December 5, 2018. 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

December 5, 2018. The Carolina Snowbelles had a dress rehearsal of A Carolina Snowbelle Christmas on Dec. 2, where friends and family were invited to watch the performance and provide support. On Dec. 15, The Carolina Snowbelles will be performing A Carolina Snowbelle Christmas at the esteemed Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in D.C. The dancers have been preparing for the show since August and, through the dress rehearsal, finally have a taste of what it will be like to fully perform the show. Cheryl Cutlip, director and choreographer, and her creative team have worked together to develop a show that showcases the dancers’ versatility in performing; other than incredible dancing, there will be components of singing, storytelling and interactivity within the audience. By Kelyn Wilhoit / Read more…

December 5, 2018. Snow showers with heavy downpours at times have continued to pound the High Country on Wednesday morning. Numerous wrecks from all ends of Watauga County have been reported and roads still remain snow-covered in many locations around noon. A Facebook post by the Boone Police Department around 11:30 a.m. said, “Weather continues to degrade, roads are even more slick than usual. Use great caution or stay in place.” This round of snow came as a bit of a surprise to the High County. “Northwest flow snow showers, blustery winds, and cold temperatures are the issues today. Obviously this is more than what we thought at sunrise. No guidance I can find suggested this much snow; so, we’re in ‘seat of your pants’ mode now,” said the latest weather update from Ray’s Weather Center at 11:25 a.m. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

December 4, 2018. With Appalachian State oftentimes being called a “sustainability campus”, it is no surprise that members of the community have made bolder attempts at renewable energy sources. For a class project, students from Appalachian State outfitted a food truck from Reid’s Cafe with solar panels. The project was undergone by a class from the Appalachian State Sustainable Technology program. Tina Houston, the owner of Reid’s Cafe in Banner Elk, wanted to be able to promote good food in the area in a way she felt was community-supported and creative. By Gianna Holiday / Read more…

December 5, 2018. Kitchen cupboards are becoming well stocked with sugars, nuts and all those other ingredients needed for our favorite Christmas candy recipes. Making candy doesn’t have to be difficult, but it does take time and patience, both of which are often in short supply this time of year. Skill is not an absolute necessity, but a desire to please those who will be indulging is very important. Add just a pinch of humility and forgiveness to everything you attempt, and I promise — it will be a success, whether in or out of the kitchen. By Sherrie Norris / Read more…

December 5, 2018  The morning snow showers that developed this morning has cause both Watauga and Avery Schools to close for classes today. Originally, the Watauga School System planned on operating on a two hour delay, but after their 7:00 a.m. update they decided it best to close for the day. Their latest announcement said: Due to additional snowfall and a number of snow covered roads across our county and district, there will be no school for students on Wednesday, December 5th.  It will be an Optional Teacher Workday.  Teachers and staff may report on a two hour delay to ensure safe travels to work. The Holiday/ Snowday Program at Hardin Park is scheduled to open at 8A.
Due to snow, the Avery County Schools will be closed with an optional workday for Wednesday, December 5th / Read more…

December 4, 2018. F.A.R.M. Cafe, Boone’s donate-what-you-can community cafe is excited that an individual and friend of the Cafe, Davis Parker will sponsor the ‘Buy Boone Lunch’ program this Thursday. On December 6, between 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Davis and his friends will be serving in the various volunteer roles and welcoming the community to join them in supporting F.A.R.M. Cafe. As a ‘Buy Boone Lunch’ sponsor Parker raised $500 in donations to cover the basic cost of Thursday’s lunch. Therefore, on this day each additional donation fully supports F.A.R.M. Cafe’s efforts to fight food insecurity in the community by feeding all regardless of means. / 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

Campus Emergency Siren Test to be Conducted December 5

Blowing Rock Town Council Holding Special Meeting on December 5

Upcoming Events at BRAHM

Lessons and Carols at St. Mary of the Hills December 9

Christmas Caroling set for December 10

The Art Cellar is Hosting a Holiday Open House on December 15

Three Day Blood Drive Happening at Holiday Inn Express December 17-19

Grandfather Mountain Hosts New Year’s Sunrise

Foxx to Lead Committee Republicans in the 116th Congress

Read more…
Compiled by Nathan Ham

December 3, 2018  According to multiple media reports, the University of Louisville has reached an agreement with Appalachian State’s Scott Satterfield to be the Cardinals next head football coach. The board of directors for the University of Louisville’s athletic association announced multiple meetings for Tuesday afternoon. Its finance committee will meet at 4:00 p.m., personnel committee at 4:10 p.m., with a full board meeting scheduled for 4:20 p.m., apparently to finalize the deal and approve Satterfield to become head coach. Louisville has scheduled a Tuesday afternoon news conference with a “special announcement” about the football program. The 45-year-old Satterfield emerged as Louisville’s top choice after Purdue’s Jeff Brohm turned down the offer from his alma mater last week. Satterfield has led Appalachian State to a 51-24 record in six seasons, including 10-2 this year. The Mountaineers beat Louisiana-Lafayette 30-19 last Saturday in the inaugural Sun Belt Conference championship game. Appalachian State will face Middle Tennessee in the New Orleans Bowl on Dec. 15. It is not immediately clear if Satterfield will coach Appalachian State in the bowl game or if the school will hire an interim head coach for it. By Tim Gardner / Read more…

December 3, 2018. The Beech Mountain family gathered together on Saturday to officially dedicate the newest accomplishments at the ski resort, two brand new ski lifts. Beech Mountain President and CEO John Costin, as well as general manager Ryan Costin, corporate treasurer/secretary Shawn Williams and director of grounds maintenance, Jack Costin, all came to the mountain for the special event. “I was pleased with the turnout and it felt appropriate that our big Beech Mountain family was all present and it was nice to see the Costin family all together,” said Talia Freeman, the Director of Marketing for Beech Mountain. “It was nice to have the community there and the Boone Chamber, Avery Chamber and the Beech Mountain Chamber were all present so that was really cool to have all of them there and supportive as well.” Ryan’s daughter, Harper, had the special task of cutting the ribbon. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

December 3, 2018. King Street Church of Boone might not represent your typical brick and mortar building, but it has a deep love and concern for humanity and is constantly looking for ways to show God’s love to others. Described as “a church that’s always on the move, following Christ where He leads,” King Street Church is an outreach of Boone United Methodist Church and is committed to forming a Christian community with folks who may have never experienced it before. In addition to its 6:30 p.m. Sunday gatherings at 3rd Place in downtown Boone for dinner and a discussion about faith, Monday nights at the Hospitality House, and weekday morning devotions at the Hatchet Coffee Shop, King Street Church spends Wednesday mornings at the Watauga County Detention Center to study scripture with those awaiting their court dates or transfers. By Sherrie Norris / Read more…

November 30, 2018. With some bitterly cold temperatures finding its way to the High Country last weekend, Hawksnest has been able to make snow and get the snow tubing season underway. Hawksnest officially opened at noon on Friday. “This is probably the most snow we’ve opened with ever. It’s a great start to the season,” said owner Lenny Cottom. Hawksnest now has three conveyors to make things easier for people to get to the top for snow tubing. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

November 30, 2018. Temperatures do not typically fall into the teens for high temperatures in November, however all of the area ski slopes took advantage of the chilly temperatures by amping up their snow production ahead of the first weekend of December. At Beech Mountain, there are currently six slopes and three lifts open with a base of 14-26 inches of wet packed snow. Slopes open right now are Upper and Lower Shawneehaw, Crossover, Freestyle, Play Yard and The Park. “We had a long solid window of single-digit temperatures and we were really able to put down some good snow,” said Talia Freeman, the Director of Marketing for Beech Mountain. “Unfortunately we’re experiencing a little rain today but the slopes are holding up well and we were able to get a little bit more coverage at the summit of the mountain so we opened the quad lift to the top today.” By Nathan Ham / Read more…

November 30, 2018. High Country Crime Stoppers and Boone Police seek the public’s assistance in solving the following crime: On Wednesday, November 21, a woman was filling her car tires with air at the Speedway gas station at 1256 Blowing Rock Road in Boone. While tending to her tires, an unknown man approached her from behind and touched her buttocks. When the woman confronted the suspect, a Hispanic male wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt and jeans, he left in his vehicle, a black Subaru station wagon. Images of the suspect and vehicle were captured on surveillance. Anyone with information on this crime or any other crime is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 828-268-6959 / 828-737-0125 or the Boone Police Department at 828-268-6900. You may also submit a Crime Stoppers Tip via our website at https://www.tipsubmit.com/webtips.aspx?AgencyID=1251 or Text “NCTIP plus your tip” to 274637 (CRIMES). All information will be kept confidential. / Read more…

November 30, 2018. Opening night of the Western Youth Network’s Festival of Trees at Chetola Resort on Thursday welcomed festival sponsors, tree designers, WYN board members, and the general public.  The festival continues through Sunday. Almost 100 trees and wreaths, decorated with lights, ornaments, gifts and goodies will all be auctioned to raise money for Western Youth Network, WYN).  WYN provides unique and quality programming that offers support to over 200 children and youth each year through mentoring, after school initiatives, substance abuse prevention, and summer camps. / Read more…

November 28, 2018 Representing his firm, Ridgetop Associates, David Huskins presented an organizational pathway for developing a comprehensive county economic development strategy to the Avery Economic Development Committee at its November 26 meeting held in the Board of Commissioners Conference Room in Newland. Huskins and his wife, Betty, are experienced economic development and governmental affairs consultants. Avery EDC members present at the meeting included: Ken Walter; Melynda Pepple; Susan Siirila; Carmen Lacey; Jesse Pope; and Clayton Harpold, who was recently appointed as the newest member of Economic Development Committee by the Board of Commissioners. Also present were Kate Gavenus, Tourism & Economic Development Coordinator for the Town of Beech Mountain and Avery County Manager Phillip Barrier, Jr., who serves as a non-voting EDC member. By Tim Gardner / Read more…

November 28, 2018  On Tuesday, Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) cosponsored H.R. 7059, the Build the Wall, Enforce the Law Act. The bill appropriates the full amount of funding requested by President Trump to construct a wall along the Southern border, including technology and infrastructure improvements. Additionally, it affirms Congressional opposition to abolishing ICE, supports border patrol agents, penalizes sanctuary cities and combats transnational crimes including human and drug trafficking. / Read more…

November 28, 2018. No other time of year stirs my creative culinary juices as do these between Thanksgiving and Christmas. My kitchen is rarely vacant, whether I’m preparing family meals or baking, making and taking goodies to friends and neighbors. Through the years, I have collected hundreds of recipes, tips and suggestions for holiday entertaining and in the next few weeks, I plan to share as many of them as possible, with you, my friends, who keep me motivated by your kind comments about Lovin’ Spoonful. It wouldn’t happen without you. By Sherrie Norris / Read more…

November 28, 2018  Last night’s snows have caused Watauga and Avery Schools to be closed again for Wednesday. Statements from the school systems say that snow and ice covered roads lead to their decisions: Due to additional overnight snowfall and a number of snow and ice covered roads across our county and district, there will be no school for students on Wednesday, November 28th.  It will be an Optional Teacher Workday.  Teachers and staff may report on a two hour delay to ensure safe travels to work. / 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.

N.C. Christmas Tree Association Sends 350 Christmas Trees to Troops and Military Families

Learn About Becoming a Tax Preparer to Help Your Community 

Boone Town Council Holding Special Meeting on November 28

Crossnore Announces Opening of Center for Trauma Resilient Communities

Lookin’ For Lichen Hike Happening December 9

Read more…
Compiled by Nathan Ham

November 27, 2018  The Boone Police Department is announcing its Sixth Annual Holiday Food and Funds Drive. This charity drive will begin Monday, November 26, 2018 and will continue until Friday, January 7, 2018. The food and funds collected will go to benefit the Hunger & Health Coalition (HHC) here in Boone. For the past 35 years, the Hunger & Health Coalition has collected, organized and distributed food, medication, clothing and firewood to needy families in our area. Last year, the Hunger Coalition’s food pantry gave out 11,385 food boxes to our neighbors in crisis and in their free pharmacy dispensed 18,150 prescriptions at a retail value of $2,650,383.94. Sadly, the need is increasing every year for the HHC’s services. “As a member of the Boone Police Department and a volunteer with the Hunger & Health Coalition, I see first-hand the benefits of this wonderful organization. Sadly, people in our community are hurting and they struggle to make ends meet. You really understand how important the Hunger & Health Coalition is when you meet an elderly couple that would have to choose each month whether to buy their medicine or food,” said Lt. Chris Hatton, Investigations Division Commander. / Read more…

November 24, 2018  The Watauga County Schools Weather Team announced that due to snow and ice covered roads across the county, schools in Watauga County will be closed for students, teachers and all 10 month employees on Tuesday, November 27th. The Holiday/ Snowday Program at HP will open at 8A. Please be aware that schools will now be in session this Saturday, December 1st..  On Saturday, December 1st, schools and itinerant teachers will follow a TUESDAY schedule and will also follow an early release schedule with K-8 schools dismissing at noon and WHS dismissing at 1P.  Lunch will be served and the buses will run their usually routes.  Please remember that the Afterschool Program will not operate on Saturday, Avery County Schools also announced that due to dangerous road conditions in many parts of the county and temps not expected to get out of the 20s, school will be closed on Tuesday, with an optional workday. / Read more…

November 25, 2018. The rains cleared out and little bit of sunshine broke through just in time for the Blowing Rock Christmas Parade to begin its annual march down Main Street at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday to the delight of hundreds of fans lining the street. The Watauga High School Marching Band was joined by dignitaries, local business floats, families and neighborhood groups parading their way down the middle of town offering candy to kids and waves to adults. The Town of Blowing Rock was filled with locals and visitors who were enjoying the town’s annual After Thanksgiving weekend Christmas kick off celebrations. / Read more…

November 23, 2018. Come share the excitement at the Watauga County Farmers’ Market this Saturday from 9 a.m. until noon at Daniel Boone Park, Horn in the West parking lot in Boone. From market manager Michelle Slaton: “I hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Thank you all for such a fantastic 2018 Season. This is the last Market for the 2018 Season and we appreciate all our amazing customers and their continued patronage. Come by and check in with all of our vendors to find out where they will be during the Winter months and how to order from them. Have a wonderful rest of your year and we will see you in 2019! We need to give a big thank you to Hatchet Coffee for generously donating coffee for sale during the four November market days. All proceeds from coffee sales will benefit the Blue Ridge Conservancy, a local, nonprofit land trust dedicated to conserving land and water resources in Northwestern North Carolina, who will be joining us throughout the month. Come by for a cup of coffee and hear about the good work that these folks are doing right here in our back yard!”  / Read more…

November 21, 2018. 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

November 21, 2018. Local real estate sales eclipsed 200 for the fourth consecutive month in October, as sales year-to-date continue to be the highest in more than 10 years. Meanwhile, interest rates are at their highest level since early 2011. Realtors® sold 225 homes worth $64.51 million in October, according to the High Country Multiple Listing Service. It records all Realtor® sales in Alleghany. Ashe, Avery and Watauga counties. The average sold price was $286,700. Monthly sales since July have been higher than 213, peaking at 294 in August. The average sale price surpassed $286,000 in all four months. In that four-month span, local Realtors® sold 954 homes. That is equivalent to 48 percent of total sales year to date. / Read more…

November 21, 2018. The rehabilitation effort at Moses H. Cone Memorial Park is in for a big boost. The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation and National Park Service are pleased to announce that three projects focused on repairs to Flat Top Manor, milepost 294, have been selected to receive Centennial Challenge grants awarded by Congress. The grants total $722,976. The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation is required to raise matching funds to secure the government allocation. The Centennial Challenge program was launched in 2015 to create public-private partnerships to address the deferred maintenance backlog in national parks. Each donor gift to the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation will be matched almost dollar for dollar to: replace Flat Top Manor shake roof and rehabilitate dormers, preserve exterior components of Flat Top Manor and rehabilitate Flat Top Manor’s second floor exterior. / Read more…

November 21, 2018 On Monday, November 19th, the Town of Beech Mountain and a private contractor began performing cleaning and maintenance on the gate release valve and assembly at Buckeye Reservoir. Late Tuesday afternoon a diver returned to complete closure of the valve and his leg was caught. Responders from Avery Sherriff’s Office, Avery EMS, Avery Emergency Management, Beech Mountain Police Department, Beech Mountain Volunteer Fire Department, Beech Mountain Utilities, Carter County Tennessee Water Rescue, Carolina Water Department, Elk Park VFD, Linville VFD, Linville Central Rescue, Red Cross and Watauga Emergency Management worked together to aid the rescue. / Read more…

November 21, 2018. For more than 50 years, Beech Mountain Ski Resort has welcomed countless visitors from around the globe to enjoy its snow sports and views from 5,506’. This winter, the mountain has upped the ante with two brand-new chairlifts, multiple snowmaking upgrades, and new slope lighting. Director of Marketing Talia Freeman says the resort is scheduled to open on Friday, November 23rd. “We remain focused on improving the guest experience and we recognized the need to give our customers a first-class experience not only with great skiing, but with food, entertainment and continued facility upgrades,” she said / Read more…

November 14, 2018. By the time you read this, you probably are already “stuffed,” or will be within a few hours, and the last thing on your mind is more turkey. Most of us end up with plenty of turkey and ham and all the sides left over from the main event on Thursday, but we quickly tire of turkey sandwiches by Saturday. Hopefully, our suggestions will help you put your leftovers to good use. More than that, we hope, too, that you are enjoying a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with those close to your heart.. By Sherrie Norris / Read more…

November 20, 2018 The North Carolina Department of Transportation received a lot of public feedback from residents, business owners and town officials about the proposed Highway 105 Superstreet. Boone Town Manager John Ward spoke briefly at the Boone Town Council Meeting on November 15 about attending a High Country Council of Governments Rural Transportation Coordinating meeting last Tuesday. “There had been such numerous comments submitted that they (NCDOT) extended the comment period until November 7. What they’re currently doing is they’re going through and assessing all of those and they reported back that once they had completed the assessment of all the public comments, they were going to identify those portions of the project that could be redesigned, initiate that redesign and bring that back for public review and coordination with the two elected bodies of the town council and county commission,” said Ward. Ward said that the town council’s resolution as well as the public comment influenced the NCDOT to consider redesigning that section of road. 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 at Mountain City’s Heritage Hall

Watauga County Library’s 8-Word Mystery Competition Concludes with Reception and Awards 

Turchin Center Hosts Winter Exhibition Celebration During Festive First Friday

Thanksgiving Pottery Event Featuring Tim Turner Happening November 23-24

The Walker Center Presents ‘Deep in the Heart of Christmas’ With the Texas Tenors on December 6

Read more…
Compiled by Nathan Ham

November 20, 2018. With the arrival of a beautiful and massive Fraser fir Christmas tree from the North Carolina High Country, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the White House. The Christmas holiday season officially kicked off at the White House in America’s capital city of Washington, District of Columbia, Monday at 1:00 p.m., when President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump received the 2018 White House Christmas tree from Avery County Christmas Tree Grower Larry Smith. The tree arrived at the North Portico of the White House by jingle bell-adorned horse-drawn carriage, continuing a long-time, annual tradition that’s just ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. By Tim Gardner / Read more…

November 20, 2018. A dream will come true for some High Country dancers this December. Local precision dance troupe, The Carolina Snowbelles, is headed to the nation’s capital to debut their new holiday show, “A Carolina Snowbelle Christmas,” on Dec. 15 at 6 p.m on the prestigious Millennium Stage at Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The Carolina Snowbelles Precision Dance Company, directed by Cheryl Cutlip along with the Western Carolina Youth Ballet Company — directed by Brad Parquette — will perform in the one hour production. The 28-member dance troupe has been rehearsing this one-hour show since August, their most ambitious and comprehensive performance to date. A Carolina Snowbelle Christmas will feature precision tap and jazz, vocal performance and ballet, as well as spoken word and audience interaction. Throughout the performance, audience members will experience the Snowbelles’ impressive precision dance and spectacular costuming. / Read more…

November 20, 2018. Holidays have always been special for the Haury family in Zionville, but this year as they prepare to observe Thanksgiving, they are especially grateful for the gift of life in the form of a new heart for 12-year-old Melia. Having returned home recently from a lengthy hospital stay in a Charlotte hospital, as she not only awaited her new heart, but successfully came through the transplant, Melia is all smiles as she settles back in to her routine with her family and pets at her side. “We are so happy to be back home,” said her mother, Karen Haury, who was with her daughter the entire time. “We are truly amazed at how God brought Melia through the transplant and recovery. Not that we didn’t think He would bring her through, we just didn’t realize how well and fast her recovery would be. God has performed a miracle.” By Sherrie Norris / Read more…