Beth

Beth

Glen Alpine Forward

On Monday, October 14, the Glen Alpine Board of Aldermen agreed to move forward with the Downtown Gathering Space at 401 Bridge Street. Alderman Luke Boone is against the park including a playground for children. With that restriction, the plan…

New Logo

Burke River Trail Association is excited to release the new logo for the trail and the association. Destination by Design was chosen from several area firms as the best to work on the logo and trail signage.

Local Developer Forum

As part of the Opportunity Appalachia Grant that Burke River Trail Association received for the Old Glory Mill, Beth Heile was invited to a three day Local Developer Forum in Charleston, West Virginia.

Rhodhiss Kickoff

Old Glory Mill is a catalytic opportunity to Revitalize Rhodhiss with a town center that includes housing, businesses, jobs, event space, Burke River Trail, outdoor recreation and more while preserving the rich heritage of the town. BRTA was awarded a…

Local Families Support Royal Park

As construction costs remain elevated, the Town of Hildebran is seeking donations and sponsors to close the gap in funding for its downtown park. Royal Park will include a covered stage, splash pad, 1/4 mile walking track, new concession building…

State Trail Awards

The Great Trails State Coalition (GTSC) held their first statewide conference with the help of NCSU’s Recreation Resources Service. The sold-out event offered three days of breakout sessions and plenary meetings to the 375 attendees representing nonprofits, municipalities and industry.…

Moon Picture has Landed

It takes about 3 days for a spacecraft to reach the Moon, traveling around 240,000 miles depending on the route. It took about 40 years and around 400 miles for a famous moon picture to return home to Rhodhiss. John…

Ribbon Cut on Wildcat Way

Burke River Trail Association hosted a Ribbon Cutting for the first section of that specially build to be Burke River Trail. The new 0.6 mile trail is on Burke County Public Schools property and the trail easement is being held…

Long View & Hildebran

In January 2023, Beth Heile submitted a Feasibility Study Grant application to NCDOT for assistance in clarifying the route between Long View and Hildebran. The direct path of using Hwy 70A was uncertain due to the 100-foot railroad right of…

Connecting Rhodhiss Halves

BRTA is about connecting communities — and we have been in contact with NCDOT for two years about making the bridge that connects the two sides of Rhodhiss (Burke and Caldwell) safe for walkers and bikers. We are thrilled to…

Trail Brings Housing

Connecting communities with pedestrian trail is just one focus of Burke River Trail Association (BTRA). The organization also works to strengthen communities through economic development. That includes pursuing housing opportunities uncovered while advancing the trail.

Wildcat Way

Thanks to Burke County Public Schools, Town of Valdese, Rep Hugh Blackwell and volunteers, a new section of Burke River Trail will open on August 2. Officials will cut the ribbon at 10:00 am for the 0.6 mile natural surface…

Grants for Old Glory Mill

Opportunity Appalachia announced the selection of 29 projects to participate in its program aimed at increasing job growth,business support, and investment in Central Appalachia. The Old Glory Mill project in Rhodhiss, submitted by Burke River Trail, one of 94 applicants,…

Trail Town Trash

Following the Burke Chamber Litter Sweep, BRTA decided to continue monthly Trail Town Trash Pickups. May was rained out and even though it was raining on June 3, we went ahead with our cleanup. 11 volunteers got soggy as we…

Successful Pickin’

Around 125 people took part in the Glen Alpine in the Street Committee’s first event – Pickin’ in the Streets including Senator Warren Daniel and wife Lydia. Aldermen Reid Scott and Luke Boone continue to be supportive of advancements in…

Glen Alpine Residents Giving Back

A tree along the railroad tracks that looked like a turkey tail, gave the Town of Glen Alpine its original name in 1868 – Turkey Tail. Now residents wanting to revitalize downtown and strengthen community pride, are leaning into that…

Glen Alpine Public Meeting

The Glen Alpine Downtown Park Public Input meeting was held Thursday, April 11 at 6pm – with a horrible rainstorm 5:50-6:10pm – we still had 24 in attendance for the 50-minute meeting. There was a 24×36 inch poster of the…

Rhodhiss Mill Grant

Burke River Trail Association submitted an Opportunity Appalachia Grant application for technical assistance in creating a financial pro forma development analysis for Old Glory Mill. The report will show how much income will be generated by mixed use development that…

Community Spotlight – Drexel

While much has come and gone in Drexel over the years, the Drexel Barber Shop has remained a constant. Lawrence Anthony started it across the railroad tracks in 1949. Most of us older folks can remember sitting in that tiny…