family Archives -
Select Page
Adventure Guide Button
Documentary Screening: “The Last Gathering: 75th Anniversary of D-Day”

Documentary Screening: “The Last Gathering: 75th Anniversary of D-Day”

Three N.C. D-Day Veterans Return to Normandy After 75 Years By Mike Bazinet Mark Hager, a US Army veteran, historian, teacher, and award-winning filmmaker, will present the documentary The Last Gathering: 75th Anniversary of D-Day on April 17 at 7 p.m. at the Co-Ed Theater, 79 West Main St. Brevard. Following the screening, Hager will talk about the film and his book, The Last of the 357th Infantry: Harold Frank’s WWII Story of Faith and Courage. The film details the stories of three courageous North Carolina Normandy Campaign veterans and their return to Normandy, France, for the 2019 gathering to commemorate the largest amphibious invasion in history while the book covers the inspiring story of one of those veterans. The April 17 event is the western North Carolina premiere of the 50-minute documentary. Hager, who is also president of the Forks of the Yadkin and Davie County History Museum in Mocksville, N.C., has spoken widely about his book on Harold Frank. He chronicled Frank’s story from his boyhood years growing up during the Great Depression on a North Carolina farm, through his training and landing with his battalion on Utah Beach as a Browning Automatic rifleman through his fighting in the hedgerow country of the Contentin Peninsula. There, in a nine-hour firefight, Frank was wounded and captured by German forces. In the film, the audience is also introduced to Kenneth “Rock” Merritt, who won the Silver Star as an 82nd Airborne paratrooper, and James Deal, who fought with the... Read More
Waterfalls Worth the Hike

Waterfalls Worth the Hike

Waterfalls Worth the Hike One of the great joys of hiking in Pisgah National Forest, DuPont State Recreational Forest, and Gorges State Park is that there is often a “reward” for your effort: a stunning view, an interesting geological formation or, as the subject of this blog attests, a waterfall. Here are four hikes that will make all that leg work worth it.  4 1 Rainbow FallsPisgah National Forest (with access from Gorges State Park) Recent improvements at Gorges State Park have made this trek a delight. From the parking area at Grassy Ridge, the well-groomed trail descends to the stunning Horsepasture River. When you reach the river, turn right. The trail becomes steeper, but the effort is worth it. The trail skirts around Rainbow Falls, offering up a great view. If you’ve got energy to burn, continue up river to Turtle Back Falls and Drift Falls — a waterfall trifecta! Distance: 3.9 miles roundtripTrails: Grassy Ridge AccessStarting Point: Grassy Ridge Parking Area, Gorges State Park. Directions to trailhead: From downtown Brevard, go west on US 64 toward Sapphire for 18.2 miles. Turn left on NC 281 and go .7 miles. Turn left into park entrance. Proceed to the Grassy Ridge parking lot. All Trails Link 2 2 Twin FallsPisgah National Forest ​ A beautiful, moderate hike delivers you to this doubly satisfying cascade deep in Pisgah National Forest. If you’re looking for a wintertime hike, this one fits the bill, as the views are best when the leaves are... Read More
Five Fabulous Hikes

Five Fabulous Hikes

Five Fabulous Hikes There’s no better place to celebrate the Year of the Trail than our little corner of the world. Here in Transylvania County, you can choose to hit the trail in a national forest (Pisgah), a state park (Gorges), two state forests (DuPont and Headwaters) or a charming small town (Brevard). All told, there are more than over a hundred thousand acres of lush woodlands here. An afternoon hike in our part of the world will either soothe your soul or stretch your spirit depending on your path.  Below you’ll find five not-to-be-missed hikes. 4 5 Pink Beds Loop Pisgah National Forest Here’s your chance to marvel at the capabilities of the irrepressible “castor canadensis” (more commonly known as the North American beaver) to transform a landscape. This mostly flat 5 mile trail works around bogs and ponds created by these industrious engineers.  This high-elevation valley is ideal for a casual ramble. You’ll see lots of native wildflowers and ferns along the way. Be sure to visit the Forest Discovery Center at the nearby Cradle of Forestry, too.  Reach the trailhead by entering Pisgah National Forest on US276 and drive north 11.4 miles. Parking is on the right. Level: EasyDistance: 5 milesTrail: Pink Beds LoopStarting Point: Picnic area of Pink Beds Directions: From intersection of US-276/US-64/NC-280, enter Pisgah National Forest. Go 11.4 miles on US-276 North. Turn right into Pink Beds Picnic Area. X 4 4 John Rock Pisgah National Forest John Rock is a local favorite, and with good... Read More
WWII 82nd Airborne: They Are Only Gone If They Are Forgotten

WWII 82nd Airborne: They Are Only Gone If They Are Forgotten

Steven Zaley to Speak on his Father’s 82nd Airborne WWII Experiences By Mike Bazinet Steven R. Zaley, author of They Are Only Gone If They Are Forgotten: A Story about One of the Original Companies of the 82nd Airborne Division, 505th Combat Team, Third Battalion, Headquarters Company, will speak on Saturday, March 18 at 2:30 PM. The location is the Transylvania County Library, 212 South Gaston St., Brevard. The first in the 2023 series of the Veterans History Museum of the Carolinas, Zaley’s talk in the library’s Rogow Room is free to attend and will include a question-and-answer period. Zaley has extensively researched and documented the experiences of his father, for whom he was named, from his early years through his training with the then new 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment. It was one of the original combat teams of the 82nd Airborne Div., and the team’s four combat operations by parachute insertion in Sicily, Italy, Normandy and Holland. Zaley’s research began after his father’s death in 1997 and a pivotal discussion he had with one of the 82nd Airborne’s military chaplains who had asked him to speak on his father’s experiences to a group of present-day paratroopers. From that beginning grew several years of investigation using original source materials, such as orders and after-action reports, contemporary military newspaper accounts and discussions with 82nd Airborne veterans. Writing in the foreword of his book, Zaley observed, “One paratrooper portrayed in this story found a niche in his young life for his... Read More
Geminids Meteor Shower Experience AT PARI

Geminids Meteor Shower Experience AT PARI

Have you ever wished upon a shooting star? Now is your chance! Enjoy an evening under the stars and observing the Geminids meteor shower at our historic, mountaintop, internationally certified Dark Sky Park! The Geminids meteors are often bold, white and bright. On a dark night, you can often catch 50 or more meteors per hour in a dark, moonless sky. These meteors are sure to dazzle brighter than the holiday lights. Grab your coats, hot coffee or hot chocolate, friends and family then come to PARI for an unforgettable winter night. The greatest number of meteors typically fall in the wee hours after midnight. Astronomers and telescopes will also be available earlier in the evening to view the dark skies. For additional information please email PARI at... Read More
Brevard Philharmonic presents “Christmastime in Brevard”

Brevard Philharmonic presents “Christmastime in Brevard”

The Brevard Philharmonic will once again deck the halls of the Porter Center at Brevard College. Join us for the joyous musical celebration of the season, “Christmastime in Brevard.”  This concert is the perfect holiday tradition for the entire family. Be a part of it all and get your tickets now! Program will include: Holiday favorites from Anderson, Tchaikovsky, and more with the Transylvania Choral... Read More
Cedar Mountain Holiday Artisan Market

Cedar Mountain Holiday Artisan Market

You’re invited to shop local this season at the Cedar Mtn Holiday Artisan Market at Cedar Mtn Moonshine/Studio276! •Over 20 local vendors! •Velvet Cup Coffee Truck on-site for hot coffee and delicious mini donuts! •Take your photo with Santa! •The Moonshine tasting room + gallery will be open! •Family friendly event *backup weather location will be the Cedar Mtn Community Center across the street-can’t miss it! *vendors prefer cash in case of bad WiFi behavior... Read More
Veterans Day Observance

Veterans Day Observance

You are invited: Veterans Day Ceremony Brevard, NC Transylvania County Courthouse Gazebo November 11, 2022 11:00 a.m. I. Invocation – Lt. Craig Adams II. National Anthem – Trinity Wilbanks, Brevard HS Chorus III. Welcoming Remarks – Emmett Casciato, Emcee IV. Recognition of Veterans – Ken Corn & Katchen Tofil, Afghanistan Veteran V. Reading of Veterans Day Proclamation – Jason Chappell, Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners VI. Guest Speaker – Ed Cottrell, WWII Veteran VII. Reading of Names of Deceased Veterans – DAR Waightstill Avery Chapter VIII. Reading of Veterans Poem – Master Chief Clyde Jones, US Navy Retired IX. Transylvania County Honor Guard – Rifle Salute & Taps X. Closing Remarks – Emmett Casciato, Emcee XI. Benediction – Lt. Craig... Read More
7th Annual Pumpkinfest at Silvermont Returns to Brevard!

7th Annual Pumpkinfest at Silvermont Returns to Brevard!

Family-friendly and fantastic artistic fun or great date night with beautiful lighted carved pumpkin displays on a short walking trail, talented local musicians, food trucks and coffee house, games, storytelling, face painting, white squirrel scavenger hunt, and the Silvermont historic mansion open for tours. The new 2021 “White Squirrel Circus” display returns, as well as 18 other lighted pumpkin displays such as Butterfly Garden, Pirates Cove, Under the Sea, Witches Garden, Ghost Circle, Totem Garden, and more. A new 2022 exhibit has been developed by Friends of Silvermont’s Pumpkinteers that ties throughout many of the other exhibits- Syd, The Lost Little White Squirrel, searches for her family. Several photo-op sites will also be set up throughout the Pumpkin Fest Displays. Location- Silvermont Park 364 E. Main St. Brevard, NC 28712. Admission is $5 per person (2 and over) cash or check with ID. The cost to use credit/debit is $5.25 per person. Onsite parking cost $5 cash per car. Free parking is available offsite on nearby streets and at church and Comporium parking lots one or two blocks away. Handicap sticker- free parking onsite. Date – Time – Music Schedule – Food Trucks   (plus Cup and Saucer Drinks and Cookies Every Night) Oct. 7 Friday 6-9 pm Nikki Talley and Jason Sharp, Toasted Cuban, Jenny’s Minis Donuts Oct. 8 Sat. 6-9 pm Nikki Talley and Jason Sharp, Feta Flav, Big Pasta, Glykalogy Donuts Oct. 14 Friday 6-9 pm McIntosh and the Lionhearts, Big Pasta, Glykalogy Donuts Oct. 15 Sat... Read More
7th Annual Pumpkinfest at Silvermont Returns to Brevard!

7th Annual Pumpkinfest at Silvermont Returns to Brevard!

Family-friendly and fantastic artistic fun or great date night with beautiful lighted carved pumpkin displays on a short walking trail, talented local musicians, food trucks and coffee house, games, storytelling, face painting, white squirrel scavenger hunt, and the Silvermont historic mansion open for tours. The new 2021 “White Squirrel Circus” display returns, as well as 18 other lighted pumpkin displays such as Butterfly Garden, Pirates Cove, Under the Sea, Witches Garden, Ghost Circle, Totem Garden, and more. A new 2022 exhibit has been developed by Friends of Silvermont’s Pumpkinteers that ties throughout many of the other exhibits- Syd, The Lost Little White Squirrel, searches for her family. Several photo-op sites will also be set up throughout the Pumpkin Fest Displays. Location- Silvermont Park 364 E. Main St. Brevard, NC 28712. Admission is $5 per person (2 and over) cash or check with ID. The cost to use credit/debit is $5.25 per person. Onsite parking cost $5 cash per car. Free parking is available offsite on nearby streets and at church and Comporium parking lots one or two blocks away. Handicap sticker- free parking onsite. Date – Time – Music Schedule – Food Trucks   (plus Cup and Saucer Drinks and Cookies Every Night) Oct. 7 Friday 6-9 pm Nikki Talley and Jason Sharp, Toasted Cuban, Jenny’s Minis Donuts Oct. 8 Sat. 6-9 pm Nikki Talley and Jason Sharp, Feta Flav, Big Pasta, Glykalogy Donuts Oct. 14 Friday 6-9 pm McIntosh and the Lionhearts, Big Pasta, Glykalogy Donuts Oct. 15 Sat... Read More