Year Three - Issue Number 347
Ron Johnson, Publisher
Copyright 2012-2013-2014
Best Smile
(Taken at Banner Elk School's Christmas Program)
Best Autumn (of the century)
Photo taken across from town hall
Best Eyes
Taken at SugarBrew


Best Hugger
(Taken at Dunn's Deli on December 14 - that's Roy Krege as Santa)

Best Red Hair
(Top photo: Singing at the Bayou on December 14 and photo 
above-Christmas program at Banner Elk School)
 
Best Fisherman
(Taken at Wildcat Lake Fishing Tournament)

Best Rain Shoes
(For the rains of the summer of '13 - shot
at the Arts & Crafts Fair in downtown)
Note the sacks are from The Dollar Store)
 
Best Banner Elk Cowboy.
Tom McMurray, ESQ

 
Best Friend To All Of Banner Elk
(Taken at the Banner Elk Kiwanis Club Party In The Park on July 4th)

Best Banner Elk Boosters
Mike & Robin Dunn, Jo-Ann McMurray, Lori & Phil Dean
Steve & Rebecca Chandler, Cindy & Les Broussard, Robert Tufts

Best Celebration.
This flame burned at every event all year long

Best Christmas Tree Grower
(Taken at Bob Barinowski's Christmas Tree Farm)
Best & Biggest Woolly Worm Festival Ever!
(Left to right) Roy Krege, Mr. Woolly Worm, Sue Freeman,
Executive Director of the Avery County Chamber of Commerce,
Michelle Griffin and "Fuzz," the winning worm. Tommy Burleson, Woolly Worm
Weatherman, Adam Binder, Son of Mr. Woolly Worm and Kiwanis President,
Mary Jo Brubaker, Chair of the Festival, and Nancy Morrison,
President of the Avery County Chamber of Commerce. 
 
Best Visitor To Banner Elk - Billy Dunn!
(Taken on 4th of July at Dunn's Deli)

Best Sunset Of The Year

Best Parader.
(Taken at the 4th of July Parade)
Best Admirer of the Year
(Taken at annual Trunk or Treat at Halloween)

Best Enthusiasm of the Year
(Taken at Lees-McRae College's Homecoming)
Best New Chairman of Grandfather Home for Children
Cliff Williams with wife, Marilee

Best Mentor of the Year
(Dan Brubaker taken at a Wildcat Lake fishing tournament)

Best Craftsman of the Year
John Larsen taken at Arts & Crafts Show at Old Banner Elk School

Best Banner Elk Deer of the Year
(Suzie Fisk took this wonderful photo out her kitchen window)

Best Highland Games at Grandfather Mountain
(Taken on the opening evening)

Best Garden at Habitat for Humanity's Parade of Homes
(Taken at The Farm)

Best Dressed.
(Taken at Kirkin' O the Tartan at Banner Elk Presbyterian Church)

Best Retiring Police Chief - Bill Burleson
Best Mayor (Brenda Lyerly)
Best Husband (Judge Lyerly)
(Taken at town hall at the Burleson retirement party)

Best Retiring Banner Elk Banker
Brenda Puckett, right, retired from Bank of America following 32-years. Left to right: Kimberly Schrader, Juanita Cable, Jim Checolo, Joanie Byer, Kathy Boone, Banking Center Manager, Brenda Puckett

Best Elk in Banner Elk
He's always there as a symbol of Banner Elk pride and spirit.

Best Rhododendron's of the Summer of '13
(Taken at Fifth Third Bank)
Best Provider.
(Taken at Food Lion in Banner Elk)

Best College President.
That's the dapper Dr. Barry Buxton, President of Lees-McRae College,
making friends with Mr. Pickles at Heritage Week at the school.
Mr. Pickles lives at Apple Hill Farm.

Best Philanthropists - Dianne & Daniel May
Taken at the groundbreaking ceremonies for the new
May School of Nursing at Lees-McRae College.
Top photo: Deborah Buxton, Dianne and Daniel May, Dr. Barry Buxton

Best Flower of the Summer of '13)
(Taken in my front yard)
Best Day of the 2013 Year- September 23
(Taken at The Farm)

Best Pet Fest-ers
(Erika Siegel and Mark Minor, founders of Pet Fest,
with their beautiful Golden Retrievers at 2nd Annual Pet Fest 2013)
 
Best Sugar Brew-ers
(Taken at this year's SugarBrew on Sugar Mountain)
Best Barbequer's
(Taken at the BBQ on Sugar Mountain which honored Wounded Warriors)

Most read story of the year in Banner Elk Magazine
 
Most watched Banner Elk video of 2013
 
Best Performer & Best New Song - Barton Carroll 
Avery County, I'm Bound To You

Barton Carroll, left, with his famous mother, Dr. Janet Speer, and  
Dr. Michael Joslin, Director of the Stephenson Center for Appalachia at
Lees-McRae College, host of the concert last night. See the concert video

News: Barton named #30 of top 100 
Western North Carolina musicians by WCNW 88.7

Best Volunteers of the Year
Jo-Ann and Tom McMurray
Headed up the 4th of July Parade, the Christmas In The Park Parade,
and the December 14th all-day Christmas In The Park.
(We should have a parade for them!)
 
Best Retiring Banner Elk Town Council Member
Gail Draughon, left, retired from the town council after serving
the town for many years. She is pictured here with Robert & Kimberoly Tufts
at the Tufts-hosted Annual Town of Banner Elk Christmas Party 

Best Supporters of Banner Elk Events
Allen & Rebecca Bolick
(Allen is also a Banner Elk Town Councilman)
 
Jim Swinkola retires today following 31-years at the helm of
Grandfather Home for Children and wife, Ann, has been with
him all the way as they built the home into a nationally noted
organization dedicated to helping abused children. 

Happy New Year! 
Banner Elk Magazine 
Published Monday through Friday
Ron Johnson, Publisher 
Copyright 2012-2013-2014