Friday, October 30, 2020

November - December 2020

The Gerton Post Office has a new post-office-blue door. 

Calendar of Events

There will be NO community events through the end of the year. 

November 3, Tuesday - 2020 Election Day.  Last opportunity to cast your vote.

November 26, Thursday - THANKSGIVING

December 7, Monday -  10 a.m. Seasonal Greens Workshop

December 25, Friday - CHRISTMAS

December 31, Thursday - New Year's Eve


President's Note

As we enter into the last two months of 2020, I am reflecting on the past ten months and how our Community, State, Nation and the World have been impacted by the Covid-19 crisis. I am very appreciative to live in Gerton and have this supportive and caring Community. While many of our  seasonal neighbors did not make the trip to Gerton this year and we were not able to have our regular activities at the Community Center, I still feel a strong sense of Community. The Board of Directors is continuing to meet regularly to make sure the needs of our organization and building are met. We will not be having any Holiday activities sponsored by the UHNGCC, but we look forward to meeting again in 2021 when guidelines allow.

The Hickory Nut Gorge Outreach continues to need our help with food donations, gifts for the Holiday Season and funds for assistance with utilities for our local families in need. We are collecting donations at the Post Office and delivering supplies to the Outreach on a regular basis – Thank You for your continued support! If you have any questions on ways to support these efforts, please reach out to us at groundedingerton@gmail.com.

I wish each of you a safe and happy Holiday Season and look forward to meeting together again as a community once we have this Pandemic under control.

Thanks,

Stan Mobley

UHNGCC President

groundedingerton@gmail.com


End-of-Summer Litter Sweep 


In front: Sylvia Sane, Dawn Loftis, Karen Gamble. Behind sign: Stan Mobley, Karen Owensby, Mike Hamlin and Jim Earnhardt -- all in masks

On the September 11 morning at 10 a.m., we had seven people show up to clean up the highway between our two Welcome to Gerton signs. The crew collected six bags of recycled trash and six bags of trash for the Department of Transportation to pick up. One seemingly good umbrella and one really fine gardener's glove to be followed by its mate about 100 feet down the road were among the discarded items. The roadsides had not been mowed recently, but the hale and hearty sweepers climbed across ditches and into the thicket to get their bags full. Many thanks go to Sylvia Sane, Dawn Loftis, Karen Gamble, Stan Mobley, Karen Owensby, Mike Hamlin, and Jim Earnhardt. 

The work can be done in less than an hour; consider joining neighbors for the next pick up!


Downed -- and Repaired Community Sign

Stan Mobley and Chuck Mallory try to imagine what must have happened to the sign.

In the early morning hours of Wednesday, September 16, the UHNGCC information sign that has kept our Community informed about events, dinners and local happenings was “almost” destroyed when a vehicle left Highway 74-A and crashed. The identity of the vehicle or driver is not known as they left the scene (hopefully unharmed) before the Gerton Volunteer Fire Department responded to the call. The sign took a bad hit and initially we were not sure it could be repaired but as the sign says – We are “Gerton Strong” in more ways than one.

By taking a direct hit, the sign most likely kept the vehicle from crashing into the west end of our Community Center. Several Community members inspected the damage and after filing a police report Stan Mobley and Mike Hamlin removed the mangled mess for delivery to local Artist Blacksmith Dave MacDonald for inspection.

After determining the sign could be repaired - it was dismantled, cleaned and the necessary welding repairs were completed making it stronger than before. On Saturday, October 3, with a new coat of paint and the purchase of some new letters the sign is back in place and looking great. Hopefully it will continue to stand strong and serve as a means of keeping our Community informed for many years to come.

Mike Hamlin helps Stan Mobley get the damaged sign into the truck for delivery to our local artist blacksmith.
Dave MacDonald works his magic on the sign, and....
stands beside the like-new sign. 

Many thanks to Mike, Stan, and Dave who repaired the sign, cleaned it, added new letters.

UHNGCC Support for Outreach 

In the month of October, the Gerton community delivered a total of 535 pounds of food items for the Outreach's project of preparing 200 Thanksgiving meals for our neighbors. With a list provided by Outreach, we offered 366 pounds on October 12 and another 169 pounds on October 26. The Outreach has rented a new space just down from their facility to use for storing and preparation of their big projects. Almost all the food supplies on these shelves have come from the Gerton community. Their request for the meal include:
  • cans of green beans
  • cans of green peas
  • cans of corn
  • stuffing
  • boxes of instant mashed potatoes (16 oz.)
  • cake mix
  • frosting
In the first October delivery someone provided some ice cream; another neighbor purchased ice cream cones and sprinkles. I know one family got an extra surprise! 

Please remember not to drop off out-of-date food items; only food you would eat yourself is appropriate. Many thanks for your ongoing generosity. Together, we can make a difference for others. 


October Board Meeting and WNCCommunities Award


At the Tuesday morning, October 20 board meeting, Sylvia Sane presented our awards check to the rest of the board--from left: Jean Bradley, Jim Earnhardt, Stan Mobley, Chuck Mallory, Sylvia Sane. This year the historical awards of Participating Community ($300), Engaged Community ($500), Community of Promise ($1,000) and Community of Distinction ($2,000) were not presented. Each community club who filled out the application was given an equal share of the total monies collected. We got out check for $410. Our money was put directly into our savings account. We are the process of getting bids for a new roof and taking care of delayed maintenance problems in our building, which is now over 100-years-old. We have the time now to be good stewards of a building that serves us all. More details about business the club has been taking care of will be sent in our annual dues letter.

A mid-October moment at Lake Lure suggests that it could as easily be late spring or early summer,

but a picture of golden leaves at Gerton on the same day suggests our color is more vibrant, but as Robert Frost reminds us, "Nothing gold can stay."



Journaling in the Time of a Pandemic
By Barbara Earnhardt
 I want to underscore the benefits that can come for writing journal entries that nobody else will grade or read!   Thoughts a writer scribbles down can change that person's mind. (A freshman writer I once had in class described how he planned to beat up his roommate.  But then, after reading what he had written, the feeling of anger lightened.  Studies show that college journal keepers have low rates of quitting.)

Writing personal journals--not really a diary--but of reflections on a problem or something that troubles the writer can 'clear the skies' in healing ways.  Providing writing material for people without them can be a true problem-solver for the suffering--as we do when we buy composition notebooks for the inmates at Swannanoa Correctional Center for Women.  The writer is talking to herself--and often realizes new ways of thinking about things.  And re-reading personal writing can be a great teacher--to help the writer realize she doesn't believe what she wrote anymore.  Or to see that old old ways of thinking--are just that. (And if any of the ECHO readers would like some guidance in starting their own journal, I'd be happy to counsel by phone.       --Barbara Earnhardt  357-5129)

Flowers in early fall: Goldenrod

the Cardinal Flower

and the Phlox

On Taking a Covid-19 Test

by Bonnie Moore

Hi sweet friends! I learned recently being sick isn’t the only reason you can be required to take a COVID -19 test. This was a surprise to me because I honestly know no one personally who has been sick, thankfully, but because my doctor wanted to do an Endoscopic procedure (looking down my throat) and for their safety and protection they wanted to make sure I was COVID free. My procedure was to be on a Friday and their office said show up Tuesday at this time and place for my COVID test.  (They also said all medication or supplements I might be taking must be stopped from Tuesday until the day of the procedure. )

Tuesday was a beautiful, blue sky kind of day--how bad could this be? I might have been concerned since the doctor’s office had been adamant I had to have the covid-19 test before they would do the procedure. I went to the drive-thru at the appointed time and place and was greeted by a nurse in full battle gear. She checked my name off a list and she too was adamant: no test -no procedure. I was feeling good, but beginning to be suspicious. I was there, wasn’t I, what was the big deal? Well, I soon learned; what Darth Vader had in mind with her 8 inch long flexible stick, was nothing like the gentle swabbing of the inside of the nostril shown on the nightly news. Between my gag reflex and a highly tuned sense of self preservation, my head jerked back, and I ended up laying across the passenger seat. 4 failed attempts!! Two in one nostril then she tried the other...same result.

The nurse once again insisted no acceptable test, no procedure. I did not know my nose was more than three inches deep but she assured me, all 8 inches of that swab would be used. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? 8 inches would go out the back of my skull wouldn’t it?   I looked at her like she had three heads!  In her defense, she was looking at me the same way.  In a few moments after some serious reflection, I nodded my head. And I grabbed hold of the steering wheel and felt that sucker go in my nose, take a sharp downward turn at the back of my throat and rub the dust off the top of my lung. I nearly wrenched the steering wheel right off my car!   By some miraculous engineering on God’s part, swab and body parted company soon enough and no blood or lasting damage was involved.

Public service announcement: do not volunteer to take that test......not that I did.  For me the decision was made then and there to stay quarantined at home till hell froze over or until a new method of testing for this virus was developed.  My brother-in-law, hearing I had lived through it, but just barely, sent me a text saying he had heard they had indeed come up with an improved testing method. It involved a rectal swab, but it slowed down the drive-in testing line considerably!!  NOT! He was lying of course, see what I have to work with?!  My adult son was off on Friday, and he was going to be my driver for the procedure, go figure, him driving and they stop hypertension medication for the test. 

Note: this was only my experience, and if you have had to take this test, you have my deepest sympathy and honest admiration.  Also note: if you have family or friends that have been affected by this illness, I am sincerely sorry that they have been affected. My description, while true, is lighthearted, to make you smile, not to minimize the pandemic all around us.

After Zeta, Areas of Gerton Lose a Day of Power


The winds on the night of October 28 blew a large tree across Pond Lane, obstructing traffic, and causing the tree to land on the power lines, bringing it perilously close to the pond water. Lines across the pond were also broken and hanging from tree branches. Men from Duke Energy borrow local boats and repair the problem. Soon, the power was working again. Funny how we take for granted that when we flip a switch, a light comes on....and do we ever notice when that does NOT happen. Thanks to those who work hard to keep our lights on and our computers connected. 

At press time, some people within our area are still without power. May this soon be remedied.

Some Moments in Nature

In Jjm Earnhardt's yard, a bear enjoys some bird feeder offerings,

while a deer watches...
and a turtle, too!

And at the Coast...

The Walsh-Infanzon family went to the beach in September: 

Photos of what we think was a black tip shark caught by a 14-year-old boy at Carolina Beach on the first day of our September beach vacation. Diego helped release the shark back into the ocean, and we all swam much closer to shore afterwards!

Thanks in part to Diego, the shark was re-located to the ocean. 

A Trip to Turkey
by Karen Owensby

A recent trip to Turkey reminds me again that Istanbul is my favorite city in the world. Friends told me I was crazy for planning an international trip during COVID. Not true! Turkey has implemented more precautions than the US. Face coverings are mandated; temperatures are checked before entering all restaurants and stores; hand washing products are everywhere. I encourage everyone to consider a trip to Istanbul where you will enjoy food (Turkish delight, mezze, fish, amazing fruits and vegetables), history (Ephesus, eight ancient civilizations), shopping (carpets, ceramics and many bazaars), architecture and the most amazing people you will ever meet. I can’t wait to return!

Places to See:
Hagia Sophia
Basilica Cistern
Library at Ephesus
Food to Eat:

Bream from Sea of Marmara


Neighborhood News

Scrap Metal and Aluminum Cans

Norris Lyda and his boys are continuing to pick up scrap metal, and they would like to add aluminum cans to their rounds. If you want to recycle your cans through Norris, just give him a call at 828-447-0804 or nlyda71@gmail.com


Resident Passes Away in Gerton

William Blanchard Gaines, 74, of Charleston, SC, husband of Linda Marie Lukow, entered into eternal rest on Monday, October 26, 2020. The family will receive friends from 5PM - 7PM on Friday, November 6, 2020 at the J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., West Ashley Chapel. Due to Covid-19 Protocol, the number of attendees is limited to 30 at a time and all guests are required to wear a mask and practice social distancing. A graveside service will be held at Old St. Andrew Parish Churchyard.

Billy was born June 9, 1946 in Charleston, SC, son of the late Leonard C. Gaines and Catherine Elenore Blanchard Gaines. He was a graduate of St. Andrews High School and Trident Technical College, his career was established in the Heating & Air -Conditioning Service. He was active with John Wesley United Methodist Church, Bear Wallow Mountain Baptist Church, and Kairos Prison Ministry.

He is survived by his first wife, Linda Suzette Gaines and their children, Adina G. Garner (Greg) of Johns Island, SC and Tron C. Gaines (Becky) of Charleston, SC; his four grandchildren, Hunter and Ellie Garner, North and Saylor Gaines; his two cousins, Trudy Nash, and Scott Askew both of Roswell, GA. He was predeceased by two brothers, Leonard C. Gaines, Jr., and Fred B. Gaines.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Kairos Prison Ministry or John Wesley United Methodist Church.

Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., West Ashley Chapel, 3360 Glenn McConnell Parkway, Charleston, SC 29414. 

Editor's Note: Billy Gaines was the best kind of neighbor--he was always there to cook our BBQ at GertonFest, help in the kitchen for our fundraisers, bring generous food items to support our gifts to the Outreach. If you needed help, Billy would offer. He represented the best of Gerton. We will miss him. Our condolences to Linda and his family. 

    _________________________________________________________

THE ECHO OF THE GORGE is published bi-monthly by the UHNGCC. Officers for 2020: Stan Mobley, President; Jim Earnhardt, Vice President; Secretary, Karen Owensby; Treasurer, Sylvia Sane. Board members: Jean Bradley, Chuck Mallory, Margaret Whitt.

News for the ECHO may be sent to Margaret Whitt at margaret.whitt@du.edu. Photos and news always welcome. Photographers for this issue: Margaret Whitt, Stan Mobley, Karen Owensby, Jose Infanzon, Jim Earnhardt,

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