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Calendar of Events page 2

Holly Jolly page 8

Arts Center page 12

Museum page 14

Music page 16Relocation page 18Outdoors page 24

Restaurants page 4

Famous People page 6

Worship Directory page 14

Cover photos by Joye Ardyn Durham, www.artistwithcamera.com.

This guide produced bi-annually by

Serving the Swannanoa Valley Since 1945

Black Mountain NewsP.O. Box 9 • Black Mountain, NC 28711

828-669-8727 • fax 828-669-8619www.blackmountainnews.com

Welcome to the Swannanoa Valley

elcome to Black Mountain and the surroundingSwannanoa Valley. Regardless of what brings you here -relaxation, shopping, dining, or outdoor activities - you

will be greeted with beautiful scenery, peaceful days, and friendlypeople.

This special publication of the Black Mountain News was creat-ed to assist you while you are in town. A calendar of events forthe fall and winter seasons will help you plan your activities.

We encourage you to visit the local businesses that have adver-tised in this tour guide. They offer one-of-a-kind treasures thatare unique to this area.

Be sure and visit the Black Mountain - Swannanoa Chamber ofCommerce while in town, located at 201 East State Street inBlack Mountain, (828) 669-2300.

And for a complete and updated listing of this week’s eventsand happenings, pick up a copy of the Black Mountain News.

Enjoy your stay!

Winter in the Swannanoa Valley.

File Photo

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October

2: Gallery opening, 6-8 p.m.,Appalachian Pastel Society. BlackMountain Center for the Arts. 669-0930.

3: Annual Mill Around the VillageFestival. 11 a.m. – 7 p.m inSwannanoa. Full day of music, oldtimey games, costumes, balloonbounces, food, chocolate factorytours, crafts and street performers.337-4718.

3: Howl-In at Full Moon Farm –Wolfdog Rescue. Tours start at 3p.m. $5 includes Perry’s BBQ andbeverage. Full Moon Farm (10 milessouth of Blk. Mtn. off Highway 9)664-9818 or Bone-A Fide Bakery &

Pet Boutique - 669-0706.

10-11: East of Asheville Studio Tour- Visit 27 studios of local artists onthis self-guided tour. 686-1011,www.eaststudiotour.com.

15-18: LEAF – Lake Eden ArtsFestival at Camp Rockmont, 686-8742 or www.leaf.com.

17: Pet Adoption Day at Bone-A-Fide Bakery & Pet Boutique noon- 4p.m. 669-0706 or www.brotherwolfcaninerescue.org.

17: 17th Annual Fall by the Tracks –craft demonstrations, food, andmusic. Sponsored by the Old DepotAssociation. 669-6583.

Don’t miss these fall and winter events

See Events on PAGE 3

file photo

(above) Press some apples at Fall by theTracks on October 17.

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18: Classic MovieShowing - 8 p.m.Donations welcome. In thebeautiful gardens of BlackMountain Inn. Classicconcessions available.Marshmallow roastingfree. Call 243-4085 formore info.

24: Halloween Pet Parade– 3 p.m. in downtownBlack Mountain, contactBone-A-Fide Bakery at669-0706.

November

7: Howl-In for the holidaysat Full Moon Farm –Wolfdog Rescue, 1 p.m.(10 miles south of Blk.Mtn. off Hwy 9) 664-9818or Bone-A Fide Bakery &Pet Boutique - 669-0706,www.fullmoonfarm.org.

22: Black Mountain YouthChorale Concert, 3 p.m. $5donation. Black MountainCenter for the Arts, 669-0930.

27: Pet Adoption Day atBone-A-Fide Bakery & PetBoutique, noon - 4 p.m.669-0706 or www.brotherwolfcaninerescue.org.

27: Thanks Evening –Shops in downtown openlate.

December

4: Holly Jolly – DowntownChristmas Celebration –Shops open late, refresh-

ments, street music, enter-tainment and Santa Claus.Black Mountain MerchantsAssociation, 669-1961.

4: Gallery opening for theClay Studio Show, 6 p.m.Black Mountain Center forthe Arts, 669-0930.

5: Annual ChristmasParade at 4 p.m. sponsoredby the Black MountainSwannanoa Chamber ofCommerce, 669-2300.

19: Pet Adoption Day atBone-A-Fide Bakery & PetBoutique, noon - 4 p.m.669-0706.

Ongoing:Saturdays- Black MountainTailgate Market, 9 a.m. –noon at First BaptistChurch, 130 MontreatRoad -through October 31.

Events, continued from page 2

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By Gretchen HowardCONTRIBUTING WRITER

ake new friends, but keep theold. One is silver and theother gold.”

I recall that lovely tune from my daysof being a Girl Scout and can certainlyapply the song to the friends in my life,but as much as I love restaurants anddining out, I feel the song is quite f it-ting to Black Mountain 's restaurantscene. For this town is home to classic,reputable restaurants and also manynewer restaurants that are equally asworthy of our attention.

OLD (or shall we say classic)• Berliner Kindl German Restaurant

and Deli (121 Broadway, (828) 669-5255). Try an authentic bratwurst din-

Black Mountain restaurants - old and new

Photo provided by Madison’s

(above) Diners enjoy the patio at Straightaway Cafe.See Restaurants on PAGE 5

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Restaurants, continued from page 4

ner with potato salad and sauerkraut.•Black Mountain Bakery (102

Church Street, (828) 669-1626) is theplace to f ind delicious pastries, breads,and desserts, and a wonderful place tohave breakfast or lunch.

• Madison’s (10 Florida Avenue,(828) 669-4785) is one of the area'shidden gems tucked away in Ridgecrest.The warm spinach and artichoke dip isa great way to begin the meal followedby baked stuffed shrimp and bananasfoster for dessert.

• My Father's Pizza (110 CherryStreet, (828) 669-4944) is a classicBlack Mountain dining spot. Enjoy apie with a pitcher of cold beer on therestaurant’s spacious porch.

• Red Rocker Inn (136 N. DoughertyStreet, (828) 669-5991) serves uphomemade specialties at candlelit

tables nestled on the garden porch or bythe f ireplace.

• Veranda Café (119 Cherry Street,(828) 669-8864) open for lunch andfeaturing a feel good, down home, madefrom scratch menu that includes sixsoups daily, pimento cheese, chickensalad, and daily specials like meat loafserved with delicious sides, and muchmore. And don’t forget dessert!

NEW• An Apple a Day (205 West State

Street, (828) 669-5996) serves up deli-cious vegetarian cuisine. The carrotcashew ginger soup is one of their hall-mark dishes. Other popular items arethe build-your-own wraps and salads.The fresh juice bar is also a hit!

•The Blackbird (10 East MarketStreet in the Village of Cheshire, (828)669-5556) serves Southern cuisine for

lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch(closed on Mondays).

• Camino’s (107 Black MountainAvenue, (828) 669-1982) makes a deli-cious steak quesadilla f illed with rice,vegetables, cheese, and salsa and servedwith yummy spiced chips.

• It doesn't get much simpler - ormuch better - than Mac’s (104 WestStreet, (828) 669-0668). With only afew items on the menu, you’ll want toreturn to Mac’s again and again for theirscrumptious cheeseburgers and deca-dent Philly cheese steaks.

• Phil’s Bar-B-Que Pit (701 N.C.Highway 9, (828) 669-3606) is anexpansion of the long standing putt-puttgolf course. Now you can spend anafternoon playing golf and enjoyingfantastic BBQ.

See Restaurants on PAGE 32

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Famous people from the Swannanoa ValleyBy Jill JonesCONTRIBUTING WRITER

he Swannanoa Valley has been both homeand retreat for numerous famous peoplewhose lives and businesses have impacted

the people and the Valley for nearly two centuries.One of the most famous of all Valley residents

is the Rev. Billy Graham, who married RuthMcCue Bell, daughter of missionary Dr. L.Nelson Bell of Montreat in 1943. The Grahamsfirst lived in a modest cottage across from Ruth’sparents, but in 1954 they purchased 200 acres ona mountaintop in Montreat on which they built aninformal country-style house that has served as aplace of retreat as well as home for the evangelistand his family.

Frontiersman and hero of theAlamo DavyCrockett visited Elizabeth Patton, the widow of afriend, in Swannanoa in 1815. He was alsorecently widowed. Having five children between

them, they decided towed and join their fami-lies.

Three more childrenwere born to them duringtheir years in Tennesseeand Texas. Descendantsof Davy and Elizabethreside today in theSwannanoa Valley.

In the 1880s, worldrenowned architectRaphael Guastavino IIcame to Western NorthCarolina to work on theBiltmore Estate. Whilehere, he built an estate ofhis own,“Rhododendron,” inBlack Mountain, on thesite of what now is

Photos provided by the Swannanoa Valley MuseumRuth and Billy Graham

See Famous on PAGE 7

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ChristmountAssembly.Guastavino specialized in the use of the age-

old Catalan system of laminated tile vaults, whichenabled the construction of free-standing tileddomes. Among the 1,000 buildings he designedand built in the United States is the St. LawrenceBasilica inAsheville. In 1900, a panel of archi-tects named the top 10 buildings in the UnitedStates, and eight of them contained tile work byGuastavino.

A pioneer in the field of electricity, FranklinTerry was a contemporary and a competitor ofThomas Edison and eventually became a vice-president of Edison’s company, General Electric.In 1921, he bought land in Black Mountain andbuilt “In The Oaks,” a 24,755 square foot summerhome for his second wife, Lilliam SlocumbEmerson. The home is second in size only toBiltmore House in the state and is styled as anEnglish manor house.

“In The Oaks” is now owned by MontreatCollege and serves as its Black Mountain cam-pus.

Singer Roberta Flack was born in Swannanoa

in 1939. She is perhaps best known for her hitsong, “Killing Me Softly.”

The Martin family of musicians is famousamong fans of mountain music, and are also

known for theirwood carvingsand dulcimers.

Billy EddWheeler, ofSwannanoa, isthe author ofnumeroussongs that havebeen recordedby such stars asJohnny Cash,Kenny Rogers,Nancy Sinatra,

and LeeGreenwood.

Two sports figures of renown are from theSwannanoa Valley. Football great Brad Johnson, agraduate of Owen High School, led the TampaBay Buccaneers to a Super Bowl victory in 2004.

Brad Daugherty, former University of NorthCarolina and Cleveland Cavalier basketball star, isalso from Black Mountain.

For more information on these individuals andthe history of the Swannanoa Valley, visit theSwannanoa Valley Museum, located at 223 WestState Street in Black Mountain.

For more information about the museum, call(828) 669-9655 or visitwww.swannanoavalleymuseum.org.

Brad Johnson

Famous, continued from page 6

Davy Crockett Raphael Guastavino

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Holly Jolly kicks off the holiday seasonolly Jolly opens the holiday shop-ping season in Black Mountain onFriday night, December 4.

The streets are decorated withmillions of lights, and shops literallybulge with unusual items to make Santa’ssleigh trip on December 25 worth theeffort.

Shoppers come from surrounding areasto enjoy the entertainment and sample thedelicious offers by local shops. Whatused to be punch and cookies or hotchocolate has turned into unusual sweetsand food delicacies.

Shoppers return year after year tomeander from one shop to the other, seek-ing special gifts for special people on theirholiday list.

Holly Jolly is a big Christmas party File Photo

(above) Santa is one of the many highlights of the annual Holly Jolly celebration indowntown Black Mountain on December 4.See Holly Jolly on PAGE 9

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thrown by the merchants ofBlack Mountain to welcomeholiday shoppers. The food,music, and unique gifts makethe opening of the holiday sea-son magical.

The annual Christmasparade follows Holly Jolly on

Saturday, December 5, as doesthe annual Circle of Lights atLake Tomahawk, which beginsafter the parade at dusk.

The Christmas parade istypical of small town holidayparades. People pile into carsand other vehicles and join a

motorcade throughBlack Mountain.Area bands play theirfinest holiday tunesand floats defy bothparents and children’simaginations.

Of course, noparade would be com-plete without the tra-ditional visit fromSanta, and the jollyold elf will be ridingin style this year at theend of the parade.

Holly Jolly, continued from page 8

See Holly Jolly on PAGE 31

File Photo

(above) The shops come alive with holi-day sparkle at Holly Jolly.

File Photo

(above) Santa will be waiting for you in Black Mountain.

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By Gretchen HowardCONTRIBUTING WRITER

ingko Tree Gallery is owned by photogra-pher Joye Ardyn Durham whose passionsfor art and nature are joined together in herphotography and gallery. This year the

gallery celebrates 15 years of business. The galleryis a display of Durham’s work - much of it focusingon the beautiful local scenery of the area.

“The Gingko Tree is a tribute to the surroundingmountains of Western North Carolina,” Durhamsaid. “It is a great place to help you take the moun-tains home with you.”

One look at Durham’s work in the gallery or onher Web site (www.artist withcamera.com), andyou'll see that she has a rare talent. Her photographsnot only capture the subject but an emotion and afeeling interpreted as individually as the person look-ing at the picture.

One piece that caught my attention is entitled,

Gingko Tree Gallery- Celebrating 15 Years

Photo by Joye Ardyn Durham, artistwithcamera.com

(above) Photographer Joye Ardyn Durham’s photos are one-of-a-kind.See Ginko Tree on PAGE 11

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“First Stand.” It is of a newborn horse’s legs as hestands for the first time. What a joy this must havebeen to see - a spirit entering the world and stand-ing to greet all that lies ahead.

Durham has been taking photographs since shewas nine years old when she worked with her dad,who took photographs and published post cards.

Our State Magazine recognized her as one oftheir featured photographers in the February 2009edition. In addition to nature, she enjoys photo-graphing portraits, dogs, and weddings.

She recently completed a dog-themed cardseries called “Friends of Raven” in honor of herbeloved dog and friend who passed away a fewyears ago (friendsofraven.com). She also has wolfcards from photographs taken at nearby Full MoonFarm.

Durham photographs groups, families, babies,children, reunions, weddings, and other socialevents. She knows the importance of capturing

and preserving some of life’s most beautifulmoments and does so with style and elegance.

Online proofing is available - have yourfamily photo taken while visiting BlackMountain and proof online when you gethome.

The gallery also carries signed andnumbered limited edition Ann Vasilikprints, a watercolorist from Asheville.Customframingandphotographyservic-es are also available at Gingko Tree.

“When I am out shooting, whether itbe a sunrise, a newborn baby, or a familygathering, I lose all sense of past andfuture,” Durham said. “I am there in themoment. Completely present. Creatingimages is my gift to share and I am grate-ful beyond words.”

Gingko Tree Gallery, 128 BroadwayStreet, (828) 669-7721, www.artistwith

camera.com.

Ginko Tree, continued from page 10

Photos by Joye Ardyn Durham, artistwithcamera.com

(above) Local photographer Joye Ardyn Durhamphotographs groups, families, babies, children,reunions, weddings, and other social events. Sheknows the importance of capturing and preservingsome of life’s most beautiful moments and does sowith style and elegance.

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How our town recycled an old building into a work of artBy Rita VermillionCONTRIBUTING WRITER

lack Mountain is justif iably proudof its newly renovated city hall onMidland Street. The building onMontreat Road that housed city

hall from the early 1990’s until this yearis now defunct. But a previous city hallstill stands and the community can alsobe justif iably proud of the BlackMountain Center for the Arts, whichinhabits the original city hall at 225 W.State Street.

Beginning in the 1920’s this hand-some, multi-story brick building housedthe off ices for the Town of BlackMountain, along with the library, the RedCross, the first public telephone, the jail,and the f iremen’s sleeping quarters.When the building was vacated in the1990’s, some believed the old city hall

Photo provided by BMCA

(above) The Black Mountain Center for the Arts, which inhabits Black Mountain’soriginal city hall.

See Recycled on PAGE 30

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Don't forget your historylesson while you are in townBy Jill JonesCONTRIBUTING WRITER

ost visitors come into the Swannanoa Valley today along a mod-ern pathway - Interstate 40 - unaware that this asphalt four-lanefollows much the same pathway that was first carved through the

wilderness along the Swannanoa River by deer, elk, wild boar, and otheranimals.

When the early tribes came into the Valley, they followed the animalpaths as they hunted game, fished the river, and gathered berries and nutsin the forests. Archaeologists tell us that this river valley has been inhab-

ited by mankindfor more than12,000 years.

In pre-RevolutionaryWar times, itwas a huntingground for theC h e r o k e e ,shared at timeswith the

C a t a w b aIndians. During the Revolutionary War, the Cherokee sided with theirEnglish trading partners, and when the British were defeated, the landwest of the Swannanoa Gap was opened to immigrant settlement.

Europeans andAfricans came into theValley from the east along manyof the same trails and pathways the Indians had previously used. Somesettled in the Valley, others passed through to make their homes in otherparts of what is now Buncombe County, or moved on further west.

For those who settled here, the pathways grew from dirt trails usablemainly by horse, mule, or oxen, to wider roads, such as the WesternTurnpike, along with stage coaches traveled, bringing early tourists intothe mountains.

The region remained relatively isolated, however, until 1879, when theWestern North Carolina Railroad entered the Valley. As with the stagecoach road, the railroad tracks followed along older pathways made byanimals, Indians, and settlers.

The coming of the train brought irrevocable change to the SwannanoaValley and all of Western North Carolina. Where before only a few, most-ly wealthy individuals were able to visit the cool climate of these moun-tains, people of more modest means could now travel here by train, andmany inns and boarding houses sprang up to serve this new clientele.

Among those who visited the Valley around the turn of the 19th cen-tury were people who found the region not only beautiful, but spirituallyuplifting as well. The founders of Montreat, YMCA Blue Ridge

See History on PAGE 15

The busy depot in Black Mountain.Photos provided by the Swannanoa Valley Museum

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History, continued from page 14

Assembly, and Ridgecrest were among thosewho came, purchased land and developed theseretreats. Others followed later. Today, theSwannanoa Valley is known for the numerousreligious retreats that were founded here.

The construction of George Vanderbilt’sBiltmore Estate attracted many artists andcraftsmen, among them a young English archi-tect, Richard Sharp Smith, and renownedSpanish architect Raphael Guastavino II. Bothcame to work on the Biltmore Estate andremained in the region, leaving an indeliblemark not only on Asheville, but also in theSwannanoa Valley.

Guastavino built his own estate,Rhododendron, on the property south of BlackMountain that is now ChristmountAssembly. In1921, Smith designed and built the BlackMountain Fire House on State Street, whichnow serves as home to the collection of theSwannanoa Valley Museum.

With the development of the region and theinvention of the motorcar came pathways of amore modern kind - paved roads. Horse and ox-drawn taxis at the railway depots were replacedwith cars, and the early highways were crowdedwith visitors who flowed into the SwannanoaValley.

N.C. State Road 10, known as the CentralHighway, ran from the east coast all the way toMurphy in the far western part of NorthCarolina. It crossed over the Blue Ridge in awinding route between Old Fort and BlackMountain. Later, the route became U.S. 70, thenwas closed off with the building of Interstate 40.This year, the old route has been reopened as“Point Lookout Trail,” a hiking/biking trailbetween Ridgecrest and Old Fort.

Today, our pathways are streamlined but stillheavily trafficked as visitors continue to discov-er the beauty and historical treasure that is theSwannanoa Valley.

To learn more about this Valley and WesternNorth Carolina, visit the Swannanoa ValleyMuseum, 223 W. State Street in downtownBlack Mountain. Open April-October, Tuesday- Friday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Saturday, noon - 4p.m.; and Sunday, 2-5 p.m. For more informa-tion, visit www.swannanoavalley museum.org.

A trainful of tourists arrives in BlackMountain.

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Listen to the musicBy Gretchen HowardCONTRIBUTING WRITER

usical roots run deep in theSwannanoa Valley. The area has along history of great live music dating

back to the early settlers who played their fid-dles, banjos, and ballads in informal settingsaround hearths and fireplaces or on the porch-es of early homes and cabins.

Music was a lively part of barn raisings,corn shuckings, fairs, and festivals. Today, theheritage of our area’s music is as alive as ever atlocal venues and festivals.

“Black Mountain and Swannanoa are rapid-ly developing a reputation as musical destina-tions where people know they can hear greatlive music,” said Don Talley, a local residentwhose passion for music inspired him to create“Black Mountain Music Scene” newsletter andWeb site: www.blackmountainmusicscene.com.

“My goal for BlackMountain Music Scene is tohelp foster and spread thatreputation and bring evenmore folks to our town to heargreat music.”

The Black Mountain areais home to great music venueslike White Horse BlackMountain, The Town PumpTavern, Ja Vin, TheWatershed, ShovelheadSaloon, Pisgah Brewing, andthe Beacon Pub. BlackMountain Center for the Artsand the Black Mountain Innalso host music events. Thearea is home to great festivalsand outdoor music events likeLake Eden Arts Festival (LEAF), the ParkRhythms music series at Lake Tomahawk,

Groovin on Grovemont music series in

See Music on PAGE 29

Metro Photo

(above) The Swannanoa Valley has a long history of great livemusic dating back to the early settlers who played their fiddles,banjos, and ballads in informal settings.

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There's no place like homeBy Gretchen HowardCONTRIBUTING WRITER

hinking of buying a home or property in themountains? The Black Mountain area ishome to a variety of neighborhoods andcommunities - some with panoramic views

and others with walkable town centers.“Black Mountain continues to be a popular

destination for the home buyer,” Keller Williamsreal estate agent Rowena Patton said. “People aredrawn here because of the proximity to Ashevilleand the opportunity to live in a place with fabulousrestaurants and the heart of an old town. Ourneighborhoods have something for everyone -mountain views, lakes, parks, rivers and hikingtrails.”

Here, a snapshot of some of the area’s neigh-borhoods and communities that are attracting buy-ers seeking second homes or year-round resi-dences.

•The Settings of Black Mountain is a gatedcommunitywithelevationsup to3,945feet,hiking

trails and park areas and easily accessible fromInterstate 40. The 200 single-family home sitesand 100 town home sites offer dramatic views and

range from cozy cottages togrand estates on nearly 10acres. www.the settings.com.

•TheVillage of Cheshire islocated in the heart of BlackMountain and features anarray of arts and crafts stylehomes, condos, and townhomes. It is a traditionalneighborhood developmentwith shops, restaurants andlive-work spaces along with afitness center, tennis facilities,a Frisbee golf course, and

open green spaces. www.villageofcheshire.com.

•Eight miles south fromdowntown Black Mountain

and off of Highway 9 is Creston - 1,100 acres of abreathtaking piece of land called Hicks Mountain.

See Home on PAGE 19

Photo provided by Greybeard Realty

(above) The Black Mountain area is home to a variety ofneighborhoods and communities - some with panoramicviews and others with walkable town centers.

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Home, continued from page 18

Of that land, 477 acres are dedicatedto a conservation easement under theFoothills Land Conservancy. Thereare six miles of hiking trails withwaterfalls and creeks and a smallcamping area for Creston owners toenjoy. The 135 home sites are at anelevation of 2,200 to 3,100 feet.www.cre ston-nc.com.

•Catawba Falls Preserve is located7.5 miles southwest of BlackMountain. With over 240 home sitesranging from one to 20+ acres, thegated community boasts spectacularmountain vistas and an abundance ofcommon nature areas. And, for theavid outdoorsmen and women, thereare numerous trout streams and anextensive trail system with access tothe Catawba River and PisgahNational Forest. www.catabafallspreserve.com.

•Stone Brook at Rush Creekboasts green meadows, gentle slopedroads, mountain views, creek-sidelots, waterfalls, spacious land, andquiet. The development is over 130acres with lots ranging in size from 3-12 acres. There are several naturalcommunity areas like a beautifullyrenovated seven-stall barn and a tim-ber frame picnic pavilion. Othercommon spaces include a two-acrefishing area on the Rocky BroadRiver and 23 acres reserved for hik-ing trails and undeveloped woodedarea. Approximately 10 miles fromdowntown Black Mountain, StoneBrook is located off of Highway 9South on Morgan Hill Road.www.stonebrookatrushcreek.com.

•DRA Living, anAsheville-basedcorporation specializing in landdevelopment, home building, andsales, owns The Hamlets at RustlingPine Trail in Black Mountain.Located off of Highway 9 South andLakey Gap Road, the Hamlets atRustling PineTrail offers off-site built

homes with views and privacy. Thereare several different home plans andamenity packages from which tochoose, and the three and four bed-room homes range in size fromapproximately 1,700 square feet toover 2,300 square feet. This uniqueand secluded five lot development

offers scenic views, old growth trees,city utilities, and custom, energy effi-cient homes built to the highest qual-ity standards. Currently there arethree lots available for custom homesand one spec house.

The development is convenientlylocated to I-40, downtown BlackMountain, and the Cheshire Fitnessand RacquetClub. www.thehamletsofblackmountain.com.

• Greybeard Realty - 204 E. State

Street, (828) 669-1072, www.grey

beardrealty.com

• Keller Williams -

115 Richardson Boulevard, (828)

210-1648,

www.pattonpropertygroup.com

•Fran McCaskill

Preferred Properties

(828) 778-0304

.• Beverly Hanks & Associates

Donette Moore, Broker (215-6002)

& Darcy Wilson, Broker (230-2385)

•Mountain Vista Properties

118 Broadway, (828) 669-2500

www.MountainVistaRealEstate.net

Local RealEstate

Representatives

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By Rita VermillionCONTRIBUTING WRITER

hether your love of the arts mostlikely finds you at a galleryshow, a concert, a theater pro-duction, or taking a class, you

can find something this fall to whet youartistic appetite at the Black MountainCenter for the Arts, located in the originalcity hall at 225 W. State Street.

There are four music concerts now onthe docket for the fall. First, is a concertfeaturing Black Mountain’s own sensation-al artist, Kellin Watson, on Friday,September 25, at 8 p.m. Opening forWatson is Michael Bellar and the AS-ISEnsemble, a NYC group who has beendescribed as an “improvisationally eclec-tic, alt-jazz group,” headlined by Bellar, a

(above) Acts of Renewal Carol Anderson and Jim Shores will present their ThirdAnnual “Rediscovering Christmas” on Friday –Saturday, December 18-19.

Fall into the Arts at the Black MountainCenter for the Arts

Photo provided by BMCA

See Arts on PAGE 21

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Arts, continued from page 20

c o m p o s e r / k e y b o a r d i s t .Watson’s music is a blend ofblues, folk, jazz, rock, and pop.Admission is a $10 donation atthe door.

In October, (date TBA)Swannanoa’s favorite duo BillHansen and Doris Sotirellis, ofClearwater Connection, willhead up a benefit evening forthe non-profit Arts Center in anevening billed as “Americana”music, along with their musicalfriends who make up“Clearwater Collection.”

Vocalists and instrumental-ists both will be a part of theevening’s line-up. Admissionis a $10 donation at the door.

On Saturday, November 7, at7:30 p.m., local music storeAcoustic Corner will presentits auspicious staff in theSecond Annual AcousticCorner Instructors’ Concert,featuring Laurie Fisher, MattKinne, Andy Pond, NatalyaWeinstein, Jed Willis, andDavid Zoll. These six players,all capable of solo concerts,will group themselves intoduos, trios, and more to playthe evening away. Admission isa $10 donation at the door.

On Sunday, November 22, at3 p.m., the Black MountainYouth Chorale - youth in 4th-8th grades under the directionof Aline Carillon with accom-panist Penny Rose - sing a widevariety of styles and com-posers. Not to be missed – theyusually sing to a full house!Admission is a $5 donation atthe door.

The major theater produc-tion planned for the holidayseason will feature Black

Mountain’s own nationallyrenowned company Acts ofRenewal duo Carol Andersonand Jim Shores in their ThirdAnnual production of“Rediscovering Christmas” onFriday-Saturday, December 18-19 at 7:30 p.m. Known fortheir balance of humor, timing,interpretation, and message,Anderson and Shores havedelighted audiences over andover at the holidays near.Tickets are $15 and reserva-tions should be made early –this one’s always a sell-out!

In the Upper Gallery, threeshows fill out the fall schedule.Susan Stanton’s photographyshow, “Captured on Canvas,”will be up through September25. A display of strikingscenes, stretched on art canvas,the show is more painterly thanphotographic. An opening onFriday, October 3, from 6-8p.m., brings The AppalachianPastel Society’s annual juriedshow to BMCA. A regional artgroup, APS member’s worksrange from the softest land-scape to finely detailed portrai-ture. The show goes throughNovember 14. Filling out thefall schedule is the BMCA ClayStudio’s annualTeacher/Student Pottery Showwith a special market sale onthe weekend of Holly JollyChristmas, Friday December 4.

Fall classes cover a range ofthe arts from dance and move-ment to music to visual arts andmore. Check out the Web siteat www.blackmountainarts.orgor call 669-0930 to find outmore.

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By Ron VinsonCONTRIBUTING WRITER

or more than 210 years,Presbyterians have established com-munities and churches throughoutthe Swannanoa Valley, from North

Fork to Black Mountain to Montreat.A new museum and learning center

opened last year in Montreat, highlightingthe history of Montreat, as well as thePresbyterian heritage in this Valley andthroughout the world.

Located at 318 Georgia Terrace, adja-cent to Assembly Drive, in Montreat, thenew Presbyterian Heritage Center (PHC)is housed in Spence Hall in the oldHistorical Foundation Building. The PHCworked with the Montreat ConferenceCenter to create a historical presence, asrequested by the Presbyterian Church(USA) General Assembly in 2006.

The center offers a variety of chang-ing state-of-the-art, interactive exhibitson the history of Montreat andPresbyterianism, as well as specialevents including lectures, live perform-ances, period costumed re-enactors, andstorytelling. Multimedia kiosks offermusic, interviews, maps, and muchmore.

“The Presbyterian Heritage Centerwill entertain and educate young peopleand adults about Montreat, Presbyterianhistory, and mission, reaching out to tensof thousands who come to Montreat eachyear, plus many more online through ourdigital programs and research capabili-ties,” said Richard Ray, chairman of thePHC board.

“Already, we are working in partner-ship with the Montreat ConferenceCenter, Princeton Theological Seminary,

New museum and learning center open in Montreat

Photo provided by the Presbyterian Heritage CenterSee Museum on PAGE 23

and others to develop travelingexhibits that will tour theUnited States. In 2009,Montreat hopes to be the NorthAmerica center for celebratingthe 500th birthday of JohnCalvin, one of the keyReformation leaders in the his-tory of the Protestant church.”

Books and artifacts from theMontreat Conference Centercollection form the core of thePHC’s reference materials.Additional books, online data-bases, microfiche, and exhibitdisplays have been added byPHC to its library and learningcenter.

In addition to its exhibits,the PHC provides a researchlibrary on Montreat,

Presbyterians, and their institu-tions, as well as online com-puter access to availableresource materials from lead-ing national and regional insti-tutions. Online databases con-tain hundreds of thousands oforiginal documents and booksfrom the 1500s to today.

Plus, the PresbyterianHeritage Center has starteddigitizing important Montreatdocuments and photographsfor future online access.

The PHC Web site -www.phcmontreat.org -already links to original docu-ments, books, and photos atscores of institutions.

There is no admission fee tothe PHC.

Museum, continued from page 22

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The great outdoorsBy Hali LedfordCONTRIBUTING WRITER

urrounded by mountains, theSwannanoa Valley is home tomany outdoor activities that

make the small communities ofBlack Mountain and Swannanoa spe-cial and keeps tourists coming backfor more every summer.

•SHADOWBROOK MINI GOLF-As the only minigolf place in town,Shadowbrook is an event the wholefamily can enjoy. Located onHighway 9, across from Ingles, it isright outside the center of town.

•SHOPPING- Black Mountain ishome to some pretty unique stores.Take a day to park your car and walk

down Cherry Street with the rest ofthe town and it’s visitors. Publicparking is free, anywhere you canf ind a spot, and there is plenty of it.Just come prepared to walk.Shopping is a big to do here. Younever know what you will f ind in ourlocal stores!

•MONTREAT- To get a taste ofthe real beauty of the area go toMontreat. Drive down MontreatRoad until you pass through thestone entrance into Montreat. Thereis a park for children and LakeSusan. If you want to do as the localsdo, bring a bathing suit and watershoes so you can skip rocks andswim in the creek. Make sure tobring a camera to capture the natural

File photo

Lake Tomahawk is a Black Mountain favorite.See Outdoors on PAGE 25

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beauty around you. Justwatch out for the swan thatcalls Lake Susan home.

•BLACK MOUNTAINGOLF COURSE- Looking fora real game of golf? Look nofurther than the BlackMountain Golf Course. Enjoyan 18-hole game set in themiddle of the beautiful moun-tains and wooded areas fullwith trees.

•LAKE TOMAHAWK- Asthe sun begins to set behindthe mountains and you f inish

up your dinner at one of themany restaurants in town, youmay be wondering what to donext. How about taking a nicerelaxing walk around LakeTomahawk. The atmosphereis peaceful and the only thingyou have to worry about isrunning into a duck or two.But don’t worry about them,they are use to people and forthe most part they are friend-ly. There is also a playgroundand tennis courts next to thelake.

Enjoy the great outdoorswhile you are here!

Outdoors, continued from page 24

File photo

Looking for a real game of golf? Look no furtherthan the Black Mountain Golf Course. Enjoy an18-hole game set in the middle of the beautiful

mountains and wooded areas full with trees.

Enjoy a round of golf at the beautiful Black Mountain GolfCourse.

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Fresco in local chapel is ‘must see’By Barbara HootmanCONTRIBUTING WRITER

ontreat College’s Chapelof the Prodigal is an out-standing piece of art

nestled in the area mountains thatattracts thousands of visitors annu-ally.

“In the past years, we have guid-ed thousands of visitors through theChapel,” Andy Andrews said.“Visitors come from everywhereand are awed at the art work in thechapel. We have 45 docents nowthat work hard to educate the publicabout Ben Long and his work, andwe serve as tour guides for largegroups of people.”

The interior of the Chapel of theProdigal is a complementary settingfor the huge fresco, Return of the

Ben Long’s fresco tells the story of Luke Chapter 15.

Photos provided by Montreat College

See Fresco on PAGE 27

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Fresco, continued from page 26

Prodigal. An intimate and upliftingworship space was created. BenLong’s fresco measures 16 feetwide by 17 feet high. It portraysthe parable found in Luke Chapter15. After squandering the inheri-tance he demanded from his father,the prodigal son returns home froma far country seeking forgivenessand acceptance. The father receiveshis wayward son joyously, re-estab-lishing his place in the family.

Many consider this parable to bethe greatest story Jesus ever toldillustrating God’s unconditionallove. Return of the Prodigal is

Long’s first fresco on a wall built tohis personal specifications.

The biblical theme has beenpainted by some of the mostfamous names in art history.Rembrandt painted the parable withthe father standing over his kneelingson with his fatherly hand as ablessing on his son’s head.

Long’s imagination encompasseda more emotional encounterbetween the father and the prodigal.The patriarch kneels beside his frailson clutching his son’s hand overhis heart and the other raised inthanksgiving. The older brother

looks on in anger at the happyreunion. Across the courtyard, themother stands with the female ser-vants, her hands clasped across herbreast as she senses the tensionbetween the two brothers.

In the background the servantsare busy butchering the calf for thewelcome home banquet. A smalldog barks at the bottom. Three pigsroot in the foreground remindingthe viewer of the herds the Prodigaltended in his poverty.

Long spent years preparing topaint the Montreat fresco, withdrawings, oil paintings, and sketch-es. Creating a fresco is a demandingphysical challenge. The paintermust work long stretches of timerather than take frequent breaks.Depending on humidity, the paintermay work as much as eight to 12

hours a day.Montreat’s artistic interpretation

by Long is the only known truefresco by a master artist on thetheme of Jesus’parable of theProdigal Son.

Long has achieved internationalfame as a master of both true frescoand oil painting. His talent hasresulted in numerous commissionsworldwide including Italy, France,and seven sites in North Carolina.

Also, the chapel is a popularwedding site. Montreat gets callsfrom many different states inquiringabout having a wedding in thechapel.

The Chapel is open to the public.For more information, call 669-8012, extensions 3821.

(above) The exterior view of Montreat College’s Chapel of theProdigal.

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Swannanoa, the Swannanoa Gathering,Sourwood Festival, and Mill around theVillage.

Black Mountain is also home to musicalinstrument shops Song of the Wood andAcoustic Corner which draw customers from awide region.

If you find yourself in the area on any givennight, check out www.blackmountainmusicscene.com to find out who’s playing where.

One of Black Mountain's most well-knownspots to hear live music is the Watershed. TheWatershed, upstairs from My Father’s Pizza, isa downtown bar that is host to a wide variety ofmusical performances. Bluegrass, rock,Americana and much more. 207 W. StateStreet, (828) 669-0777.

Beacon Pub is a new bar and bistro inSwannanoa with live music on Thursday andSaturday nights and open mic night on Tuesdaynights. With billiards, local micro brews, andnightly drink specials, it is a great place tocheck out a band. 204 Whitson Avenue,

Swannanoa, (828) 686-0006, www.beaconpu-binfo.com.

The Town Pump is a friendly local hangoutright on Cherry Street. Walk into this establish-ment on any given night and most likely a liveband will be having a good time with thecrowd. Locals love the dart boards, variety oflocal and regional microbrews, and the juke boxwith a tremendous selection. With its laid backand authentic character, this local favorite is amust-visit for visitors. 135 Cherry Street, (828)669-4808.

Pisgah Brewing Company is a certifiedorganic brewery in Black Mountain and alsohost to a wide variety of musical events. Comeand enjoy some fine local music and a brewvoted best in Western North Carolina, 150Eastside Drive, (828) 669-0190, www.pisgahbrewing.com.

White Horse Black Mountain is the town’snewest music venue. The 4,400 square footnon-smoking space offers the finest in music

and arts along with beer, wine, coffee, tea,sandwiches, and snacks. The owners andfounders are Bob Hinkle and Kim Hughes -Bob has been in the music and entertainmentbusiness for 40 years.

The space seats 225 people with additionalstanding room making it a 300-person capacityhall. With excellent sound and lighting sys-tems, a 30-foot barrel ceiling, good acoustics,and a unique wood and copper bar - it makesfor a wonderful place to enjoy live music.

Look for big name acts this season likeCyril Neville, Darol Anger, Spiritual Rez,Acoustic Syndicate, and others. White HorseBlack Mountain is located at 105-C MontreatRoad, (828) 669-0816. For a complete musicschedule, visit www.whitehorseblackmountain.com.

Black Mountain offers locals and visitorsplenty of opportunities to hear great live music.

Music, continued from page 16

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had run its course of usefulness and waspast its prime, destined for demolition.But others believed it could be restoredinto a thriving arts center, and couldbring renewed vigor into the life of down-town Black Mountain. Through concen-trated vision, hard work, and persistentfundraising efforts, the initial boardmembers of the newly formed BlackMountain Center for the Arts saw theirlabors pay off when the doors wereopened to the resourcefully renovatedbuilding in 2000.

Nearly a decade later visitors comethrough the Center’s doors every daywanting to learn about Black Mountain,about the legendary Black MountainCollege, and about the arts for which thisarea is so well-known. They come toview the current show in the UpperGallery, to register for ongoing classes, toask about possibilities for artists in thislocale, and to exchange ideas for all ofthe above.

Towns the size of Black Mountain,especially towns that are not county seats,seldom have multi-faceted arts centers.Towns the size of Black Mountain seldomhave the availability and quality of localtalent that is found here. What those earlyBMCA board members knew is that thearts encompass more than one dimension,and that a wide array of talents are wellrepresented in our local and part-timepopulation. There’s a rich music scenehere that is historic; the same can be saidof the visual arts and fine handmade craftsuch as pottery, of the written word, andof the performing areas of the arts.

BMCA was developed with the ideathat focusing on one area of the artswould be insufficient – that the stage islarge enough to invite people to partici-pate in as many areas as they will. Thus,the mission of the Center was born – ‘tobring arts to the people, and people to thearts.” When those early board membersplanned for the Center, they counted onthe generosity of the people who love

both the arts and the town to support andsustain it. By establishing the Center as anon-profit institution, the founders pur-posefully chose for it to be a place wherepeople at every level could participateand contribute. The Center continues toderive its support from the philanthropyof the very people who want to see itthrive.

Then the board of BMCA decided torevive the old city garage into a profes-sional teaching clay studio; with grantsfrom The Janirve Foundation, and theBlack Mountain Endowment of theCommunity Foundation of WNC, theymade the transformation happen.Executive Director Gale Jackson had avision for the studio to be as visuallyappealing from the outside, as it would befunctionally appealing to potters and stu-dents from the inside.

Julia Burr, (jcburrdesigns.com)nationally recognized sculptor and instal-lation artist turned Black Mountainer,was engaged to turn the west-facing wallinto a mosaic tile mural. The concept shedesigned is a contemporary splash ofcolor that also serves as a backdrop forsignage identifying the site as the BlackMountain Center for the Arts.

Burr, who grew up in Augusta, Ga., isa graduate of the University of Tennessee,and the California Institute of Art, and isa designer/sculptor who has completedprivate and public commissions through-out the U.S. Currently she is engaged indesign work for the Pack Place renova-tion.

On the wall facing east, a different artform was utilized to create a piece of out-door art. Wall sculptor David Seils(wallsculpture.net), an Asheville artist,was commissioned to create a three-dimensional bas-relief mountain scenewith a flowing stream coming down fromthe mountains through a thicket of laureland rhododendron. Reviving the art styleof relief sculpture that has been used forthousand of years to decorate walls and

the frieze of buildings, Seils found thesame effect can be accomplished bybuilding up the relief sculpture instead ofcarving.

With the advantage of new materials,white cement, silicon sand, and lime, andwith careful measuring and mixing toinsure durability and consistency, Seilsstrengthened the existing wall structurewhile creating a work of beauty for theentire community to enjoy. Especially atnight, with the installed lighting, thedimension and detail of the scene is par-ticularly impressive.

Seils, originally from West Salem,Wiscon., received formal art training atViterbo College in Wisconsin; TheClearing, part of the University ofWisconsin; The University of Kansas atLawrence, and the Ringling School of Artin Florida. He has created wall sculptureboth privately and publicly in NorthCarolina.

The clay studio offers classes, sam-plers, and workshops taught by local res-ident potters, opportunities for experi-enced potters to purchase communitymemberships, and Paint-on-Pottery ses-sions. The camaraderie that has devel-oped among the folks who are takingclasses there has been one of the best out-comes of the board’s decision to recyclethe old building. The Clay Studio pro-duces several fundraiser pottery sales peryear and holds an annual student/teachershow in the Upper Gallery during the hol-iday season. For more information, visithttp://blackmountainartsclay.blogspot.com.

The Black Mountain Center for theArts is proud to present this contributionof art and beauty, both visual and cre-ative, for the enjoyment of the communi-ty and for the renovation of an old build-ing into a new one. To learn more aboutBlack Mountain’s converted arts center,visit www.blackmountainarts.org. Or callthe Black Mountain Center for the Arts at669-0930.

Recycled, continued from page 12

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Holly Jolly, continued from page 9

Holly Jollyhappens Dec. 4 indowntown Black

Mountain.

Don’t Miss It!

File Photo

(above) Black Mountain - the perfect place for holiday shopping!

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Restaurants, continued from page 5

• Que Sera (400 East State Street,(828) 664-9472) has made its mark overthe past few years and is well- knownfor its delicious food. The casual yetupscale restaurant has a southern twistand features a delectable menu thatchanges with the seasons.

• Sprout Cafe (105 Richardson Blvd.- across from the Black Mountain Post

Off ice) specializes in fresh and grilledsandwiches ranging from vegetarianoptions to grilled chicken and roastbeef.

• State Street BBQ (400 C East StateStreet, (828) 664-1446) featuring realpit bbq served with authentic Southernhospitality and homemade sides.

• Straightaway Cafe (1722 N.C.Highway 9, (828) 669-8856) is worththe drive! Try their Hungarian menuitems like hortobagy chicken crepes andbeef goulash. There is also a wide arrayof sandwiches and a great beer andwine list.

• Thai Basil (227 West State Street,(828) 664-4322) serves up authentic

Thai cuisine like the traditional padThai noodle - pan-friend traditionalThai rice noodles with egg, mincedtofu, green onion, and bean sproutsserved with ground peanut and lime.

MIDDLE-AGEDSo some friends aren’t exactly classi-

f ied as “old,” but they’ve been around abit long enough to not be called “new.”

So it is with these Black Mountainrestaurants … they have been aroundfor more than a few years and are,thankfully, here to stay.

• Black Mountain Bistro (203 E.State Street, (828) 669-5041) hasfavorites like fried green tomatoes bat-tered and served over a potato cake withranch dressing. For the main course,try meatloaf made from ground chuckwith breadcrumbs and spices servedwith gravy and served with mashedpotatoes and green beans.

• The Cellar Door (117-C CherryStreet, (828) 669-9090) - has greatfood, ambience, and service. Try thecaramelized diver scallops for an appe-

tizer followed by the rosemary- Dijonencrusted petite rack of lamb. Thebrunch menu varies from week to week,but look for the Gulf Coast biscuits andgravy - mildly spiced crab and chorizosausage cream gravy served over freshbaked biscuits with Parmesan-herbhome fries.

• Morning Glory Café (6 East Market

Street in the Village of Cheshire, (828)669-6212) never fails. Try one of theirbreakfast burritos f illed with fresheggs, salsa, and vegetables with a sideof hash browns.

•Ole’s Guacamoles Mexican Kitchen(100 Ridgeway Ave. (828) 669-0550serves fresh authentic mexican food andoffers beer wine and daily lunch spe-cials.

So whether you’re in the mood tospend some time with an old, reliable“restaurant friend” or perhaps begin anew relationship with “someone freshand innovative,” Black Mountain’srestaurant scene is sure to please!

Photo provided by Madison’s

(above) The Swannanoa Valley offers a wide variety of excellent restaurants.

Keller Williams • Black Mountain Professionals115 Richardson Blvd., Black Mountain, NC

828-669-5220 • www.kellerwilliamsblackmountain.com

We CreateResultsResultsRowena Patton828-669-6671

Trish MacIsaac828-301-8212

Vicki Dunkerley828-275-5007

Christi Hanley828-808-1847

Jackie Tatelman828-713-5193

Shanda Boettcher828-242-7777

Sally Bierhaus828-273-0915

Charles Jones828-231-9613

Natalie Clevenger828-231-7915

Joan Hall Weaver828-230-3181

Mary Noble Braden828-337-6980

Byron Bailey828-713-8966

Cindy Kirkland828-606-69700

Katharina Johnson828-419-9103