Coalition launches EvolveEnergy Partnership

Clean energy is America’s future, and Western North Carolina is at the forefront. To support these efforts, economic development, government, business and education leaders are coming together to make the region a clean energy cluster.

Called the EvolveEnergy Partnership, the initiative was launched Monday, Oct. 17, in downtown Asheville. Landof- Sky Regional Council in partnership with AdvantageWest Economic Development Group is leading the 31-county effort. The coalition also includes four other regional councils of government in WNC: the High Country Council of Governments in Boone, Isothermal Planning and Development Commission in Rutherfordton, the Southwestern Commission in Sylva and Western Piedmont Council of Governments in Hickory. It also includes the counties of the former Northwest Piedmont Council of Governments in Winston- Salem.

Students from Mountain View Intermediate School in Franklin took part in an outing on Monday at Standing Indian campground.

Activities included hiking, orienteering and leadership skills.

Photo by Bob Scott

First WNC OutdoorAthlon festival goers get in on outdoor action

It was all outdoor fun last weekend, as the first annual WNC OutdoorAthlon made its debut at Cullasaja Park in Franklin.

Four months in the making, the Athlon showcased Franklin’s outdoor resources and culture by holding an event exhibiting a number of outdoor activities such as free fly-fishing, kayaking and rock climbing lessons, as well as introductory lessons on biking, hiking, disc golf, and pilates. The Oct. 8 and 9 event was held under clear skies and warm autumn weather.

The Nantahala Hiking Club, the Franklin based Appalachian Trail (AT) maintaining club, raised the roof at Rock Gap shelter Wednesday, Sept. 28.

Using two, six-ton jacks and cribbing, five members from the weekly maintenance crew raised the corner of the shelter-attached cooking/eating area 21 inches and replaced the four-inch diameter locust post with a 4in x 6in pressure treated post.

Over several years the locust post had rotted and sunk into the ground.

The rest of the crew worked on clearing the area for a new shelter.

The “Long Branch shelter” will replace the present Big Spring shelter and be located about half way between Albert Mountain and Rock Gap Shelter.