Blowing Rock News

Mountain Home Music begins its 20th summer season this Sunday night, May 26, with "Musical Memories: Memorial Day," a concert that will feature classic country and patriotic songs.

Artisans participating in Blowing Rock's first Art in the Park of 2013 braved dense fog and drizzly weather last Saturday, but found a cheerful camaraderie by visiting each other's booths.

It's easy to understand how " Traditions Pottery " near Blowing Rock got its name when you learn that one of its owners, Janet Bolick Calhoun, is a sixth generation potter with roots harkening back to venerable Seagrove, the pottery mecca of the South.

When folks in Blowing Rock go out for a "Sunset Stroll," you know that summer is just around the corner.

Blowing Rock residents got a glimpse of the future this week, as town commissioners approved plans for the new health care facility, a new downtown restaurant and heard an update on the Highway 321 widening project.

The Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show Foundation has trotted out a new website. The site - http://www.blowingrockhorses.com - went online May 10.

Art in the Park, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2012, now begins its second half-century this weekend.

From left, Melissa Robinson, Pat Rowland and Sandy Hoilman were recently recognized with Nursing Excellence Awards from the Appalachian Regional Healthcare System.

Justin Hamby loved to push his sports car to the limit. Photos of his prized 2001 Mustang GT fill his Facebook page.

Watauga County commissioners met Monday evening to hammer out final details on the 2013-14 budget before it goes to a public hearing Tuesday.

As part of National Nurses Week, observed May 6 to May 12, Appalachian Regional Healthcare System on May 7 distributed Nursing Excellence Awards to nurses from Watauga Medical Center, Cannon Memorial Hospital and Blowing Rock Hospital.

West Jefferson Aldermen Stephen Shoemaker, Lester Mullis, Dr. Brett Summey, W.J. Mayor Dale Baldwin and Alderman Calvin Green listen as ABC Board Chairman Haskell McGuire presents the quarterly ABC Store report.

Bolick & Traditions Pottery has some time to kiln. Along with Tervis drinkware, the Blowing Rock potters extraordinaire will host a "Meet the Artist" event at the Martin House in downtown Blowing Rock May 18.

The Blowing Rock Jazz Society is tuning up for its latest Second Sunday Concert.

The Best Cellar Restaurant and The Inn at Ragged Garden in Blowing Rock opened its 2013 Concerts on the Lawn season with a country, pop and bluegrass performance by, from left, Patrick Crouch, Mark Bumgardner and Jaret Carter.

West Jefferson Aldermen Stephen Shoemaker, Lester Mullis, Dr. Brett Summey, W.J. Mayor Dale Baldwin and Alderman Calvin Green listen as ABC Board Chairman Haskell McGuire presents the quarterly ABC Store report.

TOUR Southern and Eastern Kentucky hosted a spring work study trip to Boone, N.C., April 30-May 2. Judy Barton, representing the Bell County Tourism Commission, attended, along with judge executives, mayors and other tourism professionals from across the region.

Lane closures will not take place in the U.S. 321 widening project work zone through Blowing Rock this weekend due to the Appalachian State University graduation ceremonies in Boone.

Watauga County is getting familiar with flooding. Rain that began falling Sunday turned into a deluge overnight, causing flooding and power outages throughout the High Country and closing schools on Monday.

Watauga County Manager Deron Geouque presented his proposed 2013-14 budget to commissioners Tuesday, a $55.8 million budget that increases spending by 2.28 percent overall.