In the early 19th century, there were few roads in the North Carolina Mountains. More often than not, what qualified for a road was a single-track Native American footpath, a “trace,” or paths left by wildlife. Passible by nothing more than a horse and rider, these primitive roads were treacherous trails cutting through gorges and across mountain peaks. As time passed, many of these early pathways evolved into wagon roads, paved roads and even highways, some of which survive today, at least in part, along their original courses.

Labor Day beckons those feelings that wash over me when another summer nears its end. I’ve tasted the saudade of life; the yearning for my childhood when the days would merge into one another and the passing of time was of no consequence. Labor Day reminds me that it’s time for school to begin and camp to be over. The Peter Pan in me is tormented by the exit from my favorite season that allows me to never grow up.

Suzanne was in the middle of nowhere, with no cell service, and no idea on how to extricate her vehicle from the ditch. As she stood by the side of the road contemplating her dilemma, an emaciated brown puppy suddenly appeared out of the nearby woods. The young dog clearly needed help, and it seemed the puppy had decided that Suzanne was just the person for the job.

For over 30 years, FOCS has worked towards its mission by supplementing the Park’s funding and programming in a number of different ways - all of which serve to promote, protect, and help preserve the Park and its many historic and natural resources.

The tapestry of Albert S. Gooch, Jr.’s life is as colorful and multifaceted as the shirt the amiable southern gentleman was wearing during a recent interview with Flat Rock Together.

Alexander Campbell King III related wonderful stories of growing up at Argyle, a family home with the distinction of having the longest continuous possession in the same family of any place in Flat Rock, perhaps in all of Western North Carolina. His people have owned it since 1830. The house felt alive with history. I could almost hear it humming as Mr. King told tales of family picnics, fishing at the dam, and swinging on the porch with his grandmother…

This past Friday, Sandburg Park Superintendent Polly Angelakis said a few words of welcome before a small group of visitors, staff, and Sandburg volunteers and then swung open the gate to the goat barn … and to one more small step in the direction of normal park operations.

Nestled in an out-of-the-way corner of a very busy park, a handsome post and beam shelter stands as an oasis of quiet solitude in the midst of our often busy modern lives. That’s exactly what Christine and Terry Hicks envisioned …

Local artist, Marsha Hammel, has spent a lifetime capturing the essence of life that swirls and dances around each of us, in moments both exceptional and ordinary. And now there is a new book about her life as a creative detailing the arc of her exceptional career entitled, Thriving on a Riff. A life of art and music.

On any given Monday morning, you are likely to find Wendy Beville and Gina Moffitt happily digging in the dirt, pulling out uninvited weeds, and gently pruning a riot of colorful plants which populate the garden. Wendy and Gina are the Master Gardener Group Co-Chairs for the Pollinator Garden at The Park at Flat Rock. To put it another way - and much more succinctly - they and their compatriots work hard and the results are spectacular.

When Cam Boyd’s family purchased Flat Rock’s historic Saluda Cottages in 1955, Cam was just 11 years old and not particularly pleased with the move. His life of riding bikes and playing sports with a crowd of neighborhood kids was no longer in the cards. But as is so often the case, change can be both good and bad. “Growing up in Flat Rock was a mixed blessing,” Cam recalls now. “I did not realize how lucky I was until later in life.”

When Priscilla Casanova first met her husband Al in Denver, CO, he enjoyed going to the dog tracks to bet on Greyhound races. But while Al was enjoying the races, Priscilla could only think about what became of the dogs when their racing careers were finished.

That question, her passion for animals, and a long winding road to Flat Rock ultimately resulted in a new local business for Flat Rock …

“St. John in the Wilderness and Flat Rock have stories that are intertwined from their earliest days. Over the decades, both parish and village have grown up and changed, but the connection between St. John and Flat Rock is undeniable. As a parish community, we are overwhelmed with gratitude at the beauty and wonder of this place when we look at Flat Rock and the people who call it home.“

Family was everything to my father and he lived for us to be together. He promised us that one day we would thank him for his words of wisdom and family rules. He did it for love …. And I loved him for it.

Spend just a couple of minutes chatting with John Wilkerson, Park Ranger for The Park at Flat Rock, and it’s impossible not to come away with one primary impression. He is a good guy. And, to the great benefit of the Village for the past three years, John has been the smiling face and affable presence welcoming thousands of visitors to one of the crown jewels of Flat Rock, NC.

Since the early 1900s, thousands of children have packed their trunks for an annual pilgrimage to summer camps in North Carolina. Camps play a large role in Henderson County and the arrival of camp season draws many families to Flat Rock. Tucked away in the mountains of Western North Carolina are more than 70 summer camps. Flat Rock is home to some of the oldest ones.

Meredith Ward started in the wine business long before she was old enough to purchase a bottle of her family’s signature Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards wine. A little over a decade later, she could not only legally purchase the product but also found herself managing the Saint Paul wine tasting room in Flat Rock, NC.

Flat Rock artist Miriam Hughes is colorful in many ways. She is an artist known for whimsical and vibrant multicolored paintings. She wears bright clothes that complement her shock of wild and curly red hair. And Miriam has a commanding and colorful personality seldom constrained by norms.

Put all those elements together and you have an artist who adds a lot to the kaleidoscope of life in the Village.

“For as long as I can remember just the lights going dark and the overture starting would make all the hairs on my arm stand up. It was like, ‘I don't know where I’m going, and I don't care. But I'm ready!’”

That magical feeling still keeps Lisa Bryant going, even during challenging times.