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Haircut 101 in Downtown Boone Will Be Closing Its Doors for the Last Time This Thursday

May 17, 2022. On Thursday May 19th, Haircut101, a downtown Boone staple for the past 33 years under the leadership of founder and owner John Mena, will be closing its salon doors for the last time. “This was far from an easy decision, but after a great deal of thought and reflection, the time feels right for me to shift some of my priorities in life,” said Mena. Last month, Mena sold the building that has housed Haircut101 for the last 26 years, following its original Depot Street location that burned down. The new owner of the building has no immediate plans for the building and is now exploring options and ideas. “I feel very fortunate and lucky to have persevered all these years in spite of myself,” said Mena. “I’ve been supported and encouraged by numerous friends, family and employees which have kept the doors open these past many years. I have been very, very blessed.”

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Ensemble Stage Brings Four Premieres to Hahn Auditorium this Summer for its 13th Season

May 17, 2022. For its 13th summer season, Ensemble Stage brings four premieres to Hahn Auditorium at the Historic Banner Elk School. The professional theater company performs a world premiere, an international premiere and two regional premieres. In addition to four Main Stage shows, Ensemble Stage puts on interactive kids’ shows June 11 and 18, and July 9 and 30. “The Hitchcock Radio Hour,” which includes two staged radio plays, runs October 28-29. And the beloved holiday tradition “A Banner Elk Christmas 4” returns Dec. 2-18.

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“I Draw Slow” Takes the Stage at the Appalachian Theatre; Popular Irish Folk Music and Storytelling Quintet Debuts on June 3  

May 16, 2022. Touring the United States from Dublin, Ireland, the popular quintet “I Draw Slow” makes their debut performance at the Appalachian Theatre of the High Country at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, June 3 with energy that is “truly infectious.” I Draw Slow coaxes the past into the present with original songs that draw from the best of Irish storytelling and American folk music with close-harmony vocals and intriguing instrumentation. Established as perennial festival favorites, they have danced their way across the stages of MerleFest, Pickathon, Wintergrass, RockyGrass, and Grey Fox, in addition to numerous appearances on radio shows, including the syndicated “Mountain Stage.”

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Avery County Had 991 Early and Absentee Votes Cast; Primary Election to be held Tuesday, May 17 for all Eligible Voters Who Did Not Vote Early or by Absentee Ballot

May 16, 2022 What an election official termed as a “usual high volume,” 991 votes were cast during the 13-day, 2022 early voting period in Avery County. That was seven more than the 984 who voted early in Avery County in 2020. All 2022 Early Voting had to be conducted solely in the Avery County Senior Citizens Center in Newland. Every Early Voting opened on April 28 and closed on May 14. County races for Clerk of Court, County Commissioner, Register of Deeds, Coroner and non-partisan Board of Education are on the ballot this year as well as several for various regional, state and federal offices.  By Tim Gardner

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Annual Run For Holland for Down Syndrome and Mentally Handicapped Awareness Another Major Success

May 13, 2022 The 2022 Run For Holland, held May 7, and yearly since 2014 in the North Carolina High Country Town of Spruce Pine in Mitchell County, was like each of the others in its nine-year history—a major success. When Mitchell County couple Adam and Brooke Burleson discovered that one of their daughters would be born with Down Syndrome, they turned it into an event to positively impact an entire community. The couple organized this 5k run in Spruce Pine to raise awareness for individuals with Down syndrome and other physical and mental disabilities. The event, called Run for Holland, is named after their daughter Holland, who was born with Down syndrome, and has changed their lives and those of all others who participate in the race in a most positive manner.  By Tim Gardner

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Bret Bullis Named Warden at Avery-Mitchell Correctional Institution

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May 13, 2022 Justice has named High Country native Bret Bullis as the new warden of the Avery-Mitchell Correctional Institution, located in the far Southern end of Avery County in the Kalmia Community. Bullis had been the associate warden for custody and operations at the Marion, NC Correctional Institution, a close and minimum custody prison, since 2020. “Warden Bullis is a longtime resident of Spruce Pine and has earned vast experience with all aspects of managing the operations of a large prison,” said Todd Ishee, Commissioner of Prisons. “He’s an excellent addition to our team of wardens who work so hard to protect the staff, the offenders, and our communities with caring and compassion.”  By Tim Gardner

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Movie Review: ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ Can Never Quite Deliver the Right Amount of Chaos

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May 13, 2022 After “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” I was a little apprehensive about the Marvel Cinematic Universe exploring more of the Multiverse. Sure, seeing guest stars from two other universes was great and all, but I was (and still am) worried that the MCU will use the Multiverse as an excuse to do whatever it wants. Years of continuity can be undone with the writers just shrugging and saying, “The Multiverse.” Don’t get me wrong, some course corrections may be worth making (can we get Michael B. Jordan’s “Black Panther” villain Erik Killmonger back somehow?), but if they’re overdone, the movies will become stakeless and uninteresting. The good news is that “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” doesn’t fall into this trap. Aside from a rapid-fire sequence in the middle, this movie only spends significant time in four or five universes. We get a variety of settings without the movie overdoing it, like the imaginative-but-cluttered “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” For a movie about the Multiverse, this movie was a lot more grounded than I expected, and I mean that in a good way. The bad news is that I couldn’t really get invested in the story in any universe, and of course I don’t mean that in a good way.  By Bob Garver

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Blue Ridge Conservancy Secures Crucial Property for Recreation and Access on the Middle Fork Greenway

May 13, 2022. This week, Blue Ridge Conservancy (BRC) purchased 33 acres of land just outside Boone, providing a critical link for the Middle Fork Greenway, which will connect Boone to Blowing Rock. The property features 2,000 feet of frontage along the Middle Fork New River and will be known as Boone Gorge Park. In addition to the public access and recreational opportunities provided by the property, protecting this portion of the river is hugely important because it is located just upstream of Boone’s primary source of drinking water. The property was purchased from the family of Artie Hollars, and BRC is grateful for their help in conserving this exceptional tract of land. Funding for the project came from the Watauga County Tourism Development Authority and the State Capital Infrastructure Fund.

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Sherrie Norris Lovin’ Spoonful Cooking Column: Rhubarb – A Tart Taste Not Easily Forgotten


May 12, 2022. Rhubarb is among the fruits of spring that begin to show up about this time every year. Technically a vegetable, rhubarb is especially good when combined with strawberries, my springtime favorite.
Rhubarb is easily recognized by its rosy red and green tinged stalks with green leaves. Once you get a bite of its distinct tart flavor, you will never forget it. When buying rhubarb, look for crisp and firm stalks that have a nice bright color and are free from blemishes and cuts. The leaves, if still attached, should appear fresh and not wilted. Rhubarb can be refrigerated in a plastic bag for a few days before using — stalks become mushy if stored too long. Make sure to cut out tough and stringy fibers and brown spots before using. By Sherrie Norris

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Willie Watson to Perform at App Theatre on Thursday, June 16; Debut Concert is First Event on Mast Store Americana Music Series

May 10, 2022. Fresh from his celebrated appearance at Merlefest, popular folksinger Willie Watson, co-founder of the Old Crow Medicine Show, will make his long-awaited debut at the Appalachian Theatre of the High Country (ATHC) at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 16 as a prelude to the Boonerang Music and Arts Festival that weekend. Tickets go on sale to the public at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 10 at an “early bird” price of $10 per seat, and rising to $15 per ticket on May 12, 2022.

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Mountain Home Music and the Blowing Rock Art & History Museum, in Partnership with the Watauga Arts Council are Pleased to Announce the Inaugural Season of Concerts in the Gardens

May 10, 2022. Mountain Home Music and the Blowing Rock Art & History Museum (BRAHM) are pleased to announce a series of concerts in the Daniel Boone Native Gardens, in partnership with the Watauga Arts Council Mountain Home Music and the Blowing Rock Art & History Museum (BRAHM) are pleased to announce a series of concerts in the Daniel Boone Native Gardens, in partnership with the Watauga Arts Council. Concerts in the Garden will run from 4 PM – 6 PM. Gates will open at 3 PM to allow time to enjoy the garden and shop. Each program will feature local art & craft vendors curated by the Watauga Arts Council along with beer, wine, food offerings, walking tours, garden history, and live music. Tickets are $10 for Mountain Home Music and BRAHM members, children under 13, and $15 for the public and are available via blowingrockmuseum.org. Patrons should bring a blanket or folding chair.

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40th Annual New River Canoe Race & Family Float on June 4th 2022 Beginning in Jefferson

May 10, 2022. The 40th Annual New River Canoe Race and Family Float will be held Saturday, June 4th, in Jefferson, NC. This Ashe County tradition is sponsored by generous donations from community sponsors. Proceeds from the race support the Friends of High Country State Parks. Whether you compete, float for fun, or just spectate, come enjoy a beautiful day on the banks of the New River!

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Nearly 4,000 Students Earn Degrees as App State’s Class of 2022 this Past Weekend

May 10, 2022. Nearly 4,000 students attained Appalachian State University degrees this spring, which was celebrated at Spring Commencement ceremonies held May 6 and 7 at the Holmes Convocation Center. At six ceremonies held over two days, the university conferred degrees to 3,946 graduates, including 3,296 undergraduate and 650 graduate students. Recordings of the ceremonies are available on App State’s commencement website.

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Sherrie Norris Lovin’ Spoonful Cooking Column: Asparagus: A Sure Sign of Spring 


May 6, 2022. Asparagus is a sure sign that spring has arrived. While it’s not everyone’s favorite vegetable, one can acquire a taste for it and eventually learn to love it, as I have done in the past. 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 6-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 1/4 cup of water and cover. Microwave at full-power: 6-9 minutes for spears, 5-7 minutes for pieces. By Sherrie Norris

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Movie Review: Characters Given Great Deal of Charm by Cast of ‘The Bad Guys’

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May 5, 2022 The animated comedy “The Bad Guys” has very quietly been the #1 movie at the domestic box office for the past two weekends. The film follows a group of supposedly unlikeable animals as they do bad, do bad while they pretend to want to do good, then grapple with the decision whether or not to actually do good. Spoiler Alert for this family movie: they do not unanimously decide to remain bad. The leader is the Big Bad Wolf (Sam Rockwell), his best friend is Mr. Snake (Marc Maron), the rest of the team is Miss Tarantula (Awkwafina), Mr. Piranha (Anthony Ramos), and Mr. Shark (Craig Robinson). At the start of the movie, they lead a life of crime since no one is willing to give them a chance in life, what with the scariness and portrayals as villains and such. Seriously, the world is afraid of “these” animals? These are the most family-friendly versions of these animals imaginable. I’ve been unnerved around some of the fakest snakes you’ll ever see, and I wasn’t for a second scared of the snake in this movie. The Beast from Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” could be legitimately terrifying at times, so his arc about having to overcome his image made sense. To have the characters be so adorable so early just makes the film so… over-sanitized.   By Bob Garver

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Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson Releases Statement on Supreme Court Leak


May 5, 2022. Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson issued the following statement regarding the Supreme Court’s leaked majority opinion on Roe v. Wade: “I have experienced the pain of abortion in my own life and know the pain it can cause families.  That is a huge reason why I fight so hard for the life of the unborn. The unprecedented leak from our nation’s highest court is an atrocity. The draft that was leaked  was not a final decision by the court, and it appears that it was released by a radical leftist to  influence the final decision of the court. This person must be found and prosecuted. My sincere prayer is that our Justices stay the course and continue their work without the fear of  public backlash. If this draft is truly reflective of the court, then this is indeed a major victory for the pro-life  movement. This opinion says that it would give control over abortion back to the states – where it  rightfully belongs.  

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Representative Virginia Foxx on the Supreme Court’s Leaked Draft Opinion


May 5, 2022. Today, Representative Virginia Foxx (R-NC) issued the following statement regarding the Supreme Court’s leaked majority opinion on Roe v. Wade: “I have long held that the truth about abortion and the deceitfulness of Roe would be inevitably revealed to the American people. Until that day comes, I will never yield in my mission of exposing that truth. Former Supreme Court Justice William Rehnquist once observed that, ‘The Constitution protects judicial independence not to benefit judges, but to promote the rule of law.’ That sentiment rings true to this day even as both the independent judiciary and the Constitution have been subjugated by the actions of a rogue, partisan actor. The Founders foretold of this threat, and they were right. The political predilections of one individual have led to an unprecedented breach of confidentiality within the Supreme Court – one that will yield irreparable damage to the confidence of the American people and the rule of law itself. Politically motivated attacks directed at the Supreme Court, whether it be in the form of court packing or undermining judicial independence, must be opposed to the strongest degree possible. The future of our republic hangs in the balance.”

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Explore Boone’s “Got Awe” Ad Campaign Wins 2022 Integrated Ad Campaign Award

May 5, 2022. Explore Boone and their marketing agency, Miles Partnership, won an “Outstanding Integrated Ad Campaign” award in the 2022 Internet Advertising Competition from the Web Marketing Association for their “Boone’s Got Awe” campaign. The award was presented in April to Explore Boone and Miles. “For this campaign, we wanted to put the viewer in the scene, capture their attention and inspire them to come experience the ‘awe’ of Boone’s natural surroundings in person rather than a traditional static scenic vista,” said Wright Tilley, Executive Director of the Boone and Watauga County TDAs. “These ads were featured in major feeder markets to our area as a part of our ‘Got Awe’ campaign.” The “Got Awe” campaign launched in the fall of 2021 to inspire visitors to experience the beauty of the Boone area.

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LETTERS / Setting the Record Straight

May 5, 2022 Letters to the Editor. BY CARRINGTON PERTALION / To the Citizens of the Town of Boone and Watauga County: I would like to share my thoughts and clarify some confusion that may have arisen regarding the County’s project to build a parking deck on property that was known as the Hardin/Turner House, located on Rivers Street in Downtown Boone, across from the County’s Administrative Buildings. To start, I have always been very supportive of any efforts that individuals and the Town have put forth through the years to preserve historical properties.  The best examples of those efforts were the purchase of the Post Office and the Appalachian Theatre.  If anyone were to believe that I or the County does not see value in preserving historical buildings, such beliefs would be based on misunderstandings and misinformation.  All of the facts stated below are contained in the public record.

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