Latest news with #BlueRidgeMountains
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Iconic North Carolina tourist attraction damaged by Helene will be demolished
Helene Flowering Bridge Nearly a year after Hurricane Helene's devastating pathway through western North Carolina, a vibrant tourist attraction offering visitors a serene escape in the Blue Ridge Mountains is being torn down. Like many other beloved sites in the region, the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge in Rutherford County crumpled from the relentless floods and winds from remnants of Helene last September. Now, the town of Lake Lure said Thursday that it will start its demolition of the historic structure later this month. While the three-arched bridge dates back to 1925, it didn't become the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge until almost a century later. Once the bridge was decommissioned, a group of local volunteers, Friends of the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge, worked to enhance it by adding its iconic gardens in 2013, according to the group's website. The bridge attracted more than 150,000 visitors annually, said Linda Reandeau, a master gardener and the group's marketing chair. But then Helene brought destruction to western North Carolina last year, with the Lake Lure area — which served as a backdrop for a few scenes in 'Dirty Dancing' — sustaining some of the worst damage. The town of Lake Lure and Chimney Rock Village, as well as the lake itself, were covered in a layer of disfigured debris. The area still hasn't recovered, but tourist attractions such as Chimney Rock State Park have reopened. In the Flowering Bridge's case, one end of the structure completely collapsed. Several other points also buckled from the damage, and its lush greenery was swept away in the storm. Over the past 11 months, the bridge has only continued to deteriorate, Reandeau said. 'It would have been 100 years old this year,' she said. 'To see it destroyed as it was in the storm was very emotional and heartbreaking for me, along with all the other volunteers and so many people who have visited.' The decision to demolish the bridge came after two engineering firms concluded that it couldn't be restored, according to the town's website. Demolition is expected to start on Aug. 18. While the bridge will no longer remain, Reandeau said the landmark's volunteer group is in the planning process for how to move forward. The nonprofit is waiting for occupancy certification to reopen its relatively unscathed education center, where it can hold gardening and art classes — and hopefully install new gardens nearby, Reandeau said. 'We haven't gone away, we're still here, and we really look forward to the day we can welcome back visitors to the gardens,' she said. 'We fully intend to make another magical space. It's just not going to happen immediately.' Solve the daily Crossword
Washington Post
5 days ago
- Washington Post
Iconic North Carolina tourist attraction damaged by Helene will be demolished
Nearly a year after Hurricane Helene's devastating pathway through western North Carolina, a vibrant tourist attraction offering visitors a serene escape in the Blue Ridge Mountains is being torn down. Like many other beloved sites in the region, the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge in Rutherford County crumpled from the relentless floods and winds from remnants of Helene last September. Now, the town of Lake Lure said Thursday that it will start its demolition of the historic structure later this month.
Associated Press
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Iconic North Carolina tourist attraction damaged by Helene will be demolished
Nearly a year after Hurricane Helene's devastating pathway through western North Carolina, a vibrant tourist attraction offering visitors a serene escape in the Blue Ridge Mountains is being torn down. Like many other beloved sites in the region, the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge in Rutherford County crumpled from the relentless floods and winds from remnants of Helene last September. Now, the town of Lake Lure said Thursday that it will start its demolition of the historic structure later this month. While the three-arched bridge dates back to 1925, it didn't become the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge until almost a century later. Once the bridge was decommissioned, a group of local volunteers, Friends of the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge, worked to enhance it by adding its iconic gardens in 2013, according to the group's website. The bridge attracted more than 150,000 visitors annually, said Linda Reandeau, a master gardener and the group's marketing chair. But then Helene brought destruction to western North Carolina last year, with the Lake Lure area — which served as a backdrop for a few scenes in 'Dirty Dancing' — sustaining some of the worst damage. The town of Lake Lure and Chimney Rock Village, as well as the lake itself, were covered in a layer of disfigured debris. The area still hasn't recovered, but tourist attractions such as Chimney Rock State Park have reopened. In the Flowering Bridge's case, one end of the structure completely collapsed. Several other points also buckled from the damage, and its lush greenery was swept away in the storm. Over the past 11 months, the bridge has only continued to deteriorate, Reandeau said. 'It would have been 100 years old this year,' she said. 'To see it destroyed as it was in the storm was very emotional and heartbreaking for me, along with all the other volunteers and so many people who have visited.' The decision to demolish the bridge came after two engineering firms concluded that it couldn't be restored, according to the town's website. Demolition is expected to start on Aug. 18. While the bridge will no longer remain, Reandeau said the landmark's volunteer group is in the planning process for how to move forward. The nonprofit is waiting for occupancy certification to reopen its relatively unscathed education center, where it can hold gardening and art classes — and hopefully install new gardens nearby, Reandeau said. 'We haven't gone away, we're still here, and we really look forward to the day we can welcome back visitors to the gardens,' she said. 'We fully intend to make another magical space. It's just not going to happen immediately.'
Washington Post
6 days ago
- General
- Washington Post
Lanternflies are swarming Virginia, threatening its $8B wine industry
Look. There's one. Rose-gray backside with black dots, swaggering its way up a wooden post on a cloud-splotched morning in the foothills of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains. It's a spotted lanternfly. Scott Spelbring, director of winemaking and viticulture at Bluemont Winery, flicks the fly off the post, then immediately spots another one wiggling toward a cluster of green grapes, each growing fruit as tiny as an eraser on a No. 2 pencil.
Forbes
04-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Maren Morris Headlines Fall Return Of Auberge Resorts Concert Series
Auberge Resorts Collection is setting the stage this fall with the return of its concert series, Auberge Resorts Collection Concert Series presented by Bilt. On September 19, Grammy Award winner singer-songwriter Maren Morris will stage an intimate, exclusive concert at Primland, Auberge Resorts Collection. Past headliners in the sold-out series included artists Kate Hudson, LeAnn Rimes and more. 'We are honored to welcome Maren Morris to Primland to kick off the 2025 Auberge Resorts Collection Concert Series,' said Christian Clerc, president and chief executive officer, Auberge Resorts Collection. 'We take pride in curating unforgettable experiences for our guests, and this performance is a prime example – bringing world-class talent to our most breathtaking settings.' Maren Morris at her show at Commodore Perry Estate, Auberge Resorts Collection last summer Auberge Resorts Collection Primland, Auberge Resorts Collection is a 12,000-acre private mountain estate set against the Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains. Known for its natural beauty and deep sense of seclusion, the property offers luxurious accommodations, including treehouses perched above the Dan River Gorge, world-class golf, stargazing and immersive outdoor experiences ranging from horseback riding and fly fishing to hiking and sporting clays. At Primland, Auberge Resorts Collection, Morris will take the stage to perform songs from her newly released album as well as fan favorites. Primland, Auberge Resorts Collection Auberge Resorts Collection Throughout each concert series weekend, Auberge guests will have the opportunity to participate in singular programming that reflects back to the destination and the artist. In honor of Morris's performance, Primland, Auberge Resorts Collection will extend a specially curated overnight weekend package that includes concert tickets with preferred seating as well as accommodations and thoughtful programming. Guests can enjoy a Moonshine cocktail journey, explore new heights on the resort's Aerial Adventures challenge course and traverse rugged terrain in a guided RTV journey. The Auberge Resorts Collection Concert Series Presented by Bilt will continue throughout 2025 and 2026 featuring some of the most sought-after performers in music today, with additional concert experiences to be announced later this fall.
