July - August 2013

Old walking shoes make great planters! (Courtesy: Bonnie Moore)

The ECHO of the GORGE is the bi-monthly newsletter of the Upper Hickory Nut Gorge Community Club. Paper copies are available in the Gerton Post Office. The ECHO may be read online at www.gertonecho.blogspot.com  The Editor welcomes news items: E-mail Margaret Whitt at mwhitt@du.edu or phone 625-0264 or ace reporter Barbara Earnhardt at  lualice@bellsouth.net or 625-9255. Pictures of local Gerton activities, people, or places are always welcome.

UHNGCC officers: Margaret Whitt, president; Jim Earnhardt, vice president; Jean Bradley and Lana Roberts, secretaries; Sylvia Sane, treasurer; Mel Freeman, immediate past president. Board members: Gene Earnhardt, Claudia Freeman, Syble Freeman, Jim Sane, Jean Bradley. Community Dinner and Program, third Tuesday of each month.

Posed on the cover of a brand-new book of local interest is this 5" Cherokee arrowhead found at Bull Creek near Fairview in early May.  Designated a "Guilford Point," and judged to be 6,000 years old, the identification was confirmed for the finder by Tom Earnhardt, who happened to be visiting in Gerton. (Tom stayed overnight to visit with  brothers Gene and Jim after presenting  his newest book Crossroads of the Natural World: Exploring North Carolina at Malaprop's Bookstore in Asheville.) In one of the book's chapters, our native American heritage in the state is spotlighted.  A picture of Bearwallow Baptist Church is identified.  Tom refers to the many outdoor opportunities his boyhood Gerton summers offered. He particularly mentions Chester and Marilee Rhodes, and Pastor Roy Bradford, all three active community members during the '50s and '60s.  

Calendar of Events

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

July 4, Thursday - Annual Cook-Out and FIREWORKS! Come at 6 p.m. Hamburgers and Hot Dogs provided. Bring sides. Visit with neighbors; fireworks begin around 8:45 p.m.

July 16, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. - Community Covered Dish Dinner. Program: Dr. Grey Tilden will provide information on the new medical services at MAHEC in Lake Lure. 

July 18, Thursday, 7 - 9 p.m. - Chimney Rock Thursday Night Concert Series. Music on the lawn of the Gathering Place, across from the chimney and falls. Food available for purchase. Patrick Fitzsimmons, finger-picking folk, jazz, blues.

August 15, Thursday, 7 - 9 p.m. Chimney Rock Series. The Gathering Place: The Hickory Nuts and the Lake Lure Cloggers

August 20, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. - Community Covered Dish Dinner. Program: TBA

August 31, Saturday, 8 a.m. - early evening. GertonFest V (see schedule)

President's Note

As has become our tradition, UHNGCC will celebrate our country's birthday on July 4 with a community cook-out followed by a fireworks display. Last year, rain interrupted the evening, but the show went on. If we have rain this year, we will move inside the center and then determine if the weather will permit our display. Bring a chair for outside sitting.

We have applied for two grants within the past few months--one from Reader's Digest, through Handyman Magazine and the more recent one was with the Cannon Foundation in Concord. We were not successful with either one, BUT I will begin within the week to seek another venue. Our efforts are directed at obtaining the necessary dollars to re-do our kitchen. In anticipation of receiving a grant, Jim Earnhardt, David Scoggins, and August Bretton worked together to remove the very large and totally useless metal (dust-catching) vent that occupied the space over the stoves. Next time you are in the kitchen, take a look at the new open space. We will continue to work on the kitchen in ways that do not require money--only labor. And we do that with volunteer help, for which we are all most thankful.

I look forward to seeing you at our summer events when we have time to celebrate the good things about living in Gerton.

Margaret Whitt

"Gloria's House": Summer Play

Hickory Creek Players Bring “Gloria’s House,” Two-act Comedy July 26-27, to UHNG Community Center

What's a poor widow to do? Gloria's home is falling apart, her bossy mother-in-law is living with her and on her case hourly, and there's no more income in sight. Not about to be undone, Gloria decides to take in boarders--who bring hilarious results.

 “Gloria’s House,” playwright Helen Brown’s brand new comedy, will be performed Friday/Saturday of July 26-27 at 8 p.m.  $10 tickets can be purchased the evening of each performance. Upper Hickory Nut Gorge Community Center dining room is air-conditioned and wide-seated for all. Parking space is ample.  

Set in small town Culverton, USA, widow Gloria Franks faces mounting costs of maintaining and updating her l00-year-old house. Despite protests from her strong-willed mother-in-law and tenant, Gloria decides she must rent rooms—and to the household she adds two young flight attendants and the town librarian.  A plumber and an E.P.A. inspector further complicate matters.

Returning to the Gerton stage are veteran actors Debbie Hill, Bonnie Moore, J.D. Nappi and Freddie Ann Nappi, Faith Perry, Don Lewis, and Beverly Brennan.  Pam Lewis takes the lead as homeowner Gloria Franks.  Director Ruth Ann Nappi, experienced director and actor, guides the cast.

Intermission will allow stretching—and concessions, drinks and dessert.  This is the Hickory Creek Players’ 14^th summer play, and the fifth comedy written by Gerton resident Helen Brown.  “In Gerton, we like to think of Helen’s plays as ‘world premiers’—because they are!” one former cast member stated. “Good comic fun for a mid-summer evening is guaranteed.  We think everyone will have an entertaining time—and the home-made desserts will be delicious!”    

“We are also pretty darned proud to count this as the 14^th summer play in a row for the Hickory Creek Players, a real accomplishment for our small community, and an always successful fund-raiser for the Community Center projects of various kinds.  We hope it will be a sell-out crowd—again!”

GertonFest V

 What has become a favorite tradition in Gerton is now in its fifth incarnation! The date is Saturday, August 31 (Labor Day Weekend Saturday)

Join us at the community center for all or most of the following events:

8 a.m. - 11 a.m. Sausage Biscuit Breakfast with orange juice and coffee

Silent Auction bidding begins at 8 a.m. and the winners will be announced at 6 p.m. Bid on a host of attractive items, including gift cards and restaurant certificates.

9:30 a.m. - Third annual Gerton 5K

8 - noon - Home Baked Goods sale

1 p.m. - Dog Show
1- 4 p.m. - Inflatables and free refreshments, sponsored by Bearwallow Baptist Church
3 p.m. - Team Spelling Bee. Register early or show up. Teams may consist of 1 to 4 people. 
5 p.m. - Sing-a-Long with Bob Stepp and his friends.
5:30 p.m. - Bar-b-cue dinner

Reminder: Photography Contest

Gerton’s landscape is some of the most unique on our globe, to say nothing of its extraordinary beauty.  Let’s take a closer look through the discriminating and revealing lens of our cameras. Let’s Have Fun Taking Some Pictures!!!

For ourselves, our friends,as well as relatives, we can capture and create a scrapbook of our own Gerton through the production of a Gerton Calendar for 2015--and raising funds for our community club.  Our community club is encouraging amateur photographers of all ages and ranges to contribute!  

Our Proposal for Gerton Calendar for 2015—will  begin selling September, 2014.

Calling All Photographers:  Submit a group of five photos for $5.00, as many times as you would like.  Photos can be sent on CD that is clearly labeled with:

 1. photographer’s name

 2. title and/or description (this should include a description identifying where in Gerton the photo was taken) of each picture

 3. contact phone number, and an email address or mailing address

4. check made out to the Upper Hickory Nut Gorge Community Club.   This check should cover the charge of $5.00 for each five photos submitted.

 CDs can be mailed to Shirley Boone, P. O. Box 188, Gerton, NC 28735.  Questions can be answered by contacting Shirley at shirley101@bellsouth.net or 625-2814.

Timeline:  Taking photos: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall, 2013 and Winter, 2014.  Deadline for submissions:  March 31, 2014. 

Production of Calendar and Photo Selections:  April, May, June, 2014  Judged:  How?  Prize?

Production Mock Due Date to Publisher:  July, 2014

Sale of Calendar begins at GertonFest VI
 with Winning Photographers Announced, September,2014

One Hour from Gerton

ed. note: second in a series. This column invites readers to share their stories. Each issue, we will focus on a place to go that is no more than one hour from Gerton.

Cowpens, South Carolina, can be reached by taking the second exit (#5) off I-26 East, after crossing the state line. Go about 12 miles (toward Chesnee) on scenic SC 11 and you will be at Strawberry Hill. In season, stop here for strawberries, peaches, and blackberries. Go across the street to the cafe and have lunch, followed by your choice of homemade or Hershey's ice cream. Sundaes, banana splits, shakes--also available. Then off to Cowpens to tour the American Revolutionary Battlefield, where a small group of Continentals, under General Robert Morgan, routed the British regular troops under Banastre (called Banny by his men) Tarleton. The event, which happened in under an hour--the same amount of time it will take you to watch the orientation film!--turned the tide for those who would come to call themselves the United States of America; the lower South had become the decisive theater of the Revolutionary War. Then you can go outside the visitor center and walk the trail and imagine what that cold January 1781 day might have been like. About 250,000 visitors come every year. You could be among them....one hour from Gerton.

Bearwallow Beast

 Because the Bearwallow Beast 5K was rained out in May, the annual event was held on Sunday, June 23. Several hundred runners/walkers turned out for the 2 p.m. grueling race. Here, the ambulance pulls up the rear--just in case! (courtesy: Jessica Whitt)

UNHGCC participated in the Carolina Mountain Lands Conservancy sponsored run by offering their running track as a temporary parking lot. Thanks to Jim Earnhardt for directing traffic. 

Worth a Stop...

A visit to the NC Visitor's Information Center and Museum on the Blue Ridge Parkway, our side of the Folk Art and Craft Center, is well worth the time. Interesting giant photographic displays on one floor of our NC Mountain area--the building of the parkway, chestnut production and history, gold mining, local arts and crafts--can be enjoyed in a half hour, unless you stay for the movie and/or want to read all the informative plaques. A good place to take little kids--and BIG ones, too. 

Guided Trail Walks

The North Carolina Arboretum offers free guided forest trail walks each Tuesday and Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. Join trained volunteer guides to discover subtle beauty as the forest reawakens from its winter slumber. Witness the first hint of spring color, early wildflowers and trees sprouting new leaves. 

Tour size is limited to 14 participants; pre-registration is requested and you may register on-site or via email at trailwalks@ncarboreturm.org.

Neighborhood News

At exercise class in late May we had two visitors, not connected with anyone who comes--and one was our first male visitor, visiting a friend up Bearwallow Mountain. Also, Jan Beck's nieces joined us again for a week while visiting Jan. We welcome your houseguests--and you--to the daily workout.

Two Canada geese visited Chestnut Hill Pond. Apparently, word got out that Jim and Keith Earnhardt were feeding the wild turkeys and the unwelcome geese just came along. Seven new ducks born in late May survived.

Potato starts were left at the Community Center front door--how thoughtful, and what a good idea for those who have extra to share. Magazines from other months/even years left at the post office always seem to be snapped up. Thanks for those of you thinking of your neighbors.

Taking home your unwanted mail from the post office and placing in your own recycling bags might be a better idea than dropping in trash can at post office--as that trash does not get recycled.

Kind of nice, isn't it, to count three babies in our midst over the last few months? Kaleb Jenkins (now three months old), John Solomon Hathaway (nine months old and a regular attender with his folks at our monthly dinners), and AnnaSophia West (now six months old)--when she visits her Erskine grandmother and great grandparents. 

Meg Mumpower's sister, Nobue Iijima and Meg's nephew Asato came from Tokyo, Japan, for six days. Meg stays in touch with her sister both by phone and Skype, but they hadn't seen each other in the flesh for nine years. Busy round-trips to South Carolina to see Meg and Jack's son and his family kept them on the road. Meg and Jack also welcomed their first great grandson into the world. Meg reports that when she held the child for the first time, she could feel her heart open up, "I felt only love--and no responsibility!" If you see Meg, you'll know why she's smiling.

Other Gerton travelers include Jerry Boone (to Ireland), Travis Waldron (to Germany), and Ed and Jean Carson plan a trip by ship which will circle the coasts of Great Britain and Ireland. And Syble and Donnie Freeman (who can keep up with them!) continue to be mainstays with the Baptist's mission emergency outreach to various devastated areas where food and care are needed fast!

Kyle Stone, local teenager, is looking for more customers who need yard-work. "Landscaping and Lawn Maintenance and Small Engine Repair" reads his business card--with 707-3569, his cell phone. He'd be glad to give references from people here he's working for.

Congratulations go out to Dillon Schimmel on the occasion of his June 7 high school graduation from North Henderson High School.

Former resident Nancy Kirschbaum has written a new book Easy Crafts on a Budget for Kids 4 to 104. This might be a real find for grandparents this summer --or anytime. Amazon.com carries this book, under her pen name, Fuego Phoenix. From Charlotte, Nancy writes she and daughter Cara are doing well--Cara in a new job as Spanish/English interpreter in a law firm. Nancy homeschools her grandson Tyson, who still plays daily with Hamilton, a Gerton kitty who found a good home. Nancy sends greetings to all her former neighbors. 

Many in Gerton may remember Woodrow Green Strock of  Cope, South Carolina, who died June 1 at home.  He leaves behind Harriet, his wife of 70 years, sons Woody and Carl, daughter Kay Vignone, 8 grandchildren and l0 great-grandchildren. His memorial service was held at Edisto Baptist Church June 4 where he had served as deacon for 31 years.  Memorials may be sent to the church.

Billy Sinclair's new beagle Harley, mostly black on white, is missing.  "I'm heartbroken," said Billy.  All-points bulletin for his "friendly, laid-back beagle."  Billy posted notices at the PO and Community Center bulletin board.

Condolences to Mary Robinson on the loss of her little dog, Sheng Gao.

May and June Programs

May: Art and Sharon Rhodes handed out maps of their 7,000+ mile trip across America--from San Diego to Manteo. Art says the best part of the trip was spending time with his wife of 30 years. Sharon told of how the biggest concern was getting from one Choice Hotel to the next in a day's travel. They had acquired 30 free nights in the hotel chain and planned to use them on this cross country trip. Many know about airline miles and free flights, but to many the idea of free hotel nights for travel by car was a new thought. 

June: Roni Peterson's enthusiastic talk at the community center in June described her educational visit in Kurdistan and Turkey. With a group who called themselves "Hang Ten," Roni learned some of the practices of the largely Muslim population, who despite repeated attacks on their ethnic nation, hope to establish a separate nation and become more European in the process. Boys are taught English in schools, but girls are not permitted to attend school, in the regions they visited. The women in Roni's group were trained not to look into men's eyes, but caught glints of friendliness from women in burkas.

Everyone sat spellbound by her photos and narrative. Seven helpful neighbors made last minute attempts to connect Roni's Apple laptop with the device to allow her slides to show on our screen. FINALLY, Ramona and Tom Pressley's Hewitt-Packard to the rescue!  The rented device failed miserably to connect amicably with Rona's Apple and her slides.  Thank you, Pressleys!  Thank you, Roni!

July Program

MAHEC, the Mountain Area Health Education Center, was established as a non-profit organization in 1974 and is dedicated to providing quality healthcare as a foundation for training top physicians, dentists and healthcare professionals.  MAHEC is "Your Doctor, Your Teacher, Your Advocate" and our impact on healthcare in WNC is significant:

Ø  100,000 annual patient visits to one of our family medicine, ob-gyn or dental practices

Ø $4.8 million provided in safety net healthcare for low-income patients last year.

Ø  377 medical and dental residency graduates who become your doctor and dentist.

Ø  62% of our family medicine graduates stay and practice medicine in WNC.

Ø  23,000 health professionals receive continuing education at MAHEC every year.

Dr. Grey Tilden attended medical school at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and has spent three years with the Family Medicine Residency Program of MAHEC seeing patients at Pardee Hospital and the Hendersonville Family Health Center.  He has developed particular interests in Chronic Disease Management and Preventive Health Care.

Dr. Tilden is excited to be fulfilling his vision for family friendly, quality healthcare in small town America.  Hailing from Alabama with roots in Louisiana, Grey and his family enjoy their mountain lifestyle and have come to appreciate the beautiful scenery and great culture of WNC. “I couldn't have found a better place to live and work than Western North Carolina and I am excited to be starting the MAHEC Family Health Center in Lake Lure,” he said.  When not working, Dr. Tilden enjoys spending time outdoors, especially with his wife and daughter.