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.

Tweetsie’s Ghost Train Halloween Festival, a 'Spooktacular' Ride!

It's that time of the year! Enjoy the spooky month of October, as it's nearing Halloween. Tweetsie Railroad will be hosting it's traditional Ghost Train Halloween Festival every Friday and Saturday until October 27th. Riding through the Blue Ridge Mountains, the train will provide a frightening fun time!

Once the sun goes down, Casey Bones and his creepy crew emerge and guide you around the haunted the area. Riders will have chills and thrills as the train ventures through the forest and 3-D Maze, and the train ends with the opportunity to walk through Tweetsie's Haunted House, composed of 13 rooms that house ghosts and ghouls. 

Not everything is for adult scary fun, Tweetsie also has trick-or-treating for kids, the Creepy Carnival amusement rides, and a black light show at night.

Halloween at the Railroad really is a great time to get in the fall holiday spirit, and has been attracting people for years.

People You Know! Vol. 3

On July 14, 1952, evangelist Billy Graham and wife Ruth Bell Graham had a son, Franklin Graham. Born in Asheville, Graham grew up rebelling against his father's work, as it wasn't until the age of 22 that he became a Christian. Though graduating from Appalachian State, Graham has moved around all of North Carolina. He has become a very popular evangelist in the church, but with a bit of a new age difference following him around. Still practicing and travelling around the world, Graham has preached to more than 3 million people, just since 1989. Graham is now the president and CEO of evangelist group Samaritan's Purse, and is active in the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

Franklin Graham now resides in Boone, North Carolina, who would've thought! Close to his father, if you've seen the Billy Graham Museum recently, you'll definitely know who Franklin is.

Kidfest at Grandfather Mountain

Looking for something fun to do now that its fall? Grandfather Mountain will be hosting the 9th annual Kidfest on Saturday, September 8th starting at 9:00 am. Not just for kids, the event is a fun-filled day for families to learn more about the nature and culture of the Blue Ridge Mountains. With guided hikes, storytelling, face painting, crafts and games, all ages can enjoy the event in the beautiful setting of Grandfather Mountain.

Getting up close to hawks, owls, and other animals from the Blue Ridge Wildlife Institute at Lees-McRae College, everyone will be able to learn the importance of wildlife in the area and what we can do to protect the local habitat.

The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation established to preserve Grandfather Mountain, operate the nature park sustainably in the public interest, provide an exceptional experience for guests, and inspire them to be good stewards of the earth’s resources.  For more information, visit www.grandfather.com or call 800-468-7325.

Labor Day Weekend, Fly a Kite!

Coming up Labor Day Weekend? Looking for something fun? Make a trip to Beech Mountain and experience the Mile-High Kite Festival. Children of all ages are able to fly a kite 1 mile above sea level, and watch demonstrations from kite clubs all around the area. Face-painting and crafts, the event is fun for all ages, as the kite clubs will also hold a workshop focused on the building of kites.

The first 200 kids will be given kites to fly but participants are encouraged to bring their own. You'll also be able to buy ones in all colors and shapes from local vendors. Join them on Beech Mountain Sunday, September 2th between 9:00am - 4:00pm in the meadows on the top of Beech next to the Brick Over Pizzeria. For fun after the festival, check out the street dance from 7:00pm - 9:00pm, full of music and fun!

For more information, contact the Beech Mountain Chamber of Commerce at (800)-468-5506.

09/01/07. A Day in Appalachian's History

As Boone has become a bit of a college town, you'll feel the pride of ASU in the Appalachian Mountaineers Football team. For the past few decades, the team was a joke to the NCAA, always a warm-up opponent. Though, in 2007, the Mountaineers took a leap, which is now considered one of the biggest upsets in the history of American sports. 

September 1, 2007, Appalachian was scheduled to play the No. 5 ranked Michigan Wolverines. The game was played in Ann Arbor, MI, and was expected to be, once again, a warm-up game for the Big Ten team. Down the first quarter, most fans believed the expected would happen, but the game took a turn. By the fourth, with 1:37 left to go, Michigan up 32-31, things started to become tense. Quarterback Armanti Edwards led them on a 69-yard drive, without a timeout, that ended in a 24-yard field goal that gave the Mountaineers a 34–32 lead with 27 seconds left.Though Michigan tried for field goal with 6 seconds left, safety player Corey Lynch blocked the kick, leaving the Appalachian Mountaineers with a win. 

Because of this game, ASU has grown drastically, and is now a more prestigious public university in North Carolina.

5th Annual High Country Beer Fest

It's that time of the year! More than 50 breweries will be gathering at the Broyhill Center in Boone on Saturday, September 1st. Named one of the top 10 summer beer festivals by RoadTripsForBeer, the High Country Beer Fest really is an event to attend.

The event won't only have over 100 different beer tastings, it  also runs seminars on cheese pairing, pizza pairing, and chocolate pairing. There will be food tastings from local restaurants, and two different bands will be playing. You'll even receive a beer tasting glass to take home!

Tickets for the festival are $35, $10 for designated drivers. ID's will be checked at the door, as no one under 21 will be allowed through the gates (children 12 years or under may join their parents). Join them from 3 pm to 7 pm, and find directions on their website: High Country Beer Fest