Dec. 5, 2016. Sugar Mountain Resort in partnership with the Village of Sugar Mountain TDA are set to host an array of outdoor winter fun activities during the annual SugarFest, December 9-11. To enjoy the total SugarFest experience, you’ll want to spend the weekend on the mountain. Participating lodging agencies within the Village of Sugar Mountain offer discounted rates for slope-side and on-mountain accommodations. For lodging details please visit www.seesugar.com. / Read more…

Dec. 2, 2016. The physicians of Graystone Eye are proud to offer patients both traditional and laser assisted cataract surgery options. Laser assisted cataract surgery is a new technology used to safely remove cataracts and restore vision. With the addition of the LENSAR ™ Laser System, our surgeons now have the ability to tailor patient’s cataract procedures to better fit their needs. / Read more…

Nov. 23, 2016. Carlton Gallery celebrates its 34th Winter Group and Small Works Exhibition on November 25th and 26th from10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with a Holiday Open House. Gallery owner and artist Toni Carlton extends an invitation to everyone to open their holiday season by visiting Carlton Gallery for light refreshments, hot cider or tea, along with lots of community spirit. The Holiday Open House is the last seasonal event for the Tour de Art – a coalition of galleries and artists’ studios. / Read more…

Nov. 9, 2016. Along with a vast array of toys and games for all ages, Rowell’s store features “Joinks,” a construction game created by Appalachian State University professor Richard Elaver, and “Box & Bolls,” a new trick shot play set created by local police officer Nathan Gordon. Story and Photos by Jessica Isaacs. / Read more…

Nov. 10, 2016. Between noon and 3 p.m. on November 15, the community is invited to celebrate the grand opening of Village Pharmacy, a division of Boone Drugs Inc., and tour the Harriet and Charles Davant, Jr. Medical Clinic, a member of Appalachian Regional Medical Associates. The event will feature guided tours, hors d’oeuvres and a ribbon cutting ceremony at 2 p.m. / Read more…

Nov. 9, 2016. The crew at Doc’s Rocks Gem Mine recently concluded their annual Mining for a Cure fundraising campaign, and on Wednesday presented a check to the team at Watauga Medical Center’s Seby B. Jones Cancer Treatment Center. This year’s campaign exceeded the $10,000 goal and Doc’s Rocks contributed a check for more than $17,000. Story and Photos by Jessica Isaacs. / Read more…

Nov. 1, 2016. The fun began with arts, crafts and games at the Watauga Library on Queen Street and a costume parade led to spooky tours of the Jones House on King Street, which was closed to all vehicle traffic during the festivities, and trick-or-treating with downtown businesses. By Jessica Isaacs. Photos by Ken Ketchie. / Read more…

Oct. 25, 2016 Hailed by many as the best lunch in the High Country, Eat Crow Café not only serves up fresh and delicious soups, salads, and sandwiches, it also offers catering services, custom-made orders, classic English specialties, and frozen take-home items. As a small-scale bakery, Eat Crow mixes up all sorts of sumptuous pies, cakes, tarts, and other confectionaries, as well as, savory pies, special order breads, and the daily sandwich bread. By Davin Underwood / Read more…

Oct. 21, 2016. The Blowing Rock and Boone chambers were recognized as the 2016 recipients of the Carolinas Accredited Chamber distinction at Carolinas Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives annual management conference in Chapel Hill on Oct. 20. By Jesse Wood / Read more…

Oct. 20, 2016. The showcase will feature a series of five-minute pitches from young social entrepreneurs who aim to make the Boone area an even better place to live, work, and play. Audience members will vote to choose the top three presenters. Finalists will be invited to an intensive leadership development training in March, where they will spend a weekend networking with other NC social entrepreneurs to refine their ideas and compete for a chance to win up to $10K toward their social enterprise. / Read more…

Oct. 13, 2016. The weather is cool and comfortable in the High Country right now, but even colder temperatures will be here before you know it. It won’t be long before the fluffy white stuff is upon us, and that means ski season isn’t far behind. Whether you’re new to the game or you’re a seasoned veteran on the slopes, it’s never too early to start racking up on the gear you’ll need before you get going. By Jessica Isaacs. Photos by Ken Ketchie. / Read more…

Oct. 13, 2016. “We are such a small community and it’s a very tight-knit community and our members are always out and about, going to local businesses, shopping at local stores, eating at the restaurants, and I think its’ very important for us to be a part of that and not hold ourselves apart,” Littleton said. “Our members love that. They love to get involved. They’re not only involved with the High Country Charitable Foundation but also other charities for which they volunteer.” By Jessica Isaacs. Photos by Jim Swinkola. / Read more…

Oct. 12, 2016. The cool, crisp feeling of fall weather made it just in time for the October edition of the High South Event Professionals’ monthly group meetings, which drew a great crowd out to enjoy dinner and drinks at Valle Crucis Vineyard. Our team was there on behalf of HCP and our annual High South Weddings magazine, and we were stoked to see so many of our friends in the industry under one roof! By Jessica Isaacs. Photos by Ken Ketchie. / Read more…

Oct. 11, 2016. Modern Automotive recently acquired its first Ford franchise located at 300 New Market Blvd in Boone, NC. The dealership, formerly Boone Ford, has been renamed Modern Ford of Boone. This is Modern’s third dealership in the area. / Read more…

Oct. 11, 2016. Every day, twice a day the slopes at Sugar Mountain Resort are meticulously groomed. This season the resort has added a second Pisten Bully 600 winch groomer to the current fleet. This new powerhouse groomer provides extra hold and increased safety on the mountain. / Read more…

Oct. 11, 2016. To reflect plans for growing energy services and solutions to its consumers, Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation, a member-owned cooperative, and its propane/heating fuels subsidiary, Blue Ridge Energies, have announced they will do business under the single name of Blue Ridge Energy starting next spring. / Read more…

Oct. 4, 2016. “I watched as Bonny Collard carefully sheared Coraline. Using electric shears and handheld shears, she skillfully removed her fiber in about 30 minutes,” said McEnery. “Once the fiber, known as mohair, is removed, it is turned into yarn.” Angora goats produce an average of 10 pounds of mohair each year and shearings are held in the spring and in the fall. Photos by Cindy McEnery. / Read more…

Oct. 3, 2016. Chef Sam Ratchford and his team from Vidalia Restaurant and Wine Bar will soon participate in the Got to Be NC Competition Dining Series Battle of the Champions, which will include live dinner events Nov. 11-20 in Raleigh. Tickets are on sale this week and are expected to go fast, so get yours now if you plan to be there and support this High Country restaurant at the state competition. Ratchford said he and Vidalia Boom teammates will go and do their best to win and represent the High Country, and “it would be amazing” if some local folks showed up in Raleigh to support them. By Jessica Isaacs. / Read more…

Sept. 30, 2016. Friends and neighbors convened to celebrate the grand opening of Graystone Eye’s new Boone facility on Thursday night over hors d’oeuvres, drinks and conversation. Guests enjoyed getting to meet the physicians and tour the beautiful brand new office. S&L Catering, Blowing Rock Brewing Company and Erick’s Cheese and Wine were on hand to make sure the crowd was well fed and having a good time. / Read more…

Sept. 28, 2016. The public is invited to attend a grand opening celebration at the new Graystone Eye facility on N.C. Highway 105 in Boone on Thursday, Sept. 29, which will feature tours of the facility, hors d’oeuvres and refreshments and a meet-and-greet with the physicians. The new building puts Graystone’s former Boone and Linville locations under one roof and opened in late August. By Jessica Isaacs. / Read more…

Sept. 16, 2016. The crowd gathered at the development’s new Sportsman’s Lodge, which sits on the northern reaches of the property and boasts a beautiful pavilion with indoor and outdoor facilities, a kitchen, an outdoor fireplace and a large deck overlooking the panoramic views. By Jessica Isaacs. Photos by Jim Swinkola. / Read more…

Sept. 15, 2016. With harvest season upon us, Grandfather Vineyard and Winery General Manager Dylan Tatum said that this year is turning into the best growing season he’s experienced in his six years in the business. “I’ve seen some bad ones in the past, but this one is really, really good,” Tatum said. “All this sun recently is great for ripening … we’ve gotten the biggest yields, and the best quality grapes I’ve every seen up here for a wine grape.” By Jesse Wood / Read more…

Sept. 12, 2016. “It shows businesses are flourishing. They’re either coming to town, which is great for local business, or, in some cases, they’re celebrating grand re-openings or they’ve outgrown their space and they’re looking for new space. It highlights the fact that business is going well and it gives the businesses that have relocated or are just starting an opportunity to showcase themselves. When you get a lot of excited folks in the community out for an event like this I think that will only generate excitement about the new business itself.” Story and Photos by Jessica Isaacs. / Read more…

Sept. 2, 2016. “Recreate yourself.” David Gindlesperger, owner of Curiosity Consignment Mega Warehouse, says that’s the secret to success. “Change when you need to and reinvent.” That’s how he built his business, which is growing by leaps and bounds, and that’s also what he does with the one-of-a-kind pieces in his shop. By Jessica Isaacs. Photos by Ken Ketchie. / Read more…

Aug. 23, 2016. The 5k run starts at 8:30 a.m. adjacent to the American Legion Hall and finishes in front of Bistro Roca restaurant, where post-race snacks will be provided and awards presented. The 1-Mile Fun Run presented by Blue Ridge Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine starts in the same location at 8:00, so parents can accompany their kids and still make the 5k start time. Photo by Lynn Willis. / Read more…

Aug. 31, 2016. With the university back in full swing for the semester and fall weather on its way, the High Country now begins a transition from one season of excitement to another. The same can be said for Boone’s popular First Friday Art Crawl series, which will be back with something new for everyone.By Jessica Isaacs. / Read more…

Aug. 31, 2016. The beautiful Hugh Chapman Center played host to the Avery County Chamber of Commerce for its annual business meeting and awards ceremony on Tuesday evening, which drew a large crowd and recognized several local leaders and organizations. Guests enjoyed a catered cocktail reception and an impressive view of Grandfather Mountain as the night’s events proceeded. By Jessica Isaacs. Photos by Ken Ketchie. / Read more…

Aug. 31, 2016. In August, Dr. Harry M. Davis, professor of finance and past chair of the Department of Finance, Banking and Insurance at Appalachian State University was presented the Wade Brown Award for Community Recognition by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. / Read more…

Aug. 29. 2016. With Boone and Linville locations now under one roof, a brand new Graystone Eye facility opened up today along N.C. Highway 105 in Boone, establishing the practice’s permanent position in the High Country community. After a successful first day in the new facility, Gardner said the Graystone team looks forward to a bright future in the High Country, as it will now have a physician available for appointments every day of the week. By Jessica Isaacs. Photos by Ken Ketchie. / Read more…

Aug. 29, 2016.The Mast General Store in downtown Boone is having its annual tent sale beginning this Friday, Sept. 2. The sale will last until Monday, Sept. 5. Since their inception, the stores in Boone and Valle Crucis have served as staples in the High Country, not just as tourist attractions, but for the communities, as well. By Emily Willis / Read more…

Aug. 25, 2016. If you’ve bought a bottle in the Blowing Rock ABC store lately, you probably noticed a crack-and-peel label on the brown bag thanking customers for shopping. “The Blowing Rock ABC Store appreciates your patronage very much! By buying here, you are helping contribute to the community and those that provide the services we all enjoy,” the label reads. By Jesse Wood • Photos by Ken Ketchie / Read more…

Aug. 19, 2016. Award-winning artist Jeremy Sams became a professional painter at age 19, “as a matter of survival,” he says. Meet Sams and hear his story on Saturday, August 27, at Alta Vista Gallery in Valle Crucis at the opening reception for his new show, “I Saw the Light,” hanging now through September 14. / Read more…

Aug. 23, 2016. After four years in the High Country and nearly five decades in business, Graystone Eye, a full-service ophthalmology and subspecialty practice, will open its brand new location in Boone on Monday. The building, located at 2640 N.C. Highway 105 across from the Ingles shopping center, will bring Graystone’s existing Boone and Linville offices together under one roof. By Jessica Isaacs. / Read more…

Aug. 22, 2016. The Hampton Inn and Suites is tentatively scheduled to open the first week of October, according to the hotel’s general manager Tara Brossa. “Everything is on schedule. We should start our training courses next month and w ill be ready to open in the beginning part of October,” Brossa said on Monday. By Jesse Wood / Read more…

Aug. 22, 2016. August at Carlton Gallery signals it’s time for the Annual Jewelry Trunk Show and Boutique Day for Women. This event is planned for Saturday, August 27, 10 to 5 and is a part of the Avery Tour de Art, a coalition of area galleries and artists’ studios with special events on the fourth Saturday of June through November. Tour maps can be obtained from the gallery. / Read more…