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February/March 2013 Issue of High Country Magazine Now Available; And If You Can’t Get One, It’s Online!

By Paul T. Choate

COVER_0213.inddFeb. 22, 2013. High Country Press Publications is proud to announce that our February/March winter issue is now out and hitting the streets everywhere. Having survived the economic chaos of the Great Recession, our magazine looks forward to continue serving businesses and entertaining readers with our upcoming issues in 2013. In the 48 issues we have published since 2005, we’ve written nearly 500 stories on virtually everything in the High Country — people, places, events, causes and more. 

If you simply can’t wait to find a copy around town (or if you don’t live in the High Country), no worries. We also offer our magazine online! It might not be quite the same as holding a high-gloss copy and sitting in your recliner, but you can enjoy all of our stories from this issue free of charge by simply clicking here.

First up is our story on the High Country Junior Race Series. We are all familiar with pee wee baseball, youth soccer leagues and even tennis and swimming teams that families participate in with their children, but did you know there’s also a ski series right here in the High Country that caters to kids? Talk about a unique opportunity! After all, we do live in the mountains with some of the finest ski slopes in the South. The race league saw its beginnings in the early 1980s and has grown significantly in popularity. This season the series has in excess of 140 kids participating.

Next up we have Amy Michael, who was gracious to share her story about her fight to beat a cancer diagnosis that was compared to a death sentence. She has been winning her battle with the care and compassion of doctors, nurses and everyday people and is now in remission. Now she tells her story to inspire, encourage and give hope to those who will have to deal with that dreaded C-word. Also, Amy informs us that people’s financial contributions are helping to better understand and treat a disease that killed over 577,000 Americans last year. Amy is a remarkable lady.

Our next story celebrates the 15th anniversary of the Paul H. Broyhill Wellness Center. What started out as a one-room office in the campus of the Watauga Medical Center has now expanded into a 65,000-square-foot facility. The idea came from Richard Sparks, CEO of Appalachian Regional Healthcare System, after visiting the British National Health Service in England. Impressed by the emphasis the BNHS placed on wellness and prevention, he felt Boone would be the perfect location to create a similar entity uniting the community through fitness, wellness and prevention. 

We round this issue out with a story about “The Last American Man,” Eustace Conway, who graciously offered to tell us his fascinating story and address the current challenges facing Turtle Island Preserve, his 1,000-acre primitive refuge and mountain homestead where folks step back in time upon arrival. From living in a teepee for 17 years and talking reverently about compost piles to his current battle with the local authorities over unpermitted structures and illegal outhouses, Conway’s interesting saga continues. 

Lastly, are you suffering from the “winter blues” yet? By this time of year, wintertime is starting to wear on us but spring is still a ways away. And with those New Year’s Resolutions still somewhat fresh in our minds, we thought this would be a great time to feature local businesses whose job it is to make you feel better. Check out our “Pamper Yourself” section on page 44, where we introduce you to area spas, massage specialists, salons and health oriented shops and studios located right here in the High Country. 

As always, thanks for reading us!