North Carolina Spotlight Magazine

Top 1. Tips 1. Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, if possible,

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choose light colors. Since masks can sometimes obstruct a child’s vision, try non-toxic face paint and makeup whenever possible.

Have kids use glow sticks or flashlights to help them see and be seen by drivers.

Children under the age of 12 should not be alone at night without adult supervision. If kids are mature enough to be out without supervision, remind them to stick to familiar areas that are well lit and trick-or-treat in groups.

Popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. so be especially alert for kids during those hours.

When selecting a costume make sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls.. For more information visit

To avoid the biggest crowds and to save on lodging, stay Sunday through Thursday nights. Saturdays during October are very busy everywhere! ·

If you are exploring the outdoors in our national parks and forests, research first. Frequently, you will not have cell or Internet service in remote areas including many hiking trails and waterfalls. ·

With the varying elevations of the Blue Ridge Parkway, it is the easiest place to find color. The elevation of the Parkway in Asheville is approximately 2,200 feet, and it rises to 6,000+ feet as you drive north or south. When you find a particular area of brilliant foliage, take a hike, picnic at an overlook or detour on an intersecting road. Be patient and expect slow traffic, especially Saturdays and Sundays. Since the Parkway has limited signage for things to do along the road.

Bring a sweater or jacket. While it might be 70 and sunny in Asheville, it could be 20 degrees cooler at the higher elevations. Rainy day? Here are some indoor options for things to do.

Take a picnic or snacks, especially if you are driving the Parkway. Restaurants and stores can be hard to find in the mFill up the gas tank before leaving the city. Gas stations are sparse in remote areas and there are none along the Parkway. ·

Don't rely 100% on your GPS to navigate our mountain roads. That's a good way to get lost. Take a map or our written directions for the many places we feature. ·

Take your camera. The warm light of the early morning or late afternoon can create especially dramatic images. Rainy days often provide the most striking and rich photos! Morning fog also creates dramatic photo opportunities. ·

Just 25 miles south of downtown Asheville is one of the country's top apple growing areas. Visit the orchards and farms for free! North Carolina is the 7th largest apple-producing state in the nation, and Henderson County is the largest appleproducing county in North Carolina. Visit many orchards along US Highway 64 (we call it "Apple Alley"), just a few miles east of I-26 (between Hendersonville and Chimney Rock).

The apple harvest season runs from early August through October, and many of the orchards are open daily. Since 40+ varieties of apples are grown in our mountains, they ripen at different times throughout the season. Several of the orchards offer tours and many allow you to pick your own apples - and pick up pumpkins Grandad's Apples Open early August to mid-November, Grandad's Apples is just two miles from I26 on US Highway 64. Find a huge selection of pre-picked apples or pick your own in the orchards. At Grandad’s Barn and Country Store, find a great selection of fall harvest decorations, apple peelers, apple bakers, and other apple gifts. Enjoy apple turnovers, fried pies, apple bread, caramel apples, ice cream, cider and a more. Stroll through the orchards or explore the corn maze. In October, find pumpkins in every size. 2951 Chimney Rock Rd., Hendersonville, 828-685-1685

Lyda Farms Open June-November. Buy crispy North Carolina apples straight from the orchard plus a large variety of pumpkins and winter squash (and other produce).

Beginning in mid-August, get early varieties of apples such as Fuji, Gala, Ozark and Gingergold. By Labor Day, Red and Golden Delicious are available. In early October, Rome Beauty, Granny Smith, Stayman Winesap and Fuji apples ripen.

3465 Chimney Rock Rd, Hendersonville, NC 828-685-3459 .

Apple Ripening Schedule        

Early August: Ginger Gold, Zestar Mid August: Gala, Swiss Gourmet Late August: Honeycrisp, Golden Supreme, Ruben, Tsugaru, Early Fuji Early September: Jonagold, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Shuzuka Mid September: Cortland, Jonaprince, Mutsu, Fuji, Blushing Gold, Jonathan, Ultra Gold Late September: Cameo, Red Rome, Stayman, Winesap, Crimson Crisp, Taylor Rome Early October: Granny Smith, Winecrisp, York Mid October: Arkansas Black, Braeburn, Pink Lady, Gold Rush, Nit-

Wonderfully flavorful and fragrant Pumpkin bread for the holidays."

Ingredients 3 cups sugar 1 cup vegetable oil 4 eggs 2/3 cup water 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree  2 teaspoons ground ginger  1 teaspoon ground allspice  1 teaspoon ground cinnamon  1 teaspoon ground cloves  3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour  2 teaspoons baking soda  1 1/2 teaspoons salt 1/2 teaspoon baking powder     

1 Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease two 9x5 inch

loaf pans.

2. In a large mixing, combine sugar, oil and eggs; beat until smooth. Add water and beat until well blended. Stir in pumpkin, ginger, allspice cinnamon, and clove.

3. In medium bowl, combine flour, soda, salt, and baking powder. Add dry ingredients to pumpkin mixture and blend just until all ingredients are mixed. Divide batter between prepared pans.

4. Bake in preheated oven until toothpick comes out clean, about 1 hour.

Ingredients 2 large Granny Smith apples, peeled and cored 2 (10 ounce) cans refrigerated crescent roll dough 1 cup butter 1 1/2 cups white sugar 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle Mountain Dew (TM)     

1 Directions 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13 inch bak-

ing dish.

2. Cut each apple into 8 wedges and set aside. Separate the crescent roll dough into triangles. Roll each apple wedge in crescent roll dough starting at the smallest end. Pinch to seal and place in the baking dish.

3. Melt butter in a small saucepan and stir in the sugar and cinnamon. Pour over the apple dumplings. Pour Mountain Dew(TM) over the dumplings.

4. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden brown.

1 (5 pound) bone-in beef pot roast salt and pepper to taste 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, or as needed  2 tablespoons vegetable oil  8 ounces sliced mushrooms  1 medium onion, chopped  2 cloves garlic, minced  1 tablespoon butter  1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour  1 tablespoon tomato paste  2 1/2 cups chicken broth  3 medium carrots, cut into chunks  2 stalks celery, cut into chunks  1 sprig fresh rosemary 2 sprigs fresh thyme   

Directions 1. Generously season both sides of roast with salt and pepper. Sprinkle flour over 2.

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the top until well coated, and pat it into the meat. Shake off any excess.

Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Sear the roast on both sides for 5-6 minutes each, until well browned. Remove from the skillet and set aside.

Reduce the heat to medium and stir in mushrooms and butter; cook for 3-4 minutes.

Stir in onion; cook for 5 minutes, until onions are translucent and begin to brown. Add garlic, stir for about a minute.

Stir in 1 1/2 tablespoons flour; cook and stir for about 1 minute. Add tomato paste, and cook for another minute.

Slowly add chicken stock, stir to combine, and return to a simmer. Remove skillet from the heat.

Place carrots and celery in the slow cooker. Place roast over the vegetables and pour in any accumulated juices. Add rosemary and thyme.

Pour onion and mushroom mixture over the top of the roast. Cover slow cooker, turn to high and cook the roast for 5-6 hours, until the meat is fork tender.

Skim off any fat from the surface and remove the bones. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

"These

sweet pecans are wonderful snacks for any occasion."

Ingredients 1 egg white 1 tablespoon water 1 pound pecan halves 1 cup white sugar 3/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon     

1 Directions 1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C). Grease one

baking sheet.

2. In a mixing bowl, whip together the egg white and water until frothy. In a separate bowl, mix together sugar, salt, and cinnamon.

3. Add pecans to egg whites, stir to coat the nuts evenly. Remove the nuts, and toss them in the sugar mixture until coated. Spread the nuts out on the prepared baking sheet.

4. Bake at 250 degrees F (120 degrees C) for 1 hour. Stir every 15 minutes.

Disaster Relief Assistance Apply for Individual Assistance There are several ways to see if you qualify for financial assistance after a disaster:  Find out if you qualify for disaster relief by using the address lookup on DisasterAssistance.gov.  You can access DisasterAssistance.gov through the FEMA Mobile App. Complete this online questionnaire and disaster assistance application.

Visit FEMA's Individual Disaster Assistance page or read its Help After a Disaster (PDF, Download Adobe Reader) publication.

Call 1-800-621-3362 (TTY: 1-800-462-7585)

To get help in person, find a Disaster Recovery Center near you with the Disaster Recovery Center locator 

Apply for a Disaster Recovery Loan The Small Business Administration provides low-interest loans to help homeowners and small businesses recover from declared disasters. You can find out if you're eligible and apply online.

Tax Relief After a Disaster Find out if you qualify for disaster relief on your federal taxes.

Complaints If you have a complaint about disaster relief assistance, contact the Department of Homeland Security's Inspector General’s Office at 1-800-323-8603.

The Jungle Book gets yet another adaptation, this time directed by Andy Serkis (who co-stars as Baloo) and featuring the voices of Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Naomie Harris.

Warner Brothers

Mowgli (October 19) Shane Black directs this reboot of the '80s sci-fi thriller (which he appeared in when he was still an actor). This time, Sterlng K. Brown, Keegan-Michael Key, and Olivia Munn face off against the chameleon alien monster Columbia Pictures

Venom (October 5)

Columbia Pictures Presents ; White

Boy Rick

Based on a true story, this film stars Richie Merritt as Richard Wershe Jr., who became the youngest FBI informant in history at the age of 14. Matthew McConaughey co-stars as Wershe's no-nonsense father.

Michael Meyers is back for another round of murdering unsuspecting teens. The other twist: So is Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis), who is once again matched with her estranged brother in this direct sequel to the 1978 original.

Universal Pictures

Halloween (October 19)

Release Date: November 9th, 2018 PG |1 hr 30 min Plot Summary The Grinch lives a solitary life inside a cave with only his loyal dog for company. The Grinch only sees his neighbors in Who-ville when he runs out of food, but each year at Christmas they disrupt his solitude with their increasingly bigger, brighter and louder celebrations.

When the Whos declare they are going to make Christmas three times bigger this year, the Grinch realizes there is only one way for him to gain some peace and quiet: he must steal Christmas.

Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Rashida Jones, Kenan Thompson, Cameron Seely, Angela Lansbury, Pharrell Director: Scott Mosier , Yarrow Cheney Genres: Children , Comedy , Animated , Fantasy Plot Summary

ROBIN HOOD (2018)

Robin of Loxley and Little John lead a daring revolt against the corrupt English crown.

Robin Hood (2018) Cast: Taron Egerton, Jamie Foxx, Ben Mendelsohn, Eve Hewson, Tim Minchin, Jamie Dornan, Paul Anderson Director: Otto Bathurst Genres: Adventure , Action Production Co: Lionsgate, Les Films SĂŠville, Appian Way, Entertainment One, Thunder Road Pictures, Safehouse Pictures Release Date: November 21st, 2018

When fall arrives, it's hard not to mourn the passing of all the summer blooms we love so much: pompon dahlias, Shasta daisies, African daisies, little zinnias, asters, coreopsis, and calendulas. But take heart, for the fall garden offers all these flower shapes from just one plant: the chrysanthemum.

Hundreds of hardy cultivars (a.k.a. a plant variety produced through selective breeding) provide an array of colors and bloom shapes, making mums the divas of the autumn garden. The blooms last for weeks, not days, and the sheer number of flowers per plant will convince anyone that this garden fave really likes to show off. Add the mum's impressionistic abilities to its longevity, and you have a plant that pulls its weight in the garden!

Tips 

You can plant fall and winter flowers in coastal North Carolina anytime from late summer to mid-fall: about September 1 to November 1. In the western mountains, start your plants no later than the first day of Autumn so they have time to get established before the first freeze.  North Carolina can be humid in fall and spring, which makes garden plants prone to mildew.

Make sure you give your plants the space to grow and avoid overhead watering to alleviate mildew.

Many spring-planted flowers like bachelor's buttons, Nippon daisies, larkspur and cosmos perform beautifully throughout the fall.

From the grand gardens of Biltmore to the tiny window boxes on seaside cottages, North Carolina is known as one of the great garden states. No wonder. The mild temperatures and abundant rainfall provide the perfect environment for growing a wide selection of plants all year long. Fall is a great time for planting flowers that bloom in the fall and winter in North Carolina. Some plants like pansy, violet and flowering cabbage can be counted on to give color all winter. Others, like snapdragon, aster and chrysanthemum will give color until the first freeze.

Tips   

You can plant fall and winter flowers in coastal North Carolina anytime from late summer to midfall: about September 1 to November 1. In the western mountains, start your plants no later than the first day of Autumn so they have time to get established before the first freeze.

North Carolina can be humid in fall and spring, which makes garden plants prone to mildew. Make sure you give your plants the space to grow and avoid overhead watering to alleviate mildew.

Many spring-planted flowers like bachelor's buttons, Nippon daisies, larkspur and cosmos perform beautifully throughout the fall.

Things You Will Need       

Shovel Garden trowel Compost Mulch Watering can Liquid plant starter Slow-release fertilizer

Choosing the Right Pet While you may be eager for a cuddly new companion, choosing the right pet is a process that takes time, research and careful planning. That said, when adopting a shelter pet, it's also a good idea to stay flexible and open-minded. For example, while you may have a specific breed in mind, you might find a mixed breed or even an entirely different breed that just clicks. Here are some tips to help ensure you bring home the best pet for yourself and your family.

Know What You're Looking for in a Pet Choosing the right pet begins before you visit a shelter. It's important to have some criteria in place. Do you need a dog that gets along well with children? Are you looking for a workout buddy for long walks or hikes, or a cuddle buddy that is content with a relaxed lifestyle? If you're adopting a cat, do you want one that will follow you around like a puppy, or one that will be more independent? Decide which type of animal best fits your personality, lifestyle and family dynamic.

Know Your Limitations No matter how much compassion you may have for an animal that has spent a long time at the shelter, it's important to ask why the shelter is having trouble getting the pet adopted. Pets with special needs take four times longer to get adopted compared to pets without special needs, calculates Petfinder. They often require special care that can be costly and may take an emotional toll on the pet parents. If you have the resources and the willingness to take on such a challenge, that's wonderful! But, be honest with yourself. If you can't provide what the animal needs, trying to force a good fit won't do the pet or you any favors. It's best to move on without any guilt. Many shelters will also do their best to make you aware of any additional needs this pet may require in order to determine if you'd be a good fit for the pet. While shelters want the pet to be adopted, their priority is ensuring a wonderful, loving forever home, so don't get discouraged if they feel the pet would be more suited for a different environment.

Get to Know Your Prospective Pet Multiple visits to the shelter will also allow you to get to know any animals you're thinking of adopting to better determine whether they'll be a good fit. Ask questions of the shelter workers and volunteers who have spent time with the animal. Find out as much as you can about the pet's previous life, including his medical history.

If you have children in the home, or even if you are planning on having children in the future it can be a good idea to have them interact with the pet to determine how they do. If you don't have kids of your own yet, consider asking a family member or friend that has children if they'd be willing to accompany you to test — just be prepared that they may want to bring home their own furry friend!

If you are planning on adopting a dog and already have one at home, most shelters will allow you to bring in your dog to see how he interacts with the potential-adoptee dog. This is another good test to determine whether adopting the dog will be a good fit within your home. Avoid the pitfall of wanting to adopt a cute dog, only to find that he doesn't get along well with your current dog.

Adopting a shelter pet is a rewarding endeavor, but rushing to bring a pet home too quickly can place undue stress on you and the animal. By releasing yourself from the expectation of finding a pet quickly, you'll lay the groundwork for a successful adoption that will allow you to truly become a hero to a pet in need.