Long before most of us start our day, staff members from Appalachian State University’s Physical Plant are on campus fighting what seems to be a never-ending battle with this year’s snowfall.  Assistant professor Baker Perry from Appalachian’s Department of Geography and Planning says area snow totals have yet to reach records set in 1960, when more than 100 inches of snow fell in Boone. Most people, however, will agree this winter’s totals – currently exceeding 50 inches – are deep enough. That total was recorded Feb. 17 at Boone’s cooperative National Weather Service site located near the town’s wastewater treatment plant. This season’s snow has become costly. So far, the university has had to purchase two replacement snow blades and three snow blowers, and has distributed more than 860 tons of ice melt compared to 210 tons last year. 

Although the university’s Landscape Services Department has primary responsibility for snow removal, all Physical Plant staff members have been called on to lend a hand to keep campus walkways and stairs clear of snow.

Campus employees assigned to snow removal duties have each accrued an average of 136 hours of comp time. Fuel and repair costs on trucks and equipment used for snow removal is $100,000 over budget. Other snow totals throughout the area as of Feb. 17 according to Perry are Vilas, 61.3 inches; Meat Camp, 65.7 inches; Banner Elk, 65.8 inches; Beech Mountain, 102.2 inches; and Mount Mitchell, 134 inches. (Appalachian photo by University Photographer Troy Tuttle)

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BOONE – National Eating Disorders Awareness Week will be observed at Appalachian State University Feb. 22-26 with a series of activities to promote the development of confidence and self-acceptance. [more]

BOONE—The storytelling and sustainability events at Appalachian State University scheduled for Friday, Feb. 19, and Saturday, Feb. 21, with Kentucky Poet Laureate Gurney Norman and North Carolina Heritage Fellow Orville Hicks have been postponed due to weather. [more]

BOONE— James Allen Anderson conducts the Appalachian Symphony Orchestra in a Feb. 25 performance at Appalachian State University. The program begins at 8 p.m. in Broyhill Music Center’s Rosen Concert Hall. Admission is free. [more]

BOONE – Ed Pilkington, an acting legend in the Southeast, appears in Appalachian State University’s Department of Theatre and Dance production “Prelude to a Kiss” Feb. 24 - 28 at Valborg Theatre.

Pilkington achieved faculty emeritus status at Appalachian, having taught in the Department of Theatre and Dance for 31 years. He has performed on stages from New York City to Vancouver. He received the North Carolina Theatre Conferences’ Distinguished Career Award.  In “Prelude to a Kiss,” he plays the role of the Old Man.

Performances begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, and 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 28.  Tickets are $12 and $6.  The Box Office is open weekdays from 2-5 p.m. and one hour prior to show time.  Purchase tickets in person, by phone at 828-262-3063, or online at www.theatre.appstate.edu/performances.

“Prelude to a Kiss” is a modern day fairy tale about Peter and Rita (played by L.B. Brown and Megan Lewicki). On the young couple’s wedding day, a mysterious elderly man kisses the bride and the newlyweds’ relationship becomes more and more curious. Unbeknownst to Peter, the old man and Rita have exchanged souls. Playwright Craig Lucas wrote the award-winning play in the late 1980s.  Following a successful Broadway run which ended in 1991, “Prelude to a Kiss” was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Play, and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. A major motion picture by the same name starring Meg Ryan and Alec Baldwin was released in 1992.

Faculty member Anna Ward directs the play.  Michael Helms serves as sound and light designer, Martha Marking as costume designer, and Alissa Steele as scenic designer.

The Valborg Theatre is located at 480 Howard St., behind the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts.  Parking is available on campus in faculty lots, the parking garage behind the Carol G. Belk Library, and behind the Turchin Center.

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BOONE—Jazz Ensemble II from Appalachian State University’s Hayes School of Music performs Feb. 23 at 8 p.m. in Broyhill Music Center’s Rosen Concert Hall. Admission is free. [more]

BOONE – Crinkleroot Retreat, a free respite day camp to be held April 9-11, is recruiting campers ages 8 – 14 with Autism Spectrum Disorders.  The retreat will be held in Valle Crucis at Camp Broadstone and is staffed by trained Appalachian State University volunteers. [more]

BOONE—The guitar duo of  Pasquale Rucco and Douglas James will perform Feb. 25 at 8 p.m. in Broyhill Music Center’s Recital Hall at Appalachian State University. Admission is free. [more]

BOONE—Lucas Meachem has performed on stage in Madrid, New York and Los Angeles.  A former student at Appalachian State University, Meachem returns to campus Feb. 24 for an 8 p.m. recital in Broyhill Music Center’s Rosen Concert Hall. [more]