By Mike Bazinet Marjorie K. Eastman, author of The Frontline Generation: How We Served Post 9/11, will speak on April 29 at the Transylvania County Library, 212 South Gaston St., Brevard, presented by the Veterans History Museum of the Carolinas. Eastman’s talk is scheduled for 2 p.m. in the library’s Rogow Room, is free to attend, and will include a question-and-answer period. You may purchase Eastman’s book at Highland Books, 36 West Main Street in Brevard. She will be glad to sign your book on April 29. Born and raised in Southern California, Eastman holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of California, San Diego, an MBA from Vanderbilt University and a master’s degree in international security from the Josef Korbel Scholl of International Studies at the University of Denver. She served in the U.S. Army as an intelligence officer and company commander. Eastman’s 10 years of military service included two combat deployments, one in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the other in support of Operation Enduring Freedom In Afghanistan. She started her military career in the enlisted ranks and achieved the rare opportunity of being awarded a direct commission within her first two years of service. Her final assignment was in command of more than 100 soldiers in Afghanistan. She was named the top military intelligence company commander in the eastern part of that country for the 2009-2010 deployment cycle and was awarded the Bronze Star and Combat Action Badge. Her well-reviewed and award-winning book,... Read More
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
Going With The Flow. Often, people think of trails as winding routes across terra firma. Yet the truth is, rivers are the original trails – carved by Mother Nature over eons, they journey across the land following the path of least resistance, resulting in surprises around just about every bend. As we celebrate North Carolina’s Year of the Trail, we want to honor Transylvania County’s first trail: the French Broad River, third oldest river in the world, and its many tributaries. To take us on this journey, we caught up with Jack Henderson, MountainTrue’s French Broad Paddle Trail Manager. Enjoy this Q & A with a passionate advocate for the French Broad River. (Editor’s note: We have paraphrased and edited this interview for brevity.) Q&A Q&A: Tell us a little about yourself, Jack. I’ve been living in western North Carolina since 2010 and have worked for a variety of recreation and conservation groups with focus upon public access and natural resource protection. Prior to joining MountainTrue, I was with RiverLink. Along with Hartwell Carson, who is the Riverkeeper for the French Broad, I help manage the French Broad River Paddle Trail. Q&A Q&A: What makes the French Broad River such a significant, meaningful body of water? It flows from its headwaters within Transylvania County to the confluence with the Holston River where it forms the Tennessee River. It covers a wide variety of ecological, cultural, geological and topographical components in a relatively small physical space. Q&A Q&A: What makes... Read More
The Veterans History Museum of the Carolinas invites you to the movie “Through Their Eyes” on Thursday, March 16 at 3:00 and 4:30 pm at the Flat Rock Bistro Cinema, 2700-D Greenville Hwy., Flat Rock, NC. “Through Their Eyes” is a series of six brief films which tell the stories of America’s conflicts since WWI through the eyes of those who fought and sometimes died there. Stories of local veterans. Admission is only $5. Buy your tickets https://checkout.square.site/buy/JSQENEZCFCWCAJ2JXPETRETJ A limited number of tickets will be available at the box office if the shows aren’t sold... Read More
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
Leave it Better As you venture forth into our woods and waterways during the Year of the Trail, we invite you to learn more about our “Leave It Better” program. Based on the national “Leave No Trace” principles, “Leave It Better” is designed to inspire explorers of our bountiful natural wonders to leave the land and water better than they found it. This easy-to-follow six-step checklist is something you can put into practice anywhere you roam. Happy trails! 1 1 Pick It Up. Pick up not just what you packed in, but all that you see. Millions of pounds of trash are left behind in our public lands every year. Keep an eye out for litter and be sure to come prepared with gloves and trash bags to assist with safe collection. 2 2 Pitch In. For every 10 hours you spend in the great outdoors, give one hour of service, or donate to an organization that supports public lands. Balancing the amount of time spent enjoying the outdoors with time spent giving back will not only reduce your impact, but also the impact of others. Find a local organization that focuses on an issue that resonates with you, and volunteer or provide a donation to make a difference. 3 3 Prepare Yourself. Leaving it better starts before your visit. Educate yourself on local rules, safety regulations, and trail policies before you visit public lands. Prepare yourself by checking trail closures and weather on the day of your trip. Pack... Read More
Kid Friendly Transylvania County is an ideal vacation destination for families. And if you’re looking to celebrate North Carolina’s Year of the Trail with your young ones, we’ve got some terrific family-friendly hikes that are short in distance but long on rewards. Each of the following short treks makes for a great introduction to the wonders of our natural environment. 1 1 Moore Cove FallsPisgah National Forest Cruise across small streams and amid hillsides covered in ferns to this lovely grotto-like waterfall. There’s very little elevation gain on this trail, making it a perfect option for families with young adventurers. Note: This is a popular hike with limited parking. On summer and fall weekends we recommend hiking this one earlier in the morning (before 10 am) or later in the afternoon (after 4 pm). Distance: 1.2 miles (Out and back)Starting point: Moore Cove Falls Trailhead Directions to Trailhead: From the intersection of US 276, NC 280 and US 64 in Pisgah Forest, head north on US 276 for 6.7 miles to the parking area on the right. Hike a footbridge over the Davidson River and follow a well-marked trail to the falls. All Trails Link 2 2 Andy Cove Nature TrailPisgah National Forest This little gem of a trail is a pure delight, no matter how young or old you are. After a short initial climb, the trail winds its way back into scenic Andy Cove via a footpath and several cantilevered boardwalks. Mid-way, you’ll reach a cool 30-foot... Read More
Taps & Trails Brevard and Transylvania County serve up incredible mountain biking and amazing craft beers. So, what better way to ring in North Carolina’s Year of the Trail than with a “Taps and Trails” pairing. We’ve picked five trails and matched them with five brews that share similar characteristics. We called on avid mountain biker and in-the-know beer connoisseur Ben Hardy to help us out. 1 1 Pairing #1 Brewery: Brevard Brewing CompanyBeer: Bohemian Pilsner, 4.9% ABVTrail: Ridgeline, DuPont State Recreational Forest Why they go well together:“Ridgeline is a classic local trail in DuPont. It’s probably on the top five list of anyone who’s ever ridden around Brevard, and you’ll quickly understand why. Ridgeline is all fun and flow. Riders of any skill level should find plenty of enjoyment. The trail has enough whoops and berms to keep it exciting, but it’s smooth and gentle all the way down.” “BBC’s Bohemian Pilsner is a classic style brewed with respect to tradition. It’s the perfect refresher after a day of riding, guaranteed to keep the fun rolling. Just like Ridgeline, this beer is a smooth character, packed with flavor, but not over the top. You’ll want to keep it flowin’.” About Ridgeline About Brevard Brewing Company: Opened in 2012, BBC holds the distinction of being Brevard’s first craft brewery. It’s also notable for the dedication and passion owner and brew master Kyle Williams brings to all his creations. He has a special soft spot for German lagers and pilsners... Read More
Take A Walk On The Wild Side Headwaters State Forest: A Conservation Laboratory North Carolina’s newest state forest was founded in 2018 and represents another iconic destination in Transylvania County. In terms of beauty and features, it’s on par with Pisgah, DuPont and Gorges. However, its remote location and limited access make it a more appropriate destination for adventurers with good wilderness and map-reading skills. We caught up with Assistant Regional Forester Michael Cheek, who oversees this 6,730 acre mountain wonderland for the North Carolina Forest Service to help us understand the importance of Headwaters and the opportunities for visitors to enjoy its unique topography and features — especially as we celebrate North Carolina’s “Year of the Trail.” Q&A Q&A: Michael, what’s distinctive about Headwaters? “Headwaters is located right along the edge of the Blue Ridge Escarpment and the South Carolina border. It’s very remote and has a very “back country” feel to it. You’ll find plenty of trails and lots of solitude.” Q&A Q&A: What’s the key mission of Headwaters State Forest? “Certainly, recreation is a part of it, but our primary focus is on the conservation of the headwater streams that feed into the East Fork of the French Broad River. There are over a dozen named streams feeding into the East Fork, totaling some 50 miles. That’s where our clean drinking water comes from, and these headwater streams are key to that. Part of our mission is also to demonstrate good forestry practices – to show... Read More
Enjoy a tour of the 1815 Allison Deaver House, the oldest frame house west of the Blue Ridge Mountains, as well as craft booths, artisans at work, mountain music, presenters, and children’s activities. Bring the family, a blanket, or chairs, and join us for the day. ... Read More