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UHNGCC Officers: President Mel Freeman, Vice-president Jim Earnhardt; Secretary Lana Roberts/Jean Bradley; Treasurer Sylvia Sane. Program co-chairs Barbara Earnhardt and Sarah Gayle. Board Members usually meet second Tuesdays before third Tuesday’s regular meetings. Any club member may attend. Rotating-term Board Members are Jean Bradley, Patty Tanner, Gene Earnhardt, Claudia Freeman; Margaret Whitt serves as outgoing president; Margie Owenby is lifetime member. Debbie Pustorino is Community Club photographer and blog designer.
Calendar of Events
January 17 6:30 Covered Dish Dinner Jay Alley, Gerton Fire Department Chief, will update us on fire department changes and answer questions.
February 21 6:30 Covered Dish Dinner Pat Stone, Editor of Green Prints, gardening magazine published in Fairview for the past 22 years, will describe the magazine and bring samples.
March 20 6:30 Covered Dish Dinner James Harris, director of GDS garbage collection in
Every Monday-Friday - 9-10 a.m. - Exercise-- Walking with a DVD and each other at the Community Center.
Every Thursday - 11:30 a.m.- 1 p.m. - WELCOME TABLE.
Zumba at
Every Sunday - 4-5 p.m. Community Dinner (Free) at the
President’s Note
As we end another year, some here in Gerton and others in their home away from Gerton, we need to pause and give thanks to God for the blessings that have been bestowed upon us as individuals and on Gerton as a community. I think Gerton has become more homogeneous as a community family. Folks have volunteered their time and talents toward the betterment of the community.
As incoming President of the UHNGCC, let me say thanks to all of you, for without you, these achievements could not have been made. As we go into this Christmas Season let us remember that Christ is the center of all that is given. Give as you have received and care for for your neighbor. You will be blessed beyond all expectations.
January begins a new year and a time of opportunities and unknowns. We will need to make good decisions, using good judgment. Many will be asked to serve again in some way. Say “Yes” and help your community, for some a home away from home, grow in unity and in love for your neighbor.
“Merry Christmas” and “Happy New Year” to all.
Mel Freeman
WINTER CLOSING - NITA and SUSAN'S HICKORY CREEK MARKET
Gerton's store will be closed from Christmas Eve until sometime in March. In the meantime, you might want to visit Trout Lily in
Christmas Party and Seasonal Decorations
We had about 40 at the Christmas party held on December 20. Among the revelers were new folk, including the Sildewells with daughter-in-law Linda Nall and Darryl, her husband, and her momma Barbara. Also Sylvia Sane's son with wife from
Here's what we did: ate delicious and different food. A few participated in the question Barbara Earnhardt typed up for small groups at the table: where was your first Christmas, and why was it in that place? Learned things. Lucianne Evans described why her parents were living where they were, because her great-great-great grandfather had come from
Lucianne Scheid--who has a STRONG voice, led the carol singing, and we had a jolly upbeat time singing. Then Dillon played Santa Claus, distributing the gifts to the tables, each person unwrapping pretty ridiculous presents--Gene Earnhardt got a cat puzzle we decided nobody could solve. Jerry Boone opened a box with a purse organizer inside--a PERFECT gift for the super-organized man! Anyhow, glad time was had by all, I think--a really good spirit.
Your friendly reporter, Barbara Earnhardt
WNC Communities is proud to announce the winners of the 62nd Annual Honors Awards Program at a luncheon held at The Grove Park Inn on Saturday, November 19. Over 300 community leaders from 14 counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee were present to recognize and reward exceptional community development programs from across our mountain region. This year marked the 62nd WNC Honors Awards, a program built on the tradition of recognizing achievements in communities for their work on behalf of their residents. The awards are designed to serve as an inspiration for replicating community success.
“WNC Communities is thankful for the dedication rural communities put into making the NC mountains a place we can all be proud to call home,” shared Linda Lamp, Executive Director of WNC Communities. “For over 62 years, the rural mountain communities have addressed issues and created innovative programs impacting the daily lives of residents. We are honored to recognize their efforts.” Community programs range from addressing basic needs such as a food pantry, an emergency shelter, thrift stores, or litter sweeps to significant programs focused on education, heritage, economic development, farmland preservation or health and wellness.
“Communities of Distinction” is the highest honor with a cash award of $2,000. Upper Hickory Nut Gorge (UHNG) of Henderson County
“Participating Communities” receive a cash award of $250 for their successful projects implemented during the past year. Crab Creek, Edneyville, Mills River
Generous sponsorships from Harrah’s Cherokee Casino & Hotel, Mission Health Systems, Buncombe County Farm Bureau, First Citizens Bank, Progress Energy, HomeTrust Bank, Carolina Farm Credit and Duke Energy make it possible to award over $24,000 to 65 communities throughout Western North Carolina for their innovative approaches to addressing community needs.
Communities voluntarily participate in the WNC Honors Awards Program by submitting an application to WNC Communities in September. Communities are judged on projects, fund raising efforts, collaboration with local organizations or businesses, economic development and sustainability, as well as their community future and vision.
Upper Hickory Nut Gorge Community receiving “Community of Distinction” Award: (pictured left to right) Sylvia Sane, Jim Sane, Jean Bradley, Jim Earnhardt, Keith Earnhardt, Margaret Whitt, Syble Freeman and Lumpy Lambert, VP of Operations at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino & Hotel
Update on Capital Improvements at Chimney Rock State Park
In an ongoing effort to maintain Chimney Rock as one of the Southeast's premier outdoor destinations, the Park will undergo additional capital improvements this winter. Access will be improved by replacing the remaining stairs on the Outcroppings trail, which provides foot access to the Chimney from the top parking lot. An upper section of the Outcroppings stairs was replaced last winter. This winter, the Chimney and points of interest above, including the Opera Box, Devil's Head and Exclamation Point, will be temporarily closed to the public for the improvements. However, by the project's completion in spring 2012, the new steel-framed wooden stairways on the Outcroppings trail will accommodate more traffic, offer a better guest experience and help maintain access for future generations. Meanwhile, work continues on the modernization of the Park's elevator and Sky Lounge, which are also scheduled to reopen in spring 2012.There are still great reasons to visit the Park with family and friends, such as trekking out to 404-foot
Winter Hours & Admission. The Park will remain open to visitors during winter capital improvements. Starting Dec. 5, the Park will be closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays and winter hours will be Thursday–Monday from 10am–6 pm, weather permitting, with the
Suzie Lancaster, 92, Keith Earnhardt’s mother, died October 31 where she had lived for the past 12 years at Brighton Gardens Assisted Living in
Odessa Glover, Shirley Boone’s mother, died November 14 at Flescher’s
Word has been received from Rutherfordton that Mary Francis Owens, wife of Judge Hollis Owens, died October 10 in Rutherfordton where the family made their home. The Owens family summered in the present Hartwell house on
Chestnut Hills Roadfor many, many years. Judge Owens was a special friend to Ravenal Owensby, Sam Asbury, and David Douglas. As young boys, the four of them thought up mischief together during the 1930s.
Chestnut Hills Roadfor many, many years. Judge Owens was a special friend to Ravenal Owensby, Sam Asbury, and David Douglas. As young boys, the four of them thought up mischief together during the 1930s.
Friend of Karen Hudson-Brown left this note of thanks after a late fall visit to Gerton:
......... and thank you again for extending an invitation to your mountain home. We so enjoyed it. The 'quiet' that takes up residence there at this time of year is a precious gift. And 'quiet' isn't exactly the right word. Maybe slumber is the right word. It's not dull or dead, all the senses are still required, but on a different level with a different power. It's no less intense than other seasons, just more secretive.
Ruth Hudson's New Website! Great fun to find on the Internet, try www.designsbygahgoo.com, and see Ruth’s colorful display of polymer-bead jewelry she sells over the Internet. Good neighbor Melanie Anderson helped design and produce the website itself. Ever since Ruth saw an arts-and-crafts program on TV several years ago, Ruth has been interested in making jewelry. She bought some books and studied the art of design and producing. Working from her little outdoor studio back of the house where she and sister Helen Brown live, Ruth spends absorbing hours creating the pieces. Her website proves it—with a nine of her unique and quite beautifully colored necklaces to wear and give. Ruth’s secret hope is to have Fox TV’s Megan Kelly one day wear one of her necklaces. In the meantime, check out Ruth’s website, ladies and gentlemen!
David Cameron, who in the long ago days of his life was once a Fuller Brush Company salesman, has circled back into this same high-quality organization. He is now a distributor of Fuller Brush products in the Gerton area. If you need some product or a new broom, David can be reached at 625-1612 or ddcameron@compuserve.com.
Even though Christmas is now behind us, please remember that folks in the gorge who are in need of food during the holiday season, are still in need of food now. Hickory Nut Gorge Outreach, is located in Lake Lure
Melanie Anderson, a new community member on Bear Wallow Subdivision Road, can be reached at this corrected phone number 828-989-4991. The last phone number given for her was wrong due to mistyping. Melanie can fix most computer problems, and can demonstrate how to use a computer more efficiently. 
