March 11, 2020. The organizers of The Banff Mountain Film Festival in Boone, NC are announcing details regarding the Banff Mountain Film Festival coming up on Thursday March 19, Friday March 20, and Saturday March 21. Tickets are on sale online for the Thursday March 19th screening. The Friday March 20 and Saturday March 21 screenings are sold out. All screenings start at 7:30pm. Doors open to the Schaefer Center on Thursday March 19 at 6:45, and the doors open to the Schaefter Center on Friday and Saturday at 6:15pm. As has become a tradition at the Boone screenings, we will have a special guest featured in one of the films this year in attendance at the Thursday and Friday night screenings this year. John Brosler is a 22 year old competitive climber from Dallas, TX. Former Boone locals David Hutchison & Shari Galiardi will also be in town during the week of Banff to share stories with the local community about their life on the road. / Read more…

March 10, 2020 The sixth year of the Daniel Boone Rail Jam will feature new ramps, terrific spectator views and two teams battling it out for the championship. This year will feature the Appalachian Ski Mtn. team led by captain Kellen Baker taking on the Beech Mountain Resort team led by captain John Kevin Mullins. “We have a new setup and as it has been put together, we are realizing how many different options that competitors are going to have. They will have an allotted amount of time to do as many runs as they want and the show will get better as the night goes on with the more runs that competitors take,” said event coordinator Shauna Godwin. In years past, the ramp for the competitors went through the seating area at the Daniel Boone Amphitheater. This year, however, the ramp has been constructed at the stage. “The view of the slope is incredible from any point in the amphitheater, on stage or off. It will be a really nice night of competitors doing their best tricks and the community coming together, celebrating and watching while having a good time,” said Godwin. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

March 10, 2020. The Schaefer Center Presents series, presented by Appalachian State University’s Office of Arts and Cultural Programs, is proud to feature L.A. Theatre Works: SEVEN on Tuesday, March 24 at 7pm. A documentary-style radio play, SEVEN is based on the lives of seven extraordinary women from around the world: women who faced life-threatening obstacles to bring about affirmative and heroic changes in the lives of women, families, and children in their home countries. Given the timely themes and important message of the celebrated production, and the opportunity if affords for global learning and awareness, SEVEN will be offered FREE of charge to everyone. Tickets are required. Reserve your complimentary ticket by calling or visiting the box office. Patrons are invited to stay for a post-show talkback with members of the cast immediately following the performance / Read more…

What’s going on in your community? Here’s a brief update on the emails we received today. Check back each day for an updated list of events going on in the area. As always, please feel free to email us about your event or update.

This Week’s Events at Lost Province Brewing

Lees-McRae College Communication Arts and Design Juried Student Art Exhibition Monday, March 16

Calling All Volunteers and Runners for the 9th Annual Casting for Hope April 3-5

Prospective Students are Invited to Experience Lees-McRae During Open House April 25

13th Annual Early Bird Wildflower Walk and Plant Sale is May 2

Watauga Valley Railroad Historical Society and Museum Spring Excursion Returns May 16

Read more…
Compiled by Nathan Ham

March 9, 2020 Find a winter season pass in one of the 1000 prize-filled eggs scattered on the Big Birch and Lower Flying Mile slopes at Sugar Mountain Resort this Sunday, March 15 during the Easter Egg hunt. Skiers or snowboarders can join Sugar Bear and Sweetie Bear on the slopes in search of prize-filled eggs. A 2020-21 season pass, day lift/slope tickets, and other goodies fill the plastic eggs! Bunny-themed costumed contestants can compete for prizes for the most creative, colorful, and imaginative outfit. The scavenger hunt is ONLY for children 12 and under and a valid lift/slope ticket or pass is required. Participants should meet at the bottom of the Lower Flying Mile slope at 8:30 a.m. / Read more…

March 9, 2020 For one exciting event at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24, the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters will be coming back to the Holmes Convocation Center in Boone as part of their Pushing The Limits World Tour. Featuring larger than life entertainers, The Harlem Globetrotters will bring their all-new show to the High Country, an awesome opportunity for fans of all ages to get up close and personable with a star-stuffed roster, including Big Easy Lofton, Hi-Lite Bruton, and woman stars TNT Lister, Swish Sutton and Torch George. The Harlem Globetrotters offer a one-of-a kind experience and put a new spin on family time. By Sherrie Norris / Read more…

March 4, 2020 The Town of Boone has announced the grand marshal and judges for its Third Annual St. Patrick’s Parade, which will take place on Saturday, March 14, at 2 p.m. This list of individuals includes both local community leaders and nationally recognized celebrities. The 2020 St. Patrick’s Parade grand marshal is NASCAR great and North Carolina native, Kyle Petty, who will be joined by his wife, Morgan, and their son, Overton. During an illustrious stock car racing career that spanned nearly three decades, Petty amassed 172 top-ten finishes and several victories. Now an analyst for NBC Sports, Petty spends his free time focusing on his other passions: his family, his charities, and his music career. In fact, Petty will be returning to Boone on April 17, for a concert at the Jones House. Boone is a special place for Petty and his family, and he is enthusiastic to be involved in this signature High Country event. “I have not been a grand marshal in a parade in my entire career, so to do it in Boone – I’m really, really excited,” said Petty. “I may dress like a leprechaun,” joked Petty.. / Read more…

March 4, 2020 Saturday, March 7, Beech Mountain Resort is hosting their inaugural Runs for Buns fundraising event to spread awareness of colon cancer and raise money for the Colon Cancer Coalition. More instantly, the hope is to embrace community member Kelly-Grier Costin and her battle with the disease. Kelly-Grier Costin is a local mom of three who is trying to raise awareness for colon cancer after being diagnosed with the disease over a year ago. “I was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer in July 2018; I’ve had over five surgeries and 40 rounds of chemotherapy thus far,” said Costin, “We hope raising awareness for this disease will help assure that no one else has to endure anything like that.” Runs for Buns is a simple concept: participants will solicit pledges per ski/board run, and donations will be made according to how many runs the team or individual completes that day.By Joe Johnson / Read more…

March 4, 2020 If you’ve ever desired to be a superhero, your time has come. Not only can you be a hero for the day on Saturday, March 28, during an amazing fundraiser, but your all-star status will reap huge benefits for months to come. It’s all about the annual APPKids Superhero 5K, which according to the folks hosting the event, is more than a fitness event. It’s about investing in the lives of local children through AppKids, a project started four decades ago to assist local children in need. The 5K event will be held at Peacock Lot Traffic Circle on Appalachian State University Campus. Race day registration begins at 8 a.m. with the actual race getting underway at 9 a.m. Pre-Registration Fee: $25. Race day registration is $30. By Sherrie Norris / Read more…

What’s going on in your community? Here’s a brief update on the emails we received today. Check back each day for an updated list of events going on in the area. As always, please feel free to email us about your event or update.

This Week’s Events at Lost Province Brewing

Watauga County Commissioners’ Meeting Canceled

Leon Lewis Presents to High Country Writers on March 12

The Walker Center Presents The Haggard Brothers Tribute to Merle Haggard with Special Guest Emi Sunshine

FloydFest 2020 Vision Quest Adds 39 More Acts to Lineup

Shane Calvert Named Director of Coaching at High Country Soccer Association

Read more…
Compiled by Nathan Ham

February 28, 2020 The North Carolina Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is presenting a special program in Boone in hopes of bringing the High Country community together to learn about the latest research regarding suicide prevention. “Firearm Suicide Prevention: Clinical and Community Approaches” will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, March 6, at the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Institute for Health and Human Services Building, located at 400 University Hall Drive in Boone. Featured guest speaker, Dr. Emmy Betz, is a colleague of local psychologist, Dr. Kurt D. Michael, who is coordinating the event. A Stanley R. Aeschleman Distinguished Professor of Psychology, and Assistant Department Chair at Appalachian State University, Michael serves on the volunteer board of directors for the NC Chapter of AFSP, and studies the phenomenon of suicide, especially as it relates to children and adolescents By Sherrie Norris / Read more…

February 27, 2020 As a special addition to the Town of Boone St. Patrick’s Parade on Saturday, March 14, the Downtown Boone Development Association will host a free Kids Zone on the Jones House lawn. This family-friendly attraction will run from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on parade day, and will incorporate a myriad of additional activities for downtown parade-goers. This new downtown event is just one of many that the DBDA helps to put on, along with the Easter EGGstravaganza, Boone BOO, and the monthly First Friday celebrations. “We are excited to introduce this fun new element to the parade day festivities,” said Downtown Development Coordinator Lane Moody. “We believe this Kids Zone will be a special treat for families, and will invite them to explore all that downtown Boone has to offer.” / Read more…

February 26, 2020. In a world where kids are the subject of heartbreaking news headlines practically on a daily basis, a group of compassionate adults in Watauga County is doing everything it can to shed a positive light on youth, encourage them and remind them that good things can and do happen. Such is the case with the High Country Chapter of Hunters Helping Kids, now gearing up for its 15th annual fundraising banquet, scheduled for Friday, March 6. Since the chapter was organized nearly two decades ago, its members have gone above and beyond in their efforts to teach children and adolescents some of life’s greatest lessons through a variety of opportunities. By Sherrie Norris / Read more…

What’s going on in your community? Here’s a brief update on the emails we received today. Check back each day for an updated list of events going on in the area. As always, please feel free to email us about your event or update.

This Week’s Events at Lost Province Brewing

Celebrate World Spay Day with SNIPS at Basil’s on Friday, February 28

Downtown Boone Officer Reception at The Jones House is Saturday, February 29

Tom Dooley Auditions Happening March 16-17

Annual Grief Camp Offers Children Help with Loss

2020 Mountaineer Spring Tour Schedule Announced

Caldwell Hospice Serving the High Country Seeks Adult Volunteers for Ashe, Avery and Watauga Counties

High Country Realtors to award $6,000 in Scholarships; Deadline is April 17

Area Realtors Awarding Four College Scholarships

Boone Town Council Approves Resolution Supporting 19th Amendment

CCC&TI Now Registering for 2020 Job Training, Continuing Education Courses

App State-ECU 2021 Game Change

Power Shut Off Scams: Caller Posing as Utility Demands Immediate Payment Route

Read more…
Compiled by Nathan Ham

February 24, 2020 Over the past two decades, hundreds of young musicians have taken part in the Acoustic Kids programming at MerleFest presented by Window World. This year—the showcase’s 20th anniversary—young musicians from the MerleFest audience will once again step on stage and perform in Andy May’s Acoustic Kids Showcases. Some participants are just learning to play their instrument, some play just for the fun of it, and some go on to international renown. Put on by long-time music educator and accomplished multi-instrumentalist, Andy May, Acoustic Kids is open to any musicians ages 16 or younger who register online before March 15. Their accompanists may be any age, and mixed-age groups are accepted—including family bands. Music teachers often accompany their students, using the program to give their students a real-life performance experience that is difficult to find elsewhere. No matter their skill level, Acoustic Kids celebrates young musicians’ achievements, and each year, a stream of young musicians heads to Merlefest to create their own “Music, Moments, and Memories” in Acoustic Kids Showcases. / Read more…

February 21, 2020. The galleries at the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts at Appalachian State University change throughout the year and feature compelling original art that is accessible to all members of the community. On March 6 from 6-10 pm, the public is invited to explore the galleries of the Turchin Center during the Spring Exhibition Celebration with the opening of five new exhibitions. This event is held in conjunction with the downtown Boone Art Crawl. Numerous exhibiting artists will be on-hand to meet visitors and provide insight into their intriguing work. The musical group Belleville Rendezvous will perform. Refreshments and a cash bar will be available and there will be creative art-making activities in the Moskowitz Gallery. This event is free and open to the public. / Read more…

February 20, 2020 On Thursday, February 27th, 2020, from 11:00am – 12:00pm, the Blowing Rock Art & History Museum will present a talk by local luthier Chris Capozzoli. Chris will describe the processes behind building his unique boutiqe guitars that are currently featured in the Museum’s exhibition Sound Machines: Stringed Instruments by the Capozzoli Guitar Company. Participants will learn about the creative and construction process behind Capozzoli’s guitar construction, focusing on his electric archtop and acoustic archtop designs. He will also present a brief history of the guitar and how to select the best woods for optimal sound. Chris Capozzoli is a musician, woodworker, and luthier based out of Sugar Grove, North Carolina. / Read more…

February 19, 2020 You’ll never confuse Banner Elk with New Orleans, but that still doesn’t mean that there won’t be a fun Mardi Gras celebration in the High Country. The Bayou Smokehouse located in downtown Banner Elk will be celebrating in style with some Cajun cuisine, tasty beer specials, live music and fun Mardi Gras giveaways. Winston Ammann, co-owner of the Bayou Smokehouse, said her love for Mardi Gras and the New Orleans area started a long time ago. “My husband grew up on the other side of the river from New Orleans and we lived down there until we opened our first restaurant in Charlotte in 1988. He grew up in the culture,” says Winston. “I learned the culture because I was fascinated with the whole thing and fascinated with the carnival season. It’s something everybody should experience at least once.” By Nathan Ham / Read more…

What’s going on in your community? Here’s a brief update on the emails we received today. Check back each day for an updated list of events going on in the area. As always, please feel free to email us about your event or update.

Paid Volunteer Opportunity For Seniors in Elementary Classrooms

Governor Appoints New Chair to Head North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities 

The Alliance for Appalachia Needs Your Support

Lees-McRae to Hold Theatre Arts Audition Day for Program Scholarships Feb. 22

Boone Town Council and Watauga County Commissioners to Hold Joint Meeting on February 24

Special Watauga Water Intake Work Session of Beech Mountain Town Council is February 25

Annual Catawba Valley Pottery & Antiques Festival Slated for Spring 2020

Valle Crucis Conference Center Wants Your Recipes

Area Realtors Awarding Four College Scholarships

Dining Out for Life Happening April 30

Mountain Acoustics Luthier Invitational Coming Up May 22-24

Wit Tuttell, Executive Director of Visit NC, Announces the 22nd Annual Cycle North “Mountains to Coast” Route

Read more…
Compiled by Nathan Ham

February 18, 2020 The Town of Beech Mountain and Beech Mountain Resort are coming together for the eighth year in a row to host an ‘80s-themed retro celebration throughout this upcoming weekend. From Thursday to Sunday, there will be various activities to participate in while donning your favorite neon ‘80s gear on the mountaintop; each day of the ‘80s celebration features “Retro Skiing” throughout the day to encourage attendees to get in the 1980s mood! This year’s lineup of events includes various things for the whole family to enjoy; each event takes place at different locations throughout Beech Mountain, as specified in the schedule with story. By Joe Johnson / Read more…

February 17, 2020 The High Country Energy Justice Summit will bring together young people, local elected leaders and electric ratepayers from across the region to develop a community vision for local energy systems that support an equitable economy and protect our planet. This participatory event will feature local clean energy experts and youth leaders from local youth-led groups affiliated with the Global Climate Strike movement. Live music will be provided by the Kraut Creek Ramblers. Complimentary snacks, lunch and childcare will also be provided. The summit will feature updates from local youth-led groups affiliated with the Global Climate Strike movement, which has brought millions of young people into the streets across the world to demand an end to the fossil fuel era. Youth leaders from Sunrise Boone and the Climate Action Collaborative will provide an update on their plans to escalate Climate Strikes in the year ahead and offer ideas on how older folks can support their movement. / Read more…

February 17, 2020 The sixth annual Daniel Boone Rail Jam ski and snowboard competition will be returning to the Daniel Boone Amphitheater on Saturday, March 14, with doors opening at 5pm. The Rail Jam will directly follow the St. Patrick’s Parade being held in downtown Boone on the same day. This year’s Rail Jam is going to feature several changes in the competition’s structure, most notably, the participants in the contest must be directly invited to join one of the two teams: Appalachian Ski Mountain or Beech Mountain Resort. Riders who were not invited to join a team will still have a chance to make one of two additional rider slots on each team during the open competition that will begin the evening of the Rail Jam. Men and women riders as well as skiers and snowboarders will all be competing together on the same teams. By Joe Johnson / Read more…

February 13, 2020. From the Executive Mansion in Raleigh to communities across the state, North Carolinians are showing wild birds some love this Valentine’s Day weekend by taking part in the 23rd Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC). North Carolina First Lady Kristin Cooper is kicking off this year’s count Friday, February 14 by hosting school children to watch birds at the Executive Mansion. The count continues through Monday, February 17. Volunteers will count the birds they see for at least 15 minutes on one or more days of the count, and then enter their checklists at birdcount.org. “Counting birds in your own backyard with friends and family is a lot of fun, but it’s also serious science. Collecting these data tells us important things about the health of bird populations, a service that has only become more critical as birds face existential threats from habitat loss and changes to our climate,” said Andrew Hutson, Audubon North Carolina executive director and National Audubon Society vice president. / Read more…

February 13, 2020. Due to popular demand, the organizers of The Banff Mountain Film Festival in Boone, NC are announcing an additional screening of the World Tour on Thursday March 19th at the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are now on sale the Schaefer Center Box Office and online for the Thursday March 19th screening. The Thursday March 19th event is completely different from the Friday and Saturday screenings featuring different films. (The Friday March 20 and Saturday March 21 tickets are sold out.) All screenings start at 7:30pm. As has become a tradition at the Boone screenings, we will have a special guest featured in one of the films this year in attendance at the Thursday and Friday night screenings this year. More information will be available soon about the guest coming this year.. / Read more…

February 12, 2020. Bagpipes, Irish flags, shamrocks, and a sea of green travels through downtown Boone on Saturday, March 14, starting at 2 p.m. for the Town of Boone’s annual St. Patrick’s Parade. The parade begins at Poplar Grove Connector and marches east down King Street, ending at Hardin Street. Local businesses, nonprofits, civic organizations, and performers will have a chance to show off their Irish and High Country pride. Parade-goers can expect a whole lot of fun, with festive floats, talented performers, a good bit of candy, and a few surprises. A leprechaun emcee will be staged in front of the Jones House, and a special panel of guest judges will score entries based upon overall appearance, quality of design or performance, originality, and creativity. Entries receiving the best scores from the judges will find a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, as a generous group sponsor has donated over $10,000 in cash prizes; the prize money will be divided amongst the highest-scored entries, including $2,000 for best in show. By Joe Johnson / Read more…

What’s going on in your community? Here’s a brief update on the emails we received today. Check back each day for an updated list of events going on in the area. As always, please feel free to email us about your event or update.

Weekly Events at Lost Province Brewing Company

Appalachian State Board of Trustees on Meet on February 12

Ashe County Wordkeepers Meeting Happening on Saturday, February 15

NCNPS Blue Ridge Chapter to Meet on February 17

Planning Board Meeting Location Changed for February 17

Upcoming High Country Rural Planning Organization Meetings February 19

WCC to Host SkillsUSA Northwest Region 7 Rally & Career Showcase on February 24

Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Seeking Nominations for “4 Under 40” Awards Through March 20

Beech Mountain Club Announces “Deal of the Decade”

ElectriCities Recognizes New River Light & Power for Excellence in Public Power

North Carolinians Can Nominate a School Hero for a $10,000 Award

American Airlines to Begin Dual-Class Service From Tri-Cities to Dallas-Fort Worth

Read more…
Compiled by Nathan Ham

February 11, 2020. The jig is up! The Schaefer Center Presents series, presented by Appalachian State University’s Office of Arts and Cultural Programs, is proud to welcome international dance sensation Trinity Irish Dance Company (TIDC) to Boone as the only North Carolina stop on its national tour on Saturday, Feb. 22 at 7pm at the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts. A fusion of Ireland’s vibrant and longstanding dance form and elements of American innovation, TIDC dazzles audiences with its hard-driving percussive power, lightning-fast agility, astonishing precision, aerial grace, complex rhythms, and playful dynamics. From across the pond arrives the airborne artistry of Trinity Irish Dance Company, whose work evolves the traditional form of Irish dance without sacrificing its roots. “TIDC’s work has all the technical wizardry of exceptional Irish step dancing and the artistic depth of contemporary dance. When the two are combined, the art form is phenomenally exciting onstage,” says Maure Aronson, Executive Director of World Music/CRASHarts. / Read more…

February 11, 2020. MerleFest, presented by Window World, is proud to announce the next round of artist additions for MerleFest 2020, which will be held April 23-26. Greensky Bluegrass, Mavis Staples, Paul Thorn, Cane Mill Road, Sweet Potato Pie, The Barefoot Movement, Nefesh Mountain, and Smitty and the Jumpstarters will be joining the annual homecoming of musicians and music fans on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Tickets for the festival are on sale now and may be purchased at www.MerleFest.org or by calling 1-800-343-7857. MerleFest offers a three-tiered pricing structure and encourages fans to take advantage of the extended early bird discount. Early Bird Tier 1 tickets may be purchased until February 16, 2020; Early Bird Tier 2 tickets from February 17 to April 22. The remaining tickets will be sold at the gate during the festival. / Read more…

February 11, 2020. The list of top-flight talent and nationally-prominent artists slated to appear at the Appalachian Theatre of the High Country (ATHC) continues to grow as three major events have been added to the spring schedule at the venerable performing arts venue in the heart of Boone. ATHC Executive Director Laura Kratt announced that tickets are now on sale for bluegrass music artists Balsam Range, the national tour of “Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch” by Axis Theatre, and country music stars The Malpass Brothers. These events are in addition to the previously announced production of “Love Letters,” the “You and Me” tour by Drew and Ellie Holcomb, and concerts by the Wailin’ Jennys and Che Apalache. Information for all these events – and more – may be found at www.apptheatre.org. / Read more…

February 11, 2020. On Friday, February 21 at 7:30 p.m., local flatpicking phenom Presley Barker will delight audiences as he brings his signature rockabilly style and effervescent charm to the stage as a part of the Jones House Spring Indoor Concert Series. “There is a wealth of young gifted musicians here in the High County,” claims Boone Cultural Resources Coordinator Brandon Holder. “We are honored to have talented up-and-coming artists like Presley Barker continue to perform here at the Jones House.” A native of the Appalachian mountain region, Barker first picked up the guitar at the age of 7. Early on, Barker showed an aptitude for flatpicking, a style of playing pioneered by the likes of Doc Watson, whose music Barker grew up listening to. Over the years, Barker has been influenced and mentored by some of the region’s best bluegrass musicians, including Wayne Henderson, Steve Lewis, and Bryan Sutton. / Read more…

February 10, 2020. On Tuesday, February 18th, 2020, from 11:00 – 12:00 pm, Blowing Rock Art & History Museum (BRAHM) will present a behind-the-scenes look into the art exhibition “Sallie Middleton: A Life in the Forest,” on loan from the Asheville Art Museum and courtesy of Sallie Middleton Parker and Mikell Middleton Howington. Before and after the tour, guests are invited to converse and pose questions while enjoying complimentary Hatchet Coffee and baked goods. With little formal training in art, Sallie Ellington Middleton (1926-2009) has long been considered one of the most gifted painters of plants and animals. She possessed a remarkable eye for detail, a skilled hand to record what she saw and a keen imagination to shape her enchanted images. Her detailed paintings required months or even years to complete. / Read more…

February 10, 2020. Celebrated journalist and historian Rob Christensen will present a program on his latest book The Rise and Fall of the Branchhead Boys in the Lees-McRae Shelton Learning Commons Room 205 on Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 7 p.m. A highly respected political journalist for The News and Observer in Raleigh, Christensen has also appeared as a political analyst on more than 600 television and radio programs, including the CBS Evening News, Fox News, MSNBC, CNN, PBS, NPR, and BBC. His recently published book is a multi-generational story about one of North Carolina’s most important political families—the Scott family. The book also covers the long struggle to build paved roads and establish electric and telephone power lines into Western North Carolina.  / Read more…

February 10, 2020. Habitat for Humanity International, Lowe’s and approximately 6,000 women volunteers will unite in more than 235 communities in the United States, India and Canada for International Women Build Week from March 1-8 to highlight the global need for safe and affordable housing. A prelude to International Women’s Day, the global event aims to build and repair nearly 540 homes while raising awareness of housing issues facing women and their families. Watauga County Habitat for Humanity will celebrate Women Build on Saturday, March 7th, building two of the 540 homes worldwide.  / Read more…

February 10, 2020. Dance fundraiser coming Saturday, February 15th from 10pm to 1am at Legends. Dance Appalachian State will be hosting their 17th annual Dance Marathon. The Marathon is a 15 hour dance party in which students dance to raise money for local organizations benefiting children in the High Country. To participate, students can register online here and will pledge to raise a minimum of $150 ($10 per hour of dancing) to support this year’s two non-profit organizations, Western Youth Network and Parent to Parent Family Support Network. Both organizations provide essential services to children and families here in our local community.  By Emma Shirlin / Read more…

February 10, 2020. Cooperative Extension at N.C A&T State University is hosting the annual Small Farms Agrishop Series, with the High Country opportunity for this event to take place on Monday, February 24 at the Watauga Agricultural Conference Center at 252 Poplar Grove Road, Boone. The workshop will cover a series of topics on locally-adapted agricultural opportunities and strategies. The AgriShop runs from 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, and attendance to the full day of workshops will give two hours of X, D, N, & O Pesticide Credits to license holders. The 2020 North West Region AgriShop, topics include: Color Plastic Mulch; Farm Health & Safety; Apple & Blueberry Production; Hemp Harvest & Post-Harvest Processing; Marketing Heirloom Tomatoes; Medicinal Herbs; Pollinator Buffers; Small Ruminant Management & Nutrition; and guidance toward Writing a Food Safety Plan. The AgriShop is free to growers and includes a locally-catered lunch. Pre-registration before Tuesday, February 18 is required.  / Read more…