09.11.2023

Today’s Forecast

82º | Partly cloudy | 20% chance of precipitation | Sunrise 7:09 a.m. | Sunset 7:43 p.m.

🍎 ‘Tis the apple-picking season

‘Tis the apple-picking season in Asheville

Grab your baskets, and get ready for a harvest. | Photo by AVLtoday

We’re dreaming of cozy sweaters, crisp air, and colorful leaves. And even though the heat index says we’re not quite there yet, we can still indulge in our favorite flavor of fall. Move over, pumpkin spice — it’s apple season in Asheville.

There’s no shortage of orchards in the area (after all, Henderson County produces about 85% of North Carolina’s apples), but in case you’re in it for more than just the eating, we’ve round up a few spots with pick-your-own apples to get you started on your harvesting. So grab a basket, and get gathering.

Take your pick

Coston Farms | 3748 Chimney Rock Rd., Hendersonville
Grab your own apples Monday-Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., then head to the Apple House for fresh cider, baked goods, and apple-themed gifts.

Jeter Mountain Farm | 1126 Jeter Mountain Rd., Hendersonville
The farm keeps its u-pick online calendar current, so stay updated for what’s ready for the taking on Thursdays-Sundays.

Orchard at Altapass | 1025 Orchard Rd., Spruce Pine
This nonprofit heirloom apple orchard features live music, a restaurant, and lots of varieties for you to pick — a historic spot worth the drive out of town.

Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard | 170 Stepp Orchard Dr., Hendersonville
With a wide range of varieties on offer, family activities on the weekend, and even an app to direct you where to go in the orchard, your pick-your-own apple needs will be met.

rows of trees for Asheville apple picking at an orchard in henderson county — The fruit is fresh and delicious at these local orchards.
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Photo by AVLtoday

Season’s eatings

If you’re particular when it comes to varieties, make sure to check when your favorites will be ready:

Early September: Fuiji, Golden Delicious, Jonagold, and Red Delicious
Mid-September: Crispin/Mutsu
Late September: Cameo, Rome Beauty, Stayman, and Winesap
Early October: Granny Smith and Winecrisp
Mid-October: Arkansas Black, Braeburn, Evercrisp, Goldrush, and Pink Lady

5 more places to pick

Asked

Where’s your favorite place for apples?

Whether you pick them yourself or leave the harvesting to the professionals, bake them into sweet treats or eat them by the slice, we want to know who’s the apple (orchard) of your eye.

Share your go-to spot

Events

Monday, Sept. 11

Field of Honor | Monday, Sept. 11 | 11 a.m. | Field of Honor, 200 W. State St., Black Mountain | Free | The Kiwanis Club of Black Mountain-Swannanoa will hold this ceremony to dedicate its first Field of Honor, a field of American flags set to honor military and first responders.
Patriot Day Observance | Monday, Sept. 11 | 11 a.m. | Weaverville Community Center at Dottie Sherrill Knoll, 60 Lakeshore Dr., Weaverville | Free | Retired Navy Officer Renee Taft will speak at this annual 9/11 observance.
Steep Canyon Rangers | Monday, Sept. 11 | 5-7 p.m. | Citizen Vinyl, 14 O’Henry Ave., Asheville | Free | Meet Steep Canyon Rangers for a listening party and album signing for their new LP, “Morning Shift” — which was pressed right at Citizen Vinyl.

Tuesday, Sept. 12

Fall Pickleball Nights | Tuesday, Sept. 12-Tuesday, Nov. 21 | 5-10 p.m. | Murphy-Oakley Park, 715 Fairview Rd., Asheville | Free | Enjoy a spirited game of pickleball as the evenings start to get cooler.
Fall In Love With Asheville Authors | Tuesday, Sept. 12 | 6-7:30 p.m. | East Asheville Library, 3 Avon Rd., Asheville | Free | Join Asheville authors Megan Shepherd, Nathan Ballingrud, and Heather Newton for an evening of discussion.

Wednesday, Sept. 13

Walk Through History: YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly | Wednesday, Sept. 13 | 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. | YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly, 84 Blue Ridge Cir., Black Mountain | $25-$35 | Join this guided tour to learn the striking story of Dr. Willis D. Weatherford and his formation of the still-active Blue Ridge Assembly.
15th Annual Music Video Asheville Awards | Wednesday, Sept. 13 | 5:30 p.m. | Salvage Station, 468 Riverside Dr., Asheville | $12-$15 | Get ready for live music, an awards ceremony, video screenings, and a red carpet (so come dressed to impress).

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Travel

Travel and Outdoors

Road trip idea: Columbia, SC for the new retiree

Presented by an AVLtoday Partner

South Carolina’s capital city offers great places to stay, like boutique hotel Graduate Columbia, and even more things to do. | Photo by Alice Kerley

Picture this: The kids are away at school (or have flown the coop for good), you’re no longer on the clock, and you’re ready to enjoy this time.

Pro tip: A ~2.5-hour drive from AVL, Columbia, SC is an ideal location for your next road trip. Here’s why:

Outdoor attractions, from high-energy thrills to serene parks and gardens
Signature fall events like Jam Room Music Festival and the SC State Fair — plus, SEC football
Golf courses for players of all skill levels
A wealth of arts and culture, from Trustus Theatre and the SC Philharmonic to the Columbia Museum of Art + more
A vibrant food and bev scene (including the city’s first riverfront biergarten)
Plenty of places to stay

Plan your trip

News Notes

Environment

RiverLink is partnering with the City of Asheville to help protect water quality using the Adopt a Storm Drain program. Volunteers pick a storm drain to adopt, check it for litter + debris in between showers, and get prizes for their efforts.

Civic

On Tuesday, Sept. 19, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners will vote whether to approve a contract with communications tower manager Milestone Towers to expand broadband access and address coverage gaps across the county. The agreement would include recruiting carriers for existing towers and leasing county land for new towers. (Asheville Citizen-Times)

Cause

Delicious dishes for a good cause. In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month and Mexican Independence Day on Saturday, Sept. 16, Taco Boy West Asheville will donate 10% of sales to Vecinos. The WNC nonprofit provides health and wellness services to uninsured, low-income people and the farmworker community.

Outdoors

From Saturday, Sept. 16 to Saturday, Sept. 30, the Fall Litter Sweep is taking place across the state. Organized by the NC Department of Transportation, the program provides supplies for community volunteers to clean local roadways. Contact Buncombe County’s litter program coordinator to get your gear.

Kids

They’re making the grade. Nearly all Asheville City Schools either met or exceeded their goals in the accountability report released by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. The report measures a variety of indicators around student achievement, like test scores and graduation rates. Check out the full report. (WLOS)

Plan Ahead

The Sublime Theater announced “Ben & Angela” — a collaboration between local artists, playwright David Brendan Hopes and director Steven Samuels — will premiere on Thursday, Oct. 5. Get your tickets for this comedic and profound tale of the winding journey of true love.

Edu

Longing for a career change? Mars Hill University’s Adult and Graduate Studies (AGS) offers undergraduate degree completion programs, licenses, certification, and graduate degrees to working adults and non-traditional students. Evening classes on campus + online are available (read: your current employer doesn’t need to know).*

Correction

Asheville Parks & Recreation’s Outdoor Sampler Series is designed for young adults ages 18-30, and anyone over the age of 18 is welcome.

Real Estate

Affordable living at the Housing Fair

Explore affordable housing at the 6th Annual Housing Fair

Affordable Housing Committee chair Athena Dygert and LOTSAR board members Randall Barnett and Rachel Brown at the annual housing fair

Learn about access to local affordable housing. | Photo via Land of the Sky Association of Realtors

Make yourself at home. The 6th Annual Housing Fair, hosted by the Land of the Sky Association of Realtors (LOTSAR), will spotlight local affordable housing options and developments, offer resources, and highlight financing + paths to homeownership. So mark your calendar for Saturday, Sept. 23 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the LOTSAR offices (21 Restaurant Ct.).

Private developers and City of Asheville + Buncombe County representatives will discuss a range of housing issues, like strategies for the housing shortage and the relationship between developers and local governments.

Nonprofits and vendors will also be set up to showcase services and provide expertise. Plus, the 2023 Affordable Housing Guide will be released.

Bonus: The fair will also have a kids’ bouncy house and free hot dogs.

This free event is designed for renters, homeowners, and landlords alike — because there’s no place like home.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Molly

From the editor

If downtown’s Oktoberfest on Saturday, Oct. 7 seems too far away, a couple local breweries can tide you over. Lookout Brewing is hosting an Oktoberfest celebration on Saturday, Sept. 16 with a beer release, commemorative steins, and festive garb, and Highland Brewing is holding Clawtoberfest on Sept. 16-17 with games, food, and small-batch brews.

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