Here's a roundup of things to do in WNC this weekend.

By Frances Figart • Contributing writer | Although the word “spider” may elicit a “yuck” or an “ew” from many readers, the true nature of these oft-feared critters is not as icky as one might suppose. Arachnids provide essential services for humans and play key roles in balancing our ecosystems by keeping herbivorous insects in check.

HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. – The newest trail in the Blue Ridge Mountains churns out tasty adventure on a daily basis.

Chill-seekers follow the Hendersonville Ice Cream Trail to 12 locations serving homemade and brand-name ice creams, frozen custards, frozen yogurts, banana splits, milkshakes and sundaes, as well as authentic Mexican sorbets and paletas (ice pops).

Givens Great Laurels, located at 80 Candler Street in Waynesville, invites community members to attend the 2nd annual Givens Great Laurels Craft Show & Sale on Fri., July 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will feature pieces from five residents including jewelry, photography, wreaths and holiday décor. This cash only event will take place in the Givens Great Laurel Community Room. There will be limited parking and an attendant on site to help direct visitors. 

Get ready for the holiday weekend!

A new exhibit on the history of weaving in Haywood County will open Friday, June 16 at Shelton House — History, Heritage and Crafts (The Museum of NC Handicrafts) during the “Blue Ridge Heritage Weekend” Arts and Crafts Festival. 

What's going on this weekend?

By Sabrina Matheny • Rumble Contributor | Watching a bevy of kite surfers today inspired me to contemplate new and exciting adventures to add to my life!

I recently watched a video of Carolyn Myss discussing how guidance works. She shared how she returned from teaching overseas and walked into her New Hampshire farmhouse only to feel that she could no longer live there. This house had been her home for ten years. Without taking her coat off, in twenty-two minutes flat, she had arranged for a neighbor to help her pack, her brother to fly down and drive a moving van, and asked her mother if she could stay with her until she decided where her next home would be.

Lately I’ve been seeing recipes listing different sweeteners as “healthier” and less processed alternatives to sugar.  

By Stefanee Sherman • Rumble Writer |Getting to work with, learn from and befriend incredible women has been an inspiration in my life. Ashton Nelson is one of those women.

On May 12, North Carolina-based musician Libby Rodenbough released her sophomore solo album, Between the Blades, via Sleepy Cat Records.

What's going on this weekend?

By Sabrina Matheny • Rumble Contributor | We all have music that inspires us or gives us a time and place to reconcile our feelings around our pain. I am usually transported back in time through lyrics that speak my heart’s language granting me grace as I feel my sadness. When I heard Ashokan Farewell, I was driven to my knees. This instrumental piece tells the story of the soul’s journey on earth.

We have the potential for growth with every person that crosses our path. Those people that actually make it past our barriers and into our inner circle are the ones we choose to learn with in this lifetime. What we grasp and internalize is up to both parties but make no mistake about it… from a soul perspective, these encounters are our destiny.

By Sabrina Matheny • Rumble Contributor | I discovered a disadvantage to belonging to a third-party phone network that was impacting me negatively, so I headed to my nearest Verizon store to remedy the situation. I arrived at ten thirty a.m. and due to unforeseen circumstances by one thirty p.m. I was reaching my breaking point. It was a Friday, and I was racing against the clock to secure a good parking spot in my garage before the influx of people arrived for our town’s long-anticipated wine festival. Defeated, I left the store waving my white flag. I then noticed a nearby Staples and felt the urge to get a few office supplies. I was hoping somewhere in their inventory I might find a new perspective to put into my basket.

By Sabrina Matheny • Rumble Contributor | As we were getting ready to find a good breakfast place this morning my partner had a fleeting image in his head of his long underwear. He stepped out onto our patio and decided he only needed a light jacket to stay warm. As we made our way down the tree lined streets towards the restaurant, the grey clouds overtook the sun and the small amount of warmth it was offering. Feeling a chill, he then said to me that he had had an inkling earlier that he should wear more layers and wished he had listened.