CelebrateSwannanoa.com Wishes You a Happy New Year!

Best Wishes to All for a Wonderful 2010 from  Jo Anne at  www.celebrateswannanoa.com.

CelebrateSwannanoa.Com Announces a New Monthly Contest, Prizes and Newsletter about Swannanoa NC

 

Jo Anne Lorensen Welcomes You to Swannanoa

 

 

Swannanoa North Carolina’s fun website, www.CelebrateSwannanoa.Com announces the first winner of its new and now monthly contest. Robert Brown of Swannanoa submitted the winning entry for the website’s first “What Is It – Where Is It?” contest. His entry identified the content and location of the contest photo. Beginning in July 2009, the contest has now become a monthly event. Prizes may include Swannanoa gift items and Gift Certificates from Swannanoa businesses. To enter the next contest or see more about the first winning entry, please visit www.CelebrateSwannanoa.Com.

 Newsletter Sign-Up:

Be sure to sign up for the newsletter and get more chances to win a prize!  Submission of your items for the expanded Swannanoa News and  Events section are welcomed. The sign-up box is on the website.

About the Website:

CelebrateSwannanoa.Com promotes everything Swannanoa and includes entertaining information, Swannanoa news, upcoming events, a newsletter, contests, prizes, historical tidbits, scenic photos, and spotlights on businesses, residents, schools and organizations in the area. Also available for purchase on the website is a new line of Swannanoa gift items and souvenirs.

The Monthly Contest:

Just a hint or two about the monthly “What is it? – Where is it?” contest: 

Go to the Contest Page on the CelebrateSwannanoa.Com website and submit your entry on the form provided. You must correctly identify the subject and location of the item in the photograph (of course it is in Swannanoa!). This month there are three related photos to be identified. Check it out and test your knowledge of Swannanoa to see if you know what and where they are! 

You can also read all  about last month’s contest and the winning entry. Could you have figured it out? 

 

 

 

Swannanoa NC’s Mill Around the Village Festival and 5k Run – October 3, 2009

 

Mill Around the Village

The Swannanoa Business Association is pleased to announce that plans are underway for the 3rd Annual Mill Around the Village Festival and 1st Certified 5k Race & Fun Run. The festival will be held in Swannanoa’s Beacon Village on Saturday, October 3 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, contact Janet Burhoe-Jones, Chairman of the Business Association at (828) 337-4718 or email burhoej@gmail.com.

In conjunction with the Swannanoa Fire Department’s 50th Anniversary, fire fighter recognitions, displays, and extra children’s events are planned. The festival will grow this year into Mill Village streets for more music, crafts, a wide range of food, history walking and Trolley history tours, information booths, street performers, and lots of good old-fashioned fun.

 

Music at the Festival

 

Also new this year are a Certified 5k Evening Race & one mile Fun Run, both  through upper Beacon Village.

In prior years the festival has been organized by Swannanoa Pride Community Coalition whose talented and hard-working volunteers have, this year, transferred it to others in Swannanoa. The purpose however has not changed and is to bring the people of Swannanoa together, support local businesses, and draw attention to the Beacon Mill Village in downtown Swannanoa.

Plans include asking festival goers to donate food to the Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry.  Last years attendance was 1000 to 1500 people. The Mill Around the Village Festival is a non-political event, and no alcoholic beverages will be permitted.

Volunteers so far this year are Michael Anderson, Steve Anthony, Janet Burhoe-Jones, Al DeGaetano, Steve Dunning, Elaine Ferguson, Carolyn Fryberger, Connie Gardi, Kevin Hall, Bill Alexander, Harriet Styles, Jane Hansel, Ron Hillabrand, Ashley Howerton, Jo Anne Lorensen, Terry McFee-Dorlan, Dean Pistor, Melissa L. Sites, Valerie Taylor, Pam Tegge,  Darcy Wilson, and others. 

 

Happy Festival Goers

Planning meetings are Mondays at 6 p.m. at The Beacon Pub & Event Hall, Upstairs – 204 Whitson Avenue Swannanoa, NC 28778. Call for directions (828)686-0006 after 3pm daily. Come join us and have fun!

The festival committee is looking for local street performers and need volunteers to sign up for assistance with Logistics, Vendor coordination, Sponsor Recruitment, Children’s Area, Set-up and Cleanup. If you or your club, organization or business wants to be involved as volunteers, performers, sponsors or vendors, please contact:

For Sponsor information phone (828) 686-3808 or email flwrgirl923@msn.com; for Vendor information phone (828) 686-0050 or email okiedokiesbbq@bellsouth.net; for Children’s Area phone (828)216-1657 or email mlsrealtor@bellsouth.net. 

 

Owen Middle School Cheerleaders

Gene Mills, Author of "Growing Up in Swannanoa"

Swannanoa NC History: The Rest of the Davy Crockett Story

DID YOU KNOW…The Rest of The Story….Finally, the answers to the rest of the questions and Swannanoa NC history regarding Davy Crockett!

The Myths:

To begin the rest of the story, some of the myths surrounding David Crockett should be set straight. He really never wore a “coonskin cap”. That was likely the imagination of Walt Disney and the well loved “King of the Wild Frontier” shows. 

He was never known as “Davy Crockett”, but was always called David Crockett, or Col. David Crockett. “Davy” just sounds better in the TV show theme song.

Although a prolific bear hunter and excellent marksman, he did not kill a bear when he was 3 years old!

David Crockett did indeed die at the Alamo. There has been some historical research to the contrary, and historians still enjoy debating his death. Stories exist that he surrendered or was captured alive and taken to Mexico where he was executed. The weight of historical evidence, however, indicates this was not feasible and he died along with the mass of others at the battle of the Alamo.

 

Col. David Crockett

The Family Life:

It seems that Elizabeth Patton’s family might have been correct in opposing her marriage to Crockett. This quote from the OLD BUNCOMBE COUNTY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY describes their life after moving back to Tennessee: “Elizabeth did not find David Crockett to be a steady husband/farmer who stayed at home to till the land and care for his family and stock.  Instead, it was mostly left to Elizabeth to run the home and garden and raise their three children as best she could while David made a precarious living as a hunter, and taking frequent long trips as a guide and trailblazer, helping other people travel or locate places to settle.”

After eventually losing his three term U.S. Representative seat in an election, Crockett is credited with this infamous line: “Since you have chosen to elect a man with a timber toe to succeed me, you may all go to hell and I will go to Texas.”

Leaving the family behind, Crockett did move to Texas, the outcome of which ended at the Alamo.

The State of Texas:

Many years later, Elizabeth was rewarded for her late husband’s services to the state of Texas with a payment in the amount of $24. Along with that paltry sum, the 65 year old widow was granted 1,280 acres of land roamed and ruled by Comanches. 

When the Mrs. Crockett was finally able to follow in David’s footsteps and move to Texas to claim her land she did end up with 640 acres. By then her children were grown and only two went to Texas with her. Her son build a log cabin in which she lived for the final six years of her life, dying at age 72.

Elizabeth Patton Crockett’s Statue:

 

Elizabeth Patton Crockett's Gravesite and Memorial

Yes, there is a statue of Swannanoa NC native, Elizabeth Patton Crockett, in Texas! In 1913 the state placed this monument at the site of Elizabeth’s grave in Acton, TX. Elizabeth’s daughter is also buried there. The gravesite later became a state park, the smallest one in Texas.

Much of the information about Elizabeth’s life in Texas is credited to “Texas Tales” by Mike Cox and can be found at his website: TexasEscapes.Com.

 

 

Swannanoa NC Vote on Incorporation Moved a Step Forward by State Commission in Raleigh

On Wednesday, June 17 the North Carolina legislative commission on finance and incorporation issues held a meeting to review the requests of various areas in the state desiring to incorporate. A live audio broadcast was available via the internet. 

The commission is responsible for reviewing incorporation requests and deciding whether or not they should be recommended to the state legislature. Once an incorporation proposal reaches the legislature, both the state Senate and House will vote on allowing a local referendum vote to be held at the next general election.

Incorporation requests which were not approved by the commission yesterday included Leicester and Lake James. Those two were postponed. Swannanoa’s request was approved and will next be considered by the legislature. If approved there, the local referendum will be held on November 3rd. 

Several residents spoke at the meeting, both those in favor of the referendum and those opposed to it. Issues were raised regarding the large size of the area, the population and development density, services to be provided and new developments such as the Cliffs community with its Tiger Woods golf course.

For additional details, please click on this link to the Asheville Citizen-Times newspaper report on the meeting: http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090617/POLITICS/90617020

Swannanoa NC’s New Medical Practice: Faith Chiropractic Is Now Open

Celebrate Swannanoa is excited to announce the newly opened Faith Chiropractic with Dr. Brett Comeau, Chiropractor and owner. Faith Chiropractic is just completing the renovation of their new suite of offices at 2290 US Hwy. 70. While Dr. Comeau has practiced in the Asheville area for several years, and prior to that in Dallas TX, he is happy to now be firmly establishing a presence for Faith Chiropractic in Swannanoa.

Living in Swannanoa with his wife, Kim, Dr. Comeau wants to reach the local community and provide medical care to residents of this area, as there is no other chiropractor in Swannanoa.

Kim Comeau, MA, LPC, is a professional counselor and is also in the process of relocating her counseling practice to Swannanoa. Her office will also be in the Faith Chiropractic suite. Kim offers a variety of counseling services including family, couples, individual and children. She is currently seeing clients two days a week during her transition to the new location.

 

Angela Rathbone, Office Manager; Kim Comeau, MA, LPN, Counselor; Dr. Brett Comeau, Chiropractor

Dr. Brett Comeau offers a full array of chiropractic services, with his patients ranging in age from new babies to geriatrics. Some of the most frequent medical conditions he addresses are low back and hip pain. His services include full spinal adjustment, extremity adjustment, and physical therapy. When asked what sets his practice apart from the customary, Dr. Comeau states that he doesn’t merely address the patient’s symptoms but rather treats the problem that is causing the symptoms. He bases his practice on the philosophy that the body has an inborn knowledge to heal itself. 

Being a caring person and having a desire to truly help patients are factors that led Dr. Comeau to the field of chiropractic. His staff and patients report what they like most about Dr. Comeau is his personality, bedside manner and sense of humor. He takes a relational approach with patients, spending time with them so their office visits are an enjoyable experience. 

 

Janet Burhoe-Jones, President of the Swannanoa Business Association Welcomes Dr. Brett Comeau

 

Being in Swannanoa, Dr. Comeau appreciates the opportunity to be involved with the local community and the small town environment as opposed to a “big city”. He enjoys personal connections and wants to make a difference in the community. Dr. Comeau has recently been appointed as a Board Member of the Swannanoa Business Association. He expresses that his vision for the future of Swannanoa includes increased community spirit, new business growth and increased tourism.

 

Faith Chiropractic at the Swannanoa Valley Business Fair

Some final thoughts from Dr. Comeau: the biggest challenge of his practice is educating people about chiropractic medicine; he genuinely cares about everyone who walks in the door of his offices; and he would really like to meet everybody in Swannanoa. 

Dr. Brett Comeau’s new address and phone number:

                                 Faith Chiropractic, 2290 US Hwy. 70, Swannanoa NC 28778                                             (828) 686-5200 – Dr. Comeau, Chiropractor

                                           (828) 686-5599 – Kim Comeau, MA, LPC ,                                      Professional Counseling Services

 

Faith Chiropractic

 

 

 

Swannanoa NC Documentary on the Beacon Mill

There is much interest in the upcoming documentary movie on the “rise and fall of the Beacon Manufacturing blanket mill” (as quoted in the Asheville Citizen-Times article on the subject). Two Swannanoa residents, Rebecca Williams and Jerry Pope, have spent countless hours assembling information, interviewing former Beacon employees, and working to tell this fascinating story of many American communities which took place right here in Swannanoa.

It is a story of epical proportions which still today has an enormous impact on our community and life in Swannanoa. 

A preview of the unfinished documentary will be presented to the public on Saturday, June 6 from 1:00 – 3:00 pm at the Bee Tree Fire Station. The program will include a panel discussion by former Beacon employees and music about Swannanoa that will be included in the movie.

For more information, this link to the Citizen-Times Article is provided: http://tinyurl.com/mbcojk

Beacon Manufacturing Fire, Photo Courtesy of the Swannanoa Fire Department

 

Beacon Manufacturing Fire...the Flag Still Stands, Courtesy of the Swannanoa Fire Department

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An ironic footnote to this story: The Swannanoa Fire Department proudly celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. This fire department played a heroic role in the Beacon Mill fire and was assisted by no less than 24 other fire departments from surrounding communities and counties. Prior to its Charter as the Swannanoa Fire and Rescue in 1959, it was known as the Beacon Fire Department.

Swannanoa NC: Photo Gallery From the 2009 Local Job, Business and Health Fair

Formerly known as the “Shopper’s Expo”, the annual event was expanded to a 2009 Local Job, Business and Health Fair on Saturday, May 16th with the theme “Value our Valley”.

The following photo gallery of booths and attendees provides a flavor of this year’s fair, held at Owen Middle School in Swannanoa, NC.

Swannanoa Business Association Booth, Janet Burhoe-Jones, Executive Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John Foreman, Chairmaker, demonstrates the grand door prize, his handmade rocking chair

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jo Anne Lorensen, Celebrate Swannanoa.Com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Krista Anne's Distinctive Clothing and Accessories, Art to Wear

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Computers for Christ, Ashley Howerton, President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Faith Chiropractic, Dr. Brett Comeau

 

 

 

 

Arbonne, Donna Farrow

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The CelebrateSwannanoa.Com Booth

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 2009 Local Job, Business and Health Fair is organized by the Black Mountain Swannanoa North Carolina Chamber of Commerce.

Swannanoa NC: Asheville Citizen-Times News Article Features CelebrateSwannanoa.Com

 

CelebrateSwannanoa.Com Booth

The Asheville Citizen-Times presents an article about the 2009 Local Job, Business and Health Fair to be held in Swannanoa NC at Owen Middle School on Saturday, May 16th. from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Jo Anne Lorensen is featured in the article discussing her website www.CelebrateSwannanoa.Com. and the business community in Swannanoa.

Be sure to stop by the Business Fair and visit the Celebrate Swannanoa booth. While you are there, register for our drawing for a great Swannanoa gift basket. For more information, check out the Citizen-Times article. It is both in the May 11th edition of the paper and online at the Citizen-Times.Com. You can click on this link: “Fair to Celebrate Working, Shopping in Swannanoa”. 

The 2009 Local Job, Business and Health Fair is organized by the Black Mountain-Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce. The theme of the fair is Value Our Valley.

 

CelebrateSwannanoa.Com Banner

 

 

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