February 15, 2020

A Century of Classic Cars

February 15, 2020/ Grace

Our lives can be cataloged in many different ways. Loves found and lost. Places lived. Memorable travels. The arc of a career.

For Madeleine Pennoyer of Flat Rock, nearly a century of living lends itself to stories almost too numerous to recount. But one constant throughout her life has been a love of exceptional cars. Madeleine was born in England and acquired her love and appreciation of fine cars from her father, Bernard Bradford. She recalls traveling the roads of southern England as a young girl in the family’s pale blue Rolls Royce.

Ninety years later, Madeleine has her own Rolls Royce - completing automotive bookends to an extraordinary life. Here are a few of the classics that filled the time between.

Mercedes 1914.jpg — Mercedes 1914

Madeleine’s grandmother Bradford with her chauffeur ca 1914.

Picnic in Mercedes 1924.jpg — Mercedes 1924

Family picnic in the English countryside. Baby Madeleine is not in this photo.

Alfa Romeo in 1928 with Father age 5.jpg — Alfa Romeo, 1928

Madeleine, age 5, with her father Bernard Bradford at the shore.

Rolls Royce in 1928.jpg — Rolls Royce 1928

Madeleine, age 5, under the umbrella. The Rolls Royce was a pale blue with dark blue hubcaps. The first, but not the last, Rolls to enter her life.

Rolls Royce ca 1928.jpg — Rolls Royce 1929

Madeleine shown standing with her mother and two brothers in front of the family Rolls.

Alfa Romeo 1929.jpg — Alfa Romeo, 1929

Madeleine with her brother Roy.

Unknown Roadster ca 1930s.jpg — Unidentified Roadster ca 1930s

FAther in a Stutz with Bartoby the Mechanic copy.jpg — Madeleine’s father in his Stutz

Standing with him is the car’s mechanic, Bartoby.

Father in Bentley.jpg — Bentley

Bernard Bradford behind the wheel.

Father with Rolls Bentley.jpg — Rolls Bentley

Mr. Bradford outside the family home, “Belmont”, Eastbourne, Sussex, England.

Fathers Railton ca1933-1940.jpg — Railton

Manufactured in Cobham, Surrey between 1933 - 1940

Austin Healy in Paris 1959.jpg — Austin Healy Sprite, 1959

Madeleine owned this car while living in Paris.

Red MG is a 1955 to 1958 MGA, 1500cc engine.jpg — MGA, ca 1955-58

After moving to Flat Rock, Madeleine became a member of the British Car Club of Western North Carolina.

Sunbeam Tiger mid 1960s.jpg — Sunbeam Tiger ca 1965

Seen for one season in the opening credits as his “secret agent” car in the *Get Smart* TV show.

MG T-F 002.jpg — MG - TF ca 1953-55

Production ended in 1955 after 9,602 TFs had been manufactured

a Morgan, c.1967 or so. Still in production, hand built cars..jpg — Morgan, ca 1967

Hand-built car. Still in production.

Jaguar XKE V12 CA 73-74?.jpg — Jacquar XKE V12

MGC c.1973. A 6 cylinder variant of the MGB that flopped. Quite rare..jpg — MGC ca 1969

Commercially unsuccessful and now quite rare.

Rolls Royce is a 1987 Corniche II.jpg — Rolls Royce is a 1987 Corniche II

February 08, 2020

The Breakfast Club with Mark and Paige

February 08, 2020/ Bruce Holliday

Paige walks into the studio 20 seconds before The Breakfast Show goes live. She slides into her studio chair, adjusts the microphone hanging in front of her, and picks up the notes Mark has placed on the counter where she sits. With 5 seconds to spare, she is ready to go. Mark flips on the mic and cues the show’s opener.

Announcer: Wake up Sleepy Heads! It’s time for the Breakfast Club … with Mark and Paige!

Mark: Good morning, Good morning! It’s 11 minutes after seven in the morning on a fabulous Friday. Good morning, Paige!

Paige: Good morning, my love.

At a time of day when most of us are fumbling with coffee makers and struggling to formulate anything other than single-syllable sentences, Mark Warwick and Paige Posey are providing their listeners with news, announcements, local interviews, music, trivia, and delightful energy to start a new day in the mountains of western North Carolina.

February 01, 2020

Stitching Together an Extraordinary Life

February 01, 2020/ Bruce Holliday

Georgia Bonesteel has created an extraordinary career woven from a life filled with resilience, determination, and a teacher’s passion to share her experience and knowledge. Given these qualities, it’s no surprise that this Flat Rock resident has fashioned a career as a television personality, prolific author, and been accorded the title of “Grande Dame of American Quilting.”

January 25, 2020

Tales from the Side of the Road

January 25, 2020/ Grace

Driving down Greenville Highway in Flat Rock a couple of weeks ago, I noticed several people in bright orange vests walking along the side of the road. They were collecting trash in large bags as they worked their way down the road. Whoever they were, it was obvious that they were working to keep Flat Rock beautiful.

January 19, 2020

The Travels of Ticketoo

January 19, 2020/ Grace

In June of 2005, Kris and Tony Crimi set sail from Bayfield, Wisconsin in pursuit of a dream - a dream that would span three years and take them to nearly 50 islands in the Caribbean Basin. Those three years would fill their lives with memories too numerous to count, adventures few of us ever experience, and friendships that will last the rest of their lives.

January 11, 2020

Escape from Paradise

January 11, 2020/ Grace

(Jhan and Tony Dunn recently moved to Flat Rock after losing their home in Paradise, CA to the devastating Camp Fire in November 2018. Approximately 90% of the homes in Paradise were destroyed and 85 people lost their lives, making the Camp Fire the deadliest wildfire in California history. The following article includes excerpts from Tony Dunn’s blog post entitled, “Escape from Paradise.'“ With permission.)

January 03, 2020

Be it Resolved

January 03, 2020/ Grace

Did you make a New Year’s resolution for 2020? Flat Rock Together was curious to see what area residents and visitors had planned for not only the new year but a new decade. We also wanted to know what would make 2020 a successful year in their opinion.

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