Sophie July/August 2018

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FASHION

ENTERTAINMENT

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Street Style

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9

How To Be Cool

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20

Mobile Boutiques

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Color Me Goodwill

Simply Summer

Fashion Spotlight: Caleb Owolabi

PEOPLE

10

Joelle Warren: Compassion to the Rescue

12 14 16 18

Asheville’s Sea Scouts

Kate Spade Got Me Through My Divorce 8 Skills to Create Authentic Happiness Friends Make Life Worth Living Longer

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Asheville Symphony’s New Music Director

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Betty’s Book Review

35

Meg’s Movie Review

HOME & GARDEN

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Garden Bloomers

COMMUNITY

36

Things To Do

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Good Dogs Read Sophie


From the Publisher:

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s a young person, I was lucky enough to spend most of my summers in a little beach cottage in Kill Devil Hills. During those days, my siblings and I loved to answer the phone "Palumbo's residence, summer here, some are not!" Although we thought we were being so clever, it was an accurate statement, because someone or more were usually out and about, because well; it was summer time!

GENERAL MANAGER/PUBLISHER Patricia Martin Betts IT/PRODUCTION MANAGER Jeff Ruminski CREATIVE EDITOR Samantha Blankenship CREATIVE SERVICES Randy Whittington CONTRIBUTORS Meg Hale Brunton Lauren Griffin, M.A., LPC Susan Reinhardt Betty Sharpless

A few weekends ago I attended a new music and arts festival on the south slope of downtown called Xpand. It was great fun, and as usual I found an original designer and bought a sweet new jean skirt from YaYa Wenning who is with the Westside Artist Coop. They are a collective enterprise run for, and by the artists, to support themselves and the local community. I highly recommend you check them out and support our local artists.

FASHION COORDINATOR Angela Ramsey PHOTOGRAPHERS Max Ganly Damian Sandone Randy Whittington ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS Rick Jenkins Rose Lunsford Pam Hensley CLASSIFIED SUPERVISOR Angela Frizzell

Sophie has some new faces this month including our new Intern Jovahnna Graves. A recent graduate of Western Carolina University, Jovahnna shares her personal experience and knowledge of being a Sea Scout and her love of sailing. We also have a new photographer, Damian Sandone for our Street Style feature, and a new Fashion Contributor Caleb Owolabi. You may have seen Caleb at Color Me Goodwill Fashion show, or about town, and if you have, you know he is one sharp dresser, and knows a thing or two about how to be cool. This month we spotlight Joelle Warren, President and Co-Founder of Mountain Pet Rescue, also included is a touching tribute to Kate Spade by Susan Reinhardt, and Betty's article on the value of friends in our lives.

stylish. sophisticated. sassy

SALES ASSISTANT Jayme Pressley CIRCULATION MANAGER Sam Howell

Angela and Max's Fashion photo spread for this issue is the epitome of summer style, perfect looks for a day at the lake, or picnic in the park. And if you are looking to make some new memories, check out our July/August calendar for some great ideas on where you might find the perfect event or festival for your family and friends. Enjoy!

Patricia Martin Betts

INTERN Jovahnna Graves

SOPHIE MAGAZINE 31 College Place Asheville Office Park, Iwanna Bldg. Asheville, NC 28801 • (828) 274-8888 Share your ideas and inspirations. Email writer@sophiemagazine.com with recipes, books, and article ideas. To list your events on our monthly calendar, email calendar@sophiemagazine.com. Follow Sophie on Facebook and Pinterest. Scan this code to access

sophiemagazine.com Sophie-Magazine sophiemagavl

COVER CREDITS: Photograph by Max Ganly • Fashion Coordinator: Angela Ramsey • Model: Melissa Moses • Hair and Makeup by: Mary Wiedel for Carmen Carmen Salon • Nails by: Jenna Duvall for Carmen Carmen Salon • Clothing & Accessories Provided by Palm Village Asheville • On Melissa: Melody Maxi Dress/ The Sunny Side $228

Distributed throughout WNC, Sophie is a complimentary monthly magazine for today’s woman. Contributions are welcome and may be sent via e-mail. Include your name, address, and phone number, so we can contact you if we decide to print your submission. Sophie reserves the right to edit any editorial submissions. Sophie also reserves the right to refuse any advertisement or article that is deemed inappropriate for the publication. No portion of Sophie may be reproduced without permission of the publisher. None of the information herein is intended as medical or professional advice.

Sophie JULY / AUGUST 2018 | 5


»PEOPLE

Meet Sophie’s New Intern by Jovahnna Graves

Jovahnna is a recent graduate of Western Carolina University and Sophie’s new Intern. Jovahnna enjoys wring perfesionally and in her free time. She also enjoys sailing on the weekends.

H

ello there! My name is Jovahnna Graves, but most everyone refers to me as Jojo — it’s easier! As a recent college graduate from Western Carolina University, I took my first wobbly steps into adulthood by taking on an internship position at Sophie Magazine. While I would like to dedicate more of my time to interning at Sophie and learning how production works backstage, I have two other jobs. Adulting is difficult and confusing at times but with determination and some hard work, I know I can achieve my goals in life!

My goal is to work at a magazine and publish a novel! When I am not at work writing, I like to go home and relax by writing. I am a part of Sea Scout Ship 758, and go sailing on the weekends at Lake Julian. Fun fact: I had my boating license before I could drive a car. While working at Sophie Magazine, I have been able to hone my abilities in InDesign and brush off my writing skills by writing and editing. I hope you enjoy this issue of Sophie Magazine! •

6 | Sophie JULY / AUGUST 2018


Sophie JULY / AUGUST 2018 | 7


»FASHION

8 | Sophie JULY / AUGUST 2018


How To Be Cool As a fashion stylist and overall creative director I get this question far more than I should: “Caleb what is the meaning of cool?” or “Caleb you seem so cool natured, what is your secret?” by Caleb Owolabi

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think that it’s time I share, through this great publication: Caleb’s 10 Rules of Cool. To understand the art of cool we must first begin with the definition of “cool.” According to Oxford dictionary the word cool is defined as being fashionably attractive or impressive. And the other formal meaning is “of or at a fairly low temperature” … sounds like we’ll go with the first definition.

1. First rule of being cool … don’t talk about being cool. Talk is cheap — if you knew better you’d do better.

And cool is no friend of braggadociousness (unless of course your name is Gaston and you live in a provincial town in the countryside of France). 2. You don’t need stuff to be cool. Tangible objects are fleeting and we all know you can’t take them with you. However if it’s that important to you, make sure the things you have in your life are meaningful to the person you are today. I’ve got a pair of my pop’s bell-bottoms he wore when first arriving in this country. We all know bell-bottoms are coming back in style, thus I won’t be ill-prepared.

For more healthy style tips, creative ideas, or to schedule a closet consultation contact Caleb at calebowo. com or email him directly for a prompt response at caleb080@gmail.com

within their strengths. I quickly forget about whatever weakness they have and they suddenly become super cool to me and a highly attractive asset to the workplace. 8. Eagerly accept opportunities to strengthen your weaknesses. Being eager to learn new things and operate within your weaknesses is equally attractive because it shows you are cool with failing, but equally cool with learning. I think that is way cool. 9. Listen first and listen after. Listening often involves reciprocation of some sort: silence, head nod affirmation, an action, a hug. Be an active listener, and show people you care about what they have to say.

10. You’re not at all the center of the world. However, you can decorate the space you occupy pretty decadently. There may be bigger things

and agendas going on in our nation, much less our world, but I’ve stayed in fashion because I had an opportunity to decorate the anatomical God-given real estate I’ve been dealt, aka myself, and you can too! If you so choose.

3. Cool is a reflection of what you are and what you have going on inside of you. Most of society has realized that people have more going on in their

minds than they are willing to put out there. Some of the “coolest” people with Tshirt-worthy faces are political activist who were just dying to bring that statement outward and to the world. 4. The more true-to-self you are the greater potential for cool. True-toself is acting lingo for being yourself. I’m pretty sure nobody fully enjoys anybody putting on a front or mask because they themselves are not comfortable in their own skin. 5. You’ll never be too above it all to look up to someone. Everybody has a hero when they are younger. Whether it is a family member, a favorite teacher, or The Black Panther. But I make it a point everyday to look out for those people doing amazing things in the confines of their day-to-day lives. When e look up to and encourage the heroes around us they are inspired to be even better and do even cooler things for our community! OBJECT LESSON: Name three local heros in your community and personally let them know what they do is seriously making a difference to you. It can be anyone that you consider a hero, just localize it, and then write to me on what you observe. I’d love to hear about people making a difference in your community! 6. Forget not where you came from. Everybody has a starting point to their story. We all have different cards we’ve been dealt in life, but the coolest thing is when we can take those cards, make something of our deck, and then remind those with a similar deck of cards that it has everything to do with your next decision. 7. Use your strengths more than your weaknesses. You’re given your strengths for a reason. Realize first what they are, and then use them often. As a creative director for Mon Jean-Pierre Clothing, I love seeing someone operating

Trend setting Fashion photography & Artist Management. Give us a call for your free consultation! 122 Paper Birch Ave. Asheville NC,18806 damiansandone.com • 917-353-4596 Sophie JULY / AUGUST 2018 | 9


»PEOPLE

Joelle Warren: Compassion to the Rescue! Written by Meg Hale Brunton

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resident and Co-Founder of Mountain Pet Rescue Asheville, Joelle Warren, has turned her love for animals into her life’s work. An Asheville native, Warren has always loved the mountains and felt strongly about protecting the cats and dogs that live in this area. Her deep-rooted connection to this community, and to other local animal advocates, are what has made Mountain Pet Rescue possible.

exponentially, becoming one of the largest and most well-known animal rescue groups in Western North Carolina. Their mission and message to make Asheville a “No-Kill Community” was heard over a wide range. Warren served as their Director of Operations from 2005 to 2015. In 2015, having ideological differences with the business’s management, Warren left Brother Wolf Animal Rescue. “I’m pretty sure that was mid-life crisis time,” Warren jokes. “I didn’t know what I wanted to do.” Following that, she worked for the Washington County Humane Society for a while and then got a grooming job at Wagger’s Dog Depot on Merrimon Avenue. Knowing that she wouldn’t be able to groom forever, Warren got her real estate license and started working for the Blueblaze Realty Group, while continuing to work in animal rescue on the side.

After getting her degree in Psychology from UNC Asheville, she worked as a bather at Superpetz to support herself and her two children. There, she was trained as a groomer and went on to groom for Haw Creek Pet Care and Summit Pet Center. One night, Warren encountered two pit bull puppies in the road and rescued them. Having attended school with the son of the Animal Compassion Network’s president, she reached out to the group for help in finding homes for the puppies. Through this experience, she learned about animal rescue and decided to stay on with ACN as a foster parent and groomer. “That began my dog rescue stuff,” Warren says. At age 28, Warren opened her own grooming and boarding shop called Pet Soup. In the eight years it was open, Pet Soup quickly added a pet rescue element to the business and became a licensed non-profit shelter as well. “It was really hard,” Warren remembers. “Thank goodness that my parents lived right beside us, so they helped with the kids, and the shop was three miles away from my house.” At a local adoption event, she met Denise Bitz, who had been fostering rescue dogs under the business name Brother Wolf Animal Rescue. Bitz asked Warren to board some of her foster dogs at Pet Soup and the two began combining their rescue efforts.

“You can’t save the lives of animals unless you have the support of the community. It really does take a village in animal rescue”

Soon after that, Warren and Bitz heard about a 10,000 square-foot shelter location on Glendale Avenue that had become available and decided to rent the space and go into business together. Brother Wolf Animal Rescue grew 10 | Sophie JULY / AUGUST 2018

In 2017, BWAR publicly announced that they would be closing down their shelter in the interest of focusing their efforts on disaster response and opening a new animal sanctuary. Several of the former employees and volunteers from their team reached out to Warren, expressing their desire to keep their efforts up. “Of course, I’d remained friends with all the wonderful staff, and fosters, and volunteers that I’d met there through the years,” Warren states. “Through my rescue career, I’ve made lots of friends in surrounding counties — rescue people who were still [reaching out to me]. So, I didn’t want to be inclusive just of Buncombe County.” Warren wanted to also serve as a rescue resource to the contacts she’d made in Madison, McDowell, and Rutherford counties, as well as Washington County, Tennessee.

In the summer of 2017, Warren met with a group of other local women in the animal rescue field: Jenna Yanosh-Wilson of Patton Avenue Pet Company; Erica Paschold, who previously worked for BWAR; and Breeann Keogh, who had worked at the Asheville Humane Society. The four got together and decided to create an organization to fill the void left in the community when BWAR’s shelter will close.


They called their endeavor Mountain Pet Rescue Asheville, which obtained official 501(c)(3) status as an animal rescue in late 2017. Despite being about saving the animals, Warren says that this field is all about the people that want to make a difference. “You can’t save the lives of animals unless you have the support of the community,” she explains. “It really does take a village in animal rescue.” Mountain Pet Rescue currently has a core volunteer group of 12-15 foster parents. “We’re small now, but it’s growing,” Warren smiles. “We’ve saved close to a hundred lives already, and we just hope to continue.” This Spring, Mountain Pet Rescue opened a thrift store and home base location on Leicester Highway called The Thrift Hound. “Eventually, I would like to have an adoption center and shelter,” Warren admits, adding “I don’t want it to be like your typical animal shelter; I want it to be different — not loud and crazy, but where people can come and hang out with the dogs.” Ideally, Warren sees her shelter as a space to hold ‘overflow’ cats and dogs that could not be placed in a foster home right away. She hopes for a space large enough to house 20-30 dogs, and a couple of cat rooms. While that is her goal, Warren professes to be in no hurry to get there. “We’re just kind of letting things grow at their own pace,” she sighs. Warren says the business’s next big hurdle is branding themselves, primarily through local events. “At this point, it’s about getting us known,” she says, “letting people know that we’re here and this is what we’re doing.” Currently, Mountain Pet Rescue is a regular attendee at such Asheville events as Doggies on the Diamond with the Asheville Tourists, the Asheville Flea for Y’all, and the West Asheville Tailgate Market. Aside from that challenge, Warren says that gathering volunteers is always paramount. “The most valuable thing to any rescue organization is its foster homes,” she says. “That’s gold.” Her favorite aspect of her job is the process of coordinating the rescue of a shelter dog. “You get this feeling when you see a dog on a ‘death row list’ (because I get those emailed to me daily), and you think ‘I have a foster for that dog!’” she exclaims. “It’s just that whole process of seeing the dog, getting the dog here, get-

ting it into a foster home, and knowing that you did this and it didn’t die because of ‘the village’ that you’ve met over the years.” Warren says that she forces herself to look through the online feed of the over 19,000 dogs (particularly pit bulls and hounds) and countless cats, that are about to be euthanized. “It keeps you going — seeing all the bad stuff,” she says, optimistically. “If I look at 20,000 and I can save one of them, then it’s worth it.” She says that, despite the improvements on spay and neuter ordinances, along with the new trend of people from Northern cities adopting dogs from the South, there is still an overpowering number of highly-adoptable dogs being put to sleep every day. “Everywhere is overcrowded,” Warren acknowledges. “It’s not like they’re putting these dogs down because they’re bad, or they’re sick, it’s just that they keep coming. It never stops!” Warren says it makes her crazy when people say that there aren’t enough homes in this country for all the dogs in shelters. “There are enough homes — because there are so many people who are still buying dogs,” she protests. “If these people would quit buying all these dogs, they would see that there are amazing dogs in rescue. Any kind of dog you want, I don’t care what it is, it can be a Doodle, it can be a Maltese, it can be a Golden Retriever, it can be a Rottweiler, a Great Dane, whatever you want, you can find it in rescue.” Now, at 45, Warren has been working to rescue dogs and cats for most of her adult life. Through Mountain Pet Rescue, her tireless efforts will continue to result in longer and healthier lives for dogs and cats across Western North Carolina. Mountain Pet Rescue is always looking for new volunteers and people who want to help. “If you can’t foster, there are so many other ways to help,” says Warren. “And always remember adoption when looking for your next best friend.”

To find out how you can help Mountain Pet Rescue Asheville, or to view their adoptable pets, visit: www.mountainpetrescueavl.org , or their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/MPRAVL/ To reach out to Joelle Warren directly, you can email her at: joelle@mountainpetrescueavl.org Sophie JULY / AUGUST 2018 | 11


»PEOPLE

Boy Scouts Are Finally Going Co-ed, But Sea Scouts Have Included Girls From the Beginning by Jovahnna Graves

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joined Sea Scout Ship 758, the day I turned fourteen. My father was so excited he bought me the standard uniform and taught me how to sew on the patches that day. Ever since then I have been part of the Ship. After I aged out at 21, I went on to college but still remained signed on as an adult leader. Now, after graduating college, I am Skipper (think Scout Master) and in charge of my own ship of bright eyed and curious young sailors.

Jovahnna is a recent graduate of Western Carolina University and Sophie’s new Intern. Jovahnna enjoys wring perfesionally and in her free time. She also enjoys sailing on the weekends.

Quick history lesson for reference. I know it may be boring but it’s necessary for clarity sake. Implemented in 1910, Sea Scouts have been around just as long as Boy Scouting, although the curriculum is slightly different, the values remain the same. Sea Scouts is co-ed for youth 14- 21 years of age. Sea Scout units are called “ships” much like how a Scouting unit is called a “Troop.” Sea Scouts also have the Scouting equivalent of the Eagle Award called the Quartermaster. Sea Scouts are expected to learn how to safely operate and maintain a vessel, tie various knots, nautical navigation, how to take advantage of the wind and tide while sailing, the meaning of different buoys and lights and how to approach a dock and drop anchor. Although we also go on camping trips sometimes, ours are on boats. Speaking of what a Sea Scout should learn, on the first weekend in May, there is an event called Sea Scout Weekend where ships from all over the area travel to Fort Monroe, VA for a weekend of seamanship and boat handling. The scouts — and some adults too — learn to operate different types and sizes of vessels and have the chance towards advance12 | Sophie JULY / AUGUST 2018

ment and ranking. It was my first Scouting event as Skipper, but I remembered when I was a youth and my own fun experience, a line I kept repeating in my head the entire 8 hour drive to Virginia with teenagers in my backseat arguing. I have found that by being in Sea Scouts I grew as a person, through my time as a youth and adult leader. I learned to speak up for what I believe in, not to shy away from failure because it’s only another chance for learning and how to ask for help and when to do things on my own. I strongly feel that Sea Scouts has helped me and many other youths and adults find personal success along with really cool life skills. How many people can say they know how to sail a boat? The values we learn in Scouting and the lessons we teach each other are some of the main reasons I am so pleased that Boy Scouting is now open to females, although Sea Scouts have been inclusive since the beginning! While, unfortunately, there are not a lot of Sea Scout Ships anymore, we are still a thriving community that are always willing to lend a hand and help each other, much like the Scouting motto. Now I can almost feel the question everyone asks me when I tell them I’m a Sea Scout. Where do you sail, there’s no ocean nearby? Lake Julian! We have two small 32-foot crafts, a puffer and three sunfishes, which we frequently sail throughout the year on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month. If you are interested in Sea Scouting there are two local Ships in the area, 758 located in Asheville and 957 in the Canton area. Find our public groups on Facebook and drop a message by, we’d love to have new members, adult or youth. It’s never too late to learn how to sail a boat!


Sophie JULY / AUGUST 2018 | 13


»PEOPLE

Kate Spade Got Me Through My Divorce During my greatest depression, when I wondered how I’d face the coming mornings, it was Kate Spade who lifted me. by Susan Reinhardt

Susan Reinhardt is the author of the hilarious and quirky novel “Chimes from a Cracked Southern Belle,” along with “Not Tonight Honey, Wait ‘Til I’m a Size 6,” “Don’t Sleep with a Bubba.” and “Dishing with the Kitchen Virgin.” www.susanreinhardt.com

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n t he d a r k d a ys of 200 5 , my di vo rce l o o ming a nd fa t e uncer t a i n , I tu rn e d to th e fa m ed la t e d es ig ner wh o al ways sti tch e d my b lues w it h hop e. U s ual l y th ro u gh po l kadot s a nd w him s ica l s p la s h e s o f co l o r. And w hile I ob t a ined p rofe ssi o n al h e l p an d took m ed ica t ion unt il t he de spo n de n cy re scind ed , Ka t e p la yed a b i g ro l e i n ge tti n g me pa s t t he b lea k zone. I lean e d o n h e r rath e r tha n w ine a nd is ola t ion — rath e r th an taki n g to t he b ed a nd b lock ing li fe o u t wi th th e cl i ck o f t he p la nt a t ion s hut t er s. T here is s uch irony here. Kate bro u gh t j o y to millions . Ma yb e s he ha d n o n e l e ft fo r h e rse l f.

S p a d e d ied June 5 in her Ne w Yo rk apartme n t, a s uicid e b y ha ng ing t ha t sh o cke d th e pu bl i c and even her clos es t fr iends an d fami l y. T h i s seem i n gl y e ff e r ves cent w om a n s uffered fo r ye ars wi th an xi e ty an d de pre s s i o n a nd end ed her life. S adl y, e v e n t h o s e who “ ha ve it a ll” from o u tsi de appe aran ce s , a re n ’t a l wa ys im m une when wa lls o f h o pe l e ssn e ss co l lap s e a ro u n d t h em . Three d a ys a ft er Ka t e di e d, fame d ch e f an d “ P a r t s U n k n ow n” s t a r A nt hony B ourdai n h an ge d h i mse l f. The s e h i gh pro f ile d ea t hs g ot t he wor ld tal ki n g agai n abo u t h o w t o pre v e n t s uch t r a g ed ies . Tw o da y s a f t e r S p a d e’s d ea t h, I honored h e r me mo ry an d b oug ht a pl ayfu l fl ami n go to te . L ik e m os t o f my o th e r bags, I d oub t if I’l l carry i t. Ju st ha ving t he m al o n g my cl o se t s helv e s i s so me ti me s e n o u gh . We be gan o u r “re l ati o n sh i p” o n e Bay, wh e re I’d scro l l l ate at n i gh t th ro u gh h u n dre ds o f h e r de si gn s, h u n ti n g fo r bargai n s an d e n j o yi n g t he th ri l l o f o u tbi ddi n g m y fe l l o w S pade l o ve rs. 14 | Sophie JULY / AUGUST 2018

There is such irony here. Kate brought joy to millions. Maybe she had none left for herself.

Instead of joining a dating site post divorce all those years ago, I preferred perusing totes, satchels, clutches, crossbody and messenger bags. Instead of reading, “I love sushi, foot rubs and women with a nice 401k,” I got my thrills seeing, “Like new condition: Kate Spade Hani Haven Lane Tote,” or “New with tags: Charlotte Parker Dot Shoulder Bag.”

The Parker Dot is my favorite and has carried me as if by buoy from despair to delight as only the perfect handbag can. I’ve kept it like a work of art in its protective bag, along with close to two dozen others I’ve collected over the years. Kate’s designs are flirty and functional. And while the outside of her bags are fresh and fun, it’s the linings that give me the biggest thrills with their bold patterns that elevate even the most sensible to sensational. Spade began her empire in 1993 when she decided to leave Mademoiselle magazine as a former accessories editor. The bags took off in an era when a designer label, such as Louis Vuitton or Prada, might set a woman back a couple grand or more. Kate’s bags ranged from about hundred bucks to four or five hundred. I was able to score most of mine from eBay for under a hundred.


Over the next twelve or so years, I stretched my collection from purses to shoes and then home goods, sunglasses and the pink polka-dotted case for my iPhone. I bought her dishes, linens, hand towels and a new set of flamingo potholders. Lately, as I gaze at my Kates, I think about Erma Bombeck’s famous column, “If I Had My Life To Live Over,” in which she wisely wrote: “I would have burnt the pink candle that was sculptured like a rose before it melted while being stored.” There’s no point in keeping my Spades on a closet shelf. Life’s too short to reserve the good stuff for another day. My only wish is that the tragic deaths of Kate Spade, Anthony Bourdain and the rest who’ve fought and lost wars with depression or other mental illnesses, might spark conversations about preventing suicides and a greater awareness of the suffering of those around us. I hope she’s designing somewhere in the afterlife. I can see her splashing angels’ wings in stripes, dots and other iconic prints.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT Robin Hood, the Legend of Sherwood by Jeff Messer and Robert Akers

Show Dates: July 6-August 4 Friday, Saturday and Sunday @ 7:30pm Montford Park Players, an Asheville theatrical tradition, is proud announce their upcoming production of the locallypenned Robin Hood, the Legend of Sherwood. All performances will be held at the Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre at 92 Gay Street in the heart of Asheville’s historic Montford District, from July 6th through August 4th on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings at 7:30pm. This performance like ALL of Montford Park Players’ shows will be absolutely FREE to attend. The show will contain all swordplay, romance and humor we’ve come to expect from film and book versions of the legend over the years. Families are most welcome to this show and kids, in particular, will be enthralled with all of the action.netic Theatre box office at themagnetictheatre.org or by calling 828239-9250. Director Michael Lilly, is a first-time director at Montford, despite helming productions all over Western North Carolina. In his career, Lilly has staged over 150 different shows, but is thrilled to be directing this show, due to a particular love of the source material. “Every time another Super Hero movie comes out,” says Lilly, “it’s just another version of Robin Hood.” Montford Park Players has never performed Robin Hood before, and, in fact, it may be the first, full outdoor staging of the story in play form. Says Director Lilly, “The Hazel Robinson is the perfect venue for it. And just like the epic films, there is a cast of thousands! Themes from the Academy Award winning score will be used, as well as music of the period performed live.”

For more information or to reserve seats, go to montfordparkplayers.org, or call at (828) 254-5146. Sophie JULY / AUGUST 2018 | 15


»PEOPLE

Life Skills Toolbox:

8 Skills to Create Authentic Happiness by Lauren Griffin M.A.

Lauren Griffin, M.A., is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Psychotherapist in private practice in Asheville. Learn more about Lauren’s work at WNCcounseling.com, or call her at 828-782-3388.

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re you REALLY happy? Is authentic happiness found in having someone love you, or eating a fantastic meal? Maybe getting that next box from Amazon or drinking an excellent cup of coffee? Fleeting happiness feels good in the moment, and depends on external circumstances, while authentic happiness springs from an internal sense of your life’s purpose, and is firmly part of who you are.

The coffee doesn’t create authentic happiness, although it seems that way. To try to recapture that feeling, we may try to seek happiness in things around us, like food, TV, shopping, smoking, drugs, alcohol, other people’s approval and more. This misguided strategy of seeking fleeting short-term happiness typically leads to disappointment, or worse. Without judging, let’s take a look at some common ways people seek happiness externally. It might be something you do in at least one area of your life.

Let’s use the example of drinking an excellent cup of coffee. That event happens in our brain between the external event and our feeling of happiness.

1. Spouse/Romantic Partner: You may expect your partner to make you happy by being loving, romantic or sexy, caring, selfless, understanding, kind, considerate and respectful. Your partner has his/her own challenges, and sometimes will feel angry, sad, selfish or even rude. This human being still has value, and can be a source of tremendous satisfaction in your life, but not as a source of your own authentic happiness. Not surprisingly, these same principles apply to other relationships, too.

1. We drink the coffee. 2. We enjoy the coffee, noticing it’s goodness. 3. We appreciate the goodness in the coffee. Then we decide and make a judgment about how happy we are with our coffee. It all happens in a millisecond. 4. For a few moments, we are now experiencing fleeting happy feelings even if it’s just for the goodness of a cup of coffee. 16 | Sophie JULY / AUGUST 2018

2. Impulsiveness and Addictions Examples: Food, drugs, alcohol, video games, TV, the Internet, sex. Each of these can give us pleasure, and typically are reliable ways to find fleeting happiness.


But when the happy feelings are gone, we’re unhappy. Yet we’re tempted to go back for more, risking a vicious cycle of addiction.

3. Excitement and Adventure: There’s nothing negative about

participating in sports, traveling, or going out with friends. But it’s unrealistic to expect to have excitement every moment of your life.

4. Work: If you’re constantly busy, you might be seeking your hap-

piness from work. There’s nothing wrong with doing work you love and enjoy. Is there a feeling of craving to get back to it to feel happy? Pay attention to what happens when you’re not working. If you seek fleeting happiness in one of these external forms, how can you move toward authentic happiness? First, identify your external sources of happiness: does your happiness vacillate depending on what’s happening externally? Second, recognize those feelings aren’t lasting. The secret is to understand ourselves, and find/create purpose in life. Using that purpose to drive our actions and take emotional risks. Doing this will change your motivation from external to internal. These skills grow slowly, but deeply. Learning to appreciate yourself and others produces peace of mind and contentment, which manifests as authentic happiness. Authentic happiness has many benefits beyond positive feelings, including increased heath, better incomes, and more creativity, as identified in the field of Positive Psychology. If you’re having difficulty, the support of a licensed professional counselor will help speed up the process, and overcome obstacles.

1. Be a Friend to your Friends. Remember to maintain and heal

your friendships, or work to make new ones; phone calls, personal visits, and shared events strengthen your ties and help give your life meaning; don’t confuse Facebook friends with friends in the real world.

“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” -Viktor E. Frankl 7. Celebrate the Success of Others Without Envy. An at-

titude of abundance gives you the perspective that there’s enough success to go around, and is within your grasp too. Celebrating their success prevents jealousy and makes you good company.

8. Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff. Accept that nobody is always

nice, and don’t take it personally; eye rolling, sour facial expressions, etc. can come from friends and loved ones at times; don’t react to Internet trolls or road raging drivers. The secret revealed is learning to appreciate who you are, and live in the present. You can produce internally driven authentic happiness, and live your life.

Find happiness

2. Don’t Miss Out! Seek out activities that give your life purpose;

although we all have mundane obligations, make a point to integrate shared or solo activities that energize you into your schedule.

3. Do the Mental Arithmetic. Even though genetics and personality influence our happiness, remember to count the good in your life, especially when you’re feeling down; reflect on your life decisions (past, present and future) in a positive light. 4. Don’t Deny It. By avoiding denial, you can accept and fully feel the inevitable sadness and tragedy in life. Allow these feelings to move through you, so you can live your life to the fullest.

5. Stretch Your Comfort Zone. Be curious, try something new, going past any mild anxiety; going beyond your routine despite temporary discomfort will help you become stronger and wiser.

6. Don’t Be a “Debbie Downer.” Be careful with your “selftalk;” avoid harsh criticisms, and remind yourself of the good things. Others will notice and reflect your mood back to you.

Lauren Griffin, M.A. Licensed Professional Counselor Psychotherapist WNCcounseling.com 828.782.3388 Sophie JULY / AUGUST 2018 | 17


»PEOPLE COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT Carolina Mountain Sales Features Art Exhibition by Naomi Diamond Rogers Carolina Mountain Sales, A Wilkinson ERA Real Estate Company, announces the Art Exhibition of painter Naomi Diamond Rogers. The Exhibition will be on display in the office of Carolina Mountain Sales, located in Historic Biltmore Village at 10 Brook Street, Suite #235, through July of 2018. Carolina Mountain Sales invites the public to preview the work anytime during business hours and also to attend our Wine & Cheese Artist Reception on Thursday, June 21st from 4-6 pm, with live jazz, refreshments, and the wonderful art of Naomi Diamond Rodgers!

Friends Make Life Worth Living Longer by Betty Sharpless

In 2008 Naomi opened her studio in Asheville’s River Arts District, where her creative use of hand-dyed and felted-fiber in the form of sculpture, wall hangings, and wearable art became an immediate success. Her work graces the walls and bodies of art lovers and collectors across the United States and Europe.

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e all know what we need to do to live longer these days: exercise, eat well and keep your mind active. I don’t know about you, but sudoku and crossword puzzles are not my strong suit. Fortunately, meeting new people and building new relationships with friends turns out to be a good investment in living longer and living well. There are lots of ways to meet new friends, let’s look at some to see which might work well for you!

Betty Sharpless is a professional free-lance gardener, writer and quilter who remembers Bette Midler singing Hello in There whenever she sees older folks out and about…

My favorite way to make new acquaintances is to volunteer. Find a community group with a cause that interests you, and you are bound to find folks that you like. Asheville is lucky to have Hands on Asheville an organization that collates and presents needs of many groups, with how much time commitment is requested. Opportunities vary from as little as two hours to long term. My friend Reeta had a great time unpacking merchandise for two hours … meeting new friends on the way. If you are fond of animals and aren’t able to have one of your own, you can make a big difference to a homeless pet through Asheville Humane Society or Brother Wolf. Volunteers are needed to walk dogs, cuddle young puppies and kittens or socialize other furry friends. Brother Wolf even has scheduled hikes with dogs! I promise you will meet interesting folks as you walk. Turns out having a furry friend to depend on you also helps keep you engaged and your brain active. Maybe you will find a new forever friend. Remember, other people want to meet you. So when you are feeling shy, turn it around into helping someone else who is feeling the same way … You’ll be amazed how much easier that is.

18 | Sophie JULY / AUGUST 2018

For more information call 828-250-4265 or email special.olympics@buncombecounty.org


Sophie JULY / AUGUST 2018 | 19


»FASHION

Mobile Boutiques photos courtesy of Blended Boutique

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ooking for a guaranteed unique shopping excursion that offers convenience and a memorable experience? Then it’s time you shopped at a local mobile boutique.

But what is a mobile boutique? Repurposed food or moving trucks are revamped and refurbished to create chic and stylish boutiques that travel around, some specializing in certain crafts or items. Then what’s the difference between a boutique and a regular retail shop? Well, the answer to that can be a bit tricky, but generally a boutique is smaller in size with less in stock and a slightly smaller selection of items. Boutiques are on the more fashionable side and offer unique inventory like specialty clothing, shoes, jewelry, accessories and purses. Now I’ve peaked your interest and you want to visit one of these moving shops. Then the question is how does one find a moving boutique? I spy? Call Signals? Nothing so difficult, I assure you, remember this is also about shopping and convenience, these shops want to make it easy for you to find them. A lot of these mobile shops are very active on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook where they will often post the times and locations they are heading and will stop at. Their prices will vary but because the overhead cost of a brick-and mortar shop is gone, a lot of Mobile Boutiques are less expensive than a traditional boutique.

owner of Blended Boutique’s Leasha Ogle in order to get a better look at these moving fashion houses.

So what does Asheville have to offer? In our local area we have the Blended Boutique, Hazel Twenty, ARTeries, and Betties Mobile Boutique roaming around selling clothes. Interestingly enough each of these Boutiques are women owned and operated. We talked to the

When asked why she started her mobile business, Ogle mentioned she has been apart of fashion all her life, noting with pride she won “Best Dressed” superlative in high school. That’s not where her love of fashion stopped, a few years back she owned her own brick and

20 | Sophie JULY / AUGUST 2018


mortar store with a friend, but found it did not suit their busy lifestyles. Even though she had to close her previous store, she never gave up her dream. And after a few more years came up with the idea to own a mobile boutique; she named it the Blended Boutique because of how one must “blend the dream of their heart into the most important aspect of their lives, family and spirituality.” The flexibility of owning a mobile boutique allows Ogle the ability to pursue her love of fashion while still having time to be a wife and a mother of three children. The Blended Boutique will be open all seasons long because, as she said, “Fashion never stops.” The Blended Boutique is a story about having a passion and never giving up. That dreams can become reality, if only the dreamer doesn’t stop reaching out towards their goal. We may stumble and fall a few times but trudging forward regardless will get us to our goal in the end. Sometimes thinking outside the box while being unafraid to achieve what others will not is the key to success. The lesson to learn from the Blended Boutique is to never give up on your hearts desire and keep trying. The Blended Boutique has partnered with the Asheville Outlet Mall and will be set up there certain dates which can be found on their website (Blended828.com). If you see any one of these moving fashion houses be sure to drop by and look inside, who knows what you’ll find? •

Sophie JULY / AUGUST 2018 | 21


»FASHION

Color Me Goodwill has another sucussful year by Chloe Harnett-Hargrove photos by Max Ganly

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he box office tapes up a “Sold Out” sign and a woman behind me laughs; “Yeah, I would be surprised if it didn’t; these are catching on.”

You could say that. Since its unveiling in 2014, Color Me Goodwill has grown rapidly in size and visibility. Like participating in A.C.T’s Costume Drama or Asheville Fashion Week, for a designer to be juried into the show is for a designer to be validated into Asheville’s fashion scene. A line steadily stretches down Biltmore Avenue before the doors are thrown open and we pack into the venue. On stage, five judges have taken their seats on the edge of the velvet curtain. DJ Faze’s linen shirt flashes as his fingers bounce over the lit soundboard, spinning artificial records of Michael Jackson and Maroon 5. His hand slides to quiet a disk, and the 4th Annual Color Me Goodwill show begins. After the models take their final walk, the emcees don’t have to explain what comes next, as most of the audience have already ripped the voting tab off their show bill and checked their favorite. The judges, too, have left the stage to deliberate. In a landslide of support, Leanna Echeverri is announced the winner of both the audience-voted People’s Choice and the Judges’ pick for a total of $700 prize money.

Leana Echeverri’s collection in last year’s Color Me Goodwill displayed Anna Karenina-influenced pieces and earned her a place as runner-up in the final audience vote. Now, she travels even further back, to the French Revolution, with a Marie Antoinette-inspired collection. Her garments are created almost entirely from bedsheets folded and draped into bustles and layered skirts. Sheer collars ruffle gracefully under long pearl necklaces knotted Chanel-style. One model carries a slice of cake with a roguish grin, while another balances a model ship, precariously nestled into her sky-high up-do. 22 | Sophie JULY / AUGUST 2018


Jon Pierce’s influence for his opening RED collection is the color’s most primal form: fire. This starting point led him to create a Pokémon inspired collection of sculptural dyed-fabrics trimmed with tan fur and cinched tight with black belts.

Tami Lu-Barry’s PURPLE — or as she refers to the color, “ultraviolet” — collection originates from an intimate place; her personal journey as she battled cancer in between competing at the first Color Me Goodwill and this year’s show. Her pieces communicate resilience, with countless patches of fabric constructed into mini-dresses and cropped jackets.

Charles Josef introduces his BLACK collection with discussion on the challenge he faced in trying to fit upcycled materials into his vision. He picked vintage 80’s gowns as bases for his looks, cutting a beaded bodice off one piece, a slim-skirt off another, and mixing and matching to create one of six cocktail ensembles. A byproduct of this process involved subduing the iconic silhouette to create more contemporary shapes.

Jennifer Hock designed individualistic looks for each model, while keeping her PINK collection interrelated with metallic quilting squares patched into each garment. One look showed a slouchy silhouette, another preppy, another grunge-y formal, all created from shiny but stiff fabrics.

Caleb Owolabi introduces his ORANGE collection with an appreciation of Gone with The Wind as an important piece of fashion and film history. He promises not to recreate the iconic looks, but to be inspired by O’Hara’s gowns and personality. Owolabi’s models had a unique energy that kept the audience captivated.

Sophie JULY / AUGUST 2018 | 23


At Girls on the Run, we are dedicated to creating a world where EVERY girl knows her limitless potential and is free to boldly pursue her dreams. Help Support girls like Taylor across Western North Carolina!

DONATE TODAY at gotrwnc.org

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Attic Salt Theatre Company Celebrates Women in Talking With… August 2-11 Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm Attic Salt Theatre Company is excited about their upcoming, allfemale production of Jane Martin’s Talking With…, to be presented August 2nd through the 11th at Magnetic 375. Attic Salt is coming off the acclaimed Mass Appeal, presented in April of this year. Their previous work includes How I Learned to Drive, God of Carnage and Gruesome Playground Injuries, among many other local hits. Magnetic 375 is located at 375 Depot St. in the River Arts District of Asheville. The performances will be held Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm. Tickets cost twenty dollars and can be purchased through The Magnetic Theatre box office at themagnetictheatre.org or by calling 828-239-9250. Originally presented at Louisville, Kentucky’s famed Actor’s Theatre in 1982, Talking With… won the American Theatre Critics Associa-

tion award for Best Regional Play. Since then, it has garnered raves around the country and internationally for both its dramatic and darkly comic take on the world. In their review of the show, The Philadelphia Inquirer wrote, “With Jane Martin, the monologue has taken on a new poetic form, intensive in its method and revelatory in its impact.” The show itself contains eleven unrelated monologues. Each voice is unwaveringly female, but demonstrates such a diversity of voices, one might wonder if they were written by the same person. The gamut is run from a down-on-her-luck rodeo rider to a housewife who finds empowerment in her myriad tattoos; from a fundamentalist snake handler to an actress who will go to inappropriate lengths to get a role. However, whether humorous or full of angst, each piece represents how women use their strength to make their way through their world.

Tickets cost twenty dollars and can be purchased through The Magnetic Theatre box office at themagnetictheatre.org


Sophie JULY / AUGUST 2018 | 25


»FASHION


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FASHION

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he smell of freshly cut stems of flowers, the feeling of a cool breeze blowing through your hair, the sound of water splashing and children laughing ... some of the many simplicities of summer. Take time to savor this long awaited time of year by keeping your wardrobe carefree! Basic shorts and tops can be mixed, matched, and even layered depending on the weather. Classic shift dresses in timeless designs or flowy maxi's are easy one piece ensembles that provide nothing but comfort while portraying feminine beauty and class. Be as bright as you are by drawing inspiration from the stunning colors around you and live life simply this summer!

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Calisto Dress/ Pink Cosmo $228 | Earrings/ Surf Gypsea $48 | Gigi Wedge $198

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Callahan Knit Short/ Capri Soleil $64 | CAlessa Top Pink Sunset $58 | Rita Sandal $148

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»FASHION

THIS PAGE

Harper Shift/ Let’s Mango $148 | Gold Necklace $58 | Leather LaLa Tote in Gold Metallic $248

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Melody Maxi Dress/ The Sunny Side $228 28 | Sophie JULY / AUGUST 2018


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FASHION

FASHION CREDITS: PHOTOGRAPHY BY:

828.738.MAXX www.maxganly.com PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANT: Elliot Swartz HAIR & MAKEUP BY:

Mary Wiedel for Carmen Carmen Salon NAILS BY: Jenna Duvall for Carmen Carmen Salon

Asheville Mall • 828.296.9463 CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES PROVIDED BY:

One All Souls Crescent, Suite 100 Asheville, NC 28803 shoppalmvillage.com 828.404.8140 FLOWERS PROVIDED BY:

Gloria Grooms for The Fresh Market 944 Merrimon Avenue Asheville, NC 28804 828.252.9098 FASHION COORDINATOR: Angela Ramsey FASHION ASSISTANT BY: Lily George FASHION STYLING BY: Denise Waycaster MODEL: Melissa Moses

Sophie JULY / AUGUST 2018 | 29


»FASHION

Photo shoot styled by Caleb Owolabi featuring clothes from Mon Jean Pierre Clothing. Photo by Foxy Photography.

Fashion Spotlight:

Caleb Owolabi Caleb Owolabi

30 | Sophie JULY / AUGUST 2018

A rising star in Asheville’s fashion industry works to grow the city’s creative community


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aleb Owolabi has his own fashion start-up and has shown collections at Color Me Goodwill, Asheville Fashion Week, Winter Court, Charlotte Fashion Week and Charleston Fashion Week, but he doesn’t like to be called a fashion designer. If he catches you calling him a fashion designer, he’s quick to clarify that, while he does sometimes design clothes, he doesn’t do much cutting and sewing, a hallmark of most fashion designers. And really what Owolabi does encompasses so much more than the name fashion designer can contain. Owolabi calls himself a stylist and visual designer. He’s the kind of person that doesn’t like to be tied down to one thing. On any given day you might see Owolabi out shopping with a client for a closet consultation, styling a photo shoot or producing a web series for the NC School of Science & Mathematics, his alma mater. Owolabi has been often called a Renaissance Man, but he says that’s not entirely accurate. “To me, everything is designed. From the music to what people wear, to the publicity around an event,” said Owolabi. “Everybody has a specific job. I’m not good at everything. I just have an interest in a lot of things.” Owolabi started his fashion career in college when he and a friend, Adam Odomore, toyed with the idea of creating their own label. Owolabi wrote up a business plan, and Odomore submitted it to a competition. They won and got the seed money they needed to start the first ever line for Mon Jean-Pierre Clothing.

point to repurpose it. I got someone who could cut and sew, a mentor of mine, who’s been showing me the world of fashion.” Owolabi’s mentor, Vinny Tadeo, who designed the outfits for the 1999 cult classic The Matrix, helped him turn his collection into a reality. Owolabi chose the color orange in honor of The Orange Peel, where the Color Me Goodwill show is held, and where Owolabi spent a lot of his time in his early teens. “My brother and I had a band, a garage band,” said Owolabi. “That was my thing in my early high school days. So I wanted to pay tribute to The Orange Peel.” Gone With the Wind served as the main inspiration for Owolabi’s Color Me Goodwill collection this year. “I love that movie,” said Owolabi. “Mr. Red Butler and his machismo. He’s very classy and a classy dresser. He’s one of my iconic heroes. I guess what I wanted to show was the Old World beauty before the depression, which was a really classical phase. Fashion was vastly different because we were very gallant in our dress.” In addition to designing runway shows and helping his clients define their personal style, Owolabi is working on a bigger goal: to get more young artists and creative people to stay in Asheville. He hopes to see Asheville’s fashion industry continue to grow through diverse and intergenerational partnerships — which means developing and enticing young talent to start here. His advice to those young creatives?

Interests set goals, goals are met by habit, and habit is made by a decision.

Mon Jean-Pierre Clothing originally put out two collections — first men’s suits, then women’s wear. But Owolabi (who has since taken over as Creative Director for Mon Jean Pierre) has moved the brand to focus more on the styling side of the fashion industry. “Fashion is putting out content that is concurrent with what’s going on globally,” Owolabi said. “Kid’s wear, women’s wear, dresses — that’s fashion. That’s the history of us. The way we alter it to fit our personalities, our body shape, our perspective is our style. And style is whatever you want to do, whatever you bring to the table.” Recently, Owolabi was chosen to participate in this year’s Color Me Goodwill Fashion Show. This being Owolabi’s second year in the show, he was proud of the improvements he made from his first year. “I was happy with [last year’s collection]. I think people loved it. I think people loved the charisma of it,” said Owolabi. “But it wasn’t full cut and sew. It wasn’t really repurposed. So this year I made it a

“Interests set goals, goals are met by habit, and habit is made by a decision.” Those are the words Owolabi himself lives by. It’s this mindset that has helped him get to where he is today, and he believes it’s a crucial lesson for young people looking to get into the fashion industry — or any industry for that matter.

One of Owolabi’s looks from this year’s Color Me Goodwill

“Find out who you are,” said Owolabi. “Take some time for yourself. Turn off the TV. Turn off everything that can get to you — all of the advertising. And find out what you really truly love. Just be honest with yourself. You might not know that ‘I love fashion.’ But you might say ‘I love sports’ or ‘I love camping’ or ‘I love kids.’ Whatever it is, you’ll get to it. If it’s really what you love, then you will start very quickly formulating goals. And then you will actualize how to do it. You will figure out the habits from there.”

Find out more about Owolabi and his work at calebowo.com. You can also contact him directly at caleb080@gmail.com

Sophie JULY / AUGUST 2018 | 31


»ENTERTAINMENT

Asheville Symphony’s New Music Director Announced

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sheville Symphony is pleased to announce that conductor Darko Butorac (pronounced BOO-toh-rutz) will become the Asheville Symphony’s new music director, beginning with the 2018-2019 Masterworks Season that opens this September. Darko Butorac currently serves as the music director of the Tallahassee and Missoula symphony orchestras. He succeeds Daniel Meyer, who served as music director of the Asheville Symphony from 2004 to 2017. An established conductor in demand with orchestras both in Europe and the Americas, Butorac has appeared at prestigious venues such as the Vienna Konzerthaus, the Gran Teatro Nacional of Lima, Belgrade’s Kolarac Hall, Teatro Magnani in Italy, as well as at the Tartu, Aspen and Brevard summer music festivals. He has collaborated with soloists such as soprano Renee Fleming, cellist Colin Carr, violinist Lara St. John, and Oscar-winning actor J.K. Simmons. Butorac was the 2004 Grand Prix laureate of the Fourth Vakhtang Jordania International Conducting Competition, an honor that led to engagements with orchestras across four continents. He has also appeared at the Bruno Walter National Conductor Preview hosted by the League of

Photo from darkobutorac.com American Orchestras and the Jacksonville Symphony. He is an avid traveler and is passionate about discovering the world and bringing people together through the beauty of music.

14th annual

celebrating women and plants

October 12-14, 2018 ~ near Asheville, NC www.sewisewomen.com 32 | Sophie JULY / AUGUST 2018


Garden Bloomers:

Why I Weed by Betty Sharpless

Betty Sharpless is a professional gardener, writer and quilter who also says “A rose in a grape field is sign of a great wine.”

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s many of you know, I have been a professional gardener for over 35 years now. I call myself a gardener because we still do things the old fashioned way: by hand and with hand tools. There are several good reasons for gardening this way. My most important reason is that we are the stewards of the earth, and I feel we need to do all that we can to ensure her lasting into the next generations. Perhaps not using unwarranted amounts of pesticides and herbicides is a small drop in efforts to ensure clean air, soil and water, but if many people make this effort we can create a healthier earth. A nice side effect of this is that our clients and we are less exposed to hazardous chemicals as well.

Another reason is that by weeding by hand you are able to make decisions about plants as you work. One of my favorite sayings is “A rose in a cornfield is just a weed.” Nature is always handing you surprises; often they are weeds. Sometimes however they are young wildflowers or seeds from last year’s stunning perennials that you would like to save. If you are using a broad spectrum herbicide, you may miss out on a more diverse garden. As well, weeding by hand actually removes the problems instead of killing them and leaving dead weeds full of seeds behind. Weeding by hand also slows you down enough to let you see areas that may need different plants or extra fertilizer to thrive. Sometimes you will find yourself yanking up plants that were “too successful” to give other plants a bit more space. Hand weeding gives you the time to judge the health of your flowers, veggies and soil as you work. Are there enough worms? Butterflies? Is the soil holding water well enough? Do you need more summer blooming red plants in this spot? A newly discovered reason for hand weeding are the health promoting microbes that hug you when you dig in the dirt and wake them up. My friend Carole sent me a link to a New York Times article on a study showing that earthen microbes make people just happier. Her comment on the article was “Well that explains a lot!” In fact, promoters of gut health say that getting dirty is the best way to improve your gut’s biome. So next time you shake your head at that white clover in your yard, remember: A diverse lawn is an earth healthy lawn. That is good for you, the honeybees and everyone who loves the earth.

Sophie JULY / AUGUST 2018 | 33


»ENTERTAINMENT Betty’s Book Review: Women in Sunlight by Frances Mayes “The women went to Italy to bloom, not because Italy allowed them to bloom” by Betty Sharpless

Betty Sharpless is a professional free-lance gardener, writer and quilter, who wasn’t born in the southern mountains, but got here as quickly as she could…

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ver start to read more slowly just to make an awesome book last just a bit longer? If not, this book may be your first to slow down and savor. After all, slowing down and appreciating every delicious bite is the Italian way. Frances Mayes, southern writer extraordinaire has done it again with Women in Sunlight. Author of Under the Tuscan Sun, Ms. Mayes has an uncanny ability to bring a summer evening in the Tuscany region of Italy right into our senses. Her current book, Women in Sunlight addresses those of us making decisions about the last third of our lives.

Three of the characters meet while previewing Cornwallis Meadows retirement community in central North Carolina. None of them really want to quit living and just wait for a peaceful end. Susan, the ringleader, suggests they rent a villa in San Rocco, Tuscany, Italy. We meet the fourth woman and narrator as the “Americans” arrive in San Rocco. Kit is a poet and American ex-pat living up hill from the villa. While she is the narrator for most of the story, we also get to enjoy each woman’s story and experience from her own perspective. What a wonderful weaving of women’s lives this book brings us. Malaprops bookstore brought Ms. Mayes to speak as the book was released. My favorite quote of that visit is: “The women went to Italy to bloom, not because Italy allowed them to bloom.” Clearly, the message to women everywhere is to bloom where you are planted. Whether you have been to Italy, or just dreamed it ... this is a perfect summer read ... Preferably near a large body of water with an amazing glass of wine and plate of cheeses nearby. The dolce vita doesn’t have to be in a foreign country. Taking notice in the little pleasures is a great gift to all of us, every day.

34 | Sophie JULY / AUGUST 2018

Betty and Terrie in Agrigento at the ancient Greek temple ruins


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ENTERTAINMENT

Meg’s Movie Review: The Isle of Dogs by Meg Hale Brunton

Meg Hale Brunton reviews movies for Sophie every month. She has a Creative Writing degree from UNCA, loves fresh made popcorn, and throws an annual Oscar party at her house

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es Anderson (“The Royal Tenenbaums”) pretty much embodies what it means to be a successful indie filmmaker. As a writer and director, he is good at his craft, has a distinctive style, and a substantial following. His latest work, “Isle of Dogs” is no departure from what we have come to expect from him. It is unique, full of gifted actors, and has a quiet simplicity to it that is unmistakably Anderson. With “Isle of Dogs” however, it feels like he sacrifices substance for style.

For me, Anderson’s films can be a little hit or miss. I dig the authenticity he puts into all his works, as if he is recalling a cherished story from his own childhood. Sometimes his movies can feel a tad slow to me though, which is absolutely true with “Isle of Dogs.” While his movies are undeniably witty, the sense of humor in them often triggers more of a head-tilt and a “Hmm,” than a full belly-laugh. He also seems to have a tendency to randomly kill off characters and end his movies abruptly, with an attitude of “That’s how life is.” While that may be true, it doesn’t usually make for very good filmmaking, in my opinion. “Isle of Dogs” is the story of a young boy named Atari, who attempts to rescue his dog from Trash Island, where all the dogs have been banished by the government to prevent the spread of a mysterious dog flu. To aid him in his search, Atari is joined by a pack of dogs that are also stranded on the island. The group (a sort of animated dog version of “Seven Samurai” — even though there are only, technically, six of them) journeys across the island and encounters many challenges along the way, not the least of which is the rebellious nature of one of the dogs, Chief. Chief was a stray before the dog-exile, disapproves of having people as masters, and

reminds Atari often, “I bite.” Yes, I am willing to acknowledge that I am the target audience of this movie. I am a dog-lover and movie buff and this film has all the trappings of a Disney cartoon about dogs, wrapped up in an arthouse style with an homage to all things Japanese. What’s not to like? To boot, it has some of today’s favorite actors voicing the dogs, including: Bryan Cranston, Ed Norton, Scarlett Johansson, Jeff Goldblum, Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton, Harvey Keitel, and Bob Balaban. As is true with the majority of Anderson’s previous films, Hollywood’s A-listers come out in droves for the chance to work with him. This film is not, however, a Disney movie. Where Disney would have filledin the subtlety of the plot with charming original songs, Anderson adds Japanese cultural glimpses, like Taiko drumming, Sumo wrestling and cherry blossoms over a Shinto shrine. “Isle of Dogs” also has a PG-13 rating and is peppered with some strong subject matter and a few cringe-worth scenes, such as when the group finds the remains of a dog that starved to death when he was unable to escape from a pet carrier, a bird’s eye view of a kidney replacement surgery, and a surprisingly graphic sushi-making scene. I suppose the film achieves all of its goals. It tells its story well, features fantastic animation that is sure to be noticed by the Academy, and has the kind of originality that can only be found in a Wes Anderson movie. I found myself, watching the credits roll by, asking myself, “What was this movie about? What should I have learned from it?” With a conflict that is both revealed and resolved in the blink of an eye, it leaves the audience wondering what all the fuss was about. With the exception of being visually-stunning, I found “Isle of Dogs” to have little more merit than a buddy-dog-film. And at that point, you might as well just watch an episode of “PAW Patrol” at home for free. I give “Isle of Dogs” 6 out of my 10 stars.

Sophie JULY / AUGUST 2018 | 35


»COMMUNITY

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YOGA JULY ASHEVILLE FESTIVAL

JULY/AUGUST Submit your events online: sophiemagazine.com/calendar or send events via email: calendar@sophiemagazine.com

HAVE EVENT? HAVEAN AN EVENT?

JULY JULY

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BILTMORE MOVIE NIGHT UNDER THE STARS Enjoy an outdoor experience at Antler Hill Barn, rain or shine. July 3: Richie Rich (1994) July 10: Dirty Dancing

(1987) July 17: Great Outdoors (1988) July 24: Parent Trap (1961) July 31: Field of Dreams (1989)

 Every Tuesday in July starting at 8 PM at Antler Hill Barn. More info at biltmore.com. TH JULY INGLES 4 OF JULY

CELEBRATION Free event featuring family activities throughout the day with a fireworks extravaganza capping off the event at 9:30pm.

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 Wednesday, July 4 from 12 PM to 10 PM. More info at ashevilledowntown.org

JULY RED, WHITE &

BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL The Red, White and Bluegrass Festival is held at Catawba Meadows Park and has become one of the premier bluegrass festivals in the southeastern United States. This year’s lineup includes Balsam Range, Diamond Rio and Larry Sparks.

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 Wednesday, July 4 through Saturday, July 7 at Catawba Meadows Park in Morganton. More info at redwhiteandbluegrassfestival.org

36 | Sophie JULY / AUGUST 2018

JULY COON DOG FESTIVAL

Downtown Saluda’s Main Street will be filled with vendors, food, a parade live music, dog-juggling, and plenty of kids activities. Dogs are welcome and encouraged! What began as a chicken supper fundraiser for the local Coon Club has grown into an event that attracts over 10,000 people each year. Coon Dog Day schedule of events posted at the City of Saluda website. Free admission.

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 Saturday, July 7 from 8 AM to 11 PM in downtown Saluda. More info at saluda. com RD JULY 63 ANNUAL

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GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN HIGHLAND GAMES

Over 100 Scottish clans and societies sponsor this celebration of Scottish dance, music, food, and athletics. The Grandfather Games are considered America’s grandest Games because of the spectacular mountain setting that is so reminiscent of Scotland. The deep blue peaks of 6,000-ft. Grandfather Mountain tower above a grassy green meadow ringed by 170 colorful tents. Thousands of Scots are dressed in tartan plaids, and the energy is amplified by the sounds of bagpipes and kettledrums echoing.  Thursday, July 12 through Sunday, July 15 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. More info at gmhg.org

JULY THE BIG CRAFTY

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The Big Crafty revives the tradition of the community bazaar, a lively celebration of

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Set in the heart of the ancient and mystical Appalachian Mountains, the vision of Asheville Yoga Festival is to create a space for connection, adventure, play, relaxation and healing. Join in on the 80+ different classes including yoga, SUP yoga, music, panels, outdoor excursions and much more.

handmade commerce, featuring local food, music, and fine wares from a juried group of select indie artists and crafters. Celebrating its 10th year! 50+ local indie artists, crafters, makers with food, drink and music. Free.

 Thursday, July 26 through Sunday, July 29. Events will be located across Downtown Asheville. More info at ashevilleyogafestival.com.

 Sunday, July 15 from noon to 6

JULY FOLKMOOT

PM at Pack Square Park. More info at thebigcrafty.com

GRAN FONDO BIKE JULY GFNS RACE

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4th annual festival. Ride and see the beauty of Asheville and the surrounding mountains from the unique perspective of your handlebars.  Sunday, July 22 from 8 AM to 8 PM in Asheville. For more information visit

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NC’s Official International Folklore Festival, is a twoweek celebration of the world’s cultural heritage through folk music and dance. Representing the

cultures of Ghana, Canadian-Italy, Thailand, Czech Republic, Northern Cyprus, Venezuela, Mexico and local Appalachian and Cherokee dancers and musicians. Venues between the Cherokee Qualla

LAUGH YOUR ASHEVILLE OFF

AUG

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12th Annual Comedy Festival is now accepting submissions from stand-up comics! This is a noncompetitive event and the perfect place to network, laugh and show case your acts. It is not just local comics, but people from all over the world , vendors, stars and open-minded audiences just looking for a good laugh will be attending this four day comedy festival.  Thursday, August 9 through Saturday, August 11. More info at ashevillecomedyfestival.com.


Boundary and Hickory, North Carolina.  Friday, July 20 through Saturday, July 30. Go to folkmootusa.org for more information and a schedule of times.

JULY BATTLE FOR THE BURGER

ST AUG 91 ANNUAL

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nation.

MOUNTAIN FOLK & DANCE FESTIVAL The oldest gathering celebrating Southern Appalachian music & dance traditions in the

An All-American food fight of delicious proportions. Watch as the top chefs in the area fight for the title of Best Burger in WNC.

 Thursday, August 2 through Saturday, August 4, 7 PM at the Diana Wortham Theatre. For more info visit folkheritage.org

 Sunday, July 29 from 2 PM to 6 PM at the Salvage Station. More info at allamericanfoodfights.com/ wncbattleoftheburger.

CRAFTS FAIR In Burnsville Town Square, over 200 artists & crafts people working and displaying their work. Food, live bluegrass, dance performances & more.

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AUGUST AUG BILTMORE CONCERT

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SERIES An outdoor concert series in an incomparable setting. Enjoy an eclectic variety of music under the sunset and a canopy of stars. Aug. 2: Creedence Clearwater Revisited and Night Ranger Aug. 3: Jay Leno (Stand-Up Comedy) Aug. 9: KING & COUNTRY and Lauren Daigle Aug. 11: Lyle Lovett and his Large Band Aug. 16: The Temptations and The Four Tops  Thursday, August 2 through Saturday, August 16, all shows start at 7:30pm. More info at biltmore.com/ concerts.

AUG RIVERFEST

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Family-friendly event with lots of activities for kids & the famous Anything that Floats water parade. Music, food trucks & lots of fun. Bands include The Get Right Band, Ben Phan and the Soul Symphony, and The Greenliners. This event is free.  Thursday, August 2 through Sunday, August 5, 1 PM to 7 PM at the Asheville Salvage Station.

MAY CHIHULY NIGHTS OCT

ND AUG 62 MT MITCHELL

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 Friday, August 3 through Saturday, August 4th, 9 AM - 5 PM. For more info visit yanceychamber.com.

AUG LAKE LURE OLYMPIAD

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Strongly committed to health and wellness with over 250 volunteers this three day even is part of a non-profit charity event. Events include a triathlon, Pickleball and golf Tournament, youth olympiad, Slam the Dam 10K and race to the Rock.  Friday, August 10 through Sunday, August 12 at Lake Lure. More info at lakelureolympiad.com.

ARTS & AUG SUMMER CRAFTS MARKET

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Over 40 artisans displaying and demonstrating hand made arts and crafts. Family entertainment & food.  Monday, August 20 from 10 AM to 4 PM in Dillsboro. More info at visitdillsboro. org

AUG ORGANICFEST

In Pack Square Park, Asheville there will be live music, organic local food, cooking demos, samplings, natural arts & crafts. Free admission.

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 Sunday, August 26 10 AM to 6PM Fore more info visit organicfest.org.

Biltmore historic gardens will be open for the public in the evenings as they host limited-time viewing of artist Dale Chihuly’s glass sculptures after dark.  May through October, Thursday to Sunday evenings in the Biltmore gardens. More info and tickets at biltmore.com.

ONGOING EVENTS YOGA IN THE PARK The 6th annual Yoga in the Park series kicks off on June 2 with an outdoor yoga class in Pack Square Park, led by AYC instructor Michael Johnson. Now in its 6th year, Yoga in the Park is a series of donation-based yoga classes that raises funds for local nonprofits in Asheville. All proceeds from the fun, community-based outdoor event will go to Homeward Bound and United Way of Asheville & Buncombe County. July 7 July 14 July 21 July 28 August 11 August 18 August 25 September 1  All classes are at Pack Square Park from 10 AM to 11:30 AM. All levels are welcome, from newcomer to advanced, and no registration is necessary. Participants are asked to bring their own mats and filled water bottles. Visit youryoga.com for the full schedule.

at 6:30 and the movie starts at dusk at Pack Square Park. Food will be available onsite. All movies are rated G or PG for the whole family. July 13: Ghostbusters August 10: Breaking Legs September 14: Cars 3  FREE! Starting at 7:30 at Pack Square Park. More info at ashevillenc.gov.

THE LAUREL CHAPTER OF THE EMBROIDERERS’ GUILD OF AMERICA

Next monthly meeting on Thursday, July 5

The Laurel Chapter of the Embroiderers’ Guild of America will hold a Stitchers Stash Sale on Thursday, July 5, 2018. from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Chapter members are donating items such as patterns, fabric, and thread for sale to the public. There will be bargains galore. All proceeds will benefit the chapter. Both cash and checks will be accepted.  Thursday, May 3, 11AM - 1PM. Cummings United Methodist Church,3 Banner Farm Road Etowah/Horse Shoe.

DOWNTOWN AFTER FIVE MOVIES IN THE PARK

Second Fridays in the summer

A children’s craft activity will begin

Every third Friday May-September Downtown After Five provides free live outdoor music concerts in downSophie JULY / AUGUST 2018 | 37


town Asheville every third Friday 5-9 PM from May through September. They celebrate their 30th year in 2018. Thousands gather on North Lexington Avenue near the I-240 overpass to enjoy local and national beers and a variety of food vendors. May 18: AVL All-Stars June 15: Sanctum Sully opening for Town Mountian July 20: Fantastic Negrito & The Get Right band Aug. 17: Southern Avenus and The Fritz September 21: The Pharcyde & Free the Optimus  Every third Friday of the month from May to September 5-9pm in downtown Asheville.

SATURDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

Every Saturday May-July Watch horse jumping and riding with the best jockeys in the country at the impressive, new Tryon International Equestrian Center with an exciting atmosphere featuring music, food, kids’ activities and Venetian carousel rides. Events vary each week. Free admission.  Saturdays at The Tryon International Equestrian Center. Visit tryon.coth.com for more details and weekly schedules.

SECOND SATURDAYS, RIVER ARTS DISTRICT

Every second Saturday in 2018 Enjoy openings, hands-on classes, demos, music, block parties and more. Find paintings, sculpture, pottery, fiber, glass, metal, wax, basketry

and more. There are many teaching venues, so pick up a paint brush or get your hands in the clay. Events vary greatly monthly, so expect a different experience each time.  The second Saturday of each month in 2018 at the River Arts District. More info at www.riverartsdistrict.com.

GROUP STITCHING FOR CHARITY SEEKS NEW MEMBERS

Next monthly meeting will be Monday, July 9 Stitches of Love (formerly the WNC Knitters and Crocheters for Others-Arden) is a group of talented people who have created and donated over 20,000 handmade articles to local charities in the past ten years.. We meet monthly at New Hope Presbyterian Church in Asheville.  Monday, July 9, 7-9 PM. New Hope Presbyterian Church, 3070 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville.

OOH LA LA CURIOSITY MARKET In Pritchard Park, Asheville there is an artists market showcasing the work of local painters, leathersmiths, jewelry makers, potters, up-cycled crafters & more. Live local music.  July 7 & 21; August 11 & 18, September 1, 15 & 22, 10 AM - 4 PM at Pritchard Park. More info at oohlalacuriositymarket.com

WATERFALLS N’ WINE

to go FORAGING TOUR JUN Ready WILD? Join us SEPT “off the eaten

-

path” as we uncover edible greens, berries, mushrooms, flowers, nuts, roots. We’ll meet ten to twenty wild foods, focusing on the ones you might find in your own woods or backyard. Then you get to eat what you’ve found!  June 29th- September

28th. 75$ per person. More info at notastelikehome.org. 38 | Sophie JULY / AUGUST 2018

Weekly on Thursdays & Fridays With over 250 Waterfalls to see, take a tour through Pisgah National Forest with a Pisgah Field School guide as they lead you through a day of fun and drinks. This tour includes some hiking but will also have a 15 passenger van to tote you and your friends around for this exciting day.  Reoccurring weekly Thursdays & Fridays, May — December, 11 AM to 3 PM. $65 per person. Visit pisgahfi eldschool.org for more information.

CLASSES & WORKSHOPS WOMEN’S FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT CLASSES The Financial Empowerment Center at OnTrack WNC offers a full range of financial counseling & education services with a women-centered approach, responding to unique needs & perspectives, to help you reach your financial goals.  OnTrack WNC Offices, 50 French Broad Ave. Most classes are free, preregistration required. Call 828-255-5166 to register. ontrackwnc.org

THE VILLAGE POTTER

A range of classes for adults designed to welcome the beginner, welcome back the prodigal potter, guide a new enthusiast to the next steps and offer mentorship for those wanting to explore their skills and learn from a generous community of artists.  The Village Potter, 191 Lyman Street, #180. For current class offerings and to register call 828-253-2424 or visit thevillagepotters.com

CHAIR CANING WORKSHOPS The nation’s only chair caning school & museum is operated by Brandy Clements & Dave Klingler, who are on a mission to revive a “dying art.” Its an experiential education opportunity for all ages.  Silver River Center for Chair Caning. For complete class listings and more info visit silverriverchairs.com

30 MINUTE GLASS CLASS For a glass experience you won’t find anywhere else. Students work one-on-one with an experienced and professional instructor to create their own functional and decorative glass piece at. The North Carolina Glass Center is a non-profit, public access glass studio providing daily educational offerings & demonstrations.  NCGC Gallery is open 7 days/week from 10 AM to 6 PM. Classes range from $50 to $75. More info at ncglasscenter.org.

RIVERCAMP An opportunity for students to explore the river and its watershed. Hands-on environmental education, river recreation, & service-learning projects.  June 25-29, July 16-20 (Rising 3rd5thgrade); June 18-22 & July 9-13 (Rising 6th-8th grade) 9am - 4pm riverlink.org

KOLO FLOW BIKE SUMMER CAMP

This camp is for kids age 6-13 years who can comfortably ride a two-wheel bicycle. Some off-road experience is recommended but not required.  The camp runs from June 12 - August 18. More info at ashevilletreetopsadventurepark.com

FOR WILDLIFE EDUCATION A huge variety of free classes and workshops for all ages including: Fly Fishing Basics, Fly Tying, Wildlife Photography, Nature Nuts & Eco Explorers Series, Archery & more.  All summer long, 828-877-4423, ncwildlife.org. Located at 1401 Fish Hatchery Rd, Pisgah Forest


Sophie JULY / AUGUST 2018 | 39


»COMMUNITY

Send a photo of your dog reading Sophie to writer@sophiemagazine.com and you may see your photo published in the magazine!

Good Dogs Read Sophie This is Midgie. She's 2.5 pounds, 4 years old and loves everyone, especially kids! Yes, she is a service dog who detects my low blood sugar. I’m hoping I will be able to train her to detect my seizures as well. She is loved, adored and a true gift from God.

“This is Nino, which means baby boy. Since our cabin has no TV, by choice, he's taken up reading. For sure, Sophie magazine is his favorite. He doesn't run around much anymore, as he's getting up there in years, but we do go on long mountain drives.”

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT Get Dressy in Denim for the Denim Ball to benefit Moses H. Cone Memorial Park Third annual event features fun fashion and a special performance by the Jeff Little Trio It’s time to pull out the skinny jeans, bell bottoms, jean jackets—anything and everything denim, really—and get tickets for the third annual Denim Ball to be held at 6 p.m., Friday, August 3, at Chetola Resort at Blowing Rock. Each year, the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation welcomes denim-clad guests for a lovely summer evening by the lake at Chetola Resort in support of restoration and rejuvenation projects at Moses H. Cone Memorial Park at milepost 294 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The third annual event will feature a musical performance by the Jeff Little Trio, led by the namesake, Boone-raised musician who translates Appalachian and Americana music for the piano. The night also includes an auction, buffet dinner, and cash bar. Both previous events have sold out, so early ticket purchases are recommended. Proceeds from the past galas are already helping to revive the 3,500-acre estate. Flat Top Manor is

regaining its grandeur with much-needed exterior repairs, including a new flat roof and balustrade. The carriage trails are clear of overgrown vegetation and ready for hikers and horseback riders to explore freely. By early fall, exhibits will be installed in the manor to tell the story of the Cone family and others who called the estate home, and trail map panels will be added to the grounds. To date, the Foundation has raised $2 million for the rehab of the estate listed on the National Register of Historic Places. To move forward with further manor house renovations and grounds work, the Foundation is raising an additional $1 million. This year’s event sponsors are the Blowing Rock TDA, Cone Health, Chetola Resort, Excalibur Direct Marketing, Footsloggers, Modern Automotive, Mountainaire Inn & Log Cabins, The Rosemyr Corpo- Laurie Orgass bids on Rick Reinert’s painting of Flat Top Manration, The Blowing Rock attraction, and Boone Rent or during the 2017 live auction at Chetola Resort. Photo by Jan All. Todd at DeepCreekPhoto.com

Tickets are $100 and can be purchased online at brpfoundation.org/denimball or by calling (866) 308-2773, ext. 245. 40 | Sophie JULY / AUGUST 2018


Sophie Classifieds TO ADVERTISE call 828-274-2222 for details. RV’s For Sale 2006 Damon Tuscany. 40 ft. long, Caterpillar diesel 350HP engine, 35,000 miles, generator, sleeps 6, king-size bed, nonsmoker. Very good condition. $110,000 dntabor.51@comcast.net 706-8636475, 706-533-5157

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Antique Buyer Asheville Estate Removals Buying Antiques! One item or entire estate. 40

Shih-Poos, Shihtzu Poodle, 8 weeks old, current on vaccines. No shedding. Will be 8-10 pounds. Ready now. Rogersville, TN. $450 to $500. mcnallyeddie@aol.com 423754-2863 35+/- wooded acres by owner, South ex-

posure, on state road. Located between Bryson City & Franklin. View property. Owner financing available. Price/Terms negotiable. $138,900 828-488-9623

years experience buying estates, antiques, attics, basements, barns, and garages. wilsonantiques@gmail.com 828-713-7598

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PHOTO

FINISH

Birgeta Mannikan Photographer: Ray Fawley Model: Birgeta Mannikan Follow Ray and Birgeta’s adventures on their Facebook page: facebook. com/birgeta.mannikan.1


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YOUR DREAMS. OUR MISSION.

– YEARS –

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A-B Tech’s renowned Culinary Arts and Hospitality programs are now celebrating their 50th year. Fall classes begin August 20. Learn more at abtech.edu/culinary-hospitality.

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