Town Selects New Town Manager

April 1, 2009

Randy Feierabend has been named town manager for the Town of Beech Mountain.

Feierabend comes to Beech Mountain after eight years as planning services director for Caldwell County. Prior to that, he was with York County, S.C., for 11 years as planning and development services manager.

Mayor Rick Owen said Feierabend was selected from a pool of more than 40 applicants. He impressed the town council with his management experience and background in planning.
“Randy is a positive, energetic guy and I think he’s going to be a good fit,” said Owen. “We have a lot of infrastructure needs right now and his experience working with county governments, EDCs and planning boards will allow him to pull different factions together and work for common goals.”

In addition to being certified by the American Institute of Certified Planners, Feierabend will soon complete an extensive city-county administrative course conducted by the UNC School of Government.

“The council members have the best interest of Beech Mountain in mind and I liked what they had to say,” Feierabend said. “They want to move forward progressively and positively.”
Feierabend doesn’t expect to make major changes as he addresses pressing needs.
“We’ll develop a plan to make sure our infrastructure is there for future generations. I want to get a feel for people who live there and what they want, as well as the people who make it home for part of the year. Then we’ll come up with a vision that meets the needs of everybody.”
Feierabend is proud of his record in government, particularly the commitment he makes to the communities he serves. This is only his third job change in 28 years.

“If you’re in government, serving is your reward and I try to serve the citizens of the community,” he said. “Government can sometimes have a black eye with the people. I don’t want that to be the case locally.”

Feierabend is a native of Louisiana and a graduate of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. His wife, Kathryn, is a watercolor artist. They have a 32-year-old daughter, Megan, who lives in Apex, and a 26-year-old son, Evan, who lives in Fort Mill, S.C.

story and photo provided by Craig Distl

March 1st Snowfall

March 2, 2009


March 1st brought us between 15" and 18" of snow. It would be quite a challenge to play tennis at the Beech Mountain Club courts in this...

...let alone trying to swim in it! Maybe we should have a Beech Mountain Polar Plunge!?!

Road view of tennis facilities, fitness and administration offices for Beech Mountain Club.

Our road on the 1st. Some of our neighbors were out for a visit.

Same road after the town cleared a path.

At least if we decide to stay in we have plenty of company to entertain us.

The views are unbelievably gorgeous when the snow defines the dips and valleys and the skies are crystal clear.

This little lady has a bad leg so she's been hanging around for some handouts of corn. Seems to be surviving very well for the temperatures, snowfall and winds we've had. It dropped below zero last night and is 12 degrees today but the 35 mph wind gusts have died down and the sun is out.

Barn Dance this Saturday - Y'All Come!

BEECH MOUNTAIN IS HAVING A
GOOD OLE WESTERN
“PRAIRIE” BARN DANCE

Place: BUCKEYE RECREATION CENTER
Date: AUGUST 16TH, 2008
Time: 6 P.M. – 9 P.M.

PUT ON YOUR BOOTS, BUY A COWBOY HAT, TIE A BANDANA AROUND YOUR NECK, JOIN THE CROWD FOR DANCING TO THE LEFTOVER BLUEGRASS BAND, AND ENJOY A CHUCKWAGON MEAL.

BYOB – PROVIDE YOUR OWN SET UP

THERE WILL ALSO BE A SPECIAL APPEARANCE BY
ROY KREGE AS OUR SQUARE DANCE CALLER and BILL HESS AND TROUPE WILL LEAD LINE DANCING

COST : $15.00 PER COWBOY OR COWGIRL, INCLUDING MEAL CONSISTING OF:
PRAIRIE CHILI WITH COLE SLAW AND CORNBREAD
OR
PRAIRIE HOT DOG PLATE WITH COLE SLAW AND MAC & CHEESE

TICKETS AVAILABLE : BUCKEYE RECREATION CENTER

AND THE BEECH MOUNTAIN CHAMBER
PHONE CONTACT : 828-387-9283

Fireworks this Saturday, July 12th

July 7, 2008
Fireworks Update

The Beech Mountain Chamber of Commerce and The Beech Mountain Volunteer Fire Department will be having their annual 4th of July fireworks show on Saturday night, July 12th, at dusk. The fireworks display was delayed after fog rolled in after the 47th Annual Hog Roast last Saturday night. Have dinner at one of our local restaurants, then come to the Ski Beech View Haus for the viewing of the fireworks. For further information, please call the Beech Mountain Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-468-5506 or locally 387-9283.

47th Annual Pig Roast...a Great Success

July 5, 2008

Although the weather threatened to wash us all away earlier in the day, the timing was perfect when the clouds departed and the rain moved on at just after 5:00 p.m. - just in time for the meat to be delivered and the final preparations for the Pig Roast to be put in place.

The volunteers, as always, outdid themselves and there were no complaints that I heard while taking tickets for the dinner. The mood was very upbeat and jovial.

The volunteer fire fighters had their hands full getting the meat cooked through the night and braving the weather throughout the day. But in the end, the meat turned out perfect and well worth the $7/lb. for the turkey and $6/lb. for the pork for the meat that was not used for the dinner.

Our ticket sellers were decked out in their patriotic glory and smiles.

Not to be left out, the kids danced, lit sparklers and seemed to have a very good time.

We really could not have had much better weather, even though some lingering fog postponed the fireworks display until next Saturday, July 12th.

Residents and visitors alike had lots of fun and plenty of good food. What a great event! A great job done by the Chamber of Commerce and all of those who helped to make this event a success.