May 2015 sophie

May 2015 Priceless

Happy Mother’s Day!

Asheville’s

Fashion Community

hits the River Arts District

CUTE

COORDINATED Spring Outfits for Mom & Baby

SophieMagazine.com

S B U R H SBetty Sharpless how!

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Local events you won’t want to miss

for Cinco de Mayo

RING

FLOWE

s explain

Clear Your Calendar!

Creative Cocktails

E Get FRE

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Sophie MAY 2015 | 3

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pring is the time to celebrate new life, and May is the perfect month to introduce our new fresh look for Sophie Magazine. The Sophie team is excited to share with you some of what we have discovered about the amazing men and women of Western North Carolina. Check out the what’s happening on the local scene with our feature on the FashMob that hit the River Arts District by storm. We have included pictures of real women by photographer Jennifer Mesk of humansofasheville.net, and a monthly feature on women who know what kind of women they want to be and excel in their field of expertise. As always our fashion pages are stunning, and this month they remind us of the beauty of motherhood. Betty Sharpless never disappoints with her great advice on how to get free flowering shrubs, and Meg’s movie review on “Fifty Shades of Grey” is sure to entertain. We hope you enjoy the creative cocktails for Cinco de Mayo and the expanded calendar that will give you plenty of reasons to leave the house. Finally, the Sophie team is energized to produce an engaging and exciting magazine every month, and we thank our dedicated readers and advertisers for their support.

May 2015

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

19

Real Men Read Sophie

20

Flower Power

21

Life In Bloom Fashions

26

Garden Bloomers

28

Let’s Get Cooking

34

What’s In Your Closet?

35

Betty’s Book Review Meg’s Movie Review

Rob Berls enjoys reading Sophie!

Vibrant floral prints seem to be everywhere.

6

ashMob F Hits R.A.D. Photographer

Duncan Chaboudy hosted an impromtu photo shoot.

Photographer Katy Cook captures touching moments between Angela Ramsey and her son, Colton.

Betty Sharpless explains how you can get free flowering shrubs.

Debi Manfre shares her favorite Cinco de Mayo cocktails.

Rebecca Roberts looks into Spencer MacDonald’s closet.

9

So Social

10

Sophie Celebrates You!

36

12

The Sophie Intern Speaks Out!

38

14

Women Of WNC

Rebecca Roberts shares her picks of the month.

Sophie celebrates men and women in western North Carolina.

Rebecca Roberts shares her thoughts about being a Sophie intern.

15

Photographed by photographer Jennifer Mesk.

Inspiring Women

Meg Hale discovers how graphic designer, Laura Lowe reinvented herself professional.

16

Women To Watch

Carrie Harder spotlights inspiring women around the world.

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late-night-read, “Miss Hazel And The Rosa Parks A League”.

Meg Hale gives “Fifty Shades Of Grey” 6 out of 10 stars.

Things To Do

An expanded monthly calender of activities.

Share your ideas and inspirations.

Email writer@sophiemagazine.com with recipes, books, and article ideas. Email calendar@sophiemagazine.com to list your events on our monthly calendar. Follow Sophie on Facebook and Pinterest.

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smart • sophisticated • savvy

The Sophie Team Patricia Betts Meg Hale Brunton Katy Cook Adalee Elkins Mark Graham Vincent Grassia Carrie Harder Pamela Hart Rick Jenkins Roberta Lloyd Rose Lunsford Debi Manfre Jayme Pressley Angela Ramsey Jeff Ruminski Betty Sharpless Karen Shepard Jamie Vaughan Tiffany Welsh SOPHIE MAGAZINE 22 Garfield Street, Suite 100 Asheville, NC 28803 828.210.0340 sophiemagazine.com writer@sophiemagazine.com Distributed throughout WNC, Sophie is a complimentary monthly magazine for today’s woman. Contributions are welcome and may be sent via e-mail. Include your name, address, and phone number, so we can contact you if we decide to print your submission. Sophie reserves the right to edit any editorial submissions. Sophie also reserves the right to refuse any advertisement or article that is deemed inappropriate for the publication. No portion of Sophie may be reproduced without permission of the publisher.

None of the information herein is intended as medical or professional advice.

Sophie MAY 2015 | 5

FashMob hits R.A.D. Asheville’s aspiring fashion designers, models, and photographers gathered last month in the River Arts District for “FashMob”, an impromtu photo shoot hosted by Asheville photographer Duncan Chaboudy.

FashMob started in 2014 with a handful of photographers and models. “As the casual get together gains popularity, the goal is the same: to provide a fun and creative exchange for people in the Asheville fashion community,” explains Duncan. “The fact that the event is free, completely improvised, and includes anyone who wants to attend, makes it popular for both professionals and beginners”.

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Opposite Page Photographed by DUNCAN CHABOUDY, Model AUBREY HUNTLEY, Clothing KATDOG COUTURE This Page (Clockwise from left) Photographed by ASHEVILLE CHANNEL, Model WHITNEY DIANE, Clothing IRONIC EMBROIDERY Photographed by TRACEY RABJOHNS, Model GINGER WILDE, Clothing GRATEFUL THREADS Photographed by STEVE BARKER/ ICON MEDIA, Model JADE ENGELMANN

dance with zeke 2x10

Brick walls, graffiti, and the remains of former factories along the French Broad River provided an inspiring backdrop for beginners and pros alike. Duncan’s vision was for photographers to challenge themselves by capturing motion with creative lighting and camera tricks.

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FashMob is held four times a year. Each event is held at a new location and centered around a theme.

Photographed by TRACEY RABJOHNS, Model GINGER WILDE, Clothing GRATEFUL THREADS Photographed by STEVE BARKER/ ICON MEDIA, Model JADE ENGELMANN

8 | Sophie MAY 2015

Photographed by DUNCAN CHABOUDY Model AUBREY HUNTLEY, Clothing KATDOG COUTURE

So-Social (Sophie Online) This & that from Sophie’s little intern, Rebecca Roberts FAVORITE PINTEREST FIND:

Mommy Mugs

Sticking with the Mother’s Day theme, a great Pinterest find for the month of May is a DIY gift idea for mothers everywhere and the best part is, it’s handmade by you with love and items that you can find at home!

Now I don’t know if I’m the only daughter with a mother that loves coffee but a great little idea that I found on Pinterest are DIY coffee mugs. Whether you just paint a little design or write a cute little message or phrase, the possibilities are endless with this cute and simple idea for the women that do so much. The complete instructions can be found on gimmesomeoven.com, so make sure to check it out!

FAVORITE BOOK OF THE MONTH: “Paper Towns”

John Green, who also wrote “The Fault in Our Stars”, has done it yet again! Astounding his audience with another amazing book that keeps you guessing and doesn’t disappoint. Quentin, nicknamed Q, and Margo Roth Speigelman, who is a mystery to everyone that knows her, find themselves reconnecting as friends after a long time of being neighbors but never speaking. When she goes missing after a late night adventure with Q, she will have everyone wondering where she’s gone, why she left, and who she really is. You won’t want to miss out on the book and, based on the adaptation of “The Fault In Our Stars” from a book to a movie, I’m assuming “Paper Towns” will be equally as good! With Mother’s Day in May and the release date of the movie only a couple of short months later on July 24, this would be a great book to read separately and then take a mother and child date to see the movie later!

FAVORITE LOCAL RESTAURANT: Your Home Since it is the month of Mother’s Day, a perfect restaurant idea is your own home! If you are able to see your mother for this special time of the year, making her a home cooked meal is always a winning idea. Whether it be breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert, there are so many great recipes that can be found on Pinterest or if you and your mom have had a special recipe from the past maybe now is a great time to bring it back out from your kitchen drawer and spend some quality time together! Regardless, a home-cooked meal is a caring meal! My

favorite idea that I found from Pinterest for breakfast had “mom” written all over it. And what mother doesn’t love breakfast in bed? 4 pieces of bacon, 6 strawberries and 1 bagel of your mother’ s choosing will do the trick! Just cut your pieces of bacon in half as well as your strawberries and spread some cream cheese on the bagel. Your next step will be to place the bacon on a plate making the shape of two “M”’s, the bagel will go in the middle to make the “O” and the strawberries will be used as hearts around the plate. Cute, right?

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Sophie-Magazine Sophie MAY 2015 | 9

Sophie Celebrates You!

Amanda Cooke has been promoted to Senior Consultant with Mary Kay in just 3 months of working as an independent beauty consultant.

10 | Sophie MAY 2015

Send your accomplishments, achievements, recognitions, and business news to writer@sophiemagazine.com. Include your full color photograph, saved as high quality JPEG at 300 dpi. Please limit the number of words to 35. Sophie reserves the right to edit content.

Jennifer Livingstone, LCSW, joins the Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Center of WNC. Jennifer provides counseling for adults, families, and children.

Bonnie G. Green, M.D., joins the BRCHS medical staff as the Associate Medical Director of the Brevard Health Center.

Vincent Grassia, IWANNA’s CEO, was recently named 2015 Publisher Of The Year at the National Association of Free Community Papers Conference.

The AIDS Leadership Foothills Alliance (ALFA) held it’s 6th annual Hike for Hope +5k on April 11, 2015 in downtown Hickory, NC. Hike for Hope +5k is ALFA’s annual AIDS awareness walk and run. Donald Keller of Hickory, was the winner of the 5k with an outstanding time of 18:49.3.

The event has raised $16,194 dollars to date. The funds will be used to assist with medical case management, education, and outreach in ALFA’s nine county western NC service area. To find out more about ALFA, visit the website at alfainfo.org or call (828) 322-1447.

Girl Scout Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont is pleased to announce that Natalie Gabriel, Asheville, has earned her Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award in Girl Scouting.

Gabriel, daughter of Richard Gabriel and Bianca Schmidt, and a member of Troop 30077, worked in partnership with Brother Wolf, the Asheville Humane Society and Friends of Madison County to build dog houses to give away to families and dogs in need. Her project, Give a Dog a Roof, helped provide shelter with a total of 13 houses built.

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The Sophie Intern Speaks Out!

C

Written by Rebecca Roberts

ompleting 150 hours for an internship as a student of Western Carolina University sounded like a daunting task. However, when I landed an internship with Sophie Magazine it almost became like a dream. I’ve always loved fashion and I’ve always enjoyed entertaining the idea of becoming a writer. This was my perfect opportunity.

As the one and only intern of Sophie, I was able to come up with a one of a kind plan with the former editor, JeanAnn Taylor, to complete my hours and get credit for my internship. As I went through the process, I noticed how much free reign I had to share my ideas and make them my own. I was able to embrace my creativity and live my dream, at least for a semester. In my first week I felt like I was being utilized for what I was truly interested in, the fashion section and a few short weeks later, I was published in the February issue. I couldn’t have been more excited and the excitement only continued. I was able to volunteer on behalf of Sophie for breast cancer awareness which is something that I’ve always loved doing. By the end of my internship, I will have been put into 3 different magazines.

Sophie interested me from the start with the different sections that it had that I felt related in some way to me. Crafting ideas, fashion tips, recipes to try, and beauty suggestions; everything about the magazine interested me and it will only get better. With new ideas flowing and a plan to reach a wider audience, I can only expect a fantastic outcome in the future for Sophie Magazine that I had the great pleasure of working with.

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wnc WOMEN of

“I was really afraid recently when I became aware that I didn’t love who I was anymore and I didn’t know how to stop doing the things that I hated. It was scary feeling out of control of my own behavior because sometimes you do things because it’s what you know and once I gained an awareness of why I was doing what I was doing, it was really scary to realize that I didn’t know how to stop.”

“I feel that there is a lack of humanity and that’s the problem we have is coming together and seeing each other as humans. There are so many different issues going on, Anti-Gay, Racism, and in the end it’s one big cause that needs to be addressed. We need to just see each other as people.”

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“At the risk of sounding like a theologian, the greatest lesson that I’ve learned in my life is to trust God, for my life.”

“Random acts of kindness change not just you, but the person who you are kind to and anyone who witnesses that act. Back in ‘97, I saw these two little old ladies on the sidewalk carrying groceries. We stopped, picked them up, and gave them a ride to their house. It was their birthday and they had just picked up ice cream and cake to celebrate.”

Photographed by JENNIFER MESK, humansofasheville.net

Be Whatever Kind Of Woman You Want To Be

Laura Lowe TECH GIRL

Written by Meg Hale Brunton

Graphic designer, Laura Lowe reinvents herself professionally, lives in Asheville, and still finds work.

L

aura Lowe has been running her own graphic design business for the past 9 years. Raised in a rural town outside of Athens, Georgia, Laura studied photography at Winthrop University. “This was pre-digital photography, just as digital photography was coming into its own.” Lowe explains, “So, I kinda was lost [after graduation].”

At the time, Laura’s husband, Travis, was getting into web design for the advertising field. So, she trained herself on Photoshop and Illustrator 4 and began doing the graphics for him. “The design I went to school for was nothing like advertising design,” Laura says. “You’re taught some of the same basic principles, but with advertising, some things have to be called out and made prominent [that are totally different from the point of focus for an art piece].”

Through that first job, Lowe learned to be a designer, “re-appropriating” the skills she learned from school as graphic design work. She went on to work for a company called Click Squared (then Click Tactics) and, when she moved to Asheville in 2006, she continued doing contract work for them remotely. Once she was on her own, Lowe was still able to do her own contract work with many of the clients she had gotten through her work there. Thus, Laura C. Lowe Graphic Design was born.

Through starting her own business, Lowe was able to really connect with the Asheville area, working almost entirely with out-of-state clients from her home in Montford. “I never see my clients in person, but we talk daily,” she says. Since most of her clients are based in places like Boston and London, she keeps in contact via text, emails and phone calls. “I can’t imagine how people did business before all that,” Lowe jokes.

With the majority of her work being corporate design, Lowe does everything from logos and postcards, to product update emails and trade show booth designs.

“Most designers take a lot in from what they see visually,” says Lowe, “and that’s part of what makes Asheville so great [to work in], is because it is such a beautiful visual place. It’s great to be able to walk around and see all this really fantastic stuff.

A lot of it is more organic than my clients would be able to work with, but that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t lift my brain.”

When Lowe gets an assignment, she gets a list of guidelines and works with different departments of the company to create something that maintains their

image/style/branding, while still keeping up with the latest technology. She says that the biggest challenge she faces today is making everything she designs compatible with all kinds of mobile devices, like phones and tablets. “It takes a lot of forethought to meet all those needs,” Lowe explains. “It’s exciting though; it’s always nice to be able to learn new things.”

For young graphic designers, Lowe advises to think outside of the competitive Asheville market. “Don’t be afraid to branch out and use the internet,” Lowe says, recommending putting together a professional portfolio, and looking at online sites that offer contract design work outside of Asheville, like Dice.com and AuthenticJobs.com. “I don’t know that a lot young designers that I’ve met have thought of that.”

“The first job you get might not be perfect,” she says. “You need to get a job that teaches you the most it can and gives you great contacts. From there, you’ll be able to expand into Asheville, or possibly beyond Asheville. I really think that being able to work outside Asheville is something people should consider. The job market in town can be so hard. Working for small businesses isn’t for everyone.

You need a lot of people skills that, frankly, I don’t have.”

Professionally, Lowe says, “You have to start off with the tough stuff that’s not as much fun, but after a few years, you learn a lot in a real-world work environment that you don’t get from school. Then, at that point, you can take those skills anywhere.”

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WOMEN TO WATCH

Toymaker Shakes Up the “Pink” Aisle

I

t’s not hard to tell the boy’s aisle from the girl’s aisle at any toy store - the “pink” aisle is overloaded with items promoting typical beauty standards in the form of princesses, Barbies, dress-up clothes, and makeup sets. Engineer Debbie Sterling is determined to “disrupt the pink aisle” with her innovative toy company GoldieBlox.

Sterling did not know what engineering was when her high school math teacher suggested she pursue the field as a college major. “Why does he think I should be a train conductor?” she wondered. Nevertheless, she decided to give the subject a try in her freshman year at Stanford. Four years later, she graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering/ Product Design but could not shake her annoyance at how few women were in the program.

The new graduate began conducting research on getting more girls into the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) fields. She discovered that girls learn a lot better when they are able to interact with stories due to their strong verbal skills.

She also found that the key to developing successful

16 | Sophie MAY 2015

engineers was providing an introduction at a young age. Construction toys develop an early interest in these subjects, but for over a hundred years, they’ve been considered “boys’ toys.” GoldieBlox is determined to change shake things up and get girls building.

Each set contains a story book about Goldie (an engineer wearing overalls and a tool belt), a peg board, axles, wheels, washers, a ribbon, and a crank.

It also comes with five animal characters from Goldie’s world. Kids follow along with the story book and help Goldie build simple structures to complete the story.

In just three years, GoldieBlox has been widely successful – the sets are now sold in more than 6000 retailers worldwide and continue to raise awareness and support to get more girls into the historically male-oriented STEM fields. Sterling has been named a Time Magazine Person of the Moment and also earned a spot on Business Insider’s 30 Women Who Are Changing the World, among other achievements. goldieblox.com

Debbie Sterling and one of her award-winning GoldieBlox sets

WOMEN HELPING WOMEN

Meryl Streep Empowers Women Screenwriters Over 40

T

hrough a significant contribution, Meryl Streep has funded a screenwriting lab for women writers over 40. The lab will be run by New York Women in Film and Television and IRIS, a collective of women filmmakers.

Called the Writers Lab, the screenplay development program brings 8 women screenwriters over the age of 40 together with established mentors from the film industry for an intimate gathering and intensive workshop. This year, submissions will be accepted from May 1-June 1, with eight winning writers named August 1. The actual lab will take place at Wiawaka Center for Women on Lake George, NY from September 18-20, 2015.

The inaugural Lab will host some impressive mentors including producer Caroline Kaplan (“Boyhood”), writer-director Gina Prince-Bythewood (“Secret Life of Bees”), and writers Kirsten Smith (“Legally Blonde”) and Jessica

Bendinger (“Bring It On”).

Applicants must be women who were born on or prior to June 1, 1975, and must be US Citizens or Permanent Residents. The Lab seeks submissions from all racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and cultural groups. Submissions must be full-length narrative screenplays in English. (No TV scripts, shorts or documentaries.) The panel seeks a broad selection of screenplays across all genres of fiction.

Scripts by more than one writer will be considered, but all writers must be female, and only one writer can attend The Lab. Streep, a long time supporter of NWIFT, is no stranger to feminism and battling both sexism and ageism in the work place. The actress’ wildly enthusiastic reaction in support of equal pay during Patricia Arquette’s speech was one of the most memorable moments of the 2015 Oscars.

Jun Sato/WireImage

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REAL MEN READ SOPHIE We know that men read Sophie, so send a photo of your man reading Sophie to writer@sophiemagazine.com, and you may see your photo published in the magazine!

Rob Berls is an associate professor at UNC Asheville that teaches humanities

and theatre. Originally from Kansas, he has grown fond of the culture, traditions and beauty of the Asheville area. He loves the nature center, Arboretum, and the amazing diversity of this wonderful city.

Sophie MAY 2015 | 19

FLOWER POWER

The vibrant floral prints seem to be everywhere. Pair them with smart solids or be bold and mix in a stripe or geometric print. If a floral dress, skirt or pants are too much for you, try floral accessories such as a handbag or jewelry to mix in a touch of flower power for some unexpected fun.

A

B C

E D A. D onna Morgan floral print twill fit & flare dress $118.50 nordstrom.com B. Silky pink celtic floral scarf $29.99 overstock.com C. Betsey Johnson on the fringe satchel $128 zappos.com D. Floral bracelet watches $40.90 hellomissapple.com E. B ohemia style woman’s summer sandals $11.99 ebay.com 20 | Sophie MAY 2015

Life in Spring is a time to celebrate new life! As fresh buds appear revealing a unique masterful design, it reminds us to "bloom" where we are planted and to enjoy each season of life we find ourselves in.

To see the world through a child's eyes is to delight in the simple joys of life. From the beauty of nature to the smile of a stranger, take time to be thankful for blessings from above. It will lift your spirit and put a "spring in your step"! — by Cynthia McAbee & Angela Ramsey

Cambridge Palazzo Pant in Resort White Finders Keepers, $148 Shay Top in Shorely Blue, $48 Amalie Cardigan in Resort White, $138 Tipsy Gypsy Earrings, $48 Alley Gator Cuff, $68 Kristen Wedge in Gold Metallic, $198 White Linen Shirt, $29.50 Blue and White Stripe Cotton/Linen Blend Shorts, $28.00 Tan Saltwater Sandals, $34

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Jacqueline Shift in Sunglow Yellow, $198 Pale Blue Anchor Shortalls, $48 White Saltwater Sandals, $34

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Captain Popover in True Navy, $118 Leila Skirt in Sunglow Yellow Daisy Chain Knit Jacquard, $118 Beach Club Wedge in Gold Metallic, $218 Navy Collared Shirt & Short Set, $38.50 White Saltwater Sandals, $34

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Breakers Shift in Resort White, $298 Kristen Wedge in Gold Metallic, $198 Navy & White Stripe Crab Shortalls, $48 White Saltwater Sandals, $34 Opposite Page Janice Shift in True Navy Ottoman Stripe, $188

24 | Sophie MAY 2015

Red Stripe Whale Shortalls, $48 Tan Saltwater Sandals, $34

Photographed by KATY COOK 828.442.0337 katycookphotography.com katy@katycookphotography.com Clothing and Accesssories: PALM VILLAGE, A LILLY PULIZER SIGNATURE STORE Historic Biltmore Village One All Souls Crescent, Suite 100 Asheville, NC | 828.505.8140 JUST DUCKY ORIGINALS 10 All Souls Crescent Asheville NC 28803 | 828.277.7084 Hair and Makeup by OLIVIA GAMACHE for CARMEN! CARMEN! SALON & SPA Asheville Mall | 828.296.9493 Models ANGELA and COLTON RAMSEY Fashion Coordination ANGELA RAMSEY Styled by JAMIE BRYAN and SANDY SLOSMAN Location THE NORTH CAROLINA ARBORETUM 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way Asheville, North Carolina 28806 828.665.2492 | ncarboretum.org

Sophie MAY 2015 | 25

GARDEN BLOOMERS

Free Flowering Shrubs? Yes Ma’am!!

Written By Betty Sharpless

H

ave you been admiring the lovely yellow forsythia that swept through our mountains this spring? Would you love to have some, but cannot make room for buying shrubs in the budget?

How about pussy willow trees or wygelia? Well you don’t have to buy these shrubs at your big box store if you have a little patience and some empty buckets or pots on hand at your house. All three of these lovely 26 | Sophie MAY 2015

shrubs are happy to root for you with just a small effort on your part and very little attention.

There are many ways of making new plants from older established plants. With a perennial flower, you can dig up a clump of, say, daylilies and use a garden fork or sharp garden knife to divide it into 4 or more clumps. With a woody shrub such as forsythia however, you have two easier choices. One time honored method is called ‘pegging’. With this method, you simple lay a longer branch on the ground without detaching it and use a rock or a bent wire to peg it to the ground; it will make roots in a matter of weeks. Once the roots are well formed, you cut the branch free from the original bush and voila!

You have a small forsythia ready to plant.

A second way to get new shrubs from old is to make cuttings of branches, at least as big around as a pencil, about 2 feet long. Right now is a good time to do this as the shrubs are in full speed ahead growing mode. Immediately get the cuttings into water. Then you will want to put them into a bucket half full of potting soil or garden dirt. You can also use a pot that can fit into a bucket. The object is to keep the cuttings in wet dirt long enough to send out roots. While this is a little less effective than pegging, with enough cuttings you will still have plenty of successful rootings. Set the buckets or pots where they will get some morning sun and natural rain. Every once in a while, make sure the soil is staying wet, but not soggy. Then in the fall, pull up your cuttings, which should be well rooted. To get a “bushy” look from individual cuttings, plant several in a group, angling them out and you will have an instant bush!

Having planted your free bushes, give them a little Plantone fertilizer and keep them moist for a week or so. Then stand back!! Where to get the cuttings? Volunteer to help your neighbors with their spring pruning, of course!!

Betty Sharpless is a professional free-lance gardener with the emphasis on FREE… Sophie MAY 2015 | 27

LET’S GET COOKING

CREATIVE COCKTAILS for

Written by Debi Manfre

Looking for some delicious cocktails for your Cinco De Mayo celebration?

Look no further! These are just a few recipes that are perfect for your party.

Classic Margarita

The classic margarita recipe is incredibly simple, and it tastes wonderful.You can’t go wrong with it.

Ingredients: Yield: 1 Cocktail • 2 ounces or 1/4 cup blanco tequila • 1 ounce or 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice • 2 tablespoons agave syrup • Lime wedge, for garnish • Salt for rimming (optional) Directions: • Rim a margarita glass with salt.

• In a shaker, combine the tequila, lime juice, agave syrup, and ice. Shake to combine the ingredients. Strain the mixture into a glass, garnish with lime and enjoy.

Courtesy cookingchanneltv.com

Paloma

The Paloma is one of the more traditional mixed drinks enjoyed throughout Mexico. It’s a light, fruity drink with a great fizz and one of the smoothest tequila drinks out there.

Ingredients: Yield: 1 Cocktail • 2 ounces blanco or reposado tequila • 6 ounces fresh grapefruit soda • 1/2 ounce lime juice • Grapefruit wedges • Salt for rimming (optional) Directions: • Rim a collins glass with salt.

• Fill the glass with ice, add the tequila and lime juice.

• Top it off with grapefruit soda.

• Garnish with a wedge of fresh grapefruit

Watermelon Margaritas

White Sangria

Ingredients: • 2 teaspoons sugar • 1 lime wedge • 3 1/2 cups cubed seeded watermelon • 1/2 cup tequila • 2 tablespoons sugar • 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice • 1 tablespoon Triple Sec • Lime wedges or watermelon balls

Ingredients: Yield: 7 servings • 1 cup unsweetened pineapple juice • 1/4 cup lemon juice • 2 med. oranges, washed and thinly sliced • 1 med. lemon, washed and thinly sliced • 1 bottle (750 ml) Riesling or other sweet white wine • 1 medium tart apple, thinly sliced • 1/4 cup Triple Sec • 2 cups lemon-lime soda, chilled

Because of the sweetness of the watermelon this margarita doesn’t need much sugar, so one glass has only 105 calories.

Directions: • Place 2 teaspoons sugar in a saucer. Rub the rims of 6 glasses with 1 lime wedge; spin rim of each glass in sugar to coat.

• Combine watermelon and next 4 ingredients (through Triple Sec) in a blender; process until smooth. Fill each prepared glass with 1/2 cup crushed ice. Add 1/2 cup margarita to each glass. Garnish with lime wedges or melon balls, if desired.

Recipe courtesy of myrecipes.com 28 | Sophie MAY 2015

Fruity, sweet and party-pretty, this light, refreshing beverage goes together in minutes.

Recipe courtesy of tasteofhome.com

Directions • In a large pitcher, combine the pineapple juice, lemon juice, orange and lemon slices; mash gently with a wooden spoon until fruit is partially crushed. Add the wine, apple slices and triple sec. Refrigerate for 2-4 hours.

• Just before serving, add soda. Serve over ice.

ANTIQUING IN BILTMORE

Spend the Day Antiquing, and Discover the Treasures You’ve Been Searching For...

3

6

7

8

9

5 Exit 4A

Exit 5B

To Chamber of Commerce

To Grove Park Inn

The Cathedral of All Souls

Exit 50 Map Designed by Adalee Elkins

Exit 51

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CONCERNING OUR COMMUNITY Maintenance Volunteers Needed At Hands On!

Hands On!-A Child’s Gallery, the children’s museum in downtown Hendersonville, is seeking volunteers to periodically perform maintenance tasks in the museum, such as painting, small repairs, hauling, and light construction.

A volunteer can give time monthly, weekly or just once, but most maintenance days are on Mondays when the museum is closed to the public.

All donations of time are appreciated.

For a more detailed description, please see our website under “Support Us / Volunteer.”

The mission of Hands On! is to serve children and families by providing educational, “hands on” experiences that stimulate the imagination and motivate learning in a fun, safe environment.

Hands On! is located at 318 N. Main Street, and open Tuesday-Saturday 10:00 – 5:00, and other times to groups by reservation only. For further information, please call Jeff at (828)697-8333 or visit handsonwnc.org.

Call for Artists 56th Annual Art on Main Fine Art / Fine Craft Festival

Artist applications are available for the 56th annual Art on Main fine art and fine craft festival in downtown Hendersonville, North Carolina. Festival dates will be Saturday and Sunday, October 3 and 4, 2015, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. This juried and judged show is produced by the Arts Council of Henderson County.

Art on Main has been held on the sidewalks of historic Main Street Hendersonville since 1959.

Artists may download an application from the Arts Council’s website home page, acofhc.org. An application can also be requested by emailing the Arts Council at acofhc@bellsouth.net, or by calling (828) 693-8504.

Artists must send four images of their work plus a photo of their booth along with their applications. The deadline for applications is June 1, 2015. $3,000 in cash prizes will be awarded at the Artist Awards Reception on Saturday, October 3. Hospitality for participating artists includes breakfasts, booth sitters, and a complimentary accommodations program, which provides housing for travelling artists in the homes of members of the Arts Council community.

The Arts Council of Henderson County is a community organization that promotes, advocates for, and nurtures the arts in Henderson County and Western North Carolina. Its office is located at 401 N. Main St. on the 3rd floor in Hendersonville.

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CONCERNING OUR COMMUNITY Project Linus

The local chapter of Project Linus, a national non-profit organization which donates handmade blankets to children in crisis, is seeking volunteers to create blankets. The new “blanketeers” can contribute knitted, crocheted, quilted, no-sew fleece or flannel blankets. Our chapter has distributed over 52,000 blankets during the past 15 years and there is still a need for additional blankets. If interested, contact Ellen Knoefel, chapter coordinator, at (828) 645-8800.

Hendersonville DOES Presents ‘A Day At The Races’

MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW! On Saturday, May 16th, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., the Hendersonville DOES will be presenting their version of ‘A Day at the Races’ in the great hall of the Hendersonville Elks Lodge located at 546 N. Justice Street. A portion of the proceeds raised that day will go towards sending a local child or children to 4-H camp this summer. Prizes will be awarded for both the most original derby hat and bowtie; and many lovely items will be available for our ‘feed bag’ raffle. Tickets for this event are $20 per person or two for $35; and will include our DOES ‘now famous’ wine bar as well as many delightful and delicious finger foods, appetizers and desserts. Tickets will go on sale May 1st and can be purchased at either the Elks Lodge; or at ASAP Promotionals, 779 N. Church Street (1 block south of the high school). For additional information or to reserve a table for 6 or more, please contact Billie Schell at (828) 329-0419; or Cate Alexander at (828) 699-5696.

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS!

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Girls Rock Asheville needs volunteers! Now recruiting for the 2015 summer camp to help girls and trans youth aged 8-16 learn music, teamwork and self-confidence!

Volunteers needed for: Instrument Instructors, Band Coaches, Peer Mediators & more. No musical experience necessary and various levels of time commitment are available! Camp will be June 22-27 at New Mountain Asheville. Learn more and apply at girlsrockasheville.org.

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What’s In Your Closet?

Written by Rebecca Roberts

Spencer MacDonald, a 21-year-old Criminal Justice major at Western Carolina University and a member of Alpha Xi Delta, lets Rebecca look in her closet.

Rebecca: So where do you like to shop, Spencer?

Spencer: I really like shopping at JC Penny, Belk, and New York and Company because they usually have pretty good prices and their clothes are really cute and fashion forward!

Rebecca: Your closet looks a little tiny up here at school. How do you keep everything organized?

Spencer: I have my dresses, then my coats and cardigans, my shirts are next and then my tank tops and then my pants. Sometimes I’ll even sequence it by color so that they aren’t all in one spot!

Rebecca: What is something in your closet that you wear a lot?

Spencer: I wear a lot of cardigans. I think it makes the outfit look complete because if it’s too cold to wear a regular shirt but too warm to wear a thick coat, then the cardigans are perfect! Plus, I just feel like they complete the look.

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Rebecca: What is something that you don’t wear a lot?

Spencer: I don’t wear a lot of tank top or undershirts, but I still buy them and then they just sit in my closet or my drawers for a few weeks before I wear them. They are definitely impulse buys for me.

Rebecca: What is your favorite thing to have on before you leave your house?

Spencer: My friend gave me a cross necklace that I always wear.

It’s blue which I love and it’s special to me!

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MEG’S MOVIEW REVIEW

“Fifty Shades Of Grey” Written by Meg Hale Brunton

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omen of America, I have been so worried about you. Ever since the “Fifty Shades of Grey” book came out in 2011 and I heard a little bit of the subject matter, then saw all the women around the pool/park/bus stop reading it, I have been so concerned. This many women being turned on by a novel about a young, virginal woman being dominated by a sexually-disturbed man had me wondering if we were setting ourselves back 50 years. Because of that, and the fact that I hold a Lit. degree, I never read the book. Nor was I excited to see it when the movie came out. A girlfriend of mine asked me to go see it with her for a girls’ night. She told me she didn’t think I’d be all that disturbed by it once I saw it.

Thank goodness she was right! I am so relieved. With the purchase of the movie ticket to “Fifty Shades of Grey,” I was really expecting to be agreeing to watch a woman be demeaned, abused and objectified for two hours. I sat there in the audience, waiting to be offended, and it never happened. To tell you the truth, I found the S&M in the movie to be fairly tame! Don’t get me wrong, the film is pretty smutty. I think I read that it contains 20 minutes of sex scenes in its 2 hour time span. And honestly, there’s not a whole lot of plot to go with all the lovemaking. However, I didn’t see anything that hasn’t been going on in every sexual thriller film made in the past 30 years.... minus the thriller part. Seriously, “9 & 1/2 Weeks” came out in 1986, and this movie is really not all that different.

The plot of “Fifty Shades of Grey” centers around a young Literature student named Anastasia Steele (played by Dakota Johnson), who has to interview handsome, wealthy entrepreneur named Christian Grey (played

by Jamie Dornan). They have instant chemistry, and he begins to pursue her socially, but then dismisses her because he doesn’t feel they have the same interests. Anastasia protests, not realizing that, when he says ‘interests’ he means sexually. So, Grey propositions her with a formal list of all his kinky interests for her to peruse, and shows her the ‘red room’ of his apartment where he keeps all of his whips, handcuffs, riding crops and what-have-you.

At this point, she breaks ties with him, understandably thinking that he is deviant. Thus, the chase ensues.

Being a woman, formerly in the dating community, I have to say I appreciated his directness with regards to presenting his preferences to Anastasia.

It was actually nice to see a guy come out openly with what he wants, and be open to discussions of terms and compromises. It certainly made me, as an audience member, more comfortable that her character had full awareness of the situation, and that she was not casually signing away her virtue and basically accepting an assault. I did joke to my friend, though, that if Grey weren’t handsome and rich, this wouldn’t be the plot of a romance novel, but that of an episode of “CSI”.

I was surprised how easy it was to relate to Anastasia. For the most part, she responds to the situations she is presented with in the plot about like I would, with the appropriate amount of hesitation and skepticism. Grey’s character, of course, has all of these boundary issues and rules about how 36 | Sophie MAY 2015

close he will let Anastasia get to him emotionally. Naturally, one by one, she is able to break all of them down until they have a decently normal relationship with a few quite literal ‘kinks’. Before I saw the film, I thought that the reason for novelist E. L. James to make Anastasia’s character a virgin was so that Grey would be able to manipulate her more easily, since she had no experience whatsoever and could not speak to her likes and dislikes. That way, he could just teach her everything he likes and pretty much design his own little concubine. What I realized as I watched the movie is that the reason for her youthful innocence is that no grown, experienced woman would be able to take his rundown of his emotional problems without at least a little mocking and sarcasm. I kept thinking things like, “Bless your heart, of course you think you’re emotionally unavailable.You’re 25.” and “Blah, blah, fear of abandonment. We all have that to some extent; it doesn’t justify stalking.”

So, while some of the more emotionally-driven moments can cause eye-rolling, the movie itself is plenty entertaining. It is also extremely nicely trimmed with exciting visual scenes, like the glider and helicopter moments.

It also has probably the best film soundtrack of the year (You go Danny Elfman!). Altogether, I was kind of impressed at how well-done the whole movie was. Kudos to director Sam Taylor-Johnson. So, I’m giving it 6 out of my 10 stars, mainly because I can’t bring myself to rate it any higher.

Pick up your issue today!

Spring/Summer 2015

I Do!

™

Sophie Magazine’s Wedding Guide

Real Brides share their Special Wedding Moments!

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MAY

BEE HAPPY VINTAGE MARKET SAT, MAY 2

22ND ANNUAL GARDEN JUBILEE FESTIVAL Sat & Sun, May 23 & 24 Historic Downtown Hendersonville

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SAT, MAY 2 8AM-12PM Hanger Hall School Spring Plant Sale 64 WT Weaver Blvd Come load up on spring plantings, check out our new location, and support Hanger Hall School for Girls!

FRI-SUN, MAY 1-3

SAT, MAY 2 10AM-5PM Bee Happy Vintage Market 9 All Souls Crescent A premier open air artisan, vintage, antique & collectibles shopper’s paradise.

For info, contact Emily Growden at emily@ beehappywares.com

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SAT & SUN, MAY 2-3

FRI-SUN, MAY 1-3 French Broad River Festival Hot Springs Campground Located just 35 minutes north of Asheville in beautiful Hot Springs, NC. Spend the weekend with family & friends listening to great regional and national recording artists, taking part in raft races & more! frenchbroadriverfestival.com SAT & SUN, MAY 2-3

Weaverville Art Safari 10am-5pm both days Drive scenic country roads to visit 35 artists in their studios and galleries about 10 minutes north of Asheville. Free. For a full list of studios & a printable map: weavervilleartsafari.com 38 | Sophie MAY 2015

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- EDWIN WAY TEALE

Historic Biltmore Village

FRI, MAY 1 6-8PM Amuse Morris Hellenic Cultural Center 6 Chefs & 6 Mixologists compete with smaller, more intensely flavored courses. $49 ashevillewineandfood.com A Streetcar Named Desire Asheville Community Theatre Fri & Sat: 7:30pm; Sun: 2:30pm A classic completes it’s ACT run.Tickets available at ashevilletheatre.org, by phone at 828-254-1320 or at the ACT Box Office.

“The world’s favorite season is the spring.

All things seem possible in May.”

Tour de Falls 9am -2:30pm DuPont State Recreational Forest Buses will be available to take visitors to High Falls, Triple Falls, Bridal Veil Falls & Lake Julia. dupontforest.com SUN, MAY 3 1-5PM Spring Tour of Downtown Lofts Historic Downtown Hendersonville; $20 Tour 6 residental lofts including private residences, quaint flats in historic Skyland Hotel & large lofts above charming businesses; sponsored by Hendersonville Historic Preservation Commission, 828-697-3088 SUN, MAY 3 3PM Walk to End Lupus Now Pack Square Park No registration fee, but every walker is a fundraiser, and is encouraged to raise

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or donate $100 or more. To learn about volunteer opportunities: www.lupusnc. org, email info@lupusnc.org or call 877-849-8271, ext. 4. To register, visit walktoendlupus.kintera.org/asheville

and dancing, a raffle, great food & drinks, and opportunities to advocate for peace and justice. The Free Flow Band and DJ Jam will provide entertainment. ywcaofasheville.org

WED, MAY 6 5:30PM Crest Mountain Canteen: A USO Tribute 6 Celebration Place, Asheville Enjoy the big band sounds of the ‘40s with Betty Grable, The Andrews Sisters & more! Featuring live music, dancing and your host, Bob Hope! Doors open at 5:30pm for cocktails, 6pm buffet, & 7pm showtime. Dinner & Show $44 crestmountainpresents.com

THURS-SUN, MAY 7-10

THURS, MAY 7 12PM

Fore the Children The Omni Grove Park Inn Golf Course Enjoy a day of golf while raising money to support children in care at Eliada.

Tournament registration is $200 for individuals and $600 for a team of four.

Registration includes all golf & cart fees, lunch, a commemorative tournament gift, first class tournament awards reception offering adult beverages and heavy hors d’oeuvres, and a charitable gift to Eliada.

For more info contact Jewel Tavener 828254-5356 x300 or jtavener@eliada.org.

THURS, MAY 7 7-10:30PM 10th Annual Black & White Gala The Crest Center & Pavillion, $60 A fundraiser for the YWCA of Asheville and a joyous celebration of our Stand Against Racism. Featuring live music

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Lake Eden Arts Festival Lake Eden, Black Mountain One & all are invited to a magical festival where the very best of music, art & culture join together to strengthen community through the power of creativity. theleaf.org MAY 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17 Steel Magnolias Black Mountain Center for the Arts 225 W. State St, Black Mountain May 8, 9, 15, 16: 7:30pm May 10 & 17: 3pm The Front Porch Theater is happy to announce its production of Steel Magnolias, by Robert Harling, directed

by Stuart Williams, DDS, scheduled to coincide with Mother’s Day weekend.

Tickets are $15 plus tax. 828-669-0930 BlackMountainArts.org FRI, MAY 8 9AM-4:30PM Leadercast Asheville Biltmore Baptist Church 35 Clayton Road, Arden

MOMS IN FREE AT BILTMORE SAT, MAY 10 Free admission for mom with purchase of youth or adult ticket

ONGOING EVENTS Life Limiting Illness Support Group Tuesdays, beginning May 12; 6:30pm-8pm 1439 Merrimon Ave Free weekly support group for adults managing the challenges of cancer, diabetes, heart disease & autoimmune diseases. For more info call Lauren Griffin, LPC at 386-8012606, WildPrecious.Life TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Tuesdays, 4:30pm - 5:30pm Unity Center; 2041 Old Fanning Bridge Rd Mills River, NC A support group for ongoing weight loss. Call 697-5437 for more information.

BEARFOOTIN’ MAY 8 REVEAL

Downtown Hendersonville

Please send calendar submissions to: calendar@sophiemagazine.com The deadline for submissions is the 8th of each month

SAT & SUN, MAY 9-10

A can’t-miss leadership event broadcast LIVE from Atlanta, GA, direct to 125,000 influencers around the world. Become a voice of change as you glean wisdom from a lineup of the world’s best leaders including: Andy Stanley, Malala Yousafzai, Ed Catmull, Rudy Giuliani & more. $55 leadercastavl.com FRI, MAY 8 4:30PM Bearfootin Public Art Display Reveal First Citizen Bank Plaza Downtown Hendersonville Public art display featuring fiberglass outdoor bear sculptures decorated in different themes. Bears remain on the sidewalks of Main St until the Bear Auction on October 23. historichendersonville. org or 828-233-3216

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MAY 8-24 FRI, SAT & SUN Letters and Notes Found on the Windshield at the Piggly Wiggly Parking Lot Asheville Community Theatre, $15 Fri & Sat: 7:30pm; Sun: 2:30pm In a small town in the Florida Panhandle, a series of correspondence has been found between two people: she works at Piggly Wiggly, he is a plumber. Written and directed by local playwright Waylon Wood, the play tells the story of their lives, their town, and their love. Tickets: ashevilletheatre.org, 828-254-1320 or in person at the ACT Box Office.

SAT & SUN, MAY 9-10 River District Artists Studio Stroll 10 AM-6 PM Free self-guided tour of the studios of 160+ artists with an eclectic mix, from traditional to cutting-edge. For more info visit riverartsdistrict.com

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Mother’s Day Special Chimney Rock State Park Bring your family together and treat mom to beautiful scenery with spring wildflowers at Chimney Rock Park. Buy one regularly-priced adult ticket and mom or grandma receives one free with coupon. Download coupon at chimneyrockpark.com SUN, MAY 10 11AM-2PM AHEPA Mother’s Day Luncheon Morris Hellenic Cultural Center Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Cafeteria Style luncheon with a variety of Greek gourmet dishes & pastries. Prices range from $1 to $16. There will be Greek folk dancing and tours of our Sanctuary.

Call the church office at 828-253-3754 between 10am & 1pm for more info or to place your advanced order.

MON, MAY 11 11:30AM Our Turn to Play Luncheon Kimmel Arena, UNC Asheville A luncheon benefitting UNCA’s Women’s Athletics & Scholarship Fund. Tables will seat 7 plus 1 student-athlete, coach or Symetra LPGA player. Tickets can be purchased at uncabulldogs.com or by contacting Donna Peek at 828-232-5655 or dpeek@unca.edu

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MON, MAY 11 7-9PM WNC Knitters & Crocheters for Others New Hope Presbyterian Church 3070 Sweeten Creek Rd We’ve been making handmade items for 8 years donating our creations to local charities. We make a variety of items: afghans, hats, scarves, baby booties, mittens, knitted dolls, sweaters & dishcloths. All skill levels welcome.

Contact Janet Stewart, (828) 575-9195 SAT, MAY 15 5-9PM Downtown After Five North Lexington Avenue, Asheville Enjoy free live music from CJ Chenier and the Red Hot Louisiana Band & Bayou Diesel, food and beer in downtown Asheville. ashevilledowntown.org SAT, MAY 16 9AM-4PM

Black Mountain Garden Show & Sale Monte Vista Hotel, Black Mountain Vendors will sell perennials, annuals, herbs, vegetables, native trees, shrubs, iris, day lilies and garden accessories.

Great food and quilt raffle. Free. For more information visit blackmountainbeautification.org SAT, MAY 16 4-7PM A Day at the Races Hendersonville Elks Lodge Presented by the Hendersonville DOES, a portion of proceeds will send a local child (or children) to 4-H camp this summer.

Fiber Arts Alliance Meeting First Tuesday of the month, 12 noon West Asheville Presbyterian Church 690 Haywood Rd Open to anyone interested in any form of fiber. No membership requirements. Bring bag lunch at noon and meeting starts at 12:30. For more info call 683-6563 Us TOO of WNC First Tuesday of every month, 7pm First Baptist Church of Asheville, 5 Oak St A prostate cancer support forum for men, caregivers & family. Free. 338-0290 Dressing Downton Through May 25 at the Biltmore House See 40+ costumes from the Downton Abbey TV series. For more info visit biltmore.com Biltmore Blooms Through May 25 at the Biltmore House This festival of flowers celebrates two months of spring blooms that include 75,000+ tulips and elaborate floral displays. For more info visit biltmore.com

CLASSES THURS, MAY 7 9:30AM-12PM Tassel Class Cummings United Methodist Church 3 Banner Farm Rd (Etowah) Barbara Decker, a Laurel Chapter of the Embroiderers’ Guild of America member, will be teaching a class on making 2 different kinds of tassels. No fee, but please register with Sandy Washington (828) 693-4499 HOURLY CLASSES Asheville Community Yoga 8 Brookdale Rd. Suite A A donation based yoga center offering yoga classes, special community events, teacher trainings, student immersions and workshops.

All classes are FREE with a suggested donation of $5-$15 for those who are able to pay.

Class schedules featuring huge a variety of classes for all skill levels can be seen at ashevillecommunityyoga.com Sophie MAY 2015 | 39

You are as

STRIVE NOT TO DRIVE WEEK MAY 15-22 Challenge yourself to not use a single occupancy vehicle strivenottodrive.com

ASHEVILLE BEER WEEK MAY 22-30

welcome as the flowers in May. - Charles Macklin

WHITE SQUIRREL FESTIVAL May 23-24 Downtown Brevard

Please send calendar submissions to: calendar@sophiemagazine.com The deadline for submissions is the 8th of each month

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Prizes awarded for both most original derby hat and bowtie; raffle. Tickets: $20 2 for $35; includes wine bar, finger foods, appetizers & desserts. Purchase tickets at the Elks Lodge or at ASAP Promotionals, 779 N. Church Street. For additional info or to reserve a table for 6+, please contact Billie Schell at 828-329-0419 or Cate Alexander at 828-699-5696.

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Lake Lure Arts Festival 2771 Memorial Hwy, Lake Lure Featuring handmade creations from 60+ regional artisans including painting, photography, jewelry, leather, metal, soaps, candles, wood, glass, pottery, textiles, fiber art & more. Free admission. lakelureartsandcraftsfestivals.com

THURS, MAY 21 5-9PM

24 Rhythm & Brews Concert Series Historic Downtown Hendersonville Music starts at 5pm, headliner The Allen Thompson Band from 7pm-9pm, FREE, seating space is limited; beer, wine & food available, historichendersonville. org or 828-233-3216.

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SAT-MON MAY 23-25

SUN, MAY 17 5PM Pan Harmonia Season Finale Masonic Temple, Downtown Asheville Pan Harmonia’s 15th Season concludes with J.S. Bach’s beloved Brandenburg Concerto #4, “Summer” from Antonio Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” and his “Tempeste di Mare” F Major flute concerto. $10-$30. pan-harmonia.org

THURS, MAY 21 7PM Celebrate Music Feed & Seed, Historic Downtown Fletcher The public is cordially invited to attend this free choral concert presented by the Fletcher Community Chorus. For more info visit fletchercommunitychorus.com

SAT & SUN, MAY 23-24 White Squirrel Festival Downtown Brevard Saturday 10am-pm, Sunday 12-6pm A fun annual festival featuring a parade, live music, food, arts, a squirrel box derby, 5K and 10K & much more. whitesquirrelfestival.com

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SUN, MAY 24 1-5PM A Helios Warriors Memorial Day Event Celebrating & Honoring Our Veterans, Past & Present The Bywater, Asheville A fundraiser for Helios Warriors featuring: Riverside Drive Band & other musicians, Open Mic for veterans to share their stories & talents, Silent Auction featuring holistic therapies, food & drink, great times & more! Bywater members attend the event for free, fees for new memberships ($5) go to Helios Warriors.

For more info: helioswarriors.org MON, MAY 25 10AM-4PM Carl Sandburg Folk Music Festival Carl Sandburg Home, Flat Rock

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The folk festival honors Carl Sandburg and his preservation of traditional folk music as found in his collection The American Songbag, featuring live music & storytelling. For info: nps.gov/carl THURS, MAY 28 7:30PM Listen to This 35below, $15 In the vein of “The Moth” or “This American Life,” Listen to This features stories and original songs from locals. Hosted by Tom Chalmers. ashevilletheater.org SAT, MAY 30 10AM American Tales & Tunes Asheville Community Theatre, $5 Bright Star Touring Theatre returns with folk songs and folktales from across America in this music-filled adventure.

From the Jack Tales of the Appalachian region to the fishing docks of New England, this vibrant and energetic show seamlessly blends fantastic regional stories with classic American folk songs!

Tickets available at ashevilletheatre.org, by phone at 828-254-1320 or in person at the ACT Box Office.

SAT, MAY 30 4-10PM

Relay for Life Carrier Park The American Cancer Society Relay For Life movement symbolizes hope and our shared goal to end a disease that threatens the lives of so many we love. If

cancer has touched your life, participating in a Relay For Life event is a way to take action & help finish the fight. relayforlife. org/buncombenc SAT, MAY 30 9AM–3PM Benefit Car Show Blue Ridge Community College Proceeds to benefit young adults competing in the Automotive Skills USA competition at State & National levels. We expect to surpass last year’s attendance of 225 beautiful vehicles. FREE admission to viewing public. Registration info:Brian Johnson at 828-694-1835 or Hulon McCraw 828-606-2918.

SAT, MAY 30 1-6PM Beer City Festival Roger McGuire Green A perfect way to wrap-up Asheville Beer Week 2015 – a big community party with dozens of breweries and plenty of live music. Partial proceeds from the festival go to local charities. For more info: avlbeerweek.com SAT, MAY 30 5-7PM Spring into Action Social Trinity Episcopal Church 60 Church Street, Asheville An evening of offering gifts of healing, hope and love to those suffering with mental, emotional and spiritual distresses hosted by the Partnership for Pastoral Counseling. The event will be a reception with live music, raffle games, and a silent auction! Tickets are $60 per person. All proceeds will be used to help low income and uninsured people of WNC have access to professional counseling services.

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BETTY’S BOOK REVIEW

Miss Hazel And The Rosa Parks League Written by Betty Sharpless

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iss Hazel is set in the deep south and welcomes you into the story with true southern hospitality, like a comfy favorite armchair. It tells a story of a woman whose whole life is created by what she perceives and is told is the “best” way to be. It is not until she is a married woman with a husband who is constantly spouting positive directives and two small boys that she realizes that she has no idea who she actually is.

Miss Hazel and the Rosa Parks League

By Jonathan Odell

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What prevents this from being a cliché is the concurrent story of Vida, the daughter of the local black preacher and her life changing as a result of the actions of a white man who eventually becomes the local sheriff. The parallel stories reach and twist

like an old grape vine, until their lives merge into one amazing and fruitful relationship.

While it takes a little bit of time for this book to completely mesmerize you, I promise it is worth the wait. Once again, I was unable to set this book down in the final pages, staying up way past my bedtime to find out how it all turned out. This would be a great beach book, one that will leave you sighing as you turn the last page.

Betty Sharpless is a professional gardener, quilter and writer who loves settling in with a good book on a Friday evening so she can stay up all night reading.

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