New Yancey County Library - "One of North Carolina's Best"

Photos are by David Grindstaff posted on the website of WKYK radio in Burnsville, NC. Much of the background description and detail of the library offerings is quoted from the Yancey Common Times Journal of Burnsville, NC.

Finally, after years of hard work by many people, our new library in Yancey County had its Grand Opening this past weekend. Our cutting-edge library is in a "National Register of Historic Places" building in the Historic Arts District on a beautiful hill overlooking the town. This stalwart centerpiece of the district is surrounded by the venerable Parkway Playhouse to the north, the Yancey County Heritage Center to the west, King's Mountain Playground to the south, and the Old Burnsville Gym to the southeast. A humorous, clever speech on the historical background of the building and its location was given by J. Todd Bailey at the Grand Opening. His "Yancey Collegiate Institute and Other Miracles on Baptist Hill" is a must-read for area history devotees.

• "Research a favorite topic at the new computer center with state-of-the-art technology and broad-band service.
• Work on one of 18 desktop computers or one of 12 laptop computers that may be used throughout with wireless capability. The library is the first public library in WNC to utilize thin client technology for desktop computers. Mpact Systems, a company selected by the Franklin Graham group to install their teleconference systems internationally, installed the teleconferencing and presentation systems. Mpact also installed the telemedicine systems in Yancey and Mitchell counties. Teleconferencing in the library – in both a small conference room and the large community meeting area -- support distance learning and other educational programs that can link from anywhere in the world. It also will provide small business, government, health care, and human service agencies with opportunities to communicate statewide, reducing the cost and risk of travel for meetings and other communication.
• Browse the wonderful book, audio, and movie selections
• Enjoy the art throughout as well as the gallery space on the second floor and the acclimatized archive room. The library project had its beginning more than 10 years ago with a commitment of support by Everett and Ruth Kivette that will help sustain the library and gallery in the years to come.
• Be amazed and awed by acclaimed Blacksmith Mike Hensley's 6-foot wrought iron lantern as you enter the front door. The artist in Everett Kivette saw the space above the door in the portico of the new library and thought it needed something. He remembered the lantern in the portico of the White House and another project took flight. Kivette wanted something that celebrated native craftsmanship and complimented the historic structure that would house his gallery and archives that is to preserve and promote regional art and craft. He had to look no further than the forge of Bea Hensley and his son Mike, both recognized nationally as masters of the craft of blacksmithing. Kivette contacted Library Project Director Theresa Coletta and the two paid a visit to the legendary Hensley Forge in Spruce Pine.The only instructions he gave Mike was that the finished piece be a hexagon. The light ended up being over six feet tall and 36 inches in diameter, including the scroll work. (Mike was trained by his father, Bea Hensley (a NC Living Treasure), who was trained by Daniel Boone VI - donor/artist of Parkway Playhouse wrought-iron lanterns.
• Admire the heritage quilt just inside and the quilt block outside that is part of our award-winning Quilt Trails of Western North Carolina. (The Cove at Celo Mountain/Mountain Lifestyle Communities is the Corporate Underwriter of this non-profit.)
• Use the large community meeting room on the second floor- with teleconferencing available -that has an adjacent kitchen for public events both day and evenings."
• Reminisce with the Rolf Holmquist art collage of authentic memorabilia from the "old" library

For a slideshow of the Grand Opening and more photos of the new library

TAKING THE BITE OUT OF THE COMPETITION - BURNSVILLE AND SPRUCE PINE, NC

OK, this adolescent sited one week while driving my mother on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the bites out of the sign the following month (teething toy?) are probably the explanation for "this" bite out of the competition.

But Burnsville and Spruce Pine, NC are besting the competition with the "old-timers" in more substantive ways. With the passing of the alcohol referendum this past year, years after the competition did so, our FIRST award-winning restaurant is on the rise: Knife&Fork of Spruce Pine is in the upcoming finals of the WNC Chef Challenge.

The Cove at Celo Mountain - the small, sanctuary setting between Burnsville and Spruce Pine - is pulling competition from the west of Asheville to the north, and from the southern suburbs to the northern neighbors of Asheville. Preserving the simple, rustic elegance of mountain living at its best, allowing the regional attractions to do the rest, THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN, is emerging as the answer to smaller is better - less man-made glamour and more of nature enhanced and preserved.

Admittedly, the likes of Knife and Fork - 10 minutes from us (tops even among Asheville restaurants), Mt. Mitchell Golf course - 10 minutes from us (a Golf Digest 4 1/2 star "Must Play Course"), America's Favorite Drive, the Blue Ridge Parkway - (10 minutes from us), horseback riding, rafting,tubing, kayaking, fly and float fishing, snow skiing, snow boarding - 10-15 minutes from us - (without the association fees that go with these!), don't hurt our appeal.

You must see to believe the beauty, the preservation, the uniqueness of this gated community outside of Asheville, NC. We are within 10 minutes of the world-renowned Penland School of Crafts, whose artists have informed our own niche in the High Country, high-end properties that are offered at affordable prices.

Our owners are the Corporate Underwriters of the award-winning non-profit, Quilt Trails of Western North Carolina and our entrance gate is hand-forged by local blacksmiths (click on the above collage for close-up views), whose accomplished tradesmen boast the direct descendants of Daniel Boone and one of North Carolina's Living Treasures (see his most recent work at our "new" state-of-the-art library in one of our most historic buildings.)

As with most of the excellent choices of life, only a very few Estate lots are offered within this exceptional community and even fewer beautifully appointed, small Cabins at Celo.

The summer affords you the opportunity to see not only this pristine, exquisite offering of nature at its best, but also the best of the best that surrounds us. Throughout the remainder of summer: 3 days / 2 nights at one of our historic, wonderful Bed-and-Breakfasts
1 night of gourmet, farm-to-table fine dining at the award-winning Knife and Fork
Parkway Playhouse tickets to the historic, award-winning summer theater
ALL FOR $49 in JULY and AUGUST (866-378-4769)

Experience our invigorating lifestyle on America's Playground...
And then Relaaaax, Breathe the Mountains... Live the Dream... at

THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN - outside of Asheville...within your means...

Our Blue Ridge Mountain Lifestyle - the Beauty of this Place and its People

THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN is a beautiful, small sanctuary setting located in the South Toe River Valley of the Blue Ridge Mountains. We are 45 minutes from Asheville, NC - Fodor's 2011 #1 Place to Visit.

We wanted to take you for a brief 4 minutes on a cursory look into our lifestyle at festivals, in our art community, enjoying mountain sports, around our historic small town, with a hint at some of the natural grandeur around us that is the stuff of coffee table photography books.

We are home to: The award-winning non-profit Quilt Trails of Western North Carolina, of which we are the Corporate Underwriters; the world-renowned Penland School of Crafts; Lesley Riddle, the musical genius behind the Carter/Cash family; The Empty Bowls Benefit, nonprofit which has raised millions internationally for world-hunger; more artists, per capita, than anywhere else in America - some are NC State Treasures, many are internationally and nationally acclaimed and have works in the Smithsonian and top public and private collections.

What is not so publicized are the national and international relief and support efforts that this historic, small-town area is doing - from Fair Trade mission groups out of Celo community (located a few miles from us) to South America, local doctors who routinely volunteer for Doctors Without Borders around the world, and local churches who support missionary efforts around the globe. This week, a couple - who are estate owners at The Cove at Celo Mountain - have taken a multi-age group from our historic hometown on a Hearts for Heaven mission effort on behalf of the people of La Primavera, Guatemala.

To truly appreciate the depth of beauty of this place and its people, you will simply have to come and spend some time with us.

Be introduced to this very special place for $49 in July and August

*3 days / 2 nights at a wonderful, historic bed-and-breakfast

*1 night gourmet, farm-to-table dining at a little ten-table restaurant

Chef is in next month's 2011 WNC Chef Challenge Finals

*Parkway Playhouse theater tickets - historic/acclaimed 866-378-4769

We hope you will come for this short time and decide to spend a lifetime. The mountains are beckoning...

TOP TEN EVENTS TO EXPERIENCE THIS SUMMER

COOL OFF – CHILL OUT – CURB COSTS–(cost: from nil to nominal)- All within 15 minutes of THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN
#1 and #2 Back-to-back festival/feast on July 16. Storytelling Festival in Spruce Pine from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. followed by the Midsummer Feast on Lower Street from 4:00-9:00 pm hosted by Knife and Fork with booths, live music, local beer and unique culinary creations by 2011 WNC Chef Finalist;

#3 and #4 Tops east of the Mississippi - Mt. Mitchell State Park at 6,684' is the highest and coolest place east of the Mississippi and the Mt. Mitchell Crafts Fair on August 5 and 6 is consistently a Top 20 event of the Southeast.


#5 and #6 Most popular mountain sports are golf at the 4 1/2-star Golf Digest "Must Play Public Golf Course" - Mt. Mitchell Golf Course and the myriad water sports on the North Toe and South Toe and other rivers near us - including tubing, kayaking, rafting, and float and fly fishing.

#7 and #8 Destination places for national and international travelers - The award-winning Quilt Trails of Western North Carolina (we are the Corporate Underwriters), the world-renowned Penland School of Crafts, and the cutting-edge/highly-touted Energy Exchange attract visitors from all over the country and world.

#9 and 10 Step into a world apart -The historic and bucolic Altapass Orchard will transport you to another era - live music and clogging (NC dance), heritage apples, NC barbecue and homemade fudge, heritage apples, crafts, and hay rides with storytelling; and then spiritual retreats to get away from it all - Quiet Reflections, Wildacres and High Pastures - beauty and repose...

Come enjoy these paired top events with the mid through end of summer discovery package offered by THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN - 2 nights for 2 at a wonderful, historic Bed-and-Breakfast, dinner for 2 at the Knife and Fork, and Parkway Playhouse theater tickets for 2 through July and August - all for $49.

The mountains are calling...

Mid-Summer Magic in the Mountains - Farms, Fishing and Feasting

A River Runs Through It – Mountain Heritage Trout Waters Program - Summer Fly fishing

Burnsville and Spruce Pine, NC are designated Trout Cities in the NC Wildlife Resource Commission’s Mountain Heritage Trout Waters program. Anglers have no bait/lure restrictions, no size limit restrictions and a 7-trout-per-day creel limit during the season. Are you a visitor with no fishing equipment with you? Not to worry. Loaner rods and reels are available free-of-charge on a first-come, first-serve basis through the Commission’s Tackle Loaner Program, which offers rods and reels, including spin cast, ultralight and fly rods, for the day. Want to teach your child or grandchild to fly fish? After returning the loaner rod and reel, first-time participants under 16 receive a free mini-tackle box containing tackle – such as lures, flies, and spinners.

A Midsummer Feast at Knife and Fork - Lower Street Celebration of Farm-to-Table Connection on July 16th from 4-9 pm

A month before their 2011 Finals Competition in the WNC Chef Challenge, Nate and Wendy will honor the local farmers who have contributed to their success. Local beer, live music, and Knife and Fork magic with our local farm produce will make this a feast to remember. All proceeds go to benefit ASAP (Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project.)

Spend a few days with us at THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN and hone your fly fishing skills at one of our trout ponds or on Ayles Creek. Then head to the South Toe River up the road to test your mettle on these Mountain Heritage Trout Waters. Top your day off with lunch or dinner at the award-winning ten-table Knife and Fork restaurant, or plan to be here for their Midsummer Feast on Lower Street. (Try the trout sandwich - one of my favorites!)

Visit with us on our Mid-Summer Discovery Package for $49 in July and August 866-378-4769 - 2 nights for 2 at a historic B&B, dinner for 2 at Knife & Fork, Parkway Playhouse tickets for 2.

THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN... An honored commitment to provide and preserve the beauty, peace, and simple rustic elegance of mountain living at its best at the Estates and Cabins at Celo in the Blue Ridge Mountains, just off the Blue Ridge Parkway, America's Favorite Drive.

Live the Dream... Breathe the Mountains...

"For never anything can be amiss,

When simpleness and duty tender it." Theseus, Act 5, Scene i, A Mid-Summer Night's Dream (Shakespeare)