West Jefferson My Hometown

WEST JEFFERSON

my

2013

A great place to visit but a better place to live, work and play!

Retail ∙ Entertainment ∙ Restaurants ∙ Events ∙ Important Numbers Utilities ∙ The Chamber of Commerce ∙ Civic Groups and Much More!

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West Jefferson My Hometown

Page 2

September 2013

Welcome to West Jefferson!

Welcome, First, on behalf of the mayor and West Jefferson Board of Aldermen, I would like say welcome to everyone — those who are visiting, those who are planning a visit to downtown West Jefferson or those planning for a longer stay in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

If you have not been to downtown West Jefferson in a couple of years, you are in for an eye-opening experience. Our town has gone through revitalization with our downtown streetscape. You will find that the two center stoplights have been removed and replaced with all-way stops, decorative curb extensions and live plantings throughout town. You will enjoy our pedestrian-friendly and walkable downtown.

While strolling the streets of downtown and enjoying the relaxed atmosphere, you will find several shops that include arts, antiques and a variety of specialty shops. West Jefferson is also home to Ashe County Cheese, North Carolina’s oldest cheese plant. You can view cheese being made, and then you may visit the cheese and gift shop.

In downtown, you will also find a variety of local restaurants.

Each Saturday and Wednesday during season, you will enjoy visiting our local Ashe County Farmers Market located on the Backstreet. While visiting downtown, be sure to find the 13 murals that decorate the walls on several buildings showcasing our local history and culture.

Also, while in town, you will want to drive to the top of Mount Jefferson, with an elevation of 4,665 feet that rises 1,600 feet above our downtown. Mount Jefferson has walking trails, overlooks, picnic areas and panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Another worthwhile visit in the area is St Mary’s Episcopal Church, which is decorated with Frescoes by renowned artist Ben Long.

If you are searching for the small-town feel, West Jefferson should be your next destination. We are located only 30 to 40 minutes from Boone and Blowing Rock.

Brantley Price, town manager www.Townofwj.com www.visitwestjefferson.org

Letter from the mayor Welcome to West Jefferson, As our town’s mayor, I would like to welcome you to West Jefferson. West Jefferson is a great place to live and visit — there is something for everyone in our town, with many special events held throughout the year. On behalf of the citizens and merchants, we welcome you and hope your stay in West Jefferson is an enjoyable one.

Dale Baldwin Mayor

Important Numbers West Jefferson Town Hall West Jefferson Police Dept.

Ashe County Sheriff’s Office Ashe Co. Communications Ashe County Detention Center West Jefferson Post Office Ashe Memorial Hospital Ashe County Health Dept.

Mountain Family Care Center Ashe County Schools Ashe County High School Ashe County Middle School Blue Ridge Elementary School Mountain View Elementary Westwood Elementary Ashe County Early Learning Ctr Ashe Campus – Wilkes CC Ashe Co. Parks and Rec. Ashe County Public Library Ashe County Animal Control Animal Hospital of Ashe Ashe Animal Clinic Ashe Mountain Times AMT - Watauga office Ashe Chamber of Commerce Blue Ridge Electric Skyline Telephone Ashe Board of Elections Emergency Management Ashe County Planning Board Ashe Register of Deeds Department of Social Services Ashe County Landfill

(336) 246-3551 (336) 246-9410 (336) 846-5633 (336) 846-5600 (336) 846-5611 (336) 246-2601 (336) 846-7101 (336) 246-7959 (336) 846-6322 (336) 246-7175 (336) 846-2400 (336) 384-3591 (336) 384-4500 (336) 982-4200 (336) 877-2921 (336) 846-3221 (336) 846-3900 (336) 982-6185 (336) 846-2041 (336) 982-4060 (336) 246-3441 (336) 246-2341 (336) 246-6397 (828) 264-6397 (336) 846-9550 (336) 846-7138 (336) 877-1350 (336) 846-5570 (336) 846-5521 (336) 846-5528 (336) 846-5580 (336) 846-5700 (336) 982-2527

admin@townofwj.com police@townofwj.com www.ashecountysheriff.com www.ashecountysheriff.com www.ashecountysheriff.com www.usps.com info@ashememorial.org www.apphealth.com www.ashememorial.org www.ashe.schoolfusion.us www.ashehigh.ashe.k12.nc.us www.ashemiddle.ashe.k12.nc.us www.blueridge.ashe.k12.nc.us www.mountainview.ashe.k12.nc.us

www.westwood.ashe.k12.nc.us www.acelc.ashe.schoolfusion.us

www.wilkescc.edu www.ashecountyparks.com www.arlibrary.org www.asheanimals.com www.animalhospitalofwilkes.com

www.ashemountaintimes.com www.mountaintimes.com

www.ashechamber.com www.blueridgeemc.com www.skyline.org ashe.boe@gmail.com patty.gambill@ashecountygov.com

planning@ashecountygov.com

ashecountygov.info ashecountygov.info landfill@ashecountygov.com

More than a dozen murals decorate buildings throughout downtown West Jefferson.

Photos by Rob Moore

Ashe Tax Collector Ashe County Tax Administration Ashe County Tax Mapping E911 Address Coordinator Ashe Transportation Authority Ashe County Veterans Services Ashe County Building Inspections N.C. Cooperative Extension,

(336) 846-5554 (336) 846-5554 (336) 846-5555 (336) 846-5520 (336) 846-2000 (336) 846-5575 (336) 846-5511 (336) 846-5850

taxadmin@ashecountygov.com taxadmin@ashecountygov.com taxmapping@ashecountygov.com

e911@ashecountygov.com

ashecountygov.info inspections@ashecountygov.com

ashe.ces.ncsu.edu

West Jefferson My Hometown

September 2013

Page 3

Town continues to build on rich history

BY HEATHER SAMUDIO heather.samudio@mountaintimes.com

Charming? But, of course. West Jefferson has all the charm anyone could ask for, and as an added bonus, a rich history.

The small town’s history began in 1779 when North Carolina Governor Richard Caswell granted 320 acres to Colonel Ben Cleveland, who battled the British at King’s Mountain. The granted land was the valley between Mount Jefferson and Paddy Mountain.

It was more than 100 years later, in 1915, before the new town limits were set and the N.C. General Assembly chartered the town.

The West Jefferson Land Company based the town limits on the Virginia-Carolina Depot which brought the Virginia Creeper through the area. The town was set at a square one-half mile north, south, east and west of the depot.

The town’s growth was boosted by the railroad traffic, which carried mostly freight, and also by the opening of First National Bank of

West Jefferson in 1915. The bank’s branch office was located where West Jefferson Town Hall is today.

The decline of the railroad left the town searching for other economic boosters, which it found through factory jobs. However, in recent years many factories have closed their doors, forcing the town to again look for other ways to support the economy.

The town now relies heavily on tourism dollars and has implemented Streetscape projects and artistic scenery to beautify the town for residents and tourists alike.

Today, the town draws on its rich history through its various projects, from large murals depicting rural life in the area, and paying homage to the Virginia Creeper’s memory.

Visitors to the town can get a special glimpse of what it looked like through the years by visiting the wall of historical photographs on Jefferson Avenue, between the Ashe County Cheese Store and Parkway Theatre.

Top: This photograph, which hangs on the wall on East Main Street, shows what West Jefferson looked like in 1928 at Main Street and Backstreet at W.J. Hardware.

Right: A multitude of historical photos showcase the earlier days of West Jefferson, and can be found on East Main Street, next door to Ashe County Cheese.

Photos by Heather Samudio

S Community Service • Recorded Obituaries • • Pre-Planning • • On-site chapel • • Caring experienced staff •

Dedicated, local folks serving the funeral needs of Ashe County for several years.

F U N E R A L

H O M E

· West Jefferson, NC · www.BadgerFuneralHome.com

West Jefferson My Hometown

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September 2013

Relocating to West Jefferson made easy

BY HEATHER SAMUDIO heather.samudio@mountaintimes.com Relocating to Ashe County is something people have done for years and years. Whether you’ve fallen in love with the beautiful mountainsides, or you just want to live where it’s a slower-paced and relaxed atmosphere, here is some information that will make for a smoother transition.

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336-246-2700

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Choosing West Jefferson Finding a home around West Jefferson may be what you have in mind. The town features a thriving arts district, various shops and several restaurants.

Murals decorate the town and Streetscape projects have made walking in the area more pedestrianfriendly.

Residents can find a homemade meal inside People’s Drug at Louise’s Sweet T Café with blue-plate specials at less than $5. People’s is located on East Second Street. Anyone who wants to enjoy a hamburger or pasta with some wine or beer can also do that in the town at The Hotel Tavern, located in the historic Old Hotel building.

Buy or build a home The options are limitless for those who choose to relocate. Individuals can find and purchase a home, or build one from the ground up. The area is home to many architects, general contractors, mortgage companies and real estate agencies that are ready and willing to assist.

LifeStore is one of several mortgage companies assisting area residents in getting the home or land they want. For more information, visit the company at 21 East Ashe St. or call (336) 246-4344.

A1 Mountain Realty on North Jefferson in West Jefferson Avenue and 4 Seasons Vacation Rentals and Sales on South Main Street in Jefferson are just a couple of the many agencies in the area which can help individuals find land or a home.

For more information, A1 can be reached at (336) 846-4900 or online at www.a1mountainrealty.com.

4 Seasons can be contacted at (336) 246-2700 or online at www.4seasonsvacations.com.

Individuals can also search for other realtors through the Ashe Chamber of Commerce website, www.ashechamber.com, by clicking on the relocation tab.

The Ashe County Homebuild-

Downtown West Jefferson has a thriving arts district, and area artists’ touches can be seen on nearly every street, from the building walls to concrete pillars on the sidewalk.

Photo By Heather Samudio ers Association provides a list of construction companies and homebuilders in the area. Many reputable builders call the area home, including Dan Wineberg Construction Company, Hodgson Construction and New River Custom Builders.

A complete list can be found online at www.ashehomebuilders.com under the directory tab.

Finding a job For people moving to the area and in search of a job, the Ashe Mountain Times classified listings features many employment opportunities in and around West Jefferson and Ashe County. The listings can also be found online at www.ashemountaintimes.com.

North Carolina’s Division of Employment Security is located at 626 Ashe Central School Road, Unit 5, in Jefferson. The office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, call (336) 982-4212 or email esc.jobs. jefferson@nccommerce.com.

Utilities Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation supplies the electricity to the area.

Blue Ridge Energies is a subsidiary of the company and offers propane and heating services.

For more information about electric services, call (336) 246-7138 or visit www.blueridgeemc.com.

For propane and heating services, call (336) 846-2421 or visit www. blueridgeenergies.com.

In the town limits, residents can get water services and schedule trash or brush pick up by contacting Town

Hall at 1 South Jefferson Ave. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Town Hall can also be contacted at (336) 246-3551.

Telephone services can be purchased through a couple of different providers.

Skyline Membership Corporation and Skybest Communications have provided telephone service for more than 60 years. In addition to telephone service, the company also offers Internet, cable TV and security services.

For more information, call (336) 246-7138 or visit www.skybest.com.

CenturyLink also provides telephone service in the county. For more information, call (800) 3668201 or visit www.centurylink.com.

Cable TV services can be purchased through Morris Broadband. The office is located at 360 South Main St. in Jefferson. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and closed each day from 1 to 2 p.m.

For more information, call (888) 855-9036 or the Hendersonville headquarters at (336) 692-3278 or visit www.morrisbroadband.com.

Visitors or new residents of the area can change their voter registration information through the Ashe County Board of Elections. The board office is located in the Ashe County Courthouse in Jefferson.

For more information, call (336) 846-5570.

Individuals who need to renew their driver’s license can find the examiner’s office at the Law Enforcement Center at 140 Government Circle in Jefferson. The office can be contacted by phone at (336) 2465001.

September 2013

West Jefferson My Hometown

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Jewelry shoppers can find the perfect ring, bracelet, necklace or charm in West Jefferson at Perry’s Gold Mine, pictured, Shatley Springs Jewelry & Gifts Uptown or Backstreet Beads.

Photo by Heather Samudio

Shopping in West Jefferson

BY HEATHER SAMUDIO heather.samudio@mountaintimes.com Individuals looking to shop in downtown West Jefferson will not be disappointed.

The town offers almost anything shoppers may want to find. With a growing arts district, galleries can be found throughout the town selling sculptures, paintings, handmade quilts, woven scarves and a variety of other works of art.

Area galleries such as the Ashe Arts Center feature various exhibits, with some pieces available for purchase during the year.

Some art galleries also have antiques and other items for sale in addition to art, including The Artists Theater on Main Street and Broomfields Gallery, across from Ashe County Ford.

Antique shoppers may also find something they can’t live without at Antiques on Main on South Jefferson Avenue and Past & Present Antiques on North Jefferson Avenue.

In addition to original works of art by Joan Stiles Bell and Lenore De Pree, Originals Only also features handcrafted wood furniture by Tom Sternal and pottery by David and Sherry Hoffman. Originals Only is located at 3-B North Jefferson Ave. Exquisite sculptures from 8 inches to 14 feet tall can be found at RT Morgan Art & Glass by Camille at 120 North Jefferson Ave. Many downtown businesses also feature

Along Jefferson Avenue, individuals can enjoy murals throughout the town while shopping at one of the many unique stores, such as Tis The Season.

clothing for every member of the family.

MO’s Boots at the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Main Street has items from Carhartt, Keen Utility, Danner, Georgia Boot, Brooks, Rocky, Timberland, Irish Setter, Twisted X and Wolverine.

The store has become known as the establishment for working men and women and sells outdoor gear and apparel, workwear, insulated gear, eyewear and more.

The Friendly Shoe Store on Jefferson Avenue has a large selection of shoes, boots and more and has been a mainstay in the town for years, as is the familiar face of the owner, Ralph Little.

Shoppers searching for appliances, electronics or outdoor equipment can find it atSears of West Jefferson off East First Street.

Book lovers can find their next favorite read at the Browse About Book Exchange on North Jefferson Avenue or at the Friends of the Ashe County Library Gift Shop at 148 Library Drive in West Jefferson.

For individuals looking for furniture, West Jefferson features Hometown Furniture on U.S. Highway 221 Business, Everything Has a Story on Jefferson Avenue, Quiet Country Amish Furniture and The Artists’ Theatre, both located on East Main Street, and The Cabin Store, located at 1101 S. Jefferson Ave.

Gift items can be purchased at most any store around town, from Vera Bradley bags at Scarlett Creek to amazing jewelry pieces and estate jewelry at Perry’s Gold Mine. Both stores are located along Jefferson Ave. Shatley Springs Jewelry and Gifts Uptown features a variety of gift items and jewelry, including the Swarovski line.

Hardware items, tools and more can be purchased at W.J. Hardware on Main Street or Parker Tie on Third Ave. For the musically-inclined shopper, Scott Harris Guitar Shop offers acoustic and electric guitars and basses, as well as expert maintenance, repair, restoration, modification and customization.

Collectors of ornaments and other goodies may find a treasure at Tab-A-Dees Gifts and Goodies and The Ornament Collection or at Tis The Season, both located in the downtown area.

The Honey Hole on Third Avenue sells beekeeping supplies and products, including bath and shower treats and candles.

Before heading home from the downtown area, whether you live in Ashe County or as far away as Florida, the Ashe County Cheese Store has plenty of goodies to pick up. The store sells butter, homemade fudge, fine cheeses, locally-made wines, as well as gifts, souvenirs and old-fashioned snacks and candies. The cheese store is located on East Main Street.

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West Jefferson My Hometown

September 2013

Clubs and nonprofits A Safe Home for Everyone

Robin Falkner (336) 982-8851 dvdirector@ashechildren.org American Legion Post #275 celliott@skybest.com American Red Cross – Ashe Eula Blevins (336) 982-2164 Ashe Baptist Association David Blackburn (336) 846-5631 www.ashebaptist.org Ashe Co. Arts Council Jane Lonon (336) 846-2787 www.ashecountyarts.org Ashe Co. Choral Society Jane Lonon (336) 846-2787 jane@ashecountyarts.org Ashe Co. Habitat for Humanity (336) 846-2525 www.ashehabitat.org kathyhowell@skybest.com Ashe Co. Little Theatre Cathy Howell Ashe Co. Senior Center Louise Caudill (336) 246-4347 SeniorCenter@asheaging.com Ashe Historical Society www.ashehistoricalsociety.org Ashe Partnership for Children Kay Philipp (336) 982-4588 www.ashechildren.org Ashe Pregnancy Care Center Roger Newton (336) 846-4100 APCCLIFE@skybest.com Ashe Masonic Lodge Jeffrey T. Jones Harley@skybest.com Ashe Medication Assistance Shelley Elliott (336) 846-6001 shelleymedassist@yahoo.com Ashe Really Cares Paty Miller (336)846-5234 ashereallycares@yahoo.com Ashe Sharing Center Michael Sexton (336) 846-7019 Ashe Shrine Club John Brown (336) 877-4977 W42PFC@yahoo.com Disabled American Veterans (336) 982-9044 Florence Thomas Art School Meghan Minton (336) 846-3827 www.florenceartschool.org Friends of the Ashe Co. Library Karen Moll kandr@skybest.com Museum of Ashe County History Rebecca Renfroe (336) 846-1904 www.ashehistory.org jeffersonsrotary@gmail.com Rotary Club of the Jeffersons Cameron Keziah West Jefferson Business Assoc. www.westjeffersonbusiness.com West Jefferson Lion’s Club Pete Yates (336) 877-0176 ashearc@skybest.com Ashe County Frescoes Foundation Barbara Sears (336) 384-3445 www.ashefrescoes.org Ashe County Wildlife Club Clint Johnson (336) 982-4456 www.acwlc.org

SkyLine-SkyBest: 60 years of service Established more than 60 years ago to provide telephone service to rural mountain counties, SkyLine Membership Corporation has forged a progressive path to bring innovative services and new technologies to the region, including wireless, broadband and now, fiber.

Based in West Jefferson, SkyLine serves an 840-square-mile area across five counties in northwest North Carolina and east Tennessee. It is the second largest rural telephone cooperative in the state and the eighth largest in the nation.

Historically, SkyLine has been proactive in building a robust network. Broadband Internet is available to 100 percent of its customers, with copper and fiber facilities.

More recently, the cooperative has been overbuilding its existing infrastructure with a fiber network to serve its customers. More than half of SkyLine’s service area is now fiber deployed. Shady Valley (Tenn.) has had all homes and businesses connected to fiber, and the entire cooperative service area is forecasted to be fully fiber capable by yearend 2015.

For businesses large and small, SkyLine offers up-to-date business solutions. SkyLine’s Digital Solutions and Voice Over IP services offer crystal-clear voice quality and functionality, allowing businesses to incorporate their business telephone system with their existing data network to provide seamless integration of both voice and data on a single network.

SkyLine has redundant, Ethernetbased connections to the Internet, and these connections can easily be scaled to meet a company’s needs. Through SkyLine’s memberships in various consortiums, the company also has significant reach throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast for data transport via fiber-

optic networks.

With an active local presence, SkyLine provides college scholarship and youth leadership opportunities to children of its customers, as well as technology grant programs to local public schools.

Employees raise several thousand dollars annually For the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and the American Heart Association, along with SkyLine’s generous support of other area charities. And, the co-op’s Revolving Loan Fund has awarded more than $1 million in zero-interest loans toward local job creation, job retention and support of essential community services.

SkyLine and its wholly-owned subsidiary SkyBest Communications have expanded services beyond voice and long distance to include broadband, video and security/medical alert. This summer, the company opened a new retail store in Avery County for greater customer convenience and support, including the addition of new products such as Roku streaming devices and special Internet promotions featuring tablet devices.

SkyLine/SkyBest will announce additional products and services later this year, and the company is dedicated to remaining the premier technology services company of choice for area residents and businesses.

September 2013

West Jefferson My Hometown

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Dine-in or take-out West Jefferson’s culinary offerings

BY ADAM ORR adam.orr@mountaintimes.com Black Jack’s Pub & Grill 18 N. Jefferson Ave (336) 246-3295 Specializing in an assortment of appetizers, signature sandwiches and burgers, Black Jack’s Pub & Grill offers an assortment of draft, import and domestic beers, wines and mixed drinks along with seven large TVs and live entertainment.

Boondocks Brewing Tap Room & Restaurant 108 S. Jefferson Ave. (336) 246-5222 Founded in early 2012 by Gary Brown as a way to expand his passion for great beer, great food and great customer service, Boondocks Brewing Tap Room & Restaurant is the culmination of Brown’s nearly three decades of brewing experience.

Candy Shack Cafe & Mercantile 14 N. Jefferson Ave. (336) 846-1099 West Jefferson’s Candy Shack Cafe & Mercantile offers old-fashioned candy, great food and live music each weekend.

Geno’s Restaurant 302 S. Jefferson Ave. (336) 246-3111 An Italian, American family, casual dining restaurant, Geno’s offers balcony or main floor seating, and includes a great selection of beer and wine.

Hillbilly Grill 601 S. Jefferson Ave. (336) 846-4745 Hillbilly Grill offers home styled cooks meals, specials, homemade desserts, a friendly wait staff, all in a cozy environment. Diners can also enjoy fresh mountain air at Hillbilly Grill’s outdoor dining area.

Mountain Aire Seafood & Steaks 9930 Hwy. 16 S. (336) 982-3060 If you love freshness, seafood and are looking for a friendly place to dine in West Jefferson, check out Mountain Aire Seafood and Steaks Restaurant, located just a minute from the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Selections include seafood, steaks, flounder, shrimp and lobster tail.

McDonald’s of West Jefferson 11 Ashemont Shopping Center (336) 246-3061 The home of the Big Mac, McDonald’s offers a wide range of quick service menu items. It offers healthy choices for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Tour buses, vans and RVs welcomed. It is locally owned and operated.

Smoky Mountain Barbecue 1008 S Jefferson Ave. (336) 246-6818 Smoky Mountain Barbecue serves pork, beef, chicken, flounder and shrimp, all in a family atmosphere. It is open for lunch and dinner, Monday through Saturday.

Catering and pig pickings are available.

Sweet and Savory 6 South Jefferson Ave. (336) 846-8888 The name says it all. Sweet & Savory is a family-owned, family-run bakery and deli.

They specialize in reubens and red soup, but be sure to save room for their fresh homemade desserts. They’ve always got something yummy to satisfy your hunger and your sweet tooth.

The Hotel Tavern 5 West Main St. (336) 846-2121 A recently renovated restaurant and bar, the Hotel Tavern faces the rear section of West Jefferson overlooking the Backstreet, near where the Virginia Creeper Railroad ran until the 1970s. The expanding menu includes upscale entrees and American favorites including pizza and hamburgers.

A recently renovated restaurant and bar, the Hotel Tavern faces the rear section of West Jefferson, overlooking the Backstreet, near where the Virginia Creeper Railroad ran until the 1970s. The expanding menu includes upscale entrees and American favorites, including pizza and hamburgers.

Photo submitted When Pigs Fly BBQ and Wings 247 Mount Jefferson Road (336) 846-4747 Offering in-house hickory-smoked barbecue chicken and ribs, and what owner Kristin Howell calls the best wings in town, When Pigs Fly BBQ and Wings also offers home-cooked sides and desserts everyday.

Shokudo Japanese Seafood 920 S Jefferson Ave. (336) 246-6999 Ashe County’s very own Japanese restaurant features teppanyaki-style lunch and dinner made from fresh vegetables, chicken, steak and seafood with sauces and dressing prepared and made onsite.

West Jefferson Coffee House 209 Backstreet (336) 846-3873 Founded in 2005, West Jefferson Coffee House is a great place to catch up with friends and take advantage of the shop’s free Internet, and enjoy delicious desserts and pastries. The West Jefferson Coffee House also serves breakfast and lunch.

Smithey’s 117 Backstreet (336) 846-7737 Home of the famous Smithey burger — imitated by many but replicated by none — Smithey’s offers classic recipes locals love, including ice cream and desserts.

West Jefferson My Hometown

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September 2013

Turn here for your next property

BY ADAM ORR adam.orr@mountaintimes.com Thinking of relocating to West Jefferson?

West Jefferson can be your perfect base camp to explore the nearby New River, Mount Jefferson State Natural Area and enjoy outdoor activities such as horseback riding, kayaking, hiking, fishing and tubing.

It also offers numerous dining options, something for just about every lover of art and the opportunity to explore the historic towns of Lansing, Todd and West Jefferson’s next door neighbor, Jefferson.

At nearly 3,000 feet, West Jefferson offers cool, comfortable summers, with an average July high of 81 degrees, and winters that average just more than 21 inches of snow per year.

The area is also home to excellent schools, including Westwood Elementary and Ashe County High School, both of which earned the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s School of Distinction status for the 2011-12 school year. In both schools, more than 80 percent of students scored

at or above grade level in both reading and math.

West Jefferson offers a number of local real estate professionals who can help you find your next property, including: A-1 Mountain Realty 1 North Jefferson Ave. (336) 846-4900 Ashe High Country Realty 7 S Jefferson Ave. (336) 246-6348 Carolina Mountain Properties & Rentals Inc. 8 N Jefferson Ave. (336) 246-3010 Parker & Burgess Realty 416 E Second Street / P.O. Box 5 (336) 246-6011 Peak Mountain Properties Inc. 406 Graybeal Ave. (336) 846-7325 Regency Properties 204 E Main St. (336) 246-2307

West Jefferson can be your perfect base camp to explore the nearby New River, Mount Jefferson State Natural Area and enjoy outdoor activities such as horseback riding, kayaking, hiking, fishing and tubing.

Photo submitted

A Real Alternative AsheRentalAgency@yahoo.com

336-846-4900 Gwen Hoover - Ellen Phipps - Sherry Goodman

Whether you’re looking for a starter home, mountain cabin with views, or a river front estate . . . A1 Mountain Realty is your key to exploring what the High Country has to offer. While visiting the High Country you will find upscale golfing, hiking, and canoeing on the New River. Enjoy the small town experience of West Jefferson with the sophistication of high quality arts and antiques. Enjoy other cultural activities in nearby towns which are home to three ski slopes.

Starter Home: 3BR/1BA -- $129,900

336-846-6800 Long-Term Rentals

www.A1MountainRealty.com 1 N. Jefferson Ave. PO Box 828 West Jefferson, NC 28694

Ashe Rental Agency

Mtn. Cabin w/Views: 3BR/3.5BA -- $469,900

Vacation Rentals

Ask us how to maximize income from your home or property.

Free Analysis.

River Front Estate: 4BR/3BA -- $379,900

Downtown West Jefferson Right beside Chamber of Commerce

www.AsheCountyVacationRentals.com Sherry E. Goodman Owner/Broker

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September 2013

West Jefferson My Hometown

Page 9

Rising more than 1,600 feet above the surrounding landscape, Mount Jefferson is a prime example of an inselberg — a mountain island — that stands unattached from any nearby mountain range.

Photos by Adam Orr

Unique mountain peek West Jefferson home of Mount Jefferson State Natural Area, Ashe County Cheese or email to mount.jefferson@ncparks.gov.

BY ADAM ORR adam.orr@mountaintimes.com With all its small town charm, two of West Jefferson’s most unique features include a mountain island more than 300 million years old and North Carolina’s oldest cheese factory.

Mount Jefferson Abruptly rising more than 1,600 feet above the surrounding Ashe plateau, Mount Jefferson’s forested prominence is a prime example of an inselberg — a mountain island — that stands unattached from any nearby mountain range.

More than 300 million years old, Mount Jefferson will celebrate its 57th birthday as a state park in October. The mountain can be viewed at a distance from areas around the High Country, including the nearby Blue Ridge Parkway; and Mount Jefferson also offers viewers the chance to climb its peak to take in the surrounding countryside.

On a clear day, visitors can see for miles from its peak and from hiking trails winding along the mountain’s slopes, including large swaths of Ashe County, the town of Jefferson and the neighboring countryside.

Lying along the drainage that divides the north and south forks of the New River, Mount Jefferson is a remnant of a much larger peak, according to the North Carolina Parks Service. “Mount Jefferson and its nearby peaks are remnants of a once lofty, mountainous region that existed throughout much of the western part of the state,” according to the parks service. “Weathering and the erosive action of streams throughout millions of years wore away the softer, less resistant rocks. More resistant rocks, includ-

West Jefferson is home to Ashe County Cheese. Visitors can witness the cheese-making process firsthand each week at the company’s downtown facility.

ing the amphibolite and metagraywacke of Mount Jefferson, were slower to erode.

These and other rocks comprise the peaks standing above their surrounding plateau.”

Known as Panther Mountain before the American Revolution, area residents gave the peak a variety of names — including Negro Mountain because the caves and nooks beneath the slope’s rocky outcrops were reportedly a hideout for escaped slaves on the Underground Railroad.

In the 1930s, the Works Progress Administration built a road to the mountain’s summit, launching interest in promoting widespread access to the peak.

Efforts continued through 1956, when a determined group of local citizens obtained a 300-acre donation and raised enough fund-

ing to purchase an additional 164 acres, and the dream of turning the mountain into a state park was realized.

Today, in addition to the opportunity to view what is nothing less than a botanical paradise, park activities include selfand ranger-guided hikes, picnicking and educational events, including educational materials developed for grades five to seven, and periodic events, such as “Yoga on Mt. Jefferson.” The resources of the park can be used for special events by permission.

More information, including a park map, brochure, event listing and directions to the state natural area can be found at www. ncparks.gov. Visit the park at 1481 Mt Jefferson State Park Road, West Jefferson. GPS: 36.397660, -81.473466. Call (336) 246-9653

Ashe County Cheese One of downtown West Jefferson’s most prominent landmarks, Ashe County Cheese, was founded in 1930 by the Kraft Corporation and today stands as North Carolina’s oldest cheese factory.

You can’t miss the factory: Just look for the giant Holstein cows.

Three steel cows’ heads, painted in the familiar white with black splotches of a Holstein, adorn the holding tanks in front of Ashe County Cheese, a project designed by Stephen Willingham of the Artist’s Theater in 2011, part of a larger beautification project commissioned by Mike Everhart of Ashe County cheese to update the plant’s exterior.

Each weighs between 250 and 300 pounds, according to Willingham, who said construction was overseen by Ashe County High School welding teacher Rusty Rogers, whose Welding Two classes spent more than a month on the project.

In its early years, the plant consolidated a series of smaller community cheese plants in the area, ultimately offering the means and expertise to produce cheddar daisy wheels for distribution across the country.

Throughout the years, a series of owners upgraded and expanded the plant’s facilities, but it was the addition of a viewing room in the early 1980s that allowed visitors to watch the cheese-making process that turned Ashe County Cheese into one of West Jefferson’s most popular tourist attractions.

The Ashe County Cheese Store has also been remodeled and expanded throughout the year, most recently in 2007. The store now offers a variety of foods and products, including Sienna, Juusto and other flavored cheeses, cheddar daisy wheels and gift items.

West Jefferson My Hometown

Page 10

September 2013

Ashe Memorial Hospital ready to assist with medical needs AMH Facts

COMPILED BY HEATHER SAMUDIO heather.samudio@mountaintimes.com The West Jefferson area is served by Ashe Memorial Hospital, located in neighboring Jefferson.

AMH is a full-service hospital offering laparoscopic, general surgery, complete eye care, respiratory therapy, nutritional counseling, ultrasound, a wellness center and an after-hours medical clinic.

A general surgeon, general practitioner, OB/GYN, hospitalist, radiologist, family practitioners and emergency medicine physicians are part of the staff at the not-forprofit hospital.

Featured at the hospital are a monitored bed unit, the Wilma Vannoy Birthing Center, Mountain Hearts Center for Prevention and Wellness, the Mountain Family Care Center and Ashe Women’s Center. The centers are located at the hospital campus, with the exception of the women’s center that is based in West Jefferson.

Wilma Vannoy Birthing Center The birthing center focuses its care on family dynamics before, during and after labor. Three labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum suites are available, offering flat screen TV, pull-out sofa bed for dad, rocking chair, wood flooring, private bathroom with shower and an alarm clock and CD player.

The atmosphere is set to comfort patients with a home like feel, while also including the needed equipment and technology for a smooth and healthy delivery. The specially-designed suites allow the mother to stay in the same room during each stage of the birthing process.

The center received a three-star Breastfeeding Friendly Designation for meeting six of the 10 Steps of Successful Breastfeeding as defined by the World Health Organization and Baby Friendly USA. Childbirth, breastfeeding and child care classes are also taught on site.

Birthing center OB services include: • sibling classes

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• Ashe Memorial Hospital has been serving the county since 1941.

• AMH receives no tax dollars.

• AMH is a nonprofit organization.

• AMH is owned by shareholders. Anyone can purchase shares.

• AMH shareholders receive no financial benefit, but do have voting privileges in electing trustee members.

• AMH governing body is elected by the shareholders and is known as the board of trustees. The board is comprised of 18 community leaders.

• AMH is licensed for 25 critical access beds.

• All profits are reinvested in the facility.

• hearing screening on all newborns • free steak dinner celebration for new mom and support person before discharge • baby’s first picture taken before discharge • free car seat safety inspection • lactation consult during and after the mothers hospital stay to facilitate breastfeeding • 24-hour telephone consultations with a nurse Mountain Hearts Center for Prevention and Wellness The only wellness center in the county is part of AMH and boasts an indoor pool and a full line of aerobic and weight training equipment.

A variety of classes are offered, with some specialty classes available as a pay-per-class option without the need to buy a membership.

Services at the facility include: • personal and corporate memberships • personal wellness assessment • land aerobics step and dance • water aerobics • swim lessons • Zumba • Tai chi • Cardiac, pulmonary and arthritis rehabilitation • Diabetes self-management program • Great Beginnings • Smoking cessation For more information about the wellness center, call (336) 846-0744.

Mountain Family Care Center MFCC offers afternoon and evening medical services for Ashe County residents.

cation business housing governm the environment child care travel relationships health employment ghborhoods retirement crime spo ravel the arts schools the economy her entertainment education busin ousing government the environmen hild care travel relationships health ployment neighborhoods retireme rime sports travel the arts schools he economy weather entertainmen cation business housing governm the environment child care travel

Staff at the center can assist patients with many nonemergency conditions and provides patients who need care after regular physician office hours an alternative to the emergency department.

Individuals can also receive physicals for employment, sports and commercial driver’s license.

Walk-ins are accepted; however, the center encourages patients to make an appointment. Individuals with appointments will be seen first unless a patient has an acute condition.

For more information about the center, call (336) 8466322.

Ashe Women’s Center Dr. Terry L. Williams provides care at the center for gynecologic needs from adolescence through menopause.

Williams is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology and is a fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Some AWC services include full women’s health exams, PAP smears and colposcopies. The center evaluates and determines treatment of infertility, incontinence, abnormal bleeding, enlarged uterus, family planning, abnormal PAP smears, pre-conception counseling, breast disorders, full scope of nonsurgical and surgical care for all gynecological disorders and adolescent gynecology.

AWC is located in West Jefferson at 420 East Second St. For more information, call (336) 846-6246.

On Aug. 1, Novant Health’s Shared Services began as the hospital’s new management provider.

More information about the hospital and its various services can be found online at www.ashememorial.org, by calling (336) 846-7101 or by emailing info@ashememorial.org.

September 2013

West Jefferson My Hometown

Page 11

Top-notch schools offer educational opportunities

BY HEATHER SAMUDIO heather.samudio@mountaintimes.com

Ashe County Public Schools have been open in the county since 1870.

Consolidation of area schools began in 1930 and integration took place in 1965.

Today, the county operates one high school, one middle school, three separate elementary schools and one early learning center.

Superintendent of Ashe County Schools is Todd Holden who officially began July 1.

“I want our kids to be just as competitive … as students from Chapel Hill, Orange County, Wake County and Charlotte-Mecklenburg because that’s who they’re competing against,” Holden said in a July interview with the Ashe Mountain Times.

Ashe County High School is the home of the Huskies and serves ninth through twelfth graders. The school is located just in front of Mount Jefferson State Natural Area at 184 Campus Drive in West Jefferson.

For the 2011-2012 calendar year, ACHS received a School of Distinction designation with high growth from the Education First N.C. School Report Cards.

Jason Krider serves as ACHS principal.

Ashe County Middle School serves seventh and eighth graders at the campus in Warrensville.

Earlier this year, the school was designated as a “School to Watch,” and was one of only two state schools to receive the recognition.

The national initiative began in 2002 and allows other schools to learn from high-performing middle schools across the country and helps educators bring lessons back to their own districts.

During the last calendar year, ACMS was also deemed a School of Distinction with high growth.

Earl Pennington serves as the principal of ACMS. Ashe County has three elementary schools with each one serving kindergarten through sixth-grade students.

Blue Ridge Elementary School serves the northwestern side of the county. Callie Grubb is the school’s principal.

The school is located in the Warrensville area.

BRES is a Leader in Me school which provides the school with the vision and language to lead the school in a way that addresses all areas of development.

Mountain View Elementary is located on Highway 221 North in Jefferson. David R. Blackburn is the principal.

MVES was named a School of Distinction with high growth for the previous calendar year, meeting 19 out of 19 per-

The Ashe County Campus of Wilkes Community College offers degree programs, certifications and allows Ashe County High School students to take college courses while still attending high school.

Photo by Heather Samudio formance targets.

The school boasts that its mission is “to commit ourselves to provide a working partnership between the community and the school that is essential in supporting educational goals within a positive environment that allows all students to become successful lifelong learners.”

Westwood Elementary School is located on Highway 221 South in West Jefferson and is led by Principal Jennifer Robinson.

For the 2011-2012 calendar year, the WWES was named a School of Distinction with high growth, meeting 16 out of 17 performance targets.

According to the school’s mission statement, the school enables every student to reach their highest potential by establishing a curriculum that meets or exceeds government standards for education.

The Ashe Early Learning Center is a five-star, public school pre-kindergarten program.

The center’s mission is to provide high quality, developmentally appropriate education that will meet the diverse needs of all participating children and prepare them for a positive and successful educational experience.

The center’s goal is for all children in the program to enter kindergarten on the same level as all other children in the district who enter kindergarten.

For college-bound students, West Jefferson is home to the Ashe Campus of Wilkes Community College.

The college offers seven full degree programs, including a college transfer curriculum. The school’s technical degrees include accounting, business administration, early childhood education, electrical

and electronics technology, human services technology and industrial systems technology.

WCC works closely with ACHS allowing students to be concurrently enrolled in

high school and college courses.

The campus also features continuing education courses, certification in various fields, as well as the adult high school and GED preparatory courses.

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Page 12

West Jefferson My Hometown

September 2013

For the art lover in you

BY ADAM ORR adam.orr@mountaintimes.com

For more than three decades, West Jefferson has been evolving into a mecca for artists and art enthusiasts, and the town now features the Ashe County Arts Council, Florence Thomas Art School and 17 independent art galleries showcasing some of the area’s best talent.

Founded in 1977, the private, nonprofit Ashe County Arts Council is a communitybased cultural organization focused on promoting the arts to Ashe County.

“We believe enriching the cultural life of Ashe County will go far in making it a first-class community, which is good for families, the economy, business and visitors,” Executive Director of the Ashe County Arts Council Jane Lonon said.

This year is a little more special than most, according to Lonon, who said the Arts Council will celebrate three different milestones in 2013.

On Oct. 18, the center will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the dedication of the historic Ashe Arts Center, which began as

a Works Progress Administration building in the 1930s.

“The historic rock building has served as a community gathering place for 75 years and has housed such organizations as the Veterans of Foreign War, the American Legion, Rotary Club, various school functions, the Blue Ridge Opportunity Commission, 4H teen center and now the Arts Center,” Lonon said.

The center will also celebrate its 20th anniversary at its current location this fall, She said.

“When we moved in, there was one other art gallery in West Jefferson,” Lonon said. “Today, there are 17 galleries and arts and craft shops in downtown, and the Arts Center still serves as a ‘hub’ for the arts.”

From June through October, the Arts Council also hosts its signature summer gallery crawl, which takes place the second Friday of each month.

Featuring all 17 West Jefferson galleries, the event allows folks to stroll the streets, enjoy the latest creations of talented local arts and enjoy the festive atmosphere.

West Jefferson’s eclectic mix of shops, galleries and studios represent a little something for everyone and includes Acorn Gallery, Ashe Arts Center, Ashe Custom Framing and Gallery, Backstreet Beads, Bohemia Gallery, Broomfields Gallery, Catch Light Gallery, Everything Has a Story, Fiber Artisans’ Studio, Florence Thomas Art School, French’s Art Gallery, Originals Only Gallery, Ripples Gallery, RT Morgan Art Gallery, Shoemaker-Hadley Studio, The Artists’ Theatre and Tin Roof Gallery and Studio.

And art lovers will find one-of-a-kind paintings in the galleries of downtown West Jefferson, in addition to photography, pottery, stained glass, quilts, fiber arts, jewelry and wood-turned art.

Florence Thomas Downtown West Jefferson is also the home of Florence Thomas Art School, the legacy of celebrated local painter Florence Thomas, who taught painting in the basement of her home for more than two decades.

To Thomas, offering instruction to others in the region was important to her, with a focus on teaching the fundamentals of painting, and then letting students discover their own style.

Eventually, Thomas retired from teaching and returned her focus, once again, to her own painting. She helped form the Blue Ridge Art Clan in Ashe County to pool resources, “so we could bring teachers to the county and my students could continue to get critiques on their work.”

During her lifetime, she painted hundreds of paintings, capturing the soul and the mystery, and ultimately the comfort, of common things — farm animals, flowers, landscapes. Her paintings convey a certain mood, vivid color, and warmth that draw the viewer into a sense of comfort and familiarity.

Upon her death, Florence provided the means to establish a nonprofit art school in Ashe County, thus continuing her legacy of providing quality instruction in the arts.

In 2008, Florence’s dream was realized and the school held its first workshops.

With continued growth and support, the spirit and lessons of her presence will continue to inspire students into the future.

Located at 10 S. Jefferson Ave., today the school offers workshops in bookmaking, creative writing, fiber arts, mixed media, music, oil and acrylic painting, pastel, pin and ink, and watercolor.

Visit http://www.florenceartschool.org for more information.

West Jefferson now features the Ashe County Arts Council, pictured here, Florence Thomas Art School and 17 independent art galleries showcasing some of the area’s best talent.

Photo submitted

September 2013

West Jefferson My Hometown

Page 13

That Old-Time sound West Jefferson’s Backstreet Park summer concert series features traditional Blue Ridge bands

BY ADAM ORR adam.orr@mountaintimes.com

West Jefferson’s Backstreet Park comes alive each summer with the traditional sounds of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

But it wasn’t always that way.

Beginning in 2006, the West Jefferson Community Partnership began a fundraising effort to spruce up an area along the town’s Backstreet.

“That little area was just an eyesore, kind of a dumping ground, so we decided it needed to be fixed up a bit,” former president of the West Jefferson Community Partnership, Phil McMillan, said. “The Backstreet Park, the stage and pavilion and the concerts have all grown from there.”

After surveying residents about what section of town needed beautifying the most, McMillan said the partnership made the decision to build the park.

“When we talked to people, the park stuck out to us as the thing they said they would enjoy the most, so that really solidified the decision to build the park,” McMillan said.

Utilizing funding from the town of West Jefferson and grants from Handmade in America and the North Carolina Rural Center, McMillan said the park was completed by early 2007. After an outpouring of private donations, the stage and pavilion were completed later that year.

It has since paid off, McMillan said.

Each third and fourth Friday, from May to August, a concert series features artists such as renowned finger-pickin’ Appa-

lachian guitar player Wayne Henderson and award-winning vocalist Helen White, Todd’s dynamic blues group the King Bees, and the multigenerational Grayson Highlands Band.

An average Friday night draws more than 200 attendees, according to McMillan, and swells to more than 300 when the weather is nice and Henderson takes the stage.

“Over the last six years or so, it’s kind of grown as people got used to the park being there,” former president of the West Jefferson Community Partnership Millee Barbee said. “Of course, word of mouth has helped it grow as well. People that have come once will usually bring their friends back.”

Barbee said the partnership envisioned the park becoming a focus for activities in the town, which she said has been realized.

“Today it’s used for Christmas in July and other celebrations, our concert series, and just as a place to relax,” Barbee said. “It was all designed to be part of something larger, so that there is always something going on in downtown. The park is part of that.”

Summer Friday nights in the park are hard to beat, Barbee said, and visitors can take in West Jefferson’s menu of dining and shopping options at the conclusion of the show.

“We’ve got quite a few visitors that hang around afterward,” Barbee said.

“They go to dinner, they check out some of the shops that are staying open later these days. I think it’s worked out well.”

The Crooked Road Ramblers, a group specializing in the traditional music of the Blue Ridge, is just one group that has performed as part of West Jefferson’s Backstreet Park Summer Concerts series.

Photo by Adam Orr

West Jefferson My Hometown

Page 14

September 2013

Ashe County is home to many different types of Christmas trees, including Colorado spruce, Douglas fir, Canaan Fir, white pine and Fraser fir.

Photos by Rob Moore

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Christmas tree country

BY TOM MAYER tom.mayer@mountaintimes.com With the decline of cattle farming throughout Ashe County came the rise of another crop — today the county is home to dozens of choose-and-cut and commercial Christmas tree farms.

There’s nothing like decorating your own tree — a tree you had cut directly from the farm. Add in the wagon rides and hot chocolate many farms offer visitors, and a day’s outing in Ashe County becomes a perfect family destination.

On many of those farms, you’ll have your choice of tree species, including Colorado spruce, Douglas fir, Canaan fir, white pine and, of course, the king of Christmas trees, the North Carolina Fraser fir. So famous are Ashe County’s Christmas Trees that an annual festival, Christmas in July, is celebrated each summer in West Jefferson.

A year-‘round Christmas-themed shop is also found in the town.

A highlight of the summer festival is often the announcement of an award-winning tree. Since 1982, and including 2012, seven Ashe County Christmas trees have been selected as the official White House

Christmas tree by the National Christmas Tree Association.

Ashe County Christmas tree farms are part of both the National Christmas Tree Association and the N.C. Christmas Tree Association. For more information, including a member directory of retail and choose-and-cut Christmas tree farms, visit Ashe County Christmas Tree Association at www.ashecountychristmastrees.com.

Also at the site, you’ll find videos of tree farmers in action, a video of the Ashe County presentation of the 2012 White House Christmas tree to first lady Michelle Obama and educational material related to the growing of Ashe County Christmas trees.

September 2013

West Jefferson My Hometown

Page 15

From January to December, there’s always something to do in WJ COMPILED BY HEATHER SAMUDIO heather.samudio@mountaintimes.com King Day Celebration Martin Luther King Day Celebration is held each January, sponsored by the Ashe County Arts Council at the Ashe Arts Center.

The event honors King’s lifelong commitment to nonviolent principles of peace. For more information, call (336) 846-2787.

Young artists’ exhibit The Young at Art exhibit allows Ashe County students to submit works of art for the annual exhibit at the Ashe Arts Center.

For more information, call (336) 846-2787.

Very Special Arts Festival and Spring Fest As spring nears, the Very Special Arts festival and Spring Fest are held at the Early Learning Center. The events offer two days of art-centered activities, allowing area children and their families to learn more about and try their hand at the various genres of art. The events are sponsored by the Ashe County Arts Council. For more information, call (336) 846-2787.

ARTifacts Yard Sale Following the special art events in April, the annual ARTifacts Yard sale is held in the gymnasium of the Early Learning Center. A preview party is open on Friday for a nominal fee and attendees can get first choice of a variety of items. The sale is held throughout the day on Saturday. Proceeds benefit the Ashe County Arts Council. For more information, call (336) 846-2787.

Night of the Spoken Word In May, Night of the Spoken Word features writers sharing favorite selections of original poetry and prose. Refreshments will be available and admission is free. For more information, call (336) 846-2787.

Feast for the Arts Feast for the Arts is also held each May. Intimate dinners are held at volunteer hosts’ homes as fundraisers for the Ashe County Arts Council. Following the dinners around the town, the event culminates with a Dessert Gala and Silent Auction at the Ashe Arts Center. For more information, call (336) 846-2787.

Gallery Crawl As June begins so does the Gallery Crawls in the arts district of downtown West Jefferson. Visitors to the town stroll the streets and check out new gallery exhibits, special artist demonstrations and in-store promotions. The crawls are held on the second Friday of each month, through October. A special Christmas Crawl is held in December. Admission to the crawls is free. For more information, call (336) 846-2787 or visit www.ashecountyarts.org.

Fireworks Ashe County Park is the location for the annual fireworks display and begins at dusk on July 4. Leading up to the display, entertainment is provided at the park throughout the day with food and children’s activities.

For more information, call (336) 982-6185.

Christmas in July festival West Jefferson hosts the annual Christmas in July festival on the Backstreet, celebrating mountain heritage. The event kicks off on Friday night and continues all day on Saturday with the best in traditional mountain music, handmade crafts from the mountains of northwest North Carolina and a variety of food to satisfy every taste. Children’s activities include art fun, face painting and a climbing wall. For more information, visit www.christmasinjuly.info.

Relay For Life The annual Relay For Life kick off is held early each year as organizers prepare for the signature fundraising event for the American Cancer Society. The relay is held in July at Ashe County High School.

Blue Ridge Brutal Bike riders ascend the mountains, literally, as they travel to the Ashe Civic Center in West Jefferson to participate in the annual Blue Ridge Brutal bike ride. Riders can choose the 100-, 75- or 57-mile ride. After biking along the scenic roads in the area, the first 50 riders to sign up get the chance to participate in the Assault on Mount Jefferson. For more information, visit blueridgebrutal.org.

Humane Society rummage sale The Ashe County Humane Society hosts an annual rummage sale at the National Guard Armory in Jefferson with proceeds benefitting the society’s work helping the animals of Ashe County. The group features an early bird special on Friday night before the sale and continues the sale on Saturday.

For more information about ACHS, visit www.ashehumanesociety.org.

Literary festival The area celebrates reading and writing through the On the Same Page Literary Festival in September. The event allows authors to share their works and readers get the chance to meet the authors. Special events are held throughout the community with readings, writings, discussions, visual art displays, performances and more. For more information, visit www.OnTheSamePageFestival.org.

Antique Fair The West Jefferson Antique Fair is held on the last Saturday of September in the downtown area featuring a variety of antique and craft vendors. Featured is music, food and more.

Art on the Mountain Art on the Mountain is held in late September on the grounds of the Ashe Arts Center in downtown West Jefferson. The event blends local history with the growing arts district.

Area artists set up on the grounds showcasing their artwork. For more information, call (336) 846-2787 or visit www.ashecountyarts.org.

Missoula Children’s Theatre Each October area children from kindergarten through twelfth grade can audition for Missoula Children’s Theatre for a production to be presented at the Ashe Civic Center.

MCT leads children through the theatrical process, teaching creativity and teamwork.

For more information, call the Ashe County Arts Council at (336) 846-2787.

Best of the Blue Ridge Artists from Ashe and surrounding counties bring some of their best paintings and drawings to be featured in the annual juried exhibit, Best of the Blue Ridge, at the Ashe County Arts Council. For more information, call (336) 846-2787.

Holiday parade The West Jefferson Holiday Parade is held in November and begins around 11:30 a.m. on the designated Saturday. The parade is cosponsored by the West Jefferson Merchants

Association and the town of West Jefferson.

Jefferson Area organizations, churches and businesses decorate floats for the parade. For more information, visit westjeffersonlionsclub.org.

Choose-and-Cut season Ashe County Christmas tree farms welcome holiday shoppers to come out into the fields and choose their own tree. The county has furnished several trees for the White House. For more information, visit www. ashecountychristmastrees.com.

Holiday cheer Throughout the holiday season, the downtown area is decked out in Christmas décor and area shops and restaurants feature special events and shopping. Santa has been known to find his way into town during the festivities. For December, the Ashe Arts Center hosts a holiday open house and Saturday with Santa and presents the Ashe Choral Society in concert. For more information, call (336) 846-2787 or visit www.ashecountyarts.org.

Tree Fest The Ashe County Arts Council hosts the annual Tree Fest exhibit throughout the holiday season. The exhibit features decorated trees, ornaments, miniature paintings and photography at the Ashe Arts Center. For more information, call (336) 846-2787.

West Jefferson My Hometown

Page 16

September 2013

The abundant crop of Christmas trees in the area offers a nice green contrast with the bright red, orange and yellow leaves seen in the fall.

Photos by Heather Samudio

Fall foliage colors the mountains

BY HEATHER SAMUDIO heather.samudio@mountaintimes.com Leaf season in West Jefferson and the surrounding area is a time when leaf-lookers take to the roadways to see autumn arrive in full color.

The mountains surrounding West Jefferson begin changing colors, becoming brilliant red, orange and yellow.

“When temperatures cool in autumn, chlorophyll starts to degrade, allowing the hidden pigments of deciduous trees to provide a rich, colorful display,” according to the Forest Service of the United States Department of Agriculture.

The area lies at more than 2,900 feet above sea level.

Leaf colors begin to change in late September and early October and generally reach their peak around mid- to late- October.

Throughout the area Fraser firs, white pines, rhododendrons and other ever-

green trees provide a contrasting backdrop for the colorful leaves, making the views around West Jefferson even more exquisite.

Experts on fall foliage attempt to predict if the season will provide a more colorful display or something less dramatic based on the weather of an area.

However, the colors can be affected by cooler temperatures as well as rain or the lack thereof.

Dry, sunny days in September and October can help dry out the leaves and result in more brilliant colors. Rain during those times, especially coupled with cooler temperatures speed up the color change and cause the leaves to fall quickly.

Although it is anyone’s guess whether the colors will be vibrant and longlasting or dull and short-lived, the views around West Jefferson in the fall are something not to be missed.

In late fall, the beauty of the leaves with frozen mountaintops around West Jefferson offers a majestic sight.