Carl Sandburg wrote countless words in an array of different genres, including poetry, children’s stories, journal articles, as well as a biography and autobiography! He wrote of love and nature, dreams and struggles. This year’s theme of “Memory” is echoed in much of his works. ““Under the summer roses, when the flagrant crimson, lurks in the dusk, Of the wild red leaves, Love, with little hands, comes and touches you with a thousand memories, and asks you beautiful, unanswerable questions.” Carl Sandburg

Poems submitted for the 2024 contest should reflect the theme of “Memory.” By definition, “the process or power of recallling something learned or experienced from the past” Note: Poems do NOT need to be titled Memory, as long as the poem itself relates to the theme.

Students are invited to submit a poem to Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site’s annual Student Poetry Contest. The contest encourages youth to explore writing their own poetry and is open to students nationwide!

• Submissions are accepted from grades 3-12 and must be submitted by email by Monday March 4, 2024. See below for submission rules.
• Winners will be notified by April 7, 2024, and will be invited to participate in a virtual celebration program on Sunday, April 28.

Are you involved in a community-oriented gardening project in West Asheville that needs some extra resources? Or have you been dreaming of a great project that just needs some cash to become a reality? Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, WAGS has awarded Seed Grants annually since 2014.  We support projects that deepen horticultural & environmental awareness and education, encourage creative landscaping, &/or contribute to the beautification of West Asheville’s public spaces, such as boulevard strips, traffic islands, storefronts, community gardens, schools, etc.

Explore the Rich Heritage of Black Communities in Asheville

The Asheville Black Cultural Heritage Trail leads visitors through three areas of Asheville: Downtown, Southside, and the River Area. The entire trail takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes to walk and read.

Reflecting on Community Resolve

Did you know that Black people helped create this region’s first non-Indigenous households? Did you know that Black people helped build Asheville and connected Asheville globally? Black entrepreneurs created thriving business districts. Black families cultivated close-knit neighborhoods. Black people from all backgrounds built resilient communities and fostered social change.

Immerse yourself in the history and heroism of Black Ashevillians by walking the Asheville Black Cultural Heritage Trail. Deepen your understanding with articles, videos, and more resources available here on the trail’s website.

Follow the Trail

Experience this trail in pieces as you explore Asheville or start at one of our three introduction kiosks to learn more about how Black people in Asheville negotiated landscapes of unequal power to build resilient communities and foster social change.

 Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget Priorities Survey

Completely separate from the Casino Night event tickets we are excited to announce the addition of a 50/50 CASH RAFFLE to our event!

• This optional $100 ticket enters you for your chance to win up to $10,000 with two cash out prizes, one at $10,000 and one at $5,000.
• With only 300 tickets sold, and two chances to win, the odds are ever in your favor!
• The Cash Raffle winners will be announced at Casino Night on 2/23/24, but you do not need to be present to win.
• Your event ticket DOES NOT enter you into the CASH RAFFLE – these are two separate tickets, one for the event and one for the CASH RAFFLE.
• Both ticket prices are $100/per.

Goodwill Industries of Northwest North Carolina invites Asheville-area design teams to compete in its popular Color Me Goodwill upcycled fashion show, which returns to The Orange Peel on April 19, 2024.

The 8th Annual Color Me Goodwill show will feature six designers and teams. Each will receive $200 to shop at local Goodwill stores, which they will deconstruct and transform into a five-piece collection based on their selected color. Each collection features a past Goodwill program participant as one of its models.

“We often say that Color Me Goodwill celebrates the power of second chances,” said Lance Crawford, Goodwill’s director of workforce development in Asheville. “The stunning runway collections show that it’s possible to repurpose secondhand items into high fashion. At the same time, the Goodwill program participants who model in the show share their powerful, inspiring stories of overcoming obstacles and transforming their lives.”

This year, the cash prizes awarded to the first-place winner and audience choice winner have been increased. The first place-winning design team, based on scores by a panel of expert judges, will receive a cash prize of $1,000. The winner of the audience choice vote receives $500.

“Every year, the designers of Color Me Goodwill somehow reach new heights of innovation and creativity,” Crawford said. “We wanted to reward the time and energy that these design teams put into their collections and continue to showcase the craftspeople that make Asheville’s sustainable fashion community so unique.”

Designers may apply for Color Me Goodwill either as an individual or as a team of up to three people. Designers who work individually may also collaborate with up to two assistants. All levels of design experience are welcome.

To apply, visit https://www.goodwillnwnc.org/cmg-designers-contract/ and complete the application materials by Friday, Nov. 17. Applicants will be asked to submit photos of their work or links to an online portfolio, which should be representative of their design skills.

Sit back if you dare as we illuminate Asheville’s darkest history with astonishing stories of spirits & spies, ghosts & goblins, hauntings & hoodlums and mountain-made murder & mayhem.

Hear stories of . . .

  The legendary PINK LADY at the Grove Park Inn
  The GHOST of Church Street
  The 1936 UNSOLVED MURDER that shook Asheville
  The CHILD SPIRITS at the haunted hospital
  The architect walled into his own church!
  The KILLING SPREE of 1906
  NAZI AGENTS based in Asheville
  ARSON at hospital that claimed Zelda Fitzgerald

There is no better way to DISCOVER and EXPLORE Asheville!  Hop-on board one of Gray Line’s nostalgic trolleys for a fully narrated day tour, highlighting the history, homes, hang-outs and hot spots of this “city of surprises.”

Tour Highlights include  .  .  .  Downtown Asheville  |  Montford Historic District  |  The Grove Park Inn and Grove Park Historic District  |  Thomas Wolfe District  |  Pack Square and Asheville Art Museum  |  Grove Arcade  |  River Arts District  |  Biltmore Village

Hop-On and hear the story of a city rich in architecture, history and the arts  . . .

Hop-Off and experience its eclectic shops and galleries; its world class culinary and craft brew scenes.

Tour Duration:  The complete tour (one loop) lasts approximately 90 to 100 minutes.  There is an additional 15 minute stop at the Asheville Visitor Center.  The Hop-On/Hop-Off Tour ticket is valid for TWO consecutive days.

Departure Points: Join the Hop-On/Hop-Off Tour at any of the 10 stops.  If you’re driving in to join the tour, Stop 1, the Asheville Visitor Center may be your best option.  The Visitor Center, located at 36 Montford Ave. just off I-240 at Exit 4C, offers free parking (on a first come-first served basis) and restrooms. The Asheville Visitor Center is the ONLY place to join the Overview Tour.

What is LEAF Global Arts Retreat? Imagine all the adventure, traditions, art, and music of LEAF festivals, still at beautiful Lake Eden, but in a more intimate gathering of just 1,500 attendees. “Old School Magic and Happiness” is how people have described LEAF Retreat since its inception in 2021, with space to kick back, relax, play, camp and connect with arts, music, and nature – it’s super sweet.

Retreat was created during COVID as a way to heal and experience joy in unusual times. We loved the experience so much that we decided to keep this format for our signature May event. Retreats are for renewal, reconnecting, and learning at Lake Eden’s 300+ acres. Come enjoy with family, friends, or solo!

DATES: May 9-12, 2024

TICKETS: $50-$250 for adults. Limited day passes available; Weekend Passes must be purchased by LEAF Members; Youth tickets are available; Kids younger than 10 are free! WeX Volunteering Options are available. Weekend passes include access to camping at Lake Eden. Passes for car camping, RVs, and private rustic camp cabins are limited and available through the website.

Save the dates for LEAF Global Arts Festival, October 17-20, 2024.

Dads, Moms, Grandparents, Cousins, Aunts, Uncles, Siblings of all ages are invited to participate in this family theatre camp style production! There are roles for kids, teenagers and adults of all ages. Current, past, and new Playground Stage Families are invited to join!

Show Title: To be revealed at the 5 Year Birthday Celebration!
Dates and Times
Info Sessions & Auditions:

(Participants must choose one date to attend an info session) (Speaking role auditions are optional)

June 12, 2024 – Summer Family Musical Info Session & Speaking Role Auditions

or

June 19, 2024 – Summer Family Musical Info Session & Speaking Role Auditions

Rehearsals:

Evenings July 22nd – August 2nd

Located at Avery’s Creek Community Center

899 Glenn Bridge Rd SE, Arden, NC

Evenings August 5th-8th

Located at Asheville High School Theatre

Performances: August 9th & 10th

Asheville High School Theatre

Optional music learning rehearsals will take place every Wednesday from 6:00-7:30pm throughout the summer starting June 26th 2024

Do you need a little inspiration to get moving after the holiday season? Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy is proud to announce our 4th annual Winter Hiking Challenge to get folks out and about – no matter your background or ability this is a project designed to get folks outside to enjoy the great outdoors! The 2024 Winter Hiking Challenge sets a goal of 60 miles in 60 days, to be completed in your own time and at your own speed. Those can be miles you’ve walked, run or hiked – in your neighborhood, around the block, up a rugged mountain trail, or through the forest. Whatever works for your comfort and skill level – just make it 60 miles within the 60-day challenge time period (January 1st to March 1st, 2024). Sign up early to have more time to complete the Challenge. Registration ends on February 25th. Please note, this is a challenge you set with yourself, it is not a competition. Registration for this challenge is $25 per person and your registration fee directly supports conservation work in the Southern Appalachians. If you cannot afford the registration fee at this time, please use the coupon code: SAHC2024. All participants will receive informative emails with suggestions for some of our favorite places to hike across the mountains of NC and TN. This special email series will include recommendations to enjoy places that SAHC has protected as well other favorite trails and destinations. Due to overuse of popular trails in the area we will try to share tidbits about some of the lesser-known trails and places to enjoy the great outdoors. Are you a little unsure about hiking in winter? We will share helpful Winter Hiking Tips, for those who haven’t hiked during the winter months. Lastly, those who complete the Winter Hiking Challenge will receive a commemorative SAHC patch after the end of the challenge. Please note, the Challenge signup fee is a fundraiser to help support conservation efforts; you DO NOT have to pay to hike public trails. Feel free to enter miles at any date during the 60 days, as long as they are all entered before March 1. You can even enter your miles at the end of a certain time period (e.g, entering your miles for the week on Friday, all under one entry). Time spent outdoors and in nature can help with both mental and physical health. We hope this Challenge will make it interesting for folks to explore places you may not have hiked before, and/or to rediscover the joy of nature in your own backyard.Take the Challenge by yourself, or with friends and family. Please just be safe while doing so!

Gardening tools are key to successful pruning. You need the right tool for the right job, and you need to correctly maintain and care for those tools. Are you sure, for example, when to use your anvil pruners or your bypass pruners instead? This workshop will cover the different kinds of pruning tools, their uses, and their care. Ergonomic pruners and other tools will also be covered.

Bring your pruners, and loopers to learn how to clean and sharpen them.