* Woolly Worm Predicts Cold and Snowy Winter *

Last weekend, Banner Elk hosted the 35th Annual Woolly Worm Festival under beautiful Carolina blue skies. Large crowds came out to participate in the annual race, where the winner predicts our  weather for the upcoming winter months. 

The woolly worm, a black and brown, fuzzy moth caterpillar, has a body with 13 segments. This is the same number of weeks in our winter season. Harsh winters are associated with the black coloring on the worm, and brown represents a milder season.

This years fastest worm, Lickety-Split, predicted an above average winter for snow fall for the High Country! Below is the prediction for the 2012-2013 winter...

• Beginning December 22, winter will open with 4 weeks of cold, snowy weather
• Week 5, will offer light snow and cooler temperatures
• Weeks 6-11 will bring normal temperatures
• Week 12 will be unusual with an ice storm possible
• The final week of winter, 13, will be cold and snowy

~ Happy Haunting in the High Country ~

As October comes to a close, Halloween festivities are in full swing.

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 This upcoming weekend will be the final weekend to visit The Ghost Train at Tweetsie Railroad. The park opens at 7:30pm and admission is $28/person. 

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October 25, Appalachian State University will host the ASU Trick or Treating for Tots. Wear your costumes and come out for candy and treats in the East Campus Residence Halls.

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October 27, The Beary Scary Halloween at Grandfather Mountain will offer a variety of arts and crafts, trick or treating, nature programs, and a costume contest. Children in costume get half off admission to the park.

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Also, on October 27, Blowing Rock will host the Blowing Rock Halloween Fest. Beginning at 3pm and going through 9pm, the town will offer a variety of fun and games, a Monster March, bonfire and Moonlight Scavenger Hunt. 

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Homecoming in the High Country

Appalachian State University begins it's homecoming celebration Friday, October 5 and continues throughout the weekend. Alumni are invited to celebrate "The Big APPle  at 3,333 feet." Guests are welcomed to enjoy guest speakers, the Running of The Knob, a pep rally, The Homecoming Alumni Dance, a parade, tailgating and kickoff against Elon at 3:30pm! Come out and support the Mountaineers!! 

For more information visit :

www.homecoming.appstate.edu

Lees-McRae College will also celebrate homecoming Saturday, October 6 with a parade beginning at 11am on Main Street, Banner Elk. The festivities include class reunions, NCAA Soccer and Volleyball, Athletic Hall of Fame inductions, and the Performing Arts performance of Legally Blonde, the musical. 

For information regarding the Bobcats Homecoming visit :

go.lmc.edu/homecomingschedule