Beverly-Hanks Realtors | Welcome 2019 by Smoky Mountain News

BeverlyHanks Welcome 2019.qxp_cover 3/6/19 3:36 PM Page 1

Welcome Serving the Greater Asheville, Hendersonville & Waynesville areas

TO WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA

WNC Cheese Trail Hope for Horses

Craft Soda Making A Splash Hendersonvilleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pinball Wizard

BeverlyHanks Welcome 2019.qxp_cover 3/6/19 3:36 PM Page 2

Solutions No problem too big, no problem too small.

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got this.

Western North Carolinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Leading Commercial Real Estate Company NAI Beverly-Hanks (828) 604-6180

410 Executive Park, Asheville, NC 28801

naibeverly-hanks.com

NAI Beverly-Hanks is a member of NAI Global with over 400 cooperating offices worldwide.

INTRODUCTION | Welcome

“Whether your interest is residential or commercial, as an experienced investor or a ﬁrst-time buyer, our team is here to help you.” — Neal Hanks Jr., President

Welcome. It is our privilege to introduce you to this beautiful region we call home. We know that to discover Western North Carolina, you need to experience the splendor of our communities first hand. We are confident that when you do, you will find out why most never leave. Choosing the right real estate company to assist you in your exploration is important. You want to be sure to choose the best, and in Western North Carolina, that choice is Beverly-Hanks. Our real estate brokers have earned a reputation for looking after their clients like no other in the area. Whether your interest is residential or commercial, as an experienced investor or a first-time buyer, our team is here to help you. Our team not only has a deep understanding of the real estate market, but we also know the schools, hospitals, and even the service people to call when you have a specific need. We stand ready when you have tax, zoning, or home inspection questions. With relocation, mortgage, and title professionals under one roof, we are ready to deliver a convenient home buying process catered to you. Every year, thousands of buyers and sellers choose Beverly-Hanks, REALTORS® to handle their real estate needs. Many have used our services before and others are referred by previous customers. The enthusiastic endorsement of our services is how we measure success. Whether you were introduced to us by a family member, friend, or a relocation company who values our professional expertise, we are excited to Welcome you to Western North Carolina. It is our hope you will find the information contained in Welcome useful for your exploration. We look forward to being of service to you. Warm regards,

CLIENT SERVICES (866) 858-2257 toll free

NORTH ASHEVILLE

820 Merrimon Ave., Asheville, NC 28804 (828) 251-1800

DOWNTOWN ASHEVILLE

300 Executive Park, Asheville, NC 28801 (828) 254-7221

SOUTH ASHEVILLE

1 Town Square Blvd., Ste. 140 Asheville, NC 28803 (828) 684-8999

WEAVERVILLE

62 North Main St., Weaverville, NC 28787 (828) 251-1800

BREVARD

6 East Main St., Brevard, NC 28712 (828) 877-6006

SOUTH BREVARD

7737 Greenville Hwy., Brevard, NC 28712 (828) 877-4490

HENDERSONVILLE 512 North Main St. Hendersonville, NC 28792 (828) 697-0515

WAYNESVILLE

74 North Main St., Waynesville, NC 28786 (828) 452-5809

RUMBLING BALD RESORT AT LAKE LURE

112 Mountain Blvd., Lake Lure, NC 28746 (828) 694-3001

SALUDA

153 East Main St., Saluda, NC 28773 (828) 749-3504

BURNSVILLE

369 West U.S. 19-E, Burnsville, NC 28714 (828) 682-7408

BEVERLY-HANKS MORTGAGE SERVICES 30 Town Square Blvd., Ste. 202 Asheville, NC 28803 (828) 775-9179

Neal Hanks, Jr. President, Beverly-Hanks REALTORS®

NAI BEVERLY-HANKS COMMERCIAL 410 Executive Park Asheville, NC 28801 (828) 210-3940

Welcome | CONTENTS

Features g g g g g g g g g g g

8 Colleges & Universities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Health Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Nonproﬁt Sector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Recreation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Second Home Market . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Cuisine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Breweries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Arts & Culture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Touring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Golf. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Primary Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Locales g g g g g g g g g g g g

Resources g g g

66 Calendar of Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123 Useful Numbers & Links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126 WNC Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

68 Arden & Mills River . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92 Weaverville & Barnardsville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 Black Mountain. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 Hendersonville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 Fletcher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102 Haywood County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 Madison County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108 Rutherford County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110 Yancey County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112 Polk County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114 Brevard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 Jackson County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120 Asheville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Welcome to Western North Carolina

Two Galleries Tw Asheville’’ss River Arts District

Painting Perffo ormances Every 2nd Saturday • 2pm 191 LLyyman • Riverview Station

Open 10 – 6 Daily

(828) 350-7711 www.jonasgerard.com

240 CLINGM C AN AVENUE V 191 LYM AN A STREE T • STUDIO 144

ASHEVILLEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S PREMIER DESIGN/BUILD FIRM

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Welcome to Western North Carolina

ISSUE 13

On the cover: Philip DeAngelo A Time For Us Acrylic on reclaimed rooďŹ ng tin View more at philipdeangeloart.com

PUBLISHED BY:

SMOKY MOUNTAIN NEWS, LLC

Publisher Scott McLeod

Associate Publisher Greg Boothroyd

Advertising Hylah Birenbaum

Writing Garret K. Woodward

Art Director Travis Bumgardner

Design Micah McClure Jessica Murray

Contributing photographers Max Cooper Margaret Hester

Helping You Live Life W

e are proud to offer a wide range of comprehensive services to meet the needs of adults and seniors. We specialize in the treatment and post-operative care of the shoulder, knee, ankle, elbow, hip, cervical spine and lumbar spine.

Research-based and time-proven rehabilitation protocols. Southeastern leads the way in orthopedic/joint and sports physical therapy in Western North Carolina; treating orthopedic, muscular, bone and joint injuries, ailments and pain. Whether it is a sprain or post operative repair, Southeastern has the long standing experience to do the best job and get the results you want and need. We accept walk-ins, all referrals and all insurances.

Our Advantages Personalized Treatment Comfortable Clinic Licensed Therapists Experienced Staff Personalized Therapy Goals

Locations throughout the region Weaverville Black Mountain North Asheville South Asheville Biltmore Fairview Fletcher Waynesville Canton

59 Weaver Village Way · 828.484.9415 109 WNC Shopping Center Drive · 828.357.9050 530 Suite A Merrimon Avenue · 828.785.1412 21 Turtle Creek Drive · 828.274.2188 1256 Hendersonville Road · 828.412.5330 1356 Charlotte Highway · 828.338.0707 2775 Hendersonville Road · 828.209.0928 33 Valley View Terrace · 828.246.6566 80 Main Street · 828.492.1480

southeastpt.com

Welcome | EDUCATION

COURTESY OF BUNCOMBE COUNTY SCHOOLS COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT

Building tomorrow EDUCATION A TOP PRIORITY IN WNC

ne of the most important things to consider when you’re thinking about moving is the quality of the schools. Even if you don’t have children or they are out of the nest, the quality of area schools has a big impact on home values. Western North Carolina’s school systems and private schools consistently rank among the state’s best. The public schools that serve the area include Asheville City Schools, Buncombe County Schools, Henderson County Schools, Transylvania County Schools, Haywood County Schools, Madison County Schools, Jackson County School, Polk County Schools and Yancey County Schools.

City of Asheville Asheville City Schools has more than 4,400 students, having experienced a signiﬁcant increase in enrollment in recent years. Asheville High School, a four-year school of over 1,000 students, occupies a stately stone building designed by Art Deco master Douglas Ellington. With around 700 students, Asheville Middle School ranges from grades six to eight. Each of the elementary schools is a “magnet school,” meaning that parents may apply for admission to the school that best suits their child’s interests. Claxton Elementary (450 students) integrates the arts and humanities into curriculum teaching through drama, dance, music, visual arts and creative writing. Hall Fletcher Elementary (370 students) emphasizes science, math and technologies through course work such as science lab, its greenhouse and “HopSports,” which works technology into physical education.

EDUCATION | Welcome

The big list | WNC SCHOOLS Public Schools Asheville City Schools 85 Mountain Street Asheville, NC 28801 (828) 350-7000 ashevillecityschools.net

Jackson County Schools 398 Hospital Road Sylva, NC 28779 (828) 586-2311 • jcps.k12.nc.us

Madison County Schools Buncombe County Schools 175 Bingham Road Asheville, NC 28806 (828) 255-5921 buncombe.k12.nc.us

Haywood County Schools 1230 N. Main Street Waynesville, NC 28786 (828) 456-2400 haywood.k12.nc.us

Henderson County Schools 414 4th Avenue West Hendersonville, NC 28739 (828) 697-4733 hendersoncounty publicschoolsnc.org

5738 US 25/70 Marshall, NC 28753 (828) 649-9276 madisonk12.schoolfusion.us

Polk County Schools 125 East Mills Street Columbus, NC 28722 (828) 894-3051 • polkschools.org

Transylvania County Schools 225 Rosenwald Lane Brevard, NC 28712 (828) 884-6173 transylvania.k12.nc.us

Yancey County Schools 100 School Circle Burnsville, NC 28714 (828) 682-6101 • yanceync.net

Private Schools Arden Christian School COURTESY OF BUNCOMBE COUNTY SCHOOLS COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT

Ira B. Jones, a “Global Scholars school” of around 500 students, includes Spanish, multicultural awareness and environmental stewardship in its studies. Isaac Dickson, an experiential learning school of over 500 students, bases its core principles on the educational ideals of Dewey, Piaget and Montessori. The School of Inquiry and Life Sciences has 320 students, while the Vance School of Human Diversity and Ecology invites its 477 students to study the people and cultures of the world and examine their relationships with the natural environment.

Buncombe County Reﬂecting the diverse nature of the area’s population, Buncombe County Schools serve children of many different ethnic backgrounds. Students in the district speak more than 55 different languages. One of largest school systems in the state (and largest in Western North Carolina with more than 23,990 students), Buncombe County Schools employs around 4,000 people, making it the county’s second largest employer. The “graduation initiative” began in 2006 to examine and put into motion long-term changes to improve graduation rates. Since its inception, the program has drastically decreased the dropout rate in the system. Reynolds High School hovers around 1,280 students, with Early College, one of the highest performing schools in the region, home to 270 students.

Grades 5-11 2568 Hendersonville Road Arden, NC 28704 (828) 687-0704

Asheville Catholic School Grades PreK-8 12 Culvern Street Asheville, NC 28804 (828) 252-7896 ashevillecatholic.org

Asheville Christian Academy Grades PreK-12 74 Riverwood Road Swannanoa, NC 28778 (828) 581.2200 acacademy.org

Asheville Montessori School Grades Pre-K-K 15 Julia Street Asheville, NC 28801 (828) 645-3433 ashevillemontessori school.com

Asheville School Grades 9-12 360 Asheville School Road Asheville, NC 28806 (828) 254-6345 ashevilleschool.org

Asheville-Pisgah Christian School Grades Pre-K-8 90 Academy Drive Candler, NC 28715 (828) 667-3255 ashevillepisgah.org

Azalea Mountain School Grades Pre-K-5 587 Haywood Road Asheville, NC 28806 (828) 575-2557 azaleamountain.org

Carolina Christian School Grades PreK-12 48 Woodland Hills Road Asheville, NC 28804 (828) 658-8964 carolinachristianschool.com

Carolina Day School Grades PreK-12 1345 Hendersonville Road Asheville, NC 28803 (828) 274-0757 carolinaday.org

Christ School Grades 8-12 500 Christ School Road Arden, NC 28704 (828) 684-6232 christschool.org

Welcome | EDUCATION

Apple Valley Middle students test the water quality of Clear Creek behind the school. COURTESY OF HENDERSON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Located in Candler, Pisgah Elementary and its 230 students are a shining example of excelling academic performance in the district. Among Buncombe County Schools’ education initiatives is “Learn and Earn Online,” a program that allows sophomores, juniors and seniors the opportunity to take online college-level courses taught by instructors from Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College. Students may also take classes not offered at their high schools through North Carolina Virtual Public School, which sets up coursework, group discussion and student-teacher interaction via the Internet.

Henderson County Ranked in the top 10 percent of North Carolina schools for academics, Henderson County Public Schools continuously has had one of the state’s highest graduation rates and lowest dropout rates. The district’s graduation rate in 2018 once again exceeded the state’s, and three of the system’s six high schools were individually recognized for rates exceeding 95 percent. Henderson County Early College achieved a 100 percent graduation rate for the fourth year in a row. High school students’ SAT scores in math, writing, and critical reading exceeded state and national averages, and ACT scores exceeded state averages. In addition to four traditional high schools, HCPS has the Henderson County Early College and Henderson County Career Academy, housed in the Innovative High Schools building on the Blue Ridge Community College campus in Flat Rock.

Serving as a model of community college and public school system partnership for the state of North Carolina, the Innovative High Schools provide students access to BRCC instructors and facilities and a seamless transition from high school to postsecondary education. Beginning in 2018, the Henderson County Virtual Public School utilizes local teachers to expand online learning opportunities for high school students. Taught entirely by the district’s own teachers, HCVPS gives students at any high school access to courses such as coding, accounting, forensic science, creative writing, and others not offered at their individual schools. The second-largest district in Western North Carolina with 13,400 students, HCPS employs around 3,000 people, making it the county’s largest employer.

Transylvania County The Transylvania County school system operates four elementary schools, two middle schools, two high schools and one alternative school. It consistently ranks among the top school systems in North Carolina. Student attendance is among the best in the state. To help prepare the district’s more than 3,400 students for careers in the computer age, the school system offers classes in network engineering and webpage development, as well as a Cisco Academy. The main academic institution, Brevard High School, clocks in around 730 students.

EDUCATION | Welcome The school system has also made steady improvement in its student-to-adult ratio. It has sought and received state and federal grants for technology, reading improvement, exceptional children’s programs, school resource oﬃcers, library books, juvenile justice programs and quality management practices. In conjunction with the Brevard Chamber Orchestra, the system implemented a strings program in its elementary schools. It also started a “New Century Scholars” program that provides support and college tuition for at-risk students.

Haywood County “Success for today, preparation for tomorrow and learning for a lifetime” sums up the vision of Haywood County Schools. With schools far smaller than the state average, the system is able MORE AT to offer its over 7,200 students a BEVERLY-HANKS.COM great deal of personal attention. Did you know that the In terms of student children of homeowners do performance, Haywood was better in school and are more successful later in honored in recent years as life? Find out whether having a “National Blue Ribbon homeownership is for you School,” which was bestowed at beverly-hanks.com/blog/ upon the Haywood Early College. renting-vs-owning-a-home. The biggest institutions in the district, Pisgah High School in Canton has around 1,010 students, with Tuscola High School in Waynesville following closely behind at around 975 students. Riverbend Elementary School and Haywood Early College were recognized as “Honor Schools of Excellence” for having more than 90 percent of their students score at or above standard on mandated state tests. Clyde, Hazelwood, Jonathan Valley, Junaluska and Meadowbrook elementary schools, as well as Pisgah and Tuscola high schools and Waynesville Middle School, were all “Schools of Distinction,” meaning that at least 80 percent of students performed at or above grade level on end-of-grade tests.

Madison County Madison County Schools has around 2,300 students attending two early childhood education centers, four elementary schools, one middle school, one high school and one early college high school. Madison High School has also been designated a “School of Distinction.” Compared to state averages, Mars Hill Elementary (490 students) had higher testing scores in almost all of its classroom testing. Recently, the school was recognized as a “School of Progress” for its high academic growth numbers. With some of the best educational facilities in the state, the board of education has led an effort to rebuild and/or remodel all facilities over the last decade.

Jackson County Tracing its history to the mid-1880s, Jackson County Schools received the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s ABC of Education Annual Accountability Report. The schools have joined other county agencies in challenging its staff and 3,690 students to improve their health through ﬁtness. The system has nine schools, all conﬁgured to meet the needs of a large county with few concentrations of population: Smoky Mountain High School, Blue Ridge Early College, Jackson County Early College; Smokey Mountain Elementary, which has students

Private Schools continued Emmanuel Lutheran School Grades PreK-8 51 Wilburn Place Asheville, NC 28806 (828) 281-8182 emmanuellutheran.info

New City Christian School Grades K-5 216 Shelburne Road Asheville, NC 28806 (828) 252-8173 newcitychristian.org

Fletcher Academy

New Classical Academy

Grades 9-12 185 Academy Drive Fletcher, NC 28732 (828) 687-5100 ﬂetcheracademy.com

Grades PreK-8 38 Stoney Knob Road Weaverville, NC 28787 (828) 658-8317 thenewclassicalacademy.org

French Broad River Academy Grades 6-8 191 Lyman Street, Suite 316 Asheville, NC 28801 (828) 348-4320 • fbra-avl.org

Hanger Hall School for Girls Grades 6-8 64 W.T. Weaver Boulevard Asheville, NC 28806 (828) 258-3600 • hangerhall.org

Immaculate Catholic School Grades PreK-8 711 N. Buncombe Street Hendersonville, NC 28791 (828) 693-3277 • immac.org

Learning Community School Grades K-8 PO Box 1143 Black Mountain, NC 28711 (828) 686-3080 thelearningcommunity.org

Montessori Country Day Grades PreK-K 158 Bradley Branch Road Arden, NC 28704 (828) 654-9933

Montessori Learning Center Ages 18 months-6 years 1 School Road Asheville, NC 28806 (828) 259-9880 • mlcasheville.org

Mount Pisgah Academy Grades 9-12 75 Academy Drive Candler, NC 28715 (828) 667-2535 • pisgah.us

Nazarene Christian School Grades PreK-5 385 Hazel Mill Road Asheville, NC 28806 (828) 252-9713 ashevilleﬁrstnazarene.org

North Asheville Christian School Grades PreK-12 20 Reynolds Mountain Boulevard Asheville, NC 28804 (828) 645-8053 rmcacademy.org

Odyssey Community School Grades PreK-12 90 Zillicoa Street Asheville, NC 28801 (828) 259-3653 odysseycommunity.org

Providence Christian Academy Grades K-12 48 Woodland Hills Road Asheville, NC 28804 (828) 658-8964

Rainbow Community School Grades PreK-8 574 Haywood Road Asheville, NC 28806 (828) 258-9264 rmcs.org

Swannanoa Valley Montessori School Grades PreK-8 130 Center Avenue Black Mountain, NC 28711 (828) 669-8571 swanmont.org

Temple Baptist School Grades PK-12 985 ½ Patton Avenue Asheville, NC 28806 (828) 252-3712 templebaptistschool.org

Veritas Christian Academy Grades K-12 17 Cane Creek Road Fletcher, NC 28732 (828) 681-0546 veritasnc.org

Welcome | EDUCATION SCHOOL STATS

For the most complete, upto-date statistics on Western North Carolina school districts and individual academic institutions, visit ncpublicschools.org/src. The website includes student performance scores, graduation rates, teacher qualiﬁcations, school environment and more. Henderson County high schoolers mentor younger students and help with classwork. COURTESY OF HENDERSON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Charter Schools ArtSpace Charter School Grades K-8 2030 US 70 Swannanoa, NC 28778 (828) 298-2787 artspacecharter.org

1000 Brevard Road, Suite 175 Asheville, NC 28806 (828) 633-6491 icimagine.org

Brevard Academy

Lake Lure Classical Academy

Grades K-8 299 Andante Lane Brevard, NC 28712 (828) 885-2665 brevard.teamcfa.org

Grades K-12 PO Box 6 Lake Lure, NC 28746 (828) 625-9292 llca.teamcfa.school

Evergreen Community Charter School Grades K-8 50 Bell Road Asheville, NC 28805 (828) 298-2173 evergreenccs.com

FernLeaf Community Charter School Grades K-3 58 Howard Gap Road Fletcher, NC (828) 398-9268 • fernleafccs.org

Francine Delaney New School for Children Grades K-8 119 Brevard Road Asheville, NC 28806 (828) 236-9441 • fdnsc.net

The Franklin School of Innovation Grades 6-12 21 Innovation Drive, Asheville, NC 28806 (828) 318-8140 franklinschooloﬁnnovation.org

Invest Collegiate

The Mountain Community School Grades K-8 613 Glover St. Hendersonville, NC 28792 (828) 696-8480 tmcschool.org

Shining Rock Classical Academy Grades K-6 21 Shackleford Hall Drive Lake Junaluska, NC 28745 (828) 738.2665 shiningrockclassical academy.com

Summit Charter School Grades K-8 370 Mitten Lane Cashiers, NC 28717 (828) 743-5755 summitschool.org

from pre-K to eighth grade; Blue Ridge, a Pre-K to 12th-grade school (one of the few in the state); the K-8 schools of Fairview, Cullowhee and Scotts Creek; and the Pre-K through 12th-grade School of Alternatives for students with special needs. The largest institution in the district, Smoky Mountain High School enrolls 848 students and has been named a “School of Distinction.” In fact, half of the system’s schools have been designated “Schools of Distinction.”

Polk County Polk County Schools serves about 2,100 students in a system that ranks high on state and federal lists of academic achievement. All seven schools — Polk County High, Polk County Middle, Polk Central, Polk County Early College, Tryon Elementary, Saluda Elementary and Sunny View Elementary — have made “adequate yearly progress.” Students at the high school can take advanced placement English, science, history and math courses. They can also earn college credits through several iSchool courses offered in conjunction with University of North Carolina-Greensboro. Saluda Elementary, Sunny View Elementary and Tryon Elementary were recognized in recent years by the U.S. Dept. of Education as a “National Blue Ribbon School.” In recent years, Polk County Early College, Saluda Elementary and Tyron Elementary were named “Schools of Excellence” by the North Carolina Department of Public Institution, while Polk County Middle and High Schools and Polk Central received marks as “Schools of Distinction.”

Yancey County Yancey County Schools received the “North Carolina Academic Growth Award” in 2016-2017. With nine schools, the district is home to over 2,150 students. Mountain Heritage High School in Burnsville added to the honor to its two previous “School of Distinction” awards, with Bald Creek Elementary School also being named a “National Blue Ribbon School.” n

Welcome | HIGHER EDUCATION

The campus of Warren Wilson College. WARREN WILSON COLLEGE PHOTO

MONTREAT COLLEGE PHOTO

Taking the next step COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES EXPAND IN WNC

atering to a diverse population with a wide range of interests and talents, Western North Carolina oﬀers residents an outstanding array of higher education choices. UNC Asheville is the only dedicated public liberal arts and sciences university in the UNC System, nationally ranked among the top 10 in this category by U.S. News and World Report, and is one of the top schools for “Making an Impact” by The Princeton Review. See related story, page 20. Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College has the highest enrollment of any Western North Carolina higher education institution, serving more than 27,000 students annually. Established in 1959 as a trade school, A-B Tech offers 39 career programs, as well as courses that are transferable to any university in the UNC system. One of the oldest and largest schools in the North Carolina Community College System, A-B Tech has ﬁve schools: Allied

Health and Public Service Education, Arts and Sciences, Business and Hospitality Education, Continuing Education and Engineering and Applied Technology. It also has a popular continuing education program. The college has added several new programs, including an associate’s degree in healthcare business informatics, a mobile development diploma, a bio-gas option in industrial systems technology and a geospatial technology option as part of surveying. A-B Tech has additional campuses in Enka and Marshall. Western Carolina University in the Jackson County community of Cullowhee serves more than 11,600 students, including 10,000 undergraduates and 1,600 enrolled in graduate programs. Offering more than 115 undergraduate majors and concentrations, WCU features a nationally recognized teacher education program, a criminal justice program used as a model across the state, and the nation’s ﬁrst accredited four-year emergency medical care program. Graduate students can choose from 60 areas of study offered at the main Cullowhee campus or at Biltmore Park in Asheville. With an enrollment of nearly 1,300 students, Mars Hill University was founded in 1856 and is aﬃliated with the North Carolina Baptist Convention. It offers 35 majors and 33 minors on

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Welcome | HIGHER EDUCATION

AGENT’S CHOICE:

“The common denominator in all of our public and private higher education options is their strong academic reputations both locally and nationally. Coupled with the variety of social, cultural, and outdoor options for students, attending college in Western North Carolina makes for an unmatched and well-rounded experience.” —Pat Bryant, North Asheville oﬃce

Colleges & Universities Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College 340 Victoria Road Asheville, NC 28801 (828) 254-1921 • abtech.edu

Blue Ridge Community College 180 W. Campus Drive Flat Rock, NC 28731 (828) 694-1700 • blueridge.edu

Brevard College 1 Brevard College Drive Brevard, NC 28712 (828) 883-8292 • brevard.edu

Haywood Community College 185 Freedlander Drive Clyde, NC 28721 (828) 627-4667 • haywood.edu

Mars Hill University 100 Athletic Street Mars Hill, NC 28754 866-642-4968 • mhc.edu

Montreat College 310 Gaither Circle Montreat, NC 28757 (828) 669-8012 • montreat.edu

Southwestern Community College 447 College Drive Sylva, NC 28779 (828) 339-4000 • southwesterncc.edu

University of North Carolina at Asheville 1 University Heights Asheville, NC 28804 (828) 251-6600 • unca.edu

Warren Wilson College 701 Warren Wilson Road Swannanoa, NC 28778 (828) 298-3325 warren-wilson.edu

Western Carolina University N.C. Highway 107 Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828) 928-4968 • wcu.edu

its large, leafy campus in the Madison County town of Mars Hill. It has five schools: Business, Social and Behavioral Sciences; Education; Fine Arts; Humanities; and Mathematics and Natural Sciences. A member of the South Atlantic Conference, it fields teams in baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, lacrosse, soccer, swimming, tennis, track and field and volleyball. Selected by the Fiske Guide to Colleges as a Top 20 “Best Buy” school in the nation eight times since 2005, Warren Wilson College is an environmentally friendly school whose students enhance their academic experience by working 15 hours a week on campus. They also must complete 100 hours of community service over four years. The college’s 680 students earn bachelor’s degrees in 20 majors and can choose from 24 minors and 24 concentration areas. Taking at least one class within each of the school’s eight liberal arts areas, they MORE AT attend classes that average BEVERLY-HANKS.COM 14 people in size. Worried that student loans “Christ-centered, studentwill make it difficult to buy focused, service-driven – a home? Learn more about buying a home in WNC with equipping agents of zero to low down payment transformation, renewal, and at beverly-hanks.com/blog/ reconciliation” is the motto of zero-to-low-down-payment. Montreat College, a small four-year school in Montreat. Its liberal arts curriculum includes traditional and selected undergraduate and graduate professional degree programs, including degree programs for adults in the areas of business, education, management and nursing. Founded in 1897, Montreat College is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church of the United States. In recent years, it had an enrollment of 755 students, with a student/faculty ratio of 9:1. Brevard College in Transylvania County offers more than 40 major and minor degree programs, including those in art, biology, English, environmental studies, exercise science, history, mathematics, music and psychology. Its preprofessional studies include pre-dentistry, pre-law, pre-medicine and pre-nursing. With a student body of nearly 700 students, the institution boats an average class size of 15 students. Offering 30 areas of study, Blue Ridge Community College near Flat Rock in Henderson County has more than 100 degree, diploma, and certificate programs, many of them qualifying students to work immediately after completing their course work. About 2,000 students are enrolled at its main campus and a satellite facility in Brevard. See related story, page 18. Haywood Community College offers more than 30 programs. About 2,220 students took courses during the 2017-18 academic year. Departments include arts, sciences and natural resources, business and industry, and health and human services. HCC also offers online learning and continuing education opportunities. Like all of North Carolina’s community colleges, it offers general education courses that transfer to the state university system, allowing students to get their first two years of classes completed at a bargain price. Southwestern Community College — serving Jackson, Macon and Swain counties along with the Qualla Boundary — provides coursework in arts, sciences, college transfer, career technologies and health services. Over 3,300 students enter more than 60 academic programs, while approximately 6,000 annually participate in the school’s ongoing continuation programs. n

Welcome | HIGHER EDUCATION

The value of education | BLUE RIDGE COMMUNITY COLLEGE When the Economic Recession hit over a decade ago, the housing and job markets slowed almost to a halt in many regions of the country. And at that time, Blue Ridge Community College started to phase out some of its key programs due to a lack of demand, focusing its attention on other areas of education. “But, in recent years, we’ve brought back a lot of those skilled trades to our course offerings, like masonry and plumbing, and also our construction program,” said Lee Anna Haney, director of marketing and communications for BRCC. “The demand for these skilled trades is huge right now. Henderson County has the third lowest unemployment rate in the state, and there are so many great paying jobs open here and around Western North Carolina.” Serving Henderson and Transylvania counties, BRCC has campuses in Flat Rock, Brevard and Hendersonville. With a Fall 2018 enrollment of 2,187 students, the school specializes in construction trades, advanced manufacturing, health care and public safety, just to mention a handful of the dozens of degrees offered.

“We’re experiencing some growth in our programs, especially in the courses high school students are taking while they’re still in high school,” Haney said. “Our health care programs are busting at the seams, we just received a grant to expand some of our advanced manufacturing programs, and BRCC recently awarded some $500,000 in scholarships to students from our foundation.” Founded in 1969, BRCC looks at its 50th anniversary as a testament to the school’s steady vision. “One of the unique things about BRCC is that we’ve only had four college presidents in that entire time,” Haney said. “We’ve had great leadership here, stable leaders who have stayed with the college and saw it through whatever phase was there during their careers. It’s been about keeping us focused on our mission, which is training for jobs in these two counties and meeting the needs of local employers.” Of its mission, BRCC has put emphasis on having an early presence in the lives of young students at nearby high schools — Brevard, Rosman, East Henderson and North Henderson.

“We have BRCC staff members with office spaces in those schools,” Haney said. “The staff members are familiar faces to these high school students, who spend their day answering questions, helping them explore careers and choose college courses while still in high school.” That kind of sincere interaction is something also provided by BRCC to local officials and members of the regional business sector. “We work hand-in-hand with several economic development departments, local elected officials and business owners,” Haney said. “We’ve really aimed to ramp up our marketing, recruitment and community outreach.” Haney herself is a graduate of a community college. Having attended Haywood Community College in nearby Clyde, she saw early on the value of these institutions. “You can save a lot of money with a two-year transfer degree. For me, I received a business degree right out of high school from HCC, then got a job at BRCC some 30 years ago,” Haney said. “Being part of the community college system is my life’s work. I live and breathe this. We change lives here.” n

Numerous degree programs, continuing education and community enrichment classes. Find your future at A-B Tech.

Visit abtech.edu or call (828) 398-7900 ASHEVILLE • MADISON • ENKA • SOUTH • WOODFIN • (828) 398-7900 • ABTECH.EDU

Bulldog Blue Looks Good on You UNC Asheville transforms lives through education, from nationally ranked undergraduate liberal arts and sciences to an award-winning Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. Get involved through campus events, mentorship opportunities and in support of scholarships. We know Bulldog Blue will look good on you! Visit unca.edu/welcome to learn how you can make a difference in the lives of students.

Welcome | HIGHER EDUCATION 2018 Commencement at UNC Asheville. UNC ASHEVILLE PHOTO

Education, empowerment | UNC ASHEVILLE UNC Asheville’s campus stands at the heart of Asheville, offering a preeminent undergraduate education, as well as specialized graduate degrees and certificate programs. The university excels at engaging students and the community throughout the life of the mind, offering something for all ages, from summer camps for kids to courses and activities at the award-winning Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. Meaningful connections across generations are made at UNC Asheville too, particularly in the Leaders for Leaders program, powered by Elk Mountain Wealth Partners. Cultural events and athletics keep community members coming back to

campus to learn more and cheer on the Bulldogs as students compete in 16 NCAA Division I sports. Community support doesn’t stop there; it also includes scholarships and fundraising, as more than 68 percent of students receive financial aid (which includes scholarships, grants, loans, etc.), with more than 70 percent of financial need met for an average recipient. With 3,800 students and more than 30 undergraduate majors and a Master of Liberal Arts and Sciences degree, UNC Asheville encourages students to take part in a nationally acclaimed undergraduate research program and participate in interdisciplinary learning. From internships and hands-on projects,

including detailed design and fabrication in STEAM Studio, to study abroad and community engagement, students experience an education that extends beyond campus into the vibrant City of Asheville, the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains and the world. Asheville’s university is also the only dedicated public liberal arts and sciences university in the UNC System, nationally ranked among the top 10 in this category by U.S. News and World Report, and is one of the top schools for “Making an Impact” by The Princeton Review. To explore more of what UNC Asheville has to offer, please visit unca.edu. n

Welcome | HEALTH CARE

Pardee UNC Health Care. PARDEE UNC HEALTH CARE PHOTO

Always there for you WNC HEALTH CARE CONTINUES TO EXPAND

he refreshing air, cleansing waters and the desire to get outside and enjoy the outdoors have always attracted those seeking good health, and that continues today in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Because the area is so attractive and has such a high quality of life, Asheville has more doctors per capita than most cities of its size. But the wealth of talent and commitment isn’t conﬁned to the region’s largest city. Western North Carolina has many ﬁne hospitals that practice the latest techniques in treatment, surgery and preventive care.

Mission Health, based in Asheville, is the state’s sixth-largest health system. Mission operates six hospitals, numerous outpatient and surgery centers, post-acute care provider CarePartners, long-term acute care provider Asheville Specialty Hospital and the region’s only dedicated Level II trauma center. Its medical staff consists of more than 1,000 physicians and is certiﬁed in more than 50 medical specialties and sub-specialties. Mission Health has seven Centers of Excellence: Cancer, Heart, Mission Children’s Hospital, Neurosciences, Orthopedics, Trauma and Women’s Health. Mission Hospital in Asheville is the system’s ﬂagship hospital and is licensed for 763 beds. It is the regional referral center for tertiary and quaternary care. It also includes Mission Children’s Hospital — the region’s only children’s hospital. Other Mission Health member hospitals include Angel Medical Center in Franklin, Blue Ridge Regional Hospital in Spruce Pine, HighlandsCashiers Hospital in Highlands, McDowell Hospital in Marion and Transylvania Regional Hospital in Brevard. With approximately 10,700 employees and 2,000 volunteers, Mission Health is dedicated to improving the health and wellness of the people of Western North Carolina. Mission Health traces its roots to the 1880s when the local

HERE FOR YOU. RIGHT HERE IN WESTERN NC. Think of your primary care provider as the #1 partner in your health and wellness. For minor sniﬀles and coughs to routine screenings to more serious illnesses like heart disease, our neighborhood locations and providers oﬀer quick appointments, often on the same day. That means you can get in, out, and back to whatever puts a smile on your face.

FIND A PHYSICIAN AT PARDEEHOSPITAL.ORG

Welcome | HEALTH CARE Mission Hospital in Asheville. MARGARET HESTER PHOTO

women of the “Little Flower Mission” paid weekly visits to the homes of the needy. Mission Children’s Hospital has 60 board-certified pediatric subspecialists in more than 20 different specialties. With 130 beds, Mission Children’s Hospital averages 3,000 patient admissions to its pediatric inpatient units, 4,500 outpatient pediatric surgeries and nearly 14,000 pediatric emergency department visits annually. Each year, about 700 ill and premature newborns receive lifesaving care in the hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). MORE AT Babies admitted to the NICU at BEVERLY-HANKS.COM Mission Children’s Hospital go Ready to get fit and healthy home 13 days earlier than the but not sure where to go? national average. Find out our agents’ favorite places to stay fit at Western North Carolina is beverly-hanks.com/blog/ served by several other excellent agents-answer-fitness-spots. hospitals, such as Angel Medical Center in Franklin, CarePartners Rehabilitation Hospital in Asheville, Charles George VA Medical Center in Asheville, Harris Hospital in Sylva, Haywood Regional Medical Center in Clyde, Highlands-Cashiers Hospital in Highlands, Pardee Hospital in Hendersonville, Park Ridge Health in Hendersonville, St. Luke’s Hospital in Columbus and Transylvania Community Hospital in Brevard. CarePartners Rehabilitation Hospital in Asheville is an 80-bed regional referral center with programs for those suffering from stroke, brain injury, spinal chord injury, multiple trauma, amputation, joint replacement and neurological disorders. The

only licensed rehabilitation hospital in Western North Carolina, it is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, meaning that it has met or exceeded rigorous standards. Its therapists have an average of 14 years of experience, and its patient-to-nurse ratio is 6 to 1. It participates in a national database that compares its patient outcomes to similar rehabilitation hospitals around the country, which allows it to continually assess and improve the quality of its rehabilitation programs. Charles George VA Medical Center is a 116-bed acute care facility with a separate 120-bed extended care and rehabilitation center serving more than 31,000 veterans from the region. It provides primary, tertiary and long-term care in areas of medicine, surgery, mental health, neurology, oncology, dentistry, ophthalmology, geriatrics, women’s health, spinal cord injury, physical medicine and rehabilitation. Because the hospital is a teaching hospital, it provides a full range of patient care services, with state-of-the-art technology and programs in education and research. Haywood Regional Medical Center is a 169-bed hospital serving Haywood and surrounding counties with 160-plus physicians on its medical staff. Haywood Regional Medical Center offers a comprehensive array of services, including imaging, orthopedics, spine services, cardiology, general surgery, thoracic and vascular surgery, women’s care, birthing center, wound care center, home care, emergency medicine, behavioral health and 12 multispecialty physician clinics. The campus, located in Clyde, is also home to the 54,000-square-foot Haywood Regional Health and Fitness Center and the 44,000-square-foot Haywood Regional Outpatient Care Center (outpatient surgery center, laboratory,

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Welcome | HEALTH CARE

Pardee UNC Health Care (left) and St. Luke’s Hospital (right). PARDEE UNC HEALTH CARE • ST. LUKE’S HOSPITAL

imaging center including women’s imaging and physician practices). Nearby is The Homestead, an inpatient hospice facility. Haywood Regional Medical Center also operates two urgent care centers in the county, in Hazelwood and Canton. As a part of Duke LifePoint Healthcare, Haywood Regional Medical Center is supported by Duke University Health System’s world-renowned leadership in clinical excellence and quality care and LifePoint Health’s extensive resources, knowledge and experience in operating community hospitals. Harris Regional Hospital in Sylva, established in 1925, is an 86bed acute and specialty care facility serving Western North Carolina with more than 100 physicians practicing in locations throughout a multi-county region, including Harris Regional Hospital Medical Park of Franklin, an outpatient facility in Macon County. Harris is also affiliated with Duke LifePoint. Swain Community Hospital, established in 1950, is a 48-bed Critical Access Hospital serving a multi-county region with primary care, emergency medicine and subspecialty care, including a pain clinic and a transitional care unit. Harris Regional Hospital and Swain Community Hospital began an affiliation in 1997 and joined Duke LifePoint Healthcare in 2014. In Highlands, the Highlands-Cashiers Hospital — part of the Mission Health System headquartered in Asheville — has 24 hospital beds, four operating rooms and 84 nursing home beds. Its board-certified physician staff covers 14 areas of healthcare in specialties usually found only in much larger facilities. It continues to update its range of diagnostic procedures by adding new stateof-the-art equipment. The hospital provides general surgery, as well as hand, orthopedic, ophthalmology, gastrointestinal,

dermatology and plastic surgery. Nearly all of its physicians’ offices are on the hospital campus. Tracing its history back to 1913, Pardee UNC Health Care in Hendersonville is a not-for-profit hospital managed by UNC Health Care. Committed to meeting the community’s growing needs, Pardee has expanded its primary care, urgent care and specialty services throughout Henderson, south Buncombe and Haywood counties. Pardee’s most recent addition is a new urgent care location in Mills River, making it convenient to Transylvania County residents as well. Pardee is home to a state-of-the-art cancer center, a comprehensive physician practice network, three urgent care locations, three rehabilitation and wellness centers, and five orthopedic clinics. The medical staff represents more than 40 specialties, including oncology, interventional cardiology, general surgery, orthopedic surgery, sports medicine, pulmonology, women’s health, family medicine, internal medicine, diabetes care, rheumatology, weight loss surgery and more. Pardee has more than 1,400 employees. The hospital offers free wellness events throughout the year, including cancer prevention webinars, physician-led educational seminars on a variety of topics, cancer screenings, fitness classes and childbirth education for new parents. Pardee UNC Health Care has been honored with a number of awards and accreditations for patient safety, service, quality and value by many well-known organizations, including Healthgrades, The Leapfrog Group, U.S. News & World Report, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Healogics, Women’s Choice Awards, Nerd Wallet, the

When you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait to feel good again. URGENT CARE

365 DAYS A YEAR HENDERSONVILLE 212-A Thompson Street 828-697-3232

FLETCHER

2695 Hendersonville Road 828-651-6350

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3334 Boylston Highway, Suite 10 828-694-8100

Welcome | HEALTH CARE American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer, the American Heart Association, the American Stroke Association, the National Quality Measures for Breast Centers™ (NQMBC) program and the American College of Radiology. Since its founding in 1910, Park Ridge Health in Hendersonville has grown from a destination for people seeking to improve health through nutrition, exercise and rest, to a leading health care organization, directly caring for more than a thousand people across Western North Carolina every day. Their mission, “Extending the Healing Ministry of Christ,” is grounded in a legacy of faith-based health care built on the philosophy of whole person care including body, mind and spirit. Park Ridge Health has grown into a multispecialty health care system that provides personalized care at more than 35 locations, offering a network of more than 250 physicians and providers, board certified and fellowship trained in 40 primary and specialty fields of care. Park Ridge is the first hospital in Western North Carolina to offer nanomedicine in the operating room with the nanoLOCK™ Spinal Implant technology. It is also the first and only hospital in the region with the Pro-Axis™ Spine Surgery table, the Misonix™ Ultrasonic Spinal Surgery technology and NAVIO™ Robotic Assistance for partial and total knee replacement. In 2017, Park Ridge Health received The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for its Spine Center of Excellence Certification. The Gold Seal of Approval® is a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to providing safe and effective patient care.

ST. LUKE’S HOSPITAL PHOTO

YOUR PLACE FOR EXPERT ORAL & DENTAL IMPLANT SURGERY

Dr. William H. Logan, III Dr. Larry P. Parworth Dr. Samuel Hayes Dr. Eric Burgon Dr. Alexander Consky & Dr. Eric Warburton

50 A Bowman Drive, Waynesville • 828-564-2510 37 Crestview Heights, Sylva • 828-354-0307 28

4 Medical Park Drive, Asheville • 828.255.7781 902 Fleming Street, Hendersonville • 828.233.3355

Welcome | HEALTH CARE The Haywood Regional Medical Center “Walk with a doc” program. HRMC PHOTO

Medical Facilities CarePartners Rehabilitation Hospital 68 Sweeten Creek Rd. Asheville, NC 28813 (828) 277-4800 carepartners.org

Charles George VA Medical Center 1100 Tunnel Rd. Asheville, NC 28805 (828) 299-2519 asheville.va.gov

Harris Regional Hospital — A Duke LifePoint Hospital 68 Hospital Rd. Sylva, NC 28779 (828) 586-7000 westcare.org

Haywood Regional Medical Center – A Duke LifePoint Hospital 262 Leroy George Dr. Clyde, NC 28721 (828) 456-7311 haymed.org

Highlands-Cashiers Hospital 190 Hospital Dr. Highlands, NC 28741 (828) 526-1200 hchospital.org

Mission Health 509 Biltmore Ave. Asheville, NC 28801-4690 (828) 213-1111 missionhospitals.org

Pardee UNC Health Care 800 N. Justice St. Hendersonville, NC 28791 (828) 696-1000 pardeehospital.org

Park Ridge Health 100 Hospital Dr. Hendersonville, NC 28792 (855) 774-5433 parkridgehealth.org

St. Luke’s Hospital 101 Hospital Dr. Columbus, NC 28722 (828) 894-3311 saintlukeshospital.com

Swain Community Hospital 45 Plateau St. Bryson City, NC, 28713 (828) 488-2155 myswaincommunity.com

Transylvania Community Hospital 260 Hospital Dr. Brevard, NC 28712 (828) 884-9111 trhospital.org

Park Ridge Health has also achieved national recognition and awards for its cancer services program, and for The Baby Place, a labor and delivery center. It is home to nationally-accredited imaging services including 3D Mammography, 128-slice CT scanner, MRI and mobile Digital X-ray. Their commitment to excellence is also evident in their 5-Star Rated Home Health Services, caring for patients in their own homes in Buncombe, Henderson, Polk and Transylvania Counties. St. Luke’s Hospital is a not-for-proﬁt community hospital that has served Polk County and the Carolina Foothills for 87 years. Services include 24/7 Emergency Services and advanced orthopedic and rehab care. With two orthopedic surgeons on staff, patients receive the latest procedures for hip and knee replacement. St. Luke’s is also known for behavioral health services, surgical services and imaging services including MRI, CT, bone densitometry, nuclear medicine, ultrasound and sensory-surround digital mammography, all supported by a fullservice laboratory and other ancillary service. Transylvania Regional Hospital — also part of the Mission Health System headquartered in Asheville — is licensed for 92 beds and has six operating rooms. It opened the 4,000-squarefoot Brevard Cancer & Infusion Center at the hospital in 2009 and has treated hundreds of patients. That same year, it launched “The Joint Experience,” enhancing its joint replacement surgery services. The hospital also has a digital mammography system that allows images to be archived so they can be easily recalled for comparison with future tests. Southeastern Physical Therapy is a physical therapist-owned company that has been serving Western North Carolina since 1999. It has 10 locations to throughout the region and specializes in orthopedic sports and active physical therapy. Its specialty is to help people get back to their activities, whether that be sports, gardening, hiking, biking, walking or just becoming pain and injury free. n

Welcome | NONPROFIT Whitney Wright. CAREN HARRIS PHOTOGRAPHY

Rescuing each other HOPE FOR HORSES

t’s a sunny morning in the hills just east of Hendersonville. Walking through her backyard pasture, Whitney Wright approached a handful of horses. Her boots are muddy and her spirits are high, especially when the horses trot over to see her for a handful of carrots. “Being around a horse makes you feel better, makes you a better person,” Wright said. “These horses have gotten me through every hard thing I’ve ever been through — it’s healing to be around them.” Founder and executive director of Hope for Horses, Wright

leads an equine rescue, rehabilitation and adoption organization that covers all of Western North Carolina. In its 20 years together, Wright estimated they have rescued and found safe homes for over 500 horses. “In our ﬁrst year, I didn’t know if this was something just in my head or something that was needed,” Wright said. “But, it’s almost like the more our name gets out there, the more people reach out to us.” Rescuing around 30 horses each year, the nonproﬁt houses the animals on four properties located in Hendersonville, Weaverville, Burnsville and Leicester. And this past year, Hope for Horses achieved a long-term dream by purchasing a 30-acre property in Leicester that will serve as the main facility for all the horses saved by the organization. “The fact we were able to purchase this property means this organization will live long after me,” Wright said. “And we will never lower our standards. Every horse that comes here will get the utmost care.”

Live in a work of art.

| Office e: 828-693-8562 | morgankeefe.com | 6 Legend Drive | Arden, NC 28704

Welcome | NONPROFIT

CAREN HARRIS PHOTOGRAPHY

MORE AT BEVERLY-HANKS.COM

Created in 1999, Hope for Horses was a way for Wright to save the creatures she’s loved If supporting local and cared about her entire life. nonproﬁts is important to you, you should come to Initially having four rescued our next Beverly-Hanks horses, Wright befriended her Karma Keg fundraiser! Find veterinarian, Dr. Ann Stuart. out when and where the Soon after, the duo pushed next one will be at ahead with getting the facebook.com/pg/Asheville organization off the ground. HomesforSale/events. “Seeing what was happening to these horses, it was just inexcusable. This can’t happen. There was no question about it, this had to be part of my future,” Wright said. “Each case is completely unique — ﬁnancial hardships cases, horses that have been horribly abused and neglected. Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to take care of every horse we get calls about.” Wright noted that for every horse they’re able to rescue and

care for, several more pop up in need — a nonstop stream of neglected horses. But, even with limited resources, Hope for Horses will not give up on doing as much as it can to slowly and steadily eliminate the atrocities. “We do a lot of community outreach, from free out-in-the-ﬁeld castrations to our hay and blanket bank, where we give local people resources who run short in the winter months,” Wright said. “We also do a lot of educational training, where we instruct animal control oﬃcers on what to look for in cases of neglect and abuse.” Once all the carrots were devoured from her palms, at least for the moment, Wright watched the jovial horses return to the far reaches of the pasture. The look on her face is one of unconditional love, something apparent in her personal and professional work with these incredible animals. “It can be frustrating at times, because you want to see an end in sight,” Wright said. “But, the phone never stops ringing. Then I see all those faces in photos around my house of the horses that we’ve rescued. And I think — how could I not do this?” n

Welcome | OUTDOORS

Paddling the French Broad River. TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY TOURISM/EXPLOREBREVARD.COM

Find yourself outdoors NATURAL BEAUTY OF APPALACHIA

here is no better place in the U.S. to live for people who love to take part in recreational activities that involve the great outdoors. The Mountain Sports Festival in Asheville every Memorial Day Weekend is a three-day celebration of all things outdoors. Races and events take in the sports of trail running and biking, cyclocross, ultimate frisbee, rock climbing and dodge ball. Everyone from amateurs to professionals takes part in competitions and clinics that make participants better competitors. The festival also stages a lot of free music around downtown. Less than an hour and a half from Asheville, the Nantahala Outdoor Center can provide just about any kind of adventure you’d want, from biking to climbing to hiking to river ﬂoats to lake kayaking to tickets to the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad.

The rafting companies along the Nantahala, Chattooga and Pigeon rivers offer exhilarating guided whitewater raft rides that roll over rapids in trips that last about three hours. Whitewater Paddling magazine has named Asheville a “Top 10 Whitewater Town,” but the glory is shared by many towns on the French Broad, Pigeon, Nantahala, Tuckaseigee and Nolichucky rivers. Other adventurous explorers might opt for harnessed canopy tours conducted in the beautiful Nantahala Gorge over six aerial bridges and numerous zip lines. The rides, meant to be more informative than jaw dropping, go through several ecosystems, and guides share cultural and ecological tidbits along the way. For those who like two feet on the ground, the region offers unparalleled hiking in Pisgah National Forest, Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest and Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and state parks at Chimney Rock, DuPont, Gorges, Grandfather Mountain, Lake James and South Mountains. There are several hiking clubs in the area, including the Carolina Mountain Club, established in 1923 and now the region’s most active hiking club.

16 NCAA Division I athletics teams Just 1 mile from downtown Asheville 350+ acres of hands-on education and opportunities for lifelong learning The only public liberal arts and sciences university in North Carolina At UNC Asheville, we’re transforming lives through education Get involved at unca.edu/welcome

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Welcome | OUTDOORS The 2,200-mile Appalachian National Scenic Trail — known as the AT — traverses this region, bringing hikers from around the world to test their stamina. Other inclusive hikes in this area include the 116-mile Bartram Trail (named after the 18th century botanist) and the 1,175-mile Mountains-to-Sea Trail (which begins in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and runs near the Blue Ridge Parkway for much of its path through the region.). Julian Price Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway’s largest campground, offers ranger-guided hikes during the day. The National Park Service also provides car camping in maintained sites at MORE AT Linville Falls, Crabtree Meadows, BEVERLY-HANKS.COM Mount Mitchell and Mount There are so many Pisgah. For backpackers, there’s recreation activities excellent primitive camping in available from the Blue Linville Gorge. Closer to Ridge Parkway! Learn more Asheville, public campgrounds about what makes it such an incredible local resource exist at Lake Powhatan, North at beverly-hanks.com/blog/ Mills River and Davidson River. beverly-hanks-tv-blueLake Powhatan is in the Bent ridge-parkway. Creek area of the Pisgah National Forest, just south of Asheville, and home to miles of mountain biking trails. Also in Asheville, the Kolo Bike Park offers four miles of trails and a whole bunch of jumps and terrain tests for adventurous riders who enjoy a challenge. DuPont State Park near Brevard has tons of trails, as does the Jackrabbit Mountain biking and hiking trail system just outside of Hayesville in Clay County. Don’t forget Tsali Recreational Area, home to some of the ﬁnest riding trails in the entire country, only an hour and a half from downtown Asheville, and the Fire Mountain Trail System, a new mountain biking area that just opened in 2017 in Cherokee. Road riders will love the popular ﬂat cycle along the French Broad River between Asheville and Marshall. The Blue Ridge Bicycle Club, Asheville Bicycle Racing Club and the Asheville Women’s Cycling Club host events, club rides and races. There are

MARGARET HESTER PHOTO

Asheville City Soccer Club.

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“Isaac Dickson Elementary’s Hot Chocolate 10K in January is a hugely popular race and an incredible fundraiser for this state-of-the-art, LEED-certified elementary school, right by downtown Asheville in the Montford neighborhood. Last year’s race raised more than $20,000 for the school!” —Glenn Haden, Downtown Asheville office also great road rides in Haywood County and in the Mills River and Cane Creek areas of south Buncombe and North Henderson counties. Several groups also offer winter rides for those who don’t want to put their bike away during the cold-weather months. The Biltmore Estate has many outdoor experiences, including river floats, fly fishing, horseback riding, hiking and biking. The fun doesn’t stop with the warm weather. Strap on your skis and head to Cataloochee Ski Area in Maggie Valley, Wolf Laurel Ski Resort near Mars Hill or Beech Mountain and Sugar Mountain in Banner Elk. All have runs for various levels of expertise, as well as super-fun inner tube rides and ski lodges to nurse any sore muscles. Want to go cross-country skiing? Then head up to the Blue Ridge Parkway, closed to automobiles in the winter, but not to those strapped in with poles ready to tackle the beloved road. n

OUTDOORS | Welcome DuPont State Forest. CRANKJOY.COM PHOTO

Getting away from it all | PISGAH AREA SORBA When it comes to mountain biking, it really doesn’t get much better than the trails around Western North Carolina. “A lot of us travel to mountain bike different places in the United States,” said Matthew Leach. “And when you start talking about quality trails around the country — from Moab, Utah, to Arkansas, no matter where you go — you always want to come back to our trails here.” Director of membership for the Pisgah Area SORBA (Southern Off-Road Bike Association), Leach is proudly part of an organization at the heart of preserving and perpetuating mountain biking in our region, which includes the legendary trails in Pisgah National Forest, Bent Creek Experimental Forest and DuPont State Forest. “We maintain trails to keep them open, accessible and sustainable for all user groups who use these trails, not just mountain bikers,” Leach said. “The trails around here are incredible gnarly. And we ﬁght to keep it gnarly, so it always keeps its natural look and feel. We also have so many opportunities for youth riders and beginners — endless options for all skill levels.” With over 400 miles of single-track trails in the Pisgah Area SORBA jurisdiction, Leach estimated the organization maintains about 150 miles of that.

“So, we work closely with DuPont State Forest and the North Carolina Forestry Department. Our trail efforts are tied directly to their priorities,” Leach said. “The Forestry Department will tell us what trails have issues or overuse, so we look at ﬁxing it to keep it sustainable, where there’s not negativity affecting nearby waters, and trails are open for all user groups.” “And with the amount of rainfall in our region, it takes an incredible amount of volunteers and volunteer hours to maintain these trails so they do keep their quality,” noted Sonya Tomes, a member of the board of directors for the Pisgah Area SORBA. A passionate mountain biker, Tomes and her husband purposely left Missouri a couple of years ago for Western North Carolina just so they could ride the trails here. “I loved the trails out West, but there’s just something about the trails here, especially when you can ride them year-round,” Tomes said. “And by joining this organization, I learned the importance of the volunteerism. If you don’t go to the meetings, you just kind of take the trails for granted — everyone needs to get involved.” With hundreds of volunteer hours given each year to maintain the trails, Pisgah Area SOBRA also partners with several local and national companies.

Some provide meals for trail volunteers, while others provide monetary or equipment donations. “We recently did an event with Oskar Blues Brewery (Brevard). It was called ‘Take a Kid Mountain Biking,’ where Oskar Blues lent us their REEB Ranch mountain bike facility,” Leach said. “Oskar Blues donated dozens of bikes for the kids. And we also brought them to DuPont, taking them kayaking and hiking, teaching them forestry, birdwatching and held classes about stream conservation.” Both Tomes and Leach look at all their efforts — the blood, sweat, and tears — as justification for being able to do what they deeply love and care about, right in their own backyard. “I love the adrenaline rush, love the challenge,” Tomes said. “You might ride the same trail 10 different times, but it’s always changing, the weather’s always changing. It’s where I find my physical and emotional balance in life.” “With mountain biking, you can just take the time to stop and appreciate the natural beauty of where we live. It brings me to the current moment, while I’m in nature, while I’m getting fit,” Leach added. “And because it’s technical, it doesn’t allow you to have your mind wander. It disconnects you from the world — you’re only one ride away from a perfect day.” n

Welcome | SECOND HOMES

Residents of Deerﬁeld Episcopal Retirement Community. COURTESY OF DEERFIELD

Living the good life STARTING THE NEXT CHAPTER

alled the “Paris of the South” and the “San Francisco of the East,” Asheville has been everyone’s favorite getaway since George Vanderbilt built his humble vacation home — better known as the Biltmore Estate — in the Blue Ridge Mountains more than 100 years ago. People have been following Vanderbilt for decades, making Asheville and the mountains around it one of the most popular second home and vacation home destinations in the country. Last year, Forbes placed Asheville on its list of the “15 Coolest Places to Go in 2018,” a distinction it shares with Milan, Egypt and Cambodia, among others. The list highlights Asheville’s “gorgeous scenery,” its historic mansions such as Biltmore Estate and its “remarkable arts scene.” “It’s no secret that America’s southern cities are having a

moment,” Indagare’s Biggs Bradley was quoted as saying in the post. “Asheville has a character that is at once hipster and classic Americana.” Asheville also made the recent National Geographic list of “Small U.S. Cities On the Rise,” joining a group of 28 other cities lauded in 10 categories of superlatives. The superlatives were compiled, according to authors George Stone and Amy Alipio, using “unconventional metrics that we think lead to happiness: green spaces, galleries, coffee shops, breweries, music venues, Instagrammable moments and more.” Asheville was called “Most Artsy,” and “Sudsiest,” neither of which is surprising given the city’s reputation for the arts and the ever-growing craft beer scene. Asheville is appealing to second-home owners on many levels. Even though it has deﬁnitely been discovered, you can buy a lot of house here for less that it would cost in most major metro areas. Partly, it’s the charm. People who live in the mountains, even those who move here from far away, seem nicer. They say hello. They let you in in traﬃc. And they’ll wave while they do it. And it seems the further you get from town, the more helpful people are. Many part-time residents have stories about neighbors who watch their houses when they’re back home. They

New arrivals enrich the community with their volunteer spirit, their wealth of knowledge and a sophisticate’s palate that delights in the many farmers markets in the area. Here, they can indulge in the region’s wonderful restaurants. Indeed, Asheville has a growing reputation for excellent locally sourced bistros that are independently run and wildly supported. All this makes the city a popular choice for getaway and second homes. Buyers have a range of choices, from condominiums MORE AT downtown and in Asheville’s BEVERLY-HANKS.COM funky River Arts District to Ready to buy a second Biltmore Park’s comfortably home, but can’t decide planned neighborhoods to whether to make it an affordable, green homes investment property? outside of the city, many within Check out our primer at beverly-hanks.com/blog/ the sheltered folds of the area’s second-homes-vscoves and valleys. The range of vacation-rentals. real estate in Western North Carolina is as vast as are the mountains, from small cottages to large estates. Buy a beautiful lot and build your dream home — there are many options here. Seasons in the mountains are mild, with few of the intense hot temperatures that make this area attractive to people from southern and coastal regions. Experiencing it is just a matter of walking out your front door. Just outside of Asheville is the Pisgah National Forest. Nearby are Joyce Kilmer Forest, DuPont State Park, Chimney Rock State Park, Nantahala National Forest, the Shining Rock Wilderness Area and the crown jewel of Western North Carolina — the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Life is just more relaxed here. And it’s a lot more fun. n

Photographer: Je erry Markatos | Contractors: Bronco Construction, In nc. | Upper Right: Chinquapin Builders

talk about community members cutting their grass while they’re gone, of making sure doors are locked and that homes are safe. Many of the area’s newest homeowners are people in their 50s and early 60s who are buying second homes with an eye toward making them their permanent addresses once they retire. Buying now makes sense for many reasons, not the least of which is that prices are affordable. Owners can explore the area to see if it suits their interests and lifestyle upon retirement. And, they can recoup some of their investment by renting their houses during the busy summer months and popular leaf season. There are many property managers in the area to handle the transactions. New second-home owners who have already quit the working life often time their visits around the activities of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, an award-winning, internationally acclaimed center of learning that is affiliated with the University of North Carolina at Asheville. Participants may select from an array of programs and classes on a variety of topics, including wellness, the arts and humanities. There are many towns to explore, such as Waynesville with its historic Frog Level community, Marshall with its timeless feel, Hendersonville with its wealth of art galleries. People looking for more isolated homes find beauty and value near small communities like Hot Springs, Cashiers or Black Mountain. Those who love the city life will certainly find it in Asheville, where downtown condos and townhouses are mere steps from shopping at the Grove Arcade, dining along Wall Street, antiquing on Page Avenue and people-watching up and down Lexington Avenue. Bookstores, salons, galleries and coffee shops all inhabit Asheville’s Art Deco buildings, making for a fun and funky address for lucky downtown denizens.

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Welcome | SECOND SECTION HOMES Maggie Valley Club & Resort.

Changing perceptions | MAGGIE VALLEY CLUB & RESORT Caitlin Noland fell into the golf world by chance. “I was in Atlanta doing pharmaceutical sales and looking for a change. I came home to Haywood County for the holidays and my grandfather was reading the newspaper to me, like he always does,” Noland chuckled. “And there was a job at the Maggie Valley Club & Resort posted in the newspaper. I called up, came in and interviewed and got the job that winter.” In her ﬁve years as the membership and marketing director for the Maggie Valley Club & Resort, Noland has seen some big changes to the large, mountainous property. “We’re always evolving, but in my time here, we’ve changed tremendously — new homes, new memberships,” Noland said. “When I arrived, my goal was 300 memberships. Now that we’ve are approaching that, we’re looking ahead. What’s next? We’re looking to let folks know that we’re open to the public, that we’re familyfriendly and growing all the time.” One of those key changes is eliminating the long-held perceptions about country clubs and resorts, where younger families or potential members might think these properties are “too

stuffy” or “stale.” That’s just not the case at Maggie Valley. “We have a younger staff these days, people in their late 20s and early 30s, who are always looking for ways to innovate our amenities, our menu at the Pin High Pub & Grille and how we conduct business,” Noland said. “Everybody loves the outdoor pool, our state-ofthe-art gym and our aﬃliation with the Maggie Valley Wellness Caitlin Noland Center across the street, where you have ‘yoga for kids’ or ‘yoga with goats.’” Originally from Haywood County, Noland’s family ties go back generations in Maggie Valley. “I have a big connection with Maggie Valley. My great-grandfather was Ted Sutton. He owned the Maggie Valley General Store and the Hillbilly Funhouse (now a campground), both iconic businesses in this town,” Noland said. “I love this property. It’s nice walking around here, you really feel like you’re home.”

The centerpiece of the Maggie Valley Club & Resort is its 6,500-yard premier golf course. The rolling course is lined with modern townhouses and lodging, all of it cradled by mountains in every direction. “What’s great is that there’s a lot of land here. We’re not constricted by already existing developments,” Noland said. “We can expand and transform this property even more into the vision we have for it.” When Noland arrived, the Maggie Valley Club & Resort was purchased under Honours Golf, a worldwide golf course and club management company. And in recent years, Honours Golf was acquired by Troon Golf, an upscale golf management organization. “If you’re a member here at Maggie Valley, you can play all the other golf courses run by Troon and Honours,” Noland said. “We’re talking hundreds of courses around the world.” Aside from the property, golf course and amenities, Noland also sees the Maggie Valley Club & Resort as a home base for endless adventures in and around Western North Carolina. “You don’t move here to stay in your house all day,” Noland said. “You’re here to have fun.” n

Welcome | FOOD & DRINK

LAUGHING SEED CAFÉ PHOTO

Taste of the town WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA’S RISE TO CULINARY CAPITAL

he smallest of canvases can contain the biggest of ideas.

“You can take anything and put it in a taco, and there are so many options with tortillas — the possibilities are endless,” said Hunter Berry. Taking a seat at a local brewery in downtown Asheville one recent afternoon, Berry just completed another wild and crazy day at his popular restaurant, TacoBilly, in West Asheville. When asked about what it has been liked for his business since it opened in 2015, Berry’s face lights up. “I’ve been surprised in how well accepted and supported we’ve been by the locals in this community. The local business owners and oﬃcials have all come out and shown their support,” he said.

“Greater Asheville seems to prioritize any local movement or organization, and I didn’t realize it was that strong when I moved here, but it’s very apparent.” Opened a decade ago, Luella’s in North Asheville specializes in North Carolina-style barbecue (vinegar-based sauce, with a dash of honey, garlic and tomatoes), Texas-style brisket, a St. Louis dry rub for the smoked turkey breast, and their signature New Orleans/Creole andouille sauce. Looking around at the growing culinary reputation of Asheville, it doesn’t surprise Luella’s owner Jeff Miller that the city has become a “foodie mecca” for the Southeast and beyond. “The food scene has changed dramatically here, and I think the quality of food and the dining experience in this city has shifted greatly,” he said. “There’s always been a lot of variety and creativity in the Asheville food scene, but I feel that every place is hitting those standards found in other great food cities. More and more people are moving here and visiting here, and the expectations

have been raised — and we’re meeting and exceeding those expectations.” While the culinary scene of the region expands, and palates become more sophisticated, the passion and love put into a meal comes from the mere fact that the restaurant chefs, owners and servers all reside in Western North Carolina — a place they are proud to call home. Tucked away in the thick forests below the Green River is the small town of Saluda. At the center of the quaint, cozy downtown is The Purple Onion. “When we started [this business] 19 years ago, we were hoping to create a gathering place for people to come together, enjoy good conversation, good food and live music,” said Susan Casey, owner of The Purple Onion. “And it really is better than I ever dreamed it could be in a lot of ways. It’s such a pleasure to be in there and see people enjoy themselves.” And as The Purple Onion enters its third decade of operation, Casey couldn’t be prouder of what the business stands for — “good conversation, good food and live music.” It’s a testament to her vision, and the community as a whole, which has supported the restaurant since day one. “It’s a great deal of satisfaction,” Casey said. “It makes me happy to work hard to create something like this, and when it works, it’s very satisfying. It makes the hard work worth it to be in the midst of that — we feel really lucky to be part of this community.” Over the past decade, there has been a food revolution in the area. Along every downtown, you’ll ﬁnd anything from Cajun to French, Asian to Italian, Mexican to Mediterranean. Whether it’s local establishments incorporating different dishes into the menus or the troves of culinary artisans relocating here, the desire to try something new and different is all around in this land of cosmopolitan country cuisines. Head chef at The Sweet Onion in Waynesville, co-owner/head chef Doug Weaver is also at the forefront of a pioneering culinary movement in greater Western North Carolina. “The thing is, Haywood County is becoming a place that when people are in the area, they may go to Waynesville or wherever around here because there is this restaurant they have to try,” he said. “There are a lot of people planning their trips around what places to eat here.” Co-owners/founders of Pitch Pine Organic Farm in Penrose (just outside of Brevard), Paige Witherington and

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Welcome | FOOD & DRINK

The Sweet Onion. GARRET K. WOODWARD PHOTO

Justin Dansby’s longtime dream of operating their own sustainable farm came to fruition in early 2014. The seven-acre property is situated smack dab in one of the most pristine stretches of soil in Western North Carolina. With the recent boom in demand for organic produce, meat and farm-to-table restaurants, Western North Carolina has become a hotbed for independent, natural food MORE AT products. Between handcrafted BEVERLY-HANKS.COM beer using local ingredients, In WNC, it’s easy to eat local fresh meat from grass-fed cattle, just by going to the grocery ﬁne wines, fruits and vegetables, store! Check out just a few the possibilities are as endless local products and where you can ﬁnd them at as they are available. beverly-hanks.com/blog/10“Western North Carolina is on local-foods-grocery-stores. the fast track. It’s light years beyond where other places are with organic farming and farm-to-table, and it will just continue,” Dansby said. “The key is to get more consumers educated and on board, and the extension services are fantastic around here. A lot of that comes from the original tobacco and apple farms and the networks they created here.” As head of operations for Neo Burrito (with locations in West/East Asheville and Biltmore Park), Walter Godfrey and the company stand at the crossroads of the farm-to-table movement, a growing scene and tightly held sentiment that permeates the culture of Asheville and greater Western North Carolina. “Our motto has always been, ‘Making the world a better place one burrito at a time.’ We do our best to provide fresh ingredients to customers by utilizing local farms around the area, and also

AGENT’S CHOICE:

“The WNC Farmers Market on Brevard Road is awesome! The retail area features displays of high-quality fruits and vegetables, mountain crafts, jams, jellies, preserves, sourwood honey, fresh baked breads, cookies, and dozens of other farm fresh items. My wife and I love to get locally grown NC apples to make apple butter.” —Wes Hight, Downtown Asheville oﬃce our own farm,” Godfrey said. “I strongly advocate the growing demand for farm-to-table restaurants and feel that the market has shifted towards this concept. Neo Burrito was a pioneer in the Asheville culinary scene with the idea of utilizing locally sourced food and being environmentally conscious. More restaurants have already adopted the local ingredients motto, but I foresee many places also embracing a shift towards sustainability as we’ve already done.” n

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Welcome | FOOD & DRINK

LAUGHING SEED CAFÉ PHOTO

From the ground up | LAUGHING SEED CAFÉ In the early 1990s, Asheville was, in essence, a “no man’s land.” Abandoned buildings made up a large portion of a once thriving downtown, now a victim of physical and economical decay. It seemed nobody wanted to take a chance on the city, save for a few early entrepreneurs and visionaries. And it was at that time when Joan and Joe Eckert rolled into town. “Back then, Asheville was basically deserted,” Joan noted. “When we arrived in 1991, we were living way out in Madison County. We wanted to do something, and I had a culinary background, so we opened a lunch counter at the YMCA in downtown Asheville.” That small lunch counter, known as the Laughing Seed Café, became a hub for those who worked out in the YMCA. “Everyone ate at our place,” Joan said. “And one of our regulars was this guy named Julian Price, who had inherited a large sum of money and was looking to invest in downtown Asheville.” A beloved philanthropist and community activist, Price passed away in 2001. But, his legacy lives on in every facet of where Asheville stands today. And one of those facets is the Laughing Seed

Café — an iconic vegetarian restaurant in the heart of Asheville on Wall Street. “Julian was looking to purchase abandoned buildings and renovate them into new businesses. And we were the first loan he gave to start the Laughing Seed Café in downtown,” Joan said. In 2018, the Laughing Seed Café celebrated its 25th anniversary. “Twenty-five years just completely amazes Joan Eckert me, and the past two years have been our most profitable years yet,” Joan said. “And it just continues to grow — there are still so many people just finding out about us.” Though the menu at Laughing Seed Café is focused on vegetarian cuisine, it also harbors a European flare, something close to Joan’s heart. “Growing up in Philadelphia, I had a mother who was an incredible cook,” Joan said. “And we lived in Europe when I was a kid, which I think really impacted the style and menu we have here.” Throughout its existence, the

restaurant has aimed to change the idea of what a vegetarian establishment could be — whether you’re a vegetarian or simply curious about the style of food. “Our thing has been to always be really accessible, so that people who are traditionally meat eaters would feel just as comfortable coming in as vegetarians,” Joan said. “And, I feel, even at this time, most of our customers are not vegetarians. They’re people who are eating healthier, more interested in vegetarian cuisine, and who really love the food. It’s flavorful. It’s eclectic. That was my goal, to make it not what you think vegetarian food is going to be, that there’s more to it than just salads and casseroles.” For Joan, she still enjoys coming to work every day, seeing all the satisfied smiles on the faces of her customers, whether it’s their first time or hundredth time dining out at their location. “I love the creativity. That’s been the most fun — coming up with recipes and decorating the dishes,” Joan said. “We all support each other. And this city has always supported my business. I really like walking in here and working in the kitchen on a busy Saturday. It makes me happy, and I am proud of it.” n

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Welcome | FOOD & DRINK

Frog Level Brewing. MARGARET HESTER PHOTO

A sip of Southern Appalachia THE WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA CRAFT BEER EXPLOSION

ith around 74 independent establishments in Asheville and Western North Carolina, the craft beer industry is booming in these parts. Now known as “Beer City,” Asheville has become the epicenter for a beverage movement unseen in not only the industry, but also the nation as a whole. It all started for Asheville in 1994 when Oscar Wong, a retired engineer, began making beer in the basement of Barley’s, a popular downtown pizza and beer joint. His Highland Brewing Company emerged as the city’s ﬁrst legal brewery since Prohibition and tapped into the city’s craft beer potential. Fast forward 20 years to 2014, when craft beer pioneer and industry leader Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. (Chico, California)

opened its $200 million, 217-acre East Coast production facility in Mills River, right outside Asheville. “The community around Asheville attracts such an artistic and eclectic mix of people, a very similar mix of people like Chico,” said Ken Grossman, founder/owner of Sierra Nevada. “The outdoors is something I try to do on a regular basis — get outside and hike. We’re near mountains, streams and places to recreate in Chico, and Asheville is just like that.” An embracing, all-are-welcome attitude is perhaps one of the reasons Asheville’s brew scene has exploded. Competing brewers exhibit camaraderie toward each other, with seasoned big-hitters lending help to upstart companies. While in some towns it may not be kosher to take children to bars, Asheville breweries host children’s birthday parties, welcome pets, cyclists, running clubs and more. They are neighborhood gathering spots. Alongside Sierra Nevada Brewing Co, industry giants New Belgium Brewing (Fort Collins, Colorado) and Oskar Blues Brewery (Lyons, Colorado) both opened East Coast headquarters in Western North Carolina. In 2016, New Belgium ﬁred up its $140 million facility in the River Arts District of Asheville.

FOOD & DRINK | Welcome Joe Rowland.

Eastward expansion | NANTAHALA BREWING OPENS IN ASHEVILLE Following the announcement of its upcoming Sylva outpost, aimed at an early 2019 opening, Bryson City-based Nantahala Brewing also launched an Asheville outpost this past summer. “Our recent retail expansion to Sylva and this expansion into Asheville are a direct result of refocusing on what got us to where we are today,” said Nantahala Brewing co-owner Joe Rowland, who also is the president of the Asheville Brewers Alliance. “We see our outposts as a way to share the more than 75 different brews we produce with a larger audience who already supports our limited distributed offerings.” The need and push for the Asheville outpost came from Nantahala Brewing’s increased presence in “Beer City USA.” With its products on tap and on shelves all around the metropolitan area, it became more and more obvious that the brewery needed an “anchor” point in Asheville. Located on Haywood Road in West Asheville, the two-story outpost was formerly The Anchor Bar. It features a downstairs restaurant that offers a farm-to-table “cosmopolitan country”style menu. The upstairs taproom will also be poised to become a music

venue in the coming months, primarily focusing on local and regional bluegrass and Americana acts. “After we began self-distributing in 2010, Asheville became the place we sold the majority of our beer in the offseason,” Rowland said. “Over the next few years, as our brewery grew, we slowly changed the craft landscape in our neck of the woods and the majority of our beer was consumed within 45 miles of Bryson City, but we continued to see support from retailers in Asheville.” All of this steady growth and development over the better part of the last decade is at the heart of the true outdoors-meets-artisan brand that Nantahala Brewing is known for. “It’s natural to focus on retail when the distribution market condenses, but it’s also an important path to increased distribution sales,” Rowland said. “The more craft drinkers can connect directly with your brand, the greater connection they will have with your brand across all distribution points.” And with the new Asheville outpost buzzing, every night ﬁlled with joyous faces from near and far, Rowland can’t help but reﬂect on the physical and emotional road he and Nantahala

Brewing have taken from a small operation in Bryson City to a regional craft beer powerhouse. “For us, we’re lucky to live and brew independent craft beer in one of the last untouched wilderness areas in the eastern United States — the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and its 10 million visitors each year. And that’s driven our growth,” Rowland said. Now a stronghold in Asheville, Nantahala Brewing is already looking to the horizon, trying to ﬁgure out what’s next in its carefully calculated moves that have led to the brand’s continued success. “Our distribution expansion has helped address part of that challenge when running a manufacturing business, but making direct connections to our customers in a retail environment we own is the smart choice for the long haul,” Rowland said. “Beyond our direct North Carolina local market, we’ve seen huge distribution success in East Tennessee and North Georgia. After we get our outposts ﬂowing along, we’ll look to those areas to put down roots and continue to bring all of our brews to those areas and support our distribution partners in those markets.” n

Welcome | FOOD & DRINK AGENT’S CHOICE:

“I recommend Homeplace Beer Company in Burnsville. Located steps from the historic town square, Homeplace is a truly ﬁtting name for this brewery, as everyone is treated like family. The owner, John Silver, made quite a name for himself in the Asheville Brewery scene, then came home to Yancey County to start this brewery.” —Crystal Capps, North Asheville oﬃce

When Kelly and Andy Cubbins opened Southern Appalachian Brewing in Hendersonville in 2011, it was an upand-coming town with no brewery at the time. But, the Cubbins felt the city had the same potential that Asheville held (and ultimately became) a decade or so earlier. “Since we moved in, there have been so many changes on 7th Avenue. All of these incredible small businesses have come in, and on Main Street, too,” Kelly said. “The whole downtown area has been transformed into such a beautiful and welcoming space. And we also have a progressive town government that really tries to bring the community together, especially with things like the Rhythm & Blue Festival, which has become such a huge event for downtown.” “You get to live in this great town, with a lot of new MORE AT families moving in,” Andy BEVERLY-HANKS.COM added. “And yet, within a 10Want to learn more about minute drive from the craft beer movement in downtown, you can be hiking WNC? Discover the best on the side of a mountain beer tours in and around Asheville at beverlywhere there is nobody hanks.com/blog/best-beeraround.” tours-around-asheville. Home to three breweries, Haywood County has become a scene in its own right. Boojum Brewing and Frog Level Brewing in Waynesville and BearWaters Brewing in Canton are each serving up a wide array of selections that perfectly complement those brewed in Asheville. Co-owner/manager of Boojum Brewing, Kelsie Baker, and her family have quickly established themselves as one of the “must try” craft beer destinations in Western North Carolina. Amid a highly competitive industry — locally, regionally and nationally — where your reputation resides in every beverage poured, Boojum has risen to the upper echelon of ﬂavor, style, and selection. Between their off-site brewery and downtown taproom/restaurant, the business is a social and economic anchor within the community. “From day one, we’ve always said that we want to keep it fresh and exciting, to never cut corners,” Baker said. “We’re really passionate about what we do.” n

The big list | WNC BREWERIES Asheville • 12 Bones • Archetype Brewing • Asheville Brewing • Bhramari Brewing • Brewery Cursus Keme • Brother Joe’s Coﬀee Pub • Burial Beer Co. • Catawba Brewing • DSSOLVR • Eurisko Beer Co. • Fahrenheit Pizza & Brewhouse • French Broad Brewing • Ginger’s Revenge • Green Man Brewery • Habitat Brewing • Hi-Wire Brewing

• Highland Brewing • Hillman Beer • Lexington Avenue Brewery • New Belgium Brewing • One World Brewing • Oyster House Brewing • Sweeten Creek Brewing • Thirsty Monk Brewery • Triple Seven Brewhouse • Twin Leaf Brewery • UpCountry Brewing • Wedge Brewing • White Labs Kitchen & Tap • Wicked Weed Brewing • Wicked Weed Funkatorium • Zillicoah Beer Co.

Elsewhere • Andrews Brewing Co. (Andrews) • Balsam Falls Brewing (Sylva) • BearWaters Brewing Co. (Canton) • Blind Squirrel Brewery (Burnsville) • Blue Ghost Brewing (Fletcher) • Blue Mountain Brew Pub (Weaverville) • Boojum Brewing (Waynesville) • Brevard Brewing (Brevard) • Catawba Brewing (Morganton) • Currahee Brewing (Franklin) • Dry Fall Brewing (Hendersonville) • Ecusta Brewing (Pisgah Forest) • Eluvium Brewing (Weaverville) • Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville) • Hickory Nut Gorge Brewery (Chimney Rock) • Homeplace Beer Co. (Burnsville) • Hoppy Trout Brewing (Andrews) • Innovation Brewing (Sylva) • Lazy Hiker Brewing (Franklin)

• Lookout Brewing (Black Mountain) • Mad Co. Brew House (Marshall) • Mica Town Brewing (Marion) • Mills River Brewery (Mills River) • Mountain Layers Brewing (Bryson City) • Nantahala Brewing (Bryson City) • Newgrass Brewing (Shelby) • Oskar Blues Brewing (Brevard) • Pisgah Brewing (Black Mountain) • Sanctuary Brewing (Hendersonville) • Satulah Mountain Brewing (Highlands) • Southern Appalachian Brewery (Hendersonville) • Turgua Brewing (Fairview) • Whistle Hop Brewing (Fairview) • Whiteside Brewing (Cashiers) • Zebulon Artisan Ales (Weaverville)

Cideries • Bold Rock Cider (Mills River) • Daidala Ciders (Asheville) • Flat Rock Ciderworks (Hendersonville)

• Noble Cider (Asheville) • Urban Orchard Cider (Asheville)

FOOD & DRINK | Welcome The Waynesville Soda Jerks use a variety of local ingredients.

The art of alcohol-free | WAYNESVILLE SODA JERKS A little over ﬁve years ago, Megan Brown and Chris Allen saw a need in the gigantic craft beer industry that has dominated Asheville and greater Western North Carolina: an alternative. “There’s a lot of people that can’t or don’t want to drink alcohol, but they do want to consume a locally made craft beverage,” Brown said. “And we’re looking to ﬁll that niche.” Co-owners of the Waynesville Soda Jerks, an artisanal beverage company, the couple started experimenting with making their own syrups using local ingredients. Soon, the idea picked up speed, resulting in the eventual purchase of a bottling line a couple of years into the endeavor. As of the last calendar year, they bottled over 50,000 units, with cases being sent to upwards of 75 accounts around Southern Appalachia. “Well, we were one of the early pioneers, at least regionally, when it comes to artisanal soda. And the hidden story of all entrepreneurs is what really is simmering underneath and the all the work that it takes to succeed — it’s been a journey,” Allen said. “We didn’t go to business school. We do have culinary experience, but

we’re ﬁguring it out as we go along — that’s the name of the game. And it continues to grow every year, especially in the non-alcohol sector.” “And since we’ve started, we’ve seen so many other businesses pop up around the region doing kombucha, bottled teas and cold brew coffees,” Brown added. “They’re really trying to hit the non-alcohol scene in Asheville and Western North Carolina.” The Waynesville Soda Jerks ﬁnd genuine solidarity and immense value in the numerous partnerships they’ve created with local and national breweries in our region. “We see ourselves as parallel with the craft beer industry,” Brown said. “We have a lot of the same philosophies as far as our transparency and sourcing. And we want to offer that same kind of handmade experience.” Within the company’s array of products, the Waynesville Soda Jerks work either directly or indirectly with around 50 local farmers. These local ingredients range from strawberries to spices, ginger to rhubarb, and the list goes on and on. “Last year was our biggest year in terms of spending our money for local

ingredients. All of the fruit, herbs and vegetables in our sodas are from this region,” Brown said. “We really want to highlight the bounty that Western North Carolina has, and showcase that in our products. We make a lot of efforts to source locally and sustainably, and work with the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP) to assist with sourcing.” Both Brown and Allen are Haywood County natives. It’s something that they’re not only proud of, but also see as an opportunity to be cultural ambassadors to those looking to relocate or visit the area. “We love being part of the agricultural community,” Allen said. “It all ties back to the history of this region, the land and its people.” “There are so many people that are trying to find a place like Western North Carolina, people who live all over the country,” Brown said. “They’re trying to find the beauty and the simplicity, a place to relax and live peacefully. We love being able to say we’re local and have deep roots here, being able to share what we love about this area with people that come here.” n

Welcome | ARTS & CULTURE

A work by Philip DeAngelo.

Inspiration within ART AND ARTISTS FIND A HOME IN ASHEVILLE

sing your hands to make what you need or desire is a unique trait in Southern Appalachia — the idea that if you can’t ﬁnd it or aﬀord it, you build it. That notion is soaked into the creative minds and curious spirits of Western North Carolina.

This region has a storied history of handmade crafts, ranging from weaving to woodworking, pottery to jewelry. From the passed down traditions of basket weaving and stonework of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians to the arts of metalsmithing and glassblowing, there has always been a rich atmosphere of creation in these parts. Throughout the year, Western North Carolina plays host to numerous art and craft festivals, shows and exhibits, all in an

effort to provide the crafter with a platform to share their wares with locals and visitors in search of that perfect piece. Lake Eden Arts Festival (LEAF) has grown from a twice-a-year celebration of local, regional, national and international culture and art to an entity that ﬂows like water — moving to wherever it ﬁnds space to expand. And at the helm of LEAF is Jennifer Pickering, the founder and executive director. From humble beginnings, where no idea was too far-fetched, the organization has connected the dots of culture around the world from its headquarters in Black Mountain. “We use our resources to complement other programs in communities, and we’ve got all the international programs — everything weaved together at the festivals,” Pickering said. “The idea is to become year round, for international cultures to come here throughout the year, to have this area as a landing spot for all these people and artists.” A beehive of creativity and compassion, LEAF’s wildly popular multi-day spring and fall festivals have added a summer shindig in downtown Asheville in recent years, atop its continued innovation and increase in community outreach programs, where

ARTS & CULTURE | Welcome they provide the catalyst to spark the ideas of others in Western North Carolina and beyond. “LEAF is a unique model that is able to connect people to a lot of different cultures, new music and art,” Pickering said. “And also have a way that have a level of traditions and connections with family and friends in a positive environment, in a place that shows all the great aspects of humanity. LEAF is to you whatever you want it to be, and it might change over the years, whether you have kids with you or not, or where you are in your life as the years go along.” Along with galleries and home MORE AT studios, there’s also a handful of BEVERLY-HANKS.COM renowned academic institutions Art spaces add new life and promoting and teaching speciﬁc a sense of identity to our skills to the next generation of neighborhoods. Learn more crafters. From the acclaimed about the impact of local art galleries at beverlyPenland School of Crafts in hanks.com/blog/impactBakersville to the professional local-art-galleries-wnc. crafts program at Haywood Community College in Clyde, the future of handmade items is not only in safe hands, it’s revitalizing what it means to make something. “The professional crafts program at HCC is very unique. It promotes not only creativity and craft, but also how to market yourself as an artist,” said Amy Putansu, ﬁber instructor at HCC. “The students here are learning to make things, and make things well, with the emphasis around their ethics very positive, very minded in the local sustainability movement.” With textile crafting a large part of the heritage in Western North Carolina, the students are not only preserving traditional skills, they’re perpetuating them. “It’s about staying in touch with history,” Putansu said. “It’s maintaining that thread through generations, time and history. It’s about what we do, the objects we make, and it’s really important that history doesn’t get lost.” Stepping into the studio of painter Angela Alexander, one is immediately struck by the bright and vibrant nature of her pieces, something that seamlessly complements her warm personality.

AGENT’S CHOICE:

“It is too difficult to choose just one place. The Asheville Gallery of Art is operated by the artists themselves. The Folk Art Center off the Blue Ridge Parkway has featured local artists for decades. John Cram’s New Morning Gallery is another favorite— such diversity. I could wander there for hours. And Grovewood Gallery is another fabulous place to ﬁnd local art from earrings to furniture.” —Cheryl MacPhail, North Asheville oﬃce

“I want my art to make people happy — it’s the heart and soul,” she said. “It’s a joy to watch people walk into my studio and there’s an instant smile on their faces.” Situated above Depot Street in the River Arts District (RAD) of Asheville, Alexander specializes in painting abstract portraits of dogs. What started out as a hobby has now garnered Alexander national attention and accolades for her mesmerizing canvases. When asked about what makes the RAD so special, a place ﬁlled with hundreds of artists from as many creative mediums, Alexander noted the collaboration between the artisans. “It’s a beehive of creativity — we inspire each other,” she said. “The energy here is just wonderful. Just in the mountains alone, I think if you’re creative, you’ll ﬂourish in this environment.” n

Haywood Community College.

“Cool and I know It” by Angela Alexander

Welcome | ARTS & CULTURE

Between the lines lies the story | WOODWORKER BEN GRANT When you are in the presence of the woodwork by Ben Grant, you ﬁnd yourself captivated by the contours of his pieces. Each creation is intricate in nature, but there’s a sense of style, innovation and sharpness — not one line is wasted. “You can make anything out of wood, from a functional piece of furniture to an elaborate sculptural vessel,” Grant said. “It’s a very strong and versatile material that can be carved, shaped or bent into any form or design you could imagine.” Hailing from Rock Hill, South Carolina, the 34-year-old has made Western North Carolina his home for the better part of the last ﬁve years. Originally a construction worker, he became enthralled with the idea of building something from nothing. From 2009 to 2012, Grant found himself enrolled in workshops at the legendary Penland School of Crafts, about an hour north of Asheville. While there, he took several courses, including “Alternative Methods of Carving,” “Exploring Chair Design,” “Not Your Grandad’s Ball & Claw” and “The Potential of Cabinets.” “I fell in love with the hands-on aspect of woodworking immediately,

but my craftsmanship was terrible. It took a while to get the hang of it, but I stuck with it and the results became very fulfilling,” Grant said. “I didn’t know where woodworking would take me exactly, but, at that point, I knew it was what I was going to be doing for the rest of my life.” Grant’s ongoing academic/artistic journey and passion for woodworking eventually led to a degree in “Professional Crafts-Wood” from Haywood Ben Grant Community College (Clyde) in 2016. “[The HCC woodworking] program was extremely beneficial. Students are given the freedom to explore design ideas and techniques while being skillfully guided. We learned how to problem solve and take ideas from original concept to finished project, no matter what skill level we started the program with,” Grant said. When scouting out wood for his projects, Grant’s approach is case-bycase, where each piece of wood picked

is speciﬁcally tailored to what’s needed at that time and place. “It really just depends on the project. Each species of wood has different characteristics from the next,” Grant said. “Some are better for carving, and some for bending, some have exquisite grain, and some just look better painted. Any piece of wood can be made to work for any application, but sometimes it helps the process to pick woods that are more agreeable for certain tasks.” In recent months, Grant has put the ﬁnishing touches on a work studio at his home in Waynesville. It’s been a long road to this point. “I’ve been most surprised by the reality that my passions have become my career. I could never have imagined the enormous amounts of support I have received from family, friends, teachers, customers and the community,” Grant said. “When I am working with wood, one idea will lead to the next. Each new piece of furniture is an improvement on a previous design. Sometimes working on one aspect of a certain piece will lead to an idea for an entirely new concept — it’s a constantly evolving process of exploration.” n

Phone: 828.505.2137 / rockstarmarble.com

Welcome | TOURING

The cheese cave at Blue Ridge Mountain Creamery. Right: Katie Moore.

Sum of all things natural WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA CHEESE TRAIL

ust off a backroad near Fairview, down a muddy dirt driveway, is Blue Ridge Mountain Creamery. Tucked against a mountainside in a deep holler, the small business has been creating some of the finest local cheese for almost a decade. “With the making of cheese, I like the physical part of it,” said Katie Moore, manager at BRMC. “You’re using your physical body in every single cheese in that cave. Every cheese wheel gets touched, turned and moved around multiple times a week — it’s about nurturing the product.” Walking into the manmade stone cheese cave, with one side consisting of a natural rock wall, the structure contains dozens of large cheese wheels. Each cheese is covered in the physical and emotional fingerprints of those who turned raw milk into a culinary delicacy.

“Every cow we get milk from is unique. Everyone’s cheese is unique,” Moore said. “With these smaller farms, you’re getting milk from certain cows that are eating certain foods, breathing certain air, drinking certain water, walking in certain soil, so that milk has a certain ﬂavor that then becomes part of the cheese.” Moore relocated to Western North Carolina several years ago from Los Angeles. Having spent a long time living in an urban area, she yearned for the mountains. “I really missed the seasons, all those nuances with each season that are very distinct here,” Moore said. “And I just love the entrepreneurial attitude of Asheville and Western North Carolina. Here, you have people willing to try new things and support these local businesses.” Aside from running the BRMC, Moore also is the executive director of the Western North Carolina Cheese Trail and the director of the Carolina Mountain Cheese Fest. Consisting of 10 cheese makers around the region — and dozens of farm stops and associate members (restaurants, breweries, cideries, cheese stores) — the trail came about in 2012. “These cheese makers felt most people — living here or

visiting — didn’t even know these creameries were around. So, how do we do a better job of not just promoting our individual businesses, but this whole industry?” Moore said. “And the cheese makers wanted to show how much they support other aspects of the food industry and independent, small businesses. Tourists have been coming to Western North Carolina for a long time, and it’s a really • Blue Ridge Mountain Creamery important component to our (Fairview) economy — and our cheese • Cane Creek Creamery (Fletcher) makers add to that.” • English Farmstead Cheese (Marion) For BRMC, Moore estimates • Heritage Homestead (Crumpler) for every 100 gallons of milk • Looking Glass Creamery (Fairview) • Oakmoon Farm & Creamery they receive, the creamery can (Bakersville) produce around 100 pounds • Round Mountain Creamery of cheese. In the late spring (Black Mountain) and summer, the creamery • Three Graces Dairy (Marshall) could ﬁnd themselves with • Spinning Spider Creamery (Marshall) upwards of 300 gallons of milk • Yellow Branch Farmstead Cheese (Robbinsville) each week. Aside from a lifelong love of cheese, Moore also has very deep, personal reasons for why she has decided to spend her life in this industry. “What I love about doing this, is that it ties into a lot of things that are important to me — being in touch with the land, being in touch with the food, supporting artisanal methods, and working hard to preserve our farmland,” Moore said. “It’s this idea of upholding traditions that’s important, especially with food. I also think our farmland is incredibly important and these cheese makers actually help smaller farms stay in operation.” n

WNC Cheese Trail

AGENT’S CHOICE:

“If you are looking for time to slow down, enjoy a Saturday morning stroll down Courthouse Street in Columbus. At the Columbus Tailgate Market, you will ﬁnd a plethora of vendors each Saturday for an amazing assortment of Polk County’s best homegrown produce, meat, cheese, eggs, honey, plants, and so much more.” —Laura Branyan, Hendersonville oﬃce

MORE AT BEVERLY-HANKS.COM

Hear more about the WNC Cheese Trail, direct from the cheesemakers, at beverly-hanks.com/blog/cheesetrail.

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Welcome | GOLF High Hampton Inn and Country Club.

Tee time A GOLFER’S PARADISE IN WNC

here’s nothing like playing a round of golf at high elevation to quicken the blood and make you feel alive. Golf courses in Asheville and Western North Carolina have attitude as well as altitude, challenging golfers in the most gorgeous of settings. Condé Nast Traveler magazine included the golf course at Omni Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa in its list of “Top 20 Southern U.S. Golf Resorts.” Designed by Donald Ross in 1926, the 18-hole, par 70 course has an undulating front nine and a back nine that can be

steep. Over a decade ago, the resort invested $2.5 million to restore the course in a manner that Ross would approve. Players who have enjoyed its challenge include golf immortals Bobby Jones, Sam Snead and Byron Nelson, as well as other PGA stars like Doug Sanders, Gene Littler, Fuzzy Zoeller and Chip Beck. The Country Club of Asheville has an 18-hole, par 72 Donald Ross-designed course with a distinctive clubhouse that overlooks the Blue Ridge Mountains. It also boasts a state-of-the-art indoor tennis facility that has eight outdoor clay courts and a modern ﬁtness facility. Also available are a 25-tee driving range and putting and chipping greens. Asheville Municipal Golf Course is an 18-hole, par 72 course that opened in 1927. The front nine of this Donald Ross-designed course measures 3,246 yards from the back tees, calling for a driver on every hole. The course is open daily to the public, weather permitting. The 18-hole golf course at Biltmore Forest Country Club went through a $2.5-million restoration, accompanied by an $8.5million renovation of the clubhouse, just a few years ago. The upgrades brought both back to their 1922 splendor. Over the years, the course has attracted the likes of Bobby Jones, Bill Tilden, John D. Rockefeller, William Jennings Bryan, William Howard Taft and Calvin Coolidge. Sporting the only golf course in Western North Carolina designed by Jack Nicklaus, The Cliffs At Walnut Cove is a par 71,

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Welcome | GOLF Where to play | WNC GOLF AGENT’S CHOICE:

“Tom Fazio built what he calls his mountain masterpiece at Champion Hills! We have beautiful vistas, pristine fairways and greens, plus the best staff anywhere, from the bag drop greeters to the head pro. I’ve been a member for over 20 years, and still love playing this gorgeous course.” —Mary Kay Buhrke, Champion Hills oﬃce

18-hole course that opened in tournament-ready conditions, according to the PGA Tour. Its greens, bent grass fairways, clever bunkering and elevation changes make it a challenge that calls for a sharp eye. In Weaverville, just north of Asheville, is Reems Creek Golf Club, an 18-hole, par 72 course. Located in the beautiful Reems Creek Valley, it’s surrounded by tall MORE AT mountains through which BEVERLY-HANKS.COM the Blue Ridge Parkway When was the last time you passes. The 6,492-yard picked out a hot pink golf course was designed by ball and made your way Hawtree & Sons, a British through 18 holes flanked by firm that worked on Royal elephants? Learn more about 9 local mini golf Birkdale, a course that’s in courses at beverlythe British Open rotation. hanks.com/blog/9-localSouth of Asheville in Mills mini-golf-courses. River is High Vista Country Club, whose golf course is open to the public. Established in 1976 and designed by Tom Jackson, the 18-hole course has dramatic elevation changes and winding fairways. Nearby, Etowah Valley Golf Club has three 9-hole courses, all knitted together in one spectacular championship golf experience. Create the combination you want from six tee positions on a scenic mountain plateau 2,200 feet high. Height matters at Mount Mitchell Golf Club, located near Burnsville. Lying at about 3,000 feet in elevation and bordered by peaks that exceed 6,000 feet, the course is relatively flat. The South Toe River runs through it, a factor that must be taken into account for many shots. In the region west of the Asheville area, there are a handful of top-notch public courses, including the Sequoyah National in Cherokee (designed by Robert Trent Jones II) and the historic 27 holes at Waynesville Inn, Golf Resort and Spa. In the Cashiers area of Jackson County, the scenic High Hampton Inn has one of the most picturesque courses in the country. n

Asheville Municipal Golf Course

High Vista Country Club

Biltmore Forest Country Club

Mount Mitchell Golf Club

Municipal 226 Fairway Drive, Asheville (828) 298-1867 • ashevillenc.gov

Private 31 Stuyvesant Road, Asheville (828) 274-1261 biltmoreforestcc.com

Black Mountain Golf Course

Municipal 15 Ross Drive, Black Mountain (828) 669-2710 blackmountaingolf.org

Broadmoor Golf Links

Public 101 French Broad Lane, Fletcher (828) 687-1500 broadmoorlinks.com

Champion Hills

Private 53 Hogan’s View Circle Hendersonville (800) 633-5122

Cliﬀs At Walnut Cove

Private 268 Walnut Valley Parkway, Arden (888) 988-3040 cliﬀscommunities.com

Country Club of Asheville Private 170 Windsor Road, Asheville (828) 258-9762 countryclubofasheville.net

Crowne Plaza Tennis & Golf Resort Public 1 Resort Drive, Asheville (828) 253-5874 ashevillecp.com

Cummings Cove Golf & Country Club

Public 20 Cummings Cove Parkway Hendersonville (828) 891-9412 cummingscove.com

Etowah Valley Golf Club Public 470 Brickyard Road, Etowah (800) 451-8174 etowahvalley.com

High Hampton

Semi-Private 1525 Highway 107 South Cashiers (800) 334-2551 highhamptoninn.com

Public 88 Country Club Road, Mills River (828) 891-1986 highvistagolf.com Public 11484 N.C. 80 South, Burnsville (828) 675-5454 mountmitchellgolf.com

The Omni Grove Park Inn Public 290 Macon Avenue, Asheville (800) 438-5800 groveparkinn.com

Orchard Trace Golf Club Public 3389 Sugarloaf Road Hendersonville (828) 685-1006

Reems Creek Golf Club Semi-private 36 Pink Fox Cove Road Weaverville (828) 645-4393 reemscreekgolf.com

Rumbling Bald Resort Public 112 Mountain Boulevard Lake Lure (828) 694-3000 rumblingbald.com

Sequoyah National Golf Club

Public 79 Cahons Road, Whittier (828) 497-3000 sequoyahnational.com

Smoky Mountain Country Club

Public 1300 Conley Creek Road Whittier (800) 474-0070 smokymountaincc.com

Southern Tee Golf Course

Public 111 Howard Gap Road, Fletcher (828) 687-7273

Springdale Country Club Public 200 Golfwatch Road, Canton (800) 553-3027 springdalegolf.com

Waynesville Inn, Golf Resort & Spa

Public 176 Country Club Drive Waynesville (800) 627-6250 wccinn.com

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Champion Hills.

Sitting on top of the world | CHAMPION HILLS Mike Steele has been the head golf professional at Champion Hills — a renowned course and country club in Hendersonville — for the last 18 years. “I love this area. Hendersonville is more my pace,” Steele said. “Growing up in Florida, it was always ‘go go go.’ But, coming up here, the way of life is more casual and laidback. And you also have the beauty of the four seasons.” Ranked the No. 1 year-round course in Western North Carolina by Golf Digest magazine, Champion Hills is part of The Executive Golfer Collection, where members have access to over 115 private luxury golf clubs around the country. And, according to Steele “what you see is what you get,” which is a unique and quality golﬁng experience. “Very rarely do you have a blind shot out here, where 14 out of the 18 holes tee off from an elevated tee box. This is a mountain course, but it isn’t your typical mountain course,” Steele said. “Some of the other mountain courses, what looks uphill plays downhill. It’s very playable here, and our team does a tremendous job of maintaining the property so you can play it year round.”

Hovering between 2,500 and 3,000 feet in elevation, Champion Hills is home to 300 families from dozens of states, many of whom live year round on the property. Besides golfing, other amenities include dining, recreation opportunities, a fitness center and continual onsite activities — all within the endless beauty, art, culture and outdoors of Asheville and greater Western North Carolina. Mike Steele The son of a golf professional, Steele fell in love with the sport at an early age. Following college, he soon became a professional, only to find himself with a position at Champion Hills in 2000. “Being a golf pro is the only thing I ever saw myself doing,” Steele said. “I’m not confined to sitting at a desk eight hours a day. I like being outside, and also trying to create a memorable experience each and every day with members and their guests — and that’s

about always being present and visible.” As an instructor, Steele looks to see where members and guests are in their abilities and skill sets, and then works from there. “I’m TPI certiﬁed, so I focus on physical limitations and how to work with what you can and cannot do,” Steele said. “I deﬁnitely focus on the fundamentals. I don’t try to reinvent golf swings. I take what you have and make it better, perhaps to play better later in life or for longer periods of time.” Now almost two decades into his career, Steele doesn’t take his profession for granted. Rather, he soaks in every moment he can on the course, where each day provides new and important experiences. “You continually learn about yourself. There are challenges on the course, and how you handle them can also be applied to your daily life off the course,” Steele said. “It’s about patience, how to react in situations. It’s all about having a game plan, taking it one shot at a time, trying not to get ahead of yourself and hoping for a good score at the end of your round — same goes for life.” n

Tazewell

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Jacksboro

Rutledge Cherokee L.

251

23 19

Morristown

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Maynardville

Weaverville

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Clinton

Greeneville

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Fort Loudoun L.

Black Mountain

321

Asheville

Dandridge

Enka

Tennessee

40 240 Newport

Douglas 26 L.

Sevierville

Madis

Biltmore Forest 74

Hot Springs

209

321

Pigeon Forge

Maryville

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Fontana Village

Santeetlah Graham Robbinsville

Whittier

Bryson City

129

Dillsboro

Andrews

Cherokee

Maggie Valley 5

Georgia

Welcome Beverly-Hanks & ASSOCIATES

Glenville Cashiers

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L. Jocassee Clyde

Helen

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19 7476 23

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Franklin

Hayesville Chatuge276 L. 40

Blue Ridge

209

Clay

Murphy

Clyde

107

Macon

Buncom

Cullowhee Jackson

Topton 68

Haywood

Eastern Cherokee Indian Res. Maggie Valley Swain Cherokee

Fontana L.

209

441

Wea

411

Mars

Luck

Gatlinburg

107

Montreat

276

Tallulah Falls

Walhalla

183

Clemson Clarkesville 17

Boone L. 91

Ashe

181

Elizabethton

Johnson City

19W

Burnsville

251

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Montreat

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Asheville

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Old Fort Black Mountain

Saluda

South Carolina Greer

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(828) 254-7221

Lon

Flat Rock 9

Saluda

Campobello Inman

Chesnee

Boiling Springs

Fal

Kings

176

Tryon

512 North Main St. Hendersonville, NC 28792 (828) 697-0515

74 North Main St. Waynesville, NC 28786 (828) 452-5809

Gaffney 29

SmyRUMBLING BALD RESORT

AT LAKE LURE 112 Mountain Blvd. Lake Lure, NC 28746 (828) 694-3001

Spartanburg

SALUDA

176

HENDERSONVILLE

WAYNESVILLE

Greenville

385

6 East Main St. Brevard, NC 28712 (828) 877-6006

7737 Greenville Hwy. Brevard, NC 28712 (828) 877-4490

Cliffside

62 North Main St. Weaverville, NC 28787 (828) 251-1800

SOUTH BREVARD

153 East Main St. Saluda, NC 28773 (828) 749-3504

SOUTH ASHEVILLE

1 Town Square Blvd., Ste. 140 Asheville, NC 28803 (828) 684-8999

BREVARD

Alexander Mills

Tryon Landrum

Cedar Mountain

Whit Hu DOWNTOWN ASHEVILLE 300 Executive Park S Asheville, NC 28801

Lake Lure

Fletcher

Chimney Rock 64 64 Fletcher Lake Lure Rutherfordton Henderson Spindale Forest City Hendersonville Hendersonville

Pisgah Forest

820 Merrimon Ave. Asheville, NC 28804 (828) 251-1800

Avery Creek

Polk Flat Rock Columbus

NORTH ASHEVILLE

WEAVERVILLE

74 221

Rutherford

Skyland

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West Marion Glenwood

Burke

Yancey Celo

Mars Hill

Lenoir

Spruce Pine

Micaville

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Banner Elk Blowing Rock Avery 105 Sugar Mountain Grandfather Mitchell Newland 321 Crossnore Bakersville Spear 19E Caldwell Ledger

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Woodfin

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Elk Park

Erwin

Marshall

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Watauga

321

Beech Mountain

SECTION | Welcome

Watauga L.

Jonesborough

Madison

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Mountain City

BURNSVILLE

369 West U.S. 19-E Burnsville, NC 28714 (828) 682-7408

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Welcome | ASHEVILLE

Nurturing the nature of Asheville

mid this renowned city are six distinct areas â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Downtown, Biltmore Village, Biltmore Park, North Asheville, River Arts District and West Asheville â&#x20AC;&#x201D; each as unique as the people, places and things that inhabit them.

Billed as a place where “altitude affects attitude,” Asheville is surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains and is just a short car ride to the nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It’s been renowned as a place to retreat and take in natural wonders since the 1800s. Over the last two decades, its once-dormant downtown has exploded with commerce and entertainment that is second to none in the Southeast. With a theme of “cosmopolitan country,” the culinary scene is bursting at the seams in and around the city. The Daily Meal ranked Asheville “The #1 Locavore City in America” (food that comes from within a 100-mile radius), while The Huﬃngton Post named it one of the “Cities You Need To Visit.” As far back as 2007, Asheville started getting noticed. It topped the Relocate-America.com list of the 100 best places to live, while U.S. News & World Report named it one of “America’s best affordable places to retire.” Good Morning America pegged Asheville as one of the “10 most beautiful places in America.” There are dozens of craft breweries in Buncombe County, with their delicious output lauded by beer enthusiasts. Imbibe magazine’s readers voted Asheville the “best craft beer city in America,” and from 2010-2012, Asheville won a national online poll for the coveted title of “Beer City USA.” Recently, the city was named one of the “Top Ten Foliage

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Destinations” in the United States by USA TODAY, ranked one Buncombe County of the “Best Places to Live” by Livability.com and one of the Median “Smartest Cities in America” by Price. . . . . . . $ Forbes. It was also recognized by Average Days National Geographic on their list of the “World’s Best Cities,” who on Market . . . . . . . . . . described the location as “a Percent of mecca of awesome mountain % Asking Price . . . . . scenery, bohemian art and Southern cuisine.” These days, Asheville is firming up its reputation as a culinary center with a rapidly evolving food scene. The city has over 250 independent restaurants and numerous farmers markets. Livibility.com named it one of the country’s top 10 “surprisingly vibrant food cities,” and Huffington Post listed it among the top “undiscovered local food cities.” Outdoors enthusiasts find no shortage of activities in Asheville, whether it’s hiking, biking and climbing, paddling and fishing on the French Broad River and local lakes, careening through the trees on a zip line, or golfing at one of the area’s renowned courses. Asheville is such an outdoors destination that a few years ago Outside magazine named it “Best Southern Town” for outdoor adventures.

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Welcome | ASHEVILLE

The historic Grove Arcade. MARGARET HESTER PHOTO

Downtown START IN THE HEART OF IT ALL

he heart of the city, downtown Asheville is a cultural mecca. For several years, Asheville was voted the “top small-city arts destination” in the country, just one of many labels this vibrant, evolving district has been tagged with. Downtown is full of galleries and shops displaying all manners of art, from traditional mountain crafts to more modern creations. The Asheville Art Museum, which has helped anchor the arts scene for decades, recently announced major expansion plans. The Black Mountain College Museum & Arts Center hosts exhibits, talks and workshops that celebrate the legacy of the college, a noted avant-garde institution in operation from 1933-1957.

Some of the area’s biggest art events take place in Asheville. In July and October, the U.S. Cellular Center is home to the four-day Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands, which has taken place for more than 60 years. At the event, more than 200 local and regional craftspeople fill the center, offering their creations of clay, fiber, glass, leather, metal, mixed media, natural materials, paper, wood and jewelry. A newer event, The Big Crafty, has exploded in popularity in recent years. Held in July and December at Pack Place, it’s a kind of community bazaar, with quirky handmade crafts, local food and beer, and live music. The performing arts also flourish in Asheville, with dozens of venues hosting live music, readings, theatre and comedy on a nightly basis. The U.S Cellular Center is the largest, with both a 7,600-seat arena and the 2,400-seat Thomas Wolfe Auditorium. The center hosts everything from performances by the Asheville Symphony Orchestra to roller derby bouts starring the Blue Ridge Rollergirls. More intimate performances take place at the Diana Wortham Theatre, a 500-seat venue that is part of a downtown cultural and educational center, Pack Place, and the recently opened Ellington Underground, an intimate downstairs venue in the historic Asheville S&W Cafeteria (built 1929). The Orange Peel, a renovated 1970s-era music club, draws national acts on a nightly basis and was named one of the best rock venues in America by Rolling Stone. And on just about any given night, dozens of bars, breweries, clubs and restaurants around the city feature live music of various genres. There’s also a burgeoning comedy scene, with both amateur and professional stand-up comics performing several times a weeks on various stages. The annual Laugh Your Asheville Off,

Welcome | ASHEVILLE

Sparking the minds of tomorrow | ASHEVILLE MUSEUM OF SCIENCE In the midst of the hustle and bustle of Patton Avenue resides the Asheville Museum of Science. Opened in November 2016, AMOS has become a hub for science and learning in Western North Carolina. “We are much bigger than the four walls,” said Amanda Bryant, executive director of AMOS. “As a museum, this is our main building. But, we’re out in the community, leading and guiding science education, sparking the imagination, running summer camps and robotic intensives, in addition to ﬁeld trips for classes to come and enjoy the museum.” Filled with several interactive exhibits and displays, AMOS was created in the footsteps of the Colburn Earth Science Museum. Burnham Standish Colburn was a bank president who retired to Asheville back in the 1920s. He collected thousands of rare and unique rocks and minerals, of which the entire collection lies at the core of AMOS, fully displayed in one of the museum’s showrooms. “Our foundation is with Colburn’s vision for his collection. Once a home was found for his collection, that created the foundation for what we are today,” Bryant said. “Moving beyond

geology, rock and minerals, which is deﬁnitely a nod to our past, we’re also exploring different things like water conservation, biodiversity, climate science and space. We aim to spark that interest in science and technology in our children, who can use that knowledge as the basis to explore whatever it is they may be when they grow up.” Though AMOS is just over two years in operation, the museum is already looking to expand — in new spaces and in new partnerships. “We’re already outgrowing this space,” Bryant said. “We want to stay in downtown, and we’re looking for new spaces for the museum. We’re exploring our options to move up or partner with other organizations — to meet the demand of educators and visitors, to be that resource for everyone who comes here.” Bryant noted the museum is continually seeking ways to improve not only the exhibits offered, but also its presence in the community. “We do a great program with robotics, where we teach coding — but, what’s the next step to that? That’s where we’re really excited to build upon with our strategy moving forward.”

Walking about the museum, there are kids in every direction, all immersing themselves in the interactive exhibits. Their faces light up whenever they discover or learn something new, another piece of information they’ll forever carry with them. “It’s kids and adults alike exploring and playing with fossils, looking at all the rocks and the river exhibits,” Bryant said. “There were dinosaurs in North Carolina. There’s been bones discovered here — why would that be, and how is that possible? It’s about sparking that imagination and also being in our STEM lab, where you learn different aspects of chemistry.” Bryant said she loves seeing the multi-generational families come in and spend quality time together, something that’s clearly evident to any and all who ﬁnd themselves at AMOS. “You’ll see parents and grandparents here with the kids, where the smart phones are being put down, and they’re sitting down — learning, growing and exploring,” Bryant said. “It’s about creating these really meaningful opportunities in a world full of distraction. This is a place where people can make those real connections.”

held in in July, is the biggest comedy festival in the Southeast. The annual Mountain Sports Festival hosts an array of outdoor gear demonstrations, live music and craft beer each Memorial Day weekend in nearby Carrier Park. For those who ﬁnd large-scale festivals too big for their liking, there’s a smaller, but still-vibrant event in September: the Lexington Avenue Arts and Fun Festival — a family-friendly event celebrating the funkier side of Asheville’s underground arts and music. Of course, traditional music also gets its due. On Saturday nights throughout the summer, thousands of mountainmusic fans gather for the Shindig on the Green. The outdoor event was founded back in 1930, as the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival, by legendary

Mariella Bisson

Appalachian song collector and folk historian Bascom Lamar Lunsford. It’s still one of the best ways to take in mountain music and dance performed by the young, old and everyone in between. Asheville also has a vibrant literary culture that springs from deep roots. The great American novelist Thomas Wolfe was born and raised here, and other noted writers of his era, including O. Henry and F. Scott Fitzgerald, did some of their best work while staying in Asheville. The Thomas Wolfe Memorial, a state historic site in Wolfe’s restored childhood home, hosts tours, readings and other events to celebrate his rich body of literature. The sky’s the limit for activities and opportunity in downtown Asheville. Food to festivals, crafts to craft beer, music to mountains — it’s all here, ready for the taking. n

Anne Lemanski

Ron Layport

DOWNTOWN ASHEVILLE 52 Broadway | 24 N Lexington Avenue | 828.50 05.8550 momentumgallery.com

Welcome | ASHEVILLE

Biltmore Village WHERE HISTORY COMES ALIVE

ne of the most unique shopping experiences in the South, Biltmore Village is home to high-end boutiques, open-aired restaurants, locally owned retailers and other points of commercial and residential interest. Built as a community entrance for the renowned Biltmore Estate, the village is ﬁlled with tree-lined streets, historic homes and majestic architecture. Nearby is the Biltmore Estate, site of the Biltmore Mansion, one of the largest private residences ever built. Completed in 1895, today the 250-room, French renaissance-style house and the

Southern Highlands Craft Guild (top). MARGARET HESTER PHOTO Biltmore Concert Series (above). THE BILTMORE COMPANY

8,000-acre grounds are open to guests for tours, dinners, concerts and outdoor activities. The gardens, stables, restaurants, winery and hotels all help make this North Carolina’s top tourism destination, with more than a million people now visiting each year. The estate’s Biltmore Winery is also one of the largest in the Southeast, and features both tours of the vineyards and an expansive tasting room. n

Welcome | ASHEVILLE

In pursuit of the unique | VILLAGE ANTIQUES AT BILTMORE Stepping into the large two-story building that is Village Antiques at Biltmore, the curious and familiar alike are always in for a surprise. The showcase floors are filled wall-to-wall with wondrous items that tell the stories of both sides of the Atlantic Ocean — from the southeast United States to the south of France. “It’s really kind of like a museum when you walk in here,” said Terry Powell, co-owner of Village Antiques at Biltmore. “I love the hunt for these items, and I love watching the people coming in and responding to the pieces that we find. They get as excited as we are about these pieces.” Powell and his wife, Zenda Addis, opened the business in 1989, the same year they relocated to Asheville from South Carolina. At that time, and even today, Powell was involved in real estate. But, he always had a side business dealing antiques. “Back then, we had been coming to Asheville for a few years and just always loved the mountains,” Powell said. “So, really it was just a matter of choosing the mountains. We chose this building because it was so close to Biltmore Village, but also near the

downtown corridor. It was an old building, but it’s a beautiful building and had so much potential.” Powell got into antiques at an early age. Though he grew up on a tobacco farm and wasn’t necessarily exposed to antiques, he did, however, ﬁnd a love for antiques during his time in the Marine Corps (1969-1972). “I just think it’s in your blood,” Terry Powell Powell said. “There was a gunnery sergeant that was buying and selling antiques. And I bought something from him with the idea that I could sell it at some point and make some money. Then, after I got out of the Marines, I went back to Chapel Hill and was buying antiques at an auction on Saturday nights, selling the items to professors. It became something I really enjoyed.” Throughout the early years of Village Antiques at Biltmore, Powell would travel to England in search of antiques, only to ship the items he

found back to the Asheville shop. Then, he started wandering around France looking for pieces, a trip he still takes often. “We’ve had lots of unusual and unique pieces here,” Powell said. “It never ceases to amaze what comes through that door. You see so many fabulous things, these 18th and 19th century things that you may never find again.” Powell noted he gets asked a lot when he’ll finally slow down and retire. “It’s a love and a passion for me,” Powell smiled. “Why would I retire? Every day is a treasure hunt. I love what I do. We love this business and everything about it.” With 2019 signaling the 30th anniversary of Village Antiques at Biltmore, Powell marveled at how fast time has flown in his antique endeavors and time residing in Western North Carolina. “And I feel that 30 years here has felt more like five because it just has gone so quickly,” Powell said. “There have been so many changes in Asheville — it’s just been so wonderful being here, being part of those changes, and seeing it all.” n

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Welcome | ASHEVILLE Biltmore Park is ﬁlled with a balance of residential and commercial properties. MARGARET HESTER PHOTO

Biltmore Park MODERN-DAY SMALL TOWN

“fresh re-imagining of the Main Streets of the past, made to meet today’s standards of smart growth, green living and reduced driving,” Biltmore Park is just minutes from downtown Asheville. Between an array of apartment, condo, townhouse and residential home options, the strength lies in the vibrant commercial/urban core of the community, which extends outwards into neighborhoods as unique as the people who inhabit them. At the center of the town are numerous restaurants, cafes, spas, health clubs, boutiques and gathering spots. Consumers and residents alike enjoy catching a ﬂick at the Regal Biltmore Grande Stadium 15 & RPX movie theater or perusing retailers like REI, LOFT and Barnes & Noble. Amid these stores are plenty of local, independent businesses and world-class merchants. n

Enjoy a pint at the Thirsty Monk.

Welcome | ASHEVILLE SECTION Adrienne Kort, Alan Kirsch and Audrey Kirsch.

A smile for any occasion | BLOSSOMS AT BILTMORE PARK Regardless if you’re happy or sad, celebrating a special day or simply just because, receiving a flower or merely being in its presence conjures one timeless image — a smile. “There’s no way you can make flowers without a smile on your face. They’re just magical creatures,” said Adrienne Kort. “They’re beautiful, fragrant, and they match any kind of décor you have. There are thousands of different styles and different artists that make the styles.” Co-owner of Blossoms at Biltmore Park, Kort and her business partners, Audrey and Alan Kirsch, have spent the last 14 years creating an independent brand of floral arrangements for daily deliveries or weddings and large-scale events. “Most flower shops do one or the other. But, for us, it’s never a question of doing both,” Kort said. “We love being a part of daily celebrations and also the wedding events.” What initially started out as way to be their own bosses and have a flexible schedule to spend more time with their children has now become the “go to” shop for all things flowers in Western North Carolina.

“Everybody who works here brings something different to the table,” Kort said. “You can do all your shopping in our store for your special day.” Bringing back face-to-face interaction and customer service in a world of online shopping, Blossoms at Biltmore Park aims to create a relationship with their clients instead of making a quick sale and pushing folks back out the door. “The client is the only thing that matters, and we take the time to get to know them. We want to listen to the client, walk them through the cooler, tell you what’s in there, your favorite color or any sentimental ﬂowers to you,” Kort said. “You can’t go onto our website and pick arrangement #286. That doesn’t exist. Every day is different. We don’t stock something all of the time, no must haves. It’s a blank spreadsheet every week and it gets built on what looks good and what’s in season.” “The boxes arrive and the farmers bring in the buckets and every day it’s like your birthday,” said Kort. “You open up the boxes and look through the buckets, and you can’t wait to see what is inside — it’s always different.”

In 2009, Blossoms at Biltmore Park purchased the Baggie Goose, a gift store that has been part of this region for the better part of 50 years. In 2013, the entire operation relocated to Biltmore Park. And each week is entirely different than the next. Being a proud small business in the community, the shop launched the “Kindness Campaign,” where they give away a free bouquet of flowers every single day. “That can be someone who does something great in the community or the nonprofits we work with and they give the flowers to a volunteer,” Kort said. “This little flower shop has led us to be involved in things we never thought we’d be involved in. I love getting to know the community, and I love that personal connection.” With 15 years in the flower business, Kort sees the shop as something more than just selling flowers, but a lifelong connection to her clients. “We have people who had us decorate their Bar Mitzvahs, who now have our flowers at their weddings,” Kort said. “And we get to be part of those celebrations for the rest of their lives.” n

Welcome | ASHEVILLE

New Belgium Brewing Company.

West Asheville ADVENTURE IS AROUND THE CORNER

uite possibly the fastest growing area in the city, West Asheville has become a haven for an assortment of small businesses. From cafés and breakfast nooks (West End Bakery, Biscuithead, Sunny Point Café) to restaurants (Nine Mile, The Admiral, West Asheville Lounge & Kitchen), music venues (The Mothlight, Isis Music Hall, Ambrose West) to breweries (UpCountry, Oyster House), and everything in between, the area offers a warm welcome to the possibilities of niche commerce. The section is known for its “neighborhood friendly” image, where you’ll see just as many baby-strollers and joggers moseying down the sidewalks as patrons heading toward a concert or lunch date. n

SECTION | Welcome ASHEVILLE

What lies beneath | ESSENTIAL JOURNEYS Exactly 20 years after she bought a “how to” book on soap, Kimberly Masters now stands atop one of the great handmade item success stories of Western North Carolina. “I started making soap in 1999 because I have sensitive skin, and I was trying to ﬁnd something that would work for my sensitive skin,” Masters said. “By 2004, I decided to start a fulltime business making soap, with Essential Journeys now coming up on 15 years in business.” Specializing in a wide array of soaps, lotions, bath soaks, lip balms, body salves, body butters and soy candles, Essential Journeys ships its products to over 200 stores and has a worldwide online presence. Masters estimated that the company sells upwards of tens of thousands of bars of soap yearly. “For me, when I make soap, I love taking it beyond a chemistry project,” Masters said. “At ﬁrst, you take lye and fats, and a you’re coming up with a good formula — everybody has that. But, then you take it to the next level, where you’re making designs and colors, almost these little pieces of art and dioramas.”

Growing up in Delaware, Masters was raised in a family that grew their own food, kept bees and also made their own clothes. “It’s absolutely a full circle thing for me to be making my own products,” Masters said. “I just really put a lot of value in things that aren’t mass produced Kimberly Masters somewhere. It’s something that someone really put some creativity into, who has a personal experience in — and a personal passion for — what they do.” Aside from Essential Journeys, Masters has also spent her life as a travel guide, venturing into far off lands and immersing herself in the cultures of the world. “I get inspired when I travel to these different destinations, which directly plays into the products we make,” Masters said. “The ‘essential’ can mean a lot of things, like essential oils in our

processes or thinking about essential things in life, while ‘journeys’ is about heading to all these incredible places.” Having circled the globe and lived a lot of places, Masters eventually found herself in West Asheville, a place she has called home since 1999. “I love that West Asheville is walking distance to so many things,” Masters said. “This city has such a great sense of community, where you know all your neighbors, and really get to know people who live and visit here.” In recent years, the historic home of Pulitzer Prize-winning writer/poet Carl Sandburg in Flat Rock approached Masters to do a line of soaps using the milk from goats on the property. The line was a success, which led to Masters also launching her own line of similar products — The Appalachian Goat. “I love being an independent business owner. It’s about the ﬂexibility of the business and being creative in how I use my time during the day,” Masters said. “It’s about the idea to never stop creating, to always be thinking about the next thing. For me, it’s how do I push the limits of soap, the limits of body care?” n

Welcome | ASHEVILLE The River Arts District is home to hundreds of talented artists.

River Arts District THE BEEHIVE OF CREATIVITY

rising jewel of the Southern Appalachian arts scene is the River Arts District, an ever-expanding complex of studios and galleries near the French Broad River that’s also becoming one of Asheville’s culinary and entertainment hubs.

The Grey Eagle, a nationally-renowned music venue in the RAD, brings in top talents from around the region and across the country, and has bubbled up to become one of the acclaimed spots in the Southeast for live entertainment. Brewing some of the ﬁnest craft beer in the region, The Wedge is tucked behind the dozens of artists showcased in the Wedge Studios, all within an earshot of numerous restaurants (White Duck Taco, The Bull & Beggar, All Souls Pizza) and performance spaces (Magnetic Theatre, The Bywater) that dot the RAD. New Belgium Brewing Company, one of the largest craft beer companies in the country (based out of Fort Collins, Colorado), has their $140-million east coast production facility in the heart of the RAD. n

Located d in the of the Riverr Arts District!

Welcome | ASHEVILLE Mark Bettis.

Going with the ﬂow | MARK BETTIS STUDIO & GALLERY It’s a rainy morning in the depths of the River Arts District (RAD). Inside the cozy artisan studios and large warehouses are hundreds of creative minds milling about — painters, sculptors, glass blowers, metalsmiths and beyond. With a stream of vehicles splashing through large puddles near the roundabout, acclaimed abstract painter Mark Bettis sits in his studio, pondering his next creation. The gallery is a living, breathing studio, where Bettis is constantly at work turning a large blank canvas into something completely his own. “There’s traditional painters that follow the rules — I don’t follow the rules. I’m always thinking, always getting lost in the zone of creativity,” Bettis said. “Here, it’s a working art studio. People come in, look at the paintings, watch me paint, ask me questions, maybe purchase something.” Originally from Chicago, Bettis spent most of his formative years in Florida, bouncing between marketing, advertising and design gigs for large ﬁrms. Although Bettis had visited Asheville in the 1980s on a road trip and liked the vibe of the city, it wasn’t

until about 11 years ago when he put down roots in Western North Carolina. “I came here to check it out and bought a house. I was tired of the heat in Florida and wanted to be in the mountains,” Bettis said. “I love the creative aspect of Asheville. This place has always been a beehive of creativity. I like the freedom here to do whatever I want. This city is so welcoming to artists and supportive of whatever it is they want to create.” Coming from an artistic family of musicians and painters, Bettis always enjoyed painting and made sure to make time to do it as he got older. While working for a marketing company in Asheville, he decided to rent a small wall space in The Wedge Studios and put up a handful of paintings. “It was just four paintings, just to see if they would sell. And they all did,” Bettis smiled. “Things started selling, then the marketing company got bought out. So, I felt it was time to pursue a career as a painter. Taking that jump to be an artist was a scary moment, but it was so great, because I now was really doing what I love — it was the best move I ever made.” Soon, a large studio space became

available. Bettis jumped on the opportunity, a space he still calls home for his works. Each day he creates, all while interacting with locals and visitors who want to know more about his artistic process. “I work organically. I paint as I go, I see where the brush goes and I go that way, where all these different styles emerge,” Bettis said. “Painting, for me, instead of appeasing a client, I’m appeasing myself, versus a business when you’re doing exactly what the client wants.” Bettis’ studio is surrounded by dozens of other studios, which is the signature of what makes the River Arts District so rare of a place to wander and explore. “What makes the RAD so special is that we’re working art studios, instead of going to a gallery, where you don’t know who the artist is and you just see a name on the painting,” Bettis said. “Here, you meet the artist, talk to them, and see what they do in real time. One thing I like about this town is that there’s a lot of entrepreneurs — artists or small businesses — who take charge and make their dreams a reality. Anything goes here.” n

We are a collection of artists, makers, musicians & creatives — inspired by the mountains that surround us. Come explore the unique blend of history, community, and artistry that is The Historic Cotton Mill Studios.

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Welcome | ASHEVILLE

Farm To Table dinner at UNC Asheville. UNC ASHEVILLE PHOTO

North Asheville WHERE CITY MEETS COUNTRY

ith a large focus being placed on the rest of the city, North Asheville has been working behind the scenes, creating a steady stream of new, small business and eccentric development. Once overlooked, it is rapidly becoming a hot spot for retail and commercial businesses looking to stake out their own piece of land to pursue and cultivate their dreams. 88

Beaver Lake. MARGARET HESTER PHOTO

Science and education also loom large in the North Asheville community. The University of North Carolina at Asheville’s 3,600 students participate in such projects as the local hub of the statewide Renaissance Computing Institute, or RENCI. RENCI’s mission is to “bring the latest cyber tools and technologies to bear on pressing problems.” n

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Welcome | ASHEVILLE SECTION

Kirsten Fuchs.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained | BAKED PIE COMPANY It was while attending a wedding a decade ago that Kirsten Fuchs decided to completely change her life. “I was sitting at a table next to this doctor,” Fuchs said. “He said to me, ‘If you ever get a chance when you turn 50 to change your career, do it.’ And he told me about how he went back to school and switched medical ﬁelds in his late 40s.” What the doctor said stuck in the back of Fuch’s mind. And when she ﬁnally turned 50 a couple of years ago, she had one thought bouncing around her head — now what? “I felt like the clock was ticking for the next chapter of my life. And then, one day I was driving around South Asheville with my daughter, and she said wanted a piece of pie and a cup of coffee,” Fuchs smiled. “And I told her there really was nowhere to get that around here. So, that thought sort of stuck with me for a little while. Then, I wondered if I opened a pie shop, would people be as excited as I would be for it?” Thus, in April 2017, Fuchs took the plunge and opened the Baked Pie Company in Arden. The shop was an immediate hit, leading to a second location being recently launched in

North Asheville. “I don’t have any restaurant experience, but I’ve always loved baking,” Fuchs said. “But, I do have a background in managing companies and in marketing, so I ﬁgured if I hired the right people to be bakers and work the counter, then maybe we could be successful.” Featuring made-from-scratch pie crusts and ﬁllings, Fuchs aims to preserve and perpetuate the long-held traditions of baking, skills that used to be passed down between generations, but are rapidly disappearing in the modern era. “These skills and foods will be gone soon if nobody keeps the traditions alive,” Fuchs said. “For people like myself, you have these vivid memories of being a kid and being in the kitchen. I remember being in my great aunt’s kitchen, just watching her and her sisters bake all these wonderful creations. And we’d be sitting there, learning how they did it and would help out when we could.” When one enters either location of the Baked Pie Company, the décor is meant to be cozy, as if you are walking back in time, maybe even back into that

ancestral kitchen of your youth. “I want it to feel like you’re going home to your grandmother’s house. The ﬁrst thing people do when they come in is smell the pies, then they look around and see all the things on the wall,” Fuchs said. “We want our customers to come in, get a slice of pie, get a cup of coffee or read a book, maybe hang out all day. It’s meant to be your neighborhood spot.” With an emphasis on customer service, Fuchs wants people to really understand what Southern hospitality is all about. “We keep a list of everybody’s names who come in and are regulars,” Fuchs said. “We want to remember them and what they like, and what we could suggest for them to try.” And it’s on those days when there’s a packed house awaiting her pies that Fuchs thinks back to that moment when she decided to ﬁnally take the leap and create her business. “It’s bigger than I thought it would be. But, what you can imagine, you can create,” Fuchs said. “I never imagined there would a line out the door of our shops on the weekends, but there is — and it’s all for a piece of pie.” n

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Welcome | LOCALES The North Carolina Arboretum.

Arden & Mills River BUNCOMBE COUNTY

n Arden and Mills River, there’s lots of room to roam — and you don’t have to go far to experience some of the ﬁnest facets of mountain life. Arden is an unincorporated community in south Buncombe County. It’s a quick jump off of Interstate 26, with Asheville 15 minutes to the north and Hendersonville 15 minutes to the south. It’s just a few miles from the Asheville Regional Airport and right next door to some of the best spots on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The community is bordered to the east by the French Broad River and just down the road from the North Carolina Arboretum. An extraordinary public garden that adjoins the Parkway, the 434acre Arboretum has 65 acres of cultivated gardens and 10 miles of hiking and biking trails, hosts one of the most unique bonsai collections in the country and stages a steady stream of exhibits on subjects ranging from mountain quilts to rare plants. Also nearby is Bent Creek Research and Demonstration Forest, a federal facility that’s part of the Pisgah National Forest, and the Lake Powhatan Recreational Area, which together offer dozens of mountain trails and lakeside camping sites. A favorite Arden locale for kids is Jake Rusher Park, a huge public park with playgrounds and a walking area. One of the play areas includes several castle-like structures, so some locals call the facility “Castle Park.” One of Arden’s most impressive historic structures is the Blake House Inn Bed & Breakfast, which was built as a summer retreat in 1847 by the son of a Charleston plantation owner. The house is

a rare example of Italianate architecture with Gothic Revival influences. It has been restored and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2010. In August 2014, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. opened a $200 million, 217-acre facility (with most of it remaining a natural landscape) in Mills River, right next door to the Asheville Regional Airport. As one of the pioneers of the craft beer industry, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. has become a leader in their field and maker of some of the finest microbrews for the last 35 years. Based out of Chico, California, the company’s East Coast headquarters hosts brewery tours, a restaurant and plenty of indoor and outdoor seating with free outdoor music on many nights. Another nearby community, Skyland, is home to scores of additional eateries and shops and more recreation facilities. The county-run Zeugner Center has a heated indoor pool, measuring 35-by-75 feet, that hosts water exercise classes and open swim times for the public. Lake Julian Park is popular among local families. The 300-acre lake and surrounding park offers picnicking spots, boating, fishing and a playground. The lake has an abundance of fish, including bass, brim, catfish, crappie and tilapia. Anglers can fish from the shore and, for a small fee, from privately owned or rented boats. The park also rents paddle boats and canoes, and provides free use of a pontoon boat for people with disabilities, senior citizens and student groups. On the shore, there’s a sand volleyball court and horseshoe pits. The park is open year round, though the hours vary with the seasons. In addition to the regular offerings, Lake Julian is center stage for special annual events, including fireworks displays on July 4, fishing tournaments and the Festival of Lights. n

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Welcome | LOCALES

Magnum Pottery. MAX COOPER PHOTO

Weaverville & Barnardsville BUNCOMBE COUNTY

wo communities in north/central Buncombe County oﬀer laid-back living opportunities a short distance from the hustle and bustle of Asheville. Weaverville, with a population approaching 4,000, has had a mini growth spurt in recent years. The town is situated in the Reems Creek Valley adjacent to Interstate 26 and just ﬁve miles north of Asheville, where many Weaverville residents work. The town has its own economic base, with local favorites on Main Street like Blue Mountain Pizza & Brew Pub, Well-Bred Bakery & Café, The Glass Onion, Main Street Grill, Twisted Laurel and Mangum Pottery Studio & Gallery, amongst other beloved businesses, like Eluvium Brewery, which opened in 2017.

Weaverville has earned a reputation for keeping its neighborhoods clean and green. It’s garnered the Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree City USA certiﬁcation every year since 1990, and in 2009 the foundation named it the top “Tree City” in the state. The town maintains Lake Louise Park, a hub of local recreation. The small lake is surrounded by picnic tables and shelters, outdoor grills, a playground and a walking trail, making it a perfect spot for family and community events, exercise and romantic strolls. From Weaverville, it’s just a 15-minute drive to the scenic roads and trails of the Blue Ridge Parkway. And the town is home to Reems Creek Golf Course, a semi-private course designed in part by Hawtree & Sons, British architects who specialize in crafting classic Scottish-style links. Weaverville prides itself on a tradition of neighborliness, offering residents ample opportunities to get to know each other, be it in a park, at a local brewery or sporting event, or at the

Weaverville Downtown Go Around, a casual monthly event that’s one part meet-and-greet, one part walking tour. A key part of Weaverville’s recent growth has been in its bustling art scene. Local galleries and studios showcase the work of jewelers, painters, potters, glass artists, sculptors and fiber artists. In September, there’s Art in Autumn, which fills Main Street with arts and crafts. And twice a year, in May and October, there’s the Weaverville Art Safari, a free, self-guided studio tour featuring faceto-face encounters with dozens of area artists and craftspeople. One of Weaverville’s main attractions is the Vance Birthplace, a state historic site. There you can visit the restored childhood homestead of Zebulon Baird Vance, a storied North Carolina leader who was the state’s Civil War governor and also served in the state legislature and the U.S. Congress. The property, in a serene part of Reems Creek Valley, hosts regular tours, re-enactments and educational presentations. The Vance home, a five-room log cabin, has been reconstructed around the original chimney and preserved in appropriately rustic, early-19th century style, as have the six original log outbuildings. Ten miles northeast of Weaverville is the bucolic community of Barnardsville, set amidst rolling hills, pastures and mountain farms. Like Weaverville, it’s home to both folks who enjoy a relaxed environment and a substantial number of professional artists. A local association coalesced and founded the Big Ivy Community Center, which has evolved into a vibrant hub of activity. The center hosts a swimming pool and provides space for an array of gatherings, events and services, including a pre-school, after-school programs, a community library, a book club, senior lunches, bingo bouts, computer classes, and yoga and zumba sessions. Every October, the center hosts Mountain Heritage Day,

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OUTDOORS

AGENT’S CHOICE:

“The Weaverville Art Safari is a great place to see local art and how it is made! You get to meet the artists where they work. The Art Safari event is also held in autumn in case you missed the spring event.” —Christie Melear, Biltmore Park oﬃce

featuring local cuisine, crafts, music and exhibitions on traditional mountain living. The center’s grounds are also home to the Big Ivy Historical Park, which is dedicated to preserving local heritage. The centerpiece of the park is the pre-Civil War cabin of Henry Carson, grandson of the community’s founding family, the Dillinghams. There’s also a replica of a one-room schoolhouse that was built in the 1890s. Barnardsville is in a part of Buncombe that’s full of farms, so fresh, local food is literally a part of the landscape. There are several community-supported agriculture options and weekly farmers markets at the Old Barnardsville Fire Station, so residents often buy their produce from their neighbors. n

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Welcome | LOCALES

Black Mountain’s historic train depot. MARGARET HESTER PHOTO

Black Mountain BUNCOMBE COUNTY

estled in the Swannanoa Valley, Black Mountain enjoys proximity to nearby mountain vistas, rivers and trails, and has plenty to oﬀer in its own right. The town of more than 8,000 residents has a vibrant but quaint commercial center and is noted for its cultural and recreational offerings. It’s a community that breathes with a particular kind of mountain energy, embracing both its natural surroundings and its tastefully conﬁgured, small-town urban core. Part of Black Mountain’s vitality can be attributed to its draw as a place to gather, consult and worship. Popular retreats and conference centers include the Blue Ridge Assembly, Christmount,

The Lake Eden Arts Festival is held twice yearly. COURTESY LAKE EDEN ARTS FESTIVAL

The Cove, Ridgecrest and the Montreat Conference Center. The last of those centers is located in Montreat, a small village adjoining Black Mountain that was also home to evangelist Billy Graham and a liberal arts school, Montreat College. Downtown Black Mountain features a hearty cluster of 30-plus independent restaurants, breweries, gift stores, craft shops, art galleries and several antique dealers. Town Hardware & General Store offers an inventory of 35,000 items and the quintessential old-timey shopping experience. The town’s historic feel is enhanced at local institutions like the Swannanoa Valley History Museum, located in the former Black Mountain Fire Department building, which was designed by Richard Sharp Smith (project architect for Asheville’s Biltmore mansion) in 1921. Also downtown is the nicely preserved historic train depot, which is run as a gift shop and event and display space by The Old Depot Association. To take in one key part of the town’s history — the distinguished run of the avant-garde Black Mountain College, which was located next to Lake Eden from 1933-57 — visit the Swannanoa Valley Historic Museum for a display and history of the college. Outdoor recreation is one of Black Mountain’s hallmarks. Nearby hiking trails abound, and just north of town, the 10-acre Lake Tomahawk and its bank-side trail are a favorite spot for a stroll, ﬁshing off the bank or a non-motorized boat ride. Several local summer camps are some of the oldest in the area. The Black Mountain Golf Course, which is run by the town, has a special claim to fame: one of its 18 holes is a whopping 747-yard par 6, one of the longest in America. And the town hosts numerous foot races. The 40-mile Mt. Mitchell Challenge in February is one of the toughest races in the

AGENT’S CHOICE:

“Robert Lake Park in Montreat/Black Mountain is a great spot for kids’ parties! The playground area has lots of fun equipment, is surrounded by creeks, and it’s fun to plan to let your kids to get wet. There are LOTS of trees. And it is near the Lookout Trail—one of our area’s terriﬁc trails. Plan to picnic, too—several picnic tables are available.” —Misty Masiello, Downtown Asheville oﬃce USA. Bike rides and other athletic contests are held on a regular basis. The annual Sourwood Festival the second week in August and the LEAF Festival in May and October bring tens of thousands of visitors for celebrations featuring mountain handicrafts and art, rides, games, traditional foods, music and dancing. Several local institutions, including Montreat College and nearby Warren Wilson College, offer frequent concerts, theater productions and dances. n

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Welcome | LOCALES

Downtown Hendersonville. MARGARET HESTER PHOTO

Henderson County HENDERSONVILLE | FLAT ROCK

endersonville is tucked into the heart of Western North Carolina and is nothing short of a playground for cool exploration and warm, Southern hospitality — all grounded by the backbone of an authentic, small-town experience. It’s the careful balance of both creative innovation and classic tradition that makes the area so intriguing. Diverse attractions, festivals, cultural and recreational activities and historical sites all collide with a quaint and quirky downtown to provide the ultimate destination for everything from shopping

to summer evening concerts, cidery and brewery tours and simply savoring the scene. Outdoor adventures, along with more cosmopolitan endeavors, including Broadway-quality performances and a cutting-edge culinary community, create a destination with countless opportunities to explore both town and country. The town’s many tranquil neighborhoods and housing developments all surround a sturdy core — a downtown that’s a unique blend of the past and the present. It’s full of pubs, restaurants, museums, general and specialty stores and other independent businesses, welcoming to pedestrians, bikers and cars all at the same time. Few downtowns in the area can boast such a concentration of attractions, especially museums. The Henderson County Heritage Museum is housed in the historic old courthouse, built in 1905. The Mineral and Lapidary Museum on Main Street offers geologic highlights from near and far. Also downtown are Hands On!, a free educational museum for children, and the Historic Hendersonville Train Depot, home of the Apple Valley Model Railroad Club. The

club has installed a remarkable scale model railroad that has over 600 feet of track. And just outside of town is the Western North Carolina Air Museum, the ﬁrst air museum in the state, which features restored and replica antique and vintage airplanes. Downtown bustles with special events throughout the year. In the summer, the free Monday Night Street Dances take place, bringing traditional mountain music and dancing. Attendees are welcome to tap their toes as spectators or cut a rug on Main Street. Music on Main Street, a weekly summer concert series on Friday nights, showcases diverse styles of local live music. The biggest event of the year is the North Carolina Apple Festival, held every Labor Day weekend for more than 70 years. A celebration of the county’s major crop, the festival pays tribute to everything the fruit has to offer, along with other local foods, crafts and entertainment. Local foods get a boost at the Henderson County Curb Market, a farmers market held downtown three days a week during warmer months and once a week during winter. The market has a true local focus. Vendors must be county natives and all items for sale are required to either be handmade or locally grown. The arts also make a strong showing in and around Hendersonville, with the Arts Council of Henderson County taking the lead. The council recently launched a performing arts series. The Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra, which celebrates its 48th anniversary in 2019, stages frequent performances and conducts both music education programs and a youth orchestra. The Center for Craft, Creativity & Design also makes a major contribution to the local arts scene. Based at a 50-acre facility in Hendersonville, the center is a project run by the University of North Carolina at Asheville. Its programs include craft and design

AGENT’S CHOICE:

“Lime Leaf Thai Fusion on Main Street in Hendersonville also has delicious food for great prices, plus they are small and cozy. Burntshirt Vineyards is another beautiful location. They offer a free tour of the winery every day at 2 p.m., their tasting menu starts at $10, and you even get to keep your wine glass.” — Ana Lilburn, Hendersonville oﬃce research and publishing, exhibitions, public art projects and conferences that draw artists from across the country. The town of Hendersonville manages a splendid array of local parks, which are integrated into a comprehensive greenways plan. Berkeley Park presently has a baseball ﬁeld and a large pavilion, and plans are being advanced to develop a nature trail there. Boyd Park has two tennis courts and a unique municipal park feature: a miniature golf course. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park

Welcome | LOCALES features picnic tables, a walking path and a granite memorial to King. The park also has a baseball field, a mile-long nature trail and a half-mile walking trail. Lenox Park is another popular picnicking spot, as are Toms Park, which has more than 20 shuffleboard courts, and Sullivan Park, which has basketball courts and a playground. The two-mile-long Oklawaha Greenway Trail passes through several of the parks. Patton Park is one of the larger facilities. The 19-acre park has two baseball fields, a football and soccer field, basketball, racquetball and tennis courts, pavilions, picnic tables, two gazebos, a playground, a walking trail, an Olympic-size swimming pool and skate park. When it comes to outdoor recreation, Hendersonville is uniquely situated. It’s close to the Pisgah National Forest, DuPont State Forest, the Blue Ridge Parkway and several mountain lakes and rivers. Just five miles from downtown is Jump Off Rock, a storied scenic overlook. According to local legend, hundreds of years ago, a Cherokee Indian chief and his sweetheart would meet on the rock, until he was called off to battle. She waited at the rock for him to return, but he was killed in combat, so she leapt to her death. Her ghost, the legend goes, appears on moonlit nights. Whatever the truth to the story, today the views remain fantastic, and the trails around Jump Off Rock are popular with hikers. The Holmes Educational State Forest, eight miles from downtown, offers more opportunities to explore nature in a managed forest setting. There’s a series of trails and several picnic areas, all surrounded by hardwood trees, azaleas, rhododendron and wild flowers. Henderson’s ties to traditional mountain agriculture and culture are on display at Historic Johnson Farm, a former farm and tourist retreat that was established in the late 19th century. The centerpiece of the property is a house built from handmade bricks, the home of a wealthy tobacco farmer. Several outbuildings, including a blacksmith shop, barn and cottage, have also been lovingly preserved. In 1987, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places, and today the 15-acre site is owned and run by the county school system and provides a unique range of heritage education programs, including field trips, tours, classes

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on farm animals and guided nature walks. A renovated boarding house is home to the Heritage Weavers & Fiber Artists, a group dedicated to preserving the history of local textile arts. Another historic Hendersonville treasure is the Mountain Farm & Home Museum, which is dedicated to preserving agricultural and domestic equipment, methods and literature related to rural life in 19th century Western North Carolina. The museum offers a trip back in time, and is packed with such relics as a 16-foot water wheel, a local doctor’s buggy, grain reapers and threshing machines, and antique engines, tractors, butter churns and tools. The cornerstone of higher education in Henderson County is Blue Ridge Community College, the main campus of which is just south of Hendersonville. The twoyear, comprehensive post-secondary school serves more than 15,000 students a year. The college offers 100 Henderson County programs of study and one of the Median largest continuing education proPrice. . . . . . . $ grams in the state. It has placed special emphasis on technical programs Average Days in automotive technology, emeron Market . . . . . . . . . . gency response, law enforcement, nursing, engineering and machining Percent of % technology. Asking Price . . . . . Hendersonville is neighbored by smaller towns that also have much to offer. Nearby Flat Rock, once known as “The Little Charleston of the Mountains,” has long been a resort escape for Southerners ﬂeeing summer heat. It’s home to the Flat Rock Playhouse, where the many and varied performances draw some 100,000 visitors each year. It’s also where you can visit the Carl Sandburg Home, where the renowned poet and writer lived out his last 22 years. The estate, named “Connemara,” is a National Historic Site and welcomes the public to view everything from Sandburg’s 10,000volume library to the goat farm that was lovingly tended by Sandburg and his wife. Etowah, also close by, has become a residential and retirement haven that features some of the ﬁnest golf courses in the area. n

2018 SALES

260,000

HENDERSON COUNTY | Welcome

GARRET K. WOODWARD PHOTO

Bringing the past to life | APPALACHIAN PINBALL MUSEUM Tucked down a small marble hallway on Main Street in Hendersonville is the Appalachian Pinball Museum. Formerly a ballroom and a theater, the picturesque building is now home to dozens upon dozens of rare and vintage pinball machines. “Not many people can repair both electronic and mechanical pinball machines, but I can,” smiled John French. “We started out with 30 games here, now we’re up to over 60. I love repairing the machines as much as I love playing them.” Standing in the main room of the museum one recent afternoon, French is literally surrounded by his passion, which is repairing and playing pinball machines and old video games. “I’ve always been around pinball machines and video games,” French said, “I started when I was very young, and I’ve always had a knack for electronics and ﬁxing things. By the time I was 8 years old, I was soldering.” As a youngster growing up in Colorado, French would get picked up after school by his father. They’d end driving to his father’s place of work, where French would watch others solder circuit boards. Eventually, the

workers taught French how to solder, a skillset that would serve him well. “So, I learned basic electronics at a very early age. And there was The Milky Way arcade on Pearl Street in Boulder that I used to go to all the time,” French said. “The games there were starting to deteriorate, and I told the owner I could fix the John French games. I was 12. He finally let me do it, and by the end of the week I had the keys to the door. I would fix the games and he’d let me play them as much as a wanted.” French parlayed those experiences into a career in electronics. After getting a degree in the field, French found himself in robotic automation, a position that led him to relocate to Western North Carolina 12 years ago, working for a national company. “And with that company, I’d go out on a job for a month, setting up these businesses,” French said. “So, while on the road, I wasn’t much of a bar guy.

And I would find a pinball or video game on Craigslist and repair it in my hotel room to pass the time.” Eventually, one of the customers French would continually sell the restored games to asked him if he’d be interested in launching a pinball business. That person was T.C. DiBella, a local educator. “T.C. set it up, retired from teaching and now he runs our sister company, the Asheville Pinball Museum, which opened in 2013,” French said. “Finally, I quit my day job and dedicated my life to the Appalachian Pinball Museum.” Walking around the extensive game rooms, one is captivated by all the lights, noises and images strewn across the machines. If you played pinball as a kid, you soon realize just how much you not only loved it, but also missed playing it. If it’s your first time in the presence of pinball, you find yourself enamored with something so rare to experience in the modern world. “We have a lot of older people that come through, and then they come back with their children or grandchildren and they’ll be here playing all day — that’s means so much to me to see that,” French said. n

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Welcome | LOCALES

A father and daughter learn about birds of the Blue Ridge at Fletcher Community Park. KIDS IN PARKS PHOTO

Fletcher HENDERSON COUNTY

small town that enjoys close proximity to some of Western North Carolina’s biggest attractions, businesses and natural wonders, Fletcher is no longer simply a sleepy stopping point between Asheville and Hendersonville. The town’s motto, fittingly, is “Pride in our past, and faith in our future.” Fletcher is growing at a steady and smooth pace, with its current population of just over 8,000 more than double what it was a 20 years ago. The town sits on six square miles of relatively flat land, with the Blue Ridge Mountains on the close horizon. Located in north Henderson County, Fletcher is just a quick jaunt from some of the most vibrant and culturally rich cities and towns in the region. Asheville, Black Mountain, Brevard, Flat Rock, Hendersonville, Mills River, Lake Lure and Saluda are all within a 20-mile radius of the town. Fletcher is uniquely positioned for national and international travelers, and a great spot to host visitors from near and far. In addition to ready access to Interstate 26, residents are minutes away from Asheville Regional Airport, which offers nonstop flights to almost all major U.S. cities. The airport is going through a growth spurt of its own, adding new routes on a regular basis. In recent years, the town has expanded its health and

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recreation initiatives, implementing a greenways master plan that makes the community more walkable and bikable. Eventually, the town will have a network with 13 miles of trails. Two local parks offer opportunities for exercise and enjoyment close to home: The 60-acre Fletcher Community Park features playgrounds, picnic areas, walking trails and baseball and soccer fields, and Kate’s Park, adjacent to the Fletcher Library, has playgrounds, trails and an outdoor grilling area. Community celebrations, from free concerts to parades, take place throughout the year. Many annual highlights are staged in the fall. Pickin’ in the Park, a bluegrass-infused get-together in September, turns Fletcher Community Park into a center of mountain music, local food and kids’ activities. The biggest festival draw of all is the weeklong Western North Carolina Mountain State Fair, held each September at the WNC Agricultural Center in Fletcher. The state-run fair is a counterpart to the annual North Carolina State Fair in Raleigh. The Mountain State Fair draws an estimated 175,000 attendees from around the region. The WNC Agricultural Center’s 87-acre multi-use facility hosts events year round, including horse and livestock shows, a variety of professional conferences, classic-car events and trade shows. Several times a year, the WNC Agricultural Center welcomes visitors to the Land of the Sky Gun and Knife Show, which outgrew its previous home at the U.S. Cellular Center in Asheville. The show has expanded significantly, to 450. The upsizing was made possible by the recent completion of the Davis Event Center, a 45,000-square-foot arena that’s outfitted with huge exhibit spaces, several conference rooms and an onsite restaurant. Other new economic opportunity is brewing in Fletcher, as the town, in conjunction with the Fletcher Area Business Association, is developing a “Heart of Fletcher District.” The mixed-used district is being tailored to support small retail businesses, professional offices and independent restaurants, and features a new Town Hall complex, built in part with a special $5 million community facilities loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In addition, Fletcher has long been home to (and close to) major manufacturing and industrial facilities. n

Welcome | LOCALES

Downtown Waynesville. MARGARET HESTER PHOTO

Haywood County WAYNESVILLE | CANTON | MAGGIE VALLEY | LAKE JUNALUSKA | CLYDE

aynesville and its bustling, historic Main Street are just part of what makes it a unique mountain community. Haywood includes Maggie Valley, a small town long popular to visitors, and Canton, a longtime industrial town that has invited several new businesses in recent years. Where to Retire magazine named Waynesville one of its 100 Best Places to Retire, calling it the best mountain town and saying it had the best main street. It also referred to Waynesville as a “lowcost Eden.” The town’s proximity to Asheville offers residents the best of a larger city while still holding onto its small-town amenities.

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Downtown is a pedestrian’s dream with much to choose from, including working art studios, ﬁne restaurants, breweries, a coffee roastery, gift shops, a bakery, and more. The ﬁrst Friday of each month is Art After Dark, a gallery stroll with meet-the-artist events and a street party atmosphere. There are also the popular Mountain Street Dances on several Friday nights during the summer beginning at 6:30 p.m. in front of the Haywood County Historic Courthouse, fun, free events where you can listen to live music and take part in the traditional dancing. No worries for those new to the art form, as the caller takes his time and walks everyone through the steps. Waynesville is also one of those mountain towns that provides a great jumping off point for a mountain vacation. It’s close to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Blue Ridge Parkway, Pisgah National Forest, mountain biking trails and whitewater rafting rivers. A couple blocks from downtown is the Waynesville Recreation Park, which has walking trails, public tennis courts, a dog park, volleyball courts, an 18-hole disc golf course, catch-and-release

trout stream, recreation center with an indoor pool, water park for kids, full-sized basketball court and many classes. Just outside of Waynesville is Cold Mountain, the peak that Charles Frazier used to name his acclaimed novel that also became the title of the subsequent ﬁlm. Hiking the mountain requires a map and an entire day, but you can view it by following U.S. 276 out of Waynesville until you hit the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Cold Mountain overlook is right at the U.S. 276/Blue Ridge Parkway intersection. On the west side of Waynesville is Hazelwood Village, which has merged with the town but has maintained its own identity and evolved into a revitalized retail district, including pottery studios, a coffee roastery, book store, gourmet restaurant and a business that makes homemade soaps and lotions (which make great gifts). Hazelwood also is home to the Folkmoot Friendship Center, which serves as the headquarters for the two-week international dance and music festival that is held every July. Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center is home to the World Methodist Conference and the Southeastern Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church. It features a public, 2.5-mile paved walking/jogging path around the lake with a 1.5-mile extension available. There are ducks, geese and swans, benches, bridges, a dam, butterﬂy garden and a rose walk along the path. There is also an outdoor pool and visitors can rent stand-up paddleboards, canoes, kayaks and paddle boats. In addition to lodging accommodations, a couple of good restaurants and the World Methodist Museum also are on the grounds, along with a native plant garden and meditation labyrinth. There is also a pool and playground. The lake is just off U.S. 19 north of Waynesville and east of Maggie Valley.

AGENT’S CHOICE:

“Kandi’s Cakes & Bake Shop is a must visit. There, you’ll ﬁnd handcrafted pastries, yummy fresh pies that taste amazing, gorgeous cakes, and cookies that you will love.” — Michelle McElroy, Waynesville oﬃce Waynesville is also home to Haywood Regional Arts Theatre, a playhouse with two indoor stages and a bistro that has productions all year. Sharing grounds with the theater is the Museum of North Carolina Handicrafts, which is located in the historic Shelton House and features 19th century crafts, including pottery, quilts, baskets and woodworking. Just 10 miles outside of Waynesville is Maggie Valley, a mountain delight that sprang up to cater to visitors and still rolls out the welcome mat to traveling tourists. From spring to autumn, the valley is also packed with motorcyclists from around the country who come to traverse the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, motor through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and enjoy the camaraderie of other riders who make annual treks to Maggie Valley to visit the Wheels Through Time Museum. The

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Welcome | LOCALES museum is among the highlights of a visit to Maggie Valley, featuring a world-class collection of historic motorcycles and cars. Maggie Valley is also home to Elevated Mountain Distillery, which offers tours and has several of its unique brands of distilled spirits for sale. Cataloochee Ski Area features the best skiing in the southern mountains and typically is one of the ﬁrst ski resorts in the East to open. Near the ski resort is the Cataloochee Ranch, which has cabins, horse stables, a grand old lodge and restaurant, all atop a 5,000-foot mountain. Those staying at the ranch are invited to join staff and visitors for evening cookouts, where you might even hear some local storytelling and mountain music. From Maggie Valley, it’s a short drive to Cataloochee Valley in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Elk again roam free in the valley, thanks to a re-introduction program. Dusk is the best time for guaranteed sightings, but please, stay away from the elk — they have antlers for a reason. For true local charm, look no further than Canton and Clyde, the neighboring towns nestled in eastern Haywood County. They are situated around the Evergreen paper mill, which has been running steadily for more than 100 years. Canton is a snapshot of a classic mill town, with many of the unique and beautiful bungalows and buildings once built for mill workers and managers still intact. The downtown district is listed

Above: Cataloochee Ski Area. CATALOOCHEE SKI AREA PHOTO

Right: A bull elk in Cataloochee Valley. HOLLY KAYS PHOTO

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on the National Register of Historic Places, and its crown jewel is the Imperial Hotel. Originally crafted as a stately home, it currently includes Southern Porch, a popular restaurant. Just down the road a few blocks and right on the Pigeon River is BearWaters Brewing, an award-winning brewery and restaurant that features a cozy interior and beautiful outdoor seating. The restored Colonial Theater features concerts, shows, ﬁlms and Haywood County other entertainment events in a Median beautifully restored historic theater. Price. . . . . . . $ A centerpiece of downtown, the theatre has hosted world-class acts Average Days over the years. on Market . . . . . . . Clyde, a hamlet that lies between Canton and Waynesville, can boast Percent of % as its own the oldest structure in Asking Price . . . . . Haywood County. The ShookSmathers House, home to the Shook Museum, was built around 1820, with additions and renovations made for decades, producing the ﬁnished product we see today. The home’s attic chapel played host to many storied circuit preachers over the years, many of whom have left their mark in the collection of signatures that decorate the chapel’s walls. n

2018 SALES

217,000

120 96

HAYWOOD COUNTY | Welcome Downtown Canton. JOHN CAYTON PHOTO

Rediscovering community | SOUTHERN PORCH KITCHEN & DRINK Just a little more than ﬁve years ago, the downtown corridor of Canton was relatively desolate. Abandoned building after abandoned building. Empty parking lots. Folks only passing through town in search of a gas station on the way to somewhere else. But, in an effort to save the downtown, a handful of businesses have recently popped up. Two of these key anchor establishments include BearWaters Brewing Company on one end of downtown and the Southern Porch Kitchen & Drink on the other. Opened in the spring of 2016, Southern Porch is truly a family affair. The restaurant is owned by Nathan Lowe and his wife, Michaela. Her mother, Cindi Layman, and stepfather, Dave Grant, are also co-owners, with Grant the head chef, as well. “One of our goals with opening this restaurant was to get the ball rolling in Canton,” Nathan said. “And since we’ve been here, there’s been about 15 or so new businesses that have either opened or relocated to downtown.” Housed in the historic Imperial Hotel, the Southern Porch resides on a large commercial property, one with an extended patio where troves of locals and tourists sit in the shade and enjoy a meal and perhaps some live music, which is offered upwards of three nights a week outside in the summer.

“Whether we have music or not, people love sitting out on the patio,” Nathan said. “But, we see the value in live music. We want to support local artists because that is their profession, and it’s a great way for us to draw more people in.” Quite literally the biggest comeback story in Western North Carolina, Canton is growing rapidly. The housing market has returned, and so have people into downtown, with parking spaces at a premium these days. All of this puts a smile on Nathan Lowe Nathan’s face. “Canton is proud of our football team and of the paper mill,” he said. “And the last piece of that puzzle is to once again be proud of our downtown — that’s a reality now. People are loyal in this town, to their family, friends and local businesses. We’re one big family here.” Focused on Southern comfort dishes like shrimp and grits, fried green tomatoes and fresh trout, the menu does rotate each season depending on what’s in season and also available for ingredients like meat and produce from local farmers.

In the main taproom, one can browse a large selection of local and regional craft beers, and simply sit and immerse themselves in the friendly nature of the space. “People always refer to our bar as having a ‘Cheers’ atmosphere,” Nathan said. “I never thought I would have made so many new friends from people I didn’t know before I started this business, people who walk in and sit down for a meal or a beverage.” For the Southern Porch, reaching the one-year milestone was a big deal. But, now closing in on year three, they feel like they’re only getting started. “It’s quite a feat. But, we haven’t arrived by any means,” Nathan modestly stated. “Our first goal was to make it a year, the next goal was to make it three years. It’s an accomplishment, and we’ll keep working hard to see this survive.” Of the new additions to the property, the Southern Porch opened The Post Office next door. Formerly the historic post office, it’s now an event space able to hold upwards of 150 people. “We have all kinds of wedding rehearsals and receptions in there, with plans to do live music in the wintertime,” Nathan said. “It’s a sense of accomplishment when I walk in the Southern Porch and it’s busy. It says that we’re doing something right and that our community supports us.” n

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Welcome | LOCALES

Downtown Marshall.

Madison County MARS HILL | MARSHALL | HOT SPRINGS

ocated in a mostly rural, picturesque part of Madison County, Mars Hill is a small town that’s big on mountain traditions. There are 1,800 residents within the town limits, and 11,000 within a ﬁve-mile radius of downtown. Mars Hill sits close to Interstate 26, offering quick access to Asheville, which is 15 miles south. The state’s border with Tennessee is just 11 miles north. Mars Hill University, a private liberal arts school with an enrollment of more than 1,275 students, contributes signiﬁcantly to the character of the town. It was founded in 1856, making it one of the oldest educational facilities in Western North Carolina. The university’s artistic and cultural offerings are considerable. The Rural Life Museum preserves and presents artifacts of

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traditional Appalachian communities, and the Weizenblatt Art Gallery shares both visiting exhibitions and student and staff works. The 1,800-seat Moore Auditorium hosts frequent concerts and other performances. The Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre, founded in 1975, has become one of the region’s top theater draws. Come winter, nearby Wolf Ridge Ski Resort is open for business. The resort recently expanded its operations and now offers 82 acres of terrain for skiers and snowboarders. The area around Mars Hill includes nearby stretches of the Appalachian Trail, numerous other trails in the Pisgah National Forest and the ﬁshing- and paddling-friendly French Broad River. Throughout the year, the Ebbs Chapel Performing Arts Center’s 250-seat theater hosts musical performances ranging from the classical to the traditional. Two other small Madison County towns, Marshall and Hot Springs, have made the most of riverside living.

Marshall, population 870, is the county seat and sits on the banks of the French Broad River some 20 miles north of Asheville. The town is an enclave of artists, local galleries and studios. Stroll down Marshall’s Main Street and you’ll ﬁnd a bookstore, numerous cafes, galleries, antique shops and eateries. One mainstay is The Depot, a converted railroad depot building. It’s a great community performance venue on Friday nights, when local musicians strike up a soundtrack of traditional bluegrass and country Madison County music. There’s also plenty of music to Median be heard at the town’s regular French Price. . . . . . . $ Broad Fridays, a series of free outdoor concerts. Average Days Several other institutions keep on Market . . . . . . . Marshall’s art scene humming. The Madison County Arts Center, also on Percent of % Main Street, presents traditional and Asking Price . . . . . contemporary art exhibitions. About 15 miles northeast of Marshall is the resort town of Hot Springs, which is also nestled next to the French Broad. Though its resident population is only 560, the town’s numbers swell with visitors seeking relaxation and recreation. Hot Springs got its name from one of the region’s extraordinary natural features: mineral springs with a temperature of more than 100 degrees. The town itself is quite quaint, lined with cafes, coffee shops and gift stores. The real action is in the surrounding waters and ridges, which are renowned for outdoor activities including biking, ﬁshing, kayaking and tubing.

2018 SALES

221,500

174

AGENT’S CHOICE:

“Our favorite drive in the fall is from Asheville to Johnson City on Highway 19/23 (Future I-26). Once you reach Buckner Gap and Sam’s Gap, you can truly take in the beauty of our Mountains. Stop at Sam’s Gap and you can take a hike on the Appalachian Trail!” — Ali Thomas, Hendersonville oﬃce

The Appalachian Trail, which stretches from Georgia to Maine, passes through the town, bringing hikers to Hot Springs throughout the year. Each April, the town hosts the weekend-long Trailfest, a celebration of all things AT, complete with live music, local foods and athletic events. In May, Hot Springs sponsors the annual French Broad River Festival, featuring an impressive roster of musical groups, whitewater and bike races, arts and crafts vendors and a kid’s village. In September, the town also plays host to the French Broad Fall Fest, a celebration of craft beer and live music set against the beauty of fall leaf season. n

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Welcome | LOCALES

Lake Lure. MARGARET HESTER PHOTO

Rutherford County LAKE LURE | BAT CAVE | CHIMNEY ROCK VILLAGE | GERTON

ﬀ the beaten path, about 20 miles southeast of Asheville via N.C. 74A, is a Western North Carolina community that enjoys spectacular views, an abundance of outdoor activities, a temperate climate and a unique ecosystem. The expansive Hickory Nut Gorge, nestled between the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky mountains, feels like a land unto itself. The 14-mile mountain canyon is split by the Rocky Broad River, which ultimately ﬂows into Lake Lure. Four small townships are in the gorge: Gerton, Bat Cave, Chimney Rock Village and Lake Lure. Each has its own particular

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charms, but a common thread that benefits them all is the natural setting, which is famed for its biodiversity. Hickory Nut Gorge is home to 14 rare animal species and 36 rare plant species, and is a haven for biologists, geologists and birders. It’s teeming with streams and stunning rock formations, as well as Hickory Nut Falls, a waterfall with a 404-foot drop that’s one of the biggest in the region. The falls made a big splash on the big screen, serving as the setting for a fight scene in the 1992 film “The Last of the Mohicans.” The crown jewel of the gorge is the 6,892-acre Chimney Rock State Park, home to a hulking granite monolith that the park is named after. A climb up the stairs to the top of 315-foot-tall Chimney Rock (or an elevator ride there) is rewarded with panoramic views to spots as far as 75 miles away. The park has a network of trails and ample opportunities for bouldering and rock climbing. And impressive as it is, Chimney Rock isn’t even the high point. Other easily accessed features

above the rock include the Opera Box, a stone enclosure with a broad opening; Devil’s Head, a menacing rock “face” perched over the gorge; and Peregrine’s Point, which at 2,640 feet is the park’s highest point, some 200 feet above Chimney Rock. The park has a rich history that gives it appropriately deep ties to the region. The land it sits on was bought and developed by a Missouri native, Lucius Moore, a doctor who was diagnosed with tuberculosis circa 1900. Moore moved here to clear his lungs with the mountain air and went on to develop both the park and the Rutherford County nearby resort town of Lake Lure. Median The site was purchased by the Price. . . . . . . $ state of North Carolina in 2007. The park offers guided hikes March Average Days through December. on Market . . . . . . . In August there’s the Race to the Rock, which is actually two races: a Percent of % 5K run and a 25-mile bike race, both Asking Price . . . . . of which end at Chimney Rock. In September, there’s the Flock to the Rock, a day-long celebration of the area’s exemplary birding scene. Nearby are the townships of Bat Cave and Chimney Rock Village. In Bat Cave, the Old Cider Mill sells mountain crafts and curios, and, during apple season, fresh-pressed cider. In Chimney Rock Village, Bubba O’Leary’s General Store offers a trip back in time to an era before chain stores and strip malls. Hickory Nut Gorge also hosts a wide range of lodging options, from short-term cabin rentals to stately mountain inns. n

Climbing to the top of Chimney Rock. MARGARET HESTER PHOTO

2018 SALES

174,700

118 95

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Welcome | LOCALES

Downtown Burnsville. SAM DEAN PHOTO

Yancey County BURNSVILLE | MOUNT MITCHELL

ancey is an elevated county with the highest mountain peaks in the eastern United States. It makes sense, then, that the county oﬀers living situations and outdoor experiences that go above and beyond the norm.

The county is bordered by Tennessee to the north and the Blue Ridge Parkway to the south. There are 11 townships in Yancey. The largest, Burnsville, is the county seat, with 1,638 residents. Burnsville is 35 miles north of Asheville and 50 miles west of Johnson City, Tennessee. Just a few miles from Burnsville looms 6,684-foot-tall Mount

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Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Rockies, joined by four more of the top 10 summits east of the Mississippi. These peaks have a unique climate, cooler and wetter than areas just 10 miles away. The Mitchell peak, accessible by car from the Blue Ridge Parkway, is surrounded by the 2,000-acre Mount Mitchell State Park — the oldest state park in North Carolina — which is full of invigorating spots for hiking, camping, picnicking and outdoor education. Trails of varying length lead to the summit, where a spiral observation deck and seasonal restaurant offer the perfect perch for high-altitude sightseeing. North and south Yancey offer access to the Toe River, sections of which are known for premium trout ﬁshing and whitewater rafting. In addition to peaks and valleys, Yancey County is known for its extraordinarily rich artistic output. The county boasts more than 400 full-time and 200 part-time working artists, including nationally renowned glassblowers, metalsmiths, basket makers, painters, paper makers, potters, quilters, sculptors and weavers. The Toe River Arts Council sponsors the Toe River Studio Tours twice a year, when scores of artists in both Yancey and neighboring Mitchell County open their studios for a free, up-close look inside the creative process. Each August, downtown Burnsville comes alive with local art at the Mt. Mitchell Crafts Fair, celebrated for more than 50 years. The International Dark Sky Association has designated a Yancey

County observatory as the first certified Star Park in the southeastern United States. Maryland Community College houses the sky park and a dark sky observatory, with the largest telescope in the Southeast dedicated to dark sky research and recreational activities. The Carolina Mountains Literary Festival is held in Burnsville each September. It began as a small gathering of authors and readers in 2005, and has blossomed into a renowned literary happening Yancey/Mitchell Counties complete with readings, workshops, Median plays and seminars. Price. . . . . . . $ The performing arts have a strong presence in Yancey. The Parkway Average Days Playhouse in Burnsville, founded in on Market . . . . . . . 1947, is the longest running community theater in North Carolina. It proPercent of % duces a wide range of shows and has Asking Price . . . . . a dramatic arts education program for children ages 4 to 18. A nonprofit group, the Burnsville Little Theatre, performs several shows a year. Another standout Burnsville’s institution is the Nu-Wray Inn, built in 1833. The oldest remaining lodging house in the region, it’s hosted such notables as Mark Twain, Thomas Wolfe and Elvis Presley. The inn sits on the town square in Burnsville. One of the region’s most picturesque roads, N.C. 80 runs 12 miles through farmland in the shadow of the tall mountains. A noted motorcycle road, N.C. 80 boasts riverside camping, hiking, horseback riding, access to the Blue Ridge Parkway and arts and crafts, as well as the Celo Inn, a comfortable and affordable bed

2018 SALES

174,750

216 93

AGENT’S CHOICE:

“My favorite locations to fish are those that are not in the ‘easy to get to’ locations. The South Toe River in Micaville and areas south is the best to fish for big brown trout. I call them gray ghosts. It is a place that by the time you get there, you have traveled from the hustle of life to the slow pace of the river, with its eddies and deep holes.” — Don Bell, NAI Beverly-Hanks and breakfast with details borrowed from countless European hostels and inns. The inn is part of one of the most unique communities in the South — Celo, a settlement and land trust founded in 1937. Families there adhere to a loosely defined humanist ethic and help run a collective farm and the Arthur Morgan School, a progressive middle school with roots in Quaker values and the Montessori educational approach. n

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Welcome | LOCALES

The Tryon International Equestrian Center. TIEC PHOTO

Polk County TRYON | SALUDA

than 70 countries. Much like the Olympics, this event is held every four years and is second only to the Olympics in importance on the world equestrian calendar. The area has long been known as a hotspot for equestrian activities. In April, there’s the Block House Steeplechase, a day of races that’s the longest running steeplechase in North Carolina, now celebrating its 72nd year. The event is sponsored by the Tryon Riding & Hunt Polk County Club, which also stages horse shows throughout the year. The Foothills Median Equestrian Nature Center also offers Price. . . . . . . $ regular equestrian events at its 400Average Days acre facility in Tryon. Tryon has also taken recent steps to on Market . . . . . . . celebrate the legacy of its most Percent of % famous native, the late jazz and soul Asking Price . . . . . great Nina Simone, who was born there in 1933. The heart of downtown features Nina Simone Plaza, home to a striking bronze sculpture of Simone playing piano keys suspended in midair. Polk County is home to dozens of parks and recreation areas. In Saluda, the Green River Cove Recreation Area offers access points for ﬁshing, tubing, kayaking, canoeing and hiking. Tryon’s 50-acre public park, Harmon Field, sits next to the Pacolet River and features wading areas, a playground, tennis courts, a walking track, sports ﬁelds and horse rings. There are scores of hiking trails, ranging from easy to moderate to strenuous, in the county, and Polk is noted for its numerous summer camps. May brings the Saluda Arts and Music Festival. The Art Trek Tryon Studio Tours, held each July, showcase the town’s many artists, as does the Tryon Arts & Crafts Fall Festival in October. Each June, Tryon hosts the Blue Ridge BBQ Festival. The event includes the state barbecue championship, featuring some 90 competing teams. n

2018 SALES

outed as the “First Peak of the Blue Ridge,” Polk County has long welcomed ﬂatlanders to a higher altitude, oﬀering foothills rich with history, culture, crafts, vast natural areas and unique culinary traditions. Elevations in the county range from 300 feet to 3,200 feet. Most of Polk’s 20,000 residents live in or near the county’s three main towns — Columbus, Saluda and Tryon. Saluda is nestled in the mountains in the southeastern corner of the county, and in fact its borders stray over into neighboring Henderson County. The town is famous for sitting atop the Saluda Grade, once the steepest railroad grade in the United States. It is also well known for its charming town center, with a main street lined with restaurants, shops, art galleries and historic buildings like the M.A. Pace General Store, a hub of local commerce and community that recently celebrated its 120th birthday. Last year, the Tryon International Equestrian Center — which opened in 2014 — was a magnet for international visitors to the foothills of North Carolina. The Center hosted the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games, which drew nearly 500,000 people from more

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243,500

133 94

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Welcome | LOCALES

Downtown Brevard. TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY TOURISM/EXPLOREBREVARD.COM

Transylvania County BREVARD

eing a small town doesn’t mean you can’t offer some of the finest charms Western North Carolina has to offer. Just ask the 7,900 residents of Brevard, the county seat of Transylvania County. The town has distinguished itself as an epicenter for nearby outdoor adventures, education, art and music. Transylvania can justly claim to be “The Land of Waterfalls,” as some 250 waterfalls exist in the county. Some are relatively small and gentle. Others take big, breathtaking plunges into mountain pools. Looking Glass Falls, for example, drops 60 feet amid a stunning crop of boulders and is one of the most photographed waterfalls in the country. The wildly popular Sliding Rock is a

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natural waterslide where thousands of visitors slide down its long, slick surface into a six-foot-deep pool at the bottom. Remarkably, more than half of the land in Transylvania is publicly owned and protected, including 88,000 acres of Pisgah National Forest, the 10,000-acre DuPont State Park and the 7,600acre Gorges State Park. The headwaters of the French Broad River, one of the oldest rivers in the world, are located near Brevard. Nearby, the Davidson River, another renowned trout-fishing destination, flows through the national forest. Together, these offer myriad opportunities for biking, camping, climbing, hiking, fly-fishing, horseback riding, paddling and sightseeing. Two of those sports — mountain biking and flyfishing — have proliferated in recent years, putting Transylvania County and Brevard on the map as among the best areas in the nation for these activities. An editor for Bike Magazine recently called Transylvania County “definitely one of the top three places in the universe I’ve ever ridden. Maybe the best one.” And according to local tourism officials, “within a one-hour drive

Welcome | LOCALES AGENT’S CHOICE:

“Dupont State Forest is not only the best place to bike in WNC but, no doubt, maybe best in the country! My favorite is Ridgeline Trail. If you want six miles of the fastest, smoothest, downhill rollercoaster rides in the area, look no further!” — JJ Murphy, Hendersonville office of Brevard, you will find over 500 miles of fishable trout streams and one of the highest concentrations of prime trout waters anywhere.” How’s that for a fishing mecca? Another natural treasure, tucked within the Pisgah National Forest, is the Cradle of Forestry, site of the first forestry school in the United States. The national forest is also home to the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education, a staterun facility that hosts students of all ages to learn about the region’s unique biodiversity. Transylvania County There’s also plenty to enjoy in the heart of Brevard, a vibrant and Median $ walkable hub of independent shops, Price. . . . . . . boutiques, galleries, pubs and Average Days eateries. Between April and December, the Fourth Friday Gallery on Market . . . . . . . Walks — a monthly celebration of local Percent of % art, food, wine and music — offer an Asking Price . . . . . especially pleasant way to peruse local businesses and get to know neighbors. More local arts are highlighted on the Scenic 276 South Fine Art & Craft Corridor — a 13-mile stretch of state road that showcases numerous galleries and studios. It’s a rare town that can boast of hosting an equal number of barbecue joints and Asian restaurants — and just as many ice cream parlors — but in Brevard it’s true. The Brevard Music Center has hosted noted performers for the past 81 years. Its signature event is the annual Brevard Music Festival, which spans seven summer weeks and features more than 80 different acts. Local music aficionados also take in shows at Brevard College’s Paul Porter Center for the Performing Arts. Contributing to the town’s special character is Brevard College, a small liberal arts school of over 700 students founded in 1934 and located adjacent to downtown. In March, the college hosts the world-touring Banff Mountain Film Festival, a big-screen celebration of films and documentaries about life and sports in the wild. In May, the town pays tribute to its signature furry creature with the White Squirrel Festival. White squirrels, you ask? As it happens, the Brevard area is home to a rare concentration of, well, white squirrels. The festival features a parade, free concerts, a “Squirrel Box Derby” and other, well, “nutty” amusements. Come summer, Brevard’s Main Street becomes a prime place to cut a rug. Each Tuesday night, Old Time Street Dances are held to a soundtrack of live bluegrass. n

2018 SALES

251,500

165

Looking Glass Falls, Pisgah National Forest. TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY TOURISM/EXPLOREBREVARD.COM

Brevard is home to a rare population of white squirrels. TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY TOURISM/EXPLOREBREVARD.COM

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BREVARD | Welcome

Josh Chambers and Bill Zimmer of Ecusta Brewing. DAVID SIMCHOCK PHOTO

Transylvania crossroads | ECUSTA BREWING The intersection of U.S. 276 and U.S. 64 in the mountain town of Brevard is a bustling hub for local, commercial and tourism traffic. Heading west on U.S. 64, you enter Brevard, a place of independent businesses, academic institutions, small cafes and farm-to-table restaurants. If you head north on U.S. 276, the Pisgah National Forest and all its natural beauty unfolds before your eyes, where cell-phone service is immediately lost. And also at the intersection sits Ecusta Brewing. Opened in August 2016, the brewery has emerged as one of the finest operations in the massive craft beer industry currently at the core of Western North Carolina business, culture and tourism. “We’re about traditional beers. The flavor is meant to crisp, clean and wellbalanced,” said Josh Chambers, brewmaster at Ecusta. “It’s all about balance, and we like to taste the malts with the hops. It’s all about variety, too, where we brew a lot of different styles.” “What I am consistently amazed at is the complexity of craft beer,” said Bill Zimmer, co-owner of Ecusta Brewing. “You think wine is complex? Dive into all different areas and styles of craft beer

and you’ll see that the possibilities are as endless as there are different palates of what people want or want to experiment with.” A longtime rafting guide in the region, Chambers started out as a homebrewer. But, it wasn’t until he crossed paths with Zimmer, a Raleigh financial advisor at the time, that the trajectory of Ecusta Brewing began to take shape. An avid outdoorsman, Zimmer was looking for a change for himself and his family just as the idea for a brewery occurred to him once he befriended Chambers. “I was sitting in my office in Raleigh one day, just looking out the window. And I started thinking, ‘Will I wake up one day five or six years from now and wish I had gone out here to help build that brewery?’” Zimmer reminisced. “Life’s too short. So, my family and I left Raleigh and decided to start a new life in Brevard.” The word “ecusta” comes from the Cherokee meaning for “distant place.” The area now known as Brevard was originally referred to as “ecusta,” seeing as the tribe would travel to the area to hunt and fish, far from their home near the current Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

“And we’re heavy on ﬂy ﬁshing, mountain biking, rafting, camping and hiking. It’s not only part of our brand, it’s who we are and why we wanted to move here and call this place home,” Zimmer said. “When we started seeing the Asheville craft beer scene exploding, and being well-aware of the outdoor recreation opportunities here in Brevard, we knew there was room for us — and room to grow — in this town.” Now crossing over the two-year mark in business, Ecusta Brewing has become a social hotspot for locals and visitors alike, a place where you can immerse yourself in an artisan craft, all while within reach of the depths of Mother Nature. “We will have people call and ask, ‘Where are you guys located?’ And we say, ‘You know Pisgah National Forest? Well, you walk right out our back door and you’re right in the forest,’” Chambers smiled. “For us, you can’t make good beer, you have to make great beer. And we also saw the need for food trucks and camping locations, which are all next door to us. People don’t want to just come here and have a great craft beer, they also want to come here for the whole weekend and have a real experience with nature.” n

119

Welcome | LOCALES

The historic Jackson County Courthouse. A SHOT ABOVE PHOTO

Jackson County SYLVA | DILLSBORO | CULLOWHEE | CASHIERS

ackson County, which includes the county seat town of Sylva and the high-altitude village of Cashiers, has some of Western North Carolina’s most spectacular scenery.

The county was established in 1851 from parts of Haywood and Macon counties and named after President Andrew Jackson. The Tuckasegee River winds through the county, boasting some of the best trout ﬁshing in the region. In fact, Jackson County is home to the WNC Fly Fishing Trail. Jackson is also home to part of the Nantahala National Forest, the largest of the four national forests located in the state. Nantahala is a Cherokee word for “land of the noonday sun,” and the Nantahala Gorge in adjoining Swain County is considered one of the top whitewater rivers in the East. National Geographic

120

magazine called the river the number one water tourist destination in the country, and it attracts more than 250,000 paddlers a year. Sylva has one of the most vibrant downtowns in all of Western North Carolina. It boasts an assortment of art galleries, bookstores, farm-to-table restaurants, craft breweries, coffee shops and more. The town’s bustling farmers market is also open every Saturday from April through October. Sylva’s tree-lined streetscape, dotted with benches, provides visitors with an afternoon of easy walking. There is even an oﬃcial 1.2-mile tree walk, featuring 44 of the more than 50 species in Sylva, designated a Tree City USA. The Sylva Garden Club currently maintains the walk, which features a guidebook, map and small signs at the base of each tree indicating its common name. The walk oﬃcially begins in the shade of Bicentennial Park near the historic Jackson County Courthouse, often called the most photographed courthouse in the state. With an ever-changing list bands, “Concerts on the Creek” at the Bridge Park Pavilion brings live music to downtown Sylva every Friday evening throughout the summer. The Scotts Creek Bridge

conveniently connects the Bridge Park and Poteet Park. Nearby Western Carolina University’s Fine Arts Center and Museum has an excellent permanent collection and visiting exhibits, along with a great line-up of nationally-known performers. With over 10,000 students, WCU also is home to the Mountain Heritage Center, which features exhibits, demonstrations and educational programs on mountain society, past and present, from the migration of the Scotch-Irish people to basket making traditions. Jackson County A mysterious collection of Native Median American petroglyphs known as Price. . . . . . . $ Judaculla Rock is located on Caney Fork Road off N.C. 107 between Average Days Cullowhee and Lake Glenville in on Market . . . . . . . Jackson County. In the late 19th century, Cherokee groups were Percent of % known to have ceremonial Asking Price . . . . . assemblies around the rock. Archeologists who have perused the stone claim it was carved sometime in the Late Archaic Period, about 3,200 to 5,900 years ago. At this crossroads of the town of Cashiers is the Village Green, a commons area lined with shops with a stage that also hosts a full lineup of free performances during the spring and summer months. On the plateau that connects Cashiers and the picturesque town of Highlands, you’ll ﬁnd plenty of hikers and rock climbers amongst the permanent residents in the area. Panthertown Valley boasts 6,700 acres of sheer rock, waterfalls, and hiking and biking trails.

2018 SALES

238,000

232 89

Western Carolina University. WCU PHOTO

Cashiers also has excellent golﬁng and country clubs, including the historic High Hampton Resort, which provide lodging, golﬁng, dining and other amenities. In the village proper of Cashiers, a walking trail leads shoppers to the many retail stores and restaurants. Whitewater Falls, the tallest waterfall in the East, is located 10 miles from Cashiers. n

121

Welcome | UPCOMING EVENTS

Live music at Brevard’s White Squirrel Festival. TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY TOURISM/EXPLOREBREVARD.COM

WNC regional calendar January • Winter Warmer Beer Festival — Asheville. ashevillebeerfest.com

February • Comedy Classic Weekend — Grove Park Inn, Asheville. groveparkinn.com

May

March

• Lake Eden Arts Festival — Black Mountain. LEAF aims to connect cultures and create community through music and art in the great outdoors. Music, poetry, dancing, camping, kids activities and more. theleaf.com • French Broad River Festival — Hot Springs. A weekend ﬁlled live music, outdoor recreation, craft beer and more, all along the mighty French Broad River and nearby Appalachian Trail. frenchbroadriverfestival.com • Asheville Beer Week — A weeklong event celebrating the craft beer scene in Asheville

• Southern Conference Basketball Championships — Asheville. uscellularcenterasheville.com

April • Mélange of the Mountains — Laurel Ridge Country Club, Waynesville. Experience the culinary talent of some of Western North Carolina’s most regarded restaurants as chefs

122

compete in categories ranging from salad to seafood to dessert. haywood-nc.com • Greening Up the Mountains — Sylva. A kickoff to the spring season, the festival features a day of live music, craft vendors and more. greeningupthemountains.com

and greater Western North Carolina. avlbeerweek.com • White Squirrel Festival — Brevard. Weekend event of live music, craft beer vendors and more. whitesquirrelfestival.com • Beer City Festival — Asheville. Featuring dozens of local, regional and national craft breweries. beercityfestival.com • Sandburg Folk Music Festival — Carl Sandburg Home, Flat Rock. nps.gov/carl • Mountain Sports Festival — Asheville. A weekend purely aimed at all the wild, wondrous outdoor adventure in Western North Carolina. mountainsportsfestival.com • Saluda Arts Festival — Outdoor market of arts and crafts vendors, demonstrations and live music. saluda.com • Hook, Line & Drinker Festival — Sylva. Celebrating the WNC Fly Fishing Trail, the event features a day of live music, craft vendors and more. mountainlovers.com

Ongoing events Late Winter/Spring — Festival of Flowers at Biltmore Estate in Asheville. Enjoy the beauty of tulips, azaleas and countless ﬂowers as spring takes over this historic site. biltmore.com April-December — Art After Dark, Waynesville. First Friday of the month. Evening stroll of galleries, restaurants and breweries in downtown. downtownwaynesville.com May-September — Downtown After 5, Asheville. Monthly concert series on Lexington Avenue featuring local and national acts. ashevilledowntown.org May-September — Rhythm & Brews Concert Series, Hendersonville. Monthly series featuring an array of music acts. downtownhendersonville.org Memorial Day-Labor Day — Concerts on the Creek, Sylva. Weekly concert series featuring local and regional acts from all genres. mountainlovers.com

Mountain Street Dance, Waynesville. MAX COOPER PHOTO

June • Brevard Blues N’BBQ Festival — Serving up ﬁne Southern barbecue and blues music. brevardmusic.org • Art Trek — Tryon. Dozens of artisan studios open to the public. romanticasheville.com

July • Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands — U.S. Cellular Center, Asheville. southernhighlandguild.org • Folkmoot USA — Waynesville. Two-week international dance and music festival. Headquartered in Haywood County, but events also held at venues throughout Western North Carolina. folkmootusa.org • LEAF — Downtown Asheville. A weekend of live music, dance and culture put on by the Lake Eden Arts Festival. theleaf.com • The Big Crafty — Asheville. Over 150 artisan crafters, live music and food vendors. thebigcrafty.com

August • Sourwood Festival — Black Mountain. Music, dancing, arts and crafts, super food, kid’s rides and games, face painting and more

in a no alcohol environment, along with gourmet sourwood honey. sourwoodfestival.com • Mountain Dance & Folk Festival — Diana Wortham Theatre, Asheville. Since 1928, mountain fiddlers, banjo pickers, dulcimer sweepers, dancers, balladeers and others have gathered the first weekend in August at the event. folkheritage.org • Laugh Your Asheville Off — Weekend comedy festival featuring local, regional and national comedians. laughyourashevilleoff.com • Mount Mitchell Crafts Fair — Burnsville. Dozens of craft vendors in a picturesque small mountain town. yanceychamber.com • Smoky Mountain Folk Festival — Stuart Auditorium, Lake Junaluksa. Two nights of the finest traditional music and dancing in the region. smokymountainfolkfestival.com

September • Canton Labor Day Celebration — Live music, vendors, rides and children’s activities. cantonlaborday.com • The NC Mountain State Fair — Western North Carolina Agricultural Center, Fletcher. Celebrating mountain traditions with rides, exhibits, art, food, concerts and more. mountainfair.org

June-August — Brevard Music Center Concert Series. A wide array of outdoor events at the center featuring some of the ﬁnest national and international classical, opera and string performers on the beautiful mountain campus. brevardmusic.org Early June-Labor Day — Pickin’ in the Park, Canton. Weekly jam session showcasing local and regional musicians. cantonnc.com Mid-June-Late October — Art in the Park, Asheville. Dozens of artisan vendors with live demonstrations. ashevilleartinthepark.com Late June-Early September — Shindig on the Green, Pack Square Park, Asheville. Free traditional music concerts held outdoors in downtown. folkheritage.org Early November-Jan. 1 — Christmas at Biltmore Estate. The grand estate puts on a show every holiday season with lighting, lit musical performances and more. biltmore.com/visit/calendar/holiday.asp Mid-November-Early January — National Gingerbread House Competition viewing at the Grove Park Inn. See hundreds of intricate gingerbread creations and the award winners. groveparkinn.com Early to Mid-December — Dillsboro Luminaries & Lights. Jackson County town is lit with luminaries, open houses, Santa, children’s activities, horse and buggy rides, music. visitdillsboro.org/specialevents.html

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Welcome | UPCOMING EVENTS

The National Gingerbread House Competition takes place annually at The Omni Grove Park Inn. Right: Lake Eden Arts Festival features music, performance, art and more.

September • Mountain Song Festival — Brevard Music Center. Food, local artists, children’s activities, nature exhibits and more. mountainsongfestival.com • Greek Festival — Asheville. Sample traditional foods while enjoying Greek music, dance and culture. romanticasheville.com • Mountain Heritage Day — Cullowhee. Annual celebration featuring live Appalachian music and dance, with artisan crafters and demonstrations. wcu.edu

October • Taste of Sylva — Culinary event showcasing restaurants in downtown and around the community. mainstreetsylva.org • Maggie Valley Oktoberfest — Live music, craft beer and food vendors. maggievalleyoktoberfest.com • ColorFest — Dillsboro. Local artisan demonstrations. mountainlovers.com • Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands — U.S. Cellular Center, Asheville. southernhighlandguild.org

124

• Lake Eden Arts Festival — Black Mountain, LEAF aims to connect cultures and create community through music and art in the great outdoors. Music, poetry, dancing, camping, kids activities and more. theleaf.com • Church Street Art & Craft Show — Waynesville. Over 20,000 visitors pass through this festival throughout downtown. Dozens of artisan booths, food vendors, as well as live Appalachian music and craft demonstrations. churchstfest.com • HardLox Festival — Pack Square, Asheville. Jewish food and entertainment. hardloxjewishfestival.org • Oktoberfest — Asheville. Live music, craft beer and food vendors. ashevilledowntown.org • Apple Harvest Festival — Waynesville. Live artisan demonstrations, Appalachian music/clogging and dozens of craft booths and food vendors. Over 40,000 people stroll through downtown during the celebration. haywoodapplefest.com

November • WNC Pottery Festival — Dillsboro. Featuring master potters, the daylong event includes live demonstrations and craft booths. The festival was recently named a “Top 20 Event” by the Southeast Tourism Society, which represents 12 states. wncpotteryfestival.com • Tryon Beer Fest — Celebrating all things craft beer. tryonbeerfest.com

December • Warren Haynes Christmas Jam — A popular all-day concert fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity, presented by Haynes (guitarist for Gov’t Mule and The Allman Brothers Band). uscellularcenterasheville.com • “A Night Before Christmas” — Waynesville. A family holiday celebration in downtown, ﬁlled with live music, caroling, oldfashioned wagon ride, storytelling and a special appearance by Santa. downtownwaynesville.com • First Night — Asheville. Entertainment, games, ﬁreworks in an alcohol-free atmosphere. ashevilleparks.org

125

Welcome | INFORMATION

Getting started

20 56

124 129 158 208 251 268 302 314 360 471 584 691 794

111 144 137 187 275 247 281 293 339 495 563 714 773

138 123 165 215 260 275 309 321 366 463 591 682 801

153 112 178 169 279 288 322 335 380 500 604 719 815

132 152 157 183 283 267 301 314 359 503 583 722 793

January February March April May June July August September October November December

Jackson County

Buncombe County

Madison County

35 Woodﬁn St., Asheville • (828) 250-4200 1233 N. Main St., Waynesville • (828) 452-6633

Henderson County 75 E. Central Ave., Hendersonville • (828) 697-4970

Jackson County 401 Grindstaﬀ Cove Road, Sylva • (828) 586-7538

27 29 36 44 52 60 64 62 56 45 37 30

3.07 3.19 3.83 3.16 3.53 3.24 2.97 3.34 3.01 2.40 2.93 2.59

876 Skyland Drive, Sylva • (828) 586-5413 164 N. Main St., Marshall • (828) 649-2248

Polk County

5707 Hwy. 25-70, Marshall • (828) 649-3731 40 Courthouse St., Columbus • (828) 894-8181

Transylvania County 221 S. Gaston St., Brevard • (828) 884-3114

Yancey County 225 W. Main St., Burnsville • (828) 682-3950

Drivers License Buncombe County 85 Tunnel Road, Asheville • (828) 252-8526 1624 Patton Ave., Asheville • (828) 251-6065

Haywood County 290 Lee Road, Clyde • (828) 627-6969

Henderson County 125 Baystone Drive, Hendersonville • (828) 692-6915

126

$33,091 $36,795 $34,029 $38,385

$39,906 $43,805 $39,042 $46,047

$31,065

$38,077

$39,257 $42,257

$46,574 $52,029

$50,541 $50,538 $45,290 $53,638 $44,004 $40,765 $47,185 $44,578 $39,686 $50,343 $59,039

Transylvania County 69 New Hendersonville Hwy., Pisgah Forest (828) 883-3251

Yancey County 14 Town Square, Burnsville • (828) 682-2312

130 Ward St., Columbus • (828) 692-6915

Transylvania County 50 Commerce St., Brevard • (828) 883-2070

Yancey County 116 N. Main St., Burnsville • (828) 682-9619

Madison County Polk County

Asheville City Buncombe County Haywood County Henderson County Jackson County Madison County Polk County Transylvania County Yancey County North Carolina United States

SOURCE: N.C. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE.

Voter Registration Haywood County

46 50 58 67 74 81 84 83 77 68 58 50

2016

36 100

2008

Brevard

22 60

Median household income 2000

Waynesville

12 59

Avg. Precip.

Weaverville

15 80

Avg. Low

Hendersonville

Asheville Airport Greenville/ Spartanburg, SC Charlotte, NC Knoxville, TN Columbia, SC Atlanta, GA Raleigh, NC Charleston, SC Myrtle Beach, SC Savannah, GA Wilmington, NC Washington, DC Orlando, FL New York, NY Miami, FL

Climate

Asheville

(in miles)

Avg. High

Distances

Tax offices Buncombe County (828) 250-4910 buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/tax

Vehicle Registration

Haywood County

Buncombe County

Henderson County

85 Tunnel Road, Asheville • (828) 252-8526 780 Hendersonville Road, Asheville • (828) 667-2104

Haywood County 478 Champion Drive, Canton • (828) 646-3406 80 Waynesville Plaza, Waynesville • (828) 452-1577

Henderson County 145 Four Seasons Mall, Hendersonville (828) 692-0648

Jackson County 454 E. Main St., Sylva • (828) 586-3886

Madison County 133 S. Main St., Marshall • (828) 649-3528

Polk County 51 Walker St., Columbus • (828) 894-6430

(828) 452-6734 • haywoodnc.net (828) 697-4870 • hendersoncountync.org/ca

Jackson County (828) 586-7541 • jacksonnc.org/tax-collector

Madison County (828) 649-3402 • madisoncountync.org/-tax

Polk County (828) 894-8954 • polknc.org/departments/taxassessor

Transylvania County (828) 884-3200 transylvaniacounty.org/tax-administration

Yancey County (828) 682-2198 • yanceycountync.gov

Helpful links

Property taxes

Electricity

Public Transport

RUTHERFORD COUNTY

Duke Energy

Buncombe County Transportation

Lake Lure

duke-energy.com

Haywood EMC haywoodemc.com

Progress Energy

buncombecounty.org/governing/ depts/transportation

Natural Gas

City/County Governments

Progress Energy

BUNCOMBE COUNTY

progress-energy.com

PSNC Energy psncenergy.com/en

Public Utilities City of Asheville Water Resources ashevillenc.gov/departments/water

Metropolitan Sewerage District of Buncombe County msdbc.org

City of Asheville Sanitation ashevillenc.gov/departments/ sanitation

Henderson County Utilities hendersoncountync.org

Internet/ Phone/Cable AT&T att.com

DirecTV directv.com

Mountain Area Information Network main.nc.us

Skyrunner Internet skyrunner.net

Spectrum spectrum.com

StarBand starband.com

TDS Telecom tdstelecom.com

Verizon verizon.com

Airports Asheville Regional Airport ﬂyavl.com

Hendersonville Airport hendersonvilleairport.com

Trains Amtrak

buncombecounty.org

Asheville ashevillenc.gov

Barnardsville barnardsville.com

Biltmore Forest biltmoreforesttownhall. homestead.com

Black Mountain townofblackmountain.com

Fletcher ﬂetchernc.org

Montreat townofmontreat.org

Weaverville weavervillenc.org

gsmr.com

townoﬂakelure.com

TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY transylvaniacounty.org

Brevard cityofbrevard.com

Yancey County main.nc.us/yancey

Burnsville townofburnsville.org

Chambers of Commerce Asheville Area ashevillechamber.org

Black Mountain-Swannanoa blackmountain.org

Brevard/Transylvania brevardncchamber.org

Carolina Foothills polkchamber.org

Cashiers Area cashiers-nc.com

HAYWOOD COUNTY haywoodnc.net

Canton cantonnc.com

Clyde townofclyde.com

Maggie Valley townofmaggievalley.com

Waynesville townofwaynesville.org

Downtown Waynesville Association downtownwaynesville.com

Haywood County haywood-nc.com

Henderson County hendersoncountychamber.org

Jackson County mountainlovers.com

Madison County madisoncounty-nc.com

HENDERSON COUNTY hendersoncountync.org

Flat Rock Village villageoﬄatrock.org

Hendersonville cityofhendersonville.org

Laurel Park laurelpark.org

JACKSON COUNTY jacksonnc.org

Sylva townofsylva.org

Maggie Valley maggievalley.org

Polk County polkchambernc.com

Saluda Business Association saluda.com

Yancey County yanceychamber.com

MADISON COUNTY madisoncountync.org

Hot Springs townofhotsprings.org

Marshall townofmarshall.org

Mars Hill townofmarshill.org

POLK COUNTY polknc.org

Columbus columbusnc.com

Tryon tryon-nc.com

Lake Lure Tourism rutherfordtourism.com

Madison County visitmadisoncounty.com

Tourism

Polk County

Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority

Transylvania County Tourism

exploreasheville.com

amtrak.com

Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

rutherfordcountync.gov

Buncombe . . . . . . . $0.539 Asheville . . . . . . $0.4289 Biltmore Forest . . . $0.33 Black Mountain. . $0.3325 Montreat . . . . . . . . $0.41 Weaverville . . . . . . $0.38 Woodﬁn . . . . . . . . . $0.28 Haywood . . . . . . . $0.5850 Canton . . . . . . . . . . $0.58 Clyde . . . . . . . . . . . $0.43 Maggie Valley . . . . $0.43 Waynesville . . . . $0.4857 Henderson . . . . . . . $0.565 Flat Rock . . . . . . . . $0.11 Fletcher . . . . . . . . . $0.34 Hendersonville . . . $0.47 Laurel Park . . . . . . $0.43 Mills River . . . . . . . $0.18 Saluda (in Henderson) . . $0.605 Jackson . . . . . . . . . . . $0.38 Dillsboro . . . . . . . . $0.25 Forest Hills. . . . . . . $0.15 Highlands (in Jackson) . . . . . $0.164 Sylva . . . . . . . . . . . . $0.30 Webster . . . . . . . . . $0.05 Madison . . . . . . . . . . $0.52 Hot Springs . . . . . . $0.51 Mars Hill. . . . . . . . . $0.47 Marshall. . . . . . . . . $0.49 Polk . . . . . . . . . . . . $0.5294 Columbus . . . . . $0.4246 Saluda (in Polk) . . $0.605 Tryon . . . . . . . . . $0.5663 Rutherford . . . . . . . $0.607 Lake Lure. . . . . . . $0.276 Transylvania . . . . . $0.511 Brevard . . . . . . . . $0.495 Yancey. . . . . . . . . . . . $0.60 Burnsville. . . . . . . . $0.50

Cashiers cashiersnc.com

Dillsboro Merchants Association visitdillsboro.org

Haywood County Tourism Development Authority visitncsmokies.com

Henderson County Travel and Tourism historichendersonville.org

Jackson County Travel and Tourism mountainlovers.com

nc-mountains.org visitwaterfalls.com

Weaverville Tourism visitweaverville.com Yancey County visityancey.com

Publications Asheville Citizen-Times citizen-times.com

Asheville Magazine ashevillemagazine.com

Asheville Tribune thetribunepapers.com

Black Mountain News blackmountainnews.com

Crossroads Chronicle crossroadschronicle.com

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Welcome | INFORMATION Hendersonville Times-News blueridgenow.com

Hendersonville Lightning hendersonvillelightning.com

Mountain Xpress mountainx.com

The Blue Banner thebluebanner.net

The Mountaineer themountaineer.villagesoup.com

The Smoky Mountain News smokymountainnews.com

The Sylva Herald thesylvaherald.com

The Transylvania Times transylvaniatimes.com

The Tryon Daily Bulletin tryondailybulletin.com

Yancey County News yanceycountynews.com

Magazines Blue Ridge Outdoors blueridgeoutdoors.com Capital At Play capitalatplay.com

The Laurel of Asheville thelaurelofasheville.com

Smoky Mountain Living smliv.com

Sophie Magazine sophiemagazine.com

Verve Magazine vervemag.com WNC Magazine wncmagazine.com WNC Woman wnc-woman.com

Television Stations WYFF-TV 4 (NBC) Greenville • wyﬀ4.com

WLOS-TV 13 (ABC) Asheville • wlos.com

WSPA-TV 7 (CBS) Greenville/Spartanburg, wspa.com

WYCW-TV 62 (The CW) Greenville/Spartanburg carolinascw.com

WHNS-TV 21 (FOX) Greenville/Spartanburg foxcarolina.com

AM Radio 570, WWNC news, radio, wwnc.com

880, WPEK news, talk, therevolution.com

920 WPTL country, news, talk, wptlradio.net

1230, WSKY Christian, wilkinsradio.com

1310, WISE sports, talk, 1310bigwise.com 1450, WHKP news, music, whkp.com

FM Radio 88.1, 98.3, WCQS NPR news, classic music • wcqs.org

88.7, WNCW eclectic music, news wncw.org

90.5, WWCU Western Carolina University, wwcufm.com

128

92.5, WYFL Bible Broadcasting Network, bbnradio.org 93.7, WFBC Top 40, b937online.com 96.5, WOXL Lite rock, 965woxl.com 98.1, The River 981theriver.com

99.9, WKSF Kiss Country 99kisscountry.com

105.1, WQNS Rock 1051rocks.com

105.5, WTMT Classic Country outlawasheville.com

105.9, WTMT Rock 1059themountain.com

Medical Centers Asheville Specialty Hospital missionhospitals.org

Blue Ridge Regional Hospital spchospital.org

Care Partners Rehabilitation Hospital carepartners.org

Haywood Regional Medical Center haywoodregional.com

Harris Regional Hospital myharrisregional.com

Henderson County Red Cross hcredcross.org

Mission Hospitals missionhospitals.org

Pardee Hospital

Haywood County Public Library haywoodlibrary.org

Henderson County Public Library henderson.lib.nc.us

Jackson County Public Library fontanalib.org/sylva

Madison County Public Library madisoncountylibrary.org

Transylvania County Public Library library.transylvaniacounty.org

Public Schools Asheville City Schools ashevillecityschools.net

Buncombe County Schools buncombe.k12.nc.us

Haywood County Schools haywood.k12.nc.us

Henderson County Schools hendersoncountypublicschoolsnc.org

Jackson County Schools jcps.k12.nc.us

Madison County Schools madisonk12.schoolfusion.us

Polk County Schools polkschools.org

Transylvania County Schools transylvania.k12.nc.us

pardeehospital.org

Park Ridge Hospital parkridgehealth.org

Sisters of Mercy Urgent Care urgentcares.com

St. Luke’s Hospital saintlukeshospital.com

Transylvania Regional Hospital trhospital.org

VA Medical Center asheville.va.gov

Asheville Catholic School ashevillecatholic.org

Asheville Christian Academy acacademy.org

Asheville Montessori School ashevillemontessorischool.com

Asheville School ashevilleschool.org

Asheville-Pisgah

Tours

Azalea Mountain School

Asheville Urban Trail

Carolina Christian School

romanticasheville.com

ashevilletrolleytours.com

Brews Cruise Brewery Tour brewscruise.com

Lazoom Tours of Asheville lazoomtours.com

Segway Tours movingsidewalktours.com

Walking Tours of Historic Asheville history-at-hand.com

azaleamountain.org carolinachristianschool.com

Carolina Day School carolinaday.org

Christ School christschool.org Emmanuel Lutheran School emmanuellutheran.info

Fletcher Academy ﬂetcheracademy.com

French Broad River Academy fbra-avl.org

Hanger Hall School for Girls hangerhall.org

Immaculate Catholic School immac.org

Libraries

Learning Community School

Avery-Mitchell-Yancey Regional Library

Montessori Learning Center

amyregionallibrary.org

Buncombe County Public Libraries buncombecounty.org/ governing/depts/Library

thenewclassicalacademy.org

North Asheville Christian School rmcacademy.org

Odyssey Community School odysseycommunity.org

Rainbow Mountain Children’s School rmcs.org

Temple Baptist School templebaptistschool.org

Veritas Christian Academy veritasnc.org

Charter Schools ArtSpace Charter School artspacecharter.org

Brevard Academy brevard.teamcfa.org

Evergreen Community Charter School evergreenccs.com

FernLeaf Community Charter School fernleafccs.org

Francine Delaney New School for Children fdnsc.net

The Franklin School of Innovation franklinschooloﬁnnovation.org

Imagine Collegiate icimagine.org

Private Schools

ashevillepisgah.org

Asheville Historic Trolley Tours

New Classical Academy

thelearningcommunity.org mlcasheville.org

Mount Pisgah Academy pisgah.us

Nazarene Christian School ashevilleﬁrstnazarene.org

New City Christian School newcitychristian.org

The Mountain Community School tmcschool.org

Shining Rock Classical Academy shiningrockclassical academy.com

Summit Charter School summitschool.org

Colleges & Universities Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College abtech.edu

Blue Ridge Community College blueridge.edu

Brevard College brevard.edu

Haywood Community College haywood.edu

Mars Hill College mhc.edu

Montreat College montreat.edu

Southwestern Community College southwesterncc.edu

University of North Carolina at Asheville unca.edu

Warren Wilson College warren-wilson.edu

Western Carolina University wcu.edu

BeverlyHanks Welcome 2019.qxp_cover 3/6/19 3:36 PM Page 3

Sometimes

all you need

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Considering working with another mortgage lender? Let our team review your rate and terms; you might just prefer our perspective. Receive a $100 Gift Card* whether you choose our services or not. Contact us today to get started. 0XVW PHHW ZLWK D %HYHUO\ +DQNV 0RUWJDJH /RDQ 2ɝFHU DQG EH TXDOLȴHG E\ DQRWKHU OHQGHU WR UHFHLYH JLIW FDUG $VN \RXU %+06 ORDQ RɝFHU IRU GHWDLOV 3URJUDP VXEMHFW WR FKDQJH

S E R V I C E S

CONTACT A LOAN OFFICER TODAY.

HENDERSONVILLE (828) 697-0515

DOWNTOWN ASHEVILLE (828) 254-7221

WAYNESVILLE (828) 452-5809

NORTH ASHEVILLE (828) 251-1800

SOUTH ASHEVILLE (828) 684-8999

BEVERLY-HANKS.COM/MORTGAGE |

| NMLS#42020

BeverlyHanks Welcome 2019.qxp_cover 3/6/19 3:36 PM Page 4

There’s no place like it.

Real Estate is about much h mo ore than fo our walls and a roof. f.. It’s knowing how a com mmunity lives. We eat in the restaurants, d dedic di ate our ttime i e to the h non profits, fi and d play in these mountains. Wheether you are searching for o a first home or a mountaiintop p cabin, we’ll help you find d the home and communitty thaat matches you. Stop by or call to learn how Beverrly-H Hanks can help you discover your next home..

Neal Hanks PRESIDENT PRINCIPAL OW PRESIDENT, WNER

DOWNTOWN ASHEVILLE

NORTH ASHEVILLE

BURNSV VILLE

SALUD DA

300 Executive Park Asheville, NC 28801 (828) 254-7221

820 Merrimon n Avenue Asheville, NC 28804 2 (828) 251-1800 0

369 West US U 19-E Burnsville, NC 28714 (828) 682-7 7408

153 Eastt Main Street Saluda, NC 28773 (828) 74 49-3504

WAYNESVILLE

WEAVERVILLE

NAI BEV BEVERLY VERLY-HANKS HANKS

74 North Main Street Waynesville, NC 28786 (828) 452-5809

62 N Main Stre eet Weaverville, NC N 28787 (828) 251-1800 0

410 Executive Park Asheville, NC 28801 (828) 210-3940

DOWN NTOWN BREVA ARD

RUMBLING BALD RESORT ON LAKE LURE

SOUTH ASH HEVILLE

HENDERSONVILLE

SOUTH H BREVARD

One Town Squ uare Blvd, Ste. 140 Asheville, NC 28803 2 (828) 684-8999 9

512 North Main Street Hendersonville, NC 28792 (828) 697-0515

7737 Grreenville Highway Brevard, NC 28712 77-4490 (828) 87

112 Mountain Boulevard Lake Lure, NC 28746 (828) 694-3001

6 East Main M St. Brevard, NC 28712 77-6006 (828) 87

(866) 319-4158 | relocation@ @beverly-hanks.com