Watch Woolly Worms Wiggle!

So what's Banner Elk's biggest event of the year? The Woolly Worm Festival. Believe it or not, thousands of people drive in from all over the east coast to watch these furry creatures race up the Woolly Worm Wall, as participants train these worms year-round for the event. The Saturday winner will receive a $1000 cash prize, and the Sunday winner, $500.

Don't worry, there are many things to do at the festival. 140 vendors from all over the area setup booths with arts and crafts native to the High Country. Come on down to Banner Elk October 20th and 21st, or snatch a cabin for the weekend, and watch these critters crawl! For more information on times and even how to race a woolly worm, visit the website www.woollyworm.com

People You Know! Vol. 4

So we know the High Country is filled with a past and present of musicians, actors, and religious figures, but we'll also find the beginnings of the non-profit organization, Wine to Water. Doc Hendley, graduate of NC State University, moved to Boone, and made his dream of helping people around the world come true.


While bartending his way through college, Hendley had a life-changing idea. He would hold wine-tasting fundraisers in the area and apply the donations to helping people around the world get access to clean water.  Now, he sells bottles of wine all over the US, as each bottle also donates half it's cost to the organization. Over the past 9 years, Wine to Water has successfully helped 25,000 people gain access to clean water in Sudan, India, Cambodia, Uganda, Ethiopia, Peru, and Kenya. Hendley built the organization from the ground up, has made his headquarters in downtown Boone, and resides here with his wife and two children.

To show the respect Doc Hendley has been given, one can see that he was included in the Top 10 Finalists for CNN's Hero of the Year (among others such as Colin Powell and Ted Turner). We're lucky to have him.