Signs of change
Editor:
The recent primary election for president brought out some of the best but also some of the worst behavior in Watauga citizens.
In support of my choice for the next President of the United States, I placed Obama signs in many places around the county, in Boone as well as along US 321, U.S. 421, and N.C. 194. As one might expect, signs come and signs go. But 40 of about 50 signs I put out were removed in a 48 hour period early last week.
Placing such signs is a right in the US, part of our freedom of speech.
Thus I put signs of any candidate that had been torn out or blown down back in place, as I would hope someone would do for mine as well. It’s a shame that there are those who would deprive us of that form of speech, while leaving the signs of their party’s candidates in place.
As for the best, I have two stories that give me hope for the future of politics in our county.
One of these happened in the grassy area of a local heating oil dealer. My sign was there on Monday before the election when he needed to mow his lot. Instead of throwing my sign away, he carefully pulled it out and placed it well in sight against a nearby building.
As a result, I was able to erect it again. I went into his store and thanked him for his kindness.
The second was a sign I was erecting on Friday before the primary along the right of way of U.S. 321 toward Blowing Rock.
Taking care to put it near the edge of the highway rather than in someone’s yard, I was surprised to see a car pull up behind where I was parked to place the sign.
A gentleman got out and came to my car door.
He told me who he was, and that he was a Republican, and that he owned the property where I had placed the sign. I told him I would remove it at once, but he said we should talk about it.
He asked who the woman was I had with me in the car that day, and I explained that she was my 90 year old mother.
To this he said, “I was going to ask you to take it down, but since you have this lovely lady in the car, I will let you keep it there.”
Then I told him I had coached a boy in T-Ball 30 years before with his last name, but couldn’t remember his first name.
The gentleman immediately recognized my description and called his first name, which I immediately recognized. So two people of opposite political persuasions, Democrat and Republican, had been willing to recognize that we were both human beings, and ought to have respect for the other’s beliefs.
I sincerely hope these last two stories represent the future, not the past, of Watauga County politics. It’s a choice we all must make.
Harvard Ayers
Boone

Immigration response
Editor:
In response to Mr. Graham Ferrell’s letter “More on Immigration” I would like to add a different perspective to his varied comments regarding things the “average citizen could do to prove their patriotism and resolve to keep jobs for U.S. citizens.”
I must state that I completely disagree with his premise that if I object to uncontrolled illegal immigration that I also oppose foreign born workers or legal immigration.
This is a false premise.
Furthermore, I do not believe that the only way we can maintain our American lifestyle is to continue to allow millions of persons to enter our country illegally and to ignore our rule of law.
While I will agree that our immigration policy and enforcement is woefully inadequate and poorly enforced, I do not accept that the way forward for us as a nation is to accept that because things are the way they are that we can not improve them.
It is frankly misleading to imply that if you oppose illegal immigration that you also harbor racist or ethnic prejudices towards people who are different than you.
I can emphatically state that I believe the great majority of Americans do not care if the persons producing our meats and produce, cleaning our hotel rooms, working our kitchens, paving our roads, maintaining our golf courses, etc., etc. are native born or immigrant.
I do believe however that the great majority of Americans are very concerned if said people are not obeying the rule of law which is the very bedrock of our compact with each other as Americans.
We Americans feel strong respect for people who want to work hard and make a better life for themselves and for their families.
This is in fact how you live the American dream.
However, if by their very presence amongst us they are repudiating the very essence of what we Americans believe in (the rule of law) then that respect is promptly eroded.
I respectfully believe that you are incorrect to posit that their economic need somehow allows them to be exempt from our laws.
This is even more the case for businesses and business owners who reap economic benefit from employing undocumented workers and then tell those of us who refuse to do so that it is for the benefit of the poor or undereducated peoples trying to help their families.
This seems self serving as it gives a competitive advantage to American businesses willing to ignore our laws over other American businesses that refuse to ignore our laws simply for economic gain.
I would hope that we could find common ground by agreeing that our nation’s immigration policy is broken and needs fixing.
But at the least allow me to assert that continuing to allow uncontrolled illegal immigration is not in the best interest of our nation even if it in fact benefits the illegal immigrants and the businesses that are willing to ignore the rule of law in order to reap economic benefit.
It is my belief that the best way forward is for all of us to agree that first and foremost we must uphold the rule of law and insist that anyone in our country as our guests do the same and secondly we must fix our broken immigration policy.
Mark Herrick
Virginia Beach/Boone

Improper pesticide use can harm bees
Editor:
A recent article from Associated Press tells us that 36.1 percent of the nation’s commercially managed bee hives were lost since last year due to the colony collapse disorder.
While not completely understood, one likely suspect is the amount of pesticides used in agriculture, and even in our home gardens.
For the sake of our bees, please help the little critters that bring us honey, beeswax and pollination of our flowers, fruits and vegetables.
Follow the directions closely of any pesticides you use, and do not use pesticides/insecticides while the flowers are blooming, which is when the bees harvest the nectar and pollen.
Please do what you can to protect our bee population. If we are careful, we can all live together.
Richard Tidyman
moderator of Watauga Beekeepers Yahoo Group

Keeping Tweetsie in Watauga
An open letter to James M. Deal, chairman, Watauga County Board of Commissioners:
The Boone Area Chamber of Commerce would like to publically thank you for your efforts to guarantee the continued presence of Tweetsie Railroad in the High Country.
We know that you, the Board of Commissioners, Manager Rocky Nelson and Economic Development Director Joe Furman have spent countless hours behind the scenes for months working out a plan which will benefit all parties.
We also appreciate Chris and Cathy Robbins and Tweetsie Railroad for their continued commitment to remain and expand in the High Country. Their leaving would have been a major loss to our tourism efforts.
The Watauga Tourism Development Authority should be proud of their contribution to the process – a most appropriate use of occupancy tax dollars which are designated for tourism development.
All the High Country businesses thank you – restaurants, lodging, retail, service providers, etc.
We realize that tourist’s money spent here not only buys goods and services, but employs our neighbors and supports our non-profit organizations, adding to the quality of life we enjoy all year long.
Thank you for keeping the money circulating right here in the High Country.
We support you in this plan and anticipate hearing the Tweetsie whistle for years to come!
On behalf of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors,
Dan Meyer
President/CEO

On church-state separation
Editor:
I would like to respond to the letter from Jesse Steele. He made the statement that we should read the chapter in our civics books on “church-state separation”, but when I looked, it wasn’t there.
I did find a copy of the Constitution, and read Article I of the amendments, but it just said, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”
So I went online. I found some quotes by Thomas Jefferson and others, but most of them had to do with the government not interfering with the rights of the churches.
I did read some articles about the church not being involved in affairs of state, and as I did so it became apparent that they were always referring to the church as an institution of power and authority, not the individual who believes and has faith in God.
If anyone who professed a faith in God and belief in the Bible were not allowed to be involved in politics, the Declaration of Independence and our Constitution would never have been written, as a number of those involved professed to be believers.
I could go on to cite the many inclusions of scripture and references to God in our government’s documents and buildings, but that is not really my point.
My point is that we all base our values on something. What individuals base their opinions on (be it a biblical or an agnostic perspective) does not determine whether they should be allowed to speak or be involved in decisions of government.
He also mentioned car accidents possibly caused by beer that “you can buy at any gas station in Boone.” It would seem that that fact would be one more reason not to have LBTD; it would be just one more opportunity for drinking and driving.
I know Mr. Steele and others that hold similar opinions do not like to see “bloody imagery,” but sometimes the effects of choices are unpleasant, and maybe disturbing images will cause someone to think twice before making the same choice (be it an alcohol related choice or an abortion).
The comparison of getting rid of cars because of car wrecks is a little silly, seeing as it is driver error or outside conditions, not the car, that is generally at fault.
While I do not believe that alcohol is inherently evil, having seen the destruction it has caused in the lives of so many individuals and families, it is hard not to label it as such.
Its potential for harm is so great, and its benefits are so few.
I’m not sure what kind of “dictating,” “smiting” and “browbeating” Mr. Steele is referring to, but name calling and personal attacks are never of benefit when trying to make a case for ones opinion.
However, Mr. Steele seemed to do his share of attacking, calling those against LBTD the “bully pulpit,” “close minded,” and “intolerant” comparing them to witch hunters of the 15th century.
Mr. Steele himself comes across as quite hostile and intolerant of those who hold to a religious perspective. While religious practices may belong in the church, all people, religious or otherwise, belong in the town hall, preserving and speaking up for the community they love.
Truly the issue is not alcohol consumption, but public alcohol consumption, and the consideration of it should not be based on what some individuals and businesses want, but what is best for the community as a whole.
The lack of LBTD does not seem to have hurt tourism or kept people from moving here; Boone is known as a family friendly, safe, small town with family friendly attractions that people have enjoyed visiting and living in for years.
The changes that LBTD would bring about would definitely change its personality and atmosphere.
If folks in the community feel a need to change the town for their own personal pleasure, business opportunity, or financial gain, maybe they should consider living somewhere that better meets their needs.
Many enjoy living in Boone because it does not have all that larger cities have.
They enjoy going on vacation and experiencing what larger cities offer, but are glad to come home and leave all that behind.
Instead of trying to make Boone like other places, maybe we should appreciate it and enjoy it for being the unique and wonderful place that it is.
Kathryn Jones
Boone

May 13, 2008

Blue Ridge Wine and Food Festival
I'd like to thank the citizens, business community, chamber, and festival producers of the Blue Ridge Wine and Food Festival for creating a destination event worthy of traveling five hours to attend!
Needless to say the cost, scope, and time frame of the event made for a perfect weekend/drive market opportunity for my family, but what made this occasion most special was the pride and enthusiasm for the area that exuded from every person we came into contact with during our stay in Blowing Rock.
The opportunity to watch the performances of the local culinary talent during the Fire on the Rock Challenge just accentuated the pride factor further. 1500 residents make a small village, but 1500 residents with special smiles, genuine laughter, great food, surrounded by natural beauty make a community worth visiting year after year!
Bravo!
Ann-Marie Adams-Arrington, Executive Director
Hilton Head Area Hospitality Association

N.C. Autism Society
The Avery/Watauga Chapter of the Autism Society of North Carolina held a reception at the Watauga County Library on Saturday, March 29. We would like to thank Rep. Cullie Tarleton, Senator Steve Goss and Congresswoman Virginia Foxx for taking time out of their busy schedules to join us, offering support and encouragement in our efforts to promote Autism Awareness in our community.
Parents and educators also had the privilege of meeting and speaking with members of the Autism Society of North Carolina. Community Services Coordinator, Jean Alvarez; Ann Palmer, Director of Chapter Relations and author; and Maureen Morrell, author and representative of the ASNC.
The Avery/Watauga Chapter of the ASNC would also like to express their gratitude to the Watauga County Library and Evelyn Johnson for their assistance and hospitality.
Appreciation is also duly noted to the following for their generous contributions: ASU’s Psi Chi, Dr. Robert and Dana Clark, Fred and Margie Pfohl, Alan and Nancy Graham.
April is Autism Awareness Month, and our local ASNC Chapter is here to help provide information and support to those whose lives have been touched by autism spectrum disorders.
We carefully selected a wide variety of materials that is now available to the public at the Watauga County Library, which were being checked out before the reception was over!
If you would like more information on the Autism Society of NC, their website is: www.autismsociety-nc.org
For the Avery/Watauga Chapter of the ASNC, contact: Carol @ cell: 828-387-6101 or carolshgi@hotmail.com; or Debra @ cell: 828-467-0556.
Carol Sposato
Avery/Watauga Chapter of the Autism Society of N.C.

ASU Psi Chi
On Friday, March 28 at Appalachian State University, the ASU chapter of Psi Chi (the national psychology honors society) and the Avery-Watauga Autism Society joined together to present Parenting across the Autism Spectrum, a lecture led by Ann Palmer and Maureen Morrell of the North Carolina Autism Society.
The lecture, which focused on the important lessons learned from parenting children with autism, was both touching and insightful.
The lecture offered the audience a glimpse into the world of autism and offered valuable advice for those who interact with individuals with autism on both a personal and professional level.
The evening’s guests of honor, Ann Palmer and Maureen Morrell, are co-authors of the book Parenting across the Autism Spectrum and parents of children with autism.
The evening began with a catered reception courtesy of Psi Chi and a book signing by the authors.
The hundred audience members in attendance were comprised of students, professionals, university faculty, and parents of children with autism throughout the community.
Such a diverse group proved to be an “ideal audience” to Morrell, who believes that each of these groups add a special perspective to the understanding of autism.
Appalachian’s Psi Chi hopes to host similar events in the future and greatly appreciates the support of the community in this endeavor.
On behalf of Psi Chi and the Avery-Watauga Autism Society, I would like to thank Dr. Kurt Michael, who has worked hard to provide community resources for children with autism.
I would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Carol Sposato and Debra Steinbaugh, who have taken the initiative to establish an Avery-Watauga Chapter of the North Carolina Autism Society and whose energy, enthusiasm, and efforts built the foundation for this event.
Finally, I would like to send my most sincere gratitude to Dr. Courtney Rocheleau, Mrs. Lynn Mosteller, and Miss Laura Maphis, who went above and beyond the call of duty and worked tirelessly to make this program a success.
Their behind-the-scenes efforts made the evening a splendid affair and has paved the way for similar programs in the future.
Of course, a great deal of thanks goes to our guests of honor, Ann Palmer and Maureen Morrell, who took time from their busy schedules to offer our community this unique learning opportunity.
For more information regarding the Avery-Watauga Autism Society, please contact Carol Sposato: carolshgi@hotmail.com.
Emily Steinbaugh
President of ASU’s Psi Chi

Mabel Elementary School PTO
The Mabel Elementary School PTO would like to thank the following businesses for their support and donations for our Teacher/Faculty Appreciation Luncheon: Alray Tire Company of Boone, Applebee’s, Bandana’s, Chick-fil-A, Cornerstone Bookstore, D&B Mini Market, Dan’l Boone Inn, Food Lion (Boone), Golden Corral, Harris Teeter, Heather Gentry, Ingles, Joy Weybrecht, Maple Ridge Nursery, Mountain Bagels, Mr. Original’s Gyros, Pamela Wirth (Avon), Stick Boy Bread Company, Wal-Mart, Wellborn Shell
It is the great businesses in the High Country such as these that helped us show our teachers and staff how much they are appreciated. We would also like to thank all of the volunteers that gave of their time to gather prizes, plan the luncheon, decorate the cafeteria and cover the classrooms so our teachers and staff could enjoy a sit down luncheon and have time to fellowship with each other.
Mabel Elementary PTO

Greenway Baptist Church
Greenway Baptist Church Couples I Sunday Class would like to thank everyone who came out and supported the BBQ Chicken Fundraiser for stroke victim, Andy Wilson, on Saturday, April 5.
It was a huge success and we would like everyone to know that we are so grateful for the support of the community as God so richly blessed everyone as we helped this family in need.
Melissa Isaacs

Hunger and Health Coalition
The Hunger and Health Coalition would like to thank the Mast General Stores for their kind contribution.
Their Be A Sweetheart fundraiser was held during the weekend of February 9-10. For every pound of candy purchased during this designated time, $1 was donated to the Hunger and Health Coalition.
We are grateful for their continued support and dedication to helping those in need.
Last year alone the Hunger and Health Coalition dispersed over 5,000 boxes of food, fed over 12,000 people and dispensed over 8,000 prescription medications.
Crystal Winebarger
Assistant Director
Hunger and Health Coalition

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