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Construction on Howard Street Set to Begin the Week of April 21 at the South Depot

April 18, 2025 On April 14, 2025, the Town of Boone hosted the official groundbreaking for the Howard Street Revitalization project. Due to the upcoming Easterholiday, official construction for this project will begin the week of April 21, 2025. The first construction phase for the Howard Street Revitalization project will occur at the South Depot Street/Howard Street intersection to replace underground infrastructure, a required start for this project. All roads leading to the South Depot Street/Howard Street intersection will be closed at the intersection. No vehicular traffic is permitted to access this intersection until this phase of the construction is complete.

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GROUNDHOG COFFEE CO. OPENS IN BOONE

April 16, 2025 Last weekend, Boone welcomed its newest local spot: Groundhog Coffee, now open next to Bella’s Italian. Founded by 19-year-old independent owner Conor Lowrey, the café has been a dream in the making since 2022. Conor has poured passion and precision into every detail—from the clean yet inviting space to the student baristas, expertly trained by renowned North Carolina coffee educator Destiny Law.

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4th Annual Boonerang Music & Arts Festival Kicks Off with Local Talent Showcase June 19

April 16, 2025 The Town of Boone is excited to announce the 2025 Boonerang Music & Arts Festival kicks off with the all-ages, talent show Boone’s Got Talent. The event showcases some of the High Country’s best local performers at the historic Appalachian Theatre in downtown Boone. A wide array of acts with a connection to the town will take to the Doc Watson Stage on Thursday, June 19, 2025, starting at 7:30 PM. In collaboration with the Appalachian Theatre and Mountain Home Music, the official Thursday night kick-off event for the 2025 festival features the second annual Boone’s Got Talent showcase after a successful debut in 2024.

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Town of Boone’s Historic Preservation Commission Boone Cemetery Interpretative Panels Unveiling Ceremony on May 2

April 16, 2025 The Town of Boone Town Council and Historic Preservation Commission cordially invite the public to attend the unveiling ceremony of the Boone Cemetery Interpretative Panels on May 2, 2025, at 5 PM. The ceremony will be held at Boone Cemetery, located at 678 Howard Street, near Appalachian State University’s Howard Street Hall and Student Union Center. This event is scheduled in conjunction with the First Friday festivities hosted by the Downtown Boone Development Association with the Watauga County Arts Council. The ceremony will feature opening remarks, followed by a cemetery tour in collaboration with the Watauga County Historical Society.

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Helping Hands Concert Series Brings Big Names to Banner Elk at Hayes Auditorium

April 16, 2025 Stars from across the music spectrum will perform three benefit concerts this summer at Hayes Auditorium on the campus of Lees-McRae College. Rock and Roll Hall of Famer John Oates of Hall & Oates, Country Music Hall of Famer Jimmy Fortune of The Statler Brothers, and two-time Grammy winning singer-songwriter Jim Lauderdale are among the star-studded lineup. All artists are donating their time to raise money for Hurricane Helene victims in the greater Banner Elk area.

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Sherrie Norris Lovin’ Spoonful Cooking Column: Holy Week Leading Us To Easter


April 15, 2025 We are in the midst of Holy Week, leading up  to Easter, which, for Christians around the world, is the most significant day of our faith. Preparing our hearts and minds began several weeks ago, and while I have failed miserably during this season of Lent, I am looking forward to a time of renewal with Easter season reminding me of important truths. Between now and the weekend, there will be numerous events to help us commemorate Easter, which, in addition to church services will include family gatherings, brunches, lunches, Easter Egg  hunts and more fun things for the kids. But, please don’t let the Easter Bunny take away from the true meaning of the observance recognizing the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I am not ashamed to proclaim my faith and I hope that others will join me at this sacred time of celebration By Sherrie Norris

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The High-Country Real Estate Market Report Shows Sales Down 18% from Last March

April 15, 2025 The High-Country Real Estate Market, which consists of Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, and Watauga counties saw sales down in March 2025 by 18.0% compared to March 2024, with inventory up 11.0% compared to March 2024. In March 2025, there were 109 closed sales on single-family and condo/townhouse properties. The combined closing total of sales for March 2025 was over $71 million compared to a closing total for March 2024 of $66.7 million. However, the combined median sales price for all four counties was $505,000 for March 2025, up 16.8% compared to March 2024. The weather is still a deciding factor in our market currently.

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Next Weekend, April 24-27, Begins MerleFest’s 37th Festival; Tickets Still Available

April 15, 2025 Wilkesboro, NC – The final countdown is here! In just one week, MerleFest, presented by Window World, will enter its 37th year, inviting music lovers from all backgrounds to enjoy a world-class lineup amidst the beautiful foothills in Wilkesboro, NC. The energy is undeniable as staff and volunteers put the finishing touches on this year’s event. MerleFest veterans and newcomers alike are scouring over stage schedules, downloading the official MerleFest Mobile App, and perfecting their plans for a stellar, jam-packed weekend. Next weekend, April 24-27, begins MerleFest’s 37th festival, and this year’s lineup features a bounty of all-star acts and jams. With headliners like Bonnie Raitt, The Avett Brothers, Watchhouse, and The Steeldrivers.

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Movie Review: “A Minecraft Movie” Now Playing at Boone Regal

April 15, 2025 After a mere two weekends, “A Minecraft Movie” has claimed the top spot of the 2025 domestic box office. It’s not shocking that this franchise piece beat out January fare, but since then we’ve had an MCU entry and this movie just blew right past it. And I have to ask: Why? Okay, I know why. It’s because the video game is popular. But bad movies based on popular video games flop all the time, why is this one in particular bucking the trend? Does the video game just have that big of a fanbase that they can turn it into a hit where so many similar attempts have failed? Or did fans and non-fans alike see the advertising for this movie and think that there might be a good movie here? I’m inclined to believe it’s the former, because I did not see any version of the advertising that made the movie seem like anything more than the hackery that it is. 

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Ensemble Stage Professional Theater Announce Their 2025 Summer Season Line-Up

April 14, 2025 The Ensemble Stage Professional Theater has announce their 2025 summer season line-up of shows along with ticket information. There will be four productions at the 99 seat Summer MainStage located in Banner Elk. Season tickets go on sale April 14 and single tickets will be available beginning April 28. Season tickets are available only by calling 828-414-1844 or stopping by the box office at 185 Azalea Circle located at the Historic Banner Elk School.

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Western Youth Network Announces Public Phase of $11.5M “Building Brighter Futures” Campaign to Expand Services for High Country Youth

April 14, 2025 Western Youth Network (WYN) is thrilled to announce the public launch of its $11.5 million “Building Brighter Futures” campaign, a transformational effort to expand facilities and programs to better serve the growing needs of youth in North Carolina’s High Country. For 40 years, WYN has provided life-changing support through mentorship, after-school programs, safe and healthy communities, mental health support, and life-changing opportunities. As the demand for services reaches record levels, this campaign will create the space and resources necessary to ensure every child has a safe place to learn, grow, and thrive.

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Cooperative Extension & the Watauga Seed Library Offer Free Seed Saving Classes in Boone

April 14, 2025  At this early outset of springtime, gardeners may be thinking of seeds mostly as something to buy (or source from the Watauga Seed Library!). Thinking ahead to harvests though, fruits and vegetables will be producing seeds of their own (hopefully enough to return some seeds to the Watauga Seed Library!), and plant in subsequent years. If you hope to save seeds from your own farm or garden later this year, now is the time to plan for that: from the open-pollinated varieties you choose to plant, to how much you grow, how many you select to keep for seed-saving, and how long they will take to reach full maturity.

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“Spruced Up” Grandfather by Night Series Returns to Grandfather Mountain for the Summer

April 14, 2025 Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, has once again updated its popular nighttime expedition series, Grandfather by Night, for 2025. The evening starts atop Grandfather Mountain at the Mile High Swinging Bridge, where participants can explore and observe sunset, weather permitting, from this lofty vantage point. During this time, park educators will be on hand to discuss the unique flora and crepuscular (active during twilight) fauna that call Grandfather home. Two variations of the Grandfather by Night series will be offered this year — the Twilight Hike and the Naturalist Program.

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Watauga County Republican Women’s Club Next Monthly Meeting on Wednesday April 30

April 14, 2025 The Watauga County Republican Women’s Club (WCRWC) will have its next monthly meeting on Wednesday April 30 at Bocca Bistro, 276 Watauga Village Drive, Suite G, (Wal-Mart Shopping Center) Boone. Lunch at 11:00 AM (order off the menu) with meeting to follow at noon. All interested in furthering the Republican cause in the High Country are welcome to attend and are invited to join. Call 828/832-6864 for more information. The WCRWC usually meets the last Wednesday of the month. See us on Facebook and learn more.

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Jones House Announces 2025 Weekly Summer Concert Series Lineup on Fridays at 5:30

April 11, 2025 The Town of Boone is excited to announce the 2025 Summer Concerts at the Jones House, a beloved Friday night tradition returning to downtown Boone with a season packed full of outstanding local and regional talent. Presented by the Town of Boone and sponsored by the Downtown Boone Development Association (DBDA), Omega Tees Screen Printing and Embroidery, Mast General Store, ECRS, Melanie’s Food Fantasy, and Stick Boy Bread Company, the concert series will run from June 6 through August 29, with concerts starting at 5:30 PM each Friday on the Jones House lawn.

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Town of Boone 1872 Award Nominations Open Until May 1st

April 11, 2025 The Town of Boone is now accepting nominations for the third annual Town of Boone 1872 Award, created to recognize individuals and organizations who have made meaningful contributions to the town in ways that go beyond traditional proclamations. The 1872 Award honors living individuals and active organizations that have made substantial, positive impacts on the Boone community. Nominees do not need to be residents of Boone to be eligible. The deadline to submit nominations is May 1, 2025.

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Town of Boone Announces the Launch of “Branding Boone” – Two Public Input Sessions to be Held April 14th and 15th

April 10, 2025 The Town of Boone is excited to announce the launch of “Branding Boone”, an initiative to update and refresh the Town’s government brand and identity. Made possible through a grant awarded by the North Carolina Department of Commerce, this project will include a new logo, updated branding guidelines, messaging, and more. Boone wouldn’t be Boone without its residents, and the Town warmly invites all residents to participate in the first round of community engagement for this project. Civicbrand, the consulting firm chosen for this project, will be facilitating this project alongside staff from the Town of Boone.

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Feel Happiest At Home


April 10, 2025 In our last article, we covered how home organization is a practice, not a destination. Starting a home organization practice can be both transformative and liberating. It creates a harmonious living space, reduces stress, and enhances productivity. The journey begins with commitment and an understanding that organization is an ongoing process. As with all practices, you will begin with intention. Consider what you want to achieve through home organization. Do you want to create a smoother morning routine? Have a designated homework or craft area? Make cleaning and tidying more efficient? Defining clear goals will motivate you when the process becomes challenging. Work with your natural habits. If you drop items at one of your entrances, then create an orderly drop zone there. If you are always searching for your electronics, designate a charging station spot for them. Maximize your existing routines to set yourself up for success. By Hadley Watson

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App State ROTC Program Honored with Army’s General Douglas MacArthur Award

April 9, 2025 The Appalachian State University Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program, known as the Mountaineer Battalion, has been awarded the U.S. Army’s General Douglas MacArthur Award, recognizing the program’s exceptional contributions to military leadership and training. A ceremony in celebration of the program’s achievement was held March 20 at App State’s Boone campus. Established in 1989, the award, conferred by the U.S. Army Cadet Command, honors the top eight ROTC programs in the country. The award highlights the success of programs in displaying Gen. MacArthur’s ideals — “Duty, Honor, Country” — and accomplishing its mission of training and commissioning second lieutenants for the U.S. Army.

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Details for April 12 Battle at The Rock Spring Game at Kidd Brewer Stadium; Admission Free

April 9, 2025 App State will host its “Battle at The Rock” spring football game on April 12 at Kidd Brewer Stadium. Admission will be free, and fans will be treated to a variety of pregame and in-game opportunities to engage with App State Football and purchase special opportunities. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. There will be a Pregame FanFest from 10 a.m.-noon in the Jerry Moore Plaza featuring football team autographs and a DJ, as well as a Kid Zone with bounce houses and more. Junior Mountaineer Kids Club members can enter the Kid Zone free of charge. Kid Zone tickets for non-members will be $5.

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Sherrie Norris Lovin’ Spoonful Cooking Column: Asparagus Among Spring’s Favorite Dishes, For Some 


April 8, 2025 It’s Spring and the season for fresh asparagus. It’s not everyone’s favorite vegetable, but one can acquire a taste for it and eventually learn to love it, or at least like it. I’ll never forget my official introduction to asparagus. I was attending a luncheon in the lovely home of the late Joanne Hartley. Who was I to question the menu choices of one of the area’s leading ladies? Of course, I thought it was better covered in the creamy sauce she had prepared for it, but I did get braver with time and learn that asparagus is pretty good prepared in the oven with olive oil and seasonings. (I thank my daughter-in-law for that.) It’s still not something I’ll usually eat if there’s a green bean or broccoli floret in sight, but it is a seasonal favorite of many. And it’s healthy.  Perfect for those counting calories and fat grams, asparagus is one of the best choices, with absolutely no fat or cholesterol and only about 50 calories in a six-stalk serving. Asparagus is recommended for many special diets, including renal, low-sodium, diabetic and low cholesterol. It is rich in Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), an important vitamin for smooth skin. Fresh or canned, asparagus may be boiled in a small amount of water in a saucepan or steamer until tender, for approximately 10 minutes for fresh or 7 minutes for frozen. It can also be stir-fried in small pieces in a little hot oil, stirred constantly until tender-crisp, about 3-5- minutes. If microwaving, place in a baking dish with tips toward the center. Add ¼ cup of water and cover. Microwave at full-power: 6-9 minutes for spears, 5-7 minutes for pieces. Here are a few simple recipes to try with asparagus as we transition our meals into Spring-mode. By Sherrie Norris

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1400 People Filled the Sidewalk of King Street in Boone on Saturday for a Planned March by INDIVISIBLE Watauga Against Trump’s Agenda

April 7, 2025 Over 1400 people showed up for a planned protest march on Saturday in Downtown Boone that was organized locally by INDIVISIBLE Watauga, whose founder is Peter Nesbitt. The event was part of a peaceful, nationwide mobilization planned for April 5th. The theme of the march was “Hands Off.” The Boone march started behind the Turchin Center for Visual Arts and proceeded down the King Street sidewalk to an area beside the courthouse, about a half a mile away. The march started at 2:00 and and at one point marchers filled the sidewalk continuously for that whole half a mile. Marchers were encourage to bring signs to hold up during the march, and that they did. 

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