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Community Based-Recognition:
One of eight great mountain towns by Where to Retire magazine 2003, Virginia Highlands Festival is one of country’s top tourist events by “America’s Most Charming Towns and Villages
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| Population: 7,780 |
Proximity: 52 mi.-Johnson City, Tenn. |
Continuing Education:
•University of Va. School of Continuing and Professional Studies
•King College in Bristol
•Emory and Henry College in Meadowview
Renowned Dining:
•Martha Washington Inn
•Caroline’s
Health Care:
•Johnston Memorial Hospital in town,
•Bristol Regional Medical Center
(10-15 min. away)
•Smith County Medical Center
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Recreational Activities for All Ages:
Virginia Creeper Trail, Appalachian Trail, Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, 7 adult rec. programs, 4 adult sports programs, Coomes Recreation Center
Festivals:
•Virginia Highlands Festival (July 30-Aug. 14)
•Plumb Alley Day (May 26)
Up-to-Date:
•Abingdon Virginian
•Washington County News
Transportation: Tri-Cities Regional Airport-12 miles |
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Community Based-Recognition:
Business Week 2004 “long-time favorite of retirees,” “1,000 Places to See Before You Die”
Proximity: 60 mi.-Greenville, S.C. |
| Population: 68,889; metro 283,640 |
Recreational Activities for All Ages: |
Continuing Education:
•UNC-Asheville
•Western Carolina University
•Mars Hill College
•Warren Wilson College
•Montreat College
Renowned Dining:
•The Market Place
•Savoy Cucina Italiana
Health Care:
•Heath Center Nutrition Division
•5 hospitals
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11 community centers, 48 parks and playgrounds, 2 swimming pools, 23 tennis courts, 14 public golf courses, adult athletics programs
Festivals:
•Bele Chere (summer)
•Shindig on the Green (July-Sept.)
Up-to-Date:
•Asheville Citizen-Times
•Mountain Xpress
Transportation: Asheville Regional Airport,
Asheville Transit Authority (bus) |
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Blacksburg, Va.
Radford, Va.
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Community Based-Recognition:
National Civic League’s All-American City award, Reader’s Digest “most wired city in America”
Proximity: 40 mi.-Roanoke, Va. |
Population: 39,573,
15,859
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Recreational Activities for All Ages: |
Continuing Education:
•Virginia Tech
•Radford University
•New River Community College
Renowned Dining:
•Nerv
•The Summit (Christiansburg)
Health Care:
•Columbia Montgomery Regional Hospital
•Carilion New River Valley Medical Center in Radford
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Jefferson National Forest has 11 wilderness areas for outdoor recreation; New River, hiking trails; 2 public and 2 private golf courses; 2 recreation/community centers
Festivals:
•Steppin’ Out (August)
•International Street Fair (April)
Up-to-Date:
•The News Messenger
•Blacksburg Sentinel
Transportation: Blacksburg Transit bus system; Roanoke Regional Airport; Virginia Tech Airport (public-use facility for small aircraft) |
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Blowing Rock, N.C.
Boone, N.C.
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Community Based-Recognition:
“Retirement Places Ranked” #111 of 187 places for leisure living, Center for Carolina Living – best mountain towns, |
Population:
1,418,
13,472
total 14,890
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Proximity: 45 mi.-Johnson City, Tenn.;
60 min.-Asheville, N.C. |
Continuing Education:
•Appalachian State University
•Maryland College (Lifelong Learning program)
Renowned Dining:
•more than 70 restaurants in Boone
•many in Blowing Rock
Health Care:
•Watauga Medical Center
•Seby B. Jones Regional Cancer Center
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Recreational Activities for All Ages:
2 ski resorts; several mountain guide services; fishing; 9 golf courses (4 public)
Festivals:
•Blowing Rock Winter Fest (end of Jan.)
•Doc Watson Music Fest (mid-July)
Up-to-Date:
•Watauga Democrat newspaper
•Mountain Times
•The Blowing Rocket
Transportation:
General aviation: Boone Airport
Tri-City Regional Airport in Johnson City, Tenn. |
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Community Based-Recognition:
neamb.com – best places to retire, North Carolina Retirement magazine |
| Population: 6,789 |
Proximity: 35 mi.-Asheville |
Continuing Education:
•Brevard College
Renowned Dining:
•Falls Landing Restaurant
•Jordan St. Café
Health Care:
•Transylvania Community Hospital
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Recreational Activities for All Ages:
4 local golf courses, 18 tennis courts (10 public), swimming in municipal swimming pool and lakes and rivers
Festivals:
•Fourth of July
•Halloween Fest (Transylvania Co.)
•Twilight Tour (1st weekend in Dec.)
Up-to-Date:
•Transylvania Times
Transportation:
Asheville Regional Airport-22 miles,
Greenville/Spartanburg Airport-70 miles
Amtrak in Greenville, S.C. |
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Cashiers, N.C.
Highlands, N.C.
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Community Based-Recognition:
Southern Living fall getaway article,
Smoky Mountain Living fall issue about Highlands |
Population: 1,678;
909
total 2,587 |
Proximity: 65 mi.-Asheville, N.C. |
Continuing Education:
•Southwestern Community College
Renowned Dining:
Cashiers:
•Cornucopia
•Lightwater Grill
Highlands:
•On the Veranda
•Wolfgang’s On Main
Health Care:
•Highlands-Cashiers Hospital and medical clinic
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Recreational Activities for All Ages:
Golf courses, trout-fishing streams, mountain trails, snow ski resort, recreation center, kayaking/canoeing/white water rafting
Festivals:
•Symphony Under the Stars (Cashiers, July 4th)
•Annual Cashiers Antique Show (July)
Up-to-Date:
•The Highlander Newspaper
•Cashiers Crossroads Chronicle
Transportation:
Airports: Asheville and Atlanta (2 hours away) |
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Community Based-Recognition:
Southern Living Readers Choice Awards 2003 top family destination, ENN.com top 10 environmentally friendly cities |
| Population: 155,554; metro 447,488 |
Proximity: 115 mi.-Atlanta |
Continuing Education:
•Univ. of Tenn.-Chattanooga
•Chattanooga State Technical Community College
•Tennessee Temple University
Renowned Dining:
•St. John’s
•Southside Grill
Health Care:
•5 major health facilities including _specialists in all fields
•Columbia East Ridge (women’s health care)
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Recreational Activities for All Ages:
7 public and 10 private golf courses, 4 public swimming facilities, ~200 tennis courts (public and private)
Festivals:
•Riverbend (June, week-long)
•Wine over Water (Sept. 24)
Up-to-Date:
•Chattanooga Times
•The Chattanoogan
Transportation:
Chattanooga Metro Airport (regional, plus one daily non-stop flight to Washington D.C.) |
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Community Based-Recognition:
Kiplinger’s Personal Finance #2 healthiest place to live in America, Golf Digest #1 best retirement city for golfers |
| Population: 45,049; metro 146,617 |
Proximity: 70 mi.-Richmond, Va. |
Continuing Education:
•University of Virginia
•Piedmont Va. Community College
Renowned Dining:
•Oxo
•Hamilton’s at First and Main
Health Care:
•Martha Jefferson Hospital
•Jefferson Area Board for Aging
•University of Virginia Health System
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Recreational Activities for All Ages:
Senior center, recreational activities/classes for seniors and adults, 26 parks, golf course, several public and private tennis courts
Festivals:
•The Festival of the Book (mid-March)
•Virginia Film Festival (late Oct.)
Up-to-Date:
•Charlottesville Guide
•Albemarle Family magazine
•C-ville Weekly
•Daily Progress
•Richmond Times-Dispatch
•The Hook
Transportation:
Charlottesville Transit System (bus), JAUNT, Rideshare, University Transit System, Amtrak |
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Community Based-Recognition:
Southern Living, “Golden Days in Dahlonega,” “Discover the South’s finest folk art” and “Southern Living Custom Home Builders of Georgia” |
| Population: 3,638 |
Proximity: 60 mi.-Athens, 70 mi.-north of Atlanta |
Continuing Education:
•North Ga. College and State Univerisity
Renowned Dining:
•The Smith House
•Corkscrew Café
•The Oar House
Health Care:
•Northeast Georgia Medical Center
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Recreational Activities for All Ages:
City and county facilities include swimming pool, tennis courts, soccer fields, community rec. building w/ kitchen and gym, and Nicklaus Golf Club at Birch River.
Festivals:
•Bear On the Square (April)
•Goldrush (3rd weekend in Oct.)
Up-to-Date:
•Dahlonega Nugget
•Gainesville Times
Transportation:
Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport-90 min. |
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Community Based-Recognition:
“Bedknobs and Broomsticks” (book about local carpet industry), Georgian City of Excellence |
| Population: 27,912 |
Proximity: 28 mi.-Chattanooga, Tenn. |
Continuing Education:
•Dalton State College
•Lee University (29 miles)
•University of Tennessee Chattanooga (30 miles)
•Cleveland State Community College (29 miles)
Renowned Dining:
•Flammini’s
•The Dalton Depot
Health Care:
•Hamilton Medical Center
•Murray Medical Center 14 miles
•Gordon Hospital 20 miles
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Recreational Activities for All Ages:
3 public golf courses, 2 private golf courses, 3 rec. centers, whitewater rafting on the Ocoee River – site of 1996 Olympic whitewater events
Festivals:
•Creative Arts Guild “Festival” (third weekend in Sept.)
•Prater’s Mill Country Fair (Mothers Day and Columbus Day)
Up-to-Date:
•Dalton Messenger
•The Daily Citizen-News
Transportation:
Carrier Airports – Lovel Field-24 miles, Richard B. Russell-32 miles
Public Use Airports – Dalton Municipal-9 miles, College Dale Municipal-19 miles, Tom B. David Field - 23 miles |
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Community Based-Recognition:
National Civic League’s All-American City, Governor’s awards three-star city |
| Population: 15,198 |
Proximity: 30 mi.-Johnson City, Tenn.; 70 mi.-Knoxville, Tenn.; 70 mi.-Asheville, N.C. |
Continuing Education:
•Tusculum College
•Greeneville/Greene County Center for Technology
•Greeneville Center of Walters State Community College
Renowned Dining:
•Brumley’s
•Fatz Cafe
Health Care:
•Laughlin Memorial Hospital
•Takoma Adventist Hospital
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Recreational Activities for All Ages:
2 18-hole and 3 nine-hole public golf courses, Kinser Park recreational facilities, YMCA complete family recreation center
Festivals:
•Iris Festival (3rd weekend in May)
•Greeneville Junior Women’s Club Holiday Bazaar (Nov.)
Up-to-Date:
•Greeneville Sun
•Knoxville and Johnson City newspapers
Transportation:
Tri-County Regional Airport-40 miles, McGhee Tyson Airport in Knoxville, Greeneville/Greene County Municipal Airport (general aviation) |
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Community Based-Recognition:
#94 Best Walking City by APMA and Prevention magazine, Inc. magazine’s top U.S. cities for doing business #65 best large places |
Population: 56,002
Continuing Education:
•Bob Jones University
•Furman University
•Greenville Technical College |
Recreational Activities for All Ages:
AA sports teams, 5 senior centers, 41+ recreation facilities, 7 community centers, tennis, water-aerobics and swimming programs |
•North Greenville College
•ECPI College of Technology
Renowned Dining:
•Latitude
•Soby’s (Wine Spectator Award)
Health Care:
•Bon Scours St. Francis Health System
•Greenville Hospital System
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Festivals:
•Fall for Greenville (Oct.)
•Art in the Park (Sept.)
Up-to-Date:
•Greenville Journal
•Greenville Magazine
•Greenville News
•GSA Business Journal
•MetroBEAT
•The State newspaper
Transportation:
Greenville Downtown Airport (general aviation), Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport |
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Hendersonville/
Flatrock, N.C.
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Community Based-Recognition: Southeasternretirement.com – top 10 N.C. towns to retire to, neamb.com best places to retire |
Population: 10,420
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Proximity: 25 mi.-south of Asheville, 15 mi.-South Carolina border
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Continuing Education:
•3 theaters
•Blue Ridge Community College
•Opportunity House (organizes activities for newcomers, hobbyists and seniors)
Renowned Dining:
•The Quarter House Grill
•Sinbad Restaurant
Health Care:
•Margaret R. Pardee Memorial Hospital
•Park Ridge Hospital
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Recreational Activities for All Ages:
5 public and 5 private/semi-private golf courses, well-staffed and equipped county and city parks, 9 parks with athletic fields, miniature golf, tennis
Festivals:
•North Carolina Apple Festival (Labor Day weekend)
•Garden Jubilee (Memorial Day weekend)
Up-to-Date:
•Hendersonville Magazine
•The Times-News
•The Town Tooter
•Asheville Citizen-Times
Transportation:
Asheville Regional Airport-11 miles;
Greenville/Spartanburg Airport-50 miles; Hendersonville Airport |
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Community Based-Recognition:
Southern Living, first historic district listed in National Registry as Tennessee’s oldest town |
Population: 4,168
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Proximity: 10 mi.-Johnson City, Tenn. |
Continuing Education:
•Jonesborough Repertory Theater
•Music on the Square (May-Sept.)
•Teller-in-Residence Concerts storytelling concert (June-Oct.)
Renowned Dining:
•Bistro 105
•The SpeakEasy
Health Care:
•Johnson City Medical Center (5 miles)
•HCA Sycamore Shoals Hospital (Elizabethton, Tenn., 13 miles)
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Recreational Activities for All Ages:
Recreation center, 4 athletic fields, Jonesborough Area Senior Center
Festivals:
•National Storytelling Festival (first weekend in October)
•Christmas in Jonesborough
Up-to-Date:
•Herald & Tribune
•Johnson City Press
Transportation:
Tri-Cities Regional Airport-20 miles |
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Community Based-Recognition:
Ladies Home Journal #113 best small cities for women, #118 Best walking cities Prevention magazine |
Population: 173,890; metro 654,181
Continuing Education:
•University of Tennessee
•3 two-year colleges
•3 four-year colleges
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Recreational Activities for All Ages:
4 senior recreation facilities, 20+ recreation/community centers, surrounded by 3 national parks, several parks, numerous lakes and 25 golf courses |
•several technical or specialized schools
•20 performing arts venues
Renowned Dining:
•Regas
•Orangerie
Health Care:
•St. Mary’s Medical Center
•Univ. of TN Medical Center
•Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center
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Festivals:
•Annual Dogwood Arts Festival (April)
•Boomsday (largest fireworks display in southeast, Labor Day weekend)
Up-to-Date:
•Hall News
•Knoxville News-Sentinel
•Metro Pulse
Transportation:
McGhee Tyson Airport (premier airport in East TN), Knoxville Downtown Island Home Airport (general aviation) |
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Community Based-Recognition:
Ranks as “one hundred best small arts towns in America,” (Where to Retire, p. 84), National Historic Preservation – top 12 distinctive destinations 2004 |
| Population: 3,624
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Proximity: 50 mi.-Roanoke, Va. |
Continuing Education:
•Carnegie Hall
•Greenbrier Valley Theater
•American Heritage Music Hall
•Lewis Theater
Renowned Dining:
•The Greenbrier Resort
•Tavern 1785
•Food and Friends
Health Care:
•Greenbrier Valley Medical Center
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Recreational Activities for All Ages:
Greenbrier River Trail, The Greenbrier Resort, Oakhurst Links (golf), Greenbrier Hills Golf Course, Midland Trail, Monangahela National Forest
Festivals:
•West Virginia State Fair (Aug.)
•Taste of our Towns (2nd Sat. in Oct.)
•Holiday Open House downtown merchants
Up-to-Date:
•West Virginia Daily News
•Mountain Messenger
•Register Herald (Beckley)
•Charleston Gazette
•The Roanoke Times
Transportation:
Yeager Airport in Charleston, W.Va., Roanoke Regional Airport, Greenbrier Valley Airport |
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Community Based-Recognition:
Frommer’s Virginia 7th ed. “one of America’s best small towns,” Industry Week 2000 #21 Top 50 U.S. world-class communities |
Population: 6,867
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Proximity: 50 mi.-Roanoke,
55 mi.-Charlottesville, 35 mi.-Harrisonburg |
Continuing Education:
•Washington and Lee University
•Virginia Military Institute
•Lime Kiln Theater
•Rockbridge Choral Society
•Ballet and Modern Dance Ensemble
•Rockbridge Arts Guild
•Rockbridge Chapter of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, 7 art galleries
Renowned Dining:
•Café Michel
•Willson-Walker House
Health Care:
•Stonewall Jackson Hospital primary care facility with extended care facility attached
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Recreational Activities for All Ages:
Maury and James rivers for water activities, Chessie Nature Trail, Appalachian Trail, George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, Goshen Pass, Natural Bridge
Festivals:
•Fourth of July Hot Air Balloon Rally
•Maury River Fiddler’s Convention (mid-June)
Up-to-Date:
•News-Gazette
•Rockbridge Weekly
•The Roanoke Times
Transportation:
Roanoke Regional Airport |
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Community Based-Recognition:
First city in nation to receive STAR award for superb safety, National Civic League’s All American City |
Population: 8,484
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Proximity: 40 mi.-Winston-Salem;
62 mi.-Greensboro, N.C. |
Continuing Education:
•Influence of Andy Griffith
•playhouse
•Wake Forest University
•Surry Community College (adult ed. classes cooperative agreement with Gardner-Webb College for degree courses)
•Winston-Salem State University
•Salem College
Renowned Dining:
•The Wolf’s Lair at Black Wolf Vineyards
•Midkiff’s Restaurant
Health Care:
•Northern Hospital of Surry County
•North Carolina Baptist Hospital
•Bowman Gray School of Medicine
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Recreational Activities for All Ages:
Civic and recreation center, community center, 8 parks, snow skiing in Boone (one hour), 2 public golf courses
Festivals:
•Autumn Leaves Festival (2nd weekend Oct.)
•Mayberry Days (Sept.)
Up-to-Date:
•Mount Airy News
•Winston-Salem Journal
from Greensboro:
•Carolina Peacemaker
•The Business Journal
•The News and Record
Transportation:
Surry County Airport for general aviation, Piedmont Triad International Airport-59 miles |
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Community Based-Recognition:
Urban Initiatives – Center in the Square named one of America’s 63 great public places, Inc. magazine top U.S. cities for doing business in America #39 most balanced economy and growth and #88 best small places (of 200)
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Population: 94,911; metro 228,534
Continuing Education:
•Roanoke College
•Roanoke Higher Education Center
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Recreational Activities for All Ages:
Ice rink, 68 parks and plazas, 650 recreational programs in 8 community centers, 175 adult athletic teams in seven sports, 2 Olympic-size outdoor pools, 330 outdoor education/adventure programs |
•Virginia Western Community College
•Hollins University
Renowned Dining:
•Alexander’s
•Carlos Brazilian International Cuisine
Health Care:
•Carilion Roanoke Community Hospital
•Lewis-Gale Medical Center (Salem)
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Festivals:
•Roanoke Festival in the Park (May 27-June 5)
•Affair in the Square (first weekend Oct.)
Up-to-Date:
•The Roanoke Times
•Blue Ridge Business Journal
•The Roanoker magazine
Transportation:
Roanoke Regional Airport, Smart Way Commuter bus |
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Smith Mountain Lake , Va.
Population: 18,000 |
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Community Based-Recognition:
roanoke.com “one of the top-rated fisheries in the country,” epodunk.com – Bedford County #41 fastest growing counties in Va., Southern Living, newsadvance.com Sept. 1, 2004 – lowest unemployment rate in region at 3.2%
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Continuing Education:
•Ferrum College |
Proximity: 25 mi.-Roanoke
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Renowned Dining:
•Fallon’s
•The Landing Restaurant
Health Care:
•Bedford Memorial Hospital
•Roanoke Regional Hospital
•Franklin Memorial Hospital
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Recreational Activities for All Ages:
Boating, water activities, golf, tennis, hiking, horseback riding, fishing, 2 private and 3 public golf/country clubs
Festivals:
•SML Wine Festival (Sept. 24-Sept. 25)
•Tom Maynard Memorial Poker Run (May)
Up-to-Date:
•The Roanoke Times
•Bedford Bulletin
Transportation:
Smith Mountain Lake Airport (private charter), Roanoke Regional Airport, Lynchburg Regional Airport |
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Population: 23,853 |
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Community Based-Recognition:
2002 first Va. community to receive Great American Main Street Award, National Trust for Historic Preservation one of 12 unique American destinations 2001
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Continuing Education:
•Mary Baldwin College
•Staunton/Augusta Art Center |
Proximity: 39 mi.-Charlottesville, 30 mi.-Harrisonburg
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Renowned Dining:
•The Dining Room
•The Belle Grae Inn
Health Care:
•Augusta Medical Center regional hospital
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Recreational Activities for All Ages:
George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, public golf course, football and baseball stadiums, a gymnasium, a lake
Festivals:
•Victorian Festival (April)
•African American Heritage Festival (3rd weekend Sept.)
Up-to-Date:
•The Daily News Leader
•The News-Virginian
Transportation:
Shenandoah Regional Airport; larger commercial air facilities located in close proximity include Roanoke, Charlottesville, Richmond and Lynchburg. |
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Warm Springs/Hot Springs, Va.
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Community Based-Recognition:
Golf Digest – Homestead Resort #39 of America’s 100 greatest golf courses, “Frommer’s Most Unusual Experiences” - Ancient Hot Tubs at Warm Springs |
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| Population: Bath County 5,048 |
Proximity: 70 mi.-Roanoke |
Continuing Education:
•Garth Newel Music Center
•Bath County Art Show
Renowned Dining:
•The Homestead
•Waterwheel Restaurant
Health Care:
•Bath County Community Hospital (small)
•Virginia Rural Health Resource Center
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Recreational Activities for All Ages:
Bath County Dept. of Parks and Recreation involved in adult and senior activities, Douthat State Park, George Washington National Forest, Lake Moomaw, Va. Power Recreation Area, The Homestead (Cascades golf course)
Festivals:
•The Battle of Warm Springs Civil War re-enactment (August)
•A Taste of Bath (2nd weekend in Sept.)
Up-to-Date:
•The Recorder
•The Virginian Review (Alleghany County)
•The Roanoke Times
Transportation:
Roanoke Regional Airport-67 miles
Amtrak in Staunton. |
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Waynesville, N.C.
Maggie Valley, N.C.
| |
Community Based-Recognition: America’s most visited national park – Great Smoky Mountain National Park, The Southeast Tourism Society has recognized Folkmoot as a top 20 event in the Southeast for 16 years |
Population: 9,232;
607
total 9,839
Continuing Education:
•Haywood County Community College
•Western Carolina University
•UNC-Asheville |
Proximity: 30 min.-Asheville, N.C.
Recreational Activities for All Ages: Hiking trails, kayaking/rafting, Cataloochee Ski Area, golf courses |
Renowned Dining:
•Lomo Grill (Waynesville)
•J. Arthur’s (Maggie Valley)
Health Care:
•Haywood Regional Medical Center
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Festivals:
•International Folkmoot Festival (Aug.)
•Maggie Valley Arts and Crafts Show (mid-Oct.)
Up-to-Date:
•The Enterprise Mountaineer
•Smoky Mountain News
•Asheville Citizen-Times
Transportation:
Asheville Regional Airport-30 minutes. |
