The mayor of nearby Banner Elk is quoted at a celebration of the E.T. & W.N.C Railroad finally making its way to Boone in 1918…"I remember when the only way a person could get to Boone was to be born there." Tweetsie, as she was known to the locals, opened up a whole new world for the town.
Daniel Boone, the town’s namesake, used a series of hunting cabins in the area as he was exploring and blazing a trail for others to follow across the mountain in the 1700s. You can still experience the time of ol’ Dan’l in the cabins at the Hickory Ridge Living History Museum.
The Mast Store in Downtown Boone resides in two buildings constructed in the early years of the 20th century. Many a memory was made and shared in the old Hunt’s Department Store, which is the main part of the Boone location. Its Y-shaped staircase has carried thousands of footsteps upstairs to find overalls and footwear. Today, it’s hard to find the old drain pipes for the sinks in the beauty shop once located inside, but what you will find is eager people ready to help you locate just what you are looking for and to share some helpful hints along the way.
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Fall Foliage Primer - November 6, 2019
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This is the final Fall Foliage Primer of the year. It looks like Knoxville, Greenville, and Hendersonville still have some locations of high color. Other reporting spots - Boone/Valle Crucis, Asheville, and Waynesville - have some spotty color (particularly Oaks, which are in their glory right now, and some Maples). There are still lots of activities to get out and enjoy, too. Check out what our reporters have to suggest as well bid you a fond farewell until next year. -
Check Your Closets and Share the Warmth
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There is a Japanese proverb that says, “One kind word can warm three winter months.” If a kind word can be so powerful, what can a kind action do? Colder weather is on the way, so coats, hats, and gloves are needed to be ready for it. During the month of November, Mast Store and Columbia Sportswear are partnering for the fifteenth time to Share the Warmth Coat Collection in our home communities -
Fall Foliage Primer - October 30, 2019
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We are reaching the peak! All locations can safely report that Fall is HERE! Some locations - like Valle Crucis and Boone - are just past peak, but still have pockets of incredible color, while other locations - like Greenville and Knoxville are just beginning to reach their highest color show. And there's lots in between in Waynesville, Asheville, and Hendersonville. It's our favorite time of year! Colder weather is on its way everywhere this week, so no matter where you're visiting, be sure to bring a jacket, a fleece, and a raincoat. The weather this time of year changes quickly. Take a look to see the fun activities to enjoy this week. -
Fall Foliage Primer - October 23, 2019
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It's week five of the Fall Foliage Primer and the color is beginning to show itself all over. Frost is likely in the Boone/Valle Crucis, Waynesville, and maybe Hendersonville areas later in the week, which will hasten the color change. Temperatures are perfect for leaf viewing, but there may be some showers, so remember your jackets. Check out this week's recommended events and activities. We're sure you'll find some of them to be "spooktacular."
