OCTOBER 1, 2009 ISSUE
Moses Throne—Bass Lake Comfort Station Grand Opening October 8
Residents Asked To Enter Contest To Name New Restroom Facility
On Thursday, October 8, the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation and the Town of Blowing will host a “toilet-paper cutting” to celebrate the completion and opening of the new Bass Lake comfort station, a restroom facility built as a miniature replica of the grand Flat Top Manor, the mountain home of Moses and Bertha Cone that overlooks Bass Lake. Photo by Ken KetchieMoses H. Cone, known as “The Denim King” for his success in the textile industry in the late 1800s, achieved much but he never quite got a throne—until now.
Although it might not be the throne he dreamed of.
More than 100 years ago, Cone and his wife Bertha enjoyed one of the most serene slices of High Country real estate, Bass Lake, every day for their morning walk. Today, Bass Lake is one of the most visited destinations on the Blue Ridge Parkway and, suitably, is also the site of a royal celebration like no other. One hundred and one years after his death—on Thursday, October 8, at 10:00 a.m.—Cone will get his throne.
On the banks of Bass Lake, dignitaries, more than 300 donors and the general public will join the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation and the Town of Blowing Rock to celebrate the completion and opening of the Bass Lake comfort station—a restroom facility built as a miniature replica of the grand Flat Top Manor, the mountain home of Moses and Bertha Cone that overlooks Bass Lake. Admission is free.
“I don’t know of any other restroom in National Park Service history that’s ever been treated with such a light and significant affair, but I certainly would put it in the category of ‘not-to-be-missed,’” said Houck Medford, executive director of the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation.
However royal the ceremony will feel—what with high ranking Parkway officials in attendance, such as Medford, Foundation Vice Chair Harvey Durham and Parkway Superintendent Phil Francis, as well as many local politicians, including Blowing Rock Mayor J.B. Lawrence—the mood will be light and playful, evident in the “toilet-paper cutting” that will replace the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Medford also teased that the event will feature “surprise attendances” by other notable dignitaries.
What’s more, the event will include an unveiling of the comfort station’s permanent name. The naming rights will go to the local resident or Parkway lover that wins a contest to come up with the most creative moniker. Anyone can enter the contest by sending their name idea to Jerry Burns, event volunteer, through email at burnsjn@bellsouth.net or snail-mail at PO Box 1373, Blowing Rock, NC 28605.
The lucky winner not only receives naming rights, but they will also be named “King for a Day” or “Queen for a Day,” meaning they will be the first to answer nature’s call in the new facility. Helping to hydrate the new king or queen so that the ceremony will go off as planned will be the Blowing Rock Historical Society, who will provide plenty of refreshments.
Each attendee will receive a ticket making them the possible winner of a panoramic photograph of Flat Top Manor in the fall taken by Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation board member David Combs and framed by Tim Miller’s Blowing Rock Frameworks and Gallery. A framed print from the collection of artist Richard Tumbleston will also go to a lucky ticket holder.
For more information, call 828-295-7938.
Want To Go?
Date: Thursday, October 8
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Location: Bass Lake parking area
Cost: Free
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