We Love This Place – August 2012

Help Kinsey Claire Vaitkus Reach the Miss North Carolina Pageant

Kinsey Claire Vaitkus was awarded the title of Miss Appalachian USA 2013 through the Miss North Carolina pageant in High Point, North Carolina last November. The winner of the 2013 title is awarded a chance at Miss America, and a spectacular scholarship!

Vaitkus will be attending Western Carolina University this month, enrolling in the Bachelor’s in Computer Science program. She is offering sponsors the opportunity to advertise on her website and on the banner she’ll use for public events. Your support will help Vaitkus reach the Miss North Carolina Pageant.

Please visit her Facebook page, www.facebook.com/MissAppalachian, and send her a message for more details or volunteer opportunities.


Stories of Mountain Folk

The hour-long radio show Stories of Mountain Folk is aired every Saturday morning from 9-10 a.m. on WRGC Jackson County Radio, 540 AM on the dial. The show, which broadcasts out of Sylva, NC, contains four interviews with interesting people from all cultures whose heritage grew out of western North Carolina, woven together with original songs and the musical talents of local songwriters and entertainers.


Artist Open House

Come take in amazing local art and natural beauty at The Matt & Molly Team’s Artist Open House on Friday, September 28th from 4:30-7:30 at 23 Chestnut Forest Rd.

This 3400 square foot home offers amazing views, gorgeous finishes and a heated 2200 square foot shop and artist studio. You have to see it to believe it.

The Matt & Molly Team will be serving wine, cheese and light hors d’ouvres! Peruse a fantastic selection of local art for sale while you tour this unique and gorgeous property! Decide to purchase the house and The Matt & Molly Team will buy you your favorite piece from the show!

For more information on the home, the event or to have your art featured, contact The Matt & Molly Team by e-mailing us anytime at info@TheMattAndMollyTeam.com or by calling (828) 210-1697


Asheville Wine & Food Festival

Looking for a fun and delicious way to spend a Saturday afternoon? Head to the 4th annual Asheville Wine & Food Festival Grand Tasting on Saturday, August 25, featuring a smorgasbord of more than 300 regional, national and international wines, creations prepared by Asheville’s celebrated chefs, samples of local artisan food products–plus live entertainment, cooking demonstrations and more. Come prepared to stroll, sip, savor and shop at what promises to be the largest culinary gathering Asheville has seen under one roof.

Named one of the best festivals of its kind in the country by the New York Post, this highly anticipated event has moved to lively downtown Asheville, inside the newly renovated (and air-conditioned!) U.S. Cellular Center (Asheville Civic Center). The event is 1:30 to 5 p.m. for general admission ticket holders ($45); 12 to 5 p.m. for VIP passes ($65). VIP tickets, available only in limited quantities, provide exclusive entry to the VIP Lounge where full pours of wine and delicious food samplings will be served in high style.

Why wait until Saturday to enjoy the area’s best wine and food? The Asheville Wine & Food Festival Grand Tasting will be preceded on Friday, August 24 by SWEET, an after-dinner fete featuring sips and samples of luscious desserts, sparkling wines and specialty cocktails, held 7:30 to 10 p.m. at the elegant Grove Arcade downtown. Tickets are only $35 each for an evening of delicious decadence.

A limited number of tickets are also available to the finale of the WNC Chefs’ Challenge, a weeks-long competition to name the best chef in the region. Held Thursday, August 23, at 6:30 p.m. in the beautiful Century Room at Pack’s Tavern downtown, tickets are $99 per person.