When Robin Hawkins Anderson arrived in Henderson County in 2015, she was still recovering from the upheaval caused by the dissolution of her marriage. A friend recommended spending time on the trails of the Carl Sandburg Home to find perspective and perhaps discover a new path forward. Seven years and over 7000 photographs later, Robin has published her first book, Uncommon Sanctuary, a photographic diary featuring Carl and Lillian Sandburg’s Connemara home in the mountains of western North Carolina.

During a recent Blue Ridge Center for Lifelong Learning course, instructor Paula Withrow did more than just teach history. She brought it to life. Dressed as Mata Hari, Withrow recounted the life and exploits of one of the most famous female spies in history. Her mastery of the subject material was captivating and her sartorial commitment to the topic gave additional life to an already fascinating subject.

As I stepped into the small Oakland Cemetery on the easternmost edge of Flat Rock, I could see her recent grave still adorned with memorial flowers. It was a cool, gray Saturday morning and the only sounds were the birds chirping in trees that border the modest cemetery on three sides. The grass was wet. The red clay, unearthed to prepare for her internment, still visible around the gravesite.

I’d come to this hallowed ground to pay my respects to a woman that I never met. To honor and reflect on a woman whose life was more intricately bound to the history of Flat Rock than perhaps almost any other living soul in the Village.

By the time John Burton was 11 years old, he had dislocated his left elbow six times and undergone three surgeries in an attempt to repair the problematic joint. John’s early medical misfortunes, however, turned out to be a bit of fortuitous fate that helped launch him on a course from the waters of Lake Summit in Tuxedo, NC to the 1972 Summer Olympic Games in Munich, Germany.

One of the more dramatic and violent moments in the history of Flat Rock occurred during the Civil War. Beaumont, owned by Andrew Johnstone of Georgetown, SC, was one of the earliest grand homes in Flat Rock and during the final chaotic year of the war, a band of “bushwhackers” descended upon the estate on a warm June day in 1864 - with tragic consequence.

In the space of approximately seven years, what started as a dream has become arguably the crown jewel of parks in our region. The Park at Flat Rock is the perfect place to park your cares and lift your spirits. The story of a vision made real, here…

Nestled in a small strip shopping center halfway between Flat Rock and downtown Hendersonville, Pita Express is an oasis of Middle Eastern culinary delights with a Mediterranean flair. Owned by Lina and Mohamid Abuadas, each dish is delivered with a smile and is accompanied by a side order of love that infuses every plate of food.

Starr Teel, owner of Flat Rock’s Hubba Hubba Smokehouse and Campfire Grill, has embraced his life-long relationship with the summer camp experience. First as a camper, then as a counselor, and later as a passionate advocate for kids in camp, Starr Teal’s fervent belief in the benefits of summer camp has never wavered.

At a time when it is easy to question the future of humanity, we appreciate this hopeful story of Lilian and Carl Sandburg’s faith in people whose lives were uprooted by racial discrimination and the fear rampant in a county suddenly thrust into World War II.

ShareWell Coffee Co. and Roastery hosted their grand opening in Flat Rock Square yesterday to officially open Flat Rock’s latest addition to the Village’s charming and bustling commercial center. Judging by the crowds that swarmed the new business on opening day, ShareWell Coffee seems to be the perfect brew of quality products and happy customers.

As he stood on the Heidelberg Garden terrace in August of 1921, Robert Galloway placed himself squarely at the intersection of two extraordinary chapters in the history of Flat Rock. Behind him, and representing the past, stood the magnificent structure and intriguing history of Heidelberg House. Stretching out before him was the future … his dream of a spectacular new home for the summer Bible conference of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church.

Dave Workman, co-owner of the iconic Flat Rock Village Bakery, maintains a surprisingly low profile at one of the Village’s most high-profile businesses. Despite an unassuming demeanor, he’s quietly building a burgeoning bakery business. And Flat Rock is a primary beneficiary of his passion for serving exceptional food.

His story here…

The story begins with an unusual request received at Flat Rock Together from an amateur metal detectorist living in North Carolina. Rebekah wrote. “A fellow metal detectorist acquaintance of mine found a class ring from 1943. Based on the engraved initials and history he believes it may have belonged to someone who lived in Flat Rock. Maybe you can bridge the gap in locating him or a family member.”

When we set out to write this recap of our favorite stories from 2021, it seemed a rather simple enterprise. But as we stroll back through 52 weeks of stories about fascinating people, places, and events in Flat Rock, we came to realize that it is an almost impossible - a perhaps rather arbitrary exercise to choose among so many deserving posts. Nonetheless, here is our list for 2021. Five great stories for another great year of bringing you Flat Rock Together. We hope you enjoy this look back into our archives.