LAKE JUNALUSKA • 2019 connectAT LAKE JUNALUSKA $5 million in improvements THE NEWLY RENOVATED LAMBUTH INN 2019 Plan your trip A LOOK AT THE to Lake Junaluska YEAR AHEAD 2 DISCOVER MAGAZINE · 2019 » Table of Contents IN THIS ISSUE ON THE COVER The Lake Junaluska Walking Trail is DISCOVER LAKE JUNALUSKA the perfect place to connect. Wind around the trail A PLACE TO CONNECT to pass incredible This issue of Discover Magazine focuses on how Lake Junaluska connects people mountain vistas, — to each other, to their families, to nature, to God and to themselves. We invite waterfowl, shaded gazebos and sunny you to come connect at Lake Junaluska in 2019. benches. 4 Welcome IMPROVEMENTS 5 Transformed 10 new and improved spaces around Lake Junaluska 8 Retreats Take a breather and experience renewal at the renovated Lambuth Inn GOLF 9 100 Years of Tee Time Golf course celebrates centennial 12 LAMBUTH INN YOUTH RENOVATIONS 10 “A Whole Lot of God Happens Here” Youth groups experience DONOR PROFILE CALENDAR “life-changing” retreats at 17 One-Love 26 2019 Events Lake Junaluska Lake Junaluska Associates council A look at the year ahead member shares passion for tennis LODGING 34 Special Events 12 “Our Stately Lady” GROUP FEATURE & Packages Unveiling the renovations 18 Connecting at Great escapes at to Lambuth Inn Conferences incredible prices Get to know Lake Junaluska’s group 16 Lodging Options event options 35 Remembered See the variety of places to stay at International connections Lake Junaluska to fit any budget PHOTO ESSAY through the years 20 A Spark of Connection Coming together on holy ground VISIT LAKE JUNALUSKA Lake Junaluska is a conference and retreat center in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Lake Junaluska first opened its doors in 1913 to serve The United Methodist Church. We welcome corporate and nonprofit groups, families, weddings, reunions, leisure guests and church groups of all denominations. We also host concerts and ministry events throughout the year. To plan your Lake Junaluska getaway, visit lakejunaluska.com. lakejunaluska.com 3 Discover LAKE JUNALUSKA EDITORIAL Editor MARY BATES Assistant Editor LIZ BOYD Graphic Designer SUSANNAH BRINKLEY CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Mary Bates, Liz Boyd, Allison Melrose CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Mary Bates, Liz Boyd, Derek DiLuzio, Ashley Evans, Harrison Hawkins, Hannah Furgiuele, Steven McBride, Woody White, Steve Yocom and Blue Bend Photography HAVE AN IDEA FOR DISCOVER MAGAZINE? We welcome story contributions and feedback. Contact the editor at [email protected]. DISCOVER LAKE The mission of Lake Junaluska is to be a place of JUNALUSKA Christian hospitality where lives are transformed through renewal of soul, mind and body. ake Junaluska is a place where people connect. It’s a place where thousands Lake Junaluska continues to celebrate its partnership with gather in Stuart Auditorium to join The United Methodist Church. together in worship. It’s a place where L MAILING ADDRESS: PHYSICAL ADDRESS: families create new traditions and celebrate old ones. It’s a place where youth come to under- PO Box 67 91 N. Lakeshore Dr. stand that Jesus loves them for the first time. Lake Junaluska, NC 28745 Lake Junaluska, NC 28745 It’s a place where, even when you’ve seen a vista PHONE 800-222-4930 hundreds of times, the beauty of the mountains still has a way of speaking to you. FOLLOW US: This issue ofDiscover Magazine focuses on the Link lakejunaluska.com Pinterest @lakejunaluska ways that people connect at Lake Junaluska — to each other, to their families, to nature, to Twitter @lake_junaluska @lakejunaluska God and to themselves. Throughout the pub- Instagram @lakejunaluska lication you’ll see examples of people connect- Facebook facebook.com/lakejunaluska ing, as well as news about our improvements and updates. Email [email protected] Sponsored in part by the Haywood County Tourism Whether you attend an event, take a personal Development Authority. Plan your trip at visitncsmokies.com. retreat, vacation with your family or do busi- ness at a conference, we invite you to come to Lake Junaluska this year and connect. • © 2019 Lake Junaluska 4 DISCOVER MAGAZINE · 2019 This publication is printed on sustainably sourced paper. » Improvements TRANSFORMED Lake Junaluska’s commitment to transformation manifested in 2018 with more than $5 million invested in facility upgrades. The Tuscola High School drumline led a procession across the restored bridge over the dam during a bridge-opening celebration in October. Below: The executive team and community leaders cut the ribbon at the Lambuth Inn grand opening. 10 CAN’T-MISS TRANSFORMATIONS AT LAKE JUNALUSKA BRIDGE OVER THE DAM LAMBUTH INN RENOVATION 1 Lake Junaluska has restored one of its most iconic 2 Lake Junaluska’s historic Lambuth Inn received structures, the bridge over the dam. A combination of a $3.2-million interior renovation in May 2018. The charitable giving and service charges from property renovations included updates to more than 100 sleeping owners at Lake Junaluska paid for the project, which was rooms, the dining room, the lobby and all meeting rooms. originally estimated at $1.2 million, but came in under Lake Junaluska ensured the historic feel of the inn would be $850,000. The bridge closed to vehicular traffic in 2016 preserved by taking inspiration from the 1920s architecture due to deterioration of the bridge’s steel support beams. of the building. See more about the renovations on page 12. It reopened to vehicular traffic in fall 2018. Renewal of the bridge maintains the full loop of the walking trail, makes it possible to drive all the way around the lake once again and restores one of Lake Junaluska’s most historic landmarks. Most importantly, it will preserve these experiences for future generations. MEDITATION AND FISHING PIER 3 Lake Junaluska constructed a new meditation and fishing pier that extends over 40 feet into the water. The pier, located along the Lake Junaluska Walking Trail on the south end of the Memorial Chapel parking lot, provides a place for meditation and reflection with incredible lake views. Erle and Mary Peacock, former summer residents of Lake Junaluska, inspired the funding of the project. The Peacock family has a history with the lake that spans back to its creation. After Erle’s and Mary’s deaths, their family decided to commemorate the couple’s love for Lake Junaluska — and Erle’s passion for fishing — by building a new pier for meditation, fishing and viewing the vistas of the lake and mountains. BOAT PIER 4 In the spring of 2018, renovations to the pier behind the Harrell Center began. Forty wooden planks taken from the bridge over the Lake Junaluska dam were recycled and used in the rebuild. Reconstruction of the pier, which was over 35 years old, took place during the biannual lake drawdown for silt removal. The pier is the docking place for the Cherokee IV, Lake Junaluska’s pontoon boat. Historic tours take place on the boat every evening during the summer. LABYRINTH 5 The outdoor labyrinth at Lake Junaluska has long been a place where people go to seek spiritual renewal. Recent renovations improved the appearance and functionality of the labyrinth and ensured that it will endure for generations to come. The Lake Junaluska labyrinth was originally built in 2001 to create a sacred space for spiritual transformation. Over time, the dirt path began to deteriorate. The original design of the labyrinth remains the same, now set with specially cut Tennessee flagstone over a sturdy base of crushed stone and concrete. The path is level with the grass. The refurbishment was completely funded through the generous gifts of multiple donors. 6 DISCOVER MAGAZINE · 2019 » Improvements WALKING TRAIL 7 Lake Junaluska improved several sections of the walking trail in 2018. Some work focused on fixing irregularities of the surface, including cracks, dips and potholes. Other work made improvements to the Francis Asbury Trail, one of the oldest parts of the Lake Junaluska Walking Trail. Mulch on both sides of the trail helped with erosion control; beautification took place in the removal of small, invasive species of plants, trees and shrubbery. Five dead and dying pine trees were also removed along the trail. All projects were fully funded through charitable giving, with the aim of beautifying and improving the 3.8-mile trail. A guest relaxes on the new meditation POOL and fishing pier at Lake Junaluska. 8 The Lake Junaluska pool underwent a renovation and replastering before the start of summer 2018. The renovations to the pool improved the recreation experience for the community members and guests who swim in it each summer. The pool is open Memorial Day through Labor Day to all lodging guests. Day passes and season passes are also available. To learn more, visit lakejunaluska.com/pool. NANCI WELDON MEMORIAL GYM 9 Lake Junaluska renovated the bathrooms of the Nanci Weldon Memorial Gym in 2018. The renovation was made possible through charitable giving. The gym was first constructed in 1965 to honor the memory REVITALIZATION OF YOUTH AND YOUNG of beloved resident Nanci Weldon, who died at the 6 ADULT FACILITIES age of 24. The gym hosts events throughout the year, Lake Junaluska is investing more than $400,000 in the including movie nights and other community activities revitalization of youth ministries. Part of the efforts during the summer. include updates to the two lodging buildings most often used by youth — Mountainview and the Lake Junaluska GOLF COURSE Apartments. Initial improvements in 2018 included all-new 10 Several improvements were made to the golf beds, mattresses, bedding and lamps in the buildings, as course in 2018, including an aeration of the greens well as fresh paint. The renovations were made possible and fairways, new sand, and pruning and trimming because of charitable gifts.