Norris / Read more…

June 12, 2019. The area’s housing market in May continued its shift to the benefit of sellers as the busy summer selling season got off to a strong start, according to the High Country Association of Realtors® monthly rest estate report. Sales prices continued to increase, both in median sales price and price per square foot. Sellers also received more of what they were asking for at closing, with the listing price to sales price ratio the highest recorded for a month in at least three years. Local Realtors® sold 235 homes worth $71.79 million in May, according to the High Country Multiple Listing Service (MLS). It tracks the sales activity of all member Realtors® located in Alleghany, Ashe, Avery and Watauga counties. It was the busiest May for local Realtors® in more than 13 years, with sales up 18.7 percent compared to last May (198 homes sold). It was also the busiest overall month since last August (295). / Read more…

June 12, 2019. Some consumer survey results indicate that neckties still top the list of Father’s Day gifts. We know that all dads — or even most dads these days — do not wear ties on a regular basis, so if yours doesn’t, offer a “subtle” hint or two by wrapping up a few helpful tools for him to use around the house — like hammers, wrenches and screwdrivers. Or, if he is a self-professed handyman and already pretty punctual in his attempts to take care of those squeaky doors and drippy leaks, think about dropping by a sporting goods store for a new fishing rod or set of golf clubs — or a hammock. Even if your funds are low and the best you can do is show up on Sunday with a few brownies or cookies on a colorful paper plate and tied up with a bow, it will mean the world to him just to know you care. See below for a few ideas. If your father is alive, spend the day with him and make every moment count. Your time will prove to be the best gift you can give him. Let us not forget those children who have lost a father this year, and those fathers who have lost a child. I dedicate this column to my husband, Van Norris, who has been —and continues to be — the greatest father and grandfather that a child could possibly hope for. Happy Day, Dads! / Read more…

June 11, 2019. The Lees-McRae Women’s Soccer program has invited boys and girls ages four to 14 to its annual recreational summer soccer camp to learn new soccer skills, tricks and moves from the women’s and men’s coaching staff and the women’s soccer team. “It’s very soccer intensive in the morning, but we are going to have different sections in there and we will be breaking them up based on their age groups to go over the specific points of soccer,” said Women’s Soccer Assistant Coach Erin Barca. Campers will be able experience age-appropriate coaching as the Lees-McRae College Athletic Complex harbors four different soccer fields.  By Gianna Holiday / Read more…

June 11, 2019. For nearly a century, the pastoral MacRae Meadows in Linville, resting in the shadows of Grandfather Mountain, have welcomed thousands of visitors to the daylong event known as Singing on the Mountain. Now in its 95th year of bringing people together from all ages and stages of life, the annual event is set to take place again on Sunday, June 23. Always held on the fourth Sunday in June, with rare exceptions, The Singing on the Mountain, will again offer a great line-up of gospel musicians and singers that delight the large audiences every year, scheduled along with a midday message of inspiration.  By Sherrie Norris / Read more…