Blue Ridge Country Recognizes Best Mountain Towns

Blue Ridge Country magazine readers have awarded the best mountain towns in the 2013 Best of the Mountains poll.

Asheville, N.C. was awarded platinum for best big city, followed by Roanoke, Va. winning the gold award. Readers voted Charlottesville, Va. as the platinum winner for best medium town, selecting Blacksburg, Va. as the gold winner. Platinum and gold winners for best small town were awarded to Boone, N.C. and Waynesville, N.C.

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/1337812#ixzz2ZnJwBwsu

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Sylva, NC: More than just a cool courthouse…

Welcome to Sylva… a progressive small town in Jackson County situated amidst the Great Smoky Mountains. Downtown, a Main Street community, has many restaurants and shops along its tree-lined streets.

Educational opportunities are virtually unlimited, with Western Carolina University only 7 miles away in Cullowhee, and Southwestern Community College in Sylva.

Recreational opportunities are numerous and diverse here. They have a state of the art playground designed by our children and built by the community.

The town owns a pristine tract of land, Pinnacle Park, that boasts hiking trails, waterfalls, and a town view from 5,000 feet.

The Tuckasegee River is known for its whitewater and trout populations.  And the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a 30 minute drive away.

For more, visit http://www.mountainlovers.com!

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Blowing Rock’s Winterfest

Blowing Rock’s 12th annual Winterfest is Jan. 28-31. This four-day celebration of everything winter is packed with activities and events for day-trippers and overnight guests alike.

Winterfest begins Thursday evening with “WinterFeast,” hosted by The Manor House Restaurant at Chetola Resort.

Culinary delights abound as the area’s fine restaurants come together for this once-a-year dining showcase.

There are seatings at 5:30, 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door.

Friday and Saturday activities include “shop ’till you drop” at downtown shops and the Tanger Outlet Shoppes on the Parkway, a charity wine auction & tasting, afternoon hayrides and a bonfire at dusk.

There’s also a silent auction with items ranging from weekend stays at local hotels to clothing, dinners and jewelry.

The highlight of Winterfest is the Polar Plunge on Saturday morning. It features a contest of brave souls who jump into the icy waters of Chetola Lake while dressed in wacky costumes. Contestants vie for the coveted Golden Plunger Award, while spectators marvel at their lack of good sense.

Other Winterfest activities include: an ice carving competition, chili cookoff, live music, pancake breakfast and a pet show.

For more info, go to www.blowingrockwinterfest.com or call (877) 750-4636.

To learn more about the book, visit: InSearchofMayberry.com!  

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Weaverville’s 6th Annual Christmas Candlelight Stroll

The Weaverville Business Association invites you to enjoy the sights and sounds of a small-town Christmas in downtown Weaverville during the 6th Annual Christmas Candlelight Stroll on December 11, 2009, from 6 until 9 p.m.

The festivities actually begin a little before 6 p.m. when Santa rides into town on his horse-pulled carriage (his reindeer need to rest up for their big day). He’ll be at M7 Realty, available for pictures and to hear everyone’s Christmas wishes.

Strolling along Main Street, visitors will find merchants open late and local church and school groups, as well as the Asheville Barbershop Quartet, will be caroling throughout the evening. The night will also feature entertainment, inside and outside our local businesses, from members of the Montford Park Players, Mars Hill College flute ensemble, Joyful Noise Dragonscales Chamber Quartet, Mountain Thunder Cloggers, North Buncombe Middle School band, Jill Totman storytelling and more.

For more information, visit: http://www.visitweaverville.com/candlelight

To learn more about the book, visit: InSearchofMayberry.com!  

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Franklin, NC Endorses Economic Development Plan

Source: The Franklin Press

By Melanie Lebert

Aldermen have formally endorsed the Town of Franklin Economic Development Plan.

Paul Combs, the STEP coach from the North Carolina Rural Center, presented the plan to the town board at their meeting Monday night.

“The intent of the Rural Center is to help small towns,” Combs said. “It’s been a good process here in Franklin.”

A team including members of the Franklin Main Street Program board and other community representatives have been working on the project for more than a year. The program is seeking a $100,000 grant to implement an Economic Development Plan from the NC STEP Program, which helps revitalize small towns in the state. Franklin became an NCSTEP community through the efforts of the Main Street Program.

Alderman Sissy Pattillo, who is the liaison board member for the Main Street Program, commented on how well the diverse committee has been able to collaborate. Combs agreed. “I think they’ve done a tremendous job,” he said.

READ MORE AND CHECK OUT THE PLAN

To learn more about the book, visit: InSearchofMayberry.com!  

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