Mountain Movies: The Longest Ride Opens Today at The Flat Rock Cinema

April 17 - 23, 2015 at The Flat Rock Cinema, 2700 Greenville Highway in Flat Rock NC: THE LONGEST RIDE. Show Times: 3:30 and 7:00 PM (Closed Monday, April 20 for maintenance).  The longest Ride is a drama/romance, rated PG-13 and lasting 128 minutes.  Director: George Tillman, Jr. Stars: Scott Eastwood, Britt Robertson, Melissa Benoist. 

Based on the bestselling novel by master storyteller Nicholas Sparks, THE LONGEST RIDE centers on the star-crossed love affair between Luke, a former champion bull rider looking to make a comeback, and Sophia, a college student who is about to embark upon her dream job in New York City's art world. As conflicting paths and ideals test their relationship, Sophia and Luke make an unexpected and fateful connection with Ira, whose memories of his own decades-long romance with his beloved wife deeply inspire the young couple. Spanning generations and two intertwining love stories, THE LONGEST RIDE explores the challenges and infinite rewards of enduring love.

 

The Flat Rock Cinema is  "your affordable, locally owned clean and friendly bistro cinema, featuring great food, cocktails and local brews."

 

Tickets for Kacey Musgraves Concert and An Appalachian Summer Festival Now Onsale

TICKETS ON SALE APRIL 17 AT 9 AM - Kacey Musgraves Outdoor Fireworks Concert at Kidd Brewer Stadium in Appalachian State University, Boone NC. The concert is part of the annual Appalachian Summer Festival at ASU.

Nashville-based singer/songwriter, Kacey Musgraves, joins An Appalachian Summer Festival as the headliner for the Outdoor Fireworks Concert in Kidd Brewer Stadium. Her album, Same Trailer Different Park, debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's Top Country Albums chart making her the first solo female in five years to open at No. 1 with a rookie release.

She's received CMT Music Award and Teen Choice Award nominations, and has taken home the award for "New Artist of the Year" at 2013's CMA Awards and "Song of the Year" at 2014's CMA Awards. Musgraves also recently won two Grammy Awards for Best Country Song ("Merry Go 'Round") and Best Country Album (Same Trailer Different Park) and this past spring took home the ACM Award for Album of the Year (Same Trailer Different Park).

The concert will be  Saturday, June 27 at 7:30 PM (Gates open at 6 PM). Price: $38 Adults, $33 Blue Ridge Electric Members, $5 Children 6 and under.  BUY TICKETS HERE.

An Appalachian Summer Festival begins June 27 and continues through July 26, 2015 featuring a variety of concerts, films and performances. 

LTL Receives Grants from the Cherokee Preservation Foundation

LTLT (Little Tennessee Land Trust) was among the recipients of 23 grants from the Cherokee Preservation Foundation totaling over $2.4 million dollars. One grant to LTLT was awarded to continue the restoration of river cane and other resources on the historic Welch Farm and fund management of artisan resources on the Tessentee Bottomland Preserve. 

A second CPF grant was also awarded to LTLT to enhance the bird monitoring, research, and education programs tied to the national MAPS program. Read more...

Underhill Rose Performs Live Today at the Flat Rock Cinema

April 12, 2015,  3 PM at The Flat Rock Cinema, 2700 Greenville Hwy. in Flat Rock NC: 2015 Magnolia Concert Series presented by Morris Broadband continues. UNDERHILL ROSE tickets are on sale now.  They sold out when they were here last year.

"Take a listen to the music of Eleanor Underhill, Molly Rose, and Salley Williamson, and you will be transported to a sound that has several different ingredients - but at the end of the day, it all comes together to make a dazzling fusion of Country, Bluegrass, Pop, and even a little bit of Tin Pan Blues." --CHUCK DAUPHIN, MUSIC NEWS NASHVILLE.

Tickets are $15 each, plus tax, per concert. Door open at 2 PM. Flat Rock Cinema’s complete food and beverage menu, including wine and local brews, will be available and can be seen, along with a map, driving directions and ticket information, at www.MagnoliaConcertSeries.com. Information can also be obtained by calling the cinema box office at (828) 697-2463. 

Stories of Mountain Folk for April 4, 2015

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

Podcast April 4, 2015:

Storytelling: Amy tells the story of her name with “Sweet Violet.” (Background Music: “Sugarlands Suite”;  Music: “Sweet Violets” by Dinah Shore

Creative Corner:  Doreyl’s guest is Jeff Atkins, an Appalachian Clogger, who tells the history of how and why he took up clogging.   Music: “Appalachian Flatfoot Clogging” by Jimmy Johnson.

Stories of Mountain Folk: Amy spends time with Evelyn Davis Rogers from Conley’s Creek in Whittier. Evelyn talks about growing up in Whittier.  Music: “Grandma Did it All ” by Ginny McAfee,

Let Us March On: Mary Sue Casey interviews Evangelist Lessie Williams from Randolph County, who came to Canton as a pastor. Music: “I’ve Got A Song that I Want to Sing”  by Lessie Williams.

Down Another Road: Judy’s guest is Gary Carden, storyteller, who tells a story about his granny and the Civil War.  Music: “Duets” by Music 2 Hues.

Closing Song:  “In Our Hearts to Stay” by Tom Godieski.

Listen to this week's Stories of Mountain Folk HERE 

The Community Table Needs Donations for Matching Grant

submitted by the Community Table 

A generous anonymous donor has seen how sparse our food pantry is at The Community Table and wants to take action. You see, we get deliveries from MANNA Food Bank twice per month through a shared maintenance fee and co-op buying, but that 2 and-a-half tons of food is literally gone within 2 days! 

We are fortunate to supplement our pantry with weekly donations from two local grocery stores and occasional community food drives, but it is not enough to meet the need. It is simply not affordable for us to supply our pantry with grocery purchases for the volume of clients we see. So, will you accept the challenge and make a donation that will be matched up to $2,000 through April 23rd? 

You may donate via our website at communitytable.org, or by mail to The Community Table P.O. Box 62 Dillsboro, NC 28725. 

Please make a note with your tax-deductible gift that this is for the "Challenge".  The need for emergency food assistance is still quite high right now as folks struggle to pay those last wintertime heating bills. Please help us purchase more nutritious foods to fill our pantry and fill a neighbor's plate. 

Thank you so much for your time and consideration. 
Amy Grimes Sims 
Executive Director The Community Table
828.586.6782 
P.O. Box 62 Dillsboro, NC 28725 
www.communitytable.org 

Cataloochee Ski Area Extends Rental Date

Cataloochee Ski Area, Maggie Valley NC - Seasonal ski rental orders are still being taken for the 2015/16 season. It's a great way to keep your family outfitted with updated skis each year. Growing kids are not a problem at Cataloochee. The seasonal rental program provides larger equipment as your child grows, even during the season. 

For new ski equipment, place your order prior to April 15. A limited number of seasonal rentals may also be available in the fall. Click here for information on pricing and options. To place your order, you can purchase online here. Or contact rentals@cataloochee.com or by phone, 828.926.0285, ext. 7312.

Cataloochee season passes are on sale for the 2015/2016 season. Pass pricing will go up on November 1. Click here for more information on purchasing your pass for fun next year.

Get more local infromation for cabin rentals and attractions on the Maggie Valley NC Visitor Guide.

Mars Hills Hosts Benefit 5K Run

April 11, 2015   Fiddlin' 5 K Run for the Music Road Race   The race, beginning at 9 AM and ending on the beautiful Mars Hill College campus, will benefit the Bascom Lamar Lunsford "Minstrel of Appalachia" Festival and the Junior Appalachian Musicians. 

Sponsored by the Liston B. Ramsey Center for Regional Studies, the Fiddlin' 5k will include live local music performances scattered along the course and, at race end, activities for the whole family on the upper quad of MHC, including a service project with non-profit Sole Hope.

Get more local information on the Mars Hill NC Visitor Guide.

 

Tweetsie Railroad Opens for the season this week

April 10, 2015  Tweetsie Railroad   OPENING DAY for the 2015 season. All aboard for NC's oldest theme park and another season of wild-west fun and excitement. Tweetsie Railroad, North Carolina's first theme park, takes a trip back into the days of the Old West. Hop aboard the train for an unforgettable three-mile journey through the scenic mountains. Even in today's high-tech world, there's still a place for old-fashioned fun. 


Tweetsie Railroad is a unique NC attraction that allows children and families to explore their imaginations and a whole lot more. Be a cowboy, Indian or an engineer and take a ride on historic steam locomotive, Number 12, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Enjoy a variety of rides offering everything from thrills to fun family. See live shows or pan for gold and gems, or play arcade and country fair games. Meet and pet the friendly animals in the Deer Park Habitat. There are also lots of dining and snack options and shopping for Park souvenirs and gifts. 


Tweetsie Railroad is open daily April - October with special events offered throughout the season. 

 Find more Blowing Rock NC Attractions on the Blowing Rock Visitor Guide

 

Mountain Spirits: Easter Weekend Wine Tasting at Maggie B's

April 3, 2015 from 5:30-8:00 at Maggie B's Wine Shoppe, 10 C South Main Street in downtown Weaverville NC: "Easter Baskets for Adults". FREE event. Instead of filling your basket with Cadbury eggs and Jelly Belly's, treat yourself to a couple bottles of wine that will pair perfectly with your Easter ham and lamb.  

Upcoming event: Isis Italian Wine Dinner on Tuesday, April 7 beginning at 6:30 PM. $63.50 (includes tax & gratuity). Call Isis to make reservations 828 575-2737.

Fontana Dam Designated an Appalachian Trail Community

Fontana Dam NC was officially designated an Appalachian Trail Community on March 26, 2015 during a ceremony at Fontana Dam . Franklin and Hot Springs are the other NC towns recognized by the program. 

The Appalachian Trail Community program was created by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy to recognize communities that promote and care for the Appalachian Trail (A.T.). Working with a growing network of trailside community partners, the program supports communities that play a role in advocating the A.T. as a significant local and national asset and as an international icon. The program assists communities by generating awareness and stimulating outdoor recreation while preserving and protecting the A.T. 

Learn more about the Appalachian Trail in North Carolina on the NC Hiking and Trails Guide.