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
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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... More by Nolan Deck
(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.