Month: October 2025

By KellyDoty & Itinease McMiller

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    ASHEVILLE, North Carolina (WLOS) — The most wonderful time of year has begun at the Biltmore Estate as crews raise the centerpiece of the house’s seasonal décor.

Biltmore officials say the Banquet Hall tree is the final and largest holiday decoration installed before “Christmas at Biltmore” officially opens on Saturday, Nov. 1.

Biltmore’s Floral Design Team will decorate the tree throughout the day Wednesday, using scaffolding and handmade tools to place ornaments and lights on its tallest branches.

Crews carefully carried a 35-foot Fraser fir tree through the front doors of America’s largest home on Wednesday, Oct. 29, before hoisting it into the upright position in the Banquet Hall, avoiding art, antiques, and a grand chandelier.

This year’s holiday cheer is extra special after Hurricane Helene hit last year.

“Thinking back to where we were a year ago and our monument sign having been rebuilt and new trees planted, it does feel like this Christmas,” said Biltmore Estate floor manager Lizzie Whitcher. “We’ve come so far, and Christmas is a chance to celebrate that.”

To give guests a unique experience and extra twinkle in their eye, Whitcher said they’re also looking back to 1895 – George Washington Vanderbilt’s first Christmas at the iconic house.

Planning for Christmas at Biltmore began last year; Whitcher said each room tells a different story, including the Banquet Hall, where the 2,500-pound Christmas tree is now displayed. Trip Hudgins, engineering operations manager for Biltmore, said it took about 40 people to get it inside and place it just right.

“It comes around the Winter Garden and into the Banquet Hall,” Hudgins said. “That’s the hardest part as it squeezes through those doors at an angle.”

The trees, which are purchased from family-owned business Andrews Tree Farm and Nursery, vary in size each year.

Now that the tree is up, there are just two days left to put on the finishing touches before the public gets to experience the traditions and customs of a true Biltmore Christmas.

“When it comes to what we’re wanting to achieve, [it’s] the magic of Christmas,” Whitcher said. “We want guests to come and feel transported back to 1895.”

When Christmas at Biltmore begins Saturday, officials hope that people will take away some inspiration to add to their homes for the holiday season.

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By Nick Lunemann

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    Minnesota (WCCO) — A Lakeville family has turned their driveway into a small, free food pantry. It’s a place where anyone can stop by and grab fresh produce and staples with no questions asked.

Kate-Madonna (Hindes) Quast says what began as sharing extra garden produce has grown as the need has increased.

“We noticed there was a need as we went into fall and winter. We had never done this before,” she said. “We had cars lined up to come and get the food. It was completely full yesterday, and now it’s almost empty.”

She says the family recently partnered “with an organization, a few other families” to expand the giveaway. She added that many neighbors are struggling to bridge gaps between paychecks and benefits.

Her husband, John Quast, said the whole thing started simply.

“When we started it, it was just like, hey, we have more produce than we can use, and we wanted to share it with our neighbors,” he said. “And then times changed, and people actually really appreciated it and needed it.”

The family keeps items out that can handle the weather and accepts donations from neighbors and nearby growers. John Quast has a nickname for the setup.

“We call it garden to driveway to table,” he said.

Around the neighborhood, it’s better known as the Little Free Veggie Library.

Kate-Madonna (Hindes) Quast says the most meaningful feedback came from one late-night visitor.

“There was a woman last night who messaged, and I’m happy to share the message. It was very sweet,” she said. “She said she got to her car and she was crying because she felt that there was good in the world, and she was really struggling. That was the reason we do what we do, because we don’t know their struggle, but we can empathize with it, and John and I have both been there.”

Even with Halloween decor out front — “Beware” and “Stay Away” signs — the family says everyone is welcome.

And if kids stop by on Oct. 31? They have an answer for that, too.

“If a trick-or-treater wants a potato, a trick-or-treater can absolutely have a potato or an onion. We’re the house with the carrots,” John Quast said.

Kate-Madonna (Hindes) Quast says they gladly accept donations of food, but not cash.

If you’d like to follow the couple, just search “Little Veggie Library” on Facebook or send them an email at LittleFreeVeggieLibrary@gmail.com.

This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting.

Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.