Western North Carolina - Best of the Best

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WNC Magazine's August, 2011 issue highlights some of the best of our best in Burnsville, Spruce Pine, and Bakersville - and, of course, THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN.

Starting with page 5 our CABIN IN THE WOODS vs. the Castle in the Mountains layout.

Then, on page 16, THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN Estate Owners highlighted in spread for Community Foundation of Western North Carolina.

On page 20 - Spruce Pine artist and fiber sculptor, Anne Lemanski, whose art is informed from the news - a gorilla killed in the Congo, a seabird victim of the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the near extinction of the hummingbird in Columbia and - my favorite - the coyote - made from a Mexican serape (can you guess what this represents? The article and the artist are amazing!)

Keep going... - page 22 - TEST YOUR ART SMART -

Question #2 of the quiz

"Which county has the highest concentration of artists in the country?
A) Buncombe
B) Caldwell
C) Avery
D) Yancey

Question #3

"How many works were up for bid in the 2010 Penland School of Crafts auction?
A) 121
B) 500
C) 234
D) 333"

And MY question - what famous glass blower from our county did the incredible glass in the photo by question # 3?

Answer these 3 questions correctly in our Blog Comment section and we will mail you a professional DVD of The Cove at Celo Mountain. (What? You expected an original Lemanski?)

pg. 61 - THE FINAL BATTLE - Our very own CHEF NATHAN ALLEN of KNIFE AND FORK vs. Chef Michael Gonzales of the Bistro on Biltmore Estates

AND the 2011 BEST BET - the Penland School of Crafts Benefit Auction - August 12 &13

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...