July 4 Celebration in Gerton
A large gathering of neighbors and friends (over 70!) came together at the community center on July 4 to celebrate with a cookout, bingo, and fireworks at dark.
Jim Earnhardt, with help from Russell Barkett, flipped the hamburgers and turned the hot dogs, while everyone brought a side dish from home to accompany what has become a traditional meal when small towns come together to share a summer holiday meal.
Because of intermittent rains throughout the day, we set up the food inside and folks lined up to fill their plates. As always, the food was plentiful and delicious.
Afterwards, we pulled out our antique bingo machine, plugged it in, passed out the cards and markers, and Margaret Whitt called the games: regular, four corners, perimeter only, and concluded the evening with an exhausting cover-all. For the second year in a row, the Freeman family were the big winners. Prizes were giant candy bars with a surprise taped to the back: coins, bills, or just a note saying; Sorry! The Barketts supplied the candy bars and the Sanes supplied the money. Big winner was Eric Freeman's friend, Diego, who took three games and won the grand prize of $10.
Eric's friend Diego, Jason, Porter, and Mary Freeman were the big winners of the night.
When the last candy bar was claimed, we all headed outside to watch the fireworks set off by Jason Freeman and Jason Moore. The weather held and the skies were clear. We oohed and ahhed as the explosions filled the night sky. Thankful for each other and the country in which we live, we all went home feeling better about our world.
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 ace reporter: Barbara
Earnhardt, Bonnie Moore. Photographers: Sylvia Sane, Margaret Whitt, Lana
Roberts, Gloria Anders
Officers
for 2015: Jim Sane, President; Lynn Morehead, Vice President; Sarah
Gayle, Winter
Secretary; Lana Roberts, Summer Secretary; Sylvia Sane, Treasurer; Board members: Jim Earnhardt,
Jean Bradley, Patty Tanner, Claudia Freeman. Immediate Past
President, Margaret Whitt.
Calendar of Events
September 5, Saturday - GERTONFEST VII
8 a.m. - Pancake Breakfast - $4 (adults); $3 (Children under 12)
Silent Auction - Winners announced at 6 p.m.
Homemade Baked Cakes, Pies, Cookies, Brownies - Until they are all sold
3 p.m.Team Spelling Bee for adults and children - Teams are 1 to 4 people. Entry fee: adult $10 per team; children - entry fee is free. Spell age-appropriate words until you pop all three of your balloons and give up your one PASS card. Adult winner takes home $50 cash.
Kids prize - age appropriate!
5 p.m. Bar-be-cue Dinner. $8 adults; $5 (children under 12)
Music and Trivia Bowl
September 15, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. - Community Covered Dish. Program: Mac McAdams - Gerton's weather station
October 20, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. - Community Covered Dish. Program: TBA
President’s Note
It’s August 27, 2015. GertonFest VII is September the 5th. I prepared a final checklist today. Final coordination was conducted via e-mail
and phone, and we are squared away. I
want to thank those that have been involved in the preparation for GertonFest
VII. Pancake Breakfast coordinators,
Syble and Don Freeman. Bake Sale
coordinators, Jean Bradley and Patty Tanner.
Silent Auction/Spelling Bee
coordinator, Margaret Whitt. Barbecue
Dinner coordinator, Billy Gaines.
Thanks to the following that
have volunteered to assist the coordinators and for other tasks. Prepare and distribute flyers, Marianne
Adoryan. Put up signs/banners, Marianne
Adoryan, Jim Earnhardt. Solicit (Beg) Silent Auction certificates from businesses, Lana Roberts,
Margaret Whitt, Sylvia Sane, Lynn Moorehead, and Jim Earnhardt.
Preparation/Serving for Pancake Breakfast and BBQ Dinner, Ted Roberts, and Doug
Colwell ( only names I currently have).
And the many others that will be helping out on September the 5th. And there will be others.
The point I’m making is this: I think we have something very special in Gerton. We come together and make these events
work. And we have a good time as a
community.
Jim Sane
Summer Litter Pick-Up
Fourteen gathered
at the center on Tuesday, July 7, at 10 a.m. to pick up trash on the roadside
of scenic by-way 74A from the Buncombe County Line all the way to the
campgrounds just before Bat Cave
The crew and their yield
Those who participated, under the leadership of Gloria Anders, were Karl Bradley, Lori Erskine, Sylvia Sane, Addie Grindle, Karen Hudson-Brown, Sarah Gayle, Margaret and Doug Colwell (Doug was celebrating his birthday in this community-minded way!), Jean Bradley, Billy Gaines, Margaret Whitt, Jack Mumpower, and Bonnie Moore (who drove the warning litter-crew-ahead convertible at the rear of the walkers to alert people coming from Asheville. Thanks to all.
Bonnie Moore slowed oncoming traffic down and helped us to all come home safely!
Thanks, Bonnie.
Thanks, Bonnie.
TWO Many Ghosts!
The entire cast of "Two Many Ghosts!" includes front row: Ruth Ann Nappi, Ruth Hudson, Bonnie Moore. Back row: Tom Hilliker. Fred Nappi, Don Lewis, Freddie Ann Nappi, Pam Lewis, and J.D. Nappi
Zane Moore and Sadie Moore perform Abbot and Costello's "Who's on First?" as intermission entertainment. Zane and Sadie made their debut last year with the Hickory Creek Players. They are the twin grandchildren of Bonnie Moore.
Ellenor Harrington (Freddie Ann Nappi) negotiates between the long-time caretaker of the Harrington Mansion, Mr. Stipplehogger (Fred Nappi), and the realtor she has hired to sell the estate, Pete Wilson (Tom Hilliker).
Theodora (Ruth Hudson) has long been the only ghost at the mansion, but a fire down the road has run off poor Hagatha (Bonnie Moore), who appears here in her scorched ghostly attire.
Willa Grace Wingfield (Ruth Ann Nappi), local dowager and prospective buyer of the mansion, who also has her heart set on the attractive handyman, Mr. Stipplehogger (Fred Nappi), explains to realtor Pete Wilson (Tom Hilliker) her plans for the new look of the old mansion. In the back Lexal, Mr. Stipplehogger's apprentice (J.D. Nappi), listens in so that he will know when to direct Mrs. Wingfield to the special rooms in the back.
T. Tommy "Sweets" Thomas (Don Lewis), proprietor of a local and shady business wants to rent the mansion, but competitive serious buyers Willa Grace Wingfield (Ruth Ann Nappi) and Miss Triplett (Pam Lewis) could be horrified at his potential plans. Mr. Stipplehogger (Fred Nappi) looks on, interested in every detail about the old place, his home for over 40 years.
John Myers leads the group toward the pond and the small cabin that houses the mechanism for hydropower.
The group goes upstairs to see the bedrooms and the cozy reading corner that are available for rental at weddings or reunions.
The main room of the center houses a large dining table, a kitchen, comfortable chairs, and plenty of open space. Surrounding the back side is a large deck and a beautiful waterfall. The sound of running water can be heard on all areas of the grounds.
Once again, the last weekend of July, the Upper Hickory Nut Gorge Community Center was converted into the set for Helen Hudson Brown's latest play, "Two Many Ghosts." This year, a 100-year-old mansion, with wings that ran down both sides of the stage and into the distant back, offered a front room entry area, tastefully appointed with comfortable chairs, a full bookcase, a casual bar from which to serve the prospective buyers, a fireplace and mantle, over which two portraits of the senior Harringtons served as a reminder of the past and a hiding place for the two ghosts that occupied the mansion.
Each time the ghosts appeared on stage, smoke rushed the floor, the good work of either Jason Moore or Billy Gaines, who made dry ice do its job. The set design was the work of Ruth Hudson, Jim Sane, and Freddie Ann Nappi. Mary Kay McAdams capably served as stage manager. Sylvia and Jim Sane staffed the refreshments each night, with help from others who stepped forward to lend a hand, while Virginia McGuffey and Patty Tanner sold tickets at the door.
We sold homemade cakes and brownies and cookies and candy, along with a good bit of popcorn and water and soft drinks. Concessions and the proceeds from the $15 tickets netted the UHNGCC a grand total of $2,150, the largest house yet from our annual dramatic event.
Thanks especially to this special gift that Helen Brown gives us every summer, to the cast that always does a stellar job, to the people who work in the background -- setting up and taking down-- and to the community who make up the audience!
This year Margaret Whitt and Freddie Ann Nappi were invited to radio station WGTM (G1520) in downtown Spindale to be guests on their Thursday, July 23, edition of "Talk of the Town." They spoke about the play and Gerton for an hour--to whoever might have listened that morning--with station owner Jesse Cowan. The play was advertised in Our State magazine, in the brochures of Hickory Nut Gorge Chamber of Commerce, and in the Fairview Town Crier. Thanks to Virginia McGuffey who invited her Sunday School class from Arden (about 30 plus people), and to the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge tenders. Our audiences continue to grow and they come from far and wide. Both Friday and Saturday night were full houses--and the laughter could be heard echoing down the scenic byway!
"Gerton" Makes Humor Page of Mountain Express
In the Mountain Express's popular Best of WNC double issue (August 12-18, 2015) in their "Asheville Disclaimer" column, Gerton gets top billing in a spoof under this heading: "Hendersonville hires 'parking ambassador,' whose duties include:""Re-establishing diplomatic ties with Gerton." Many reading the column may wonder, "What's Gerton?" or "Where's Gerton?"
We who live here get the joke and are delighted to be the first bullet under the lampooning of the new parking ambassadors of downtown Hendersonville!
July Program
As is our tradition, those at dinner on July 21 were treated to several scenes from the upcoming play,"Two Many Ghosts!" Helen Brown introduced the cast and set up each scene for the awaiting audience. It was a dramatic trailer or preview--made us want to hurry toward the weekend and see the whole of the play!
Helen Hudson Brown, who writes the plays the whole world loves!
August Program
After dinner on August 18 with 32, about 17 of us carpooled down to Laughing Waters for a guided tour by John Myers and Jane Lawson. Even though the retreat center is right here in Gerton, this was the first time to see the place for many of us.
Notes from the Little Library:
More business than notes, but here are our messages this time:
"Stopped by to take a look. We're from Stow, MA, It's beautiful here in the mountains!.__ Lily"
"Saw on our drive back to Asheville and made my husband turn around to stop. Left a book and took a book!" __unsigned
"May the Long Time Sun Shine upon You
All Love surround You
And the Pure Light Within You
Guide Your Way On" __signed with a heart
"Beautiful library and glad we saw it on our way back home. Jon and Crystal"__signed with a reference to their little library number
Neighborhood News
Jim and Sylvia Sane attended the Highland Games in early July. Here, Jim carries the flag representing Clan MacKenzie in the Parade of Tartans.
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An afternoon deer parade -- two adult deer and baby in between. Here is the last one in the line.
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Goats have returned in greater numbers to continue their assault on the kudzu towards Bat Cave.
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HICKORY NUT GORGE OUTREACH: It is time once again to remember the kids in the gorge who need help with food to make it through their weeks. After every monthly dinner, we take a load of food down to the outreach in Lake Lure. Here is a list of what is needed for the Backpack Program that helps kids get through the weekend: Large boxes of cereal (no highly sugared cereal). Single serve oatmeal packets. Small packs of raisins. Chunky soup. Saltine crackers. Macaroni and cheese boxes. tuna. Chef Boyardee. string cheese. canned fruit. granola bars. pudding. small packages of cookies. peanut butter. jelly. large bottles of juice. chips--small packages. juice boxes. If you bring to the center, we will deliver to Lake Lure. Kids think better and behave better when they are not hungry!
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Many of us will remember Johnathon Barrett from Charleston. He and partner
Tom White (the architect who years ago submitted some ideas about how we might
update Center’s dining area) vacationed at their Kelly Hill house directly up
from Nita’s. They loved their time here, enjoyed immensely the summer plays,
decided they’d buy their house after hearing Bearwallow Baptist chiming hymns.
Johnathon has written a cookbook—“Rise and Shine: A Southern Son’s Treasury of
Food, Family and Friends.” Now on a 30-stop book talk tour, he’d be glad to
provide a Community Center program for us sometime next spring. His book
includes a chapter on Gerton—the joy of being able to buy fresh local foods,
and of wading streams here to gather watercress. The book (with l00 recipes) is
available through mupressorders@mercer.edu, or by phone 866-895-1472.
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NEW HIKING MAP AVAILABLE FOR THE HICKORY
NUT GORGE AND CHIMNEY ROCK AREA AVAILABLE NOW
Adventure Map of the Hickory Nut
Gorge
Authors
of A Hiker's Guide to the Hickory Nut Gorge, Nate Ballinger and Ryan Lubbers, have produced the
first comprehensive topographic trail map of the Hickory Nut Gorge, North
Carolina. The Adventure Map of the
Hickory Nut Gorge beautifully illustrates the multitude of hiking and
mountain biking trails in Chimney Rock, Rumbling Bald, Lake Lure, Bearwallow
Mountain, Gerton, and Bat Cave. In addition,
it provides driving directions, trailhead locations, park boundaries, rock
climbing areas, access points, bouldering areas, fishing access, view points,
swimming areas, whitewater kayaking rivers, zip-line areas, public marina
locations, boat launches, park entrances, camping areas, logging roads, fee
areas, beaches, picnic areas and much more.
It
is an essential map for any and all outdoor activities and will be extremely
helpful for everyone from the casual visitor to the most seasoned adventurer. The Adventure Map of the Hickory Nut Gorge
is a full color, light weight, water proof, tear proof and foldable map (3.75 x
9 inches when folded) that easily fits in your pocket or back pack and will
stand up to even the gnarliest expedition.
Its large size (22.75 x 18.5 inches when flat) has high definition, full
topographic coverage on both sides to give a large overview of the upper and
lower gorge as well as a number of detailed insets that are full of features
and critical information. The outstanding
Map Legend allows for quick and accurate referencing to determine types of
trail, private property, overlooks, waterfall locations and a variety of other
significant information. Up until now
there has been absolutely nothing like this map available to visitors of the
Hickory Nut Gorge. With over 6 years of
research, hundreds of hours of on the ground exploring, dozens of conservation
partners and landowners contributing valuable information The Adventure Map
of the Hickory Nut Gorge is finally in print and available to the public!
The
Adventure Map of the Hickory Nut Gorge is a great companion for A Hiker's Guide to
the Hickory Nut Gorge. A Hiker's Guide to the Hickory Nut Gorge is a comprehensive hiking guidebook for one of the
Southeast's most spectacular natural areas. It includes some of Western North Carolina's
greatest hikes at Rumbling Bald, Chimney Rock, Lake Lure, Bearwallow Mountain,
Bat Cave, The Florence Preserve and more... It contains: Over 35 Trail
Descriptions, 100 Color Photos and 19 Color Maps
Available on line at www.hickorynutgorgetrailguide.com , on Amazon and locally at Bubba O’Leary’s,
Diamond Brand, Chimney Rock State Park, Black Dome, Slick Rock Emporium, Lake
Lure Inn, Sun Rift Adventures and Hickory Nut Gap Farms.
***
Thanks to the thoughtful, articulate person in the community who posted the tactfully worded instructions on how to get into the post office on the front door. We all await the door being fixed/oiled/replaced. This is a reference to the sign that a neighbor put on the door before the lock broke!
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Roland Lee “Buster” Zeigler, 92, died July 28, his funeral was held at the Four Holes Baptist Church in Orangeburg, S.C., where he had been a long-time
member. Born in July of 1923, Gerton and
Chestnut Hills neighbors remember him fondly and well for his countless acts of
friendliness toward this community.
“Best money we ever spent,” he was fond of saying about living here
summers at his home facing the Chestnut Hills pond.
Friends here recall his delivering huge beef roasts to
neighbors willing to cook them for the Fourth of July dinners, Buster
cheerfully slicing huge slabs of meat for diners. In late fall, he often would arrive with
bushel baskets brimming with raw peanuts he would boil for any who cared to
come and shell and eat. He swung many a
hammer for repairs at the Community Center—the new wood floor in the library is one example he worked on, as well as at the Chestnut Hills Pavilion where
flooring needed replacement. For lucky friends, a bag full of July peaches was a special gift he loved bestowing.
He was a regular at Nita’s where he and wife Mary would sit
with Margie and drink another cup of morning coffee. He and Mary were regulars at Bearwallow
Baptist Church as well. Both Zeiglers participated actively in the UHNG
Community Club. “Best man in the world,”
one of his longtime neighbors has said.
Buster served in World War II. He leaves behind two sons—R.L. Zeigler III
and Roy C. Zeigler, both of Orangeburg, South Carolina, along with their wives
Bonnie and Susan, and their families. He
has 6 grandchildren and l0 great-grandchildren.
Memorials can be sent to Four Holes Baptist Church, 1622
Four Holes Road, Orangeburg, SC, 29115. Cards could be sent to the family at
the residence of Roy and Susan Zeigler, 1854 Four Holes Road, Orangeburg, SC
29115.
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