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Sherrie Norris Lovin’ Spoonful Cooking Column: Memorial Day and Graduations – A Time of Remembrance and Honor


May 17, 2023 A busy Memorial Day weekend is fast approaching, right along with local high school graduations. The coming days will be filled with parties, picnics and memorial gatherings, the latter of which might be, or at least should be, more solemn affairs that the former. However, Memorial Day has become known as the unofficial beginning to summer and goes hand-in-hand with graduations, in that respect. Memorial Day is often confused with Veteran’s Day, as it is a day set aside to pay tribute to those who have lost their lives in military service to our country. Veteran’s Day, in November, honors all veterans. By Sherrie Norris

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Watauga County Announces New School Superintendent

May 16, 2023 Watauga County, say hello to your new superintendent of public schools. Dr. Leslie Alexander was announced as superintendent-elect at a special meeting of the board of education on Monday. She will take over for Dr. Scott Elliot, whose tenure ends this summer. “Welcome on behalf of a wonderful community that loves its schools,” Elliot said. “We couldn’t be happier you are here and I couldn’t be more proud right now of our school system and board. I’m so happy and optimistic for the future of our schools under your leadership.” By Zack Hill

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Riverside School Fifth-Grade Students Graduate from DARE Program

May 16, 2023 On May 4th, fifth graders at Riverside Elementary in the southern end of Avery County, celebrated their graduation from the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program. A ceremony held at the school was led by DARE Instructor Larry Moore, Avery Sheriff Mike Henley, Sheriff’s Detective Casey Lee, School Resource Officer Jeff Smith, principal Whitney Baird and fifth grade teacher Phoebe Fisher.According to Henley, the county’s DARE curriculum is “a law-enforcement series of classroom lessons that teaches students how to resist peer pressure and live productive drug, alcohol and violence-free lives.” By Tim Gardner

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May 15, 2023     Your High Country Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America will conduct the 15th Annual Memorial Day Commemoration Monday 29 May at the Boone Mall. The ceremony will include participation of the Watauga Community Band offering a prelude concert commencing at 1030 AM. At 1100, Watauga High School Marine Corps JROTC Color Guard will present the Colors. The Pledge of Allegiance, National Anthem and Invocation will follow with brief remarks honoring those who have served our Nation. Deceased veterans of our military services suffered the discipline to protect the freedoms that we enjoy. They dedicated their lives to our country and deserve to be recognized for their patriotism and willingness to serve in war or peace.

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Avery County Memorial Day Ceremony to be held May 29th on County Square in Newland to Remember and Honor Slain Veterans

May 15, 2023 On Monday, May 29th, Avery County will hold its annual Memorial Day celebration between its veteran’s monument and gardens and the Fallen Officers, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Ten Commandments monuments on the County of Avery/Town of Newland Square in downtown Newland.  The ceremony will begin at 2:00 p.m. and honors Avery County natives or residents who perished while fighting for the United States of America in a military battle. By Tim Gardner

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Leslie Alexander Will Begin As Superintendent of Watauga County Schools July 1

May 15, 2023 BOONE — The Watauga County Board of Education named Leslie Alexander as the new Superintendent of Watauga County Schools during a special called meeting held Monday.Alexander was most recently the Chief Human Resource Officer and Area Superintendent of Leadership Development of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools.Watauga County Board of Education Chairman Dr. Gary Childers welcomed Alexander to the school system, noting her existing ties to the community.

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COMMUNITY MEMBERS ADVOCATE FOR THE COUNTY COMMISSION TO ADOPT HOUSING STANDARDS

May 15, 2023 A local community group is asking Watauga County Commissioners to adopt a minimum housing standard. 27 counties have adopted similar standards that give renters a viable way to handle unaddressed maintenance or safety issues with the county, instead of pursuing legal action.Counties employ minimum housing standards to ensure renters have basic needs met by addressing things like:Safe and functional electric, plumbing, and heating systems Intact floors, foundations, and stairs
Windows and doors that are weather-tight and pest-proof

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Movie Review: “Book Club: The Next Chapter”

May 15, 2023 In between “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” (Star-)lording over the competition and “Fast X” running over anything in its path comes “Book Club: The Next Chapter.” This film’s marketing department looked at a lineup of second-tier holidays and noticed that nothing was opening the weekend of Mother’s Day, so this got slotted in. It’s as good a release strategy as any – it’s not like there was some better weekend to release this dreck – but I fear the only bonding children will be doing with their mothers while watching this movie is commiserating over how stupid it is.  By Bob Garver

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Over 100 Turn Out for Protest of SB 20, Hope Pregnancy Center

May 15, 2023 Chants of “Our bodies, our choice, stand up now and use your voice” echoed off the walls of the Hope Center on Howard Street Sunday as over 100 people gathered at a rally organized by the Blue Ridge Collaborative to protest practices of the Hope Pregnancy Center and N.C. Senate Bill 20 which would criminalize abortions after 12 weeks of pregnancy with some exceptions for rape, incest and life-threatening pregnancies. By Zack Hill

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Remembering Lillian Turchin

May 15, 2023 Lillian Grace Athey Turchin, a remarkable artist whose life was an embodiment of love, family, and the joy of creation, passed away on May 13, 2023, at the extraordinary age of 97, leaving behind a legacy that will forever inspire. Born on July 8, 1925, in New Orleans, Lillian was the daughter of Mena Pulitzer Athey and Bert Floyd Athey. Growing up in a close-knit family, she shared countless joyous moments with her adored brother, Harold Athey, and a vast network of aunts, uncles, and cousins.

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Street Maintenance on Facility Street on May 17th; Road Will Be Closed and Water Will Be Affected

May 15, 2023 The Town of Boone Public Works Department wants to make you aware that Faculty Street, beginning at the intersection of Faculty Street and Wintergreen Lane and ending at the intersection of Highland Avenue, will be undergoing street maintenance which will lead to a closure of the road. Street maintenance will begin Wednesday, May 17 at 8:00 a.m. and end at 3:00 p.m. Additionally, water service will be off during this time. The following businesses and apartment complexes will affected:

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Beech Mountain Farmer’s Market Starts June 2nd

May 15, 2023 The 2nd Annual Beech Mountain Farmers’ Market starts Friday, June 2nd. Markets will be held on the first Friday of the month, June – October, from 2 – 6pm in the public parking lot across from Fred’s General Mercantile (101 Bark Park Way).  Over 30 vendors will showcase their local fresh organic produce, honey, baked goods, plants, flowers, microgreens, gourmet dog treats, art, homemade crafts, jewelry, body products, farm raised beef/poultry/eggs and much more.  

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Several Fundraisers For Good Causes Happening This Coming Weekend In Watauga County

May 15, 2023 If there is a perfect time for fundraisers, it’s a nice weekend in the Spring, when everyone is looking for a good place to go to help with a good cause. 
This upcoming Saturday, May 20, residents of Watauga County and surrounding areas have at least three unique food-related events – spread out from one end of the county to the other — that will be raising money to help with a variety of needs. And what’s special about all of them, those working behind the scenes say we can visit each one over the course of the evening: Eat at one and save food from the other two for the next day, or drop something off to shut-ins along the way back home. It’s a win-win for everyone involved. By Sherrie Norris

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Town Council Voices Support for HB 44, Opposition to Senate Bill 317, Declares June Pride Month, Discusses Other Budget Matters

May 15, 2023 The Boone Town Council took up two controversial pieces of state legislation at its meeting Tuesday, May 8th, voting to oppose a Senate measure that would reduce local control of housing development and agreeing to support a House bill that would remove the literacy requirement for voting from the state’s constitution.
Senate Bill 317 is known as the “Addressing the Workforce Housing Crisis” bill. Its stated aim is to “address housing shortages for firefighters, law enforcement, teachers, nurses, first-responders, and other vital workers and first-time homebuyers.” Critics of the bill argue that it strips oversight of planning and development from local government and places it in the hands of state regulators who are less familiar with community needs. By Zack Hill

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Avery Commissioners to sell Old CARES Building and its Property

May 15, 2023 During their 2023-2024 fiscal year budget workshop on May 11th, the Avery County Board of Commissioners approved selling the old Avery CARES Building and the property on which it sits in Newland.
All commissioners-Chairwoman Martha Hicks, Vice-Chairman Tim Phillips, Dennis Aldridge, Wood Hall (Woodie) Young, Jr. and Robert Burleson were present at the workshop.
Unlike a regular monthly, bi-monthly, special called or emergency meeting, a Board of Commissioners cannot take a vote on any issue or issues during a workshop by State of North Carolina law.  However, commissioners can take action concerning an issue or issues by a consensus. By Tim Gardner

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WCC Board of Trustees Bid a Fond Farewell to Dr. Jeff Cox 

May 15, 2023 WILKESBORO, N.C. – The Wilkes Community College (WCC) Board of Trustees met on Wednesday, May 10, at the John A. Walker Center and bid a fond farewell to Dr. Jeff Cox, who will be transitioning to his new position as President of the NC Community College System Office on June 1, 2023. Dr. Cox has served as president for nine years. Morgan Francis, Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration will serve as interim president until a new president has been chosen. The board approved giving the Personnel Committee authority to select a search firm for the WCC Presidential search and conduct initial screening/interviewing of applicants. 

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Hollywood and the High Country: 1987-1993

May 15, 2023 The year was 1987, more precisely a multi-year span between the late 1980s and early 1990s, when the Hollywood movie industry discovered the North Carolina High Country. In rapid succession, several notable films were produced either partially or entirely within the High Country region, namely The Last of the Mohicans (Daniel Day-Lewis); The Handmaid’s Tale (Faye Dunaway); Chapter Perfect (Wilford Brimley); The Green Mile (Tom Hanks) and the television series Rescue 911, among other productions such as television commercials. By Peter Morris

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Former Charlotte Hornets Owner George Shinn Purchases Cornerstone Bookstore

May 12, 2023 George Shinn, former owner of the Charlotte Hornets, and his wife Megan Shinn, recently purchased Cornerstone: Christian Books, Gifts & Gallery in Boone, after being regular customers to the bookstore. “There’s something about this place that makes me feel good,” Megan Shinn described. “There’s always someone with a smiling face who is going to ask, ‘How are you?’ and say, ‘I hope you’re having a great day.’” By Harley Nefe

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Stacy “Four” Eggers Appointed to Four-Year Term on State Board of Elections

May 11, 2023 Five State Board of Elections members were sworn in to four-year terms on Wednesday, and the Board reappointed Karen Brinson Bell as executive director. Earlier this week, Governor Roy Cooper appointed the five State Board members, whose terms run through April 2027. Under state law, the Governor may select the five members of the board from among four nominees provided by each of the state’s two largest political parties, with no more than three members selected from a single party.

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Sherrie Norris Lovin’ Spoonful Cooking Column: Make It Special For Mom


May 10, 2023 As a mother, the most special gift I desire — and cherish — is quality time with my family. I’m sure this same sentiment is shared by most of us moms the whole world over. Sure, we appreciate the tangible presents for Mother’s Day – the hanging baskets, the gift cards for a meal out or a new clothing item from the department store, but nothing takes the place of the physical presence of our children and grandchildren on this special day. By Sherrie Norris

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MANNA FoodBank Community Market to be held Thursday, May 11th at the Old Rock School Gymnasium in Newland 

May 9, 2023 The MANNA FoodBank will hold another Community Market on Thursday, May 11th outside of the Old Rock School Gymnasium in Newland.  The gymnasium is located at 185 Shady Street and is adjacent to Newland Elementary School. The Community Market will start at 11:30 a.m. and will remain open until its food items run out. The Community Market has been held monthly for several years in Newland.  Its purpose is to help individuals and families struggling financially to afford groceries.  They are encouraged to go to any, or all, of the Community Markets to receive free grocery staples, fresh produce and perishable items from the MANNA FoodBank.  By Tim Gardner

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