Spring/Summer www.chetola.com 2015 The Property Review By Kent Tarbutton t was a rainy, cool transition to spring some of those lessons my way anyway. this year, but the abundance of water has With a five-month-old grandbaby now on Imade life burst into vivid greens. It was the scene I guess that is probably very good. about 18 years ago when I first moved to I am sure she will help with my future in- the Appalachian Mountains and was told struction in exercising patience. that you don’t bother planting anything un- My New Year’s pledge was to slow til after Mother’s Day. Being a new owner down in 2015 and notice at least one thing I wanted to make a good impression and special in God’s marvelous creation every start planting, but fortunately I heeded the day. So today, it would have to be all those groundskeeper’s advice to resist temptation. millions of lovely green and auburn buds Sure enough, the day before Mother’s Day a sprouting from every tree on their willowy light snow fell. I’m sure I’m not the only one branches that perpetually lift to the heav- to nearly (or actually) fall prey to the urge to ens, as if each one was silently giving praise prematurely put color in the ground. for their creation. What a wonderful sight to Much of life - and often success - remind me how great it is to have the sight has to do with timing, and patience has not to observe such gifts. been one of my greater virtues. For many A couple of weeks ago, I also en- years I thought better than to ask God for joyed celebrating those lovely, tasty little that training. In the absence of my request, grapes brewed up for the Blowing Rock I believe He in His wisdom decided to send Wine and Food Festival. This year’s event cont. on page 2 1 Spring/Summer 2015 www.chetola.com cont. from page 1 Corkscrew 5K was one of the best yet, and with the popular addition of craft beer, spirits and expanded culi- nary offerings, the event will proudly bear a new name beginning next year: SAVOR Blowing Wine, no Whine, for the 3rd Annual Run Rock. So if you missed this year’s celebration, come enjoy the festivities next year, April 14-17, 2016. espite the chilly wet As you return home to Chetola you will see us working away on our dredging project, weather that we en- adding depth to our lake. The shallow draft boat vacuums the soil off the bottom and sends it Ddured the week leading into huge bags at up to 1,000 gallons per minute. The water drains out, while tons of soil re- up to the third annual Cork- mains in the bag where it will dry for a couple weeks. You can see those massive 100-foot long screw 5K, a Blue Ridge Wine bags down below the dam area and see the spillway we have built to send the good water back & Food Festival event, the skies into the lake. What a project and what a process! We expect it to take around four months, cleared and the temperatures ultimately giving us a revived lake where our trout and swans are happier and healthier. The rose seemingly exclusively for average depth of Chetola Lake will go from two feet to around six feet upon completion. race day. 192 runners of all ages For you lakeside anglers, the lake was restocked a month ago with rainbow and brown (from 14-88) participated in this trout … and, yes, they do swim away from the dredge! If you bring your fishing pole this sum- year’s event, with proceeds ben- mer, head to the areas we have already dredged as the fish are migrating to these deeper, cooler efiting two local charities: the waters. There are some good size trout in there. You can grill them up for the family picnic off High Country chapter of Girls your outdoor grill or drop them off at Timberlake’s and we’ll happily prepare them for your on the Run and the Blue Ridge dinner that evening. After we complete the dredging we will offer Fall Casting Clinics with Parkway Foundation. A total of $1,700 ws raised. And following in the sneaker-clad Orvis certified instructors Dustin Coffey, Jake Salthouse and Carl Freeman. Both beginners and footsteps of the last two years, more than half of the racers participated in the Wine- seasoned anglers can learn everything from tying your own realistic fly to river entomology, Lovers division in honor of the weekend’s grapevine theme. Winners who placed over- casting techniques and how to make the most out of your outdoor adventures. all and in their race divisions received trophies or medals, and local businesses provid- Last edition I reported about this winter’s successful additions of Jazz Night, Bonfire ed fabulous race apparel and gift certificates for a free raffle, which took place at race’s Night (at the new lakeside stone fire pit built last November) and Tim Knight’s Oyster & Shrimp end. Plans for next year’s race are already up and, ahem, running. Join us on Saturday, “Knight”. This summer we will continue to bring you those and more special events. As the April 16, 2016, for another wonderful day of running and wine (not mutually exclusive) and crowds gather and the days grow longer in the summer, however, the days and times of these raising money for great causes. n events will change. You can read all about that on page 12. As I end this letter to you, the question I hear most frequently has to be, “When will NCDOT finish the Hwy. 321 road-widening project on the Blowing Rock end? And when will it all be done?” The original projections this past winter were July 2015 and June 2016, but winter can always trip up a construction project. I would venture a guess that you can add a year to those dates. It will be nice when it is all finally completed and we will enjoy the faster, safer routes to the 321, I-77, I-40 and I-85 corridors. Change is sometimes slow, but it always inevitable. I look forward to seeing you all back up here. And, as always, I enjoy hearing your comments, concerns and great new ideas. n Best Regards, Kent 2 3 Spring/Summer 2015 www.chetola.com The Sound of Music Symphony by The Lake, July 24 Hat Trick Cycling Series Beech Mountain Metric ~ May 16 he Symphony Blood, Sweat and Gears ~ June 27 by Chetola Lake Blowing Rock Fall Classic ~ September 26 Twill celebrate its 29th year at Chetola on Friday, July 24. Join us for Blowing Rock’s sig- nature summer event, one which was desig- nated one of the “Top 20 Events in the Southeast” by the Southeast Tourism hetola is proud to be a sponsor of the High Country Cycling Hat Trick, three Society. The evening of- challenging and invigorating bike rides – Beech Mountain Metric, Blood Sweat fers pre-performance and Gears, and the Blowing Rock Classic – taking place over the course of the entertainment, four din- C next few months. ing options (see details Beech Mountain Metric is a classic mountain metric Century that finishes at below), a free raffle and the top of Beech Mountain. With 8,000 feet of climbing, this is a true test for the stron- a spectacular fireworks display. Tickets are $35 in advance/$45 at the gate for adults; and gest of riders. $15 for children younger than 12. The BSG is a challenging to strenuous full English Century: a 100-mile loop The orchestral ensemble Symphony of the Mountains returns this year with Conduc- starting and ending at Valle Crucis Elementary School. The route roughly circles Boone tor Cornelia Laemmli Orth. Gates open at 5:30pm, performance begins at 7:30pm. For res- through the outskirts of Watauga County. The cumulative climbing elevation is 8,800 ervations in Timberlake’s, on the Patio or on the Arbor, call 828-295-5505. n feet. Highlights of the route include a 21-mile section of the Blue Ridge Parkway, a strenuous climb over the 4,500 foot gap at Snake Mountain, and a 10-mile “flat” on SYMPHONY DINING OPTIONS old US 421. A 50-mile, 4,200 feet elevation “Half Century” is available for those who prefer the sanity of a challenging but shorter route. The ride will feature former profes- PICNIC ON THE LAWN || 5:30pm || Cold and hot items, beverages, dessert || sional American cyclist George Hincapie, one of only two riders in Tour de France his- $14/person (inclusive) tory to have raced on nine Tour-winning teams. PRE-SYMPHONY DINNER || Seatings at 5pm, 5:30pm and 6pm || 2015 is the Blowing Rock Fall Classic’s inaugural ride, a 72-mile loop starting $65/person (plus tax), includes parking and ending in Blowing Rock. The ride begins behind Blowing Rock Memorial Park, DINNER ON THE PATIO || Seating and bar service at 5:30pm, dinner at 6:30pm || parades down Main Street, travels through the Equestrian Preserve, descends 321 to $99/person (plus tax), includes parking and Symphony ticket Happy Valley, goes west to Collettsville, climbs 181 to Linville, then crosses 221 back CELEBRATION AT THE ARBOR || Private cash bar at 5pm, heavy hors d’ouevres to Blowing Rock. The ride is anticipated to attract 800-1,000 riders in its first year.