The History of Halloween

The History of Halloween, part 1:





The History of Halloween, part 2:

The History of Halloween, part 3:

The History of Halloween, part 4:

The History of Halloween, part 5:

Catch the Spirit of Appalachia, Inc. Celebrates the Written Word

Nov 9, 7PM at the Jackson County Public Library the holiday celebration of Catch the Spirit of Appalachia’s writing program will open with stories, poetry and song in a fast-paced production, showcasing the creative talents of Rev. Jack Hinson, Waynesville; Rev. Victoria Casey McDonald, Sylva; David Watkins, Cullowhee; Matthew Baker, Franklin, Rev. John Reed, Sylva; Betty Brown, Tuckasegee; Mary McGlauflin, Maggie Valley; Janie McKinley, Hendersonville; Judy Rhodes, Arden; Edwina Crowe Jones, Cherokee/Lexington; Roger Chapman, Lincoln Cty; Linda Owen Vinson, Honea Path, SC; and others. The readings will be full of humor, emotion, and slices of life. At 7:45pm will be the book signing and a reception with refreshments.

Catch the Spirit of Appalachia, a nonprofit heritage and art organization, has published a record 11 books in 2010 and assisted in publishing a total of 48 books since 1996. The Jackson County Main Library is located on Main Street, beside the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, in downtown Sylva NC.

Mountain Ghost Tales and Legends

The Mountains of North Carolina have always been known for story-telling and historic legends. Boggy Hollows and pitch-black mountain forests lend themselves to strange phenomenon and mysterious visions.  The season's Halloween spirit and special events provide an opportunity to re-examine some of the traditional "ghost stories":

Legend of the Pink Lady  If you walk the halls of the historic Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa at night, you just might run into the infamous apparition of the “Pink Lady”. Her story dates back to the 1920s when a beautiful young woman dressed in pink fell to her death in the Palm Court at the Inn. Both employees and visitors alike have had numerous encounters with this restless spirit, often associated with a dense pink mist. Some trace the ghost to room 545, just two stories above the atrium where the tragedy occurred. Other unexplained phenomena include hotel lights on entire floors mysteriously turning on and off. Asheville NC. The Asheville Paranormal Society has more local ghost stories.

Brown Mountain Lights  Another set of strange lights are located in the Pisgah National Forest near the Burke/Caldwell county line. Brown Mountain is a long, low-lying mountain ridge, and for more than 800 years, there have been eyewitness reports of eerie, ghostly lights flaring and creeping along the mountain’s upper ridge. From Cherokee and Catawba Indians to Civil War soldiers to thrill seekers that crowd the overlook on Highway 181, many have seen the bizarre lights, but no one has come up with a logical explanation for them. Near Linville and Marion.

Phantom Rider of the Confederacy  The tragedy of the Civil War also gave rise to this legend, said to be the ghost of a woman who died shortly after her husband was killed in the war. In fact, the ghost is said to be responsible for the deaths of 23 Union soldiers who followed a woman riding a Palomino horse into a Confederate ambush. The Federal Army tried to locate her afterwards, and while she was sighted several times, bullets seemed to pass right through her. Since then, she has been seen several times by reliable witnesses, always on or near the grounds of the Calvary Episcopal Church in Fletcher. Suburb of Asheville NC

Find more North Carolina Legends at http://www.visitnc.com the official website of the North Carolina Division of Tourism

Halloween Events this Weekend in the NC Mountains

This weekend the NC Mountains are filled with ghosts, goblins and things that go bump in the night!

Go for a spooky hike on the Haunted Horn Ghost Trail  in Boone, the The Trick or Trail  in Lake James Park or the Walking Ghost Tour in Asheville.

Kids of all ages can find ghostly fun at the Kids Halloween Carnival in Black Mountain, the Downtown Trick-or-Treat  in Bryson City,  Trick or Treat on Main Street in Burnsville,  Trick-or-Treat Street in Hendersonville,  TREATS on the STREET  in Waynesville,   Treat Street  in Sylva, Trick or Treat on the Square   in Hayesville and the  Halloween "Trail-of-Treats" in Wilkesboro.

If your feet are feeling happy - or possessed by spirits - check out the   Halloween Dance Party  in Black Mountain, the   4th Annual "Boo Bash" in Mount Airy or the Annual Masquerade Ball at Saluda Mountain Jamboreein Saluda.

If you're up for murder mysteries and ghost tales try  the Tuckaseegee Terror Tales or the  GSMR Dinner Train - Mystery Theatre  in Bryson City. The Haunted History & Murder Mystery Trolley Tour and Asheville Historic Trolley Ghost Tour will show you a side or Asheville not featured in the travel brochures.

In Blowing Rock the  Ensemble Stage presents 'War of the Worlds', Hot Springs offers a Nightmare on Bridge Street    and Asheville's   LaZooms Haunted Comedy Tour    will leave you hysterical.

And IF YOU DARE...head for Transylvania  - county, that is - for the  28th Annual Halloweenfest in Transylvania. It's freaky good fun with live music, a bake off and more.

For additional Halloween events check the Events Calendar.

Halloween Fundraiser at the Flat Rock Cinema

Oct 31 The Flat Rock Cinema hosts a Halloween Fundraiser Concert on the Patio! Carolina Ace Hardware, Holland Grill Company, RC Cola, WTZQ  will sponsor a fundraiser for the benefit of the Hendersonville High School Band on Halloween Day!  The HHS Jazz Band will perform "a drop-in" concert in Halloween costumes from 1:00 to 3:00 PM on the patio and parking lot at Flat Rock Cinema.

Tickets are on sale now at the Hendersonville High School office and will be available at the door for a minimum of $10 donation per ticket. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy this amazing band as they play your favorite hits. Wear your best Halloween costume if you want to - and bring the whole family!

The Holland Grill Company will be there cooking FREE HOT DOGS and demonstrating their famous grills which are available at Carolina Ace Hardware. Watch them grill a whole turkey, a Boston butt and a pumpkin pie or two! RC Cola of Asheville will provide FREE SOFT DRINKS and Flat Rock Cinema is donating the space.

The concert will be moved inside if necessary due to weather. Please support this award-winning band by helping with expense for their upcoming competitions. The band will be playing at Disney this school year and Los Angeles next year! Get your ticket today and remember to bring a lawn chair and wear your costume! The Flat Rock Cinema is located at 2700 Greenville Hwy, Flat Rock NC.

International Bluegrass Winners Dailey & Vincent Perform in Asheville

October 30, 8 PM  at The Diana Wortham Theatre experience the sweet harmonies of  bluegrass musicians Dailey & Vincent in the intimate Diana Wortham Theatre! Winners of the International Bluegrass Music Award's "Entertainers of the Year" for three consecutive years - the only group besides The Del McCoury Band to win more than twice - Dailey & Vincent is one of the nation's most celebrated bluegrass acts today.

The performance features Jamie Dailey (former lead singer with Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver) and Darrin Vincent (brother of Rhonda Vincent and formerly with Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder).
Buy tickets*  now online to see Dailey & Vincent *Enter Coupon Code - EAP - for a special discount ticket offer. The Diana Wortham Theatre is located at 2 Pack Square, Asheville NC.

West Jefferson Home for Sale

Excellent location for this well-maintained 3BR/3BA home. Large, private yard, covered front porch and open deck on rear. Private setting with the benefits of being close to everything. This home features open living area that is great for entertaining, crown molding, custom built bookshelves in living room. Recent updates include new hardwood floors in living room, kitchen, dining room as well as hallway, ceramic tile in foyer and laundry room, new dishwasher, new microwave and new paint throughout interior. Large family room in basement along with a full bath. Beautiful house, beautiful location. Broker Interest. Childs playhouse in front yard has electricity and is negotiable. $269,900 L104.  336-846-7325   PEAK MOUNTAIN PROPERTIES, INC

Color, Color Everywhere as Fall leaf Peak Spreads throughout the Mountains

Color is believed to be peaking in the Boone NC Area and throughout the North Carolina  "high Country". The major change from last weekend to this one has been the continued coloration by the maples and the beginning of coloration by the red, scarlet, pin and black oaks

Between Asheville NC and Highlands colors arrived early this year at the higher elevations and may peak at about the same time as in Boone, which is somewhat unusual. At lower elevations, colors should peak this week and be good through the next 2 weekends,  including the Lake Lure/Chimney Rock.

In the Great Smoky Mountain National Park colors are slightly past peak in the highest elevations (above 4,000') of the park. Colors are near peak in many mid-elevation areas of the park, however, this year there are still a number of green leaves mixed in with fully-colored and falling leaves at mid-elevation.

At low elevation, pockets of vivid color have developed, with a number trees still with green leaves. Many of the trees along the roadsides such as Little River Road are at peak, while the mountainsides above the road are still rather green. Leaf colors on the North Carolina side of the park are further along than those on the Tennessee side.

Video by The Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority, ExploreAsheville.com

Southeastern Fiber Fair Continues through the weekend in Asheville

Oct 22-24 the Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair  provides exceptional educational workshops and demonstrations, hands-on opportunities, a variety of livestock shows, and a large assortment of terrific vendors.  See spinning, knitting, weaving, felting and much more! Join a workshop class to improve your skills or just enjoy browsing and shopping the beautiful and unique apparel and wearable art at SAFF! The Fair is held at the WNC Agricultural Center, Fletcher (Asheville suburb) NC

Getaway Mountain Cabin for Sale near West Jefferson NC

This is the ideal weekend cabin, situated close to New River, the Blue Ridge Parkway, golfing, restaurants and with easy access to main highways. 2 bedrooms including loft and great room make this a perfect family getaway. Plenty of space for outdoor entertaining on covered country porch, wrap around deck, outdoor fire pit and best of all, a scenic long range mountain view. $235,900. F104 PEAK MOUNTAIN PROPERTIES, INC

WNC Nonprofit Pathway Announces New Website

WNC Nonprofit Pathway announces a new web site where information and resources can be found to strengthen local nonprofits and serve communities better. Check it out:
Home Page - your starting point
Nonprofit Effectiveness - the new model you can adopt in your work
Questions and Advice Forum - post an inquiry soon!

Video: Get Ready, Get Set, Get Results!
In nine short minutes, you can learn how to become a more effective organization. Watch the new Pathways video about building the capacity of your organization to better serve your community. It's fun - really! Find the video link here.  TIP: Order a free DVD and play the video at a staff and/or Board meeting to gain understanding of why capacity building is important and what's involved in making your organization stronger for the future.

Review the web site and video and think about what steps are appropriate for your organization. Then send a note (contact@nonprofitpathways.org) and request a phone appointment to talk about where you are and what you need.

Halloween Events: WNC Nature Center is Creepy

Oct 23 in Asheville NC visit  Howl-o-Ween at WNC Nature Center.  The creatures of the darkness will be on display in the Creepy Crawler Cabin along with some fabulously large pythons, boas, lizards with the Southern Appalachian Herpetological Society members. Learn about skulls, bats, nocturnal creatures and  native NC wildlife through programs and enrichment presentations on the hour starting at 1:00 PM.

Get Down and Dirty with RiverLink

October 30, from 9 AM -1 PM,  RiverLink is calling for volunteers to work for a  day to finishing up the projects started by the OIA on Oct 7. Specifically, a Dumpster will be loaded with trash and organic debris at the RiverLink Sculpture Plaza and about 60 feet of weeds and small trees will be cleared at the property across the street from the ice house building. Where: Meet at the RiverLink Sculpture and Performance Plaza, 117 Riverside Drive (about half a mile north of 12Bones) When: Saturday, Oct. 30, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Bring: A positive attitude, clothes that can get dirty and sturdy shoes. Gardening implements-of-destruction such as weedeaters or chainsaws would be a bonus.    Please RSVP to RiverLink volunteer coordinator Dave Russell, as we are trying to get a headcount and coordinate a lunch donation. Dave can be reached at 252-8474, ext. 11 or dave@riverlink.org.

Pumpkin Fest in Franklin

Oct 22-23 the 14th Annual Pumpkin Fest in Franklin NC  includes free Hayrides from the East Franklin Shopping Center and 3 PM - 5 PM After School Trick or Treating for kids on the Highlands Road. Saturday, 10/24, 9 AM to 5 PM a Street Festival along Main Street. Crafters, Famous Pumpkin Roll, Live Music all day, Pie Eating Contest, Games, Costume Contest and Parade, Food.

Musicians Join Fine Artists at ColorFest
Submitted by Amy Ammons Garza,  Catch the Spirit of Appalachia, Inc.

October 23,  10 AM - 4 PM in Downtown Sylva NC:  As the colors of Autumn peek, bright colors of fine artists will paint the town of Sylva with the colors of creativity while music and song adds to it’s dance! Main and Mill Streets will be filled with artists who are doing what they love most in this world—creating—and the mountains all around will ring with the sound of music!

ColorFest, Art of the Blue Ridge is in it’s second year, and has more than doubled in size, growing from 20 to 44 fine artists filling 2 streets in Downtown Sylva. Produced by Catch the Spirit of Appalachia (CSA) and celebrated as a featured event of the 75th Anniversary of the Blue Ridge Parkway, this event intends to bring fine art and music together with the sponsorship of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce & TTA, the Jackson County Arts Council through a grassroots grant, the Jackson County Visual Arts Association, and the downtown shops and restaurants.

Scattered throughout the downtown restaurants and in some of the stores on October 23, eight different local musical acts will entertain the visitors to the street fair. The Collins Sisters Limberjack Band (and other members of the family) will entertain on stage at The Village at Sapphire Valley from 10 until 4pm with their main show at 1pm. At the Jackson County Friends of the Library Bookstore, dulcimer lovers will enjoy Annie Harlow. Dusk Weaver & wife, who plays the Appalachian zither, guitar, harmonica, drum, and other instruments, perform two sets, the first beginning at 11am at Signature Brew Coffee Company. Lori Richards, flautist, will be at Lulu’s on Main from 12 noon-1:30pm; Guitarist & folk singer Teresa Eberly will perform two sets (10-11am & 2-3pm) at Annie’s Bakery, and Pam Dengler with her fiddle will be at Mill and Main Restaurant. Hooper’s Restaurant will welcome Keith Shuler from 1-4pm, while J. Robin Whitley can be heard at It’s By Nature Gallery from 11am-2pm.

“On October 23, surrounded by the colorful artwork of nature as Autumn colors fall upon our mountains, ” says Doreyl Ammons Cain, cofounder of CSA, and director of the festival. “the merchants of downtown Sylva will host some of the most accomplished fine artists and musicians in western North Carolina. The arts are alive in Sylva--stroll down Main Street and look in the windows, and then come on Saturday, October 23, and join us for ColorFest, Art of the Blue Ridge!”

For more information, call the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce at (828) 586-2155 or (800) 962-1911.

Foothills Conservancy Autumn Update

Autumn in the Foothills
Submitted by The Foothills Conservancy
Celebrating 15 Years of Land and Water Conservation in the Blue Ridge and Foothills of North Carolina

What do you love about autumn? Is it the crisp, cool air against your face? Spending time with loved ones, or just sitting on the porch watching the leaves fall? If you are anything like us, you love it all, and there isn't a better time to get out and enjoy the places you love; places like the Bovender farm in Rutherford County or Wild and Scenic Wilson Creek in Caldwell County, or one of our many state parks such as South Mountains State Park, Chimney Rock State Park or the newly opened addition of Lake James State Park. Your support over the years has helped protect these special places so get out and enjoy them. The state parks and national forests belong to you.

Bovender Farm Tour -Saturday, October 23 - Tour the historic 1,000-acre Bovender Farm in Rutherford County’s Gilkey Community on Saturday, Oct. 23 from 10 until noon. Enjoy a wagon ride around the scenic farm with Tim and Nell Bovender and Foothills Conservancy staff, and learn about how they have worked with the conservancy to permanently protect it with an agricultural conservation agreement. Meet at the farm located at 202 Flack Rd., Rutherfordton, NC

For more information call 828-437-9930 or email info@foothillsconservancy.org or visit our website.

Meet our 2010 Ruby Pharr Conservation Volunteer of the Year: Jim Goldsmith, a conservancy board member and Marion attorney was named the 2010 Ruby Pharr Conservation Volunteer of the Year for his dedication and leadership in protecting the Catawba River’s headwaters and service as a conservancy board member and volunteer.

“Jim exemplifies the spirit of this special volunteer award,” said Susie Hamrick Jones, Foothills Conservancy’s executive director. “A McDowell native, he has been a champion of our efforts to protect the source waters of the Catawba River in western McDowell County and to achieve, earlier this year, public trail access to Catawba Falls in Pisgah National Forest.

“He is one of our longest-serving board members, serving as board chairman for several years, leading our land protection committee, and currently serving as vice chairman,” she said. “His commitment of time and expertise has helped Foothills Conservancy become one of the state’s most effective land trusts – protecting more than 45,000 acres across the eastern Blue Ridge Mountains and foothills since 1995 at places like Catawba Falls, Chimney Rock, South Mountains, Lake James and the Linville Gorge, and Wilson Creek.”

“I am honored to receive Foothills Conservancy’s Ruby Pharr award for many reasons,” Goldsmith said. “Foothills Conservancy has achieved such spectacular results protecting the geographic area we serve. But since the award is named for Ruby, whom I admire and respect, and the award plaque carries her name, it is an especially meaningful honor to me.”

The award is named in honor of Ruby Pharr, a founding and current Foothills Conservancy board member and former board chairman whose own outstanding volunteer efforts helped Foothills Conservancy protect tens of thousands of acres in the South Mountains.  Foothills Conservancy presents this special award annually to an individual or group whose volunteer efforts have had a major positive impact on the conservation of special places in the conservancy’s eight-county Blue Ridge Mountains and foothills region.

Woolly Worms Rule this Weekend in Banner Elk

Oct 16 - 17  wiggle on over to the Woolly Worm Festival.  Since 1978, the residents of the village nestled between the Carolina's two largest ski resorts have celebrated the coming of the snow season with a Woolly Worm Festival. They set aside the third weekend in October (October 16-17, 2010) to determine which one worm will have the honor of predicting the severity of the coming winter; and they make that worm earn the honor by winning heat after heat of hard - fought races - up a three-foot length of string

Weekend Wine Events and Tastings:

Oct 15, 6 PM - 9PM at the Wine Bar, The Classic Wine Cellar - Michael Pilgrim and his Mandolin Jazz perform with no cover charge. Fun, food, wine, music. The Classic Wine Cellar is located at 20 Church Street, Waynesville NC.

Oct 15, 5:30 PM - 8 PM, Maggie B's Wine & Specialty Store - Sample some truly delectable wines from all over the great state of Oregon. Oregon has always been the home for craftsman wine making. The majority being small, family owned wineries with estate grown grapes, not unlike many Western North Carolina farms. Maggie B's Wine & Specialty Store is located at 113 N. Main St. Weaverville NC.

Oct 15, 7 PM  The Wine Studio of Asheville - The Greening of the Wine Industry:- Sustainable, Organic & Biodynamic. What is the difference in organic wine and wine made from organic grapes? Does biodynamic farming actually make better wine? Join Jessica Gualano for a presentation of 6 wines. We'll take a close look at which countries and producers are leading the way in the "greening" of the wine industry! Learn how to identify quality, eco-conscious wines! The Wine Studio of Asheville is located at 169 Charlotte Street, Asheville NC.

Oct 16, 1 PM - 4 PM  Asheville Wine Market - Free Tasting of a delicious selection of newly arrived wines perfectly suited to the changing season. Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Muscadelle, Grenache Blanc, Maccabeu, Muscat Petit Grain, Grenache, and Syrah are the players for this tasting. These wines will stimulate your palate and be lovely partners to a broad variety of dishes. So join Erin for a vinous tour of the southern tier of France this coming Saturday. The Asheville Wine Market is located at 65 Biltmore Ave, Asheville NC.

Oct 16,  6 PM - 9 PM,  Table Wine - Art and wine extravaganza. Local artist Nathan Dyke has kindly displayed his wonderful paintings on our walls, and he will be here Saturday from 6:00 to 9:00 to answer questions you might have about his work. Wine and light bites will be available as well. Table Wine is located at 1550 Hendersonville Road, Suite 102 in the Fugazy Center Asheville NC.

Oct 16, 3 PM - 6 PM, Hops & Vines - Free wine tasting of Killer wines from New Zealand. This region is especially known for their Sauvignon Blancs and Pinot Noirs, and we've got some great value examples this week. If you never experienced New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc before you're in for a treat! Hops & Vines is located at 797 Haywood Rd, Ste 100, Asheville NC.

Fall Color Update: Color "Explodes" in the NC Mountains

Fall Leaf Report for WNC Mountains: All along the Blue Ridge Parkway, between Boone and Linville, the trees are nearing their peak color. This week through the coming weekend, the northern section of the mountains should be incredibly vibrant.

Farther south, colors are slightly behind the Boone area. The sourwoods and dogwoods are well along, while the maples are just starting to show color. The oaks haven’t really kicked in yet. In the Highlands area, the colors have really blossomed the last few days (just like in Boone) and they say the peak will be this week through the weekend.

If the colors around the Boone/Grandfather Mountain area are any sign, we may have an excellent fall color display this year, from Asheville down to Murphy and Robbinsville. Remember, for the majority of our mountains, intense color is expected in the coming weeks.

Smoky Mountains Park Fall Color Report:  Colors are approaching peak in many high elevation (above 4,000') areas of the park. Leaves are especially colorful between Alum Cave and the Luftee Overlook along Newfound Gap Road and along the Clingmans Dome Road. However it will be a few more days - at least - before leaves reach their full colors at mid elevation. At low elevation, colors are beginning to develop, but leaves are still predominantly green. There are however, some scattered trees that are vividly colored in the foothills. 

Halloween Event: Marianna Black Library gets Spooky

Marianna Black Library in Bryson City NC is preparing for Halloween with October "Scary Movies". The movies are shown every Tuesday at 3:30 PM, are free to the public and projected onto an 8 X 10 foot screen, with a theater sound system. The library will also be giving away one free movie check out voucher to each patron who attends the movie.

Next Tuesday, October 19th,  the "Rankin/Bass Animagic process" of stop-motion photography is featured. See all your favorite classic monsters: Frankenstein, the Mummy, Dr. Jekyll, the Creature, Dracula, the Werewolf and the Invisible Man. They're all in one animated movie along with the vocal talents of Boris Karloff and Phyllis Diller. And there is even a Plot! After discovering the secret of destruction, Baron von Frankenstein is retiring as head of the World Wide Organization of Monsters. He's handpicked his mortal nephew Felix to be his successor and his fellow monsters are less than pleased. Even though Felix politely declines to carry on this family tradition, the monsters band together and double-cross one another in comic attempts to expel Felix from the group.

Popcorn, provided by the Friends of the Marianna Black Library, will be served in the library auditorium starting at 3:20 p.m. 

NC Fall Event: 22nd Apple Harvest Festival in Waynesville

October 16   Waynesville NC hosts the   22nd Annual Apple Harvest Festival   Celebrate the bounty of the apple harvest season with more than 100 vendors & 25,000 people. The Festival features hand made crafts, live entertainment, an apple baking competition & everything apples!

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Learning Opportunities

"An Evening on the Farm" is scheduled at the Mountain Farm Museum on Thursday, October 14, from 5:00-6:30 p.m.  During the event, Park staff and volunteers will provide a variety of demonstrations, including hearth cooking and broom making.  The Davis/Queen farmhouse will also be open for visitors to walk through the century-old building for a look at life in the past.  During the event, hot cider also will be served. For more information contact the Oconaluftee Visitor Center at (828) 497-1904.

'Know Before You Go' is a series of eight great Smoky Mountain science topics written by Science Communication Biological Technician Susan Simpson. Susan's latest dispatches about alien worms and the tragic white nose syndrome in our park's bat population are posted below. Read her Dispatches from the Field on the National Park Service website. The list of the topics covered so far include: Issue 1: Grasslands & Forests    Issue 2: Adelgids, Hemlocks, & Streams - watch the Podcast  Issue 3: The Wild(life) Side of the Smokies  Issue 4: Fish and the health of Smoky Mountain streams  Issue 5: Air & Sky of the Smokies  Issue 6: Cultural Resources & Archeology- watch the Podcast  Issue 7: Discovering life in the Smokies   Issue 8: Fire In The Smokies

Enjoy Leaf Season at a Waynesville Golf Resort from $79 per night

Savor the crisp fall air in the Great Smoky Mountains, when you stay at The Waynesville Inn Golf Resort and Spa. Guests can relax in the casual mountain atmosphere, while playing a round of golf on one of our championship courses, indulging in fresh local cuisine, or soothing their body and mind with one of the many spa services.

*The $79 rate is available most Sunday – Thursday evenings and is based on availability. This offer cannot be used with any other discounts or offers and is valid for new reservations only.

Weekend Events in the NC Mountains

Whatever your interests may be you'll find something exciting to do this weekend in the NC mountains. The fall leaf color is starting and the air is cool and crisp.  American Craft Week events continue in more than 30 mountain cities. Take a ride with the Peanuts gang on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad to the pumpkin patch or back to the old West aboard Tweetsie's Halloween Ghost Train. Find Art and Craft in the park, on a gallery Crawl or at dozens of outdoor mountain festivals and open studios. Octoberfests offer beer and OOM Pah Pah. See frescoes, bonsais and quilts.
1-10 Locations throughout WNC American Craft Week
1-10 ASHEVILLE American Craft Week Demos at the Folk Art Center
1 - 31 BLOWING ROCK Ghost Train Halloween Festival
2 - 31 MARION Mountain Glory Quilter's Show
5 - 9 CHEROKEE Cherokee Indian Fair
8 WEST JEFFERSON Gallery Crawl
8 - 10 BRYSON CITY PeanutsTM - The Great Pumpkin Patch Express
9 CHEROKEE Fall Harvest Craft Festival at the Old Mill 1886
9 ASHEVILLE Art in the Park
9 ASHEVILLE Oktoberfest
9 WHITTIER Maple Leaf Festival
9 MARION Mountain Glory Festival
9 SPRUCE PINE Mineral City Heritage Festival
9 GLENDALE SPRINGS Festival of the Frescoes
9 BOONE Hickory Ridge Apple Festival
9 MAGGIE VALLEY October Leaves Craft Show
9 MURPHY 15th Annual Cherokee County Chamber Chili Cook Off
9 WAYNESVILLE Church Street Arts & Crafts
9 - 10 SUGAR MOUNTAIN Sugar Mountain Oktoberfest
9 - 10 SPRUCE PINE Spruce Pine Potters Market
9 - 10 ASHEVILLE Carolina Bonsai Expo
9 - 10 TRYON 36th Annual Holiday Kiln Opening at Little Mountain Pottery
10 COLUMBUS 2nd Annual FENCE Wine & Art Festival at Derbyshire

Fall Leaf Report Weekly Update

Leaf color is currently about the same stage  as last week, probably a result of recent  to warm temperatures and the rains. There is some leaf color showing, mostly above 3,500 ft. elevation. Around Boone, yellows and oranges are slowly revealing themselves against a still mostly green background. At Grandfather Mountain color is beginning to appear nicely at the higher elevations. From Asheville down to Robbinsville, colors are also in a holding pattern, but should start becoming more prominent next weekend through the next two weekends. At this time  a good fall color show  in the mountains.is still being predicted.

Get links for Fall 2011 Leaf Report HERE

RiverLink volunteers pull 1900 pounds of trash out of French Broad River

NC Big Sweep Cleanup

submitted by Dave Russell, Volunteer Coordinator for RiverLink

Chilly fall temperatures did not deter the 35 dedicated volunteers who participated in the Big Sweep Cleanup of the French Broad River coordinated by RiverLink, the Asheville Outdoor Center and 1-800-Got Junk this past Saturday. In canoes and on foot along the riverbank, volunteers collected 1,900 pounds of trash - including a TV and 76 tires from the French Broad River.

Volunteers from Warren Wilson College also fanned out alongside Amboy Road and Riverside Drive, leaving the signature orange bags full of trash for the volunteers from 1-800-Got-Junk to throw into one of their blue trucks and haul to the landfill. The canoeists, primarily a group of teens from T.C. Roberson High School in Asheville, traveled a three-mile stretch from the Asheville Outdoor Center to Jean Webb Park.

"The most commonly found items were undoubtedly drink bottles, both along the roadside and in the river," said Dave Russell, RiverLink's volunteer coordinator who walked the three miles, picking up four bags of trash along the way. "Fast food refuse ranked a close second along the roadside. The most unusual items were a television pulled from the river and a toilet from along the roadside."

RiverLink thanks everyone who participated in the Big Sweep Cleanup including Asheville Outdoor Center for lending canoes and 1-800-Got-Junk for collecting and transporting the trash and recyclables to their proper disposal places.

RiverLink has over 60 Adopt-a-Stream teams at work in the French Broad River Watershed - come out and join a team or form your own with more information at www.riverlink.org

Lake Lure Golf and Mountain View Home for Sale

$279,000! Beautiful 3 BD / 2.5 BA 2050 sq ft Resort home on Golf Course that has just been remodeled and is waiting for you! Located on .93 acres at Rumbling Bald Resort on Lake Lure - you will have access to all the amenities and 2-18 hole Golf Courses, 3 pools, rec center, tennis courts, putt putt golf, basketball, volleyball, beach on Lake Lure and much more to offer.  Don't wait too long.   828-625-9998 

 Dreamfinders Realty and Vacation Rentals, Inc.

Flat Rock Wine Shoppe Prepares for Move to Hendersonville

The Flat Rock Wine Shoppe and Back Room Restaurant is very happy to announce its upcoming move to Main Street in downtown Hendersonville! The new location is predicted for sometime in October.  In the meantime it is business as usual here in Flat Rock with the same music schedule, exceptional menu and weekly specials as usual.

Wine of the week:  Ring.bolt Cabernet Sauvignon (Margaret River, Australia) 2007
"A poised bouquet of cassis and cedar and a lovely note of violets; equally as attractive on the palate, the balance between fruit, acid, oak and tannin is impeccable; very long and varietal, with refreshing tannin and fruit."
James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion 2010 95Pts.   Just $16.99

Corn Mazes a favorite for fall in the mountains

Corn Mazes are a favorite "Family Fun" Fall activity in the North Carolina Mountains. Kids of all ages love puzzles and this is an opportunity to solve them up close and personal. The Mazes open from late summer through October and include special events for Halloween, groups and Agritourism.

Blue Ridge Corn Maze  Brevard, North Carolina - 6 Acres of "corn-fusion" where you can lose it and it's all right! September / October Hours: September: Monday-Friday by appointment, Saturday & Sunday 2-8 PM October: Monday-Friday by appointment, Saturday & Sunday 2-7 PM.


Ashe County Corn Maze   West Jefferson Area, North Carolina - The corn maze takes anywhere from 25 minutes to 45 minutes to hours! There are six "stations" in the maze. Remembering where you've been and finding all the stations can get confusing. Then you have to find your way out. Group Rates Available. Perfect for field trips or birthday parties.

Eliada's Fields of Fun   Asheville North Carolina - “Get Lost” in three huge corn mazes, offering a combined total of 12 acres of twisting trails!  New this year, we’ve added lots of attractions for kids of all ages, like our corn cannons, slack line challenge, haybale maze, cow train, corn box, pedal carts, & much more! Special events include BBQ & Bluegrass Night, Classic Car Show, Pumpkin Carving Contest and more!

Hickory Nut Gap Farm  Asheville area   Open 7 days a week, 9am - 6pm, 9/1 through 10/31. Wind your way through the corn maze, pick your own pumpkin, fill your bag with organic apples, hold a baby chick, visit with our animals and enjoy a day with your family.

The Maze at Seasonal Produce Farm Canton North Carolina -This year's maze honors Captain Sully who landed his plane on the Hudson River in January 2009 saving all on board. Special events include a professional lumberjack competition, haunted house and Hospice Day.

Darnell Farms   Bryson City North Carolina - a true "Agritourism" farm with horseback riding, wagon rides, camping, bluegrass music, educational tours, pick-your-own seasonal produce and an 8+ acre corn maze that opens in mid August!