Biltmore Set for Spectacular Season

Economy crunch or no economy crunch. The Biltmore House will be as spectacular as ever. And if you ever wondered.......note the "by the numbers" report.

50 decorated Frazier firs from 4-34 feet in the main house.
50 more at other estate facilities
1 55’ Norway spruce on the front lawn surrounded by 8 “islands”
300 poinsettias
500 other plants
1,600 bloomers
340 fresh wreaths
60 artificial
100 kissing balls made of white pine and Fraser fir
10,000 feet of garland
1,200 feet in the House and around 1,000 feet in other areas.
500 Bows
30,000 lights in the main house
125 candles
150,000 mini lights
500 gift boxes
500 ornaments
500 electric lights on the Banquet Hall Tree
12,000 on the trees inside the house
25,000 + on the estate.

There will be a quiz later. m

Quilt Trail Road Rally

Does everyone know about the upcoming road rally? It is going to be toooo much fun. The challenge is to track down 15 barn quilts. Its not about speed but about discovering our mountains ablaze with fall color. November 7. Ponder Cove highly recommends it. Call 828-682-7331 for more information.

Dollie Mae Featured on Dog Pearls

Note Dollie Mae made the cut...her first big movie role. Go to http://www.littlepearls.org/ourdogstars.html and read about a new film by Little Pearls: "tiny films" that open hearts & minds.

Barn Quilt at Ponder Cove

I must bring everyone's attention to Suzi Parron's new quilt trail project. So many of you have admired our quilt square and wanted to know the significance. Soon it will be all too clear when Suzi's book is published. In the meantime keep up with Suzi at americanquilttrail.blogspot.com.

FRIDAY NIGHT SPECIAL NOT TO BE MISSED

This is one of most fun of "THE SUMMER" happenings in Asheville kicking off each weekend.

The Asheville Drum Circle is a regular event on Friday nights at Pritchard Park in downtown. The event usually includes dozens of drummers and hundreds of spectators. It's more fun than you can imagine and sets a great backdrop to Asheville's funky vibe. Enjoy and then walk the funky streets and grab a dang good meal while in Asheville at one of many fab dining spots.

Asheville Goes Funky

Bring home Asheville’s quirky and fun art scene with these two great upcoming bazaars:

The Bizarre Bazaar kicks off on Saturday, May 23, at Lexington Park Courtyard. (The spot is located between North Lexington Ave and Carolina Lane at the gated entrance next to Virtue.) Shop from over 20 local artists, crafters and designers from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rock out to music from local band Now You See Them, and munch on crepes and French fries from Bouchon. Can’t make it this weekend? Don’t stress, the Bizarre Bazaar is held the first and third Saturday through October 17.

Asheville’s Vintage Bazaar is on Saturday, May 30 at The Body at 66 Asheland Ave. The fun lasts from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Local vendors are selling vintage clothing and accessories, artwork, jewelry, an assortment of children’s wares and of other stylish stuff.

TOP 10 HIKES

1. Gorges State Park: New parking and trails open in May for much better access to rugged river gorges. Hike along the Horsepasture River to see several waterfalls, including Rainbow Falls.
2. Mt. Mitchell: After enjoying the 360-degree vistas from the new observation deck atop the highest peak east of the Rockies, head to the Deep Gap Trail and hike over four more peaks over 6,000 feet.
3. Craggy Gardens: The Blue Ridge Parkway reopens here in May after more than a year of repairs. The Craggy Gardens Trail takes you across a rhododendron bald, and a 1.5-mile roundtrip hike to Craggy Pinnacle offers breathtaking panoramic views.
4. Point Lookout Trail: This new 3.6-mile paved greenway climbs 900 feet in elevation in the Pisgah National Forest. Bike or hike from Old Fort and enjoy great views along the way.
5. Dupont State Forest: The best waterfall hike is a three mile trail to three waterfalls, including the impressive 150-foot High Falls with great places for wading, swimming and waterside picnics.
6. Max Patch: Hike the loop around the summit or continue further on the Appalachian Trail to enjoy breathtaking views from this bald mountaintop.
7. Cold Mountain: This famous mountain offers a strenuous 10.6-mile roundtrip hike to its summit through the wilderness area of the Pisgah National Forest. The hike includes a 2,800 foot altitude gain to the 6,030-foot peak.
8. Graveyard Fields: This highland hike features beautiful views in a mile-high valley filled with wildflowers and surrounded by 6,000-foot peaks. With an easy four mile hike, you see two nice waterfalls.
9. Black Balsam Knob: Hike across more spectacular mountain balds. These treeless mountaintops in the Pisgah National Forest offer sweeping views and alpine-like appearance. Hike three miles without dropping back into the trees.
10. Urban Trail: If you are looking for an urban hike, walk the 1.7-mile journey that showcases the art and history of Asheville, with 30 downtown stops, each with public sculpture.

SPRING HAS SPRUNG

The sun is shining and all is well at the Cove. We hibernated more than enough and are thrilled to see our guests coming again. Our wedding season has started and what a way to kick it off. We loved having Bethanie and Aaron saying their "I Do's" at Ponder Cove just last week. Congratulations and come back real soon. Hugs,m

LET IT SNOW

Gorgeous, or what???? We went out and would you believe it stopped a mile down the road. We went on to Asheville and enjoyed a sunny afternoon and came home to 5 inches. So, we have our own little private winter wonderland.

LOTS GOING ON

TRESSA'S IS HAPPENING

1-Dec Service Industry Appreciation Night with D Mack
Fabulous House Music & Great Drink Specials all night !

2-Dec Chuck Lichtenberger's "Evening Of Jazz" with Special Guests
Theme: Sonny Rollins Tunes
www.myspace.com/chucklichtenberger

3-Dec Ms Jones and The Velvetones
Celebrate Mid Week Ladies Night with Dance and Martinis
www.thevelvetones.com

4-Dec LIFT with DJ's Joshu and Friends
Delicious Music for Body and Soul
www.unbreakabledesign.com

5-Dec Gashouse Mouse
Blues and Dance

6-Dec Ruby Mayfield and M-Pride
Celebrate with Fun and Dance from Blues to Rock'n Roll
www.myspace.com/mayfieldmusic


8-Dec Service Industry Appreciation Night with D Mack
Fabulous House Music & Great Drink Specials all night !

9-Dec Chuck Lichtenberger's "Evening Of Jazz" with Special Guests
Theme: Wayne Shorter Tunes
www.myspace.com/chucklichtenberger

10-Dec Ms Jones and The Velvetones
Celebrate Mid Week Ladies Night with Dance and Martinis
www.thevelvetones.com

11-Dec Peggy Ratusz' Invitational Blues Jam
A great Night of Fun with local Artists
www.myspace.com/peggyratusz2

12-Dec Peggy Ratusz and Daddy longlegs
Fun, Dance, and Blues
www.myspace.com/peggyratusz2

13-Dec Jazz The Ripper Christmas Show
Enjoy an eclectic Mix of Jazz and Funk
www.sonicbids.com/jazztheripper


15-Dec Service Industry Appreciation Night with D Mack
Fabulous House Music & Great Drink Specials all night !

16-Dec Chuck Lichtenberger's "Evening Of Jazz" with Special Guests
Theme: Thelonius Monk Tunes
www.myspace.com/chucklichtenberger

17-Dec Ms Jones and The Velvetones
Celebrate Mid Week Ladies Night with Dance and Martinis
www.thevelvetones.com

18-Dec Free Flow
Ol' Skool Soul and Funk

19-Dec Ms Jones and The Velvetones
Start your weekend with Dance and Martinis
www.thevelvetones.com

20-Dec The Nightcrawlers
Fun, Dance, and Blues
www.nightcrawlersband.com


22-Dec Service Industry Appreciation Night with D Mack
Fabulous House Music & Great Drink Specials all night !

23-Dec Chuck Lichtenberger's "Evening Of Jazz" with Special Guests
Theme: Miles Davis' Favorites
www.myspace.com/chucklichtenberger

24-Dec Club closed in Observance of Christmas Eve

25-Dec Closed in Observance of the Holiday

26-Dec The Levi Douglas Blues Band
Start your weekend with great Texas Blues
www.myspace.com/levidouglasband

27-Dec Ruby Mayfield and M-Pride
Celebrate with Fun and Dance from Blues to Rock'n Roll
www.myspace.com/mayfieldmusic


29-Dec Service Industry Appreciation Night with D Mack
Fabulous House Music & Great Drink Specials all night !

30-Dec Chuck Lichtenberger's "Evening Of Jazz" with Special Guests
Theme: Miles Davis' Tunes
www.myspace.com/chucklichtenberger

31-Dec Our 12th Annual New Year's Eve Bash!
Get down to the funky sound of Free Flow!
Complimentary Champagne in both bars, Party Favors, Soul Food Buffet upstairs!

THE SPIRIT IS UPON US!

This is waaaay too good of an idea for December. Come on to Ponder Cove and hunker down by a warm fire and I'll serve up a toasty breakfast. We have had 3 little snows so far and we are hoping for a whopping good one before long. Then go into Asheville one night to enjoy all the citified festivities. Toooooo much fun. Enjoy the below news....hot off the press...

"Holiday nights in downtown Asheville get a glitzy makeover this December with Asheville Seasonal Sizzle: 21 days of not-so-silent nights. Merrymakers will enjoy free fireworks, live entertainment, seasonal appetizer specials at local restaurants, and extended hours of evening shopping in downtown Asheville's eclectic boutiques and craft galleries.

Included in the festivities, visitors will find:

* Weekend firework displays sponsored by The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa -Seasonal Sizzle at Seven - will take place on Saturdays, Dec. 6, 13 and 20 at 7 p.m. in downtown Asheville.
* Participating independent restaurants will feature "Appy Hour" appetizer specials on Thursdays, Dec. 1 through 21 from 5 to 7 p.m. Local restaurants will also offer "Sizzle Specials" on the Saturday evenings with fireworks (Dec. 6, 13 and 20).
* Asheville visitors will receive a warm holiday welcome as "Downtown Docent" guides walk the downtown streets directing guests to Seasonal Sizzle festivities, holiday happenings and other points of interest."

Christmas at the Biltmore

It's that time again and no better time than NOW to think about a visit to Ponder Cove when you can enjoy the Holiday festivities at the Biltmore as well. November is the best time to avoid the December crowds. Roam the house and just imagine how it must have been.... oh so long ago.

THEN:
"Although George Vanderbilt moved into Biltmore House in October 1895, the house did not officially open until Christmas Eve of that year. Great efforts were made to ensure all would be ready by the special day. Correspondence between Vanderbilt and his staff indicate that planning was intense concerning the best holly and the most desirable mistletoe. While staff scouted for the perfect tree for the Banquet Hall the estate manager, Mr. Charles McNamee wrote: “ I quite agree with you that we should have a very large tree for this occasion; in fact, I think a twenty foot tree in that large Banquet Hall would be rather dwarfed.”

NOW:

Guests can help Biltmore commemorate the start of our Holiday season with the Raising of the Banquet Hall Tree on November 5 at 10am. The 34-foot Frasier Fir will arrive in style as a team of Belgian draft horses pulls it to the front of Biltmore House. Guests will be able to watch as Biltmore staff carry the tree into the Banquet Hall and set it up. The Fraser Fir was the most popular type of Christmas Tree in 1895, and continues to be so today because of its fragrance and long-lasting needles.

New this year, during the evening hours for the Christmas Illumination, is a lit tree on the front lawn of Biltmore House. The tree is a 55’ Norway Spruce, weighing 6000 pounds. The Spruce tree was chosen because it grows to a greater height than the Fraser Fir. Earlier this week, the tree was set and placed on the lawn by a crane. It will be surrounded by other lit trees and shrubs on the front lawn of Biltmore House.

see you soon, m