September 8, 2025 The Blowing Rock Art & History Museum (BRAHM) is proud to announce the winners of the Eighth Annual Blowing Rock Plein Air Festival Show and Sale. The Festival, organized and coordinated by BRAHM, ran from August 19 through August 23, 2025, culminating in a Show and Sale judged by noted plein air painter Kyle Buckland.
September 8, 2025 Blowing Rock, NC, Appalachian-Turkish fusion trio SoLa Bazaar brings their unique blend of haunting vocal harmonies and spontaneous instrumental improvisation to the next free concert at St. Mary of the Hills Episcopal Church on Sunday afternoon, September 14, at 3 pm.
September 8, 2025 A few days before I saw “The Conjuring: Last Rites,” a friend of mine asked me about my plans for the weekend. I told her that I planned to see the film, and I was excited. When she asked me why I was excited to see yet another entry in the generally-middling “Conjuring” series, I blurted out, “They make such a cute couple!” “They” of course being Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga as real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, respectively. These fictionalized tales of their cases sell themselves on demon- and possession-related horror, not charming family dynamics. Yet whether by design, by accident, or by default, the Warrens as characters are what this series does best.
September 3, 2025 On Labor Day the Watauga County Democratic Party held a free community cookout at Junaluska Park in Boone to honor the contributions, achievements, and the lifelong commitment of American workers. Over 120 attended and included families, retirees, students, young and old to celebrate the progress made in workers’ rights throughout history and the ongoing importance of protecting those rights in the face of great challenges.
September 3, 2025 Boone, NC — The Watauga County Republican Party is proud to host its annual Lincoln–Reagan Dinner on Friday, September 20, 2025, from 5:00–8:00 p.m. This year’s keynote speaker will be Congressman Jim Jordan, one of the nation’s leading voices for conservative values and constitutional principles.
September 3, 2025 The Bazaar has evolved into one of the most fun and effective ways of recycling used furniture, clothing, linens, seasonal items, books, puzzles, home décor, toys and yard sale items. You can also find jams, jellies, and baked goods as well as lunch on Friday.
September 2, 2025 “Tourism is more than an economic driver; it’s a lifeline that sustains small businesses, supports thousands of jobs, and helps keep our community afloat in times of adversity,” said Wright Tilley, Executive Director of Explore Boone. “While this report is not intended to measure the full economic effects of Hurricane Helene in our area, it does include the last three months of 2024, when the immediate impacts of the storm were felt. The steady visitor spending in 2024 is a testament to both the loyalty of our visitors and the perseverance of our community.”
September 2, 2025 (Boone, NC) This September, Watauga County Public Library invites you to celebrate Library Card Sign-Up Month and discover how a single card can open the door to endless opportunities. With a library card, you can do more than check out books. From free classes and job resources to homework help, streaming media, and cultural events, today’s libraries connect communities to information, inspiration, and each other.
Septembere 2, 2025. The following are recent obituary notices from Austin and Barnes and Hampton funeral homes in Boone and Reins-Sturdivant in Newland.
August 28, 2025 When asked by a Commissioner at the August Council Meeting, “Why do you think this property needs more density?”, the developer of the Shoppes on the Parkway explained that this was one of the few large flat properties left in Blowing Rock and “unless someone has money to burn”, it needs more DENSITY. What he meant was his company needed to make more money off this property, regardless of whether the 75-100 Short Term Rental condos he was proposing were needed or wanted by our town. Whether or not it would cause undue stress on our infrastructure or traffic congestion and gridlock, that didn’t matter. It needed more DENSITY because Oak Hill needed to increase their profit.
August 28, 2025 Two years ago, in June, I launched my campaign to run for the Blowing Rock Town Council with a speech at the American Legion. In that speech, I talked about my background, why I wanted to run, and how I would proceed in listening to understand what residents feel is important, if elected.
I said, “Our overall goal is preserving what makes our town special while, at the same time, making crucial decisions to move us forward.” I then said, “Growth is inevitable. It is here. Yet, how we grow is the question.” And, finally, I said, “We need reasonable growth that adds to and enhances our town.”
August 28, 2025 An old coach use to say “Show me a boy who’ll steal an egg and I’ll show you a boy who’ll steal the henhouse”. Integrity is not part-time and it’s not situational. Recently, Jamie Dixie, self-appointed Town Crier for all issues Blowing Rock, announced on her “political candidate” Facebook page that she didn’t have time to campaign for a seat on Blowing Rock Town Council.
August 27, 2025 BOONE, N.C. — This fall, over 100 teacher’s assistants, educators and school administrators from Watauga, Caldwell and Catawba counties will take part in a new career pathways program at Appalachian State University that aims to address the shortage of special education teachers in rural Appalachia. The program, which is supported by more than $1.4 million in grant funding through the U.S. Department of Labor, provides tuition assistance, stipends and professional development to support and grow the region’s special education workforce.
August 27, 2025 This past weekend’s biggest big-screen hit didn’t go straight to the big screen. Animated actioner “KPop Demon Hunters” premiered in June on Netflix, reportedly racking up over 180 million views in its first eight weeks. A special one-weekend-only “Sing-Along” version of the film was released to select theaters this past Saturday and Sunday, taking in an estimated $18 million. A haul like that warrants a review, even though the theatrical “Sing-Along” version is not scheduled to play beyond its specified engagement (plans could always change, of course). This review is based on the Netflix version of the film, which is how it will be available for the foreseeable future. Sorry, but I just can’t take “it gives the sold-out theater a raucous party atmosphere” into account on this one.
August 27, 2025 Hickory, NC — At Graystone Eye, our mission to preserve the gift of sight extends far beyond the walls of our clinics and surgery center. Through our nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, Graystone Eye Missions, and with the support of our physicians, we are able to carry that mission into communities where access to vision care is scarce—both locally and across the globe. Outreach and service are woven into the very fabric of who we are.
August 27, 2025 Boone, NC – The Watauga County Farmers’ Market is proud to announce a special celebration of Hispanic Heritage Day on Saturday, August 30, 2025, presented in collaboration with Q’Pasa Appalachia. This vibrant event will feature live music, dance, and cultural performance, alongside a delicious fundraiser to benefit the Immigrant Justice Coalition.
August 26, 2025. The following are recent obituary notices from Austin and Barnes and Hampton funeral homes in Boone and Reins-Sturdivant in Newland.
August 25, 2025 The Watauga County Republican Party is hosting a Lincoln-Reagan Dinner, featuring Guest Speaker, Representative Jim Jordan, (R-OH). The event is Saturday, September 20 at the Grandview Ballroom at ASU Kidd Brewer Stadium from 5-8 PM. Tickets: Standard – $100, VIP – $250, www.zeffy.com/ticketing/watauga-coounty-gop-lincolnreagan-dinner or phone/text: (828) 406-4502 for tickets and information.
August 25, 2025 BLOWING ROCK, N.C. (August 19, 2025) — In the spirit of remembrance, resilience and reflection, the Blowing Rock Art & History Museum (BRAHM) is partnering with Appalachian State University, Blowing Rock Historical Society, Our State Magazine, StoryCorps, and WFDD Public Radio, to create a unique opportunity for High Country residents to come together and share their stories in the wake of Hurricane Helene.
August 25, 2025 Raleigh, N.C. — The first wave of mailings is now going out to North Carolina voters who need to provide their driver’s license number (DL#) or last four digits of their social security number (SSN4) as part of the “Registration Repair Project.”The State Board of Elections is sending letters to about 82,700 individuals whose voter registration records lack one of these numbers, as required by state and federal laws.[List of voters who will receive the first mailing.
August 25, 2025 RALEIGH, NC— Emma Faulkner with the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce, Justin Kearley with NC Office of Rural Health, and Tatiana Magee and Myles Stacey with High Country Council of Governments in Watauga County recently graduated from the NC Rural Center’s Homegrown Leaders program, a three-day regional leadership and community economic development program that develops and supports highly motivated leaders committed to regional collaboration.
August 25, 2025 BOONE, NC – The 2025 Summer Concerts at the Jones House series concludes on Friday, August 29, with an evening of music that celebrates Appalachian roots and showcases some of its most compelling voices. The lineup features John Peterson, Mary Greene, and the duo of Sarah Kate Morgan & Leo Shannon. Music begins at 5:30 p.m. on the Jones House lawn in downtown Boone.
August 25, 2025 BOONE, N.C. — Summer is winding down, but activity at Appalachian State University is ramping up as students arrive for the fall 2025 semester. First-year and returning Mountaineers began moving into residence halls this Tuesday on the Boone campus, in preparation for the first day of classes on Monday, Aug. 18.
August 19, 2025. The following are recent obituary notices from Austin and Barnes and Hampton funeral homes in Boone and Reins-Sturdivant in Newland.