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Movie Review: “The Smashing Machine”

October 8, 2025 A popular criticism I’ve heard about “The Smashing Machine” is that it tries too hard to subvert expectations. I assume that this is a reference to the way the film follows mixed martial artist Mark Kerr (Dwayne Johnson) on his journey not to a major win, but to his first professional loss. The film is building to a milestone in Kerr’s life that may not be pleasant, but is undeniably important. But I came out of the film more concerned about another expectation the film subverted: the expectation that it not put me to sleep. 

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Watauga County Farmers’ Market Announces Winners of the 2025 ApplePie Contest

October 8, 2025 Boone, NC – October 8, 2025 — The Watauga County Farmers’ Market celebrated the flavors
of fall during its annual AppleFEST this past Saturday, highlighted by the ever-popular Apple Pie Contest. Market visitors gathered around the judging table to admire a lineup of beautiful,
creative pies and to cheer on local bakers who captured the spirit of the season in every slice. This year’s panel of judges brought a wealth of culinary expertise: Chef Robert Back of the
Caldwell Culinary Institute, Dawn Sullivan, author of Dawn’s Early Light and longtime food industry veteran, and Alex DelTurco, owner and baker at Layers of Love, one of the Market’s
own vendors known for gourmet cakes, pastries, and specialty desserts.

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Crossnore Communities for Children Announces Executive Leadership Transition

October 8, 2025 Crossnore, NC (October 8, 2025) — Crossnore Communities for Children recently launched its new three-year strategic plan designed to foster innovation, broaden reach, and enhance impact to ensure a sustainable future for the children, families, and communities it serves. To advance its bold vision for the future, Crossnore’s Board of Trustees approved a leadership restructuring that strengthens the organization’s ability to serve even more children and families. On August 22, the Board voted to divide the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) role into two positions, effective October 1, 2025.

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LETTER: Growing Without Losing Ourselves

October 6, 2025 This past week brought me both the joy of new beginnings and the sorrow of final goodbyes. Within days, I celebrated the wedding of dear friends and mourned the passing of my mother. One moment was filled with hope, the other with loss. Together they reminded me that time is relentless, seasons shift, and none of us are promised permanence.

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In First Year, Helping Hands Assisted Many Impacted by Helene

October 5, 2025 BANNER ELK, N.C. – In early September of 2024, a small group of Elk River Club residents announced the formation of a charity to assist mountain residents in times of crisis. Elk River Helping Hands, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, was barely up and running when Hurricane Helene created one of the worst-ever natural disasters in the North Carolina mountains.

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The Original Creations of 142 Regional Craftspeople Will Be on Display at the Valle Country Fair Saturday, October 18, 2025

October 3, 2025 VALLE CRUCIS, NC – The 47th annual Valle Country Fair (VCF) coming up Saturday, October 18 will feature the original handmade creations of 142 craftspeople from across the Southern Appalachians. Of those, 36 artists are exhibiting their work for the first time in 2025. “Each artisan was chosen because they have a unique style and point of view that makes their work different from the others,” said VCF Arts & Crafts Committee Chair Carolyn Shepherd.

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Dia Latino at the King Street Farmer’s Market and the Upcoming Winter Market!

October 3, 2025 Come and honor the rich cultural heritage of Latino communities in the High Country at  the Tuesday Farmers Market! This Tuesday, October 7th, community members will celebrate our Latin-American community from 3:30 to 6:30 at 126 Poplar Grove Connector with community group Immigrant Justice Coalition (IJC), a local non-profit supporting the local migrant community. They will be sharing community resources and information to learn more about supporting their cause.

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Blowing Rock School Fall Festival Celebrates Community Resilience

October 1, 2025 BLOWING ROCK, NC – The Blowing Rock School Parent-Teacher Organization will host its annual Fall Festival this Saturday, October 4, 2025 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the school field and inside the gym, located at 165 Morris Street in Downtown Blowing Rock. The annual event supports teachers and students through PTO funding for school improvements, classroom supplies, special projects and educational experiences.

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“A Community on a Mountain with a Garden and a City”, New Art Piece in Blowing Rock

September 30, 2025 In May of 2020, Lillie and Kevin Troyer commissioned local artist Roger Allen Nelson to paint a 9 foot by 12 foot work of art entitled “A Community on a Mountain with a Garden and a City.”The Troyer’s and Mr. Nelson collaborated diligently for 5 years to implement the vision for the piece that was planned to be placed in 4 Forty Four’s new office in Blowing Rock. The Troyer’s purchased the property for the new office in July of 2018 and had the first stage of their design / build business model completed to the extent that they had identified a location on a wall in the central room of the new office to accommodate this 9’ by 12’ canvas and frame. 

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Grandfather Mountain hosts international “summit” 

September 30, 2025 LINVILLE, N.C. – Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, played host to the “Grandfather Summit” on Sept. 23, in partnership with the British Consulate General Atlanta and NC Forever. The day-long event included a tour of the N.C. nature park, panel discussions, presentations and “A Taste of Scotland” reception. 

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Watauga Humane Society Raises Over $130,000 at Fur Ball, Launches $300,000 Capital Improvements Campaign with Matching Gift

September 30, 2025 BOONE, NC — On Saturday, September 13, WHS hosted its first Fur Ball since 2019. Held in the Grandview Ballroom overlooking Appalachian State University, the gala brought together animal lovers from across the High Country for a night of celebration with real impact. In just one evening, over $130,000 was raised to support lifesaving shelter services, medical care, and pet adoption programs.

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VCF 2025 – “Come Hungry to the Fair!”

September 30, 2025 Come Hungry to the Valle Country Fair on Saturday, October 18
VALLE CRUCIS, NC – “Come hungry,” said Food Chairperson Trish Lanier. “Nibble your way through Fair flavors like apple cider, roasted corn and fried pies before you stock up on barbecue, Brunswick Stew or chili to take home for your evening meal. Everything you eat helps raise money for the charitable works of the Fair, so there is no such thing as eating too much!”

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LETTER: Putting Helene Recovery in Historical Perspective

September 30, 2025 The bright warm days gave way to rains that parked over the verdant hills and unleashed torrents of water, swelling creeks and rivers throughout the region. People in quaint towns and bustling cities alike saw their cars swept away as roads flooded almost without warning. When it was all over, people had lost their lives and their livelihoods, and a largely rural region was left to pick up the pieces. In particular, those living in already precarious social positions often lost the most.

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VCF 2025 – Gallehers 31st Year as BBQ Bosses

September 29, 2025 VALLE CRUCIS, NC – The October 18 Valle Country Fair (VCF) will be the swan song for BBQ Booth chairs Mike and Debbie Galleher, as the 2025 festival will be the last in their 31-year run as members of the VCF leadership team. “We started going to Holy Cross church and wanted to get involved in the Valle Country Fair,” said Mike. “We were told that everyone starts with garbage.”
Always held on the third Saturday in October (October 18, 2025), the Valle Country Fair is an authentic harvest-season celebration that revolves around hand-made crafts, home-cooked food and mountain music. Proceeds are used to provide grants to local charities and relief to local families with emergency needs. Admission is FREE and parking is available in the adjoining field for $10 per vehicle.

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TOWN OF BLOWING ROCK SEEKS FILLING A VACANT BOARD SEAT

September 29, 2025 The Tourism Development Authority (TDA) promotes, solicits, and encourages tourism in the Town of Blowing Rock in accordance with adopted Town plans/policies and administers the appropriation of the room occupancy tax proceeds. This Authority also studies the impact of tourism on the Town and develops strategies to minimize any negative impacts of tourism on the Town. The Authority shall have at least one/third of its members affiliated with lodging establishments that collect the occupancy tax and at least three/fourths of its members active in the promotion of travel and tourism in Blowing Rock. There are five (5) members of the Tourism Development Authority, two (2) members shall be individuals who are affiliated with the businesses that collect the occupancy tax.

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Movie Review: “One Battle After Another”

September 29, 2025 Writer/director Paul Thomas Anderson is known as a top-tier talent without top-tier recognition. None of his movies have made more than $50 million at the domestic box office, and despite 11 nominations, he’s never won himself an Academy Award (a combined three Oscar wins have come from his films, including Daniel Day-Lewis as Best Actor for 2007’s “There Will Be Blood,” but I’m talking about Anderson personally). “One Battle After Another” seems to represent an attempt by Anderson to step up his game, both commercially and creatively. The result is a film that is highly likely to give him his first blockbuster, and yes, could very well end his losing streak at the Oscars. 

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Blowing Rock Planning board recommends town council deny Hampton Inn special use permit 

September 26, 2025 The Town of Blowing Rock’s Planning Board held its monthly meeting on September 18. The only non-standard agenda item was a discussion of the proposed special use permit (SUP) for a Hampton Inn hotel. Vice Chair Tom Barrett facilitated the meeting as the chair could not attend.
Blowing Rock Planning Director Kevin Rothrock’s presentation on behalf of the town included plan outlines, explanation of the special use permit requirement and numerous slides to provide context for the proposed project. The new hotel would have 98 guestrooms, a 200-seat banquet hall and a multistory underground parking deck located at 986 Ransom Street on a 2.076 acre lot. Vehicles would utilize a single driveway on Ransom Street to access the hotel.

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BOONE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOUNDATION RECEIVES

September 26, 2025 BOONE, NC – The Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation (BACCF) is excited to announce it has received a $250,000 grant from the Center for Disaster Philanthropy’s (CDP) Truist Foundation Western North Carolina Recovery and Resiliency Fund (the Fund).

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Remembering Coach Clark: Faith, Family and Football

September 26, 2025 There are times when certain people come into your life, and you truly feel blessed by their presence.  That certainly was the case with Shawn Clark.  To meet Shawn was to be overwhelmed by a genuine, caring, kind, and optimistic soul.  He changed lives wherever he went because his life had been changed.  Shawn recalled during our first real conversation, “I learned how to be a man from my dad and Coach Moore”.  He credited both for introducing him to Jesus.  Shawn truly was a person who stood for faith, family, and football in that order.   

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County hires new SRO for Blowing Rock School

September 25, 2025 In 2018, the Blowing Rock Town Council voted to hire a school resource officer (SRO) for Blowing Rock School. That decision preceded the Watauga County Board of Commissioners’ choice to fund SROs for county schools. The historic relationship between county commissioners and the Town of Blowing Rock regarding budget items was different than today. At that time, the county decided to allow the town to continue funding the SRO position on its own.

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LETTER: Support Ransom Street

September 24, 2025 Last Thursday a Texas based developer presented a plan to build a 98 room, 6 story hotel on Ransom Street to the Blowing Rock Planning Board.  This meeting was attended by many Ransom Street residents worried about how this hotel would change for the worse their neighborhood and during an open comment period many voiced their fears including me.

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Over 100 Indivisible High Country protesters gather Saturday afternoon

September 25, 2025 Over 100 protesters gathered along Stadium Drive between the duck pond and Jack Branch Drive Saturday afternoon to greet attendees of the Watauga County Republican Party’s Lincoln-Reagan dinner. The multi-generational group of protesters included members of Indivisible High Country and representatives from Appalachian State’s and Watauga High School’s Indivisible chapters. The protest began at 4:00 p.m. and was in full swing by the time the first dinner guests arrived around 4:30 p.m.

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