Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country | Founded 05-05-05

|| High Country Press Newswire

Aug 14, 2008 issue

Boone Vote—Will Restaurants Be Allowed To Serve Liquor by the Drink?

The commissioners’ boardroom was packed on April 24 when the Boone Town Council held a public hearing on the question of whether to hold a referendum on mixed-beverage sales in Boone. The Town of Boone mixed beverage referendum election will take place on Tuesday, August 19.

Early voting began Thursday, July 31, and as of Wednesday morning, only 456 voters had taken advantage of early and absentee voting. Board of Elections Director Jane Hodges expressed some surprise at the low number. (Full Story)

Horn Is a Hit Again—Horn in the West Attendance Figures Up 12 Percent As Last Weekend Approaches

With seven of the eight weeks of the show on the books, attendance at Horn in the West is up 12 percent from 2007, marking the largest increase in attendance this decade. Local residents who live in Watauga, Avery, Ashe, Burke, Caldwell or Wilkes counties can see the show for a discounted rate this weekend—the last weekend of the show. Photo by Sam Calhoun “Excellent. Excellent. Good. Good. Excellent. Excellent,” read off Horn in the West board member Terry Hamilton on Monday as he sifted through a box of audience member surveys from the 2008 season of the outdoor Revolutionary War drama. The question was “How would you rate the performance of Horn in the West?” and 30 random audience members filled out the questionnaires. (Full Story)

The View Stories

Hayes Days—Comedy, Music and More Comedy in Blowing Rock This Week

The Hayes Performing Arts Center in Blowing Rock is on a roll. The Blowing Rock Stage Company just wrapped up a successful extended run of the musical Peter Pan, and before that, Leading Ladies had audiences laughing until their sides hurt.

This week, the momentum continues with the beginning of a new Stage Company production as well as music and comedy performances. (Full Story)

Shelter Stories

State Helps Protect Ashe County Farms

High Country Conservancy received a $19,000 grant from the North Carolina Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund to help preserve the Robinson Family farm in Creston. The 54-acre farm has frontage along Three Top Creek. High Country Conservancy (HCC) and Blue Ridge Rural Land Trust (BRRLT) received $19,000 and $30,000 respectively from the North Carolina Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund to help protect two farms in Ashe County. (Full Story)

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