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JANUARY |
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 | Orientation Set for 2011 Swannanoa Rim Hikes
An
orientation for the 2011 Swannanoa Rim Hike Series will be held on
Thursday, January 6 at 7 pm in the Community Room at Black Mountain
Savings Bank, 200 E. State St., Black Mountain.
This
year's series will feature 11 hikes which will be outlined in detail at
the orientation. Participants from last year's events will also be on
hand to talk about their experiences on the hikes.
The
Swannanoa Rim is the approximately 31-mile stretch of ridgeline that
encircles the upper Swannanoa Valley--"Eastern America's Highest and
Most Historic Skyline."
Participants
in the Rim Hike Series, which is a signature program of the Swannanoa
Valley Museum, receive a "Passport to the Swannanoa Rim" in which to
record experiences. Each hike is described on a separate page in
the Passport, which is stamped at the conclusion of each hike.
Those who complete the entire rim receive an award at a celebration
banquet. (See story below.)
Cost
for the Rim Hikes is $25 per hike for Museum members, $45 for
non-members. Those choosing to pay in advance for all 11 hikes
will receive one hike free. Please call Wendell Begley,
828-669-7991, for reservations and more information.
Photo courtesy of Joe Standaert :Rim hikers take a break and enjoy the scenic views from the Swannanoa Rim. |
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 | Historic Thomas Chapel Nears Completion
The
historic original Thomas Chapel AME Zion Church on Cragmont Road in
Black Mountain is believed to be the first church for black people in
the community, established ca. 1892.
The
chapel was restored in 2008 at the same time as the Swannanoa Valley
Museum's building. Indeed, both projects were awarded the
distinguished Griffin Award by the Preservation Society of Asheville and
Buncombe County.
Although
the structure is now soundly renovated, the interior, which is planned
to be used for weddings and special occasions, is in need of funds to
pay for pews that complete the furnishings. Pews can be dedicated
in memory of or tribute to friends and loved ones. Opportunity for
dedications include nine long pews for $500 apiece, and two shorter
ones for $300. Interested parties please contact Dot Jones,
828-669-2625.
Photo: Deborah Hamilton-Palmer. Restoration was done by volunteer Bill Gilham and his construction team. |
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| Swannanoa Rim Hikers to be Celebrated at Banquet
On
Saturday, January 15, starting at 5:30 pm, participants in the
Swannanoa Rim hikes and their guests will be honored at a special
banquet at the Assembly Inn in Montreat.
Refreshments
will be served at 5:30 in the lobby, with dinner following at 6 pm and
awards at 7 pm. Those who completed all hikes will be guests
of the Museum; cost for other hikers and guests is $20 per
person.
Please call the Museum, 828-669-9566, or send an email to swannanoavalleym@bellsouth.net for reservations. |
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Our Sponsor
We hope everyone had happy holidays and are looking forward to a great New Year!
The
board of directors and staff of the Swannanoa Valley Museum are looking
forward to a year full of excellent exhibits, programs, and events,
starting this week with the Orientation for the 2011 Swannanoa Rim Hike
series.
Hikers
from last year have expressed great enthusiasm for the series,
which took them around the entire Swannanoa Rim, where they saw this
historic valley from every vantage point and learned much of the history
that makes this such a special place.
If
you like to hike, and are not faint-of-heart, because some of the hikes
are rather strenuous, we hope you will join us this Thursday evening,
Janaury 6 at 7 pm here at the bank to learn more about the program and
perhaps reserve your place on this year's hike.
Cheers! M. Wendell Begley, President Black Mountain Savings Bank
"The upper Swannanoa Valley as seen from the Swannanoa Rim."
Black Mountain Savings Bank, 200 E. State Street, Black Mountain,
NC 28711/Phone (828) 669-7991/Fax (828) 669-6974, Email:
mwb_bmsb@bellsouth.net
Our Board of Directors, who all live and work in the Swannanoa Valley:
M. Wendell Begley, William H. "Bill" Christy, James E. "Ed" Neves, C.T.
"Tom" Sobol, Jr., Joseph M. "Joe" Tyson, David D. Duncan and C. Roger
Hibbard
Equal Housing Lender/Member FDIC |
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The
mission of the Swannanoa Valley Museum is to preserve and interpret the
social, cultural and natural history of the Swannanoa Valley, a pathway
to Western North Carolina, by developing dynamic programs and engaging
exhibitions for the education and enrichment of the community, its
children and future generations.
P.O. Box 306, Black Mountain, NC 28711 • 828-669-9566
www.swannanoavalleymuseum.org • swannanoavalleym@bellsouth.net |
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