Fiction Addiction Storytime

Fiction Addiction hosts a free children’s storytime at our shop at 1175 Woods Crossing Rd. #5 every Thursday morning at 10:30am.

One in five people in the Carolinas don’t have enough food to eat.  As we enter the holiday season, November is historically one of the hardest months for food banks across the country.  Many North and South Carolinians are either looking for ways to help those in need or looking for help themselves. The Blood Connection (TBC), the non-profit community blood center serving these two states, is dedicating the month of November to addressing the issue of food insecurity in the region by offering blood donors a way to help those in need.

In the month of November, TBC will partner with Feeding the Carolinas – a network of food banks across North and South Carolina that works to provide a healthy, adequate, and consistent food supply – to promote blood donation and food donation.  Each year, Feeding the Carolinas estimates they supply food to more than 2.3 million Carolinians facing hunger.  Feeding the Carolinas also supports the Augusta, Georgia region, which TBC has recently begun operations in.

TBC needs around 1,000 blood donations per day to supply blood to more than 100 hospitals across the Carolinas, and TBC must ensure the shelves are stocked with life-saving blood products when hospital partners call. TBC has set a goal of raising $5,000 for food banks in November, with the hopes of helping neighboring non-profits stock their shelves, as well. Like the need for blood, the need for charitable food does not go away: people in this community will always need food – especially now with inflation at never-before-seen levels.  With one blood donation, a donor can save three lives and help a family in their own community have enough food on the table for Thanksgiving.

Throughout the month of November, blood donors will have the option to donate their TBC reward points in
the TBC Store to Feeding the Carolinas. At TBC centers, food collection boxes will also be placed out for
donors to give non-perishable food items. TBC is also looking for organizations to host blood drives
benefiting Feeding the Carolinas. Blood drive hosts have the option to donate $10 or $20 per blood donor to
Feeding the Carolinas. For more information about hosting a blood drive in November, go to
thebloodconnection.org/host.

Sixty years ago, a doctor from Greenville, South Carolina saw a need: a need for a community blood center that supported the people who lived, worked, and sought care in the Upstate of South Carolina.  Sixty years later, his vision for that community blood center is the bedrock of The Blood Connection (TBC) – a non-profit community blood center serving hospitals across the Carolinas, Georgia, and Virginia.  While many things have changed in the past sixty years, TBC’s dedication to its hospital partners and to saving local lives has not.

 

Despite the current difficulty to collect blood and blood products, The Blood Connection remains steadfast in continuing its mission for the next sixty years to come.  Without volunteer blood donors and community blood centers like TBC, shelves will be empty when neighbors, family, or friends are in need.  Neighbors like Kristen Odom, a mother from Taylors, South Carolina, who received more than twenty units of blood after the birth of her first daughter.  It is because of community blood donors that blood products were available that day, and she has a full life with her husband and two daughters.

 

“I often think about it in the little things like we celebrate her birthday, it’s a pretty day outside, or we’re at the beach,” said Odom.  “This day I get to enjoy because somebody donated blood. I had this overwhelming sense of gratitude…it just still shocks me to this day…here we are, living a completely normal life…because blood was available and they did what they needed to do right away.”

 

It is estimated roughly 60% of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood, but only 3% does.  While the demand for blood products is constantly increasing, unfortunately, the number of volunteer blood donors is decreasing.  As the core donor base gets older, and the younger generation is not donating blood at the same rate, TBC is noticing emptier blood mobiles, and fewer people signing up to donate blood.

 

“We all play a part in supporting the community’s blood supply,” said Delisa English, President and CEO of The Blood Connection.  “We hope people think about what their part will be, whether that is donating blood for the first time, donating blood more often, or hosting a blood drive.  We all have a responsibility to our community to ensure that blood products are available when our friends, family, and neighbors need it most.”

 

Founded in 1962, The Blood Connection spent the first 16 years of its existence under another name: The Greenville Blood Assurance program.  In 2001, the Board of Trustees adopted the name ‘The Blood Connection’ – designed to better reflect the mission of connecting healthy donors to patients in need. With just a handful of hospital partners when the organization was created in the 1960s, TBC now serves more than 100 hospitals and has expanded from the Upstate of South Carolina to three other states.

 

The world around us looks vastly different now than it did in 1962, but one thing remains the same: blood still cannot be replicated or made in a lab.  Blood must be donated and is a true gift to those who need blood products to maintain their quality of life.

 

The Blood Connection is celebrating it’s 60^th anniversary by thanking the donors who make its mission possible.  All blood donors between October 31 and November 6 will receive a commemorative ‘60^th Anniversary’ pin.  To find a center or mobile location to donate, go to thebloodconnection.org/donate.

The Greenville State Farmers Market includes retail sheds and farmer stalls that offer a wide variety of locally grown products and specialty goods. Both quality and variety are standards for the volume of products offered for sale at the Greenville State Farmers Market. Market operations continue Monday – Saturday all year long, ceasing for only two holidays: Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Find information about upcoming events and what’s in season at our market’s Facebook page.

Office Hours

Retail Hours

Monday – Saturday  •  8 am – 6 pm
Admission and parking are free
Closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day

Open Year Round Large Selection. We have been in business for over 30 years supporting our local farmers and selling their produce. With over 40 farmers we have a wide selection of Farm Fresh fruits and vegetables. We offer a wide selection of pickles, relishes, jellies, jams, fresh baked cakes and traditional pound cakes.

Selections from the USC Upstate Permanent collection of works by Andy Warhol, including original silk screen prints, Polaroids, and photographs.

Book a Field Trip!

He was one of the greatest creators of children’s books in the 20th century – though he didn’t like the term “children’s books” and preferred “books that children like.” Author and artist Maurice Sendak upended expectations by depicting menace, anxiety and “wild” behavior in picture books devoured by readers of all ages.

The Upcountry History Museum will serve as the only South Carolina stop on the Wild Things national exhibition tour. Visitors of all ages will experience the fantastical imagination of Maurice Sendak as they explore over 50 pieces of original artwork and step into the pages of his beloved books.

The immersive exhibition celebrates Sendak’s life and work by showcasing his most famous pieces through preliminary sketches, finished artwork, and interactive experiences. All of this is told through the words of Sendak himself, intimately connecting the artist to his art and stories.

Sendak created a visual language that has captivated generations of children. Although he sometimes indulged in lighthearted plots, his picture books often had menacing elements: fanged monsters, baby stealing goblins and young protagonists placed in dangerous situations. Sendak intentionally gave children the opportunity to engage with ethical dilemmas, to feel afraid as well as joyful, and to take part in imaginative play.

During his long career Sendak illustrated over one hundred books, which continue to thrill and fascinate life-long learners all over the world. The fifty works of art in the exhibition will be accompanied by quotes from fellow illustrators, friends, and celebrities, sharing their thoughts on Sendak and the ways in which he inspired them. As comedian Stephen Colbert stated, “His art gave us a fantastical but un-romanticized reminder of what childhood truly felt like.”

Curriculum based lessons, along with “rumpus themed” family and adult programs will coincide with the exhibition and its timeless messages.

Limited Capacity: 12 Guests per Tour
A truly memorable experience featuring rare photo opportunities, this exclusive guided tour offers a behind-the-scenes look at the design and construction of Biltmore House in areas unavailable on the regular house visit. Imagine yourself a Vanderbilt (or cherished Vanderbilt guest) as you take in stunning views seen only from the house’s rooftop and balconies.

Advance reservation required. Tour includes 250 stairs with no elevator access. Wheelchairs, strollers, and baby backpacks are prohibited. Backpacks are not allowed on any guided tours. Guests are required to leave backpacks in a locker or in their vehicle. To participate in this tour, guest must have a daytime ticket, a Biltmore Annual Pass, or a stay at one of the estate’s splendid overnight properties.

Join the National Recycling Coalition on November 9-10 for the 2022 [Virtual] National Recycling Congress. Register today to take advantage of Early Bird discounts.

The 2022 Congress will bring together a wide variety of practitioners and policymakers at local, state and federal levels, in organizations and business, in the areas of waste management, reuse, recycling and more. Learn more about the exciting program being developed, relevant and compelling topics, speakers and more, at the new, dedicated NRC Congress website. Check back often as schedules, sessions and networking opportunities are confirmed.

Last year, over 400 registrants attended the NRC Congress, and we expect even more this year. Whether it’s hard to get away from the office, or budgets for travel are tight, NRC’s all-virtual Congress offers the latest information on national policy and market development, best practices and ‘nuts & bolts’ for waste prevention and recycling programs, and more for recycling practitioners across North America.

Don’t Delay – Rates increase after August 31st so register today!

Important Registration Details

• Need to Pay by Invoice? If your organization requires an invoice, enter promo code “INVOICEME” at top of ticket selection pop-up. This will zero out your registration fees due today and the registrant will be emailed an electronic invoice by NRC’s payment processor, Payzone Systems. Invoices must be paid no later than 7 days prior to event.
• Large Group Registrations: Available only to nonprofit and government agencies, up to 50 people can attend for a flat fee of $1,000. You may pay by invoice (see info above) to reduce the processing fee if preferred. After payment, the agency is issued a discount code to allow staff people from the same organization to register themselves.
• Processing Fees: At checkout, Eventbrite charges 3.5% + $1.59 per paid ticket to cover the use of the Eventbrite platform. This results in more funds are generated for NRC’s charitable mission to advance recycling. Thank you for your support.
• Can’t find your ‘ticket’? This is a registration only event. Upon registering, you will be sent a confirmation email with a link to add the event to your on-line calendar. As the event date approaches, you will receive informational and reminder emails. The week of the event, you will receive Zoom links to access the event. Physical or digital tickets are not required for entry.
• Refund Policy: 100% refund before September 30, 2022. 50% refund through October 31, 2022. All refunds are sent to original form of payment and Eventbrite fees are nonrefundable.
• NRC Congress Moderators, Speakers, and Volunteers: Register using the free ticket option for your day of service. If you wish to attend the full conference, please select an additional Day 1 or Day 2 paid ticket in addition.
• State Recycling Organizations: Approved State Recycling Organization (SRO) representatives register using the SRO ticket type. Each NRC-affiliated SRO receives two complimentary tickets; each non-affiliated SRO receives one complimentary ticket.
• NRC Congress Sponsors: Confirmed sponsors can use “Sponsor” ticket type to register individual staff. One point of contact can register multiple individuals or they each may register themselves.
• Need more help registering? Check out Eventbrite’s step by step instructions.

Capacity is limited.
Tasting room by reservation only. Make reservations in-person on the day of your Winery visit.

To participate in this activity, guest must have a daytime ticket, a Biltmore Annual Pass, or a stay at one of the estate’s splendid overnight properties.

Reservations are required for all wine tastings and must be made on the day of your visit. Because our complimentary wine tastings fill up quickly, we recommend you reserve your tasting when you arrive for your visit.

Join Ten at the Top at 3 pm on the second Thursday of each month for a TATT CHAT. Each session will include a special quest speaker as well as Upstate resource updates. Please be advised that by participating in Ten at the Top events, you are authorizing Ten at the Top to include your likeness in publicity, marketing, websites, and other electronic forms of media and promotion. TOPIC : Criminal Justice in Higher Education

THE POLAR EXPRESS™ with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad is back in 2022! The 1¼ hour round-trip passenger excursion comes to life as the train departs the Bryson City depot for a journey through the quiet wilderness for a special visit at the North Pole. Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, guests on board will enjoy warm cocoa and a treat while listening and reading along with the magical story. Children’s faces show the magic of the season when the train arrives at the North Pole to find Santa Claus waiting. Santa will board THE POLAR EXPRESS™, greeting each child and presenting them with a special gift as in the story, their own silver sleigh bell. Christmas carols will be sung as they return back to the Bryson City Depot.

Weather

We encourage guests to plan ahead and stay apprised of the latest weather developments. Cancellations of a POLAR EXPRESS departure because of inclement weather are very rare. If you’re staying in the Gatlinburg/Sevierville, Tennessee area, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Service announces road closures and openings on Twitter, or call (865) 436-1200 extension 631 for a recorded message. In such case Highway 441 is closed through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Interstate 40 typically remains open. Use 45 Mitchell Street, Bryson City, North Carolina 28713 as your destination to find an alternate route.

Join Sift Gallery in celebrating the work of acclaimed artist, Matt Baumgardner (1955-2018). Curated in collaboration with the Furman University Art department and the Baumgardner estate, “Winter Metamorphosis” explores his creative process and inner spirit through a selection of paintings and drawings. Baumgardner has been recognized for his unique eye and appreciation for nature.

A public reception will be held on Thursday, November 10 from 4:30 – 7:30 PM, including light hor d’oeuvres and remarks from the curatorial team. SIFT gallery is located in the McMillan Pazdan Smith lobby, 400 Augusta Street, Suite 200 Greenville, SC 29601.

Baumgardner’s work first captured the art world’s attention in the late 70’s and includes a prolific and diverse portfolio of drawings, paintings, and sculptural cubes. His work has been exhibited in internationally recognized galleries, receiving favorable reviews from The New York Times, The New Yorker and The Chicago Tribune. He earned his MFA from UNC in Chapel Hill, and was a National Endowment for the Arts Visual Art fellow. Since 2019, his work has been studied by Furman students and his archives documented by the Furman University Art department.

Baumgardner designed and built a studio in nearby Traveler’s Rest, South Carolina after over 20 years of living and working as a professional artist in New York.

His work will be on display in the SIFT Gallery through the end of January 2023.

Join us on November 10th to celebrate the grand opening of our newest Spartina store! We are so excited to share this beauiful new space with the city of Greenville, join us for lite bites, refreshments, raffle prizes and a unique gift with qualifying purchases.

The cocktail hour will start at 5pm and then the night continues with a shopping party from 6pm to 8pm.

Purchases of $175 or more can recieve our new embroidered jewelry travel case!

To RSVP for the event claim your free ticket here on Eventbrite!

Biltmore House glows with candlelight and firelight during this nighttime tour, changing the daytime visit’s mood and experience. Candlelight Christmas Evenings in Biltmore House allows guests to step back in time with an experience reminiscent of the Vanderbilt’s first Christmas spent in Biltmore House in 1895. Musicians stationed throughout the house perform seasonal favorites. Setting the scene is a 55-foot Norway spruce encircled by illuminated evergreens and shrubs sparkling in the center of the front lawn.