Get Growing: Organic Gardening Series Begins Today

An exciting three-part series on all aspects of Growing: planning, planting, production, and pests. Dates: March 31, April 7 and April 14 (3 Tuesdays) Time: 7-9 PM.  Location: Lenoir Rhyne University Asheville located at 36 Montford Avenue in Asheville NC.  Cost: $15 per class for $40 for the series.

Improve your established garden or start growing for the first time. 

• Class 1:  Why grow organically; site, size, and design; soil and nutrient basics; seasons; tools, Q & A. 
• Class 2:  Seeds and transplants, common problems; composting and vermicomposting; edible yard; Q & A. 
• Class 3:  Mulch; water and fertility; compost tea; cover cropping and nutrients; disease and insects; Q & A.

Register HERE

The Series is taught by Organic Growers School instructors: Ruth Gonzalez, gardener, local food blogger, and author of the OGS Ask Ruth Gardening Column AND Rodney Bowling, co-owner of Mudluscious Pottery and Gardens, a homestead farm in Mars Hill, NC.

Take a Hike: Joyce Kilmer Slickrock Wilderness Hike Series

April 1, 2015    Partners of Joyce Kilmer Slickrock Wilderness Hike Series   This series of hikes is open to the public for 2015 but reservations are required. Hikes vary in length and difficulty. One or more members of the non-profit group will lead each hike. Fools Day Hike to a surprise location…the groups will leave from somewhere and eventually end up somewhere…All fools meet Curly Joe Bonnette, Marshall Moe McClung, and Larry Hoot Gibbs at the Cheoah Ranger Station at 1 PM.

Learn more about NC mountain hikes on the NC Hiking and Trail Guide.  

Catch the Spirit of Appalachia Awards Scholarships

On March 20 at their annual Scholarship Fundraising Dinner, the board of Catch the Spirit of Appalachia awarded three scholarships to three deserving applicants. In the presence of over 100 attendees in the fellowship hall of Cullowhee Baptist Church on the campus of WCU, the following awards were presented. 

The Annie Lee Bryson Memorial Scholarship was presented to Blake Joh-David Ward of Whittier, NC, by Annie Lee’s daughters, Norma Clayton, Carolyn Wiggins, and Anna Allen.  A very active young man at Smoky Mountain High, Blake is a member of the show choir at Smoky Mountain High, a member of student council, FCA, Crossfit Swerve, and varsity football, wrestling, track and field. Besides all those activities, he helps work with kids at Riverside Cove youth camp, helps his family on the farm raising cattle and with the family garden. He is proud of the fact that his family has lived in these mountains for nearly 200 years! He wants to major in biology or business at WCU, then attend dental school to become an oral surgeon. GPA 3.5. 

Connor Luckey-Smith receives award

The Mary Jane Queen Memorial Scholarship was presented to Connor Luckey-Smith, from Clyde, ND, by Dot Conner, the eldest daughter of Mary Jane. Connor is enrolled at Four Oaks Academy, plus dually enrolled in the Jackson County Early College and Haywood Early College. Connor, in his words, states he has been strongly influenced by the rich traditions of Appalachian culture, mostly because of the Haywood County JAM program. He began playing at an early age, and has been exposed to many great and gifted musicians with whom he has come in contact. He and his brother, along with the band Productive Paranoia, play at area nursing homes, benefits, fundraisers, senior luncheons, and more. Connor’s goal is to have a career in music.GPA: 4.0. 

The Elmer and Irene Hooper Memorial Scholarship was presented to Grace Ella Morris, from Cullowhee, NC by Irene Hooper. Grace goes to Smoky Mountain High and Jackson County Early College. Her community service is truly outstanding. An avid fiddle player, Grace spent countless hours performing with the Community Appalachian Music group, playing “Old Time Music” at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center. She has been going on mission trips since 2012, spending time with senior adults in the community, and is a current member of the Jackson County Bible club. She came up through JAM in Haywood County, volunteered with the Jackson County Junior Appalachian Musicians and is now a teacher with the organization. She wants to be a teacher and share her love for Appalachian culture. GPA 3.9044. She is a member of the National Honors Society, and is on the President’s List at SCC. Entertainment was provided by the teachers of the JAM (Junior Appalachian Musicians) program of Jackson County. 

Catch the Spirit of Appalachia’s scholarship program is supported, in part, from the Catch the Spirit of Appalachia Endowment, a component fund of the North Carolina Community Foundations, and the efforts of a 20-member board of directors from within the local community. 

Nonprofit Compliance Workshops Offered by WNC Nonprofit Pathways

Each spring WNC Nonprofit Pathways presents the Nonprofit Compliance Update with Charlotte attorney Dianne Chipps Bailey.  On April 17, 2015 get up to speed on nonprofit regulations. New this year: Asheville attorney Heather Goldstein will address specific issues of employment law.

Register now by clicking here. Evaluating the effectiveness of your organization's programs and preparing financial reports are two more critical areas of focus for any nonprofit. For help, check out these workshops in Duke University's Nonprofit Management Program: Nonprofit Fundamentals-Evaluation on April 9, 2015 Financial Reporting for Nonprofits on April 16, 2015.  (Scholarships for Spring classes are still available - apply here)

April 9 - Nonprofit Fundamentals-Evaluation: Measuring Impact.  Is your program making a difference? How can you strengthen your work? Program evaluation can help you answer these questions and more. Evaluation is not only important for accountability to funders; organizations that use evaluation findings for planning and decision-making are more likely to be sustainable.

April 16 - Financial Reporting for Nonprofits.   Are you befuddled by financial reports? This course explores financial statements and other documents for nonprofit organizations, to help you develop skills in preparing reports that tell users what really matters; learn important ratios for monitoring the organization's financial health and fiscal stability; and become familiar with requirements of the IRS (Form 990).

Western North Carolina Nonprofit Pathways is a collaboration of: The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina Cherokee Preservation Foundation Mission Hospital United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County with additional generous support from: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust The Duke Endowment.

Foothills Conservancy Hosts Fort Defiance Tour

March 28, beginning at 1 PM - Join FCNC's Stewardship Director, Andrew Kota and Fort Defiance's Director, Becky Phillips for a guided tour of the historic site of the fort and home of General William Lenoir. 

Participants should meet at Fort Defiance: 1792 Fort Defiance Drive, Lenoir, NC 28645 (take 321 to 268; follow 268 for about 5.5 miles until you reach a slight right for Fort Defiance Drive). 

 

FREE Beer Tasting in Asheville NC

March 27, 5 PM - 7 PM at Hops and Vines, 797 Haywood Rd, Ste 100in Asheville NC - FREE tasting of samples from the new Mills River brewery in NC and some traditional and seasonal Sierra Nevada beers.

Hop Hunter IPA harnesses the complex flavors of just-picked hops through an all-new method of steam distilling wet hops before they even leave the fields. This revolutionary technique captures and intensifies the natural flavors, creating a unique and intensely aromatic beer. The custom process gathers pure hop oil which, when combined with traditional whole-cone hops in the brew kettle and makes for an incredible IPA experience.

Nooner Pilsner - Gather your friends, pack the gear, and head out to wherever the day may take you. A midday go-to, Nooner is our take on the classic German-style pilsner—one of the original session beers. Nooner is easy drinking yet packed with the big flavor of spicy and floral whole-cone hops. Its brilliant golden color begs you to take a sip and sink your taste buds into an extremely welcoming beer, full of flavor and balanced by a crisp, dry finish.

Idaho 7 Harvest Ale -   With a captivating hops, Idaho 7, headlining the first of five bottles in the 2015 edition of the Harvest series. Complex fruity aromas of orange and apricot mesh with hints of black tea-like character and a pleasant fresh herbal bouquet. This IPA kicks off our 2015 series exploring diverse hopping methods: single hop, fresh hop, wet hop and wild hop. 

Last Chance to Ski NC for the 2014-15 Season

The NC Ski Season ends this weekend with only two NC Ski Resorts remaining open. Appalachian Ski Mountain will open Easter weekend for a ski benefit event April 4-5 for the last, last of the ski season.

March 28 - 29, 2015  Meltdown Games / Neff Beech Bash   Appalachian Ski Mountain's classic end of the season celebration. Enjoy a full weekend of crazy events you won’t see any other time of the year, with lots of snow, sun, and skin. All events are free with your ski ticket purchase. Take your best shot at tons of prize categories. Registration will be going on all day in the Alpine Ski Shop. 

Sugar Mountain Ski Resort continues March Madness and the Spyder Sample Sale for one more weekend.  Celebrate the end of the winter season at Sugar Mountain Resort this Sunday, March 29, 2015. The Johnson Brothers perform from 2 PM until 5 PM and the ceremonial snow burning begins around 4 PM.

The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel Held Over at The Flat Rock Cinema

March 20 through April 2, 2015, 3:30 PM and 7:00 PM at The Flat Rock Cinema, 2700 Greenville Highway in Flat Rock NC - The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. Rated PG, Comedy, Drama, 122 Min. Director: John Madden Stars: Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Bill Nighy, Dev Patel, Richard Gere As the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel has only a single remaining vacancy - posing a rooming predicament for two fresh arrivals - Sonny pursues his expansionist dream of opening a second hotel.

Get complete local information on the Flat Rock NC Visitor Guide.

 

Cherokee NC Fishing Tournaments Kick-off Spring in the Mountains

Date: March 27 - 29, 2015 : Cherokee's Cast Into Spring Trout Tournament $11 entry fee with a total of $20,000 divided among the winners. Enjoy the renowned trout fishing on the Cherokee Reservation with the first tournament of the year. 

Date: March 28, 2015  KOA March Fishing Tournament   Some of the finest trout fishing in the eastern United States is located on the Cherokee Indian Reservation adjacent to the Cherokee KOA. Compete with other anglers for thousands of dollars in prizes. Cherokee KOA Trout tournaments are held in March, August and October. Fishing Season is closed in the month of March until the opening day. 

The NC mountains offer an exceptional trout fishing haven with an estimated 4,000 miles of trout water with approximately 2,000 miles managed for public fishing. Fly fishing in a North Carolina mountain stream is enjoyed equally by experienced fishermen and beginners alike. NC Trout waters are designated as Hatchery Supported Waters, Delayed Harvest Waters, Wild Trout Waters, Catch and Release Waters. North Carolina fishing in the mountains offers fishing on rivers, streams, lakes and ponds.


Find information and links for how to get an NC fishing license, fishing regulations, trout streams and creeks, fishing cabins and more on the NC Fishing Guide. 

Outside Magazine Names North Carolina Best Domestic Adventure Hub

North Carolina has been named Best Domestic Adventure Hub in Outside Magazine's 30 Most Incredible Trips to Take in 2015. "Take California, make the mountains greener and the beaches and restaurants less crowded, and replace all the digital millionaires with hospitable southerners, and you get North Carolina." - Outside Magazine.

Specific mountain area points of interest cited in the article include Asheville's farm-to-table restaurants, local breweries, and great music venues; mountain biking from world-class singletrack and road riding in the Blue Ridge mountains to the Big Avery Loop, a challenging 13-mile romp through rhododendron tunnels and way-off-the-back rock steps; 96 miles of Appalachian Trail with some of the most pristine hiking in the world; the Nantahala Outdoor Center with some of the country’s best whitewater and both national competitions and family-friendly activities. 

A few of the other Outside Magazine "Top 30" trips to take in 2015 were: 

• Best Island: Bermuda 
• Best Street Food: Austin, Texas 
• Best Place to Tie One On: Portland, Maine (although we would remind readers that Asheville has beat out Portland for #1 Beer City USA several years running) 
• Best Way to Get Strong Quads: San Juan Mountains, Colorado 
• Best Beaches: South Carolina (we assume Outside Mag didn't get the opportunity to visit NE Florida and the incredible pristine beach parks, Little Talbot and Big Talbot Island - Florida beaches the way they were before people arrived...) 
• Best Road Biking: California 
• Best Urban Upgrade: Philadelphia 
• Best Place to Eat and Drink Yourself Silly: Scotland 
• Best Safari: Kenya 
• Best Airbnb Property: Mary May’s 
• Best Surf Trip: Baja, Mexico 

See photos, details and read more HERE.

Conservation News: The Appalachian Advocate Announces Coal Ash Webinar Series

This past year has seen more intense scrutiny of coal ash in North Carolina and around the country. Get the run-down on the latest research and news surrounding this toxic waste and share your questions in the second of our four-part webinar series, "The Evolving Burden of Coal Ash: Examining New State and Federal Protections," featuring research biologist Dr. Dennis Lemly, artist and local activist Caroline Armijo, and Appalachian Voices' North Carolina campaign coordinator and former state regulator Amy Adams.

Get more information or register for the webinar series HERE.

Appalachian Voices is an award-winning, environmental non-profit committed to protecting the land, air and water of the central and southern Appalachian region, focusing on reducing coal’s impact on the region and advancing our vision for a cleaner energy future. - See more at: http://appvoices.org/about/#sthash.81Kng1IK.dpuf

Appalachian Voices is an award-winning, environmental non-profit organization committed to protecting the land, air and water of the central and southern Appalachian region, focusing on reducing coal’s impact on the region and advancing the vision for a cleaner energy future. DONATIONS ARE WELCOMED.  

Stories of Mountain Folk this Week

Stories of Mountain Folk is a weekly podcast produced by Catch the Spirit of Appalachia and archived at Western Carolina University.

Podcast March, 2015:
Storytelling: Amy continues the story, told by her mother, of her early married life. This episode is called “Keep on Keeping on”.  Background Music: “Annie’s Song”.  Music: “Five foot two, Eyes of Blue” by Grey Orchestra.

Creative Corner: Doreyl ’s guests Laura Boosinger and Joe Penland, who talk more about Shindig on the Green in Asheville.  Music: “Lee Highway Blues” by Mac Martin. 

Stories of Mountain Folk: Amy’s guest Howard Allman, who shares stories about growing up in Webster. Music:“Willard” by Terry Edwards.  

Let Us March On: Mary Sue’s guest is Reverend Charles Lee, president of the Jackson County NAACP, who shares why he became involved.  Music: “I’m Running For My Life” by Liberty Baptist Choir w/Lena Wykle. 

Down Another Road: Judy interviews Steve Ensley, whose family settled in Swannonoa Valley in Buncombe County.  Music: “Down South” by Music2Hues.  

Closing Song: “Rejoice” by The Inspirations.

Listen to this week's Stories of Mountain Folk HERE

Melange of the Mountains Launchs the Spring Tourism Season in Haywood County

March 26 - 29, 2015   Melange of the Mountains   Opening Gala from 5 PM - 7 PM. Chef participants will prepare tastings of their favorite recipes and showcase or compete for recognition and awards. 

The gala evening event will extend into a weekend itinerary filled with an array of specialty dinners, culinary demos, and tastings hosted by Melange of the Mountains participants. Events such as Farm to Table, Hops to Tap, Sip and Stroke, dinner on the Mountain, Champagne & Caviar, Five Course Candlelight Dinner, Wine Pairings will take place throughout the county. Admission: Tickets are $35 for Chamber Members, $40 for Non Chamber Members, $60 for VIP ticket upgrade. 

The 2015 Mélange Gala Participants: 

• Balsam Mountain Inn 
• Blossom on Main 
• Thai Fusion 
• Blue Rooster Southern Grill 
• Bosu’s Wine Shop 
• Cataloochee Guest Ranch 
•  Chef Randy Phillips Harrah's Cherokee Casino and Resort 
•  City Bakery-Waynesville 
• Copper Pot & Wooden Spoon 
• Cork & Cleaver at Waynesville Inn 
• Frankie’s Trattoria 
• Frog Level Brewing 
• Haywood Smokehouse 
• Lake Junaluska 
• Laurel Ridge Country Club 
• Selu Garden Cafe-Harrah’s Cherokee 
• Sunburst Market 
• The Classic Wine Seller 
• The Waynesville Soda Jerks 
• Tipping Point Tavern

The 2015 Mélange Gala Participants:
Balsam Mountain Inn 

Blossom on Main Thai Fusion

Blue Rooster Southern Grill 

Bosu’s Wine Shop

Cataloochee Guest Ranch 

Chef Randy Phillips Harrah's Cherokee Casino & Resort

City Bakery-Waynesville

Copper Pot & Wooden Spoon 

Cork & Cleaver at Waynesville Inn

Frankie’s Trattoria

Frog Level Brewing 

Haywood Smokehouse

Lake Junaluska 

Laurel Ridge Country Club

Selu Garden Cafe-Harrah’s Cherokee

Sunburst Market 

The Classic Wine Seller

The Waynesville Soda Jerks

Tipping Point Tavern

- See more at: http://www.haywood-nc.com/events/Melange-of-the-Mountains-1207/details#sthash.BwzgtN9u.dpuf

The Melange of the Mountains Gala is held at Laurel Ridge Country Club, 788 Eagles Nest Road in Waynesville NC
 

Entrtainment News: New York-based Dance Company, Abraham.In.Motion Comes to Dianna Wortham Theatre

March 24-25, 8 PM at Diana Wortham Theatre, 2 S Pack Square in downtown Asheville NC - When the Wolves Came In, performed by Kyle Abraham’s New York-based dance company, Abraham.In.Motion.

Timely and relevant to the current national spotlight on race and equality, Abraham.In.Motion’s When the Wolves Came In takes its inspiration from jazz legend Max Roach’s iconic 1960 protest album, We Insist: Max Roach’s Freedom Now Suite.

Kyle Abraham began working on When the Wolves Came In after a visit to the Hector Pieterson Museum in Soweto, South Africa. While there, he became fixated on the power of perception, and the ways that the 13-year-old Pieterson’s death in a 1976 anti-Apartheid protest shines a spotlight on questions of personal choice and collective rights in the struggle for freedom today. For Michael Brown, Tyler Clementi, Eric Garner, Islan Nettles, and countless other faceless and nameless women and men facing violence and discrimination, these questions still have resonance.

In addition to the evening performances, opportunities with Abraham.In.Motion include:

Technique Class with Abraham.In.Motion
A master class for dance students led by Abraham.In.Motion company members will be held Monday, March 23, 3:10-4:20 PM at the UNC-Asheville Dance Studio on campus in the Wilma M. Sherill Center. Free. All skill levels are welcome and no registration is required.

Dance as Identity Ownership with Kyle Abraham
In recognition of Kyle Abraham’s contributions to Dancers Responding to AIDS, Diana Wortham Theatre is partnering with The Western North Carolina Aids Project (WNCAP) to co-present Abraham.In.Motion’s Dance as Identity Ownership workshop which uses dance to explore verbal and movement dialogue about gender and sexuality.  Held Wednesday, March 25, 3:30-5:00 PM at Diana Wortham Theatre. This is an open level class. $10 per person. Reservations are required and space is limited. To reserve a spot, call 828.257.4530.

Pre-Performance Discussions 
Kyle Abraham and Abraham.In.Motion company members will lead a pre-performance discussion at 7:00 PM prior to the March 24 and 25 performances. The Discussions will be held in The Forum off of the main lobby. These discussions are free to ticket holders. Seating is limited and offered on a first come, first served basis. No one will be admitted after 7:10 PM.

Matinee Series Performances
March 24 at 10:00 AM - Great news for parents, educators and community leaders: Due to a couple of group reservation changes, some seats have become available for these performances,The Matinee Series is open to school groups, homeschoolers, community groups, and families. Individual and group tickets available at 828-257-4530. Recommended for Grades 7-12. 

Festival News: 18th Annual “Greening Up the Mountains Festival”

Drawing thousands of visitors each year, Sylva NC’s Greening Up The Mountains Spring Festival is a celebration of renewal, of revitalization, and of the awakening of spring in the mountains. The festival will run from 10 AM until 4 PM on Saturday, April 25, 2015. 

This year there will be a an emphasis on presenting the quality of the local society - past, present and future - throughout the festival. The many musical styles of the area will be featured on two stages, providing the backdrop for a day of excitement and shopping. In the center of Main Street among the town’s unique small businesses Sylva will host over 100 vendors from fine artists and crafters, to heritage demonstrators. There will also be exhibitors from local schools, natural environmental organizations, and sustainability and wellness representatives. 

Children’s activities will include dance performances, storytelling, face painting, an inflatable slide, a mountain youth talent contest and a cub-mobile downhill race. Each local school will be represented, with many activities planned especially for the festival and the children of the area.

This year’s event also hosts the annual Greening Up the Mountains 5K Run, sponsored by the Jackson County Recreation and Parks Department. For more information on the race and registration, call 828-293-3053.

There will be many local handmade goods throughout the festival such as loom beading, fine art and photography, walking sticks, birdhouses, artistic bottle art, goat milk soap, lip balms, local honey, jewelry of all kinds, leather handbags, chair caning, quilting and much more. 

One local craftsmen, Bob Nichols, is a fourth generation carpenter, craftsmen and true artisan of wood. His great grandfather was a blacksmith and craftsman of furniture and art when it was too cold to build houses. When Bob was eight he began working alongside his father, with all kinds of wood, taking on the challenges of building structures, homes and magnificent pieces of furniture. Now, at 66, his education has been a lifetime of building, remodeling, and creating with wood. “I take reclaimed and found wood,” he says, “and bring the wood to the sawmill, then slick the wood by the grain. It’s a passion I feel as I work…it must be in my blood, coming from my family heritage.” Written up in Southern Living Magazine, Bob designs and builds Country French cabinetry, curly maple Windsor chairs, entertainment centers in walnut…and mantels, doors, cabinets, tables, desks and more—which are now scattered about the eastern United States and locally as well. At Greening Up The Mountains Spring Festival, Bob will be displaying some of these creations, while offering beautiful wood sculptures, imaginative slab tables, and other works of art you can carry home with you. 

One of the many hand-produced natural products you will find at Greening Up the Mountains, is called “Spread the Love Lip Balm,” which is a collaborative venture between Elizabeth Lilley and Danny Henderson. “We are both concerned with what goes in and on our bodies,” says Elizabeth, “and common lip balms contain many synthetic and harmful products. Spread the Love Lip Balm is created in small batches using only natural, safe ingredients.” 

Chair caning is fast becoming a lost art. Linda Owen Vinson, chair caner, says she learned to love the craft because her grandfather made a chair for her when she was around three years old, and then wove the bottom. When she saw her cousin David Ammons begin to bring the art of caning back into the family, she remembered how she loved that chair. Since she was a crafter in her own right, she experienced the desire to learn to cane so she could pass it on to her children. She will be representing David in this year's festival. “The different patterns fascinate me,” she smiles, “but the one I’m partial to is the split oak in the herringbone pattern. It’s the most common method of caning in the Appalachian Mountains, so that is what I will be demonstrating at the festival.”

For more information about the upcoming Greening Up the Mountains Festival,  contact Paige Dowling, town manager for Sylva, at 828-586-2719.

Waynesville NC Named Host and Starter City for 2015 “Mountains to Coast” Bicycle Tour

Waynesville NC  -  After months of behind the scenes planning and coordinating, the North Carolina Amateur Sports organization and Cycle North Carolina recently announced that the Town of Waynesville has been named as the starting host town for the 2015 “Mountains to Coast” Bicycle Tour in September.

The organization made the official announcement on Sunday, March 8 at the opening reception of the North Carolina Governors Conference on Tourism in Pinehurst, NC. All participating municipalities and communities were announced with Waynesville receiving the distinguished title as the starting host town for the ride.

“We are honored and excited to be selected as the host/start city for the event this year. The tour will allow the 1000+ participants and their families to enjoy the mountains and scenic beauty of the area, giving Waynesville the opportunity to showcase its hospitality and charm,” said Marcy O’Neil, Town Manager for Waynesville.

The Cycle North Carolina “Mountains to Coast” bicycle tour is a week-long cross state ride to be held September 26 to October 3, 2015. Cycle NC is one of the most successful bicycle rides in the United States and has been voted the “Best Biking in America” by the League of American Bicyclists. This particular ride is not classified as a race but a leisurely ride across the state making overnight stops in North Carolina communities.

Waynesville will serve as base camp for the initial kick-off and starting point for the cross state ride. Participants will arrive Saturday September 26, or even earlier, and will have free time to enjoy the local area. They begin their journey on Sunday September 27 and travel 55 miles to neighboring Hendersonville, where they will spend the night before continuing on to Shelby.

The “Mountains to Coast” ride provides participants with just enough introductions to each community to entice them to bring their families back for longer visits including vacations. A host community, like Waynesville, will receive numerous benefits including:

• One to two-night stays from 900+ participants 
• More than 4.6 million media/print impressions. ($250,000 value) \
• Introduction of the community to participants throughout North Carolina, the U.S. and other countries 
• Additional revenues from concessions, catering, hotel stays, dining, shopping, attraction visits, etc. 

The economic impact that this event will bring Waynesville and Haywood County will be incredibly beneficial to the area’s tourism industry. The participants will occupy hotels, dine at restaurants, shop locally, enjoy visitor attractions and much more. The starting host town for the ride will see cyclists arrive as early as two days prior just to enjoy the area.

Waynesville and Haywood County have the opportunity to benefit even more as the time spent at pre-arrival will give the participants a taste of the community sufficient to inspire a return visit. “This event is the perfect opportunity to showcase Haywood County’s rapidly growing bicycle tourism market. It goes hand in hand with the county-wide master plan established by the Blue Ridge Bicycle Club to maximize bicycle tourism in the area. The “Mountains to Coast” tour is major step in the right direction to grow this specific tourism market in Haywood County,” said Lynn Collins, Executive Director of the Haywood County Tourism Development Authority.

Find additional information about the NC Bicycle Tour at  http://cnc.ncsports.org.

Waynesville NC is Haywood County's oldest town with over a century of experience as a quaint mountain retreat. Even before the railroad made it easy to get to Waynesville, visitors flocked to the town for the cool clean air, clean water and outstanding scenery. Today Waynesville continues to be popular with visitors and is known for its Southern hospitality and small town charm. Downtown Waynesville is home to many shops, galleries and restaurants and offers block parties, street dances, art-after-dark and dozens of annual and special "hometown" celebrations and festivals.

Along with its picturesque beauty, Haywood County and its five towns of Maggie Valley, Waynesville, Lake Junaluska, Canton and Clyde offer year round activities and events centered around food, heritage, music, art and the outdoors. No matter what experience you choose, you will always experience Authentic Appalachian, Pure and Simple! For more information visit www.visitncsmokies.com or contact the Haywood County Tourism Development Authority at 800-334-9036. 

Flat Rock Playhouse Downtown Opens 2015 Season

March 13 - 29, 2015   The Wizard of Oz – Young Performers Edition  at The Flat Rock Playhouse Downtown. The season kicks off with this Wizard of Oz performance over the rainbow into the merry old land of Oz with Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion and Toto too as they jitterbug through the haunted forest, tangle with winged monkeys and confront the Wicked Witch of the West.  The Wizard of Oz is a one-hour adaption for Young Performers.

The Flat Rock Playhouse Downtown, a venue for the Flat Rock Playhouse with live performances of staged productions and music revues, is located at125 South Main Street in historic downtown Hendersonville NC.
 

NC Literature News: "Waterfalls and Wildflowers" Now Available at The Compleat Naturalist

The Compleat Naturalist, 2 Brook Street, Historic Biltmore Village in Asheville NC has announced the arrival of Dr. Tim Spira's new book, "Waterfalls and Wildflowers". This exciting book highlights thirty incredible waterfall hikes in the Southern Appalachians. 

What a great way to enhance your hikes by learning about the ecology of waterfalls, and how to recognize some of the most common wildflowers which have adapted to the fascinating spray cliff plant community. Stop by the shop in Biltmore Village and pick up a copy, or order anytime online. Now is the time to begin planning your spring hikes.

March 13, 2015 come to the Compleat Naturalist for a book signing with Tom Spira. 

Public Comment Period Now Open for LTLT Reaccreditation

The Land Trust for the Little Tennessee, Inc. (LTLT) is pleased to announce it is applying for renewal of accreditation from the national Land Trust Accreditation Commission. A public comment period is now open. The land trust accreditation program recognizes land conservation organizations that meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever.

 

The Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance, conducts an extensive review of each applicant’s policies and programs. LTLT Executive Director Sharon Taylor says, “LTLT is a stronger organization for implementing and maintaining the high standards set by the Commission.”

 

The Commission invites public input and accepts signed, written comments on pending applications. Comments must relate to how LTLT complies with national quality standards. These standards address the ethical and technical operation of a land trust. View the full list of standards online.

 

To learn more about the accreditation program and to submit a comment, visit landtrustaccreditation.org.

 

Comments can be emailed to info@landtrustaccreditation.org.

 

Comments may also be mailed to the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, Attn: Public Comments; 36 Phila Street, Suite 2, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866; or faxed to 518-587-3183.

 

Comments on LTLT’s application will be most useful by May 25, 2015.

 

If you have any questions about the reaccreditation or comment process, email Molly Phillips, LTLT Advancement Coordinator.

Rare Opportunity to Visit Chimney Rock State Park at Night

March 7, 2015   Park in the Moonlight    A family-friendly nocturnal event with campfire stories, Creatures of the Night (a naturalist program), star gazing and a hike to and from the top of the Chimney with State Park Rangers! The Outcroppings trail and the elevator will be open so all can experience the beauty of Chimney Rock State Park under the stars.
 

Limited to the first 50 vehicles to pre-register by calling 800-277-9611; $10 donation per car. Friends of Chimney Rock State Park may attend at no charge; please call to register.

Learn more about chimney Rock lodging and information on the Chimney Rock NC Visitor Guide.