Absolutely Priceless!Spring/Summer 2012CmLCarolina mountain Life

The Heart & Soul of the High Country

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CaroLina mountain Life Spring/Summer2012 — 7

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Front Cover: Karen Lehmann, photographer

Karen Lehmann has been a wedding and portrait photographer in the High Country for

over 10 years. Her association with Babette and Carolina Mountain Life magazine goes

back many years, through writing and photographing numerous unique stories of

the High Country. Her other cover images include children building snowmen in the

winter, spring fields of flowers, and families on summertime picnics at the Fourth of July. Karen and her partner in business Todd Bush are excited to announce the opening of their

new photography studio in Banner Elk.Their studio, The FotoShop will open its doors

very soon to offer a fresh portrait style for your family’s photographs and photography

classes for all cameras and skill levels. Watch for their ads in CML or email karen at

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Book Reviews w/schuyler kaufmanCompu-Doc w/Alex KohlerFishing w/Andrew CorpeningFinance w/Katherine NewtonHealth w/Koren HuskinsCooking w/Adele ForbesWine w/Ren Manning Random Thoughts w/Jean Gellin

Inside . . .10 .......... Care Begins With Caring—In Profile

By Rusty Page

12 .......... Cycling Goes BoomBy Randy Johnson

17 .......... Local Farmers MarketsBy CML Staff

20 .......... Century of Preserving PlantsBy Cinthia Milner

24 .......... The Flood of FortyBy Michael C. Hardy

26 .......... The Music’s theTicket at Highland Games By Steve York

32 .......... Journey to YonahlosseeBy Judy Beck with CML

38 .......... Building Dreams at AC Pride By Steve York

40 .......... Spring & Summer Home RevivalBy Steve York

49 .......... Games on the Brink—Golf Adapts By Tom McAuliffe

56 .......... On the Sole Sisters’ TrailBy Jane Richardson

59 ............ All Creatures Great and SmallBy Julie Farthing

62 ............ Creative Seeds Bear Artistic SpringBy Caitlin Morehouse

68 ............ Creating a Culture of MentoringBy Dede Walton

71 ............ Master’s Passing Leaves B.E.“Kentucky Blue”By Rusty Page

8 — Spring/Summer2012 CaroLina mountain Life

• Personal Injury• Wills & Trusts• Divorce & Family Law• Support Payments• Adoptions• Real Estate Closings & Contracts

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Read us online at CmLmagazine.com

“Sit for a spell and come enjoy the stories inside these pages.”

So, I guess if I phrased this into a sug-gestion - it would simply be - head out and visit some of the places described on these pages. Introduce yourself to the business owners and their staff - you will find a delightful crew. Get involved in the activities listed in our calendar and you will be amazed with many new discov-eries. Because, as I look back on the sto-ries, the people, the events over 15 years, I now understand how rich my life has become because of the connections. Trust this advice: find a place, find someone, or meet a business owner and make new connections.

Our progression over the 15 years from Carolina Mountain Living - the High Country’s Lifestyle Magazine to Carolina Mountain Life - The Heart & Soul of the High Country has been quite a journey.

As Dr. Seuss once said, “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you’ll go!”

We hope CML will take you on some delightful journeys. Make sure to take your copy with you, but if you forget it on the coffee table - we’re online at www.cm-lmagazine.com. Write us with your com-ments and suggestions. We’ll put them to good use over the next 15 years.

CaroLina mountain Life Spring/Summer2012 — 9

PublIsheR’s Note

Contributors: Judi Beck, Deborah Mayhall-Bradshaw, Dianna Conway, Andrew Corpening, Julie Farthing, Adele Forbes, Meagan Ford, Morgan Ford,

Brennan Ford, Jean Gellin, Judah Goheen, Kathy Griewisch, Elizabeth Baird Hardy, Michael Hardy, Koren Huskins, Randy Johnson, schuyler kaufman, Dr. Brad Knowles,DVM, Alex Kohler, Karen Lehmann, Val Maiewskij-Hay, Ren Manning,Tom McAuliffe, Cinthia Milner, Caitlin Morehouse,

Katherine S. Newton, Rusty Page, Rene` Poole, Jane Richardson, Jerry Shinn, Curtis Smalling, Dede Walton, Allison West, Tricia Wilson, Steve York

CaroLinamountain Life The Heart & Soul of the High Country

share us with a friend! Available by subscription for $20.00 a year (five issues, continental US)

Send check or money order to: Carolina Mountain Life, PO Box 976, Linville, NC 28646

A publication of Carolina Mountain Life, Inc.

Publisher & Editor, Babette McAuliffe

CML is published 5 times a yearlivingcarolina@bellsouth.net / 828-737-0771

Entire contents Copyright 2010 by Carolina Mountain Life.

Celebrating 15 Years of CMl As I flip through the archived copies, it seems a lifetime ago since our first edi-tion hit the streets. So much has trans-pired over the years in the High Country and with me personally. Businesses have come and gone, the area witnessed an un-precedented boom and crash and yet as you will see in these pages - the strong, creative, productive businesses have sur-vived and are better than ever. The major-ity of our advertisers have been with us since 1997 and we are grateful and proud of all they do for the community.

I have noticed as well, as I scan is-sues dating back to the beginning, that my children’s lives are entwined with the magazine’s evolution. While we plan for my daughter’s wedding this summer, I look back and see her adorable smile at age 10 holding a trout on the cover in 1999. The message I receive is time passes quickly and that every day is a gift to en-joy.

Connecting with the community and taking care of our own is a recurring theme in every issue. Folks here reach out to help their neighbor and are very giving as a matter of course. Many of the busi-ness owners you will meet within these pages are individuals and companies that I believe are part of the High Country’s sustainability.

Flipping through the first issue, I see the seeds and common threads of stories we have in this Spring/Summer issue of CML. Inside you’ll find stories of people that make a difference in our community, stories of health, recipes, outdoor activity, and stories of people touching others and making a difference. These are compelling features about selfless individuals who routinely give back to a neighbor or an ailing patient under their care.

It is in the 15 years of publishing that I have found my own sense of what is im-portant. With a faithful base, I reflect on the countless interviews for features and connections with advertisers that have taught me about the golden rule. Give back, pay it forward and respect one an-other.

It is very poignant to look back over the years and see my children (they were the most available models we had) grow-ing up on the covers. My twins panning for gold, their older brother canoeing the Watauga River, flying kites, sailing boats, or just posing with their smiles that said,

10 — Spring/Summer2012 CaroLina mountain Life

Dr. Herman Godwin:Care Begins With CaringBy Rusty Page

Herman Godwin is a gentle man. He is a car-ing and brilliant doctor. To his peers he personi-fies what all physicians

should strive to be. He is a man at peace with himself and the world around him. The High Country is beyond fortunate to have Dr. Godwin among us.

To look at his developmental years, you wouldn’t know that he is a native North Carolinian, but he was born in Erwin, in the eastern part of the state in 1937. He roared through Dunn High, graduating in 1955 because he was in a hurry to get to UNC at

Chapel Hill. There he was a coveted Morehead Scholar undergraduate from 1955 until 1959, when he entered the Bowman Gray School in Winston-Sa-lem, which is known now as the Wake Forest School of Medicine. There he was a Reynolds Scholar, the medical school equivalent of his prestigious Morehead.

“Growing up in a small town, the doctors there inspired me. I found them admirable and I saw them truly making a difference in our small town, and I want-ed to emulate them...be one of them,” Dr. Godwin remembered. “At age 15 I was already more idealistic, and I knew that is what I wanted to be.”

After medical school, he took the fast track toward fulfilling his goal. He com-pleted a one year internship at Harvard School of Medicine followed by two years residency in Boston.

“Back then, if you wanted to special-ize, you took a fellowship,” he explained. “So in 1963 I went to Boston City Hos-pital, which was a teaching unit of Har-vard Medical School, and studied hema-tology and disorders of the blood.”

At Harvard he became the pres-tigious Francis Weld Peabody Fellow in Medicine where he learned that the iconic Dr. Peabody’s philosophy that the “care of the patient” begins with “caring for the patient”. He adopted this as a fundamental tenet which would become

his over-arching motivation throughout his career.

“In 1965 the National Institute of Health in Bethesda, Maryland offered me the chance to study cancer for two years and I elected to do it,” Dr. Godwin stated.

Then in 1967, it was back to Boston City Hospital to complete his training over the following year. It was a time when one of every four medical profes-sors nationwide received their training there, but instead of going immediately into practice afterwards, he elected to join the teaching faculty at Harvard Medical School.

“It was an honor to be invited to stay and teach, so I taught internal medicine, specializing in hematology and oncol-ogy for two years,” Dr. Godwin recalled. “I was not only teaching, but doing re-search on blood disorders, vitamin B12 and folic acid at the Thorndike Memo-rial Laboratory.”

Interacting with people came natu-rally to Dr. Godwin. Teaching medicine in the 60’s, usually by a patient’s bedside, afforded him that interaction with pa-tients and other learning doctors. “It was a two-way street. I enjoyed the laborato-ry, the teaching, and especially the time spent with the patient,” he explained. “In that era most of the research was patient-centered, with some having unknown ill-nesses and that triggered research known as ‘clinical investigation’. It is absolutely essential that the patient is the center of all we do. If not, we lose an unparalleled opportunity.’’

In 1972, Dr. Godwin joined the staff of the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston where he continued teach-ing and researching for three years and was named Chief of Hematology. For-tunately for those of us in this region, a friend invited him to visit Ocean Isle Beach on the Carolina coast in 1974. His friend implored him to consider coming to Charlotte to work. That idea appealed to him and a year later he joined the staff

of Charlotte Medical Center where he would grow his practice in the fields of hematology and oncology for the next 15 years. It was during this period that he met his wife, Renée, during a concert intermission of the Charlotte Symphony. Life was good, but more lay in store for the Godwins.

“In early 1990, Dr. Harry Nurkin, the CEO of Carolina’s Medical Center in Charlotte, asked me to help estab-lish The Blumenthal Cancer Center,” Dr. Godwin remembered. “Herman Blumenthal was an incredibly generous man and was substantially supportive of the new facility. Allowing us to use his name gave us instant credibility.” Another pillar of the new Bumenthal Cancer Center, Dr. Jacob Friedland, helped to create the new cancer center with his financial support.

“During the early 90’s, we undertook clinical care, research, and academic ac-tivities, while at the same time establish-ing an outreach program encompassing Shelby, Monroe and other nearby com-munities,” Dr. Godwin said of the dy-namic new venture.

His work resonated to the mountains and in 1992, he received a call in his Charlotte office from Richard Sparks, CEO of the Watauga Medical Center to see if he’d be interested in coming to Boone. Like a good vaccination it took and on January 14th, 1993, Dr. Godwin saw his first 4 patients in Boone. Over time, Dr. Godwin built a cancer-focused practice and hired a full-time oncolo-gist providing cancer related diagnostics, chemotherapy, and radiation oncology that still serves the needs of the High Country today.

He maintained a parallel practice in Charlotte until 1999, but the die was cast. “Renée and I had bought a house in Blowing Rock in 1996, not just be-cause I was working here as well as in Charlotte, but because we really like it here” he said. “We kept a home in Char-lotte for a while, but we didn’t know then

HealerCaroLina mountain Life Spring/Summer2012 — 11

IN PROFILEwhat would evolve here.”

Eventually, Sparks offered Godwin the position of Medical Director of the Watauga Medical Center. Following the formation of The Appalachian Regional Healthcare System, encompassing Wa-tauga Medical Center, Cannon Memo-rial Hospital in Linville, and Blowing Rock Hospital, he was named medical director for the entire system.

His work has not gone unnoticed by his peers. In 2009, the North Caro-lina Medical Society awarded to him the coveted Harris Memorial Award, in large measure for his work founding The Appalachian Healthcare Project that to date has provided $6 million in medical services to more than 1,500 low-income and uninsured residents in Avery and Watauga Counties. Dr. Godwin was at the forefront in establishing the Seby B. Jones Regional Cancer Center at Wa-tauga Medical Center as the leading provider of diagnostics, chemotherapy, and radiation treatment for the region.

“You never feel as though you’ve fin-ished,” he said. “I want to always be in-volved.”

Through it all, Dr. Godwin has clung to the fundamental tenet he adopted from the works of Dr. Francis Peabody, that good medical care begins with car-ing for the patient. To his credit he has allowed his career long mentor to not only shape the principles of his practice, but to live by them in his personal life. In the words of Dr. Peabody, “the essential quality of the clinician is the interest in humanity.”

Dr. Herman Godwin’s contributions to the medical profession are immea-surable. He has cared for, and helped to heal, hundreds of patients in his 45-year medical career. Ironically, if he had been a cardiologist instead of an oncologist, he could have looked into his own heart and seen how big, and how good, it is.

12 — Spring/Summer2012 CaroLina mountain Life

You better pedal faster if you want to keep up with mountain biking in the High Country.

If you haven’t noticed, a constellation of stellar mountain bik-ing locations are suddenly adding luster to the High Country’s status as a cycling destination. Options range widely, but mountain biking is really getting in gear.

The message—that the High Coun-try is a mountain biking hot spot—is getting louder and clearer. If the moun-tain biking and cycling part of the local tourism community has its way—a co-ordinated publicity effort and increasing cooperation could speed up the High Country’s emergence as the place to ride a mountain bike.

Tempting Tourism The stage was set in late February

when the Watauga Tourism Develop-ment Authority scheduled a gathering and invited representatives of mountain biking groups and businesses from Ashe, Avery, Watauga, and Wilkes counties.

The goal was to put a finger on the pulse of what’s happening where—and start a discussion of where to take the trends. The group plans to continue meeting, eventually perhaps creating a regional marketing approach that brands the High Country area as a true moun-tain biking destination.

That meeting made it obvious how mature mountain biking is becoming in the area. So much is happening that any overview might seem disjointed, but let’s start.

BooneThis summer the new Rocky Knob

Mountain Bike Park is expected to have its grand opening in Boone with the near completion of its much ballyhooed trail system. The trails range from moderate to more advanced, and when completed, the park will feature a mountain bike skills learning area, a rustic playground,

and other facilities. Of course, the paved Boone Greenway

offers great beginner rides. The green-way links under Blowing Rock Road to nearby shopping centers and restaurants, and there’s also a connection to the new Watauga High School. Mountain bikers enjoy the natural surface trails above the greenway reached though ASU’s State Farm fields and from bridges 2 and 3 on the paved path. All that connectivity benefits walkers too, and there’s a great new brochure now available called “Walk Boone!” that maps the options.

Beech MountainEastern America’s highest town and

privately owned ski resort are increasing-ly connecting on a plan to make Beech Mountain a hotspot for mountain bik-ing.

Last September the first ever Gravity Nationals downhill mountain bike races to be held in the area occurred on the slopes of Beech Mountain Resort. This year, the successful event moves to July to encourage more participation from younger, school-age racers. For the event, the resort installed bike transport plat-forms on its high-speed, detachable quad chairlift. The rigs carry up to four bikes while racers ride up in the next chair.

The bike lifts will be in use for the July Gravity Nationals, but also on 18 weekends when the public will be able to ride up to reach the resort’s moun-tain bike trails including a new beginner downhill trail designed earlier this spring by Christopher Herndon, a nationally renowned trail designer from Brevard.

Lift-riders at Beech will also be able to access the new Emerald Outback trails christened to much acclaim a year ago by the Town of Beech Mountain. There’s pedal access from the parking area across from town hall, but the lift will get bikers to the very top for access to the new trails that drape in three clus-ters all across the northwestern flank of the peak.

Town recreation director Daniel Scagnelli has applied for grants in hopes of improving and further expanding the trails. Better linkage between the town’s trails and those on ski slope property is a key goal. Another is to build an easy connector trail between the trail system’s clusters to create bonafide family level riding. According to Scagnelli, that could add another five miles to the system and a total of 16 miles of trails.

“We have a lot of maintenance is-sues,” Scagnelli admits, “so plans call for “erosion control, widening, and root mitigation. Some of the trails were actu-ally created 20 years ago and reclaimed for the Emerald Outback.”

One way or another the work will get done as Beech Mountain has generated significant publicity thanks to the new trails and the town is seeing growing economic impact from increased visita-tion.

Banner ElkThings are happening in Banner Elk,

too. Doug Owen, owner of the Cycles 4 Life bike shop in Banner Elk, and the new president of the Avery County Chamber of Commerce, was formerly the cycling coach at Lees-McRae Col-lege. Building a national championship program, Owen brought renown to the school and the region as a cycling mec-ca.

Now in the private sector, Owen is still a coach and a promoter of his pas-sion—the world of cycling. Today, it’s his mission to work with anyone and every-one interested in riding bikes. Owen’s been involved up at Beech, directing attention to the Emerald Outback and encouraging lift access to make downhill rides an option. From his shop, he leads awesome 7-mile downhill guided rides from Beech to the Banner Elk Winery via dirt roads that descend beyond the Pinnacle Inn and Country Club. Owen says some people even park at Banner Elk’s town park and ride up to Beech and back on that route.

BOOM Goes Biking By Randy Johnson

CaroLina mountain Life Spring/Summer2012 — 13

With the help of like-minded friends, Owen is working hard to extend the Banner Elk Greenway, with the dream that the path might eventually extend from Banner Elk all the way to the town of Sugar Mountain and the new elemen-tary school. Of course, Sugar Mountain has its own program of weekend lift rides for mountain bikers which permit great downhill runs on slope trails as well as access to other rides in town.

Lees-McRae College is a key part of the plan. All things biking have gone through the roof at the school with the introduction last year of the nation’s first ever Cycling Studies curriculum which offers a minor in the subject. Lees-McRae maintains a nice layout of bike trails and the great news is they’re becoming more available to the public. They were mapped earlier this spring as part of that outreach effort.

Excitement reached fever pitch late last month when three-time Tour de France winner Greg LeMond spent a week in the area as one of a number of adjunct professors involved in the new bike program’s Principles of Cycling course. LMC’s new president Barry M. Buxton touched on the cycling industry implications of the new cycling minor when he said LeMond’s “wealth of expe-

rience, both as a cycling competitor and successful businessman, will be invalu-able to our Cycling Studies students.” LeMond founded LeMond Fitness in 2002, became a sponsor of the Lees-McRae College Cycling Team in 2011, and donated ten LeMond Revolution trainers and two Rev Master spin cycles to the school’s training program.

The high-point of LeMond’s visit was a ride with members of the public and a reception and dinner at Lees-McRae, all of it benefitting the college’s Cycling Program. The off-road ride took place on a scenic old dirt road between Ban-ner Elk and Newland, the kind of route, Owen said, that he and others “hope will eventually become publicly available cy-cling routes not only for recreation—but for transportation.”

“We’re realizing how much we need these facilities for simple exercise, for recreation that fights the obesity epi-demic,” Owen explained, “but there’s a greater need, and that’s transportation. We need to get people out of their cars for fun and fitness and being able to get around without a car is key.” Owen is eyeing routes that reach out to Elk Park, Newland, and beyond to “link a handful of communities.”

Whether you’re in the area on vaca-

tion or here as a resident, the ability to walk or ride your bike—for recreation or transportation—is increasingly the mark of communities that people want to visit and live in.

Damascus, VirginiaCase in point—another bike hotspot

near the High Country—Damascus, Virginia and its Virginia Creeper Trail. Today the trail is an awesome ride, from Damascus west to Abingdon, or from Damascus east up to Whitetop, Vir-ginia’s second highest mountain. Many businesses shuttle riders—among them multitudes of families—up to Whitetop for an easy, adventurous 17-mile ride back to town. If you haven’t tried the Creeper, you should.

This nationally-known recreation trail got its start in 1920 when a railroad line had been completed from Abing-don, Virginia up and across Whitetop, and on through Ashe County all the way to Todd. When the timber was all cut the line declined and by 1977 it was abandoned. The rail route between Whitetop and Abingdon was secured for trail purposes by the US Forest Service, Damascus, and Abingdon. The entire route in North Carolina was returned to earlier owners. continued on page 13

Three-time Tour de France winner, Greg Lemond, leads a pack of local cyclists in Banner Elk this past Spring & enjoys conversation with Lees McRae cycling student.

14 — CaroLina mountain Life Spring/Summer2012

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The trails are mostly gradual and nicely wooded all along the shore of the lake. Photo by RJ

At first, locals along the Virginia por-tion of the Creeper objected to the public riding bikes and even burned rail trestles to stop the trail. Times have changed. Today, local residents in the isolated communities along the trail operate small cafes for riders. Tiny Damascus is a booming trail town.

The town’s population is less than 1,000, but 130,000 people used the trail in 2004, the majority traveling an aver-age of 260 miles to get there and staying for 3 days. The estimated economic im-pact of the Creeper Trail to the state of Virginia was $2.5 million in 2004—and $3.9 million in 2007—a 156% increase. There was a 60% increase in lodging and dining tax revenues in Damascus between 2001 and 2004—a reflection of how qui-et streets and a world class greenway trail can drive dramatic increases in tourism. And that was years ago. Today, the trail is a lot better known than back then and the number of B&Bs, restaurants, and bike service shops has grown.

Imagine, for a moment, if the Vir-ginia Creeper Trail didn’t stop at White Top, but extended all the way down that old railroad grade to Todd, and a green-way linked Todd to Boone. Right now in our area, there are people dreaming of that kind of future for cycling and its im-pact on our economy and local lifestyle.

WilkesboroWhen you look around at all the

places in or near the High Country that

would lure families and groups of cyclists to our region, Wilkesboro is one of the attractions.

The 1500-acre lake of W. Kerr Scott Reservoir has 55 miles of shoreline, more than 2,000 acres of public land, and a burgeoning system of mountain biking trails. More than 35 miles of trail has been built at the lake since 2002, one reason why the Kerr Scott trails were named “Project of the Year” in 2007 by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Corps outreach ranger Chad Eller admitted, “it’s really gratifying to see people with bikes pull in here every day from all over North Carolina and the nation.”

Last year, the park was named one of the International Mountain Biking As-sociation’s “EPIC” places to ride, an ac-colade denoting a destination well worth making a special trip. It is indeed spec-tacular. Riders meander around running cedar carpeted bottomlands then dip to sparkling emerald green water in the lake’s quiet coves. The undulating trails are masterpieces of “flow”—an artful de-sign that is as easily ridable up as down with a roller coaster feeling of freedom. If you haven’t ridden at Kerr Scott, you should.

Spokes on a WheelRegardless of where you position the

“hub,” the area’s great mountain biking spots surround each other like spokes on a wheel. It’s easy to get from one of the mountain biking spots above to the next, especially the ones right here near Boone and Banner Elk. But even the Virginia Creeper Trail and Wilkesboro are each just 45 minutes from Boone. And the trails in the Pisgah National Forest be-low Grandfather Mountain are also about 45 minutes away.

That seems pretty promising to the people intent on making mountain bik-ing a hot sport in our own mountains. “It’s impressive how much activity and effort is going on out there to enhance

mountain biking in our area,” Watauga TDA Executive Director Wright Tilley said. “The natural progression from here is how do we jointly market those re-sources.”

That certainly seems to be the next step, and with all the energy buzzing out there about biking, it appears likely that the effort will be sustainable.

It’s hard to argue with people who don’t just want trails and parks—but are willing to build them!

By 2006, more than 5,000 hours of volunteer work had built trails at W. Kerr Scott—and it was being called “one of the biggest volunteer projects in commu-nity history.” At Rocky Knob in Boone, more than 2,000 hours of volunteer time has gone into the park so far.

That kind of community support is affecting funding too. Tourism develop-ment authority funds for Rocky Knob and Beech Mountain have come from taxes paid by visitors not locals. But most important, when projects that boost the tourism economy attract astounding vol-unteer support from locals, those proj-ects invariably win grant money that make them even more affordable.

With all that going for the people trying to create a real mountain biking boom, you gotta believe they might be on to something.

“All this fits together into something that can become a really vital part of our economy,” Beech Mountain’s Scagnelli concluded. “It’s exciting when you start to see people sharing the clarity of that vision.”

Author Randy Johnson has a mountain bike and is a shameless promoter of trails. Visit www.randyjohnsonbooks.com (yes, they’re all about trails!).

continued from page 11

16 — Spring/Summer2012 CaroLina mountain Life

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CaroLina mountain Life Spring/Summer2012 — 17

Opportunities for fresh produce, meats, chees-es, flowers, and baked goods continues to ex-pand in the High Coun-

try. More markets, more vendors, more locations and additional features are a plus for locals and visitors alike. In addi-tion to farmers markets, look forward to Farm to Table Dinners and Farm Stores to visit.

boone, blowing Rock & Valle Crucis host Farmers Markets in Watauga County

Watauga County Farmers Mar-ket opens for the season on May 5th in Boone at The Horn in the West parking lot. As many as 75 vendors are expected to display a wide variety of products for sale in the weekly market that will open at 8am until noon each Saturday through October. Another market will open on Wednesdays from June through Sep-tember, but the times and location of the

Local Farmer’s Markets to Enjoy Bountiful Seasonmid-week event are still being reviewed by the market’s operating committee and will be announced later.

According to new market manager Tori Cox, the vendors have paid an asso-ciation fee at the start of the season and pay a small user fee every market they attend. “We have 75 spaces and on a good day when the weather is good they will all be full,” she said.

In addition to fresh local produce, the market offers a wide variety of products for sale. Fresh cut flowers, in addition to plant starters, annuals and perennials add color to the market. Jams, jellies, honey and herbal products are sold alongside fresh baked goods, eggs, goat cheese, and fresh local meats including, beef, pork, lamb, and poultry.

“Local crafts, wool items, and hand-made wood items are on display, too,” Cox added. “I think the farmers’ mar-ket is the best thing about Saturdays in Boone.”For more info:www.wataugacountyfarmersmarket.org or e-mail

Tori Cox info@wataugacountyfarmersmarket.com or call 828-355-4918.

Blowing Rock Farmers Market is lo-cated in the iconic mountain resort town heralded as the state’s “most scenic” in a survey of journalists in 2010. Thursday, May 17th marks the opening of the mar-ket which will host vendors each succes-sive Thursday through October 18th.

Currently located behind the village park on Sunset and Main, two dozen or so vendors will open the market that operates from 4pm until 6pm. Behind the park is the town’s parking deck for visitors who will find 100% fresh market produce. All foods are produced by the sellers so as market manager Dell Slack explained, “you won’t find any tomatoes on May 17th” adding “the market helps educate people about our local farming.”

You won’t find arts and crafts at the Blowing Rock Farmer’ Market. You will, however, find produce, cheese, plants, meats, breads, honey, vinegars, pasta, and

18 — Spring/Summer2012 CaroLina mountain Life

“Do ThingsJoyfully”

flowers all raised and produced by local vendors. “Most are certified organic by vendors who practice organic farming,” Slack said. “We set up beside the park in downtown Blowing Rock, and we are child and pet friendly. And people will find the parking deck provides easy ac-cess to the market.”To learn more log onto www.BlowingRock.com. The Farmers Market icon is on the front page.

Valle Crucis Farmers Market will be open on Wednesdays from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m located at the Original Mast Store in Valle Crucis. This market will oper-ate between May 30th and August 29th. This fresh market is filled with an eclec-tic blend of produce, oils, herbs and art. While picking out the produce for sup-per, stop in the Mast Store for all your other necessities.

Avery County hosts Farmers Markets offering Fresh Produce and Meats

The Avery County Farmers Market Association will once again hold farm-ers’ markets in Banner Elk and Newland throughout the growing season. The farmers at each market consistently offer high quality fresh produce in the High Country. You’re encouraged to shop each market to enjoy samples, exchange recipes, and find locally grown food for your table.

The Banner Elk Market is located on Tate Lawn at Lees McRae College on Thursday evenings from April 19 to September 21. Hours are 5pm- 7pm.

The Newland Market will open Saturdays from 9am-12pm beginning June 16 and run until September 15th. The Newland Markets will be held at a

new location this summer, with vendors setting up in the Newland Town Park next to CVS Pharmacy in the middle of town.

Ashe County/West Jefferson Market

Ashe County Market will open Sat-urday, April 14 from 8am-1pm bringing a wide array of farmers and artisans to 108 Backstreet, West Jefferson, NC. The Wednesday morning market will start July 10 from 8am-1pm and will also of-fer wood carving, forged iron work, pot-tery, handmade lye soap, candles, fine art, photography, fiber arts and floral arrangements. Look for farm fresh eggs, fruit, honey, molasses, produce, fresh breads, jams, culinary vinegars and farm raised meats. www.ashefamersmarket.com

Downtown Morganton Farmer’s Market

Opening April 21 from 8am-12 pm, this farmer’s market will feature fresh cut flowers, goat cheese, herbs, artisan breads, herbs, beef, pork and poultry, shitake mushrooms & lots of fresh or-ganic produce. Located at 300 Beach Street in downtown Morganton behind Gepetto’s at Morganton Station. New this year is the Wednesday Mini-Market at 111 North Green St. starting April 25, 2-6pm. www.downtownmorganton.com elk Park’s trosly Farm showcasing Agricultural sustainability

Beginning Saturday, April 28, Trosly Farm, located in Elk Park in Avery Coun-ty, will open their Farm Store each Sat-urday until October 27. The store hours

are 12pm-5pm so you can stop by to pick up some fresh artisan bread, farm-raised meats, and even handmade chocolates for your table. Visitors are encouraged to look around the farm to find out what’s growing in the garden and see how the animals play a role in making Trosly Farm a fine example in sustainable agriculture. Trosly Farm has become a popular din-ner destination as well, serving wonderful meals straight from the garden and barn. If you’re looking for a special evening filled with great food and great company, check out their seasonal Farm Tours & Dinners where guests enjoy a guided tour of the farm before taking their seat table to enjoy a five-course meal raised just a stone’s throw from the dinner table. This Farm to Table dining experi-ence is a ticketed event and reserva-tions are required. Make your reser-vation soon. These events are known to sell out quickly! 828-733-4938 2012 Farm Tour & Dinner Dates begin the night of Saturday, April 28 and are held one weekend each month through October 13, with seatings Friday and Saturday nights.

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Celebrating 120 years in business, we are a family-owned nursery nurturing and preserving the

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Wildflowers Since 1892

CaroLina mountain Life Spring/Summer2012 — 19

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20 — Spring/Summer2012 CaroLina mountain Life

The Gardens of the Blue Ridge, located in Newland is the oldest licensed nurs-ery in the state. Its legacy of botanical treasures is

unique to five generations of plant en-thusiasts. Founded by Edward Colby Robbins in 1892, the nursery celebrates its 120th season this year, nurturing and selling indigenous plants of the South-ern Appalachian Mountains.

In the early days, the nursery pro-vided rhododendrons, orange flame aza-leas, and other native shrubs and trees, shipped by rail to the Northeast. Today, the company’s focus is more on native wildflowers, orchids and ferns, and ship-ments are sent via UPS to all corners of the world. Their catalogue reads like an encyclopedia of the native flora of the re-gion, from Achillea millefolium (yarrow) to Xerophyllum asphodeloides (turkey’s beard) and everything in between. If it is native to the mountains, they propa-gate it and sell it a distinction important to the family. They want their customers to know that the plants they sell are not gathered in the wild.

While the company benefited from the abundance and diversity of na-tive plants in the mountains well into the 80s, collecting plant stock from the mountains’ forests and meadows wasn’t prohibited then, and the practice of gath-ering from the wild was a common one for nurseries. “Back then, going out and collecting a wild plant wasn’t a problem, there was plenty,” says Robyn Fletcher, great-grandson to E.C. Robbins and now the fourth generation to manage the nursery along with his parents, Katy

Gardens of the Blue RidgeA Century of Preserving Plants of the Appalachian MountainsBy Cinthia Milner

Robbins Fletcher and Paul Fletcher. “But we can’t do that now. Endangered plants are a concern, and we don’t sell anything that we don’t propagate.”

This creates some business decisions that have little to do with profit, a lot to do with conservation, and even more to do with a genuine love for the native species. A few years back, when a severe drought threatened a customer favorite, Shortia galacifolia (Ocnee bells), Fletch-er would not sell it. He didn’t want to lose his parent stock. Ocnee bells are the most endangered species the nursery sells. In North Carolina it only grows in three counties—Jackson, Transylvania, and McDowell. This costly decision may be heartbreaking for the business, but for Fletcher, ensuring the longevity of the plants is just as important. The ever-popular yellow lady’s slipper, a coveted plant in the orchid family, is limited to one per customer in an effort again to preserve the parent stock, and create goodwill among consumers. Everyone knows they’ll get at least one.

Today, the nursery is located on 8 acres of land off Pittmans Gap Road near Jonas Ridge, having moved from its longtime spot on Highway 221 when Edward Page Robbins, the sec-ond generation owner, passed away and Fletcher and his parent’s took over. Rows of greenhouses stand alongside rows of planted stock, and a cold cel-lar is used for storing bareroots. Plants can be shipped as bareroot or in pots. All are shipped at blooming size, which means when a customer receives a plant, it should bloom that year. Since some plants take eight years of growth prior to blooming, the Fletchers have done the job of patiently waiting for you. And, it doesn’t matter which shipping method is used, pot or bareroot, the plants are the same size. “It’s just that customers are so used to pots now, and many don’t under-stand what the bareroots are. They think they’re getting a dead plant if we send

bareroot, so we added container plants,” Fletcher explains.

In an age when garden retail centers put on an abundant display of colorful annuals, consumers are easily confused. Natives are different. They aren’t always sun-lovers, but make better shade plants and are more suited to woodland gar-dens. Their flowers can be showy like the cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis), or butterfly weed (Asciepias fuberosa), or they might require careful observa-tion, like the delicate winged blooms of the shooting star (Dodecatheon media), or the fussy blooms of the foam flower (Tiarella cordifolia). By following the instructions that come with each plant, gardeners are rewarded with rare plants that are right at home in mountain gar-dens.

Plants can be ordered via internet or catalog, or you can visit Gardens of the Blue Ridge. Many customers are old friends and dropping by for a visit is common. Ed, Rob’s brother, who grew up working in the nursery but now works with medicinal plants, is often there and Karen, a sister, is too. Her paintings of wildflowers adorn the office walls. The fifth generation of Robbins’s descen-dants can be found there during the busy season helping out—but if no one is there, you simply make your selection and leave a check in the box provided, or call back with a credit card number. Fletcher points out that, to his knowl-edge, no one has ever taken advantage of this honor system.

As the family expands and the busi-ness continues to thrive, one notices that while preserving and propagating these beloved plants, this family has nurtured and built something else, too—a legacy full of plant lore and tales that estab-lishes their family roots deep into hills of Western North Carolina. Five gen-erations later, the Robbins’ family de-scendants are as much a part of the Blue Ridge Mountains as the plants they sell.

CaroLina mountain Life Spring/Summer2012 — 19

22 — Spring/Summer2012 CaroLina mountain Life

“Let your life bloom...”

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CaroLina mountain Life Spring/Summer2012 — 23

The Daniel Boone Native Gardens’ 46th season offi-cially opens Tuesday, May 1, but unlike years past, the gates will swing open for

a sneak peek on Saturday, April 28. The preview begins at 9 am and ends three hours later when visitors can catch an early glance of what is for many, their favorite time in the flowering oasis. It’s a rare opportunity to visit the gardens at perhaps their blossoming best—an over-due offering whose time has come.

“The board members were discussing their favorite time in the garden, and we all agreed it was actually the weekend before we opened. That gave us the idea of the Early Bird Saturday,” says Nan Chase, one of the statewide 15-member Board of Governors that manages the gardens.

As all mountain folk know, the weath-er in Western North Carolina in spring is a fickle thing, so predicting bloom dates is difficult, but April 28th typically brings these spring harbingers to adorn the garden trails and pathways: yellow lady slippers, Virginia bluebells, redbud and dogwood trees, shooting stars, gold-enseal, trillium and wild azaleas, to name a few. A dozen or so nurseries will be on hand for those who want to purchase na-tive flowers, shrubs and trees, herb and vegetable starts, and hardy perennials for their own landscapes. Admission is free, coffee and baked goods will be sold, and guided tours will be available.

“The purpose of the gardens is con-servation and education,” says Rebecca

Kaenzig, who serves as president of the board. “We want visitors to leave with a greater appreciation and knowledge of native plants. That’s why we exist.”

The gardens opened in 1966, a proj-ect of the Garden Clubs of North Caro-lina, on land leased to them by the town of Boone. The original mission was to provide a place where native plants could be studied, since many are not easily ac-cessible to the common person without great effort. But as development moved further into the mountains, the need to protect Western North Carolina’s native plants became even more important, as does the horticultural preservation efforts of the Daniel Boone Native Gardens. The gardens provide a home for plants that might otherwise be swept away by bulldozers and potentially stricken from the mountain landscape forever.

The gardens were designed by land-scape architect, Doan Ogden, whose work is also on display in the Botanical Gardens not far from the University of North Carolina at Asheville. He devel-oped garden “rooms” at Daniel Boone Gardens to showcase different native plants, and give the three acres the gar-den is located on a more intimate at-mosphere. There is a bog garden, a fern garden, a rock garden, a sunny alee, a meditation garden, and even an antique Squire Boone cabin made of roughhewn logs that was moved and reassembled in the gardens against a backdrop of ma-ture hemlocks. Education and conserva-tion are brought together in a thought-fully conceived landscape design. Native

plantings have produced a garden worthy of the phrase, “stop and smell the roses” or in this case, the skunk cabbage.

Open through October 31st, the gar-den’s calendar is filled with events for everyone. In keeping with the education mission of the gardens, this year’s calen-dar includes workshops on finding, iden-tifying and growing native plants. Or if you enjoy gardens but aren’t striving to own your own nursery, then Getting Relaxed with Yoga in the Garden, every Sunday afternoon at four, or enjoying An Evening in the Garden, with food and wine and a string quartet is part of this year’s allure.

The garden is a perfect field trip for kids, a great day trip for vacation-ers, and is becoming a popular spot for weddings and other events like fam-ily reunions, outdoor luncheons, or din-ner clubs. Located near the center of Boone, it is a convenient for out of town guests. (Check the calendar at www.danielboonenativegardens.org for the exact date and times of all activities.). All events help with the continuing cost of maintaining the gardens, and donations are always welcomed.

The gardens are located at 651 Horn in the West Drive, Boone, N.C. Admis-sion during the regular season is $2 for adults, free for children under 16. If you would like more information concerning the gardens or scheduling an event there, please call Rebecca Kaenzig at 828-264-1440, or visit www.danielboonegardens.org.

Early Opening To Showcase Daniel Boone Native Gardens’ Emerging Spring BeautyBy Cinthia Milner

On August 15, 1940, the Gaston Daily Gazette blared two headlines. The second one proclaimed global news: “Nazis

Over London; Croydon Bombed.” But more important to the local readers was the foremost headline: “Flood Threat Apparently Over...”

Rain had fallen for the first two weeks of August. On the eleventh, an unnamed hurricane, (the National Weather Service did not begin formally naming individ-ual hurricanes until 1953), made landfall near Beaufort, South Carolina, and then tracked northeast. On August 12, Dr. Ju-lian Yoder recorded over 8 inches of rain at Appalachian State Teacher’s College, followed by two more inches between 5:00 and 6:00 pm on the thirteenth. One resident of Trade, Tennessee recorded over 15 inches of rain on Tuesday alone. Ann Heaton, living in the Banner Elk community, recalled that her house had a double fireplace. “I would bail water out of one fireplace and then run around and do the other; water was running down the chimney so hard.”

The Great Flood of 1940By Michael C. Hardy

“Small branches and creeks were turned into raging torrents,” reported the Watauga Democrat, “and the damage along these water courses is particularly heavy along the river bottoms.” A soldier was stranded on US 321 near Blair’s Bot-tom, east of Boone. As he sat in his car he saw a barn, with the floor still attached, floating down the river. Inside the barn was a lone horse, eating hay, and looking out the barn door. Bonnie Ramsey was living in the Heaton community when the flood struck. “I tell you,” she recalled, “you see everything going down the river and they was rocks down there big as a house that is turned over.... They was cars and houses and everything going down there.” Effie Mae Ward, who lived on Price Creek in the Rominger commu-nity, recalled going back into her home and helping her father carry out what clothing and furniture they could before the water got too deep. Helen Hartley of Blowing Rock remembered that the stream that comes through town from the golf course overflowed as did every other stream. “There was about two feet of water throughout the house... It was two or three days before it receded, and we found all our furniture ruined.”

The raging torrents devastated the railroad. Bridges and fills of the Linville River Railway between Minneapolis and Newland were washed out. Probably the worst damage to the railroad occurred in the Foscoe and Shulls Mill communities. Large sections of the tracks were literally washed out, with the rails left hanging in the air. A month after the flood, the parent company of the Linville River Railway applied for abandonment, citing the amount of damage and the lack of profit from the railroad for the last sev-eral years. The government granted the request the next year, and the railroad disappeared from all of Watauga and much of Avery County.

Even more tragic than the devasta-tion to the railroad was the loss of life. Sixteen people, including several chil-dren, were killed. The Deep Gap and

Stoney Fork sections of Watauga County were especially hard hit. According to the Watauga Democrat, a landslide in Deep Gap “measured more than 500 feet at the bottom,” and there were landslides “from three slopes covering and demolishing 13 homes in the Stony Fork neighbor-hood.” At least seven of those killed were from these sections. The Andrew Greene family was hardest hit when

…great masses of earth slipped from its moorings 4,000 feet above sea level and rushed with destructive force down to the ravines below. When the masses hit the ravines they didn’t stop but thun-dered on down the beds of what had been little streams in a mad rush for the valleys below... Grim tragedy struck most fiercely on the home of Andrew Greene and family. The residence was several yards from the small stream which swelled to gigantic proportions when the slides came down. Only three of the family of seven lived to tell the story and they had little to tell because they didn’t have time to realize what happened. The first big slide going down the valley lit-erally smashed the house to bits. They felt the house shake and then it went to pieces in the avalanche.

The flooding and its toll on the people of the region captured the at-tention of leaders and lawmakers: “The situation caused by the floods and heavy rains in Avery [and Watauga] county is indeed distressing,” commented Rep. A. L. Bulwinkle. The congressman toured Avery, Watauga, and Wilkes County a few days after the momentous event. For the people affected by the catastrophe, it was more than just distressing: jobs and transportation arteries were wiped out, homes, businesses, and farms were de-stroyed, and family members were lost. If one asks around today, it is still possible to find a few individuals who might re-member the flood, or might be related to those whose lives were lost. Before long, the flood of 1940, which took place 71 years ago, will be just a piece of recorded history.

24 — Spring/Summer2012 CaroLina mountain Life

Top: The Vance store in Pineola following the 1940 flood.

Lower: Members of the Greene family beside their flood ravaged house.

Facing Page: Washed out tracks of the Linville River Railway in Avery County after the 1940 flood.

HISTORY

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26 — Spring/Summer2012 CaroLina mountain Life

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There’s something organically perfect about the sound of Celtic music ringing across MacRae Meadow during the Grandfather Mountain

Highland Games. Bellowing bagpipes, lilting flutes, wild fiddling, thundering tribal drums, soaring voices, and a more recent addition to tradition, the driving force of electric guitars. Whether haunt-ing folk ballads or amplified Celtic rock, this music is enchanting, energizing, and completely at home in our High Coun-try setting. In fact, these Blue Ridge mountains seem to rejoice at the spirited sound of Celtic music and Gaelic lyrics offered up to the hills and heavens each July when the Highland Games occupy MacRae Meadow.

But that’s as it should be. Our moun-tains are populated by many direct de-scendents of Scottish and Scotch/Irish settlers. Along with them came their deep family traditions, their clan tartan plaids, their values of honesty and hard-work, and the music of their native vil-lages, shores, and highlands.

Celtic music hearkens back beyond the first inhabitants of Scotland, Ireland and the merging cultures of northern Europe. Like most “folk music” it evolved from local stories and legends put to song and passed down through generations. The language was Gaelic; a tongue that is both guttural and gently lyrical. For a

while, it was the formal language of early northern Scots or “Gaels”. Its roots date at least to the 12th century and possibly as early as the 4th century in Ireland predat-ing the Roman rule era.

When the first Scots/Irish settlers migrated to western North Carolina, they brought their homeland’s music with them. If you talk with local old-timers, they still remember some of their ances-tor’s tunes and can point to similarities between Celtic airs and familiar moun-tain standards. Over time, the music morphed, taking on the regional sounds, instrumentation, and voices of what be-came mountain folk and bluegrass mu-sic. But, at its core—its heart still flows with the spirit, sounds and tradition of its Celtic roots.

There is nowhere more ideal to cel-ebrate this tradition than at our own Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, held this year from July 12th through 15th. Now in its 57th year, the annual Gathering of the Scottish Clans features a wide menu of entertainment, athletic competition, and classic Scot-tish events. Following a Thursday after-noon picnic, a grueling five-mile footrace, called The Bear Assault on Grandfather, gets underway at 7pm. Over 800 runners start from Linville and race uphill 1,568 feet to circle the MacRae Meadow track and then continue their ascent to the top of Grandfather’s summit road. Then, as

nightfall canvases the mountain, the fes-tivities are officially launched with the inspiring Torchlight Ceremony and the “Raising of the Clans”. One hundred and sixty tartan plaids are on display through-out the weekend along with a half dozen bagpipe bands and every imaginable form of Celtic music.

The actual games trace back to early Scottish clan rivalries and seasonal vil-lage celebrations. Today’s events include track-and-field athletics, sheep dog herd-ing skills, crafts-making, plus Celtic dance and music competitions. Although based at Grandfather Mountain, elements of the event are offered across our Avery and Watauga communities. Among the most notable is the formidable marathon race on Saturday morning which runs from Boone to MacRae Meadow and is rated one of the most difficult foot races in the nation.

The meadow’s athletic field is circled with clan heritage tents, apparel and souvenir tents and food courts. You can discover your clan’s history, join official clan organizations, purchase your fam-ily tartan and crest, and even transform your wardrobe from head to toe in Scot-tish garb. And, of course, there are several music tents offering a wide selection of classic Scottish and Celtic artists plus CD’s from all of the weekend’s perform-ing bands.

Donovan Murray of Celtic Force En-

Lig An Seinn Ceo’l!“Let The Music Play”By Steve York

CaroLina mountain Life Spring/Summer2012 — 29

terprises (www.theCelticForce.com) has been the official booking agent, producer and concert MC for many of the Game’s musical groups for years. Signing art-ists from North America, Scotland, and other remote regions of the world, Mur-ray is as much a part of the event as its Scottish roots.

Several intimate venues are provided to help you enjoy the music and get to know all the musicians. Bands perform during the day at designated meadow groves. Then they come together for the widely attended Friday night Celtic Jam on the Meadow center field. Starting with more traditional acoustic music, the fare ranges from tribal to Native American fusion and beyond as the entertainment becomes increasingly rousing through the evening and reaches a roaring crescendo of Celtic rock. The scene is repeated on Saturday night when the meadow hosts the annual Celtic Rock concert. Amaz-ingly, despite occasional rains and storms that may hit the mountain during the Games, the sky often miraculously opens up for these two evening concerts.

Both new and familiar faces will headline this year’s performers, includ-ing Rathkeltair, Mother Grove, Brother, The Blessed Blend, Cutthroat Shamrock, Davy Ramone Morrison, George Hamil-ton, IV, Celtic Connections, Jill Chamb-lis & Scooter Muse. Also featured during the event will be Lisa Lynn & George

Tortorelli, Marcille Wallis, the Chelsea House Orchestra and the always popular return of Alex Beaton.

Among the newer groups will be Saor Patrol from Scotland. They knocked it off the mountain last year with hard-driving pipes, drums, guitars and vocals. They also inspired the crowds with stories of their personal charity, Clanranald Trust for Scotland, which has created the fully fortified medieval village of Duncarron in Scotland. Similar to the theme of Old Salem in Winston-Salem, NC, Duncar-ron will be a living history, step back in time with inhabitants dressing and living as they did in ancient Scotland.

Charlie Allen, Soar Patrol’s bagpiper, heads up the Trust and even managed to inspire actor, Russell Crowe to sup-port the cause. Charlie met Crowe on the set of Gladiator and formed a close bond which resulted in Crowe’s donation of a giant battering ram from the movie to Duncarron. The village will become a major tourist and corporate center, as well as an ideal setting for period TV and movie films. It will feature legendary re-enactments and a variety of educational and entertainment venues.

Given the depth of Scottish heritage in the High Country, many have envi-sioned how a similar living history at-traction might one day be created here. Along with its historical value in link-ing ancient Scotland to early mountain

culture, it could also become a major draw for tourist dollars throughout the year while further supporting our an-nual Grandfather Highland Games. And running through the core of it all would be the ring of Celtic music reverberating across the hills.

It is told in Gaelic tongue that Celtic music and its instruments were formed from the wind, the hills, the sea, and the glistening stars in the heavens. Its melo-dies arise from the very sounds of nature and its voices in song lifted from the hearts of mortals seeking reverent har-mony with the soul of all these things.

Perhaps, through this ethereal link, the roots of Celtic music and mountain mu-sic find their common soul in the Scot-tish traditions celebrated at our Grand-father Highland Games. It is certain that fans come together in the same spirit that carried their ancestors across the ocean hundreds of years ago to settle amongst mountains that so resembled their home-lands. It is a spirit that will forever abide in the lives and music of mountain peo-ple; especially in those Scotch names that populate our own High Country.

To learn more about this year’s gathering visit the High-land Games office within the Everything Scottish build-ing in Linville or go online to www.gmhg.org.

30 — Spring/Summer2012 CaroLina mountain Life

CaroLina mountain Life Spring/Summer2012 — 31

HIKE/BIKEDINE/WINEWALK/TALKPLAY/STAY

IN BANNEr ELKIT’S ALL OK!

www.TownOfBannerElk.org

On the lawn of Banner Elk Elementary School

July 20, 21 & 22Friday 4-8, Saturday 10-5, Sunday 10-4

August 18 & 19Saturday 10-5, Sunday 10-4

This is one art festival you won’t want to miss. 85 artisans presenting their handcrafted

Fine Art and Masterfully Crafted mediums for those with discriminating taste, and art for

the whimsical in all of us!— Free Family Event —

Food & Music

Sponsored by The Avery County Chamber of Commerce

828-898-5605

21St AnnuAL

Woolly WormFestival!oct 20 & 21, 2012

www.woollyworm.comAvery chamber of commerce828-898-5605 / 800-972-2183

32 — Spring/Summer2012 CaroLina mountain Life

It’s mildly surprising that one of the finest tennis clubs in the southeastern United States has gone unnoticed for so long and by so many in the High Country.

Tucked away on a rhododendron--dotted mountainside, along a boulder-strewn stream, and straddling Shulls Mill Road just below the Gamekeeper Restaurant, Yonahlossee Resort and Racquet Club has played host to tennis players for a quarter century. But today, beyond the gates, a remarkable evolution is under-way. Sporting 7 clay courts, three indoor courts, and two bocce courts, there’s an indoor pool, fitness center, and two pro shops. That resurgence is due in no small part to the infectious enthusiasm of the club’s newly hired tennis director Bryan Dirk. His path to Boone was anything but typical for a tennis resort profes-sional, but has been a personal sojourn colored with adventure since the days of his youth.

Bryan’s working life began at the age of 8, serving as a novice deck hand on an offshore fishing vessel in the Gulf of Mexico. Over time and distance he ma-tured, the product of a myriad of diverse experiences.

When he was eight years old, he be-gan working in the family business of offshore fishing. Bryan’s dad, Captain Paul Dirk, owns the fishing operation in Corpus Christi, Texas. Bryan was intro-duced to tennis at the age of 12, taking lessons, and soon declared “promising” by his instructor. But his real education was founded upon pelican wings and not racquet strings. By then Bryan al-ready had four years experience working in the family fishing business, bagging ice, loading boats in the morning, and unloading fish in the afternoon. At 15 he was a deckhand doing a man’s work as he helped operate the fishing ves-sels. He celebrated his 18th birthday in the crew’s quarters aboard a cargo ship en route from Ireland to Newfoundland. By the age of 21 Bryan had his captain’s license and piloted extended trips, from

Time, Distance, and MaturityOne Man’s Journey to YonahlosseeBy Judy Beck with CML

half-day charters to three day excursions on the open sea. Between his seafaring duties, Bryan played on the junior ten-nis circuit. But sister Brookelyn was the real star in the family. She later would admit to being “bugged” that her brother had been labeled “the natural”, so she as-serted herself and rose to become one of the top five juniors in the United States.

Bryan was proud of his sister’s suc-cess on the tennis courts and besides, his interests lay elsewhere. When he entered Texas A & M University in Corpus Christi, he set his tennis racquet aside and picked up a camera. He earned a de-gree in communications and film, all the while working part time in the family fishing business. Following graduation, Bryan bundled his life experiences and skills and headed to Los Angeles where he worked in a variety of jobs. Ironically, it would be tennis, the sport of his child-hood, that would provide his first real employment opportunity. He landed a position as the assistant tennis coach at the prestigious Brentwood School and would soon ascend to the head coaching position. He found celebrity of his own coaching the children of Hollywood stars like Sally Field, Cybil Shepherd, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and other Hol-lywood elites.

Fate intervened abruptly when his best friend perished in a private plane crash and Bryan began to rethink his direction in life. He returned to Greens-boro, where he had been born, after his family left Texas to retire in the North Carolina Piedmont. He worked in vari-ous tennis clubs around the Triad area, and though closer to his family, his per-sonal life was still at loose ends. But that all changed when he met Annie, a Yoga instructor. They were married the next year and moved to Tucson, Arizona.

Annie managed a yoga studio and Bryan was named the head tennis pro-fessional at the Tucson Country Club. Three years later, when Annie was seven months pregnant with their first child, Bryan learned of the opening at Yo-

nahlossee. A month later the expectant couple threw anchor at their new port of call, the North Carolina High Coun-try. For Annie, who grew up nearby in Galax, Virginia, it was a homecoming of sorts. They bought a house, named their new baby boy Boone, and moved into their new home on March 1, 2011.

“We’ve traveled cross country with an expectant wife and five dogs. We’ve rent-ed, we’ve bought—we’ve been through a lot,” Bryan said. “It feels nice to have things under control entering our second year.”

Now he’s doing what he does best, and that’s make tennis players better. He’s a member of the United States Profes-sional Tennis Association (USPTA) and a certified coach for Competitive Player Development. He’s loved working with young players since his first position at the Brentwood School in California, but it’s a different demographic along Shull’s Mill. But he has big plans to bring junior players along.

He’s spoken to students and admin-istrators at the Valle Crucis and Park-way Elementary Schools. “I wanted to get involved with the schools here,” he reasoned, “and they’ve been very respon-sive.”

“I’ve had to change gears here,” he continued, “and the focus is on the men and women. We don’t have the top ju-niors, but we hope to change that. When you walk into a club in Tucson junior players are everywhere and if you look at where the top 50 kids come from they’re in Florida, Texas, California, and Ari-zona.”

His membership at Yonahlossee wants to help their new pro ‘grow’ the game, and one member is providing scholarships for more youngsters to par-ticipate in the summer camps he is con-ducting, something he did in Los An-geles and Tucson. He’s been in his new position less than a year, but during that time he’s held 8 weeks of junior camps and conducted quick-start tennis clinics in three local grade schools, and taken

CaroLina mountain Life Spring/Summer2012 — 33

his women’s USTA team to the state playoffs in Wilmington. His members are impacting the community at large as well. The Gladys Hackworth Adult In-vitational Tournament raised $4,000 for Habitat for Humanity. The club’s Mollie Ball event raised $14,000 for the Hu-mane Society.

And his tennis message has reached the Grandfather Home for Children, for whom the club is conducting a two-day tennis tournament this summer, has al-ready raised over $10 thousand in pledges. “For me, part of the appeal of coming here in the first place was participating with the kids,” Bryan said.

“We’re rebuilding the tennis pro-gram,” he said of his most important mandate at Yonahlossee. Membership had fallen to around 150 members during the six months prior to his arrival in the mountains when the club was without a tennis director. Since his arrival 23 new members, eight of whom are returning to the club after an absence, have joined the club’s roll.

Eighty-five percent of the member-ship owns homes at Yonahlassee, while the others are non-residential members. All enjoy the amenities that include a 25 meter indoor pool, fitness center, sauna, and, of course indoor and outdoor ten-nis courts. Two new Bocce courts, an Italian variation of lawn bowling, will be completed this summer. Currently, non-residents pay a modest one time initiation fee and monthly dues of $140. And while a private club, the Yonahlas-see Accommodations office host guests residents in luxurious rental properties year round.

Clinics, lessons, and all the tennis camps with Bryan and his administra-tive partner Stan Bray are available to everyone in the community, members or not. Driven by the renewed energy the staff brings to the club, all the grounds and facilities have received a face lift and membership is on the rise. Member and visitor services include yoga, massage, and personal training. Lodging visits

The Dirk Family: Bryan, Annie and year-old son Boone

and real estate activity is growing with it. In short, after three years of global eco-nomic uncertainty, for this picturesque mountain retreat, things have never looked brighter.

Bryan, Annie, and year-old son Boone, have embraced their new home, the people, and the property that 90 years ago opened as Camp Yonahlossee, a sum-mer adventure land for young girls who,

to this day, stop by as adults to reminisce. They find a place that still retains the appeal of the ancient hardwood forest, laurel thickets, and whispering streams which first attracted visitors more than a century ago. And for the one-time sea captain, life’s come about full-circle. His young family, and the Yonahlossee com-munity, couldn’t be happier.

34 — Spring/Summer2012 CaroLina mountain Life

“ W h e r e B l o W i n g r o c k B e g a n a n d t h e l e g e n d c o n t i n u e s . . . ”

Green Park Inn Classic Surroundings – Modern Amenities

828.414.9230www.greenparkinn.com

On the National Historic Register

Laurel Room Restaurant & Divide TavernAward winning chef Chef James Welch

“Life is so brief that we should not glance either too far backwards or for-wards…therefore study how to fix our happiness in our glass and in our plate.” - Grimod de la Reynière

For five days, April 11 through April 15, wine lovers and foodies will converge in the village of Blowing Rock for the always anticipated Blue

Ridge Wine & Food Festival. This com-bination of gourmand’s head rush and grape-lover’s nirvana is a feast for all five senses—hearing, sight, smell, touch and taste. You can even throw in a couple of additional senses, equilibrium and intui-tive insight, for good measure.

These days you don’t have to travel much farther than your own living room to watch celebrity chefs whip up delec-table, eclectic dishes like spatula-wielding McGyver’s, or to tour via sky cam the

Eat, Drink & Be MerryThe Blue Ridge Wine & Food FestivalBy Allison West

sun-ripened vineyards of Tuscany, covet-ing the Montalcino as its being poured, larger-than-life, into a glass on your flat screen. But three of your senses—taste, smell, and touch—are cruelly denied. That’s why true food and wine enthusi-asts look forward to this real-life annual trek to the Blue Ridge Mountains each year for tastes of all things sweet and salty, simple and sensual, sparkling and som-melier.

The indisputable centerpiece of the festival, now stronger than ever in its 7th year, is the Grand Wine Tasting, held on Saturday, April 14, and located in the heart of charming downtown Blowing Rock beneath the main tent. The hugely popu-lar tasting showcases an assortment of lo-cal and regional wines as well as grapes from vineyards from around the globe. But there are plenty of palate-tempting festivities to bookend the festival.

For example, the festivities kick off

Wednesday, April 11, at Crippen’s Res-taurant with the finale of the Fire on the Rock chef ’s challenge. In this delectable Iron Chef-like face-off, dine on six cours-es prepared by the High Country’s two remaining, dueling chefs who are given one final secret ingredient to make dishes as twistedly tasty as they are incred-ibly creative. The event takes place from 7-10pm; seating is limited and reserva-tions are required.

On Thursday, April 12, pop into The Inn at Crestwood for Uncork! the Festi-val, the theme of which is “Climbing the Walls” and features Ethiopian-inspired food by the Gamekeeper and the flavors of South Africa courtesy of The Table at Crestwood. Tickets, $35 each, include dinner, a glass of wine, live entertain-ment and a souvenir wine glass. Thursday and Friday also offer a veritable buffet of Wine Seminars and Cooking Classes, whose engaging topics and laid-back at-

CaroLina mountain Life Spring/Summer2012 — 35

A place where magnificient accommodations, countless amenities, impeccable service and exquisite

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A place where magnificent accommodations, countless amenities, impeccable service and exquisite views raise your expectations to a higher level of vacation lodging.

Cozy secluded cottages, spacious Inn rooms and elegant homes are both rustic and splendid. Hidden away in the quiet woods, the hewn-wood exteriors contrast with the luxury and comfort within, including several newly renovated properties. Award winning

amenities may include indoor and outdoor tennis, fitness center with sauna, indoor pool, and fine dining at the Gamekeeper Restaurant.

• 7 outdoor clay courts • 3 indoor hard courts• 2 Bocce courts • Indoor heated pool• Fitness Center with Sauna• Fully stocked Pro Shop• Kids summer camp• Lessons and clinics available• Memberships Available

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mosphere make them festival favorites. Topics range from “Wine and Choco-late”; “Wine and Cheese”; and “Wine and Food/Spices”; to “Hidden Treasures, Best Values”; “Best Grapes You’ve Never Heard Of ”; and “Green Grapes: Sustain-ability and Modernization in the Wine Industry.” Tickets range from $20-$50 and are sold individually. Participants must be at least 21 years of age.

Festivalgoers searching for an em-boldened merging of food and grape need look no further than the Winemaker’s and Vintner’s Dinners, wherein over the course of the weekend local restaurants pair with esteemed wineries to show-case the best of what each has to offer. Friday also features a new event, Grillin’ & Chillin’, for patrons who may prefer a taste of hops instead of tannin. This easy-going affair combines North Carolina microbrews (and wines, of course), ex-pertly grilled meats, and live music under

the outdoor tent. Saturday offers the VIP Gala at 7pm, and, with all due respect to the Grand Wine Tasting, what may very well be the festival’s most anticipated event, especially for everyone addicted to Bravo: Real Housewives of New Jer-sey table-flipper Teresa Giudice will lead the Celebrity Chef Cooking Demo at Chetola Resort on April 14 at 11am. (see sidebar story).

Other events include the Barrels of Fun Hunt, Sunday morning Champagne Brunches, live music performances, art competition to design the winning art-work for next year’s event, and the out-landish Bartender’s Brawl, April 12-14 at 9:30pm, where you can watch and sample cocktails created on-the-fly by area bar-tenders. These barkeeps may not utilize the same ingredients (egg yellows? Rotten banana? Charred ice?) as the hipster mix-ologists employ in the speakeasy-inspired cocktail spoof on Fred Armisen’s cult TV

hit Portlandia, but the event promises to be adventurous and delicious in its own right.

Clearly the food and wine spectrum is all-encompassing, offering a taste of something for everyone, from food nov-ices and food critics to wine apprentices and wine connoisseurs. British wine critic Michael Broadbent proffered of food and wine, “Decide which is the soloist, which the accompanist.” At the Blue Ridge Wine and Food Festival, you have five glorious wine and food-riddled days over which to make that call.

For more information, a complete schedule, and all ticket prices, visit www.blueridgewinefestival.com, email info@blueridgewinefestival.com, or call 828-295-7851.

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38 — Spring/Summer2012 CaroLina mountain Life

Avery County is about to experience an economic shot in the arm…a hand-up to local entrepre-neurs…a small business

revival of sorts. This boost to our local business community comes in the form of an innovative enterprise called A.C. PRIDE; an acronym for Avery County Professional & Retail Incubator Devel-opment Enterprise. A.C. PRIDE is a cooperative hands-on effort designed to match local entrepreneurs with busi-ness leaders, educational institutions and the resources of the Avery County Eco-nomic Development office. And it’s all taking shape at the former Banner Elk Elementary school building.

Bret Gardella, recently recruited full-time director of the Avery EDC, has been the spark for this initiative. His back-ground provides a well-rounded resume as successful business owner, business consultant, and community economic leader. His entrepreneurial skills were honed in real-world enterprises where he’s weathered all the challenges and tri-umphs of running one’s own business. “I know, first-hand, what it takes to start a small business and to make it grow. I also know what it’s like when hard economic times knock the wind out of your sails and force you to re-invent yourself and your career or business path,” Gardella recounted.

Formerly from Los Angeles, Bret followed his career to such places as Michigan and South Dakota before moving to Avery County in 2011. Along the way, he dabbled in radio, hosting a talk show specifically designed to focus on business and economic concerns. Having had previous economic develop-ment organization experience, he comes to Avery County equipped with practical knowledge.

“I’ve always had a strong entrepre-neurial drive and have grown increasing-ly passionate about helping other busi-ness owners and communities grow their own economic success,” Bret noted. “Be-

A.C. PRIDEPride Goeth Before A RevivalBy Steve York

fore coming to Avery County, I found that the two strongest states supporting economic development were Texas and North Carolina. Since I’d always been intrigued by the North Carolina moun-tains, the Avery County opportunity was a perfect fit.

Like other community business in-cubators, A.C. PRIDE will provide low-cost leasing at its facility along with business training and financial consult-ing for local entrepreneurs who need a cost-effective launching pad to take their business idea to fruition and, hopefully, long-term success. Small retail shops, professional and service related busi-nesses will be the primary target mod-els for the facility; using the school’s old classrooms and some offices for their in-dividual store fronts.

A.C. PRIDE will help with the de-velopment of business plans, sales pro-jections, marketing strategies, human resources, and many other basic op-erational needs. Although it won’t offer actual investment dollars to its partici-pating start-up businesses, it will help them identify potential capital resources through a network of cooperative in-dividual investors, banks, and possible Angel investor groups. Since finding start-up capital is one of the hardest challenges for entrepreneurs, the profes-sional business planning services pro-vided to A.C. PRIDE participants will boost their business model’s credibility and enhance their chances for landing the funding they need to get started.

Unlike some business incubators, this facility will also include a strong educa-tional element designed to utilize the ex-ceptional teaching and business resourc-es of Avery County’s two colleges, Lees McRae and Mayland Community Col-lege. Both schools have strong business training departments as well as special trade and technology programs. These resources, as well as their departmental heads, offer a vast level of knowledge and expertise to help support new entrepre-neurs. “Training will be a key ingredient,”

said Gardella. “Our focus will be on both individual training and group training. We want to help assure that these busi-nesses can make it.” In fact, part of the criteria for accepting any new business into the incubator is a commitment to ongoing educational training in the areas necessary for assuring their best chance for success. Basic business management, financial and strategic management training will be available and required for A.C. PRIDE participants; all geared to-wards individual business owner needs.

In addition, a new culinary arts training program will be opened in the school’s existing kitchen and cafeteria area. This endeavor will include the co-operative efforts of Mayland Community College. The ultimate goal is to provide an ongoing educational curriculum for culinary training that would culminate in the equivalent of a four-year degree in culinary arts. Eventually, the culinary program plans to also offer an on-site restaurant in the cafeteria to showcase the cooking skills of their students and the range of cuisine they learn to create.

Dr. John Boyd, president of Mayland Community College, is an enthusiastic supporter of A.C. PRIDE’s mission and its potential benefits to our area. “We’ve made a conscious effort to focus our re-sources direct to the individual county level,” said Boyd. “That’s where we can better serve our communities and make more of an immediate impact on their growth and progress,” he added. After joining Mayland in January of 2011, Dr. Boyd wasted no time in exploring how his community college could further en-hance and expand its role in advancing the opportunities for educational and economic growth in Avery County and throughout the High Country.

The business training and culinary support programs provided to A.C. PRIDE are but just some of the new initiatives that Mayland will be working to co-develop with Lees McRae Col-lege. For example, the Business Division at Lees-McRae and it students who are

CaroLina mountain Life Spring/Summer2012 — 39

majoring in various business disciplines, will be directly providing various services to the initiative. Lees McRae’s program coordinator, Star Kepner, noted, “We are looking forward to having a location in the facility for students to provide mar-keting and other business consulting to its start-up enterprises. Bret’s vision of creating a new business incubator is empowering. This is a “win-win”-- not only for our students, but for all of Avery County as well. ”

The goal for A.C. PRIDE is to help launch new enterprises that will, in turn, become successful members of the Av-ery County business community and help boost the whole local economy. “We expect that these start-ups will take a couple years to get their operation on sound footing and ready to join the mainstream business world. Everyone will benefit with the ongoing addition of new, small businesses taking hold and providing new goods and services for locals, as well all the seasonal residents and tourists who visit each year. More business means more dollars circulating throughout Avery County. It also means more reasons for visitors and tourists to make Avery County their destination of choice,” Gardella added.

The grounds will continue to serve the annual Woolley Worm Festival, Art Festivals and other community events. In addition, several of the spots on the back side of the facility will be available for a few existing businesses. While explor-ing other ways the facility can serve the community, Gardella notes that desig-nated common meeting rooms may also be available for outside groups to rent.

There’s a lot of work ahead for A.C. PRIDE and, certainly, the usual bumps and curves that come with any bold initiative. But this seems to be one case where Pride is a good thing--something that can actually contribute to an eco-nomic revival and better quality of life for many in Avery County.

For more information contact Bret Gardella at 828-737-5150 & brett.gardella@averycountyNC.gov

Revival

40 — Spring/Summer2012 CaroLina mountain Life

A mild winter and early Spring have jump-started seasonal refurbishing proj-ects. This looks like a busy year for home owners,

building materials dealers and contrac-tors. Even new home construction has picked up momentum. This, combined with a little better economy, has inspired folks to tackle those long-overdue proj-ects and take advantage of a more favor-able weather and monetary climate. Al-though consumers are certainly mindful of budgets, they still want those things that make their lifestyles more beautiful, enjoyable and functional. So they have placed a greater emphasis on quality, value and durability.

PLANNING AHEAD: Fortunately, the High Country builders and suppli-ers who make building dreams come true also understand this new consumer trend and are prepared to meet demand with budget-sensitive results. To help their re-motivated customers make wise decisions, some are providing free plan-ning guides, tip lists and special consult-ing services at the beginning of their projects. In turn, consumers are able to match their dream list with detailed planning and solid budget numbers.

Many of these professionals exhibit at the annual High Country Home Build-er’s Association Show; held this May 18th and 19th at ASU’s Holmes Convoca-tion Center in Boone. The exhibit brings local building trades-people and con-sumers together for a Friday-through-Saturday event that showcases building products, services and new technologies. During the show, HCHBA exhibitors offer a unique opportunity for consum-ers to target potential contractors and suppliers, discuss their building or re-modeling plans at one location and move their plans forward faster and more ef-ficiently.

Spring & Summer Home RevivalBy Steve York

BUILD OR REMODEL? Many High Country home and condo owners have pivoted their immediate attention to-wards remodeling as a way to increase the value of their current property and enhance their lifestyle. Even with the recent resurgence in new construction, a smart investment into re-designing and refurbishing an existing property still makes sense. In fact, some homeowners are doing just that--with the deliberate intention of adding-on and adding value in preparation for selling and rebuilding in the future.

OUTDOORS: Starting from the outside, creative landscaping can im-mediately boost value and curb appeal. Adding or rearranging trees, shrub-bery, flower gardens and pathways can quickly transform a home’s appearance and character. Water features are always a strong statement and provide endless hours of pleasure and beauty. The sound of flowing and cascading waters is both invigorating and restful; and these fea-tures automatically increase the re-sale value of a property. When designed and built properly, they are relatively low-maintenance, continue to run with only seasonal upkeep and provide for many years of peaceful enjoyment.

Trellises, gazebo’s, walkway arches, path stones, lawn furniture and décor, accent lighting and even partial fencing can enliven a plain, open yard or tree-covered hillside creating a vital and mag-ical landscape that will increase a home’s value and charm. Wood and gas fire pits have joined patio grills as focal points for outdoor cooking and socializing. Ex-panded and multi-level decking not only extends the family’s living area but also adds shape, dimension and function to the home’s architecture.

New roofing, siding, paint, windows and doors offer many practical and aes-thetic benefits to an existing property. Since many area homes and condos were built more than twenty years ago, they may be showing their age and looking outdated. Along with that, High Coun-try winters can be especially tough on roofs and other exterior features. Many of these may already be in serious need of replacement before major damage is done to the home’s substructure.

While you’re at it, new, energy-effi-cient windows, doors and insulation can save significant dollars on heating and cooling costs. More recently, homeown-ers have also begun to include sustain-able energy materials and technologies to their homes—both to save money and contribute their part to a greener world.

All of these features improve the quality of life while adding real value to a home’s re-sale price.

INDOORS: Even during the warmer months, we spend most of our time in-side. Our kitchens are often the heart of our homes and the common gathering place for families and their guests. So this is a logical place to begin re-invent-ing that special room. And, since many kitchens are fully or partially open to adjoining living quarters, it’s even more important to make them more attractive and functional. But, to do it right truly requires smart planning, specialized de-sign skills and functional engineering knowhow. From new cabinetry to coun-tertops, cooking islands, lighting, stor-age space, appliances and dining areas, a great kitchen demands great strategic and product planning. It also demands access to a range of furnishings and fix-tures that actually make that plan work.

The same applies to bathrooms, bed-rooms, entertainment areas and special function areas. More and more people work full or part time from a home of-fice. Even many summer residents bring their professions with them and devote some part of their day to their job. Cre-ative planning and the right office set-up can turn a spare room or corner spot into an appealing and productive work space; a space that provides the desired level of privacy while blending comfort-ably with the rest of your home. This is where thoughtful shopping is well worth the extra time and care. A professional dealer and design consultant will start by helping you make a plan that makes sense for your home, your lifestyle and your budget.

NEW CONSTRUCTION: As noted at the beginning of this feature, new con-struction is enjoying a slow but steady comeback. Careful developers who sur-vived the crash have also managed to keep some building momentum going. Homeowners are beginning feel more confident about launching the new home or condo that they’ve had on the back burner for the past few years.

Once again, prudent selection of a builder can’t be overstated. After adjust-ing to today’s new customer demands, the better High Country builders are re-modeling their own company’s services on the basis of new standards of excel-lence and more personal attention. They are redefining their mission in the com-munity and structuring their businesses for long-term stability and reliability.

EXTRA TOUCHES: Window treat-ments, shades, wall coverings and de-

CaroLina mountain Life Spring/Summer2012 — 41

signer flooring are obvious elements to consider and can add character and charm to any room. But, beyond remod-eling, new furnishings and fixtures, there are more subtle design touches that can bring a home or condo added beauty and sheer pleasure. Natural lighting, skylights and sun rooms bring the outdoors in and create a more vital and enjoyable living environment. When planned with en-ergy efficiency in mind, they also reduce home utility bills and add to the overall comfort of the home. Space manage-ment, the “art of placement”, Feng Shui and Vastu techniques used by more cre-ative interior designers can also turn an ordinary room setting into an exciting and energizing focal point for richer, happier and healthier living.

The revival of spirit and activity that comes with Spring and Summer is always a welcomed sign in the High Country. For those homeowners, build-ing professionals, landscapers and deal-ers who are inspired to make 2012 a year of real growth, the signs look more fa-vorable now than in recent years. So get busy, start building those dreams again and…shop local.

Boone Paint & Interiors1852 Highway 105 Boone, NC

(828) 264-9220www.boonepaint.com

Boone Paint @ Banner ElkFood Lion Shopping Center Banner Elk, NC

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Ultimate durabilityCutting edge technology provides a finish thatoutperforms the best alkyd stains on the market.

boone Paint & InteriorsDesign Center Boone Paint @ Banner ElkBoone Paint & Interiors Tynecastle Hwy1852 Hwy 105 Food Lion Shopping CenterBoone, NC 28607 Banner Elk, NC 28604828-264-9220 828-898-2022

Expert Color ConsultationEither in our Design Center or in your home and at No Charge!

1852 Hwy. 105, Boone / 828-265-0472 / Monday-Friday 9am-5 pmwww.MountaintileNC.com

boone’s Premier tile showroom

High Country PaintingServing the Painting, Remodeling,

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with Service that Exceeds all Expectations

828-265-3039HighCountryPaintingNC.comProud Member of the Better Business Bureau

and the National Assoc. of Home Builders

42 — Spring/Summer2012 CaroLina mountain Life

Mountain tile and stone New operators long on experience

Well into their second year as owners of Mountain Tile and Stone, David and Trudy Shell are broadening the offerings from their Boone showroom. They have added an extensive line of wood looking tile, along with an expanded glass and mosaic department. They are also the high country’s distributer for Real-stone Systems. This product line has over 15 different stone col-ors and an ever growing collection of stone accessories. Moun-tain Tile is proud to offer this “Green” line. The products contain pre-consumer recycled content providing green benefits and possible LEED points. Made from reclaimed natural stone, the thin veneers are ideal for use by architects, designers, and hom-eowners looking to incorporate responsible and beautiful mate-rials into their projects. Stones in this group include slate, quartz, sandstone, limestone, marble, and granite to name a few.

David brings 24 years of experience in the floor covering business and is directly involved with every transaction in the store. Trudy has spent her professional life in customer service and public relations positions and together they personify the ideal of the locally owned business model.

Along with the expanded product line, they’ve maximized their showroom space and created a dynamic presentation. They are particularly proud of their associate Liz Roberts, David de-scribes Liz as “the total package” who transforms “our customer’s vision from the ordinary to extraordinary.”

“Our goal is to achieve complete satisfaction,” David said. “If the customer’s not satisfied, we’re not satisfied.”

Mountain Tile and Stone is located on Hwy. 105 in Boone and open Mon-Fri 9am- 5pm and Sat 9am-2pm. 828-265-0472.

Your Place for Lawn & Garden, Stoves, Washing Machines & Dryers, TV’s, Water Heaters,

Patio Furniture and Much More fromTrusted Brands like Craftsman, Kenmore, LG

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Boone Mall next to TJ Maxx828-264-7327 / SearsofBoone.com

Come meet Tim & Corinna Bailey,the new owners of your Sears of Boone

Honest. Dependable. Ethical. 15 years experience building fine quality homes. Specializing in new homes, remodels, additions

and light commerical work.

Being a builder is not an easy task these days. That doesn’t mean hard as being something hard to do. There are a lot of good builders who can build a beautiful home and I think we’re one of them. The challenge is to do something unique to stand out. We think the paradigm is building a

smaller home with whistles & bells that define a luxury home, along with putting in features that “Green Buildings” have to offer to make a better energy efficient home without breaking the bank. We have taken on that

challenge. Let us show you how. Give us a call for a free estimate.

828-898-3210 or 898-4000 / tomeggersconstruction@gmail.comwww.TomEggersConstruction.com

Builder of Your Choice / Certified Green Builder

Honest, Dependable, Ethical with 15 years experience building fine quality homes. Specializing in new homes, remodels, additions and some light commercial work.

“Being a builder is not an easy task these days”

I don’t mean hard as being something hard to do. What I mean is there are a lot of good builders whom can build a beautiful home and I think we’re one of them. But the challenge is to do something unique to stand out.

We think the paradigm is building a smaller home with whistle & bells that a luxury home carries along with putting in features that “Green Buildings” has to offer to make a better energy efficient home without breaking the bank.

We have taken on that challenge let us show you how….

Give us a call for a free estimate.

Geothermal Heating System Icynene Insulation

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New solar system for Grandfather home

Grandfather Home for Children in Banner Elk has recently be-come the grateful recipient of a new 200 kilowatt solar array ener-gy system for its facilities. An initiative of UNTIL Communities and its co-founders, Deborah and Wayne Edge, the solar system has been installed by PowerWorks of Mooresville, NC and Atlanta, GA. The project will cover a two acre parcel on the childrens’ home campus and will not only provide energy for the facility, but will also feed into the local electric grid and generate shared revenues with the non-profit institution. Over a 10-year period, the system will be donated back to Grandfather Home.

Founded in 1914 as an orphanage for homeless children, the Grandfather Home had 16 children under its care by 1915. Today it supports the needs of at least 250 children in its daily care pro-gram. Caring for homeless, abused, neglected, and special needs children is home’s primary mission. Its base operation provides adoption, family foster care, and therapeutic foster care, while its Children’s Academy offers traditional education along with in-house psychiatric residential treatment programs.

The UNTIL organization, based in Charlotte, works with the South Mountain Community near Nebo and Lake James in Burke County as well as Grandfather home. The mission of the initia-tive is to provide purposeful intergenerational neighborhoods designed to encourage the development of extended, meaning-ful, and enduring social networks for community residents. Fos-ter youth, fostering parents, and older adults come together in this setting to create a normal, holistic, and mutually supportive family-like community life for each other.

www.grandfatherhome.org and www.untilcommunities.org

CaroLina mountain Life Spring/Summer2012 — 43

Mayland homes Find Niche In battered housing sector

No one can argue that the past three years have been challenging for area homebuilders. But for Eddie Stafford and his partner and wife Sandy of Mayland Homes in New-land, things are looking up. And the reason for the sus-tained activity can be summed up in one word—modular construction.

An exclusive builder of Mod-U-Kraf homes, a thirty year old company in Rocky Mount, Virginia, the Staffords have revived their fortunes on the strength of 12 projects in 2011. The largest home, a modular project of over 7,000 sq. feet, suggests an almost unlimited range of design pos-sibilities.

“These homes are constructed just like any stick-built home,” Sandye Stafford said. “They’re built in sections in a controlled environment. Costs are lower in part because of the large volume of building supplies they buy.”

The homes are assembled and shipped in sections and with a crane set onto a ready foundation. They go up quickly after which roofing is applied, along with the fin-ishing work of flooring, trim, and deck work.

Eddie Stafford, who was raised in Plumtree in southern Avery County, has been in the construction business over 20 years and a licensed contractor since 1999. He hasn’t contracted a stick built house since he built and sold a spec home in 2010. But he’s currently bidding on a new custom home project in the county and will never aban-don that segment of the industry. The hands-on approach demanded in that building sector plays well in the modu-lar industry, where the finish work remains important to the success of any building project.

“Because I was a custom builder, I could see the qual-ity of the Mod-U-Kraf home,” Stafford said. “I’ve always watched my costs per square foot, delivered quality and service and they do too.”

But what really sold Stafford on the product was the engineering group at the factory where they’re quick to adapt customers ideas and desires into the finished prod-uct.

“They can take a drawing and produce custom plans,” Stafford explained, “and as a stick-builder I was impressed from the start. Offering custom modular homes in today’s market has been an advantage for us, but so is being in the stick-built business, too.”

Stafford assures that the same quality and warranties the state applies to stick-built homes are the same for modular construction. That’s particularly important after the homeowner takes possession of the dwelling.

“It’s important to be there for your homeowner if they need something down the road,” he concluded. With the investment they make in their home you have to do what you say you’ll do.”

And to Stafford, that means doing a little extra, too.The Mayland Homes model and office is located on

Main Street in Newland next to the Avery Post Newspaper and McDonalds. You can reach them at 828-733-2082.

Yellow Mountain enterprises steps up

Since 1976, Yellow Mountain Enterprises has provided a haven for adults with intellectual and developmental disabili-ties. Headquartered in Newland, their programs provide work assignments tailored to each person’s unique abilities that not only generate a paycheck, but new levels of self-esteem and sense of worth. Providing clients transportation to and from home, participation with Yellow Mountain frees care-giving family members to pursue their own careers while their loved ones with special needs work, learn, and share positive experi-ences with others like themselves. And working with Mayland Community College, Yellow Mountain offers compensatory ed-ucation classes to clients in their own workplace.

Like many non-profit service orgs, the pursuit of funding is a fact of life. To that end, Yellow Mountain Enterprises has sched-uled several events to generate money, provide sponsorship opportunities, and involve the community in fun and healthy activities.

The campaign, called Step Up For Yellow Mountain, begins with an on-line Silent Auction April 22. The auction brings a wide selection of goods and services donated by High Coun-try businesses. There will be tremendous values for participants and you can access the auction by logging onto www.yellow-mtn.org. Bidding will conclude June 20 when the gavel falls. A second live auction convenes June 22 at the Mountain Glen Golf Clubhouse at 7pm and will feature food and beverages, any items unclaimed in the Silent Auction, and new items to bid for. Tickets are available by calling 737-2944.

The track and field venue at Lees-McRae College will host a Walk-a-Thon June 23rd where teams will compete for the Jenkins Cup given to the leading fundraising group. That day competi-tive and run for fun participants will compete in a 5K race. Run-ners from throughout the southeast will compete for trophies assembled and engraved by the men and women of Yellow Mountain Enterprises.

Jeremy Boone, author and professional trainer, will be con-ducting learn-by-doing classes June 22 - 23 to help athletes and the parents of youngsters who want to help their children be more active.

To learn more about how you can be a part of the Step Up for Yellow Mountain program, call them at 828-733-2944 or visit on-line at www.yellowmtn.org.

Jordan’s Cleaners

Jordan’s Cleaners, owned by Teresa Sanders, is open and ready to take care of your dry cleaning and laundry needs. Lo-cated in Newland next to Mountain Jewelers, this new business offers dry cleaning and laundry service which includes starch for shirts, pants and jeans, military crease for uniforms, and clean-ing and preservation for wedding dresses as well as boxed stor-age for family heirlooms such as quilts and antique clothing.

This conveniently located business is a drop-off and pick-up store for dry cleaning and laundry. The primary business is lo-cated in Morganton. Jordan’s Cleaners will be open Mon-Fri 9-5, and Sat 9-1. They welcome your visit and hope you’ll check out their competitive pricing and monthly specials.

44 — Spring/Summer2012 CaroLina mountain Life

• Residential & Commerical Condos Available• High Vaulted Ceilings • Fireplaces • Open Floor Plans• Walking Distance to ASU Campus & Downtown Boone• Garage Parking • Balcony/Deck/Patios • Granite Countertops

www.Kuester.com / Follow us on TwitterFor more info contact Shaw Kuester: 704.996.9996 mobile / Located at 178 Hwy 105 Ext, Boone NC 28607

CaroLina mountain Life Spring/Summer2012 — 45

Since the residential real es-tate crash in 2008, economic forecasters have been warn-ing about the “second shoe dropping” in the form of a

collapse of the commercial real estate world; a scenario that would likely cause another economic downturn and further inhibit a general recovery. Although cur-rent trends seem to indicate that the US economy is on a slow-motion rebound, there remains a prevailing sentiment that we aren’t out of the woods yet. Europe’s financial instability and Middle Eastern unrest are always looming on the hori-zon and we can see their impact daily in Wall Street’s fluctuations.

There’s no question that commercial development has slowed and many proj-ects have either been stopped in their tracks or suffered significant setbacks in tenant leasing and revenues. Some economists even predict that the world of real estate—both residential and com-mercial—is experiencing more than just a periodic correction. It is undergoing a fundamental and long-term transforma-tion towards a more streamline business model that better reflects both economic realities and new consumer demand paradigms. People still want and need new construction and they still want as many amenities as they can get. But budgets are smaller and they have down-sized their scale to smaller footprints and more efficient functionality.

In the recent past, developers were vir-tually intoxicated with the fever of “build it and they will come.” Many of them were better at promoting the “dream” than they were at managing the night-mares that can come with development speculation. The rainbow dazzles from afar. But the path to its end is usually a rugged course fraught with obstacles and detours. Adding to the illusion was the fact that cheap, easy mortgage financ-ing allowed—in fact, encouraged—real

Revitalizing Commercial DevelopmentPart 1By Steve York

estate developers and their customers to extend their financial reach beyond their resources. “More and Bigger” seemed to be the model and…well…you know the rest of the story. Now, what’s left is the need to try fulfilling a sluggish, though continuing market demand, cost-effec-tively and with efficient management.

Focusing on our local commercial de-velopments, we see that some properties are at least stable, if not actually adding new tenants or buyers. Yet others are sty-mied, if not in a financial coma. One ob-vious reason for the more successful ones would be having a strong financial base to help them survive reduced customer demand. But another and equally impor-tant factor would be having the manage-ment infrastructure that is required to optimize property operations. Whether a large residential resort development, a retail shopping mall, a professional office complex, or a mixed-use facility, solid property and operations management is essential to long-term business success. Unfortunately, many developers simply don’t have the staff or expertise to handle all the operational demands that come with successfully running a commercial property. Such failings leave a big gap in their business structure.

In the High Country, a number of commercial developers and speculators have turned to professional management firms specifically skilled and equipped to take care of filling those gaps in their management infrastructure. One firm, the Kuester Companies, based just out-side of Charlotte in Fort Mill, SC, is in the business of making other businesses work more efficiently. Shaw Kuester, VP of Kuester Companies, has spear-headed much of the firms work in the Boone area using the company’s diverse func-tions to meet their clients’ needs. Their services include real estate brokerage, development and construction participa-tion, property and homeowner associa-

tion (POA/HOA) management, leasing, property maintenance resourcing and even actual development and construc-tion participation. As routine as these services may sound, they are critical to the day-to-day and long-term success of any commercial property.

Founded in 1974, Kuester has six lo-cations in North and South Carolina, one of them in the new Boone Point complex at the intersection of highways 421 and 321 on the edge of King Street. From here they they help manage six com-mercial properties in the High Country. Along with Boone Point, their other lo-cal clients include Greenway Commons, Greenway Cove, Turtle Creek West, Cielo Falls, and Yonahlossee. Although their overall territory spans to Charlotte, Wilmington, Pinehurst, and Myrtle Beach, Kuester’s business philosophy as-sures that each of their offices is devoted to local needs. “We are committed to having the type of business that lives and grows with the community, not off of the community,” said company founder Fai-son Kuester. Two members of his High Country management team, Wes Berry (ASU 2007) and Blair Mertens (ASU 2013) are members of the Appalachian State University community.

For many developers, professional management support can deliver a boost to commercial real estate development to move forward to sustain profitability.

To learn more, see www.kuesterliving.com, www.kuester.com, or call 828-262-3434.

46 — Spring/Summer2012 CaroLina mountain Life

“We’ll build your home. You’ll build your memories.”

Mayland HOMEs, llC445 Pineola st., newland nC 28657

828.733.2082 office / 828.387.0429 cellwww.maylandmodularhomes.com

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From this...

To this...

Newland’s NbA on the Grow

The Newland Business Association (NBA) is looking at anoth-er record-breaking roster of accomplishments and community activities for 2012. As the warmer months take over the High Country and visitors pack the Parkway once again, Newland is becoming more and more of a drawing card. Much of this is due to the dedicated and creative efforts of the NBA.

Begun in 2002 by a handful of local business leaders, the NBA set out to focus on how to grow Newland’s economic and cultural profile. Their mission was to help Avery’s county seat set a path towards reaching its full potential. After a few uncertain years of finding their footing, they were reinvigorated by some new members, a further defined purpose and a new slogan—“Open For Business”. In the past couple years, and despite the effects of a national economic downturn, the organization has actually picked up steam and marked some important achieve-ments. New small businesses have started, older businesses have grown, retail stores have been added, new restaurants have opened and new people have decided that Newland is a great little place to live.

With support of town officials, local and country citizens and targeted grant monies, the NBA has also helped promote the addition of many new features and events for the community. Decorative sidewalk light posts and improved sidewalks, beer and wine sales, greater holiday parades and downtown festivi-ties, community hayrides, a major bike race and Cancer benefit, Cruz-In car shows, the expanded and re-landscaped Riverwalk park and the exciting summer Newland Riverwalk Concert Se-ries---all are part of the new Newland.

This year’s Friday night Concert Series has confirmed at least 10 music groups slated to perform at the Riverwalk stage from June 22nd through August 31st. From bluegrass, to rock, jazz, folk, blues and Carolina beach music stars, The Tams, the lineup for 2012 promises a full summer of music and fun for locals and visitors alike.

The fundamental agenda of the NBA is to promote Newland as a destination town; a unique High Country community with its own heritage and personality that offers a vital environment for both business and tourism growth. Ideally located in the heart of Avery County, Newland is also a strategic “hub” from which many area attractions and events can be targeted throughout the area. Grandfather Mountain, Linville Falls and Caverns, Table Rock, Linville Gorge, Hump Mountain and numerous other nat-ural attractions are only minutes from Newland. Golf courses, ski resorts and neighboring communities are also a short drive away.

To make visitor’s plans even easier, the historic Shady Lawn Lodge and Restaurant have re-opened under the original Ray family ownership. Justin Ray took on the task of completing ren-ovations on the long-closed Shady Lawn Motel and celebrated its rebirth as the Shady Lawn Lodge with a grand opening this April. Modern rooms with all the amenities give visitors an ideal setting from which to launch their High Country adventures. And, when it’s time to eat, the Shady Lawn Restaurant is only a few steps from their front door. In fact, all of downtown New-land—with its shops, events, services and other dining estab-lishments --is a casual and comfortable stroll for any visitor.

Visit www.newlandbusiness.org. Check out this year’s events schedule and plan your summer with Newland in mind.

CaroLina mountain Life Spring/Summer2012 — 47

Federal & State Tax Credits & RebatesSupports GREEN industry growth in the High Country

www.eagleelectron.com 828-898-8645 / 2120 Tynecastle Hwy, Banner Elk 28604

Tap the power of the Sun and tap into savings and financial rewards. eagle electron Power Partners of Banner Elk can transform your commercial or private property into a solar powerhouse. And...they can show you how to turn those golden rays into GREEN returns.

Soaring Ahead in Renewable Energy

the sun on tap

Eagle Electron Solar Partners (LLC) has started making its mark on local landscapes and rooftops in the form of new, turn-key solar energy systems. Like its name implies, this visionary sustainable energy enterprise is soaring to the top of its field around the High Country and across North Carolina.

Launched in 2011, Eagle Electron Solar Partners was founded by Chris Quinn and Jordan Turchin. Despite being only a year old, the company already has at least 17 proj-ects either in progress or completed. Recent local sites include the ADDCO Solar Plant at ADDCO Manufacturing in Linville, Old Beech Mountain Solar atop Beech Mountain and the rooftop of the Great Train Robbery building in Banner Elk. Other NC solar proj-ects reach as far as Asheville, Charlotte and Asheboro.

Although other solar projects have recently taken root in the area, these have re-lied largely on outside solar developers and construction firms. On the other hand, Eagle Electron Solar Partners is strictly a locally owned and operated business. “Part of our plan has been to provide ongoing employment for local workers,” noted Chris Quinn. “We’ve found that the High Country has a great talent pool of skilled construc-tion workers to hire and help grow with our business.”

Quinn and Turchin intentionally selected Avery County and North Carolina to set up shop due to the very favorable sustainable energy business incentives offered by both state and Federal programs. Attractive green energy tax credits and rebates help offset development costs; making solar plant investments a smart business venture with long-term upside returns.

Typical customers for Eagle Electron Solar include commercial businesses & fac-tories, land owners, individual & multi-residential properties plus joint ventures with schools & non-profit organizations. With offices, warehousing and rooftop solar opera-tions at the Great Train Robbery, anyone can easily learn more about their services. Call 828-898-8406 or visit www.eagleelectron.com

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GO

LFGolf Takes it on the Chin in the “New Normal”Plenty of Game and Still StandingBy Tom McAuliffe

Having spent much of my adult life thoroughly enraptured by the mountain golf offerings of the High Country, it’s difficult to believe that the once unassailable resource is now fighting for its economic survival. But hey, things are tough all over.

In a recent report by the National Golf Foundation, nearly 360 golf courses have closed in the United States “since the market correction in golf course supply began in 2006.” The NGF study noted that the majority of closings involved “lower-priced facilities” and include a large number of 9-hole courses, which were counted as one-half of a unit in the body count above. In 2011 alone, 157 courses succumbed to the lethal tide of the new economic reality.

But closings and delays in course operations have impacted the higher end developments as well. Construction at the much ballyhooed Wilderness Trail golf club community between Banner Elk and Newland is stalled for the time being. The Blue Ridge Mountain Club, resurrected from the failure of Bobby Ginn’s Laurelmor, is marketing the virtues of the outdoors lifestyle, including hiking, shooting sports, fishing, and the general appeal of mountain living. According to Chris England, director of sales at the 6,000-acre development near Blowing Rock, only the repositioning of the former “golf-centric” com-munity has produced encouraging new home starts and an aura of optimism for a beleaguered real estate sector.

While the Blue Ridge Mountain Club holds a Rees Jones designed blue-print for a championship 18-hole course, no one is racing to break ground and build it.

“Our ownership is being prudent,” England said of the parent Reynolds group that has revived the stunning property from the ashes of the Shangri-la that was once Laurelmor. “We’re finding that golf is not as important to people as we thought it was. And at the present we don’t have enough mem-bers to support building a golf course right now. We may build a golf practice facility to add to our fitness and recreational offerings as a bridge to future development, and our concierge service will help our members make tee times at the golf courses in the area.”

Undoubtedly, “change and adapt” has emerged as the survival strategy for golf courses public and private. According to Ronnie Musselwhite of the Na-tional Golf Course Owners Association, it’s been a sobering test of viability, but there’s growing optimism in the industry. “Savvy operators are finding ways to survive,” said Musselwhite, editor of Golf Business Magazine. “Those who aren’t willing to try new things are, and will continue, to find it difficult to compete. Some things are going to have to change if the game is going to prosper in the era of the ‘new normal’.”

Recreation patterns are changing and discretionary income is down. Rounds played are down, too, as people embrace activities less time consum-ing, less expensive, and less demanding to master.

“But finally operators are getting it,” Musselwhite observed. “The game should be about having fun, not getting beat up for 5 hours when people’s time and resources are limited.”

The silver lining in the maelstrom is that the price of a round of golf is coming down at many golf courses. Initiation fees at some private venues are being lowered to entice more dues-paying members. And USGA programs like “Play it Forward” encourage golfers to play from the front tees to foster success among beginners and recreational players. Ironically enough, in spite of all its challenges, there’s never been a better time to enjoy the game of golf.

50 — Spring/Summer2012 CaroLina mountain Life

Boone Golf Club—Boone, NCTom Adams, PGAArchitect Ellis Maples, Revision Rick Robbins828-264-8760 / www.boonegolfclub.net

An absolute “must play” since the Ellis Maples design opened in 1959. And if there was ever a layout presumed im-mune to the ups and downs of the economy certainly it was the venerable Boone Golf Club. But head pro Tom Adams is adapting to the times.

“We took a look at our membership and saw that we only had six members under the age of 45,”Adams noted. “We fig-ured we were missing something so we’re trying something different to get more players involved.”

That something is a reduced season membership for play-ers aged 21 to 45 years of age. The junior membership offers annual unlimited greens fees for just $775, compared to the standard annual rate of $1,225.

Daily greens fees vary with the seasons and time of day, but sporting some of the most dramatic green complexes found anywhere in America, the Boone Golf Club remains a great value.

Mountain Glen—Newland, NCSam Foster, PGA / Architect George Cobb828-733-5804

It’s been said that there are some things in life you just don’t change, and the George Cobb layout at Newland’s Mountain Glen is one of them. Folks there feel the same way about their head pro, Sam Foster, who has been the man out front at the popular public course in Avery County for over 40 years. For the third year in a row rates have held steady and the twilight rate is just like stealing. In April and May and from September 15 through October the after 4pm rate for 18 holes with cart is $25. June through September 15, the 4pm twilight rate is $30. If you’re looking for a ‘play every day’ kind of layout, Mountain Glen just may be it.

Red Tail Mountain—Mountain City, TNSam Adams, PGA / Architect Dan/Ellis Maples423-727-7931 / www.redtailmountain.com

It’s been three years since the ambitious rebranding of the old Roan Valley Golf Club as Red Tail Mountain ended in failure, but the bank left holding the paper may have finally found a new owner for the 740-acre property. From the day of its groundbreaking in 1979, the Mountain City, Tennessee, lay-out has featured one constant—the always affable Sam Adams welcoming play. Through the years, good and bad, Adams held the front office job. And regardless who the new owners may be, chances are good they won’t change a thing. “I’m not ready to retire,” Adams said from the course which opened for the 2012 season March 16. “That’s earlier than usual, but it’s been an unusual winter.”

While Red Tail was in limbo, the bank proved a good stew-ard, and made sure Adams had the turf management budget needed to continue to win friends at the striking Maples’ de-sign. “It’s going to be difficult to build play,” he admitted, “but we’re adapting while competing for fewer dollars.”

High season weekend rates have dropped to $50 for 18 holes and cart, and Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday remain senior (55 years), ladies, and men’s day specials for just $38. Josh McWhorter returns as Adams’ Head Golf Professional.

“There’s two ways to value a golf course,” Adams said. “There’s the replacement cost it takes to build one and a valu-ation determined by revenues a course can generate. Today, those are two very different numbers. But at the end of this, whoever is still standing is going to be stronger.” No one in the know doubts Sam Adams and Red Tail Mountain will be among that number.

Sugar Mountain Golf Club—Sugar Mountain, NCTom McAuliffe, Golf DirectorArchitect Frank Duane828-898-6464 / www.seesugar.com

The already value-priced municipal course at the Village of Sugar Mountain has continued to refine the infrastructure at the par 64 gem of a track located at the base of the south’s flagship winter ski resort. A new clubhouse, irrigation system, and additional tee boxes have been met with high praise. Rates have not increased in four seasons and won’t this year. But with nine par threes among the 18 distinct golf holes, pace of play has been a constant challenge, and that’s where management needs to bring improvement. The club will experiment with a new routing to speed play and accommodate nine-hole players to gauge sentiment among the regulars in the spring before the high season arrives. Centrally located to the finest moun-tain golf in the southeast, golf at Sugar Mountain is a bargain, highlighted by its afternoon walking rate of just $15. The put-ting surfaces here are exceptional to boot.

Linville Falls Golf Club—North Cove, NCDoug Hollifield--GMArchitect Lee Trevino—(R) Lloyd Clifton828-756-4653 / www.linvillefallsgolf.com

Opened in 1995 as the Blue Ridge Country Club, the newly christened Linville Falls Golf Club has survived the de-struction of twin hurricanes Ivan and Francis in 2007, a failed ownership group bent on taking the course private, and all the slings and arrows an off the beaten track location can bring. In the basin of the north fork of the Catawba River, on High-way 221 South just below Linville Caverns in North Cove, the course is not hard to find. New management under Marion native Doug Hollifield brings a new attitude that, buoyed by a mild winter, found new patrons delighted to find a nearby venue for golf during the mountain ski season.

“There’s been too much negativity in the past,” Hollifield said. “We’re making this golf course better every day.” With affordable daily fees and a user-friendly pro shop staff, Linville Falls Golf Club is a great value and a very good design that’s worth a look.

Where You Can PlayCall for rates and tee times...

CaroLina mountain Life Spring/Summer2012 — 51

Mt. Mitchell Golf Club—Burnsville, NCJim Floyd, Golf DirectorArchitect Fred Hawtree828-675-5454 / www.mountmitchellgolf.com

The only thing that can rival the beauty of this classic rout-ing along the banks of the south fork of the pristine Toe River is the scenic drive that takes you there. High Country golfers access Mt. Mitchell Golf Club taking the Blue Ridge Park-way south to Highway 80, where this stunning beauty awaits just minutes below the junction. And while many patrons re-turn year after year for weekend and multiple day getaways, Mt. Mitchell is offering unprecedented daily fee specials this spring. Through May 2nd, cart and greens fee for 18 holes is just $39 every Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Get your mountain golf season off to a titillating start this April and take advantage of the sneak peak offered at Mt. Mitchell.

MountainAire Golf Club—West Jefferson, NCPhillip and Laura ShephardArchtitect/Committee, Revisions Dennis Lehmannwww. Mountainaire.com / 336-877-4716 for tee times.

This mountain favorite opened for the season on Febru-ary 27, and if you think that was due to the mild winter, they opened even earlier last year on February 17th. Longtime own-ers Mark and Lu Hagel have stepped aside after decades at MountainAire, and have turned the day-to-day golf operation over to their daughter Laura and son-in-law Phillip Shephard. But everything else remains the same at the Ashe County landmark, best known for affordable rates, a casual and friendly atmosphere, and maybe the best chili dog this side of Cincin-nati.

Jefferson Landing—Jefferson, NCDean Spainhour, PGAArchitect Larry Nelson with Dennis Lehmann1-888-292-2310

This lovely playing ground opened to great fanfare in 1991 with a clearly stated proviso that public play would be selective until the membership was sold out. That has yet to happen, and today, host pro Dean Spainhour, along with the original Vannoy family ownership group, is embracing the public golfer.

GO

LF

52 — Spring/Summer2012 CaroLina mountain Life

GO

LFWith 150 or so full-time members, tee times for the at-large golfer are readily available, with a modest window of times re-served daily for the membership as required. “We’d love for everyone to come play our course,” Spainhour explained. “Our members generally play between 9:30 and 10:30 am, but even then, if times are open anyone can make a tee time.”

With loads of on-course lodging and a sensational club-house and food service, Jefferson Landing is a great venue for small to large groups and corporate retreats. High season rates are $55 Monday through Thursday, and $65 over the three day weekend. Annual memberships are offered in multiple tier pricing for local, regional, and junior members. Initiation fees are history for the time being. The course is routed along the banks of the dastardly Naked Creek and a sensational layout.

Private Resort Clubs w/lodging access to golf

Linville Golf Club—Linville, NCTom Dale, PGAArchitect Donald Ross828-733-4311

Guests of the Eseeola Lodge, operated by the membership at the Linville Golf Club, are in for an unparalleled mountain experience. Never mind the croquet courts, fitness club and pool, clay court tennis, skeet shooting, hiking, giant trout, and the unmatched retro ambiance of the lodge that beckons back to a by-gone era. The Donald Ross designed golf course is the calling card at Linville Resorts and no economic upheaval will ever change that.

Beech Mountain Club—Beech Mountain, NCJohn Carrin, PGAArchitect Willard ByrdMembership Services 1-828-387-4208Chamber of Commerce 1-800-464-5506

The Beech Mountain Club situated in Eastern America’s highest township 5,506 ft. above sea level is home to a ridge top design by heralded architect Willard Byrd. The massive development once boasted 2,000 property owners where land ownership remains a prerequisite to membership in the club. Today, the dues paying membership has receded to around 1,500, but club facilities have never looked better.

“Thanks to careful planning, we’ve been successful finan-cially, in light of the refocus in the golf industry,” explained club manager Brian Barnes. “Rounds declined by about 2,000 over last year and our board of directors elected to open more tee times to non-member guests on the mountain, but we’re in the black and debt free. We saw the changes coming and we planned ahead.”

Three years ago, in concert with the town’s tourism develop-ment authority, the club initiated a “Stay and Play” program to ease access for visitors onto the private layout.

Modified this year, the club has added a bold twist. The TDA, Chamber of Commerce, along with the Beech Moun-tain Club have dubbed the promotion “The Summer of 79°.”

This season, when you reserve discounted golf packages of two nights or more in qualified lodging, Beech Mountain offers an unbeatable guarantee. In the event the official high temperature, as kept by the National Weather Service Report-ing Station at Fred’s General Mercantile on Beech Mountain, registers above 79 degrees, your golf is free. Your refund check will arrive by mail within ten days.

The Beech Mountain golf course is an unforgettable play-ing adventure where you’ll enjoy views of five states, includ-ing Kentucky. The town has put its money where its mouth is. You’ll find cool summer temperatures here, or your money back.

Hound Ears Club—Blowing Rock, NCPeter Rucker, PGAArchitect George Cobb / Revisions Tom Jackson828-963-4321

Along the banks of the Watauga River near Foscoe sits one of the most sublime playing grounds to be found anywhere in the golfing universe. The Hound Ears Club was the area’s first four-season resort, and although the chairlift that once served the novel ski hill is gone, the golf course and warm weather amenities have never been in better condition. Although pri-vate, the membership maintains four suites in the primary clubhouse building for lodging guests who will love the George Cobb layout routed effortlessly through the verdant river valley. The playable resort layout for which Cobb is best remembered, and a stay at the Hound Ears Club, will prove unforgettable.

Linville Land Harbor—Linville, NCBruce Abbott-Golf DirectorArchitects Tom Jackson / (A9) Ernest Hayes828-733-8325

Originally an RV refuge anchored around a beautiful lake fed by the Linville River, the Land Harbor community fea-tures canoing, fishing, sensational outdoor pool, tennis, vibrant community and recreation centers, and nine holes designed by hall of fame architect Tom Jackson. An additional nine holes was added by longtime superintendant Ernie Hayes. Histori-cally a fiercely private enclave, the RV theme has given way to permanent dwellings. Seasonal renters are finding access to the facilities relaxing. Gorgeous property and casual living in a community alive with activities.

Other Notable Public Venues

Grassy Creek Golf Club—Spruce Pine, NCBruce Leverette, PGAArchitect/CommitteeCall for rates and tee times828-765-7436

CaroLina mountain Life Spring/Summer2012 — 53

Linville Falls Golf

1/2 Color

Making its debut in 1995 as the Blue Ridge Country Club, our Lee Trevino inspired layout

has earned the praise of locals and visitors alike as a championship test in the mountain

valley of the North Fork of the Catawba River. Just minutes south of the village for which

it has been re-christened, the Linville Falls Golf Club is open to the public golfer. You’ll

find a hearty welcome here, affordable rates, and an unforgettable mountain golfing

experience. open year-round sporting Bermuda grass fairways and bent grass greens,

the Linville Falls Golf Club is conveniently located on Hwy. 221, just twenty minutes south

of Linville. Call 828-756-4653(Golf ) for tee times.

Linville FallsM O U N T A I N C L U B & P R E S E R V E

Linville FallsGolf Club

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54 — Spring/Summer2012 CaroLina mountain Life

For Watauga County native David Shore, the old axiom “life isn’t fair,” has again proven true.

Life was good for Shore and his wife and daughter. Living in a cozy home at the base of Seven Devils, the landscape spe-cialist worked his own business, played a little bluegrass music, and enjoyed the game of golf. But his hard-earned foundation began to crumble in 2009, when at the age of 45 he was diag-nosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. He was prescribed the steroid Prednizone and Azathioprene, a drug used primarily to fight transplant rejection, he hoped for the best. Instead, he was hospitalized more than 7 times in the next year. His already compromised liver seemingly impacted by the treatments. Only a liver transplant could save him. After the left side of his lung collapsed, his liver transplant process continued at Duke Medi-cal Center. But given the presence of the Pulmonary Fibrosis in his lungs, the liver transplant team called for an evaluation for a simultaneous lung transplant as well.

The good news is that Shore has health insurance. The hard-er news is that he’s $20,000 in debt with his deductible require-ments, and once things deteriorate enough in his lungs and liver to be placed on the transplant list, he’ll need another $40 thousand. When that time comes, he’ll move to Durham for at least a period of six months until he is approved for the lifesav-ing procedure.

“I asked one of the doctors at Duke what would happen if I didn’t have the $40,000 by the time of the transplant,” Shore recalled. “And he explained that I would be sent home without them.”

Last summer, Shore’s family and friends held a fund raising golf tournament at the Sugar Mountain Golf Club. It was a good turnout, and about $6,000 was raised to offset his rising medi-cal burden. And though it’s hard for him to play today, reha-bilitation work at Appalachian Regional Health Care in Boone is helping him manage his condition. He’s working everyday in his landscape business, unable to carry the tools, but able to direct his small and loyal crew.

Sugar Mountain Golf Club will be the site of a second fund-raiser this spring on Saturday, May 19th. The four-man captain’s choice is open to everyone and the shotgun start begins at 8:30 am followed by lunch and prizes. But so much more is at stake. “Golf is a game I’ve loved since I was a teenager,” Shore said. “It’s wonderful that love, and others love for the game, is helping now that I need it most. It’s a good feeling.”

A donation website has been created at www.ShoreDuke-Fund.com called David’s Lungs for Life, or you can make dona-tions at the State Employees Credit Union in Boone. Call Sugar Mountain Golf 898-6464 for more information.

Friends Rally for shore Golf benefit May 19 at sugar Mountain Golf Club

CaroLina mountain Life Spring/Summer2012 — 55

2012 redtail Mountain rates

Monday – Thursday $45Friday – Sunday $50Monday – Ladies Day $38Tuesday – Senior Day $38Wednesday – Men’s Day $38Twilight 7 days a week – $38 after 2pmMon–Fri & Sun – $38 w/ College ID (one day in advance)10 Round Pass – 7 Days a Week $350

Plan your next group event in our newly remodeled clubhouse. Call for details and tee times (423) 727-7931

redtailmountain.com

Check out our Clearance section“There’s always a deal!”

828-898-6746Also check us out at the

Shop at Yonahlossee Racquet Club

Racquets& Strings

the Village of sugar MountainGolf & tennis shop

56 — Spring/Summer2012 CaroLina mountain Life

Last year Sherry Brinster, a newcomer to the Linville area, was looking for a way to meet her neighbors and connect with other women

in the community. She liked to hike along the Blue Ridge, so she decided to invite a new acquaintance to hike with her on the local mountain trails from time to time. This proved to be so much fun that Sherry invited a neighbor to join them, and her friend invited another friend, and thus the group quickly grew and be-gan to meet regularly for their hikes. The fun and camaraderie soon inspired the women to create a name for their group: thus was born the “Sole Sisters.”

The Sisters has a core group of ten with as many as seventeen hikers on occasion. Each week, Sherry chooses a specific trail and emails the members with the location, level of difficulty of the trail chosen, and the time to meet. If the weather looks inclement, the group may meet at a local coffee shop for muf-fins and conversation instead. One of the many relaxed features of this group is there is no duty to participate or re-ply, just come if you want and meet at the trail or the coffee shop. The trails are purposefully chosen to suit varying lev-els of fitness from beginners to seasoned trekkers and everyone in between. The farthest the group has gone to date is five miles, but usually the hikes are shorter. On the trail, the cardinal rule is that the group always stays together and every-one’s safety is paramount.

The Sole Sisters is a diverse assem-bly to say the least, representing differ-ent backgrounds, fitness levels and goals, ages, and interests. The creative talents of some members led to the development of the Sole Sisters logo, which the group sports on its special tee shirts. Besides their obvious enthusiasm, one common attribute the members share is the desire for connection and sharing. “It’s a lot more than just hiking. It’s about friend-ship, learning about others, and having fun,” one long-time member observed. “ When I first joined this group, I imme-diately felt nurtured and right at home.”

Sole Sisters of the Blue Ridge Take to the Trail By Jane Richardson

Off the trail, the Sisters often get to-gether to celebrate birthdays and mile-stones, or enjoy casual dinners and chick flicks. They have even created a private group on Facebook for their members to enjoy, and to keep in touch during the winter. This year, the members have de-cided to pool their talents and assets to make a contribution in the form of a do-nation, fundraising event or other means to the local community.

Hiking as a familiar group has many other advantages. It’s an easy and casual way to meet others and enjoy nature. The difference between walking and hik-ing is that hiking is more technical, in that there are rocks, uneven surfaces and sometimes a climb. Therefore, it’s slower but more strenuous than some fitness walks. The trails are often wide enough that you can hike side by side, enjoying a one on one conversation or sometimes even a group chat. It’s great exercise and the only real equipment you need to get started is a sturdy pair of shoes with non-slip soles and good ankle support. Hik-ing with a group is not only safer than solitary hiking, but it can provide a lot more inspiration and you can learn from the experiences of others.

Like a new trail or a new day on a fa-miliar path, there is sure to be something you’ll enjoy along the way. On the trail, you may notice a rare wildflower, hear an unusual birdsong, or discover secluded glades and scenic vistas hidden from the tamer pathways. The words of heralded naturalist John Muir beautifully express the calling of the Blue Ridge. “Climb the mountains and get their good tidings,” he said. “Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.”

Amen, Sister.

If you are tired of the treadmill and would like to join a group of kindred hikers, or form your own band of Sole Sisters in your community check out the information at www.meetup.com or www.comehike.com and get started.

The Sole Sistershome on the trail on

Grandfather Mountain

mountain notesINAuGuRAl 5K to FuND eAGle hAbItAt ReNoVAtIoNs oN GRAND-FAtheR MouNtAIN

Since Grandfather Mountain added eagles to their show-case of indigenous North Carolina wildlife in 1981, these ma-jestic birds-of-prey have been housed in an open-topped en-closure. All the eagles that have called Grandfather Mountain home were injured by gunshot, resulting in a full or partial wing amputation and leaving them completely flightless.

Their enclosure has remained beautiful and well main-tained during this period, but several problems arose as a re-sult of the absence of a fully enclosed habitat. Ravens, bears and other animals can enter the eagles’ home, stealing their food and posing a serious threat to their well-being.

Another draw back stemming from the park’s lack of a ful-ly enclosed eagle habitat, is Grandfather’s inability to adopt other eagles that may be partially or fully flighted. Even though these eagles may have the ability to fly normally, other injuries, such as eye problems, could render them un-able to hunt for food and survive in the wild.

The park’s habitat staff has been tirelessly fund raising for over a year in hopes of renovating the enclosure and their efforts are continuing this May with the first annual “Crit-ter Crawl” at Grandfather Mountain. This 5K race begins in MacRae Meadows and ends at the top of Grandfather. It is a charity event where runners pay a $30 admission fee to participate. All of the money generated will directly benefit renovations to the eagle habitat.

“We’ve been actively raising money for a year now in the community. We’re excited because the hope is that this race will finally allow the improvements to begin,” said Christie Tipton, habitat manager for the Grandfather Mountain Stew-ardship Foundation. habitat manager.

According to Tipton, by meeting the objective of 500 run-ners in the Critter Crawl, the renovation process will begin.

Runners registering before April 19 get a commemora-tive Inaugural Critter Crawl t-shirt, and a free day pass Grand-father Mountain for the following weekend. . Awards will be presented to the top three male and female competitors.

The “Critter Crawl” race is very similar to the popular “Bear Run” held each year during the Grandfather Mountain High-land Games, but is unique in that it loops through the animal habitat pathways, giving runners the opportunity to view the eagle habitats they are helping to renovate. Online regis-tration for the event begins March 1.

For registration information, visit www.grandfather.com and for more information about the “Critter Crawl,” or the eagle habitat renovation project, call 828-733-8715.

FouR tReKs heADlINe GRANDFAtheR’s GuIDeD hIKe seAsoN

Grandfather Mountain’s guided hike series has four pre-planned hikes to showcase the spectacular scenery and wildlife of the mountain this spring and summer.

“The interpretive ranger staff is excited to provide the public with opportunities to explore Grandfather’s back-country while learning about the ecology and history of the Mountain,” said Gabriel Taylor, chief interpretive ranger for the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation.

The “Spring to MacRae” hike, offered May 5 and 6, offers guests the opportunity to visit MacRae Peak and witness life returning to Grandfather after a long winter slumber. Hikers traverse 0.9 miles, using cables and seven ladders to gain al-most 600 feet in elevation. This half-day hike begins at 9am and costs $15 in addition to regular park admission.

The “Ridgeline of Diversity” hike is offered June 16 and 17. As the name suggests, this hike is designed to showcase the unparalleled diversity of animal and plant life in this unique area, while providing guests with a full panoramic view of the surrounding landscape. This journey takes hikers 2.4 miles, traversing large boulders, climbing ladders, and gain-ing 700 feet in elevation. This trip is an all day commitment and is not for the inexperienced hiker. It begins at 9am and costs $35 in addition to half-price park admission.

On July 28 and 29, the “Grandfather’s Attic” hike is a chal-lenging endeavor that involves a hike to Attic Window Peak and Indian House Cave over the most rugged terrain on the mountain. During this hike, interpretive rangers will share the story of Grandfather and past historic events that shaped the Mountain into what it is today. This trek gains 600 feet in elevation during the 1.2-mile hike. It is a half-day trip that begins at 9am and costs guests $25 in addition to regular park admission.

The “Nature on the Edge” hike is scheduled for August 25 and 26. This tour will showcase the resiliency of plants and animals surviving the most adverse conditions on the mountain. Throughout the journey, interpretive rangers will discuss the benefit of habitat preservation and explain signs of survival. This hike travels to MacRae Peak across 0.9 miles using cables and seven ladders to gain almost 600 feet in el-evation. This is a half-day trip that begins at 9am and will cost guests $15 in addition to regular park admission.

For those who are interested in a guided hike, but can’t attend the aforementioned scheduled trips, customized guided treks are available year-round and can be reserved in advance. Interpretive rangers can tailor the journey to fit topics of interest. A minimum of four hikers is all that’s required for guided tours.

For more information call 828-737-0833 and plan your mountain adventure today.

CaroLina mountain Life Spring/Summer2012 — 57

58 — Spring/Summer2012 CaroLina mountain Life

Avery humane society Adoption And humane education Center opens April 19

After 29 years the Avery Humane Soci-ety animal shelter on Stamey Branch road is closing down – because the animals have all moved the new Adoption and Education Center on New Vale Road!

Four years in the making, the state–of-the-art complex is conveniently located one mile from the county courthouse in Newland. The bright, welcoming design encompasses the Beverly & Raymond Lutgert Welcome Center, the Rachel Deal Rescue and Receiving Wing, the Bob &

Sue Dalton Dog Wing, the Bill & Kathy Avery Cat Wing, The Toby & Wayne Press Intro & Holding Room, The Dorothy Blair Administrative Wing, The Bill & Kathy Avery Community Outreach & Educa-tion Center, the Park Foundation Solar Seam Photovoltaic Roof System and the Dickson Foundation Pet Boutique. Future phases of the complex will include the Marti & Wayne Huizenga Veterinary Suite and the Thomas & Sandy Rouse Spay-Neuter Center.

“The new facility is energizing visitors and volunteers and attracting new peo-ple to the Humane Society’s programs,” said Board Chair Catherine Morton. “It all comes together to reduce the number of sick, injured, abused, neglected, home-less and euthanized companion animals in Avery County.”

Friends of Wildcat lake Plan Fundraiser June 9th

The Edgar Tufts Memorial Association (ETMA) has been responsible for the preserva-tion and maintenance of one of the High Country’s most beautiful resources—Wildcat Lake. Locals and visitors alike enjoy Wildcat Lake for the playground, picnic area and mountain beach. The lake has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity over the recent years with improvements from hundreds of volunteer hours. This pristine body of water was created by a dam built in 1932 for hydro-electric power generation. It also served the local fire department as an important source of water. After a prolonged closing in 2005 to rebuild the dam, new recreation equipment was funded by the ETMA. A visit to Wildcat Lake leaves an indelible impression of the region’s stunning beauty.

Every summer, activity returns to the 13-acre lake and park. Lifeguards and other personnel are paid by the ETMA. As with many non-profit organizations serving the public, raising new funds is always a priority. This year, ETMA board members have organized a fund-raising golf tournament, primarily to help replenish the sandy beach and maintain other features at Wildcat Lake. Neighboring Sugar Mountain is making its popular 18-hole golf available for a four-man captain’s choice Saturday, June 9th.

To learn more how you can help, call the Sugar Mtn. Pro Shop at 828-898-6464.

The Dog StoreFor “Dog people”• HighestQualityOrganic, Human-Grade Dog and cat Foods & treats

• RawFoodDiets

• OrganicSupplements& Health Products

• AllTreats&FoodsUSA & canada only

• GroomingSupplies

• Toys,Beds,Blankets

• RainWear,Coats,Sweaters,Shoes

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Dogs welcomeMeet our four legged staff

“Good for your dog and cat from the inside out”

Centrallylocated•easytoreachfrom anywhere in the High country

in the stone house, Highway 105 Foscoe 828-963-2470

open Mon-sat 10-6and beginning May 15, sun 1-5

CaroLina mountain Life Spring/Summer2012 — 59

Spring is in full swing and so is the activity at the Blue Ridge Wildlife Institute, located on the campus of Lees McRae College in Banner Elk. The

institute, licensed by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and the US Fish and Wildlife Service, is one of the only centers of its kind in western North Carolina that is licensed to care for amphibians and reptiles.

The Blue Ridge Wildlife Institute nurtures over 900 injured, sick, and or-phaned native creatures each year. These include animals attacked by predators, hit by cars, suffering from gunshot wounds, caught in fences, and a myriad of other human-induced causes. This vital wild-life rehabilitation work includes medical assistance in conjunction with trained veterinarians, feeding, housing, and sup-portive care. Fully recovered animals are released in appropriate wild habitats.

A sure sign of spring are the song-birds, which count for highest number of injured or orphaned wildlife that come into the facility. Chimney Swifts are most prevalent because there are few fa-cilities that can handle their care.

“Chimney Swifts have to be fed con-stantly,” BRWI Director Nina Fischesser exclaimed. “They have to be released in a flock and they are loud!”

Fischesser moves around the facility in quick fashion as she shows off animals in cages throughout the building. Her bright blue eyes light up with excitement as she introduces some of the permanent residents.

“This is Seymore.” Fischesser picks up a small box turtle and quietly has a few words with the reptilian. “He is totally blind.” It is obvious Fischesser adores all of the residents, regardless of size or place on the food chain.

All Creatures Great and SmallFind Refuge at Blue Ridge Wildlife InstituteBy Julie Farthing

Fischesser, who rescued her first possum in 1989, has been the driving force behind the BRWI since 1995 and has seen many changes throughout the years.

The Institute’s first location, literally in Fischesser’s back yard, that borders the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area and Pisgah National Forest, is still home to some of the rescued wildlife, including Sasquatch, a great-horned owl. Sas-quatch is one of the Institute’s wildlife ambassadors and rides with Fischessner every day from the Jonas Ridge location to BRWI’s new home, the May Wildlife Center Facility in Banner Elk.

Like Sasquatch, who lost a wing as a nestling, not all of the animals can be re-leased back into the wild. They will spend the remainder of their lives as ambassa-dors for their species via educational pre-sentations throughout the state.

But, of course, the goal of BRWI is to rehabilitate the many animals, birds, and reptiles that come into the facil-ity and release them back into the wild. Many of the volunteers at the institute are pre-veterinarian and environmen-tal education students at Lees McRae College where they are provided unique hands–on experiences as well as profes-sional training on wildlife rehabilitation medical procedures, species identifica-tion and anatomy.

Jenna, a Wildlife Rehabilitation ma-jor, and Yaritza, a pre-veterinarian stu-

dent with wildlife minor, carefully weigh a Barred Owl that has been injured.

“It’s interesting to see where the students find their niche,” Fischesser observed. “Currently Yaritza has been bonding with a crow named Nelson.”

In celebration of Earth Day, BRWI will hold a fundraiser on April 22 from 2-5 at the Best Western Hotel in Banner Elk. This is a family event to raise money for needed appliances at the Dan & Di-ane May Wildlife Center, the new home for the Institute. There will be game for the kids, a silent auction and animal pre-sentations.

Blue Ridge Wildlife Institute re-mains dedicated to the stewardship of the earth through environmental educa-tion, research, and the rehabilitation of sick, injured and orphaned wildlife.

The Institute is a 501-(c)3 non-profit organization that receives no Govern-ment Funding and relies completely on tax-deductible contributions. Without donations and the wonderful volun-teers who give their time to the welfare of these injured or orphaned animals, BRWI would cease to exist.

“We need Angels to help us,” Fisch-esser concluded.

For more information on BRWI including hours to visit and how you can help, please call 828-898-2568. Or log on at www.lmc.edu/brwi/. And you can like them on Facebook!

Nina and Sassy in Cargo

60 — Spring/Summer2012 CaroLina mountain Life

2 0 T H A N N I V E R S A R Y S E A S O N

May 24 - June 23: Ronan Peterson, Robert Eoff

June 28 - July 28: Bryan Keith Smith, Gregory Smith

August 2 - 25: Loren DiBenedettoCourtney Martin & John Geci

August 29 - Sept 2920th Anniversary Exhibition

gallery & framemakers828-898-5175 / Mon-Sat 10-5 / 920 Shawneehaw Ave (Hwy 184), Banner Elk

artcellaronline.com

AN APPALACHIAN

SUMMER FESTIVALSummer 2012

For a complete festival schedule, visit appsummer.org

800.841.ARTS

musicdancetheatrevisual artsfilm

An Evening with Bill Cosby

The Traveling McCoury’s with Sierra Hull & Hwy 111

Chicago and The DoobieBrothers

26th Rosen Sculpture Walk

Solas

Creedence Clearwater Revisited with Lee Brice

and more!

Find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Come Visit Us At Our New Location!

Grandfather Center, 3990 Hwy 105 SouthBanner Elk, North Carolina 28604

(828)898-8949

Gifts & unique Accessories for the Home

CaroLina mountain Life Spring/Summer2012 — 61

10 miles south of Boone, Grandfather Community10360 Hwy 105 S., Banner Elk, NC 28604828.963.4288Tues-Sat 10-5, Sun 11-5

Mike Grady“Return to the Mountain” May 26 – June 17Opening Reception: Saturday, May 26 2-5pm Toni CarlTon “Whispers of Life’s Journey”June 23 – July 22Opening Reception:Saturday, June 23 2-5pm 30Th anniversary exhibiTion“We Celebrate Art”July 7 – September 15Reception: July 7 3-6pm

CarltonGallery Celebrating 30 Years!

The finesT collecTionof handmade poTTery from 15

local high counTry arTisTs

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62 — Spring/Summer2012 CaroLina mountain Life

Winter in the High Country is tradi-tionally viewed as a season to withdraw, look inward, and ef-

fectively, to hibernate. Many of the area’s residents head south for the winter, pick-ing up where they left off elsewhere, and dreaming of returning once the weather moderates.

It’s well known that spring in the High Country is a time when beauty is found everywhere, from the mountain scenery to the arts and crafts that seem to proliferate. These artistic accomplish-ments aren’t just dreamed up. Local art-ists use the winter as their time to plant the seeds of creativity for the coming season’s harvest.

One such artist is ceramicist liz Zlot summerfield. Liz and her husband, glass artist Scott Summerfield, live in Bakersville. Her signature style com-bines fresh colors with shapes that are reminiscent of another time. The end results are intimate, functional objects that are simultaneously whimsical and abstract. Spring and summer visitors can find Liz’s work in galleries such as Pen-land and Crimson Laurel in Bakersville.

For Liz, winter is “…a time for many things in the studio. With less deadlines looming over my head, I am able to work on a few new ideas that I didn’t have time for during the busy season. It is a time for refueling from so many months of pushing for shows and workshops.”

Pastel painter Gaylene Petcu uses winter in a similar way. Gaylene’s lu-minous paintings of the local landscape have gained in popularity over the last year; they can be seen year-round at the

Design Gallery in Burnsville. She con-curs with fellow artist Liz on the role of winter:

“After a busy High Country summer filled with fun art activities and exhibits, I welcome the slower pace of winter as a quiet time for cleaning up the studio and long, uninterrupted periods of painting.”

Photographer Pat Considine takes a somewhat different approach. He claims “the mountains offer four distinct sea-sons, each having unique attributes for a photographer.” The season’s cold tem-peratures can lead to very blue skies; the clarity and contrast of blue skies and a snowy landscape brings beautiful light to an image that can be savored year-round. After all, with photography, it’s all about light. “Light is a major factor in captur-ing great images,” he continues. “Win-ter in the mountains is a very inspiring season, the vista can be as clear as it gets all year long, or it can be hunkered down with cold blistering winds, fog, ice and snow. It all makes wonderful images!”

In the case of all three artists, one thing is certain: winter is no time for vacationing. The hours spent rolling clay, sketching, painting, and trekking outside with a camera all translate in to a bounti-ful spring. By then, Gaylene is ready to paint outside again. She can visit some of the beautiful farms and gardens of the High Country with the idea of in-cluding them in her landscape paint-ings. Liz Summerfield then maintains a full schedule. She teaches four classes at Western Piedmont Community College. In addition to that, there are galleries to supply and traveling workshops to teach. And of course, more studio time as well. Even with a hectic schedule, Liz says she still enjoys the spring. “Spring is so love-

ly, she said. It is the beginning of longer days, more outside time with my family, planning our garden, etc.”

And for Pat, whose work takes him outside in all four seasons, spring repre-sents a slight change of venue.

“Spring calls me to the forest to cap-ture the early spring bloom of wildflow-ers,” he explained. “As a volunteer on the Bluff Mountain Nature Preserve, I plan to continue to document the first arrivals of the many rare and wonderful species that are presented beginning in early to mid-April.”

Pat plans on exhibiting his work this spring in a group photography show at the Avery Arts Council’s Avery Gallery in Linville.

This spring, enjoy the glorious re-awakening of the High Country. All that has sprung forth, from the fragrant wildflowers to the exciting new concep-tions from local artists, is the result of creative seeds that have been germinat-ing all winter long.

For more information about the sources mentioned in this article, visit the following websites: • gaylenepetcu.com• lzpottery.com (Liz Summerfield)• natureoashe.com (Pat Considine)• penland.org• scottsummerfieldglass.com• crimsonlaurelgallery.com• averycountyartscouncil.org• wpcc.edu (Western Piedmont Community College)

Caitlin Morehouse is a writer, artist, and Gallery Director for the Avery County Arts Council. Her maternal grandfa-ther’s family has been in Avery County since the 1840’s. She lives in Linville, NC.

Creative Seeds of WinterBear an Artistic Spring in the High CountryBy Caitlin Morehouse

CaroLina mountain Life Spring/Summer2012 — 63

Facing Page: Pat Considine - Winter on Mount Rogers

Top Left: Gaylene Petcu - Flame Azaleas at Engine GapTop Righ: Scott Summerfield - Yellow & Orange DwellingsBottom Left: Liz Summerfield - Pail Bottom Right: Pat Considine - Kiss of Spring

64 — Spring/Summer2012 CaroLina mountain Life

When visiting Ben Long’s fresco on The Crossnore School campus, stop in atCrossnore Weavers: A Working Museum, Crossnore Fine Arts Gallery,Blair Fraley Sales Store and Miracle Grounds Coffee Cafe & CreameryCome take a glimpse back into the age-old tradition of weaving. Purchase the work of regional painters, sculptors, and fine craft persons while supporting the children that call Crossnore their home. Find your hidden gem at our thrift store. And don’t forget to treat yourself to something sweet & tasty before you leave!

PO Box 249, 100 DAR Drive, Crossnore NC 28616www.crossnoreschool.org828.733-4305P.S. Donations are always welcomed at the Blair Fraley Sales Store and we also do PICK-UPS!

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two New exhibits at blowing Rock Art and history Museum

BRAHM will open two new exhibits on April 11. Curious Collections of the Caroli-nas will include a wide variety of fascinat-ing objects from more than 20 collectors from across the region. The exhibit will explore the rich histories and aesthetics of the selected pieces, as well as tell the stories of the collectors and the psychol-ogy of collecting, which is deeply imbued in human nature. A second exhibit, Com-memorating the Civil War in Western North Carolina--which is being curated by public history graduate students from Appalachian State University–will specifi-cally feature collections of Civil War mem-orabilia. This exhibit marks the sesquicen-tennial anniversary of the bloody conflict while also using the collections to explore how Americans in both the North and South have historically connected to, re-membered, and interpreted the war. Both exhibits run through the summer. BRAHM is located at 159 Chestnut St. in Blowing Rock and is open Tuesday-Sunday. Gen-eral admission is $8. www.blowingrock-museum.org or call (828) 295-9099.

the Consignment Cottage Warehouse

Opened after Thanksgiving last year, The Consignment Cottage Warehouse is a treasure trove of opportunity for those who love to shop for bargains and find satisfaction in using and re-using rather than discarding furniture, rugs, and dec-orative pieces for the home. Located at next to Carolina Shutter Company at 66 Pershing St. in Newland just off Hwy 19E, this warehouse houses an ever-changing array of furniture, antiques, lamps, chan-deliers, pictures, and artwork.

Owned by Shannon and Greg Seiz, this home furnishings, antiques, and home decor consignment shop is a vital element in today’s economy. Everything in the warehouse is on consignment, and the owners are always looking for new merchandise from people who are ready to sell what they have. This type of busi-ness creates a win/win situation for every-one. The estate pieces are an eclectic mix of contemporary, antiques, mid-century, traditional, and oriental. At The Consign-ment Cottage Warehouse, there’s a good chance you’ll find something for every-one. For more info: 828-733-8148.

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Carolina Mountain life Spring/Summer2012 — 65

Storytellers Unite Behind Ted and Rosa Hicks

The late Ray Hicks, a storyteller of the mountains and keeper of the oral legacy of the Blue Ridge Mountain culture, will live again thanks to the efforts of his yarn-spinning progeny who are joining forces to help his youngest surviving son, Ted.

Ted suffers with advanced diabetes and has survived only by dialysis treatments three times a week for several years. Eigh-teen months ago, Ted fell at the dialysis clinic and broke his leg. His leg has never healed properly, which forced him to move into the Life Care Center, a nursing care facility in Banner Elk. Since the accident, Ted has been confined to a wheelchair and unable to visit his mother, family, or friends at his father’s home place on Beech Mountain where generations of the Hicks family lived, as access to the remote mountain location requires nego-tiating a steep mountain trail.

Storytellers Vixi Jill Glenn, Connie Regan Blake, and the Asheville Storytelling Circle have determined to remedy the sit-uation by raising money to build a driveway to the Hick’s house. Two benefit concerts have been scheduled by the story telling colleagues of the Hicks’ family.

The first storytelling benefit gathering is scheduled for April 21. Billed as a Storytelling & Music Benefit for Ted Hicks, the show begins at 2pm at the Matney Community Center located between Banner Elk and Valle Crucis on Hwy. 194. Entertainers include Ray’s brother, Orville Hicks, Glen Bolick, Amy Michaels, The Sheets Family, Charlie Glenn, Brian Yerman, Doyle Pace, and many other friends of the family. Honoree Ted Hicks, an accom-plished story teller in his own right, will be on hand as well. If you’re lucky, Ted will spin the yarn of the “Snake and the Hoe Handle.” Admission is $5.00.

A second show is scheduled for May 5 entitled a Storytelling Performance—Fixing to Tell About Jack.

The benefit performance for the Hicks Family, featuring Shei-la Kay Adams, Gwenda Ledbetter, Vixi Jil Glenn, David Novak, and Connie Regan-Blake is scheduled for 3pm at the Altamont Theater, 18 Church Street in downtown Asheville. General Ad-mission is $12 and additional donations are appreciated. The show is co-sponsored by Asheville Storytelling Circle, Altamont Theatre, and Asheville Wordfest. You can find more information at www.RayHicks.com.

Checks should be made to The Ray and Rosa Hicks Fund c/o Connie Regan-Blake, PO Box 2898, Asheville, NC 28802. To learn more, contact Doyle Pace at 828-264-9058 or bmonkus.pace@gmail.com

to give isto receive

A Collection Handmade in America

66 — Spring/Summer2012 CaroLina mountain Life

Fine Art and Master Craft Festival in banner elk

This summer, art lovers will have two chances to view the fabulous works of local and regional artists and craftsmen during the upcoming 21st season of the Fine Art and Master Craft Festival. Sponsored by the Avery County Chamber of Commerce, festivals are scheduled for the weekend of July 21-22 and in a one day exhibit Saturday, August 18th. Both festivals will be held on the grounds of the historic Banner Elk School located downtown.

Visitors to the exhibition will find an eclectic array of arts and crafts in a myriad of mediums. On display will be fine art for the most discriminating collector alongside works reflecting the whimsical side of life.

The artists hail from a variety of backgrounds and influences from around the world. Many have produced heralded commissioned pieces on display in museums as the Smithsonian in the nation’s capital. Some return to the festival after cultural immersions in places like Rome and Copenhagen. While other artisans have refined their expression at the famed Penland School near Spruce Pine. The juried show highlights native crafts, the making of which has been passed down through generations. The festival provides a great opportunity to find a collectible piece of your own, an original work you can pass along to your children as well.

The Fine Art and Master Craft Festival remains committed to quality work, uniqueness of medium, and especially items not found at other High Country art festivals. Works will be for sale and you’ll find price points to meet every budget.

Join the chamber in celebrating their 21 years presenting the artists who grace our mountains with works of pottery, photography, jewelry, wood furniture and pieces, and even lighthearted ‘yard art’ for your home. While you’re there, be sure to stop by the Avery Chamber information booth and share news and views of your favorite artists with them, and drop your name in the box so they can stay connected whether you live here year round or just visit. And there will be a drawing for a fabulous door prize and each show’s conclusion. Admission is free and the exhibition works are priceless.

Contact Susan Freeman to learn more at 1-800-972-2183 or go on line at www.averycounty.com

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CaroLina mountain Life Spring/Summer2012 — 67

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68 — Spring/Summer2012 CaroLina mountain Life

“How lovely to think that no one need wait a moment, we can start now, start slowly changing the world. How lovely that everyone, great and small, can make their contribution... how we can always, always give something, even if it is only kindness”

—Anne Frank

Creating a Culture of MentoringBy Dede Walton

We all know the story of poor Cinderella. A lovely girl, full of potential but lack-ing support, spend-

ing her days and nights trapped in a life without hope, up to her elbows in dirty laundry and ashes with no prospects of change. Until, that is, her fairy godmoth-er appeared.

It was at this moment that someone takes interest in our beloved heroine. Suddenly, Cinderella is listened to, and in that very moment, elevated from her daily existence. This fairy godmother gives Cinderella the tools and oppor-tunity she needs to make significant change in her life.

Imagine how the story might have ended without this fairy godmother. No happy ending. No peace. No escape from hopeless circumstances. It is clear that without the Fairy Godmother’s loving intervention, our Cinderella would have been stuck.

Fast forward to reality and to the numbers of young people in Avery and Watauga Counties who need of the same sort of support. However, instead of looking for Prince Charming, they are struggling to break the cycle of poverty, to be the first in their families to graduate from high school, to make safe choices, to find hope. To accomplish this, many of them need that moment of loving in-tervention. They need a mentor.

A mentor is a person who is will-ing to give the time and to make the commitment to another human--to be a friend, to listen, to share life skills, to have fun, and to help in the achieve-ment of goals. Passing on knowledge, skills, basic values and belief in one’s self is a part of what is going on in the High Country through formal mentor-ing programs and also through infor-mal opportunities seized in daily life by community citizens because they care. In the High Country, formalized men-toring programs have great need for vol-

CaroLina mountain Life Spring/Summer2012 — 69

unteers, said Angela McMann, Mentor-ing Specialist of Western Youth Network (WYN). In McMann’s program, com-munity youth between the ages of 6-17 are matched with a mentor and both commit to spend two hours each week together for a year. WYN volunteers put in 3,525 hours of service last year.

“Our mentors receive training which helps them understand both the com-mitment required and the rewards for both parties,” said McMann, who added that 67 young people in the High Coun-try had a WYN mentor in 2011. “We are proud to say that the success rate of mentors and mentorees staying together for the required one year commitment was 87% last year which is greater than the national average.”

Working with WYN is the Chil-dren’s Council of Watauga County, a grant funded organization which works with pregnant and parenting teens. This program provides information, support and encouragement for parents in need to help their children develop optimal-

ly during the crucial early years of life. Mentors for these teens are provided from WYN.

“Friendship, positive role models, and encouragement are critical to this program, but so is helping a mentee con-tinue their education,” said Robin Trip-lett, GED and parenting instructor at the Children’s Council. A grant from the High Country Women’s Fund allows the participants in this program free child-care while working towards their GED. Additional support is provided through a number of services which include vol-unteer doulas at childbirth and Nurtur-ing Parenting classes.

While the need for female mentors for young girls and teen mothers is acute in the local community, the need for male mentors may be even more critical. Ac-cording to the Centers for Disease Con-trol, 85 percent of children who exhibit behavior disorders come from fatherless homes. And according to the National Principals Association Report, so do 71 percent of high school dropouts. Cur-

rently in Boone, there are 42 boys wait-ing for a mentor and 19 girls waiting for a mentor at WYN.

A Mentoring Collaborative of in-dividuals and organizations is presently meeting monthly at the Watauga Coun-ty Health Department to share ideas and create new opportunities to expand the culture of mentoring through structured and natural relationships utilizing public awareness, cooperation, empowerment, and education. Among other partici-pants in the collaborative are April Is-sacs from the Hope Pregnancy Resource Center, a non-profit, faith-based organi-zation, and Karen Hays with Parent to Parent Family Support Network High Country. Parent to Parent networks with and mentors families who have children with special needs. Also involved is Ev-elyn Asher, instructor at Caldwell Com-munity College and the Small Business Center located in Boone, who offers workshops and mentoring for small business owners and entrepreneurs at no charge.

Mentoring.org, a national website for mentors, lists the following qualities of a successful mentor:

Respect for young people.Active listener.Empathy.See solutions and opportunities.Be flexible and open.A sincere desire to be involved with a young person.

If you’re ready to contribute your time, experience, and kindness in order to impact the life of someone who needs you now, contact any of these agencies:

• WYN: 264-5174• Children’s Council: 828-262-5424• Hope Pregnancy Resource Center: 828-265-4357• Parent to Parent Family Support Network:

828-262-6089 or 866-812-3122• Small Business Center: 828-812-3122

70 — Spring/Summer2012 CaroLina mountain Life

sears Alive and Well in boone ... And under New Direction!

Joining in the resurgence of the lineup of Boone Mall tenants, Sears has found new and local ownership for the iconic retailer. Located in the northern end of the Boone Mall next to the popular TJ Maxx department store, Sears is now under the day-to-day direction of Tim and Corinna Bailey of Valle Crucis.

The Baileys were attracted to the new opportunity based on the strength of Sears brand image—an image founded upon quality and a satisfaction guarantee that is the legacy of the retailing giant.

“Our first goal is to provide friendly service to all of our customers,” Corinna Bailey explained. “No matter how large or small your purchase, we want our customers expe-rience with Sears to be first rate.”

The Sears at Boone Mall offers the full contingent of Sears brand products. Washers and dryers, stoves, refridgerators, lawn and garden equipment, Craftsman tools, TV’s, water heaters, patio furniture, and even fitness equipment.

The Baileys are vested in the High Country, not only in their business with Sears, but in the community at large. Their eldest son Drew wears Number 44 for the App State Mountaineer football team. Younger son Christian attends Watauga High School and is a member of the Pioneer football and basketball teams.

The Baileys look forward to meeting new friends at their new enterprise. Stop by and say hello and see the extensive range of consumer products from Sears. Call them at 828-264-7327 or find them online at www.searsofboone.com

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CaroLina mountain Life Spring/Summer2012 — 71

The best friend the town of Banner Elk ever had is gone. Jack Masters died unexpectedly February 29th at age 79 at Mission Hos-

pital in Asheville, and the community is still finding it hard to breathe.

Jack was born in 1932 and spent his entire life loving and teaching children about life. He was as fine a role model as any child could have.

Actually, Jack was a role model every-one could learn from. At six and a half feet tall, he was selfless, gentle, kind, and was full love for his town and everyone in it. Evidence the community loved him equally, was the overflowing Evans Au-ditorium during his Sunday afternoon memorial service on the Lees McRae College campus.

In 1958, Jack received his degree in elementary education from Berea Col-lege, having transferred there from his beloved Lees McRae College. Dedicated to teaching children, he went on to get a Masters degree in Christian Education from Presbyterian School For Christian Education and quickly accepted an of-fer to get back to his mountains as the Recreation Director at what is now Montreat College in Montreat, North Carolina. In 1964 he married Lynda Henley and the next year the two left for St. Louis where he served as youth direc-tor at Central Presbyterian Church. His first professional opportunity to minister children came in 1967, after the birth of his daughter Anna Beth, when he joined the staff of the first of two Presbyterian Homes for Children, first in Oklahoma and then back to Missouri. Early in the 70’s Jack got closer to home while work-ing in Tennessee with children through his social services job there.

It wasn’t until the late 70’s that Jack finally returned to Banner Elk, the place he called home. He worked at Lees McRae College and quickly began his service to the community that would last

until his death. Over the years, Jack was most involved with the Kiwanis Club, was a Little League coach, and Scout Master for Boy Scout Troop 807. Mas-ters later served on the Banner Elk Town Council and was a member of Banner Elk Presbyterian Church. Jack’s favorite activity was the informal weekly gather-ings of ‘The Banner Elk Cafe Breakfast Club’ where he gathered with friends to swap stories and make plans to help anyone he heard was in need.

It was the less formal and even more personal caring and concern that Jack gave so freely. Many of his random acts of kindness went un-known but to those receiving his helping hand. Perhaps a plaque that was presented to him in 2004 by the citizens of Banner Elk described him best. It read…

“The Banner Elk Gentle-man, in recognition and ap-preciation for your dedicated commitment, unselfish de-votion, and caring to your friends and community”.

“Jack was the heartbeat of Ban-ner Elk. The positions and honors were many, but the bottom line is that while he shared his kind heart with all, to be his close friend was his greatest gift to me,” his longtime friend Frank Watts observed. “It was never about him. He was silent about what he did for others. He just focused on making things bet-ter for those who needed some help. His leadership and devotion to this commu-nity was unsurpassed.”

Among his many friends, stories abound. “Jack was fanatical about bas-ketball and we went to an Oak Hill game in Bristol, Virginia,” remembered local builder Gary Sovel. “During half-time, Jack was antsy as he always was, so he went to look around and gave us a raffle ticket he had purchased hoping to win a basketball autographed by the Oak Hill team. When he returned, I in-formed him he had won the ball, and you would have thought he had won the lot-tery. He said he would cherish that ball forever. Forever turned out to be the fol-lowing week,” Sovel continued, “when a couple we were attending another Oak Hill game with, told Jack how they never

missed an Oak Hill game and how they simply adored the team. When the four of us walked out after the game, Jack had them come over to our car and he reached in the back seat and gave them the ball he said he would cherish forever. That gesture epitomized Jack Masters. The only thing bigger than his love for basketball was the size of his heart.”

But it was his love for young people

that stands out. An example of his com-passion for children is when he came to know Justin Miller, a special needs student in the Pre-K program in Ban-ner Elk who suffered from cerebral palsy. “Jack would come by and spend time with Justin after he had extensive sur-gery on his leg,” recalled Jennifer Miller, Justin’s mom. “They would hug and talk and Jack would encourage Justin with his words and kindness. Jack came to mean everything to him. He also took time out to mentor my oldest son Jamie and helped my daughter Ashley with some early reading difficulties. I am so appre-ciative of what he did for my kids. My family is going to miss him so much.”

So is the legacy of Jack Masters—a man with little in the way of material wealth who enriched the lives of an en-tire community.

He touched so many, one by one, wanting nothing in return but the sat-isfaction that comes by putting others first.

People come and go in our busy lives, but Jack Masters was one soul who left us better off than when he first found us. To look into his sparkling eyes was to see clear into his soul.

I N M E M O R I A M

JACK MASTERS‘Mr. Banner Elk’ Stood Tall For AllBy Rusty Page

72 — Spring/Summer2012 CaroLina mountain Life

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LLH_CML_halfpgAd_final.indd 1 3/14/12 1:20 PM

74 — Spring/Summer2012 CaroLina mountain Life

Appalachian state universityThe following listings are sponsored by ASU and for more information visit www.appstate.edu, www.visitingwriters.appstate.edu or 828-262-2000.The Performing Arts Series (those noted with*) is a presentation of the Appalachian State University Office of the Arts and Cultural Programs. The series promotes the power and excitement of the live performance experience while displaying locally, regionally, nationally and internationally renowned artists. Call 828-262-6084 or visit www.pas.appstate.edu.

April 13: Global Opportunities Conference: The Business of Building a Better World, 9:30am-4pm, Broyhill Inn & Conference CenterApril 24: Diversity Lecture Series: Hands on the Freedom Plow, 7pm April 25-29: Big Love, 7:30pm & 2pm, Farthing Auditorium

Visiting Writers series

April 19: Poets R.T.Smith and Sarah Kennedy, 7:30pm, Table Rock Room

Appalachian summer FestivalAn Appalachian Summer Festival announces its 28th season schedule, which includes a dynamic array of artists and educators presenting music, dance, theatre, visual arts, film and educational lectures, seminars and workshops for children and adults. For a complete schedule, tickets or information call 800-841-ARTS (2787), 828-262-4046 or visit www.appsummer.org.

hayes school of MusicHayes School of Music performance calendar is available at www.music.appstate.edu or by contacting 828-262-3020.

April 13-15: Guitarfest, 8pm & 1pm, Recital Hall,April 27: Appalachian Symphony Orchestra, 8pm, Farthing

Appalachian state Wind energy The Southern Appalachian region contains abundant and readily available wind, solar and microhydro resources for producing home-grown, clean and renewable energy. The Western North Carolina Renewable Energy Initiative (WNCREI) is an Appalachian State University Energy Center (ASUEC) project dedicated to helping create a sustainable energy future.

WorkshopsThe WNCREI is proud to host the 2012 workshop series to empower groups and individuals with the tools and resources

to pursue wind, solar, microhydro and alternative fuel technologies for energy independence. All workshops are located at the ASU Campus, Kerr Scott/Harper Hall Room 178. Call 828-262-7333 or visit www.wind.appstate.edu. turchin Center for Visual ArtsThe Turchin Center for the Visual Arts (TCVA) supports regionally significant exhibition, education and collection programs. Through its programs and partnerships, the center supports the university’s role as a key regional educational and cultural resource and offers a dynamic space where participants experience and incorporate the power and excitement of the visual arts into their lives. 828-262-3017 or visit www.tcva.org.

April 6: Exhibition Celebration Reception, 7-9pmApril 18: Lunch & Learn Lecture Series, 12-1pmApril 25: NCAC Round Table Artist Presentation, 7pm

Watauga County Arts CouncilThe Watauga County Arts Council was founded in 1981 with a mission to sponsor and encourage the cultural arts in Watauga County, with an emphasis on arts in education and the traditional art. The galleries and concerts will be held at the Jones House Community Center in downtown Boone, home of the offices and galleries of the Watauga County Arts Council. For information please call 828-264-1789 visit www.watauga-arts.org.

June 25-30: Summer Arts Camp featuring Missoula Children’s Theatre, Watauga High School

Watauga County Farmers MarketFresh vegetables, fruits, canned goods, flowers, plants, handmade furniture, fresh milk, cheese and good conversation can be found at the Farmers’ Market at the Horn in the West Grounds. Open May through October on Saturdays 8am-12pm, www.wataugacountyfarmersmarket.org.

horn in the WestCall 828-264-2120 or visit www.horninthewest.com.Daniel boone Native Gardens & hickory Ridge homestead 828-264-6390

June 15 - August 11: Horn in the West The Re-telling of the Birth of our Nation-Live at the Daniel Boone Amphitheatre, 8pm

boone MallShop locally! Call 828-264-7286 or visit www.boonemall.com.

CaroLina mountain Life Spring/Summer2012 — 75

things to doAs the following events may change, please confirm all details with the event organizer.

boone Visit www.exploreboonearea.com or www.toddscalendar.com.

April 6, May 4, June 1: Downtown Boone Art Crawl, 5pm June 1-2: Boone Bike Rally at the High Country Fairgrounds, www.boonebikerally.com June 24: 2nd Annual Boone Cyclo.Via!, 10am

Parkway Crafts CenterThe Southern Highland Craft Guild is a nonprofit, educational organization established in 1930 to bring together the crafts and craftspeople of the Southern Highlands for the benefit of shared resources, education, marketing and conservation. For more information call 828-295-7938 or visit www.craftguild.org.

April 28: Day of Puppetry, 12-4pmMay 12-13: Fiber Weekend

blowing Rock The historic village of Blowing Rock will provide ample cultural opportunities. For more information please call 828-295-7851 or visit www.blowingrock.com.

April 7-8: The 33rd Annual Trout Derby, 6am American Legion April 11-15: Blue Ridge Wine & Food Festival, www.blueridgewinefestival.com April 11: Fire on the Rock Finale, 6:30pm Crippen’s Restaurant April 13: Tweetsie Railroad Opening, www.tweetsie.com 800-526-5740 April 14: Murder by the Glass, 10:30pm at Crippen’s Restaurant, www.ensemblestage.com April 15, May 13, June 10: Blowing Rock Jazz Society Concert, 7-9pm Meadowbrook Inn April 19: Civil War Exhibit Opens, www.blowingrockmuseum.org 828-295-9099 April 19, May 17, June21: 3rd Thursday Speaker Series, 5-6:30pm, www.blowingrockmuseum.org 828-295-9099 April 26-29: Merlefest 25 Wilkes Community College 800-343-7857 www.merlefest.org May 11: Sunset Stroll on Sunset Drive, 5:30-8pmDowntown Blowing Rock 828-295-6991May 12:Staged Radio Drama “The Green Hornet” 7pm, www.ensemblestage.com 828-414-1844 Blowing Rock School Auditorium May 12, June 16: Art in the Park, 10-5pm, American Legion May 17- october 18: Blowing Rock Farmers Market, 4-6pm Thursdays American Legion May – october: Music on the Lawn, Fridays 5:30-8pm at The Ragged Gardens 828-295-9703 May 27: Fire Pink Trio Chamber Music Concert www.blowingrockmuseum.org 828-295-9099

June 1-11: Day Out with Thomas the Tank Engine, Tweetsie Railroad June 2: Shriners Parade, 2pm Main Street June 7-10: Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show, Tate Show Grounds 828-295-4700June 17: Concert in the Park- Pops Ferguson, 4-5:30pm Memorial Park June 30: “Minute to Win It” Gameshow, 2pm www.ensemblestage.com Blowing Rock School

orchard at AltapassThe Historic Orchard at Altapass is a 104 year-old apple orchard turned Appalachian Cultural Center celebrating the people, music, art and natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina. The Orchard sits right on the Parkway providing some of the most amazing scenery. Visit us at www.altapassorchard.com or by calling 828-765-9531.

May 2 opening Day: Open Weekends 10:30-5:30pm, Regular hours starting Memorial Day.

Avery County For more information call 800-972-2183/ 828-898-5605 or visit them at www.averycounty.com.

April 27-29: Discovery Camp at Holston Center, 828-898-6611June 10- July 20: 2012 Summer Camp at Holston Center, www.holstoncamp.org 828-898-6611June 23: White Elephant Yard Sale at the Newland Restore, 9am-12pm

Grandfather Mountain Call 800-468-7325 or visit www.grandfather.com.

April 22: Balsam Range Live in Concert at the Museum, 2pmMay 3: Critter Crawl, 6:30pmMay 11-13: Naturalist WeekendJune 1-3: Nature Photography WeekendJune 2-17: The Remarkable Rhododendron Ramble, 1pmJune 13: Birthday Party at Grandfather Animal Habitats, 10amJune 24: 88th Annual Singing on the Mountain, 8:30am July 12-15: 57th Annual Grandfather Mtn Highland Games

Appalachian state universityThe following listings are sponsored by ASU and for more information visit www.appstate.edu, www.visitingwriters.appstate.edu or 828-262-2000.The Performing Arts Series (those noted with*) is a presentation of the Appalachian State University Office of the Arts and Cultural Programs. The series promotes the power and excitement of the live performance experience while displaying locally, regionally, nationally and internationally renowned artists. Call 828-262-6084 or visit www.pas.appstate.edu.

April 13: Global Opportunities Conference: The Business of Building a Better World, 9:30am-4pm, Broyhill Inn & Conference CenterApril 24: Diversity Lecture Series: Hands on the Freedom Plow, 7pm April 25-29: Big Love, 7:30pm & 2pm, Farthing Auditorium

Visiting Writers series

April 19: Poets R.T.Smith and Sarah Kennedy, 7:30pm, Table Rock Room

Appalachian summer FestivalAn Appalachian Summer Festival announces its 28th season schedule, which includes a dynamic array of artists and educators presenting music, dance, theatre, visual arts, film and educational lectures, seminars and workshops for children and adults. For a complete schedule, tickets or information call 800-841-ARTS (2787), 828-262-4046 or visit www.appsummer.org.

hayes school of MusicHayes School of Music performance calendar is available at www.music.appstate.edu or by contacting 828-262-3020.

April 13-15: Guitarfest, 8pm & 1pm, Recital Hall,April 27: Appalachian Symphony Orchestra, 8pm, Farthing

Appalachian state Wind energy The Southern Appalachian region contains abundant and readily available wind, solar and microhydro resources for producing home-grown, clean and renewable energy. The Western North Carolina Renewable Energy Initiative (WNCREI) is an Appalachian State University Energy Center (ASUEC) project dedicated to helping create a sustainable energy future.

WorkshopsThe WNCREI is proud to host the 2012 workshop series to empower groups and individuals with the tools and resources

turn for more...

76 — Spring/Summer2012 CaroLina mountain Life

As the following events may change, please confirm all details with the event organizer.

Avery County Arts CouncilThe Avery County Arts Council is a non-profit organization working to enrich the people of Avery County through meaningful arts and cultural experiences. For more than 30 years, the council has helped to support school arts programs and served as a resource for artists and the community. Call 828-898-4292 or www.averycountyartscouncil.org.

April 13: Opening DayMay 26: The ScrapParty, Led by artist John D. Richards of Yummy Mud Puddle. FREE! June 23: Annual Cornbread Cook-Off and Artist’s demonstrations Avery County Arts Council Continued...

June 25-29 and July 9-13: Kid’s pottery classes taught by Joe Comeau of Two Trees Pottery

banner house Museum Experience 19th century history in the home of Samuel Henry Banner. Wander back in time. Visit www.bannerhousemuseum.com or call 828-898-3634. Opening in June.

beech Mountain Visit www.townofbeechmountain.com or call 828-387-9283. www.beechmtn.com, www.bikebeechmountain.com, www.hikebeechmountain.com

April 7: Easter Celebration & Egg Hunt, 9:30am Buckeye Recreation CenterMay 1: Beech Mountain Town Anniversary June 8-9: The 2012 A Cool 5 Race Weekend, Buckeye Recreation Center June 16: Beech Mountain Arts & Crafts Fair June 16: Community Yard Sale, 9am June 23: Kiddo Fishing Derby June 30: 47th Annual Roasting of the Hog

Fred’s General Mercantile828-387-4838 or visit www.fredsgeneral.com.

lees McRae CollegeLocated in downtown Banner Elk. Visit www.lmc.edu or call 828-898-8721.

June 18-22, June 25-29: Creative Performing Arts Camp, 828-898-3372June 19, 26, July 3: 2012 ForumJune 27- July 1: Seussical, a Musical, 7:30pm & 2pm

banner elk Call 828-898-8395 or visit www.bannerelk.org.

May 26-27: 4th Annual Banner Elk Herb Festival, 9am Old Banner Elk SchoolJune 2: Home & Garden Show, 9am Old Banner Elk School

Mayland Community CollegeCall 828-765-7351 or visit www.mayland.edu/foundation.

May 10: Drive for the Green 2012, Linville Golf Club

the Crossnore schoolCall 828-733-4305, 800-557-4305 or visit www.crossnoreschool.org.

May 17: Hugh Fields Crossnore Children’s Golf Classic, Linville Golf Club

Valle Crucis Visit www.vallecrucis.com

May 27, June 3, 10, 17, 24: Music in the Valle, 7pm June 23: 14th Annual Blood Sweat & Gears, 7:30 am, Valle Crucis School www.wataugaredcross.com

Music at st. John’s The 7th annual summer concert series at St. John’s in Valle Crucis features presentations by nationally and regionally acclaimed performers. The performances begin at 5pm on the first Sunday of each month. For more information call 828.963.4609.

Apple hill Farm Apple Hill Farm conducts a farm tour every Saturday at 2pm from mid May to mid October. Located off 194 between Valle Crucis and Banner Elk, the farm offers a walking tour and stops at 3 different animal barns to meet alpacas, llamas, horses, donkeys, goats and chickens. The store offers a variety of items made from alpaca yarn, fresh produce and eggs, plants, gifts and local craft items. For more information call 828.963.1662 or visit www.applehillfarmnc.com.

Mast General store When you visit the “store that has everything”, you might also stumble on some good ole country music being played around the potbelly stove. For more information and details of other store locations, please call 828-963-6511 or visit www.mastgeneralstore.com.

CaroLina mountain Life Spring/Summer2012 — 77

Cove CreekCove Creek Preservation and Development, Inc. is dedicated to serving the Cove Creek Community through preservation and restoration. Visit www.covecreek.net, 828-297-2200.

April 29, May 27, June 24 & August 26: BBQ, 4-7pmJuly 13-14: The 15th Annual Music Fest, Historic Cove Creek School

Wilkes heritage MuseumCall 336-667-3171 or visit www.wilkesheritagemuseum.com.

April 21, May 19, June 16: Candle Light Ghost Tour April 26-29: Merlefest at Wilkes Community College, www.merlefest.org 800-343-7857 May 5: 8th Annual Shine to Wine Festival, 12pm www.downtownnorthwilkesboro.com June 9: Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame Ceremony, 6:30pm Stone Center Performing Arts June 21-23: Ebenezer Christian Children’s Home “Singing in the Foothills”, 7pm Wilkesboro Raceway Park www.singinginthefoothills.org or call 866-601-SING

other happenings April 1: Kontras Quartet, 4pm, P E Monroe Auditorium at Lenoir Rhyne University in Hickory Visit www.wpsymphony.org or call 828-324-8603. April 27-28: TRAC’s Annual Blacksmith Exhibit, www.toeriverarts.com April 28: Fire on the Mountain Blacksmith Festival, 10am, Spruce Pine, www.sprucepinefestivals.com June 9: The Black and Blue-Double Century, Century & Relay, 336-877-8888 www.blackandbluerelay.com

Visit:87 Ruffin Street Gallery: www.87ruffinstreet.com

Alta Vista Gallery: www.altavistagallery.com

Art Purveyors.com: www.artpurveyors.com

Carlton Gallery: www.carltonartgallery.com

Crossnore Fine Arts Gallery: www.crossnoregallery.org

Kevin Beck Studio: www.kevinbeck.com

Linville Gallery: www.averycountyartscouncil.com

Linville River Pottery: www.linvilleriverpottery.com

MAy/JuNe coNcertsbanjo Jubilee • Sat, May 19 • Steve Lewis, Brandy Miller, Edwin Lacy

country Music classics • Sun, May 27 • David Johnson & the Studio Band

rural roots, Mountain songs • Sat, June 2 • Dana & Sue Robinson

From Asheville to boone • Sat, June 9 • Red June

creative country • Sat, June 16 • The Jeanne Jolly Band

old-time Fiddle & banjo • Sat, June 23 • Joe Newberry & Mike Compton

Gentle rings/Dulcimer strings • Sat, June 30 • Ken Kolodner & Friends

bluegrass & brass • Wed, July 4 • The Mountain Home Bluegrass Boys

All concerts will be at the Blowing Rock School Auditorium, starting time 8:00, except the June 16 concert. This concert, Creative Country, will be at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in downtown Boone. Starting time is 7:30.

Tickets sold at: Mast Stores, Fred’s Mercantile, Kudzu MusicPandora’s Mailbox, and Blue Moon Guitars

For more info: 828-964-3392 / www.mountainhomemusic.com

MHM IS A NoN-PRoFIT oRGANIzATIoN CELEBRATING APPALACHIAN CuLTuRE THRouGH MuSIC

things to do

Morning Star Gallery: www.morningstargalleryusa.com

Sally Nooney Gallery: www.sallynooney.com

The Art Cellar Gallery & Framemaker: www.artcellaronline.com

The Linville Gallery at Tynecastle: www.linvillegallery.com

Toe River Arts Council: www.toeriverarts.org

78 — Spring/Summer2012 CaroLina mountain Life

Render unto the Valley: A NovelRose SenehiK.I.M. Publishing

In this tightly-woven romance, Senehi pulls us into Karen Whitfield’s world with a childhood flashback. The oldest of three children, Karen has struggled to keep the younger ones, Amy and Travis fed, warm, and safe from their mother’s assortment

of lovers. One wintry day, Karen takes Amy and Travis into the woods to gather kindling. When Travis falls through the ice into a pond, Karen manages to save the boy. Wisdom says, “If you save someone’s life, you’ll always be responsible for them.” But Amy, whose pets have suffered and died at Travis’s cruel little hands, only pouts: “I guess now we’re gonna hafta take him back home.”

Eventually, Mama dumps the children into their Granny’s care and disappears. Hard work and college scholarships allow Karen to thoroughly reinvent herself, leaving her roots (and a frightening secret) behind. In New York, she builds a career and happy family life–but loses it all when her husband dies and their investments are decimated. Days later, Amy calls, inform-ing Karen that Travis has stolen Granny’s savings and his sisters’ inheritance, and put Granny into a nursing home, drugged and helpless. Karen moves back to the mountains with her daughter Hali, (Senehi’s best child character ever), and hires busy land-use attorney Tom Gibbons, whose conservation work too often keeps him too long.

Senehi’s technique here presents a subtle departure from her previous works. Her earlier romances sweep characters along on rip-snortin’ rides. In this romance, her characters do the driving. Karen’s sense of responsibility for Travis drives her efforts to redress the damage he has done; Karen’s frustration over Tom’s tardiness caused by his land conservancy work make both crazy, and make us believe it.

This is a book you can live in and love it, all the way to its long, satisfying end.

“The MORE that you READ,the more THINGS you will KNOW. The MORE you LEARN, the more PLACES you’ll GO!” –Dr. Seuss

Let Black Bear Books helpyoufindallthe

places you can go!

Black Bear Books and Yarnis now located in the Boone Mall!828-264-4636www.blackbearbooks.com

CaroLina mountain Life Spring/Summer2012 — 79

Around a Greek Table:Recipes & Stories Arranged to the Liturgical Seasons of the Eastern ChurchKaterina Katsarka WhitleyPhotographs by Jasmin HejaziLyons Press (imprint of Globe Pequot)

In this extraordinary book of recipes from the author’s Greek heritage, you can learn as much about Greek culture as you can about how to cook in the Greek ways.

Katerina Katsarka Whitley is as charming and as eager to share as you read it from the pages of this unusual collection of recipes. The space and time to talk about the traditional foods and celebrations remembered from her childhood, and an audience to whom she can talk about it appears to enchant her – and, yes, she is like that. The combination of the church seasons and the food she loves lilts in Whitley’s prose like music.

Whitley arranges her recipes (with delightful and infor-mative chat about the preparation and meanings behind each one) not as Meat … potatoes … vegetables … des-serts … etc., but according to the church calendar. When the season comes, that season’s best food comes, too.

Growing up in Greece, where the nourishing food is at least as blessed as the season it marks, young Katerina had no chores. The children were encouraged to study, practice her music, and play: “There was a firm conviction in our un-usual Greek household that children’s lives were not to be burdened by household chores. Our schoolwork and play came first.”

Unusual, too, in her town was her family’s form of wor-ship. They were not Eastern Orthodox, but – “We were Protestántes.” This meant that, while her family celebrated church holidays, there were no saints’ days – and no fast days. Judging by the fantasia of recipes in this book, going without delicious, nourishing food for a whole day would be as foreign to the Katsarka kitchen as combing your hair with your toes.

On the last page before the text begins, Whitley provides an Internet site for Greek ingredients:

www.Parthenonfoods.com

North Carolina in the Civil WarMichael C. HardyHistory Press

Readers of this magazine are famil-iar with Hardy’s precise, eminently readable style. Hardy’s many publi-cations on the Civil War (books, ar-ticles, blog posts) have brought him praise, recognition, and a Historian of the Year award.

Now, reading this concise history of North Carolina’s soldiers in “our

great calamity,” it is easy to understand the admiration Hardy’s work excites. History, driven as it is by human action, deserves to be written in terms that humans can read and understand. Along the way, he provides photographs, or sketches and paintings, il-lustrating almost every person, place or battle flag mentioned, illuminating readers’ way through this history.

Hardy divides this history quite sensibly along time lines: one chapter for each year of the war, taking us from “On the Home front:1861” through “On the Home front:1865,” until “Tar Heels to the Front” brings North Carolina’s troops north into Pennsylvania and the Battle of Gettysburg.

Too often, Civil War accounts end with the Courthouse at Appomattox. Hardy takes us further, into “Reconstruction”–presidential – as outlined by President Andrew Johnson – and congressional, as laid out by Congress – and finally into the vari-ous forms of “Remembrance,” as people began to think not only about their own dead and missing, but also about those who fell were never identified.

Hardy’s deep relish for his subject becomes most evident in his last chapter, “Looking for the Civil War in North Carolina To-day.” He describes places where we may look for artifacts, battle-fields, forts, living history sites, and government buildings, which are, themselves, artifacts on a larger scale.

It is fun to note that this chapter is reflected in the last para-graph of Hardy’s “Preface,” wherein he renders thanks “most im-portantly” to three young people who followed him through his search.

Even if you are not a Civil War buff, this book is an absorbing read. I couldn’t put it down.

BOOk REVIEwSschuyler kaufman’s

80 — Spring/Summer2012 CaroLina mountain Life

On March 23, theaters across the country will fill with viewers eager to see the cinematic adaptation of Suzanne

Collins’s bestselling dystopian novel The Hunger Games. Why, some might won-der, is there such interest, and why is it important to us in mountains of North Carolina? Whether you’ve barely heard of the Hunger Games or know it well, here are nine reasons (yes, nine, see num-ber 5) why this book and movie matter here in the mountains.

1. District 12 looks a lot like Caroli-na and it should. The movie was filmed on location in western North Carolina, including some fantastic sites through-out the region. The Hunger Games is set in a future when what was once North America has become Panem, 12 districts controlled by the powerful, wealthy, and ruthless Capitol. For the scenes shot in the home of protagonist Katniss Ever-deen, the coal-mining District 12, film makers selected the abandoned Henry River Mill village, a once-thriving textile town near Hildebran. Uninhabited for decades, the haunting collection of di-lapidated houses and businesses made a wonderful backdrop for poverty-stricken District 12. Other District 12 scenes were shot in an unused lumber yard in Shelby. The sleek and shimmering Capitol was often created digitally or on soundstages, but the center of the novel takes place in the Arena, a vast outdoor space where two Tributes from each District strug-

9 Reasons to Get Fired up About The Hunger GamesBy Elizabeth Baird Hardy

gle to survive starvation, the elements, and each other. Our beautiful Carolina mountains made a wonderful arena, and filmgoers should look for the Asheville Reservoir and other breathtaking loca-tions that will appear in the movie.

2. North Carolina has talent. Since the film was made here, local tal-ent played a large role. While the stars and many of the production crew were brought in, western North Carolina residents served as the hordes of ex-tras needed to people both the Capitol and the Districts. Avery High School student Jay Buchanan had an amazing experience with the film, from getting a severe District 12 haircut to meeting star Elizabeth Banks. While people with scars, amputations, and other distinc-tive appearances were used to depict the miners of District 12 or the farmers of District 11, other extras submitted to dramatic hair-dos and make-up in order to portray the fashion-obsessed residents of the Capitol. In order to create these very diverse looks, the film employed a troop of expert make-up artists, includ-ing Charlotte area make-up magician Conor McCullough, who won the first season of SyFy Channel’s competition show Face Off on which he worked with the Hunger Games department head of make-up Ve Niell. Many of those who came to film here fell in love with the beautiful mountains despite the swelter-ing summer heat and challenged of film-ing outdoors.

3. Not just kids’ stuff. The Hunger Games already has a following of young fans who will doubtless scream at red carpet entrances, get Mockingjay tat-toos, and otherwise display their obses-sion. However, their age, and the ages of the novel’s protagonists, should not de-ceive the uninitiated into thinking this is a children’s book. In fact, the violence and disturbing themes of the novel have made some parents challenge the book at libraries and schools. Like many other powerful works of literature with young characters, The Hunger Games is actually a very mature, sophisticated novel that will not disappoint older readers.

4. there may be a quiz. So appro-priate is the novel for adult readers that it is being integrated into college curri-cula across the country. While some high schools are also using the book, the col-

lege courses are even more complex and thought provoking. At the Barrett Hon-ors College at Arizona State University, for example, an entire Hunger Games course is being offered this semester. In addition to reading and analyzing the three novels—The Hunger Games, Catch-ing Fire, and Mockingjay, students study the myriad of historic, philosophical, ethical, social, and psychological issues Collins raises. Closer to home, at our own Mayland Community College, I be-gan using the novel in Expository Writ-ing classes in 2010. The book has worked so well and been so warmly embraced by the students that other instructors have integrated it into their own classes. One day, as I walked down the hall, I saw three students sitting in the floor, all av-idly reading their copies, but they weren’t cramming for a test or discussion. They were all so entranced that they had to finish the story.

5. three is a Magic Number. One of the reasons the novel is so popular with both students and general readers is its subtle and remarkable artistry. Su-zanne Collins, a former television writer, knows how to keep her audience en-gaged, but she is also a careful artist who has imbued her riveting tale with com-plex structure and symbolic elements that many readers may never consciously notice. Among Collins’s bag of tricks are her meticulous structuring of the novels around the number three. Each of the three books is divided into three sec-tions, and each section has nine chapters. From the three-fingered salute given by the people of District 12 to the three main characters, triptychs are intention-ally woven throughout the series, creat-ing a powerful thematic element. Collins also carefully crafts The Hunger Gamess around the days of the week, setting spe-cific events on specific days, though only once revealing the day, so that the reader must explore the symbolism. She also works with the symbolic associations of plants, animals, and colors to create a story that has just as much happening on deeper levels as it does on the surface. For example, Katniss, the resourceful ar-cher, is named after a plant also known as “arrowhead.”

6. Not all fun and Games. Though there will be action figures, board games, and T-shirts, this novel is not a mere

CaroLina mountain Life Spring/Summer2012 — 81

roller-coaster of action and excitement. In fact, Collins tackles some of the most crucial social and philosophical ques-tions in her thought-provoking tale, which was partly inspired by a late-night channel surf during which she noticed the predominance of reality television and war coverage. Concerned by the way our world seeks entertainment in vio-lence, Collins crafted her brilliant look at a potential future, in part, by looking to the past. She drew upon the legend of Theseus and the Minotaur as well as upon the history of Rome and our own Appalachia to create a world in which gladiatorial games, with actual deaths of children from conquered Districts, are the last word in entertainment. Though Panem is an extreme, of course, the novel unflinchingly demonstrates what hap-pens to people and cultures that lose their humanity in their thirst for ever-more exciting forms of entertainment.

7. Making a Difference. While some readers and movie goers will only see the story as an action-packed thriller, many more have already sought opportunities to put into action Collins’s reminders about humanity, charity, and awareness of the rest of the world. Determined not to become like the Capitol’s beautiful, vapid, and cruel citizens, readers have been inspired to make lifestyle changes ranging from re-evaluating their enter-tainment choices to supporting charities. Canned food drives and hunger aware-

ness have been popular outlets for read-ers to show their concern and interest in making a difference in our real world. The casting agency responsible for providing the film’s crowds of extras has hosted costume contests and acting workshops with canned goods as the price of admis-sion. The movie will doubtless continue to inspire acts of kindness and awareness of those who already have lives little dif-ferent from those in the Districts.

8. there is more where that came from. The success of the three books in the trilogy has inspired both readers and writers. Reluctant readers, many of whom were assigned the novel in school, have discovered a love for books. Often this interest in reading takes them to both the classics of dystopian literature, like Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World or George Orwell’s 1984. New dystopian novels are also experiencing a boom, as are novels targeted toward a young adult audience. Like other popular novels that have appealed to both adults and teens, The Hunger Games has readers of all ages finding greater enjoyment in a book.

9. one of the most important rea-sons we shouldn’t ignore the hunger Games here in the Carolina moun-tains is that the story is, at its core, an Appalachian one. Though District 12 is clearly the coalfields of Southwest Virginia or West Virginia, the protago-nists, their values, and their worldviews are all markedly influenced by Appala-

chian Culture. From Katniss’s hunting and gathering animals and plants once commonly eaten by the people here to her insistence on not being “beholden” to anyone else, the novel’s fiery heroine is an Appalachian character. The coal mining tragedy that kills her father and makes her a hunter is one that reflects the his-torical and current dangers of mining, just as the tragedies of war, deprivation, and oppression mirror some of the darker moments in our region’s past. District 12, despite the beauty of its mountains and the resilience of its resourceful citizens, is treated as the least prestigious, least promising region of Collins’s Panem. Yet it is from this area that Katniss emerges to inspire the rebellion and change that eventually lead to a better, more equitable future. Though Appalachia is still often misrepresented by television and movies, our beautiful, bountiful landscape and our strong, remarkable people continue to defy those stereotypes. Like Katniss , Appalachia is more than it seems, and if Collins inspires readers, and now film-goers, to learn more about our amazing region, then she has hit the bulls eye, just like Katniss.

Elizabeth Baird Hardy is a Senior Instructor of English at Mayland Community College and author of numerous books and articles on the literary value of popular texts. Her thoughts on The Hunger Games and other texts can be found at www.hogwartsprofessor.com

Left: The Hunger Games book cover / Right: Mayland Community College student Keith Nichols and his wife Tracy visit the “Mellark Bakery in District 12.

82 — Spring/Summer2012 CaroLina mountain Life

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CaroLina mountain Life Spring/Summer2012 — 83

“grow old with me! The best is yet to be, the last of life, for which the first was made . . .”

These words, penned by the English poet, Robert Burns, in 1864 are famil-iar to many of us, and hold promise for our golden

years. Although most of us do not like to dwell on the inevitability of our earthly demise, those who postpone planning for later life may be confronted by dev-astating consequences that impact the entire family in these turbulent times. The couple or individual who fails or refuses to plan for the future will likely find that not only are there inadequate resources for personal care and security, but there may be nothing left to leave to loved ones, such as a spouse or partner, children, or grandchildren.

In a 2010 Harris Interactive Study, 61% of respondents ranked having Al-zheimer’s disease as their single great-est fear in life. Presently, one in every eight Americans over the age of 65 and nearly half of those over 85, have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Ini-tiating any conversation about long-term care planning can be difficult, and it may be awkward to discuss with family or close friends, but with some prior plan-ning, and guidance from trusted advi-sors, these conversations may mean the difference between a bright future and a bleak one.

In North Carolina, the median annu-al cost of a semi-private room in a skilled nursing facility was $66,600 in 2011, a ten percent increase from 2005 accord-ing to a recent survey. Most patients requiring long-term care will be forced to apply for Medicaid, eventually, after exhausting monthly income and assets, if no prior planning has occurred. Pres-ently, the North Carolina Medicaid pro-gram will not cover long-term care ex-penses for those with home equity above $525,000, with certain exceptions.

A person applying for Medicaid cov-erage for long-term care expenses must disclose all financial transactions during a period of time, also referred to as the “look-back period.” The N.C. Division of Medical Assistance then determines whether the applicant transferred any

assets for less than fair market value during this period. Congress, and most taxpayers, do not intend for a Medicaid applicant to be able to give away his or her assets one day and then qualify for public benefits the next.

In 2005, the federal Deficit Reduc-tion Act, or “DRA”, extended the Med-icaid look-back period from three years to five years, thus making the application process more difficult, particularly for persons who cannot document five years of financial transactions. With respect to the applicant’s personal residence, the transfer penalty and disqualifica-tion from Medicaid coverage will not apply in situations where the applicant has transferred his or her interest in the personal residence to a person or entity in one of the following categories: (1) the applicant’s spouse, (2) the applicant’s child under age 21, or a blind or disabled adult child, (3) a trust for the sole ben-efit of a disabled individual under age 65 (even if the trust is for the benefit of the Medicaid applicant, under certain cir-cumstances), (4) a sibling who has lived in the home during the year preceding the applicant’s institutionalization and who already owns an equity interest in the home, or (5) a “caretaker child”, an adult child of the applicant who lived in the house for at least two years prior to the applicant’s institutional admission and who, during that period of time, provided care enabling the applicant to avoid a nursing home stay.

One cannot begin to plan for con-tingencies involving long-term care and asset protection too soon. Initiate the discussion today. There’s a lot of life de-pending on it.

Tricia Wilson is an attorney in private practice in Linville. She concentrates her practice in matters of trusts and estate planning, asset protection, elder law, and estate adminsitration.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article or accessed on the publisher’s web site is intended to provide information of general interest to the public, and is not intended to offer legal advice about specific situations or problems and is not a source of advertising, solicitation or legal advice. The author does not intend to create an attorney-client relationship by offering this information, and anyone’s review of this content shall not be deemed to create an attorney-client relationship. You should contact a lawyer if you have a legal matter requiring attention.

Planning for the Future: Conversations that Make a Difference

84 — Spring/Summer2012 CaroLina mountain Life

NC Mountains Invitational to benefit Williams YMCA of Avery County

Thirty years ago, some members of the Mountain Glen Golf Club got together to stage what has grown into one of the longest continually running amateur golf events in the southeast. The North Carolina Mountains Invitational returns to Mountain Glen May 25-28 in a 54-hole, two man, best ball event. The traditional date of the Memorial Day Weekend with play concluding on the holiday Monday remains the same. How-ever, the individual stroke play segment of the event has given way to the two-man team format. But organizers expect the same flood of applications of past years when the event was always filled to capacity over the popular Avery County layout.

The teams will be flighted by the combined handicaps of the two players. Team mates’ handicaps cannot exceed a spread, or difference, of more than 12 strokes. Field is limited to 90 teams. Senior participants 70 years of age and older will play from des-ignated forward tees.

The long running event has built its success on the ageless appeal of the host golf course, generous gift bags for each player, plentiful food and beverages, and prizes for top flight performers. And each year, the event has generated over $20,000 to local charities. This year’s beneficiary is the Williams YMCA in Linville.

“We’ve always looked for worthwhile charities where we know the money will help the local people,” tournament coordinator Kathy Rimmer explained. “The YMCA, with all of its outreach work and programs for the kids made them a natural beneficiary of the Mountains Invitational.”

Entry fee is $500 per two man team and includes three rounds of tournament golf Saturday, Sunday and Monday, the Flight Party Friday with heavy hors d’oeurves and gift bag pickup, and Saturday night’s banquet. Competitors can enjoy a practice round Friday, May 25 for cart fee only.

For an entry form call or stop by Mountain Glen (733-5804), or email Kathy at jkrim-mer@bellsouth.net

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Last summer, Avery County, the last of the state’s one hundred counties to receive its charter, celebrated a beautifully orchestrated Centennial Celebration. Festivals, music, and history flavored the centen-nial summer throughout the county as a special

committee honored 10 lifelong residents declaring them Avery County’s “Citizens of the Century.”

Almost a year later, on Sunday, June 24, the honorees will join family and friends in the newly dedicated Hugh M. Chap-man Family Center, on the campus of Cannon Hospital, the newest gem in the crown that is the Williams YMCA.

Hugh Chapman, who passed away April 29, 2007, was a na-tive of Inman, a farming and textile town in the South Caro-lina upstate. Eschewing the natural ascension into the family business of Inman Mills, he served in WWII and went on to a career in banking in his home state and Georgia. In time he found a summer home in Linville along with his brother Robert, and like many of the seasonal residents that now spanned three generations in the mountain resort enclave, have left a legacy of improving the lives of visitors and natives alike.

The Chapman Center joins the YMCA’s Aquatic Center and physical fitness facilities to further enhance the Y’s impact in the High Country. The Chapman Center is designed to serve as the hub of the Central Outreach Program, a collaboration of Avery County Public Schools, Avery Health Care System, Mayland Community College and the Department of Social Services. Wherever education in health, fitness and nutrition can improve quality of life, the Chapman Center will serve the community.

The center includes classrooms equipped with audio-visual support, multi-purpose assembly areas, basketball and volleyball. Classes in diabetes prevention, weight management, and healthy diet maintenance. There are even plans for a community garden on the Chapman grounds.

With its commanding view of Grandfather Mountain, the center with its large central hall, is already attracting attention as a venue for wedding receptions and other festive gatherings. These events will generate revenue to help sustain the center and its many outreach programs.

At Sunday’s Hall of Legends banquet, all ten charter induct-ees to the Avery County Hall of Legends will be honored at the permanent home of the exhibit along with 150 dinner guests. An overflow crowd of another 150 supporters will watch the proceedings via big screen monitors from the athletic courts ad-jacent to the main hall. The weekend signals a new beginning to a commitment to improve the quality of life in North Carolina’s 100th county.

Tickets are available for the banquet seating at $50 per person. Tickets for buffet seating outside the main venue are $25. Contact the Williams YMCA of Avery County at 828-737-5500 for more information.

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Formerly known as the Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute of Boone, the newly christened Cardiology Center of Ap-palachian Regional Healthcare System is sharpening its focus on patient heart care in the High Country. The location and staff are the same, even the phone number, but the goal is loftier—to de-liver cardiology services similar to those available in Charlotte, Asheville, and Johnson City, Tennessee.

The objective, of course, is to bring well-rounded cardiac care in the con-venient, hometown network of services at Watauga Medical Center. In the past, patients were referred out of town for basic procedures such as heart cath-eterization and pacemaker implantation. This development marks the continued expansion of sophisticated medical ser-vices provided locally by ARHS. Should there be a need for treatment beyond the scope of Watauga Medical Center’s ser-vices, patients will be transferred to the facility of their choice for further treat-ment. ARHS maintains good working relationships with surrounding facilities to ensure seamless transfer of patients in need of even more specialized care.

Changes of this kind can often be complex, but in this instance the tran-

sition has been smooth. The cardiology staff worked closely with Information Technology, Plant Operations, Medical Staff Credentialing, Infection Control, Project Management, Corporate Com-munications, the Learning Center, Ad-ministration, and Human Resources to make for an easy transition for patients and staff. Joining together, all depart-ments worked to protect the best interest of the patients with great success.

“I am delighted to continue to care for the cardiology needs of those in our community and am pleased that ARHS decided to establish The Cardiology Center,” Cardiologist Peter Ashline, MD, said. “The staff of The Cardiology Cen-ter of Appalachian Regional Healthcare System looks forward to serving our pa-tients for many years to come.”

Dr. Ashline, along with fellow Cardi-ologists Dr. Tyson Bennett and Dr. Fran-cis Le, as well as Acute Care Nurse Prac-titioner Katherine Smid, MS, ACNP-BC, remain with the center. New to the team is a second Adult Nurse Practitio-ner Joan Stelzner, MS, ANP-BC. ARHS is recruiting additional Cardiologists to meet the needs of local patients in Avery and Ashe counties in addition to Wa-tauga. The center also plans more com-

munity outreach activities related to the prevention and rehabilitation of cardiac issues such as educational seminars and participation at local health fairs.

“The challenge now is to make sure the community understands that while our name has changed, our commitment to our patients has not,” explained office manager Robert Johnston. “We work closely with the medical staffs at Watau-ga Medical Center, Cannon Memorial Hospital, and Blowing Rock Hospital to make life better for our patients. At first, our patients expressed some concern over whether or not the staff would stay, and I’m happy to say that we have basi-cally the same team with only few minor changes. We previously had three medi-cal providers, and today we have five. As always, we encourage our patients to ask questions anytime they have a concern because we are partners in their health-care.”

The Cardiology Center of ARHS, located on the cam-pus of Watauga Medical Center at 175 Mary Street, is open five days a week and Cardiologists are on-call 24/7. To contact the center, call (828) 264-9664 or visit www.apprhs.org/cardiology-center.

Cardiology Care Steps Up at Appalachian Regional Healthcare System By Koren Huskins

88 — Spring/Summer2012 CaroLina mountain Life

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CaroLina mountain Life Spring/Summer2012 — 89

FISH

ING

Method Determines LocationBy Andrew Corpening

Many people consider springtime as trout fishing season. It is true that the fishing is great this time of year.

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) has stocked many of the streams, the insects that trout eat are abundant, and the trout are very ac-tive. Many visitors and newcomers to the High Country think that as long as they have a license they can fish anywhere. Un-fortunately, unless they do a little research, the Game Warden could end up giving them an expensive ticket that also comes with court costs.

Visitors from the flatlands who are used to fishing warm-waters don’t realize that mountain trout waters are totally dif-ferent. On many warm-water rivers and lakes there are few regulations concerning bait or fishing methods. Usually creel lim-its are the only concern. Due to the delicate nature of mountain trout, the High Coun-try’s streams and lakes are highly regulated to improve the fishing. Where you fish for trout is many times determined by the fishing method you use.

If you want to trout fish using any kind of bait or lure you need to fish waters that are regulated as Hatchery Supported. These ‘put and take” waters are stocked by the NCWRC with trout and have no bait restrictions. There is no size limit and you can keep up to seven trout. These streams are marked by the NCWRC with green and white signs. Because of the few re-strictions, these waters are a good place to take young children. Keep in mind though that these waters are closed to fishing dur-

ing the month of March until the first Sat-urday in April.

There are numerous Hatchery Sup-ported rivers in the High Country. A few of the more accessible ones in Watauga County are the Middle Fork of the New River where it follows Hwy. 221/321 be-tween Blowing Rock and Boone, Dutch Creek from Broadstone Road up-stream to the first bridge, and Buckeye Creek Reservoir on Beech Mountain. Some good choices in Avery County are the Linville River from the Land Harbor dam to the Blue Ridge Parkway boundary, Wildcat Lake on Hickory Nut Gap Road, and the Linville River where it flows through the Linville Falls picnic area and campground on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Speaking of the Parkway, all rivers and streams on Parkway property are desig-nated Wild Trout unless, like the Linville River, otherwise posted. Also, since the Parkway runs through both Virginia and North Carolina, a valid fishing license from either state is legal on Parkway prop-erty.

Streams designated Wild Trout are also plentiful in the High Country. These wa-ters are restricted to single hook, artificial lures only, and marked with blue and gold signs. This means no treble hooks, natural bait like worms, manmade bait like the Powerbait brand, or any scented bait. These bait restrictions are designed to encourage catch-and-release since these streams are self-sustaining and not stocked. The treble hooks damage the fish more and trout tend to swallow natural baits so deep that it is difficult to release them without kill-ing them. If you must keep trout on Wild Trout waters, the creel limit is four with a minimum size of seven inches.

Nearly all the streams in the Avery County portion of the Pisgah National Forest are designated as Wild Trout waters. A couple other good Wild Trout streams in Avery County are Cow Camp Creek and the portion of the North Toe River where it runs through the town of Newland. Watauga County has fewer Wild Trout streams, but a couple are Howards Creek from the headwaters to the lower falls, and the upper portion of Dutch Creek.

The High Country also has a few streams designated Catch-And-Release/Artificial Lures Only. Purple and gold signs mark these streams. Avery County has the game land portion of Wilson

Creek in the Pisgah National Forest and Watauga County has Pond Creek from its headwaters to the Locust Ridge Road bridge.

For the fly fisher, Avery County has two streams designated as Fly-Fishing Only/Catch-And-Release, and are marked by red and gold signs. These are the portions of the Elk River on Lees-McRae College property, excluding the Mill Pond, and Lost Cove Creek on the game land por-tion of Pisgah National Forest.

The area also has some waters desig-nated Delayed-Harvest. These waters are marked by black and white signs and are single hook artificial lure/catch-and-re-lease from October 1 to the first Saturday in June. From the first Saturday in June to October 1 the waters fall under Hatchery Supported regulations. Keep in mind that when the rules change on the first Satur-day in June only youths under 16 years old may fish from 6 a.m. to 12 noon.

Delayed Harvest waters in Watauga County are the Watauga River from Hound Ears golf course to the Hwy. 105 bridge and from the Dewitt Barnett Road bridge to the Hwy. 194 bridge in Valle Crucis and Coffee Lake on Beech Moun-tain. Helton Creek in Ashe County is also Delayed Harvest from the Virginia state line to its confluence with the New River. You’ll also find Delayed Harvest waters on Wilson Creek in Caldwell County from Lost Cove Creek to Phillips Branch.

For a complete list of designated mountain trout water and their rules, re-fer to the NCWRC’s Regulations Digest or go to the Commission’s web site at www.ncwildlife.org. Remember, there are many streams in the High Country that are undesignated but still hold trout. These streams fall under Hatchery Supported rules with the exception that you can fish them even when Hatchery Supported wa-ters are closed. However, no trout can be kept when Hatchery Supported waters are closed.

Obviously you need a fishing license but you also need a trout permit to fish designated mountain trout waters. A ba-sic fishing license is not enough. In-state residents need both the basic license and trout permit or a comprehensive license that includes the trout permit. Out-of-state visitors need the fishing license and the trout permit.

90 — Spring/Summer2012 CaroLina mountain Life

escape to the Mountains spawns WingN’It bird Center

For Miami’s Edi and Ric Crosby it was only a question of when. Twenty two years ago the couple traveled to the High Country for their fairytale mountain wedding. After the ceremony they made another vow—to one day come back for good.

To that end they build a home in 2005 for rental purposes--and an escape haven from Miami. So, after the sale of their successful commercial embroidery business they had owned for nearly two decades, the Crosby’s fulfilled their wedding day vow and moved in to put down their mountain roots in July of 2011.

Their new slice of heaven sits in Banner Elk, where for the first two weeks they sat on the porch decompressing from years immersed in the hectic culture of South Florida. They fed and watched their feathered friends, and quickly took to their new lifestyle.

Initially, the couple had thought Asheville would be their retirement home, but after a visit in which they explored new business opportunities, the congestion and traffic of one of the south’s fastest growing cities sent them back to Banner Elk.

Just two months after relocating to Banner Elk, they bought Snow Toys, owned by longtime nurseryman Allan Gregory, who along with his wife Sara, operate the Mountaineer Garden Center next door. It was a ready-made business with ski season approaching, but Edi Crosby was already looking forward to the spring, when their new business would shift gears and reinvent itself as a store catering to wild birds.

WingN’It promises to be the perfect complement to the garden center. The Crosby’s hope to create an exciting destination for bird lovers, with a variety of bird food, feeders, and houses in an eclectic setting. They’ll offer home and garden gifts, wind chimes, garden flags, animal planters, garden art, and artisan crafts from the area.

To house it all, the new Banner Elk entrepreneurs will be adding deck and patio space to the original, diminutive Snow Toys building. The addition should provide plenty of room to enjoy the hand dipped ice cream they will be serving this summer while shopping for “your” feathered friends and family gifts.

Visit them on their website at www.wingnitnc.com and watch for the GRAND OPENING the end of April for WingN’It, 1757 Tynecastle Highway (Hwy 184), Banner Elk NC 828-898-4199

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CaroLina mountain Life Spring/Summer2012 — 91

I am fortunate this year to be a Together Green Fellow. The To-gether Green program is a part-nership between the National Audubon Society and Toyota

that supports conservation profession-als through the Leadership fellows program, Innovations Grants, and Vol-unteer Days grants (visit www. http://www.togethergreen.org/). My project is to bring advice and guidance to land-owners who are willing and interested in assisting wildlife and especially birds to their properties through proven manage-ment practices and to help them engage with other existing programs where they are applicable. Some of these other pro-grams might be Farm Bill programs like the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP), NC Wildlife Resources Com-mission Wildlife Conservation Lands Reduced Assessment Program, Forest Stewardship programs, or connecting to a local land trust.

Many folks however want to know quickly and easily what they might do for birds on their land. It depends mostly on what kind of habitat you have, or want to have, and how much of it you currently have. Here in the mountains, shrublands, grasslands, and forests and combinations of these habitats (like along rivers and creek corridors) make up most of our available lands. Here are a few general principles that are a good starting point.

Got Habitat? By Curtis Smalling

ShrublandsThin out regenerating forest patches

to allow for dense grass and weed spe-cies to flourish as groundcover. For most priority species, 25-30% canopy closure, and 30-50% shrub coverage is adequate. This can be accomplished through bush hogging during the dormant season, low intensity cattle grazing, selective slashing or tree harvest, and a variety of other methods. Old fields can be al-lowed to grow into this structure or ac-tively grazed or harvested fields can have shrubby borders of 20-30 yards estab-lished. Treatments often only occur ev-ery 5 to 10 years for maintenance. Make sure that all treatment activities occur from September thru March.

GrasslandsThe single most important manage-

ment activity in grasslands is to delay harvest through the completion of the first nesting cycle for most bird species. Generally, delaying harvest until July 1st in most years will allow for fledging of young birds. Maintain weedy borders, buffers or fencerows to provide song perches for males to establish territo-ries and for fledglings to find cover after leaving the nest. Other specific details of management regimes depend on eleva-tion of sites, composition of grasses pres-ent, use of the plots (hay harvest versus grazing), and other factors. Conversion to native warm season grasses is an op-tion on fields not currently supporting priority species, but care should be given to choosing this option in some areas.

ForestsSpecific management techniques

are determined by forest type (northern hardwood, spruce/fir, mixed, coniferous, etc). In general however, maintenance of larger forest blocks (putting roads etc on the edges of existing blocks), maintain-ing canopy closure within those blocks, and creating and maintaining complicat-ed vertical structure are vital for priority birds. Vertical structure refers to having healthy weed, shrub, mid-story, and can-opy cover layers within the forest. Cattle exclosure from selected areas with in the forest can help alleviate loss of the shrub and weed layer within the forest. Work-ing with NC Forest Service rangers, Audubon, or consulting foresters prior to timber harvest with a regeneration or restocking plan is also advised. Avoid ac-tive cutting or management during the breeding season (late April- July 1).

For all of these habitats it is always good to encourage native plant species and discourage invasive exotic plants. If you would like more information on any of these habitats, programs, or how Audubon might be able to help, please contact me at csmalling@audubon.org or by calling 828-265-0198. We look forward to talking with you.

Author Curtis Smalling is the Important Bird Areas Coordinator for Audubon North Carolina, the state office of the National Audubon Society. Visit our blog at ncaudubonblog.org/ to learn more.

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CaroLina mountain Life Spring/Summer2012 — 93

PruningView enhancementTree removalStump grindingBucket truck serviceCrane serviceCablingLightning protectionPre-construction consultationDisease and pest control

Hunter’s Tree Service, Inc. has served the High Country since 1980. Our mission is to provide you with skilled tree care and outstanding customer service, while caring for one of your most valuable resources. As your complete tree specialist, we offer a range of services:

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Cyclo.Via! boone Returns to the streets sunday, June 24th

Imagine a street turned into a park. That is Cyclo.Via! and it returns to Boone on Sunday, June 24th.

“The original Bogota Columbia cyclo-via concept is unique in its beauty and simplicity,” said Bing Oliver. “Close down some streets and let people play.”

Many fun, educational, and active features of Cyclo.Via! include a BMX stunt team, The Freestyle Connection, healthy food options, unique crafts, and ideas for healthy living. Hey, it’s a street party.

The event takes place on Sunday, June 24th from 11am to 5pm on Rivers, Depot, and Howard Streets - all blocked off and managed by the Boone Town Police pro-viding streets so safe even families with small children will feel good about par-ticipating.

There will be tons of planned stuff to do, but the main activity is to make your own fun and you have the freedom to do it at Cyclo.Via!

For more information and video visit the event website at boonecyclovia.com.

94— Spring/Summer2012 CaroLina mountain Life

You would probably agree that a good Financial Advisor needs great analytical skills in order to guide you properly. But don’t you need something more from your advisor if you are to move confidently in the direction of your goals? Not

every issue for consideration is a matter of black-and-white choices. Sometimes more questions need to be asked than answers given to inspire you to move decisively and passionately in the direction of changing your life for the better.

Let’s use the example of giving away money. Two major considerations are how and when to make gifts. For the purpose of this article, let’s consider the ‘when’ of charitable giving.

Head and Left BrainUsing the left brain means your advisor runs numbers and

draws on a body of data and knowledge about money, taxes, and planning to advise you effectively.

The Head and the Heart of a Financial AdvisorBy Katherine S. Newton, Certified Financial Planner ™

For example, the left brain is used to help you prepare financial statements, analyze your ability to make gifts, and measure potential tax benefits. The left brain answers questions and solves problems related to whether there is enough money to be given away, either now or later, without compromising your other goals such as retiring comfortably without having to worry about running out of money.

Your advisor’s left brain is also used to analyze what tax savings can potentially be realized, whether those savings fall into the gift, estate, or income tax arena, and when best to make gifts to maximize those tax savings. Knowledge of impending changes in the estate or income tax code will come into play as well.

Heart and Right BrainBut what about questions and considerations regarding

whether you should make those gifts at death as part of a testamentary directive (in the will), or to give money away now during your life to fulfill a dream of making a difference in the life of someone else?

In order to inspire you to take action, your Financial Advisor needs to understand how much satisfaction you might derive from items such as setting up a foundation during your lifetime rather than waiting until you are gone. Your advisor may also show you how establishing such a foundation gives you the ability to shape and craft a legacy with your energy and action rather than by writing a mission statement to be adhered to later, a statement which might either be too vague or too specific to accomplish your intentions and which might even hamper your heirs’ or trustees’ abilities to help potential beneficiaries. These are all functions of the right brain and are matters of the heart.

Some clients want more involvement and control in their relationship with the charities they support, and a good Financial Advisor can show you how you can actively participate in the work of the foundation now in order to set an example for those who work with the foundation for decades to come. Such a strong personal model might also accomplish much more in the way of directing others after you are gone than any written mission statements or directives.

A great Financial Advisor makes sure she gives you both good empirical advice as well as getting to the heart and soul of your dreams. She needs to use all her analytical resources, but also employ her best counseling abilities to discover what is really important to you.

She needs to know how to use her head AND her heart when inspiring you to make meaningful choices and changes in your life in order to fulfill your dreams and aspirations.

The views are those of Katherine Newton and should not be considered as investment advice. / All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however, we make no representations as to its completeness or accuracy. / Please note that neither Financial Network Corporation nor any of its agents or representatives give legal or tax advice. / For complete details, consult with your tax advisor or attorney.

Katherine Newton, a 30-year veteran of the financial services industry and Certified Financial Planner™, helps clients nationwide enrich their retirements by creating reliable streams of income, freeing them to do what’s most important in their lives. Securities and Investment Advisory Services are offered through Financial Network

Katherine S. Newton, CFP®, ChFCWaite Financial

428 4th Ave, NW Hickory, NC 28601828.322.9595 828.325.9963 (fax)katherine@waitefinancial.com www.waitefinancial.com

Securities and investment advisory services offered through Financial Network Investment Corporation, Member SIPC and FINRA. Waite Financial and FNIC are unaffiliated.

personally invested

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Katherine S. Newton, CFP®, ChFCWaite Financial

428 4th Ave, NW Hickory, NC 28601828.322.9595 828.325.9963 (fax)katherine@waitefinancial.com www.waitefinancial.com

Securities and investment advisory services offered through Financial Network Investment Corporation, Member SIPC and FINRA. Waite Financial and FNIC are unaffiliated.

personally invested

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FINANCE

CaroLina mountain Life Spring/Summer2012 — 95

Television has come a long way since the days when we visited the neighborhood video store for a bag of popcorn and a

couple of tapes with a two-day return. It was just a matter of time before digital entertainment found its way into the home and the hands of the consumer. Without the expense of pay per view movies (or everyday programming for that matter) from your satellite or cable provider the internet has changed the way we access entertainment.

Through your internet enabled media device, you can access a multitude of on-line entertainment features. For instance, Netflix, an on-line movie streaming service that has changed the viewing patterns of many Americans, offers unlimited viewing of their cinema and television libraries. Through your internet enabled devices, which include most blu-ray players, game consoles, and HD flat-screen TVs, streaming services like Netflix provide customers with seemingly limitless options. For $8 a month you can subscribe and access their library of entertainment media.

While Netflix is geared more to the movie industry, Hulu has made an impact on people’s television viewing patterns. Hulu offers two services, a free web-based offering you can access with your PC or Mac, and Hulu Plus, which, like Netflix, is $8 a month and provides a streaming service with a much more enhanced media library than its no-cost cousin. With access to many of television’s major networks’ popular shows and only 30 second to one minute commercials, Hulu is a great alternative to standard TV.

On-line media providers Pandora and YouTube are virtually free to any user with an internet device. Pandora is primarily a music provider that lets you create personalized stations that are

The Skinny On Multi-Media Web StreamingBy Alex Kohler

catered to your individual taste. YouTube offers a musical service in conjunction with VEVO that delivers the latest artists and music videos to your computer, tablets, and some HD displays. YouTube remains best known for its voluminous “user-submitted” content.

To take advantage of this brave new world of multi-media web streaming depends on where you want to view and listen to the programming. If home is where your head is, look for a HD display or television with built-in streaming capabilities. If you want to stream from wherever you are, you’ll need a portable device such as a tablet, laptop, or Smartphone with 3 or 4G connectivity.

Tablets, for instance, include Apple’s IPad, and a number of Android devices including Motorola Xoom and Samsung Galaxy give the consumer limitless viewing options. With any of these tablets, users can download applications accessing Hulu, Netflix and Pandora/ Or the consumer can go to each device’s proprietary media store, i.e. the iTunes store or Google’s on-line marketplace. Today’s Smartphones from Apple and Google’s Android are like small tablets, but with phone capabilities. They can do everything their larger screen brothers can do in the palm of your hand. The Tablets’ advantages are the larger screen

for streaming and higher quality picture. The ever-popular game consoles like

Nintendo’s Wii, Sony’s PlayStation 3, and Microsoft’s X-Box 360 provide the same connectivity as any streaming-media player to bring you access to these on-line libraries.

If you’re not into game consoles, for under $100.00, you can get a Roku this media-stream player is no bigger than your hand and you can easily attach it to any television with RCA ports, which includes most TVs made since 1995. Of course modern HDMI cables work with Roku too, to provide High Definition content to compatible flat-screen displays.

Tech savvy users already know of the growing application of internet media. Generally speaking however, many consumers, particularly older baby-boomers, could be missing out. Your grandchildren, who spend so many hours on X-Box or Wii, already have the technology and applications to turn your living room TV into a media center. Newer TVs come equipped with everything you’ll need for media streaming providing you with endless hours of music and entertainment. If yours isn’t so equipped, look to Blu-Ray, Roku, or any of the many other media streaming devices. That is all you’ll need to get with the program.

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Alex Kohler828.260.3306atkohler@charter.net

96 — Spring/Summer2012 CaroLina mountain Life

The arrival of spring brings a special beauty to our mountains and more op-portunities to get outdoors. But warmer weather also

brings with it some unpleasant guests - fleas, mosquitoes, and ticks, the last of which are the subject of this article. We all know this past winter has been a mild one, which means these bugs will be even more abundant than in previous years. As we head into spring and sum-mer, this is the time to be reminded of the types of ticks that can be found here, the diseases they can transmit to humans and their pets (mainly dogs, but cats and even horses can be affected), and what we can do to protect ourselves and our animals from these pests.

Ticks are not insects, but are arach-nids with eight legs and more closely related to spiders than insects. After hatching from eggs, the ticks found here have three different life stages - larva (a six legged, immature form), nymph (eight legs), and finally adult. Between stages, they ingest a blood meal from a host animal before dropping off and molting to the next stage. The six-legged larva often feeds on small mammals like rabbits or rodents, whereas the nymphs and adults will feed on dogs, cats, cattle, horses, deer and many other mammals including humans, with small differences in preferred host among the species of tick. Adult ticks are most often found in tall grass fields or brushy woods, where they lie in wait to climb onto an unsus-pecting person or animal as he or she brushes by.

The most common ticks in North Carolina are known as the American Dog Tick, Lone Star Tick, Deer Tick, and the Brown Dog Tick. The most prevalent by far is the American Dog Tick. This is the tick which can carry the organism, called a Rickettsia, that causes Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. This tick-borne disease is the most com-

Facing the Dangers of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Lyme DiseaseBy Brad Knowles, DVM

mon and the one to be most concerned about in our region, not Lyme disease as many people fear most. In addition, the saliva of this tick can cause a reac-tion leading to progressive paralysis of the animal to which it is attached. Ev-ery veterinarian in practice long enough in the Carolinas has seen several cases of tick paralysis in dogs. The only way to treat this condition is to find the tick and remove it, which if done soon enough quickly reverses the paralysis.

Lyme disease cannot be ignored, however. The bacteria behind it, named Borrelia, is primarily carried by the Deer Tick, a tiny tick which has been found in the Carolinas, but is found in much larger numbers in the northeast and in Florida and south Georgia. More recent evidence has revealed that other species of ticks may also be capable of carry-ing this organism. Combine this with the knowledge that there are many dogs and cats coming to our area from other regions where Lyme is present and you understand that we cannot dismiss the threat of this Lyme disease.

The Brown Dog Tick is found all over the U.S. This tick is a little bit unique be-cause it prefers to feed on dogs for all 3 stages of life (but can feed on humans), and it is commonly found indoors where pets live. In this respect it can live and be active at all times of the year as long as it is warm inside. It is the primary car-rier of the organism which causes human and canine Ehrlichiosis, a serious infec-tion of white blood cells and platelets.

The Lone Star Tick is primarily a Southeastern tick inhabiting fields and woods, and can carry its own form of Ehrlichiosis.

The symptoms of all of these dis-eases are very similar to each other and to other and mimic other illnesses, too. In humans, but not in dogs and cats, a rash is often a symptom, hence the term Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. But in all stricken species there is fever, (in

dogs as high as 105 degrees), weak-ness, joint swelling and lameness, and neurologic signs like acting drunk and disoriented. Simply put, the afflicted are very, very sick. One major differ-ence between Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF), Lyme Disease, and Eh-rlichiosis is that RMSF symptoms tend to be acute, occurring within days to a couple of weeks from tick transmission, and therefore during tick season, around April to September, and rarely outside those times. In contrast, Lyme and Eh-rlichiosis have both an acute and chronic form. The chronic form can manifest itself any time of year, long after ticks are gone, and is much more difficult to treat.

The best way to avoid contracting one of these diseases is to take proper precautions. Check yourself and your pet for ticks and remove them before they become attached for very long. The best way to protect is simply cover your body with light clothing when out-side in woods during warm weather months. Wear a hat. Ticks are difficult to find and remove from your hair. In-sect repellant can help, but nothing beats the physical barrier of clothing between tick and skin. Dogs and cats are difficult to check for ticks due to their hair coats. Therefore, some kind of chemical protec-tion is recommended for dogs, especially in summer. Consult with your vet as to whether your cat should have some sort of protection, as many of these products are for dogs only.

Topically applied K9 Advantix and Frontline have been around for a long time, and now there is a new product called Vectra 3D which we use at our hospital for flea and tick protection. Having mentioned these, I happen to believe that the most effective tick killer and repellant for dogs is the Preventic collar. These products are formulated to disrupt the nervous systems of inverte-brates like fleas and ticks, not vertebrates like dogs or people. They are considered very safe, however, like all drugs and topical insecticides, including antibiot-ics and natural plant based products like pyrethrins, nothing exists that somebody out there hasn’t had an adverse reaction to. Adverse reactions include decreased appetite, lethargy, acting drunk, and are usually resolved when the product is

CaroLina mountain Life Spring/Summer2012 — 97

washed off and discontinued. I would like to mention that the product Trifexis, which is a newer, widely used and very good combination oral heartworm and flea preventative, is not labeled for use against ticks. If your dog is on Trifexis, ask your vet if you should take any ad-ditional steps to guard against ticks. The most effective way to keep ticks away from your cat is simply to keep him or her inside.

If you discover a tick on yourself or your pet, do not panic. Not all ticks are carrying diseases, and even if they are, they have to be attached for several hours or even a full day to transmit disease-causing germs. Simply grasp it with your fingers or forceps and pull it slowly but firmly up away from your or your pet’s body. Do not yank it away. The tick will come detached, head and body, and take a little bit of skin with it, kind of like pulling a carrot out of the ground. If you have heard that you should hold a flame up to it, please forget about doing that. It is less effective and an unnecessary risk of burning yourself. If that makes you nervous, go to your vet or doctor and have them remove it. Many veterinary facilities, can look at a tick under a mi-croscope and determine which species it is from the variations in head and body parts. I dispose of ticks by dropping them in a jar of alcohol for a day before run-ning them down the sink. I would also strongly suggest that you write down or record in some way the date you found a tick on you or your pet, and remember to tell your doctor or vet this informa-tion if anyone becomes sick. If your doc-tor rarely encounters a case of RMSF or Lyme Disease, he or she may not think about this when formulating a diagnosis. But the good news is that all these dis-eases are easily treatable if caught in the early stages. The antibiotic Doxycycline is usually the first mode of treatment.

To learn more about the dangers of tick-borne diseases, talk to your doctor or visit this easy to read website at www.dogsandticks.com. With proper educa-tion and precautions, there is no reason to let the presence of ticks take away from our enjoyment of an outdoor sum-mer in the North Carolina mountains.

Author Brad Knowles, DVM, is owner and operator of High Country Animal Clinic in Banner Elk. Dr. Knowles can be reached at 828-898-5120.

Just about everything you need for your cherished pets• Home-Baked Treats made from

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98 — Spring/Summer2012 CaroLina mountain Life

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Carolina Mountain life Spring/Summer2012 — 99

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100 — Spring/Summer2012 CaroLina mountain Life

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taste of Avery Returns to best Western Mountain lodge

Kick off the Memorial Day holiday weekend with the 2nd annual Taste of Av-ery at the Best Western Mountain Lodge on Thursday, May 24th, from 6pm-9pm. This tasting event, sponsored by the Avery County Chamber of Commerce, showcases favorite items from more than 16 local restaurants with dishes to satisfy all tastes. All food samplings, sweet tea, and coffee are included in the ticket price. A cash bar will also be available.

“The response to this event was over-whelming last year” shared Dr. Carol Schaf-fer, member of the Board of Directors of the Chamber, “and we anticipate an even larger turn out than last year with more restaurants participating.” We encourage you to purchase your ticket in advance as sales will be limited to 300 tickets. The ticket price is $20 in advance and $25 at the door and can be purchased at the Av-ery County Chamber of Commerce office located in the Shoppes of Tynecastle.

For more information, please call the Avery County Chamber of Commerce at 828-898-5605.

Taste of Avery. . .

“A Night of Food tastings”at Best Western Mountain Lodge

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Come See Why Folks Drive 50 Miles Just For Our Pizza!

CaroLina mountain Life Spring/Summer2012 — 101

Tucked away in the scenic hills of Banner Elk, NC is a beautiful white house, outlined with Grand-Ma’s traditional white picket-

fencing. Unbeknownst too many—it is not Grand-Ma’s, but Ashi Therapy, a holistic healing center waiting to be discovered. Applying century-old tech-niques, this is a haven for healing with Aromatherapy.

Marco and Kelly Azzaro, proprietors of Ashi, have blended over 20 years of massage therapy, botanicals, aromatics, and acupuncture experience to help heal sick clients into healthy, functional be-ings. Their motto, “empowering through education,” speaks volumes about their healing approach. Not only do they want healing applications to effectively enhance your well-being, but they want to help you learn the technique of safely utilizing herbs and essential oils. Unlike traditional medicine, a written prescrip-tion is usually taken without hesitation or product education. Not at Ashi—edu-cation is just as much a part of the thera-peutic program as the treatment itself.

A comprehensive evaluation of past and current medical histories as well as emotional wellness is obtained to fully understand the position of mind, body and soul, and allergic experiences be-fore any therapy is recommended or ap-plied. After careful evaluation, appropri-ate herbs and essential oils are carefully blended and applied to the individual’s needs.

Intrigued at an early age by natural living and use of chemical-free products, Kelly Azzaro followed her passion to live

Aromatherapy DefinedBy René Poole

naturally and utilize the offerings of the land to survive and heal whatever ailed her. Knowing the benefits of combined application intervention of massage and effective oil tinctures, Kelly pursued studies in Florida to obtain licensing in massage therapy. When she moved to the mountain venue of Banner Elk, a NC license was obtained as well.

Aromatherapy has become a gift ex-tension of her dedication to the healing power of plants. It is a fine art-form of therapy that only few understand. An-cient civilizations utilized oils from plants to heal infections, avoid the plague, and woo prospective love interests. Jesus was anointed with precious oils throughout the Bible for their rich, healing qualities. Cleopatra bathed in precious tinctures and rightfully deserved her title as “the siren of the Nile.” Life lessons from cen-turies past have provided us with healing wellness that should not be forgotten.

Have you ever been affected by the scent of ravenous home-cooking; fresh flower cuttings; perfume-laden lovers; skunk-ridden environments; dental-drilling offices; day-old cemetery roses; or chemical-induced factories? Scent as-sociation is distinct and powerful—and unconsciously affects memory and emo-tional programming. And admittedly, even one’s physical well-being. It has become a leader in the fields of treating jet-lag, influencing product consumer-ism, and employee productivity as well as complementing the healing process when traditional medicine needs a boost. Aromatherapy has become a preferred alternative approach to healing through the use of plant medicines.

Unfortunately, synthetic introduc-tions into the world of medicines, per-fumeries, and furniture industries have nearly over-harvested plants like rose-wood, sandalwood, frankincense and black cohosh to the brink of endanger-

ment. Conscientious doctors, therapists, and health practitioners are constantly involved in a worldly search for the best of the crop, ensuring the ingredients used in antibiotics are not abused and oils not over-synthesized. A spoken appreciation for trees, plants, and herbs should give one an indication that your healer is se-rious about the quality of products being used in their practice.

One of the most influential liter-ary works of all times, the Bible, refer-ences plants as a rich source for healing therapy. In Ezekiel 47:12 the scripture notes “the leaf thereof for medicine.” From past to present, aroma therapists have recognized this truth, simple as it may be, and have healed when healing was not optional.

Tremendous results have been achieved by utilizing aromatherapy in the fields of respiratory, digestive, immu-nology, depression and stimulant issues, like smoking cessation. Two forms of ar-omatherapy most often applied include application of essential oils through massage and inhalation. Other methods include diffusion, topical application, misting, bathing, and foot soaking. Re-sults can vary depending on the mode of treatment. Some results are instanta-neous. Some offer relief in 30 minutes while others may take longer. Nonethe-less, benefits are golden when achieved.

Fortunately, aromatherapy is cost ef-fective. And your insurance carrier may cover this type of therapy. Average ses-sions range from $75.00-$125.00. Treat-ment candidates must be 18 years of age to enjoy the benefits of massage therapy. However, aromatherapy can be admin-istered to children with their parent’s approval or doctor’s recommendation, adults, and seniors alike. In comparison to an office visit with a traditional medi-cal practitioner, these therapies can be a bargain.

Continued on next page

102 — Spring/Summer2012 CaroLina mountain Life

Whatever she wants...For the bridal registry to die for, come to Savory Thymes for our finest selection of cookware, china, silver,

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AroMAtHerAPy Continued from previous page

Over the years, the Azzaros have established a medical doctor referral network that seems to complement all involved. This interchange between tra-ditional and so-called alternative healing is rare. The medically educated inter-act with alternative therapists, who are skilled beyond ordinary understand-ings of pharmacopoeia, which utilize the earth’s bounty to heal internally and through non-invasive treatments.

As President of the National Associa-tion of Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA), and a member of the Aromatherapy Reg-istration Council, Kelly brings irrefut-able credibility to her discipline. Classes, workshops and online classes are offered to those seeking NAHA certification. Azzaro offers certification classes at Ashi Therapy as well.

The Azzaros believe in the law of synchronicity or to put simply “whatever happens…happens.” And taking respon-sibility for one’s health is to take a pro-active approach to what could happen. At the core of their belief is to promote education to explore and apply age-old therapies that have a proven track record. The best way to do that is to take time to know your physicians and therapists, and more importantly, the products and ser-vices they offer. But don’t be surprised if the cure for what ails you sits just around the bend, waiting behind Grand-Ma’s white picket-fence.

Ashi’s Therapy is located on Hwy. 194 just outside Banner Elk and is open Monday through Saturday. Visit Ashi’s online store, www.ashitherapy.com or www.ashiaromatics.com to see their line of natural healing products.

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CaroLina mountain Life Spring/Summer2012 — 103

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Shop • Dine • Relax • Downtown Morganton

109-A Kaffé: 828-437-4995 •Catawba Valley Brewing Co.: 828-430-6883 •

Churchill’s: 828-433-9909 •Dessert First: 828-437-5744 •

Geppeto’s Pizza: 828-430-7300 •Gondola of Morganton: 828-475-0166 •

Grind Cafe: 828-430-4343 •Jake’s Hamburgers: 828-438-6936 •

For more information visitwww.downtownmorganton.comor contact Downtown Morganton112B W. Union St, Morganton NC 28655sharonj@downtownmorganton.com828-438-5252

Kathryn’s Framing: 828-433-7506Kimbrell’s Furniture Company: 828-437-1668Mad Paperback Used Books: 828-438-9111Main St Jams Music: 828-433-0745Manazhe Fashions: 828-413-6822Marquee Cinemas: 828-437-8084MESH Gallery: 828-437-1957 More Lace: 828-437-3770Morganton Feed and Seed: 828-433-6783Morganton Sewing Center: 828-439-8050Nature’s Bounty: 828-433-7325 Patterns: 828-437-2400Patterson’s Amish Furniture: 828-475-0038Randy’s Custom Golf Clubs: 828-433-6464Rincon Hispano: 828-433-5477Smokefoot Trade & Loan: 828-438-9397The Music Center: 828-437-7443Victory Piano: 828-201-5646

Kin2Kin: 828-433-8883King Street Cafe: 828-475-6188Limbertwig Cafe: 828-438-4634Murray’s of Morganton: 828-433-5833Pat’s Snack Bar: 828-437-5744Root & Vine: 828-433-1540The Sub Club: 828-433-5412Yianni’s Family Restaurant: 828-430-8700

Dine

104 — Spring/Summer2012 CaroLina mountain Life

Join us on Thursdays for our lively seafood buffet, or another evening

for one of Chef Maisonhaute’s savory offerings such as Boeuf Bourguignon or

Grilled Mountain Rainbow Trout. Call for reservations.

A Perfect Evening

The Eseeola Lodgeat Linville Golf Club 175 LinviLLe Avenue

LinviLLe, north CAroLinA 28646

www.eseeoLA.Com • 1-800-742-6717

See for yourself why we are much more than just a restaurant...

www.vancetoeriverlodge.com828-765-9696 / 4716 S. US Hwy 19E, Plumtree NC

“From our farms to your table”

The high CounTry’s PremiersTeak & seafood house

s i n C e 1 9 8 5

hwy 184, downTown Banner elkserving daily from 5Pm

828-898-5550sTonewallsresTauranT.Com

CaroLina mountain Life Spring/Summer2012 — 105

In May of 2006, a devastating fire swept through the historic landmark that held the popular restaurant Best Cellar, owned by Rob Dyer and Lisa Stripling.

There’s an old saying that when one door closes, another opens - that is, if you don’t stare too long at the closing door. Six weeks after the fire, with the ashes of their restaurant barely cool, the Best Cellar found a new home at the Inn at Ragged Gardens. A few months after opening the restaurant, the long time business partners purchased the entire one-acre property comprising the Inn at Ragged Gardens. This property located on Sunset Drive just below Main Street in downtown Blowing Rock is also a his-toric landmark in the community.

Built around 1900, the Inn’s original eleven-acre property was a private sum-mer residence, as were most of the cot-tages in Blowing Rock at that time. In addition to the main house, the property featured a livery stable, servants’ quarters, and other residential buildings to house family members. A series of subsequent owners made their own renovations, ad-ditions, and special imprints over the years but much of the original construc-tion is visible today. For example, the ex-isting stonework is constructed of what was known as “grandfather rock,” and in-cludes the Inn’s exterior columns, foyer, main staircase, and four of its fireplaces. Chandeliers in the common areas date to

From the Flames Bright Horizonsat Ragged GardensBy Jane Richardson

the original construc-tion of the house, having been convert-ed from oil-burning to electric along the way. Through all the changes, the own-ers of the Inn kept remarkably good re-cords of the property’s usage and alterations, making it easy for to-day’s guest to stand in the main hall and “see” back through the

Inn’s hundred-plus years’ history. Today, the Inn at Ragged Gardens

offers twelve guest rooms and suites in addition to its acclaimed restaurant. Each Friday evening from May through October, the Inn provides music on the lawn using a variety of local entertain-ers, from two-piece combos to larger ensembles. Wine, drinks, and appetizers are offered, and the event has become so popular that many folks show up early in the day, parking their chairs and umbrel-las to ensure a good seat for the evening’s festivities. The Inn always makes space on these evenings for a local non-profit organization’s table, such as The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, Blowing Rock C.A.R.E.S, the Humane Society, Farm Café, and more. These groups dis-tribute literature, solicit memberships, sell raffle tickets and more to promote their cause.

At this year’s annual Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce Community Awards Banquet, The Inn at Ragged Gardens was named the “Business of the Year” award for 2011. This recognition is given to the Blowing Rock business that excels in areas of community involve-ment, business promotion, and team-work, qualities that Rob and Lisa have demonstrated in all of their ventures in the High Country.

Not content to stand still, Rob and Lisa recently purchased Maple Lodge,

a bed and breakfast located across Sun-set Drive from the Inn. This property is unique because it was originally built in 1946 as a bed and breakfast and has remained so, making it the oldest bed and breakfast in Blowing Rock. Maple Lodge is currently being renovated from its Victorian motif to reflect the Inn’s craftsman style and mountain lodge décor, and should open in April 2012. With eleven rooms and one two-bed-room cottage, Maple Lodge will be the sister property to the Inn, but will offer a slightly different venue, giving guests a choice of environments and ameni-ties. But dining at the Best Cellar will be a reliable option that will be hard for new visitors to resist. Rob and Lisa are excited about the re-opening of Maple Lodge. And to sharing its history with a new generation of lodge guests.

To make reservations contact Innkeeper Carol Rigsbee at the Inn at Ragged Gardens at 828-295-9703 or online at www.ragged-gardens.com.

Maple Lodge reservations can be made as well by contacting Rigsbee at 828-414-9254 or online at www.raggedgardensmaplelodge.com.

sharinghistory with new guests

Banner Elk Winery & Villa

Award Winning Wine in the High Country • Villa Suites Available 365 Nights a Year60 Deer Run Lane, Banner Elk, NC 28604

www.BannerElkWinery.com 828-260-1790

Tastings & Tours Noon - 6:00 pm All Year (closed Mondays)Open til 8 pm Fridays June-August

Movie Night Under the Stars Bring a blanket, chairs and a picnic.

Come early to relax! June 15 • July 20 • August 17Wines by the glass and bottle,

soft drinks, and water available à la carte. Tickets = $10/person

Farm To Table Dining Guest chefs prepare culinary feasts and discuss locally inspired menu with wines paired for each course.

June 1 • July 6 • August 3 & 31Tickets = $75/person

reservations@BannerElkWinery.com

Weddings • Special EventsCorporate Retreats/Meetings

EGiFt bAsKets, PArty trAys, Accessories, KNoWleDGeAble HelPFul stAFF

WiNe tAstiNGsAturDAys, 1-5pm

beer tAstiNGFriDAys, 5-7PM

eRICKsC H E E S E & W I N EGrandfather CenterJunction NC 184 & NC 105Next to ABC StoreBanner Elk NC 28604828.898.9424erickscheeseandwine.com

“One of the High Country’slargest selections of award-winning, imported and domestic cheese, incredible chocolates, fine specialty foods,and the wines...aah, the wines!”

Visit our tasting roomWine by the glass

The 1861 FarmhouseRestaurant & Winery

Come for a Delicious Meal ...Enjoy a One-of-a-Kind Experience

Elegant fireside dining in a Civil War-era, restoredVictorian Farmhouse – or dine outdoors on our

inviting front or back porches beside a mountain stream.

Delicious Lunches Served DailyElegant Dinners • Sunday’s “Magnolia” Brunch

Unforgettable Private Parties • Private Label Wine TastingsCountry Store

Across from the Original Mast Store in Historic Valle CrucisView Menus at 1861Farmhouse.com and Facebook

828.963.6301

¶

106 — Spring/Summer2012 CaroLina mountain Life

WineThe headline is admittedly a

shameless eye-catcher, but the wine is the real Mc-Coy. As a wine geek, col-lector, and merchant, I’d

run into the Sagrantino from time to time but, always assuming it to be one of Italy’s many quirky semi-obscure, minor indigenous grape varieties, I’d never re-ally paid attention to it, or (horrors) even tasted it. Finally, a book on Italian wines I was reading gave homage to the grape so I decided it was time to explore.

Tuscany gets most of the spotlight in central Italy, but just to the southeast in its shadow lies Umbria, Italy’s only landlocked region. A real pity that it usually gets bypassed in the rush to its northern neighbor because Umbria has so much to offer – from its ancient, fas-cinating, almost extinct Etruscan hillside villages (Google: Civita), beautiful roll-ing fields and majestic cathedrals such as the black-and-white striped beauty in quaint, medieval Orvieto.

There are some wonderful red wines made in Umbria – try those of Falesco for example – and oceans of a quaffable white – the popular, inexpensive Trebia-no/Grachetto Orvieto Classico. But just as the Piemonte has its Barolo, the Vene-to its Amarone, and Tuscany its Brunello, Umbria has its own red star that may well eclipse them all: the heady Sagrantino. Were it more widely produced (there are only about 25 producers and 250 acres of this variety) and had it a more glorious history (it was almost extinct as recently as 30 years ago and received its DOCG designation only in 1991), it might be Italy’s most important red wine grape. Yet, from the standpoints of longevity, depth of flavor, and aromatic intensity, it takes a back seat to none of the world’s greatest wines.

The Sagrantino grape, of uncer-tain origins, is commercially cultivated around the hilltop town of Montefalco, halfway between Spoleto and Assisi in

Sagrantino Di Montefalco –Italy’s Best Red Wine Or The World’s? By Ren Manning

eastern Umbria, and nowhere else in the world. Maybe it’s the limestone/clay/sandy soil or the extreme temperature fluctuations caused by the proximity to the Apennines or just the genetic make-up of the tightly clustered small grapes, but the Sagrantino produces one of the world’s most tannic wines, requiring the sort of cask and bottle aging that does Bordeaux and Barolo.

The Sagrantino produces an un-believably richly-textured wine with a mammoth structure but, unlike many tannic behemoths, an utterly captivat-ing complex sweet and open bouquet of red and black fruits, violets and roses, leather, cigar box, and cinnamon with a hint of brooding tariness and earthiness reminiscent of the Nebbiolo grape. On the palate, this wine is rich and dense with prominent flavors of plums, dark cherries, and chocolate. This sounds heavy but the wine, while intense, has an exciting freshness and elegance. Like a big Barolo, this wine often shows better the second or third day after it is opened. You get the idea – decant and air the wine as long as possible.

The Sagrantino is used to produce three different styled wines. It can be a Rosso, a blend of Sagrantino, Sangiovese and other red grapes, frequently Mon-tepulciano. This richly-flavored wine is full of character and, at around $20, is the least expensive entry-level introduc-tion to the Sagrantino grape. My desert island wine could very well be the San-giovese/Sagrantino Fratelli Pardi Mon-tefalco Rosso, which explodes from the glass with unbelievable fragrance and coats the mouth with succulent red/purple fruitiness and spice.

If you want to try the 100% Sagran-tino, look for a wine labeled, simply, Sa-grantino di Montefalco. The price for this wine is not for the fainthearted – you may spend between $45 and $100. Buy a bottle or two and lay them down for special occasions down the road. And

remember who suggested you do that.The third style of wine made from this

grape is called Passito. This wine is made by drying the grapes on mats for up to 3 months, pressing the super-concentrated sweet juice from the resultant raisins and then fermenting it. The process is similar to that used to make Amarone, but some residual sugar is unfermented, so it more closely resembles a recioto. These wines are rich and ripe with a delicious blue-berry/blackberry jam nuance, medium sweetness and good acidity to keep them from being cloying or heavy. These wines are priced between the Rosso and the Sagrantino di Montefalco and are un-believably delicious with stinky cheeses and dark chocolate. Try it with one of those molten-lava chocolate cakes.

Since so little Sagrantino is produced and so few fans of this fabulous nectar exist, this wine is not widely available, so if you want tips on which producer to look for, you don’t really need any – IF you find it on the shelf or restaurant wine list, it will likely be the ONLY one in the store – just buy it, it will be a show-stopper. It will be like going fish-ing in a barrel. Of the 98 Sagrantinos from numerous vintages reviewed in Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, 80% are rated 90 points or higher, with ratings as high as 97 points, most ratings at 94 points and the lowest rated wine earning a very good score of 87 points. Most are expressive, unfined and unfiltered hand-crafted masterpieces made by small arti-sanal producers. Among the most thrill-ing wines that you may find are those of Paolo Bea, a staunchly organic/biody-namic producer whose family roots can be traced back to the Renaissance and whose wines can age nearly as long into the future. Cantina Fratelli Pardi also makes a trio of wonderful wines from its organic Sagrantino vineyard. If you’re fortunate, you may also find an excellent Sagrantino wine behind a Falesco label. Inquire at your favorite wine shop.

CaroLina mountain Life Spring/Summer2012 — 107

Elegantly prepared and creative entrees featuringfresh seafood, angus beef and exotic wild game.

The cruvinet features 28 different wines by the glassand our award-winning wine list complements

any occasion. Long-range, panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains are the perfect backdrop

while dining on the deck or in the dining room.

AN INTIMATE DININGEXPERIENCE

JACKALOPE’S VIEWAT ARCHER’S MOUNTAIN INN

On The Banner Elk Side Of Beech MountainReservations: 828/898-9004

AN INTIMATE DINING EXPERIENCE

108 — Spring/Summer2012 CaroLina mountain Life

artisan foodsselected as a top ten FinalistFor The Best Dish in North Carolina AwardPresented by The State of North Carolina in 2010, and in 2011

organic Farm-to-table Fine DiningOpen Thursdays, Fridays, SaturdaysSeatings at 6, 7 & 8pm in The Historic Mast Farm Innin Valle Crucis, North CarolinaDifferent Gourmet Meal Each Night4 Courses, Set Price $37.50

Call For Menu & Reservations 828-963-5857simplicity@mastfarm.netwww.mastfarminn.com

Simplicity at The MaST FarM Inn

828.898.6800paintedfishcafe.com

2941 tynecastle highway • banner elk(across from the entrance to Sugar Mountain)

MAKE YOUR RESERVATION NOW!

Painted Salad

Inspire YourTastebuds

CaroLina mountain Life Spring/Summer2012 — 109

110 — Spring/Summer2012 CaroLina mountain Life

When Travis Sparks gathers ingredients for his catering company, Seed to Plate, he looks no

further than his own backyard.Sparks, who has always been passion-

ate about food, got his first start in high school while working at Small Town Blues Café in Banner Elk.

“I was really taking a liking to the restaurant business; it felt natural to me,” said Sparks of his first job. “As I contin-ued to work at the restaurant through high school, I began to think about my future. I researched culinary schools and enrolled in the French Culinary School in New York City.

Before heading to school, Sparks traveled to Europe to gather inspiration. With this added experience Sparks was ready for the big city and soon immersed himself in the NYC culinary world, working at notable New York restaurants such as Aquavit, Daniel and Toqueville.

After graduating in 2000, Sparks re-turned to the High Country and cooked up a resume as chef at some of the finest eateries in western North Carolina, in-cluding IL Paridiso in Asheville, Game-keeper in Boone and Blowing Rock’s Rowlands at Westglo spa.

Although he is still a successful chef (currently presiding over the kitchen at Inn at Little Pond Farm in Valle Crucis) Sparks is most at home on the 90-acre farm he shares with his wife Sarah, and daughter Lillee.

It is here that he captures the essence of the earth and creates a culinary bliss of simple, yet sophisticated food for Seed to Plate.

“This is our third season in catering,” Sparks says of his home grown business.

“We can do everything from an in-timate anniversary dinners to wedding receptions and cocktail parties.”

Seed To Plate Catering Delivers On The NameBy Julie Farthing

A huge advocate of slow gardening which assesses what is happening in the present (the here-and-now) Sparks strives to serve what his garden is cur-rently yielding. “You don’t want to eat asparagus in February. We are too de-pendent on Big Brother for our food,” Sparks says of big chain food stores. “I believe if you have the freshest ingredi-ents you can possibly get, and then there is not much you have to do to make them great. Just some care, proper tech-nique and a little love. Less is more is my cooking philosophy.”

Although less is more, Sparks didn’t skimp on taste when creating a recent menu for a catering event. Entrees fea-tured heirloom tomatoes from the chef ’s garden, with seasonal accompaniments; fresh shaved Romano cheese with aged balsamic; local grass fed rack of lamb, roasted with herbs, and served with a mint pea puree, sunchokes and oyster mushrooms that will delight all palates.

Sparks also supports other local farm-ers in his catering business. Flour, pork, chicken and beef are bought from nearby mountain farms and find their way into each meal.

The next thing on the menu for Sparks is to start up a CSA (community supported agriculture) for vegetables and eggs from his own farm.

“I think what the food scene was twenty years ago compared to what it is today is remarkable,” says Sparks of the new attitudes toward eating what’s grown locally.

“It just shows you what people pas-sionate about their craft can accomplish. I look forward to the opportunity to show you how devoted I am to my craft.”

To experience Seed to Plate firsthand, contact Sparks at seedtoplate@gmail.com and plan your next food fantasy.

CaroLina mountain Life Spring/Summer2012 — 111

When I was a young girl, my grandfather, Paul Madison Vance, told me many times that there were only two pret-ty colors and red was both of them. He would then proceed to tap me on my

chest and say, “And did you know that your heart bleeds red?”

He was a tall, statuesque figure of a man, lean and muscled from hard labor. His wife was a great cook who served up all manners of tasty morsels, but the one thing he refused to eat was red meat. If she was cooking, say for instance, hamburger or a beef stew, he would promptly exit the house and not return for hours later. It turned out that he had worked in a meat packing plant in Texas as a young man, and the smell of the red meat had turned him against ever partaking of it himself. But what he also knew, and this was in the very early 1900’s, was that the fat of the meat was detrimental to the health of his body. He always refused to eat anything that was streaked with marbled fat, which we know today as ‘saturated’ fat.

In today’s society we all know that saturated fat not only raises total blood cholesterol, but also LDL, the ‘bad’ cholesterol, which is mainly found in animal products such as dairy, eggs, meat and seafood. Then we have the ‘trans fats’, invented by scientists when they began hydro-genating liquid oils so they could withstand longer shelf lives. The end result--rans fatty acids came on the scene in the form of commercially fried foods such as french fries, stick margarine, vegetable shortening, and microwaved popcorn.

What’s the healthiest thing to do? Avoid using cook-ing oil high in saturated fat and/or trans fats such as vegetable shortening. Use instead oils that are high in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats such as canola oil, flax seed oil, and olive oil. Also, always read labels on packaged food to look for trans-fat free alternatives. If you refuse to give up animal products, trim all visible fats and skin. Purchase low-fat or skim versions of cheese and milk. Stock your pantry with whole grains. Not only your heart, but every other vital organ in your body will thank you.

Taking small steps where your food and exercise habits are concerned can and will lead to a ‘better you’.

“May this Earth, whose surface...sustains an abundant variety of herbs and plants of different potencies and qualities, support all human beings, in all their diversity of endowment, in mutually supportive harmony and prosperity.” ~Prithivi Sukta, Atharva Veda

WHEAT BERRy WHOLE GRAIN BREAD

Wheat berries and other firm, whole grains add a delightful texture to breads. Use firm, distinct grains, such as whole grain wild rice, rye berries, whole oats and triticale.

4 1/2 teaspoons yeast (2 pkgs.)1 1/4 cups lukewarm waterMix the yeast with the water. Allow to stand for 5 minutes. Mix again. Add: 1/4 cup unsulphured molasses, 1 cup lukewarm buttermilk, 2 teaspoons salt, 1/4 cup canola oil, 2 cups lukewarm cooked wheat berries, 1/2 cup wheat germ and 3 cups whole wheat flour. Work in 3 to 3 1/2 cups unbleached white flour to form a soft dough.Turn out on a floured board. Knead until the dough is soft and elastic, about 10 minutes. Place in a large bowl, and cover with a damp cloth. Allow to rise in a warm place for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Punch down the dough and allow it to rest for 10 minutes. Form 2 loaves and place in buttered 9 X 5 X 3-inch loaf pans. Redampen the cloth, cover the loaves, and allow them to rise in a warm place~not the oven~until proofed, 30 to 45 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Bake loaves for 45 minutes.

EDAMAME SALAD

Edamame, the Japanese name for fresh whole soybeans, is a trendy snack with major nutritional credentials. Look for the pods in the produce section of any large grocery store or health food stores.

1 1/2 cups cooked shelled edamame beans (about 20oz. of pods)3 large carrots, coarsely grated1/3 cup thinly sliced green onions2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro2 tablespoons fig or rice vinegar2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice1 tablespoon vegetable oil1 teaspoon minced garlicsalt and pepper to taste

Toss the edamame beans, carrots, green onions and cilantro in a bowl. Whisk the vinegar, lemon juice, oil and garlic in a bowl. Add the vinaigrette to the bean mixture and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Chill, covered, until serving time. Prepare up to 3 hours in advance and store, covered, in the refrigerator. Serves 6

Cooking With Adele

For more wonderful recipes, visit Adele’s bloginmamajoesshadow.blogspot.com

112 — Spring/Summer2012 CaroLina mountain Life

CHILLED SORREL SOUP

Sorrel is a tart member of the buckwheat family. It has leaves shaped like spinach and has a nice lemony flavor. Sorrel is located with other fresh herbs in the produce section of the grocery store or look for them at your local farmers market.

1 medium sweet onion, chopped1 1/2 tablespoons butter,1 1/2 tablespoons canola oil30 sorrel leaves, chopped (about 2 bunches)6 cups reduced-sodium & reduced-fat chicken stock1 teaspoon sugar1 cup reduced-fat sour creamchopped fresh dill weed

Saute the onion in the butter and oil in a saucepan until tender. Stir in the sorrel. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes or until the leaves are limp and olive green in color, stirring frequently. Add the stock and sugar and mix well. Simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Chill, covered, in the refrigerator. Pour the soup into a blender or food processor. Add the sour cream. Process until smooth. Chill until ready to serve. Ladle into soup bowls. Sprinkle each serving with chopped dill weed. Serves 6

PEAR SAUCE

Cooking pears into a sauce really requires no sweetener..The addition of dried fruit is always welcome with a sprinkling of ground cinnamon and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Keep it simple.

4 cups sliced pears, unpeeled1/2 to 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon1/3 cup golden raisins or other dried fruit (optional)

Place the pears in a saucepan in 1/2-inch of water. Cover and simmer until soft, 10 to 15 minutes.Mash or puree in a blender or food processor with the cinnamon. Add the raisins if desired. If not sweet enough to your liking, add a little honey and a pinch of ginger. Makes 2 cups

RANDOM THOUGHTSthoughts About Winning By Jean Gellin

I recently watched a very tall man hurl a ball into the high net basket as he was being

pursued by other very tall men and all of that aerobic activity was accompanied by great applause and shouting from the crowd. The thought occurred to me that a lot of attention is paid to chasing balls of one kind or another. Aeons from now, when the anthropologists dig up our segment of civilization, I would bet they’re going to be interested in the reason for our great preoccupation with those objects which come in all shapes and sizes and at-tract hordes of people each season of the year.

There’s a whole group of people who travel from place to place and are paid to hit a very small white ball down a very long green lawn and to maneuver the ball into a little hole with only occasional side trips into sand traps and streams. Other people, usually very large men who wear helmets to protect themselves from brain injury, are rushing an elliptical shaped ball up and down a field called a “gridiron”. And there’s a somewhat select group of individuals who spend most of their day working very hard to hit a round, somewhat fuzzy ball back and forth over a net. The crowds which watch this activity must be very well-mannered because all the backing and forthing of the ball is done with the crowd as silent as a tomb. Only after a point is made does the audience erupt with approv-al (or disapproval, depending on whose side you’re on). We should not forget that unique group who run very fast across a large field. They chase and then kick a medium-sized round ball with designs on it, trying to get it into a cave-like structure made out of some kind of netting. The structure is carefully guarded by someone who must be very brave because he could be hit very hard by the missile-like ball. We should also include that barefoot, tanned, sun-seeking segment, clad in just the essentials of clothing, who play with very large but light balls which they hit with their hands, usually by jumping as high as they can, in order to move the ball over a high net, an activity which usually takes place near a large body of water. Not wanting to belabor the subject, but fearful of neglecting the national pastime, one must include a group which is tribal in nature and involved with hitting a fairly small ball with a fairly large stick and then running as though the devil were after them, to what looks like a series of flat, weighted pillows which lead to the ultimate triumph of going “home”. What more could anyone want?

The above-mentioned groups have a few things in common: there’s always a winner and always a loser, positions which can change rapidly and, in addition to being very well paid, the players, also known as athletes, are accorded an amount of attention which is not much less than that which was accorded to the gladiators when Rome ruled the world, or at least that part of the world which Rome had conquered. This attention comes from crowds of people who pay a good amount of money to watch the contestants win as often as possible and to do it with as much skill and style as they can muster. That is, apparently, a noble accomplishment because large, shiny trophies are awarded to the winners. All of this activity is zealously recorded and seen on television, the internet, cable, smartphones and iPads and messages can be sent on something called, “Twitter”. (I must be getting up there in years. I could have sworn that twittering and tweeting was something birds did. But I could be wrong.)

This is the summer for the Olympic Games, an event which celebrates youthful excel-lence and the will to win. The games will celebrate not only the pursuit of various kinds of balls, they will celebrate summer and all the activities which are possible in that golden season of the year. People will gather from all over the world, some to compete, others to watch the spectacle of performance by athletes for whom this will likely be one of the greatest events of their lives. And the ones who win the medals, the gold, silver and bronze, will be hailed as champions, a title they will keep for the rest of their lives. There is much to be won at the games, recognition, approval and reward. The champions of any age are the ones who are remembered and honored. Politics has its contenders, royalty has its line of succession and this summer’s games in London will have its champions and perhaps when the anthropologists do their work thousands of years from now, they will come to understand why there was such preoccupation with various shaped objects. Like the Olympics, it has to do with winning and if the anthropologists figure that out, they will deserve recognition and approval and with luck, they may even receive a medal.

Jean Gellin is a wordsmith who lives and writes on the edge of a glacial canyon in northern ohio.

CaroLina mountain Life Spring/Summer2012 — 113

thank you!

47 .......... 1 Call for All Home Enhancement5 ............ 100 West Union 106 ........ 1861 Farmhouse Restaurant & Winery92 .......... Alpen Restaurant & Bar 64 .......... Alpine Painting 5 ............ Amy Brown, CPA92 .......... Andrews & Andrews Insurance84 .......... Appalachian Regional Health 60 .......... Appalachian Summer Festival86 .......... Appurgent Care8 ............ Appalachian Voices60 .......... Art Cellar36 .......... Art in the Park100 ........ ASHI Therapy5 ............ A to z Auto Detailing5 ............ Avery County Chamber of Commerce31 .......... Avery County Fine Arts &

Master Crafts Festival5 ............ BB&T 82 .......... Banner Elk Consignment Cottage31 .......... Banner Elk TDA106 ........ Banner Elk Winery & Villa25 .......... Banner House Museum48 .......... Beech Mountain Club98 .......... Best Cellar/Maple Lodge30 .......... Bella’s Italian Restaurant109 ........ Bistro Roca Restaurant22 .......... BJ’s Resort Wear78 .......... Black Bear Books67 .......... Blackberry Creek Mattress 37 .......... Blowing Rock Farmer’s Market38 & 39 . Blowing Rock Pages 99 .......... Blue Ridge Bistro90 .......... Blue Ridge Propane14 .......... Boone Bike & Touring14 .......... Boone Bike Rally97 .......... Boone Mall30 & 41 . Boone Paint44 .......... Boone Point72 .......... BRAHM67 .......... Brown Dog70 .......... Brushy Mtn. Motorsports66 .......... Burger King 98 .......... Canyons Restaurant86 .......... Cardiology Center @ ARHS61 .......... Carlton Gallery26 .......... Carolina BBQ

100 ........ Casa Maya92 .......... Chick-fil-A66 .......... Chimney Wizard30 .......... China House Restaurant44 .......... Classic Stone95 .......... Compu-Doc14 .......... Cool Five64 .......... Crossnore School14 .......... Cycle 4 Life Bike Shop84 .......... Dewoolfson 6 ............ Distinctive Cabinetry & Design 61 .......... Doe Ridge Pottery 88 .......... Dutch Creek Trails47 .......... Eagle Electron Power Partners97 .......... Ennis Dentistry37 .......... Ensemble Stage 106 ........ Erick’s Cheese & Wine104 ........ Eseeola Lodge5 & 72 ... Flora Ottimer27 .......... Foggy Mountain Gem Mine30 .......... Food Lion 37 & 93 . Footsloggers26 .......... Fortner Insurance88 .......... Foscoe Fishing Co. & outfitters30 .......... Foxy Tanning Salon30 .......... Fred & Larry’s Coffee67 .......... Fred’s General Mercantile 98 .......... Frontier BBQ38 .......... Gamekeeper Restaurant 19 .......... Gardens of the Blue Ridge 38 .......... Gems by Gemini37 .......... Gideon Ridge Inn3 ............ Grandfather Mountain88 .......... Grandfather Trout Farm 4 ............ Grandfather Vineyard & Winery 34 .......... Green Park Inn64 .......... Gregory Alan’s Gifts80 .......... Harding Landscaping31 .......... Hawksnest ziplineIBC ........ Headwaters19 .......... Health Connection 97 .......... High Country Animal Clinic97 .......... High Country Communication41 .......... High Country Painting30 .......... Hollywood Nails72 .......... Horn in the West93 .......... Hunter Tree Service 27 .......... Inn at Elk River 108 ........ Italian Restaurant

108 ........ Jackalope’s View Restaurant72 .......... Jake’s at the Rock102 ........ Jordan Cleaners27, 99 .... JW Tweeds61 .......... Kevin Beck Studio44 .......... Kuester Company53 .......... Leatherwood Mountain 61 .......... Lees McRae Summer Theatre48 .......... Life Care Center73 .......... Linville Caverns53 .......... Linville Falls Golf73 .......... Linville Land Harbor66 .......... Logs America 22 .......... Lucky Lily108 ........ Macados Restaurant14 .......... Magic Cycles61 .......... Maggie Black98 .......... Maple Lodge/Best Cellar 109 ........ Mast Farm Inn/SimplicityIFC ......... Mast General Store48 .......... Mayland Community College46 .......... Mayland Homes103 ........ Morganton Downtown

Shop & Dine 85 .......... Morningstar Mini-Storage 48 .......... Mount Mitchell Golf Club38 .......... Mountain Cottage58 .......... Mountain Dog & Friends77 .......... Mountain Home Music26 .......... Mountain Jewelers88 .......... Mountain Retreats Realty41 .......... Mountain Tile55 .......... Mountain Top Golf Cars18 .......... Mountaineer Garden Center72 .......... Mountaineer Landscaping30 .......... Mr. E’s Video &

Entertainment19 .......... Mustard Seed Market97 .......... My Best Friend’s Barkery98 .......... Nails by Belkis72 .......... Nationwide Insurance26 .......... Newland Business

Association5, 108 .... Nick’s restaurant & Pub 5 ............ Northern Parker70 .......... Oil ExchangeIBC ........ Old Heaton Store 102 ........ organic Hair Design 109 ........ Painted Fish

93 .......... Paris Chateau86 .......... Peak Fitness84 .......... Plumtree zipline86 .......... Premier Pharmacy25 .......... Ram’s Rack Thrift Shop55 .......... Racquets & Strings55 .......... Red Tail Mountain53 .......... Resort Real Estate & Rentals5 ............ Rite Aid65 .......... Rivercross Market 99 .......... Run for the Red5 ............ Rustic Rooster102 ........ Savory Thymes100 ........ Scott’s Pizza Place42 .......... Sears of Boone27 .......... Seven Devils TDA26 .......... Shady Lawn Lodge 5 ............ Shooz & Shiraz5 ............ Shoppes of Tynecastle30 .......... Shops at Sugar Mountain 92 .......... SkyLine/SkyBest 60 .......... Special Additions

Gifts & Home Decor109 ........ Stick Boy Bread104 ........ Stonewalls Restaurant30 .......... Subway 53 .......... Sugar Mountain Golf & Tennis55 .......... Sugar Ski & Country 4 ............ Tatum Galleries82 .......... The Consignment Cottage

Warehouse5 ............ The Dande LionIFC ......... The Farm31 .......... The Foto Shop38 .......... The Mountain Cottage 30 .......... The Washing Well38 .......... The Webb Co.100 ........ Taste of Avery104 ........ Toe River Lodge42 .......... Tom Eggers Construction 82 .......... Tricia Wilson Law Firm99 .......... Verizon Wireless Center86 .......... Visitor Information Channel62 .......... Waite Financial 8 ............ Walker & DiVenere

Attorneys at Law90 .......... WingN’it16 .......... Wolf Creek 38 .......... Woodland’s BBQ 31 .......... Woolly Worm35 .......... Yonahlossee Resort85 .......... YMCA of Avery County

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The End — Spring/Summer2012 CaroLina mountain Life

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