Local Tidbits

CML Applauds Mark Freed

As the “Boone 150” Sesquicentennial celebration draws to a close, it’s time to give a shout-out to CML contributing writer Mark Freed (see Mark’s most recent article on page 44). Officially Boone’s Director of Cultural Resources, Mark is so much more. Bettie Bond, President of the Watauga County Historical Society, says his knowledge and appreciation of Appalachian music led the formation of the Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM). Mark sometimes gathers over 100 young people at the Jones House to be nurtured by local music masters where, Bond says, “There’s always lots of pickin’ and grinnin’ going on.”

This success laid the foundation for partnerships with other entities, culminating in the BOONERANG Music and Arts Festival. “The committee Mark shepherded gave a newfound appreciation for our sweet home; his leadership fosters the kind of ‘let’s have a party’ celebratory atmosphere.” Perhaps Boone Mayor Tim Futrelle said it best: “Mark has a consummate sense of tying together the old and the new—honoring the past and giving a nod to the present in innovative ways. Boone’s Cultural Resources has a very bright future.”

Mica Celebrates Its 10th Anniversary

Mica was founded to create an artistowned gallery to encourage customers to deepen their appreciation of the handwork made in this region and to be part of the revitalization of the town of Bakersville, NC, through cultural tourism. Ten years later, Mica members continue to see the gallery as an opportunity to contribute to the cultural, educational, and economic development of the community. During the month of December, gallery artists and patrons celebrate this important milestone, and will be showing works throughout the month with a holiday theme, perfect for special gifts and stocking stuffers. Mica is located at 37 Mitchell Avenue, Bakersville, NC, and is open daily. micagallerync.com. Photo, below: Vicki Essig’s Small Mica Book Sculpture

Denim Ball Raises $240,000 in Support of Moses H. Cone Memorial Park

In late 2022, more than 200 guests attended The Denim Ball, hosted by the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation at Moses H. Cone Memorial Park. The event surpassed its previous fundraising record, garnering $240,000 in support for continuing improvements at Moses and Bertha Cone’s former 3,500-acre estate. The nonprofit Foundation marked its 25th anniversary in 2022, and since its inception has worked with the National Park Service and donors to invest in the preservation of Moses H. Cone Memorial Park, including successfully nominating the estate for the National Register of Historic Places. Photograph below by Lonnie Webster; (L to R) Janet Stout, Eric and Diane Overcash, Richard Gambill, and Bob Stout.

MountainTrue Celebrates Its Volunteers

MountainTrue continued its 40th Anniversary Celebration by recently recognizing individuals from across the Southern Blue Ridge as regional Volunteers of the Year. Hayden Cheek, who is a consistent water quality volunteer with MountainTrue’s High Country team, was named High Country Volunteer of the Year. Hayden works at a local fly shop in Boone, NC, is an excellent angler and guide, and often goes above and beyond to take care of his local waterways. Learn more about the 2022 award winners and the important work of MountainTrue at mountaintrue.org. Photo above: Andy Hill of MountainTrue presents Hayden Cheek with the High Country Volunteer of the Year Award. Local Winery Earns Prestigious Awards Grandfather Vineyard & Winery, located at an elevation of 3,300 feet, is nestled beneath the profile of Grandfather Mountain and is known for producing award winning wines. At the 2022 Carolina Classic Fair/Mid-Atlantic Southeastern T Wine Competition, the winery received the following awards for select wines: Silver for their 2020 Blue Ridge Brut; Silver for their 2021 Appalachia Bubbles, Bronze for their 2021 Dry Sparkling Rose; Silver for their 2019 Chambourcin; and Silver for their 2019 Appalachia Red. At the NC Fine Wine Competition, Grandfather Vineyard & Winery received: Gold for their 2021 Appalachia Bubbles; Silver for their 2019 Cabernet Franc; Silver for their 2019 Appalachia Red; Silver for their 2019 Estate White Blend; and Bronze for their 2018 Estate Red Blend. Cheers to this High Country wine maker! www.grandfathervineyard.com

Avery County Chamber Announces 2022 Award Winners

The Avery County Chamber of Commerce recently held its annual celebration to honor Chamber members and recognize several outstanding individuals and businesses for their successes and many contributions to the community. Avery County native Scott Garland of Stonewalls was awarded “Business Person of the Year.” Mayland Community College was recognized as “Nonprofit of the Year.” Fred’s General Mercantile, which opened in 1979 on Beech Mountain, was awarded “Business

Tof the Year.” Avery County High School Senior Abigail Crosby was recognized as “Student of the Year” and received a scholarship for her achievements. The final award of the celebration event went to Victoria Bowman, who was named “Volunteer of the Year.” The Avery County Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center is located at the Shoppes at Tynecastle and is open five days a week. To learn more about membership opportunities and the various events sponsored by the Chamber throughout the year, visit averycounty.com.

Director Sarah Miller

The Award-Winning Watauga High School Pioneer Playmakers

For the second time in three years, a production by the Pioneer Playmakers at Watauga High School has been named Distinguished Play at the NC Theatre Conference, which is the equivalent to winning the “State Championship in Theatre.” The win extends WHS’s streak of 42 consecutive NCTC Superior ratings in a row. The troupe and director Sarah Miller’s interpretation of “Our Place” by Terry Gabbard will represent NC at the Southeastern Theatre Conference this March in Lexington, KY. This is the fourth state championship for WHS, following previous wins for the play “Dearly Departed” in 1999, directed by Trimella Chaney, the production of “John Lennon and Me” in 2007, directed by Sarah Miller, and “Ernest and the Pale Moon” in 2019, directed by Zach Walker. In addition, Miller received an “Excellence in Directing” award and WHS students Elias Evans and Sage Park earned “Excellence in Acting” awards. Bravo, WHS!

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NC Space Grants Awarded to App State Professor and Students for Aerospace and Aviation Research

Three Appalachian State University students and a faculty member received 2022–23 NASA-funded North Carolina Space Grants to conduct research relating to aerospace and aviation fields. Grants went to App State physics and astronomy professor Dr. James Sherman, and students Ethan Barber, a senior physics major, Matthew Allen, an engineering physics graduate student, and Samuel DeMay, an engineering physics graduate student. These students will participate in pertinent research as they work toward future scientific and technological breakthroughs. Photo: Matthew Allen, left, and Dr. James Sherman are pictured inside App State’s Appalachian Atmospheric Interdisciplinary Research (AppalAIR) facilities. Photography by Chase Reynolds.

Darius Rucker to Headline AASF ‘23

An Appalachian Summer Festival has announced that three-time Grammy Awardwinning singer Darius Rucker will be the festival headliner for their 39th season in summer 2023, with an outdoor concert at Kidd Brewer Stadium on Saturday, July 29. Tickets go on sale to the public on Monday, March 20 at 10 a.m. Rucker first achieved multi-Platinum status in the music industry as lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the Grammy Award-winning band, Hootie & the Blowfish, who have sold more than 25 million albums worldwide, including their Diamond-certified debut, “Cracked Rear View,” which remains among the Top 10 best-selling studio albums of all time. Since releasing his first country album in 2008, Rucker has earned a whole new legion of fans with four No. 1 albums on the Billboard Country chart, including RIAA Platinum-certified “Learn to Live and True Believers,” plus 10 No. 1 singles at country radio, and 11 Gold, Platinum or multi-Platinum certified hits. More info at www.appsummer.org.

Lees-McRae Summer Theatre 2023

Lees-McRae Summer Theatre has, for almost 40 years, been a shining star in the Banner Elk community, providing top quality, professional theatre in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. The theatre specializes in big stage musicals including Broadway classics and newer hits, plus some outstanding original works. If you have yet to enjoy this excellent hybrid of professional, educational, and community theatre, consider getting to know them this year. The Theatre relies on financial support from community patrons, and contributions can be made online at LMC.edu/summertheatre. Photo credit: Rebekkah J. Meixner-Hanks