PRIDELY - Western NC 2023

Feb 1-13

Meadow Lights

A family-owned and operated business that started more than 40 years ago. “The Old Country Store” is one of the largest candy stores in the state specializing in Christmas and old fashion candy, carrying more than 300 varieties. We display lights on more than 30 acres and operate a train ride and carousel through more than 10 acres. Don’t forget to visit Santa for a photo opportunity. Learn more at visitnc.com.

Mar 11

St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival

St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival brings all things Irish downtown. Come enjoy the parade and celebrate music, dance and fun with Wilmington Police Pipes & Drums, The Walsh Kelley School of Irish Dance, and more. Live music will be provided following the parade at the outdoor festival stage at Market and South Second Streets. Learn more at visitnc.com.

Apr 22

Greening Up the Mountains

The Greening Up the Mountains Festival is a heritage arts festival that celebrates the arrival of Spring through both traditional and contemporary forms of Appalachian art, music, food, and beverage which honor our community and local artisans. Held in historic downtown Sylva, enjoy a variety of arts, crafts and food vendors, plus a 5k run, youth talent contest, beverage arts featuring local craft breweries, and live music throughout the day on two stages. Learn more at visitnc.com.

May 19-20

Beaufort Music Festival

For more than 30 years, the festival has taken place each May in historic Beaufort, and the town is packed on Friday and Saturday with locals and tourists alike enjoying the beautiful weather and plenty of great music. The two-day festival takes place on the beautiful waterfront property at Gallants Channel. There will be food trucks, vendors, beer tents and a kid’s continued on page

area. Please be sure to visit their website for more information as the dates get closer. Learn more at visitnc.com.

Jun 3

Carolina Beach Music Festival

Listen up all you beach music aficionados: this is your chance to dance barefoot on the sand or just sway to the beat while standing in the surf. Held the first Saturday in June, the Beach Music Festival is billed as “the biggest and only beach music festival actually held on the beach on the North Carolina coast” and one of the longest running beach music festivals in the United States. Come out and enjoy a full day of live entertainment with the hottest beach music bands in the South! Learn more at visitnc.com.

Jun 16-17

Boonerang Music & Arts Festival

The town of Boone can have a peculiar effect on those who have been to its tranquil Appalachian hills. When a former Boone resident finds their way back to those beautiful mountains, they call it the “Boonerang Effect.” Details at visitnc.com.

Jul 21-22

Hillbilly Jam 2023

Maggie Valley’s largest festival! This annual music and moonshine festival celebrates western North Carolina and Appalachia’s rich musical history and the heritage of moonshine making. Join many of the Discovery Channels Moonshiners for a good old time. Crafters, food galore, car and motorcycle show, something fun for everyone. Learn more at visitnc.com.

Aug 4-5

Mount Mitchell Craft Fair

Come enjoy more than 200 vendors and performers including bluegrass and acoustic music, food vendors, and a one-of-a-kind selection of handmade arts and crafts from artisans across the country - all in

Restaurants

Never Blue

Quirky downtown spot for global plates from flatbreads to tacos with sidewalk seats & a casual vibe.

119 S Main St, Hendersonville, NC 28792

Phone: (828) 693-4646 | Web: theneverblue.com

Tupelo Honey

An all-day menu of Southern comfort food with a creative twist, plus craft beers & cocktails.

12 College St, Asheville, NC 28801

Phone: (828) 255-4863 | Web: tupelohoneycafe.com

Shine

Trendy restaurant featuring homestyle cooking, cocktails & craft beers, plus a roof terrace.

202 N Main St, Hendersonville, NC 28792

Phone: (828) 692-0062 | Web: shinehvl.com

Have a restaurant you’d like us to feature?

Send in a recommendation for your favorite restaurant to be added to our list. Be sure to mention why you think they are worthy of being featured and include a link to their website.

Mezzaluna

Sleek, contemporary spot serving wood-fired pizzas & Italian fare, plus beer, wine & spirits.

226 N Main St, Hendersonville, NC

Bouchon

Locally sourced French comfort food served in a cozy space with a bar, open kitchen & alley patio.

62 N Lexington Ave, Asheville, NC

Limones Restaurant

Modern Californian & Mexican cooking plus creative cocktails served in a quaint, homey setting.

15 Eagle St, Asheville, NC

Pack’s Tavern

Modern tavern in a vintage building with over 35 rotating taps, live music & eclectic eats.

20 S Spruce St, Asheville, NC

Thai Spice

Curries, stir-fries & noodle soups served in a tranquil space with dark woods & traditional accents.

220 S King St, Hendersonville, NC

2 Guys Pizza Planet

Friendly Food & Brews

From-scratch pizzas, wings, ribs & more bar bites in a family-friendly joint with a video game area.

1307 7th Ave E, Hendersonville, NC

Jerusalem Garden Café

Nothing-fancy cafe serving a Moroccan & Mediterranean menu in a space with stained glass windows.

78 Patton Ave, Asheville, NC

The Lobster Trap

Cozy, casual spot for seafood, locally brewed craft beer & nightly live music.

35 Patton Ave, Asheville, NC

Plant

Creative all-vegan cuisine, craft beers & biodynamic wines served in a spare, modern setting.

165 Merrimon Ave, Asheville, NC

Daddy D’s Suber Soulfood

Vibrant nook for hearty portions of Southern-inspired chow dished up in warm, homey quarters.

411 7th Ave E, Hendersonville, NC

With lodging, food and entertainment all included in one price, choosing to do a vacation on a cruise gives great value. Traveling on the sea can be extremely fun, but it is important to choose the correct cruise line. If you’re going to spend a lot of your vacation time on a cruise ship, it may as well be one of luxury. Thankfully, there’s many luxury cruise lines ready to cater to your every

whim while ferrying you to and from some of the world’s most mesmerizing destinations in plush comfort. Some offer exotic voyages to faraway destinations, while others attract travelers with comfortable cabins and stimulating enrichment programs. Use this guide as a starting point to find out which luxury cruise fits best for your next vacation.

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SILVERSEA

OCEANIA REGENT SEVEN SEAS SEABOURN

Renovations

to increase home value

Personalization: We all want to make our home unique to our own character. However, when it comes time to sell, buyers want to envision themselves in the home, which can be difficult if the entire home is personalized to you. Avoid any personalization that is difficult to undo and stick to a nice universal outlook that speaks to everyone.

Landscaping: Just like with personalizing, it’s best to keep it simple. Some home buyers may love how elaborate your landscaping may look, but most of the time they’re considering the cost of upkeep or the difficulty of maintaining that look. A clean lawn with curb appeal is the best first impression to give to potential buyers.

Closet Space: Some of us are minimalist and can do with a larger room by sacrificing closet space, but most potential buyers value the importance of storage. Remember, buyers want to see themselves living in the home, and a lack of closet space might send them looking elsewhere.

Bold Paint: Freshly painted rooms are a great way to brighten up your home. There’s nothing wrong with bringing a little color into your home but keep in mind that buyers may not favor the same colors you do. Stick to keeping the colors subtle with small accents and focus more on neutral tones to appeal to potential buyers.

Trendy Designs: Barn doors and patterned tiles may look great to some buyers, but avoid trendy designs that might be outdated when you decide to sell. No matter how tempting the latest home design trend may be, the classic look is always the safest bet.

DIY Projects: Projects that you build yourself are great, but only when they’re done professionally. This is important to potential buyers so make sure if you’re going to do your own home project, that you do it exceptionally well. This also applies to repairs, quick cover ups will only get you so far. These sort of projects can either increase or decrease the value of your home so make sure you know what you’re doing before proceeding.

Long-Term Necessities: When it comes to renovations, keep in mind that not every buyer needs a built in office desk, or a workshop, or anything that may seem like a great idea to you. Tread carefully when adding permanent fixtures, not all buyers have the same vision as you when it comes to changes made. Make sure your room structures allow the flexibility for potential buyers to make their own changes.

EATING THE PSYCHOLOGY

Control weight gain and compulsive eating behaviors by making better choices about the food that you eat.

Control

weight

gain and compulsive

eating behaviors by making better choices about the food that you eat.

ConsumptionSome of us more than others realize that what we eat can effect how we feel such as eating too little or too much. We should be able to enjoy what we eat but also feel better when we do.

Eating healthy is a challenging task that many of us

strive to achieve but often fall short.

InfluencesCultural, social, family, and economical factors may be a direct influence linked to our food and eating behaviors. However, a more serious influence such as stress, boredom and anxiety can play a larger role as many of us eat as a coping mechanism. Although it can

sometimes help bring relief and ease feelings, it often leads to regret and build more negativity. Avoiding the problem with food will often create another problem with self-image when suffering from weight gain or other negative affects caused by unhealthy eating.

Weight ManagementHere are tips to help you manage your weight.

For starters, never skip a meal. By skipping a meal, you’re allowing yourself to become

hungry later which can result in reckless binge eating. Be sure to plan your meals ahead of time and limit night time snacking. This will allow you to always be one step ahead

of your weight by creating a routine. If you’re getting a craving between meals, try to exercise or find another way to distract yourself from food.

continued on page 16

Eating Diary - This is a great tool to keep track of your eating habits. Record what food you eat and when you eat it. Also take note of how you feel after eating and if you were doing anything while eating such as using your phone or watching TV.

By recording your habits, you will be able to pinpoint which foods and activities to avoid. The diary can also assist you when you’re working with a dietitian to help you make the best decisions.

LGBTQ CENTER OF DURHAM

The LGBTQ Center of Durham commits to centering the experiences of those who are the most marginalized among us. With the Host Home Program, LGBTQ+ Youth Center, a re-centered Pride, and other gender inclusive support programs, we are aligned with the promise of serving QTPOC. Our services are open to the entire community and seek to make room for all people.

LGBTQCENTEROFDURHAM.ORG | (919) 827-1436

CAROLINAS LGBT+ CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Our mission is to foster equity, inclusion and economic prosperity for the LGBTQ community through strategic policy, professional enrichment, ally partnerships and economic development. CLGBTCC.ORG | 704-837-4050

LGBT CENTER OF RALEIGH

The LGBT Center of Raleigh prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, sex, race, color, religion, creed, age, marital status, national origin, mental or physical disability, political belief or affiliation, veteran status, HIV status, or any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under state or federal law. We envision an inclusive world where LGBTQ+ people are thriving, equal, and valued members of society.

LGBTCENTEROFRALEIGH.COM | (919) 832-4484

GUILFORD GREEN FOUNDATION

EQUALITY. DIVERSITY. INCLUSION. Guilford Green Foundation & LGBTQ Center unites and strengthens the greater Greensboro community by supporting the needs of our LGBTQ neighbors and promoting understanding by all residents. guilFORDGREENFOUNDATION.ORG | 336-790-8419

GUILFORD GREEN FOUNDATION

North Star seeks to empower and enrich the lives of LGBTQ people in the Triad area. We offer various social, support, and educational opportunities for adults & youth.

NORTHSTARLGBTCC.COM | (336) 893-9053

beautiful downtown Burnsville. The Mount Mitchell Crafts Fair brings together mountain heritage, traditional crafting and contemporary art creating a unique event not to be missed. Learn more at visitnc.com.

Aug 4-6

Cycle NC Mountain Ride 2023

The Cycle North Carolina Mountain Ride is a perfect weekend getaway for any outdoor enthusiast and their family. Enjoy a 3-day cycling festival featuring a variety of route options each day that focus on showcasing the beautiful landscapes that Western North Carolina has to offer. Details at visitnc.com.

Sept 22-24

Beaufort Pirate Invasion 2023

We are planning to Invade Beaufort with our Pirate Flotilla and we invite you to join us. Our Flotilla will be free to watch from shore in many spots in Beaufort as well as Gallants Channel. New and past vendors and local food trucks will be on site with unique items and delicious food to satisfy any pirate. And sea battles, bigger than ever! Learn more at visitnc.com.

Oct 6-8

37th Annual North Carolina Seafood Festival

he largest three-day festival in North Carolina, its highlights are an endless variety of seafood prepared in a multitude of ways, street dances, concerts, arts, and crafts (about 200 total vendors), Flounder Fling and an International Award-Winning Chef’s Tent, educational exhibits, handson programs for kids, rides, and games. Learn more at visitnc.com.