Happy Wednesday, Buncombe County!
💡 Buncombe Fact: In 1942, two hundred acres were purchased from the North Carolina Agricultural Test Farm in Swannanoa to build a major hospital for the Armed Forces wounded during World War II.
In today’s edition:
On-Farm Bouquet Bar
Brews & Bears
Art Garden Grand Re-Opening
Dog Day Afternoon
A Mystical Marketplace & Soirée
World Bonsai Day
Frankie and Johnny
Women’s Book Club
Let’s get to it.
— Sean Kolina
⛵ Let Me Introduce You to our Club Fleet of Sailboats We Use For Training
Sponsored By: Asheville Sailing Club
(12) Optimists (OPTIS): 7’8” for children up to 15, the international optimist provides the perfect starter boat for beginners to competitive racers.
(4) Sunfish: 13’10’ The Sunfish combines easy rigging and manageability for a comfortable and hassle-free sailing experience. Single handed sail. This is the sailboat loved by all.
(2) Lasers: A 13’ one-design single-handed racing dinghy renowned for its simplicity, durability, and competitive class racing. Featuring a single sail and a lightweight hull.
(2) Open Bic: A 9’, one-design racing dinghy designed for kids (typically aged 8+) to offer a modern, fast, and fun alternative to traditional trainers.
(4) 420’s: (13’ 9”) two-person, double-handed dinghy commonly used in high school, collegiate, and international junior sailing.
(1) Flying Scot These 19’ boats have a very stable hull with a large sailing area, making them both comfortable and fast racing boats. This stability and large open cockpit also make them popular for “day sailing” with friends and family.
You will also see privately owned boats that compete: Assorted Dinghy’s like the: Thistle, Galilee, Coronado, Capris, Hobie Cat, and 22-25’ Cruisers.
What are you waiting for? Come join us on Lake Julian at the Sailing Marina! Classes, regattas, fun sails, socials, events.
*Still have room in our summer classes
Check us out at www.ashevillesailing.org
🌸 On-Farm Mother's Day Plant Sale & Bouquet Bar
Spring planting season is fully here, and this one is the perfect excuse to head over to Alexander. On-Farm Mother's Day Plant Sale & Bouquet Bar brings together fresh-cut flowers, garden starts, and colorful dahlia tubers for an afternoon of amazing visuals and scents.
Whether you still need your Mothers’ Day gift, you’re building a garden, refreshing a porch planter, or simply want an excuse to wander around beautiful flowers for awhile, this event makes it easy to enjoy the season. Guests can build custom bouquets, browse locally grown plant starts, and get advice from growers while stocking up for warmer months ahead.
It’s colorful and exactly the kind of simple weekend outing that Buncombe County tends to do well.
📍 Where: 228 Mag Sluder Rd, Alexander
📅 When: Saturday, May 9th | 12–4 PM
💲 Price: Free to attend
🍺 Brews & Bears
WNC Nature Center
A fun night at the Nature Center to add to your calendar. Brews & Bears is an after-hours event featuring local brews, live music, and the chance to see black bears up close during enrichment time. It is more adult-friendly than your typical zoo visit and makes for a memorable evening outdoors.
📍 Where: WNC Nature Center, 75 Gashes Creek Rd, Asheville
📅 When: Friday, May 8th | 5:30pm – 8pm
💲 Price: Ticketed
🌿 Art Garden Grand Re-Opening
ArtGarden
A creative space in downtown Asheville is getting a fresh start. The Art Garden Grand Re-Opening spans multiple days with a mix of visual art, hands-on workshops, live performances, and plant-filled installations. Expect a rotating lineup of artists and experiences that make it easy to drop in and stay awhile.
📍 Where: Art Garden, 98 N Lexington Ave, Asheville
📅 When: May 7–10th | 11am – 5pm
💲 Price: Free to attend
🐶 Dog Day Afternoon
If your dog had a social calendar, this would be on it. Dog Day Afternoon brings pet lovers together for an afternoon of contests, adoptable pups, local vendors, and a chance to win prizes (yes, there’s a $1,000 grand prize involved). It’s lively, community-driven, and amazing outdoor option.
📍 Where: Lake Julian Park, Arden
📅 When: Saturday, May 9th | 12pm –3pm
💲 Price: Free
🌙 The Ephemeral Garden: A Mystical Marketplace & Soirée
A more immersive take on a market experience. The Ephemeral Garden blends vendors, art, and atmosphere into a themed evening that leans a little mystical, a little curated, and a little different from your standard pop-up. Expect handmade goods, creative displays, and a setting designed to feel transportive.
📍 Where: Zelda Dearest, 150 S Lexington Ave, Asheville
📅 When: May 9th | 3pm - 10pm
💲 Price: Ticketed
🌳 World Bonsai Day
A peaceful way to spend part of your Saturday. World Bonsai Day at the Arboretum marks the seasonal return of the Bonsai Exhibition Garden, along with demonstrations and opportunities to learn from experts. It’s simple, beautiful, and a good reminder that slowing down can actually be the plan.
📍 Where: North Carolina Arboretum, 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville
📅 When: Saturday, May 9th | 11am – 6pm
💲 Price: Included with Arboretum parking ($20 per vehicle)
🎭 Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune
Black Mountain Center for the Arts
A more intimate theater pick for the week. Terrance McNally’s Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune follows two restaurant coworkers navigating vulnerability, connection, and the awkward beauty of trying to let someone in. The production leans heavily on strong performances and conversation rather than spectacle, making it a thoughtful night out for theater lovers.
📍 Where: Black Mountain Center for the Arts
📅 When: Select dates beginning May 8 | Evening performances
💲 Price: $20
📚 Weaverville Women’s Book Club
Weaverville Women's Book Club
The Weaverville Women’s Book Club offers a welcoming space to discuss books, connect with neighbors, and spend an evening around wonderful conversation. Whether you’ve finished the book cover to cover or just want an excuse to get out for a bit, it’s an easygoing way to plug into the community and meet some fabulous women.
📍 Where: Leveller Brewing Co., 25 N Main St, Weaverville
📅 When: Monday, May 11th | 6pm
💲 Price: Free
Other fun notes…
😋 Weekly Appalachian inspired recipe: Old-Fashioned Rice Pudding - so creamy with the perfect texture and sweetness. Only a handful of ingredients and a little patience are needed to make this old time favorite dessert.
🎵 Who we are listening to: Boa Sorte - Vanessa Da Mata & Ben Harper. “15 years and I still have an unsevered connection to this song. And I think I’m in love. Actually :)”
💛 Local Nonprofits. Asheville Poverty Initiative - They aim to dismantle stereotypes and reduce fear through telling stories across socio-economic differences.
🙏 Positive News Around the World: Seeds from ‘Miracle Tree’ Can Filter More Than 98% of Microplastics from Tap Water. Read Article
✨ Gratitude doesn’t erase challenges, but it can soften their edges.
As always, we read every reply and truly appreciate hearing from you. If there’s something you’d like to see more of locally, let us know. Thanks for being part of the Buncombe County Digest community.
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