It’s that time of year again when we bring you tidings of comfort and joy—and all the info on holiday events.  From local parades to meeting Santa himself to all the lights to see, our communities are just brimming with the spirit of the season and good cheer! So, come all ye faithful and find just the holiday events that make your season bright! 

Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays from the Mast family to yours!

It's the seventh installment of the 2018 Fall Foliage Primer and the final report for the season. Many locations are reaching their peak colors now - like Greenville, Asheville, and Hendersonville - and Knoxville is still reaching for its peak. You'll find many events to enjoy in all areas and who knows, you might even start thinking about another kind of tree that stays green all year. 

You don’t have to be a fan of Game of Thrones to know that winter is coming. It’s in the air, fogging up the window panes and biting at noses and hands. And that means coats and warm accessories are needed in the community. Mast Store is ready to Share the Warmth in all its communities by holding a coat collection now through November 30. 

It's Halloween, and we bet you'll see some colorful characters throughout the day. It's also Week 6 of the Fall Foliage Primer. There is still an amazing amount of color throughout all reporting areas. Asheville, Hendersonville, and Knoxville are still reaching toward their peak colors in this unusual fall. The Boone and Valle Crucis area are beginning to lose leaves, but there are still surprises around many corners. And, you'll still find plenty of fun events to enjoy everywhere. Check it out!

A few weeks ago, we celebrated the 135th anniversary of a legend – the Original Mast Store in Valle Crucis. We played old-timey games; we sampled apple butter; we listened to some good music. But have you ever wondered what the building itself thinks of all the people who travel out Broadstone Road and Highway 194 for a visit. Well, we did too, so we asked.

It's hard to believe that we are in the final full week of October and the fall colors are just now beginning to appear. In the Valle Crucis/Boone area, this will likely be the best weekend to view the colors. Other areas are still reaching toward their peak. With the colder temperatures, the color change will be speeding up as will the leaf dropping activities. There are still lots of things to see and do, but plan your visits soon. 

It's amazing what a few days of cooler weather will do! Here in Week 4 of the Fall Foliage Primer, we are FINALLY seeing a bit of color. All locations are experiencing fall-like temperatures, which are bringing out the leaves' true colors. Festivals, like the Woolly Worm Festival and 50th Anniversary of the Carl Sandburg Home,  and hikes along the Blue Ridge Parkway, on the UNC-Asheville Campus, and at Table Rock Park should be on your itinerary. See what else our reporters have to recommend.

"Have you eaten?" That's the secret code for love and care in many families, but it's a question of real consequence for more people than many realize. That's why Mast Store is partnering with Merrell Footwear and local food agencies to turn the answer to that question

into a resounding "yes" in our communities, especially for one of the most vulnerable populations, our children.

It's Week Three for the 2018 Fall Foliage Primer. More color is appearing, but it is appearing slowly. Most areas will have rain through the middle of the week, but the weekend will be great for getting out to local farmers' markets, music festivals, state and national park tours, or a drive along your favorite country road. All locations are filled with abundant color - it's just not from the leaves quite yet. 

Week two of the 2018 Fall Foliage Primer finds that someone has pushed the pause button on the colors ... and fall temperatures, too. There are spotty colors in some of the highest elevations of the mountains, but if you know where to look, there's still fall color to be had. Look for events, mushrooms, vines, and the late blooms of summer. Check out what our reporters are recommending this week.