Craft Enrichment at Appalachian State
Summer Craft Enrichment classes are now enrolling, and the 2011 summer series offers something for everyone. Are you already in the High Country for the summer, and ready to get out and make new connections? Classes in pottery, fiber spinning, and stain glass start in the next few weeks.
Are you a High Country weekend visitor? Beginning in June, you can take Saturday classes in stain glass, glass fusing, or sewing. There are also pottery day and evening classes in June and July, and evening classes in jewelry, quilting, drawing, and painting. There is even a four day mosaics class in August… really, there is a class to fit every schedule!
Whether you are an advanced student or someone who wants to get started on a new hobby, these lively and creative classes are energizing. You will learn alongside fellow artists-at-heart, and have time to explore your creative self while you see where an idea leads. Small classes provide individual attention from faculty who are dedicated professionals, both as teachers and craft artists.
Interested? You can read more about all our summer classes at www.craftenrichment.com!
For more info on The High Country of North Carolina, call (800) 438-7500, or visit www.MountainsofNC.com.
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Broyhill Inn To Host A 4th Round Of Social Media Workshops
Sarah Pinnix is a highly sought after blogger, speaker, social media expert and founder of HighCountryMomSquad.com and RealLifeBlog.net. Sarah and her team are gearing up for yet a fourth round of “Talk of the Town” Social Media Marketing Workshops…to be held once again at The Broyhill Inn & Conference Center on the campus of ASU.
The series will kick off with a FREE introductory session on Tuesday, March 15th at 9am. The first three rounds were huge successes where local & area businesses came to the workshops and learned how to effectively use social media to promote their products and services.
Doug Uzelac, General Manager of The Broyhill Inn & Conference Center and host of the workshop series states, “Social Media Marketing is such a fast growing segment and it is the Broyhill Inn’s pleasure to be to be able to host these very informative sessions. I would greatly recommend folks that have an interest in increasing their social media knowledge to attend.”
Vicki Stevens, Marketing Manager for the Appalachian Regional Healthcare System adds, “The Talk of the Town series provided phenomenal insight to the world of social media and assisted our organization in establishing a new presence with our audience. I highly recommend the series!”
Mast General Store also comments, “The Talk of the Town Series helped us understand the power of social media and how we might use it to start a conversation with our customers. We found the interaction with Sarah, Boomer, and Scott to be informative and refreshing and also enjoyed brainstorming ideas with our fellow classmates. Our Facebook page has grown by leaps and bounds – surpassing all of our expectations, and it is a ready resource to convey timely happenings.” 
Barbara Kelley from My Sister’s Kitchen adds, “Attending the social media workshops put on by Talk of the Town has been the most worthwhile professional development time I’ve spent all year. Each session was practical, hands-on, and relevant; Sarah, Scott and Boomer taught me exactly what I needed to know. Before I ever left the Broyhill Inn after each session, I was able to implement what I’d learned — on my own computer for my own website. I can already see a significant up-tick in traffic to my website as a result of utilizing what I’ve learned during these last six months. Thanks so much!”
These workshops cover such hot-button topics as Website Design & Development, Search Engines, Blogging, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Analytics and much more.
Success stories abound as attendee, Mast General Store has over 11,000 people on their Facebook page. Also, The NC Christmas Tree Association is experiencing online traffic growth on their site and the Appalachian Regional Healthcare System is setting up multiple Facebook pages, writing social media policies and growing followers on Twitter.
Learn more about Sarah Pinnix and her team of coaches and speakers at the workshop series. Visit: http://www.talkofthetownworkshop.com/speakers-and-coaches
For more information and to register for the upcoming sessions, please visit: http://www.talkofthetownworkshop.com/workshop-dates/
For more info on The High Country of North Carolina, call (800) 438-7500, or visit www.MountainsofNC.com.
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Downtown Boone Christmas Parade: December 18th!
King St., between Hardin St. (Dan’l Boone Inn) and Water St. (county courthouse)
(Lineup is at 9am at Horn in the West; parade starts at 1oam).
Note: several municipal parking areas in town provide ample one-hour parking, with metered spaces available on Queen St.
Downtown Boone Development Association Mission Statement
The mission of the association is to improve the Municipal Service District of Boone by encouraging property owners to maintain, improve and beautify downtown; providing more cultural events; promoting “smart commercial development”; encouraging transportation and parking improvements; and encouraging greater involvement of all property owners, professionals, and stakeholders in the district.
Funding for the DBDA comes from two major sources; taxation and private funding. Visit: http://boone-nc.org/
For more info on The High Country of North Carolina, call (800) 438-7500, or visit www.MountainsofNC.com.
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Tweetsie Railroad Hits the Silver Screen!
Mandie and the Cherokee Treasure Premieres in Blowing Rock!
After filming at locations throughout the High Country, including Tweetsie Railroad, Mandie and the Cherokee Treasure will premiere at Blowing Rock School on November 6 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Approximately one third of the motion picture, which is based on the popular Mandie children’s book series, was filmed at Tweetsie Railroad in April 2010 including scenes in the park’s Old West Town and Tweetsie’s historic steam engine No. 12. Set at the turn-of-the-century, the movie is filled with rich history about Mandie’s Cherokee Indian heritage and life in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, which made Tweetsie Railroad an ideal setting.
“There were several reasons we chose to film at Tweetsie Railroad,” stated Joy Chapman, one of the film’s producers. “Tweetsie offered so much that fit in perfectly with the Mandie stories including the scenery of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the authentic Main Street and an early 1900’s steam locomotive. In addition, the Mandie book series is geared towards children and perfect for family reading, and it doesn’t get more family-friendly than Tweetsie Railroad!”
Several of the film’s stars will attend the November 6 premiere which benefits Blowing Rock C.A.R.E.S., a non-profit organization helping local families in need of food, non-perishable items and clothing. Attendees are encouraged to donate non-perishable food items. Tickets are available for purchase at Blowing Rock School (828-295-3204) for $8 each.
Both the first movie in the Mandie series, Mandie and the Secret Tunnel, and Mandie and the Cherokee Treasure will be available for purchase at the premiere, and drawings will be held to win autographed photos of the film’s cast, including Lexi Johnson as Mandie.
The Mandie books, authored by the late author Lois Gladys Leppard, have been charming the hearts of young readers for almost 20 years and over seven million copies are in print.
Check out the website at: http://www.mandieandthecherokeetreasure.com
Woolly Worm Festival This Weekend!
For the 33rd year the town of Banner Elk has welcomed both old and new friends to the annual Woolly Worm Festival.
This family event co-hosted by the Avery County Chamber of Commerce and the Kiwanis Organization of Banner Elk welcomes more than 23,000 people to the community to make family memories and also to win the prestigious title of predicting the High Country weather and the chance to win the $1000 bounty.
Visit: http://www.woollyworm.com
For more info on The High Country of North Carolina, call (800) 438-7500, or visit www.MountainsofNC.com.
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It’s Off to See the Wizard at Beech Mountain’s Autumn at Oz!
Get the feeling you’re not in Carolina anymore when the old Land of Oz theme park springs to life this fall for the annual Autumn at Oz celebration.
The 17th edition of Autumn at Oz takes place Oct. 2-3 atop Beech Mountain in the High Country of North Carolina.
Over the years, visitors from near and far have made pilgrimages to see the wizard and take a leisurely stroll with their favorite characters along the park’s iconic yellow brick road.
Autumn at Oz begins with a hayride or shuttle from the Town of Beech Mountain up to the enchanted forest. Once there, attendees are treated to live music, a tour of Dorothy’s House, a mini Oz museum, dance troupes, souvenir vendors and face painting. A highlight for many is the panoramic view from the Judy Garland Memorial Overlook Gazebo, from which they follow, follow, follow the 44,000 yellow bricks that wind around the mountaintop.
Along the way, there are visits with the Tin Man, Dorothy, Cowardly Lion, Scarecrow, Professor Marvel, Auntie Em, Uncle Henry, Glinda the Good Witch and the Wizard. The Wicked Witch of the West is also on hand with her Winkie guards and flying monkeys.
“We encourage fans of all ages to come dressed as their favorite Oz character and enjoy a nostalgic stroll through this unique place in time,” says event coordinator Cindy Keller.
The top of Beech Mountain, at 5,506 feet, is an ideal place to venture over the rainbow. Its rock outcroppings and gnarly, windswept trees inspired the creation of the Land of Oz theme park, which operated from 1970-1980.
“The elevation and elements have provided us an environment unlike any other,” Keller says. “We have huge boulders, ancient trees and giant ferns. It really is an enchanted forest.”
Autumn at Oz has three sessions daily. The sessions are at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. Tickets are $16.50 in advance and $20 at the event, if not sold out. Advance tickets are available online, and total ticket sales will be limited this year for the first time ever.
Children age 2 and under are admitted free, and the property is not wheelchair accessible or accommodating to large strollers.
Discount tickets are available to nearby Grandfather Mountain, and folks are encouraged to stay on Beech Mountain and make a weekend of it.
For info or tickets, call (800) 468-5506, or visit: http://www.autumnatoz.com.
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Blowing Rock’s “Art in the Park”
Art in the Park was created in 1962 by a handful of area artists and craftspeople to showcase local talent. 46 years after its start, Art in the Park is host to 90 artisans at each show. Some of the best local and regional artists and craftspeople showcase their handcrafted jewelry, pottery, fiber, glass, photography, painting and more.
Art in the Park’s high standards and professional jury attract artisans from all over the Southeast to exhibit in a series of six shows, May through October. The quality of work exhibited draws thousands to the mountains each month.
Art in the Park is planned and administered by the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber emphasizes the arts focus of this event. The town and area businesses are enthusiastic and participate with Art in the Park, and the public eagerly anticipates each season.
For more information, visit: http://www.blowingrock.com/artinthepark
For more info on The High Country of North Carolina, call (800) 438-7500, or visit www.MountainsofNC.com.
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Make your plans now for the 2010 High Country Beer Fest!
3rd Annual High Country Beer Fest
Labor Day Weekend
Saturday, September 4th, 2010
3pm – 7pm
The High Country Beer Fest is the annual celebration of great craft beer from around the region and the world.
Come sample craft beers, club beers, and delicious food in the beautiful high country of North Carolina.
Educational seminars will cover all aspects of beer, brewing, and pairing food and beer.
The music line-up for the 2010 Beerfest is coming together. Get ready to hear these great local bands:
• Whiskey Smugglers
• Swift Science
• Henhouse Thieves
• Soul Benefactor
For more information, please visit http://www.hcbeerfest.com or http://www.broyhillinn.com/events/beer
For more info on The High Country of North Carolina, call (800) 438-7500, or visit www.MountainsofNC.com.
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Broyhill Inn to Host 2nd Round of Social Media Workshops
Professional Blogger and Social Media Expert in The High Country to hold second round of Social Media Workshops for area businesses!
Sarah Pinnix, founder of HighCountryMomSquad.com, WiiMommies.com and RealLifeBlog.net is gearing up for a second round of “Talk of the Town” Social Media Workshops…to be held once again at The Broyhill Inn & Conference Center on the campus of Appalachian State University.
The new series begins on Tuesday, March 2nd and will be held on the first Tuesday of every month moving forward.
The first round was a huge success and consisted of 6 sessions where local area businesses could come to the workshop and learn how to effectively use social media to promote their products and services.
Doug Uzelac, General Manager of The Broyhill Inn & Conference Center and host of the workshop series states, “Social Media Marketing is such a fast growing segment and it is the Broyhill Inn’s pleasure to be to be able to host these very informative sessions. I would greatly recommend folks that have an interest in increasing their social media knowledge to attend.”
Vicki Stevens, Marketing Manager for the Appalachian Regional Healthcare System adds, “The Talk of the Town series provided phenomenal insight to the world of social media and assisted our organization in establishing a new presence with our audience. I highly recommend the series!”
Julie Hayes from the NC Christmas Tree Association also adds, “The Talk of the Town workshops showed us what Social Media is, gave helpful hints, and provided resources to get us started.”
Mast General Store also comments, “The Talk of the Town Series helped us understand the power of social media and how we might use it to start a conversation with our customers. We found the interaction with Sarah, Boomer, and Scott to be informative and refreshing and also enjoyed brainstorming ideas with our fellow classmates. Our Facebook page has grown by leaps and bounds – surpassing all of our expectations, and it is a ready resource to convey timely happenings.”
These workshops cover such hot-button topics as Website Design & Development, Search Engines, Blogging, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Analytics and much more.
Success stories abound as attendee, Mast General Store has nearly 5,500 Facebook fans. Also, The NC Christmas Tree Association is experiencing online traffic growth on their site and the Appalachian Regional Healthcare System is setting up multiple Facebook pages, writing social media policies and growing followers on Twitter.
Learn more about Sarah Pinnix and her team of coaches and speakers at the workshop series. Visit: http://www.talkofthetownworkshop.com/speakers-and-coaches
For more information and to register for the upcoming sessions, please visit: http://talkofthetownworkshop.com
For more info on The High Country of North Carolina, call (800) 438-7500, or visit www.MountainsofNC.com.
Stay Connected!
Chetola’s Festival of Lights!
A holiday tradition in Blowing Rock, Chetola’s Festival of Lights features over 50,000 illuminations attracting thousands of visitors each year.
Drive around Chetola Lake and view glittering ice skaters, a nativity scene, Rudolph catching a “big fish” and much more. Over Friday and Saturday over Thanksgiving week-end , horse and carriage rides are offered around Chetola Lake from 5 pm to 9 pm.
The price is $15 per adult and $8 for children 12 and under. Cookie decorating will also be offered from 5 pm to 7 pm (free) and Santa will be visiting the Manor House Restaurant from 5 pm to 9 pm (free).
Festival of Lights runs through Blowing Rock Winterfest which ends on January 31, 2010.
For more information, contact 800-CHETOLA or visit www.chetola.com.
For more info on The High Country of North Carolina, call (800) 438-7500, or visit www.MountainsofNC.com.
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