Welcome to Celebrate Swannanoa’s Website
ARCHIVED NEWS AND EVENTS PAGE
We Can’t Keep It All on the Home Page, but It Is All Interesting!
Read all the archived news, information, events, contests, spotlights, beautiful scenery and shopping for Swannanoa NC gifts and souvenirs.
Browse around, check out all the pages and have fun entering our contest. You could win a prize! Contact us with your suggestions for contest subjects. What business, organization, school or resident would you like to see in our “Spotlight On” feature?
Tell us about upcoming events and we will share the information here. We value your ideas and knowledge of Swannanoa!
What’s Happening in Swannanoa?
ARCHIVED EVENTS
Swannanoa Shindigs!
First Fridays at 6:00 pm - Traditional Music and Dance,
September 3 and October 1, 2010
The monthly traditional music and frolics continue Fridays at 6:00 p.m. on Railroad Street in Beacon Village behind the main Swannanoa Fire Station. Admission is free and all you will need to bring are your dancing shoes and a chair.
There will be BINGO brought to you by the Swannanoa Babe Ruth Softball/Baseball League. Proceeds are to benefit the children with uniforms, equipment and scholarships.
As always, great food and beverages are available for purchase including a lemonade stand, ice cream and hot dogs. And don’t miss the big hit from last month. Returning is Miss Stephanie from Stephanie’s Roadhouse Bistro with her famous “Chicken Waffle Wraps”!
Join in all the fun! Farmers market, Cake walks, Crafts, Contests, BarBQ, Raffles, Pizza, and more.
Just remember to bring your own chair and No Pets Please!
- Swannanoa Community Garden - Still Time for Your Fall Garden Plot!
To get “growing” on your fall garden, contact Donna Kelly at 
donnarobertkelly@aol.com or (828) 299-4888. A special thanks goes to Bill Alexander for donating the use of his property for the garden.
- PUBLIC MEETING – VETERANS’ NURSING HOME IN SWANNANOA – Thursday, June 3
In an effort to respond to citizen questions and hear their comments, the N.C.
Department of Administration will hold a Public Information Session on June 3 at
Owen Middle School in Swannanoa related to the construction of a State Veterans’
Nursing Home in Swannanoa.
The public is invited to an informal drop-in in the school
lobby from 4:30-6 p.m. to see plans and talk with staff about
the project. At 6:30 p.m., an information presentation,
followed by a comments and questions period, will be held in
the auditorium.
Owen Middle School is located at 730 Old US Highway 70,
Swannanoa. Enter at the main entrance. For information,
contact DOA Communications Director, Jill Warren Lucas at
jill.lucas@doa.nc.gov or 919-807-2496.
- Announcement of New Veterans Home to Be Built in Swannanoa! In what is really great news for our community and for our veterans, the US Department of Veterans Affairs and the State of North Carolina have announced Federal grants for the construction of a new 100 bed residential facility for veterans here in Swannanoa!The US Department of Veterans Affairs has approved a $13.5 million grant for the facility in Swannanoa which is expected to cover 65% of the total cost of the project here.
While the construction of the facility, expected to take 18 – 24 months to be completed by May 2012, will create much needed jobs, the new veterans home will employ 150- 170 staff. Swannanoa welcomes this opportunity for new jobs in the area, and welcomes our veterans as well!Links to additional information follow: Press Releases – US Department of Veterans Affairs and the State of NC Office of the Governor.The website for information about construction bids is LDI-Line.Com.
- New Swannanoa Community Garden – Just in time for Spring planting, a new community garden space has been made available in the Grovemont area on Lanier Lane, Swannanoa. Thanks to the generosity of Bill Alexander who donated the land for the sunny, plowed, and tilled ground 22 plots of about 200 square feet are available for about $18 for the year. This nominal charge covers some of the expenses. Water is available. Donna Kelly with Swannanoa Pride Community Coalition can be contacted at 828 299-4888 or donnarobertkelly@aol.com for an application and more information.
- Swannanoa Fire Department Fund Raiser – The Swannanoa Fire Department Auxiliary is having a hamburger and hot dog dinner and bake sale as a fundraiser on April 17, from 4 – 7 p.m. at the Bee Tree Station in Swannanoa. Cost is $6 per person. The community is invited to attend. Come on out and support our fabulous Fire Department!
Images courtesy of the Swannanoa Valley Fire Department
- Trillium Festival
The fifth annual Trillium-A Festival of Follies and Flings on Saturday, April 17, is sure to lift your spirits. It will take place from 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. – rain or shine – at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Black Mountain, located at 500 Montreat Road. This year the Men’s Gorgeous Legs Contest makes its long awaited comeback. It will take place at 11 a.m. Trillium will feature door prizes, live music, a bake sale, and cake walks. The rummage sale will be better than ever. Refreshments will also be available. There will also be a plant sale, including perennials and shrubs/trees. Arrive early for the best selections. For more information, phone or fax 669-8050, email ad min@uusv.org, or visit www.uusv.org.
- Annual Swannanoa SPRING SWEEP - The annual Swannanoa Sweep spring community clean-up will be held Saturday, April 17, from 9 a.m. – noon. Meet at Ingles Parking lot (Near Bank of America). Bags, vests, and gloves will be provided. Bring your friends and neighbors! Sponsored by SPCC Clean up Task Force, www.swanna noapride.org. Contact Maureen Dillow at (828) 686-8166 (evenings) or Ad Anderson at (828) 686-3411.
- Swannanoa Business Association-
Thursday, May 13th at 7:00 p.m. at the Swannanoa Flower Shop. Support Swannanoa Business and YOUR business!
Feel free to bring a guest. There will be time for
networking and a business card exchange. For information,
contact Janet Burhoe-Jones, chairperson, at (828) 337-4718.
SAVE THE DATE ! 4th Annual Mill Around the Village Bluegrass Festival – Saturday, September 25th. For more information: Sponsors call 686-4417, Vendors call 686-5505 and Helpers call 230-2385.
SPECIAL EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT! - “THUNDER ROAD”
Thursday, November 127:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Bee Tree Fire Station, Swannanoa NCCome to a free screening of the cult classic “Thunder Road” which was filmed in Asheville and the surrounding area. Original cast member actress Betsy Holt will discuss her experiences during the production of the film. Ms. Holt played the wife of Troy Barrett, Treasury Agent (played by Gene Barry) in the 1958 film. The film will be shown at the Bee Tree Fire Station at 510 Bee Tree Road in Swannanoa. Sponsored by the Swannanoa Friends of the Library and the Friends of Buncombe County Libraries. For more information call the Swannanoa Library at 250-6486. Popcorn and drinks provided.
- Christmas in the Valley – Arts and Crafts Show
The sixth annual Christmas in the Valley Arts and Crafts Show will be held at Owen Middle School on Saturday, December 12, from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. It is the one stop spot for final holiday shopping. The event includes juried artisans, music, local barbeque, homemade concessions, and a raffle. Professionally handcrafted items include pottery, metalwork, woodwork, fabrics, and jewelry. Free children’s area will include crafts and Santa. New this year is a food donation site for the Swannanoa Rescue Mission. For more information, contact Owen Middle School at (828) 686-7917.
- UPDATE! For complete information on Swannanoa’s Mill Around the Village Festival, visit the NEW FESTIVAL WEBSITE at www.MillAroundTheVillage.com.
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For information call (828) 250-6486
Mother Goose Time – ages 4 – 18 months, Wednesdays at 11:00 am
Toddler Time – ages 18 – 36 months, Thursdays at 10:00 am
Preschool Storytime – ages 3 to 5 years, Thursdays at 11:00 am
- Swannanoa Book Club - The Swannanoa Book Club will meet on Thursday, April 15, at 7 p.m. at the Swannanoa Library, located at 101 West Charleston Street. For more information, call (828) 250-6486. The book to be discussed is, “The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao,” by Junot Diaz. All interested readers are welcome to attend.
- The Swannanoa Library Knitters will meet on Wednesday, April 21, from 5 – 7 p.m. at the Swannanoa Library, 101 West Charleston Street. For more information, call (828) 250-6486. This is a casual knitting group for all skill levels
ARCHIVED NEWS
- Asheville City Council - January 9, 2010 – The Asheville City Council is holding its annual planning retreat in SWANNANOA! Hmmmmm. It’s at Warren Wilson College. Hey, at least they aren’t spending $17,000 to attend a retreat in Hawaii.
- Swannanoa Receives Grant: Swannanoa has been included in a list of 10 communities in the U.S. to receive funding from the UNC Highway Safety Research Center to improve pedestrian safety and create a “walkable” area.
The communities will receive $2,000 in funding to implement their plans. “The grant
will assist with planning for sidewalks along Highway 70 to ensure safer walking to
businesses and bus stops in the business corridor. We were thrilled to have received
- The Owen District Youth Football League is making a wonderful comeback from hard times. It is quoted as being a “resurrected program”. You can watch them practice at Owen Park. Here’s a link to the Citizen-Times article. (sorry,
The AC-T has disabled the link).
- Swannanoa Business Directory: Swannanoa’s first Business Directory and Community Guide has just been published by the Swannanoa Pride Community Coalition (SPCC). The directory is available to the public free of charge at various locations, including Moments Cafe, Okie Dokies Smokehouse, PSA Pharmacy, The Breakfast Shoppe, the Swannanoa Library, the Black Mountain-Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce, and several local churches. For more information about the Directory, call (828) 230-2385 or send an email to swannanoacommunitydirectory@yahoo.com.
- 50th Anniversary of the Swannanoa Fire Department: The Swannanoa Fire Department, chartered in 1959, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The Fire Department which is always honored and respected by grateful residents of Swannanoa, has served these 50 years with excellence. The Department, under the helm of Chief Anthony Penland, plays a central role in the leadership and community spirit of Swannanoa.
On October 3rd, the Fire Department will hold a celebration for the Swannanoa
community including activities for children, tours, displays and a ceremony
honoring former members of the department. This celebration will be held in
conjunction with the Swannanoa Mill Around the Village Festival.
Image courtesy of the Swannanoa Fire Department
- Another New Business in Swannanoa. Isn’t that great! New businesses keep popping up around here. Check out Tula’s Threads, an alteration shop at 2391 Hwy 70. You can’t miss it. Tula Cooke has a solid reputation for alterations of all kinds, and interestingly, she was a sewer at Beacon Mfg. for 25 years. Phone: 581-0391. UPDATE – Tula’s Threads has moved across the street, but she’s still sewing! Just check over on the other side of Hwy 70 for the new location.
- Swannanoa Resident honored with Horatio Alger Award – It’s a true “rags-to-riches” story! We have really great folks here in Swannanoa. Click on this link for the details: SORRY, the Citizen-Times disabled this link.
- BLACK BOTTOM GREENHOUSE – NEW SWANNANOA BUSINESS – Robbie Craig has opened a new greenhouse business conveniently located off Bee Tree Road about a mile from downtown. And just in time for Spring planting! For details and photos see our “Spotlight On” page. You can click here.
- Need Help With Medications? -Now in addition to emergency assistance with utilities, Swannanoa residents can obtain help with prescriptions. A program of the Swannanoa Community Council, the Swannanoa Emergency Assistance Program (SEAP) offers limited medication payment assistance to Swannanoa residents. Payment arrangements are made directly with the pharmacy, and limits on payments apply. No money is paid directly to clients. For assistance call SEAP at (828) 775-5595 to schedule an appointment.
- More About Swannanoa’s New Chocolate Factory – What? Willy Wonka here in Swannanoa? Well, no but David Mason is just as fascinating. His new business is also located in downtown Swannanoa and we’d recommend a visit. We believe they are open on Fridays at 131 South Avenue. Or check the website at:
http://www.blackmountainchocolate.com. There’s more of his musings about chocolate on his blog page which can be accessed from the website.
- Long Time Area Business – Did you know that we have one of the last remaining locally owned independent TV repair shops in the Asheville area? Yes, Mac’s Swannanoa TV, owned and operated by Timothy Edwards, is right in the heart of downtown Swannanoa. And if you have trouble with the “digital switch”, Tim who has been in business for 30 years, can help you out. Click on this link for more information: SORRY – the Citizen-Times has disabled this link.
- New Area Business – Are you wondering what is happening to the building on the corner of Whitson Ave and Hwy 70 in downtown Swannanoa (the old visitor’s center among other lives)? Looks like a new Veterinary Clinic coming to the Beacon Village area. The entire building is undergoing renovation. We will provide more information as it becomes available.
- Former BEACON PLANT Site – The 42 acre site in the heart of downtown Swannanoa is in the midst of getting a clean-up and a face lift. All the concrete is being torn up, removed and crushed for recycling. Grass will be planted on the property. The question remains as to what will eventually be built there. Many are hoping for a mixed use development with retail, commercial and residential facilities, although there are no immediate plans.
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