Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05
April 17, 2008 issue
Help Habitat for Humanity Do Its Job
Taste of the High Country Fundraiser Is May 6
Story by Anna Oakes
Have no construction experience whatsoever? No problem!
One of the best ways to help the Watauga County chapter of Habitat for Humanity build houses for low-income residents is to attend its largest annual fundraiser, Taste of the High Country, on Tuesday, May 6, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Broyhill Inn and Conference Center.
At the fundraiser, held in the Broyhill Inn’s Powers Grand Hall, attendees will have the opportunity to sample the best of local cuisine, including appetizers, entrees, desserts, beverages and more from 25 of the area’s finest local restaurants. Participating restaurants include The Manor House at Chetola Resort, Red Onion Café, Stick Boy Bread Company, Jackson Dining Room, Casa Rustica, Makoto, Canyons, Marble Slab Creamery, Valley Café, Panera Bread, Cha Da Thai, Vidalia and Bandana’s, among others. In addition, the Broyhill Inn will operate a cash bar.
“We’re very grateful to the participating restaurants and businesses, many of whom support us each year,” said Janice Koppenhaver, executive director of Watauga Habitat for Humanity.
Taste of the High Country also will feature a silent auction and raffle of gifts donated by local businesses, including gift certificates to local eateries, golf packages, Mast General Store merchandise, local artworks, tax preparation services, an acupuncture session and more, coordinator Erica Woodward said.
Steve and Ruth Smith—Steve plays guitar and Ruth plays hammer dulcimer—will provide live music at the event.
All proceeds from the 16th annual Taste of the High Country benefit Habitat’s homebuilding efforts in Watauga County. Last year, the event raised about $15,000, and more than 750 people attended, Woodward said.
“One Habitat house costs $70,000 to build,” Woodward said in a press release. “Each year we must raise twice this amount to ensure that our mission continues.”
Koppenhaver said that Habitat for Humanity recently purchased a 20-acre tract of property beside Green Valley School. The organization typically secures land and materials for only one house at a time, but this purchase will allow Habitat to build multiple affordable homes on a single tract.
“We’re very excited because it’s such a great location,” she said. “There are just a lot of dreams at this point.” The project is in a preliminary stage of planning.
Tickets for adults are $22 in advance and $25 at the door; ASU students are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Tickets are available at the Habitat for Humanity office on George Wilson Road and at all Boone Drug locations. Koppenhaver stressed that this year’s event will not have the same parking problems as last year—when an ASU baseball doubleheader conflicted with the event.
For more info, contact Woodward at 828-295-5528.
Want To Go?
Date: Tuesday, May 6
Time: 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Location: Helen Powers Grand Hall, Broyhill Inn and Conference Center
Cost: $22 advance/$25 at door; ASU students $12 advance/$15 at door