11.29.2023

Today’s Forecast

47º | Cloudy | 5% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:40 a.m. | Sunset 5:29 p.m.

History

Asheville decades: the 1910s

The view of Pack Square in 1910. | Photo by H.W. Pelton via Library of Congress

Despite being early in the 20th century, the 1910s brought new inventions, now-historical landmarks, and notable Ashevillians into our world.

Let’s turn back time and take a deep dive into the Land of the Sky’s history during this era.

📈 Population: 18,762

🗳️ Mayors: John A. Campbell (1907-1910), J. E. Rankin (1911-1919)

1910 — In November, John H. Lange and Gay Green purchased the site at the corner of North Main and College Street. At that time, it was the uncompleted Miller Hotel — but the space was finished and by July 4, 1912, the Langren Hotel opened in its place.

Langren Hotel Asheville — The hotel was eventually demolished in 1964, but the AC Hotel now resides in its place.
|
Photo by Boston Public Library via Wikimedia Commons

1911 — The April 15 issue of the Asheville Citizen-Times highlights the “remarkable exhibition of aviation” that Lincoln Beachey would complete a few days later. Crowds came to watch the aviator’s wild aerial tricks — he landed in Baird Bottom, which unofficially became Asheville’s first airport before it was closed around 1923 to construct Beaver Lake.

1912 — Karl von Ruck created a tuberculosis vaccine. It was believed that our city’s climate and fresh mountain air could help those with the disease, and von Ruck was influential in signifying Asheville as a hub for treatment, opening a lab and sanitarium before creating the vaccine.

1913 — On July 12, the Grove Park Inn opened its doors, with Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan delivering a speech. From the groundbreaking to completion, construction took just a few days short of one year, and 400 men worked 60 hours per week to finish the project.

1914 — Ashevillian Madelon Battle Hancock joined the first British Hospital Unit as WWI broke out, possibly becoming the first North Carolinian to travel to the frontlines, where she served for four years. It was there she was given the nickname “Glory” for her enthusiasm for supporting Allied forces.

Five more historic years

Events

Wednesday, Nov. 29

Downtown Patton Avenue Corridor Open House | Wednesday, Nov. 29 | 5-7 p.m. | Harrah’s Cherokee Center - Asheville, 87 Haywood St., Asheville | Free | Stop by the open house to hear an intro to the City of Asheville’s new planning project and feasibility study for this patch of downtown.

Thursday, Nov. 30

SoulKu’s 10th Annual Holiday Shopping Party | Thursday, Nov. 30 | 4-8 p.m. | Hatch Innovation Hub, 45 S. French Broad Ave., Asheville | Free | Shop the gemstone jewelry handmade by moms right here in Asheville — plus, enjoy snacks + drinks while supporting the local, woman-owned business.
Vinyl Night | Thursday, Nov. 30 | 7-10 p.m. | Cultura, 147 Coxe Ave., Asheville | Free | Grab a cocktail and vibe to eclectic tunes spun by DJ Lil Meow Meow.

Friday, Dec. 1

A Dickens Christmas | Friday, Dec. 1-Saturday, Dec. 2 | Times vary | Historic Biltmore Village, 1 Boston Way, Asheville | Free | Listen to roving carolers, pick up crafts + treats from local vendors at the Cathedral Christmas Market, and enjoy an evening of jazz on Friday night with a suggested donation.
First Friday on The Block | Friday, Dec. 1 | 5-8 p.m. | The Block (on Eagle and Market), 39 S. Market St., Asheville | Free | Shop at Noir Collective and the LEAF Global Holiday Bazaar, warm up with a cup of coffee from PennyCup, and connect with community at this monthly gathering.

Saturday, Dec. 2

Ugly Sweater Run | Saturday, Dec. 2 | 8:30-10 a.m. | Riveter, 701 Old Fanning Bridge Rd., Fletcher | $37.50-$60 | Put on your quirkiest knits and run (or walk) the 5K or 10K presented by Hunter Subaru.
The Big Holiday Books (and More) Sale | Saturday, Dec. 2 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Black Mountain Public Library, 105 N. Dougherty St., Black Mountain | Free | Pick from a large selection of fiction, nonfiction, and children’s books, gift baskets, and jigsaw puzzles.

Saturday, Dec. 9

Critter Check Up at the WNC Nature Center | Saturday, Dec. 9 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | WNC Nature Center, 75 Gashes Creek Rd., Asheville | $0-$15 | Bring your kid + their favorite stuffed animal for the annual Critter Checkup with volunteer veterinarians at the Nature Center. Tickets include admission to the Center for the day.*

Events calendar here

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Holidays

Events

Try This: Winter Lights at The North Carolina Arboretum

Presented by an AVLtoday Partner

Winter Lights at the Gardens at the North Carolina Arboretum

Get ready to experience the Arboretum in a whole new light | Photos by AVLtoday

Get ready to be transported to a dazzling winter wonderland at the only local light display from a public garden. That’s right, we’re talking about Winter Lights at the Gardens of The North Carolina Arboretum. Returning for its tenth year with over one million twinkling bulbs, larger-than-life seasonal displays, and shining trees, this festive celebration is sure to bring you and your loved ones a healthy dose of holiday cheer.

What we tried:

After walking through the colorful, illuminated tunnel into Rainbow Land, we made a quick (but very important) pit stop at the Cocoa Shack. We sipped on hot cocoa with the works — whipped cream and a big + pillowy marshmallow — before strolling through the gardens to take in the views of the gigantic glowing figures, including whimsical flowers, mushrooms, and galloping reindeer. Pro tip: gather your family + friends under the rainbow of lights for the perfect photo op.

What not to miss

News Notes

Featured

Asheville native Ambrose Rhapsody Murray is included in the 2024 Forbes 30 Under 30 list in the Arts & Style section. Murray is a self-taught, multi-disciplinary artist with work shown in exhibits across the world — here in Asheville, you can find their painting of two girls in Triangle Park on South Market Street. (Asheville Citizen-Times)

Seasonal

Lake Julian Park will start sparkling this weekend for the annual Festival of Lights. This Saturday, Dec. 2 and Sunday, Dec. 3, you can snag tickets to walk through the light show from 6 to 8 p.m. From Monday, Dec. 4 through Saturday, Dec. 23, you can drive through the park from 6 to 9 p.m. — ticket prices vary with vehicle type.

Listen

AshevilleFM is collaborating with Citizen Vinyl for its second annual compilation LP, “Real People Great Radio Vol. 2,” containing tracks from 10 local artists. Hear live performances at the release party at Citizen Vinyl on Thursday, Dec. 14. The LP is available for pre-order now, but you can find it in local record shops beginning Friday, Dec. 15.

Shop

The Employee Makers Market returns to East Fork Asheville for the month of December. Employees will showcase their work, from ceramics to textiles — and they’ll get to keep the profits from items sold. Join in on the opening night celebration on Saturday, Dec. 2 from 6 to 7 p.m.

Outdoors

Starting today, Wednesday, Nov. 29, the NC Wildlife Resources Commission will begin stocking more than 67,000 trout in lakes and ponds across NC, including five spots in Buncombe County. Anglers must have a fishing license and can harvest a maximum of seven trout. (Asheville Citizen-Times)

Kids

Have a creative kiddo? K-12 students are invited to submit poems, short fiction works, art, and photos to Mountain Xpress for its March Kids issues. Send in work inspired by the theme of “What do you dream about?” by Friday, Jan. 26 at 11:59 p.m. (Mountain Xpress)

Featured Job

State-accredited apprenticeship programs are one of the fastest ways to build comprehensive skillsets to jumpstart your career. See what one of the oldest + most successful programs in North Carolina is currently offering.*

Finance

We aren’t given many 21-month grace periods. Oil checks, doctor appointments, Tax Day... time speeds by between them. But The Ascent found a credit card offering 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months — among the longest we’ve seen to avoid interest charges. Learn more.*

Shop

Which ugly Christmas sweater would you choose? We’re liking: the Santa hat-topped wine glass or the “Home Alone” print featuring Catherine O’Hara.*

Biz

Cúrate announces new CEO

Cúrate announces new CEO, Susan Aplin

Susan Aplin, Katie Button, and Felix Meana gathered around a table together drinking coffee.

Susan Aplin joins the Cúrate family as CEO. | Photo via Cúrate

Time to dish out some big news. Cúrate, the James Beard Award-winning restaurant, online marketplace, and culinary tour group has a new CEO. Co-founders Katie Button and Felix Meana announced through an Instagram post that Susan Aplin has taken over the role previously held by Button.

Aplin has experience in the gourmet food industry through large companies like Williams Sonoma and, more recently, by serving as co-CEO of Asheville’s own Poppy Handcrafted Popcorn.

After opening both Cúrate and La Bodega by Cúrate, filming the Magnolia Network original series “From the Source,” writing a cookbook, and even cooking a White House state dinner, Button shared, “I’m thrilled to be able to spend a bit more time on what I love — cooking.” But to add to the excitement, the chef also mentioned that she’s working on another cookbook, which we couldn’t be more eager to read.

The Buy

The Buy 11.29.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

Anything off of this year’s Oprah’s Favorite Things list. We’re seeing: luxury flaky sea salt, all-weather boots, fleece robes, and a baked brie board.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Grace

From the editor

Any mention of Cúrate gives me the chance to talk about my love for its salsa de aperitivo. Its perfectly peppery and tangy flavor adds a zippy bite, and I can attest that it belongs on just about everything.

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