has recently acquired 501(c)(3) nonprofit status and has reorganized its board as a result according to Board President Kiersten Hall Hall said because of the market's new nonprofit status no one who profits from the market can be on the board The market board is now made up of community members but Hall said there is still an advisory board of vendors “We definitely do not want to have a board without the first-hand vendor input,” Hall said The board is there to support the vendors in any way that we can.” Hall said the Black Mountain Tailgate Market will be about the same size as last year in terms of vendors ranging from 50 to 60 vendors at each market including nonprofits and community programs She said there are 19 member vendors who have signed up for the whole season More: Swannanoa post office will not reopen at current location, residents organize campaign Hall said the tailgate market is hoping to have “youth entrepreneurs” at the first and last market of each month allowing for younger vendors to sell at the market for the day She said there is a new Friends of the Market level of support an individual or business can become a friend and receive market merchandise and their name on the website Hall said she encourages people to come out and shop at the market “These vendors are your neighbors,” Hall said the create everything with their own hands The music is phenomenal and we have plenty of eggs.” In order to support some of the market’s farmers in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene Black Mountain Tailgate Market Manager Jacqueline Smith and customer Stephanie Byars created a GoFundMe to raise funds for some of the vendors Smith said it quickly became apparent after the storm that she would need to find a way to help those who were most impacted She said the damage ranged from people losing their homes or farms to vendors who lost business because they were not able to go to markets “I think it’s really important for organizations like ours to do everything in our power to be supportive of the folks that feed us,” Smith said More: Cousins Cuban Cafe expands dining room in Black Mountain working to provide food equity in the Swannanoa Valley She said they will now focus on food access programs at the market particularly in the face of cuts at the federal level “It’s just looking like it could be very bleak,” Smith said “I think that it is the task of the market to be a light right now and to the world and certainly to our little corner of it.” The Black Mountain Tailgate Market is held from 9 a.m.-noon every Saturday from May 3 to Nov 22 behind the First Baptist Church at 130 Montreat Road More: Blunt Pretzels establishes nonprofit in Swannanoa, will hold fundraiser May 3 Karrigan Monk is the Swannanoa Valley communities reporter for Black Mountain News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at kmonk@blackmountainnews.com but dang does it look like fun.Photo: Black Mountain Black Mountain's Alpine Cabin will be quite the scene for closing day 2025 Black Mountain plans to run the Summit Double chair from 10 a.m Which Trails Will Be Open?Black Mountain will have one way down on closing day 2025 The route is a combination of Blue Square and Black Diamond trails No beginner terrain will be available on closing day Black Mountain has live music planned throughout the entire day Here's an excerpt from Black's Facebook post about the day's schedule:"The live music will be non-stop all day Candie Tremblay gets us started from 9:30 AM to noon followed by Jonathan Sarty on the back deck from 12–3 PM Finn Van Rossum keeps the momentum going in the base lodge from 3–6 PM the seven-piece Better Angels Band will light up the main stage on the snow at the base and play hard until 10 PM." What Else Is Going on for Black Mountain's Closing Day Party?Full breakfast buffet with champagne from 9 a.m to 11 a.m.Fondue and champagne at The Alpine Cabin all day long.Jump Jam at 4 p.m Four winners will receive an Indy Pass for next season.Free Black Mountain merch giveaway for first 1,000 skiers that visit The Alpine Cabin.Massive fireworks display after Better Angels Band's set ends around 10 p.m.Should I Go To Black Mountain's Closing Day Party?Yes How often does a small ski area in New Hampshire throw a blow-out party with $9 lift tickets in the beginning of May Go celebrate Black Mountain's 90th season Is there anything better to do on a Saturday in May?As Mogensen says at the end of his social media post did." Kudos and respect from all of us here at POWDER The Red Sox season was already a dozen games deep when a small ski area in New Hampshire fired up its snowmaking guns to add to the snow base on its main slope It’s unusual for a ski area to make snow this time of year and Waterville Valley held their final ski days last weekend Loon Mountain Resort in Lincoln is the only other ski area still open But Black Mountain is determined to be open Fridays through Sundays until Saturday The late-season snowmaking is part of what new general manager Erik Mogensen calls a “show me “It was one of the first to close last year and this year we want to make it one of the last to close,” Mogensen said of the late-season snowmaking “And next year we want to make it one of the first to open And that’s central to Mogensen’s thinking for making Black Mountain a thriving ski destination. He’s director of Indy Pass which purchased the mountain in Jackson in 2024 Their plan is to transfer ownership to a community co-op – a member-owned model – while keeping what makes Black Mountain different from larger areas is to maintain “an authentic New England skiing experience.” (Black was established in 1935) Mogensen said in an interview at the base lodge What they’re seeking to do – besides sell season passes at Black – is modernize the point-of-sales systems and update mountain operations The cornerstone of this is software from Entabeni Systems about 80% of Black Mountain’s pass holders have already renewed for next season and over 40% of pass sales are new customers Leveraging technology to improve the customer experience is perhaps the first thing a skier would notice if they hadn’t visited Black Mountain in a couple of years The other might be the remake of the alpine cabin at mid-mountain where fondue and champagne are stars of the limited menu It was deliberate topspin by Mogensen and team to create something different – something with a European feel “I was told I would never sell a bottle of champagne at Black Mountain,” says Mogensen scores of empty bottles of Veuve Clicquot are lined up on shelves outside the alpine cabin they’re invited to sign their bottle with a Sharpie It’s tough to miss for skiers and snowboarders because the summit chairlift passes closely above the cabin Mogensen says the mid-mountain cabin did $26,000 in business he said they conducted $38,000 in business there in a single day said some skiers have shared that they visited with the sole purpose of hanging out at the cabin for some sun Others “skin” up the slope with the cabin their primary destination Spring skiing can have that kind of effect Mogensen is planning a 90th birthday party for the mountain on May 3 Will the snow on their slopes hold out that long One thing’s certain – you can bet there’ll be fondue and champagne We rely on readers like you to support the local and international coverage on this website Your support makes this news available to everyone A monthly donation of $5 makes a real difference A Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) spokesperson confirmed that two appliances are in attendance The blaze was first reported at 4.24pm on Monday More: Fire service spends more than £5m tackling rural wildfires The latest incident comes as it was revealed more than £5m had been spent tackling rural wildfires over the past ten years Firefighters have had to attend dozens of wildfire incidents over the past two months with areas of the Mourne Mountains worst affected Monday’s fire is the first incident in west Belfast since the last spell of warm weather in April At the time, officers had to withdraw to avoid injury. Facebook pageTwitter feedRSS feed@2025 The Irish News Ltd by Ariana St Pierre New Hampshire (WGME) -- Police say a man was killed in a skiing accident at Black Mountain Ski Area in Jackson Jackson police say they responded to a skiing accident at Black Mountain around 5:50 p.m It was reported that a skier had gone off the Upper Maple Slalom trail near the summit and was seriously injured Police say ski patrol found the unresponsive man with significant injuries Life saving measures were undertaken as the patient was evacuated to the base area The skier was identified as 39-year-old Eric Page of Bartlett Police say the incident remains under investigation A skier wearing shorts heads down a trail as a rider takes a chair lift to the summit at Black Mountain The small south-facing mountain will stay open later than any other ski area this year Black Mountain in Jackson will be the last ski resort in New Hampshire to close for the season and will do so with a large celebration on Saturday Black Mountain in Jackson will be the last ski resort in New Hampshire to close for the season and will do so with a large celebration on Saturday Black Mountain in Jackson will be the last ski resort in New Hampshire to close for the season and will do so with a large celebration on Saturday April skiing is a luxury most mountains can’t afford and May skiing is a rare thing usually reserved for those willing to hike up with their gear but Black Mountain is still spinning lifts and will have its latest closing day in 90 years Black Mountain will celebrate its 90th birthday party and closing day for the season with discounted lift tickets for $9 running from 10 a.m Black Mountain has never stayed open this late before and it’s doing so this year thanks to new ownership director of Indy Pass and Entabeni Systems bought the mountain last year to save it from financial hardship Mogensen uses data-driven models to keep the sport accessible and profitable while competing with larger resorts in the Northeast, according to the Associated Press Black Mountain has digitized many of its systems to offer better and more personalized customer experiences throughout the season and make the business more sustainable and the new ownership’s changes have helped the mountain stay open well into the spring “We’ve been laying the groundwork for our longest season since day one,” Morgensen said restored consistent summit access via the double chair Black Mountain is the last ski area in New Hampshire that’s open and it will be one of the last on the East Coast to close Sugarbush and Jay Peak in Vermont plan to close Sunday and Killington is still selling tickets through May 18 Black Mountain’s season will go out with a bang and a jump jam and aprés party at the Alpine Cabin with a live DJ Keeping the lifts running this late in the season is “not an easy task for a southern-facing mountain with low elevation,” Morgensen said Alexander Rapp can be reached at arapp@cmonitor.com you agree with our use of cookies to personalize your experience measure ads and monitor how our site works to improve it for our users That’s what loved ones said about a New Hampshire man who died after veering off a trail at a ski area on April 20 The man, 39-year-old Eric Page, died while skiing at the Black Mountain Ski Area in Jackson, about 100 miles north of Concord, the Jackson Police Department said but someone who was passing by saw that he had gone off the trail and was hurt Ski area staff found Page unresponsive near the Upper Maple Slalom trail He was reportedly on the edge of the snow line Staff tried to save him and took him to the base area where first responders also made efforts to save his life Page was eventually pronounced dead that day The New Hampshire Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said April 23 that Page's cause of death had been determined we went every single weekend and as adults we constantly skied together with my two daughters,” Freedman told USA TODAY in a text message “My girls loved watching Uncle Eric do tricks and he made skiing so fun for them and everyone else he was with.” Her older brother had a “big personality” and it was easy for him to make friends Her brother was well-respected for his talents in the Mount Washington Valley area “He truly was a legendary skier in the Mount Washington Valley,” she said “He truly dropped jaws everywhere he went with his skiing abilities.” said he was the “classic older brother,” often pranking her He was a quick-witted and hilarious person “The amount of people who have reached out to our family telling us all the wild memories of Eric has been so heartfelt but also devastating to think he's not here,” Sarah wrote community members took to social media to remember the athlete One social media user described Page as “infamous,” skilled “You were one of a kind, and my best friend,” user Jordan Hager wrote I love you my friend I hope there is fresh powder In Heaven I will continue to watch the door in the dark and listen for your knock ‘He died doing what he loved’Others who knew Page took his death as a reminder to cherish each second he was doing something that meant a lot to him “The only comfort (if you'd call it that) we all have is knowing he died doing what he loved: skiing,” she told USA TODAY onlookers marveled at Page’s skills as he skied down Arapahoe Basin in Colorado “That was just one example of how people would talk about him everywhere when they saw him on the slopes,” said his sister “Even recently we were out skiing and I heard someone being like ‘Is that Eric Page Do you think he's still got it?’ Then they see him send it in the park.” This story has been updated to add information Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team BLACK MOUNTAIN – As budget talks continue in Black Mountain the town would be using more than $362,000 from the fund balance to balance the budget Harrold presented what cuts he is already recommending while Town Council gave their input department heads have presented council with their requested budgets Town staff had requested a public information officer a firefighter and a training officer for the fire department public information officer and the training officer positions had been cut from the budget Mayor Michael Sobol said he was "amazed" the town is continuing to add more personnel despite not growing in size Council member Alice Berry responded by saying the town is "still playing catch-up."  More: Black Mountain budget talks: Asheville water rates increasing 33%. Are wells a possibility? Council member Pam King said the town staff not only serves Black Mountain residents She also pointed to the Black Mountain Fire Department serving Eastern Buncombe County and not just in town limits King said the town staff do good work and she wants to support them She said if staff tell the council they need another position to get work done "To balance the budget on the backs of our staff Harrold said the current budget includes a 3% cost of living increase for town employees The town's annual July Fourth fireworks are also being recommended to be cut Council member Doug Hay said he would be against cutting the fireworks but understands the town is trying to cut where it can "I think it's such a huge boon for the downtown businesses and community for that weekend," Hay said "I think it would be a loss to the community which right now needs more support than ever." Berry said she would be in favor of having a different type of gathering in celebration of the holiday "I'm really sick of seeing all the dogs that go missing and the wildlife that is bothered by – not to mention people – by fireworks," Berry said I think there are other things we can do to support downtown businesses that weekend."  More: Black Mountain continues budget talks, fire chief asks for disaster preparedness funds Funding for a public safety building needs study is still included in this version of the budget which Harrold said would cost approximately $28,000 Harrold said this would address how the building should be used but would not address the structure itself and its damages Fire Chief John Coffey had requested $20,000 for emergency preparedness Harrold said half of this request had been cut Harrold said the average water bill for residents is now proposed to increase by an average of $3.20 but the bond fee will not be on the water bill The garbage fee for residents is also proposed to increase by $5 for a total of $10 that's going to basically put us another $230,000 in the hole," Harrold said More: Black Mountain begins talks for 'tough' budget after Helene: 'Need to save as much as we can' Karrigan Monk is the Swannanoa Valley communities reporter for Black Mountain News Damages from Tropical Storm Helene have caused another roadblock for the Interstate 40 and Blue Ridge Road interchange project in Black Mountain North Carolina Department of Transportation Division 13 Project Team Lead Brendan Merithew said the Blue Ridge Road bridge that crosses over the Swannanoa River was “destroyed” during Helene and topography around the bridge was changed from the storm damage “Our focus is getting the bridge permanently replaced ahead of the rest of the interchange project,” Merithew said “Updated surveys of the affected area are needed to inform adjustment to the design Updated surveys are underway and nearly complete.” North Carolina Department of Transportation spokesperson David Uchiyama told Black Mountain News that right-of-way acquisition was supposed to start in the fall Merithew said right-of-way acquisition had not yet started but the department is “evaluating the schedule now” and will have a more definitive timeline once surveys are updated and “the scope of any necessary design adjustments are known.” More: Blue Ridge Road, I-40 interchange construction delayed to 2026 construction on the project was slated to begin in 2026 Merithew said this schedule is also being evaluated and needs to wait on the same surveys and potential design adjustments Merithew said the department anticipates the project taking anywhere from three to five years the total cost of the project is estimated at approximately $49 million The North Carolina Department of Transportation released its draft State Transportation Improvement Plan in January. According to Citizen Times reporting this draft proposes cuts to more than $782 million in projects in Buncombe The I-40 and Blue Ridge Road interchange project is not one of these defunded projects and remains listed as funded in the State Transportation Improvement Plan More: MRA lodge update: 3 buildings demolished in Montreat; opponent calls it 'gut-wrenching' The project has spent more than 20 years in development and will convert the current I-40 and Blue Ridge Road grade separation to an interchange while widening Blue Ridge Road and constructing a new roundabout at the intersection of N.C according to the town of Black Mountain website Original planning for the interchange began in 2000 with a design evaluation Project plans were added to the State Transportation Improvement Plan for 2004-10 initially According to Black Mountain News reporting in 2020 the initial construction date was June 2023 with right-of-way acquisition being scheduled for June 2021 Delays for this timeline were caused be a 12.5% increase in spending in 2019 affecting and delaying not only the I-40 and Blue Ridge Road interchange project but other projects across the state as well According to the town of Black Mountain website this interchange “will reduce congestion and the number of large trucks traveling through downtown.” the town of Black Mountain adopted the Blue Ridge Road Small Area plan which calls for the inclusion of bicycle and pedestrian improvements including a sidewalk and multi-use shared path More: Black Mountain Town Council hears Helene updates, halts Cragmont Park project Karrigan Monk is the Swannanoa Valley communities reporter for Black Mountain News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at kmonk@blackmountainnews.com The free variety show will feature local artists and performers on May 2 at Clark County Library The 75-minute show will feature local Las Vegas performers and artists including students from UNLV and Las Vegas High School “We’re so lucky to work with a number of local creative voices and perspectives as we explore this theme,” said Charlotte Wyatt “I’m excited to see what insights and conversations the salon will inspire in BMI’s community Black Mountain Institute at UNLV champions writers and storytellers through programs, fellowships and community engagement. From the brightest spot on the planet, BMI amplifies writing and artistic expression to connect us to each other in the Las Vegas Valley, the Southwest, and beyond. For more information about BMI, please visit the website The award-winning Las Vegas-Clark County Library District is an independent taxing entity that serves a diverse community across 8,000 square miles the Library District offers a collection of 3.6 million items music (including streaming and downloadable) Mariachi Revolucion will perform all the hits welcoming the students of Mariachi Joya from Las Vegas High School to open the performance This season finale is a celebration of mentorship and the importance of building bridges between university and youth music programs Join students from the Nevada Conservatory Theatre for a delightful evening featuring musical highlights from Broadway and beyond Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) Picture: Aodhan Roberts/Belfast Telegraph Firefighters have extinguished a gorse fire in west Belfast Emergency services received reports of the blaze at around 4.30pm which had developed on the Black Mountain and Divis Mountain close to the Upper Springfield Road A spokesperson for the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said three fire appliances and an officer attended the incident Firefighters discovered a “large amount of grass” alight upon arrival The fire was brought to a control and emergency crews left the scene at approximately 5.30pm Receive today's headlines directly to your inbox every morning and evening Please check your inbox to verify your details 2015.Photo: Jessica Rinaldi/The Boston Globe Erik Mogensen put out the letter five days later “Death in skiing is not something we like to talk about,” Mogensen wrote “We all know that people die every day but when it happens while skiing it feels especially unfair and move on to new messaging as soon as possible How in the world do we turn back to messaging about parties and Champagne?” and difficulty staffing the ski area had left them with no other choice and Mogensen and the folks at the Indy Pass stepped in to help save it Some innovative business decisions combined with the introduction of a new co-op model and a fantastic snow year on the east coast made this season a huge success Plans to celebrate Black Mountain’s 90th birthday on May 3 and celebrate the comeback that the ski area has gone through over the last year or so “We will have a new perspective as to how important the culture of skiing is to so many people Especially Eric and his family,” Mogensen wrote Never forget how lucky we all are to be here.” got his start snowboarding in New Hampshire and owes all of his progression to Montana's Bridger Bowl BLACK MOUNTAIN – Tom Haney can bring “magic” to a still figure is also an artist specializing in automata figurative sculpture” that moves with the help of cranks and levers or motors and weights “It’s kind of like adding a little bit of magic to a static figure,” Haney said The Cincinnati native went to school for industrial design and spent the early part of his career designing and building props for television commercials and photographers Haney made the move to art full-time starting as an independent artist before moving into galleries He is now an independent artist again living in Black Mountain Haney said he makes a living selling his pieces and doing commissions He said he got his start in automata by making whirligigs He was at a show with his whirligigs when he saw another artist making pieces similar to what Haney makes now More: Swannanoa residents 'miserable' as post-Helene Ingles closure spurs food insecurity His first automata piece depicts a man on a stage able to move by someone tapping keys on the front of the diorama Haney said he didn’t know where the piece was going as he was making it but he is happy with the way it turned out “It really set me on this path that I’ve been on.” Haney said he is “influenced heavily” by Southern folk art While he draws inspiration from these artists he said he has now created a style of his own “Over the years I’ve kind of developed into a little bit sort of my own style where I’m now using polymer clay for the heads,” Haney said I’m using fabric for the clothes and using various found objects for the sort of settings.” Haney said he starts with the figure and builds around that “The figure dictates what the mechanism is going to be,” Haney said “I can’t just create a mechanism and then try to hope that it works with the figure … I basically go from there and work backwards and reverse engineer.” Haney said what he likes about the work is that it involves so many different processes one has to not only carve and sculpt the figure while also painting it and making clothes for it but also has to work with the mechanisms to get the figure to move “I like working with mechanisms,” Haney said “That’s always a challenge and always kind of a puzzle to solve Haney’s work has landed him a feature on the PBS-NC show “My Home and his feature is available to view online now More: Black Mountain College Museum's 13th ReHappening returns, extending legacy of visionaries Haney said his Black Mountain studio is open to visits; he just asks that those interested arrange a time with him first by contacting him on his website tomhaney.com He said he has not made a piece he doesn’t like because he works to make sure the piece is something that he enjoys something that I want to see and I want to bring to life,” Haney said I still make stuff that I like and I want to see and hopefully I think people have been attracted to my pieces.” More: 50 years of bluegrass history detailed in new book by former Warren Wilson educator BLACK MOUNTAIN - The city of Asheville is increasing the price of water for wholesale customers for the second year in a row Black Mountain Public Works Director Jamey Matthews told Town Council that Asheville had once again raised rates 33% Town Manager Josh Harrold said this is an instance where the town could be doing more on its own to save money "I'm not any more happy about it than any of you are," Harrold said We need to be able to do more on our own in certain circumstances and in this circumstance Matthews said the town would need 10 additional wells to make up for what the town buys from Asheville He said there would be no guarantee these wells would pass sampling tests the cost would range from $30,000-$50,000 each Council member Doug Hay said he would be "very interested" in looking into digging more wells More: Black Mountain Town Council hears Helene update: 83 site inspections nearly complete Matthews said he "tries to look at the positive side of things" and he was "thankful" to have had Asheville water when Tropical Storm Helene hit Harrold said these budget discussions are staff recommendations at this point and he has not yet presented his recommended budget In the revenue portion of the staff recommended budget there is a proposed $5 a month increase for the solid waste reduction fee which would bring the total to $10 every month the town would need to charge $18 each month this will amount to an approximately $2.40 increase each month He said there was no property tax increase suggested at this time the general fund revenue is down more than $4.4 million Nothing has been appropriated from fund balance yet but Harrold said the town does not have the money in the fund balance to appropriate He said he would like to stay around $500,000 in appropriation from fund balance Town Council approved $2 million to be moved from the fund balance to the Helene fund Harrold said the "hope" is to transfer that money back to be able to balance the budget "If I don't have any fund balance to balance this budget because we don't have enough money to do it," Harrold said that means there's no money to do projects with."  Harrold said the question is how to balance the budget and do projects at the same time Council member Alice Berry said the budget needs to be balanced Hurricane Helene has impacted the South. Our thoughts are with those affected, and we encourage readers to stay informed about travel disruptions and road closures. Learn how you can help support our neighbors here it’s a family restaurant that symbolizes family to me,” Sperry said Sperry opened the restaurant in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic which she described as “an interesting start.”   Because Cousins Cuban Cafe opened during the pandemic Sperry said the extra safety protocols restaurants were required to follow did not impact the restaurant too much because that was the only way they knew how to operate She called the restaurant “fortunate” in this way as well as the fact that Cousins Cuban Cafe was busy from the start “We were fortunate to be busy because I think the fact that it was a new place a different cuisine to offer,” Sperry said “We had renovated everything so everything was brand spanking new so people felt comfortable and safe coming in We were very fortunate that we still did well considering the time.” Sperry said she likes to “experiment” with the different ingredients and flavors to get that authentic Cuban taste Nearly four years after opening in the pandemic Cousins Cuban Cafe was faced with another challenge — Tropical Storm Helene Because the restaurant was spared from flooding Sperry said she is “fortunate” in that aspect is losing three weeks of business in one of our busiest months in October yet at the same time knowing how fortunate we were that we still had a structure and we knew we were going to be able to reopen.” Sperry said she reopened Cousins Cuban Cafe as soon as the health inspector gave her the go-ahead but while she waited for that she was donating coffee Sperry grew up the child of Cuban immigrants in Miami and owned a restaurant there After years of vacationing in North Carolina Her cousins also made the move and opened the Dancing Dragonfly shop in Black Mountain with Sperry opening Cousins Cuban Cafe in the adjacent building Cousins Cuban Cafe moved into the space earlier this year Seating options now include the original and expanded dining room and patio seating in the back of the restaurant “I feel like it’s brought a lot of new business because we were very tight in the other place and it’s kind of loud I think people know now that we have the extra space Sperry said the Black Mountain community has always been welcoming to her and Cousins Cuban Cafe and she hopes to be able to pass the restaurant on and have it continue to be a fixture in the town “I love that I’m in this community,” Sperry said “I love that I get to share my Cuban culture and food with those that come in I want everybody to come in and not just eat but I want them to feel everything they’re eating.” Cousins Cuban Cafe is located at 108 Broadway Ave in Black Mountain and is open from 9 a.m.-3 p.m More: Good Company Pizza reopens after Helene, places at International Pizza Expo competition BLACK MOUNTAIN – The Black Mountain Town Council met for its regular session meeting April 14 and heard updates on Tropical Storm Helene recovery Mayor Michael Sobol opened the meeting by reading a statement he had written about the status of the town’s public safety building a post was made to the Black Mountain Police Department Facebook page detailing the “critical safety concerns” of the building including the aging infrastructure that consists of roof hazards More: Asheville Answers: Is the Black Mountain police station safe after Helene damage? Sobol described the police and fire departments that are housed in the public safety building as “excellent.” He said previous studies did not show “any major structural defects.” “There may be some settling and there are some loose tiles in the showers It does not pose threats to the men and women who work there Council passed several resolutions during the April 14 meeting: Assistant Town Manager Jessica Trotman presented Town Council with the Helene recovery update She said there will have been “about” 83 FEMA site inspections and those inspections should be complete by the end of April Trotman said while the town had originally submitted the damage inventory by the original deadline in February allowing the town time to capture three additional damages and resubmit Trotman said there had been 171 applications for private property debris removal in Black Mountain Temporary facilities for the public works and planning staff are scheduled to arrive May 9 These temporary offices will be placed at the public works building and Trotman said announcements will be made for office hours Trotman said permits are continuing to come in to the town for rebuilding after Helene “We have a lot of permits coming in related to the storm which is also another good indicator that people are continuing to put their lives back together,” Trotman said the town has 38 open insurance claims and 32 closed claims Trotman said there are “dozens” of FEMA projects in development and that progress looks different for each of them in different aspects and that progress isn’t something that can always be “seen or touched.” “FEMA projects progress looks different on the ground versus how it looks in finance versus how it looks in paperwork behind the scenes,” Trotman said Trotman provided specific updates on five projects: “Those are the big fat ones that you can kind of wrap your brain around,” Trotman said “The rest are in more minutia states that are less easy to explain right now.” Trotman said town staff have been advocating for the town and Western North Carolina at a federal level and meeting with officials Finance Director Tammy Holland presented budget amendments to the town While she was not able to provide an exact percentage for the town’s fund balance when asked by Sobol she did say it is lower than the town-mandated percentage “We were very fortunate that we were good stewards of the money and had that money sitting there to use,” Holland said King said this means the town will be faced with choices and the financial issues the town is facing will “not be fixed this fiscal year or the next.” “We’re all going to be faced with hard choices on a personal level and it’s going to take years to work through all these things.” council approved permanent signage to be displayed for the Black Mountain Radio Sailing Club at Lake Tomahawk Recreation and Parks Director Josh Henderson said the club has been sailing at Lake Tomahawk since 2005 New Hampshire.Photo: Jessica Rinaldi/The Boston Globe via Getty Images BLACK MOUNTAIN – Budget talks continued in Black Mountain April 9 as more department heads presented their proposed budgets to Town Council Fire Chief John Coffey said the department's budget would be down more than $58,000 "We've already hacked away at this budget once," Coffey said "Trying to be reasonable with the overall costs for the town Coffey said the continuing inflation impacts his budget Town Manager Josh Harrold said the tariffs put forth by the federal government also impact the town's budget Coffey said he asked for three additional firefighters He is asking for that third position again for this budget as well as a position that will serve as a training officer and community outreach coordinator These two positions along with a cost of living increase for current firefighters amounts to a more than $247,000 increase in salaries all town employees are being given a 3% cost of living increase Coffey said the department was "so successful" during Tropical Storm Helene because of the amount of training the firefighters put in every day the better firefighters you're going to have and it also helps our retention because these guys love to train." Coffey said the department was "stretched beyond the limits" during Helene and that staffing needs to be addressed He said he was not asking this year due to the financial strain the storm put on the town but staffing at the fire department does need to be addressed "If it wasn't for my request for additional staffing from the state it probably would have been disastrous," Coffey said The fire department is also joining the same mental health services as the Black Mountain Police Department amounting to a $30,000 increase in contract services In a new line item for emergency disaster preparedness Coffey said he is asking for a $20,000 one-time expense More: Swannanoa Valley fire chiefs after Helene: 'We were determined not to fail' "This is to get us up to par on the materials that we need to have a better operating emergency operations center if or when we go through this again," Coffey said Recreation and Parks Director Josh Henderson said the budget for his department would be nearly $24,000 less than the previous fiscal year Part of this decrease comes from a $7,200 decrease in programs and event expenses Henderson said this is due to the Park Rhythms concert series that takes place each summer going from eight shows to four shows this year The series will take place at Town Square this year rather than Veterans Park Henderson said food trucks will not be offered this year with the idea being to encourage concertgoers to go to downtown restaurants The town is also working with White Horse Black Mountain as a possible location in the case of rain The Lakeview Center’s budget is down $35,350 largely due to a $28,350 decrease in salaries A part-time position at the center was eliminated "We're doing the best that we can with what we've got," Henderson said The recreation and parks staff are currently working out of the Lakeview Center as the department building was impacted by Helene The Black Mountain pool budget is decreasing by more than $13,000 but there is a $15,000 increase in specialty operating supplies to fully fund the swim team the swim team has had to fundraise to be fully operational something other town-operated athletic programs have not had to do "I just don't feel like it's fair to ask them to fundraise when we don't ask the other athletic programs to do that," Henderson said Golf Operations Manager Brent Miller presented the budget for the golf course Miller said the town-owned golf course is looking to operate nine holes through the end of the fiscal year The back nine holes are predicted to open in early May leaving a more than $57,000 decrease in debt principal for the golf course Miller said he was proposing creating a driving range on the front nine holes until they can be reopened to increase revenue He also proposed selling 32 out of the 72 golf carts to increase revenue because not as many carts are needed to operate half of a course More: Black Mountain aims to partially open golf course by early May after extensive Helene damages Assistant Town Manager Jessica Trotman presented the planning budget which she described as "pretty simple" this year The biggest increase came in the form of a more than $92,000 bump in salaries This increase will pay for the new planning director and a part-time building inspector moving to full-time who will also work in code enforcement The next Black Mountain budget workshop will be held at 8:30 a.m More: Black Mountain hires Greensboro's Michelle Kennedy as new planning director theater lovers and aspiring performers alike are in for a treat and author Ronald Rand is coming to the Black Mountain Center for the Arts to amaze and inspire Rand is bringing his critically acclaimed one-man show "Let It Be Art Harold Clurman’s Life of Passion" to North Carolina for its premiere performance on April 25 at 7 p.m Rand is hosting his interactive acting workshop "The Art of Transformation." Be there as this powerhouse performer lights up the stage with his prowess  In "Let It Be Art!," Rand becomes Harold Clurman Rand traces Clurman’s journey from his early days on Manhattan’s Lower East Side to the Sorbonne in Paris (where he roomed with Aaron Copland) and through his founding role in shaping modern American theater alongside figures like Stella Adler this riveting one-man performance is more than a biography it’s a tribute to a man whose passion for the arts still resonates today captures the essence of who Harold Clurman was and what he stood for His creation instills in the audience an unforgettable experience of passion Rand offers a chance for theater lovers and those theater-curious to delve deeper with a 90-minute immersive acting workshop designed for ages 16 and up "The Art of Transformation" is a guided exploration of self-expression through improvisation Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing and bring a favorite monologue or poem to share Rand draws from decades of study and performance incorporating techniques from the Stanislavsky "Method of Physical Actions" as well as the teachings of theater legends Stella Adler and Jerzy Grotowski The workshop offers a unique opportunity to connect with one’s creative core and experience the liberating joy of artistic expression “Bringing Ronald Rand to our stage is a delight,” says BMCA Associate Director John Hall “These events celebrate not only the history of American theatre but the power of transformation through performance arts.” Ronald Rand is an internationally acclaimed stage and screen actor who has performed in nearly 25 countries and Off-Broadway He has appeared in over 250 film and television productions with roles ranging from President Nixon in "Rude Awakening" to guest appearances on "Law & Order," "Quiz Show," and several daytime dramas Tickets for "Let It Be Art!" are $20 for adults, and $15 for youths (ages 17 and under). Registration for "The Art of Transformation" is $25. Links to buy tickets and sign up can be found on the BMCA website at BlackMountainArts.org/events The Black Mountain Center for the Arts is at 225 W BLACK MOUNTAIN – The Black Mountain Town Council heard Tropical Storm Helene recovery updates and made a decision to halt a park project in the wake of the storm at the March 10 meeting Mayor Michael Sobol opened the meeting by reading two proclamations The first was to honor musician Roberta Flack who was born in Black Mountain and died Feb The second proclamation was to mark March 31 as Transgender Day of Visibility in Black Mountain Sobol read from the proclamation and added that transgender people “playing a sport other than their birth gender is unfair.” Council member Pam King said this addition was not on the proclamation council had previously approved and council member Alice Berry asked for the meeting minutes to note that Sobol made the addendum Assistant Town Manager Jessica Trotman gave an update on Helene recovery in town to council She said town staff had been working to “advocate for needs” of residents and the town with elected officials at the state and federal levels Trotman said there were several funding options available to help with recovery including FEMA’s public assistance program include a $3 million Department of Environmental Quality bridge loan and a $705,000 state cash flow loan grants and partnerships are other ways Trotman said the town is looking to fund recovery projects even if it doesn’t feel like it,” Trotman said “I assure you there are many moving pieces.” Trotman listed projects the town has already completed the first emergency operations and the expediated project that included immediate emergency response excluding personnel The second emergency operations project is still ongoing More: Planner shares lessons from Katrina for Helene recovery: 'authentic community engagement' Projects that have been initiated and are in the works include the Hilltop Road emergency stabilization golf course and stormwater control measures Trotman said she is “confident” the dog park will be open this summer She said these projects listed are a “fraction” of what is to come Several residents spoke during the public comment period about the Lakeview Center which serves as the town’s senior center and is currently closed to the public and is being used for office space Trotman gave an update on the center and other Recreation and Parks Department facilities: The Lakeview Center is closed to the public and will remain as such because “the top floor is not rated for assembly and the town “does not know the scope” of repairs yet.Veterans Park is partially opened.Riverwalk Dog Park is closed.Cragmont Park tennis courts are open.The Lake Tomahawk playground The picnic pavilion does not have power.The Oaks Trail is closed.Flat Creek Greenway is closed.Trotman said the town is looking for a location outside of town limits to host the senior meal site She said it is proving difficult to find somewhere in town that meets all of the requirements including having a commercial kitchen available for all the days needed and has parking Trotman said that “despite facilities being closed,” the recreation and parks department is “still busy.” The indoor soccer season had 472 participants over 50 teams Summer camp registration opened March 1 and all slots are full with 34 people on the waiting list Trotman provided an update on the golf course which she described as “a complex project because there’s so many different elements.” The maintenance shop was located in the floodplain and the estimates to build a new structure in a different location is $800,000 The building stores nearly $1 million of equipment Trotman said the priority with the golf course is to prevent further damage Town Council moved to terminate the contract with Harper General Contractors for work on Cragmont Park Town Manager Josh Harrold said the project had been assessed and the funds allocated for it are needed for Helene recovery but he hopes the project can be done in the future Facilities and Project Manager Angela Reece said council originally allocated $492,000 for the project “But I understand it is a difficult decision for the town.” Council member Doug Hay agreed it was a difficult decision we need every dollar we can find and it makes sense for us to terminate this contract,” Hya said “But I do hope that we are able to do this again and push the project forward someday.” Town Council accepted a donation of a total value of $37,500 from Asheville Fence Recreation and Parks Director Josh Henderson said Asheville Fence approached him about providing fencing for portions of Veterans Park The donated fencing will include a new barrier gate and timber guardrail for the park entrance replacement of a split rail fence at the parking area perimeter and installation of a chain-link fence around the playground Henderson said there is not yet a timeline on when this fencing will be installed More: Black Mountain Town Council reinstates some development fees, hears financial updates Town Council adopted a conceptual site plan for the Dr council approved staff to pursue grant fronting through the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina Emergency Disaster Response fund for a new well to be used as an irrigation system in the garden Garden Manager Leonora Stefanile said the garden was using unfiltered surface water from the Swannanoa River until July 2024 when “unsafe levels” of E She said the garden needs about 32,000 gallons of water weekly and a well would  be the most affordable long-term option The well could also serve as a source of potable water for the community council member Ryan Stone thanked those who have given their input on recovery “Your input is so valuable and we appreciate you taking the time to do that and help guide as through this,” Stone said give us some time and we’ll get through this together and we’ll get everything back just like it was.” More: Black Mountain Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce new director 'enjoys making things better' The town of Black Mountain is hoping to open the back nine holes of the town-owned Black Mountain Golf Course by early May The course has been closed since September when Tropical Storm Helene tore through Western North Carolina Harrold said the damages to the golf course alone totaled approximately $2 million the town has started repairs on the irrigation pump and electrical and the pro shop and the stream banks undermining the cart paths are also being repaired He said work on bridges will begin the week of March 31 At the March 10 Black Mountain Town Council meeting Assistant Town Manager Jessica Trotman described the golf course as “a complex project because there’s so many different elements.” She said the priority with the golf course is to prevent further damage In order to pay for the repairs for the golf course Harrold said current funding is coming from the general fund He said the town anticipates getting reimbursed by FEMA for the project The town has spent more than $130,000 so far in repairing the golf course: More: Paws & Effect hits reset after Helene, works to place service dogs in the community the golf course generated more than $837,000 in operating revenue that number increased to more than $1 million despite Helene Harrold said the town lost more than $313,000 from October 2024 to March 2025 by the golf course being closed “This is of course just gross revenue and doesn’t factor in any associated operating costs,” Harrold said we generate most of our revenue from April through September.” Harrold said the town is looking forward “to getting the back nine holes operating again as quickly as possible.” “Having irrigation and a few pieces of loaner equipment are the major steps needed to make that happen,” Harrold said “We will be working with roughly one-third of the mowers we typically have to operate 18 holes More: Swannanoa Grassroots Alliance continues to evolve with community needs after Helene Karrigan Monk is the Swannanoa Valley communities reporter for Black Mountain News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at kmonk@blackmountainnews.com. Central to the Black Mountain Beautification Committee’s mission is to honor the natural beauty of the mountains while seeking to reflect that beauty on the streets of town and in the lives of its citizens. One of the ways they accomplish that mission is through the Seed Money Award. For the past 20 years, the award has gone by a variety of names, but its purpose is the same: to award an in-town business, church or organization with the funds to help support a garden-related improvement plan. This year, the committee received quite a few well thought-out proposals for improvement, and most of them were supported in part or in full. This year’s Seed Money Award recipients are Acoustic Corner and a neighbor sharing the slope beside the Acoustic Corner, Berliner Kindl German Restaurant, Black Mountain Presbyterian Church, Black Mountain Primary School, Red House Gallery and Goldfinch Cocktails and Kitchen. BMBC member Jean Chamberlain has been leading the Seed Money Award committee for several years and has seen the effects of improvements. Acoustic Corner Music Shop and their neighbor who shares the property asked for funds to help transform the hillside at the back of the parking lot it shares with the White Horse. The plan is to improve the hill next to the business entrance, which is unsightly and covered with English Ivy, Kudzu and Chokeberry, to a beautiful pollinator garden with supplemental annuals for more color. Red House Gallery used Seed Money last year to improve the look of the back of their business, which is on the gravel parking lot shared by Town Hardware and Cousin’s Cuban. Phase 2 will add additional perennials and annuals to their pocket garden at the back entrance. Goldfinch and Lucky Penny Speakeasy have new owners who have a distinct vision to improve the landscape and ambiance to their two businesses. This award will help fund lattice replacements with wires for new healthy, climbing nightshade vines on the fence along Cherry Street, hanging baskets along the buildings on Cherry Street and refreshing all planting beds that are currently in place. Berliner Kindl has new owners as well. They are very interested in improving the landscape around their restaurant. The award will be used to add seasonal flowers to the pots in front of their restaurant. In addition, they will remove the old forsythia and tree in the bed next to the restaurant, amend the soil and replace it with a lovely evergreen and some perennials. Black Mountain Primary School wants to create a garden area around the sign in front of the school on State Street. This would involve digging up the turf and restoring and amending the soil and then creating a garden bed with low growing shrubs and perennials. Over the years dozens of businesses have benefited from the award, but the real winner is the town. By bringing color and lush plant material to the front of every store and street, there is no question that civic pride is in full force. To receive new posts and to support independent ski journalism please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber Share Erik Mogensen, Director of Indy Pass, founder of Entabeni Systems, and temporary owner and General Manager of Black Mountain, New Hampshire Mogensen, handing out fresh, hot cookies at Black Mountain, New Hampshire. Photo by Stuart Winchester.Recorded onFebruary 25, 2025 About Entabeni SystemsEntabeni provides software and hardware engineering exclusively for independent ski areas. Per the company’s one-page website: Entabeni: noun; meaning: zulu - "the mountain" We take pride in providing world class software and hardware engineering in true ski bum style Doug Fish, who has appeared on this podcast four times, founded Indy Pass in 2019. Mogensen, via Entabeni, purchased the pass in 2023. About Black Mountain, New HampshireClick here for a mountain stats overview Pass affiliations: Indy Pass and Indy+ Pass – 2 days Closest neighboring ski areas: Attitash (:14) Lift count: 5 (1 triple, 1 double, 1 J-bar, 1 platter pull, 1 handletow – view Lift Blog’s inventory of Black Mountain’s lift fleet) Why I interviewed himI first spoke to Mogensen in the summer of 2020 and he had insight into a story that I was working on Indy Pass founder and owner-at-the-time Doug Fish had introduced us There was something he wanted me to understand Not about any particular story that I was writing It couldn’t work without sweeping and fundamental changes by delivering jetpack technology to caveman ski areas They’d been fighting with sticks and rocks but now they had machine guns Fish was, in a way, mediating. I’d written something - who knows what at this point – that Mogensen hadn’t been thrilled with. Fish counseled us both against dismissiveness. I needed time to appreciate the full epic; Erik to understand the function of media. We still disagree often, but we understand and appreciate one another’s roles. Mogensen is, increasingly, a main character in the story of modern skiing, and I – as a chronicler of such – owe my audience an explanation for why I think so. Click through for a free Slopes Premium day pass (limit one per account per year).Questions I wish I’d askedMogensen’s tenure at Indy Pass has included some aggressive moves to fend off competition and hold market share. I wrote this series of stories on Indy’s showdown with Ski Cooper over its cheap reciprocal pass two years ago: 11 Ski Areas Flee Ski Cooper Pass as Indy Delivers Ultimatum: Drop Cooper or We Drop YouStuart Winchester·July 30, 2023 These are examples of headlines that Indy Pass HQ were not thrilled with We could have spent an entire podcast re-hashing this Also, I’d have liked to discuss Antelope Butte, Wyoming and Hickory but these are both important stories that I intend to explore more deeply in the future the Major League Baseball team with the highest payroll has won the World Series just three times (the 2018 Red Sox and made the series but lost it three additional times (the 2017 Dodgers and 2001 and ’03 Yankees) the world champ rocks a top-five payroll about half the time and the vast majority of series winners sit in the top half of the league payroll-wise but recent MLB history suggests that the dudes with the most resources don’t always win Which isn’t to say it’s easy to fight against Epic and Ikon and ski areas with a thousand snowguns and chairlifts that cost more than a fighter jet And Mogensen has assembled a creative toolkit that independent ski area operators can tap to help them spin-kick their way through the maelstrom: they join what amounts to a nationally marketed menu for hungry skiers anxious for variety and novelty I’ll have two servings of the Jay Peak and two Cannon Mountains but I guess I’ll try a side of this Black Mountain so long as I’m here.” Each resulting Indy Pass visit also delivers a paycheck The manly man manning machines has been a ski industry trope since the days of Model T-powered ropetows and nine-foot-long skis But ever so rare is the small ski area that can build a back-end technology system that actually works at scale Entabeni says “yeah actually let me get this part is the fastest way for the little dude to catch up with the big dude To avoid the inconvenience of having to turn a profit Bridger Bowl – have stabilized themselves under alternate business models in which every dollar the ski area makes funnels directly back into improving the ski area Black Mountain is attempting to do the same and I will not choose “death by climate change.” It is There’s no obvious answer to this question Twin-peaked Attitash looms across the valley hoteled and mega-lifted and dripping with snowgun bling throwing off the gravity and gravitas to haul marching armies of skiers into their kingdoms Cranmore gives skiers a modern lift and a big new baselodge Even formerly beat-up Pleasant Mountain now spins a high-speeder up its 1,200 vertical feet And to even get to Black from points south they stayed broken – Mogensen tells me that Black hadn’t made snow above the double chair midstation in 20 years before this winter I found an empty parking lot and stilled lifts in spite of assurances on social media and the ski area’s website that this was a normal operating day The double now spins to the top every day the ski area is open A round of explosives tamed Upper Maple Slalom transforming the run from what was essentially a cliff into an offramp-smooth drag-racer The J-bar – America’s oldest continuously operating overhead cable lift A handle tow replaced the old rope below the triple Black has transformed the crippled and sad little mid-mountain lodge into a boisterous party deck with music and champagne and firepits roaring right beneath the double chair Walls and don’t-do-this-or-that signs came down all over the lodge is now stuffed with families and live music and beer glasses clinking in the dusk All photos by Stuart WinchesterAnd this is year one Mogensen can’t cross five feet of Black’s campus without someone stopping him to ask if he’s “the Indy Pass guy” and hoisting their phone for selfie-time They all say some version of “thank you for what you’re doing.” They all want in on the co-op They all want to be part of whatever this crazy which is the opposite of all the zinger lifts and Epkon overload that was supposed to kill off creaky little outfits like this one Mt. Washington, as seen from Black Mountain, New Hampshire’s summit. Photo by Stuart Winchester.Black Mountain is a special place, and this is a singular time to go and be a part of it. So do that. On Black Mountain’s comebackIn October 2023, Black Mountain’s longtime owner, John Fichera, abruptly announced that the ski area would close, probably forever. An alarmed Mogensen rolled in with an offer to help: keep the ski area open, and Indy and Entabeni will help you find a buyer. Fichera agreed. I detailed the whole rapid-fire saga here: A year and dozens of perspective buyers later, Black remained future-less heading into the 2024-25 winter. So Mogensen shifted tactics, buying the mountain via Indy Pass and promising to transform the ski area into a co-op: On the Mad River Glen co-opAs of this writing, Mad River Glen, the feisty, single-chair-accessed 2,000-footer that abuts Alterra’s Sugarbush, is America’s only successful ski co-op. Here’s how it started and how it works, per MRG’s website: Mad River Glen began a new era in 1995 when its skiers came together to form the Mad River Glen Cooperative The Cooperative works to fulfill a simple mission; “… to forever protect the classic Mad River Glen skiing experience by preserving low skier density and friendly community atmosphere for the benefit of shareholders A share in the Mad River Cooperative costs $2,000 Shares may be purchased through a single payment or in 40 monthly installments of $50 with a $150 down payment The total cost for an installment plan is $2,150 (8.0% Annual Percentage Rate) The installment option enables anyone who loves and appreciates Mad River Glen to become an owner for as little as $50 per month you start enjoying the benefits immediately The only other cost is the annual Advance Purchase Requirement (APR) of $200 Since advance purchases can be applied to nearly every product and service on the mountain the advance purchase requirement does not represent an additional expense for most shareholders In order to remain in good standing as a shareholder and receive benefits your full APR payment must be met each year by September 30th Black is still working out the details of its co-op other than to say that Black’s organizational structure will be significantly different from MRG’s The Storm explores the world of lift-served skiing year-round The Storm Skiing Journal and Podcast is a reader-supported publication Share Erik Mogensen, Director of Indy Pass, founder of Entabeni Systems, and temporary owner and General Manager of Black Mountain, New Hampshire About Entabeni SystemsEntabeni provides software and hardware engineering exclusively for independent ski areas. Per the company\u2019s one-page website: Entabeni: noun; meaning: zulu - \\\"the mountain\\\" Doug Fish, who has appeared on this podcast four times, founded Indy Pass in 2019. Mogensen, via Entabeni, purchased the pass in 2023 Click here for a mountain stats overview Pass affiliations: Indy Pass and Indy+ Pass \u2013 2 days Lift count: 5 (1 triple, 1 double, 1 J-bar, 1 platter pull, 1 handletow \u2013 view Lift Blog\u2019s inventory of Black Mountain\u2019s lift fleet) It couldn\u2019t work without sweeping and fundamental changes They\u2019d been fighting with sticks and rocks but now they had machine guns Click through for a free Slopes Premium day pass (limit one per account per year).Questions I wish I\u2019d askedMogensen\u2019s tenure at Indy Pass has included some aggressive moves to fend off competition and hold market share I wrote this series of stories on Indy\u2019s showdown with Ski Cooper over its cheap reciprocal pass two years ago: These are examples of headlines that Indy Pass HQ were not thrilled with and I\u2019d rather move forward than back Also, I\u2019d have liked to discuss Antelope Butte, Wyoming and Hickory Here\u2019s an interesting fact: since 2000 and made the series but lost it three additional times (the 2017 Dodgers and 2001 and \u201903 Yankees) but recent MLB history suggests that the dudes with the most resources don\u2019t always win Which isn\u2019t to say it\u2019s easy to fight against Epic and Ikon and ski areas with a thousand snowguns and chairlifts that cost more than a fighter jet I\u2019ll have two servings of the Jay Peak and two Cannon Mountains but I guess I\u2019ll try a side of this Black Mountain so long as I\u2019m here.\u201D Each resulting Indy Pass visit also delivers a paycheck \u201CBy gum let\u2019s do it again.\u201D Entabeni says \u201Cyeah actually let me get this part Bridger Bowl \u2013 have stabilized themselves under alternate business models and I will not choose \u201Cdeath by climate change.\u201D It is There\u2019s no obvious answer to this question they stayed broken \u2013 Mogensen tells me that Black hadn\u2019t made snow above the double chair midstation in 20 years before this winter in spite of assurances on social media and the ski area\u2019s website that this was a normal operating day The J-bar \u2013 America\u2019s oldest continuously operating overhead cable lift in service since 1935 \u2013 spins regularly Walls and don\u2019t-do-this-or-that signs came down all over the lodge Mogensen can\u2019t cross five feet of Black\u2019s campus without someone stopping him to ask if he\u2019s \u201Cthe Indy Pass guy\u201D and hoisting their phone for selfie-time They all say some version of \u201Cthank you for what you\u2019re doing.\u201D They all want in on the co-op Photo by Stuart Winchester.Black Mountain is a special place and this is a singular time to go and be a part of it abruptly announced that the ski area would close An alarmed Mogensen rolled in with an offer to help: keep the ski area open and Indy and Entabeni will help you find a buyer I detailed the whole rapid-fire saga here: A year and dozens of perspective buyers later Black remained future-less heading into the 2024-25 winter buying the mountain via Indy Pass and promising to transform the ski area into a co-op: As of this writing, Mad River Glen, the feisty, single-chair-accessed 2,000-footer that abuts Alterra\u2019s Sugarbush, is America\u2019s only successful ski co-op. Here\u2019s how it started and how it works, per MRG\u2019s website: \u201C\u2026 to forever protect the classic Mad River Glen skiing experience by preserving low skier density other than to say that Black\u2019s organizational structure will be significantly different from MRG\u2019s artist John Cage created an unscripted multidisciplinary performance at Black Mountain College 1.” According to the Black Mountain College Museum and Arts Center this performance is considered to be the first “happening.” said this original happening led to others “It’s seen as a sort of ground zero or this kind of progenitor for all the happenings combining multiple different mediums and disciplines and this idea that the performance is all happening at once,” Houston said the museum is preparing for the 13th annual ReHappening an event that brings artists together “whose work responds to and extends the legacy of Black Mountain College visionaries,” according to a March 24 news release announcing the event The release said the ReHappening is “part art event part fundraiser and part community instigator.” Houston said there will be 30 different acts or groups presenting work representing more than 100 different artists The ReHappening consists of a variety of different artists performing or displaying work throughout the day ranging from music to sculpture to installations to video to collaborative pieces “The spirt of the event is that it’s a happening,” Houston said “You can wander around to different performances You might enter a building and have no idea what you’re about to see and you might see something really exciting and interesting.” Houston said he is excited for and looking forward to all of the different artists and what they will bring to the ReHappening but he pointed to the Atlanta Improvisers Orchestra as a “personal favorite.” He described the orchestra as a “totally collaborative ensemble” that conducts improvised music Houston pointed to a film called “Swannanoa Silt” by Tristan Turner Isaac King and Agis Shaw as an interesting local project The film was processed in contaminated waters from the Swannanoa and French Broad rivers after Tropical Storm Helene To select projects for the ReHappening each year Houston said there is an open call where Black Mountain College Museum and Arts Center “solicits projects from artists all kind of points in their career.” He said the team tries to find a balance between local artists and artists from outside the vicinity Houston said the museum looks for artists that are working in the “same tradition” as Black Mountain College as well as artists who are “carrying on the ideas that were integral to the college,” including collaboration and experimentation “The OG happening was all about that,” Houston said “It was Rauschenberg’s white paintings in the room while Merce Cunningham is dancing while John Cage is lecturing and painting and sound and movement all coalescing into one immersive experience.” More: Swannanoa Valley resident looks to rebuild business, help community after Helene Houston said work that aligns with this are the projects the museum seeks to “connect with and support.” “That’s what the event is all about,” Houston said “Preserving and extending the impact of Black Mountain College upon the contemporary art world and inviting artists who are inspired by that history to come back and see the historic grounds and really get inspired by that.” The ReHappening will take place May 3 from 3-10 p.m Adult tickets are $30 until noon on May 2 and will then be $37 Children under 10 are free with a ticket-holding adult and youths aged 10-17 and the museum recommends carpooling as parking at the site is limited Tickets can be purchased online at blackmountaincollege.org or at the Black Mountain College Museum and Arts Center at 120 College St Local food trucks Cecilia’s Kitchen and Tin Can Pizzeria will be on site the day of the event as will Bridge & Tunnel Coffee Truck and Burial Beer Co BLACK MOUNTAIN – The sound of a drum beat and honks from cars passing by provided a soundtrack to Black Mountain’s Town Square March 10 as approximately 100 Swannanoa Valley residents gathered in protest This growing group gathers every Monday at Town Square at 5 p.m to protest the actions of the federal government and President Donald Trump’s administration Many of the protestors held up signs conveying their disappointment with Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency and the firings within the federal workforce through the department Janie Moore said she was part of these firings in what she described as “the Valentine’s Day massacre.” She said she was a seasonal employee for the national forest in Wyoming “I would like to see process followed,” Moore said Mary Standaert said her daughter Diane Standaert was also fired Diane Standaert worked at the Consumer Finance Protect Bureau and was fired Feb Mary Standaert said her daughter was fired “without notice and without reason” and that was part of the reason she was at the March 10 protest More: Black Mountain residents again protest actions of federal government: 'It's hurting people' She said that much like her daughter did not see her termination coming “Policy changes are one thing,” Mary Standaert said “But the process by which these are happening is my big concern.” Sally Webster said she was protesting because she is “extremely worried” about Trump’s actions in the White House “He’s doing all kinds of things that are un-American “Even the people who voted for him probably the most Elon Musk has no business being in the White House.” She said she would like to see a “more reasonable approach” to the presidency and said she would like to see a study done before “slashing everything that he doesn’t like.” Libba Fairleigh said if fewer employees are needed to run the government she would like to see the process of these terminations being “systematic “I would like to see our representatives in Washington think more about the constitution and the running of the government than about their jobs and their own personal security,” Fairleigh said Moore said she would also like to see the constitution be followed more carefully She said she would like to see the government execute the checks and balances it is meant to have Kat Achtemeier said a belief in democracy brought her out to protest and democracy is in peril,” Achtemeier said Webster said she hopes Trump’s supporters realize his decisions impact everyone “I think people need to realize it’s going to affect everyone,” Webster said More: Montreat estimates $12 million-$15 million in Helene damages BLACK MOUNTAIN – Cheryl Hyde is on a “listening tour” of the Swannanoa Valley As the new executive director of the Black Mountain Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce Hyde said it is her job is to “figure out what is needed here and then make it happen.” “My job is what’s called a ‘listening tour,’” Hyde said you better get your feet out on the street and talk to everybody.” Hyde was named the new executive director in late February after the January departure of former executive director Melinda Hester Hester previously told Black Mountain news she had no comment on her departure told Black Mountain News in February the chamber and Hester had “parted ways.” Hester was in the position for one year More: Executive Director Melinda Hester, Black Mountain Swannanoa Chamber have 'parted ways' Hyde and Floyd both told Black Mountain News March 6 that Hyde had applied for the executive director job at the time it was originally given to Hester Floyd said Hyde was put into the lead ambassador role at the chamber following Hester’s departure the board decided to move forward with naming her executive director “It just kind of all fell into place and was really serendipitous,” Floyd said Floyd said it was Hyde’s “bubbly personality” and willingness to help and go out and talk to businesses that impressed the board Hyde said she moved to the Swannanoa Valley in January 2024 to be closer to her parents The Georgia native said she grew up visiting Montreat on weekends and made frequent visits to the Valley as an adult Hyde said she worked in chambers around Georgia before moving to Western North Carolina When she arrived in the Swannanoa Valley last year Hyde said she established the Black Mountain Business Club She had started one in Georgia and said it was a “great way to meet a lot of people and make some new friends.” The club will continue now that she is executive director Other events that Hyde said she wants to bring back as executive director include the monthly Business After Hours events held on the fourth Thursday of every month The next event will be hosted March 27 by Sneed and Stearns Attorneys at Law The April event will be held in Swannanoa and will serve as a “celebration” on Whitson Avenue Hyde said the Black Mountain Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce is also going to try to be part of the annual Groovin’ on Grovemont event in Swannanoa Hyde said she also wants to implement a lunch and learn series She said planning for the Sourwood Festival one of Black Mountain’s biggest yearly events is going “well.” Hyde said new this year for Sourwood is a completely online application process that will allow maps to be made of where vendors are She said applications are already coming in Hyde said she is also hoping to build up the ambassador program for the chamber and get more community members and business owners involved “I think that our main job is to be a support for the businesses and people don’t always think of a chamber in this community,” Hyde said “The chamber is not the first thing that the businesses think about Hyde said part of her job is to know what resources exist and how to get them to members of the chamber who need them More: Swannanoa's Whitson Avenue bridge reopens after Helene damages After Tropical Storm Helene hit Western North Carolina many Swannanoa Valley businesses were closed in the immediate aftermath Hyde said Black Mountain is getting back to the “new normal” in terms of business and that Swannanoa is “doing a great job” with coming back She said that if a business owner needs anything “That’s fun for me to find out what the answer is to the question I don’t ever mind when somebody asks a question Hyde said she is “excited” about the level involvement of the board with the chamber of commerce and she is ready to get to work but the maturity and energy of a 35 year old,” Hyde said “Tell me I can’t do something and watch what happens More: Purple Squirrel Boutique in downtown Black Mountain opens 'on a whim' after Helene BLACK MOUNTAIN – North Carolina Glass Center Executive Director Candace Reilly said she is “on cloud nine” now that the new Black Mountain expansion is open and about to start classes The expansion broke ground in 2022 with an opening date set for 2024 Though Reilly said the center planned to open in Black Mountain in October 2024 construction delays and Tropical Storm Helene prevented the expansion from opening before the first weekend of December The Black Mountain location held a soft opening that weekend for Holly Jolly when Reilly said the gallery was open under a temporary certificate of occupancy She said the gallery operated this way for several weeks before passing inspection Feb “It’s been a mad rush getting the studio set since then and getting things tested,” Reilly said You just never know what is going to happen.” After getting some electrical problems resolved the Black Mountain location of the North Carolina Glass Center began testing the equipment and space the week of March 10 Reilly said artists are being offered rental space at the Black Mountain location this first week to help test things out and Reilly said the flame shop and other studios will follow with the hopes to be fully operational and open in May The North Carolina Glass Center now operates two locations one in Black Mountain and the other in the River Arts District in Asheville The River Arts District experienced severe damage from Helene but Reilly said the glass center was largely spared More: LEAF Global Arts celebrates 30 years: Retreat to be held in May at Lake Eden “The water actually reached our doorstep over 250 yards from the river,” Reilly said but we didn’t have any water damage inside Reilly said the center was forced to close for more than a month She said approximately 20%-25% of the glass center’s annual income comes from the months of October and early November Reilly said the gallery would normally see $100,000 in sales in October … Donations and grants are kind of sustaining us right now We are really hopeful that it’s going to get busier again once the weather warms up.” Reilly said she is hopeful for a busy summer season at both locations “We’re just relying on the good will of people,” Reilly said She said any donations or grants the glass center receives goes directly back into operations because the center is a nonprofit grants and special events and offers have helped sustain the glass center she said the weekend-long RADFest in November helped pay staff for that month The North Carolina Glass Center held a donation campaign of its own allowing donors to sponsor artists for studio time Reilly said $22,000 came from this campaign allowing studios to be rented for free and then at a “deeply subsidized” rate into January Reilly said the opening of studio space in Black Mountain will take some of the competition for space away at the River Arts District location She said the center had downsized in the River Arts District last summer in anticipation of opening in Black Mountain and is now unable to do more than 30 hours of rental each week “I love that we’re providing that resource,” Reilly said a place where folks can come and make their own work.” The North Carolina Glass Center will host community days at both locations where participants can pay what they can for what would usually be a $100 class “We’re just excited for folks to come in and have the opportunity whether they can afford it or not to come in and be in our space and do something creative,” Reilly said The River Arts District community day will be April 6 A date has not yet been set for Black Mountain but Reilly said she anticipates it being sometime in April as well Reilly said it is important for her for people to remember that the North Carolina Glass Center is a nonprofit educational facility with the mission to support artists and offer experiences to the public “It’s good for people to know that,” Reilly said We’re here to function as a major resource for glass artists.” A 39-year-old Bartlett man died after skiing off a trail at Black Mountain on Sunday The Jackson Police Department responded to the reported accident about 5:50 p.m The initial indication was that a skier had gone off the trail and was seriously injured Page skied off the Upper Maple Slalom trail near the summit of the mountain He was found unresponsive on the edge of the snow line on the left side of the trail Members of the ski patrol tried life-saving measures and bought Page to the base of the mountain “The crash was unwitnessed and initially reported by a passing skier,” the news release reads Page’s body was taken from the mountain by Furber and White Funeral services said further efforts to save Page were made by Bartlett-Jackson Ambulance at the base of the mountain but were unsuccessful “The entire Black Mountain community is deeply saddened by this tragic accident I would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to the individual’s friends and family and all who have been affected by this loss,” Morgensen wrote in a statement Anyone with information is asked to contact Sgt Email notifications are only sent once a day Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Account processing issue - the email address may already exist Would you like to receive our daily news? Signup today Invalid password or account does not exist Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account Snow and Mountain Lifestyle news and entertainment On Sunday, April 20, 39-year-old Eric Page died after a skiing accident at Black Mountain Ski Area in New Hampshire. The man was found on the edge of the snow line to the left of the Upper Maple Slalom trail with significant injuries before being brought down to the base area for life-saving measures. Tragically Page was declared deceased following additional lifesaving efforts provided by Bartlett Jackson Ambulance personnel. In response to the death, Black Mountain’s General Manager Erik Mogensen shared a heartfelt letter to the community. Read the full letter below. We were on top. A remarkable season on all counts. Coming to the end of a perfect spring weekend that included a beautiful Easter service in the sun at the Alpine Cabin, Black Mountain was shining in every way. I had taken my boots off for the day and was just sitting down for dinner when the radio call no one ever wants to get at a ski area came in. “Injured skier, appears to be unconscious and not breathing”. Death in skiing is not something we like to talk about. We all know that people die every day, but when it happens while skiing it feels especially unfair. The PR playbooks say that publicly, we should offer condolences, few other details, and move on to new messaging as soon as possible. How in the world do we turn back to messaging about parties and Champagne? Just like Eric’s family, we have to learn, grow, and grieve in the valley. But never should we stop climbing to the top of every mountain at every opportunity. The Black Mountain Family has been charging hard all season and overcoming challenges daily. This is a big one. We are going to keep going. We will be open this weekend. Spinning lifts from 10 am to 7 pm. Then, on Saturday, May 3rd, we will have the biggest celebration this place has ever seen for its 90th birthday. We will ski, party, and celebrate the comeback that Black Mountain has become. We will have a new perspective as to how important the culture of skiing is to so many people. Especially Eric and his family. Thanks for being here. Never forget how lucky we all are to be here. Get the latest snow and mountain lifestyle news and entertainment delivered to your inbox. nolan@unofficialnetworks.com Nolan Deck is a writer for Unofficial Networks, covering skiing and outdoor adventure. After growing up and skiing in Maine, he moved to the Denver area for college where he continues to live and work... (WLOS) — A popular restaurant in Black Mountain is celebrating a milestone today Staff at the Black Mountain Bistro on East State Street are marking 20 years of serving the community HELENE: A JOURNEY OF HOPE (BLACK MOUNTAIN) Owner Amy Lyda credits a core group of up to 15 employees who have stayed with the restaurant through the challenges of the Covid 19 pandemic and then Hurricane Helene “I'm very fortunate that a lot of my employees have stayed with me through all of this I have a lot of long-term employees that have been here eight to 10 years so I consider myself again very blessed to have those people that have stayed here and stuck through everything that we’ve been through," Lyda said BLACK MOUNTAIN CELEBRATES 132ND BIRTHDAY, HONORS HELENE HEROES Lyda said the bistro was closed for about six weeks after Helene due to power and water outages The singer had been battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, since being diagnosed in 2022, according to NPR Flack’s representatives did not disclose how she died A natural talent and exceptional student, Flack graduated from high school at 15 and earned a full scholarship to Howard University in Washington, D.C. with the goal of becoming a classical concert pianist After graduating with a bachelor’s in music education, Flack taught at schools in North Carolina and Washington, D.C., while also performing in clubs as a pianist for other vocalists and a singer, according to NPR Her breakthrough came in 1968 when jazz pianist Les McCann heard her performance and sent a tape to Atlantic Records Flack was signed to Atlantic Records a year later and released her debut album What followed after that were albums like Chapter Two, Quiet Fire, and Killing Me Softly. Her illustrious career earned her 14 Grammy nominations, five Grammy wins, and an induction into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame she is the only solo artist to win the Grammy for Record of the Year two years in a row: The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (1973) and Killing Me Softly with His Song (1974) along with Hopscotch music festival founder Greg Lowenhagen reached out to the owners of Black Mountain Brewing about possibly doing a mural of Flack on the wall of the side of their building “ Me and Greg drove around Black Mountain,” Nurkin said “We saw this incredible wall that happened to be located on a building that housed Black Mountain Brewery And so I just took a stab and I reached out to the owner (John Richardson) and sort of pitched my idea to him.” Richardson was ecstatic about the idea and helped Nurkin fundraise the money needed to do the mural Nurkin added the mural is probably his most notable work because the town is a travel destination and the brewery is located right off the highway When asked about her everlasting impact on North Carolina music Nurkin told BPR he doesn’t know if he could do her justice because she was such a worldwide performer “ She was a songbird and she was an incredibly talented classically trained pianist,” Nurkin explained she's up there as one of the pioneers of soulful songwriting and singing piano players.” Nurkin added there was talk of Flack flying out to Black Mountain to visit family and to see the mural but she got Covid and her health became worse “There was talk of her flying out for a week that she's coming to visit family soon,” Nurkin said I was told she loved it and was super proud of it Hurricane Helene hit communities throughout Western North Carolina torrential rains and quickly rising flood waters the fast-moving waters swept away buildings bridges and roadways and destroyed public areas relying on the resilience of its residents and on the efforts of leaders such as town manager Josh Harrold BLACK MOUNTAIN POLICE DEPARTMENT'S YOUTUBE VIDEO TELLS STORY OF HELENE In part one of News 13's new series entitled "Helene: A Journey of Hope," Harrold takes News 13 on a visit to some of the hardest-hit areas as they work to recover and rebuild this is a story of a community coming together to heal and move forward.