Keep Boone Healthy Podcast Series

The Valle Country Fair has been bringing people to the High Country for 41-years, providing the quintessential mountain festival experience.

As events of all types are forced to reinvent themselves in the COVID-19 world, hear how organizers worked to bring the atmosphere of this annual art, music, and food showcase to computer screens around the globe, all while the focus remains on providing resources for our local community.

Co-chairs Bob & Julie Gates also describe how they worked to create new processes for event organizers and volunteers, and how they feel this digital transformation may positively benefit the event for years to come.

As our community has faced numerous challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, local organizations have used their expertise to deliver key services to HIgh Country residents.

Parent to Parent Family Support Network-High Country (FSN-HC) is a unique grant and donor-supported community outreach program of the Reich College of Education at Appalachian State University. With over 30 years of experience providing special needs information and programming to families and professionals, Parent to Parent High Country Family Support Network serves a seven-county area, providing free and confidential services in Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Mitchell, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey Counties.

Executive Director Kaaren Hayes and Outreach Coordinator Diane Coffey discuss the organization's efforts and how they have continued to impact High Country families through the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic.

We also get details on the 10th-annual Spooky Duke 1K, 5K, and 10K, and how you can participate and/or donate to this event as it moves to a virtual platform for 2020.

Lots of information has come out in the past few days about the return to in-person instruction for public schools in the State of North Carolina.

This week's podcast will explain what Governor Roy Cooper's announcement Thursday means for schools across the State, but most importantly, what the local impact of this decision means for Watauga County Schools.

Dr. Scott Elliott, Superintendant of Watauga County Schools lays out the proposed plan for a return to in-person instruction locally and previews the special called meeting of the Watauga County Board of Education for Monday, September 21st, that could see action taken on these plans.

Football tailgate culture is part of the DNA of the High Country on Fall weekends. Over the last 15 years, the Appalachian State Mountaineers have won big on the gridiron, and local businesses have won big by working to create a welcoming weekend experience for many that come to the area craving the gameday experience.

The App State faithful will have to wait a while before walking through the gates of Kidd Brewer Stadium, as the University announced fans would not be allowed to attend September home games in compliance with the mass gathering guidelines outlines in North Carolina's Safer at Home Phase 2.5.

Many fans have decided to tailgate at home and watch the Mountaineers on ESPN2, but that does not mean that you can't infuse some of Boone's finest brands and traditions into your distanced gameday experience.

We visit with representatives from Appalachian Mountain Brewery, High Country Souvenirs, and Mellow Mushroom, as they explain some easy ways to bring the best of Boone to your backyard.

As the High Country continues to deal with the impacts of COVID-19, a local organization has found a way to continue to #KeepBooneHealthy by helping young girls establish a healthy lifestyle while improving confidence and self-esteem.

Girls on the Run of the High Country works to inspire girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates running. They envision a world where every girl knows and activates her limitless potential and is free to boldly pursue her dreams.

Program Coordinator Jackie Dyer joins us to explain the benefits of the program, how they have implemented health and safety measures, and how girls can register for the 2020 class.

The concept of remote work has been with us for the last six months, but many in the High Country are readjusting those work from home schedules once again now that public school is back in session.

We spoke with three area professionals about the early adjustments to working from home, how they've become more efficient with their process, and how multi-tasking with remote school has changed the routine.

We end our discussion with some insight from the other side of remote learning, and some suggestions for parents on how they can create the best atmosphere for remote instruction.

Our panelists include:
Erika Hudspeth - University Communications - Appalachian State
David Still - Director of Business Development - RaysWeather.com
Heather Ward - 2nd-grade teacher - Green Valley School

The economic ramifications of COVID-19 have impacted the event industry as hard as any here in the High Country. Much of the unique draw provided by local musicians, artists, caterers, and others that fuel the industry has been muted by the lack of gatherings due to social-distancing requirements. Local music jack-of-all-trades David Brewer shares some insight from within Boone's bustling music scene, how COVID has impacted the industry's ability to benefit others, and what we can do as a community to support the event economy during these difficult times.

Lee Rankin moved to the mountains of North Carolina 20-years ago with the dream of owning and operating an alpaca farm. Her hard work helped turn Apple Hill Farm into one of the State's most successful agritourism destinations, giving visitors a chance to unwind in the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains while stepping away from the daily hustle.

As COVID-19 and quarantine life drove people to seek outdoor opportunities, Rankin found she had the perfect setup -- an outdoor destination, filled with was to entertain and educate, in a space designed for social distancing.

Hear how Apple Hill Farm has served as an example of North Carolina's growing agritourism industry and how the support of local farmers now can help develop more opportunities to return to our roots as the economy rebounds.

As we continue our goal to #KeepBooneHealthy, a strong focus on the conditions that drive economic recovery in our area will be important to our eventual recovery.

Our guest this week, Joe Furman, serves as staff to the Watauga County Economic Development Commission. We focus on projects and sectors within our local community that are posied to aid in future growth. We discuss the importance of the census and how the data drives government funding of local projects and agencies. Furman talks about the deployment of broadband in rural North Carolina, and the importance of this type of infrastructure, especially with more remote technology uses needed by students and workers. We also discuss projects that will bring co-working space to Watauga County through Boone Underground and how the High Country Food Hub continues to boost local agriculture.

Also in this episode, we recap the 71st Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Business Meeting and we preview Forward to Fall, a webinar that focuses on Northwest North Carolina's economic recovery. 

So much has been made about the rules, mandates, and guidance regarding customer interaction with businesses. How do businesses feel the implementation of those rules is helping them keep their doors open? Charlotte Baxter, of Shear Shakti, and Jennele Vaquera, of Lucky Penny, bring us inside the minds of small business owners during these challenging times. They will also discuss how their 10+ year relationship has helped them weather the storm and keep their businesses thriving in one of Boone's most vibrant retail districts.