There’s a certain yearning that’s crept up on many baby boomers. We’ve dutifully strived for the American Dream — been to the New Frontier. Boldly gone where no generation has gone before. And we’d like to go home now, thank you very much.

Well, perhaps noted local Mr. Thomas Wolfe was right, and you can’t go home again. But you can go to Weaverville.

“Mayberry of the Mountains,” says lifelong resident, realtor Joe Lasher with a grin. “That’s Weaverville.” And they’re darn proud of it too. But if Andy and Opie are whistling their way to the fishin’ hole, they’ve got graphite rods slung over their shoulders and they’re packing a take-out lunch of Black Forest ham with brie on fresh sourdough bread, rather than egg salad sandwiches (Aunt Bee being otherwise engaged with a hot stone massage and facial).

“The town was founded on family, and it remains that way,” says Jan Lawrence, curator of the Dry Ridge Museum (Saturdays 10-2, 828-645-3592), which is housed in the Library building on Main Street. “There are some local families,” says Lawrence, “where you have 6th and 7th generation living on the same land.” Jan herself is a relative of Michael “Montraville” Weaver, the youngest son of John and Elizabeth, who arrived as homesteaders in the area in the spring of 1787. The elder Weavers seemed determined to populate the town themselves; many descendants of their 11 children still live here today.

It was Montraville who would solidify the family’s claim to the area by donating the land that would become the town of Weaverville and creating Weaverville College in 1872 (which would later merge with Brevard and Rutherford colleges). Civic pride still runs deep — the town has an active Tree Board, which has planted over 600 specimens since its formation in 1990, efforts which have won Weaverville the designation as a Tree City USA each year since 1991.

With a year-round population of 2,800, Weaverville definitely qualifies as a small town, but that’s precisely what draws newcomers into its embrace. “What I like best about the town,” says Beth Bertram, a former computer programmer from New York, “is that the librarian knows me by name.” Elspeth Brown, owner of Maggie B’s Wine and Specialty Store agrees. “On the Fourth of July, it’s like something out of a 1950s TV show,” she says.

Well, yes…the Weaverville Drug Company does still have a soda and ice cream counter. Most afternoons you can see Rodney Edwards’ lovingly restored 1956 Chevy 210 Sedan parked outside the old Gulf station that houses his auto repair business. Rodney hosts vintage car shows there, complete with gospel singing and picnic lunches, the 2nd and 4th weekends of the month, April through September.

But old fashioned doesn’t mean backwards. With its close proximity to Asheville, Weaverville has been drawing a mix of active and retired professionals, students from the UNC Asheville and Mars Hill college campuses and more than its share of artists and artisans.

The arts are thriving, and many local creations can be found at the chic Miya Gallery (20 N. Main St., 828-658-9655) where the offerings are anything but traditional. A few doors down, second-generation potters Rob and Beth Magnum’s combined studio and store, Magnum Pottery (16 N. Main St., 828-645-4929) gives visitors a fascinating glimpse into the artists’ world. Their folk inspired, functional pottery is designed to “find the union between heritage and contemporary design.”

The town itself celebrates the creative process with bi-annual Art Safaris, free self-guided studio tours held each spring and fall, that give visitors access to the workrooms of some of the fine glassworkers, metalsmiths, jewelry designers, painters, potters and fabric artisans in Weaverville and nearby areas. The Spring 2008 tour takes place April 26-27, with maps available at www.weavervillesafari.com. Come September, Main Street is transformed into an outdoor gallery during the Art in Autumn juried festival, expected to draw 100-plus entries.

Main Street, at any time of year, is ideal for a leisurely stroll. Start off at the north end, browsing Preservation Hall (115 N. Main St., 828-645-1047), an emporium of high-quality architectural salvage that features an eclectic selection of carefully refurbished stained glass doors, Victorian light fixtures, bins of fascinating hardware (knobs, hinges, keys, etc.), as well as sundry woodwork, trims and porcelain fixtures.

Before continuing downtown, stop in next door at Maggie B’s (113 N. Main St, 828-645-1111) to select a bottle of fine wine, imported olives, some aromatic cheese and paper-thin sliced proscuitto for a post-ramble snack. Be sure to come back for one of their weekly wine and beer tastings.
If you’re feeling truly indulgent, you can always save the walk for later and head for the Secret Garden Inn and Spa (56 N. Main St, 828-658-9317), a world-class facility with an organic, holistic approach, nestled in an acre of tranquil, Japanese-style gardens. Connect to your inner serenity with a deep tissue massage in the garden’s Tea House then slip into the soothing waters of the outdoor whirlpool spa.

For those who prefer a more active afternoon, Curtis Wright Outfitters (24 N. Main St., 828-645-8700) can provide top-of-the-line fly-fishing equipment and a trusty guide who knows and loves the home waters. These folks are dedicated to helping you catch that prize trout; such is their passion for the sport that during the off-season, they offer fly-tying workshops, where they share their arcane knowledge of the most irresistible lures.

Whatever your pleasure, make some time to take in the live entertainment at Blue Mountain Pizza (55 N. Main St., 828-658-8777), the local hangout, where musicians share the stage with Elvis, Johnny Cash and Miss Patsy Cline, courtesy of a splendid mural painted years ago by a mysterious itinerant artist. While you’re grooving, indulge in one of their creative, savory pies or a heaping plate of nachos, and an icy cold pitcher of brew.

On Friday and Saturday nights, The Well-Bred Bakery (26 N. Main St., 828-645-9300) also offers musical delights, in addition to their decadent pastries, coffee, confections, mile-high quiche, gourmet sandwiches and salads. See if you can resist their extraordinary éclairs — nearly the size of a football — or the handmade truffles.

If eclectic and adventuresome is your style, the Stoney Knob Café (337 Merrimon Ave., 828-645-3309), is the place. The funky/upscale Bedouin décor (deep colors, draped ceilings, chandeliers and a tiger-print carpet in the main dining room) is matched by a scrumptious, contemporary menu with Greek and European roots and an impressive wine list.

It’s clear that Weaverville offers much more than is apparent at first glance. Mayberry it may be, but for those who savor old-time charm, with a side order of culture and a heaping helping of hospitality, it doesn’t come much better than this.