Banner Elk My Hometown

2012BANNER ELKmyhometown

The High Country is a great place to visit ... and a better place to live!

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Banner Elk, My Hometown 2012 December 2012

Welcome to beautiful and historic Banner Elk. We are so glad you found our unique, special part of

Western North Carolina. Did you know that the Banner family settled in the Elk Valley in the 1840s from Scotland by way of Philadelphia? Our area was called Ban-ner’s Elk in the early years, and some of our natives with family roots still use the possessive on occasion.

We have all the amenities of a larger area without the traffi c. The High Coun-try has highly qualifi ed doctors and a fi ne hospital. We have great restaurants with accomplished chefs, grocery stores that carry everything your heart desires and we even have Lees-McRae College that has been here for more than 100 years.

Our small town is blessed with two snow ski resorts within 15 minutes of our one stoplight. In the summer we are near six golf courses, some of which are considered the best in the country. Sum-mer in our area is a pleasure, because our temperatures are 15 to 20 degrees cooler than off our mountain. We are 3,740 feet above sea level, and the panoramic views in the High Country are picture postcard perfect. With four distinct seasons in Banner Elk, you can imagine that our fall seasons are spectacular with color, and spring is so welcoming with the fi rst fl ow-ers of the season. The Christmas season is so special in Banner Elk. The lighted

snowfl akes and garland and wreaths are so beautiful and, of course, our town elk statue is adorned with his own special wreath.

Banner Elk has scenic greenway trails, a multi-purpose park and a dog park. Our residents and visitors put all of these facilities to good use, so much so that we have plans for expansion. Also very popular in the summer are our Thursday evening free concerts in the park. You must come early to stake out a good seat.

Banner Elk’s biggest assets are the citi-zens and town employees. You will fi nd the staff at Banner Elk Town Hall friendly and helpful. The police department is highly professional, and our fi re depart-ment goes above and beyond.

A lady who rented in Banner Elk for the summer hurt her back and could not pack her things to drive home. She wrote to me later with her saga and said that the fi re chief himself came and got her packed, put it all in her car and prepared her to drive back to her home off the mountain. That is how we are in Banner Elk. I am confi dent that most of our Banner Elk folks would have helped her pack. All she would have had to do was ask. Any of our citizens will tell you that life is just better here.

Sincerely, Brenda LyerlyBanner Elk mayor

Welcome …Welcome … Banner Elk Mayor Brenda Lyerly

Photo by Sam Calhoun

Banner Elk Mayor Brenda LyerlyPhoto by Sherrie Norris

to Banner Elk, our hometown

December 2012 Banner Elk, My Hometown 2012

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Banner Elk Town Hall, located at 200 Park Avenue, is home to town staff and town council. Town staff includes Town Manager Rick Owen, Finance Offi ce/Humane Resources Clerk Steve Smith, Tax Collector/Planning and Zoning Offi cer Cheryl Buchanan, Police Chief Bill Burleson, Public Works Director Earl Turbyfi ll, Public Work Assistant Myra Guignard and Finance Offi cer Assistant Nancy Owen. Banner Elk Town Council includes Mayor Brenda Lyerly, Mayor Pro-Tem Charlie B. VonCanon and council members Gail Draughon, David Lecka, Allen Bolick and Robert Tufts. The town council’s mission statement is to “preserve

and protect (the town’s) heritage while progressively supporting the development of the community infrastructure,recreational opportunities and the viability of the business community. Banner Elk will be a responsible steward of itsnatural beauty and resources, while enhancing the aesthetics of our town. Banner Elk will enhance the quality of lifefor citizens, Lees-McRae College students and visitors and for those people living in our surrounding communities.”For more information, call (828) 898-5398 or email [email protected].


Every Christmas, Banner Elk’s elk statue is adorned with a special wreath to mark the holidays – a perfect match to the holiday wreaths, garland and lighted snowfl akes installed across the town.



Banner Elk School, located in the beautiful community of Banner Elk, enrolls 175 pre-kindergarten through fi fth-grade students. The

school community strives daily to fulfi ll their mission to provide a safe, secure en-vironment that is essential to learning and prepare all students to become responsible citizens, life-long learners and to be glob-ally prepared for life in the 21st century.

Banner Elk Elementary School opened its doors for the fi rst time in fall 2011. This new state-of-the-art facility offers geothermal heating, a full-size gym, spa-cious classrooms with ample storage and an abundance of natural lighting for each classroom. The new building is a won-derful asset for both the school and the community. BES was the fi rst school to participate in the one-to-one initiative for Avery County Schools and was instrumen-tal in leading the way for a district-wide initiative to provide an iPad for every stu-dent in grades kindergarten through fi fth and a MacBook Air for students in grades six through 12. In addition to providing quality education for students, the school serves as the Professional Development School for Lees-McRae College and is part of the Appalachian State University Public School Partnership.

Many wonderful events and activities occur throughout the year at Banner Elk School. Favorites include an annual Fall Fling supported by a very involved Parent

Teacher Organization, an annual Christ-mas school and community program and a spring parent night that focuses on literacy and on preparing for the end-of-grade assessments. BES is an Arts A+ school that embraces the integration of the arts into curriculum and annually supports an artist in residency program. During the 2011-12 school year, Amy Cooke and Barbara Timberman, local artists, focused on art creations from lessons about birds and their behavior. The artist in residency program was made possible by a generous grant from Banner Elk Kiwanis Club.

Banner Elk Elementary School is one of eight schools in Avery County. There are a total of fi ve elementary, two middle and one Avery High School – all fully accred-ited by the Southern Association of Col-leges and Schools. Avery County Schools is proud to be ranked No. 4 in the state for achieving a 90.1 percent graduation rate. Through diligent work of quality profes-sionals, caring parents and supportive community, students are attending school with conviction. Five schools earned their highest attendance rates ever during the 2011-12 school year, equaling 4,000 more student days in school.

Our students continue to surpass state averages in nearly every EOG/EOC-tested area, and rank consistently above the average of the Northwest Region. Based on recently released test results, our school system performed well on the End-of-

Grade and End-of-Course tests. Avery County Schools has achieved some of the highest profi ciency ever and our growth status has improved from last year.

ACS believes that our children are our greatest resource and the key to a pro-ductive future. Our educational pathway begins with a Five Star state-funded pre-kindergarten program, and aggressively strives to meet the needs of each student. Avery Middle and Cranberry Middle schools are Arts A+ schools. Each focus on basic learning skills so that students will enter high school with a solid academic

foundation. Avery High School, home of the Vikings, is dedicating to assisting each student in gradating college and career ready.

As Avery County Schools moves for-ward into an exciting future, we aspire to become a national model of education graduating every student globally prepared for life in the 21st century. For more infor-mation, click to www.averyschools.net.

Sincerely, Dr. David BurlesonAvery County Schools superintendent

Welcome … Welcome … to our top-tier education system

Banner Elk School is home to 175 pre-kindergarten through fi fth-grade students, and serves as the Professional Development School for Lees-McRae College and is part of the Appalachian State University Public School Partnership.


ACS Superintendent Dr. David Burleson

ACS Superintendent Dr. David Burleson, with wife, Beth.Photo courtesy Avery County Schools


As natives of this region, Debbie and I are grateful to have the opportunity to serve Lees-McRae College and to live in

Avery County. From our perspective, there is no more beautiful and soulful place than Banner Elk.

At Lees-McRae College, we are dedi-cated to the intellectual, spiritual and physical growth of our students. The col-lege is committed to providing a quality, values-based education, inspiring and enabling individuals to contribute to a changing society with integrity and civic responsibility.

While there are many distinguishing characteristics of Lees-McRae College, none is more important than location. At 3,740 feet above sea level, we are the high-est campus in the eastern United States. With a campus of more than 460 acres, Lees-McRae is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream graced with forests, rivers, lakes and fi elds near the base of Beech Moun-tain, with Grandfather Mountain and Sugar Mountain, the Pisgah and Cherokee National Forests and the Linville Gorge Wilderness nearby. Our natural ecosys-tems are among the most diverse in the world and serve as laboratories for study

in many disciplines.The beautiful native stone buildings that

grace our campus date back to the early 1900s. We are dedicated to their preser-vation and adaptive reuse. As a matter of fact, the college recently received the Caraway Award from the State of North Carolina for our preservation efforts. I en-courage you to visit the Lees-McRae cam-pus and experience the beauty for yourself. Take a campus tour, meet our dedicated faculty and staff and talk with some of our amazing students who come from all across the globe. Stop by the historic Mill Pond and Cheese House (visitor center) and learn more about our history. Tour the Dianne and Dan May Wildlife Reha-bilitation Center on the Elk River and see fi rsthand this unique academic program. Attend some of our highly acclaimed theatre productions or stop in our sports complex and experience the excitement of our student-athletes as they compete in 15 different NCAA sports.

We are grateful and we are blessed at Lees-McRae College.

Sincerely,Dr. Barry M. BuxtonLMC president

Welcome …Welcome … LMC President Dr. Barry M. Buxton

Photos by Sam Calhoun

Dr. Barry M. Buxton, 15th president of Lees-McRae College, and his wife, Deborah Keyes Buxton, an artist.Photo courtesy LMC

to Banner Elk’s college, Lees-McRae

December 2012 Banner Elk, My Hometown 2012 Page 7

LMC President Barry Buxton (second from left) prepares to cycle the famous terrain around Banner Elk with Greg LeMond (center, in white jacket), the fi rst American and the fi rst non-European to win the Tour de France. LeMond visited Lees-McRae College as an adjunct professor for the Principles of Cycling course.

Photo submittedThe Rev. Edgar Tufts founded Lees-McRae in 1900, arriving three years ear-lier on the orders of Virginia’s Union Theological Seminary to organize a Pres-byterian church in Banner Elk. Lees-McRae Institute became Lees-McRaeCollege in 1931, an accredited co-ed junior college, and then transitioned toa senior (four-year) college in 1988. Tufts served the Banner Elk communityuntil his death in 1923.

Photo by Sam Calhoun• Lees-McRae College • 191 Main Street, Banner Elk • (828) 898-5241 • www.lmc.eduLearn more ...

On the boundary of the Lees-McRae College campus in Banner Elk sits the Cheese House, a historic building situated on the Mill Pond off Shawneehaw Avenue that now serves as the college’s visitor center. Staffed by volunteers, the Cheese House acts as a mini-museum for the college stocked with information for visitors and prospective families. Volunteers lead historic walking tours of campus from the center.


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Welcome …Welcome … to business in Banner Elk

On behalf of the Avery County Economic Development of-fice, I welcome you to Banner Elk. We’re pleased that you’ve

made time to get to know us. Whether you’re a new visitor or frequent guest, looking to relocate or start a business, we know that the friendly folks in Ban-ner Elk will make you feel at home.

Nestled here in the beautiful moun-tains of Western North Carolina, Banner Elk is a business-friendly community ready to help you succeed. With its cur-rent mix of eclectic, quaint shops, and award-winning restaurants, Banner Elk is also the home of the new Avery County Professional and Retail Incubator Devel-opment Enterprise (A.C. P.R.I.D.E.).

In the A.C. P.R.I.D.E., our commit-

ment extends beyond offering you a place to “hang your shingle;” we’ll help you at every step to start, build and grow your business into the success you deserve. From training and education to marketing and outreach we’ll offer you professional guidance from experienced specialists in the business world because your business success is our business mission.

So if you’re ready to explore your en-trepreneurial endeavors, we’re ready to help. Please call us at the development office at (828) 737-5150.

Thank you again for your interest.

Sincerely, Bret GardellaAvery Economic Development Director

Avery Economic Development Director Bret Gardella

Avery Economic Development Director Bret GardellaPhoto submitted

The business-friendly community of Banner Elk features a shopping experience as diverse as those found in much larger cities, sans nationally recognized chain stores. From men’s, women’s and children’s boutiques, to specialty shops offering handcrafted local wares, from clothing stores to eclectic gift shops, from wineries to award-winning restaurants, Banner Elk is an easy candidate to become your next destination for shopping, dining and entertaining.


The historic Banner Elk School is the home of the new Avery County Professional and Retail Incuba-tor Development Enterprise (A.C. P.R.I.D.E.).

Photo by Matthew Hundley

Your Member-Owned Electric CooperativeMountain Electric Cooperative, Inc. (MEC) is a member owned electric cooperative located in Northeast Tennessee and Northwest North Carolina. Its corporate of ce is located in Mountain City, TN, with a district of ce in Newland, NC, and a branch of ce in Roan Mountain, TN.

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• Green Power Switch (Invest in power generated by wind and solar)• Operation Pocket Change (Helps neighbors in need and worthy community projects)

For more information visit our website:www.mountainelectric.comor call Member Services 423-727-1811or Newland Of ce 828-733-0159


Banner Elk has a rich history that is preserved both on paper and through oral tradition. Plenty of old-timers are willing to tell stories

of how things used to be, and the Banner House Museum offers a wealth of informa-tion on the town’s namesake, the Banner Family.

The archeological record shows that the high, but fertile, valley of the Elk River was fi rst explored by Cherokee Indians, who most likely used the area as a hunting ground, rather than as a permanent settle-ment.

The fi rst white settlers recorded to have come to the area were Delilah Baird and John Holtsclaw, who claimed 480 acres in 1825.

The head of the family for which the town would eventually be named, Martin L. Banner, arrived in 1848. Arriving near the same time period were families bear-ing other familiar names, including Moody, Dugger, Abrams, Von Canon, Keller, Smith,

Lineback and Foster.Though the area was still practically fron-

tier country at the time that Banner arrived, only 44 years later, in 1892, the community then known as Banner’s Elk, established a hotel to serve the growing number of visitors to the area, a trend that eventually led to a vital tourism industry in the early 1900s.

Less than two decades later, in 1911, the town was offi cially incorporated as Banner Elk.

The area has seen many changes in industry of the years, shifting focus from subsistence farming to production crops to Christmas trees, and all the while providing tourists with an immaculate experience of the High Country.

Though the history of Banner Elk is not particularly long, it is full of fantastic char-acters, dramatic twists and the fl avor of the High Country.

To learn more about Banner Elk’s his-tory, visit Banner House museum or click to www.bannerhousemuseum.org. The museum’s hours change seasonally, so call ahead, at (828) 898-3634 to plan your visit.

Looking back on Banner ElkLooking back on Banner ElkMATTHEW HUNDLEY

[email protected]

Banner Elk, a once remote Appalachian community, is the home of major and ongoing missions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Three church related institutions – Lees-McRae College, Grandfather Home and Orphanage and Grace (nowCannon) Hospital, pictured – were established around the turn of the century, primarily through the efforts of the Presbyterian Church, U.S., and the Rev. Edgar Tufts. In 1923, a makeshift hospital in Banner Elk was averaging fi ve patients per night and the need for more space was critical. Helen Hartley Jenkins donated $22,000 to build a 25-bed hospital, which was named after her sister, Grace. Accord-ing to historical archives, the new hospital had running water, electricity and a coal-fi red furnace. The kitchen was on the fi rst fl oor along with living quarters for the director of nursing and the dietitian. Patient rooms were on the second and third fl oors and the operating room and nurses’ quarters were on the top fl oor.

Polly Presnell poses in front of Banner Elk’s Grace Hos-pital in 1935.

The Rev. Edgar Tufts founded Lees-McRae in 1900, arriving three years earlier on the orders of Virginia’s Union Theological Seminary to organize a Presbyterian church in Banner Elk. Lees-McRae Institute became Lees-McRae College in 1931, an accredited co-ed junior college, and then transitioned to a senior (four-year) col-lege in 1990. Tufts served the Banner Elk community until his death in 1923.

Photos courtesy Michael Hardy


Von Cannon’s Ford dealership in Banner Elk.Photos courtesy Michael Hardy

The weaving room at Lees-McRae College in the early 1900s.


If Thornton Wilder had chosen Ban-ner Elk as the guide for his great play “Our Town,” most likely all the characters would have been outdoor

sports enthusiasts. Few places on earth can compete with the plethora outdoor activi-ties available to people of all ages right out the front doors of the village.

From the backyards of Banner Elk residents, hiking, canoeing, championship biking, whitewater rafting, kayaking, bear and dear and wild-turkey hunting, fl y fi sh-ing, swimming, golfi ng, marathon running, horseback riding, caving, hang-gliding, snowboarding, skiing, snow-tubing and snowshoeing are only a stones throw away. In fact, one can cast for native trout within the town limits in crystal clear creeks originating up high on the slopes of Beech and Sugar mountains. Hiking trails begin in the village, too.

This abundance fuels the local economy year-round as thousands of visitors fl ock to the hamlet and enjoy the sport’s paradise.

During winter, Sugar and Beech moun-tains, which tower above Main Street, pro-vide a winter wonderland of snowsports. It’s not uncommon to fi nd a PhD tuning

skis at the resorts or in a local ski shop; having traded a past life for the grandeur

Banner Elk, the home of outdoor sportsBanner Elk, the home of outdoor sportsJUSTIN GRIMES

[email protected]

of the highest Appalachians. As well as serving the piedmont popula-

tions of the Southeastern states, the resorts attract an international clientele from all over the world. A local ski instructor kept track last winter and reported that his cli-ents came from more than 50 countries.

Minutes away, the venerable Grandfa-ther Mountain and state park dominates the landscape, providing it’s own Mecca of outdoor challenges, exhilarating climbs and breathtaking views.

In summer, professional and amateur highland athletes from all over converge to compete in the Annual Grandfather Moun-tain Highland Games.

World-class downhill bikers partici-pate in several local events annually and the Lees-McRae College downhillers are known nationwide for their winning com-petitive skills.

Waitresses can tell you about serving the many visiting bicyclists who use the area’s steeps to train for the Tour de France.

Private and public golf clubs are a golf cart ride away from the center of town. It’s not uncommon to see helicopters overhead ferrying club members or private planes landing, delivering patrons to the area’s exclusive golf communities. Both Beech and Sugar mountains have challenging golf courses that are open to the public.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 13

A young angler casts off into Banner Elk’s Wildcat Lake.Photo Submitted


Wildcat Lake, a comfortable bike or horse ride from town, offers swimming, canoeing, picnic facilities, a playground, volleyball and a beach. Sailors, boat fi shermen, water skiers and houseboat owners can travel in about 30 minutes from Banner Elk to the grand and huge TVA Watauga Lake, located near the Ten-nessee state line.

If you are a world-class athletic looking for a challenge or someone just wanting a stroll through the rhododendron, Banner Elk is the place you want to be; with this one caution: when a resident of Banner Elk talks about racing, they mean “wac-ing.”

Every October, more than 20,000 people attend Banner Elk’s Woolly Worm Festival. The event features thousands of competing woolly worms “wacing” up strings for prizes.

SportsCONTINUED FROM PAGE 12

Photo by Sam CalhounKim Jochl carves fresh tracks at Sugar Mountain Resort.

Photo courtesy Sugar Mountain Resort


Bite into Banner ElkBite into Banner ElkMATTHEW HUNDLEY

[email protected]

There are plenty of reasons to come to Banner Elk, but the best may be dinner. Despite its relaxed, rural atmosphere, Ban-ner Elk boasts a lineup of restaurants from casual to formal that will keep any foodie absorbed in new and exciting experiences for years. Whether looking for a quick bite, an elegant meal for a special night or a banquet hall to feed the entire company, Banner Elk has the restaurant you are looking for.

Many Banner Elk restaurants change their hours depending on the season, so it can be a good idea to check your chosen destination online or by calling ahead. To help with that, a comprehensive list of Banner Elk restaurants, their contact in-formation and some information about the food and services they offer is listed below.

Peruse the list, make your pick and head to Banner Elk for a high-altitude feast.

Artisanal1200 Dobbins Road(828) 898-5395www.artisanalnc.comFor those seeking the elegance of an

upscale experience, Artisanal is the restau-rant of choice. With daily menu changes to refl ect the availability of the fi nest ingre-dients, Anita and Bill Greene take pride in creating a memorable experience down to the fi nest detail.

Banner Elk Cafe and Lodge Espresso Bar and Eatery119 Central Way(828) 898-4040Settled squarely in the heart of down-

town, Banner Elk Cafe is ready and able to

serve up three meals each day, ensuring that diners can always have a destination in Banner Elk, no matter the time or sea-son. The Lodge Espresso Bar and Eatery adds a coffee-house atmosphere along with a selction of coffees, drinks, fresh-baked goods and gourmet food.

Banner Elk Subway3579 Tynecastle Highway(828) 898-8544Located in Sugar Mountain Village Shop-

ping Center, Banner Elk Subway ensures that folks on the go can always fi nd their favorite sandwich made fresh to order, whether they are visiting for the fi rst time or running their errands around town. The menu is focused around game-time favor-ites, wings and pizza, accompanied by an ample menu of wine, beer and drinks.

Barra Wings Cafe and Sports Bar140 Azalea Circle(828) 898-7727www.bannerlkbarra.comWith seven fl at-screen televisions

mounted around a room fi lled with com-fortable leather couches and Boston-style wood bar, Barra Wings Cafe and Sports Bar is the place to sit back and watch the game with friends in style.

Bayou Smokehouse and Grill130 Main Street East(828) 898-8952www.bayousmokehouse.comBayou Smokehouse and Grill is the place

for a good time in Cajun style, offering everything guests need to eat, play and shop under one roof. In addition to deep-Southern style food, Bayou Smokehouse and Grill maintains a general store where

visitors can lay claim to any of dozens of hot sauces, local crafts and North Carolina and Louisiana gourmet cooking ingredi-ents.

Bella’s Italian Restaurant3585 Tynecastle Highway(828) 898-9022Bella’s carries on a tradition of neighbor-

hood Italian restaurants with something for everyone. From chicken marsala to lasagna to pizza, Bella’s offers a wide va-riety of crowd pleasers as well as caters to sophisticated tastes.

Blue Ridge Bistro Inc.142 East Main Street(828) 898-3325www.blueridgebistro.comBlue Ridge Bistro offers a charming com-

bination of Southern dishes crafted from scratch using only local, organic ingredi-ents all in a casual atmosphere. Whether stopping in for lunch, dinner, a cup of coffee, a glass of wine or a craft beer, Blue Ridge Bistro is the place to settle in for a relaxed dining experience.

China House3581 Tynecastle Highway(828) 898-3533

Dunn’s Deli134 Main Street West(828) 898-6731www.dunns-deli.comMike Dunn makes his sandwiches to

order from high quality ingredients, and he makes them overstuffed, a perfect com-panion to a relaxing bottle of beer, bowl of soup or cup of coffee. Dunn’s Deli is easy to fi nd at the crossroads of downtown Ban-ner Elk.

Fred and Larry’s Coffee Shop3591 Tynecastle Highway(828) 898-2110In addition to an ever-updating list of

coffees, teas and fresh pastries, Fred and Larry’s Coffee Shop maintains a relaxed at-mosphere with the help of open-mic nights on Fridays and Saturdays. Whether they are on the lookout for an early morning pick-me-up or a late evening jam session, visitors can fi nd what they are looking for at Fred and Larry’s.

The Frog and the Monkey128 Banner Road(828) 898-3764A recent edition to the Banner Elk din-

ing scene, The Frog and Monkey has been welcomed by discerning diners of the High Country.

Frontier Barbecue4235 Highway 105 South(828) 898-6777At Frontier Barbecue, the wide selection

of barbecue is prepared fresh each and every day, ensuring that guests get only the most tender chicken, pork and brisket around. Those barbecue delights share the menu with other favorites like trout and hamburgers. In addition Frontier Barbe-cue takes orders for carryout turkeys for Thanksgiving or Christmas.

The Inner Harbor Seafood Bar and Grill1615 Tynecastle Highway(828) 898-4571www.theinnerharbornc.comConveniently located in Best Western

Mountain Lodge in Banner Elk, The Inner Harbor Seafood Bar and Grill ensures that the people of the High Country are not deprived of their favorite coastal dishes by providing top-notch seafood cuisine.

Louisiana Purchase Food and Spirits397 Shawneehaw Avenue(866) 734-4124www.louisianapurchasefoodandspirits.comSince 1984, Louisiana Purchase has

provided Banner Elk’s residents and visitors with an appetizing assortment of Cajun, Creole, French and Northern Italian cuisine. Seasonal selections and an award-winning wine list add variety to a menu that has garnered Louisiana Purchase a three-diamond AAA-rating.

Mountain Grounds Coffee and Tea CompanySuite 10, 3390 Highway 105(828) 898-5878www.mountaingrounds.comLooking up at Grandfather Mountain,

CONTINUED ON PAGE 15Banner Elk Cafe and Lodge

Bayou Smokehouse and Grill


828.898.96134527 Tynecastle Highway · Banner ElkLocated in the Shoppes of Tynecastle

at the corner of 105 & Tynecastle Highway

A Banner Elk Staple Since 1986

RestaurantsCONTINUED FROM PAGE 14

Mountain Grounds Coffee and Tea Com-pany offers a lodge-style shop with a cozy atmosphere that is perfect for warming up on a winter’s day or relaxing after a long day hiking or skiing the local slopes. Mountain Grounds maintains a full staff of fully trained baristas to guide guests through a comprehensive menu of coffee and tea choices.

Nick’s Restaurant and Pub4527 Tynecastle Highway(828) 898-9613www.nicksrestaurantandpub.comAfter more than 25 years in business,

Nick’s Restaurant and Pub knows a thing or two about how to give its guests the casual, relaxed dining experience they are looking for. Visitors can always stop in for lunch, dinner, drinks or to watch the game on one of Nick’s big screens. Friday night is Karaoke starting at 8 p.m.

Puerto Nuevo2120 Tynecastle Highway(828) 898-3332www.puertonuevonc.comWith authentic Mexican cuisine, a full

bar and a fun, stylish atmosphere, Puerto Nuevo offers a complete Mexican dining experience. Puerto Nuevo features a full bar with two big screen televisions and a separate banquet hall for large events.

Scott’s Pizza Place2591 Tynecastle Highway(828) 898-4646Offering dine in, take out and even

delivery to Banner Elk, Sugar Mountain, Tynecastle and surrounding gated commu-nities, Scott’s Pizza Place offers a menu of family favorites, including pizza, calzones, stromboli, wings, subs and spaghetti.

Sugar Mountain Cafe2989 Tynecastle Highway #2(828) 898-9866www.sugarmountaincafe.comSugar Mountain Cafe has a range of

choices that are sure to meet the needs of any diner passing through Banner Elk. With smoothies, wraps, burgers, chili, rice bowls and breakfast all day all on the same menu, Sugar Mountain is the ideal choice for satisfying that car full of picky eaters.

Sushi Club140 Azalea Circle(828) 898-1940www.bannerelksushiclub.comBanner Elk’s Sushi Club combines good

food and dancing in an atmosphere de-signed to provide a lively escape.

The Painted Fish Cafe and Beer Bar2941 Tynecastle Highway(828) 898-6800www.paintedfi shcafe.comGreat food with fun beer and superb

wines is the combination The Painted Fish looks to offer guests. Guests can always expect to fi nd familiar dishes with a new twist to keep them exciting.

Quizno’sUnit 8, 4004 Highway 105 South(828) 898-7838

Sorrento’s Italian Bistro140 Azalea Circle(828) 898-5214www.sorrentosbistro.comSorrento’s menu is a classic array of

regional Italian delights, and the bistro takes special pride in accommodating large groups for events and parties.

Stonewalls Restaurant344 Shawneehaw Avenue(828) 898-5550www.stonewallsrestaurant.comA long time staple of Banner Elk dining,

Stonewalls has developed a reputation over the past 27 years for its prime rib, other specialty steaks and expansive salad bar.

Tokyo Express100 High Country Square(828) 898-4121www.tokyoexpressbe.comOffering sushi, seafood and steaks and

other delicacies in both Japanese and Vietnamese styles, Tokyo Express provides a comprehensive Asian dining experience.

Valle De Bravo Mexican Grill431 Beech Mountain Parkway(828) 898-7771

Unwind and enjoy a margarita on the deck of Valle De Bravo Mexican Grill, Ban-ner Elk’s newest Mexican restaurant.

Zuzda Tapas Restaurant and Bar502 Main Street West(828) 898-4166www.zuzda.comZuzda provides the unique and creative

dining experience of tapas to Banner Elk. With more than 100 items on the menu, Zuzda has something to please any palate all in a relaxed but classy atmosphere. The expansive menu insures that every trip to Zuzda’s is as unique as you make it.

Louisiana Purchase Food and Spirits

Puerto Nuevo

Sorrento’s Italian Bistro


Artistic expression in Banner Elk Artistic expression in Banner Elk MATTHEW HUNDLEY

[email protected]

Whether it is on a stage, hang-ing in gallery, adorning a restaurant wall or standing in a garden, art abounds

in Banner Elk. The stunning landscape and rural settings surrounding Banner Elk draws artists from around the world to the High Country. The addition of Lees-McRae College’s performing arts productions and Summer Theater programs mean that Ban-ner Elk will always have a cultural, artistic experience ready to share with residents and guests.

While a great many Banner Elk shops feature the art and craft of local artists, many of the area’s fi nest artists choose The Art Cellar and The Clark Gallery as the set-ting for their work.

The Art Cellar has provided a venue for artists for 20 years. The Art Cellar includes a fi ne art gallery displaying paintings, pottery and sculptures created by the High Country’s fi nest artists. The gallery also includes an ample supply of local folk art. For more information on The Art Cellar, including a list of featured artists, click to

www.artcellaronline.com.Right in downtown Banner Elk beside

the acclaimed Louisiana Purchase restau-rant, Clark Gallery has provided Banner Elk residents and guests with access to the best in painting and sculpture since 2001. Gallery owner and artist Chris Clark compiled his expertise from years of travel and collecting combined with a formal education in art and art history. For more information on Clark Gallery, click to www.clarkgallerync.com.

For those who like their art in motion, LMC provides both productions from its performing arts departments and its Summer Theater. Each semester, LMC’s performing arts students put on a new production, sometimes reaching back to classics like “Much Ado About Nothing” or “Pride and Prejudice,” and sometimes keeping the productions more contempo-rary, such as with its spring 2013 produc-tion of Neil Simon’s “Rumors: A Farce,” scheduled for late February and early

March at LMC’s Hayes Auditorium.When the students are away for sum-

mer, the auditorium does not lay idle; LMC Summer Theater takes over to provide three musical productions. Lees-McRae Summer Theater is a professional com-pany dedicated to producing three large-scale musicals each summer. The plays are always presented in Hayes Auditorium on the campus of Lees-McRae College.

For a great example of art that functions, check out Blue Mountain Metal Works, by visiting its Banner Elk gallery or by click-ing to www.bluemountainmetalworks.com. Owner Dirk Brown gained experience fi rst at ASU and then through working at Charleston Forge before setting out on his own to become one of Banner Elk’s premier sculptors of steel and other metals. Gates, railings, fi rescreens, decorations and other metal creations can be found or commis-sioned by visiting Brown in Banner Elk.

These are just a few examples of the many ways to engage in the arts while in Banner Elk. For residents, that means endless op-portunities to explore the work of creative minds. For visitors, it means that there is always some new masterpiece ready to be experienced whenever their visit falls.

Banner House Museum, located at 7990 Hickory Nut Gap Road in Banner Elk, is located in the 19th century home of Samuel Henry Banner, one of Banner Elk’s original settlers. The museum hosts daily guided tours mid-June throughmid-October by volunteer docents who introduce guests to life in the 1800s. For more information, call (828) 898-3634 or click to www.bannerhousemuseum.org.


LMC student actors preform in ‘Beguiled Again’ in April 2011.Photo submitted


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WWhen Banner Elk and the surrounding area became an even-more popular rec-reation destination in the

1960s and 1970s, it was marketed nation-ally as “a place for all seasons,” and aptly so, as it remains one of the few locales in North Carolina with four distinct climates and evolving scenery throughout the year.

Nearing 4,000 feet above sea level, Banner Elk’s temperatures average 15 to 20 degrees cooler than off the mountain, resulting in amazingly pleasant summer temperatures that draw visitors, summer homeowners and outdoor sports enthu-siasts from all over the United States and world. That same temperature differential means a winter climate ideal for natural snowfall (Banner Elk usually receives ap-proximately 45 inches of natural snow per winter) and for blowing manmade snow, a crucial element for the local ski slopes. Historically, winter temperatures in Ban-

ner Elk remain near or below freezing during the day, but recent winters have been slightly warmer, with daytime temps averaging between 35 and 40 degrees.

Banner Elk is framed with high peaks and rolling hills, and home to hundreds of species of fl ora and trees, which all combine to create a show of blossoming life in the spring and a colorful tapestry in autumn, everywhere you look.

Temperatures in Banner Elk are so pleasant throughout the spring, summer and fall, in fact, that most homes, until recently, were built without air condition-ing – a striking fact, given the sweltering heat of the surrounding lowlands.

Banner Elk’s comfortable climate brings four seasons to life

Photos by Matthew Hundley


Nothing quite brings people together better than music … especially when it’s of high quality and free of charge.

Realizing this, countless citizens and visi-tors alike make Banner Elk Concerts in the Park one of the must-do events to experience throughout the summer.

Banner Elk Concerts in the Park com-mence at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday evenings beginning in mid-June and continue weekly until late-August at Tate-Evans Park stage, located off Highway 194 behind Bank of America in Banner Elk.

Numerous local businesses help make Banner Elk Concerts in the Park possible. In addition to great music from local and regional artists, raffl e tickets are sold each week for prizes, in addition to a cash draw-ing. A number of food vendors are on hand with a variety of meal and snack options, or patrons are welcome to bring their own food.

Concertgoers are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets and coolers, and friendly, well-behaved and leashed dogs are permit-ted.

Banner Elk Concerts in the Park feature a variety of bands and genres varying from week to week, promising something which appeals to everyone.

Attendees are invited to ‘shake a leg’ on the dance fl oor, listen to great music and social-ize with neighbors and newcomers alike.

For more information about Banner Elk

Concerts in the Park, call Banner Elk Cham-ber of Commerce at (828) 898-8395, [email protected] or click to www.bannerelk.org.

Summer comes alive with Concerts in the ParkSummer comes alive with Concerts in the ParkJAMIE SHELL

[email protected]

Regularly at Banner Elk Concerts in the Park attendees leave their seats to dance and interact with bands, as took place last summer with a popular performance by Billy Scott and the Party Prophets, pictured.Photo submitted

The Johnson Brothers, a longstanding local bluegrass group, is a popular act to grace Tate-Evans Park stage for Banner Elk Concerts in the Park.Photo submitted


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Tate-Evans Park repre-sents the dedication of the Town of Banner Elk to providing its residents

with the best in public services, including recreation. Rather serv-ing any single purpose, Tate-Evans Park is designed to be utilized for a staggering variety of purposes and events, and the residents of Banner Elk put it to good use. Whether for daily exercise, family func-tions or community congregations, Tate-Evans Park serves a central gathering place for the tight-knit community that is Banner Elk.

While Tate-Evans Park provides a setting for a variety of familiar, family-oriented outdoor activities – the park includes a walking trail, wading pools, volleyball court, picnic tables, picnic shelter, a play-ground area for smaller children and the renowned Fort VonCanon for more active children – the park also serves as a venue for a variety of exciting scheduled events spon-sored by the town, local organiza-

tions and businesses.For example, Tate-Evans Park

includes an amphitheatre that plays host to the Concerts in the Park each Thursday night begin-ning in June. See page 18 for more on the Concerts in the Park.

A variety of other festivities are also centered around the park, including Fourth of July celebra-tions, the annual gathering around the campfire (a final farewell to summer), a Spook-tacular event at Halloween, the annual Christmas Tree Lighting, caroling and various public classes.

In addition to community events, families often take advantage of the park’s many facilities, which include restrooms open from April to September. Banner Elk families regularly host birthday parties, reunions and weddings at different sites around the park’s beautiful grounds.

While Tate-Evans Park and its walking trails meander near much of downtown Banner Elk, the most direct entrance is right next to Banner Elk Town Hall, located at 200 Park Avenue.

Tate-Evans ParkTate-Evans ParkMATTHEW HUNDLEY

[email protected]

Photos by Matthew Hundley


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Residents in Banner Elk and surround-ing communities are not an idle sort; they keep their communities alive and vital with concerts, festivals, celebrations, shows, arts and more. While it is too early to list all of the events that Banner Elk residents will cook up in the coming months, here is a list of annual events to look forward each year. Dates may vary from year to year, so check regularly with your local newspapers when the season arrives for your favorite event.

Summer (Beginning mid June)

Banner Elk Independence Day ParadeBanner Elk celebrates its independence

in style, with a large-scale parade and celebration each year.

Banner Elk Summer Concert SeriesEach week throughout the summer, Ban-

ner Elk’s Tate-Evan’s Park serves as host to one talented band after another, giving residents the chance to gather and enjoy a lively time. For more information on Ban-ner Elk’s Summer Concerts in the Park see page 18 of this guide.

Fine Arts and Master Craft FestivalHeld each year in downtown Banner Elk,

the Fine Arts and Master Craft Festival is a celebration of all of the artistic ingenuity in and around the Banner Elk area. The re-gion’s best artists and craftspeople converge on Banner Elk to offer their wares to eager crowds.

Mile High Kite FestivalBeech Mountain Chamber of Commerce

hosts a kite festival as part of the town’s La-bor Day weekend festivities. Established kite clubs attend the festival each year, bringing their astounding kites and expertise.

Lees-McRae Summer TheaterLees-McRae Summer Theater is a profes-

sional company dedicated to producing three large-scale musicals each summer. The plays are always presented in Hayes Auditorium on the campus of Lees-McRae College.

Autumn (Beginning late Sept.)

Woolly Worm FestivalFor those who are not familiar with

Banner Elk’s Woolly Worm Festival, it is exactly what it sounds like, a festival dedi-cated to celebrating, collecting and racing woolly worms. One of the regions biggest festivals, the event features cash prizes for

woolly worm races, an international varietyof food vendors, dozens of craft vendors and live music.

Autumn at OzIn 1970, Land of Oz opened on top of

Beech Mountain. Though the popular park was ultimately lost, it touched the lives of many. Now, former employees and dedi-cated fans reopen the park one weekend each year to give guests a chance to see the world of Oz.

OktoberfestSugar Mountain’s Oktoberfest includes

all of the staples of a proper Oktoberfest, an Oom Pah band, handmade crafts, Bavarian Cuisine and, of course, plenty of beer.

SugarFestLate in autumn each year, Sugar Moun-

tain Resort hosts SugarFest, a grand kick-off to the winter ski season. To get people in the skiing state of mind SugarFest includes ski clinics with Olympians, ice skating, gourmet food tastings, fi reworks and more.

Annual EventsAnnual Events

A good time to make A good time to make Banner Elk your hometownBanner Elk your hometown

The High Country real estate market continues to rebound, with sales hitting a three-year high in August 2012, accord-ing to High Country Association of Real-tors. There were 133 Realtor-assisted sales that month, the most since 133 were sold in August 2009. The total value was $31.4 million; the second straight month sales surpassed $30 million. The High Country hasn’t had back to back $30 million months since July and August 2009, according to High Country Multiple Listing Services. The median price of a home sold was $195,300, which indicates buyers’ market conditions continue.

“Summer is traditionally a strong buying season with an additional market infl ux in the fall,” said Laurie Phillips, executive offi -cer of High Country Association of Realtors. “With low interest rates and a solid inven-tory, we are seeing more buyers looking

to invest in the High Country.”

Between May and August 2012, 475 listings were sold, the most in a four-month period since 514 were sold from July to Octo-ber 2008.

Sales are speeding up.

The average time a sold listing spent on the market in August 2012 was 213 days, the shortest such time span in more than a year.

According to the National Association of Realtors, the average rate on a 30-year fi xed rate mortgage has been below 4 percent all year.

Sales of previously occupied homes jumped 10 percent in July from a year before, while sales of newly built homes increased 25 percent in the same period.

“From a buyer’s standpoint, it’s probably one of the best investments you can make,” said Nena Alsaker, president of High Coun-try Association of Realtors.

Payton Franklin welcomes visitors to Autumn at Oz at Beech Mountain in August 2012.



Important numbersImportant numbersFire, Rescue or Police in an emergency 911Town of Banner Elk: (828) 898-5398

Avery County Chamber of Commerce: (828) 898-5605 (800) 972-2183Banner Elk Chamber of Commerce: (828) 898-8395

Beech Mountain Chamber of Commerce: (828) 387-9283The Avery Journal-Times newspaper: (828) 733-2448

Banner House Museum: (828) 898-3634Banner Elk Town Hall: (828) 898-5398

Banner Elk Police Department: (828) 898-4300Banner Elk Fire Department: (828) 898-4623

Banner Elk Exxon: (828) 898-5210Lees-McRae College: (828) 898-5241

Avery County Sheriff’s Offi ce: (828) 733-2071Avery County Schools: (828) 733-6006

Cannon Memorial Hospital: (828) 737-7000Mountain Electric Cooperative: (828) 733-0159

Williams YMCA of Avery County: (828) 737-5500Beech Mountain Resort: (828) 387-2011

Sugar Mountain Resort: (828) 898-4521Avery County Board of Elections: (828) 733-8282

Avery County Emergency Management/Burn Permits: (828) 733-8213Avery County Communications/911 Offi ce: (828) 733-5855

Avery County Board of Commissioners Offi ce: (828) 733-8212Avery County Emergency Medical Services: (828) 733-8286

Avery County Health Department: (828) 733-6031Avery County Mapping: (828) 733-7001

Avery County Planning Department: (828) 733-8204Avery County Register of Deeds: (828) 733-8260

Avery County Parks and Recreation: (828) 733-8266Avery County Social Services: (828) 733-8230

Avery County Senior Services: (828) 733-8220Avery County Solid Waste: (828) 737-5420

Avery County Tax Offi ce: (828) 733-8214Avery County Transportation Department: (828) 733-0005

Avery County Veteran’s Services: (828) 733-8211Avery County Museum: (828) 733-7111

Places of worshipPlaces of worshipin Banner Elk and Avery CountyAaron Baptist ChurchAll Saints MissionAltamont United Methodist Arbor Dale PresbyterianAvery United MethodistBanner Elk Church of ChristBanner Elk PresbyterianBanner Elk Seventh AdventistBanner Elk United MethodistBeech Mountain BaptistBelview Baptist ChurchBig Meadows BaptistChapel In The WoodsChestnut Dale BaptistChurch of Jesus Christ Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day SaintsChurch of the SaviorCrab Orchard FWBCranberry BaptistCrossnore BaptistCrossnore PresbyterianCurtis Creek BaptistElk Mountain FWBElk Park BaptistElk Park ChristianElk Park United MethodistEmmanuel BaptistEvangelical MethodistFaith BaptistFall Creek BaptistFellowship BaptistFellowship PresbyterianFirst Baptist Church Forest Home Community

Fletcher PresbyterianGreen Valley BaptistHeaton ChristianHenson Creek BaptistIvey Heights FWBJehovah’s WitnessesJonas Ridge BaptistLinville Falls Community ChurchLinville United MethodistMidway Holiness ChurchMinneapolis BaptistMinneapolis ChristianMinneapolis Methodist Mt. Calvary Baptist Mt. Pleasant BaptistMountain View FWBNewland ChristianNewland PresbyterianNewland United MethodistOpen Door Baptist Pineola BaptistPineola Church of GodPineola PresbyterianPleasant Hill BaptistPlumtree PresbyterianPowdermill BaptistRoaring Creek BaptistRoaring Creek FWB St. Bernadette CatholicStamey Town BaptistSugar Mountain Baptist Yellow Mountain BaptistVale FWBVictory BaptistWalnut Grove Presbyterian

Banner Elk Banner Elk clubs and organizationsclubs and organizationsAppalachian Women’s FundAPPEL – Avery Partnership for People at the End of LifeAvery Association for Exceptional CitizensAvery County Cooperative Extension Avery County Farmers’ Market Avery County Habitat for HumanityAvery County Habitat for Humanity ReStoreAvery County Historical MuseumAvery County Humane SocietyAvery County JobLinkAvery County Pregnancy and Resource CenterAvery County Shrine Club

Avery Smooth Dancers and Mt. Laurel Booster ClubBanner House MuseumBeech Mountain Club Beech Mountain Bike Club Disabled American Veterans Chapter 87Grandfather Home for Children High Country Caregivers FoundationHigh Country United WayHolston CenterKiwanis Club of Banner ElkMAY Coalition Rotary Club of Avery County VFW Pat Ray Post 4286Volunteer Avery County and Community ServicePhoto by Sam Calhoun

Banner Elk My Hometown

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