DOUBLE YOUR DOLLARS & Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage SAVE THE PLACES YOU LOVE PAID DURING OUR SUMMER Permit #593 FOOTHILLS BLUE RIDGE FOOTHILLS Asheville, NC FOOTHILLS CONSER VANCY PROTECTION CHALLENGE ! of WATCH YOUR MAILBOX FOR DETAILS CONSER VANCY P.O. Box 3023 135 1/2 West Union Street Morganton, NC 28680 of North Carolina foothillsconservancy.org

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SPRING-SUMMER 2014 Coalition Works to “Shore Up” E Printed on 100% post-consumer recycled fiber Conservation Zoning

Scenic Lake James and its For example, homes must be FILL YOUR CALENDAR WITH OUTDOOR FUN! surrounding mountain lands, set back a minimum of 125 ft Check www.foothillsconservancy.org for up-to-date event listings. including the Linville Gorge, from the shoreline to minimize are much loved by people run-off, and trees must be near and far who come to left to hide structures from LOST COVE HIKE JOHNS RIVER PADDLE & CLEAN-UP CATAWBA RIVERFEST hike, boat, fish and spend view. Building height and Saturday, May 24, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Friday, August 22, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, September 20 time with friends and family lighting restrictions further Hike to the top of Big Lost Cove Cliffs with FCNC’s Have a fun day exploring & cleaning up along one , Paddy Creek Access Andrew Kota on this popular, moderately of our region’s best-kept secrets. Enjoy a day at Lake James & learn about the in one of North Carolina’s protect the natural shoreline strenuous hike in . Canoes & assistance provided by CBS Sports. many groups working to protect the Catawba premier outdoor recreation views, while maximum 25% Free to FCNC members. Non-members $10. Free & open to the public. River & its lakes at this annual event. areas. slope and 10% impervious Free & open to the public. surface restrictions, along WATERFALL & BLUEGRASS HIKE MUSHROOM FORAY AT In the late 1990s and early with strict septic system Saturday, June 7, 9:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m. BUCK CREEK GAP MUSIC & STORYTELLING AT 2000s, Foothills Conservancy requirements and storm water Refreshments & bluegrass music by Gary Saturday, August 30, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. THE ORCHARD AT ALTAPASS was part of a broad coalition control measures, help protect McCurry & friends will await hikers at a historic Become familiar with fungi on a hike on new Saturday, September 27 of conservation groups, the lake’s waters from sediment log cabin after a strenuous hike to South FCNC-owned land near the Check www.foothillsconservancy.org Burke County officials and and pollutants. Mountains’ Shoal Creek Falls led by FCNC board member & avid mycologist in August for time & details. citizens who worked together to find led by FCNC’s Tom Kenney. Jim Goldsmith. Enjoy hay rides, hiking, home-made ice cream ways to protect the lake’s scenic views and Lake James State Park below Short Off Because of the significance of Lake James’ Free to FCNC members. Non-members $15. Free to FCNC members. Non-members $10. & fall apples as Revolutionary War-clad water quality, enhance public access to and Table Rock in the Linville Gorge waters, which feed the -- interpreters bring history alive at this the lake’s waters and shoreline, the drinking water source for more than FIRST BROAD RIVER PADDLE joint OVTA, CTNC, FCNC & BRC event. SAVE THIS DATE! and encourage conservation-minded two million Carolinians -- and of the miles & PROPOSED RESERVOIR TOUR Free & open to the public. A greatly expanded Lake James State Park SATURDAY , O CTOBER 11 development by Crescent Resources, at of lakeshore lands which link to Pisgah Saturday, July 12, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. and a new Linville State Game Land the time a subsidiary of Duke Energy and National Forest and the Linville Gorge Float your kayak or canoe along a beautiful stretch OVERMOUNTAIN VICTORY resulted from these efforts, along with FALL HARVEST the largest landowner at the lake. National Wilderness Area, any requests to of this ancient river that would be inundated by a CANE CREEK BATTLEFIELD TOUR model conservation district zoning controversial proposed reservoir. Led by David 2014 FLAVORS OF THE FOOTHILLS Saturday, October 4 change Burke County’s 2004 conservation BENEFIT DINNER & AUCTION!! adopted by Burke County in 2004 which Caldwell & FCNC's Susie Hamrick Jones. Join FCNC & the OVTA for an interpretative tour measures must always be carefully has since guided the successful Free & open to the public. Check website this summer of this Revolutionary War Battlefield. considered to make sure that the lake’s W HAT ' S I NSIDE development of the lake’s newest for details. Free & open to the public. views and waters remain protected. Crescent subdivisions at Dry Creek and Gift Keeps Giving ...... 2 1780. Over the past eight months, Foothills Grants Protect History & Water ...... 3 Conservancy, Lake James Environmental On the Burke County side of the lake, new RSVP required for all FCNC outings at [email protected] or at 828-437-9930. Taking Care of the Land ...... 4-5 Association, Table Rock Trout Unlimited, developments, such as these, are now Check www.foothillsconservancy.org for updates, details and any cancellations prior to event. 2013 Protection Successes ...... 6-7 the Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation and Wear appropriate clothing and footwear, and bring your own water and food if desired. planned in such a way as to minimize or Donor Thanks! ...... 8-11 the South Mountains Chapter of the Sierra eliminate impacts to the lake’s natural Club have once again worked closely Saying Thanks & Goodbye ...... 11 shoreline views and water quality. together as the “Lake James Conservation Saving the places you love Continued on page 4 F ROM O UR D IRECTOR O UR M ISSION N.C. Clean Water Management Trust Fund Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina, a nationally accredited regional land trust, is dedicated to working cooperatively with landowners and public and private Grants Will Help Protect Revolutionary War Site conservation partners to preserve and protect important natural areas and open spaces of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Foothills region, Gift of Conservation Land & Important Watershed Lands including watersheds, environmentally significant habitats, forests and farmland, for Two highly competitive grants awarded last December this and future generations. The Conservancy, Will Keep on Giving a 501 ( c ) 3 nonprofit, serves eight counties: by the N.C. Clean Water Management Trust Fund Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Fifteen years ago, Mae Comer Parker (CWMTF) will help Foothills Conservancy and its Cleveland, Lincoln, McDowell and Rutherford. Boles of Colfax, NC, called Foothills partners protect two very different sites in Burke and Conservancy’s office to ask if we L EADERSHIP Rutherford County this year and in 2015. would be interested in helping her BOARD OF DIRECTORS find a way to permanently protect a Carl Spangler, Chairman Cleveland County special tract of land that her parents Charles Burgin, Vice Chairman had dearly loved. McDowell County Shara Owensby, Secretary Growing up in Morganton, Mae had Burke County often explored the 34 acres near Robin Brackett, Treasurer Lake Tahoma and Buck Creek along Cleveland County HWY 80 above Marion with her Ron Beane Peg Broyhill mother, Elizabeth, and father, Scott Caldwell County Caldwell County Osborne, who was president of Tom Foster Jim Goldsmith Morganton’s First National Bank. Catawba County McDowell County A woods road winds th Adjoining Pisgah National Forest, it rough the heart of the donated Kelly Hawkins Susan Powers Boles property, now permanently Burke County Caldwell County was a special forested retreat filled prote cted by a conservation easement. Mike Tanner with rhododendron along a small Rutherford County stream. A modern-day “Overmountain Victory Man” brings Susie Hamrick Jones To honor her parents, Mae decided to donate the land to Foothills Conservancy with the Revolutionary War history to life for hundreds of Rutherford Ex-Officio understanding that it could eventually be sold to a conservation buyer. If sold, it would be County school children at Gilbert Town. subject to a conservation easement to forever protect its forests, creek waters, scenic vistas S TAFF and other natural treasures while allowing one home site but no subdivision. Gilbert Town National Susie Hamrick Jones, Executive Director Tom Kenney, Land Protection Director Mae’s gift would then not only protect her parent’s special retreat, but would keep on giving Historic District Andrew Kota, Stewardship Director when the conservancy used the proceeds from a sale to help conserve other special places. Mary Braun, Office Manager South Mountains It took years of perseverance by a private landowner and Foothills Early this year Foothills Conservancy completed a conservation sale of the Boles property to Conservancy staff to forge the right partnerships and locate an C ONSULTANTS appropriate source of project funding to facilitate a conservation conservation buyer Tim Gillion and simultaneously placed a conservation easement on the Headwaters-Simms easement project at the Gilbert Town National Historic District in Suzi Berl, Grants & Organizational Development property. Tim plans to eventually live on the land and pursue his interest in propagating and Edward Norvell, Legal & Land Protection Rutherford County. During the waning days of the Revolutionary growing native plants. Hill Tract War, both the British and the Patriots – the Overmountain Victory Foothills Conservancy received a $592,000 grant in December 2013 Men -- camped in succession at Gilbert Town on their way to the Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina The conservation sale generated proceeds that will help support additional land and water from the N.C. Clean Water Management Trust Fund (CWMTF) for the Battle of Kings Mountain, influencing the course of American history. P.O. Box 3023 conservation projects throughout our region, and a portion will endow the annual required Morganton, NC 28680 purchase of 2,113 acres in the South Mountains of Burke County. The The largest obstacle to preserving this nationally significant cultural stewardship monitoring and legal defense, if necessary, of the permanent conservation property shares three miles of boundary with the South Mountains site -- funding -- has been overcome. Ph 828.437.9930 Fax 828.437.9912 easement. State Park and is an important watershed protection project at the Email [email protected] headwaters of the Jacob Fork and Henry Fork Rivers which feed the In 2013, the N.C. General Assembly and the Governor made Mae’s determination to find a way to protect her family’s much-loved land is a wonderful important changes to the N.C. Clean Water Management Trust Fund foothillsconservancy.org Catawba River’s South Fork. example of how a gift of land to a land trust can truly keep on giving. (CWMTF). The state’s Natural Heritage Trust Fund was folded into the With a 2012 CWMTF grant of $600,000 and a private pledge of CWMTF, which is now authorized to acquire not only lands that “Daddy loved the mountains, and I do, too,” Mae said. “He would always say ‘Let’s go up to Buck $250,000, Foothills Conservancy now has $1,442,000 toward the $3 protect the state’s fresh waters, but also lands with ecological, cultural Creek Gap’, and I would know where we were headed. I think what the conservancy does is just million purchase. Under the terms of a purchase contract with the and historic significance. great. We need to protect as much land as we can.” current landowner, the conservancy must raise the remaining $1.5 million by the end of 2015 to complete the acquisition. In December 2013, a grant of $184,000 was awarded by the CWMTF Foothills Conservancy is honored to be able to help Mae, and now Tim Gillion, and other to the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources, Foothills Conservancy’s landowners protect the places they love. N.C. State Parks desires a 700-acre section of the property to add to partner, to support the acquisition of a permanent conservation the adjoining South Mountains State Park and has a pending grant easement on the largest tract in the Gilbert Town National Historic FOOTHILLS request to the CWMTF. Additional private money will be required to District. A matching private contribution of $64,000 fulfills the project CONSER VANCY complete the transaction. Upon acquisition, Foothills Conservancy funding. The easement will be executed before the end of 2014 and expects to own and manage the remaining 1,400 acres as a will be held by the State of North Carolina. of North Carolina Susie Hamrick Jones conservation preserve. Executive Director SPRING - SUMMER 2014 • 828.437.9930

2 3 Taking Care of the Land Conservation Management on Land Trust Preserves Conservation Easements – A Win-Win Conservation Tool

Foothills Conservancy has a 19-year legacy of conserving lands Andrew Kota, Foothills Conservancy’s stewardship director, “we Almost all land trusts, including Foothills Conservancy, help landowners and waters of North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains and Foothills own and manage nearly 1,600 acres of preserve lands. Part of our permanently protect their privately-owned lands with a unique legal tool region. ownership responsibilities involves effectively implementing called a conservation easement or conservation agreement. conservation management practices that improve natural Unless a property is transferred to a public agency for ownership, resources that protect water and air quality, natural plant A conservation easement is a voluntary legal agreement between the the completion of any land protection project, regardless of size or communities and diverse wildlife habitat types.” landowner and the land trust which holds the easement. Conservation scope, is just the beginning of the conservancy’s permanent agreements enable landowners to preserve their land and maintain commitment to preserving the land’s ecological resources. While a “hands-off” approach is one management option suitable ownership of it while donating or selling specific, designated rights - most for natural lands, sometimes unmanaged areas can experience typically some or all subdivision rights -- to a conservation organization. “In addition to holding and stewarding permanent conservation various forms of deterioration or decline. This change is especially Each agreement is tailored to meet the needs of the landowner, while easements on almost 4,000 acres of private land,” explains true for property that has a history of active land use, such as protecting the property’s identified outstanding assets. forest management or farming, and in places where access roads pass through forests and cross streams. On lands where natural The landowner promises to protect natural resource values on the land that systems are declining, conservation management can improve provide public benefits. For example, these resources might be a pristine natural resource values. But this activity costs money. stream, wildlife habitat, productive farmland, historic resources, rare or endangered species or scenic vistas. The easement remains with the property Fortunately, some federal and state cost-share grant programs in perpetuity as ownership changes. The land trust holds the easement and provide financial assistance to qualifying private landowners to monitors the property, usually annually, to make sure the terms of the address natural resource concerns. Between 2011 and 2013, agreement are being met. Foothills Conservancy received several state and federal grants totaling more than $17,000 to conduct approved management Conservation easements protect the land’s resources in perpetuity to benefit practices that deliver environmental benefits. The conservancy the public – for current and future generations to come. Donated conservation has secured funding from the USDA’s Natural Resources easements may provide the landowner some tax benefits, since he or she has Conservation Service through their Wildlife Habitat Improvement “given up” some rights to their property which have an assigned value. As Program (WHIP) and their Environmental Quality Incentives with any real estate transaction, landowners should consult their personal Program (EQIP), as well as from the N.C. Clean Water Management legal, financial and tax advisors before finalizing a conservation agreement. Trust Fund for specific water quality improvement projects. Protecting natural areas and working farms and forests, Foothills Through these management programs, Foothills Conservancy Conservancy currently holds easements on 3,808 acres. If you believe your fulfills its mission of preserving natural lands and waters, as well land may hold important natural resource values and would like to talk to the as enhancing, restoring and promoting these resources for the conservancy about protection options, please contact Tom Kenney, Foothills benefit of the public. Conservancy’s land protection director, at 828 437-9930. A restored early succession meadow habitat. Preparing to remove an invasive Ailanthus seed tree.

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Coalition” to ensure that recent rezoning proposals by Crescent Crescent’s March rezoning application presented to the Burke County return for Crescent’s applying Burke County’s much stricter zoning conditions also on the McDowell Communities, LLC (no longer owned by Duke Energy) retain or even Planning Board reflects substantial improvements over their initial 2013 County portion of the property. enhance the protections achieved in 2004. proposal. They have adopted many suggestions made by 1780 owners and the Conservation Coalition during a series of informed In addition, Crescent has dropped its initial proposals to rezone a 125-acre tract deep within Lake Along with the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), which conversations and negotiations over the past six months. James State Park on the Linville Long Arm from a restricted site for a commercial Adirondack-style represented Burke County in 2003-04 when Crescent Resources sued lodge to 250 individual home sites and to rezone undeveloped parcels within view of the Linville the county over its conservation district zoning plans, the Conservation The end result, endorsed 4 to 1 by the Planning Board for final action by Gorge on the lake’s eastern shores to allow smaller lot sizes and potentially higher density. Coalition has coordinated closely with equally concerned 1780 and Dry the County Commissioners in May, is a greatly scaled back rezoning Creek owners and met multiple times with Crescent and Burke County request, limited to undeveloped lands within and adjoining the 1780 While supportive of the revised rezoning request, coalition members continue to encourage Burke representatives to discuss ways for Crescent to achieve desired density subdivision. Proposals to increase the number of allowed housing units, County officials to carefully consider and seek public input on all future proposed subdivision plats, and lot size flexibility while “shoring up rather than eroding” the build on slopes greater than 25% and to increase impervious surfaces while working with Crescent or future developers to ensure implementation of state-of-the-art storm county’s conservation development requirements. have been eliminated. Requests for 1 ½-acre instead of 2-acre lake front water plans and sewage treatment facilities and protect the lake’s scenic views. lot sizes and for limited interior lot cluster developments remain in

FOOTHILLSCONSERVANCY.ORG

4 2013: 1995-2013: 2013: A Race to Protect 1,048 Acres Protected 47,457 Acres 1,000+ Acres Valued at $2,661,007 Protected

Buck Creek Gap Bargain Sale Protects Blue Ridge Parkway Muddy Creek Farm and Working Forestland Protected In December, landowners Roby and Glenda Wilson completed a below-market-value “bargain sale” to Decades ago, David and Betty Connelly found and purchased a large farm near Morganton. Foothills Conservancy of 73 acres adjoining Blue Ridge Parkway and Pisgah National Forest lands along Over the years, their management of the land in the Nebo area of McDowell County has scenic NC Highway 80 at Buck Creek Gap in McDowell County. The tract buffers parkway views, including made it a haven for native wildlife and birds. While their ownership of the farm continues, outstanding vistas from the nearby Mountains-to-Sea Trail. The conservancy will eventually transfer the their charitable gift of a conservation easement to Foothills Conservancy on approximately land, which includes the high quality trout waters of Buck Creek, to federal public ownership. 285 acres of farm and wood lands along South and North Muddy Creeks protects more than two miles of creeks and tributary streams, provides scenic vistas from I-40, and permanently conserves prime farmland and diverse working forestland. Conservation Easement Donation Protects Left Fork Mulberry Creek Landowners Wes and Phyllis Singleton donated a conservation easement on 50 acres of scenic forested Blue Ridge Mountain land near Blowing Rock last December. The forests Historic Cleveland County Lattimore Farm Conserved and habitats below Rocky Knob Ridge adjoin Left Fork Mulberry Creek’s high quality trout Early last year, John and Lelia Lattimore conveyed a donated conservation easement to waters near its source west of US HWY 321. Foothills Conservancy that will forever protect the family’s scenic and historic 123-acre farm in upper Cleveland County along NC HWY 226’s South Mountains Scenery Scenic Byway. The easement limits subdivision and residential development while preserving the land’s conservation values which include crop, forests and grazing lands. Hinton Creek and other Wildcat Mountain Expands FCNC’s streams lace the property and feed into the First Broad River, which supplies drinking water Catawba Headwaters Preserve to much of Cleveland County. Transaction and stewardship costs for the project were After five years of effort, Foothills Conservancy completed the protection of 538 acres at provided by grants from the N.C. Clean Water Management Trust Fund and CTNC’s Wildcat Mountain near Old Fort in 2013 with the acquisition of the final 173 acres. This Farmland Forever Fund and by the Lattimores. scenic mountain protects Catawba River headwaters – vital to downriver water supply. Its acquisition enlarges Foothills Conservancy’s Catawba Headwaters Preserve to about 1,350 acres which adjoin Pisgah National Forest in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Catawba Falls.

Natural Heritage Area Protected on Green Mountain With the donation of a conservation easement to Foothills Conservancy on 248 acres along Green Mountain in the Yadkin River Valley community of Happy Valley in Caldwell Shoal Creek Falls Tract County, landowners Joe Doll and Beverly Frye protected part of a North Carolina Will Close South Mountains State Park Gap Significant Natural Heritage Area and nearly two miles of Yadkin River headwater Thanks to last year’s sale of Shoal Creek Falls to Foothills Conservancy by the heirs of Eric and Velsie McCurry, streams. The project also protects views from the Upper Yadkin Way Scenic Byway. With 95 critical acres linking sections of South Mountains State Park near US Highway 64 are permanently the project, Foothills Conservancy has now protected 1,100 acres with private protected. Once it is transferred to South Mountains State Park, the property’s scenic falls and forests will be conservation easements in Happy Valley. accessible to the public. The purchase increases Foothills Conservancy’s protection of the South Mountains – the heart and founding focus of our land trust in Burke, McDowell and Cleveland Counties -- to 28,595 acres.

P UBLIC & P RIVATE G RANT F UNDS Private Grants M AKE C ONSERVATION P OSSIBLE Federal Grants State Grants • Fred & Alice Stanback • The Clabough Foundation Last year, thanks to these funders and landowners who donated • LWCF-Federal Land & Water Conservation Fund • N.C. Clean Water Management Trust Fund • National Fish & Wildlife Foundation • Bernhardt Foundation conservation easements, Foothills Conservancy was able to complete • U.S. Department of Transportation Scenic Byways • N.C. Department of Justice’s • CTNC Farmland Forever Fund • Glass Foundation very significant land protection projects ahead of the January 1, 2014 Environmental Enhancement Program elimination of the N.C. conservation tax credit program. • CTNC Money in the Ground Grant Program • Dover Foundation FOOTHILLSCONSERVANCY.ORG SPRING - SUMMER 2014 • 828.437.9930

6 7 Lands and Waters Protected – Thanks to You – Our 2013 Contributors

Ellis & Barbara Aycock Roger & Robin Holland Robert O. Burns, Sr. Family Mark & Jill Boyce The Horizon Society honors those individuals, Donald & Jane Bell Erma Deen Hoyle Partnership Dana & Lisa Brooks David Benner John Humphrey Loren & Bonnie Roby Lindsay & Deborah Browning businesses, foundations and organizations who contribute $1,000 or Bernhardt Furniture Company Jack & Bev Hyatt Mark & Leslie Rostan Peg Broyhill more during the year in support of Foothills Conservancy's land and Biltmore Estate Inn at Glen Alpine Tom & Leslie Ruckdeschel Geoffrey & Ann Burbridge Jim & Pamela Sain water conservation work. Horizon Society members are recognized Alice Bishopric Roger & Janice James Charlie & Jean Burleson Jonathan & Paige Bivens Don & Janet Jerch Carolyn Sakowski & Alton Franklin Troy & Freda Carriker annually at a special event. Business members of the Horizon Society Hugh & Ann Blackwell George & Suzy Johnson Salon Professionals Carter Works Pottery receive special logo recognition on our website and in our newsletters. Ed & Sandra Blair Tom & Trish Johnson Chip & Gay Saunders Catawba County Susan Scroggs For more information about ways to support Foothills Conservancy Tom & Beth Blanton Kala Gallery, Inc. Catawba Science Center Body Tech Jim & Mary Kelbaugh Alex & Nancy Shuford, II* Cauble Creek Vineyards at higher levels, contact Susie Hamrick Jones, Executive Director, at Steve Boehm KidSenses Museum Sign It Clearly City of Morganton Parks & Rec. Dept. 828-437-9930 or by email at [email protected]. Lee & Dorothy Bowen Linda & Jim Kincaid Robert Sites John Coburn Winifred Boyd Paul & Janet Kinsey Keener & Joan Smathers Kelly Coffey Peter & Ellie Bradshaw* Bill & Linda Kopp Jeff Smith Rountree & Ellen Collett Bob & Eleanor Brawley Rich & Tracy Krause Lamar & Barbara Smitherman Charles & Katrina Conley HERITAGE Clark & Le Erwin Josh Goodfellow Anne Denton* Calvin & Mary Lou Sossoman Charles & Alice Carey Sarah Feely Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Alan & Linda Eakes Marshall Brooks Margaret Lamere Jim & Mary Helen Cornelison Foundation Stuart & Cindy Byers Beth Lattimore Russ & Janine Spiller Cornerstone Wine & Gifts Charitable Fund Rick & Danyel Harris David & Melissa Eggers Mark & Ann Stalnaker Conservation Trust for NC Seth & Kelly Hawkins Steve Hairfield Thomas & Heather Finke Camp Lake James Marguerite Lavoie David & Amy Cortner John Greene Chrysler Dodge Jeep Henry Cantrell Sally & Donald Lesher Tom & Tamra Starnes Blaine & Veryle Lynn Cox Marilyn “Dee” North Bruce & Debbie Hershock Forest M. Edwards Ins. Agency, Inc. Cliff Strassenburg Wesley & Phyliss Singleton* Patrick Horan Tom & Casey Kilgore Mary & David George James & Linda Chester Scott & Nike Lewis Daniel & Linda Craig Jonathan & Catherine Lowry Bay & Lucia Clark Steven & Anne Lian Carolyn Sullivan Albert Dale Fred & Alice Stanback Winston & Laura Hoy Alan & Lu Griffin Roy & Joan Summerfield Tim Sweeney Jenluma Clayworks Studio Scott & Laura Mulwee Rance & Betty Henderson Robert & Dawn Collett Alex & Marian Llera David & Pamela Daniel Peter & Ann Nelson Sterling & Martha Collett Lowdermilk, Church & Co., LLP Tanner Corporation Mary Danielson Janet Wilson Susie Hamrick Jones Greg & Marty Hoff Doug & Terry Taylor Randy & Lea Loftis Odean Keever & Associates Bob & Ina Holland Rhonda Cook Willie Lowe Teena Davant Roger Oxendale* Lee Costner Rainer & Roz MacGuire* Jeff & Joan Taylor David & Vie Davis LEGACY Edward McMillan & Margaret Dot Houlditch Judy & Dock Teele Blumenthal Foundation Divish Packaging Corporation of America Bob & Nancy Hunter Cranberry's & Lace Jeff MacKinney Constance Desmond Steve Melton Wade & Liz Parks Charlie & Elizabeth Crotts David & Constance Majka Harper & Julia Thayer David & Adair Dobrowski Catawba County John S. Payne Photography The Boat House David & Betty Connelly* Todd & Melinda Morse Anthony & Leslie Pierfelice Mike & Rhonda Keeley Nicholas Curtis Jim Mandeville Downtown Delights Cafe Mull Foundation Lynn & Russell Pitts Bob & Wanda Dellinger Manpower Charles & Stacy Thomson Sam Elliott Crescent Resources, LLC Tom & Wendy Kenney Rusty Triebert Joe Doll & Beverly Frye* Nick & Lynn Nicholas Harold & Brownie Plaster Mackay Painting & Decorating, Inc. Steele & Molly Dewey Greg & Jenny Mastin Victoria & Robert Eves-Baber Edward & Susan Norvell Republic Services, Inc. Bryon & Emilee Dickerson Fred & Bess Matthews Bill & Carolyn Vaassen Fred Falls Dover Foundation, Inc. Stephen & Jill MacMillan* Trip & Rivka Van Noppen Overmountain Victory Trail Patterson's Amish Furniture Clay & Joani Richardson Bill & Nancy McCullough Rocco & Ann DiSanto Steve & Janie Matthews Michael & Kathleen Ferrence Association* Anthony & Leslie Pierfelice Bill & Sandy Roork Jim & Kimerly Edwards Bill McCarter Allen & Jean VanNoppen Fiddlers Vineyard Houck & K.B. Medford Garry & Ruth Vogelpohl David Rostan – Rostan Family Pisgah Environmental Services Jim & Donna Rountree Jonathan & Kim Miller Elden's Wood Work Ron & Terry McCollum Marshall & Suzanne Fisher Foundation Anne Vogler Susan & Bob Powers Robert & Mary Marcia Salsbury Morganton Aquatic Center David & Sun Ellertson Adelia McSherley Foothills Pasture Raised Meats Laura Smith Mark & Gwen Volker Jeremy & Virginia Purbrick State Employees Combined Natural Bridge of VA C.W. & Lyvonne Ellison Geoff & Kelly Messenheimer Shirley Foushee Brad & Shelli Stanback Campaign Bob & Karen Vollinger Marsha & Iverson Riddle John & Bev Nelson Betty Ervin Jay & Jennifer Mills Michael & Mary Friedman Table Rock Pharmacy Frank & Jackie Steele Lee Watkins* Ken & Jane Roberts Beth Parrish Dorothy Ervin Burt & Ann Moncrief Linda Gensheimer The Clabough Foundation Jerry Stensland Dewey Wells Jim & Linda Rostan Paul & Elizabeth Peralta Jerry & Lynn Eskridge Moose Vending Wayne & Leslie Giese von Drehle Corporation Mike & Lynn Tanner Dick & Martha Wilkins Squeak & Connie Smith Phifer Johnson Foundation Bogdan & Jackie Ewendt Graham & Barbara Morgan Pete Gilbert Mary Todd Billy & Debbie Williams Carl & Faye Spangler Piedmont Audiology Jay & Marlena Faircloth Joe Morgan* Gladys Gines* PATRONS Bob & Jane Trotman Betty Woerner The Morganton News Herald Rotary Club of Lake Hickory Joyce Ferguson Jeffrey V. Morse Ginger Creek Vineyards Tom & Sandra Foster Karen & Chris Van Sickler Rudy & Donna Wright Jennifer Kersten & Tim Roush Sherrod & Jeanie Salsbury Scott Ferguson* Phillip & Catherine Mousley Glenwood Road Pottery Mike & Joella Fulenwider Bill & Judy Watson Charles & Elaine Young* Richard & Ava Turner Buck & Helgi Shuford, Jr.* Forrest & Becky Ferrell Dan & Lisa Oberer Good Earth Pottery John & Lelia Lattimore* Vulcan Materials Co. Mideast Div. Fred & Sue Soule Tom & Kathy Foster David & Catherine Ohmstede John & Jane Greene Gresham Orrison PRESERVERS CONSERVATORS Ed Wall Robert & Susan Stevenson Sylvia Fox Chuck & Jerelen Ohrt Johnny & Connie Greene John & Janice Rostan Mike & Beth Allen Shuford & Jayne Abernethy* James & Adria Strife Rick & Debbie Franklin Mary Orrison Gregory Vineyards Owen & Martha Whitfield Bear Creek Marina & Restaurant Accessories Unlimited & Interiors STEWARDS The Kitchen Connection James & Elizabeth Furr Steve & Judy Padgett Steve & Sue Gurley Beaver Family Foundation Mary Alexander Michael Alexander Jim & Robin Van Jura G & G Art & Frame Jesse Palmer Danny & Laura Gwyn BENEFACTORS Howard & Sandy Belfor* Apple Annie's Antiques Anne & Alex Bernhardt Foundation Doug & Gwen Veazey Steve & Mary Jaeger Gale Robert & Pam Parr Jud & Kimberly Handley Bob & Donna Benner Belle Farm Baldies BBQ Sam & Caroline Avery Jim & Jean Veilleux Joe & Gloria Gaudet Lewis Paschall Richard & Dorothy Hedrick Bernhardt Furniture Foundation Tom & Sue Bowen Wanjenell Barrentine Paul Bossert Robert & Amy Wald Andy & Jane Glenn Bill & Susan Perry Charles & Greta Helms* Mae Boles Branch Banking & Trust Jim & Tammy Basinger Roby & Julie Braswell John & Ashley Wilson Jim & Janice Gravely Brian & Elizabeth Phillips Heritage Homestead Robin Brackett-State Farm Insurance John & Janice Branstrom Robert & Elizabeth Bauer Brown Mountain Running Club, Inc. WNCW-FM 88.7 Hampton Inn Mildred Plaster Barbara Hersey Bill & Gwen Bradley Danny Buxton Gene & Sandra Brown Jim Haney David & Susan Pollpeter Dean & Deborah Baughn Bob & Marcia Hill Charlie & Janet Brown Ray & Sarah Buchanan Beanstalk Journey William & Georgia Collett PROTECTORS Jerry Haynie Mary Powell Bob & Elizabeth Hodges Charles & Bunnie Burgin Bruce & Toni Byers Isbell Behrer Mark Curry Nicholas & Aletha Aldridge Anna Hayward Mike & Jackie Price Nancy Holcher Burke County Travel & Tourism Tom & Cathy Byers James & Janice Berry Emerson & Cheryl Dickey Tim & Lynn Allen Bruce & Lynn Henderson Bill & Sandy Puette Beth Holcomb Andrew & Jean Canada Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock Park Rod Birdsong Downtown Delights Cafe Fred Annand Henry River Mfg., Inc. Louis Pugh Bill Holman Nancy Collett Creston Development Cliff Black Downtown Floral & Event Design Diane Arbour Gene & Vonnie Hensley Ed & Abby Redman Mark & Sandy Hudson Community Foundation of Burke Focus Magazine Bill & Bonnie Darrenkamp Chip & Debi Hills Vince Reese Thomas & Barbara Blackburn Michelle Huelskamp County Louis & Amy Asbury Stacy & Helaine Funderburke Dashboards & Saddlebags Magazine Sonny & Harriet Hines Ted & Holly Restel Fred Blackley Bryan & Kara Jones George & Ann Costello Tom Atkinson* Jim Goldsmith Deborah & Will Davis Charles & Lynn Hoffman Diana Richards Ken Bonfield Randell Jones Ralph & Peggy Edwards Nina August & Lee Entrekin Spencer & Jayne Borden

FOOTHILLSCONSERVANCY.ORG SPRING - SUMMER 2014 • 828.437.9930

8 9 Our 2013 Contributors –Continued Marjorie Strawn* MEMORIAL GIFTS John Tutwiler Al Perusse Nancy Van Noppen by Mike & Beth Allen Saying Thanks Roger & Sandra Warren Betty Jones Foothills Conservancy's Pinnacle Society recognizes Linda West by Mildred Newton thoughtful people who have chosen to leave a lasting legacy of land Janice Whicker* Brad Goodman Greg Wilson* and water conservation through a bequest to the conservancy in their by Robert & Susan Stevenson & Goodbye.... Wilson Creek Outfitters will or by naming the conservancy as a beneficiary of a life insurance Webster & Jewel Wright David Spring policy or retirement plan such as an IRA. We honor and thank these Nancy Yudell by Roger & Sandra Warren generous forward-thinking individuals. For more information on Diane Hamer …To Our Development Director Lynn Allen GIFT MEMBERSHIPS by Garden Club making a planned gift to Foothills Conservancy and becoming a Andy Ferrell* For the past five years, Foothills Conservancy has Dr. Lois Lowry member of the Pinnacle Society, please call Susie Hamrick Jones, by Jessica Vogel by Jonathan & Catherine Lowry been fortunate to have Lynn Allen lead our Executive Director at 838-437-9930. private fundraising efforts as our development HONORARY GIFTS Elizabeth & William Carpenter director. Lynn brought years of experience to this by Sarah Feely Allen & Jean VanNoppen role. She greatly expanded and enhanced our by Trip Van Noppen & Rivka Gordon Tom & Miriam Jones Tom & Maxine Spangler Tracy Dorothea Frye Evan Jones development program, launching several fun, by Michael L. Thomas Robert Kaplan St. Paul Mountain Vineyards Ron & Posie George Andrew Kota new events, including the Foothills Wine John & Beth Keane St. Peter Jesuit Community Bob & Lee Giduz by North Carolina Botanical Garden Graham W. Denton, Jr. Festival and Flavors of the Foothills benefit Amy Kirkpatrick Graham & JoAnne Stewart Harriet Goodrich by Anne Denton dinner and auction which attracted hundreds of Kristy & Mom Jewelry Sybil Stewart Gretchen Griffith Angie & James Todd John P. Rostan, Jr. people to our land and water conservation Jeff & Libby Kuch Stony Knoll Vineyards Brian Halliday by Mary Todd by John & Janice Rostan mission, which Lynn deeply believes in. We had Linda Leonard John & Tami Summerour Heidi Hannapel Linda to say “thanks and goodbye ” to Lynn at the end Chris Loeb The Enola Group Ralph & Martha Hartley* Becky & Munroe Cobey by Mark Curry of December, when she decided it was time to Robert & Anne Long Michael Thomas Hickory Nut Gap Farm by Mary Todd John & Sarah Maddry Larree Thompson Roy & Patricia Hollifield Mary M. Waltz take a much deserved break. She will be missed Bob & Anne Yudell Robert McAdams Linda Throneburg Barbara Houston by Cheryl Waltz by all of us who work at the conservancy and by Nancy Yudell by our board and supporters. Lynn is a horse McDowell County Historical Society Jane & Homer Townsend Deborah Hutchins* Neil J. Morrison Donald & Ann McNeill Billie & Charles Vess Glynis James Bob Thompson by Bill & Mary Mull lover and avid rider, so we wish her many John & Sondra Middleton Jessica Vogel Azmi & Maha Jarrah by Ellis & Barbara Aycock adventures and “happy trails”!! Norbert Schneider Miller's Blacksmithing Waldensian Style Wines J.V. Jones by Otis & Linda Wilson Minaccis Kitchen, LLC Cheryl Waltz Judge's Restaurant Gresham Orrison Moody Hues Art George & Betsy Wilcox Jeanne Juraschek by Mary Orrison Ruby Huss Ryan Morgan Raymond & Betsy Williams King Street Cafe by Michael L. Thomas Jim & Camille Moses Otis & Linda Wilson Jennifer Kiziah Janet Wilson …To the Foothills Wine Festival by Ann Burbridge Thomas C. Ellis Bill & Mary Mull Wisteria Southern Gastropub LAMA Agency Ann McNeill by Alan & Linda Eakes Over the past four years, Foothills Conservancy has had the pleasure of helping to introduce Gerry & Margaret Nieters WoodMill Winery Marlene Land Betsy Wilcox thousands of people to our region’s growing and thriving community of wineries at the Foothills Stephen & Lisa Nikrant Agnes Yoos Ron & Kathy Lattanze PINNACLE SOCIETY Debra Pennell Wine Festival. Many partners and sponsors helped to launch and make this festival a success each North Carolina Wine Gifts, LLC Patricia Lee Anonymous (3) Dot Hedrick year, including Lake James Cellars and the Inn at Glen Alpine, the location for the first two years, Monica & Gary Olinger FRIENDS Charles & Laura Martin Frances Scheil Mae Parker Boles Open Hearts Bakery David & Rose Abbott Duncan McCall Joan Shirley Robey & Julie Braswell and Morganton’s Recreation Department which provided the Catawba Meadows location for the Holly Palm Zoe Allison Gary & Nancy McGill Linda Throneburg Mark Hudson last two years. Sharon Parker* Americana Stage Karla Miller Lisa Brooks Margaret Lamere Parkway Vineyard & Winery, LLC Asheville Music Hall Deanna & Eric Minetola Nancy Holcher Squeak Smith This year, the Conservancy is saying “thanks Hugh Payton Karen Berry MissionFish Peg Broyhill Richard & Ava Turner and goodbye” to the wine festival but not to Sherry Ford Lee & Debra Pennell Bistro 127 David Moore the wineries and the artisans, farmers, local Shirley Foushee *New Donors Ed & Becky Phifer Wayne Bowman John & Jimi Moore Susan Stallheim ……………………………. musicians and business sponsors who made E. F. Pickett Kent & Jayne Bradley Denise & Marvin Mostiller Teena Davant Please forgive any errors or omissions & the festival a special spring event and to Barbara Pleasants Paul & Mary Braun Dave & Phyllis Moulton contact us with any corrections! whom we extend our deepest gratitude. Ed & Roben Plyler John & Callie Brown* Mountain Burrito John D. Hege Erin Price Bubba O'Leary's Murray's Restaurant by Cindy & Jim Rodgers We encourage you to attend the many other Quaker Meadows Garden Club Jackie Burke* William Myers fine wine festivals scheduled in our region, Raintree Cellars James Cameron Mildred Newton Mary George and watch for news of other Foothills by Newton-Conover Rotary Club Rawhide Rancher Ronald & Karen Cantrall Newton-Conover Rotary Club Giving Levels Conservancy events, including our October Dav & Eliza Robertson Bo Cash North Carolina Botanical Garden Nature Camp, VA 11th Flavors of the Foothills benefit dinner Viki Robinette CBS Sports Steve & Rosemary Ohnesorge by Raymond & Betsy Williams HORIZON SOCIETY and auction , that will continue to incorporate Marc & Deborah Rudow Andy Chused Britt Paige Heritage ...... $10,000+ and celebrate our region’s rich and varied George & Dianne Russo* COMMA Paws & Purrs Bakery & Boutique Robbie & Jared Carraghan Legacy ...... $5,000+ agricultural, artistic, and musical heritage! Charles & Frances Scheil Aaron & Lisa Cook Alicia Presnell by Bob & Susan Powers Hannah Seng Mack & Peggie Cook Randy's Custom Golf Clubs & Repair Patron ...... $2,500+ Brian & Debbie Shaw Delores Deal Donna Robinson* Scott & Meryl Lawrence Benefactor .....$1,000+ Gwen Sheder Don & Beth DeBona Cindy & Jim Rodgers by Dean & Deborah Baughn Robert & Joan Shirley Scott & Pam Dergins Diane Ruby Steward ...... $500+ Neil & Laura Sidden Ronald & Lavonia Drabot Rosalba Shook Squeak Smith Preserver ...... $250+ by Bob & Donna Benner Silver Fork Winery Cary Driver Claude & Jo Sitton Protector ...... $100+ South Creek Winery Doug & Yanna Elliott Sharon Smith Susan Powers Conservator ...... $50+ Southern Charm Winery Dietrich & Elaine Fabricius Elizabeth Smyre by Rainer & Roz MacGuire John & Carol Spain Kevin & Tina Farris Richard & Marlene Spitz Friend ...... $35+

FOOTHILLSCONSERVANCY.ORG SPRING - SUMMER 2014 • 828.437.9930

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