October 18, 2019. While some of the highest elevations in the High Country have seen a lot of color change already, the peak still seems to be another week away, that is according to the latest fall color update from Howard Neufeld at Appalachian State University’s Department of Biology. Neufeld predicts that this weekend and into next week will be the peak of color for the bulk of the High Country. Fall color change has started its descent from the higher elevations of Grandfather Mountain, past the Linn Cove Viaduct and into the valleys below. While color has peaked in certain areas near the viaduct and on the Blue Ridge Parkway, green can still be seen at lower elevations. That is expected to change very soon. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

October 18, 2019. Instead of the usual candidate’s forum that is hosted by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce, the chamber went a different direction this election cycle to allow the four people running for Boone Town Council seats to explain why they are the best fit for the job. This year, audio podcasts were recorded of each candidate answering nine questions. The podcasts, which are available to listen to any time, give people a chance to hear these candidates on their own time instead of having to tune into the radio simulcast or attend the forum at a certain time. “We decided to go the podcast route which allowed candidates to have a little bit more time to speak. I think with the old format they had roughly 10 to 12 minutes worth of actual time to say anything. This time candidates averaged roughly 15 to 16 minutes of time to really get more into their stances on things,” said David Jackson, the President/CEO of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce.  By Nathan Ham / Read more…

October 18, 2019. In honor of Appalachian State University’s upcoming celebrations, enjoy a snapshot of the university’s homecoming history, which first began in 1934. Spanning more than eight decades, this slideshow features a look at some of Appalachian’s early athletics fields — including College Field and Conrad Stadium — the university’s kazoo band, themed homecoming parade floats and many iterations of the Mountaineers’ mascot, Yosef. A 1940 letter provided by University Archives and Records, housed in Appalachian’s Belk Library and Information Commons, describes the original intent of homecoming: “Most colleges and universities set aside one day each year for the entertainment of their alumni. This is known as ‘homecoming day’, and homecoming it is, for many former students assemble to renew associations with their foster mother and campus brothers and sisters.” By Megan Bruffy / Read more…

October 18, 2019. Hardin Park sixth-grader Clara Lappan correctly spelled “Marathon” and “Autumn” to secure victory in the Watauga County Schools district-wide spelling bee held Oct. 18. Green Valley’s Zeke Walker from Green Valley secured the runner-up spot in the contest. The top-speller in each school was invited to attend the competition held at the WCS central office. This year’s contestants were: Liliana Wyatt of Bethel, Iris Westerman of Blowing Rock, A.J. McAulay of Cove Creek, Zeke Walker of Green Valley, Clara Lappan of Hardin Park, Mark Spaulding of Mabel, Ben Baublitz of Parkway and Grant Painter of Valle Crucis. A single speller from each school secured a stop at the district-wide spelling bee final by winning a competition among fourth through eighth-grade students at her or his school. Meredith Jones, Watauga County Schools Director of Middle Grades Education, said regardless of the competition’s outcome, students had demonstrated hard work and dedication to make an appearance at the district bee. / Read more…

October 18, 2019. Several speakers in support of and in opposition to potential changes to the Valle Crucis Historic District Ordinance had their voices heard on Tuesday evening at the Watauga County Commissioners’ meeting. The proposed changes would add an amendment to the ordinance that would address the construction of schools within the historical district. The ordinance that was first put into place in September of 1990 made no mention of school construction in Valle Crucis. In a previous meeting of the county commissioners on September 17, there was a proposal put forth by the board to amend the ordinance. After hearing so much public input Tuesday night, the discussions have been tabled until the next commissioners’ meeting on November 6. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

October 18, 2019. Current seniors in 11 Western North Carolina high school districts who meet specific academic requirements and submit an application by Friday, Nov. 1, are guaranteed admission to Appalachian State University through a newly announced program called GEAR UP Guarantee. Appalachian’s GEAR UP Guarantee is a collaboration between the university and the region’s 11 Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) school districts to provide a seamless pathway for high school students to enroll at Appalachian. The 11 GEAR UP school districts are Ashe, Alleghany, Burke, Clay, Graham, Madison, Rutherford, Swain, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey counties. By Elisabeth Wall / Read more…

October 18, 2019. Avery County Sheriff’s Department personnel and many other people have been searching all over for Bigfoot for months. Deputies finally found him where you might expect him to be: by himself far out in the woods. Many times if someone calls in a Bigfoot sighting, it would be ignored or perhaps even chucked at. But in this particular case, it has caused jubilation from many. A statue of the Sasquatch Bigfoot was stolen from Mountaineer Landscaping in Linville in August, and ironically it was found at a site less than an hour away. A man the Sheriff’s Department released as being named “Mike” was in a remote area of a nearby woods in the Edgemont Community when he saw Sasquatch. Mike contacted local law enforcement authorities, and they found and confiscated Bigfoot from there. By Tim Gardner / Read more…

October 17, 2019. Appalachian Mountain Brewery and We Can So You Can Foundation are returning to the Daniel Boone Amphitheatre this year to host the third annual Haunted Horn, the High Country’s only immersive haunted experience. This year’s version of Haunted Horn, entitled Haunted Horn: Stalker, will occur on Fridays and Saturdays from October 11 – 26 from 8:00 to 11:00 p.m. Tickets are available online for $10 and at the door for $13. Parking is available for free. We Can So You Can Foundation has put on Haunted Horn events for the past two years; 2017’s event was called Haunted Horn: Curse of Wendigo and 2018’s event was Haunted Horn: The Accused. This year, experience a time warp and go back to the 80s with Haunted Horn: Stalker, based after famous ‘80s era thrillers and slasher flicks, and try to escape the stalker pursuing you and the other participants trying to flee. By Joe Johnson / Read more…

October 17, 2019. Following a nearly week-long search for a suspect involved in an accident that killed a cyclist on October 10, a man has been arrested and his vehicle has been seized. The North Carolina Highway Patrol said on Wednesday that Charles Steward Bean, 55, of Creedmoor has been arrested in connection to a hit-and-run accident on Highway 221 across the Caldwell County line not far from Grandfather Mountain. Bean was arrested at his home in Granville County on a felony hit-and-run charge and is currently being held on a $35,000 bond. Bean’s 2008 Toyota Sienna minivan is believed to be the vehicle that he was driving when he allegedly struck and killed Ignacio Giraldo. Giraldo, 61, was traveling north when a vehicle crossed the center line in a curve and struck him head-on, according to the highway patrol. The man was riding his bicycle along with three others, including his daughter.  By Nathan Ham / Read more…

October 17, 2019. Seven students from Avery High School in Newland, NC recently completed “The Grandfather Challenge” hiking program at Grandfather Mountain in Linville.  “The Grandfather Challenge” program is sponsored by The Jason Project, Inc., which was formed by the parents of Jason Matthew Nipper, who passed away in June of 2014 at age 26. This private foundation was formed to host this unique hiking program, which is designed to build self-confidence in struggling youth, as well as trust and positive rapport with adult mentors. Because of Jason’s abiding love of the outdoors and mountain hiking, James & Cheryl have established  “The Grandfather Challenge,” through which students navigate all of the rigorous hiking trails at Grandfather Mountain.  Although the program includes at-risk kids suffering from mental problems and/or drug addictions, the program also seeks to assist any special kids who are struggling with personal adversities, including family, school, or other personal problems or challenges. / Read more…

October 15, 2019. Fifty years ago the thrill of skiing down the rolling slopes of Sugar Mountain intrigued a group of daring developers. Participating in a sport mostly unfamiliar to the Southern population rapidly took hold and winter fun became a staple for many. Today, the masses flock to Sugar Mountain, not only to feel and see and touch snow, but to enjoy the plethora of activities that only the accumulation of snowflakes can produce. To celebrate Sugar Mountain’s 50 years, a documentary reporting its five decades debuts in mid-December. A new, four passenger, high-speed, detachable chairlift, designed and engineered by Doppelmayr and specifically for beginners, replaces Sugar Mountain Resort’s original, two passenger, fixed-grip Easy Street chairlift built in 1969. The ceremonial ribbon cutting is scheduled for Saturday, December 14 at 10 a.m. The widening of some sections and the addition of another new, high-efficiency and fully automatic snow making machine to the existing fleet on the Easy Street slope are complete. / Read more…

October 17, 2019. With no state or federal elections on the ballot this November, voting totals will not typically be as high as in midterm or presidential election years, however, 21 Watauga County citizens living within town limits of Boone, Blowing Rock, Seven Devils and Beech Mountain made sure to get their votes counted on the first day of early voting on Wednesday. The most votes at the Watauga County Administration Building’s one-stop early voting came from Boone voters with 16 ballots counted for the Boone Town Council race. Three voters made their ballots official in Beech Mountain for the town council race and two votes were counted in Blowing Rock for the town council and mayoral seats. No voters cast their ballots as of yet in Seven Devils.  By Nathan Ham / Read more…

Oct. 17, 2019. A look at the recent deed transfers in Watauga County. The information comes courtesy of the Watauga County Register of Deeds. Compiled by Debbie Carter / Read more…

October 17, 2019. After completing a two-hour search on October 5th, Watauga Sheriff’s Office was able to locate an 18-month-old toddler who had been missing for several hours and had wandered over 600 yards from her house. Search teams from across the High Country were dispatched including: the Watauga Sheriff’s Office, Watauga County Emergency Management, Boone Fire, Blowing Rock Fire, Foscoe Fire, Watauga Medics, and Watauga Rescue.  Each were sent out by Boone’s Emergency Management team, which helped to coordinate communications between search crews across counties and are responsible for the mapping and management of these emergencies. The two who found the child were Deputy Garrett Norris and Sergeant Chris Bowen both with the Sheriff’s Office. Deputy Norris, who is also a paramedic, initiated active warming to further prevent hypothermia prior to handing the child over to Watauga Medics for evaluation. By Colby Gable / Read more…

October 17, 2019. Did you attend or graduate from Avery County High School? Would you like to reconnect with former classmates and friends? Would you like to visit with old friends in other classes? Then the First Annual Avery County High School Reunion is for you! The three schools that consolidated to form ACHS (Newland High, Crossnore High, and Cranberry High) have had annual reunions for many years. Avery County High School has been in existence now for 50 years and there has never been an annual reunion for all classes. Big plans are underway for this first reunion to take place on Saturday, October 26, which is the next day after Avery’s Homecoming Celebration. The reunion will take place in the ACHS Gym and the doors will open for fun and visiting at 1:30 p.m. Danica Goodman, Class of 2000, is spearheading the effort to establish an annual reunion for ACHS. / Read more…

October 17, 2019. The Hunger and Health Coalition located in Boone will host its 5th annual Masquerade Ball on Friday, Oct. 25 from 6:30-10:30 p.m. at the Harvest House Performing Arts Venue in Boone. Tickets are $30 and going fast. This event always provides a fun-filled evening for a great cause, according to HHC staff. “The past four have been nothing short of incredible as this event helps us raise funds for our programs to help those in need in our community.” Along with entertainment provided by The Appalachian Theatre Ensemble, guests will enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres, exciting, colorful costumes, dancing and drinks.. By Sherrie Norris / Read more…

October 17, 2019. Fall and all its festivities have begun to bring a bit of excitement to the High Country. Tailgating is in full swing and in the middle of it all comes Halloween — with Thanksgiving close behind. It all seems to be arriving at an alarming rate this year in a way that I can’t quite grasp or explain. While we don’t need to spend too much time trying to figure it all out, let’s have some fun with a few seasonal specialties as we prepare to move forward into the holiday season.
By Sherrie Norris / Read more…

October 16, 2019. Early voting for town council and mayoral elections in Watauga County started on Wednesday with a total of 19 candidates running for elected office in Boone, Blowing Rock, Beech Mountain and Seven Devils. Early voting will continue through November 2 at 1 p.m. and the final day to request an absentee ballot by mail will be October 29. Election Day this year is November 5 with precinct polls opening at 6:30 a.m. and closing at 7:30 p.m. In Blowing Rock, two town council seats and the mayoral seat will be up for election. Mayor Charlie Sellers is running unopposed while town council incumbents Jim Steele and Albert Yount face challenges from David Harwood and Ray Pickett. In Boone, two current town council members, Marshall Ashcraft and Lynn Mason, chose not to seek reelection. Incumbent Loretta Clawson is seeking another term on the council. Virginia Roseman, Nancy LaPlaca and Dustin Hicks have filed to run as newcomers. Three council seats will be up for election between these four candidates. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

October 16, 2019. Looking to stay up-to-date on what’s happening in your neighborhood? Want to keep an eye on criminal activity in your area? Take a look at these recent incident and arrest reports from the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office and the Boone Police Department. Read more…
Compiled by Nathan Ham

October 16, 2019. Mountain music, handmade crafts, barbecue, Brunswick stew, apple cider, apple butter, and peak autumn color all come together in a huge hay field at the heart of Valle Crucis, NC, on Saturday, October 19 at the Valle Country Fair. What started as a little church bazaar in 1978 now welcomes thousands and has raised more than $1 million for local charities over its first 40 years. Always held on the third Saturday in October, the Valle Country Fair takes over the grounds of the Valle Crucis Conference Center on NC Highway 194 from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Admission is free and ample parking is available in the adjoining field for $10 per car. Please note that NO PETS are allowed. The tents of 160 craft exhibitors line wide lanes that meander back and forth across the grounds. Bales of hay are stacked in the intersections of these alleys to offer fairgoers a spot to sit as they ponder which craft booths to visit next. / Read more…

October 16, 2019. For one weekend each fall, the Blue Ridge Mountain town of Banner Elk becomes the woolly worm racing capital. Now in its 42nd year, the Woolly Worm Festival draws cross-country visitors and locals alike for two days of cheering woollybear caterpillars to the finish line. This year’s festival takes place Oct. 19-20. Races are held throughout the day Saturday and Sunday at Historic Banner Elk School in the heart of downtown. The overall winner of Saturday’s races earns a $1,000 grand prize and the honor of predicting the winter weather for North Carolina’s High Country. While Sunday’s races don’t involve forecasting privileges, participants still vie for prestige, along with a $500 prize. “It’s really an all-American small town at its best,” says Mary Jo Brubaker, festival chairperson. “As a society, we go to such extremes to entertain people these days, but the down-home simplicity of this festival is wonderfully refreshing.” / Read more…

October 16, 2019. While Appalachian State’s football team began their 2019 season with some hype around Eli Drinkwitz replacing the now Louisville coach Scott Satterfield, they aren’t the only team this year to begin with a new administration. On Monday this week, Appalachian State’s basketball program kicked off its 100 Year Anniversary and Media Day with introductions and a Q&A from their new head coach, Dustin Kerns. After beginning as a student manager with Clemson, Kearns was an assistant coach at Tennessee Tech beginning in 2002, and then Tennessee University from ’03-’04. Kerns also assisted at Wofford University on two separate stints and was there during the 2014 and ’15 seasons where the school made appearances in the NCAA tournament. On May 23, 2017, Kerns was named head coach of Presbyterian University, where he finished 31-37 including a 20-16 overall record and 9-7 in the Big South Conference last year. By Colby Gable / Read more…

October 16, 2019. We interrupt this performance to bring you a special bulletin: Volcanic disturbances? Jets of blue flames? Red discs swirling? Clear the fields, the Martians have landed. Or have they? Or will they? Ensemble Stage, the professional theatre located in the Historic Banner Elk School, will perform a radio adaptation of HG Wells’ classic novel War of the Worlds. To celebrate Ensemble Stage’s 10th anniversary, Gary Smith, artistic director, has put together an amazing radio show with smooth scene changes, eerie sound effects, and a cast of local ‘celebrities’ that will make you stop, listen, and ponder the possibilities. You will hear the startling report of mysterious creatures moving forward…Oh No, are they at the field, the pond, the mill? Ensemble Stage presents the radio play War of the Worlds October 25 and 26 at the Historic Banner Elk school, Hahn Auditorium. / Read more…

October 15, 2019. The following are recent obituary notices from Austin and Barnes and Hampton funeral homes in Boone and Reins-Sturdivant in Newland. / Read more…

October 15, 2019. Before the first musical note was played on Monday night, a boisterous crowd had already set the tone for what a wonderful night it was going to be in downtown Boone. Hundreds of people packed into the Appalachian Theatre for its grand reopening show featuring John McEuen and the String Wizards. John Cooper, the chairman of the Appalachian Theatre’s Board of Trustees, was greeted with a huge applause and a standing ovation before he had even finished his walk to the microphone to welcome everybody back to the theatre that first opened its doors on November 14, 1938. “It’s been a dozen years since a film was shown in this venue, and almost 58 years since the last stage show when Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs and the Foggy Mountain Boys played this theatre on January 19, 1962. Tonight that tradition continues,” Cooper said.
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.

What’s Happening This Week at Lost Province Brewing

Yoga For a Cause During the Month of October

Highway 321 Visioning Workshops Begin October 15 in Blowing Rock

Tot Lot to be Closed Tuesday and Wednesday, October 15-16

Owning Our Appalachian English: A Stephenson Center for Appalachia Cvent Thursday, October 17

The Art Cellar Gallery Closed Friday and Saturday, October 18-19

Apply to Many N.C. Schools for FREE During College Application Week October 21-25

High Country Habitat Restoration Coalition Workday is October 22

Watauga County Board of Education Work Session Happening October 22

Watauga Republican Party to Meet Thursday, October 24

College Fair Happening at App State on November 9

Janet Ellerby Presents to High Country Writers on November 14

MountainTrue Announces 2019 Annual Award Winners

Read more…
Compiled by Nathan Ham

October 15, 2019. Winter is coming, and recent days have finally seen some lower temperatures, a reminder of the season to come. The question is, what does this year have in store? The Farmers’ Almanac, a weather-predicting publication active since 1818, has made some sweeping predictions, with somewhat dire news. “The worst of the bitterly cold winter conditions will affect areas east of the Rockies all the way to the Appalachians.” This, of course, seems to include us. The good news is that the coldest of their predicted “bitterly cold” temperatures will largely affect the Northeast and the Great Lakes, meaning that while we may see a dip in temperature, others will have it worse. And just as well, the coldest point of the season won’t come around until next year, toward the end of January. By Adam Estabrook / Read more…

October 15, 2019. The U. S. Department of Agriculture defines food insecurity as “the lack of consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life.” Merrell Footwear, an active lifestyle brand, joins the Mast Store for the eleventh year in 2019 to provide Food for Kids (October 21-November 3). During these dates, when you purchase a pair of Merrell Footwear at Mast Store, Merrell will make a donation to the Hunger and Health Coalition to fill a backpack with weekend food for kids. Children are the most at risk with food insecurity. A growling stomach has an effect on a child’s body and also dampens his or her ability to learn or stay focused in the classroom. According to Feeding America, the percentage of children under the age of 18 living in food insecure households is 17.9% in the United States. Sadly, in North Carolina that number rises to 22.6%. / Read more…

October 15, 2019. Appalachian State University’s performing arts series, “The Schaefer Center Presents…” brings the razzle dazzle of Taj Express: The Bollywood Musical Revue to the Schaefer Center stage on Friday, Nov. 8 at 7pm, as a stop on its North America tour. Through a fusion of film, dance, and music, this dazzling international sensation is a high-energy celebration of contemporary India’s pop music, Bollywood culture, and deep traditions featuring colorful costumes, joyful dance choreographed by one of Bollywood’s top young choreographers, Vaibhavi Merchant, and thrilling live music set to an unforgettable soundtrack featuring the songs of Oscar winner A.R. Rahman. / Read more…

October 15, 2019. Zoe and Cloyd roll into the High Country Thursday, October 17th, for a performance as a part of Joe Shannon’s Mountain Home Music’s 2019 Matinee Series. This non-ticketed, “Pay As You Exit” show, takes place at the Harvest House in Boone beginning at 2:00pm. Hailing from opposite ends of the Appalachian mountains, Zoe & Cloyd is renowned fiddler and vocalist Natalya Zoe Weinstein and award-winning songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and vocalist John Cloyd Miller. Their show is as diverse as their upbringing: coming from a lineage of klezmer and jazz musicians, Natalya trained classically in her home state of Massachusetts before moving south in 2004. John, a twelfth generation North Carolinian and grandson of pioneering bluegrass fiddler, Jim Shumate, is a 1st place winner of the prestigious Chris Austin Songwriting Contest as well as an Artist Fellowship recipient for songwriting from the North Carolina Arts Council. / Read more…

October 15, 2019. This past weekend was full of Oktoberfest celebrations at Sugar Mountain Resort. In fact, this year’s events gathered one of the largest crowds yet for Oktoberfest; many people even made trips from several states over just to attend the annual family-friendly beer festival at Sugar Mountain. “It was one of our top Oktoberfests ever for sure,” said Kim Jochl, Vice President/Director of Marketing and Merchandising for Sugar Mountain Resort, “We don’t do a head count because we don’t charge admission, but all of our vendors did very well. The lift rides did amazingly well too; there were also a lot of kids playing in the children’s fun center. We sold a lot of beer and a lot of bratwurst. The parking lots were full and the buses were going back and forth all day long!”
By Joe Johnson / Read more…

October 15, 2019. Sun Belt Conference Division Leaders clash when Appalachian State hosts Louisiana-Monroe this Saturday, October 19 at Kidd Brewer Stadium for the Mountaineers homecoming game. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. The game marks the fifth meeting between Appalachian State and Louisiana-Monroe. The Mountaineers lead the all-time series 3-1, including a 2-0 record in games played in Boone. In the last meeting between the schools on Nov. 4, 2017, Caleb Evans accounted for 403 yards total offense and five touchdowns to lead Louisiana-Monroe to a 52-45 win. This year’s game will mark the Mountaineers’ first home game as a nationally ranked Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) Major Level team. In the midst of an 11-game winning streak and a 5-0 start to the 2019 season, Coach Eliah Drinkwitz’s Appalachian State team received national recognition in the form of its second Top 25 ranking in the program’s brief FBS history. Tim Gardner / Read more…

October 15, 2019. Several parts of the High Country, particularly in the valleys, woke up to frost and the first really chilly temperatures of autumn on Tuesday morning. The National Weather Service reported the morning low at Watauga Medical Center at 32 degrees. Foscoe recorded a low of 30 degrees and data provided by Ray’s Weather Center shows that Valle Crucis also dropped to 30 degrees around 8 a.m. this morning. In Ashe County, Jefferson did not drop quite as low but still fell to 37 degrees. West Jefferson reached a low temperature of 35 degrees and Warrensville fell to 34 degrees. In Banner Elk, the low was 30.7 degrees around 7:45 a.m., and temperatures dropped to 30.9 degrees in Newland. Looking ahead to the rest of the week, Ray’s Weather Center is predicting even cooler temperatures heading into the area on Wednesday. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

Oct. 15, 2019 The Addams Family have been a part of American culture since their one-panel cartoons appeared in The New Yorker in 1938. Their history includes a TV series in the 60’s (that of course gave us that snap-happy theme song), two live-action films in the 90’s, countless animated adaptations, and a dearly-departed Broadway musical, important to me because actress Rachel Potter, who played Wednesday in the show, let me buy her a drink in a bar during a Tony Awards party. The new animated film has to live up to a rich legacy, and although it will probably make a decent amount of money between now and Halloween, it is a major creative letdown. By Bob Garver. / Read more…

October 11, 2019 Letters to the Editor. BY ANDY HILL / Dear Editor, In a recent letter to the editor (“Valle Crucis in Jeopardy”, October 11, 2019), Bill Pressly, stated that the Watauga County Board of Education does not have the support of the Watauga Riverkeeper for the construction of an elementary school at the Hodges site in Valle Crucis. I think it is important to clarify for your readers that it is not the role of the Watauga Riverkeeper and its host organization, MountainTrue, to take a position for or against the Hodges site.  Our job is to ensure that any project built in the Watauga watershed adheres to Watauga County water standards and all applicable environmental regulations. If the project does move forward, the Watauga Riverkeeper will review the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) to assess stormwater control measures and design, riparian buffer, wastewater treatment plans and more to ensure that any construction does not negatively impact water quality.   Read more…