"Perhaps the most frequently asked question at a Champion Hills gathering where new and existing home owners are assembled is: “What brought you to Champion Hills?” The responses vary from excellent medical services, magnificent golf course, a moderate climate with four distinct seasons and on and on. For me, the initial lure was not only a small town with amenities but also the region’s rich heritage in traditional crafts.

"As a weaver, this region provides me with perhaps one of the largest fiber/handweaving peer groups in the country. A friend from my previous life introduced me to the Western North Carolina Fiber/Handweaving Guild. As a weaving teacher, I’m thankful that Henderson County offers a chance for adults to learn the art of weaving at Opportunity House and that school children can be introduced to local weaving history as well while they get hands-on experience during a visit to the Historic Johnson Farm. As a Henderson County resident, I’m excited that the restored Historic Henderson County Courthouse Museum will include weaving as one of the featured Appalachian crafts.

"Through the Southern Highlands Craft Guild, which is the second oldest craft guild in the country, this region has become an epicenter of traditional folk arts as well as contemporary crafts. Each week the newspaper is filled with local and regional gallery shows and opportunities to experience these crafts and crafters up close. Gallery gawking is a wonderful way to spend the day enjoying the mountains with your family and friends.

"Ann is currently weaving hand-painted silk scarves. With help from husband, Bill, she hopes to have her 32-shaft loom threaded and weaving graphic Shadow Weave designs soon.