Welcome to Western North Carolina

Serving the Greater Asheville, Hendersonville, Brevard, Lake Lure, & Waynesville areas

FAMILY FUN In Hendersonville

Art to the People

BLACK MOUNTAIN CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Powering the local economy

MANUFACTURER TOUTS ASHEVILLE WORKFORCE, REGIONAL CULTURE

Limones chef/owner proud of Asheville’s culinary reputation

HART Theatre going strong 33 years later

Plēb Winery owner says now is the “Wild West for wine”

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 Allen Tate/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 Allen Tate/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,

Neal Hanks, Jr.

President, Allen Tate/Beverly-Hanks, REALTORS®

CLIENT SERVICES

(866) 858-2257 toll free

ASHEVILLE

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

ASHEVILLE, BILTMORE AVE. 40 Biltmore Ave., Asheville, NC 28801 (828) 571-0744

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

ASHEVILLE, SOUTH One Town Square Blvd., Suite 140 Asheville, NC 28803 (828) 684-8999

BREVARD, DOWNTOWN

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

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

BURNSVILLE 369 West US 19-E, Burnsville, NC 28714 (828) 678-9944

FLETCHER

4005 Hendersonville Rd., Fletcher, NC 28732 (828) 484-3130

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

LAKE LURE 1518 Memorial Hwy., Lake Lure, NC 28746 (828) 436-5120

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

NAI BEVERLY-HANKS

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

SALUDA

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

WALNUT COVE REALTY 630 Long Shoals Rd., Arden, NC 28704 (828) 684–5151

WAYNESVILLE

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

“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

Blue Ridge Beehive

ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA

Within this renowned city are six distinct areas — Downtown, Biltmore Village, Biltmore Park, North Asheville, River Arts District, and West Asheville — each as unique as the people and places 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. 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.

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.

2022 SALES

Buncombe County

MEDIAN PRICE $442,000

AVERAGE DAYS ON MARKET 30

PERCENT OF LISTING PRICE ......... 99%

NUMBER OF UNITS 4,463

Jordan Atkinson, “The Whale” STEPHAN PRUITT

THE CENTER OF THE SCENE

The 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 Harrah’s Cherokee 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, hundreds of local and regional craftspeople fill the center, offering their creations of clay, fiber, glass, leather, metal, mixed media, natural materials, paper, wood and jewelry.

The Big Crafty has exploded in popularity in recent years. Held in July and December at the Harrah’s Cherokee Center, 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 numerous venues hosting live music, readings, theatre and comedy on a nightly basis.

The Harrah’s Cherokee Center is the largest venue, with both a 7,600-seat arena and the 2,400-seat Thomas Wolfe Auditorium. The center hosts everything from performances by the Asheville

Pack Square Park is a popular green space spot in downtown Asheville for concerts, performances, and events like the “Hola Asheville” festival, planned for June 2023. STEPHAN PRUITT

AGENT’S CHOICE:

Symphony Orchestra to major touring groups like Tame Impala and Billy Strings to the Southern Conference (SoCon) basketball tournament.

Each December, the longtime Warren Haynes’ Christmas Jam rolls into the Harrah’s Cherokee Center for a special fundraising concert for the Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity and BeLove Asheville. Recent performers at the Xmas Jam have included Alison Krauss, Tyler Childers, Grace Potter, Brothers Osborne, Dave Grohl and Margo Price, amongst other marquee acts.

More intimate performances take place at the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts, a 500-seat venue that is part of a downtown cultural and educational center, Pack Place, and the recently opened S&W Market, an intricate food hall in the historic Asheville former S&W Cafeteria building constructed in 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 week on various stages. Held in August, the annual Asheville Comedy Festival is one of the biggest comedy festivals in the Southeast.

New this year, the inaugural AVLfest in early August features hundreds of local, regional and national musical acts. The gathering will consist of dozens of Asheville venues and restaurants, with the event itself overtaking the city for a four-day extravaganza of sound and scope.

Of course, traditional music also gets its due. On Saturday nights throughout the summer, thousands of mountain-music 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 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

“Isaac Dickson Elementary’s Hot Chocolate 10K in January is a hugely popular race and an incredible fundraiser for this state-of-theart, 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

Biltmore Village

HISTORY COMES ALIVE

One of the most unique shopping experiences in the South, Biltmore Village is home to high-end boutiques, open-air 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 treelined streets, historic homes and majestic architecture.

Nearby is the Biltmore Estate, the largest privately-owned home in the country. The legacy of its owner, the late George W. Vanderbilt, the elaborate estate was designed by Richard Morris Hunt and the grounds were designed by Frederick Law Olmstead. It was completed in 1895. Today the 250-room, French renaissance-style house and the 8,000-acre grounds are open to guests for tours, with dining options and outdoor activities available on the grounds. 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

AGENT’S CHOICE:

“The Biltmore/ Kiwanis Classic 5K/15K is one of the best running events in WNC. It’s been on a three-year hiatus, but starts up again in May 2023. Not only do you get to enjoy the outdoors, you also get to enjoy the beautiful grounds and views surrounding the Biltmore Estate, one of the main attractions in Asheville.”

— Karen Bosse, Hendersonville office

Biltmore Winery is also one of the largest in the Southeast.. n

year. Featuring a tasting room and tours, the

estate’s

The Cathedral of All Souls Church in Biltmore Village was built in 1896 and funded by George Vanderbilt. It was designed by Richard Morris Hunt, the architect who designed the Biltmore Estate.

Tapping into the past | 7 CLANS BREWING

As a proud enrolled member of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians, Morgan Crisp looks to share the history of her ancestors — the stories, symbols, language, and culture — through the art of craft beer.

“It’s empowering for me [to share this history]. And it was really healing because I was sort of disjointed with heritage,” Crisp said. “There was a time [growing up] where the last thing you wanted to do was be Native. I was brought up in that culture, of lost language [and lost traditions].”

Co-owner/founder of 7 Clans Brewing in the Biltmore Village section of Asheville, alongside her husband, Travis, and another couple, Frank and Julia Bonomo (all partners in CCB Beverage, LLC), Crisp represents another proud chapter of the Cherokee reemergence in the 21st century — storytelling.

“For me, I just think of our products as a way to share the stories, to share our Cherokee culture through a different medium — these legends that are important and significant,” Crisp said.

Initially, Crisp found herself in the craft beer scene after purchasing a restaurant in Canton several years ago. She and her husband were at the helm of a popular local eatery, one with a big thirst for artisan beverages. Crisp quickly found the craft beer industry intriguing, the spark of inspiration soon to follow.

“We’d meet these brewers and you’re

listening to their story — who they are, what they’re doing, what they’re making, what ingredients are being used,” Crisp said. “I realized there’s not a lot of women in the [craft beer] industry, and there was this call for some unique voices and stories along with the beer. So, we did a one-off batch and it took off from there.”

Founded in 2018, 7 Clans was initially contract brewing in Haywood County. By 2020, right before the shutdown, CCB purchased the popular Frog Level Brewing in Waynesville. There, it was able to continue producing Frog Level’s established brands while also brewing 7 Clans’ beers onsite.

“Seven Clans is keeping on doing what we’re doing — we’re telling our story through craft beer, and also trying to incorporate Indigenous ingredients in our products,” Crisp said. “Agriculture is really important for Cherokee women, and it’s important for me to incorporate that into our beer-making.”

Although it might have seemed ominous to enter the food/beverage industry at that uncertain moment, the transition actually propelled the new venture forward. While CCB continued to move ahead with its plans, the large outdoor patio and creekside seating space behind the brewery became a refuge for folks looking to interact with others all while adhering to social distancing guidelines and protocols.

“Frog Level has always been about the people — this is a community brewery, and that’s how we’ve always seen it,” Crisp said. “We wanted to create a space where people could come after work, bring their kids, this family atmosphere that welcomes everybody.”

In the fall of 2022, CCB put roots down in Buncombe County, with its new 7 Clans taproom on Sweeten Creek Road in Asheville, a picturesque property that will also serve Frog Level products. The space will finally provide a brick and mortar structure for 7 Clans as it continues to expand its product line alongside that of Frog Level.

“It’s incredible. I didn’t think we’d ever get here,” Crisp said in a humbled tone. “And it’s all happening on two levels, where people are loving the beer and are interested in the story of our brand — ultimately embracing what it is we’re trying to do.”

Since it’s one of the only femaleowned breweries in the region, Crisp swells with pride when she walks the aisles of local grocery stores and sees 7 Clans products on the shelves in the craft beer section.

“It means something to me because there are not a lot of Native people in business,” Crisp said. “So, anytime that I see a Native person doing something in business, and incorporating food, language, and history, it’s empowering for all of us.” n

Located in Biltmore Village, 7 Clans Brewing recently opened its Buncombe County taproom (left). Julia Bonomo and Morgan Crisp (right), co-owners of 7 Clans Brewing, one of the only female-owned breweries of its kind in Western North Carolina.

Biltmore Park

THE FUTURE OF MAIN STREET

Afresh 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.

AGENT’S CHOICE:

“My favorite place to go for a bike ride is on the Biltmore Estate. I love to experience the change in seasons—all with the added comfort that if I fall off my bike or get too tired, a shuttle is always nearby!”

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 world-class retailers like REI, LOFT and Barnes & Noble. Alongside these stores are also plenty of local, independent businesses like Luella’s Bar-B-Que, Wildflower Bridal and Nine Mile restaurant. n

— Katie Ledford, Biltmore Park office

Biltmore Park includes a mix of local businesses and national retailers in a walkable setting.

Glamping, mountain style | ASHEVILLE RIVER CABINS

When Brett Turner looked at a small property in South Asheville in 2019, he immediately recognized its potential. But what came to pass was something far more intricate and promising than even he had imagined — Asheville River Cabins.

“I’ve always had kind of an eye on Asheville as a growing market. So, I gave the area a hard look to see what we could do there,” said Turner, owner of Asheville River Cabins. “And I just really fell in love with the land, ultimately decided this project was worth doing.”

Located on the banks of the French Broad River, Asheville River Cabins combines the amenities of boutique lodging with the essence of the great outdoors. As it stands currently, the 8.7-acre property (with 1,000 feet of waterfront) is home to 43 short-term rental units that consists of a mix of cabins and Airstreams.

“I guess you would call it a ‘glamping’ project,” Turner noted. “It’s designed for people who want to be closer to town and in a little more of a communal atmosphere, but you still have the ability to do some many outdoor things — grill out, use the fire pit, go kayaking or fishing right on the river.”

Although Asheville River Cabins is

purposely tucked away in the woods, geographically it’s pretty wellcentralized to an array of outdoor locations and urban destinations.

“Around the corner you have the N.C. Arboretum and Bent Creek for hiking, mountain biking, and trail running,” Turner said. “And you’re just

Nature, you’re also right near the massive Pisgah National Forest and the mountain biking mecca that is DuPont State Forest.

Aside from the numerous Airstreams already onsite, plans are already in the works to add more of the classic travel trailers, atop other additions, including more communal spaces and activities offered.

“People simply love the look and feel of the Airstreams. There’s this nostalgic feel to them, and they’ve always held that hip, cool factor,” Turner said. “The property itself appeals to that person who’s into mountain biking, outdoor activities, and breweries, someone who’s in search of all sorts of adventures.”

a stone’s throw from all the restaurants and shops in Biltmore Park, not to mention how close we are to Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. and the airport, with downtown Asheville just down the road.”

Beyond what lies in the heart of Asheville, the property is also just a short drive to several bucolic mountain towns — Hendersonville, Brevard, Saluda, and Tryon, just to name a few. For those looking to disappear into the depths of Mother

For Turner, what has come to fruition with Asheville River Cabins is a place of pure rest and relaxation, but one that also provides a launching pad for all of the natural beauty and cosmopolitan charm this region possesses.

“There really is such a uniqueness to this property,” Turner said. “You drive down this little road and you’re feel like you’re going to a campground when you get out here, you feel like you’re out in the woods, but you’re only five minutes away from Biltmore Park — it’s having the best of both worlds.” n

Asheville River Cabins on the French Broad River ASHEVILLE RIVER CABINS

West Asheville

THRIVING SMALL BUSINESS

Quite 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 (The West End, Biscuithead, Sunny Point Café) to restaurants (Leo’s House of Thirst, The Admiral, West Asheville Lounge & Kitchen), music venues (The Mothlight, Ambrose West, The Odd) 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

AGENT’S CHOICE:

“My family and I love going to Carrier Park on a sunny day. We bring the dogs, blankets, and music; play beach volleyball, Spikeball, or Frisbee; and of course, pack a cooler with local beer!”

— Kelly Hetherington, Biltmore Park

Harvest Recordsa is a longtime record store in West Asheville. STEPHAN PRUITT

Connecting the dots | 103.3 ASHEVILLE FM

With a bustling Haywood Road whizzing by its studio window in West Asheville, the 103.3 Asheville FM radio station is a beacon of community, culture, and connectivity.

“Our mission is to keep Asheville thriving by producing diverse and eclectic programming that inspires our listeners to build connections across our communities and discover new music and ideas,” said K.P. Whaley, general manager of 103.3 Asheville FM.

Walking through the small studio, Whaley passes by walls of old concert posters and event flyers, all of which are memories of people, places, and things that Asheville FM has facilitated and been part of. There’s a tone of gratification running through Whaley when speaking at-length about just what makes this station tick.

“The whole point [of 103.3 FM] is to be that connector across [Asheville],” Whaley said. “Besides music programming, we give the microphone to a bunch of nonprofits so they can tell people what they’re doing, and we highlight voices that are typically underrepresented in other mainstream media — queer folks, Black and indigenous folks.”

Started as an internet radio station, dubbed Asheville Free Media, in the back of a nearby café in 2009, Asheville FM has risen and expanded its footprint in the city throughout the years. It received a license to broadcast on the air in 2015.

“Our reach is the city limits, some parts of neighboring counties, and we can get as far as the airport [to the south],” Whaley said of the 100-watt low power FM signal. “We also have a lot of listeners worldwide who either stream us live on the website or through the Asheville FM app on their phones.”

Whaley started out in community radio back in 2000. Although he had a college degree in broadcast, he never really used it until he found himself enamored with the platform and potential of community radio.

“I’m a member of the LGBT community, and so I’m constantly trying to give voice to things that are important to me,” Whaley said. “And I learned through community radio that not only can I do that, but if I ended up being employed in the business, I could give the mic to dozens of people and be an activist — you recognize how important hyperlocal community media is.”

Throughout the week, Asheville FM hosts over 75 on-air shows, all of which are hosted by volunteers to the station itself. Whether it be freeform music programs, news or talk radio, extended interview segments or live performances, what is beamed out into the airwaves is one-of-a-kind local offerings.

“Some of our DJs have been doing this for years, and have a good sense of what freeform really means — it’s about having a concept in your show,

and being able to have the flexibility to play anything,” Whaley said. “[In terms of music], our DJs are curating playlists that are exposing folks to new music that they’re not going to hear if they just tuned into a [mainstream streaming service].”

And, with that freedom to flip its programming on a dime, Asheville FM became a vital source of information and connectivity during the COVID-19 shutdown and ensuing pandemic.

“We talked [in real time] about what was happening — in the world, and in our city. And we were able to help others in the community,” Whaley said. “We introduced a reading show for kids that we’re trapped at home. We also worked with a school to broadcast their graduation ceremony, people listening in their cars and pulling up to the school to get their diplomas — we aim to be a service to the community.

With Asheville FM soon approaching the 15-year mark, Whaley says there’s a genuine sense of gratitude to be able to do what he loves, and to be able to connect the dots within the city he calls home.

“It’s the variety of people who are at this station, seeing the diversity of our community represented here in what’s coming across the air,” Whaley said. “There’s corporate control of everything that’s happening in our lives. And it’s not just on the radio, it’s everywhere — we are the counterculture to all of that, and that’s why it’s important.” n

K.P. Whaley.

River Arts District

ART COMES ALIVE

Awalkable showcase of the Southern Appalachian arts scene is the River Arts District (RAD), 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 of this is within an earshot of numerous restaurants (12 Bones Smokehouse, The Bull & Beggar, All Souls Pizza) and performance spaces like Magnetic Theatre or the Grail Moviehouse, an arthouse cinema specializing in independent films and classic flicks.

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 along the French Broad River in the heart of the RAD. With live music regularly offered on the patio and side lawn, the property also borders the

AGENT’S CHOICE:

“Every April, the Junior League of Asheville hosts a 5K called Be The Change Challenge. All of the proceeds go towards a grant that is awarded to a local nonprofit.

This year, the event will be held on Saturday April 15, beginning and ending at Pleb Winery in the River Arts District of Asheville..”

recently expanded and very popular French Broad River Greenway. The Greenway is now open on both sides of the French Broad River, meanings visitors and locals are able to walk or cycle to dozens of restaurants, galleries, coffeeshops and breweries. n

— Meaghan Austin, Biltmore Park office

Asheville Glass Center. STEPHAN PRUITT

Patience and process | SARA MULVEY TINTYPE PHOTOGRAPHY

What started out as a gift from her late grandmother turned into a deep, genuine passion and eventual career for Sara Mulvey — one she couldn’t have ever imagined or planned for.

“[In 2017], she gave me this cigar box full of antique tintypes of all these people, and I became enamored with them,” Mulvey said, opening the box and flipping through several tintypes. “So, I took a workshop and learned how to do the process, and just kind of stuck with it — it just took over my life in the strangest way.”

A wet-plate collodion process with origins as far back as the mid-19th century, tintype photography produces a detailed image atop a piece of metal. The beauty of the process lies in the patience and care needed to evoke the image, where the emulsion is poured onto the metal plate and then exposed to light. Soon, the image appears on the tintype.

“The difference between photography then and today is that you have this tangible item that you can connect with, this object you can physically hold,” Mulvey said. “And it’s a chemical process, so it’s always changing. It’s always a little bit of a puzzle, and it involves people a little bit more.”

Originally from Salt Lake City, Utah, Mulvey has called Asheville home for the better part of the last decade. After

spending most of her childhood in Raleigh, where her grandmother also lived, Mulvey bounced around the country. She found herself in an array of occupations, including landscaping, her last endeavor before diving headfirst into photography.

Sitting in her portrait studio above the Baby Bull burger joint on Roberts Street in the famed River Arts District, Mulvey scans the space. It’s warm and welcoming, with her portrait setup against a nearby wall. There’s also a lot of natural light, which is ideal to capture the essence of her subjects.

“I see myself as an introvert, with [photography] as a way for me to connect with people, and share something that I really love,” Mulvey said. “I’ve never really had something like this [in my life], this thing that I can nerd out about and people seemed to be stoked about when they see it — [tintype] is the closest thing to magic that I’ve seen.”

Mulvey can, and does, travel to festivals and events with her tintype setup, being able to bring her process down to about a half-hour appointment. But Mulvey prefers private sessions in her studio, where all the attention and focus are on who is posing in front of her.

“It’s about getting to know them, showing them the process, making it

more of a celebration,” Mulvey said. “What are we celebrating? Is this your anniversary? The birth of your first child? That kind of thing feels a little more important these days, you know?”

In 2020, amid the shutdown and pandemic, Mulvey challenged herself to taking one tintype a day for the entire year.

“It was 365 days of wet plates. No matter what, I shot a wet plate. It could be a person, a landscape, or nothing important — it was about the process and learning what I wanted to do with it,” Mulvey said. “Outside, the light is always changing. You get everything setup and 10 minutes later you have entirely different light. You have to stay on your toes — it’s all part of the puzzle, and that’s what’s beautiful about it.”

And it’s that exact natural beauty — of the physical landscape of Western North Carolina, and of its unique inhabitants — where Mulvey is constantly drawing inspiration from for her evolving craft.

“I love being outdoors, having the option of running in the mountains or going swimming in the morning, then being around town in the afternoon,” Mulvey said. “This is the only place that’s ever felt like home to me. I don’t know to describe it — this special little place nestled in the hills.” n

North Asheville

UNIQUE AND DISTINCT

With 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.

With downtown in the rearview mirror, North Asheville soon opens up to larger residential properties, many along the shimmering Beaver Lake, home to the renowned Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary. This area is also home to the University of North Carolina at Asheville and its over 3,200 students. Offering a slew of workshops and classes for seniors and retirees, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at UNCA has become a beacon of education in the region. n

AGENT’S CHOICE:

A favorite concert venue of mine is outside the famous Asheville music scene. The Barn at Paint Fork is located in Barnardsville and has a great outdoor setup, live bands (Jesse James plays here frequently), and GREAT food trucks—all tucked into a fun country setting.

— LeAnn Kiddell, Burnsville o

Gingerbread houses at The Omni Grove Park Inn. STEPHAN PRUITT

Reigniting the fire within | MORSEL COOKIE COMPANY

While attending UNC Asheville, Caroline Dockery felt inspired while watching the “The Great British Baking Show.” Growing up with a mother who was an entrepreneur and a baker, Dockery spent her summer helping her cook.

“And I vowed [when I got older] that I would never do it because I hated it,” Dockery laughed. “But, watching the [TV show], I fell back in love with baking. It reignited the idea that baking doesn’t have to be one thing — there are a lot of different avenues of baking and pastries to explore that I wasn’t brought up knowing.”

With a simple, accurate mindset of “Who doesn’t love a cookie?” Dockery started experimenting with recipes and techniques, soon selling her creations around campus as a side business. The cookies were a hit as demand increased with each batch completed. From there, it was less than three months after graduating from college in 2019 that Dockery launched the Morsel Cookie Company.

“It’s really fun because we’re able to take something that everyone can relate to and make it something completely new,” Dockery said. “We’re not the only oversized cookie company in America, but the thing that separates us is the fact we do things that are

similar to other desserts.”

The approach at Morsel is to combine pastry with large-scale production, but with everything handmade — a key component that resides at the heart of the operation.

“I want to make sure there was enough creativity to where it would never get boring doing the same product over and over,” Dockery said. “We hand scoop our dough. We make all our fillings that we can in-house. We try to do things that resemble other desserts like pies or cakes, and so we include frosting, curds, and all other kinds of confections to enhance our product.”

One big takeaway from the inception of Morsel and its growing success, which now includes a brick-and-mortar location in Asheville, is a renewed avenue of connectivity and camaraderie between Dockery and her mother.

“It’s amazing to be able to talk to her, but now also as a businessperson, where I ask her opinion of what I need to do with our business model,” Dockery said. “It’s really added a level to our relationship that I don’t think many people get to have with their parents — it’s just made me extra fortunate to have a mom I can confide in, and who also supports me.”

At only 24, Dockery doesn’t take for granted being able to find her true

passion early on in life, something that may take a bit longer for her peers.

“It’s weird, because most people are still trying to figure out a path in life. And, by some ways and means, I found this path, one where I’m running my own business and it’s thriving,” Dockery said. “But it’s a blessing and a curse because I’ll have an existential crisis at every point of growth [laughs]. And yet, I try and relish in those moments of freedom to do what I want — this sense of security of having something to focus on that I love doing.”

Having the Asheville shop has brought Morsel into a new, exciting realm of possibility. Beyond the mere fact of having her own space to create, bake, and sell her wares, Dockery now gets the pleasure of seeing folks wander in — either on purpose or out of pure curiosity — approaching the counter with wide-eyed expressions of happiness and anticipation.

“We’re lucky to have such an easy business model because, normally, if you’re walking into a cookie shop, then you’re predisposed to being in a good mood,” Dockery said. “It’s really fun to see people who are a little skeptical of what we make, only to try a cookie and go, ‘This is the best cookie, ever’ — it’s an incredible experience to know what you’re doing is making people happy.”

Buncombe County

Weaverville and Barnardsville, two of the oldest communities in Buncombe County, pride themselves in being communities that attract artists and adventurers.

The Weaverville tourism website doesn’t mince words in describing its allure: “Weaverville and the Reems Creek Valley have been a beacon to yearning souls since pioneers began settling in what was still Cherokee territory in the 1700s. The natural beauty of the area, the healthful climate, and its proximity to Asheville’s urban attractions have made Weaverville the perfect small town.” Weaverville has earned a reputation for keeping its neighborhoods clean and green. The town has received Tree City

USA certification every year since 1990, and in 2009, the Arbor Day Foundation named it the top Tree City in the state.

The town maintains Lake Louise Park, a perfect spot for family and community events, exercise, and romantic strolls, with picnic tables and shelters, grills, a playground, and a walking trail.

A walk downtown reveals a variety of local craft breweries, offering flavors from classic traditional to historical English styles and farmhouse Belgian beers.

The number of eateries and shops is impressive, with favorites on Main Street like Blue Mountain Pizza, Well-Bred Bakery & Café, The Glass Onion, Main Street Grill, Twisted Laurel, Mangum Pottery Studio & Gallery, and Eluvium Brewery.

In the nearby community of Alexander is the Alexander Bike Park, with six miles of intermediate single-track trails in two loops. The short loop is 1.1 miles with variable terrain. The long loop consists of 5 miles of tight-twisting single track with moderate

climbs. The park also has a dual slalom downhill track that will challenge even the most experienced riders.

From Weaverville, it’s just a 15-minute drive to the scenic views 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 Scottishstyle links.

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. In May and October, there’s the Weaverville Art Safari, a free, self-guided studio tour featuring face-to-face encounters with dozens of area artists and craftspeople.

Ten miles northeast of Weaverville is Barnardsville, a bucolic community set amidst rolling hills, pastures, and mountain farms. Like Weaverville, it is home to folks who enjoy a relaxed environment and to a substantial number of professional artists.

It’s also home to Navitat Canopy Adventures, which takes customers on one-of-a-kind treetop adventures. The company opened in 2010 and has constantly expanded its offering of zipline adventure experiences.

Locals are proud of the Big Ivy Community Center, which was initially organized by residents and has evolved into a vibrant hub of activity. Every October, the center hosts Mountain Heritage Day, 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 a pre-Civil War cabin and a replica of a one-room schoolhouse that was built in the 1890s.

Barnardsville is full of farms, so fresh, local food is literally a part of the landscape. There are numerous community-supported agriculture organizations and weekly farmers markets at the Old Barnardsville Fire Station. Residents often end up buying all of their seasonal produce from their neighbors. n

AGENT’S CHOICE:

My Weaverville library always has activities!

This month, there’s a sourdough bread making class taught by a local baker/culinary school teacher. The librarians are soooo creative. During the pandemic, they created take-home crafts for kids since we couldn’t meet for story time. My granddaughter just loved making her bedazzled mermaid tale. She even asked to go back to the library the next time she came for a visit.

— Cathy Carter, Downtown Asheville office

Barnardsville STEPHAN PRUITT

Buncombe County

BLACK MOUNTAIN

The town of Black Mountain claims a history of art, education, and fellowship, while looking to the future as a vibrant and energetic community in the eastern part of Buncombe County.

Located under the gaze of some of the oldest peaks in the country, Black Mountain enjoys proximity to rivers, trails, mountain vistas, Interstate 40, and some of the region’s most

notable worship communities.

Part of Black Mountain’s appeal is its proximity to Interstate 40, allowing residents to easily take jaunts to Asheville or Charlotte.

Black Mountain features a hearty selection of 40-plus independent restaurants, breweries, shops, art galleries, and numerous antique dealers. Venues include White Horse Black Mountain, Black Mountain Alehouse, Pisgah Brewing, Bad Craft, Foothills Butcher Bar, Seven Sisters Tap Room, Black Mountain Natural Foods, and Lookout Brewing.

With a population of more than 8,000, Black Mountain has a

Shopping in Cherry Street Square, Black Mountain.

STEPHAN PRUITT

vibrant but quaint commercial center. It breathes with a particular kind of mountain energy, embracing both its natural surroundings and a tastefully configured, small-town urban core, centered around the old rail depot that gave the town its name.

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, and Ridgecrest. Nearby is Montreat, a small community that was home to renowned evangelist Billy Graham. The community also includes the Montreat Conference Center and Montreat College, the site of a major speech given by Martin Luther King Jr. in 1965.

The valley’s historic feel is enhanced as home of the avantgarde Black Mountain College, located next to Lake Eden from 1933-57, where titans of 20th Century art — Merce Cunningham, John Cage, Buckminster Fuller, Willem and Elaine de Kooning, and Josef and Anni Albers, among others — taught a generation of artists and thinkers.

Outdoor recreation is one of Black Mountain’s hallmarks. Hiking trails abound, including the comfortable bank-side trail at the 10acre Lake Tomahawk.

The Black Mountain Golf Course, run by the town, features a whopping 747-yard par 6, one of the longest holes in America.

Black Mountain hosts the 40-mile Mt. Mitchell Challenge in February, one of the toughest foot races in the country.

Montreat College and nearby Warren Wilson College offer concerts, theater productions, and dances. The valley is also home to Givens Highland Farms Retirement Communities, the N.C. State Veterans Nursing Home, and the Black Mountain Veterans Park.

Every August, The Sourwood Festival fills downtown Black Mountain with entertainment for both adults and children. More

than 30,000 people turn out for the festival.

The town is also home to the LEAF Festival, an intergenerational celebration of world culture that takes place on the site of the old Black Mountain College, with a stunning array of rolling hills, lakes, streams, and mountain beauty on hundreds of acres of comfortable camping grounds. n

AGENT’S CHOICE:

“You can’t beat an outdoor concert at Pisgah Brewing in Black Mountain!

They win my vote for the best venue in the area, hands down!

Not only do they have great bands that play here, but they also brew amazing beers and have a variety of awesome food truck vendors for their outdoor events. Rain or shine, I always have a blast!”

— Nichole Davis, Biltmore Park office

Art to the People | BLACK MOUNTAIN CENTER FOR THE ARTS

The core mission of the Black Mountain Center for the Arts since it opened in 2000 has remained “to bring arts to the people and people to the arts.”

“We’re a really nice intersection of different people experiencing the arts together — what’s not to love about that?” said Lori Cozzi, executive director of BMCFTA. “We have programming around all of the art forms, and it’s very community driven, so it’s kind of a special place here in Black Mountain.”

Located in the former City Hall building, the structure of the BMCFTA is picturesque and welcoming, one encompassing the entire spectrum of history of the Southern Appalachian town since its incorporation in 1927.

“We’re not just offering opportunities for our community to see or learn the arts, we’re also giving artists in the community opportunities,” Cozzi said.

Initially used by the Black Mountain Police Department and public library, the property has also housed the Chamber of Commerce, the Red Cross, and Western Union Telegraph, amongst other tenants in its almost 100 years of existence.

“This building is another special part of who we are,” Cozzi said. “It’s

spacious and beautiful. There aren’t many buildings these days with the trim and high ceilings. People walk in here and they’re taken by the space and the architecture.”

In the early 1990s, the building became vacant. There was concern within Black Mountain about what to do with the property. It sat empty for several years, with many in the community worried that it would eventually be demolished.

But in 1995, the building was purchased by a group of Black Mountain art lovers after a successful fundraising campaign. That collective soon founded the BMCFTA and achieved nonprofit status. By 2000, the doors to the BMCFTA were officially opened.

“I love that we’re able to bring in performance as well as learning opportunities to the people in our community,” Cozzi said. “I love the people that I get to meet — artists, patrons, donors, audience members, all the way down to the 3-year-olds taking dance classes.”

Cozzi and her family have called Black Mountain home since 1999. Before taking the helm of the BMCFTA, she was a teacher at the local elementary school. For Cozzi, it’s about the connectivity and carefree nature of its residents and visitors alike that remain the essence of the community.

“It’s hard to be in this place and not appreciate the beauty around you,”

Cozzi said. “Like any small town, Black Mountain is small enough that you know people everywhere you go. We have a wonderful parks department with beautiful public space, and it’s really unique that a town of our size has such a vibrant arts center.”

In a typical month of programming, events range from performances by an improvisational comedy troupe to an acclaimed Americana band, ballet/contemporary dance classes to book readings, voice/music lessons to pottery workshops, and seemingly everything in-between.

“It’s important that the arts are valued here — the arts improve your quality of life,” Cozzi said. “And it’s about accessibility. It’s convenient for families to bring their kids here after-school for dance classes or to catch dinner in town and then come see a show.”

Wandering the hallways, classrooms and performances spaces within the historic walls of the BMCFTA, Cozzi takes great pride in — and genuine appreciation for — the electric energy of humanity permeating through the building on any given day.

“This place is about bringing people together, people that might not always come together,” Cozzi said. “People in their twenties up to their eighties in the painting class downstairs, you know? All of these different backgrounds and age groups in one space — it’s really beautiful to see people come together like that.” n

Lori Cozzi

Buncombe & Henderson Counties

ARDEN & MILLS RIVER

Aheavyweight in American craft brewing put Mills River on the map in 2014, when Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. opened its $200 million, 217-acre facility in the rural community, right next door to the Asheville Regional Airport.

As one of the pioneers of the craft beer industry, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. is a leader in their field and maker of some of the finest microbrews for over 40 years. Based out of Chico, California, the company’s East Coast headquarters in Mills River hosts brewery tours, a restaurant, and plenty of indoor and outdoor

seating for a heavy rotation of live music events.

Despite the arrival of the national brewery, the communities of Arden and Mills River still offer a lot of room to roam.

The South Buncombe area is also home to the North Carolina Arboretum, an extraordinary public garden that adjoins the Blue Ridge Parkway. The 434-acre 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.

Nearby is the 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 statue of landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted at the NC Arboretum. STEPHAN PRUITT

AGENT’S CHOICE:

swings, restroom facilities, picnic shelter, tennis/pickleball courts, handicapped accessible fishing pier, and canoe/kayak launch.

The town of Mills River is also in the design phase for the Mills River Valley Trail, a new path along N.C. 280 creating a safe route for walking and biking, and linking the heart of Mills River to the French Broad River.

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.

A major attraction in the Skyland area is Biltmore Park Town Square, a modern town-center-style development boasting smart growth, green living, and reduced driving. The development links condominium living with shopping, restaurants, cafés and gathering spots, spas and health clubs, and businesses and employers. Storefronts include national retailers like LOFT and REI, as well as Barnes & Noble.

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 historic structures is the Blake House Inn Bed & Breakfast, which was built as a summer retreat in 1847. 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.

Mills River Park opens at dawn and closes at dusk, and offers a 1.2-mile multi-use trail, a dog park, playground with sunshade,

The 300-acre Lake Julian and surrounding park in Skyland offer 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 Winter Festival of Lights. n

“If you haven’t been there already, you should check out North Mills River Recreation Area, located only 30 minutes from downtown Asheville. It’s a fantastic little spot to do it all—picnic, swim, tube, hike, or bike.”

— Julie Smith & Todd Kaderabek, Downtown Asheville office

George F. Goosmann, IV

John R. Rose

Veronica H. Colvard

Elizabeth L. M. Cramer

Catherine N. Toler

Lauren-Ashley Redmon

Henderson County

| FLAT ROCK

Henderson County is a gem of a place nestled in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina. Widely known for its abundance of apples and as the final home of American poet and writer Carl Sandburg, this popular destination spot offers not only history and agriculture, but also an array of culinary, musical, and leisure experiences.

Henderson County was established as the southern gateway into the Blue Ridge. Completion of the Buncombe Turnpike in 1827 began a period of cultural and economic expansion for Western North Carolina.

Hendersonville is nothing short of a playground for cool exploration and warm, Southern hospitality — all grounded by an

authentic, small-town experience. It’s the careful balance of both creative innovation and classic tradition that makes the area so intriguing.

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.

Another unique addition is The Appalachian Pinball Museum, housed in a historic building that was once a music theater. It’s fun and nostalgic to get in the classic stance and hammer away at the silver ball. Not only does the venue offer over 50 pinball machines, but it also houses other classic games such as Pac-Man and Donkey Kong.

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

HENDERSONVILLE

Jump Off Rock.

MICHAEL E. GOUGE

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.

more room for her award-winning goat breeding business than they had at their Michigan home.

She found the Flat Rock house for sale in 1945 and arranged for its purchase. She also arranged to deed the property to the National Park Service after her husband’s death.

2022 SALES

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.

Henderson County

MEDIAN PRICE $403,212 AVERAGE DAYS ON MARKET 27 PERCENT OF LISTING PRICE 100% NUMBER OF UNITS 2,050

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.

Nearby Flat Rock, once known as “The Little Charleston of the Mountains,” has long been a resort escape for Southerners fleeing summer heat. It is home to the Flat Rock Playhouse, the State Theater of North Carolina, where varied performances draw some 100,000 visitors each year.

Flat Rock is also home to the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site, where the renowned poet and writer lived out his last 22 years. The estate, named “Connemara,” welcomes the public to view everything from Sandburg’s 10,000-volume library to his wife’s goat farm. Lilian Sandburg was the one who pushed for the Sandburgs to move to Western North Carolina, for she needed

Etowah, a community to the west of Hendersonville, has become a residential and retirement haven that features some of the finest golf in the area.

The Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra, which celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2021, stages frequent performances and conducts both music education programs and a youth orchestra.

The Center for Craft, Creativity, and Design also makes a major contribution to the local arts scene. Based at a 50-acre facility in Hendersonville, its programs include craft and design research and publishing, exhibitions, public art projects, and conferences that draw artists from across the country.

A popular destination is the Elijah Mountain Gem Mine. Elijah Cloer was eight years old when his parents wanted him to learn the ins and outs of creating a business. He said his favorite thing to do while on vacation was to visit a gem mine, so that is what he wanted to pursue.

What started as one flume is now a popular thriving business rated the top gem mine in North Carolina by Tripadvisor. Along with mining, visitors can peruse the gift shop, picnic beside a backyard creek, pet and feed goats, and say hi to chickens and roosters walking freely in the store.

The town of Hendersonville manages a wide array of local parks integrated into a comprehensive greenways plan. Berkeley Mills Park has a baseball field and a large pavilion, and plans have been developed for a nature trail. Boyd Park has two tennis courts and

a miniature golf course. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park 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 with 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.

Hendersonville is uniquely situated when it comes to outdoor activities. Nearby are the Pisgah National Forest, DuPont State Forest, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and numerous mountain lakes and rivers. Just fi ve miles from downtown is Jump Off Rock, a storied scenic overlook. According to local legend, hundreds of years ago, a Cherokee 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 trees, azaleas, rhododendron, and wildflowers.

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 farmer. Several outbuildings, including a blacksmith shop, barn, and cottage, have also been 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 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 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 two-year, comprehensive post-secondary school serves more than 15,000 students a year. The college offers 100 programs of study and one of the largest continuing education programs in the state. It has placed special emphasis on technical programs in automotive technology, emergency response, law enforcement, nursing, engineering, and machining technology. n

AGENT’S CHOICE:

“Jump Off Rock in Laurel Park is a petfriendly favorite of many, offering exceptional views, walking trails, and a level grassy area for picnics.”

— Sonny Iler, Managing Broker, Hendersonville office

Downtown Hendersonville.

MICHAEL E. GOUGE

Mountains of family fun | HENDERSONVILLE

As one of the fastest growing cities in Western North Carolina, the mountain community of Hendersonville is also home to two of the most familyfriendly spots in the region — the Hands On! Children’s Museum and the Appalachian Pinball Museum.

“Hands On! is a special place where children and their adult caregivers can come together and make sense of the world through imaginative and interactive play-based learning experiences,” said Joseph Knight, executive director of Hands On!. “It’s incredible to observe how children learn through the acts of play and to see them light up with a sense of pride and accomplishment.”

Located on North Main Street, Hands On! showcases numerous exhibits and interactive programs throughout the year. Aside from the pure enjoyment of these educational resources for people of all ages, many of the exhibits are STEM-based, ultimately complementing the N.C. Standard Course of Study.

“[We’re] committed to allowing children to embrace their sense of curiosity and wonder,” Knight said. “It's a magical experience when you see children from all walks of life come together to learn through play throughout the museum.”

Hands On! also aims to be a vital resource for families and schools.

“At the end of the day, our goal is to inspire children to realize their full potential in the sciences and arts,” Knight said. “By exposing children to a wide variety of learning experiences, we instill a better understanding of themselves and their world.”

Also on North Main Street, and less than a quarter-mile down from Hands On!, is the Appalachian Pinball Museum. Opened in 2017, the museum consists of dozens of pinball machines and arcade games, many of which are rare antiques the public is welcomed to play and enjoy.

“It's just fun. People enter into our space with a grin and leave with a smile. The folks that visit [here] are there to have a good time, and share memories with their friends and families,” said John French, co-owner of Appalachian Pinball. “We especially love the ‘ohhs and ahhs’ we get when peeps realize the size of our space and quantity of playable games, not to mention the

cool lighting and retro feel of the place.”

A lifelong pinball enthusiast, French learned how to fix up old games as a side hobby, something that eventually parlayed itself into acquiring several machines, onward to where his collection stands today — around 80 games and counting.

“We’ve got a great crew [working here]. We have fun and get to share a certain kind of history. Parents and grandparents get to show their kids how to play something instead of the other way around,” French said. “So many people have stories to share about the memories that they have

involving these games. It’s also great to watch the next, and newer, generations rediscover the classics.”

Having places like Hands On! and Appalachian Pinball is a testament to not only the intricate nature of the community, but also the continued growth of the culture and avenues of activities available in the area.

“Henderson County and Hendersonville is such a unique place to live, work, and play. There are so many incredible experiences for people of all ages to enjoy,” Knight said. “We have a lot of amenities that larger communities have, but we still have our hometown feel, especially within our historic downtown district”

“The mountains, rivers, trails, and people are all very appealing to myself and my family. Hendersonville gives one the feeling of ‘small town’ living, without actually being that small,” French added. “I love that people enjoy what [we’ve] built from nothing, and we’ll be here for the long haul. The community aspects of Hendersonville, the friends I've made here, and the folks that have made the Appalachian Pinball Museum a repeated destination, have seen to that.” n

SUSANNA SHETLEY

Appalachian Pinball Museum

Henderson County

Fletcher sits in the middle of just about everything in Western North Carolina, close enough to be a jumping-off spot for any adventure, while also nestled in right near the Asheville Regional Airport for quick access to everywhere else.

Fletcher is uniquely positioned for national and international travelers, and it has an ever-expanding footprint of things to do that might make you stick around.

The biggest draw of all is the weeklong Western North Carolina Mountain State Fair, held each September at the WNC Agricultural Center, just across the street from the airport.

The Agricultural Center’s 87-acre multi-use facility hosts events year round, including horse and livestock shows, professional conferences, classic-car events, and trade shows. The center also welcomes the Land of the Sky Gun and Knife Show in the Davis Event Center, a 45,000-square-foot arena that’s outfitted with huge exhibit spaces and an onsite restaurant.

Fletcher has expanded its health and recreation initiatives, implementing a greenways master plan to make the community friendlier for walkers and bicyclists. The town is planning a network with 13 miles of trails.

Two local parks offer opportunities for exercise and enjoyment: 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.

Bluegrass lovers flock to the Feed and Seed, a church and music venue located in the old feed and supply building that has been a landmark for 100 years. The church focuses on serving the community, and it hosts top-notch Appalachian music every weekend. The Feed and Seed is family oriented, offering RC Cola and Moon Pies, popcorn, and coffee. There’s no cover charge for the music, either.

People are also talking about Blue Ghost Brewing, which regularly rolls out new tastes and flavors at its Underwood Road location. “Blue Ghost Brewing aims to make world-class beer while being a community center in Fletcher, promoting family, worthy causes, and our local natural wonders,” is the company’s mission statement.

The town is also home to Diamond Brand Gear, maker of legendary wall tents, as well as hiking and camping gear.

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 town, which celebrated its 30th birthday in 2019, is developing a downtown area called the heart of Fletcher district to support small retail businesses, professional offices, restaurants, and a new Town Hall complex. n

Fletcher Feed and Seed. MAX COOPER

Quality craftsmanship and customer service are the driving forces of our business with over 15 years experience in stone design, fabrication and installation. Rockstar Marble & Granite stands behind every countertop we install and take pride in its creation. Our staff is more than happy to educate you on all aspects of natural stone and engineered countertops. Our goal is to give you the very best our industry has to offer at affordable prices.

Haywood County

WAYNESVILLE | CANTON | MAGGIE VALLEY | LAKE JUNALUSKA | CLYDE

Haywood County is a popular destination for visitors and those seeking a thriving-yet-quaint home in the mountains.

The community offers miles of scenic drives along the Blue Ridge Parkway, hiking trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and vacation cabin rentals in Maggie Valley, Waynesville, Lake Junaluska, Canton, and Clyde.

Haywood is home to the Cataloochee Valley, one the most remote parts of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This is where elk were successfully reintroduced in 2001. The majestic elk can be sighted in the valley throughout the warm months, and can also be frequently seen wandering through Maggie Valley. Downtown Waynesville’s bustling Main Street is a pedestrian’s dream, with working art studios, fine restaurants, breweries, a coffee roastery, gift shops, a bakery, and more. The first Friday of each month, residents and visitors enjoy Art After Dark, a gallery

stroll with meet-the-artist events and a street party atmosphere. A couple blocks away is the Waynesville Recreation Park, with walking trails, tennis courts, a dog park, volleyball courts, an 18hole disc golf course, catch-and-release trout stream, recreation center with an indoor pool, water park for kids, full-sized basketball court, and a variety of classes.

Hazelwood Village has maintained its own identity and evolved into a revitalized retail district to the west of Waynesville, including pottery studios, a welcoming coffee shop, a bustling book store, gourmet food offerings, and Hazelwood Soap Company, a familyowned business producing small-batch offerings of homemade soaps and lotions.

Hazelwood is where you can also find the Folkmoot Friendship Center, headquarters for a two-week international dance and music festival 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 offers a public, 2.5-mile paved path around the lake and accommodations at the Lambuth Inn,

Cycling the Blue Ridge Parkway. STEVE YOCOM

The rings of time | METZGER’S BURL WOOD GALLERY

Within earshot of the intersection of Old Balsam Road and the Great Smoky Mountains Expressway in Waynesville is a large, unassuming warehouse. Smoke drifts from its chimney into the cold morning air.

Inside are a handful of workers, each cutting and piecing large chunks of wood into stunning works of art.

“It’s functioning art — that’s what I tell people,” Daniel Metzger said, leaning back into his chair during a short break to chat. “It’s carvings, coffee and dining tables, wall pieces, where most are used as everyday furniture. You put your feet up on it, you stare at it, admire it — our pieces are generally the focal point in a home.”

Specializing in intricate, handcrafted burl wood pieces, Metzger’s is a decades-old Haywood County business that’s at the heart of the artisan crafts movement in the mountains of Western North Carolina.

“A burl is an abnormal growth on a tree,” Metzger said. “It can be at the base, in the roots, the middle, the top, or all the way up and down. It’s just part of Mother Nature, where the tree’s doing so well, instead of growing high, it starts growing out.”

Founded in Florida in 1972 by Metzger’s father, Steve, the company

has grown — literally and figuratively — from a deep passion for woodwork and craftsmanship into a renowned studio and gallery in Southern Appalachia.

“I’ve been doing this professionally for about 14 years. My dad learned by doing, and he’s taught me everything I know,” Daniel said. “As a little kid, I always worked with him, cutting wood and building pieces in the shop. He’s carrying on something that’s a passion for him, something that’s now a passion for me.”

In those early days, Steve left the Southeast for San Francisco, California, where he’d showcase and sell his unique burl pieces on Fisherman’s Wharf. And it was there where Steve sparked a lifelong love and appreciation for redwood trees, whose magnificent stature continues to tower high above in the forests near the Bay Area.

“When he lived out there, he saw a beautiful redwood burl table with the root system as the base [of the table], and he decided to do it on his own,” Daniel said. “So, he built a 16-foot chainsaw that ran on a Volkswagen motor. It also had a railroad track cart to move the giant burls to cut with the saw — it was pretty impressive.”

Although Metzger’s works with a variety of wood types — black walnut,

maple, cherry oak, buckeye, poplar, sycamore — the core of the family business remains a keen emphasis on salvaged old growth redwood from California. Inside the Waynesville studio are mesmerizing cuts of redwood, with some over 2,000 years old as seen by the endless rings in the pieces.

“This piece here was probably cut 50 or 60 years ago, back when they were still cutting and milling [in the California forest],” Daniel said, pointing to an enormous redwood cut. “I have so much respect for redwood, where I want to do as good of a product as I can — it’s all about respecting this ancient wood.”

Strolling through the studio warehouse, Daniel gazes up, around and over at the numerous burl wood pieces with a look of awe, more so an expression of childlike wonder, this restless urge within him to figure out just how he wants to approach a piece — all in the name of artistic exploration and discovery.

“Every tree is unique, and every piece is different,” Daniel said. “You can manipulate it some, but you’re really just going with the contours of the wood, seeing where it takes you when you’re creating a piece. It’s Mother Nature’s art, and I just get to help her out.” n

GARRET K. WOODWARD

Daniel Metzger

Metzger's Burl Wood Gallery

an elegant and historic inn listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The lake offers canoe rentals, bird watching, a seasonal public pool, and lakefront properties. In season, it is not unusual to spy bald eagles nesting in the tall trees around the lake.

AGENT’S CHOICE:

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Waynesville is also home to Haywood Regional Arts Theatre, a playhouse with two indoor stages that offers productions all year. Sharing grounds with the theater is the Museum of North Carolina Handicrafts in the historic Shelton House, featuring 19th century pottery, quilts, baskets, and woodworking.

Just 10 miles away is Maggie Valley, a mountain delight that rolls out the welcome mat to visitors year after year. From spring to autumn, the valley welcomes motorcyclists from around the country who come to traverse the Blue Ridge Parkway, motor through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and enjoy the camaraderie of other riders who make an annual trek to visit the Dale’s Wheels Through Time Museum, which houses some of the world’s finest historic motorcycles.

Maggie Valley is also home to Elevated Mountain Distillery, which produces several unique brands of distilled spirits for sale or sample.

Cataloochee Ski Area offers delightful snowboarding and skiing, and typically is one of the first resorts in the eastern United States to open each year. Nearby is the Cataloochee Ranch, with cabins, horse stables, a grand old lodge, and restaurant atop a 5,000-foot mountain. Those staying at the ranch can join staff and other guests for evening cookouts, where you might even hear local storytelling and mountain music.

The town of Canton is a snapshot of a classic Southern mill town, with unique and beautiful bungalows and buildings still intact in the core of downtown. The downtown district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and its crown jewel is the Imperial Hotel. Originally crafted as a stately home, it includes the

Southern Porch, a family owned restaurant offering excellent food, a diverse menu, and friendly service. Just down the street on the banks of the Pigeon River is BearWaters Brewing, an awardwinning brewery and restaurant that features a cozy interior and welcoming outdoor seating.

The restored Colonial Theater in Canton features concerts, shows, films, and other entertainment events in a beautifully restored historic theater. A centerpiece of downtown, the theater has hosted world-class acts over the years.

Clyde, a hamlet that lies between Canton and Waynesville, can boast as its own the oldest structure in Haywood County. The Shook-Smathers 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

“The Haywood County Public Library in Waynesville hosts Balsam Mountain Trust’s Nature Preserve Center, which showcases different animals, insects, fossils, and plants. It is an incredible hands-on experience for kids and parents alike.”

— Mary Z. Irvin, Waynesville office

Orchard Coffee in Waynesville

Lake Junaluska STEVE YOCOM

AGENT’S CHOICE:

“Fall is such a special time of year in WNC!

On a crisp fall day, if you want to see some serious color change, I recommend driving up Hwy. 64 to Cashiers/Highlands. I enjoy the rustic/cabin design of all the mom and pop shops along the way as I watch the mountains and trees grow bigger and colors get brighter. Make sure to stop in at Bucks Coffee Cafe in Cashiers.”

— Erica Banner, Brevard office

Madison County

MARS HILL | MARSHALL | HOT SPRINGS

Madison County offers visitors and residents a taste of small-town heritage, outdoor exploration, and a timeless tradition of musical history recognized around the world.

The county seat, Marshall, population 870, is some 20 miles north of Asheville. The town, shoehorned between peaks on the banks of the French Broad River, is an enclave of artists, galleries, and studios. Stroll down Marshall’s Main Street and you’ll find books, cafes, galleries, antique shops, eateries, and a coffee shop that hosts weekly jam sessions for true bluegrass and mountain music fun.

Marshall High Studios is located in the historic schoolhouse built in 1925 for the high school. Perched on a 10-acre island in the French Broad River, the restored building houses 26 studios, an auditorium, and an enormous deck in a park-like setting. The

updated facility has attracted artists in all media: painting, textiles, jewelry, sound recording, yoga/movement, ceramics, photography, design, writing, massage, print making, music, and fiber.

The Depot, a converted railroad station, is a popular Marshall community performance venue each Friday night as locals strike up a soundtrack of traditional bluegrass and country music. There’s also plenty of music at the town’s regular French Broad Fridays, a series of free outdoor concerts.

The Madison County Arts Center, also on Main Street, presents traditional and contemporary art exhibitions.

The entire county offers outdoor sports for all enthusiasts, whether you want a rafting trip, a cycling adventure along country roads, or an invigorating horseback ride.

East of Marshall is the town of Mars Hill, a small community big on mountain traditions.

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. Founded in 1856, the schools is one of the oldest educational facilities in Western North Carolina.

Madison County Championship Rodeo COURTESY MADISON COUNTY TOURISM

AGENT’S CHOICE:

close to Interstate 26, offering quick access to Asheville to the south or Tennessee to the north.

Wolf Ridge Ski Resort opens each winter in northern Madison County, with 82 acres of terrain for skiers and snowboarders.

Throughout the year, the Ebbs Chapel Performing Arts Center’s 250-seat theater hosts musical performances ranging from classical to the traditional.

About 15 miles northeast of Marshall is the resort town of Hot Springs, which is also nestled next to the French Broad River and features the Appalachian Trail winding its way through town on Bridge Street.

Each April, the town hosts a weekend-long Trailfest, a celebration of all things Appalachian Trail, complete with live music, local foods, and athletic events.

The university’s Rural Life Museum preserves and presents artifacts of traditional Appalachian communities, while the Weizenblatt Art Gallery shares visiting exhibitions and student and staff works.

Mars Hill hosts two long-running festivals celebrating craft, music, and dance: the Heritage Festival and the Bascom Lamar Lunsford Music Festival. Both occur the same weekend in October. The university is also home to the Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre, founded in 1975 to become one of the region’s top theater draws.

There are 1,800 residents within Mars Hill town limits, and it sits

Hot Springs got its name from the extraordinary natural mineral springs constantly heated above 100 degrees, and it is home to the 100acre Hot Springs Resort and Spa, which dates to before the Civil War.

Downtown Hot Springs is lined with cafés, coffee shops, and gift stores, though many say the real action is in the surrounding waters and ridges, renowned for biking, fi shing, kayaking, and tubing.

In September, the town 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

“My favorite drive in the fall is out Highway 209 to Max Patch, which is a great place to hike. The rolling pastures of the valley nestled down below the mountains are lit up with color. The colors of the leaves range from orange to yellow to brown and purple.”

— Amanda Hill, Waynesville office

Mars Hill University

Rutherford County

LAKE

LURE | BAT CAVE | CHIMNEY ROCK VILLAGE | GERTON

Rutherford County offers the peace and quiet of scenic country roads, punctuated with 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, gives visitors and residents the feel that they are in a land unto itself.

Four small townships are in the gorge: Gerton, Bat Cave,

Chimney Rock Village, and Lake Lure. Each has its own particular charms, but a common thread that benefits them all is the famed biodiversity of the area.

Hickory Nut Gorge, home to 14 rare animal species and 36 rare plant species, is a haven for biologists, geologists, and birders. It’s studded 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 is the 6,892-acre Chimney Rock State Park. A climb up the stairs to the top of 315-foot-tall Chimney Rock (or

The Old Cider Mill in Bat Cave

MICHAEL E. GOUGE PHOTO

elevator ride) is rewarded with panoramic views as far as 75 miles on some days. The park has a network of trails and ample opportunities for bouldering and rock climbing, along with a rich history that gives it deep ties to the region.

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Rutherford County

Lake Lure offers visitors a hike in the woods, a thrilling mountain bike ride, a sheer rock face to climb, or a day on the water for fishing, boating, or kayaking. The lake is also home to a variety of lodging, dining, and shopping opportunities.

MEDIAN PRICE ........ $250,000

AVERAGE DAYS ON MARKET 32

PERCENT OF

LISTING PRICE 98%

NUMBER OF UNITS 621

Nearby are Bat Cave and Chimney Rock Village. In Bat Cave, the Old Cider Mill sells mountain crafts and curios, and, during apple season, freshpressed 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.

Less than a mile east of Chimney Rock Village is the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge. Boasting more than 2,000 types of plants and flowers, you can also find a picturesque sunset mural. n

AGENT’S CHOICE:

take your breath away!”

Hickory Nut Falls at Chimney Rock State Park, Chimney Rock, North Carolina

“We love driving and hiking through Chimney Rock State Park. It has some of North Carolina’s most dramatic and spectacular mountain scenery, which overlooks Hickory Nut Gorge and Lake Lure. Take the adventure to the top on a very pleasant trail (499 steps) with beautiful waterfalls and views along the way. The vibrant fall colors and beauty will

— Ivette Drumgool, Hendersonville offi

Yancey County

Yancey County boasts more than 600 working artists, including renowned glassblowers, metalsmiths, basket makers, painters, paper makers, potters, quilters, sculptors, and weavers.

It is also home of the largest telescope in the Southeast dedicated to dark sky research and recreational activities.

Combine the highest mountain peaks in the eastern United States with a growing and vibrant town center in Burnsville and you get premier alpine settings, rolling farmland, and experiences that go above and beyond.

The county is bordered by Tennessee to the north, while the southern border follows the Blue Ridge Parkway. Burnsville is the county seat, with 1,638 town residents. The county, with 11 townships, has a population close to 18,000. Asheville is just 35 miles to the southeast, and Johnson City, Tennessee, is 50 miles to the north.

An ongoing $25 million fiber optic upgrade is making fast and reliable internet access available throughout much of the community.

Mayland Community College offers state-of-the-art programs, including nursing, applied engineering, mechanical design,

Hiking Roan Highlands

welding, and machine processes. The college is also home to the first International Dark Sky Association-certified Star Park in the southeastern United States, as well as a dark sky observatory.

The Carolina Mountains Literary Festival is held in Burnsville each September. It began in 2005 and has grown to be a renowned literary happening with readings, workshops, plays, and seminars.

The Parkway Playhouse, founded in 1947, is the longest running community theater in North Carolina. It produces a wide range of shows and has a dramatic arts education program for children. The Burnsville Little Theatre also performs several shows a year.

Just a few miles from town looms 6,684-foot-tall Mount Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Rockies, joined by four of the top 10 summits in the east. These peaks have a unique climate that is cooler and wetter than areas just 10 miles away.

Accessible from the Blue Ridge Parkway, the highest peak 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. Multiple trails run throughout the area, and the peak is capped with a modern observation deck and seasonal restaurant, offering a perfect perch for high-altitude sightseeing.

The North Carolina High Peaks Trails Association maintains numerous hiking trails throughout the Black Mountain range, in which Mt. Mitchell is the anchor.

Mt. Mitchell Golf Club is nestled 3,000 feet below the high peaks, offering rolling fairways with bentgrass from tee to green. The course received a four-and-a-half star rating from Golf Digest

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Numerous county communities offer access to either the North Toe River or the South Toe River, with stretches known for premium trout fishing and rafting.

The local arts council sponsors Toe River Studio Tours twice a year, when area artists open their studios to the public. Each August, downtown Burnsville also comes alive with the Mt. Mitchell Crafts Fair, celebrated for more than 60 years.

Burnsville’s square is anchored by the Nu-Wray Inn, built in 1833. The oldest remaining lodging house in the region, it has hosted such notables as Mark Twain, Thomas Wolfe, and Elvis Presley.

The Yancey County Library overlooks Burnsville in a remodeled 1901 building that once housed the Yancey Collegiate Institute –a college prep high school. Another YCI building is now home to the Lesley Riddle Recording Studio. Riddle, born in Burnsville, was an African-American musician whose influence on the Carter Family helped shape modern country music.

A nearby native rock structure built in the 1930s as part of a Works Progress Administration initiative is now the Yancey County Schools administration office.

Yancey County Parks and Recreation maintains a system of parks, recreation facilities, and open areas for public enjoyment.

One of the region’s most picturesque roads, Highway 80, meanders 12 miles through the shadow of the tall mountains. It runs by the Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area, which offers some of the best easily accessible camping sites in the region. A noted motorcycle road, N.C. 80 also provides access to horseback riding, arts and crafts, the Blue Ridge Parkway, the golf course, and the European-styled Celo Inn, part of the Celo Community, a collective settlement founded in 1937. Families there adhere to a loosely defined humanist ethic and help run a farm and the Arthur Morgan School, a progressive middle school with roots in Quaker values and the Montessori educational approach. n

AGENT’S CHOICE:

“Being a roadie, one of my favorite bike rides is the consistently scenic beauty of the Blue Ridge Parkway where the stunning longrange vistas never disappoint. From my house in Weaverville to the top of Mt. Mitchell and back (66 miles and 8,500ft of elevation), it’s a rare opportunity to experience both pain and pleasure simultaneously.”

— Darrell Farlow, North Asheville office

Dark Sky Observatory ROBIN DREYER

Community through storytelling | HOMEPLACE BREWING CO.

Sitting at a table in the depths of Homeplace Brewing Co. in downtown Burnsville, John Silver scans the vast taproom and elaborate brewing equipment housed in the historic structure, formerly a lumber company.

“It’s about the storytelling we do through our different craft beers, and also being able to preserve the history of this town and this region,” Silver said.

The Silver family has called Western North Carolina home since the 1700s. It’s a source of deep pride for John, especially as things have come fullcircle in his personal life and professional pursuits with opening Homeplace in his hometown in 2017.

“A big part of the pride thing is hopefully pushing things forward here, but still trying to do it in an honorable way — with the past, and with how people want to see this business reflect their community, whether it’s events held here or live music we offer,” Silver said.

After graduating from high school in 1998, Silver left Burnsville and pursued a degree in journalism at UNC Greensboro. After college, Silver did a full through hike of the Appalachian Trail (2,190 miles), all while finding himself increasing interested in the emerging craft beer industry.

“[At that time], I was seeing the craft beer world develop, it becoming a kind of cool, culture thing,” Silver said. “And I really enjoyed the craft aspect of the products, where I started learning how to homebrew with a friend of mine.”

Circling back to Asheville in the early 2000s, Silver found himself at the ground level of the city’s soon-to-be world-renowned craft beer scene. Back then, signature brands like Highland Brewing, Green Man Brewery, and Asheville Brewing were quickly growing.

“Basically, I started volunteering at breweries [around Asheville], washing kegs and filling growlers,” Silver said. “Eventually, I got a brewer position [at Pisgah Brewing]. Over time, I was at five different breweries over the course of 15 years, with the last [position] being the lead brewer at Hi-Wire [Brewing].”

Launching Homeplace in 2017, Silver aimed for a keen sense of getting consumers to come to the brewery itself, to mostly sell products onsite, instead of dealing with the endless concerns with packaging and distribution.

“For me, it’s about the process of creating unique products, having almost this chef mentality and taking pride in your product,” Silver said. “The challenge, and the interest, for me now is figuring out creative ways to tell our story.”

One way Homeplace is telling the tales of their ales is by creating and posting mini-documentaries on YouTube about the legend and lore of each product, which are named after historic stories from the surrounding area, as well as a page — literally and figuratively — from the beloved Foxfire book series.

“I started flipping through those [Foxfire books] and getting ideas, and a

lot of the beer names also come from [the 1935 book] ‘Cabins in the Laurel,’” Silver said. “[As for the name ‘Homeplace’], my mom would also refer to where she grew up as ‘the old homeplace,’ this tiny cabin in Pensacola, [North Carolina], just about 10 miles away [from here] — we wanted to have that homey vibe reflected in the brand.”

In early 2020, Homeplace relocated to its current location on Main Street. As of last year, barrel numbers hovered right around 1,000, with production increasing each year. The brewery has also built an outdoor stage, and now offers a food component onsite — Hog Hollow Wood-Fired Pizza.

“[Hog Hollow] was a food truck we’d get to come weekly at our old location, and the pizza became very popular with our customers,” Silver said. “And, with the new building, we had space for a kitchen. So, we asked them, ‘Do you want a brick and mortar place of your own, too?’ They did.”

And even though Silver was born and raised in Burnsville, and even with being able to travel and wander the country, he still chooses to call his hometown, well, “home,” seeing as it remains a place of comfort and security.

“My wife and I wanted to raise our kids in a small-town environment, and Burnsville was that place for our family,” Silver said. “And this business and our brand is to pay homage to the generations of people that came before us.” n

Homeplace Brewing Co. in Burnsville

John Silver

PHOTOS COURTESY OF HOMEPLACE BREWING CO.

Polk County

TRYON | SALUDA | COLUMBUS

Touted as the “First Peak of the Blue Ridge,” Polk County ranges in elevation from 300 feet to 3,200 feet above sea level. Each foot seems to offer visitors something different.

Most of Polk’s 20,000 residents live in or near the county’s three main towns — Columbus, Saluda, and Tryon. Each community has long welcomed visitors to enjoy a community rich with history, culture, crafts, vast natural areas, and exciting culinary traditions.

The Tryon area has long been known as a hotspot for equestrian activities. Each April there’s the Block House

Steeplechase, a day of races that’s the longest running steeplechase in North Carolina. The event is sponsored by the Tryon Riding and Hunt Club, which also stages horse shows throughout the year. The Foothills Equestrian Nature Center also offers regular equestrian events at its 400acre facility in Tryon.

The Tryon International Equestrian Center — which opened in 2014 — hosted the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games, which drew nearly 500,000 people from more than 70 countries.

2022 SALES

Polk County

MEDIAN PRICE $399,000 AVERAGE DAYS ON MARKET 43

PERCENT OF LISTING PRICE 98% NUMBER OF UNITS ............. 342

Tryon is proud of the legacy of its most famous native, the late jazz and soul 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. Simone was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018, and her childhood Tryon home has been designated a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Saluda is nestled in the mountains in the southeastern corner of the county. The town sits atop the Saluda Grade, once the steepest

AGENT’S CHOICE:

railroad grade in the United States. Saluda is known for its town center, featuring 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.

Saluda is also home to The Gorge, a linked series of 11 zip lines — four of them 1,000 feet long — that drop 1,100 feet from beginning to end.

Polk County is home to dozens of parks and recreation areas. The Green River Cove Recreation Area offers access points for fishing, tubing, kayaking, canoeing, and hiking. Tryon’s 50-acre public park, Harmon Field, 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 strenuous, in Polk County, which 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 and Crafts Fall Festival in October.

Polk County is also home to Adawehi Wellness Village, a community that offers a healing center, a health food store, and holistic health practitioners. n

“Kayakers come for the whitewater, cyclists for the switchbacks that lead down to it. Art and music enthusiasts are drawn to the festivals, and history lovers to the authentic century-old downtown shops and grocery. Saluda doesn’t have a single stoplight, but this little mountain town nestled between Henderson and Polk County is bursting with treasures!”

— Misty Davis, Saluda office

The Gorge Zipline Suspension Bridge PATRICK SCHNEIDER/VISITNC.COM

Endless entertainment | TRYON INTERNATIONAL EQUESTRIAN CENTER

When the Tryon International Equestrian Center opened in 2014, the $140 million facility situated atop 1,400 acres, was intended to become a worldwide destination for horses and horse enthusiasts. But, another key component was to offer Tryon, Polk County, and greater Western North Carolina a singular destination for a slew of other activities.

“We really don’t have a downtime over the course of the year,” said Jeff Fissel, director of events and marketing at TIEC. “We’re constantly offering options for events or activities, whether it’s family-related or equestrian-related, music-related or general entertainment.”

Aside from the renowned equestrian competitions happening week in and week out, the massive property also includes numerous restaurants, hotels, stores, and sporting opportunities, as well as live music being performed regularly and in abundance.

“This place is kind of like its own town because everything you need is here — dining, shopping, lodging, things to do and see,” Fissel said. “Some people come for the horse events, others to just have dinner and take in the live entertainment — there’s something for everybody.”

With thousands of patrons roaming the grounds of the TIEC on a typical weekend, Fissel noted the property

created this small city vibe as a way for horse riders and fans alike to have something to do on their downtime between competitions. But, with the enormous popularity of the TIEC, it has become an entertainment destination for Southern Appalachia and beyond.

“The property lends itself to so many things, where we’d be remiss to not take advantage of how well this place sets up for a music festival or professional bull riding competition,” Fissel said. “In the colder months, we have ‘Winter Fest,’ where there’s an ice skating rink right down in the middle of the horse stadium.”

One signature event that launched at the TIEC is the annual Earl Scruggs Music Festival. Named in honor of the late banjo great, Scruggs was born and raised just down the road in nearby Shelby. Attracting bluegrass, Americana, and folk music lovers from around the globe, last year’s inaugural lineup included rollicking sets from marquee acts The Earl of Leicester, Sam Bush Band, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, Beck Fleck’s My Bluegrass Heart, Leftover Salmon, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and many more.

“The festival is a high point of pride for us as an organization to be able to recognize Earl Scruggs’ life and legacy,” Fissel said. “It resonates so much with our mountain community, and there isn’t a better situation than that, when

you’re launching a new festival and tying in the right local partners — being able to do something special and meaningful for this region.”

With the acclaim of the Earl Scruggs Music Festival, Fissel and his team are already looking at more ways to bring live music — local, regional, national, and international artists and performers — to the TIEC.

“It’s pretty exciting to see the success of what music we’ve already brought onsite, and we’re also going to soon host the largest rodeo east of the Mississippi River,” Fissel said. “With what we have done, are able to do, and could do, it’s a blank canvas for what’s possible here.”

Walking around the massive TIEC property, Fissel is constantly in awe of what he sees and hears, bearing witness to countless faces finding their own source of happiness in the midst of what’s already been created onsite, and what’s on the horizon moving forward.

“There’s definitely this palpable energy, from everyone in the horse community right down to the local folks who come for ‘Winter Fest,’” Fissel said. “It’s a fun thing to work with such a great team to produce it all. We have a really unique opportunity to give folks in this region something to do, to see, and to experience all of the different aspects of this place.” n

PHOTO COURTESY TRYON INTERNATIONAL EQUESTRIAN CENTER

Transylvania County

BREVARD | ROSMAN | LAKE TOXAWAY

Transylvania County is a mashup of authentic, quaint mountain communities and wilderness destinations that are the heart of adventure for any visitor or resident.

“There’s an incredible amount of things to do,” says Clark Lovelace, executive director of the local tourism development authority.

Transylvania County has long been known as “The Land of Waterfalls,” with some 250 waterfalls ranging from small and gentle to big, breathtaking plunges into mountain pools. Looking Glass Falls drops 60 feet amid a stunning crop of boulders and is one of the most photographed waterfalls in the country, while

Sliding Rock is a natural waterslide where a quarter-million visitors each year careen down its long, slick surface into a sixfoot-deep pool at the bottom.

The charm and appeal of the county’s seat, Brevard, distinguishes it as an epicenter for outdoor adventures, education, art, and music.

More than half of the land in Transylvania is publicly owned, including 88,000 acres of Pisgah National Forest, the 10,000-acre DuPont State Park, and the 7,600-acre Gorges State Park. The headwaters of the French Broad River, one of the oldest rivers in the world, are located near the town of Rosman, and the Davidson River, a renowned trout-fishing destination, flows through the national forest and along the outskirts of Brevard itself.

Check a list of the best biking, camping, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, horseback riding, paddling, and sightseeing opportunities, and Transylvania County is almost always counted among the best.

The Sunset Motel in Brevard

PLATT | A GENERATIONAL JOURNEY

PLATT, a multi-generations architecture, construction, and interior design firm located in Brevard, celebrated its 40th anniversary this November 2022.

“Brevard has been our home from the beginning,” said founder Al Platt. “So much of our success revolves around this special community and the lifetime’s worth of friends we’ve made here and throughout Western North Carolina — clients, employees, partners, and subcontractors. We want to say ‘thank you’ to everyone who has helped us along on this incredible journey.”

When he first opened his practice in Brevard in 1982, Al used his home as both an office and studio. Since those modest beginnings, the firm has evolved in dramatic ways, growing to become a well-respected architecture practice in the region while adding several new divisions including construction, interior design, real estate, and land conservation.

Currently, Platt has nearly 50 fulltime staff members. In 2021, Al passed the reins of the firm to his son, Parker Platt, who became president and principal owner. Al remains at PLATT as an architect and consultant.

“Dad didn’t just build an architectural firm, he built a culture,” said Parker. “All of us who have worked with him realize how much we’ve internalized the lessons he has spent his lifetime teaching — the commitment to quality, accountability, and putting the needs of the client first.”

Not surprisingly, Al’s first career was in teaching. And it was there, pacing

the aisles of a seventh-grade classroom in Chatham County, that the idea of a different career path took hold. Al learned of a new graduate architecture program at North Carolina State University for students without design backgrounds.

His years at N.C. State helped bring a unique architectural philosophy into focus.

“Among architects, there are those who are more consciously ‘physical thing’ designers, and I realized that I was always more interested in the effect of the thing, how it made you feel, more than the thing for its own sake,” Al explained.

Platt received a Master of Architecture degree in 1975 and moved to Brevard with his late wife, Cindy, his high school sweetheart.

Like his father, Parker is an alumnus of North Carolina State University. Receiving his bachelor’s degree in Environmental Design in Architecture in 1994 and his Bachelor of Architecture degree in 1999, Parker joined PLATT permanently that same year.

“I was never pressured by dad to join him in the family business,” said Parker. “He gave me the space and time I needed to come to my own decisions independently. That was something I’ll always appreciate and admire about him.”

Many of the firm’s most high-profile projects have been father-and-son collaborations. In 2006, the two architects partnered on an HGTV Dream Home.

“That was a very special home to design,” said Al. “And the visibility of

that project has helped spotlight our firm’s ability.”

It’s easy to find evidence of Al and Parker’s passion for Brevard and the Southern Appalachian Highlands that have been such an integral part of their lives.

“One of the things we pride ourselves on,” said Al, “is serving the community where we live and work. Being community-minded is just part of our company identity.”

PLATT has enjoyed a four decadeslong relationship with the legendary Brevard Music Center, highlighted in 2021 by the opening of Parker Concert Hall. Designed, built, and furnished by PLATT, it is the first year-round performance venue in BMC’s history and the first multi-purpose event space built on the campus since WhittingtonPfohl Auditorium opened in 1964.

Al has served as the President of the Brevard Chamber of Commerce, the Chair of the Brevard City Planning Board, and has served as a member of the Brevard College Board of Trustees since 1996.

Al credits the example of his late wife, Cindy Platt, who passed away in 2013, with the company’s emphasis on community involvement.

“Cindy was a legendary public servant,” said Al. “She had an amazing tolerance for impossible odds.”

“Her crowning achievement was our local Boys and Girls Club,” said Al. Today, this vital community resource for the children of Transylvania County is named in her honor. n

A short film chronicling the company’s history can be viewed at platt.us/film.

Brevard Music Center

Turning the page | HIGHLAND BOOKS

Located on Main Street in the heart of Brevard, Highland Books has been a beloved staple of downtown since its opening in 1975.

“It is sheer joy [running this store],” said owner Leslie Logemann. “Reading and books have always brought me so much joy and solace, and being able to share that with others is such an honor.”

Initially launched by a couple from Scotland, the Hansen family then took over the operation for 40 years, with the Mossers for another six. Logemann and her husband, Mark Connelley, purchased Highland Books in 2021.

“We’ve worked hard to take Highland Books into its next phase — renovations in the store, upped inventory significantly, and we're now open seven days a week,” Logemann said. “We have grown from a staff of two to seven, and I know I’m partial, but we have the best booksellers. Their love of books is contagious. We all love talking with customers about our latest reads, their latest reads, and what we’ll all be reading next.”

That genuine interaction between booklovers from both side of the sales counter is something at the heart of Highland Books.

“One of my very favorite things is to have someone come in and say they loved a book we recommended. I can talk to them for hours about what they thought of the characters, plot, and setting. I love to see a book in a new light through someone else’s experience,” Logemann said. “And don’t even get me started about how long my smile will last when I see a child or young person come in, excited about picking up the new book by their favorite author.”

And even with a modern era of digital technology and incessant white noise, Logemann remains a fierce champion of the simple act of disconnecting from the organized chaos by sitting down with a good book enjoyed in your own time.

“We have all become so attached to our technology, and in many ways it has made our lives better. But, those things will never replace the joy or beautiful isolation of a physical book, since using technology to read also means it’s easier to be interrupted,” Logeman said. “I also believe

technology has made us distracted and removed from the people and environment around us. There are two things that help me really reset as a human — taking a long walk in the woods, and putting aside all my devices and opening a book. Books offer me an enjoyable escape and they also stimulate my imagination and intellect. There's nothing like it.”

Originally from the Midwest, Logemann has called Brevard home for almost 15 years. She looks at the small mountain town as a special place, more so unique, where independentlyowned businesses thrive, and where you can disappear into the depths of Mother Nature within minutes from downtown.

“The people are wonderful. There is a sense of community that this bookstore in particular has benefitted from. Brevard really rallied around this store and other small businesses

during the pandemic and, because of it, our downtown is as vibrant as ever,” Logemann said. “It’s just a beautiful place to live in so many ways. It’s hard to explain to someone who hasn’t experienced it, but Brevard just seems to have gotten the recipe right.”

When asked just what makes the local bookstore such an iconic image of small town America, where, even in the face of big box stores and online sales, the independent business remains steadfast, Logemann has one word — connection.

“There is nothing like browsing shelves and picking up titles that you find intriguing. Booksellers love to talk about books and make recommendations, so that connection is important, too,” Logemann said. “That personal connection is something that we, as humans, crave, and the reason that I don’t see stores like ours going anywhere anytime soon.” n

COURTESY OF HIGHLAND BOOKS

An editor for Bike Magazine called Transylvania County “definitely one of the top three places in the universe I’ve ever ridden. Maybe the best.”

Another natural treasure tucked within the Pisgah National Forest is the Cradle of Forestry, the first forestry school in the United States. The national forest is also home to the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education, which hosts students of all ages.

Perched in a sun-dappled plateau on the edge of Brevard, The Brevard Music Center stands as one of the country’s premier summer programs for orchestral ensembles, chamber music, and

opera. Faculty and students present numerous concerts each season, and the center has hosted world-class soloists, including Itzhak Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma, Joshua Bell, and Frederica Von Stade. Its summer festival concert series has welcomed a variety of nonclassical artists, from Lyle Lovett to Peter, Paul, & Mary. Then, there is plenty to enjoy in the heart of Brevard, a vibrant and walkable hub of shops, boutiques, galleries, pubs, and eateries.

Music aficionados also enjoy shows at Brevard College’s Paul Porter Center for the Performing Arts. The college, a small liberal arts school of over 700 students, is located near downtown.

The college hosts the worldtouring Banff Mountain Film Festival, a big-screen celebration of films and documentaries about life and sports in the wild.

2021 SALES

Transylvania County

MEDIAN PRICE $372,500

AVERAGE DAYS ON MARKET 47

PERCENT OF LISTING PRICE 98% NUMBER OF UNITS 780

Between April and December, the Fourth Friday Gallery Walks offer a pleasant way to explore local businesses. More local arts are highlighted on the Scenic 276 South Fine Art & Craft Corridor — a 13-mile stretch of highway that showcases numerous galleries and studios.

The Brevard area is home to a rare concentration of white squirrels, and each May the community celebrates with the White Squirrel Festival, which features a parade, free concerts, a “Squirrel Box Derby,” and other “nutty” amusements.

In nearby Rosman is the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute, a former NASA tracking station reimagined as a science learning center designed to engage learners of all ages. n

AGENT’S CHOICE:

“The Brevard Music Center is one of the most beautiful outdoor concert halls in Western North Carolina. You can go early and have a picnic, and enjoy a great night out with friends and family. A lot of the events are free and open to the public.”

— Billy Harris, Brevard, South office

Waterfalls at Mill Shoals and French Broad Falls.

Jackson County

SYLVA | DILLSBORO | CULLOWHEE | CASHIERS

Jackson County celebrates miles of hiking, biking, and paddling opportunities. After a busy day in the wild, take off on the popular Ale Trail, featuring more than 120 unique brews from the six breweries that make Jackson County a go-to spot for beer lovers everywhere.

Visitors can visit more than two dozen waterfalls for one-of-akind photo opportunities, or take part in fly fishing adventures at one of 15 prime fishing stops, more than 4,600 miles of streams,

and 1,100 miles of hatchery supported waters.

Panthertown Valley—known as the Yosemite of the East— features 30 miles of trails perfect for traversing by foot or bicycle. Along the trails are a variety of wildlife, rare plant species, and a diverse range of geologic formations. Panthertown is designated as a Blue Ridge National Heritage Area Natural Heritage Site and by The Wilderness Society as one of North Carolina’s Mountain Treasures.

The Village of Cashiers is also located in Jackson County and is home to Dogwood Crafters, a mountain co-op that showcases one-of-a-kind crafts from more than 100 local artisans. Its everchanging merchandise often includes unique jewelry, home décor, paintings, gifts, and ornaments. Volunteers operate the

JACKSON COUNTY TDA

shop and offer a variety of classes.

Notable destinations in Jackson County include Cherokee, Cashiers, Dillsboro, Sylva, Cullowhee, Balsam, and Tuckasegee.

More than 70 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway run through Jackson County, including the highest point, Richland Balsam, at 6,053 feet.

The county hosts Harrah’s Casino in Cherokee and a variety of opportunities for adventure.

Whitewater Falls is one of the highest waterfalls east of the Rockies, standing at 411 feet and boasting a newly-paved path to an overlook and shelters for picnicking. Lake Glenville, with 26 miles of shoreline, has earned a reputation as a bass fisherman’s delight. Perfect for boating and water skiing, Lake Glenville also offers a swimming area with sand beach and trail to High Falls.

Whiteside Mountain is considered by some geologists to be the oldest mountain in the world, estimated at 390 to 460 million years old. Known as the “Jewel of the Appalachians,” the mountain’s name is inspired by the bald, rocky, white-streaked quartz and feldspar on the south-facing rock. All levels of hikers can hike the 2-mile Whiteside Mountain Trail, encountering sheer vertical cliffs and scenic views to the east, south, and west.

The Tuckasegee River flows through scenic valleys and several quaint communities, and is the most prominent whitewater river in Jackson County. During the summer months, the Lake Glenville Dam releases whitewater into the west fork of the Tuckasegee River, creating class IV rapids over a 5.5-mile stretch.

The county is home to Western Carolina University and Southwestern Community College, and boasts two hospitals: Harris Regional Hospital and Highlands-Cashiers Hospital. n

Valentino Rossi

JACKSON COUNTY TDA

Small town charm | SYLVA

As the cultural touchstone, social hub, and county seat for Jackson, the small mountain town of Sylva has become one of the most intriguing and sought-after communities west of Asheville.

Less than an hour from downtown Asheville, Sylva (population: 2,578) is filled with boutique shops, breweries, restaurants, bookstores, recreational outfitters, and a slew of other retail businesses that make the town vibrant with life and opportunity.

“I came to town to check it out and knew immediately that I was home,” said Georganna Seamon, owner of Black Balsam Outdoors, which arrived on Main Street in 2018. “This town is full of outstanding, unique people that make up the charm that is Sylva.”

Reflecting on downtown Sylva, Seamon likes to enjoy a handcrafted ale at nearby Innovation Brewing, an artisan beverage at The Cut Cocktail Lounge, or finding a unique gift at Snake Song or End of Main. Seamon not only is a proud small business owner, she also makes sure to support her neighbors and their companies whenever possible.

“We have so many wonderful hangout spots,” Seamon said. “And I love the number of womenowned/operated businesses in town, where everyone seems to work together as a team. It's not just tourists that are shopping in my store, the locals

back each up and support each other.”

A Jackson County native, Brad Waldrop returned to Western North Carolina in recent years to take over the much-beloved Ward Plumbing Heating & Air on Mill Street, which has been headquartered in downtown Sylva since its inception in 1977.

“We’ve seen the town change quite a bit over the years, and it always seems to somehow get even better,” Waldrop said. “Sylva still has a ’small town’ feel in many ways, but it’s also now home to some of the finest restaurants, breweries, stores, and other businesses in the area.”

Like Seamon, Waldrop points to the loyal support of locals as a testament to the success of his business, and also a big reason why he purposely chose to circle back to his hometown.

“As someone who grew up in Sylva, it’s amazing to see how much the town has changed, while remaining full of people who are genuinely committed to supporting each other,” Waldrop said. “It is a blessing to own and manage a business in Sylva with that type of support, and to be a resident of this marvelously unique and diverse community.”

Another Sylva native who decided to put roots back down in Jackson County is Crystal Pace. She and her husband, Santiago Guzzetti, launched Ilda in 2021. Located on the corner of Main and Mill streets, the establishment has

become a culinary sensation, featuring fine Italian fare and the freshest seasonal ingredients from local farms.

“There’s a lot of space to grow in a town like Sylva, and this area is so rich in food and culture,” Pace said. “And, for me, I’ve just wanted to be part of all of that again — I always wanted to come home.”

Born and raised in Jackson County, Pace is the daughter of famed local stained-glass artist, Bob Pace, and stepdaughter of Karen Martar, who owned and operated Meatballs. For Crystal, it’s a full circle kind of thing to inhabit the exact property she grew up in, helping her stepmom serve food and bus tables.

Originally from Argentina, Guzzetti learned how to cook and create recipes from his Sicilian grandmother. After bouncing between world-class establishments in his native country and Spain, he eventually landed in New York City, ultimately crossing paths with Pace. After the birth of their son, the young couple was looking to raise him in the mountains of Western North Carolina — cue the initial seed for the creation of Ilda.

“We want to see Sylva grow and grow. We want people to appreciate food for the artisan craft that it is, and share our passion for food with others,” Pace said. “There are so many great things happening in this community, and we hope to be part of that.” n

JACKSON COUNTY TDA

Looking ahead

WNC SCHOOLS ADAPT TO CHANGING REALITIES

One 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, you want to know how good of an education the area provides.

Western North Carolina’s 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, Jackson County Schools, Madison County Schools, Polk County Schools, and Yancey County Schools.

City of Asheville

Asheville City Schools has nearly 4,400 students, having experienced a significant increase in enrollment in the last decade. 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.

The number of students enrolled at Asheville Middle School is close to 800, and Asheville High School is a four-year school of over 1,000 students. It occupies a stately stone building designed by Art Deco master Douglas Ellington.

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,

SCHOOL STATS

For the most complete, up-to-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.

math, and technologies through course work such as science lab, its greenhouse, and “HopSports,” which works technology into physical education.

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 Lucy S. Herring Elementary School 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 serves children of many different 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 nearly 25,000 students), Buncombe County Schools employs around 4,000 people, making it the county’s second largest employer.

The “graduation initiative” 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.

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.

The system has 23 elementary schools, seven middle schools, and six comprehensive high schools, while also boasting a middle and early college and a STEM school.

Henderson County

Henderson County Schools’ vision is “that every student will achieve success and graduate as a life-long learner, globally competitive, prepared for career, college, and life.”

With over 13,500 students in the district, the system has one of the highest graduation rates in the state. Its four middle schools

Public Schools

Asheville City Schools

85 Mountain Street

Asheville, NC 28801

(828) 350-7000 ashevillecityschools.net

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

Jackson County Schools

398 Hospital Road

Sylva, NC 28779

(828) 586-2311 jcps.k12.nc.us

Madison County Schools

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

Students taking part in a music class in Buncombe County Schools.

BUNCOMBE COUNTY SCHOOLS

have been nationally designated as “Schools to Watch” because of their emphasis on strong academics and their sensitivity to their students.

The two largest schools in the district are North Henderson High School (1,100 students) and West Henderson High School (1,080 students). Home to 190 students, Henderson Early College is the top performing school in the district.

Henderson County Schools owns Historic Johnson Farm, a heritage education center, making it one of only three school systems in the United States to own a farm. The farm, open to the public and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, teaches students about farm life on its 15 acres of farmland, forest, fields, and streams. The school system also has the Bullington Center, a 12-acre horticultural education center that holds workshops to teach children and adults about gardening and plant science.

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.

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 to offer its over 7,200 students a great deal of personal attention.

In terms of student performance, Haywood was honored in recent years as having a “National Blue Ribbon School,” which was bestowed upon the Haywood Early College.

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. More than two thirds of the system’s schools were state-designated “Schools of Distinction,” compared with less than one third for all state school systems as a whole.

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.

Buncombe County High School students working together on a project. BUNCOMBE COUNTY SCHOOLS

Private Schools

Arden Christian School

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

Charter Schools

ArtSpace Charter School

Grades K-8

2030 US 70

Swannanoa, NC 28778

(828) 298-2787

artspacecharter.org

Brevard Academy

Grades K-8

299 Andante Lane

Brevard, NC 28712

(828) 885-2665

brevard.teamcfa.org

Evergreen Community Charter School

Grades K-8

50 Bell Road Asheville, NC 28805

(828) 298-2173

evergreenccs.com

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

Emmanuel Lutheran School Grades PreK-8

51 Wilburn Place

Asheville, NC 28806

(828) 281-8182 emmanuellutheran.info

Fletcher Academy

Grades 9-12

185 Academy Drive Fletcher, NC 28732

(828) 687-5100 fletcheracademy.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

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

The Franklin School of Innovation

Grades 6-12 21 Innovation Drive, Asheville, NC 28806 (828) 318-8140 franklinschoolof innovation.org

IC Imagine Public Charter School

Grades K-12

110 Champion Way

Asheville, NC 28806

(828) 633-6491

icimagine.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

New City Christian School

Grades K-5

216 Shelburne Road

Asheville, NC 28806

(828) 252-8173 newcitychristian.org

New Classical Academy Grades PreK-8

38 Stoney Knob Road

Weaverville, NC 28787

(828) 658-8317 thenewclassicalacademy.org

North Asheville Christian School

Grades PreK-12

20 Reynolds Mtn. 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

Lake Lure Classical Academy

Grades K-12

PO Box 6, Lake Lure, NC 28746 (828) 625-9292

llca.teamcfa.school

The Mountain Community School

Grades K-8

613 Glover St. Hendersonville, NC 28792

(828) 696-8480

tmcschool.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

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

Madison County

Madison County Schools has around 2,300 students who attend 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: Smokey Mountain Elementary, which has students 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; the Pre-K through 12th-grade School of Alternatives for students with special needs; Smoky Mountain High School; and Blue Ridge Early College and Jackson County Early College.

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.”

One of the highest performing academic institutions in the district, Jackson County Early College enrolls over 140 students.

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 — Tryon Elementary, Saluda Elementary, Sunny View Elementary, Polk County Middle, Polk County High, Polk Central, and Polk County Early College — have made “adequate yearly progress.”

Saluda was recognized in 2012 as a “National Blue Ribbon School,” becoming one of only 269 nationwide systems to receive the honor. In recent years, Tyron, Saluda, and Polk County Early College were named “Schools of Excellence” by the North Carolina Department of Public Institution, while Polk Central and Polk County Middle and High Schools received marks as “Schools of Distinction.”

An academic highlight for the district, Polk County Early College has around 70 students.

U.S. News & World Report magazine once named Polk County High School a “Bronze Medal School” in its report on America’s best high schools.

Sunny View and Tryon elementary schools were named “National Blue Ribbon Schools” by the U.S. Dept. of Education in previous years. High school students 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.

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 the honor to its two previous “School of Distinction” awards, with Bald Creek Elementary School also being named a “National Blue Ribbon School.” n

Elementary school students work with their teacher in a Buncombe County classroom. BUNCOMBE COUNTY SCHOOLS

A higher calling

COLLEGE OPTIONS ABOUND IN WNC

Western North Carolina is home to a large number of public and private colleges and universities, attracting students from around the world.

Selected by the Fiske Guide to Colleges as a Top 20 “Best Buy” school in the nation eight times since 2005, Warren Wilson College near Black Mountain 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 attend classes that average 14 people in size.

Western Carolina University in the Jackson County community of Cullowhee serves more than 12,000 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 and undergrads 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 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.

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 pre-professional 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.

UNC ASHEVILLE MASS COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT

Welcome | HIGHER EDUCATION

With around 3,700 students, 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

UNCA offers more than 30 majors with 16 Division I athletic teams and dozens of campus clubs and organizations for students to participate in. The average lecture/seminar size is 20 students, with lab/studio classes holding upwards of 18 students.

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.

“Christ-centered, student-focused, service-driven — equipping agents of transformation, renewal, and reconciliation” is the motto of 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.

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.

Haywood Community College offers more than 30 programs.

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

Lenoir-Rhyne Graduate Center

36 Montford Ave, Asheville, NC, 28801

(828) 407-4263 • lr1.biz

Mars Hill University

100 Athletic Street

Mars Hill, NC 28754

(866) 642-4968 • mhc.edu

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.

Lenoir-Rhyne College’s main campus is in Hickory, but its Center for Graduate Studies of Asheville was launched in 2012 to expand the university’s mission and serve the specific needs of Western North Carolina and beyond. Lenoir-Rhyne purchased part of 36 Montford Avenue to house a state-of-the-art learning space in downtown Asheville, and has full-time, terminallydegreed faculty to direct the graduate programs, mentor students, and develop community partnerships. The Center for Graduate Studies of Asheville currently enrolls over 200 students in 12 programs and is becoming known for its leadership in key community initiatives. n

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

UNC ASHEVILLE MASS COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT

AGENT’S CHOICE: “Look no further than Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center at 120 College Avenue in Downtown Asheville for engaging programming and a comprehensive embrace of the instrumental college’s influence. The graduates of this educational process became the leaders of the art world in every discipline.”

— Carol Pennell, Downtown Asheville office

Harnessing horticulture | BLUE RIDGE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

When asked what makes horticulture such a unique and captivating subject to study at Blue Ridge Community College, Rachel Meriwether can’t help but excitedly explain why.

“I don’t feel like I can say enough about it — it means everything to me,” Meriwether said. “I’ve always wanted to work with plants, but the fact that I get to be here at Blue Ridge and be part of encouraging people to work with plants, and to bring that knowledge out into the world around them? It’s so powerful, and I take that responsibility very seriously.”

As the department head of the horticulture program at BRCC — with academic facilities in Flat Rock, Brevard, and Hendersonville — Meriwether oversees this academic catalyst for positive, tangible change in the field of horticulture, a subject of study with increasing value, usefulness, and employability.

“Horticulture covers a wide-range of things — turf grass all the way to landscape design, pest management to flower culture,” Meriwether said. “And we have all kinds of people who take these courses — those looking for a job in any one of these fields of study, retired people who want to learn how to improve their gardens or take a native plant identification class.”

At BRCC, students can acquire a twoyear associate’s degree or parlay that

degree into a transfer to a four-year school in preparation for a bachelor's degree and beyond. There are also courses and credentials offered for those already in the horticulture industry.

“Say they already work for a landscaping company or a greenhouse. Well, they can take one of our pest management classes and get their pesticide applicator’s license, which is a huge thing to have, in terms of higher ability,” Meriwether said. “Or they can take one of our plant ID classes and then take their certified plant professionals test, which is a big deal if you want to be a landscape contractor or work for a bigger landscape design company.”

Meriwether points out that the courses also offer numerous opportunities to work hands on with plants, and also with local and regional businesses — industry leaders in Western North Carolina that look to BRCC as a direct pipeline for muchneeded workers.

“We’re doing our best to make our classes hands on and fun, and to work with all of these really amazing industry partners we have around us,” Meriwether said. “It’s about meeting the needs of the many different types of students that walk through the door.”

And as the horticulture program at

BRCC continually expands and evolves, so does its notoriety on the national level. In 2022, BRCC received a $1 million grant from the Golden Leaf Foundation that will fund a new stateof-the-art greenhouse on campus.

“We’ll now have two greenhouses [on campus], with the new greenhouse focused on actual greenhouse production,” Meriwether said. “It’ll be — how do you schedule those crops, how do you run all of those fairly intricate computer systems that manage greenhouses, how do you manage pest control so we aren’t polluting our beautiful waters here?”

Beyond the students who attend BRCC in hopes of career advancement, Meriwether also hopes residents of Western North Carolina will take advantage of the vast array of horticulture programming offered.

“Plants and animals don’t know [the difference between] a yard and a forest. When you can make a contiguous habitat for animals, insects and birds, suddenly you have a habitat that allows them to survive in a way that’s much more sustainable,” Meriwether said. “[All of that] sustains the bigger ecosystems we love around us, like forests and rivers. And we all interact with plants in ways we don’t even realize every single day, even the bare minimum of giving us oxygen — so, thank you, plants.” n

Blue Ridge Community College

Horticulture Department Chair Rachel Meriwether in the college’s greenhouse.

COURTESY OF BLUE RIDGE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

State-of-the-art health care

REGIONAL HOSPITALS EMBRACE NEW SPECIALTIES

the region’s largest city. Western North Carolina has many fine hospitals that practice the latest techniques in treatment, surgery, and preventive care.

Mission Hospital, located in Asheville, serves as the regional tertiary and quaternary care center in Western North Carolina.

Asheville has more doctors per capita than most cities of its size. But the wealth of talent and commitment isn’t confined to

Mission Hospital is licensed for 815 beds. Its brand new, 630,000square-foot North Tower features the region’s most sophisticated emergency department and critical care facility with 94 emergency beds and 220 acute beds. It has the region’s only Level II trauma center, a comprehensive stroke center, a Level III neonatal intensive care unit, and the only children’s hospital in Western

The 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.

North Carolina. Mission Hospital is also a Magnet® designated hospital for nursing excellence.

Mission Children’s Hospital is a member of Mission Health, an operating division of HCA Healthcare. Its services include pediatric and adolescent specialty care, neonatal and pediatric intensive care, and pediatric and adolescent psychiatric care. Mission Children’s Hospital has 130 beds, averages 3,100 patient admissions to its pediatric inpatient units, 3,900 outpatient pediatric surgeries, and nearly 12,000 pediatric emergency department visits annually. Each year, approximately 750 ill and premature newborns receive lifesaving care in its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Western North Carolina is served by several other excellent hospitals, such as Angel Medical Center in Franklin, Blue Ridge Regional Hospital in Spruce Pine, 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, Mission Hospital McDowell in Marion, Pardee Hospital in Hendersonville, AdventHealth in Hendersonville, St. Luke’s Hospital in Columbus, Swain Community Hospital in Bryson City, and Transylvania Regional 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 cord 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.

Medical Facilities

Angel Medical Center

120 Riverview St. Franklin, NC, 28734 (828) 524-8411 missionhealth.org/angel

AdventHealth

100 Hospital Dr. Hendersonville, NC 28792 (855) 774-5433 adventhealthnc.com

Blue Ridge Regional Hospital

125 Hospital Drive Spruce Pine, NC 28777 (828) 765-4201 missionhealth.org/blueridge

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 missionhealth.org/highlandscashiers

Mission Health

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

Mission Hospital McDowell

430 Rankin Dr, Marion, NC 28752 Asheville, NC 28801-4690 (828) 659-5000 missionhealth.org/mcdowell

Pardee UNC Health Care

800 N. Justice St. Hendersonville, NC 28791 (828) 696-1000 pardeehospital.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 Regional Hospital

260 Hospital Dr. Brevard, NC 28712 (828) 884-9111 missionheath.org/transylvania

Pardee Hospital

Blue Ridge Regional Hospital, a member of Mission Health, an operating division of HCA Healthcare, is a community hospital serving Mitchell, Yancey, lower Avery, and upper McDowell counties. Located in Spruce Pine, Blue Ridge Regional Hospital is a Critical Access Hospital operating 25 beds. Blue Ridge Regional Hospital offers medical specialties including emergency services, prenatal and postnatal obstetrical care, wound clinic, cardiac stress testing, cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation programs, nuclear medicine, 3D mammography, endoscopy services, critical care, rehabilitation services and fitness center, cancer services, orthopedics, general surgical services, pediatrics and family medicine, and walk-in, non-emergency care at Mission My Care Now Spruce Pine.

Haywood Regional Medical Center is a 154-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, women’s care, birthing center, wound care center, emergency medicine, behavioral health, and 12 multi-specialty 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, imaging center including women’s imaging and physician practices). 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, Highlands-Cashiers Hospital, a member of Mission Health, an operating division of HCA Healthcare, is a community hospital serving Macon, Jackson, and the surrounding counties. Located on Highway 64 between the towns of Highlands and Cashiers, the hospital offers 24/7 emergency care, acute inpatient care, and rehabilitation, as well as long-term care through Eckerd Living Center. Highlands-Cashiers Hospital has 24 beds for acute care services and 80 beds in the Eckerd Living Center. Ambulatory services are also available, including therapy services and primary care practices serving both Highlands and Cashiers.

Mission Hospital McDowell, a member of Mission Health, an operating division of HCA Healthcare, is a community hospital serving McDowell, Burke, and Rutherford counties. Located in Marion, Mission Hospital McDowell operates 30 beds, including 5 labor and delivery suites. Medical specialties offered include

Mission Hospital

family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, emergency medicine, general surgery, orthopedics, urology, obstetrics and gynecology, and walk-in, non-emergency care at Mission My Care Now McDowell. Five of Mission Hospital McDowell’s primary care practices have been recognized by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services as Rural Health Clinics.

Tracing its history back to 1913, Pardee UNC Health Care in Hendersonville is a not-for-profit hospital managed by UNC Health Care.

Pardee is home to a state-of-the-art cancer center, a comprehensive physician practice network, four urgent care locations, three rehabilitation and wellness centers, and six orthopedic clinics with a medical staff representing more than 40 specialties.

Pardee recently expanded its cardiac service by becoming a Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) designated hospital able to treat heart attack patients around the clock. Pardee is one of only two hospitals in Western North Carolina able to provide this level of care. The designation formally recognizes the collection of personnel and procedures Pardee's Emergency Department and Cath Lab have in place to handle these most serious heart attacks, further enhancing the continuum of cardiac care available 24 hours a day.

Committed to meeting the broader community’s growing

needs, Pardee continues to expand its primary care, urgent care, and specialty services throughout Henderson, south Buncombe, Transylvania, and Haywood counties. In 2020, Pardee added a new urgent care, orthopedics, and physical therapy practice in Pisgah Forest, offering convenient care to Transylvania County residents. In early 2021, Pardee opened new primary care facilities in Brevard and Arden.

Pardee UNC Health Care has a number of awards and accreditations for patient safety, service, quality, and value by many well-known organizations, including the American Heart Association, American Stroke Association, Healthgrades, American College of Cardiology, and Great 100 Nurses, among others.

AdventHealth Hendersonville has been providing wholeperson care — body, mind, and spirit — to people across Western North Carolina for more than 100 years. Its network of care serves Buncombe, Henderson, Polk, and Transylvania counties with a full range of medical-imaging services, cardiac care and rehabilitation, state-of-the-art surgical care, nationally awarded cancer services, and full-service orthopedic care. AdventHealth Hendersonville is also a proud member of the AdventHealth family of more than 50 exceptional not-for-profi t, faith-based hospitals located across the country.

Leading the way in firsts for health care in the region, AdventHealth now offers enhanced CT imaging to patients with its GE Healthcare Revolution Apex CT Scanner which provides 4D Imaging so physicians can see an entire organ, such as the heart, including its blood flow and motion. It is also the first health system in the region to implement the Age-Friendly Health System evidence-based practices for addressing health and wellness best practices for older adults. AdventHealth Hendersonville is now designated as an Age-Friendly Health System Participant and Committed to Care Excellence organization. AdventHealth’s wholeperson care promise includes a commitment to delivering safe, high-quality health care. AdventHealth is proud to be recognized as a Leapfrog Safety Grade “A” Hospital and a CMS 5-Star Hospital.

St. Luke's Hospital is a highly-rated, critical access, not-for-profit, independent, community-owned hospital serving Polk County and the Carolina Foothills since 1929. St. Luke's is nationally accredited by The Joint Commission and accredited by the Better Business Bureau. It is one of only 266 hospitals nationwide to earn 5 stars for patient experience from Centers for Medicare/Medicaid Services. St. Luke's services include a 24/7 emergency department, world-class orthopedic and rehabilitation care, and a state-of-theart, regional-leading cancer and infusion center. St. Luke's also offers top-rated services in pain management, urology, radiology, surgical services, and imaging services, including MRI, CT, bone densitometry, nuclear medicine, ultrasound, and sensorysurround digital mammography, all supported by a full-service laboratory and other ancillary services.

Transylvania Regional Hospital, also a member of Mission Health, an operating division of HCA Healthcare, is a full-service community hospital serving Transylvania and the surrounding counties. Located in Brevard, North Carolina, the hospital offers 25 inpatient rooms and 10 transitional care unit rooms. Transylvania Regional Hospital offers comprehensive services representing a full spectrum of specialties. Transylvania Regional Hospital was recently named one of the Top 20 Critical Access Hospitals in the United States.

Southeastern Physical Therapy is a physical therapist-owned company that has been serving Western North Carolina since 1999. It has 10 locations 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 free. n

A time to play

OUTDOOR FUN IS NEVER VERY FAR

There is no better place in the United States to live for people who love to take part in recreational activities that involve the great outdoors.

metropolis is the Blue Ridge Parkway, the 469-mile two-lane road that meanders along mountain ridges and valleys from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Western North Carolina to the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia.

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

Surrounded by the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains, the city of Asheville is nurtured by nature. Also passing through the

A camper enjoying coffee at a rocky outcrop near the Blue Ridge Parkway. STEVE YOCOM

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).

Lake Powhatan is in the Bent 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 state-of-the-art mountain biking area that recently opened 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 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 coldweather months.

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, Tuckasegee, 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.

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 Linville Falls, Crabtree Meadows, Mount Mitchell, and Mount Pisgah. For backpackers, there’s excellent primitive camping in Linville Gorge. Closer to Asheville, public campgrounds exist at Lake Powhatan, North Mills River, and Davidson River.

With thousands of acres to explore and traverse, The Biltmore Estate in Asheville also 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 with poles ready to tackle the beloved road. n

AGENT’S CHOICE:

“About a 15-minute drive west of Asheville lands you in Canton, NC—home to the newly opened Chestnut Mountain Park. Chestnut Mountain Park covers 450 acres of forested ridgelines and coves, providing a diverse habitat for a variety of plants and animals. The park consists of a Front Country day-use area for picnicking and transitions into the Backcountry, where you’ll find multi-use trails for both hikers and bikers.”

—

Wes

Hight, Fletcher office

STEVE YOCOM

Visitors enjoying Midnight Hole, a popular swimming spot in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. STEVE YOCOM

The wheels roll on | DALE’S WHEELS THROUGH TIME MUSEUM

Matt Walksler makes a quick roll start to crank the engine of the 1916 Traub motorcycle, then hops off the bike and knocks down the kickstand. The 106year-old machine rumbles, the smell of oil and gasoline soon permeating the air. He turns to the crowd of a couple dozen folks making a semi-circle around him.

“If you Google the ‘World’s Rarest Motorcycle,’ this bike will immediately pop up,” Walksler said. “This is the only one known in existence. There is no record of a Traub motorcycle company, either. And it was found behind a brick wall in Chicago in 1967 — its origin still a mystery.”

Walksler turns off the Traub and the onlookers clap in acknowledgment of the special moment. Walksler smiles in appreciation, shakes a few hands extended towards him, and eventually makes his way across the massive showroom to start another antique motorcycle, the crowd growing in size with each bike coming to life throughout the afternoon.

These sights and sounds are just another day at Dale’s Wheels Through Time museum in the heart of Maggie Valley. The roar of engines and the inundation of motorcycles — either within the 38,000-square-foot museum housing over 370 bikes or outside in the vast parking lot — is nonstop. Hundreds of people in seemingly every direction, the familiar and alluring combination of oil and gas wafting throughout the property.

“Wheels Through Time is the premier collection of American motorcycles anywhere in the world. But, you know, it’s not your standard museum,” Walksler noted, taking a scarce moment to sit behind his second-floor office desk. “This place is more of an experience, rather than just a building full of old bikes. There’s more history in here than you could see in a dozen or more visits. It’s an interactive experience, which is what’s so neat about it.”

The “Dale” in Dale’s Wheels Through Time is the late Dale Walksler, Matt’s father and mentor, who founded the museum in 2002 and, sadly, passed away in 2021. A larger-than-life character, Dale collected motorcycles for over 50 years of his life, bouncing from coast to coast for decades, always

in search of the next big treasure hunt of steel and history.

“Twenty years here in Maggie Valley has really flown by,” Matt said. “And what really makes me proud is that when my dad moved here, this was his dream to do exactly what we’re doing today. I know he isn’t here to see it, but he’d be proud of how things are going, proud of where the museum has come to.”

Strolling through the museum showroom, there are hundreds of antique motorcycles within reach. Priceless machines surrounded by endless memorabilia and trinkets — event posters, advertising signs, a slew of mechanical parts to yet another project planned for the future — all paying homage to the timeless image of a rider on the open roads of America.

“It’s that freedom of American exploration,” Matt said. “It’s in the blood of everybody. Hitting the road on a motorcycle with the wind in your face. It sounds very nostalgic, but it’s real and tangible.”

Getting up from his desk, it’s time for Matt to walk down the stairs and back onto the showroom of the museum. There are more rare motorcycles to crank over and many more hands to shake in solidarity of a passion that reaches into the furthest corners of the human spirit.

Each handshake is a person from somewhere, anywhere, who — almost like the film “Field of Dreams” — perhaps simply found themselves at Wheels Through Time for reasons beyond their own comprehension. All they know for sure is that they had to be here, if but for a moment.

“You know, without the story part of all these motorcycles, it’s just a bunch of inanimate objects, a pile of metal. The bikes don’t move without human interaction,” Matt said. “There’s this incredible connection between humans and motorcycles, this connection with history and your own personal memories. There’s a million reasons why people come here — everyone has their own story.” n

Matt Walksler and the 1916 Traub, considered the “World’s Rarest Motorcycle.” MOUNTAIN LIGHT STUDIO • MOUNTAINLIGHTSTUDIO.NET

Powering the local economy

PRATT & WHITNEY OPENS ASHEVILLE LOCATION

With its ribbon cutting ceremony last November for a new facility in Asheville, iconic aerospace manufacturer Pratt & Whitney will soon be launching production onsite.

“The products that will be produced in Asheville are highpressure turbine airfoils, or often referred to as ‘blades and vanes,’” said Cataldo Perrone, communications manager for Pratt & Whitney. “These are critical components of aircraft engines that are responsible for directing and compressing the air that powers the engine.”

The leading American aerospace manufacturer, Pratt & Whitney has already hired almost 200 employees for the Asheville facility, with an estimate of 800 hires to be made by 2027.

“The blades and vanes are made from advanced materials, which can withstand the high temperatures and pressures of the turbine section of the engine. Turbine airfoils are a critical component across our engine portfolio and demand will increase significantly in the future,” Perrone said. “We need to invest today to ensure we are prepared for these future demands. This new facility will complement existing turbine airfoil value stream that is done across Pratt & Whitney’s facilities. This investment furthers our internal capabilities on turbine airfoil technology.”

Founded by Frederick Rentschler in 1925, the initial vision for Pratt & Whitney was to jump into the emerging aviation industry by designing and manufacturing aircraft engines. To note, the company implemented countless new innovations and products, which includes “the first jet engine for a military aircraft and the first turbofan engine for commercial use.”

“In the present, Pratt & Whitney continues to design and manufacture aircraft engines for both military and commercial

use, [and] also provides maintenance, repair, and overhaul services for its engines,” Perrone said. “In the future, Pratt & Whitney aims to continue to innovate and improve its engines to meet the demands of the aerospace industry — the company is focused on developing more fuel-efficient engines, reducing emissions and noise, and increasing performance.”

So, why Asheville? How was this burgeoning city in the mountains of Western North Carolina the ideal spot for the next chapter of Pratt & Whitney’s storied history?

“Pratt & Whitney chose Asheville for a variety of reasons, including the region’s skilled workforce, access to workforce development and training, and the business-friendly environment,” Perrone said. “All in all, Pratt & Whitney found that Asheville was an ideal location for its new aerospace manufacturing site. The region’s culture, people, and economic/business factors provided a strong foundation for our company to establish its facility and grow its business.”

With the new Buncombe County facility now in motion, the production floor will soon be buzzing, the three-year dream in the making coming to fruition.

“The new, state-of-the-art facility will implement best-in-class manufacturing technologies and processes exemplifying Industry 4.0 manufacturing principles and will complement existing turbine airfoil work that is done across Pratt & Whitney’s facilities,” Perrone said. “The facility will allow Pratt & Whitney to increase its production capacity, improve efficiency, and reduce costs — [producing] more aircraft engines, parts, and components than ever before.”

And for Dan Field, general manager of Pratt & Whitney Asheville, he can’t help but be grateful for all the hard work turning

this well-thought-out project into a reality.

“Seeing the factory come to life is a testament to the hard work and effort put in by everyone involved. From the engineers, architects, and construction workers to the project managers, accountants, and administrative staff, everyone played a vital role in getting the factory up and running,” Field said. “As I walk through the factory, I can’t help but feel a sense of pride and accomplishment. It’s a symbol of what we can accomplish when we work together and a tangible representation of the hard work, dedication, and collaboration of everyone involved.” n

Fresh from the farm

WNC CHEFS EMPHASIZE LOCAL INGREDIENTS

With the recent boom in demand for organic produce, meat, and farmto-table restaurants, Western North Carolina has become a hotbed for independent, natural food products.

Between handcrafted beer using local ingredients, fresh meat from grass-fed cattle, fine wines, fruits, and vegetables, the possibilities are as endless as they are available.

“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,” said Jeff Miller, owner/pitmaster of Luella’s Bar-B-Que in Asheville. “More and more people are moving here and visiting here, and the expectations have been raised — and we’re meeting and exceeding those expectations.”

Fired up over a decade ago, the wildly popular Luella’s 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 Miller that the city has become a “foodie mecca” for the Southeast and beyond.

“The food scene has changed dramatically here,” Miller said. “And I think the quality of food and the dining experience in this city has shifted greatly.”

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.

“Everything we serve is made in-house, with everything as fresh as possible,” said Eric Scheffer. “And it’s about creating an

Cut above the rest |

Foothills Meats — whose slogan is “Honest Meat Since 2002” — has become a staple of the Black Mountain business community, offering the freshest and finest cuts of locallysourced meats through its three-prong approach: butchery, eatery, catering.

“We’ve tried a lot of things, always trying to keep that mission together of benefiting farmers, and do things the way we say we’re going to do it,” said Casey McKissick, co-owner of Foothills. “And we’ve always said if we can’t do that, where we couldn’t buy meat the way we wanted to, then this whole [business] would become uninteresting.”

McKissick — a hardworking, ambitious farmer — started Crooked Creek Farms back in 2002. The independent farm operation led to the inception of his local co-op, Foothills Family Farms, which included over 30 other locally-owned farms. Alongside his wife, Amanda, the couple slowly built a brand in their backyard.

“[Farming is about] quality of life and just having more of a connection with where [your food] comes from,” Casey said. “[And farming] makes us more resilient, especially when talking about supply chain issues and things that have happened [recently] when we consolidate our food, who controls it and processes it.”

Providing fresh meats and produce

FOOTHILLS MEATS

to residents and businesses in Black Mountain and Asheville, the co-op became immensely popular, which eventually led to the creation of the Foothills Meats Butcher Shop in 2013. Located in Black Mountain, the shop is completely — and proudly run — by women.

“In this day and age, we believe in being totally transparent about where we get out meats from and what we do to them in the processing — something not necessarily shared by every other meat supplier,” Casey said. “[Being a butcher] is a very old, traditional craft. It’s expensive, time-consuming, and laborious. And you can’t waste any of [the animal]. Everything has to be put to use — our menu is based around using all of the pieces.”

And aside from also launching a Butcher Bar (Black Mountain) and two food trucks in Asheville (Biltmore Village and River Arts District), the McKissicks took on one their biggest ventures yet, with the recent opening of the Foothills Grange in downtown Black Mountain.

“Ever since our kids were little, we were always looking for a place to go out to eat where your kids can run around and play, where you don’t have to worry about them — a safe, relaxing place,” Amanda said.

Once an empty lot on Broadway Avenue in the heart of the mountain

town, the property is now home to the Grange — a farm-to-table homemade burger, barbecue, and hot dog joint. The sprawling property also features a taproom, food truck, patio, children’s play area, and outdoor live music space.

“As a small business owner, one of the great things is there are so many other small business owners [in Black Mountain], where we have this connection with each other,” Amanda said. “We commiserate and congratulate each other. We celebrate and help each other. They’ve seen our kids grow up, and we’ve seen their kids grow up.”

Crossing over the 20-year mark, Foothills has come a long way since its humble beginnings. With several branches of the company sprouting from those initial seeds of passion and persistence so many years ago, the McKissicks remain steadfast — one foot firmly planted in tradition and craft, the other in the promise and progress that tomorrow may bring.

“The viability of small farms should be a concern to all of us. And, luckily in this region, when we were first coming up 20 years ago, there was this [emerging] idea to ‘buy local,’” Casey said. “[Farming] is still a very difficult business to be in, even more risky than having a restaurant business. But, we’re fortunate to live in a place where a small farm family can make a go of it.” n

McKissick family. COURTESY OF FOOTHILLS MEATS

Creativity through cooking | LIMONES

It was just about 18 years ago when Hugo Ramirez opened the doors of Limones — one of the finest, most sought-after and innovative culinary destinations in Asheville and greater Western North Carolina.

“When we moved here [from California], we were thinking to have a Mexico City style coffee shop, with sweet-breads and pastries,” Ramirez said. “At that time, there was nothing [here] like I can truly cook and know about, which is Mexican-California cuisine. And we opened as a restaurant for just one night — I gained confidence in myself since that day, that night, that I can do it.”

A native of Mexico City, Ramirez was raised in household where cooking was not only a big part of his family, but also his rich, vibrant heritage and culture. To this day, he still seeks advice and suggestions from his mother and sister, both of whom have a huge influence on his culinary craft.

“Everything I do on the menu, I don’t plan ahead, I just think about it,” Ramirez said. “I can be driving or going to the store, the market, and I’ll be thinking about [the menu]. When I get to the restaurant, I just start doing it and coming up with something — whatever pops in my head that’ll work.”

That imaginative inspiration is

coupled with the freshest ingredients available at any given time throughout the year, Ramirez said. He has forged relationships with many local farmers and market vendors to ensure that what he brings from the field to the table is a distinct representation of his culinary expertise and artisan flair.

“I’ll have a concept for a recipe in mind, and it’ll be based on what the vendors tell me they have a day or two beforehand,” Ramirez said. “It’s about applying what I know, and where my roots are, so I can find this niche where I collect all of the ingredients and, littleby-little, bring my ideas to life.”

A quiet and reserved person by nature, Ramirez looks to express himself through the art of cooking, where he’s able to connect and communicate with others through the imagination and emotions put into his culinary creations.

“One [type of] chef likes to be in the bright spotlight and get recognized more and more, which means putting yourself way out there more,” Ramirez said. “For me, I like to be more centralized, more local, and not be in the bright spotlight.”

And though Ramirez prefers to remain behind the scenes, he’s very proud of the rising Asheville culinary scene that has garnered national and

international acclaim. Many local establishments have found themselves on numerous “best of” lists and some have won national and international acclaim, emphasized by the recent James Beard awards bestowed on his friends at Cúrate and Chai Pani.

“[Asheville] is getting more and more recognized by the food industry, with more small restaurants coming in, more types of cuisines and shifts in styles, more young people doing different things,” Ramirez said. “There are now so many restaurants in town, where I think if you feel confident and still love what you do, and follow up on it, then people are going to follow you up with what they want to do.”

Now pushing towards two decades of culinary excellence in Asheville, Ramirez is still chasing that spark of inspiration in the kitchen, on the plate, and in the dining room — where the well of creativity remains deep and pure.

“We are a team at work. I look at the guys in the kitchen and they’re happy. The front of the house is happy. Everyone is working together to make sure you have a great meal,” Ramirez said. “To just feel that connection with the people sitting outside the kitchen in the restaurant — laughing, chatting, and having a good time — you almost can’t believe it sometimes.” n

COURTESY OF LIMONES

AGENT’S

approachable and comfortable setting, where everybody knows each other, this environment of good food and great conversation.”

Owner and executive chef of Vinnie’s Fine Italian in Asheville, Scheffer is at the helm of a restaurant that is regarded as the gold standard of Italian culinary delights in Western North Carolina. And since its opening over 10 years ago, it’s been voted the finest Italian spot in the city — every single year.

Scheffer remembers those iconic Italian restaurants of his native Brooklyn and Long Island. There, the sheer vibrancy of the people inside and the dishes served conjured a deep sense of love and connection, whether you were a loyal customer or first-time visitor — something he’s applied to Vinnie’s.

“You’re walking in, and you have the great smell of eggplant parmesan wafting through the room. And for a lot of people, walking in is like going home again,” Scheffer said. “It’s that sense of neighborhood and community that I remember as a kid in New York, which is something we have here in Asheville, too. You walk down the street, and out of the 10 people you passed, you knew at least three of them.”

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.

At the far end of the bustling Haywood Road in West Asheville sits an unassuming bungalow-style structure. To the untrained eye, it seems like some humble abode. But, to those who’ve

wandered through, behind the front door is Leo’s House of Thirst, an establishment of culinary delights.

“There’s definitely a cozy nature to this place,” said Austin Inselmann, head chef at Leo’s. “When you’re in here, you see all of these people having a great time, whether they’re sitting inside at a table or outside under the tree. They’re all coming together as a community, and this energy and buzz fills the air.”

Opened in the fall of 2020, Leo’s is the creation of famed Asheville restaurant owner Drew Wallace, who is also the founder of The Admiral and The Bull & Beggar. With Leo’s, he created an intimate space with a menu focused on small plates filled with local, seasonal ingredients.

“With such a focus on local ingredients, you’re kind of forced to bring these things together in the fall and winter months that maybe aren’t normal together. How do I make cabbage taste good? How do I make a carrot taste good? Though that isn’t hard because carrots are delicious,” Inselmann laughed. “But, in that, it also sparks creativity to try something different, where we can present new and interesting menu items with each passing season.”

Crossing the railroad tracks and entering the tiny mountain town of Hot Springs (population 600), one immediately notices the brightly-lit brick building to the left. There are several vehicles parked out front, with this swirling sense of joyful curiosity striking any and all who pass by.

“You are here to be loved on and feel comfortable,” said Karen Howard-Goss. “This is a laidback environment, one with homemade, delicious food and quality service. Whether it’s the ingredients or the care provided, we focus on consistency.”

Co-owner of the Iron Horse Station with her husband, Gary Goss, the couple have become ambassadors of real deal Southern hospitality for Hot Springs and greater Madison County.

In terms of the menu, Goss will say “it’s a steak and seafood kind of place.” But, upon glancing at the numerous dish options, the culinary delights are purposely cultivated through creativity and a keen sense of what will provide nourishment — physical and emotional — for the hungry souls wandering in.

“We always get the best product we can — we don’t skimp on anything,” Goss noted. “And we’re always tweaking everything we put out, trying new and better ways to make a dish or present a certain type of meal. We like to experiment and hone our craft of what we’re trying to do, and ultimately be.”

With the Iron Horse a continual beehive of friendly people, culinary treats and unique lodging, Karen and Gary added another, much-desired business to Hot Springs in 2022 — Vinyl Pies, a brick-oven pizza joint right around the corner.

“A big priority for us will always be to give Hot Springs what it needs, with every business in town working together,” HowardGoss said. “We want to be a positive catalyst for change here, and we are always looking for ways to do better. We’re not competitive here — we want to help each other grow and be proud of where we live.” n

CHOICE:

Hands down, I recommend Fuego food truck! I have never had a bad meal from them. So much flavor and a great variety of food that is always cooked fresh.

— Kristy Thompson, Waynesville office

Leo's House of Thirst in West Asheville.

GARRET K. WOODWARD

Refining their craft

START-UPS KEEP BEER SCENE LIVELY

With around 75 independent establishments in Asheville and Western North Carolina, the craft beer industry is booming in these parts. Now known a “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 started Highland Brewing — the city’s first legal brewery since Prohibition — and tapped into the region’s craft beer potential. Fast forward 20 years to 2014, and 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.

Alongside Sierra Nevada Brewing Co, industry giants New Belgium Brewing (Fort Collins, Colorado) and Oskar Blues Brewery both opened East Coast headquarters in Western North Carolina.

In 2012, Oskar Blues opened an enormous nine-acre $10 million east coast facility in Brevard and New Belgium fired up its $140 million facility in the River Arts District of Asheville, a property that has become a beacon of economic and cultural significance for the city

Highland Brewing

The big list | WNC CRAFT BEVERAGES

ASHEVILLE

• 7 Clans

• 12 Bones

• All Sevens Brewing

• Archetype Brewing

• Asheville Brewing

• Burial Beer Co.

• Catawba Brewing

• Cellarest Beer Project

• Cursus Keme

• DSSOLVR

• Eurisko Beer Co.

• Fahrenheit Pizza & Brewhouse

• French Broad Brewing

• Ginger ’s Revenge

• Green Man Brewery

• Hi-Wire Brewing

• Highland Brewing

• Hillman Beer

• New Belgium Brewing

• New Origin Brewing

• One World Brewing

• Outsider Brewing

• Oyster House Brewing

• Rye Knot Brewery

• Sweeten Creek Brewing

• Thirsty Monk Brewery

• Twin Leaf Brewery

• UpCountry Brewing

• Wedge Brewing

• White Labs Kitchen & Tap

• Wicked Weed Brewing

• Wicked Weed Funkatorium

GREATER WNC

• 7 Clans (Waynesville)

• Angry Elk Brewing (Whittier)

• Appalachian Grail Brewing (Hayesville)

• Balsam Falls Brewing (Sylva)

• BearWaters Brewing (Canton/Maggie Valley)

• Big Pillow Brewing (Hot Springs)

• Black Mountain Brewing (Black Mountain)

• Blue Ghost Brewing (Fletcher)

• Blue Mountain Brew Pub (Weaverville)

• Boojum Brewing (Waynesville)

• Brevard Brewing (Brevard)

• Buck Bald Brewing (Murphy)

• Burning Blush (Mills River)

• Currahee Brewing (Franklin)

• D9 Brewing (Hendersonville)

• Dry Falls Brewing (Hendersonville)

• Ecusta Brewing (Pisgah Forest)

• Eluvium Brewing (Weaverville)

• Fonta Flora Brewery (Morganton)

• Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville)

• Guidon Brewing (Hendersonville)

• Hickory Nut Gorge Brewery (Chimney Rock/Mars Hill)

• Hillman Beer (Old Fort)

• Homeplace Beer Co. (Burnsville)

• Hoppy Trout Brewing (Andrews)

• Innovation Brewing (Sylva/Dillsboro/Cullowhee)

• Laughing Dogs Brewing (Hayesville)

• Lazy Hiker Brewing (Franklin/Sylva)

• Leveller Brewing (Weaverville)

• Salt Face Mule Brewing (Woodfin)

• Satulah Mountain Brewing (Highlands)

• Sidetracked Brewery (Morganton)

• Sideways Farm & Brewery (Etowah)

• Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. (Mills River)

• Snowbird Mountains Brewery (Andrews)

• Southern Appalachian Brewery (Hendersonville)

• Testament Brewery (Murphy)

• Trailside Brewing (Hendersonville)

• Turgua Brewing (Fairview)

• Valley River Brewing (Murphy)

• Whistle Hop Brewing (Fairview)

• Whiteside Brewing (Cashiers)

• Zebulon Artisan Ales (Weaverville)

• Zillicoah Beer Co. (Woodfin)

CIDERIES

• Appalachian Ridge Artisan Cidery (Hendersonville)

• Balsam Falls Brewing (Sylva)

• Barn Door Ciderworks (Fletcher)

• Black Mountain Ciderworks + Meadery (Black Mountain)

• Bold Rock Cider (Mills River)

• Flat Rock Ciderworks (Hendersonville)

• Noble Cider (Asheville)

• Side Trip Cider (Asheville)

• TreeRock Social Cider & Mead Bar (Asheville)

• Urban Orchard Cider (Asheville)

• Wehrloom Meadery (Asheville)

WINERIES

• Addison Farms Vineyard (Leicester)

• Lookout Brewing (Black Mountain)

• Mad Co. Brew House (Marshall)

• Mica Town Brewing (Marion)

• Mill Town Brewing (Spindale)

• Mills River Brewery (Mills River)

• Mountain Layers Brewing (Bryson City)

• Nantahala Brewing (Bryson City/Sylva)

• Native Brews (Cherokee)

• Newgrass Brewing (Shelby)

• Noblebrau Brewing (Brevard)

• Nocturnal Brewing (Hayesville)

• Oskar Blues Brewing (Brevard)

• Outsider Brewing (Woodfin)

• Pisgah Brewing (Black Mountain)

• Riverside Rhapsody Beer Co. (Woodfin)

• Oklawaha Brewing (Hendersonville)

• B&C Winery (Maggie Valley)

• Burntshirt Vineyards (Hendersonville)

• Eagle Fork Vineyards (Hayesville)

• FernCrest Winery (Andrews)

• Marked Tree Vineyard (Flat Rock)

• Deep Creek Winery (Bryson City)

• Mountain Brook Vineyards (Tryon)

• Overmountain Vineyards (Tryon)

• Parker-Binns Vineyard (Mill Spring)

• Pleb Urban Winery (Asheville)

• Saint Pail Mountain Vineyards (Hendersonville)

• Sawyer Springs Vineyard & Winery (Hendersonville)

• Silver Fork Winery (Morganton)

• South Creek Winery (Nebo)

• Souther Williams Vineyard (Fletcher)

• Stone Ashe Vineyards (Hendersonville)

COURTESY OF HOMEPLACE BREWING

CO.

New Belgium and Oskar Blues have since been bought out by larger beverage companies, as was local start-up brewer Wicked Weed a couple of years ago. Those buyouts are evidence of the ever-growing, somewhat topsy-turvy nature of the craft beer scene as these newer, unique brews continue to grab a larger share of the national and international beverage market.

Just off Main Street in Weaverville sits Eluvium Brewing Company. Launched in the fall of 2017, the brewery and taproom have become a popular social hub within the small, tight-knit community just north of Asheville.

“It means so much to us when someone comes in and tells us they love our beer,” said Shea Varner. “It’s not been exactly the easiest road to where we are now. But, this is our dream and our passion, and we couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.”

Varner and her husband, Jon, are closing in on six years in operation. It’s a wild, bountiful milestone, considering the impetus for the entire business was a leap of faith into something each enjoyed immersing themselves in.

Jon started homebrewing in 2013, an activity he found was an ideal way to decompress from his routine deployments as a longtime member of the Army National Guard.

“When I got home after one deployment, I felt like this could be a really cool hobby. So, I bought all of the equipment and made my first batch of homebrew. Then, I made another batch and just kept diving deeper into the process,” Jon reflected. “All of this led to me getting a job doing mobile canning for a brewery. I kept going further down the rabbit hole of this industry, and I loved it all.”

By October 2017, Eluvium Brewing Company was ready for business. That name, Eluvium, is an ode to not only the rich, storied mining history in North Carolina, but also a symbolic quest by the Varners to produce “gold-medal-worthy beer.”

“We didn’t have investors or backers when we opened; we built this from the ground up,” Jon said. “We had gotten to the point where we had to open. We had no choice — it was time to turn our dream into a reality.”

Home to four breweries, Haywood County has become a scene in its own right. Boojum Brewing, Frog Level Brewing, and Seven Clans Brewing in Waynesville and BearWaters Brewing in Canton/Maggie Valley are all serving up a wide array of selections that perfectly compliment the innumerable varieties brewed in Asheville.

AGENT’S CHOICE:

“We love taking our dog Mae Belle to Hillman Brewery on Sweeten Creek Road in Biltmore Village. The burgers are fantastic and they also make a very good Reuben sandwich. There are lots of menu choices for everyone, and they bring a water bowl to your dog!”

— Bob Gardner, Downtown Asheville

office

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 — always experimenting, reading, learning new techniques and ideas. We use high quality, difficult to get hops, yeasts, and flavorings, and these things are expensive and generally more difficult to work with, but the result is a much better product.”

With the large garage door pulled all the way up, the bright afternoon sunshine streams into the taproom of Oklawaha Brewing in downtown Hendersonville. There are locals and visitors enjoying a craft beverage at the counter or on the patio along First Avenue.

“It’s been one wild ride to where we are right now,” said Joe Dinan, owner/head brewer at Oklawaha. “We have an amazing team here that makes it all happen. We all work together and have built this from the ground up.”

In August 2015, Oklawaha Brewing opened its doors. For Dinan, it was the ideal place to launch his business. It was in a community with its own unique identity and culture, but also still part of the world-renowned Asheville craft beer scene.

“This town is really tight — everybody knows everybody,” Dinan said. “There’s something to do all year here. So many great street festivals and events happening all the time. The downtown is beautiful and we’re surrounded by this outdoor recreation playground of mountains and rivers.”

Pushing into the eighth year of this ever-growing endeavor, Oklawaha is currently transitioning from a three-barrel system to a 15-barrel setup. The expansion is not only a testament to the quality and popularity of the ales created here, but also the notion that once your dream is in motion, the possibilities are endless.

“It’s all gone by so fast, but there’s also been so much hard work and passion put into the brewery,” Dinan said. “I mean, I was a cubicle desk person with a dream to brew who just left the office world and went for it — and here we are.” n

COURTESY OF ELUVIUM BREWING

From branch to bottle | BOLD ROCK

In 2015, renowned hard cider company Bold Rock broke ground on its newest production facility in Mills River in Henderson County.

“Our founder, John Washburn, had actually vacationed in [Western North Carolina] as a child. And, of course, he knew about the wonderful craft beverage community pulsating through [this region],” said Lindsay Dorrier, senior brand manager for Bold Rock.

Founded in Central Virginia in 2012, Bold Rock has rapidly risen into the artisan beverage stratosphere as one of the finest, most sought-after hard cider products on the market. And when it came time to expand its production, Henderson County seemed ideal for the company’s next step — even beyond the natural aesthetic of the mountains and Washburn’s cherished childhood memories.

“An important component for us is a fresh source of high-quality apples,” Dorrier said. “Henderson County is the seventh-largest apple growing county by volume in the United States. It’s also is the southernmost location where apples are grown in abundance on the East Coast.”

Bold Rock works with numerous farmers in Henderson County and greater Southern Appalachia to get as many apples as possible from this region. The independent company produced over 1.2 million cases of cider in 2022.

“[That case number] has made us the second-largest cider brand in the country, and the largest regional craft brand in the country,” Dorrier said. “So, we’re pretty large scale, but we haven’t forgotten where we came from. We really do appreciate the camaraderie of the growing community — having such an intrinsic tie to agriculture is something that’s important to us.”

With the Mills River Cidery & Tap Room, Bold Rock wanted to have a place of its own way out in the countryside amid the landscape its ingredients hail from but within a quick drive to nearby Asheville.

“We’re only 25 minutes away [from Asheville], but it feels like a world away,” Dorrier said. “With an urban tourism driven economy in [downtown Asheville], folks don’t always make their way out to Mills River, and we knew we wanted to

tap into that community here.”

In the fall of 2021, in an effort to complement its already stellar Mills River location, and perhaps bridge Henderson and Buncombe counties, Bold Rock opened a taproom/restaurant on Lexington Avenue in the heart of downtown Asheville.

“The [Asheville] taproom allowed us to expand our reach. But, it’s two very different experiences when you visit each location,” Dorrier noted. “Mills River is a very down home, easygoing environment, live music on the weekends, food trucks in the cider garden outside in this bucolic countryside. Asheville is more of a restaurant-inspired experience right in downtown, close to so many fun things to do and see.”

And though Asheville and Western North Carolina are well known and acclaimed as one of the craft beer centers of the nation with an endless plethora of breweries, taprooms, and production hubs, Bold Rock represents another avenue of artisan craft beverages, one quickly gaining a

toehold in a changing marketplace.

“We were sort of perfectly timed to ride the wave of growing popularity behind cider,” Dorrier said. “Hard cider followed the same trajectory of craft beer, where folks really started to seek the more locally-driven, craft-heavy cider brands over national [domestic brands].”

Reflecting on the purity of the products made by Bold Rock, the simple notion of an apple from the branch to the bottle, it’s not lost on Dorrier about witnessing first-hand the implementation and cultivation of locally-grown ingredients from the hands of proud Appalachian folks.

“It’s a pretty simple product to craft, with the key ingredient being fresh apples. And we can certainly appreciate the connection to agriculture and sustainable approaches to farming, too,” Dorrier said. “It’s also enriching the appreciation of these products themselves when you can enjoy them in such beautiful locations — a big part of the Bold Rock DNA is that natural beauty, that appreciation for the land that surrounds us.” n

COURTESY OF BOLD ROCK

Wild West of wine | PL Ē B URBAN WINERY

Bordering the bustling Lyman Street in the River Arts District of Asheville, Plēb Urban Winery has become a hot spot for artisan libations and social gatherings in recent years.

“It’s about all of those personal interactions, where you can feel that people are really coming here to have an experience,” said Lauren Turpin, coowner of Plēb. “And on those packed days, you just have to step back and realize people are here, and they’re enjoying themselves — it’s very satisfying.”

Hailing from Winston-Salem, Turpin came to Asheville 10 years ago and finally moved here permanently 5 years back. With a background in project management in the banking sector, Turpin became restless sitting behind a desk overseeing mergers and acquisitions. Her husband, a pharmacist, was in the same boat.

“I was getting a little bored, as I think a lot of people do [in the office world],” Turpin said. “So, my husband and I started working in a brewery. We enjoyed learning about fermentation. And the both of us started exploring what other options were out there [for a career path].”

Turpin noted that although there’s a long history of wine in North Carolina, most folks are unaware of that lineage. That, and there’s a lot of misguided judgments on Southern Appalachian wine, especially when

many are only educated and exposed to West Coast products.

“A lot of that North Carolina wine history has been forgotten or lost over the years. And when we started looking at business opportunities around Asheville, we kept pushing towards wine,” Turpin said. “We didn’t want to just buy California grapes, put it in a bottle, and says it’s an ‘Asheville product’ — we wanted to grow our own.”

As the couple began putting together a business plan for what would eventually become Plēb, they serendipitously crossed paths with winemaker Chris Denesha. Working in the wine industry in nearby Boone, Denesha was also interested in launching an urban winery in the Asheville area. Soon, the trio combined forces and launched Plēb in 2018.

“Part of what we’re doing is that we want transparency — where are the grapes from, how are they being treated?” Turpin said. “For us, it starts on the ground, where we are the grower as well as the producer. We do all of it inhouse, and our production crew will spend time in the vineyard — there’s nothing separated [in our company].”

So, why the name Plēb?

“It’s exactly what you think it is, the Plebeians of Roman times, who were [the vast majority] of the population,” Turpin said. “People refer to [Plebeians] as the ‘working class,’ but they really were the majority of the population

because they did do everything right. They were growers, winemakers, artists — people who kept the economy alive, who were the substance of the community.”

And though most urban wineries don’t grow their own grapes, Pleb cultivates from its vineyard on a sevenacre property in the mountains around Boone. Plēb also sources from other local growers in the region.

“Having the vineyard in Boone gives us another thousand feet of elevation gain, making a nice growing season for hybrid [grape varietals],” Turpin said. “We do a lot of dry whites, dry rosés, light-bodied reds, really focusing on what we can grow well in our area versus trying to force it — we’re trying to cultivate what is naturally occurring and can organically grow in our environment.”

Reflecting on the incredibly robust craft beer scene in Asheville and greater Western North Carolina, atop the rapidly rising cider industry in our backyard, Turpin has high hopes for wine in these mountains.

“Right now, it’s the wild west for wine here, and I want other growers and winemakers to come and do their thing,” Turpin said. “It would be amazing if, in 20 or 25 years from now, Asheville and the surrounding area wasn’t just a craft beer destination, but also a wine tourism destination. It’s slowly getting there.” n

Crafted in the Mountains

WNC ARTISTIC COMMUNITY CONTINUES TO THRIVE

Creative arts have a long tradition in Southern Appalachia. The region’s crafters add their artistic talents to the mountaineer tradition of making from hand what was needed in daily life or what one couldn’t afford. Musicians, writers, and painters have also been inspired by these mountains, spawning a creative community that is still going strong today.

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 for that perfect piece.

Along with innumerable artisan galleries in every downtown and home studios dotting the mountainous landscape, there’s also a handful of renowned academic institutions promoting and teaching the specific skills to the next generation of crafters.

From the acclaimed Penland School of Crafts in Bakersville to the professional crafts program at Haywood Community in Clyde, the future of handmade items is not only in safe hands, it’s revitalizing what it means to make something and be able to find a market for it.

And, in a seismic move further propelling the Asheville and greater Western North Carolina music scene into the national spotlight, Citizen Vinyl has become a beacon of art, culture, and history for the region.

An exhibition of works by students of Haywood Community College’s Production Crafts program.

The second act | HART THEATRE

After 33 years at the helm of the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville, Executive Director Steven Lloyd recently stepped aside to retire — the end of one bountiful chapter of HART, with the next just as promising.

“We have so much potential to grow — in the way we do things, the quality of what we do,” said Candice Dickinson, the new artistic director at HART. “A big focus for us moving forward is on the ‘Kids at HART’ program, more education, more diversity in our storytelling, and doing that through bringing in more outside artists.”

Taking over for Lloyd, Dickinson has been a performer as far back as she can remember. From a young age, she was singing, dancing, and putting on plays for her family. Her mother had done theatre, and recognized the talent and passion Dickinson possessed, something that parlayed itself into a successful acting career as an adult.

“I just think [acting] is the absolute best way that we as humans can better understand the human experience — there’s literally no other art form that asks you to truly put yourself in someone else’s shoes,” Dickinson said. “[Through acting], I’ve learned so much about myself, so much about humanity. It’s made me a more

compassionate person.”

“[Candice] has a vision of what she wants to do, and that’s reinvigorating. It’s nice to step away and let the younger generation have their chance, let somebody else have their turn — I’ve had my turn for 33 years.”

Originating at the former Strand Theater on Main Street in Waynesville in 1984, HART has grown organically over the decades into one of the finest playhouses in Southern Appalachia and beyond. With hundreds of productions throughout the years, a sold-out audience is commonplace each weekend.

“It’s this place, these mountains, which attracts so many artists and people who support the arts,” Dickinson said. “[Western North Carolina] is a sanctuary for artists — it’s inspiring to be here.”

In 1992, HART left The Strand and found refuge at the Haywood Community College auditorium in nearby Clyde, a place it called home until 1997. The grand opening of the 10,000-square-foot Performing Arts Center on the campus of The Shelton House in Waynesville provided a permanent home that is still growing.

Thanks to longtime supporters who believed in the theatre’s mission to showcase quality arts and culture

productions in its own backyard, HART has had two highly successful capital campaigns — one to erect the PAC and later the 9,000-square-foot Daniel & Belle Fangmeyer Theatre (in 2016).

Aside from offering theatre workshops and acting classes for adults in the community, the popular “Kids at HART” program is continually evolving and finding new ways to bring the performing arts into the lives of local and regional youths.

“As more and more education gets slashed from public schools, having theatres that provide affordable arts education is super key,” Dickinson said. “One of the huge goals is continue to build our ‘Kids at HART’ program and expand the adult education program — there’s so much talent here that we want to reach.”

Reflecting on her experience of being onstage, under the bright lights, and in the moment in front of a live audience, Dickinson can’t help but revel in a deep feeling of gratitude to do what she genuinely loves doing.

“That buzz [onstage] is just infectious, it can’t be described in any other way,” Dickinson said. “Laughing at home watching something is totally different than laughing with an audience — it gives you pride, a sense of belonging.” n

Kids

AGENT’S CHOICE:

Situated in the historic Asheville Citizen-Times building on O. Henry Avenue in downtown, the property is home to an extensive artistic collaboration. At the heart of this musical project is Citizen Vinyl, a record manufacturing facility (the first ever based in the state).

The collaboration also includes Session (Citizen Vinyl’s adjacent bar/cafe), Coda: Analog Art & Sound (an immersive art gallery and retail space), and Citizen Studios (WWNC’s former broadcast station, now an in-house recording/mastering facility).

At the core of this artistic beehive is Gar Ragland of Citizen Studios. A longtime professional musician, record producer, and label head, Ragland brought WWNC’s legendary Studio A back to life. And with that, he helped a piece of American musical history currently enter its next bountiful phase.

“If we can use this project as a way to really reaffirm our artistic identity as creative forces in Asheville, and to help those new audiences that Asheville continues to attract learn about our rich cultural history and manufacturing — if we can serve that role as kind of an inspiration to the creative community, kind of a landmark in that way — then we would love that to happen to the benefit of Asheville,” Ragland said.

When it comes to the preservation and perpetuation of the history and culture of Western North Carolina, the litmus test of the strength of a community resides in the power and support of

its arts and artisans.

“Whether we’re strengthening creative opportunities for artists themselves or we’re giving opportunities to people in the county, it’s about bringing people together and creating an atmosphere of financially and culturally contributing to each other’s lives,” said Laura Boosinger, executive director for the Madison County Arts Council.

Located in downtown Marshall, the arts council is a bastion of creative light and possibility in this picturesque small mountain town. At the helm of the nonprofit organization is Boosinger, a storied and award-winning Appalachian musician, historian, and folklorist.

“We hope to always be evolving as a place where people are getting ideas from other people,” Boosinger said. “It’s about being inspired by others, by the history of this region, and by the beauty of the natural landscape surrounding us.”

On Clingman Avenue in the River Arts District (RAD) in Asheville stands a large warehouse that’s home to Odyssey ClayWorks — all lit up and buzzing with the spirit of creativity and inspiration.

“Our mission here is to build community through the artistic medium of clay,” said Halima Flynt, program director at Odyssey ClayWorks. “We not only see clay as kind of this vehicle for the work that we’re doing, we also realize that what’s going on in here is so much more than clay.”

For decades, the property has remained a haven for longtime potters and beginners looking to immerse themselves in clay and into their minds, too — all coming together for the sake of creation and camaraderie.

“Community outreach is something at the heart of who we are here,” Flynt said. “The underlying theme is to create a sense of community within these walls, and to take that love found here and put it out into the world.”

And even before the RAD became world renowned for its numerous art studios and galleries, Odyssey ClayWorks was part of the initial spark that led to so much beauty and culture emerging in this neighborhood. Aside from the studios and kilns, there’s also a co-op for artists to promote and sell their work.

“One of the things that I love about clay is that you could be doing it for a hundred years, and yet still not learn everything there is to know about this craft. It keeps people humble,” Flynt smiled. “And when you hold a piece of pottery, you start to see the hands of the person that created it. You can visualize what they did to achieve the design and shape of a piece. It’s a pretty powerful thing to connect to an artist like that.” n

“Twigs & Leaves Gallery in Waynesville is ‘Where Art Dances with Nature’ … and sometimes a craft beer too! It has been voted ‘Best of WNC’ by Mountain Xpress readers many years in a row.”

— Mark Zaffrann, Waynesville office

Nex Wheatley (Cherokee Nation) working on her mural at the Indigenous Walls Project Open Air Gallery in Asheville.

BREANNA DELANNOY PHOTO

Building community

HICKORY NUT GORGE OUTREACH

Serving an array of communities in Henderson, Polk, Rutherford, and Buncombe counties, the Hickory Nut Gorge Outreach in Lake Lure is a vital nonprofit providing resources and assistance for countless local residents.

“We’re primarily a food pantry,” said Karen King, outreach president for the nonprofit. “However, for tenured clients, we can

offer financial assistance with electric bills, car repairs, rent, and those kinds of things.”

With its mission “to help eliminate hunger and provide emergency services with love and compassion to those in need living in our community,” Hickory Nut Gorge Outreach was initially started in 2004 as a food pantry and thrift store known as Shepherd’s Care. But, with the increased need in the community throughout the years, the size and scope of the organization grew.

In 2010, Shepherd’s Care was changed to Hickory Nut Gorge Outreach. Consisting of over 40 committed volunteers, the organization relies solely on monetary donations, fundraisers, and

The food pantry at Hickory Nut Gorge Outreach.

food drives, all atop being able to purchase items “at minimal cost” from MANNA FoodBank (a Feeding America partner) in Asheville.

“[The need for assistance] has been increasing,” King said. “The families that we serve do not have homes on the lake, so the Outreach pantry is critical to their well-being. Fortunately, the citizens of Lake Lure are very generous. We’ve had so much help from people who live here and know of us.”

Hickory Nut Gorge Outreach also supports the Lake Lure Classical Academy students by providing lunches and after-school snacks, as well as the Food For Kids (FFK) program that gives children “backpacks” of meals to take home on the weekends — both initiatives being key component in battling food insecurity in our own backyard.

“It’s hard, and it’s a lot of work,” King noted. “You hear stories that you just don’t expect to hear every day. And I’m really happy that we can be here for people when they need help.”

The twice-annual Lake Lure Arts and Crafts Festival events held in May and October are sources of muchneeded funds to keep Hickory Nut Gorge Outreach moving forward.

“Both the spring and autumn festival directly benefit us,” King said. “We usually have about a hundred vendors, with all proceeds and donations going to the food pantry. Outreach volunteers also staff an information booth to let people know all that we do for the community.”

Reflecting on not only the Hickory Nut Gorge Outreach, but also just what makes Lake Lure and the surrounding area so unique and special, King can’t help but hold gratitude for the generosity of her friends and neighbors.

“[Lake Lure] is a beautiful place, and the people here are just so wonderful,” King said. “Lake Lure is a very small town, but the volunteer and community support for Outreach is huge.” n

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Volunteers at Hickory Nut Gorge Outreach.

Tee time

A GOLFER’S PARADISE IN WNC

There’s nothing like 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 and was one of the first courses in the country that was accessible to the general public and

Apple Valley Golf Course at Rumbling Bald on Lake Lure.

welcoming to the Black community.

The 18-hole golf course at Biltmore Forest Country Club went through a $2.5-million restoration, accompanied by an $8.5-million 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, 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 mountains through which the Blue Ridge Parkway passes. The 6,492-yard course was designed by Hawtree & Sons, a British firm that worked on Royal Birkdale, a course that’s in the British Open rotation.

South of Asheville in Mills 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 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 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 Club. In the Cashiers area of Jackson County, the scenic High Hampton Inn has one of the most picturesque courses in the country. n

Where to play | WNC GOLF COURSES

Asheville Municipal Golf Course Municipal

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

Biltmore Forest Country Club

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

championhills.com

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 highhampton.com

High Vista Country Club Public 88 Country Club Road, Mills River (828) 891-1986

highvistagolf.com

Laurel Ridge Country Club

Semi-private

9 Cupp Lane Waynesville (828) 452-0545 laurelridgeexperience.com

Mount Mitchell Golf Club 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

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

waynesvilleinnandgolf.com

Champion Hills.

Schedule a Discovery Tour today and stay at the Bright’s Creek mountain lodge, play the Tom Fazio golf course, visit our equestrian center, and much more. We have land/home packages, luxury cottages, golf course/mountain view lots, and existing homes for sale. The new amenity center features an outdoor heated saline pool, fitness center, two lane bowling alley, casual dining option, and beautiful gathering

space with full bar. Just outside our gate you will find Lake Adger and the Green River Gorge recreation area. Also nearby are the waters of Lake Lure and the Tryon International Equestrian Center. Our area o ers so many options but the best one might just be enjoying the peace and serenity right outside your door here at Bright’s Creek. Ask us about the details of our real estate Discovery Tour and luxury cottage program.

A night to remember

PLENTY TO DO WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN

A fter a great day frolicking around the picturesque mountains of Western North Carolina, the fun continues when the sun goes down.

Asheville comes alive with standup comedy at The Odd; screenings of documentaries, foreign, and independent films at the Fine Arts Theatre or Grail Moviehouse; stage productions at the Magnetic Theatre; jazz or swing music at 5 Walnut Wine Bar; international dance troupes at the Diana Wortham Theatre; symphony orchestras at the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium; rock

ensembles at The Orange Peel; Americana and folk showcases at The Grey Eagle; or funk nights at the Asheville Music Hall.

Heading down the road, the options are just as tempting. Catch a blockbuster flick at the Smoky Mountain Cinema in Waynesville, bluegrass legends at The Colonial Theatre in Canton or the White Horse in Black Mountain, nationally acclaimed troubadours at 185 King Street in Brevard or The Purple Onion in Saluda, maybe a beloved Broadway production at the Flat Rock Playhouse in Hendersonville, the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville, or the Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre in Mars Hill. And that leaves you with only one question — what do you want to do tonight?

Bottle Riot STEPHAN PRUITT

Ongoing Events

• Late Winter/Spring — Biltmore Blooms at Biltmore Estate in Asheville. Enjoy the beauty of tulips, azaleas, and countless flowers as spring takes over this historic site.

• April-December — Art After Dark, Waynesville. First Friday of the month. Evening stroll of galleries, restaurants, and breweries in downtown.

• May-September — Downtown After 5, Asheville. Monthly concert series on Lexington Avenue featuring local and national acts.

• May-September — Rhythm & Brews Concert Series, Hendersonville. Monthly series featuring an array of local and regional acts.

• Memorial Day-Labor Day — Concerts on the Creek, Sylva. Weekly concert series

featuring local and regional acts from all genres.

• 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.

• Early June-Labor Day — Pickin’ in the Park, Canton. Weekly jam session showcasing local and regional musicians.

• Mid-June-Late October — Art in the Park, Asheville. Dozens of artisan vendors, with live demonstrations.

• Late June-Early September — Shindig on the Green, Pack Square Park, Asheville. Free

traditional music concerts held outdoors in downtown.

• Early November-Jan. 1 — Christmas at Biltmore Estate. The grand estate puts on a show every holiday season with lighting, lit fireplaces inside, special musical performances, and other events.

• Mid-November-Early January — National Gingerbread House Competition viewing at the Omni Grove Park Inn. Walk through the inn and see hundreds of intricate gingerbread creations and the award winners.

• Early to Mid-December — Dillsboro Luminaries & Lights. Jackson County town is lit with luminaries, stores host open houses, Santa, children’s activities, horse and buggy rides, music.

Concerts on the Creek in Sylva.

Upcoming Events

March

• Comedy Classic Weekend, Omni Grove Park Inn, Asheville.

• Southern Conference Basketball Championships, Asheville.

April

• Greening Up the Mountains, Sylva. A kickoff to the spring season, the festival features a day of music, crafts, and more.

May

• 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.

• Asheville Beer Week. A weeklong event celebrating the craft beer scene in Asheville and greater Western North Carolina.

• White Squirrel Festival, Brevard. Weekend event of live music, craft beer vendors, and more.

• Beer City Festival, Asheville. Featuring dozens of local, regional, and national craft breweries.

• Sandburg Folk Music Festival, Carl Sandburg Home, Flat Rock.

• Saluda Arts Festival. Outdoor market of arts and crafts vendors, demonstrations, and live music.

• Hook, Line, & Drinker Festival, Sylva. Celebrating the WNC Fly Fishing Trail, the event features a day of live music, craft vendors, and more.

June

• Cold Mountain Music Festival, Lake Logan. Two days of regional and national touring musical acts in the mountains of Haywood County.

• Brevard Blues N’BBQ Festival. Serving up fine southern barbecue and blues music.

• Art Trek Tryon. Dozens of artisan studios open to the public.

July

• Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands, Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville.

• Folkmoot USA, Waynesville. Two-week international dance and music festival. Headquartered in Haywood County, but events also held at venues throughout Western North Carolina.

• LEAF Downtown Asheville. A weekend of live music, dance, and culture put on by the Lake Eden Arts Festival.

• The Big Crafty, Asheville. Over 150 artisan crafters, live music, and food vendors.

August

• Sourwood Festival, Black Mountain. Music, dancing, arts and crafts, super food, kid's rides and games, face painting, and more in an alcohol-free environment, along with gourmet sourwood honey.

• Mountain Dance & Folk Festival, Wortham Center, Asheville. Since 1928, mountain fiddlers, banjo pickers, dulcimer sweepers, dancers, balladeers, and others have gathered the first weekend in August at the event.

• Laugh Your Asheville Off. Weekend comedy festival featuring local, regional, and national comedians.

• Mount Mitchell Crafts Fair, Burnsville. Dozens of craft vendors in a picturesque small mountain town.

• Smoky Mountain Folk Festival, Stuart Auditorium, Lake Junaluska. Two nights of the finest traditional music and dancing in the region.

September

• Canton Labor Day Celebration. Live music, vendors, rides, and children’s activities.

• Goombay Festival. Enjoy sights, sounds, and tastes of the African Caribbean at Goombay, a free weekend festival in downtown Asheville.

• Earl Scruggs Music Festival, Tryon. Bringing the best of bluegrass, Americana, and roots music together with fans who have a true appreciation for the music, the festival is a multi-day celebration of Scruggs’ incredible contributions and the rich musical culture of the region.

• The NC Mountain State Fair, Western North Carolina Agricultural Center, Fletcher. Celebrating mountain traditions with rides, exhibits, art, food, concerts, and more.

• The North Carolina Apple Festival is held annually over Labor Day Weekend in Hendersonville. Visitors enjoy four days of fun including one of the most best known Street Fairs in the Carolinas with freshly picked apples, arts & crafts, festival food, and free Entertainment at the Historic Courthouse on Hendersonville’s Main Street.

• Mountain Song Festival, Brevard Music Center. Nationally touring bands, local artists, children’s activities, nature exhibits, and more.

• Greek Festival, Asheville. Sample traditional foods while enjoying Greek music, dance, and culture.

• Mountain Heritage Day, Cullowhee. Annual celebration featuring live Appalachian music and dance, with artisan crafters and demonstrations.

October

• Taste of Sylva. Culinary event showcasing restaurants in downtown and around the community.

• Maggie Valley Oktoberfest. Live music, craft beer, and food vendors.

• ColorFest, Dillsboro. Local artisan demonstrations.

• Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands, Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville.

• 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.

• 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.

• HardLox Festival, Pack Square, Asheville. Jewish food and entertainment.

• Oktoberfest, Asheville. Live music, craft beer and food vendors.

• 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.

November

• WNC Pottery Festival, Dillsboro. Featuring master potters, the daylong event includes live demonstrations and craft booths. The festival was named a “Top 20 Event” by the Southeast Tourism Society.

• Tryon Beer Fest. Celebrating all things craft beer.

December

• Warren Haynes Christmas Jam. A popular all-day concert fundraiser in Asheville, presented by Haynes (guitarist for Gov’t Mule and The Allman Brothers Band).

• Balsam Range Art of Music Festival, Lake Junaluska. Two days of nationally acclaimed bluegrass and Americana groups in the legendary Stuart Auditorium.

• “A Night Before Christmas,” Waynesville. A family holiday celebration in downtown, filled with live music, caroling, old-fashioned wagon ride, storytelling, and a special appearance by Santa.

• First Night Asheville. Entertainment, games, and fireworks in an alcohol-free atmosphere.

North Carolina Apple Festival. VISITNC.COM

Smoky Mountains Folk Festival. VISITNC.COM

Distances

Climate

Median household income

Voter Registration

Buncombe County

35 Woodfin St., Asheville • (828) 250-4200

Haywood County

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

Madison County

5707 Hwy. 25-70, Marshall • (828) 649-3731

Polk County

40 Courthouse St., Columbus • (828) 894-8181

Rutherford County

298 Fairground Rd., Spindale • (828) 287-6030

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

Jackson County

876 Skyland Drive, Sylva • (828) 586-5413

Madison County

164 N. Main St., Marshall • (828) 649-2248

Polk County

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

Rutherford County

596 Withrow Rd., Forest City • (828)266-2973

Transylvania County

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

Yancey County

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

Vehicle Registration

Buncombe 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

Rutherford County

1639 U.S. 74, Spindale • (828) 287-3600

Transylvania County

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

Yancey County

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

Tax offices

Buncombe County

(828) 250-4910

buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/tax

Haywood County

(828) 452-6734 • haywoodnc.net

Henderson County

(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

Rutherford County

(828) 287-6355 • rutherfordcountync.gov

Transylvania County

(828) 884-3200

transylvaniacounty.org/tax-administration

Yancey County

(828) 682-2198 • yanceycountync.gov

SOURCE: N.C. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE.

Helpful links

Electricity

Duke Energy duke-energy.com

Haywood EMC haywoodemc.com

Progress Energy progress-energy.com

Natural Gas

Progress Energy 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

Transportation

AIRPORTS

Asheville Regional Airport flyavl.com

Hendersonville Airport hendersonvilleairport.com

TRAINS

Amtrak • amtrak.com

Great Smoky Mountains

Railroad • gsmr.com

Property taxes

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Buncombe County Transportation buncombecounty.org/governing/ depts/transportation

Government

BUNCOMBE COUNTY buncombecounty.org

Asheville • ashevillenc.gov

Barnardsville • barnardsville.com

Biltmore Forest biltmoreforest.org

Black Mountain townofblackmountain.com

Fletcher • fletchernc.org

Montreat • townofmontreat.org

Weaverville • weavervillenc.org

HAYWOOD COUNTY haywoodnc.net

Canton • cantonnc.com

Clyde • townofclyde.com

Maggie Valley townofmaggievalley.com Waynesville townofwaynesville.org

HENDERSON COUNTY hendersoncountync.org

Flat Rock Village villageofflatrock.org

Hendersonville cityofhendersonville.org

Laurel Park • laurelpark.org

JACKSON COUNTY jacksonnc.org

Sylva • townofsylva.org

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

RUTHERFORD COUNTY rutherfordcountync.gov

Lake Lure • townoflakelure.com

Rutherfordton rutherfordton.net

TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY transylvaniacounty.org

Brevard • cityofbrevard.com

YANCEY COUNTY yanceycountync.gov

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

Downtown Waynesville Association downtownwaynesville.com

Haywood County haywoodchamber.com

Henderson County hendersoncountychamber.org

Jackson County mountainlovers.com

Madison County madisoncounty-nc.com

Maggie Valley maggievalley.org

Polk County • polkchambernc.com

Rutherford County rutherfordcoc.org

Saluda Business Association saluda.com

Yancey County yanceychamber.com

Tourism

Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority exploreasheville.com

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

Lake Lure Tourism rutherfordtourism.com

Madison County visitmadisoncounty.com

Polk County nc-mountains.org

Rutherdford County Tourism Development Authority rutherfordcountync.gov

Transylvania County Tourism visitwaterfalls.com

Weaverville Tourism visitweaverville.com

Yancey County visityancey.com

Newspapers

Asheville Citizen-Times citizen-times.com

Asheville Tribune thetribunepapers.com

Black Mountain News blackmountainnews.com

Crossroads Chronicle crossroadschronicle.com

Hendersonville Times-News blueridgenow.com

Hendersonville Lightning hendersonvillelightning.com

Mountain Xpress mountainx.com

Rutherford Daily Courier thedigitalcourier.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

Magazines

Asheville Lifestyle Magazine ashevillelifestylepubs.com

Blue Ridge Outdoors blueridgeoutdoors.com

Blue Ridge Motorcycling blueridgemotorcyclingmagazine.com

Bold Life boldlife.com

The Laurel of Asheville thelaurelofasheville.com

Smoky Mountain Living smliv.com

WNC Magazine wncmagazine.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

Radio

AM

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

88.1, 98.3, Blue Ridge Public Radio

NPR news, classic music • bpr.org

88.7, WNCW

eclectic music, news • wncw.org

90.5, WWCU Western Carolina University, wwcufm.com

92.5, WYFL

Bible Broadcasting Network, bbnradio.org

93.7, WFBC

Top 40 • b937online.com

96.5, WOXL

Lite rock • 965woxl.com

97.3 Pure Oldies pureoldies973.com

98.1, The River 981theriver.com

99.9, WKSF Kiss Country 99kisscountry.com

100.3 Rewind rewindasheville.com

105.1, WQNS Rock 1051rocks.com

105.5, WTMT Classic Country outlawasheville.com

105.9, WTMT Rock 1059themountain.com

Medical Centers

AdventHealth adventhealth.org

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 Health missionhealth.org

Pardee Hospital pardeehospital.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

Tours

Asheville By Foot Walking Tours ashevillebyfoottours.com

Brews Cruise Brewery Tour brewscruise.com

Grayline Trolley Tours of Asheville graylineasheville.com

Lazoom Tours of Asheville lazoomtours.com

Segway Tours movingsidewalktours.com

Libraries

Avery-Mitchell-Yancey Regional Library amyregionallibrary.org

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

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

Yancey County Schools

yanceync.net

Private Schools

Asheville Catholic School ashevillecatholic.org

Asheville Christian Academy acacademy.org

Asheville Montessori School ashevillemontessorischool.com

Asheville School ashevilleschool.org

Asheville-Pisgah ashevillepisgah.org

Azalea Mountain School azaleamountain.org

Carolina Christian School 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

Learning Community School thelearningcommunity.org

Montessori Learning Center mlcasheville.org

Mount Pisgah Academy pisgah.us

Nazarene Christian School ashevillefirstnazarene.org

New City Christian School newcitychristian.org

New Classical Academy 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

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

Lenoir-Rhyne Asheville lr.edu/asheville

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