Banner Elk Voted Best “Quirky Small Town”
New at BRAHM
North Carolina Well Represented at Tony Awards
For the tenth year in a row, CML covered the Tony Awards live and in person. NC native, WCU grad, and 2022 Oscar-winner Ariana DeBose (pictured above) hosted the 75th annual celebration and was the star of the evening, setting the stage in her opening monologue for numerous tributes to the understudies, standbys and swings who kept Broadway upand-running this season as the industry emerged from the pandemic. Raleigh’s Jaquel Spivey was Tony-nominated for his leading role in “A Strange Loop,” which won the coveted Best Musical award. The multi-talented Jared Grimes from High Point performed a show-stopping tap routine in the revival of “Funny Girl,” earning his first Tony nomination. North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston-Salem was well represented with three of their graduates receiving four nods: Camille A. Brown was nominated in two different categories for her work on “for colored girls…” and five-time nominee Mary-Louise Parker (who won the 2020 Best Actress award) for “How I Learned to Drive.” Costume designer Paul Tazewell, (a previous Tony winner for “Hamilton”) earned another nomination for his designs on “MJ: The Musical.” In addition, Raleigh-native William Ivey Long’s gorgeous costume creations for “Diana: The Musical” scored his 18th Tony nomination. Bravo to all. –contributed by Keith Martin
The Blowing Rock Art and History Museum, a.k.a. BRAHM, recently appointed James Pearson to be the next Executive Director replacing Lee Carol Giduz, who will be retiring in late July. Sandy Huff, Chair of the Board of Trustees and Chair of the Search Committee stated, “James brings over 10 years of experience leading museums, presenting exhibitions and building collections. He has just the right balance of art, education and leadership experience to move the Museum forward in its next chapter.” Now’s a great time to support BRAHM— plan now to attend their Annual Gala on Friday, August 5, taking place this year at Appalachian State University’s beautiful Grand View Ballroom. The evening will include cocktails, dinner, live music, dancing, and of course a Fund-a-Need auction to strengthen BRAHM’s impactful exhibitions and educational programs. The registration deadline is Wednesday, July 27. Visit www.blowingrockmuseum.org/ offerings/gala for more information. Also check out BRAHM’s summer exhibitions, kids programming and more! https:// www.blowingrockmuseum.org/
Congratulations Appalachian State Graduates!
Nearly 4,000 students attained Appalachian State University degrees last spring. At six ceremonies held over two days, the university conferred degrees to 3,946 graduates, including 3,296 undergraduate and 650 graduate students. “As graduates of App State, you will be uniquely positioned to adapt, lead and serve in a world that has been fundamentally changed,” Chancellor Sheri Everts said in her address to the graduates.
Banner Elk was recently named one of “15 Best Small Towns to Visit in 2022” by Smithsonian Magazine. According to the magazine, “Celebrating America’s small towns has become one of Smithsonian magazine’s favorite traditions: an opportunity to get lost in the slower pace of walkable streets, minor league baseball games and waters brimming with wildlife.” Banner Elk was cited as best “Quirky Small Town (pop. 1,049).”
Other nearby attractions were also recognized in the article, including Grandfather Mountain and the new Wilson Center for Nature Discovery at Grandfather; Beech Mountain and Sugar Mountain Resorts; Beech Mountain Brewing; Grandfather Vineyard & Winery and Banner Elk Winery; Artisanal and Stonewalls restaurants; Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster; Apple Hill Farm; and Banner Elk’s signature event, the 45th Annual Woolly Worm Festival, being held this year on October 15-16. Read more at https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/the-15-best-small-townsto-visit-in-2022-180980129/
A Fresh Face for Avery County High School
After a long construction phase, the Avery County High School (ACHS) Renovation Project was completed in May, and students who return this fall will get to settle into the new wing—without the presence of construction crews! Continued...
CAROLINA MOUNTAIN LIFE Summer 2022 —
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