Holiday Gift Guide: Handcrafted items from North Carolina support hurricane recovery

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The town of Asheville, known for its artists and restaurants, is a tourist destination and the economic hub of North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountain communities. In September, it was devastated by flooding from Hurricane Helene.

Even businesses not physically damaged suffered weeks without power and water, and Asheville was essentially closed to tourists during its busiest season.

Now, besides hoping that visitors will return for the holidays, Asheville’s artists...