July 28-31, 2008
The
Grove Park Inn
Asheville, NC
From Eric Overcash:
SEKFCFA Members,
I am excited to announce our Summer Board Meeting will be held in Asheville,
N.C. We will be staying at The Grove Park Inn. The Charlotte and
Greenville-Asheville-Spartanburg KFC Co-Ops have enjoyed this venue for many
years for their summer co-op meeting. To stay at this historic landmark
property approaching 100 years old is worth the trip. The spa is considered one
of the finest in the world! Golf is available at the hotel. We can work in a
golf outing on Tuesday afternoon if anyone is interested. There are enough
excellent restaurants on site that you may choose to never leave the property.
Probably best to make your dining reservations and spa treatments when you
register with Site Search. Downtown Asheville will be worth the 5 minute trip
for Arts & Crafts shopping etc. There's wonderful shoe shopping at Topps. The
North Carolina Mountains are great in the Summer!! Grove Park is app. 25 minutes
or 9 miles from the Asheville airport.
A visit of The Biltmore Estate (America’s largest home) will be our ending event
on Wednesday. Since we are meeting in the SE we are expecting a large
group of franchisee, spouse, family and friends that we thought it best to ask
for a financial contribution of $100 per attendee for the Biltmore Trip. This
afternoon trip will include bus ride to Biltmore Estates, tour of winery or
gardens, private tour of the Biltmore Estate and conclude with a private
cocktail party and dinner on the Biltmore grounds. This should be a special
afternoon and evening. The largest part of the expense for the outing will be
paid by our SEKFCFA. The usual cocktail and dinner this time will include the
tours and bus transportation. When you register please let Site Search know your
intentions for the Biltmore trip and bus use so we can make appropriate plans.
We will attempt to pass by Sanders Motel on the way to Biltmore Estate.
We have a special treat that we
can take advantage of while in Asheville! Larue and Jane Kohl’s daughter Lea
Kohl Blackburn is playing at nearby Flatrock Playhouse. Lea’s play will be
a must if you can come in early! Diane and I have seen her perform and would
certainly not want to miss this chance! You will need to go online
http://flatrockplayhouse.com or call 866-732-8008 for ticket purchase. Show
is on Sunday 7/27/08 2:15pm. You will need to secure your tickets on your own.
I have scheduled our meeting just
after Bele Chere Festival in Asheville. It is Friday 25 – Saturday night 26th.
This is the largest festival in the Southeast. My family has attended this
festival almost every year for probably 12 years. Lots of fun. This
year Travis Tritt is the lead performer + Edwin McCain among many other
performers which will be performing on the streets of Asheville. There will be
music, beer, arts, crafts and food. The web site is
http://belecherefestival.com. When you leave The Grove Park and make
the short trip to the city of Asheville, the city reminds me of San Francisco.
It has the arts and crafts and the scattering of hippies. Love and peace.
Kind of like going back to my college years of the 70’s.
Sooo, if Bele Chere or Flat Rock Play House interest you, you may want to come
in on Friday or Saturday night. Diane and I plan on doing it all. The
hotel is not guaranteeing rooms or rates but one night before or after the
meeting, so reservations should be made before they start getting full.
Meeting Agenda:
7/28/08 Monday welcoming Cocktail Party 6-8pm
7/29&30/08 Tuesday & Wednesday – breakfast & meeting 8am til noon.
7/30/08 Wednesday afternoon travel to Biltmore Estates for tour of winery and
gardens, private tour of estate and on site cocktail party and dinner.
7/31/08 Thursday travel home?
Reservations can be made through Site Search at 502-292-3198. Room rates start
at $219 and room reservation deadline is June 18th.
For those coming into Asheville as early as Friday for The Bele Chere
Festival you may want to stay downtown. Friday and Saturday minimum requirement.
Haywood Park Hotel.
http://www.haywoodpark.com/. You walk out of the 33 room hotel and you
are at the center of the festival. These rooms will go very fast so email me
eovercash@vnet.net for information and a
reservation request form asap. Of course you can stay at The Grove Park Inn and
not have to move on Sunday night. Five minute drive to downtown.
Note that there will not be any charges for 16 and under family members who
participate in The Biltmore Estate tour and cocktail party/dinner on Wednesday
afternoon and evening.
