May - June ECHO 2012

                                                          (courtesy: Melissa Grindle)

The Echo of the Gorge is the bi-monthly newsletter of the Upper Hickory Nut Gorge Community Club. The Gerton Post Office and Hickory Creek Market have hard copies. The ECHO may be read online at our blog site: http://gertonecho.blogspot.com/

The editor welcomes news items. E-mail Margaret Whitt at mwhitt@du.edu or phone 828-625-0264. Space determines use, and editor may revise.

UHNGCC Officers: President Mel Freeman, Vice-President Jim Earnhardt, Secretaries Jean Bradley and Lana Roberts, Treasurer Sylvia Sane, Past President Margaret Whitt, Board Members: Jean Bradley, Patty Tanner, Gene Earnhardt, Syble Freeman. Board meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month. Picture credits are indicated on site.

Calendar of Events

Every Monday-Friday - Exercise by walking with your neighbors to a tape at the center. Daily at 9 a.m.

May 6 - 1:30 p.m. Bearwallow Beast 5K Trail Run and/or Honey and Hops Festival. More information at http://www.bearwallowbeast.com/

May 15 - 6:30. Community Dinner. Program: Chaplain Carol Dalton will speak.She will describe for us her responsibilities as chaplain at the Swannanoa Correctional Center for Women, and something about her five years as spiritual guide there.  The State of North Carolina  recently consolidated its prisons, so the present population of women will soon jump from 200 to over 500.  Mrs. Dalton, a Georgia native, is married to Danny Dalton who was born in Bat Cave and grew up in Fairview.  The couple helped begin what we all know as the Lord’s Acre Community Garden.

May 19 - Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy. Wildflower Hike in Upper Hickory Nut Gorge. chet@carolinamountain.org or 697-5777X211 for information and reservations.

May 22 - Noon. Luncheon Fundraiser to support the Chaplaincy Ministry at the Swannanoa Correctional Center for Women. The program will feature an inmate telling her story. Come and meet the chaplains and the superintendent of the SCCW.

June 9 - Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy. Hike to Connestee Falls. chet@carolinamountain.org or 697-5777X211 for information and reservations.

June 16 - The Last of the Mohicans, filmed in Chimney Rock 20 years ago, will be shown on a 35' outdoor screen in the Meadows at Chimney Rock State Park. Check their website for time: http://www.chimneyrockpark.com/

June 19 - 6:30. Community dinner. Program: John Myers will describe the renewable energy endeavors taking place at Hickory Nut Forest and Laughing Waters. This will include the micro-hydro system on Hickory Nut Creek, the solar homes, and a windspeed monitoring pole above the cliffs. The goal is to generate more renewable energy than is used by the residents at Hickory Nut Forest and Laughing Waters. When the hydro system is complete, Myers will be hosting a party at Laughing Waters: The Micro-Hydro Splash. The greater community will be invited to celebrate its completion. Date TBA.

July 27-28 - Summer Play: "Going Up?" Save the dates. More information to follow in our next issue.

President's Note

I would like to give a great WELL DONE AND A BIG THANKS TO all who helped with the SALE ON THE TRAIL:  Pancake Breakfast, Cook Book Sale, the Bake Sale, and the Garage Sale. The sale was a success and many people were involved and a lot

of items were brought in to be sold.  There was great co-operation among all involved.  We made approximately  $1026.00.

Work is well under way on the renovation of the old storage areas and the refrigerator room.  Both of the old storage closets have been removed, a new top floor put down, walls covered and painted and new doors installed. A pantry and broom closet have been built in the refrigerator room.  There is some trim work to be done to finish up.  Again, let me say thanks to the men and women of the community who were involved in this phase of the kitchen renovation.  The next phase of the project is to start work on the

kitchen ceiling and walls.  Cabinet replacement will begin when we get the money.
    

The two restrooms are also being renovated.  One is completed, and the second one needs only the new light and pedestal sink installed.  The center is looking nicer each week as improvements are made. Great work, all of you folks in the Community.

    Mel Freeman, President

Mel Freeman at work on the bathroom remodeling.

Claudia Freeman and the new closets in the refrigerator room

Jim Sane and David Pope preparing the storage room re-construction.

(Courtesy: Barbara Earnhardt)

Jim Earnhardt discovering the dry rot in the storage room flooring. 

(Courtesy: Jean Bradley)

Under the storage room, getting to the root of the dry rot.

Renovation Work Continues at UHNGCC

Beginning on March 13, volunteers turned up at the clubhouse to take on a series of long-overdue projects. The designated "work week" turned into a month, and we can almost see the end of our collective labors. Those who came to help included Jim Earnhardt, Jim Sane, Mel Freeman, David Pope, Mack MacAdams, Donnie Freeman, Chris Closen, Claudia Freeman, Jean Bradley, Virginia McGuffey, Syble Freeman, Lynn Morehead, Joan Erskine, Shirley Boone, Barbara Earnhardt, Margaret Whitt, and Sylvia Sane.

 First, attention went to clearing out the storage room, breaking down the existing wall, and building a new wall that would provide more room for storage. Dry rot had infected the flooring, so that needed to be shored up. Windows on the back wall were covered up, insulation added, and drywall installed. New flooring was laid throughout the room, and storage shelves were mounted on the rear wall. Props for our summer plays will be stored on one side, while the other side will hold the various pieces that comprise our stage. A new door, which will open into the serving area, will be added.

In the room behind the kitchen, often called the refrigerator room, two new closets (six-feet long, floor-to-ceiling) have been added--one with six shelves to hold our dining and kitchen supplies; the other to hold our mops, brooms, and extra fluorescent light bulbs. The closets have new doors and the panel siding that was on the walls in that room have been carefully matched for the new storage closets.

Both restrooms in the dining area have been refurbished. Old fabric coverings and staples have been stripped and removed; both have been painted, have new light fixtures, and new hangings on the wall. When completed, both will have new pedestal sinks.

Work will soon begin on the kitchen. Before the cabinets are installed, we need to prepare the room by removing the old ventilation fan over the ovens and insulating the walls. We are continuing to write grants to assist in paying for the kitchen cabinets, new flooring, and appliances. We have recently been awarded $500 from Progress Energy. This money has been added to the savings account of $2,000 we were awarded as a Community of Distinction. When we have $10,000 in the savings account, we will consider ways our club might match the needed funds and we can begin this final work. At present, we are one-quarter of the way to that $10,000 goal.

The work that has been completed so far has saved the UHNGCC thousands of dollars and would not have been possible without the help and expertise of the people named above. Thanks to all who have helped so far and all who stand ready to do so.

House Fire In Chestnut Hills

Early on Sunday morning, April 15, the Gerton and Bat Cave fire departments were called to put out flames engulfing the house of Adam Monroe. Adam and his mother were able to get out safely, as were the dogs.The house, looking like a total loss, is located on Upper Loop Road in Chestnut Hills. "We are sorry for anyone who loses their home and its contents," a neighbor stated. "We are deeply grateful to the local fire departments for responding so quickly and expertly. For several dark hours afterwards, the fire trucks stayed to be sure everything was safe to leave and to assist Adam and his mother." Nearby neighbors also helped as much as they could, noting the rolling black clouds of smoke and the terrible heat which melted the aluminum siding. 

Easter Egg Hunt

(Courtesy: Jean Bradley)

UHNGCC sponsored its annual Easter Egg Hunt on April 7. We had several dozen egg hunters canvassing the walking track greens in search of over 300 eggs. Afterwards the egg finders and their parents moved to the center dining area for refreshments, prizes, and to hear the Easter story of the "Resurrection Egg," as told by Syble Freeman. Syble also prepared 25 eggs with the story pieces to hand out to all the children. Mel and Claudia Freeman, Sylvia Sane, and Jean Bradley were also on hand to help. Barbara Earnhardt and Ann Weiss helped put the candy into the plastic eggs. Weather cooperated and everyone, parents included, went home in good spirits.

Sunrise on Easter morning from the Sunrise Service at Chimney Rock State Park.



No 18-Wheelers on the Switchbacks of 74A

*47 is your short, sweet cell code to reach the Highway Patrol.  If you see an l8-wheeler using 74A, CALL *47! Or call 911 and complaincomplaincomplain!  Recently those big rigs have been either scaring some of us to death as they force us outside curves as we round an inner or outer curve. Recently, a truck didn't make a switchback, and resulted in hours and hours of our Fire Department men 'unhanging' it. Highway department signs forbid them to use this road! Ignoring these signs is dangerous for us--and for them!   



Barbara Earnhardt speaks with driver of 18-wheeler in front of the UHNGCC, suggesting that he obey the rules of this particular road. (Courtesy: Susan Murray)



Keep used cooking oil out of our land and water!

Trout Lily Market is now a depository for used HOME cooking oil, provided by NC Biofuels! Instead of coating the drains in your home, the cooking oil is completely recycled! Trout Lily now has a locally-made recycling bin for used cooking oil.

The Cooking Oil Recycling Program (COR) is a pilot project for providing used oil recycling services to Asheville and surrounding cities. Funded by the Biofuels Center of North Carolina, the COR program is the first of its kind within the region. Recycling your used cooking oil reduces waste, improves air quality, and creates clean energy in our local community.

Recycling your used cooking oil also creates jobs, reduces waste, improves air quality, and creates clean energy in our local community!

March and April Programs

Bryan Soffera, Operations Supervisor of Republic Services (the new name for GDS), gave us updated information on recycling at our March 20 program. He suggested that if you are not sure if something can be recycled, DO SO. When in doubt, do.

Lynn Pace, social worker, spoke about how a community can form a support group to help the aging stay in their homes, at our April 17 program. Lynn could offer a three-hour workshop for 10 or more participants. Five people have indicated their interest as of April 21. For more details and information, please call Barbara Earnhardt at 625-9255. State preference for daytime or evening, please, and leave your name and number on her answering machine if she isn't home.

Cassidy Erskine takes a closer look at one of the bird guests at the wildlife seminar.

Friends of Hickory Nut Gorge gave a wonderful presentation on March 22 with animals and birds: otters, ground hogs, snakes, hawks, and eagles. Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy followed on April 18 with warnings and information about non-native invasive species.

The third annual Sale on the Trail, complete with opportunities to buy community items, cookbooks, homemade cakes, and pancake and sausage breakfast, was a success on April 21. Thanks to Mel and Claudia Freeman, Syble and Donnie Freeman, Jean Bradley, Joan Erskine, Lynn Morehead, Virginia McGuffey, Patty Tanner, and Billy Gaines for hard work and to all the others who supported our efforts on that day.We cleared over $1,000.

Bird Sightings

Ryan Lubbers

The bird migration is in full swing.  The once silent forests of Gerton are again filled with the songs of neotropical visitors.  The first warblers, with their colorful plumage and varied songs, have established their territories.  The most common you can see and hear are the black and white warbler, the oven bird, the hooded warbler, and the black-throated green warbler.  The wood thrush, with its whimsical call, can be heard most often at dawn and dusk.  Red-eyed vireos call incessantly from the highest tree tops, repeating over and over again: "Here I am, up here, in the tree, vireo."   If you hear a harsh whistle, look up and you may just see one of the top predators of song birds:  a circling broad-winged hawk, with a black and white stripe on its short tail.  Wherever you are in the Hickory Nut Gorge the forest is coming alive with thousands of tropical visitors that are here for the bounty of our North American summer.



Neighborhood News



SHHHH! David Douglas's 90th birthday happens in Gerton May 12.  Birthday cards can be mailed to PO Box 1, Gerton 28735.  He's been either part-time or full-time resident of Gerton since 1939!  How about THAT for an accomplishment!  (If he reads this, well...maybe he'll applaud himself too!)

(courtesy: Barbara Earnhardt)

On a recent sister-reunion in Roanoke, Virginia, Barbara Earnhardt and Patty French met--and toured the grand Taubman Art Museum where the huge glassed-in lobby featured this sculpture. They couldn't find the sculpture's title or named artist, but the two native Ohioans decided it could be "Southern Revenge."

  

(courtesy: Barbara Earhnardt)

On the morning of March 6, Lorri Erskine and daughter Cassidy awoke to find a dead coyote near their front door. Lorri supposes that a speeding vehicle on 74A, in the early hours of the morning, hit the coyote, sending her hurling through the air, breaking the metal fence rail, and landing her in the yard. Lorri called the authorities and the coyote was removed later in the day.

(Courtesy: Barbara Earnhardt)

Mel and Claudia Freeman are proud of how well their lemon tree is doing here in Gerton. Check out the size of that lemon!

 Gerton Dogwood

by Barbara Earnhardt

The maestro of this April
  points his baton to 'Hold!'
                        to jet branches foamed with white flowers
          before they confetti the ground.

(Ed. note: For most of April, at least 165 snowy white dogwoods were in full bloom between Peaceful Quest Retreats and Hot Dog King. It is possible to count and to drive carefully down the switchbacks!)