PENLAND SCHOOL OF CRAFTS OPEN HOUSE

Those who love and appreciate art will not want to miss this event on Saturday, March 6th from 1-5! The world-renowned Penland School of Crafts is located very near The Cove at Celo Mountain. Penland is having its annual Community Open House where visitors can try hands-on craft making at each of its teaching studios – from blacksmith forging to glass blowing as well as demonstrations and activities in clay, glass, iron, metals, pastepaper painting, printmaking and books, papermaking, photography, textiles, and wood. My daughter flew in from Texas to enjoy this event last year, and many of the other visitors had come from other states as well.

Our two counties of Yancey and Mitchell have more artists, per capita, than anywhere else in America. Many are internationally and nationally acclaimed, and many of those live and have studios right here on Celo. Most of them came because of Penland – to study or teach. They stayed because of the incredible natural beauty of the area and the heartwarming hospitality of the people. “Over 1200 people receive instruction in craft making at Penland each year, and another 14,000 pass through annually as visitors.” Come join us for this amazing event, http://penland.org/programs/openhouse.html. No admission is charged, and children are welcome, but don't wear your fancy clothes; most of these activities are messy. If you have questions, call 828-765-2359.

BEAUTY ON THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY

photos from http://www.highcountryhost.com

“America’s Favorite Drive” is about to celebrate its 75th anniversary. Our community, The Cove at Celo Mountain, is located in the Pisgah National Forest, right off the Blue Ridge Parkway, and outside of Asheville. We are talking spectacular scenery. Of course, each season has its own beauty. The winter drop of foliage allows for long-range vistas from the overlooks and along the trails; in spring the wild dogwood, rhododendron, and mountain laurel paint the mountains in a vernal palette of color that is simply breathtaking. Summer brings the sports enthusiasts out in force from hikers, bikers, mountain climbers, rafters, kayakers, fly-fishermen, and horseback riders to those who prefer the more sedate “sport” of scenic driving. And, of course, there is our celebrated fall foliage.

The Blue Ridge Parkway takes you through charming mountain towns such as Little Switzerland which has the most marvelous used-book store anywhere and several gem mines that kids of all ages will love, affords the chance to hear bluegrass music jams, to clog (North Carolina dance), and pick fresh apples at The Altapass Orchard, view local arts and crafts and enjoy rich Appalachian culture at The Folk Art Center, and see beauty so incredible that it has become the stuff of legends, books, and movies. Swim in an old-fashioned swimming hole at Graveyard Fields, walk the Mile High Swinging Bridge and view black bear in their natural habitat at Grandfather Mountain, shop for stone-ground grits, kerosene lamps and the latest in practical, outdoor clothing at the historic Mast General Store in Valle Crucis, hike to gorgeous Linville Falls, shop for mountain crafts at the Blue Ridge Arts Center, stroll through the exquisite North Carolina Arboretum, and visit the famed Biltmore estate and house. And all of this is just on our part of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Mostly, just slow down and enjoy one of America’s greatest natural gifts.

For virtual tours of the BRP: http://www.virtualblueridge.com/parkway_tour/

For acclaimed photos of the BRP by J. Scott Graham : http://www.jscottgraham.com/prints.htm

GREENLIFE'S OWNERS OPEN UP THEIR BURNSVILLE MAPLE CREEK FARM FOR PUBLIC MAPLE SYRUP TOUR

Yes, Burnsville has North Carolina's only commercial maple syrup farm. (It is also the southernmost maple syrup operation in the United States.) Come out on February 20th or 21st to the farm at 1641 Lickskillet Road for tours from 11:00 a.m to 4 p.m. Cost is $5 per adult; children - 12 years and younger - are free.

Watch and learn about the cooking process and sample the fresh maple syrup. Visit with farm animals, hike through the sugar bush, and visit the farm store for maple syrup, apple cider, grass-fed lamb, free-range eggs, antibiotic-free pastured pork, organic produce and other farm products.

The financially self-sufficient farm is managed by Richard Sanders (Master Degree in Forestry from Duke University and former manager of a 600-acre forest for Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa) and his wife, Molly Nicholie, who also works for the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project.

Be sure to see the lengthy article on this Burnsville farm in the February issue of Our State magazine, pgs. 140-146.

For more information or directions call: 828-682-0297 or visit their website at:
http://www.maplecreekfarm.net/

To learn more about John and Liz Swann's natural foods Greenlife stores in Asheville and Chattanooga: http://www.greenlifegrocery.com/

RIDDLEFEST - SAT, FEBRUARY 20TH

This event is not be be missed! There will be standing room only, so get there early!
Saturday, February 20 Tickets:$10 6:30 PM Doors Open at 5:30 Burnsville Town Center
The Traditional Voices Group Presents:
A Musical Tribute to MIKE SEEGER & LESLEY RIDDLE
Featuring, from The Carter Family,
Dale Jett with the Hello Strangers Band
with Jim Arrendell (‘Esley in the Parkway Playhouse performance),
Danny McIntosh, Rhonda Gouge and Mitchell Cannon, Ronnie
Robinson with Debbie Phillips, Ron and Minnie Powell and the Lucky Streak Band, Terry McKinney with Sergio Cassanego, The Griffith Chapel Choir

For more information on our hometown legend, Lesley Riddle:
http://www.birthplaceofcountrymusic.org/node/212. and http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090801/ENT05/908010315/1005/ENT<

For more information on Mike Seeger: http://mikeseeger.info/

A MUSIC EXTRAVAGANZA WEEKEND

BRING THE LOVE! FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19TH
ASHEVILLE BLUES AND JAZZ SINGER, KAT WILLIAMS, TO PERFORM BENEFIT FOR SHORTBUS STUDIO IN BURNSVILLE

Shortbus Studio, an art program serving adults with developmental disabilities from Yancey, Mitchell, Madison and Buncombe Counties, is proud to announce the fabulous Kat Williams performing at our Bring The Love Fundraiser! The event costs $20 per person with all profits going towards the purchase of an adaptive van for non-ambulatory artists. Great food will be available at the show, held at the Burnsville Town Center Friday, February 19, 2010. The fundraiser starts at 6pm and ends at 8pm-ish. For more information or to purchase tickets in advance, check us out at www.shortbusart.com

(http://main.nc.us/calendar/events/1264294764.html)

For more information on the Shortbus Studio:
http://www.shortbusart.com/index.shtml

For more on Kat Williams:
http://www.thejazznetworkworldwide.com/profile/KatWilliams

Valentine's Day Cabaret in Burnsville, NC

CELEBRATE VALENTINE'S DAY EARLY WITH THE PARKWAY PLAYHOUSE

PARKWAY PLAYHOUSE PRESENTS VALENTINE’S DAY CABARET AT HIGGINS MEMORIAL METHODIST CHURCH

The Parkway Playhouse will present a Valentine’s Day Cabaret performance at the Higgins Methodist Memorial Church’s Family Life Center on Friday February 12 and Saturday February 13. The doors will open at 7:00pm and tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students 16 and under. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Parkway Playhouse. The evening will include coffee and decadent deserts and performances of songs from a number of Broadway shows ranging from the classic Phantom of the Opera to the recent Dolly Parton musical 9 to 5. Tickets are available by calling the Parkway Playhouse at 828-682-4285 and leaving a message. Tickets are available 24 hours a day at the Parkway Playhouse website at http://www.parkwayplayhouse.com/.

Performers at the event, which will be hosted by the Parkway Playhouse Board of Directors, include area favorites and Parkway Playhouse regulars like Dominic Aquilino, Noah Gavenus, Izzie Hilbert, Debbie Phillips, Ronnie Robertson, as well as some new faces.

A highlight of the evening will be the debut of some of the world premiere musical The Ballad of Tom Dooley which will open at the Parkway Playhouse in the upcoming summer season.

“Each year we get the opportunity to look at a lot of different musicals and then we have to narrow it down to just a few and this is a great way to bring some of that great music to our audience” commented Parkway Playhouse Producing Artistic Director, Andrew Gall. “Musicals are popular with our audience, and this is a great way to visit some old favorites as well as experience something new and fun.”

In addition to the entertainment, guests will have the opportunity to purchase Parkway Playhouse 2010 Season Passes and enjoy coffee and decadent deserts.

For more information about The Valentine’s Day Cabaret or the upcoming 2010 Parkway Playhouse season please call the Parkway Playhouse at 828-682-4285 or visit the Parkway Playhouse website at http://www.parkwayplayhouse.com/.

(Review taken from: http://wkyk.com/parkwayplayhouse.shtml

QTWNC, UNDERWRITTEN BY MLCNC (COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN), WINS 2010 STATE AWARD

FROM THE ASHEVILLE CITIZEN-TIMES JOURNAL
Quilt Trails of Western North Carolina wins state award

NEW BERN — Barbara Webster, executive director of Quilt Trails of Western North Carolina, accepted a first-place award in the category “promotions” for the Burnsville Quilt Trail at the recent Small Town Main Street 2010 Awards.

N.C. Secretary of Commerce J. Keith Crisco presented the award along with Deputy Secretary Dale Carol, Assistant Secretary Joseph Crocker and Director Gloria Nance-Sims.

The Quilt Trail utilized a $5,000 grant from HandMade in America to the Toe River Arts Council. Each painted quilt block on the trail tells the story of the family, the land or the building where it resides. On the first Quilt Block Tour in 2009, a total of 15 people spent an estimated $3,000 at downtown businesses.

Developer Mountain Lifestyle Communities donated $50,000 to Quilt Trails to pay the salary of the executive director for two years, as the corporate underwriter for the project.

From the article:
http://www.topix.com/city/burnsville-nc/2010/02/quilt-trails-of-western-north-carolina-wins-state-award

For more QTWNC recognition:

Wall Street Journal article:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203771904574175704270154992.html

Quilt Trails Featured on WRAL News, Raleigh/Durham: http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/5839113/

MEET ESTATE OWNERS AT THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN

Meet Susan and Paul (Bubba) Crutchfield, estate owners and year-round residents of The Cove at Celo Mountain. Susan and Bubba moved here from California after finding their “ideal” place to relocate – a small town environment where they could become involved in the heart of the community, abundant natural amenities that offered many opportunities for outdoor activities, a return to the four-seasons climate they missed, and a location near enough to larger cities (Asheville and Charlotte) to enjoy the big-city offerings. The photo is of 4 generations of their family - their son, Chris; Dot, Bubba’s Mother; Susan and Bubba; and the first grandchild – Chris’s daughter, Chase.

The Crutchfields merged their love of outdoor activities (hiking, tennis, golf and gardening) and their commitment to philanthropy by walking the entire length of the Blue Ridge Parkway ( a total of 1,000 miles with side trails) to raise money for four local charities and Warren Wilson College in nearby Swannanoa. Television interviews and newspaper articles chronicled their journey. Their historic walk netted $55,000 for the Yancey County Library System, Blue Ridge Regional Hospital, Warren Wilson College, the Yancey Foundation and the Altapass Foundation. The Crutchfields are continuing their philanthropic work through many venues. Bubba has been a board member of the Yancey Foundation, an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, for 9 years. The last three years he served as Chairman of CFWNC, which distributed over $1,000,000 in 2009 through their Recession Response Fund to area charities. Susan served as Chairman of the Board of Visitors for Warren Wilson College. She's also joined with other ladies in the area to form a women's group designed to inform themselves about what is going on in the community, what the needs are, what other groups are doing to meet those needs, and what they can do as a group or as individuals to help. One of Susan's other passions is bridge. She runs a sanctioned American Contract Bridge League game that plays year-round and offers lessons to students of most levels. This is the power of one to make a difference - one couple taking a stand and making a walk for the benefit of the greater community. AND, they call Celo their home.

Oh, and Dot just purchased a Cabin at Celo and will become a full-time resident here this summer, as well. Why not come visit the property and meet the Crutchfields? The Cove at Celo Mountain is the perfect place for families to come together and reconnect.

For more information on the non-profits:
Community Foundation of Western North Carolina: http://www.cfwnc.org/
Blue Ridge Regional Hospital: http://www.spchospital.org/
Yancey County Library: http://www.amyregionallibrary.org/
Yancey Foundation: http://www.cfwnc.org/affiliates/yancey.html
Altapass Foundation: http://www.altapassfoundation.org/

Warren Wilson College http://www.warren-wilson.edu/external_index.php

To walk the Blue Ridge Parkway yourself: http://www.amazon.com/Walking-Blue-Ridge-Trails-Parkway/dp/0807854905 ; http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/nctrails.htm