Hendersonville News and Current Events

07.29.10
Honor Rolls: Atkinson Elementary Scool

Atkinson Elementary School announced the A and A/B honor rolls for the fourth quarter. Third grade: Alexander Andersen, Ben Beeker, Cecilia Bockoven, Louise Cummins, Isabella DeFilippo, Sydney Dorn, Keegan Edge, Sarah Erwin, Hunter Fitzgerald, Wesley Freshwater, Parker Gunn, Adelaide Haack, Madison Hudson, Deanna McCrary, Ellie McKinney, Ryan Osteen, Declan Sander, Christopher Tavernier, Amber Short, Alexander Tustin, Anna Yokote. Fourth grade: Zack Adkinson, Teddy Burnette, Carly Gates, Liberty Ingle, Kameron Kaddouri, Bob Keener, Sam McKenzie, Lillian Summey. Fifth grade: Amelia Arsenault, Lilly Blankenship, Carson Bockoven, Chloe Bosshard, Blakeley Bristol, Adam Bryant, Alesha Caban, Claudia Cash, Sarah Doss, Trace Garren, Micah Haack, Sydney Hafner, Adam Jones, Meredith Linhart, Sheridan Mentch, Evan Mercado, Austin Messer, Schuyler Orr, Preston Owens, Coleman Ridenour, Savanna Roper, Max Schillig, Torri Stanford, Mackenna Williams. Third grade: Melanie Akers, Colton Acosta, Sarah Arant, Kelly Annunziata, Clay Austin, Sally Campbell, Courtney Case, Stephen Choun, Camryn Coggins, Regan Gordon, Hailey Hernandez, Heidi Hill, Bert Mancuso, Sarah McCoppin, Hunter Mullen, Hunter Nelson, Destinee Pace, Cameron Patterson, Jacob Patton, Emma Pope, Phillip Ray, Alexla Sanchez, Tucker Saxon, Tiara Sherlin, Joshua Summey, Aura Taylor, Jessie Todd, Ali Warrenfeltz, Benn Williams, Ricky Young. Fourth grade: Dylan Annunziata, Erin Broome, Drake Bruner, Anna Burnette, Meghan Coggins, Dylan Combs, Riley Jane Deaton, Ryan Harper, Drew Harshbarger, Lindsey Heider, Nicholas Hornsby, Logan Jackson, Rebecca Lanning, Abby Mays, Kate Simpson, Paige Smith, Virginia Frances Teel, Suzanne Thompson, Madylin Vess. Fifth grade: Caleb Brown, Jessica Calvillo-Molina, Rafael Ceron, Dalton Clarke, Sebastian Durall, Wilson Goins, Joanna Guy, Olivia Harper, Lilie Jones, Ina Masha, Derek Miller, Kayla Moran, Brandon Pace, Jordan Pine, Luke Power, Nicholas Romer, Rachel Sain, Bethanie Watkins, Daniel Woo, Alec Worrell, Lina Yokote, Nicholas Zajd.

07.29.10
Pageant Candidate Seeks Help For Baby

Terri Lyda of Hendersonville will compete for the Beauties of America national title, at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center on Aug. 12-15. She holds the Ms. North Carolina 2010 — 40s title for Beauties of America. She is a local 28-year business owner of Apple Haven Orchard. Lyda was born in Atlanta, and has lived in Hendersonville most of her life. She is involved in local community and state organizations. She devotes a lot of her time to charitable events. Lyda is formerly the 2007 and 2008 Mrs. Hendersonville International. Lyda is asking the public to join her Friday at Fun Depot in Asheville for the Ty Robertson kidney fundraiser. She has been working to help raise money for this baby in need of a kidney donation. Apple Haven Orchard Inc. will donate the first 100 tickets for this event, from 5-9 p.m. The first 100 parents or kids to contact will receive free tickets for two hours worth of rides.

07.29.10
It Takes A Village For A Potluck

For the record, I make fabulous Texas Caviar. A staple at gatherings in the Lone Star State, this dish is a combination of black-eyed peas, lime juice, cilantro, garlic, jalapeno and onion. But even the most devoted bean-eater will admit that a menu confined to legumes is tedious. Man cannot live by beans alone. This is why I love the potluck dinner concept: The more guests, the more diverse and delicious the meal. At a potluck everyone shares the best that they have to offer. Closely guarded family recipes and beloved casseroles embellish a single table. It doesn't matter if there are more dishes to wash. There are more helping hands to scrub and polish, more stories to swap in the heat of the kitchen, and somehow the chore evolves into a heavenly treat. On a daily basis at the Boys & Girls Club of Henderson County we experience the potluck phenomenon. With more than 15 collaborating agencies, our community partners come into the club and help us deliver a rich array of programs and services. Our table is full thanks to hundreds of volunteers who share the best that they have to offer. One example is volunteer Beth Chodkowski and her Samoyed reading therapy dogs, Tremor and Molly. Since 2009, the trio has visited the club to help kids hone their reading skills. These one-on-one experiences have improved the abilities of hundreds of novice readers and are a unique offering for our members. But the volunteer "trimmings" don't stop there. Consider our substantial population of teen girls, mentored by members of the Junior Welfare League over the years. The connections made between teen and adult at these monthly gatherings empower young women to become their best. Park Ridge Hospital is at our table too, addressing the critical need for exercise, nutrition and healthy lifestyles for children and families through their Kid Power program. Meanwhile Pavillon Treatment Center works with club members to identify emotions and appropriate ways to deal with them to reduce the risk of drug or alcohol abuse. Another notable partnership focuses on kids in need of academic remediation. Thanks to our collaboration with the Henderson County public schools, these kids get a fun jump start on the school year within the context of the club. From the recreational standpoint, the Henderson County Young Leaders Program sent more than 50 club members to camp this summer. Individual camps offered their own scholarships to club kids too, a generous "side dish" that provides a camp experience to youth who might not otherwise have access. Perhaps the most literal potluck example is how we feed our members. Last year the Henderson County Public Schools system served 13,011 free lunches at the club. Add to that the 3,661 free dinners provided by the Feed the Kids Coalition, and the impact is even more amazing. While our table is laden with gifts from the community, we are proud to hold up our end of the potluck bargain. Every year the children of our club reciprocate throughout the community through volunteer service. In 2009 alone, members racked up 2,159 hours of service for others. A study by Child Trends indicates that young people who participate in service activities are more likely to vote, have a positive work ethic and be socially responsible as adults. These are the guests that I want at my potluck supper. And I am certain that they will be bringing something amazing to a table near you in the years to come. Bon appetit.

07.29.10
Henderson County Man A True Olympic Winner

Clifford Dehond represented Henderson County in the 2010 Special Olympic Summer Games in Lincoln, Neb., from July 18-23. Before boarding a plane in Raleigh with his fellow Olympians and their coaches and counselors, Dehond, along with the other N.C. participants, attended a send-off reception at Gov. Beverly Perdue's executive mansion. He proudly wore a new pair of khakis and carried a new walking stick for the occasion. Dehond competed in the sport of bowling, a skill he has honed over the years by participating in the Mountain Bowlers, coached by Russ Story, a man with a big heart for this group of special needs adults. Dehond brought home fourth, fifth and sixth place ribbons. The Special Olympics have been an important part of Clifford's life for the last 20 years. It is a place for him to find success. "Special Olympics helps me meet new friends. It makes me feel accepted. Without it, I'd be lost," Dehond said. In past competitions, Clifford earned a gold medal in bowling on the state level and his bocce team won a bronze medal in the 1999 Special Olympic World Games, as well as five state championships. Even more than all the medals, ribbons and awards he has won, Dehond's triumphs over adversities make him a true winner in the eyes of all who know him. Dehond credits his foster family for loving and caring for him since he was a 4-year-old-child and on into adulthood when he learned to live independently. Before he suffered a surgery-related stroke in 2002, he worked several jobs and would drive his moped from one to the other. After his stroke, Dehond struggled through a year long recovery, re-learning how to speak and how to walk. The walking stick he uses helps him maintain balance. Dehond continues to overcome circumstances that would overwhelm most people. Carolyn Serrano, a friend who is always "on call" to give Clifford the unconditional support and stability he needs. "Clifford's faith is strong and he praises God for giving him the determination to keep going," Serrano said. "I'm no quitter," Dehond added. Since he can no longer drive a moped, he walks, if the distance is not too great, wherever he needs to go, even when a cold drizzle falls from the sky. Other times he will ride a bus or taxi, or call Serrano, to get to his destination, especially when he knows other people are counting on him to arrive at a certain time. Not only does Dehond like to keep busy, he is a caring and giving person. He has volunteered in the Physical Therapy Department of Park Ridge Health since 2003, the same place where he himself received therapy both before and after his stroke. He is also active in his church, First Baptist of Hendersonville, in the Men's Prayer Breakfast on Saturdays, as well as the Wednesday night dinners. Since 2008, he has worked at Vocational Solutions three days a week where he enjoys working with some of his many friends.

07.02.10
New Website Lists Services For County's Elderly

In May, a new website was launched that details services offered in Henderson County to help keep people in their homes as they age. The Aging at Home Directory website, www.HendersonCoNCAgingAtHome.org, provides a database of human services for people who want to age at home. “Basically we are running out of money to treat people,” said Dr. Joanne Helppie, founder of the Henderson County nonprofit Aging Projects Inc. “We need to find a way to keep people in their homes instead of in facilities.” Aging Projects was started in September 2009. It was the idea of Helppie, who specializes in geriatric medicine and internal medicine. She wanted to provide a simple resource for people to find the services they need to stay in their homes. “What really triggered me setting this up was the Council of Aging and Pardee Hospital,” Helppie added. Both organizations contacted Helppie, the only registered geriatrician in the county, about how to collect service information for the elderly. She also received phone calls from children who live out of state, but wanted to help their parents. “This allows kids to manage their parents’ care from far away,” Helppie said. The website lists only Henderson County services, such as health care, food and even lawn services, and volunteers verify each listing and the credentials provided by an organization. Each listed organization or business, which includes nonprofits and for-profit organizations, must review their entries every six months. The website already contains about 100 listings. “(On the website) There aren’t all the bells and whistles that can be disturbing. It’s very clean. It’s very simple,” said Mindy Schwartz, a volunteer and publicity chair for the organization. The Community Foundation of Henderson County helped the website launch by giving the nonprofit $5,000. The $5,000 was matched by Aging Projects. The organization has a grant for between $20,000 and $30,000 through the foundation. The amount must be matched, and $13,000 has already been raised. Volunteers are also needed to help the organization. Helppie would like to see the website expand to include more counties. They are hoping to set up a national website soon. “This is a community effort to provide services to our aging population,” Helppie said. “And hopefully other counties will want to become part of a larger database.”

07.02.10
Capitol Hill To Salute Parkway Anniversary

Today, Rep. Heath Shuler, D-Waynesville, and Rep. Thomas Perriello, D-Va., introduced a resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Companion legislation in the Senate is expected to be introduced later in the week. Nearly 20 million people visit the Blue Ridge Parkway each year, making it the National Park Service’s most popular site. The parkway generates about $2.3 billion in economic activity in North Carolina and Virginia annually. The resolution highlights the great contributions of the parkway to the region. It acknowledges the historic and enduring scenic, recreational and economic value of this unique national treasure. It recognizes Stanley Abbott, “the father of the Blue Ridge Parkway,” for his role in planning the parkway. It also honors those who have provided volunteer support to maintain and improve the parkway.

07.02.10
Play Pumps New Life Into Historic County Courthouse

From the upper-level, once-segregated seating of Henderson County's historic courtroom on Main Street, the stage manager overlooks a long juror's table with 12 notebooks and a dozen 1950s-style leather chairs. A dozen Flat Rock Playhouse performers burst into the renovated courtroom to rehearse a tense scene from “12 Angry Men.” Afterward, Director Neela Muñoz and her cast discuss plans for the final days before Saturday's opening night. Their energy levels are high. “The chemistry among the 12 members of this cast has been incredible,” Munoz said. With opening night still a full day away, the community's response to the Playhouse's first long-running, off-the-Rock show in downtown Hendersonville has been amazing, said Vincent Marini, the Playhouse's executive director, and Tom Thompson, the marketing director. “We have decided to extend the show an extra week because of the really overwhelming demand for tickets,” Thompson said. “We've sold out almost every originally scheduled show at this point. I think people are really excited about us doing a fully immersive piece, and this courthouse is stunningly beautiful.” After several preview nights this week, Munoz and members of the cast could feel the audience's energy levels. “It's pinging. It's pinging all over the place,” Munoz said. “There's a terrific sense of community here, and it's definitely reflected in the turnout for this play.” The play, “12 Angry Men,” is an edge-of-your-seat drama about a jury that decides the fate of a 16-year-old accused of murdering his abusive father. At first, it seems like an open-and-shut case — 11 jurors believe the defendant to be guilty. Yet one juror holds out, reluctant to condemn the teenager without giving all of the facts careful consideration. The juror must convince the other jurors that reasonable doubt exists by courageously defending what he believes is justice. For many people in the community, viewing “12 Angry Men” will be their first opportunity to spend time in the intimate, renovated historic courtroom that seats 160. The show now will be performed through July 25 at the courthouse. Seats still were available for the final week's shows at press time. An important event The production of “12 Angry Men” inside the historic courtroom is significant to the community on several levels, said Sam Neill, a local attorney and owner of Flight Wood Grille on Main Street. Flight Wood Grille is the corporate “executive producer” sponsor of “12 Angry Men.” “It brings the Flat Rock Playhouse to Main Street, and all the patrons of the play will be on Main Street before and after the play,” Neill said. “Many of the lawyers in Hendersonville, myself included, practiced law in the old courtroom. I know some lawyers, like Kenneth Youngblood and Boyd Massagee, who practiced there for 50 years.” The Historic Courthouse, built in 1908, saw its share of real courtroom drama until 1995.

07.02.10
Pardee Hires Chief Medical Officer

Pardee Hospital announced Dr. Robert T. Kiskaddon accepted the role of Chief Medical Officer. Kiskaddon joins Pardee on Monday. With the advent of national healthcare reform and the continued movement to align physicians, hospitals and other healthcare providers, Dr. Kiskaddon, as CMO, will provide key leadership in ensuring Pardee continues to strengthen clinical programs and services, and in more fully integrating physicians into the strategic planning and decision-making at Pardee. He will facilitate collaboration with medical staff leaders, and conduct supervising of privileging, credentialing and peer review activities. Kiskaddon will also act as a liaison between medical staff officers and administration. Kiskaddon previously held the role of medical director of the Carle Foundation Physician Services in Urbana, Ill. He has worked in healthcare management since 1980 while also serving in leadership roles in emergency medicine. At Pardee, Kiskaddon plans to work with Hendersonville Emergency Consultants providing services in emergency medicine on a limited basis. A search committee chaired by Dr. Stuart Glassman, and including Drs. Ken Shelton, Kevan Hansel, Jim Horwitz and Ron Moffitt spent months researching and interviewing candidates before selecting Kiskaddon. Kiskaddon is married and has one grown son. His interests include Celtic music, playing Scottish and Irish bagpipes and cross country motorcycling. For more information or to find a physician, call 1-866-790-WELL (9355) or visit www.pardeehospital.org.

07.02.10
Mean Mister Mustard's Dishing Up Dinner

A Hendersonville restaurant known for lunch is now opening its doors for dinner. Mean Mr. Mustard’s Cafe, at 133 Fourth Ave. East in downtown Hendersonville, has expanded its operating hours from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday to accommodate diners. The dinner time frame, complete with its own menu by Executive Chef Brian McKinney, comes at the request of the restaurant’s customers, said owners Diane and Monte Rosemond. The business name, along with the interior decor and items on the breakfast and lunch menu, reflect the couple’s love of The Beatles. “Mean Mr. Mustard” is the title of a song from the Beatles’ Abbey Road album. The restaurant has been in operation for nearly two years. “Our customers really wanted this,” Diane said. “They loved our breakfast and lunch and kept asking when we were going to be open for dinner.” The dinner menu will change regularly, with an emphasis on fresh ingredients, Monte said. McKinney will offer a variety of dishes that highlight ingredients in season and expertly prepared, he added. The restaurant’s chef is a veteran of the local food scene, having worked at Four Seasons Restaurant at Highland Lake Inn and the former Blackwater Grille in Laurel Park. The goal behind the dinner concept is to provide quality dishes at an affordable price, Monte said. Lunch items typically are under $10, and dinner items are less than $15. “So we can put out these meals to Hendersonville and not have to charge as much as it costs to go to the gas station to fill up your car,” he said. “What we want to do, for lack of a better word, is offer a high-class meal for a recession price ... I want people to enjoy their evening here without spending a lot of money.” Among the dinner offerings are entrees such as Asaiago-crusted salmon that is oven-broiled, served over a savory port wine risotto, with steamed asparagus and tomato relish for $14.95, and the fanned beef tenderloin, pan-seared with roasted russet potatoes, zested spinach and a rich roasted garlic and horseradish aioli also for $14.95. Aioli is a French sauce made by mixing lemon, eggs, garlic and olive oil into a smooth, creamy mixture resembling mayonnaise. All dinner entrees come with fresh bread. Dinner appetizers include a curried zucchini bisque for $4.95 or an opera salad for $3.75. Desserts include a variety of choices on any given night such as New York-style cheesecake with macerated blackberries or fresh peach torte. The restaurant’s breakfast menu offers items such as the eggman’s basic — two eggs cooked any style, hash browns, grits, bacon, ham or sausage, served with biscuits or toasted homemade focaccia bread. Lunch items such as the walrus chicken salad, which features diced chicken breast with red grapes, pecans, red onions, raisins and cilantro served with tomato and greens on fresh baked bread. But the dinner menu represents a departure from that since it is a little more upscale, Monte said. The couple said they are working on getting a license to sell wine. Meanwhile, a free glass of wine will be served with each dinner entree to celebrate the new dinner hours. “We are going to do mostly California wines,” Monte said. “The Chileans are really wonderful; there is a lot of mineral in their grapes.

07.02.10
July 4th Events and Closings

* Brevard will host a Fourth of July Celebration from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday downtown. The Fireworks Extravaganza Show will be at 9:30 p.m. at Brevard College. Info: 884-3278, www.brevardnc.org. * Columbus will celebrate the Fourth of July from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday at Stearns Park on Main Street. Firework display at 10 p.m. Info: 828-894-8336. * In Asheville, the Ingles Fourth of July Celebration will begin at 1 p.m. Sunday, at 1 p.m. at Pack Square and along College Street downtown. Music and games. Fireworks display at 10 p.m. Info: www.ashevillenc.gov. * Hendersonville's Fabulous Fourth Celebration will begin at 2 p.m. Sunday at Jackson Park. Rain date is Monday. Bring your chair. Live music. SAWA Lumberjack competition. Firework display at dusk. Info: 697-4884. * In Brevard, the Pendergrast Family Patriotic Pops will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Whittington-Pfohl Auditorium, Brevard Music Center. Features Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture," complete with live cannons. Cost is $35-10. Info: 862-2100 or visit www.brevardmusic.org. * Hendersonville's Fourth of July Independence Day Parade will begin at 4 p.m. Sunday on Main Street. Theme: "Celebrate Freedom and those who fight for it, present & past." Info: 692-4179, www.nchmba.com. * All Henderson County offices and the courthouse will be closed Monday. The Visitors' Information Center will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. * All branches of the Henderson County Public Library will be closed Monday. ( page 2 of 2 ) Events * Brevard will host a Fourth of July Celebration from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday downtown. The Fireworks Extravaganza Show will be at 9:30 p.m. at Brevard College. Info: 884-3278, www.brevardnc.org. * Columbus will celebrate the Fourth of July from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday at Stearns Park on Main Street. Firework display at 10 p.m. Info: 828-894-8336. * In Asheville, the Ingles Fourth of July Celebration will begin at 1 p.m. Sunday, at 1 p.m. at Pack Square and along College Street downtown. Music and games. Fireworks display at 10 p.m. Info: www.ashevillenc.gov. * Hendersonville's Fabulous Fourth Celebration will begin at 2 p.m. Sunday at Jackson Park. Rain date is Monday. Bring your chair. Live music. SAWA Lumberjack competition. Firework display at dusk. Info: 697-4884. * In Brevard, the Pendergrast Family Patriotic Pops will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Whittington-Pfohl Auditorium, Brevard Music Center. Features Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture," complete with live cannons. Cost is $35-10. Info: 862-2100 or visit www.brevardmusic.org. * Hendersonville's Fourth of July Independence Day Parade will begin at 4 p.m. Sunday on Main Street. Theme: "Celebrate Freedom and those who fight for it, present & past." Info: 692-4179, www.nchmba.com. Closings * All Henderson County offices and the courthouse will be closed Monday. The Visitors' Information Center will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. * All branches of the Henderson County Public Library will be closed Monday. * The Henderson County Landfill will be closed Monday. * Hendersonville City Operations Center will be closed Monday for the Fourth of July. Garbage pick-up will remain on regular service. * Fletcher, Laurel Park, Flat Rock and Mills River municipal offices will be closed Monday. * Saluda Town Hall will be closed Friday. * Brevard and Rosman municipal offices will be closed Monday. * Columbus and Tryon municipal offices will be closed Monday. * Lake Lure Town Hall will be closed on Monday. * Transylvania County offices and courthouse will be closed Monday. The Transylvania County Solid Waste Department and three collection centers will also be closed and re-open Tuesday. * Polk County administrative offices and the courthouse will be closed Monday. * North Carolina government offices will be closed Monday. * United States government offices will be closed Monday, including the Farm Service Agency. * Post offices will be closed Monday. * Local banks will be closed Monday. * The Times-News business office will be closed Monday.