Local Tidbits

Broad-winged Hawk Release

A mile-high success story took to the air from Grandfather Mountain’s MacRae Meadows on May 21 as the May Wildlife Rehabilitation Center at Lees-McRae College (LMC) released two rehabilitated broad-winged hawks into the wild. Three LMC summer clinical students, Ashley Ellis, Caselyn Little and Megan Guess, handled the release, and each gave a short presentation about the birds. During the release, one hawk seemed slightly hesitant to fly away. Little had to gently tap and shake the carrier to encourage him to fly. After a few moments, he soared out of the box and directly into a nearby tree. “It’s absolutely amazing,” Guess said. “I love to see all of our patients be able to come out here, be released, and then live long and happy lives in the wild.” Learn more about the release at https://bit.ly/3hMiHHa. Photo by

Judi Sawyer | Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation

Williams YMCA of Avery County – Kids’ Play The Rosen Competition Turns 35!

The Rosen Sculpture Competition and Exhibition is an annual national juried competition presented by the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts on the campus of Appalachian State University and brings an astonishing array of contemporary sculpture to the campus and community each season. To celebrate the competition’s 35th anniversary, join juror Rachel Stevens on an educational outdoor tour of the nine sculpture finalists. The tour takes place on July 10, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The event concludes with an outdoor lunchtime reception adjacent to the Schaefer Center, and will feature an awards presentation, a tribute to the Rosen family, a reflection on the 35th anniversary and a “look back” at some of the competition’s most memorable moments! Learn more at rosensculpture.org or tcva.org.

Local Author and CML Contributor Receives Honor

Jim Casada’s book A Smoky Mountain Boyhood: Memories, Musings, and More, published in late 2020, was recipient of a bronze medal in the Non-Fiction category for the Southeast in the latest IPPY (Independent Publishers) Awards program. The competition, which draws thousands of entries each year, is the country’s largest. The entries which placed ahead of Casada’s book were from a former Pulitzer Prize winner and the wife of Wendell Berry, one of the bestknown voices of Appalachia. In Jim’s words, “I reckon that’s pretty heady company for a hillbilly like me.” Read Casada’s article, “The Hillbilly Highway,” on page 86.

While the Y’s Kids Club Sports are paused for the summer, the facility is offering a variety of other opportunities for adults and kids to get out and play! Basketball Camp, Soccer Clinics, and Volleyball Club are just a few options. For more information about these and other Athletic programs visit https://www.ymcaavery.com/ programs/youth-and-young-adult-athletics.

Planetarium Update

The dome construction is underway on the Glenn & Carol Arthur Planetarium at Mayland’s Earth to Sky Park. After months of wet weather, the walls are in place and the geodesic dome came together within a matter of days! The dome will be covered with a white TPO roofing membrane. Next up: the walls and roof of the connector building. Follow the progress of this exciting local project at www.mayland. edu/planetarium/.

A Scout Bee Has Landed

In our Spring issue of CML, we introduced readers to Matt Willey, the muralist behind “The Good of the Hive” project. In late May, Willey painted a scout bee on the wall of the Paul and Susie O’Connell Conference Center at the Earth to Sky Park, overlooking the large pollinator garden. The bee offers viewers a preview of the large mural that Willey will paint on the exterior of the Glenn and Carol Arthur Planetarium in October. Mayland’s Earth to Sky Park will offer numerous public events surrounding the mural throughout October! Find out more about “The Good of the Hive” project at www.thegoodofthehive.com.

A More Sustainable Boone

In recent years, the Town of Boone has worked on a number of sustainability initiatives to make Boone a safe, healthy and desirable place to live, work and study. With 169 acres of woodlands, Boone has been recognized as a Tree City USA for the past 27 years, and in November 2020 was designated as a Tree Cities of the World. The Town has also been an affiliate of Bee City USA for over two years. Recent goals have been set by the Town to transition municipal operations to 100% clean renewable energy by 2040, and transition the entire town of Boone to 100% clean renewable energy by 2050. Learn more at www.townofboone.net/sustainability/.

Public Hikes Abound

Many communities and organizations in our area are dedicated to leading family friendly outdoor experiences and offering nature studies. Summer is a great time to explore our trails, flora, and fauna, and you’ll find a guided hike option nearly every week. While not a comprehensive list, following are some options to check out this summer: Beech Mountain at beechmtn.com/hiking/, Grandfather Mountain at grandfather.com, MountainTrue at mountaintrue.org/eventscalendar/, NC Native Plant Society, Blue Ridge Chapter, at ncwildflower.org/blue-ridge/, and our NC State Parks system at www.ncparks.gov.

Check Out These Summer Day Camps for Kids!

Ensemble Stage “Theatre Outside the

Box” Camp (pictured above) Ensemble Stage will hold two theatre camps for young people this summer— they’re totally safe, totally fun and… (don’t tell the kids) totally educational! On June 28 through July 2, the camp will be available for ages 7-10. On July 5 through July 9, ages 11-14 can participate. Each camp is limited to 15 participants and will take place at the Historic Banner Elk School. For more information, visit www.ensemblestage.com/TheatreClasses.html.

Holston Day Camp

Since 1959, Holston has conducted an “experiment in an outdoor Christian community.” Holston has a tradition of small group camping with the goal of providing youth unique opportunities to seek God while forming nurturing relationships and having fun outdoors. They encourage campers to “unplug” for the week and listen to the wisdom of the wind in the trees, the mountain birds, and the rushing creek. As campers play together and explore creation, they try new activities, build community, develop physical, social, psychological, and spiritual skills, and make memories to last a lifetime. Visit https://holstoncenter.org/

Camp Buckeye, Beech Mountain

Camp Buckeye day camp includes a week of exploring the nature of Beech Mountain. Play in the creeks, hike the trails, learn about critters, craft with nature…plus games, movies, snacking and more. Learn more and register at BeechRecreation.RecDesk.com.

Activities Galore at Seven Devils

The Seven Devils community offers programming to the public through their parks and rec group. You’ll find a variety of Ranger Workshops, group hikes, book club events, music on the lawn, and much more. For information on all the summer activities at Seven Devils, visit www.sevendevils.net/summer-events. To register for an event email parksandrec@ sevendevils.net.

Apples and More at Orchard at Altapass

The Orchard at Altapass is now open five days a week, from Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with engaging orchard experiences and free, live music every weekend into October. All are invited to take a listen to great music and a twirl (if so inclined) on the pavilion’s wooden dance floor. Apple treats are a staple on the weekends with Bob’s donuts, the fried apple pies of the Farmer’s Wife, and the Orchard’s own hot apple pie, with or without ice cream. Located at 1025 Orchard Road near Spruce Pine at mile marker 328.3 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Orchard is a not-for-profit working orchard, music, and educational venue. Family- and pet-friendly, wheelchair accessible, buses welcome. For information, please visit www.altapassorchard. org or call 828-765-9531.

Orchard Co-founder Bill Carson practicing the corn hole

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Cultural Arts Center at the Historic Banner Elk School Reopens to the Public

The historic 1939 stone building in downtown Banner Elk has officially reopened to the public! The old school is now home to the town’s Cultural Arts Center—one of the newest stops on the Blue Ridge Craft Trails (page 45)—which includes the Ensemble Stage Theater, the Banner Elk Book Exchange, BE Artists Gallery, a Yoga studio, and the offices of CML Magazine, along with several other organizations. Visit the BE Artists Gallery this summer and check out new artwork from local artists. The gallery is currently offering special pricing on fine wood furniture by Dick Larson and on hand-carved, hand-painted wood birds by Tony Bua. And don’t miss the Art on the Greene Master Craft Events taking place on the front lawn of the Historic Banner Elk School July 3-4, August 7-8, and September 4-5.

MediaWise: Fact Checking Made Easy

The MediaWise project empowers people of all ages to become more critical consumers of content online. MediaWise is a nonpartisan, nonprofit initiative of The Poynter Institute that teaches people digital media literacy and fact-checking skills to spot misinformation and disinformation, with initiatives specifically designed to engage Gen Z, college students and older Americans. Their innovative, digital-first program works constantly to address the everchanging landscape of misinformation across the internet. Learn how you can put MediaWise to good use at www. poynter.org/mediawise/.

Artisan Market at Tanger Outlets

On the first Friday and Saturday of each month through November 6, you can take home your own piece of High Country art from Tanger’s brand new outdoor Artisan Market. The Market runs from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., plus Black Friday Weekend November 26 - 27. Tanger Outlets on the Parkway are located at 278 Shoppes on the Parkway Road, Blowing Rock, NC. Learn more at www.tangeroutlet.com/ blowingrock/events/.

Listen to the Birds

Want to know how to identify some of the bird vocalizations you hear in your own backyard? Two websites can help you do just that. At www.dnr.state.mn.us/ mcvmagazine/bird_songs_interactive/, you can click on a bird within an illustration to hear its unique tune (note that while the page was created by the Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources, many of the same birds are found right here in the High Country). For more advanced birding techniques, visit the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s website, allaboutbirds.org. Illustration by Bill Reynolds

WAMY’s Weatherization Program

Stay cool this summer and warm this winter! WAMY’s weatherization program is available in Watauga, Avery, Mitchell and Yancey Counties with the goal of making homes more energy efficient, usually through the installation of insulation, air sealing and duct sealing. This program is available to both homeowners and renters with landlord permission. After receiving weatherization, families typically save 30-35% on their heating/cooling costs. WAMY is accepting applications for the Weatherization program through September 1, 2021. There are a limited number of homes accepted into the program, so apply now. Learn more at www.wamycommunityaction.org.

42nd Annual Valle Country Fair

After more than four decades of celebrating community and raising funds to help neighbors, our community has never had more to celebrate than being able to host the Valle Country Fair IN PERSON in 2021. Save the date for Saturday, October 16! Shop for the region’s best hand-made crafts, pig out on hearty country cooking and tap your feet to local mountain music. All proceeds are used in service to families in need. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with FREE admission, and $10 parking per vehicle. www.vallecountryfair.org, 828-9634609 | NC Highway 194, Valle Crucis, NC.

Things are Lickin’ Up

Healthy treats frozen on a stick are hot at the Saturday Watauga Farmer’s Market and come in 16 flavors: Strawberry Basil, Chocolate Lavender, Blackberry Mint and kid-friendlies like Cookies ‘n Cream, handmade with local foods by farmer Maddie Warner. Market shoppers rally knee-deep at the bright yellow Poppies cart, their sticky-yummy cheeks dripping into muchneeded smiles.

We’ll explain what’s behind the new year-round popsicle craze in our Autumn issue; report on the pops’ health benefits (served at hospitals too); get into Poppies’ just-revealed Fall flavors—Pumpkin Caramel, Apple Cider Frosty—and we’ll ‘taste’ their S’moresicle, created just for CML! (Poppies also at Anna’s Greenhouses, West Jefferson and private parties. Email madison.warner19@yahoo.com or call