1000 x 90

Special

Farm Fresh: Organic organization cultivates community and fresh fare from the farm

June 26, 2023 Find women doing outstanding work in their field via Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture, a female-led organization dedicated to fostering a sustainable and fair food scene in the High Country. To do this, the organization bolsters local producers and creates connections among the community that contribute to knowledge and excitement of eating farm-grown food—ultimately upping the local demand and desire for local fare. By Anna Beth Adcock

Read more

Hollywood and the High Country: 1987-1993

May 15, 2023 The year was 1987, more precisely a multi-year span between the late 1980s and early 1990s, when the Hollywood movie industry discovered the North Carolina High Country. In rapid succession, several notable films were produced either partially or entirely within the High Country region, namely The Last of the Mohicans (Daniel Day-Lewis); The Handmaid’s Tale (Faye Dunaway); Chapter Perfect (Wilford Brimley); The Green Mile (Tom Hanks) and the television series Rescue 911, among other productions such as television commercials. By Peter Morris

Read more

Burton Photography: Photographers of the Year

May 8, 2023 The timing for Burton Photography could not be better. Just as the business prepares to celebrate its 30th anniversary, owners Jonathan and Bonnie Burton were recognized in February as Photographers of the Year during a national conference. By Sherrie Norris

Read more

Dr. John Lang: Caring for Animals Small & Large

April 6, 2023 In the High Country of Western North Carolina, it seems as if veterinary clinics are everywhere, on main throughfares, side streets and throughout the three-county region of Watauga, Ashe, and Avery. However, these statistics aren’t quite what they appear. With the exception on one veterinary clinic, Dr. John Lang’s Linville Animal Hospital, in Banner Elk, all other such services cater only to small animals ranging from Dachshunds and Pomeranians to the larger breeds of Labradors and English Mastiffs, to many of the 42-71 recognized breeds of cats that inhabit homes from Vilas to Deep Gap to Meat Camp. By Peter Morris

Read more

Juanita Smith at 100: “I never dreamed of living this long!”

March 24, 2023 Just days before reaching her 100th birthday in January, Juanita Smith said, “ I never dreamed of living this long. To say that I’ve lived a century just doesn’t seem possible. When I was a small child, I couldn’t imagine even living to be 50. That seemed like a long time for me — forever, you  might say. But, now here I am at 100.” By Sherrie Norris

Read more

Darius Malbon: Striving to Make a Difference

March 12, 2023 One Lees McRae College alumnus is striving to make a difference and help as many people as possible overcome their everyday challenges. Over the past two years Darius Malbon has published three books that address deep topics like suicide awareness, finding one’s purpose, and racial unity in order to spark conversations. By Harley Nefe

Read more

Burtons Named Photographers of the Year in National Competition

February 27, 2023 The combined talents and skills of local photographers Jonathan and Bonnie Burton have long been acknowledged and respected in the High Country and far beyond — their work displayed on walls of homes and businesses throughout Boone, across the United States and abroad. It came as no surprise to many that the couple was recently named Photographers of the Year during the annual (High School) Senior and Youth Sports National Conference, also known as SYNC, held in Orlando, Fla. By Sherrie Norris

Read more

High Country Real Estate: Statistically Speaking – The Pandemic and High Country Real Estate Part 1

February 9, 2023 The North Carolina High Country is made up of seven counties: Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Mitchell, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey.  From Boone to Burnsville, Blowing Rock to Banner Elk, Wilkesboro to West Jefferson, the High Country is filled with the beauty of nature, the small town spirit with big-hearted hospitality, and more points of interest than can ever be seen. In early 2020, when the CoVid-19 pandemic began, the world changed. Not just with the universal use of masks, social distancing, the rush to create a vaccine or the incredibly sad loss of life around the world, but in ways that could never be predicted. One of those changes was a shift in the real estate market, most markedly in the North Carolina High Country. By Bill Aceto

Read more

Boonerang Music & Arts Festival releases 2023 music lineup

January 12, 2023 BOONE, N.C. — Propelled by an enthusiastic reception in its inaugural year, the Boonerang Music & Arts Festival today announces its music lineup for the second annual free community event presented by the Town of Boone and supporting partners. The festival returns to downtown Boone Thursday through Saturday, June 15-17.

Read more

Two Local Women Participate in Wreaths Across America at Arlington National Cemetery

December 21, 2022 Joining thousands of others last weekend in the annual Wreaths Across America project, two Watauga County natives traveled to Washington to participate in the country’s largest related event at Arlington National Cemetery. Longtime friends Melanie Hollar and Anita Eggers made “a quick trip to DC,” they described, to honor loved ones and other fallen United States veterans during the annual memorial event held each year in December. By Sherrie Norris

Read more

The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree “Ruby” Visits Watauga High School on its way to Washington, DC

November 9, 2022 “Ruby” wasn’t without fanfare as she made her way from Newland to Boone on Tuesday — in the midst of an imposing entourage complete with police escort. Social media was abuzz with questions about “the big truck” taking up the middle of Hwy. 105, stopping traffic along the way. Perhaps more than a few people were unaware that “Ruby,” a gigantic red spruce, aka The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, was on her way to Washington DC, with about 17 total stops before reaching her final destination. By Sherrie Norris

Read more

“From the Mountains to the Sea:” U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Will Stop in the High Country Enroute to D.C.

November 2, 2022 The High Country has long been known by many as the place to find “the perfect Christmas Tree” and has, on many occasions, provided just that for the White House and other notable sites around the country. For the U.S. Capitol, the main Christmas Tree has primarily been chosen from a national forest. This year’s capitol tree — a beautiful red spruce, spiraling 78 feet high and affectionately referred to as ‘Ruby’ — was selected earlier this year from the N.C. National Forest and harvested on Wednesday, Nov. 2. However, smaller companion trees, which decorate offices inside the U.S. Capitol building and other sites throughout Washington, are being provided by an Avery County tree farm and will accompany the Capitol tree to Washington. And, all will be coming through the High Country next week.   By Sherrie Norris

Read more

Bella’s Italian Restaurant in Banner Elk Hosts Awards Dinner for “The Grandfather Challenge” Hiking Program for At-Risk Kids!

November 2, 2022 After  the completion of  their grueling, rigorous, eight-hour “Grand-Daddy” hike as the final trek of “The Grandfather Challenge” hike series, middle and high school students from all  over   Western  North  Carolina  are  always excited to  arrive  at  Bella’s Italian Restaurant in Banner Elk, NC for their coveted Awards Dinner! This celebratory event at this wonderful venue is always full of excitement, celebration, and outstanding food! Since the inception of this program in 2015, Bella’s has graciously hosted these celebrations in their intimate Banquet Room, and has fully supported and accommodated these school groups that come from Avery, Catawba, Caldwell, Lincoln, and Gaston County Schools.

Read more

Daniel Boone Forum Event at Appalachian Theatre

October 19, 2022  An evening of presentations about Daniel Boone will be presented at the downtown Appalachian Theatre on Wednesday, October 26, starting at 7:00 p.m. as the Boone 150 Celebration continues. The Town of Boone gets its namesake from Daniel Boone, and this free-to-the-public event will feature three scholars discussing various aspects of Boone – Robert Alvin Crum, Randell Jones, and Dr. Jerry Williamson.

Read more

Registration and information for the 2022 WCRC Trunk-or-Treat

October 18, 2022 With just a tinge of fall in the air, it’s time to start thinking and planning for all of those fun High Country events. We want to be at the top of your list in treating the young people in our community. Join us again for the WCRC Trunk-or-Treat. The event will be held in the parking lot of the Watauga Community Recreation Center on Sunday, October 30th from 5-7 p.m

Read more

Inaugural Robbins Brothers Memorial Gold Tournament raises $40,000 for Imaging Center

October 13, 2022. Banner Elk, NC – The first annual Robbins Brothers Memorial Golf Tournament was held at Elk River Club on Monday, September 19. For 48 years, Watauga Medical Center and Appalachian Regional Healthcare Foundation (ARHF) have presented this tournament in memory of Grover C. Robbins, Jr. He and his two brothers, Harry and Spencer, were visionaries in development. Their dreams turned reality include Tweetsie Railroad, Hound Ears Club, Beech Mountain, the Land of Oz, Linville Land Harbor, Goldrush Junction (today’s Dollywood) and Elk River Club.

Read more

Stage IV Breast Cancer Tests Laneece Trivette’s Resilience, Strength and Faith

August 24, 2022 To say 2020 was challenging is an understatement. Among the many lessons learned that year, most people were reminded that life is precious and fragile. Laneece Trivette of Matney probably learned that lesson better than most that year. She also learned that she has a compassionate team of healthcare providers fighting in her corner at Seby B. Jones Regional Cancer Center

Read more

The Schaefer Center Presents “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” on April 13-15

https://www.hcpress.com/asu-news/schaefer-center-presents-sweeney-todd-demon-barber-fleet-street-april-13-15.html
April 6, 2018. The “The Schaefer Center Presents…” performance series, a program of Appalachian State University’s Office of Arts and Cultural Programs, continues its 2017–18 season with a collaborative production of the Tony Award-winning best musical “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” at 7 p.m. on April 13 and 14, and at 2 p.m. on April 15 at the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for Appalachian faculty/staff and retired faculty/staff, and $10 for students.

Read more

Today’s Email Announcements

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.

  • Prestigious Full-Tuition Elizabeth McRae Scholarship Recipients Announced
  • Camp GOTR (Girls on the Run)
  • Watauga County Parks and Rec Pickleball for Seniors
  • High Country Local First Memberships- New!
  • Weekly Events at Lost Province Brewing Company, 4/4- 4/14
  • App State Emergency Siren Test, 4/4
  • Tweetsie Railroad Opening Day, 4/6
  • BRAHM’s Upcoming Events: Gentle Yoga, 4/6
  • Boone Area Lions Hold Country Breakfast, 4/7
  • Watauga Humane Society’s Tour for Life Adoption Event, 4/8
  • BRAHM’s Upcoming Events: Traveling Smithonian through 4/28
  • Spirit Ride’s Kentucky Derby Fundraiser, 5/5
  • Upcoming Sparta Events, Starting in June

Compiled by Kate Herman

Read more

Girls on the Run Recieve $12,000 Donation From Triple Crown; Jesse Miller receives the Leigh Cooper Wallace Making a Difference Award

https://www.hcpress.com/boone/girls-run-recieve-12000-donation-triple-crown-jesse-miller-receives-leigh-cooper-wallace-making-difference-award.html
March 28, 2018. As the result of the dedication of hundreds of runners and community sponsors, The High Country Triple Crown donated $12,000 to Girls on the Run of the High Country at the annual Luck o’ the Lassie Celebration on March 18.  Local auctioneering legend Jesse Miller was honored as the sixth recipient of the Leigh Cooper Wallace Making a Difference Award during the celebration.

Read more

Today’s Email Announcements

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.

  • Writers Advocate to Speak in Boone, 3/31
  • Get a Taste of Technical Theatre with Wilkes Playmakers: Backstage Courses Series, March-May
  • Appalachian Gastroenterology Will Join Appalachian Regional Healthcare System, April 1
  • Boone Area Lions Hold Country Breakfast, 4/7
  • High Country Writers Guest Speaker, April 12
  • Day Trips With Watauga County Parks and Rec, April 18-May 25
  • Men’s Senior Softball League Signup, June- September
  • Caldwell County – Call For Artists – Caldwell Visual Artists Competition, Submission Deadline Mid June

Compiled by Kate Herman

Read more

Saturday: Slots Available for Participation in The Town of Boone St. Patrick’s Day Parade

https://www.hcpress.com/boone/saturday-slots-available-participation-town-boone-st-patricks-day-parade.html
March 16, 2018. For those who wish to participate in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, you can thank your lucky stars! By the luck of the Irish, slots are still available for floats and parade participation. The Town of Boone’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade is scheduled to take place this Saturday, March 17 at 2 p.m., on King Street. All are encouraged to watch the parade. Candy and other goodies will be distributed by parade participants. By Kate Herman – Photos by The Jones House

Read more

THIS WEEKEND: The Pioneer Playmakers Present “Our Town” by Thornton Wilder, Feb. 23-25

https://www.hcpress.com/boone/weekend-pioneer-playmakers-present-town-thornton-wilder-feb-23-25.html
Feb. 23, 2018. This weekend, Feb. 23-25, The Pioneer Playmakers will present “Our Town” by Thornton Wilder. The performance is a not a musical and has three acts. The play focuses on love, marriage, eternity, daily life and death. Showtimes will take place at 7 p.m., on Friday and Saturday. Sunday’s show will take place at 2:30 p.m. All shows will take place in Watauga High School’s auditorium.

Read more

+ More Articles