2023
Lake Junaluska is a proud supporter of North Carolina’s Year of the Trail. The statewide program showcases, promotes and celebrates trails across North Carolina.
This issue of Discover Lake Junaluska celebrates journeys of all kinds. Here, your steps will take you to beautiful places around the lake and within your heart. The past might be found, while the future will unfold. Join us in 2023 for a vacation, reunion, conference, retreat, wedding and more. Pack a backpack or a suitcase, and journey to this special place of memory-making, festivities and fun for all.
4 Welcome
5 TOP 10 Happy Trails 10 sights on the walking trail
8
18
ON THE COVER
A family spends time together exploring the Lake Junaluska Walking Trail. Learn more at lakejunaluska.com/trail.
20 Lodging
Stay at our lakeside hotel, historic inn, vacation rentals or campground.
22 Recreation
Play golf and explore the walking trail and gardens.
23 Water Fun
Enjoy paddleboarding, canoeing, kayaking, swimming and lake cruises.
A place of Christian hospitality where lives are transformed through renewal of soul, mind and body, Lake Junaluska is a beloved spiritual retreat center in the mountains of Western North Carolina. We welcome you for a special getaway. Enjoy our lakeside hotel, historic inn, vacation rentals, walking trails, gardens, golf course, gift and coffee shop, water activities, wildlife viewing and panoramic vistas. Where better to reconnect than with a journey to Lake Junaluska? Plan your visit at lakejunaluska.com
24 Shopping
Find unique gifts, fair-trade items, books, apparel and more.
25 Day Trips & Dining
Discover area hikes, top attractions and restaurants.
26 Explore Year Round
Plan your spring, summer, fall and winter Lake getaways.
Some say it’s not the destination, it’s the journey. But what if it could be both? What if you could go to a place filled with quiet moments of solitude and serenity, and times of joyful laughter as kayaks skim over the water and families gather at summer bonfires to roast marshmallows? Where you could watch the sunset from a terrace rocking chair while reminiscing about a day full of fun and family — each moment a reminder of the majesty of God and these glorious mountains?
Lake Junaluska is a destination for travelers from around the globe that offers trails and a roselined walkway, water sports and tennis courts. Playgrounds, pontoons and pedestrian bridges are a walk, a skip or a jaunt away.
And then there’s the journey. Lake Junaluska has been a spiritual retreat center for more than 100 years. From sitting by the iconic Lake Junaluska Cross to witnessing wedding vows, the Lake Junaluska journey is a personal chance to renew and reconnect through a visit with a deeper meaning. Enjoy the destination and the journey at Lake Junaluska this year.
Editorial Directors TERESA TATE SHANNON QUINN
Graphic Designer SUSANNAH BRINKLEY HENRY
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Bill Lowry, Rebecca Mathis, Jan Poppe, Shannon Quinn, Sydney Sullivan, Teresa Tate
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Simon Anthony, Derek DiLuzio, Juily Harbhajan, Steven McBride, Amie Newsome, Shannon Quinn, Sydney Sullivan, Teresa Tate, Woody White
HAVE AN IDEA FOR DISCOVER LAKE JUNALUSKA MAGAZINE? We welcome story contributions and feedback. Contact us at communications@lakejunaluska.com.
Lake Junaluska is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, governed by a Board of Trustees. Learn more at lakejunaluska.com/about-us.
MAILING ADDRESS: PO Box 67 Lake Junaluska, NC 28745
PHYSICAL ADDRESS: 91 N. Lakeshore Dr. Lake Junaluska, NC 28745
PHONE: 800-222-4930
CONNECT WITH US:
Facebook facebook.com/lakejunaluska
Instagram @lakejunaluska
Link lakejunaluska.com
Email communications@lakejunaluska.com
The Lake Junaluska Walking Trail offers incredible views of mountains, misty mornings across the lake and benches on which to sit and reflect. Every day, every starting point is a gift to enjoy. Open year-round, the 3.8-mile trail loops around the entire lake. The shorter route of 2.3 miles across the Turbeville Footbridge is another favorite option. Visit the lakeside trail this year as we celebrate the N.C. Year of the Trail. lakejunaluska.com/laketrail
Discover — or rediscover — the magic of play, whether you’re young or young at heart. Opportunities for play are everywhere along and near the walking trail, from the awardwinning J.B. Ivey Playground and its climbing structures to miniature golf, shuffleboard, cornhole and pickleball. After a healthy dose of competition, head over to the lakeside outdoor pool for a spot in the sun or a refreshing dip.
The Lake Junaluska Walking Trail includes the Rose Walk, with more than 200 hybrid tea, grandiflora and floribunda varieties, from bright red Firefighter blooms to pink and yellow Enchanted Peace roses. Benches dot the walkway and a pavilion provides shelter for lake viewing and catching fragrant floral aromas. Guests can purchase arrangements made with roses and blooms from our grounds.
Keep your eyes open and your camera ready for all sorts of wildlife along the trail. Lake Junaluska is an official Monarch Waystation that welcomes the south-migrating beauties in September and October. Be sure to explore the Butterfly Garden near the Meditation and Fishing Pier. Birdwatchers can spot blue-winged teals, northern shovelers and, perhaps, an eagle’s nest.
Whether you’re stopping for a cookie or scone or you have more serious shopping in mind, Junaluska Gifts & Grounds is another “must” trail stop. In addition to many Lake Junaluska souvenirs, the shop gives a nod to good Southern eats and our mountain heritage by featuring Moon Pie gift items, nature toys and specialty items created by local residents and artisans.
The Terrace Hotel is a wonderful stop along the walking trail and a cozy place to end a day at the Lake. Before heading off to a comfortable night’s stay, be sure to take one more spectacular look at reflections on the water from a rocking chair on the balcony, or unwind in the lobby with its stone fireplace and floor-to-ceiling windows facing the lake.
Two outstanding sculptures greet guests along the walking trail. Outside the entrance to Stuart Auditorium stands Junaluska, a Cherokee leader born in 1775 for whom nearby Junaluska Mountain was named. Lake Junaluska draws its name from the mountain. Along the trail on South Lakeshore Drive, walkers will see Malcolm the Swan, the first swan to be introduced to the Lake. His wings are a splendid sight to see.
Enjoy gentle journeys on the water. Stop at Lake Junaluska Outfitters to rent a kayak, canoe or paddleboard, or book a guided lake cruise aboard the Cherokee IV pontoon boat to leisurely tour the lake and discover the backdrop of beautiful homes and verdant mountains.
Leashed pets are welcome on the walking trail. Water bowls and cleanup bags are available at points along the way to make it easy and fun to bring Fido along! You can also enjoy pet-friendly accommodations at the Lake Junaluska Campground and some vacation home and apartment rentals.
Next to Memorial Chapel is the lakeside Prayer Labyrinth. Walking the path of a labyrinth is a form of contemplation and meditation. Guests of all ages enjoy spending time here, from young children marveling at the beautiful, winding path to grandparents reflecting with each meaningful step. Like so much of Lake Junaluska, there’s something for everyone.
10 PONDER. PAUSE. PRAY.
From a hill above the walking trail, the Lake Junaluska Cross shines day and night as a beacon of light and hope. Its illumination makes dusk walks on the trail an even more peaceful and purposeful experience. Below the Cross, an amphitheater offers scenic seating and the Meditation and Fishing Pier gives an expansive view of the lake and surrounding mountains.
Alake in a valley of green mountains on all sides where the air is sweet and the water is cold, even in summer — that’s how Ben Napier, star of HGTV ’ s Home Town with his wife, Erin, describes Lake Junaluska in their memoir Make Something Good Today. For Ben, the nearly 30 trips he has taken to Lake Junaluska since childhood are so much a part of his spiritual journey that the couple included photos and details about the Lake in their book’s chapter titled “Faith.”
For many visitors, their trips to Lake Junaluska are sacred journeys. Some
experience powerful mountaintop moments; others, beautiful moments of peace and renewal amid the busyness of their lives. Some come for conferences, retreats, reunions, weddings, meet ings or events. Others vis it just for recreation, time with family and friends, or quiet moments in the gar dens, along the trail and within the Prayer Laby rinth. All are welcome.
The son of two Methodist ministers, Ben grew up in the church and enjoyed all aspects of church life from breakfasts to Vacation Bible
School. Every summer, youth trips brought him to the Lake, and that’s where he said he experienced his first personal faith moment.
It was the Fourth of July between fifth and sixth grades. He was sitting on the hill close to Shackford Hall, which is Lake Junaluska’s home for youth programs, to watch the Lake’s fireworks show. Nearby, his pastor shared his personal faith story in a way that resonated, that felt like one adult talking about faith to another. “It is a moment that stands out in my
memory — where I really felt a connection to Christ and to God,” said Ben. “I could really feel God’s presence.”
Year after year, Ben took part in the traditional Walk to the Cross, a quiet journey from Shackford Hall to the lighted Lake Junaluska Cross on a hill overlooking the lake. Each time offered something a little different spiritually. As a kid, the walk felt meaningful and he was excited just to get to take part. In junior and early high school, he was less serious and more focused on friends. Then as an older teen and church youth leader, he connected on a new level. “I saw the impact it had on kids,” said Ben. “I remembered the
impact it had on me, and it felt big — way bigger than it ever had.”
Ben continued the tradition of taking students to Lake Junaluska when he was a youth minister, writing in his book that “Some of my best childhood memories had happened there, and I wanted to continue that tradition for the kids in our church.”
Steeped in Wesleyan tradition, Lake Junaluska has been a home for people seeking relaxation, recreation and renewal since 1913. In The Antechamber of Heaven: A History of Lake Junaluska Assembly, Bill Lowry writes that leaders of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South, dreamed of a lake assembly in the South where thousands could gather each summer for renewal, education and more. They envisioned a place for religious conferences, family gatherings and recreation; a place with mountain scenery, fishing and boating; a place with mild days and cool nights; and a place close to the railroad for easy access. They purchased land in the Richland Valley near Waynesville. A dam was constructed to create a scenic mountain lake.
A lot has happened since the first conference took place in an open-air auditorium with wooden pews and sawdust on the dirt floor. Today, Lake Junaluska welcomes guests to a lakeside hotel, historic inn, vacation rentals, lodges, apartments, campground, meeting rooms, chapel, coffee and gift shop, golf course, pool, gardens, walking trail, playground and more.
The now 110-year-old auditorium, which is enclosed with tall windows overlooking the water, still brings thousands together every year to learn, pray, sing and connect at events ranging from bluegrass concerts to worship services. The Rev. Toni Ruth Smith traces the most holy moment of her life to historic Stuart Auditorium, where she was ordained as an elder in The United Methodist Church in 2005.
“I remember so clearly feeling the presence of so many that have been ordained there,” said Toni Ruth, co-pastor with her husband, Wes, at Williamson’s Chapel United Methodist Church in Mooresville, N.C. “No one gets to that place on their own. … Every time I am at ordination, I think about all the people that have been important in my call and all the people important in their call — how someone laid hands on someone else, who laid hands on someone else, as they knelt in Stuart Auditorium. There is a great cloud of witnesses...a collective experience of the spirit at work that makes it such a holy place.”
MILESTONE MOMENTS AND JOYFUL JOURNEYS AT LAKE JUNALUSKA
Sunrises and sunsets cast glimmering reflections on the water of Lake Junaluska, creating grand, sweeping views. Inspiration Point above the Lake Junaluska Cross near Lambuth Inn, rocking chairs outside The Terrace Hotel, and stretches of the walking trail near the Rose Walk and Meditation and Fishing Pier offer stellar vantage points for scenic photos. lakejunaluska.com/gardens
Nearly 100 participants in the C3 Youth conference held at Lake Junaluska gathered at the lakeshore as 14 teens and young adults came forward to be baptized in the lake’s cool water on a summer morning. C3 Youth Director Jessie Schwartz said the event traditionally closes the annual youth conference and is “extremely moving and powerful to be part of.” lakejunaluska.com/plan-an-event
Originally constructed by the Federation of Wesley Bible Classes of the Western North Carolina Conference in 1922, the 25-foot Cross stands on a 5-foot stone base on a hill above the lake near historic Lambuth Inn. The Cross and amphitheater below welcome visitors for events ranging from weddings to the annual Easter Sunrise Service and for private prayer and meditation. lakejunaluska.com/spiritual-renewal
Most of the nearly 50 weddings held at Lake Junaluska each year take place at scenic outdoor venues. Simon Anthony Photography captured this photo of newlyweds Natalie and Jacob, who celebrated their ceremony with family and friends at Inspiration Point overlooking the lake, mountains and Cross. lakejunaluska.com/weddings
Since 1914, guests have ventured across Lake Junaluska by boat. Lake Junaluska’s original Cherokee transported visitors from the train station to the rest of the grounds. Today, guests can learn a little history on a 45-minute guided lake cruise aboard the Cherokee IV or reserve the pontoon boat for weddings, special events and private cruises.
lakejunaluska.com/lakecruises
Christians began using labyrinths in the Middle Ages as a metaphor for going on a transformational journey to the heart of God through Jesus Christ. A place for prayer and meditation, Lake Junaluska’s labyrinth on the lawn east of Memorial Chapel invites visitors to enter with an open mind and heart, let their minds become quiet, walk at their own pace, pause and receive, and leave renewed and at peace. lakejunaluska.com/gardens
Lubomyr Stephan Wandzura, a glass artist who immigrated to the United States from Ukraine after World War II, incorporated Ukrainian Pysanky symbols into the stained glass windows of Memorial Chapel. The stone chapel was built in the 1940s as a temple of peace named for the Prince of Peace and in honor of those who had served. The symbol pictured here is in the chapel ’s Chancel Window and stands for the duality of God, heaven and earth, summer and winter, and life and death. Learn more in Mystery of Memorial Chapel by John Hooper. lakejunaluska.com/spiritual-renewal
The swings, slide, climbing structures and grassy areas make the award-winning J.B. Ivey Playground a favorite place for some of our youngest guests as they build confidence with each step. Located near the tennis courts and minigolf, the playground borders part of the Lake’s walking trail, a mostly paved and relatively flat path also popular with families. lakejunaluska.com/playground
Music is part of Lake Junaluska’s tradition and heritage, with concerts from internationally acclaimed Balsam Range taking the stage at historic Stuart Auditorium to the sweet sounds of big-band music filling the lawn near the lakeside tent. lakejunaluska.com/events
t the Brick Walk in The Colonnade, many bricks bear names in memory or in honor of people who love Lake Junaluska. Some express gratitude, offer prayers, mark milestones or share messages such as “You are loved” and “We are in this together.” Bricks are engraved annually with words from donors who support Lake Junaluska. They are installed in late summer and dedicated at a service.
lakejunaluska.com/brick-walk
Even after 20 years, the beauty and richness of Lake Junaluska still moves avid runner Kate Birthright and the friends she meets regularly at the lakeside walking trail. “I cannot tell you how many times we have stopped at the footbridge at sunrise and looked up at the Cross, and felt humbled and in awe,” said Kate.
Open to all, the Lake Junaluska Walking Trail is deeply meaningful to many who return again and again, not only for exercise, but also for healing, friendship, restoration, peace, prayer and sanctuary. The mostly flat, 3.8mile loop encircles the lake and offers
extraordinary views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, sun-dappled water, wildlife and gardens, as well as benches and gazebos along the way. Trail visitors hear water cascade below as they traverse the bridge over the dam, and the popular Turbeville Footbridge enables walkers and runners to enjoy a shorter, 2.3-mile loop.
Although Lake Junaluska opens the trail to the public, the trail is not a public park supported by tax dollars. Nor do visitors pay trail use or parking fees. Instead, Lake Junaluska, a nonprofit organization, relies fully on charitable giving to support the $375,000 in annual maintenance and improvements to
the grounds and gardens. Some donors make one-time gifts when they visit. Others take part year after year in the charitable Friends of the Lake 5K Road Race & Walk. Donors also give monthly or annually online, earmarking their gifts for “Lake, Grounds & Recreation.” Each and every gift matters. “Our donors recognize the walking trail as a gift — a gift they have received and want to share with others,” said the Rev. Rebecca Mathis, director of advancement at Lake Junaluska.
Kate traces her first gift to the Lake to seeing a charitable-giving sign along the walking trail. “I realized that this beautiful place relies on donations,”
said Kate. “If I use this place, I need to show my appreciation.” Today, the business that she and her husband own, Maple Tree Veterinary Hospital and Dog Camp, is a corporate Friends of the Lake sponsor, and she takes part in the Friends of the Lake 5K.
A beloved annual community event, the Friends of the Lake 5K brings runners and walkers of all ages together on the walking trail. All proceeds go to the annual maintenance and improvement of recreation areas at Lake Junaluska, including the walking trail, and early 5K registrants receive a “Love the Lake” T-shirt.
At the 2022 Friends of the Lake 5K, the Rev. Mary Brown of First United Methodist Church of Sylva and the Rev. Erin Yow of Central United Methodist in Canton happened to bump into each other at the start and ended up finishing together — evidence of the way Lake Junaluska brings people together, said Mary.
“When I first started running at the Lake, I would run by the Cross, remembering I sat there as a kid,” said Mary. “The layers of memories make Lake Junaluska a holy ground.” She gives to Lake Junaluska because she sees so much good work. “I want to keep investing so my kids see the relevancy of this place,” she said. Erin started giving after moving to the area and exercising regularly at Lake Junaluska, where she met friendly people, felt a sense of sanctuary and was moved by the Lake’s ministry. “I thought a good starting point was using my prior gym membership money as a gift,” she said.
The Rev. Paul Young and his wife, Laura, who are also Friends of the Lake, enjoy the trail about five days a week. They have been full-time Lake residents for the past 14 years, but Paul’s first visit was long before that, attending a youth mission conference at age 15. He returned again and again over the years in connection with his service
Want to become a Friend of the Lake? Make a gift to the Lake Junaluska Annual Fund earmarked for “Lake, Grounds & Recreation.” Your support will help maintain and preserve the walking trail. Learn more and give online. lakejunaluska.com/support
The Friends of the Lake 5K is a charitable event to support the recreation opportunities of Lake Junaluska through the Friends of the Lake program. The 2023 event will take place the Saturday before Easter, and early registrants receive a “Love the Lake” T-shirt. lakejunaluska.com/5k
as a Methodist minister and to vacation with his wife and four kids.
For the Youngs, Lake Junaluska has always been emotionally special. “You see the beauty of nature,” said Laura. “It’s transformative to get out, to meet people.” To show their appreciation, the Youngs make charitable gifts and
actively support the annual 5K. “With my background in ministry, I know that you always need more money than you have to do what’s necessary. The lesson is that every gift is important,” said Paul. “We are not the biggest donors, but we give every year, at different times, and for different purposes. We love Lake Junaluska.”
The Terrace Hotel offers modern guest rooms and breathtaking views of the lake from the balcony and a spacious, two-story lobby, which features a fireplace and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the lake.
Convenient to the Rose Walk, Junaluska Gifts & Grounds gift and coffee shop, Stuart Auditorium, Memorial Chapel and meeting rooms and venues, the hotel is also a perfect location for groups. The Terrace Hotel offers a daily breakfast buffet and has 105 guest rooms.
Built in 1921 and renovated in 2018, the “stately lady” is an ideal choice for those looking for historic charm. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the inn has 131 guest rooms, many offering panoramic views of the lake and Blue Ridge Mountains. A short walk through the gardens leads guests to Inspiration Point to watch a sunset over the lake and the mountains and see the illuminated Lake Junaluska Cross.
lakejunaluska.com/rentals
Vacation homes, condominiums, cottages and apartments are available year-round and located throughout Lake Junaluska. Powered by Vacasa, Lake Junaluska Vacation Rentals have options for two guests to 24 guests and are individually furnished and outfitted by private owners. Some are pet friendly.
lakejunaluska.com/campground
Set up, get comfortable, meet new folks and enjoy your time outdoors. Open mid-spring through fall, the Lake Junaluska Campground offers full hook-ups, tent sites, a vacation cabin, apartments and a spacious meeting lodge. The campground has pull-through sites for RVs and features fire rings and picnic tables.
lakejunaluska.com/hillside-lodge
Offering 25 motel-style rooms that feature two double beds, flat-screen TVs and in-room coffee makers, Hillside Lodge is a budget-friendly Lake Junaluska accommodation.
lakejunaluska.com/apartments
Economical, convenient and comfortable, our apartments can host from four guests to 10 guests. Many of our 48 units have kitchenettes and some are pet friendly.
lakejunaluska.com/mountainview
A great budget option for youth groups and hostel-hoppers, Mountainview Lodge has 40 rooms that offer simplicity and can accommodate four to six people per room.
lakejunaluska.com/golf
Book a tee time at the historic Lake Junaluska Golf Course, a fun and challenging par-68, 18-hole course with scenic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Lake Junaluska. First opened in 1919, the course now spans 5,108 yards and is open to the public year-round. Players of all ages and skill levels are welcome. Visit the pro shop for golf shirts, caps, tees, balls, snacks, gift certificates and more. You can play by-the-round or purchase an annual membership. The course is available for tournament bookings. Call the pro shop at 828-456-5777.
lakejunaluska.com/gardens
Gardens and places of meditation across the grounds invite guests to reconnect with nature and with God. From the hearty “dinner plate” hibiscus to beautiful lupines, colorful blooms fill the landscape. Visit our website and download the online garden tour guide to learn more about our gardens and places of meditation. Bouquets and floral arrangements made with Lake Junaluska blooms are available seasonally for special events or lodging guests. An annual plant sale each spring supports landscaping and gardens at Lake Junaluska.
lakejunaluska.com/laketrail
Made possible through charitable giving, Lake Junaluska’s beautifully landscaped and maintained walking trail is wheelchair- and stroller-friendly. Mostly paved, with some uneven surfaces, the trail is open daily.
lakejunaluska.com/fishing
Fishing at Lake Junaluska is open to the public in designated areas. Best catches are bass, perch, crappie, brim, bluegill and trout. A public boat ramp is accessible from Highway 19. A valid N.C. fishing license is required.
lakejunaluska.com/play
The recreation area at Lake Junaluska Outfitters features miniature golf, tennis, pickleball, sand volleyball, basketball, shuffleboard, cornhole and a playground with climbing features, a slide and picnic tables.
lakejunaluska.com/birding
Year-round birdwatching is a treat for the casual spotter or serious watcher. Find blue-winged teal, northern shoveler, common goldeneye, greater scaup and horned grebe. Download a birding checklist on our website.
lakejunaluska.com/play
Nothing beats long summer days on the water at Lake Junaluska, from leisurely canoe trips to floating at the lakeside pool with friends and family. Swans and ducks glide by. Children laugh and splash. For many, there’s just something about enjoying water activities at Lake Junaluska that brings a touch of fun and adventure while also soothing the soul.
Visit Lake Junaluska Outfitters, our hub for watercraft rentals, swimming pool passes and recreation equipment for miniature golf, cornhole, shuffleboard, volleyball, tennis, pickleball and more. Snacks, bottled water and soft drinks also are sold at the Outfitters window, located on Memory Lane near the pool. Hours are seasonal, and parking and restrooms are nearby.
lakejunaluska.com/pool
Surrounded by the lake on three sides, the seasonal outdoor Lake Junaluska pool is open daily, weather permitting, Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
Lodging guests enjoy complimentary admission. Visitors can purchase season and day passes, which include pool access, miniature golf and more, at the Outfitters window. Season passes also can be purchased online.
lakejunaluska.com/lake-cruises
The Cherokee IV pontoon boat offers 45-minute guided tours of the lake that depart from the dock behind the Harrell Center. Cruises are typically available weekends from late spring through early fall. The Cherokee IV also can be booked for private tours of the lake or for small weddings and special events. Visit the website for more information, pricing and upcoming guided tours, and to make reservations online.
lakejunaluska.com/kayak
Try kayaking, canoeing or stand-up paddleboarding on the gentle waters of Lake Junaluska. Outfitters staff members equip guests with their rental watercraft, personal flotation devices and paddles and help launch them from the beach. Rentals are available daily during the summer season and weekends in late spring and early fall. Make reservations at the Outfitters window or online.
lakejunaluska.com/shop
Along the lakeside walking trail across from The Terrace Hotel, Junaluska Gifts & Grounds gift and coffee shop features unique local, regional and international gifts as well as an in-store espresso and smoothie bar. Find treasures ranging from jewelry, greeting cards, Psalm stones and artwork by local artists to satin pillowcases, comfy aloe socks, relaxing eye masks and more. Local pottery and our own label of coffee, preserves, salsas and salad dressings are also available. You can relax with a seasonal lemonade, handdipped ice cream cone or specialty latte. Enjoy your treat at a nearby outdoor table or rocking chair, or a bench along the walking trail. Hours change seasonally. For current hours or more information, call 828-454-6777.
Garden items, home decor, jewelry, pottery, puzzles and games with a new line of interactive nature games and toys for kids
T-shirts, sweatshirts, jackets, caps, umbrellas
Lake Junaluska history, local hiking, birding, Bibles, Christian living and devotionals, journals, greeting cards
Handmade gifts from around-the-world nonprofit organizations
Postcards, prints, magnets, ornaments, mugs and tumblers, coasters, made-inAmerica specialty items
Locally roasted fairtrade coffee and espresso, lattes, frappes, smoothies, snacks, ice cream, pastries
Christmas Memories, a faith-based shop inside Lambuth Inn, features decorative angels, nativity sets, puzzles, ornaments, snow globes and more.
Find golf shirts, caps, balls, tees, clubs, soft drinks, snacks, gift certificates and more at the Lake Junaluska Golf Course pro shop.
Grab-and-go markets at The Terrace Hotel and Lambuth Inn offer bottled water, soft drinks, snacks and convenience items.
Explore the nearby mountain towns of Waynesville, Maggie Valley and Canton, or venture to regional attractions such as Biltmore and Cherokee. Whitewater rafting, scenic train trips and skiing are also easy day trips from Lake Junaluska.
Want to celebrate the N.C. Year of the Trail? Ask at Bethea Welcome Center or hotel front desks for suggested itineraries for the Blue Ridge Parkway, Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Pisgah National Forest. You’ll also find suggested waterfall hikes and tips for seeing wild elk. Also near Lake Junaluska is Chestnut Mountain Nature Park with trails for mountain bikers and hikers alike. Plan your trip at visitnc.com.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Biltmore House USED WITH PERMISSION FROM THE BILTMORE COMPANY, ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA • Dillsboro River Company rafting PHOTO COURTESY PAUL HECKERT
At Lake Junaluska, The Terrace Hotel offers a daily hot breakfast buffet in the thirdfloor dining room, and Crepe & Custard Cafe in the Kern Center features savory and sweet crepes and rich, creamy custard. Diners can enjoy indoor or outdoor dining with lake views at both venues. In addition, an espresso and smoothie bar with pastries and more is located inside Junaluska Gifts & Grounds. Lake Junaluska also hosts special dining events on Easter, Mother’s Day and Thanksgiving, and offers on-site catering for meetings, conferences, retreats, reunions and special occasions such as weddings and banquets.
Less than 15 minutes from Lake Junaluska is a wide selection of restaurants ranging from eclectic coffee shops to fine dining with Appalachian farm-to-table cuisine. Ask for a local restaurant guide at Bethea Welcome Center or hotel front desks, or learn more at visitncsmokies.com
February 14 Valentine’s Day
March 24-26 Journey to Joy Women’s Retreat
March 31 –
April 3 Confirmation Retreat
April 8 Egg Hunt
Friends of the Lake 5K Road Race & Walk
April 9 Easter Sunrise Service Easter Buffet
May 4 National Day of Prayer Service
May 6 Annual Plant Sale
May 14
Mother’s Day Buffet
Springtime whispers a hint of a reawakening. Birds chirp. Flowers bud while gardens grow. Bunnies and frogs abound and hearts open to a sense of renewal and rebirth, marked most notably by Lake Junaluska’s outdoor Easter Sunrise Service held at the amphitheater overlooking the lake below the Lake Junaluska Cross.
As spring bursts on the scene with daffodils and tulips, activities and programs also awaken us to a sense of new beginnings and gladness for the warmth of the sun and the goodness of God. Flowering cherry trees brighten the Lake Junaluska Golf Course, where golfers find friendly competition alongside beautiful views of the lake and mountains.
In addition to the Easter Sunrise Service, springtime lake events include Easter and Mother’s Day buffet meals, the Friends of the Lake 5K and the Annual Plant Sale. A beloved event that supports landscaping at Lake Junaluska, the plant sale features many flora grown in the Lake’s greenhouse and propagated from the gardens.
lakejunaluska.com/spring • lakejunaluska.com/events
From gliding across the water on sun-soaked mornings to basking in the glow of family and friends gathered together, gratitude rules summer days at Lake Junaluska. Kayaks, canoes, paddleboards and Lake Junaluska’s pontoon boat, the Cherokee IV, venture across the lake. Kids splash in the lakeside pool and climb fun structures at the playground, and everybody gets in line for a double scoop of ice cream at Junaluska Gifts & Grounds.
Guests are invited to join in free and low-cost fun through the Summer Activities Program featuring everything from morning devotions to evening bonfires with s’mores. Theologian in Residence program events range from workshops to discussion groups. Sunday morning worship services take place at the lakeside white tent and feature visiting pastors and musicians.
A highlight of summer events at the Lake, the annual Independence Day Celebration will take place July 1-4 and offer family-friendly fun with fireworks, floating wish lanterns, a parade, music and more.
lakejunaluska.com/summer • lakejunaluska.com/events
May 26 –
Sept. 4 Summer Season for Lake Junaluska Outfitters & Pool
June 18-23 Music & Worship Arts Week
June 22-25 Native American Conference
June 25 Lake Junaluska Day
June 25 –
August 13 Summer Activities Program
Theologian in Residence Program Summer Worship Series
July 14 M28 Summer Youth Camps
June 29 –
July 1-4 Independence Day Celebration
Aug. 21-24 Festival of Wisdom & Grace
Aug. 25-27 Journey to Joy Women’s Retreat
Sept. 1 –Oct. 31
Fall Lodging Specials
Oct. 13-15 Choir Music Weekend
Nov. 10-12 Journey to Joy Women’s Retreat
Nov. 23 Thanksgiving at Lake Junaluska
Autumn at Lake Junaluska brings crisp, cool mornings that give way to warm, sunny afternoons — perfect weather for exploring trails, enjoying a lake cruise and taking scenic drives amid the majesty of fall in the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains. Orange, red and golden leaves turn highland landscapes into vibrant masterpieces.
Savor a seasonal spiced latte from Junaluska Gifts & Grounds as you relax in a rocking chair overlooking the lake or walk along the lakeside trail, leaves filling the air and crunching underfoot.
Lake Junaluska typically enjoys six weeks of color, with maple and dogwood trees turning color first, soon followed by river birch and oak. Black-eyed Susans, purple and pink asters, yellow goldenrod and mums of burgundy, orange and white bloom in gardens across the grounds. An official Monarch Waystation, Lake Junaluska also welcomes the migrating beauties through the early fall season.
Fall highlights at the Lake include a dinner buffet on Thanksgiving and a weekend retreat for all who love to sing sacred choral music. Events in nearby towns feature an apple harvest festival, an outdoor arts and crafts show and a bluegrass festival.
lakejunaluska.com/fall • lakejunaluska.com/events
Wreaths, garlands, bows and lights across the grounds herald the beginning of winter at Lake Junaluska. Christmas hymns and melodies ring out from the Carillon. Lake Junaluska’s Christmas Memories shop at Lambuth Inn and Junaluska Gifts & Grounds welcome holiday shoppers. Evenings of live music, cookies, hot chocolate, special events and family gatherings grace the calendar. Organizations and businesses book holiday parties at Lambuth Inn.
A sacred time for rest and reflection, winter brings shorter days but precious moments for brisk walks on the lakeside trail, long-range mountain views and cozy moments by the large stone fireplace at The Terrace Hotel. Many also enjoy winter hiking and birdwatching. Winter bird residents include brown creeper, pine siskin, winter wren and fox sparrow.
From December to February, Lake Junaluska also hosts youth groups traveling to the mountains for ski and winter retreats. An official lodging partner of Cataloochee Ski Area, Lake Junaluska is just 12 miles from one of the best places to ski and snowboard in the South.
lakejunaluska.com/winter • lakejunaluska.com/events
Nov. 5, 2023 – Jan. 1, 2024
Holidays at Lake Junaluska
Dec. 2023Feb. 2024 Ski Lake Junaluska Youth Retreats
Dec. 1-2 Balsam Range Art of Music Festival
Dec. 25 Christmas Day
Jan. 1, 2024 New Year’s Day
It’s an early July morning at Lake Junaluska. The stillness is broken only by the occasional chirping of birds. It’s about 6:30 a.m. — a time when you wouldn’t expect a group of more than 300 teenagers to be awake. But this morning is special, and most of the teens are looking forward to what lies ahead. As they gather together outside Shackford Hall, some whisper among themselves, but most are silent. A youth leader walks up, holding a large, wooden cross. One of the boys takes it, and the group begins what they call the Walk to the Cross.
The Walk to the Cross closes each session of M28 Camp, a summer youth camp built around Matthew 28, in which Christ exhorts his followers to go and make disciples of all nations. M28 was started about 10 years ago by Eddie and Allyson Willis, who have been involved in youth ministry for most of their adult lives. In fact, Eddie proposed to Allyson in a canoe at a youth camp in Mississippi. The couple became involved in leading youth camps at Lake Junaluska and, after a few years, started their own youth retreats to enhance the ministry work taking place at the Lake.
“Our passion is discipleship,” said Allyson. “We have four kids, and one of our favorite things to do is to tell them the stories of Jesus as we sit around the kitchen table, or sit in the living room and discuss Scripture and talk about our day. We want to talk about the hard places where your faith meets real life — that’s what brings about transformation. That’s the position we lead from.”
At M28, mornings begin with a hearty breakfast in York Dining Commons. Then, the youth, adult volunteers and staff join together in worship in Stuart Auditorium. Afterward, youth participate in workshops or discipleship time. Lunch follows, and then everyone has afternoons free to explore the lake and mountains.
“They can paddleboard, canoe and swim,” said Eddie. “Many of our youth and adult volunteers take advantage of the trail
around the lake. They can go hiking. They can go rafting and ziplining — there’s so much to do in nearby Waynesville and Bryson City. It all helps our youth and adults grow deeper in their discipleship.” Allyson said the time away from technology and virtual experiences helps youth focus on “the personal face-to-face laughing, talking, enjoying God’s nature.”
Participants reconvene for dinner, worship and small groups. The doors to Shackford Hall open 15 minutes before worship. “The kids come rushing in,” said Eddie. “There’s a lot of excitement. There could be large beach balls being punched around. The college counselors are mingling with the youth and the adults. Christian videos are playing, and often some of the counselors are dancing and the kids will join in. Then we move into a time of music and have a game, then more music. By the time the speaker begins, everyone is so keyed in.”
Concluding camp is the Walk to the Cross. As the youth make their way from Shackford Hall along the Rose Walk and up a hill to the Cross, they reflect on what they’ve learned, how they’ve grown and the freedom and forgiveness God has given them. They’re asked to think about what God wants them to do when they return home. From the amphitheater below the Cross, they sing and together shout “Praise God!” Their joyful noise echoes back from the mountains surrounding the lake.
Allyson and Eddie hope M28 campers will take the experiences they’ve had, the fun they’ve shared and all they have learned back to their communities, where they can continue to share the good news of the Gospel. “(M28) is about transformation,” said Allyson. “Yes,” agreed Eddie, “It’s about a life-changing and transforming experience that we hope will change people forever.” To learn more, visit m28camps.com
Choose Lake Junaluska to host your next group event. With a wide range of accommodations, meeting spaces, dining options and amenities, Lake Junaluska is the perfect place for your next conference, retreat, meeting, wedding, training event or reunion. The conference center has a variety of spacious indoor and outdoor venues, from a scenic lakeside deck to an open-air gym.
• 200-acre lake
• 2.3-mile or 3.8-mile loop walking trail with Rose Walk
• Canoes, kayaks and paddleboards
• 18-hole golf course
• Gift and coffee shop
• Gardens
• Fitness center
• Outdoor pool
• Campground
• Mini-golf
• Playground
Stuart Auditorium: Accommodates 2,000 people in permanent theater-style seating.
Harrell Center: Accommodates up to 400 people in auditorium; four breakout rooms.
Shackford Hall: Accommodates up to 600 people in auditorium with stage; 10 breakout rooms.
Memorial Chapel: Accommodates up to 200 people in pew seating.
Lakeside Tent: Accommodates up to 175 people in theaterstyle seating.
Lambuth International: Accommodates up to 220 people; seven breakout rooms.
Terrace Auditorium: Accommodates up to 220 people; five breakout rooms.
Kern Center: Accommodates up to 200 people; one breakout room.
York Lakeside Deck: Accommodates up to 220 people.
Nanci Weldon Gym: Accommodates up to 400 people in openair gym.
Visit lakejunaluska.com/plan-an-event, call 828-454-6650 or email groupsales@lakejunaluska.com to learn more.
Gratitude and joy filled Marian Smith and Mena Yacoub as they gathered with two dozen family members and friends at the stone amphitheater overlooking Lake Junaluska on July 29, 2022. The day marked 1,000 days of marriage for the couple and a long-awaited celebration of their union. They married in 2019 in Kuwait — where Mena was born and raised, and where the couple had met, worked and fallen in love. They hoped to host a second ceremony and reception the following summer with Marian’s family and friends in the United States, but the coronavirus pandemic postponed their plans and led them to reimagine the event.
Their ceremony in Kuwait had taken place at a Coptic Orthodox Church cathedral. Mena’s family and friends attended, and the couple danced their first dance to “Can’t Help Falling in Love With You.” “We share a love of music, which brought us together,” said Marian. She plays clarinet, and he plays violin classically and in the Arabic style. When they first met, they were both working as teachers. He taught music, and she taught elementary education at an international school. They connected at a community music organization, and their relationship took off from there, leading them on such adventures as visiting the Pyramids of Giza and St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow together.
For their ceremony and reception in the United States, they decided to gather at Lake Junaluska to commemorate 1,000 days of marriage. Marian’s father had worked at the Lake when she was a child, and she had treasured memories of the swans and annual Independence Day parade and fireworks. The lake also offered the outdoor yet private setting she envisioned, and Mena enjoyed the scenic beauty of the
Lake Junaluska offers scenic indoor and outdoor wedding and reception venues, as well as packages that include lodging, meals, flowers and more. Learn more at lakejunaluska.com/weddings.
lake. For their vows renewal, the couple chose the outdoor amphitheater below the Lake Junaluska Cross, which offers expansive views of the lake and mountains. “The setting was lovely,” she said.
They arranged for Lake Junaluska’s red trolley to transport the guests from the ceremony at the amphitheater to the reception at the Harrell Center. There, they spent time on the lakeside balcony and enjoyed dinner, music and dancing. “We danced to the same first-dance song, ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love With You,’” said Marian. They also surprised their family with news: they were expecting a baby boy. Now residents of Lake Junaluska, Marian teaches and Mena mixes and produces music. They look forward to the future — to growing their family and their next 1,000 days together.
In the summer of 1916, the Sunday School board of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South met at Lake Junaluska — known then as the Southern Assembly. They discussed an idea for an exciting new program that would offer a higher level of training for Sunday school teachers. Plans to launch what was initially called the Standard Training School took shape, and the school launched the following summer at Lake Junaluska.
It was an immediate success, as 600 persons from Cuba to the Pacific Coast arrived for the inaugural classes. There was a problem, however. There were no classrooms. Groups met in hotel hallways, on porches, under trees — anywhere they could find. Remarkably, the event was considered a success, and the decision was made to repeat the school the next year…but where?
Classes in 1918 for what evolved into the “Laboratory School” met in the Boat House, a large building built by Sunday School board funds that extended out over the water near The Terrace Hotel. This location was considered temporary.
In 1922, the General Conference of the church took the matter in hand and appropriated enough funds to construct a classroom building. But where at the Assembly would this building be located?
One day, Dr. W.H. Stockham, superintendent of the Assembly, and Dr. John W. Shackford, the director of teacher training for the Church, were in a boat on the lake. When Shackford shared his concern over a location for the building, Stockham offered to trade a ridge he owned at the western end of the lake for the Boat House.
Thus, atop a hill on a peninsula near the western lakeshore, the Christian Education Building was constructed out of river rock and timber in a Classic Revival style with two-story Ionic columns. Planners envisioned it as “the first object to greet the eye of the visitor as the train rounds the foot of the mountain,” according to a Sunday School prospectus.
In appreciation for Shackford developing the training program and overseeing the construction, the name of the building was changed to Shackford Hall. Opened in 1923, the building is now on the National Register of Historic Places and a beloved gathering place for events, Bible study and youth group retreats.
Lake Junaluska Assembly, Inc.
PO Box 67
Lake Junaluska, NC 28745
SEE PAGE 18
A beloved spiritual retreat center for more than 100 years, scenic Lake Junaluska in the mountains of Western North Carolina welcomes leisure and business travelers, families and groups seeking a special getaway experience with plenty of on-site things to do. Discover nature’s beauty and the best of the Blue Ridge Mountains at our 200-acre lake and charming community. Relax and enjoy the lakeside hotel, historic inn, vacation rentals, lakeside walking trail, gardens, golf course, lake cruises, wildlife viewing and panoramic vistas. A place of Christian hospitality where lives are transformed through renewal of soul, mind and body, where better to reconnect with your family or group than our peaceful slice of heaven?
To plan your Lake Junaluska personal getaway or group retreat visit lakejunaluska.com today.
