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Barr recognized for design of Wildcat Rock Trail

Henderson County News

A doctor and patient form a partnership on cancer journey

In early 2001 Kathy Dorsam had severe pain in her jaw that no one could diagnose.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Hotel out, apartments may be in for mill

HENDERSONVILLE — If you ever dreamed of an affordable apartment in downtown Hendersonville, your dream could be close to becoming reality.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Reader's Digest honors Waverly Inn as tops in N.C.

The 1898 Waverly Inn downtown was tops in North Carolina in a Reader’s Digest list of the most charming small-town bed and breakfasts for all 50 states.The Waverly Inn built in 1898 is the oldest surviving inn in Hendersonville. The inn is located at 783 N Main Street in Hendersonville’s historic downtown. Open 365 days a year, the inn serves over five thousand guests annually. Guest are treated to a gourmet southern breakfast each morning and an evening social hour that includes their famous pimento cheese, lemonade, wine and local craft beers. “We are thrilled to be selected by Reader’s Digest for this honor in a state that is filled with amazing bed and breakfasts from the mountains to the coast," co-owner and innkeeper Tracey Burnette said. On what gives the inn charm, her husband and co-owner Mike Burnette added, “The charm is really with an ambiance that offers a ‘home away from home’ experience for our guests. Visitors come here initially captivated by a beautiful historical building but return because it feels like visiting family to them.” Mike and Tracey, both native North Carolinians, have owned the inn since March 2016. They’ve made numerous upgrades to the inn in their first two years, added a monthly Sunday brunch and a monthly barbecue and Americana music series that features North Carolina barbecue smoked on site. The property was founded by Maggie Anderson as the Anderson Boarding House. She later brought her sister, Bessie Egerton, into the business and they operated it for 40 years, surviving a fire in 1910 and the Great Depression. The name of the inn was changed to the Waverly Inn in 1915 and more recently to the 1898 Waverly Inn to reflect the inn’s rich history. There have been nine owners in the 120-year history of the inn and women have always been represented with each change of ownership. Placed on the National Register of Historic Places, the property blends Victorian-era styles of Queen Anne and Eastlake and maintains a superior degree of integrity. The three-story frame structure has a two-tiered sawn work-trimmed porch, widow's walk, and inside features a magnificent Eastlake stair and woodwork. It is the only surviving example of a Queen Anne style hotel in Hendersonville from the 19th century.   Read Story »

Mills River News

Canadian company to grow tomatoes here under 45 acres of roof

MILLS RIVER — A Canadian produce company plans to invest close to $75 million in a farming operation growing greenhouse tomatoes in the largest vegetable production under roof in North Carolina, the company's president and AgHC officials announced at a news conference on Thursday. Lakeside Produce Co., of Leamington, Canada, plans to have its first 15-acre greenhouse producing tomatoes and other vegetables by November 2019 and will add two more greenhouses the same size, eventually employing 150 people. It has bought 116 acres from local landowner Drew Brannon, whose family has farmed Horse Shoe and Mills River land since 1855. "Daddy and I bought that property in the 1970s," Brannon said. "I wanted it to stay in agriculture." He has leased the land for tomato growing in the past but it's fallow this year while Brannon negotiated the sale of the land to Lakeside. "Why North Carolina? Why Mills River," Lakeside president and CEO Chris Cervini said. "I've been explaining this to a lot of people but I want you all to know that the local commissioners sat here with humility and empathy and said we want you to come here to our area. We've made mistakes in the past but we have a strategy. It was really, really nice to see that you have a strategy here." Cervini singled out Mark Williams, the president of AgHC, the agriculture-promoting agency funded by Henderson County, Hendersonville and Mills River, for his work in the recruitment of the international greenhouse operation. Williams worked with the city of Hendersonville on an agreement to extend water to the site.  Hendersonville Mayor Barbara Volk recalled Williams visiting the City Council "to see if we could get water here. There was no question with the council we were happy to work again with AgHC." Henderson County  had "decided to make a concerted effort to promote agriculture in the county, similar to what commissioners had done years ago with the manufacturing sector," Henderson County Commissioner Bill Lapsley said. "What you see here today is a good example of a return on that investment and I think commissioners are very pleased to see results like this growing the agricultural segment of our community." Lakeside's project manager, Mary Scerbo, scoured the country for a location and found Henderson County and its agriculture-recruiting arm, in Williams. She called the boss and told him, "I think I've found the real deal." "The elevation here along with local support is why we have chosen this area," he said. "I can't thank you enough for actually putting financial support into AgHC." The company also chose the southern Blue Ridge Mountains for the contrast in sunny days with cool nights, a temperature difference that drives sugar into the fruit and makes greenhouse tomatoes more flavorful. "That's the reason we're coming here." Lakeside already sells greenhouse tomatoes to Fresh Market, Publix and other supermarkets, Cervini said. Besides greenhouse workers, the operation will hire managers, supervisors, maintenance engineers, food safety specialists and packing line technicians. Lakeside also plans to launch a $2,000 scholarship program for high school seniors that "comes with a job," Cervini said. "We want them here working on the farm."     Read Story »

Henderson County News

Man jailed under $650,000 bond for threats against courthouse

Henderson County deputies charged a 43-year-old Hominy Branch Road man with a felony count of making threats against executive, legislative or court officers after they were notified of a threat of violence at the Grove Street Courthouse. Tracy Paul Brevard was jailed under a $650,000 bond.  Brevard, who was due in court Thursday on previously brought criminal charges, called an attorney help line to ask for help. "He didn't like the way the conversartion was going" and made a threat that "you don't make in this day and time," said sheriff's Maj. Frank Stout.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Henderson County public schools honors Top Scholars

Sixty-six of Henderson County’s highest-achieving graduating seniors were honored at the Top Scholars Banquet last week at Blue Ridge Community College. Held annually for the past 14 years, the banquet recognizes and celebrates not only academic achievement but excellence in the arts, athletics, school leadership and volunteerism. The top three students from the Henderson County Career Academy and Henderson County Early College along with the top 15 students from East Henderson, Hendersonville, North Henderson and West Henderson High Schools were recognized by parents, principals, senior counselors, School Board members and Henderson County schools administrators.Each student received a medallion with ribbon they were asked to wear at graduation along with a certificate of recognition.Superintendent Bo Caldwell urged the students to continue making good choices. “It is truly an honor to celebrate the top scholars,” he said. “I congratulate and encourage you to adhere to the strong character you’ve development and displayed in our schools, for your decisions in these next few months and years will impact your futures. I hope you will continue to strive for excellence in all that you do, and I wish each of you great success.”Chris Hykin, vice president of operations for SMARTRAC in Fletcher, was the keynote speaker. “You are the rock stars of tomorrow,” he said. “Your generation is going to massively change what is possible. It’s an exciting time. Seize the opportunity to be a leader.”As a group, this year’s Top Scholars have received a total of $1,444,676 in scholarships and grants, had an average GPA of 4.77 and an average ACT score of 29.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Historic Johnson Farm announces docent training

Historic Johnson Farm will hold a Volunteer Docent Training Session at 11:30 a.m. Friday, June 13. There is no need to make a weekly commitment. The session will prepare volunteers to give tours of the house to the public, for school field trips, and for special events. The session will introduce volunteers to the farm’s history and ways to engage visitors with their tours. The farm is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and features 10 historic structures and 15 acres of forest, fields and streams. It is located at 3346 Haywood Road. For information contact Farm Manager Mandy Gibson at 828-891-6585, or visit the farm’s Facebook page or www.historicjohnsonfarm.org.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Dance school presents recitals and showcase

Pat’s School of Dance announces its annual Recitals and Performing Arts Showcase featuring Tap, Jazz & Hip Hop with dancers ages 2-18 at the Hendersonville High School auditorium. Shows are 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, June 9, and 7 p.m. Monday, June 11 (Peter Pan ballet).Admission is free.The students featured in the showcase have traveled all over the Southeast this year competing and achieving impressive placements at regional and national levels. Several students of the Troupe traveled to Honolulu, Hawaii, last December to commemorate the Pearl Harbor celebration and they have been invited back to perform again this December. In addition, many students will be performing at Walt Disney World in Orlando this month and in the New Year’s Eve Holiday Bowl halftime show in San Diego. The studio is currently registering students for the 2018-2019 dance year. For more information, visit patsschoolofdance.com or Facebook or call 828-692-2905.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

United Way celebrates campaign, thanks donors

The United Way of Henderson County celebrated the results of its 2017 campaign and thanked leadership donors and key volunteers at a celebration that drew 170 supporters to the Flat Rock Playhouse Downtown on Thursday.   Read Story »

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