ASHE COUNTY
The coolest corner of North Carolina
ASHE COUNTY Welcome to
Whether a longtime local, a new resident of Ashe, or an explorer looking to make the most of a visit to
The communities of Ashe County that many
call home
BY NATHAN HAM
Ashe County has become a mix of generational families, new residents and visitors that are all eager to explore everything that each corner of the county has to offer.
Ashe County was named after Samuel Ashe, a Revolutionary War patriot who went on to serve as the ninth governor of North Carolina from 1795 through 1798. The county covers 427 square miles.
Ashe County features the three incorporated towns of Jefferson, West Jefferson and Lansing, and several other towns and communities that all add something special to the only county in North Carolina that shares a border with Tennessee and Virginia.
Some of these towns may look a little different now than over the last few years following the destruction of Hurricane Helene September, 2024.
Below you will find some info about the towns and communities in Ashe County.
JEFFERSON
Jefferson, the county seat of Ashe County, is home to roughly 1,600 residents within the town limits. The town was first
founded in 1799 and was named after then Vice President Thomas Jefferson. The town was originally called “Jeffersonton” for a short period of time and originally encompassed approximately 50 acres of land.
Now, Jefferson is home to the Ashe County Courthouse, Ashe County Park, the Ashe County Law Enforcement Center as well as numerous restaurants, shops and stores. The town also has the restored 1904 Courthouse listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The old courthouse is currently home to the Museum of Ashe County History, right next door to the Jefferson Police Department.
WEST JEFFERSON
The bustling downtown area of West Jefferson is one of the most popular destinations in Ashe County. West Jefferson currently has around 1,300 residents that live within the town limits and has a wide variety of shops, art galleries, local restaurants and much more that bring tourists to the area. The Ashe County Arts Council calls West Jefferson home, as does the Ashe County Cheese Plant, West Jefferson Park and the local office of the New River Conservancy.
the area, begin at the Ashe County Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center to gather information and ideas to enhance your stay.
Ashe County’s location in the northwestern corner of North Carolina and its average elevation of 3,000 feet justify the name “the coolest corner of North Carolina,” but there is so much more that contributes to this: our beautiful scenery, our rich heritage rooted in arts and music, our vibrant small towns, and our kind and warm people. We have all witnessed new
levels of determination, resilience, and generosity in the recent months and remain inspired by our residents and grateful for all our visitors.
We invite you to visit our Event Calendar at AsheChamber.com to view the many exciting local happenings. On behalf of the Chamber, welcome to Ashe County! We’re so glad you’re here!
Kitty Honeycutt Executive Director, Ashe County Chamber
of Commerce
West Jefferson was first incorporated in 1909 and originally saw much of its growth and popularity increase due to the Virginia Creeper Railroad that passed through downtown.
West Jefferson has numerous events in the downtown area that take place throughout the year. In addition to concerts throughout the spring and summer months, the Christmas in July festival and the Ole Time Antiques Fair in September are two of the largest annual events that take place in Ashe County.
LANSING
Lansing was the third and final town in Ashe County to officially be incorporated. The town of about 130 residents was first incorporated in 1928 and was another
major stop along the Virginia Creeper railroad along with West Jefferson, Todd and the community of White Oak. The town has major historical significance to the area as there are currently five places in the town that are included in the National Register of Historic Places: The Old Lansing School, Perry-Shepherd Farm, Miller Homestead, Clark-Miller Mill and the Lansing Historical District.
The population of Lansing within its town limits has dropped throughout the years after the railroad industry ceased in the county. The 1960 census showed 278 people lived in the town while the most recent census in 2020 showed just 126 town residents.
PHOTO BY JESSE CAMPBELL
Jefferson is the town seat of Ashe County. Pictured here is the Museum of Ashe County History.
GLENDALE SPRINGS
Located just off of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Glendale Springs is most wellknown for the fresco painting at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church and the Glendale Springs Inn & Restaurant, where President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore once dined after a visit to Ashe County in 1998. The Glendale Springs Inn was also added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. In addition to its easy access to the Blue Ridge Parkway, Glendale Springs is near the New River and offers some beautiful opportunities for enjoying nature.
FLEETWOOD
Fleetwood is located between West Jefferson and Deep Gap and is another of the many small communities in Ashe County that offer easy access to the New River. Whether you want to kayak, canoe or float down the river, areas between Fleetwood and Todd off of Railroad Grade Road are popular places to get into the water.
GRASSY CREEK
The community of Grassy Creek lies right on the state line between North Carolina and Virginia. Grassy Creek is home to The
Old Store and features the Grassy Creek Historic District that is part of the National Register of Historic Places. The historic district was added to the registry in 1976. As you will notice driving through the area, much of the land in Grassy Creek is used for growing Christmas trees.
CRESTON
Creston township can be found in the northwest corner of Ashe County. It is home to Worth’s Chapel, a church that was constructed in the early 1900s and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. A drive through Creston brings you close to the Tennessee state line in one direction. Creston is also home to the Riverview Community Center which holds numerous community events throughout the year and is home to a local fish fry every other week.
LAUREL SPRINGS
The town of Laurel Springs is right on the border of Ashe, Alleghany and Wilkes counties. The town offers quick and easy access to the Blue Ridge Parkway and is home to several family-owned businesses and the Thistle Meadow Winery that is open in the spring, summer and fall months. Thistle Meadow Winery offers tours and tasting events and an online
store to order products if you live outside of the area.
TODD
Todd is a small town shared by Watauga and Ashe counties, nestled in a bend of the South Fork of the New River. In its early years, Todd was an incorporated town until 1970 when the charter was revoked by the North Carolina General Assembly.
Todd is an area with a rich history, one dating back to nearly 6,000 years ago. According to the Todd Community Preservation Organization, that is when the earliest human activity in the area occurred.
For more recent history, look to the Todd General Store. Before a devastating fire destroyed the store in 2021, Todd General Store was the oldest functional business in Ashe County. The store sold local provisions and merchandise, and is currently on the path to rebuilding.
As for recreation, the New River — one of only a few rivers in the U.S. to flow North — is the main attraction in Todd, especially in the summer.
Go fly fishing, kayaking or tubing with one of the several river outfitters in the Todd area, such as RiverGirl or Wahoo’s. Anyone wanting to explore on their own should check out Green Valley Community Park. The park features playground equipment, playing fields, a paved walking track, a picnic shelter, restrooms, a canoe ramp, hiking trails and access to the New River.
Being one of the smaller towns in the High Country, Todd is a close-knit community. To connect with nature (and friendly locals), be sure to check it out.
PHOTO BY MOSS BRENNAN
Todd is home to Ashe County’s only 4th of July parade.
PHOTO SUBMITTED
The Historic Old West Jefferson Hotel officially opened its doors this summer.
ASHE
BRINGING THE entertainment TO ASHE COUNTY
BY NATHAN HAM
Ashe County has a lot to offer for everyone, whether you want to stick to the great outdoors, check out a show at the Ashe Civic Center or watch a movie in downtown West Jefferson, the opportunities are endless.
PADDY MOUNTAIN PARK
Paddy Mountain Park, the trailhead for the Northern Peaks State Trail, officially
opened in May, giving residents and visitors another area to enjoy wildlife outdoor life of Ashe County. The park includes a stacked loop hiking trail system of 3.6 miles. The loops are arranged in a figure-eight formation, which allows hikers to travel in either direction.
FAMILY CENTRAL
Ashe County Parks and Recreation, located at 626 Ashe Central School Road, Unit 16 in Jefferson, offers youth and adult
sports leagues to sign up for, including basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, volleyball and flag football. They have a gym full of workout equipment onsite to enjoy a nice workout, and plenty of green space to walk around and enjoy nature.
ASHE PARK
Ashe Park, located in Jefferson, is the largest park in the county and is home of one of the most popular disc golf courses in the region. The park is also the home to the annual Ashe County Bluegrass and Old Time Fiddlers Convention held each summer. The park features slides, swings and more for children to enjoy. There is also a pond and an annual Trout Derby that happens at the opening of trout season each spring. Picnic shelters are available and can be reserved if needed for large crowds.
This year, a new 150-acre expansion of the park was completed. The expansion includes a 40-by-40-foot picnic shelter, a new adventure playground, a bike skills course, and a multi-use trail system.
WEST JEFFERSON PARK
West Jefferson Park, also known as the Bowie-Seagraves Municipal Park, is located just up the hill from all of the shops and restaurants that reside downtown. The
park offers picnic shelters for parties and events, as well as playground equipment and basketball courts. There is a walking trail where you can take a stroll by yourself or bring along your dog for a nice walk through the park.
PARKWAY THEATER
Parkway Theater, owned and operated by Tony Eldreth, has been a staple of downtown West Jefferson for decades. The theater offers two movies each week and has some of the best popcorn you will ever find. Showings are at 7 p.m. nightly for only $6, and a 3 p.m. Sunday matinee for $5. The theater is located at 10 E. Main Street in West Jefferson.
ASHE CIVIC CENTER
The Ashe Civic Center is home to several performances throughout the year. Musicians, bands and other entertainment acts use the facility and bring in big crowds to West Jefferson.
The civic center is also home to the productions of the Ashe County Little Theatre.
A full schedule of events at the Ashe Civic Center each year can be found online at ashecountyarts.org/ashe-civic-center/.
FILE PHOTO
On May 9, Gov. Josh Stein joined the Blue Ridge Conservancy, county and state representatives, and the community in an official ribbon cutting for Paddy Mountain Park. The park is the trailhead to the Northern Peaks State Trail that will connect West Jefferson to Boone.
FILE PHOTO
Community members, county leaders, the Ashe County Chamber of Commerce, and Ashe County Parks and Recreation staff and friends celebrated the grand opening of the newest addition to Ashe Park.
Important
numbers & websites
WEST JEFFERSON TOWN HALL (336) 246-3551 www.townofwjnc.com
WEST JEFFERSON POLICE DEPARTMENT (336) 246-9410 www.townofwjnc.com
ASHE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE (336) 846-5633
www.ashecountysheriff.com
ASHE COUNTY
COMMUNICATIONS CENTER (336) 846-5600
www.ashecountysheriff.com.
ASHE COUNTY DETENTION CENTE (336) 846-5611 www.ashecountysheriff.com
ASHE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (336) 846-7101 www.ashememorial.org.
ASHE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT (336) 246-9449 www.apphealth.com
MOUNTAIN FAMILY CARE CENTER (336) 846-6322 www.ashememorial.org
ASHE COUNTY SCHOOLS (336) 246-7175 www.asheschools.org
ASHE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL (336) 846-2400 www.asheschools.org/achs
ASHE COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOL (336) 384-3591 www.asheschools.org/acms
BLUE RIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (336) 384-4500 www.asheschools.org/bres
MOUNTAIN VIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (336) 982-4200
www.asheschools.org/mves.
WESTWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (336) 877-2921
www.asheschools.org/wwes
ASHE COUNTY EARLY LEARNING CENTER (336) 846-3221
www.asheschools.org/elc
ASHE EARLY COLLEGE (336) 846-1881 https://www.asheschools.org/ earlycollege
WILKES COMMUNITY COLLEGE, ASHE CAMPUS (336) 846-3900 www.wilkescc.edu/about-us/locations/ ashe-campus/
ASHE COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION (336) 982-6185 www.asheparks.com
ASHE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY (336) 846-2041 www.arlibrary.org/ashe
ASHE COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL (336) 982-4060 www.asheanimals.com
ASHE COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY (336) 982-4297 www.ashehumanesociety.org
ANIMAL HOSPITAL OF ASHE (336) 246-3441 www.animalhospitalofashe.com
ASHE COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL (336) 846-2787 www.ashecountyarts.org
ASHE POST & TIMES (336) 246-6397 www.ashepostandtimes.com.
ASHE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (888) 343-2743 www.ashechamber.com
BLUE RIDGE ENERGY (336) 846-7138 www.blueridgeemc.com
SKYLINE/SKYBEST (336) 877-1350 www.skyline.org
OPTIMUM (888) 467-8468 https://www.optimum.com/stores/nc/ jefferson/360-south-main-st.html
ASHE COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS (336) 846-5570 www.ashecountygov.com/departments/ board-of-elections
ASHE COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT (336) 846-5521 www.ashecountygov.com/departments/ emergency-management
ASHE COUNTY PLANNING BOARD (336) 846-5528 www.ashecountygov.com/departments/ planning
ASHE COUNTY REGISTER OF DEEDS (336) 846-5580
www.ashecountygov.com/departments/ register-of-deeds
ASHE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES (336) 846-5719 www.ashecountygov.com/departments/ social-services
ASHE COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES (336) 846-3721
www.ashecountygov.com/departments/ environmental-services
ASHE COUNTY LANDFILL (336) 982-2527
www.ashecountygov.com/departments/ environmental-services
ASHE COUNTY TAX ADMINISTRATION (336) 846-5577
www.ashecountygov.com/departments/ tax-administration
E911 ADDRESS COORDINATOR (336) 846-5520 www.ashecountygov.com/departments/ e911-addressing
ASHE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (336) 846-2000 www.actatravels.com
ASHE COUNTY VETERANS SERVICES (336) 846-5575
www.ashecountygov.com/departments/ veterans-services
ASHE COUNTY BUILDING INSPECTIONS (336) 846-5511
www.ashecountygov.com/departments/ building-inspections
N.C. COOPERATIVE EXTENSION (336) 846-5850 ashe.ces.ncsu.edu
JEFFERSON TOWN HALL (336) 846-9368 townofjefferson.org
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPARTMENT (336) 846-5529 townofjefferson.org
LANSING TOWN HALL (336) 384-3938 lansingnc.us
TODD COMMUNITY
PRESERVATION ORGANIZATION (828) 263-6173 toddnc.org
Ashe County Chamber of Commerce member list
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• Ashe County Frescoes Foundation
• Ashe County Government
• Ashe County Habitat for Humanity
• Ashe County Little Theatre
• Ashe County Parks & Recreation
Flooring & Tile
• Appalachian Innkeepers & Janitorial Supply, Inc.
• Appalachian Memory Keepers
• Appalachian Theatre of the High Country
• AppHealthCare
• Ashe Adventures
• Ashe Alliance Church
• Ashe Campus - Wilkes Community College
• Ashe County Airport
• Ashe County Amateur Radio Club
• Ashe County Arts Council
• Ashe County Board of Education
• Ashe County Cheese
• Ashe County Children’s Endowment
• Ashe County Christmas Tree Association
• Ashe County Community Foundation
• Ashe County Corn Maze & Pumpkin Festival
• Ashe County Farm Bureau
• Ashe County Farm Bureau Insurance
• Ashe County Farmers Market
• Ashe County Piecemakers Quilt Guild
• Ashe County Public Library
• Ashe County Transportation Authority
• Ashe County Wildlife Club
• Ashe Custom Framing & Gallery
• Ashe Food Pantry
• Ashe High Country Guttering, ,LLC
• Ashe High Country Realty
• Ashe Medics
• Ashe Memorial Hospital
• Ashe Opportunities
• Ashe Outreach Ministries
• Ashe Post & Times
• Ashe Pregnancy Care Center
• Ashe Rental Agency
• Ashe Ship And Print
• Ashe Shrine Club
• Ashelawn Memorial Chapel
• Ashley Hardwood Flooring
• Aslan Enterprizes
• ASU Walker College of Business
• B & G Plumbing & Electric
• Backstreet Subs
• Badger Funeral Home
• Badges of Ashe
• Bald Mountain Baptist Church
• Barks & Co. Dog Boutique
• Barn Quilt Headquarters
• Basic Finance, Inc.
• Bearicade Bin
• Becky & Company
• Bella Woods Cabin
• Bennett EnviroClean, LLC
• Best Choice Mowing
• Bethany United Methodist Church
• Black Jack’s Pub & Grill
• Blackbird Imaging, LLC
• Blue Deer West Jefferson
• Blue Door Group Real Estate
• Blue Ridge Air
• Blue Ridge Cleaning, LLC
• Blue Ridge Conservancy
• Blue Ridge Energy
• Blue Ridge Fiber Fest
• Blue Ridge Mountain Mortgage
• Blue Ridge Mountain Rentals
• Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation
• Blue Ridge Realty & Investments, LLC
• Bluebird Pediatric Dentistry
• Bohemia Gallery
• Bojangles #566
• Boondocks Brewing
• Boone Family Funeral Home
• Buddy Holler
• Buffalo Tavern Bed and Breakfast
• Bull’s
• Business Exit Strategy Team
• C and J Christmas Trees
• C. Randolph CPA, PLLC
• Cabin Store
• Calhoun Creative Solutions
• Capital City Stow-n-Go, LLC
• Car Rentals of West Jefferson, LLC
• Carolina Mold Remediation
• Carolina Mountain Life Magazine
• Carolina Mold Remediation
• Carolina Mountain Life Magazine
• Carolina Mountain Properties & Rentals, Inc.
• Carolin Pines VRBO
• Carolina Timberworks
• Carolina West Wireless
• Carrington Design
• Carson Family Farm
• Casey Miller and Family Tree Service
• CatchLight Gallery
• Christina H. Wagoner, CPA PLLC
• Christmas in July Festival
• Christmas Mountain Fraser Fir
• CJ’s Market
• Clean Mountain Escapes, LLC
• Cline Church Nursery, Inc.
• Cobblestones of Ashe, LLC
• County Seat Marketplace
• Craft Bistro
• Creative Printers
• Creekside Electronics
• Current Chiropractic
• Cutter’s Edge
• Deeply Rooted Landscapes dba Northwest Lawn Care
• Dirty Chimney, LLC
• Disable American Veterans Chp. 80 Ashe County
• Doe Ridge Pottery
• Domino’s
• Double A Boot Store
• Dr. Pepper Bottling of West Jefferson, NC, Inc.
• Dusty Trails Outfitters
• Edward Jones – Jason Sutherland
• Edward Jones – Wiley Mock
• Elevation Health, PC
• Elite Roof and Solar
• Farmer’s Towing
• Feather Mountain Ayurveda and Massage
• Firewalk Productions, LLC
• First Baptist Church
• First Citizens Bank - WJ
• First National Bank of PA
• Fleetwood Falls, Inc.
• Florence Thomas Art School
• Footsloggers
• Forest Ridge Assisted Living & Memory Care
• Foster & Adopt Services - Ashe County DSS
• Frazier Property Services
• Freedom Christian Academy
• Friends of the Ashe County Library
• Frontier Natural Gas Company
• Frosty’s Choose & Cut
• Frugal Gourmet Catering
• Gatewood Group Real Estate
• GE Aerospace
• Gem Valley LLC
• Generations Ashe, Inc.
• Germain Media
• Glamping Wild
• Glendale Ridge Farms, LLC
• Glendale Springs Inn and Restaurant
• Global Manufacturing Services, Inc
• Goodman & Boston, CPAs PA
• Goodwill Industries of Northwest North Carolina
• Grassy Creek Pottery
• Great Southern Gothic
• Greater Lansing Area Development Committee (GLAD)
• Greenhouse Crafts Shop
• Gum Ridge Mill & Flying Pig Furniture
• Hart-T- Tree Farms
• Hatchet Coffee, LLC
• Haven at Greenwood Glen
• Helton Creek Campground, LLC
• Heritage Properties
• Hidden Pastures Farm Wedding & Event Venue
• High Country 365
• High Country Association of Realtors
• High Country Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.
• High Country Caregivers
• High Country Council of Governments
• High Country Host
• High Country Performing Arts Academy
• High Country Tea & Grazing Room
• High Country Woodworks
• High Country Workforce Development Board
• High Mountain Cabin Rentals
• High Mountain Creekside Cabins & Vacation Rentals
• Highland Meadows Cattle Co.
• Hill’s Mini-Storage
• His High Places, Inc.
• Holiday Inn Express West Jefferson
• Holiday Inn Express / Yadkin Valley Event Center
• Hometown Furniture
• Honeycutt Farms
• Honeysuckle Construction, Inc.
• Hospitality House
• Idlewild Ridge
• Imagination Ashe
• Island Noodles NC
• Ivy Point Farm
• Janet Killen Moretz, CPA
• Jefferson Landing
• Jefferson Rent-All, Inc./ Party Plus
• JHW Properties LLC
• Jim’s Corner Furniture
• Jodi Province Counseling
• Joel Carpenter General Contractor
• Joel W. Yates Jr., DDS General Dentistry
• John T. Kilby, Attorney
• Johnston and Johnston, PLLC
• Jonathan Jordan, Attorney-At-Law
• Jorge and Family
• Just Wing It Backstreet Bar and Grill
• K & K Stitch & Screen
• Keep Ashe Beautiful
• Keep Ashe Warm
• Kilwins
• Kittrell and Armstrong, LLC-Debbie W. Barber, CCIM
• Krause Family Arborist
• Lantern Farm
• Laurel Ridge Camp, Conference & Retreat Center
• Laurel Rumph Photography
• Laurel’s Flower Farm
• Lavender Rain Massage & Wellness
• Lemieux Woodworks
• Liar’s Loft: Creative Haven and Imaginarium
• Liberty Grove Baptist Church
• LifeStore Insurance Services, Inc.
• Lifestore Bank/Jefferson Branch
• LifeStore Bank/Mt. Jefferson Rd. Branch
• LifeStore Bank/West Jefferson
• Lilylee’s Florist
• Lisa Best Counseling & Consulting Services, PLLC
• Little Saps
• Little’s Health & Fitness Center, Inc.
• Log Homes of America, Inc.
• Lost Province Center for Cultural Arts
• Louise’s Sweet T Cafe
• LR Digital Conversions
• Lyndy Phillips Productions, LLC
• M-Prints Screen Printing & Embroidery
• Madi’s Clothing & Accessories, LLC
• Maizy’s on Main
• Mal’s Sweet Treats
• Margate Health & Rehab
• Marine Corps League High Country Detachment #1389
• Mary Kay Cosmetics – Rita Schaefer
• McB’s Mercantile & Ice Cream
• McDonald’s of West Jefferson
• McFarland & Company, Inc.
• Meadowsweet Gardens
• Miller Architecture
• Millers Camping
• Mistletoe Meadows
• Misty Glen, LLC
• MO’s Boots & Carhartt
• Modern Ford of Boone
• Monte D Rey’s
• Mount Jefferson Presbyterian Church
• Mountain Advantage LLC
• Mountain Aire Golf Club
• Mountain Aire Seafood & Steaks
• Mountain Connections
• Mountain Family Care Center
• Mountain Field Excavating and Hauling, LLC
• Mountain Hearts Center For Prevention and Wellness
• Mountain Heritage Systems
• Mountain Home Music Inc.
• Mountain Homes Realty
• Mountain Outfitters
• Mountain Paradise Nursery, LLC
• Mountain Top Woodworking
• Mountain Town Dental
• Mountainscape Realty
• Mountainstead Developers, LLC
• Museum of Ashe County History
• Musicians Mission of Mercy
• Mustard Seed Renovations, LLC
• Mystery Hill
• Nature’s Light Candles, LLC
• NC Cooperative Extension/Ashe County Center
• NC Guardian Ad litem Program District 34
• NC Works – High Country
• New River Barista
• New River Brewing Taproom & Brewery
• New River Calvary Church, Inc.
• New River Chapter, Military Officers Association
• New River Conservancy
• New River Custom Builders, Inc.
• New River Escape Barn and Guest House
• New River Family Wellness, PLLC
• New River Headwaters Preserve
• New River Legacy Consultants
• New River Marathon/Blue Ridge Relay
• New River Outfitters
• New River Realty & Rentals
• New River Ridge
• Northwest North Carolina Visitor Center
• Northwest Tree Service, LLC
• Northwestern Emergency Vehicles, Inc.
• Not Just Old, LLC
• NRB Smokehouse & Eatery
• Nuthouse Cottage (at A Point of View Mtn. Retreat)
• Oak Hill Academy
• Old Barn Winery
• Old Door Antiques
• Old Orchard Creek Farm
• Old Orchard Creek General Store
• One More? Riding Stables
• Optimum
• Originals Only Gallery
• Outlander North Carolina LLC
• PADCO Excavating, Inc.
• Park Vista Motor Lodge & Diner
• Parker Tie Co. Inc.
• Parker’s Building Supply
• Parker’s Electrical Service
• Parkway Theater
• Parsons Farms, LLC
• Partnership of Ashe
• Peak Insurance / Miller Insurance Agency
• Pencare Total Office
• Perfect Plant
• Perry’s Gold Mine
• Pottery by Suz
• Precision Building Systems NC, LLC
• Priscilla L. Norris, CPA
• Quality Assurance Locksmith
• R T Morgan Art & Glass By Camille
• Raccoon Holler Campground & RV Park LLC
• Randy Marion Ford of West Jefferson
• Raysweather.com
• RDR Kennels
• Red Dog Bar/Bistro Piney Creek
• Red Dog Bar/Bistro West Jefferson
• Reeves DiVenere Wright
• Regency on the Lake
• Regency Properties
• REMAX Realty Group
• RHA Health Services
• Rhoddie Bicycle Outfitters
• Ridge Runner Trading Co., Inc
• Ridgeline Garage Doors Inc.
• Ridgeline Properties
• Ridgetop Yoga Retreat
• River Girl Fishing Co.
• River House Country Inn & Restaurant
• Riverside Canoe & Tube Rentals, Inc.
• Riverview Community Center
• RN Massage Therapist, LLC
• Root and Branch
• Roten Insurance Agency
• Rugby Creek Cabins and Unique Rentals
• Saloon Studios
• Salvation Army Family Store of Ashe County
• Santos Lawn Care
• Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts
• Schuster Physical Therapy
• Scott Brothers Heating & Air Inc.
• Scott Harris Guitar Shop
• Secluded Hideaway
• Senior Benefits Center – Aleix Arrington
• Servpro of Watauga & Ashe Counties
• Seven Peaks Family Medicine
• Sexton Christmas Tree Farms, Inc.
• Sharp Business Systems
• Shatley Construction & Paving Co. Inc.
• Sheets Brothers, Inc.
• Sisters on Main
• Sherman and Beth Lyle
• Sisters on Main
• SkyLine Membership Corp./SkyBest Communications
• Skyline National Bank
• SkyLine/SkyBest Call Center and Drive-Thru
• Smoky Mountain Barbecue
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• Southern Sun Farm Sanctuary
• Spangler Restoration
• Spirit Canoe Lodge
• Sprinkle’s Salt of the Earth
• St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church
• State Employees’ Credit Union
• State Farm Insurance Company
• Statewide Insurance Solutions
• Stay Blue Ridge
• Steve Leath & Sons, LLC
• Stomp and Brew Events
• Storm Enterprises
• Streetdreamz Tire and Auto, LLC
• Sturgill Tree Farms
• Style Depot, Inc.
• Style Depot, Inc., The Clothier
• Summit on Cross Mountain
• Summit Property Management
• Sunrise Paddles, LLC
• Sweet and Savory
• Terminix Company
• The Baker’s Addict, LLC
• The Barn on New River
• The Cabin Store
• The Dough Shed Pizzeria
• The Grape + Grain
• Cardiolog y
• Chemotherapy
• Endoscopy
• ExpressCareClinic (MountainFamilyCare)
• Gynecolog y
• Hematolog yand Oncology
• HospitalistProgram
• ImagingSer vices
• Internal Medicine
• Mountain Hearts Wellness Center
• Obstetrics
• The Honey Hole
• The Jefferstone by Sheets & Co.
• The Jewel Shoppe
• The Marketplace at Curiosity
• The Motherboard
• The NEST Alliance
• The Old Store at Grassy Creek
• The Rotary Club of Ashe County
• The Salvaged Daizy
• The Spice and Tea Exchange of West Jefferson
• The Squirrel and Nut LLC
• The Vintage Farmhouse General Store, Inc.
• The Vintage Locket
• The Walker Center
• The Wranglin` Mae Mercantile
• Thinking, Learning, Coaching TLC, LLL
• Thistle Meadow Winery
• Thunder Moon Farms
• Timber Rivers Wedding and Event Venue
• Timothy Rector DDS, PA
• Todd Community Preservation Organization, Inc.
• Torrey Tucker Electric
• Town Of Jefferson
• Town of Lansing
• Trinity Transport NC, LLC
• Turchin Center for the Visual Arts
• Ophthalmolog y
• Orthopaedics
• Otolar yngolog y
• Pediatrics
• Primar yCare
• Rehabilitation Services
• Respiratory Services
• Surgical Services
• Urolog y
• Women’sHealth
• Turtle Island Preserve
• Twin Creeks Antiques
• Two Hoots Styling
• UNC Health Appalachian
• United Chemi-Con, Inc.
• Village Florist
• WJ Locksmith LLC
• Weaver Equipment Inc.
• Weaver Tree Farms, Inc.
• West End Wreaths
• West Jefferson ABC
• West Jefferson Community Partnership
• West Jefferson Lions Club
• West Jefferson United Methodist Church
• Western Youth Network
• Westhaven Aesthetics & Wellness
• Whippoorwill Academy & Village
• Winner’s Circle Restaurant and Steak House
• WJ Office
• WKSK Radio
• WMMY-FM Highway 106 and 102.3
• Women’s Fund of the Blue Ridge
• Worley’s Electric, Inc.
• Young Landworks LLC
• Zaloo’s Canoes Inc.
• Zuryc, Inc.
for Ashe County Schools A busy year
BY NATHAN HAM
The 2024-25 school year brought out the resiliency of students, teachers, families and everyone involved with the education of Ashe County students. Beginning with Hurricane Helene canceling school for a month, and the high school being used as an emergency shelter through those difficult times, the school system pulled together to do everything they could to help children and families make it through it all.
Ashe County’s three elementary schools shifted to being used as hubs for supply delivery. ACS also found ways to provide laundry services, showers, and communal meals. Thankfully, the school buildings suffered little damage, unlike neighboring counties that saw school buildings destroyed or made inoperable for the remainder of the last school year.
Ashe County students returned to classes on Oct. 29. Through the support of the community, donations were given to help families in need.
Despite facing significant obstacles, Ashe County Schools put a tremendous amount of effort into getting students back in the classroom. Remote learning was not possible for many families without electricity or internet access, and severe damage to roads and bridges complicated school bus transportation even after school started back.
Superintendent Dr. Eisa Cox honored for leadership during and after Helene During the 2025 Conference of Educational Leadership, hosted by the North Carolina Association of School Administrators, Ashe County Schools Superintendent Dr. Eisa Cox was among those honored for her efforts during and after Hurricane Helene.
Superintendents of 11 western North Carolina school districts most severely impacted by Hurricane Helene accepted the NCASA’s 2025 Raymond Sarbaugh Leadership award.
Named after NCASA’s first full-time Executive Director, late Raymond Sarbaugh, the award is given annually to members who have demonstrated “outstanding leadership in public school service as well as a commitment to enhancing and supporting efforts by fellow administrators and educators”, according to a NCASA press release.
Following Hurricane Helene, school and district leaders began efforts to not only ensure their staff and students were safe, but also that their communities had the support and resources necessary to begin recovering, according to the school system.
Under Cox’s leadership, the three elementary schools in Ashe served as emergency distribution sites. The Ashe County High School was also utilized and served as a temporary emergency shelter for several weeks for families who were displaced because of the storm.
“This recognition is a testament not to any one leader but to the dedication of our principals, directors, teachers, staff, and community partners who stepped up without hesitation. When our students, families, and community needed us most, our schools stood strong- not just as places of learning but as pillars of support, comfort, and recovery,” Cox said.
NCASA’s Executive director Katherin Joyce praised the superintendents, principals, and other faculty members who worked collectively to provide their students and their families with “the essential support needed” even when facing their own heartbreak and difficulties
during the storm.
“They proved that public schools are indeed the heart of local communities,” Joyce said.
According to NCASA, school and district leaders continued to address the long-term needs of their school communities.
“They conducted ongoing assessments, met with staff, and implemented strategies to support the mental health and wellbeing of students and educators. Districts even banded together to provide school counselors and social workers to assist students and teachers upon their return to school,” NCASA said.
Ashe County educators honored by App State GEAR UP program
On March 3, Ashe County Schools celebrated several exceptional educators for receiving awards from Appalachian State University’s GEAR UP program. Through the GEAR UP initiative, educators had the opportunity to apply for Academic Innovation Mini Grants which are designed to support projects aimed at improving academic performance through innovative classroom experiences.
Rachel Nave-Lewis, Assistant Director of Curriculum and Instructional Design, explained that applicants not only had to
submit their project proposals but also present their ideas at the 2024 Academic Innovation Conference. The pitch process followed a “shark tank” format, where educators showcased their enthusiasm and commitment to their projects.
“They had to create a presentation, walk us through it, and really had to show their passion,” Nave-Lewis said.
Out of numerous project submissions, three standout initiatives connected to Ashe County Schools were selected by a panel of judges. The awardees include:
Jonathan Greene, English teacher at Ashe Early College — $5,000 for “The AEC Mountain Peak Players,” a project designed to build a theatre club and production at AEC.
Tonya Denny, Media Coordinator, at Ashe County High School, and her team: Josh Beckworth, Nathan Colvard, Jennifer Miller, Megan Colvard — $5,000 for “Criminal Minds: Where Literature Meets Investigation,” focused on creating an interdisciplinary unit focused on bridging literacy and real-world forensic science. Ashe County Schools — $10,000 for the “Building Thinking Classrooms” partnership with New Teacher Support, focused on
Blue Ridge Elementary held its 30th anniversary celebration earlier this year with live music and refreshments in the media center.
increasing accessible math modalities and approaches to increase student outcomes.
In addition to celebrating these awardees, Ashe County Schools celebrated Tonya Denny as ACS’s first-ever GEAR UP Innovator of the Year for her dedication to integrating innovative practices into the classroom.
The GEAR UP Innovator of the Year Award, which was introduced last year, recognizes educators who, despite the challenges they may face, continuously bring creative and impactful ideas to enrich their student’s learning experiences.
Blue Ridge Elementary celebrates 30th anniversary
Blue Ridge Elementary celebrated a monumental milestone earlier this month. With live music and refreshments in the media center and countless photos of the past lined along the walls of the hallways, students, parents, and faculty celebrated Blue Ridge’s 30th anniversary.
Before its construction, students in the area attended Lansing or Riverview Elementary. However, to provide the best education, both schools were consolidated into Blue Ridge in 1994.
For the past three decades, Blue Ridge has focused on providing students with opportunities to not only grow academically but also personally.
For Penny Barnes, Blue Ridge Elementary holds a special place in her heart.
With 28 years of experience in the Ashe County School system, Barnes has dedicated 24 of those years to teaching at Blue Ridge. She is currently shaping young minds as a kindergarten teacher.
“The school has transformed over the years, with many changes in technology and staff. The one constant is that we all work together for the common good of the students,” she said.
One thing that Barnes counts as a blessing in her years of being at Blue Ridge is that she was able to work alongside her mother Helen Robinson, who passed away in 2022.
Robinson began working with the school system in 1976 at Riverview, before she moved to Blue Ridge. One summer, Barnes
recalled, her mother was asked to be her assistant. From then on, the two worked together.
“Anytime we got a new person, she made sure she took them on a tour of the school,” she said. “She was like a mother hen, tending to every student’s needs.”
“There’s nothing like being here at Blue Ridge,” Principal Mitchell Reedy said.
Reedy began his journey with the school in 2020 as assistant principal. In 2023, after the retirement of Joallen Lowder, Reedy became principal.
“It’s just one big family and everybody is so humble. Our teachers work together to make sure that we do what’s best for our students. That’s our main focus,” Reedy said.
For Lindsey Miller of Lansing, it was a moment she could share with her son. Miller attended Blue Ridge as a child, and now her son attends.“It’s comforting to know that he’s in a setting familiar to me,” she said.
Blue Ridge Elementary has made significant progress in recent years, Superintendent Dr. Eisa Cox said.
“You can see from the crowd how many people care about this community and our school. They have really blossomed over the years.”
In 2013, the school implemented the Leader in Me program by Franklin Covey to promote student leadership, trust, and academic success.
Later, Blue Ridge earned its Lighthouse certification. This dedication contributed to the school receiving the 2021 National Blue Ribbon School Award.
“This building is in such great shape and still looks fantastic. What’s even better is the joy it brings every day to both our staff and students,” Principal Reedy said. Innovative classroom projects receive Endowment Grant support
At its June Board of Education meeting, Ashe County Schools proudly honored 29 educators selected as recipients of 2025 Endowment Fund grants. Fourteen innovative classroom projects were selected for funding this year, representing a broad range of creative, hands-on
initiatives that will enrich student learning across the district.
From podcasting and laser engraving to literacy, music, and STEM projects, these grants support bold ideas that fuel curiosity and inspire meaningful engagement in the classroom.
Congratulations to this year’s grant recipients:
Stefan Kunz, Ashe Early College — From Concept to Reality: Visual Designs with Glowforge
Amber Dillingham, Ashe County High — Pottery Wheel Replacement
Savannah Libassi, Ashe County Middle — Drills, Thrills and Bulldog Skills: Marching Arts with Pyware
Polly Bradley, Blue Ridge Elementary — Dueling Dulcimers
Angie Douglas, Jill Baldwin, Lisa Sibaja, and Amanda Smith, Mountain View Elementary — Next Chapter: Expanding and Empowering Our Readers
Jill Baldwin, Crystal Crouse, Colleen Dixon, Angie Douglas, Cynthia Harless, Michelle Keith, Jordan Nemeth, Preston Roberts, and Lisa Sibaja, MVES — The Sound of Soaring: An Elementary Podcast
Braxton Grose, WWES — Operation Cycle Forward
Journey Ward Carter, WWES — Creative Crosswalk Canvases
Laura Lipford, WWES — The Power of Being Vertical
Mandy Keziah, WWES — One School, One Book
Taylor Ashley, WWES — Growing a Love for Learning
Paige Blevins, Autumn Chamberlain, Brittany Perry, School Social Workers — Let Us Bloom
Molly Porter and Mary Job, Afterschool — Odyssey of the Mind: Ashe County
Taylor Harkey and Tonya Denny, ACHS — Voices Through Time: The Living Democracy Project
Thanks to the generosity of community donors and the success of the Endowment Fund’s annual golf tournament (held this year at Mountain Aire Golf Club), more than $151,999 has been awarded since 2003 to
support over 110 educator-led projects that go beyond traditional classroom funding.
“These grants represent the passion, creativity, and dedication of our teachers,” said Dr. Eisa Cox, Superintendent of Ashe County Schools. “We are so proud of their commitment to enriching our students’ educational experiences and grateful to the Endowment Board and our supporters for making it possible.”
The Ashe County Schools Endowment Fund is a nonprofit initiative that empowers teachers to try bold, engaging approaches in their classrooms. Learn more about the fund and how to support it by visiting asheschools.org.
Superintendent Dr. Eisa Cox accepted the Leadership Award on March 28.
in Ashe County Public Services
BY NATHAN HAM
There are numerous organizations and services made available to the people of Ashe County whether they need a helping hand with food insecurity, help starting a business or additional educational opportunities.
The Ashe County Chamber of Commerce, located at 1 N. Jefferson Ave., Suite C, can help visitors find shops, restaurants and other things to do while on their trip to Ashe County. The staff at the chamber can also help point people in the right direction if they are interested in purchasing real estate, opening a business or becoming a chamber member. Find out more info about the “Coolest Corner”
of North Carolina by calling (336) 8469550 or visiting the chamber’s website at ashechamber.com/.
The Ashe County Public Library has plenty to offer children and adults that want to enjoy a good book or some fun activities. During the summer, the library has taken part in the Caboose Kids events located on the Backstreet in downtown West Jefferson. They also host Friends of the Library meetings each month. Visit www.arlibrary.org/ashe to learn about other ongoing events throughout the year.
Safety is of the utmost importance for both visitors and residents in Ashe County. The Ashe County Sheriff’s Office patrols the roads and assists on calls 24
hours a day to make sure that everyone is as safe as possible from one end of the county to the other. The West Jefferson Police Department and Jefferson Police
Department also have 24-hour shifts each day to keep citizens safe.
The Ashe County Courthouse at 150 Government Cir. in Jefferson is home to most of the county government functions that one might need in the county, including county’s DSS services, the county board of elections, register of deeds, tax administration and tag office among others.
Ashe County has over 800 combined miles of roads that the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is responsible for maintaining. For questions or concerns about road issues in the county, call the Ashe County NCDOT maintenance yard at (336) 246-5287.
Ashe County Cooperative Extension offers numerous courses and workshops throughout the year to aid farmers with everything from food crops to Christmas trees. A schedule of workshops and other events for the Ashe County office can be found online at ashe.ces.ncsu.edu/.
Ashe County Environmental Services operates convenience centers around the county, plus a landfill for county
residents and property renters to dispose of their trash. Convenience centers are located throughout the county serving the communities of Bina, Lansing, Jefferson, West Jefferson, Crumpler and Creston.
The Ashe County Farmers Market is open on the Backstreet in West Jefferson every Saturday during spring and fall, from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. with special holiday market dates announced annually. There is always a wide variety of locally grown and fresh foods available to purchase as well as crafts and other vendors that are at the market.
The Ashe Food Pantry provides food to those that are in need in Ashe County. Volunteers work countless hours to be able to package and provide food products to many who are not sure where their next meal might be coming from.
Ashe Outreach helps serve food to those in need, particularly in the northwest portion of Ashe County. The nonprofit distributed over 120,000 pounds of food to needy residents. For more information on
the programs offered by Ashe Outreach, or for more information on becoming a volunteer, visit www.asheoutreach.com/.
Ashe County Schools are headquartered at 320 South St. in Jefferson, and can be contacted by phone at (336) 246-7175 for questions and information regarding the local school system.
For those interested in adding a new pet to the family, Ashe County Animal Control is the first place to start locally. They can be reached at (336) 982-4060.
Ashe Medics and the Ashe County Rescue Squad are here to help for any medical emergencies that might arise. For more information on Ashe Medics, visit www.ashemedics.org/. For more information on the Ashe County Rescue Squad, visit https://www.asherescue.org/.
Ashe County is covered by 12 different fire departments to help with accidents, fires and other emergencies. Those fire departments are Creston Volunteer Fire Department, Deep Gap Volunteer Fire
& Rescue, Fleetwood Volunteer Fire & Rescue, Glendale Springs Volunteer Fire Department, Jefferson Volunteer Fire Department, Lansing Volunteer Fire & Rescue, Laurel Springs Volunteer Fire Department, New River Volunteer Fire & Rescue, Pond Mountain Volunteer Fire & Rescue, Todd Volunteer Fire Department, Warrensville Volunteer Fire & Rescue and West Jefferson Volunteer Fire Department.
Anyone interested in the area’s extensive history can visit the Museum of Ashe County History located at 301 E Main St. in Jefferson. The old courthouse, which was constructed in 1904, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
To keep up with the latest news in Ashe County, the Ashe Post & Times is a great source. The newspaper is published weekly on Wednesdays and is updated online each day. Drop a news tip to the staff, subscribe or just visit with the news and sales staff at 7 E Main St. in downtown West Jefferson, or call (336) 846-2041 for more information.
Family Health and Wellness
NOW OPEN Lansing
BY JESSE CAMPBELL
Margaret Rutter, of Lansing Family Health and Wellness, is on a mission to provide preventive health care to the uninsured and underserved residents of Ashe County.
The 501©3 clinic opened in the former office occupied by Dr. Henry Clay at 138 N. Fork New River Road in Lansing off Old NC Highway 16 in early June.
Rutter’s inspiration for the new primary care provider originated from her work performing home visits in the county during April 2024.
Approximately 25% of Ashe County residents don’t have insurance, driving Rutter to fulfill an ongoing need locally.
Her transition from a previous healthcare position to the inconspicuous yet genial Lansing office, with its oldfashioned mountain hardwood floors and hospitable main hallway, flanked by cozy and bracing exam rooms resembling a comforting cottage rather than the archetypal cold and sterile doctor’s office, is the continuation of her life’s work.
After taking a sabbatical from the healthcare industry, Rutter felt an urge to continue to serve the county’s most vulnerable.
“Lansing is a very tight-knit community and I had an awful lot of elderly patients, so I saw some of them through home visits and I decided that I really wanted to start a clinic in this end of the county because there wasn’t anything for patients who had a long way to travel in comparison to folks in other parts of the county,” said Rutter.
LFHW opened in early June to a warm reception in Lansing. Her clientele list has already surpassed 150 local patients.
While the cozy medical office, with a welcoming front porch drawing patients through a quaint but spacious seven-room clinic, engenders advanced healthcare professionalism with an endearing personal charm, the center’s current location doesn’t hint at its ad hoc beginnings that transformed into a reputable practitioner that has become tightly woven into the community’s tapestry.
Rutter’s team began under a mesh tent in the baseball field of the old Lansing School where her staff endured the stinging cold mountain winds and bitter temperatures — a venerable triage unit for the dedicated team pulling themselves up with a by-the-bootstraps approach while applying for grant monies while launching LFHW.
The medical office is also beginning life anew in its 75th year — the building originally housed a physician’s office in the 1950s before Dr. Clay became a community medical mainstay before departing, again leaving a void for affordable medical care. Rutter is bridging that chasm, which has grown since Helene.
“A lot of these people since the flood work without any kind of health coverage,” said Rutter. “I think it’s a shame they have to sacrifice health coverage even more now than they did before. Access to affordable local care has become not just important but it’s become life-saving in this area. I think some of my inspiration
to start this clinic was very personal after working in the medical field for 44 years. I’ve seen a lot of chronic care that has gone untreated in a lot of rural areas and a lot of this because of a lack of insurance.”
EASING UNDUE HARDSHIPS
Heart disease is the No. 1 cause of mortality in Ashe County. Lung, breast, and colon cancers are second. Ashe ranks in the top 10 in the state for suicides per capita.
COPD, diabetes, stroke, and mental health conditions compound the county’s chronic health woes, she said.
“There’s no psychiatric care in the county other than Daymark and Daymark is very limited,” said Rutter. “A lot of mental health services fall back on primary care such as depression and anxiety. But we do a lot of screening and help with the appropriate care as far as we are capable of helping with.”
LFHW is also hoping to alleviate systemic financial and resource strain for local hospitals’ emergency rooms.
“One of the things we hope to offset is a lot of the illness that people here have because they have no insurance,” said Rutter, who added that 80 to 85% of EMS
calls originate from those without the ability to pay for needed healthcare.
“Those EMS calls aren’t going to be paid for,” said Rutter. “That’s a deficit on the economy. Once they get to the ER, it could be a real emergency or it could not be. It could be a chronic patient who has allowed themselves to get so sick because they have no insurance or primary
PHOTO BY JESSE CAMPBELL
The staff of Lansing Family Health and Wellness, from left to right: Margaret Rutter, volunteer Stanley Parker, and office manager, Caroline Parker.
PHOTO COURTESY ASHE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL Barry Maynard was selected as a DAISY Award winner.
provider. So, once again that’s not a paid call to the ER.”
CONTINUING FAMILY PASSION FOR CARE
Rutter’s mission is more than altruistic. She’s fulfilling a dream she shared with her son, Adam Lewis, who passed away before they could realize their shared vision together.
“My son had a knack for people,” Rutter said, who emphasized his previous work with fire and rescue as an EMT. “He worked as my assistant in my downtime. I miss him. I feel like if it wasn’t for him pushing me, I wouldn’t be here now. There’s a reason I’m in this building. There’s a reason for this clinic and I believe he’s part of it… He’s a huge part of it.”
Bridging community partnerships is key to the Lansing community’s access to affordable care.
“We are collaborating with Wilkes Community College, the Small Business Center, ETSU, and UNC to have students come in from those areas and work with us as interns, both in the business sense and as a nurse practitioner, and hopefully have some of the interns from UNC provided to us by a grant to get a feel for rural medicine in this area, to be here working with me. I want to expand the possibilities of the economic base here in the county and build a more solid foundation for professional choices for youth in this county. I would very much like to see our graduates build a greater understanding of professional choices here. They don’t all have to be farmers. Farmers are wonderful, but to see this county grow with more professional choices would be a wonderful thing.”
OPENING DOORS WITH OPENED HANDS
Rutter isn’t a medical novice. In addition to her four decades of health care experience, she’s also a cofounder of “Helping Hands” in Lenoir, which has grown to a complete three-story facility with full-time staff.
“It has saved the ER down there millions of dollars,” said Rutter. “It’s fully paid for and supported by grants and
the community. I would like to see that happen here, so we need a buy-in by the community, the local government, and the hospital.”
LFHW is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Drop-ins are welcome. Contact the office at (336) 982-1813 or by fax at (336) 982-1313 for more information.
“We welcome anyone,” said Rutter. “I love to work. I love what we do.”
SEVEN PEAKS FAMILY MEDICINE OPENS IN WEST JEFFERSON
The High Country recently became the home of a new independent primary care practice.
After holding an official ribbon cutting ceremony at the end of March, Seven Peaks Family Medicine began accepting new patients on April 1.
Named after the seven Northern Peaks of northwest North Carolina, the clinic was founded by three physicians who met during their residency.
Dr. Jason Karimy, Dr. Toria Knox, and Dr. Jessica Stevens completed their residency in family medicine through MAHEC Family Medicine in Boone.
“We are consciously choosing to
build our clinic from the ground up with innovative and ambitious plans for providing comprehensive, evidence based and compassionate family medicine in an ever more complicated healthcare climate,” Dr. Knox said.
Supported by Community Care Physicians Network and Community Care of North Carolina, the clinic will focus on providing high-quality, locally focused medical care.
“The inception of this clinic was based in the understanding of health as holistic and an accumulation of who we are, what we do, what we eat, what activities we participate in, and the many environments in which we live and work,” Dr. Stevens said.
“Our clinic vision is to be a thread binding those different elements of health together with the help of those in the community, because at its core, our clinic was founded on the idea of community and the ways that it cares for and benefits individuals.”
Dr. Karimy said Seven Peaks has been working with local community groups and nonprofit organizations to identify the needs of the community.
Seven Peaks Family Medicine offers a
range of services including, but not limited to annual physical exams, cryotherapy, joint injections, pap smears, skin biopsies, and IUD and Nexplanon insertion and removal.
The clinic is located at 1109 Mount Jefferson Road in West Jefferson.
For those interested in becoming a patient, you may call (336) 846-7770 to set up an appointment.
You may also go online and fill out their patient form by going to: http://bit. ly/4cyeVeN
ASHE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL INVESTS IN NEW AI DETECTION SYSTEM FOR ENDOSCOPIC IMAGING
Ashe Memorial Hospital recently invested in the Fujifilm CAD EYE® system, a new artificial intelligence-powered technology for polyp detection during colonoscopy procedures.
CAD EYE is designed to improve polyp detection during colonoscopy by alerting endoscopists to suspected polyps throughout the exam, including flat lesions and those present at the peripheral edges of endoscopic view. Ashe Memorial Hospital is the first hospital in North Carolina to have invested in this state-ofthe-art technology.
“We are excited to be able to bring this cutting-edge artificial intelligence technology to Ashe Memorial Hospital and continue to further enhance our level of surgical care,” said Brian Yates, chief executive officer for Ashe Memorial Hospital. “This technology is designed to support the early detection of precancerous lesions, which can result in early intervention and improved patient outcomes.”
During a colonoscopy, the CAD EYE will sound an alert if a suspicious polyp is detected, and a bracketed box will display around the area. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men and women combined in the United States. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) studies show that the CAD EYE can detect polyps up to 17% higher than conventional colonoscopies.
PHOTO COURTESY ASHE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
Dr. Charles Jones began using the CAD EYE for colonoscopies early last month.
“This new technology comes with an artificial intelligence upgrade that helps the endoscopist potentially find more polyps, and that’s what we do colonoscopies for,” Dr. Charles Jones, general surgeon for Ashe Memorial Hospital, said. “If we can detect polyps early on then we can decrease the chance of a patient developing colon cancer.”
The CAD EYE received FDA approval in March 2024. Shortly thereafter, Dr. Jones began looking into purchasing the equipment for the hospital. Ashe Memorial Hospital’s Board of Trustees approved the purchase in October 2024, and Dr. Jones began using the CAD EYE for colonoscopies in early November. On average, Dr. Jones performs 15-20 endoscopies per week. In 2023, Dr. Jones performed 1,103 colonoscopy procedures.
“CAD EYE reflects Fujifilm’s commitment to innovation and represents a transformative advancement in endoscopic technology,” says Tai Fujita, general manager, endoscopy, FUJIFILM
Healthcare Americas Corporation. “With the implementation of CAD EYE at Ashe Memorial, we are proud to support their mission to enhance diagnostic capabilities and ultimately improve the health and well-being of the Ashe County community.”
“Our Board of Trustees Committee has been very receptive to bringing new technology to the community,” Dr. Jones said. “We do a lot of firsts here. Our hospital has a very advanced endoscopy suite, and that’s what our patients deserve.”
In addition to CAD EYE, Ashe Memorial Hospital’s endoscopy suite is the first in our region to offer the LINX procedure, a non-invasive surgical treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) that uses a magnetic band for the esophagus. The suite also is equipped with Bravo Monitoring for GERD to help treat reflux symptoms. Dr. Jones also uses carbon dioxide instead of medical air, which the bowel is better able to absorb and can result in less cramping and pain
post endoscopy, and PillCam, a capsule endoscopy for detecting small bowel lesions, Crohn’s in the small bowel and other abnormalities.
FILE PHOTO
Patient rooms at Seven Peaks Family Medicine have the names of the mountain tops across Ashe County.
For more information on Ashe Memorial Hospital’s Surgical Services Department, please call (336) 846-7101 or visit ashememorial.org.
ASHE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL ANNOUNCES DAISY AWARD WINNERS
Chris-Anna Donachy, a registered nurse (RN) and Barry Maynard, a certified nursing assistant (CNA), were recently selected as Ashe Memorial Hospital’s next DAISY Award winners.
Ashe Memorial Hospital takes great pride in providing patient-centered, high-quality care to the Ashe County Community. The DAISY Award is an international recognition program that honors and celebrates the essential role that nurses play in enhancing the patient experience by consistently demonstrating excellence through their clinical expertise and extraordinary compassionate care. Nurses may be nominated by patients, family members or colleagues.
Donachy, who works in oncology, and Maynard, who works on the medical/ surgical floor, received nominations from patients and their families. Their stories were chosen by the DAISY Award committee through a blind selection process. The award is not an administrative award, but rather an award given from those that the hospital serves in the community.
“We’re proud to have a group of dedicated nurses and certified nursing assistants who continuously go above and beyond for our patients and their families,” Ashe Memorial Hospital CEO Brian Yates said. “This year’s DAISY Award winners continually enhance the patient experience through their compassionate care, positivity and professionalism, and we’re fortunate to have them here at Ashe Memorial Hospital.”
Ashe Memorial Hospital started its DAISY Award program in 2021 and last year, nursing leadership decided to expand the program by also awarding a DAISY Award to a CNA.
Tiffany Weaver, director of inpatient services, and Robert Powers, director of the emergency department, presented
Donachy and Maynard with their DAISY Awards May 7 during a Nightingale Tea in celebration of Nurses Week.
“I was very shocked and deeply humbled to receive the DAISY Award,” Donachy, who has been a nurse for nearly 26 years, said. “My patients are amazing, and I am thankful for all the wonderful mentors I have worked with over the years. “I’d like to say to my fellow nurses ‘You Matter’. All nursing is hard. More often than not, you feel like the odds are insurmountable. You do amazing things though. You do little things as well, sometimes because that’s all you can do. At the end of those hard days, be kind to yourself.”
The DAISY award is a coveted award because patients and their family members drive the nominees and winners. The award is based on the patient experience, which is how nurses choose to treat their patients and the expectations they set for themselves in serving them. It’s about how nurses make them feel.
“Huge congratulations to Chris-Anna Donachy for winning the DAISY Award,” Melissa Conkle, director of oncology, said. “Her compassion, dedication, and commitment to providing excellent patient care has made a lasting impact. This recognition is so well-deserved, and I would like to thank her for making a meaningful difference while caring for her patients.”
the highest recognition in nursing that couldn’t be bought with a degree or certification, you had to earn it,” Maynard, who is now pursuing a degree in healthcare management, said. “And now, as I prepare to shift my career path so I can help even more people, I’ve finally achieved the goal I set for myself so many years ago. It’s bittersweet, yes, but it means more to me than I ever imagined. To everyone who believed in me, who gave me a chance, and who saw value in what CNAs do every single day: thank you. I will carry this moment with me always.”
As the winner of the DAISY Award, Donachy and Maynard each received a certificate, a DAISY Award pin and a meaningful sculpture called A Healer’s Touch, hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe. They also will sign a DAISY Award banner, which will be hung in their respective departments. The banner will rotate throughout the hospital with each new award winner.
“Barry is a delight to work with,” Weaver said. “His hard work and dedication are noticed not only by his coworkers but also by the patients he cares for daily.”
Maynard began working as a CNA in 2008, spending much of his time in the emergency department before transitioning to the medical/surgical inpatient floor. At the time, Maynard heard that the DAISY award was for nurses and didn’t believe it was something he would be able to achieve. During his career, Maynard was nominated for the DAISY award multiple times.
Last month, Maynard learned that he had been nominated once again. He was scheduled to be on vacation but decided to attend the event after thinking about the person who nominated him. They took the time to write about the care he provided, and that effort deserved to be recognized.
“For years, this award represented something I thought I could never have:
In addition to Donachy and Maynard, Tori Adams, RN, Hector Albino-Ruiz, RN, Maranda Barker, RN, Deva Darnell, RN, Katie Henson, RN, Maria Lackey, RN, Bridget Mash, RN, Tina Rutherford, RN, Morgan Shatley, RN, EmmaJo Cunliffe, CNA, Holly Dallman, CNA, Dana Hudson, CNA, Lupe Jaramillo-Lopez, CNA, Emily Marilla, CNA, Leonie Phillips, CNA, Yanet Tavera Mendiola, CNA and Anita Walls, CNA, also were nominated for the DAISY Award.
If you or a loved one has been positively impacted by the efforts and contributions of one of Ashe Memorial Hospital’s dedicated nurses, the hospital encourages you to share your story of how a nurse made a meaningful difference in your life.
Nomination forms are available throughout the hospital or online at www.ashememorial.org/docs/DAISY_ Award_Nomination_Form.pdf. Completed nomination forms can be placed in the collection boxes in the hospital’s main lobby, emergency department lobby or the oncology department or mailed to the address on the form.
The DAISY Foundation was established by the family of J. Patrick Barnes after he died from complications of the auto-immune disease Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) in 1999 at the age of 33. During his hospitalization, the family was touched by the care and compassion shown to Barnes and his entire family. When he died, they felt compelled to not only honor Patrick in a positive way but also say “thank you” to nurses in a very public way. To learn more, visit www.DaisyFoundation.org.
PHOTO COURTESY ASHE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
Left to right: Tiffany Weaver, Robert Powers and Chris-Anna Donachy.
Churches of ASHE COUNTY
BY NATHAN HAM
Faith and church have always been important in the Appalachian Mountains and here in Ashe County it’s certainly no different. Below is a list of locations for the majority of churches and other religious organizations in Ashe County.
APPALACHIAN CHURCH
787 Ray Taylor Road West Jefferson, North Carolina 28694 appchurch.org/
APPLE GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH
553 Ripshin Road Lansing, NC 28643
ASHE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION
204 Beaver Creek School Road West Jefferson, NC 28694
ASHE COUNTY WORSHIP CENTER 863 Ray Taylor Road West Jefferson, NC 28694 ashecountyworshipcenter.org/
ASHE ALLIANCE CHURCH
220 Lynch Colvard Road Jefferson, NC 28640
BALD MOUNTAIN BAPTIST CHURCH
1460 Bald Mountain Road West Jefferson, NC 28694 www.baldmountainchurch.org/
BAPTIST CHAPEL
142 Day Davis Road Lansing, NC 28643
BEAVER CREEK BAPTIST CHURCH
1471 Mulatto Mountain Road West Jefferson, NC 28694
BEAVER CREEK CHRISTIAN CHURCH 1676 Beaver Creek School Road West Jefferson, NC 28694 beavercreekchristian.net/
BEN BOLEN BAPTIST CHURCH
2835 Three Top Road Creston, NC 28615
BETHANY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
495 Highway 194 South West Jefferson, NC www.bumcwj.org/
BETHEL BAPTIST CHURCH
15366 Old Highway 16 Grassy Creek, NC 28631
BIG FLATTS BAPTIST CHURCH
2373 Big Flatts Church Road Fleetwood, NC 28626
BIG LAUREL BAPTIST CHURCH
1146 Joines Road Creston, NC 28615
BIG LAUREL CHRISTIAN UNION
2550 Big Laurel Road Creston, NC 28615
BIG LAUREL MENNONITE CHURCH
5500 Big Laurel Road Creston, NC 28615
BLACKBURN’S TABERNACLE
3986 Todd Railroad Grade Road Todd, NC 28684
BLUE RIDGE BAPTIST CHURCH
407 Blue Ridge Church Road West Jefferson, NC 28694
BRISTOL BAPTIST CHURCH
1776 Old Highway 16 Jefferson, NC 28640
BUFFALO BAPTIST CHURCH
619 Central Buffalo Road West Jefferson, NC 28694
CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH
200 Oak Street West Jefferson, NC 28694
CALVARY FREEWILL BAPTIST CHURCH
3020 Old Wilkesboro Road Jefferson, NC 28643 www.calvaryfwbc.org/
CALVARY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 922 Railroad Grade Road Fleetwood, NC 28626
CHESTNUT HILL MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH
311 Chestnut Hill Baptist Church Road Crumpler, NC 28617
CHESTNUT HILL UNITED METHODIST 604 Martin Gambill Road Crumpler, NC 28617
CHRISTIAN UNITY BAPTIST CHURCH
326 E. Main Street Jefferson, NC 28640
CLIFTON BAPTIST CHURCH
972 Carl Eastridge Road Warrensville, NC 28693
CLIFTON UNITED METHODIST
1017 Carl Eastridge Rd Warrensville, NC 28693
CORNERSTONE FELLOWSHIP
270 Barnett Street West Jefferson, NC 28694
CRISTO EL SALVADOR
342 River Bend Hill’s Road Crumpler, NC 28617
EMMANUEL BAPTIST CHURCH 1028 Deep Ford Road Lansing, NC 28643
FAITH CHAPEL CHRISTIAN CHURCH 141 Campbell Glen Lane Fleetwood, NC 28626
FARMERS MEMORIAL BAPTIST CHURCH 109 Farmers Store Road Lansing, NC 28643
FLAT GROVE UNION BAPTIST CHURCH 2517 Big Piney Creek Road Lansing, NC 28643
FLETCHER MEMORIAL BAPTIST CHURCH 201 South Street Jefferson, NC 28640 www.fletchermbc.org/
FRIENDLY GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH
444 Buck Mountain Road West Jefferson, NC 28694
FRIENDSHIP BAPTIST CHURCH
891 Friendship Baptist Church Road Jefferson, NC 28640 www.friendshipbaptistjefferson.org/
GLENDALE SPRINGS PRESBYTERIAN
350 JW Luke Road West Jefferson, NC 28694
GRASSY CREEK UNITED METHODIST
479 Grassy Creek Road Grassy Creek, NC 28631
GREENS CHAPEL BAPTIST CHURCH
444 Silas Creek Creek Road Lansing, NC 29643
HAPPY TRAILS COWBOY CHURCH 9331 NC 16 North West Jefferson, NC 28694
HEALING SPRINGS BAPTIST CHURCH 9180 Old Highway 16 Crumpler, NC 28617
HELTON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 15309 Highway 194 Lansing, NC 28643
HIGHLANDS COMMUNITY CHURCH 787 Ray Taylor Road West Jefferson, NC 28694
HOLY TRINITY EPISCOPAL 120 Glendale School Road West Jefferson, NC 28694
JEFFERSON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 115 East Main Street Jefferson, NC 28640 www.jumc.church/
LANDMARK BAPTIST CHURCH
115 Landmark Baptist Church Road Lansing, NC 28643
LANSING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 9232 NC Highway 194 Lansing, NC 28643
LAUREL FORK PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 15232 NC Hwy 18 S Laurel Springs, NC 28644
LAUREL KNOB BAPTIST CHURCH 3707 NC Highway 194 Todd, NC 28684 www.laurelknobbaptist.org/
LIBERTY GROVE BAPTIST 3289 Liberty Grove Church Road Fleetwood, NC 28626
LITTLE HELTON BAPTIST CHURCH 750 Little Helton Road Grassy Creek, NC 28631
LITTLE LAUREL UNITED METHODIST 2443 Little Laurel Road Creston, NC 28615
LONG BRANCH BAPTIST CHURCH 117 Welch Road Lansing, NC 28643
MEADOWVIEW MENNONITE CHURCH 2334 Tucker Road Lansing, NC 28643
MIDWAY BAPTIST CHURCH
1670 Mount Jefferson Road West Jefferson, NC 28694 www.midwaybaptistnc.org/
MISSION HOME BAPTIST CHURCH 480 Railroad Grade Road Fleetwood, NC 28626
MOUNT JEFFERSON BAPTIST CHURCH 1957 US 221 Jefferson, NC 28640
MOUNT JEFFERSON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
201 S. Jefferson Ave. West Jefferson, NC 28694 mjpc.org/
MOUNT LAUREL MORAVIAN FELLOWSHIP CHURCH 191 Transou Church Road Laurel Springs, NC 28644 mountainlaurelfellowship.com/
MOUNT PADDY CHRISTIAN UNION 822 NC Highway 88 Jefferson, NC 28640
MOUNT VERNON BAPTIST CHURCH 2190 Cranberry Creek Road Laurel Springs, NC 28644
MOUNTAIN VIEW BAPTIST CHURCH 1926 Rock Fence Road Creston, NC 28615
MOUNT ZION CHURCH
Roaring Branch Road Lansing, NC 28643
MT. OLIVE BAPTIST CHURCH 1710 Water Tank Road Fleetwood, NC 28626
NATHAN’S CREEK UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
422 Nathans Creek School Road Crumpler, NC 28617
NEW CREATION BALDWIN 1549 NC Highway 194 S. Todd, NC 28684
NEW RIVER BAPTIST CHURCH 1619 Weaver Ford Road Grassy Creek, NC 28631
NORTH BEAVER BAPTIST CHURCH 8000 NC Highway 163 West Jefferson, NC 28694 northbeaver.org/
OAK HILL BAPTIST CHURCH
1222 Deep Ford Road Lansing, NC 28643
OBIDS BAPTIST CHURCH
194 Obids Baptist Church Road West Jefferson NC 28694
OLD FIELDS BAPTIST CHURCH
1964 Conley Cheek Road Fleetwood, NC 28626
ORION BAPTIST CHURCH
477 Frank Dillard Road Jefferson, NC 28640 orionbaptist.com/
PEACE HAVEN COMMUNITY CHURCH
373 Piney Creek Road Lansing, NC 28643
PHOENIX BAPTIST CHURCH 7910 NC Highway 194 Lansing, NC 28643
PILOT MOUNTAIN BAPTIST CHURCH Castle Ford Road Todd, NC 28684
PINE SWAMP BAPTIST CHURCH
3025 Dick Phillips Road West Jefferson, NC 28694
PLEASANT HILL CHURCH 534 Roaring Fork Road Creston, NC 28615
PLEASANT HOME BAPTIST CHURCH Grassy Creek, NC 28631
PLEASANT VALLEY BAPTIST CHURCH 3680 Old Field Creek Road Grassy Creek, NC 28631
PLEASANT VIEW SEPARATE BAPTIST 1801 Teaberry Road Warrensville, NC 28693
- CONTINUED ON PAGE 24 -
POND MOUNTAIN PRIMITIVE BAPTIST CHURCH
Little Windfall Road Lansing, NC 28643
RIVERVIEW BAPTIST CHURCH 11789 NC Highway 88 Creston, NC 28617
ROCK CREEK MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH
1919 Rock Creek Road Creston, NC 28617
ROUND KNOB BAPTIST CHURCH
247 Round Knob Church Road West Jefferson, NC 28694
SABBATH HOME BAPTIST CHURCH
1938 E Little Horse Creek Road Lansing, NC 28643
SENTER PRIMITIVE BAPTIST
Nathans Creek School Road Crumpler, NC 28617
SHELTER BAPTIST CHURCH
2150 Shelter Baptist Church Road Crumpler, NC 28617
SMETHPORT BAPTIST CHURCH
180 Smethport Dr. West Jefferson, NC 28694
SMETHPORT UNITED METHODIST
200 Smethport Drive West Jefferson, NC 28694
SOUTH FORK BAPTIST CHURCH
157 South Fork Church Road Todd, NC 28684 southforkbaptistchurch.org/
ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI CATHOLIC CHURCH
167 St. Francis Place Jefferson, NC 28640 stfrancisofassisi-jefferson.org/
ST. MARY’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH 400 Beaver Creek School Road West Jefferson, NC 28694
STURGILLS BAPTIST CHURCH 1210 Helton Creek Road Lansing, NC 28643
SUGAR TREE BAPTIST CHURCH
496 Sugar Tree Road
Warrensville, NC 28693
SUTHERLAND UNITED METHODIST
CHURCH
141 Sutherland Road Creston, NC 28615
TEMPLE BAPTIST CHURCH
542 Temple Baptist Church Road West Jefferson, NC 28694
THREE FORKS MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH
Cabbage Creek Road Creston, NC 28615
THREE TOP BAPTIST
Three Top Road Creston, NC 28615
TRANSOU UNITED METHODIST
191 Transou Road Laurel Springs, NC 28644
TUCKERDALE BAPTIST CHURCH
2678 S Big Horse Creek Road Lansing, NC 28643
VALLEY HOME BAPTIST CHURCH 5563 Three Top Road Creston, NC 28615
WAGONER BAPTIST CHURCH
115 Wagoner Access Road Jefferson, NC 28640
WARRENSVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH
130 Church Street
Warrensville, NC 28697
www.warrensvillebaptistchurch.com/
WARRENSVILLE SEVENTH-DAY
ADVENTIST CHURCH
227 Warrensville Drive
Warrensville, NC 28697
WARRENSVILLE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
184 Church Street
Warrensville, NC 28693
WELCOME HOME BAPTIST CHURCH
4087 US Highway 221 Jefferson, NC 28640
WEST JEFFERSON CHURCH OF CHRIST
130 Robert Street
West Jefferson, NC 28694
www.wjchurchofchrist.org/
WEST JEFFERSON FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
8 E. 2nd Street
West Jefferson, NC 28694
www.fbcwj.org/
WEST JEFFERSON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
107 W. 2nd Street
West Jefferson, NC 28694
wjumc.net/
WORTH’S CHAPEL
160 Worths Chapel Road Creston, NC 28615
ZION UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
253 Zion Methodist Church Road Todd, NC 28684
in ASHE COUNTY Dining out
BY NATHAN HAM
Ashe County continues to offer a wide selection of food for residents and visitors to enjoy. If you are looking for a delicious steak, a tasty pizza or just a small-town diner, there will be a restaurant somewhere in the county that will meet your desires. Restaurant hours may vary. Give them a call or check out their social media sites to plan your dining adventures.
BACKSTREET SUBS
(336) 846-1100
Backstreet Subs, a family-owned and operated sandwich shop on the backstreet in West Jefferson, has a menu full of delicious sandwich options to pick from.
BLACK
JACK’S PUB & GRILL
(336) 246-3295
Black Jack’s Pub & Grill is most famous for their tasty burgers, but they have other numerous selections on the menu including sandwiches, chicken tenders, wings and much more.
BLUE DEER COOKIES
(336) 846-5020
Ice cream, cookies and more are available at Blue Deer Cookies in West Jefferson.
BOBBY D’S
(336) 846-2627
Italian food is the specialty at Bobby D’s in Jefferson. Located on Business 221 between the towns, Bobby D’s offers pizza, pasta, wings and a nice selection of salads.
BOONDOCKS BREWING
(336) 246-5222
Boondocks in downtown West Jefferson has lunch and dinner offerings and often host live music events on the weekend either at the restaurant or just a little bit down the street at the Brewhaus.
CRAFT BISTRO
(336) 846-1512
Craft Bistro’s fine dining menu is one of the best in the High Country. Reservations can be made by calling ahead.
CRUISERS AMERICAN GRILL
(336) 846-2789
A classic diner menu of sandwiches and dinner plates. Cruisers is located at 658 S. Main St. in Jefferson.
GLENDALE SPRINGS INN & RESTAURANT
(336) 982-3103
A fine-dining restaurant located just off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Take in the beautiful scenery while also enjoying one of the finest meals in Ashe County.
HAVANA CAFE
(336) 846-2800
Havana Cafe, located on the Backstreet in West Jefferson, offers traditional Cuban food, daily specials as well as sandwiches and desserts.
HILLBILLY GRILL
(336) 846-4745
Hillbilly Grill in West Jefferson offers breakfast all day and lunch six days a week.
JEF EATERY AND CAFE
(336) 846-5222
Jef Eatery and Cafe, located in Jefferson near the intersection of Long Street and U.S. Highway 221, serves breakfast and lunch with a menu of items that include hot dogs, sandwiches, pita and ice cream for dessert.
JUST WING IT BACKSTREET BAR AND GRILL
(336) 846-4700
Just Wing It went from a food truck to a restaurant located on the backstreet in West Jefferson. The restaurant has become one of the more popular hangouts in the county, especially for the wing lovers out there.
LOUISE’S SWEET T CAFE
(336) 846-4242
Louise’s Sweet T Cafe is located inside the former People’s Drug building in West Jefferson. The restaurant is known as a local hangout with daily lunch specials and a menu that includes burgers, sandwiches, desserts and more.
MONTE D REY
(336) 846-2100
Monte D Rey is located near Walmart and LifeStore bank on Mt. Jefferson Road and has everything on the menu to feed your Mexican food craving.
MOUNTAIN AIRE
SEAFOOD & STEAKS (336) 982-3060
You will find steaks, seafood, sandwiches and even a breakfast buffet on the menu at Mountain Aire Seafood & Steaks, located at the top of the mountain near the intersection of Highway 16 and Highway 163.
NEW RIVER BREWING
SMOKEHOUSE & EATERY (336) 846-2739
New River Brewing in West Jefferson has their always-popular wings, burgers, sandwiches and wraps, as well as their tasty craft beer menu.
O’S THAI EXPRESS (336) 846-2244
O’s Thai Express has daily Thai specials throughout the week. You can find their daily menu by searching O’s Thai Express on Facebook or go to www.osthaiexpresswj.com.
NRB BURGER
OLDHOUSE GOODS
(336) 846-1089
Find breakfast, lunch, drinks and desserts at Oldhouse Goods, located off of Highway 16 in Jefferson at Third Day Market.
OSAKA (336) 246-3300
Osaka offers Chinese and Japanese meals for lunch and dinner.
OSHU HOUSE (336) 846-6748
Be sure to check out Oshu House for your favorite Japanese lunch or dinner items.
PARK VISTA DINER
(336) 877-3434
Park Vista Diner just off of the Blue Ridge Parkway reopened this summer under new ownership and management. Pulled pork, smoked brisket, meatloaf, sandwiches and more are available on their menu.
PLAZA DEL SOL
(336) 846-1639
Mexican cuisine served in Jefferson at 777 E. Main St.
RED DOG BAR/BISTRO
(336) 846-2121
With two locations in the area, one located in downtown West Jefferson and the other in nearby Piney Creek, Red Dog Bar/Bistro has a fine dining menu with a casual, laid back atmosphere. Be sure to check out their steaks, crab cakes, sandwiches and brunch menu.
RIVER HOUSE INN & RESTAURANT
(336) 982-2109
Located in the small town of Grassy Creek, River House Inn & Restaurant’s fine dining menu is one of the most popular in the area. Check out their list of events as well as they routinely have live music playing on Sundays.
RODIE’S PARKWAY RESTAURANT
(336) 982-5400
Rodie’s offers breakfast, lunch and dinner and is located near the Blue Ridge Parkway.
SMOKY MOUNTAIN BARBECUE
(336) 246-6818
Smoky Mountain Barbecue in West Jefferson has a little bit of everything on the menu, but their most popular items include their pork barbecue plates and sandwiches, ribs, fried chicken and country ham.
SWEET & SAVORY
(336) 846-8888
Sweet & Savory in downtown West Jefferson has a great selection of sandwiches, salads, soups and desserts that make them one of the most popular lunch destinations in the county.
TAQUERIA LA HACIENDA
(336) 846-2077
Venture to Jefferson for authentic Mexican cuisine at Taqueria La Hacienda.
THE DOUGH SHED
(336) 846-2200
The Dough Shed in West Jefferson has their always-popular pizza buffet and salad bar, but you can also order your own pizza to eat in or take home with you.
THE LOG HOUSE AT LANSING
(336) 384-7737
Located in Lansing, the Log House is a family restaurant that serves homestyle cooking, sandwiches and more.
THONG SUMMIT THAI & SUSHI
(336) 846-6555
Thong Summit Thai & Sushi has a great variety of sushi rolls and Thai cuisine.
WINNER’S CIRCLE
(336) 246-4499
Winners Circle in Jefferson has daily lunch specials Tuesday through Friday and offers a great dinner menu of steaks, seafood, pasta, chicken, pizza, sandwiches and a famous salad bar.
BOBBY D’S
KILWIN’S RIBBON CUTTING
presents awards at annual meeting Ashe Chamber
BY NATHAN HAM
The Ashe County Chamber of Commerce held its 2025 Annual Meeting on Thursday, July 31, bringing together local business
leaders, community members, and special guests for a night filled with recognition, celebration, and fellowship.
Held at the scenic Barn on New River,
the event offered guests a fun, celebratory atmosphere and picturesque views, complemented by delicious food provided by New River Brewing Smokehouse & Eatery and Mal’s Sweet Treats. The evening was sponsored by Chamber Founding Partner LifeStore Bank & Insurance.
A highlight of the night was the presentation of the Chamber’s three annual signature awards, honoring outstanding contributions to the Ashe County community:
The Coolest Corner Award, sponsored by
Blue Ridge Energy, was presented to North Carolina State Parks for its exceptional service to the many thousands of visitors who enjoy New River State Park and Mount Jefferson State Natural Area each year.
Non-Profit of the Year Award, sponsored by LifeStore Bank & Insurance, was awarded to New River Conservancy for its ongoing half-century of dedication to environmental stewardship and community engagement.
Cabot Hamilton Community Advocacy Award, sponsored by Margate Health
PHOTO COURTESY ASHE COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Michael Bell accepting the Cabot Hamilton Community Advocacy Award from the Ashe Chamber Member Services Committee chair Rita Schaefer.
PHOTO COURTESY ASHE COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
New River Conservancy Executive Director Andrew Downs and Director of Trail Planning and Community Engagement Kathleen Armstrong accepting the Non-Profit of the Year Award.
& Rehabilitation, honored Michael and Joanie Bell for their tireless service to the arts and to enhancing the local quality of life.
The Chamber also introduced its 2025-26 Board of Directors during the program.
ASHE COUNTY my hometown
Ashe County Chamber Executive Director Kitty Honeycutt commented on the significance of the awards and this annual event.
“The Chamber is proud to present these signature awards, designed to honor organizations and individuals
who have gone above and beyond to serve our community with excellence for its betterment, not for recognition. Our Member Services committee works diligently each year to thoughtfully select the winners and plan an evening that celebrates the award recipients, our
members, and the spirit of community in the Coolest Corner of North Carolina,” Honeycutt said.
For more information about the Ashe Chamber or how to get involved, visit AsheChamber.com or call (336) 846-9550.
PHOTO COURTESY ASHE COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
NC State Parks Chief of Districts Joe Shimel and Ranger Joshua McIntyre receiving The Coolest Corner Award from award sponsor Blue Ridge Energy, represented by District Manager April Blevins and Director of Community Relations & Economic Development Tasha Rountree.
celebrates nine decades serving Ashe County Parker Tie Company
BY JESSE CAMPBELL
Parker Tie Company is a community icon entrenched in traditional mountain construction with a craftsman’s touch — something you won’t find at any local ‘Big Box’ hardware store.
“It’s service,” co-owner Rick Woodie said about staying above the competition. “We outservice those (retail) businesses and customers still seem to appreciate service. We have had, through our years, the most loyal customer base I’ve ever seen. That’s definitely what has helped us stay here for 90 years.”
The West Jefferson building supplier is celebrating 90 years of serving Ashe County, long surpassing gentrified and kitsch building trends, instead focusing on the High Country’s economic backbone and blue-collar workforce as the sleepy town grew from its robust manufacturing base to a thriving second-home industry that customers continue to patronize today.
Although the company started as a lumber provider, they have grown to include electrical, hardware, paint, and plumbing departments. Parker Tie is the top seller in paint and coatings among Do It Best’s 10,000 product-sponsored stores.
“Paint has always been great,” said Woodie. “Globally, we are No. 1.”
BUILDING A STORIED HISTORY
Gene Parker founded Parker Tie in 1935 as a local railroad tie distributor for Norfolk &
Western Railroad. He built upon that solid foundation before selling saw-milled lumber for barns and local construction. Parker later sold the company to an employee, Glen Graybeal, and the lumber provider continued to grow under complementary tutelage of the ancillary Ashe Savings and Loan, which opened under the parent company in 1939.
Parker Tie expanded its existing customer base while accommodating construction needs when the railroad rolled up its tracks, transforming the hardware mainstay into the ‘go-to’ local lumber source.
“We started trucking our lumber before the railroad closed and went to Wilkes and Lumber (for milled lumber) because the train still went there,” Woodie explained.
Graybeal sold the now thriving building supplier to Rex Morton, “who continued to grow the business with the addition of a planer mill to turn local mill lumber into dimension framing for home construction, and the production of windows and doors,” said a company press release.
Morton later transferred the company to Bill Brown and Earl Hardin, who added new products and services to enhance the home construction industry, a practice that continues today, added Woodie.
“We try to listen to our customers, and if we get asked about it two or three times, we add it to our stock,” said Woodie on a humid June afternoon as customers milled about the store’s expansive footprint while others loaded fresh lumber into their pickups, off
to the next build site as the region slowly rebuilds after Hurricane Helene.
Continuing the company’s tradition of owner-employee sales, Brown and Hardin sold the company to current owners and thenemployees, brothers Rick and Terry Woodie in 1995.
MEETING GROWING DEMAND WITH DEDICATED EXPERIENCE
While the tools of the trade change, their commitment to excellence is unwavering, an unsung grain in the volatile lumber industry. Parker Tie has weathered recessions and
Parker Tie Co. first opened its doors in West Jefferson in 1935.