High Country Press

Pepper’s Restaurant & Bar Celebrates 50 Years in Boone; a Local Institution

May 21, 2025. This month, Pepper’s Restaurant & Bar is proud to celebrate 50 years of serving the High Country community with great food, warm hospitality, and a deep-rooted connection to Boone. Founded in 1975, Pepper’s began as a small sandwich shop and has grown into a local institution—recognized not only for its “sumptuous” sandwiches and welcoming atmosphere, but also for its long-standing commitment to the community. Over the years, Pepper’s has become a staple for generations of families, college students, and visitors alike. Known for its signature dishes—like the famous Jean Lawson special, house-made carrot cake baked fresh every morning, and their beloved French onion soup with the little scissors to cut all that cheesy goodness—Pepper’s blends comfort food with a sense of place and tradition.

Blowing Rock Garden Club Hosts 2025 Mile of Flowers Event on Friday, June 27

May 21, 2025. On Friday, June 27, the Blowing Rock Garden Club will host its highly-anticipated Mile of Flowers, giving participants a chance to explore several private gardens in downtown Blowing Rock. The event will begin at 9:00 a.m. at the Memorial Park Gazebo and end at 3 p.m. The first Mile of Flowers was held in 2009 to showcase Blowing Rock’s beautiful flowers. Members of the Blowing Rock Garden Club worked with community partners to make it a fun and informative program. The event was an immediate success. It was presented for the following decade as a bi-annual event and now returns after an extended break.

Blowing Rock Remembers Our Veterans as They Welcome Major General William S. Busby, III

May 21, 2025 The Blowing Rock Civic Association is sponsoring a service over the Memorial Day weekend. All are invited to hear from Maj. Gen. William S. Busby, III. The service will be held on Saturday, May 24 at 11:00 a.m. at the gazebo at Memorial Park in downtown Blowing Rock. The service will be a time to honor those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving the United States. Major General William S. Busby is the Mobilization Assistant to the Deputy Commander, United States Strategic Command, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. United States Strategic Command’s operational mission areas include full-spectrum global strike, space operations, computer network operations, Department of Defense information operations, strategic warning, integrated missile defense, global C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance), combating weapons of mass destruction and specialized expertise to the joint warfighter

High Country Caregivers Host 4th Annual Coaches’ Invitational Golf Tournament at Blowing Rock Country Club

May 21, 2025. High Country Caregivers hosted the 4th Annual Coaches’ Invitational Golf Tournament Sunday, May 18 and Monday, May 19. The two-day event raised more than $190,000 to fund the organization’s efforts to support families whose caregivers are raising relatives’ or friends’ children. The Sunday evening kickoff included dinner held outside under the tent at Chetola Resort. Nearly 200 guests enjoyed great food and service from Chetola, a silent auction, a cigar/old-fashioned cocktail tent and speakers who shared their observations of and experiences with High Country Caregivers. Coach Bobby Cremins was the keynote speaker. He shared many stories from his decades of coaching, including his transition from Appalachian State to Georgia Tech.

A Winning Day at the Derby: Spirit Ride Raises $26K for Children’s Therapeutic Programs

May 20, 2025. Spirit Ride Therapeutic Riding Center is thrilled to announce the overwhelming success of its 2025 Derby Day fundraiser, held on May 3 at the Broyhill Equestrian Preserve in Blowing Rock. The event raised an incredible $26,000—enough to provide life-changing equine-assisted sessions for the 2025 Season.

Guests enjoyed a festive afternoon of food, music, and derby excitement, all in support of Spirit Ride’s mission to offer therapeutic riding services at no cost to families.

“Grandfather Presents: T. Edward Nickens” Kicks Off Speaker Series July 24

May 20, 2025 Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, has announced that tickets for the first presentation of the Grandfather Presents 2025 speaker series are on sale now. T. Edward Nickens, an award-winning author and journalist, kicks off this year’s Thursday night presentations on July 24. The event will be hosted in the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery, where guests will experience a “night at the museum” atmosphere, the speaker presentation and book-signing/“meet-and-greet” opportunities.

Watauga, Avery Obituaries – May 20th, 2025

May 20, 2025. The following are recent obituary notices from Austin and Barnes and Hampton funeral homes in Boone and Reins-Sturdivant in Newland.

Blue Ridge Conservancy Welcomes Gov. Josh Stein and Leaders to Officially Open Paddy Mountain Park in West Jefferson

May 19, 2025. West Jefferson, NC – It was a beautiful spring day in West Jefferson as Blue Ridge Conservancy (BRC) was joined by supporters, partners, and elected officials to a ribbon-cutting ceremony to open Paddy Mountain Park. Northern Peaks State Trail Coordinator Jordan Sellers welcomed North Carolina Governor Josh Stein, Congresswoman Virginia Foxx, Representative Ray Pickett, Ashe County Board of Commissioners Chairman Todd McNeill, West Jefferson Mayor Tom Hartman, Deputy Secretary of Natural Resources Jeff Michael, and Chairperson of the NC Parks and Recreation Trust Fund Margaret Newbold to speak about the significance of the park’s opening. The Park, a conservation victory over a decade in the making, provides recreational opportunities for locals and tourists alike, and will serve as the West Jefferson trailhead of the Northern Peaks State Trail.

Alien Festival Returns to AID THE DEVISTATED Small town of Spruce Pine

May 15, 2025. Over a mile long stretch of 200 Artists & Crafters in Downtown Spruce Pine on Oak Avenue Alien Merchandise, Free Music-Music Stage, Area 51 Costume Contest, Children’s Close Encounter Zone-bounce houses/Giant Slides, UFO Laser Tag, Alien Train, S.P.A.C.E Conference (Spruce Pine Alien Speaker Conference: presented by Sky Tribe UFOXPO at the Cross Street Commerce Center, Area 51 small Children’s Area Space activities on Locust St.

Casting Bread Presents the 10th Annual Ducky Regatta — A Celebration of Community and Compassion

May 14, 2025. Blowing Rock, NC — On Saturday, June 28, 2025, Casting Bread will host the 10th Annual Ducky Regatta from 10 AM to 1 PM at 194 Aho Road, Blowing Rock, NC. This family-friendly event celebrates both the spirit of the High Country community and the beauty of the Middle Fork of the New River — flowing just outside Casting Bread’s doors.Festival-goers can look forward to a vibrant morning full of rubber duck races, including exciting kids-only races, bouncy houses, music, fun games, and delicious food served from Casting Bread’s very own Canteen.

Grandfather Mountain to Kick Off Rhododendron Rambles May 24

May 14, 2025. Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, will celebrate the beauty of the spring season this year with its Rhododendron Rambles, a series of guided strolls that showcase the park’s blossoming rhododendron and other native species. The easygoing rambles take place at 1 p.m. daily May 24 through June 1. These short walks are led by the park’s naturalists and are included with the price of admission. If the rhododendrons continue to bloom beyond early June, Grandfather Mountain naturalists may extend the event dates. Interested attendees should meet outside the entrance of the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery. The rambles are wheelchair and stroller accessible.

Grandfather Mountain Adult Field Course May to October Series Announced for 2025

May 14, 2025. Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, is once again offering its adult field courses for 2025, allowing participants the chance to explore Grandfather Mountain like never before and take a deep dive into a variety of topics. The series runs from May through October, with topics including landscape design, geology, habitat identification, hummingbirds, fungi and astronomy. Each field course is limited to 20 or fewer participants, so they fill up quickly.

Watauga County Farmers’ Market Temporarily Relocating to ASU’s State Farm Lot During Repaving Project

May 13, 2025. The Watauga County Farmers’ Market is temporarily moving from its longtime home at Daniel Boone Park to Appalachian State University’s State Farm parking lot (197 Dale St., Boone) due to a repaving project at the Horn in the West parking area. The relocation will begin on Saturday, May 17, and continue through at least Saturday, May 24. The market may remain at the temporary site for additional Saturdays if there are construction delays.

BRAHM Announces Theme and Call for Submission for “ARS POETICA III: A Juried Exhibition” with June 13th Deadline

May 13, 2025. The Blowing Rock Art & History Museum (BRAHM) is pleased to announce its third annual “ARS POETICA” exhibition, which will be on view in the Alexander Community Gallery from September 6 through November 13, 2025. The Museum invites poets and visual artists to submit their work by June 13, 2025. Inspired by Horace’s “Ars Poetica,” in which the Roman poet wrote, “as is painting, so is poetry,” this juried exhibition explores the profound relationship between visual art and the written word. While distinct in form, poetry and visual art each strive to move, inspire and deepen human understanding.

UNC Health Appalachian’s Medical Oncology Services Are Relocating; Opening May 19th

May 13, 2025. UNC Health Appalachian’s Medical Oncology clinic will begin seeing patients at its new location at 1200 State Farm Road in Boone. Oncology Infusion and Radiation Oncology services will continue at the Seby B. Jones Cancer Center, located at 338 Deerfield Drive. Our new Medical Oncology location will allow us to offer expanded services, including more exam rooms and enhanced patient amenities, all designed to improve your care experience.

Watauga Economic Development Commission Opens April Business Snapshot Survey

May 13, 2025. In a continued effort to track real-time conditions for local businesses as recovery from the impacts of Hurricane Helene continue, the Watauga County Economic Development Commission has opened its reporting window for its April 2025 Business Snapshot Report. Businesses are encouraged to fill out survey data by using the link below. The survey is open from Monday, May 12 at 9:00AM – Friday, May 23rd at Noon

Your Future Boone Jaycee Park! Public Input Session for Boone Park Improvements May 16

May 13, 2025. On Friday, May 16th, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Town of Boone staff will host a public input session to learn more about how the public views the Boone Jaycee Park and what improvements the community would like to see at the park. The public input session will be at the Boone Jaycee Park, located at 728 Horn in the West Drive. Boone Jaycee Park is the most centrally located, Town-owned park in Boone. For over 30 years, it has served as a recreational space for children and families to enjoy the outdoors, featuring swings, slides, climbing equipment, and more.

Blowing Rock Community Library Receives Donation of Handcrafted Reading Tables for Community Room

May 13, 2025. The Blowing Rock Community Library recently received a generous donation of four handcrafted, maple and cypress wood tables for the library’s Community Room. The handcrafted tables were donated by Jean and Hodge Kitchin and the Blowing Rock Civic Association. During the winter months, Blowing Rock Library Association Member Jamie Dixey took on the task of refinishing the library’s seven large reading tables. She found that four of the library tables had significant wear and would need repair. Dixey then put a call out to the community asking for assistance. Her request was quickly answered with a generous offer to replace the tables from The Blowing Rock Civic Association together with Jean and Hodge Kitchin, longtime residents of Blowing Rock.

Watauga, Avery Obituaries – May 13th, 2025

May 13, 2025. The following are recent obituary notices from Austin and Barnes and Hampton funeral homes in Boone and Reins-Sturdivant in Newland.

Virginia Foxx to Run for Reelection in 2026

May 12, 2025 Congresswoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) announced her plans to seek reelection in 2026 in North Carolina’s 5th Congressional District on Friday. “There’s no shortage of work to be done as we restore our nation’s great traditions of freedom and limited government,” Foxx said. “Washington bureaucrats and federal agencies have amassed too much power and frittered away taxpayer money in the shadows of officialdom. Those days are over, thanks to the election of President Trump and a conservative majority in Congress. But this work will take more than just two years–which is why I’m thrilled to announce my plans to run for reelection in North Carolina’s 5th Congressional District in the 2026 midterm election.”

7th annual Blue Ridge Fiber Fest to be held in Sparta, NC on June 6 & 7 at Higgins Fairgrounds

May 12, 2025 The 7th annual Blue Ridge Fiber Fest will take place on June 6 and 7, 2025 at the Higgins Fairgrounds, Sparta, NC. Admission is free, but your generous donation for parking helps to support the Marine Corps Leagues of Alleghany and Surry County and the various charities they support. Over 40 vendors will be on site offering materials for makers, finished goods, and beautiful examples of their work

Pottery Lot Hosts “Brain Tumor Awareness Day” — A Creative Community Fundraiser Inspired by Personal Experience

May 12, 2025 On Monday, May 19, The Pottery Lot will host Brain Tumor Awareness Day, a powerful day of community, creativity, and purpose. Through hands-on pottery classes and fundraising efforts, the event will raise money and awareness for those affected by brain tumors—both locally and beyond. The day features three hand-building pottery classes at 11:00 AM–1:00 PM, 3:00–5:00 PM, and 6:00–8:00 PM, open to all skill levels. The cost is just $35 per person, The Pottery Lot’s lowest class fee ever offered, with 100% of class proceeds donated to support brain tumor awareness, research, and care.

Announcing the 2025 Storytelling Live Season at the International Storytelling Center

May 12, 2025 The first artist of the series, Grammy-nominated bluegrass musician and storyteller Josh Goforth, follows two sold-out benefit concerts by West Virginia storyteller Bil Lepp. (Lepp will return to Jonesborough for a full residency later in the season.) Goforth’s week in residence will include daily matinee concerts, Tuesday through Saturday at 2 p.m., as well as an evening performance on Thursday, May 22, at 7:30 p.m. Goforth’s Thursday night show is part of an expanded slate of nighttime events scheduled throughout the season. Nine other performers will follow in his footsteps, including fan favorites Tim Lowry, Andy Offutt Irwin, Megan Wells, and Donald Davis.

Movie Review: “Clown in a Cornfield” Now Playing at Boone Regal

May 12, 2025 “Thunderbolts*” certainly scared off the competition in its second weekend at the domestic box office. This sometimes happens the weekend after the opening of a huge blockbuster. Other studios will know that they can’t compete against the powerhouse, so they hold off on releasing anything that they think has the potential to be a big or even midsize hit. When that happens, I have to review either a holdover or a newcomer that can only hope to become, at most, a tiny hit. “Clown in a Cornfield” definitely falls into the latter category. This thing is cheap even by horror movie standards, yet in a minor victory, it managed to open in fifth place for the weekend. I’d admire its pluck, but there’s no sleeper hit here, just a movie that didn’t fail too badly when it was sent out to die.

Nunsense Musical Comes to Banner Elk Presbyterian Church June 1st, 3rd and 4th

May 12, 2025 Lees-McRae Summer Theatre kicks off its 40th season with the hilarious musical Nunsense. In this zany musical revue, the Little Sisters of Hoboken discover that their cook has accidentally poisoned 52 of the sisters. They are in dire need of funds for the burials, so they put on a variety show to raise money. This Broadway hit has been an international phenomenon for 40 years. Shows will be June 1 at 2 p.m., June 3 at 7 p.m. and June 4 at 7 p.m. Admission is free with “pay-what-you-will” donations going to Lees-McRae Summer Theatre.