Watauga Archives

Celebrate Shakespeare’s Birthday with “As You Like It” Theatre & Dance Production Runs April 26-30 at Appalachian

April 21, 2023 BOONE, NC – The Department of Theatre and Dance (T&D) at Appalachian State University is celebrating the week of William Shakespeare’s birthday by producing his popular 1599 comedy “As You Like It” in the Valborg Theatre on the university campus. Performances are at 7 p.m. from Wednesday, April 26 through Saturday, April 29 with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, April 30, 2023. Ticket prices are $17 for adults, $15 for faculty and staff, and $10 for students. For more information, call the Schaefer Center box office at 800-841-ARTS (2787) or click here.

April 19, 2023 As Boone continues to grow in size, population and businesses, parking has become harder and harder to come by. And though there is a necessity for enforcing parking regulations for residents and businesses alike, there is a growing consensus in the town that the practices of those parking enforcement companies who tow and boot vehicles are becoming increasingly predatory. By Zack Hill

April 19, 2023 BOONE, N.C. — With goals by five different players on April 18, Watauga women’s soccer took full advantage of Alexander Central, defeating the Cougars, 5-0. The Pioneers got goals from Georgia Parker, Kate Sears, Katie Durham, Savannah Duvall, and Maya Nelson, all with assists recorded by Nelson, Morgan Flynt, Charlotte Cuthbert, and Parker. For Duvall, it was a major milestone evening: her first career goal on the Pioneer varsity. By David Rogers

April 19, 2023 LENOIR, N.C. — Watauga men’s golfer Jake Warren fired a 71 to take top medalist honors on April 18 at Cedar Rock Country Club, helping the Pioneers to a third place team finish in the Northwestern Conference tournament. By David Rogers

April 18, 2023 Park Place Florist, at 133 Morris Street, Suite 3, in downtown Blowing Rock, is taking on a new life, with a new owner. Holly Newsome bought Park Place Florist from long-time Blowing Rock business owner Carol Aldridge in December. “I am thrilled to be here in Blowing Rock. I love this area more than any other place on earth,” Newsome said. By Kris Testori

April 17, 2023 BOONE, N.C. — In roughly a month, Colin Phelps will have completed his time as a Pioneer. In less than six months, he will become a Falcon. There was undoubtedly a point in the Watauga High School senior’s young life that he dreamed of going to college on a baseball or football scholarship. A football injury sidelined those ambitions but it turns out that he is still going to be “playing at the next level” — as a college golfer. He signed a commitment letter to Pfeiffer University on April 6, in an after-school ceremony with friends, teammates, coaches and family members looking on. By David Rogers

April 14, 2023 On Saturday, April 29, 2023, an event to benefit the Children’s Council of Watauga County will be held at FireRock Station, located at 161 Firerock Station Trial in Vilas NC. The live music event will feature two acts Isabella Ullo and local party band, the Castaways.

April 13, 2023 The Watauga County Economic Development Commission will hold its next meeting Thursday, April 20, 2023, from 11am-3:00pm at the American Legion Hall, located at 333 Wallingford Rd in Blowing Rock, NC. The meeting is open to the public.

April 10, 2023 GREEN VALLEY — Heather Ward and Tara Watsons Kindergarten classes at Green Valley School have furthered their extensive win streak against the Watauga County Schools Central Services Staff in the annual marshmallow “snowball fight” held in their classroom. The kinders’ uncontested mastery of the competition now extends beyond institutional memory and is perhaps unprecedented in modern times.

April 10, 2023 BOONE, NC – Watauga County Public Library encourages all community members to visit the library during National Library Week, April 23-29, to explore all they have to offer. Most people know about the wealth of stories available at the library, from picture books and large print to audiobooks and e-books. But there’s so much more to the story of libraries.

April 6, 2023 Are you planning to stay in Boone for the summer or are you a local resident looking for a great job? Local employers with job opportunities will be at this event to pitch their organization and talk about what makes their company a great place to work. You’ll then have the opportunity to network with them in a casual setting. By Kris Testori

April 4, 2023 VALDESE, N.C. — After sweeping Draughn on April 3, 25-23, 25-18, 25-18, a few trends are obvious in the Watauga men’s volleyball team’s first season. First, the young Pioneers are quick learners and know how to win. After less than a month in existence and after the first three matches they are undefeated, 3-0. By David Rogers

April 4, 2023 (Sugar Mountain) It’s a sure sign of spring. The Sugar Mountain Golf Club opens for the season on April 21, according to Golf Director Tom McAuliffe and Village Manager Sue Phillips. The 18-hole public course, which opened in 1974, is owned and operated by the Village of Sugar Mountain. The par-64 layout was designed by Frank Duane to maximize every mountain view, brook and rhododendron forest on the 60-acre site. The course features nine par threes, eight par fours, and a single par five.

March 30, 2023 BOONE, N.C. – On April 1, Hospitality House, Hunger & Health Coalition, F.A.R.M. Café, and Casting Bread will kick off the eighth year of the Farmer Foodshare Donation Station program at the Watauga County Farmers’ Market. The Farmer Foodshare Donation Station is a simple concept that began in 2016. 1. Volunteers from one of four partner organizations work at the donation station. 2. Farmers’ market guests make a small or large cash donation. 3. Toward the end of the day, the partner organization purchases food from farmers at the market. 4. The donations support local farmers and help partner organizations get fresh, healthy food for the people they serve. 5. Everybody wins!

March 29, 2023 The Watauga County Board of Education will hold a special called meeting at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 13th at Watauga High School. The purpose of the meeting is to conduct preliminary interviews with Superintendent semi-finalists in closed session. No action will be taken.

March 29, 2023 High Country Association of REALTORS® has extended the deadline for submission of scholarship applications to April 15th, 2023. The High Country Association of REALTORS® awards four scholarships to the four-county jurisdiction they cover: Watauga, Avery, Alleghany, and Ashe Counties. One scholarship is granted for each county. This includes homeschoolers in these counties. This scholarship can be used for any student pursuing a degree in post-secondary education.
Please access the application via the HCAR.Realtor website or contact the association at 828-262-5437. Please email your completed application to anna@highcountryrealtors.org or drop it off in person at our office, 4469 Bamboo Rd, Boone, North Carolina.

March 23, 2023 LINVILLE, N.C. – Thanks to the ongoing support of the High Country Charitable Foundation, and most recently a $19,000 grant, Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, was able to make improvements to its elk habitat.
High Country Charitable Foundation, based in nearby Banner Elk, N.C., is a nonprofit organization with a vision to help the Avery County, N.C., community by providing for neighbors and animals in need. This specific funding allowed for two important updates to the behind-the-scenes area of Grandfather Mountain’s elk habitat – a reliable water source in the animals’ shifting paddock and the reinforcement of the fencing in this location.

March 21, 2023 The local law enforcement support group known as Back our Blue Watauga is preparing to kick off the month of April as a special time to remind officers, their families and the community as a whole, that we continue to stand behind — and beside — our officers. In an ongoing show of solidarity, Back our Blue is promoting its second annual Burn a Blue Bulb campaign. And, according to group spokesperson, Diane Ford, participants are being encouraged to turn on the blue for the entire month of April, not just for one day, as in the past. By Sherrie Norris

March 20, 2023 VILAS, NC – The Southeast’s newest food festival, raising awareness of the importance of local farms, is already drawing attention from some of the region’s top culinary minds. Hosted at the 150-year old Shipley Farm in Vilas, tucked away in the hills just a few miles West of Boone, Good Fields will highlight the region’s rich agricultural heritage, with 12 top chefs from across the state drawing from Shipley Farms and other local farm products, Appalachian food and culture and their own inspirations to create their dishes. Good Fields brings together chefs and farmers along with live bluegrass music, local craft beer and wine, vendors, and more.

March 20, 2023 BOONE, NC — Watauga High School will hold a graduation ceremony for the Class of 2023 at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, June 2 at the Holmes Convocation Center on the campus of Appalachian State University in Boone. The final day of school for the 2022-23 school year will be Thursday, June 1.

March 20, 2023 Letters to the Editor. By Sarah Davis / My family has lived in Watauga County for generations, and I have been a full-time resident since 2018. I have recently become more involved with community work through Down Home NC and the Watauga Housing Council. Through this work, I have noticed that the public comment for the County Commission is held near the end of the meeting, after the vote.

March 16, 2023. High Country Press Publications is proud to announce a new partnership with Appalachian Theatre of the High Country with the launch of High Country at the Movies (HCATM). HCATM is an online movie review forum through which the community can interact and share thoughts on classic and new cinema.

March 15, 2023 The Watauga County Board of Education’s Monday, March 13, meeting was highlighted by the announcement of a new assistant superintendent and an update on the new Valle Crucis School. Dr. Chris Blanton, current principal of Watauga High School, will replace Stephen Martin who is retiring at the end of June. Blanton’s tenure will start on July 1. “I believe he is very well qualified for this role,” superintendent Scott Elliot said. “I have the highest confidence in him. He is extremely accomplished and skilled and understands our culture and process.” By Zack Hill

March 14, 2023 BOONE — The Watauga County Board of Education has named Watauga High School Principal Chris Blanton as the district’s next Assistant Superintendent effective July 1. In his new role, Blanton will be responsible for leading the district’s human resources department as well as overseeing district-wide athletics and auxiliary services. Blanton replaces Assistant Superintendent Stephen Martin who is retiring on June 30.

March 13, 2023 The Boone Town Council met Wednesday, March 8, with council members Becca Nenow, Dalton George and Virginia Roseman in attendance as well as Mayor Tim Futrelle and Mayor Pro Tem Edie Tugman. The council heard a great deal of public support for the current Boone Greenway Skate Park and for the continuation of the project. JP Pardy, owner of Recess Skate and Snow who is spearheading the project, spoke about how much of a success the park has been for community members. By Zack Hill

+ More Articles

Celebrate Shakespeare’s Birthday with “As You Like It” Theatre & Dance Production Runs April 26-30 at Appalachian

Predatory Practices of Parking Enforcement Agencies Comes Under Scrutiny of Town Council

Watauga WSOC powers past Alexander Central, 5-0

Warren fires 71 as top individual medalist, Watauga finishes at No. 3 in NWC tourney

New Park Place Florist Owner Planting Fresh Roots in Blowing Rock; Looking Forward to a Busy Wedding and Prom Season

From Pioneer to Falcon, Colin Phelps commits to play golf at Pfeiffer University

FireRock Station Hosts Event to Benefit the Children’s Council on Saturday, April 29th

WATAUGA COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION

Green Valley Kinders Win Again, WCS Staff Goes Down in Another ‘Snowball Fight’ Defeat

Celebrate National Library Week April 23-29, 2023

TONIGHT: Talent Jam- Work it Watauga

Watauga stays unbeaten, sweeps Draughn, 3-0

Sugar Mountain Golf Club Opens for 49th Season

Farmer Foodshare Donation Station returns for its 8^th season at the Watauga County Farmers’ Market

Watauga County Board of Education Special Meeting Called

High Country Association of REALTORS® has extended the deadline for submission of scholarship applications to April 15th, 2023

Local grant allows Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation to make improvements to elk habitats

Standing Strong Behind Local Law Enforcement: Annual Burn a Blue Bulb Campaign Kicks Off April 1

“Good Fields” Appalachian Food & Farms Festival Launching this Summer

Watauga High School to Hold Graduation Ceremony June 2

LETTERS / A Letter to the County Commissioners – Let the Community Speak

High Country Press Publications Presents High Country at the Movies

School Board Meeting Highlighted By Announcement Of New Assistant Superintendent, Update On New Valle Crucis School

Watauga High School Principal Chris Blanton appointed Assistant Superintendent

Town Council Backs Skate Park, Fair Housing Month, No-Mow May