TANTALIZING TIDBITS - IN THE NEWS

Enjoy the Miracle Worker currently playing at the historic Parkway Playhouse. The 4 wrought-iron chandeliers in the lobby and theater are gifts from local artist, Daniel Boone VI, (a direct descendant of Daniel Boone) who loved this theater. According to Evelyn Hope Bailey, Parkway Playhouse Historian, Boone's work is "internationally known and appears in private homes, public buildings, in museums and in public and private gardens. He was awarded the contract for all of the wrought-iron used in the restoration of Williamsburg, VA, in the early 1930's. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. spent more than $4,000,000 for the 17th century restoration of that city."

En Plein Air, Paint out, will be held in Burnsville on May 21st. Sponsored by the Toe River Arts Council (TRAC), the Blue Ridge Fine Arts Guild (BRAG), and Cove at Celo Mountain estate owners, Susan and Paul Crutchfield, "this popular rite of spring brings tourists from all over the area to capture the spirit of downtown Burnsville in many different mediums of art." This is a juried event with $1000 in cash prizes and certificates being awarded.

"Country Cablevision begins construction this week of a $25.3 million project to bring high-speed internet to 97% of homes and businesses in Yancey and Mitchell counties. The Burnsville-based company partnered with the county’s Broadband Taskforce to pursue federal stimulus funding for the project, with the company providing a 25% match. Country Cablevision founder Ray Vance Miller was honored as Entrepreneur of the Year at an economic summit that provided an update on the broadband project."

Mountain Heritage High School senior and hoops star, John Cannon, picks Georgia over UNC, Northwestern and Old Dominion. Cannon set a NCHSAA record for career blocked shots (606). He averaged 21.9 points, 12.3 rebounds and 6.5 blocks a game this past season for the Cougars (21-7) and was named the Western Highlands Conference Player of the Year. Cannon also received all-state honors from The Associated Press and N.C. Basketball Coaches Association.

MHHS cheerleader Allison Tipton, who has been chosen as a finalist in the National Cheerleader of the Year competition. She will travel to Southern Methodist University on May 20th - 22nd, to compete for the title. She is the 2nd cheerleader from MHHS to ever make it this far.

DOT officially opens Mt. Mitchell Scenic Byway - Local officials joined NC Dept. of Transportation representatives on Yancey’s highest peak to open one of the state’s newest scenic byways. The 52-mile stretch of roadway begins at the tallest mountain in Eastern America and winds along the Parkway, down the South Toe Valley (Highway 80 South by The Cove at Celo Mountain), through Burnsville and along Hwy 19 to I-26.