High Country Magazine | Vol 6 Issue 5 | May 2011

Volume 6 • Issue 5 May 2011

The Buzz About Bees

The Colors of Spring This Season’s Fashion Trends

Past and Future at Banner Elk Elementary Be Green, Save Green

DI A N N E DAVA N T & A S S O C I AT E S Excellence By Design Since 1979

B A N N E R E L K , N O RT H C A R O L I N A 828.898.9887 S T U A R T, F L O R I D A 772.287.2872 W W W. D A VA N T - I N T E R I O R S . C O M

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High Country Magazine

April / May 2011

April / May 2011

High Country Magazine

1

24 C O N T E N T S

14

Banner Elk School

24

Established in 1939 as a Works Project Administration venture, the stone building that is Banner Elk Elementary School will close at the end of this school year. A new school is set to open in the fall, and students will begin the 2011-12 school year in a modern education facility.

58

24 Keeping Bees

A fascinating look at the behavior of honeybees, which are so vital to ecosystems and food supplies. Local beekeepers hope others will take up the practice to help bolster a declining bee population.

32 Mountain Folk at MerleFest

In addition to such high-profile artists as Randy Travis, Robert Plant, Del McCoury and Zac Brown, a number of performers from the High Country are included in the lineup of more than 90 artists at the 24th annual MerleFest music festival in Wilkesboro.

58

Watsonatta Western World

66

Karaoke Nights

72

Golf Communities Weather the Storm

40 The Colors of Spring Fashion

It’s High Country Magazine’s first-ever fashion spread, highlighting styles for spring and the local boutiques who can dress you from head to toe.

50 Easy Ways to Save Energy

In keeping with a tradition of the past few years, our April issue brings you information and stories related to “green”—whether it’s new trends, green technologies or the people leading the way. This issue provides a number of tips, products and changes to your home that will save energy use and lower electric bills.

40

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High Country Magazine

One of King Street’s most distinctive storefronts is Watsonatta Western World, which has proved to be as durable as the leather boots and hats that line its shelves.

Every week, singers flock to the microphones of karaoke nights, whether it’s to showcase their inner divas or because they don’t mind making fools of themselves in front of friends and strangers. All in all it’s good fun, which is why dedicated, close-knit communities have formed around karaoke for years.

They’re not out of the woods yet, so to speak, but the High Country’s well-established golf resort communities are positioned to prosper despite a real estate crisis that has crippled the nation’s housing industry. And that’s a good thing, because our local golf resorts play important roles in mountain towns and counties.

on the cover Matt Sellars took this photograph in a downtown Boone neighborhood on a warm spring afternoon. Matt, originally from Greensboro, is a technical photography major at Appalachian State University who will graduate in December. Matt enjoys photographing musicians and fine cuisine.

April / May 2011

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. We publish the newspaper weekly and currently publish the magazine seven times a year. Both are free, and we distribute the newspaper and magazine in Watauga and Avery counties. Our newspaper is packed with information that we present and package in easy-to-read formats with visually appealing layouts.

The 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 downtown Boone, and our doors are always open to welcome visitors.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

We are now offering subscriptions to High Country Magazine. A one-year subscription for seven issues costs $40, and we will mail issues to subscribers as soon as they arrive at our offices from the printer. To subscribe, call our offices at 828-264-2262.

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.

ADVERTISING

Obtain information about advertising in our publications from our sales representatives by calling 828-264-2262 or emailing us at sales@highcountrypress.com.

Contact us at:

High Country Press/Magazine P.O. Box 152 130 North Depot Street Boone, NC 28607 www.highcountrypress.com info@highcountrypress.com 828-264-2262 April / May 2011

High Country Magazine

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FRO M T HE PUB L ISH ER

A Publication Of High Country Press Editor & Publisher Ken Ketchie Creative Director Courtney Cooper Senior Graphic Artist Tim Salt Associate Editor Anna Oakes

Bob Caldwell, Ken Ketchie and Courtney Cooper

Something new…

T

here’s something a little new and different in this month’s issue of High Country Magazine—a fashion spread. I hope you like it. Our fashion project ended up taking a lot more time and work than we imagined, but now that we are done, we’re pretty proud of our final results. You’ll see what we came up with starting on page 40. The first task was convincing potential advertisers this could be a good idea, and if that worked, then we went to work with clothing stores to coordinate fashion ideas, the photography and the layout. The owners and staff of these stores found that they too had to put in a lot of time and effort to make this work. So a BIG thank you to our advertisers for saying yes to the concept and trusting us with coming through with the final product.

The next challenge was making it all work. My next thank you goes to our great photographer friend Bob Caldwell and our own Creative Director Courtney Cooper, the two who made this possible. Bob has owned his professional studio photography business for 33 years in the High Country and was gracious enough to lend us his studio equipment and expertise to shoot the pictures for Lucky Penny, Gladiola Girls, M.C. Adams Clothier and Haircut 101. Plenty of hours were spent getting just the right shots. And then Courtney went to work designing the layout and utilizing Photoshop to get the colors and presentation just right. Courtney’s been working with us as a graphic artist since joining us for a summer internship in 2007. She was a fast learner. Her hard work and long hours since then have earned her the title of creative director not only for our magazine, but for our newspaper and visitor guide as well.

And why the fashion idea? It represents our continuing efforts to connect our readers with our advertisers. Our advertisers are the lifeblood of this magazine, and anytime we can introduce our readers to local businesses through their ads, we think everybody wins. Fashion spreads are nothing new of course, but we were particularly inspired by a magazine from Aspen, Colorado, that does a wonderful job of inspiring a conversation between its readers and advertisers. We’re all in this together, after all—why go off the mountain or shop online for new styles when we’ve got the latest trends here in the High Country? And on that note, here’s a reminder that we’ll be back with our local restaurant guide and features on area summertime destinations in our June issue.

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High Country Magazine

April / May 2011

Advertising Sales Beverly Giles Contributing Writers Anne Baker Val Maiewskij-Hay Harris Prevost Meghan Frick Jason Reagan

Contributing Photograhers Todd Bush Peter Morris Frederica Georgia Lonnie Webster

Finance Manager Amanda Giles High Country Magazine is produced by the staff and contributors of High Country Press newspaper, 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. © 2011 by High Country Press. All Rights Reserved.

April / May 2011

High Country Magazine

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Calendarof Events Calendar # 1

APRIL 2011

27

Spring Wildflower Hike, Doe River Gorge,

Carter County, Tenn., 828-733-5748 28-5/1

MerleFest, Wilkes Community College, Wilkesboro, 800-343-7857

9

High Country Torch Club, Golden Corral, 828-264-4275

10-12

Letterland Days, Tweetsie Railroad, 800-526-5740

Blowing Rock Farmers’ Market Opens, Wallingford

12

Street, Blowing Rock, 828-295-7851

13-15

Birding in the Mountains, Chetola Resort, Blowing

Rock, 828-243-8652

29

Car Show, downtown Newland, 828-733-3558

29

Opening Day, Tweetsie Railroad, 800-526-5740

30

Wildflower Walk and Plant Sale, Daniel Boone

14

Free Night of Camping, Boone KOA Campground, 406-254-7409

Native Gardens, Boone, 828-264-6390

30

Fire on the Mountain Blacksmith Festival,

downtown Spruce Pine, 828-765-3008

30

Appalachian Spring: Conference in World History and Economics, Broyhill Inn, ASU,

828-262-6006

30

Kira Nicole Shoemaker Art Show, Jackalope’s View, Beech Mountain, 828-898-9004

MAY 2011

1

New River Marathon, May 7

Hiking and Biking Trails Open, Village of Sugar

14

Art in the Park, American Legion grounds, downtown Blowing Rock, 828-295-7851

Recreation Center, 828-287-3003

14

Night of the Spoken Word, Ashe Arts Center, West Jefferson, 336-846-2787

14

Ashe Humane Society Woof Walk, Ashe County Park,

Mountain, 828-898-9292

1

Town of Beech Mountain Anniversary, Buckeye

3

Extreme Couponing 101, First Baptist Church of Blowing Rock, 828-295-7716

6

Downtown Boone Art Crawl, one of downtown

6

Boone’s biggest social events takes over galleries and businesses, 828-262-4532

Crossnore Jam, bring a musical instrument and join

14-15

Jesse Smith and friends to jam, play, listen and dance, Town Meeting House, Crossnore, 828-898-0360

7

7

Jefferson, 336-982-4297

14

8

19

6

Watauga Farmers’ Market Opens, Horn in the West,

20-21

Blowing Rock Jazz Society: Mike Holsteen,

High Country Magazine

April / May 2011

Crossnore Children’s Golf Classic, Linville Golf and Country Club, 828-733-4305

New River Marathon, Ashe County, 336-877-8888

Meadowbrook Inn, Blowing Rock, 828-295-4300

Reynolds Blue Ridge Bike Classic, Reynolds Blue Ridge, 828-719-8448

High Country Home and Remodeling Exposition, Holmes Convocation Center, ASU, 828-297-6566

Boone, 828-355-4918

P.B. Scotts Reunion Party, Canyons, Blowing Rock,

828-295-7851

21

High Country Kids Triathlon, Watauga County Parks and Recreation Department, Boone, 828-964-9378

DON’T FORGET

EVENTS

CARLTON GALLERY Celebrating 29Years

MerleFest The biggest Americana music festival in the Southeast, MerleFest takes place on the rolling campus grounds of Wilkes Community College and features music, workshops, arts and crafts vendors and food. From Thursday to Sunday, April 28 to May 1, more than 90 acts perform on 14 stages, including Doc Watson, Robert Plant and the Band of Joy, the Doobie Brothers, Zac Brown Band, Lyle Lovett, Randy Travis, Del McCoury, Sam Bush and many others.

APRIL 28 to MAY 1

Anticipating Spring

New Exhibition Space with Featured Artists:

Kevin Beck and Roy Nichols April 15 – May 1

Debbie Arnold and Vae Hamilton May 6 – May 22

Artists Receptions – Friday, April 15, May 13, 4-6pm PAINTINGS • CLAY • GLASS • SCULPTURE • WOOD • FIBER ART • JEWELRY

Wildflower Walk and Plant Sale

Located 10 Miles South of Boone on Hwy. 105 Grandfather Community

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

The Daniel Boone Native Gardens in Boone present the fourth annual Early Bird Wildflower Walk & Plant Sale, on Saturday, April 30. Admission is free, and a portion of plant sale proceeds go toward support of the gardens, while additional donations are gratefully accepted. Top horticultural growers from the High Country will bring their locally grown wildflowers, herbs and vegetable starts and be on hand to answer questions about plant care and landscape design.

SATURDAY April 30

Art in the Park Created in 1962 by a handful of area artists and craftspeople to showcase local talent, Blowing Rock’s Art in the Park now features 100 juried artisans selling handcrafted jewelry, pottery, fiber works, glass, photography, paintings and more. The first show of 2011 takes place Saturday, May 14, and the show takes place once every month through October. The free event occurs at the American Legion Hall grounds in downtown Blowing Rock.

SATURDAY May 14

April / May 2011

High Country Magazine

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Birding in the Mountains, May 13-15

Porshe 928s Rally, June 4

MAY 2011

21

Spring Home, Garden & Business Expo, Mayland Community College, Spruce Pine campus, 828-898-5605

21

Mountain Valleyfest, Green Valley Park, 828-262-5787

25

Craft Beer Sampling, meet the brewer and sample

8-10

ContraBlossom, old Cranberry High School, 423-341-1843

9-12

Charity Horse Show: Saddlebred, Blowing Rock Equestrian Preserve, 828-295-2700

10

Car Show, downtown Newland, 828-733-3558

10

Wildcat Lake & Tufts Park Season Opening, park opens for lifeguard-supervised swimming and celebration picnic, 828-898-5465

Gallery Crawl, West Jefferson galleries and shops, 336-846-2787

10

Banner Elk Herb Festival, Banner Elk School,

10-11

A Cool 5, Beech Mountain, 828-387-3003

Art in the Park, American Legion Grounds,

beer from Fatty Maddy’s Brewing Company, Archer’s Inn, Beech Mountain, 828-898-9004

28

28-29

Banner Elk, 828-773-1906

JUNE 2011 2-4

3

11

Blowing Rock, 828-295-7851

11

“An Evening with Father Tim,” Hayes Performing Arts Return to Mitford, downtown Blowing Rock, 828-295-7851 Crossnore Jam, Town Meeting House, Crossnore,

828-898-0360 3

Concerts on the Lawn: Brian Yerman & Boone Mennonite Brethren Choir, Jones House, Boone, 828-264-1789

3

Downtown Boone Art Crawl, downtown Boone galleries and businesses, 828-262-4532

3-12

Thomas the Tank Engine, Tweetsie Railroad, 800-526-5740

Porsche 928s Rally, Brick Oven Pizzeria and Town Hall, Beech Mountain, 800-468-5506

4

Watauga Riverfest, Valle Crucis Community Park, 828-262-1500

4

Celtic Festival, River House Country Inn & Restaurant,

336-499-9733

4

North Wilkesboro, 336-667-3171

Avery County Heritage Festival, Town Square,

8

5

National Trails Day, Grandfather Mountain, 828-737-0833

High Country Magazine

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Coffee House Talent Night, West Jefferson Methodist Church Hensley Hall, 336-846-2787

13-25

BRAHM Benefit Exhibition & Auction, Blowing Rock

17-7/3

Ensemble Stage Company: Catfish Moon, Blowing Rock School auditorium, 828-919-6196

17-8/13

Horn in the West Outdoor Drama, Boone, 828-264-2120

Opening Day, Banner House Museum, Banner Elk,

18

828-898-3634

18

Concerts on the Lawn: Jeff Luckadoo & Worthless Son-in-Laws, Jones House, Boone, 828-264-1789

18

Mile of Flowers Walking Tour and Symposium, Meadowbrook Inn, Blowing Rock, 828-963-8824

18-19

High Country Community Yard Sale, Beech Mountain,

18-19

Roan Mountain Rhododendron Festival, Tenn., www.roanmountain.com

Remarkable Rhododendron Ramble, Grandfather Mountain, 800-468-7325

828-387-9283

Newland, 828-733-7111

4-12

Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony, Stone Center for Performing Arts,

Frameworks & Gallery, 828-295-9099

4

Concerts on the Lawn: Mary Neil & Lazybirds,

Jones House, Boone, 828-264-1789

Center, Blowing Rock, 828-295-9627

2-5

Blowing Rock Jazz Society: Zeke Listenbee Quartet, Meadowbrook Inn, Blowing Rock, 828-295-4300

6

Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony, June 11

April / May 2011

23-25

Blue Ridge Art Sampler, Broyhill Inn and Conference Center, ASU, 800-227-2788

DON’T FORGET

EVENTS

Concerts on the Lawn Summers in Boone mean free concerts every Friday evening on the beautiful front lawn of the historic Jones House Community Center on King Street.

Performers have include The Lazybirds, Steve and Ruth Smith, Worthless Son-in-Laws, Michael Reno Harrell, the Lucky Strikes, David Holt and the Mountain Laurels . The first concert of the season is on June 3. Don’t forget your lawn chair or blanket.

FRIDAYS All Summer

RiverFest

SATURDAY June 4

Back for a second year is RiverFest, a festival at Valle Crucis Community Park presented by environmental watchdog organization Appalachian Voices. Enjoy BBQ and bluegrass, educational activities for children, storytelling, nature walks and a day by the river on Saturday, June 4.

Curtis R. Page, DDS, PA

Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff Blue Ridge Art Sampler Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff presents the Blue Ridge Art Workshop Sampler Thursday to Saturday, June 23 to 25, at the Broyhill Inn and Conference Center in Boone. The event enables beginners as well as experienced artists to participate in top-notch workshop instruction. Six talented water media artists will lead full- and half-day workshops. The deadline to sign up for the Blue Ridge Art Sampler weekend is May 23.

JUNE 23 to 25

For Adults & Children

Crowns • Bridges • Veneers • Implant Restorations • Cosmetic & Restorative Dentistry

516 NEW MARKET BOULEVARD • BOONE, NC • 828-265-1661 (Located Across From Boone United Methodist Church) April / May 2011

High Country Magazine

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mountain

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Insider tips, fascinating facts, conversation starters and fun stuff to do

Stop & Smell the Roses

Mile of Flowers Symposium & Tour June 18

Tt

he Mile of Flowers Symposium and

Avent is the owner of Plant Delights Nurs-

Self-guided Walking Tour of six Blow-

ery Inc., which features rare and unusual

ing Rock gardens will return on Saturday,

perennials, hostas and United States na-

June 18. Admission is $40 and includes a

tives. In addition to the walking tour and

continental breakfast, a box lunch and an

symposium, participants will also be able

afternoon tea at the historic Rumple Pres-

to visit the new Mile of Flowers Boutique

byterian Church in Blowing Rock from 2:00

at Edgewood Cottage in Blowing Rock.

to 4:00 p.m. Only 220 tickets are available,

The boutique will feature quilts, paintings

and the first Mile of Flowers, held in 2009,

and other items with a flower or garden

sold out almost three weeks in advance, so

theme that are handcrafted by members

be sure to purchase tickets as soon as pos-

of the Blowing Rock Garden Club.

sible by mailing a check written to Mile of Flowers to: BRGC MOF, P.O. Box 2673, Blowing Rock, N.C. 28605.

Any profits from the Mile of Flowers Symposium and Walking Tour will go to replace trees in the Memorial Garden that were damaged from recent winter ice

Nationally known garden writer and lecturer Tony Avent will speak on perenni-

storms. For more info about the event, call

als at the symposium, which will be held

828-295-0550 or email mileofflowers@aol.

at the Meadowbrook Inn in Blowing Rock.

com.

By Anne Baker

Schedule of Events 9:00 a.m. Registration at Meadowbrook Inn Continental breakfast 10:00 a.m. Symposium featuring Tony Avent Noon to 4:00 p.m. Pick up box lunches; walking tour of Blowing Rock gardens 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Afternoon tea at Rumple Presbyterian Church

BRAHM Benefit Art Auction June 25 ception will begin at 6:00 p.m. with wine and

and Chestnut Street in downtown Blowing

hors d’oeuvres served.

Rock. The building will contain five main galler-

“The two-week exhibition will give people

a

rt enthusiasts can add to their collection this summer with the inaugural Picture

Yourself Here Benefit Art Exhibition and Live Auction, held at Blowing Rock Frameworks and Gallery. Approximately 30 pieces will be chosen for the auction, which will be exhibited at the gallery beginning Monday, June 13.

The exhibition will wrap up on Saturday, June 25, with a live auction. A pre-auction re10

High Country Magazine

ies, a multi-purpose community meeting room,

plenty of time to browse the selections and

a conference room, educational and workshop

choose their favorites,” said Tim Miller, gallery

space, a library and more. Groundbreaking

owner and chairman of the event, in a press

took place in June 2009, and the museum is

release. “We are going to have some eye-catch-

scheduled to open in the fall.

ing pieces that will pique the interest of experienced collectors and beginners alike.”

Guests at the auction will receive a high-

BRAHM seeks to promote the visual arts, history and heritage of the mountains through educational programs, exhibitions and sig-

quality program that will include a photograph

nificant permanent collections. For more info

and details about each piece available, as well

about the exhibition and auction, call Tim

as a profile on the item’s donor. Proceeds from

Miller at 828-295-0041. For more information

the auction will benefit the new Blowing Rock

about BRAHM, call 828-295-9099 or click to

Art and History Museum (BRAHM), a three-level

www.blowingrockmuseum.org.

building on the corner of South Main Street

April / May 2011

By Anne Baker

mountain

Pickin’ in Perpetuity

echoes

“He’s our most

b

famous son.”

efore becoming an international folk music

and humility, eventually agreed to the project on

icon, adored by generations who have fallen

one condition: that a plaque on the statute read “Doc

in love with his guitar picking, deep singing voice and

Watson—just one of the people.” Hallmark, who has a

genuine on-stage presence, Deep Gap native Doc

studio in Blowing Rock, has permanent installations in

Watson spent many days performing for tips at store-

Blowing Rock, Banner Elk and in Maryland. He created

fronts in Boone and other nearby towns.

a World War II Memorial and a life-sized statue of Sen.

As a tribute to the living legend, the Downtown

Sam Ervin in Morganton.The statue was approved by

Boone Development Association will install a life-

the Watson family, and Greene Construction Company

sized bronze statue of Watson in downtown Boone

of Boone will install the statue.

with a dedication on Friday, June 24. The statue, cre-

In coordination with the statue dedication cer-

ated by noted sculptor Alex Hallmark, will feature the musician seated on a bench playing his favorite Gal-

Sculptor Alex Hallmark with the Doc

lagher guitar. “He’s our most famous son,” said Mast

Watson sculpture before sending it to

General Store President John Cooper, who helped

the foundry to be bronzed.

coordinate the project. “Since he got his start on the streets of downtown Boone, it’s very appropriate to have a statue of him downtown.” The sculpture will be located on the northeast corner of the intersection of King and Depot streets. Watson, known for his modesty

emony, the Watauga Arts Council will host a special concert at 5:00 p.m. as part of the Concerts on the Lawn series, with Clint Howard, David Holt, Charles Welch, Wayne Henderson and Herb Key, Creekside

Grass and hopefully the legend himself. “That’ll be a big night, with a bunch of Doc’s pickin’ buddies,” said Mark Freed, folklorist for the Arts Council. For more info or to contribute to the project, contact Cooper at 828-963-6511 or the DBDA at 828-262-4532 or www.boone-nc.org.

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April / May 2011

High Country Magazine

11

mountain

echoes

Ashe County Farmers’ Market

fF

or more than 20 years, the Ashe County

Jefferson, the Ashe Farmers’ Market is open

market and in the Baptist Church parking lot.

Farmers’ Market has been providing whole-

every Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

For more info, call Smyre at 910-309-1932 or

through October. Wednesday markets will take

336-877-4141 or click to www.ashefarmersmar-

some fruits and vegetables, farm-fresh meat

place from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. July 6

ket.com.

to September 28. Holiday markets are scheduled for November 19, 25 and 26 and December 3, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

John Smyre, market manager, said the market will have around 60 to 65 vendors when it opens and about 90 vendors in peak season this summer. Everything sold at the market must be grown, raised or made in Ashe County. Most vendors accept and eggs, fresh herbs and flowers, and all sorts

cash or checks, and a few accept credit cards.

of arts and crafts to High Country consumers.

Parking for the market is available along the

Located on the Backstreet in downtown West

Backstreet, in the grassy area behind the

Can You Buy 10% of Your Food Locally?

Try It.

w

2011 Ashe Market Events May 14 Quilt Day & Heirloom Apple Expert Book Signing June 18 Fathers Day Grilling Demonstration July 2 Christmas In July July 16 Berry Pie Contest Day & Book Signing July 30 Fiber Day Sheep Sheering & Animal Petting Arena August 13 Vegetable Grilling Demo August 20 Salsa and Tomato Contest Day September 3 Cake Contest Day September 24 Apple Pie and Cobbler Contest October 1 BBQ Plate Fundraiser October 29 Children’s Halloween Celebration November 19, 25, 26 Holiday Markets December 3 Holiday Market

percent—about $1.05 per day—on foods produced locally,

atauga County Center of the N.C.

Cooperative Extension Service wants

$3.5 billion would be available in the community, the cam-

area businesses, organizations, local govern-

paign asserts. Through the campaign website, www.nc-

ments and individuals to make a commit-

10percent.com, participants make the pledge to spend 10

ment—spend 10 percent of your existing food

percent on local food and register to receive weekly email

dollars locally. And now that area markets are

reminders to report how money they spend on local food.

gearing up for the season, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to give it a try.

The website tracks participants’ progress and displays statewide results. On the website, you can view which food

The 10 Percent Campaign is an initiative of the N.C. Cooperative Ex-

products are in season in North Carolina, a calendar of upcoming local

tension, the Center for Environmental Farming Systems and the Golden

food events across the state and links to farm, market and CSA listings.

Leaf Foundation. North Carolinians spend about $35 billion per year

For more info, contact Extension Agent Margie Mansure at 828-264-3061.

on food, according to information from the initiative. If we spend 10

By Anna Oakes

12

OPEN NOW

OPENING SOON

Ashe County Farmers’ Market, SATURDAYs, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Freedom Market, SUNDAYs, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Blue Ridge Market & More, MONDAYS & THURSDAYS, 11 to 3:30

May 7 Watauga Farmers’ Market, SATURDAYS May 7 Johnson County Farmers’ Market, SATURDAYS May 12 Blowing Rock Farmers’ Market, THURSDAYS

High Country Magazine

April / May 2011

mountain

Concerts on the Green

echoes

Bring Spring and Summer Entertainment to The Best Cellar

n

multi-instrumentalist Rush Padgett—will

ot only does The Best Cellar offer good

open the series. Other bands featured

food, but the restaurant’s big yard at

the Inn at Ragged Gardens has proven to be

throughout the coming months include

a great place for entertainment, as well. Lo-

The Harris Brothers, a duo made up of

cated at 203 Sunset Drive in Blowing Rock, the

brothers Reggie and Ryan who play a

restaurant will begin its second year of Friday

wide range of music from old-time string

night Concerts on the Green beginning May 6.

band music to blues, country and rock; the

Evergreen—a collaboration featuring

soul, funk and classic rock sextet Soul Benefac-

Scott Moss from Moonshine Jenny on vocals,

tor; and Ramajay Intercoastal, a group with an

Roger Padget, Phil Simmons and Kelly Hull

island/rock approach.

May 6 Evergreen May 13 The Harris Brothers May 20 Soul Benefactor May 27 The Harris Brothers

Food and drinks will be available for purchase onsite. For more info about Concerts on the Green, call Rob Dyer at The Best Cellar at 828295-3466.

All shows begin at 5:30 p.m. and last until

from the former regional band Tater, plus

T

approximately 8:15 p.m. and are free to attend.

H

E

L

June 3 TBA June 10 The Harris Brothers June 17 Soul Benefactor June 24 The Harris Brothers

I

N

E U

July 1 The Harris Brothers July 8 Matt & Bruce July 15 The Harris Brothers July 22 Ramajay Intercoastal July 29 The Switch

April / May 2011

By Anne Baker

P

August 5 TBA August 12 The Harris Brothers August 19 Soul Benefactor August 26 The Harris Brothers

High Country Magazine

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Story by Anne Baker

Photography by Todd Bush

‘ T he C ommuni ty H ub’ After 71 Years, Banner Elk Elementary Transitions to New Facility W

hile standing inside the entrance of Banner Elk Elementary School and looking down the hallway as the afternoon sunlight reflects off the old, scarred hardwood floors, it is difficult to imagine the building empty. Although school dismissed at 2:45 p.m. and the last of the children are making their way to buses or to parents waiting outside, the presence of the students remains. Artwork is everywhere; it is easy to get caught up in admiring the colorful paper robots on display, crafted by a K-1 art class. Classrooms contain more artwork, along with books, educational games and, with a more modern touch, computers. Inside the library, with orange shades halfway drawn across the tall, white-framed windows, spring-themed books are on display, and it is easy to think of the elementary-age students reaching for Max’s Chocolate Chicken as they anticipate their own Easter egg hunt.

The building is beautiful, but it is old, and with age comes the onset of numerous problems that make it difficult to educate chil-

dren in the 21st century. This spring, students at Banner Elk Elementary will complete their final year in the stone building that was established as part of a Works

Project Administration venture in 1939.

A new school is slated to open in the fall, and the 168 students making up the pre-K through fifth grade classes at Banner Elk Elementary will begin the 2011-12 school year in a modern educational facility with plenty of space.

Brick and Stone All it took was $833 to acquire land for Banner Elk’s first public school building. This building, however, was not the stone structure occupied today—according to Avery County Board of Education minutes, land was purchased from Banner Elk resident T.L. Lowe to accommodate a large brick structure that was built by the state in 1917. The building sat near what is now the Banner Elk Volunteer Fire Department, and the school’s playground was actually located where the current stone facility is today.

The first school, at least for the majority of its years, contained grades one through seven, and when Highway 194 was being built and access to Cranberry High School in Elk Park was cut

“We have a lot of great memories [at the old school]. Being in the center of town, it’s almost like the community hub. But when it really comes down to 21st century learning, the new facility is great for that.”

—Ken Townsend, principal of Banner Elk Elementary 14

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April / May 2011

Established as a Works Project Administration venture in 1939, the stone Banner Elk Elementary school building houses 168 students who make up pre-K through fifth grade classes, almost all of which are combinations. As an A+ school, teachers at the elementary school readily integrate arts into the curriculum, which is evident upon walking through the halls or stepping inside any of colorful classrooms.

April / May 2011

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This brick structure, built by the state in 1917, was Banner Elk’s first public school building. In 1935, the state condemned the building due to health and safety issues.

off to Banner Elk residents, the school also housed eighth, ninth, tenth and eleventh graders for about two years. Gail Draughon, a former student and teacher at Banner Elk Elementary, is familiar with much of the history of both buildings. Her father was a student at the brick structure, and she was able to hear much about early public education in the small town through his memories.

“I know they did not have state adopted textbooks back then, because [my father] said when he got ready to go to first grade, the only book his mom could get her hands on was a third grade reader,” she said. “I felt for that teacher.” Textbooks were certainly not the only difference between education then and now— classroom duties also reflect the change in times. “Three of the boys would get to school earlier with the teacher, and one boy’s job was to go to the Shawneehaw Creek down here behind the school and dip water for the day and bring it in and put it on the table,” Draughon said.

“One had the job of firing the stove in the morning, making sure the classroom was warm before everyone got there. Then [my father] said that often his job was to go down to the Shawneehaw Creek and break enough switches for the day and 16

High Country Magazine

This photograph shows a Banner Elk Elementary School third grade class in 1930, taken when elementary school students were still housed in the brick structure built in 1917.

bring them in and put them in the bucket at the front of the room.”

In 1935, the state condemned the brick structure due to health and safety issues.

Construction of a new school—what was to be the stone building—was approved that same year; however, it took close to five years to complete. Since the children were without a school building, Draughon said the community of Banner Elk opened the churches in the town for use as educational facilities. It was during those

April / May 2011

years that Avery County received word that Work Projects Administration funds would be available for use for public building projects. The county used the funds to build a gym in Cranberry and schools in Elk Park, Beech Mountain, Riverside, Crossnore and, of course, Banner Elk. Construction of the stone building was complete in 1939, and the school officially opened for grades one through seven in 1940 (grade eight was added soon after). About 10 years later, a brick

addition of two primary rooms joined the existing stone structure; in the late 1980s, a cafeteria and a courtyard were added. Besides buildings, grade makeup at Banner Elk Elementary changed over the years as well—the first kindergarten class was established in the 1980s; the seventh and eighth graders were moved to Avery County Middle School; and in the early 1990s, the sixth graders followed the move to the middle school, making Banner Elk Elementary a pre-K through fifth grade school.

The instructors at Banner Elk Elementary who proved to be not only teachers, but caring individuals who defined the school’s character. Many teachers Draughon mentioned came to the school in the early 1950s and stayed into the late 1970s and 80s, such as Milda Coffey with her signature purple shoes; Marshall Ward, the teller of Jack Tales; and Lola Rowe, who praised Draughon on her penmanship but never gave her a grade higher than a B in handwriting that year.

“I just have such wonderful memories of this school as a student—I think that really is what made me fully realize that I wanted to teach,” Draughon said. “I knew from first grade that I wanted to be a teacher. I

really knew that was what I wanted to do and I never changed my mind.” Although Draughon, who began teaching in 1968 at age 21, never married or had children, one could say she found plenty at Banner Elk Elementary: she estimates she taught 1,400 children before retiring in 1998. “School was my life, really,” she said. “It always has been. I usually didn’t get to school early—I was always there 10 minutes to 8:00—but

‘Kids Are Kids’ Dianne Hicks is another former Banner Elk Elementary school student who couldn’t leave the classroom, and whose time in school also made her realize she was meant to be a teacher.

“As an eighth grader, I got to come back and help the first graders and the teacher,” she said. “That was close to my

“We didn’t have a lot of materials—nothing like you see in these classrooms today—but you just didn’t worry about things. You taught what you knew to teach and used what you had to use.”

—Mrs. Hicks most of the years I taught I stayed until 5:30 and then I would take things home that I still wanted to do.” The long hours weren’t tiring to Draughon, and watching her students learn more and more became her motivation.

“Just seeing the progress that kids made was just so gratifying, especially in reading,” she said. “I love the enthusiasm for learning that kids have at that age.”

first experience with working with children and sharing with them and that kind of thing—and I thoroughly loved that.

When I left here as an eighth grader, I knew what I wanted to do with my life and I knew what I had to do to get there.”

Hicks started college at Lees-McRae, which was only a two-year school at the time, and then graduated from Appalachian State University. She began teach-

Join the Celebration

The Town of Banner Elk is turning 100 this year.

We will be celebrating our centennial throughout the year at community events and we hope you will join us as we create memories for the years to come.

Centennial Information - www.townofbannerelk.org

a few of the places we’ll be, Wildcat Lake Opening Day Celebration, May 28th 3rd Annual Banner Elk Herb Festival, May 28th & 29th Banner Elk Chamber of Commerce Concert Series in the Park, June - September Independence Day Parade and Duck Race, July 4th Banner Elk's Centennial Celebration in the Park, July 23rd & 24th Lees-McRae College Summer Theatre Woolly Worm Festival, October 15th & 16th Lighting of the Park, December 2nd April / May 2011

High Country Magazine

17

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High Country Magazine

ing a first and second grade combination class at Banner Elk Elementary in 1972 at age 22, following in her father’s footsteps, who was also a teacher at the elementary school. In fact, Hicks’ father retired the year she began teaching at the school.

“We didn’t have a lot of materials— nothing like you see in these classrooms today—but you just didn’t worry about things,” Hicks said. “You taught what

you knew to teach and used what you had to use.” After teaching at Banner Elk Elementary for five years, Hicks and her husband, Carlos, moved downstate to Davie County. The couple returned to Avery County in 1982, where Hicks found that things had changed a bit in the school system.

“I couldn’t get a teaching position back,” she said. “So I worked for a year

What Will Be Done With the School Building?

A

lthough the community has much to look forward to with the opening of a new elementary school, Avery County and the Town of Banner Elk will also face the question of what to do with the old school building and the approximate 5.5 acres of land it sits on.

“The town council has set it as one of their goals to participate in the preservation of the property and the building; however, we don’t have a financial obligation in mind yet,” said Banner Elk Town Manager Rick Owen in March. “The goal is to facilitate conversation to figure out how to promote the preservation of the school.”

A large aspect of preservation, however, will be determining exactly what the property is worth—and several appraisals requested by both the town and the county have not yet been able to answer that question, as numbers have ranged from $5 million to $1.1 million.

Yet, despite the unanswered questions, many are hopeful the building will be preserved for community use, includ-

April / May 2011

ing the nonprofit group Friends of the Historic Banner Elk School, who made a presentation to the Avery County Board of Commissioners earlier this year suggesting the property be used as a community center.

Those who spent years teaching in the school themselves also expressed similar sentiments. “I am very hopeful the town will be able to retain the building and that it can be used as a community center for the people,” said Draughon, who, in addition to teaching at the school for 30 years, also serves on the Banner Elk Town Council.

Hicks echoed Draughon’s opinion: “My preference would be that the town get the building—all of it—and use it as some type of community center or something that relates to the community and keeps the building more intact,” she said. “I really believe they would work hard to keep it as much like it is, only doing the upgrades that have to be done to maintain it.”

w

and a half at Elk Park Elementary as an assistant, which was good because I learned a lot about that. When I was able to come back to [Banner Elk Elementary] it was in August of 1984, and I taught a second and third grade combination…or multiage as they call it now.” Multiage classes still continue to play a large part in the class makeup at Banner Elk Elementary, especially because the school is an “A+ school,” which embraces the integration of the arts into its curriculum.

“That was a big thing with A+ schools,” Hicks said. “When they first went to A+ they had kindergarten, first and second grade in the same classes.

“I will never forget the first [kindergarten and first grade combination] I did here,” she continued. “The parents were not prepared for the fact that their child could be in a combination class. It took us a half a year to convince them that it would be okay.”

Currently, every grade at Banner Elk Elementary is a combination except for pre-K. The school includes three kindergarten and first grade combinations, three second and third grade combinations and two fourth and fifth grade combinations.

Hicks left Banner Elk Elementary in

Three generations of Banner Elk Elementary students: Dianne Hicks, Banner Elk Town Manager Rick Owen and his son Hampton pose for a picture in Hicks’ classroom.

1992, when she transferred to Valle Crucis Elementary to be closer to her children, who attended school in Watauga County, and she retired in 2002. Even after retirement, Hicks still finds herself in the class-

room constantly, however—she continues to be a substitute teacher and also covers maternity leaves at Cove Creek and Valle Crucis elementary schools. Teaching at Banner Elk Elementary for the first time

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April / May 2011

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since the early 1990s, Hicks said it’s like coming back home.

“This is the same classroom I was in when I left,” she said. “They have a lot more stuff in here than we had, but the thing about it is that no matter where you go— and I’ve been in several schools and worked in several different grade levels—kids are kids. It doesn’t matter where you work with them. They are very much the same.”

And, although the educational system has changed over the years, with new curricula, different textbooks and various methods of instruction, the needs of children do remain the same as they look to teachers for support and guidance.

A Bright Future The dedication to education that is demonstrated by both Draughon and Hicks has been the driving force behind the success of Banner Elk Elementary. The school has been recognized numerous times over the years: it was a state Top 25 school during the 1997-98 school year; a N.C. Lighthouse School in 1998; in the 1997-98, 1998-99, 1999-00, 2006-07, 2008-09 and 2009-10 school years it was named a School of Distinction; in 2002-03 and 2003-04 it was a School of Excellence; and in 2004-05 it was an Honor School of Excellence.

“Avery County was the first system in North Carolina to require compulsory school attendance, setting the stage for visionaries in education,” Draughon said during a speech in 1999 during the school’s 60th anniversary. “And visionaries we have had and continue to have at Banner Elk Elementary. I’m sure all the graduates of this school remember principals, teachers and students who touched their lives in some unique way and who helped make Banner Elk School an amazing institution.”

As Banner Elk Elementary makes the transition into its new, 47,000-square-foot facility, it will continue the creative, innovative educational approach that, as a 15-year A+ school, sets it apart from other elementary schools in the state.

“We really try to hit all the different learning styles, and that’s played into the success that we’ve had through the academic years,” said Ken Townsend, the five-year principal of Banner Elk Elementary. “And I think that the way we teach allows us to tap into those different learning styles— it’s more of a kinesthetic approach.” With more space, the latest technology (with the 20

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April / May 2011

Mrs. Hicks has returned to her old classroom at Banner Elk Elementary, which she left in 1992 when she began teaching at Valle Crucis Elementary. Covering for a teacher on medical leave, Hicks said being back at Banner Elk is like coming home.

infrastructure to support that technology, Townsend noted) and many green features, the new school will make it easier to further the commitment to learning that school officials, teachers, parents and students have as members of the Banner Elk Elementary community.

The move might be a bittersweet one, but it has become a necessity.

“We have a lot of great memories [at the old school],” Townsend said.

“Being in the center of town, it’s almost like the community hub. But when it really comes down to 21st century learning, the new facility is great for that.”

April / May 2011

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A 21st Century School

The New Chapter of Banner Elk Elementary

W

hile the aesthetic and historical value of Banner Elk Elementary is recognized by many, a new school building has become a necessity due to the current facility’s age.

“It’s hard to teach in the 21st century in a building this old,” said Danny Clark, facilities director of Avery County Schools, in reference to the stone structure that was completed in 1939 as part of a Work Projects Administration venture. Numerous heating and plumbing issues, as well as the presence of asbestos, has made remodeling cost-prohibitive, and elementary students will move into their new, 47,000-square-foot school when the 2011-12 academic year begins in August. “We say we’re designing the building to last 40 years,” Clark said.

The new school incorporates green features, new technology, spacious classrooms and, of course, is designed to be as safe as possible—a step up from the old school, where the numerous entrances make it impossible to lock down the building in the case of an emergency. “We don’t have [safety] problems, but we tried to make the new school as user-friendly to that issue as we could,” Clark said. “You need to have it where a principal can stand in one spot and see the entire school, and you can stand in the entranceway and see down both hallways just for safety. That’s what the building was designed for.”

Students will also have the latest technology. Although plans are still tentative, depending on the grade level, students will either receive an iPod, an iPad or a MacBook; teachers will receive an iPad and/or a MacBook; and pre-K classrooms will utilize two table-like SMART Boards.

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April / May 2011

The new school is a collaborative effort between Avery County Schools, Asheville-based Architectural Design Studio and M.B. Kahn Construction Company in Columbia, S.C.

The new school boasts a fullsize gym that will not only be utilized by elementary school students, but also middle and high school athletic teams. It also features a stage that can be used by the whole community.

A typical classroom in the new school building is highly dependent on its windows— the inside lights will adjust based on how much window lighting

there

is.

Danny

Clark, facilities director of Avery County Schools, said that lights will most likely be dimmed on 90 percent of school days due to the amount of natural light that enters the classrooms.

The new Banner Elk Elementary School is located on Orchard Lane behind the Best Western Motel. The building has a price tag of $6.8 million, and the budget for everything—paving, landscaping and other expenses—is set at $9.4 million. Although still under construction, school officials say they will begin moving furniture and other supplies into the school in the summer.

In cases of bad weather, covered walkways at the new building will be of benefit to students waiting to be picked up from school. There will also be plenty of room for “stacking” cars that are waiting in line to drop off or pick up students, which is a big difference from the old school—sometimes, the line of cars can spill over into the Highway 184 and the Banner Elk Volunteer Fire Department parking lot must be used to accommodate traffic.

New School Facts and Figures 47,000

• Coming in at square feet, the new school is almost twice the size of the old facility

250 students • Cost of the building was $6.8 million, with a $9.4 million total budget that includes paving and landscaping • On approximately 90 percent of school days, lights will be • The space will be adequate for

dimmed inside due to the use of “day lighting” • The full-size gym will seat

900 people

The geothermal heating system, which relies on transferring heat from the ground to the school, is one of the building’s green features. In addition, every classroom will have a separate climate control where, if needed, one room can have the heat on and the other can use the air conditioning.

April / May 2011

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April / May 2011

Bees: May They Buzz Forever Story by Val Maiewskij-Hay Photography by peter morris and ken ketchie

S

pring is finally here. Honeybees— the harbingers of spring—are back, buzzing while they work pollinating crops, gardens and wildlife food. Many plants require insect pollination to produce fruit and fertile seed for the following year, and although there are many pollinators, honeybees are the best and most prolific pollinators. As an added bonus, they produce honey and other bee products. The honeybee, originally from Eurasia, was brought by early settlers to North America and has become a vital part of our agricultural system.

Honeybees directly or indirectly are responsible for every third bite of food we eat. They pollinate not just the fruit and vegetables we eat but also fodder for livestock such as alfalfa and clover for cows.

Honeybees’ greatest economic importance is in pollination. As honeybee populations have diminished—since 1945, honeybee colonies have been reduced by half—bees are trucked cross-country to pollinate large-scale commercial crops.

If there are not enough pollinators, crop production will be low or even nonexistent. Bees are vital to our food supply and to our ecosystem.

Even though honeybee population loss is a global problem, we can take measures in the High Country to increase our local bee population and maintain our local food supply. North Carolina has the oldest beekeeping association and the second greatest number of beekeepers. Burton Moomaw, president of the Watauga County Beekeepers Association, said, “We need more bees and beekeepers and more people to be aware of the importance of bees.

The more people that keep bees, the better

Amy Fiedler, a beekeeper for seven years, and her intern, Matt Denny, examine the bees before winter on her farm, Springhouse Farm in Vilas.

for everyone—it spreads the risk. Without bees, our world would be devastated. Our food supply would be drastically reduced, and the ecology of our planet would be permanently altered.”

The Watauga Beekeepers Association has approximately 100 members, but there are more beekeepers in the area.

The association presents speakers, panels and workshops to teach new beekeeping methods and technologies, offers solutions to problems, and provides an equipment sharing program, a hand-cranked honey extractor and mentors for novice

beekeepers. During the 2011 winter season, Caldwell Community College, in conjunction with the Beekeepers Association, held a course on beekeeping with an enrollment of more than 30 students, most of who planned to keep bees.

Honeybees are social organisms; every bee performs a particular role within the hive of about 60,000 bees, and every action is for the good of the hive. The queen is the centerpiece of the hive, laying all the eggs (up to 3,000 per day) of the future worker bees and drones (male bees).

Worker bees, living six to eight weeks

April / May 2011

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Burton Moomaw, president of the Watauga Beekeepers Association, is a licensed acupuncturist, and uses bee venom therapy in his practice. He finds beekeeping to be a relaxing and meditative practice.

“If the bee population is not increased to keep pace with the human population, there will be a dire

global food shortage by 2050.”

Bob Cole, veteran beekeeper in the summer, are specialized in their labor, and all are “busy as a bee.” If the queen is sick or not productive enough to maintain the hive, the worker bees raise a new queen by feeding royal jelly to one of the workers. When ready, the queen, about five to six days old, takes her “virgin flight,” flying high in the sky as she emits pheromones, attracting drones for miles around. After mating with a dozen or more drones—the more the better for greater genetic diversity—she returns to the hive, where she lays eggs for the rest of her life usually a year. After collecting nectar and pollen all season, the worker bees get the hive ready for winter and dispose of the drones. In the winter, the worker bees cluster around the queen, slowly rotating and constantly “shivering” their wings to create warmth. Whenever a warm period occurs, bees take turns to go on “cleansing flights.” They live on their stores of honey (or sugar water) and wait for spring for their next cycle.

Honeybees face many challenges.

Their environment and food supply are increasingly toxic—many say that “the 26

High Country Magazine

honeybee is the canary in the coal mine” in terms of our agricultural system. Insecticides can kill bees, but herbicides and fungicides can also harm them. Herbicides are used to kill plants considered to be weeds—dandelions, clover—but they are a valuable food source for bees.

As development takes the place of forests and other wild areas, bee food sources are further diminished. Some believe that the loss of variety in their diets has contributed to their weakened immune system, which has made them more vulnerable to pests.

The dominant bee in the U.S., the Italian bee, does not have a coping mechanism to deal with the Asian mites (Varroa) which first appeared in the mid-1990s. Beekeepers were advised to poison the mites on a regular basis, but the mites developed a resistance to the toxins and increasingly more had to be used, which may have weakened the bees.

Now the recommendation is to manage the number of mites and to use an organic pesticide, such as Thymol, derived from thyme, when the mite population reaches

April / May 2011

a certain level.

The Russian bee from Siberia coevolved with the mites and developed a coping mechanism—it is very hygienic and cleans itself and other bees, keeping mite population in check. Some people are keeping Russian bees even though they are considered to be more defensive of their hives and more aggressive toward people. Attempts are also being made to breed more hygienic Italian bees and to cross Italian and Russian bees.

The greatest threat to the honeybee is colony collapse disorder, a mysterious malady that appeared five years ago: the colony of bees disappears, leaving behind the queen and a few worker bees. Scientists and beekeepers continue to seek an explanation for this behavior contrary to the nature of honeybees. Theories include various stressors, toxins, nutritional deficiencies, pests, disruption of their navigating system by cell phone and other ambient electro-magnetic pollution, or alien abduction. The latest theory is that a combination of a virus and fungus cause the disorder. Many believe that it is much

more complex, involving a number of these factors.

Because the vanishing bee is a global problem, Bob Cole, veteran local beekeeper and volunteer for USAID, has visited 48 countries over the past eight years teaching people about the importance of honeybees and methods for keeping them. He explained, according to international food and bee experts, “if the bee population is not increased to keep pace with the human population, there will be a dire global food shortage by 2050. It’s important to teach young people how to keep bees so that as the older generation of beekeepers pass on there will be beekeepers.”

Most people can keep bees, and men and women of all ages and occupations are beekeepers. People’s motivations for keeping bees include increasing their crop or garden production, gathering honey, and being good stewards of the earth. Many beekeepers find it to be a relaxing, almost meditative activity—one that puts people in tune with nature and the seasons.

Bill Herring, a retired orthopedic surgeon, has kept bees for decades for his garden and blueberries, and sometimes he gathers honey. He has taught first responders, teachers, outdoor camp counselors and beekeepers how to recognize an allergic reaction and how to use an epinephrine pen, which prevents an

allergic person from going into anaphylactic shock. Even though only about 200 people a year in the U.S. die from all flying stinging insects, he recommends that everyone—especially those who are engaged in outdoor activities—know what to do in case someone experiences a severe allergic reaction. Whenever there is a reaction beyond the local sting or bite site, medical attention should be sought immediately.

Amy Fiedler, former two-term Beekeeper Association president, has kept bees for more than seven years. She had helped her father tend his bees and “just fell in love with bees” and wanted to keep them. Unable to keep bees where she lived, she arranged with a local organic farmer, Charles Church, to keep bees on his farm, which was advantageous to both—he had

Many local beekeepers sell their honey and other bee products at the local farmers’ markets and through the Watauga Beekeepers Association website, www.wataugabeekeepers.org.

Amy Fiedler (top) also sells honey from a selfservice farm stand at her farm. Burton Moomaw (bottom) demonstrates “uncapping” the honey before putting the frames into the extractor. Burton sells his honey from his acupuncture office in Boone.

April / May 2011

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“We’re all connected in this wonderful web of life and should recognize the role bees and other insects play.”

Meghan Baker, agricultural extension agent

Honeybees pollinate commercial crops, home gardens and wild areas, greatly increasing productivity. About one-third of our food is a result of bee pollination.

Most beekeepers in the High Country use this common

type of manufactured

beehive, pictured left.

Beekeepers usually use a

smoker to calm the bees when

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April / May 2011

working with them.

the benefit of bees pollinating his crops, and she could keep bees and gather honey.

Amy now has her own farm, Springhouse Farm, and keeps bees as her love affair with them continues.

“Bees are so fascinating and infinitely complex—I love the challenge of keeping them and learning about them because there is always something new to learn,” she said.

Although the honeybee’s greatest economic importance is pollination, it produces many valuable products. Honey has been prized for its sweetness and medicinal properties—antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral—since humans first stumbled across it. Honey reflects the bees’ food source and varies greatly in taste and color.

Local honey is thought to help people suffering from seasonal pollen allergies. Other bee products include beeswax used in candles and skin preparations, royal jelly in beauty and health products, and pollen, a protein source, in health food.

Lyn Soeder, a local beekeeper who learned beekeeping from Bob Cole, makes and sells soap, lotion and salve from her bees’ honey and other products. Bee venom therapy has been used for millennia and is finding a greater acceptance among

western medical doctors, especially for ailments of the joints and tendons. Franklin Cole, a longtime beekeeper, suffered from such debilitating tendonitis in his arms that he was unable to work. Having heard of bee venom therapy, he tried it and it worked—he now has full use of his arms. Bee venom therapy has also been used in treating autoimmune diseases.

Meghan Baker, agricultural extension agent, said, “I educate growers on production practices that minimize negative effects on bees and home gardeners on ways to protect and support pollinators.”

As a “plant person,” Meghan understood the importance of bees in the ecosystem and decided to keep bees. She also found them fascinating.

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Beekeeping Supplies in the High Country

S

am Story, owner of Beech Mountain Beekeeping Supplies and Honey, opened summer 2010 to provide local beekeepers with all the necessary equipment, tools and supplies. For the beginner, he carries a starter kit, which includes everything a person needs to begin keeping bees—including the bees.

For the longtime beekeeper, he has all the replacement and expansion pieces the beekeeper might need, as well as a variety of pest management supplies and bee nutrients. Sam has more than 50 hives, some located at the store and the rest throughout the area. He sells his local honey, labeled by type, and other bee products. During honey production season, part of his warehouse becomes a honey house.

Sam explained that he began his beekeeping supply business because he wanted to help increase the bee population in the High Country.

“When I was growing up my grandfather kept bees,” he said. “I helped him and learned to love bees. Lately bees have had a hard time, but here in the mountains, we can have a healthy bee population—we’ve got great plant diversity and a good environment for bees. We just need more beekeepers.”

Sam is happy to answer questions and explain beekeeping methods and offers lessons in the store and elsewhere.

A display hive with a glass front allows people to watch bees working in their hive. Sam collects antique smokers— used to calm bees when the beekeeper is working with them—and displays them in the store.

The store is located at 2775 Beech Mountain Road in Elk Park. For more information, call 828-733-4525, email beechmountainbks@att.net or click to www.beechmountainbeesupply.com.

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April / May 2011

Sam Story (left) shows a customer the varieties of local honey that he harvested from his 50-plus hives. Sam believes that local honey offers many health benefits.

Beech Mountain Beekeeping Supply and Honey carries a complete beekeeper starter kit for the beginner.

It includes the tools, equipment, protective gear and supplies needed to start keeping bees. During the spring until May 7, bees are included with the kit.

The Watauga Beekeeper Association meets every first Tuesday of the month March through November at 7:00 p.m. at the Agricultural Conference Center in Boone. Anyone interested in beekeeping can attend. Its website, www.wataugabeekeepers.org, serves as a clearinghouse for local honey and other bee products.

“It’s beautiful the way bees and other pollinators have a synergistic relationship with plants and animals, including humans,” she said. “We’re all connected in this wonderful web of life and should recognize the role bees and other insects play.”

Although not all of us can keep bees, we can help them have a better environment. We can limit our use

of insecticides, pesticides and fungicides. We can plant food sources for them—beautiful flowering plants—and not kill the “weeds” they love. We can support our local beekeepers—we have bees because of them—by buying local honey and other bee products.

Buzz on beautiful bee, buzz on.

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Familiar Faces at

MerleFest

Tens of thousands of music lovers flock to MerleFest each April, which will provide great exposure for the High Country artists invited to play at this year’s festival. Photo by Jason Meyer

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April / May 2011

Get to Know These High Country Performers on the 2011 Lineup Story by Anna Oakes

D

rawing between 70,000 and 80,000 roots music lovers to the foothills of Wilkesboro every April, MerleFest long ago made a name for itself as the premier Americana music festival in the Southeast and one of the best in the nation.

MerleFest—now in its 24th year—is able to present artists from across the country and around the world. But with a location in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the festival doesn’t have to look very far to find incredible musical talent steeped in the Appalachian tradition. That’s why you’ll find plenty of High Country art-

ists sharing the bill with the likes of Tony Rice, Jerry Douglas, Tim O’Brien, Del McCoury, Alison Brown, Sam Bush, Casey Driessen—oh, and Robert Plant.

“I don’t know why it is that there’s so much musical talent in this area, but there really is,” said John Adair, artist relations director for MerleFest. And Adair’s been in the music entertainment business all of his adult life.

Working in Nashville in the mid1980s, he remembers that many of the top country artists often had North Carolinians playing in their bands.

“If you dig deeper into those

artists and look at the people playing in their bands, or who are working in their road crews, you’d be surprised to find a lot of native Tar Heels out there,” Adair noted.

Have a look at the area artists performing at this year’s festival— maybe you’ve seen them before, maybe not. If you can’t make it to MerleFest, look for these musicians at local festivals, bars and restaurants and back porches. While they may not have music videos on CMT or record deals at Sugar Hill, the talented musicians of the High Country have the chops to hang with anybody on stage.

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The Corklickers Well, it only took 24 years for MerleFest to catch on— but finally, the invitation to perform has been extended to mountain music veterans The Corklickers, who have been gigging for some 35 years.

“This is our first time,” said Mark Adams, who wields the clawhammer banjo in the five-member string band. “Well, it’s an honor.

We’re looking forward to going down there and playing.” Founded in 1976, the band has a long roster of past members, but the cur-

rent lineup, in addition to Mark, is Gil Adams, Rick Palmer, Rick Moore and Brian Yerman. These days, the old-time band performs primarily in Western North Carolina, east Tennessee and southwestern Virginia.

The Corklickers have performed at the Carter Fold, Chicago Folk Festival and Bristol Rhythm & Roots Festival and have shared the bill with Highwoods Stringband, Roan Mountain Hilltoppers, Hotmud Family, Red Clay Ramblers, Whitetop Mountain Band, Fat Meat Boys and

many others.

The band members already have ties to MerleFest, though. Several have played at the festival with other bands, and they played many a festival where Doc and Merle Watson also played.

They used to travel from gig to gig in a used van they bought from Merle.

Photo by Lonnie Webster

Jeff Little Jeff Little is a native of Boone who now resides in the Greensboro area. His family owned Little’s Music Store in Boone, and Little began playing piano at age 5.

Doc Watson, a neighbor and family friend, helped shape Little’s unique piano style—a distinctive two-handed style influenced by the mountain 34

High Country Magazine

flatpicking guitar tradition pioneered by Watson.

Locally, Little has performed as part of the Mountain Home Music concert series and the summer music series at Cook Park in Todd.

He often appears with Doc Watson and is a regular at MerleFest. He has released three CDs and has been featured on National Public Radio several times. He April / May 2011

For more info, click to www.jefflittle.net. has taken his exciting piano style around the world on U.S. government goodwill tours and has played for The Smithsonian Institution, The National Folk Festival and The National Council For The Traditional Arts “American Piano Masters.”

For more info on The Corklickers, click to www.corklickers.com or email lwadams@ skybest.com.

Roberta Kogut Roberta Kogut of Lenoir will be calling two contra dances at MerleFest in 2011, with music by Wayne Henderson and Friends and the Zephyr Lightning Bolts.

Kogut has been enthusiastic about contra dancing and other related dance forms since 1982. She mastered the art of several couple’s dances, including hambo, tango, schottische, waltz and more.

She was a favorite contra dance caller in the Tampa Bay, Fla., area before moving to North Carolina.

Her husband Bob Kogut is a maker of fiddles and upright basses and performs throughout the Southeast in the contra dance band Wild Goose Chase. Roberta also formed a dance team, Foothills Heritage Dancers, to perform modern contra dancing as well as traditional styles of community dancing.

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The Local Boys The Local Boys, of Purlear in Wilkes County, have deep roots in traditional music and a love for the musical styles that influenced and evolved from old-time country and bluegrass.

With two guitars, a bass, banjo, dobro and mandolin, The Local Boys also have four superb lead vocalists who sing harmonies.

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The Toneblazers Formed in 2009, the Toneblazers are seasoned multi-instrumentalists and vocalists hailing from Moravian Falls, North Wilkesboro and Morganton who play a mix of bluegrass, western swing, country, folk, rock, blues and originals.

Bassist Billy Gee is a former member of The Country Gentlemen and a founding member of The Circuit Riders. Guitarist and mandolin player Dale Meyer is a frequent session player who also plays in the bands of Michael Reno Harrell, Red Rockin Chair and Brother Dave. Guitar and mandolin player Randy Gambill helped found bluegrass band Southern Exposure and has performed with Doc Watson, Wayne Henderson, the Kruger Brothers and Jim Lauderdale.

The Toneblazers recently welcomed national banjo and guitar champion Steve Lewis and Jody Call to the group. For more info, click to www. toneblazers.com.

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Lazybirds

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High Country Magazine

“From our earliest days bumming around Boone, the Old Crow boys knew it was the Lazybirds who were the best musicians on the scene. Why after all it was the Lazybirds who played those infectious country blues and that feverish hillbilly swing, which got all the girls going down on King Street.”

That’s Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show speaking last fall about the influence Boone’s Lazybirds had on the fledgling Old Crow band— “we listened on in awe to their incredible syncopation, ears pricked to hear the deep body of songs they played… it was the Lazybirds…who welcomed us in and got us our first gigs in the High Country; who taught us dozens of songs, and how to play ‘em with finesse.”

Formed in 1996, the Lazybirds revived the old forgotten styles of blues, jazz, country and ragtime that had been the soundtrack of the American underground several decades earlier. The band features Mitch Johnston on stand up bass and vocals, James T. Browne on drums and vocals, Jay Brown on guitar, harmonica and vocals, and Alfred Michels on fiddle and guitar. Their latest CD, Broken Wing, pays tribute to origi-

April / May 2011

nal band member Andy Christopher.

“Broken Wing is quite possibly the best album to come out of Carolina in 2010.

Continuing to mine the rich terrain where fiery old-time country partners up with smoking jazz and blues…this collection contains gems and rarities sure to delight any pair [of] ears with a penchant for Pan-American music,” Secor wrote.

This is the Lazybirds’ second invitation to MerleFest, though several members also played at the festival with the Gospel Gems. “We’ve been playing for 15 years, and every once in a while we’ll pop back up on the radar,” said Johnston.

Birdwatchers can follow the band at www.lazybirds.net and on Facebook.

Tut Taylor Originally from Georgia, Tut Taylor now resides in the Wilkesboro area. A young Tut, who didn’t know any better, taught himself to play a dobro with a flatpick. The resulting sound was fresh and unique, and it became Taylor’s trademark. From his association with great musi-

Charles Welch Charles Welch of Foscoe is a longtime friend of Doc Watson—having been raised in Deep Gap, he’s known Doc since the early ‘60s and has sat in with him on stage since the mid-‘90s. Welch often performs with Doc at local venues such as Musicfest ‘n Sugar Grove and Doc’s annual fundraiser concert at

the thick of bluegrass, oldtime and country music history for a long time.

cians such as Norman Blake, Roland and Clarence White,

John Hartford and Vassar Clements, to playing in Roy Acuff’s band on the last performance of the “Grand Ol’ Opry” at the Ryman Auditorium, to opening doors for a young fiddler named Mark O’Connor on his first trip to Nashville, to his involvement with the Grammy-winning recording The Great Dobro Sessions, Taylor has been in

Cook Park in Todd.

Welch, who plays guitar and harmonica, is one of the lucky artists invited time and time again to play at MerleFest, as he’s played the festival about a dozen times. This year, MerleFest has enlisted Welch for its blues showcase on Saturday and “Sunday Morning Blues” with Roy Book Binder.

“I play all kinds of music—people just seem to think

that [the blues are] all I play.

But that’s okay,” Welch said, adding that he also enjoys traditional mountain music

and old ballads. In the High Country, Welch often plays with Rick Stone and John Kirby.

For more info, click to http://webpages. charter.net/tutbro/ index.html.

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April / May 2011

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Kruger Brothers Born and raised in Switzerland, brothers Jens and Uwe Kruger started singing and playing instruments at a very young age. They now reside in Wilkes County and together with Joel Landsberg, a native of New York City, perform as the Kruger Brothers.

The Krugers’ catalog of songs is distinguished by rich detail and an insight into the delicacy and complexity of everyday life. Their original music, composed by Jens Kruger, is crafted around their discerning taste, and the result is unpretentious, cultivated and delightfully fresh. In late 2010, the Kruger Brothers premiered the Appalachian Concerto, a concerto for banjo, bass, guitar and string quartet. They will perform the concerto at MerleFest this year.

For more info, click to www.krugerbrothers.com.

Doc and Richard Watson Doc Watson, of course, needs no introduction. Born in Deep Gap, Doc is a pioneer of the flatpicking and fingerpicking guitar styles and known for his renderings of traditional, blues and folk tunes, as well as his resonating bass singing voice. It is his late son, Merle, for whom the festival is named. Merle’s son Richard, a talented guitarist in his own right, performs with his grandfather at MerleFest.

The Neighbors The Neighbors, based in Lenoir, have been performing together for more than 10 years. Originally, the group began as informal picking sessions in one another’s living rooms and front porches. Members are Rick Everhardt on mandolin and fiddle, Bob Henson on guitar and lead vocals, Gary Saunders on banjo and vocals and Christine Rider on bass and vocals. The band was invited to perform at the 2008 IBMAs in Nashville, Tenn., and performed at MerleFest in 2009 and 2010. For the last four years, the band has provided the music for the outdoor drama at the Crossnore School called “Miracle on the Mountain.”

For more info, click to www.myspace.com/ theneighborspage.

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April / May 2011

Steve and Ruth Smith Steve and Ruth Smith are well known throughout the High Country for their unique blend of Celtic Appalachian music featuring hammered dulcimer, mountain dulcimer, guitar and clawhammer banjo. Steve and Ruth, both of Scots-Irish heritage, have been performing together for more than 35 years across the United States and around the world.

Steve and Ruth’s music is regularly heard on satellite radio, TV music channels, Highlander Radio Networks and acoustic music format radio sta-

For info, click to www.steveandruth.com. tions around the U.S. They have been featured on NPR’s “All Things Considered,” “All Songs Considered,” and “Thistle & Shamrock” and in Dulcimer Players News. They were 2009 nominees in JPF International Music Awards, the world’s largest awards for independent musicians.

Brian Yerman and the Bloomin’ Yermaniums Brian Yerman and the Bloomin’ Yermaniums features Yerman, of The Corklickers, with the Lazybirds.

Members of the Lazybirds

met Yerman in 1993, said bassist Mitch Johnston, and Yerman, a skilled old-time guitarist, introduced the musicians to early blues, rhythm

and blues, old-time and oldtime gospel.

“He kind of got us going in the right direction many moons ago,” Johnston

April / May 2011

said. Several years ago, Yerman recorded his album The Bloomin’ Yermaniums with help from the Lazybirds crew.

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a fs hio n the colors of spring

Look no further than the streets of Boone, Blowing Rock and Banner Elk for the latest colors, styles and trends for spring fashion and accessories. Give your closet a breath of fresh air!

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High Country Magazine

April / May 2011

the colors of spring

Lucky Penny.

693 West King Street Boone, NC 828.264.0302 www.luckypennyboone.com Lucky Penny is stocked up for all your warm weather necessities! This season features prints including vintage florals and nautical stripes, as well as bright colors for those sunny Boone days.

Fashion is always changing and Lucky Penny has new merchandise arriving daily.

Stop by the store on King St. or become a fan on Facebook!

April / May 2011

High Country Magazine

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the colors of spring

DONCASTER OUTLET

by Tanner 537 N. Main Street Blowing Rock, NC Across from the Chetola Resort 828.295.4200 Spring Forward with a fabulous Doncaster Outfit. This season, the Doncaster line is light, bright and ready for some fashion fun!

The fashion trends for the season are lady-like looks, soft prints, stripes, graphics, animal prints, sequins and bows.

New merchadise arriving weekly!

Come see the fashion in Blowing Rock.

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April / May 2011

the colors of spring

M.C. Adams Clothier where fashion never looked so fabulous

697 West King Street Boone, NC 828.268.1505 M.C Adams Clothiers caters to the mother, daughter duo! You will be greeted with a smile and employees that are eager to serve you. M.C. Adams’ goal is to make every customer feel beautiful and confident in her own skin.

M.C. Adams offers exclusive brands, such as BCBG Generation, C&C California, D.E.P.T., Testament, Southern Proper and many more! Brittany is wearing D.E.P.T. Blazer: $140, Dress: $75, Boyfriend Shorts: $65

April / May 2011

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the colors of spring

549 West King Street Boone, NC 828.264.4120 www.gladiolagirls.com From feminine, flattering tops to a fully stocked denim bar, to the soles of our shoes and onto a wide variety of accessories and jewelry coming from Vietnam to Canada, Gladiola Girls has the latest trends and styles.

Gladiola Girls maintains your favorite designers such as Velvet, Max and Cleo, and Citizens of Humanity, and, to name a few, introduces new designers to the High Country such as Johnny Was, Sanctuary, Clover Canyon, and CP Shades.

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April / May 2011

the colors of spring

Village Shoppes on Main St. Suite 104 Blowing Rock, NC 828.295.3422 Village at Banner Elk, Suite 101 Banner Elk, NC 828.898.4553 Almost Rodeo Drive, one of the oldest boutiques in the High Country, has been offering distinctive styles since 1984.

It’s your one-stop shop for fine ladies clothing and accessories.

Kickoff the warm weather with light hearted designs featuring Cartise fun ruffles and exciting print dresses, as well as Brighton accessories.

April / May 2011

High Country Magazine

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the colors of spring

In the Boone Mall 1180 Blowing Rock Road Boone, NC 828.264.8977 www.SouthsClothiers.com Beautiful soft layers and vests are a trend for spring. South’s has a large selection of tops, jeans & capris

by Tummy Tux and Miracle Body all of Ophah’s favorites. One stop shopping for prom, bridal, tuxedos & formalwear.

Mother’s Day Special!

Free bracelet with purchase of clasp!

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April / May 2011

the colors of spring

April / May 2011

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no matter what your fashion style is...

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April / May 2011

we have a hairstyle for it.

174 South Depot Street Boone, NC 828.262.3324 Free Consultations Haircut 101 in downtown Boone has for over 21 years provided the latest in styles, techniques, products and services, in a positive up-beat environment. From hair styling and coloring services to facials, microdermabrasion, body waxing and make up applications.

Formal hairstyling and makeup are two of the specialties at Haircut 101. The staff has helped hundreds of brides, grooms and their attendants look their very best on their wedding day.

Haircut 101 has teamed up with leaders in the profession, Bumble and bumble® hair care, Wella color, Afterglow® cosmetics and Repêchage® skincare.

Because of Haircut 101’s product lines and educational support, the staff is able to provide not only the look and style but also the products to maintain it.

Hairstylists: John, Jezabel, Heather, Katie, Liz, Melissa and Nicole.

Esthetician: Sarah. Front Desk Goddesses: Melina, Stella and Kirsten.

April / May 2011

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15

WAYS SAVE Energy to

Compiled by Anna Oakes with help from G&T Communications in Boone

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April / May 2011

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ith fuel prices on the rise once again, it’s advantageous for consumers and businesses to become more efficient energy users. And with world oil demand swelling while war and politics threaten supply, the country inevitably must transition to new sources of energy in the future.

Every year, an estimated $3.2 billion leaves Western North Carolina to import energy. A coalition is currently working to make WNC a global leader in the emerging clean energy economy by developing a cohesive approach to grow and market the region’s potential in energy efficiency, renewable energy and clean vehicles industries. Already, more than 1,000 companies in WNC self-identify as green, and North Carolina saw 22 percent job growth in renewable energy and energy efficiency industries in 2010.

But the transition to clean energy and greater energy efficiency also begins at home. Using information from the N.C. Sustainable Energy Association, Touchstone Energy Cooperatives, National Arbor Day Foundation and the U.S. Department of Energy, here are tips, products and resources for using energy conservatively.

Saving energy will help conserve limited natural resources and lower your monthly power bill—meaning more green for the environment and more green for your wallet.

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1

If you still have a fridge from the 1980s, replace it with an ENERGY STAR-qualified model and save over $100 each year on your utility bills. Replace a fridge from the 1970s and save more than $200 annually.

2

Choose a refrigerator that needs to be defrosted manually—automatic defrost freezers can consume 40 percent more electricity. But be sure to defrost on a regular basis; when ice forms on the coils, the unit will operate less efficiently.

3

Adding insulation to your attic keeps air from escaping through your roof.

Add caulk or weather stripping to seal air leaks around drafty doors and windows.

4

5

A home energy audit assesses how much energy your home consumes and evaluates what measures can make your home more energy efficient.

A number of local companies, including Blue Ridge Electric, Building Performance Engineering and High Country Energy Solutions, offer home energy audits.

A blower door test is used as part of a home energy audit to help locate the sources of air leakage in a house. Photo courtesy Building Performance Engineering

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April / May 2011

6

Residential-scale wind turbines have unique curved blades for quiet operation.

Depending on the wind source, the turbine can generate between 30 and 80 percent of power required by a typical home. The Skystream 3.7 (pictured) costs approximately $12,000 to $18,000 to purchase and install, and residential turbines are eligible for a 30 percent federal tax credit.

Photo courtesy Southwest Windpower April / May 2011

High Country Magazine

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7 RESOURCES Facebook.com/GTComPR Twitter.com/GTCommPR www.TogetherWeSave.com www.DOE.gov www.ENERGYSTAR.gov www.BlueRidgeEMC.com

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April / May 2011

It’s the mountains, folks—turn off that AC! Using fans in your home takes less energy than central air conditioning and can adequately cool entire rooms. New ENERGY STAR-qualified models typically use around 70 percent less power than standard models.

8

Solar water heaters installed on your roof can cut your water heating bills in half and reduce your carbon footprint.

9

Set your thermostat at 78째F or higher in summer and 68째F or lower in winter. Lower the thermostat on your hot water heater to 120째F.

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10 11 12

Many electronic appliances and gadgets continue to use electricity even when they are turned off. Keep electronics from draining energy by simply unplugging them.

New Construction Remodeling Restorations Timber Framing Structural Insulated Panel Homes Log Homes

Plug multiple electronics into a power strip and turn them off when power is not needed.

If you tend to fall asleep with the TV on, set a sleep timer on your television using your remote.

April / May 2011

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Photo courtesy Sioux Valley Energy

13

The most efficient way to heat and cool your home is with a geothermal heat pump, which uses the earth’s natural heat to provide heating, cooling and even water heating. The EPA estimates geothermal systems save 30 to 40 percent on utility bills. But it’ll cost you upfront: a unit for a typical home costs roughly $7,500, plus the cost of drilling, which ranges from $10,000 to $30,000 or more. Currently, homeowners who install ENERGY STAR-qualified geothermal heat pumps are eligible for a 30 percent federal tax credit.

Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gasoline.

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April / May 2011

14

Take the Challenge to Reduce Your Electric Bill

15

Use LED holiday light strings to reduce the cost of decorating your home or business.

The Watauga County Home Energy Savings Competition is sponsored by Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation and the idea of Janet Miller, long-time Watauga County resident and an ASU student majoring in building science.

The project is designed to help Blue Ridge Electric members understand the link between daily habits and home energy usage. Details are being finalized, but a signup process and Facebook page are in the works. Participants will sign a pledge and be given tips on how to start saving energy right away—including taking Blue Ridge Electric’s online home energy audit and signing up at www.BlueRidgeEMC.com to start monitoring electricity usage through MyUsage.com or Google Power Meter.

The first 100 to sign up will receive t-shirts and an energy efficiency gift, and the Grand Prize winner will receive a free home energy audit from High Country Energy Solutions, gift certificate for dinner and other prizes. Other prizes will be awarded throughout the month. The competition will run for a month, and winners will be selected based on comparisons of their April bill to their May bill to see who can save the most energy—and money—on their electric bill. Watauga County residents who have Blue Ridge Electric as their electric provider are eligible to participate in the competition.

To sign up, simply email your name and Blue Ridge Account number to reducehomeenergy@gmail.com.

w

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828-262-3637 April / May 2011

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Story by Meghan Frick

•

Photography by Frederica Georgia

A Cowboy Finds His Calling Darrel Watson Shares His Western World with Downtown Boone

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arrel Watson has always been a cowboy at heart. Growing up on Beech Mountain, he lived a life many today have never experienced— one dependent on the land. His parents had seven children and 200 acres, and they made their living as farmers. Darrel grew up surrounded by a view that people pay millions for today, but at the time he barely noticed it. It took a few years living in Charlotte, he said, to help him see the beauty of a mountain vista.

To this day, Darrel leases farmland and owns cattle all over the High Country. And unlike most modern cowboys, he also has his own western-themed store— downtown Boone’s Watsonatta Western World.

Watsonatta stands out from the other stores lining King Street—that’s apparent as soon as you walk through the door. For one, the air is full of the distinct smell of leather. Darrel and his wife, Ellen Watson, stopped being able to distinguish the scent years ago, but their customers haven’t. For some, it’s their favorite part of visiting.

Other visitors to Watsonatta enjoy its conspicuous absence of empty space. The

store is packed from floor to ceiling with every western product imaginable, from hats to jeans to framed photos of John Wayne.

Some aisles are impossible to pass through without sliding through sideways.

Not everyone enjoys the chock-full nature of the store. But for most people, the crowdedness is part of Watsonatta’s appeal.

“It’s like looking for a diamond,” Darrel said. “They think they’re going to find something we forgot about.”

For some, the store’s cheerfully cluttered feel is a reminder of days gone by.

Watsonatta calls to mind an old-time mercantile or general store—the focus is on quality products, not precise (and fussy) presentation and packaging.

“A lot of people enjoy going back,” Darrel said. “A lot of people would go back and live 100 years ago if they could.

I think that’s one of the drawing cards, too—[Watsonatta] is like the stores used to be.”

Darrel and Ellen’s customers also love socializing with the store’s affable owners. “Oh, everybody has to come visit,” Ellen said, adding that some people would stay all day if they could. “Well,

Opposite page: Darrel and Ellen Watson stand on King Street with their life’s work behind them.

Darrel has owned Watsonatta Western World for more than 40 years.

A customer sifts through the massive inventory at Watsonatta Western World, assisted by personable owner Darrel Watson.

you have to make the customer happy,” Darrel said with a grin. “That’s when they come back and they send people in because they’re talking about it—they had a good experience.”

For Darrel, Ellen and some of their customers, those good experiences have been taking place for nearly a half-century. Darrel first opened Watsonatta more than 40 years ago, on the property currently occupied by Melanie’s Food Fantasy. When the building became Watsonatta it had been home to a service station— and, Darrel pointed out, it still looked like a service station.

The cowboy entrepreneur was in his early 20s and had just $600 in his pocket.

He’d just moved back to the High Country after a stint in Charlotte, where he’d worn a number of hats: at various times

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“I don’t want something you could find at Wal-Mart. I don’t want to wear what everybody else is wearing.” ~ Darrel Watson he worked for an advertising agency, managed a rock ‘n roll band and owned horse stables. Darrel enjoyed his time in Charlotte but, as he told High Country Press in 2006, “the mountains brought [him] back.”

Darrel’s Charlotte horse stables had included a small store, but it was just a side project and sold mostly tack supplies—it wasn’t a venture he planned to expand in the mountains. He found that job opportunities were limited, though, and had to formulate a new plan.

“That’s when I decided to open the door,” he said.

After the door was opened, Darrel— and Watsonatta—faced some difficult days. “We opened up and boy, it was tough,” Darrel said. “There wasn’t anyone that seemed to be interested.” To keep the store afloat, Darrel decided to open a horse barn in Foscoe to generate some revenue for the store. In time, the two businesses started thriving enough to support each other.

Then Darrel was approached with an offer from Boone native Fred Church.

Church owned Church’s Clothing Store in Boone, as well as the property that’s now Watsonatta. Back then, it was an auction gallery. “Everybody knew Fred Church,” Darrel reminisced. “He was the character of Boone, Fred was. He could tell more

jokes than I don’t know what.”

Fred wanted Darrel to buy the gallery property that’s now Watsonatta, and he was willing to bargain. “He said, ‘If I could fix it to where you’re paying about what you’re paying in rent, would you buy the building?’” Darrel recalled.

And the old auction gallery on King Street has been Watsonatta Western World ever since. Darrel’s been tempted to build a new location a few times throughout the years—to escape the parking woes of downtown Boone, or to have more space for the store’s massive inventory. These days, though, he’s content with what he has and the way things have always been.

“I decided if it ain’t broke,” he said, “I’m not going to fix it.”

Oddly enough, it’s possible that Watsonatta wouldn’t be here today if not for a certain 1970s fashion trend.

“We’d have never been able to stay in this business if it hadn’t been for the hippies,” Darrel said matter-of-factly. Hippies liked fringe, he explained, and the western manufacturers Darrel ordered from were some of the few who could pro-

Watsonatta customers can put together an entire ensemble in the King Street store. Above, a bag and pair of boots share the same intricate embellishment. Darrel also dabbles in design, creating one-of-a-kind boots from exotic materials like snakeskin and stingray.

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Watsonatta Western World is a family affair, run by Darrel and Ellen Watson and their daughter Brooke. Here, the trio poses in one of the jam-packed aisles of the store. Each family member has poured countless hours into the success of the store, often working a full day six days a week.

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inch of space is used to display products.

Left: From jeans to jewelry, Watsonatta customers could spend an entire day searching for products if they had the time.

Below: In addition to outfitting grown-up cowboys and cowgirls, Watsonatta has everything a kid needs to become a pintsized Western aficionado.

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The Watsons’ daughter, Brooke, has always been a cowgirl. Here, she poses in the store she nearly grew up in, fully decked out in Western gear.

vide fringed items in large quantities. Because it wasn’t possible to mass produce fringed patterns via computer in those days, the hippies were hard-pressed to get their hands on fringed vests and coats without Darrel and Watsonatta.

“If it hadn’t been for that, there’s no telling. I probably would’ve been homeless, living under an oak tree or something,” Darrel deadpanned.

Even with fringe-loving hippies providing cash flow, owning a business was quite a responsibility for someone who hadn’t yet hit 25. As he found himself facing the day-to-day reality of the task he’d undertaken, it was Darrel’s rocksolid work ethic that kept Watsonatta alive.

“When you make those kinds of decisions, you’ve got to put your butt in high gear. You’ve got to

get your nose down there to the grinding stone and get it done. But I guess, some people, that’s what drives them and I was probably that way. I had to have a real challenge,” he said.

Darrel has been a hard worker as long as Ellen’s known him; she said it’s one of the things she likes best about him. He’s quick to say the same about her. “She does a good job of selling; she seems to love it and the people all love her,” Darrel said. Then he cracked a grin and added, “She’s got a job as long as she wants one.”

If the Watsons’ reliance on oldfashioned elbow grease has gotten them through the tougher times, so has Darrel’s natural affinity for business.

“I go by gut feelings, and they’ve never let me down and…I can see things that will work and they usu-

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“We’d have never been able to stay in business if it weren’t for the hippies.

What kept me going was the boys and girls buying the fringe.

If it hadn’t been for that, there’s no telling.”

Darrel Watson inspects one of the hand-tooled vests he stocks in his store. Although Watsonatta is home to thousands of products, Darrel and Ellen say they can locate them all.

Watsonatta Western World 711 West King Street 828-264-4540

•

Boone

Open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

~ Darrel Watson ally do. It all comes to me,” he said. Those gut feelings have often led Darrel to take the store in unconventional, innovative directions. For instance, a visitor to the store might notice the array of intricately designed jackets hanging from the ceiling. They’re decorated in materials like stingray, ostrich and alligator, and Darrel designed them all. He started designing custom items for the store years ago, he said. He just wanted something different.

“I don’t want something you could find at Wal-Mart. I don’t want to wear what everybody else is wearing,” he said.

Along with the boots and jackets Darrel’s designed, which Ellen describes as “one or two of a kind,” the store is packed with other unique items. Watsonatta carries hand-painted shirts and vests, kids’ boots and dress-up items, horse and tack supplies, and a huge selection of jeans.

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Cowboy boots are the store’s best-selling item, and there’s a price for everyone: Watsonatta carries everything from $59.95 work boots to $2,000 natural alligator cowboy boots. This abundant and assorted inventory leads to an incredibly diverse clientele, from lawyers to college students.

“We’ve got people from all walks of life.

People with money, people that don’t have any money,” Darrel said. And, Ellen added, “We’ve got a lot of loyal customers.”

Some even purchase their wedding apparel at Watsonatta. Some just want cowboy boots to wear with their wedding dress, but others want a fully westernized wedding— right down to a horse and carriage for the bride. During one season, Ellen outfitted so many weddings that she wanted to keep a permanent record of them.

“I have a scrapbook. I did 21 weddings that spring and summer,” she said.

April / May 2011

Watsonatta doesn’t just pull in wedding parties and local regulars, though.

The store has seen its share of celebrities throughout the years—most notably folk singer Joan Baez. In the summer of 2009, a boy came into the store and found a pair of boots and a coat that he wanted. He didn’t tell the girls working the register who he was; he just said, “I’m going to go get my mom real quick.”

“He wanted her to buy it for him,” Ellen explained, “and when he came back it was Joan Baez!”

Baez, who was scheduled to perform at An Appalachian Summer Festival, fell in love with Watsonatta.

“She says, ‘I go to all these towns and I never leave my bus, but my son has bugged me to death. Every 30 minutes he has called me and said mom, you gotta come down here. So I just thought I’d

come see what he was talking about,’” Ellen remembered.

Baez purchased several shirts and one of Darrel’s limited edition vests that day.

When she left, she told Ellen that she’d had “such a good time” and asked if there was anything she could do in return. Ellen’s request was simple—she wanted her photo made with the folk legend. It’s still hanging by the register today.

Jeff Hammond, the voice of NASCAR, along with his wife Sharon and daughter Heather, are also Watsonatta fans. And the wardrobe crews for two movies filmed in Western North Carolina—1974’s Where the Lilies Bloom and 1989’s Winter People—made purchases at Watsonatta.

In the end, though, Darrel and Ellen aren’t in it to brush elbows with VIPs or even to make money. For Darrel, Watsonatta is special because it’s given him a life he’s genuinely enjoyed. This business is his calling, he said, and he’s grateful to have found it.

“It’s just something—my field, I reckon you could say. My area. That’s what I should’ve been doing and I got to it. I made it somehow or another,” Darrel

evenings if needed. And for the second time in his life, distance has helped him to fully appreciate something he couldn’t before—just like that view from the top of Beech Mountain.

“It’s a part of you, your business is.

All these boots—I’ve got a lot of children. But it’s like that view we were talking about. If you see it every day,” he said, “you lose it.”

said, then paused to search for the right phrase. “Other people wander around all their life,” he said slowly, “and never find out what they’re supposed to have been doing.”

These days, Ellen does a lot of the day-to-day running of the store, along with the pair’s daughter, Brooke. Darrel spends the weekdays herding his cattle, and he comes in on Saturdays or in the

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Three Minutes in the Spotlight

A Snapshot of Local Karaoke Culture Story by Jason Reagan

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This quartet of ladies, all dressed in black, enjoy singing karaoke at Galileo’s in Boone to a song they carefully selected. Below, Mark Dixon, owner of Galileo’s, doubles as a KJ (karaoke DJ) on Friday nights. Photos by Lonnie Webster

H

is name is William Reed, but to the crowd at Galileo’s in Boone, he’s known simply as “Reed.”

His named is called on the PA system on an unseasonably chilly Friday night, and he glides up to a microphone with just the hint of a swagger. Unornamented, wearing a simple T-shirt and jeans, Reed smiles at the growing crowd as a bass-heavy torrent of country music spills across the room like a dark beer puddle skittering over a nearby table.

Without looking at a nearby screen, which begins to flow with lyrics to “Getting You Home (The Black Dress Song)”

by Chris Young, Reed booms out his rendition of the titillating tune as the crowd goes wild: “Watching your baby blue eyes, dancing in the candle light glow, all I can think about, is getting you home.”

Just another example of karaoke in the High Country.

From Japan to the High Country To understand how a Japanese musical

pastime made its way into the mountains of Western North Carolina, one has to get back to the roots of karaoke. In 1971, a Kobe-based drummer, Daisuke Inoue, noticed people liked his live music act and would often ask him to record it so they could sing along. Sensing a future fad, Inoue created a coin-operated tape recorder that would play

one song. Like many Japanese exports, karaoke began to take root in 1980s American culture as bar and restaurant owners saw karaoke as a way to draw new customers, maintain a festive atmosphere and increase food and beverage sales.

In the High Country, karaoke has experienced an on-again/off-again romance with locals, often popping up in a local bar only to disappear and reappear later at another location.

Before closing in 2010, Geno’s Sports Bar sported weekly karaoke that was a longtime favorite of Appalachian State students. Recently, Canyons in Blowing Rock discontinued its karaoke night, though it could return if there is demand.

Currently, karaoke can be found at Galileo’s, Café Portofino, Crossroads Pub and Town Tavern in Boone, as well as at Nick’s Restaurant & Pub in Banner Elk. On a typical karaoke night, these venues are packed with singers and “groupies” of all ages.

Nick’s may hold the record for karaoke longevity. According to Manager Martha

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A mix of locals and students gather to support each other and sing their hearts out at Galileo’s and Town Tavern in Boone. Photos by Ken Ketchie

Manogue, the pub has offered would-be crooners a spotlight “off and on” for the past 20 years and has played the tunes every Friday night for the last six years. “It is also a big dance party,” Manogue said.

“It’s just comical really—some are really good, and some are pretty bad, but once you ‘marinate’ them…” She breaks off laughing, leaving the sentence hanging.

Crowning a local “King of Karaoke DJs” is not very difficult: Jerry Parker reigns. The Boone-based DJ has been spinning discs at local water holes for 16 years—from Conway Twitty to Eminem.

Before Parker got started in the business, “there was a guy driving up from Greenville,” he recalled. The DJ “disappointed a lot of people” when he refused to travel up the mountain at the tiniest hint of snow.

Along with local entrepreneur Mike Hill, Parker began to investigate options for some homegrown karaoke.

“We nickeled-and-dimed it and put together a great karaoke hit,” he said. But Parker’s motives were not just based in a love for good music. “It was the urge to keep the party going and so we could sing and meet pretty girls,” said Parker.

His business, Local Vocals, has thrived as both a karaoke and DJ service. He recently began bringing trivia nights to local bars as well. Currently, Parker runs karaoke nights at the Town Tavern and Café Portofino in Boone.

For Galileo’s owner Mark Dixon, adding karaoke to the lineup was a logical step.

“At the time [early 2010] there was no place to go for it. We thought it would be a unique entertainment option,” he 68

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said. Since the restaurant/bar is so close to the Appalachian State University campus, Galileo’s draws a heavy Friday night crowd of students.

“It’s been very successful,” Dixon said.

But How Does It Work?

OK, so maybe you know the “what” and “where,” but you’re wondering how karaoke works.

It’s really pretty simple, but be forewarned, karaoke is usually for night owls. Most bars do not start karaoke until 9:00 or 10:00 p.m., so take a nap earlier if necessary.

Although karaoke in America has long relied on special CD+G discs (which play the song and display the lyrics on a screen), most KJs (karaoke DJs) now use MP3s stored on computer drives and some can now download songs online, allowing sing-

April / May 2011

ers thousands of song options. However, Parker says CDs still work well for him.

“It’s always been about the music for me; not the technology,” he said.

The first step is, of course, to pick out a song. Most KJs distribute huge binders cross-referencing songs and artists. So, if you want to sing “that Grateful Dead song” but can’t remember the title, just look up the Dead, write down the song, artist (and sometimes a reference number) and submit it to the KJ. Some KJs with Internet access may offer a laptop for singers to look up and request songs. Depending on the popularity of the nightspot, the wait to get your call to the mic should be from 20 to 40 minutes. Once onstage and depending on one’s familiarity with the song, singers can use a screen displaying both the lyrics and tempo as a guide.

Karaoke Dos and Don’ts 1.

DO make it a group event.

Nothing is sadder than a singer with no entourage. Karaoke is a great excuse to get together with cubicle mates or potential drinking buddies.

2.

DON’T take it too seriously.

This is local karaoke. It’s not “American Idol,” and Paula Abdul is not going to stroll into Joe’s Watering Hole and discover you as America’s next Taylor Swift.

So, have fun. Don’t worry about screwing up, because with the typical noise of a bar, the occasional on-screen lyric error and occasionally bad PA systems, everybody screws up. Whatever your idea may be of the worstcase scenario has already happened to some lost crooner and probably won’t happen to you.

And, of course, there is always

the forgiveness that comes from any night out (“You tripped over the mike? Man, I don’t even remember last night!”).

3. DON’T

fall for an overdone tune—find your own special song (but not too obscure) and make it your own. Agreed-upon karaoke clichés include: “Don’t Stop Believing” (Journey), “Piano Man” (Billy Joel—although this writer enjoys singing it), “Baby Got Back” (Sir Mix-a-Lot), “Margaritaville” (Jimmy Buffett), and… you get the picture.

4. DO keep it up-tempo. People come out to karaoke night for frivolity and fun. Save “Dust in the Wind” or “True Colors” for your morning commute. Look for songs that are well known and easy to sing along.

5. DON’T cross genres. In other words, if every singer before you is doing a country song, your rousing rendition of Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face” is going to go over as well as a mechanical bull at, well, a Lady Gaga concert. Karaoke is an interactive “sport,” and no one wins if you have to sing to a sullen crowd. It might be time to brush up on your Garth Brooks in that scenario. After all, everybody’s got “Friends in Low Places” (but see above about clichés).

6.

DO have fun. Yeah, this is kind of a repeat, but karaoke is all about celebrating both the talented and untalented. This is not “Evening at the Improv,” and hecklers are not welcome. Be gracious to first-timers, appreciative to well-heeled veterans and don’t forget to tip your KJ.

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Jerry Parker (left) has been the karaoke king of the High Country for 16 years. Keith Richardson (middle) of Sound Technique has been in the karaoke business for more than 20 years and runs the karaoke show at Nick’s in Banner Elk and Crossroads Pub in Boone. Richardson remembers when only five discs of karaoke songs were available anywhere. Galileo’s (right) has a more modern setup, with songs selected through an internet database.

The Lure of the Stage But, readers may ask, beyond a little too much alcohol, what could possibly motivate someone to put themselves out there in the glare of a mini-spotlight with such high-wire, high-risk possibilities of stage fright or flubbed lyrics?

Some come to highlight their genuine

talent, while others (to badly paraphrase Cyndi Lauper) “just wanna have fun.”

“I think deep down, everybody wants to be a star,” Dixon said. Spending time on any karaoke night, a careful observer comes away with two undeniable truths: there are hundreds of amazing singers in the High Country alone, and there are

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just as many people who couldn’t carry a tune and couldn’t care less.

“About 10 percent of them are really good singers,” Parker said. “The other 90 percent are drunk.”

A definite 10-percenter is Newland resident Jacinda Jones. She’s been singing all her life, but the karaoke scene is a new

experience. “You get to hang out with all your friends and have fun,” she said. “My parents got me singing in church when I was 2 or 3, and this is only the second night I’ve ever sung karaoke” she said of her stage time at Galileo’s on a Friday night. Her renditions of classic country tunes brought the crowd to their feet.

“It’s your 15 minutes of fame,” Parker added. “You’re guaranteed to get a good response even if you don’t get all the words right. If you pick the right song, the crowd will be with you.” And, karaoke is economical—generally, the cost of a few beverages. “They want to take part in something and that’s kind of fun,” said Justin Davis, manager of the Town Tavern.

“It’s a cheap way to get some excitement.”

Possibly due to differing clientele, Parker and Galileo’s owner Dixon have heard two different songs requested the most. “‘Friends in Low Places.’ Definitely,” Parker says of the Garth Brooks classic.

Dixon? “‘Bohemian Rhapsody,’” he quickly states, referring to Queen’s epic rock opera.

The Dream Goes On And for those whose dreams of idol status go beyond the High Country, there is, indeed, an “Olympics” of karaoke.

The Karaoke World Championships is an international karaoke competition and includes about 30 countries worldwide. The 2011 World Championships will take place September 8 to 10 in Killarney, Ireland. For more information, click to kwcusa.net.

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Photo by Tim Salt 72

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April / May 2011

The State of the High Country’s

Golf Communities Story by Harris Prevost

F

ront and center in the worst recession since the Great Depression is America’s real estate and housing crisis. Homeowners even in the High Country were shocked by how much and by how fast the value of their houses dropped. A brisk market in real estate dried up. Homes that were selling in two weeks in 2006 were selling in two years by 2008, if at all.

Surely the area’s famous second home golf communities would not be affected by the recession. Those homeowners could easily afford to weather the real estate storm. Surely so.

Not so, it turns out. They were among the hardest hit. While others lost their jobs, some lost their businesses. Some had invested with Bernie Madoff and lost everything. Their investments, which were providing a comfortable retirement income and financial nest egg, suddenly were a shadow of themselves.

Their misfortune is our misfortune, too. The positive economic impact in the High Country of our second home golf communities extends far beyond what most people can imagine. A summer 2009 article in Pinnacle Living Mountain Homes magazine, a sister publication of Blue Ridge Country, examined the golf community’s impact on Avery County.

Events in Avery reflect what has transpired in golf communities across the High Country.

Impacts on Economy and Quality of Life Avery has seven golf-only communities—Diamond Creek, Elk River, Grandfather, Linville, Linville Land Harbor, Linville Ridge and Mountain Glen—and two hybrid golf/ski communities, Beech and Sugar. They bring pride to the High Country, as several are ranked among the best in the country.

They bring something else, too.

Their total property value exceeds $2 billion, a little above 58 percent of Avery County’s total tax base. If ski property values are included, the nine communities represent almost two-thirds of the county’s tax base. The golf communities contribute more than $7.8 million of the county’s $14.2 million in annual property taxes. That equates to $426 in property taxes that don’t have to be paid by each of the county’s 18,300 residents. For a family of four living in Newland or Banner Elk, that’s $1,704 in taxes saved that would have had to be paid if the same level of services were maintained by the county.

Saying the golf communities “contribute” taxes is not a play on words. With the exception of solid waste, few line items in the county’s budget have a direct benefit for residents of these communities. They don’t have children in Avery County Schools, and most pay assessments to provide their own road maintenance and security. They don’t

need Medicaid or welfare. Avery citizens assess themselves a fire tax to support the county fire departments, and the second home communities contribute $762,000 annually to the fund.

According to award-winning golf writer James Dodson, after the Civil War, the state of North Carolina created a position called the commissioner of immigration whose job was to attract out-of-state residents to remote areas of the state. These new residents, both full time and seasonal, would give the state’s economy a major boost during the tough times following the war. The first commissioner, John Patrick, created the golf community town of Southern Pines.

If the High Country had a commissioner of immigration, it would be Spencer Robbins. Robbins and his brothers brought us Hound Ears, Beech Mountain, Linville Land Harbor and the Elk River Club, and with those communities many wonderful, civic-minded people. He understands what Patrick and the state understood well over a century ago.

“Our seasonal residents put so little demand on local government, and they contribute so much,” Robbins explained.

The golf communities’ contribution to the county budget helped give Avery property owners a tax rate of $.352 per $100 valuation, eighth lowest in North Carolina.

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“We were late getting into the recession, and we’ll be late coming out.”

John Blackburn, CEO of Linville Resorts

All of the 10 counties with the lowest tax rates in the state have strong second home golf community populations. The state average for property taxes is $.643/$100 valuation, close to double Avery’s rate.

The Avery golf communities employ 10.5 percent of the county’s 8,444-person workforce. These employees, both full time and seasonal, spend most of their paychecks in the county. A rule of thumb says a dollar coming into the community finds its way around to seven other local establishments before leaving the area. This multiplier effect makes golf payrolls even more important to Avery’s economy.

The homes that make up Avery’s golf communities represent more than property taxes. They provide construction jobs. The homes have to be furnished, landscaped and maintained, and the homeowners purchase groceries and other household supplies locally. These summer residents, through their love for the area and their generosity, also provide the county with an enhanced quality of life, beginning with its hospital.

The $21 million Cannon Memorial Hospital, built 11 years ago, was paid for almost 74

High Country Magazine

entirely by their generous donations. They volunteer about 14,000 hours each year at the hospital, saving it about a quarter of a million dollars in labor costs. They contribute generously to purchase state-of-the-art medical equipment for local hospitals. Recently, Linville Golf Club members helped raise over $3.5 million to purchase life-saving, cutting-edge IRGT (Image Guided Radiation Therapy) equipment for Watauga’s Radiation Oncology Unit.

A new multi-million dollar YMCA for the county, Avery High’s football stadium, facilities and scholarships for Lees-McRae and Appalachian State, facilities at Crossnore School and Grandfather Home, the Linville fire station, scholarships for graduating seniors at Avery High and a new animal shelter are realities thanks to caring members of these golf communities. They even help build local Habitat For Humanity houses.

Because Avery is a rugged, isolated county with few four-lane highways, no railroad and no commercial airport (it does have five traffic lights!), there is little manufacturing, so the economy is based on agriculture and tourism. Local High

April / May 2011

Country residents and its seasonal golf residents are all in this together, in the good times and now in the rough times.

Understanding the Second Home Golf Community Real Estate Crisis The current real estate crisis has resulted in many golf resorts across the country closing down. According to an August 2010 USA Today article, Myrtle Beach had 125 courses in 2006 and now has 100. Private club memberships have dropped from 3 million in the early 1990s to 2.1 million today, a decrease of 30 percent.

Fortunately for the High Country, most of its golf communities are mature and have the financial strength to withstand today’s challenges. This is particularly true of the member-owned clubs.

The newer developments that had to borrow a lot of money to get started aren’t so lucky. In our area, the recession of the early 1970s took down Carolina Caribbean. In today’s recession, Laurelmor is a prime example. Linville Falls Moun-

tain Club & Preserve, located two miles south of Linville Caverns, has had numerous owners and several name changes as it struggles to make it. A new ownership group out of Hendersonville seems to be having success. Wilderness Trail, between Newland and Banner Elk, has suspended construction of its golf course indefinitely. Jefferson Landing went through an owner change last summer.

Because many have to work to retirement age to have the time and money to purchase a golf course home, golf communities tend to be top heavy in their age demographics, with most members over age 70. Age marches on, so in time, summer residents will have issues that force them to sell. Therefore, property regularly goes on the market. In past years, it sold quickly, but now inventory is piling up.

Several factors have significantly reduced the size of the potential buyer market. First, obviously, is the “wealth factor.” According to a 2009 report by Peter Halter, an Atlanta-based expert in second home markets, a retirement home is a lifestyle decision and a second home is a discretionary decision, and when things are tight, discretionary items are the first to

Laurelmor, a mammoth golf resort planned for eastern Watauga County, went bankrupt as the housing bubble burst.

go. Many good prospective buyers simply cannot afford a second home now, much less all the costs that go with ownership.

Also, according to Halter, discretionary spending changes with different stages in peoples’ lives. There is an “age window” when people will make the decision to purchase a second home, but later in life, that window closes. If it takes five years to re-establish their wealth, many prospective second home buyers will have passed the window and moved on to other interests. Another problem affecting potential second home buyers is one also affecting those trying to purchase a primary residence. Financing is very tight and restrictive. Lack of financing squeezes the home buyer market even tighter. Those trying to sell a home somewhere else in order

to live here are frustrated that they can’t find buyers.

In the boom times of the early 2000s, golf course developments were rising out of the ground at an unsustainable level. All too quickly, the market went from needing more courses to being overbuilt. Today, there is much more property for sale than there are people who can afford to buy it. Extravagance was pervasive in the early to mid-2000s. Golf’s most famous modern course architect, Tom Fazio, said, “Today, developers have grand expectations. They want their course to be compared with the greats the day they are opened. They want to be like Augusta National.” Fazio’s most important design characteristic is “enjoyability,” but too many developers, on an ego trip, are building 7,500-yard monsters that cost too much to both build and maintain, and they weren’t enjoyable to play.

The example of Bobby Ginn, the developer of Laurelmor, gives us a good

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High Country Magazine

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The $21 million Cannon Memorial Hospital, built 11 years ago, was paid for almost entirely by donations from members of golf communities.

idea of how the pendulum swung too far.

A 2009 New York Times article titled “It’s Tee Time. Where Is Everybody?” examines some of Ginn’s 13 Florida development efforts. His 1,900-acre Bella Collina development was designed for 800 homes. Today, it has 48 houses, and only three are occupied. His Tosero development near Port St. Lucie has 900 lots, and 750 are empty. Its 116,000-square-foot clubhouse cost $48 million. Tosero, like Laurelmor, went bankrupt. Ginn’s Conservatory in Palm Coast has 340 lots, and 335 of them are empty. At Quail West, another bankrupt development, Ginn spent $12 million remodeling the clubhouse, and when the members didn’t like it, he spent another $4 million changing it.

There is a small (and getting smaller) market for the mansions built in the early 2000s. As we come out of the recession, Baby Boomers have simplified their tastes and prefer smaller houses. Generation Xers and Ys represent a growing force in the second home market, and they also don’t want the big houses. A lot of big houses will have fewer prospective buyers.

A factor affecting the High Country construction industry is the large inventory of second homes on the market. This inventory will grow even more because many who want to sell have kept their homes off the market during the recession, and when property starts moving 76

High Country Magazine

again, they will put theirs up for sale. Existing houses have been reduced in price to the point that new buyers, and there still are many of them out there, will buy an existing house rather than build a new one. Also, since most of the second home communities in the High Country are mature, most of the lots already have houses on them. There aren’t that many building lots left, so resales will dominate the real estate activity. On the positive side for builders, many of these homes were built 20 to 40 years ago, and a number of them will need to be renovated.

John Blackburn, CEO of Linville Resorts, says of the High Country golf communities, “We were late getting into the recession, and we’ll be late coming out. We have seen a renewed interest—people are looking again, but at reduced price levels.”

The Future Looks Good for High Country Golf Communities There is good news and hope for High Country golf communities. Wealth is coming back. Stock market values are almost back to where they were before the recession. The current generation of 40- and 50-somethings will be the recipient during the next decade of the largest transfer of wealth from one generation to the next in our nation’s history. In 2010, through a quirk in the tax law, that wealth transfer was tax-free. Also, property resale prices

April / May 2011

are the lowest they have been in five years, and they are expected to stay lower for several more years, thus making golf course homes much more affordable.

Another positive is location. Everyone’s favorite real estate expression is “The three most important qualities for a piece of property are: location, location and location,” and the High Country has location nailed with its beautiful mountain scenery, pleasant summers and reasonably short drive time (even from Florida).

High Country communities themselves are a major positive. One of the first things seasonal residents look for is excellent health care, and the Appalachian Regional Healthcare System’s Watauga, Cannon and Blowing Rock hospitals are outstanding. Summer residents want enjoyable dining experiences, and they are in abundance. They want entertainment and culture and Lees-McRae College and Appalachian State, along with local theatre and festivals, provide a full calendar of stimulating cultural events.

A 2009 questionnaire sent to almost 400 golf resort experts across the country

by Christopher Kelsey and David Norden found that when the number of second home buyers come back in the next five years, they will be different from those of the early 2000s. Their focus will be on their families and wellness activities.

They will prefer healthy outdoor activi-

“We see a renewed enthusiasm with property. People are looking up, not down, and we’re not looking back.”

Keith Russell, broker-in-charge of Linville Ridge Sotheby’s

ties like hiking and canoeing, but they will have less interest in golf because they have less free time.

Potential buyers are extremely wary now of purchasing property at newly started developments where there is no clubhouse, golf course or other homes. They know friends who have been burned before. Our area’s mature developments are in place with many homes, great golf, fitness centers, tennis and other amenities such as horseback riding at Elk River and Diamond Creek and a lake and beach at Grandfather.

All have tennis. Linville Ridge is developing an excellent nature trail. Linville has been family-oriented since 1892. The High Country’s golf developments have a great advantage over the new developments.

According to Halter, the future success

of second home golf communities depends on the quality of life a development provides its members. Existing members will be the ones who most influence the sale of property to new members. They will know who among their friends can afford to buy and if the club fits their lifestyle. Their personal endorsement easily trumps a slick advertisement. When the second home market does come back, and it will soon, there will be a pent-up demand, and our clubs and builders should thrive against a weeded-out competition.

The recovery is already well under way.

“Our sales in 2010 were much better than in 2009, and 2011 started off much better than last year, Robbins said of Elk River.

Elk River’s experience mirrors that of Linville, Grandfather and Linville Ridge.

Fred Crawford, president of Grandfather Golf & Country Club, said, “The good news is that we are experiencing a significant increase in real estate sales and membership recruitment activity. We place great importance on community and tradition, and lovers of mountain living are responding to us, as evidenced by our 17 property sales in 2010.”

Keith Russell, broker-in-charge of Linville Ridge Sotheby’s and a 21-year veteran of Linville Ridge real estate, summed up the optimism among area second home golf communities: “We see a renewed enthusiasm with property. There is a renewed energy; people are looking up, not down, and we’re not looking back. In fact, we’re pretty excited over here!”

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77

ADV E R T I S E R S I N D E X Please patronize the advertisers in High Country Magazine, and when you purchase from them, please be sure to mention that you saw their ad in our pages. Thank them for their support of this publication by giving them yours! Without their support, this magazine would not be possible. To all of our advertisers, a most sincere thank you.

All Area Codes are 828 unless noted.

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Abbey Carpet & Floor . .................................... 265-3622 �� Inside Back Cover

Hawksnest Zipline............................................ 963-6561 ���������������������������� 3

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Banner Elk 898-4553 / Blowing Rock 295-3422 ��� 45

High Country Home Builders Association......... 297-6566 �������������������������� 54

Appalachian Energy ........................................ 262-3637 ������������������� 39, 57

High Mountain Expeditions........................... 800-262-9036 ����������������������� 31

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Jo-Lynn Enterprises, Inc................................... 297-2109 �������������������������� 62

Banner Elk Realty............................................. 898-9756 �� Inside Back Cover

Lees-McRae / CAPA ‘Broadway’s Best’............. 898-3372 �������������������������� 79

Bayou Smokehouse & Grill............................... 898-8952 �������������������������� 79

Logs America, LLC........................................... 963-7755 �� Inside Back Cover

Blowing Rock Interiors..................................... 295-9800 �������������������������� 77

Lucky Penny..................................................... 264-0302 �������������������������� 41

Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation.... 264-8894 �������������������������� 54

Lynn Willis Photography............................www.lynnwillis.com ������������������� 36

Blue Ridge Realty & Investments / Todd Rice.... 263-8711 �������������������������� 62

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Maple’s Leather Fine Furniture ........................ 898-6110 ������������������������� 19

Boone Drug Sundries....................................... 264-3766 �������������������������� 36

Mast General Store .....................................866-FOR-MAST ������������������������ 5

Boone Mall...................................................... 264-7286 ��� Inside Back Cover

Mountain Construction Enterprises, Inc............ 963-8090 ������������������������� 55

Burton Moomaw Acupuncture.......................... 264-2322 �������������������������� 75

Mountain Land............................................. 800-849-9225 ����������������������� 18

Café Portofino.................................................. 264-7772 ������������������������� 35

Mountaineer Landscaping................................ 733-3726 �������������������������� 75

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Neighborhood Yoga.......................................... 265-0377 �������������������������� 55

Carlton Gallery................................................. 963-4288 ���������������������������� 7

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Page Dentistry.................................................. 265-1661 ���������������������������� 9

Celtic Building Company, Inc........................... 963-6229 �������������������������� 56

Red Onion Café................................................ 264-5470 �������������������������� 20

Cha Da Thai..................................................... 268-0439 �������������������������� 77

Rustic Rooster.................................................. 898-5161 �������������������������� 11

Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff................................... 800-227-2788 ������������������������� 3

Shoppes at Farmers Hardware.......................... 264-8801 ������������������������� 35

Classic Stoneworks.......................................... 737-0040 �������������������������� 65

South’s Specialty Clothiers.............................. 264-8977 �������������������������� 46

Dande Lion, The............................................... 898-3566 �������������������� 11, 47

Stone Cavern................................................... 963-8453 �������������������������� 37

Dianne Davant & Associates . .......................... 898-9887 ��Inside Front Cover

Sugar Top Resort Sales.................................... 898-5226 �������������������������� 77

Doncaster Outlet.............................................. 295-4200 �������������������������� 42

Tatum Galleries & Interiors............................... 963-6466 �������������������������� 79

Echota......................................................... 800-333-7601 ��������� Back Cover

Todd Bush Photography................................... 898-8088 �������������������������� 20

Finder’s Keepers Antiques................................ 898-1925 �������������������������� 13

Town of Banner Elk........................................... 898-5398 �������������������������� 17

Forget-Me-Nots............................................... 297-5479 �������������������������� 56

Watauga Green Business Plan.......................... 262-8336 �������������������������� 51

Fred’s General Mercantile Co........................... 387-4838 ������������������������� 70

Watauga Insurance Agency, Inc........................ 264-8291 ������������������������� 71

Gladiola Girls................................................... 264-4120 �������������������������� 44

Watauga Medical Center.................................. 262-4100 �������������������������� 29

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High Country Magazine

April / May 2011

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High Country Magazine

79

Parting Shot...

By

James Greene

Chetola Resort’s Manor House Restaurant wins the Fire on the Rock competition. Team members Hunter Hallmark left, Chef Michael Barbato center and Colin Hendricks celebrate on stage Sunday, April 17 in their winning Red Chef jackets.

And then there was one . . . at Fire on the Rock

F

ire on the Rock came to its final conclusion on Sunday, April 17 when Chef Michael Barbato’s team from Chetola Resort’s Manor House Restaurant edged out Nicole Palazzo and her team from Sorrento’s Bistro by 20 points.

Saturday’s competition had the Manor House’s team winning their semifinal heat over Michael Foreman and his team from Bistro Roca by the score of 227-184. Sorrento’s semi-final victory was by only 6 points over a team led by James Welch of the Green Park Inn. After 16 competitions that began back on Feb. 1 that included 18 restaurants, the 6th annual Fire on the Rock competition had its most successful year yet. Hosted by Jimmy Crippen of Crippen’s Restaurant in Blowing Rock, the events were sold out in the preliminaries leading up to the finals held at the Hayes Center in Blowing Rock.

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High Country Magazine

4518 James Welch

6617 Sam Ratchford

Vidalia Mar 15

The Results 7294 Josh Phillips

7481 James Welch

6139 Sam Beasley

Gamekeeper Mar 15

6069 Carl Paolucci

Green Park Inn Green Park Inn Paolucci Josh’s on Union Green Park Inn Josh’s on Union Square Feb 1 Feb 1 James Welch Josh Phillip 199 193 Crave Josh’s on Union Sq 6610 7570 James Welch Mar 15 Nicole Palazzo Mar 15 Mar 15 Joshua Grogan Josh Phillips Green Park Inn Sorrento’s 5462 6556 6669 4032 Jason Jarell Nicole Palazzo Meadowbrook Sorrento’s Rowland’s Sorrento’s Inn Nicole Palazzo Feb 8 Feb 8 203 Nicole Palazzo Guy Thomas Canyons 7358 7105 Meadowbrook Inn Guy Thomas Cobren Morales 5823 5731 Michael Barbato 4355 Manor House 5343 Joe Turner Chuck Nelson 8171 6384 Hearthstone Tavern Crestwood Michael Barbato Joe Turner Michael Barbato Feb 9 Feb 9 223 Manor House Hearthstone Manor House Table 220 Tavern Michael Spencer Michael Barbato 4262 5385 Bistro Roca Manor House Feb 9 Feb 9 Michael Michael Feb 9 6636 2669 Matt Franklin Barbato Foreman Skipper Clyburn 227 Painted Fish 184 Glidewell’s Jackolope’s View Bistro Roca Catering Feb 22 Feb 22 Tom Jankovich Michael Foreman Painted Fish Catering Bistro Roca The scores in red show the 7898 6965 Michael Foreman Tom Jankovich point totals for the chefs 3575 7130

April / May 2011

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