Boone Archives

Spencer’s Stone Was Washed Away During Hurricane Helene, But Was Miraculously Found Four Months Later By a Hiker

April 30, 2025 Spencer Sweeting Klingeman was a soulful, vibrant, and witty young newlywed as she, her husband Derek, and her sister drove away from a day on the slopes of Steamboat Springs., CO, on Dec 21, 2018. The three were returning to the Klingeman’s home in Denver, prepared for a final day of holiday celebrating before Spencer’s sister, Megan, returned to the High Country, where Spencer and Megan had been born and raised, and Derek’s family had a home. But fate intervened, and along the route down I-70, the evening darkness had made true the term “black ice” on the road, and Derek swerved colliding with an oncoming vehicle. By Lorry Mulhern

April 30, 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.

April 29, 2025 Explore Boone is excited to invite the community to the Open House of its new Visitors Center and offices on Thursday, May 8, 2025. The event will take place at 171 Grand Blvd. in downtown Boone, located behind the Jones House Cultural Center. Doors open at 3:30 PM, with a ribbon cutting at 3:45 PM. Swing by anytime before 6 PM to tour the beautifully restored historic home, meet the Explore Boone team, and enjoy tasty bites from Lost Province Brewing Co. Whether you’re a longtime local, a community partner, or just curious, we’d love to see you there!

The Blue Ridge Chapter of the NC Native Plant Society is announcing the dates for their two annual native plant sales. The sales will be held on Saturday, May 17 and Saturday June 21 at the Daniel Boone Native Gardens located at 651 Horn in the West Drive, Boone. The sales run from 8:00am to 11:00am both days. In the event of rain, the location will be moved across the street to the picnic shelter in Boone Park.

UNC Health Appalachian Announces Local Chapter of “Walk with a Doc” in Boone

April 28, 2025 UNC Health Appalachian is proud to announce the launch of a local chapter of Walk with a Doc, a monthly walking program led by our Family Medicine residents designed to promote wellness and build community – one step at a time. Starting on Saturday, May 3rd, the Boone community is invited to join a monthly physician-led walk that begins with a short health talk followed by a casual walk. The program is free and open to all ages and fitness levels. Whether you’re managing a chronic condition, looking for a reason to get outside, or simply interested in connecting with local healthcare providers in a relaxed setting, this is a great opportunity to take charge of your health.

April 25, 2025 During the April 23, 2025 Boone Town Council meeting, the Boone Town Council unanimously approved a resolution to award a “Key to the City” to Special Olympian, Trenton D’Agostino. D’Agostino was also given a plaque that detailed the Town Council’s appreciation for his achievements. An accomplished athlete, D’Agostino won two gold medals, one in the intermediate giant slalom snowboarding competition and another in the intermediate super G in the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin, Italy. As a Watauga County native, and as a graduate of Hardin Park Elementary School and Watauga High School, the Boone Town Council wanted to recognize these achievements with a tangible reminder of how proud D’Agostino’s community is of his journey.

Construction on Howard Street Set to Begin the Week of April 21 at the South Depot

April 18, 2025 On April 14, 2025, the Town of Boone hosted the official groundbreaking for the Howard Street Revitalization project. Due to the upcoming Easterholiday, official construction for this project will begin the week of April 21, 2025. The first construction phase for the Howard Street Revitalization project will occur at the South Depot Street/Howard Street intersection to replace underground infrastructure, a required start for this project. All roads leading to the South Depot Street/Howard Street intersection will be closed at the intersection. No vehicular traffic is permitted to access this intersection until this phase of the construction is complete.

April 16, 2025 Last weekend, Boone welcomed its newest local spot: Groundhog Coffee, now open next to Bella’s Italian. Founded by 19-year-old independent owner Conor Lowrey, the café has been a dream in the making since 2022. Conor has poured passion and precision into every detail—from the clean yet inviting space to the student baristas, expertly trained by renowned North Carolina coffee educator Destiny Law.

April 16, 2025 The Town of Boone is excited to announce the 2025 Boonerang Music & Arts Festival kicks off with the all-ages, talent show Boone’s Got Talent. The event showcases some of the High Country’s best local performers at the historic Appalachian Theatre in downtown Boone. A wide array of acts with a connection to the town will take to the Doc Watson Stage on Thursday, June 19, 2025, starting at 7:30 PM. In collaboration with the Appalachian Theatre and Mountain Home Music, the official Thursday night kick-off event for the 2025 festival features the second annual Boone’s Got Talent showcase after a successful debut in 2024.

April 16, 2025 The Town of Boone Town Council and Historic Preservation Commission cordially invite the public to attend the unveiling ceremony of the Boone Cemetery Interpretative Panels on May 2, 2025, at 5 PM. The ceremony will be held at Boone Cemetery, located at 678 Howard Street, near Appalachian State University’s Howard Street Hall and Student Union Center. This event is scheduled in conjunction with the First Friday festivities hosted by the Downtown Boone Development Association with the Watauga County Arts Council. The ceremony will feature opening remarks, followed by a cemetery tour in collaboration with the Watauga County Historical Society.

April 11, 2025 The Town of Boone is excited to announce the 2025 Summer Concerts at the Jones House, a beloved Friday night tradition returning to downtown Boone with a season packed full of outstanding local and regional talent. Presented by the Town of Boone and sponsored by the Downtown Boone Development Association (DBDA), Omega Tees Screen Printing and Embroidery, Mast General Store, ECRS, Melanie’s Food Fantasy, and Stick Boy Bread Company, the concert series will run from June 6 through August 29, with concerts starting at 5:30 PM each Friday on the Jones House lawn.

April 10, 2025 The Town of Boone is excited to announce the launch of “Branding Boone”, an initiative to update and refresh the Town’s government brand and identity. Made possible through a grant awarded by the North Carolina Department of Commerce, this project will include a new logo, updated branding guidelines, messaging, and more. Boone wouldn’t be Boone without its residents, and the Town warmly invites all residents to participate in the first round of community engagement for this project. Civicbrand, the consulting firm chosen for this project, will be facilitating this project alongside staff from the Town of Boone.

April 7, 2025 Over 1400 people showed up for a planned protest march on Saturday in Downtown Boone that was organized locally by INDIVISIBLE Watauga, whose founder is Peter Nesbitt. The event was part of a peaceful, nationwide mobilization planned for April 5th. The theme of the march was “Hands Off.” The Boone march started behind the Turchin Center for Visual Arts and proceeded down the King Street sidewalk to an area beside the courthouse, about a half a mile away. The march started at 2:00 and and at one point marchers filled the sidewalk continuously for that whole half a mile. Marchers were encourage to bring signs to hold up during the march, and that they did.

April 7, 2025 Thanks to your overwhelming enthusiasm, our Power of the Purse event featuring Laura Linney and Molly Grantham on June 26th sold out in just two days! We heard you, and we’re thrilled to announce we’ve increased our event capacity and reopened ticket sales! To accommodate everyone, we’re moving to a larger venue: The Holmes Convocation Center on Rivers Street in Boone.

April 3, 2025 A transformative project is coming to life in the heart of Downtown Boone. Beginning this April, the long-anticipated Howard Street Revitalization Project will reshape one of Boone’s most beloved corridors into a safer, more walkable, and bike-friendly destination—designed with the future in mind. “This project is about more than street improvements—it’s about strengthening our community and investing in a downtown that works for everyone,” said Mayor Tim Futrelle, Mayor of the Town of Boone.

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!

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.

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.

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.

March 14, 2025 The Watauga County Commissioners, Beech Mountain Town Council, Blowing Rock Town Council, and Boone Town Council have each passed resolutions advocating for continued financial and technical assistance for small businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene. This collective action sends a strong message about the importance of supporting the long-term recovery of our region’s business community. By formally appealing to the United States Congress and the North Carolina General Assembly, these local governments have taken an important step in ensuring that businesses have access to the resources they need to rebuild and thrive.

Town of Boone Notices

March 14, 2025 If anyone wishes to have an agenda item considered by the Boone Town Council at one of their upcoming regular meetings scheduled for Wednesday, April 9, 2025, and Wednesday, April 23, 2025, it must be submitted to the Town Clerk by Friday, March 28, 2025, at 5 p.m. AND The Town of Boone is currently soliciting applications from people who would like to serve on the following boards

March 12, 2025 Tweetsie Railroad is gearing up to welcome families back for another season of Wild West Family Fun. The park opens on April 5, and families looking to make the most of their visits can save $10 on a Golden Rail season pass if purchased by March 31. “For generations, Tweetsie Railroad has been a place where families come to connect, explore, and make lifelong memories,” said Chris Robbins, president of Tweetsie Railroad. “Whether it’s a child experiencing their first train ride, parents reliving their own childhood visits, or grandparents sharing the joy with their grandchildren, no one is left out of the fun. We’re excited to welcome everyone back for another season of adventure.”

March 12, 2025 Acclaimed bluegrass musicians Darren Nicholson and Shawn Lane will take the stage at the Jones House Cultural Center in downtown Boone on Saturday, March 15th, for an evening of world-class acoustic music. Before the concert, the artists will offer a free mandolin workshop at 5:00 PM, providing fans and musicians alike the chance to learn from two of the finest pickers in the genre. The ticketed concert begins at 7:30 PM, offering an intimate, up-close experience with these award-winning musicians.

March 7, 2025 Come out to the King Street Farmers Market to show appreciation for our local seniors! Our sponsors, Lifestore Bank, will be tabling the market to provide support for this integral part of the community. We are having a giveaway for our oldest farmers market shopper! If you think that you are the oldest shopper at the market, swing by the manager’s booth to enter to win a King Street Market Tote bag and a $20 gift card. Be sure to stay for a presentation at noon by Lifestore Bank on how to avoid phishing scams.

March 3, 2025 The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) has completed its revised spring and summer Delayed Harvest and Hatchery Supported trout stocking schedule following an assessment of impacts from Hurricane Helene. The list informs anglers of all the locations NCWRC will be stocking during the spring and summer, and the “week of” stocking schedule through June. In addition, an online map that displays all stocking locations, and their access status, has been revised.

+ More Articles

Spencer’s Stone Was Washed Away During Hurricane Helene, But Was Miraculously Found Four Months Later By a Hiker

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

You’re Invited: Open House at Explore Boone’s New Downtown Visitor Center on May 8

NC Native Plant Society Announces Two Native Plant Sales in Boone May 17 and June 21

UNC Health Appalachian Announces Local Chapter of “Walk with a Doc” in Boone

Key to the City: Boone Town Council Recognizes Trenton D’Agostino for His Success at the Special Olympics World Winter Games

Construction on Howard Street Set to Begin the Week of April 21 at the South Depot

GROUNDHOG COFFEE CO. OPENS IN BOONE

4th Annual Boonerang Music & Arts Festival Kicks Off with Local Talent Showcase June 19

Town of Boone’s Historic Preservation Commission Boone Cemetery Interpretative Panels Unveiling Ceremony on May 2

Jones House Announces 2025 Weekly Summer Concert Series Lineup on Fridays at 5:30

Town of Boone Announces the Launch of “Branding Boone” – Two Public Input Sessions to be Held April 14th and 15th

1400 People Filled the Sidewalk of King Street in Boone on Saturday for a Planned March by INDIVISIBLE Watauga Against Trump’s Agenda

Great News—More Tickets Available for Power of the Purse on June 26! New Larger Venue at the Holmes Convocation Center in Boone

Reimagining Howard Street: A Major Downtown Boone Transformation Begins

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

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

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

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

High Country Communities Unite to Support Small Business Recovery

Town of Boone Notices

Tweetsie Railroad Opens for the 2025 Season on April 5

Darren Nicholson & Shawn Lane to Perform at The Jones House in Boone on March 15th

The King Street Farmers’ Market Will Host Senior Day on March 15th From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m

Wildlife Agency Provides Condition of Western NC Trout Waters, Post-Helene