September - October 2012

Doe with her fawn. (Courtesy: Shirley Boone)

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 paper copies. The ECHO may be read online at our blog site: gertonecho.blogspot.com

The editor welcomes news items. E-mail Margaret Whitt at mwhitt@du.edu or phone 625-0264. Space determines use, and editor may revise. Reporter: Barbara Earnhardt. Photo credits are noted on site.

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



Neighbors gather at annual community July 4 cook-out and fireworks event. About 80 people attended this year's event. Fireworks were coordinated by Ned Beck, David Earnhardt, with the help of neighborhood youth.

Calendar of Events

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

September 1 - GERTONFEST IV - 8 a.m. - 9 p.m.

                          8 a.m. - noon - Pancake Breakfast

                          8:30 - 2nd Annual Gerton 5 K Run/Walk

                          8 a.m. - Bake Sale (Cakes, Cookies, Bread, Fudge,

                                         Candies, and Pies)

                          8 a.m. - 6 p.m. - SILENT AUCTION

                          Noon - 5 p.m. INFLATABLES for kids. Games,

                                    Cotton Candy, Popcorn, Snow Cones.

                          2 p.m. - Dog Show

                          3 p.m. - Team Spelling Bee

                          5 p.m. - Bar-B-Que Dinner and Music by

                                         Dr. Bob Stepp and Friends

                          7 p.m. - Square Dance - with Dr. Will Hamilton

                                         and the Berry Pickers

September 8 - 1 - 5 p.m. 5th Annual Apple Fest Fundraiser.

                            Hickory Nut Eco-Community

                            Sunrise event at Chimney Rock

September 18 - 6:30 p.m. Community Dinner.

                               Program: Travis Smith, Botanist. Invasive species.

September 23 - 3 p.m. Baby Shower for Chelsea Erskine West at UHNGCC.

September 27 - 6:30 p.m. County-Wide Dinner.

                             UHNGCC hosts all the community clubs in the county.

October 16 - 6:30 p.m. Community Dinner.

                          Program: Burnt Shirt Vineyard in Bat Cave    

President's Note              

The summer season is winding down.  I think all have had a good time
assisting and participating in our summer events: the 4th of July celebration; great
FIREWORKS.  Enjoying the outstanding play, "GOING UP?", written and
directed by our own Helen Brown. Remodeling of the storage area and pantry,
done by many volunteers, contributing many hours of time.

As we come to the last fundraising event of the year, GERTONFEST IV,
activities are being finalized for the Pancake Breakfast, 5K Race, Dog Show,
Team Spelling Bee, Silent Auction, Children's activities and treats, music by

Dr. Stepp and friends, Bar B Que Dinner, capped off by a Square Dance, 

with music by Will Hamilton and The Berry Pickers.  Many of the Gerton folks

are helping. A good time will be had by all, so come and join us.  Get the word

out to the surrounding areas.

We are getting close to the time to hold club elections.  If you would like to be
one of the committee chairmen or a committee member, contact someone on the
board.   All of you are important to the success of the Community Center.

Mel Freeman

        

         Gerton's Summer Play: "Going Up?"

Another Success Story!

The Hickory Creek Players presented Helen Hudson Brown's "Going Up?" on Friday and Saturday, July 27 and 28 at the UHNGCC. A full house on Friday and a nearly full house on Saturday enjoyed the remarkable talents of ten cast members: Debbie Hill (from Atlanta), Ruth Ann Nappi, Freddie Ann Nappi, Bonnie Moore, Jacob Lyda, J.D. Nappi, Gracelyn Perry, Don Lewis (from Black Mountain), Margaret Whitt, and Julie Delich (from Fairview). Something very special about neighbors coming together for an evening of laughter!

During intermission Robert Wagner (Doug Colwell) stopped by to sell his inside/outside mortgage reversal ploy. Helen Brown took time from her busy duties to inteview that laconic race car driver Richard Petty (Mac McAdams). Special thanks to the following people who contributed to making the play a success: Katie DuMont, Carrie and Brandon Knox, Barbara and Gene Earnhardt, Toni and Marc Eastman, Jason Moore, Harold Lyda, Ruth Hudson, Mary Kay McAdams, Claudia Freeman, Fred Nappi, Pam Lewis, Virginia McGuffey, Jean Bradley, and Faith Perry.

Bonnie Moore, with her "grandsons" J.D. Nappi and Jacob Lyda ("that's right"), explains to Debbie Hill what they would like included in Big Daddy's funeral celebration. (Courtesy: Frankie Tipton)

Ruth Ann Nappi, as the gambling, loose woman Anitaka Daver, discusses her problems with "boss" of the only all-female funeral parlor  (Graves Mortuary and Crematorium) in town, Debbie Hill, as Alotta Graves. (Courtesy: Frankie Tipton)

J.D. Nappi and Jacob Lyda, posing as seductive sisters to the blind-without-his-glasses Don Lewis, who has just taking a beating earlier in the play from his wife, is up to no-good as Smiley McGee. (Courtesy: Frankie Tipton)

Complete cast of "Going Up?": Front Center, Debbie Hill. Standing from left: J.D. Nappi, Bonnie Moore, Jacob Lyda, Margaret Whitt, Don Lewis, Gracelyn Perry, Freddie Ann Nappi, Julie Delich, Ruth Ann Nappi (Courtesy: Roni Peterson)

July and August Programs

Gene Earnhardt, retired history professor at Pfeiffer University, gave the program at our July community dinner. In anticipation of our upcoming general election in November, Gene spoke on the duties of the President of the United States. He cited five duties that are in the Constitution, and five other duties that have through time become part of the President's role. Folks in the audience were asked to offer suggestions for which President, in modern times, fulfilled which particular duty best. The program got us all to think about the role of President apart from the political party commercials that have become a very present part of our daily lives!

Ann Weiss, registered nurse, delivered an informative short overview of clinical trials, a subject with which she is involved in her professional life. Quoting from the Old Testament Daniel, she read us the passage that mentions what could well be the first reported "clinical trial." These trials have been going on for hundreds of years and often, what a product is being tested for will yield different results once the product has been approved.

We are fortunate to have both Gene and Ann in our community, and both programs, it was easy to tell, could have gone on much longer.

Apple Festival

Hickory Nut Forest Eco-Community is sponsoring the 5th annual Apple Fest Fundraiser on Saturday, September 8, 2012, from 1 – 5 p.m. in its organic apple orchard on Rt. 74A in Gerton/Bat Cave.  It is a family-friendly fun event in support of Hickory Nut Forest’s organic orchard and gardens.  Suggested donations are $3 per car load (carpooling is encouraged) and $2 per bag of organic apples.  Apple picking, apple bobbing, apple cider pressing, apple goodie sampling, an apple cake walk, and an apple pie contest will be the featured events.  All pie entries should be brought to Jane Lawson by 2 p.m. to be entered into the contest.  (Our own Barbara Earnhardt won first place in last year's contest!)

 For more information, see www.HickoryNutForest.com or www.LaughingWatersNC.com.

Sunrise at Chimney Rock: Special Event on September 8

Annual Passholders are invited for a rare opportunity to watch a sunrise from Chimney Rock on September 8. If you've been to their Easter Sunrise Service, you know how impressive the sunrise can be overlooking Lake Lure. Gate opens at 6 a.m. and sunrise will be around 7 a.m. Meet at the Sky Lounge, where a continental breakfast of donuts, fruit, hot coffee, and juice will be served. Cost is $5 per passholder; kids five and under are free. Bring your smartphone or camera and upload your sunrise pictures to Facebook.  Please call 800-277-9611 to RSVP for breakfast by Sept. 5.

Guided Hikes at Chimney Rock

Complimentary guided hikes (with paid Park admission) are available on three Saturdays in September (8, 15 & 22). Hike with a naturalist on the Four Seasons trail to witness nature's changing seasons on a 0.6-mile moderate-to-strenuous trail that climbs 400 feet.  Meet at 1 p.m. at the climbing tower on the Meadows. No sign-up is necessary. Hikes are limited to 25 people.

Neighborhood News

 

Richard Silwedel carries one of the snapping turtles that he removed from Chestnut Hills pond. Now, the baby ducks might have a fighting chance to enjoy the pond.



Lorri and Cassidy Erskine traveled by Amtrak for a ten-day visit with daughter/sister Chelsea West--and to check out the newest 3-D sonograms of the newest Erskine-West family member.  Due date is December 31. September 23 is the date for Chelsea Erskine West’s Baby Girl Shower at Community Center, 3 p.m.

FESTUS HAYES’ CATFISH STEW RECIPE: Mr. Hayes from Blythe, Georgia, has been coming here to his summer house for almost 60 years.  He cooked up a pot of this stew—and brought some to neighbor Sonny Freeman.  Sonny says it’s almost the best thing anybody could eat.  If you like catfish, and if this cool weather suggests heartier fare, here’s Mr. Hayes’ recipe:  Cut up 2 pounds of catfish.  Peel and slice 4 pounds of Irish potatoes.  Peel and slice 2 onions (any kind).  Slice and fry 5 pieces of fatback (or bacon slices) until crispy.  Layer the three first ingredients into large casserole dish, continuing until all is used up.  Top with pieces of the crispy fatback (or bacon), and cover with water.  Cover, and cook on a low simmer until done.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  (“Sounds delicious to me,” I told Sonny.  “Hit IS,” said Sonny.)



A Hiker’s Guide to the Hickory Nut Gorge is a helpful paperback that should be on any Gerton bookshelf or side table somewhere in the house.  Useful for guest hikers, useful for those who don’t hike but like to study and wonder about our gorgeous gorge, Gerton resident Ryan Lubbers and Nate Ballinger wrote and produced the first edition, available at Hickory Creek Market.  “35 trail descriptions, l00 color photos, 19 color maps”—all for $l7.95.  A bargain!  And light weight to carry, too—along with a cell phone, remember.

BEAR REMINDERS:  They live here too.  Bears know(!) when our garbage days are—and bird feeders are their specialty.  Keep your refuse closed up in a garage, or stored in a freezer, until garbage day.  Bird feeders should be taken in at night—unless you like to tell stories of night visitors. Someone spotted a momma bear with 4 (!) cubs, a lot of mouths to feed!

(Courtesy: Shirley Boone)

JOE PYE WEED can be so beautiful this time of year, seeing them can make you almost weep with joy—cooler weather on the way, and those mauve and lavender blossoms ten feet high waving in the breeze and capped with busy yellow swallowtails.  Named for an Indian medicine man—who sold dried weed for a tea cure for every ill under the sun, even its name feels friendly.  Cutting the stems in late spring, just beyond where the five-leaved joints are attached, the plant will sprout five or more blossom heads in a shorter version.  

  

MONARCH BUTTERFLIES begin their parades of color in September.  As they are on their way to winter in Mexico and beyond, imagine their trip!  You can see them floating over the Blue Ridge Parkway at higher elevations.

PART OF GERTON’S HISTORY: On the Occasion of its 90th Anniversary

In 1926 the Cyclone Auction Company was the real estate company which sold lots for Chestnut Hill.  Still existing for anyone to look at is a map of what plans and lot sizes were offered.  Established in 1922 after the old Grant farmhouse and outbuildings burned to the ground (no fire department, remember), several developers put their ambitious heads together and bought the apple orchard and what we know today as Chestnut Hills. Land was cleared, trees toppled and dragged off.

     The very young Modeen Merrell Bradley remembered that on Sundays, after Bearwallow church services, she and friends were sometimes given permission to walk around the construction sites, careful not to muddy their Sunday dresses and shoes.  “It was so exciting to us,” she told us years ago while she was living at Flescher’s, “to see this land opening up for new people to come to Gerton.”  Kelly Owensby remembered, “Chestnut Hills was bald as my head,” with the trees gone.

     Following is one of the development’s advertisements, dated July 7, 1926, eight years after the property’s purchase:

     “Where do you expect to build your summer home?  Let us suggest “Chestnut Hill,” as the ideal place.  This development is now on the market.  As you know, in building a home, two of the most important things to consider are climate and location.  At “Chestnut Hill” you have both.  We are located just one mile from the top of the Blue Ridge, in the famous Hickory Nut Gap, on Wilmington-Charlotte-Asheville paved Highway no. 20, which is North Carolina’s “Main Street,” seventeen miles to Asheville, four miles to Bat Cave, seven miles to Chimney Rock and Lake Lure, and seventeen miles to Hendersonville—so you see we are in the center of the famous Mountain Section of Western Carolina.

     “Easy to reach either by auto or train.  Gerton post office is in three hundred yards of us.  You can get your Asheville Daily paper before breakfast and mail from the south each day.  Church in one-fourth mile, stores and filling station convenient.  We have electric lights, water piped three thousand feet from the mountain, pure and cold, plenty of other good cold springs. Ponds for children, swimming pool, fishing and hunting.  Plenty of fruit trees and chestnuts galore.  All kinds of lovely mountain shrubbery.  Beautiful view from every lot.  We are trying to make this a place for a home where you can spend your vacation or live comfortable and reasonable the year around. 

    “No more desirable place can be found in North Carolina.  Not too hot in summer nor too cold in winter.  3,200 feet above sea level.  The lots are nice big lots, good enough for the richest and cheap enough for the poorest.  Lots not rough, so you save big expenses of excavating for building.  Also have some desirable business lots.  A dandy proposition for either a home or an investment.  Two homes and three business houses completed and others to be built soon.

     “You will have to see this property to appreciate what we have.  We can’t tell you—“Seeing is Believing”—so we extend to you a hearty invitation to come, look it over, and convince yourself.

       “Don’t forget we have “Lights,” “Water,” and “Streets.”

                                   Respectfully Yours,          CYCLONE AUCTION CO. 

       (Ninety years later, though the advertisement would not be presented in quite the same style as this one, much here in Gerton we can still value and protect by our careful stewardship of our beautiful setting.  Wonder what happened to that gas station, though?  And we can mourn the passing of the chestnut trees most of us never saw in “creamy blossoms that made the mountainsides look covered with snow….”)

This is the Knox Box that has recently been installed at the community center. We are showing the picture here so that you can take a look at the size of it and decide if you would like one for your home. Inside the Knox Box is a key to the building. The Gerton Volunteer Fire Deparment has the key to the box. Should there be some reason for entry into the building--fire, alarm system going off, etc.--the fire department will be able to enter the building without breaking a door or window. Those who live part-time in Gerton might want to consider getting a Knox Box for your home here. You may do this by contacting the Gerton Volunteer Fire Department and ordering one through them. OR you may e-mail Mel Freeman (melandclaudia@hotmail.com) and ask to be put on a list of people who are interested, and we can see if we are able to negotiate a less expensive price. The cost from the fire station is appoximately $200.

(Courtesy: Jean Bradley)

The women of the community hosted a baby shower for Becca Hathaway on Saturday, August 25. Becca's mother joined the gathering, all of whom enjoyed refreshments and oohing and aahing over clothes for really small humans! John and Becca will welcome their new son into the world in mid-October. Thanks to Syble Freeman, Jean Bradley, Roberta Pope, Margaret Colwell,  Patty Tanner, Betty Cameron, and Sylvia Sane for preparing the refreshments and decorating the room. (Courtesy: Meris Jenkins)