January - February 2015

UHNGCC decorated for the season and awaiting those who will attend the annual Christmas party. 

The Echo is published bi-monthly throughout the year by the Upper Hickory Nut Gorge Community Club. You can access the online blog at www.gertonecho.blogspot.com or pick up a paper copy at the Gerton Post Office. News is always welcome; pictures, too. Please submit to Editor Margaret Whitt at mwhitt@du.edu or 625-0264. Roving Reporter: Barbara Earnhardt. Photographers: Sylvia Sane, Jean Bradley, Jim Earnhardt.

Officers for 2015: Jim Sane, President; Lynn Morehead, Vice President; Sarah Gayle, winter secretary; Lana Roberts, summer secretary; Sylvia Sane, treasurer. Board members include Jim Earnhardt, Patty Tanner, Jean Bradley, and Claudia Freeman. Margaret Whitt, immediate past president. 

Calendar of Events

January 10, 1-2:30 p.m. Bullington Gardens' Grafting Workshop 

January 20, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. Community Covered Dish. Program:  UHNGCC Business matters.

January 27, 2-3 p.m. Bullington Gardens Terrarium Workshop

January 31, 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. Explore the Winter Landscape, Bullington Gardens

February 17, 2-3:30 p.m. Landscape Design: What every home gardener needs to know. Bullington Gardens

February 17, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. Community Covered Dish. Program: Gloria Black Anders, clinical herbalist, will present "A Holistic Approach to Coping with Colds and Flu."  Gloria works for the American Herbalist Guild and is trained in the science of herbalism.

February 24, Bullington Gardens, Practical Aspects of Landscape Maintenance           

(Bullington Gardens is located in Hendersonville, 95 Upper Red Oak Trail.

                Call 698-6104 for a reservation, small charges per workshop.) 

President’s Note

The following info will update everyone on projects' status at the community club.

Crawl space Moisture Issue:  We had a significant moisture problem in the crawl space under the community club.  This moisture problem was damaging the structure of the flooring timbers.  The problem was water entering the crawl space through the foundation.  The problem was evaluated.  A plan was decided upon and is in progress.  (1)  A drain pipe system was installed to evacuate the water from the front of the building.  (2)  A sump pump has been purchased and will be installed in the near future. 

New Kitchen Project:  We’re getting closer.  The Kitchen Committee (Jim Sane, Jim Earnhardt, Jean Bradley, Patty Tanner, and Lynn Morehead) went to Lowe's to select the cabinets,  countertop, and flooring on 17 December.  This has been accomplished.  We paid the fee for a detail measurement of the kitchen.  A Lowe's associate will be coming out to measure for the cabinets.  This step must be performed before ordering the cabinets.  Jim Earnhardt and I should be contacting available members in the very near future to coordinate dates to begin demo of the kitchen area.

Dinner Hosts/Committee Volunteers:  The community club needs you.  We need volunteers to host the monthly dinners.  Hopefully,  this will be accomplished at the January meeting.  We also need volunteers for our committees that help coordinate critical functions for the club.  Let's make this another successful year for the UHNGCC.  I will have the sign-up sheets at each monthly meeting. 

Jim Sane

Unexpected Moments of Joy

By Bonnie Moore

In this wondrous season of giving, I want to issue Gerton a challenge. The rules: First, money does not have to be involved. Second, you have to have no expectation that you yourself will benefit. Third, and finally, the joy you give out does not have to be for only one person, but may affect others unknown to you.

Here's an example: the little roadside library the community set up. Some passersby never see it, but others are surprised and delighted, often leaving notes.

Many of the members of Bearwallow Baptist Church give out wooden nickels that say in a very personal way that the person getting the nickel is loved. Some nickels have found their way into hands of people having a bad day and have made an immediate impact, turning their day around, thus giving an unexpected moment of joy.

Do you have a device that cleans out gutters? You might use that on someone's house other than your own. Geo Cacheing is big right now. Hide a trinket then go online and post the location. Make a "Welcome Home" sign and post at the entrance to your road. Tree crews are around, could you hand them a cup of hot cocoa? You can think up ideas way better than mine. What you want is something that will make someone smile. Send a picture of your project to Margaret Whitt (mwhitt@du.edu) and maybe you will see it in the next Echo.

Someone recently told me they had lived many places, but never had they felt more accepted and loved than right here at the top of Hickory Nut Gorge. They commented on how giving Gertonites are, but true giving has no expectation of return. So as a Gertonite, pay a smile forward and make yourself a Merry Christmas. 

Notes from the Little Library

The little library has been busy since the last report (two months ago), but we only have two notes to report:

• "I did not take a book because I didn't have one to give in return, but let me say that I appreciate this spot that offers such trust, respect, knowledge, and excitement within the human spirit. There are still good people out there and this signifies your acknowledgement of such a species!

          Thank you! Made my morning."  from Jeff, Atlanta, Georgia

• "Stopped to get some water here! Awesome spot in the world! Peaceful!"

          from Jason, 12/12/14......."Love is all that remains the same!"
  

We need to post a sign that says: You don't need to leave a book to take a book, or

If you want a book but don't have a book, that is OK, too. Help yourself! 

November Program

Several dozen gathered on November 18 to share in our traditional turkey Thanksgiving dinner. This year Ingles prepared the turkey, Jim Earnhardt carved the bird, and Helen Brown once again prepared the dressing--with oysters and without! Community folks brought all the sides and there was enough for folks to take home a dinner for someone who couldn't make it out to join us on this very cold night. Though the skies were clear, the temperature dipped below 20 degrees. Young Samuel Holt Hathaway worked on his attendance record for community meals--in his young life, he hasn't missed a single community gathering!

New officers for 2015 were installed by Virginia McGuffey: President - Jim Sane, Vice-President - Lynn Morehead, Winter Secretary - Sarah Gayle, Treasurer - Sylvia Sane, Board Members: Patty Tanner, Jean Bradley, Jim Earnhardt, and Claudia Freeman. Immediate Past President - Margaret Whitt.

Gerton Group Lends Hands to Operation Christmas Child

By Syble Freeman

Bearwallow Baptist fielded an eight-member team to work at the Operation Christmas Child (OCC)  warehouse in Charlotte on December 10.  Three additional members missed the trip because of illness and work obligations.

The Charlotte distribution center will handle 2.4 million boxes this year.  When we were there 1.4 million boxes had already been opened, inspected, supplemented, sealed, and packed for shipping!

Three on our team (Jean Bradley, Pat Davis, and Carlene Burleson) worked in the "filler" unit.  They organized items to supplement boxes with open space.  Four of us (J. W. Davis, Marvin Lewis, Syble Freeman, and Kathryn Davis) served on the "line" where we inspected, filled empty spaces, and sealed boxes.  Our eighth member (Carrie Kuester) wanted a more active job.  She sorted boxes into shipping cartons organizing them by gender and age.  A shipping carton held fourteen to sixteen Operation Christmas Child boxes.  Separating the boxes into age and gender designations enabled the distribution teams to supply the correct number of appropriate boxes to pastors and other leaders at worldwide distribution points. Some of the OCC boxes we handled will be distributed in Columbia and other South American countries.

 Our 10 a. m. to 2 p. m. assignment flew by, and we all agreed we will do this again.  These reservations were made in September, so "save the date" and tell Syble if you are interested for next year.

Left to right: Marvin Lewis,Jean Bradley, Pat Davis, Syble Freeman, Carlene Burleson 

Left to right: Jean Bradley, Roy Graham (Franklin Graham's son) Pat and J.W. Davis

Christmas Party

UHNGCC, with its new gravel out front, stands ready for the Party. 

The annual Christmas party occurred on Tuesday, December 16. Over two dozen attendees brought finger foods and small gifts that were exchanged after we ate. Dillon Schimmel led us in the singing of several Christmas carols and neighbors enjoyed the fellowship with one another. Most unusual present appeared to be an inflatable moose head--you never know when you are going to have need for such a gift! Others were pleased with candy, flashlights, puzzles, frames, bookmarks, pill boxes, duct tape, etc. John Solomon Hathaway gave everyone a wrapped present and after all had opened them, folks walked around, as called, and took what they wanted more than what they had received. Most left satisfied!

One of two tables of neighbors enjoyed a snack dinner before the gift exchange.

Henderson County Community Organizations Honored in Regional Event

ASHEVILLE, NC                  WNC Communities celebrated 65 years of community achievement through the WNC Honors Awards Program. Saturday, November 22 over 250 community leaders from 15 counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee were recognized and rewarded for their exceptional community development programs at a luncheon at The Omni Grove Park Inn.  Five communities from Henderson County were honored this year. 

Communities of Distinction is the highest honor with a cash award of $2,000.  Upper Hickory Nut Gorge was the recipient of this year’s prestigious award.  UHNG was chosen as the “best of the best” because of their ability to work together in assessing, developing, and implementing strategies to address community issues. 

Community of Promise is the second highest honor with a cash award of $1,000.  Crab Creek was one of 20 rural community associations from western North Carolina to receive this honor.  They were chosen because of the initiatives implemented by the community that show promise and can be replicated around the region. 

Edneyville, Mills River and Upward were honored as Participating Communities and received cash awards of $300 each for their successful programs and projects over the past year.

In addition, Edneyville received the President’s Award for submitting an application to this annual awards program for 25 years.  

The Calico Cat Junior Award is a time-honored tradition that has been a part of the WNC Honors Awards for over 25 years.  Fired Up Pottery paints these elegant pieces of art each year to reward communities for their work in improving their existing community centers.   This year’s Calico Cat Junior was awarded to Upper Hickory Nut Gorge Community. 

Jim Earnhardt holds the new Cat, Jr. 

Check out our collection of Four Cats in the trophy case. 

  “Rural communities are the unsung heroes that work diligently to enhance the quality of life for residents in Henderson County, doing everything from food pantries, beautification programs, developing youth programs, health and wellness programs, as well as numerous events and educational opportunities to keep our great art, craft, and music traditions alive,” shares Linda Lamp, Executive Director of WNC Communities.

Generous sponsorships from Harrah’s Cherokee Casino & Hotel, Duke Energy, Mission Health, Buncombe County Farm Bureau, Carolina Farm Credit, First Citizens Bank, Wells Fargo and HomeTrust Bank made it possible to award over $37,000 to 66 community centers and clubs throughout the mountains for innovative approaches to addressing community needs.

Communities voluntarily participate in the WNC Honors Awards Program by submitting an application to WNC Communities in September.  Communities are judged on projects, fund raising efforts, collaboration with local organizations or businesses, economic development and sustainability, as well as their community future and vision.

 

From left: Jean Bradley, Margaret Whitt, Lynn Morehead, Jim Earnhardt accept the award for Community of Distinction from Lumpy Lambert, GM of Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel.
      

Christmas Greenery Workday

                         Sarah Gayle and Gloria Anders work on the greens. Jean Bradley, Joan Erskine, Sylvia Sane, Jack Mumpower and Meg Mumpower do likewise!

On Tuesday, December 2, we gathered at the community center to prepare the greens with bright red bows for hanging on each street sign in Gerton that turns off our scenic by-way 74-A. The helpers were the following: Sylvia and Jim Sane, Jean Bradley, Sarah Gayle, Gloria Anders, Joan Erskine, Dillon Schimmel, Lynn Morehead, Mack and Mary Kay McAdams, Margaret Whitt, Meg and Jack Mumpower, Becca Hathaway with John Solomon and Samuel Holt, Jim Earnhardt made three fresh wreaths for the front doors. The group brought greens and put together 36 hanging greens. Dillon Schimmel and Jim Sane then took the completed hangers out to the road signs, the Welcome to Gerton signs, the community club sign, the Chestnut Hills sign,  and placed them for all to enjoy as they drive through our community.

We also decorated the Christmas tree, hung the big wreath in the window, and placed the garland on the front poles outside. Many hands make light work, and we were finished sooner that we had expected. It takes a village....

Becca Hathaway with John Solomon and Samuel Holt arrive to help Mary Kay McAdams with the garland outside the center.

Soup Day Comes to Gerton

Helen Brown had the idea, organized the ingredients needed, posted a request sheet, and showed up bright and early on Thursday, December 4, at 9 a.m., with grandson helper J.D. Nappi, to begin the preparation of a huge pot of vegetable beef soup. She added and tended and seasoned as needed until a little after 3 p.m. when the first customer came by. Folks were asked to bring a container, drop a donation in the bowl (not the bowl that contained the soup), and take home some hot soup for dinner. Helen prepared for about 50 servings--more or less. Three hours later when the last customer headed home, we poured four single servings into small containers and popped them into the freezer. Somebody will take then sooner or later! At the end of the day, we made $200, which has been placed in our savings account for use on the new kitchen. We may just have to have a return of SOUP DAY in Gerton! Thanks, Helen, for the idea and thanks to those who came by to get their supper.

UHNGCC Under-the-Building Water Repair

Just as we were about to begin the kitchen dismantling, Terminix advised that we have a great deal of water underneath our building. We also have rotting timbers holding up our flooring. Just like many places in America today, we have an infrastructure problem. Terminix offered us a bid to correct the situation for.....a bit over $19,000! We, responsibly, sought other avenues of correction and landed with Bobby Dees, who with help from Jack Pace and his son Joe Pace installed in the front of the building a new French drain with new piping that will take the water away from the building. New gutters were added in the front with new piping that will also redirect the water. Dirt from Chestnut Hills was brought over to shore up the low areas. On December 15, a load of gravel (cost: $500) was delivered and smoothed over the new dirt. A sump pump will be installed and connected. In the spring, we will re-visit the timber problem and replace support beams where needed. A job well done for $3,000.

A part of the work that has been recently done to preserve the UHNGCC. Bobby Dees installing the pipes to take the water away from underneath the building. 

A load of new gravel has been dumped and spread over the new French drain and the front of the UHNGCC. Thanks to Bobby Dees!

Childhood Homes

(Ed. Note: A new Echo feature will present childhood homes of those who now call Gerton home.)

Guess who called the Umatilla Hotel (Florida) home?

When Helen Brown and Ruth Hudson were in elementary school, their parents, Henry and Dixie Hudson, bought the Umatilla Hotel, shown above. Rooms were upstairs--the second two windows on the second floor (from the left, on the side street) was the childhood room of Helen and Ruth. Downstairs was an A&P Grocery Store and the door facing the side street was the way into a beauty parlor (as hair salons were called in earlier times). Gathering place for the family was the large table in the downstairs dining room. Helen and Ruth had assigned household duties throughout the hotel, which no doubt contributed to their many talents that manifest themselves today.

The Hudsons sold their hotel when Helen was a senior in high school. The hotel remained in business for many years, but about a decade ago, the property was razed.

Neighborhood News

Ryan and Jane Vogelman Lubbers joyously announce the birth of their baby daughter, Kai Cedar to their family.  Kai weighed in at 8 pounds, 3 ounces on November ll. She is newest resident of Hickory Nut Forest.

REMEMBER! l8-wheelers are prohibited on our Highway 74-A.  Call 911 if you see one, ask for Highway Patrol, and describe the truck to the person answering.  Late in December just at dark, as I rounded a curve toward Gerton, an ocean-liner of an ENORMOUS white l8-wheeler loomed driving toward Fairview--and I was driven off the road.  I'm still mad.  My lucky cell phone was at the ready--and I made the call, and felt a little better.  Another six inches, though, and my car and I might tell another story.  PHONE THE HIGHWAY PATROL to save us all from more such accidents.  Our curves are charming, and deadly. --Barbara Earnhardt