Welcome to La Petite Chalet. We hope you enjoy a new choice in lodging in Little Switzerland! Be sure to check out our FACEBOOK PAGE for LA PETITE CHALET by clicking on the BIG "F" on the bottom left of this page. It has lots of additional photos and positive reviews and comments from our wonderful past guests!!!!

Christmas Happenings!

12/06/2011 14:52:00

Town of Bakersville Announces Holiday Events

Upcoming Bakersville Events:

On December 10, 2011, Bethlehem Village will be in the Bakersville Creekwalk Park 6:00 pm-8:00 pm.

Be transported through time! Enter the bustling village of Bethlehem. Experience the sights and sounds surrounding Jesus' birth. After registering with the census-taker and money-changers, you'll encounter carpenters, dyers and weavers, potters, metal workers and tradespeople of all types...plus animals. You'll meet Roman Centurions, beggars, gossips and shepherds. And of course, your final destination will be the manger where you will meet the newborn baby Jesus.

Admission is free. Please join us!

Presented by: Bakersville Baptist Church, McKinney Cove Baptist Church, Roan Mtn. Baptist Church and others. Contact person: 828-385-2082

Market On Oak Special Holiday Offers

Free Handblown Glass Ornament with Purchase Special at the Market on Oak

Take home a beautiful handblown glass ornament from November 25-December 25 with your purchase of $100 or more.

Just in.... North Carolina Santa Print and Cards by Daryl Slaton

Buy Local Support Small Businesses

Local purchases support our small businesses, the tax base and keeps the economy alive in our county!

Christmas in Spruce Pine

Spruce Pine Main Street is sponsoring “Christmas In Spruce Pine” with events scheduled for the second week of December.

There will be a SANTA MAILBOX located on Locust Street for children to drop their letters to Santa Claus. Letters with a return address will be answered by Santa Claus himself! The mailbox will be set by December 12. Bring your children downtown for this milestone event and make memories that will last a lifetime by letting them place that all-important letter in the mailbox for Santa!

Participating businesses in downtown Spruce Pine will be decorating their store fronts and windows for a WINDOW DECORATING CONTEST. Come downtown to shop late and visit each storefront so you can place your vote for the winner on the Spruce Pine Main Street website at www.downtownsprucepine.com. All voting will be done by the public via website voting. Support your favorite storefront by voting online prior to December 17.

On December 13 Main Street will sponsor a FOOD DRIVE for needy families in the Spruce Pine area. Non-perishable food items may be dropped off on Oak Street between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. While you are downtown, shop late, and listen to old-fashioned Christmas Carols from local church choirs.

On December 14 The Pizza Shop on Oak Street in downtown will sponsor COCOA AND COOKIESOCIAL for children of all ages. The event will begin at 4:30 p.m. Bring your children to decorate cookies to enjoy with hot cocoa while listening to old-fashioned Christmas Caroling from local church choirs.

December 15 will be a TOY DRIVE on Locust Street to benefit local children. Please drop off an unwrapped, new toy at our box on Locust Street between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Once again, sounds of the season will be filling the air, thanks to choirs from local churches. Shop late while you are downtown and get into the Christmas Spirit. Don’t forget to window shop and place your vote for your favorite decorated storefront.

Don’t want to drive an hour to sit on Santa’s lap? Visit us downtown on December 16 and December 17 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Any Christmas to have PICTURES WITH SANTA CLAUS. On site printing of these photographs will be available for $5 by Jean Moree Photography. You won’t want to miss this!

Spruce Pine Main Street will wrap up the festivities on the evening of December 17 will the DOWNTOWN TREE LIGHTING. The tree lighting event will begin at 5 p.m. and ending around 8 p.m. The winners of the storefront decorating contest will be announced and residents and guests will enjoy Christmas Carols by local church choirs.

You won’t want to miss these small-town Christmas events. Step back in time, and join your friends and neighbors in the community for an Olde Fashioned Christmas in Spruce Pine!

For details and more information contact Denise at 765-1981 or 561-629-4279 or go to our website at www.downtownsprucepine.com.

Best of the Bests!

08/31/2011 09:23:00

Book a winning team of the best of the best - a night at La Petite Chalet and dinner at Knife and Fork Restaurant !!

Local chef Nate Allen and his team from Knife & Fork Restaurant in Spruce Pine have been busy! He recently brought home the gold as the grand finale winner of WNC Magazine's Chef Challenge after defeating Bistro at Biltmore. Then right on top of that win, Nate is chosen by Cooking Light Magazine to receive their Small Town Chef Award. Click on the links below to get all the details! Congratulations to Nate, Wendy and the Knife & Fork crew!

Citizen Times Article: http://www.citizen-times.com/article/20110822/LIVING/308220009/Knife-Fork-crowned-Chefs-Challenge-champ?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFrontpage

Cooking Light Article: http://www.cookinglight.com/food/nate-allen-knife-fork-chef-awards-00412000072465/

Photo Gallery from Chef's Challenge:http://www.wncmagazine.com/photogallery/wnc_chefs_challenge_finale_2011

Potter Magic !!!!

08/14/2011 20:30:00

Let Harry Potter inspire your own magical adventure in Western North Carolina:
Godric's Hollow: This wizardry community was the final home of Harry's parents and the location of their murder and the attack that left Harry with his lightning bolt-shaped scar. Visit Little Switzerland, known for its quaint community, for the same experience. It's about an hour away from Asheville off the Blue Ridge Parkway, but when you get there, you'll feel like you're in a far away land.

Book your GEM FESTIVAL Lodging at La Petite Chalet

08/03/2011 02:27:00

NC Mineral and Gem Festival
August 4-7, 2011
Spruce Pine, NC

Welcome to the North Carolina Mineral, Gem & Jewelry Festival website! Since the early 1950's Spruce Pine, North Carolina has been the host of the Festival and welcomed visitors from around the world to shop for beautiful jewelry, gemstones, minerals, beads, crystals, fossils and more! Even celebrities have been spotted at the Festival selecting their jewelry, gemstones and gifts! The Festival features gem, jewelry and mineral dealers from across the country showcasing their merchandise to fit every budget. Whether you are shopping for an engagement ring, a special stone for your own setting, a custom designed piece of jewelry or a special crystal display for your home, you can't miss the NC Mineral and Gem Festival. The NC Mineral, Gem and Jewelry Festival is directed by the Mitchell County Chamber of Commerce and supported by nearly 100 community volunteers. The Festival is an indoor festival so weather is never a problem! Set in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of Spruce Pine, NC, Festival goers not only enjoy shopping during the four day Festival, but they also enjoy all that there is to do in our beautiful area. Check out our Area Attractions page to plan your visit to Spruce Pine and the NC Mineral, Gem and Jewelry Festival.

Southern Highlands Craft Fair comes to nearby Asheville - a good day trip from Little Switzerland and La Petite Chalet!

07/01/2011 13:07:00

Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands

Frances Goodrich, a Yale graduate, moved to Buncombe County in 1890 to do missionary work for the Presbyterian Church. She met women who were still weaving traditional coverlets and had the idea to create a cottage industry to get money into the community and help the mountain families. Allanstand Cottage Industries, which she founded in 1897, in Madison County, NC, would ultimately become Allanstand Craft Shop. Goodrich moved the business to College St. in downtown Asheville in 1908 and began networking with other leaders of the Southern Arts and Crafts movement. A few years later, the idea of the Southern Highland Craft Guild was formed.Chartered in 1930, The Southern Highland Craft Guild grew to become one of the strongest craft organizations in the country. The Guild now represents over 900 craftspeople in 293 counties of 9 southeastern states. They have also partnered with the National Park Service for more than fifty years and can be visited at the Blue Ridge Parkway's Folk Art Center. Twice a year, these craftspeople come together and bring their wares to the Civic Center for the Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands! With exhibitors, demonstrations and entertainment, this is a don't miss event.When: July 21 - 24, 2011, Thursday - Saturday: 10am to 6pm; Sunday: 10am to 5pm
Where: Asheville Civic Center 87 Haywood St, Asheville, NC
Price: $8 for adults, children under 12 free
Info: 828-298-7928 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 828-298-7928 end_of_the_skype_highlighting Learn more and shop online at www.SouthernHighlandGuild.com

La Petite Chalet on the Penland School of Crafts (www.penland.org) Gala Auction approved lodging list!

06/29/2011 07:00:00

Penland's Annual Benefit Auction

Please join us for our 26th Penland School of Crafts Benefit Auction

August 12-13, 2011 Our auctioneer for the weekend is Mark Oliver.

Invitations will be mailed in June.

An electronic reservation card can be downloaded here.

Save the form to your computer, then fill it out and email it to us, or print it out, fill it out, and fax or mail it to us.

Tables seat 10. Reservations are required. The event often sells out quickly; early reservations are recommended. Reservations will be accepted until the auction is filled.

Absentee and phone bids are accepted for all auctions until noon on Friday, August 12 for a fee of $25 (includes catalog). All ticket purchasers, absentee bidders, and advertisers receive an illustrated catalog in July. Images of artwork will be posted here on the website in late June. Catalogs are available for $25.

Admission

Weekend: $375

Friday only: $200

Saturday only: $250

Absentee bidding: $25

Friend of Artists Sponsorship: $1,500
These sponsors support the cost of ten artists to attend the auction and salute their generous donation of artwork. Friends of Artists Sponsors receive special recognition in the auction program and in signage at the auction exhibition and the Saturday live auction.

Artist Sponsorship: $150
These sponsors support the cost of one artist to attend the auction and salute their generous donation of artwork.

2011 Benefit Auction Schedule

Friday August 12

10:30-11:30am

Gallery Reception
Join artists for a reception and a discussion of the exhibition, Foreign Worlds, Private Places

Noon-3:00pm

Director’s Luncheon

A special artwork (TBA) will be auctioned at the luncheon to kick off the event.

Hands-On Workshop, Exhibition Preview and Art Talk
The luncheon, workshop, and art talk are by invitation to Lucy Morgan Leaders and special guests. Lucy Morgan Leaders contribute $1,000 or more to the Penland School of Crafts annual fund each year.

1:00-3:00pm
Core Student Open House
Core fellowship students exhibit their work in the drawing and painting studio.

3:00pm

Friday Silent Auction opens
Preview Friday Live Auction Work

Meet the Artists: Reception and Preview of Saturday Auction Work
Help us thank the artists who make this fundraiser possible by joining us for a reception in their honor.

4:00pm

Honoring Fred Fenster: Penland School of Crafts’ 2011 Outstanding Artist Educator

4:45-6:45pm

Cocktails, Exhibition and Silent Auction
Music by Brian McGee and the Hollow Speed

6:45pm

Buffet Dinner

7:30pm

A Tribute to Fred Fenster - Penland School of Crafts’ 2011 Outstanding Artist Educator

7:45-9:00pm

Live Auction

9:00-11:00pm

Saturday Auction Preview, Dessert, Coffee, Cocktails and Music
Music by Brian McGee and the Hollow Speed

Saturday August 13

9:00-10:30am

Coffee at the Barns
Resident artists welcome guests to their studios in the Barns for coffee served in handmade souvenir mugs.

10:00am-12:00pm

Silent Auction

11:45am

Buffet Lunch

1:00-3:30pm

Live Auction

3:30-5:00pm

Penland Gallery Reception

Make a purchase of $100 or more at the Penland Gallery between Friday and Saturday of the auction weekend and you will be entered into a drawing for a $500 Penland Gallery Gift Certificate.

For additional information, call 828-765-2359, ext. 40 or email

auction@penland.org

Mitchell and Yancey Counties Host Artist Studio Tour

06/08/2011 09:10:00

The Toe River Studio Tour takes place this weekend with over 100 studios and galleries open for an informal Open House and sale. The public is invited to attend this FREE event that is sponsored by the Toe River Arts Council. The sites are open noon to 4 on Friday, June 10, and then 10 am to 6 pm on Saturday and Sunday on June 11 and 12. A meet-the-artists’ reception takes place on Friday, June 10 from 5-7 pm at the Spruce Pine TRAC Gallery at 269 Oak Avenue where an exhibit of participants’ work is on display from May 14 through the June 12. Studio map guides can be picked up at any participant’s studios, either or the TRAC galleries, or a small version downloaded from the TRAC website. www.toeriverarts.org or 828- 682-7215

Roam amoung the Rhodos at improved gardens

06/08/2011 09:06:00

Roan Mountain Now Open After Renovations

BAKERSVILLE — It's been a long time coming, but Roan Mountain Gardens Recreation Area will reopen to the public Monday June 6th, 2011, just in time for the annual Catawba rhododendron extravaganza.

The highly popular Roan Gardens and grassy bald areas in Pisgah National Forest of Mitchell County, known for the spectacular purplish-pink rhododendron blooms in mid-June, have been closed since last summer for upgrades and renovations.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funded the $700,000 project.
“We've taken the opportunity to spruce things up, and we hope people will really appreciate all the hard work,” said Tina Tilley, district ranger on the Appalachian District of Pisgah National Forest.
Despite a request by the Forest Service last year to increase the user fee, Tilley said, it will remain the same — $3 per car.
“Visitors will notice a newly accessible restroom, replacing a 1960s-era restroom near the Cloudland parking lot,” said Stevin Westcott, spokesman for the National Forests in North Carolina.
“A replaced and resurfaced Rhododendron Gardens observation deck and connecting trail system, and resurfacing of the main paved road that leads to the Cloudland parking area will all increase visitor safety and accessibility,” he said. “The project provided employment for local contractors and helped us to address a backlog of facility maintenance.”

Don't forget to mark your calendars for the upcoming NC Rhododendron Festival June 17-18!

Yancey and Mitchell Counties including Little Switzeland.....

04/26/2011 22:18:00

New Toe River Canoe Trail Map is NOW AVAILABLE!

The new Toe River Canoe Trail Map produced by the Toe River Valley Watch is now available. The Canoe Trail runs 37 miles down the North Toe River from Riverside Park in Spruce Pine to Poplar. The trail travels through Class I II and III rapids, passing primarily undeveloped forest and farmland. The map is a great resource for paddlers and includes information on several intake locations including directions, tips, parking areas, a review of the water in each location, as well as warnings. The maps are available for purchase through the Mitchell County Chamber of Commerce for $10 each and will be available at other locations soon. Contact the Chamber if you would like to purchase a map.

Quilt Trails of Western NC Fall Discovery Rally

10/27/2010 12:23:00

Book a weekend get-away at La Petite Chalet and try this outing unique to our area !!!!

Welcome to Quilt Trails of Western North Carolina! We have the highest concentration of quilt blocks anywhere in the USA! Mitchell and Yancey Counties have between them over 150 quilt blocks with more in the hopper. Quilt Trails of Western North Carolina is the non-profit corporation that runs the project. Each quilt block is connected, by its pattern name, to the history of the land, the building or the family. Nine different driving trails take you to view vividly painted quilt squares installed on barns and buildings of participating communities. Trail maps are available online or may be purchased at locations including the gift shop located inside the Yancey County Chamber of Commerce in Burnsville or the Home of the Perfect Christmas Tree store in Spruce Pine.

The 2010 Fall Quilt Trails Road Rally is scheduled for Saturday, November 6.

This fun-filled road rally will feature a list of 10 quilt blocks for you to find by 5 pm. Start at Mountain Heritage High School in Burnsville at 9 am and end at The Nu Wray Inn on the Burnsville Town Square at 5 pm. The goal of the Rally will be to find a set of painted quilt blocks on a list you will be given, by driving the fewest miles. Invite your friends and load up your car—the cost is $35 per car. It’s a great time of year to see the fall color and enjoy incredible vistas.

You MUST register online before Nov 1st. Rally will be limited to 35 cars and there will be NO on site registration. For more information, call 828-682-7331 or visit the web site at: www.quilttrailswnc.org.