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Downtown Boone Hellbender Call for Submissions for Mural Project Slated for Downtown Boone

March 13, 2024 The Downtown Boone Development Association (DBDA), in partnership with the Centers for Biological Diversity and the Watauga Arts Council is excited to announce a very important mural project slated for downtown Boone. A call is being put out to local and regional artists who have an interest in joining in the celebration of the Hellbender Salamander, a local endangered species. Artist are being asked to collaborate with representatives from the Center for Biological Diversity, as well as the DBDA to illustrate the hellbender and its habitat in our region. The mural will be installed at 140 S. Depot Street.

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Community Good Friday Service Returns at Banner Elk Presbyterian Church on March 29

March 13, 2024 A Tenebrae Service will be held on Good Friday, March 29, 2024, at 6 PM at the historic Banner Elk Presbyterian Church. The community is invited to join a powerful service of readings and songs entitled “7 Last Words”. Christ’s final words will be represented through scripture, meditations and poetry paired with music by the adult choir, handbell choir, soloists, organist and cellist. “Many artists and theologians have addressed the last seven phrases Christ spoke from the cross,” says Dr. Janet Speer, writer for the service. “These words amaze us in their poignancy. Not only are they informative about the brutal crucifixion, but they expand into lessons to be applied to our lives.”

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Research Underway on an Elusive Mountain Rabbit That May Be Impacted by a Deadly Disease

March 12, 2024 It’s rare to spot an Appalachian cottontail rabbit in the wild. They live in the high elevations and steep topography of the western North Carolina mountains and are easily confused with their slightly larger close cousin, the Eastern cottontail rabbit.And it’s currently unknown whether a highly infectious and fast-spreading virus (RHDV2) may  be impacting the population.That’s why NCWRC has recently contracted with the research group, Tangled Bank Conservation, to perform a study of Appalachian cottontails. The goal is to determine impacts to this species that may pose threats to their survival. NCWRC will use this information to develop a management plan to protect them.

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44th Blowing Rock Trout Derby is Saturday, April 6 from Sunrise to 4:00pm

March 12, 2024 The 44th annual Blowing Rock Trout Derby will take place in Blowing Rock on Saturday, April 6, from sunrise to 4:00pm.  Celebrating the opening of trout season, the Blowing Rock Trout Derby invites families to get out together to enjoy the outdoors and friendly competition. No entry fees are required. Fishing enthusiasts of all ages are encouraged to come out for the Derby.  “If you’re a seasoned fisherman, come by and help some of the younger anglers with your stories, bait suggestions, or just friendly support,” says Kim Rogers, a longtime coordinator of the Trout Derby. “We can’t wait to see everyone’s catch!”

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MerleFest Shares Stage Schedules for 2024 Event; 36th Annual Festival Takes Place April 25-28 in Wilkesboro

March 12, 2024 MerleFest, presented by Window World, will hold its 36th annual festival April 25-28 on the campus of Wilkes Community College. Today festival organizers announced MerleFest pioneering artist John Cowan will join the already stellar lineup, including appearances by Old Crow Medicine Show, Turnpike Troubadours, The Teskey Brothers, Nickel Creek, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, The Earls of Leicester, and many more. Additionally, the festival is proud to unveil the complete 2024 stage schedules, in conjunction with the release of the updated MerleFest 2024 mobile app (available now for download now on all Apple and Android devices), making it easier than ever to plan your weekend, set reminders for performance times, learn more about each artist, listen to the official MerleFest 2024 Spotify playlist, and much more.

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Healthy Habits for Healthy Smiles: 1500 Students in Watauga Schools Reached During Children’s Dental Health Month

March 11, 2024 Each year in February, the American Dental Association recognizes National Children’s Dental Health Month, a month-long national health observance with a special emphasis on improving the smiles of millions of children across the country.This year’s theme —“Healthy Habits for Healthy Smiles” — has been a common phrase, especially locally, as more than 1500 Watauga County children have been reminded of the importance of dental hygiene, thanks to the efforts of the Boone-based OP Smiles dental office. According to Dr. Luke Current, who along with fellow pediatric dental care provider, Dr. Chance Powell, see hundreds of children in their office each month, OP Smiles has participated in the outreach for over 20 years, partnering with local schools in providing practical tips and tools to encourage good dental hygiene. By Sherrie Norris

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App State Falls on Heart-Breaking Buzzer Beater as the Mountaineers Fell 69-67 in the Sun Belt Tournament Semifinals on Sunday

March 11, 2024 After clawing their way back from a first-half deficit, the App State Mountaineers took the lead courtesy of a Justin Abson slam dunk for the first time since the early stages of the first half. The Mountaineers would reclaim the lead after Arkansas State took the lead back at 62-63, but the Red Wolves scored the last four points in the game, including a buzzer-beating shot as the Mountaineers fell 69-67 in the Sun Belt Tournament semifinals on Sunday. App State (27-6, 16-2 SBC) came back from down by as much as much as 11 in the second half to take the lead, showing their resilience. Arkansas State’s (18-15, 11-7 SBC) defense stepped up in the final seconds, forcing two App State misses which allowed it to score the game-winning shot.

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“Dollar Days” set to begin April 1 at Grandfather Mountain; April brings a Mile-High Slate of Programs, Activities and More

March 11, 2024 Grandfather Mountain will open its gates to High Country residents, employees and their guests for only $5 each during the month of April, as the park’s “Dollar Days” promotion returns in time for spring. The promotion allows anyone who lives or works in Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Caldwell (added this year), Mitchell, Watauga or Wilkes counties — along with their guests traveling in the same vehicle — to visit at the discounted rate (per person). It is important to note, Dollar Days guests must book their visit online at www.grandfather.com. To take advantage of the reduced rate, guests should choose the Dollar Days admission calendar and rate when reserving their tickets.

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Barton, Lees-McRae Claim Atlantic Casualty Conference Carolinas Cheer and Dance Championship Crowns for Second Straight Year

March 11, 2024 Lees-McRae claimed the team title in Cheerleading for the second straight year, while Barton claimed its second consecutive Dance team title at the annual Atlantic Casualty Conference Carolinas Spirit Championships.  Lees-McRae was also chosen as the Advanced Co-Ed Division winner in cheerleading, while North Greenville captured the Intermediate All-Girl championship in cheerleading.

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Mitchell County Chamber of Commerce and Mitchell Economic Development Commission Unite Forces to Drive Local Prosperity

March 11, 2024 In a landmark move shifted to amplify economic growth and foster community development, the Mitchell County Chamber of Commerce and the Mitchell County Economic Development Commission have announced their decision to join forces. The strategic merger brings together two powerhouse organizations dedicated to advancing the economic vitality and prosperity of Mitchell County and its residents. By combining resources, expertise, and networks, the unified, but separate entity will significantly enhance its capacity to attract investment, support local businesses, and cultivate a thriving economic environment throughout the county. This collaboration marks a pivotal moment in Mitchell County trajectory, signaling a renewed commitment to innovation, collaboration, and sustainable growth.

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ECRS Makes Donation to AppHealthCare’s Mother-Baby Home Visiting Program

March 11, 2024 ECRS, a local transaction and retail solutions business, has made a donation to AppHealthCare’s Mother-Baby Home Visiting program. The $5,000 donation will be given to the F.A.R.M. Cafe to support the purchase of meals for families participating in the Mother-Baby program in Watauga, Ashe and Avery Counties. “I’m excited to have the opportunity to give back to a program that gave me a lot of support when I had my son in December of last year.” said Caroline Catoe, ECRS President. “No matter your circumstances, every mother needs a village around her when she has a baby. Having an experienced nurse come to my home, provide me with tips and a warm meal, and check on my health and my baby’s was so beneficial. I only wish this program had existed when I first became a mother several years ago.”

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Movie Review: ““Kung Fu Panda 4”” Now Playing at Boone Regal

March 11, 2024 Since Po (Jack Black), the main character of the “Kung Fu Panda” movies, is known for his corpulent eating habits, it makes sense to compare the animated franchise to a sort of comfort food. These movies aren’t exactly “healthy” choices that send the imagination soaring, but they aren’t “junk” that people outside the target audience are likely to detest. They’re agreeable, but not spectacular. Fortunately for “Kung Fu Panda 4,” it’s arriving at a time when kids haven’t had a decent movie for a while. Even though it coasts on preexisting goodwill at times, it’s not the painful, phoned-in effort it could have been. At the start of the movie, Po is basking in his fame as the legendary Dragon Warrior.

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N.S.G.: Celebrating Black music by Black artists in Boone

March 8, 2024 “A Night of Black Music: Iconic Black Artists Covered by Local Black Musicians” are the words I saw on a digital flyer my girlfriend sent me, and instantly, I knew I desired to be there. In the year and a half that I have lived in Boone, I’ve never seen a Black band or live music being played. So, as a Black woman, to have the opportunity of hearing live Black music being played, and more moving, to capture it, was something I could not allow my soul to pass up!  By Shantaja Brown

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App State’s Days of Service Contribute Hundreds of Volunteer Hours to Watauga County Nonprofits

March 8, 2024 App State’s Office of Community-Engaged Leadership (CEL) held its second annual Mobilize the Mountains Day of Service on Feb. 24, with dozens of student and faculty volunteers contributing over 111 hours of community service to two local nonprofit organizations. During the 2022–23 academic year, six Days of Service provided 699 volunteer hours to 16 local organizations whose missions directly impacted Watauga County. Kristen Lysne, leadership and outreach graduate assistant for Community-Engaged Leadership, said App State’s Days of Service allow students to step off campus and participate in the larger Boone community, increasing students’ sense of belonging on campus and in the High Country.

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Local Author, Randy Johnson, Named Travel Media Competition Winner from NATJA


March 8, 2024 The North American Travel Journalists Association (NATJA) announced that High Country writer Randy Johnson has won a Gold Award and an Honorable Mention in the 32nd Annual North American Travel Journalists Awards. The awards are held annually by NATJA, a national organization of travel journalists, to honor the best in travel writing, photography and destination marketing. Both awards were given for articles that Johnson published in WNC Magazine, a Western North Carolina lifestyle magazine based in Asheville and a sister publication of Charleston and other magazines.Johnson won Gold in the “Cultural Travel” category for a feature article titled, “The Life and Legacy of Shelby Native and Bluegrass Icon Earl Scruggs,” about the Earl Scruggs music center museum and local music venues (in the Fall 2023 issue).

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High Country Real Estate: February Real Estate

March 7, 2024 The first two months of 2024 are in the books and the year is already rolling along at a healthy clip. February gave us an extra day and now that March is here, let’s see how the High Country real estate market was last month. All information and statistics were gathered from the High Country Multiple Listing Service. By Holly Meyers, REALTOR, Blue Ridge Realty & Investments, LLC

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2024 Avery Primary Election Results… Burnop, Webb, and Wright Claim School Board Seats; Incumbents Aldridge and Phillips Join Benfield in Winning County Commission Republican Primary

March 6, 2024 Three first-time candidates for county offices and two incumbents won in their respective races to highlight Tuesday’s Primary Election in Avery County. In the Republican County Commissioners race, incumbent Dennis Aldridge received the highest number of votes with 1,860.  His fellow-incumbent, Tim Phillips, finished second with 1,841 votes. Junior Benfield finished third with 1,661 votes. Jason Grindstaff was fourth with 1,396 votes. Former county commissioner Bill Beuttell finished fifth with 1,387 votes and Josh Aldridge was sixth with 792 votes. By Tim Gardner

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Avery Board of Commissioners Approve Paying for Architectural Plans for Proposed Parks and Recreation Center 


March 6, 2024 For the highlight of their regular monthly meeting on March 4, the Avery County Commissioners approved paying an estimated $101,350.00 to an architectural company to develop plans for a new Parks and Recreation Center for the County. All commissioners—Chairman Tim Phillips, Vice-Chairman Dennis Aldridge, Martha Hicks, Wood Hall (Woodie) Young, Jr., and Robert Burleson—were present for the meeting. County Manager Phillip Barrier, Jr., Assistant County Manager and Clerk to the Board Cindy Turbyfill, County Finance Officer Caleb Hogan, and County Attorney Michaelle Poore were also in attendance. The commissioners adopted a resolution in favor of paying the CPL Architecture-Engineering-Planning Company of Charlotte, North Carolina —for its architectural services for the proposed parks and recreation center by a 3 to 2 vote. By Tim Gardner

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Superior Civil Court Lawsuit By Former Director of 911 Emergency Communications Against County of Avery Scheduled for March 25

March 6, 2024 A trail for a lawsuit filed by a former employee against the County of Avery is set to begin on March 25 in Avery County Superior Civil Court. James (Jamey) Johnson, a former Avery County Communications Department-911 Emergency Call Center Director filed the lawsuit, claiming Wrongful Discharge and a State of North Carolina Constitution Violation after being fired from the post by county officials. By Tim Gardner

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Sherrie Norris Lovin’ Spoonful Cooking Column: Chocolate Chip Cookie Week Coming Up!


March 6, 2024 . The second week of March has been declared Chocolate Chip Cookie Week. Why not? It’s one of the most popular of all cookies, if not the most popular cookie of all times, so of course, it deserves its week in the spotlight. You might be wondering, are there really enough different types of chocolate chip cookies in existence to warrant a food column devoted to its cause? Oh, you bet there are! Some folks like them soft and chewy, others like them thin and crispy. Some call for nuts, coconut, other fruits or various ingredients that might be hanging out on the pantry shelf. I’ve rounded up several recipes that might offer you a few variations — from the original to those with more unique personalities. By Sherrie Norris

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The Blue Ridge Chapter – NC Native Plant Society Monthly Meeting is Wednesday, March 13th

March 6, 2024 The Blue Ridge Chapter – NC Native Plant Society monthly meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 13th, at the Holiday Inn Express, 1943 Blowing Rock Road in Boone. The meeting room will open at 6:30 and we’ll start the meeting at 7:00.The program is Ben Graham from AudubonNC.  Ben will be discussing the Native Plant Bill that Audubon has been working to get through our legislature for some time, what all it involves, and how it will change our state for the better.

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Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Announces Finalists for 8th Annual 4 Under 40 Awards

March 6, 2024 Sixteen members of the High Country community have been selected as category finalists for the 8th-annual Boone Area Chamber of Commerce 4 Under 40 Awards. This showcase of emerging leaders is presented by Appalachian Commercial Real Estate. Winners will be announced at the annual awards ceremony, set for Wednesday, April 24, 2024, from 5:30-7:30pm, at the Appalachian Theatre in Boone. Red carpet arrivals and a pre-event reception set the stage for an evening of celebration and recognition. This year, 67 nominations were received across four categories: Business Owner, Education Professional, Non-Profit Professional, and Rising Star. Nominees were acknowledged for their business achievements, community and civic involvement, and other related activities

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Wilkes Community College Dental Assisting Students Volunteer at Give Kids A Smile Event

March 6, 2024 The dental assisting students at Wilkes Community College volunteered at the Wilkes Public Health Dental Clinic on Friday, February 2, 2024, as part of the Give Kids A Smile program. The program was created by the American Dental Association Foundation in 2003 to provide oral health care services and education to underprivileged children. The students contributed to providing care for approximately 60 patients, all of whom were Wilkes County natives with no dental insurance coverage. The event was made possible by the volunteering of dentists, hygienists, assistants, and students, and over $34,000 worth of treatment was provided free of cost to these patients. The patients received a range of dental procedures, including preventive and restorative care

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