Calendar of Events

We meet at the parking area of the French Broad River. We leave for the hike no later than 9:10 a.m. and hike 2.5 miles on the MTS trail and back for a total 5 miles hike. We walk at a pretty swift pace (2.7 to 3 mph). Hike is designed for fitness and conversation. We don’t take a break until we reach the turn around point, then we stop for brief water break. We repeat this hike on Friday. Then move on with our regular rotation of hikes.

Hikers who are new to hiking will likely be more comfortable on another meet up hike designed for people who are just beginning hiking or trying to get into shape for hiking. You might consider “WNC Easy Hikers Group,” for instance.

We meet at the parking area of the French Broad River off of Brevard Road. Coming from Asheville, go through the light at the arboretum intersection and you will see the parking area almost immediately on your left. We leave no later than 9:10 a.m. I think this is called the Brent Creek River Park.

Wells Funeral Home is presenting a starlight luminary display around the grounds of Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Candler, NC on Monday, December 6 from 5:30-8:00 p.m. (Inclement weather make-up date is Wednesday, December 8). This drive-through event will feature approximately 2,000 luminaries as well as seasonal music.

The luminary experience is free with donations accepted to support DayStay Adult Day Services. Based in Candler, DayStay is a non-profit adult day care providing daytime, weekday care for elderly and impaired adults.

DayStay fosters socialization to support the dignity and self-esteem of each participant and provides an affordable alternative to institutionalism. Through respite care and resource information, the program seeks to support family caregivers in their efforts to provide care to the aging or impaired adult in the home for as long as possible. Center participants include adults who experience a lack of socialization, depression, Alzheimer’s, dementia, are at risk of falling, or who need limited assistance with daily personal care.

DayStay participants take part in diverse programs including arts and crafts, music, chair exercise, games, trivia, gardening, and more. Activities are adapted to meet the individual needs of each participant. All activities are conducted in such a manner that each participant can succeed without shame or risk of failure.

DayStay is open Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. DayStay’s daily rate is intentionally kept low so that families can take advantage of this cost-effective service. Financial assistance is provided through grants and scholarships. For more information on DayStay Adult Day Services, visit www.daystayasheville.com or call (828) 665-1575.

Forest Lawn Memorial Park is located at 1 Chapel of Faith Drive, Candler. Additional event information can be found on the Wells Funeral Home website, www.wellsfuneralhome.com.

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You Are Here: Discovering the Magic of the Present Moment by Thich Nhat Hanh was published in 2010. This book has a 5 star rating with 1560 reviews. We will discuss this book during an online zoom call. This book is available in print, audio, and Kindle formats. Use this link to purchase https://tinyurl.com/brubf48j

Description of the book: Cut through the busyness and anxieties of daily life to discover the simple happiness of living in the present moment, as taught by a world-renowned Zen monk

In this book, Thich Nhat Hanh—Zen monk, author, and meditation master—distills the essence of Buddhist thought and practice, emphasizing the power of mindfulness to transform our lives. But true mindfulness, Hanh explains, is not an escape. It is being in the present moment, totally alive and free.

Based on a retreat that Thich Nhat Hanh led for Westerners, You Are Here offers a range of effective practices for cultivating mindfulness and staying in the present moment—including awareness of breathing and walking, deep listening, and skillful speech. These teachings will empower you to witness the wonder of life and transform your suffering, both within and outside you, into compassion, tenderness, and peace. As Thich Nhat Hanh declares, “the energy of mindfulness is the energy of the Buddha, and it can be produced by anybody.” It is as simple as breathing in and breathing out.

7 miles | Moderate Forest Walk, Holiday Celebration

2021 CLASSIC HIKES OF THE SMOKIES

Discover America’s most-visited national park with a guided day hike! The Classic Hikes of the Smokies feature interpretation of the history, flora, and fauna of park trails. Hikes vary in distance, difficulty, and location within the park to provide a comprehensive overview of the Smokies, exposing hikers to high Appalachian vistas, streams teeming with aquatic life, the best collection of log structures on the Eastern Seaboard, and much more.

After completing registration…
You will receive an email the Friday before the hike with directions, and more information. All hikes begin at 9 a.m