Carol Clay, Broker/REALTOR Brevard NC Real Estate Specialist

Everyone has their favorite time of year. For us, it's fall. Maybe it's the cooler, drier air. Or maybe it's the the way the summer haze gives way to crystal clear views of the mountains that are ablaze in yellow, red, orange, and gold. It could be the smell of wood burning in our fireplace or the feel of being cozy and warm in a butter soft sweater. It may even be the fact that it's the start of football season. More than likely, it's all of those things that makes me look forward to the coming of fall, even when the calendar says August and the temperatures still hover in the 80's. Now, in the early weeks of September, here in the higher elevations, the leaves have begun an ever so subtle change, the shadows are getting longer as the days are getting shorter, and I know for sure that fall is just around the corner.

Fall is apple season here in the mountains so if you plan to visit the Hendersonville or Brevard area of western North Carolina, don't pass up the chance to do some of your own apple picking. It's a great way to spend the day and whether you choose to pick your own from a basket or from the tree, it's a tasty bounty.

Most of the apple orchards are located on Hwy. 64 heading east of Hendersonville. One of our favorites is Grandad's Apples N' Such. But there are numerous others to choose from including Creasman's Farm, Skytop Orchards, Hillcrest Orchard/J. H. Stepp Farm, and Coston Farms. Most of these are family owned farms that have been part of the landscape and the mountain economy for decades.

Apple growing is big business in the Hendersonville area of North Carolina and represents 65% of the apples grown in the state. Apple season runs from late August through October so there's still plenty of time to take a bite out of this year's crop.

Before I go any further, I should explain that this is not some sort of vampire fest. Transylvania County, home of Brevard, is located in beautiful western North Carolina and got it's name from its founders. In Latin it roughly means "Across the woods".

With that out of the way, let's talk about food! On September 16, you can sample food from 15 area restaurants at the annual Taste of Transylvania. Tasty samplings from the area's best restaurants is just the beginning though. There is a silent auction where you can bid on items that showcase our wonderful mountain lifestyle. And if that isn't enough, there's music by Mark Yaxley. We saw him perform at one of Brevard's gallery nights and hearing him again is worth the price of admission.

Taste of Translvania is being held at the Brevard Music Center to benefit Communities in Schools in Transylvania County (CISTC).

"CISTC champions the connection between community resources and the children, family and schools of Transylvania County to ensure that young people successfully learn, stay in school, and are prepared for life...Communities in Schools (CIS) is the anchor to the nation's leading community-based organization helping young people stay in school and prepare for life. Transylvania County's CIS office opened in July of 1991. CISTC responds to the needs of our community by creating community around young people and their families, and by bringing existing resources, services, parents, and volunteers into school and non-school sites. The result: Young people's needs are met, so they can concentrate on learning."

Advance tickets are $35 for adults ($40 at the door). Children 12 and under are $10 and kids under 3 get in free. For more information visit Taste of Transylvania online or call 828-885-7390.

One of the newest places on the restaurant scene in Brevard, NC is
ED Boudreaux's Bayou Bar-B-Que.
If you like your BBQ freshly smoked and served up with fresh-made sides like creole baked beans, sweet potato fries, collards, or andouille cheddar grits, then you're going to love this place. It opened on July 5 at 20 McLean Rd. just a bit west of Ingles grocery store.

We stopped in for lunch recently and I'm looking forward to going back soon. I ordered the Applewood Smoked Pulled Pork and since all the BBQ platters come with two sides and Texas toast I went for the andouille cheddar grits and the collard greens. Being from the south, I covet good collard greens and these were, hands down, some of the best I've had in a long time. The pork was tender and juicy and if the 7 oz version isn't enough you can step up to the 10 oz portion. Husband Robert ordered the Cowboy Reuben, a great Boudreaux twist on a traditional reuben. The smoked beef brisket with creole mustard, mayo, cheddar, and sauerkraut was piled thick on Texas toast and required two hands and lots of napkins. We would order either of these again, but I can't wait to try some other favorites like ribs, the Fried Green Tomato Po'Boy, or the Sloppy Swine, a pulled pork sandwich smothered in creole sauce, cheddar cheese, and coleslaw on a French roll. Other BBQ platters include smoked beef brisket, smoked chicken, smoked jumbo chicken wings, short ribs, and spare ribs. Whatever you order, you can top it off with your choice of 14 different custom sauces at the "sauce bar". There are varieties of traditional BBQ sauce in varying degrees of heat, of course, but I couldn't resist also trying the jamaican jerk or the rajun cajun.

Even the appetizers get the Boudreaux touch including red bean hummus, BBQ nachos which are nachos smothered with, what else but, your choice of pulled pork, beef brisket or smoked chicken along with plenty of cheddar cheese and sour cream.

If you're a vegetarian, a BBQ joint probably isn't high on your list...but ED Boudreaux's menu has plenty of meat-free choices like the Avocado Melt, Grilled Veggie Po'Boy, a smoked Tempeh Reuben, a Black Bean burger, and more. Plus there is a good variety of salad choices if you're looking for something on the lighter side.

The restaurant at ED Bourdreaux's opens at 11:00 am Monday - Saturday and at noon on Sunday and serves until about 10 pm. The bar area is open till 2:00 am.The building is handicapped accessible and there is also outdoor seating so you can enjoy the great NC weather. There is a second location in Asheville, but we're real glad they're here in Brevard. You can visit them online at edbbq.com, or give them a call in Brevard at 828-883-5598. But if you really want to know what makes ED Boudreaux's so good, you just have to go there! Tell them the Clay Team sent you.

The third annual "Serve it up for SAFE" tennis tournament is set for September 19-21. This tennis event is a wonderful opportunity to play tennis at the Brevard Tennis and Athletic Club, Brevard, NC's premier tennis and fitness center, and help raise money to benefit victims of domestic violence and abuse.

According to SAFE, last year's event raised over $10,000. This year's event promises to be even bigger and the funds will go to support SAFE's new and larger shelter.

SAFE is a non-profit organization that provides free services for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in Transylvania County. They provide food, shelter, counseling, and court assistance for victims of abuse and sexual assault.

This year's event kicks off with a reception at the Brevard Tennis club on Friday, September 19. Play starts Saturday morning and will consist of doubles events for adult men and women. Players will compete by rating categories, but if you don't have a USTA rating, you can self-rate and still compete. It is a single elimination format with a consolation bracket. Prizes will be awarded to winners in each rating level. Plus, all players will be entered into a Grand Prize Drawing for a tennis racquet of the winner's choice, courtesy of the tennis club. A light breakfast and lunch are included in the registration fee of $35.00

You can learn more about SAFE and the upcoming tennis tournament by visiting SAFE online or by calling 828-885-7233.

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For more information about the Brevard, NC area, including Brevard, NC real estate, visit the Clay Team online at www.brevardncproperty.com

As you make your plans for September, be sure you include the annual Mountain Song Festival on Saturday, September 13 . The doors open at noon, and the event takes place from 2:00 pm to 10:00 pm at the famed Brevard Music Center. The 1,800 seat, open-air auditorium is the main stage for the festival where music greats including Del McCoury have performed in the past.

According to the event website, "Mountain Song Festival was created to bring the best in acoustic music including bluegrass, old-time, folk and traditional mountain music to our community and to further encourage music in our everyday lives. Mountain Song strives to promote cultural tourism and environmental awareness for a positive impact on our community. Mountain Song Festival was inspired by our youth. It will help fund the Boys and Girls Club of Transylvania County and also facilitate educational opportunities for children and adults."

This year's line includes Steep Canyon Rangers, Cherryholmes, Tim O'Brien, and featured guest Sam Bush. It's a great event, for a great cause. Check it out at www.mountainsongfestival.com

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For more information about the Brevard, NC area, including Brevard, NC real estate, visit the Clay Team online at www.brevardncproperty.com