A conversation with Loretta Ball from the Never Ending Flower Farm.

Weaverville Business Association: Tell us a little bit about yourself and your business.
Loretta Ball: Myself and my husband, Kurt, are both Weaverville natives and we live on family land in Barnardsville. We have 2 sons, Quinn 15 and Ledger 12. Along with raising our boys we have chickens, donkeys and a few steers and of course a flower farm.

I’ve been growing flowers, well it seems like forever, but I guess the official start time of actually being a business was in 2009. Our flower farm has been our main focus for the past 5 years along with being a Wedding Floral Designer and starting in January 2023 we are expanding our floral services to becoming a Full Service Florist. Our floral studio is at our farm in Barnardsville and we do not plan on having a retail store front. Our you-pick flowers has been growing each year (both with flowers & customers). We also have a covered pavilion on the farm that is available to rent for private parties and small weddings/elopements. We are also excited to start our own Supper Club during our growing season and look forward to making new friends and eating delicious food from local Chefs.

WBA: What motivated you to open your business in Weaverville?
LB: Kurt and I inherited land in Barnardsville when we married in 2001. Growing up, I lived in the Flat Creek area and Kurt lived just down the road, off Barnardsville Hwy. So we didn’t move far and have loved living in the Big Ivy community.

WBA: Do you have any big plans or new programming coming up in 2022?
LB: Yes, expanding our floral services from Wedding & Event design to a full service Florist starting in January. This is something I wanted to do for a few years now but I just couldn’t get all my ducks in a row. Well, I still don’t have my ducks in a row, whoever does? But I was ready to move forward with this plan and make it happen! I can’t wait to serve our community in this way.

WBA: What’s your favorite thing about doing business in Weaverville?
LB: Weaverville is a Hallmark town – seriously, have you seen how friendly the town is? Of course you have, that’s why you are here! I’m just blessed to have grown up here and continue to see how the town is growing.  Our community is filled with amazingly creative and talented entrepreneurs, small business owners, artists, farmers, chefs and bakers. And I am thrilled to be apart of all this!

The Weaverville Center for Creative & Healthy Living announces new Programs and Updates for January 2023.

 

Living with Arthritis:  Jan 9, 16, 23, 30 / 10:00-11:00 AM / Register directly with Angel Trail, PT, at [email protected]

New Evening Intermediate Line Dance:  8 Week Course. Mondays, 7-9PM.  Register directly with Bonnie Russolillo at [email protected].

Ballroom Dancing:  3rd Sunday, 6:00-8:00 PM / Begins Jan 17 / Register directly with Renee Twilley at [email protected].                                 

Mountain Music Jam:  We will be taking a break in the month of January but will be back in February to resume this popular event.  We will post new details in our January Blog.

 

Possible New Programs in 2023

Hypnotherapy: This 2½-3  hour program would explore and experience Hypnotherapy in a small group setting. The workshop is designed to teach about the Triune mind: the conscious, subconscious, and superconscious minds that drive all human thought, belief, and behavior. The aim is to uncover why subconscious memories and thoughts can limit our outcomes and how to overcome them by re-education through hypnotherapy. Following a lecture, the group will be led into hypnosis by licensed/board certified clinical and medical support hypnotherapist, Maureen Drummond. Participants will be taught self-hypnosis as a tool for reversing negative thought patterns and behaviors. There will be a follow up Q&A and an opportunity to share the experience before the class concludes. If you are interested, please let us know by contacting us at [email protected]

Lampshades: During this unique workshop, the Lampshade is the canvas. By adding fun costume jewelry, vintage fabric/lace, colorful ribbons etc., the lampshade artist will experience joy and excitement. Design it in memory of a loved one, to honor a special event, or just make it up as you go along. During any season, your one-of-a-kind lampshade is guaranteed to add warmth, conversation, and a special glow to any room. Participants will bring their own lamp with shade, glue gun, and any items you would like to add. Appropriate for kids and adults who can safely work with a glue gun. If you are interested, please let us know by contacting us at [email protected].

 

Learn more and sign up for the WCCHL Newsletter here.

The Weaverville Business Association is seeking an Event Support Assistant. This part-time position provides support and assistance for existing and emerging events sponsored by the Weaverville Business Association (WBA), working closely with the WBA Administrator.  

 

Existing events include: 

  • Music on Main (MOM): June
  • Art in Autumn (AIA): September
  • Candlelight Stroll: (CS): December

Emerging events include:

  • A Springtime Event (SE?): April
  • Quarterly professional development events (PDM): January, April, July, October

 

This position is part-time, mostly remote, with flexible hours that will vary from month to month. Months in which an event takes place will require more hours, while the months after an event will be fairly quiet. We anticipate 5-15 hours per month in the months without events, and closer to 30 hours for months with events. This position will be supported and supervised by the WBA Administrator. 

Pay Rate: $19/hour.

Timeline: This position will be posted November 14th, 2022. Applicant outreach and interview scheduling will begin December 10th. We hope to have someone hired into the role by January 1, 2023.

To Apply: Please email your cover letter and resume to [email protected] with ‘Event Support Role’ in the Subject Line.

 

Overview of Responsibilities:
While the following list is extensive, it is not exhaustive. 

Marketing Support: Coordinating Advertising & Press (ALL EVENTS: Especially MOM, AIA, CS)

  • Print, radio, digital ads; contacting AD executives for best rates based on previous contracts, updating AD spreadsheets, sending copy, finalizing proofs 
  • Assembling & sending press releases/kits (photos, written description of events, schedule) to local periodicals, newspapers & digital platforms. 
  • Researching/sourcing new avenues of exposure for events
  • Social Media: helping to manage event accounts and posts: scheduling posts pre event, during event and post event; keep feeds active throughout the year.

Sponsorship Support (MOM, CS, potentially PDM and SE?)

  • Work with event committee chairs and WBA administrator to solicit sponsorship support from area businesses
  • Send letters, conduct follow up, create and edit sponsorship spreadsheets
  • Collect sponsor logos for website use
  • Create social media posts for sponsors (frequency based on sponsorship level) and upload sponsor info to website

Event Media Support:  Signage, Banners & Swag (ALL EVENTS: Especially MOM, AIA, CS)

  • New banner number decals to adjust dates: AIA and MOM
  • New banners for SE? and sponsor banners for MOM
  • Event Merch: pick up T shirts for AIA every year
  • Source new merch options: e.g. caps/hats/ladies shirts etc.
  • Get banners from storage, bring to Town Hall in advance of events for banner placement in town, and pick up after event weekend. Return to storage unit.
  • Change placeholder on homepage of Visit Weaverville website to reflect most current WBA event, adjust social media pages as well, in partnership with Administrator
  • Change SM logos as required depending on event/date: e.g.:  AIA logo changes every year

Coordination of Volunteers (Primarily MOM and AIA)

  • Use of Sign Up Genius to solicit volunteers – Start Early for MOM & AIA! 
  • Procure #2 Paid Helpers for AIA, and #2 for MOM
  • MOM: volunteers require ABC training for alcohol sales
  • Email Sign ups, print sign ups day of event
  • Manage volunteers day of event with signing in, getting t-shirts, assigning roles etc.

Permitting/Insurance/Logistics (MOM, AIA, CS)

  • Permits:
    • MOM & AIA require town permitting application, fees, and submission of maps, event description, request for town resources etc.
    • MOM & AIA require permitting and insurance certificates for use of primary school ball field, including listing Buncombe County Schools as Certificate holder
    • MOM requires ABC Special event one day permitting application, fees & criminal background check 
  • Insurance:
    • MOM & AIA require liability policies of 1 million minimum
  • Vendors:
    • MOM, AIA: Griffin Waste Portajohns
    • MOM: Coordinate Vendor Sponsor booths, communicate with sponsors re: logistics day of event; Kids Zone activities, Face painting contract etc.
  • Logistics:
    • CS: Cub Scouts(coordinate luminaries, purchase materials), Carolina Horse & Carriage contract, Easel Rider contract; coordinate Santa and Police escorts for coordinate police escorts horse and carriage
    • AIA: create, assign and email booth assignments; replace withdrawn artists, communicate with artists re: day of show logistics, tent requirements, arrival, break down etc.
    • AIA: Ensure Main Street businesses are aware of event and street closure
    • MOM requires that every beer-related volunteer receives ABC online training – oversee this process
    • Assist Admin with researching and securing locations and supplies for PDM
    • Participate in meetings and communication with the Town, especially Public Works and Police Department

Pre-Event Printed Materials Coordination (ALL Events: AIA, MOM, CS)

Create/edit and print materials specific to event, such as:

  • AIA: Large artist location map, band signage, raffle items and signage, alphabetical artist list, t shirt/poster sales signage
  • MOM: Signage for sales of:  wrist bands, beers, water etc. CLEAR directional maps for purchasing wrist bands and tokens; beer options signage
  • CS: Holiday character scavenger hunt key
  • Ensure posters are created or updated, printed, and distributed for all events

Week/Day of Event Around Town Responsibilities (ALL EVENTS: MOM, AIA, CS, PDM)

  • Make multiple trips to storage units to pick up event required materials including but not limited to: Tents, tables, tablecloths, coolers, signage, glass jars, office supplies, tape, zip ties, banners, cash boxes, paper goods etc. 
  • Pick up event related food/supplies, such as: 
    • AIA- water, soda, ice
    • MOM – water, soda
    • CS- coordinate with cub scouts for luminaries, distribute holiday characters and favors for kids, if using
    • PDM – coffee, pastries, general refreshments
  • Pick up any relevant printed materials: AIA, MOM, CS
  • Collect & return items to storage unit post event.

 

Come on out and join in the fun TODAY, October 26th, from 3pm to 6pm. At Honey and the Hive!

We will have a costume contest for SCARIEST COSTUME, GROOVIEST COSTUME, and CUTEST COSTUME. Prizes will be given!

Enter contest for a $1 donation! You can also stop by our vendor’s booth for trick or treating!

 

Stock up on the last of the apples and pumpkins and help us celebrate our end of season market!

 

The Weaverville Tailgate Holiday Market opens November 2nd!

We are typically located at the Weaverville Community Center at 60 Lakeshore Drive in Weaverville, but will be setting up at Honey and The Hive on October 26th due to early voting.

This is a small business support program awarding grants ranging from $500 to $2,500 to small businesses in our service area. This program is not limited to Members of the WBA.

Eligibility:

Micro-Grant Applicants must be: 

  • For-profit businesses with <50 employees, or similarly sized nonprofits that operate a storefront small business, like a resale store or café.
  • Headquartered in the zip codes: 28787, 28709, and 28701

Potential uses for the funding:

  • Enhanced service or commerce opportunities, such as modifying physical space, technology to improve online sales or expanding capacity for delivering goods and services.
  • Furniture for expanded outdoor capacity, such materials for construction of takeout windows, accessibility compliance for additional outdoor seating, additional fixtures required for compliance with public health issues.
  • Storefront beautification projects enhancing the appearance of the business and downtown region. For example, new exterior paint, awnings, signage or planters.
  • Tools or programs to support the business’s workforce needs. For example, working with a recruiter, paying to list job opportunities or tuition for a training program. Salaries and incentive pay are ineligible expenses, as noted below.

Application Timeline

  • 10/15/2022 – Application opens
  • 11/15/2022 – Application closes
  • 1/15/2023 – Grantees announced

 

THE GRANT APPLICATION IS AVAILABLE HERE

This program is made possible thanks to the Duke Energy Foundation’s Hometown Revitalization Fund and a partnership with the Asheville Buncombe Community Betterment Foundation. 

Please email [email protected] with questions.

Trick or Treat and Halloween Costume Contest
Join us October 26th, 2022 for a howling good time! Stop by the market from 3pm to 6pm and trick or treat at each of our vendors’ booths.
PLUS, for a $1 donation you can enter into our Costume Contest!
There will be 3 categories.
Scariest Costume
Grooviest Costume
Cutest Costume
Each winner will get a $10 market bucks prize to shop our Holiday Market! 

The Weaverville Business Association Micro-Grant Program is a small business support program providing grants ranging from $500 to $2,500 to small businesses in our service area. A selection committee composed of community members and leaders will review the grant applications and select the grant recipients. This program is not limited to Members of the WBA.

This program is made possible thanks to the Duke Energy Foundation’s Hometown Revitalization Fund and a partnership with the Asheville Buncombe Community Betterment Foundation. 

 

Eligibility:

Micro-Grant Applicants must be: 

  • For-profit businesses with <50 employees, or similarly sized nonprofits that operate a storefront small business, like a resale store or café.
  • Headquartered in the zip codes: 28787, 28709, and 28701

 

Potential uses for the funding:

  • Enhanced service or commerce opportunities, such as modifying physical space, technology to improve online sales or expanding capacity for delivering goods and services.
  • Furniture for expanded outdoor capacity, such materials for construction of takeout windows, accessibility compliance for additional outdoor seating, additional fixtures required for compliance with public health issues.
  • Storefront beautification projects enhancing the appearance of the business and downtown region. For example, new exterior paint, awnings, signage or planters.
  • Tools or programs to support the business’s workforce needs. For example, working with a recruiter, paying to list job opportunities or tuition for a training program. Salaries and incentive pay are ineligible expenses, as noted below.

Application Timeline

  • 10/15/2022 – Application opens
  • 11/15/2022 – Application closes
  • 1/15/2023 – Grantees announced

All interested businesses are invited to join the WBA on Tuesday, September 27th at 5:30pm in the Community Room at Weaverville Town Hall for an overview of the Grant Program with a Question and Answer period.

Please email [email protected] to RSVP.

The 15th annual Art in Autumn returns September 17th, 2022.

This cherished Outdoor Arts and Crafts Festival takes place on Main Street in downtown Weaverville, North Carolina from 10am – 6pm. Featuring over 100 juried artists and craftspeople from across the Southeast. View the 2021 participating Artists here. Live music will be performed by local artists. View the music schedule here, or scroll down!

Whitney Richardson will be our distinguished judge from the regional arts and crafts scene. Whitney is the Associate Curator at the Asheville Art Museum.

Want to be a part of the action!?

We are still seeking volunteers. From load-in to break down, the event logistics of Art in Autumn are seamlessly executed by an amazing group of volunteers from the business community as well as the greater Weaverville community. Our goal is to make the artist’s experience in our town as positive as possible. Each volunteer receives a free Art in Autumn t-shirt in appreciation for their efforts!

 

Bags by Avery Swihart, Fiber Artist

Bags by Avery Swihart

Su Griggs Allen, Mixed Media

Su Griggs Allen, Mixed Media

Ilene Kay, Jewelry

Ilene Kay, Jewelry

Brenna McBroom, Ceramics

Brenna McBroom, Ceramics

Nathan Favors, Woodworker

Nathan Favors, Woodworker

Elizabeth Albright, 2 Dimensional Art

Elizabeth Albright, 2 Dimensional Art

 

Entertainment Schedule

10:30am – Mitch Hampton

Two Guitars-No Waiting

12:00pm” Two Guitars – No Waiting

1:30pm – Maddy and Clarke

3:00pm – Steelin’ Time

Join us at the Tailgate Market each week for live music, local vendors selling locally grown and made food, and a great time in a perfect location right next to Lake Louise in Weaverville, North Carolina.

We are located in the parking lot of the Community Center. Open 3pm to 6pm, RAIN or SHINE!

 

 

The Weaverville Tailgate Market opens at 3pm on Wednesday! Located at the Weaverville Community Center on 60 Lakeshore Drive, Weaverville.

Meadowsweet Creamery and their delicious locally made ice cream sandwiches will be returning as well as Lyda and Sons Orchard will be joining us for the first time this season with their delicious locally grown cherries, plums, peaches and so much more!