Rural Hill Piper SpringNewsletter 2017 Rural Hill Where History Springs Alive P.O. Box 1009 Huntersville, NC 28070 4431 Neck Road Huntersville, NC 28078 704-875-3113 www.ruralhill.net office@ruralhill.net Facilitated in cooperation with Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation Mark Your Calendars! Jeff s Corner Warrior Dash June 3 Rural Hill Annual Meeting June 25 Constitution Dinner July 1 Summer Food Truck Rally July 21 Miss May s Garden Tea August 6 Rural Hill Amazing Maize Maze September 9 - November 5 Huntersville Halloween October 21 Rural Hill Sheepdog Trials November 11 & 12 Loch Norman Highland Games April 21 & 22, 2018 NC Brewers and Music Festival May 11 & 12, 2018 The words thank you never seem enough. It is with the deepest sincerity that I thank the incredible volunteers, staff, patrons, musicians, athletes, and guests - everyone - that made this spring season so amazing. From the Loch Norman Highland Games and NC Brewers and Music Festival, to Bark in the Park, our Bridal Show and wedding events, Food Truck Rallies, fundraisers, and more - what a great spring season to celebrate. I am honored to have been part of it with you. Now we plant and grow the corn with our eyes toward fall, and keep busy with many summer events. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. I hope to see you on the farm!
To all of the hundreds of volunteers, patrons, clans, vendors, brewers, athletes, dancers, pipers, reenactors, musicians, and all our guests... THANK YOU! We love this place. They put on the best Food Truck Rally ever! And the NC Brewers Festival is an amazing time!!! - Alexis G. via Facebook Photo courtesy of charmeck.org Dignitary Rory Menzies had some amazing words to close out the 2017 Loch Norman Highland Games. He congratulated the winners, and let the rest know that the winning isn t the most important, it s the taking part that counts. Then he reminded us what this is all about. The children. They are our future. We built these Games to pass on a legacy. So, from Dignitary Menzies, and all of us at Rural Hill, thank you for helping us keep the legacy alive! Historic Rural Hill Piper - Spring 2017 - Page 2
Around the Farm In April Executive Director Jeff Fissel chatted with Jesse Brown s Outdoors (on The Carolina Outdoors) about all the different things that go on around the Farm. We were also on WBTV News announcing the return of the Scottish Dog parade to the Loch Norman Highland Games. Awesome! - Pat H. via Facebook Photos courtesy of Jamie Lynne Historic Rural Hill Piper - Spring 2017 - Page 3
Scenes from Spring Sip and Seek Bridal Show Historic Rural Hill Piper - Spring 2017 - Page 4
- K. Riley via Facebook Photos courtesy of DBCreative This was our second year attending the games and once again loved it. My husband is from Glasgow and to be able to have a little piece of Scotland over here means a lot to him! This year he lost his wallet there. 3 days later it showed up in our mailbox with a personal note attached. That is what you call class!
We had a great time!! Love this event! - Kate H. via Facebook
Proud to be nominated for a Normy Award for Best Local Event or Festival with Lake Norman Publications! We were there...for the NC Brewers and Music Festival and in one word AMAZING! The vendors were all great and well placed around the facility. Lots of clean bathroom facilities which were very much appreciated! Can t wait for our next visit to Rural Hill! - Greg M. via Facebook Our 2017 North Carolina Brewers and Music Festival Winners, sponsored by Cheers Charlotte Radio - Craft Beer & Homebrew Podcast are: Brewery of the Year: Wooden Robot Brewery Cidery of the Year: Red Clay Ciderworks Congratulations!! Historic Rural Hill Piper - Spring 2017 - Page 7
Happy Meck Dec Day - May 20, 2017! Did you know that Mecklenburg County declared its independence from Great Brittan over a year before the rest of the United States of America? Our founder, Major John Davidson, was a signer of the MeckDec, which was then taken to Philadelphia by Captain James Jack on May 31, or so the story goes. There are no existing original copies of it, and many historians believe that what we know today as the MeckDec is an inaccurate rendering of the Mecklenburg Resolves. Either way, Happy MeckDec Day, Mecklenburgers!! Historic Rural Hill Piper - Spring 2017 - Page 9
Weddings and Events at Historic Rural Hill The Historic Rural Hill Cultural Center continues to grow in its popularity for weddings, rehearsal dinners, and other special occasions and retreats. The rustic atmosphere of the venue offers a unique combination of vast outdoor spaces and inviting indoor comforts. The 2,000 square foot May Davidson Hall accommodates up to 200 guests for cocktail style receptions and there are options to expand the space and guest capacity with the covered patio and tent annex. The decorative and functional finishings include aptly appointed restrooms, a generous catering kitchen, pleasing architecture of soaring barn-style rafters with ironwork chandeliers, a barn door opening to the west end covered patio (perfect for admiring the sunset), four sets of French doors leading to the wraparound brick walkway, and turn-key audio/visual amenities. Don t miss securing the date for your special occasion at the Historic Rural Hill Cultural Center. Contact our private events director Lauren Petervary to schedule a personal tour. Call (704) 875-3113 or email Lauren@ruralhill.net. Some photos courtesy of Thirteenth Moon Photography LLC and Samantha Laffoon Photography Historic Rural Hill Piper - Spring 2017 - Page 10
Rural Hill s Loch Norman Fund We are excited to announce the establishment of the Loch Norman Fund. In 2018 we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Loch Norman Highland Games! Being able to continue this community event is one of our highest priorities. We created the Loch Norman Fund to serve the Games in hopes of making each year even better than the last. All donations are greatly appreciated and tax deductible. Visit online for easy, secure giving. Note Loch Norman Fund and we will apply your gift directly. Give online at www.ruralhill.net Volunteer at Historic Rural Hill Historic Rural Hill s events exist because of the generous and enthusiastic support of volunteers. For more information on volunteering, please contact us at (704) 875-3113 or email michelle@ruralhill.net. Historic Rural Hill Piper - Spring 2017 - Page 11
Board of Directors Robert G. McIntosh, Chair Jim Puckett, Vice Chair Sam Fuller, Secretary Brent Lewis, Treasurer Maurice D. McIntosh Beth Eakes Martina John Cherry Henry Mummaw Danny Phillips Matthew Cooper Fary Cachelin Brandy Larrick Wendy Watts Staff Jeff Fissel, Executive Director Zac Vinson, Education Director Lauren Petervary, Wedding & Special Events Director Jessica Bustamante, Controller Freddie Brown, Farm Manager Eric Ferguson, Farm Manager Carolyn Campbell, Administrative Assistant Mission An educational organization that provides for recognizing, celebrating and preserving the rich heritage of Rural Hill. Celebrating more than 250 years in history Rural Hill is located at 4431 Neck Road (off Beatties Ford Road) in Huntersville, 28078. The former homestead of Major John and Violet Davidson, the 265 acre site is maintained and promoted by Historic Rural Hill Inc. and features annual events such as the Rural Hill Scottish Festival and Loch Norman Highland Games, the Rural Hill Amazing Maize Maze, the Rural Hill Sheepdog Trials, and the NC Brewers and Music Festival. Historic Rural Hill Inc. is a nonprofit organization supported through membership and donations, and with proceeds from its events utilized for the preservation of Historic Rural Hill and its education efforts. For more information on events or for financial support accepted securely online, please visit www.ruralhill.net Tina Brown Photo Historic Rural Hill Piper - Spring 2017 - Page 12