High Country Press

July 25, 2017. High Country Crime Stoppers and the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office seek the public’s assistance in solving the following crime: Between May 27 and 30, a residence on Ironweed Road was broken into. Game cameras on the property captured images of a white male and white female who were possibly driving a newer model VW or Fiat, small white hatchback. / Read more…

July 25, 2017. The following are recent obituary notices from Austin and Barnes and Hampton funeral homes in Boone and Reins-Sturdivant in Newland. Send obituary notices to [email protected] Compiled by Jesse Wood / Read more…

July 25, 2017. Have any old home movies just lying around in the attic, basement, or garage? Think they might contain historic footage showing life in Boone, Blowing Rock, or Watauga County? Bring them on down to Digital Watauga’s Home Movie Day, sponsored by the Watauga County Historical Society (WCHS), and they’ll run them through the projector to see what you’ve got. This unusual and much anticipated event will take place on Thursday, Aug. 3, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at the Watauga County Library in Boone. / Read more…

July 25, 2017. Here is the latest update from the Town of Boone on its water intake project. Crews are currently working at Brownwood Road, along U.S. 421 and the greenway. / Read more…

July 25, 2017. April Verch and Joe Newberry will be featured in a special Joe Shannon’s Mountain Home Music concert, “Traditional Music – From Canada to the Ozarks” on Saturday, July 29th at the Blowing Rock School Auditorium. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m., with doors opening at 7 p.m. / Read more…

July 12, 2016. One of two people convicted with murdering Coy Hartley in the first degree in a Greenway Trailer Park mobile home in Boone in 1994 is one step away from being exonerated by the N.C. Innocence Inquiry Commission (IIC). / Read more… By Jesse Wood

July 18, 2017. The Symphony by the Lake at Chetola Resort is returning to the High Country for its 30th year of providing beautiful, inspiring music for residents and visitors alike. On Friday, July 28, this year’s Symphony will be bringing all of us a new experience with more Celtic music incorporated into the program. By Katelyn Jenkins / Read more…

July 24, 2017. For the second consecutive season, Appalachian State is the preseason favorite in the Sun Belt Conference in a vote by the league head coaches. The Sun Belt released the preseason poll Thursday in advance of the Sun Belt’s annual media day that begins Sunday, July 23. / Read more…

July 24, 2017. U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke and Colorado Senator Cory Gardner announced on Saturday, July 22 that the National Park Service is teaming up with partners across the nation to distribute nearly $50 million in high priority maintenance and infrastructure projects at 42 parks in 29 states. Congress provided $20 million for the projects as part of the Centennial Challenge program which will be matched by $33 million from more than 50 park partners to improve trails, restore buildings, and increase visitor access to parks. / Read more…

July 24, 2017. The Boone Town Council passed the “brunch bill” last Thursday and local establishments began serving up mimosas and bloody Marys on Sunday morning. Now, all of the municipalities in Watauga County have approved the bill. As Boone’s Town Manager John Ward said, the only reason the council didn’t address the issue earlier was because it hadn’t had the opportunity to meet since the N.C. legislature amended its laws last month.  By Jesse Wood / Read more…

July. 24, 2017. Appalachian students and faculty are working to help bee populations recover through art, technology and local hives. – Photo Courtesy of Appalachian magazine / Read more…

July. 24, 2017. This Friday, Jones House will be featuring Jon Shain, Angela Easterling and Earleine. – Photo Courtesy of Mark Freed / Read more…

July 24, 2017 Entertainment Weekly killed “Dunkirk” for me. Not because the review written by Chris Nashawaty was negative or turned me off in any way, but because it went too far toward the other extreme. On Tuesday afternoon, the headline on EW.com proclaimed the film to be “Easily the Best Movie of the Year So Far.” So I went into the film expecting nothing less than unquestionable excellence, something that would make me forget all about “Logan” and “John Wick: Chapter 2” and all my other favorites of 2017. I should have known that it was never going to pull that off, not with my expectations raised so high. What I got was a fine film whose minor cracks wouldn’t have been so noticeable if I wasn’t expecting perfection. By Bob Garver. / Read more…

July. 24, 2017. Its not too late to register for the Grandfather Mountain Camera Clinic August 19th and 20th to work with some outstanding photojournalist in order to develop and expand your photography skillls – Photo Courtesy of the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation / Read more…

July 24, 2017. The Blowing Rock Art and History Museum is now offering visitors a chance to step back in time and view antiques from all over the East Coast. The Blowing Rock Art and Antiques Show will have furnishings, paintings, antique jewelry and more available for purchase. By Katelyn Jenkins – Photo Courtesy of the Blowing Rock Art and History Museum / Read more…

July 24, 2017. This year marks the 94th annual Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show at the L.M. Tate Show Grounds in Blowing Rock. The next two weeks, with events beginning on July 25, will present the High Country with competitions and shows of horses in the jumper and hunter divisions. Photo Courtesy of Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show / Read more…

July 24, 2017. High Country Crime Stoppers and Boone Police seek the public’s assistance in solving the following crime: During the overnight hours between July 15 and 16, 2017, an unknown person damaged a community sign at Meadow Hill Apartments, 219 Meadow Hill Drive.  / Read more… 

July 24, 2017. Candidate filing is over and nearly three dozen people have filed their candidacy for the 2017 municipal elections in Avery County, according to the local board of elections office. Contested races are Beech Mountain Town Council, Elk Park Town Council, Newland Town Council and Seven Devils Town Council. By Jesse Wood / Read more…

July 24, 2017. Candidate filing is over and two dozen people have filed their candidacy for the 2017 municipal elections in Watauga County, according to the local board of elections office. Filing opened on July 7 and closed on July 21. By Jesse Wood / 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.

The Mountain Laurel Quilt Guild to Hold Monthly Meeting, Aug. 3

Bass-Baritone Avan Adair to Perform at St. Mary of the Hills, July 29

Boone’s In/Visible Theatre Seeking Solo Performers for the 2nd Annual BOLO Fest

Blue Ridge Parkway Evening Program, July 29

Weekly Events at Lost Province, 7/26-8/5

BRAHM to Host Book Talk on Melungeons, Aug. 10

Read more…
Compiled by Katie Benfield

July 24, 2017. Brad Worley of Boone made his first visit to Mountain View Speedway this season a good one. He beat out Michael Eller and Curtis Barker to take the Stock 4 Feature event. This coming Saturday is also “Love Thy Neighbor Night.” Any neighbors from Roby Greene Rd., Locust Hill, Seven Oaks, Benjamin Drive,or Eastridge Acres get in FREE w/proper I.D. / Read more…

July 24, 2017. Just a two-hour drive from Boone and boasting one of the most dynamic lineups ever assembled for a multi-day world music festival, FloydFest 17~Freedom is set to deliver a truly engaging and diverse artistic experience along the magical Blue Ridge Parkway from July 26 to 30, 2017. Across nine+ stages over five days, FloydFest 17 welcomes more than 100 bands, including Thievery Corporation, Michael Franti, St. Paul & the Broken Bones, Rising Appalachia, Leftover Salmon, Steel Pulse, Railroad Earth, Marty Stuart, and Xavier Rudd. / Read more…

July 21, 2017. Shagging at the Rock is a premier event hosted by The Blowing Rock, one of the most well-known attractions throughout the High Country. The music-filled day will present four beach music themed bands that will provide attendees with the perfect music on a beautiful Mountain day. The grounds of The Blowing Rock will be open, so attendees are more than welcome to visit the attraction during the event. Tickets are on sale now. By Katie Benfield, Photo Courtesy of The Blowing Rock / Read more…

July 21, 2017. On August 5-6 the Ashe County Arts Council will sponsor the Ashe County Studio Tour, a two-day, self-guided, free event in which Ashe County artists open their studios to the public. Most of the studios are not usually open to the public, so this is a rare opportunity for people to see where these artists work and at select locations, to watch them as they create their art. All art on the Ashe County Studio Tour is handmade, original work designed and produced by the artists in Ashe County. / Read more…

July 21, 2017. On July 21, the Appalachian Regional Healthcare Foundation will be presenting the 40th Annual Blowing Rock Fashion Show at the Blowing Rock Country Club. The proceeds from this year’s event will go toward supporting healthcare throughout the High Country. Photo Courtesy of the Blowing Rock Historical Society / Read more…

July 21, 2017. Over the last three decades, Toni Carlton has worked hard not only to expand her own artistic talents and skills, but also to expand on her gallery and studio. As the years have passed, Carlton Gallery has grown in size, media content and artistic and community involvement. On July 22, Carlton Gallery will be having a 35th anniversary celebration to honor the last 35 years that this gallery has been a staple in the High Country. By Katie Benfield – Photo Courtesy of Carlton Gallery / Read more…

July 21, 2017. Boone Cyclo.Via returns to the High Country for its 7th annual festivities. With BMX performances, a bike parade, trike races, bike rentals and fixing services and so much more from food services and nonprofits throughout the community, the Boone Cyclo.Via is the perfect event for human powered fun in the High Country! By Katie Benfield – Photo Courtesy of the Boone Cyclo.Via Facebook / Read more…

July 21, 2017. For many, a daylong, 13-act concert is all it takes to wipe the calendar clean for a Saturday afternoon and evening. Luckily for music lovers of the High Country, The Local’s Saturday, July 22 show will be much more than that. Boone native and musician Brian Russell Collins will host his yearly charity event A Cause to Rock at the downtown Boone venue to help raise money for Winston-Salem’s Darryl Gaines, a North Forsyth High School student-athlete and recent graduate diagnosed with stage III lymphoma. Collins founded A Cause to Rock in 2015, focusing the first annual event on raising money for Wilmington community members with autism and their families. By Bailey Faulkner / Read more…

July 21, 2017. Children’s Hope Alliance, a merger between Grandfather Home for Children and Barium Springs, held its annual Giving Them Hope Luncheon at the Hugh Chapman Center in Linville. The luncheon was designed to invite community members to see what Children’s Hope Alliance is currently working on, as well as hearing testimonies from children who completed treatment with Children’s Hope Alliance and have been given hope back and the opportunity to shine once more. By Katie Benfield / Read more…

July 21, 2017. The Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show has been around in the community for 94 years. It returned this year in June with the Saddlebred divisions, and it is bringing even more fun and competition starting on July 25. The Hunter/Jumper divisions will be competing over two weeks, ending on August 6. The horse show is estimated to bring about 2,500 people into the Blowing Rock area as elite professional riders come to compete for ribbons, cash prizes and championships. By Katie Benfield / 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.

The 450th Anniversary Celebration of the Spanish Colonial Trail to Take Place at Catawba Meadows Park, 8/5

Traditional Scottish Music at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, July 21

Benefit Singing for Kari’s Home July 30

Watauga Cooperative Extension & Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture Host Free Seed Saving Workshop, 7/25

Snow Lodge #363 Annual BBQ Charity, 7/21

Read more…
Compiled by Katie Benfield

July 20, 2017. If you’re 62 years old or older and plan on visiting national parks and other federal recreation areas as part of your senior lifestyle, now is the time to buy your America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Senior Pass. On August 28, 2017, the now $10 cost of the lifetime pass will increase 700% to $80. By Randy Johnson / Read more…

July 20, 2017. A senior softball club is looking for participants. Men and women over the age of 50 are invited to attend Tuesday and Thursday meet ups in the High Country to play softball. At 10 a.m. on Tuesday, the group meets at Lees McRae College in Banner Elk, and at 10 a.m. on Thursday, they meet at the Watauga County Parks & Recreation fields in Boone. Jesse Wood / Read more…

July 20, 2017. Leatherwood Mountains Resort has been purchased by two executive employees of the firm. Leatherwood Mountains Resort is located in Wilkes County and is a premier vacation destination in North Carolina and features a variety of equine activities. / Read more…

July 20, 2017. 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…