April 2018

The Schaefer Center Presents “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” on April 13-15

April 6, 2018. The “The Schaefer Center Presents…” performance series, a program of Appalachian State University’s Office of Arts and Cultural Programs, continues its 2017–18 season with a collaborative production of the Tony Award-winning best musical “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” at 7 p.m. on April 13 and 14, and at 2 p.m. on April 15 at the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for Appalachian faculty/staff and retired faculty/staff, and $10 for students.

Today’s Email Announcements

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.

Mayland Community College Courses
Public Water and Sewer System Development Fee Act
Grandfather Mountain State Park 2018 Annual Wildflower Walks Free and Open to the Public
Public Comment Period on Proposal to Move Confederate Monuments to Close, 4/12
Mayland Community College Plant Swap, 4/28
Announcing: The First Ever Fundraising Event For Spirit Ride, 5/5
Watauga County Public Library, Author Visit Program: “Kirk’s Raiders”, 4/19
JAM Day Planned at Blue Ridge Music Center, 5/19
Ashe County Marathon Jam, 5/19
Caldwell Arts Council Call for Artists for “Art Around Caldwell Studio Tour” to be Held 6/23

Compiled by Kate Herman

Three Men Charged with Drug-Related Offenses After Migos Tour Bus Stopped on Highway 105

April 6, 2018. On April 5 at approximately 10:25 PM, Boone Police Department officers working security at the Holmes Convocation Center for the Migos concert detected an obvious odor of marijuana coming from the band’s vehicle as they left the venue. Officers stopped the vehicle on NC Highway 105 where a search of the vehicle was conducted. 420 grams of marijuana, 26 ounces of codeine and Xanax were seized.

Watauga County Deeds – Mar. 29-Apr. 4: 48 Deed Transfers With a Total Value of $13,126,000.00

Apr. 6, 2018. 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

A Decade of Good Deeds Defines The Women’s Fund of the Blue Ridge

April 5, 2018. The Women’s Fund of the Blue Ridge is a community-giving organization that has been positively impacting the lives of women and children in the High Country for the last ten years. Above all, the members of the Women’s Fund believe that all women and families deserve the right to equality, safety, opportunity, and self-determination in every aspect of their lives, and they strive to achieve these goals through grant writing, advocacy, and community building. As a non-profit organization, the Women’s Fund is sustained by a group of women philanthropists aiming to be a catalyst for good in the High Country by making necessary resources accessible to women in our community to be able to reach their full potential. By Jess Kleean & Katie Hutton

10th Annual Wild Game Dinner Apr. 14 Helps Fund Summer Mission Work for Pleasant Grove Baptist Church

April 5, 2018. The smile on her face and the excitement in her voice tells a lot about Zenat Drown, especially when she is talking about Greater Change, the nonprofit organization she formed last year in the Middle East. One woman with a mission in mind is a force with which to be reckoned — and those who know Drown best will tell you that she has the determination needed to make things happen. By Sherrie Norris

Avery Commissioners Make Service Board Appointments and Discuss Hiring Auditor

April 5, 2018. Personnel appointments to five County Service Boards and the discussion of hiring of an accounting firm to conduct this year’s County audit were among the highlights of the Avery Commissioners regular monthly meeting April 2. All Commissioners–Martha Hicks (Chairperson); Blake Vance (Vice-Chairman); Wood Hall (Woody) Young, Jr.; Tim Phillips; and Faye Lacey were present. Other top county officials attending included: Assistant County Manager and Clerk to the Board Cindy Turbyfill and County Attorney Michaelle Poore. County Manager Phillip Barrier, Jr. was on vacation and absent from the meeting. Approximately 17 others attended the meeting. By Tim Gardner

Sherrie Norris Lovin’ Spoonful Cooking Column: Asparagus Spells Spring

April 4, 2018. I have to admit, asparagus is not my favorite vegetable. However, recently, in a group of women, when asked what vegetable we could be, if we could be a vegetable, I stunned myself by responding “asparagus.” Why? “Because it’s tall and skinny and the people who like it really like it. No one just pretends to like asparagus.” I will never know how I came up with that analogy so quickly, but it’s true. You either like it or you don’t – and yes, its physical appearance is an added bonus. It looks healthy and it is. I learned to tolerate it a few years ago, when it was introduced in casserole form. Who doesn’t like a casserole, all creamy and covered with cheese? I know, that takes away the nutritious value, but it helped. Now, however, I actually enjoy it roasted in the oven, covered with a little olive oil and sea salt. By Sherrie Norris

Trout Fishing Season Starts Saturday With the 39th Annual Trout Derby Day in Blowing Rock

April 4, 2018. Following a five week restocking period, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission will reopen hatchery-supported trout waters Saturday at 7 a.m. In celebration, the 39th annual Blowing Rock Trout Derby Day at Broyhill Lake will begin shortly after, at sunrise. Hatchery supported trout waters, distinguishable by green and white signs, have been closed since March 1 for restocking, according to a statement from the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. By Luke Weir

Snow Showers Possible This Weekend and Early Next Week in the High Country

April 4, 2018. It just wouldn’t be the start of trout season without the threat of snow in the forecast. Trout fishing season officially begins on Saturday at 7 a.m. for Watauga and 24 other counties in the western half of the state. Saturday looks to be the coldest day of the week with high temperatures barely reaching the 40’s and lows dipping into the lower 20’s. Thursday and most of the day Friday look to be the nicest days of the week with high temperatures in the mid 50’s and a mix of sun and clouds.
By Nathan Ham

Weekly Crime Reports: Activity and Arrests in Boone and Watauga County, March 26- April 3

April 4, 2018. 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.
Compiled by Kate Herman

Boone Area Lions Hold Country Breakfast on Saturday April 7 from 7 a.m.- 11 a.m.

April 4, 2018. Where can you get all you can eat country breakfast for only $7? Eggs, pancakes, bacon and country ham will be on the menu when the Boone Area Lions Club holds its annual Country Breakfast on Saturday, April 7 from 7:00 – 11:00 am in the Fellowship Hall of the First Baptist Church of Boone on King Street. All are invited to eat in or take out. Tickets are available at the door for $7 for adults and $4 for children 6 and under.

Lees-McRae College Celebrates Eighth Annual Appalachian Heritage Week April 9-13

April 4, 2018. Join Lees-McRae College in celebrating spring’s return to the mountains during the eighth annual Appalachian Heritage Week April 9–13. Sponsored by the Stephenson Center for Appalachia, the College will highlight coal mining and other unique aspects of mountain heritage throughout the week.

Today’s Email Announcements

MerleFest Announces 2018 Chris Austin Songwriting Contest Finalists
Town of Boone Outside Agency Funding Notice
Invisible Theatre Pop Up Play, 4/6
Mayland Community College Star Party, 4/21

Compiled by Kate Herman

Today’s Email Announcements

Prestigious Full-Tuition Elizabeth McRae Scholarship Recipients Announced
Camp GOTR (Girls on the Run)
Watauga County Parks and Rec Pickleball for Seniors
High Country Local First Memberships- New!
Weekly Events at Lost Province Brewing Company, 4/4- 4/14
App State Emergency Siren Test, 4/4
Tweetsie Railroad Opening Day, 4/6
BRAHM’s Upcoming Events: Gentle Yoga, 4/6
Boone Area Lions Hold Country Breakfast, 4/7
Watauga Humane Society’s Tour for Life Adoption Event, 4/8
BRAHM’s Upcoming Events: Traveling Smithonian through 4/28
Spirit Ride’s Kentucky Derby Fundraiser, 5/5
Upcoming Sparta Events, Starting in June

Compiled by Kate Herman

Watauga, Avery Obituaries – April 3, 2018

April 3, 2018. The following are recent obituary notices from Austin and Barnes and Hampton funeral homes in Boone and Reins-Sturdivant in Newland.

Having a Real Good Time at F.A.R.M. Café’s Real Good Party Last Thursday

April 3, 2018. F.A.R.M. Café’s annual Real Good Party was a big hit at Boone Saloon last Thursday with the generous contributions from partygoers all going to a great cause in the High Country. “The party was very successful, we were really pleased. The community came out to support the café like they always do,” said Renee Boughman, the executive chef for the F.A.R.M. Café. “We have such a great, generous community here in the High Country.” Having the party in downtown Boone felt like a great fit. Boughman said she was really pleased with the location and everything that Boone Saloon did to help make the party a success. By Nathan Ham

New Watauga Board of Elections Approves Early Voting Plan for May 8 Primary Elections

April 3, 2018. The newly-appointed Watauga County Board of Elections unanimously approved countywide early voting plans for North Carolina’s 2018 primary elections at a special meeting held Thursday, March 29, according to board of elections Director Matthew Snyder One stop early voting begins on Thursday, April 19 and continues Friday, April 20, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Watauga County Administration Building at 814 W King St, according to the plans. By Luke Weir

Watauga County Deeds – March 22-28: 49 Deed Transfers With a Total Value of $10,662,000.00

Apr. 3, 2018. 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

Auction to Benefit Kari’s Home for Women set for April 13 at Boone United Methodist Church

April 3, 2018. Kari’s Home for Women, a Christ-centered ministry for women who are recovering from addiction, is hosting a live and silent auction on Friday, April 13 at Boone United Methodist Church. The auction will take place from 5-8 p.m. and there will be live music, testimonies and some hors d’oeuvres to snack on. Tickets for the auction are $10. Kari’s Home for Women, founded by John and Michelle Lundgren in May of 2015, is located on a peaceful, rural spot of land just outside of Boone. The home was created to provide a safe place for women over 18 to combat their drug or alcohol addictions through faith. By Nathan Ham

Rick Suyao named High Country Soccer Association’s first Executive Director

April 3, 2018. This past week, High Country Soccer Association’s board of directors announced in the club’s weekly newsletter the hiring of the Boone-based soccer club’s first executive director, Rick Suyao. He began his duties on April 1, 2018. “The board wholeheartedly agrees that Rick is the leader who will take HCSA to its next level of growth,” says Tracy Tilley, President of HCSA Board of Directors. High Country Soccer Association is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt nonprofit organization that provides professional soccer training with licensed coaches for youth ranging from U6 to U18 competing in the North Carolina Youth Soccer Association. The club, which opened in 1986, also operates the local adult league and winter futsal training. In all, HCSA has more than 600 youth players and more than 250 adult players from five different counties.

Movie Review: ‘Ready Player One’ An Exciting Blockbuster Thrill Ride

ready
Mar.26, 2018It’s no accident that “Ready Player One” opened on Easter weekend, as this movie is obsessed with Easter Eggs. Not the kind one paints and puts in a basket, but little bonuses hidden in various forms of media. The characters in the film are on the hunt for an Easter Egg that gives them control over a virtual reality empire, but more importantly the film itself is full of Easter Eggs designed to delight those nostalgic for pop culture from the late 70’s through 90’s.
The film takes place in a future where the real world is bleak, but a virtual world called The Oasis is thriving. The Oasis allows users to do whatever they want as whoever they want. By Bob Garver.

Tweetsie Railroad Opens For 2018 This Friday; Several Special Events Scheduled During the Year

April 2, 2018. Crowds will be lining up to catch a ride on the train when Tweetsie Railroad opens the gates this weekend for the first time in 2018. Opening Day for North Carolina’s longest-running theme park is officially scheduled for Friday, April 6 at 9 a.m. This will be Tweetsie’s 61st year in operation, dating back to the very first trip by the No. 12 train on July 4, 1957. By Nathan Ham

Graduation for the Watauga High School Class of 2018 Has Been Set for 10 a.m. Saturday, June 9

Apr. 2, 2018. Graduation for the Watauga High School Class of 2018 has been set for 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 9 at the Holmes Convocation Center on the campus of Appalachian State University in Boone. Students should arrive for graduation no later than 8:30 a.m. June 9.

Appalachian Young People’s Theatre premieres “The Hero Twins: Blood Race” April 6-8

Apr. 2, 2018. The Appalachian State University Department of Theatre and Dance will present the world premiere of “The Hero Twins: Blood Race” by playwright Ramón Esquivel. The family-friendly production is being performed on tour by the award-winning Appalachian Young People’s Theatre (AYPT) in elementary schools throughout the region, and in the I. G. Greer Studio Theatre on the university campus from April 6–8. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for all students

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