August 19, 2019. A crowd of at least 300 people filled the parking lot at Twigs for the first P.B. Scott’s Roundup to be featured on the grounds of where the iconic building used to stand in Blowing Rock. Two bands that used to frequent the stage at P.B. Scotts in the 1970s, Sidewinder and Nantucket, played some of their greatest hits and took a lot of people back to their younger years to remember when the music was everything. “We had a lot of last-minute people because the weather was so good. We had no problems and no complaints,” said event organizer Jean Travers. “The people loved it, the bands loved it, and everything was great. It was so cool to see people with their original P.B. Scott’s memorabilia.” Travers said that plans are already in the works for next year’s event, and similar to this year, the bands featured will continue to be those that played at the original P.B. Scotts. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

August 19, 2019. Joe Shannon’s Mountain Home Music will present Boone’s own, The Burnett Sisters Band, in concert on Tuesday, August 27th as a part of its special 2019 Matinee Series! The show takes place at 2:00pm at the Harvest House Performing Arts Venue in Boone! As with all JSMHM matinees, this is a non-ticketed, “Pay as You Exit Concert” – if you enjoy the show, we ask for a $10 donation on your way out! Ranging from ages 12 to 22, The Burnett Sisters Band consists of four siblings who create a unique blend of music in the folk, old-time, and bluegrass traditions. / Read more…

August 19, 2019. On August 29th, the High Country Writers Association will be featuring political aide and writer, David Ramseur, author of Melting the Ice Curtain: The Extraordinary Story of Citizen Diplomacy on the Russia-Alaska Frontier, as well as decades of reporting on Russian-Alaskan cultural intertwining. Ramseur serves as the Chairman for the Anchorage World Affairs Council, and beginning in 1986, worked as press secretary, communications director, chief of staff, and foreign policy advisor to Alaskan Governors Steve Cowper and Tony Knowles, as well as the Mayor of Anchorage Mark Begich. / Read more…

August 19, 2019. The Valle Crucis Community Park will hold its annual auction on Saturday, August 24 at the Apple Barn in Valle Crucis. Among the items to be auctioned are hand-crafted furniture, paintings, stained glass, gift certificates for local businesses, and much more. A featured item at this year’s auction is a six-day resort stay in Belize. Attendees can purchase breakfast and preview auction items beginning at 8:30 am, with live bidding starting at 9:30. There will also be a number of silent auction items available. / Read more…

August 19, 2019. Appalachian State University officially opened its newest parking facility during a ribbon-cutting ceremony held Wednesday. “Today, I am elated to officially open this long-awaited, safety-focused parking deck, which provides 477 much-needed, well-lit parking spaces,” Appalachian Chancellor Sheri Everts said. “The opening of this facility is another tremendous milestone as we build infrastructure that supports and elevates Appalachian’s educational mission.” Appalachian partnered with RISE: A Real Estate Co. (RISE) on this project, and the company’s senior vice president, Jeremy Doss, spoke during the ceremony. “As the first phase of the 2,200-bed west campus housing transformation, the on-time delivery of this highly efficient parking structure serves as a key component in allowing for the multiphase build-out to be completed by fall 2022,” Doss said. / Read more…

August 16, 2019. The 34th annual Community Foundation Days are officially underway in Blowing Rock with events happening from now through Friday, August 30 all in an effort to support the Blowing Rock Community Foundation. The events officially started on Friday with bridge Game Day and will continue on Saturday with the Golf Scramble at the Blowing Rock Country Club. The golf event registration is already full. Plenty of events coming up still have registration space, including the wildly popular Groovy Nights parties on Sunday, August 25, Tuesday, August 27 and Friday, August 30. Registration for Groovy Nights is $35. Tennis, croquet, and pickleball are all set for next Saturday, August 24. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

August 16, 2019. Former NASCAR driver and current television analyst for NASCAR on NBC, Dale Earnhardt Jr., as well as his wife Amy and daughter Isla, were able to escape with just a few bumps and bruises after Earnhardt Jr.’s plane crashed off the runway in Elizabethton. Earnhardt and his family were flying into Elizabethton Municipal Airport in preparation for this weekend’s races at Bristol Motor Speedway. The Earnhardt family, their dog and two pilots were on board the plane when it crashed around 3:40 p.m. on Thursday afternoon, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. They were all able to run away from the plane as it turned into a fiery pile of wreckage. The former driver was taken to Johnson City Medical Center and released later in the evening after being treated for minor cuts and abrasions. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

August 15, 2019. On Saturday, August 17 the Watauga Public Library will be sponsoring an event led by Dr. Robert Billinger Jr. about Nazi POW’s that were held in North Carolina from 1942-1946. Billinger Jr., is a Professor Emeritus of History at Wingate University where he taught for over 35 years. Originally from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, he completed his graduate degrees at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and was also was a Fulbright Graduate Scholar to Vienna, Austria. He is the author of several books on Nazi Prisoners of War in America during the mid-twentieth century, such as Hitler’s Soldiers in the Sunshine State: German POWs, published by the University of Florida Press, as well as Nazi POWs in the Tar Heel State published in 2008. The lecture is also made possible by the North Carolina Humanities Council, whom Billinger is still a featured author for. By Colby Gable / Read more…

August 15, 2019. Boone resident Danny Dunn, 67, of 3935 Hardin Road, died late Wednesday evening at Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem. Dunn, the former owner of Wilkesboro Raceway Park, took off in his personal plane from a runway on his property on Hardin Road. According to eyewitness reports, the plane had taken off approximately 100 yards from the crash site about 20 minutes prior to the crash. Witnesses also reported that the plane had circled several times then went down. The plane caught fire once it made an impact, however, Dunn was able to crawl away from the scene of the crash. Dunn was carried out and transported to a landing zone at Mt. Pleasant School in Wilkes County before being airlifted to Baptist Hospital. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

August 15, 2019. The preeminent progressive rock band known as moe., will be taking to the High Country at Beech Mountain Resort on Aug. 24, 2019. Presented by Midwood Entertainment, the band’s career has spanned over the course of 30 years while they have put out more than 20 albums. The resort is oftentimes recognized for its outdoor ski slopes in the winter as well as other outdoor recreational activities in the winter, such as tubing and roller skating. However, live music has become a welcome addition to their expansion. The quintet of moe. consists of Al Schnier and Chuck Garvey on guitars and vocals, Rob Derhak on bass and vocals, Jim Loughlin on percussion and vibes, and Vinnie Amico on drums. By Gianna Holiday / Read more…

August 15, 2019. The third annual James H. Fisher International Grand Prix is changing its event location for this year’s competition; the L.M. Tate Show Grounds in the Broyhill Equestrian Preserve of Blowing Rock was chosen as the new location for the charity-focused Grand Prix, which will occur on September 21 at 2:00 p.m. The past two Grand Prix events were held in Marshall, NC near Asheville. The Grand Prix is being moved to Blowing Rock this year because of the uniqueness and charm of the community, the deep tradition of horse sports ingrained in the region, the large amount of support for local charities shown by community members, and the availability of the Broyhill Equestrian Preserve as a historic facility perfectly suited to host the Grand Prix event. By Joe Johnson / Read more…

August 15, 2019. Boone native ​Willa Finck will be performing with her folk-art band, Copper Hill, in the Bishop Johnson Hall at the Valle Crucis Conference Center on August 18th at 4:00​ ​pm. Copper Hill is making an overdue stop in Boone to promote their recently released debut album “Once Around the Sun.” About the album, a reviewer for the Rochester (NY) CITY Newspaper wrote, “Once Around the Sun” is an odyssey of upbeat, whirling reels and fruitful ballads with melancholic, modal twists.” / Read more…

August 15, 2019. Appalachian State University’s performing arts series, “The Schaefer Center Presents…” kicks off its 2019-20 season with a high-energy concert by the legendary Preservation Hall Jazz Band (PHJB) on Friday, Sept. 27 at 8pm at the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts. The show is being held in conjunction with ASU’s annual Family Weekend, which offers three days of an array of special events for students and their families. Tickets to Preservation Hall Jazz Band go on sale August 19th at 9am at the Schaefer Center Box Office or online at theschaefercenter.org. For more information, visit theschaefercenter.org or call 828-262-4046. / Read more…

August 14, 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

August 14, 2019. Ensemble Stage in Banner Elk, N.C. will be beginning its production schedule of Cybele May’s suspense-drama “The Redeemer” on Friday, August 16th at 7:30 p.m. with a sold out opening night. Performances will be held in the Hahn Auditorium at the Banner Elk Cultural Arts Center, 185 Azalea Circle. Gary Smith, Artistic Director of Ensemble Stage, is proud to present this rendition of Cybele May’s “The Redeemer” to the local community and emphasized the unique sensibilities that make the production so interesting. By Joe Johnson / Read more…

August 14, 2019. The historic town of Valle Crucis is soon to be home to a brand new school. The location of that school, however, has raised the eyebrows of several residents and town visitors over the proposed location on the Hodges property that the Watauga County Schools currently has under contract. The property is located within roughly a quarter of a mile of the current Valle Crucis School, but according to Lyle Schoenfeldt, the former owner and operator of Mast Farm Inn, the property is within 100 feet of the inn and is within similar flood plain constraints as the current school that has had to deal with its own fair share of flooding over the years. Lyle and his wife owned the inn from 1996 until 2006. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

August 14, 2019. Monday will be a busy day in the High Country with the fall semester getting underway at Appalachian State University and the 2019-20 school years beginning for Watauga County Schools. This weekend will be move-in weekend for App State first-year students moving into their dorms across campus and for the rest of the student body moving into their rental apartments and houses. If you are planning on traveling in and around Boone this weekend, be sure to allow some extra time and be courteous to others on the road, whether it be other drivers, pedestrians or cyclists. It does appear that this weekend and Monday will be gorgeous weather days for college students to settle into their new housing arrangements and for public school students to enjoy one last summer weekend. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

August 14, 2019. On Wednesday, August 14 at 8:57 a.m., Watauga County Communications received a 911 call of a downed aircraft on Hardin Road in Watauga County. Deep Gap Fire Dept., Watauga Medics, Watauga Rescue Squad, NC Highway Patrol, Watauga Emergency Management and Watauga County Sheriff’s Office responded. According to witnesses, the aircraft had taken off from a private airstrip located at 3935 Hardin Road approximately 100 yards from the crash site about 20 minutes prior to the crash. Witnesses also report that the plane had circled several times then went down. The plane caught fire upon impact and the pilot, identified as Danny Dunn, 67, of 3935 Hardin Road had crawled free of the wreckage and was located some distance away. Dunn was airlifted to Baptist Hospital with life-threatening injuries. The NC Highway Patrol is securing the scene and it will be turned over to the FAA upon their arrival.  / Read more…

August 14, 2019. This Friday, August 16, at 5:00pm the Town of Boone is gearing up for a pair of soulful acts performing at the Jones House as a part of the Summer Concert Series. Returning favorites, the Shelby Rae Moore Band and Fwuit will take over the Jones House porch for the evening to perform a playlist of crowd-pleasing covers and originals. Opening the show of Friday will be the Shelby Rae Moore Band, performing a mix of country, rock, and rhythm and blues standards. Closing out the evening’s concert will be Asheville-based band Fwuit. / Read more…

August 14, 2019. The Town of Newland’s Board of Aldermen has approved a site plan for new homes on Vale Road and selling police department body cameras to the Village of Sugar Mountain, it was announced at the Board’s August regular monthly meeting. Board of Aldermen (Town Council) members Kenny Caraway, Christie Hughes, Lauren Turbyfill, and Jamey Johnson attended, while Alderman Dave Calvert was absent. Other town officials present at the meeting included: Mayor Valerie Jaynes; Town Administrator Keith Hoilman; Finance Officer Lise Meinhardt; and Town Clerk and Board of Aldermen secretary Tammy Gardner. Town Attorney Joe Seegers was absent. Rick Snyder, President of Snyder Surveying in Butler, TN presented the Board of Aldermen with layouts for five stick-built homes. Alderman Johnson made a motion to approve the site plan pending it’s within the guidelines of the Town’s ordinances. The motion carried unanimously (4-0). By Tim Gardner / Read more…

August 14, 2019. Anvil Arts Sculpture Garden & Gallery is having an August Open House this Saturday the 17th and everyone’s invited. Join Sculptor Bill Brown for Coffee & Sweets during a casual studio talk starting at 10:30. Bill will share his explorations and inspirations for his work, and will even turn on the “Big Hammer” as he talks about some of the physical process of creating. Brown’s steel sculptures are created with a variety of techniques but his use of heavy forging skills to manipulate the materials are something that his work is known for. One of the tools he uses to shape the materials includes a five ton air hammer that he uses for forging heavy steel materials.  Brown develops a rich tactile surface in much of his work that challenges many expectations for metal sculpture.  The work on exhibit includes large scale and mid size outdoor pieces as well as smaller interior works. Brown’s sculpture will be on display throughout the open lawn and garden, as well as in the gallery and works in progress in the studio as well.  / Read more…

August 14, 2019. The Watauga County Board of Elections will hold an educational seminar about voter photo identification requirements at 2 p.m. Monday, August 19 at the Watauga County Administration Building in the Commissioners’ Board Room, 814 West King Street, Boone, NC 28607 and a second seminar at 7 p.m. Tuesday, August 27 in the Belk Library Lecture Hall (Room 114),  located at 218 College Street,  Boone, NC 28608. The seminars are free and open to the public. Beginning in 2020, voters will be required to provide photo identification before they vote. This includes both in-person and by-mail voting, with some exceptions. In November 2018, North Carolina voters approved an amendment to the N.C. Constitution to require voters to present photo ID at the polls.  / Read more…

August 14, 2019. There’s nothing quite like a fresh, juicy peach on a hot summer day — one of the best things about this time of year, whether coming to the High Country from downstate, Georgia or South Carolina. Delicious as a snack or in a dessert, the round, fuzzy fruit is best when fairly firm without a speck of green; it is better to choose a peach with a yellow, velvety covering for the ultimate taste. There are so many ways to prepare peaches, whether in jellies and jams, combined with other fruit for a cool, refreshing salad or thrown together in a quick cobbler. Any way you slice it, a peach is sure to bring you pleasure! By Sherrie Norris / Read more…

August 13, 2019. Around 200 pre-sale tickets have been purchased for this Sunday’s inaugural P.B. Scott’s Roundup in the parking lot of Twigs in Blowing Rock, the location where the famous P.B. Scott’s building used to be. “Ray’s Weather has really hooked us up for this weekend,” laughed Jean Travers, who is one of many former P.B. Scott’s fans that decided to organize this event. “It’s going to be beautiful this weekend!” Two bands that played at the original P.B. Scott’s location will be back to play some of their favorite tunes. Sidewinder will get the afternoon started before Nantucket takes the stage as the headlining act. Parking for the event will be in part of the Twigs lot as well as the ABC Store, United Community Bank, Keith’s Exxon and the empty lot that used to be the Scotchman gas station on Valley Boulevard. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

August 13, 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…

August 13, 2019. In a respite from these troubled times, the choir of St. Mary of the Hills Episcopal Church presents “Keep Watch: Seeking Kindness in Today’s World” on Saturday, August 17th, at 5:30 pm in the nave of the church. Patterned on the familiar Lessons and Carols of the Advent season, this free concert will feature readings and music that focus on the themes of loss, social justice, love, and kindness. The music includes Carissimi’s Plorate filii Israel (Weep, children of Israel), Barber’s Sure on this Shining Night, Gjeilo’s Ubi caritas (Where Charity and Love are), and Carly Simon’s uplifting anthem Let the River Run / Read more…

August 13, 2019. When it comes to autumn music festivals, there is no more beautiful venue in the western North Carolina High Country than Blue Bear Mountain Campground. Located on 155 acres near both Boone and Todd, NC, with teepees, hiking trails, awesome views and a main stage built in a natural amphitheater on the grounds, the Blue Bear Mountain Music Festival is set again for September 5 – 7, 2019. Along with a great lineup of live music surrounded by green mountains and vistas, you will be able to get an even more magnificent view of the N.C. High Country with tethered hot air balloon rides being offered by the Blue Bear Mountain Music Festival this year. / 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 Company

Bethany Jewell Art Residency August 12-18 in Blowing Rock

Road Construction on Boone Heights Drive and State Farm Road Continues

Town of Boone Fire to Hold Structure Fire Training on August 17

Tanger Outlets Blowing Rock to Celebrate Labor Day Weekend with Major Sales and Block Party

Carolina Renaissance Festival Now Hiring

Apple Hill Farm is the First Stop on the 2019 Western North Carolina Agritourism Farm Tour

Read more…
Compiled by Nathan Ham

August 12, 2019. Some of the world’s best minds in energy policy and practice convened on Appalachian State University’s campus last week for the eighth annual Appalachian Energy Summit, sharing knowledge, innovations and best practices. The three-day event — with a theme of “Creating a Resilient Energy Future” — focused on the need for University of North Carolina System institutions and other state organizations to adapt to changing markets, weather patterns and technologies. In her opening remarks at the summit, Appalachian Chancellor Sheri Everts reported that, to date, UNC System institutions, together with industry partners, have avoided more than $924 million dollars in utility costs. The System is on track to avoid $1 billion in utility costs by 2020 and $2 billion by 2025. / Read more…

August 12, 2019. The new parking deck in the Stadium Lot is all set to open for the 2019 fall semester at Appalachian State University. The deck will be open for students moving in this weekend after a final inspection and a Certificate of Occupancy from the town of Boone, according to construction updates provided on August 5 by Assistant Vice Chancellor for Finance and Operations Matt Dull. “We are down to the last, really, week and a half of the parking deck,” Dull said last week. “So the most significant things are finalized for that deck, literally down to the last little things to clean up some paint that fell on the floor or all sorts of little touches that you just want to make sure are right when you get a new building.” Dull said that Monday is the target date for getting their official Certificate of Occupancy from the town of Boone. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

August 12, 2019. Janet Barton Speer is an interesting person and a likeable one. She’s also an achiever, a giver, a passionate patron of the North Carolina High Country in general and Banner Elk, Avery and Watauga Counties and Lees-McRae College in particular. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Southwest Texas State University and a Ph.D. from Louisiana State University. Dr. Speer has worked at Lees-McRae College since 1976. She is a retired professor there, but remains the creative director of its acclaimed Summer Theatre program. To list all Dr. Speer’s community activities and service awards would fill a book. They include: The North Carolina’ Governor’s Volunteer Award; Avery County Woman of the Year (twice); the North Carolina Theatre Conference Service Award; Outstanding Educator at Lees-McRae College; and most recently The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, which is given by North Carolina’s Governor and is the state’s highest state-service award.. By Tim Gardner / Read more…

August 12, 2019. The 7th annual Back 2 School Festival was held on Saturday, August 10, at Watauga High School, providing school supplies and shoes to over 1,100 area children. “This is absolutely our biggest event ever.” Said Festival Director Kendra Sink. “1,100 children and their families attended the event. By the time we’re finished packing bookbags and sending them to the schools, the number affected will be much higher.” With the average cost of school supplies around $160 per child (not including shoes or clothing), the Back 2 School Festival provides relief for families who may be struggling to meet that cost. Its mission is to provide school supplies, new shoes and socks, backpacks, haircuts, activities, helpful information and healthy food in an atmosphere of fun, dignity and respect so that every child in the county can start off the school year confident and prepared with the tools they need to succeed. Photos by Joan Brook / Read more…

August 12, 2019. An announcement is expected soon about whether five mining facilities in Avery and Mitchell Counties will be reissued wastewater discharge permits by the State of North Carolina. Sibelco has four facilities vying for permit renewal. One is in the Kalmia Community on the far Southern end of Avery County called Sibelco’s Schoolhouse Facility, located on Harris Mining Company Road. Mitchell County has the other three Sibelco facilities: the Crystal Facility on Crystal Drive in Spruce Pine and the Red Hill Facility, near Bakersville and its Quartz Facility on South Highway 226 in Spruce Pine. The Quartz Corporation wants permit renewals for a pair of its facilities, both of which are also located in Mitchell County – one (Feldspar) on Altapass Highway and the other (K-T Feldspar) on South Highway 226 Bypass. By Tim Gardner / Read more…

August 12, 2019. The Blowing Rock Civic Association, a community organization with more than 300 members who are dedicated to protecting and improving the quality of life in Blowing Rock, is pleased to announce that Tim C. Gupton has been elected President and Chief Executive Officer. Gupton, a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, has over 40 years of experience in public accounting, 19 with KPMG Peat Marwick and 21 as an owner of HPG LLP in Raleigh. Gupton also served as an officer of four very successful startup companies in the pharmaceutical industry. Gupton has been very active in the Blowing Rock community serving on the Boards of the BRCA and the Village Foundation. He is also active in the Chamber of Commerce. George T. Wilcox, who previously served as President/CEO and Chairman of the Board of the BRCA was elected to continue as Chairman of the Board.  / Read more…

August 9, 2019. This weekend marks the fifth anniversary of Lost Province Brewing Company opening its doors in downtown Boone and the celebration also announced some exciting news for local craft beer fans in the High Country. The brewery is an independent, family-owned and operated brewery that first opened its doors to customers on August 8, 2014. On Thursday night, Lost Province had a special night of drinks, pizzas and more to celebrate making it to the fifth anniversary. “We had a great turnout last night. We started the celebration of our anniversary week and will continue with food specials through the weekend and brought back two favorite pizzas that are no longer on the menu,” said owner Lynne Mason. “We are also bringing back some musicians that have been with us since the beginning to play Friday and Saturday night. We’re just continuing the celebration and appreciative of our local community for their support over the years.” By Nathan Ham / Read more…