FANS E-Newsletter
 October - November 2022
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! 

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In This Issue

Swannanoa Community Yard Sale
Rescheduled for Oct. 8

Award Winning Beacon Mill Documentary Premieres in Swannanoa

Swannanoa Welcome Table Closes After Almost Twenty Years

Warren Wilson College Grad Stars in
"Top Gun: Maverick"

Get in the Holiday Spirit
With a Haunted History Tour

Walking Tours of Historic
Downtown Black Mountain

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for
New Swannanoa Crosswalks

Join the Swannanoa Watershed
Action Network

Swannanoa's ArtSpace Charter School Breaks Ground on Major Expansion Project

Save the Date for the
Swannanoa Winterfest - Dec. 17

Early Voting Begins Oct. 20

Community Blood Drive - Oct. 7

Intro to iOS and Android Photography - Oct. 8

Tiny Tots Yoga & Preschool Story Time

Board Games at the Library - Nov. 5 & 19

Pictures From the Past - Nolan Field and the Beacon Blanketeers

Swannanoa Scenes - Owen Park,
and Fox Creek Park Workday
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
James Brown
Casey Conner
Kara Dillow - Chair  
Maureen Dillow
Sandy Drake 
Samantha Gallman - Secretary
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.
Swannanoa Community Yard Sale Rescheduled for Oct. 8
Due to concerns about weather impacts from Hurricane Ian, the Swannanoa Community Yard Sale, originally scheduled for October 1, has been rescheduled for Saturday, October 8, from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Swannanoa Ingles parking lot, 2299 US Hwy. 70.

The twice-yearly yard sale, sponsored by Friends and Neighbors of Swannanoa (FANS), always draws huge crowds of enthusiastic sellers and shoppers. Mark your calendar for October 8, so you don't miss out on the Swannanoa Valley's largest yard sale event!

Seller spaces are $15 each if paid in advance ($20 on the day of the sale), with a two space maximum per seller. Please bring your own tables. For information on registration and advance payment options, please call 828-515-1840 or send an email to SwannanoaYardSale@gmail.com.

All proceeds from seller space rentals help support Friends and Neighbors of Swannanoa (FANS) — an all-volunteer nonprofit organization — and the Swannanoa community. Thank you, and see you at the sale!
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for New Swannanoa Crosswalks
Representatives from Mountain Housing Opportunities (MHO), Friends and Neighbors of Swannanoa (FANS), and local planning organizations gathered on August 17 for a ribbon cutting ceremony for Swannanoa's new crosswalks at U.S. 70 and Riverwood Road.

The project, which provides safe pedestrian access to bus stops and businesses for residents of East Haven apartments and other nearby neighborhoods, was completed through a collaborative effort involving MHO, FANS, Buncombe County and the NC Department of Transportation. The crossings and sidewalks connect to the sidewalk in the Ingles parking lot, allowing residents direct access to the grocery store and other businesses in that area.

The crosswalk project received funding from Dogwood Health Trust and the Black Mountain-Swannanoa Valley Endowment Fund, an affiliate of the Community Foundation of WNC.
Join the Swannanoa Watershed Action Network 
If you live in, and/or care, about the health of the Swannanoa Watershed and its inhabitants, please join the SwanWater (Swannanoa Watershed Action Network) group weekly meeting.

The group has been meeting for several months, with new people joining each week. Meetings take place every Friday from 2-4 p.m. at the Black Mountain Presbyterian Church, 117 Montreat Rd. Participants have begun taking the first steps toward creating the SwanWater Conceptual Plan of Action (SWCPoA). The process will involve mapping the Swannanoa Watershed sub-basins to determine water quality and flow, the location and number of community gardens and other community resources, the location and number of residents at-risk for food insecurity, tax value gentrification, and floodplain issues, as well as areas with high levels of soil runoff and pollution.

Newcomers are always welcome. For more information, please contact Kevin D. Jones at 415-515-0426, kevindoylejones1@gmail.com; or Robertson Work at 914 382 9692, robertsonwork100@gmail.com.
Swannanoa's ArtSpace Charter School
Breaks Ground on Major Expansion Project
ArtSpace Charter School in Swannanoa officially broke ground in August on a major addition to their 22-acre campus. Frank L. Blum Construction will manage the project, which involves construction of a new 11,000 square foot Arts Building. The new building will be on US 70, just to the east of the school's current main campus.

Blum Construction posted this description of the groundbreaking on their Facebook page:
As part of the groundbreaking ceremony, school staff, board members, students, and special guests each brought a bag of dirt from a meaningful place to add to the foundation site. Their dirt will be in the "heart of the building, as a symbol of how this project is more than a building, but a collection of its people.” Some of the students’ lessons have revolved around the progress of the project, so they are learning a lot about safety and construction. Seeing their New Arts Building being built will allow them to experience art from a different perspective, and we hope they enjoy watching it "grow" from the ground up!

ArtSpace is a public charter school, located at 2030 US Highway 70. The school serves students in grades K-8. For more info, visit artspacecharter.org.
Save the Date for the Swannanoa Winterfest - December 17
The Swannanoa Winterfest — a European-style outdoor market complete with holiday-themed crafts and gifts, food and hot drinks, caroling, festive holiday lights, a fire pit for roasting marshmallows, and more — made its debut in Swannanoa in 2019, and quickly became a local favorite. The 2022 edition of this crowd-pleasing event will take place on Saturday, December 17, from 3 - 8 p.m.

Mark your calendar now, and plan to head on out to Grovemont Square (adjacent to the Swannanoa Library, 101 West Charleston Avenue) to join the fun and catch some holiday spirit. This free, family-friendly event will include activities (and a few surprises!) for the kids, too.

The Swannanoa Winterfest is brought to you by Friends and Neighbors of Swannanoa (FANS) and the Swannanoa Community Council (SCC). Stay tuned to the FANS Facebook page for more details as the date draws closer.
Time to Vote!
Early Voting Begins Oct. 20
"I Voted" Sticker
The 2022 General Election takes place on Tuesday, Nov. 8, and now is the time to plan how and where you'll vote. The first step is to register to vote, if you haven't already done so. To register by mail, forms must be postmarked by October 14, and received no later that October 19. You can also register and vote on the same day during the Early Voting period, from October 20 through November 5.

The closest Early Voting locations for Swannanoa Valley residents are the Black Mountain Library, 105 N. Dougherty Street, and the East Asheville Library, 3 Avon Road. Hours are Monday – Friday, 8 a.m.-7:30 p.m., and Saturday, Oct 29 and Sunday Oct 30, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. On the last day of Early Voting (Sat., Nov. 5), hours are 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

Visit buncombecounty.org and click on "Elections Services" for information on voting by absentee ballot. At that website, you can also access the County's Voter Search Tool, where you can get information on your Election Day polling location, and download a sample ballot. Polls will be open on Election Day, November 8, from 6:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.

Buncombe County voters will be deciding on two important county bond issues, and electing representatives for a variety of federal, state and local offices. Every vote is important - make sure your voice is heard!
Give the Gift of Life at the Swannanoa Community Blood Drive - Oct.7 
You can help save lives by participating in the Swannanoa Community Blood Drive on Friday, October 7, from 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., at Valley Hope Church, 115 Rockdale Avenue, in Swannanoa. The blood drive is sponsored by Friends and Neighbors of Swannanoa (FANS), in cooperation with the Western North Carolina Chapter of the American Red Cross.

To schedule a time for your donation, please visit RedCrossBlood.org; go to "Find a Blood Drive" and enter Sponsor Code: ValleyHope. You can also contact Matt Barker at mwbarker63@gmail.com, 828-242-6345. Blood donation is a safe process, and only takes about an hour.

The need for blood is urgent. Sign up now!
Intro to iOS and Android Photography 
“The best camera is the one you have with you.”

Learn how to use the power of your smartphone to make sparkling, creative photos in this hands-on mini-workshop at the Swannanoa Library (101 W. Charleston Ave.) on Saturday, Oct. 8 at 3 p.m.

Explore the Rule of Thirds, pick up some quick editing techniques, and discover the joy of the Golden Hour with photography teacher, Suzanne Tourtillott.

The class will take place indoors, and will be followed by an opportunity to try some new techniques outdoors in Grovemont Park, adjacent to the library. For more information, call the library at 828-250-6486.
Tiny Tots Yoga and
Preschool Story Time
If you're looking for an active program that you and your little one can do together, come join the Tiny Tots Yoga class, taking place at the Swannanoa Library (101 W. Charleston Ave.) on Saturdays, October 12 and 26 and November 9, from 11-11:45 a.m. The class includes a combination of yoga, stories, songs and rhythms, with easy yoga poses for caregiver and child.

Tiny Tots Yoga will be held outdoors in Grovemont Park, adjacent to the Swannanoa Library (or in the library activity room in case of cold or inclement weather). The class is suitable for children 1-3 years old. Bring your own yoga mat and/or blanket.

To sign up (space is limited), please visit buncombecounty.org/library. You''ll find the sign up link under "Events." For more info, call the Library at 828-250-6486. To learn more about our yoga instructor, visit yogawithmsbrandon.com/about.
Celebrate International Board Game Month at the Swannanoa Library
Put your game face on and head to the Swannanoa Library (101 W. Charleston Ave.) for two afternoons of board and card games in celebration of International Board Game Month! The event takes place on two Saturdays, November 5 and 19, from 2-4:30 p.m., and is open to players ages 7 and above. Board and card games will be available, or you can bring your favorites with you.

To sign up (space is limited), please visit buncombecounty.org/library. You''ll find the sign up link under "Events." For more info, call the Library at 828-250-6486. 
Award Winning
Beacon Mill Documentary Premieres in Swannanoa     
On the weekend of October 7, three hundred lucky folks will have the opportunity to attend the Swannanoa premiere of "Blanket Town," a documentary about the Beacon Mill. At one time, the mill employed more than 2,000 people, and was the centerpiece of life in Swannanoa.

Rebecca Williams, the director of “Blanket Town,” and her production company, Serpentchild Productions, will offer the free preview screenings on October 7 and 8, at 7:30PM, in the fenced outdoor space behind the former Native Kitchen & Social Club, at 204 Whitson Ave in downtown Swannanoa. The free screenings are a gift to the community in gratitude for the support Williams received during the more than 12 years that she worked on the film.

"Blanket Town"— which won the award for Best Documentary at the 2022 Longleaf Film Festival — follows the life of the Beacon blanket mill from the move from New England to Swannanoa in the 1920’s, to the collapse due to globalization, and the fire that destroyed the entire 40-acre property in 2003. Williams conducted hundreds of hours of interviews, including with fourth generation owner, Charles D. Owens, Jr., and many of the employees, some of whom had over 40 years of service.

Beacon blankets, made of all-cotton, were popular with travelers and campers. They were attractive and long wearing, featuring a patented “Ombre” design that blended the colors through a pre-weaving dying process.

Not long after the mill closed, an arsonist burned the entire structure to the ground; a three-day fire that drew firefighters from all over western North Carolina. It was one of the largest fires in the history of the state. Former workers mourned the death of the mill like that of one of their own family.

Seating is limited to 150 people for each screening; attendees must reserve a free ticket at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/blankettown-documentary-film-community-preview-tickets-417619419927. Those without internet access can call the Swannanoa Valley Museum at 828-669-9566. Please bring your own chair or blanket to sit on. (NOTE: This is a popular event and tickets were sold out as we went to press. Please click on the link and sign up for the wait list — additional screenings may be added in the future.)

The event is being hosted by Quility and the owners of the former Native Kitchen, and sponsored by the Swannanoa Valley Museum and Friends and Neighbors of Swannanoa (FANS). Sponsors of the documentary include The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, The Center for Independent Documentary, The North Carolina Arts Council, and The North Carolina Humanities Council.
Swannanoa Welcome Table Closes After Almost 20 Years of Service to the Swannanoa Community
Rev. Robert M. Randolph, board chair of the Swannanoa Welcome Table, shared this message with the FANS board:

The Swannanoa Welcome Table, born in December 2003, has closed its ministry. It began as a direct response to the catastrophic fire which destroyed the former Beacon Blanket mill, sending many in the community to seek shelter, refuge and support. The Swannanoa United Methodist Church, directly across the street from the mill, responded rapidly in providing a free meal, solace, and encouragement to the displaced neighbors. A small number of the church women provided the simple meal, which they called Soup In The Valley, and decided to make it a weekly event to serve the disadvantaged, homeless, handicapped, and others in need of socialization. 

In 2008, the name was changed to Swannanoa Welcome Table, Inc. (SWT). Services were added, including legal assistance, wellness checks, a food pantry, and a medical equipment loan closet. At its peak, nearly 150 people came for the weekly free, hot meal, served by more than 50 volunteers from the Valley. Contributions from weekly guests, former church members and community organizations helped to maintain and grow the ministry. The United Methodist Church took the model SWT developed to start new Welcome Tables in WNC, now numbering over a dozen, including Open Table at Black Mountain United Methodist Church. 

The COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 necessitated the temporary closure of the ministry, but other unforeseen events brought about its ending. In 2020, the WNC Conference of The United Methodist Church closed the Swannanoa congregation. The church building was sold the following year, necessitating the SWT to remove its equipment and vacate the property. A fervent search for a new home proved unsuccessful, so the board decided to close the ministry, whose “season had ended” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). 

The SWT's significant resources were seen by the board as God’s bounty, which could be used to continue the ministry elsewhere. Therefore, SWT's supplies of kitchen equipment, appliances, tables and chairs, etc., were donated to McDowell Mission Ministries’ homeless shelters in Marion, Open Table in Black Mountain, and Sandy Mush Community Center in western Buncombe County. SWT's financial resources were distributed in the form of grants of $10,000 each to Food Connection, Bounty & Soul, and Sandy Mush Community Center; and $46,000 to Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry.

The board of Swannanoa Welcome Table, at its closure, was composed of Rev. Lisa Beth Ackerman, Luci Bickers, Terry Hall, Rev. Bill Henderson, Judy Keels, Rev. Robert Randolph, Jann Walker, and Cheryl Wilson. Hundreds of volunteers made the ministry happen over its many years. The board gives special gratitude to three individuals whose time, love, and resources were especially a blessing: Jackie Kitchen, Ken Lanter, and Pat Russell. The spirit of love and compassion for people in need continues through the above-named organizations, each of which exemplifies Jesus’ call to service in Matthew 25.                             
Warren Wilson College Grad Stars in
"Top Gun: Maverick"
If you've seen this past summer's blockbuster movie, Top Gun: Maverick (which, judging from the box office receipts, you probably have), then chances are you're familiar with the character, "Bob," the shy but capable Weapons Systems Officer, who's part of the Top Gun team. But did you know that the role of "Bob" is played by a graduate of Swannanoa's own Warren Wilson College? Yes, it's true — Warren Wilson alum, Lewis Pullman, a member of the college's class of 2015, landed the coveted role in one of the most-anticipated movies in recent years.

In the movie, Bob is a recent graduate of the elite Top Gun Naval pilot training program. TheWrap.com describes the character as "quiet and unassuming with boxy 1970s glasses; a “dork” if you will," but goes on to say that Bob "proves himself when he teams up with fellow pilot Phoenix (played by Monica Barbaro) for a top-secret mission. And who is their teacher for this highly specialized run? None other than Pete “Maverick” Mitchell himself, played once again, with mega-watt charisma, by Tom Cruise." In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Lewis dissects his role, discusses the rigorous training required for the movie and shares impactful moments from his time on set. 

Lewis is the son of "Independence Day" actor Bill Pullman, who spoke at Warren Wilson's 2017 Commencement ceremony. Lewis' other credits include the Prime Video series "Outer Range," and the Hulu series, "Catch-22."
Get in the Halloween
Spirit With A
Haunted History Tour
Join the Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center for an evening of haunted history! Your ghostly guide will lead you on an outdoor walking tour through some of Black Mountain’s most historic and storied streets, where you'll learn about the humorous, haunting and harrowing history of the Swannanoa Valley, while being visited by some of its most famous spirits. This event, which is a fundraiser for the museum, will highlight local tragedies and triumphs, and the many ghosts, friendly and frustrated, born from these events.
The 90-minute tours will take place the evenings of Friday, October 21, and Saturday, October 22. Tours depart every half hour from 6 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.
Check-in is at the Swannanoa Valley Museum, 223 West State Street. Parking is available on the street or in the public lot behind the Black Mountain United Methodist Church at 101 Church Street.

Cost is $25 for museum members; $30 for non-members, with all proceeds benefitting the Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center.

For more information and to register, please visit history.swannanoavalleymuseum.org, and click on the "Events" tab.
Walking Tours of Historic Downtown Black Mountain
Learn about the history of Black Mountain and the Swannanoa Valley on this 90-minute walking tour sponsored by the Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center. Museum staff will lead attendees through historic State Street, Cherry Street and Black Mountain Avenue, relaying the history of the buildings and discussing a variety of topics, including the building of the Swannanoa Tunnel and the disastrous downtown fire of 1912.

Tours will take place on Saturdays, October 29, November 12 and December 17, at 1:00 p.m. Meet at the Swannanoa Valley Museum, 223 West State Street.
Tours are free to museum members with a promo code (email info@swannanoavalleymuseum.org to get your code), and $10 for non-members (some fees apply).

To reserve your spot on the tour, please visit history.swannanoavalleymuseum.org, and click on the "Events" tab.
Pictures from the Past
Nolan Field and the
Beacon Blanketeers
Nolan Field, in Swannanoa's Beacon Village, was the home field of the Beacon Blanketeers, The Blanketeers played in the Industrial League, and fielded some very talented teams, with professional-quality athletes drawn from the ranks of Beacon mill employees. The team was the pride of Swannanoa, winning the Industrial League championship in 1940. Nolan field — where large crowds once cheered local baseball legends — is now the site of Swannanoa's Habitat for Humanity community. To read a Citizen-Times article about the Beacon Blanketeers, click here.
Swannanoa Scenes
Owen Park 
Another splendid early fall evening at Swannanoa's Owen Park, with the muscovy ducks striking a perfect pose in the foreground.
Following two hours of work eradicating kudzu and clearing brush, volunteers enjoyed a hearty lunch during a September 18 workday at Fox Creek Park in Grovemont. The park, which is located on a 2.35 acre parcel of land donated to the Swannanoa Community Council, is located at 111 Ivanhoe Drive. For more info, and to sign up to receive park updates, please 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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Be a FANS 
Newsletter Sponsor 
 
The FANS E-Newsletter currently reaches about 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 SwannanoaFANS.org and click on the "Our Projects" tab, or write to us at 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