The Swag

Photo by Glasscock.

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is by far the most common species that breeds in the eastern half of North America.  Ruby-throats are intensely inquisitive and thus easily attracted to feeders, where males in particular typically display aggressive territoriality toward rival hummers, other birds, and even insects such as bees, and butterflies.  They quickly become accustomed to human presence, and as many Swagges can attest, will swoop down to investigate red articles of clothing, possibly as potential food sources.

Did you know?..The Swag currently has four hummingbird feeders out on the front porch which Swag staffers fill twice daily.  That equals 384 oz. of necter a day, WOW!

Speaking of hummers, don’t forget our birding expert Bob Collier returns later this month for Birding on the Lawn and daily hikes.  Check out our Special Event Calendar for more information.

The license plate with the distinct black bear image is benefiting wildlife throughout Great Smoky Mountains National Park this summer, thanks to strong plate sales and numerous projects to support black bears, trout, elk, and other wildlife.  The North Carolina “black bear” license plate, which benefits Friends of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, brought in $102,900 in the last quarter, an increase of more than seven percent over the same period in 2010.

Of the extra $30 annual fee for each specialty tag, $20 goes to Friends of the Smokies to support projects and programs on the North Carolina side of the park. Launched in 1999, the North Carolina Smokies license plate has now raised more than $2.4 million.

“The Smokies are a true refuge for black bears, brook trout, salamanders, elk, and thousands of other species,” said Dan Matthews, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Friends of the Smokies and co-owner of  The Swag Country Inn in Waynesville. “We are very glad for the opportunity to help protect these wild creatures and to have so much support from drivers all across North Carolina. They are the ones who make these important projects possible.”

Deener has hers, do you have yours?

More information on the license plate for both NC and TN can be found by visiting the Friends of the Smokies.

The Blue Ridge Parkway will Celebrate Heritage & Community this Saturday, August 6, at Waterrock Knob.  The celebration begins at 10:00 a.m. running until 3:00 p.m. with ongoing craft demonstrations throughout the day as well as Cherokee dancers, Appalachian storytellers, old-time and bluegrass music, and clogging.  The day will end with a naturalist lead hike through the knob.

Waterrock Knob, located at Milepost 451 on the Blue Ridge Parkway is about 21 miles from The Swag and a visit there tomorrow would be another great way for Swaggers to experience the history and heritage of the region.

For more information on the parkway or the days events, visit the Blue Ridge Parkway Association or Asheville Citizen-Times.

Since 1944, Smokey Bear has been a symbol of safety and fire prevention.  Tomorrow, in celebration of Smokey’s 67 birthday, the Cradel of Forestry is hosting a birthday party from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. with a full schedule of activities including music, fire fighting equipment demonstrations, prize drawings and birthday cake.  At 1:30 the party moves indoors for a live animal program presented by Carolina Mountain Naturalists.  Meet native amphibians, reptiles, and birds and learn about their lives in Smokey’s woods.

The Cradel of Forestry is located in the Pisgah National Forest about an hours drive from The Swag, which would make it the perfect day trip for any Swagger looking to get out and explore western NC.

This photo is located upstairs in the Swag House photo gallery.

Did you know?..The concept of Smokey Bear was created by Dan’s uncle Richard Hammatt, how’s that for a little Swag history.

On Saturday, July 31, two more Swag staffers were married.  Over the past 30 years, there have been several Swag employees who have met and married at The Swag. The first was Bobbie Jean Rathbone and Kenny Haney (Bobbie Jean was a waitress and Kenny a dishwasher).  They met when The Statler Brothers were @ The Swag for a week doing an hour-long television special.  Next, Bobbie Jean’s uncle, Roger Rathbone — our caretaker for 30 years – married Barbara, a Swag housekeeper.  The next Swag joining came when Dan officiated at the wedding of longtime assistant innkeeper, Mindy Cole to Terry Wood.  They were married in the Great Room of the Swag House.

The most recent wedding took place last Saturday.  Amy Farrington and Kevin Rowsey have been working at The Swag for three+ years — Kevin first in our front office, then as a waiter and houseman, and Amy as a housekeeper.  The word is that it all got started when they were seated together at the  Swag’s end of season dinner celebration at The Old Stone Inn last November! The wedding took place at 4:00 in the afternoon on a crystal-clear Swag day in the Gazebo on Gooseberry Knob.  It was a team affair.  Our new gardener, McRae, made the nosegay out of Swag garden flowers and Ginger, our executive housekeeper, made the boutonierre for Kevin.  The couple shared this special event with parents and Amy’s two children.  Mark Higdon and Angie Leatherwood made it all work smoothly, with drives up to the Knob in the Land Rover for both families.

Interested in having a Swag wedding of your own here at 5,000 feet?  Visit our website for all the details and wedding package information.