Business Buzz: 9/7/22

September 7, 2022

Awards:

  • ​​Craig Goforth, professor of criminal justice, and Heather Pott, assistant director of housing, received the 2022 Snow Caring Awards from Mars Hill University. Michelle Gilley, professor of biology, received the 2022 Gibbs Outstanding Teacher Award. President Tony Floyd presented the awards during the university’s faculty workshop on Wednesday, August 17, 2022. The Snow Caring Award was established in 1999 by A.C. and Nancy Snow in memory of their daughter Melinda Jean Snow, a 1988 graduate of Mars Hill College. The award is given to one faculty member and one staff member whose lives and teaching styles reflect the personal concern for students illustrated by an oft-remembered quote from Melinda. As a junior, Melinda transferred from UNC Chapel Hill to Mars Hill, citing a desire for the smaller college atmosphere. The Gibbs Outstanding Teacher Award is intended to encourage and reward excellence in teaching at Mars Hill University. Nominees are considered based on outstanding performance as a classroom teacher, outstanding development of teaching methods and materials, influence on students, and influence on other teachers. Learn more.
  • Four Seasons, the Care You Trust has awarded the Julie Thompson Pay It Forward Scholarship in honor of Edna and Norman Guice to Jill Benson. Given annually, this scholarship is for an employee to further his or her education at Blue Ridge Community College (BRCC). Four Seasons Board Member, Julie Thompson, established this scholarship in honor of her parents who were patients at Four Seasons Elizabeth House. Julie was a long-time employee at Blue Ridge Community College and she is proud to align two of her favorite organizations through the awarding of this scholarship. Jill currently works as the Compliance Assistant who helps the Compliance Director ensure that all Four Seasons practices align with HIPPA regulations, as well as other state and federal regulations. Read more.

Community:

  • Stable, healthy housing is a blueprint for a vibrant community. Join the Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity and some of Asheville’s culinary best for a fun and delicious evening of creative cuisine and craft beverages in support of one of our region’s most pressing issues: housing. The event will take place on Thursday, October 13 at 5:30 p.m. at Rabbit Rabbit in downtown Asheville and is being produced by Shay Brown Events Management. Putting a unique spin on an evening event, local chefs will serve up delicious breakfast-inspired dishes – for dinner. The menu reflects different perspectives of what ‘home’ means to each of the featured chefs. Purchase tickets at Eventbrite or learn about sponsorship opportunities at ashevillehabitat.org.
  • Mountain Housing Opportunities (MHO) has announced two new safe pedestrian crossings at East Haven Apartments. The pedestrian crossways are an investment in safety for community members in Swannanoa, NC. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Wednesday, August 17. These new crossings connect East Haven residents and community members to transit stops, Ingles, the Post Office, Ace Hardware, and other retail and dining establishments. As a result of the crossings and sidewalks, Ingles continued their sidewalk alongside their driveway to create a continuous protected pedestrian route from East Haven Apartments to Ingles’ front door. Learn more.

Happenings:

  • Noble Cider will celebrate its 10th anniversary on Saturday, September 17, 2022 from 2 pm – 9 pm at the Noble Cider & Mead Taproom and Production Facility, located at 356 New Leicester Hwy in Asheville. Festivities will include the release of a new flagship cider, live music, door prizes, cider specials, Bright Branch Farm’s apple and produce stand, a Firkin tapping, food and cake. Noble Cider was founded in Asheville in September 2012. It was the first cidery in the greater Asheville area and the 2nd in the state. Noble cider was founded with the mission of making high quality cider using local apples and ingredients. Noble cider started production in a 700 ft. warehouse, where it pressed all of its juice by hand on a small home-built press. In 2015 Noble cider moved to its current production facility, a 9000 ft. building in West Asheville that includes a tap room. Learn more here.
  • The Great Smoky Mountains Association is thrilled to announce the return of sorghum harvest season in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. During this time, visitors to Cades Cove can enjoy demonstrations of traditional Appalachian sorghum syrup-making. The demonstrations, held just outside Cades Cove Visitor Center, will take place across 20 different dates in late summer and fall, between Friday, Sept. 2 and Sunday, Nov. 27. A cultural experience for thousands of park visitors throughout the years, sorghum syrup-making demonstrations will once again include free tastings of the sweet, grassy syrup for the first time since 2019. Tastings were not offered for the last two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more.
  • Dogwood Health Trust has announced its 2022 Annual Meeting will be held Thursday, Oct. 6, from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. at Thomas Auditorium at Blue Ridge Community College and online. As part of Dogwood Health Trust’s commitment to accountability within the communities it serves, the organization will hold at least one annual open meeting with the public each year. All community members are invited to attend but must register here in advance. Due to limited seating, Dogwood has created a virtual attendance option. Individuals interested in attending virtually may register here. A meeting recording will also be posted on Dogwood’s website after the event. David Dodson, Senior Fellow and Former President of MDC and an expert in philanthropy, will provide the keynote address followed by a moderated discussion with Dogwood’s Impact Leadership Team. Dogwood will also share an update on regional investments over the past year, provide a look at where the organization is headed, and answer questions from both in-person and online attendees. Learn more.

Hire: 

  • AdventHealth has welcomed Jaime A. Roy, MPAS, PA-C to the team at AdventHealth Medical Group Family Medicine at Forge Mountain. Roy is a certified Physician Assistant and has provided exceptional patient care since 2013. AdventHealth Medical Group Family Medicine at Forge Mountain is located at 127 Vance Hill Drive in Mills River. To learn more, click here.

Opening:

  • Asheville Outlets has announced the November opening of Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store. Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store will showcase a variety of sophisticated, designer offerings for men and women. The 6,073 square-foot store will be located across from RH Outlet in Suite 348, and will feature the brand’s authentic signature styles for men and women. The store will also carry premium lifestyle products including accessories and home décor. Learn more.
  • Those traveling through Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) today will be the first to access the airport’s newest passenger amenity: a mother’s lactation suite. AVL is now giving nursing parents a quiet place to pump or breastfeed when they travel with the addition of a Mamava lactation pod. Equipped with comfortable seating, an electrical outlet and hand sanitizing units, a Mamava Lactation Suite is a private, lockable suite designed for nursing parents on the go, and is a complimentary amenity for the traveling public and employees at the airport. AVL’s Mamava Lactation Suite, which is ADA accessible, is conveniently located post-security to serve travelers best. The Mamava Lactation Suite will be available during all operating hours, except when used or serviced. Learn more.