e-Focus Newsletter

Town of Weaverville

Monthly News & Updates

Join us for Independence Day!

Join the Town for the annual Fourth of July event on Tuesday, July 4th, 2023! Streets intersecting Main Street will be closed to allow for plenty of room for people to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and dance the night away! The music performance will be provided by Caitlin Krisko and the Broadcast and will begin at 7:30pm, followed by fireworks. Come early to claim your spot and get food and beverages from Main Street establishments and other local vendors! More information will be posted to the Town website and Facebook page soon.

All vendor spots have been filled. Contact the Town’s Recreation Coordinator with any questions at sstovall@weavervillenc.org or (828) 658-5816.

Reminders from the Weaverville Police Department for July 4 Event

The Town of Weaverville’s Independence Day celebration is upon us and is guaranteed to be a blast for all ages! However, at the risk of sounding more like the “Fun Police” than the “Regular Police”, we have some rules and safety suggestions we would like to go over.

Rules:

No dogs are allowed at the event. According to studies, most dogs experience a “Fight or Flight” reflex when around loud noises like fireworks. It is better to leave your four-legged family members at the house. They may miss you, but they will thank you in the long run.
No alcohol is allowed at the event. This shindig is family friendly, and everyone knows that family friendly shindigs don’t allow alcohol! Seriously, no alcohol allowed!
Sparklers are not allowed at the event. Why no sparklers (or any other types of fireworks) at a July 4th celebration? Simple, sparklers burn at 1200 degrees! There will be thousands of people occupying a small area, and the chances that someone will get injured is high!

Suggestions:

Wear sunscreen. If you plan on arriving prior to 5 o’clock pm, the sun’s rays are still dangerous. As my grandfather would always tell me, “The skin issues I have now, came from sun exposure decades ago!”
Bring water. July is hot, and when you are having fun, you may not realize how much fluid your body has lost. Bring a couple bottles of water to help keep dehydration under control.
Be patient. It’s easy to get in a hurry! Hurry to get here, hurry to park, hurry to find a good spot in front of the stage, hurry to get the great treats from the vendors. Take an extra moment to plan your day so that your 4^th doesn’t seem to be more of a hurried bother than a relaxing day of celebration.
Community policing mindset. The Weaverville Police Department is charged with the safety of the community on a broad basis. All citizens should be mindful of any suspicious or illegal activity and report it immediately! There will be several uniformed officers at the event as well as two units from our new bicycle patrol division. Report any suspicious or illegal activity to one of these officers or call 911.

Making sure Weaverville stays a safe place to work and live is the responsibility of us all. Let’s make sure this year’s 4th of July celebration is the best yet!

Sergeant Andy Mace

Weaverville Police Department

June Updates from the Mayor

The Governor’s Visit

In June I was pleased to welcome Governor Roy Cooper to Weaverville at our Weaverville Primary School for a talk on the state of emergency he has issued to protect public education. The students all prepared hand colored state flags which they presented to him and they were very excited to meet the Governor.

He then crossed the street to our Town Hall where he held a planning meeting with western North Carolina school board members and school superintendents.

Later in the month, I was invited to the Governor’s Executive Mansion in Raleigh to participate in the Governor’s Pride Month reception. I was pleased to represent Weaverville and to invite the Governor to visit our great town again.

The Regional Water Interconnectivity Project

Our innovative water plant expansion and regional interconnectivity project continues to progress. Our neighbors in Woodfin, Mars Hill and Marshall are working with us and I was able to visit with several state Senators and Representatives in Raleigh in May to gain their support for state funding to ease the cost of construction of our water plant. I received very positive responses from all I talked with about our project. The budgets of Senate and House are in conference now which is expected to go well past the usual June 30 deadline. Let’s hope our project gets funded!

Additionally l met with Congressman Edwards’ staff on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC in March and asked his support for our project. I’m glad to share with you that he has requested $10million in federal funding for us -- his largest funding request this year! Decisions on this won’t happen until the fall.

Patrick Fitzsimmons, Mayor

Help Weaverville Remain an Inclusive and Welcoming Community

On May 25^th, the Department of Homeland Security issued an ominous bulletin stating that lone offenders and small groups motivated by… ideological beliefs and personal grievances… pose a persistent and lethal threat to the Homeland. In an advisory that will be in force for six months, it warned that domestic extremists might attack critical infrastructure; schools; faith-based institutions; racial and ethnic minorities; and individuals or events associated with the LGBTQIA+ community.

You would not be alone in feeling unsettled by the potential for intolerance and violence this warning suggests. And I’m sure you would agree that intentions and events like these, played out right here on American soil, betray the best of our country’s traditions, aspirations, and hard-won rights and freedoms.

So, what are we, the residents of Weaverville NC, to do in the face of increasing divisiveness and hostility? How do we rise above the noise and tension to ensure that our lovely mountain town remains the charming, hospitable place we all fell in love with?

Let’s start by recognizing that Weaverville is and will remain a bastion of fellowship and civility. Let’s remember that, in 2021, our Town Council affirmed its commitment to those core values by adopting its own Non-Discrimination Proclamation. (Link below.) As we endeavor to “think globally,” let’s also “act locally” by continuing to cultivate community, embrace diversity, and seek a greater understanding among our neighbors. We’ve got this, Weaverville.

Town of Weaverville Non-Discrimination Resolution

Patrick Fitzsimmons, Mayor

Mark Your Calendar

July Town Council Meetings:

July 18, 2023 at 6pm Town Council Workshop
July 24, 2023 at 6pm Town Council Regular Meeting

For more information click here.

2023 Saturday Summer Concert Series

Join us for the second 2023 Summer Concert Series performance of the year starring The Dirty French Broads! You can read more about the band and their music on their website. We hope to see you there, 6pm in the Main Street Nature Park on Saturday, July 8th!

Cancellations or reschedule dates due to inclement weather will be announced on the Town Facebook page and website.

Weaverville Center for Creative & Healthy Living News

Weaverville Center for Creative & Healthy Living: Blog / 1 July 2023

Scheduling Updates

Independence Day. Just a reminder that the Community Center will be open on Monday, July 3^rd but closed on July 4^th. The Center will reopen on Wednesday, July 5^th for all WCCHL programming and Town events.

Poetry Group. After a very enthusiastic first meeting, Mel Kelley (our Poetry Group Champion) has requested on behalf of her participants to extend their meeting times from one hour to ninety minutes! Please note that their next two scheduled meeting on June 27^th will run from 7:00-8:30 PM in the MultiPurpose Room. So glad to hear they are expanding their programming so soon! Perhaps there will be a poetry reading at the Community Center in the not so distant future. For more information, contact Mel Kelley at: soulspeakavl@gmail.com.

DreamWeaver Kids. There will be no youth theatre classes during the summer months, but DreamWeaver Kids will return on September 18^th to get organized for the 4^th Quarter. After a short hiatus, they will begin meeting regularly again on October 2^nd and continue to meet from 4:00 - 5:30 PM on the 1^st, 3^rd, and 4^th Mondays of each month. For more information, contact Janice Vertucci Schreiber at: dreamweaversnc@gmail.com. Aug1^st audition workshop in prep for Holiday Season performances. For more information, contact Janice Vertucci Schreiber at: dreamweaversnc@gmail.com.

Artisan Players. Our local troupe of actors will present The Sweet Delilah Swim Club on September 17th (originally called The Dixie Swim Club). Auditions are being discussed for July 18^th. Artisans Players continue to meet on the 1^st and 3^rd Tuesdays of the month. For more information about this troupe and future auditions, contact Janice Vertucci Schreiber at: dreamweaversnc@gmail.com.

Act Your Age Improvisation. The Act Your Age Class will only meet on June 27th this month. Beginning in July, the class will have a new schedule meeting the 2^nd and 4^th Tuesdays of the month. The annual Act Your Age Showcase is slated for Tuesday, September 12^th from 7:00-8:30 PM. For information, contact Janice Vertucci Schreiber at: dreamweaversnc@gmail.com.

Genealogy Group. It appears that we might have provided some conflicting information in our June 15^th Blog and Schedule Update. The actual time and date for future meetings is 4:30-5:30 PM on the 1^st Tuesday of each month. For more information contact Carla Mitchell at: carladeam@gmail.com.

Line Dance Lessons Update.

Beginner+ Line Dance Lessons: Nina Denninger will begin an 8 week class starting on June 15th, on Thursdays from 10:00-11:00 AM. To enroll, Contact Nina at: nina.denninger@gmail.com
"Improver" Line Dance Lessons: Bonnie Russolillio will begin an 8 week class starting on Jun 15^th, on Thursdays from 11:15AM-12:15PM. To enroll, Contact Bonnie at: bonnieruss1@icloud.com
Intermediate Line Dance Lessons are currently on hiatus and will return in the Fall. Look for details in our future Blogs and Schedules.

Save the Dates for these Special Events

Sunday, July 9^th: Excerpts from the new musical production of At the Café will be performed at the Weaverville Community Center prior to its grand premier at Asheville’s Diane Wortham Theater in August of this year. The script and lyrics were written by local playwright Marcy Gallagher and the music was written by Sarah Kors (who you might remember graced our stage in 2022 as one half of Tumo Kors). Marcy Gallagher will be on stage to engage with the audience for a Q&A after the performance. Free admission. Curtain time is 7:00 PM for this 75 minute performance. For more information contact Marcy Gallagher at: marcygallagher222@gmail.com.

Tuesday, July 18^th: Auditions. Janice Vertucci Schreiber will hold auditions for our local Artisan Players’ production of The Sweet Delilah Swim Club (originally called The Dixie Swim Club). Schreiber is planning an all-female cast. If you are interested in auditioning for this production, audition scripts should be ready by June 29th and available for pick up at Shelby Stovall’s office in the Community Center. Auditions are set for Tuesday, July 18th from 7:00-9:00 PM in the Multipurpose Room . For more information, contact Janice Vertucci Schreiber at: dreamweaversnc@gmail.com.

Sunday, July 23^rd: Come join us for a matinee theatrical production of Tales from the MOB (Mothers of the Brides). Experience a troupe of local actors performing a montage of hysterically funny and endearing tales from mothers of the brides as they bring to life the many notable moments in anticipation of the “big day”. Free admission. Performance time is 2:00-3:30 PM. For more information contact Cappy Tosetti at: cappyt@att.net.

Thursday, August 3^rd: Free Storytelling Concert. Four local performers will once again grace the stage to tell both personal stories and those from the treasure trove of historical tales from the Blue Ridge. Storytellers slated to perform are Jill Tottman, Cindy Fink, Chuck Fink, and Wallace Bohanan. Free admission. Performance time is 7:00-8:30 PM. For more information contact Chuck Fink at: charlesfink1@gmail.com.

Friday, August 11^th: Book Preview, Reading, and More… (Rescheduled)

The World Beyond the Redbud Tree, by Madison C. Brightwell at 7:00-8:30 PM. Madison C. Brightwell (a Weaverville resident) will read from and discuss her new novel - The World Beyond the Redbud Tree. This novel was written by Brightwell during the COVID pandemic as a response to what she saw as a world that needed some healing and hope. The novel is set partly right here in Weaverville, and partly in a fantasy parallel universe, in which our teenage heroine, Charli, discovers a Utopian world where different and better choices were made - a world in which the native peoples were embraced by the white colonists and not destroyed by them, which created a harmonious and peaceful society. Madison hopes to inspire readers of the book to think about how we can all contribute to making the world a better place. Free admission. This event will feature…

o An interview with the author,

o Q&A with the audience,

o A performance of an extract from the book by local actors, and

o A book signing by the author at the end of the evening.

Review: "Brightwell's storytelling is vivid and rich and her writing compelling. The World Beyond the Redbud Tree is a fascinatingly adventurous and original examination of life, grief, forgiveness, and compassion. It's unlike anything I've read before: captivating, touching, gently magical and ultimately uplifting."—

Penny Haw, author of The Wilderness Between Us and The Invincible Miss Cust.

If you want to have Madison sign your copy of her book after her presentation, it is available through Amazon.com in both hardcopy and paperback. Publisher ‏ : ‎ Koehler Books (April 11, 2023) / ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1646639375 / ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1646639373. For more information contact Madison Brightwell at: me@madisonbrightwell.com.

Friday, September 1^st: The musical stylings of Peggy Retusz and her band will bring an evening filled with bluesy standards and original works for a romping good time. Free concert from 7:00-8:30 PM. Follow Peggy Retusz on Facebook and YouTube to get an advance glimpse of her musical artistry.

Tuesday, September 12^th: The Act Your Age Improvisation Group will perform its annual Act Your Age Improvisation Showcase from 7:00-8:30 PM. This should be another fun event filled with hilarious moments that are suitable for the entire family. Free admission. For more information, contact Janice Vertucci Schreiber at: dreamweaversnc@gmail.com.

Thursday, September 14^th: (New Date) Storytelling Concert. Chuck Fink will present his students from his Basics of Storytelling Class in their “graduation performances”. Come and support these budding performers at this free storytelling concert. Suitable for all ages. Performance time is 7:00-8:30 PM.

Sunday, September 17^th: Janice Vertucci Schreiber and her local Artisan Players will produce another fabulous “Readers’ Theater” production. Schreiber is planning an all-female cast that will present The Sweet Delilah Swim Club (originally called The Dixie Swim Club). Our local actors will give a free performance with curtain time at 7:00 PM for this 90 minute production.

Interested in auditioning for this production? Audition scripts should be ready by June 29th and available at Shelby Stovall’s office in the Community Center. Actual auditions are set for Tuesday, July 18th from 7:00-9:00 PM in the Multipurpose Room . For more information, contact Janice Vertucci Schreiber at: dreamweaversnc@gmail.com.

Welcome New Sponsor

Thank you Dave Trout and Trout Insurance for joining the Weaverville Business Association as our WCCHL sponsors. Look for their logos on our Facebook page and Blog entries.

Thomas M. Balestrieri

Board Chairperson

Weaverville Center for Creative & Healthy Living

26 Whitetail Drive

Weaverville, NC 28787

wcchl@weavervillenc.org

904.347.3312

www.facebook.com/WCCHL