Question 1

Brews and Bears at the WNC Nature Center is Back Just in Time for Summer

Accepted Answer

After being cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic, Brews and Bears has come out of
hibernation just in time for summer! On Friday, July 9, and Friday, August 13, from 5:30-8:00PM, the WNC Nature Center will host the after-hours event, where guests can explore the Nature Center in the evening hours when it’s cooler and the animals are more active.
There will be food, drink, and music, and guests will get to watch an enrichment activity for the Nature Center’s resident black bears, Uno and Ursa. “Brews and Bears is the perfect happy hour fundraiser that lets guests explore the Nature Center after hours while supporting the wildlife they love,” said Kate Frost, Director of Development at Friends of the WNC Nature Center. “You can also take your pint with you and visit the newest additions to the WNC Nature Center &#8211; our red foxes, Bonita and Samson.”
Admission to Brews and Bears is $15 for Friends of the WNC Nature Center members and $20 for non-members. New this year, tickets can include a beer token to cover patrons’ first drink, and there is a VIP option that includes a signature Brews and Bears silipint cup and the opportunity to jump the line for drinks. The event is intended primarily for adults, although youth are welcome to attend with the purchase of a ticket. Children two and under are free. Proceeds from ticket and beverage sales go to the Friends of the WNC Nature Center and help support various programs throughout the park, including animal
enrichment and habitat renovations. Learn more and purchase tickets at wildwnc.org/brews-and-bears.
Beer, cider and/or wine, and food will be available for purchase at each event. Music will also be provided:
July 9
Beer: Highland Brewing
Cider: Urban Orchard
Food Truck: Cecilia’s Kitchen
Others: Blunt Pretzels, Ice cream treats
Music provided by Mix 96.5
Bear Education provided by BearWise
August 13
Beer: Highland Brewing
Cider: Urban Orchard
Wine: Plēb Urban Winery
Food Truck: Gypsy Queen Cuisine
Others: Blunt Pretzels, Ice cream treats, Music provided by 105.9 The Mountain
Bear Education provided by BearWise
The American black bear, Ursus americanus, is the only bear species native to North Carolina. At the WNC Nature Center, Uno and Ursa continue to be ambassadors for the American black bears in this area. They were removed from the wild for unknown reasons and lack survival skills. Therefore, they cannot be released into the wild. They prefer to den separately in the summer but enjoy sharing a den for winter torpor. On hot summer days, Uno and Ursa splash in their habitat’s pool and enjoy enrichment such as frozen fish, fruit, and ice popsicles.
The Brews and Bears events are presented by Zealandia Holdings and White Oak Financial Management. Additional sponsors include Grimes Teich Anderson LLP, BrickStreet Equity Management, U.S. Cellular Premier Locations, HomeTrust Bank, and Park National Bank.
The Friends is a nonprofit organization committed to supporting the animals, programs, and facilities of the WNC Nature Center. The Nature Center connects people of all ages with the plants and animals of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. For more information on the Friends of the WNC Nature Center, or to join the Friends and support future projects, visit www.wildwnc.org.

Question 2

Fun Guided History Walks Are Back in Hendersonville

Accepted Answer

Three popular guided history walks will be offered in June. Now in its seventh year, Hendersonville Guided History Walks offers 90-plus minute walks in three historic areas of town: along Main Street (Friday, June 11, 10 a.m.), in Oakdale Cemetery (Friday, June 18, 10 a.m.), and in the 7th Avenue Historic Depot District (Friday, June 25, 10 a.m.). Cost for each tour is $10 per person 10 years and older. Children under 10 are free with a paid adult. Appropriate guidelines for safety and health will be practiced, space is limited and reservations are required. Contact history walk leader Mary Jo Padgett at 828-545-3179 or email maryjo@maryjopadgett.com to make a reservation. Private tours for groups can be arranged anytime. Visit the website at www.maryjopadgett.com and click on Guided Walks to see the entire schedule for 2021.
Main Street
On Friday, June 11, the walk will start at 10 a.m. at the front steps of City Hall, corner of Fifth Avenue E. and King St. Stroll along Historic Main Street with tour guide Mary Jo Padgett to answer such questions as &#8212; who donated the land where the new town would be built, what is the age of the oldest block of buildings, what was on the third floor (and in the basement) of the old City Hall, who was the town named for, where was the Opera House, and learn about bordellos, shoot-outs, trolley lines, and stories of life in the old days on Chinquapin Hill.
Oakdale Cemetery
On Friday, June 18, the walk will begin at 10 a.m. in the cemetery on U.S. 64 W. This guided tour of Historic Oakdale Cemetery, Hendersonville’s municipal cemetery, whispers stories of the town’s early days and colorful citizens. The famous Italian marble monument which inspired the title of Thomas Wolfe’s novel Look Homeward, Angel is in Oakdale, along with both marked and unmarked graves of historic figures. The heritage of our African-American community is told in the Black section of the cemetery, while the designated Jewish cemetery reveals how the town grew to embrace ethnic and religious groups through the years. How and why the cemetery was established in 1883, names of those who helped build the town and where they were laid to rest, where the Sunshine Lady is buried, and more questions will be answered.
7th Avenue/Historic Depot District
On Friday, June 25, this walk will start at 10 a.m. at the front steps of City Hall, corner of Fifth Avenue E. and King St., then we’ll meander through this historic part of town encircling the Train Depot. When the first steam locomotive arrived in Hendersonville on July 4, 1879, crammed with tourists and visitors from the low country of South Carolina, it was the beginning of an exciting era of big-band music, dancing, numerous inns and hotels, much real estate trading, and huge agricultural growth. Money was made and lost, famous musicians and sports figures came calling, delicious food was enjoyed at every inn and boarding house … Hendersonville was in its hey-day from that moment until the financial crash of 1929. This neighborhood boasted many businesses run by Black and white owners. We’ll hear the details.
“Locals and visitors alike can celebrate and share the interesting history and architecture of Hendersonville,” Padgett said, “For example, learn how the rich natural resources here – the local clay for brick, the hand-hewn foundation rocks from local quarries, and, in fact, the heritage carried from the earlier Cherokee lifestyle – have contributed to our lives today.”
Padgett served on Hendersonville City Council for eight years, is a journalist and public relations consultant, was co-founder and former executive director of ECO, was associate editor at The Mother Earth News magazine, and conducts programs and guided tours in Paris, France, on the American Revolution. Her parents spent their honeymoon in the Skyland Hotel on Main Street. She grew up on a farm in Rutherford County, and has lived in a 100-year-old house in downtown Hendersonville for 40 years.
Hear stories about famous people, destructive fires, and more about this historic small-town gem in the mountains during Hendersonville Guided History Walks, June 11, 18, and 25 at 10 a.m.
Hear stories about Hendersonville’s Gilded Age with the coming of the railroad and well-to-do tourists. The Wheeler Hotel was one of the fancy inns located in the 7th Avenue/Historic Depot District. Hendersonville Guided History Walks are in June.
To make reservations or for more information, contact Padgett at 828-545-3179 or email maryjo@maryjopadgett.com. Visit www.maryjopadgett.com and click on Guided Walks for a complete 2021 schedule.

Question 3

"There is always some reason in Madness"

Accepted Answer

Four of us, including two industry pros, went a little crazy at The Madness &#8211; Sushi, Burger & Bar (https://www.themadnessavl.com/) this past Monday, ordering way too much food! Even though we were sharing, it was still way too much.

“There is always some madness in love. But there is also always some reason in madness.”
― Friedrich Nietzsche

Here&#8217;s the rundown in gallery (below) order:

Toro: Excellent! As good as Toro gets!
The Dumplings: Delicious. Perfect for sharing, they were a hit.
Red Snapper Carpaccio: Excellent! Dipping pieces in that sauce had us all Oohing and Aahing.

Takoyaki Balls: Okay. Sounded good to all of us. I was really looking forward to these. Unfortunately, some of the octopus pieces were overcooked and rubbery. It could have been a fluke, so if you&#8217;re willing to give them another chance, order these balls.

The Rangoon Dip: Okay. Thick, mild crab dip. The dip itself was okay. None of us cared for the fried wontons with this dip. We felt the dip should shine, but wasn&#8217;t flavorful enough to stand up to these crisp, but neutral chips.
The Madness Burger: Very Good. A fun showstopper. &#8220;The Madness takes pride in grilling burgers fresh to order. All of our burgers are made from half-pound Certified Angus Beef&#8221; Dig in, get messy. You&#8217;ll be happy you did.
The Madness Bento Box: Very Good. One of two bento boxes on the menu. The other does not have additional Burger Slider or Specialty Roll options like this one.
Hurricane Specialty Roll: Delicious. These rolls may sound mild, but they&#8217;ve added a little kick with sauces.

The Madness is casual with some indoor seating in a not-so-big space. The outdoor patio felt like it almost doubled seating. We counted ourselves lucky to get a table outside on a Monday night at just after 7:00pm.

The Madness is new-ish, opening in December, 2020. They&#8217;ve had to deal with supply shortages and staffing issues. I wouldn&#8217;t hesitate to go again. Some of those specialty rolls are calling my name. And a cocktail would be good, too. Didn&#8217;t have one this time, because we met for wine on the deck at one of our homes first and I had a solid drive home on I-26 afterwards.
Epicurean Notes:

They&#8217;re located near Enka, west of West Asheville in a mall on Smoky Park Hwy.
Reservations are not taken at this time.
For a more in depth look at The Madness, read this Citizen Times article by Mackensy Lunsford: https://www.citizen-times.com/story/entertainment/2021/05/05/asheville-restaurateur-thrives-covid-pandemic-asian-fusion-new-sushi-burger-bar/7220695002/
And for an interesting take on the possible future of Sushi in the US, take a look at this Grub Street article by Adam Platt: https://www.grubstreet.com/2021/05/rosella-nyc-restaurant-review.html

The Madness &#8211; Sushi, Burger & Bar
275 Smokey Park Hwy, Unit 251
Asheville, NC 28806
828 418 3166

Question 4

Little Pearl: Fine Dining Cuisine, Casual Ambiance, Reasonable Prices

Accepted Answer

A friend and I had lunch at Little Pearl yesterday and it was fantastic! One of Asheville&#8217;s newest eateries, they bill themselves as &#8220;Raw Bar • Beer • Burgers&#8221;. Co-owners, husband & wife Kristen Onderdonk and Tommy Quartararo, along with Chef John Inglesby, have brought something engaging and fresh to town. They&#8217;re serving up-scale dishes in a casual, yet hip and welcoming, smaller mall location.
The level of preparation and plating are more like fine dining. Every single thing we ordered was completely fabulous!
Not only is the &#8220;Corn&#8221; dish delicious, it&#8217;s fun to watch the heat from the corn make the bonito flakes move.
https://vimeo.com/534912085
Four seating areas offer options: indoor-front dining room, small bar, small back dining at high-tops, and outdoor patio out back. The patio is nice, but you&#8217;ll be looking at traffic and the Asheville Mall. Personally, I think all of that would fade in to the background after a few minutes.
There&#8217;s plenty of free parking, so get yourself to Little Pearl ASAP!
Little Pearl
15 Peaks Center Ln
Asheville, NC 28805
828 575 9128

Question 5

Harvey's at The Henderson Announces New Dining Experience

Accepted Answer

Harvey’s @ The Henderson (https://www.thehendersonnc.com/harveys/) adapted to the Covid 19 pandemic by completely moving its dining room operation outside to its beautifully renovated covered wrap-around porch.
&#8220;Eating outside is less risky than eating inside, if everybody is six feet apart and the wait staff are all wearing masks. That keeps the risk as low as it can be,&#8221; said infectious disease expert Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of preventive medicine and infectious diseases at
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville.
According to Chef Michael Gilligan and Mixologist Jeanne Gilligan, owners of The Henderson
Inn and Harvey’s Restaurant, our tables are six feet apart, with our wait staff wearing masks and gloves. Our guest’s safety is our number one priority along with serving award winning chef-prepared fine dining and hand-crafted cocktails using the freshest ingredients, homemade mixers. premium liquors, and the proper ice to create fresh and flavorful libations to help you unwind and savor the experience.

For the fall and winter season, The Henderson has installed a series of fabric roll-up curtains to cover the porch area so as to provide a weather break for outdoor seating. The curtains are made with a revolutionary ‘Soltis 92 Solar Screening Mesh’ which is breathable so as to maintain the air flow but as the mesh holes are so small rain cannot permeate the fabric.
The dining area is now heated with a series of 46,000 BTU Aged Chestnut Gas Patio Heaters which give off radiant heat and project a warm glow during dinner hours. The porch at Harvey’s @ The Henderson is now open year-round with dinner service Thursday through Saturday from 5pm – 8pm and Sunday Brunch from 10am to 1pm.
The Gilligans shared that they scored a 99 out of 100 on their latest Health Inspection. Also by following all CDC requirements for quests staying at the Inn and dining at their restaurant, their top priority is the health and safety of their guests, staff, and community.
Harvey&#8217;s @ The Henderson
201 3rd Ave. W.
Hendersonville, NC 28739
(828) 696-2001
Press Release

Question 6

Citizen Vinyl: Put Another Record On

Accepted Answer

&#8220;Put another record on
Round and round and round and around &#8211; oh
Ah &#8211; see him smile.&#8221; ~ Genesis
Session Bar & Café is my beat, but you can feel a different kind of beat pulses throughout the entire building at Citizen Vinyl (https://citizenvinyl.com/).
&#8220;Citizen Vinyl is a communal space housing a record press facility, café, bar, recording studio & record store – located in the historic Citizen Times building in downtown Asheville. This grand civic space serves to celebrate the history of manufacturing & craft – alongside the current state of music, food & beverage within our local community.&#8221; Citizen Vinyl
If you want a quick overview, as well as access to an easy way to take a deeper dive, go to their website and look at the main menu. It&#8217;s all there.
I was most interested in Session Bar & Café, but was also totally entranced by vinyl production side of the business. How cool is it to have this in Asheville!?! It&#8217;s a great addition to the entire regional music scene.
Session Bar & Café
A new place to grab a bite to eat in downtown Asheville! Two local power hitters, Chef Graham House, formerly of Sovereign Remedies, and Susannah Gebhart of OWL Bakery are the creative forces behind Session&#8217;s Menu. See some samples they whipped up for us in the gallery. The food matched the vibe. Tasty and as expected according to their menu, with a few creative twists. Loved the cocktails.
Vinyl
They&#8217;ve come at the business of vinyl from a lot of different directions: the retail record shop, recording studio, their ability to make vinyl masters, as well as large and short album runs, and the rooftop, which may be used for intimate live performances.
With the record press installed and running on the main floor, you&#8217;ll be able to watch it do its magic through large interior windows while you have lunch, sip a latte, or meet with friends for cocktails.
Take a look inside Citizen Vinyl:

Citizen Vinyl
14 O Henry Ave.
Asheville, NC 28801

Question 7

Pre-Order Drive-Thru Holiday Cookies at Mills River Presbyterian Church

Accepted Answer

On Saturday, December 12, 2020, Mills River Presbyterian Church will host a Drive-Thru Holiday Cookie Sale. The socially-distanced event will be held from 10am to 1pm in the church parking lot off Schoolhouse Road in Mills River.
The public is invited to pre-order boxes of cookies or make their selections the day of the sale. A wide variety of cookies will be available for $8.00 per box.
Each box contains about two dozen homemade cookies. Buyers can select all of the same cookie or an assortment of holiday favorites. Some of the popular cookies at the sale include snickerdoodle, chocolate chip, molasses, peanut butter and oatmeal. Half-pound bags of homemade Chex mix will also be available for $4 each.

“We’re taking this sale outdoors in 2020 to make it as safe as possible for everyone,” says Jackie Auten, co-chair of the event. “Pre-orders are now being taken. These will be boxed and ready for immediate drive-thru pick up on December 12. We’ll also have a safe way for on-site orders to be quickly filled.
“Our initial Holiday Cookie Walk was so popular last year that we want to make it available again in 2020. Whether you’re purchasing a single box for yourself or multiple boxes for family, office workers and friends, we invite everyone to drive-thru to get delicious homemade cookies for the holidays!”
For more details on the fundraising event and to get an order form for the cookies, contact Jackie Auten at jackieauten48@gmail.com or 828-891-5354.
Mills River Presbyterian Church is located at 10 Presbyterian Church Road in Mills River, accessible from Haywood Road or Highway 280. For more information, call 828-891-7101 or visit www.millsriverpresbyterianchurch.com.

Question 8

Zen Hen Cafe Now Open in Hendersonville

Accepted Answer

Zen Hen Cafe (https://www.zenhencafe.com/) is now open in Hendersonville bringing healthy, honest food to the new quick, counter-service concept.
“This is an idea that has been near and dear to my heart for many years,” said Randy Dunn, executive chef and Zen Hen founder. “We are so excited to finally open and offer something for the entire family that is honest, healthy, quick and incredibly tasty.”
Located at 1794 Asheville Highway, Zen Hen Cafe features scratch-made build your own Buddha bowls and in-house non &#8211; GMO rotisserie chicken.
“I wanted to go back to my roots, go back to the farm,” Dunn said of his new venture. “I wanted my food to speak for itself and to be comfortable, approachable and affordable for anyone looking for flavor-forward, healthy meals.”
Dunn, a staple in Asheville’s restaurant scene, was part of the opening team for Roux in Biltmore Park in 2009. He continued to serve the community as the executive chef for both the independent restaurant and the 4-diamond Hilton hotel for over a decade.
“I’m excited to let my feathers back out, per se, and really focus on a menu that fills the need for so many people in our community right now,” Dunn said.
The “Zen” menu features build your own Buddha Bowls with fresh vegetables, house-roasted chicken, and scratch made sauces – or choose from an array of signature bowls like the Chimichurri Chicken – a Buddha Bowl featuring brown rice, rotisserie chicken, red cabbage, cherry tomatoes, chili-lime corn, jalapenos and a house-made chimichurri sauce.
The “Hen” menu features whole, half, and quarter hormone and antibiotic-free, non- GMO rotisserie chickens and family dinners with health-conscious homemade side dishes.
The menu is by design, is gluten-free and health-centric transparency is one of the overarching missions of the café. All nutrition information is available and tracked for each protein, fat and carb.
“I think one of the most unique parts of Zen Hen is in our transparency,” Dunn said. “I’ve tried all the meal prepping, Keto, Paleo, and they all worked to a degree, but I am so busy that it was hard to take the time to meal prep every day and I needed options that were quicker and more budget friendly.”
As a classically trained chef, Dunn draws much of his culinary inspiration from his childhood. His father, a dairy farmer, raised the family on their 10-acre farm in Tennessee where they grew and harvested the majority of their own meals.
Dunn went on to graduate from the prestigious Johnson & Wales Culinary School and to open national 4-diamond hotels, including MIT Cambridge where he once cooked for the ever-amazing, culinary icon Julia Childs.
“I feel like I bring a piece with me from all of my past culinary experiences, but I always want my food to speak for itself,” Dunn said.
Dunn said that he hopes Zen Hen Café will fill the need for health-conscious families in the area looking for every day meals, that are not so “everyday.”
“Someone once told me that how you live today, is how you live your life,” said Dunn. “It’s those choices that you make every day and hopefully this restaurant is going to make it easier to make those choices that matter.”
It’s good food, to put you in a better mood &#8211; or as Dunn would jokingly say – “you would cross the road for this.” For more information on Zen Hen Café, visit www.zenhencafe.com

Question 9

Griff’s Kitchen and Bar Announces Opening Date, Details

Accepted Answer

Griff’s Kitchen and Bar (https://www.griffskitchenandbar.com) has finalized plans to open, and announced details for their new restaurant located in the heart of Enka-Candler.
Griff’s Kitchen and Bar will initially open on October 7 for lunch take-out, featuring locally-focused and seasonally-inspired dishes such as house ground burgers, a cast iron salmon salad, grilled pork shoulder buns, and rotating vegetarian steam buns. Chef/owner Ian Griffin and GM/owner Gina Griffin have created a cozy neighborhood spot serving contemporary fare with a focus on local, fresh ingredients and community wellbeing.
“Hiring local, supporting small local farms, and keeping money in the local economy are our priorities when it comes to crafting a menu,” says Ian Griffin, chef/owner. This is his solo debut after working as a chef for acclaimed venues including All Soul’s Pizza, Panciuto, and Garland. Griff’s will have a focus on modern American cuisine with foreign twists.
“We’re so excited to finally open,” says Gina Griffin. “It’s been quite the journey due to the pandemic, and we’re so grateful that we’ve had a fan base from the beginning, sticking with us through all of this. We look forward to feeding everyone!”
Lunch service will be available Wednesday-Sunday, 11am-3pm. Diners can place their orders online via Toast or call to order ahead, with curbside pickup only. Griff’s Kitchen and Bar is located at 1390 Sand Hill Road, Candler, NC 28715. For questions or orders, call (828) 633-2153.
About Griff’s Kitchen & Bar
Griff’s Kitchen & Bar, created by husband-wife duo Ian and Gina Griffin, is what a restaurant was intended to be: a place where everyone feels taken care of like a regular. Whether you&#8217;re a neighbor or a new face, we&#8217;re dedicated to serving you and supporting our local community and farmers with a delicious contemporary American menu. We welcome food lovers of all tastes! Enjoy a meal crafted with ingredients &#8220;sourced from our backyard.&#8221; Learn more at https://www.griffskitchenandbar.com

Question 10

NEW: Garden Jubilee 2020 Nurseries & Orchard Tour

Accepted Answer

The 2020 Garden Jubilee has been reformatted to avoid totally cancelling the event by shifting the festival from Main Street to the individual nurseries and orchards for the safety of festival goers and vendors. The event has been extended to four days, Friday, May 22 through Monday, May 25 of Memorial Day Weekend.
Henderson County offers a wealth of agritourism related business, which includes nurseries, farms and orchards. The self-guided Nurseries & Orchard Tour will introduce the public to a whole new experience, by having access to products that they may not have access to on Main Street, due to space constraints. By visiting these locations, people will have the opportunity to peruse their entire inventory, for a much broader selection of merchandise.
Local nurseries will be selling annuals, perennials, shrubs, trees, vegetable plants, herbs, hanging baskets, planter boxes, garden accessories, flowers pots, garden soil and much more. Some of the products to be found at the orchards include cider, produce, baked goods, apple chips, jams, jellies, honey and apple butter. Several of the stops along the way, will feature crafters, selling such items as: pottery, soap, wind spinners, wreaths, aprons, jewelry, wind chimes, bells and sculptures.
For a list of participating locations (nurseries & orchards) and vendors (craft & food) visit, , https://www.visithendersonvillenc.org/garden-jubilee Check back often for updates.
A brochure is being created with a map and listing the participating Henderson County nurseries and orchards. For more information call the Visitor Center at 828-693-9708.

Question 11

Asheville Culinary Festival Chow Chow Postpones Until September 2021

Accepted Answer

Asheville’s new culinary festival, Chow Chow, is being re-scheduled for September 2021 due to the disruption and uncertainty caused by Covid-19.
After the Board of Directors of Chow Chow, a 501(c)(3) organization, determined launching ticket sales in April was unrealistic, the group also considered the future rules and regulations regarding social gatherings and the indeterminate nature of the impact of the pandemic. As a result, the board voted to postpone the festival until September 2021.
“It was an extremely tough decision and a decision that we don’t make lightly. We so appreciate the support of the community, our sponsors, and our partners during last year’s festival as well as in preparation for 2020. We’re determined to be back better than ever next year,” said Board of Directors President Katie Button. “We’ll all be ready to welcome friends and family back to Asheville and we think Chow Chow will be a great way to celebrate our re-opened doors.”
The organization will also continue its mission in 2020 with a series of events, dinners and an on-line presence that will offer meaningful content celebrating farmers, chefs, makers, and artists. The board remains committed to elevating Asheville’s greater creative community through food and the communal table.
The festival will also shift its focus to support the many farmers, restaurants, chefs, artists, makers, and non-profits severely impacted by Covid-19.
Watch for updates on their Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/chowchowavl/

Question 12

Order Online - Pick an Outdoor Spot - Picnic!

Accepted Answer

Season&#8217;s at Highland Lake announces &#8220;Picnic-on-Property&#8220;, a new safe way to get outside and enjoy a great meal!
It&#8217;s been weeks since this community was quarantined to their homes. In that time, Season’s at Highland Lake has adapted by offering fresh, local cuisine in a manner that is both safe and convenient. A new Take Out menu was created while Season’s market was added to offer essential items. A new online ordering and payment platform was launched to allow customers to easily place orders any time of day. Additionally, curbside pick-up and home delivery services were added to promote social distancing and provide safe operations for everyone.
While social distancing efforts remain crucial, Season’s at Highland Lake has heard the struggles that people are experiencing. The “trapped at home” mentality is weighing heavy on nearly everyone while the concern for safety is still paramount. People want to get outside but the health risks of doing so can often present a challenge. It is with this in mind that Season’s at Highland Lake is excited to announce their newest offering in response to this new reality.
Starting today (May 1st), Season’s at Highland Lake is pleased to begin offering a new concept for safe dining. The “Picnic on Property” is an alternative to eating at home that allows a safe way to get outside and enjoy a delicious meal. As a part of Highland Lake Inn & Resort, Season’s is able to take advantage of the spacious nature of their 26-acre property.

Guest can choose from a variety of outdoor tables that have been set up across the property (A larger map can be found here). From peaceful lakeside locations to shaded, grassy areas, there are many options to choose from. Guests will place an order and select “Picnic” at the beginning of the process. They will arrive at our curbside area at the specified pick-up time. Each order will include everything needed to enjoy the meal on property. Once the guest has their food, they just pick a spot and enjoy their picnic on property.

“This is just one way that we can serve our community and provide a way to stimulate mental health by getting outdoors” says Season&#8217;s F&B Manager, Peter Fassbender. “We are fortunate to be located in such a beautiful area. We hope that guests will take advantage of the spring weather and enjoy the natural beauty of our property.”
To learn more about menu offerings or online ordering, visit HLIresort.com/seasons. Please contact Peter Fassbender, F&B Manager, at pfassbender@hlinn.com with any questions.
Season’s at Highland Lake is located at Highland Lake Inn & Resort in Flat Rock, NC. For over 20 years, they have used the finest local and organic ingredients to create contemporary cuisine. The historic charm is undeniable on a property that has been community treasure for over a century. In addition, they host private functions and offer signature wine dinners and other special events.
Season&#8217;s at Highland Lake Inn & Resort | 86 Lily Pad Lane, Flat Rock, NC 28731

Question 13

Asheville Restaurants, their Humans, and COVID-19

Accepted Answer

Watching Asheville restaurant owners and employees speak about handling the COVID-19 crisis, you can feel their search for reason and a way forward as they speak about how they&#8217;ve been affected, what they&#8217;ve done so far, and what they&#8217;re thinking about doing to survive going forward.
&#8220;It&#8217;s all about Community&#8221;
Shannon McGaughey, Co-Owner, Vivian, Bill Tanner, Co-Owner, PennyCup Coffee Co., and Tony Walker, YouthBuild Case Manager, Green Opportunities
 
Adam Thome, Owner, 67 Biltmore
 
Gerry Mahon, Owner, Mellow Mushroom Asheville

Claire Brooks, Taproom Manager, Noble Taproom & Cidery, Chris Cogswell, Owner Appalachian Chic Food Truck

Videos by Amplified Media. Follow their Vimeo Channel and look for #AshevilleStrong.

Question 14

Henderson County, NC Restaurant Worker Relief Fund

Accepted Answer

To date, the Support Henderson County Restaurant Workers fund (https://www.gofundme.com/f/henderson-county-nc-restaurant-staff-support), organized by myself (Laura Huff) and managed along with Jason Reasoner, co-owner of Postero, and Lisa Hoffman, co-owner of Underground Baking Co., has sent Ingles grocery/gas cards to close to 90 furloughed Henderson County restaurant workers.
Hot Dog World Staff
At first, we were cautious, keeping the amount we put on most of the Ingles cards at a level that would allow us to help the most people possible.
Season&#8217;s at Highland Lake Staff
But because of GENEROUS DONATIONS, this campaign has raised more money than we thought possible, allowing us to raise the amount we send all vetted furloughed restaurant workers. Not only that, we went back and sent an additional card to those that received the lower amount, bringing everyone up to the same amount of support.
To a person, everyone who has received an Ingles card has been so appreciative of the help, we thought we&#8217;d share some messages of thanks we&#8217;ve gotten.
Umi Japanese Fine Dining
*************************************
This first message is from someone who got a second card:
&#8220;I am so grateful for your extension of an Ingles card for my family! I cannot thank you enough!! My husband and I both work on main Street in the food industry, and we have two children. We so appreciate your blessing!
I would like you to know that I received a second card in the mail today and I wanted to let you know that I am aware this may be an accident. I would like to return it if there was another need somewhere in our community. I saved the return address from where the initial card was sent. I can mail it back there, if it&#8217;s a good spot for you! I just don&#8217;t wish to be greedy during such a trying time. Thank you for your time! And most importantly, thank you for your kindness!!&#8221;
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Postero Staff
&#8220;Thank you so much for the gift card!! It&#8217;s a saving grace, and brought tears to my eyes. ♥️?&#8221;
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&#8220;Thank you so much for your gift cards..it’s very thoughtful of you and I’m sorry if I seemed short at all..I was so overwhelmed by what was going on and my jobs getting shut down.
I ended up getting a night job at Walmart and I got my stimulus check. Your gifts cards and everything has been a really big blessing!
Thank you again for showing such kindness to me and I hope you are doing well:)&#8221;
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&#8220;We all thank you all who put this together to help us out!&#8221;
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Shine Staff
&#8220;Wow. Thank you so much. I super appreciate it!
It truly is a huge struggle.&#8221;
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&#8220;Thank you so much for the Ingles gift cards for me and my family it helped out alot.&#8221;
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The French Broad, A BookBar & Kitchen Staff
We know you have lots of choices when it comes to helping during this terrible time, and so appreciate a donation in any amount you can make to this campaign: https://www.gofundme.com/f/henderson-county-nc-restaurant-staff-support
If you&#8217;re not able to donate at this time (or even if you are &#8211; thank you!), please share this post or the GoFundMe campaign link above.
Apply for an Ingles Grocery/Gas card by submitting this short form: https://hendersoncountyra.org/support-request/
Full Disclosure:

100% of donations (minus the 2.9% +.30 cents per donation GoFundMe fee) go to vetted by employer, furloughed Henderson County restaurant workers who apply.
To date, all but one applicant has received an Ingles Grocery/Gas card.

Thank you,
Laura Huff, Carolina Epicurean, LLC
Jason Reasoner, Postero
Lisa Hoffman, Underground Baking Co

Question 15

Chef-Driven Restaurant, Griff’s Kitchen & Bar, to Open In Enka-Candler NC

Accepted Answer

When Gina and Ian Griffin met working at the same restaurant, Gina was the front-of-house manager and Ian was the sous chef. The very first conversation they had, they shook hands over a deal to open a restaurant together. Gina would manage the front of the house and Ian would helm the kitchen. After falling in love and moving to Asheville, they decided it was time to seal the deal. They would set out to create a neighborhood spot where customers and employees were excited and comfortable to be there. Griff&#8217;s Kitchen & Bar (https://www.griffskitchenandbar.com/) will be that spot.
Slated to open late summer 2020, Griff’s Kitchen & Bar will be the place they’ve envisioned, where the food is outstanding and the environment is inviting to all. Located at 1390 Sandhill Road, Suite 6, the new restaurant will give the community a space to relax after work, watch the game, or bring their families out for a meal.
Gina currently works as the business manager at Mountain Area Residential Facilities and has plans to set up a program for those with disabilities to find employment at Griff’s. “We care about who works for us, who comes to eat, and the food we serve,” Gina said. “We want to use our restaurant as a platform for those who may not have a voice.”
Ian is currently a chef at All Soul’s Pizza in Asheville and was previously a chef at Garland and Panciuto. “We understand the difficult time we are all in. I, too, have been recently laid off from All Soul’s Pizza,” he said. “The way the community has come ‘together’ by staying home and staying well has been incredible. Alone together, we will get through this and when we do, we can all share quarantine stories over a great meal at Griff’s.”
Griff’s Kitchen & Bar will serve lunch and dinner, focusing on contemporary American cuisine that takes inspiration from foods across the globe. The seasonal local menu will include weekly specials that have a unique international flair.
In addition to the handcrafted, chef-driven menu, the owners of Griff’s are focused on employee well-being, transparency in the kitchen, and education for customers about all the moving parts involved with running an independent restaurant.
“The word ‘local’ is a big buzzword in restaurants, but it’s easy to say and very difficult to execute,” Ian said. “To me, it means hiring local, supporting small local farms, and most importantly, keeping money in the local economy. The Enka-Candler community has been so welcoming and supportive. We’d like to give back and help build the community in any way we can.”
From the food and the drinks to the atmosphere and the service, Griff’s Kitchen & Bar welcomes the community to dine in at their neighborhood spot for a meal that you’ll bring your friends back for.
Griff’s Kitchen & Bar is slated to open summer 2020 in the heart of the Enka-Candler community. For updates, visit www.griffskitchenandbar.com.
Epicurean Note
It feels odd, publishing a &#8220;new restaurant opening&#8221; announcement at this time. But in a way, it&#8217;s a reminder that life goes on &#8211; and it will go on, after COVID19 restrictions are lifted. It&#8217;s a ray of hope, looking toward the near future.

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