TOP NEWS STORIES
Merlefest Breaks Records!
While the final figures have not been calculated, preliminary estimates indicate that last weekend’s MerleFest broke records across the board, with a regional economic impact of $16,374,948, up from the record of $15,045,673 set in 2002; total participation of 82,618; a 14 percent increase in paid attendance; and total sponsorship support reaching a record $475,718. Wilkes Community College will 
present the 20th annual MerleFest April 26-29, 2007. Photo by David Brewer [visit our MerleFest site]
Music Festival Roundup 2006: Life After MerleFest
Sam and Dave’s 2006 MerleFest Blog: A Cross-Section
Primary Election Results [full story]
Fire Destroys The Best Cellar Restaurant
Boone Gears Up for Graduation Weekend
Project Graduation Fundraiser Planned for This Weekend, May 5-7
Watauga County Farmers’ Market Opens May 6
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Community News
Preserving the Past
Avery County Historical Museum Celebrates 30 Years
How a Cove Creek Farmer Transitioned from Tobacco
The Return of Leon Russell
Mountain Alliance Students Spend Spring Break Helping Alabama Residents
Spring Tips for High Country Gardeners
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Events & Entertainment
Mountain Living
Each week's issue of Mountain Living, Amy Cooke features a different recipe.
Brewer’s Briefs:
Spotlighting live music in the High Country.
SWINGIN' FOR THE FENCES
A new column about the Watauga County Park & Recreation's Adult Softball League by Sam Calhoun.
Don't Forget Upcoming EventsGallery News
First Friday Art Crawl Paints Downtown Boone This Friday, May 5
Inaugural Mountain Heritage Day at High Country Fairgrounds Sunday
How Sweet It Is: Boone Service League Hosts Fashion Show Fundraiser May 13
Grandfather Hosts Naturalists’ Weekend May 13-14
Happy Birthday to Us!
We’ve all been in a celebratory mood this week as we count down to High Country News’ first birthday on May 5. [full story] 
The High Country News Staff: Ryland Williams, Sam Calhoun, Kathleen McFadden, Ken Ketchie, David Brewer, Katharine Osborne, Kelly Jordan, Laila Baligh-Patrick, Tim Salt, Jamie Goodman, Beverly Giles. Not pictured, Dan Kaple. Photo by Bob & Sharon Caldwell
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Community Interest
News & Notes
Events
Arts & Entertainment
