1000 x 90

Month: March 2025

Movie Review: “A Working Man” Now Playing at Boone Regal

March 31, 2025 Jason Statham has a new movie out. He plays with a guy who used to work in a violent profession, but he’s sworn to leave that life behind. But now some bad people have messed with his employer (the only people to help him out when he was at a low point), and he’s going to make the bad guys pay. Cue a series of investigations, interrogations, and of course, action sequences. He’ll go through several tiers of bad guys, until he’s contending with a huge crime empire that probably could have gone on unimpeded if a low-level employee hadn’t caused problems for Statham. Oh, and the whole thing is directed by David Ayer. The movie is called “The Beekeeper 2.” Okay, not really, it’s called “A Working Man,” but as similar as it is to that Statham vehicle from last year, it might as well be. 

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Status of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail Six Months After Hurricane Helene

March 31, 2025 Over 45% of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail has reopened in the mountains in the six months after Hurricane Helene. This has been a collaboration across agencies and volunteer crews to tackle the unprecedented damage that Hurricane Helene caused. In the first weeks and months after the storm, a tremendous amount of work was done by National Park Service and US Forest Service staffs. These pros assessed the trail first and found that much of the damage was beyond even their training. Skilled professional crews and contractors were brought in to detangle the massive tree pile ups and create a narrow corridor of the trail route, oftentimes needing GPS to find the trail. Once the first pass was cut and certain areas were deemed safe for volunteers, our crews got to work.

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Winners Announced for 2025 Boone Area Chamber of Commerce 4 Under 40 Awards

March 28, 2025 A class of 16 emerging leaders and a longtime industry and community mentor were among the honorees at the 9th Annual 4 Under 40 Awards, held Wednesday, March 26th, in front of a crowd of over 200 people at the Appalachian Theatre in Downtown Boone. The event was made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate. This year’s finalists embody the traits of community leadership by shaping young minds in classrooms, stabilizing and growing businesses in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, driving the missions of local non- profits, and providing talent, energy, and insight to established local businesses. While this annual showcase honors these emerging leaders as the next generation of community advocates, their current impact on key issues and projects more than demonstrates their abilities and passion for serving the High Country.

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Grandfather Mountain February 2025 Weather Report Shows Fairly Standard Conditions

March 28, 2025 February 2025 saw fairly standard conditions for the month on Grandfather Mountain, according to data recorded at the park’s official weather reporting stations. The average high temperature for February 2025 was 41.75 degrees Fahrenheit, with an average low of 26.09 degrees and a mean of 33.92 degrees. The warmest temperature recorded last month was 55.9 degrees on both Feb. 3 and Feb. 26, just over 8 degrees shy of the mountain’s record February high of 64 degrees, observed Feb. 22, 1977, and Feb. 15 and 16, 1989.

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Sherrie Norris Lovin’ Spoonful Cooking Column: Make It In Minutes with the Microwave


March 27, 2025 In doing a little research on the microwave, I was surprised to learn that the first commercial microwave, and a large one it was,  was invented during World War 11. Another two decades later, the countertop microwave oven was introduced, but it wasn’t until the‘70s that the time-saving device found its way into private residential settings. Since then, however, the microwave has evolved into a cook’s best friend. Most of us rely on our microwaves for re-heating and making quick snacks , but there are many cooks who use them to prepare meals from start to finish, which cuts their time in the kitchen by more than half. However you choose to use your microwave, it’s a handy item to have hanging around, for sure. By Sherrie Norris

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Ticket Prices Increase April 1; On-the-Rise Competition Class of 2025 Announced for FloydFest 25~Aurora

March 27, 2025 One week before ticket prices increase for FloydFest 25~Aurora, Across-the-Way Productions, Inc. and Blue Cow Arts Foundation, Inc. announce the award-winning festival’s On-the-Rise Competition Class of 2025, a quintessential cornerstone of the FloydFest brand, which fosters emerging talent by giving the next generation of up-and-coming performers a stage, a leg-up and an audience.

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Watauga County Farmers’ Market Opens for the 2025 Season on Saturday, April 5

March 27, 2025 Spring is in the air, and with it comes the much-anticipated opening of the Watauga County Farmers’ Market. On Saturday, April 5, 2025, the market will return to its beloved home at Daniel Boone Park (591 Horn in the West Drive) to kick off its 52nd season of fresh, local goods and community connection. The market will be open Saturdays from 8:00 AM until 12:00 PM through November. After operating at a temporary location for the last two months of the 2024 season, the market is excited to return to its usual spot at Daniel Boone Park. Some community members may still be unaware of the move, and organizers want to emphasize that the market is back at its long-standing home. This return marks a significant moment for both vendors and customers who cherish this tradition.

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An Appalachian Summer Announces Lineup for 2025 Season June 28-July 26

March 27, 2025 Appalachian State University’s annual summer arts celebration, An Appalachian Summer presents its 41st season June 28-July 26 with a diverse lineup of music, dance, theatre, visual arts, and film programming. Artists spanning a variety of genres — folk and pop rock, soul and jazz, R&B and Broadway, chamber and classical, dance, film and visual arts — will be featured in multiple venues on the campus of App State. Tickets go on sale to the public Wednesday, April 16 at 10am.Discounts are available for children/students, App State faculty/staff, and local residents for select performances. For more information, visit www.appsummer.org or call the box office at 828-262-4046.

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Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation & Mountain BizWorks Announce Funding Partnership For Business Disaster Grant Program

March 27, 2025 On Friday, March 21 2025, the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation closed the application window for its 3rd round of Hope for the High Country Business Resiliency Disaster Grants. Over 140 businesses from Watauga, Ashe, and Avery counties applied for funding during a three-week application period. “The volume of applications speaks to the need for continued support for small businesses across western North Carolina,” saidDavid Jackson, President/CEO of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. “These applications address issues with physical damage, lost revenue, and the costs of reopening spring and summer focused businesses that have been closed since the storm, among other things.”

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Blue Ridge Conservancy Protects Southern Appalachian Mountain Bog in Alleghany County

March 26, 2025 Alleghany County, NC – Thanks to a generous landowner, Blue Ridge Conservancy (BRC) was recently able to protect a 76-acre property in Alleghany County containing a vulnerable Southern Appalachian mountain bog, which is home to several rare plant and animal species. This project is a partnership between BRC, the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, and the US Fish & Wildlife Service. BRC plans to conduct a restoration of the bog before it is transferred to the Mountain Bogs National Wildlife Refuge, which was formed to preserve one of North America’s rarest habitats. 

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App State to Host Lab iMPACTLY Workshop April 3 to Help Nonprofits Maximize Effectiveness

March 26, 2025 Appalachian State University’s Department of Government and Justice Studies, in collaboration with the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning for Student Success, will host the inaugural Lab iMPACTLY Nonprofit Workshop on Thursday, April 3, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Room 201A of the Plemmons Student Union. The workshop aims to equip local nonprofits with the tools, strategies and insights needed to enhance their impact, particularly in securing and managing grants.

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Watauga Economic Development Commission Releases February Business Snapshot Report

March 25, 2025 In an ongoing effort to track real-time conditions for local businesses as recovery from the impacts of Hurricane Helene continue, the Watauga County Economic Development Commission released its fourth monthly Business Snapshot Report, which highlights activity for the month of February 2025. These monthly reports provide data on the state of business in Watauga County, with a focus on current concerns, performance toward revenue expectations, and ability to meet staffing needs among its core analysis.

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Frontline to Farm: April 18 Documentary Film Screening Invitation

March 25, 2025 On behalf of all of the F2F team and Cold Mountain Productions, I’d like to invite you to the screening of our 2025 film short documenting our organization and some of the key barriers facing Appalachian farmers. There will be refreshments provided from 5:30-6 for our VIPs (that’s you!) and a chance to chat before the film screening begins at 6pm.

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Appalachian Culture Day at the King Street Market on March 29th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m

March 25, 2025 The King Street Farmers’ Market will host Senior Day on March 29th 2025 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m at 252 Poplar Grove Rd, Boone. Join us for our last Winter King Street Market of the season to celebrate Appalachian Culture on March 29th, 2025. Local organization, Stateline Resource Station, will be providing an Appalachian Breakfast fundraiser at the demonstration kitchen, swing by to support a local mutual aid and get a yummy breakfast! While you shop for a variety of local goods, foods, and products, enjoy live old time music by Noah Williams and friends!

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A New Community Clay Studio & Local Pottery Gallery Thriving on Hwy 105

March 24, 2025 Located on Highway 105 on the outskirts of Boone, The Pottery Lot has been steadily growing as a hub for pottery lovers since opening just weeks before Hurricane Helene. This unique space serves as both a curated gallery featuring local Western North Carolina potters and a community pottery studio where people of all skill levels can come play with clay.

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NC Budget & Tax Center Releases 2025 NC County Economic Snapshots 

March 24, 2025 RALEIGH – On March 20 the NC Budget & Tax Center (BTC) published our Economic County Snapshots for 2025. Released each year, these snapshots provide at-a-glance information on a variety of economic and social indicators for every county in North Carolina, along with comparisons to state-level data. Data is available is multiple formats for ease of use, including interactive charts and maps that allow for quick comparisons across counties, one-page documents with complete information for each county, and the option to download all data in a single file. 

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Movie Review: “Snow White” Now Playing at Boone Regal

March 24, 2025 Disney’s “Snow White” is the latest live-action remake of one of the studio’s animated classics. In this case, it’s perhaps the biggest “classic” of all, as 1937’s “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” was the first full-length animated feature in American history, and in 2008 was named the greatest animated film of all time by the American Film Institute. The film’s historical significance is undeniable, but frankly I don’t think it holds up as entertainment. Advancements in both animation and sound recording technology have left that movie in the dust, not to mention that Disney writes their princesses with more complexity these days. So maybe a remake that smooths out some of the rougher edges of the past isn’t a terrible idea. But this movie goes in some directions that are definitely a terrible idea. 

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Last in a Series – The History of Springhaven Inn: The Arts and Music 

March 20, 2025 This is the tenth and final article in a series covering the long, rich history of the Springhaven Inn, built in 1888 in Blowing Rock, NC. When studying the history of the Springhaven Inn, a common thread throughout the 137 years it has existed is the role of the visual arts and music. The walls, if they could talk, would speak of artists and musicians filling the rooms with creativity and entertainment for years. Music and art play many roles in society—entertainment, cultural preservation, and emotional connection—and this is no different in Blowing Rock at the Springhaven Inn. It is difficult to fully comprehend and actually “get your brain around” the fact that this structure has existed for over a century and the many people who have lived and visited here.

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Sherrie Norris Lovin’ Spoonful Cooking Column: Welcome Spring!


March 19, 2025 The calendar tells us that Spring officially arrives this week. The appearance of a few robins and the welcoming sounds of peep frogs along the river banks are all in agreement. And the meteorologists are telling us that we could see snow in the mountains this weekend. At least, those harbingers are among our “normal” expectations, so hopefully we can move forward without any other weather-related surprises. I think we’ve all had enough to do us for a lifetime. Like many of you, I’m really looking forward to this new season. Springtime usually gives us a feeling of renewal and hope. And, again, I think we’re all about that as we breathe a collective sigh of relief for brighter and better days ahead.  Hopefully, continued repair and rebuilding of our landscape, and lives in general, can be accomplished, with longer, warmer days adding to the success of countless projects that have been in the works for the last five months. With the longer days, come more outdoor recreational and therapeutic activity — from baseball to gardening and everything in between. And, the need for quick nutritional foods and snacks are always at the forefront of most busy families. How convenient to stop at the drive-through on the way from one event to another. But, it might help to plan ahead and pack a bag with healthier alternatives — from easy-to-make wraps you can fix ahead of time at home, to cereal snacks, fruit, etc. The possibilities are endless. By Sherrie Norris

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Courtney Taylor Joins Watauga Humane Society Team

March 19, 2025 Watauga Humane Society is pleased to announce Courtney Taylor has joined the team as Director of Development and Communications. Taylor, who has nearly 20 years of fundraising experience, comes to WHS from a career spent mostly in higher education. Prior to serving as Senior Director for Development with Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for community colleges, she ran the annual giving campaigns at her alma mater, Mississippi University for Women.

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Dr. Harry Davis To Be Honored with Respect Your Elder Award at Boone Area Chamber of Commerce 4 Under 40 Awards

March 19, 2025 As part of the 9th annual 4 Under 40 Awards, the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce will recognize Dr. Harry M. Davis with its Respect Your Elder Award. This is one of five awards that will be presented during the ceremony, which will be held Wednesday, March 26th, from 5:30-7:30PM, at the historic Appalachian Theatre in Downtown Boone. This annual showcase is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate. Dr. Davis is a distinguished leader in banking and economics, serving as Professor of Banking and Economist for the North Carolina Bankers Association.

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Chef Andy Long & Team to Open ‘Over Yonder Boone’ at Rhode’s Motor Lodge in Boone

March 18, 2025 Rhode’s Motor Lodge is delighted to announce a new culinary venture in collaboration with esteemed local chef and restaurateur, Andy Long. Chef Long, formerly of the celebrated Over Yonder restaurant in Valle Crucis, will helm the lodge’s on-site dining establishment, aptly named ‘Over Yonder Boone.’ This partnership promises to bring a fresh and authentic Appalachian dining experience to both locals and visitors of Boone. Over Yonder, which opened in 2014, quickly became a cornerstone of the High Country’s dining scene, renowned for its modern take on classic Appalachian cuisine.

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Downtown Boone Development Association to Host Advanced Destination Workshop with Jon Schallert on Tuesday, March 25

March 18, 2025 The Downtown Boone Development Association (DBDA) is excited to welcome nationally recognized business expert Jon Schallert for an Advanced Destination Workshop on Tuesday, March 25 at the Appalachian Theatre of the High Country. This opportunity is made possible through the NC Main Street Program, utilizing an economic development grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, which continues to support the growth and success of downtown Boone and its local businesses. Schallert, a leading expert in destination marketing, will provide in-depth training for downtown businesses that is focused on helping businesses transform into consumer destinations.

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