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Festival honors Olive, fan of the apple

Henderson County News

Festival salutes Apple Farmer of the Year

Known for his hard work, willingness to give advice to fellow farmers and for his love of the apple industry, Marvin Lively was honored as the United Community Bank Apple Farmer of the Year Friday morning during the opening ceremony of the 72nd annual North Carolina Apple Festival. Lively, the 10th winner of the award, was nominated by the first winners Dale and Geraldine Lamb. "Marvin is extremely hard working with a love and passion for the apple industry and for all forms of agriculture," the Lambs said in nominating Lively. "He is stellar in his field, always raising a high quality product. He can always be depended on to give good and reliable advice to his fellow grower, if they come to him seeking help. With years of experience under his belt, he is willing to help in any way that he can." Fair Waggoner, of United Community Bank, said the Apple Farmer of the Year award "reminds us of why we are here, what we are celebrating and who is at the core of this festival."     Read Story »

Henderson County News

Too hot, too cold then too wet, apple crop survives challenges

EDNEYVILLE — Having endured a series of threats to the crop this season, apple growers are ramping up for the peak harvest over the coming weeks.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Why I love the Apple Festival

For this year’s special pullout Apple Festival section, we asked our columnists to write about what they like (or don’t like) about the festival.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Watch for bicycles on these roads on Labor Day

A record number of riders will be on hand when sixth annual Tour d’Apple bicycle event kicks off on Labor Day. On Monday more than 500 riders had signed up — almost 100 over last year’s total. “We still have another week to go and last year we had maybe 100 more sign up in that last week,” said Dick Miley, one of the ride organizers with the Four Seasons Rotary Club. “It’s going to be really busy at rest stop 1 and 2.”The Tour d’Apple features the 25-mile Green Apple Enthusiast, 45-mile Jonagold Lite, 63-mile Gala Metric and 100-mile Honeycrisp Unbelievable Century, which requires 8,000 feet of climbing. For the first time this year, rest stops 4 and 5 will serve pickle juice, which can reduce cramps. The Rotary Club has also brought on Daphne Kirkwood, a full-time race organizer from Asheville, to take over the tour management.“She’s an absolute expert in this field so if we decided to grow we wanted to bring her in,” Miley said. Six years ago, club members did not know how popular the event would become.“We certainly hoped it would and the reason is that the proceeds do things like fund scholarships at Blue Ridge Community College, Special Needs Sports that that Donnie Jones runs,” Miley said. “We take care of Rotary Park on West Allen Street and a biggie is we do books for the public school libraries.”Miley asked homeowners to keep their dogs inside or fenced in on Labor Day. “We’ve had three people bitten on Pinnacle Mountain Road, so I’m going to go up there today and see if I can get bitten,” he said. “Take one for the team.” Tour d’Apple lasts from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Labor Day. Riders will cover roads from BRCC to the apple country and in Flat Rock and Hendersonville through early afternoon. Bicyclists conquering the 100-mile challenge will be on those roads and in Green River and Laurel Park (Jump Off Rock) most of the day.Organizers warned motorists to beware of bicycle traffic from 8 a.m. to noon in Tracy Grove, Dana, Blue Ridge, East Flat Rock, Sugarloaf Mountain, Ottanola, Edneyville, Bearwallow Mountain, Hoopers Creek, Terry’s Gap and Fruitland. From 10 a.m. through 4 p.m. watch for riders in Dana, Upward Road, East Flat Rock, Flat Rock, Zirconia, Tuxedo, Green River, Cabin Creek, Pinnacle Mountain, Litter River Road, Old Kanuga Road, Price Street, Kanuga Lake Road, Evans Road, Big Willow Road, Hebron Road, Laurel park, Osceola Lake, east Hendersonville, Mud Creek Baptist Church, Shepherd Street, and Airport Road.     Read Story »

Hendersonville News

The Lightning's Apple tab is on the street!

The Hendersonville Lightning's special Apple Festival section is on the street.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Don't miss this week's Hendersonville Lightning

You won't want to miss this week’s Hendersonville Lightning.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Best-selling author to read from horse-themed novel during Equestrian Games

Best-selling author Mary Alice Monroe will make guest appearances to read excerpts from her newest novel, "The Summer Guests," as part of the programming courtesy of Brooke USA during the World World Equestrian Games.   Read Story »

Hendersonville News

Nonprofit seeks permit for 42-bed treatment center

A ministry of Mud Creek Baptist Church has applied for a special-use permit to build a 42-bed residential treatment facility on Erkwood Drive across from the church.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Health officials confirm La Crosse encephalitis case from mosquito bite

Public health officials are urging residents to take steps to prevent mosquito bites after state officials confirmed a case of La Crosse Encephalitis Virus in a resident of Henderson County. La Crosseis viral illness that is transmitted to a person through the bite of an infected mosquito, particularly the "tree hole mosquito", and causes inflammation of the brain. La Crosse is the most common mosquito-borne virus in North Carolina, occurring mostly in the western part of the state."Although summer is winding down, this case is a reminder that we still need to be vigilant about the threat of illness from mosquitoes," said Crystal O'Dell, RN, FNP, Director of Nursing at the Department of Public Health. Mosquito borne illness is most common in the months of July, August and September.Symptoms of LACV can occur from a few days to a couple of weeks after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Symptoms include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting and tiredness. Severe disease involving encephalitis occurs most commonly in children under age 16 and is often accompanied by seizures. Many people infected with LACV do not develop symptoms at all. However, in rare cases LACV can cause coma, paralysis, long term disability or death."There is no vaccine for LACV. Your best defense against LACV or other mosquito-borne diseases is to prevent mosquito bites," said O'Dell. "Mosquitoes that spread LACV are most active during the daytime from spring through late fall."Health officials recommended the following steps to reduce exposure to mosquito bites: * Use insect repellent. * Wear protective clothing such as long sleeves, pants and socks. * Avoid peak biting hours. * Install and repair screens on windows and doors. * Keep mosquitoes from laying eggs near your residence.For additional information on mosquito-borne illnesses and ways to prevent mosquito bites, visit hendersoncountync.gov/health. Under the Community Interest tab, click on Fight the Bite.   Read Story »

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