FANS E-Newsletter
 February - March 2023
This every-other-month newsletter is a free publication of Friends and Neighbors of Swannanoa (FANS). Help us spread the word about the great things happening in our community by forwarding this to a friend. If you have a story idea, please click here to send us an email. We'd love to hear from you! 

In between newsletters, you can stay connected with your community by visiting the Friends and Neighbors of Swannanoa Facebook page. And while you're there, don't forget to Like us!  
In This Issue

FANS "Adopts" a Section of Old U.S. 70 and Encourages Other Groups to Follow Suit

Residents Can Participate in New "Mountain Term" Courses at Warren Wilson College

FANS Seeks Donations for Owen High Community Service Award

Good Things Happening at Swannanoa's ArtSpace Charter School

Scenes from Swannanoa's Past and Present -
Harrison's Haberdashery and Fox Creek Park

Learn About the First Swannanoans -
March 14

Jimmy's on the River is Back!

Celebrate Valentine's Day With Stories of Love and Murder in the Appalachians - February 14

Local Nonprofits Encouraged
to Apply for Grants

Birding for Kids - Feb. 14

County's 20-Year Comprehensive Plan Nears Completion - Your Input is Needed

Save the Dates for Upcoming Winter
and Spring Events in Swannanoa

Relieve Winter Boredom with Saturday Board Games - Feb. 11 and March 11

Swannanoa Affordable Apartment Complex for Seniors Now Taking Applications
Quick Link
About FANS
 
Friends and Neighbors of Swannanoa (FANS) is an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization working for a strong and vibrant Swannanoa by encouraging active involvement, fostering community spirit, and honoring our unique history and natural heritage. For more info and to find out how you can get involved, visit www.SwannanoaFANS.org.
 
FANS' Board of Directors:
 
Matt Barker - Treasurer
Andrew Belz
Casey Conner
Kara Dillow - Chair  
Maureen Dillow
Sandy Drake 
Samantha Gallman
Carol Groben 
Doug Lebbon
Josh Wells - Vice Chair
Evan Yanik
 
We welcome and appreciate your input and ideas! You can write to us at SwannanoaFANS@gmail.com.
Come Learn About the
First Swannanoans 
Join Warren Wilson College Professor and archaeologist, David Moore, for this fascinating look at Swannanoa's rich human history, before the arrival of European settlers. This free program takes place on Tuesday, March 14, at 6:30 p.m. at the Swannanoa Library.

The library is located at 101 West Charleston Avenue, in Grovemont. For more info, call the library at 828-250-6486.
Jimmy's on the River
is Back!
Fans of Jimmy's on the River — Swannanoa's much-loved pizza place and hangout spot — were in mourning when Jimmy announced on the restaurant's Facebook page that the restaurant would be closing for good on Christmas Eve. Loyal customers flocked to Jimmy's in the final days to say their goodbyes and grab one last bite of the delicious pizza.

The outpouring of love and support was amazing, and it ultimately led to a change in circumstances that enabled Jimmy to reopen the restaurant's doors on January 4th. In making the announcement of the reopening on Facebook, Jimmy commented that "Christmas miracles really do happen!"

Let's get out and support Jimmy's on the River, and our other local restaurants, so their doors will continue to remain open. The restaurant business is tough, and if we want dining options in our community, it's up to us to give them our support.

Jimmy's on the River offers dine-in and takeout, and is located at 2334 U.S. Hwy. 70. In addition to pizza, salads, sandwiches, and more, guests can enjoy arcade games, pinball machines, pool, and air hockey. Hours are 3 - 10 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, and 3 - 9 p.m. on Sunday. For more info, call 828-686-1986.
Celebrate Valentine's Day with Stories of Love and Murder in the Appalachians 
Join Irene Moser and her players for a rip-roaring, spine-tingling Valentine's Day evening of traditional mountain love songs and murder ballads - lyrical, riddling, murderous and humorous!

Two generations of the Moser family of Swannanoa, along with some of their friends, will introduce the audience to this unique mountain song tradition, and the history and folklore behind it. Expect plenty of chills along the way!

Irene Moser is a folklorist and singer with family roots in the Bee Tree and Swannanoa mountains that extend back for generations. She and the other performers are honored to share their knowledge and love of these curious and centuries-old songs from Great Britain and the Appalachian mountains.

This free program takes place on Tuesday, February 14, from 6:30-8 p.m., at the Swannanoa Library, 101 West Charleston Avenue, and is recommended for ages 13 and up. For info, call the library at 828-250-6486.
Local Nonprofits Encouraged to Apply for Grants
The Black Mountain - Swannanoa Valley Endowment Fund, an affiliate of The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina (CFWNC), is currently accepting applications for its spring grant cycle from nonprofits and public agencies serving the Swannanoa Valley. The grants will range in size from $2,500 - $10,000, and will focus on projects and programs relating to health and wellness, education, cultural and natural resources, and human services. The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 1, 2023. 

The online application can be accessed at cfwnc.org/grants/black-mountain-swannanoa-valley-endowment-fund. For more information about the Endowment Fund's spring grant program, please contact Virginia Dollar at CFWNC, 828-367-9907, or dollar@cfwnc.org.
Join the North Carolina Arboretum for this free educational program that will take kids on a journey through the amazing world of our feathered friends! The program takes place on Tuesday, February 14, from 4-5 p.m., at the Swannanoa Library, 101 West Charleston Avenue.

Participants in this ecoEXPLORE event will learn about the unique characteristics of the many species of birds that live among us, and will have an opportunity to spot birds in the park outside the library. The program is geared towards kids in grades K-5. For info, call the library at 828-280-6486.
Buncombe County's
20-Year Comprehensive Plan Nears Completion 
Buncombe County wants to hear from you before the draft version of the County’s 2043 Comprehensive Plan is finalized and adopted. The plan will guide the county’s decision-making for the next twenty years when it comes to development, infrastructure, recreation, and new programs. Don’t miss this opportunity to review the draft plan and share your feedback about what you'd like to see happen in our community and the surrounding county over the next 20 years.

You're invited to attend an exhibit at the Black Mountain Library (105 North Dougherty Street) to learn about how the plan was created, and to let the county know if it reflects the community’s vision for the future. The exhibit takes place on Friday, February 10, from 10 a.m. - 5:45 p.m., and is drop-in style, and self-guided. Planning staff will be available to answer questions. A virtual exhibit, and opportunity to provide feedback is also available online at engage.buncombecounty.org/Y4853.

After this final round of public input is complete, the Planning Board and Board of Commissioners will review the draft plan. Plan adoption is anticipated to take place in the Spring of 2023.

A comprehensive plan is used by local governments as a broad, long-range planning tool for the community. Buncombe's plan will focus on the next 20-year period and will look at the relationships between land uses, infrastructure, and key community needs. You can follow the plan’s progress, sign up for newsletter updates, and learn more at buncombecounty.org/plan2043.
Save the Dates for Upcoming Swannanoa Events 
Friends and Neighbors of Swannanoa (FANS) has set dates for a number of community events coming up this winter and spring. Mark your calendar now so you don't miss out!

Adopt-A-Highway Cleanup - Saturday, February 18, 1-4 p.m.: Meet in the parking lot at Community High School (235 Old U.S. 70), and help pick up litter along a 2.5 mile stretch of Old U.S. 70.

Swannanoa Sweep Community Cleanup - Saturday, April 22 (Earth Day), 9 a.m.-noon: Join your neighbors for this annual cleanup of Swannanoa's roadsides and river banks. Same meeting spot as Adopt-A-Highway (see above).

Swannanoa Community Garden Workday - Saturday, May 6, 10 a.m.-noon, followed by lunch under the garden pavilion: Come help get the Swannanoa Community Garden spruced up and ready for another great growing season. Fun for the whole family! Volunteers of all ages and abilities are welcome. The garden is located on Clover Lane, off Lake Eden Rd. (turn left just before the entrance to Owen High).

Cinema on the Square Outdoor Movie - Friday, May 19, around dusk: Watch a family-friendly movie under the stars in Grovemont Square, adjacent to the Swannanoa Library, 101 West Charleston Ave. The movie title will be announced as the date draws closer.

Swannanoa Community Yard Sale - Saturday, May 20, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.: This popular twice-annual event draws dozens of sellers and hundreds of buyers to the Swannanoa Ingles parking lot, 2299 U.S. Hwy. 70. Seller registration will open approximately one month in advance. Stay tuned for details!

Swannanoa Community Blood Drive - Thursday, May 25, 10:30 am. - 3:30 p.m.: Help us reach the milestone of 300 units of blood donated since FANS began sponsoring these community blood drives during the pandemic. Sign up at redcrossblood.org, using Sponsor Code "Valleyhope. The drive will be held at Valley Hope Church, 115 Rockdale Avenue.
Relieve Winter Boredom With Saturday Board Games
Chase away the winter blues with an afternoon of board games at the Swannanoa Library. Bring your friends and family and enjoy a selection of library-provided games for ages 7 and up (or bring your favorites from home!). The board game events take place on Saturdays, February 11 and March 11, from 2-4:45 p.m. Please click here to register, or call the library at 828-250-6486. Space is limited, but the fun isn't! 

The Swannanoa Library is located at 101 West Charleston Avenue, in Grovemont.
Swannanoa Affordable Apartment Complex for Seniors Now Taking Applications
The Villas at Swannanoa, a new 60-unit affordable apartment complex for seniors (55+), is now accepting applications. The Villas is located at 2255 U.S. Hwy. 70, just west of the Swannanoa Ingles. The one- and two-bedroom units are expected to be ready for occupancy this spring. For more info, call 828-424-7028 or 919-878-0522 x265. You can also download an application at excelpropertymanagement.com.
FANS "Adopts" a Section
of Old U.S. 70 and Encourages Other Groups to Follow Suit     
As part of ongoing efforts to keep Swannanoa clean and beautiful, Friends and Neighbors of Swannanoa (FANS) has officially "adopted" a section of Old U.S. 70 under NCDOT's Adopt-A-Highway litter pickup program. NCDOT established the Adopt-A-Highway program in 1988 in response to growing public concern about trash and debris along North Carolina’s roadways. Unfortunately, 35 years later, those concerns still remain. Roadside trash continues to mar the beauty of our community, and FANS hopes that focusing renewed attention on the Adopt-A-Highway program can help alleviate the litter problem.

FANS will recruit community volunteers (this means you!) to help pick up trash four times a year along the adopted 2.5 mile section of Old U.S. 70, stretching from the intersection with Riverwood Road in the west, to the intersection with Lake Eden Road in the east. The first two cleanups will take place on Saturday, February 18 from 1-4 p.m., and on Saturday, April 22 (which also happens to be Earth Day) from 9 a.m.-noon, during the annual Swannanoa Sweep community cleanup. Volunteers should wear sturdy shoes and old clothes. For the February 18 cleanup, volunteers will meet in the parking lot of Community High School, 235 Old U.S. 70. For the April 22 cleanup, volunteers will meet at the east end of the Swannanoa Ingles parking lot, near the former Bank of America building.

In addition to recruiting volunteers to clean up the newly-adopted 2.5 mile section of Old U.S. 70, FANS is encouraging others to jump on the bandwagon by adopting their own section of roadway in Swannanoa. Our goal is 25 by '25 — 25 miles of Swannanoa roadway adopted by 2025!

Adopt-A-Highway has more than 120,000 participants across the state, but very few participants in Swannanoa. Let's change that! Civic and community groups; schools; clubs; religious, professional and social organizations; as well as individuals and families, are all encouraged to step up and adopt a section of Swannanoa roadway. Together, we can keep our beautiful community clean, and help achieve the goal of 25 by '25.

NCDOT asks Adopt-A-Highway groups to commit to four cleanups a year for at least four years on a 2-mile stretch of roadway that they pick. In exchange, NCDOT installs two Adopt-A-Highway signs along the adopted road, with a recognition panel naming your group or family. NCDOT also provides safety training, and safety vests and trash bags, and arranges for trash pickup when your cleanup is complete.

For information on how you or your group can participate in the Adopt-A-Highway program, and to access the online application, visit the NCDOT website, Questions can also be directed to David Hoskins, the Buncombe County Adopt-A-Highway Coordinator, at 828-803-6114.

Believe it or not, every section of available roadway in Wake County has been adopted. If Wake County can do it, so can we!
Local Residents Can Participate in new 'Mountain Term' Courses at Warren Wilson College
Swannanoa's Warren Wilson College is introducing a new program of short courses geared toward adult learners, called "Mountain Term." The program bills itself as "adult courses for the curious and adventurous types."

According to the program's website, which is still under development, Mountain Term will be "a vessel for community building, exploration, adventure, place-based learning, and the ignition of new passion for lifelong learners." The program will be held in the late spring and early summer, and will include non-credit courses, ranging in length from one to three weeks, as well as global explorations led by Warren Wilson faculty. The first global adventure, a 10-day "Scottish Sojourn" focusing on music, history and culture, has already sold out.

Short courses beginning in mid-to-late May will include Intro to Blacksmithing, Creative Writing, Fine Woodworking and Fiber Arts. According to the college's website, "these courses highlight the unique magic of Warren Wilson College, which has been a hub of experiential learning since its founding as the Asheville Farm School in 1894."

Adults of all ages (18+) are encouraged to apply. Registration and fee information is not yet available, but you can visit wwcmountainterm.com for more info, or contact the Program Coordinator, Anna Welton, at awelton@warren-wilson.edu, 828-771-3783.
Intro to Blacksmithing is among the Mountain Term course offerings at Warren Wilson College this spring. Participants in this five-day workshop will shape metal using hammer, anvil, and forge, and will combine a number of metal techniques to create a double bit culinary instrument. No prior experience is required.
FANS Seeks Donations
for Owen High
Community Service Award
Friends and Neighbors of Swannanoa (FANS) established the annual Owen High Community Service Award in 2021 as a way to recognize graduating seniors for exemplary service to the Swannanoa Valley during their high school career. Award recipients receive a $500 scholarship applied directly toward their secondary education. With the help of funds raised through donations from the community, three deserving students have received the award in the past two years.

If you'd like to help support this ongoing initiative, send your donation to FANS at P.O. Box 697, Swannanoa, NC, 28778. Please write “Owen High Senior Award” in the memo line of your check. You may also click on the blue link below to make a secure donation through Paypal. FANS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization; if you provide your address, you'll receive a receipt and thank you note confirming your tax deductible donation. FANS would love to recognize as many qualified students as possible. With each additional $500 raised, another award can be given.
 
Students receiving the award are recommended by faculty and staff of Owen High who are aware of the student’s community service activities. School counselors provide input regarding service and post-secondary education plans. Students interested in being considered should inquire with the counseling department of Owen High School. If you'd like to recommend a graduating senior who has served the Swannanoa community, please contact the counseling department at 828-686-3852.

Your donation will help inspire our students to give back to their community through service, while also assisting them in pursuing their post-secondary educational goals. The award(s) will be given at the Senior Awards Banquet in May; donations must be received no later than April 30. Thank you for your support!
Emma "Bailey" Mundy received the 2022 Owen High Community Service Award, presented by FANS at the school's spring awards ceremony.
Lots of Good Things Happening at Swannanoa's ArtSpace Charter School
ArtSpace Charter School, located at 2030 U.S. 70 in Swannanoa, has been named a 2022 National ESEA (Elementary and Secondary Education Act) Distinguished School. ArtSpace is one of only two schools in North Carolina to receive this honor. A team from the school will attend the National ESEA Conference in February to share their unique arts-integrated, educational approach.

“We believe in the power of the arts as a vehicle for learning, offering a non-threatening access point for all students,” said Dr. Sarena Fuller, the school’s Executive Director. “This is a prestigious honor at any time, but especially after a few challenging pandemic years.”
Fuller describes this honor as a testament to the ArtSpace staff, students, parents/guardians, and to the incredible community. As an A+ School, ArtSpace uses a hands-on, experiential approach where students can find alternative paths to learning based on their own strengths.

The school’s theme this year is “Building What Matters,” which ties in well with the expansion of their physical facilities that's currently underway. The school broke ground in August on a major addition to their 22-acre campus. Frank L. Blum Construction is managing the project, which involves construction of a new 11,000 square foot Arts Building on U.S. 70, just to the east of the school's current main campus.

ArtSpace is a public charter school, serving students in grades K-8. For more info, visit artspacecharter.org.
School staff, board members, students, and special guests participated in the August groundbreaking ceremony for the new 11,000 square foot Arts building.
Scenes from Swannanoa Past and Present 
The village that grew up around the Beacon Mill and the Swannanoa passenger rail station was once a thriving business district. This photograph from the Swannanoa Valley Museum's extensive photograph archives shows the H.R. Harrison & Co. store in downtown Swannanoa, a general provision store that was located near the Swannanoa train station on Railroad Street. The store’s location was convenient to local residents, as well as tourists freshly disembarking from the train for a stay in the mountains. In the late 1940s, Harrison’s store was a haberdashery that supplied shoes, clothing and hats. Harrison also maintained a furniture store in the same building.
The first improvement project of 2023 was recently completed at Fox Creek Park, Swannanoa's newest "park in progress," located at 111 Ivanhoe Street, in Grovemont. Thanks to speedy work by Alex Watts of Watts Works, a fence has at long last been erected above the dropoff into the dam spillway, making the park's entrance safer for passersby than it has been in over 100 years! Fox Creek Park is a project of the Swannanoa Community Council, and is supported entirely by volunteers. Several residents stepped up to help fund the safety fence, but you can still chip in at grovemontpark.org/donate. To learn more about the restoration work at Fox Creek Park, and to find out how you can get involved, visit foxcreekpark.org.
A Special Thank You to Our Newsletter Sponsors!
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We're big fans of Swannanoa—our home since 2005!

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How long have we been Realtors®? Find out at nestrealty.com/ginnyandmatt.
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Be a FANS 
Newsletter Sponsor 
 
The FANS E-Newsletter currently reaches more than 2,000 subscribers (and many more via social media). Additionally, approximately 500 print copies are distributed through the library and local businesses. Sponsorships are available for as little as $30. It's a great way to promote your business and show your support for our community. To learn more about newsletter sponsorship opportunities, please visit www.SwannanoaFANS.org and click on the "Our Projects" tab, or write to SwannanoaFANS@gmail.com. 
Please consider making a donation to help support FANS' work in the community. Checks can be mailed to: FANS, PO Box 697, Swannanoa, NC 28778; or you can make a secure Paypal donation by clicking the link below. Friends and Neighbors of Swannanoa is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization -- donations are tax deductible. Every little bit helps. Thank you!  


For more info, call 828-581-9848, send us an email at SwannanoaFANS@gmail.com or visit www.SwannanoaFANS.org. 
Friends and Neighbors of Swannanoa (FANS)
PO Box 697, Swannanoa, NC 28778