Labor Day weekend at Whisper Mountain

Posted on: September 8, 2009 by Whisper Mountain

DSC_0078Labor Day weekend at Whisper Mountain found the air ringing with the laughter of our new residents Bob and Wanda Wertzberger’s grandchildren. They spent time hiking the trails along Whisper Creek, exploring the community lodge and even spending a night at the tent camp. With pristine weather that showed off views to Mount Mitchell to the east and Mount Pisgah to the southeast, the days were perfect for picking apples in the orchard, hiking and the streamside trails and rocking on the decks.

DSC_0024Penny and Ken Hawks, the winners of Whisper Creek Cabin, the 2009 Southern Living Choose Your Home Giveaway, were also in residence for the week with their extended family from North Carolina. The Hawks are from the New Orleans, and very generously prepared a jambalaya feast at Sky Valley Lodge for their friends and the Whisper Mountain team. The spicy meal was perfect for the cool evening spent watching the sunset over the mountains and enjoying the beautiful cool evening weather.

We enjoyed a perfect Friday night with a fireside meal on the outside terrace at the lodge. With a full moon over the mountain, firelight bouncing off the stone, and candles spreading their warm glow, we were tempted to spend the night right there on the terrace! Honestly it was one of the most relaxing and beautiful evenings that we have spent in a long time. We hope that all of our residents find the time to make these kind of memories on the mountain.

– Troy and Charlie Ball, Whisper Mountain

Filed Under: Events, Homes, Outdoors, People, Sky Valley Lodge, Whisper Mountain

63rd Reunion of Marshall High School

Posted on: September 26, 2008 by Whisper Mountain

A clear, bright August day at Whisper Mountain played host to four members of the Marshall High School graduating class of 1945 who gathered here for their 63rd reunion. Accompanied by family and guests, the celebrants, including Fred Graham, Forrest Jarrett, Mary Sprinkle, and Harry Woodson, met at the Sky Valley Lodge. The festivities began at five in the afternoon with dinner on the east deck, overlooking the French Broad River Valley and the Black Mountains.Picture 5

Some of the 25 graduates of the class of 1945 have been gathering consistently since their 44th reunion held in Mars Hill. Their 50th was held at the Deer Park Restaurant on the Biltmore Estate, and their 52nd through 62nd were held at Mr. Jarrett’s picnic area on his property in Leicester. The switch to Whisper Mountain, past the log cabins that form the Welcome Center and Poplar Ridge House, seemed to be a return to earlier times, to a time these octogenarians remember from their childhood here in the mountains.

Mr. Jarrett recalled walking with his father past several vacated log cabins off of Little Pine and listening to his father tell him, “You remember this… all of the empty log cabins we have passed… I won’t live to see it, but you will see people come back to the mountains.” Forrest was gone from the mountains about 40 years and now points to Whisper Mountain and says, “It’s true!”

Mrs. Sprinkle, who retired from teaching in 1992 reminisced about how things have changed in the mountains. She observed that all of the local towns had their own schools, and travel from one town to another was not easy over dirt roads. Children walked to school and everyone seemed to know everyone else. Forrest Jarrett noted changes as well, adding that during World War II, many families left the mountains to find work in Baltimore and Norfolk in the shipyards and airplane factories. Some returned, but many did not since industry in Asheville was limited. According to Jarrett, the auto industry of Detroit offered more possibilities for employment and many families never returned to the mountains after the war. Mary Sprinkle added that by 1974 many of the area high schools had merged because of a declining population, and observed “that the character of the mountains communities seemed to change without their own schools.”

What hasn’t changed is the resilience and strength of the people who have remained in Madison County. Mrs. Sprinkle quoted the inscription above the elevators of the Buncombe County Courthouse, “Men to Match our Mountains,” and observed that it was true even today.

Filed Under: Events, People, Whisper Mountain

Bele Chere in Downtown Asheville: A Mountain Festival to Remember

Posted on: July 22, 2008 by Whisper Mountain

Picture 6Each year, on the last full weekend of July, the streets of downtown Asheville are closed to autos and trucks and open only to foot traffic and revelry. The annual Bele Chere festival in Asheville features a rich array of musical entertainment, street vendors, food, and family fun that makes everyone forget it’s the dog days of summer.

Bele Chere Celebrates 30 Years of Festivals

In 2008, Bele Chere turns 30 years old. This City of Asheville sponsored event not only brings the best of local and national musical entertainment to more than a half dozen street stages, but also creates a venue for artisans to sell their wares directly to the public. Much of the original hand made art, clothes, decor and more is only available at the Bele Chere festival or through artists themselves or independent distributors. Bele Chere is a fun way to celebrate beauty, creativity, and culture.

Bele Chere Stages

There are several stages for Bele Chere and live music can be heard all day long on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Stages include: Battery Park Stage, Biltmore Stage, Memorial Stadium, Haywood Stage, Lexington Avenue Stage, and the Coxe Avenue Stage. Check the locally published music schedules in the Mountain Xpress or the Asheville Citizen-Times for specific performers or visit the Bele Chere Entertainer page.

Shuttle Service

The City of Asheville offers shuttle services to and from Bele Chere from East and West Asheville locations. For shuttle users, the fare is $3.00. Consider taking the shuttle from the K-Mart Plaza shopping center on Patton Avenue in West Asheville or the Asheville Mall in East Asheville.

Festival Parking

Parking in downtown Asheville is crowded, but the Civic Center, Rankin Avenue, Wall Street and BB&T public garages are open and accessible during the festival for a special events parking fee. Public garages and private lots make traveling to and from Bele Chere by car easier. Remember, lots do tend to fill up quickly, and parking downtown is diminished due to less access to streets, so the shuttle is a great option.

What to Wear to Bele Chere?

Bele Chere occurs during the height of the summer season, and it can still be quite hot, even in the mountains of Asheville. Temperatures can range from the late eighties to ninety degrees. Dress in cool, comfortable attire, and wear flat shoes or sandals that are designed for walking. The streets in downtown Asheville are hills and a challenge for some. Take frequent breaks to avoid overheating.

Use the Cooling Stations and Stay Well Hydrated

One of the nicest things about the Bele Chere festival is the cooling station provided for the crowds. Bele Chere attendees only need to walk through the gentle mist of water for a few seconds to emerge on the other side feeling refreshed and a whole lot cooler. Don’t forget to bring drinking water along (or purchase some at the festival) and drink water often. Hot temperatures at Bele Chere during the day are not so bad. Use the heat as an excuse to duck into a favorite downtown Asheville restaurant, bar, or store.

Rules for Alcohol Consumption at Bele Chere

Bele Chere is a well renowned Blue Ridge Mountain festival that has drawn in crowds over a quarter to nearly a half million strong. Purchase of beer and drinking on the streets of Asheville is permitted during this special time of year. To be issued a wristband, visitors must present a valid, picture identification and be age 21 or older. The wristband is available for a small fee and must be worn at all times, for consumption of alcohol. Local microbreweries are featured, and all of the downtown restaurants and bars have Bele Chere specials on sale inside and outside stores for the event.

Filed Under: Asheville, Events