July 3, 2008 issue

Top News Stories

GETTING READY FOR THE 4TH!

• Be Careful with Fireworks this Weekend
• Indepence Day Celebrations and Festivities

First Presbyterian Church on Howard Street Sold to Appalachian

Church Historian Discusses First Presbyterian’s Past and Future
The ink is dry on the closing papers, and some of the bricks of the First Presbyterian Church of Boone are being removed from the structure. Members of the 375-member congregation have known for some time about the imminent sale of the church to Appalachian State University, but with the signing of the papers on Monday, June 30, the reality that their church family and worship services are going to change drastically started to sink in. (Full Story)

Board of Elections Stands
by August 19 Referendum Date

When the Watauga County Board of Elections met for canvass on Tuesday morning to certify the results of the Democratic Party runoff for state labor commissioner, the crowd was much larger than usual. (Full Story)

• Dogs From Cruelty Case Turned Over to Humane Society
• 11th Annual MusicFest 'N Sugar Grove Returns to Cove Creek July 11 to 13
• Kraut Creek's Natural Beauty Returns with Restoration Project
• Holocaust Survivor Recalls Dark Past During Holocaust Symposium at ASU
• Kid Zone Family Nights Offer Fun, Meaningful Experience for Families Beginning July 7
• Inaugural High Country Throwdown at Ashe County Park July 12 and 13
• Downtown Boone Art Crawl Joins July 4th Activities
• Gallery News
• John B. Stephenson Lecture Series on Appalachia Begins July 9

The View Stories

Clan Crazy

53rd Annual Grandfather Mountain Highland Games July 10 to 13

Story by Anna Oakes

Thousands of tartan-covered, kilt-wearing, torch-bearing, bagpipe-blowing Scots, Scottish descendants and Scot-wannabes will take to the peaks of Grandfather Mountain Thursday through Sunday, July 10 to 13, for the 53rd annual Grandfather Mountain Highland Games and Gathering O’ Scottish Clans.
The mountains of North Carolina—much akin to the highlands of Scotland and home to many descendants of Scottish settlers—are the superlative setting for the largest gathering of Scottish clans in the nation. The annual gathering has attracted as many as 45,000 people, and about 160 Scottish clans will reunite there this year.

The spirit of competition, pride, tradition and good-hearted fun take hold of Grandfather Mountain’s MacRae Meadows on this weekend, with highly talented bagpipe bands, dancing and music competitions, foot and bicycle races, sing-alongs, traditional and modern Celtic music concerts, centuries-old Scottish athletic events, sheep herding, children’s activities, a merchant bazaar and more.
Inside this issue, you’ll find information about clan tents, athletic events, musical guests, tickets and parking. For a full schedule or more info, call 828-733-1333, click to www.gmhg.org or visit the Highland Games headquarters at 4210 Highway 221 in Linville.

• Highland Game Ticket Information
• Highland Games Races Information
• Music at the Highland Games
• Scottish Athletic Events, History and Genealogy Study at Clan Tents
  

TAKE A LOOK: An Appalchian Summer Guide

• An Appalachian Summer Schedule
• Reduced Shakespeare Company Presents The Complete History of America (abridged)
• Broyhill Chamber Presents "Nature Calls" Concert July 7
• Famed Singer Phoebe Snow Performs at Farthing Auditorium July 10
• Patagonia Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Fest Comes to Farthing
• Cherish the Ladies Brings Traditional Irish Music to App Summer July 12
• Aspen Santa Fe Ballet July 8
• Eastern Festival Orchestra Performs at Farthing Auditorium Sunday
• Music at St. John's in Valle Crucis Presents Carolina Brass July 6
• Mountainhome Music Presents Bluegrass & Brass Saturday
• Glenn Bolick Kicks Off Another Season of Mountain Music Jamming July 13
• This Week in Free Live Music
• Tickets for Doc Watson Concert in Todd on Sale Now
• Rural Landscapes by Gregory Smith at The Art Cellar July 3 to 26
• Fast-Paced Situational Comedy Leading Ladies Continues Through July 12
• Green Eggs and Jam Moves to New Downtown Location
• Wilmington Groove Masters Sci Fi Hosts CD Release Party at Flipside July 12

Shelter Stories

Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center Receives Go-Ahead

Environmental Activists Mount Appeal(Full Story)

• Business Spotlight: Dragonfly Theater & Pub
• Solar Water Heating Workshop at ASU July 11 and 12
• Watauga Humane Society Hires Janet Pepin as Executive Director
• High Country Audubon Chapter Celebrates Frist Anniversary July 15
• Local Gardens: Peabody's Grows Grapes and Flowers
• Blowing Rock Dedicates Daingerfield's Edgewood Cottage
• Black & Blue Double Centure Relay July 19
• Fish for Free Statewide July 4
• Farm Profile: Jason Brooks and His Grass-Fed Beef
• This Week on the Parkway
• Grin and Bear It: Black Bears Are Part of the Mountain Fauna
• Grandfather Mountain Camera Clinic Registration Begins July 15
  

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