Awkward silences? Not on our watch.

6 Asheville-themed table topics for the holiday season

There’s a wide world of Asheville-themed topics to discuss on the horizon. | Photo by @ashevillepictures

Dreading the debates and cringe questions that tend to take over holiday meals? Consider employing one of these six table topics — they may just lead to your favorite conversation yet.

Milk as the official NC state drink: yes or no?

First of all, is it pronounced milk or malk? And does it deserve to be NC’s official state beverage? Milk has held this title since 1987 — but it’s also the official drink of 21 other states, which has us wondering if it actually deserves the recognition. If everyone is in agreement that milk is not it — debate what state beverage truly deserves the honor. Our suggestions: Cheerwine, Cold Mountain, or the Cherry Bounce.

Shining rock quartz — A large swath of quartz in Shining Rock Wilderness.

The meaning of Asheville’s quartz deposit

Many locals believe that since Asheville is built near a massive quartz crystal deposit, there’s a protective “vortex” of spiritual, electric, magnetic, and electromagnetic energy that promotes healing, peace, and tranquility. Is the theory real? Or in the words of Reddit user edech, did it come from “some hippie hopped up on the earth fare hot bar back in the early 2000s?” Discuss with the group.

The Merrimon Avenue road diet

Okay, this one may actually cause people to toss a little gravy. In late October, NCDOT completed a section of the Merrimon Avenue road diet. And the public response has been, er, similiar to someone who has just been cut off from carbs and sugar. (John Boyle sums up the sentiment quite well). See how everyone’s feeling about the changes to this major roadway — we bet folks will be able to talk at length.

3 MORE CONVERSATION STARTERS

What’s your favorite Asheville-specific conversation starter?

We’ll share our favorite suggestions in next week’s newsletter.

CHAT US UP

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Friday, Nov. 18

Appa-Laffin’ Mountain Revue | Friday, Nov. 18 | 8 p.m. | Citizen Vinyl, 14 O’Henry Ave., Asheville | $16-$18 | This month’s comedy game show features live music from Smooth Goose, plus performances from JOLO and Morgan Bost.
The Red Clay Strays | Friday, Nov. 18 | 7 p.m. | Salvage Station, 468 Riverside Dr., Asheville | $18-$22 | Born and bred in the red dirt clay of south Alabama, this band blends Southern ballads with classic country and gospel-fed soul.
TheatreUNCA Presents: A Wrinkle in Time | Friday, Nov. 18-Sunday, Nov. 20 | 7:30 p.m. | UNC Asheville, 1 University Hts., Asheville | $5-$15 | TheatreUNCA presents “A Wrinkle In Time,” a play adapted from the award-winning young adult novel first published in 1962.
Winter Lights | Friday, Nov. 18 - Saturday, Dec. 31 | Times vary | NC Arboretum | $30+ | The NC Arboretum’s spectacular, open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights is back.*
Place and Wonder @ Tyger Tyger Gallery | Friday, Nov. 18 | 5-8 p.m. | Tyger Tyger Gallery, 191 Lyman St., Asheville | Free | Meet the five artists featured in the latest Tyger Tyger exhibitions, which explores depictions and transcriptions of space through landscape, memory, and narrative.*

Saturday, Nov. 19

76th Annual Asheville Holiday Parade | Saturday, Nov. 19 | 11 a.m. | Downtown Asheville, Biltmore and Patton Ave., Asheville | Free | This annual parade will roll, dance, and march through downtown, with local chefs and restaurateurs Katie Button and Meherwan Irani serving as Grand Marshals.
Nvdadegwa Market | Saturday, Nov. 19 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | 46 Aston St., Asheville | Free | Check out wares from this lineup of Native makers — this will be the last one of the year.
Holiday Art Market | Saturday, Nov. 19 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Asheville Community Yoga, 8 Brookdale Rd., Woodfin | Free | Shop for loved ones (or yourself) at this craft market, featuring wares from 20+ local artists and vendors.
WNC Affordable Housing Fair | Saturday, Nov. 19 | 12-4 p.m. | East Asheville Public Library, 3 Avon Rd., Asheville | Free | Find affordable housing information for renters, potential homeowners, and people experiencing homelessness or other housing barriers at the third annual WNC Affordable Housing Fair.

Sunday, Nov. 20

Casey Driessen’s Sunday Experiment | Sunday, Nov. 20 | 7 p.m. | Little Jumbo, 241 Broadway St., Asheville | Free | Grab a cocktail and listen to tunes from Little Jumbo’s musical resident and “mad scientist with a five-string fiddle.”

Monday, Nov. 21

World Cup Watch Party | Monday, Nov. 21 | 2-5 p.m. | Taproom At Highland Brewing Co., 12 Old Charlotte Hwy., Asheville | Free | Watch USA and Wales face off in men’s soccer.

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Hey, sleep apnea people: Comfortable sleep is just a click away

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LEARN MORE + REGISTER

Inspire is not for everyone. Talk to your doctor to see if it’s right for you, and review important information at Inspire.

Weather

47º | Sunny | 0% chance of rain

Development

Asheville City Council has approved a 153-unit development in East Asheville. The 10.8 acre parcel, located at 110 River Hills Rd., will host a new apartment building and one-story clubhouse, plus new parking, sidewalks, and other residential amenities. 🏗️ (Asheville Citizen-Times)

Eat

It’s officially Yule Log season. The Hop Ice Cream Cafe is taking orders for this ornate, seasonally-inspired ice cream cake — you can reserve one that’s dairy-laden or dairy-free through Monday, Dec. 19. 🍰

Outdoors

Curious about the status of area ski slopes? According to Answer Man, several are open in the area, including the Cataloochee Ski Area and Sugar Mountain Ski Resort. See a roundup of ski spots, plus projected opening dates. ❄️ (Asheville Citizen-Times)

Award

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College has been named a 2022 winner of a Gertrude S. Carraway Awards of Merit for its restoration of the historic Sunnicrest House. The house was built in 1895 by George Vanderbilt and iconic architect Richard Sharp Smith. (Mountain Xpress)
Congrats to Burial Brewing on being voted the top Small Regional Brewery on Beer and Brewing’s “Best in Beer 2022” Reader’s Choice Top 50. This is the second year in a row Burial has earned this honor. 🍻

Read

Local author Bonnie Kistler’s book “The Cage” has been featured as one of the “Best Mystery & Suspense of 2022” by Bookpage. The review describes the book as “part locked-room mystery, part legal thriller” and “tailor-made to be read in one breathless session.” Get your copy. 📚

Edu

Interested in learning about different careers within the skilled trades industry but aren’t sure where to start? Enter: MB HAYNES Apprenticeship Program — one of the oldest active in-house programs in NC. Get the answers to FAQs about the program and learn how to apply.*

DYK

A recent PNC Bank survey found that millennial women are more inclined to build wealth through saving than investing. In recognition of this reality, PNC Private Bank applies a gender-specific lens to wealth planning and investing, which takes into consideration barriers that might prevent women from optimizing opportunities to build + preserve wealth.*

Real Estate

Enjoy long-range views + privacy (without giving-up accessibility and convenience) at this 3 BD, 3 BA charming mountain retreat. Bonus: Two parcels are included, a section of the yard is already fenced, and it’s filled with unique touches that make it not only a spectacular house but a well-cared-for home. 🏡 *

Seasonal

We’re all about staying warm throughout the colder months, which means we’re leveling up our typical outerwear to something a little toastier. Enter: heated jackets. We love this one for its three different heat levels and this slim fit option with 5,000+ five star reviews.*

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Inside the historic Princess Anne Hotel 👀

Take a peek inside the historic Princess Anne Hotel

A postcard of the Princess Anne Hotel from the 1940s. | Photo courtesy of the Buncombe County Special Collections

Today — at your request — we’re looking at another one of our city’s fifty local historic landmarks: the Princess Anne Hotel. This three-story, shingled building first opened in 1924 during Asheville’s economic boom, and though its changed hands several times over the decades, it’s remained a fixture of North Asheville’s East Chestnut Street.

The hotel was initially built to provide a respite for the families of tuberculosis patients, many whom were treated at a nearby sanatorium on Baird Street. Nurse Anne O’Connell originally ran the hotel and was dubbed “princess” by her patients due to her flowing red hair and charismatic nature. She ran the hotel for several years before selling it in 1929.

Over the following decades, the building served as a WWII military hospital, boarding house for retired folks, and — at one point — even passed into the hands of The Beatles’ former spiritual leaders

Click the button below for more history, photos, and two fun upcoming events.

YOUR TOUR AWAITS

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Laura.

Editor’s pick: Attention, cookie fiends. Morsel Cookie Co. has relocated to downtown Asheville and tomorrow is the grand opening. Here’s a sneak peek of the cookies for sale at the new 45 Rankin Ave. shop.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Celebrate the holiday season with these three theatrical productions, here.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Laura Hackett, Brook Bolen, Sarah Leonhardt, Erin McPherson, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Helen Purnell | Advertise with us.

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