Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05
July 3, 2008 issue
GETTING READY FOR THE 4TH!• Be Careful with Fireworks this Weekend
• Indepence Day Celebrations and Festivities

Church Historian Discusses First Presbyterian’s Past and Future
The ink is dry on the closing papers, and some of the bricks of the First Presbyterian Church of Boone are being removed from the structure. Members of the 375-member congregation have known for some time about the imminent sale of the church to Appalachian State University, but with the signing of the papers on Monday, June 30, the reality that their church family and worship services are going to change drastically started to sink in. (Full Story)
When the Watauga County Board of Elections met for canvass on Tuesday morning to certify the results of the Democratic Party runoff for state labor commissioner, the crowd was much larger than usual. (Full Story)
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53rd Annual Grandfather Mountain Highland Games July 10 to 13
Story by Anna Oakes
Thousands of tartan-covered, kilt-wearing, torch-bearing, bagpipe-blowing Scots, Scottish descendants and Scot-wannabes will take to the peaks of Grandfather Mountain Thursday through Sunday, July 10 to 13, for the 53rd annual Grandfather Mountain Highland Games and Gathering O’ Scottish Clans.
The mountains of North Carolina—much akin to the highlands of Scotland and home to many descendants of Scottish settlers—are the superlative setting for the largest gathering of Scottish clans in the nation. The annual gathering has attracted as many as 45,000 people, and about 160 Scottish clans will reunite there this year.
The spirit of competition, pride, tradition and good-hearted fun take hold of Grandfather Mountain’s MacRae Meadows on this weekend, with highly talented bagpipe bands, dancing and music competitions, foot and bicycle races, sing-alongs, traditional and modern Celtic music concerts, centuries-old Scottish athletic events, sheep herding, children’s activities, a merchant bazaar and more.
Inside this issue, you’ll find information about clan tents, athletic events, musical guests, tickets and parking. For a full schedule or more info, call 828-733-1333, click to www.gmhg.org or visit the Highland Games headquarters at 4210 Highway 221 in Linville.
Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center Receives Go-AheadEnvironmental Activists Mount Appeal(Full Story)
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Check out highlights from ASU Mountaineer's Three-Peat season on www.biggestupsetever.com
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