Special Archives

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

Today’s Email Announcements

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

Meltdown Games Conclude Appalachian Ski Mountain’s 56th Season

March 26, 2018. Thanks in part to a heap of early-spring snow, the annual Meltdown Games at Appalachian Ski Mountain this weekend were a success, according to marketing director Drew Stanley. By Luke Weir

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

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

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

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.

High Country Christmas Eve Services and Christmas Day Services 2017

Dec. 22, 2017. Churches across the High Country are inviting you to join them for special holiday services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day this year. Meet new friends as you join in communion for the true reason for the holiday season. Please note that several churches will not have a Christmas service on Monday, however plenty of other churches within the area will be open on Christmas morning. By Kate Herman

Zerbini Family Circus Comes to Boone Wednesday October 18, 6 p.m.

October 17, 2017. On Wednesday, October 18, the Zerbini Family Circus will be coming to Boone. They will perform at the High Country Fairgrounds, which is located at 748 Roby Green Road. Adult tickets cost $15.00. Kids ages twelve and under are free, with the purchase of an adult ticket. Additional kids tickets cost $10.00 per kids.There is a limit of two free tickets for kids ages twelve and under, per adult ticket. Tickets are available online or at the door. There will be one showing only. The show starts at 6:00 p.m. By Kate Herman – Photos by Zerbini Family Circus

September 30th Boone Shag Club 2nd Annual Community-Wide Fall Shag Dance

Sep. 19, 2017. Social dancing is an ageless art where dancers of all ages can experience the joy of rhythm and beat together. On Saturday, September 30th, the Boone Shag Club and Appalachian State University Department of Theater and Dance will host the 2nd Annual Community-Wide Fall Shag Dance. The event will take place on Appalachian State University’s campus at the Reich College of Education Building.Tickets are available for $25, which includes dinner, the live band, and dance. By Kate Herman – Photos by Ken Ketchie and Sandi Solomon

Valle Crucis Community Park Hosts a Free Solar Cooking Workshop Lead by Carla Ramsdell

July. 26, 2017. The Valle Crucis Community Park will be hosting a Solar Cooking Workshop on Wednesday August 16 at 11:00 am. The event is expected to last for an hour and is free to the public. The event will be hosted by Dr. Carla Ramsdell who is an advanced lecturer and professor of the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Appalachian State University. By Kate Herman

Peabody’s Beer and Wine to Greet High Country Beer Fest with a Week of Tastings August 22 – 25

Aug. 3, 2017. If you’re a beer or wine lover of the High Country and you haven’t stopped by Peabody’s for one of its weekly tastings, you’re truly missing out. But there’s never been a better time to make your first visit — or return as a Peabody’s regular — than this August. In addition to holding tastings each Tuesday and Saturday this month, Peabody’s Beer & Wine Merchants is gearing up for a week-long series of tastings in celebration of this year’s High Country Beer Fest, which is set for Saturday, August 26 at the High Country Fairgrounds. By Bailey Faulkner

Yes Makes Second Stop of Yestival Tour at Holmes Convocation Center Saturday, August 5

July 18, 2017. Prog powerhouse of the ’70s Yes will make the second stop of its summer “Yestival” tour at Appalachian State University’s Holmes Convocation Center on Saturday, August 5 this year. Joining the recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees will be internationally-famous Todd Rundgren and Carl Palmer’s ELP Legacy. The English-born band, which broke through to fans on both sides of the Atlantic with classics “Roundabout” and “I’ve Seen All Good People,” among others, will perform hits from the band’s golden years, ranging from Yes’ beginnings in 1968 through the 1978 release of Tormato. By Bailey Faulkner

Stonewalls Owners Scott Garland and Tim Heschke Celebrate a Year of Updates at a Local Favorite

July 26, 2017. The High Country is filled with staple restaurants that keep visitors and locals coming back year after year. One of those High Country-famous restaurants is Banner Elk’s Stonewalls, which is about to reach its one-year anniversary since Scott Garland and Tim Heschke took over operations last year. Garland, like many who grew up in the area, decided to return to the High Country after 20 years of traveling the country and working in some of the most well-respected positions in the food industry. By Bailey Faulkner – Photos by Ken Ketchie

Resort Real Estate & Rentals Reaches 35 Years as a Family Business in the High Country

July 27, 2017. It isn’t hard to see that the High Country has grown significantly over the last few decades. New businesses open, buildings are constructed and visitors from around the country make the trip up the mountain each year, but few have seen the High Country evolve quite like “Lil” Jack Anderson and his family at Banner Elk’s Resort Real Estate & Rentals, which just reached its 35th anniversary this May. By Bailey Faulkner – Photos by Ken Ketchie

SATURDAY: A Cause to Rock Charity Show Raises Funds for Student-Athlete Darryl Gaines at The Local

July 21, 2017. For many, a daylong, 13-act concert is all it takes to wipe the calendar clean for a Saturday afternoon and evening. Luckily for music lovers of the High Country, The Local’s Saturday, July 22 show will be much more than that. Boone native and musician Brian Russell Collins will host his yearly charity event A Cause to Rock at the downtown Boone venue to help raise money for Winston-Salem’s Darryl Gaines, a North Forsyth High School student-athlete and recent graduate diagnosed with stage III lymphoma. Collins founded A Cause to Rock in 2015, focusing the first annual event on raising money for Wilmington community members with autism and their families. By Bailey Faulkner

Beech Mountain Club to Host Battle on Beech 3 Pickleball Tournament August 17 – 19

July 18, 2017. Beech Mountain Club is gearing up to bring one of America’s fastest-growing sports to the High Country again this year. The club will host Battle on Beech 3, a yearly pickleball tournament and fundraiser for Friends of Beech Outreach, on Thursday, August 17 through Saturday, August 19. The double-elimination tournament will be broken into skill levels (3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0) and three categories for each day of the tournament. By Bailey Faulkner

FRIDAY: Melissa Reaves Brings Musical Soulmate Masa Takahashi to Neighborhood Yoga Today

June 30, 2017. The High Country may play host to some of the country’s most famous traveling musicians and artists, but this area of the Blue Ridge Mountains offers some homegrown talent of its own. Boone local and internationally-renowned embodiment of all things rock Melissa Reaves will take to Neighborhood Yoga for an “intimately explosive concert” with longtime friend and fellow musician Masa Takahashi this Friday, June 30. By Bailey Faulkner – Photos courtesy of Melissa Reaves

Deep Gap’s Cane Mill Road Reaches #9 on Billboard Bluegrass Album Chart with Five Speed

June 29, 2017. Cane Mill Road’s new album Five Speed debuted in the Top 10 at #9 on the Billboard Bluegrass Album Chart on Tuesday. Cane Mill Road is an IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association) Showcase Band for 2017. IBMA selected Cane Mill Road from hundreds of applicants as one of 30 bands to showcase during its annual conference/festival as part of the Bluegrass Ramble.

Grandview Restaurant to Reach 40 Year Mark on July 2, Hold Week-Long Anniversary Celebration

June 28, 2017. When Greg and Debbie Cairns moved to the High Country in the mid-1970s, Foscoe was still largely off the beaten path. If you wanted to stop and grab a bite to eat or warm up with a cup of coffee, you would have had to drive miles to reach the nearest restaurant or diner. But Debbie’s father Don had an idea to fix that. By Bailey Faulkner – Photos courtesy of Debbie Cairns and Ken Ketchie

Proper in Downtown Boone Offers the High Country Unique, Casual Wine and Dine Wednesdays

June 26, 2017. It’s common knowledge that the High Country loves its craft beers. While everyone can agree that’s a great thing, those who favor wine may feel left out. That’s why Angela Kelly at Proper in downtown Boone set out to host Wine and Dine Wednesdays each week. “I feel like this area is so craft-beer-driven, and that’s great too — I do enjoy craft beers — but I feel like wine is ignored a little. People are intimidated by it maybe, and I don’t want them to be,” said Angela, owner of Proper. By Bailey Faulkner – Photos by Ken Ketchie

Movies in Boone Theaters This Weekend: Cars 3 (2017), It Comes at Night, The Mummy (2017) and More

June 15, 2017. Whether you’re looking for something thrilling, dramatic, heartfelt, funny or all of the above, you’ll find it in Boone theaters this weekend. Get your tickets, grab some popcorn and get comfy at Regal Boone Cinema 7!

Watauga Amateur Radio Club Invites Public to Field Day 2017 June 24-25 in Blowing Rock

Jun. 15, 2017. The Watauga Amateur Radio Club invites the public to join in for the American Radio Relay League’s Field Day 2017 on June 24 and 25. Participants will connect with other stations for the nationwide event that simulates a response to a local or national emergency. By Bailey Faulkner

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