1000 x 90

Today’s Email Announcements

Brian Hamilton to Speak at Three Avery County Schools on Wednesday, December 11

Entrepreneur Brian Hamilton will be speaking at Avery Middle School, Cranberry Middle School and Avery County High School on Wednesday, December 11. 

Brian started The Brian Hamilton Foundation, an organization focused on increasing entrepreneurship resources and opportunities for diverse communities. He is traveling across the state delivering his message of “entrepreneurship for all” speaking to high school and middle school students, veteran groups, local business people, and ex-offenders who have served their time.

The speaking times at each school are below:

– Avery Middle School – 9 a.m. – 10 a.m.
– Cranberry Middle School – 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
– Avery County High School – 1:50 p.m. – 2:55 p.m.

Watauga County Public Library Closings for Staff Half-Day and Christmas Holiday

The library will open at 1 pm due to staff training on Friday, December 13.

The library will be closed on Tuesday, December 24, Wednesday, December 25, and Thursday, December 26, 2019, for Christmas Holiday. We will close at 5 pm on Tuesday, December 31 and will be closed on Wednesday, January 1 for New Year’s Day.

Cookies and Candy Canes with Santa on December 14

The Art Cellar Gallery Hosting Holiday Open House on December 14

Please join us on Saturday December, 14 from 3-5 pm for our annual holiday open house at the Art Cellar Gallery.

This is the perfect time to select special gifts and visit with friends, family and artists!

We will have seasonal treats and a cup (or two) of good cheer! Hope to see you then.

Watauga Community Band Christmas Concert Happening December 15

The Watauga Community Band Christmas Concert will be held on Sunday, December 15 at Watauga High School. 
 
The performance will begin at 5 PM in the high school auditorium.
The band’s director, Bill Winkler, will conduct the band in a variety of Christmas music, both religious and secular.  Selections include A Canadian Brass Christmas, arranged by Luther Henderson, Celtic Carol, arranged by Robert W. Smith, and The Bells of Christmas, by Robert Longfield.  Leroy Anderson’s Sleigh Ride will also be featured.
    
This is a free concert, and everyone is welcome to attend.  Boost your holiday spirit with the Watauga Community Band.

Division of Parks and Recreation Seeks Public Input on Elk Knob Master Plan; Meeting Happening on December 17

The N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation is seeking public input on the Elk Knob State Park Master Plan. When finalized, the master plan will be a 20-year plan that covers the entire state park. Elk Knob State Park encompasses over 4,200 acres spanning Watauga and Ashe counties and is sited within the Amphibolite Mountains, an ecological hotspot of global significance. 
The park’s master plan is being developed by E2 Landscape Architecture in Asheville with direction from the division. It will identify recreation and conservation priorities for the park. At a previous public open house, the division invited the public to comment on proposed amenities and is now seeking input on the recreational concepts for the park.
 
A drop-in style open house meeting will be held Dec. 17 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Optimist Park Clubhouse, located at 1012 State Farm Road in Boone. Members of the public are encouraged to attend and can expect to spend 20-30 minutes to review, discuss, and comment on amenities and recreational priorities for the park and provide other feedback. 
 
Amenities proposed for the master plan include a visitor center, a day-use area, campground area, and hiking trails including sections of the Northern Peaks State Trail.  
 
If inclement weather causes a change in the meeting date or venue, a notice will be posted on the Elk Knob State Park webpage at ncparks.gov/elk-knob-state-park.
 
 

Town of Beech Mountain Customer Appreciation Day is December 18

 

Men’s Caroling on December 19

Area men are invited to join in the 50th annual Harmony Caroling Tour of three local retirement homes on Thursday, December 19.

Meet at the ASU Music Building main lobby at 5 pm to review provided music, carpool as necessary, and complete the tour by 7 pm. 

For more information call Roland Moy 828-264-8811.

Beech Mountain Town Council Seeking Planning Retreat Topics by January 15

The Town of Beech Mountain Town Council is holding its annual planning retreat on Thursday and Friday, January 23-24th, 2020 in Town Council Chambers at 403 Beech Mountain Parkway, Beech Mountain, NC 28604.

As part of the budget planning retreat process, this year Town Council is accepting submissions for discussion topics.  These ideas will be listed out and submitted to the Town Council prior to their discussions.  For full consideration, submissions should include your discussion idea(s) along with your name, address, phone number, and email in case clarification is needed regarding your topic. 

Individuals interested in submitting discussion topics should submit their ideas to Town Manager, Tim Holloman, at manager@townofbeechmountain.com or Town Clerk, Tamara Mercer, at clerk@townofbeechmountian.com.  The Town Manager and Town Clerk will also be accepting submissions via hand delivery or by mail addressed to their attention at 403 Beech Mountain Parkway Beech Mountain, NC 28604. 

Submissions will be accepted through 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 15th, 2020.  Please contact Town Hall at 828-387-4236 if you have further questions.