Our Preferred Builder in His "Free" Time - THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN

I thought you might enjoy seeing how an important part of the team at THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN  - our Preferred Builder, Randy Banks - spends his "free" time mentoring young people in Yancey County.

Mountain Heritage High School is the sole high school in Yancey County, NC.  Its beautiful campus is approached on a winding, wooded drive after passing the gated, manned entrance.  It resembles a well-funded community college in one of our nation's larger cities more than a small town in rural Appalachia.

Its programs equal or best those of some of the nation's top public or private schools.  Its Performing Arts programs consistently win top awards at the state level.  The Drama Departments of both the high school and middle school have received top honors.  Photos below:  State's top award-wining drama by the high school; bottom - State's best actor and actress - Middle School. The Music Department, led by beloved teacher (soon to retire), Dr. Tim Babb, almost defies written accolades.  I was hoping to have a recording of the Choir presentation I attended Thursday night (perhaps a future blog post) - 17 members strong.  One talented member is a gifted operatic soprano!  This is SMALL-town RURAL America.
Their Symphonic Band and Jazz Ensemble are excellent as well.  Their art department is exceptional,

reflecting the character of our counties - more artists, per capita, than anywhere else in America.  The school excels academically - even has achieved notoriety on occasion in athletics.  But, the following is my absolute favorite.  This should be the fodder of national news.

Randy Banks, the Preferred Builder for THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN, was the Vice-Chair of the Yancey-Mitchell Pillars, a collaborative effort of these sister counties of Yancey and Mitchell in mentoring young people in the building trades. A Habitat for Humanity home was built ON CAMPUS by students and  mentors from the community working side-by-side in North Carolina's largest classroom - almost 10,000 square feet built at a cost of over $800,000 raised through grants and gifts.  Here is Randy telling the story on the exciting day this first Habitat for Humanity home left our Mountain Heritage High School.


Come meet these remarkable people - both our builder and our young people.  Randy will meet you on-site to discuss ideas and ball-park figures for building your dream home within THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN.  Enjoy our talented young people in performances at the high school or at our acclaimed Parkway Playhouse.  Call about special visit packages for enjoying our hometowns at a historic B&B and at the nationally-acclaimed 10-table farm-to-table Knife and Fork restaurant.  For accommodations or to receive our view book and other information, call 828-675-4869.

May, 2012 Events Near THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN

Mark your calendars for these upcoming events in May 

The 2012 Opening for Historic Altapass Orchard

Senior Winner : Janice Friedman "Altapass Sunrise" 4th Annual Altapass Photo Contest

Celebrating over one hundred years! The Historic Orchard at Altapass is an 104-year-old apple orchard that is also an Appalachian Cultural Center celebrating the people, music, art, and natural beauty of the Blue Ridge mountains in North Carolina. Built by the Clinchfield Railroad in 1908, the Orchard sits right on the Parkway providing some of the most amazing scenery on the Blue Ridge Parkway. 

The Orchard is open May 2 through early September on Monday and Wednesday-Saturdays, 10:00-5:30 and Sundays, 12:00-5:30; from mid-September through October The Orchard is open daily 10:00-5:30. 

May 02 - Bob Lominac & Friends begin the 2012 season with happy, danceable tunes. For more information...Contact: The Orchard at Altapass828765-9531

Parkway Playhouse

April 28-May 12 at North Carolina's longest continuously operating, award-winning summer theater.

An outrageously hilarious race against the clock begins when Savannah Sprunt Fairchild Honeycutt agrees to get her feisty mother all the way from Alabama to California in time for her brother's wedding. Savannah's problem: Mama won't fly.

Cinco de Mayo Fiesta on Town Square

 May 5 from 10 to 2 with ethnic food, music, dance, and crafts for sale.  They will have Mexican food, folkloric dances and more. Enjoy tamales, homemade authentic food, music and fun for everyone. All proceeds will go to charity.

Penland School of Crafts Scholarship Auction

May 3 Auction takes place at 8:00 PM in the Northlight Building Each Penland session ends with an auction of work donated by students, instructors, and friends. These auctions are culminating celebrations of the work done in the classes, and they are an opportunity for neighbors, travelers, and craft enthusiasts to enjoy the energy of a Penland session. All proceeds support the Penland scholarship program.

Other Auction Dates Thursday, May 3 Thursday, June 7 Thursday, June 21 Thursday, July 5 Thursday, July 19 Monday, August 6 Thursday, August 23 Thursday, November 15

Derby Day

May 5  at Burnsville Town Center - Appalachian Therapeutic Riding Center's annual Kentucky Derby Day fundraiser. The fun begins around 5 p.m. with pre-race activities. After the race, dinner will be served around 7 p.m., with music and dancing to the band, Tuxedo Junction. Call 675-5814 or visit atrcriding.com for more information.  

Mayland Community College Golf Tournament

Linville Golf Club - designed by Donald Ross

May 10 Annual Benefit Golf Tournament:
Linville Golf Club
83 Roseboro Rd, Linville, NC 28646
Support MCC Students while playing one of the best courses in NC!
Registration beings at 11:00 a.m.
Tee Time: Shotgun start at 12:30 p.m.
Captain's Choice
Cost: $600 per Team of 4
Includes: lunch, Linville Golf Club golf shirt, snacks, cocktail party and awards ceremony. Prizes: Longest drive, closes to pin, putting contest, hole-in-one, 1st & 2nd place.

Contact: Mayland Community College Foundation
1-800-463-5263 ext. 311 or 312

First Annual Grassy Creek Spring Mineral and Gem Show

May 17 The First Annual Grassy Creek Mineral and Gem Show is an extension of the regular gem show in July - August. There will be 30 vendors from all over the USA with gems, minerals, jewelry, fossils, and lapidary related items.
There will be a Bar-B-Que on Saturday by the Parkway Fire and Rescue. Food will be available daily also. Open each day 10-6

Place: Parkway Fire and Rescue Fire Station
12966 South Hwy 226 South
Spruce Pine, NC 28777

Contact: Donna Collis
828-765-5519
collisdonna@yahoo.com

Toe River Arts Council 6th Annual “Paint Out”

May 19 - Every year when spring fills the air and colors the gardens, artists from “all over" come to Burnsville, NC.  TRAC’s Annual Paint Out is modeled on the en plein air experience, a French expression that means “in the open air,” particularly used to describe the act of painting outdoors. For one day, all day, artists are outdoors painting and drawing in and around the streets of Burnsville for all to enjoy.

Baby Goat Day at Mountain Farm

May 19 Visit a working farm: bottle feed kids in season, picnic on the property, enjoy refreshments from the Mountain Farm coffee shop, sit in the lavender field and inhale, cut-your-own lavender and U-Pick blueberries, too (when in season)! Have a fun filled day seeing the baby goats and shopping in their gift shop.

Contact: Mountain Farms
828-675-4856
marilyn@mountainfarm.net
www.mountainfarm.net

Graham Children's Health Services Burnsville Fit Families 5K Run Walk

May 19 Graham Children's Health Services Presents the Couch Potato to Burnsville Fit Families 5K Race program. This free training program will begin on Saturday, March 17th and will conclude with the Burnsville Fit Families 5k Race to be held on Saturday, May 19th. Join us for this free fitness opportunity to train together on our runs/walks. The Whole community is invited. The more sessions you attend the greater your chances of winning.
Where: Mountain Heritage High School Track (Burnsville Elementary track when MHHS not available).
When: Tuesday and Thurday @ 5:45pm; Saturday @ 9:00a.m BE SURE TO BRING WATER. To Register or view the training plan go to www.healthyyancey.org or call 682-7899.

Miner's Heritage Day

May 26 Gem Cutting and Gold Panning demonstrations! Free Guided Hikes! Good Music & Good Food! Free Day-time kids mine tours! Treasure Hunt for kids. Night-time Black Light Mine Tour! Other Special Events to be Anounced!

Miner’s Heritage Day Schedule

10:00 AM - FREE guided hike to a hidden mine.

12:00 PM - FREE live music with Pete & Kim McWhirter.

1:00 PM - FREE roundtable discussion of local mines and mining.

2:00 PM - FREE live music with Kenny Jobe, Billy Constable & friends.

3:00 PM - FREE guided hike to the top of the Big McKinney Mine.

9:00 PM - BLACK LIGHT MINE TOUR in the Bon Ami Mine.

$15.00 Adults/ $10 Seniors/ Children FREE

Doors open at 8:00 PM.
Contact: Emerald Village
828-765-6463
www.emeraldvillage

The Orchard's Memorial Day Celebration & Covered Dish Picnic

Senior Runner-up Photo Contest - Diana Forrest "Iris with a View"

May 28 Open to the public, live music all day is free. The stage area fills up quickly, so you might want to bring lawn chairs. Admission for the meal is a dish to share or $10 per meal. The Orchard provides traditional mountain barbecue, water, iced tea and paper goods

Contact: Orchard at Altapass
828765-9531
www.altapassochard.com

Choose your favorite events around which to plan your visit with us at THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN. Call for our special visit packages:  866-378-4769

April Adventures and Art - Near THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN

APRIL 28

The Burnsville Metric

Not a bad place to be in late April... (Photo by Michael Davis, 2006)

The route for 2012 will be the same as previous years.

Also on April 28th 

It was in Spruce Pine in the 1930's and 1940's that two of Daniel Boone's direct descendants owned and operated a forge. Lawrence and Daniel Boone VI became very well known for the iron hardware they made for Colonial Williamsburg. Spruce Pine also has the distinction of having Bea Hensley, one of NC's Living Treasures as a resident blacksmith. Bea worked as an apprentice with the Boones and still resides in Spruce Pine. Lanterns forged, handcrafted, and gifted by Daniel BooneVI hang in the historic Burnsville, NC Parkway Playhouse.  Burnsville's new state-of-the-art library showcases a commissioned 6-ft wrought iron lantern forged by Bea's son, Mike.

At the 2012 Festival, festival goers can hammer out a little metal in the Hands-On tent or just watch the professionals. Renowned blacksmiths Zack Noble, Daniel Miller, Elizabeth Brim and Joe Anderson will be demonstrating the art of blacksmithing. Don't miss all the food, fun, exhibits, demonstrations and music at this year's Festival! 

Sample works of these renowned artisans will be on display at the Toe River Arts Council gallery.

Also on April 28th

. 28 - Spring Event at Burnsville Wine and...

Come out to our spring event 4pm to 6pm $15 includes nutrition information, the benefits of wine, recipes, handouts,k healthy appetizers, glass of wine and wine glass. Instructors Medea Galligan MS Nutrition Wendy Dunn Mutual Distributors Preregister by April 24th @ Burnsville Wine and... Space is limited

Contact: Burnsville Wine and...
828-682-7409

Also on April 28th

Mama Won't Fly opens April 28th

a road trip from hell with your high-maintenance mom, and your ditzy soon-to-be-sister-in-law  in the silly misadventure Mama Won’t Fly - at our acclaimed Parkway Playhouse - the oldest, continuously operating summer theater in NC

And Anytime

This video is from CBS news about one of our local crafters:  The Woody family in Spruce Pine is now in its seventh generation of crafting traditional wooden rockers and chairs by hand. Spruce Pine Main Street hosts the annual Fire on the Mountain Blacksmith Festival in conjunction with Penland School of Crafts, Saturday, April 28 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. The festival celebrates blacksmithing’s deep roots in Western North Carolina and features live demonstrations and sales. Penland, founded in 1929 offers a wide range of summer classes as well as a gallery featuring work by artists affiliated with the school.  And...the couple dancing together at the end of the video...my sister's bridge partner - a rocket scientist - really - they get a lot of mileage out of that with jokes at the bridge tables...Meet him in person at Altapass Orchard on the Blue Ridge Parkway - an NC historic treasure held in trust, that opens May 2nd.

Come experience our mountain lifestyle and style of mountain living within THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN

These are our time-honored traditions.

Steeped deeply in the famed arts and crafts movement of the Appalachian and Blue Ridge Mountains...

Celebrated beauty of the Blue Ridge Parkway area and Pisgah National Forest of North Carolina...

Honored commitment to provide and preserve the beauty, peace and simple rustic elegance of Mountain living at its best... 

The Estates... Cottages at Celo... and Cabins at Celo...

One of Western North Carolina's premier gated communities...

Between Asheville and Boone 

For more information:

THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN website

Burnsville Metric 

http://mitchellchamber.blogspot.com/2009/03/fire-on-mountain.html

info@downtownsprucepine.com

Cost:	Free
Contact:	Bryan Freeborn 828-765-3008 info@downtownsprucepine.com
Categories:	BLACKSMITH FESTIVAL

Burnsville Wine and More

Parkway Playhouse

Woody's Chairs on CBS

Sarvis, Dogwood, Cherry Trees at EASTER AND THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN

Passover was Friday, today is Easter, and this brings up a whole new discussion about tradition - this time revolving around blooming trees here.

In one of the recent blogs I talked about going for a spring walk on Mt. Mitchell Golf Course-before opening day- with my octogenarian friend after church one Sunday (but shhhh...I think that's off limits.)  My friend's family and her husband's family have owned their land here for 7 generations.  It is all now deeded to their children - the 8th generation.  The multi-generational family who sold "part" of their land to what is now this acclaimed golf course, were also founders - along with my walking buddy - of our church.  As we discussed all of this history and the "ties that bind" after service, it somehow led into a discussion of the blooms outside the windows - the blooms the Blue Ridge Mountains are noted for in spring, what various names are given to the trees and how this all ties into our religious traditions.

Local name:  Sarvis, Other Names:  Service, Service berry

My question was specifically about the prolific white blooming trees - everywhere all over these mountains now - growing wild.  Are these all wild dogwood?  My friend said no, they are mostly sarvis trees.  Another generational local in the church said she had just learned that "we" had been using the Appalachian vernacular, that they are really called service trees, more specifically service berry trees.  One of the men explained that it was a toss-up whether the local term, "sarvis" is really a dialectical mispronunciation of service or yet another example of old Shakespearean English that is still so prevalent among the "old timers" here - and a spin-off of the sorbus tree.  Or, some say the name "service" comes from this time of year - Easter - when the trees would bloom exactly at the time of Easter services.  Others say it is because tent revivals were held around this season, and the blooms coincided with those services.

Dogwood tree - North Carolina State Flower

Close-up of the Dogwood Flower  - official NC State Flower

Interestingly enough, the wild dogwood (North Carolina's state flower) is also blooming now. It is difficult for me to tell the two apart from a distance.  The dogwood also has Christian symbolism and legend tied to it - also coinciding with Easter.  Here is what Wikipedia has to say about that:

"Many Christians consider the flowering dogwood's showy cross-like inflorescences ("flowers") to be religious symbols, due to their four white petal-like bracts bearing red dots on their tips; these trees are often in flower during the springtime Easter season in the Northern Hemisphere. Christian tradition claims the dogwood as the tree used to make the cross on which Jesus was crucified, and further, that dogwoods grew taller and broader until the 1st Century AD, making them suitable for use as crosses. In response to Jesus's death on one, God permanently stunted the growth of the dogwood species to prevent them ever again being used for the same purpose. Today, very few dogwood specimens would provide sufficient wood to manufacture a cross by the primitive means of the 1st Century AD.''

Cherry blossoms on The Cove at Celo Mountain

Cherry trees around one of the trout ponds within THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN

 Oh, and then there are cherry trees with white blooms on THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN as well.  I will never forget driving a friend along the road by these as the petals cascaded down on the car.  It was one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen in my life.  All the friend could say was, "Oh, this is so beautiful!" 


I love the land, the stories, the dialect, but - most of all - the salt-of-the-earth people here.


Come spend a few days with us enjoying the most gorgeous spring imaginable in this sanctuary setting we call THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN, just off America's Favorite Drive - the Blue Ridge Parkway - and a part of the Pisgah National Forest. Spend time getting to know our hometown people on one of our special visit packages that includes lodging at one of our historic bed-and-breakfasts and dining at the award-winning farm-to-table Knife and Fork restaurant.  Come back home to the natural beauty and simple goodness of small-town America.  Your mountain, your heritage awaits you.  


Call 866-378-4769 to book your accommodations and pick your home site or Cabin at Celo
For more information: THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN


Background information for trees:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornus_(genus)

http://smokymountainnews.com/issues/03_03/03_26_03/mtn_voices.html

Further reading:

$100K Grant to Save the NC Dogwood

Planting Native for Wildlife

THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN's Feel - How it Makes Us Feel - Homeowner Testimonial

John with his granddaughter, Charley

The Pregartner home under construction.  From John:  Our new home in The Cove at Celo Mountain is simple, elegant, functional.  My background is construction, and I am highly involved in the building process.

From John:  This is during the construction.  The views we have from the home are spectacular.

The driveway up to the Pregartner home

The Pregartners are in town this week enjoying the gorgeous spring we are having as well as the progress on their incredible new home.    John,  (together with Crowder Banks and Associates of Burnsville, NC)  is building their custom design home on their long-view estate home site.  They took a few moments to share with me why they chose THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN above other gated or non-gated communities in Western North Carolina. 

            In the summer of 2009, a business trip took my wife to NC –  she always wanted to go to Asheville so she incorporated that visit on her way back home.  She saw an ad for The Cove at Celo Mountain on the back of the Laurel of Asheville magazine and called the sales office.  The ad said something about a "Castle in the Mountains….or was it a Cabin in the Woods".   Anyway, she spoke with Jana and told her that she would like to drive up and take a look at the property. 

                Paul, the Sales Manager,  was out-of-town, so she toured the community with Randy Frederick, the COO, for about 3 hours.  She told me how beautiful it was and that she and Randy visited every lot and even got stuck in the mud…. , she thought that was just fabulous.  It is all I heard for days.   We had been looking at many properties and were planning to move as we wanted to scale down and move into a home that required less maintenance.  She told me, “I think I have found the spot.”    All I kept thinking was ….  “In North Carolina?”

                So ….. We planned at trip and packed the car, and headed down to WNC to take another look.  We stayed at a bed and breakfast in the historic hometown of Spruce Pine and toured with a Realtor all around Western North Carolina – from Brevard and Hendersonville to Weaverville.  Then we visited The Cove at Celo Mountain.  (My wife, being the greatest sales person, left "THE COVE"  for last - knowing I would probably feel what she felt when seeing the area.)   I remember saying ….  "This is it.”   THE COVE  is a different feel - the grounds are extremely well maintained, the views unbelievable,  and the entire setting is spectacular.   It just feels good.  It is a special place.  It is quiet - The trout ponds, the trails and the special care taken to create an environment that is simple but elegant all in one. I knew in my gut that this was the place.  I did not need to look anywhere else.

            We love The Cove at Celo Mountain’s feel – how it makes us feel.  Everyone we have met is most helpful and like our new family.    For the next phase of our lives, we will call The Cove at Celo Mountain "home".  

For more information on home sites and available homes:  The Cove at Celo Mountain

Mt. Mitchell Golf Course and THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN

Many Years Running - 4 1/2 Stars of 5 - BEST PLACES TO PLAY -  Golf Digest

17th Green - Award-Winning Mt. Mitchell Golf Course - our celebrated fall foliage season

The overused Texan 1/2 joke, 1/2 truth about "I am flying our company's jet to____ " when referring to Southwest Airlines, is true for us - with a different metaphor - in North Carolina when referring to Mt. Mitchell Golf Course.  When something so wonderful exists - close-by, convenient, cost-effective, beautiful, award-winning, accommodating - why would you need or want to have one in your backyard - with the added expense, the added traffic, golf balls flying through your French doors or window, or errant golfers crawling through your property in search of their golf balls?

THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN has it right, I think.  Exchange the golf course for streams, creeks, trout ponds, waterfalls, long and short-range mountain views, manicured hiking trails, 4 park areas for family or friend gatherings, an area set aside for individual or family camping, lean-to's along the trails and streams for reading, photographing wildlife or just relaxing in a hammock in peace and quiet - instead of a golf course with dozens or hundreds of strangers roaming around and yelling near your hallowed space, the commensurate homeowners' fees for this - and, above all, changing the exquisite natural beauty of this sanctuary setting called THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN.

Mt. Mitchell Golf Course, 10 minutes up 80 S (a NC State Scenic Highway) from us is a 4 1/2-star (of 5) Golf Digest Best Places to Play Course - many years running. It is opened April-November, complete with Value Days, no cart fees, no blind spots, breathtaking scenery, a Pro Shop, a pub, and wonderful restaurant with indoor and outdoor dining overlooking the award-winning course.

An octogenarian friend and I decided to walk the course after church today -  before its opening tomorrow.  I thought you might enjoy the following.

A River Runs Through It - Mt. Mitchell Golf Course

Breathtaking Beauty in the Blue Ridge - Mt. Mitchell Golf Course

Chef Teo at the Mt. Mitchell Golf Club Restaurant and Hawtree's Pub

Spring wildflowers today on the course - before opening day

My 83-year-old friend walking the course with me - 7th generation local family landowner and one of the few remaining hand quilters of our famed Appalachian Quilt crafters - not one machine stitch - not a finer woman alive, I think!

Visit THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN, and let us book your tee times at special rates.  They are, after all, "our company golf course!"

2012 Golf Schedule