02.03.10
Groundhog Day
Every year on February 2nd, many wait with baited breaths to find out if the Groundhog will see his shadow. After participating in this tradition for many years, one might wonder the origin of this strange tradition, and the significance behind the shadow.
According to old folklore, Groundhog Day is celebrated not only in the United States, but in Canada. If it is cloudy outside, the Groundhog will run from his burrow, signifying that winter is coming to a close. If the sun is out, the Groundhog is more apt to run back into his burrow after seeing his shadow, thus predicting 6 more weeks of winter.
This tradition started as a Pennsylvanian German tradition in the 18th century. It’s origins come from European folklore and weather predictions which used either a badger or a bear. The largest Groundhog Day celebration is held in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, where the celebration gathers over 40,000 participants annually for the celebration. The University of Dallas has also taken Groundhog Day as the university’s own official holiday.
When reviewing the old tradition in Europe, one might turn to musical folklore to look at the traditions handed down. This Scottish poem is one to demonstrate the origins of using animals in weather predicting.
As the light grows longer
The cold grows stronger
If Candlemas be fair and bright
Winter will have another flight
If Candlemas be cloud and rain
Winter will be gone and not come again
A farmer should on Candlemas day
Have half his corn and half his hay
On Candlemas day if thorns hang a drop
You can be sure of a good pea crop
Different cities each have their own Groundhogs for this memorable experience, and it seems many of the Groundhogs provided conflicting predictions this year. Queen Charlotte in Charlotte, North Carolina, predicted early spring, whereas Punxsutawney Phil of Punxsutawney, PA, predicted 6 more weeks of weather. Whether or not the Groundhogs are accurate or not, I think many are looking forward to the green sprouts peaking through the thawed ground and the sun shining down on everyone.
01.28.10
Blowing Rock Winterfest
While many stay indoors during the winter months, many are venturing out this weekend for the 12th Annual Winterfest in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. The weekend has many events planned. Some of the events planned this year are :
Chili Challenge
Pancake Breakfast
Polar Plunge
Winter Feast
Wine Auction and Tasting
Ice Carving Competition
And many other activities! The highlight of the Winterfest every year is always the Polar Plunge. Even with the icy temperatures and even colder water temperatures, the brave (and slightly insane!) will be taking a jump into Lake Chetola. Temperatures are below freezing, and they will be cutting the ice in the lake to make room for the plungers. Awards will be given to those who have the best costume during the plunge.
During the evenings, hayrides and bonfires will be available to warm up after a frozen day, along with many warm refreshments to thaw out the insides. The weekend is bound to be extreme fun, and the action packed days are bound to prove the perfect way to celebrate winter. To learn more about the activities and to view the schedule of events further, visit www.blowingrockwinterfest.com. Blowing Rock is a short drive from the Festiva’s Blue Ridge Village. Call for your weekend reservations.
01.24.10
Open your hearts, open your wallets
The country of Haiti was rocked to the core and devastated beyond understanding on January 12. The earthquake registered a 7 on the Richter scale, and the epicenter of the quake was 26 miles from the capitol of Haiti, Port Au Prince. It occurred at 4:53 pm, and had over 52 aftershocks registering 4.5 or higher. This earthquake left so much death and disaster in its wake, the country is now in a period of complete despair.
As the morgues have been overwhelmed, tens of thousands of bodies have been buried wherever they can find places, as the numbers continue to grow from injury, starvation, disease, and violence. The humanitarian aid sent from many countries has been overwhelming, but we are nowhere close to the numbers currently needed. With the airport being demolished and the ports disappearing, the current aid is having great difficulties funneling in resources to house, clothe, feed, and provide medical care for the citizens of this torn country.
The U.S. military was sent in to work with the relief workers, as violence began to break out amongst the locals, who were desperate for supplies necessary to stay alive. People were being attacked in the streets, and many verging on the line of pure desperation have resulted to very primalistic attitudes of attacking others, survival of the fittest.
One doesn’t have to look far, as the news is constantly covering the earthquake and the aftermath. What happened down there is terrible, and everyone should be looking to what they can do to help these poor people during a time of ultimate need. As we sit in our own homes with our heat, food, and clothing we need to remember those less fortunate, and consider ways to help out. There are many ways listed to provide help to those, either financially or through donations of supplies. Many employees of Festiva Resorts have stepped up to the challenge and found ways to help those whose lives have been torn apart by this natural disaster. To help with the process, you can check out these legitimate organizations so that you can do your part to help.
RELIEF DONATIONS
The Red Cross www.redcross.org has many options available on their website to offer aid.
www.umhaitirelief.org The University of Michigan set up this site for ways to assist as well.
If everyone contributed just a little bit, the results could be life changing.
01.20.10
Consumer advisory for Festiva owners and members
If you have been contacted by someone regarding the resale of your unit on the website listingdepartment.com, please be advised that this is NOT a Festiva affiliated company, nor can we verify their legitimacy.
We have had reports from several owners and members who have been contacted by e-mail or regular mail and we are currently investigating this company.
If you have received an e-mail from this or any other suspicious company please forward it to ownerservices@festiva.travel.
Please note that Festiva does not offer a resale program at this time. Further, if anyone from Festiva does contact you, their e-mail address will end with @festiva.travel. An e-mail from any other domain regarding your ownership or membership could be an illegitimate business and should be forwarded to us for further investigation.
For information on legitimate resale agencies and practices, please click here to read the Resale Guidelines from the American Resort Development Association (ARDA).
01.12.10
Ballin’ Mountaineers
Appalachian State University is the local college located in Boone, North Carolina. It is a great university that prides itself not only on its academics, but also its athletics. The Mountaineers had a great football season this year, and with that coming to a close, the basketball season has just started.
Although the Mountaineers lost their first game of the new year to the Citadel, it has not gotten them down. It was a fiercely competitive game, as it was the first time Buzz Peterson, the head coach of the mountaineers men’s basketball team faced off against the head coach of the Citadel, Ed Conroy. He used to be the assistant coach for the Mountaineers.
Some of the stars to look out for this year include junior Donald Sims, who currently broke the milestone of scoring 1,000 points during a game, the 29th player in the history of Appalachian State University basketball to reach such a high achievement. Kellen Brand continues to lead the Mountaineers with his amazing talents on the court. Possible NBA? Time will tell.
With the season just starting, it’s a great opportunity to score tickets to one of the games, and watch the many talents the team possesses, as they face off with other colleges. Here’s the upcoming schedule for the Men’s basketball.
Wed, Jan 13 ELON * BOONE, N.C. 7 p.m.
Sat, Jan 16 UNC GREENSBORO * BOONE, N.C. 3 p.m
Wed, Jan 20 Georgia Southern * at Statesboro, Ga. 7 p.m.
Sat, Jan 23 WESTERN CAROLINA * BOONE, N.C. 3:30 p.m.
Thu, Jan 28 Samford * at Birmingham, Ala. 8 p.m.
Sat, Jan 30 Chattanooga * at Chattanooga, Tenn. 7:30 p.m.
Mon, Feb 01 KING COLLEGE BOONE, N.C. 7 p.m.
Sat, Feb 06 Western Carolina * at Cullowhee, N.C. 7 p.m.
Mon, Feb 08 UNC Greensboro * at Greensboro, N.C. 7 p.m.
Thu, Feb 11 DAVIDSON * BOONE, N.C. 7 p.m.
Sat, Feb 13 GEORGIA SOUTHERN * BOONE, N.C. 3 p.m.
Wed, Feb 17 College of Charleston * at Charleston, S.C. 7 p.m.
Sat, Feb 20 ESPNU BracketBusters BOONE, N.C. TBA
Mon, Feb 22 Elon * at Elon, N.C. 7 p.m.
Thu, Feb 25 CHATTANOOGA * BOONE, N.C. 7 p.m.
Sat, Feb 27 SAMFORD * BOONE, N.C. 3 p.m.
The Blue Ridge Village has rooms available to those who are coming into town for the games, regardless of the team you pull for. Good luck Mountaineers!
12.26.09
Hawks Nest Tubing Park
The greatest thing about the Mountains in the winter time is the abundance of activities that are available to the locals, and tourists alike. For those who aren’t too keen on putting their feet on 2 skis and racing down a mountain, tubing offers another adventure for the young and old alike.
Hawks Nest has spent the past 3 years mastering the art of tubing, creating an elaborate park complete with ice “bumpers” to keep you in your lane. Along with the safety precautions, the conditions are perfect for the maximum fast paced, adrenaline packed race down the mountain, as they blow their own snow and have lighting for night time fun as well. Conveyor belts are strategically placed throughout the runs to bring you back up to the top, alleviating the guest from having to drag their tube back up to the top of the run.
Hawks Nest was recognized as having the largest tubing park in the on the East Coast, with 20 different lanes to fly down, ranging in length from a mere 400 to a roaring 1,000 feet.
Hawks Nest Tubing park is located about 10 miles from the Blue Ridge Village, in a small cozy town called Seven Devils. For more information, visit www.hawksnest-resort.com. Rates and tubing times are below.
| Monday – Thursday* | $22 | 10am, 12pm, 2pm, 4pm |
| Friday* | $22 | 10am, 12pm, 2pm, 4pm, & 6pm |
| Saturday & Holidays Check our Calendar for special times during Holidays. |
$31 | 10am, 12pm, 2pm, 4pm, & 6pm |
| Sunday | $31 | 10am, 12am, & 2pm |
| Sessions are 1 hour and 45 minutes. Children must be 3 years old to snow tube. Holidays are December 21st to January 1st, January 17 & 18 & February 14 & 15. A liability waiver must be signed for each adult 18 and over.$3 Military discount on weekends and holidays and $5 discount on weekday *Buy 2 sessions for $30 Monday – Friday (non- holiday) |
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12.17.09
Traditions around the world
Christmas comes in many different forms, and is celebrated throughout the world. Although the Spirit of Christmas flows across many countries, the traditions vary greatly. Let’s take a look at how Christmas works in a few cultures.
MEXICO: Christmas is a colorful, festive event in this country. Pinatas of every size and color are abundant and vendors in the streets are filled with merrily decorated ornaments and other Christmas trinkets. The first of nine Posadas is held on December 16th and goes through December 24th. Each night a fiesta is thrown, celebrating the 9 months of Mary’s pregnancy. Traditional foods served at Christmas time include hot chocolate, tamales and churros. Although some people in the culture choose to put up a Christmas tree, the tradition is to place a nativity scene in the home. Noche Buena is the term used to describe Christmas Eve, and children anxiously await Santa’s arrival on the morning of December 25th.
ITALY: Christmas season in Italy is traditionally celebrated December 24 – January 6, or Christmas Eve through Epiphany. This follows the pagan season of celebrations that started with Saturnalia, a winter solstice festival, and ended with the Roman New Year, the Calends. However there are lots of Christmas things to see during December prior to Christmas, many starting on December 8, the Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception. Santa is referred to as Babbo Natale, and is said to come in Italy on December 12th. A meatless meal is served on Christmas Eve, followed by a live nativity and midnight mass.
Regardless of your personal affiliations and cultural beliefs, it is no doubt that the winter season is the time for gathering of families and loved ones. Make this Christmas a special one by bringing the family to the peaceful mountains, and book your room at the Blue Ridge Village.
