November - December 2015

Fall Decorations adorn the front of the clubhouse.

Fall Colors show their best work at the end of October.

The ECHO is published by-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 send to editor Margaret Whitt at mwhitt@du.edu Photographers this issue: Margaret Whitt, Sylvia Sane, Gloria Anders, Marianne Adoryan, Shirley Boone.

Officers for 2015-1016: President Margaret Whitt; Vice President Lynn Morehead; Summer Secretary Lana Roberts; Winter Secretary Sarah Gayle; Treasurer Sylvia Sane. Board members: Jean Bradley, Patty Tanner, Mac McAdams, Jim Earnhardt. Immediate Past President Jim Sane.

GertonFest VII

Our annual fundraiser that takes place on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend, September 5 this year, was once again a total success. We had 51 for pancake breakfast. Thanks to our cooks Syble Freeman, Ted Roberts, Joan Erskine, and Dari Tritt.  Below, friends and neighbors gather for the first meal of the day. We made $196 on breakfast.

The Silent Auction was all set up by 8 a.m. Winners of the items collected their fare at 6 p.m. Over 60 merchants and restaurants provided gift cards. Especially nice objects left over from Sale on the Trail were also put up for bid. Thanks to the following for collecting the gift cards and other goods from the following locations: Lana Roberts - Hendersonville and Edneyville; Lynn Morehead - Chimney Rock; Jim Earnhardt - Lake Lure; Margaret Whitt and Sylvia Sane - Fairview and south of Asheville. Please keep the following places in mind as you shop or eat out. These are the places that always support our GertonFest: in Fairview - Angelo's, Silas's Produce, Smokey the Pig, Food Lion, Hot Dog King, Local Joint, Mr. K's Bookstore, Nacho's and Beer, Sonic, Appalachian Tropicals, Mountain Mojo, J and S Cafeteria, Hilltop Ice Cream, Ranshaw and Ruth Bakery. Chimney Rock: Bubba's, Esmeralda Inn, Gem Mine and Store, Medina's Bistro, River Watch, State Park, Laura's House Bakery. Hendersonville: A Day in the Country, Flat Rock Playhouse, Fresh Market, Lyda Farms, Coston Farms, Mast, Moose Cafe, Mountain Fresh Orchards, Burnt Shirt Vineyards. Lake Lure: Lake Lure Golf, La Strada, Larkin's. 

Total made from the silent auction: $932.50.

Jan Beck and friends put their heads together during the team spelling bee, but the winners this year are below: Jim Earnhardt, Jim Sane, and Gene Earnhardt. Total made from Spelling Bee: $30.

Below, Patty Tanner sells a cake to Hank Will. The following bakers brought cakes, pies, and breads to the table: Marianne Adoryan, Shirley Boone, Jean Bradley, Helen Brown, Ruth Hudson, Margaret Colwell, Pat Davis, Virginia McGuffey, Evelyn Silwedel, Sarah Gayle, Joan Erskine, Bonnie Moore, Sylvia Sane, Becca Hathaway, Mary Kay McAdams, Melissa Grindle, Meg and Jack Mumpower, Lynn Morehead, Lana Roberts, Joan Pool, Claudia Freeman, Margaret Whitt, Lois Simpson, Lorene Shirar, Billy Gaines, and Patty Tanner. Thanks to Patty Tanner and Jean Bradley for organizing the sale.Total made from the baked goods sale: $448.75.

The evening ended with a delicious BBQ pork and/or chicken dinner for over 60 folks. Above, Billy Gaines organizes the kitchen crew of Ted Roberts, Claudia Freeman, and Jim Sane. Total made from the BBQ: $617.

Jean Bradley sells Stan Mobley the VERY LAST GERTON COOKBOOK! In 2005, we ordered 1,000 cookbooks. It has taken ten years to move all of them, and now we have NO MORE. Many thanks to Jean Bradley who made the final push to move out the last few boxes in the closet. Total made from cookbooks: $560.

The GertonFest VII total was among the most financially successful fundraisers we have held. The cookbook total. the baked goods, and the silent auction were the highest tallies we have generated in GertonFest history. Our total came to $2,784.25 before expenses. Thanks to all who came for part or all of the day and all who supported the event. GertonFest is meant to be a celebration of life in a small place--and this year, as in other years, those who came enjoyed the fellowship.

Calendar of Events

November 17, Tuesday, Thanksgiving Community Meal- 6:30 p.m. Turkey and dressing provided. Bring sides.  

Programs at the  Bullington Gardens:
        Nov. l3—Pruning Seminar—proper techniques, 1-2:30

        Dec. 1—Frasier fir wreathe provided.  $40 for other materials and instruction

        Dec. 4&5—Holiday Sale and Open House  l0-4 p.m.  wreathes, poinsettias, holiday crafts, pre-   ordered Christmas trees (Nov. 25 deadline)

(Call Bullington Gardens 698-6104 to register for workshops)
November 26, Thursday - Thanksgiving Day
December 1, Tuesday - Greens Work Day - Meet at center at 10 a.m. Hanging of the Greens will occur later in the day.
December 15, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. Community Christmas Party, Bring $5 gift to exchange and finger foods.

December 25, Friday - CHRISTMAS

President’s Note

My last President’s Note.  The year has really gone by fast.  It seems like just yesterday that Gene Earnhardt nominated me from the floor; thank you, Gene. 

The club had a very successful year. And I think we’ve enjoyed working together.  I will still be on the board, and I will support the new officers in all endeavors.

                                                               Jim Sane 

 Early Fall Litter Sweep

Stalwart neighbors gathered at the center on the day after Labor Day, September 8, at 10 a.m. to pick up litter from our scenic by-way 74-A, from the county line to the campgrounds -- just above and below our Welcome to Gerton signs. Bonnie Moore, Jim Sane, and Russell Anders were the drivers, while those canvassing for trash included Jean Bradley, Sylvia Sane, Lana Roberts, Sarah Gayle, and Gloria Anders. They collected 13 bags of trash and the eight people involved put in collectively 16 hours of labor. Several tubs had also been tossed roadside. Department of Transportation workers picked everything up later that week.

Above, from left, Jean Bradley, Sylvia Sane, Sarah Gayle, and Gloria Anders.

September Program

Mac McAdams gave a program on his weather station to 27 interested people at our September 15 dinner. Weather in Asheville can be very different from the weather in Gerton. The underground

website, which can be found at http://www.wunderground.com/us/nc/gerton, will have the most accurate accounting for our community. Look for Rabbit Run Creekside, and you will have Mac's station on your computer!

October Program

Lee Wicker from the North Carolina Forest Service joined Jay Alley from the Gerton Fire Department to present our program on fire safety at the October 20 dinner. Speaking about the Firewise Program, Wicker pointed out that our houses should be cleared of brush 30 to 60 feet out from the house. Trees should have lower hanging limbs removed. Leaves should also be removed. Rhododendron and mountain laurel are among the most combustible leaves and can be a real fire hazard. North Carolina is among the leaders in the country in fires on personal property.

Henderson County Council Comes to UHNGCC

UHNGCC took its turn in September hosting our neighbors from Crab Creek, Upward, and Edneyville. Six times a year the county comes together to find out what activities are going on, how we might support each other, and what projects need the attention of all of us. In September we made new decisions about how the county awards would be given this year. We also received from our guests over $100 to give to the Hickory Nut Gorge Outreach and another 50 pounds of food. At each meeting, all the county clubs support the project of the hosting club. 

UHNGCC decided at an earlier meeting of our club to purchase new white chairs and tables. Many years ago, Lori Erskine secured for us --at no charge--the maroon chairs we have been using. They came from Lake Lure Inn, who no longer had use for them. Crab Creek has use for those chairs now, so we will be giving them to Crab Creek. Because the chairs were free to us, the officers decided to pass them on at no cost to another. Crab Creek is delighted and will come pick them up when our new white chairs have been purchased and delivered to UHNGCC.

Things to Do in the FALL Near Gerton:

Hikes through the fall colors:

1. Chimney Rock Park Trails - Chimney Rock

2. Mount Mitchell State Park - Burnsville

3. High Fall, Triple Falls Hike - Hendersonville

4. Triple Falls Loop - Pisgah Forest

5. Hooker Falls Trail - Pisgah Forest

Pumpkin Shopping/Browsing:
1. Hickory Nut Farm - Fairview
2. Henry Barnwell Farm - Hendersonville
3. Justus Orchards - Hendersonville
4. Coston's Apple House - Hendersonville
5. Lyda Farms - Hendersonville

Farmer's Markets:
1. Black Mountain Tailgate
2. Lake Lure Market
3. Oakley Farmer's Market
4. Curb Market - Hendersonville

Places to take your Grandkids:
1. Fibber Magee's Riverfront Inn - Chimney Rock
2. YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly - Black Mountain
3. Shadowbrook Golf and Games - Black Mountain

UHNGCC Wins in Henderson County Awards Banquet

Jim Sane, Jean Bradley, and Lynn Morehead attended the October 24 annual Henderson County Development Council awards dinner. UHNGCC won the top award for Center Improvement (new kitchen), Volunteerism, and Community Fundraising. For our efforts, the club received $250.

In the last full weekend of October, the leaves turned brilliantly red and yellow. On a wet Tuesday, October 27, the entry to Gerton was red and yellow and ...going bare.

 THANKSGIVING QUIZ FOR OUR THANKSGIVING TABLES 

 provided by Barbara Earnhardt

  Here’s a guessing game few of us would likely know many answers to for the questions below.   Just for fun, guess anyhow—with someone else.

l.       How many Englishmen sailed on the Mayflower?

     How many were Pilgrims?

2.       How many were women?

3.       Where was the Mayflower chartered to land?

4.       How many days did the trip take?

5.   Where did everyone live that first winter?

     6.    How many settlers survived into the spring?

     7.    Why were natives called “Indians”?

8.  Why didn’t the early settlers have to clear fields before they sowed their crops?   Why was this the case?

9.       How many women were alive to cook the first Thanksgiving dinner?

10.      How many Wampanoag Indians showed up for the three-day feast?

11.        And why didn’t they stay?

12.             Who did the dishes?

Answers for the Questions above:

1. 102 Englishmen and women sailed on the Mayflower.  All were Pilgrims—that is, all were people searching for a better life.  Only the Puritans (in the minority) were leaving for religious freedom since they had lost hope that the Church of England could be ‘purified’ from inside.  Everyone hoped to find a better life: some wanted jobs, some were indentured servants. Officers and crew eventually returned to England.
2.       Women numbered l8—all were married, three were pregnant.
3.       Chartered by the Plymouth Company, the Mayflower was destined for what we know as the East Coast named by the King, “Virginia”--which included the Hudson River, the original destination. Blown off course, the Mayflower couldn’t buck the waves. Seasickness raged.

4. According to most accounts, 66 days.
5. They “docked” at a place called Plymouth, named for the ship’s joint stock company of London, which had invested in the trip itself.  Weakened and sick builders plus terrible weather prevented building 22 planned houses. Four houses were erected by spring; the first burned down.  Most of those living spent the winter on board ship with the icy winds, dampness, wishing they’d stayed home!  2 babies were born below deck.
6. Fewer than half the settlers survived into the spring—some lasted until they could   live on the land; scurvy and starvation were constant threats.
7. In the 1500s, Spanish settlers named the natives “Indians," believing they’d landed in India.   

8. The settlers were delighted to find open fields and several abandoned native villages. Little did they know that plague and other diseases had ravaged the native people with diseases brought by other explorers.  So their deaths left fields unused, ready for the Pilgrims’ crops. Incidentally, it was the American Indians who taught planting in rows.  Before then, the European pattern was to sow—as in scatter—seed. We who garden today in rows are following our Indian teachers.
9. Four (that’s four) women had survived the "starving times" and cooked the various dishes for the three-day Thanksgiving feast.
10. Ninety (90!) Wampanoag Indians, including their chief, showed up for dinner.
11.  They left when they saw there wasn’t enough food to go around—and they returned bringing with them 5 deer and much game—duck, geese, maybe turkey and rabbits, to roast.
12.  Guess who did the dishes….

Happy Note: Sometime during the three-day feast, the Pilgrims joined in a dance, and sang the “23^rd Psalm” for their guests.  They shot off muskets!   In return, the Wampanoags performed some dances as well.  It must have been a merry celebration, —though somewhat strained —very like all our own preparations for sharing a special time for family and friends together today.  (And—we do not expect 90 Indians to show up either!)  

(Works consulted: On the Mayflower, by Kate Waters; Pilgrims and Puritans, 1620-76, Christopher and James Collier; Young People’s History of U.S., Howard Zinn; The First Thanksgiving Feast, by Joan Anderson; Googling “First Thanksgiving”.)

Notes from the Little Library...

Business has been so brisk, we have had to remove books from the library instead of adding them! Here are a few transactions that have taken place:

• Thanks for the book. Follow my insta....(and then her insta address)
• Left: Pillars of the Earth; Took: Beloved; From: Asheville. Thanks! D. Sawrel
• Gifted: The Outlander, Highly recommended for the average bookworm; Received: Scribbling the Cat. We are all made of stars - Gypsie Estrella with (heart) fellow humans. accompanied by my furry friend DP
• Gifted: The Aviator's Wife and Under the Wide and Starry Sky. Enjoy. Off to hike Chimney Rock
• Left: Futures End Comic; Taking: The Line of Beauty - Karma
• (someone from) Atlanta
• Hi. We're from Michigan! Thanks for the books.
• (someone from) Chimney Rock

 Neighborhood News

Sylvia Sane visited her son, Keith and his family in beautiful San Sebastian, Spain, from October 13-26.  On left, the crowded streets and above the calm of the water borders the bustling streets. Sylvia stepped out for a late lunch.

Jerry and Shirley Boone visited the Colorado Rockies, staying near Breckenridge for a week in late October. Shirley snapped this picture on right as they toured the area.

Below, Friends and family gathered to celebrate the 60th birthday of Don Aroyan. They enjoyed the community center and the grilling and picnic area by the stream.

And right here at home, Gloria Anders enjoys the Hickory Creek in her own back yard!