The Blue Ridge Dinner Theater is owned and operated by Dick and Linda Copus of Winner’s Circle Restaurant & Steakhouse and former owner’s of Greenfield Restaurant. Dick and Linda have been in the restaurant business since 1990. The opening of the Blue Ridge Dinner Theater has given them the opportunity to take their restaurant experience to the next level by combining good food and good entertainment!

With the conception of the Dinner Theater, Dick and Linda strive to offer name-brand as well as local entertainment to Ashe County. It is their wish to provide something unique and different to the High Country that will bring more visitors to our area.

The Blue Ridge Dinner Buffet is included in your ticket price and provided by Winner’s Circle Restaurant & Steakhouse and is the same great buffet you new and loved at Greenfield Restaurant. You’ll have  your pick of mouth-watering entrees and side items including pan-fried chicken like Grandma used to make, roast beef, baked ham, real homemade mashed potatoes, green beans, corn, homemade biscuits and gravy. And you’ll not want to miss the homemade baked apples and cobblers. Buffet meal also includes coffee, tea, and water. Soft drinks sold separately.

Although our mailing address is 9331 Hwy. 16 S., West Jefferson, we are actually located in the small town of Glendale Springs at the old Mountain Music Jamboree.

For more info, visit: http://blueridgedinnertheater.com!

The High Country Host is a regional travel promotion organization.  For more information on accommodations, attractions, dining or shopping in the area please visit www.mountainsofnc.com or call 800-438-7500.

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North Carolina Ski Areas Association (NCSAA), Banner Elk, NC Purchase your North Carolina Ski Areas Association Gold Card and ski or ride at any of the six North Carolina ski areas this winter season.

Gold Card holders may ski or ride at any North Carolina Ski Resort during any session regardless of holiday or weekend rates. Only 100 Gold Cards are available at a cost of $795 each winter season. They sell quickly.

North Carolina ski areas include Cataloochee Ski Area, Sapphire Valley Ski Area, Beech Mountain Resort, Appalachian Ski Mtn., Wolf Ridge Ski Resort, and Sugar Mountain Ski Resort.

For more information or to purchase a gold card, please go online www.goskinc.com/goldcard. Or call 828-898-4521 Monday through Friday from 8am 4pm.

The High Country Host is a regional travel promotion organization.  For more information on accommodations, attractions, dining or shopping in the area please visit www.mountainsofnc.com or call 800-438-7500.

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Howie Neufeld, Ph.D.
Professor of Plant Physiology
Appalachian State University

This has been an interesting week in the mountains. Beginning on Friday, the temperatures dropped, and the winds picked up.

Jesse Pope, chief naturalist up on Grandfather Mountain, reports that on Saturday winds reached 60 mph with gusts up to 74 mph.

Luckily, for most trees, they were still holding on to their leaves quite tightly, so even though some were blown off, most are still there, and if we don’t get more wind storms like that one, they should turn color quite nicely in the next two weeks.

READ THE ENTIRE REPORT

For more info on The High Country of North Carolina, call (800) 438-7500, or visit www.MountainsofNC.com.

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Underground Railroad Hike
Saturday, October 8th
Time 2:00 pm, meet at picnic area

Traverse the history of Mount Jefferson with a ranger as he travels back in time to the days of the Underground Railroad. Participants will experience the folklore and history surrounding Mount Jefferson as you hike along the mountain ridge

Vista Viewing
Sunday October 9th
Time 2: 00 pm, meet at the 2^nd Overlook

Enjoy a view of three states while learning the oral tradition associated with Mount Jefferson and its surrounding mountains.  This program is weather dependent.  Participants are encouraged to wear winter attire.

Fairies & Gnomes Houses Building
Saturday October 15th
Time 2:00 pm, meet at picnic area

Come up on the mountain and use your imagination and natural materials to build woodland creature house. Each person or family will build a small house for an imaginary small creature.

Night Hike
Saturday Night 15^th
Time 7:30 pm, meet at park Office

Are you looking for an adventure after dark? Come on up to Mt. Jefferson for a breathtaking night hike. Meet the park ranger for a 1mile hike along the ridgeline out to Luther Rock. Bring a small flashlight and wear sturdy shoes. Parts of this hike are considered strenuous and hiking at night can be physically challenging.

Children must be closely supervised. Park Office (336) 246-9653

Fall Colors Hike
Sunday, October 16^th Time 2:00 pm, meet at picnic shelter

Take some time this fall and enjoy the spectacular change of season. Come up to the picnic area and meet a park ranger for a hike into the autumn season. Bring your cameras and questions as we will be looking at the spectacular fall color. Meet at picnic area. Bring appropriate shoes or boots

The Legend of Tom Dooley
Saturday, October 22^rd
Time 2:00 pm, meet at picnic shelter

Join a Western North Carolina native as he relives the last days of the North Carolina legend, Tom Dooley. Did Tom Dooley murder Laura Foster in the Shadows of the Blue Ridge? The infamous story will be accompanied by songs to include the “Ballad of Tom Dooley.” Participants should meet at the Park Picnic Shelter

Vista Viewing
Sunday, October 23rd
Time 2:00 pm, meet at the 2^nd Overlook

Enjoy a view of three states while learning the oral tradition associated with Mount Jefferson and its surrounding mountains.  This program is weather dependent.  Participants are encouraged to wear winter attire.

Fall Colors Hike
Saturday, October 29^th
Time 2:00 pm, meet at picnic area

Take some time this fall and enjoy the spectacular change of season. Come up to the picnic area and meet a park ranger for a hike into the autumn season. Bring your cameras and questions as we will be looking at the spectacular fall color. Meet at picnic area. Bring appropriate shoes or boots.

Mt. Jefferson Geology
Sunday October 30th
Time 2:00 pm, meet at picnic shelter

We will seek out a treasure of knowledge. Several types of geological formations will be seen on this mountain hike. Metamorphic formations and intrusive quartz are located on the trail. We will also dig into the connections that exist between the soil and plants. Join us on this fall season Geo hike. Bring appropriate shoes or boots.

For more information or directions, Call (336) 246-9653

For more info on The High Country of North Carolina, call (800) 438-7500, or visit www.MountainsofNC.com.

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Black Bears
October 9th, 2011
Visitor Center
2:00 pm

Join a park ranger at the US Hwy 221 Access Visitor Center on Sunday October 9th, for this informative program. Black bears can be found throughout a large portion of NC. They often make the news when they pass through a populated area. This program will separate the facts and myths about black bears. Meet at the Visitor Center auditorium at 2:00 pm.
Call the park office for more information. 336-982-2587 (982)

River Otters
October 16th, 2011
Visitor Center
2:00 pm

Join a park ranger at the US Hwy 221 Access Visitor Center on Sunday October 16th for this informative program. You will learn about the Otters and their habitats. Call the park office for more information. 336-982-2587 (981)

Fall Color Hike
October 22nd 2011
Visitor Center
2:00 pm

Join a park ranger for a fun filled hike along the Hickory Trail at the 221 Access Area of New River State Park. You will see some of the wonderful colors of gall and discover some of the amazing things that live in the park. Make sure to wear sturdy shoes and bring a bottle of water, as we will be hiking just over a mile. Call the park office for more information. 336-982-2587 (810)

Tree ID Hike
October 23rd 2011
Wagoner Access
2:00 pm

Join a park ranger at the Wagoner Access for a short hike. We will learn the basic trees of New River. Be prepared to walk one mile.  Call the park office for more information. 336-982-2587
(811)

For more info on The High Country of North Carolina, call (800) 438-7500, or visit www.MountainsofNC.com.

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HIGH IN NORTH CAROLINA’S BEAUTIFUL BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS on the banks of the pristine New River, there is a day devoted to WORLD-CLASS BLUES.

The setting is wonderfully scenic. Picture a glorious mountain meadow on the edge of a lively river… Now picture a beautiful summer day and hundreds of blues fans dancing in the green grass to the music of living legends. You have just conjured up the NEW RIVER BLUES FESTIVAL now in it’s 9TH year. On SUNDAY SEPT. 4, 2011 THE NEW RIVER BLUES FESTIVAL promises to out-do its past success.

The NEW RIVER BLUES FESTIVAL is unique in this Appalachian setting where Bluegrass and Old Time Music reign. The driving forces behind this one-of-a-kind musical gathering are Rob “Hound Dog” Baskerville and Penny “Queen Bee” Zamagni of the internationally acclaimed blues band, The King Bees. Residing in Todd (a nearby village on the New River where the first few fests were held) Baskerville and Zamagni were eager to bring their over 24 years of experience backing up blues greats here and abroad to this unique setting.

Calling upon friendships established through the years with some of the most revered names in blues, The King Bees have offered talent line-ups that rival many major blues festivals in the US and Europe. Fans have loved not only the performances, but also the picturesque surroundings on the banks of the New River a few miles north of Boone.

For more info, visit: http://newriverbluesfestival.info

For more info on The High Country of North Carolina, call (800) 438-7500, or visit www.MountainsofNC.com.

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The Appalachian Philharmonic is coming to the Ashe Civic Center on Saturday, February 12th. 

The performance will begin at 7:30pm.  Under the direction of James Allen Anderson, The Appalachian Philharmonic is the Hayes School of Music premiere student/faculty ensemble. 

The Ashe Civic Center, located in West Jefferson, North Carolina, is a performing arts venue which hosts theatre, music, dance and community events. The facility is home to the Ashe County Little Theatre and managed by the Ashe County Arts Council.

The Ashe Civic Center exists to enrich, unite and promote Ashe County. 

For ticket information please contact the Ashe Civic Center at 336-846-ARTS, http://www.ashecivic.com/

4th Annual Hometown Christmas celebration on Friday, November 26th!

Early bird shopping, costumed characters walking around downtown, lighting of the community Christmas Tree at 5pm in the Backstreet Park!

Also, don’t forget about the Ashe County Holiday Market!

Looking for a great gift idea for the holidays? Plan to attend the Ashe County Farmers’ Market annual “Holiday Market” during the months of November & December! Crafters will be on hand with a wonderful selection of handmade arts & crafts.

You will have 4 opportunities to attend this year! November 20^th, 26^th, 27^th & December 4^th. Each day will be open from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. The market will be held on the backstreets of downtown West Jefferson.

For more information please contact the Ashe County Farmers’ Market at info@ashefarmersmarket.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or the Ashe County Chamber of Commerce at 888-343-2743. Also visit: http://www.ashechamber.com

For more info on The High Country of North Carolina, call (800) 438-7500, or visit www.MountainsofNC.com.

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Located in West Jefferson and nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge, Mountain Aire is an established, public course offering 18 holes of well-maintained fairways, complimented by the natural, rugged beauty of the Appalachians.

In addition to offering a challenging round of mountain golf, Mountain Aire also “plays” the backdrop for a beautiful golf community called Fairway Ridge.

So whether you are simply interested in a great round of golf… or looking for a NC Golf Course Home, home site, townhome or Resort Living In Western North Carolina with spectacular views of the golf course and surrounding mountains, we invite you to browse our website to get more information. For tee times call the golf shop at (336) 877-4716 or book online.

For more information, visit: http://www.mountainaire.com

For more info on The High Country of North Carolina, call (800) 438-7500, or visit www.MountainsofNC.com.

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BEGINS NOVEMBER 23rd!

11/23– 12/30
Tree Fest – Ashe County Arts Council
Decorated trees, ornaments, holiday crafts, gifts and miniature paintings
Opening Reception – 12/5 2pm – 4pm

11/27
Early Bird Shopping – Historic Downtown West Jefferson
Rudolph, Santa’s Elves & Mrs. Claus will be visiting with downtown shoppers 3:00pm til Santa Claus arrives on an antique fire truck
BackStreet Park 5:15 pm
Community Christmas Tree Lighting Hot Chocolate Candy Canes Caroling 

11/28, 12/5 & 12/12
Mistletoe Market – Ashe County Farmer’s Market
Handmade gifts for Christmas… scarves, hats, jewelry, jellies, baked goods, wreaths, roping

11/28
Christmas in Lansing – Downtown Lansing
As darkness falls luminaries will decorate downtown and light the way to the live walk through nativity

For a full schedule, visit: http://www.visitwestjefferson.org/christmas-north-carolina-westjefferson.html

For more info on The High Country of North Carolina, call (800) 438-7500, or visit www.MountainsofNC.com.

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His voice has been described by Dirty Linen magazine as “one of those pure warm Scottish voices one never tires of listening to”. He was the 2004 Scots Trad Music Awards Songwriter of the Year and a 2008 nominee for Scots Trad Music’s Singer of the Year.  For seven years he was the front man for the legendary Scottish group the Old Blind Dogs. On Thursday November 19^th, Jim Malcolm brings his witty style and one-man show to the intimate setting of River House Inn in Ashe County for a special concert and dinner.

Jim Malcolm will be stopping in for this special evening as part of a tour that started in Austin, TX and ends in Alexandria, VA, and will feature a tribute to the music of Robert Burns, celebrating the 250^th anniversary of the poet’s birthday. With Jim’s sense of history and his lighthearted approach to the music, the evening will be a perfect blend of music, mirth and good food. Jim is hailed world-wide as one of Scotland’s best performers and is described as “utterly authentic yet completely modern and accessible.” Jim has been a featured artist in the past at the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games and appeals to a wide range of music enthusiast. To learn more about the artist visit www.jimmalcolm.com!

Of course whenever there is an event at River House you know it will be something special. When you combine River House’s top quality food and hospitality with an international recording artist, you know it will be an evening that you don’t want to miss.  Cost of the dinner (including gratuity) and concert is $50 per person and a cash bar will be provided. The evening starts at 6pm with a set by Jim, followed by dinner and then Jim’s tribute to Robert Burns. River House will also be featuring their “Wine Down Thursday” special. For more information and to make a reservation contact River House by calling 336-982-2109 or visit the web site, www.riverhousenc.com. Reservations are required and seating is limited. This special evening is being presented in association with Celtic Force Enterprises.

For more info on The High Country of North Carolina, call (800) 438-7500, or visit www.MountainsofNC.com.

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For info on The High Country Host, call (800) 438-7500, or visit www.MountainsofNC.com.

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Source: Jefferson Post

Ashe social studies teacher top in state

Post Photo/Jesse Campbell Social studies teacher Terry Williams will be around for students while he can still make a difference.

Williams has recently been chosen as this year’s recipient for the North Carolina Social Studies Teacher of the Year award. Each year, the North Carolina Council for Social Studies reviews peer recommendations in an attempt to choose the educator who has left the most profound impact on the lives of his or her students.

“I was just totally shocked when I found out,” said Williams who discovered that he had been selected for the award through a letter from the president of the governing council.

“It truly was a humbling experience for me,” he said.

Williams would later travel to Greensboro to accept the award on Feb. 13 and credits his success as an educator to the staff and administration he works with at Ashe County High School along with the support he has received from the school board and Superintendent Donnie Johnson.