Community Tidbits – Summer ’26
Following you’ll find information on local events and programs, interesting people and a variety of opportunities from innovative organizations and businesses.
Watauga County Public Library: America 250 Events on June 27 | Celebrate America 250 at the Watauga County Public Library in downtown Boone with a full day of fun family events. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the library will offer weaving and quilting activities, an archaeology dig, corn-husk dollmaking, live patriotic music, scavenger hunts and more! A line-up of guest speakers will discuss topics related to the community’s history and culture, and refreshments will be served. 140 Queen Street, Boone, NC
Hospitality House Wins Two Awards | Hospitality House of Northwest N.C. was recently awarded the Farm Fresh Nourish Shared Purpose Award by Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest N.C. for being part of their Farm Fresh Nourish program since its inception. Launched in 2020, Farm Fresh Nourish pairs local farmers with Second Harvest partner pantries to distribute produce shares to pantry patrons who have or live with someone who has certain health issues that may be addressed in part by good nutrition.
The award noted, “Through your dedication to connecting fresh, local food with neighbors across our region, you have helped cultivate more than just harvests—you have nourished dignity, strengthened well-being, and grown shared hope.” In addition to this award, the Hospitality House Food Pantry achieved the Gold Nourishing Pantry Award. The Food Pantry, located at their Brook Hollow Complex in Boone, is the only area pantry open seven days a week. Households from any area county who qualify for low-income assistance are eligible. www.HospHouse.org
Mast General Store Celebrates Land Trust Day | The first Saturday of June each year is Land Trust Day. On this day, businesses and land trusts across North Carolina come together to celebrate conservation and acknowledge the important role that protected lands and the outdoors play in our communities. For more than a decade, Mast General Store locations across the region have donated 20% of all sales on Land Trust Day to help our local Land Trusts, non-profit organizations that preserve the health and heritage of our natural spaces. Blue Ridge Conservancy, New River Conservancy, and Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy are just a few of the Land Trusts who have benefited from Mast Store’s generosity. mastgeneralstore.com
Summer at the Banner Elk Book Exchange | The Banner Elk Book Exchange is a community-based, volunteer-run book exchange for Banner Elk and Avery County, operating on a “bring a book, take a book” policy. Located at the Historic Banner Elk School, the Book Exchange is a hub of activity, with educational and literary events taking place throughout the year.
The BE NOW (Banner Elk Night Owl Writers) Writers’ Group welcomes poets, short story writers and novelists to share and enjoy written works on the last Thursday of each month.
Book Discussion Groups are open to anyone interested in participating and discussing literature, every second Tuesday of each month.
For the children in your life who are interested in nature and science, come check out the Explorers’ Room (pictured above), which houses a collection of science-based books, puzzles, games and activities for kids of all ages. Children ages 7-11 are invited to participate in a free monthly, hands-on “Explorers Club,” held on select Tuesday afternoons year-round.
A Lecture Series, hosted by Appalachian State Professor Karl Campbell, will be held on select Tuesday evenings and will feature talks and book signings by several prominent experts and authors, including:
July 7, Lee Rankin, Farm Family: A Solo Mom’s Memoir of Finding Home, Happiness, and Alpacas
August 4, Judkin Browning, An Environmental History of the Civil War
See the Book Exchange Calendar for more details at bannerelkbookexchange.com.
Fun at Lees-McRae Fan Fest | On Saturday, August 22, 2-4 p.m., join fellow fans for the Lees-McRae Fan Fest on Tate Field! This free, family-friendly event is the perfect way to kick off the new school year and celebrate Bobcat spirit in green and gold. Meet and greet all of the Lees-McRae athletic teams while enjoying bounce houses, face painting, games, food trucks, and more. Fan Fest is all about welcoming the community together for an afternoon of fun, school pride, and excitement for the year ahead. Go Bobcats! lmcbobcats.com
Florence Thomas Art School’s “Friendraiser” | Join the fun at the Florence Thomas Art School Friendraiser on Saturday, August 29, from 3–7 p.m. at Old Orchard Creek Blueberry Farm in Lansing, NC. Enjoy live music, dancing, food, and drinks while supporting their 501(c)(3) nonprofit art school. Proceeds will fund vital programming and provide scholarships for Ashe County high school students pursuing the arts. Be part of investing in the next generation of artists! Purchase your tickets at florenceartschool.org/2026ftasfundraiser.
Ninth Annual Denim Ball | Dress in denim and join the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation for a memorable evening of live music, dancing, dinner and fun with friends. This year’s event on September 3 will be held at Camp Yonahnoka at Linville Golf Club, where you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of Grandfather Mountain. A silent and live auction help raise funds for repairs and improvements at Moses H. Cone Memorial Park. Moses H. Cone Memorial Park at milepost 294 is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Beginning in 1897, Moses and Bertha Cone carefully created an impressive country estate featuring carriage trails, lakes, orchards, fields, and forests that they shared with the public. The estate became part of the Blue Ridge Parkway in 1949. brpfoundation.org
Blue Ridge Brutal Returns | Online registration is currently open for the popular Ashe County event, Blue Ridge Brutal, now in its 36th year. This year’s event is scheduled for Saturday, August 15. The Blue Ridge Brutal Bike Ride takes serious riders through some of the most beautiful scenery in North Carolina. Routes include 100, 70, 50 or 25 miles, and the race begins in front of the Museum of Ashe County History (1904 Courthouse) in Jefferson. Blue Ridge Brutal’s proceeds benefit the group’s scholarship fund for graduating seniors. More information can be found at blueridgebrutal.org and on the event’s Facebook page.
New Exhibit at the Damascus Trail Center | Damascus, VA, also known as “Trail Town USA,” is home to the popular Damascus Trail Center. This summer, the Center presents a new exhibit, “Chain Reaction: How Bikes Led to a Trail-Town Revolution,” on display now through September. This special exhibit celebrates America’s 250th Anniversary, the ever-growing popularity of cycling, and the town of Damascus. Learn about the Iron Mountain Trail, Virginia Creeper Trail, TransAmerica Bicycle Trail, and more. The Center is open daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and admission is free. 209 West Laurel Ave. Damascus, VA
My Best Friend’s Barkery “Pack Walk” | Each month, My Best Friend’s Barkery in Banner Elk offers dog owners an opportunity to congregate and take a “pack walk” with their neighbors and furry friends. These walks are relaxed, community walks where dogs and people can move together, practice good habits, and enjoy some time outside. Bring your pup to the Barkery’s parking lot at 5 p.m. on the designated date—monthly dates are posted
at mybestfriendsbarkery.com under “Events.” 176 Shawneehaw Ave, Banner Elk, NC
“BE Blooms”—The Joy of Gardening in Banner Elk | A group of green-thumbed volunteers is busy beautifying Tate-Evans town park and other flower containers/beds around downtown Banner Elk. The volunteers, known as BE Blooms, consider themselves “Friends of the Park—volunteers who love to garden, working to enhance the beauty of our Town. If you love Banner Elk’s town park, come join us.” Find out more on their FB page; donations can be made out to Friends of the Park and dropped off at Town Hall. facebook.com/p/BEBlooms-61566286107163/
Banner House Oral History Project Continues | The Banner House Museum continues its participation in an area-wide oral history project to collect stories surrounding Tropical Storm Helene, as well as stories on the general history of Banner Elk and surrounding Avery County. Working in collaboration with Appalachian State University Libraries’ Special Collections Research Center, Avery County Historical Society, and the Beech Mountain Museum, folks can share their Helene and other historical experiences at a special recording station set up at the museum. Also at the museum this summer is an exhibit highlighting Banner Elk as part of America250. Learn more at bannerhousemuseum.org.
Apple Hill Farm Outpost Expands | The Apple Hill Farm Outpost is a unique destination that brings the spirit of Apple Hill Farm’s mountaintop alpaca farm right into the heart of Banner Elk. The Outpost offers farm favorites, such as cozy alpaca apparel and yarns, plus an expanded selection of alpaca fiber products and other gifts. Their foods section highlighting local agriculture, offers fresh goods—meats, cheeses, produce, baked goods, and prepared foods—from local farms and food producers. Stop by this summer—they’ve expanded both their offerings and their space. The Apple Hill Farm Outpost is located at 414 Shawneehaw Ave S, Banner Elk NC. applehillfarmnc.com/apple-hill-farm-outpost/
40 Years for Sunset Tees & Hattery | Jack and Becky Hall opened this downtown Blowing Rock business back in 1986, and since then, it has become a central fixture in town. Like the name implies, the shop is known for its huge selection of fun t-shirts and hats—in fact, there are over 1,000 hats at any given time in dozens of styles. The staff is always happy to help you find the perfect fit. In addition, you’ll find over 100 locally made jellies, jams, butters and sweets. Stop by to congratulate them, buy a commemorative t-shirt and try an ice cream sample. 1117 Main St, Blowing Rock, NC.
“The Collective” Records Demo in Nashville | Dave Calvert’s The Collective Trio has scored a recording session in “Music City USA,” Nashville, TN. As owner of Carolina Barbeque in Newland, NC, Calvert’s 5-piece band, The Collective (Dave & Jen Calvert, Tim Rhodes, John Campbell, and Jason Birch), is a High Country Variety Cover Band performing hit R&B, Country Rock and Pop Rock songs from the ‘60s through today. This past April, The Collective Trio (the Calverts and Tim Rhodes) recorded several songs at Michael Rhodes’ (Tim’s son) studio in Nashville and, as Calvert noted, “We killed it!” Of special interest to Rhodes was an original song Calvert wrote 40 years ago called “Matter of Time.” According to a fan, “everyone who’s heard it thinks it has strong hit potential; especially should a big name decide to record it.” Bookings and music at collectivesmusic.com. -contributed by Steve York
Efficiency Tips from Blue Ridge Energy | Blue Ridge Energy, this year celebrating 90 years in business, invites the community to “Beat the Peak” this summer. They note, “A heatwave is here and you can help us hold down power costs by turning your thermostat up to the highest comfortable setting and delaying large appliance usage from 2-7 p.m. on Thursday and Friday.” They also remind us of these energy-saving tips: wash clothes and dishes during the morning or late evening hours; turn off lights you aren’t using; replace your air filters regularly (about every two months); bake with glass or ceramic pans; and uplug devices, such as phone chargers and tablets when not in use. If you have an outdoor AC unit, be sure to clean off the debris, dirt and pollen and keep the perimeter free of long grasses and weeds. You’ll find more money-saving tips at BlueRidgeEnergy.com.
Summer Swimming Safety | Summer swimming season is here, and with it comes this reminder from the Boone Fire Department: drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional death in the U.S. claiming an average of 10 lives every day. According to the Dept., drowning takes only a few seconds. “Everyone should learn to swim and achieve a level of water competency that allows them to enter the water, submerge their heads, resurface, take a breath, stay afloat, change position in the water, swim a short distance, and get back out of the water.” They add that during a water emergency, you should know how to call for emergency help, how to help someone in trouble in the water safely, and how to perform CPR. You’ll find more water safety tips at: www.redcross.org.
Lees-McRae College Secures Historic Gift | Lees-McRae is the recent recipient of the largest gift in college history—a $10 million commitment from Charlotte philanthropists Howard “Smoky” and Margaret Bissell—in support of a new housing community. Their donation will support the construction of “Bobcat Way” townhouses, residential facilities that will serve both college students and employees. Construction on the project is set to
begin this summer and is expected to be completed for the Fall 2027 semester. www.lmc.edu
Kool Nights and Hot Rods | Cruise the “Coolest Corner” of North Carolina! Join fellow auto enthusiasts in downtown West Jefferson for a nostalgic cruise-in with vintage rides. Summer events take place on Saturday, July 18, 5-8 p.m., Saturday, August 15, 5- 8 p.m., and Sunday, September 20, 1-4 p.m. Visit the Ashe Chamber of Commerce web page at ashechamber.com for more information.
Freedom Life Ministries Transitional Housing | Access to transitional and entry housing is a vital piece of building stronger, healthier communities. Freedom Life Ministries, a non-profit that supports people before, during, and after incarceration through direct services, community partnership, and systems-level work that create lasting change, recently broke ground on their new Avery County entry housing project. According to partner LiveWell Avery,
“This important development will provide a safe, supportive starting point for individuals and families working toward stability, independence, and a brighter future right here in our community. We are proud to celebrate this milestone with Freedom Life and look forward to the lasting impact this investment will make in Avery County.” Learn more at livewellavery.org and freedomlifeavery.org.
CML Celebrates the Tonys | On June 7, BARTER THEATRE in Abingdon, VA, shared the special 2026 Tony Award presented to the League of Resident Theatres (LORT), of which they were a founding member over 60 years ago. LORT is the largest professional theatre association
of its kind in the U.S., boldly giving new shows life, resources, and time, while trusting in their artistic potential. Barter last won in 1948 when it was the first recipient of the Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre.
Western NC’s own Mike Morris won his first Tony for Best Orchestrations for his work on the 2026 Best Musical “Schmigadoon!” Other Tar Heel winners include UNC School of the Arts grad Joe Mantello for Best Direction of a Play for “Death of a Salesman,” Qween Jean for Best Costume Design of a Musical for “Cats: The Jellicle Ball,” and Mikaal Sulaiman for Outstanding Sound Design, also for his work on “Salesman.” Jean and Sulaiman are veterans of Playmakers Repertory Company in Chapel Hill, NC’s only LORT member and co-recipient with Barter of the special Tony Award. Most recently, Mikaal created the sound design for “Immediate Family” at Charlotte’s Blumenthal Performing Arts Center in fall 2025. -contributed by Keith Martin
Keep the “Wild” in Wildlife | This summer, please refrain from feeding deer. According to the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, feeding deer can:
– provide food sources that are often less nutritious and that can compromise the animals’ digestive systems; deer are adapted to adjust as their diet changes throughout the year–eating anything they don’t feed on naturally can cause severe illness or even death.
– discourage deer to forage for themselves, which in turn makes them less resilient.
– increase disease risk (which can spread to other deer).
The biggest action High Country residents and visitors can take to encourage healthy deer populations in our area is to keep them dependent on their natural food sources. White-tailed deer by Ken Taylor, courtesy of NCWRC
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, enjoy yoga at Playful Heart Studio, 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 tamara@NCexplorers.com.