Burke County Offers Daily Color Reports & Leaf Peeper Trolley Tours
MORGANTON, N.C. – Viewing fall foliage is easy in Burke County as the local tourism office is again offering daily fall color reports, while also hosting four leaf-looking trolley tours.
The detailed reports, available daily online and at the Burke County Visitors Center, give real time updates for the top 10 places in the county to view autumn color. The trolley tours allow folks to kick back and view stunning fall foliage from the comfort of a climate-controlled trolley.
Burke County’s color season lasts for several weeks because the county’s elevations range from 1,000-4,000 feet and foliage at higher elevations turns earlier than at lower elevations.
“Early color begins up near Linville Falls, the Blue Ridge Parkway, Table Rock and Hawksbill Mountain in the first half of October,” says tourism director Ed Phillips. “Then in late October and early November, we approach peak around Lake James State Park, South Mountains State Park and the wineries along the Catawba Valley Wine Trail.”
This year’s leaf peeper trolley tours take place Oct. 15, Oct. 21, Oct. 29 and Nov. 5.
The first two tours (Oct. 15, Oct. 21) traverse the county’s higher elevations. These tours showcase autumn’s tapestry at Linville Falls and throughout the Linville Gorge, as well as the scenic Brown Mountain overlook. Each of these tours includes lunch at Famous Louise’s Rock House Restaurant, where the dining room is split among three counties: Burke, Avery and McDowell.
The final two tours (Oct. 29, Nov. 5) focus on the splendid color available around Lake James and the Catawba Valley Wine Trail. Each of those includes wine tastings at Lake James Cellars and Silver Fork Winery.
The cost for each trolley tour is $55 per person. There is no charge for daily color reports or scenic drive maps.
For complete information, call 888-462-2921 or go to:www.DiscoverBurkeCounty.com.
CCC&TI Hosts Students for a Cure Event
Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute’s Cosmetology Department hosted its third annual “Students for a Cure Event” on Monday, Oct. 3 on the Caldwell Campus in Hudson.
Cosmetology students offered manicure, haircut and styling services in exchange for donations for the Foothills NC Susan G. Komen organization. In total, 54 students participated. The event served 61 clients and raised more than $360 for NC Foothills Susan G. Komen.
According to Cosmetology Director Lisa Rector, the event is a valuable learning experience for students in many ways. “The students and instructors work really hard preparing for this event. It is a benefit to our students because it gives them experience in charity work, helps them understand empathy, and it is a great way to give back to our community while also practicing the skills they’re learning in the classroom,” said Rector. “Students get really excited about the event. They all know someone who has or has had cancer and this event gives them an opportunity to work as a team to raise money and awareness for a cause that hits home for many of them.”
For more information about the Cosmetology Program at CCC&TI, call 828-726-2200 or visit www.cccti.edu.
Carolina Farm Credit Employees Donate to USO
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STATESVILLE, NC – Carolina Farm Credit’s employees recently donated items to the USO of North Carolina. At their recent employee appreciation day, employees were encouraged to bring items that will be distributed to military personnel passing through the Charlotte area. In conjunction with the 100th anniversary of Farm Credit, a goal of 100 items was set. This goal was exceeded in stunning fashion. A $1,000 check was also presented to the USO on behalf of Carolina Farm Credit and its employees. “Carolina Farm Credit and its employees are honored to be involved with an organization like the USO of North Carolina. Being able to give back to the servicemen and women who sacrifice so much for our freedoms is truly a blessing.” ~ Vance C. Dalton, Jr., CEO, Carolina Farm Credit The United Service Organizations of North Carolina is the leading organization privileged to support military servicemen and women throughout the state. They measure success by being good stewards of the resources entrusted to them to touch the lives of over 665,000 troops and families through education, wellness, transition assistance and resiliency programs across North Carolina. To learn more about the USO of North Carolina or to donate, please visit them online at uso-nc.org. Carolina Farm Credit is a stockholder-owned cooperative providing financing to full and part-time farmers and agricultural-related businesses and also provides financing for the construction and purchase of homes in 54 counties through 32 branch offices. Other financial services available are credit life insurance, appraisal services, leasing programs and financial planning. For 100 years Farm Credit has been supporting rural communities and agriculture with reliable, consistent credit and financial services. Carolina Farm Credit serves over 9,200 members with loans outstanding totaling more than $1.4 billion. The association’s territory covers the western half of North Carolina, with branch offices located in Albemarle, Asheboro, Asheville, Boone, Browns Summit, Burnsville, Carthage, Concord, Conover, Ellerbe, Graham, Hendersonville, Jefferson, Lenoir, Lexington, Lincolnton, Monroe, Murphy, Pilot Mountain, Roxboro, Rural Hall, Salisbury, Shelby, Siler City, Sparta, Spindale, Statesville, Taylorsville, Waynesville, Wilkesboro, Yadkinville, and Yanceyville. Carolina Farm Credit was recognized as a 2015 Best Employer in North Carolina. The list of the Best Employers in North Carolina was created by Business North Carolina, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) – NC State Council and Best Companies Group. Directors for Carolina Farm Credit are L. Kim Starnes, Chairman, Salisbury; W. Rex Bell, Vice-Chairman, Statesville; John M. Barnard, Statesville; E. Bernard Beck, Seagrove; Mark A. Bray, Lawsonville; David M. Coltrane, Pleasant Garden; Susie J. Gambill, Sparta; Joseph A. Lail, Shelby; Clark M. Newlin, Haw River; Thomas E. Porter, Jr., Concord; Tony L. Ragan, Sanford; D. Kaleb Rathbone, Waynesville; Lewis E. Smith, Lincolnton; Vickie N. Smitherman, East Bend; Dr. Alton Thompson, Summerfield. |
The McMillans in Concert and Fellowship Dinner at Bethel Baptist Oct. 9
The McMillans will be in concert at Bethel Baptist Church at 6:00 pm on Sunday, October 9th. Everyone is invited to join us for a great evening. A complimentary supper and desert fellowship will follow the concert! Bethel Church is located at 123 Mountain Dale Road in Vilas across from Bethel School.