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High Country Real Estate: Best Upgrades to Add Value to Your Home

August 31, 2023 When most people think about “The American Dream,” homeownership is always a major component of that dream. But purchasing a home is just the first step of homeownership. Homeownership is a living investment, not a static one. It’s more than just making your mortgage payment. Well, theoretically, a homeowner could simply make their mortgage payment (along with taxes, insurance and utilities) and still maintain their investment. Theoretically.   By Breanna McKay, REALTOR

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Hospitality House to Host Free Food Truck Event for Community Thursday

August 30, 2023 On Thursday, August 31st, the Hospitality House of Boone is hosting the third installment of their four-part “Savor the Summer” food truck rodeo series. The event is completely free and includes four food trucks along with a free farmers’ market with produce grown in Hospitality House’s own on-site organic garden, food prepared in their kitchen, and games and activities for kids and adults.  By Zack Hill

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High Country Real Estate: July Snapshot

August 24, 2023 While we look at statistics at least once a month, occasionally we like to take a look at what we call a “snapshot” of the market. Looking at three different homes in different areas in similar price ranges and compare their characteristics. By Stephen Holland, REALTOR

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Hospitality House Hosting “Savor the Summer” Free Food Truck Rodeo and Farmers Market

August 22, 2023 Hospitality House is excited to announce the third in a four-part “Savor the Summer” Food Truck Rodeo series, fun-filled community events featuring multiple food trucks, local food prepared in their Community Kitchen, games, activities, and a free farmers market featuring produce from their organic gardens. The event, and everything in it, is completely free and will take place on Thursday, August 31st in the upper parking lot of 338 Brook Hollow Road from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

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LETTERS / This is a letter I recently sent to Shelby Brown with The Cottages of Boone

August 1, 2023 Letters to the Editor. By Michele Charnock / This is a letter I recently sent to Shelby Brown with The Cottages of Boone; Good afternoon Shelby,To say I am extremely disappointed in the condition of my daughter’s apartment when we moved her into The Cottages of Boone would be an extreme understatement. I had to move my daughter into an apartment that was absolutely filthy, deplorable, and disgusting.

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Let’s Roll: Zionville Ramp Company Creates a Safe Place for Skating

August 22, 2023 See ya later, skaters! Building skate ramps and community, Ashley Galleher, now-owner of Zionville Ramp Company, began her love affair with the sport in middle school when a guy in her class caught her attention with his impressive skating chops “for a seventh grader,” as she recalls. By Anna Beth Adcock

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July 2023 MLS Report From High Country Realtors

August 16, 2023 During July High Country Realtors® have been busy. There were 187 closed sales on residential properties for a combined worth of just over $103 million in the four county High Country Association of Realtors® area of Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, and Watauga Counties.

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Peering through the Lens with Beth Davison

August 4, 2023 Whether it be the plight of Virginia big eared bats, the public perception of Appalachia culture, the role of community cafés, or the history of various sites on the Blue Ridge Parkway, Dr. Beth Davison seeks to showcase stories through a different lens. By Jan Todd

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Community United Once Again For Watauga County’s National Night Out 

August 3, 2023 It was everything and more that officers Casey Miller and Kat Eller hoped it would be when, months ago, they began planning for the 2023 National Night Out in Boone. All their hard work came together, seamlessly it seemed, on Tuesday evening, Aug. 1, when the High Country community came out in force during two fun-filled  hours for what has been described as the “the community block party of the year.” By Sherrie Norris

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 History Chugging Back To Life At High Country Crank-Up, July 27-29 

July 14, 2023 It’s 43 years and counting for the Carolina Flywheelers’ annual High Country Crank, scheduled for Thursday-Saturday, July 27-29. Speaking for the host organization, President, A.J. Miller is excited about the upcoming event, saying  it will bring history back to life again. “It’s special for those of us who love hit-and-miss engines, antique tractors, tools and other farm equipment, and just good old-fashioned family fun.” He emphasized, “It’s something you don’t see every day.”  By Sherrie Norris

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June 2023 MLS REPORT

July 14, 2023 A recent report from Showing Time said that the U.S. Real Estate Market is facing mixed trends with an overall decline in existing home sales and a rise in home prices in certain regions. That is true with the market here in the High Country as we see sales down 16.2 percent compared to this same time last year.

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Resident Doctors to Host Wilderness Medicine Conference in the High Country

July 14, 2023 Boone, N.C. – From mountains to lakes, ski slopes to waterfalls, and everything in between, the High Country has always drawn us to explore, experience, and to be immersed in the beauty of nature. Our rolling mountains welcome people from far and wide and provide endless opportunities for adventure. Unfortunately, more opportunities for adventure can translate to higher incidences of injuries, illnesses, and traumas.

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Shipley Farms:  Celebrating 150 Years  

July 11, 2023 Tucked away in the hills just a few miles west of Boone, Shipley Farms in Vilas is celebrating its sesquicentennial this year. If this homestead could talk, it would tell the storied history of five generations of farmers who were all well known for their leadership in agricultural education. By Kris Testori

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High Country Real Estate: Lead Based Paint in Real Estate

July 6, 2023 Lead is a naturally occurring element in the earth. It’s symbol is Pb on the Periodic Table of Elements and it’s atomic number is 82. It is a soft metal, dense, yet malleable, ductile but corrosion resistant. Lead has a relatively low melting point making it an ideal metal for industrial and manufacturing uses.  By John Thomas, REALTOR

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Bistro Bocca Fundraiser and Raffle to Benefit the Tot Lot in Boone

July 5, 2023 Bocca Bistro restaurant in Boone is excited to announce that it will host a special benefit event on June 6th to raise money for the Tot Lot at the Watauga County Parks and Recreation Center. As part of their commitment to the community, Bocca Bistro will donate a portion of their sales on this day towards the cause. By Kris Testori

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Flying Saucers in the High Country

July 3, 2023 Fifteen years ago, the Minford family was vacationing in Florida, looking for an outdoor activity they could enjoy together. There was a disc golf course nearby, and they decided to give it a try. “We had the best time,” said Jeri Minford, mother of three sons. When they returned home to Boone, her husband Rich started talking about designing their own disc golf course on their hundred-acre Christmas tree farm — located on Sugar Mountain off of Highway 181 between Linville and Newland.  By Jan Todd

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First Annual Good Fields Festival Debuts to Sold Out Crowd in Vilas

July 3, 2023 Carolina blue skies and warm temperatures welcomed hundreds of attendees to the inaugural Good Fields Appalachian Food & Farms Festival. Top chefs from across the state took part, preparing samples with Shipley Farms and other local farm products.  The chef lineup included 2019 NCRLA Chef of the Year Steven Goff from Asheville’s Tastee Diner, as well as several James Beard award nominees and Chef of the Year finalists.   By Kris Testori

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828 Community Festival Happening July 8 at the Jones House 

June 30, 2023 There’s nothing boring about downtown Boone this summer, with one amazing celebration after another. Thanks to the upcoming inaugural 828 Community Festival, the fun is sure to continue — and all for a great cause. On Saturday, July 8, 12-3 p.m., at the Jones House on King Street,  828 Real Estate will  host its first 828 Community Day — and everyone is invited!”We founded 828 Real Estate on the principles of community building, love for our town and giving back,” said Sarah Long, owner/broker in charge at 828 Real Estate. “As we mark our fifth business anniversary, the 828 Community Festival is our way of expressing gratitude and reinforcing our commitment to the community that has supported us throughout this journey. We invite everyone to join us for an unforgettable day, while also supporting three incredible non-profits that make downtown Boone thrive.” By Sherrie Norris

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WAMY Community Action Launches “Christmas in July” Holiday Gift Collection Drive

June 29, 2023 Boone, NC – WAMY Community Action, a non-profit organization serving Watauga, Avery, Mitchell, and Yancey counties, is excited to launch its annual “Santa for Seniors” holiday gift collection drive. The initiative, also known as “Christmas in July,” aims to spread cheer and bring joy to over 1,400 senior citizens who are homebound, in hospice care, or assisted living during the holiday season.”While Santa is away enjoying his summer vacation, we need your help to ensure that our seniors have a memorable and festive holiday season,” said Director of Development Allison Jennings. “We invite everyone to be a part of this initiative by donating new blankets, lip balm, lotion, puzzle books, and socks. Your contributions will make a significant difference in the lives of those who may feel lonely or isolated during the holidays.”

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Boone Town Council Unanimously Passes 2023-24 Fiscal Year Budget

June 29, 2023 The Boone Town Council unanimously approved the 2023-24 fiscal year budget at a regular meeting Wednesday. The balanced budget totals $36,624,708, a 0.98 percent decrease from last year’s, with a tax rate of 37.5 cents per $100 based on a total valuation of $2,240,547,669 for the general fund and 15.75 cents per $100 for the municipal service district based on a total valuation of $149,777,930. It also includes a 10 percent cost of living increase for all town employees that takes effect July 1. By Zack Hill

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