Your Destination Magazine
Dashboards Saddlebags and
The Destination Magazine ™ Issue 45
FREE
We Tell You Where To Go!
Choose And Cut A Tree From America’s Christmas Tree Capital Page 20
Renovations, Upgrades and Free Lessons this Winter at BMR First Footin’ Do You Want to Build a Snowman in Jackson County? Tailgate Carolina Style, Carolina Made Along The Way How Does Santa Do It? Practice!
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DECEMBER 2014 Issue 45
W
e Te l l you w h e r e t o go! W het he r you a r e a lon g time resident or new to the area, you’ll find destinations here that w i l l h ave you s ay i ng “I never knew that was there.”
We a r e v e r y s e l e c t i v e o f o u r m arket ing par t ners a s well a s our editor ial content. If we cannot be proud of the content submitted to us we will not put it in Dashboards and Saddlebags Magazine, period. So, if you are looking for new destinations to explore on your ow n, or ideas for things to do with friends and family you will find something new each month in your destination magazine.
We know we are on to something! Lisa & Andy Jay Publishers
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Page 21
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CONTENTS Unique Destinations Less Than 200 Miles From Home
6
Renovations, Upgrades and Free Lessons this Winter at BMR
19
Choose And Cut A Tree From America’s Christmas Tree Capital
20
First Footin’
21
Do You Want to Build a Snowman in Jackson County?
22
Tailgate Carolina Style, Carolina Made
24
Along The Way
26
How Does Santa Do It? Practice!
28
Produced by: Photodude.net LLC Sales: Lisa Jay, Steven Shober Contributing Writers: Lisa Jay, Jim Stallard, Project 543, Visit NC, Craig Distl, RomanticAsheville.com, Blair Rumley Cofield Contributing Photographers: PhotodudeART.com, Bill Russ, Paul Newton, RomanticAsheville.com Cover: Bill Russ VisitNC.com
The list of events in this publication is compiled from various sources dates & times are tentative & subject to change. Dashboards and Saddlebags The Destination Magazine™ is published by Photodude.net LLC 369 Dovefield Drive Summerfield, NC 27358 (704) 706-2365 www.DashboardsandSaddlebags.com ©2014 All rights reserved. Photodude.net LLC Publisher, Agents & Advertisers do not necessarily condone any activities or advertisement listed in this magazine. The Publisher and its officers, employees, agents, volunteers, and sponsors are not responsible for any loss or damage which might be associated with patronage of any party named in this publication, and is not responsible for any Act of God such as inclement weather, fire, flood, natural or man-made disaster, etc., that are out of the control of the Publisher, which affect the publishing of this magazine.
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Destinations
Unique Destinations Less Than 200 Miles From Home Cherokee Lights and Legends Nov 28, 2014 – Jan 3, Cherokee Indians Fairgrounds, 545 Tsali Blvd. Cherokee, NC 28719. Cherokee Lights and Legends features a custom-designed light show by Holiday Artisans de signe d to refle c t Cheroke e storie s that were traditionally told during the winter months. There will also be synthetic ice skating, carnival rides, a holiday bazaar featuring local craftsmen, local food vendors and, of course, Santa Claus. There will also be live nightly entertainment. The annual holiday celebration will be held Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5:00pm – 9:00 pm, Fridays and Saturdays from 5:0010:00pm through January 3, 2015. The event will be closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and will open longer hours on New Year’s Eve from 5:00 p.m.-12:30 a.m. and will feature New Year’s Eve fireworks. info@cherokeesmokies.com High Country Choose and Cut Nov 28 – Dec 24, Visitor Information Center, 1700 Blowing Rock Road Boone, NC 28607. Start a new family tradition! Visit one of our area Christmas tree farms, choose a tree, and the farmer will cut it, bale it and tie it to your car. Many area farms also offer hot cocoa, hayrides, gift shops, live music and more. info@highcountryhost.com Christmas Town USA Tree Lighting Ceremony Monday, Dec 1, 115 N Main St, Belmont, NC 28012. Join friends, neighbors, colleagues and holiday lovers in lighting historic downtown Belmont’s Christmas tree. www.cityofbelmont.org Weinhnachtsmarkt (Christmas Market) Thursday, Dec 4, The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, 4150 Yancey Rd, Charlotte, NC 28217. OMB is having its 5th annual German-style Christmas Market (Weihnachtsmarkt) starting Thursday, December 4th and continuing through Saturday, Continued On Page 8
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Destinations Continued From Page 6
December 6th (4 to 9pm Thursday and Friday, 2pm to 10pm Saturday). For those of you not familiar with this traditional holiday market, it occurs in the weeks leading up to Christmas throughout Germany. Each town square is transformed into a marketplace where baked goods, crafts and gifts are offered for sale. People stroll around in the evenings and shop while enjoying good beer, Glüh wein (spiced, hot red wine) and food. We’ll be creating such an atmosphere right here in our brand new biergarten! www.oldemeckbrew.com Santa on the Chimney Sat, December 6, 11am – 2pm at Chimney Rock State Park, 431 Main St, Chimney Rock, NC 28720. How is Santa able to climb down millions of chimneys around the world in a single night? He practices, of course. Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, enjoy live holiday music, hot cocoa, cookies and kids’ activities, plus meet live critters. This rappelling Santa was recently ranked as one of the “8 Most Extreme Santas in the World” by Buzzfeed. Win a Free Climb with Santa’s Elves! www.chimneyrockpark.com/events/ 7th Annual Communit y Nativit y Festival December 4 - 6, 4:30pm – 8:30 pm The Church of Jesus Christ of Lat ter- Day Saint s, 7036 McIlwaine Road Huntersville, NC 28078. Visit the festival daily from 4:30 - 8:30pm with musical performances nightly from 6 - 8:30pm. View more than 400 nativity sets. Dress in costume for a family photo. Crafts for kids. This family-friendly event welcomes people of all faiths. www.nativityfestival.com Christmas in Davidson Thu, December 4-6, 6pm – 9pm 216 S Main St, Davidson, NC 28036. Downtown Davidson is transformed into a magical Christmas Wonderland as area businesses and the Town of Davidson present three evenings of entertainment, refreshments and special event s sure to enter t ain ever yone of all ages. w w w. christmasindavidson.com
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Destinations Dillsboro Lights & Luminaries Fri, December 5, 5pm – 9pm 42 Front Street Dillsboro, NC 28725. Journey back to the days of yesteryear as Dillsboro presents its annual Festival of Lights and Luminaries. Experience the magic as the entire town is transformed into a winter wonderland of lights, candles, laughter and song! 2500 luminaries light your way to shops and studios. Horse and buggy rides available each night from 5-8 pm (cost + tips). Shopkeepers provide live music and serve holiday treats with hot cider and cocoa. Carolers sing and children visit with Santa at Town Hall. Information: call 800-962-1911. www.visitdillsboro.org Foothills Arts Council Open Air Art Market Fri, December 5, 5pm – 9pm 129 Church St, Elkin, NC 28621. The Open Air Art Market opens up in the garden at the Foothills Arts Council, with tents of fine artists from across the state, local wineries, food, live music, fire pit, S’mores and more! New this year we will have artists inside the house and on the porch. A great place to find that unique gift for those special someones on your list and to get in the holiday spirit. www.foothillsartscouncil.org Vineyards of Swan Creek Holiday Open House Saturday, Dec 6, 450 Groce Rd, Ronda, NC 28670. Join each of the Vineyards of Swan Creek as we celebrate the holiday season. Throughout the weekend at Continued On Page 9
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Destinations Continued From Page 9
Raffaldini Vineyards enjoy a complimentary sample of our signature holiday peppermint chocolate wine-infused brownie and mulled apple cider. Additionally, we will have many gifts ideas available for your holiday shopping convenience! Check with each vineyard for specific event details. For a map of participating vineyards and directions, please visit www.swancreekvineyards.com Valdese Christmas Parade Sat, December 6, 10am – 11am Main St E, Valdese, NC 28690. A small town Christmas Parade that will definitely put you in the Christmas spirit. Marching bands, floats, fun and of course Santa Claus always stops by to say “Hello!” www.townofvaldese.com 32nd Annual North Mecklenburg Christmas Parade Sat, December 6, 1pm – 3pm 216 S Main St, Davidson, NC 28036. The parade begins in Davidson and travels Hwy. 115 to Mt. Zion Church in Cornelius. The show will go on rain or shine! www.ci.davidson.nc.us Island of Lights Holiday Flotilla Sat, December 6, 6pm – 11pm Snow’s Cut to Carolina Beach Boat Basin Carolina Beach, NC 28428. Fishing boats and pleasure craf ts electrically decorated with thousands of lights present a spectacular display on the Intracoastal Waterway. The parade of boats will cruise from Snows Cut to Carolina Beach Boat Basin and back. A unique coastal tradition sure to please the hearts of all. www.pleasureislandoflights.com/christmas-flotilla.html 2014 National Poinsettia Open House Sun, December 7, 12:30pm – 4:30pm Mitchell’s Nursery & Greenhouse Inc., 1088 W Dalton Rd, King, NC 27021. We are planning to do poinsettia trials again and host an open house. We are one of two greenhouses in the state to hold poinsettia trials. The information gathered each year helps the national poinsettia breeders decide which poinsettias they will release to the market next year. www.mitchellsnurseryandgreenhouse.com Annual Appalachian Christmas Celebration Friday, Dec 12, Stuart Auditorium, North Lakeshore Dr Lake Junaluska, NC 28745. Come to the mountains at Lake Junaluska to celebrate Christmas with your group of loved ones and enjoy a weekend of music, crafts, and more. Experience the beauty of Lake Junaluska, while celebrating the true meaning of Christmas featuring the Lake Junaluska Singers. www.lakejunaluska.com Santa on the Chimney Sat, December 13, 11am – 2pm Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park, 431 Main St, Chimney Rock, NC 28720. How is Santa able to climb down millions of chimneys around the world in a single night? He practices, of course. Witness Santa’s daring stunt as he practices on one of the world’s largest chimneys with multiple 200-foot rappels! Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, enjoy live holiday music, hot cocoa, cookies and kids’ activities, plus meet live critters. www.chimneyrockpark.com Continued On Page 12
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Destinations Continued From Page 12
Winter on the Western Frontier at Fort Dobbs State Historic Site Sat, December 13, 10am – 4pm For t Dobbs State Historic Site 438 For t Dobbs Road St atesville, NC 28625. S et on an open hilltop, the militar y post at Ft. Dobbs was a cold, lonely place to spend the winter. Learn how the provincial soldiers stationed there deal w i t h t h e ha r sh s e a s o n a n d c e le b r at e t h e Ad ve n t o f C hr is t ma s . w w w.for tdobbs.org Violins and Vines at Adagio Vineyards Sat, December 13, 2pm – 4pm Adagio Vineyards 139 Benge Rd Elkin, NC 28621. Adagio Vineyards will present a monthly series of violin performances, Violins and Vines, featuring Susan Perkins of Salem College of Music Faculty and Dr. Jan Wahl of Adagio Vineyards playing one of her handcrafted violins. Music is 2-4pm. www.adagiovineyards.com S t a t e s v i l l e C h r i s t m a s P a r a d e S u n , D e c e m b e r 14, 3p m – 4 p m 112 S C e n t e r S t , S t a t e s v ill e , N C 28 67 7. T h e 2014 S t a t e s v ill e Christmas Parade, sponsored by the 30th Masonic District will be held on Sunday, De cemb er 14 at 3pm in Downtown St ate sville. www.downtownstatesvillenc.org
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Destinations Appalachian Ski Mountain’s New Year ’s Celebration Wednesday, D e c 31, A p p a la c hia n S k i Mountain, 940 Ski Mountain Rd , Bl o w in g Ro c k , N C 28 6 0 5. Torchlight skiing and firework s! Breakfast selections served in the rest aurant , mo onlight ice skating , and family fun! w w w.appskimtn.com M t . O l i v e ’s N e w Ye a r P i c k l e D r o p We d , D e c e m b e r 31, 5 : 3 0 p m – 7: 3 0 p m C o r n e r o f Cucumber & Vine Mount Olive, NC 28365. The 14th annual New Ye a r ’s E v e P i c k l e D r o p ! T h e New Year’s Eve Pickle descends down the flagpole at the stroke o f 7 p . m . m i d n i g h t – t h a t ’s 7 o’clock EST, which also happens to be midnight Greenwich M e an Tim e. ( T hat way, we ar e o f f icial, we s h o u t H a p py N e w Year! - and we don’t have to stay u p u n t il m i d n i g h t .) E n j o y li v e music and free refreshment s, including Mt . Olive pickles! w w w.mtolivepickles.com F i r s t F o o t i n ’ W a l k a n d Tr a i l R u n T h u r s d a y, J a n 1, 2 0 15 His to ric Rural Hill, 4 431 Ne ck Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078. Join the staf f and friends of Historic Rural Hill in Hunter sville at 11:0 0 New Year ’s Day for Fir s t Footin’ - a 2.25 mile hike around t he farm’s pa sture and wo o de d property. Along the way staff and volunteers will stop at interesting points of historic significance and tell stories of the history of Major John Davids on and Rural Hill’s historic farmland. First Footin’ is Historic Rural Hill’s version of the Scot tish tradition of Hogmanay, or Scot tish New Year’s. Custom Continued On Page 14
Check our facebook page for upcoming Holiday Specials, Events, Live Music & More!
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Destinations Continued From Page 13
has it that farmers would encircle their proper t y with friends and neighbors to inspect the borders and bring about good luck for the coming year. Be sure to stick around for the ser ving of a communit y meal, free to all who are in at tendance. w w w.ruralhill.net /Calendar. asp WinterFest Jan 10 – 12, Beech Mountain, NC, Enjoy a full slate of events that will please snow lovers and music lovers with ever-popular Cardboard Box Derby, the WinterFest Rail Jam, live music and much more. ht tp://w w w.romanticasheville.com/ beech_mountain_ ski.htm Grand Opening of Beech Mountain Brewing Co. Sun, Januar y 11, 10 07 Beech Mountain Park way, Beech Mountain, NC 28604. The celebration will highlight tastings and brewery tours, complemented by live music from Dr. Bacon. Following the grand opening, If Birds Could Fly will play at 5pm in the Beech Tree Bar and Grille! The grand opening is being held in conjunction with the Beech Mountain Resort’s annual Winterfest Weekend www.beechmountainresort.com
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& Happy Holidays from all of us at LangTree Lake Norman! Book Your Holiday Party & Start Your Shopping Today! All You Want for Christmas is at LangTree Lake Norman!
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Renovations, Upgrades and Free Lessons this Winter at BMR
A
summer of improvements has set The View Haus, a focal point with its the stage for a winter of top-notch Bavarian turret, received an interior skiing and snowboarding at Beech redesign with a mountain lodge decor. Mountain Resort. The project replaced all carpet, tables, chairs, railings, added state-of-the-art The resort continued its recent trend lighting, plus renovated bathrooms with summertime upgrades both on with automated fixtures. and off the slopes. On the slopes, a half dozen SMI Super PoleCat snow guns The Burton Learn-to-Ride Center in have been added, bringing to 46 the the ski village offers expert half-day resort’s total of these high-tech guns. and full-day snowboard lessons for The PoleCats – along with dozens of juniors and adults, a first for the resort. smaller guns – provide the resort with The center also allows boarders to the best snowmaking capability in its upgrade their rentals to the latest 47-year history. technology available.
Also on the slopes, the lighting system for night skiing has been upgraded, while an aging J-bar beginner lift has been replaced by a new Magic Carpet conveyer lift.
As a bonus this winter, free lessons will be given to everyone age eight and older who rents ski or snowboard equipment Monday through Thursday, excluding holiday periods.
Off the slopes, the resort continued to focus on amenities by completely renovating the View Haus cafeteria, adding a Burton Learn-to-Ride Center for snowboarders, partnering with Rossignol on a new fleet of ski rental equipment, and expanding teaching programs across the board for skiing and snowboarding.
“People are seeing that we’re truly invested in making this one of the top ski resorts in the Southeast,” Costin said. “ All these upgrades are steps in that direction.” For more info visit: www.beechmountainresort.com or call (800) 438-2093
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Choose And Cut A Tree From America’s Christmas Tree Capital
#68
I
n 2012, the official White House Christmas tree for the 12th time is from North Carolina, an honor no other state can match. Since 1966, the National Christmas Tree Association has donated its Grand Champion tree to be the White House Christmas tree. No other state can match North Carolina’s total. In fact, no other state can surpass the number of winners (seven) from Ashe County alone. Choosing your own Christmas tree from a tree farm is a popular and memorable holiday experience for families visiting North Carolina. And now more families are making a vacation of it. The state offers more than 70 Ch r i st m a s t ree far m s and many offer cabins for overnight Project 543 tells the story of st ays as well as Chr ist masunique spots across North themed crafts and gifts, Carolina we hope will become hot c o c o a or c ide r, c o ok ie s, some of your favorite places. hay r ides, and other activ ities Why 543? Because that’s the as well as spectacular views. In number of miles from Manteo, on the coast, to Murphy, in the a typical year, North Carolina mountains, and is traditionally harvests around 5 million trees considered to be the width of at 1,600 tree farms, making it our state. The entries in this the most prolific tree-producing project are in no particular state in the east. order, and we’ll add to them each week. Check in often to find inspiration for your next trip, or start planning today at VisitNC.com.
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First Footin’ J
oin the staff and friends of Historic Rural Hill in Huntersville at 11am New Year’s Day for First Footin’ - a 2.25 mile hike around the farm’s pasture and wooded property. Along the way staff and volunteers will stop at interesting points of historic significance and tell stories of the history of Major John Davidson and Rural Hill’s historic farmland. First Footin’ is Historic Rural Hill’s version of the Scottish tradition of Hogmanay, or Scottish New Year’s. Custom has it that farmers would encircle their property with friends and neighbors to inspect the borders and bring about good luck for the coming year. Be sure to stick around for the serving of a community meal, free to all who are in attendance. Historic Rural Hill dates back to 1765, when John Davidson, the American born son of
Scottish immigrants settled here to start a home for his young family. For those seeking a little more challenge in their New Year’s holiday, take part in the First Footin’ Five Miler trail race, which features a double loop of the challenging trails at Rural Hill. Featuring a near-equal portion of technical ground and soft pastureland, the race includes two challenging climbs and expansive views of the Rural Hill property. While the walk is free, all proceeds from the trail race are used for the advancement of the mission of Historic Rural Hill, a non-profit organization that provides educational programming for thousands of students and families annually. Historic Rural Hill 4431 Neck Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078 www.ruralhill.net
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Do You Want to Build a Snowman in Jackson County? T
he winter months are booming in Jackson County, NC. From Thanksgiving to New Years, visitors migrate to the mountain towns of Cashiers, Cherokee, Dillsboro, Sylva, Balsam, Cullowhee, Glenville and Sapphire to enjoy twinkling lights, a village tree lighting, holiday music, s’mores and more. With an abundance of holiday festivals and events taking place this winter, there is holiday magic for everyone in Jackson County! Residents and visitors won’t want to miss Santa and Mrs. Claus during Christmas on the Green at The Village Green in Cashiers, the Festival of Trees, Elf Village at Tom Sawyer’s Christmas Tree Farm in Glenville or the Hard Candy Christmas Show, an art show filled with more than 100 vendors selling Christmas trees, crafts, holiday gifts and more, held at the Ramsey Center at Western Carolina University. For t h e out d o or- lo ve r, s k ie r s , snowboarders and tubers can hit the On the hunt for the perfect Christmas slopes at Ski Sapphire Valley. Sapphire tree? The search begins and ends Valley boasts a Norman Rockwell in Jackson County, where visitors setting perfect for families looking for can choose and cut their own Fraser a safe, relaxing vacation. The resort firs for the holidays. To find this is nestled in one of the most scenic iconic holiday centerpiece, look no corners of the Blue Ridge Mountains further than Adrian Fowler Tree and is the closest ski resort to Atlanta Farm, Grandy Mountain Farm and offering big-city residents the quickest Landscaping, Hutch’s Mountain chance for a winter-mountain getaway. Trees LLC, Moss Tree Farm Inc., Tom Near the end of the season, visitors Sawyer Tree Farm, Buck Knob Farm can participate in a one-of-a-kind or Long Hollow Tree Farm. Outhouse Race, where outhouses on skis will be raced down the hills at During the first two weekends of the resort. All proceeds from the event December, visitors to Dillsboro will be benefit local charities. transported to a winter wonderland. The town’s streets will come alive with 2,500 For more information on winter lights and luminaries, carolers, horse events and activities, visit and buggy rides and festive treats. www.mountainloversnc.com.
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Tailgate Carolina Style, Carolina Made W
hile football may be the main att r act ion, a br ag-wor t hy tailgate is the only way to properly prepare for any big game. Whether cheering on your alma mater or the NFL’s Carolina Panthers, we have your guide to game days in North Carolina, from cold drinks to stylish looks.
play, try the nationally acclaimed barbecue capital of the world, known by most as Skylight Inn of Ayden, serving up peppery, vinegar-based ‘cue. Around the Triangle, try Allen & Son of Chapel Hill for chopped, hickory-smoked hog with the tangy taste of Easter n-style barbecue, and around Tr iad, drop by any While drinks may be the lifeblood of Lexington establishment for the a tailgate, the backbone is the food. rich, woodsy taste of Western-style barbecue (Smiley’s Lexington BBQ Because tailgating is an all-day, high- and Lexington Bar-B-Q Center are energy event, always begin with hearty noteworthy options). appetizers like a cheese-smothered, spicy sausage dip made with Neese’s Update your tailgate game by splurging Sausage of Greensboro paired with on North Carolina beers. Asheville, deviled eggs topped with Texas Pete, named Beer City USA for four years bottled in Winston-Salem. These are strait, bottles famed Highland Brewing easy appetizers to make ahead for Company beers sold in grocery stores optimal tailgate enjoyment. across the state, with popular picks like the crisp, citrus finish of the For a main course, you can’t go wrong St. Terese’s Pale Ale or the chocolaty, with the ubiquitous Carolina Burger, robust Black Mocha Stout, silver medal slathered in chili and slaw (Note: All- winner at the World Beer Festival. the-way is the only way to eat these). If chili and slaw aren’t enough, add a For an authentic taste of the Tar Heel few Mt. Olive pickle chips for a crisp state, try something else we’re known bite and North Carolina authenticity. for: moonshine. Assign a mixologist at your tailgate to serve up a signature And of course, you can’t mention craft cocktail flaunting the hues of game day in North Carolina without your team colors, like a Bloody Mary mentioning barbecue. If out east mixed with Madison’s Catdaddy watching the East Carolina Pirates Moonshine for Wolfpack fans. Top of
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the Hill offers a Carolina Whiskey that mixes a mean Manhattan, an amberhued sipper to complement the Old Gold and Black of a Demon Deacon tailgate. You n ge r t a i l g at e r s c a n s ip on North Carolina-native Sun Drop or Cheerwine, which are always best enjoyed in their original glass bottles for added charm. The anatomy of a tailgate is simple: good drinks, good food and good clothes make a good time. Whether or not your team dominates the game, you can always dominate the tailgate. Blair Rumley Cofield is a graduate of University of North Carolina with a degree in Southern Studies. She lives in Raleigh and restricts her barbecue intake to eastern-style only. 窶天isitNC.com
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How Does Santa Do It? Practice! W
atch Santa Claus ready himself for clambering down chimneys across the world as he practices climbing one of the most famous chimneys of all, Chimney Rock! Watch him scale the 315-foot Chimney Rock before climbing down millions of much shorter chimneys all around the world on Christmas Eve. USA Today named Chimney Rock one of the top 10 places to catch up with Santa. Come and see why! Saturday, December 6th & 13th from 11am to 2pm, meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, enjoy live holiday music, complimentary hot cocoa, cookies and kids’ activities and see live critters. Annual Passholders are invited to a special holiday sale with 25% off their total retail purchase both days at Cliff Dwellers Gifts, which will be providing entertainment, artist demonstrations and refreshments. There is no additional cost with paid Park admission.
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l e s s o n s f o r t w o w i t h S a n t a ’s professional helpers, Fox Mountain Guides. The winner of each drawing will be announced at 1:30pm and you must be present to win. Chimney Rock was named one of “10 great places to Mr. Claus will rappel from the top catch up with Santa” and one of the of Chimney Rock about every 30- 10 Best High Places in the World by 45 minutes while spectators gather USA Today. in front of Cliff Dwellers Gift s (parking area) for live holiday music, New this year are performances by refreshments and kids’ activities. the Lake Lure Classical Academy’s Santa will be available in front of Cliff fifth grade chorus, a group of 40 Dwellers Gifts for photo opportunities. children, and their rock ‘n’ roll band. Mrs. Claus will serve delicious cookies On December 14 only, the choir will and hot cocoa. Park mascot Grady perform at Noon, followed by the rock the Groundhog or other live critters ‘n’ roll band comprised of high school will make an appearance, and an and middle school students at 1pm. educational display of animal skins and skulls will be on display by a State Chimney Rock is located 25 miles southeast of Park Ranger. Asheville in the Hickory Nut Gorge on Highway 64/74-A. The Park is the focal point of the Each weekend, one lucky guest will developing Chimney Rock State Park. win free two-hour rock climbing RomanticAsheville.com
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Ellie’s Diner NOW OPEN Come visit the largest antique mall in the South 88,000 Square Feet • Over 625 Booths Comfortably Air Conditioned 325 McGill Ave. NW Concord, NC 28026 704-787-9351 www.depotgibsonmill.com Mon-Sat 10-7• Sunday 1-6 Find us on Facebook