Mary Sitton Hendersonville, NC and WNC Area

Looking for the perfect Mother's Day present? How about the gift of nature and all it's beauty?

May 9^th & 10^th the Friends of DuPont forest, a non-profit corporation, will offer a 12 mile tour by shuttle bus to Triple Falls, High Falls, Bridal Veil Falls and Lake Julia.

The shuttles will run from 9a.m. until 3 p.m. allowing you and your family time to enjoy a packed picnic lunch.

DuPont forest is located in both Henderson and Transylvania counties in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina. A $10.00 per person donation is requested.

Friends of DuPont Forest are dedicated to preserving and improving the 10,400 acres of DuPont State Forest.

For more information please call 828-692-2929 or 828-877-6431 or visit the official website: www.dupontforest.com

Anytime I have any tire, breaks, axel, shocks and struts questions I turn to the professionals at Downtown Tire Center located at 108 S. King Street in beautiful Hendersonville North Carolina.

Owner Bobby Roland and staff are in my opinion the best in the business. Bobby purchased Downtown Tire Center over 13 years ago. Downtown Tire Company has been around for 36 years. Its previous location was on Main Street.

So I had a burning question about nitrogen. What are the advantages of filling your tires with Nitrogen?

1. Consistent inflation pressure over longer periods

* Nitrogen primates through the tire at a rate of 35% slower than regular air.

* Under inflated tires flex and build up heat, breaking down the rubber over time.

* 60% of blowouts are caused by under inflation.

* Consistent inflation improves tread life

* Vehicle handling is improved.

2. Longer tire life

* Nitrogen is a dry gas which disperses heat more rapidly resulting in cooler running tires; this preserves the integrity of the rubber, belts and bead.

* This inert gas also significantly slows the chemical aging process.

3. Improved fuel efficiency

* Passenger cars realize 2-3miles per gallon gains (4% on average)

* Trucks realize gains of 2%

* At 4% a vehicle with 20 mpg rating, this saves approximately 2.5 gallons per week based on 40 miles per day @ $1.90 per gallon that adds up to $228 savings per year!

4. Will not cause oxidation on the wheel causing the tire to leak

5. Nitrogen is NOT explosive

The cost to fill your tires with nitrogen for the life of the tire is $10.00 per tire. When your ready call Bobby at 828-693-1676.

Creative Beginnings Preschool located at 699 N. Grove Street in beautiful Hendersonville North Carolina is now enrolling for summer and fall classes.

The summer program begins June 23rd - Tuesday & Thursdays from 8:45am to 11:45am and ends July 30th.

Fall Classes begin September 8th. There are currently the following openings:

8 openings in the turning two's. 1 opening in the two's class, 2 openings in the three's class and 3 openings in the four's class.

Class times are from 8:45am to 11:45am with 5 day, three day or two day a week schedule available. Please contact Fran at 828-692-3211 to schedule your tour of this wonderful God centered school. My daughter has attended since she was 18months old and loves her teachers and friends.

Please visit the Creative Beginnings official website at: www.fpchendersonville.org/creativebeginnings.cfm

To read reviews about Creative Beginnings Preschool please click on the following links:

http://local.yahoo.com/info-13364385-creative-beginnings-preschool-hendersonville

Attention Garden lovers and beginner gardeners! Imagine 100 vendors of local artists, crafts, plants and more. You have growing questions? Someone is bound to have the answer. Master gardeners will be on hand to share their expertise. Looking for a native hard to find plant? Here's your chance to find it. Looking for lunch? They'll have that too. This truly is a must attend event.

Schedule of events are as follows:

Saturday, May 23
10:00AM-6:00PM Street Festival (6th Ave. - Caswell St.) arts & crafts, plants and food
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Lowe's Kids Clinic, Located at the Visitors Information Center (201 S. Main St.)

Lowe's Garden Clinics with Bill Slack at the Visitors Information Center (201 S. Main St.)
11:00 AM "A Picture Perfect Landscape"
1:00 PM "Pathways, Patios & Plants: Southern Living's Finishing Touches"
3:00 PM "Container Gardening - Secrets of the Pros"

Sunday, May 24
10:00AM-6:00PM Street Festival (6th Ave. - Caswell St.) arts & crafts, plants and food
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Lowe's Kids Clinic, Located at the Visitors Information Center (201 S. Main St.)

Lowe's Garden Clinics with Bill Slack at the Visitors Information Center (201 S. Main St.)
1:00 PM "A Picture Perfect Landscape"
3:00 PM "Pathways, Patios & Plants: Southern Living's Finishing Touches"

5:00 PM Blind Ducky Racing - Patton Park / Sponsored by the Hendersonville Lions Club

It's recommended to leave your beloved pets at home but bring a wagon or rolling cart to make transporting your new treasures home easier.

To read even more about this magical event please visit the following news announcement: http://www.historichendersonville.org/garden_jubilee.htm

I LOVE the Carl Sandburg home! I'm so fortunate to have the privilege to drive such a short distance and feel miles away.

My favorite times to visit the Sandburg home would be at Christmas which I discussed in a previous post and Spring when the new baby goats are making their debut. So without further adoo...May I entroduce one of the new Kidd's on the block pictures below.

Names have not been picked yet.

May I also share with you the Blue Ridge Times news article announcing the first born?: http://www.blueridgenow.com/article/20090404/TOPSTORIES/904039888/1022/LIVING?Title=Season-s-first-goat-born-at-Sandburg-Home