September - October 2013

GertonFest V: The Schedule

8- 11 a.m. - Sausage Biscuits or Biscuits and Gravy; orange juice and coffee -  $4

8:30 - sign up for Gerton 5K and report to the starting line as announced

8- noon - Home Baked Goods for sale: cakes, cookies, pies, brownies

1 p.m. - Dog Show

1 - 4 p.m. - Inflatables, sponsored by Bearwallow Baptist Church

3 p.m. - Team Spelling Bee

5:30 - 6 - Bar-B- Cue Dinner - $8 

5 - Music begins with Dr. Bob Stepp and friends

at dark - Fireworks

Gene Earnhardt, Hank Will, and Jim Sane put up the GertonFest V signs 

 (They are not responsible for the upside down Pepsi logo)

Sassy flight attendants Winkie Hightower (Faith Perry) and Babs Winger (Freddie Ann Nappi) plot to make a bundle by carrying diamonds to their contact back in America.








 Fraudulent undercover FBI Agent Beverly Brennan (Lisa Jackson)
displays her darker side as Gloria Franks (Pam Lewis) and
Irene Franks (Ruth Ann Nappi) prepare to unarm her and bring 
true justice back into their boarding house. (Play pictures courtesy Frankie Tipton)

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 and photographer (unless otherwise noted) 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.

On dress rehearsal (July 25) for our summer play, Freddie Ann Nappi thought her shot seemed a bit off, but, without realizing it, she pinned this eastern water snake just below her target. More on Freddie Ann's talents in archery in our next issue of the ECHO.  (courtesy: Ruth Ann Nappi)

President's Note
As fall returns to the gorge, we can begin to look back on a summer of what seemed like endless rain. However, the weather did not dampen our community spirit. We had 45 people at our July dinner and 50 at our August meal. And we are starting to see more young people among us! (No future without the young!) We had another fun time at our community play, "Gloria's House," and I want to thank again Helen Brown for her talented writing, Ruth Ann Nappi for directing and stepping in to take Bonnie Moore's role when she had to go to the hospital. The whole cast was wonderful and laughter could be heard as far away as Bat Cave!

During the rain, we discovered that our roof leaks; in fact, it just came right into the kitchen during an especially heavy fall. We will now have to put our kitchen renovation on hold while we pursue the cost of a new roof and new gutters. Next, we found out that our annual insurance premium increased by $500. We are in the process of searching for competitive bids, but with weather on the coast all of North Carolina could be affected by higher premiums. We are in the process of finding out. 

As fall settles in, the work of the UHNGCC continues. I look forward to seeing you at dinner and more presently, at GertonFest V on August 31.

Margaret Whitt

Calendar of Events

September 2, Monday - Labor Day

September 8, Saturday - 1- 4 p.m. Laughing Waters: You Pick the apples: 25 apples for $4 or 3 bags for $10.

September 13-14 - Bullington fall garden plant sale  9 a.m.-3 p.m.

September 17, Tuesday - 6:30 p.m. - Community Covered Dish Supper. Program: TBA

October 15, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. - Community Covered Dish Supper. Program: Carpool to tour Sherrill's Inn. Leave Community center parking lot at 4 p.m. We will then return for dinner at our regularly scheduled time: 6:30 p.m.

October 19-20 - NC Arboretum Center Chrysanthemum Society Show

October 25 - Bullington Garden Dahlia Show - 2 - 4 p.m.

October 31, Thursday - Halloween

Blue swallowtail visits pink phlox. Butterflies can be seen wherever there is an indigenous flower in bloom. 

JULY 4th ANNUAL Cook-Out and the RAIN
Yes, it did rain on the 4th of July this year, but we opened the club house and went ahead with our limited celebration. Jim Sane provided umbrella help from car door to club door. Almost 40 neighbors came together for hot dogs and burgers, cooked on the grill by Jim Earnhardt. While we waited for the rain to stop, we played BINGO. The champion of the evening was Bonnie Moore, winning five games. Her table, which included Mary Robinson, Ed Hunting, Debby Jennings and Les were consistent winners all night. Seemed as though all the "good cards" went to them! Our Bingo finale was a cover-all and won by one of the youngest in the house, Gayle Morris's granddaughter, Sarah, visiting from Athens, Georgia.

"Gloria's House"

Helen Brown's 2013 play, "Gloria's House," was another success for the Hickory Creek Players. In its two-day run on July 26 and 27 at the clubhouse, the play netted the UHNGCC over $1400. A strong cast, with several last minute substitutions, produced plenty of laughs as we all followed the intrigue, chaos, multiple plot lines, and cleverly thought out conclusion wrap-ups. Will Billy and Gloria find possible love? Will mature woman and young man find same? Will the house be torn down? Will oil be located under the house? Will there be enough money? Will the flight attendants and the fake FBI agent be apprehended? Will the diamonds be turned over to the appropriate authorities? Well, yes and yes and yes and yes.

Irene Franks (Ruth Ann Nappi) is about to use her martial arts on an exposed Billy Blackner (Don Lewis), as Gloria Franks (Pam Lewis) tries to defend him.

 Gloria's friend Linda Fox (Michelle Perry) gets ready to make her entrance and let Gloria know that someoneforeveryone.com could be the answer to her loneliness.

Thanks go out to the cast: Pam Lewis, Michelle Perry, Ruth Ann Nappi, Freddie Ann Nappi, Faith Perry, Lisa Jackson, Don Lewis, and J.D. Nappi. Those who put the stage together: Jim Sane, Gene Earnhardt, Jim Earnhardt, Jack Mumpower, and Jonathan Jenkins; those who set up the chairs: Jean Bradley and Meg Mumpower; those who sold tickets: Virginia McGuffey and Lynn Morehead; those who sold refreshments: Sarah Gayle and Lana Roberts; those who bought the refreshments: Sylvia Sane; those who put the stage back into storage: Stan Mobley, Michelle and Eric Perry, Ted Roberts, Fred, J.D., and Freddie Ann Nappi; the one who drew the cover art for the program, Ruth Hudson; the director, Ruth Ann Nappi, and the playwright, Helen Brown.
And...a thank you to everyone who came to the play and brought your out-of-town company along!

Gerton's own local playwright, Helen Brown, who writes the plays the whole town loves!

One Hour from Gerton

ed. note: third 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.

WEAVERVILLE, N.C., can be reached by traveling I 240 to exit 5A, turning north on Merrimon and continuing until you find yourself in the delightful town of Weaverville. Another way is via the Blue Ridge Parkway off Reems Creek Road (if exiting from the Parkway: Weaverville/Vance Birthplace sign, between mileposts 375 and 376). I recommend a stop for lunch, dessert, or dinner at the Well-Bred Bakery and Cafe, now in its tenth year. The Well-Bred specializes in a mountainous chocolate eclair (smaller ones available as well), always a standout in their line of "exceptional handcrafted edibles." Next, walk the downtown section of three blocks and make your way to Mangum Pottery. Here you can watch the potters prepare, design, and throw their art (the studio is in the rear part of their space), and then make a purchase in their gallery. Take some time to visit the Main Street Nature Park, a delightful grassy knoll with a walking path surrounding it and water running beside it--a great place to run, sit, or stroll. Several antique galleries line the street, along with other restaurants--The Glass Onion, if you are looking for a special eatery or the Jack of Hearts Pub and Restaurant if you want something more casual.

En route back to Gerton, stop by the Zeb Vance birthplace and take the well-informed guide's tour of the two-story log cabin where Vance spent his childhood years. A great visit back in time to another complicated era of our state's history.

25 Years in Highway Beautification...

(ed. note: the following is excerpted from a recent letter from the Coordinator of the State Adopt-A-Highway Program, Kodi Ledford)

"Congratulations! You have participated in the Adopt-A-Highway Program since 1988. In recognition of your service to protect the environment and enhance the quality of life for all North Carolinians, we are pleased to award you with a 25-year-appreciation plaque, safety vests with the 25-year-emblem and two 25-year stars for your AAH signs. We hope you will display this plaque and these stars with pride as they acknowledge your commitment to preserving the beauty and cleanliness of North Carolina roadsides.

"Nearly 5,000 AAH groups have adopted approximately 10,000 miles of state-maintained roads. Last year more than 100,000 volunteers from all 100 counties picked up more than three million pounds of litter. AAH volunteers save the tax payers more than $5 million annually in roadside cleanup costs!"

Thanks to Jean Bradley and Karl Bradley for attaching the 25-year star to our sign.

Litter crew rests beside sign with our new 25-year star attached. From left: Keith Earnhardt, Barbara Earnhardt, Meg Mumpower, Doug Colwell, Margaret Colwell, and Jean Bradley, with new plaque from the state honoring our time in service. New orange vests also acknowledge our longevity.

Looking Back...

History of UHNGCC

Hickory Nut Gorge Home Demonstration Club

Research by Louise Sinclair

This Home Demonstration Club was formed and organized in 1953 through the efforts of Mrs. Guy Newton and Mrs. Mary Ruth Wilson, the Henderson County Home Demonstration Agent at that time. Meetings and demonstrations were held at the homes of the various members until in June 1965 the Club elected to purchase the Copper Kettle Tea Room and the large open pavilion adjoining from Chestnut Hills, Inc.

The property was purchased for the sum of $6,000 and the owners of Chestnut Hills, Inc., Mr. N. C. English and Mr. E. I. Earnhardt of Thomasville, N.C., stipulated that if the ladies could raise $1,000 the first year, they would match this amount. The thousand dollars was raised and matched and the balance owed was paid off within a few years and the deed recorded to the club.

Friday night suppers, curb markets featuring crafts, jellies, cakes and garden produce, flower shows, as well as reunions contributed for the use of the building, were all presented by club members, and other interested ladies and friends, to make money to pay for the property. Summer residents also contributed and gave their support to the Friday night suppers and other activities, thereby enabling successful completion of the purchase. The first officers of the club in 1953 were President, Rae Newton; Vice President, Carrie Cannon; Treasurer, Louetta Connor; Secretary, Modeen Bradley. The following years' club Presidents were Beatrice Meyers, Hattie Oates, Marion Pryor, and for 1966-67, the presiding President was Marjorie Owenby.

Of the original membership fifteen charter members voted in 1956 to accept the challenge and buy the property from Chestnut Hills, Inc. These charter members were Mrs. S .J. Asbury, Mrs. Annie Bailey, Mrs. Carrie Cannon, Mrs. T. E. Connor, Mrs. L. E. Meyers, Mrs. Guy Newton, Mrs. Hal Oates, Mrs. Roy Owenby, Mrs. Kelly Owensby, Mrs. Harry T. Peoples, Mrs. Willie Poole, Miss Marion Pryor, Mrs. Ed. Stevens, Mrs. J. K. Sumner, and Mrs. Frank Winterling.

In April 1967 the majority of the active members of the newly named Extension Homemakers Club of Gerton, N.C. (as of 1967, according to the planned organizational program of the Agricultural Extension Service of N.C. State University at Raleigh, the first of the year), voted to unite with the other activities of the gorge and community changed the name on the property deed to the UPPER HICKORY NUT GORGE COMMUNITY CENTER.

We, the residents of the Upper Hickory Nut Gorge, wish to express our appreciation and our thanks to all these ladies whose foresight and hard work made the Upper Hickory Nut Gorge Community Center a reality.

(Compiled from the records and minutes of the Club since organization.)

Thanks to the following merchants for supporting GertonFest V

Fairview

Subway in Fairview and in Reynolds

Nachos and Beer

Sonic in Fairview

Local Joint

Angelo's

Food Lion

Mojo's
Elizabeth's Shear Heaven Hair Salon

Flat Rock Playhouse

Chimney Rock
Chimney Rock State Park
Manual Woodworkers
Hickory Nut Antiques
Medina's Bistro
Esmeralda Inn

Lake Lure

Lake Lure Smoke House
Lake Lure Inn and Spa

Hendersonville
Fireside Inn and Pancake House
Day in the Country
Mast General Store
Village Green Antiques
Fresh Market

Asheville
O'Charley's Restaurant

July and August Programs

JULY:  Dr. Grey Tilden, the new doctor at the new office to be opening soon in Lake Lure, by Ingles off Highway 9, and Tina Owens, Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC), Director of Development, gave an informative program on MAHEC's purpose. They answered questions and also got to hear about some of the history of the Bat Cave Clinic that local Gertonites remembered. Dr. Tilden is a family practitioner and welcomes new patients.

AUGUST: John Hathaway presented an informative talk on "responsible hunting." John has been hunting since he was 4 years old and has developed a love and respect for the activity. What he kills becomes food on his table. He spoke of his use of the whole animal, when he knew it was time to shoot, and when it was time to wait.

Deer in the wood. Hesitating before moving on...

Neighborhood News

Thanks to Jonathan Jenkins, who saw that our club's fire extinguishers did not pass inspection from the fire department, and took the extinguishers to be re-charged. We now have certified working extinguishers in case of a fire. This is something that we must have and something that we also hope we never have to use!

Monarch Butterfly Parade: From Blue Ridge Parkway, drive past Pisgah Inn to Mile Marker #415, or #417.  Call Visitors’ Center—298-5330, Ext. #304 to verify flights. “There haven’t been as many in recent years,” said one observer.  “But it’s still fun to wave goodbye and good luck to those Monarchs headed for Mexico for the winter.”

The September issue of Consumer Reports  shows Margaret Pardee Hospital of Hendersonville as one of two N.C. hospitals with surgery rating an “excellent.” N.C. Specialty Hospital in Durham is the other sharing that rating. “How hospitals…compare in avoiding adverse events in Medicare patients during their hospital stay for surgery”—was the measure applied. See Consumer Reports.org/hospital ratings for more details.   

Two (!) sets of great-grandparents signed in with the ECHO:

Larry and Gayle Murdock reported the birth of great-grandson Blake, 8 pounds 13 ounces, whose operation for removing a heart tumor when he was 26 hours old went very well.  Tough little kid that he must be, his pediatric surgeon said, “He did great!”   Everybody is relieved, grateful for prayers during the pregnancy and birth.

Diane Field phoned from Florida, grinning about her new great-granddaughter Bella, 8 lb. l3 oz.  The fresh girl matched ‘exactly’ her sister 2-year-old Anastasia, Diane crowed.  “They could have been twins!”

Diane’s address is 201 Russell Drive, Palm Springs, FL 33461.       

Will Triol’s good momma Sara died recently, one day shy of 93.  Mrs. Triol loved attending Bearwallow Baptist Church services when she visited here, and felt grateful to church members who drove her there. Several memorial services are planned—one here and one in Newport News, Va., where she made her permanent home.

Mary Rhodes Ritchie shared her girlhood in Gerton-Middlefork along with Marjorie Owenby.  She died July 17 in Concord, NC, where her daughter lives.  Mary’s funeral occurred at Groce Memorial Funeral Home, with the Revs. Bobby Dees and Jonathan Jenkins attending.  She was buried at Bearwallow Cemetery, with many friends and family members honoring her life and passing.  Mary loved living here in Gerton, her sunny disposition a joy to all who knew her.  And she was a good story teller. Five children, ll grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren survive her.

David Douglas has been entertaining fellow patients at Universal Health Care, Old Airport Road, for the past month, receiving excellent physical therapy, says daily visitor-tender Rose Ann. David’s cell is 712-6879. 

A new sign has been erected in the gorge by the Weed Action Coalition of the Hickory Nut Gorge, an organization concerned with the growth of invasive exotic plant species. Check out their website for details. 

Sheng Gao, beloved of Mary and Ed Robinson-Hunting, died instantly Monday, May 27, 2013, after being hit accidentally by a truck.

Here is his song, which was sung to him many many times. (tune: "Old Dog Tray" by Stephen Foster)

Sweet Sheng Gao's ever faithful,

Grief cannot drive him away.

He's gentle, he is kind,

I'll never never find

A better friend than dear Sheng Gao.

My sweet boy Sheng Gao, your Frankie, Ernie, Eddy and I miss you so very very much.

Love,

your Mary

Neighbors gather for August meal. Always plenty for all!