Burnsville Bests

By Amber Deen

Weather

At an economic development meeting of Yancey County citizens a couple of years ago, one shop owner said, “It might increase visitors if we had something that no place else has.”

Another resident spoke up and said, “We do!”  She told about a meteorologist friend who, when he was ready to retire, examined all the historical weather maps of the US, and found that the best weather in the entire country - over all - is right here!

Now, whenever someone who has never lived here in the winter says how bitter cold it is in the mountains, I enjoy setting them straight. 

Since then, other “bests,” “firsts,” and “mosts” have come to mind, and I’ll write about them from time to time.  Of course, last week’s blog covered the Carolina Mountains Literary Festival which many would say is the best of its kind. 

Quilt Trails

The Quilt Trails project is another area best. 

Visitors frequently ask, “What are those pictures on the side of buildings for?”  The answer is, to give visitors a reason to come here for the day or the weekend, and to show off our mountain heritage. 

You see, those “pictures” are replicas of original antique quilt squares from times when quilt-making and other hand crafts were a part of everyday living in these mountains.  They are painted by volunteers onto wood blocks, made in four sections, by students in our local high school.  In essence, they are our heritage on display…on homes, barns, public buildings, and businesses. 

    Block on the Burnsville Gym

Barbara Webster, an artist and supreme organizer, gets the credit for launching the Quilt Trails project right here in Burnsville, and Mountain Lifestyles Communities (The Cove at Celo Mountain) for the financial support to keep it going. 

Thanks to them, there are now over 200 quilt blocks in six western NC counties, the highest concentration anywhere in the US!  Our county, Yancey, and neighboring Mitchell County have the most, and 10 individual driving route guides to direct visitors to them.  

For online guides, more information, and a profile called “Star Barns” in Carolina Country magazine, visit (www.quilttrailswnc.org). 

The Cove at Celo Mountain

The Cove’s welcoming quilt block

     A Cove resident’s block

The Cove stands out, some will tell you, as the best place to live in western North Carolina, perfect for those who want to have it all – to nurture their spirit in a beautiful natural setting, while having the amenities of life to which they are accustomed.

Think about getting away from the mundane for a weekend of “bests.”  Phone us at 866 378-4769 for details of our “Mountain Renewal” getaways.

Upcoming Events

(Check the calendar at www.yanceychamber.com for details)

·         Mountain Heritage Pow Wow at the Expo Center – Sep. 14-16

·         Tianguis – a Mexican open air market and festival on Town Square – Sep. 15

·         Public stargazing at EnergyXchange – Sep. 20

·         Glass in the Mountains, a weekend of events for glass lovers – Sep. 20-23

·         8^th Annual Bakersville Creek Walk Arts Festival – Sep. 22

·         Yancey Humane Society’s Big Fall Flea Market – Sep. 21-23

·         “Between Tackles,” an original play at the Parkway Playhouse – opens Sep. 22

·         The 27^th Annual Music in the Mountains Folk Festival at Town Center – Sep. 29

·         Old Timey Days Fall Festival on Town Square – Sep. 29

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.

The Cove at Celo Mountain - Between Yancey and Mitchell Counties, NC

In a previous post, I told you that THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN is located between the award-winning cities of Asheville and Boone, NC - just off the Blue Ridge Parkway.  This post brings us down even closer to home. Our beautiful, small sanctuary setting is also situated right in the center of two of the most beautiful counties of the North Carolina Blue Ridge - Yancey and Mitchell.  While officially part of Yancey County, we consider both Burnsville (Yancey) and Spruce Pine (Mitchell) our hometowns and treat you to historic B&B lodging and fine dining in each when you visit with us, so you can get to know not only the beauty of our surrounding area but the salt-of-the earth people that live here as well.  Here is our backyard through photos...along with some of my favorite local history and highlights.

Geographical Fact:  Mt. Mitchell State Park – while located in Yancey county, is geographically equal distance from both Burnsville (Yancey) and Spruce Pine (Mitchell) – and is the highest peak of the oldest mountains in the world (the Appalachians), and the highest peak east of the Mississippi at 6.684 ft

Historical Fact:  A defining time for the nation and specifically this area – the Civil War separated these two sister counties (and families) with Mitchell predominantly siding with the Union and Yancey with the Confederacy.   

Cultural Fact: TRAC - Toe River Arts Council Open Studio Tours - June and December - are dubbed the “Premier Open Studio Tour in the Country” We have more artists, per capita, in these 2 counties than anywhere else in America – also ongoing exhibits, plein aire and other events – with galleries in both Yancey (Burnsville) and Mitchell (Spruce Pine)

Educational Fact:  Mayland Community College has its Main Campus in Mitchell (Spruce Pine), but has campuses that service students in Mitchell. Avery and Yancey counties – thus the name MAY (land). Mayland was ranked the #4 Best Community College in America in 2010 in a study done by the University of Texas in Austin and highlighted in the Washington Monthly magazine

 "No matter where you travel in Yancey County, North Carolina, the naturally inspiring beauty of our mountains is close by. With the highest average elevation of any county in North Carolina, we are home to six of the tallest peaks east of the Mississippi, including the highest, Mount Mitchell. Bordered by the Blue Ridge Parkway to the southeast and the Appalachian Trail to the northwest, the area is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. From lush forest lands to tumbling rivers, Yancey County provides countless opportunities for outdoor adventures. You'll also discover working art and craft studios and art galleries tucked throughout our scenic mountains." 

Geographical Landmarks:  historic, picturesque town square, Mt. Mitchell State Park

Shining Stars:  Parkway Playhouse (longest continuously running summer theater in NC), Quilt Trails of Western North Carolina, Internationally renowned Glass Blowers, Farmers’Markets – and Organic Farms

Top Events:  Mt Mitchell Crafts Fair (2012 is our 56th year - named “best event east of the Mississippi”), Old Timey Days Festival, RiddleFest (celebrating Leslie Riddle –a musical genius behind Carter/Cash family), Mountain Farm Lavender Festival, Town Center Friday Night Live Music

Premier gated sanctuary community located in the middle of Yancey and Mitchell Counties, NC
THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN

 "Mitchell County  was formed in 1861 from Yancey, Watauga,  Caldwell,  Burke and McDowell counties. It was named in honor of Dr. Elisha Mitchell,  a professor at the University of North Carolina. While on an exploring expedition of Mt. Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi River, Dr. Mitchell fell and was killed. He was buried on the top of this lofty mountain. It is in the western section of the State and is bounded by the state of Tennessee and Avery, McDowell and Yancey counties."

Geographical Landmarks:  A river runs through it – The Toe River and a Train Depot and heritage trains run through downtown.  A split Main street – Upper and Lower Levels – Oak and Locust   

Shining Stars:  Knife and Fork (Winner: WNC Chef Challenge, Cooking Light's 2011 Small Town Chef, Garden & Guns Top 50 Best Southern Foods), Best Christmas Tree Ever, world-renowned Penland School of Crafts, Buck’s Stoves, aptly named Little Switzerland

Top Events:  Rhododendron Festival, Penland Community Open House (hands-on art with masters), Fire on the Mountain Blacksmith Festival, Bakersville Creek and Art Walk, Gem and Mining Festivals

    

For more information:

Yancey County, NC

Mitchell County, NC

THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN