Community Tidbits – Summer ’24
Following you’ll find information on local events and programs, interesting people and a variety of opportunities from innovative organizations and businesses.
Photo: courtesy of Bill Barbour, Daniel Boone Native Gardens
Fairy Day at Daniel Boone Native Gardens | Bring your family to Daniel Boone Native Gardens for their popular Fairy Day event on July 13! This annual gathering is a fundraiser for the gardens and a wonderful opportunity for all to learn about the importance of native plants while donning fairy attire. Enjoy activities for the kids, educational demonstrations, and a variety of vendors—all contributing to a fun-filled afternoon surrounded by the backdrop of native plants, trees and flowers in the garden. The event runs from 1-5 p.m. on Saturday, July 13. danielboonenativegardens.org
Family Fun in Wilkesboro | Looking for some Friday night fun with the kids and grandkids? Head over to Wilkesboro for their summer “Movies on Main” where you’ll view family-friendly movies projected onto a 33-ft wide screen on the Commons lawn. On July 12, enjoy “The Super Mario Bros Movie,” and on August 9, sit back and discover “Strange World.” Movies on Main begin at sunset, and are held on the Fridays prior to the popular Saturday “Concerts in the Commons.” The Carolina West Wireless Community Commons is located in the heart of Historic Downtown Wilkesboro. Admission is free, and attendees are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets for lawn seating. wilkesboronc.org
Afternoon Tea in the High Country | Come enjoy a little bit of Britain and a lot of mountain at Appalachian Apothekary and Tea Room. The Tea Room is a great place to enjoy tea, scones, hot cross buns and many more scrumptious tea treats. The Tea Room recently expanded and has a new reading room and a relaxing afternoon tea environment. Shop for local artisan soaps, candles, oils and body scrubs in addition to any items you may need for your tea cabinet. Located at 10543 Hwy 105 South, Suite 4 Banner Elk, NC 28694 (just past Grandfather Winery in Foscoe). Facebook @ whittonanne2001/
2024 Tour of Homes in Blowing Rock | The 66th Annual Blowing Rock Tour of Homes, sponsored by St. Mary of the Hills Episcopal Church, will feature five lovely and unique homes on Chestnut Street on Friday, July 26. The tour begins at 9 a.m. and closes at 4 p.m. Tickets are $35 and available to purchase online at the church website and at the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce office. All profits from the tour go to High Country charitable groups. In addition to the tour, there will be a bake sale and a Timeless Treasures tent in the church yard. Lunch will be offered in the church café. stmaryofthehills.org/tour-of-homes24
Celebrate Your Special Event at the 610 Party Barn | Looking to host a special event in the High Country? The 610 Party Barn in Banner Elk is a unique space available for all types of events. The 610 Party barn was built in 2022 by local real estate developer Jim Ward, who founded the High Country Charitable Foundation (HCCF) to help support the most needy within Avery County. All profits from 610 Party Barn events go directly to the HCCF. You can book an event May 1 through October 3. Party Barn guests say it best: “The food was fabulous. . . the setting is absolutely beautiful with master craftsmanship and design.” 610 Party Barn is located adjacent to the Engel & Volkers/High Country Charitable Foundation offices just across from Elk River Club in Banner Elk. 610partybarn.com
Summer Mountain Biking on Beech Mountain | During the summer season, Beech Mountain Resort offers mountain biking on the ski slopes, accessible by chairlift.The terrain provides something for every rider, from the beginner to the experienced. Beginner trails offer a smooth introduction for the novice rider, with friendly and manageable features. The more advanced terrain is steep and technical, with lots of rock, tricky corners and technical wood descents. If mountain biking isn’t your thing, consider a scenic lift ride, disc golf, or yoga—there’s something for everyone on the mountain. Lift tickets are available for purchase in the resort village at Ski Beech Sports. Find more information at beechmountainresort.com/summer/.
Tennis & Golf Benefit at Linville Ridge | On August 9-11, Linville Ridge Country Club hosts a Tennis & Golf Pro-Am where 16 tennis professionals and 8 golf professionals are auctioned off for amateurs to partner with in the tournament. All monies raised from the tournament and silent auction running through the event will benefit Avery Humane Society. Court sponsorship is available to any local companies who wish to have their banners hung on the tennis courts for the weekend. Please contact Jordan Vaughan at [email protected] for sponsorship opportunities, event information, or silent auction donations.
Fashion & Passion Show | THRIVE Appalachia is hosting “The Fashion and Passion Show” on Saturday, September 14 from 11-12:30 at the Burnsville Town Center, featuring a fashion show of their teens’ upscale wool jackets, a Southern Style High Tea prepared by THRIVE Appalachia teens and other performances and presentations of what the teens are most passionate about. Read our article on THRIVE Appalachia here>> and visit thriveappalachia.org.
Sassy Curated Consignment & Gifts’ Puzzle Puller Fundraiser | “We are all so blessed to live in Paradise!” exclaims Lisa Larson Gorum, owner of Sassy Curated Consignment & Gifts in Foscoe, NC. “Let’s kick it up a notch and have some fun with the opportunity to to support the High Country Charitable Foundation.” This fundraiser sponsored by Sassy is actually a “guessing game” of sorts. The Foscoe shop is in possession of an oil painting of “one of our local beloved treasures,” Gorum explains. “To enter to play, come by Sassy’s, make your donation and pull a piece of the puzzle to reveal our mystery ‘treasure.’” The first puzzle puller to correctly guess the subject of the puzzle wins a lovely gift—a “Peace Bell” from Sassy’s. sassyconsignments.com, Facebook, and Instagram
So Much More than a Supplement Shop | A boutique supplement and lifestyle destination, FA Supp Shop in Blowing Rock provides some of the highest quality wellness products and services in the High Country. “With a focus on people, not on sales, we promise never to sell you something you don’t need,” say owners Richie Wagner and Nelle Lawrence. Their team of fitness professionals and nutrition coaches are on the floor to answer questions, de-bunk myths and help you make choices based on your individual goals. Check out the “Fa Fit Lab” page on their website for a list of all of FA Supp’s services. fasuppshop.com
“Paws for Celebration” | Plan to attend this special event on August 15 to benefit the Avery Humane Society. This fundraiser helps AHS to fulfill their mission to respond humanely to the needs of the animals of Avery County. “Join us for an unforgettable event filled with compassion, camaraderie, dancing, and a shared commitment to our furry friends.” The event runs from 6-9 p.m. at Appalachian View, 1117 Sugar Mountain #2 Rd., Newland. Catering will be provided by Stonewalls, and attendees can participate in raffles, auctions, a Wine Pull, Photo Booth and dancing. Learn more and purchase tickets at averyhumane.org.
Blue Ridge Brutal Is Back! | Bike Riders: register now for this popular event on August 17. The Blue Ridge Brutal Bike Ride takes serious riders through some of the most beautiful scenery in northwest NC. Routes include 100, 70, 50 or 25 miles, and the start and finish point for all rides is the Ashe Civic Center in West Jefferson. Early registration ends July 15. Learn more and register at blueridgebrutal.org.
Drama Book Shop in NYS Hosts Local Author | Manhattan’s venerable Drama Book Shop was the location for a recent book-signing by noted author Dr. Ray Miller, who autographed first edition copies of his latest publication, “Dance on the American Musical Theatre Stage: A History,” for patrons, academics, and collectors. A professor at Appalachian State University, Dr. Miller said, “What motivated me to write this book was to fill a need… a general history of dance on the musical theatre stage. Writing about dance for dancers is easy. The challenge is to write about dance for a general audience so that they might become engaged with this art form in a way that makes sense to them.” His work is being very well received in the field and has already been nominated for several book awards. faa.appstate.edu/news/
Wildcat Lake at Lees-McRae College Open to the Community | Wildcat Lake is open to the community for this summer! In addition to swimming, visitors can use the lake for boating and fishing and may rent pavilions and recreational equipment on site. Standard operating hours for swimming, boating, and restroom facilities are Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m.−6 p.m., and Sunday 1−6 p.m. Fishing is accessible from dawn to dusk with a NC fishing license. Recreational equipment available for rent includes standup paddleboards, canoes, kayaks, and hammocks. Visitors also have access to volleyball, cornhole, Kan Jam, and spike ball equipment at Wildcat Lake free of charge. Wildcat Lake will close for the summer season on Monday, September 2. Rental pricing and Lake policies available at lmc.edu/community/wildcat-lake.htm.
A Powerful Fresco Masterpiece for All to See | This summer, spend some time at the Crossnore campus to shop for fine arts and hand-woven treasures at the Crossnore Fine Arts Gallery and Crossnore Weaving Room. Grab a cup of coffee at Miracle Grounds Coffee Shop & Café. Then, be sure to step inside the E.H. Sloop Chapel to view the powerful fresco masterpiece, Suffer the Little Children, Benjamin F. Long, IV’s rendering of Mark 10:14, “Suffer the little children to come unto me…” Long is one of only a handful of master fresco artists in the world. The Chapel is open to the public for viewings daily from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. crossnore.org
Topodas Stage Floor to Be Dedicated at App Theatre | When the late Jonathan Topodas heard that the original stage of Boone’s Appalachian Theatre was merely going to be plywood, he took advantage of a brief window of opportunity during the renovation to significantly upgrade the surface to a beautiful interlocking tongue-and-groove oak floor. Knowing that it was the ideal surface for dance performances, Jonathan made the gift to honor his beloved wife of 50 years, Elaine, a dancer, choreographer, and lifelong patron of the art form. From the beginning of the restoration effort, the Topodas’ generously contributed their time and resources, even staffing the theatre office during the capital campaign, giving tours, and recruiting volunteers. The “Topodas Stage Floor” is being dedicated July 8, prior to a performance of Ballets with a Twist.
Applause for Isabella Hardy | Local high school-aged student Isabella Hardy recently competed in her seventh National History Day Contest, an international competition for students in middle and high school, having participated every year since 6th grade. This wonderful program allows students to research and create projects on a wide array of historic topics, crafting papers, websites, documentaries, exhibits, and performances. This year, her project, Hang Down Your Head and Cry: The Turning Point of the American Folk Revival, which tells the story of how the recording of “Tom Dooley” had a major impact on music and culture, won her a spot to compete in the national contest. We congratulate Isabella on her latest achievements! Learn more about National History Day at nhd.org.
Lost Province Center for Cultural Arts in Lansing | The Lost Province Center for Cultural Arts (LPCCA) is a recognized 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, founded six years ago to create a mixed-use arts/cultural showcase and venue in Lansing, North Carolina. LPCCA continues to work toward their mission of revitalizing the historic Lansing School; celebrating and teaching Southern Appalachian culture and skills; and supporting the local community. This summer, they offer an excellent slate of programming, including arts and crafts classes for both kids and adults. New to the facility is an Open Pottery Studio that allows member potters at every level to hone their craft. The studio is fully furnished with all the equipment needed: 8 pottery wheels, 1 slab roller, tools and tables. Looking for some custom pottery for a special event or to promote your business? Lost Province Center’s accomplished potters can collaborate with you to create handcrafted mugs. lostprovincearts.org
An Irresistibly Delicious Candy Bar | Mast General Store and Cheerwine have collaborated on a new candy bar combining rich milk chocolate and Cheerwine’s Uniquely Southern cherry flavor. The Cheerwine Candy Bar from Mast Store Provisioners is now available at all Mast Store locations. “After the success of the ‘Over the MoonPie’ bar, I wanted to develop another Uniquely Southern bar and wouldn’t you know, one of my favorite sodas’ catch phrases is just that,” said Stefano Tringali, the Mast Store’s candy buyer. “In speaking with Cheerwine, a candy bar was something that they always had an interest in but needed a good partner for it to happen.” mastgeneralstore.com
Tour the Historic Banner Elk School | The historic 1939 stone building in downtown Banner is home to the Town’s Cultural Arts Center and one of the many stops on the Blue Ridge Craft Trails (https://www.blueridgeheritage.com/blue-ridge-craft-trails/). Shop for local arts and crafts at BE Artists Gallery (www.beartistsgallery.com), book tickets for live theatre performances at the Ensemble Stage Theater (ensemblestage.com), “bring a book, take a book” at the Banner Elk Book Exchange (BannerElkBookExchange.com), learn about the Lees-McRae student organization, Common Ground, at commongroundlmc.org, and pick up an extra copy of CML at the CML Magazine “headquarters.” (CMLmagazine.online)
Let Us Hear from You! Have an event or tidbit you’d like to share with CML readers? Send your information to the editor at [email protected].