Press Releases

Marketing the High Country as a destination for Birding

FEBRUARY 4 CONFERENCE ON MARKETING THE HIGH COUNTRY AS A DESTINATION FOR BIRDING

GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN, N.C.-- Thirty-five percent of Americans say they spend time observing, studying, photographing or identifying wild birds, which is why the North Carolina Birding Trail was developed to link birders and tourists with great birding sites across the state. In an effort to leverage the resources of the North Carolina Birding Trail to help market the High Country as a destination for birders, High Country Audubon and the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation have organized a workshop designed to help local business people examine the benefits of marketing to birders.

The conference on marketing the NC High Country as a birding destination will be held Thursday, February 4th from 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm at LaQuinta Inn on the Highway 105 Extension in Boone. Welcoming business professionals from all sectors of the local economy, the workshop is designed to give a clear picture of the potential return from marketing to birders before opening the floor to participants to brainstorm on the most cost effective ways to attract the birding tourist to our area.

Birders are a valuable market for the tourism industry because they spend money pursuing their interest in wildlife. A 2006 survey conducted by the NC Bird Trail reported that 72 percent of the birders in North Carolina travel away from their homes to view birds at least 10 days per a year, spending more than $80 per day on travel expenses.

“This is a win/win,” said Grandfather Mountain Marketing Director Catherine Morton. “One of the most desirable times to visit the High Country for birding is a shoulder season for most of our businesses. Mid-April to mid-May is when the spring migration brings the greatest numbers of different bird species through our area, which means there is huge potential to bring more birders with them.”

The program includes three authorities on tourism and birding. Dr. Stacy Tomas from the Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism Management at NC State University will speak on the economic impact of birding and why the High Country should market to birders. Audubon North Carolina Mountain Program Manager Curtis Smalling will educate the group about the spring bird migration in the NC High Country, and High Country Audubon President Jesse Pope will discuss the needs of the traveling birder, outlining specific action that can be taken to cater to the birding public.

“Reaching this niche audience with our message should be relatively inexpensive,” explained Morton. “Most bird clubs will run announcements and news releases about the activities and packages we put together that make it more attractive for their members to visit our area for birding. I think there is potential for any interested business to see a measurable return from marketing to birders.”

There is no fee to attend the birding conference and participants will have the opportunity to purchase the Mountain Region edition of the NC Birding Trail Guide at a discount. To reserve a space at the meeting, phone Grandfather Mountain weekdays at 828-733-2013. For the complete program schedule, visit www.grandfather.com/birding_workshop.

The Pirates of Penzance

Appalachian’s Performing Arts Series Presents
The Pirates of Penzance January 22

BOONE, NC— Appalachian State University’s 2009-2010 Performing Arts Series welcomes New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players to the stage of Farthing Auditorium, performing the classic musical comedy The Pirates of Penzance at 8pm on Friday, January 22. Advance tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors, and Appalachian’s faculty and staff and $10 for Appalachian’s students and all students 18 and under. Ticket prices increase at the door on show nights. For tickets or information, call the Farthing Auditorium Box Office at 800-841-ARTS(2787) or 828-262-4046, or visit www.pas.appstate.edu.

The Pirates of Penzance centers on the dilemma of the young and conscientious Frederic who, as a child, was apprenticed to pirates until his 21st birthday. Upon release from his obligation, he plans to marry Mabel, the daughter of the delightfully stuffy Major-General Stanley. Unfortunately, Frederic discovers that since was born in a leap year on February 29, his 21st birthday won’t occur for another 63 years. Despite his moral objection to piracy, Frederic is honor-bound to remain a pirate until the distant date of 1940. Helping Frederic to deal with this unusual predicament are Mabel (who agrees to wait for him), Ruth, the pirate maid-of-all-work, Major-General Stanley and the brash Pirate King.

Productions by the New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players (NYGASP) are charged with contemporary energy while retaining respect for the traditional shows themselves, which is so important to Gilbert & Sullivan enthusiasts. This exuberant musical theater masterpiece is performed in its original format. The rich sounds of full orchestra, chorus and vocal soloists resonate with classic elegance and power while the company’s vibrancy, energy and contemporary sense of humor keep the show alive and exciting to a modern audience.

Now in its fourth decade of operation, NYGASP is America’s preeminent professional Gilbert & Sullivan repertory ensemble. Under the dynamic leadership of Artistic Director Albert Bergeret, who has been hailed as “the leading custodian of the G&S classics” by New York magazine,

NYGASP has created its own special niche in the cultural mosaic of New York City and the nation. Since its founding in 1974, the company has presented over 2,000 performances of Gilbert & Sullivan masterpieces throughout the eastern United States and Canada, captivating audiences of all ages.

Mr. Bergeret’s vision for his company’s mission is clear: to build and maintain an ensemble of professional repertory singers, actors, dancers and musicians dedicated to bringing quality performances of the Gilbert & Sullivan masterpieces to as wide an audience as possible. To do so, he has developed a unique blend of creative spontaneity and classical precision, which is neither revisionist in nature nor mired in the rigidity of the more typical view of “tradition.” The use of elaborate, but relevant choreography and movement is a particularly important element. Where possible, topical references from the nineteenth century are updated when the original intent would be lost on a modern musical theatre audience, but without disturbing the shape or scope of the material as written. Gilbert’s satire of human foibles and sophisticated wit remain intact, while Sullivan’s evocative scores, which need no revision at all, are given the full range of vocal and orchestral color for which they call.

The 2009-10 Performing Arts Series is a presentation of Appalachian State University’s Office of Arts and Cultural Programs. The mission of the series is to support the teaching mission of Appalachian State University by presenting a diverse array of music, dance and theatre events designed to enrich the cultural landscape of the campus and surrounding region. By creating memorable performance experiences and related educational and outreach activities, the series promotes the power and excitement of the live performance experience; provides a “window on the world” through the artistry of nationally and internationally renowned artists; and showcases some of the finest artists of Appalachian State University’s campus community and the surrounding region.

The Performing Arts Series would be unable to present and publicize its wide range of extraordinary programming programming without critical private funding sources, including a group of outstanding sponsors that are dedicated to promoting the arts in our region, including: McDonald’s of Boone, Goodnight Brothers Country Ham, Nationwide Insurance— the B. Park Terrell Agency, Inc., Charter Media, The Mountain Times, All About Women magazine, the Winston-Salem Journal, the High Country Press, 100.7 MacFM, Mix 102.3, Mountain Television Network, WDAV 89.9, WFDD 88.5, WETS 89.5, WNCW 88.7 and WASURocks 90.5FM.

Hotel and restaurant sponsors include Westglow Resort and Spa and Rowland’s Restaurant, Chetola Resort, the Bob Timberlake Inn and the Manor House at Chetola, The Broyhill Inn and Appalachian Conference Center and the Jackson Dining Room, Appalachian Hospitality’s six award-winning properties, including the Best Western – Blue Ridge Plaza, The Best Cellar, the Bistro, the Gamekeeper restaurant, Louisiana Purchase, Makoto’s Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar, Pepper’s and the Red Onion Café.

Appalachian’s 2009-10 Performing Arts Series concludes on Saturday, February 20 with Lily Tomlin in a one-woman show. Performance tickets make great holiday gifts. For tickets or information, call the Farthing Auditorium Box Office at 800-841-ARTS(2787) or 828-262-4046, or visit www.pas.appstate.edu.

Hawksnest Tubing

Hawksnest Resort opens full time for the 2009/10-winter season on Friday, December 11. Zipping down the venerable mountain now has new meaning. The resort has doubled the fun!

Recognized for having the largest Snow Tubing Park on the East Coast, Hawksnest has added the longest Zip line Tour as well, featuring ten cables, two of which are known in the zip line industry as super or mega zips.

Gliding through the air with ease is trouble-free. Zippers--ages five and up--enjoy the exhilarations of speeding treetop high over valleys having expansive views and threading through the forest canopy over creeks, wild turkeys, deer, groundhogs and the occasional bear. In winter, zippers can yell to their snow tubing friends from way above as they begin their journey.

"We opened the new zip line course in June to tremendous success," said Lenny Cottom, owner of Hawksnest. "Zipping through the snow-covered forest adds a new dimension to the aesthetics of the experience. Resorts in New England and out west at Lake Tahoe have been zip lining in the winter for a couple of years and here in North Carolina, we have so many mild winter days, we plan to offer zip lining seven days a week, weather permitting."

Cottom went on to say that many groups are choosing to snow tube in the morning and zip line in the afternoon.

The resort's 20 Lane Snow Tubing Park has four different areas to snow tube; lanes are 400 – 1000 feet long. Two conveyor lifts take snow tubers back to the top for more rides. Hawksnest has 100% snow making and lighting on all lanes.

"It's great for our local economy and visitors that Hawksnest is opening its snow tubing park for the season," said Mac Forehand, director of the Boone Convention and Visitors Bureau. "Being the largest park on the East Coast really makes Hawksnest a compliment to our area alpine resorts. Our guests to the High Country have so many winter activities to choose from and the new zip line course is certainly a welcome addition and unique offering.

For more information about Hawksnest's snow tubing and zip lining link to http://www.hawksnesttubing.com/ or call 800-822-4295 or 828-963-6561.

Press Contact: Justin Grimes, 828-963-6561 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Grandfather Mountain Staff Responds To Challenges Created By Extreme Weather

"It was pretty impressive to see," said Penn Dameron, Executive Director of the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. "It is a pretty great group of employees we've got here."

Storms dropped two feet of snow on Grandfather December 18-20, posing the staff with the challenge of clearing a path up the road to reach the animals in the wildlife habitats. For the first few days, animal keepers had to hike in to feed the animals. It was December 21st before two backhoes could be brought in to clear a lane for vehicles to get through.

Amazingly though, the attraction was able to open "half-way" for visitors to drive to the Nature Museum by December 23rd.

"The heavy, wet snow was a big problem," said Maintenance Supervisor John Church. "We were rushing to shovel that big heavy snow before the ice came in. It was good we got it off when we did because we'd be trying to get it with an ice pick if we hadn't."

The ice storm arrived in the night on Christmas Eve. By first light on Christmas Day, trees were bent over and cracking under the weight of half inch of ice. Projectiles were falling from the skies as breaking limbs and shards of ice were crashing all around. One person compared the sound to someone stomping on bubble wrap. Another compared it to firecrackers on the Fourth of July. Still others said it sounded like guns at a firing range.

"My pets would not go out of the garage for fear of things falling from the sky," said Grandfather Marketing Director Catherine Morton. "I imagine the woods were a pretty scary place to be, because a screech owl came in and roosted up under the eve on my porch until it warmed up enough for the crashing to stop."

Security officer Kermit Eller said he tried and tried to get to the Mountain on Christmas Day for his security shift.

"The first time we drove up US 221 from Linville, there was a tree down across the road," recounted Eller. "By the time I got turned around to head back down, another tree had fallen behind us and blocked us in. Just luckily, (Highland Games Assistant GM) Levon Suddereth came by in a fire department truck and he was able to cut us out."

Megan MacLeod spent Christmas Day agonizing over the fact that she could not get in to feed the animals.

"They got lots of food on the 26th," MacLeod said. "Both the cougars and the otters got spoiled. The deer got two bales of alfalfa -- and then they just laid on it."

When staff members arrived on December 26 they found a power line down across the road just inside the entrance gate. Since no vehicles were able to get up the road past the downed power line, the only option was to get by with the vehicles that were already parked inside the gates.

By Monday, December 28 the propane tank at the Nature Museum had run dry, shutting down the emergency generator that powers the restaurant and animal habitats. Any delivery of propane was on hold until the electric company could come shut off the power to the fallen electric line, so 13 tubs of ice cream melted and several cases of chicken strips, bacon and hot dogs thawed before the generator was powered back up.

With no power, the restaurant staff could not cook for the troops. Fudge Shop Manager Anita Wilson and Group Tour Director Kim Rupard stepped into the void, catering meals out of their own homes for the grateful group. The two chefs watched with enormous smiles as the hungry laborers devoured their cuisine.

"I do enjoy cooking for these guys," said Wilson. "These are my friends and I want to take care of them."

Chief Naturalist Jesse Pope said thinking about how to prioritize what needed to be done was a challenge. "We didn't have power to operate the company gas pump, so we had to take gas cans home with us at night so we could bring back gasoline in the morning to run the generators. We didn't have power to charge our radios, so those of us who had electricity took radios home at night to charge them up for the next day."

The first priority at the wildlife habitats was to clear the fence lines of fallen limbs and trees. The cougars could be kept contained in their 30 foot X 15 foot "sick run," but the bears had free run of their enclosures.

"Yonnie was the only bear stirring around," said Habitat Manager Christy Tipton. "Luckily there were no trees across the fence in the habitat where she is, or she would have been out. She shrewdly evaluates every corner of the habitat looking for any little vulnerability."

Tipton reported that with the help of US Forest Ranger Eddie Cartaya and another four-man crew from K & C Tree Service, all trees were cleared away from the habitat fences by the afternoon of Tuesday, December 29.

The fence company came to fix the bear fence on the 30th. They will be back on January 4th to fix the cougar fence.

"It has really been amazing," said Dameron. "First of all it was a war just to be able to get in here. Once they were able to get in, it was just about as cold as anything I've ever experienced out there. At times we were up to our knees in snow, and no complaints. Everybody's just pitching in."

Grandfather Mountain is a scenic travel attraction and nature park located two miles norht of Linville on US 221. The attraction is open weather permitting, but conitions change daily. Phone ahead to 828-733-4337 for current conditions.

Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation

SCENIC ATTRACTION TRANSITIONS TO GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN STEWARDSHIP FOUNDATION

GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN, N.C. – At 11:59 pm on Halloween night, Grandfather Mountain, Inc. ceased operation of the western North Carolina travel attraction famous for Mildred the Bear and the Mile High Swinging Bridge. As of 12:00 am on Sunday, November 1st, the 57-year-old scenic attraction became an arm of the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation.

The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation is a non-profit corporation established to preserve Grandfather Mountain, operate the nature park in the public interest, and participate in educational and research activities.
"The transition should be seamless," said Penn Dameron, Executive Director of the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. "The public should not be aware of the change. The employees hopefully will not notice anything but a name change on the company letterhead."

The decision to convert from a for-profit business to a not-for-profit organization grew out of the desire to ensure that the 5,946-foot Western Carolina landmark be preserved in its current state for future generations. The move opens doors for the new corporation to partner with educational institutions and other non-profits on projects that will greatly enhance the company’s ability to preserve Grandfather Mountain and elucidate its visitors.
A life-long friend of Grandfather Mountain and prominent Western North Carolina civic leader, Dameron will direct the new non-profit. Crae Morton, who has served as President of Grandfather Mountain, Inc. since 2005, will return to an operations position and focus on special projects.

The mission of the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation is to care for and present Grandfather Mountain in a manner that inspires good stewardship by others. The organization desires to use partnerships and collaborations to become highly visible in the promotion of environmental responsibility and eco-efficiency.

"Over the years Grandfather Mountain has become synonymous with natural beauty and serenity," said Dameron. "We hope that it will also become increasingly known as a laboratory for environmental best practices."

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