High Country Magazine June 2016

Volume 11 • Issue 5 June 2016

Men In Fast Cars Stanley Hicks Stories A Passion For Running Randy Johnson’s Latest Book

Welcome Back Summer Residents

Summer Calendar – Plus Our Favorite Places To Go June 2016

High Country Magazine

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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 P O RT S A I N T L U C I E , F L O R I D A

828.898.9887 772.344.3190

W W W. D A VA N T - I N T E R I O R S . C O M B

High Country Magazine

June 2016

ALLIED ASID

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High Country Magazine

June 2016

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ELEMENTS OF AN E X TR AO DINARY B R AND

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Contact us today for a consultation on how your home can be marketed in North Carolina and around the world.

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Sotheby’s International Realty® and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered service marks used with permission. Each office is independently owned and operated. Equal Housing Opportunity.

June 2016 High Country Magazine Property information herein is derived from various sources including, but not limited to, county records and multiple listing services, and may include approximations. All information is deemed accurate.

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Stone Cavern

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High Country Magazine

June 2016

1153 Main Street, Blowing Rock, NC 28605 • 828.414.9580 179 King Street, Charleston, SC 29401 • 843.694.2445 www.ReinertFineArt.com June 2016

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C O N T E N T S Our Favorite Summer Treats

Our Favorite

Summe r

treats

Set sail with us on an adventure through life in the High Country! We’ve outlined for you a list of our favorite summer treats. Some you may recognize but haven’t done in awhile, and others that may be new to you entirely. There’s so much to see and do around here, so let’s get started!

Randy Johnson’s Grandfather

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Randy Johnson has travelled the world over writing stories about outdoor adventures.

Domestically, he’s spent the past four decades – when not working on the trails of Grandfather Mountain – on a personal mission to showcase the exceptional outdoor resource that the High Country as to offer. In his latest publication, Johnson returns to Grandfather Mountain, with Grandfather Mountain: The History and Guide to An Appalachian Icon.

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Addicted to Speed If Jimmy Stahl can make a golf cart go faster than a gazelle, imagine what he can do in a racecar? C&S Racing in Foscoe is a family affair with Stahl and his wife, Denise Church-Stahl, and their son, Landan, who is pretty fast behind the wheel, too.

A Master Mountain Entertainer

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A part of the famed Hicks family off the backside of Beech Mountain, Stanley Hicks is a “dulcimore-making” folk legend and a master entertainer who lived from 1911 to 1989. As musician and storyteller Glenn Bolick said, “Stanley was ‘on’ when he was around people … I’d have to say it was his calling.”

His People, His Mountain If you’ve lived around here for a while, chances are you’ve made a friend in Ray Joplin, who has been delivering packages in the High Country since the ‘70s. This summer, after 40 years on the road working for the United Postal Service, he’s ready to hang up his hat. Find out what drives him in this look at the man who’s always smiling.

Q & A with Star Athlete An accomplished long-distance runner based in the High Country, Esther Erb Atkins explains what it’s like to be one of the top runners in the country, where one day she’ll be training with ZAP Fitness in Blowing Rock and another week she’s running dozens of miles in Austria.

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on the cover Todd Bush

– Our cover this month was taken by Todd Bush (bushphoto.com) atop Sugar Mountain. Pictured on the cover is local mountain bike enthusiast Emma Schlagal, a habitat employee at Grandfather Mountain. Sugar Mountain has miles of hiking and mountain bike trails to enjoy.

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Visit www.bushphoto.com

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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.

G A L L E R Y

&

F R A M E M A K E R S

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

local color | robert eoff

may 26 - June 11

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.

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

a DIffereNt lIGHt | MarGaret SalISbUrY

JUNE 16 - JULY 2 cocktails & tall tales with William Dunlap a r are opportunity to join the conservation

Sunday, June 26, 3:00 - 5:00 pm

Saturday Coffee Talks | June - August | 10 to noon artcellaronline.com | 828-898-5175 | info@artcellaronline.com 920 Shawneehaw Avenue, Hwy. 184, Banner Elk June 2016

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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

On The Road Again

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eady for some summer outings? In the following pages is a compilation of our favorite excursions in the High Country. Our 11 suggestions start on page 24, right after an extensive list of summer events. This list is worth saving as a reference for when you’re looking for something to do in the days and weeks ahead.

While you might be familiar with some of these places, others will be adventures and outings that perhaps you never considered. Either way, we hope our take on each one inspires you to check them out this summer.

These days, I’m still discovering new things in the High Country even though I’ve been down quite a few roads over the years. You get to the point where you think you’ve seen it all. But every so often, a story or photo assignment brings me down another road, to another place or event, reminding me again of just how many nooks and crannies there are in these mountains. As I get older, the bucket list seems to get longer, and I imagine it will take a lifetime to come across them all.

With that said, here are a few of my favorites from the list: I always enjoy stopping by the Old Hampton Store when I am travelling through the Linville area. It’s located off the main road on Ruffin Street – part of the old Linville neighborhood that sprang at the turn of the century when the Eseeola Lodge was first established. The store opened in 1920 serving guests of the Lodge and the locals working in the bustling area – as it was a stop along the old Tweetsie Railroad line. Today’s owners, Steve and Abigail Sheets, have labored over the years to retain the authenticity of the store and surrounding buildings. The restaurant serves awesome food and the setting takes you back in time. It’s just a relaxing place to visit. But the big news this year is that the Sheets added a bar called “The Tavern,” which opened this past May. Already a place where the locals meet, the beautifully built and furnished bar is in a cozy setting. The Old Hampton Store is definitely worth a visit.

Another of my favorite spots has always been Mystery Hill. To me, there really is something mysterious about that place. Although it’s only natural to be a little skeptical of the promos, after each visit, I’m always left scratching my head, wondering about the strange forces that always leave my head spinning.

And here’s one more: The Avery County Historical Museum. Visits here certainly leave me appreciating the enthusiasm and determination the folks who run the museum have to preserve their county’s heritage for future generations. Housed in the old Avery County Jailhouse, the museum features dozens of rooms – and cells – dedicated to a slice of Avery County history. New this year is the completed restoration of the old Linville Train Depot that looks the same as it did when Tweetsie made stops here 99 years ago.

Here’s to a summer full of new adventures – it’s time to hit the road!

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June 2016

Contributing Writers Jesse Wood Jessica Isaacs David Coulson Allison West Carl Tyrie

Contributing Photographers Todd Bush Peter Morris

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. © 2016

by High Country Press. All Rights Reserved.

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June 2016

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Town of Seven Devils For Information on the Town of Seven Devils: 828/963-5343 • www.SevenDevils.net For Zip Line: 828/963-6561 Ad Sponsored by the Seven Devils Tourism Development Authority 10

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June 2016

JEANS / LEATHER and CUSTOM JACKETS / BOOTS / MUCH MORE

Like us on FaceBook to see our latest arrivals

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mountain

echoes

Captivated by Blowing Rock, The Reinerts Open a Gallery

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enowned Impressionist Rick Reinert, together with his wife Ann, visited Blowing Rock in the Summer of 2015. It didn’t take them long to realize they felt right at home. The High Country provided an antithesis to their Low Country Charleston life, just the thing to shift Rick’s creative mind into overdrive.

Reinert is an obsessive painter. He paints daily from dawn, sometimes until dark. His studio/gallery in historic downtown Charleston has attracted many fans and collectors because he is there, he is painting, and he is immensely accessible.

The unmistakable aroma of oil paints fill the gallery, and the atmosphere is charged with artistic energy. The ambience and warmth of his gallery, its sculpture garden, and world-class art make Reinert Fine Art a destination for locals and for the four million visitors to Charleston every year.

Reinert’s vibrant paintings of his Lowcountry surroundings have earned praise, awards and collectors over the twenty years

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June 2016

he has painted in Charleston and six years his gallery has been open. Legendary former Mayor Joe Riley, Jr. is a fan who awarded Rick the Mayor’s Purchase Award at Piccolo Spoleto in 2013. Many of Rick’s newer collectors first wandered in off the sidewalk, attracted by the bright colors and beautiful imagery, and couldn’t leave without at least one piece.

“I’ve been collecting Rick’s work for over 5-1/2 years. I have his paintings in almost all canvas sizes. For me personally, Rick’s impressionist style of painting along with his loose brush strokes and his use of vibrant colors create a perfect marriage of emotion and place on the canvas. There is an amazing personal connection that occurs with each of his paintings.

Rick Reinert Truly wonderful!” Mike Reynolds, Wilkesboro, NC After being captivated by Blowing Gallery Director, Jason Stone shares, Rock, the Reinerts sought a location for a “Most of our artists have invested at least gallery. The result--Reinert 20 years of their life developing their style Fine Art opened in October. of painting. We have also found that near“Downtown Blowing Rock ing this time frame our artists are gaining is the perfect place to have notoriety and have become mature profesanother gallery. The commu- sionals on the verge of significant breaknity is very supportive of the throughs. Simply put, these emerging artarts. We were particularly ists offer incredible fine art values with impressed with the Blowing accessible price points.

Rock Art and History MuStone enjoys learning personal stories seum. It is so unusual to find from the artists and ‘brings them to life’ such a wonderful gem in a as he engages with collectors. He states small community…this told enthusiastically “There is a wonderful us so much about the folks celebration that occurs with each sale...the who live here,” said Rick. artist is thrilled, the gallery is pleased, but Both Reinert Fine Art Gal- most of all the collector wins - they have leries feature other artists as something to cherish in their home that well, as many as 40, curated will last for a lifetime and beyond.”

by Reinert himself. “One of The Reinerts will spend time in each the most important consid- gallery, enjoying the life they created in erations when bringing in an Charleston and looking forward to being artist is asking ourselves if members of their new community in Blowwe would hang the art in our ing Rock. own home. If it doesn’t meet Reinert Fine Art Galleries are located at that measure, our Gallery is 1153 Main Street in Blowing Rock, and not right for the artist.”

179 King Street in Charleston.

Russell Hits Halfway Mark in Parkway Run

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ay Russell, founder of RaysWeather. com, is halfway through the “Relay With Ray,” an epic run across the entire length of the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway.

Russell decided to embark on this personal challenge as an ode to the National Park Service during its centennial year and also as a promotion, fundraiser and outreach for the Blue Ridge Parkway and advocacy groups. “[This] is the craziest thing I have ever thought of doing,” Russell said a few days before he started at the Blue Ridge Parkway’s mile marker 0 in Waynesboro, Va. “Seriously.”

What Russell is attempting to do is a bit ridiculous from a physical standpoint. He’s running 20 miles a day – give or take – for four weeks in a row.

That amounts to running three-quarters of a marathon every day for a month straight.

Perhaps more astounding, though, is how Russell felt two weeks in as he pulled into the Grandview Overlook near the Parkway Elementary School in Watauga County, his hometown, where waiting for him with cheers were fourth graders.

“I feel the best today of any day since I started. That’s the most bizarre thing to say after running 20 miles,” Russell said following the day’s run. “I really do feel better today than any other day at this point in the afternoon since we were in Waynesboro. I am so excited about that.”

Throughout the month, Russell is running a few hours a day, which gives him plenty of time to “explore and celebrate every twist, turn, nook and cranny” of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

The community can support the challenge in three ways: run with Ray; donate to the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation and volunteer with the Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Follow Russell as he documents his journey with photos, videos and blog posts at www.relaywithray.com.

by Jesse Wood

CARLTON GALLERY Celebrating 34Years

Spring Group Exhibition May 28 – July 15

“Perceptions of Nature” by 3 Women in the Arts

Debbie Arnold, Tonya Bottomley & Trena McNabb

Mid-Summer Group Exhibition

July 23 – Sept. 15 - Opening Reception: July 23, 2–5 pm

Pushing the Limits with Innovative Elegance Andrew Braitman Clay & Glass Creations by Ralph Mello & Fred Mead

PAINTINGS • CLAY • GLASS • SCULPTURE • WOOD • FIBER ART • JEWELRY Located 10 Miles South of Boone on Hwy. 105 Grandfather Community

TUESDAY-SATURDAY 10:00-5:00 • SUNDAY 11:00-5:00 8 2 8 - 9 6 3 - 4 2 8 8 • Call or check our website for workshop dates www.carltongallery.com • carltongallery@carltongallery.com

June 2016

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echoes

mountain Downtown Banner Elk Property To Become Greenspace When thousands of folks descend upon downtown Banner Elk for the Woolly Worm Festival in October, those familiar with the area will likely do a double take at the intersection of Main Street and Shawneehaw Avenue.

For there will be a park instead of a 4,700-square-foot vacant building.

The Town of Banner Elk recently purchased this corner property with donated funds from lead donor Elaine J. Wold and other contributors who grew tired of seeing the property sit unused for so long in their beloved downtown.

Banner Elk Mayor Brenda Lyerly told High Country Press in May that the town would demolish the building, which has been vacant for several years and housed in its history, a woodshop and restaurants, including The Corner Palate.

“We are going to make it a greenspace.

We’ll add nice benches and some things to beautify that corner. We are looking forward to taking down the building. It should be done pretty soon,” Lyerly said.

“Everyone seems to be excited,” she added. “Many times you do something in town that some people don’t like, but everyone is thrilled that building is going to be gone and are looking forward to making it very nice in the center of town right at that stop light.”

This purchase is the second major

property acquisition for the Town of Banner Elk in downtown in recent memory.

In November 2014, the Avery County Board of Commissioners agreed to sell the historic Banner Elk Elementary School to the town for $1 million.

In early 2015, Wold, who is a Johnson and Johnson heiress, made a previous naming-rights donation to the historic Banner Elk Elementary School project, which the town is undertaking to preserve for future generations to enjoy.

Town Manager Rick Owen said that the focus of Wold’s initial gift was for the beautification of the streetscape along Shawneehaw Avenue adjacent to the school and the Elk statue, which has graced the area for years.

As for the “corner” project, Owen said that Wold’s vision to turn an unused property into a park arose from planning meetings with town officials finalizing details of the school beautification project.

“Mrs. Wold saw the opportunity to greatly broaden the scope of Banner Elk revitalization by helping the town acquire the vacant commercial property for additional greenspace,” Owen said. “As the lead donor, she, along with other contributors, brought this project to reality.”

Demolition of the corner building is planned this summer.

By Jesse Wood

The old Corner Palate building will be torn down in a few weeks to make room for a new green space and park.

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mountain

echoes

sUMMER THEATER

S

tories of laughter, love, intrigue and mystery will all come to life on the stage this summer. Lees McRae Summer Theatre & Ensemble Stage offer convenient locations, affordable rates and tickets available online, you’re just a click away from an awesome theater experience.

In the town of Blowing Rock, the team behind the nonprofit organization known as Ensemble Stage has prepared for you an exciting lineup of great entertainment spanning various genres. Get single show tickets or buy a summertime season subscription to guarantee that you don’t miss a single show!

This year’s lineup brings you “The Melville Boys,” “Toyer,” “Visiting Mr. Green” and “Waiting for MacArthur.”

Don’t worry; there are shows for the little ones, too! Saturday kids’ theatre brings lots of laughs and a really great time for the younger theater enthusiasts in the family.

Ensemble’s performances take place in

the Blowing Rock School Auditorium, right downtown at 160 Sunset Drive. Get more information at www.ensemblestage.com or call 828-414-1844.

Down the road in Banner Elk, Lees-McRae College offers up another fantastic selection of shows with its summer theatre series. Students training in their craft serve up a high quality experience and performances that you don’t want to miss!

This year, LMC Summer Theatre brings you “Mary Poppins: The Broadway Musical,” “Always … Patsy Cline” and “The Pajama Game.”

All LMC shows are held in the Broyhill Theatre of the on-campus Hayes Auditorium, providing for a professional experience in a beautiful environment. Check out www.lmc.edu to download this year’s brochure, get tickets and read more about the program. You can also call the box office at 800-504-4849.

SERVES YOU RIGHT’S!

Cute-tique!

Unique Gifts for Infants & Children

Fun Gifts from Cool Grandparents... Birthday, Shower, Christening, Storybooks, Games & Toys.

Gifts & Essentials for Entertaining Exclusive Offerings in Dinnerware Bar Accessories Picnic & CollegiateTailgate Humorous Cards & Beverage Napkins Coffee Table & Political Humor Books Our Infamous Halloween BOO-tique 1179 Main Street, SouthMarke Blowing Rock, NC 28605 828.295.4438 or 800.825.1828 ServesYouRightNC@yahoo.com 16

High Country Magazine

June 2016

Norm Foster’s “The Melville Boys” — June 25 – July 3

• A lighthearted story of two brothers and the comedy that ensues when a couple of good-looking ladies turn their latest adventure upside down.

Gardner McKay’s “Toyer” — July 16 – 24

• Story of one psychologist’s entanglement with a mysterious visitor. His presence could be harmless, but it could also be something more sinister.

Jeff Baron’s “Visiting Mr. Green” — Aug. 6 – 14 • What happens when two polar opposites are forced to get to know each other? “Visiting Mr. Green” shows us that you can’t judge a book by its cover.

P. Paulette MacDougal’s “Waiting for MacArthur” Aug. 27 – Sept. 4

• Travel back in time to the 1940s as you enjoy this touching tale of four women separated by distance but united in the struggles and challenges of living in a war-torn world.

2016 Lees-McRae College

Summer Theatre Mary Poppins June 26, 28, 29, 30 and July 1, 2, 3

• One of the most popular movies of all time is capturing hearts in a whole new way: as a practically perfect musical!

Always... Patsy Cline July 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20

• Always... Patsy Cline is based on the true story of Patsy Cline’s friendship with Houston, Texas housewife Louise Seger. Based on a true event.

The Pajama Game August 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

• A union strike at a pajama factory generates plenty of steam heat in this toe-tapping comedic love story.

June 2016

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Week

by Week

calendar OF EVENTS

Cut This Baby Out For Your Refrigerator 6/23-25, thursday-SATURDAY Week #1 - June 5 to 11 Week #2 - June 12 to 18  Ashe County Little Theatre, Hello

6/5, SUNDAY

6/12, SUNDAY

 Ashe County Arts Council Studio Tour, Ashe County, 336-846-2787

 Linville Falls Winery, Clay Lunsford, Linville Falls, 828-765-1400

 Linville Falls Winery: Shelby Rae Moore, Linville Falls, 828-765-1400

6/14, TUESDAY

 Music in the Valle, The Lucky Strikes, Valle Crucis Park, 828-963-9239

 Concert in the Courtyard, DC Collective, Bayou Smokehouse, Banner Elk, 828-898-8952

 Concerts on the Lawn, Songwriters Showcase, Jones House, Downtown Boone, 828-268-6280

6/15, wednesday

 Music on the Lawn, The Harris Brothers, Best Cellar, Blowing Rock, 828-295-3466

6/7, TUESDAY  Concert in the Courtyard, The Rockbillys, Bayou Smokehouse, Banner Elk, 828-898-8952

6/9-12, THURSDAY – SUNDAY  Charity Horse Show: Saddlebred Division, Blowing Rock Equestrian Preserve, 828-295-4700

6/10, FRIDAY  Concerts on the Lawn, The Djangovers and Amantha Mill, Jones House, Downtown Boone, 828-268-6280

 Music in the Valle, The King Bees, Valle Crucis Park, 828-963-9239

 Music on the Lawn, Supa Tight, Best Cellar, Blowing Rock, 828-295-3466

6/10-19, STARTS FRIDAY

 Animal Birthday Party, Grandfather Mountain, 828-733-2013  Concerts on the Lawn, Doc Watson Day Celebration, Jones House, Downtown Boone, 828-268-6280

 Heritage Day and Wood Kiln Opening, Bolick & Traditions Pottery, 828-295-5099

 Music on the Lawn, Smokey Breeze, Best Cellar, Blowing Rock, 828-295-3466

 Blood, Sweat and Gears Full Century Bike Ride, Valle Crucis, bloodsweatandgears.org

 Music in the Valle, The Neighbors, Valle Crucis Park, 828-963-9239

 Avery County Wine and Beer Festival, Linville Falls Winery, 828-898-5605

6/18, SATURDAY  Live Music at 5506' SkyBar, Shelby Rae Moore, Beech Mountain Resort, 828-387-2011 Mountain Boys, Linville Falls, 828-765-1400

6/11, SATURDAY

6/18-19, SATURDAY & SUNDAY

 Art in the Park, Park Avenue, Blowing Rock, 828-295-7851  Black and Blue Double Century Bike Relay, Riverside Restaurant, Todd, 336-877-8888  Live Music at 5506' SkyBar, Andrew Scotchie and the River Rats, Beech Mountain Resort, 828-387-2011  Linville Falls Winery, Amantha Mills, Linville Falls, 828-765-1400  Todd Music Series, Joseph Houck, Cook Memorial Park, 828-263-6173

 Roan Mountain Rhododendron, roanmountain.com

Week

3 - June 19 to 25

#

6/19, SUNDAY

 Linville Falls Winery, The Harris

Brothers, Linville Falls, 828-765-1400

June 2016

 Linville Falls Winery, Avery County Beer & Wine Festival, Linville Falls, 828-765-1400  Todd Music Series, Strictly Strings, Cook Memorial Park, 828-263-6173

6/25-7/3, SATURDAY – SUNDAY  Ensemble Stage Presents, The Melville Boys, Blowing Rock, 828-414-1844

Week

4 - June 26 to july 2

#

6/26, SUNDAY

 Concert in the Courtyard, TBA, Bayou Smokehouse, Banner Elk, 828-898-8952

6/23, thursday

 Linville Falls Winery, Clay Lunsford, Linville Falls, 828-765-1400

 Movie in the Park, Memorial Park, Blowing Rock, FREE, 828-295-5222 High Country Magazine

 Live Music at 5506' SkyBar, Grandpa's Cough Medicine, Beech Mountain Resort, 828-387-2011

 92nd Annual Singing on the Mountain, Grandfather Mountain, 828-733-2013

6/7, TUESDAY

 Concerts in the Park, Smokey Breeze, Tate Evans Park, Banner Elk, 828-898-8395

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6/24, FRIDAY

6/25, SATURDAY

6/17, FRIday

 Linville Falls Winery, Typical

 Day Out with Thomas, Tweetsie Railroad, 828-264-9061

Dolly, Ashe Civic Center, 336-846-2787

6/28-7/1, tuesday – friDAY  Summer Theatre, Mary Poppins: The Broadway Musical, Lees-McRae College, 828-898-8709

12 Weeks of Summer Now You Won’t Miss a Thing 6/28, tuesDAY  Appalachian Summer Festival, Film: Labyrinth of Lies Schaefer Center, 828-262-4046  Concert in the Courtyard, Maureen Renihan & Friends, Bayou Smokehouse, Banner Elk, 828-898-8952

6/30, thursDAY  Concerts in the Park, The

Extraordinaires, Tate Evans Park, Banner Elk, 828-898-8395

7/1, FRIDAY

 Concerts on the Lawn, Analog Poets

and The Lucky Strickes, Jones House, Downtown Boone, 828-268-6280

 First Friday Art Crawl, Downtown Boone, 828-268-6280  Music on the Lawn, The Harris Brothers, Best Cellar, Blowing Rock, 828-295-3466

calendar OF EVENTS

 Todd Music Series, Wayne Henderson & Friends, Cook Memorial Park, 828-263-6173

7/2-9/4, SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS  Weekend Scenic Lift Rides, Sugar Mountain Resort, 828-898-4521

Week

5 - JuLY 3 to 9

#

7/3, SUNDAY

 Linville Falls Winery, Clay Lunsford, Linville Falls, 828-765-1400

7/4, monday  Bethel Blast Concerts and Fireworks, Bethel Park/Bethel Baptist Church, 828-297-2694  Fourth of July Parade and Fireworks, Downtown Boone, 828-268-6280

7/1-7/4, FRIDAY – MONDAY  Fourth of July Sports Shop Sale, Sugar Mountain Resort, 828-898-4521

7/2, SATURDAY  Fourth of July Celebration, Sugar Mountain Resort, 828-898-4521  Roasting of the Hog and Fireworks, Beech Mountain Resort, 828-387-2011  Fourth of July Festival and Parade, Downtown Blowing Rock, 828-295-5222  Music on the Lawn, Supa Tight, Best Cellar, Blowing Rock, 828-295-3466  Live Music at 5506' SkyBar, Melissa Reaves, Beech Mountain Resort, 828-387-2011  Linville Falls Winery, BearWallow, Linville Falls, 828-765-1400

 61st Annual Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, 828-733-1333, gmhg.org

7/8, friday  Music on the Lawn, Soul Benefactor, Best Cellar, Blowing Rock, 828-295-3466  Music in the Valle, The Djangovers, Valle Crucis Park, 828-963-9239  Concerts on the Lawn, Swing Guitars and Todd Wright, Jones House, Downtown Boone, 828-268-6280

7/9, SATURDAY

 Linville Falls Winery: Wayne Taylor, Linville Falls, 828-765-1400

7/1-7/2, FRIDAY & SATURDAY

 Art on the Greene, Historic Banner Elk School, bannerelk.com

7/7-10, thursday – monday

 Todd Music Series, Danny Whittington & a Killa Band, Cook Memorial Park, 828-263-6173

 Appalachian Summer Festival, Summer Exhibition Celebration, The Turchin Center, 828-262-4046

7/1-7/3, FRIDAY – SUNDAY

 Appalachian Summer Festival, William Shakespear's Long Lost First Play, Schaefer Center, 828-262-4046

 Live Music at 5506' SkyBar, Dr. Bacon, Beech Mountain Resort, 828-387-2011

 Music in the Valle, Maybe, Maybe Not, Valle Crucis Park, 828-963-9239

 Christmas in July Festival, Downtown West Jefferson, 336-846-9196

7/7-8, thursday & friday

 Fourth of July Parade and Party in the Park, Banner Elk, bannerelk.org  Fourth of July Fireworks, Tweetsie Railroad, 828-264-9061  Joe Shannon's Mountain Home Music, Mountain Home Bluegrass Boys and King Street Brass, Blowing Rock School Auditorium, 828-964-3392

7/5, TUESDAY  Appalachian Summer Festival, Film: Difret, Schaefer Center, 828-262-4046  Concert in the Courtyard, Smokin' Joe Randolph, Bayou Smokehouse, Banner Elk, 828-898-8952

7/7, THURSDAY  Appalachian Summer Festival, Film: Oddball and the Penguins, Schaefer Center, 828-262-4046  Movie in the Park, Memorial Park, Blowing Rock, FREE, 828-295-5222

 Joe Shannon's Mountain Home Music, Linda and Robin Williams, Harvest House, Boone, 828-964-3392

Week

6 - JuLY 10 to 16

#

7/10, SUNDAY

 Linville Falls Winery: Typical Mountain Boys, Linville Falls, 828-765-1400  Summer Concert at Fred's, Cockman Family, Beech Mountain, 828-387-4838  Appalachian Summer Festival, Eastern Festival Orchestra, Schaefer Center, 828-262-4046

7/12, TUESDAY  Appalachian Summer Festival, Film: The Dinner Schaefer Center, 828-262-4046  Concert in the Courtyard, DC Collective, Bayou Smokehouse, Banner Elk, 828-898-8952

 Concerts in the Park, The Flying Saucers, Tate Evans Park, Banner Elk, 828-898-8395 June 2016

High Country Magazine

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12 Weeks of Summer – Week by Week Events 7/14, THURSDAY  Appalachian Summer Festival, Film: On the Way to School, Schaefer Center, 828-262-4046

Week

7 - June 17 to 23

#

7/17, SUNDAY

 Concerts in the Park, Mama's Remedy, Tate Evans Park, Banner Elk, 828-898-8395

 Linville Falls Winery, Sound Traveler, Linville Falls, 828-765-1400  Summer Concert at Fred's, Cane Mill Road, Beech Mountain, 828-387-4838

7/14-20, thursday – wednesday

7/19, TUESDAY

 Summer Theatre: Always…Patsy Cline, Lees-McRae College, 828-898-8709

 Appalachian Summer Festival, Film: Baba Joon Schaefer Center, 828-262-4046  Concert in the Courtyard, The Lucky Strikes, Bayou Smokehouse, Banner Elk, 828-898-8952

7/15, friday  Music in the Valle, Grits & Soul, Valle Crucis Park, 828-963-9239  Concerts on the Lawn, The King Bees and The Luke Mears Band, Jones House, Downtown Boone, 828-268-6280  Music on the Lawn, Out of the Blue, Best Cellar, Blowing Rock, 828-295-3466  Appalachian Summer Festival, Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo with Melissa Etheridge, Holmes Convocation Center, 828-262-4046  BBQ Boot Camp, Sugar Mountain Resort, 828-898-4521  Fine Arts and Master Crafts Festival, Historic Banner Elk School, 828-898-5605

7/15-16, FRIDAY & SATURDAY  Doc and Rosa Lee Watson Music Fest ‘N Sugar Grove, Historic Cove Creek School, 828-297-2200

7/21, THURSDAY

 St. Mary Tour of Homes, Blowing Rock, 828-295-7323  Music on the Lawn, Todd Wright, Best Cellar, Blowing Rock, 828-295-3466

High Country Magazine

June 2016

 Appalachian Summer Festival, Pink Martini, Schaefer Center, 828-262-4046  Appalachian Summer Festival, Film: 3 Hearts, Schaefer Center, 828-262-4046

7/26-31, tuesday – sunDAY

 Concerts on the Lawn, Junaluska Gospel Choir and Soul Benefactor, Jones House, Downtown Boone, 828-268-6280

 Charity Horse Show: Hunter & Jumper Division, Blowing Rock Equestrian Preserve, 828-295-4700

 Music in the Valle, Zoe and Cloyd, Valle Crucis Park, 828-963-9239

 Concerts in the Park, Buick Mackane, Tate Evans Park, Banner Elk, 828-898-8395

 Symphony by the Lake at Chetola Resort, Blowing Rock, 828-295-7851

 Appalachian Summer Festival, Rioult Dance NY, Schaefer Center, 828-262-4046  Reception for Mid-Summer Group Exhibition, Carlton Gallery, 828-963-4288, carltongallery.com

 Todd Music Series, Amantha Mill, Cook Memorial Park, 828-263-6173

20

7/25, monDAY

 Joe Shannon's Mountain Home Music, Strictly Strings with Rodney Sutton, Harvest House, Boone, 828964-3392

 Joe Shannon's Mountain Home Music, Tom Sauber, Brad Leftwich and Alice Gerrard, Harvest House, Boone, 828-964-3392

 Ensemble Stage Presents: Toyer Blowing Rock, 828-414-1844

 Linville Falls Winery, Clay Lunsford, Linville Falls, 828-765-1400  Summer Concert at Fred's, Mountain Home Bluegrass Boys, Beech Mountain, 828-387-4838

7/22, FRIDAY

 Linville Falls Winery, Wayne Taylor, Linville Falls, 828-765-1400

7/16-24, starts saturday

7/24, SUNDAY

 Concert in the Courtyard, TBA, Bayou Smokehouse, Banner Elk, 828-898-8952

 Live Music at 5506' SkyBar, The Corclickers, Beech Mountain Resort, 828-387-2011

 Linville Falls Winery, The Elkville String Band, Linville Falls, 828-765-1400

8 - JuLY 24 to 30

#

 Movie in the Park, Memorial Park, Blowing Rock, FREE, 828-295-5222

7/23, SATURDAY

 Live Music at 5506' SkyBar, Shane Pruitt Band, Beech Mountain Resort, 828-387-2011

Week

7/26, TUESDAY

 Dora the Explorer and Go, Diego, Go! Tweetsie Railroad, 828-264-9061  Art in the Park, Park Avenue, Blowing Rock, 828-295-7851

 K9s in Flight: Frisbee Dogs, Tweetsie Railroad, 828-264-9061

 Concerts in the Park, Jocassee with Wilson Braswell and Hope Harvey, Tate Evans Park, Banner Elk, 828-898-8395

7/15-17, FRIDAY – SUNDAY

7/16, SATURDAY

7/23-31, SATURDAY – sunday

7/28, THURSDAY

 Appalachian Summer Festival, Film: Belle and Sebastian, Schaefer Center, 828-262-4046

7/28-29, THURSDAY & FRIDAY  Appalachian Summer Festival, In/Visible Theatre: Maauzy, Schaefer Center, 828-262-4046

7/29, FRIDAY  Concerts on the Lawn, Mark Stuart, Andy Ferrell and Clay Bank, Jones House, Downtown Boone, 828-268-6280  Music on the Lawn, The Harris Brothers, Best Cellar, Blowing Rock, 828-295-3466  Music in the Valle, The Worthless Son-in-Laws, Valle Crucis Park, 828-963-9239

7/29, friday & satURday  Blowing Rock Art and Antiques Show, Blowing Rock Art and History Museum, 828-295-9099 ext. 3003

7/30, SATURDAY  Joe Shannon's Mountain Home Music, The Belfast Boys, Blowing Rock School Auditorium, 828-964-3392  Live Music at 5506' SkyBar, The Harris Brothers, Beech Mountain Resort, 828-387-2011  Linville Falls Winery, Redleg Husky, Linville Falls, 828-765-1400

Week

9 - July 31 to Aug. 6

#

7/31, SUNDAY

 Linville Falls Winery, Shelby Rae Moore, Linville Falls, 828-765-1400  Summer Concert at Fred's, Strictly Clean & Decent, Beech Mountain, 828-387-4838

8/2, TUESday  Appalachian Summer Festival, Film: Tangerines Schaefer Center, 828-262-4046

 Concert in the Courtyard, DC Collective, Bayou Smokehouse, Banner Elk, 828-898-8952

8/2-7, TUESDAY – SUNDAY  Summer Theatre: The Pajama Game, Lees-McRae College, 828-898-8709  Charity Horse Show: Hunter & Jumper Division, Blowing Rock Equestrian Preserve, 828-295-4700

8/3, WEDNESDAY  Animal Enrichment Day, Grandfather Mountain, 828-733-2013

8/4, thursday  Movie in the Park, Memorial Park, Blowing Rock, FREE, 828-295-5222  Concerts in the Park, Sharkadelics, Tate Evans Park, Banner Elk, 828-898-8395  Appalachian Summer Festival, Film: Marie's Story Schaefer Center, 828-262-4046

8/5, FRIDAY  First Friday Art Crawl, Downtown Boone, 828-268-6280

 Concerts on the Lawn, Dashboard Hula Boys adn Brushfire Stankgrass, Jones House, Downtown Boone, 828-268-6280  Music in the Valle, ClayBank, Valle Crucis Park, 828-963-9239  Music on the Lawn, Soul Benefactor, Best Cellar, Blowing Rock, 828-295-3466

8/6, SATURDAY  Linville Falls Winery, Clay Lunsford, Linville Falls, 828-765-1400  Downhill Race, Beech Mountain Resort, 828-387-2011  Appalachian Summer Festival, Jerry Douglas Band with MISO, Schaefer Center, 828-262-4046  Joe Shannon's Mountain Home Music, Craver, Wtson, Hicks and Newberry, Harvest House, Boone, 828-964-3392  Live Music at 5506' SkyBar, Wise Old River, Beech Mountain Resort, 828-387-2011  Todd Music Series, Melissa Reaves, Cook Memorial Park, 828-263-6173

Blowing Rock Frameworks& Gallery

June 2016

High Country Magazine

21

8/6-7, SATURDAY & SUNDAY  Riders in the Sky: America’s Favorite Cowboys, Tweetsie Railroad, 828-264-9061

8/6-14, STARTING SATURDAY  Ensemble Stage Presents,Visiting Mr. Green, Blowing Rock, 828-414-1844

Week

10 - August 7 to 13

#

8/7, SUNDAY

 Linville Falls Winery, BearWallow, Linville Falls, 828-765-1400  Summer Concert at Fred's, Amantha Mill, Beech Mountain, 828-387-4838

8/9, TUESDAY  Concert in the Courtyard, TBA, Bayou Smokehouse, Banner Elk, 828-898-8952

8/11, thursday  Concerts in the Park, Benny Wilson Band, Tate Evans Park, Banner Elk, 828898-8395

8/12, FRIDAY  Music in the Valle, The Sheets Family, Valle Crucis Park, 828-963-9239

 Music on the Lawn, Buck Haggard, Best Cellar, Blowing Rock, 828-295-3466

Clinic, Grandfather Mountain, 828-733-2013

Week

 Concerts on the Lawn, Bluegrass Blowout, Jones House, Downtown Boone, 828-268-6280

11 - August 14 to 20

#

8/14, SUNDAY

8/12-13, friday & saturday  Fine Arts and Master Crafts Festival, Historic Banner Elk School, 828-898-5605

8/12-14, friday – sunday

 Linville Falls Winery, Typical Mountain Boys, Linville Falls, 828-765-1400

8/16, tuesday  Concert in the Courtyard, TBA, Bayou Smokehouse, Banner Elk, 828-898-8952

8/18, thursday

 Alivenfest Yoga Festival, Beech Mountain Resort, alivenfest.com

 Concerts in the Park, Wolfcreek, Tate Evans Park, Banner Elk, 828-898-8395

8/13, SATURDAY  Art in the Park, Park Avenue, Blowing Rock, 828-295-7851

8/19, friday

 Blue Ridge Brutal Bike Ride, West Jefferson, blueridgebrutal.org

 Concerts on the Lawn, Old-Time Showcase, Jones House, Downtown Boone, 828-268-6280

 Linville Falls Winery, Wayne Taylor, Linville Falls, 828-765-1400

 Music on the Lawn, Drive South, Best Cellar, Blowing Rock, 828-295-3466

 Joe Shannon's Mountain Home Music, The Jeff Little Trio, Harvest House, Boone, 828-964-3392

 Music in the Valle, Dashboard Hula Boys, Valle Crucis Park, 828-963-9239

8/13-14, saturday & SUNDAY  Amateur and Professional Camera

8/20, saturday  Annual Rotary Club Charity Auction, Blowing Rock, 828-295-7851

Our Favorite

Summe r W

treats

elcome back to the High Country! Things are surely heating up off the mountain, so we’re glad to have you back in the western North Carolina highlands, where the air is cooler, time has seemed to slow itself down and life is just a little bit sweeter.

The peaks and valleys of the Blue Ridge Mountains, one of the oldest and most culturally fascinating ranges in the world, boast some of the highest peaks in eastern North America and offer scenery that’s nearly one billion years in the making.

The charms of old-time Appalachia abound in our flourishing, picturesque communities, where celebrated stories of American history linger with the mountain fog.

Set out on a journey through the ages as you turn from page to page through this list of our favorite summer treats, many of which hold the cherished tales of our forefathers and the cultural staples that define life in these beautiful mountains.

Our Favorite Summer Treats edited by Jessica Isaacs

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High Country Magazine

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 Live Music at 5506' SkyBar, Sweet Sweet, Beech Mountain Resort, 828-387-2011  Linville Falls Winery, Clay Lunsford, Linville Falls, 828-765-1400  Joe Shannon's Mountain Home Music, The Cockman Family, Harvest House, Boone, 828-964-3392  Todd Music Series, The Tillers, Cook Memorial Park, 828-263-6173

Week

12 - August 21 to 27

#

8/21, SUNDAY

 Linville Falls Winery, Shelby Rae Moore, Linville Falls, 828-765-1400

8/23, TUESDAY  Concert in the Courtyard, The Original Whip Daddys, Bayou Smokehouse, Banner Elk, 828-898-8952

8/25, thursday  Joe Shannon's Mountain Home Music, Little Windows, Harvest House, Boone, 828-964-3392

8/25-28, thursday – SUNDAY  Ashe County Little Theatre: Steel Magnolias, Ashe Civic Center, 336-846-2787

8/26, friday  Music on the Lawn, The Harris Brothers, Best Cellar, Blowing Rock, 828-295-3466  Music in the Valle, The Mountain Laurels, Valle Crucis Park, 828-963-9239  Concerts on the Lawn, NC Songwriters, Jones House, Downtown Boone, 828-268-6280

8/27, SATURDAY  Joe Shannon's Mountain Home Music, Whitetop Mountain Band, Blowing Rock School Auditorium, 828-964-3392

W IM B L E

D O N 1956

N C STAT E SI N G LE S C H A M P 19 65

Retirement living? I’m acing it.

That’s why I chose Well•Spring.

Following my dream led me all the way to Wimbledon, but North Carolina always called me home. Whether on the court or coaching college champions, it’s all about the pursuit of excellence.

That’s why for my retirement dreams, I call Well•Spring home.

Allen Morris

Resident since 2010

 Live Music at 5506' SkyBar, If Birds Could Fly, Beech Mountain Resort, 828-387-2011  Linville Falls Winery, Wayne Taylor, Linville Falls, 828-765-1400

8/27-28, SATURDAY & SUNDAY  Railroad Heritage Weekend, Tweetsie Railroad, 828-264-9061

www.well-spring.org 4100 Well Spring Dr., Greensboro, NC 27410 (800) 547-5387 • (336) 545-5468 A member of Well•Spring Services, Inc.

8/27-9/4, starts saturday  Ensemble Stage Presents, Waiting for MacArthur, Blowing Rock, 828-414-1844

CARF/CCAC ACCREDITED SINCE 2003

June 2016

High Country Magazine

23

I

Our Favorite

The Best Hike

Flat Top Tower Trail

Follow The Carriage Trail That Moses Cone Built

Your Treat At the End An Observation Tower

M

oses Herman Cone was the eldest of 13 children. Raised by the know-how of his father, a hardworking traveling salesman, Moses and his closest brother, Ceasar, carried on their family’s entrepreneurial spirit as they built their own empire among the textile industry in the Deep South. Among other ventures, Moses invested heavily in bringing ready-to-wear denim to blue collar buyers, and the textile magnate would eventually become known as “the Denim King.”

This businessman was also a noted conservationist, and was known for his meticulous attention to detail in all of his endeavors, work-related or otherwise. At the turn of the century, when he was just 40 years old, Moses and his wife, Bertha Lindau, acquired more than 3,500 acres north of Blowing Rock, North Carolina.

There, on property that encompasses both Flat Top Mountain and Rich Mountain, Moses built a towering Colonial Revival style summer home that he hoped would rival the Vanderbilt family estate in Asheville.

Atop the hills of the vast wonderland that now belonged to him, Moses embarked on an ambitious journey to enhance the marvelous surroundings of their mansion, which later became known as Flat Top Manor.

He built grand lakes and stocked them with bass and trout. At the advice of his friend, prominent conservationist Gifford Pinchot, Moses planted an expansive apple orchard on the property, along with copious forests of white pine and long stretches of hemlock hedges.

He also constructed 25 miles of gradual sloping carriage trails, which still meander through the property, and a multistory tower that overlooks the vistas.

It’s said that the structure gave Moses a chance to keep watch for forest fires in neighboring valleys, and you may hear locals call it “the fire tower” today.

His wife outlived him by nearly 40 years, and eventually donated the expansive property, ensuring that the mountain paradise he’d built would live on as Moses Cone’s legacy.

Today, the gentle uphill carriage trails are still carefully maintained, this time by the National Park Service, and they offer an easily accessible hike to the property’s peak that ends with a view from the Flat Top Tower.

The manor now serves as the Parkway Craft Center, part of the Southern Highland Craft Guild, and on a summer afternoon you just might find a local artist demonstrating their skills on the veranda.

Take advantage of Moses Cone’s life’s work and enjoy the goldmine of natural treasures he’s left for you. Adventure through his estate on the 2.8-mile jaunt from the manor to the sky-high fire tower and see for yourself what beauty the Denim King saw in the High Country.

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High Country Magazine

June 2016

The Flat Top Tower Trail begins at Flat Top Manor (the Moses Cone Mansion) on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It follows the old carriage trail for 2.8 miles to the top of Flat Top Mountain where you’ll find the “fire tower.” From the top of the tower there is a beautiful 360 degree view of the surrounding mountains. It’s a gently sloping trail, well maintained. About a mile up the trail there’s a short trail to the site of Moses and Bertha Cone’s gravesite. It’s all downhill from the top, so the 5.6 mile hike is really fairly easy and worth every step!

Ready for some more adventure?

Tackle these other recommended hikes along the Parkway.

Tanawha Trail to Rough Ridge Milepost 302.8

Rough Ridge is one of the most easily accessed vistas along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Tanawha Trail is actually more than 13 miles long, spanning from Price Park to Beacon Heights, but the section from the parkway to Rough Ridge is a short 1.5 miles, with great views as close as 0.6 miles from the Parkway. The trail follows a ridge crest and leads to boardwalks where 360-degree views give visitors a birds-eye view of The High Country.

Moderate to Strenuous.

EAT SHOP

explore

WE ARE SO MUCH MORE THAN A CHILDREN’S HOME.

Linville Falls - Milepost 316

For a view of Linville Falls the best place to start is from the Linville Falls Visitor Center just a mile off the Blue Ridge Parkway. The fairly level trail is a 2 mile round trip that starts by cross a bridge over the Linville River. This trail features two viewing areas to see the waterfalls from high above looking down at the falls. Continuing along on the trail brings you to another viewing area gives a great look into the gorge formed by the Linville River. There’s plenty of parking and picnic tables to make this an afternoon adventure. EASY.

Price Lake – Milepost 297.2

Just one mile south from the Boone Fork Trail, Price Lake is ideal for larger groups or for those looking for something a little less strenuous. The 2.4mile loop around Price Lake is suitable for hikers of any level.

Views of Grandfather Mountain can be seen from several points along the trail, which runs primarily along the lakeshore. On summer days, visitors can also venture into the water by renting a rowboat or canoe from the boat dock.

Easy to Moderate.

Pictured here: Stephanie Hoilman, alumna and Crossnore Weaver, wearing a poncho handwoven in boucle yarn.

The Crossnore School is so much more than a children’s home. You can eat lunch at Miracle Grounds Coffee Shop & Cafe, browse in the Blair Fraley Sales Store, the Crossnore Fine Arts Gallery, and at Crossnore Weavers. Finally, spend a moment in Sloop Chapel, featuring the Ben Long Fresco, Suffer the Little Children.

Feel free to explore on your own or contact the School for a guided tour.

BASE LAKE - Access From Hwy. 221 Near Blowing Rock Not accessible by the Parkway but part of the Parkway, this is a locals’ favorite. Many walk their dogs on a trail that runs around the beautiful lake, and the spot offers great views of the Cone Manor and access to the trails leading up to it. Free parking and new toilet facilities are available. Bass Lake is off Highway 221, a short drive north from Main Street in Blowing Rock.. EASY

P.O. Box 249 | 100 DAR Drive | Crossnore, NC 28616 (828) 733-4305

info@crossnoreschool.org

www.crossnoreschool.org

June 2016 EatShopExplore-7.5x10-McDowellNews.indd 1

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5/11/2016 10:51:36 AM

Z

Our Favorite

Friday & Saturday July 15-16, 2016

Outdoor Concert The Doc & Rosa Lee Watson

MusicFest N’ Sugar Grove

T

he unincorporated community of Deep Gap, North Carolina is recognized as a place where our namesake pioneer Daniel Boone spent much of his time.

In more recent history, it’s better known as the hometown of Carolina flatpicking guitar legend, Doc Watson.

Born in 1923, Arthel Lane “Doc” Watson lost his vision before his first birthday. The sound of his mother’s voice and the old Christian hymns heard in the local Baptist church struck a chord in his heart, inciting an urge to make music with any instrument he could get his hands on, starting with a harmonica when he was hardly old enough to go to school and eventually moving on to the banjo and guitar.

Over the decades, his rich, smooth baritone voice and impeccable abilities in the flatpicking style made waves in the bluegrass world, creating a sound and a genre that was all his own. Coupled with his even-tempered country charm, down-to-earth good nature and remarkable knack for storytelling, Watson became not just a musical legend, but also an American hero.

Although he went on to earn a multitude of accolades throughout his life, including the Lifetime Achievement Award and seven other Grammys, he always maintained he was “just one of the people.”

In the late 1990s, when Watson was 74 years old, a music festival was established in his honor in the small community of Sugar Grove, just a hop, skip and a jump away from his hometown. This musical tradition continues today, showcasing the genre of music that Watson introduced to the world.

Doc headlined the festival every year until his death in 2012, which was followed by the death of his wife, Rosa Lee. The two-day event carries on his spirit every July at the historic Cove Creek School, and has since been aptly renamed “the Doc and Rosa Lee Watson MusicFest ‘N Sugar Grove.”

Tucked away in the western Watauga highlands, where the hills and valleys are home to unruffled natural beauty, MusicFest offers an outdoor, family-oriented experience like no festival you’ve known before. A crowd that’s just the right size, plenty of room to kick back in your favorite lawn chair, one-of-a-kind pieces from regional artisans to shop and plenty of festival foods to enjoy make this a summertime staple you don’t want to miss.

Bring your friends and make some new ones at MusicFest ‘N Sugar Grove this year — you’ll be glad you did.

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TICKET INFORMATION Call 828-297-2200 or visit www.musicfestnsugargrove.org to get your tickets now. Ask about special group rates. Children 12 and under are free with a paying adult. Tickets will also be available at the gate. Advance ticket sales end at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, July 13.

The Cove Creek School is located at 207 Dale Adams Road in Sugar Grove, NC, 28679.

Please remember festival rules: no glass, no coolers, no tents and no pets.

General Admission: Friday - $20 • Saturday - $25 • Two-Day - $40 Two-Day Reserved Seats: $55

19th Year!

THE LINE-UP

Certain restrictions apply.

See store for details.

The gates will open at 1 p.m. on Friday, July 15 and at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 16 FRIDAY ON THE MAIN STAGE: 3 p.m. – Opening Ceremony 3:15-4 p.m. – Strictly Strings 4:15 p.m. – Andy Ferrell 5:30-6:30 p.m. – Clay Lunsford 6:45-7:45 p.m. – The Honey Chasers 8-9:30 p.m. – Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley

$650 IN SAVINGS Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley

See where switching carriers can take you.

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High Country Magazine

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Our Favorite

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Place to Visit The New Tavern

Just Opened At The Old Hampton Store

Here's a New Twist to an Old Destination

n the early 1900s, America’s elite sought the peaks and valleys of the High Country not only to escape the blistering summer temperatures, but also to play golf amongst its vast natural treasures, particularly within the fine scenery in Avery County.

The inception of the East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Railroad gave well-to-do southerners more convenient access to the summer resort at Eseeola, which was constructed in 1892 and perhaps named for the Cherokee word “Eeseeoh,” or “river of many cliffs,” associated with the nearby Linville River.

The lodge and golf club became a social, cultural and economic hub of the Linville community, which settlers named for two brothers and explorers who were killed The Old Hampton Store is located at 77 Ruffin Street in Linville. in the gorge by Shawnee Indians.

Turn right off of Hwy. 221 as you are headed to Newland.

As wealthy travelers made their way into the area, they were likely paYou’ll go across a small bridge and you’ll see the store on the left. tronizing the establishments in the Linville community, eventually by way of the Tweetsie depot, on their way to the resort, which remains home to one of North Carolina’s earliest and most coveted designer golf courses.

At the same time, local mountain residents were also frequenting nearby spots like the Hampton family general store, which its owners rebuilt in Avery County after their original Tennessee hardware store was flooded in the creation of Watauga Lake.

Built in Linville in 1920, the Old Hampton Store, as it is still aptly named, acted as an important intersection of life — a crossroads at which locals and visitors alike convened to make all of their necessary purchases.

As time pressed on and the modern N.C. Highway 105 replaced the old Tweetsie railway, the general store continued to serve both tourists and mountain residents.

The Tavern opens at 11:00 am and will stay open most nights till at least 10:00 pm.

Some folks in the area can still tell you what it was like to visit the Serving crafted beers, popular wines and cocktails. Bar menu is also available. old store. Many remember spending their nickels at the candy barrel, or the sound of Mr. Hampton’s voice as he shooed away a couple of kids whose loitering became a nuisance.

Today, current owners Abigail and Steve Sheets have invested countless hours and a lot of money into improving the historic general store and surrounding buildings, which now house a classic North Carolina barbecue joint, a trading post, an art gallery, an antique store and, new this summer, a brand new tavern.

Stocked with craft North Carolina brews, local wines and cocktails made from farm fresh High Country ingredients, the new full-service bar is just one of many reasons to visit this Linville destination.

The Old Hampton Store is famous for its popular BBQ restaurant featuring hand So, if you’re touring the mountains this summer and you’ve got a pulled hickory smoked pork barbeque, served on homemade sourdough rolls. But couple quarters to spend, travel back in time to the mid 1900s and soak their menu also has a wide selection of sandwiches, salads, and plate dinners. The up the peaceful, easy feeling of the Old Hampton Store. restaurant is open for lunch and dinner – staying open till 8:30 pm in the summer.

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June 2016

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Our Favorite

Outdoor Adventure The Climbing Tower

Here's Something You Probably Won’t Do

Outdoor Adventure In Downtown Boone

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hat would you achieve if you knew you couldn’t fail? If you’re ready to tackle your fears, try something new and see the High Country from a whole new perspective, this challenge is for you.

If you’ve spent any time in downtown Boone, you’ve probably seen it standing tall in the midst of the bustling shopping district. Standing at 40 feet tall and located right in the heart of Boone’s central hub, the climbing tower at Rock Dimensions is hard to miss.

You’ve probably walked past it on many occasions, and you’ve likely even stopped to watch as adventurous souls worked their way to the top. But have you ever stopped to think, “I wonder if I could do that?”

If climbing the tower has ever crossed your mind, or even if it hasn’t, now is the time to give it a shot. Rock Dimensions co-owner Jenny Allen says you need no climbing experience for a guaranteed fun and perfectly safe trip to the top, where you’ll see the town of Boone in a brand new light.

“Some people walk by and say ‘No, no, no, that’s not for me,’ but all it took was a little suggestion. You might think you’d never be able to do it, but you can,” said Allen. “It’s a neat view of downtown Boone. You don’t even realize how tall the tower is until you get to the top and you can see over all of the buildings.”

The tower offers more than 4,000 square feet of varied climbing terrain with color-coded routes. A climbing instructor will be with you every step of the way, and will help you choose which route is right for you. Because it’s not an auto-belay experience, no weight minimum is required, and kids as young as 5 can get in on the action.

Rock Dimensions will soon offer monthly adaptive climbing clinics so that people who live with physical limitations, even those who are wheelchair-bound, can feel that surge of self-confidence that comes from reaching the top.

“People are psyched when they get there. To get to the top is a big deal and it’s really something — it’s memorable,” Allen said. “It’s empowering to do something you didn’t think you could do. You may not think that going just one more step would change your life, but it does.”

This summer, leave your doubts behind and head to the Rock Dimensions climbing tower, where instructors will help you prove that you’re capable of things you never thought possible.

“That’s a good thing for all of us to remember,” said Allen.

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High Country Magazine

June 2016

131B Depot Street, Boone, NC 28607 • 828-265-3544 • www.rockdimensions.com HOURS: Memorial Day through Labor Day – Open Daily: 10 A.M. – 5:30 P.M. (Sunday 12-5)

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Our Favorite

The Wineries

Visit Them All

Local Wineries Getting Better With Time

The New Appalachian High Country

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ocal wineries are anticipating some really big news in the next few months, and all of you wine aficionados in the High Country will soon be able to brag about officially living in wine country.

See, the High Country Wine Growers Association is nearly complete with the timely and arduous process of establishing the ‘Appalachian High Country’ as an American Viticultural Area.

This is a significant federal distinction that authenticates local wines by identifying unique wine grape-growing regions in the U.S., such as the famous Napa and Sonoma valleys in California or, closer to home, the Yadkin Valley.

If all goes to plan, you could begin seeing the “Appalachian High Country” label on bottles of wine as early as September. To achieve this label, 85 percent of the grapes must be grown locally, which in this case consists of 2,400 acres in eight counties in Virginia, Tennessee and North Carolina, including Watauga and Avery counties.

Home to about dozen wineries and twodozen wine grape growers, the High Country has come a long way since Steve and Sally Tatum planted their first grape vines along the banks of the Watauga River in 2003 and in the process sowed the seeds for the first winery in the region.

Today, there four wineries close to our version of the High Country: Banner Elk Winery, Grandfather Vineyard and Winery, Linville Falls Winery and Watauga Lake Winery. At these destinations, you’ll see Tuscan-inspired villas, elegant tasting rooms and acres of grapes on the vine. They offer entertainment on the weekend and provide a beautiful setting for retreats, weddings and corporate outings.

Take the time this summer to tour all four wineries; it’ll be so much fun, you’ll be glad you did.

Plus, you can say you enjoyed the area’s fabulous wines – you know, back before it became nationally recognized.

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The new “Appalachian High Country” American Viticultural Area (AVA) will consist of 2,400 acres in eight counties in Virginia, Tennessee and North Carolina which is home to about dozen wineries and two-dozen wine grape growers. There are four wineries locally.

Picture up top is the Grandfather Winery, the middle pictures are from the Linville Falls Winery and the bottom picture is of the Watauga Lake Winery.

Grandfather Vineyards

Linville Falls Winery

Sally and Steve Tatum have achieved a reality of owning a Vineyard & Winery that started when they first planted their grapes in 2003 and opened the doors of the winery in 2011. Since then their adventure has grown into Grandfather Vineyard and Winery, the first producing winery in Watauga County that is producing world class wines! The terraced mountain vineyard and winery is nestled right on the Watauga River at the base of Grandfather Mountain. Warm breezes during the day and cool crisp nights help develop the flavors and balance of their wine. The wine processing building and tastefully decorated tasting room are located beside the rushing river, a pristine trout stream that flows down from the peaks and famous profile face of Grandfather Mountain. The front porch view adorns the labels of the vineyard’s seven wines. Dylan Tatum, Steve and Sally’s son, is the Winemaker and General Manager.

Family owned and operated, Linville Falls Winery is the culmination of a life-long passion for wine by owner, Jack Wiseman. Wiseman has dreamed of growing grapes and opening a winery for more than 25 years, and now he and his family are pioneering a new High Country wine in Linville. The winery has a state of the art tasting room on a 40 acre farm with its staple grapes Riesling and Cabernet Sauvignon, blueberries and raspberries. The winery is perfectly situated at 3200 feet with warm days, cool nights and minerally balanced soil.

This magical combination of high elevation and microclimate terra produces a wine unique to the region with complex flavors creating award winning wines. Jack Wiseman has also been a pioneer in the production and selling of the world-famous Fraser Fir Christmas Tree.

With over one million trees production, his passion to cultivate and harvest trees has led him to do the same with his vineyard.

225 Vineyard Lane, Banner Elk, NC 28604 grandfathervineyard.com • 828.963.2400

9557 Linville Falls Highway, Linville Falls, NC linvillefallswinery.com • 828.765.1400

Banner Elk Winery

Watauga Lake Winery

In 2006, the age-old tradition of winemaking made its debut in the region with the establishment of Banner Elk Winery, the first commercial winery built in Avery and Watauga counties. Banner Elk wines pay tribute to the rugged mountain landscape and capture the delicate nuance and subtle flavors of the fruit. Their vintners produce excellent wines that reflect the unique characteristics of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Banner Elk Winery processes their own as well as other locally grown grapes into prize winning wines. Whether you are interested in a wine tasting, learning more about the art and science of winemaking, or just relaxing with a glass of wine, our vineyards offer engaging wine tastings and glimpse into what the storied High Country Wine Region is truly made of. Banner Elk Winery a perfect place to relax, host an event or to just get away for the day.

Watauga Lake Winery owners, Wayne and Linda Gay, “retired” to Johnson County, TN, in 2002 and purchased 35 acres overlooking Watauga Lake. They began construction of “Villa Nove”, an Italian inspired farmhouse whose namesake is a small town in northern Italy.

In 2005, they decided to plant a few grapevines on the property as landscaping and as they like to joke, it simply got out of hand!! The result is “Villa Nove Vineyards” which consists of over 4000 wine grape vines. Wayne made his first wine in 2006 and found that he enjoyed it. They then purchased the historic Johnson County Big Dry Run Schoolhouse opened to the public in November, 2012 as the Watauga Lake Winery. It features a beautiful tasting room, an

60 Deer Run, Banner Elk, NC 28604 bannerelkwinery.com • 828.898-9090

outdoor deck and an indoor area where guests can enjoy a picnic of “Boar’s Head” deli items and a bottle of wine 6952 Big Dry Run Road, Butler, TN 37640 wataugalakewinery.com • 423.768.0345

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High Country Magazine

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Our Favorite

Scenic Drive

N.C. Scenic Byways

124 Miles through Watauga, Avery & Ashe Counties

Gas Is Still Cheap Take a Drive

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Known as the Little Parkway or the Yonahlossee Trail, U.S. 221 connects the resort towns of Blowing Rock and Linville and forms the Little Parkway byway. Built in 1889 by man and mule as a toll road, the Little Parkway winds along the side of Grandfather Mountain.

This road was one of many privately owned roads in the state and served as the link between Blowing Rock and Linville before the completion of the Blue Ridge Parkway in 1987. The byway begins at the intersection of U.S. 221 and N.C. 105 in Linville. Follow U.S. 221 North towards Blowing Rock. Established in 1883 and designed by Samuel T. Kelsey of Kansas, Linville is 34

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June 2016

located on the Linville River. Majestic Grandfather Mountain is located along the byway between the two towns. It was named because the mountain, when viewed at a distance, resembles an old man’s profile against the sky. Grandfather Mountain, or Tanawha, as American Indians called it, is the highest point in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Because of its height, Grandfather Mountain provides a habitat for special mountain plant species. The Linn Cove Viaduct, the final link in the Blue Ridge Parkway, is visible from the face of Grandfather Mountain. The viaduct is five miles north of Linville and at the time of its construction was the world’s only bridge built from the top down. This innovative construction method assured that no heavy equipment was placed on the face of the mountain to

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Remember the road trips your dad use to take the family on back in the day? You can still follow those roads from yesteryear on 3 designated Scenic Byways that snake their way through the High Country. These twisting and turning roadways offer beautiful scenery for an afternoon drive.

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orth Carolina’s Department of Transportation has designated 60 routes across the state as scenic byways, which serve as interesting and peaceful alternatives to the hustle and bustle of major interstate highways.

Here in the High Country, four of these designated routes are meticulously interwoven through our beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. Three of the four — Mission Crossing, New River Valley and Little Parkway — follow passes established by early pioneers.

Often following the paths forged by original mountain settlers, these scenic byways are a great way to see the area from a brand new perspective and to learn about the history of each community along the way.

The story of these roadways are likely similar to that of the eight-mile stretch of Valle Crucis Road, which you’ll experience if you journey along the Mission Crossing Byway.

This segment, with connects the Matney community with Valle Crucis, began as a dirt path.

It was later graveled, but wasn’t paved until the 1920s, likely due to the county’s limited resources at the time, when laborers worked for $1 a day to pound river rock into small gravel and slip pans and steam shovels were pulled by horses.

This stretch of road, which was once a toll road, was the only route connecting Banner Elk to Valle Crucis, and onward to Boone, until 1956 when N.C. Highway 105 was built along the old washed out Tweetsie Railroad route.

If you’re ready to escape the clamor and commotion of busy intersections and chaotic highways, travel back in time this summer on a trip through the High Country, and its storied past, along these scenic byways. It’ll only cost you a tank of gas to see the area from a brand new perspective, so grab the keys and let’s get going!

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Mission Crossing Byway The Mission Crossing byway, which begins near the Avery County community of Cranberry, guides motorists along N.C. 194 through North Carolina’s ski country and the northern range of the Roan Mountains in Pisgah National Forest before ending at Vilas in Watauga County. First called Cranberry Forge for the iron mines believed to have been worked by American Indians, Cranberry was founded in 1850 and named for the abundant local cranberries. The mines once supplied iron to the Confederacy and are still in use today. Just down the road at the byway’s southern end is Elk Park, founded in 1885 and named for the elk that formerly roamed the region. It is located on the Elk River, which begins in Banner Elk. The byway follows N.C. 194 through the Elk River Valley from Elk Park through the community of Heaton to Banner Elk. Banner Elk, also known as Shawneehaw, is the home of LeesMcRae College.

The town was named for the Banner family, early settlers on the Elk River. Above Banner Elk is Beech Mountain, which at 5,506 feet, is one of the region’s betterknown resorts. Just past Banner Elk, continue along the byway by turning left from N.C. 194 onto Old Turnpike Road. This stretch of the byway follows one of the last remaining original highways of the 19th century. The route, originally a game trail and foot path, connected the settlers of Valle Crucis and Banner Elk with Tennessee. The turnpike

was a toll road, and able-bodied men who lived on or near the road volunteered their labor for six days out of the year in return for free access. Today, seven-tenths of a mile of the original unpaved road still exists. Old Turnpike Road also played an important part in history. During the Civil War, the road was a link in the Underground Railroad and served as a route for smuggling escaped Union prisoners and Confederate draft dodgers to Tennessee. The road now serves as a place for motorists to reflect on our nation’s history and stop to admire the scenic Big Bottom of the Elk Valley. After just over a mile, Old Turnpike Road connects back to N.C. 194. Turn left to continue following N.C. 194 north through the communities of Balm and Bowers Gap before crossing into Watauga County. The creek paralleling the road is called Craborchard Creek, which joins the Watauga River near Valle Crucis. Shortly after passing through the community of Matney, the route begins descending into the Watauga River Valley. The name Watauga is derived from the American Indian word for “beautiful water.” On the left is the mission from which this route got its name. To the right is Dutch Creek, which meets with Craborchard Creek below. The mission played an important part in the history of Valle Crucis. In 1842, Bishop Stillman Ives purchased 3,000 acres of land and founded a divinity school that became the first Anglican monastic order since the Reformation. In 1852, the divinity school and monastery were forced to disband. By 1895, Bishop Joseph Blount Cheshire revived the Episcopal church’s work by opening a

Length: 18 miles. Drive Time: 45 minutes.

Counties: Avery, Caldwell and Watauga

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Valle Crucis

Beech Mountain

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Grandfather Mountain

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The New River Valley Byway gives motorists the opportunity to see some of the most beautiful mountain scenery and the largest concentration of Christmas tree farms in the state. The route travels north from Boone to Laurel Springs through the Stone Mountains in the New River Valley, which forms a common boundary between North Carolina and Tennessee. The byway begins at the intersection of N.C. 194 and U.S. 221/421 in Boone. The town is named for Daniel Boone, who was known to have camped in this area. Leave Boone on N.C. 194 North to begin following the byway from its southern terminus. This road winds as it crosses mountains and passes over rivers and streams through the New River Valley. The New River is North America’s oldest river and the only large north-flowing river in the country. It is one of the first rivers in the world;

in fact, scientists estimate that only the Nile River in Africa is older. The North Fork, which rises in northern Watauga County, and the South Fork, which rises near Boone, flow to Ashe County where they join to form the New River.

Continue on N.C. 194 along what had been called the “Old Buffalo Trail,” named after the migration path of buffalo herds. The area between Boone and Todd is the site of a Revolutionary War engagement. Todd lies at the junction of Big Elk Creek and the South Fork of the New River. Settled in the mid-1800s, it was a bustling logging community until the mid-1930s.

Be sure to look for the Todd General Store on the right while passing through town. From Todd, continue along the byway into Ashe County and Baldwin where the route temporarily ends at the intersection of U.S. 221 and N.C. 194. To resume following the byway, continue toward West Jefferson and Jefferson, the Ashe County seat, on U.S. 221 North. Settled in 1803, Jefferson was named for then president Thomas Jefferson. The byway resumes at the N.C. 16/88 intersection just east of the Jefferson town limits. Follow N.C. 88 to Laurel Springs while passing through a popular canoeing and whitewater rafting area. Travel through the community of Ore Knob, chartered in 1875 and named for the booming copper ore mine.

The scenic byway ends at the intersection of N.C. 18 and 88 in Laurel Springs about 2.5 miles from

Rock, settled in 1870. Blowing Rock was named for the nearby cliff rising above the Johns River Valley from which air currents rise to allow light objects to be blown back to the sender. This resort community, the only incorporated town on the Blue Ridge Parkway, has seasonal festivals in the park. The byway ends at the U.S. 321 Business stoplight.

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the Blue Ridge Parkway. Laurel Springs was settled in 1859 and named for the nearby spring flowing from laurel-covered rocks. Nearby attractions include the Blue Ridge Parkway, Mount Jefferson State Park, New River State Park and Doughton Park. Doughton Park, the largest recreational area along the Blue Ridge Parkway, was named in honor of North Carolina Congressman Robert L. Doughton who worked to establish the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Brinegar Cabin, built in 1880, is located within the park and is accessible from the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Blue Ridge Parkway.

Length: 35 miles. Drive Time: 45 minutes.

Counties: Watauga and Ashe

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New River Valley Byway

in New York City and the National Gallery in Washington, D.C. After passing Westglow, continue 1.5 miles and pass the Moses H. Cone Memorial Park, (visitors must enter the park through the main gate on the Blue Ridge Parkway). The 3,516-acre park is named for the textile manufacturer whose estate comprises the park. Flat Top Manor, named for the mountain rising above the home, is now a museum and craft center. Tiffany windows are among the many unusual aspects of this house.

Continue past the park one-half mile to Blowing

TN NC

protect the mountain ecology. While traveling to Blowing Rock along the byway, watch for signs marking the Eastern Continental Divide. Also, notice the residential areas along the edges of the Pisgah National Forest through which this road passes. On the left, near Blowing Rock, look for a large colonial revival house with huge columns on the front. Called Westglow, the house was built by Elliott Daingerfield and used as his summer residence. One of North Carolina’s most renowned artists, Daingerfield has work displayed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

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mission school that remained in operation until World War II. The mission is now operated by the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina as a camp and conference center. Valle Crucis, settled in 1780 by Samuel Hix, means “Valley of the Cross” and is named for the creeks that converge with the Watauga River in the form of a cross. Stop at the Mast General Store in Valle Crucis to see an authentic general store that opened in 1882. Continuing on N.C. 194 after leaving Valle Crucis, notice the unusual barn on the right while climbing out of the valley. The Baird Barn, built in the late 19th or early 20th century, is an excellent example of a transverse crib barn. The byway ends in the community of Vilas at the intersection of N.C. 194 and U.S. 321/421 north of Boone.

Length: 17 miles. Drive Time: 45 minutes.

Counties: Avery and Watauga

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Our Favorite

Avery Country Knows How to Take Care Of Their History

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n 1911, Avery County was the last of 100 counties to be formed in the state of North Carolina. It was named for Colonel Waightstill Avery of Morganton, who served as the state’s first attorney general and a leader in the state’s militia during the American Revolution.

Its county seat was named for William Calhoun Newland, the former mayor of Lenoir who served as the state’s 11th lieutenant governor, sponsored the bill to establish Appalachian State University and helped pass the one to establish Avery County.

Its Neoclassical Revival style courthouse was constructed immediately, and court sessions are still held there today.

The building’s story is forever intertwined with the adjacent jailhouse, which, after more than six decades of use, was designated by county commissioners as a local history museum in 1976.

It’s been said that the county’s rich heritage has since been locked away in the old jail, where descendents of early Avery County citizens remain hard at work to collect, preserve and share the storied past of the community and its impressive pedigree.

Walk through the doors of this museum today and you won’t find a million dollar facility with all the bells and whistles; instead, you’ll find a meticulously documented story of life in Avery County that’s been protected by the families who have called it home for generations.

The museum is also home now to the completely restored Linville River Railway depot, which once served the East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Railroad that stretched from Johnson City to Cranberry and, eventually, to Boone.

Constructed six years after the establishment of Avery County, the Linville depot was said to be the most beautiful of those along the original “Tweetsie” Railroad, boasting painted windows and intricately detailed bark siding. In the summer of 2007, county commissioners granted the local historical society permission to move the depot from Linville to Newland, which they did with the help of the ET&WNC Historical Society.

Recently restored and dedicated, the depot now offers within its walls the ET&WNC museum, which pays homage to the railroad’s short-lived yet significant role in High Country history. Visit the museum today and you can even explore the original caboose, which is now located right alongside the depot.

The number of living folks who can share the storied past of Avery County lessens by the year, but this cherished museum and its doting docents ensure that its legacy will live on for generations to come.

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June 2016

Visit a Museum

Avery County Museum Linville Train Depot Opened In May

Admission is Free Donations Welcomed OPEN : Monday - Friday, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm Saturday, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm (Usually) Closed Sundays 828-733-7111 • 1829 Shultz Circle averymuseum@gmail.com

The General Store

The 1911 Bedroom

Mountain Dance & Music Room

Mountain Tools & Trades Room

The Military Room

The Mountain Medicine Room

The Avery County Jail Cell

The School Room

The Museum is located in the Original Jail, next to the County Courthouse. It is housed on two levels with 9 rooms, each providing a glimpse into the history of Avery County with artifacts and displays.

Sid Eibl von Rospeunt President/Dealer HIGHCOUNTRY POLARIS, INC. 200 Pineola Street Newland, NC 28657 POLARIS – BRUTUS – GEM - CFMOTO von.rospeunt@highcountrypolaris.com

PHONE: 828-737-3060 MOBILE: 828-201-9199 FAX: 214-602-9199 www.highcountrypolaris.com

June 26–July 3

August 2–7 July 14–20

2016 Lees-McRae College

Summer Theatre Hayes Auditorium, Broyhill Theatre

Adult Tickets $35–40 | Student/Child Tickets $18–20 PO Box 128 | Banner Elk, NC | 828.898.8709 | lmc.edu/summertheatre June 2016

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Our Favorite

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Attraction

Mystery Hill

Everyone Should Go At Least Once

See If You Can Figure It Out

ong before the High Country was known for attractions like Tweetsie Railroad and the Mile High Swinging Bridge, and back before busy highways crisscrossed through its hills and valleys, people were talking about a peculiar patch of land in the wilderness of the North Carolina mountains.

A soldier’s’ journal tells of the first documented experience of a strange gravitational anomaly on the property. According to the story, a company of soldiers during the Revolutionary War stopped on the hillside to camp for the night on a campaign through the area when the weird, inexplicable pull of the land made them feel sick and disoriented.

Fast forward to the early 1900s. Property owner R.L. Hudson of the site’s Hudson Apple Orchard Mystery Hill features 3 museums with historic artifacts & exhibits from giant bubbles to optical illusions. begins to make some unusual discoveries on the It’s located at 129 Mystery Hill Lane, right off Hwy. 321 between Boone and Blowing Rock. very same hillside: apple trees are growing against They are open from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm in the summer. It’s just $7.00 for kids 5 to 12. Adults $9.00. the prevailing winds; fallen apples are collecting on Children under 5 free. Phone: (828) 264-2792 • www.mysteryhill-nc.com the path above the trees instead of the path below you’ll understand why folks have been scratching their heads for decades after them; a tree swing he built for his grandchildren seems to defy the laws of gravity; one of two identical twins who work on the touring this puzzling patch of land.

Make your way to Mystery Hill and a tour guide will get you going. They’ll tell orchard appears taller than the other when standing on a particular spot, despite you about the history of the land and some of the theories behind the mysterious the fact that they’re standing on completely level ground.

Mr. Hudson continued to operate the orchard, but often took guests to experi- vortex, and then they’ll take you to see it and feel it for yourself.

While you’re there, enter a hall of optical illusions, play fascinating games with ence the enigma he dubbed the “mystery hillside.” After reading about and visiting a similar anomaly in California, which scientists had been calling a “gravitational the kids and stand inside a giant bubble. Tour nostalgia of the attraction’s classic vortex,” Hudson soon opened the property to the public and invited the world to mountain souvenir shop and take home something to show your friends.

If you have a little more time, hop next door to the Appalachian Heritage musee the fascinating forces at work.

Today, the Underwood family owns and operates the roadside attraction known seum, which is housed in the original 1890s home of the Dougherty family, foundas “Mystery Hill,” which draws countless visitors from around the world every ers of the nearby Appalachian State University. Upstairs you’ll find furnishings true to the time period, and in its basement you’ll find a vast collection of arrowheads year who stop to see the strange pull with their own eyes.

If you live nearby or you spend a lot of time in the area, chances are you’ve collected from across western North Carolina over the years.

Whether you’ve seen it in passing or just heard of its tales, it’s about time you driven past it a time or two, or maybe even every day. If you’ve never stopped to check it out, we dare you to stop by and try to figure it out. One trip to see it and stopped by to explore Mystery Hill.

The house that defies physics, Mystery Hill, is a gravitational anomaly. Here you’ll stand at a 45-degree angle, see balls roll uphill and witness other inexplicable phenomenon. In the Hall of Mystery, you’ll find puzzles, hands-on experiments and optical illusions.

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June 2016

TANNER-DONCASTER OUTLET

NEW

SUMMER

ARRIVALS

Blowing Rock, nc

537 N. Main St. - Across from Chetola Resort (828) 295-4200

BanneR elk, nc

Grandfather Center 3990 NC Hwy. 105 South, Suite 8 (828) 898-2155

Exclusive styling that takes you from work to evening & into the weekend June 2016

High Country Magazine

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n

Our Favorite

Town Event Christmas in July

Join West Jefferson’s Annual Street Festival

Been To West Jefferson Lately?

D

own in the valley below the lofty Mount Jefferson, whose peak towers at 4,665 feet, and Paddy Mountain in Ashe County, old-time charm melds with new-world vibrancy in the town of West Jefferson, North Carolina.

Incorporated in the early 1900s as a stop along the Virginia Creeper railway, which was later bought by Norfolk and Western, this serene mountain community boasts a rich, storied past that’s forever intertwined with its future.

Developed with sensitivity to the landscape of the earth, the town’s commercial center blends seamlessly with the natural beauty of its graceful, rolling hills.

Since its inception, and due at first to its access to the railway, downtown West Jefferson has remained a cultural hub and economic center for the county over the past 100 years. When the train made its exit in the 1970s and once-booming industries were on their way out, the seeds of the community’s profound arts heritage began to sprout.

Tourists ventured in by the busload to see the frescoes painted in nearby churches by world-renowned artist Ben Long. Shortly thereafter, other artists began opening local galleries across town, fueling the arts movement that soon followed in Ashe County.

Today, the town is home to 16 art galleries, a stillflourishing downtown scene and a variety of attractions that create an urge to linger. Thanks to massive community improvement projects completed over the past decade, the sparkling lights that appear when the sun goes down and the meticulously maintained streets of West Jefferson offer a taste of small town Appalachia that will keep you coming back for more.

Colorful murals blanket the historic buildings that house restaurants, boutiques, galleries and specialty shops that make West Jefferson a great place to visit any time of year. It’s a warm, welcoming place with plenty to explore, and the town’s annual Christmas in July festival is a great time to get started.

A tribute to the area’s renowned Christmas Tree industry, this summer festival brings countless visitors to the state’s most northwestern county every year for a celebration of all things art, music and Appalachian culture. West Jefferson is a wonderful place to visit, and, no matter how long you’re in town, you’ll likely find you’d rather stay a little longer.

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This year’s 30th Annual Christmas in July Festival takes place in Downtown West Jefferson with festivities kicking off on Friday with a street dance beginning at 5:30. On Saturday, the festival runs from 9 am to 7 pm with an excellent array of local & regional music, food vendors, fun and festivities for the entire family.

A Vacation Paradise awaits ...

Main Stage Schedule Friday, July 1st 5:30 - 6:30 pm - Lenz Frienz Band 6:30 - 6:45 pm - Taylon Miller 7 - 8:30 pm - The Lucky Strikes Band 8:30 - 10 pm - Buck Haggard Band

Saturday, July 2nd 9 - 10 am - Nothin New Band 10 - 11 am - Maybe, Maybe Not Band 11 am - 12 pm - Wayne Henderson & Friends 2 - 3 pm - ClayBank Bad 3 - 4 pm - Clay Lunsford & the NC Thumbpickers 4 - 5 pm - Lonesome Willow Band 5 - 6 pm - The Dollar Brothers 6 - 7 pm - Amantha Mill Band

Leatherwood Mountains Resort

Tree Growers Events Saturday, July 2nd

Wreath Making Demonstrations: hourly from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Tree Bailing Demonstrations: hourly from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Located at the Backstreet Park behind the food vendors

“Best of the Best”

Christmas Tree Competition July 2nd People’s Choice! The public will be able to view Christmas trees on display from local Christmas tree growers and can cast a vote for the “best in show”. The winner to be announced at the end of the festival. Cast your vote at the displayed trees!

Community Stage Saturday, July 2nd

Showcasing Our Local Talent!

9 - 10 am - JAM (Junior Appalachian Musicians) 10 - 11:30 am - Dancin’ Debbie’s 11:30 am - 12 Noon - Taylon Miller 12 - 1:30 pm - April’s School of Dance 1:30 - 3 pm - Fleet Feet Cloggers 3 - 4 pm - Aubreana and Mountain Grace 4 - 5 pm - Generation Excellent 5 - 6 pm - Sifu Adam Kahn w/students of Blue Ridge Kung Fu/Arnis Academy of West Jefferson

2016 West Jefferson’s Arts District

Gallery Crawl

Historic Downtown West Jefferson Galleries, Unique Shops & Restaurants

Second Fridays 5-8 pm

June 10 • July 8 • August 12 September 9 • October 14

Christmas Crawl December 2

Paintings • Pottery • Photography Stained Glass • Quilts & Fiber Arts • Jewelry • Weavings Furniture • Barn Quilts Fine Arts • Master Crafts

336-846-ARTS www.AsheCountyArts.org June 2016

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F

Our Favorite

T

Road Trip

Abingdon, Virginia

Just 50 Miles Away To A Jewel Of A Place

Spend The Night Take in a Show

he Blue Ridge hill country is an endless treasure trove of beautiful things to see, great places to visit, fun things to do and wonderful people to meet. That’s certainly true of our mountains here in North Carolina, but the incredible experiences continue as you travel north across the state line and over to our neighbors in Abingdon, Virginia.

Just an hour and a half from Boone, the Washington County seat maintains the quiet charm of a true Southern gem, but also offers the excitement of a bustling arts and cultural destination.

Its streets hold centuries of cherished American history, and it was first dubbed “Wolf Hills” by legendary pioneer Daniel Boone.

Enter a slice of small town heaven as you stroll along Main Street in Abingdon and explore its limitless surprises. The community was first settled in the late 1770s, and much of its historic architecture dates back nearly that long ago.

Surrounded by sky-high mountains, it boasts all the appeal of old-fashioned Americana.

A captivating journey to Abingdon offers a chance to enjoy a world-class show (or several) at the renowned Barter Theatre, one of the longest-running professional theatres in the country, which has played host to many of Hollywood’s brightest stars over the years.

Boundless natural wonders exist in our neighboring town of Abingdon, too. Hop over to southwestern Virginia’s famous multipurpose Creeper Trail for a refreshing stroll, or shuttle up to Whitetop and journey on bike back to town.

If you get there and find that you don’t want to leave (which is a likely possibility), revel in the charm of the city with a stay at one of its historic hotels, like “The Martha” — the nineteenth century home of a prestigious American military family that later became a women’s college and is now a popular inn and spa.

However you choose to enjoy it, you’ll quickly find that the city lives up to its motto: “It’s always playtime in Abingdon.”

Barter Theatre’s first production was in 1933 and the building that is home to Barter’s Main Stage has a grand and rich history dating back to 1831. The Historic Main Stage is a proscenium style that accommodates up to 506 patrons. This stage offers a traditional perspective, with seating downstairs in the orchestra or upstairs in the balcony.

When you walk through the front door of the Martha Washington Inn you might actually believe you’ve stepped back in time to the 19th Century. The fine touches and tasteful decor make you feel as if you’re entering a stately old home which is true the Inn was originally built in 1832 as a private residence.

The original living room is now the main lobby. The Martha is known for impeccable service and its world-class spa treatments. Sixty-three rooms and suites each feature their own unique character and personality.

The historic downtown district of Abingdon is filled with great restaurants and unique shops and galleries.

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High Country Magazine

June 2016

The Consignment Cottage Warehouse

“From Classic Traditional To Unique Eclectic...and Everything In Between...”

66 Pershing St., Newland, NC / Open Winter: Thurs-Sat 10-5 • Summer: Wed-Sat 10-5/ 828-733-8148 / theconsignmentcottagewarehouse.com

The curtain rises on another day

in historic Abingdon.

How will you spend iT? Catch a performance at

bArter theAtre. pedal along the scenic

VirginiA creeper trAil. sample the cuisine including

locAl beer And wine.

888.489.4144 · visitabingdonvirginia.com

June 2016

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Our Favorite

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ill you have the grandkids along for the ride this summer? We know your time with them is precious, so we’ve taken the guesswork out of planning summer fun and created this list of things you’ll definitely want to do around the High Country.

For kids who love hands-on learning and aren’t afraid of a little dirt, gem mining is a great way to discover the earth’s hidden treasures. Explore the world of minerals, rocks, gemstones. Sift through the dirt at one of our local gem mines and there’s no telling what fortunes you’ll find!

Itching to go fishing? Grab your fishing pole and head to Grandfather Trout Farm, where you and the kids are guaranteed to catch something good. The

Something for the Grand Kids

adventure of fishing is made easy for you at the farm’s various ponds, all stocked with rainbow trout.

North Carolina’s oldest attraction awaits you at The Blowing Rock, where you’ll stand at 4,000 feet above sea level and look out over Johns River Gorge. Your kids will feel like they’re standing on top of the world, and they will be!

You’ve seen the beauty of these great big mountains from the outside, but have you ever wanted to explore what’s inside? Take a tour of the underground wonderland that’s hidden within Linville Caverns and see for yourself what’s deep inside of Humpback Mountain.

Meet the celebrated pioneer Daniel Boone and watch American history come to life at a live performance of

Horn in the West, an outdoor drama that’s been intriguing fans of all ages since it opened in 1952.

Kids who love to climb will surely enjoy tackling the aerial ropes courses at High Gravity Adventures. Right next door to the famed Tweetsie Railroad amusement park, this towering adventure park offers up a colossal good time for outdoor enthusiasts of any age.

If you’re ready to cool off and unwind, drop by Wildcat Lake, where you and the grandkids can soak up the sun, take out the boat and splash around to your heart’s content.

There are more ways than one to enjoy the High Country with your little family members, so why not make time to try them all?

DOC’S ROCKS GEM MINE AND FOSSIL MUSEUM

BLOWING ROCK. An educational gem mine run by geologists. Trained specialists will teach you about you gemstones. Wheelchair accessible. Optional gemstone cutting and jewelry. Appalachian Fossil Museum. Private party room. Coffee shop serving Bald Guy Brew and a variety of snacks.

828-264-4499 | www.docsrocks.net

FOGGY MOUNTAIN GEM MINE

BOONE. At Foggy Mountain Gem Mine, the friendly staff does all the hard work for you. Simply purchase a bucket filled with gemstone ore from local and non-local mines and sift the material in their covered flume area. More than 40 different minerals may be found at Foggy Mountain mine, and gemstone quality ore is guaranteed in every bucket.

828-963-4367 | www.foggymountaingems.com

FOSCOE MINING COMPANY

FOSCOE. Located about 8 miles from Boone on N.C. 105, the Greater Foscoe Mining Company is open from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Sifting through rock and dirt, you’ll find precious and semi-precious gems, such as emeralds, sapphires, rubies, topaz, amethyst, aquamarine, citrine, green tourmaline and more. The Greater Foscoe Mining Company also offers gem cutting right on the premises.

828-963-5928 | www.facetsofffoscoe.com

sugar creek gem mine

banner elk. We consider our staff to be among the best in the industry. Some began their mining careers 40 years ago. Our staff members are historians, jewelers, geologist, silversmiths, gemologist, and their enthusiasm for gemstones is truly contagious.

828-898-GEMS | www.SugarCreekGemMine.com 44

High Country Magazine

June 2016

GRANDFATHER TROUT FARM and Gem Mine

BANNER ELK. Grandfather Trout Farm has two ponds stocked with trout, and you just pay for what you catch. Ideal for large groups and families with children, Grandfather Trout Farm provides bait, tackle, buckets, nets and other gear at no extra charge. After you’re done, the staff will clean and pack your catch for you.

828-963-5098. | www.grand-fathertroutfarm.com

The Blowing Rock

Blowing Rock. The Blowing Rock is North Carolina’s oldest travel attraction, established in 1933. It’s an immense cliff 4,000 feet above sea level and overhanging Johns River Gorge, 3,000 feet below. Legend tells of a Chickasaw maiden and her lover, a Cherokee brave, who lept from the cliff and was returned by a gust of wind.

The Blowing Rock is open all summer from 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

828-295-7111 | www.theblowingrock

LINVILLE CAVERNS

HORN IN THE WEST

BOONE. Dr. Kermit Hunter’s Horn in the West is one of the nation’s oldest Revolutionary War dramas being performed today. The 2016 season marks its 65th consecutive summer in the High Country! For those who live here, it’s simply a tradition. A cast of fifty characters takes the stage to present the history and dreams of our forefathers through drama, dance and music in this outstanding outdoor production.

Shows run from June 25 through August 6 with performances every Tuesday through Sunday at 8:00 p.m. Gates open at 7:30 p.m.

828-264-2120 | www.horninthewest.com

marion. Located at the southern gateway to western NC’s High Country region, Linville Caverns is an ideal destination for visitors of all ages. The beauty of our mountains is echoed within Humpback Mountain and visitors are invited to explore the splendor and wonders nature created “inside a mountain.” Linville Caverns was opened for public touring in 1937. Since that time many upgrades to the pathways and lighting system have enhanced the safe touring experience that now exists. Courteous and experienced guides take you into the subterranean world, giving you the history of the caverns and allowing you to view the grand work of nature. The tours take visitors along a level walk to see “inside” Humpback Mountain that features amazing mineral color, unique formations, an underground stream with native trout, the “Bottomless Pool” and a peek into total darkness.

800-419-0540 | www.linvillecaverns.com

High GRAVITY ADVENTURES

BLOWING ROCK. High Gravity Adventures is an aerial adventure park offering unique, active outdoor activities for ages 4 and up.

Guests will be given the opportunity to individually explore 75 different elements at heights ranging from 15 to 50 feet. The experience includes up to 3 hours of aerial exploration. Guests will come face-to-face with swinging bridges, tightrope walks, spider web climbs, rappelling stations and more. Located in Blowing Rock next to Tweetsie Railroad!

828-386-6222 | www.highgravityadventures.com

Wildcat Lake

Wildcat Lake near Banner Elk, offers picnic facilities, including three shelters, play areas and a bath house to visitors. It is open for fishing, boating, and swimming.

The Park is open from 11 am to 7 pm Monday – Saturday and 12 pm – 6 pm on Sunday.

There is no charge to use any of the facilities.

Kuester C O M P A N I E S

For generations, the Kuester Companies have provided Serving theIntegrity, Carolinas since 1976 Demonstrating Respect, Professionalism and Technology commercial real estate and community management services unmatched in the property management industry. Our Kuester Commercial: Provides proven real estate solutions for the Carolinas, development division has been delivering Class A office space C the Oway Min brokerage, P A N leasing I E and S property management success. leading for years throughout the southeast. Investment opportunities Kuesterthe Development: in providing quality building services are presented around every corner. Our mission at Kuester Serving CarolinasSpecializes since 1976 and investment opportunities, which create value and profitability for clients. is to enhance clients’ assets through diligence, efficiency, and sound business judgement.

Kuester Management Group: Ensures quality HOA management that is streamlined and all encompassing.

For further information, please contact our local office in Boone at 828-262-3434.

Kuester

Kuester Corporate Offices | Fort Mill, SC Regional Offices Boone, Southern Pines, Davidson & Wilmington, NC | Myrtle Beach, SC June 2016

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Review of

Grandfather Mountain THE HISTORY AND GUIDE TO AN PPALACHIAN ICON

Authored

A

ll mountains have a story to tell if someone’s there to listen. From its geology to its historical significance to its economic impact, Grandfather Mountain is more storied than most.

And there is no one on the planet more qualified to tell that story than author Randy Johnson.

From Johnson, a well-known writer of many guide books and the former editor of a national travel magazine, I expected his new book Grandfather Mountain: The History and Guide to an Appalachian Icon to have detailed information and breathtaking photography from historical archives and the area’s best current photographers including Todd Bush and Tommy White. But, from the very beginning I was most captivated by what an engaging read it is.

As a matter of full disclosure I have known Randy Johnson for nearly two decades. I still employ two of his guide books, Hiking North Carolina and Hiking the Blue Ridge Parkway on a regular basis. That said, it is my intention here to give the future

by

Randy Johnson

reader of Grandfather Mountain as accurate a portrayal as possible while trying to keep my admiration for the author’s previous work in check. Nevertheless, I knew in my heart that while Grandfather Mountain has a lot of stones, Randy Johnson would leave nary a one unturned.

What struck me first is that this is not a guide book. Not in size, shape or intent. At 9x11inches and 290 pages in hardback, Grandfather Mountain is a complete historical treatment of Grandfather Mountain both geologically and culturally.

“Grandfather Mountain is a far bigger mountain and a more multifaceted topic than people imagine,” Johnson said.

“Hugh Morton was such a promotional genius that to many, Grandfather is the Swinging Bridge attraction. To the eco-oriented, the high peaks and backcountry, now a state park, may be 'the real' Grandfather Mountain. To me, Photo by Todd Bush Grandfather is far more than the sum of its parts, indeed it's an almost magiRandy Johnson cal mixture of elements that explains why so many people feel so strongly about this mountain. I've been exploring all that for forty years and it took this book to capture it.”

Whether you are interested in the botanical explorations of renowned French botanist André Michaux or Asa Gray, one of America’s preeminent 19th century botanists, the romantic ramblings of Daniel Boone, or the more modern history of North Carolina's loftiest attraction, Johnson weaves together all that history into a very engaging narrative.

While the work is well anRANDY JOHNSON notated and could easily serve

BY JD Dooley

“Perhaps the best reason for writing the book now is the mountain is finally safe.”

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A Lifetime on Grandfather’s Trail

Randy Johnson’s new book about Grandfather Mountain is just the latest evidence of his lifelong devotion to the High Country outdoors and its most iconic peak

H

By Jesse Wood

ecologically-significant arris Prevost lismountain. tened to the enIn 1978 at the imtire conversation promptu meeting in in 1978. It was hard not to Morton’s office, Johnhear because his office was son explained some of directly across the hall from his graduate research.

Hugh Morton’s, the legendConcentrating on backary photographer and develcountry management, oper of Grandfather MounJohnson surveyed hikers tain. Prevost was Morton’s and studied campsites in right-hand man and heard New England along the Randy Johnson’s plea to reAppalachian Trail. What open the mountain to hikers Johnson found was that and campers. “Randy was hikers were willing to pretty passionate about his pay a fee to enjoy the proposal and his vision, and backcountry. So to Morhe convinced Mr. Morton,” ton, Johnson proposed a Prevost remembered. self-supporting, hiker-fee See, that year Morton system for Grandfather had closed the neglected Mountain and suggested trail system after one hiker that the best option was got lost and subsequently to professionally mandied of hypothermia. Tragage the mountain as if edy aside, this left Johnson it were public land. His bummed because Grandfareasoning was that it ther was his “favorite mounwould be impossible to tain in the world.”

Trailblazing in 1978 keep folks from tresFive years earlier, Johnson first set foot on the trails One of the hikers Johnson met on the mountain as he cleared trails in 1978 was Dr. William A. Bake, passing – especially of Grandfather Mountain, a master local photographer. Bake took this photo of Randy and his brother Ken, a medical corpsman with the completion of fresh out of the Navy without whose unpaid volunteer help the backcountry program might not have the Blue Ridge Parkway climbed its peaks and took succeeded. Johnson’s meticulous attention to details like trailblazing and litter cleanup helped and its Linn Cove Viain the 80-mile vistas with gain public support by showing that hikers paying to use a privately owned preserve were duct slithering around his college buddies from entitled to customer service not expected in public parks. Photo by William A. Bake Grandfather Mountain Virginia Commonwealth on the horizon.

University. They spent a artistic old trail sign rotting in the snow, I “How are we going to do that,” Morweek camping that January near Callogot goosebumps and followed it to a lifeton asked Johnson. “We don’t have anyway Peak before ending their trip in the time of fascination with the mountain,” one like that at Grandfather Mountain.”

High Country by gorging themselves at Johnson wrote in the recently-published Johnson replied, “Hire me.” And Morton Dan’l Boone Inn. Grandfather Mountain: The History and did. Johnson became Grandfather Moun“There was something transcendent Guide to An Appalachian Icon, a 300tain’s first backcountry manager, a title he about Grandfather, and I knew I wasn’t page book that is now the definitive piece held until 1990. the first to feel it. When I discovered an of literature on Eastern America’s most

“There was something transcendent about Grandfather, and I knew I wasn’t the first to feel it. When I discovered an artistic old trail sign rotting in the snow, I got goosebumps and followed it to a lifetime of fascination with the mountain.” RANDY JOHNSON June 2016

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Grandfather’s Secret Scientist In 1931, 18-year old prodigy herpetologist Worth Hamilton “Buzz” Weller walked off a waterfall on Grandfather and died. A pack clutched in his hands contained his second undiscovered species of salamander. Elisha Mitchell died much the same way—but he had a mountain named after him. Weller fell into obscurity, becoming a secret Grandfather refused to reveal. Johnson set out to learn more. He discovered where Weller died, and located the young scientist’s early diaries in England. Working with Weller’s relatives, those documents were donated to the Cincinnati Museum Center where Weller studied and where his salamander specimens still sit in glass jars. The tale grew richer when miraculously, Johnson corresponded with Weller’s 97-year old high school sweetheart, Margaret “Maggie” Talbert. They never had a life together, but Johnson tells her and Weller’s story as it’s never been told. “One of my main goals for this book,” he says, “was for Maggie and Worth to be pictured together in history.” In mid-May, at her 101st birthday celebration in Cincinnati, Maggie saw herself and Worth featured in Johnson’s new book. “After all this time,” she said, “I can’t believe I’m still having wonderful things happen concerning Buzz.”

as a scholarly reference, you should grab a bookmark before you pick it up because you will want to read it from cover to cover.

For instance, Johnson tells a detailed story of little-known Worth "Buzz" Weller, a brilliant 18-year-old herpetologist who lost his life on Grandfather after a tragic fall. When he was found he still clutched in his hand a little cloth sack with what was to be Weller’s second discovery of a new species of salamander. It is now referred to as plethodon welleri or Weller’s salamander.

Johnson also paints a vivid picture of Grandfather Mountain at a time before it was logged when, said a now deceased Foscoe resident, “… the Grandfather wasn't infested with undergrowth. The trees were so big and beautiful you could just walk where you wanted without trails."

The early days for Grandfather Mountain as a tourist destination are also filled with vivid descriptions and colorful characters.

One such individual was Alick MacRae, a surname that

LOGGING ON GRANDFATHER: Johnson’s book delves deeper into the logging of Grandfather than any other publication. He explores Tweetsie Railroad’s role and the romantic era of railroading the train brought to the High Country. The book features the new Linville Station and caboose exhibits at the Avery County Historical Museum. By the 1930s, the awesome virgin forest on even the highest peaks of Grandfather fell to the loggers saw. In the Boone Fork Bowl, a logging railroad led the way. Here Foscoe logger Vance Coffey points a logger’s peavey at his handiwork.

Luckily, most of the mountain was treated less harshly. Collection of Carolyn Davis Curtis. OBSERVATION POINT: Grandfather’s earliest commercial attraction was an exciting contraption clinging to the face of a cliff. On the way to the Swinging Bridge, you can still stop today at Cliffside Overlook where “Observation Point” was located. Collection of Hugh MacRae II. Photo by Nelson MacRae. 48

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June 2016

Times, previously owned by Ken “Randy made a lot of major Ketchie. contributions to what GrandfaA year later, the Charlotte ther Mountain is today, and when Observer asked Johnson to be its people hike the trails, Randy’s mountain columnist, something footprints are out there,” Prevost he’s done off-and-on for the said, adding that Johnson’s book past four decades. He was High is a valuable resource that fills in Country Host’s first publicist and the “missing gaps” in Grandfaone of his press releases helped ther Mountain’s history. the Associated Press to spread The mission to save trails the news about the Mast Genand forge new ones at Grandfaeral Store. In 1989, Johnson and ther Mountain is how Johnson, the Mountain Times received a an Army brat who lived in many N.C. Press Association (NCPA) different places, made it to the award for investigative journalHigh Country. “I look back on ism and community service for Grandfather’s backcountry proIn 2004, while editor of Hemispheres magazine, Randy nominated Hugh Morton a series on clear-cutting in the gram and I’m pretty pleased with for the Society of American Travel Writers Phoenix Award for Morton’s national forests (co-authored by how it worked out,” he says. “I’ve conservation efforts. The Society agreed and asked Johnson to present the Jim Thompson).

The Wilderness made a lot of monthly deadlines award at the 2004 Governor’s Conference on Travel and Tourism. Not long after, Society said that the series “influas a magazine editor, but keepRandy received a thank you letter with Morton saying,“We are very proud enced national policy” and the ing the trails open at Grandfather of several of our Grandfather Mountain alumni, and you in particular.”

NCPA noted that it was “clearly gives me the most satisfaction. of national significance.”

Especially when I’d meet all the It wasn’t long before magazines were paying him to travel young men and women who found great summer jobs on the trails working in a program I started. Even Jesse Pope, the Stew- around the world and showcase what other regions had to offer. ardship Foundation’s executive director, first came to Grandfa- From 1978 to 1990, he was building trails at Grandfather Mountain and traveling across the world to write articles on the side. ther as a trail ranger.”

He penned articles for a who’s who of local, regional and Since arriving here nearly 40 years ago, Johnson also pursued national magazines and newsanother calling, one that is just papers: Backpacker, Outside, as near to his heart. Tired of the USA Today, Miami Herald, region being a punch line for naAtlanta-Journal Constitution, tional talking heads, Johnson set Boston Globe and more. He out to use his pen and camera to photographed Austrian ski arpromote and celebrate the High eas, climbed Mount Fuji and Country and Southern Appalacovered Nordic skiing in Scotchia as the nationally-renowned, land – to name just a few of his outdoor-recreation destination international photojournalistic we now know it to be. adventures.

“All of us Boomer locals “I just feel very lucky,” Johnwere celebrating the newfound son said. “Imagine from 1978 to outdoor attractions of the High 1990-something, I was a granola Country and, like Rodney Danguy crawling around Grandfagerfield, I thought our area In 1984, as Grandfather’s backcountry manager, Johnson helps Wildlife Resources ther Mountain building trails needed to get some respect from Commission biologist Gordon Warburton (looking up) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife one week and the next I was skithe national media,” Johnson Service employee Gary Henry secure the “hack box” for the Southern Appalachians’ ing in Europe, or Hawaii coversaid. “Just because the rest of first reintroduction of Peregrine Falcons. Far below, the Grandfather Profile seems to ing the 50th anniversary of Pearl the country was ignorant of our watch the activity. More than thirty years later, Warburton is on the board of the Harbor. That was really cool.” cool summer weather and specGrandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. North Carolina Collection, In 1992, another publisher tacular hiking, and our winterUniversity of North Carolina Library at Chapel Hill. Photo by Hugh Morton. came calling, and Johnson beski lifestyle, that didn’t mean they should make fun of us, as many national magazines did with came a founding editor of Hemispheres, the in-flight magazine for United Airlines, which, according to Johnson, set out to rewhat I call ‘skiing on grits’ stories.”

Immediately after settling in the Boone area, Johnson invent the travel magazine concept based around local knowltaught himself how to type and penned his first local article in edge and itinerary-driven travel articles. the Sundown Times, which was the precursor to the Mountain “Today we’re all about local but back in 1992 we weren’t. I

“All of us Boomer locals were celebrating the newfound outdoor attractions of the High Country and, like Rodney Dangerfield, I thought our area needed to get some respect from the national media.” RANDY JOHNSON June 2016

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Randy Johnson has been aiming a camera at Grandfather Mountain’s grandeur since the 1970s.

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many Grandfather aficionados will recognize. MacRae, a real Scottish Highlandman, offered hospitality at his McRae House as well as traditional Scottish bagpipe music for travelers seeking the mountain.

The artwork that is heavily sprinkled throughout the book is a wonderful blend of some of the High Country’s most talented photographers and artists, both cur-

rent and past, as well as historically significant photos, maps and drawings. Each has a detailed caption or a complete accompanying side story.

Johnson gives great treatment to the symbiotic relationship between Grandfather Mountain and myriad other iconic symbols of life in the High Country, such as ET&WNC Railroad (nicknamed “Tweetsie”), Appalachian State University,

For a decade before the Grandfather part of the Parkway debuted in 1987, Johnson worked closely with Hugh Morton (right) and Parkway superintendent Gary Everhardt (left) as the once controversial road wound down to discussions about how to manage the expected explosion of backcountry visitation. Johnson consulted with National Park Service designers of the Tanawha Trail and advised on trail and management issues that helped create the hiking experience we now enjoy today on the Grandfather Mountain portion of the Parkway. Photos by Randy Johnson 50

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June 2016

United Airlines’ Hemispheres Under Johnson as editor, United Airlines’ Hemispheres magazine was known for elegant cover art and the innovative Three Perfect Days articles. Randy traveled the world filming the TV series (shown here as a video cassette) hosted by model Lauren Hutton. In 2005 Randy was on hand in Honolulu as Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle presented Hemispheres with an award for that year’s best feature article on Hawaii. He looks on as his writer Rita Ariyoshi accepts. In 2006, the magazine was named “world’s best inflight magazine.”

was sick of seeing New York writers penning articles about Hong Kong, so we found local Hong Kong writers, which wasn’t easy in the days before e-mail. We used that concept to create a huge stable of writers all over the globe,” Johnson said. “We aimed that approach at a feature article we called ‘Three Perfect Days.’ Embracing the long-weekend travel trend, we invented the itinerarydriven travel article, a ‘do this, do that’ insider’s travel experience that’s still in Hemispheres and widely copied today by everyone from the New York Times to National Geographic Traveler.”

Megatrends author John Naisbitt called ‘Three Perfect Days’ a “cutting edge concept of travel journalism,” and the awardwinning Hemispheres became a big deal both inside and outside the inflight-magazine industry. Within the industry, Hemisphere won the “World’s Best Inflight Magazine” award and took repeating honors for “Best Travel Magazine” and “Editorial Excel-

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lence.” Meanwhile in the greater journalism arena, Hemispheres became the only inflight-magazine to be awarded both the “James Beard Culinary Journalism Award” and “best single topic magazine column,” the latter beating out Newsweek.

Johnson is a driven person, one overloaded with gumption.

In addition to all of the above, Johnson found the time to write, oh, just about eight other books – plus the revised and updated editions of those books.

In 1987, he wrote Southern Snow: The Winter Guide to Dixie, widely regarded as a cult classic. (Johnson is the pre-eminent wordsmith on skiing in the South. He was among the initial writers – if not the first – to celebrate and not ridicule Southern skiing: “When they think of the sunny South, they think Charleston, baking heat and lowlands – without realizing that Beech Mountain gets as much snow as Buffalo, New York. They just

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High Country Magazine

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No one individual put a greater stamp on the evolution of Grandfather Mountain as "Carolina's Top Scenic Atand the town and attraction of traction" than Hugh Morton.

Blowing Rock. Homage is also Morton was a decorated World paid to the lesser-known and, War Two combat photographer in some cases evaporating, symwho photographed General bols of times past, such as life MacArthur on the front lines in the remote Grandfather and in Luzon, Philippines. Upon Foscoe communities before the death of his father he rehighways linked them to the turned to Grandfather Mounoutside world. tain with a Purple Heart and a Nonetheless, when one Bronze Star. While maintaining thinks of Grandfather Mouna lifelong love of photography, tain, it's often the commercial Morton, as president of the tourism destination, that springs Linville Company, set about to mind, complete with souvemaking Grandfather Mountain nirs and a Mile-High Swinga true scenic attraction. When ing Bridge. While Grandfather Hugh MacRae, the mountain's Mountain is more than that, owner, died in 1951, Morton, its existence is inexorably wothrough a complicated inheriven into the very fabric of the tance, became the sole owner.

North Carolina High Country.

The list of Morton's acIf tourism is the life blood of complishments that Johnson the High Country, Grandfather describes is too long to menMountain is its heart. tion here but suffice it to say Johnson takes us back to the that Grandfather Mountain as time when, in 1935, Grandfather we know it wouldn't be what Mountain's toll road opened to it is today without the vision an "observation point." Admitthat brought the road to the top tance was gained for fifty cents of the mountain and built the for a car and driver and twentyMile-High Swinging Bridge.

The Shanty Spring Trail on a snowy autumn day in the mid-1970s. The five cents for each additional The pages dedicated to trail climbed the ridge of the Continental Divide, the favorite route to the passenger. That established the Morton’s tenure could easily peaks for the earliest explorers and scientists, all tales that Johnson mountain as a tourism destinastand alone as a biography and recounts in his book. Under cover of a spring snowstorm, the trail was tion before the first contract is a must read for anyone wishclosed in 1992 to permit a second home development that luckily never was let on the soon to be Blue happened—but a shopping center was built on a portion of the property. ing to truly understand GrandRidge Parkway. father Mountain.

Today, the route of the early explorers is owned by The Nature ConserThroughout the book the During Morton’s time, a vancy and is off limits to hikers, for now. Photo by Randy Johnson cast of characters responsible “Top shop” was built and years for Grandfather Mountain's later rebuilt. The Grandfather success is portrayed in such vivid detail that you feel as if you Mountain Highland Games became one of the most successful know them. Indeed, anyone who has spent any time enjoying events of its kind. the outdoors on the east coast has probably had a brush with But it wasn’t without toil and tribulation. Johnson explains the trail signs and trails of park ranger, Boy Scout leader, and how hard it was to maintain a business at the top of the world trail builder Clyde Smith. He created the brown wooden signs as we know it. From maintaining a steep gravel road (not blackwith routed white lettopped until 1971) ters that for years were to bears continually the iconic trail markchewing the plastic ers on the Appalachian pipe in two that supTrail—and Grandfaplied water to the shop ther Mountain. and its restrooms.

In the late 1940s Perhaps the most and early 1950s Rangendearing portion of er Smith and his Boy the book describes the Scouts cleared and marked Grandfather Mountain's earliest formal genesis of the Grandfather Mountain wildlife viewing area and the trails—and Johnson discovered beautiful, hand-colorized black & mountain’s mascot Mildred the Bear. Johnson describes how the white photos of them doing that. Johnson reopened those trails in animal exhibits rose from roadside attraction status to a habitat his years at Grandfather and many exist to this day.

Throughout the book the cast of characters responsible for Grandfather Mountain’s success is portrayed in such vivid detail that you feel as if you know them.

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Check Out Randy’s New Book Johnson will tour extensively for his new book, Grandfather Mountain: The History and Guide to an Appalachian Icon. He’ll have programs and signings as far away as New England and Cincinnati, but also in North Carolina and Southern states.

In late June, he’ll appear on D.G. Martin’s UNC-TV program North Carolina Bookwatch.

Randy’s books are available online and locally at Footslogger’s, the Mast Stores, Grandfather Mountain, and also at Mountain Dog and Friends in Foscoe, his wife Cathy Johnson’s popular local pet boutique with the eye-catching “Pet Rest Area.” didn’t know.”) The 2nd edition of Southern Snow will come out in 2018, and Johnson is stoked. “Back then, the Southern ski history chapter only covered 30 years of ski resort history—the new book will cover twice that, and in this case, I’ve lived the second half of that history!” Johnson said.

Aside from a book about United Airlines, his other books are hiking guides for regions such as Virginia, North Carolina, the Great Smoky Mountains and the Blue Ridge Parkway. These ‘Falcon Guides’ have been bestsellers with multiple editions published. For example, Hiking North Carolina is out with a new, 2016 3rd Edition, with full color photos and maps. This book recently won first place for book photography in the 2016 Society of American Travel Writers Eastern Chapter Journalism Contest. In 2017, the 3rd edition of Johnson’s Hiking the Blue Ridge Parkway and Best Easy Day Hikes Blue Ridge Parkway with full color photography and maps will also be released.

Throughout the years, he’s also volunteered and worked on behalf of state and national parks. In 1991, he helped to reopen Glen Burney Trail for

Friday, June 24 on UNC-NC @ 8 p.m.

Sunday, June 26 on UNC-TV @ 12 p.m.

Thursday, June 30 on UNC-TV @ 5 p.m.

He has a few local appearances slated but others are also being planned.

July 7-10 / Grandfather Mountain Highland Games “Author on the Field” book signing and exhibit

MacRae Meadows, Linville NC 28646 July 14 / Blowing Rock Art and History Museum / 6 pm Presentation, “Blowing Rock: The Grandfather of Appalachian Tourism,” and book signing

159 Chestnut St, Blowing Rock, NC 28605 July 28 / Grandfather Mountain Lecture Series / Grandfather Mountain Nature Museum / 6:30 pm Presentation and book signing

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High Country Magazine

53

a hiker’s death. Johnson put his education in backcountry management to use and estabviewing area featuring cougars, lished the only private eagles, otters, and, of course, wilderness management bears. program in the counThe book also explores the try. The fee system he epic battle between Hugh Moremployed helped offset ton and the National Park Service the cost of trail mainover the routing of the Blue Ridge tenance and manageParkway. The disagreement dement. The fee program layed the completion of the Parkoperated successfully way for decades but allowed defor more than 30 years sign technology to progress to the until the state park took point that the engineering marvel over. of the Linn Cove Viaduct became Johnson invited scipossible. As one Parkway staffer entists and researchers concluded, “It’s likely that the Johnson’s book includes the story of the founding of Grandfather Mountain to study the mountain, years of controversy with Hugh State Park under the stewardship of first Superintendent Susan Mcbean. many of whom origiMorton permitted the right soluRecalling a quote from respected former state park director Lewis Ledford, nally eschewed Grandtion to emerge.” that state parks “are in the forever business,” McBean is taking a slow and father because it was Johnson’s perspective on the steady path with her park. The maps and trail guide in Johnson’s book look private land.

Studies mountain developed not only by ahead to major improvements that include the brand new Profile Trail appeared in scientific literally living in the shadow of parking area and connector trail that are right now being built. journals, helping the Grandfather Mountain, but he mountain to ultimately has the added advantage of also helping to forge the mountain’s legacy. In the late 1970s Randy become a United Nations International Biosphere Reserve.

He invited hiking guide writers and became a widely pubJohnson became the mountain’s first Backcountry Manager after proposing that Morton employ a hiking fee system to reopen lished writer promoting Grandfather’s tail system in magazines trails that at that time were overgrown and had been closed by and newspapers. One of his backcountry program’s most endur-

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June 2016

Ski and adventure travel have fueled Johnson’s magazine and newspaper publications for decades.

As a travel writer and editor Randy has traveled the world. On a trip to Scotland he and 10-year old son Chris hiked the Highlands and visited the ancestral seat of Clan MacRae, Eilean Donan Castle, a trip that figured in his research on Grandfather Mountain and even added a photo of the castle to his new book. Years later, on a trip to Switzerland, Randy and 16-year old Chris visited Zermatt, hiked around the Matterhorn, and trekked to high mountain huts on a glacier below the Eiger. Johnson calls, climbing Mount Fuji “my most fun outdoor nightmare. It was like a Lord of the Rings movie; each hut appeared above like a flickering castle tower, the weather a barrage of abuse poured down by an invisible enemy. It was like climbing into a Zen painting.” Photos by Randy Johnson

the Town of Blowing Rock. Working with Kinney Baughman as Trailblazers, Inc., they designed and built the new trail. The historic path has a trailhead, just steps away from Main Street in downtown Blowing Rock and descends 800 feet into the rugged John’s River Gorge.

Johnson has served as a Mountains-to-Sea Trail leader since mid-80s. As a task force co-leader of the Central Blue Ridge Task Force (with Bob Benner), he designed and built a Mountains-to-Sea Trail link from Pisgah National Forest to Tanawha Trail on the Blue Ridge Parkway at Beacon Heights. Today, he’s the leader for the section of the Tanawha-Mountains-to-Sea trail across Grandfather Mountain to U.S. 321/221 in Blowing Rock.

He’s also a current member of Grandfather Mountain State Park Advisory Committee.

“There’s so much happening on trails in the area now, including a new bridge this fall that’ll finally carry the Mountains-to-Sea Trail across Boone Fork near Price Park Picnic Area,” Johnson said. “And there’s a new Profile Trail parking lot and connector underway at Grandfather right now. It’s hard to believe. We built that tiny Profile Trail parking area 30 years ago, in part because the land was going to be developed and that’s the only spot it could go. But now, that lot’s constantly full—and the new lot’s going to hold 125 cars! The High Country is no longer a Rodney Dangerfield outdoor destination!”

At the looks of it, there’s no indication that Johnson is slowing down – whether that’s with trail work, writing books and magazine articles or just plain having fun on the slopes and in the backcountry.

As task force leader for the Mountains-to-Sea Trail on Grandfather, Johnson often organizes volunteer trail maintenance groups like this, brothers from Appalachian State’s Delta Sigma Phi fraternity. In May 2016, the energetic, public-spirited young men cleared a ton of tree trunks and branches cut by the Park Service to make way for construction of a trail bridge across Boone Fork this fall. Photo by Randy Johnson

“It’s not as easy to run up Grandfather as it used to be—sadly old Granddad tried to eat my left ankle over the years. And then there’s that time I slipped and stuck that trail-trimming sickle into my knee! But hey, I forgive the old man. Nevertheless I’m still out there, trying to find deep snow, rocky peaks, and doing what I can for trails and parks.”  June 2016

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fact, a cover quote from Vicky Jarrett, former ediing contributions was saving the mountain’s oldest tor of Our State, summed it up well. " It reads like trails and building new ones, including Grandfather a James Michener novel," she wrote. Famous AppalaMountain’s iconic Profile Trail.

The final chapters of the book detail how Grandfather went chian author Robert Morgan called it “a work of art commensufrom a privately owned mountain to one that will be preserved rate with the grandeur of the mountain itself.”

Of course, ‘after I finished,’” Johnson says, “then came findfor all time as public land. Hugh MacRae “Crae” Morton III, grandson of Hugh Morton, orchestrated the final acts of preser- ing all the old photos, the old maps, the lithographs, and even modern paintings (one paintvation, completing a sale that ed exclusively for the book made Grandfather Mountain

by Richard Tumbleston) and North Carolina’s 34th state photographers who have grapark. ciously put the icing on my “Perhaps the best reason cake,” said Johnson, who for writing the book now needed written permission is—the mountain is finally to use every image. “Then all safe,” Johnson said. “The the captions basically added a Stewardship Foundation is second book inside the book. finding its way toward a nonAnd there are also almost profit future for the private forty separate sidebar artiland attraction, but much cles. And all that demanded of the rest of the mountain a really useful index and bibis now public land and safe liography! Even when I hold from development that could this book in my hands, I still have happened as recently as can't believe I got it done." the 1990s.”

In addition to the main “As I write in the introbody treatment of the mounduction, 'as Grandfather factain’s history, Grandfather es a bright future, let's reflect Mountain also contains deon the past and take a long tailed compendiums on the look at the horizon. Now is flora and fauna of the mounthe perfect time to gaze up tain, a photographer’s guide, to, and back on, a mountain and the most detailed Grandwhose very name makes it father hiking guide ever puba patriarch of our collective Johnson loves making Nordic telemark turns on the High Country’s ski lished. Again, each could family.'" slopes but his real love is cross country skiing through the deepest snow have stood on its own as a It took Johnson four he can find, often here on Roan Mountain. Take his favorite Roan Mountain reference guide –– complete years to pen Grandfather ski tours on video by going to YouTube and searching “cross country ski with photographs, trail data, Mountain.

Roan Mountain.” Photo by Robert Branch and amazingly accurate topo “This book was the bigmaps. gest challenge of my life as In conclusion, I highly reca writer. The research took ommend Grandfather Mounyears, then when I finished tain: The History and Guide writing it, the manuscript to an Appalachian Icon to was 300,000 words! That's anyone interested in the hisenough for three books this tory and culture of Grandfasize.” Johnson said. “It could ther Mountain or the North have been three volumes that Carolina High Country. No no one could afford to buy collection of books about the or want to read. I rewrote Appalachians would be comthe book three times to get it plete without it. From start to the current size. Any chef to finish Johnson manages to will know what I mean when include all the pertinent inI say I boiled down a very big formation required in a hispot of broth into what I hope The Clyde Smith Sign torical reference while still readers will think is a very When Johnson found this rotting old trail sign on Grandfather Mountain in allowing an intriguing list of rich and satisfying gravy.”

1974, his new book says he “followed it to a lifetime of fascination with colorful characters and the The final version strikes the mountain.” He found out who made that and other old signs and tells the perfect balance between Clyde Smith’s story in the book. When he found the old sign still decaying in grandness of the mountain to shine through.  deeply detailed text that re1978, he “strapped it to a pack board and humped it off the hill.” mains a captivating read. In Johnson says, “I still treasure that sign.” Photo by Randy Johnson

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Ready For 0 to 177 mph In 8.9 Seconds

Addicted To Speed Jimmy Stahl Carves Out Reputation As One Of The Top NHRA Racers In The Southeast and Nationally

By David Coulson

F

or his entire life, Jimmy Stahl has been been on a search With steely nerves and uncanny patience, Stahl can be found for speed. on quarter-mile tracks from North Carolina, South Carolina, As a child, Stahl began racing go-karts and eventually Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee on most weekends took to Motocross. Along the during the drag-racing season. way, he experimented with His prize possession is a mini-bikes, souped-up lawndragster he calls the Widowmowers and anything else he maker, a distinctly designed could coax into going fast. vehicle that bears a custom As an adult, he has coaxed paint job by Todd Zeller of his golf cart up to 51 milesTodd's Extreme Paints. per-hour and has a bass boat It is a pristine, 1,300-pound that has hit 83 MPH on the vehicle, with a 615 big-block speedometer.

Chevrolet engine, built by But this 60-year-old FosBilly Albert Racing Engines in coe resident has found his Wytheville, Virginia. It sits on Stahl (driving dragster at top of photo) was a part prime outlet for moving fast an American chasis with a speof history in the first four-driver run recently at an in the world of drag racing, escially-constructed Ken Moses important regional competition in Charlotte. tablishing himself as one of the transmission and a drivetrain top racers in the southeast. built by Strange Engineering and Spinwork Wheels.

"It's an addiction and there is no rehab for it," said Stahl, from "To be competitive, you have to exploit everyone's talent," his impressive shop in Foscoe. "Speed is just an addiction."

Stahl said of his team of C&S Racing, Inc. 58

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June 2016

Relaxing in his pristine shop, Stahl takes a break from working on his car. “I can do 180 (miles-per-hour) in clean air,� says Stahl.

But he is perfectly happy competing in Division II. This sleek racer measures 16 inches, by 34.5 inches, by 17 "This is my hobby," said Stahl. "This is like my golf game." feet.

Stahl is quick to admit that it is an expensive hobby that costs At his best, Stahl has hit 185 miles-per-hour with a top time of 8.90 seconds with the Widowmaker, which he has been driving him approximately $30,000 every seaon.

"It is run like a business," Stahl said of his operation. "That's since 2010. just to keep things running. I couldn't "I can do 180 in good air," said Stahl do it without my sponsors. I couldn't who has hit 177 miles-per-hour in the have done any of this without the peoearly part of this season. He has topped ple behind me." out in other cars at 210 miles-per-hour.

A new dragster can cost $30,000 This car has carried Stahl to the to $75,000 "before you even put on a No. 9 ranking in the National Hot paint job" and a brand new motor can Rod Association (NHRA) Southeastcost an additional $30,000-40,000, ern Region at the Division II level and Stahl said. "To go fast, you have to 19th nationally out of the 1,200-plus have money." drivers who compete in the NHRA. To drag racers like Stahl, the sport He won a national competition at is also a labor of love. For those not as the important Atlanta event in 2006 fortunate to have the type of sponsorand finished as the runner-up there ship that this racing veteran does, the in 2007. In four trips to the national expense of competing forces comprochampionship in Indianapolis, he has mises in other areas of life. placed in the top 16 each time.

"Some people will eat less all week In 1984, a car owner was looking long to drive on Saturday," said the for a substitute driver for his top-fuel humble, yet competitive driver. "It's dragster and hired Stahl to complete such a deep sport. A lot of people the task. Stahl survived four rounds haven't had the opportunities I've in that car and managed to jet to a had."

6.20-second, quarter-mile time, hitStahl gets plenty of support for his ting a speed of 210 miles-per-hour — Jimmy Stahl racing endeavors from his wife (the forhis fastest time ever.

"That's for the younger kids," Stahl said, in retrospect. "I don't mer Denise Church, who Stahl met and married after moving to Boone in 1979) and has passed on his love of drag racing to his want to do that again."

June 2016

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Loaded up and ready to head out, Stahl is geared up for another race. Making final preparations before a race, Stahl believes that his experience is important to his success. Photo by Rhonda McCole 19-year-old son, Landan, who also races dragsters when he is not helmets, hats, t-shirts and pictures that line the walls and fill glassed-in display cases. concentrating on college studies.

An old, Sinclair Gas pump sits prominently in one corner of The centerpiece of his operation is his expansively impressive shop, which serves as a place for him to work on engines and his large office and sponsorship signs are scattered throughout other components, to dabble with his passion for woodworking, the room.

One noticeable sign says "Nickels make dimes and dimes display his collection of racing memorabilia and have office space make dollars." for his non-racing work.

The main part of the garage sparkles in its cleanliness and Stahl has a North Carolina licensed contracting business called Jimmy's Home Repair, Inc., that specializes in basic repairs, remo- functionality.

Stahl developed his passion for racing from his dad, who had daling, light grading, home additions and maintenance. a particular fondness for the "It's a big man cave," World of Outlaws.

Stahl described the shop "My father loved racproudly. "The garage was ing," Stahl remembered of built to give the kids (his son his upbringing in Bradenton, and friends) somewhere to Florida. go in the winter."

By the time he was nine, Visitors are greeted by the younger Stahl was exa quick smile and frequent ploring any type of vehicle laughter from this down-tohe could get his hands on. earth, country gentleman.

Motocross was an early "I'm the loose nut behind love, but a series of accidents the wheel," Stahl said in selfforced Stahl to look for safer deprecating humor. "I'm just speed alternatives. a redneck garage man."

"I got broke up and said A liberal display of Dale that was enough for me."

Earnhardt momentos quickPersonalities like dragly catch the eye, amidst the Loaded up and ready to head out, racing legend Don "Big reams of trophies, banners, Stahl is geared up for another race.

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There is no place like home for Stahl, as he unwinds with a game of pool in what he calls his man cave.

Joining Jimmy is Bill Wilkinson of Grandfather Trout Farm, one of Jimmy’s sponsors.

Daddy" Garlits were catching Stahl's eyes even back in the 1960s, of the nuances and tendencies of his individual competition, Stahl said that he is more concerned with his preparation and execution though.

He had to wait until he earned his driver's license in 1972 to than he is of those he races against.

"I'm really racing myself," said Stahl. "You make sure you are explore drag racing for the first time, but a stint in the Army from on top of your stuff."

1973-79 put that new speed adventure in But it also is a sport that is filled with moth balls for most of those years. frustration.

Another possible avenue was stock-car "When you think you've got it figured racing, but that didn't last long. out, you find another way to lose," Stahl "When I got out of the service, I really said. "You have to be prepared to lose, begot into it, but I didn't like spending all cause you are going to lose a lot." that time working on a car, knowing that In drag racing, drivers are paired someone (else) could smash up your car," against each and go through multiple Stahl explained. rounds of eliminations before one drivers It was finally in 1991 when Stahl ememerges as the winner of their class. barked on drag racing full-time again.

"It can be a tough sport," Stahl said.

And he has steadily built up his success "You have to be competitive, you have to since then. study why things happen."

While most people might be nervous While fans are used to seeing frequent about strapping themselves into a device crashes in other forms of racing, drag raccapable of reaching speed of over 200 ing has become one of the safest forms of miles-per-hour, Stahl anticipates each race driving in the sport. session with a combination of excitement One of the scariest moments for Stahl and calm. was a crash "in 1975 or 76 in Braden"You've got a routine (at the starting ton"," where Stahl crashed at 200 milesline)," Stahl explained. "It's like putting on per-hour. your glasses every day. You have the start"I don't remember much from that," ing line and you have the finish line. You A close-up look at the engine that he admitted. "I remember turning loose have to drive both to win." fuels Stahl’s racing success. of the button and waking up in the hosWhile he knows from experience all June 2016

High Country Magazine

61

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pital. It knocked me out and dislocated my shoulder."

But with better safety equipment now in place, crashes are rare. The biggest concern on the track is the occasions where cars collide.

"We have crashes, but people walk away from them," Stahl said. "I feel safer racing than driving down the street in Foscoe. I've gotten sideways before, but I've been pretty lucky."

At an age when many drivers are thinking about retirement, Stahl is one of a small group of competitors still enjoying his speed addiction in his 60s.

"We call ourselves the AARP gang," said Stahl, who noted that one of his fellow drivers is still going strong at 68. "I'm respected. That's my satisfaction, being an older man."

One of the things that Stahl still said he enjoys is traveling the country to various events.

"There was a time I spent 186 days a year on the road," he explained. "I love seeing different parts of America. The food, when I'm on the road is one of the best things going."

And Stahl isn't thinking of hanging up his racing career anytime soon.

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Jimmy Stahl has established himself as one of the best Division II drag racers in the National Hot Rod Association. But he is quick to credit most of his of his success to the dedication of his sponsors.

“I couldn’t do it without my sponsors. I couldn’t have done any of this without the people behind me.” Here are a list of the people and companies that keep the C&S Racing, Inc. team running: AmericanRaceCars.net Ralph StengerGlide Transmissions Hickory Enclosed Trailer Sales, Inc. RPM Racing Performance Ken Moses Race Transmission Track Side Sales and Service Hicks Tree Service Glen Davis Electric Mountain Lumber Company Sustainable Building Center 62

High Country Magazine

June 2016

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The Aldridge family has a bevy of beautiful and fast cars to fuel their excitement for driving fast.

Pictured top left is their dragster, on the right the 1932 Chevy Roadster and pictured below is their Corvette Roadster

Watauga County’s Tradition of Speed C.J. & Curtis Hodges • Frank & Matt Aldridge • Neil Church

T

he Appalachian Mountains have held a long, colorful reputation for speed — from the days of moonshiners competing to show off who had the hottest, fastest delivery vehicles in what ultimately led to the formation of NASCAR, to the impromptu drag races that racers would schedule on the remote streets of Watauga County.

So it comes as no surprise that nearly a century later that the High Country has become somewhat of a hotbed for a modern era of dragsters.

While Jimmy Sharp has carved out his well-earned reputation as one of the top drivers in the National Hot Rod Association's Division II Super Comp ranks, there are a number of other racers who are constantly searching for speed in bracket racing.

"There are so many tracks close to Boone, it makes it easy for drivers to compete as often as they want," said Stahl.

Local drivers have easy access to the Wilkesboro Raceway Park less than 30 minutes from the heart of Boone and the worldclass facilities of the Thunder Valley Bristol Dragway, just across the border in Tennessee. Farmington Motor Sports Park is just off of the mountain, an hour away, in Mocksville, North Carolina.

It is a sport that is first and foremost a family affair, with children as young as five-years old learning to drive under the guidance of their parents in an NHRA-sponsored youth program, with an emphasis on development and safety.

Stahl's 19-year-old son, Landan has already had his share of

wins as an up and coming star, though he is currently taking a break from competition to focus on college work at Caldwell Community College.

Frank Aldridge, known for his mechanical prowess and maintenance work at the Tweetsie Railroad amusement park before retiring, is a veteran of over 50 years of drag racing. He has passed that family racing legacy on to his son, Matt, and they eagerly await the time when Matt's four-year-old son will be able to start racing.

C.J. and Curtis Hodges are two other local drag racers adding to the family aspect of the sport, while Sam Shannon has two daughters, Katrina and her sister competing regularly.

Other prominent racers in the area are Neil Church and Tim Turbyfield.

"If your kids are brought up around the race track … only one out of 10 will go bad," Sharp said. "It is a family sport. You go to Bristol and there will be 50 kids out there (racing)."

Bracket racing is a unique form of drag competition where drivers match up with a handicap allowance over a standard distance of one-eighth mile, 1,000 feet, or quarter-mile tracks. and is extremely popular with racers who can best be described as weekend warriors.

Ironically, two of the better bracket racers in this region live within walking distance of Sharp's shop in Foscoe.

June 2016

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of ups and downs.

Frank Aldridge got hooked on "You can go from winning one racing dragsters in 1963 and raced week to being out in the first round through 1974 before taking a 20the next," he explained. year break from the sport. He then "You can go from hero to zero in returned to competition in the 1990s one week." as he helped his son, Matt, get estabSome of the major reasons for lished as a racer. these swings are the increase in com"I got my kids raised and started petition and the technological imback with it," said Frank. "It's not provements in equipment. a cheap hobby. But it is something "It's a lot more competitive I love. Matt and I have a common now than it was 50 years ago," said denominator, racing. It's like going Frank. camping with your cars."

Son Matt and father Frank Aldridge are two But there still is an adrenaline Probably the highlight of his racof many local racers who have turned rush that comes to the drivers, ing career was winning the track bracket racing into a family tradition. whether it is a veteran like Frank, or championship at Wilkesboro in a younger driver like Matt.

2000, but Frank doesn't take win"I get happy when I am in the ning for granted. staging area," said Frank.

"If you don't (win) that first At one recent race, Frank showed round, it's a long weekend," he exhe still is a competitor to reckon plained. "It's been 15 years since with when he beat a driver called I've been in the winner's circle at "The Million-Dollar Man," a racer Wilkesboro." who had won a $1 Million purse in One of the older drivers still aca major national competition in Las tively running as he nears the age Vegas, Nevada. of 70, Frank still is competitive. He For Neil Church, the drag racwon five rounds recently at a major ing bug bit him as a teenager in the bracket-racing event at Bristol, be1990s. By 1997, he was driving fullfore being knocked out.

At the starting line, Frank Aldridge is ready time.

Frank learned about cars as a to show he is still competitive after "It's something that keeps you youngster when his when his dad, over 50 years as a drag racer. out of trouble," Church said from Clus Aldridge owned and operated a his shop, down the street, a block Texaco service station in Foscoe. away from Sharp's operation.

"Years ago, all the guys around Church races two-to-three-times here had hot-rod cars," said Frank. per month, "as often as I want to "On Saturday nights, we turned race."

(Highway) 105 into a drag strip here The draw of racing for Church in Foscoe on Saturday nights." came from watching his friends get It was a time when the populainvolved in the sport. tion in Watauga County was much "Your buddy does it and you smaller and local law enforcement want to try it," said Church. After turned a blind eye to the semi-orgagetting hooked, "I wanted to race nized racing activities go on in the every week. Now, I go out when I area. Local drivers gathered on U.S. feel like it."

321, just outside the Boone city limAppropriately driving a car called the Ghost One of the other appeals to drag its and on U.S. 421 near what is now racing for Church is the mechanical the Hollar and Greene facility.

Train, named after the popular Tweestie aspect of the sport.

"I probably had the fastest car in Railroad ride, Matt Aldridge celebrates "I like working in the shop," he Watauga County," Frank said of the a victory in the winner’s circle at the explained. souped-up, 1969 Camero he raced Wilkesboro Raceway Park with his dad.

There are plenty of trophies, at that time. pictures and other momentos of Matt Aldridge, like a lot of the younger generation of drivers, got hooked by hearing about the ex- Church's success in his shop, but the one he is most proud of is the award he received for winning the track championship at ploits of that older group of drivers.

"I got started because daddy had done it," Matt said. "When I Bristol in 2002.

"Back then, I felt like, if a race track was open, I needed to be turned 14, it was on."

Matt also harkened back to the past with his choice of vehicle, there," Church said.

As drivers such as Church get older, they continue to pass a vintage 1968 Camero becoming his prized possession.

Matt showed his talent early on, winning an elimination event along their racing passions to the younger generation, however, ensuring that the drag-racing tradition that was established so when he was 15, just days before turning 16.

But Matt has learned that the life of a drag racer have plenty long ago will likely continue for years in the High Country. ď ´ 64

High Country Magazine

June 2016

Like Father, Like Son, Landan Sharp Also Finds Success On The Track

I

t only seemed natural that the son of local drag racing legend Jimmy Sharp would follow his footsteps in drag racing.

Soft-spoken and hard-working, Landan Sharp keeps busy between running a local landscape and lawn business and studying landscaping design at Caldwell Community College, as well as working as a volunteer for the Foscoe Fire Department.

He can frequently be found tinkering around his father Jimmy's shop in Foscoe.

Landan is currently taking a break from the drag-racing passion he inherited from his dad, but he looks forward to getting back in the driver's seat in the future.

"I'm just taking a break," said the 19-year-old.

While Landan is taking a break away from the driver's seat currently, he is staying close to the sport as an announcer during competition at Thunder Valley Bristol Dragway.

Landan showed his talent early on when he won his first race at the Farmington Dragway at the age of 12. He has won his share of other races ever since.

He passed his required licensing physical to move into the professional ranks last August "Landan is probably a better driver than I am," Jimmy said proudly. "He has had to learn it. He has to learn to use the same routine every weekend."

Already finding speed at up to 180 miles-per-hour, Landan said he owes a lot of his early success to his dad.

"I've learned how to keep things running," Landan said.

Drag racing has provided a bonding experience for father and son, with some of Landan's most treasured memories being frequent travel around the country from his earliest days.

"What I love most about drag racing is the long weekends on the road," said Landan. ď ´ June 2016

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Stanley would often end his concerts with a wave of his hat to the audience.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SARAH LYNN SPENCER

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High Country Magazine

June 2016

The Legacy of

Stanley Hicks S

By Carl Tyrie

tanley Hicks died in 1989 in western Watauga County, where he had spent the last 37 years of his life. As he hoped, Stanley still lives in the memories of people who knew him and in the hand-built musical instruments he left behind. For many years before his death, the North Carolina High Country was where oldtime players looked for instruments. Edd Presnell, the father-and-son duo of Leonard and Clifford Glenn, Tedra Harmon and Stanley Hicks were among area luthiers producing banjos and dulcimers (or as Stanley called them, dulcimores) that were shipped across America and overseas. Those instruments today are highly sought-after.

Stanley was born on Oct. 12, 1911, the fourth of nine children in a musical family near Beech Mountain. His father Roby played fiddle and banjo. His mother Buna, short for Buena Vista, was a fiddler and storyteller. Roby’s influence on his son wasn’t just musical. As with his father before him, Roby was a craftsman who made furniture, tools, toys and musical instruments. Stanley and his brothers Captain and Floyd all eventually made instruments.

As his banjos and dulcimers became more popular later in Stanley’s life, he began playing them at performances a lot more. He was also an accomplished storyteller and dancer. There are on-line videos of him flat-footing and buckdancing and even demonstrating so-called animal dances which were done in a crouched position as if he were stalking prey. Stanley claimed he learned his eagle dance and bear dance from his dad. One writer, however, suggests that Stanley may have been making up some of his animal dances on the spot to spoof whatever writer had come up the mountain to do a story about him.

Stanley’s life story has been told in several places, both on-line and in print. Robert Isbell’s book “The Last Chivaree” is about Stanley and several of his relatives, including storyteller Ray Hicks.

Stanley and Ray became nationally known in 1983 when they received National Heritage Fellow awards in Washington, D.C. During the week they spent in Washington, Ray told jack tales and Stanley demonstrated how he made banjos, using wood and groundhog hides he brought from home. The pair went home with $5,000 checks that accompanied the awards.

“Stanley was ‘On’ when he was around people, even if it was just one other person. That was his thing. I’d have to say it was his calling. He loved to entertain people in his talk and in his music, especially in his music.”

– Glenn Bolick, Musician and Storyteller June 2016

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Isbell’s book tells of Stanley’s relationships with other people. Even though his banjos and dulcimers were his primary source of income later in life, Stanley sometimes gave instruments to people he liked. Stanley once met a blind girl at an Asheville concert who told him she wanted to learn to play the dulcimer. Stanley returned to his shop, built one of prime black walnut and sent it to her with a note asking for only a photo in return -- a picture of herself with the dulcimer. She sent back a letter with the photo. She said she could tell by the feel of the dulcimer that it was fine work.

High Country folks who knew Stanley say he was above all an entertainer.

Musician and storyteller Glenn Bolick said Stanley didn’t necessarily need a large audience. “Stanley was ‘On’ when he was around people, even if it was just one other person,” Bolick said. “That was his thing. I’d have to say it was his calling. He loved to entertain people in his talk and in his music, especially in his music.”

Bolick’s words are echoed by Stanley’s son David, who lives across the road from Stanley’s old house and workshop. “He was a showman,” David said. “He enjoyed an audience and he enjoyed getting in front of a camera.”

Musician and teacher Mary Greene agrees. “Stanley loved to greet people and he loved to have visitors,” she said. “He had a genuine delight in people. His personality was outgoing and he was dynamite to just sit and talk to. And he’d listen to you. He didn’t have to have the floor the whole time. He’d reflect on what you had to say and then maybe add something of his own. He was really a neat man and just a great guy.”

Mary says Stanley was clearly a people person. “He liked to see people laugh,” she said. “He enjoyed making people happy. And even though I think his life may have been difficult at times, he never seemed unhappy.”

Although Stanley Hicks dropped out of elementary school, he had plenty of nonbook-learnin’ knowledge. According to Stanley’s son David, Stanley would search for and collect arrowheads in the woods and fields. Glenn Bolick said Stanley not only collected the arrowheads but knew a lot about the Indians who made them and how they made them.

Mary Greene described Stanley as being comfortable with nature. “I always thought he was amazing because he dropped out of school after the third or 68

High Country Magazine

June 2016

TOP: Stanley's son, David, with two of his dad's instruments.

BELOW: David has two museum-quality banjos. The one on the left was made by Stanley's father, Roby, and given to David when he was a boy. The metal hoop at the bottom was fashioned from a cake pan. On the right is the first banjo made by Stanley Hicks when he was 15.

fourth grade but had learned all sorts of survival skills working with the land and out in the woods,” she said. “He knew all sorts of ways of preserving foods.”

Stanley was a knowledgeable herbalist who spent a lot of time learning about native plants. Stanley’s son David said Stanley used that knowledge during his final days. “He was into what might be called herb doctoring,” David said. “When he

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was so sick with stomach cancer, he told me where there was a slippery elm tree over on Beech Creek. He said ‘You go over there and get some bark off the roots and we’ll make some tea from it.’ He’d sit and sip that tea and it seemed to help his stomach.”

Glenn Bolick may have the honor of owning the last instrument made by Stanley Hicks -- a banjo made from curly maple, wild cherry and walnut that Glenn took to Stanley’s shop from his sawmill in the Bailey’s Camp community outside Blowing Rock. The banjo’s value hasn’t been hurt

by Doc Watson having played it, followed

by Doc’s wife Rosa Lee signing her name and Doc’s to the groundhog skin. Age has taken its toll on the Watson names and the Emmylou Harris autograph that was later added at Merlefest. It took nearly two years for the banjo to be finished by Stanley, who was fighting asthma and the stomach cancer that would eventually kill him. “When he was working on my banjo, I’d go over and watch him work a little bit and he was pretty sickly,” Glenn said. “When I’d call him or go see him, he’d say ‘Well, my health is bad and I can’t do nothin’. My eyes is like old spider webs in there.’ He didn’t even know he had cancer until the last few months.”

When Stanley Hicks died on Nov. 7, 1989, he left behind many stories, memories and, according to at least one printed estimate, as many as 500 banjos and dulcimers. Stanley would likely be proud that he is still remembered. Years before he died, he participated with fellow musicians and instrument builders Leonard and Clifford Glenn and Tedra Harmon in a Foxfire recording titled “It Still Lives.” The LP includes singing, storytelling and the playing of instruments the men built. Appropriately enough, the first words on the album are Stanley’s as he talks about what he hopes his legacy will be: “My daddy’s gone on, my grandpa’s gone on and my great-grandpa’s gone on.

But they still live. You know, the spirit’s still here. Your folks can die and go on but they’re still here. Here is Dad’s dulcimore.

There’s his dulcimore he built years ago. It still lives. It’s still here. It’s not gone. And same way by myself — when I’m gone, they’s some of my stuff that the younguns…you know, it still lives.”

Stanley Hicks’ final resting place is alongside his wife Virgie on a Beech Creek hilltop. Although no epitaph is chiseled into his tombstone, words by Jimmy Buffett might be appropriate: “For if I live in your hearts, I really have not died.” 

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High Country Magazine

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“Stanley Hicks Stories” Dr. Bill Herring

An incident that would affect Stanley Hicks’ playing for the rest of his life was an injury to his right hand caused by a run-in with the super-sharp blades of a machine called a joiner. Stanley’s injury led him to Boone orthopedic surgeon Bill Herring. In country-doctor tradition, Bill would later accept a banjo and dulcimer from Stanley in exchange for medical treatment:

“

As I recall with a joiner, you’re cutting a real thin piece of wood and it’s like a planer with a real sharp blade that revolves. Most woodworkers would use a pusher, just a block of wood to push it through, but he was using his fingers and pushed a little too hard. I think I probably saw him initially in the emergency room. And we ended up being friends.

I went over and visited him several times. I remember Dr. Bill Herring, holding his one time going over there dulcimer and banjo he got as a and spending the whole day result of the friendship formed with him and just listening to treating Stanley after his accident his stories and watching him work. He was a real entertainer. And he would look at you when telling you something and when he knew he had you, he would embellish and embellish it.”

Glenn Bolick

Glenn got to know Stanley over the years when they both appeared at music festivals. Glenn remembers when he and his wife Lula met Stanley at a summer festival:

and looked real spry for someone his age. And he said something about the weather to the effect of ‘Oh, it’s hot.’ So we spoke to him and told him where we was from and he said, ‘Oh, I’m from Boone, you know, or Vilas.’ And I had never met him. So he got to tellin’ us about how hot it was. He said, ‘Last night, I couldn’t sleep. They had me downstairs and I was so hot I couldn’t stand it down there in that dungeon. And I went and got somebody and had ‘em move me up higher in the building. You know how little birdies are when the nest is full of little birds and they get feathered out and they get so hot they can’t stand it? They’ll stick their little heads out and breathe. That’s what I done last night. I stuck my head out the window and breathed in real big.’

“I thought my wife was gonna pass out. That story tickled her to death. She looked at me kinda funny. She didn’t want to laugh out loud and make him think she was making fun of him. He probably woulda loved it though. But she was absolutely about to bust.

“We got to know him at festivals and really liked him. I thought he was a super guy. He had some of the funniest stuff to tell about when he was growin’ up and how he’d chase the girls around and all that kinda stuff.”

During the final months of his life, Stanley was working on Glenn Bolick’s banjo and Glenn would occasionally visit Stanley.

During one such visit, Stanley talked about the difficulty he had getting groundhog skins for his banjos. Glenn said, however, that Stanley had come up with a possible solution: “He said, ‘I’ve been a-wantin’ me a little horse that I can ride.

You know, if you’re on horseback, you can ride up close to a groundhog. So I’d like to find me a little horse that would work, that I could plow the garden with and that I could ride down on the mountain there and shoot off his back.’ I said, ‘By goodness, Stanley, a horse like that would cost $2,000.’ He said ‘I don’t care what it would cost. If I had me a horse I could ride and work and shoot off his back, I’d have ‘er made. I could work my garden and ride down there and shoot a groundhog off its back and them come on back and build banjos and not worry about gettin’ skins.’”

Glenn Bolick may have the last banjo that Stanley built

“

One morning we was waitin’ to get a ride out to the fairgrounds. We stayed at a place where the bus would come by and take us over to the festival. And Stanley come out with his overalls on with his banjer under one arm and his dulcimer under the other arm — and first impressions of people, you know, are usually good. Anyway, Stanley had this nice smile on his face 70

High Country Magazine

June 2016

Sarah Lynn Spencer with the banjo her husband, Bill, got from Stanley

“

It is always good to be reminded of Stanley. I think about him daily since his copper moonshine still sits in my living room as a fine example of traditional mountain craft. Of course, it is not set up to work but you can see from the charred patina on the copper that Stanley ran it many, many times. He endeavored to make only the best moonshine and from what I can tell you, he was always successful.”

John Peterson

John is one of several High Country luthiers carrying on the Stanley Hicks tradition of building old-time banjos. Before John set up shop in Todd, he was living in North Dakota and watching for instruments made in the Watauga County area where he went to school:

Stanley was a main attraction for the Wolf Trap Festival in Virginia

David Holt

Although Stanley is known for his woodworking skills, he was also creative with metal. His second home after his marriage to Virgie Pressley was unheated so Stanley made a stove from a steel barrel and fashioned the stovepipe from metal roof- David Holt, with Stanley on video ing. David Holt produced a WUNC-TV Folkways segment about Stanley (http://video.unctv. org/video/2365195219/) and owns a reminder of Stanley’s metalworking skill:

Todd banjo builder, Joh Peterson, with one of his banjos on the left and the Stanley Hicks banjo on the right he was determined to win in anon-line auction

June 2016

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71

“

Sometime around 2005, I came across an auction on eBay for a Stanley Hicks banjo — all cherry and a groundhog skinhead that was built toward the end of his life in the late 1980's. So I said ‘I don't care how much it costs me. I'm gonna get this banjo.’ So I bid on it. It was one of these seven-day auction things. And some guy outbid me. On eBay, some people come up with usernames that don't really identify themselves but mine says John A. Peterson. I got into a bidding war with this guy who kept outbidding me. So then I'd outbid him. After awhile, the bidding price got up over $1,300 but I wanted it and finally got it.

“So then, by Christmas of 2005 I'd had the banjo for four or five months and I loved it. I would take it to school groups and the kids would love hearing that the skinhead was made out of groundhog. And I would tell them about Stanley. Well, then I came down here to visit and I was getting in contact with friends to see if they wanted to get together. One of them was Orville Hicks, a storyteller from the area whose dad Ray was Stanley’s cousin. When we were talking, he said ‘Oh, by the way, congratulations on winning that Stanley Hicks banjo.’ And I said, ‘How’d you know about that?’ and he said ‘I was the guy you were bidding against.’ I said ‘Oh, if I had known that, I wouldn’t have bid on it.’ But he said he was happy it went to someone who would appreciate it.”

Note: Orville says he stopped bidding when he finally realized that the John Peterson he was bidding against was the same John Peterson he knew. Orville still does not have a Stanley Hicks instrument.

Mary Greene

Mary is a long-time musician and teacher who worked with Stanley Hicks on numerous occasions, including ASU dulcimer workshops run by Dr. William Spencer (‘Dr. Bill’).

“

Mary Greene posing with a Stanley Hicks dulcimer

Dr. Bill had organized a presentation that Stanley and I would do at an elementary school in Greensboro. On the way down there, we stopped to eat at a restaurant where there was a jukebox playing. I don't remember what kind of music was on the jukebox but Stanley was like ‘I'm gonna get up and dance.’ So he got up and he did some buckdancing. He was just going to enjoy himself wherever he was. The circumstances didn't matter.

He heard music and he was gonna dance.”

Mary Greene was an ASU music student when the workshops began in the 1970’s and said Dr. Bill’s interest in area artists enhanced those artists’ exposure to the rest of the world. “This allowed them to earn more money from their instrument building,” she said. “It connected the Glenns and Stanley and others to people who were interested in their work.”

Following years of heartStanley with “Dr. Bill” related problems, Dr. Spencer died in 2010. Remembering her late husband, Sarah Lynn Spencer said it was an interesting contrast between the two friends — her husband, an expert in the bassoon, and Stanley Hicks, a mountain banjo and dulcimer player. “We had Stanley come for a meal,” she said, “and Bill showed Stanley his bassoon. Stanley thought it was the funniest sounding thing. He was full of humor about it, maybe thinking it sounded like something you'd use to call the cows or something.”

Sarah Lynn's living room in Boone has been decorated for years with examples of Stanley Hicks artistry not seen by many people.

In addition to Stanley's other talents, he was a wood carver who created animal likenesses from dug-up tree stumps and roots. The largest in the Spencer house is a duck carved from a piece of wood Stanley’s son David said he dug up from a field being cleared for a house foundation. “It was the first carving that Stanley showed Bill,” Sarah Lynn said, “and Bill was just enthralled with it and bought it, I think for $50. He was just charmed by the carvings and told Stanley, ‘Let me see any more that you do.’”

Sarah Lynn said her husband’s purchases of Stanley’s carvings, not to mention a couple of musical instruments, reflected Bill’s interest in area artists’ success. “He felt that native artists had never been properly recognized and paid for their work,” she said. “So he encouraged all the artists and tried to get them exposure and some decent money for their work.”

Thinking back to her contact with Stanley and other mountain instrument builders such as Leonard and Clifford Glenn, Sarah Lynn recalls how relaxed they were interacting with college students and faculty. “Stanley and the Glenns were comfortable here,” she said. “I think what I most admired about them is that they were real people. There was no pretense. They didn't feel the need to meet anyone else’s criteria for any part of their being.”

“Dr. Bill”

Dr. William Spencer was a professor and chairman of the Appalachian State University Music Department. He provided Stanley Hicks and his instrument-building contemporaries something valuable — publicity. Even though Dr. Bill was a classically trained musician, his interest in the region’s music led him to organize an annual dulcimer workshop. Among the activities each year was a bus trip to Stanley’s workshop, where Stanley would demonstrate his instrument-building techniques and then entertain the visitors with storytelling, dancing and instrument playing.

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Stanley’s niece, Shirley Glenn, with her Stanley Hicks dulcimer

As with others who knew Stanley Hicks, Sarah Lynn was impressed with his personality. “He was like a lot of performers, or maybe all of them,” she said. “He loved the opportunity to say ‘Come on, let me show you what I do.’ I thought he was charming.

He was so friendly and so comfortable with everyone. He was optimistic and uplifting to be around.”

an elevated lifestyle... for all seasons Hound Ears Club

Since 1964

Charlie Glenn

At his workshop on the back side of Beech Mountain, Charlie builds and repairs stringed instruments including guitars, dulcimers, banjos and fiddles. Although the result was an instrument he describes as “rough,” Charlie made his first banjo in 1967 after visiting Stanley's workshop for advice:

“

I went over to Stanley's one day and he was workin’ on one, and I just went in there to see what he was doin’ and we talked about the outside dimensions and this and that and the other. He went out in the barn and picked me out some lumber. Then I came home and started one from what we talked about. I don’t remember if I made a trip or two back over there while I was building the banjo but I suppose I did. And I don’t know whatever happened to that banjo. If I knew, I’d buy it and burn it.”

Charlie's wife Shirley is Stanley Hicks’ niece and Charlie tells the story of how she obtained one of her uncle's dulcimers:

“

A couple of years ago, I bought one of Stanley’s old dulcimers to fix up and resell to a collector in Ohio. I got it playable and my wife sat down and played a tune on it. Then she said ‘I ain't got a thing of Stanley’s and this one’s mine. You ain't sellin’ it to nobody!’ And I said, ‘Wait a minute! I’m trying to make money, not spend money.’”

• Convenient to Boone, Blowing Rock and Banner Elk • Private, freshly-stocked trout fishing access on-site • New scenic hiking trails with breathtaking vistas • Artisan-crafted homes in a secure, gated community • World-class dining, golf, tennis, fitness, recreation, dog park • Cool summers surrounded by gorgeous mountain views • A traditional private club with modern amenities

Ask About Hound Ears’ 2016 Special Membership Initiative

One of Charlie’s favorite Stanley Hicks stories is about a Stanley Hicks banjo:

“

He was gettin’ pretty scarce on hides so he skinned an old sow groundhog. When he took the belly off that old sow and put it on his banjo, it turned out that places where she had nursed her young was on each side of the bridge. It made some good little bumps stickin’ up.

When the woman he made the banjo for came to get it, she looked at it and said ‘What's them?’ Stanley said, ‘Oh, that’s sound tubes. They’ll make the banjo sound better.’ And it wasn’t long before people up there started askin’ about gettin’ banjos with sound tubes.” 

houndears.com/membership • 828.963.2137 info@houndears.com • located just south of Boone June 2016

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Welcome Back

Summer Dining Guide

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PLACES TO DINE THIS SUMMER

䌀栀攀琀漀氀愀 刀攀猀漀爀琀 愀琀 䈀氀漀眀椀渀最 刀漀挀欀

It’s the height of the summer dining season in the High Country, and there’s no better time to enjoy a casual lunch, a relaxing brunch or a romantic dinner. For your culinary inspiration, you’ll find dozens of fine establishments in the following pages.

BANNER ELK CAFÉ banner elk. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Great food, ranging from eggs benedict to big, juicy burgers.

For the healthy and weight conscience we offer grilled mahi and chicken sandwiches, salad bar, and homemade daily specials. Dinner nightly offering: Ribs, Steaks, Fish and always fresh and creative specials! n 828.898-4040. www.bannerelkcafe.com.

See ad on page 80

BOONE BAGELRY BOONE. Boone’s oldest bagel shop locally owned and operated since 1988, serves 14 types of freshly baked bagels and a wide variety of menu items including vegetarian and gluten free.

Boone Bagelry is a full-service restaurant that serves breakfast and lunch all day. We are conveniently located on King Street in downtown Boone with patio dining available. Delivery service available. Support local. Taste local. Enjoy local. n 828.262-5585. www.boonebagelry.com. See ad on page 82

匀甀洀洀攀爀 䔀瘀攀渀琀猀 圀攀搀渀攀猀搀愀礀猀 ⴀ 匀琀攀愀欀 漀渀 琀栀攀 䰀愀欀攀 吀栀甀爀猀搀愀礀猀 ⴀ 䴀甀猀椀挀 ☀ 伀礀猀琀攀爀 一椀最栀琀 昀攀愀琀甀爀椀渀最 吀栀攀 䰀甀挀欀礀 匀琀爀椀欀攀猀 䘀爀椀搀愀礀猀 ⴀ 䈀漀渀ǻ爀攀 一椀最栀琀 眀椀琀栀 匀ᤠ洀漀爀攀猀Ⰰ 䰀椀瘀攀 䴀甀猀椀挀 ☀ 䐀爀椀渀欀 匀瀀攀挀椀愀氀猀

Canyons Blowing Rock. Located just off of the scenic, winding highway 321 in Blowing Rock, this historic restaurant and bar is well known all over the High Country for its spectacular and breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, its scrumptious southwestern choices and unique takes on classic American food or dishes. All dishes on the menu are freshly prepared in house with the finest ingredients available. Canyons in Blowing Rock regularly

㠀㈀㠀⸀㈀㤀㔀⸀㔀㔀 㔀 簀 挀栀攀琀漀氀愀⸀挀漀洀 June 2016

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offers a wide variety of seasonally fresh items, so ask about the fantastic nightly specials in addition to the daily menu selections. Every Sunday, enjoy a delicious brunch accompanied by live jazz music. Canyons also offers a diverse selection of domestic and imported wines and a large selection of beers chosen to complement the items on the menu. Just ask a member of the friendly staff for a recommendation, or try something new. n 828-295-7661. www.CanyonsBR.com.

See ad on page 76

CASA RUSTICA

E N J O Y L O C A L Q U A L I T Y, F L AV O R & F R E S H N E S S Since 1981 we have pledged an ongoing commitment to serve local farm fresh foods and support our beloved community. We are honored to call the High Country our home.

www.CRCateringCo.com | 828.406.7721 www.CasaRustica1981.com | 828.262.5128

FAIRWAY CAFE & VENUE

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BOONE. Conveniently located right off of Highway 105, Casa Rustica offers some of the finest Northern ItalianAmerican cuisine in the High Country accentuated by a cozy, fireside atmosphere. Dishes on the menu from the crisp salads to the scrumptious pastas are adapted from old family recipes that have been handed down for generations.

The chefs and owners at Casa Rustica FAIRWAY are also committed to offering local & ofbeef in their cuisine and CAFE proudly fer homestyle meals madeVENUE with love and meticulous care. Casa Rustica’s extensive wine list is updated every 30 days to include interesting vintages and new organics for guests to try. Enjoy live jazz every Thursday night and classical guitar every Sunday. The restaurant also features a full bar and fantastic drink selections to delight even the pickiest patron. n 828-262-5128. www.casarustica1981.com. See ad on page 76

CHESTNUT GRILLE AT GREEN PARK INN BLOWING ROCK. Taking local and sustainable to new heights, the Chestnut Grille restaurant maintains its own 1/3 acre garden on site, which supplies the kitchen with a variety of fresh vegetables and herbs throughout the summer and fall seasons. We offer contemporary American fare that’s unique, yet familiar, in a warm, and casual setting. Vegetarian,

vegan and gluten free guests will find the menu, and our chef very accommodating. We offer an extensive and thoughtful wine list along with a selection of seasonal and local craft beers. Located just inside the Green Park Inn. Listed on the National Historic Register. Patio dining is offered seasonally.

Live piano music in our lobby Friday and Saturday nights, year round, and live music on the Veranda, seasonally. n 828-414-9230. www.greenparkinn.com. See ad on page 79

C.R. Catering boone. C.R. Catering Co. is Casa Rustica Restaurant’s sister company. We are pleased to offer the High Country’s finest gourmet catering for events on and off site. We provide fresh, distinctive food and quality service for each and every event. We are happy to accommodate dietary restrictions, and regularly prepare vegetarian, gluten-free, and vegan meals. North Carolina’s freshest seafood and the finest locally grown vegetables appear regularly on our custom designed catering menus. Want a family favorite included in your menu? No problem! We can customize any item for your special event. Need the perfect space to accommodate your catering needs? We can serve 25 to 150 guests on-site with ease. Give us a call. n 828-406-7721. www.CRCateringCo.com. See ad on page 76

DIVIDE TAVERN & RESTAURANT BLOWING ROCK. Located in the lobby of the Historic Green Park Inn, the Divide Tavern sits directly astride the Eastern Continental Divide. Long a gathering place for Captains of Industry, Heads of State, and celebrities from authors to actors, the Tavern offers unique pub fare, as well as chef designed pub classics. Experience a less formal dining alternative while still enjoying delicious fare, all set in the ambiance of a bygone era. Local, craft and draft beers, seasonal and specialty cocktails offer guests a tempting twist alongside classic cocktails. We also offer an impressive selection of wine by the glass, or the bottle. Enjoy live Sunday music on the veranda (seasonally) and live piano in the lobby Friday and Saturday nights, year round. n 825414.9230. www.greenparkinn.com. See ad on page 79

Six Pence

Restaurant & Pub A Taste of England here in Blowing Rock

Featuring British & American Fare

Inside Our Dining Room or Outside on our Beautiful Patio

Dining: Sunday - Thursday , 11:30 am - 10:30 pm Friday and Saturday until Midnight

Full Bar (open until 2am)

20 Beers on Draught focused on Imports and Micro Brews

Courteous and Friendly Staff

EAT CROW BANNER ELK. Eat Crow is a wonderful little cafe specializing in fresh baked, delicious goods including a large variety of baked pies and cakes. These delectables are offered by the slice, or you have the option to order a whole one to take home and enjoy. We also offer fresh made sandwiches at lunch time that can not be compared to any other “sandwich shop” in the area. Since we know life can be very hectic, for your convenience we prepare whole meals and fresh soups daily that are ready for you to take home and heat up for your family.

These entrees vary daily. We are always creating something delicious! All sandwiches are served on farmhouse or whole wheat bread. Choices of sides include fresh fruit, firecracker

828.295.3155 } } 1121 Main Street, Blowing Rock, N.C. June 2016

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EAT CROW EAT PIE

EAT CAKE

EAT PIE

EAT CAKE EAT PIE EAT CAKE

Delicious Sandwiches

coleslaw or chips. We are open Tuesday - Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and are located near Foscoe on Hwy. 105 between Boone and Banner Elk. n 828-963-8228. See ad on page 78

The Eseeola Lodge

(Served on our homemade bread)

Pies • Cakes Shepherd’s Pie Steak & Ale Pie Chicken Pot Pie English Specialties

Catering

Serving Dinner Twice Monthly Call or Check our Website for Dates & Menu

828.963.8228 www.eatcrownc.com

Fabulous British Chef/Owner

Dominic& Meryle Geraghty

Open Tuesday - Saturday 10am-4:30pm 9872 Hwy. 105 S. in Foscoe Serving Lunch until 3:00

linville. Guests enjoy breakfast and dinner daily as part of their accommodations package, but all High Country visitors are welcome to enjoy the finest cuisine. Spend a leisurely morning with us, or grab a quick bite on your way out for the day.

Either way, an outstanding breakfast awaits you each morning in our dining room. Then enjoy lunch at the Grill Room in the Linville Golf Club, where resort casual wear is appropriate for daytime meals. For the evening meal, select your choice of seven meticulously prepared entrees crafted

by Chef Patrick Maisonhaute at the helm of your culinary experience. The menu changes daily, and also offers an extraordinary seafood buffet every Thursday evening with seatings at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Reservations are required, and gentlemen are required to wear a coat for the evening meal. n 800-742-6717. www.eseeola.com.

See ad on page 81

fairway cafe & venue boone. Not just for golfers! The Fairway café is located at the Boone Golf Course with a beautiful view of the course with an inside dining room or outdoor FAIRWAY patio seating. The CAFE & public is welcome VENUE to come enjoy the local fare. The menu is extensive with an array of salad selections, a half of dozen sandwich choices, hot dogs anyway you like them and hamburgers from the classic to the fancy. The spacious indoor area features a beautiful 32 foot handcrafted maple bar. Our venue is also perfect for any of life’s memorable moments. Ideal for cocktail parties, fundraisers, wedding events and anniversary parties. The Fairway Venue features clean minimal lines, stunning floor-to-ceiling windows, and views of 78

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the beautiful North Carolina Mountains. We have full ABC permits and can seat about 100 inside and roughly 40 on the outside patio. Looking to accommodate even more? A tent can be set up if needed. Come check us out! n 828-264-0233. www.CRCateringCo.com. See ad on page 76

F.A.R.M. CAFÉ boone. In May 2012, F.A.R.M. Cafe opened its doors with our mission to build a healthy and inclusive community by providing high quality & delicious meals produced from local sources, served in a restaurant Feed All Regardless of Means where everybody REAL. GOOD. FOOD. eats, regardless of means. Our meals are nutritious and delicious! Some meals include items with meat, some are vegetarian and/ or vegan. Our menu changes daily and is served by our volunteers and staff. F.A.R.M. Cafe tries to have something for everybody each day, so we also always have gluten free and dairy free items. Our daily menu can be viewed at www.farmcafe.org/menu or on Facebook or Twitter. We are located in beautiful Downtown Boone. n 828-386.1000. www.farmcafe.org.

See ad on page 81

Gamekeeper Blowing Rock. You haven’t fully experienced the region until you’ve dined at The Gamekeeper. It’s a true gourmet restaurant, with the perfect blend of upscale elegance and simple mountain charm. The Gamekeeper is famous for Southern favorites - ultimate in comfort food - prepared with creativity and originality, offered through an evolving seasonal menu that blends the traditional with the exotic, satisfying both the meat lover and the vegetarian.

Housed in a 1950s stone cottage, The Gamekeeper is an upscale restaurant that offers an eclectic mix of Southern foods and mountain cuisine, offering a selection of unique meat dishes including mountain trout, buffalo rib eye, ostrich, duck and beef tenderloin.

The friendly staff literally waits on

you hand and foot, assuring that you’ll leave happy and satisfied. The restaurant is located off Shulls Mill Road near Yonahlossee Resort. n 828-963-7400. www.Gamekeeper-NC.com. See ad on page 80

THE LOCAL BOONE. a place to enjoy a fresh meal, crafted in-house from local High Country ingredients. Serving traditional southern favorites, she-crab soup and shrimp & grits, as well as grassfed beef burgers, specialty sandwiches, unique tacos, wood-fired flatbreads & pizzas, quinoa bowls, steaks, seafood and plenty of gluten-free and vegan choices. The Local also features 20 taps, serving mostly local and regional beers, as well as national favorites. At The Local you can enjoy drinks & appetizers while relaxing on comfortable leather couches in the lounge, play a game of billiards, or watch your favorite sports event on large flat screen TVs. The Local is also the place to be for Live music performances on Friday and Saturday nights. Experience Local. Open Daily 11am. Sunday Brunch 11am-4pm. n 828-266-2179. www.TheLocalBoone. com. See ad on page 83

menchies frozen yogurt Boone. Self-serve frozen yogurt with over 100 rotating flavors and more than 70 rotating toppings! After making your perfect mix, the yogurt is weighed and paid for by the ounce. Menchie’s uses only high quality frozen yogurt and offers non-fat, low carb, nondairy, no sugar added, and gluten-free soft serve options. Celebrate a special Birthday at Menchies! We offer three party packages full of fun & smiles. n 828-386-1765. See ad on page 81

CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN Patio Dining Available

New Seasonal Menu Including Garlic-Herb Shrimp .......................15

Crispy Braised Pork........................13

Grilled Lamb Chop ........................24

Local Trout ....................................18

White Stone Grits, Grilled Asparagus, Lemon Grass Sauce

Slow braised pork shoulder, Roasted Carrots with Carmalized Red Onion and Bacon Jus

Mushroom-Parmesan Risotto and Fig Jus

Stuffed with Cornbread and Crab, Crispy Yukon Potatoes, Wilted Spinach, Parmesan, Chimichurri

Chicken Fettuccini ..........................14

New York Strip ...............................26

Roasted Chicken, House made Fettuccini Pasta in a Pepper Cashew Sauce with Spinach

Whipped Yukon Potatoes, Grilled Cipollini Onions, Red Wine-Honey Reduction

Latin Spiced Braised Short Rib ......17

Grilled Teriyaki Salmon .................16

Mashed Yukon Potatoes, Crispy Shallots, Red Wine Beef Jus

Edamame and Yellow Corn Succotash

Red Onion Café Boone. Established in 1985 as one of the classic restaurants in Boone NC, the Red Onion Café opens daily at 11am and serves continuously to hungry guests well into the evening. The Red

Under New Culinary Management

Wednesday Wine Down 50% Off All Wine Bottles

MuSiC oN THe VeRaNda eVeRY SuNdaY FRoM 5 - 8 PM www.greenparkinn.com | 828.414.9230 9329 Valley Boulevard, Blowing Rock June 2016

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WE’RE SERIOUS ABOUT GOOD GRUB AAA FOUR DIAMOND RATING TEN YEARS RUNNING

restaurant

bar

& CATERED EVENTS

BOONE, NC • (828) 963-7400 RESERVATIONS RECOMMENDED

O U T D O O R D I N I N G • B A R / L O U N G E • C AT E R I N G • P R I VAT E F U N C T I O N S

“Ca s

Entertainment

ily ”

The Banner Elk Cafe

g for the Whole Dinin Fam l a u Live

The Best Place for FOOD, FUN, & FRIENDS in the Heart of Banner Elk.

12

$

00 Large Two Topping Pizza expires August 31, 2016

The Lodge Pizzeria & Espresso Bar

Fresh Roasted Coffees and Espresso • 828-898-3444 Smoothie & Frappe Bar & Vitamin Supplements Muffins, Bagels Pastries & Breads Deli Subs & Sandwiches • Salads & Pastas Gourmet Pizza & Calzones

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Live Music This Summer!

6:00 PM – 10:00 PM FRIDAY, JUNE 10 • The Kimmels SAT, JUNE 11 • Sound Traveler FRIDAY, JUNE 17 • Westwind SAT, JUNE 18 • Sound Traveler FRIDAY, JUNE 24 • The Kimmels SAT, JUNE 25 • Tom Pillion FRIDAY, JULY 1 • Westwind SAT, JULY 2 • Joseph Houck & Jeff Martin FRIDAY, JULY 8 • Blue Murrow SAT, JULY 9 • Sound Traveler FRIDAY, JULY 15 • Sound Traveler

828-898-4040

Open 7am Everyday Serving Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Daily Check our website at: www.bannerelkcafe.com for entertainment schedule and current promotions.

Onion Café has created its niche in the High Country for more than 30 years by offering customers a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere and an extensive menu at affordable prices. The café has something for every member of the family, including burgers, sandwiches, wraps, pizza, pasta, fish, steak and delicious homemade desserts.

Look for weekly dinner specials and the kid’s menu items as well. The Red Onion Café also offers several of the region’s top beer and wines to compliment any meal as well as friendly staff on hand to assist with your choices from the extensive menu. The outside patio is perfect for a comfortable outdoor lunch or for a cozy dinner on warm evenings. n 828-264-5470. www.theredonioncafe.com. See ad on page 83

A Summer Tradition…

…that never grows old.

six pence pub Blowing rock. In 2001 Six Pence opened in Blowing Rock, North Carolina and has been a Blowing Rock staple for visitors and residents alike ever since. Known all over the High Country for establishing itself as a fine Restaurant & Pub example of British fare, the friendly staff, delicious food and extensive beer and wine selection make this local watering hole a local favorite. From traditional British favorites like Shepherd’s Pie and fish and chips to American-style burgers, house made soups and salads, this eatery and bar alleviates everyone’s hunger pains and provides a unique dining experience right on beautiful Main Street. Who knew that one could find such exceptional British cuisine in the heart of the High Country? The pub now proudly features a new patio so guests can choose to sit outside and enjoy their meals and enjoy the beautiful views of Main Street. Or step inside to the air conditioned interior to beat the heat this summer season. n 828-2953155. www.sixpencepub.com. See ad on page 77

Six Pence

Speckled Trout Café Blowing Rock. When you come to Blowing Rock, David Bartlett’s look around, see SPECKLED & Oyster the sights, do some Bar TROUT Always Fresh Seafood CAFE shopping, then

Locally Sourced, Farm-Fresh Cuisine

Call Today For Reservations: 828-733-4311 www.Eseeola.com

Thursday Night Seafood Buffet Superb Selection of Fine Wines, Craft Beers and Cocktails

Bring in this ad for 20% off your cup

menchies frozen yogurt

Feed All Regardless of Means REAL. GOOD. FOOD. “Wall Street Journal Says It’s a ‘Must-Stop’ ”

Trip Advisor Review

The F.A.R.M. Cafe is revolutionary and delicious!

$3.00 Mondays Double Discount Tuesdays

Yelp Review

1/2 Price Kids 13 & Under Wednesdays 1760 blowing rock road boone, nc 28607 828.386.1765 (Across from Lowes)

tripadvisor

R

617 W. King St., Boone 828.386.1000 Monday - Friday 11:00 am until 2:00 pm www.farmcafe.org June 2016

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HouRs: Mon. - sat. 6:00am - 5:00pm sun. 7:00am - 3:00pm

Boone’s Original Bagel Shop Since 1988 Serving Breakfast and Lunch All Day 14 Varieties of Freshly Baked Bagels

Featuring Boone Bagelry Bagels Espresso Coffee Bar serving Bald Guy Coffee Gourmet Lunch Menu

Vegetarian & Gluten Free Options Available

Breakfast Served All Day

Featuring Deli Sandwiches, Fresh Salads, Home made Flavored Cream Cheeses, Omelettes, Pancakes, French Toast, Burgers, Gyro

• FREE DELIVERY! • Home of the Famous Bagelicious Old dOwntOwn lOCatiOn

516 West King St. • 262-5585 www.boonebagelry.com

Check Out Our Menu Online at: bbwaterwheelcafe.com HouRs: Mon - sat. 6:00 am - 3:00 pm sun. 7:00 am - 3:00 pm

Free Delivery!

at the 105 waterwheel

125 Graduate Lane • 262-1600 www.bbwaterwheelcafe.com

Chef and Owner David Bartlett Is Celebrating Over 30 Years In Blowing Rock

It’s Always Trout Season In Blowing Rock!

Kyle Wilcox and David Bartlett

World Famous for His Trout Dishes Prepared 5 Different Ways With A Wide Variety of Made Fresh Daily Side Dishes

Serving Lunch & Dinner 7 Days a Week 82

David Bartlett’s

SPECKLED TROUT CAFE

High Country Magazine

& Oyster Bar

June 2016

SERVING A VARIETY OF FRESH SEAFOOD, LOCAL MOUNTAIN TROUT… Served 5 different ways, SARA’S AS WELL AS ANGUS THESEBEEF, SPECIALITIES BABY BACK Paul Tate Filet Mignon • Sara’s BabyRIBS Back Ribs Fresh Gulf Oysters & Shrimp • Seafood We also have Dishes And, of Course, Much More!

Breakfast Buffet

on Weekends...

Enjoy Our Air-Conditioned Dining Room All you can eat or Our COVERED Patio

9am-Noon • $7.95

At the Corner of Main St and Hwy 221 • 295-9819 • On Facebook

MAIN STREET BLOWING ROCK, NC

SPECKLED Open for Dinner TROUT 5:00-9:00 & Oyster Bar

come down the quaint downtown street until you reach the corner of Main and Highway 221. It’s on this corner that you will find the Speckled Trout Cafe and Oyster Bar. Since 1986, the Speckled Trout Cafe & Oyster Bar has been pleasing both locals and visitors every evening with its exquisite choices for dinner. The house specialty is smoked rainbow trout which is fished from local waters, but the extensive menu covers everything from terrestrial meat choices like steak and ribs to fresh seafood and so much more. The Speckled Trout is also pleased to be serving lunch for patrons to enjoy either inside the restaurant or for easy take out for a picnic on the Parkway. The restaurant also proudly features a beautiful outdoor patio overlooking Main Street for guests to enjoy their meals in the beautiful outdoors as well as an airconditioned interior to beat the heat this summer season. n 828-295-9819. www.speckledtroutcafe.com. See ad on page 82

timberlake’S RESTAURANT AT CHETOLA RESORT BLOWING ROCK. On July 28, 2012, Chetola officially opened Timberlake’s Restaurant in the historical building, with a menu inspired by worldrenowned North Carolina artist and designer Bob Timberlake’s culinary favorites. The restaurant features three dining rooms, an intimate wine room and waterfront dining on the Patio. The charming and warmly outfitted Headwaters Pub is just inside Timberlake’s main entrance. Bob Timberlake, who is known for creating things of exceptional artistry and imagination, used his deeply rooted love of food as the impetus behind the distinctive menu. From Mesquite-dusted shrimp and salads of mountain-grown spinach, to Carolina-raised trout and roasted Carolina quail, each dish will be one worth savoring. A mouth-watering array of brick-oven pizzas, tender Angus beef filets, seafood, poultry, and an inspired selection of health and wellness dishes will also tempt palates of all tastes. n 828-295-5505. www. chetola.com. See ad on page 75

vidalia Boone. Centrally located on King Street in downtown Boone, Vidalia is a casual, upscale restaurant featuring “creative American cuisine.” Featuring creative menu items for lunch and dinner, it offers daily specials, various events, wine tastings and special nights.

Famous menu items include the apple and gorgonzola salad, shrimp and grits, chicken and waffles and mushroom ravioli, with finishing choices like stone ground grits and cheddar mac n’ cheese. All of these choices come to you from the culinary mind of Chef Samuel Ratchford, who also owns the restaurant with his wife Alyce. Taking pride in the local community, the restaurant is proud to offer various local ingredients and choices to patrons who are looking to try local fare. Vidalia holds all ABC permits and has an extensive wine list which routinely features over 60 different wines which can be expertly paired with meals by the staff, a large selection of craft beers, martinis, whiskeys, scotches and cordials. Vidalia’s menu changes twice a year to keep it seasonal and practices farm-to-table food, using local vendors as much as possible. n 828-263-9176. www.vidaliaofboone.com. See ad on page 78

Over 32 Years in Boone!

Casual sophistiCation

water wheel café BOONE. Welcome to the Water Wheel Café, featuring Boone Bagelry bagels.

Find us on Highway 105 in Boone – just look for the monumental Water Wheel in our parking lot! We are locally owned and operated our location offers a lodge-like feel with an impressive rock fireplace, a spacious open floor plan, and cozy booth seating. Our Culinary Team developed The Water Wheel Cafe menu to feature many of the Original classics we are known for, as well as new and exciting menu items that will win you over. We also offer a coffee bar with Espresso drinks. We look forward to serving you. n 828262-1600. www.bbwaterwheelcafe. com. See ad on page 82

Cajun ChiCken FettuCini • pesto • ChiCken Fajitas wrap southwestern wrap • Chinese ChiCken salad • lasagna low CountrY salMon • ChiCken pesto pizza tusCan red pepper ChiCken BourBon glazed Center Cut riBeYe artiChoke dip with toasted garliC FrenCh Bread soup & quiChe oF the daY...

Outdoor Covered Patio Dining 227 Hardin Street in Boone

We have Wi-Fi!

828/264.5470 theredonioncafe.com

serVing lunCh & dinner June 2016

seVen daYs a week High Country Magazine

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Faith Like Ray

Changing the World One Stop at a Time

R

By Jessica Isaacs

S

ome people simply make the world a better place. With kinds hearts, open minds, relentless optimism and smiles for days, these special people boast an incredible capacity to love and care for everyone they meet.

The light in their eyes and the joy in their souls give us hope when we’re weary, lift us up when we’re down, inspire us to delight in life’s little moments and remind us just how far a little kindness can go.

Here in the Blue Ridge Mountains, we’re particularly blessed to enjoy the company of many such people thanks to the regional overlap that brings together matchless Southern hospitality and the humble courtesy of smalltown Appalachia.

This is the story of one particular man, a western North Carolina native, who has been spreading unstoppable cheer throughout the High Country for the past four decades from behind the wheel of his UPS truck.

He’s a friendly man, a funny man, a family man, a godly man. Like a lot of folks who share his ebullient spirit, he puts a smile on the face of every person he sees in a day’s time. Unlike most of them, however, he’s driven more than 100 miles a day every day for the past 40 years.

That kind of traveling means he’s shared his joy with so many people in these hills that he couldn’t count them even if he wanted to, and there’s no telling how many of those hearts have passed the light onto someone else.

If you’ve lived in the area for some time, there’s a good chance he’s delivered something right to your door, and you’ve likely heard him say, “I hope it’s your best day ever, until tomorrow.”

If you ask him, though, he won’t take credit for the happiness he incites, and he’ll always give the glory to God. Now, after many years and even more miles, he’s ready to hang up his hat as a driver and explore what the Lord has in store for his retirement.

Life On The Farm Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

(Proverbs 22) Dallas Ray Joplin, known as “Ray J” around these parts, was born into a large family in Hudson, North Carolina. Raised up on love, hard work and faith, he and his twin sister, Alice Faye, were among 12 siblings who grew up on the family farm.

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Photo by Peter Morris Implementing a handheld device that stores delivery information, a package recipient offers a signature for UPS driver Ray Joplin. percent of people I know don’t know that.

I’ve been called ‘Ray J’ since the first grade,” he said. “I had a fantastic mom and dad.

My mom was a very hard, hard worker.

Can you imagine raising 12 kids? Cooking for 12? Washing and doing all that work?

My dad worked hard, too, in furniture, and he was faithful in what he did.”

His parents, Jacob Terrell Joplin and Violet Ruth Stone, instilled in their children a strong work ethic and a great love for Jesus.

“I always say my momma was a rollin’ stone,” he said with a laugh. “They were heroes to me, and they still are. I couldn’t ask for more. They were faithful, loving and kind. My mom always told me I was the huggin’est thing and the lovin’est thing. I was a happy child.”

Life was much different for Ray and his siblings than it is for most kids today, but he wouldn’t have had it any other way.

“Growing up, I had a great time. On the farm, there’s always something to do. I had to work for it, though. We raised our own beef, our own pork, had our own chickens,” Joplin recalled. “I always thought we had a garden big enough to feed the county and I always wondered why it was so big, but it was to feed us all year long. Even though I didn’t really have anything like the toys kids have now, I ate like a king.”

With eight brothers and three sisters, there were always plenty of folks to keep him company on the Joplin family farm.

They played any and every sport they could think of, although he did have a few favorites, and teammates were never in short supply.

“Being nine of us boys, we had our own ball team. We could play anytime we wanted to, and my twin sister was very athletic, also. She was just as good as any of us,” he said. “If it was baseball season, we were playing baseball. Sometimes we’d play softball, but there was no such thing as slow pitch and it was all fast pitch. We played football during football season and basketball during basketball season.”

Harris Chapel Baptist Church was and still is walking distance from the family property, and it was always a home away from home for the Joplin kids.

“We lived within eyesight of the church. We’d walk through the fields and be the first ones there,” he said. “We were

at church probably five times a week, and we’d meet there to play ball on Saturdays after our work was done and on Sunday after church.”

He didn’t just love sports; he was good at playing them, too. Athletics came easy to this bright and competitive young guy, and he was later offered both wrestling and football scholarships from Appalachian State University in Boone.

“Being one of 12, I didn’t know if I could actually go to college; but, the principal called me out of my classroom and into his office one day and said, ‘Hey, let’s ride to the mountains.’ He loved wrestling and went to every match, and I was good at it,” he said. “So I thought, ‘Sure, I’m

The brothers of the Joplin family are shown with their father, Jacob Terrell Joplin.

Pictured (from left) are Larry, Johnny, Dwight, Jacob, Harold, Sammy, James, Maynard, Ray and David.

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gettin’ out of class.’ Steve Gabriel was the financial aid person at the time, plus he was the wrestling coach and the one that offered the scholarship to me.

“We saw the wrestling team and some of them had muscles where I didn’t even know you could put muscles,” he laughed. “Here I am, an old dry bone country boy. I thought, ‘How could that guy weigh less than I do? He’s nothing but muscles.’ They wanted to beef me up, which I was worried about. They were gonna give me a double meal ticket to wrestle and play football, and I was worried about that, too.”

While the sports he played and the mountains he loved remained near and dear to his heart, he ultimately found it best to attend the nearby community college, where he was closer to family. While in school, Joplin picked up a part-time job loading trucks at the United Parcel Service in Lenoir — the beginning of what would become a celebrated lifelong career.

Amazing Grace In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.

Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me. 3 Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress. (Psalm 71) Like many people do, Joplin for years called himself a Christian before he knew what it really meant. He loved his church, he never missed a sermon and he thought he knew Jesus.

“I grew up in church, but I didn’t know the Lord until I was 21. I knew about him, but I didn’t know him personally, and there’s a big difference.

I never doubted that he existed — that he died on a cross and rose from a grave — but I never really received him as a savior. I had never asked him to be my Lord,” Joplin explained. “I was refined, but I was a dead man.

Everybody thought I was Goody Two-Shoes; but, spiritually, I was dead as a doornail.”

As life began to change for Joplin, a college student and an employee now, so did his daily routine.

“If you can believe it, when I started working at UPS, I picked up the bad habit of cussing. When I grew up, in my house, you didn’t even spell a cuss word, but I got to where I could curse as good as anybody,” he said. “Then I’d walk outside to go home and my lips would clean right up, just like Goody Two-Shoes. I was two-faced, just a dead man, and I didn’t like it.”

He enjoyed his work and he enjoyed going to school, but a curious unrest was tugging at his heart all the while.

“Even after I started driving I was still going to church. I was in a Sunday school class sitting on a concrete floor when I heard a boy tell his own testimony. That boy was meaner than a snake, but the Lord changed his heart, and I was under conviction,” said Joplin. “I said, ‘Lord, I want that. Come into my heart. I can’t promise you anything, but I want you to be my savior. I want you to be my Lord. He did that very thing, and not another cuss word ever came out.

“For the first time in my life, the Bible was real to me. It was the living book. I had been dead the whole time, but now I am alive and I can read it. That’s the reason I love the word of God — it’s a living book. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.”

With Christ in his heart and his whole life ahead of him, Joplin knew he had to share his love for the Lord with other people.

“When I asked Him to come into my heart, he gave me a light just like He said He would. He turned me inside out and it was like he just changed me instantly,” he said. “Have I been perfect since then? No, but He will not let me get away with it. He’s my savior, He’s my redeemer and He’s done everything He’s promised.”

As a saved young man, Joplin noticed a difference in his own heart. No longer did he feel like he was supposed to follow the example of Christ, but he genuinely wanted to live a more godly life.

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Joplin is pictured delivering a package on Grandfather Mountain in these photographs, which were included in a past edition of the UPS Compass Magazine. Pictured with him in front of his truck are his two sons, Justin and Jacob.

The 12 Joplin siblings celebrate a Christmas with their parents, Jacob and Violet (seated), in the 1980s. Pictured standing (from left) are David, Billie Jo, Dwight, Larry, Alice Faye, Johnny, Jean, Maynard, Harold, Sammy and Ray. 86

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Ray and his twin sister, Alice Faye, are pictured as toddlers.

Their siblings often lovingly called them “Little Fred and Ethel Mertz,” because they were reminded by the twosome of the couple next door on the television series, “I Love Lucy.”

“He changed me, and He lets me know immediately when I do something wrong.

If I fussed at anybody, like a supervisor who wasn’t fair or didn’t know what he was talking about, I’d only get one or two miles from the center before I’d have to call and apologize. That was the Lord,” he said. “I didn’t use to be that way, and I don’t think I could have made it without him the 41 years I’ve been driving. It breaks my heart when I do Him wrong, but it’s still so easy to do something wrong, and that’s why we have to guard our faith.”

His unwavering faith in Christ set Joplin on a new path, and the relationship he built with his redeemer would serve as the foundation for his life as he continued down the road.

Behind The Wheel And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

(Galatians 6) After a few years of loading trucks at UPS, Joplin was ready to get behind the wheel of his own truck. He had been 9

Ray Joplin is pictured in 1977 with his wife, Cathy, one year after they were married.

working so hard and outperforming his employees, though, and his employers weren’t sure they’d find someone who could work as hard as he did.

“First, they were not going to hire me as a driver because I was loading so many trucks that they couldn’t afford to hire me.

So I said, ‘Okay, I’ll just quit and go on up to ASU.’ But you know, that didn’t work out,” he said. “The center manager came back from New York and offered me the driving job, and I’ve been driving ever since.

“That was in 1975 when I started, and I’ve just been trying to decide this whole time whether I like it or not,” he laughed.

“It’s been 41 years of driving, 44 in all with UPS, and I have loved every moment of it.”

The new driver handled routes in Newton for a while before he was assigned as one of four drivers in the Boone area.

“I ran businesses and houses all over the place. I started in Lenoir at like Old Bolick Road, Headwaters Road, Blackberry, Rocky Knob, the ski mountain and all the roads out there, U.S. 321 between

Boone and Blowing Rock and all the roads that come off of that,” said Joplin. “I used to run N.C. 105 all the time, Poplar Grove, Shulls Mill, the old turnpike, Winklers Creek, Russ Cornett — some of those places I’ve had for the whole 40 years. I ran State Farm Road, Boone Heights, Bamboo, Deerfield, Aho, the college, the shopping centers.

“Come to think of it, I don’t know what the other guys ran — that beats the dickens out of me. It was a tremendous amount of the area, but they’ve kept slicing it off as volume has grown to make new routes and added more drivers.”

When he first started driving the High Country routes, he knew right away he’d found a place, and people, he could love with his whole heart.

“I just love the people in the mountains,” he said. “Another benefit of driving in the mountains is that I get to see two springs and two falls, ‘cause the leaves start changing at different times. It makes for a very nice summer, but a heck of a long winter.”

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Photos by Peter Morris After 40 years on the road, “Ray J” is often recognized around the High Country as the smiling UPS guy who spreads joy at every stop. Pictured here, he delivers a package to a grocery store employee at the Ingles store in Boone.

He toured the mountains from his 1,000 cubic foot package truck, and he made a new friend at every stop.

“I’ve seen people born, married and now their babies have babies. Watching people grow up, that’s been the reason I call them my family. I love them and I’m going to miss it when I retire.”

Over the past four decades, Joplin has witnessed a lot of change in and around the greater Boone area.

“The ball field used to be where the Holmes Center is now. I’d park my truck there, eat lunch and watch a ball game,” he said. “I was right on the field. I miss that ballpark.”

His job has changed in some ways over that time, too, including the switch to digital handheld devices that record data from each delivery and use GPS to help find stops.

“At first you had to write everything on paper and it had a carbon in it. You had to tear it off and then flip the page over.

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I hope it’s your best day ever, until tomorrow.

”

I knew this thing was gonna be a darlin’ when we got it, and I wanted to be the first one trained on it. But, the bible says the first shall be lat, and I was the last one to learn how to use it,” he laughed.

He’s always found joy in trekking through the mountains, and he’s spent many trips singing along to his own tunes.

“I’m not a singer, but I like to sing in my truck. You might like to say I’m a screamer.

I like to write poems and songs but I don’t know a thing about music — I can come up with a good rhythm and sometimes a good line pops into your head, and then a song comes. I’d like to get to where I can score one,” he said.

“I also write a lot of other things down.

I’ve got boxes and boxes of things written down, funny things that have happened, stashed back on a shelf. I wouldn’t even begin to know how to dig them up; didn’t have a computer back then. One of these days, I’ll go through them all.”

You know that classic tale of the postman and the not-so-friendly neighborhood dog? Ray J’s known that story a few times, too. He’s got a working theory on how to avoid territorial disputes with the canines who live on his route, however, that always seems to work.

“A guy told me once how to handle dogs and it has worked so far, knock on wood.

The only ones that get you are the sneaky ones hiding in the bushes. They come up and get you right here,” he said, pointing at his ankles. “When you know you can’t get back to the truck, just turn around, get on one knee and be as aggressive as the dog, and it will stop in its tracks. In order to try it you’ve got to be a little mad or a little bit crazy, but it tells them you’re the alpha male, whatever that means.”

Driving around the High Country in the summer months has offered some beautiful scenery, but it’s come with some an equal share of challenges in the wintertime.

“Ray’s Weather put out a calendar with all the records of snowfall and the coldest days of the year. I was looking at the records one time and I said, ‘Golly, there were very few of them that happened when I wasn’t up there,’” he said. “I remember the coldest day, I think it was in January of

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1985. I think downtown Boone at once was 29 below, and up at Grandfather it was 31 below.

“You’ve seen those movies with people working in the cold climates with a mustache of frost? It’s real. When you breathe out it would just build up on your lip if you stayed outside, and so many cars were stalled.

We helped people as much as we could.”

Despite the difficulties that come from traveling around these parts in the winter, delivering packages at Christmastime has always been one of his favorite parts of the job.

“Just the sheer volume and amount of work required for driving and delivering at Christmastime made it difficult, but I love Christmas. I don’t mind it, because your route actually becomes more dense and you get to run more of it,” he said. “It’s always tougher, but I always love it. When someone’s expecting a package and you see a kid smile, that was the best thing in the world. UPS gave that to me.”

The hard work, pressure and responsibility that come from a physically and mentally taxing job like Ray J’s may seem daunting, but he maintains that the right attitude makes all the difference.

“I have found out that every level that you work is hard at UPS. It’s demanding, not only as a driver but also as a preloader. The supervisors, it’s tough on them. The upper management, it’s tough on them,” he said.

“Working on a farm, I learned to work hard, so you just do your job. If you’re working for the Lord then you’re doing all right, and I’ve always had that attitude.

“I have had the opportunity to have fun, work hard, and I always thought, ‘at least I’m exercising.’ If you have that attitude, it works. If you have a different attitude, then it’s hard and miserable. You gotta keep your mind right, and that’s where the Lord came in for me.”

The Golden Rule Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 8 Charity never faileth. (1 Corinthians 13) There are a lot of things to love about these mountains, but Ray J’s favorite has always been the people who live here. As a true believer in the golden rule, his faith in Christ has taught him to show kindness at every corner — a practice that has allowed him to develop friendships with many of the folks on his route.

“The mountains have always been fun for me because I just love the people. That’s what the Bible says to do — Jesus said to love your neighbor as you love yourself, and to love the Lord God with all your heart,” he explained. “You don’t like it when people lie, so you’re not gonna lie.

You don’t like it when people steal, so you’re not gonna steal. You don’t like it when people are hateful to you, so you’re not gonna be hateful to them.

“You like it when they’re nice to you, so you’re nice to them, and it works. Every once in awhile, you run across people who are just grumpy sticks in the mud with some kind of attitude. All you’ve got to do is kill ‘em with kindness and, the next thing you know, you’ve got a friend.”

After four decades on the job, he’s come to hold a special place in his heart for many of the people on his route. He loves them and cares for them as if they were his own family, and he lets the light of his faith shine through at every stop he makes.

“My faith always keeps me centered and focused and behaved. I have kept on treating people the way I want to be treated. I don’t know of a single person that wants to be treated mean. Everybody likes to be treated right,” he said. “I call these my mountains and I call these my people.

Everybody up here is my family and it’s going to be tough to retire, but I’ll do a lot of visiting.”

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Hauling packages, meeting deadlines and running routes for 40 years has come with its fair share of challenges, but Ray has always met every stop with a patient spirit and a great big smile on his face. He’s pictured here unloading his truck at a shopping center along N.C. Highway 105 in Boone, which has been part of his route for many years.

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Three generations of Joplins are pictured at Thanksgiving 2014 on the family farm where Ray and his siblings were raised in Hudson, North Carolina. Ray and his wife, Cathy, are pictured with their four children, spouses and six grandchildren.

Even when packages are late and tempers run high, Joplin turns to Christ to make sure that he’s showing only compassion and care for the folks in his path.

“He makes it so easy to love people, even when they don’t believe the same as I do. When someone’s acting angry and I need grace, I just turn around and ask Him and He gives it to me. When I need courtesy of spirit, He gives me courtesy of spirit,” said Joplin. “When somebody doesn’t believe like I do, confrontation is

Ray’s grandchildren playfully tackle him on the hillside of the family property on a sunny Thanksgiving afternoon.

not the way to win a friend. It goes back to loving your neighbor as you love yourself, no matter if he believes like you or not.

Just like that little song, you let your light shine.”

Every day that he’s on the road, you’ll find a Bible sitting in the windshield, which keeps him focused on what’s important and reminds him to keep his heart open to the people he meets on a daily basis.

“That book is what I believe, regardless if people believe in it or not. I read it and

I wish I could study it and know more of it. My favorite topic is that book, because it’s my life,” he said. “I just want people to know that I have it. If they ask a question about it, then I will take them to lunch and be able to share my story and my faith. If somebody wants to argue about it, that’s when I pray for courtesy of spirit and grace. The best way to earn a friend is to love a friend.”

He’s always kept a Bible in the truck, but these days he’s using a larger print

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Several years ago, Ray poses for a picture with a pair of tires he delivered at one of his stops. Although the tires you see are actually standing in front of the truck and aren’t on it, Ray always has a good laugh at the illusion they create in this shot.

than he had 40 years ago. Some things never change, however, like his preference for the old King James Version.

“The older you become, the less you can see, so this is one of the largest prints I have and I still need those magic glasses,” he explained. “I like to quote that old King James because it’s so poetic, although I like the other ones, too. I have an app on my Kindle with different translations.”

Learning, memorizing and keeping scripture in his heart has been a cornerstone of his lifelong career with UPS, and he’s kept the Word close with every mile.

“I love that chapter 13 of 1 Corinthians: Charity suffereth long and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,” he said. “That word ‘charity’ means ‘agape,’ the love of God and the type of love that only God can give.”

Retirement Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (JOHN 14) Running routes in the High Country for most of his life has been “a long, hard ride,” but Joplin says he’s loved every minute of it. He’ll see his last day on the road in the middle of June, and he’s looking forward to what retirement will mean for him.

His plans for the future include volunteer work, travel, some home improvement projects, a little sailing and a whole lot of time with his family.

“I’ve got some work to do around this house. I’m going to build my wife a walk-in closet she can get lost in, and maybe add another bathroom and a carport,” he said. “I want to go to the beach a lot.

I like sailing. A friend of mine retired last October, too, and I got him into sailing, so now I have a sailing partner. I’ve got a Hobie Cat that I want to get new sails for — I’m gonna take that thing out on the ocean and trapeze on it. I’ve also got a 21-foot Catalina that I’m restoring.”

No matter what retirement holds, you can rest assured that Ray 1

Photo by Peter Morris Ray Joplin shows off a version of the Bible that he keeps in the windshield of his truck while making deliveries. He’s always preferred the poetic sound of “the old King James” version, but says he’s transitioned to a larger print over the years.

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“

All you’ve got to do is kill ‘m with kindness and, the next thing you know you’ve got a friend.

”

Joplin will always be out there serving the Lord.

“I want to do a lot of volunteer work and work at the church. I’m not a preacher, but if someone wants me to speak at a church, hey, I’ll speak at a church,” he said. “He gives me a message every once in awhile.

“I hope I can keep on being Ray J and I’ll have a good life.”

More than anything, he looks forward to spending time with his wife, Cathy, and their children and grandchildren.

“My wife and I have been married 40 years. The first time I seen her I said, ‘I’ll marry that girl,’ and I did. She’s my wife and she’s my sweetie,” he said. “It has been a treat for us to watch our children grow up, and now it is a treat to watch our grandchildren grow up, and I have to give the Lord all the credit.”

In his entire career at UPS, Joplin has never filed a grievance with the company, said no to his employers or turned away a chance to help someone in need.

“I can’t emphasize enough how the people up here have made it so enjoyable for me. I worked with a smile on my face and people know me by my smile. I’ve got those bags under my eyes now, and I call them smiling bags,” he said. “People around here have been wonderful, just absolutely wonderful and marvelous. I can’t complain.”

As the days continue to pass and retirement approaches, Joplin continues to lean on his mother’s favorite verse as a source of encouragement, thankfulness and hope for the future.

“Her favorite passage was John 14: ‘Let not your heart be troubled.’ Before she died, reading that would settle her down so much,” he said. “I am a Christian. I love the Lord and He has made my life enjoyable.”

Those who have had the pleasure of meeting Ray Joplin know without a doubt that he’s a man of incredible strength, relentless trust in the Lord and an overwhelmingly happy spirit.

Whatever trials we face in life, and whatever obstacles we must overcome, we can only hope to have faith like Ray. 

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On the Run with

By Allison West

Esther Erb Atkins

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G

rowing up in Richmond, Va., young Esther Atkins (formerly Erb) scurried around like your typical adolescent during the mid- to late ‘90s, a decade that now emits a whiff of nostalgia – just before HDTVs, tablets, smart phones and other assorted electronic devices trounced a vigorous game of Red Rover. As a participant in various childhood staples such as Tag, Red Light/Green Light, Hide & Seek and kid-organized foot races in her West End neighborhood, Esther was a competitor – whether it was in recreational races, the timed mile or mandatory running in gym class, always looking for an edge and a way to win. She sustained a brief stint as a track runner in 7th and 8th grades, and then went off the racing grid. It wasn’t until her junior year abroad in Germany that she embraced the sport with a new conviction, and returned to join the high school track team for the last two seasons of her senior year. The track star found her footing, so to speak, and the rest is history … as in literal-name-in-the-record-books history.

Atkins’ running career resume can make even the most determined athlete feel like a deadbeat. She was an NCAA Division III 10,000 meter champion, a six-time NCAA AllAmerican and two-time Academic All-American while competing at Case Western Reserve University, where she received a degree in music and cognitive science. She was a professional runner from 2010-2013 with ZAP Fitness, the Blowing Rock, NC-based non-profit training center for post-collegiate, Olympic hopeful distance runners. She placed 27th in the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in 2012 in Houston, where the gifted singer also performed the “National Anthem.” She won the 2014 USA Marathon Championships and qualified for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials in Los Angeles. She placed 24th in the marathon event at the 2015 World Championships in Athletics in Beijing, China.

And this past February in L.A., she placed 11th, just eight shy of securing her spot in Rio. And in September 2015, the running powerhouse shined in another milestone event: her marriage to fellow Olympic Trials qualifier Cole Atkins, a Technical Director for High Country Soccer Association whom Atkins met when she joined ZAP; Cole still runs for the program. In fall of that year, Atkins joined the cross country and distance programs at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. She currently lives in Blowing Rock with Cole and their dog Grace, a black-and-white border collie-lab mix that is Atkins’ nearly daily running companion. Below, the diminutive 5’ 4.5” redhead and accomplished long-distance runner talks about future Olympic goals, coaching young runners, training to podcasts and puking at the finish line.

Her Olympic dreams fell just short of Rio, but the marathon champion continues to put her best foot forward.

The TCM 2014 Women’s Champion crosses the finish line in signature fashion: her hands in the shape of a heart over her head, displaying her love for her fellow runners and their common goals.

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n the summer of her sophomore year in high school, Atkins planned to attend CWRU for its renowned program in Early Music Performance Practice. A cellist since age 3, as well as a gifted musician and singer, she earned both academic and music scholarships. So Atkins bounded off to Germany for a year abroad, with absolutely “no intention of running in college,” she recalls. Despite qualifying for the State’s in the 1,000 meters and winning the Region with her 4x800 team her senior year in high school, she wanted to focus solely on her music and academics in college. Cross country head coach Kathy Lanese had other plans, however, thanks to a fortuitous crossing of paths with the freshman who was on her way to a quick treadmill workout in the Veale Center. By the end of the day, Atkins had taken a physical, attended cross country practice and ignited a passion.

Photo by KEVIN MORRIS Women’s Olympic Trials

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GLOBAL RUNNING DAY - BROOKLYN HALF 2015

Are you from a family of runners?

I’m the third of three girls, all three years apart. The oldest is a teacher/writer/mom, the middle is an up-and-coming artist and house painter, and then there’s me, the runner. I was born and raised in one house in the West End of Richmond through the end of high school.

My dad trained for and ran the Richmond Marathon a few times, around the time I was born, before he hurt his knee in a ski accident.

My oldest sister was a serious runner at St. Catherine’s School (in Richmond) and my middle sister followed briefly in her footsteps. I have always been very competitive in running when I found an opportunity to be. A teacher noticed and asked me to go out for track, so I did that briefly in 7th and 8th grade. Then in high school I focused more on music and only started running during my year abroad in Germany after I had gained 20 pounds. Then I came back and joined the track team for the last two seasons of my senior year.

Have you always enjoyed running?

Actually, yes. Maybe not always in the moment, but I’m always glad I went, and I get a lot of joy out of the sense of accomplishment that comes after a run.

Was running a hobby for you or did you think you could parlay it into a college and/or professional career?

In the beginning it was a way to lose weight and a competitive outlet — entirely against myself and the clock. My goal has always been to see how good Esther Erb Atkins can be. The rest just came as a result.

I read that you were offered a scholarship to run in college when the coach saw you running on a treadmill.

Actually, my coach (Lanese) saw me running into the building. I don’t think I was going very fast or anything. I think she just recognized good mechanics and a runner’s physique. Plus, she needed runners pretty badly at that time and had no shortage of roster spots. Also — public awareness moment — the vast majority of collegiate athletes do not have athletic scholarships. And in Division III (and some Division I conferences like the Ivy Leagues), zero athletes have athletic scholarships.

This is a great point of frustration as someone who has recruited for a DI program. A lot of parents see all these kids on the team and think there must be gobs of money being poured into scholarships. The truth is that on a lot of DI programs, there are maybe nine full scholarships for an entire track and field team of up to 60 kids. Sorry for the soap box, but that is all to say that, no, I did not have an athletic scholarship, but I did have two great academic scholarships, which were a big part of the reason why I chose to go to Case!

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t the beginning of her first year at CWRU, Atkins ran a 21:49 5K, but by spring had shaved that down to 18:42. As a junior, she helped lead the Spartans to their first University Athletic Association (UAA) title, as well as their inaugural appearance in the NCAA Division III Cross 96

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Photo by Peter Morris

CAPSTONE PHOTOGRAPHY Atkins approaches the finish line at the Fifth Third River Bank Run - 25K Championships on May 14, 2016.

Country Championships in 2006, where they finished 10th in the nation. In her senior year at CWRU, Atkins captured the individual title at the UAA championship and then capped her collegiate career with a national championship in the 10,000 meters in the 2008 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships. For that race, Atkins was up against 10-time All-American Keene State College runner Jennifer Adams, who Atkins has said “was much faster than me.” Over the final four laps, three runners, including Atkins and Adams, separated from the field. In the last 50 meters, Atkins “assumed sprinting form to win”, running a final mile of 5:20 and a final lap of a ridiculous 68 seconds.

Give me a sense of what it was like to capture the NCAA title.

It’s noted that you struggled with performance anxiety up to that point in your career as a result of self-imposed high expectations.

(To answer this question, Atkins referred to a December 2015 interview in which she responded the following way:) “It was very surreal. I was not visualizing the race, just what I imagined my opponents might do. I changed my thinking by seeing my opponents as teammates instead of my competitors. I was working with my competition, not against them, and would particularly use strong UAA runners as my ‘teammates.’”

I

n the fall of her senior season at CWRU, she switched gears from track to marathon running, logging 60-80 miles a week in Austria, where as a Fulbright Scholar she had gone to teach English and sing with the highly acclaimed Arnold Schoenberg Choir. She later

returned to the country to live with cousins and train remotely with the help of well-known running coach Terrence Shea. While there she was offered the chance to compete for the Austrian National Team, but chose instead to return to the U.S. to run with ZAP. In summer 2013, Atkins was hired as assistant coach at Rider University, left ZAP and returned to being coached by Shea.

What was the transition like both mentally and physically going from a track and field runner to a marathon runner?

My approach to training in college prepared me perfectly for the marathon. I ran hard every day — very close to my eventual debut marathon pace — so it was an extremely natural transition.

It was like I finally found what I was made to do. My approach to training is much different now, and my vast variation in pace has led to much greater results at all distances, but I think that preparation was the quickest way for me to be ready to run the marathon just four months after finishing my college career.

Describe the experience of your first marathon. How have your performances changed over the years in terms of your approach and preparation?

I ran Berlin in 2008, four months after my last collegiate race.

It was amazing. The world record was set that day, so the conditions couldn’t have been more perfect. I placed 14th at a World Marathon Major in a time of 2:46:15 with half-marathon splits of 1:23:03 and 1:23:12. I vomited within seconds of crossing the line. My preparation has changed a lot, and most of that was getting a coach who knew everything about the marathon. As a private June 2016

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coach now myself, I feel like I know a lot more about it, too, and I have a ton of faith in the process. The biggest difference is that I don’t analyze everything like I used to. I just do what I’m told and check it off the list.

How did your time with ZAP Fitness coincide with taking a position at Rider University as an assistant coach?

I joined ZAP in 2010 and left ZAP in 2013 to pursue a career in coaching. The job I found at Rider just happened to be close enough to New York that I could be included in the New York Athletic Club local running club. So very quickly after quitting at ZAP, I had signed on with the NYAC and returned to working with my previous coach, Terrance Shea. The transition went really well that first fall and resulted in my first two top-10 performances at a U.S. Championship: 9th at the 20k Championships and 3rd at the Marathon Championships (in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota).

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n 2014, Atkins returned to Minnesota to capture the national title in a time of 2:34.01. This dramatic result qualified her to represent Team USA at the 2015 World Championships in Beijing. She returned to Austria for a few weeks to do her individual training, and then headed to team training camp in Japan for final preparations.

Photo by Peter Morris Atkins and the two loves of her life: husband, Cole, and their dog Grace.

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Why did you head to Austria to train before Japan? What are the factors that make both of those locations ideal for training?

The training in Austria was for practical reasons mostly — I had a family reunion in Austria at the beginning of August and only three weeks in between that and when I was to show up for training camp in Japan, so instead of traveling back home, I just stayed in a cousin’s flat and trained there in Vienna, where I had lived for the first two years out of college.

It’s an amazing place to train and I wouldn’t trade my summer trip there for anything. Japan was the U.S. training camp location due to its greater

air quality, drinking water and hospitality in general. It was really awesome to be there with so many role models in the sport!

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ollowing the World Championships, Atkins returned to Boone to marry Cole on September 26, 2015, as well as accept a position assisting the cross country and distance programs at Appalachian State University.

Then, as the 20th fastest qualifier for the most competitive Women’s Olympic Trials field in history, Atkins began preparation in January 2016 in Florida to compete on the national stage in the Olympic Trials, which were held Feb. 13 in LA. The top three would move on to Brazil to represent their country.

Atkins placed 11th.

After so much preparation and anticipation, how do you regroup to focus on future goals? Will you give the Olympics another go in two years?

My goal was to finish in the top 10, which also happens to be the number of people who make money at the Olympic Trials, so 11th was actually pretty close. And the Olympics only happen every four years.

The plan is to keep going, but anything can happen, so I’ll just take it one day at a time and make the most of it while it lasts!

What has life been like as an assistant with the cross country and distance programs at ASU? I think that helping out with college teams has enhanced my own running career in so many ways. It has provided me with a

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LEFT: Atkins laces up for a relaxing run with Cole and Grace.

Photo by Peter Morris

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greater purpose. I am a role model and a representative of something bigger than myself. And in that way, I know that my roles at Rider and ASU have had a hugely positive impact on my perspective as a professional athlete.

Speaking of athletic goals, what’s next?

I’m running Grandma’s Marathon (in Duluth, Minn.) on June 18th as somewhat of an experiment. You asked about marathon preparation above, and this is kind of a proof to see how well I can run without a traditional marathon build-up. The fact is that I am always training at a high level, but the question is whether or not running 80-90 miles per week is as good as running 95-105, and how much of an effect all those 20-plus mile long runs have on the outcome of my marathon. I feel like I have nothing to lose, so it’ll be fun for sure!

What has been your favorite marathon experience, and why?

The Boston Marathon can’t be beaten. I ran it in 2014, the year after the bombing and it was truly unforgettable. I was running solo for nearly the entire second half of the race, but I never felt alone because of all of the incredible crowd support.

Where is the most interesting place your running career has taken you?

Probably Beijing.

Do you have a bucket list race? Olympics aside, of course.

I want to run the New York City Marathon, and I’d love to be invited to run in Japan or South Korea or Australia!

Where do you train in the winter?

While I was with ZAP, and also this year, due to the timing of the Olympic Trials, I have spent the winters in Tallahassee, Florida.

While I was in New Jersey, though, I was working all winter, so I just ran on the roads. Once I got my road loops down in New Jersey, I actually loved those runs. I remember them very fondly.

What is a typical training day like for you?

I run about 10-15 miles per day on average, which comes out to anywhere from 70-110 miles per week depending on the type of training I’m doing.

With the incredible trails in our area, do you run on them or does your training dictate that you stay primarily on the roads? I know trail running is a little more forgiving on knees and hips, so can you feel the difference in your body?

Really for me it’s about footing and elevation change. I’d prefer to run on soft surface as long as the footing is good, and around here I try to keep my runs as flat as possible since flatter runs keep your heart rate more evenly elevated because you don’t run into long sections of downhill where your heart rate will fall, no matter how fast you are running. I think soft surfaces that are free of obstacles and flat or lightly rolling is the best training grounds for easy runs if your goal is to get in good solid training and stay healthy.

What type of nutrition regimen do you maintain?

I eat what my body asks for, and generally due to the high level of exercise I do, it asks for good stuff because it knows that the bad stuff doesn’t feel as good on the next run (because it isn’t as good of fuel).

That means I eat a lot of beef, rice, and veggies, fruit and snack food.

I have recently replaced my morning coffee with Cocoa Elite Recovery Protein mix, and only drink coffee before workouts and races.

What is your recovery process?

It kind of depends on the workout. Sleep is one of the biggest time-sinks of having a professional running career. Yeah, I only train about two to three hours per day, but I have to sleep and rest a lot

more than people who aren’t exercising as much or as intensely.

Plus, I think I just need more sleep than the average person anyway. After hard workouts and long runs, I’ll kick off my recovery with Cocoa Elite and Previnex’s Nourify Plus Protein within a half hour after I finish the workout. Then I’ll eat and sleep, and often my recovery also involves a secondary run, usually with the App State women’s team.

Has your degree in music and cognitive science played a role in your running career?

Music taught me about the self-discipline of individual work ethic. As a musician, you do the vast majority of your practicing alone, a lot like in running. And I continue to be fascinated by research in cognition and how it applies to athletic performance and sports psychology. I have directly applied a lot of the knowledge I’ve gained to my psychological approach to training and competing, and I am certain that it has provided me with a huge advantage. (Editor’s note: Erb Atkins sings in her church choir at St. Mary of the Hills Episcopal Church in Blowing Rock.)

I assume there is a faction of purists who think listening to music while running is not kosher, but you’ve said you have always listened to music. I do it so I don’t have to hear myself breathe. What is your motivation? And what are your favorite things to listen to on a run?

I actually listen to podcasts on the majority of my runs —“TED Radio Hour,” “Freakonomics,” “This American Life,” “WNYC RadioLab.” But for hard workouts and runs when I need to focus on the task at hand, I’ll listen to music. There’s some music that works better than others, but it’s more of a trial and error thing than one genre that I listen to. The songs are always changing.

What in your opinion makes you such a successful runner?

A lot of talent and an increasingly rational perspective, which leads to greater consistency and confidence as an athlete.

How do you stay motivated? Certainly there are days when just lacing your shoes must seem overwhelming.

You can’t put everything into running every day. It would wear you out in a matter of days. Actually the majority of the time I just call it in. I do my easy runs for completion. They are truly easy, and a lot of time it’s just knowing it needs to get done and having a good podcast to listen to that gets me out the door.

Do you prefer to train alone or with people?

I love running with people on my easy runs, but I’ve gotten really used to doing my hard workouts by myself since I’ve never had a regular training partner for hard workouts. I’d love to have female training partners for my hard workouts because I benefit tremendously from companionship with my competition during races, but for now, I really appreciate it when Cole and the App State women’s distance team can keep me company on easy runs and occasional workouts.

Running for a lot of people is a way to relax, burn off steam, enjoy some alone time. How do you relax off the road?

I still use running in that way for sure. My life is super relaxing, so really it’s just hanging out with my dog and Cole and writing blogs and training for my private coaching clients.

If you weren’t a runner, what would you be?

Well, I won’t make money from running forever, so eventually I’ll have to answer that question. I truly enjoy coaching, but I could see that going in a lot of different directions other than coaching running — life coaching, career counseling, consulting, HR. Keep up with Esther Erb Atkins via her blog at #athletebiz.us/ blog/athlete/esther-atkins/.

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Parting Shot...

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Green Park Inn Celebrates 125 Years

he summer sun has settled in for another season, and the who’s who of the American South are traveling to the Blue Ridge Mountains to escape its sweltering heat. It’s the turn of the century, and everybody who’s anybody wants to stay at the posh new resort in Blowing Rock, North Carolina.

The land through which Major General Stoneman once led his Union cavalry is now home to the Green Park Inn, where guests often rub elbows with statesmen, dignitaries and society’s elite.

Built of heart pine and American Chestnut, the stately hotel is a picture of modern luxury — electricity in every guestroom, hot and cold baths, its very own telegraph and post office, freshly drawn spring water and stewards who wait at the ring of the bell to call on your every need. Captains of industry often steal away for dinner and drinks at the grand manor resort, which is coveted by the beau monde of nearby metropolitan cities.

Jump ahead now by a century and a quarter, to an age of boundless information and a world in which technology reigns supreme. The amenities that once made the Green Park Inn a symbol of opulence and innovation now make it a destination for history buffs and travelers who dream of yesteryear.

Its halls keep the stories of people who’ve walked them over the decades, and its past boasts visits from many notable guests, including presidents, national business leaders and Hollywood stars. Herbert Hoover, Eleanor Roosevelt, Margaret Mitchell, 104

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Calvin Coolidge and John D. Rockefeller are among the guests it can claim, along with the infamous Annie Oakley, who offered sharpshooting lessons on the grounds in the 1920s.

Now known as the Legendary Grand Dame of the High Country, it is the last of the grand manor hotels in western North Carolina and is a member of the Historic Hotels of America.

Two brothers from New York, Eugene and Steven Irace, purchased the hotel in 2010 and have since invested greatly in preserving and restoring its grandeur. The inn remains an integral part of the High Country’s cultural identity, and, thanks to the Irace brothers, it will continue to tell the stories of the past for years to come.

This summer, the Green Park Inn will celebrate the 125th anniversary of the day it first opened in June of 1891.

Descendants of the original developers will be among the special guests invited to the anniversary gala on June 25, and a number of seats have been reserved that are open to the public.

A lottery will determine who gets to join the festivities, so call or go online today to put your name in the hat. Call 828-414-9230 or visit www.greenparkinn.com/celebrate for more information on the gala.

Make plans to visit the Grand Dame this summer and experience this treasured piece of North Carolina history for yourself.

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