NC ranks 7th in apple production in the United States. Washington state is the country’s leading producer of apples.
The apple industry brings in over $18.5 million to the Tar Heel State annually.
Across the state, apples are grown in just 23 counties,16 of which are in WNC.
Henderson County is the state’s top producer of apples, growing about 85% of the state’s apples.
Henderson County is also home to 1 of NC’s most popular + iconic fests: the North Carolina Apple Festival.
40% of NC’s apples are sold fresh, and the other 60% are utilized primarily for applesauce + juice.
There are roughly 10,000 acres of apples in North Carolina that produce around 8 million bushels of apples a year.
Need a bushel and peck reminder? A bushel is approximately 4-8 pecks, or lbs. A peck of apples weighs 10-12 lb.
NC primarily produces 4 major varieties: Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Rome Beauty, and Galas. Over 40 other varieties are grown on a limited basis.
Despite its popularity and economic clout, apples are not NC’s official fruit: that designation belongs to the scuppernong grape.

#MUSTDO

Monday

Power in Pints | Mon., Sept. 13 | 11 a.m.-10 p.m. | Hillman Beer, 25 Sweeten Creek Rd. | Free | Sip suds and save homeless pets — $1 for every Hillman Beer draft sold will go to Charlie’s Angels Animal Rescue. 🍺
Appalachian Experience: Blair Mountain: America’s Largest Labor Uprising | Mon., Sept. 13 | 6:30-7:45 p.m. | Virtual, registration required | $8+ | Explore the history and legacy of the 1921 Blair Mountain coal miners' uprising in West Virginia. 💻
Beer & Bath Night | Mon., Sept. 13 | 4-8 p.m. | Down Dog, 51 Sweeten Creek Rd. | $25 | Sip a beer while your pup enjoys a 20-minute bath with organic shampoo + conditioner. 🛁
Totally Rad Monday Night Trivia | Mon., Sept. 13 | 6-8 p.m. | Highland Brewing Co., 12 Old Charlotte Hwy. #200 | Free | Show off your geography and current events knowledge for a chance to win Highland gift cards. 🧠

Tuesday

Hatch Homecoming | Tues., Sept. 14 | 6-8:30 p.m. | Hatch AVL - Hatchworks, 45 South French Broad Avenue | Free | Enjoy a night filled with food, drinks, and pitches.
Lunch & Learn: Low Elevation Basic Glade Habitat | Tues., Sept. 14 | 12 p.m. | Free | Virtual | Learn about a local grassland that's a key reservoir of biodiversity in spots like the Craggy Mountains. 🖥️
Harrah’s Cherokee Hiring Event | Tues., Sept. 14 | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | Harrah’s Cherokee Casino & Resort Ballroom, 777 Casino Dr. | Free | Check out hospitality and culinary positions that start at $15 an hour.

Wednesday

Craft Your Commerce Panel - Growing Your Business | Wed., Sept. 15 | 2-4 p.m. | Virtual | $5 | A panel of local WNC businesses share tips + tricks for success.

Thursday

Masters of Soul | Thurs., Sept. 16 | 7 p.m. | Wortham Center, 18 Biltmore Ave. | $20+ | Opening night performance filled with soul songs and artists. 🎤

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.

MORE EVENTS HERE

NEWS NOTES

Weather

87º | Mostly sunny | 8% chance of rain

Now Open

Looking for some new lovely keepsakes for your home? Check out Abode Modern Home (29 Page Ave.), a new globally-inspired spot offering curated wares for the home, as well as unique art and jewelry from local artists. Stop in from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Mon.-Thurs., and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Fri.-Sun. 🪑

Biz

Brevard-based adventure gear company SylvanSport has partnered with Zeus Electric Chassis, Inc., to develop a 100% electric RV. Currently named “Leading the Charge,” the first-of-its-kind motorhome line utilizes new technologies to eliminate emissions, reduce waste, provide water recycling solutions, and more. Officials expect to see the line come to life in 2022.

Cause

September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Designed to raise awareness + facilitate dialogue regarding suicide prevention, it aims to spread hope and important information to folks affected by suicide. Find local resources to help folks here. ❤️

Outdoors

In the coming weeks + months, environmental experts will begin assessing the impact of the Aug. 17 floods from Tropical Storm Fred on the Pigeon River. So far, officials have prioritized search, rescue, and disaster relief efforts and say more testing is needed to gauge the flood’s effects on water quality and aquatic ecosystems. 🌊 (Smoky Mountain News)

Number

400. The acres of farmland + wildland that are being preserved from development in Buncombe County. The 4 farms are located in Leicester, Sandy Mush + Alexander, and the wildland is in the Weaverville area. This news follows a Sept. 8 Board of Commissioners vote to pay legal and other transaction costs for the easements. (Asheville Citizen-Times)

Community

Waynesville native Riley Howell is receiving the Congressional Medal of Honor Society’s - Citizen Honors Award, one of the nation’s top civilian honors. Riley is being awarded for his valor after he lost his life by stopping a school shooter at a University of North Carolina Charlotte classroom in 2019. 🎖️ (WLOS)

Trending

Country singer Brett Eldredge recently shared a video to his social media that many of us in WNC can relate to: the clip shows a young black bear trying to get into Elredge’s trash can before ultimately being scared away. Want more bear info? Peep our guide. 🐻

Asked

A reader has inquired about the Asheville area’s best gluten-free offerings, so we’re coming to you, our local experts, for the scoop. Where do you go for gluten-free grub? Let us know here, please and thank you. 🥗

Coronavirus

As of Friday afternoon, 158,740 people (up 743 from Thursday) in Buncombe County are fully vaccinated for a total of 61% of the population. There have been 686 cases per 100,000 residents in the last 14 days (down 48 from Thursday), and 359 total deaths. Book a vaccine appointment here, and see more Buncombe County-specific info here.

Learn

Whether you’re an experienced artist, looking to hone a new skill, or just wanting to take a break from the daily grind, there’s plenty to explore among the 400+ course offerings at John C. Campbell Folk School. Check out the e-catalog for the first half of 2022. Ⓟ

Survey

Hey, have you taken our demographics survey yet? We’d love to learn more about you (to better serve you in this newsletter) by having you complete this quick, 2-min. online survey. Thanks in advance.

📸 @ashevilleartmuseum

We know that the rooftop of the Asheville Art Museum (2 S. Pack Sq.) is a great place to take in sweeping views of the city while enjoying a treat from its Perspective Cafe — but we were today years old when we discovered it’s also a home to a growing sculpture garden.

Asheville-based sculptor Hoss Haley’s work can be seen across Asheville, and his piece True, seen here, is currently on display on the Museum’s sculpture terrace. Be sure to check out the next time you visit.

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