Top News Stories
NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!
Not only is this win the first-ever National Championship for the ASU football team, but it is also the first National Championship ever for any sport at Appalachian State since the school began playing collegiate sports in 1903. [full story]
How Will You Ring In The New Year?
Yet again, another year has nearly slipped out of our grasp. Did we do all the things we said we were going to do this year? Did we keep our resolutions? Did we get in touch with all those friends we said we were going to contact? Well, there’s always next year and it will be here before you know it. [full story]
Community News
Four Outdoor Plans Emerge in Recent Months
A number of different ideas and plans related to outdoor sports and recreation have been advanced recently that taken together form a much larger picture that has economic development potential written all over it.
Social Services Christmas Toy Store A Success
Around 8:00 a.m. on Monday, December 19, mounds of new toys, two and a half feet tall, lined the Department of Social Services (DSS) conference room, covering ten tables.
Cultural Exchange Programs Help Create Peace on Earth
A number of international student exchange organizations and opportunities are available in our area. Two of the most active are AFS Inercultural Programs and EF Foundation for Foreign Study.
W.A.M.Y. Community Action Weatherization Program
A program is available for Watauga and Avery residents who want to weatherize their homes or apartments to reduce heating costs in winter and to reduce the cost of cooling homes in summer. W.A.M.Y. also helps residents of Mitchell and Yancey Counties.
Senior Relatives May Need Your Help
Their year round quality of life may depend on your help; this is especially true for the elderly living alone.
Watauga Habitat Gets New Executive Director
After existing for a time as a leaderless entity, Watauga County Habitat For Humanity now has a new director. A veteran leader and participant in several nonprofit organizations, Judi Scharns will assume the executive director role on January 3.
Holidays Often Mean Hard Times for Homeless Animals
“We have no foster homes for dogs,” said Penny Muller, founder of the pet rescue group Friends For Life. If we do not get the dogs out of Animal Control, we will lose them; they will be euthanized because there is no room for them.”
Preliminary Surveys for Future Globe Road Paving Project Underway
The Globe Road entrance on the outskirts of Blowing Rock, a gateway into the John’s River Gorge area of the Pisgah National Forest, descends about 2,000 feet in approximately four miles.
Local Residents Seek to Prevent Ginn Development
Twenty-two area residents gathered at Earth Fare last Tuesday evening to discuss concerns about the 5,600 acres currently under development by the Ginn Company.
Institute For Emerging weekly Announces 2006 Forum Topic: Financing the Future
The Institute for Emerging weekly (IEI) at North Carolina State University kicks off a new program of work, announcing the 2006 annual Emerging weekly Forum topic Financing the Future.
Jenkins Cranberry Bog Rededicated December 11
Cranberries are not the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of Tennessee.
Avery Septuagenarian Coordinates Volunteer Services
Volunteer Avery County and Community Service has had the same goal since its inception—to recruit and match volunteers with service opportunities and to assist agencies and organizations using volunteer services.
A Merry Christmas for Local Kids
Representatives of the High Country United Way met with agency representatives last Wednesday morning at First Citizen’s Bank to present checks for purchasing Christmas gifts for local children.
Political Report Card For 2005 Spotlights “The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly”
Government watchdog group Democracy North Carolina has cited state legislative action for campaign reform and a record number of investigations into wrongdoing by lobbyists, public officials and campaign donors as reasons why 2005 could be remembered as the “breakthrough year” for major reforms of North Carolina’s political system.
How Your Representatives Voted in D.C.
Congressional representatives from Watauga and Avery counties are Congresswoman Virginia Foxx (R-5) and Congressman Patrick McHenry (R-10). Here’s how they have represented their constituencies in Washington during the past week.
Coalition Calls for Early Implementation of Lobby Reforms
In August, the North Carolina General Assembly passed a sweeping lobbying reform bill that will take effect in January 2007.
Blust Discusses Senate Run
A presentation by NC Senator John Garwood to the Watauga County Republican Party Executive Committee led to Watauga County Commissioner David Blust’s decision to challenge Garwood for the seat.
Events & Entertainment
Lift Ticket
A new column about skiing and snowboarding in the High Country by Sam Calhoun.
Sign Up Now for the Sugar Mountain Adult Race League
Are you interested in participating in once-a-week ski/snowboard outings (big runs, competitive camaraderie and, of course, a few libations) with fun-loving members of the community?
Mountain Living
This week's issue of Mountain Living, Amy Cooke features a recipe Peppermint Mousse Brownies.
Gallery News
Arts Events Coming Up at Appalachian
Although High Country audiences have to endure a bit of a lull in the programming schedule during the semester break, Appalachian State University’s Office of Arts and Cultural Programs is coming back strong in January, February and March with a variety of dynamic productions—from comedy to theater to acrobatics to dance—for the 2005-06 Performing Arts Series.
The Season of Epiphany
Epiphany commemorates the arrival of the wise men at the manger of the Christ Child. The Twelve Days of Christmas begin on December 25 and extend to January 5. Epiphany is the climax of the Christmas season and falls on January 6.
Where’s Santa?
Time’s running out fast, but you can still catch Santa in a few High Country locations before he takes off to grab his bag of toys and make the annual deliveries.
Where Comes Santa Claus? Here Comes Santa Claus
Often perceived as a secular aspect of Christmas, Santa Claus may have more Christian roots than many realize. Santa is the immortalization of the altruistic St. Nicholas, a bishop in the fourth century from Myra in Asia Minor.
Canyons Holiday Shows with Dave Edmisten Thursday & Friday
With the current national live music environment cooling, the ability to make a living playing music is becoming more difficult all the time. But for Lenoir resident and guitarist Dave Edmisten, driving between North Carolina and Florida to play gigs is all part of it.
Like To Sing? Not Very Good? No Problem!
One fabulous aspect of community chorale groups is that they give people who love to sing—even those who can’t sing particularly well—the opportunity to learn and perform wonderful pieces of music.
Third Annual Beech Mountain Hayrides & Bonfire December 27
The timeless beauty of the winter wonderland that is Beech Mountain will be the setting for the Third Annual Hayrides and Bonfire, taking place on Tuesday, December 27, in the field across from Beech Mountain Town Hall.
Christmas by Candlelight: December 24 Church Services
Here’s the High Country News roundup of church services taking place on December 24.
Sugar Mountain Welcomes Ultimate Hook-Up December 30-31
Sugar Mountain Resort will bid farewell to 2005 in style as it welcomes Salomon Oasis, the Ultimate Hook-Up on New Year’s weekend, December 30 and 31.
New Year’s Eve Taxi Numbers
New Year’s Eve Toasts, Trivia & Traditions for 2005
Along with a brand-new calendar, the New Year brings an annual clean slate.
What Does It Mean? The New Year’s Song: “Auld Lang Syne”
“Auld lang syne” translates “old long since,” but may be better understood “as times gone by.” The lyrics tell of the good times of the past, and friends that separated by time and distance may come together to “share a cup of kindness.”
Build a Cool Snowman, Win Money
The Avery Banner Elk Chamber of Commerce is again encouraging everyone to get out and play in the snow for fun and for profit by sponsoring its annual snowman contest.
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