HC Magazine December 2018

Volume 14 • Issue 3 December 2018

Merry Christmas “Pappy, I invited Santa Bear to our parade ! Think he’ll come?”

December 2018

High Country Magazine

A

DI A N N E DAVA N T & A S S O C I AT E S EXCELLENCE BY DESIGN SINCE 1979

M A R G A R E T H A N D L E Y,

ASID

D I A N N E D A VA N T , A S I D PA M E L A M C K A Y, A S I D

P R I S C I L L A H Y A T T,

B A N N E R E L K , N O RT H C A R O L I N A 828.963.7500 S T U A R T, F L O R I D A 772.781.1400 W W W. D A VA N T - I N T E R I O R S . C O M B

High Country Magazine

December 2018

ASID

PEACE

...of mind for our customers for over 100 years.

Live Local. Bank Local. piedmontfederal.bank Boone Branch | 828.264.5244 | 1399 Blowing Rock Road, Boone, NC 28607 N. Wilkesboro Branch | 336.667.9211 | 200 Wilkesboro Avenue, N. Wilkesboro, NC 28659

MEMBER FDIC Š2018 Piedmont Federal Savings Bank December 2018

High Country Magazine

1

BOONE’S PREMIER TILE SHOWROOM

Over 30 Years of Flooring Ex�erience!

Owners Trudy and David Shell

STORE HOURS: Monday - Friday: 8:30AM to 5PM Saturday: By Appointment 1852 H w y. 105, Bo one • 828-265- 0472 • w w w.Mo un t a inT il eNC .c o m 2

High Country Magazine

December 2018

Warming Hearts as well as Toes!

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Manufacturers of European-inspired down pillows, comforters and featherbeds.

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High Country Magazine

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WE MAKE WINTER FUN! Sugar Mountain Ski Resort skiing - snowboarding - tubing - ice skating - snowshoeing

Village of Sugar Mountain, North Carolina - 800-SUGAR-MT - www.skisugar.com December 2018 High Country Magazine

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C O N T E N T S

61 28

18

52

The Watauga Library Endowment has helped bring in over $80,000 from donations and support from the community to bring much-needed growth and new programs to the public library.

Piedmont Federal Savings Bank in Boone has made it their mission to provide excellent customer service for 45 years right here in the High Country.

28

Honoring Our High Country Veterans

Investing in the Library

Christmas With the Sofields

Tommy and Debbie Sofield love Christmas and love sharing their traditions of the holiday season at their home just outside of Boone in the Meat Camp community.

42

Fun and Games in the High Country

The Incredible Toy Company between Boone and Blowing Rock is celebrating 25 years of offering a wide variety of toys and games to a loyal customer base.

It’s All About the Customers

42

61

The local Watauga County chapters of the American Legion and Disabled American Veterans work hard to provide help and services to many veterans in the area.

70

Saving the Native Hemlocks

North Carolina Hemlock trees are under attack from an invasive species of beetle. A group of researchers are discovering new ways to prevent the decay of these beautiful trees.

52 Painting by Peg Carino

on the cover

A

note from the artist.......

To the many devoted readers who have become awesome fans of The Bear Family that has graced the Christmas cover for three seasons now, I can tell all of you they are grateful and quite taken with the attention they have received. Not only at Christmas. But, throughout the year with your questions and wanting to know what they might be up to. You met them in 2016 as they frolicked in the snow and proved to be quite talented at ice skating. Last year, you were able to see them gathered outside their dens to await Santa in the in the moonlit sky. This year, The Bear Family has come to visit all of you right here in downtown High Country, USA! And much to my delight, they invited a very special guest to join them. As the magazine goes to print, it is not known if Santa Bear has RSVP’d whether he might be ‘dropping in.’ With much appreciation, The Bear Family wish you a very Beary Christmas, a Happy New Year and will see you next year! Interested in obtaining prints of the original artworks? Please email me with your name and phone# at artfulgourmet23@gmail. com or text me at 828-260-9399.

T P T F

hank so much! eg Carino he Artful Gourmet ine Art & Whimsical Creations

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High Country Magazine

December 2017 2018

READER SERVICES ABOUT US

The first High Country Press newspaper was published on May 5, 2005, and the first issue of High Country Magazine went to press in fall 2005. In March of 2012 the newspaper made the transformation to an online newspaper at our new website: www.HCPress.com. Our new “webpaper” is still packed with information that we present and package in easy-to-read formats with visually appealing layouts.

Our magazine represents our shared love of our history, our landscape and our people. It celebrates our pioneers, our lifestyles, our differences and the remarkable advantages we enjoy living in the mountains. Our guiding principles are twofold: quality journalism makes a difference and customer care at every level is of the greatest importance.

Our offices are located in Boone, and our doors are always open to welcome visitors.

ADVERTISING & MARKETING

Our magazine is a wonderful way for businesses to advertise to our readers. Our magazines tend to stay around for a long time, on coffee tables and bed stands, and shared with family and friends. To find out about advertising, call our offices at 828264-2262.

BACK ISSUES

Back issues of our magazines are available from our office for $5 per issue. Some issues are already sold out and are no longer available.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Photography and page reprints are available for purchase. For sizing, prices and usage terms, please call our office. Some photos may not be available and some restrictions may apply.

Your Mountain Home is Beckoning Set on a beautifully wooded lot with views of Linville Mountain, the Cumberland Trace can serve as your mountain getaway or your year round home. As with all our new homes you find touches of rusty metal, stone, barnwood, horizontal chinked siding and of course our signature mahogany front door found nowhere but at the Mountain Club.

00

$479,9

CUMBERLAND TRACE

FREELANCE OPPORTUNITIES

Writers and photographers may send queries and samples to the editor at hcmag@highcountrypress.com.

Contact us at:

High Country Press/Magazine P.O. Box 152 1600 Highway 105 Boone, NC 28607 www.hcpress.com info@highcountrypress.com 828-264-2262

828-756-4008 LinvilleFallsMountainClub.com 45 Blue Ridge Drive North, Suite T Marion, NC 28752 December 2018

High Country Magazine

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FRO M T HE PUB L ISH ER

A Publication Of High Country Press Publications Editor & Publisher Ken Ketchie Art Director Debbie Carter Advertising Director Jeffrey Green Ken Ketchie

Christmas Toys and a Toy Store

W

e have a story in this month’s issue about the 25th anniversary of the Incredible Toy Company that’s located just outside of Boone on Highway 321 heading toward Blowing Rock. It’s the brightly painted red building that I’m sure everyone is familiar with seeing. Kathleen Roswell is the owner of the store and has become, as you can imagine, quite the toy expert over the last quarter century. She has a wonderful perspective on all things toys that you can read about in our story.

A couple of highlights are that she has never sold toy guns or video games in her shop, or Barbie Dolls.

An interesting thing she mentioned to me was that among all the games, toys, puzzles, books, stuffed animals and more is that those good old wooden toys are still a popular item, and are the ones that seem to last the longest. I can attest to that.

That’s my little wooden rocking chair that is with me in the photo above. I received that for Christmas when I was a little kid and my brother got one too. My mom says we would flop ourselves down in our chairs and rock away, then jump up, run around the house and then back to rocking away in our little miniature chairs that were just the right size for us. Over the years that rocking chair ended up in attics, basements and closets around my parents’ house. It finally circled around back to me a few years ago in just as good of shape as when I first got it many, many years ago. I have it sitting in a corner in my kitchen where it catches my eye now and then, giving me a smile about those days gone by and Christmases as a kid.

There are a couple of other wooden toys that my family still has from many years ago. At my brother’s house he has a wooden train set that we remember being brought out at Christmastime at our great grandparents’ house. It stood about a foot tall and had an engine and caboose with a passenger car in between, and wooden wheels that allowed you to roll it around the house. That train is probably 75 years old now and it’s still rolling around just fine!

Although the Incredible Toy Company has a number of wooden toy sets for sale, what blows you away when visiting their store is the overwhelming selection of fabulous toys that fit into the store’s philosophy of toys that help kids grow their imaginations and are part of a learning experience, all the while still having a fun time.

One of the reasons that Kathleen’s toy store is still thriving today is that it has become a tourist destination. Toy stores are disappearing from small towns but with her location in between Boone and Blowing Rock and the unique items available in the store, Kathleen has been able to survive because it’s such a unique place to visit and shop. Kathleen sees out-of-town customers year after year. You should stop by for a visit.

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High Country Magazine

December 2018

Contributing Writers Nathan Ham Jan Todd Sherrie Norris Frank Ruggiero Hailey Blevins

Contributing Photographers Todd Bush Cheryl Zibisky Jan Todd High Country Magazine is produced by the staff and contributors of High Country Press Publications, which serves Watauga and Avery counties of North Carolina

HIGH COUNTRY MAGAZINE P.O. Box 152, Boone, NC 28607 828-264-2262 Follow our magazine online where each issue is presented in a flip-through format. Check it out at:

HighCountryMagazine.com Reproduction or use in whole or part of the contents of this magazine without written permission of the publisher is prohibited. Issues are FREE throughout the High Country. © 2017

by High Country Press. All Rights Reserved.

WE SUPPORT

SHOP LOCAL

December 2018

High Country Magazine

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Calendarof Events DECEMBER 2018

1-2 1-2 1-1/27 1-29

Anniversary Weekend, Appalachian Ski Mtn.,

appskimtn.com

Festival of Trees, Chetola Resort, chetola.com Festival of Lights, Chetola Resort, chetola.com Tweetsie Christmas, Blowing Rock

(Fridays and Saturdays Only), tweetsie.com

7

Christmas Tree Lighting, Jones House, Downtown

7

Holiday Stroll, Downtown Blowing Rock,

7-9

Sugarfest, Sugar Mtn. , skisugar.com A Banner Elk Christmas, Ensemble Stage,

7-9

8

JANUARY 24-27

Boone, joneshouse.org blowingrock.com

ensemblestage.com

Boone Christmas Parade, King Street, Boone, wxploreboone.com

BLOWING ROCK WINTERFEST, polar plunge

6

6

National Winter Trails Day, Sugar Mountain, skisugar.com Burton Shred for the Cup Rail Jam,

8

Septuagenarian (70 and Older) Party, Sugar Mountain,

Appalachian Ski Mtn., appskimtn.com

8-9

Studio K: The Nutcracker, Schaefer Center, theschaefercenter.org

8-24

Santa at Sugar, Sugar Mtn., skisugar.com Reckless Rail Jam - Presented by Recess, Beech Mtn.,

13

Burton Riglet Park Tour, Appalachian Ski Mtn.,

18

A Banner Elk Christmas, Ensemble Stage,

24-27

WinterFest, Downtown Blowing Rock,

Gingerbread House Party, Beech Mtn.,

Arbor/SPY Shred for the Cup Big Air,

Skiing with Santa, Appalachian Ski Mtn., appskimtn.com Christmas Day Skiing, Appalachian Ski Mtn.,

February 2019

9

9

14-16

23

24

25

26-31

beechmountainresort.com appskimtn.com

ensemblestage.com

27

beechmountainresort.com

appskimtn.com

Midnight Blast Holiday Nights, Appalachian Ski Mtn.,

appskimtn.com

1

skisugar.com

High Country Junior Race Series, Sugar Mtn.,

skisugar.com

K2 Pop This! High Ollie Contest,

Appalachian Ski Mtn., appskimtn.com blowingrockwinterfest.com

Appalachian Ski Mtn., appskimtn.com

Girl Scout Cookie and Beer Pairing, Beech Mtn., beechmountainresort.com

2-3

Beyond the Boundaries Women’s Snowboard Camp,

The Schaefer Center Presents: Herbie Hancock,

31

31

Family Night, Beech Mtn., beechmountainresort.com New Year’s Eve Celebration & Live Music with Soulplay,

31

New Year’s Eve Extravaganza,

15-18

President’s Day Family Weekend, Appalachian Ski Mtn.,

31

New Year’s Eve Celebration, Sugar Mtn., skisugar.com

19

23

The Schaefer Center Presents: Dance Theatre of Harlem, theschaefercenter.com Banked Slalom 2019, Beech Mtn.,

Beech Mtn., beechmountainresort.com Appalachian Ski Mtn., appskimtn.com

january 2019

5

5-6 10

Winterfest Beer Festival 2019, Beech Mtn.,

beechmountainresortcom

EDGE of the WORLD Snowboard Demo Days, Sugar Mtn., skisugar.com

High Country Magazine

December 2018

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Beech Mtn., beechmountainresort.com theschaefercenter.org appskimtn.com

beechmountainresort.com

21-24

Totally Retro 80’s Ski Weekend, Beech Mtn.,

Volcom/Electric Shred for the Cup Slopestyle Finals,

24

beechmountainresort.com

Appalachian Ski Mtn., appskimtn.com

DON’T FORGET

EVENTS

Christmas at Tweetsie A legendary pianist and composer, Herbie Hancock has been recognized many times, receiving 14 Grammy awards, an Academy Award, and Album of the Year. He’s currently in the 6th decade of his professional life and remains at the forefront of culture, technology, business and music. He’s bringing all of that to his performance at the Schaefer Center in February. Tickets for this performance can be bought online or over the phone at 800-841-2787 or 828-262-4046. Students and faculty/staff can receive discounted tickets. You won’t want to miss this legend’s performance!

Weekends Thu Dec.

Herbie Hancock at the Schaefer Center

A legendary pianist and composer, Herbie Hancock has been recognized many times, receiving 14 Grammy awards, an Academy Award, and Album of the Year. He’s currently in the 6th decade of his professional life and remains at the forefront of culture, technology, business and music. He’s bringing all of that to his performance at the Schaefer Center in February. Tickets for this performance can be bought online or over the phone at 800-8412787 or 828-262-4046. Students and faculty/ staff can receive discounted tickets. You won’t want to miss this legend’s performance!

Feb. 13

December 2018

High Country Magazine

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mountain

echoes

Ginny Stevens Street Coming to Blowing Rock

O

n December 6th, 2017, Virginia “Ginny” Stevens passed away. From the time she and her husband, David, moved to Blowing Rock in 1985, Ginny had a huge impact on Blowing Rock. Before moving to Blowing Rock, Ginny was involved with several organizations in Raleigh, serving the community with her passion for preserving the history of the community. When she moved to Blowing Rock, that passion came with her and she became a dedicated preserver of Blowing Rock history, saving treasures and recording moments of history that make Blowing Rock unique.

Within the same year of moving to Blowing Rock, Ginny fell in love with the town and co-founded with Blowing Rock Historical Society. The society serves to “protect and preserve the historical character and charm of the village” and is now an active organization with over 300 members. The society plays a vital role in maintaining the unique sense of place that draws thousands of visitors to Historical Blowing Rock, NC. After Ginny’s death, Blowing Rock Historical Society published in their newsletter remembering Ginny, “If Blowing Rock is considered the crown of the Blue Ridge, then its crown lost a precious jewel 12

High Country Magazine

with the passing of Ginny Stevens in December. Her unwavering support of preserving Blowing Rock inspired us, brought us together, and showed us what can be achieved, even when others might not think so.

Ginny was often seen up and down Main St., in and out of shops, restaurants, and all over town, including at Town Hall.

And a lot of her work was unseen; writing letters and articles, researching, and fundraising; she seemed to work constantly toward keeping Blowing Rock’s charm alive.

“Not only was she very generous with her money, because she worked to restore things like the firetruck that we have, our original firetruck, and she was always instigating a fundraiser to restore something or educating people,” says Rita White, one of Ginny’s close friends.

Ginny’s passion for Blowing Rock shown through not only in her service with Blowing Rock Historical Society, where she served as President. Ginny also served on the Board of Directors for BRAHM, the Edgewood Cottage Restoration Committee, Edgewood Cottage’s Artists in Residence Program, and the Blowing Rock Community Art Center Foundation. Ginny helped to found Blowing Rock’s historical marker program and the community potluck day as well.

“She worked toward the betterment of the town. I think it shows in her efforts with restorating Edgewood Cottage, restoring the little 1888 museum, and being a big part of the Art and History Museum. She just worked tireless at working for her community but also wanting people to work together to keep it the special place it is, says Rita.

The last eighteen months of her life, Ginny and her husband lived at The Pines retirement community in Davidson, NC. Ginny returned to Blowing Rock to serve as Grand Marshall in the Blowing Rock 4th of July parade in 2016, in recognition of her

December 2018

many contributions she made to the town.

A reception was held on Thursday, January 4 from 4-6 p.m. at the American Legion Building in Blowing Rock, where the family of Ginny Stevens invited her friends to honor and remember all that she did to celebrate and preserve the history of Blowing Rock.

In memory of Ginny and the impact she left on Blowing Rock, Chestnut Street is being renamed Ginny Stevens Lane. The street name change was proposed to Blowing Rock Town Council earlier this year in June and was unanimously approved.

The new sign is currently up, and on January 1st the Chestnut Street sign will come down. Keep an eye out for the date of the dedication ceremony that will be held in early Summer.

The name change will serve as a reminder of Ginny’s dedication to service and preservation, encouraging others to follow her lead. “I feel like this is one small way, just having a sign with her name on it, that she will always be a part of Blowing Rock,” Rita says.

By Hailey Blevins

Up here, autumn paints in colors that summer has never seen.

Come Discover Eagles Nest: High Country living the way you want it.

There is no better place to experience all the natural beauty and variety of the Western North Carolina High Country than right here. With one of the highest elevations in the area –and just 3 miles from the charming downtown of Banner Elk–Eagles Nest is a haven for year-round outdoor activity, catering to every age and interest.

Home sites available from the 80’s.

Turn-key cottage packages from the 390’s.

Call 866-370-1052 or visit DiscoverEaglesNest.com

mountain

echoes

Winter Forecast

Winning Woolly Worm Predicts a Colder, Snowier Winter Montgomery County’s Best” took home first place at the 41st Annual Woolly Worm Festival in October. The worm, raced by Carolyn Thompson, is used as a weather prognosticator for the 2018-19 winner. The weather is based on the color of each of the 13 segments of a woolly worm’s body.

The colors will predict the weather and the temperature for each of the 13 weeks of winter.

Black segments mean below average temperatures and snow, dark brown means below average temperatures, light brown means above average temperatures and flick (black and brown) means below average temperatures with frost or light snow.

The segments predict a cold and snowy first three weeks of winter, followed by a week of below average temperatures and light snow or frost, then six weeks of below average temperatures and three weeks of below average temperatures with light snow or frost.

The 2018 Woolly Worm Festival will be remembered for the brutal winds that forced the cancellation of all events on Sunday. Vendor tends suffered damage and the threat of debris flying through the air forced the cancellation of the second day of events. Nearby Grandfather Mountain recorded a wind gust of 101.7 MPH.

2018-19 Woolly Worm Prediction 13 Segments = 13 Weeks

Week 1 (Dec. 21 - 27) Week 2 (Dec. 28 - Jan. 3) Week 3 (Jan. 4 - 10) Week 4 (Jan. 11 - 17) Week 5 (Jan. 18 - 24) Week 6 (Jan. 25 - 31) Week 7 (Feb. 1 - 7) Week 8 (Feb. 8 - 14) Week 9 (Feb. 15 - 21) Week 10 (Feb. 22 - 28) Week 11 (Mar. 1 - 7) Week 12 (Mar. 8 - 14) Week 13 (Mar. 15 - 21) 14

Below average temperatures with snow Below average temperatures with snow Below average temperatures with snow Below average temperatures with snow/frost Below average temperatures Below average temperatures Below average temperatures Below average temperatures Below average temperatures Below average temperatures Below average temperatures with snow/frost Below average temperatures with snow/frost Below average temperatures with snow/frost

High Country Magazine

December 2018

Ray’s Weather Predicts Slightly Snowier Winter The 2018-19 winter weather season may be a bit snowier than normal, that according to the forecast from Ray’s Weather Center.

Each year, the winter forecast is compiled by founder Dr. Ray Russell and his staff, using both scientific analysis of the current weather and atmospheric conditions and historical analysis of past snowfalls. The forecast takes into account possible El Nino or La Nina conditions in the ocean and the historical snowfall totals that have happened during similar conditions.

The 2018-19 Fearless Winter Forecast is predicting 15 percent higher snow totals than the 10-year averages in the High Country, as well as a greater than average potential for ice this winter. The forecast also predicts that temperatures will be between one and two degrees colder than average.

If you are interested in when the most snowfall will happen, according to the forecast, most of the snow will happen during January and February.

The 2018-19 Fearless Winter Forecast can be found at www.RaysWeather.com.

Ray’s 2018-19 Forecasted Snow Totals City Asheville Banner Elk Beech Mountain Boone Galax, VA Hendersonville Hickory Independence, VA Jefferson/West Jefferson Lenoir

Morganton

Mt. Airy Old Fort Sparta

Spruce Pine

Sugar Mountain Waynesville

Wilkesboro

Wytheville, VA

Expected Total Snow/Ice 16 inches 50 inches 100 inches 42 inches 24 inches 11 inches 6 inches 23 inches 24 inches 7 inches 7 inches 12 inches 8 inches 23 inches 24 inches

100 inches 17 inches 9 inches 25 inches

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High Country Magazine

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mountain

echoes

Studio K to Perform The Nutcracker at The Schaefer Center – December 8-9

S

tudio K Dance Company has been committed to excellence in dance for 36 years and are going on their 37th year in the High Country.

Cay Harkins first opened Studio K as a dance studio, and once she obtained enough dancers who developed their skills to become ballerinas, Studio K transitioned into a ballet school.

The Harkins have traditionally been a family of dancers; Cay fondly remembers dancing alongside her mother when she was only two years old, and passed the tradition to her four daughters, two of which are currently instructors at Studio K (Catharine Harkins Milner and Lindsey Harkins Ray). Cay’s husband also loved to perform, making it easy for him to become involved with the studio, too.

The Harkins’ family tradition of being dancers strongly influences the environment within Studio K. “Not only are we familyfriendly with individual families — like the mother, father, daughters and sons that are taking dance with us — but as a whole, we’re a big family,” Cay said. “I love to raise the studio the exact same way I had raised my family: A whole lot of love.

You have to take care of everybody and everyone’s needs.”

When it comes to overcoming trials, Cay aims to take away the negative connotation behind it and rather instills a positive outlook on challenges.

“Most people think the word 16

High Country Magazine

December 2018

‘challenge’ is a bad thing,” Cay said. “But any challenge that we have is very geared and directed toward just having an amazing time and loving what we’re doing.”

Studio K has dancers of various ages and experience, yet they all share the same attitude and values within their work.

“From the second I open that door every day and every child that comes in: It’s the smiles, it’s the enthusiasm, it’s the self-worth that these children have,” Cay said. “You’re going to see the happiness and the love and the fulfillment for everybody, from the finest of dancers down to the very youngest who just started taking dance.”

The values of positivity, growth and love are essential in curating amazing performances. Studio K is known for their annual performance of The Nutcracker; the studio first performed the ballet 22 years ago and has been performing it for the past 20 consecutive years.

The production of the ballet takes a lot of work and attention to detail, yet the studio’s experience with the ballet gives them quite the advantage.

“It’s a lot of work, but we have it in a system,” Cay said.

Cay also credits those behind the scenes who make the performances run smoothly.

“You can’t put my name on it because it’s so many people who are there and it wouldn’t work without them,” Cay said. ”Behind the scenes at the studio, we have 16 instructors, includ-

ing major instructors and assistant instructors. The Schaefer Center has a huge staff that’s behind the scene. We have a good ten people that are doing things like running and gathering the children to bring them on stage, costumers, people who seamstress and dressers.”

Studio K’s value of family tradition can be seen through their performance of The Nutcracker.

“We do have dancers that performed that first year that are still in it,” Cay said. “We also have a lot of dancers that performed the first year whose children and grandchildren are in the shows now. So, the legacy continues.”

While Studio K encourages the value of tradition and love within their school, they also hope to evoke those values among their audiences.

“Our biggest thing is we just want to make sure everybody watching the show leaves the show knowing that it is made of love, made through caring and that it’s a Godly thing that we’ve done for everybody and with everybody,” Cay said.

Studio K Dance Company will be performing The Nutcracker during the following dates and times: • Saturday, Dec. 8: one show at 1 p.m. and another at 7 p.m.

• Sunday, Dec 9 at 3 p.m.

If interested in seeing how hard work, tradition and love can improve the value of a performance, you can purchase tickets for The Nutcracker online or via phone at (800) 841-2787 or (828) 262-4046.

By Kelyn Wilhoit

the best gifts come in small packages.

Sparkle Happens

DOWNTOWN BOONE across from the Post Office www.VillageJewelersLtd.com | 828-264-6559 December 2018

High Country Magazine

17

By Sherrie Norris

115 Year Tradition

The Library 140 Queen Street â&#x20AC;¢ Boone 18

High Country Magazine

December 2018

Looking Back at the Library’s History

T

Turning the Pages of Time

he 1987 book, The Heritage of Watauga County (Volume the library shelves in the shape of good, clean literature, all of I), began its history of Libraries in Watauga County by which will be elevating to the reader. For just a small contribution alleging that “very little can be found out about the begin- in either books or cash from everyone in this vicinity who should nings of a public library in Watauga County. Apparently, in the be interested, would insure us a library of 1,000 volumes or more early [19]30s, one was set up as a W.P.A. [Works Progress Admin- in the near future.

For the present the library will be kept at the residence of Mrs. istration, a New Deal program] project with Mrs. Elsie Hagaman Alice Councill, for the convenience of Mrs. Boyden, the Librarian, as the Librarian.”

However, a historical resource which the Watauga County but early in the spring neat rooms will be fitted up for its accommodation, which we hope will asLibrary now owns are copies, on microfilm, of the local newspaper “The books of the Library, known as ‘The sume large proportions. The rules, regulations, etc., to govern it will be of record, the Watauga Democrat, Boone Public Library,’ which for seven years published later, but in the meantime from its foundation in circa 1888 have been kept at the home of Mrs. Alice go to work for this noble undertakup to the present year. An article ing which can be made, our schools which appeared in the December Councill, have recently been placed in accepted, the most beneficial of any3, 1903 issue of this newspaper shelves in the store of Mr. R.M. Greene, in thing we could possibly put within reads as follows: the reach of our people. Mrs. Boyden Boone” – LETTER to EDITOR from 1911 extends a general invitation to all to “The Public Library” call and examine the books.”

It has been our pleasure to examine the first enstallment [sic] of books for the public library A Letter to the Editor by the same Rev. at Boone, sent by sent by the Rev. W.R. Savage, of Blowing Rock.

There are 122 volumes, neatly bound and are all by our choicest Savage, from a 1911 newspaper, tells us: authors, and contain a vast amount of information that is at your “The books of the Library, known as ‘The Boone Public Library,’ disposal for the asking, for the present, at least. This is indeed a which for seven years have been kept at the home of Mrs. Alice Councill, very handsome and valuable gift from Mr. Savage, and now it is have recently been placed in shelves in the store of Mr. R.M. Greene, in the duty of our people to do all they can to carry on the work Boone, Mr. Greene kindly consenting to harbor them and act as Librarbegun by this good man, by contributing as many volumes as pos- ian during the coming winter. Hereafter the Library will be known as a sible to the library. Or, if you have no books to spare, place a little Memorial to Mrs. Maggie Boyden, the friend of all good works. In solicof the coin of the realm in the hands of the treasurer who will be iting gifts of books for the Library, remember that Mrs. Boyden did not appointed a little later, and it will soon make its appearance on approve of light and trashy reading, so let not books of that character

The success of the Watauga County Library building on Queen Street would not have been possible without the generosity of local donors who realized the importance of having the new library to serve its community. Many names of those who made it all possible are listed above.

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The Watauga County Library has always been a place where children learn to enjoy the written word.

This is just one of several locations that served Watauga County Library through the years

The Watauga County Library opened in 1997 with a special groundbreaking ceremony happening a year earlier.

Above, from left to right: Dr. Jack Lawrence (Watauga County Public Library Board of Trustees member, Bill Williamson (Board of Trustees Chairman), Mayor Velma Burnley, David Edmisten (Board of Trustees member), Rep. Virginia Foxx and David Green. The architectural design of the building was completed by Ray Howell & Associates. Below, construction on the new library gets underway. General contractor Enterline & Russell was in charge of the project.

The building is just over 16,000 square feet in size and the hope is that the library could be expanded in the near future.

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December 2018

be placed upon the shelves [!]. Hoping that all the citizens of Boone will help in the good cause and join in an effort to build up this means for the betterment of a community, in memory of one who loved Boone and its good people, and was ever an example, a woman good, pure and true, and a friend to all about her, I am, Respectfully, WILLIAM R. SAVAGE.” What became of this first library, housed first in a home and then in a store, is not recorded (or, perhaps, has not yet been fully discovered in resources such as the newspaper archives). The Heritage of Watauga County volume continues the story of Libraries in Watauga County by following the history of the WPA-built structure, which was (according to this source) “located in a little corner of the old Rivers Printing office [home of the Watauga Democrat newspaper] and then later moved to a tiny store front on King Street. The books were all donated.” This may reflect some recollection of the earlier libraries of the early 1900s, rather than attempts in the 1930.

Later, the Library was established in an upstairs room of an annex to the County Courthouse, the facility built of native stone by the Works Progress Administration, then moved downstairs to renovated, larger quarters, which the recollections of county employees tell once housed the maintenance facility for Watauga County School buses.

A bookmobile was used to deliver books as an outreach service, when “the first bookmobile, a panel truck, was purchased in 1949.” This first bookmobile had “weight routes, include[ing] stops at community stores, post offices, schools and a number of private homes.”

Watauga County Public Library became part of the Appalachian Regional Library in 1963, joining in a partnership with Ashe and Wilkes Counties to share books and other resources.

The Watauga County Public Library continues as a part of this cooperative system to this day. The Heritage of Watauga County notes that, “since 1945 there has been a Library Board of Trustees. They serve as an advisory committee, making recommendations regarding policy and procedures. “ After expansions in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s to the library space adjacent to the county courthouse, a five-year plan from 1995 to 2000 oversaw the planning and construction of the current building of Watauga County Public Library, which was located close to Downtown Boone on a site which formerly housed an abandoned burley tobacco warehouse. t

Watauga Library Endowment The Gift that Keeps on Giving

Monica Caruso, Watauga County Librarian, is pictured at left with members of the endowment board during their most recent presentation of funds to the library: Tish Rokoske, Terry Hamilton, Kathy Idol, Ala Moretz, Don Olander, Pat Morgan and Jack James.

S

ince 1997, The Watauga Library Endowment has provided nearly $82,000 in support to the Watauga County Library, thanks to private donations and ongoing support of its members, as well as careful investment and management practices of its board of directors.

Similar to the work of the Friends of the Library â&#x20AC;&#x201D; in its interest in and pas-

sion for the library â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the Watauga County Library Endowment has a far-reaching and long-term impact by supplementing the library funds raised through private sources and providing assistance in vital areas not supported by government or other community funding.

The endowment invests all contributions and uses only the income from those

investments â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the earnings of which are able to provide enormous benefits to the library.

Thus, a gift to the endowment is one that keeps on giving forever, its board members agree, whether through gifts of cash, securities or other assets.

Most recently, during its summer 2018 funding presentation, the endowment gave

Special programs for the young and young at heart are just a few of the many ways that the Watauga Library Endowment as benefitted Watauga County through the years.

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the library $8,060 for a poster-size printer for Storywalk and other programs, Emergent Readers Alphabet Ready (matching funds) and youth books, to fill a funding gap.

The endowment provides an ongoing opportunity to sustain and nurture the library, said its members, as any gift to the endowment is a “forever gift,” which multiplies and provides much needed funds to assist the Watauga County Public Library in its mission to the people it serves.

The endowment board is made up of four members designated by the Watauga County Library Board, two members designated by the Friends board, and up to six members elected at large. The board meets at least three times each year. During its July meeting, the board addresses allocating the annual new “spendable” income, designated by the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, the keeper of its funds.

“We meet again in the late fall to take stock of things and to hold elections for the upcoming year,” said Jack James, longtime board member and current treasurer of the endowment, who also serves on the Friends Board of Directors.

“Then, we meet again in early spring to review our status and make any new plans. We also occasionally have some extra meetings to address any fundraising initiatives. And, we have recently been sending out greeting cards to our loyal past donors, thanking them for their gifts.

We want our donors to know they make a difference,” said James.

Before the July meeting, the board asks County Librarian Monica Caruso to propose projects to fund.

“While we recognize that all of our funds will ultimately go to the Watauga Library, we look for a significant project or two for the funds,” James added.

From the Librarian’s Perspective “We are very fortunate to have an endowment foundation here at the Watauga County Public Library,” said Caruso. “The endowment provides us with funding for collections, technology updates, special projects and matching funds for grants. We apply for and are awarded numerous grants, and the larger ones require matching funds. We are in year two of the Alphabet Ready by Five Grant, which provides story times to pre-k and kindergarten classes in Watauga and Ashe counties; the story times focus on letter identification and phonics and utilize felt board, puppets and other manipulatives to make a lasting impression with children and help prepare them for reading. Children also learn about their public library and what is offered here.”

When a donation is made to the endowment, Caruso added, it is like making a long- term in22

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The Children’s section of the library is a lively place where special programs are scheduled on many days throughout each month. In addition, patrons may also use computers, enjoy the literary station or play video games in the youth services section.

For kids, the library is a place where imagination, innovation and concentration open up a world of possibilities. Come in anytime we are open to do research, check out materials, use computers and literary station, or play video games on our television in Youth Services.

vestment in life-long learning and the promotion of knowledge for the community. “I can’t think of a better investment.”

Leaving a Legacy Jack James personally supports both the endowment and Friends financially, saying the library is, “near and dear” to his heart.

What’s special to James about the endowment, he described, is that his gifts will keep giving forever, “long after I’m gone,” and considers his gifts to the endowment as part of his legacy to his community. “Since the endowment gives grants to the library from investment earnings, it preserves the principle, my original gift,” he explained.

James likes how he sees his gift at work, and notes that the library has evolved through the years into a community center, of sorts, serving people of all ages from a broad socio-economic spectrum.

From left, Dot Barker, Monica Caruso and Ala Moretz are three James also likes it that youngsters are able individuals who have dedicated their careers to the love of to enjoy special youth programs. “Some patrons learning and libraries, and have worked hard to maintain just relax and enjoy reading books and magathe integrity of the Watauga Library Endowment. zines in a comfortable setting,” he noted.

Additionally, James pointed out, that while groups, including nonprofit organizations, small business classes some people take computer classes (one-on-one and group), he occasionally sees home schooling kids working on (often offered by Caldwell Community College), a writers group, a knitting klatch and the library’s own programs, including autheir assignments.

Additionally, he said, the meeting room hosts a wide range of thors, movies, magicians and others.

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With years of combined experience, a very busy and friendly staff of the Watauga County Public Library is always ready and willing to lend a helping hand to their patrons on a daily basis. Front Row - Left to Right: Lisa Flanigan, Lindsay Shumate, Judith Winecoff, Deborah Sluder, Ross Copper, Billana Berry and Monica Caruso.

Middle Row - Left to Right: Amy Cook, Pam Phillips, Loretta Tomlinson, Jackie Cornette, Cheryl Proctor and Terry White. Back Row - Left to Right: Randy Feimster, Brian Mulkey, Darren Smith, Jeana Byrd and Genevieve Austin.

“Also, the library has outreach programs that take place outside the actual facility,” James added. “One is an Alphabet Ready program for young emergent readers in local day care centers.”

While the endowment has contributed to much of the library’s ongoing success, James said, he desires to see more people become aware of its benefits.

“A study by the NC Rural Economic Development Center, some years ago, documented the tremendous amount of intergenerational transfer of wealth taking place in our supposedly poor rural mountain communities,” he explained. “A picture that this conjures up in my mind is one of inheritances going to kids who now live in LA. I think many of our older folks would like to pass on some of their assets to benefit their home community. Many grew up in Watauga. For some, their families have been here for many generations.

Others, like me, are transplants.”

Another segment of folks who James would like to draw in to the endowment, he said, are those who have second homes 24

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in the area.

“Many feel like this is their home and they have a commitment to this community,” he explained. “A challenge for the endowment is to reach all these people and give them an opportunity to contribute to our community library.”

A growing concern, James noted, is the need for library expansion.

By getting more people involved in supporting their library through the endowment and/or Friends, they can likely generate more financial support for a future building program, which is much needed, said both Caruso and James.

“We’ve come from 6,000 square feet in the old rock building library at the courthouse to 16,000 square feet in our current space with a real need for expansion in the near future,” explained Caruso. “We are in the preliminary stages of discussing a capital improvement plan with the county.”

More About the Endowment According to James, the endowment was initially set up in December 1996 by

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Interesting 2018 Stats at the Watauga County Public Library Cardholders: 23,779 Circulation: 230,547 Visits: 144,349 Programs: 686 Attendance: 12,980 Juvenile Book Circulation:100,984 Adult Book Circulation: 71,369 Audio/Visual: 46,067

Western Watauga Branch Stats Cardholders:1,263 Circulation: 16,882 Visits: 8,874 Programs: 104 Attendance: 1,072 Juvenile Book Circulation: 4,118 Adult Book Circulation: 5,311 Audio/Visual: 2,945

“We’ve come from 6,000 square feet in the old rock building library at the courthouse to 16,000 square feet in our current space with a real need for expansion in the near future.”

Monica Caruso, County Librarian

Jim Jackson and Bill Williamson, two generous men who each donated $2,500 to a community foundation; the “typical minimum” to start a fund with a community foundation at that time was $5,000, James noted, which has increased through the years to the current requirement of $10,000.

A good part of the funding for the endowment was raised during its initial campaign soon after it was organized, James recalled. “That was in the midst of enthusiasm for our new library. We did mailings to members of our library Friends and other various library supporters and donors, to community professionals, and to other community-minded people we could identify.”

Suggesting $5,000 pledges spread over five years “worked very well,” he added. “However, that has not worked as well in subsequent mail campaigns. I personally think that is because we have not

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For example, these gifts — for over two decades — have helped provide for a number of non-funded efforts, which include, but are not limited to the following: PC wireless system Patron PC print management system Upgrade of main nonfiction collection Patron checkout receipt printers Gates match for 17 computers Matching funds for Story Walk Grant Public copier Popular youth titles for emergent readers Cypress Job Resume subscription Security cameras Scanner for circulation Wireless ceiling projector for the Evelyn Johnson Meeting Room Laptop charging cart Early literacy station Matching funds for the Alphabet Ready Grant

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thought ‘big enough.’ While we appreciate any size donation, we need the larger ones to really build the endowment.”

The endowment board now needs to pursue a planned giving effort, mainly to encourage people to include the endowment in their wills, James added.

In managing the funds, James said, the Asheville-based Community Foundation of Western North Carolina offers “a number of investment options.”

“Since we are not incorporated, for IRS purposes CFWNC is the official owner of the endowment funds. The Watauga Library Endowment Council is the ‘advisor’ to the CFWNC on the fund’s use. We recommend grants be made to the library for specific purposes and the CFWNC approves and pays the grants — as long

as they coincide with our fund purpose (support of the library) and IRS regulations. We send our contributors our own acknowledgement letter, indicating that an official one for IRS purposes will come from the CFWNC,” he added.

The whole idea of an endowment and the CFWNC is to invest sizeable funds, maintain the buying power of the principle, and make grants using the earnings (less the money needed to maintain the buying power of the principle), James further explained. “Each year, the CFWNC tells us, in July, how much new ‘spendable income’ is available for granting. Currently, the spendable amount is now 4½ percent of our balance. The percentage has fluctuated with the market and is aimed at preserving our principle.”

The endowment board likes to remind potential donors that, since the principle of a contribution is maintained —and only the earnings are spent — donations to the endowment continue to give forever, and that all contributions increase the financial support that can be provided to the library.

Donor checks may be made out to CFWNC with Watauga Library Endowment on the memo line and mailed to 140 Queen St, Boone NC 28607 or dropped off at the library. Gifts may be given in memory of someone special as a way to keep their memory alive for many years to come.

Additional information is available in endowment pamphlets, which can be obtained at the library. t

Friends of the Library help meet Day-to-Day needs W

Programs sponhile the ensored by Friends of dowment the Library include supports larger projauthor visits, displays ects, the Friends of and other special the Library raises events in the meeting about $25,000 anroom. The programs nually for more imalso include musimediate day-to-day cal performances, needs and is a great speakers, and Sumsupporter of the limer Reading and brary, its programs, other programs for services and staff. children.

New members The Friends are always welcome group hosts an anand may apply for innual staff appreciaclusion at the library tion lunch and supor online. Adults continuing may join Friends for Annual book sales at Boone Mall are hosted by The Friends of the Library ports education for library as little as $5 for a and are valuable in the funds they create to help with staff, who may wish year; youth for $2 day-to-day operations of Watauga County Library. to further their eduand other affordable cation in the library levels for family, paongoing efforts of the Friends to help tron, donor and sponsor. make these events successful for the li- field by reimbursing costs for those coursMembers are not only recognized as brary collecting, moving, sorting and es preapproved by the librarian.

More information on joining Friends outstanding supporters of the library, pricing donated materials is the work bebut they also receive helpful newsletters hind the scenes while others sell during of the Library or donating books for the and are invited to be part of the “mem- the sales. Funds raised from the annual fundraising sales is available at The Wabers only” preview at the annual used book sale and from the ongoing in-house tauga County Library, located at 140 book sales. book sales are the main source for the Queen Street Boone, NC 28607 or by calling (828) 264-8784. t Volunteers are always needed in the Friends’ financial support of the library.

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Western Watauga Library Branch Celebrates 30 Years N

ovember 7, 2018 marked the 30th anniversary of the Western Watauga Branch of the Watauga County Public Library, which continues to be housed at the Western Watauga Community Center in Cove Creek.

In an article of The Mountain Times, written by Amy Cooke, and printed November 10, 1988, Jackie Mast, Branch Supervisor, was quoted to say, “It will be very important to the community and we hope it will contribute to the community. It is for all the people in the county and we want them to know they are welcome here.”

A full schedule of events was already planned for the library in those opening days, as well as a plea for volunteers for story time and to help shelve books. “We hope to work with senior citizens and children and have them volunteer together.

There is a tendency to separate ages and this is the ideal time to work together,” said Mast.

At the time, the branch had “about 3300 volumes and is still growing,” the article said. “They have westerns, romances, a children’s section, reference books and books with large print. There are magazines, newspapers and space to read them all.”

Fast forward to November 14, 2018, when the library branch, along with the

Librarian Jackie Cornette and the Western Watauga Library Branch just recently celebrated 30 years of service together in Sugar Grove. The branch opened its doors November 7, 1988 and has proven to be a great asset to people of all ages.

Western Watauga Community Center, celebrated its 30th anniversary, still led by longtime librarian, Jackie Mast Cornette, who remembers well how it all came to be.

The Watauga Branch Library opened its doors November 7, 1988, with the official grand opening of the Western Watauga

Community Center following just a week later on November 14, 1988, Cornette recalled.

“Folks say the best jobs are the ones that happen when you are not looking for them, and it happened with me,” Cornette said. What started out as a 20-hour a week part- time position with the Watauga County Library (Outreach Bookmobile services) delivering books to homebound patrons quickly transitioned for Cornette when asked if she would consider the position of Branch Manager at the soon to be opening Western Watauga Branch Library.

“Well, that part time job has now lasted 30 years,” Cornette said with a smile.

“Thirty years of serving a great community.”

With time comes change, which Cornette said, has resulted in the library’s ability to better serve the needs of western Watauga County. A few examples, she described, include providing fax services, kindles added to the library collection, WIFI connectivity, social media outlets and e-books, to name a few.

“Our outreach program to deliver library materials to homebound patrons still exists today and the service is available county wide,” she added.

The Western Watauga Branch is located at 1085 Old US Hwy 421 in Sugar Grove.

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Tommy and Debbie Sofield’s home fills with Christmas magic every year with help from designer Maria Coombes and Ellen Johnston

“I love Christmas. I love the holidays.

I love the family being together.”

“Over the river and through the woods, to grandmother’s house we go...”

During his sophomore year at Appalachian, Tommy opened a sandwich shop called Yogi’s, located in a tiny space on King Street.

“Only 2 or 3 people could his joyful Thankssit inside,” recalled Debbie. giving song could Yogi’s was designed primarwell describe the ily for delivery and takeexcitement that the Sofield out, and was one of the first grandchildren feel as they food establishments that turn down the long gravel offered delivery to students drive to Grammy and Pop’s on campus.

The Sofields lovingly restored an old turn-of-the-century house each November. BeYogi’s was very successfarmhouse on their 40-acre property, then added on to cause, not only will they get ful, and Tommy opened two accommodate their growing family. to enjoy turkey and dressing additional shops in Mars and reflect upon blessings, Hill and Raleigh. Shortly it will also be the official after college, Tommy sold kickoff of... Christmas! the sandwich shops and Christmas is big at the over the years developed Sofield house. Really big. several businesses including Not only do they deck the U.S. Buildings, a steel buildhalls with boughs of holly, ing manufacturing facility, they deck out every room in Mountaineer Cleaners, and the house. Even the master various real estate ventures. bathroom has its own tree!

“He’s an entrepreneur,” said “I love Christmas. I love Debbie. the holidays. I love the famiDebbie graduated from ly being together,” said DebElon College, and then bie Sofield. Mother of three, came to graduate school at grandmother of seven, DebAppalachian. She worked at bie decorates her home each Yogi’s, alongside Tommy. year for the ones dearest to “Before we were marher heart - her family. ried, I lived in a little trailer Last Christmas, Debbie Sofield bought pajamas for the whole Tommy and Debbie Soout close to where we live family, including her 93-year old mother (“Granny”), husband field, married for 42 years, now,” said Debbie. “I paid Tommy, children and grandchildren live on a 40-acre farm off $85 a month in rent. When of Highway 194, near the my played football in high school and Tommy and I got married, Meat Camp fire department in Boone. came to Appalachian State University in we lived in the trailer while fixing up an They were high school sweethearts, both 1971 with an athletic scholarship to play old house on some property that Tommy born and raised in Virginia Beach. Tom- for the Mountaineers. had purchased in Vilas. I loved that trailer!

T

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Story by Jan Todd

Photos by Stephen Theriault

I cried when we moved!”

The Sofields lived in the Vilas home for a few years. When the farm off of Highway 194 became available, they decided to purchase it and fix up the old farmhouse that was on the property.

“No one had lived in the house for 30 years,” said Debbie.

“It was built in the late 1800s or early 1900s, so it was old. The property was so overgrown, you had to have a 4-wheel drive to even get to the house. The house had been vandalized and was filled with snakes and all kinds of vermin.”

“Tommy and I love old things, though, so we decided to restore the home,” Debbie continued. “It had a lot of beautiful wood in it, floors, walls and cabinets, so we decided to salvage what we could.”

The home was originally built by the Coffey family, Debbie said. “Mr. Coffey was a farmer. He raised cabbage and apples. The house has a cellar where he used to store food for the winter. We still have members of his family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who stop by sometimes, wanting to see the house.”

Over the years, the Sofields have remodeled and added on to the house, while preserving the original structure. A large wing with the master suite and other bedrooms, a second kitchen, and an oversized 3-car air-conditioned garage have all been added. Debbie laughed, “Tommy says that we could’ve bought three new houses for what we’ve put into this place.”

Outside, the Sofields cleaned up some of the pasture land and left most of the property in woods.

They cleared side roads for 4-wheelers, naming the roads after some of their older grandchildren. Road signs mark Mikey Circle, Cooper Lane, and Dominic Trail. The farm has been a wonderful place for the family to gather, and Debbie enjoys creating a special atmosphere for her grandchildren.

about twenty years ago, and her 93-year old mother still joins the family each Thanksgiving and Christmas. “We pick her up in Virginia Beach and bring her here several times a year.”

When her children were young, Debbie’s parents would come for the Christmas holidays. “My dad would dress up like Santa Claus for the kids. He loved playing with them,” she said.

Debbie remembered one year, when her son, “Little Tommy,” was having doubts about the magic of Santa Claus. “He tied his arm to our bedroom door, and went to sleep in the hallway, figuring that he’d wake up and catch us if we left the bedroom.

We still laugh about that.”

“My two younger children, Haley and Little Tommy, were so nosy at Christmas,” said Debbie. “They would secretly unwrap

Christmas Traditions

“The traditions of the holidays stem mostly from my family,” described Debbie. “I’m an only child, and my father and mother just loved the holidays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter. We always celebrated and it was a special time for our family.”

“Christmas was always a big deal. My dad would search all year for Christmas presents,” said Debbie, her eyes filling with tears. Her father passed away

Tommy and2018 Debbie December H i gSofield h Country

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Photos by Cheryl Zibisky

For years the Sofields gathered in the original farmhouse living room to open Christmas gifts. When the growing family needed more space, designer Maria Coombes transformed the cozy room into a quiet space to enjoy the lights of the holiday. their presents early, then wrap them up again! We had to start taking all of the gifts to work, just to hide them. So on Christmas Eve, we’d go to the midnight service at church, bring the kids home and tuck them in bed, then have to go pick up all the gifts at the office. We’d be driving around at 2:00 in the morning. It was exhausting!”

Each year as her family was growing, Debbie would decorate for Christmas.

Husband Tommy said, “As our children 30

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got older, so did Debbie’s desire to have more decorations around the Christmas season. I know she enjoys the season and all of the decorations, but I’ve come to realize she does it more to watch the children and grandchildren enjoy the holidays.”

Debbie decorated trees in several rooms, along with various Christmas collectibles. She built up a collection of Christmas village houses, and Santa Claus figurines.

About 40 years ago, Debbie saw some

December 2018

Byers Choice Carolers at the mall. These hand-crafted decorations, originally designed by artist Joyce Byers in Pennsylvania, became a collector’s item with new additions every year. Debbie said, “I absolutely loved those first ones I saw. My dad started buying them for me, and now my kids give them to me as gifts. I have them for every season, and some that I leave out all year long.”

Christmas at the Sofields kicks off on Thanksgiving Day. Before their holiday

Living Room

Sunroom

Amaryllis and poinsettias accent the red and green tree in the sunroom. LED lights are set on a timer, so the home is festive when the Sofields return home from work meal, the family goes out and cuts Christmas trees from their property. On a few acres, they have Christmas trees planted.

“As you can tell, I love Christmas,” laughed Debbie. “I always wanted to cut Christmas trees from our own property. So when Little Tommy was in college, he had this idea to grow our own trees, and that’s how the Christmas tree farm started, as a business for him. Then Little Tommy, who is now in his 30’s, moved to the Cayman Islands and left me with all the trees. I wanted

to cut them, but I never wanted to take care of them!”

The Sofields ended up leasing the tree farm to Joey Clawson, who is now planting, maintaining, and harvesting the crop. “But he is gracious enough to let us still cut our own tree!” said Debbie.

Tommy Sofield III, known as “Little Tommy,” recalled the Christmas tree tradition when he was growing up. “Every year, my dad and I would set up the tree. And every year, when we thought we had it comDecember 2018

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Sitting Room The tree in the sitting room stays up year-round, and is decorated for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, and Fall.

“My parents’ beautiful home is the most amazing place to be during the Christmas holiday season. Each Christmas season Mom creates such a magical environment for all of us, bringing all our family together to participate in the magic and wonder that we all find in Christmas.”

Heather Greene, Tommy and Debbie’s oldest daughter. plete, my mom would tell us it wasn’t level. So my dad would add newspapers under the stand, to try and level the tree instead of redoing the tree the right way. That happened every year, as long as I could remember!”

“The bad part,” continued Tommy, “was that after my mom had decorated and all of the ornaments were up, the tree would fall over. Finally, my dad installed a cable from the ceiling to keep the tree from falling!”

After cutting their tree each year, the Sofields enjoy their Thanksgiving feast and watch a little football.

Master Suite A Mark Roberts elf dangles from the ceiling fan, and the room is decorated with warm lights and greenery.

Second Kitchen A tall tree towers in the second kitchen on the upper level of the Sofield house.

Photos by Cheryl Zibisky 32

High Country Magazine

December 2018

After Thanksgiving?

“It’s on!” exclaimed Debbie. “We really start decorating and getting ready for Christmas, really big. We actually start decorating in November, but only the upstairs. Tommy doesn’t want us to start early on the downstairs; he says we need to celebrate Thanksgiving first.”

The Sofields decorate every room of the house for Christmas. “We’ve even started decorating the garage,” said Debbie. “Tommy is like, “Ahhhhgh!” But really, he likes it. My whole family is into it. Sometimes they think I go over the top, but I figure my grandkids love to see all the lights, the trees, and of course, the presents!”

Tommy said, “The kids and grandkids start talking about our Christmas celebration in the early fall, and they get excited about coming over to see what’s new each year. There’s no telling how many Christmas trees and nativity scenes she now has on display. I’ve lost count!”

Last year, the Sofields moved their holiday din-

Living Room

The tree in the Sofieldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s old living room, located in the farmhouse portion of their home, features elegant crystal ornaments collected by Debbie over the years

A whimsical tree designed to delight the grandchildren twinkles in the sunroom.

Santa and elves by Mark Roberts accent the tree and garland.

December 2018

High Country Magazine

33

ner, large tree, and gifts out to the garage.

Their main living room is in the original farmhouse structure, and it became too small for the growing family. The garage is heated and cooled and has an epoxy floor. With the addition of a large rug and some casual furniture, the space is easily transformed into a rec room for hosting family gatherings and parties.

Outside, there is a life-sized nativity scene, with Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, animal figurines and a 3-foot star, which can be seen from the main road.

A small pond, visible from their house, is surrounded by lighted trees, artificial deer and bears wearing gaily colored wreaths. Timers are set on all of the lights, so that the home is aglow when the Sofields arrive home from work.

“My parents’ beautiful home is the most amazing place to be during the Christmas holiday season,” said Heather Greene, Tommy and Debbie’s oldest daughter. “Each Christmas season Mom creates such a magical environment for all of us, bringing all our family together to

participate in the magic and wonder that we all find in Christmas.”

“Christmas never fails to bring out that child-like wonder in Mom,” continued Heather. “She gets such a joy in watching her children and grandchildren’s faces light up when they are observing all the decorated rooms in the house and seeing all of the wrapped presents under the trees. Mom taught us to give and share with our loved ones, be grateful, count our blessings and most importantly celebrate the birth of Jesus.”

About The Photographer:

C

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34

High Country Magazine

December 2018

Cheryl Zibisky

heryl Zibisky moved to the high country in 2010 after living in Brooklyn, New York. While in New York she enjoyed capturing the colorful urban life that surrounded her. She discovered food and interior photography while photographing new restaurants for New York Magazine. Her escapes from the city included train rides to Montauk or up the Hudson Valley to go fly fishing. Now, back in the south, she finds inspiration in hiking the Blue Ridge Mountains, teaching photography and fishing. She enjoys being at home with her sweet black lab and an impressive supply of summer fireflies. She has been an Adjunct Instructor in the Commercial Photography Program at Appalachian State University since 2012 and works as a commercial photographer in addition to her artistic practice. Her fine art work has been exhibited in numerous group shows, and two solo shows. Zibisky’s commercial work has been published in over 20 different national magazines as well as a handful of local and regional publications.

In October 2016, one of her images was featured on the cover of Southern Living. Her commercial work may be viewed at www. cherylzibisky.com and her fine art work can be found at cherylzibisky.wixsite.com/artist/

Photos by Cheryl Zibisky

Master Suite A life sized Santa, by Mark Roberts, stands beside the tree in the master suite of the Sofield home.

Christmas cheer decorates every nook and cranny thought the home. signers the following Christmas to help her with her main tree. The ladies have since become good friends, said Debbie, and they help out with decorations all year round.

Haley said “There is nothing like my mom’s at Christmas. Everywhere you turn has something so magical.

Elves are peeking out from everywhere, and the house is filled with music and the smell of food.”

Moving the big family celebrations to the garage was a challenge that Maria embraced. “They had been opening presents in the old living room, in the original part of the house. They’d been doing that since the Sofield’s kids were little, and that’s where they always put the fresh cut tree. But things became crowded as more grandchildren came along.”

The Sofields had outgrown their dining room as well. “We’d have to sit Garage at several tables, and all of the grandkids wanted to sit at the big table with A large live tree is decorated in the Sofield’s Grammy and Pop, so the rest of the garage. Bean bags for the kids an casual adults ended up sitting at the little chairs for the adults transform the garage tables,” laughed Debbie. to a festive place to entertain.

Maria promised Debbie that she

The “reason for the season” is something that Debbie shares with her family each Christmas, said her son Tommy.

Husband Tommy agreed. He said, “We all have some sort of passions that we enjoy. Debbie’s is watching the faces of all the little children enjoying the blessing of Christmas and sharing with them the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

“Mom puts so much love, happiness, and peace into the season,” said the Sofield’s second daughter, Haley.

“She has such a loving heart, and she really shows it at Christmas.”

Santa’s Little Helpers

The magical wonderland at the Sofields takes a team of elves. About twelve years ago, Debbie began enlisting the help of designer Maria Coombes. Since then, Maria and her co-designer Ellen Johnston, devote about four weeks to decorating the Sofield’s home for Christmas.

Debbie first met Maria and Ellen when her daughters Heather and Haley were pregnant with their first children. Debbie wanted to host a baby

shower and asked the team to help her with decorations. She was so thrilled with the results that she commissioned the de-

December 2018

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35

Santa’s Little Helpers

Designer Maria Coombes uses ribbon and bows to liven up Christmas decor. When customers come into Almost Rodeo Drive, she is happy to share ideas, and even tie bows for her customers to take home. Says Maria, “I’ve always had an eye for design I see the project in its finished stages even before I start putting it together. I love transforming my customers homes exceeding their expectations!” Maria with along with Ellen Johnston spend four weeks decorating the Sofield’s home for Christmas. “We have so much fun, laughing an cutting up while we’re working,” said Maria. The two have been working together for years, decorating homes and businesses in the High Country.

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December 2018

could transform the garage so it would be “comfy and cozy.” She said, “We set up the big fresh tree in the garage, with a sitting area around it. Chairs for the adults, and bean bags for the kids. We set up a table big enough to seat everyone, and I made a long fresh garland arrangement down the middle of the tables, with lots of candles.

They loved it so much that now they have their Thanksgiving meal out there, too!”

In the old living room, Marie set up an artificial tree with crystal ornaments. Reflecting light from the fire in the stone fireplace, the room is transformed into a quiet and elegant space for the Sofields to enjoy peaceful winter evenings.

Near the kitchen, Maria set up one artificial tree that stays up year-round. She described, “I decorate it for different seasons. It started as just a Christmas tree.

The first year we decorated it, I gave it a whole new look, with reds and whites and greens, with lots of holly and lights.”

Maria continued, “Debbie loves all of the lights, and she said that when Christmas is over, everything seems so dark.

So she said, “Let’s just leave that tree up, maybe for another month.” Eventually, we were decorating that tree for different seasons and holidays and leaving it up all year round.”

In addition to the year-round tree, Maria has been able to adapt a few other of the Christmas decorations to other seasons. “The life-size nativity frame stays up all year round, and we change it for different seasons and holidays,” said Maria. “We have the most realistic resin farm animals that we use in the summertime, with a full-sized horse and cow! There is a family of pigs, some raccoons, and a fox. In the December 2018

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37

Ellen Johnston decorates another house at Sorrento.

spring, we decorate it with a fresh container garden that lasts through summer.”

Maria decorates the Sofield’s home for Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, fall harvest, and Christmas. “It keeps the house spirited!” said Debbie.

“This year we added Halloween for the first time,” said Maria. “The Sofields hosted a Halloween bash, with a themed tree in the garage. About 50 people attended, including her grandchildren and their friends. They’ve also hosted Easter egg hunts for their Sunday school groups and family.”

Last year, for Christmas, the Sofields hosted a Christmas party. Maria helped them pull together a party including the famed Santa Cliff Snider, who told stories, let children sit on his lap, and posed for photos.

Maria said, “Santa Cliff is the most recognized Santa Claus in the country. I met him at a market show in Atlanta several years ago and encouraged the Sofields to have him come to their home for a photo session with the grandchildren. Then they had him come again last year for their Christmas party.”

Santa Cliff, from High Point, N.C. has served as a Santa Claus for over fifty years. He graduated from the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School, and holds a Doctor of Santa Claus degree from the International University of Santa Claus. According to his website, Snider considers his role as a special purpose from God, and uses his opportunities in appearances and speaking engagements as ministry.

“Santa Cliff Snider was amazing,” Debbie said.

“He had us all in tears with his stories. He is so genuine, so humble, a wonderful Christian man.”

“It was such a fun evening,” Maria added. “It had snowed the night before, and everything looked so beautiful. After visiting with Santa, everyone toured the house and enjoyed the decorations.

All by Design

Maria is currently the full-time buyer and designer for Almost Rodeo Drive, a boutique shop in Blowing Rock. “I go to the International Gift and Home Furnishings Market in Atlanta, twice a year, and purchase inventory for the store as well as for upcoming client projects,” said Maria. “I help customers at Almost Rodeo Drive, and then work on my own with customers as well.”

It is a busy schedule for Maria. After each summer, she begins decorating homes for summer residents who leave for winter homes in the fall. She’ll install Christmas decorations that will be ready for the residents when they return to the mountains for the holidays. As Christmas approaches, she’ll work on homes for permanent High Country residents.

Johnny and Judy Isenhour from Salisbury, North Carolina have a home in Blowing Rock and have used Maria’s services for years. “Maria does our 38

High Country Magazine

December 2018

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Reese and Brenda Walker enlisted the help of Maria Coombes for the first time last year. Reese said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;My wife has collected Mark Roberts fairies for a number of years, and Maria incorporated them into the tree decorations. Her design expertise made a big difference.

Maria was a delight to work with.â&#x20AC;?

40

High Country Magazine

December 2018

everyday decorations and door wreaths, as well as holiday decorations for Thanksgiving and Christmas.” said Judy. “She has decorated a couple of houses that we’ve remodeled as well.”

“Maria’s creativity is unreal,” said Judy. “I give her an idea, really just a hint of what I’d like, and she takes off on it and creates something awesome. Maria is always there when I need her. She works with my tastes, my personality, and individualizes the decorations.”

Maria also consults with Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Library for their holiday decorations or special events. Ellen, who is retired, helps Maria with some of her bigger projects. Decorating partners for 14 years, the two call themselves “sisters from different mothers.” Said Maria, “We have been working together for so long, we finish each other’s sentences. We joke that if there were hidden cameras in our customer’s homes, we could have our own reality show.”

“We have so much fun,” Maria continued. “We’re busy, but we are always laughing and cutting up while we’re working, whether we’re at the store or out on a job. We tell customers that we don’t charge extra for the show!”

Corrina Dietrich, who works with Maria at Almost Rodeo Drive, agreed. “Anyone who has been in the shop, whether a new customer or someone who has been a customer for years, walks away referring to Maria as the master! She is a trendsetter and inspires everyone with cutting edge ideas. Customers refer to us as their first and last stop on any shopping day in Blowing Rock.”

Corrina said that Maria always goes the extra mile to help her customers, regardless of their budgets. “Maria tells customers that they can change up the whole look just by adding some fresh ribbon. She’ll even tie the ribbon into bows, for no extra charge.”

When Christmas is over, Maria’s work doesn’t slow down.

Maria said, “I spend most of January taking the Christmas decorations down, then in February I start working on new home builds and individual customers who want to redecorate a room or freshen up accessories on their mantles or bookshelves. Sometimes the projects are complete transformations, others are small changes that warm up a space. Then in July, we start getting ready for fall at the store, and before you know it, it’s time for Christmas again!” t

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High Country Magazine

41

It’s not unusual to walk into Incredible Toy Company and find employees playing on the job. In fact, that is part of their job description.

by Jan Todd

I

f you want to be in the game, you have to love to play. Especially when you’re in the toy business. Incredible Toy Company, on Highway 321 between Boone and Blowing Rock, has been playing now for 25 years.

In a time where four toy stores close for every new one that opens, ITC’s owner-

manager Kathleen Rowell has managed to keep this landmark toy store thriving for a quarter of a century. “We’re cushioned up here in the mountains,” said Kathleen.

“This store is a tourist destination.”

Tourist stop or not, the secret of the success of the toy store goes far beyond a quick photo op. The mission of the store is what

keeps customers coming back, year after year. “We want to provide the most imaginative, creative, fun products we can get our hands on!” said Kathleen. “We work with each customer, right when they walk in the door. Customer service is our thing.”

It’s not unusual to walk into Incredible Toy Company and find employees playing

Educational toys and toys that spark imagination have been prominent in the Incredible Toy Company’s inventory since they opened. “We try to entice children to learn something, while they’re having fun,” said Rowell.

42

High Country Magazine

December 2018

on the job. In fact, that is part of their job description.

“We teach all of our staff how to play games,” explained Kathleen. “Every game that comes in, we open one, and someone volunteers to learn it and teach it to the others. I had some customers in the other day, and they were interested in a particular game. I told them if they had time, we could just play a quick round. We sat there for 45 minutes playing Sapphiro!”

Sapphiro is a luck and strategy game where players play brightly colored wooden tiles in a quest to capture sparkling plastic jewels. The game earned a National Parenting Publications Award (NAPPA), a distinction given for fun, appealing, safe, educational and enduring products. It was one of the top selling games at ITC last year, and a staff favorite.

“If I like a toy or game, and our employees are excited about it, then we’ll sell it,” said Kathleen. “Sapphiro is a lot of fun, plus it’s pretty. It is a game that you don’t find everywhere.

Once a game hits the mass market, I drop it. We don’t carry Monopoly or Scrabble. But if you want a game that is different, this is where you’ll come.”

An Incredible Beginning

From its inception, Incredible Toy Company was designed to be different.

“Back in 1993, there wasn’t a decent toy store in town,” said Kathleen. “There was a toy liquidation store at the outlets, Roses and Kmart, and that was it. Those stores were filled with cheap plastic toys and toy guns. There was nothing educational.”

As the mother of three lively boys, Kathleen had strong feelings about certain toys. She explained, “I didn’t want to give them a toy gun and say, “Here you go. Go pretend to shoot your brother.” Instead, I wanted toys that were durable,

Kathleen Rowell with a wooden car that her husband, John, crafted when they opened the Incredible Toy Company. “I have adult customers who come in and say they remember playing in this car when they were children!” she said.

December 2018

High Country Magazine

43

Favorites from the

Incredible Toy Folks Wanna Bet? Kathleen’s favorite game of all her years at the Incredible Toy Company. Physical and mental challenges are unique and make for a laughter filled evening.

Players “bet” on if their opponent can complete their challenge.

Every card has a junior level too so the kids are on a level playing field with the adults. Best party game we have found.

Forbidden Island Who know a cooperative game could be so intensely fun?

Everyone works together to grab the treasures and get off the island before it sinks! Forbidden Island is completely different every time you play.

CATAN This is the game we get asked for the most. Players build a society by trading goods. A great snowy evening game for a group of friends and family. We also carry the expansion and extension set to add new challenges to the original game.

Stack ‘n Sort Every kid need the old fashion basic toy of stacking and shape sorting. This toy teaches colors, balance, shapes, and scale.

Play in the sandbox, tub or living room. Stack or nestle the buckets over and over.

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High Country Magazine

December 2018

Loyal customers return year after year to find the newest and most unique games. Incredible Toy Company staff members learn to play each game carried in the store, to better serve the customers. Kathleen said, “You can tell families that play games, because when they walk in the store, they zero in on the game aisle.” ones that my boys could play with until they outgrew them, and then I could pack away for my grandkids.”

“Classic toys, like wooden blocks,” Kathleen continued.

“Every kid ought to have a set of wooden blocks. Kids need toys that they can create and play with, toys that don’t come with a set of instructions.”

Growing up in Asheville, NC, Kathleen loved playing games and working puzzles. “I come from a family of game players,” she said. “Scrabble, Monopoly, we played them all. I still play Scrabble with my family, online. It’s one of the ways we keep in touch. I grew up working jigsaw puzzles with my grandmother, and I still love to do that.”

Despite her love of games, Kathleen never imagined herself someday owning a toy store. She graduated with a degree in horticulture from North Carolina State University. She met her husband, John, in college, and they moved to Boone when they got married.

“We camped up here a lot when we were in college at NC State, and just fell in love with the area,” she said.

Once in Boone, Kathleen worked in retail for several years, first at Appalachian Ski Mountain, and then for 11 years at Mast General Store. It was her frustration from trying to find decent toys for her children that led Kathleen to consider opening her own toy store.

Before beginning her venture, Kathleen did some of her own research and enlisted the help of Appalachian State University’s small business development department. Together, they put together a business plan, figuring costs, inventory and advertising budgets, and overall strategies.

Kathleen’s husband, John, was a little concerned about her leaving a steady job for what could have been considered a risky venture. He was running his own landscaping business, and their boys were quite young. He said, “Ultimately, my faith in Kathleen’s vision won out. You know Kathleen, when she gets a creative idea . . . it’s going to happen!”

Incredible Toy Company opened its doors in 1993, in the barn-styled building two doors down from its current location.

A couple of years later, their current location became available,

(Left) Incredible Toy Company’s building was painted white when they bought it. They painted it bright red and yellow.

“We wanted to be seen!” said Kathleen. (Right) Two of the Rowell brothers in the red wooden car, crafted by their father, John. and they moved. The building had housed a fabric shop in the 1960’s, and then a candle shop through the 80’s.

Luckily, John is a handyman. “We had to do a some remodeling before we moved to this building,” she said. “The big bay window used to be a garage, and we had to redesign a bit.”

John added, “We couldn’t afford to buy commercial fixtures, so we spent many a long night after work building all the shelving.”

The store didn’t miss a beat during the move. “We closed our original shop at 6 p.m. one night, loaded up everything into our van, and opened up the next morning in our new location!” said Kathleen.

Kathleen surveyed customers on how they found the store, and the vast majority saw it as they were driving by. “That’s why we painted the story a bright red,” said Kathleen. “We want to be seen!”

Monster Smash Up Our exciting new favorite remote control car.

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One of the hottest sellers in the first years at ITC were Beanie Babies. “I carried them before they became popular,” said Kathleen. “We had them in 1993, when we opened. In 1995, they were one of the best selling items on the market. Once they hit the mass market, though, I dropped them from the store. You could even buy them at gas stations. People would park trucks across from my store, and sell Beanie Babies on the side of the road.”

An Incredible Philosophy

Incredible Toy Company strives to be different from mass retailers, and that philosophy has served the store well.

In 1994, Power Rangers were all the rage in the toy market. Kathleen wouldn’t carry the line in her store. “Power Rangers was a television show, and that’s why the toys were so popular. But the show had quite a bit of violence.” It concerned Kath-

leen to think about the effect on young children exposed to such programming.

Guns and weapons aren’t the only toys banned from ITC. “We’ve never carried Barbie dolls or anything with poor body images for girls,” said Kathleen. “We carry dolls, but they’re shaped like real little girls.”

Kathleen wants to carry toys that can be played with. “We don’t carry collectible dolls, the ones that have to stay in the box.

I remember years ago, I made a Tina Ballerina doll for my niece, using a pattern. My sister wouldn’t let her play with it, because she didn’t want it messed up! But I wanted my niece to drag it through the mud, wear it out playing with it. So here we sell dolls to be played with!”

Over the years, the top selling items in the mass market have often been electronic toys. For Incredible Toy Company, that has been a road not taken.

Said Kathleen, “There’s no input of

Christmas Books and Puzzles

Plush Animals

Three Grandmothers work at the toy store and we are very picky about our books and puzzles.

Christmas is our favorite time of the year so we get in beautiful puzzles and books with exceptional art work. Start building a library for your kids or grandkids.

Every time we open a new box of animals we welcome them with a hug. Each animal chosen for their softness and character.

Whether they are fantasy or native animals, we love them all. Come in and meet our friends and give them a hug too.

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“We carry dolls that children can play with, versus something collectible that has to sit on a shelf,” said Rowell. Calico Critters (right) are another favorite. “The child creates scenes with the animals, and that’s where storytelling comes in.”

Kathleen Rowell pages through a pop-up book from her children’s library.

“For my store, I choose books that are beautifully illustrated.

Pop-up books are a classic favorite.”

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December 2018

imagination in electronic toys. If we don’t give these kids things to grow their imaginations, we’re not going to have any new songs, any new art, any new plays or shows. Already I’m seeing this. Look at the movie line-ups. A bunch of remakes. We need to give kids some things like Playmobil, where the kids are playing, pretending a family is having Thanksgiving dinner. They’re making up stories while they play. They’re creating a scene; that’s where storytelling comes in.”

Grey Rowell, Kathleen and John’s oldest son, attests to the success of his mother’s emphasis on toys that inspire creativity. He said, “My brothers and I never had video games when we were growing up. But we did have access to all of the toys in the store. We spent many hours playing games, doing puzzles and exploring our own individual types of creative outlets.”

Jigsaw puzzles command an impressive section of Incredible Toy Company. “We carry everything from puzzles for babies with just a few pieces, up to 3000-piece puzzles for older children and adults,” said Kathleen.

In the store, Kathleen offers a free jigsaw puzzle swap for her customers. They can bring a puzzle in and trade it for one that someone else has left on the swap shelf.

Kathleen tries to find the most beautiful puzzles to stock in her store. She appreciates art, and that appreciation dictates her offerings in puzzle inventory and in her children’s book selections. On the book aisle, customers can find the Usborne collection of Shakespeare stories, beautifully illustrated and written in plain language that a child can understand.

Or, they can find Photicular books that appear to have moving pictures.

Scientific toys, arts and crafts, and building toys are all top sellers at Incredible Toy Company. “We try to entice children to learn some-

Rowellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s book selections include many award winning childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s books, some educational, and some chosen for their artwork. Jigsaw puzzles (right) appeal to toddlers through adults. thing, while theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re having fun. So weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll have things like a kit to make chewing gum, which teaches chemistry,â&#x20AC;? said Kathleen.

Even spending money can be a learning experience. Staff member Liz Cornella said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;A child who has been given money or a gift card learns to budget. They have to choose what they want the most, prioritize, figure out the math. So theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re learning, without even realizing it.â&#x20AC;?

Throughout the store, there are displays within childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reach, so that kids can

play and try out toys while in the store.

Each year, Kathleen attends the Toy Fair at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York City, a 3-day trade show for toy retailers around the world. Over 1,000 exhibitors showcase their toys and entertainment products. While it might sound like a lot of fun, Kathleen said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exhausting!

It is February in New York, and it is always freezing cold. As I walk through the three floors of toys, my brain is constantly working, trying to figure out what products and

how many to buy.â&#x20AC;?

Kathleen said that sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s always looking for whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They have an area called Innovation Alley, with new manufacturers.

I spend a lot of time in that area. My competition is the mass retailers and Amazon.

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got to be a step ahead, catch the trend on the upswing. Once a toy goes to mass market, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re out.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;When it comes to games, we have a following,â&#x20AC;? Kathleen continued. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have people who come in every year, specifically

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Toy displays are set up within children’s reach, so that they can play and try out the toys while in the store. “No child is ever ready to leave when it’s time to go!” said Kathleen.

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to find the best new family game.”

An Incredible Staff

that come into her store now, bringing their own children. “My very first employee worked here 7 years, got a degree in history, then went back to school and got a masters in Accounting. He is now one the head accountants for NC State.

Another employee is now a cop in Winston Salem. It’s fun to keep up with the staff and see where they end up.”

In addition to a couple of college students, there are currently three grandmothers on staff at ITC. Kathleen became a grandmother this past year herself, and two other staff members have new grandbabies. “Our infant department has changed drastically, because we see things with our grandchildren and decide we need to have this or that in the store!”

Kathleen laughed.

Leslie Ellis, who has worked at the store for two years, has three grandchildren, ages 1, 7, and 9. “We love to see the new

Over the years, many have worked at Incredible Toy Company, and for many, it has been their first job.

“I can’t tell you how many kids have had their first job here,” mused Kathleen.

“That is one of my missions. The first thing we teach a new employee is customer service, and the second thing we teach them is how to wrap. The boys are usually terrified of wrapping. But when they walk out of here, they have two skills that they can use anywhere. They know how to serve a customer, and they know how to wrap a nice present.”

The Rowell’s three sons all worked in the store at some point, learning principles of customer service, how to be a good employee, and basic work ethic. Even as young boys, Grey and his brother helped out at the store, stocking shelves, breaking down boxes, wrapping presents, and even giving expert advise to customers. Grey said, “I’m sure customers got a kick out of having a ten year old salesman!”

Currently staff member and Appalachian student Chris Panza is a big fan of the game department.

His favorite game this year is called Kwizniac, a timed game where two or more players try to guess a word using progressive hints. “My wife Chris Panza, a current staff member at the and I play it alot. It’s a good game Incredible Toy Company, holds one of his for just two people, or a group.” favorite games, “Kwizniac.” He enjoys playing Kathleen has former employees this timed quiz game with his wife.

December 2018

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“This is such a joyous place. We have so much fun here.” And gift wrapping is a speciality at the store where employees become master wrappers. Kathleen (center) is pictured with Leslie Ellison on the left and Liz Cornella on the right along with bags of just wrapped toys for customers to pick up. toys, and having grandchildren helps me relate more to our customers. I can make recommendations, because I know how my grandchildren have responded to different toys.

According to her staff, Kathleen keeps the work atmosphere pleasant with a laidback, stress free environment. That comes across to customers as they come in.

Liz Cornella is the employee that holds

the record for the longest employment period at ITC. “Twelve years ago, Kathleen announced to our exercise class that she needed to hire some help for the Christmas season. I had worked in retail for years, selling women’s clothing, so I said I could help her out.”

“On my first day, Kathleen told me that after Christmas, I’d be fired, because she just needed help through the holidays.”

Cornella laughed. “That was 12 years ago, and I’m still working. Every Christmas I ask, “Well, Kathleen, is the Christmas I’ll get fired?”

Cornella continued, “This is such a joyous place. We have so much fun here. The store is set up so that we see our customers and can greet them the minute they walk in the door. My favorite thing is when the door swings open a child comes in and gets

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wide eyed and says, “Wow!” That’s what we love to see happen.”

One tradition at the store has always been popular with staff and customers alike. Kathleen described, “We give all of the employees the day off on Christmas Eve. Only my family works. It is so fun to see one of my sons, who is now an aerospace engineer, over at the infant toys describing how things work.

There is literally a rocket scientist telling the customers how a spinning top works.”

Rowel said that some customers make a point to come in on Christmas Eve, just so they can visit with her family.

An Incredible Future

As for the next few years, Kathleen said that she’ll keep trying to stay ahead. “A lot of people have come to depend on coming to town and stopping here to shop. We have more and more people who come in and say, “We don’t have a toy store in our home town.” It’s sad.”

Looking back over 25 years, the Rowell family is proud of what they have accomplished. Middle son Logan said that growing up in a toy store was what “every kid dreams about!”

“Seriously, though,” Logan added, “I learned so much about business from my parents, from not being scared to start a business, to treating employees with humble appreciation, to working like that night’s dinner depended on it, to being appreciative of every customer.”

John said, “Kathleen has put her heart and soul into the store since the beginning.

Everyone loves Incredible Toy Company, and it’s because of her passion. When we started this, we were so young. We never considered we’d still be doing it when we reached our 60’s!”

And as for Kathleen’s retirement plan?

She chuckled. “I plan to keep these aisles nice and clear and let a good lookin’ EMT carry me out of here!”

Incredible Toy Company is located at 3411 U.S. 321 in Blowing Rock. Operating hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1-5 p.m. on Sunday. t

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45 Years of Piedmont Friendly Faces in the Federal High Country

A photo of the original Piedmont Federal Savings and Loan building in what is now the current Walmart parking lot. This photo was taken around 1978 during a heavy snowfall in the High Country.

Other businesses in the same area at the time included an A&P Grocery Store, Roses and Sears.

By Nathan Ham

who would be the lucky one to buy or build their home.

In 1921, Piedmont Building & Loan merged with Mutual t has been 45 years since the first Piedmont Federal Savings Building & Loan to become Piedmont Mutual Building & Loan. and Loan branch opened in Boone. The people working in the Stokes County native Nicholas Mitchell became Piedmontâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first office might have changed and full-time employee in 1928. Piedeven the name may have changed mont remained strong, even during slightly, but the same great customthe Great Depression. While many er service has been a hallmark of businesses collapsed during this Piedmont Federal since the business time, Piedmont Mutual Building opened on February 26, 1973 in the and Loan never missed a dividend High Country. payment and not a single person The original Piedmont Buildwith a savings account lost a penny. ing and Loan dates back to April By 1935, Piedmont Mutual 21, 1903 when a small group of Building and Loan became federbusinessmen had the desire to help ally chartered and changed its name local folks achieve the dream of to Piedmont Federal Savings and home ownership and build finanLoan Association. Nicholas Mitchcial assets. The first location was in ell became president in 1953. His downtown Winston-Salem and the son N.W. Mitchell Sr. succeeded his first loan given was for $500. When Branch manager Howard Love, teller Kay Schieren and father as president in 1960. enough deposits were received, the Mitchell Sr. kept the family ties teller Gaye Moten in 1973 not long after Piedmont depositors would draw lots to see strong with Piedmont Federal SavFederal Savings and Loan opened its doors.

I

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Diana Profitt, the current branch manager at the Boone office of Piedmont Federal Savings Bank, has been the manager since April of 2010. ings and Loan. His son, Nick W. Mitchell, Jr., joined the company in 1967 and was later named president in 1980.

As the economy continued to improve after World War II, Piedmont Federal Savings and Loan began to expand. Four more branch locations were opened in WinstonSalem, and a fifth opened in Kernersville.

After that, expansion turned northwest to Boone in 1973. The first location in Boone was in the old Watauga Village Shopping Center, then named Southgate Shopping Center. Another location just down the road in North Wilkesboro was opened in September of 1978.

Today, after 115 years of operation in

North Carolina, Piedmont Federal still holds true to its roots as a community bank with 10 locations (six in Winston-Salem, one in Kernersville, one in Boone, one in North Wilkesboro and one in Clemmons).

Piedmont Federal is building a new branch in High Point which is expected to open in the summer of 2019.

Current Piedmont Federal Savings Bank President Ric Wagner (left) and former bank presidents Nicholas Mitchell (center) and N.W. Mitchell Sr. (right). Mitchell Sr. was the leading force in getting a branch opened here in Boone and had a home at Hound Ears.

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Doors Open in Boone Nick Mitchell Sr. was widely known as a sharp businessman and had a home at Hound Ears Club in Boone. It was said that he often used golf course conversations to close deals on home loans to friends.

“Mr. Mitchell decided he was going to open a branch in Boone; he loved this area. He was president when I started working,” said Kay Schieren, who spent 30 years working at Piedmont Federal Savings and Loan and was one of the four original Boone office employees.

Ric Wagner, the present Chairman and CEO of Piedmont Federal Savings Bank, said Mitchell spent a lot of time in the High Country.

“Being familiar with the region, he felt strongly that the area would be ideal for Piedmont’s personal approach to banking,” said Wagner.

Schieren said that in January of 1973, the four employees traveled to Winston-Salem to train for six weeks.

“We worked in all of the different departments. I worked in a branch part of the time in Kernersville and then they told us we were planning to open in the middle of February so they sent us back to Boone on a Friday to stock the office and get ready to go to work,” said Schieren.

The original advisory board members included Max Coley, Larry Nance, John Cooper, Ed Brown and Keith Weber.

At the time, Coley was manager of Belk Department Store, the president of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce and a former president of the Boone Rotary Club. Cooper was the owner and president of Mast General Store, the vice president of the N.C High Country Host, a member of the Community Development Committee of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce and a member of the board of directors for the Valle Crucis Mission Conference Center. Brown was the assistant administrator for financial affairs at Watauga County 54

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A photo of the staff in the early 1980s. Front row, seated: Branch manager Kay Schieren. Back row: Debbie Miller, Diana Proffitt, Susan Norris and Mitzi Rochelle.

Four of the original advisory board members for Piedmont Federal Savings and Loan in a Jan. 20, 1984 edition of the Watauga Democrat: John Cooper, Edward Brown, Max Coley and Keith Weber. Not pictured: Larry Nance.

Kay Schieren started out as a teller for Piedmont Federal Savings and Loan before eventually becoming the branch manager and retiring in December of 2001 when this picture was made.

December 2018

Hospital, treasurer and an active member of the Boone Fire Department and a member of the finance committee of the Three Forks Baptist Association. Weber was the president of Hound Ears Corporation, a member of the Avery/Watauga Board of Realtors and a board member on both the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce and Watauga County United Community Appeal.

The original location of the building is near the current Walmart and the surrounding shopping center. At the time, Schieren said that the only businesses there were A&P grocery store, Roses and Sears. The parking lot consisted of gravel, and with all of the snow that had fallen in Boone that winter already, it was a bit of a muddy mess around the building.

“We literally had to walk a plank to get into the building,” she said.

Schieren, who grew up in nearby West Jefferson and attended Appalachian State Teachers College, was one of two tellers at the time, the other being Gaye Moten along with branch manager, Howard Love and loan officer, Jay Hutcherson.

When the branch opened, Watauga Building and Loan, operated by James Marsh, and Northwestern Bank, operated by Alfred Adams, were the only other banks in Boone at the time.

“People were leery, but customers started coming in and they found out how friendly we were and what a good bank we were,” said Schieren. Kay said in time, she knew all the customers that walked through the door by name.

“That was how we were trained. You need to call your customers by name so we did and it worked,” said Schieren.

Schieren took over as manager in 1983 and worked until her retirement on December 30, 2001.

For years, Piedmont Federal Savings and Loan kept things simple by just offering savings accounts and home loans to their customers.

“We had what you call passbook savings accounts back then

and they were very popular.

We started making loans pretty quickly after we opened,” Schieren said.

The passbook savings accounts let people keep up a running total of how much money they had in a little blue book that they would bring in each time that they wanted to take out or deposit money.

Customers applying for a mortgage then had to provide at least a 20 percent down payment according to Schieren. To this day, mortgage loans stay at the bank and are not sold to other financial institutions.

In 1982 interest rates shot up to 21 percent, meaning at some point, rates were going to drop and home loans would spike, thanks in large part to lower interest rates.

Four years later, the “Refinance Avalanche of 1986” hit across the country with interest rates dropping steadily and people deciding now was the perfect time to refinance their homes.

“That was the time we worked 15 to 16-hour days, seven days a week for probably four to six months,” said Susan Norris, who was a loan officer at the time.

“There would be days when I would take three or four loan applications after we locked the door. Many of them were new loans that we made but a lot of people wanted to refinance their current home loans,” said Schieren.

The customer base ranged from farmers and maintenance workers to business owners, Appalachian State professors and second homebuyers.

More regulations on the banking industry increased the amount of paperwork and placed more stringent loan requirements on customers throughout the 1980s and 1990s.

Commercial banks also became competition for Piedmont Federal Savings and Loan at the time because they began offering home loans, something that commercial banks had not done in the past.

“Every bank set up a mortgage loan department. All of a sudden we were competing with commercial banks for home loans,” said Norris.

In the early 2000s, Piedmont Federal moved to its current location at 1399 Blowing Rock Road near the intersection at Shadowline Drive and changed its name from Piedmont Federal Savings and Loan to Piedmont

Photo taken during Christmas of 2001 honoring Kay Schieren’s retirement.

Left to right: Wendy Vines, unknown teller, Diana Proffit, Kay Schieren, Sherry Price and Susan Norris.

Celebrating Halloween In Style Celebrating Halloween at Piedmont Federal was a big tradition according to Kay Schieren. “We were going to do anything that created a little bit of fun so we put a lot of thought into our costumes,” she said.

Above: Susan Norris, Kay Schieren, Debbie Miller, Lisa Isenhour and Diana Proffit.

Bottom left: Teresa Kearny, Debbie Miller, unknown part-timer, Kay Schieren, Susan Norris, Kalyn Hardy and Diana Proffit. Bottom right: Kay Schieren, Susan Norris, unknown part-timer, Debbie Miller, Diana Proffit and Gail Shuford.

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Piedmont Federal Savings Bank is now located at 1399 Blowing Rock Road near Greene’s Motel and the intersection of Shadowline Drive. The bank moved to this location after the land lease ended at their former location in the Walmart parking lot.

Ginger Salt, the Chief Marketing Officer for Piedmont Federal Federal Savings Bank.

“We changed names because we felt like Piedmont Federal Savings Bank, says that customer service has always been an imporSavings Bank better described what we were doing at that point. tant part of what the bank staff has had to offer since day one.

“Piedmont really does take the time to get to know you, your We were offering more services than the traditional savings and family and what’s happening in your life. You know if they recomloan companies of the past,” said Norris.

Regardless of the name on the building, customer service has mend something, they’re thinking of you first. Nobody is on comalways been a top priority for Piedmont Federal Savings Bank. mission and you leave knowing the staff has looked out for you.”

Diana Proffit, the current branch manager in Boone and emFrom the early years of the business getting off the ground to what it is today, customers could always count on a good experi- ployee for almost 34 years, recalls how many members of the same family have continued coming to Piedmont Federal Savings Bank. ence at the office.

“Generation after gen“I worked from the eration just keeps coming, time I was 16 years old they don’t go anywhere and worked several jobs else. If they live in town, through college. Piedmont this is where they bank,” Federal was the single most said Proffit. “We’ve stuck customer-oriented business with our founders’ phiI have ever been associated losophy that we want to with in my life,” Norris provide our communities said. “Their mindset was with a way to have home that the customer has the ownership and also offer choice to come in this bank. a secure place to save for They could walk out just as life’s needs.” quickly as they walked in.

Piedmont Federal has It is your attitude, it is your always been good to their way of treating customers employees as well, prothat determines whether viding Christmas bonuses, they come back or not. We sincerely care about our The Piedmont Federal Savings home office is located in Winston-Sa- health insurance benefits, customers.” lem at 201 South Stratford Road. It’s one of 10 current locations with paid time off and retirement benefits.

Wagner says that cusan 11th location being planned to open in High Point.

“Their concept was if we tomer service is absolutely take care of our employees, critical and there has always been a genuine concern for customers and for offering top-flight which they did, the employees will take care of our customers,” said Norris. products and services.

Norris stayed with the bank from 1982 until April 1, 2016 “That is how we distinguish Piedmont from all other institutions. Piedmont has a Customer Bill of Rights,” said Wagner. when she retired.

Proffit moved to Boone from Asheboro and ended up taking a “Piedmont Federal is not publicly held and not under the same quarterly earnings pressure as stock institutions. This enables us teller position at Piedmont Federal.

“I feel so fortunate to have walked in the door and gotten the to take a long-term perspective on meeting customer needs, serjob. Piedmont is a big part of my life,” Proffit said. “They want vice to the community and operations.”

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“We’ve stuck with our founders’ philosophy that we want to provide our communities with a way to have home ownership and also offer a secure place to save for life’s needs.”

Real Estate Sales & Vacation Rentals QUALITY SERVICE SINCE 1976

– Diana Profitt, Branch Manager at the Boone office to keep their employees, get them involved and they really make an effort to make sure we’re happy.” Erica Helms, a current Piedmont Federal employee, agrees. Twenty years ago she applied for a teller position and was hired by Kay Schieren. “I remember Kay coming into the A&P when I worked there. I thought she was so professional and nice that I just wanted to have a job like hers,” recalled Erica.

Some of the lasting memories from their time with the bank for Kay, Susan, Diane and Eric were the times spent with their coworkers and having fun while still working hard to meet customer needs.

“We were as close outside the office as we were inside the office. We would have huge dinners at each other’s houses. We were an incredible family,” said Norris. “When it came to business, we knew how to have fun and we knew how to do business. When that customer walked through the door, we were 100 percent business.”

“We played hard but we worked hard too,” said Schieren.

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What’s Happening Now at Piedmont Federal Piedmont Federal has evolved quite a bit in 115 years. Ric Wagner was named President & CEO in 2009 and was made Chairman in 2017. Mike Hauser was then named Piedmont’s eighth President in 2017.

However the strong focus on extraordinary customer service remains the same.

Piedmont has grown from a small office in Winston-Salem to 10 locations in the mountains and foothills of North Carolina and from simply offering savings and mortgage loans to now full-service personal and business account options, including youth savings, checking, online banking, mobile check December 2018

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deposit and much more.

“What we’re trying to do is encourage healthy savings habits from birth,” Salt said.

“That way, we can help prepare customers for every stage of their financial life.”

To further encourage savings, Piedmont Federal Savings Bank also just announced a new service for customers called “Make$ents.”

“Make$ents rounds up your debit card purchases to the next nearest dollar and the cents go into your savings account. Piedmont will help you save even more by matching 15 percent of the transferred amount,” said Salt.

Piedmont Federal launched business accounts in August. Offerings include checking & savings accounts, online banking, remote deposit capture, debit and credit cards, debit card protection, and much more.

“Business account services came about because we actually had customers asking us why we didn’t do business banking. As our community saw more and more bank mergers, a lot of folks were looking to stay with a local bank and people they knew. I conducted focus groups with local business owners and operators to find out what is important in a banking relationship to small businesses.

This valuable input was used to develop our business bank accounts so customers have what they need so they can focus on their business” said Salt.

That’s not the only good news for business owners and potential business owners. Piedmont Federal’s Board recently approved a decision to begin small business lending.

“We’re going to take our time and we’re going to make sure we do it right so that when our customers come in, we can truly help them,” said Salt.

Piedmont Federal Savings Bank CEO Ric Wagner says that the bank’s Customer Bill of Rights is another example of how seriously they take their customer service.

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The current staff at the Boone Branch pictured here waiting to help you out with all of your financial needs. Front row: Vilma Sanqui and Brianne Armstrong.

Back row: Jennifer Freeman, Diana Proffit and Erica Helms.

Moving into the world of online banking was another crucial step taken by Piedmont Federal Savings Bank to adapt to an evolving financial world.

“We have to think about the future, everything is electronic now. We’ve had to rethink how we’re going to handle this.

You don’t need these huge branches now.

We want people there to make sure we’re taking care of our customers but many of the transactions are online now. It’s still the same amount (of traffic), it’s just a different way of doing banking. When people come in to the branch, they are usually seeking advice or assistance. That’s been a big change over the last 15 years,” said Proffit.

The staff at Piedmont Federal encourages everyone to come by and see what services they have to offer that may fit their financial needs.

“Once you walk in Piedmont Federal, you’ll never want to go anywhere else.

People genuinely care about you and are interested in you. It’s all the wonderful things you would expect in a traditional sense but with the modern conveniences you need in today’s world,” Salt said.

“When you come in here and people talk to you, the experience is real. They’re not trying to sell you something, they’re not on commission. They’re trying to do what’s best for you and trying to share knowledge so that you can make the best possible financial decision for yourself.”

Maintaining their status is a community-centered bank has been a major selling

point for customers and Piedmont Federal Savings Bank plans to keep it that way.

“Piedmont is here for the long-term and we have customers that span several generations as in doing business with Piedmont Federal. Every one of our customers are important to us as well as the communities we are privileged to serve,” said Wagner.

John Cooper, who is now on the Board of Directors for Piedmont Federal, has been pleased with the growth and achievements of the bank.

“We have been very sound for over 100 years, we have endured the recession very well and our base of home loans have been very solid,” Cooper said. “It’s a very good institution that treats their employees well and treats their customers well. We truly are a community bank that has no intentions of being sold or even acquiring other institutions.”

Cooper says Piedmont Federal has always been a big help to the Boone community with not only their banking services but also donations and support for community projects.

“They give to a lot of worthy causes. I know in recent years they have given very generously to the Appalachian Theatre and they participate with the Boone Chamber and have been a sponsor several years in a row for the annual dinner and I think they believe in being a part of the communities that they are in,” he said. “I like what they do and have a lot of confidence in the leadership team at Piedmont.” t December 2018

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Watauga American Legion AND

Disabled American Veterans

Continue to Lead the Way

By Sherrie Norris

W

ith another Veteranâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day in their rearview mirror, members of the Watauga American Legion Post 130 and Disabled American Veterans Chapter 90 remain as dedicated as ever before to serving their country and fellowman. While Nov. 11 might be just another holiday for some, these veterans have learned to take nothing for granted and consider it an honor and a privilege to serve others.

These humble veterans and their comrades across the High Country represent those freedoms that we, as Americans, still hold dear; they work hard to keep the legacy alive, to help society remember the sacrifices that our military men and women have made through the years â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and continue to do on a daily basis.

Many members of our local military-affiliated organizations have

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Members of the Watauga County American Legion Post 130 and DAV Chapter 90 come together on a regular basis to provide military honors services for their deceased comrades. painful memories of war forever etched in their minds, and while each has made his or her own contribution to the country’s freedom, it’s usually the well-being of his or her fellow veterans that weighs heavier on their minds, than that of their own.

Not only do these two aforementioned organizations take care of their own — both living and deceased — in a unified manner, they are a close-knit group of veterans that share meeting space, serve their community well and remain devoted to December 2018

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erected Veteran’s Memorial on King Street in Boone.

Several years ago under the leadership of the late Earl Moretz, who served as commander for over 20 years, the local post played an important role in erecting the granite veteran’s According to Finley Hodges, commander of the local Ameri- memorial at the National Guard Armory in Boone.

In addition to providing milican Legion post since 2009, protary funerals, both the American viding military funerals is currently Legion and DAV work together to the main focus of his organization. assist local veterans and their famSince it was chartered on Aug. ilies with claims and contact infor17 1921, Post 130 has held a place mation; the DAV primarily proof honor for military veterans in vides transportation to and from Watauga County. Hodges referred VA medical facilities and together, to the members as “good men and they help each other as needed. women who function on the basis The groups also have a comof the church on which our counmunity presence by participating try was founded,” and who try in holiday parades and other speto live up to the American Legion cial events throughout the year. motto, “For God and Country.”

Neither organization receives In recent years, the post began any government funding and opa campaign to distribute posters American Legion Commander, Finley Hodges, erates primarily on donations and bearing the US motto, “In God We at left, is pictured during the recent Veteran’s Day fundraising efforts; the American Trust;” working with county offices ceremony at Boone Mall with legion members Legion depends heavily upon its and officials, to date, they have givAllen Culler and Joe Bryan. monthly breakfast, Hodges said, en out nearly 700 to local schools, and is able to keep $7.50 out of businesses and individuals. They’ve every $35 per member dues. The sent them to other states and overDAV hosts informational booths seas, as requested, and have more in the area four times a year, which available, if needed. helps with their funding needs (see The veterans also supported more below), and both are gratethe county’s decision to place the ful for any and all donations that same words upon the Watauga come their way.

County courthouse, a process that Each of the organizations has drew opposition from some, but around 200 members on its rosleft the proponents with a sense ters at present, but sadly, only a of pride and accomplishment, said small percentage of them are acRalph Earp, who headed up the tively involved. It is the desire of project. They were also instruboth to increase membership and mental in having the motto placed upon patrol cars of the Watauga Representing the American Legion during the July 4 participation.

“We’re hoping to see more County Sheriff’s Office. unveiling of the Veteran’s Memorial on King Street in interest from younger veterans The American Legion and DAV Boone are from left, Van Norris, Rick Cornejo, to keep us going,” Hodges said. together also purchased the flag Allen Culler and Joe Bryan.

“Most of us are getting older and that is now flying at the recently their country. A number of local veterans are members of both organizations.

Serving Fellow Veterans

Monthly fundraising breakfasts hosted by the American Legion is considered “the best breakfast in town” by many and is crucial to helping offset operating costs.

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Holding the ranks as the senior most member of the Watauga American Legion post today is WWII veteran Bill Rucker, who nearing his 95th birthday, remains actively involved in all aspects of the organization. some are unable to participate routinely.”

It’s the same for the DAV, said transportation coordinator, Charles Norris. “We could use some younger drivers for our transportation vans, especially.”

A small, but busy women’s auxiliary assists with special events of the American Legion and lends its services as needed, in particular the fundraising breakfasts that always draw a crowd on the third Saturday of each month and is advertised as “the best breakfast in town.”

The American Legion was first chartered

by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic, mutual help, wartime veterans’ organization. It is a community service organization, which now numbers nearly 3 million members in nearly 15,000 posts worldwide. National headquarters are in Indianapolis, with additional offices in Washington, D.C. t

The Watauga American Legion/DAV building is located at 135 Bear Trail, off Grand Boulevard in Boone. Meetings are held at 6 p.m. on the first Thursday night of the month with covered-dish meals in May and October.

For information about membership, military funeral honors or anything related to the American Legion, call (828) 297-2625 or (828) 406-0412.

The members of Watauga County American Legion Post 130 always enjoy participating in holiday parades and other special events in Watauga County.

Dependable vehicles are necessary for safe transportation to and from medical appointments and other community service projects by the local American Legion and DAV.

The Watauga American Legion/DAV building is located at 135 Bear Trail, off Grand Boulevard in Boone, where both organizations hold their monthly meetings and the American Legion hosts its fundraising breakfasts.

It also serves as a gathering point for the veteran’s participation in other special events, including military funerals and parades.

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The DAV: A Legacy of Service, Hope for the Future D

AV is a nonprofit charity that provides a lifetime of support for veterans of all generations and their families, helping more than 1 million veterans in positive, life-changing ways each year. The organization, overall, provides nearly 615,000 rides for veterans attending medical appointments and assists veterans with more than 250,000 benefit claims annually. In 2017, DAV helped attain more than $4 billion in new and retroactive benefits to care for veterans, their families and survivors.

Locally, members of the Watauga County Chapter 90 of the DAV have done a lot to help their fellow veterans and their families through the years. They have provided food boxes and meals at Thanksgiving and Christmas, gifts for veterans’ children and gift cards for single veterans, and have helped with needed heating, electric and oil bills. They’ve enjoyed a close working relationship with the Family Readiness Group of the 1451st NC National Guard for many years, as well, and have helped their fellow veterans both at home and in veteran’s hospitals and nursing homes.

Possibly the most important service the DAV provides is free transportation for their fellow veterans to and from medical appointments to the VA hospitals, including those in Asheville, Salisbury, Kernersville, even Duke and Johnson City, Tenn.

“It’s a free service, currently operating with two transportation vehicles and about nine volunteer drivers,” said longtime DAV member and officer Doug Hempe. “We average about 15 trips a month to medi-

Who Is Eligible for membership in the DAV? Any man or woman: • Who served in the armed forces during a period of war or under conditions simulating war; AND • Was wounded, disabled to any degree, or left with long-term illness as a result of military service; AND • Who has not been dishonorably discharged.

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cal appointments at the VA centers, a free door-to-door service, as we pick the veterans up at home, take them to their appointments and then bring them back home afterward.” It helps cut down on time and expenses, Hempe added, when three or four veterans can be transported at the same time.

During the recent Veteran’s Day weekend, which they also do during Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day, members of the DAV represented their chapter at various businesses in the area, including Dan’l Boone Inn, Ingles and at Shoppes on the Parkway, with booths that gave out flags and candy and helped spread awareness and raise funds to help meet the needs of their fellow veterans.

“Anything we can do, anytime there is a need of veterans here in Watauga County, whether it be for transportation, for food, heating, oil, whatever we can do, we will try our best Longtime DAV member and officer Doug Hempe is to do it,” said Charles Norpictured a the information/fundraising booth at Ingles ris. “Watauga County resiof Boone during the recent Veteran’s Day weekend. dents and visitors are very generous and we appreciate every donation that is given to our organiCurrent officers of the DAV: zation. We would not be able to provide the Commander: Richard (Steve) Tucker services we do without it,” he said, noting Adjutant: Douglas S. Hempe that the DAV operates solely on donations.

Treasurer: Douglas S. Hempe DAV is also a leader in connecting veterSenior Vice Commander: Timothy R. Wilkie ans with meaningful employment, hosting First Junior Vice Commander: Charles D. Norris job fairs and providing resources to ensure Service Officer: Timothy R. Wilkie they have the opportunity to participate in the American dream their sacrifices have Meetings are held at 6 p.m. on the third Thursday made possible. of each month at 135 Bear Trail Lane in Boone.

With almost 1,300 chapters and more than 1 million members across the country, DAV empowers our nation’s heroes and For more information or questions regarding the local DAV chapter and its programs or services, their families by helping to provide the recall Hempe at (423) 727-1955 or write to sources they need and ensuring our nation DAV Chapter 90, P. O. Box 2914, Boone, N.C. 28607. keeps the promises made to them. t

December 2018

Other Interests of the American Legion

Rick Cornejo, Allen Culler and Larry Osborne were among those representing the American Legion in downtown Boone on July 4 at the Veteran’s Memorial dedication.

I

n addition to providing military funer- have also collected thousands of aluminum als, the Watauga American Legion Post can tabs through the years as a fundraisers 130 also supports other local activities, for the Ronald McDonald House.

The veterans of both the American Leincluding Watauga High School’s Marine gion and DAV are very Corps Junior Reserve Current Officers appreciative of the assisOfficer’s Training Corps tance they receive from program, the American Watauga Post 130 the Watauga County Legion Boy State and Commander: Finley Hodges Veterans Service Office Girl State programs and Adjutant: Larry Osborne personnel, who along the NC Student Trooper Finance Officer: Rick Cornejo with the staff at the WaProgram.

1st Vice-commander: Allen Culler tauga County Register The American Le2nd Vice-commander: Norman Garland of Deeds Office, made gion also has a visible Chaplains: Larry Osborne, Joe Bryan and possible a discount card presence at parades, David Brown for each veteran, which Memorial Day and VetHistorian: Jeff Graybeal is recognized by dozens erans Day programs at Sgt.-at-Arms: Ralph Earp, Greer Harmon of area businesses. the Boone Mall. MemWhether through bers also visit schools in fellowship at their Watauga County, particCommittees: monthly meetings, ipate in flag dedications, Membership: A.R. Moody and work with local Building and Grounds: Norman Garland breakfasts, or serving side-by-side at military churches, as requested.

Breakfast: Buddy Townsend funerals, these veterans In the past, the AmeriTransportation: Robert Greer maintain a strong concan Legion has worked Uniforms: Allen Culler nection and invite othwith the Wounded WarParade Float: Allen Culler ers to join them in their riors project at AppalaRifles: Allen Culler efforts. t chian Ski Mountain and Nations Motto Project: Ralph Earp Special Olympics. They

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Military Funerals

I

t is the shared belief of the local American Legion and the DAV members that all veterans deserve a full military funeral, and they work together to insure that this happens.

For the last two decades, the organizations have taken great pride in their involvement in the funerals, something that law mandates for any eligible veteran if requested by the family.

Since Sept 2009, the joint effort has provided more than 300 of these services, with as many as 52 in one year.

Conducting the military funeral honors has been a privilege for the Watauga County veterans, Hodges said, and was the main reason he

The mournful sound of the lone bugler playing Taps at military funerals signals the final call to service. Presenting the American flag to the next of kin at military funerals is a bittersweet act for the participating officers, but is something the families always appreciate.

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Stone Cavern

Tile & Stone Showroom

December 2018

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Members of the Watauga County Disabled American Veterans Chapter 90 perform last rites for their former commander, Dewey Pruitt, at a Wilkes County Cemetery in 2017. burial site about 30 to 45 minutes before tions take great pride in being able to projoined the post. vide this service, and have been told that An honor guard detail for the burial of the service.”

They have conducted as many as five they are among the few — and maybe the an eligible veteran shall consist of no less than two members of the armed forces, funerals within three days. At one time, only ones in the state — who go to such lengths to care for the family of the vetone of which must represent the parent there were nine in eight days.

Earp said that each military funeral erans. service branch of the deceased veteran. At Families of eligible veterans request fuminimum, the ceremony should include the requires at least five hours of volunteer folding and presentation of the American service from each participating veteran — neral honors through their funeral director, flag to the next of kin and the playing of from the time they dress in their uniforms, who then contacts the appropriate military “Taps” by a bugler, if available, or by elec- to arriving at the post, disseminating and service to arrange for the honors detail.

The veterans work closely tronic recording.

Who is eligible for a military funeral? with Hampton Funeral Service The local group adds the gun • Military members on active duty. and Austin & Barnes Funeral salute, color guard, presents a Bi• Military retirees.

Home & Crematory in Boone, ble in a wooden case to the next to properly attend the family, of kin, the salute’s fired shells in • Members and former members of the Selected Reserve. and have provided both with a velvet bag, and the Bosun pipe • Eligible U.S. veterans of any war. blown with a departure call for • Other U.S. veterans who served at least one term of enlistment and brochures to be shared with families of veterans in their time the “Sea Services” — Navy, Merseparated under conditions other than dishonorable. of need. chant Marine and Coast Guard • Military members on active duty or military retirees have the option of The military funerals are veterans.

“The veteran’s name is called using Armed Services personnel or local veteran organizations or both. provided free of charge to the veteran’s family, but costs the by one of us at the end of the funeral, along with his or her branch of receiving job assignments and rifle prepa- post about $100 each; the shells and bags are purchased in bulk, which helps, over service and the words ‘gone home,” said ration.

“Then, after the funeral, we unload, all. This does not factor in the cost of uniRalph Earp. “We also provide pallbearers, if requested, and in some cases, we have wipe down and store rifles in a safe place forms for participating members, which is conducted the entire service. Whatever and manner,” he explained. “Our rifles are between $350 and $400 each.

It is a gift to the members to particithe family of the deceased veteran requests Garand M1s, which are demilitarized by — from helping make arrangements to the addition of a blank firing adapter. We pate in the final departure of their fellow performing complete services, we’ll do it, strongly believe every veteran deserves to veterans, Hodges said. “It’s something all veterans have paid the price for and is the and regardless of the weather, we’re there, be honored by his fellow vets.”

Members of these veterans organiza- last thing we can do to honor them.” t usually 12-18 of us, and we arrive at the 68

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Of

Needles and

By Frank Ruggiero

W

elcome to Western North Carolina’s haunted forests.

That’s not to say visitors will encounter spooks, specters or haints, but rather “grey ghosts.”

The eerie epithet describes dead eastern and Carolina hemlock trees, giants that have succumbed to a tiny foe from a land far away — the hemlock woolly adelgid.

Thought to have migrated to the U.S. East Coast from Japan, by way of infested nursery stock in the early 20th century, the hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae) preys upon the aforementioned trees, affixing itself to the bases of their needles and feeding incessantly.

Left unchecked, trees’ buds will die out, leading to defoliation and, ultimately, grey ghosts. With no local, natural predator on the East Coast, the adelgid thrived, leading experts to believe that hemlocks’ fate was grim at best.

But hope has taken root.

Meet the Resistance

The Hemlock Restoration Initiative (HRI) aims to restore eastern and Carolina hemlocks to their native habitats, while mitigating the damage caused by the adelgid.

To accomplish this, HRI works with numerous partners “to ensure that eastern and Carolina hemlocks can resist the deadly hemlock woolly adelgid and survive to maturity on North Carolina’s public and private lands,” its mission statement reads.

The initiative also aims to help people understand why hemlocks are such an important player in the ecosystem.

According to the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), one of the largest eastern hemlocks ever recorded reached 175 feet in height and 76 inches around. Their height usually spans 60 to 70 feet 70

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at maturity, while their trunks grow to a diameter of between 24 and 48 inches.

Furthermore, they can live longer than 800 years.

When attacked by the adelgid, however, that life expectancy is dramatically reduced, with afflicted trees, in some instances, dying off in as few as three years.

And as the death toll rises, it leads to a ripple effect.

“Our hemlocks are really located along riparian corridors and waterways,” said Sara deFosset, outreach associate for HRI. “They line these headwater streams and really physically shape those waterways, their roots holding the streambanks in place and preventing erosion, while their branches shade the water. So, they make it a lot cooler and more oxygenated, which are the conditions our native species depend on.”

Those species include brook trout, hellbender salamanders and their prey, among many others.

“They also play a major role in the nutrient cycle,” deFosset continued, “forming really dense canopy that intercepts precipitation and prevents nutrient waterfall in waterways. And they’re active in the winter, when other trees are dormant, which happens to be when we have major water events. So, they help reduce flooding.

“If those trees and hydrology functions were lost, we’d start to see and are seeing immediate impacts.”

That includes the warming of streams and the introduction of woody debris from fallen trees, which can alter the flow and other dynamics.

“Hundreds of songbirds are associated with hemlocks, a few of which are rumored to nest nowhere else,” deFosset said.

“Hemlock is also a preferred food source for white-tailed deer.

Basically, they kind of act as a green island in the middle of an

Beetles

The Fight for North Carolina’s

H emlocks With no local, natural predator on the East Coast, the adelgid thrived, leading experts to believe that hemlocks’ fate was grim at best. otherwise homogenous or dormant forest, an important source of habitat and food for all sorts of creatures in our woods.”

The HRI helps ensure those islands stay above water, as it were. With funding from the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and USFS and, most recently, support from the N.C. General Assembly, the Asheville-based initiative can afford to focus specifically on hemlock, acting as a bridge between likeminded organizations that have similar, but wider, focuses.

“Our mission When hemlocks have every needle instatement is to work fested with HWA, the tree can no longer with partners to re-

produce new growth

store our two native species … and we’re doing that in a number of different ways,” deFosset said.

That includes dispatching crews to treat trees on state lands, providing education and outreach at public events, creating educational content and providing technical support and advice to private landowners.

“We get a lot of calls from folks … not really knowing what to do, so we can help them figure out their best strategy,” deFosset said.

A Widespread Menace

The hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) itself is a very small, burgundy-colored, aphid-like insect that has two generations per year. It was reportedly found in the Pacific Northwest in 1924 and Virginia in 1954, establishing itself through most of the eastern hemlock range — including North Carolina.

While HRI serves the entire state, the natural range of hemlocks only falls within 27 counties, 26 of which are in Western North Carolina, deFosset said, adding that the 27th county is Wake, which has a small, disjunct population of Carolina hemlocks.

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hemlock needles on infested trees.

“By 2010, every county in Progrediens, on the other hand, North Carolina within the native lay only 12 to 25 eggs. range of hemlocks has been in“When those eggs hatch, the fested, so, in other words, there’s crawlers find an empty needle, no untouched part of North Carowhose base they’ll attach to,” Hamlina,” she said. ilton said. “If you look at an inDr. Jim Hamilton, director of fested branch under a hand lens or the Watauga County Center of microscope, you can see a crawler the N.C. Cooperative Extension attaching itself to each needle, and Service, remembers the first time it stays there for the rest of its life, he encountered the adelgid in the feeding and reproducing.”

High Country.

“The feeding is causing an allerHe’d just begun working with gic reaction, which causes the tree the extension service as a Christto behave like it’s in a drought,” mas tree agent in 2002, when he deFosset added. “The tree stops heard a report of a new pest inputting on new growth and loses festing the hemlocks near Parkway its needles.”

School on U.S. 421.

This can prove especially fatal “Those were the first trees I’d if the tree is already suffering from heard about in the area, but I’m drought. As such, the HWA hit the sure many more had them,” HamSouthern Appalachians particularilton said. “With any infestation ly hard, she said. like this, visible, highly trafficked “One of the reasons we think areas get noticed first. My guess is is because it coincided with a pethe adelgid, perhaps, had been in riod of drought,” deFosset said, our area for five years prior, prob“and that sort of acted as a doubleably around the late 1990s in the whammy for the trees.”

High Country.”

“The trees just become overIt was likely transported up whelmed,” Hamilton said. “Deand down the East Coast via Standing dead hemlocks in the forest are sometimes pending on how much stress the storms, like hurricanes, and birds, referred to as ‘grey ghosts’ because of the tree is under, HWA can kill trees which would rest on infested trees distinctive grey appearance. in as little as three to five years, and leave with tiny stowaways, if they’re under stress from other Hamilton said.

All HWA are female, with two overlapping generations per environmental causes, like drought. Healthy hemlocks on good year — winter (sistens) and spring (progrediens), which overlap growing sites can tolerate adelgid for probably 10 years before in the summer. Sistens can lay 25 to 300 eggs in their ovisacs — showing any visible signs of decline.”

Thanks to breakthroughs in treatment, however, they might the white, cotton-like or “woolly” substance found at the base of

Members participating in a HWA workshop.

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Not so long ago, Hemlock Hill had some of the most hemlocks in one area of any place in the region. Now the once beautiful forest looks like a hemlock graveyard with most of the giant trees spindly, dead shells of their former glory.

Ln larvae (left) and orange HWA eggs: A Laricobius nigrinus larva, left, feasts on orange hemlock woolly adelgid eggs. Photo courtesy of Blue Ridge Resource Conservation & Development not have to.

Respect the Chemistry

For those concerned, HRI has a message.

“It’s looking really hopeful,” deFosset said. “The very shortterm solution is chemical control, essentially the use of insecticide to treat your tree and protect it against the adelgid, which is effective. We know that it’s effective, but it doesn’t last forever.”

There are numerous consumer-grade insecticides, although the

Laricobius nigrinus is a natural predator to the hemlock woolly adelgid. Photo courtesy of Blue Ridge Resource Conservation & Development. most effective active ingredients seem to be imidacloprid and dinotefuran, Hamilton said, the former of which boasts the longest residual at five to seven years or longer. However, the pesticides can harm other insects, wildlife and fish, meaning they must be applied judiciously.

“Follow the labeled instructions,” Hamilton said. “The label is the law. It usually takes around a year to see some sort of effect.

These are systemic insecticides, meaning they’re applied at the base of the tree, and the tree takes up the active ingredient through its December 2018

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tomologist, started studyroot system and distributes ing the HWA in 1999. it throughout. When new At the time, he and adelgids emerge from the his colleagues were seekegg sac to begin feeding, ing natural predators for they ingest the insecticide, the adelgid, focusing their and it kills them.” search primarily in China “Ideally, we’ll use both and Japan, where the HWA chemicals on the same was kept under control — tree,” deFosset said. “They naturally — by beetles. have different benefits and “And it was a tale of drawbacks, so using them woe, and trees were dyin combination lets us ing,” he said. “But then, maximize the benefits and around 2006, actually, non-benefits of both those (USFS research entomolochemicals.” gist) Nathan Havill gave Furthermore, both are this talk on the genetic linconsiderably less expeneage of the hemlock woolly sive than they were a deadelgid. He says in gene cade ago.

Dr. Richard McDonald teaches participants in a ‘Beetles Save Needles’ jockey language, later in “Five to 10 years ago, it did seem cost-prohibitive,” workshop how to look for Laricobius beetles. Photo by Margot Wallston. plain English, that the adelgid was native to the Pacific deFosset admitted. “So, a soap, which must be timed for when the Northwest. I was sitting in lot of people decided not to that meeting, and I almost died. treat their trees. That’s changed, though, crawlers are out, Hamilton said.

The most effective treatment, however, “So, seven years into the project, where and the price for these chemicals has come combines chemical and biological control. we thought we were doomed, and the only down quite a bit, so it’s a good idea to rethings we could get were from China and visit it.”

Meet the Beetles Japan, we suddenly realized this adelgid Shorter-term chemical treatments inDr. Richard McDonald, consulting en- was native from Alaska and British Columclude horticultural oil and insecticidal

HRI technicians use low volume, soil drench technique to treat hemlocks in a forested setting.

Photo by Margot Wallston | Hemlock Restoration Initiative.

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bia, all the way down through Washington, Oregon and the four northern counties of California.”

As it turned out, the East Coast and West Coast HWA were actually the same species — but western hemlocks were not suffering from a die-off.

McDonald explained that in the Pacific Northwest, there is a specific native “winter” predatory beetle, called Laricobius nigrinus (affectionately referred to as “Lari,” for short) that eats about 97 percent of HWA’s winter generation.

“It is the major natural mortality factor of HWA during the winter generation and causes populations of HWA to crash,” McDonald explains in his “9 Main Points About HWA and Its Natural Enemies.”

“Predators in the genus Laricobius are

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A Laricobius nigrinus adult essential to controlling HWA,” he continues. “All hemlock species have a Laricobius (variety) feeding on adelgids during the winter, except ours. There are hundreds of eastern and Carolina hemlocks in the Seattle area that have HWA and are fine, because they have predators on them.”

According to HRI, adult beetles can eat six or more adelgids per day, before laying 200 to 400 eggs, per beetle, in a HWA egg sac. Furthermore, each Lari larva can consume 200 to 250 HWA eggs or crawlers before they pupate in June.

McDonald and his colleagues had actually tested Lari on East Coast HWA in years prior.

“It wasn’t that these beetles didn’t work,” he said. “It was that we didn’t have enough of them. So, what happened after 2006, we just decided to start going to Seattle, going to Tacoma and the Pacific Northwest with the proper permits through USDA, and we hauled back tens of thousands of these beetles and put them all around Grandfather Mountain and in the middle of every one of the seven counties of the

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Infestation as it has spread across the Eastern U.S. There are 27 counties in North Carolina that have hemlocks. By 2010, every county in North Carolina within the native range of hemlocks has been infested.

High Country areas.

“And now, this beetle is basically almost everywhere. All of the Highway 105 resorts, like Hound Ears, Twin Rivers, Linville Ridge, Grandfather Golf, they all have these populations of beetles, they know how to manage it, and, if they have a question, they call me in.”

McDonald said he has observed several sites that have had enough time — 10 years — and beetles to show the potential of sustainably controlling HWA with natural predators.

“We are seeing good regrowth of HWA-infested hemlocks at several of the earliest release sites,” he notes in “9 Main Points,” “and we have excellent data showing 90-percent-plus predation rates. Just like Seattle. Once we realized the HWA was native to our own country, our hypothesis was that we would have an analogue for every Chinese or Japanese summer predator. All we have to do is collect and release beetles, and our insectaries are now coming online locally. This program works.”

A Hole in One

One of Lari’s greatest success stories takes place at Grandfather Golf & Country Club (GGCC) in Linville, thanks to the efforts of course superintendent Pete Gerdon.

GGCC started chemically treating its trees in 2002 and continued to do so until 76

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2007, “which was the last year that we used chemicals,” Gerdon said.

With the blessing of GGCC’s management and membership, that was the year Gerdon and McDonald traveled to Seattle to meet Lari and bring home about 12,000 or so of his friends.

“We went every year for several years, and I don’t know how many we’ve released over that time, but it’s been a lot,” Gerdon said. “We’re actually working with a lot of different universities now, and they’re coming here and collecting beetles to release all over the East Coast. They’ve done very well here.”

Lari, he explained, moves to where there’s sustenance, e.g., adelgid, “so they go everywhere. The beetles we released here have moved to Boone and Blowing Rock and all the way into the Linville Gorge and up onto Grandfather Mountain.”

“From my perspective, as an almost lifelong entomologist, we were going to lose these trees,” McDonald said. “If you treated your trees (chemically), you bought yourself enough time, but ultimately, it’s the beetles.”

A One-Two Punch

According to HRI, however, it could still take some time and research.

“We feel very confident that those

December 2018

HWA appears as woolly white ‘poof balls’ at the base of each hemlock needle during winter months, a telltale sign of infestation.

Photo by Margot Wallston | Hemlock

Leader growth appearing on new growth of a hemlock.

December 2018

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beetles are being established, so research scientists are looking right now for a quantitative measurement that shows they’re having a measurable effect,” deFosset said.

“There is data out there that indicates the beetle is showing great potential — not eliminating the adelgid, but keeping its population in check,” Hamilton said. “But a lot of that has to do with there being fewer trees. There’s less adelgid pressure in native forests here now, because over the last 20 years, we’ve lost a lot of our native hemlocks, which reduced the density of these trees.”

And that reduced the density of the adelgid. The idea is to keep HWA at a level that trees can tolerate on their own, and to deFosset, that means the integration of both chemical and biological control.

“That’s really sort of the goal,” she said. “We’re not advocating one solution over the other. Rather, we want to be able to use all the tools we’ve got, so this integrated pest management approach is really what we’re hoping to see.”

Cost remains an issue, as a single Lari beetle can come with a $5 price tag. But organizations like HRI and the Spruce Pinebased Blue Ridge Resource Conservation and Development (BRRCD), as well as individuals like McDonald, are there to offer guidance and education on the subject, including tips on collecting beetles.

This integrated approach also helps offset cost — especially if one lives in an area populated by Lari.

“From the extension office perspective, if a homeowner wants clean trees in their landscape … then chemical treatment is still the best option,” Hamilton said. “But, in the past, if homeowners couldn’t afford the chemicals to treat all of their trees, they started doing landscape triage to determine which would be saved and which would be left to their own demise. Now … one of the options is to incorporate the beetle, to kind of integrate chemical with biological treatment, essentially treating every other tree in the landscape.

“Then you’ll have half totally clean, and you’ll have half with adelgid, providing a food source for the beetles, which are naturally propagating in the environment.

So, you’re getting good protection without needing 100 percent of your trees treated.”

HRI has even established local insectaries, where the beetles can breed and establish for later collection and redistribution, thus reducing dependence on imported and lab-produced beetles, as well as cost.

Education also plays a major role.

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A picture of the once mighty hemlocks that Todd Bush photographed years ago.

Through grant funding from HRI, BRRCD partners with McDonald to offer “Beetles Save Needles” workshops, teaching participants how to look for and collect beetles.

BRRCD even developed a “Beetles Save Needles” guidesheet, which details the entire beetle collection process.

“The beetles really do a great job,” BRRCD executive director Jonathan Hartsell said. “Like most things with nature, we can’t predict all the variables. Sometimes they stay, sometimes they go. The 100percent solution is chemical, but beetles are definitely a good long-term strategy and way to tackle the adelgid.”

R&R: Research and Restoration

HRI considers hemlock preservation a three-legged stool, with chemical control in the immediate short-term, biological control in the long-term and research and restoration in the very long-term.

“There are all kinds of scientists working through that in the range of hemlock and beyond,” deFosset said. “Some of the folks we partner with are selecting and breeding for tree resistance, like the Forest Restoration Alliance from N.C. State University. They’re working to identify the mechanisms for resistance in the hemlock, and the hope is to breed a resistant native eastern hemlock tree. But, of course, that is very long-term work.”

Meanwhile, Camcore, also from N.C. State, collects genetic material from the range of eastern hemlocks to ensure the trees will have enough diversity to repopulate if too many are lost.

“They’re working at restoration techniques, like what are growing conditions that hemlocks like best, what are the effects of sunlight on adelgid populations, what is the scope of restoration, how would we go about restoring these areas that have been hard hit?” deFosset said. “That’s the longterm plan. But when restoration actually happens, I believe, remains up in the air.”

Researchers are also determining the effect of chemical treatment on neighboring plant communities, while others continue to measure the efficacy of predator beetles.

“Again, it’s the integration of all of these,” deFosset said. “It’s the combination of strategies we’re hoping to see play out.”

The prognosis?

“It’s looking pretty hopeful,” she said.

“Years ago, when this problem first presented itself, it was really very doom and gloom.

But that’s not the message any more. The forward-looking big picture is hope, life and research.” t December 2018

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Parting Shot...

The Watauga Pioneers finished the regular season 11-0 and were the conference champions in the Northwestern 3A/4A conference. Pictured here is the junior varsity team in the front with the coaching staff in the middle and the varsity team in the back. The JV team finished the season with a 5-4 overall record.

A Special Season for the Watauga Pioneers I

t has certainly been a year to remember for the Watauga Pioneers varsity football team. Watauga finished off its first unbeaten regular season in 40 years, their first conference championship since 2007 and their first outright conference title since 1980.

“This year has really given our guys the opportunity to be successful. I think it starts with the coaching staff and the head coach setting the vision, setting expectations and standards in place,” said Dustin Kerley, Watauga High School’s Athletic Director and a member of the football team’s coaching staff.

Kerley has been an assistant coach at Watauga since 2009 and currently serves as assistant head coach, special teams coach and tight ends coach, all in addition to being the athletic director at the high school.

“Our kids have been working hard every day and they have done a phenomenal job of not being satisfied and continue to work hard each day to get to where we are right now,” he said.

That spot is in the 3AA Western Semifinals where Watauga received the top overall seed in the regional. At this point, the Pioneers are three wins away from a state championship.

Receiving the top seed and being able to play all of their playoff games at home has been such a big boost to the team.

“I think Watauga High School has the best home field advantage in the state of North Carolina, especially when the temperatures drop a little bit, that definitely helps,” said Kerley.

That home field advantage gets even more help from a bunch of faithful fans who show up to the games to cheer on their Pioneers.

“The community and our fans have been great, they have done a really good job of getting out here on those cold nights and the student section does a great job of getting here and supporting the team,” said Kerley. “We’ve got a great community here with everyone involved. It’s an exciting time of year to 80

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make this playoff run, we just want to continue it and keep it going and hopefully the fans have a football game to go to the next couple of weeks.”

This dream season started on August 17 with a 36-12 win on the road at T.C. Roberson in Asheville. After that, Watauga rolled to big wins over their two closest rivals, first a 43-7 win at home over Ashe County and a 58-7 win at home over Avery County.

September started with the team’s final non-conference game of the regular season, a 43-14 road win over Wilkes Central.

The Pioneers jumped into conference play on September 21 with a 46-12 thumping of South Caldwell on the road. Watauga returned home for an impressive 35-0 win over Alexander Central on September 28.

October began with a 43-23 win at Hickory and then a 49-7 home win over St. Stephens on October 12. Next up, the Pioneers traveled to Marion and easily handled McDowell, 50-13, setting up a game with Freedom that would determine the conference champion.

Both the Pioneers and Patriots entered that game with unbeaten records in the conference and the Pioneers ended up scoring a 35-16 win. In the final regular season game, Watauga capped off its perfect regular season with a 62-0 win over West Caldwell.

In the first two rounds of the state playoffs, Watauga shut out Ashbrook, 49-0 on November 16 and held off a challenge from Parkland on November 23, 49-26.

As the High Country Magazine goes to press, Watauga is set to host the Weddington Warriors in the 3AA West Semifinals.

Regardless of how the rest of the season plays out, this season will be one that Pioneer fans, coaches and players will not soon forget.

By Nathan Ham

Southern Charm in the High Country

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