High Country Magazine December 2019

Volume 15 • Issue 3 December 2019

Merry Christmas

“Pappy, We moved! Are you really sure Santa Bear will find our new den?

December 2019

High Country Magazine

A

CELEBRATING 40 YEARS!

DIANNE DA V ANT &ASSOCIATES Margaret Handley,

ASID

Dianne Davant Moffitt, ASID Pamela McKay, ASID Priscilla Hyatt Councill,

Banner Elk, North Carolina 828.963.7500 Stuart, Florida 772.781.1400 davant-interiors.com B

High Country Magazine

December 2019

ASID

PEACE ...of mind for our customers for over 115 years.

Happy Holidays from our family to yours.

336.770.1000 piedmontfederal.bank December 2019

High Country Magazine

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High Country Magazine

Linville, North Carolina | PremierSothebysRealty.com | ID: 213822

For your entertaining plans Your home is more than a building or an address. It’s where you experience life, connection, and growth.

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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.

December 2019

High Country Magazine

3

C O N T E N T S

64 30 17

Avery County High School Reaches Milestone

It has been a half-century since Avery County High School first opened its doors. This story details the consolidation of three high schools and the longstanding history of ACHS.

30

Melissa Reaves Remembers Her Musical Roots

Longtime Boone resident Melissa Reaves shares her fondest memories from her early musical career and her experiences in music today.

40

50 Years of Sugar Mountain Resort

A look back at how things used to be at Sugar Mountain and some of the major improvements and investments to Southern Skiing throughout its rich history.

50 “Southern Snow” is Back on Bookshelves

Randy Johnson, who wrote the first edition of

58 40

“Southern Snow” 33 years ago, has updated his classic book with even more info on the Southern Ski Industry.

58

A Tribute to Rachel Deal

Crossnore’s very own Rachel Deal has dedicated years of her life to volunteering and improving the lives of people and our furry friends.

64

Brookside Presbyterian Church Celebrates Christmas Eve Tradition

For the 27th year, Brookside Presbyterian Church will be holding their annual Christmas Eve service for the Boone community.

70

Sunset Drive Open for Business

50

Sunset Drive in Blowing Rock has had many businesses along the street for over a century.

The road recently got a major upgrade with new asphalt and sidewalks.

Painting by Peg Carino

on the cover

A

note from the artist.....

Hi folks! Another year has passed and time to see what that crazy Bear family is up to. First, I want to again thank the High Country readers that inquire about the Bear family throughout the year. They are still so very grateful and quite proud of themselves. The family has grown and have moved to a brand new and larger den on Grandfather Mountain. They have long wanted to be under his watchful eye. So, it is with pleasure that the 2019 Christmas cover is in honor of our beloved Grandfather and those who have always been in constant watch over him. Nothing has changed. The Bears are still up to as much fun as ever on the night before Christmas at “The 2019 Holiday Highland Games At Grandfather Mountain.” As we wish you another very Beary Christmas, you can now email the Bear Family at hcmbearfamily@gmail.com anytime you like and text me at 828-260-9399.

With sincere thanks, Peg Carino The Artful Gourmet Fine Art & Whimsical Creations

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High Country Magazine

December 2019

READER SERVICES ABOUT US

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

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

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

ADVERTISING & MARKETING

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

BACK ISSUES

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

PHOTOGRAPHY

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

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 December 2019

High Country Magazine

5

FRO M T HE PUB L ISH ER

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

Taking a Look Back

I

Ken Ketchie

n just a few weeks we’ll be saying goodbye to another decade as 2020 comes rolling in. We’ve blown through the first two decades of the 21st Century, and now the teens and the single-digit years give way to the 20s.

I think the history books will remember the start to the 21st Century as an amazing time with the advancement of the Internet taking center stage, and all the changes the World Wide Web has brought to our lives. It’s already getting to the point where it’s hard to remember what the world was like without the Internet. In 20 short years the “then and now” is quite remarkable. Just think, 20 years ago the answering machine was still the best way to get a message, social media meant having to go out to connect with people, newspapers was where you got your news and there was something new called a mobile phone that was about the size of a brick.

Then there was this guy named Jeff Bezos who was named Time Magazine Person of the Year because he dreamed up this idea of selling books online.

In this issue, we are going to take you back even further – 50 years for a couple of events that happened here in the High Country. 1969 has been in the news a lot this year as we’ve been reminded it was 50 years ago that man first set foot on the moon and some 400,000 people showed up for a music festival called Woodstock.

President Richard Nixon had been elected and was trying to figure out how to get the U.S. out of the Vietnam War amid nationwide anti-war protests. A new TV show called “The Brady Bunch” premiered on ABC Television and the Beatles would have their last public concert on the roof of Apple records. Back then, gasoline only cost 32 cents a gallon.

Here in the High Country in 1969, Avery County had just gone through the controversial process of consolidating their three community high schools into one central school whose first graduating class would be in 1969. Our lead-off story takes us back to that time when this brand new high school replaced the smaller community schools whose identity had made up those communities. The sports rivalries between the schools were immense and class sizes were so small everyone knew each other. 1969 would be the year that all of that disappeared.

This issue also features Sugar Mountain Resort that opened for business in 1969.

It came about as Southern skiing was beginning to make a name for itself as Appalachian Ski Mtn., Seven Devils and Beech Mountain had already been open for a number of years. Sugar Mountain had all the flash and excitement of those exciting years when Southern skiing was brand new and people flocked to the new resorts to see what all the buzz all about.

We hope you enjoy our last issue of 2019. We’ll be back in 2020 with more! We would like to wish you a Happy New Year!

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High Country Magazine

December 2019

Advertising Director Jeffrey Green Contributing Writers Nathan Ham Jan Todd Sherrie Norris Tim Gardner Joe Johnson

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

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

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

by High Country Press. All Rights Reserved.

WE SUPPORT

SHOP LOCAL

December 2019

High Country Magazine

7

Calendarof Events DECEMBER 2019

6

Festival of Trees, Chetola Resort, chetola.com Christmas Tree Lighting, Jones House, Downtown

6

Holiday Stroll, Downtown Blowing Rock,

5-8

6-28 6-8 6, 8

7

Boone, joneshouse.org blowingrock.com

Tweetsie Christmas, Blowing Rock

(Fridays and Saturdays Only), tweetsie.com

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

A Banner Elk Christmas, Ensemble Stage,

ensemblestage.com

Burton Riglet Park Tour, Appalachian Ski Mtn., appskimtn.com

BLOWING ROCK WINTERFEST, polar plunge

National Winter Trails Day, Sugar Mountain, skisugar.com Septuagenarian (70 and Older) Party, Sugar Mountain,

6

appskimtn.com

7

13-15

Santa at Sugar, Sugar Mtn., skisugar.com Sugarfest, 50th Anniversary Celebration, Sugar Mtn.,

11

Boone Christmas Parade, King Street, Boone,

13

A Banner Elk Christmas, Ensemble Stage,

17

Holiday Cookie Party, Beech Mtn.,

23-26

WinterFest, Downtown Blowing Rock,

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

Arbor/SPY Shred for the Cup Big Air,

7-8

Anniversary Weekend, Appalachian Ski Mtn.,

7-24

14

20-22

22

24

25

24-31

skisugar.com

wxploreboone.com

ensemblestage.com

beechmountainresort.com

appskimtn.com

26

skisugar.com

Winterfest Beer Festival 2020, Beech Mtn.,

beechmountainresortcom

High Country Junior Race Series, Sugar Mtn.,

skisugar.com

K2 Pop This! High Ollie Contest,

Appalachian Ski Mtn., appskimtn.com blowingrockwinterfest.com

Appalachian Ski Mtn., appskimtn.com

Midnight Blast Holiday Nights, Appalachian Ski Mtn.,

February 2020

S’mores and Pours, Beech Mtn.,

1

7

The Schaefer Center Presents: Trinity Irish Dance Company, theschaefercenter.org Krispy Kreme Donut and Beer Pairing, Beech Mtn.,

7

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

7

Same As It Ever Was (Talking Heads Tribute) Beech

9

Volcom/Oakley Shred for the Cup Slopestyle Finals,

22 25

The Schaefer Center Presents: Lyle Lovett & his Acoustic Group, theschaefercenter.org The Schaefer Center Presents: Trampled by Turtles,

appskimtn.com

30

31

31

Family Night, Beech Mtn., beechmountainresort.com New Year’s Eve Celebration, Beech Mtn.,

31

New Year’s Eve Extravaganza,

31

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

beechmountainresort.com

beechmountainresort.com

Appalachian Ski Mtn., appskimtn.com

january 2020

8

JANUARY 23-26

5

Smith Shred for the Cup Rail Jam,

5

Smith Shred for the Cup Rail Jam,

20-23

Appalachian Ski Mtn., appskimtn.com Appalachian Ski Mtn., appskimtn.com

High Country Magazine

December 2019

beechmountainresort.com appskimtn.com

Mtn., beechmountainresort.com

Appalachian Ski Mtn., appskimtn.com14-1

theschaefercenter.org

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

DON’T FORGET

EVENTS

Christmas at Tweetsie Celebrate the holiday season as Tweetsie Railroad transforms into a winter wonderland for Tweetsie Christmas! Enjoy a nighttime train ride among thousands of dazzling lights, meet Santa in his Gingerbread House, larger than life snowglobes to play in, a live Christmas show, and more!

Tickets are for a specific date and train ride time. A limited number of guests are admitted nightly, so advance tickets are strongly recommended. Tweetsie Christmas provides plenty of opportunities to make some great memories with your friends and family.

Weekends Thu Dec.

Lyle Lovett at the Schaefer Center

GIFT GIVING MADE EASY! 30% DISCOUNT ON ANY THREE OR MORE DAVINES RETAIL HAIRCARE PRODUCTS. 30% OFF GIFT CERTIFICATES OF $100 OR MORE. VALID THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2019

174 S DEPOT STREET 828.262.3324 haircut101.com

A singer, composer and actor, Lyle Lovett has broadened the definition of American music in a career that spans 14 albums. Coupled with his gift for storytelling, the Texas-based musician fuses elements of country, swing, jazz, folk, gospel and blues in a convention-defying manner that breaks down barriers. He’s bringing all of that to his performance at the Schaefer Center in February. Tickets for this performance can be bought online or over the phone at 800-841-2787 or 828-2624046. Students and faculty/staff can receive discounted tickets. You won’t want to miss this legend’s performance!

Feb. 1st

December 2019

High Country Magazine

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mountain

echoes

Daniel Boone Parkway Bypass Back on the Drawing Board

R

esidents of Watauga County will soon be reminded of how big the effects of growth can be on a community as the North Carolina Department of Transportation plan for a $291 million dollar bypass around Boone has been approved.

The approval of the parkway is the latest step in a lengthy decisionmaking process that has been off and on since the early 1990s.

This project was designed as a solution to help alleviate traffic issues in the downtown area after a number of proposals for other highway extensions were shut down throughout the years.

The original proposal to create a bypass around Boone was introduced to the public in 1991 and again in 2000. Details of the project have been fluid over the last two decades due to overwhelming backlash from residents, but the most recent revision has been approved to cover more than 10 miles at a cost of $291.3 million.

In its current form, the Daniel Boone Parkway would serve as a bypass connecting U.S Highway 321/421 west of Boone to U.S Highway 421 east of Boone. It would arc south of town with right-of-way acquisitions to begin in 2028 and construction starting in 2029.

It has had a controversial history since discussions began in 1991. According to news stories by the Mountain Times, things got particularly interesting in 2000. At a meeting held in September of that year, a presentation was given to Boone residents from the NCDOT providing statistics of key roads over capacity levels.

Of the notable statistics presented in 2000, Blowing Rock Road from King Street to NC Highway 105 was listed at 26-50 percent over capacity, Blowing Rock Road from the intersection with NC Hwy. 105 to the south end of town was 51-100 percent over capacity and NC Hwy. 105 from Blowing Rock Road to the 105 Bypass was 51-100 percent over capacity. Furthermore, U.S. 421/ King Street from Perkinsville to west of town was more than 100 percent over capacity.

Community Task Force Chair Mike Hall said in September of 2000 that those numbers showed the urgency to look into the problem, but progress halted due to serious pushback from the community and the Boone Town Council.

A month later in October, the Community Task Force held a meeting to hear from members of the public. A very vocal crowd, ranging from lifelong Boone residents to Appalachian State professors, questioned the need for the bypass and its potential negative impacts.

Public sentiments at a third meeting, held in December 2000, 10

High Country Magazine

December 2019

Proposed Bypass Route in Blue

echoed these same concerns, including what a bypass would do to the quality of life in Boone. They cited loss of mountain views, environmental concerns and the displacing of people’s homes.

The NCDOT Transportation Task Force released a set of answers in December 2000 to a number of the concerns voiced during earlier meetings that year. The bulk of the questions aimed at the DOT then were regarding the proposed path going through residential areas and right-of-way acquisitions.

“Due to the difficulty of building a road through or over a mountain, highways in mountainous areas often impact houses and farmland,” NCDOT stated. “Every effort will be made to minimize impacts to residences, business and natural resources.”

The DOT Task Force also responded to why the bypass needed to go south of Boone, as it did not see a feasible route north of downtown due to Howard’s Knob and other terrain constraints that could negatively impact undisturbed habitat. The DOT said its position was that “enhancements can be added to the project to make it aesthetically desirable and in line with the historic character of the area.”

In 2000, the Community Task Force estimated it could take between eight and 10 years to get a project such as this funded and on the transportation agency’s improvement plan.

DOT Engineer Mike Pettyjohn, told the High Country Press that the agency conducted data and measured local support in 2008 to determine whether the project should be included in the DOT’s State Transportation Improvement Plan. After the draft for the plan was released in 2019, Pettyjohn said the DOT will then begin the process of selecting an engineering firm for the project.

The NCDOT Board of Transportation approved its State Transportation Improvement Plan for 2020-2029 in September 2019, which saw the Daniel Boone Parkway get an official green light, nearly 30 years after being introduced to the public.

By Julie Estep

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659 Clubhouse Dr Unit H-1: Beautiful end-unit condo with plenty of space for the whole family!

Both the master bedroom and living room open up to the generous deck that is great for enjoying the stunning mountain views.

Tricia Holloway +1 561-202-5003

514 Raven Ridge Rd: Gorgeous, well-maintained home in the Elk River Club. This 4BR, 4 BA, 5,673 sq. ft. home features a considerable amount of deck space to enjoy the impressive long-range views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

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27 Cardinal Ct: This property is low on the mountain in Elk River Club and enjoys expansive Rhododendron gardens. With an open floor plan, this 4BR, 4.1BA home allows for one-level living and great entertaining spaces.

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603 Elk Knob Dr Unit D-2: Beautiful, rustic 3BR/3.1BA ]VQ\ _Q\P IV WXMV ߩWWZ XTIV [XIKQW][ ZWWU[ IVL ample deck space. Expansive windows and sliding doors bring the outdoors in and allow for maximum enjoyment of the views.

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167 Chestnut Tr: Beautiful 4BR, 4.1BA home is located on over 3-acres in the Elk River Club. Enjoy breathtaking views of Beech Mountain from every room on the main level.

415 Summit Park Dr: Beautiful estate residence on top of the summit at Elk River Club. This home features high, breathtaking views, and is situated on 7.88 acres for a private mountain getaway.

659 Clubhouse Unit J-2: Wonderfully updated townhome with 4BR, 3BA, and an oversized 2-car garage. Easy to live on the main floor, with bonus space in the finished lower level.

Tricia Holloway

Tricia Holloway

599 Summit Park Dr: Built on the highest ridge in the Elk River Club, this incredible mountain home features a modern floorplan. Home includes a large kitchen, and a screened-in porch with a stone fireplace.

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©2019 Engel & Völkers. All rights reserved. Each brokerage independently owned and operated. Engel & Völkers and its independent License Partners are Equal Opportunity Employers and fully support the principles of the Fair Housing Act. December 2019 Hig

h Country Magazine

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mountain

echoes

Beech Mountain Invites Folks Up for a Tour of their Light Displays

S

ince 1981 the Town of Beech Mountain has come together with businesses and volunteers to light up Eastern America’s highest town with winter and holiday lights that stretch along the Beech Mountain Parkway. The path runs one and half miles from the top of the mountain near the Beech Chamber and Town Hall offices, down the road to the entrance of the Beech Mountain Ski Resort. To keep this seasonal custom, perhaps no other individual is more responsible for these designs across a 1.5-mile stretch of Beech Mountain than Susie Knepka, who has been doing contracted decoration work for the Town of Beech since 2011.

Fred Pfohl, owner of Fred’s General Mercantile Store on Beech discussed how Susie has taken on a supervisory role, saying, “Beech Mountain has been doing lights around street corners since we became a town in 1981. In the beginning there were a bunch of us trying to figure out who would be able to make sure all the lights were out and working.

Things started to work out much better when Susie came on the scene. She makes sure to go out and add pieces that tie everything together like the decorative sleighs. And she still does her special lights on street corners and all over town. We’ve enjoyed the creations that Susie has got started, and we’ve kinda turned it over to her. She’s carried it off further than any of us ever could! It’s been getting bigger and better every year.”

When talking a little about the seasonal process, Susie begins by admitting first, “Fall is my favorite time of the year for sure.

But my most adventurous projects come during the winter because it requires climbing 40 and fifty feet high trees to put lights around them.”

For this upcoming winter season, Susie estimates, “Well, we’ve done this for so long and we used to keep track of numbers, so its hard to say now, but its thousands and thousands of lights.”

This year, a newer feature Knepka is excited bout introducing is the addition of “LED Starburst” lights, and newly added decorations to spaces like Parkway Overlook.

“Over the seasons, the lights have grown and grown,” Knepka continued. “I do primarily white lights, but some are cool white, warm white, and some of a jewel toned LED which adds a different dimensional lights and I think turns it a little elegant. This year, I stated laying out cords around early October for about 6 weeks straight. After that is maintenance, and running around to replace burnt out lights, checking timers, making sure I have enough extension cords. It’s just continuously keeping it up! We aren’t laid out like a town, so to speak, and so people come up and don’t know what to expect, but get pleasantly surprised seeing lights or something in sight to appreciate every time you come around a corner.”

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High Country Magazine

December 2019

Mayor of Beech Mountain, Renee Castiglione is a fan of her work, “Susie is a gem on Beech Mountain and everyone just loves her. The way she does flowers throughout the spring, summer, and fall, and the decorations she does during winter; we’re so lucky to have her,” said Castiglione. “We all dread the day when she decides she needs to retire because that’s going to be a sad day on Beech Mountain. She’s irreplaceable.”

Those such as, Kate Gavenus, Director of Tourism and Economic Development have valued the effect Susie has had on the aesthetic, and in a similar vein, identity of Beech Mountain in connection with the surrounding seasons. She has gone on to talk about Susie’s contributions and her plans for the wintertime, mentioning, “She is going to be doing some more decorating in key areas around town, but she runs lights pretty much all the way down the Parkway to the resort.” Gavenus continued, “This year we’re featuring a new giant ornament, ‘Old Man Winter,’ which will be blowing snowflakes across the road near Fred’s. Last year we featured a huge new feature, a giant Christmas tree ornament that the TDA and Town purchased. It is made of a spectacular array of white lights where guests can stand inside the ornament and have their pictures taken.” She continued, “We actually counted for a couple of weeks last year the number folks visiting the ornament and it got to be over 600 groups of people.”

While the TDA along with the Town of Beech Mountain have partnered together to fit-the-bill for a winter-themed locale, Director Gavenus shared, “Susie weighs in heavily on what it is she wants the town to look like every year because she’s the one who keeps our theme going. We don’t want it to be real commercial, but we do want to have something that catches someone’s eye, and she’s excellent at tying our whole town together.”

The lighted decorations stayed up through the winter season, so the folks of Beech Mountain hope High Country residents will find an evening to visit their town this winter.

By Colby Gable

December 2019

High Country Magazine

13

mountain

echoes

Winter Forecast

Winning Woolly Worm Predicts a somewhat, Milder Winter Wild Worm Will happened to be the winning woolly worm at the 42nd Annual Woolly Worm Festival in Banner Elk. The winning worm, raced by Leslee Brown of Wilmington, is predicting a somewhat mild winter with only three weeks of below average temperatures (27 degrees is the winter average for Avery County) and three weeks with a snowfall of over an inch of snow.

The predictions are based on the color of each segment of the worm. Black segments represent below average temperatures and snow, dark brown represents below average temperatures, light brown represents above average temperatures and fleck (mix of black and brown) represents below average temperatures with a frost or light snow.

This year, Wild Worm Will is predicting the first two weeks of winter to have below average temperatures with over an inch of snow then two weeks of below average temperatures with a light snow or frost. The fifth week of winter is predicted to have below average temperatures with at least one inch of snow, followed by two weeks of above average temperatures, four weeks of average temperatures, one week of below average temperatures and light snow/frost and two weeks of above average temperatures to wrap up winter.

2019-20 Woolly Worm Prediction 13 Segments = 13 Weeks

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

Below average temperatures with snow Below average temperatures with snow Below average temperatures with snow/frost Below average temperatures with snow/frost Below average temperatures with snow Above average temperatures Above average temperatures Average temperatures Average temperatures Average temperatures Below average temperatures with snow/frost Above average temperatures Above average temperatures

High Country Magazine

December 2019

Ray’s Weather Predicts average winter temps Ray Russell’s Fearless Winter Forecast for 2019-20 predicts that Boone will see approximately 33 inches of snow, which is 10 percent less than the average long-term snow total. The forecast also predicts temperatures will be near the seasonal average and that the bulk of the winter precipitation will fall from mid-November to the end of January. Winter is predicted to be milder by late February and into March.

As always, Russell advises readers to not put too much stock into long-range forecasts and that this prediction just so happens to be their scientific rationale based on historic trends and current weather models.

Taking a look at this year’s prediction, the meteorologists at RaysWeather.com studied the current El Nino/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) trends and climate change data.

The current data suggest that the ENSO trend is currently neutral and will remain that way through the winter, meaning no extreme El Nino conditions (warmerthan-average surface water temperatures in the Equatorial Pacific) and no extreme La Nina conditions (cooler-thanaverage surface water temperatures in the Equatorial Pacific). This likely trends toward an average snowfall amount for the High Country.

When taking climate change into account, the data provided in the forecast shows that snowfall accumulation has taken a dip since the 1980s.

The 2019-20 Fearless Winter Forecast can be found at www.RaysWeather.com.

Ray’s 2019-20 Forecasted Snow Totals City Expected Total Snow/Ice Asheville: 12 inches Banner Elk: 39 inches Beech Mountain: 78 inches Boone: 33 inches Galax: 18 inches Hickory: 5 inches Jefferson/West Jefferson: 19 inches Sparta: 18 inches Spruce Pine: 19 inches Sugar Mountain: 78 inches Wilkesboro/North Wilkesboro: 7 inches Wytheville: 20 inches

by

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December 2019

High Country Magazine

15

T hen & Now

Avery

High

School at 50 Years

By Tim Gardner

I

n the mid-to-late 1960s, the Avery County School System in particular, and all of Avery county in general, was faced with the high school consolidation issue. And that raised many issues as communities wrestled with the pros and cons of a one, county wide high school.

Local communities identify themselves with their school. Many times, it’s the focal point of such. And consolidation normally involves smaller townships losing a school.

While saving money in consolidating schools is a pro, the overall loss of the school becomes a con. For community residents, the closing of the school they attended in the name of consolidation can be considered a negative and parents often want their children to attend the same small school they did.

They fear their children will be lost in the large consolidated school, and some contend they won’t be able to aptly identify with the new school and maybe not be as well-educated.

Proponents of school consolidation use the quality of education as a selling point.

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High Country Magazine

Avery County High School was officially dedicated on August 4, 1968.

The school grounds contained 34 and-one-half acres.

When three smaller schools like the old Avery County High Schools of Crossnore, Cranberry and Newland consolidate into a larger and single one, the newly-consolidated school can offer more courses and hire more diverse faculty members with teaching expertise in specialized areas, thus allowing the school to offer them in curriculum. This would include advanced classes in mathematics and science, and other areas of study such as drama, arts and various foreign languages.

School consolidation either fixes budget shortfalls and creates good schools or can severely harm a sense of community and negatively impact local economies. The ability to save money is another huge selling point for schools considering consolidation. When schools consolidate, unused school buildings can be sold, torn down or used for other purposes, and utility and maintenance costs are reduced. Transportation costs can also be reduced as fewer school

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buses will be needed to cover longer routes.

Some of the money saved as a result of consolidation is a result of cutting jobs. Smalltown schools are often one of the largest employers in the town, and when a school closes it can have a horrid financial effect on a community. School workers who are laid off will face much stiffer competition for those same positions in the consolidated school and face a good chance of not getting hired. But as is explained later in this article, a great majority of employees from Crossnore, Cranberry and Newland High Schools transferred to Avery County High to work — most in the same positions they had at the former. Some in educational leadership roles have revealed that the money spent on schools is partially returned to the local community as school employees spend a lot of their salaries at local businesses; by closing smaller schools, consolidation takes that money out of the small-town community.

That has consistently proved to be true in Avery after the consolidation.

Despite the debates and (sometimes bit-

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Old Crossnore, Cranberry and Newland High Schools

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losed following the 1967-68 school year with the consolidation to a new county-wide high school in Avery County were Cranberry, Newland and Crossnore High Schools.

Each had its own unique and distinctive qualities which provided an identity that set it apart from the others. Each was founded in the early 1920s, but according to research none remained open for the 50-year milestone that Avery High has obtained.

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Newland High School

ewland High was located in the county seat. Its nickname was the Indians and its colors were blue and white. Students from the town and around its immediate region attended the school. Avery County County Commission Chairperson and Newland High graduate Martha Jaynes Hicks remembers it as a place of friendship and family. “The teachers at Newland High were all local and they took us kids in and treated us like we were their own children.

They didn’t treat us any different. We all still stay in touch, too, as we have a special affection for one another,” Hicks said. The Newland alums, old friends, teachers and students alike sing their old school song in unison when they get together, which goes like this: “There the bond of friendship strengthens, there’s where duty charms. We’ll grow close to alma mater, trust in her guiding arms.” Although Newland High (like Crossnore High) has long been demolished, its “Old Rock” Gymnasium still stands and is considered a county landmark. It houses the Avery County Parks and Recreation Department and Tommy Burleson Court.

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Crossnore High School

rossnore High’s nickname was the Highlanders and its school colors were orange, black and white. It served students from its immediate area, the Pineola and Jonas Ridge sections, plus many in the far southern end of the county. “I really enjoyed attending Crossnore High,” Roger Carpenter, a member of the Class of 1965 declared. “I have many fond memories from there and it gives a special feeling when I get to visit with my old high school classmates.” One facet about Crossnore that was different from Cranberry and Newland High Schools was that a number of its students were housed on campus—some of whom lived there as their parents couldn’t afford to take care of them. At a recent Crossnore High Reunion, a roll call of others revealed seven former students in attendance who attended school there, but did not become an alumnus because they did not officially graduate. A motion was made and passed to adopt the seven students into the Crossnore class of their projected graduation year.

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ter) opposition in Avery County to closing Crossnore, Cranberry and Newland High Schools and having a new, single county-wide high school, Avery County High came into fruition, then soon-after became one of the county’s focal points. And now, 50 years later, just like Crossnore, Cranberry and Newland High Schools, it stands as a sterling example of the best in education — both academically and athletically.

Tommy Burleson (Class of 1970), perhaps Avery High’s most famous alumnus, who will be detailed further in this story, offered these glowing comments about the school: “I was fortunate as was so many others to have the privilege of attending Avery County High School. It has helped many not only become better educated, but become better people, better contributors to society and better in their chosen professions.”

Avery County High School, home of the Vikings and whose school colors are red, black and white (both as chosen by a student committee when the school was formed), is located 10 minutes west of Grandfather Mountain, near Newland, the county’s seat. It’s home to students in grades 9 through 12. Avery High is approximately 15 miles from Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, and 30 miles from Appalachian State University in Boone.

The Start of a New County-Wide High School

Avery County High School was officially dedicated on August 4, 1968. The school grounds contained 34 and-one-half acres and cost $23,000.

An option on the land was obtained in January 1964 with the consent of the Avery County Board of Commissioners. It was purchased in the spring of 1965, following approval of the state-wide school bond issue the preceding November.

After the local school bond passed in July, 1965, architects Coffey and Annas of Lenoir, NC, were called in to draw plans for the new school.

Leatherman Clearing and Grading Company of Vale, NC won the grading bid and excavated the site in late 1965. Bids on the school building itself were opened on March 16, 1966.

Costs of the school building’s construction came from: State Bond-$298,997.17; County Bond-$900,000.00; and Appalachia Grant $268,634.00. Grants for the new school were received from the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation ($30,000.00) to equip the library and Crossnore School, Inc. ($10,000.00) for science equipment.

The contractors were McKnight, of Augusta, GA, General; Electric Wiring Company, Inc. of Hickory, NC, electrical; Rogers Plumbing & Heating Company, Inc. of Asheville, NC, plumb-

1969 Pictures From The 1969 Year Book

Michael Martin Lacey

Lana Sharon Buchanan

John Blackburn

Donna Andrews

1969 Salutatorian

1969 Valedictorian

Mr. Avery County High

Miss Avery County High

Robert Boyd Tate Captain Basketball Team

Student Council Mr. Roderick Hall (Sponsor), Marsha Carpenter, Mitch McKnight, Judy Greene, Chuck Stafford, Bobby Crenshaw, Tommy Suddereth, Sidney Wise, Dan Vance, Phillip Pritchard, Jerry Wise, Susie Lewis, Gail Bare, Norma Jean Clark, Pam Hughes, Robin Brooks, Rachel Shook, Edwina Young, Kathy Hughes, Terri Weatherly, Ann Tate, Jean Mitchell, Mary Ellen Estep, Freida Hartley, Dixie Miller, Sherry Brooks, Pam Ellis, Jim Anderson, Jock Ollis, Greg Holden, Tom Evaul.

Gregory Brian Holden Governors School

First Homecoming Court

Karen Elizabeth Kistler

Jane Platt, Bobby Jennings, Sharon Carpenter, Mike Mathis, Jean English, Gary Edwards, Susie Pittman, Brad Blalock, Judy Greene, A.D. Ollis, Connie Buchanan, Claude Cuthbertson, Dawn Dellinger, Greg Holden, Jean Mitchell, Mike Townsend (not pictured)

President, National Honor Society

Varsity Cheerleaders Brenda Kay Wiseman Homecoming Queen

Captain Anne Tate, Thelma McClellan, Bettie McGuire, Sara Cuthbertson, Susan Platt, Mary Louise Moldenhauer, Debbie Flowers, Debbie Oaks

Richard Bracey was hired by the Avery County Board of Education as Avery High’s first principal. He served ten years in the post (1968-1978).

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Cranberry High School

ranberry High School’s nickname was the Wildcats and its colors were green and white. Students from that community as well as those from Banner Elk, Elk Park and down the US Highway 19-E-Toe River corridor to the Plumtree and Speer communities attended it. And the school is still going strong through the Cranberrian Corporation, a local nonprofit, which owns and manages the property at the old high school site.

Those facilities have been continuously renovated to try to achieve the classrooms’ original state after falling into disrepair following the school’s closure. Old Cranberry High currently hosts a variety of community events, including weekly bingo and group festivities which the Corporation makes available. The corporation paid $150,000 for the property in the 1980s and began hosting various events in the area during the decade. A large volume of volunteers have donated numerous hours each year to keep old Cranberry High going strong. A recent current tax value of the property was listed at $636,400. The corporation depends heavily on its successful bingo nights to generate income to fund its efforts. For more information about Historic Cranberry High School, visit its Facebook page.

The old Cranberry High School Building as it looks today. The Cranberrian Corporation owns and manages the property and the facilities have been continuously renovated to try to achieve the classrooms’ original state after falling into disrepair following the school’s closure.

Avery High Reunion October 26, 2019 20

ing; and Moser Plumbing, of Asheville, heating.

When originally built, the school included 119,000 square feet of floor space. The school then had 38 classrooms, a band rehearsal room, music rooms, vocational shops, four science laboratories and a gymnasium with a 2,300-person seating capacity.

It’s often said the more things change, the more they stay the same. A local illustration of that can be found in Avery County High School. During its 50 years, the school has undergone numerous changes over the decades including fluctuating student enrollment numbers and curriculum additions. Despite that, the importance of a solid education there has never changed.

Avery High’s first principal was Richard Bracey and its current one is Phillip Little.

Richard Bracey was a graduate of the University of North Carolina who moved to Avery County to be principal of its new consolidated high school after serving as principal at West Montgomery High in Mount Gilead, NC and before that at Laurel Hill School in Scotland County, NC, which consisted of students in grades one through twelve. Bracey’s son, Bill, a graduate of Avery High’s Class of 1971 recalled the transition of his father becoming Avery High’s inaugural principal.

“My father had worked in those school systems down in the far Southeastern part of the state for a longtime and felt he had accomplished all he wanted in both,” Bill Bracey shared.

“However, he still wanted to keep working in education, but desired a change in where. He didn’t want to move really far away and he loved mountains. So, when he found out about a new high school principal’s opening in Avery County, he applied for the job. He was fortunate enough to be granted an interview by the Avery County Board of Education members and was hired.

“It was somewhat odd that while almost all of the new Avery High’s teachers and other employees were previously in the same roles at either Crossnore, Cranberry or Newland High Schools, the Board of Education hired a principal for the new

On October 26 this fall over 50 people attended the First Annual Avery County High School Reunion in the high school’s gym.

The event was organized by a new group called the ACHS Alumni Association, led by Danica Goodman and Phillip Greene, The purpose of the reunion was to invite all classes from the past 50 years from Avery High to get together for a social event. Danica Goodman commented on this year’s event, “There was much excitement and everyone was engrossed in conversation as they shared memories. We had an amazing time!” Plans are to hold the second reunion next year on the Saturday after homecoming and continue the event into the future.

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This recent picture of Avery County High School, its ongoing new construction additions and renovations to old facilities, many of its sports and other facilities and the majestic mountains it sits beneath was made from a drone’s view. consolidated school from outside the county with no previous connections to the county or its school system. But I think the Board of Education members wanted to make sure they got the most qualified person to be the chief executive officer of the new high school.

And with my father being an outsider with his educational background coming here to join teachers, administrators and other faculty who had spent much of their careers in the Avery School System, it was a win-win situation of sorts. This is because my father brought new, fresh ideas and a new presence to complement the faculty base who had already been in the school system.”

Bill Bracey said his father spent many hours in preparation for his job interview and then after he was hired, for the opening of Avery County’s new high school. “Once he applied for the Avery High opening, my father began studying and trying to learn all he could about the county and its school system,” Bill Bracey said. “He wanted to make a positive impression with the school board members about his knowledge of the county and its educational history. Then, once he was hired and our family moved to Avery County, one of the first things he did was get yearbooks from the last years of Crossnore, Cranberry and Newland High Schools. He did that so he could learn the names and faces of the students who had been juniors, sophomores and freshmen at those schools. He studied those names and faces for many hours. And on the 22

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first day of the new Avery High, my father went out to where the school buses unloaded students for classes and he called at least half of them by name when they went past him into the school. They had stunned looks on their faces, like how does this new principal

Bill Bracey, son of Avery High’s first Principal, Richard Bracey, is a 1971 graduate of the school. know me when he’s never met me before. But I think that pleased them and was beneficial to the new school getting off to a good start.”

Bracey added that his father was generally pleased with how his tenure at Avery High turned out. “While there’s always ups-anddowns and a principal is not always going to please every student, faculty member, parent or others associated with a school, my father

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was grateful that he had the chance to work at Avery High, actually end his professional career there and live in the county for many years after his retirement,” Bill Bracey noted.

“But he was more pleased with how things went at the school during his tenure as there were minimal problems and many people seemed to be excited about the direction the school was headed. Perhaps his top accomplishment as principal was getting the county’s dropout rate, which was around 50 percent right before the high schools were consolidated down to approximately 25 percent, or cut in half, in just three or four years.

He worked hard to cut the dropout rate and make students want to remain in school and get their diplomas.

“There were some county residents and others who had graduated from Crossnore, Cranberry and Newland High Schools who were opposed to the high school consolidation. But I believe most of the students who would be attending the new school were generally excited about it. And they helped it get off to a good start with their enthusiasm and pride about being a Viking.”

Current Principal Speaks of 50-Year Milestone and His Philosophies for A Prosperous High School

Little served as an assistant principal at Northwood High School in Chatham County, and at Southeast Randolph Middle School in

2019 Pictures From November 20, 2019

Avery High’s gymnasium is one of the largest of any school in the region.

The Avery High cafeteria is known for the delicious meals served there.

Avery High’s Library contains thousands of books and educational materials.

One of the classrooms in Avery High’s pod-constructed building.

Phillip Little is in his second year as principal at Avery High.

He is regarded by his fellow-educators for his sound leadership and the innovative philosophies he provides to students, faculty and other employees as the school’s Chief Executive Officer.

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Avery County High School has always had a distinctive physical appearance and it will be enhanced even further with this spiffy main entrance as part of the 56,468 square-foot additions and 19,974-square-foot renovations project that is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2020.

Randolph County, NC before becoming employed by the Avery School System. But he was already familiar with Avery County and the North Carolina High Country as he graduated from Appalachian State University in Boone and did his teaching internship at ACHS. According to Avery Board of Education officials, Little was hired in the Avery Schools System because he is very strong in instructional areas, is student oriented and a good team builder.

Celebrating the school’s golden anniversary, he said the milestone is significant to the history of the school, as this served as a demonstration of commitment, perseverance and resilience.

“It means the school has overcome all the challenges of the years and galvanized the support of students, parents, staff – past and present – as well as the community in order to reach this achievement,” Little noted, then said: “How do we get our students to achieve, and then how do we sustain that? As principal, you always want to listen and learn. The reason things are the way they are is because they work, so you don’t ever come into a situation and change things without understanding the culture, the people here and the needs of the school. I worked hard to find out all I could

about all three and I’m pleased with how well Avery High is educating our students and preparing them for life after they graduate.”

Beaming with pride, the principal then stated: “Over the last six decades, not only have we expanded physically, but we have assumed our place in society as intellectual leaders and shapers of education that well-match any school in the area, state or nationally in my estimation.”

Little added that Avery County High School is built on the concepts of a collective commitment and an inherent belief in partnership. “The significance of our 50th is much bigger than any one of us individually; it is about our collective commitment.”

Various Alumni Return to Avery High Faculty Posts as School Has Tremendous Academics Growth

Many alumni have returned to Avery High as faculty and staff. Former teacher, assistant principal and principal Pat Edwards and teachers Hank Williams and Missy Poteat are a few examples.

Many other graduates have become politicians, researchers, military officers, business owners and model citizens in the Avery Coun-

ty community and around the world. Current Avery County Manager Phillip Barrier, Jr. (Class of 1981) is proud of the institution’s successes, stating that, “I bask in the glory of Avery County High School.”

An academic advantage Avery High student has of which its administrators and faculty are most proud is that the school offers a one-to -one computer initiative (laptops for all students and staff since 2011), a schoolwide wireless network, STEM and Freshman Academies as well as extensive collaboration with Mayland Community College.

New School Construction and Facility Renovations

Avery High began to need facility improvements in the 1970s and has received several during various time intervals. It’s currently receiving massive new construction and renovations at a cost of approximately $20 million. These phased additions and renovations center around a new addition to the front of the building, which will house the main entrance and lobby, as well as classrooms. The renovations will be extensive and include science facilities to meet state safety standards and updates to ensure compliance with the

(Above) As per its architectural firm, Boomerang Design of Charlotte, NC, an aerial view of how the new Avery High additions and renovation will look from their exterior when completed. (Right). A peek of the interior of the new main entrance lobby in the high school.

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“A modern and beautiful facility that has 24 new classrooms that will allow our students to maximize their potential and also us to address some concerns that we have had about safety with our facilities.”

Americans with Disabilities Act. The project is underway in phases that is not interrupting the school’s normal schedule or restricting the use of its current facilities.

The main part of the project is a new addition to the front of the building that would house classrooms and be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and meet state safety standards.

The project required fiber and sewer lines running to the school to be relocated, as well as temporary changes to the main entrance and parking areas while the main addition is being added. After the addition is completed and functional, the 100and 200-pod sections of the school will be sectioned off and demolished, after which the side parking lot will be reconfigured, followed by various renovations to existing areas.

There is also potential to add new art and technical classrooms at additional cost where the pods were previously occupied as well as a new auxiliary gymnasium and an auditorium.

“This will be monumental for the students of Avery County,” Little said. “It will create, for them, a modern and beautiful facility that has 24 new classrooms that will allow our students to maximize their potential and also us to address some concerns that we have had about safety with our facilities.”

Little added the project will also be “a milestone for the community at large.”

A Multitude of Academic Changes Over 50 Years

Today, as in years past, you’ll find the high school’s 400 plus students making their way through the doors of Avery County High School to get to their first-period classes.

Some are holding their cellphones, music streaming through earbuds. Others are treating it like a normal day as they leisurely make their way inside. The scene would have been hard to imagine in that first Avery High school year of 1968-69 — before cellphones and streaming music apps.

Indeed, fifty years have brought significant change, said Career and Technical Education teacher Dewayne Krege, who has either been

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“Things change,” Krege declared. “Buildings get bigger, programs get bigger. But what really keeps me going is the spirit of this school. It’s phenomenal and its always been that way.” a student or worked at the school for twentyfive years.

From paper to the early years of computers, Krege said the way he’s taught students has advanced.

Back then, Krege said, everything was done by hand. Teachers recorded grades in a gradebook and took attendance on paper.

But over time, new technology emerged, as Krege acknowledged. “There is always the fundamental part to teaching and learning that will never change — and that aspect will always be pure. But you can’t overlook the tremendous advantages of digital media and other computer-related technology. The Internet truly has made a colossal impact on how teachers instruct, and how, and what all, students can learn.

“Students want teachers to care about them and who want them to learn. And if they know you truly care about them and want what’s best for them, they will work harder to excel in your class.

One thing that has not changed, Krege added, is the spirit of Avery High.

“It’s a community, and this community has always been very strong,” he said. “I am very fortunate to be able to teach at Avery High. We have some of the best teenagers and students ever. We teach them differently now, but the students are still the same.”

“Things change,” Krege declared. “Buildings get bigger, programs get bigger. But what really keeps me going is the spirit of this school.

It’s phenomenal and its always been that way.”

During his time at the high school, the teachers’ talent and dedication struck Krege as one of the school’s great strengths. Although many of his colleagues have since retired — some after a full career spent at the high school — that energy hasn’t changed; today’s teachers possess the same enthusiasm and dedication, he said.

Inside Avery County High School’s front entrance, reminders of five decades of change are on proud display. Keepsakes line the halls, creating a daily reminder for students and teachers of the growth that has shaped Avery High into its rich academic and sports-filled community it is today.

Trophy cases packed with academic and sports accolades create a sort of museum of the school’s history.

Avery County High has long been comfortably settled into its identity as a school 26

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with a strong foundation in education — and educators and students alike say it’s given the school an opportunity to fulfill its vision and mission statements better than ever before.

Those read: VISION: Avery County High School will empower all students to graduate ready for college, careers, and life in a global society.

MISSION: Avery County High School will ensure all students are challenged with meaningful and rigorous courses which are aligned with individual interests and future plans so they will graduate prepared for postsecondary opportunities.

Avery High has received many awards and distinctions recently for its academics, including: Advanced Accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS); ABC’s of Public Education, School of Distinction-2009-2010; Top Ten Highest Graduation Rate 2011-2012; North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (DPI) Certificate of Achievement- 98.2 percent Graduation Rate 2013-2014; 96.9 percent Graduation Rate 2014-2015; 97.3 percent Graduation Rate 2015-2016; 97.4 percent Graduation Rate 2016-2017; and 95 percent Graduation Rate 2017-2018; Honor Unit with DistinctionAvery JROTC Department of the Army, 201617; and in 2019 a Top 20 percent-ranked school according to Great Schools.org and a Top 40 percent-ranked school, by US News and World Report.

Retirements through the years of longtime faculty members — some of whom spent their entire careers at the school –have been replaced with a younger crop of teachers. The younger teachers have brought new ideas to Avery High’s classrooms, but their predecessors left a strong legacy to build upon, declared Hank Williams, a 1985 graduate who now teaches mathematics.

He said Avery High’s engaging academics and successful athletics programs prepared him for life after high school, and he “always knew” he wanted to come back as a teacher.

“It feels like family,” he said. “I love being part of the school.”

Many faculty members agreed that the biggest change they’ve seen at Avery High hasn’t related to the students themselves; rapidly evolving technology has totally changed the way teachers teach and students learn.

Williams said that even though technology has changed the way teenagers interact

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with the world, the students themselves are fundamentally the same.

“I think students are still students,” Williams shared. “Hopefully, teachers never get to a point where they can’t relate to that. I still think most can; that’s why they remain good teachers.”

Avery High, which has had thousands of highly-accomplished students such as Jock Ollis, who received the coveted Morehead Scholarship in 1970 to attend the University of North Carolina, has always prided itself in providing challenging academic instruction. Educators there maintain that focus has sharpened in recent years as they explored the best way to excel as a small school. Avery High’s students are taught there to balance their own desire to succeed with compassion for their classmates.

“I think students want to be their best and for their fellow-students to do the same,” Williams added.

Avery High’s current small size has become one of the school’s most profound strengths, Little noted. Students aren’t lost in the shuffle, and older students value their younger counterparts, who become integrals members of sports teams, after-school clubs and other school activities.

A Bright Academic and Athletics Future Likely Awaits

When Avery High opened fifty years ago it had several hundred more students then it currently does. But Little said he feels Avery has carved a niche for itself as an academically and sports-engaging high school.

“Our students have a tremendous amount of course choices for a high school, regardless of size, because of our online options and partnership with Mayland Community College. For somebody who appreciates a quality school, Avery’s it.”

As he looks ahead, Little said he sees Avery High continuing to embrace its identity as a close-knit community rooted in academics and athletics. He declared: “That’s my hope: That Avery can in fact grow and be even stronger in 10 years — both academically and athletically — than it is now.”

Avery County High School is inviting the community to come and celebrate 50 years of Viking Pride during school-wide activities throughout the remainder of this school year. For more information, please visit the Facebook page of Avery County High School Alumni Association or the phone the high school at (828) 733-0151. t Some pictures used in the article were provided by Avery County High School, Bill Bracey and Tim Gardner.

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The AHS Vikings - A Glowing Sports History

A

very High has had tremendous success in various sports-both men’s and women’s. The school fields varsity teams in baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, softball, soccer, swimming, track and field, volleyball, wrestling and cheerleading.

Avery has been classified as a 3-A, 2-A and is currently a 1-A size school as governed by the North Carolina High School Athletics Association as is part of the Western Highlands 1-A, 2-A Conference.

The Avery High football, soccer and track and field stadium is named after Nestor J. MacDonald and has an accompanying field house (opened in 1998) on its south end. The Vikings also have one of the largest gymnasiums of any area school with basketball games, volleyball matches and wrestling meets held there. A baseball/softball field also sits on campus and an ROTC firing range and repelling tower are also located on the sports facilities grounds.

Avery’s top athletics accomplishments include winning numerous conference championships in football, men’s and women’s basketball, golf, volleyball and other sports as well as having many individual sports champions. Avery’s soccer team has also played for a state championship and its 1968-69 basketball team finished third in the State 3-A Tournament.

Avery High’s women’s basketball teams won 59 consecutive conference basketball games in the late 1970s-early 1980s and the men’s basketball team accomplished a similar feat in the 2010-current decade, reeling off 58 straight conference wins.

Several top Avery High athletes went on to excel on the collegiate level and a couple in the professional ranks.

A former prep All-State and All-American Basketball player, the seven-foot, twoinch tall Burleson, went on to become a college All-American and was starting center on the 1972 United States Olympics Team.

Those honors preceded his seven-year career playing professionally for four teams (Seattle Supersonics, Kansas City Kings, Atlanta Hawks and Chicago Bulls) in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Also, Terry Smith a standout player for the Vikings in the early-to-mid 1970s, went on to play football at Furman University and then for the National Football League’s (NFL’s) New England Patriots.

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Northwestern Conference 1969-70 Co-Champions - Coach Bruce Daniels, R.D. Daniels, Brad Blalock, Billy Watson, Gerald McKinney, Alton Franklin, Tommy Burleson, Gary Edwards, Jim Trivett, Cotton Trivett, Kenny Ward, Coach Charles Franklin Avery’s Vikings even had the very rare feat of having three players from the same basketball team—the school’s first of 196869—go on to play collegiately: Burleson at

Avery County’s most noted basketball star, Tommy Burleson, was featured solely on the cover of Sports Illustrated while playing for the North Carolina State University Wolfpack.

Burleson attended both Newland and Avery High Schools and was a prep and collegiate All-American player.

North Carolina State University, where he helped lead the Wolfpack to the 1973-74 National Championship and a phenomenal

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57-1 record his junior and senior seasons; guard Bobby Tate at Appalachian State University and forward Kenny Ward at Mars Hill College. According to the 1969 Avery High yearbook, Burleson averaged 30 points and 29 rebounds per game during the 1968-69 season.

Another top athlete at Avery was John Mark Bentley, an All-State and All-American wrestler, who compiled an astonishing 144-0 individual wrestling record as a Viking, winning four state titles and capped by the 1997 Individual National Championship. Bentley wrestled at the University of North Carolina, where he also was an All-American and the 2001 Atlantic Coast Conference Wrestler of The Year. He is currently the head wrestling coach at Appalachian State University.

And one of Avery’s most versatile athletes ever is Terry Gardner (Class of 1971), the first four-sport letterwinner in school history, who starred in football, basketball, baseball and wrestling. Gardner scored all the points in Avery High first-ever football win—over Morganton in 1970. He intercepted a Morganton pass late in the game, then ran for a touchdown and kicked the ensuing extra point to rally the Vikings from behind to a 7-6 win.

Mike Pusey (Class of 1975) was another exceptional Avery athlete in three sports-football, baseball and wrestling. He threw a no-hitter in baseball and went on to play football at Western Carolina University, where is became one of its all-time great quarterbacks, still holding several school

Avery High’s first basketball coach Roger Banks, who later achieved stardom as a college recruiter. passing records.

Also, Avery Running back Judge Avery (Class of 1980) was the 1979 Western North Carolina’s Football Back of The Year as chosen by the Asheville Citizen-Times.

More top and accomplished Viking athletes through Avery High’s first 50 years have included: Champ Robert Young, Lena Ingram, Jimmy Pusey, Damon Smith, Eva Briedenthal, Jan Brewer, Tim Singleton, Bruce Shomaker, Missy Poteat, Jacki Cantrell, David Wise, Craig Watson, Jodi Jones, Jenny Forbes, Ben Jones, Dustin Clark, Matthew Bentley, Mike Coffey, Josh Johnson, Jeffrey Puckett, Michael Buchanan, Daniel Boone, Zeb Griffith, Neal Gragg and Troy Hoilman.

Additionally, Avery has also been blessed with some coaches who possess rather impressive backgrounds and achievements.

Roger Banks was the last men’s head basketball coach at old Newland High and the first at Avery High. He compiled a combined two-year record of 52 wins and only 4 losses in two years as a head coach at the schools. Avery High recorded epic 63-62 and 58-57 triumphs over then arch-rival Marion High as well as a come-from-behind 85-76 win at Asheville High during Banks’ tenure. Several of Avery’s games then were even moved to Appalachian State’s Varsity Gymnasium in Boone in order to keep from having to turn fans away at the door who wanted to see Burleson and cast play. The Vikings even drew more fans than the homestanding and college ASU Mountaineers in their own gymnasium.

Banks left Avery High to become an assistant coach and ace recruiter on the collegiate level at Gardner-Webb, Austin Peay, Georgia Tech, the University of Georgia and Auburn University. National publications as Sports

Bill Bomar (left), shown with a former football player, is one of the most successful coaches ever in Avery County.

Illustrated, Sport, Sporting News and various other national magazines named Banks as one of college basketball’s all-time top recruiters. Several players he recruited and signed to play for those schools who went on to have successful profession al basketball careers included: John Drew, Dominique Wilkins, Vern Fleming, Charles Barkley and Chuck Person.

Several Avery High coaches also coached at Lees-McRae College. Paul Johnson, a former Avery football player (Class of 1975), served as an assistant football coach at Avery and LMC, each for two seasons (1979-1980 and 1981-1982 ,respectively), and later went on to be head coach at Georgia Southern, where his teams won two National Collegiate Athletics Association national titles, and then at the United States Naval Academy (Navy) and Georgia Tech.

Coaching legend Bill Bomar came out of retirement to serve as Avery’s offensive coordinator (1980-1984) and a world history and physical education teacher after a tenure as Lees-McRae’s head football coach and athletics director. Bomar won around a mind-boggling 1,000 games in several sports combined and championships on conference, regional, state and national levels while coaching in Florida and Georgia. He played football and baseball at his alma-mater, the University of Georgia, where he also later coached. Bomar drew the ultimate coaching praise from hisfellow coaching icon, University of Georgia head football coach Vince Dooley who said of him: “Bill Bomar is as good a coach as there is in America in any sport and on any level.”Bomar also was an assistant baseball coach at Avery under his son, head coach Karl Bomar.

Scott Possgrove was men’s head basket-

Terry Gardner was Avery High’s first athlete to earn a letter in four sports (football, basketball, baseball and wrestling). ball coach at LMC and later at Avery High (2014-2015 through the 2017-2018 seasons).

He won 88 games in those four seasons at Avery, where he left to coach NCAA Division III Eastern Nazarene (Mass.) College, just outside of Boston. And current Avery head football coach Mac Bryan also filled the same role at LMC after being an assistant there. As head coach, he led the Bobcats to a 44-10-1 record. Bryan has football coaching tenures at thirteen schools on various levels, including as a head coach at six high schools.

Another coaching product from Avery High is former Vikings football player Jimmy Fletcher (Class of 1983), who played and then was an assistant coach at Lenoir-Rhyne College. Fletcher later was an assistant at East Tennessee State University and Richmond County, NC High and is currently head coach at West Brunswick, NC High.

One of Avery High’s especially noteworthy sports honors was having Burleson featured on the cover of the world’s most noted sports magazine, Sports Illustrated on more than one occasion, including solely by himself and in numerous articles in it and other national sports publications. Bentley has also been featured in Sports Illustrated articles and both Judge Avery and former Vikings head football coach Charles “Babe” Howell listed in an issue of the magazine’s “Faces In The Crowd” section. Howell, who achieved a majority of his wins at Sylva-Webster, NC High School, broke the all-time record for prep football coaching wins with a 31-23 victory over Robbinsville while coaching at Avery (1994-1997) to secure the then-record 277th victory.

That’s just a small sampling of Avery High athletes and coaches who excelled at high levels.t

December 2019

High Country Magazine

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Melissa Reaves The Queen of Action Channels Inner Heart & Soul of Rock-N-Roll

By Joe Johnson

“I

have heard many people say that Melissa Reaves is a force of nature, a hurricane, a tidal wave, “ said Jennifer Garland, longtime partner of Melissa Reaves, “Her music pushes a wave of sound and energy out into the audience leaving them stunned and swirling in her wake.

More often than not, audience members are unsure of just how this wave crashed in on them during her performance; they simply feel the emotions stirred up by the experience in which they are consumed.”

Melissa Reaves is a musician based out of Boone, North Carolina who has been encapsulating audiences within her tidal waves of sound for decades. Reaves was born in Lynchburg, Virginia; her and her mother moved to the Carolinas after her father’s untimely death, the region which Reaves now calls home. Reaves has been honing her musical skills since a young age and found her electrifying, deeply emotional singing voice while still a teenager; channeling the rawness of blues legends while bringing the ferocity of a rock-n-roll powerhouse. Reaves is also a master of improvisation, implementing delays and effects into her guitar work during live performances, all while deconstructing the blues, pushing jazz to the outer limits, and burning 30

High Country Magazine

December 2019

December 2019

High Country Magazine

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Melissa sits between her two twin cousins, David and Derek, as she watches her Grandfather perform a tune on Melissa’s quarter-sized violin. a hole through rock-n-roll. Reaves’ journeys throughout the musical world have brought her in front of audiences across the United States and Europe to perform with renowned musicians such as Robert Plant, Cyndi Lauper, Sarah McLachlan, and Doc Watson, to name a few; along the way she has amassed a word-of-mouth following for her experimental guitar work and propensity toward spontaneity and seamless improvisation during live performance. Reaves has released a total of seven studio albums since 1996, both solo and collaboratively; her latest album, Bitter Pear, will be formally released in 2020.

Reaves has been crafting her powerful “tidal wave” musical style since her mother gifted her a quarter-sized violin when she was just five years old in Greenville, South Carolina. Reaves began taking violin lessons soon after with Suzanne Nelson, who became Reaves’ teacher for 11 years as she studied classical violin. “My mom wanted me to play the violin, so she got it expressly for that,” said Reaves, “I got it and squeaked around the house for a long time; that’s how formal music started for me.”

Reaves’ mother, Michelle Johnson, remembers the musical spark that her daughter exuded from the moment she first picked up her child-sized violin. However, Johnson did not anticipate the extent to which her daughter’s talents would take her throughout her career or the riveting singing voice 32

High Country Magazine

Reaves had within her. “She played violin since she was five; Melissa has had music throughout her Melissa was introduced to formal music at the age of whole life,” said Johnson, “When five when she was gifted a child-sized violin by we started going to hear her sing her mother, Michelle Johnson. we were just amazed. I don’t know where in the world she got it from; she was just inspired! She loves music, I love music, my mom loves music, and we always had music in my parents’ house. Melissa’s got music in her soul, I can tell you that!”

During Reaves’ tenth grade year, her and her mother unexpectedly made the move from Greenville, S.C. to Boone, N.C. where she finished up her high school tenure at Watauga High School. Reaves continued to pursue music after high school graduation but not yet as a singer, let alone as a solo performer; she was a member of the band Faux Pas in Boone in which she played the acoustic violin in a rock-n-roll style. Melissa circa 1980/81 in Greenville, S.C. with her beloved violin instructor of 11 years, Suzanne Nelson (right).

One day, as Reaves was visiting her musician friends, she was implored really big singer; he kind of approached it to sing; the voice that came out her stunned the room and led Reaves to pursue as a blues kind of vocal, there was nothing the raw vocal talent she had discovered in soft about his singing,” said Reaves, “I don’t herself. “I was hanging out in Boone, do- know exactly what happened, but we were ing what you do, and I had a friend named just hanging out partying; Steve invited me Steve Engler in a band called the Stream of up while they were playing and ‘big’ just felt Consciousness who were really hip band like the way to approach it! I remember it with a really happening crowd. Steve is a was my first time singing big and it was like

December 2019

Melissa’s band, “Strange Brew” in Va. Beach, VA 1992/3.

The drummer Chris Hite and Melissa would go on the road with The Platters a few years later. ‘whoa!’ You know, I have big voice, a more powerful vocal. I really have to hand it to Steve Engler, that was the first time I had sang the blues in front of a large group of people. A lot of times with bands it’s like ‘well, we’re going to play the blues, and it’s up to you to sink or swim,’ and I decided I better swim!”

In 1994, Reaves moved to Virginia Beach; during this time, Reaves made her first venture into performing as a solo artist with the creation of her first selftitled, five-song EP with the help of Stacy Hayden, a renowned producer and former guitar player for David Bowie. Not long after, Reaves and Hayden secured the resources to create Reaves’ first studio album, Fall from Grace. Reaves continuously traveled between Virginia Beach and Boone throughout 1994 and 1996 to record portions of the album and routinely performed at venues around both cities along the way; her first solo tour began in May of 1995 where she reverberated throughout audiences across the United States. “That first EP with Stacy, prior to Fall from Grace, was probably just for Stacy to work with me to see if this is even workable; he had also asked me to record two tracks written by Canadian songwriter Lonnie Glass and guitarist George Marinelli,” said Reaves, “We got the funds to do the first album, Fall from Grace, and I had history with Stacy from my EP, so we went back and worked with him; that was the reason for going back and forth between Boone and Virginia Beach. I had found a producer that I had a working rapport with, which is paramount for any producer or engineer.”

Fall from Grace was officially released in 1996, with a couple of album release parties held in Boone and Virginia Beach to commemorate Reaves’ first album. In early June of 1996, Reaves moved to Boston.

It was around this time when Reaves met her longtime friend and “musical soulmate”, Masa Takahashi, a relationship that has helped shape Reaves as a performer and human being. “I was at this blues jam, Johnny D’s, in Somerville Massachusetts; this particular jam you are placed with people you don’t know. You never know who you might get, and I got Masa,” said Reaves, “We played the set together and exchanged information; he just kept calling me. Finally, I decided

Melissa’s band “The Union” in Boone during 1988/89. The band would honed their sound at numerous shows at The Klondike. Pictured are Jaime Decker, Billy Walker, (Melissa) and Andy Mullis. The picture was taken in front of Melissa’s house on Winklers Creek Road.

The band “The Willys” seen here at one of their shows at the famous CBGB’s in New York City NYC in 1999. Melissa’s dear friend and impeccable musician Masa Takahashi is to her right. They always played the NYC shows and then drove back home to Boston the same night.

“The Willys” - This picture was from a photo shoot with famed sports photographer David Seelig. It was shot on the boardwalk of the West Side Highway in Manhattan.about an hour before a show at The Bitter End. Melissa would go on to play at The Bitter End for 20+ years. L to R: Uske Yamamoto, Dave Cardin, Masa Takahashi and Melissa.

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“Melissa Reaves and The As Is Ensemble” playing at the Rockwood Music Hall in New York City. This picture was taken by N.C. native Diego Britt at Melissa’s second performance at Rockwood Music Hall with Michael Bellar and the As Is Ensemble. Three years later Michael would produce Melissa’s 7th studio album, “Bitter Pear.” L to R: Michael Bellar, Melissa Reaves, Rob Jost, Brad Wentworth. backstage to inquire just “who the to go meet with him and he had hell is that?” when her ears were learned my entire album, note for met with Reaves’ tidal wave of note, and started giving me suggessound. Following her performance tions; I wasn’t offended, I was imat NYC Pride, Reaves was intropressed! We started a band called duced to Ken Gorka of the Bitter The Willys with our friend Dave End in New York. Gorka took an Carden and rehearsed at Berkeimmediate liking to Reaves and ley School of Music where Masa introduced her to Susan White, a studied Jazz Composition. Masa notable music figure and owner and I have been friends ever since; of Fretless Music, who was in the we are musical soulmates. I can process of putting together an allask him anything and I know he female compilation album entitled will tell me the truth. It may not Go On Girl. Reaves contributed always be what I want to hear, but to the Go On Girl compilation alI can seek counsel with him when bum; at the CD release party, she it comes to music and life.” met Sarah Chanderia of The Hush, Meanwhile, Reaves’ career as a who became Reaves’ first publisher solo performer began to gain more and helped secure funding for her and more traction as she wowed next album, Sentimental Anthem, audiences with her ferocious musiwhich was released in 1997. cal style. Reaves was chosen to per1998 was marked by Reaves form on the Washington D.C. Mall & The Willys performing during at the 1996 D.C. Pride Celebraa portion of the South Carolina tion, where she rocked the colossal Pride event held at the House of crowd of 80,000 people during her Performance at The Bisbee Grand Saloon in Bisbee AZ in 2010.

Blues in Myrtle Beach, where they short two-song set. “I had no idea This shot was taken during The Fake Jan Festival that shared the stage with legendary there would be that many people celebrated of all things Jan Brady from the Brady Bunch. musicians such as KC & The Sunin the crowd; 80,000 is a lot of shine Band, Alicia Bridges, Donna people,” said Reaves, “Everywhere at New York City Pride in Bryant Park as the you looked there were people. I walked out opener for renowned pop singer Cyndi Lau- Summer, Sister Sledge, and Toni Houston. and I was nervous; I did it though!” per. During Reaves’ sound check prior to “That’s how I got to play with a bunch of In 1997, Reaves was invited to perform the performance, Lauper clamored out from disco legends! They were people, particu34

High Country Magazine

December 2019

“Melissa Reaves and The As Is Ensemble” on the road with Michael Bellar and “The As Is Ensemble” at Martins Downtown in Roanoke ,VA. L to R: Rob Jost, Michael Bellar, Melissa Reaves, Brad Wentworth larly women, who had made it in music and that was tough in those days any way you slice it,” said Reaves.

1999 was another year full of touring for Reaves as she performed 250 days a year. In early summer, Reaves became aware of a local talent audition to secure a spot performing at the 1999 Lilith Fair, a traveling music festival started and headlined by Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan. Reaves rushed down to the audition to snag her place on the bill and sure enough, she won the contest and received the opportunity to perform on the second

Post show with Mia Dyson at The Starlite Lounge in Bisbee, AZ taken at a post show dance party. The show was with celebrated Australian roots musician, Mia Dyson.

stage at the ’99 Lilith Fair. During the finale of the show, McLachlan invited Reaves on the main stage to share a performance with herself and American singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow. “The great thing about Sarah McLachlan is her attitude; she was ultrainclusive and made sure that I was at the press conference with Sheryl Crow seated right beside me,” said Reaves, “At the end of the night she invited me up on the main stage to sing. She had several people on stage, but there were only three lead microphones and she made it a point to hand me one. It was like taking the baton at an

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Olympic relay! I didn’t think of it at the time, it was just like ‘I’m going to grab the mic and I’m going to do this.’ Now that I think about the reality of it, there were other people who didn’t get the microphone. It was certainly great momentum, great press, and a great experience.”

1999 was capped off for Reaves with a performance at NedFest in Nederland, Colorado, where she shared the stage with members of Leftover Salmon, Moe, Galactic, String Cheese Incident, and the Dave Watts Motet. The festival was held at night in the middle of the woods of Nederland,

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Melissa was gifted her set of digital delay pedals that she uses during improvisational performances. “The ‘normal’ use is to enhance your acoustic sound to make it fuller but I’m always experimenting with how I can use it,” said Melissa, “My pedal remembers roughly seven seconds of information and over the course of about a minute and a half it diminishes. When I do my delay pedal work, I have to constantly recreate lines. It’s the most present and organic approach to looping in my opinion; it’s like an entire orchestra is playing during my performances.”

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CO; Reaves met longtime friend Michigan Mike and occasional collaborator Dave Watts, founder of the Motet, during her experiences at the festival.

Throughout Reaves’ periods of touring in the late 1990s, her publisher, Sarah Chanderia, was shopping her albums to various markets for placements in television and film. After securing spots in programs featured on the Oxygen Network, Reaves began going to music industry conferences with Chanderia as she attempted to secure placements for her roster of artists. Suddenly, Reaves found herself being invited to perform at the 2000 MIDEM conference in Cannes, France. “All of a sudden Sarah called and said, ‘they’ve picked you to perform at MIDEM,’ which is a super big deal.

It’s like the ‘who’s who’ in the international music scene; the heavyweight movers and shakers,” said Reaves, “We were living in a remote area of Ashe County in the Appalachian Mountains at the time; to go from the High Country to a yacht in the French Riviera off the southern coast of France is a lot!”

It was at the 2000 MIDEM conference where Reaves met John Hopkins, also known as “Hoppy”, the manager of British rock icons AC/DC, as well as Evert Wilbrink, the tour manager for Joan Jett, Bob Marley, and associate of Jimi Hendrix.

Hopkins decided he needed to fly Reaves out to England in order to make connections and perform. Reaves’ adventures in

December 2019

England ultimately resulted in a performance opening up for rock-n-roll legend Robert Plant, lead singer of Led Zeppelin, at the Nottingham Ballroom. Plant was enamored with Reaves’ vocal abilities and explorative guitar approach and the two shared a long conversation in the green room backstage. “It was time for me to go on and I’m out there performing,” said Reaves, “Chris, my guitar tech, said he felt somebody over his shoulder and he looked over and was shocked to see it was Robert Plant! That’s when Plant asked him ‘who the f--- is that?’ After the show, it was just me and Robert Plant in the green room. If there was ever a moment I was able to pan out, it was that moment. I told him ‘I can’t even pretend not to be starstruck, I am such a big fan.’ There’s no successful effort in trying to be cool with Robert Plant around!

We just hung out and talked. I made a conscious decision to not be reserved despite the fact I was sitting there with Robert Plant. I knew that was a special experience for me and so often the industry can suck those experiences away from you. Plant is a smart guy; I got a great vibe from him and no ridiculous ego.”

In the early 2000s Reaves spent a great deal of time in Nashville, Tennessee meeting, playing, and working with some of the music city’s greats. It started when Reaves met Jim Isbell, former drummer for Jerry Lee Lewis, Feron Young, and many others in Nashville. Isbell was in the High Coun-

try visiting his mother and heard Reaves perform on a 4th of July parade float, recognizing Reaves’ distinct voice from an earlier performance he witnessed in Boone.

Isbell was wowed by her talents and invited Reaves to Nashville to introduce her to formidable music icons in the city such as producer Cowboy Jack Clement, harmonica legend Charlie McCoy, songwriter legends Larry Henley and Tony Colton and musician Steve Cropper.

“I saw her in the 4th of July parade with her band and said, ‘Good God, that’s her!’

I told her that I am in the music business in Nashville and wanted to introduce her to musicians in the Music City,” said Isbell, “She came to Nashville and we went to a club on music row in downtown; Melissa went on late with a band she had never met, told the band the key, and put on the best show that anyone there had ever seen! She kept throwing key changes at the band and performed a show that will live in infamy. It was like nothing that me or Nashville had ever seen.”

Reaves continues to perform at venues across the country; the past few years, Reaves has also been known to team up with Jeff Sipe’s Electric Buddha during various performances. Jeff Sipe’s Electric Bud-

dha is a band created by world renowned rock and jazz fusion drummer Jeff Sipe, a founding member of Aquarium Rescue Unit with Bruce Hampton and former member of Leftover Salmon and the Zambiland Orchestra, an experimental big band with members of Phish and Widespread Panic. “I think that there are good musicians and there are great musicians, and then there’s Melissa Reaves above all of that,” said Sipe, “She is one of my favorite musicians on the planet. What makes it even better is that she is as nice Silvera video shoot in Bisbee, AZ during 2010/2011. “Silvera a person as she is talented; is a persona I created that I sometimes perform as. She is she talks so sweet and she from another planet,” says Melissa. The picture was taken gets up to sing and the devil during a video shoot with Wylde Vibe Belly Dance Troup. comes right out of her! Every gig we have done so far, her partner Jennifer Garland have been dithere is a moment in the night when she opens up and sings full-out viding their time between Boone and Bisbee, and everyone’s eyes pop out of their heads Arizona. Garland was entranced by the idea of Bisbee and eventually exclaimed that she and they look at each other in disbelief.”

Beginning in winter 2011, Reaves and had to see the town for herself. Reaves feels

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the town has accepted them wholeheart- musical theme each year and have cre- the Lord come out to AC/DC!” The 18th edly and feels welcome within the unique ated an opportunity to incorporate all my annual Melissa Reaves Holiday Show will music scene located in the Bisbee area. “We great musician friends. It’s always a little be held on December 14 at The Beacon in Boone, N.C. were originally going to stay in Bisbee More recently, Reaves has been for one week, but we ended up stayworking on the release of her latest ing for two because of the incredible album, Bitter Pear. The album is a colcreative energy that is there,” said laborative effort with Michael Bellar, Reaves, “It’s a tiny little town filled a renowned musician and producer with funky, great, historically relevant from New York City. The pair chose artists; another layer is pulled off of to create an album that would accentuBisbee every time we go there. I quickate Reaves’ talents as a musician who ly felt that they were available for the is known to deconstruct tunes during extent to which I was willing to push each of her performances. Covers on things, whether it be experimental or the album include songs such as “Your performance-wise. Whether it’s an apTime Is Gonna Come” by Led Zeppeproach to a performance or an idea for lin and “Shook Me All Night” by AC/ a show, the people in Bisbee are ready DC. Bitter Pear was mixed by Grammy to seriously digest it. That atmosphere award winning mixer, producer, and pushes me to grow and think deeper engineer, Dave O’ Donnell who has about my art.” worked with the likes of Eric ClapReaves is noted not only for her ton, James Taylor, Keith Richards, and musical accomplishments around the John Mayer. The album also features globe, but also for her musical enMelissa’s latest album, Bitter Pear, is a collaborative effort Scott Sharrard, longtime lead guitardeavors down home in Boone as well. with renowned producer Michael Bellar. Bitter Pear ist and bandleader for the late Gregg Reaves hosts an annual holiday show will be officially released in 2020.

Allman. Reaves’ musical talent shines in the High Country to celebrate the holiday season and to have a fun, “fancy” goofy; one year it was classic country, in on the album as she once again disassembles night; this year will mark the 18th an- 2000 we had the Apocalypso in celebra- and puts together songs to create and dominual Melissa Reaves Holiday Show. Phil- tion of the ‘apocalypse’ that was supposed nate her own personal renditions. “This was anthropic efforts are included as part of to happen, it has gone all over the place. very much a collaboration project with Mithe holiday show with guests encouraged For several years, I’ve made costumes and chael. Working closely with someone and to make donations to local organizations. props for the show that have gotten big- letting some control go as well as being inThe very first holiday show was hosted by ger and bigger over the years! Last year the credibly honest contributed heavily to Bitter Coffeys in downtown Boone; through the Angel of the Lord made an appearance. Pear,” said Reaves, “When it comes to cover years it moved to Louisiana Purchase, and She was constructed on a six-foot ladder tunes, I try to get to the essence of what is then finally to the Local on Howard Street with a nine-foot flowing dress that glowed going on; the truth or the realness. At the in the spot where it all began. “I wanted it as she hovered with large silver wings that end of the day, real and honest emotions are to be a special night, that’s how it started. extended six feet each way. It was really a the only thing that can truly be transmitted It’s grown and evolved into a tradition; spectacle, during the entrance I came out through music. I think the only way that this is the 18th year of the holiday show,” as the band played Thunderstruck by AC/ people in the audience can have a real and said Reaves, “I’ve tried to have a different DC; it was awesome to have the Angel of soulful experience is if I’m real.” t

Melissa Reaves (left) and her longtime partner, Jennifer Garland (right), have been dividing their time between the High Country and Bisbee, Arizona since 2011; enjoying the atmospheres and music scenes of both regions throughout the year.

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December 2019

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39

The valley leading up to Sugar Mountain in the early 1960s

Sugar Mountain A Half-Century of Innovation In The Beginning Sugar Mountain was a real estate venture that brought more than just skiing to the mountain. It brought wealthy residents, fancy dinners, year-round tennis and some of the highest-class amenities of any resort in the area ... until the economic downturn of the early 1970s

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December 2019

Photo by Ben Milsaps

S

now guns power up hours before the first hint of sunrise on a late fall day on Sugar Mountain. From the base of the mountain at 4,100 feet to the summit at 5,300 feet, snow begins to cover the 125 acres of skiable land in preparation for another busy, fun-filled winter on the slopes.

This year, Sugar Mountain Ski Resort celebrates its 50th year in operation, and a lot has changed on the mountain in the half-century since the first skier headed down the slopes during a time when southern skiing was trying to get off the ground.

Sugar Mountain opened in 1969 and was the fifth ski slope to open in the

Sugar Mountain Resort as it looks today.

By Nathan Ham High Country at the time. Blowing Rock Ski Lodge (now Appalachian Ski Mtn.) opened in 1962. Hound Ears Ski Slope opened in 1964 before closing down later.

Seven Devils Ski Slope (now Hawksnest Snow Tubing) opened in 1966, and Beech Mountain Resort opened in 1967.

Sugar Mountain started as more of a real estate venture than anything and quickly started to find its own set of struggles, brought on in large part thanks to an economic recession in the early 1970s.

Eventually, Sugar Mountain filed for bankruptcy in 1976.

With the future up in the air, in stepped Austrian-native Gunther Jochl. Gunther arrived in 1976 and took on the role of general manager after Ray Costin and Dale Stancil leased Sugar Mountain for one year out of bankruptcy court.

Gunther remembers back to that first winter season beginning in 1976 when they started making snow on November 9.

“To even think about snowmaking in November back then, you were labeled as a loony tune. We always did open in November,” said Gunther.

Back then things were different on Sugar Mountain. At the time, the Big Birch

A Success Story Today with the Resort’s Focus on Snow Sports December 2019

High Country Magazine

41

New snow guns (above) need just a small compressor to make snow. To the top left is an example of a new snow gun using piped in compress air and water that still works great at covering the slopes in snow. To the left is the map off the computer interface of the numerous mounted snow guns along the slopes. These snow guns can be controlled right from the computer.

trail was the highest point on the mountain where the skiing would begin, which is roughly halfway up between the base and summit. Couple that with the financial issues, the resort was certainly nowhere close to what it is today.

“Sugar Mountain was in receivership, so it was a mess. We were leasing it so

there were some big obstacles to overcome at the time. Lights only went halfway up Big Birch, there were no lights up the rest of the mountain. We had two water pumps and one compressor to make snow with. We had a snowcat sitting down there that had the windows knocked out with rocks that had to be repaired and slope lights were under attack from slingshots, those had to be fixed. It was quite challenging,” Gunther said. “Nevertheless, despite the challenges and calling us crazy, we made snow and opened in November.”

Operation and Equipment Challenges In 1976, if you mentioned Sugar Mountain Resort in the wrong crowd of people in the community, you would likely hear some not-so-nice remarks and maybe even a few profane streams of consciousness from residents.

“The maintenance challenges that we had were enormous. To get equipment, nobody really wanted to do the job. So many people were hurt through this bankruptcy because they didn’t get paid,” says Gunther.

While the technology has made major advancements over the years, the general idea of making snow has not changed.

This photo (above left) was takenwhen the resort opened inside the original pump house at Sugar Mountain that controlled snowmaking machines (above right).

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December 2019

50 Year Time-Line of Sugar Mountain

Gunther Jochl became Sugar Mountain Resort’s GM in 1976 and purchased the resort in 2010.

In the fall of 1977, Gunther’s second season at Sugar Mountain, he was presented with an option to purchase the resort, which he did.

“We used the same equipment, we updated a few things but nothing major until the sale went through. Then we could start making some real changes,” said Jochl. “We put lights three-quarters up the mountain and then went all the way to the top.”

Early on, snowmaking was done using two water pumps and one compressor, some older Ratnik snow guns and some HEDCO electric fan guns that all had to be moved around the slopes to each trail. Some of the old snowmaking guns even had a Volkswagen motor on there to power the equipment. In addition to the snowmaking process, a lot of other projects had to be completed with limited resources. Gunther remembered him and his staff putting up poles for a new lift with two front loaders and his Chevrolet Blazer

Kim and Gunther Jochl have worked together at Sugar since 1993.

1969 - Sugar Mountain Company opens with four lifts and eleven slopes.

1976 - Sugar Mountain Company files for bankruptcy.

1976 - Current Sugar Mountain Resort, Inc. operates the facility with an option to purchase.

1978 - Sugar Mountain Resort, Inc. purchases the assets from the bankruptcy court.

1982 - The Red Slope and Red lift are built.

1984 - The Gray/Summit #2 lift is built.

1991 - The Annual Oktoberfest begins.

1993 - Hiking and mountain biking trails open.

1994-2007 The Showdown at Sugar Mountain Bike Competition is hosted.

1994 - New Ski /Snowboard School and Ski Patrol buildings are built.

1996 - Sugar Mountain Resort receives the National Ski Patrol distinguished service award.

1997 - Summer chairlift rides begin.

1998 - Sugar’s double Black Diamond slope, Whoopdedoo opens.

1999 - The Tubing Park opens.

1999 - The Terrain Park is added.

2000- Snowshoeing becomes another activity at Sugar Mountain.

2003 - Annual Sugarfest Celebration begins.

2003 - Sugar Mountain Resort and local meteorologist, Ray Russell team up to provide customized local weather forecasting using on-site weather stations.

2004 - Sugar Mountain Resort receives the Employer of the Year award by the Employment Security Commission of North Carolina.

2004 - Improving the snowmaking infrastructure begins its five-year overhaul plan of replacing and enlarging all air and water pipes.

2004 - A Magic Carpet conveyor lift replaces the thirty-year-old rope tow in the beginners’ area.

2006 & 2007 First National Mountain Bike Competition hosting 900-1,200 competitors from eight countries and forty-three states and territories.

2005 - Yellow/Summit #1 and Green lifts receive new chairs and drive-stations.

2005 - Sugar debut’s live-streaming web-cams.

2006 - Sugar Mountain Resort’s Ski/ Snowboard Patrol is awarded the outstanding patrol in the Southern Division for the 2005-06 season.

2006 - Sugar Mountain Resort receives the Alfred Adams Leadership Employer of the Year Award from the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce.

2006 - Easy Street lift receives new chairs and drive station.

2007 - Sugar Mountain Resort and the Village of Sugar Mountain Tourism Development Authority build the Dave Nixon Pro Shop which houses tennis, golf, iceskating and tubing.

2007 - Ice-skating opens.

2008 - Sugar records a record one hundred forty consecutive skier days.

2009 - Sugar celebrates forty years!

2010 - Gunther Jochl purchases Sugar Mountain Resort, Inc. 2011 - Gunther Jochl purchases the Sugar Mountain Trust.

2012 - Sugar hosts weddings.

2014 - Sugar’s game changing slope Gunther’s Way opens.

2014 - Ten new SMI snow-making machines are purchased for Gunther’s Way. 2014 The pump house is redesigned and rebuilt to accommodate an additional 1,000 gallon per minute vertical water pump.

2014 - Big Red slope is renamed Oma’s Meadow after Gunther’s mother, Marianne Jochl, who was born in Romania in 1927. Oma is a term of endearment in German speaking countries and means grandmother in English.

2015 - The Summit Express, a six-seater, detachable, high-speed chairlift/chondola manufactured by the Austrian based company, Doppelmayr is installed.

2015 - The Little Gray chairlift, formerly known as the Summit #2 chairlift, is shortened and ferries skiers and snowboarders to the top of the Easy Street Extension slope.

2015 - The Little Gray provides access to the lower and north sides of the mountain.

2015 - The GW chairlift is installed. It transports passengers from the base of Gunther’s Way slope to the mountain’s peak.

2015 - The new lift configuration increases the uphill transportation capacity from 8,800 people to 10,518 people per hour.

2018 - Built a lift-serviced bike park which includes Sugar’s signature expert terrain and newly built beginner and intermediate trails .

2019 - Sugar records a record one hundred forty-one consecutive skier days.

2019 - A four-seater, detachable, highspeed chairlift replaces the fifty-year-old, two-passenger, fixed grip Easy Street chairlift, increasing the Resort’s overall uphill capacity from 10,518 passengers per hour to 11,270 passengers per hour.

2019 - Sugar celebrates 50 years!

December 2019

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43

SUGAR MOUNTAIN RESORT – INTERESTING STATS 2019-20 SEASON Miles of Cable USED IN Ski Lifts GREEN LIFT: GUNTHER’S WAY LIFT: EASY STREET EXPRESS: OMA’S LIFT: LITTLE GRAY LIFT: SUMMIT EXPRESS:

TOTAL:

4420’ 6612’ 3601’ 4315’ 3859’ 10350’

33,157 FEET

or 6.27 miles WEIGHT MOVED BY LIFTS

Ski lifts at Sugar Mountain Resort have the capability to move over 11,000 people per hour up the mountain.

GUNTHER’S WAY LIFT: 21 k-lbs EASY STREET EXPRESS 12.9 k-lbs OMA’S LIFT: 16.4 k-lbs LITTLE GRAY LIFT: 13 k-lbs GREEN: 23 k-lbs SUMMIT EXPRESS: 37 k-lbs

TOTAL: 123.3 k-lbs (62 tons)

OR - 11270 people per hour/170 lbs per person

2 Million lbs per hour (960 tons per hour)

Sugar Mountain has seven snowcats to groom snow. This snowcat features a winch to anchor itself to the top of the mountain.

LIFT TOTAL VERTICAL RISE GUNTHER’S WAY LIFT: EASY STREET EXPRESS: OMA’S LIFT: LITTLE GRAY LIFT: GREEN: SUMMIT EXPRESS:

TOTAL:

891’ 247’ 462’ 283’ 402’ 1133’

3,418 FEET

LIFT HORSEPOWER (HP) GUNTHER’S WAY LIFT: EASY STREET EXPRESS: OMA’S LIFT: LITTLE GRAY LIFT: GREEN: SUMMIT EXPRESS:

TOTAL: 44

High Country Magazine

153 139 84 59 104 317

860hp December 2019

The original 8-inch water pipes were replaced with 14-inch water pipes to allow for more water flow and more efficient snowmaking.

Number of Snow Machines

Number of Managers

Number of Snow Grooming Machines

Number of Employees

7 Number of Departments

Gallons of Water Pumping Capacity

16

4,600 gallons

140

18

500

Gunther’s Way Opens in 2014 Pictured here are Kim and Gunther Jochl during the ribbon cutting ceremony that took place on November 20, 2014 on what has become one of the most popular ski slopes at Sugar Mountain, Gunther’s Way. The slope has 10 automated snow guns stationed on that trail alone. Gunther’s Way sits on nine acres of land and is 150 feet wide and 2,900 feet long with over 700 feet of vertical - and is considered an advance/intermediate level slope. that had a wench on it.

Despite some of the early changes, it was still tough to get area residents to support the ski industry on Sugar Mountain.

“The bankruptcy left a weird mentality with a lot of people. People didn’t like the skiers even though the skiers made the money for them. It was hard for them to understand at the time. Skiing was part of the real estate deal. It was a private resort,

they wanted to keep the skier numbers down and just have the members ski. You can’t support it that way. It wasn’t really known to the locals because they weren’t part of that crowd,” said Gunther. “The setup then was a setup to fail. I felt bad for a lot of the local people that got burned.

Over the years, people that became my friends, I heard stories that were just terrible. It breaks your heart that these kinds

of things went on. I think one of the big differences people found out over the years is I pay my bills. Everybody deserves to be paid.”

Eventually, most of the local community bought into what Gunther and his staff were putting together at Sugar Mountain.

“We brought some stability to this. The real state market was dead, the place was bankrupt in the mid-70s, it took some kind

BEFORE December 2019

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The views at the top of Sugar Mountain’s 5,300-foot summit truly are breathtaking. In the foreground is the top of the Summit Express lift with the unmistakable face of Grandfather Mountain on the horizon and the Sugar Top condominium complex in between. of transition for people to understand. You would notice the gas stations and restaurants start to develop and all of a sudden, real estate picked back up again. Jobs were more secure because of what we did here.

All of a sudden there were a lot of things built, all of the country clubs were built. I think that is all a result of the boom the ski industry created. Locals realized it wasn’t a bad thing and it was working for them,” Gunther recalled.

Overhauling and Innovating Begins With the purchase of Sugar Mountain Resort completed, Gunther turned his full attention to upgrading the snowmaking capabilities on the mountain. The first big investments included upgrading 46

High Country Magazine

the air compressor output and the snow guns. The new snow guns included fan guns from Snow Making, Inc. (SMI) that offered some of the highest quality and most efficient snowmaking equipment on the market.

“Then we decided we needed more air, you use a lot of it to make snow. Up until then, we had just one huge compressor with an output of 2,500 horsepower.

So we added four more, 600-horsepower compressors, basically doubling our output,” Gunther said. “When you look back then, we made snow with what they had here, but quickly we had to add more guns and have more capacity.”

The upgrades continued into the mid1980s when the process began to upgrade all of the water pipes.

December 2019

“The water originally came out from eight-inch pipes, so we sized that up to 14inch pipes. That gave us four or five times as much water. It increased capacity and we wanted to make sure it was big enough and able to handle more pumps and better pumps,” Gunther said. “There has always been a plan in my mind to move to the next stage, I always had an idea of what I wanted to do next.”

Gunther added that the final phase of pipe installation and water line replacement was completed this year.

Slope grooming was also a major addition to the tasks that employees would undertake to provide the best possible ski conditions.

“People want good skiing. One of the things I changed immediately when I came

Sugar

is sweeter.

SUGAR MOUNTAIN RESORT Celebrating 50 years 1969-2019

www.skisugar.com Sugar Mountain, NC December 2019

High Country Magazine

47

It doesn’t take long riding with Jochl down a slope like Whoopdedoo in a high-tech, winch-assisted groomer, communications crackling in an instrument-festooned cockpit, to suspect this guy is also an airplane pilot (as is his wife Kim).

PHOTO BY RANDY JOHNSON

here was we started grooming slopes. Nobody groomed slopes back then. We constantly groomed slopes to make it nice and smooth. It was a lot of work, but we did it,” Gunther recalled.

The invention of automated snowmaking guns and the invention of Snomax gave Sugar Mountain two more big-ticket investment items that would make the snow quality and coverage better.

“Snomax is tremendous for making more snow. It’s not cheap; we probably spend $50,000 a year on Snomax. It is a natural product that provides a nucleus to build a film around it so water can freeze faster. We wouldn’t use it if it wasn’t natural, I have no benefit from polluting my own mountain,” says Gunther. “When I

first came here, there was no wildlife, maybe just a few groundhogs. There are so many animals here now, you see maybe too many deer. It’s a sign that things are healthy and that’s a good thing. Skiing and the winter sports that we provide are supposed to create something in nature that is nice.”

SMI has been one of the go-to companies for snowmaking guns, and that remained the same for when the purchases of automated snow guns began.

“SMI I think is the best snow gun out there that we’ve tried. We have a lot of automated guns on the mountain now. The initial investment for just one automated gun is not cheap, but when you look at the efficiency of how much it costs you to make snow and to convert water to snow,

Pictured here are long-time members of the Sugar Mountain team. Left to right - Floyd Jones (who has been at Sugar Mountain since 1969), Ronnie Woody, Erich Schmidinger and Glen Horney.

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December 2019

it’s still cheaper that way,” says Gunther.

Around five years ago was when Sugar Mountain started ramping up its purchase of automated snow guns. That coincided with the construction of Gunther’s Way, one of the most popular trails on the mountain. There are 10 automated guns on that trail alone and they all make great snow.

Automated snow guns require very little human interaction, although they still do need a little bit of that human factor just in case a problem with the snow guns may arise. The guns are set up to start at a certain temperature. When that temperature hits the mark, the snow guns are each individually controlled by a computer and they will start making snow. Currently, there are between 140 and 150 hydrants for snowmaking guns on the mountain.

The Beauty of It All The appearance of Sugar Mountain Resort has changed so much in 50 years, but a lot of the things on the mountain are still the same. Whether it be the great views, the great customers or the years of dedicated employees and staff, Sugar Mountain stands to remind us that patience, hard work, and love for what you do can

The “Summit Express” team that helped construct the six-seat, chairlift/ gondola celebrated with a party upon completion of the project in 2015.

Skiers and snowboarders of all ages fill up the slopes each winter, either learning the sport or taking their skills to a higher level. go a long way.

Gunther met his future wife, Kim, in 1990. They ended up getting married in 1997. Kim, who began working at the resort in 2001, currently serves as Sugar Mountain’s Vice-President and Director of Marketing.

“We have constantly looked at things and built things to continuously improve and try to make everything better. We see what the customer wants and try to put the money in the right areas to do what needs to be done. I’ve got a good crew that knows what needs to be done,”

said Gunther. “We have excellent people for today’s standards. You can’t forget all the staff that help do this. I have 20-some managers sitting there in a meeting. We’ve got a lot of departments here.”

Longtime workers like Warren Hodges, Keith Lane, and Floyd Jones became friends as well as loyal employees.

After being here for 43 years, Gunther still loves being at the top of the mountain and gazing off as far as the eye can see at what beauty surrounds the High Country.

“The beauty has never left. I’m out there every day. I’ve seen it 100 times a

year for 43 years, I can’t get enough of it. It’s amazing and that feeling has not gone away. That’s the way it was then and the way it is today. I go up there and I sit there at the peak of the mountain. Tennessee is one way, Virginia is one way, Charlotte is one way. It’s beautiful,” Gunther said. “The beauty hasn’t gone away and we have made things better because that’s what the consumer and the market want.

The big change from then to now is you see the approach and the attitude, but our goal has never been different. It’s to make it a good, pleasant experience.” t

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49

The Enduring Appeal of Southern Snow Nearly forty years after the first edition of the “cult classic” ski book Southern Snow, the updated version delves even deeper into the rich history and growing national significance of skiing in a region known more for sun than snow.

By Randy Johnson

B

ack in the mid-‘80s when I wrote the first edition of Southern Snow, things were different in the Southern Appalachian ski industry.

An amazing 33 years later, Southern Snow, a “cult classic” ski book according to ski film pioneer Warren Miller, is out again in a brand new second edition, updated and expanded from the University of North Carolina Press.

The new book still contains an entire chapter on the “His50

High Country Magazine

December 2019

tory of Southern Skiing,” but back then, the industry was only 27 years old when measured from the opening of the ski area at The Homestead in Virginia—the first ski resort designed to operate exclusively on machine made snow. That was sixty years ago this winter!

So much has changed that I basically had to rewrite the “old book,” which itself had become an historical document. Imagine, websites weren’t even mentioned in the original book! I urged people to “write for a free brochure.” Today, the latest rates are available online in a millionth of a second, and web cams are everywhere. The first book recommended ski area lodgings that have “rooms with color TVs.” Really? Sign me up!

We know now that The Homestead’s ski resort proved that snowmaking and skiing would work in the South. Thomas “Doc” Brigham, who was a prime force in the creation of Beech and Sugar Mountains, and Snowshoe—literally decided to pursue skiing in the region after reading an article about The Homestead in Reader’s Digest.

Back in the ‘80s I met the and became friends with ski pioneers from those early years—among them Sepp Kober and Doc Brigham—and others from as far back as the start of natural snow skiing in the 1930s, ‘40s and ‘50s. I’ve lived through the decades since then, skied all the slopes and trails, seen the trends emerge, and to this day I know many of the people who are making south-

ern skiing a success.

Besides The Homestead’s 60th anniversary, this winter celebrates the 50th year for both Sugar Mountain and the French-Swiss Ski College (based at Appalachian Ski Mountain). Southern Snow tells those tales, but it also names so many names, from many years, that even a greatly expanded history chapter couldn’t include them all (much less this article).

That’s why Southern Snow’s introduction warns readers that there are so many time-warp tidbits scattered throughout the book you can’t avoid being amazed at how much has changed in the ski industry, in the South and in the nation.

Let’s ski down the years and have a look at a few of those changes.

Snowmaking

It was sixty years ago this winter that The Homestead took the leap of faith to start a ski area designed to subsist solely on machine made snow. Those feeble “guns” at early snowmaking resorts took forever to incrementally cover parts of slopes much less entire mountainsides.

The technology imDecember 2019

High Country Magazine

51

Change has happened on the slopes and skiers’ feet. Shaped skis have made skiing more fun and easier to learn. proved but it was slow going for decades. For years snowmakers dressed like the Michelin Man struggled to pull snow guns around the slopes, dragging the stiff, freezing hoses for compressed air and water behind them, all the while trying to do the impossible—balance the mixture of air and water to make great snow. Zach Marlowe, Wintergreen, Virginia’s director of mountain operations summed it up: “Back then, the minute the person walked away after adjusting the air and water mixture, you can bet the guns were already adjusted wrong.”

Chances are you’ll see some old snow guns still in use today, and you’ll even see snowmakers doing the “sleeve test,” checking the quality of falling flakes by the way they look landing on their parkas. Guns moving around the slopes are now on wheels, but many or even most at some resorts are mounted high on towers.

The amount and quality of the snow today is light years ahead of where it used to be. Some guns still use “pumped” air and water, but others vaporize their flakes with fan-forced ambient air. It’s all more efficient and reliable, especially when a computer adjusts the variables based on super-accurate data measured at the snowgun itself.

The result? Today ski areas can cover entire slopes and mountainsides, even opening “to the top,” without that snail’s pace creep to good coverage.

Then and now at Appalachian Ski Mountain. It’s hard to believe how primitive slope grooming was in the 1960s (much less the piecemeal snowmaking in background). Courtesy Appalachian Ski Mountain

Climate

There will surely be disastrous winters in the future, but ever more sophisticated technology and scrupulous planning for water and other variables are increasingly able to make the most out of even fleeting windows of cold weather. More and more snow on the slopes is always the best insurance against interludes of warm weather.

More good news—a recent study by ASU geographer Montana Alan Eck says even the threat of climate change may not 52

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December 2019

Today’s tanklike snow grooming machines create a velvet corduroy surface.

Grooming improves the surface for skiers and also preserves and moves the snow. Photo by Drew Stanley, courtesy Appalachian Ski Mountain.

Thomas “Doc” Brigham, shown at left (with son Peter), was a dentist from Birmingham, Alabama who walked away from his practice to pursue ski area development. Photo from Brigham Family Collection. yet be upon us. In research published last year in the prestigious International Journal of Climatology, he revealed that over the last century, temps in the Southern Appalachians have actually gotten a little colder, defying the “drastic changes to winter conditions currently experienced in the mountain West.” That luck may not last forever (knock on wood)—but the 60th anniversary of The Homestead’s ski area holds out hope that Southern resorts may not only be the first to fully embrace snowmaking, but the first to really make the most of it.

Austrian ski teacher Eric Bindlechner was Sugar Mountain’s ski school director, one of the first in the region to embrace the Professional Ski Instructors of America.

Photo from Traver Family Collection.

Grooming

Now cast your eyes back on the history of how we treat the snow we have. An early image at Appalachian Ski Mountain startlingly recalls the primitive snowmobile pulled, slope-rolling groomers of yesteryear. Even as recently as the 1980s slope grooming was not a priority.

Remember the massive moguls that used to defy removal on Tom Terrific

Jim Cottrell, above left, and Jack Lester, founded the French-Swiss Ski College at Appalachian Ski Mountain.

Grady Moretz, far left, perfected that successful ski area.

Courtesy Appalachian Ski Mountain.

December 2019

High Country Magazine

53

Jochl first came to the United States to teach and went on from there. Both Beech and Sugar had a cadre of Austrian instructors.

That started changing right here in the High Country with the birth of the FrenchSwiss Ski College. Fifty years ago this winter, Jim Cottrell and his then partner Jack Lester launched their dream: a ski school staffed by Americans. Over decades organizations like the Professional Ski Instructors of America emerged to standardize and professionalize ski and snowboard instruction. The High Country and the South today have ski and snowboard teachers as skilled and certified as professional instructors anywhere in the United States. Take a private lesson to find out how much fun you can have and how fast you can get better.

The Red Baron Room was, and still is, a classic early watering hole at Beech Mountain Resort.

Courtesy Beech Mountain Historical Society. and Boulder Dash at Sugar Mountain? In a reminder of Sugar’s 50th anniversary this year, owner Gunther Jochl deserves credit for being one of the first resort operators whose innovative, aggressive grooming started turning frozen waves into velvet corduroy. Today, Jochl’s fleet of “winch cat” groomers climb the area’s steepest slopes with cable-assisted ease. The “cockpit” of these cruisers resembles the flight deck of an airplane.

control short skis and “graduated” to longer boards when you mastered the tech-

Ski Culture

Ski Equipment

Big news doesn’t always happen on the slopes. In the 1990s, it was on skiers’ feet.

Back in the day, expert skiers used long straight skis that stymied less-gifted athletes. Then came shaped skis, boards that had a gentle hourglass shape between the tip, waist and tail, that made it easier to turn. They were also fitted shorter.

So many advanced skiers pooh-poohed the innovation that ski instructors had to weigh-in against the conventional wisdom.

After evaluation, the Professional Ski Instructors of America literally called shaped skis a watershed moment. All kinds of ski improvements continue today, but that late 1990s change in ski design breathed new life into how easy, and how much fun, skiing could be for the masses.

Snowboarding

The first edition of Southern Snow not only didn’t include web sites, snowboarding wasn’t even mentioned! Boy that’s changed. The aerial emphasis of the surfing and skateboarding-derived sport of snowboarding has also drafted legions of skiers onto the now ubiquitous terrain parks found at southern ski areas. In fact, snowboarding now makes up a huge portion of the people sliding down our slopes—nothing less than a much-needed shot-in-the-arm for the “ski industry.”

niques?

Teaching methods still evolve, but first, even ski schools had to be invented in the South. Starting at the Homestead in 1959 under Sepp Kober, southern ski areas used to import European instructors. Gunther

Remember when ski resorts were like alien settlements in the rural and conservative Southern Appalachians? Danny Seme, a Sugar Mountain professional ski patroller, tells the tale of an infamous party spot, the Hub Pub Club, which occupied one of the original buildings that became today’s Alpine Ski Center. Seme once told me “we spent one Halloween on the roof just

Ski Teaching

Beyond the revolution wrought by shaped skis, changes in ski design have periodically attempted to make it easier to learn the sport. Remember Clif Taylor’s “GLM” or graduated length method of instruction, where you learned on easy to 54

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December 2019

Alpine Ski Center back in the 1970s after a nice dump of snow. The building was also the location of infamous party spot, the Hub Pub Club before becoming a ski shop.

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Boone’s Donate-What-You-Can Community Cafe “Where Everybody Eats”

Feed All Regardless of Means REAL. GOOD. FOOD.

Hawksnest ski area is a snow tubing resort today. Early local snowboarding phenom J.J. Collier won the US Open Junior Moguls championship. Tom Gidley, son of Seven Devils designer Gardner Gidley, played key roles at Hawksnest. Photos by Randy Johnson.

617 W. King St. (across from Mast General Store) www.farmcafe.org

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guarding the place.”

Remember brown-bagging? Imagine, you had to bring-in your own alcohol if you wanted to raise a toast with your steak dinner. And there was nowhere nearby to buy wine anyway!

The ski industry has been pushing a more liberalized urban lifestyle for decades. First the biggest resorts became towns—Snowshoe, Seven Devils, Beech, Sugar. With them came passage of beer and liquor referenda. Since then, America’s ongoing demographic changes have ushered in changing attitudes and places that never wanted to vote for alcohol sales eventually did.

Remember, “A Polish Pope, a man on the moon, we think it’s time for beer in Boone.” Yes that was a sign made by Mike Sollecito of Sollecito’s Pizza, a classic of local ski region dining and apres-ski spot in Boone. His restaurant, and signature crooning to Dean Martin tunes, was just part of the evolving offerings of Southern Appalachian dining. Sollecito’s is gone but the memories last, along with names like the Rodes Farm at Wintergreen and Red Fox at Snowshoe. An enviable assortment of culinary offerings now epitomizes Southern ski country.

More than that, there’s a true ski culture in the South that stands out all over the region. Speaking of Alpine Ski Center, Bob Quinlan and Hiram Lewis’ early local landmark of ski culture eventually became one of a number of successful ski shop chains

December 2019

in the region (among them Bill Leonard’s Ski Country SportsTK). Add in all the individual stores and the South has become a retail hotspot in the national ski economy.

Just take a drive around the High Country.

Southern Snow

When I set out to write Southern Snow in the early 1980s, I did it to redress the ridicule being heaped on skiing in the South. I just loved winter, realized we get a nice chunk of it down here, and didn’t think you had to fly to Aspen to call yourself a passionate skier. Who would imagine that today, southern ski resorts are the biggest “feeder market” of new skiers for the nation’s ski industry.

Rewriting my nearly 40 year-old ski book makes me increasingly proud of the rich history of Southern skiing. Who knew the first rope tow was installed in the South just a few years after the first in Vermont?

Or that Lees-McRae College students were skiing on Beech Mountain in the 1930s?

Or that Roan Mountain receives more snow than Buffalo, New York?

Delving into all that impresses me that skiing in the High Country and the South is a long continuum worth continuing.

Southern Snow is a paean to winter—in particular, winter in the South—and the people who find it, and find in it, a realm beyond location. Skiing came south on the dreams of true believers, and here in the High Country and elsewhere, those dreamers are still with us today. t

Stone Cavern

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December 2019

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The Real Deal “I love people, and I love helping people. That is my life.”

ety (ACHS) to the tune of $25,000.

“We are so appreciative and excited about the support we felt from the community through this event,” said Gwynne Dyer, executive director of the ACHS. “And what a tribute to Rachel! We have to raise enough each year to cover our operating budget, as we do not receive any Federal, state or county funding. This was a great event for us.”

The Humane Society in Avery is one of Rachel’s passions — one of many. She has served and volunteers for a number of causes in the community, including the needs of seniors, local farmers, children, women, and churches. She is an advocate for education, medical care, animal welfare and aging issues.

Rachel was presented the prestigious Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award in 2012 from the office of the North Carolina Governor — joining a list of distinguished recipients including North Carolina-born actor Andy Griffith, basketball player Michael Jordan, the founder of UNC Charlotte Bonnie Ethel Cone, world renowned evangelist Billy Graham, and journalist Charles Kuralt.

Rachel was inducted into the Martha Guy Hall of Legends as one of Avery County’s “Citizens of the Century,” was presented the 2012 High Country woman of the Year award in the category of Service to the High Country and received many other awards for service. At the luncheon in August, Crossnore’s mayor Jessie Smith read an official proclamation dedicating the day as “Rachel Deal Day.” All of her work is driven by deep compassion and love for others.

The Early Years

It could be said that service is in Rachel’s DNA. Her aunt and uncle were Dr. Mary Martin Sloop and Dr. Eustace Sloop, who came to Crossnore in 1909 to provide healthcare to the mountain community. They treated patients in their home, or made house calls by horseSometimes called “The Mother of Avery County,” Rachel Deal celebrated back, traveling for miles along rural mountain roads. her 90th birthday in November, a life filled with helping others.

Seeing a need, the Sloops established The Crossnore School in 1913 to serve as a boarding school for disadBy Jan Todd vantaged mountain children. The school evolved over the years sk anyone in Avery County, and they’ll say, “You can’t into The Crossnore School & Children’s Home, offering on-site medical care and trauma-based clinical services for children. say no to Rachel Deal.”

The Sloops were among the small group that started CrossBut then, why would you want to? This 4’10” dynamo celebrated her 90th birthday in November and has lived a life of nore Presbyterian Church, where Eustace led the service because no minister was available. They also founded Sloop Memorial loving and giving, inspiring others to do the same.

In August, 110 of her closest friends, community leaders, and Hospital (originally Garrett Memorial) in Crossnore, which was supporters gathered to celebrate Rachel in the way that would later absorbed into Appalachian Regional Healthcare System’s most honor her — a fundraiser luncheon at Stonewall’s Restau- Charles A. Cannon Jr. Memorial Hospital in Linville.

When the Sloops had children, they brought Lena Sloop, rant in Banner Elk, benefitting the Avery County Humane Soci-

A 58

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Eustace’s younger sister, to Crossnore to babysit one summer. Lena met and later married Theron Dellinger while in Crossnore, and they had five children.

Rachel was the youngest.

“I was born on Thanksgiving Day in 1929,” Rachel said. “Mama said she had me instead of a turkey, but my husband used to say she had a little of both.”

“It snowed 19 inches on the day I was born,” she continued. “Mama got mad at Daddy. I was born at 12:45 in the morning, and he didn’t come until 6:00 the next day. He had four other children to take care of, and of course he had to milk the cows, so he had good excuses, but Mama didn’t see it that way.”

“Uncle Doctor delivered me,” Rachel said. “We called him ‘Uncle Doctor’ because he didn’t like his name, Eustace.”

“My mother was postmistress from 1919 to 1931.

And my daddy was postmaster from 1931 to 1970.

Daddy also owned two theaters, one in Crossnore and another in Elk Park. I grew up working at the theater in Elk Park. I would take up tickets when I was about 10 years old, then I started selling tickets later on,” continued Rachel.

The Dellinger family had a small farm, like many mountain folks, raising their own food along with cows, horses and pigs. “My daddy saw that we learned the values of life,” Rachel remembered. “He and my mama were always helping other people. I was born during the Depression, you see, and there wasn’t a lot of food around. It was hard times.”

She loved animals, and adopted her first dog when she was 5 years old. “My mama grew flowers, and she’d trade dahlia bulbs with other women who lived around us. One day we went to this lady’s house, and while they were talking, I saw a mama dog run under the house. I went to see if she had puppies, and I reached under the steps and picked up a puppy and it bit me!”

“They let me take that puppy home and I named it Spider. I had that dog for 15 years and he was my life, that little dog.”

“I enjoyed my childhood,” she shared. “I wouldn’t change it for anything.”

Rachel married early, at age 17, before finishing For her years of volunteer service, Rachel was presented the prestigious Order of high school. “It didn’t last, though,” she said. “We the Long Leaf Pine Award in 2012 from the office of the North Carolina Governor. were married for five years and lived in Charlotte part of that time. I worked at Ivey’s Department Store.” cialty Company — for brothers I.D. and Herman Blumenthal.

She moved back to Crossnore and helped her father out at the The Blumenthals, whose family foundation later spearheaded post office when she and her husband separated. She had some community improvement projects including the North Carolina tough times, when a friend who was staying with her was criti- Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, opened doors for Rachel. cally injured, then a house fire, an auto accident, and finally the Several years prior, Herman Blumenthal had operated a diend of her marriage. vision of Radiator Specialty Company in California, where he “It was a terrible year,” Rachel said. But with luck and cir- met and married Anita Sutker, an accomplished singer. Herman cumstances that might make others crumble, Rachel buckled brought Anita back to Charlotte, and the couple continued an down and found strength within herself. interest in supporting the arts.

“I learned to take care of myself. I had to,” she said.

“He was a real nice gentleman,” Rachel said about Herman.

Rachel decided to finish high school. “I was 22 years old and “He and his brother admired my aunt, and what she had done I was going to school with my nephew!” she laughed. “But I with the Crossnore school. They were happy I was their recepgraduated, then moved back to Charlotte to find work.” tionist, because I was part of the Sloop family.”

Herman Blumenthal knew Rachel enjoyed music and introThe Building Years duced her to the Charlotte Opera Association. She started singIn Charlotte, Rachel was hired to work at the Radiator Spe- ing with the opera and played several small parts. “I was good December 2019

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at moving around the stage.

Some people need to stand still and sing, but I could walk around and sing, so they gave me some parts,” she said.

Rachel said her parents both sang in church, and she joined the choir when she was just 12 years old. “Sloops sing,” she said.

Rachel met Ken Deal while playing in a bowling league, and they married in 1969. “Ken wanted to move to the mountains,” she said.

“I saw an ad in the paper for a receptionist job with the sales office on Beech Mountain, for Carolina Caribbean.”

Carolina Caribbean Corporation was a development company owned with other investors by the Robbins brothers — Grover, Harry and Spencer — who also owned Tweetsie Railroad and the Hound Ears Resort. The company was developing Beech Mountain as a private resort.

“I interviewed with Grover Robbins, and he hired me on the spot,” said Rachel.

“Part of it was because I’d been a part of the Charlotte Opera, and they thought I could start a theater group at Beech Mountain.”

Rachel welcomed visitors and potential home buyers to Beech Mountain. “When I started work, there was only one house on the mountain,” she recalled. “I would show people a film called, ‘There is a Place,’ about a couple who wanted a place to relax when they weren’t working.”

“We had a 9-hole golf course, then Jack Nicklaus came in and designed an 18-hole course. He was only 22 years old at the time.” said Rachel.

“Then we added ski slopes, and I was involved in that.”

Jeff Davis, branch manager of High Country Wealth Management and member of the Avery County Chamber of Commerce board of directors, remembers “Miss Rachel” from his days as a boy 60

Rachel worked for years for the Carolina Caribbean Corporation, welcoming visitors and potential home buyers to Beech Mountain.

Rachel Deal in the Newland Christmas parade in the 70s, when she was awarded Woman of the Year by the Avery Chamber of Commerce.

High Country Magazine

In 2018 Rachel Deal accepts award at the High Country Council of Governments’ annual awards banquet for her 25 years of service to the Senior Tar Heel Legislature and Aging Advisory Committee membership.

December 2019

on Beech Mountain. “My sister and I used to be dropped off with her, when I was about 10 or 11 years old. She’d let us run a hot chocolate tab!”

Fred Pfohl, who with his wife Margie has owned and operated the iconic Fred’s General Mercantile on Beech Mountain for forty years, worked for Carolina Caribbean when he was a student at Appalachian. “Rachel was “mother to all of us guys who worked up on the mountain,” he said.

In the late 1960’s, Grover Robbins decided to build a theme park to draw visitors to Beech Mountain during the off-season for skiing. He hired the late Jack Pentes, an artist and designer from Charlotte. When Pentes saw the gnarled beech trees on the mountain, he was reminded of scenes from “The Wizard of Oz,” and he used the story for inspiration.

Visitors to The Land of Oz walked along a yellow brick road, encountered characters from the movie, and experienced hot air balloons, flying monkeys and Munchkinland.

The spring before The Land of Oz opened, Tiny Tim came to visit Jack Pentes. Rachel was working with Pentes on marketing for the theme park, and he invited Rachel and her husband, Ken, to join them for dinner.

“We were eating at the Beech Tree Inn, and Jack started teasing me and said he bet I wouldn’t sing with Tiny Tim,” Rachel recalled. “I told him never to bet me on anything, so Tiny Tim and I got up on stage and sang ‘Tiptoe Through the Tulips.’ That’s my claim to fame.”

Tragically, Grover Robbins had a heart attack and passed away just a few months before The Land of Oz opened in 1970. The theme park was successful its first year, but a downturn in real estate sales, unpredict-

able weather on the mountain, and other factors led to the closing of the park after just a few years. “I went through everything with Carolina Caribbean,� said Rachel. “The company went bankrupt (in 1975), and then we became the Beech Mountain Property Owners Association. Later we decided we needed to be a town. I got Jim Hughes, who was a North Carolina Representative at the time, to write a resolution for Beech Mountain to become a town.�

Rachel made many contacts while working at Beech Mountain and learned about business and how to get things done, she said. Her experiences in the business world would pave the way for her future accomplishments in community service.

The Dog Years

When Rachel and Ken arrived in Avery County, there was no animal shelter.

There was a large number of stray animals in the area, and it was becoming a problem.

Rachel said, “Ken and I would be driving down the road, see a dog, and Ken would say, ‘We gotta pick that dog up.’ Before you knew it, we were taking care of about twenty dogs.�

Nancy Morrison, a friend and relative

Rachel has been involved with the Avery Humane Society since its inception in 1978 and with the help of many others realized the dream of establishing the Humane Society’s building that opened in April of 2012 that is pictured here. of Rachel’s, said, “I grew up with Rachel, and live down the road from her. She has always loved animals, as have I. At one time, we might as well have had the Humane Society on our road — Rachel had about 30 animals, and I had 10!�

In 1978, Rachel joined a group gathered to talk about a solution for the stray animals. They formed a non-profit organization and were given an office in the “old jailhouse,� said Rachel. “That was where the North Carolina Agricultural

Extension Office was, too. I started helping Alice Pyatte Sudderth raise money for a shelter, making calls from that office.�

Rachel said she and Alice went to the County Commission to plead their case for funding, and finally convinced the Commissioners to help. “They said if we could raise $15,000, they’d give us another $15,000 for the shelter.�

The group got to work, selling t-shirts and baked goods, to raise money. The late Claude Pyatte donated a parcel of land on

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Rachel Deal Day Over 100 people gathered in August at Stonewall’s Restaurant in Banner Elk, to honor Rachel Deal and raise money for the Avery County Humane Society. Tommy Burleson (with Rachel, right) was one of several local icons to pay tribute to Rachel at the luncheon Stamey Branch Road, and when the funds were raised, volunteers built the County’s first animal shelter in 1988.

Supporters had to continue to raise money over the years to sustain the operation of the shelter, and there were many, many cupcakes sold for the cause.

Gwynne Dyer described Rachel’s unique approach to bake sales. “I was helping Rachel set up for a bake sale one time and asked if I could help price the items. Rachel told me, ‘Oh, I don’t do it that way.’ Someone came up and selected a batch of cookies and asked how much they owed. Rachel replied, ‘How much to you think you owe?’ Rachel held her hand out and just smiled as the buyer added dollar after dollar to her hand. Rachel has the gift of persuasion!”

Over the years, Rachel developed relationships with sponsors and donors who became faithful supporters of the ACHS. “We struggled to keep the shelter open from year to year,” Rachel recalled.

“Then, in 2006, (the late) Marti and Wayne Huizenga started helping.”

Huizenga, a successful businessman, entrepreneur and philanthropist, had deep ties to the High Country. He was the former owner of the NFL Miami Dophins, plus two other professional sports franchises.

“The Huizengas decided they were going to help us build a new shelter, and 62

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they got us involved in every fundraiser there was,” Rachel said. Bake sales were still part of the formula, but generous donations from many opened the doors to the new shelter in 2012.

Today, the ACHS Board of Directors is chaired by Nancy Morrison, and Jesse Pope is the vice-chairman.

Pope, who is the Executive Director of the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, recalled his first meeting with Rachel, which he shared at her luncheon in August.

“When I came to the area, one of the first people I was told to get to know was Rachel Deal,” he said. “She walked into my office and I could see the intention in her eyes. She wanted my help on the Humane Society board. You can’t say ‘no’ to Rachel.”

The shelter now adopts out approximately 700 animals a year and spays/neuters about 1,000 per year.

“Our goal is to never euthanize a healthy animal,” said Dyer. “We have one of the best rates in the state. But we do not receive any Federal, state or county funding so community support is vital for us.”

The Retirement Years

Rachel worked at Beech Mountain until 1985, when she suffered a stroke.

While many would use their retirement

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years to kick back and relax, Rachel used her extra time for extra projects.

“She has been on the board of almost every organization in the area,” said Nancy Morrison. “She is the Avery County delegate for the N.C. Senior Tar Heel Legislature, has delivered Meals on Wheels, was on the Avery County Long Term Care Community Advisory Council, the Rural Transportion Advisory Committee, is an elder at her church, and has served on too many other entities to mention.”

Rachel was diagnosed with degenerative heart disease many years ago, and has only one eye and one kidney, said Morrison. “But she has never let her health problems slow her down!”

Her husband, Ken, died about 20 years ago with complications from Alzheimer’s Disease. Experiencing the issues of that devastating illness that affects many seniors is one of the things that provides fuel for Rachel’s advocacy for seniors, she said.

Every Sunday, Rachel packs a basket of cookies and visits the Life Care Center in Banner Elk, a long-term care facility where her older sister resides. She visits many patients’ rooms, offering sweets and a song or two. “I learned to help people at an early age,” Rachel said. “I always wanted to help others who needed help, and that is what has driven me to do what I do. I love people, and I love helping people. That is my life.” t

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Keeping the Tradition Alive with Morris Hatton 27th Annual Christmas Eve Service at Brookside Presbyterian Church

By Sherrie Norris

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radition plays a special part in cades ago, when Hatton was working at mas with such an event, the same way, evmany holiday celebrations in homes the WBIO radio station at Mystery Hill in ery year, we asked Hatton? and churches across the land. For Blowing Rock.

“In reality, Jesus wasn’t born on the 25th Brookside Presbyterian Church in Boone, a “I had gotten my license in radio in of December. He did come to the planet, very special Christmas Eve service and while it might not have been has stood the test of time, featuring on that specific date, it’s as good one of the area’s leading ministers, as any to acknowledge his commusicians and vocalists. ing. People can argue about it, fuss For the 27th year, Brookside about it, but no matter what the will open its doors once again on day, Christians ought to celebrate December 24 to welcome memit. We need to give attention to his bers and guests, including Morris birth and his resurrection, both of Hatton. Hatton will lead in song which changed the whole world.” and celebration during the heartHatton described the Brookwarming service that ushers in one side service as “something speof the greatest of all Christian obcial,” and one in which he leads servances. the attendees in song and performs It’s something that not only the a mini concert, of sorts. The order church family and its pastor, the of the program is as traditional as Rev. Larry Young, anticipate greatly the program, itself, both Hatton each year; it’s also something near and Young shared. (See sidebar for and dear to the heart of the local specifics.) celebrity known for his immense “After Pastor Larry and his talent, his love for humanity — and folks do the scripture, prayers and for Jesus, which, he reminds us, “Is share the actual nativity service, the reason for the season.” and we take part in singing carols “It has been a great tradition and communion, I finish off the for me,” said Hatton, who stressed service with some special music,” that, regardless of the hustle-bustle Hatton described. of the season, he always made sure When asked what he hopes his calendar was free for that evehis audience takes away from the ning, despite other invitations, famservice, his reply was easily unily obligations, etc. “We learned to derstood: Morris Hatton is a well-known local minister, Bible scholar, work around it through the years,” “I hope they get an appremusician and vocalist who loves sharing the good news of he explained. “My family realized ciation for the fact that Jesus did Jesus Christ with others near and far. how important it was for me to take come — and for the celebration of part in this service, and they were always in 1968. Yeah, you had to study and take a his advent, of his coming. And that they agreement for me to do it. We rearranged test for it back in those days,” he said with learn the story. Unfortunately, we don’t our schedules to make sure I was available. a chuckle. “I ended up doing radio, first in usually read those scriptures about Jesus’ We knew it was going to happen – had the California and then in Florida, when we birth in Bible studies until this time of year. whole year leading up to it to plan around lived there; when I came back home, I was So, as people leave the church that night, it.” fortunate to work at the first radio station they have the scriptures in their minds.

Therefore, he said, his family celebra- to come to Blowing Rock.”

Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the tions happened earlier or later. “I’ve only That’s when Hatton and Young became word – you have to hear the word that can missed it one year, but everybody missed it, acquainted, he said. “Larry came into the solidify your faith — and we hope it does too,” he said. “That’s when we got snowed station, and next thing I knew, I was there that for them.” out and none of us could make it out there doing his Christmas Eve service and have It’s always a personal blessing for him to the church. been doing it ever since.” to participate in this special service, HatHatton and Young met nearly three deWhy is it important to welcome Christ- ton said.

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A Service of Adoration, Communion and Candlelight Brookside Presbyterian Church / Christmas Eve AD 2019 / Seven o’clock Evening Worship

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he High Country community is invited to this annual upcoming service of Adoration, Communion, & Candlelight, which will be held at Brookside Presbyterian Church at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec 24.

In addition to Hatton’s concert of traditional Christmas music at the end, Young will lead the congregation in a nativity service, inspired by and patterned after the famous Festival of Lessons and Carols held each Christmas Eve at the King’s College Chapel, Cambridge University in Cambridge, England. Various readers will read seven lessons from the Biblical account of Jesus’ birth which cover from “The announcement to Mary” to the visit of “The Magi.”

“We are delighted that Morris will be with us once again and we invite the community to join us,” The Rev. Larry Young and Morris Hatton share a special bond as they prepare for the 27th said Pastor Larry Young. “I first annual Christmas Eve celebration at Brookside Presbyterian Church in Boone. met Morris when I came to Boone in September of 1993. I requested that with a candle-lighting which demonstrates how, if each of us he come to the first annual Christmas Eve service I was having lifts our light (candle) high, what a difference it will make in at Brookside. He has been on the program every year since. I the coming year.” don’t believe the folks at Brookside can imagine Christmas Eve Brookside Presbyterian Church, Associate Reformed Preswithout Morris being with us. It’s a highlight of the evening, a byterian, is located at 1122 Old 421 South in Boone. standing agreement between the church and Hatton that’s just For more information, call (828) 262-5020 or visit www. understood.We also celebrate the Lord’s Supper and conclude boonebrooksidechurch.org.

“It’s always good when I see people there that I haven’t seen in a long time.

It makes me feel good to know that some of them show up because they have heard that I will be there and want to spend that time together.”

It does a lot to prepare his own heart for the Christmas observance, as well, Hatton admitted.

“As a minister who is busy all the time with one thing or another, I’m always having to focus on the needs of others and making sure I conduct myself in a professional manner. I can sing the songs, write the sermons and talk on my morning program on the Internet, but doing stuff all the time, I stay so busy. This kinda thing makes me back up and relax and enjoy myself for a change. Your personal time with the Lord ought to be special.”

He continued, “I study constantly and teach every morning, but one of the things I have learned over the years is, I don’t speak or preach because I can do it, I need to study so I can speak out of the overflow. It’s the name of the game, so to speak — the Lord gets on me and I get on you. He’s got to get on me first, but if I don’t have personal time to refocus on myself, the Lord has to try hard to get a word in edgewise.”

So, yes, the Christmas Eve Service at Brookside Presbyterian Church in Boone is not just a time of outreach for Morris Hatton, but also a time of personal reflection. “Like the order of worship says, it’s a service of adoration, communion and candlelight. We all need that. Plus, Larry Young has been special in my life since we first met. He serves on the board of directors for Morris Hatton Ministries. Every-

body who knows Larry loves him, and if you don’t’ know him, you need to.”

The Life & Times of Morris Hatton

Volumes could be written about Morris Hatton, known to many in and around Boone – and way beyond — as a man of God with many talents.

He has a storied life as a gifted musician, vocalist and minister. As the son of one of the area’s most powerful mountain preachers, Hatton came from humble beginnings with great expectations placed upon his shoulders.

“It’s all out there,” he said. “It’s been told and retold, but there’s not much about it you can change. It’s part of who I am. It’s my story. You (Sherrie) have written about me several times, and others have picked

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A young Morris Hatton and his lovely wife, Alma Greer Hatton, enjoyed many years together before her death in 2014. up on it through the years. People might get tired of reading about me, but I never get tired of talking about my ministry and how God has blessed me.”

It all began 70 years ago, Hatton said with a chuckle, when he was born into the family of the Rev. Rock Hatton and his wife Nealie Grimes Hatton — the last of three children, the only boy, and the least expected.

“I was one of the first babies born at Dr. Hagaman’s in-home clinic in Boone,” he said. “My mother was in her 40s and my daddy was in his 60s when I came along. Can’t you just hear the Abraham and Sarah stories they had to endure? Plus, my youngest sister, Thelma (Whittington) was 20 when I arrived; my oldest, Hallie Bell (Horton) was 22.”

Hatton still resides in the Junaluska community, on the same parcel of land occupied by his grandparents, many years ago. “I’ve moved off a few times, but I kept coming back. This is my home.”

Growing up, Hatton learned about life from an early age, expected to work hard to help his family with chores — whatever needed to be done. Whether in the garden, helping tend to the cow and pigs they kept in their large lot near their house, or helping in their little downstairs “café” where his mother sold hot dogs and soft drinks to the neighborhood kids. That was in addition, he said, to the boarders who often stayed at their house, money from their 66

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Morris Hatton pictured here with his parents and sisters “back in the day,” as he describes.

room and board helping make ends meet when times were hard.

Hatton first attended school in what

Morris Hatton during his high school days, a young man poised to become a multitalented musician and vocalist who later became a minister of the gospel, as well. he referred to as the Old Watauga Consolidated School, near his home, “a threeroom schoolhouse with several grades in each room.” It was in his neighborhood, he said, and later moved to the “new school” farther up the road, where Western Youth

December 2019

Network is located today.

“In 1964, we were integrated and a few of us went into Appalachian High.

That was an interesting experience,” Hatton said. “It eventually became known as Watauga High School, and that’s where I graduated in 1968.”

Much earlier, Hatton was 9 years of age when his mother insisted that he take piano lessons with Ester Boone, “in the basement of the old Methodist Church.”

“It was real exciting at first, because a little girl down the street who I had a crush on was taking lessons at the same time — and I wanted to be around her. That love stuff will get you in trouble. The excitement wore off when I realized I’d have to practice piano instead of playing ball.

I can still hear Mama today— ‘Boy, you are in this now, you get in there and practice.’”

Hatton recalled not being too happy about that at the time, but now, he’s glad that she made him stick with it.

Later, Hatton was one of the few students who could read music at Appalachian High School, and one of the first students in the choral ensemble directed

by Gene Wilson.

In addition to piano, he also played saxophone, both of which, he said, “helped with the integration process, which wasn’t as hard for me as it could’ve been.”

“Daddy had been in a lot of churches around the county, and I had been playing

An important part of Morris Hatton’s life story is found within the historic archives, including this photo featuring his father, “Rock” Hatton, along with Rock’s two brothers, Robert and Henry, and their sister, Nenie. the piano many of the places we went, so people knew me. I had that going in my favor and it really helped.”

But, he will never forget a band trip when a white boy called him the N-word — and lived to regret it.

“I did not hear him call me that name, but some of the other white boys did,” Hatton recalled. “They took care of him for me and settled the problem real quick. I kinda felt sorry for him after they finished with him, but I didn’t have any trouble after that.”

As a self-described “big fellow, even in those days,” Hatton said he was more comfortable hanging out with the older crowd in school. “I guess they might have protected me, some.”

During high school, Hatton was nominated for the NC Governor’s School of Arts in vocal music. After high school graduation, he entered Tabor College, a private Mennonite school in Hillsboro, Kansas, where he majored in vocal music.

“I was involved in all the music groups there and formed my own jazz band.”

Gone from Boone for two years, Hatton returned home and started a threepiece jazz ensemble, and “worked the local clubs,” mainly in the resort areas.

It wasn’t long before he married his childhood sweetheart, Alma Greer. He eventually recommitted his life to the Lord, and in 1974, felt a call to the ministry. He moved his family to Fresno, Ca.,

A man of strength and dignity — and filled with the Holy Spirit — Rev. Rock Hatton was dearly loved and respected by many for miles around.

where he attended the Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary.

“We moved there with our first two babies, one was a year old and the other just six weeks old,” he said. “I didn’t know a single soul out there, except for a conference evangelist. I was ordained the following year and came back home to begin my ministry.”

Offered a pastoral position at a Mennonite Church in Florida, Hatton moved his family south, where they stayed for six years.

This time, when they came back to Boone, Hatton said, his music “just took off.”

He’s never left again, unless on short trips to sing, preach or attend conferences.

He has made a name for himself in and around the High Country, where his ministry has grown through pastoring, preaching as a guest, leading Bible studies, singing and recording his beloved music.

There’s no doubt that Hatton’s style is unique — in more ways than one. He has often described it as “blight” — neither traditional black nor all white. “It’s just a good mix,” he said. “It’s not a peg you can put into a hole, but rather, something that stands on its own and is easily understood. I want people to know what they’ve heard. Then, they can deal with it as they need to.”

Life’s Lessons Learned Some Harder than Others

There is no denying, Hatton said, that his ministry was inspired by the example

of his father, the Rev. “Rock” Hatton, who was well known and loved in this area, having preached the gospel for over 40 years. “Daddy and Rev. Ronda Horton were influential in breaking down barriers of religion — and race. People, black and white alike, walked from miles around to hear my daddy preach. And they wanted to get there early, so as not to miss him. He and Rev. Ronda, together, did a lot for the people around here.”

One of many experiences stays close to his heart and mind of those early days.

“My daddy didn’t drive, so when I got my license, I used to drive him all over the place to preach. I would lead the singing.

I’ll never forget one time, as we were driving into a church parking lot where only white people attended. He told me, ‘Junior, back the car in. These people ain’t seen folks like us before and we might have to leave here in a hurry.’ The topic of his sermon that night was ‘if you don’t love me, you can’t love God.’ I don’t know if he scared them or what, but everybody was loving on us before we left.”

Blacks were not treated with utmost respect “back in the day,” Hatton said. “But, because of the admiration my father had earned among the community, it wasn’t too difficult for me, growing up. He was a powerful man who the Lord honored.

My daddy lived in the word — and would make you go back to the word. Everything

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Morris Hatton is pictured in his home-based studio from which he reaches out to thousands every morning through his online ministry. “I’m picking up people literally all over the world. That’s more than I could reach standing in the pulpit every Sunday morning. The amazing thing to me – people in places such as Pakistan, and other countries like that, are watching the program.”

For more info: visit www.morrishattonministries.org Email morris.hatton@outlook.com or visit on Facebook: Morris Hatton Ministries will direct you to his livestream and repeat devotionals. Donations may be mailed to: Morris Hatton Ministries POB 212, Boone, NC 28607

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Reaching The World From Boone

he said could be backed up.”

Another significant memory of his father, Hatton said, was how, every time his daddy stepped into a church, you didn’t have to look around to see if he was there. “The atmosphere changed. You knew the Holy Spirit was there. The presence came with him. I’ve had a number of people tell me that. That’s something I’d like to have. People need encounters with the Holy Spirit. If we’re ever going to have revival, that’s what the Lord wants. We need to learn how to host the Holy Spirit, to let him come upon you.”

Within his ministry, Hatton continues to lead weekly Bible studies through High Country Bible Fellowship, which he began15 years ago and meets at Western Youth Network, twice weekly.

“A core group of people have been there for me for years, and are very special to me. But, we always welcome others to join us.”

Nearly two years ago, Hatton This photograph is a special possession of Morris Hatton as began a new online approach to he is pictured at right with Pastor Fred Stapleton, left, and his ministry, something he initially King Samson Oladipupo of Tepona Land Nigeria, center. referred to as “cell phone evangelism.” It’s all thanks, he said, to the graduated from App, promised her mama A Change in Perspective before she died that her granddaughter insight of a friend and fellow minister in The life-threatening illness and eventu- would graduate.

Lenoir who shared with him about the al 2014 death of Hattons’s dear wife “put Hatton also has two sons, Charles and power of online evangelism. everything in perspective,” he said, and Chad, who both live in Boone; in addition Realizing that a lot of people work on changed his outlook on life “immensely.” to Faith, he has two more grandchildren, Sundays, or for other reasons do not at“We had just come back from a cruise Isaiah and Sidney. tend regular church services, Hatton said, in 2003 when we discovered that she had “I love my children and grandchildren the online idea became very appealing to multiple myeloma,” he recalled. “The av- and love being with them.” him. “I said, I can do this, I’ve been in erage life expectancy is two years – but Alma’s illness, which forced her to quit radio for years — and the more I prayed she lived 11 years. In fact, doctors were work, took a huge financial toll on the about it, the more I knew it was the perfect totally surprised that she lived that long.” family; Hatton began working three jobs way to reach out to more people.”

Prayer was the primary reason that at the time. Already working in a local Starting a Facebook page proved sucshe defied the odds, Hatton said. “She did convenience store, where he spent nearly cessful, he said, with views quickly escasome chemo, and we tried to do some of 20 years before retiring (and still fills in as lating to the thousands. “And every time the natural things, too. We also invested in needed), Hatton continues to stay busy in a page is shared, I’ve been told, it reaches a machine that alkalized our water, when various aspects of his ministry. Having also another 100 people.” we learned that was a cancer deterrent. had a taxi service at one time, Hatton said, Today, his live-stream message goes Some folks laughed at us — until she was he’s now keeping up with the trend and is out from his home studio every morning, living a lot longer than expected.” an Uber driver. “I tell my clients that I’m a Monday-Friday, at 7 a.m. (EST); the 30Alma’s “last episode” forced her into lot cheaper than a DUI.” minute devotional message a perfect way the hospital with a lot of pain, he said, and Alma’s illness and death also drove to start the day, and can be replayed for required “a lot of medication” that basical- home the need for her husband to take bet- those who miss it initially. ly left her in a coma-like situation. “At that ter care of himself, and he’s doing just that.

“I’m picking up people literally all over point, she didn’t want anything else done.

“I received a prophesy several years the world. That’s more than I could reach She said she was tired and just wanted to ago at Plumtree Presbyterian Church, standing in the pulpit every Sunday morngo home.” when I was told that I would be here un- ing,” he said. “The amazing thing to me What “really happened,” Hatton said, til the Lord comes – and that I needed to – people in places such as Pakistan, and “She got a glimpse into heaven and was get healthy. So, I started working on losing other countries like that, are watching the ready to go. There was a big crowd with us weight. Basically I’ve went low-carb more program – and have to hide to watch it. in her final hours. She was laying there and than anything else, plus, I exercise and use They are risking their lives to do it. That’s just lifted her hands. Some thought she was the pool at the wellness center. I’ve lost extremely humbling. Basically, I teach the agitated, but I believe the Lord reached about 58 pounds, so far.” word. I will read the scripture and make down to get her spirit. The Lord picked Moreover, Hatton stressed. “I walk in comments, and people come on there and her up and her suffering was over.” divine health. Mark 11:23 says that what listen – they are hungry for the word.”

The couple had been married for 42 you believe and say is what you get. (“I While he’s grateful for the sponsors years at that time. “It was a challenge, but make sure I say the good stuff,” he said that he has, Hatton said, he needs to exa lot of people helped me through it. Espe- with a laugh.) pand to reach more people. cially, my granddaughter, Faith, who just “One of my main sponsors is Wayne “For years, I’ve said and believe I walk graduated from Appalachian, moved in in divine health. People my size usually Underwood, from Mystery Hill, we’ve with me and that helped a lot. My house have a lot of things going on – but all I take been together a long time. He’s on my wasn’t so quiet then, and actually, it turned is a small dose of blood pressure medicine. board of directors, too, and has always into a studio. She is in broadcasting in I don’t have a thing wrong with me. Who been there for me. I can’t say enough about North Dakota now with a Fox News af- knows, I might jump the broom again? I those who stand by me and behind me in filiate. I’m excited for her and proud, too. never dreamed I’d have someone in my life this ministry. I really appreciate it all and She’s extremely good at what she does. again – but I do have a special lady. I am welcome any news ones to join us. We’re Her mother, Pam, who is my daughter, also blessed.” all in this together.”t December 2019

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BLOWING ROCK

Sunset

Drive A trip down memory lane

By Nathan Ham

I

n March of 1865, Major General George Stoneman sent approximately 5,000 Union Cavalry members through Western North Carolina. It was on March 28 when 2,000 of those soldiers in the 2nd Brigade let by Brevet Brigadier General Simeon B. Brown came through Blowing Rock (marked as Watauga Gap on Union Army maps) on what is now the area of Sunset Drive. The soldiers on horseback made up the 11th and 12th Kentucky Cavalry and the 11th Michigan Cavalry.

For anyone familiar with Sunset Drive, the thought of seeing 2,000 Union soldiers on horseback in this small mountain village marching through the town would be hard to fathom. What would historically be known as “Stoneman’s Raids” would be remembered for the destruction of many bridges, railroad lines, factories and supply lines for the Confederate Army in North Carolina.

Fast-forward to over 150 years later, and a lot has changed for Blowing Rock, especially Sunset Drive that connects Valley Boulevard to Main Street. Some buildings have survived for over a century, others burned in fires while some have gone through numerous renovations.

Three Blowing Rock natives, Lynn Pitts Lawrence, Steve Sudderth, and Richard Gragg shared some historical recollection of the Sunset Drive area of the town.

The two buildings at the corners of Sunset and Main Street held a lot of historical significance.

The one on the left as you are coming up Sunset was built by David Greene’s grandfather was used as the Blowing Rock School in 1928 when the school in its current location down the hill on Sunset was being constructed.

“Doris Greene lived upstairs and to call in a fire, she had a button there that she would use to blow the fire whistle three times and then somebody would call her to find out where the fire call was,” Steve said.

The building was also home to Coleman’s Soda Shop, what Lynn said was the “unpaid babysitter for 70

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The Sunset Drive Revitalization Project added a lot of aesthetically pleasing appeal to the road, including new sidewalks, new pavement and the addition of new trees to the roadside. The project also included the replacement of water and sewer lines and some minor drainage improvements.

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the town” as many children and teenagers would hang around there with nothing better to do.

Across the street was the original home of Blowing Rock bank.

“It was the second bank in Blowing Rock,” Steve said. ‘There was Greenville Savings in 1892 that came in for a short time.”

The Blowing Rock Bank was built in 1905 and Steve’s grandfather, George Sudderth Sr., was the first cashier at the bank.

“The bank stayed in business until the Great Depression hit,” Steve added.

On down the street included April Showers, the first Hallmark store in town.

The building was painted pink and still sits in the same location today with that vibrant pink color.

The Maple Lodge has been there in the same place for as long as Steve and Lynn have known in their lifetimes. Cecil Critcher, who built the Maple Lodge, was later killed in an airplane crash near where the intersection of Highway 421 and Bamboo Road is now according to Steve.

Along with the numerous businesses on the road, Sunset Drive was home to several families throughout the years, houses that belonged to Earnest Banner, Ann Brown, and Larny and Mabel Hollars among others.

“When I was growing up, I took piano lessons at the Brown house,” Lynn added as she reflected on her childhood.

The Alpine Hotel, Hillwinds Inn and Glenwood Condominiums are all found on Sunset Drive, as is Blowing Rock First Baptist Church, Rhoddie Bicycle Outfitters, Handtiques, Marmalade, Blowing Rock Estate Jewelry & Antiques, Trillium, Stella Blue’s Pawtique, Blowing Rock Ale House, Savannah’s Oyster House, Sunset & Vine and Keith’s Citgo at the corner of Sunset and Valley Boulevard.

Other businesses that have since shuttered that many folks in the area still remember include a mini-golf course, the Pancake House, The Hut, Mom & Pop’s Ham House, The Barn restaurant and the Swingin’ Cellar.

Another business on the street that some residents might remember was the Blowing Rock Electric Company, owned by Ronda Coffey.

“I understand he was the first guy in town to sell televisions. My brother was an electrician and worked there for a while,” Gragg recalled.

Vapors was a coffee shop situated along Sunset and was owned by musician John Day. He would go on to start a chain of popular bars in Florida but got his start right there in Blowing Rock. After that, it became pubs known as Duke’s and then The Witches Light.

Now it’s the home of the Famous Toastery The former Moody’s Furniture is one of the oldest buildings on the street. The property was originally owned by the Greene Family according to Richard before being sold to the Max Moody’s grandfather who made furniture.

“He had sketches in there or you could tell him how you wanted it and he’d make it.

He’d tell you when to come back or he’d bring it to your house,” said Gragg. “There were a lot of really talented carpenters and cabinetmakers in this town at one time.”

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The School

“School was one big family. Everybody knew everybody else.”

B

lowing Rock School originally started out as a fourroom school building for first through ninth grade. Ninth grade was also the last year of school taught at the time the school opened in 1918. The current media center inside the school is where the original four-room school used to sit.

The Blowing Rock School has a longstanding history. The school eventually included 1st through 12th grade and thanks to the Works Progress Administration (WPA) as part of the New Deal, six additional rooms and a gymnasium were constructed from 1937-1940.

Richard Gragg was a member of the 1962 graduating class.

The high school would close in 1965 following the construction of Watauga High School, which consolidated the high school grades all into one location in Boone. Gragg says that when he was in school, they had about 350 students and his graduating class had 35.

“School was one big family. I think everybody that went to Blowing Rock School would say how much fun it was, the way everybody knew everybody else,” he said.

Gragg remembered during the winter months when it snowed, the students that could make it to school would show up for half

the day and eat lunch before being released early. “They would close Sunset and we would sleigh ride down the hill.”

Basketball was the most popular sport at the time, a “way of life” as Richard called it. Trask Buxton was a 1960 graduate of Blowing Rock High School and went on to play basketball at Wake Forest University after being recruited by Wake Forest’s head coach Bones McKinney. People in the town would stop what they were doing and go to attend the games at the school. Gragg recalled many times that fights would break out over the games and nights when referees would need police escorts out of the gymnasiums in the area.

The school continued on as an elementary school and remains open in the same area of land. The auditorium for Blowing Rock School was added in 1983. Additional renovations followed in 1994 that included work in the school’s kitchen and front office and other numerous renovations on the first and second floor.

The most recent renovation took place in 2001 with the gymnasium getting a facelift for its biggest upgrade since it was built over 60 years prior.

The approximate square footage of the school is 70,500 square feet sitting on 6.378 acres of land.

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The Inn at

Ragged Garden

T

he Inn at Ragged Gardens is another timeless spot on Sunset Drive that has changed hands a few times but is still a staple of the Blowing Rock Community.

The Washburn family from Mecklenburg The Ragged Garden Inn back in the 1950s County built the house that is now the inn sometime between 1896 and 1900. The inn’s rock walls surrounding the property are part of the original landscaping walls that have survived for well over a century. The property was originally a total of 11 acres that also included a stable, servants quarters and two other residences for family members.

At the beginning of the 1900s, the inn was operating as a summer boarding house by the Charles Solomon Young and Nancy Ann Coffey family. Young was a postmaster at the first Blowing Rock post office.

The property was purchased in the late 1920s by Robert and Louise Wheelwright. It was at this point when indoor plumbing and electricity were added to the house as well as an updated heating system. This happened to be around the time that the property became known as the Ragged Gardens. The Wheelwrights continued the summer boarding house tradition and opened the inn up for public events that would include luncheons, cocktail parties and other social events. Interestingly The Ragged Garden Inn before it had the front porch roof added. enough, the Wheelwrights would also rent the house to families for longer periods of times.

It just so happened that one of those families taurant part eventually closed down in the early 1990s but the Vilwas Dr. Charles and Mrs. Harriet Davant of Blowing Rock. The lanis kept the inn going until they sold the property to Lee and Davants first rented to the home when they moved to Blowing Jama Hyett on February 1, 1996.

Rock in the late 1940s as Dr. Davant started his medical practice at The Hyetts reopened the inn as a year-round bed and breakfast the Blowing Rock Clinic. after three months of renovation. The Hyetts also made several upIn 1951, Louise Wheelwright and her daughter, Joan Goodin grades to the property including opening the Heirlooms restaurant Day, sold the Inn at Ragged Gardens to Herbert and Bertha Setzer. inside the 12-room inn, and the addition of a wine cellar in the Louise continued to live on the property in the cottage next to the area that was the original basement to the main house. The Hyetts main house. opened the third floor of the inn for guests. The area had previThe Setzer family maintained the property until 1962 when Dr. ously been used as storage.

Henry Curtis McGown, a physician in Blowing Rock, purchased The Hyetts then sold the property in October of 2006 to curthe inn and made it the private home for him and his family. rent owners, Rob Dyer and Lisa Stripling, who had already been The house was purchased from the McGown family in 1966 operating The Best Cellar restaurant at the inn. The Best Cellar to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Nash Cooper, Jr. and Mr. and Mrs. J.T. caught fire and burned down at its previous location, however a Alexander Jr., for use as a summer home. They held on to the second lease on life in the restaurant world allowed for the busiproperty for two until Jesse and Ethel Burns, former owners of the ness partners to continue operating inside Ragged Gardens. Carol Sunshine Inn. Rigsbee currently serves as the innkeeper.

Following the death of her husband, Ethel Burns remained in “It was so successful and people loved the house so much that the property until she sold it in the mid-1980s to Joe and Joyce Rob and Lisa purchased it later on,� said Lynn Lawrence.

Villani. The Villanis opened an Italian restaurant and opened the During their own renovations of the property, Rob says that house to the public with guest rooms for overnight stays. The res- they quickly realized that the driveway off of Sunset Drive to the 74

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December 2019

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75

The Ragged Garden Inn as it looks today. covered entryway at the lobby was a really narrow fit for vehicles to pull into. That’s when they realized that it was originally built for the size of a horse and carriage, not the vehicles of today. Rob mentioned that the area behind the inn that they had also purchased along with the rest of the property was where the stables used to be for the horses to take shelter in.

“Near the carriage house where horses came through and dropped off guests, we had found several horse shoes,” said Rob. Rob and Lisa are happy to be a part of such a longstanding

piece of Blowing Rock history.

“What Lisa and I have always said is we feel like we are caretakers at this period. There have been so many folks before that have made the improvements or kept the building up. When we came here after the fire it was sort of a Godsend. We definitely feel lucky at this point to be here in this building that’s this old,” said Rob. “There is so much history here. We have people coming in saying their grandmother owned this or they used to play bridge here or play hide and seek here. There are so many family memories.”

The building as it looked when the Blowing Rock Cafe had the location - and today as the Famous Toastery The Famous Toastery currently located at 349 Sunset Drive in Blowing Rock was previously a coffee house named Vapors and then went through other bar and restaurant themes, including Duke’s, The Witches Light, Blowing Rock Café and Rustique to name a few.

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KEEP FAMILY CLOSE...

This building located at 167 Sunset Drive has been home to Blowing Rock Estate Jewelry for 32 years, however back before that it served the community of Blowing Rock as April Showers, the local Hallmark shop which is pictured here when it was completed.

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Storie’s Soda Shop on the corner of Sunset Drive and Main Street was a popular scene for both adults and children. Coman Storie was the owner and operator of the soda shop.

Lynn Lawrence called the soda shop the community’s “unpaid babysitter” as many of the town’s children would go hang out there during the summer and after school. Storie’s Soda Shop was one of five locations in Blowing Rock that received a historic marker from the town in 2018.

Prior to it becoming the soda shop, it was a grocery store that was owned by Clarence Greene. Doris Greene lived upstairs and was in charge of sending out the fire call signal, which she would do by pushing a button to sound the fire whistle three times.

Mildred Hodges started the Boutique Beauty Shop around 1968.

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Sunshine A

The Sunshine Inn building today is the home of The New Public House Restaurant.

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INN

nother trip down memory lane includes the many meals shared through history at the Sunshine Inn, which is now home to The New Public House & Hotel.

The Sunshine Inn was a family-style restaurant and bed and breakfast that was built in 1931 by the Holshouser family and was such a popular destination in the town. Early on, the Sunshine Inn was just open seasonally. Eventually, it did begin to run and serve food on a year-round basis.

“I remember on July 29, 1969, I had been washing dishes for $1 an hour all day, and all the food I could eat. I went home and watched the moon landing on television,” said Steve Sudderth, who was one of many in Blowing Rock to spend time working there.

He also recalled the delicious desserts available each day at the Sunshine Inn. “Mini Trexler made peach cobblers, strawberry cobblers and apple cobblers that were to die for. They were so good,” Steve said.

Richard Gragg had his share of memories from the Sunshine Inn days as well.

“You would always see the help out there breaking beans and peeling potatoes before they started getting it out of cans. In the summertime, there would be a line from the front door all the way up to Main Street for them to start serving food,” said Gragg.

Katherine Lawrence was next in line to purchase the Sunshine Inn. Jerry Burns, the former editor of The Blowing Rocket, worked there as a server in his younger years and was part of the family that owned the inn and restaurant at the time.

“The funny story is Katherine Lawrence would make them pay if they broke dishes so instead of fessing up, they would bury the dishes around the property. As we were digging around doing some remodeling, we would find some pieces of fine china down in the dirt,” said Jimmy Crippen, who eventually took over ownership of the Sunshine Inn with his wife, Caroline, in 1994. The name was changed then to Crippen’s Country Inn & Restaurant.

The Crippen’s sold the business to Cobb and Cindy Milner who reopened the establishment as The New Public House & Hotel in 2013.

The building with it was the home to the Carriage House Restaurant

T

The Old Pharmacy

his building went through numerous changes over the last six decades. Prior to its construction, the land was used as a stable and a fresh air market in the summer time owned by Reece Moody. The first building that went up was designed to replace the original Coffey Grocery that burned down in 1958. It was leased before it ever became a grocery store and started out as an auction house. After that, the chain restaurant Mom and Pop’s Ham House moved in upstairs. Downstairs was a pub known as the Swingin’ Cellar. Former mayor Bob Hardin and Bill Cox were two of the original owners involved with the pup.

The Swingin’ Cellar was known for its rough and tumble crowd and fights would often break out downstairs.

CHILDREN’S

Cute-tique!

And the building looks pretty much the same today.

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Parting Shot...

By

David C. Mayo

New Season, New Coach, Same Great Success in the Making

M

any Appalachian State fans and alumni were saddened as word began to trickle out on December 3, 2018, that head coach Scott Satterfield would be departing Boone for the next step in his coaching career to take over as head coach of the Louisville Cardinals in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Satterfield had spent most of his adult life in Boone. He played quarterback for the Mountaineers from 1991-95, served as an assistant coach from 1998-2008, returned as the offensive coordinator in 2012 and took over as head coach from 2013-18.

As they say, all good things must come to an end. Or do they?

The Mountaineers navigated a crowded coaching candidate field before hiring Eliah Drinkwitz on December 13, just ten days after finding out that Appalachian State’s favorite son was leaving for the Bluegrass State.

Drinkwitz has built his coaching career as an offensive and play-calling expert. His career started with stops at Auburn for two seasons, Arkansas State for two seasons and Boise State for two seasons. Drinkwitz’s career really took off in Raleigh at NC State where he helped lead the Wolfpack to a pair of nine-win seasons in his three years as of80

High Country Magazine

fensive coordinator. He also helped guide quarterback Ryan Finley into the NFL where he recently took over as the starting quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals as a rookie.

At Appalachian State, Drinkwitz stepped right into the vacant coaching spot and kept the Mountaineer offense humming right along. Junior running back Darrynton Evans currently ranks 14th in the nation with 1,168 rushing yards and is tied for 10th in the nation with 14 rushing touchdowns. Evans ranks 9th in the nation in all-purpose yards (rushing, receiving and kick return) with 1,623 yards.

As a team, the Mountaineers have turned the ball over just seven times all year. Only Oregon State with five turnovers has had few miscues through 11 games; couple that with the defense forcing 16 turnovers, the Mountaineers have the 10th best turnover margin in the nation and number one in the Sun Belt Conference. App State is 11th in the nation in scoring offense, averaging 38.1 points per game.

The play on the field has proven that, in this case, statistics don’t lie. The Mountaineers clinched the Sun Belt East Division on

December 2019

November 23 with a 35-13 win over Texas State. The Mountaineers will play for the Sun Belt Championship against the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns on December 7.

The non-conference victories for the Mountaineers this season might be even more impressive than winning their Sun Belt division. App State beat a pair of Power 5 Conference foes, first a thrilling 34-31 win over the ACC’s UNC Tarheels in Chapel Hill on September 21 and then a 20-15 win over the SEC’s South Carolina Gamecocks in Columbia on November 9.

With their success so far in 2019, the Mountaineers became the first Sun Belt team to be ranked in the top 25 two years in a row, the first Sun Belt team to ever beat two Power Five (P5) teams in the same season and the first Sun Belt team to receive a ranking in the College Football Playoff in-season ranking poll.

While the season still has a ton on the line for App State, including the Sun Belt Championship game and a bowl game later in December, it’s safe to say that this year under a first-time head coach has already been a huge success.

By Nathan Ham

Southern Charm in the High Country

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828.386.6212

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