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After an unprecedented internal health assessment, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians expands its approach to wellness
... to open in early 2016 and will boast expanded services and state-of-the-art medical technology. Michell Hicks, the EBCI’s principal ... Staff ILLUSTRATOR:  WNC Staff FEATURE TOP CATEGORY:  PEOPLE & PLACES FEATURE SUB ...
After a century of state parks, Western North Carolina’s are more popular than ever
... May 2016 After a century of state parks, Western North Carolina’s are more popular than ever ... (Jockey’s Ridge) by Karen Creech FEATURE TOP CATEGORY:  TRAVEL & OUTDOORS FEATURE SUB ...
As the nation celebrates Frederick Law Olmsted’s 200th birthday, witness the creation—and evolution—of his visionary Biltmore landscapes
... to the US Capitol grounds to many of the country’s oldest state parks and parkways, in a nationwide celebration dubbed Olmsted 200: Parks ... Law Olmsted National Historic Site; Jon Elliston FEATURE TOP CATEGORY:  PEOPLE & PLACES KEYWORD TAGS:  ...
During a year of racial reckoning, public symbols have been renamed and removed
... the second most Confederacy-related monuments removed of any state in the nation (after Virginia), according to the Southern Poverty Law ... County for decades. A proposed flower feature is slated to replace the Vance Monument at first. March 17 ...
Exploring the national parks of Western North Carolina
... courtesy of the Overmountain Victory North Carolina State Trail - Friends; courtesy of EBCI; courtesy of Western Carolina University FEATURE TOP CATEGORY:  TRAVEL & OUTDOORS KEYWORD TAGS:  ...
Meet 11 leaders in the quest to conserve WNC’s natural areas
... Fund facilitated the creation of Grandfather Mountain State Park, a $12 million purchase of some 2,500 acres in 2008. The year ... Staff ILLUSTRATOR:  WNC Staff FEATURE TOP CATEGORY:  TRAVEL & OUTDOORS FEATURE SUB ...
The reimagined and revitalized Southern metropolis of our northern neighbor
... home to one of the nation’s best history museums. New state-of-the-art exhibits showcase one of the nation’s most historic states, ... Photographs courtesy of Richmond Region Tourism FEATURE TOP CATEGORY:  TRAVEL & OUTDOORS FEATURE SUB ...
Looking ahead at the future of ecological protection in WNC
... or NFNC, which is based in Asheville and supervises the state’s four national forests. While the 1976 law requires each forest to ... Ricardo North Carolina Forest Service FEATURE TOP CATEGORY:  TRAVEL & OUTDOORS FEATURE SUB ...
Cherokee step closer to legalized sports betting and medical marijuana
... when the tribe completed a sports betting compact with the state. Now, all that remains is approval from the US Department of the ... WRITER:  Jon Elliston FEATURE TOP CATEGORY:  LOCAL NEWS KEYWORD TAGS:  ...
State of Origin fest brings hyperlocal beers from across the nation to downtown Morganton
... NEW TAX:  May/June 2018 State of Origin fest brings hyperlocal beers from across the nation to downtown ... will emphasize local ingredients, too, and the festival will feature music from regional artists. With 30 breweries (and counting), ...
Parks & Rec
... Opening the Outdoors to All - Appalachian State University Whether an English major or experiential education ... (mapping skills students) by Mike Belleme FEATURE TOP CATEGORY:  ARTS & EVENTS KEYWORD TAGS:  ...
Locals, especially, can confirm Western North Carolina holds a wealth of riches. From natural wonders and cultural treasures to splurge-worthy experiences, the indulgences afforded in our mountains are, in many ways, priceless.
... are found in WNC than in any other Southern Appalachian state. Since the days when the early botanists William Bartram, Asa Gray, and ... into relatively little packages. Visit wncmagazine.com/feature/13_best_small_towns_western_north_carolina to learn all about the ...
The mountains’ mineral history is a gift that keeps on giving
... anywhere comes from Spruce Pine. According to a 2011 state study, more than 100 mines were still operating in the mountains, ... mineral show in the Southeast, this 52nd annual affair will feature dealers of both rough and cut gemstones from around the nation, along ...
As the Nantahala and Pisgah national forests face a historic turning point, the planners are impassioned and the stakes are high
... Graham County and its seat, Robbinsville, nestled in the state’s far southwestern corner. The county has struggled to find an economic ... a finalized plan in late 2021. Editor’s note: This feature was sourced in part from the writer’s extensive reporting for ...
Appalachian State University launches an exchange program in Havana
... September 2015 Appalachian State University launches an exchange program in Havana A Cuban ... Photo by Marie Freeman/ASU Communications FEATURE TOP CATEGORY:  PEOPLE & PLACES FEATURE SUB ...
CooperRiis’s holistic, community-based approach to treatment is setting a new standard in mental health care
... address understaffing and other challenges with the state’s mental health system, advocates for people with mental illnesses say ... a freelance writer and editor based in Asheville. FEATURE TOP CATEGORY:  PEOPLE & PLACES FEATURE SUB ...
Western North Carolina’s clear skies offer plenty of sites to catch an amazing, unpolluted view of the cosmos. Check out these epic locations to view the night sky, along with tips and resources for stargazing hobbyists.
... new Bare Dark Sky Observatory, and so does the Appalachian State Dark Sky Observatory near Boone.  Tim Barnwell urges newbies to ... PHOTOGRAPHER:  Tom Moors FEATURE TOP CATEGORY:  TRAVEL & OUTDOORS KEYWORD TAGS:  ...
One of the country's early attempts at harvesting renewable energy began in Boone
... the student-led Renewable Energy Initiative at Appalachian State University dedicated a graceful new windmill, the Broyhill Wind Turbine. ... ILLUSTRATOR:  WNC Staff FEATURE SUB CATEGORY:  History KEYWORD TAGS:  ...
The latest from throughout Western North Carolina
... series of special classes, exhibits, and events, Appalachian State University is paying tribute to Black Mountain College, the short-lived ... limits. WRITER:  Jon Elliston FEATURE TOP CATEGORY:  PEOPLE & PLACES KEYWORD TAGS:  ...
Around the region, explore distinctly different visual exhibits, from Warhol to Appalachia and beyond
... will find his studies of the construction of the Empire State Building particularly fascinating, but his haunting images of child ... courtesy of Art2art Circulating Exhibitions FEATURE TOP CATEGORY:  ARTS & EVENTS KEYWORD TAGS:  ...
Discover Valle Crucis, the Yadkin Valley, a Blue Ridge Parkway alternative, and the New River along four of the region's northern routes
... end near Boone, US 321 closes the loop to the Volunteer State with a shoreline drive along Watauga Lake. ➼ Refuel: The ... WRITER:  Randy Johnson & Melissa Reardon FEATURE TOP CATEGORY:  TRAVEL & OUTDOORS KEYWORD TAGS:  ...
Dive deep into the mountains’ greatest chasms
... protected, including the Linville Gorge, the state’s third largest federally designated wilderness area, which was ... WRITER:  Jack Igelman FEATURE TOP CATEGORY:  PEOPLE & PLACES KEYWORD TAGS:  ...
A visionary effort to create a statewide trail has been 40 years in the making. With the path now finished in Western North Carolina and a groundswell of support rising in the East, the completion of North Carolina’s most monumental natural treasure is on the horizon.
... the entire 350 miles from Clingmans Dome to Stone Mountain State Park was deemed finished. The milestone, marked during a dedication ... Ciotta; Photograph courtesy of Jennifer Pharr Davis FEATURE TOP CATEGORY:  PEOPLE & PLACES FEATURE SUB ...
For all of its storm and stress, 2020 proved to be a watershed for WNC authors, with a wave of them publishing particularly notable titles
... case, it was Judkin Browning and Timothy Silver, Appalachian State University professors of military and environmental history, ... Appalachian State University & Mallory Cash Photo FEATURE TOP CATEGORY:  ARTS & EVENTS KEYWORD TAGS:  ...
Asheville’s Gerber factory was an economic and community cornerstone that fed millions of little ones
... anticipated, would provide “the kind of industry this state needs in order to tie together agricultural and industrial production.” ... courtesy of Buncombe County Special Collections FEATURE TOP CATEGORY:  LOCAL NEWS FEATURE SUB CATEGORY:  ...
From the Past to the Present
... Jr. 1896 – 1985 The Burke County lawyer served as a state judge and representative before being asked by the governor to fill the ... ASU, for their contributions to this list. FEATURE SUB CATEGORY:  History KEYWORD TAGS:  ...
William Barłram’s historic explorations and illustrations put mountain botany lovingly in focus
... as closely as possible, the route he traveled in the state.   In the opening sentence of Bartram’s Travels , his popular ... Staff ILLUSTRATOR:  WNC Staff FEATURE TOP CATEGORY:  PEOPLE & PLACES FEATURE SUB ...
For nearly 100 years, the Ela Dam has interrupted the flow of the Oconaluftee River. But now, a team of locals are restoring the waterway.
... enormous quantities. On October 3, 2021, Northbrook notified state and federal agencies of an emergency drawdown of the Bryson Reservoir to ... Bellavia, US Fish & Wildlife Service & Joey Owle FEATURE TOP CATEGORY:  PEOPLE & PLACES KEYWORD TAGS:  ...
Tour, taste, and now purchase local liquors along the new Craft Distillers Trail
... a bottle, you’d have to make that transaction at a state-run liquor store, which, according to the North Carolina Distillers ... Staff ILLUSTRATOR:  WNC Staff FEATURE TOP CATEGORY:  EAT & DRINK FEATURE SUB CATEGORY:  ...
DuPont State Forest’s storied journey from industrial lands to beloved recreational resource
... TAX:  Fall 2020 DuPont State Forest’s storied journey from industrial lands to beloved recreational ... WRITER:  Jon Elliston FEATURE TOP CATEGORY:  LOCAL NEWS FEATURE SUB CATEGORY:  ...
When the National Security Agency set up a mountain espionage station, it was a hard secret to keep
... the remaining structures and return the land to its natural state as federal forestland. But it wasn’t to be. Unexpectedly, in 1996, ... Library and Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute FEATURE TOP CATEGORY:  PEOPLE & PLACES FEATURE SUB ...
Toast North Carolina’s winemaking roots with regional selection
... Though many have forgotten that, prior to Prohibition, the state was among the nation’s leading wine producers. Of late, North ... Ferry ILLUSTRATOR:  WNC Staff FEATURE TOP CATEGORY:  EAT & DRINK FEATURE SUB CATEGORY:  ...
A red spruce joins a national tradition as it journeys across the country
... are selected to supply the tree. North Carolina’s third feature since 1974 is adorned with over 4,000 large ornaments able to withstand ... D.C. ; with over 18 million acres of forest land across the state, it comes as no surprise that the Christmas tree sector across the state ...
After so many months of cancelled and postponed events, the urge to get together and celebrate is palpable. Here to satisfy is a season of great gatherings bursting with local culture: From woolly worms, elk, and Bigfoot to mountain arts, food, music, and more, these festivals truly have something for everyone.
... (Clockwise from top left) Mountain State Fair; Sporty’s Brass Band at LEAF; & Land of Oz’s Autumn at Oz ... distinctly Western North Carolina affair, the fest will also feature some familiar German Oktoberfest fare and other fitting traditions. ...
In WNC's central region, follow these routes to explore the Linville Gorge and Lake James, Mount Mitchell, and the region's forestry heritage
... battle at Kings Mountain. NC 126 takes you to Lake James State Park, where hiking and biking trails, picnic areas, and canoe, kayak, and ... WRITER:  Randy Johnson & Melissa Reardon FEATURE TOP CATEGORY:  TRAVEL & OUTDOORS KEYWORD TAGS:  ...
From a scary-steep ride to historical encounters and a swig of Tennessee whiskey, our travel writer dives into Chattanooga
... on a bend along the Tennessee River, the city is the state’s fourth largest with 423,000 residents. It’s a vibrant metropolis, ... explore another side of Chattanooga: the riverfront, a key feature of which is a 22-mile greenway. In the mid 1980s, Chattanooga ...
An alliance of outdoor product manufacturers takes root in WNC
... array of cool gear caught the attention of AdvantageWest, a state agency that shapes regional economic development strategies. Matt Raker, ... Staff ILLUSTRATOR:  WNC Staff FEATURE TOP CATEGORY:  TRAVEL & OUTDOORS FEATURE SUB ...
Old Fort’s Black community is creating outdoor recreational areas to rejuvenate their home
... was inflicted on Black inmates from the North Carolina State Penitentiary. Among the roughly 3,000 prisoners who worked in dangerous ... PHOTOGRAPHER:  Derek DiLuzio FEATURE TOP CATEGORY:  TRAVEL & OUTDOORS FEATURE SUB ...
New local page-turners explore murder, mayhem, and mysteries
... the mountains. His new novel is set on the other side of the state, in a coastal backwater county where the sheriff grapples with a ... PHOTOGRAPHER:  courtesy of the publishers FEATURE TOP CATEGORY:  ARTS & EVENTS FEATURE SUB CATEGORY:  ...
Find great shopping, dining, and family-friendly skiing in the quaint village of Blowing Rock
... Rock’s ski resort is Appalachian Ski Mountain —the state’s second oldest. Minutes from town, with 365 feet of vertical drop and ... by Amanda Lugenbell; courtesy of The Blowing Rock FEATURE TOP CATEGORY:  PEOPLE & PLACES KEYWORD TAGS:  ...
After 123 years, the Soldiers Reunion in Newton holds strong to its roots
... newspaper, The Enterprise, which advanced the idea of a state veterans association. In 1889, Fannie was one of a dozen women who ... Staff ILLUSTRATOR:  WNC Staff FEATURE SUB CATEGORY:  History KEYWORD TAGS:  Home ...
Explore history, modernity, and beauty in this one-of-a-kind town
... home to some of the most unforgettable attractions in the state. One such draw is the Museum of the Cherokee Indian, which chronicles the ... Photographs courtesy of EBCI Destination Marketing FEATURE TOP CATEGORY:  TRAVEL & OUTDOORS KEYWORD TAGS:  ...
Take in the arts and culture of Asheville without the crowds
... opened Citizen Vinyl is an ode to vinyl records. The state’s first vinyl press will soon be offering tours while also operating a ... Moog Foundation; Tanja Kunic; Sterling Stevens FEATURE TOP CATEGORY:  PEOPLE & PLACES KEYWORD TAGS:  ...
Apples mean big business in Henderson County. And for third-generation orchardists like the Creasmans, they’re a way of life.
... ranked seventh in the nation in apple production. Across the state, the fruits are grown in only 23 counties, 16 of which are in Western ... Shane ILLUSTRATOR:  WNC Staff FEATURE TOP CATEGORY:  PEOPLE & PLACES FEATURE SUB ...
Author Luke Manget unearths the history of ginseng cultivation in the mountains and beyond
... digs ginseng. An assistant professor of history at Dalton State College in Georgia, he’s just authored his first book, Ginseng Diggers: ... courtesy of University Press of Kentucky FEATURE TOP CATEGORY:  PEOPLE & PLACES FEATURE SUB ...
Burke County native Sam Ervin Jr. stuck to the Constitution through clashes with McCarthy, the Army, CIA, and Nixon
... before blazing through Harvard Law School, then served as a state representative and state supreme court justice before being appointed ... of the Nixon Presidential Library and Museum FEATURE TOP CATEGORY:  PEOPLE & PLACES FEATURE SUB ...
Celebrate our anniversary with top 10 lists of local albums, books, fishing spots, movies, restaurants, and more
... peak in the eastern United States. 5. Chimney Rock State Park:  From the top of Chimney Rock, take in views looking northwest ... courtesy of Old Edward's Inn; courtesy of Cúrate FEATURE TOP CATEGORY:  PEOPLE & PLACES KEYWORD TAGS:  ...
The latest from throughout Western North Carolina
... Conservation and Development, with additional funding from state and national agencies, will recruit students from Madison County High ...   WRITER:  Angela Robertson FEATURE TOP CATEGORY:  LOCAL NEWS KEYWORD TAGS:  ...
Western North Carolina’s worlds of wonder
... of the W.L. Eury Appalachian Collection, Appalachian State University; all others courtesy of Land of OZ, NC; (view-master) courtesy ... George; image (brochure) courtesy of Tim Hollis FEATURE TOP CATEGORY:  PEOPLE & PLACES KEYWORD TAGS:  ...
MARK YOUR CALENDAR! FROM FOOD AND DRINK FÊTES TO CULTURAL CELEBRATIONS AND MUSICAL BLOWOUTS...
... June 28-August 1 ›› Boone When Appalachian State University’s campus slows for summer break, the arts take center stage. ... Tuttle courtesy of Southern Highland Craft Guild FEATURE TOP CATEGORY:  ARTS & EVENTS KEYWORD TAGS:  ...
Not even Scrooge could resist the mountain area's festive offerings
... Holiday Maker Sales> > Asheville Each year, artists of the Southern Highland Craft Guild liquidate overstocks and annual inventory ... Western North Carolina mainstay, 66 potters from across the state will be on hand selling many styles of clay work including raku, ... trees. What’s more, Biltmore’s restaurants will feature special holiday menus, and the winery will roll out its annual ...
Five places to go in 2021 with direct flights from Asheville
... largest pool amphitheater—a truly one-of-a-kind feature. And if wide-open spaces is in order, Las Vegas is a gateway to many national and state parks. Baltimore, Maryland | Flight Time: 1.5 hours This ...
A long-banned plant could spark a surge in post-tobacco mountain agriculture
...     Growing Interest North Carolina State University extension specialist Jeanine Davis, who’s based at the ... PHOTOGRAPHER:  Jack Sorokin FEATURE TOP CATEGORY:  PEOPLE & PLACES KEYWORD TAGS:  ...
Local nonprofit organizations to support this year
... and organizations, and forge strategic relationships with state and federal officials at the highest levels of power.  Get ... courtesy of the organizations FEATURE TOP CATEGORY:  PEOPLE & PLACES KEYWORD TAGS:  ...
An Insider's Guide to Charleston's Lowcountry leisure
... Fort Moultrie South Carolina’s iconic state flag has its roots at this fort, which withstood British bombardment ... & Recreation Commission; 4 beers) by Brett Tighe FEATURE TOP CATEGORY:  PEOPLE & PLACES KEYWORD TAGS:  ...
Through thick and thin, the Biltmore Forest School planted the seeds of modern forestry
... the field. They became key players in the US Forest Service, state forestry agencies, leading academic programs, and major lumber companies. ... courtesy of Forest History Society, Durham, NC FEATURE TOP CATEGORY:  PEOPLE & PLACES FEATURE SUB ...
Slip away to peaceful Apalachicola for sun, siestas, solitude, and a taste of wild Florida
... More than a half million acres of national forest, plus state parks and forests, wildlife refuges, and environmental study areas create ... Allain ILLUSTRATOR:  WNC Staff FEATURE TOP CATEGORY:  TRAVEL & OUTDOORS FEATURE SUB ...
Following Hernando de Soto’s historic–and devastating–legacy through the South
... it to Limestone and follow signs to Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park. The frontiersman and Congressman was surely born in Tennessee, but ... Ross; (hot springs) courtesy of town of Hot Springs FEATURE TOP CATEGORY:  PEOPLE & PLACES FEATURE SUB ...
The roots of Tryon's grape industry reach back to the late 1800s
... for the industry: Prohibition, which took effect at the state level in 1909 and became national law from 1920 to 1933. Though the ban ... Courtesy of Polk County Historical Association FEATURE SUB CATEGORY:  Local History KEYWORD TAGS:  ...
True. We're biased. But we can't imagine a better place than the mountains to meet your local farmer, become a food entrepreneur, nosh on artisan eats, and savor a pint (or three).
... on-site compost and recycling bins. And with the help of a state grant, owner Randy Talley installed 12 thermal roof solar panels and six ... Autry; Courtesy of Sierra Nevada & New Belgium. FEATURE SUB CATEGORY:  Eat & Drink KEYWORD TAGS:  ...
Ten near by cities worth a trip this summer
... in Carrboro. It’s a locavore’s oasis with one of the state’s most active farmer’s markets, a thriving co-op, active arts center, ... theater, and the popular American Roots Series, which will feature Grammy-winner Steve Earle on June 10. NIGHT: There’s even more ...
Explore the healing power of plants through three pioneers in the field of herbal remedies
... Meet three leaders who have helped cultivate a share of the state’s billion-dollar natural wellness industry, which has brought the ... Rose ILLUSTRATOR:  WNC Staff FEATURE TOP CATEGORY:  PEOPLE & PLACES FEATURE SUB ...
50 years ago, a grassroots groundswell fought the federal agency’s plan to reshape the French Broad River Basin
... As the UFBDA found its message gaining traction in state newspapers, it spread the word itself through publicity operations ... courtesy of Transylvania County Public Library FEATURE TOP CATEGORY:  PEOPLE & PLACES KEYWORD TAGS:  ...
The Cherokee Preservation Foundation invests in the tribe’s past and future
... Principal Chief Joyce Dugan worried aloud that federal and state laws could change to disallow the Indian-owned operations. “We have to ... RESOURCES:  Photograph by Mike Belleme FEATURE TOP CATEGORY:  PEOPLE & PLACES FEATURE SUB ...
Get up close and personal with the season’s most striking feathered friends
... Carolina has over 40 spots that are a part of its protected state park system. And WNC is home to both the Blue Ridge and Smoky mountains, ... Alan Lenk James Poling & Sally Siko FEATURE TOP CATEGORY:  TRAVEL & OUTDOORS KEYWORD TAGS:  ...
For Three young philanthropists, helping your neighbor sometimes means traveling thousands of miles from home
... peaks and steep valleys of El Salvador’s La Libertad state. The setting is lush and tropical, with groves of rustling banana trees, ... Staff ILLUSTRATOR:  WNC Staff FEATURE TOP CATEGORY:  PEOPLE & PLACES FEATURE SUB ...
Others may have passed through Western North Carolina in search of gold, but none were more barbaric than Hernando de Soto. The impact of his bloody expedition on the region’s native population is just finally coming to light.
... “they now had the mountains before them.” They also state that when de Soto’s expedition left Xuala on May 25, 1540, they ... Staff ILLUSTRATOR:  WNC Staff FEATURE SUB CATEGORY:  History KEYWORD TAGS:  The ...
How Asheville is becoming world headquarters for climate science and ground zero in the quest to confront climate change
... While the work of Tanner’s agency is supported by state-of-the-art computing, the agency actually has humble roots in a ... Rose ILLUSTRATOR:  WNC Staff FEATURE TOP CATEGORY:  TRAVEL & OUTDOORS FEATURE SUB ...
From the galleries of Asheville to the backroad studios of world-class artisans, amble along the Blue Ridge Craft Trails to discover the creative spirit of the North Carolina mountains
... recognized as a North Carolina Living Treasure, one of the state’s highest honors. But it is this emotional connection, not just with ... (scenic) CVandyke ; (weaving) by Jen Cole Rodriguez FEATURE TOP CATEGORY:  PEOPLE & PLACES KEYWORD TAGS:  ...