Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05
March 27, 2008 issue
Proceeds will Benefit Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex
Story by David Brewer
As evidenced by the long list of quality restaurant choices within a short drive, High Country residents and visitors love to dine out. So it makes perfect sense that area restaurants band together to raise money for worthy causes each year through the growing Celebrity Serve event. This year’s annual fundraiser will include 14 restaurants throughout Boone and Blowing Rock on Tuesday, April 8.
While the food might not be out as quickly, the drink orders might not always be exactly right and the servers may not remember that straw you asked for 20 minutes ago, Celebrity Serve is all about enjoying a unique dining experience while contributing to the community. Each participating restaurant will donate ten percent of the day’s proceeds and celebrity servers will donate their tips to the cause.
Celebrity Serve 2008 will benefit the High Country Soccer Association’s Field of Dreams fundraising campaign that is raising money to build the Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex on Brookshire Road along the New River. Celebrity Serve raised nearly $18,000 for High Country Health Care Hospice in its first year and more than double that amount for the Make-A-Wish Foundation in 2007.
The HCSA was formed in 1986 to meet the increasing need for a more competitive soccer environment in the High Country. The nonprofit, tax-exempt organization currently serves more than 165 players on 13 teams and is a member of the North Carolina Youth Soccer Association.
“It’s going to bring revenue to the community; it’s going to give the kids a place to play soccer; it’s going to be great all around,” said Makoto’s owner Gwen Dhing, a member of the Celebrity Serve committee. “All the money will stay right here in the High Country.”
Dhing and Mackorell, former owner of Makoto’s, were best friends and worked together for nearly two decades before his untimely passing in 2005 because of cancer. Along with her husband Ronald, Dhing is throwing a mountain of support behind the event, featuring more than 20 servers and some of the area’s most recognizable faces.
Customers at Bandana’s BBQ will be more likely to behave as Watauga County Sheriff Len Hagaman and Boone Police Chief Bill Post serve up plates of barbeque and chicken, while some evening diners at Makoto’s are likely to recognize the unmistakable tone of Mick Mixon, voice of the Carolina Panthers. Diners looking to talk politics will find members of Virginia Foxx’s staff and candidates for North Carolina House and Senate at the newly opened Highlands Blowing Rock. Regardless of where you eat, meals will be served with a smile and all tips will be greatly appreciated.
For more info on Celebrity Serve 2008, call Dhing at 828-264-7976.
Celebrity Serve 2008 Participating Restaurants
From ASU athletes and local law enforcement officials to media personalities and business owners, men and women from around the High Country will take orders from diners in 14 area restaurants for Celebrity Serve 2008—nearly double the number of participating eateries from last year.
Bandana’s BBQ & Grill
Bill Post (Boone Police Chief), Bill “Fish” Fisher (MTN Network), Houston Fancher (ASU Men’s Basketball Coach), Len Hagaman (Watauga County Sheriff), Gunther Doerr (ASU Police Chief), ASU Basketball Team Captains
Beef O’Brady’s
Jodi Cash (APPRHS Wellness Center), Kimberly Vines (3rd grade teacher at Hardin Park School), Mike Cash (Factory Housing), John Mena (Haircut 101), Rick Beasley (ASU Sr. Associate Athletic Director), Jason Capel (Appalachian ISP Sports Network)
Blimpie’s
Café Portofino
Richard and Margi Sparks (CEO of Appalachian Healthcare), Michael Curcio (ASU Track Coach), Coach Adrian Snow, Eric Brightenstein, KiKi Wallace (Asst. Coach and Director of Apex Soccer), JoLynn Mahoney (APPRHS), WHS Football Team members
Casa Rustica
Dr. Loren Raymond (ASU), Jeannine Underdown, Jim Denny and more
CiCi's Pizza
Dan'l Boone Inn
Highlands Blowing Rock
Daniel Soucek (candidate for state house), Jerry Butler (candidate for state senate), Virginia Foxx's staff, David Blust, Jim Goff and ASU College Republicans
Los Arcoiris
Los Arcoiris has declined to feature celebrities, but will donate 10 percent of daily sales to Celebrity Serve.
M-Prints
T-shirt sponsor for Celebrity Serve
Makoto’s
-Lunch Servers: 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Buzz Berry (Sqrambled Scuares), Ray Russell (Ray’s Weather), Dan Meyer (Boone Chamber President), Dr. Stacy Conn, Ed Shuford (High Country Bank), Donte Minter (ASU Basketball), Chuck Mantooth (President and CEO, Charles A. Cannon Jr. Memorial Hospital), David Brewer (High Country Press, Possum Jenkins), Jason Reagan (Mountain Times Publications)
-Dinner Servers: 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.
ASU Football Coach Speir, Armanti Edwards, Cortez Gilbert, Liam Ferrell (ASU Soccer Coach), Mick Mixon (Voice of the Carolina Panthers), Chris Whalley (Lees-McRae Soccer Coach), Dr. Mike Taylor (Blue Ridge General Dentistry), Dr. Larry Cook (Blue Ridge General Dentistry), Steve Lyerly (Fox News Charlotte), Cassie Mabry (Kat Kountry 96.9), Brittany Herndon-Swain (Visitor’s Channel), Jason Triplett (Wachovia Bank), Tom Cabtree (High Country Bank), Dr. Peck Garner (Boone Dermatology) Possible Servers: Dexter Jackson (ASU Football), Coach Jerry Moore
Peddler Steak House
Daniel and Vanessa Minton, Andy and Kay Harkins
Pepper’s
Joe Miller, John Brubaker, Tim Baxter, Tom Adams, Page Sauder
Red Onion Café
Woodland’s BBQ