George Real Estate Group Radio Broadcast

The Road to Recovery: Chimney Rock State Park Reopens

• George Real Estate Group

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From devastation to determination, the story of Chimney Rock State Park's revival captivates in this heartwarming conversation with Mary Jeager-Gale, who brings 44 years of experience and unwavering dedication to the cherished North Carolina landmark.

Nine months to the day after catastrophic flooding swept through Western North Carolina, Mary shares the remarkable journey of recovery that's allowing Chimney Rock State Park to welcome back visitors. Her unique perspective spans from when the Morse family owned the iconic destination through its 2007 transition to state ownership, offering rich insights into its historical significance and current rebirth. A Michigan native who found her way to the aptly named community of Batcave, Mary embodies the resilient spirit that defines mountain living.

The reopening represents far more than restored access to a beloved attraction – it symbolizes the extraordinary community effort encompassing the entire Hickory Nut Gorge region. Mary describes the overwhelming support from volunteers nationwide as "phenomenal," noting how the experience makes you "want to go somewhere and help somebody else." Despite continuing challenges with infrastructure, roads, and utilities, she sees a "renaissance" emerging for the area, where businesses are gradually reopening and residents are rebuilding their lives. The Easter sunrise service tradition that once connected Mary with WHKP legend Kermit Edney continues, having adapted during the closure but maintaining its spiritual significance for the community.

Surrounding this inspiring conversation, Noah George provides valuable insights into Henderson County's real estate landscape, noting the market remains strong despite adjustments from previous peaks. With 126
homes selling monthly and stable inventory levels, he reminds listeners that "life happens, therefore real estate happens," regardless of economic conditions. Ready to explore mountain living or support these resilient communities? Visit the George Real Estate Group online, call 828-393-0134, or stop by their Flat Rock office to discover how you can be part of Western North Carolina's remarkable story.

Speaker 1:

The George Real Estate Group radio broadcast is celebrating 10 years on WHKP. The George Real Estate Group is celebrating 10 years on the radio live every Thursday morning at 10.05 on WHKP 107.7 FM and AM 1450 and streaming online at WHkpcom Each Friday morning at 845,. The George Real Estate Group presents the Hometown Hero Award to someone in our community who goes above and beyond to make our hometown a better place to live. Here's this week's Hometown Hero Show it's 845, and it's time for another. George Real Estate Group Hometown Hero Show. It's 845 and it's time for another. George Real Estate Group Hometown Hero Series and welcome everyone. Welcome Noah George to the microphones. Noah, we really so much appreciate your sponsorship of the Hometown Hero Series Because we get together every week and meet some of the finest in our community, don't we?

Speaker 2:

Absolutely. It's a privilege and honor to sponsor the Hometown Heroes series and happy Friday Again. Grateful to be here this Friday morning.

Speaker 1:

How about the real estate market in Henderson County? Tell us how you've always got your finger on the pulse of it. How's the real estate market doing?

Speaker 2:

The market continues to be strong. Henderson County is averaging some 126 single-family homes a month, selling Inventory levels remaining in the 500s. I mean, the market is the market and it's softer than what it was, of course.

Speaker 1:

What does that mean, when you say softer?

Speaker 2:

Well, a couple years ago we were averaging some 180 homes a month selling, and so now we're down to 126 a month selling. So I mean we've had less home sell and the prices seem to be holding. I mean they are down a little bit. So days on market's a little bit longer, demand's not what it was, but don't confuse that with nothing's happening.

Speaker 2:

It's still a healthy market, and so the market's still moving and people are moving in from the area, people are relocating, people are downsizing or upsizing. I mean life happens, therefore real estate happens, regardless of the interest rates, regardless of the economy. I mean life happens, therefore real estate happens, and we've seen it throughout the years. This is my 20th year with my broker's license. We've had the privilege of helping over 1,500 families throughout the year. So whether you're buying, selling or investing, or even a career in real estate, we'd love to help.

Speaker 1:

Well, you guys at the George Real Estate Group, located in Flat Rock, but you do business and sell and show and buy homes all around the upstate and North Carolina, western North Carolina that's right Western North Carolina and all our surrounding counties, plus Spartanburg and Greenville counties.

Speaker 2:

We have agents down there as well. We have an incredible team, incredible staff and we love serving the community through real estate and that's why it's so important for us to.

Speaker 1:

We love sponsoring the Hometown Heroes Series Well join me in welcoming Mary Yeager-Gale to the microphones. Good morning, good morning. Good morning, mary. You're no stranger to a microphone. You've been talking on the radio for years, haven't?

Speaker 3:

you and to WHKP?

Speaker 1:

for sure you have. You go back a long, long ways. Mary Yeager-Gale is with Chimney Rock Management, but you've been involved with Chimney Rock State Park for 44 years, did you?

Speaker 3:

tell me Well for the park when the Morse family owned it and then when the state purchased it in 2007. So it's been a very wonderful ride down there.

Speaker 2:

Well, maybe not so much today. We'll talk about that, for sure. Let's back up. Are you originally?

Speaker 3:

from this area. I'm from Michigan, but I met my husband, who grew up in Atlanta, when I was going to graduate school at Emory, and he is from Batcave, so here.

Speaker 2:

I am.

Speaker 3:

Had you ever?

Speaker 2:

heard of Batcave or been to Batcave prior to I mean like Batcave right, exactly.

Speaker 3:

You should have imagined what my friends said when I moved to Batcave from. Michigan, yeah, from Atlanta In the Batmobile, yeah. Yeah, that's wild. Yeah. Michigan, yeah, from Atlanta In the Batmobile, yeah.

Speaker 2:

That's wild.

Speaker 3:

Yeah.

Speaker 2:

And so your first experience was after meeting your husband coming to Batcave. Well, we got married.

Speaker 3:

The same week I moved to Batcave.

Speaker 2:

Yes.

Speaker 3:

Wow, and we have a shop in Chimney Rock and then I taught school in Flat Rock, so I'm very familiar with Henderson County. Batcave is the end of Henderson County, you know if you're going to teach.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, truly, 44 years, that's amazing.

Speaker 1:

You go back on this radio station, back to a mentor that I never had the privilege of meeting, Kermit Edney.

Speaker 3:

Absolutely Kermit's book. Kermit signed my book for me, his book for me.

Speaker 1:

His spirit is still very much alive in this radio station. Like I said, I never had the opportunity to meet or to work with him, but I have, almost every day around here, thought many, many times I wish I could have worked with that guy, because he was a pro.

Speaker 3:

He was, and you know I always referenced his book about sunrise. You know we had the Easter sunrise service down at the park, yes, and he had a panel in there about when sunrise would happen, whether it was daylight savings time or not, and every year I would look to see what time was sunrise, so we could promote the Easter sunrise service, wow.

Speaker 1:

And that's where you got to know him. I think was he came down to broadcast, oh right.

Speaker 3:

WHKP and Chimney Rock went way back when we had we're in like our 68th or 9th year. It's been kind of convoluted lately because of the road washouts and COVID and everything, but we've continued to host the Easter Sunrise Service.

Speaker 1:

On the rock. Yeah, just below the rock. I bet that is some vision. I bet that is some vision. I bet that is some oh it's stunning.

Speaker 3:

You watch the sunrise over Lake Lourdes.

Speaker 2:

This year we actually had it down in Tryon because you couldn't get in the park because the roads were, but the tradition continued.

Speaker 3:

The tradition continues, and we'll continue that down there too.

Speaker 2:

And you're not the official spokesperson of the park, but I mean today is an opening day, I understand, with the park, which is exciting. I mean after let's talk about, I mean incredible efforts to get back open.

Speaker 3:

Oh, I mean the help that we have had, the volunteer help, the support of the county, both counties Rutherford County, henderson County has been amazing really. And you know, even though it's been nine months, there's a lot of progress that's been made. There's a lot of progress that we need to continue. There's a lot of things that need to get done. The road from here to there is still you know, one lane down by us in Bat Cave. But it's coming and we're thrilled. You know that things are coming back.

Speaker 1:

They had to actually build a temporary bridge to get you.

Speaker 3:

To get into the park. Yeah, there's a temporary bridge, so annual pass holders can come this weekend. Next weekend, as you mentioned, will be the official opening. But it's exciting times, you know. They're very hopeful. It's a very resilient community down there and we're excited about it.

Speaker 1:

You mentioned you have a shop on main street in chimney rock, right, we do. Yeah, is it open? Are?

Speaker 3:

you, oh no, it was gutted from the storm as well so we're still coming back there isn't? The infrastructure in the village still hasn't been repaired. So it's you know, we're still waiting for sewer water, some power, right, so it'll be a while before the village, but stores will are going to start opening up and and roads will get better and we'll start coming back, of course, of course.

Speaker 1:

Yeah. Well, we just wanted to have you come by and talk about Chimney Rock State Park and your 44-year involvement with it and let everyone know that you're coming back alive. It's like a big giant waking back up and you're coming back alive at Chimney Rock Park.

Speaker 3:

Well, and at Chimney Rock and at Chimney Rock Village too.

Speaker 1:

I mean the whole Hickorinut.

Speaker 3:

Gorge area which goes from Girton Back Cave, chimney Rock Lake Lure. It'll be a renaissance for us really.

Speaker 1:

It really will.

Speaker 3:

Kind of like the phoenix coming out of the ashes. But it really will, kind of like the phoenix coming out of the ashes. But it's amazing, I mean the help and support that we've gotten from people all over, literally around this country.

Speaker 1:

There's a big volunteer day tomorrow that people are coming from all over to just help us kind of clean up some things down in the village, and the Spokes of Hope, who is an organization that's been helping us has been instrumental been helping us, have has been instrumental in helping us get some things you know done we've had, uh, jake jarvis of precision grading here a couple of different times on on the show and he is continuing to do incredible things there, but he's also working with the spokes of hope. I understand he has and he's been working.

Speaker 3:

I mean, and you know j I understand he has and he's been working and Jake is just totally dedicated to helping and he has helped numerous people not to mention just the community at large, but individuals too to get back in their homes to help them build bridges. Like I said, the support that we've received has been almost phenomenal. Really, it makes you want to go somewhere and help somebody else when this gets done.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, well, how did you make do in the storm? Personally, your home, did you have damage?

Speaker 3:

Well we had. Our driveway was washed out, so we stayed over in Laurel Park for a couple months and we went over to Flat Rock. Some friends were gracious to let us use their home while they went down to Florida for the winter, and so our driveway's been restored. We couldn't get any propane trucks or anything up to the house, but yeah, things are coming back down there.

Speaker 1:

Good.

Speaker 3:

People are coming back, which is very exciting for us. People are rebuilding homes, and that gives us hope, too, that our community will get back together.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, the resilience and the determination and the collective I mean the neighbors, just everybody coming together. I mean it is happening, it's going to be rebuilt and it's going to be stronger than ever.

Speaker 3:

We believe that too, and it's going to be different.

Speaker 2:

It's going to be different.

Speaker 3:

The one thing about Chimney Rock and Batcave is there are these little idyllic places that kind of stopped in time is. There are these little idyllic places, that kind of stopped in time. So you know, we had a program when the fires were happening down in the gorge and we had planned a program for the 100-year anniversary of the 1916 flood and we had to move that to another location because they had used the Lake Lure Town Hall which was where it was going to be held. We were going to have the program there, but that's where they used it as a base for the fire, so we had it, though, and we talked about.

Speaker 3:

You know, here we are to commemorate a 100-year flood, and there's nothing that we needed more right then than water, right. So, I mean, it's just been pretty crazy, the irony of it. But you know, three rivers converge in Bat Cave. So, with the kind of rain we had and the storm, it was almost obvious things were going to happen down there.

Speaker 1:

You know know, over in the Pigeon River Gorge they're having more road Washaways, road slides, mud slides, rainstorms, closures, and there's A lot of similarities between that gorge and the Chimney Rock area. So the best of luck to you. We wanted to have you on and say thank you For everything you do for our community, and we're just of luck to you. We wanted to have you on and say thank you For everything you do for our community, and we're just so grateful to you.

Speaker 3:

We are very fortunate to live in such a fabulous place.

Speaker 1:

We live in paradise.

Speaker 3:

And we are most grateful for that.

Speaker 1:

Grateful to you too, mary Yeager-Gale, our George Real Estate Group, hometown Hero this week. A pleasure to have Mary Yeager-Gale as our guest this week on Hometown Hero and today's and this weekend's opening of the Chimney Rock State Park. Noah, it's looking up. We're gaining ground on the destruction that came our way nine months ago today.

Speaker 2:

Nine months ago today, incredible. Just the progress that we've come and the persistence and perseverance our community continues to have and show and the giving.

Speaker 1:

Yes, there's. One of my favorite people on the face of this earth is Phillip Treason. He's got an open house this weekend, doesn't?

Speaker 2:

he, he does, he's doing 66 Ashton Lane down in Tryon. This is a real log cabin.

Speaker 1:

I've looked at the pictures. That is a beautiful place.

Speaker 2:

It is beautiful 445, over 2 000 square feet over two acres, and he's going to be open this saturday from two to four tomorrow. Encourage you to come out, 66 ashland lane and try on it's. It's super easy to get to and yet private and beautiful and it's a I mean well maintained I mean, and it's I mean well-maintained I mean, but it's a real log cabin.

Speaker 1:

The interior of that, and the exterior too, but especially the interior, very modern. Uh, to me just the epitome of what a you'd want a mountain log cabin to be look rustic on the outside and be very modern on the inside absolutely, and it has a full length uh front porch, covered front porch.

Speaker 2:

On that thing you can enjoy the rain. When the rain's hitting the, the metal roof.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, it's, there's nothing else I saw that I there was a picture taken of that, of that tin roof, and I thought, oh yes, during a rainstorm and a two-car garage next with it too.

Speaker 2:

Oh, yeah, it's amazing Again over 2,000 square feet built in 2000. It's a real Lincoln Logs in quotes Okay, I mean when you say Lincoln Log, it's a cabin.

Speaker 2:

I mean it's amazing. And then again the extra there's three lots actually total that make up over the two acres. But I mean the freshly painted the inside, the hardwood floors, I mean the propane log fireplace, I mean the kitchen is beautiful. It also has a mini cabin outbuilding Again. Just so many features on this property, 66 Ashland Lane in Tryon, and I think the ability to put some space in there for a mother-in-law apartment.

Speaker 2:

Oh yeah, you can have easily have a multi-generational uh family home there. It is truly amazing. Another open house we have this weekend is at 1351 chantaloupe drive. 1351 chantaloupe drive, in in chantaloupe estates. Right there it's in flat Flat Rock, but the address is Hendersonville, again, over two acres, two and a half acres totally remodeled home, four bedrooms, four baths amazing home. That's going to be open this Sunday from 2 to 4 as well. We actually have over. I think we have four or five open houses this weekend. Really, you can go to our Facebook page and see about all of them. There you can find out about all of our open houses. Open houses work and we're seeing a lot of activity. The market's moving Inventory is remaining low, demand is remaining strong, interest rates are the interest rates, but buyers and sellers are still moving on with their lives.

Speaker 1:

That's great to know. And of course you guys at the George Real Estate Group are always on the ready to help anyone with any real estate needs. And we sure want to thank Mary Yeager-Gale for being our guest today. On the Hometown Hero Series. Next week we will be chatting with the new Apple Ambassadors. Apple Festival's around the corner, I know, I know. So join us next Friday morning at 845 again for the George Real Estate Group. Hometown Hero Series. Thinking about estate.

Speaker 2:

The george real estate group hometown hero series thinking about estate planning for your real estate. Without a smart approach, the property you leave behind could become an unwelcome burden for your kids. Many children simply don't want to co-manage an inherited house or deal with the tenants. Fortunately, you can prevent that with the right plan. The george real estate group specializes in tax-efficient strategies like 1031 exchanges and Delaware Statutory Trust to simplify inheritance and income planning. A 1031 exchange can defer your capital gain taxes now and help your kids avoid a big tax bill later. And a DST lets you continue earning rental income without landlord headache. Plus, it can be split among your children, making inheritance easier. Planning ahead is one of the kindest gifts you can give your family. Let us help you secure your legacy. Call the George Real Estate Group at 828-393-0134 today. You've worked hard to build your legacy. Now let us help you protect it for your loved ones.

Speaker 1:

The George Real Estate Group is located in Flat Rock, north Carolina, near Hendersonville in Henderson County. You can find them online at realestatebygregcom. The George Real Estate Group can be reached at 828-393-0134 or stop by their office at 2720 Greenville Highway, flat Rock, north Carolina. Tune in live each week on Thursdays at 10.05 am on WHKP 107.7 FM and 14.50 am, or stream online at whkpcom or download these podcasts wherever you get your podcasts. The George Real Estate Group brings you the WHKP Hometown Hero Series every Friday morning at 845.