Local Tidbits

Grandfather Mountain’s Wilson Center for Nature Discovery Nears Completion

Under construction since fall 2019, the Wilson Center—part of an all new Conservation Campus—will nearly double the size of the park’s current Nature Museum with 10,000 square feet of education space, including state-ofthe-art museum exhibits, three classrooms, restoration of the ADA-accessible auditorium, enhanced food service facilities to allow for catering and serving educational groups, and expanded capacity for hosting conferences, seminars, receptions and community events. The new facility is officially “under roof” and is expected to open in spring 2022. For updates and more information, visit www. grandfather.com/fulfillingpromises.

Ashe County Arts Council Welcomes Joni Ray

Joni Ray has been named the new Executive Director of the Ashe County Arts Council (ACAC), one of the High Country’s most cherished grassroots organizations. Reflecting on how “very honored” she was to join the ACAC, Ray said, “I am aware of the remarkable opportunity I have been given to fulfill my passion for the arts by working every day to engage our community.” Ray grew up in Ashe County and knows “firsthand how valuable accessible arts programming is in all stages of our lives.” Board President Wesley Barker said, “We look forward to having her artistic talents and fresh ideas as part of our organization.”

The mission of the ACAC is to offer, “leadership, collaboration and growth through the arts,” and they operate two cultural facilities. A historic WPA building, the Ashe Arts Center in downtown West Jefferson houses the offices for the Arts Council, The Gallery, and Gallery Shop. The Ashe Civic Center is a 282-seat theatre which serves as the home of the Ashe County Little Theatre, among other local groups. Learn more at https:// www.ashecountyarts.org/.

Diana Travis and MaryAnn Mueller, photo by Leila Jackson

Land Donation Adds Watauga River Access in Valle Crucis

Thanks to a generous donation of land, Blue Ridge Conservancy (BRC) will soon open 8.5 acres of river access along the Watauga River in Valle Crucis, NC. MaryAnn Mueller and Diana Travis gifted 6 acres, and the Tennessee Valley Authority and Watauga Tourism Development Association funded the purchase of the other 2.5 acres. This land, located just past the NC 194 bridge, will have a public parking area and create easier access to the Watauga River Paddle Trail.

The Women’s Fund of the Blue Ridge Grants $196,900 to Local Non-profits

The Women’s Fund of the Blue Ridge (WFBR) continues to make a difference for women and girls in Ashe, Avery, and Watauga counties. The success of the 2021 outdoor Power of the Purse luncheon, the increase in membership, their many sponsors, and the community helped the organization bring in $196,900, which is being awarded to a variety of agencies that will create positive change for women and girls in the High Country. For a full list of agencies included in the grant, visit www.womensfundoftheblueridge.org.

App State Ranked among Nation’s Top Colleges

Appalachian State University is among the country’s best higher education institutions in the nation, according to several prominent publications. Honors include “Best Colleges” rankings for 2022 (U.S. News & World Report); “The Best 387 Colleges” and “Best Colleges: Region by Region” rankings for 2022 (The Princeton Review); and “America’s Top Colleges” rankings for 2021 (Forbes magazine). TThe future App State Hickory Campus | Graphic by Jim Fleri

In other App State News

The university recently announced the purchase of a 225,800-square-foot building to establish the App State Hickory Campus in the state’s largest metro area without a public university. “Hickory is a vibrant, growing city, just a short drive from Boone, that offers opportunities for App State to continue the mission we have had since 1899—to increase access to education,” said Chancellor Sheri Everts. The building sits on 15.7 acres of land and includes large open spaces, a cafeteria and nearly 700 parking spaces.

The Helping Hands Woodlot Ministry

The Helping Hands Woodlot Ministry, an outreach ministry of Grace Lutheran Church in Boone, is located next to the Hospitality House in Boone and is run in partnership with the Hunger and Health Coalition and WeCAN agencies. Volunteers meet every Tuesday year round from 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. to collect, cut, and split donated trees and wood. The split wood is then given to people who cannot otherwise afford firewood to heat their homes during the winter months. If you have a fallen tree, or trees on your property that need to come down and that you would like to donate to this

Tministry, or if you can volunteer, please contact Harold Stophel at 828.789.9127.

Support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

The mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. Consistent with the vision of founder Danny Thomas, no child is denied treatment based on race, religion or a family’s ability to pay. Treatments developed at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20% to 80% since the hospital opened more than 50 years ago. Learn more about St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org.

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Lost Province at Hardin Creek

Lost Province Brewing Co. is a destination microbrewery and gastrobpub located in historic downtown Boone, NC. As a small, family owned and operated business, they are committed to our community, environment and employees. Last summer, the Company opened its second location, Lost Province at Hardin Creek, just east of downtown Boone. Lost Province at Hardin Creek is an intimate taproom that focuses solely on the beer, and also serves as the primary production facility. https://www. lostprovince.com/

Winter Farmers’ Market in Downtown Boone

Boone’s Winter Farmers’ Market, powered by Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture, is returning for the 2021-2022 Winter Market season. The Boone Winter Farmers’ Market offers a wide range of local products, such as fresh produce, meats, bouquets, pottery, prepared foods and preserves, honey, homemade body products, herbal remedies, chocolate, coffee, and more. For more information about featured vendors, vendor pre-order info, and special events, customers are encouraged to follow Boone’s Winter Farmers’ Market Facebook page: www.facebook. com/BooneWinterFM/ and Boone Winter Farmers’ Market Instagram page: www. instagram.com/boonewintermarket/. The Market runs December - March, every Saturday from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., at 252 Poplar Grove Rd, downtown Boone.

Gift to An Appalachian Summer Festival

Benefactor Chris Petti has pledged $500,000 to be applied toward a $1 million challenge gift from Nancy and Neil Schaffel, in support of the endowment fund for An Appalachian Summer Festival —App State’s annual celebration of the performing and visual arts. The challenge is part of the festival’s larger $5 million endowment goal. Says Denise Ringler, director of arts engagement and cultural programs at App State, “The endowment will enable the festival to maintain the breadth and quality of its programs, while also supporting its mission to provide affordable access to the arts for all. Chris’s generous gift is a major step forward in reaching our goal and inspiring others to contribute.”

Warm Up Your Household

As the cold weather continues this season, consider adding some furry warmth to your household! We are fortunate to have several animal shelters in our area that do an amazing job caring for animals in need and placing those animals in forever homes! Visit a Humane Society in Watauga, Avery, or Ashe County and find a special pet to add some “warm and fuzzy” to your winter!