It means so much for me to promote craft artists, local businesses, and others that are vital to the spirit of our region. This season, it’s more important than ever to support local businesses in Western North Carolina.
#Repost @miracleonwallstavl
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“The outpouring of love and support, it overwhelms all of us” -Laura from Olde World Christmas Shoppe
We couldn’t have said it better ourselves. @wncbob came by to our first Sunday Streer Fair this week to make this incredible video that really captures this project and Asheville in general.
Hurricane Helene has devastated so many buildings, businesses and homes. But it did not take away our love for this town and each other. We have to keep lifting each other up and supporting one another.
Please come to our Sunday Street Fairs from 12-5 each Sunday in December and experience the miracle for yourself.
-This coming Sunday December 8th 12-5
-The Market Place Shell or High Water Oyster Roast
-Nobody’s Darling String Band in front of Laughing Seed
-Many more vendors on the street
-Pop up shops with displaced businesses who lost their store fronts
In the shadow of despair, there’s still a lot to be thankful for, like the little wins.
Thank you @secondgearwnc for the opportunity to share some hope with our community.
Thanks @just_in_asheville for the September drone footage.
#Repost @secondgearwnc
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‘Thankful’ is an understatement...
How can we, in just one word, truly reflect the real depth and magnitude of how we all feel today?
How can there be one word for how lucky we feel to have the team, friends and family we have? To be in the community we live in? Surrounded by the most resilient land and people we know??
I just don’t know...it doesn’t seem possible.
There isn’t a day that goes by that we are not blinded by the endless generosity and good we witness here in our community. The big life changing gestures that just knock you off your feet — to the small everyday kindnesses that keep us surviving together.
And how about those unexpectedly quiet tiny miracles? The ones you never see coming but absolutely needed more than anything else. It’s truly astounding how such a tiny unexpected discovery can have the immense power it has to pull your spirit in a completely different direction...
Like this tiny moment we share with you today...our team found what we had accepted as completely lost. What we had taken for granted would always be there, yet was miraculously found again. There just isn’t a word or phrase that truly captures it all...but boy do we feel it all.
In fact, we wouldn’t even have found our beloved Lady of the Front Desk if it wasn’t for the generosity of @mountainwaterfilms , who offered his services in telling our story, taking us back one more time to 99 Riverside Dr to capture footage of what was there before, and what will be here again in the future. Second Gear’s second chance. Thank you for capturing our tiny miracle.
No, there just isn’t a word — but THANKFUL will have to do for now.
We hope you are all warm and safe today,
Just weeks after the unimaginable devastation left by Hurricane Helene, local businesses in Western North Carolina are literally picking up the pieces of their livelihoods. Mountainwater Films met with @ashevilleteaco’s owner, Jessie Dean and her sister Melissa, to assess the damage to their tea-making facility, located adjacent to the Swannanoa River, which swelled to historic levels during the storm.
Like many other businesses affected by Helene, Asheville Tea Company is starting from scratch — rebuilding their business and restoring hope within the local community.
Join Asheville Tea Company in their efforts to rebuild, alongside other businesses impacted by Helene.
Repost:
Our story is still brewing thanks to the overwhelming support of our community ❤️🩹 We are rebuilding and today are so excited to announce that we have a limited line of teas available for pre-order on our website.
The purchase of this tea helps us rebuild our company and our community. We are stronger together, and together we will rebuild.
For more information and to pre-order our teas visit www.ashevilleteacompany.com.
A huge thank you to @mountainwaterfilms for capturing and sharing our story
As time passes, I often reflect on how deeply Hurricane Helene has impacted every single life in Western North Carolina, including my own family. The path of destruction it left behind is overwhelming, making us all feel small and helpless in so many ways. Yet, through the grace and kindness of complete strangers who came from near and far to lend a helping hand, the recovery efforts have been nothing short of uplifting.
We were dealing with a tree on our house and a massive number of fallen trees across our yard. Just days after the storm, neighbors and friends arrived with chains and chainsaws, and together we made significant progress in a single day. While we made a huge dent, there was still so much more to be done.
To explore all our options, we visited a FEMA center to see what resources might assist in our cleanup. After putting our name on a couple of lists, we were fortunate to receive help just five days later from a volunteer crew with @plaincompassion.
Two homeschool basketball coaches from Indiana, Andrew and Eric, felt a calling to bring their team to help those in need in Western North Carolina. Partnering with Plain Compassion, they were assigned to our property to tackle what felt like an insurmountable task. In just four hours, they made an incredible difference—our yard finally looked like a yard again! After their hard work, they headed off to the next job, then finishing their day with some hoops at the local YMCA.
Amid all the devastation, the best of humanity has come together to rebuild and bring hope to this area, and we couldn’t be more thankful. I felt inspired to share their story, hoping it offers a glimmer of hope and positivity during such a challenging time.
If there’s one takeaway I can leave you with, it’s this: Don’t be afraid to ask for help. And just as importantly, don’t hesitate to pay it forward. A little bit of giving can go a long way.
It means a lot that communities in our region are stepping up to help those affected by Helene. Their dedication and strength remind us of the unity that makes Western North Carolina so special. Thank you @visitcherokeecounty_nc, @cherokeecountync, @johnccampbellfolkschool, Cherokee Clay Food Alliance, Mayor Tim Radford, first responders, and volunteers from all over.
Mountainwater Films is here to tell the positive stories of relief and recovery in our region. We want to partner with you to bring awareness to these efforts of kindness in our communities when we need it most.
#wncstrong
#Repost @visitcherokeecounty_nc
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A Community United: Our Strength Shines Brighter Than Any Storm
In the wake of Hurricane Helene, we’ve witnessed something truly beautiful: the power of our community standing together. Though the storm brought destruction and loss to many of our neighboring areas, it also brought out the best in us – reminding us of the spirit of generosity in Cherokee County.
From donating supplies and volunteering time, to the laboring boots on the ground —every single act has made a difference. Thank you to each and every person who has stepped up, big or small, to lift up our neighboring counties. Your kindness is the true shelter in this storm. WNC, Cherokee County stands with you, and we will continue to support you for the long haul. After all, when one of us rises, we all do. 🎥 Special thanks to @cherokeecountync @johnccampbellfolkschool Cherokee Clay Food Alliance, & Mayor, Tim Radford.
#wncstrong #828isgreat #wherencbegins #helenerecovery
The Blue Ridge Mountains surrounding Asheville are typically breathtaking this time of year, painted in vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows.
Our hearts are heavy for those who have lost everything. We believe in the strength of our community and the enduring spirit of the Appalachian region. As we absorb visible scars of nature’s fury, we remain hopeful that recovery will come, stronger than before.
Your support matters. Keep the conversation going about the urgent need for help in the hardest hit areas of Western North Carolina.
#appalachia #helene #asheville #wncstrong
Three weeks after Hurricane Helene, our surroundings still feel foreign, and the weight of this disaster is heavy.
Our hearts are with the families enduring unimaginable loss, and we’re reminded that recovery isn’t just about rebuilding structures but healing lives.
We are forever grateful for the tireless efforts from those to restore, rescue, and recover.
#asheville #helene #ashevillestrong #wncstrong #appalachia #nc #wnc
It’s been so hard being on the outside looking in at the devastation back home these last few days.
It was supposed to be a weekend of great times at @intlbluegrass, being nominated for an IBMA award for Music Video of the Year with @sistersadiemusic. Attending the awards ceremony, attending events, listening to amazing musicians.
Instead, my fellow WNC friends & neighbors in attendance and I all felt a deep sense of worry—as we couldn’t get a hold of hardly anyone, and still can’t—sorrow, and immense sadness as we watched events unfold from the other side of the state, while others were literally hanging on for dear life.
My buddies from home @unspokentraditionbluegrass took to the stage today at the World of Bluegrass festival in downtown Raleigh and fought back tears and emotions as they forged through a heavy set of songs that really paint the picture the delicate landscape of Appalachia.
“Weary Town” written by John Cloyd Miller of @zoeandcloyd, a friend and neighbor, really took on a new meaning today, and I heard people crying. It warranted a standing ovation early in the set.
Hopefully anyone that has read this far and listened to this song can take a little bit of comfort from the insurmountable loss and heavy hearts. It’s going to be a long road and we’ll get down it together.
-Bob
Nestled in the picturesque mountain towns of Tryon, Columbus, and Saluda, the “First Peak of the Blue Ridge” is not just about rugged, breathtaking landscapes—it’s also a thriving hub for art and culture. From charming galleries and unique shops to world-class music festivals and talented craft artists, there’s something for everyone passionate about the arts. Here, you’re not just a visitor, you’ll feel like a part of a community that celebrates creativity and craftsmanship. @blueridgeheritage
Don’t miss the Cherokee Heritage Festival this Saturday, September 21 in Hayesville, NC. This annual event is held every third Saturday of September on the grounds of the Cherokee Homestead Exhibit, and is a celebration of Cherokee crafts, dance, stories and more.
🎥: @mountainwaterfilms
Attention DMOs, TDAs, and Regional Tourism Partners!
Fall is upon us and there’s no better time to showcase the breathtaking beauty of Appalachia. The vibrant foliage provides the perfect backdrop to promote seasonal events, scenic tours, and community connections. We’re currently offering limited partnership opportunities to showcase this unique season in our region.
As a destination branding filmmaking studio, we collaborate with tourism boards, hotels & resorts, cultural institutions, non-profits, and regional stakeholders to craft cinematic videos that capture the heart and soul of Southern Appalachia... Our unique beauty, rich culture, and the stories of our small towns.
Our custom services include:
Seasonal campaign videos
Short-form documentary storytelling
Event promotions
Web series
Social media content
Behind-the-scenes / Day-in-the-life films
Don’t let this season pass without making an impact! Get in touch with Mountainwater Films today to discover how we can help authentically promote your destination this fall.
It’s an honor to partner with @westernwomensbusinesscenter and @carolinasmbiz to recap their annual conferences. This year’s gala was special as the WWBC celebrates 10 years of helping women and minority owned businesses in #WNC.
If you’re a small business owner or new entrepreneur looking for resources to start or grow your business, check out the WWBC, CSBDF, as well as the @abtechsmallbusinesscenter.
