INFORMATION LETTER 2011

PRINT THIS OUT!

PHONE INFO AND EMERGENCY NUMBER FOR YOUR FAMILY: The Wildacres number to leave with your family while you are gone is (828) 756-4573. This is an emergency number ONLY! The staff is small and locating people for phone calls can be inconvenient. There are two pay phones- one in each lodge. Phone cards are available in the canteen. There is a fax machine and the number is (828)756-4586. There is a charge to send faxes.

The mailing address for Wildacres is : Wildacres Retreat, PO Box 280, Little Switzerland, NC 28749.

CELL PHONES: Some cell phones work on the mountain and some are a little tricky. We are on a mountain top between 2 towers, so you may have to walk around to find a sweet spot.

Wi-Fi: There is free Wi-Fi for your laptop and you can usually get it in the lobby or on the porches. This is a limited service for you to get online, get your e-mail and get off. No downloading and they frown on doing business on your computer. If you need long computer sessions, there are several places in Spruce Pine that have free access.

WHAT TO WEAR: Comfortable clothes! Some people change for dinner but keep it casual. The weather is usually warm and pleasant but you might want to bring a sweatshirt and/or a jacket as it is sometimes cool in the evening. Also raincoat or umbrella.

BEVERAGES: The nearest liquor store is in Marion so you may want to bring liquor with you. Wine and beer is available in Little Switzerland. Wildacres provides ice - NOT for coolers, but for daily needs. Bring a favorite glass and your own mix . There is a soft drink machine on site. Due to limited refrigeration, it is difficult to keep beer cold, so beer drinkers may want to bring something else, but you can buy ice for your cooler in Little Switzerland. Coffee is served at all meals and instant coffee is available from 6:30AM until 5:00PM.

EXTRA MONEY: The canteen on premises has soft drinks, snacks, post cards, stamps, ice cream, phone cards, etc. Should you need something else, we are about 10 minutes from Little Switzerland and 15 minutes from a big Wal-Mart. The book seller takes cash, checks and charge cards.

CHECK IN TIME - RETREAT and WORKSHOP: For the retreat, please check in Saturday July 1nd between 1 and 5 PM. Do not arrive early! You will be in the way of the cleaning crew. Stop for a leisurely lunch because dinner is not until 6:30 on the first night. Don't miss dinner! If you are attending the workshop only, your check-in time is Saturday July 7 between noon and 5 PM.

IF YOU ARE FLYING INTO ASHVILLE: Send us your flight schedule. We will arrange for transportation ($100 round trip). Schedule your flight to arrive before 3 PM. There will not be a later pick up. Detailed pick-up info will be sent to flying people. Don't forget, your departure time from Asheville Airport MUST be after 12:30 PM on July 14th.

CHECK LIST OF WHAT TO BRING:

Jacket or sweater (it can be cool in the evenings); raincoat/umbrella, walking shoes.

Clock. Optional: laptop; radio or CD player, camera, musical Instrument (no tubas).

Also optional: extra towels and/or pillow; coffee pot; liquor, wine and drink mix.

10 copies of manuscripts for your workshop, UNLESS you have exchanged by e-mail. You should bring extra copies for auditors.

This letter with driving instructions.

SPECIFIC INFORMATION FOR THE WORKSHOP
FRIDAY, July 7th TO FRIDAY, JULY 14TH

BALANCE OF YOUR FEE & MANUSCRIPTS:

The balance of your fee MUST BE MAILED TO ME BY JUNE 1st. We do not send reminders! There are no exceptions! The address once again is - Judi Hill, 233 S. Elm St., Greensboro NC 27401.

Manuscripts are also due on the June 1 but your Instructor will be in contact with you sometime in May to tell you if they are to be snail mailed or emailed. Don’t worry about this until May. The manuscripts are to be DOUBLE-SPACED and the lengths are: Poetry: 6 poems. Short Story, Nonfiction, Genre or any Novel chapter: not more than 15 pages with a 4500 word limit. Word count must appear on the first page. Your name must appear on each page of your manuscript. Manuscripts should be stapled or paper-clipped together.

Bring 10 copies of your manuscript, unless you have exchanged online, and a few more for auditors. THE COPIES YOU BRING MUST BE THE SAME AS THE ONE SUBMITTED TO YOUR INSTRUCTOR. The faculty has already spent time critiquing the original manuscript. Revisions will NOT be addressed. You will hear from your instructor before the end of May if you are to exchange online.

The GONG SHOW is a Do-it-Ourselves comedy show where we team up for skits. Costumes are available. This is the highlight of the week and it will be videotaped should you like a copy.

DAYS OFF! Every class will have a day off on a staggered schedule. This will allow you to audit classes that are in your same time frame or go sightseeing. Your schedule will be in your packet when you arrive.

You will be given complete workshop schedules upon arrival.

A reminder - No drop in guests during the week.


DON'T FORGET!
Send the balance of your fee postmarked by June 1st. If you need to speak to me, call (336)255-8210 or email judihill@aol.com.

DIRECTIONS

If you are coming on I-40 look at your NC map and find Marion (between Morganton and Asheville). At Marion {If you are going west take the first exit, if you are going east, take the third (exit 85) US 221] You will come to a big intersection, do NOT take the business route. If you were going west, continue straight ahead. If you were going east, turn left left here. Take NC 226 North to the intersection with NC 226A. 226 A continues straight so follow it up the mountain to the Wildacres sign (7 miles). From Marion it is about 20 miles to the wildacres sign. It may seem longer but, don't worry you won't miss it. The sign is on the left.

 If you are coming on the Blue Ridge Parkway get off near Mile Post 336. There is a sign there that says 'Gooch Gap'. There is only one way to turn. As soon as you leave the Parkway you will see a sign that says Wildacres with an arrow pointing to the right. Just follow the road. The Wildacres entrance is on the left about a mile in.