Chimney Rock News

People started off 2009 by plunging into the Rocky Broad River this past January during the annual New Year's Polar Plunge event held at Geneva Riverside Lodging.

The Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy has purchased 1,527 acres on Weed Patch Mountain, north of Lake Lure in Rutherford County, the conservancy announced today.

What : Cheer on Santa at Chimney Rock Park. When : Santa Claus climbs the chimney on the half-hour 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday and Dec.

Nothing brings the holiday spirit home quite like visiting Santa Claus. As a child, he brought such a smile to my face.

Published: Saturday, November 28, 2009 at 4:30 a.m. Last Modified: Friday, November 27, 2009 at 5:52 p.m. Southern Lights SDC will host a "Toys For Tots" dance will start at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec.

Published: Sunday, November 8, 2009 at 10:18 a.m. Last Modified: Sunday, November 8, 2009 at 10:18 a.m. The view from the top of Gray Rock is spectacular.

Editor's note: This story appeared following the July 1, 1997 rock slide that shut down Interstate 40 in the Pigeon River Gorge for several months.

Published: Sunday, September 27, 2009 at 4:30 a.m. Last Modified: Thursday, September 24, 2009 at 7:14 p.m. At the highest elevations, the transition from the lush summer greens to autumn's technicolor show is already beginning.

Chimney Rock State Park is hosting its inaugural "Flock to the Rock," a weekend of birding programs, walks and workshops this Saturday and Sunday.

This weekend is shaping up to be an interesting on. It begins with the summer's final Downtown After 5 and wraps up with a CGBG-themed showcase at The Boiler Room .

Ida K. Bennick Owens and Joseph P. Buchanan are engaged and plan to be married in an outside ceremony in the mountains of North Carolina on October 3, 2009.

Runners and cyclists can 'Race to the Rock' at Chimney Rock State Park. The 5K run and 7K cycling time trial both start at 8 a.m. Sunday .

A strong thunderstorm will affect northeastern Henderson, southeastern Buncombe, southwestern McDowell and western Rutherford counties through 6:15 p.m., the National Weather Service said.

Once again, runners and cyclists can "Race to the Rock" at Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park.

A new series, 'Music on the Mountain: Songs from the Southern Highlands' will start Saturday afternoon at the Meadows of Chimney Rock at the park.

Chimney Rock, the high-jutting rock outcropping that is an iconic image of the N.C. mountains, now has its own official place in the state's history.

Published: Sunday, August 2, 2009 at 4:30 a.m. Last Modified: Saturday, August 1, 2009 at 4:46 p.m. Described by a British traveler as "an isolated rock, looming against the sky which is of circular form, and resembles the principal turret of a stupendous castle," the 315-foot Chimney Rock monolith remains awe-inspiring today.

Published: Monday, July 27, 2009 at 11:10 a.m. Last Modified: Monday, July 27, 2009 at 11:10 a.m. Mark your calendars for the third weekend of September for a big event at Chimney Rock Park.

Chimney Rock Park and Rutherford County Arts Council will host Music on the Mountain: Songs from the Southern Highlands from 3-6 p.m. Aug.

Editor's note: Andrew Harrison, 24, the son of Connie Harrison of Wilson, and Maddy Burke, 23, of Alexandria, Va., began a cross-country motorcycle trip.