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

Much Ado About Town

The Lit Fest – Who Knew?

Seven years ago, when I heard that Burnsville was going to host a literary festival, I thought, “Who will come to little Burnsville for a literary festival?   As it turns out, that was pretty much the same question well known Burnsville author Charles Price and his wife Ruth asked when they thought of it 7 years ago.  The answer?  Plenty!

Charles Price (3^rd from right) and his wife Ruth (far right) 

relaxing on the front porch of the historic Nu Wray Inn

 with some visiting authors during a past Lit Fest.

 

 The first lit fest had 30 authors and 200 to 300 people attend.  The 6^th had 45 authors and 300 to 500 people attend.  This weekend is sure to be even bigger.  For one thing, one of the authors, Joseph Bathanti, was just named North Carolina Poet Laureate 2012.  So, in addition to his 2 scheduled readings on Friday, he has agreed to add another on Saturday.  For another, a number of Friday morning authors are presenting programs for students, and up to 150 students will attend.

When I asked one of the founders of the event, new local author Britt Kaufmann, what makes our lit fest so special, she said, “Because it’s not a writer’s conference like most such events, but a reader’s conference.”  The lit fest committee has tried to keep it more intimate in small and casual settings throughout the town.  It’s more fun for the authors and the participants.  As a matter of fact, our event has developed such a good reputation with authors, that they contact the lit fest committee asking to be invited.

A Lit Fest audience pays rapt attention to the 

keynote speaker in the Burnsville Town Center.

Britt added, “Also, Lit Fest has an ongoing book club open to anyone to discuss upcoming lit fest authors.”

The Carolina Mountain Literary Festival runs this weekend from Thursday night to Saturday night, September 6-8.  Aside from a few workshops and the Saturday banquet, most of the events are free.  Details, a schedule and authors bios are available at www.cmlitfest.org.

 

Seeing Stars

If you like to do things that are different, here’s one for you.  This Saturday night, September 8, the Blue Ridge Astronomy Group (BRAG) will have a public stargazing on top of Mt. Mitchell.  It will be the highest altitude star party ever held in the eastern US.  It’s free, it will begin at 8pm in the upper parking lot of Mt. Mitchell State Park on the Blue Ridge Parkway, mile marker 355, and refreshments will be provided by the NC High Peaks Trail Association.

Two of the 200-300 people who come to Burnsville's 

unique Stars on the Square stargazing event. 

 This Saturday's will be on top of Mt. Mitchell!  

 

In addition to BRAG, astronomers from at least 4 other astronomy clubs in Western NC will be there with many telescopes large and small to share.  So bring the grandkids and jackets for everyone.  Oh, and in case of bad weather, this event will take place the next Saturday.   Details at www.blueridgeastronomygroup.com.

Special thanks

In last week’s blog, Burnsville’s Abuzz, I completely forgot to give credit for the bike race photo, and the one of the man setting up a telescope, to my photographer friend who provided them, Steve Buettner.  His work is amazing.  You can see samples at www.sbphotosite.com or www.flickr.com/photos/macsteve.  His work is also displayed at the Toe River Arts Council gift shop and gallery on East Main St. in Burnsville, next to the Chamber of Commerce.

Check the calendar

Speaking of the Chamber, it’s website calendar, www.yanceychamber.com, has all the coming events.  Look for Glass in the Mountains, the Yancey Humane Society’s Fall Flea Market, Old Timey Days on the Square, Music in the Mountains, and a number of musical concerts at our Town Center – all in September. 

Plan a visit

With all that’s happening here in the mountains, why not plan to visit  The Cove at Celo Mountain during a weekend of events.  Get to know the area, our quaint and bustling town of Burnsville, and all we have to offer.  Phone 866 378-4769 and ask about our 2 and 3 day Mountain Renewal packages.