Fine Artists Walton, Monaghan Celebrate the Season with River Arts Open Studio Specials

By: Sherri McLendon about 10 years ago

The “Second Saturday” festivities on Dec. 14 in Asheville’s historic River Arts District promise seasonal treats for gift-givers and art lovers alike as they meet and greet artists-in-residence

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Discriminating art lovers will want to take this chance to meet and greet artists Cindy Walton and Fleta Monaghan if they’re considering investing in the finer things of life as a seasonal treat on Saturday, Dec. 14, as part of the “Second Saturday” festivities in Asheville’s River Arts District.

Cindy Walton

Walton’s “Sky Danse,” 2013

Artist Cindy Walton of Cindy Walton Fine Art, co-hosts a holiday open studio during “Second Saturday” at The Wedge Building. There, she will co-host a holiday open studio during “Second Saturday” at The Wedge Building from her second floor studio from 5-8 p.m. She, together with the other top-tier artists in residence, will be present for the festivities – and the shopping. A little elf told us that Cindy will have special pricing on selected cold wax paintings during the open studio. With her rising star reputation, her paintings are rarely offered at these advantageous prices.

Cindy Walton Fine Arts is on the second floor of The Wedge Building, Roberts Street, and at www.cindywalton.com.

Monaghan’s “Fairfield Falls,” 2013

Fleta Monaghan

Fleta Monaghan is known both for her own prowess as a fine artist and for her leadership in the profession as the founder of this hot gallery spot. Under her direction, 310 ART Gallery also celebrates the holiday season this “Second Saturday” from noon -5 p.m.

“We feature 21 local fine artists and artisans showing original paintings, sculpture, jewelry, glass art and more,” she says.

While enjoying refreshments, ask for the winter workshop schedule for adult art classes. We also expect reindeer will pause here for the hand-bound books and jewelry specials bound to make it to the tip toe of that special someone’s stocking – plus, a delightful 10 percent discount off original works by Monaghan.

The 310 Art Gallery is at 191 Lyman Street, Studio 310, and at www.310art.com.

Sherri McLendon is a freelance writer with McLendon Bylines, www.sherrimclendon.com, near Asheville, N.C.

“Handmade for the Holiday,” Weaverville, Celebrates 6th Annual Season to Benefit Arts for Life on Sunday

By: Sherri McLendon about 10 years ago

Consider taking part in Weaverville’s “Handmade for the Holidays” Sunday, Nov. 24. For more information, click on the flier above.

WEAVERVILLE – The 6th annual handmade for the holidays will be Sunday, Nov. 24, noon-5 p.m., at Weaverville Town Hall. This year, 10 percent of all sales are designated to benefit Arts for Life.

A partner with Mission Hospital and other North Carolina hospitals serving children, Arts For Life builds bridges and makes lasting connections between the art and healthcare communities of North Carolina. AFL programs offer young patients and their families visual arts, music, and creative writing for more than 250 hours each week, creating successful pediatric clinic art programs, patient and family art support groups, and inpatient art programs.

The best of handmade available during the event includes art prints, candles, clothing and accessories, home goods, jewelry, note cards, ornaments, paintings, pottery, a raffle with prizes, and more.

Handmade for the Holidays is Sunday, Nov. 24, noon-5 p.m. at Weaverville Town Hall, 30 South Min Street. Checks and cash will be accepted at the event, and 10% of proceeds will be donated to Arts For Life. For more information, visit www.aflnc.org.

Weaverville Library Holds Half Price Book Sale

By: Sherri McLendon about 10 years ago

WEAVERVILLE, N.C. – Friends of the Weaverville Public Library offer 50 percent off every title at the Main Street location Saturday, Nov. 2, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. To compete with locals for the best in great half-off reads, take the sidewalk to the right of the main entrance to get to the basement level sale area.

Wall to wall titles at 50 percent off regular book sale prices.

Genres include non-fiction: biography, politics, gardening, self help, cookbooks, history, travel, parenting, home improvement, sports, games, religion, art; fiction: mysteries, science fiction, fantasy, novels; audio-visual: movies, audio books, compact discs and audio tapes; and children and teen selections.

The ‘Half Price Book Sale’ is Saturday, Nov. 2, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Weaverville Library, Main Street. Call Friends of the Weaverville Library at (828)250-6482 for more information. Sherri McLendon is a freelance writer in Weaverville who never misses library book sales. Contact her at www.sherrimclendon.com.

North American Roofing Celebrates 20th Anniversary with Hot Chili Cook-Off, Sizzling Annual Growth

By: Sherri McLendon about 10 years ago

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – North American Roofing employees reap the harvest of a job well done, marking the occasion of the company’s 20th anniversary with an informal celebration and chili cook-off. First place winner Randy Talley takes home the 2013 trophy; second place runner up is Jarrod Jeffrey; and third place honors belong to Stacey Sordahl.

President and CEO Brian Verble, along with judges Grant Hower, approved contractor network manager, and Jennifer Stalnaker, collection coordinator, sampled some dozen or so chili entries ranging from mild to “raging hot” before announcing the winners.

Watch the VIDEO: North American Roofing Chili tasting, cookoff and 20th anniversary celebration.

20 Years of National Leadership

One of Asheville’s largest employers, North American Roofing relocated its national headquarters from Indianapolis in 1993. Today, about 15 percent of the 100-plus employees remain employed at the Dogwood Road location. Approximately 70 of those individuals attended the recent celebration that had all the appearance and feel of a tailgate party of close friends and a family get together rather than a typical company event.

Now the third largest roofing company in the United States, the company looks back on two decades of numerous awards and accolades for customer service and quality by GAF, Carlisle, Firestone and Seaman, some of the nation’s biggest manufacturers of building products. National clients include Home Depot, IKEA, Lowe’s and GE, among others.

Company Grows, Employees Profit

Plus, it’s not just the chili that’s hot at North American Roofing. Recent years track sizzling growth annually.

“North American Roofing has seen excellent revenue growth, on average 20% per year over the past few years,” says Verble, who notes that the company weathered the recession well. “We’re on track to break our sales projections for this year, which will exceed $100 million.”

One year ago, North American Roofing became an Employee Stock Option Plan (ESOP) company in October 2012. That means North American Roofing is a breaking new ground as an employee-owned corporation. Employees of this dynamic company have plenty to celebrate.

For more information about North American Roofing, visit the website at http://www.naroofing.com/. Sherri L. McLendon is a freelance writer and editorial consultant in Weaverville, N.C. Visit McLendon Bylines at http://www.sherrimclendon.com.

Blackhawks fly High

By: Sherri McLendon about 10 years ago

Students, teachers and alumni will show their Blackhawk pride with the North Buncombe High School homecoming parade on Friday, Sept. 27, 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Main Street, Weaverville.

Photo by Barbara Gentry.

The parade starts at North Buncombe Middle School off north Main Street, and ends at Weaverville Elementary on south Main Street. During the parade Main Street will be closed; alternative routes will be temporarily required. For more information or questions call the high school at (828) 645-4221.

Dee Turner is a public relations intern with McLendon Bylines, www.sherrimclendon.com, Weaverville.

Author: Sherri McLendon