It is time for another photo contest.  I must admit that I really miss getting photos from you.  The past contests have been a wonderful way to make connections with our guests.  The details for the Winter in Asheville Photo Contest are:

• The photo should depict one of the many things to do in western N.C. during the winter.  If it is an indoor activity or the scenery does not indicate it is winter, please include the name and date of the event.  The photo does not have to be from the current year.  The article below is a great list of possible events for photos.  
• Entering the contest indicates your permission to use the photo in our newsletter or website.  Be sure to have the permission of anyone in the photo as well.
• Photos must be sent to us digitally, by email, dropbox or thumbdrive.  Photos must be received by  the first day of Spring, March 20th.  
• First prize is a $145 gift certificate, Second $80 gift certificate, Third $50 gift certificate.  All are good for one year from notification of winners.  
• The Bent Creek Lodge staff will judge the photos and select the winners.  

    Things do slow down in Asheville in the winter.  That is not necessarily a bad thing for those of you willing to chance a little cold weather and come for a visit.  Tourist businesses go the extra mile with events and special deals to keep you coming.  Like a lot of places we lower our rates for January and February and this year we have a great special for you newsletter readers. (See the bottom Block of the newsletter for details)  

These are just a few of the events that RomanticAsheville.com lists as the top things to do in Asheville this winter:

Asheville Restaurant Week

And there are still great hikes with long range views and frozen waterfalls not to mention coming back to the lodge and snuggling up to a roaring fireplace with a mug of hot chocolate.  Winter is a good time to be here!

     Jodee has really gotten into her pottery.  

	Jodee and Sam at her new kiln

After several classes at AB Tech and John C. Campbell folk art school she decided it was time to go "all in".  So she kicked me, my tools, the bikes and a bunch of junk out of the garage and we turned it into her studio. Not to worry, my tools and I ended up in a new shed at the end of our driveway.  For her studio we added a special sink, an extruder, a slab roller, work tables and shelves.   However,  the real heart of the operation required a kiln so she could complete her work from raw clay to glazed art.  The kiln itself was a major investment but it also meant adding a heavy duty electrical circuit, cutting a hole thru the outside wall and installing a motorized vent then setting up and testing the kiln.  Jodee and I were a little intimidated about the whole thing when along came Sam Thompson!  He applied for the part time landscaping/handyman position that we advertised.  Not only did he have excellent experience and references for the work I needed he was a professional potter!  He had recently graduated from Maine College of Art with a Bachelors of Fine Art in Ceramics, with Honors no less and moved to Asheville. He was also the studio manager for the ceramics department, in charge of firing, maintaining and repairing the kilns.  Needless to say, he got Jodee's vote for the position and lucky for us, mine too.   He has been doing a great job all around from pruning to painting but he has been especially helpful to Jodee in setting up the kiln and her studio. Sam is also working at a studio/shop in the River Arts District, pursuing his own pottery career and manages to keep a girl friend.  Ahh! to be young. 

Jodee's Houses on our mantel

     Several guests have inquired about purchasing Jodee's whimsical houses and yard stackers so she is busy cranking those out and having lots of fun with the kiln and new glazes.  She hasn't actually put anything up for sale yet but we'll let you know when that happens.