Announcements Archives

Reggie Buie Group Wraps Up 2023 High Country Jazz Festival

June 5, 2023 BOONE, NC – At 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 11, The Reggie Buie Group will perform under the tent at Chetola Resort in Blowing Rock as the final headliner event during the 2023 High Country Jazz Festival. It is the last of 15 separate events in ten different locations throughout Boone and Blowing Rock that are part of the 2023 festival, which runs from June 9 through 11. The 2023 festival is presented by Mast General Store with additional support from Explore Boone and Hampton Inn & Suites, Boone.

June 5, 2023 BOONE — More than 200 supporters donned their denim best to celebrate and contribute to WAMY Community Action initiatives at Denim & Diamonds 2023 — the second annual charity event and auction raising money for poverty-fighting programs in Watauga, Avery, Mitchell and Yancy counties.The event was held Thursday, May 18, at the White Crow Farm in Valle Crucis, with a lively auction featuring renowned auctioneer Jesse Miller, of First Security Peak Insurance, who drummed up bids for restaurant certificates, golf and getaway packages, and gifts donated by local businesses. Proceeds from the event will fund summer camp scholarships for children and necessary home repairs for impoverished people in the four-county area.

June 5, 2023 Raleigh, N.C. The State Board of Elections invites the public to comment on two temporary rules proposed to implement the photo ID requirement for in-person and absentee-by-mail voters in North Carolina, beginning with the 2023 municipal elections.These rules are necessary to ensure uniform implementation of the photo ID requirement by all 100 county boards of elections and in all 3,000-plus polling locations. They are similar to rules adopted by the State Board and approved by the Rules Review Commission in prior iterations of the photo ID law.

June 5, 2023 BOONE, NC: The Watauga Community Housing Trust is announcing a project partnership with the Junaluska Heritage Association to fundraise for the purchase of a home near downtown Boone. By securing this property, WCHT will create its first permanently affordable using the housing trust model. The organizations pursuing this project seek the support of the community to make this project a reality, and create a new way for the community to add more affordable homes each year.

June 2, 2023 WILKESBORO, N.C. – Colleen Cassell was recently awarded a $1,000 scholarship from the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS). Cassell, a member of the WCC NTHS Chapter and a member of the WCC Club of the Arts, graduated earlier this month with an associate degree in advertising and graphic design and plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in graphic design at Campbell University.Cassell stated, “Wilkes Community College has given me the opportunity to find an internship position, where I am practicing and utilizing my graphic design skills. I am very honored to receive this scholarship and I look forward to furthering my education and enhancing my technical skills.”

June 2, 2023 From a one-day community blitz during which random acts of kindness made a huge difference all across the High Country, to a six-month “Season of High Country Impact,” Three Forks Baptist Association is determined to continue reaching out in love and service to others.That was the decision made by the association leadership recently and announced during the 184th Spring meeting of the TFBA at Greenway Baptist Church in late April.Director of Missions, Wesley Smith shared how, in the past, there was a one-dayemphasis, usually in September, through which churches of the association were encouraged to share an outreach project — or multiple projects — in their communities and surrounding areas around the High Country.

June 2, 2023 A unique Raleigh-based group taking its state-wide tours from the relaxing coast to the breath-taking mountains — inclusive of “invigorating history, exceptional city and peaceful garden tours” —will be making its way to the area in early June for its High Country Adventure 2023.From June 8-11, “visit NC Concierge” will be escorting 30 guests to visit some of the area’s premiere sites around Watauga, Ashe and Avery counties.

June 2, 2023 Boone, North Carolina, May 20, 2023 — Blue Ridge Kung Fu Arnis Academy of Boone, NC is proud to announce advanced promotions of students on May 20, 2023 in the art of 7 Star Praying Mantis and Sil Lum Kung Fu, Shuai Shou Bi Men and Advanced Weapons. Scott Stansberry of Sugar Grove, North Carolina was promoted to the rank of 10th Degree (Duan) Grandmaster Black Sash (Red Sash), the highest rank in the system. Chris Laing of Butler, Tennessee was promoted to the rank of 9th Degree (Duan) Grandmaster Black Sash (Black Belt), the next highest rank in the system. Both of these students are natives of Watauga County. Scott Stansberry has assisted with instruction of the Boone Academy. Chris Laing owns and operates Blue Ridge Kung Fu Arnis Academy of Mountain City, Tennessee and Blue Ridge Kung Fu Arnis Academy of Abingdon, Virginia.

May 31, 2023 Avery High’s 2023 graduation ceremonies will be held the evening of Friday, June 2nd, on the football turf at the school’s MacDonald Stadium. The school is located at 401 High School Road in Newland. Graduation will commence at 6:00 p.m.Graduates are requested to arrive at the school no later than 4:30 p.m. on June 2nd. Gates will open for families and other guests of those graduating at 5:00 p.m. The graduates, along with high school and Avery County Board of Education officials, will sit on the turf. All others are asked to sit in the stadium’s home side bleachers. By Tim Gardner

May 31, 2023 The Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce celebrated the official opening of Rooster Rock Supply Company with a ribbon cutting last week.This is the second business for owners, Toby and Hailey Oliver. They also own Oliver’s on Main in the Southmarke Center. Rooster Rock Supply Company sells clothing and outdoor lifestyle supplies. The store, located inside the former Wells Fargo Bank space at 983 Main Street, utilizes the former bank’s vault as a changing room. By Kris Testori

May 31, 2023 .On Thursday, June 1, the town of Blowing Rock will celebrate Blowing Rock History Day. At this event, Mayor Charlie Sellers, along with the Blowing Rock Historical Society (BRHS) and the Village Foundation, will host the ribbon cutting for the 21 stations of the History Walk. “Our history walk will be a tremendous new community asset,” said BRHS president Tom O’Brien. “It is a marvelous way to bring our history to life,” he added. The ribbon cutting is at 4 p.m. in Mayview Plaza, located at the intersection of Laurel Lane and Main Street. A celebration at the American Legion building will follow. The community is invited and there will be a free open bar and appetizers. By Kris Testori

May 31, 2023 The Mayor and Council would like to announce that Kevin Rothrock was chosen unanimously to serve as Interim Town Manager until a permanent Manager is selected. Mr. Rothrock has served as Planning Director since July of 2001.Mr. Rothrock is a native of Winston Salem, a ’94 graduate of Appalachian State University, and he worked for the Town of Boone for 6 years prior to coming to the Town of Blowing Rock.

May 30, 2023 BOONE, NC – Internationally acclaimed jazz artist Emmet Cohen and his award-winning trio take to the Appalachian Theatre stage in Boone at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 10 as a headliner event during the 2023 High Country Jazz Festival. It is one of 14 separate events in ten different locations throughout Boone and Blowing Rock that are part of the 2023 festival, which runs from June 9 through 11. Tickets for The Emmet Cohen Trio are $35 and $42.More than half of the 14 events are free of charge to the general public with tickets on sale for headliner performances via the festival website: www.highcountryjazzfestival.org

May 30, 2023 VALLE CRUCIS, NC – The annual Singing in the Valle music program opens the 2023 Summer Concert Series in Valle Crucis at 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 4 with the vocal and handbell choirs of Holy Cross Episcopal Church joined by singers from Banner Elk Presbyterian Church and the popular vocal trio The Holy Smokes.This concert is the first in a line-up of artists that has been announced for the popular Summer Concert Series at historic St. John’s Church in Valle Crucis with monthly events planned through August 6. A summer mission of Holy Cross Episcopal Church, the picturesque chapel, consecrated in 1862, is located in the Watauga County countryside and provides marvelous acoustics for music with its wooden walls and floors forming a natural sounding board for live performances.

May 30, 2023 Skip Sicker, photographer, and ceramic artist Laurin Jennings are sharing the Cottage from Saturday, May 27 through June 4, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.From his earliest memories, Skip was drawn to nature. While immersed in mountains, forests, streams and oceans, he finds himself more centered, more alive. In this context, Skip presents his photography for your enjoyment and inspiration. You’ve likely seen Skip’s work in CML Magazine (CML) and didn’t know it was his.

May 25, 2023 The High Country is made up of seven counties, a lot of small towns, vibrant communities and an amazing amount of charm and character! It would be impossible to cover every community when looking at Real Estate in the High Country but occasionally, we like to take a look at some of the larger communities in the area and tell you about some of the real estate that has sold in the past 90 days. Paige Carter, REALTOR, Blue Ridge Realty & Investments, LLC

May 25, 2023 BOONE, N.C. — National Geographic Society CEO Jill Tiefenthaler will give the keynote address at the 2023 Appalachian Energy Summit, hosted by Appalachian State University’s Office of Sustainability on Wednesday, June 7, at 7:30 p.m. at the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts.The talk is free and open to the public, with reserved tickets available at the Schaefer Center box office. Attendees are encouraged to secure their tickets early.

May 24, 2023 LINVILLE, N.C. – The North Carolina General Assembly has declared 2023 the “Year of the Trail,” encouraging the state to emphasize showcasing, promoting and celebrating its unique and extensive trail systems while getting people outside and immersed in nature.

May 24, 2023 Billie Shilling began working as a housekeeper at the Hampton Inn and Suites in Boone while in high school. Her manager saw tremendous potential and encouraged her to further her career by enrolling in Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute’s Hospitality Management program on the Watauga Campus. Shilling, a first-generation college student, enrolled at CCC&TI in Fall 2020. As she learned new skills, both on the job and in the classroom, she worked her way up to the Operational Supervisor position while attending school full-time. Her success in the classroom has not only helped her professionally, it also recently earned her the highest annual honor given to a CCC&TI student.

May 24, 2023 BOONE, NC – “We’re bringing 88 years of classic ‘Count Basie Jazz’ directly to you,” said Scotty Barnhart, director of The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra about their Appalachian Theatre debut performance that is headlining the 2023 High Country Jazz Festival. “I’ve programmed something from every decade of the orchestra’s existence that will feature each of the 19 artists on stage, including new charts added to your program that haven’t been played in years!”

May 24, 2023 Jefferson, NC– If you are looking for a fun filled day with family and friends, while learning about safety and interacting with emergency personnel and law enforcement, this is the event for you! The Ashe County Safety Day is an educational event that is free and open to all ages – families included! The event will be held Saturday, June 3rd from 10am to 2pm at the Ashe County High School.

May 23, 2023 WATAUGA- A recent Business Session held on May 17th, 2023 at the New Hanover County Government Center in Wilmington, NC solidified votes for Jennie Hanifan to be appointed to Watauga Supervisor for Soil and Water Conservation.

May 23, 2023 RALEIGH, NC – The following are 10 facts about North Carolina’s photo ID requirement for voting:
1. Voters will be asked to show photo ID when voting in North Carolina, starting with the 2023 municipal elections. Those elections occur in September, October, and November, depending on the town or city. (Find your local election details at ncsbe.gov/voting/upcoming-election.)
2. Most voters will simply show their NC driver’s license, but many other types of photo ID will be accepted. See the list of acceptable IDs atncsbe.gov/voter-id.

May 23, 2023 CROSSNORE, N.C. (May 16, 2023) — Crossnore Communities for Children celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Hugh Fields Crossnore Children’s Golf Classic on May 15, 2023 at Linville Golf Club. The tournament was created to support current needs at the agency by Phyllis Crain, Ed.D., executive director at Crossnore until her death in 2012. With the support of Hugh Fields, longtime trustee at Crossnore before his death in 2011, the tournament has raised more than $1.5 million in the last 25 years. The tournament is a lasting legacy to the work of Dr. Crain and Hugh Fields.

May 23, 2023 BOONE — Teams of students from Hardin Park School took their prowess in the annual Battle of the Books competition on the road last month, scoring a win and a high placement in the state and regional competitions.The Golden Eagles’ most-keen readers took home a victory in the Region 7 contest held on the campus of Appalachian State University, and netted a respectable fifth place in the statewide contest held in Fayetteville.

+ More Articles

Reggie Buie Group Wraps Up 2023 High Country Jazz Festival

Denim & Diamonds Event Raised Record-Breaking Funds for WAMY Community Action

State Board Opens Public Comment Period on Proposed Rules on Voter Photo ID

Watauga Community Housing Trust Announces Fundraising Campaign

WCC Student Honored with Jon H. Poteat Scholarship from the National Technical Honor Society

High Country Impact, An Outreach of Three Forks Baptist Association, Expands From One Day to Six Months of Community Service

High Country Adventure 2023 Brings “visit NC Concierge” To Boone

Blue Ridge Kung Fu Arnis Academy Announces Advanced Promotions of Students

Avery County High School to Hold 2023 Graduation Ceremonies on June 2nd at MacDonald Stadium

Outdoor Lifestyle Store Opens on Main Street

Ribbon Cutting & Celebration! Blowing Rock History Walk

Blowing Rock Announces Interim Town Manager

Emmet Cohen Trio Featured at 2023 High Country Jazz Festival App Theatre Hosts “Poster Man for Contemporary Jazz” on June 10

Singing in the Valle Opens 2023 Summer Concert Series at St. John’s Four Musical Groups Combine to Kick-Off 12th Anniversary Season on June 4

Artists at Edgewood Cottage, Skip Sicker and Laurin Jennings Featured Through June 4th

High Country Real Estate: High Country Snapshot

National Geographic Society CEO to Speak at App State’s Appalachian Energy Summit June 7th

Grandfather Mountain to celebrate National Trails Day on June 3

Shilling Wins CCC&TI Academic Excellence Award

Count Basie Orchestra Headlines 2023 High Country Jazz Festival

Fun for All Ages at Ashe County Safety Day

Jennie Hanifan Voted for Watauga Supervisor Appointment for Soil and Water Conservation

10 Facts About NC’s Photo ID Requirement for Voting

Hugh Fields Crossnore Children’s Gold Classic Celebrates 25 Years

Hardin Park Teams Find Success in Regional, State Battle of the Books Contest