Photo by Ron Johnson taken from Klonteska Drive in Banner Elk

 

Celebrating Banner Elk, NC!
 The People. The Beauty. The Spirit.
 
Banner Elk Magazine is published Monday through Friday 


TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2014
Volume III Issue 666
 
Ron Johnson, Publisher
 
Email: ron@bannerelkmagazine.com 
Mobile: 828-260-5112
See past daily issues
See thousands of Banner Elk event photos
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Weather Forecast for Banner Elk, NC
The National Weather Service
 
Looks like snow Thursday night and Friday.
 

The White Crow of Banner Elk was first photographed by

Jim Swinkola of Banner Elk two months ago ad since that time there

 have been dozens of sightings.

 

Sallie Woodring, however, receives the

 first place prize for the best photo ever of our favorite bird.

 

See more of Sallie's photographs at her Facebook Page

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Even the screen shot from William Mauney's recent video is amazing.

Click here to enjoy a time-lapse video of Banner Elk and The High Country. 

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Lees-McRae College, Banner Elk, NC


 
Dr. Barry Buxton, President of LMC and

Mrs. Buxton named honorary Lees-McRae alumni

 

 "They rescued us. They inspired us. They motivated us.

And they elevated us to a new level. Their vision continues through hard work and dedication to our Alma Mater. Barry and Debbie make us proud to be Lees-McRae Alumni!"

-Martha McAfee, former President of the Alumni Board
 
 

The Executive Committee of the Lees-McRae Alumni Board of Directors is proud to announce they recognized President Barry M. Buxton and his wife, Deborah, as honorary alumni of the Class of 2011 during the 2014 Homecoming and Family Weekend. The year of 2011 was chosen in honor of the first class to graduate under the leadership of President Buxton.

 

During the presentation of their honor at the Green and Gold Alumni Awards Brunch, Martha McAfee, former President of the Alumni Board, remarked, "[Dr. and Mrs. Buxton] rescued us. They inspired us. They motivated us. And they elevated us to a new level. Their vision continues through hard work and dedication to our Alma Mater. Barry and Debbie make us proud to be Lees-McRae Alumni!"

 

Just before the arrival of President and Mrs. Buxton in June 2010, Lees-McRae was experiencing severe financial difficulty. From the beginning, President Buxton set his sights on implementing a plan for the revitalization of Lees-McRae.

 

In his first four years, the President has reduced the College's debt by 30%, completed three years with a balanced budget, frozen tuition costs for two consecutive years, developed a state-of-the-art school of nursing and health sciences (funded by donations), implemented a pet-friendly campus policy and completed more than $3.5 million in deferred maintenance to the campus (funded by donations).

 

Mrs. Buxton has also become a campus symbol in her own right. In 2010, Mrs. Buxton began restoring the Daniel Boone Cottage, which now serves as guest housing. This historic restoration earned her the 2012 Gertrude S. Carraway Award of Merit from Preservation North Carolina.

 

A native of Blowing Rock, Dr. Buxton has a long history of involvement with non-profit organizations in Appalachia. He served as Executive Director of the sixteen-member Appalachian Consortium and, in 1987, he received a distinguished service award from the Blue Ridge Parkway in recognition of the historic studies he conducted of Mabry Mill, Moses H. Cone Estate, Davey Farm, and Brinegar Cabin. President Buxton holds two degrees from Appalachian State University, a BS in history and a MA in social studies, and a PhD in education administration from the University of Nebraska.

 

Photos by Ron Johnson

Left top: Deborah and Dr. Barry Buxton at the 2013 convocation

Right top: Dr. Buxton spoke before the Kiwanis Club of Banner Elk. At right is

Rev. Field Russell, Pastor of the Banner Elk Presbyterian Church,

a Trustee of LMC and a Kiwanian.

Bottom left: The Buxton's with Kay and Jim Lauritsen at the dedication

of the Lauritsen Technial Theatre and Design Studio on the LMC campus.

Click here for the Banner Elk Magazine issue covering the dedication. 

Bottom right: Dr. Buxton with 2013 Convocation speaker Emanuel Jessup.

Click here for the Banner Elk Magazine issue covering the Convocation. 

 

Photo by Ron Johnson

The Buxton's with their son, Peter, at a sneak peek luncheon

in Miller Commons on the campus of Lees-McRae College.

Click here to see the Banner Elk Magazine "sneak peek" issue 

Video by Ron Johnson - From an issue of Banner Elk Magazine

"Monique Mock has had a difficult life but now it has changed for the better as Lees-McRae College decided last night at the 22nd Annual Children's Classic Golf Tournament dinner, a benefit for Grandfather Home For Children in Banner Elk, that they would give Monique a full ride scholarship to the college - a $130,000 gift!"

 

(L-R in the video screen shot: Dr. Buxton, Monique Mock, and

Barbara Miller Whitton, a Trustee of LMC.

See the video   

 

Revitalization Accomplishments

See the web page at the LMC website 

Daniel Boone VI Cottage

 

The historic Daniel Boone VI Cottage is a salute to the  College's mountain identity and a cozy home away from home for guests of the College. Deborah Buxton spearheaded a restoration, and, along with Lees-McRae College, was awarded a Gertrude S. Carraway Award of Merit by Preservation North Carolina.

 

Click here for LMC facts and stats

Photo by Ron Johnson

"The sacred flame that burned in the heart of [our founders] Edgar and Bessy Tufts has not died," said President Barry M. Buxton during the groundbreaking ceremony. "That sacred flame lives on in the heart of another couple - Dan and Dianne May - who have recognized that Lees-McRae cannot succeed in a highly competitive higher education environment without first class facilities. Without the passion, the dedication and the foresight of this extraordinary couple the new school of nursing and allied health at Lees-McRae would not be possible." -Dr. Barry Buxton at the groundbreaking June 20, 2013

Photo by Ron Johnson of the May family at the groundbreaking June 20, 2013

Daniel May, second row right, passed away on June 24, 2014.

Click here to read about Mr. May.

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Click here for the TDA website

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Click here for the FAF Facebook Page

 

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Click here for information about Christmas In The Park

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A Sunday tradition at Sorrento's Bistro at The Stoplight

in the Heart of Banner Elk

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Photo at the Banner Elk Mill Pond by Ron Johnson

 

 

Click here to see 137 Trunk or Treat photos

and 356 Woolly Worm Festival photos

 

 

Have a Terrific Tuesday and see you tomorrow.