JEFFERSON — Project Graduation is a drug and alcohol-free celebration for graduates and their guests always held all-night after graduation.
Despite COVID-19, remote learning and social distancing, Watauga High School and the Watauga Innovation Academy has presented a number 2020 WHS seniors with awards to recognize their achievements.
BOONE — Confetti and bubbles filled the air during what Two Rivers Community School called a “reverse parade” on May 22 as vehicles with students and families drove by while teachers from the school cheered and held signs.
The International Ride of Silence was commemorated in Banner Elk on Wednesday, May 20. A ‘ghost bike’ was placed at the Corner on Main to honor bicyclists who have been killed or injured. The event remembers members of the community including Lees-McRae students Carla Swart and Megan Baab, D…
BANNER ELK — Vena Jones, a resident at Life Care Center of Banner Elk, will be turning 100 years of age on Saturday, May 30.
Alta Vista Gallery 2839 Broadstone Road, Valle Crucis
BOONE — On May 16, the Blue Ridge ArtSpace in Boone announced a new family friendly series titled “Blue Ridge ArtStream” in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, to host weekly virtual events that showcase local artists involved with a number of mediums, including painting, writing and music.
SPRUCE PINE — The Orchard at Altapass announced on May 21 that it will reopen its doors “on a limited and restrictive basis” on Saturday, June 13. Additionally, it has started a GoFundMe campaign to raise $20,000 to offset the costs of staff and orchard maintenance during COVID-19-related closures.
WEST JEFFERSON — After months of waiting, Hole Lotta Doughnuts’s West Jefferson location finally opened Thursday, May 21.
BOONE — The black and gold pride — the hugs, tears and cheers — typically reserved for Appalachian State University’s Holmes Convocation Center took to a new venue this year — the living rooms, dining rooms, kitchens and porches of Mountaineers near and far who gathered, virtually, to celebr…
Alta Vista Gallery2839 Broadstone Road, Valle Crucis
HIGH COUNTRY — In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, annual Memorial Day events, such as the one hosted in Boone Mall and the one in Blowing Rock’s Memorial Park, have been canceled, but the relevance and importance of the day itself has not changed, according to the regular hosts of local M…
As the world is in the throes of the worst virus outbreak of this century, the Watauga Democrat looks into its archives to remember another pandemic — the 1918 Spanish flu.
Alta Vista Gallery2839 Broadstone Road, Valle Crucis
BLOWING ROCK — The Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce announced on April 29 that the Art in the Park show scheduled for May 23 has been canceled due to COVID-19. According to the announcement, this is the first cancelation in 58 seasons of Art in the Park.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the uncertainty that accompanied it, M.T. (aka Tyler) LeBlanc released a number of videos on his YouTube channel in which he uses puppets to discuss a number of “new” concepts, such as social distancing and the virus itself, in a way that children cou…
BOONE — The Watauga High School DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) club will be saying goodbye to 24 seniors as the end of the school year approaches.
BOONE — Watauga County Schools named its 2020-21 Teachers of the Year from each of its nine schools.
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JEFFERSON — In a project that has lasted nearly four weeks, the Wilkes Community College Ashe Campus group has now delivered 741 3D-printed face shields to various locations in the High Country as of April 27.
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When Gov. Roy Cooper announced on April 24 that North Carolina public schools would not be returning for in-person instruction this school year, many turned their thoughts to the senior Class of 2020 and their unconventional ending to high school.
BLOWING ROCK — On April 28 the Blowing Rock Art & History Museum distributed more than 1,000 art kits to kindergarteners, first- and second-graders from Watauga County’s eight elementary schools.
ROCKY MOUNT — The Golden LEAF Board of Directors issued a release on May 4 following the allocation of $125 million to the foundation by the N.C. General Assembly in the 2020 COVID-19 Recovery Act, which was signed into law on May 4 by Gov. Roy Cooper.
Substantial information has been published on keeping healthy during our current climate. This article is a summary of best practices around food safety from NC State Extension resources. At this point, there is no evidence that the coronavirus that causes COVID- 19 is transmitted through fo…
BOONE — Rodney Sutton, director of Joe Shannon’s Mountain Home Music, announced on April 30 that the venue’s 2020 performance season is canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
SUGAR GROVE — Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, organizers of the Doc and Rosa Lee Watson MusicFest ‘N Sugar Grove announced on April 24 that the 2020 festival is canceled. This year’s festival was set to be the return of the event after a multi-year hiatus.
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Many businesses have closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, halting or reducing work hours and creating gaps of free time in a usually busy work day.
BOONE — On Saturday, April 18, Appalachian State University hosted its annual Spring Open House event virtually, drawing thousands of participants from across the country who are interested in attending the university.
WEST JEFFERSON — The Friends of the Library held its regularly scheduled Blood Drive on April 25 at Ashe County Public Library in the Community Room. Due to COVID-19, this particular drive operated under unique guidelines.
For Western Youth Network mentor Jordan Sellers, the sense of community and connection is important now more than ever while the nation faces social distancing mandates to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
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BLOWING ROCK — In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Janet Calhoun, an owner of Bolick Traditions and Pottery in Blowing Rock, felt the desire to help small retail businesses who were made to shut their doors as “nonessential businesses.” She created the Blowing Rock Retailers Facebook page…
BOONE — The Watauga County Farmers’ Market at Horn in the West Drive in Boone is typically a sign for locals that the harsh High Country winter has passed, but in this year’s opening on Saturday, May 2, visitors will see stark differences from years past.
BOONE — As the state moves closer to reopening the economy, area business owners of all sizes are encouraged to learn more about the latest marketing methods, as Mountain Times Publications is hosting a free virtual advertising workshop May 5, facilitated by Digital Marketing Leader Mike Martoccia.
HIGH COUNTRY — Since mid-March, when the COVID-19 pandemic began, businesses, art galleries, natural parks and other community-centered organizations have been constantly adapting in order to reach their audiences.
LINVILLE — A staple and significant economic boon to Avery County that celebrates all things Scottish, the commencement of the 65th Annual Grandfather Mountain Highland Games in July is uncertain due to the current global coronavirus pandemic.
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VALLE CRUCIS — The Church of the Holy Cross in Valle Crucis is accepting grant applications from nonprofits in the Watauga and Avery counties for Valle Country Fair Grants until May 30.
BOONE — Based on a concern for the health and safety of the university campus, community and audience members, festival organizers for Appalachian State University’s annual summer arts event, An Appalachian Summer Festival, have announced the cancellation of the 2020 season. The festival, wh…
The rise of the COVID-19 virus has been tense for everybody. Quarantines, social distancing and changes in our daily lives have been new experiences for all of us. Even through all of this uncertainty, there is one activity that has been pertinent to providing peace of mind for many people: …
BOONE — This week marks National Library Week, a time set aside to celebrate all libraries and the treasure troves found within their walls — but also outside of those walls, electronically.
Easter was a little different for many this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and some Watauga organizations wanted to help brighten the holiday for community members.
Alta Vista Gallery2839 Broadstone Road, Valle Crucis
VILAS — Tessa Hartley, 10, (right) bagged her first turkey during the weekend of April 4-5. Tessa is pictured here with her sister Ava. The girls are daughters of Ryan and Traci Hartley of Vilas.
BOONE — April is Autism Awareness Month across the country, and LIFE Village of Boone is taking the opportunity to celebrate adults with autism in the community and provide an update on its most recent project, LIFE House.
BOONE — Social distancing has hushed neighborhoods across the country, keeping streets quiet and families at home. During this isolation time, a new trend has emerged— and it can be seen poking its furry head out from a neighbor’s window.
BANNER ELK — As many school systems have closed for health precautions, there have been numerous stories of parents struggling to find activities to occupy their children, let alone maintain an educational approach to how they spend their days. The Banner House Museum wants to remind readers…
BOONE — In an effort to raise support for a wide variety of local businesses impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce has created Shop Local Saturdays, the first of which is set to take place on Saturday, April 18.
BOONE — A dream come true for former Appalachian State University student and country music star Luke Combs will have to wait another year.
BOONE — While the COVID-19 pandemic has caused the cancelation of the 16th annual Adult Services Expo, organizers of the event have compiled a list of adult resources in the High Country in the hope of connecting individuals to advocates that may be able to provide them with assistance.
Born and raised in Boone, local Kyle Sigmon is gearing up to release a full-length album titled “13” on May 13.
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