Local Tidbits

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

New at BRAHM

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 Voted Best “Quirky Small Town”

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...

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The ribbon cutting ceremony for the new building at ACHS was held in early May. Days later, the Avery County Board of Commissioners received the Avery County Board of Education Friends of Education Award, which recognizes those in the county who make significant contributions to the Avery County School System. The commissioners were recognized for their unwavering support of Avery County Schools through generous funding of projects such as the ACHS addition and remodeling, the school system’s 1:1 technology initiative, and replacement of the ACHS stadium turf.

Barn Quilt Classes at Apple Hill Farm

North Carolina artist Ken McNeil will return to Apple Hill Farm on July 23 for another day of Barn Quilt Painting Classes. Using his custom barn quilt designs, participants get to paint a 24 x 24-inch board that is primed and taped with one of four designs: a sunflower, a single or double cardinal or a flag. The cost of the class and all materials is $125. Weather permitting the class will meet in an outdoor classroom in the apple orchard surrounded by alpacas. For more information go to www.applehillfarmnc. com/events. Class times are 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. or 3 - 5:30 p.m. Oasis never tells anyone what they should do. Instead, they help brainstorm ideas and look together at possibilities. They work closely with other agencies and can help survivors identify the different avenues of support available to them. You can offer support through donations, volunteering, and attending fundraising events. You can also spread the word to anyone you may know who might need help [24-hour crisis lines: 828-262-5035 (Watauga County), 828-504-0911 (Avery County)]. For general information, call 828-264-1532, or visit facebook.com/ OASISHighCountry/ and www.oasisinc.org.

What’s New at Williams YMCA of Avery County

The Williams YMCA of Avery County joined the Healthy Opportunities Pilot program in March 2022, becoming part of a network of local nonprofits who are participating in the pilot to create healthier communities across western North Carolina. The Healthy Opportunities Pilot is the nation’s first comprehensive program to test evidence-based, non-medical interventions, which are designed to improve the health of Medicaid beneficiaries while reducing costs.

These interventions include healthy meals and nutrition classes, transportation to grocery stores or job interviews, mold remediation and housing safety inspections, parenting curriculum and home visiting services, and linkages to legal support. To learn more about the program, visit www.impacthealth.org or call 828-737-5500 to speak with the YMCA’s Community Outreach Director and determine your next steps. “We can’t wait to help you improve your health!”

Get to Know Oasis

OASIS (Opposing Abuse with Service, Information and Shelter) is a private, 501(c)3 non-profit organization serving survivors of domestic and sexual assault in Watauga, Avery and surrounding counties. OASIS has a philosophy of empowerment, which means they believe every survivor is able to make the best decisions for themselves if given the support and resource referrals.

Visit this Summer’s Featured Artists at Mica

Mica, a Cooperative Gallery of Fine Art and Contemporary Craft, showcases the work of its members and invited guests. During the summer of 2022, five artists will be highlighted at the gallery, located in Bakersville, NC, between Spruce Pine and Roan Mountain, in close proximity to Penland School of Craft.

Featured in June are Lisa Joerling (Full Frog, pictured above) and Jean McLaughlin (Generations of Irises and Lilacs, pictured above). Joerling’s playful ceramic animals always bring a smile to the gallery’s visitors. Jean McLaughlin will be showing monotypes and woodcuts. Sondra Dorn and Teresa Pietsch will take Mica’s spotlight in July. Dorn is a mixed media artist whose paintings are reminiscent of abstract landscapes.

Teresa Pietsch finds imagery and inspiration by walking her dogs in the quiet of the woods. In August, the focus will shift to potter Gay Smith who will be showing candle holders, menorahs, candelabra, containers to hold candles, and lamps. “Anything to do with light,” Smith reports. Learn more at micagallerync.com.

Camping with Kids this Summer?

Get ready for adventure in the great outdoors! There’s so much to see and do when you’re out camping or hiking— even in your own backyard. Encourage kids to explore the world around them and learn important wilderness skills with this activity book, “Camping Activity Book for Kids,” by Amelia Mayer. It’s full of projects and ideas to spark a love of nature and help kids have tons of fun outdoors. You’ll also want to check out the “Camping with Kids Cookbook,” full of fun and easy recipes for the whole family! mountainmamashop.com

Holston Camp Offers New Opportunities

Preparing for their 67th year of summer camp programs, Holston Center is honoring their legacy while also embracing new opportunities. Leading the way is Holston Center’s new Executive Director Dave Cohn, who brings 29 years of camp and conference center experience to the High Country. A new program available to our community in 2022 is the Holston Camp Preschool, which is a fully licensed preschool program that blends the sound fundamentals of early childhood education with outdoor, hands-on experiences. The preschool will operate Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. for children ages 3-5. Learn more about enrolling for the 2022-23 school year at holstoncenter.org/ home/preschool/. Holston Center continues to operate their signature summer camp programs for children and youth, with a day camp program for children 1st through 8th grade and traditional overnight camp experiences for children 2nd through 12th grade. For more information, contact Holston Center at info@holstoncenter.org or 844-465-7866.

Feeding Avery Families New Operation Center

Feeding Avery Families (FAF) is a nonprofit Christian organization in Avery County, NC, dedicated to eliminating hunger. The organization currently rents two spaces for their Distribution Center and Storage Annex. Coming soon, a new building will double the current food distribution area and allow the return to client choice, in which clients pick out their own food in a “grocery store” setting, guided by a volunteer. This format reduces waste and creates personal relationships that allow FAF to identify and help with other client needs.

The new building will also allow for additional storage space; an additional cooler to store more fresh local produce, plus an additional freezer for more frozen meat; a new Community Health Initiative; a demonstration kitchen to provide healthy cooking classes and tastings for both adults and children; a classroom for teaching by a nutrition professor and student interns from Appalachian State University; a covered drive-thru for unloading donations, and a loading dock to receive larger shipments from MANNA FoodBank; and much more. Follow their progress and learn more about this valuable organization at https://feedingaveryfamilies.org/.

Locally Grown and Owned: All Seasons Landscape Supply & Garden Center

All Seasons is the High Country’s newest landscape supply and garden center. They carry a wide variety of plant material from container grown plants to large specimen ball and burlap trees. “If plant material is not what you are looking for then we have a large variety of mulches, compost, top soil, decorative gravel and creek stone. Pick up onsite or we can deliver to you.” www.allseasonssupply.com

A New Neighborhood at Blue Ridge Mountain Club

Blue Ridge Mountain Club (BRMC) introduces its newest neighborhood offering, The Meadows. With fields of green cloaked in wildflowers and sweeping views of the mountains, The Meadows is where beauty takes center stage, away from the hustle and bustle. Neighborhood residents will enjoy numerous amenities, including a courtyard for year-round outdoor living; a spacious pool; a dedicated restaurant and bar; a multipurpose court for pickleball, tennis and basketball, with an indoor track; and an arcade for all ages. BRMC is all about enhancing lifestyle and creating new opportunities to own a home in the High Country. Phase 1 Homes at The Meadows are now available for presale. blueridgemountainclub.com/meadows/