Henderson County News
Although its Taste of Hendersonville fundraiser on Tuesday night is sold out, IAM is holding an on-line auction that offers golf outings, collectable sports items, out-of-town vacation packages, handmade quilts, crafts, art, gift baskets and more.
Help support Henderson County residents in crisis by bidding in the online auction. To bid, click here.
Bidding ends at 7:15 on Tuesday, Oct. 10.
IAM provides assistance to Henderson County residents who are in financial crisis by offering food, clothing, funds, guidance and referrals in an atmosphere of compassion and respect. For more information, call 697-7029. Read Story »
Henderson County News
FLAT ROCK — Sky Top Orchard is one of five U-pick orchards featured in the Travel Channel's list of apple farms "that the whole family can enjoy."
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Flat Rock News
It’s a plant-eat-human world out there and love might be the only thing to save us. Or not. One thing’s for sure, there is not one of us immune from the temptation to do about anything to impress our crush. Will it be homicide or herbicide? That is Seymour Krelborn’s burning question.
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Laurel Park News
Henderson County's fourth effort to show off its gardens, landscaping, environmentalism and volunteerism has paid off with top honors.
The county received a 5-bloom rating out of a possible five blooms and special recognition for its Environmental Efforts during the 2017 America in Bloom National Awards Program in Holliston, Mass., on Oct. 7. Henderson County also received a special award for “Best Example of Water-Wise Gardening.”
American in Bloom judges Ed Hooker and Leslie Pittenger, AIB judges, visited communities of similar populations and spent two days touring each town, meeting municipal officials, residents, and volunteers. Other competitors in the 25,000-50,000 population category were Mansfield, OH; Saratoga, CA; and St. Charles, IL.
Henderson County, Hendersonville, Laurel Park, Mills River and Flat Rock participated in the local America In Bloom effort, which gardeners first organized in 2014.
Last year Henderson County scored four out of five blooms and its newly dedicated veterans-honoring painting on North King Street won a special award for Most Striking Public Wall Mural. This was the first year the county won five blooms.
Communities were evaluated on six criteia: overall impression, environmental awareness, heritage preservation, urban forestry, landscaped areas, and floral displays. Additionally, they were judged on their community involvement across municipal, residential, and commercial sectors. America in Bloom is the only national awards program that sends specially trained judges to personally visit participants. In addition, each participant receives a detailed written evaluation that can be used as a guide to future improvements.
“America in Bloom is helping towns and cities of all sizes achieve their potential," America in Bloom Executive Director Laura Kunkle said. "Every year our participants raise the bar, and the accomplishments and progress shown by this year's group is again remarkable. These are, without a doubt, some of the best places to live in America.”
To date, more than 250 communities from 45 states have participated in the program and more than 22 million people have been touched by it. Registrations for the 2018 national awards program can be submitted until February 28, 2019. Eligible participants include towns, cities, college and university campuses, business districts, military installations, and recognized neighborhoods of large cities. Read Story »
Hendersonville News
Sanctuary Brewing Company took home three medals this week in the North Carolina Brewer’s Cup, the premier beer competition in North Carolina.
The brewery won a Gold in the category of Amber Bitter European Style for Country Roads, a Bronze in the category of Best Fruit Beer for Apple Pie Saison and a Bronze in the category of Best Strong American Ale for Anniversary IPA.
The NC Brewers Cup is an official competition sanctioned by the Beer Judge Certification Program and the North Carolina State Fair. A panel of certified judges selected the finest examples of each beer style submitted by professionals and homebrewers from across North Carolina’s thriving craft beer scene.
The 2017 NC Brewers Cup featured the stiffest competition in the event’s history, with 599 commercial entries and 141 homebrew entries competing for medals over 3 days of judging by beer experts from around the Southeast. The competition is organized by the NC Craft Brewers Guild, and sponsored with support from Total Wine and More.
Sanctuary Brewing Company, at 147 First Avenue East, is a brewery and taproom committed to enriching the lives of both humans and animals through excellent craft beer, kindness, and philanthropy.
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Henderson County News
Democratic Women celebrate 40th anniversary
The Democratic Women of Henderson County will celebrate its 40th anniversary at an annual fall luncheon on Thursday, Oct. 12, at the Hendersonville Country Club, with North Carolina Democratic Party Chairman Wayne Goodwin as keynote speaker.The organization looks back 40 years to its formation in 1977 when 144 women became charter members, led by Mae Alexander, Phyllis Capps, Elizabeth Clark, Billie Dalton, Pat Gossett, Lucy Miller, Marilyn Miller, Ruth Semashko, Bea Sumner and Sylvia Waters.The DWHC founding members saw the expansion of women into the workforce beyond traditional roles; the landmark Roe v. Wade Supreme Court case; and the introduction of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). To buy tickets to the luncheon or to learn more about the organization, call 828-692-6424 or visit MYHCDP.COM.
Health care on menu at Democratic breakfast
Speaker Lance Goller, MPA, will speak about the current health care debate during the Henderson County Democratic Party’s monthly breakfast at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, at party headquarters, 905 Greenville Highway. All-you-can eat buffet is $9 for adults, $4.50 for children under 10 and free for first-time attendees.
Meadows endorses Freeman’s re-election
U.S. Rep. Mark Meadows has endorsed Mills River Mayor Larry Freeman for re-election in the Nov. 7 city election.Freeman was first elected to represent Mills River’s Town Council District 1in 2009 and was re-elected without opposition in 2013. For the past four years he has also served as the town’s mayor, which is elected by the council.“In the years that I’ve known him, Larry Freeman has been an outstanding friend and a rock in the Henderson County community,” Meadows said. “His strong and steady leadership has been critical not only to serving the people of Mills River locally but also in assisting people like myself as we look to serve and meet the needs closest to home.”Freeman faces Brian Caskey in the District 1 race. One-stop voting starts Oct. 19. Read Story »
Henderson County News
Clear Creek wins prestigious recognition
Clear Creek Elementary School is one of just six public schools in North Carolina to be named a 2017 National Blue Ribbon School by U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos.“National Blue Ribbon Schools are active demonstrations of preparing every child for a bright future,” DeVos said in a message to the award winners. “You are visionaries, innovators and leaders. You have much to teach us: some of you personalize student learning, others engage parents and communities in the work and life of your local schools and still others develop strong and forward-thinking leaders from among your teaching staff.”The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private elementary, middle and high schools that achieve very high learning standards or make notable improvements in closing the achievement gap. On Nov. 6-7, the secretary and the Department of Education will celebrate with the honorees at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.“We are extremely excited to be recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School,” Clear Creek Principal Marcie Wilson said. “Our students and teachers are devoted to being the very best they can be every single day and could not be successful without the amazing support of our Cub community and families! We continue to strive to achieve success at CCS are honored to receive this prestigious recognition.”
TSA announces stricter screening for tablets
To ensure the security of airline passengers and the nation’s airports, the Transportation Security Administration has begun implementing new, stronger screening procedures for carry-on items at Asheville Regional Airport. The new procedures require travelers to place all electronics larger than a cell phone in bins for X-ray screening in standard lanes. TSA recommends that all travelers arrive at the airport up to two hours in advance of their flight departure time to ensure they have enough time to check in with their airline and go through security.
TSA officers will begin to ask travelers to remove electronics larger than a cell phone from their carry-on bags and place them in a bin with nothing on top or below, similarly to how laptops have been screened for years. This simple step helps TSA officers obtain a clearer X-ray image.
In standard screening lanes, TSA officers will be stationed in front of the checkpoint X-ray machines to guide passengers through the screening process and recommend how best to arrange their carry-on items for X-ray screening. Travelers are encouraged to organize their carry-on bags and keep them uncluttered to ease the screening process and keep the lines moving. There are no changes to what travelers can bring through the checkpoint.
Kiwanis Club honors ‘son of encouragement’
Every church needs “the sons and daughters of Barnabas,” the Rev. Mark Ralls told the Hendersonville Kiwanis Club last week.
An unsung hero of the Bible, Barnabas, which means “son of encouragement,” sold a field of fertile farmland and gave the money to the disciples to help the needy.
Churches run on the “sons and daughters of encouragement,” said Ralls, the senior minister of First United Methodist Church. “Those are the ones who quietly fill the gap, the ones who consistently say yes in a world full of no’s, the ones who always build up in a world that we know always tries to tear down. The person we’re honoring today is a faithful, generous person, much like the son of encouragement, much like Barnabas.”
Many club members had guessed the identity of this “son of Barnabas” when Ralls called on one of his parishioners, Paul Alexander. A member of the church for 25 years, Alexander was honored as Lay Leader of the Year award, the highest honor the Hendersonville Kiwanis Club gives to a club member.
Born in College Station, Texas, Alexander served for 20 years in the Air Force, retiring as a captain. He served as a missionary in Africa and traveled on First United Methodist Church mission trips to Chile and Appalachia. A bass singer in the church choir, he also is a ringer in the bell choir and plays piano weekly for the Kiwanis Club. He is a member of the “Two or More” Sunday school class, a past chair of church craft shows and a leader of the church’s annual garage sale.
He is publisher of the Kiwanis newsletter and active in many club events including the Spelling Bee, Terrific Kids and interclub visits. He and his wife, Leone, have twin sons, Carleton and Clifford. Read Story »
Henderson County News
State Rep. Chuck McGrady was recognized Friday as one of two recipients of the N.C. League of Municipalities’ Community Champion Award. State Sen. Paul Newton was also honored with the award.The award was presented to each legislator for dedicated support of North Carolina cities and towns during the 2017 legislative session. The presentations took place at CityVision 2017, NCLM’s annual conference held this week in Greenville.Representative McGrady is serving his fourth term in the N.C. House, representing Hendersonville and portions of Henderson County. A co-chair of the House Appropriations Committee, he was a key advocate for the defeat of harmful billboard legislation that the League actively opposed.“I so much appreciate this recognition from my kindred souls in local government,” said McGrady, a former Flat Rock Village Council member and Henderson County commissioner.Outgoing League President Bob Matheny, mayor of Zebulon, praised both Newton and McGrady for their willingness to listen to and consider the concerns of municipal officials.“We truly appreciate your work at the General Assembly and that you are willing to make the sacrifice to serve in Raleigh,” Matheny said. Read Story »
Henderson County News
Lowell Griffin, who is running for the Republican nomination for sheriff, rebutted some of Sheriff Charlie McDonald’s claims about crime reduction and questioned the need for a $20 million indoor training center.
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