Christmas Time in the NC Mountains

If you’ve never spent a winter’s holiday season in Western North Carolina, well, you just don’t know what you’re missing. Here in our neck of the woods, you might be surprised to learn that we aren’t hit with a lot of snow and most folks don’t even need a four-wheel drive to get around in the wintertime. But there are still plenty of signals it’s Christmastime. Read more.

Escape Winter's Doldrums With Wilderness Wildlife Week

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. – After the excitement of December’s holidays, you need an antidote to the inevitable winter blahs, and Pigeon Forge has the answer.  It is Wilderness Wildlife Week, Pigeon Forge’s annual tribute to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Dates are Jan. 9-16, 2010, for the eight-day extravaganza of seminars, workshops, photography classes, hikes and excursions that relate to the park and other outdoor topics. This is Wilderness Wildlife Week’s 20th year.

More than 150 experts—nature photographers, biologists, raptor rehabilitators, social historians and just plain folks who grew up in the Smokies—donate their time to present daily programs and a range of outdoor activities. There are more than 230 programs and activities.

Program topics vary daily, and admission is free to all activities. Topics include bears in the Smokies, the elk reintroduction project, the Smokies’ logging history, fire towers in the Smokies, close-up photography, trout fishing, fly-casting and birding by ear. Several programs are designed especially for children.

Almost 60 hikes and excursions into the national park complement the indoor programs. In 2009, more than 1,000 hikers from 18 states logged a cumulative 4,656 miles.

“The week is extremely flexible. You can attend one lecture or take one hike, or you can participate day after day,” said Leon Downey of the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism. “It’s a great way to introduce people to the outdoors.”

Wilderness Wildlife Week began 19 years ago as a half-day program on a January Saturday.  January hasn’t been the same since then in Pigeon Forge. The Southeast Tourism Society has chosen it 10 times as a Top 20 Event in the Southeast.

Wilderness Wildlife Week information, including a full list of programs and hikes, is available online at MyPigeonForge.com/wildlife or by calling toll-free to 1-800-WINTERFEST.

Last Minute Christmas Shopping in Dahlonega, GA

If you think Christmas shopping should be a fun experience, then experience Dahlonega for all of your gift giving needs!  It will provide a hassle-free experience with plenty of personal choices, and unique gifts. Leave the city, the traffic, the malls, the harried store clerks and the crowded parking lots behind.

You will find some of the friendliest shopkeepers in the South right here on the Dahlonega square.  Walking around the square is like stepping back in time.  The historic buildings, with their decorated store windows, will surely fill every shopper with the spirit of the season.  The brisk mountain air will invigorate the Santa Claus in everyone.  You will find gifts in all price ranges for everyone on  Santa’s list.  Many of the shops will gladly wrap your purchases and make them ready to place under your tree.  The following is an offering of some of  the shops I find interesting and unique on the square.  There are many other shops as well, where you will find the perfect gift for that hard to please person.

Read more

Developer's Resilience Creates Confidence in Western North Carolina

In this difficult economic environment, the fate of many developments is hanging in the wings. However one stands out as a solid leader in resilience. The Headwaters at Banner Elk is the top selling community in the Banner Elk area. Including condos, cottages and custom homes, The Headwaters has 31 completed residences with another six under construction.

“Headwaters has had a great fall selling season.” says developer John Haynes, “Buyers realize that we are on secure footing, and with reduced building costs this a great time to buy.”

With six community parks, two lakes, miles of professionally built trails and a mountaintop clubhouse unequaled elsewhere, it is understandable why The Headwaters continues to set the standard by which all other communities are compared.

To encourage you to visit The Headwaters, a Discovery Package is available for just $99 per night plus tax. Stay on the property in a three bedroom, three bath luxurious condominium.  Contact for details.

Winter Wine Weekend in the Georgia Mountains

The Winegrowers Association of Georgia will hold its first Winter Wine Highway Weekend December 11th, 12th, and 13th, 2009. This is a great time to visit the mountains and take a break from all the holiday hustle and bustle.

Many North Georgia wineries will be participating, including Crane Creek Vineyards & Winery, Habersham Winery, Blackstock Vineyards and Winery, Tiger Mountain Winery, Persimmon Creek Vineyards & Winery, Sharp Mountain Winery, Frogtown Cellars, Wolf Mountain Vineyards & Winery, and Yonah Mountain Winery.

Plan to spend a couple of days in the mountains and do your Holiday Shopping at these Wineries, while staying in the great B&B’s! Admission is $20.00 which gives you the opportunity to taste the Award Winning Fine Wines at each of the 9 participating wineries. Visit georgiawine.com for more details and events.

Dates & Times
December 11: 12:30 PM - 5:00 PM December 12: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM December 13: 12:30 PM - 5:00 PM

The Charlotte "Retail Therapy" Sweepstakes

With the holidays upon us, it's more important than ever to find value and variety when checking off the shopping list. Luckily, finding "retail therapy" in Charlotte is simple. You can explore miles of style at destinations like Concord Mills, with more than 200 outlets and specialty stores. Or, experience the luxury of upscale destinations like the beautiful South Park Mall, and stroll the boutique-lined sidewalks of Phillips Place and the Shops at Morrison.

Between shopping expeditions, take advantage of Charlotte's extraordinary calendar of events, loaded with holiday happenings that encompass everything from The Nutcracker's high-flying ballerinas to the family-friendly WBT Holiday on Ice outdoor skating rink. The city has many museums waiting to enlighten and entertain you as well, including The Mint Museum, Discovery Place, and the Levine Museum of the New South.

Before the whirlwind month of December goes by, drop the gift-wrap and enter for your chance to explore Charlotte's engaging treasures. The winner will receive:

• A two-night stay at The Westin Charlotte in Center City
• A gift bag from Concord Mills chock full of merchandise and valuable coupons
• $250 gift card to SouthPark Mall
• $100 gift certificate Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
• $100 gift certificate Aquavina Steaks & Seafood
• Two passes to Levine Museum of the New South
• Two passes to the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art
• Two passes to The Mint Museum of Art or Mint Museum of Craft + Design

Enter today! The sweepstakes ends December 31, 2009.

North Georgia Towns Celebrate Christmas

Christmas in north Georgia conjures up images of colorful lights twinkling through the bare branches of trees, the glow of a warm fire crackling in an old stone fireplace, and a cup brimming with hot chocolate to warm the senses after a walk in the cold night air. Like many North Georgians, I envision snow flakes gently falling on obscure mountain roads. I dream of being bundled under blankets with my soul mate – the cold air on our faces, the sound of jingling of bells, the faint sound of carolers in the distance – as we are drawn through a perfect north Georgia white winter enchantment in an open sleigh. Read more

Three Holiday Events in the Mountains

Santa practices on 315-ft. Chimney Rock before climbing down millions of much shorter chimneys all around the world on Christmas Eve. USA Today named Chimney Rock one of the top 10 places to catch up with Santa last year.

Visitors at Fort Loudoun State Historic Area will take a step back in time, when Christmas was simple but festive. The 18^th Century Christmas event will open with a roll call summoning the soldiers to their posts, just as it would have been done 250 years ago. Throughout the day, costumed living history re-enactors go about their garrison duties, while taking time interact with visitors. They demonstrate crafts and skills necessary for daily needs such as cooking, laundering, blacksmithing and artillery drills.

Enjoy the ambiance of live holiday music and a crackling fire at the John C. Campbell Folk School Fireside Sale. Shop for artful treasures in the beautifully decorated Keith House and visit the artists in Davidson Hall. Craftspeople will offer handmade items such as jewelry, weaving, forged iron, photography, quilts and turned wood. You're sure to find special, one-of-a-kind holiday gifts! The Craft Shop will be offering 15% off during the Fireside Sale. The 15% off sale will begin the day after Thanksgiving and run through Christmas Eve. Shop for handmade gifts made by local and regional artists in a variety of media including jewelry, fiber, wood items, forged metal, pottery, and more.