January - February 2017

Every night through December the new Christmas tree (gift from Gloria Anders, with help in the setting up from Lori Erskine) shined into the night sky greeting passersby on 74A.

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 send to editor Margaret Whitt at mwhitt@du.edu. Photographers this issue: Sylvia Sane, Margaret Whitt, Gloria Anders, and Becca Hathaway. 

Officers for 2016-2017: President Margaret Whitt; Vice President Lynn Morehead; Summer Secretary Lana Roberts; Winter Secretary Susie Bancer; Treasurer Sylvia Sane. Board members: Jean Bradley, Patty Tanner, Mac McAdams, Jim Earnhardt. Immediate Past President Jim Sane.

Calendar of Events

January 1, Sunday : Lake Lure New Year's Day Polar Plunge

Join us in all your New Year's Day Splendor in Lake Lure at the Lake Lure Inn & Spa Pool for a rambunctious time with a bunch of crazy dressed fun folks!

Registration: 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.; Cost: $20.00; Plunge Time: 12 Noon
Costume Contest - $100 1st place

January 17, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. Covered Dish Dinner. Program: Making Plans for 2017

January 21, Saturday 

Through a continuing sense of unity, several public and private organizations are coming together at Rumbling Bald Resort on Jan. 21^st to honor local fire departments for their role in battling the recent Party Rock Fire. 

The event, called the  Party Rock Fire Thank you Celebration & Fundraiser will also recognize several businesses, volunteers and others who went above and beyond in responding to the challenges of the 25+ day wildfire.

Following a Chili Cook-off by Lake Lure Classical Academy earlier in the day, the thank you celebration & fundraiser will begin at 5 p.m. Although space is limited, all are welcome to attend this free event, which will include a cocktail reception, heavy hors d'oeuvres, a time for special recognition, and some entertainment.

Donations are tax-deductible and should be made to the Hickory Nut Gorge Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization. There are three ways to give:

1. Directly at the Party Rock Fire Recovery Celebration at Rumbling Bald Resort on January 21.
2. Online, anytime the Hickory Nut Gorge Foundation's website at http://www.hngfoundation.org/lake-lure-firefighter-celebration.html
3. By mail to The Hickory Nut Gorge Foundation, PO Box 783, Lake Lure, NC 28746. 

February 21, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., Community Covered Dish Dinner. Program: TBA.

President's Note

A big thank you to the firefighters who gave so much of themselves in November at the fire that ravaged our vicinity. Thanks, too, for the community support in bringing in water and other needed supplies to support their efforts. (See below for a full report of the fire details from our Gerton VFD Chief, Jay Alley.) 

Another good year for UHNGCC as we received both county and regional cash awards. As we move forward in the new year, we will be looking to make more plans become reality. Join us at our January dinner and meeting as we establish priorities. We have a job for everyone interested in helping out. Though we do not yet know the date of the Sale on the Trail, come Spring we will once again be participating in that event. 

This is my second year as your president,and I take the job seriously and do so knowing that I have the support of a great board and others in the community that help out. We function as a team, which is what it takes, to get things done. The longest study of human happiness (conducted by Harvard researchers for the past 75 years) indicates that what matters most to people is relationships. People with good relationships with others live longer, happier, more satisfied lives. I think Gerton is the place to see that in action.

May it be a good 2017 for all of us. 

Margaret Whitt

Henderson County Development Council Awards

On November 3, UHNGCC hosted the annual awards ceremony for the county. Above, Marvin Owensby from the County Office gave a certificate and a check for $250  to officers Jim Sane, Sylvia Sane, Margaret Whitt, Jean Bradley, and Lynn Morehead.  We served bar-b-cue and beans while our two dozen guests from Crab Creek and Edneyville brought sides and desserts. 

WNCCommunities Holds 67th Annual Awards Luncheon

UHNGCC scores another Community of Promise designation and $1,000. Pictured above: Margaret Whitt, Sylvia Sane, Gloria Anders, Jean Bradley, and a representative from Harrah's Casino at Cherokee. 

Community centers and clubs across the NC mountain region voluntarily participate in the annual WNC Honors Awards by submitting application. The 64 communities involved in this year’s program represented a total of 5,375 volunteers with an impressive 158,000 hours in outreach programs dedicated to beautification, conservation, education, health and wellness, as well as collaborative efforts with government, extension, community colleges, nonprofits and businesses, all in service to rural communities.  In addition, the collective fundraising efforts of these communities brought in over $635,000 for everything from neighbor helping neighbor to after school programs, senior meal sites, farmland preservation, a tele-medicine clinic, and events highlighting our region’s great art, craft, and music traditions.

In the past six years, UHNGCC has won the top honor, Community of Distinction, four times: 2011, 2012, 2014, and 2015. We have taken second place, Community of Promise, two times: 2013 and this year, 2016. So, that means (in cash) a total of $10,000.  

Gerton Fire and Rescue: Updates for 2016   

From Jay Alley                                                  

                                                         

2016 has been a very busy year for us, but we were on track to respond to approximately 100 fires for the year. That all changed in November.  On November 8, we responded mutual aid to Chimney Rock and Lake Lure Fire Departments for a brush fire that would be called the Party Rock Fire. The fire started on November 5 and was an average brush fire until weather conditions and the fire morphed into something that would be later known as a west coast fire in the east. We responded to help with structural protection in the Rumbling Rock community as the fire was burning unchecked. We started on that Tuesday morning and kept an engine and crew there 24 hours a day until Thursday morning. We were able to bring our crews home for 24 hours. This was in preparation that the fire was headed into Henderson County and we needed to be home to help.

On Friday morning, November 11, we sent crews to the Bat Cave Fire Department to provide structural protection for Henderson County. Our crews spent the next 3 days cleaning out around structures in the Bat Cave area. We started what was a 24-hour a day tour until the next Friday. We sent 2 engines and crews of 4 down for the weekend to prepare the homes for the approaching fire.  These crews worked 12-hour shifts and at night we replaced them with 2-man crews. The fire began to approach Bat Cave on Monday night. This fire created its own winds and continuously jumped the established fire lines placed by the forest service. There were reports of 50-foot flames that were burning at times up to 25 feet per minute. Our crews were stationed at different homes throughout Bat Cave to protect those structures. The plan was to defend the homes as the fire approached with back fires and we would keep the fire off the houses. 

At the onset we had been warned that this fire could burn up to 10,000 acres and 50 structures. We were determined that we would save every structure if we could. I worked in the Bat Cave Branch command post. On the Wednesday night when the fire was supposed to overrun Chimney Rock Village, and us, we had crews ready and waited on the fire to come. All crews were able to stop the fire progress at each of the structures and the Village of Chimney Rock. The winds at this fire were very bad. There were times when we were in 40 MPH winds with gusts much higher. This made the job of protecting these homes even more difficult. The other objective was to stop this fire at Highway 9. If it had crossed, with the weather conditions as they were, we were not sure where we would stop it. Thankfully, the weather conditions improved, the wind slowed down for a few days, and we were able to stop its progression toward Gerton. On Friday morning, November 18, we were finally able to bring our entire crew home for some rest.  The next morning, we had to return as a strong front approached with 40 to 60 MPH winds with no rain. We again monitored the fire lines and structures through the next 48 hours to make sure that the fire did not jump any lines. On Sunday night we were able to bring our crews home for good from the Party Rock Fire.  We were thankful for no injuries and a little sleep. 

On that very night, we were dispatched to assist Fairview Fire Department with a heavily involved structure fire on Sharon Road. We provided manpower and tankers for them for most of that Sunday night. We spent the next week cleaning equipment and repairing and replacing equipment and supplies we had used during these fires.

Over the next two weeks we responded to four medical calls in our district.

On December 4 at 12:15, we were dispatched to the Grand Highlands clubhouse for a structure fire. Upon our arrival we found the structure to be fully involved from end to end and top to bottom. We called for and received mutual aid from Henderson and Buncombe Counties to control and eventually extinguish this fire. We released all of our mutual aid the next morning at 9 a.m. We continued to monitor and extinguish spot fires there until Wednesday of that week.  We had 20 fire departments including two ladder trucks and over 100 firefighters on scene at the peak of this fire. This fire was an example of how well departments from across our region can and do work together efficiently.

Finally, we received word on December 8, that we had received our rating as a fire department. Many of you know that back in September, we spent several days working with the Department of Insurance on evaluating our department for its ability to operate as a fire department. The rating system is a scale of 1 to 10. A Class 1 department is the best and a Class 10 is no fire protection available. Twelve years ago we were rated a Class 6. We were very proud of that. I am very excited to announce we are rated a Class 4 fire department. There are only 5000 Class 4 departments in the United States. The rating will not officially go into effect until April 1, 2017. After that insurance companies will be notified. If there are any additional savings to you on your homeowners insurance, it will be applied. Obtaining a Class 4 is rare for a fire department our size. I am proud of all of our firefighters for their hard work.

Lastly, I want to say Thank you to all of our residents for your response during the Party Rock Fire and support during this year. The donations, kind comments, food and prayers were appreciated more than any of you will ever know. It helped us to continue on when it seemed like none of this would ever end. Our firefighters are grateful for all of your support and we thank you. Please be safe and we look forward to an exciting 2017.  By the way, this was written on December 9 and we have responded to 122 calls. This has been our busiest year ever.

Thanksgiving Community Meal

Over 30 neighbors gathered on November 15 to eat a traditional Thanksgiving meal with turkey and dressing and all the extras. When it was time to share with those at our tables what we were most thankful for...people responded with many tributes to our firefighters, our community, our monthly meal together.

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The one item of business for the evening was to install the new officers for UHNGCC. Russell Anders performed the ritual ceremony as the officers passed the bell. 

From left: Mac McAdams, Lynn Morehead (behind Russell), Jean Bradley, Jim Earnhardt, Sylvia Sane, Margaret Whitt, and Jim Sane.

Christmas Greenery Work Day

The first Monday in December is our traditional day to gather at the center to celebrate the season with greens and red bows, hanging on each street sign that goes off 74 A through Gerton. This year we prepared over 40 hangings. Lori Erskine and Gloria Anders collected, sorted, and delivered to the clubhouse five different kinds of greens. They were all laid out and ready for assembly when workers arrived on December 5 at 10 a.m. Sylvia Sane, Margaret Whitt, Lori Erskine, Mary Kay McAdams, and Susie Bancer gathered, secured, and attached the red bows, which earlier Sylvia had spray painted those who looked a bit faded. Just when we thought we would run out of greens, Sarah Gayle arrived with a carload that was just what we needed. Mac McAdams made presentable the indoor tree that had some wear based on how we stored it a year ago! Anastasia Walsh along with Eva and Diego arrived in time to put up the garland and red bows on the outside poles. Jim Sane made three fresh wreaths for the center doors, while Mac McAdams worked on the timer for the new tree in the serving area. 

All enjoyed refreshments prepared by Gayle Morris and Sylvia Sane, while Jim Sane went to hang the greens. This year the post office got three (above)! Thanks to everyone who participated. Somehow our road just doesn't feel right until the greens go up!

Annual Christmas Party

On December 21, 34 of us gathered to celebrate the holiday with finger foods and presents for each other. Everyone brought a small gag or not-so-gag gift for the exchange. John Solomon once again became Santa Claus and handed everyone a gift. Once all the presents were opened, everyone had the opportunity to switch gifts with someone else. 

Here, Diego eyes the present he wants across the room, while his family looks on with amusement. (He got it!)

After singing some Christmas songs, we closed the evening with a lights-off singing of "Silent Night." And then we all made our way into the starry night to await the big day.

Neighborhood News

Billy Gaines had successful surgery on his knee in November.

J.D. Nappi sends thanks to the whole Gerton community for his Hot Dixie Dog business. He will be back come spring time and ready to fill your hot dog orders. 

Local kids prepare the blessing bags for use in the Christmas Eve service at Bearwallow Baptist Church.

November - December 2016

Astors in fall bloom on the edge of Chestnut Hills Pond. 

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 send to editor Margaret Whitt at mwhitt@du.edu. Photographers this issue: Sylvia Sane, Shirley Boone, Margaret Whitt, Dave MacDonald.

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.

Signs of fall adorn the clubhouse--colorful mums, corn stalks, pumpkins, gourds, hay bales, and some old short people we found inside in a bin! Thanks to Jean Bradley, Sylvia Sane, and Karl Bradley, who dropped off the hay bales. 

Calendar of Events

November 3, Thursday, 6:30 p.m. - Henderson County Development Council Annual Awards Dinner at UHNGCC. Bar-b-cue provided. Bring sides. 

November 8, Tuesday - Remember to vote (if you haven't already) Gerton's precinct is at Bat Cave Volunteer Fire Department. You do not need a photo ID to vote.

November 12, Saturday, noon. 67th WNC Honors Awards Program and lunch at the DoubleTree by Hilton in the Biltmore Village. UHNGCC will once again try to retain its title of Community of Distinction. 

November 15, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. Thanksgiving Community Dinner. Turkey and dressing provided. Bring Sides. 

November 24, Thursday - THANKSGIVING

December 5, Monday, 10 a.m. - Christmas Greenery Workshop. We will put together the wreaths for every road sign in Gerton and decorate the clubhouse with wreaths and put up the Christmas tree.

December 20, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. Christmas Holiday Party. Bring finger foods and an inexpensive present to swap. 

December 25, Sunday - CHRISTMAS

December 31, Saturday - NEW YEAR'S EVE

President's Note

We have had a beautiful fall here in the gorge. The middle week of October was especially colorful and the weather was near perfect. Hickory Nut Gorge Outreach hosted its fall arts and craft fair with over 50 artisans displaying their wares. While Gerton was its usual quiet self, tourists aplenty were populating Chimney Rock and Lake Lure. Maybe next year on that middle week of October we should consider hosting a Saturday night spaghetti and bingo event to show even more mountain hospitality to those who travel our scenic by-way. By then, our new neighbors, Glen and Anne, will have their 3 B's Inn up and running, which will bring tourists with their dogs to our area!

It has been a good year for UHNGCC, so at the October Board meeting, we voted to give our basket offering, which we have for years and years used to buy supplies for our dinners, to Hickory Nut Gorge Outreach for either food or their fuel fund to help our neighbors pay their bills to stay warm in the approaching cold days ahead. We collected $55 and wrote a check to the Outreach. In their recent newsletter, they thank UHNGCC for the over 400 pounds of food we have donated this year. We appear to be among their top givers, but the need doesn't ever become sated. People remain hungry and our work remains unfinished. Remember to bring canned goods for Outreach when you come for our monthly dinners.

The happiest of holiday seasons to all of you. I look forward to seeing you at our annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner. Turkey and dressing supplied; bring sides! In these times, we still have much for which to be thankful.

Margaret Whitt

GertonFest VIII

We held our annual event on Labor Day Saturday, September 3. Mel and Claudia Freeman began this celebration of small town life eight years ago--another summer when we had to skip our play. Since the first GertonFest, we have seen some events come and go--our Gerton 5K, our dog parade, our inflatables for kids, but other events have remained -- our community pancake and sausage breakfast, our silent auction, our home baked goods sale, music, and our Bar-B-Que. We still hold the team spelling bee, but it has never found a growing fan base; on the other hand, our trivia bowl seems to grow each year. This year, we even tried a jig saw puzzle "race," an event in which several people on one 750-piece puzzle could not complete in three hours. Live and learn! Maybe next year...

Community Breakfast 
Thanks to Syble Freeman, Mac McAdams, Ted Roberts, Joan Erskine, and Sylvia Sane, who shopped, cooked, and served our breakfast. We served 61 people and earned $245.

Baked Goods

Thanks to Jean Bradley and Patty Tanner for coordinating the event. Thirty-five people stepped forward and said yes to making cakes, candy, brownies, pralines, cookies, pies, and breads. Here are those wonderful bakers: Shirley Boone, Lana Roberts, Jane Lawson, Sarah Gayle, Becca Hathaway, Susie Bancer, Jami Linn, Meg Mumpower, Jack Mumpower, Pat Davis, Helen Brown, Ruth Hudson, Ruth Ann Nappi, Margaret Whitt, Jean Bradley, Patty Tanner, Virginia McGuffey, Joan Erskine, Sylvia Sane, Anastasia Walsh, Anne Bourne, Susan McMurray, Toni Eastman, Lois Simpson, Francis Scoggins, Mary Kay McAdams, Bonnie Moore, Gayle Morris, Marianne Adoryan, Roberta Pope, Melissa Grindle, Karen Bradley, Syble Freeman, Toni Barkett, and Donna Watkins. The bake sale made $426. Every single item sold--down to the last crumb of cookie! Another $31 came from cokes and candy (store bought!).

Silent Auction

With thanks to our collectors Lana Roberts (Hendersonville), Jim Earnhardt (Chimney Rock and Lake Lure), Sylvia Sane and Margaret Whitt (Fairview and Asheville). The following 29 merchants supported us; we hope you will frequent their businesses:

Lake Lure Tours, La Strada, Sonic, Mast General Store, Angelo's, Silas's Produce, A Day in the Country, Burntshirt Vineyards, Esmeralda Inn and Restaurant, Appalachian Tropicals, Mojo's, Local Joint, Lyda Farms, Village Greeen Antique Emporium, Ace Hardware, Hot Dog King, Fireside Restaurant, Flat Rock Playhouse, Food Lion, Hamlin Ceramics, Medina's Village Bistro, Lake Lure Inn and Spa, J and S Cafeteria, Ruth and Ranshaw Homemade Desserts, Lowe's, Fresh Market, Nachos and Beer, Hilltop Ice Cream. 

We made $939 on the bid items. 

Spelling Bee

We were down to two teams this year: Lana Roberts and Jim Earnhardt were able to move to victory. They returned their cash prize to the club, so our take from the bee was $60.

Jig Saw Puzzle Race and Trivia Bowl

In our initial race, we discovered that even with multiple people trying to put together a 750-piece puzzle of comic chickens, we were able to get no more than 200 pieces into their correct places within 3 hours. Danya Salos took the puzzle home to complete in her leisure time!
Jim Sane led the Trivia Bowl and we had at least three teams: Ted and Lana Roberts were this year's winners.

Music and Bar-B-Cue

Bob Stepp and friends once again provided music from 5 - 6 p.m. It is always wonderful to hear them pick and sing! 

As is our tradition, Billy Gaines was the top chef for our BBQ -- Chicken and Pork -- with beans, slaw, rolls, and banana pudding dinner. He had good help from Ted Roberts, Syble Freeman, Sylvia Sane, Jim Sane, Lynn Morehead, Jean Bradley, Joan Erskine, and David Scoggins. And thanks to Shirley Boone for providing the centerpieces for the tables. We made $639 on the dinner.

Jim Sane went to the Creekside Camp Ground in Bat Cave and invited campers to join us for dinner. Above, we had ten Marines on pass from the N. C. coast. When they came in the door, a decision was made to let them be our guests. Quietly, several members of our community slipped us money to cover the cost of their meals. What a great community who watches out for the young who are choosing to serve their country through the military. By the smiles on their faces (above), it is clear they are enjoying the meal.

Our total take from GertonFest VIII was $2,340. Another wonderful success. Thanks to all who participated. Until next year....

Some masterful engineering at the new bridge in Gerton. The next picture will be of the completed bridge!

Fair Booth, First Place

Henderson County Development Council took first place in our category at this year's state fair held in Asheville in the last days of August. The Blue Ribbon has been placed on the Upper Hickory Nut Gorge Community sign. As the only Community of Distinction in the county, we are also honored with the biggest picture of our clubhouse and a number of local dwellers who turned out for the picture. Thanks to the the hard workers from Edneyville who took responsibility for putting the booth together this year. 

September Program

Kehren Barbour, Gerton artist of the Post Piano Project, was the speaker at the monthly gathering of 42 on September 20. Kehren gave a brief history of her work with 38 "decomissioned" pianos, which she is re-purposing from their parts for a second life. The Gerton studio is also called the Aeolian Harp Research Station. When the wind blows, the sounds that come from this studio send nature's melodies into the air. Kehren has welcomed us for a tour of her studio in April, perhaps, so that we might enjoy the sound of nature at a time of year when the wind blows so freely. Further details will be announced in the spring. (See the ECHO, September-October 2016, for a fuller description of Kehren's art.)

Blue Ridge Community College 

Henderson County History Class

Once again, Jenny Giles Jones's Henderson County history class paid a visit to UHNGCC on Saturday, October 8. About 20 students, who are interested in learning more about the county they call home, had lunch in our building, where they were served hot coffee by Sylvia Sane. Sylvia answered their questions about this part of the county and the gorge before they left for a tour of Sherrill's Inn. They also took a tour of our clubhouse and checked out our new kitchen. Jenny reports that her classes always love coming to UHNGCC---and we enjoy their interest in us!

October Program 

Jami Linn, neighbor and oncology nurse, gave an important program at our October 18 meeting and dinner. She spoke on five important questions to ask the doctor if we or someone we love gets a cancer diagnosis:

1. I know that cancer is generally treated by using surgery, systemic therapy, and radiation (local) therapy. What are the treatment options for me? 

2. Would you recommend a second opinion consultation? Is there a multidisciplinary clinic for my type of cancer and can you help me facilitate this?

3. Is there a Nurse Navigator available for me to help with the next step?

4. Is there a clinical trial available?

5. What can I do right now to help myself while waiting for next steps?

a) Do I need to make dietary changes?

b) How active can I be?

c) What can or should I do at home to improve my safety while I remain active? (Exercise, planning to have bed/bathroom facilities on one floor?)

d) Medication changes or additions?

Questions from the floor concerned the Nurse Navigator, a term many had not heard of before. This is the person on staff that is assigned to the cancer patient and walks through the process with the patient, acting as an advocate. Jami has served in this role many times in her past. 

Her handout included information on local and regional cancer resources. We have some handouts at the clubhouse. If you would like one, just ask. Or have Jami send you one by email: jami.a.linn@gmail.com

The October turnout was 40 with delicious and plentiful food for all. The new owners of The 3 B's Inn, Glen Gilmore and Anne Mitchell, were present. Look for a program about their new business in the future.

New Gerton Post Office Clerk

Russell Anders, our man at the Gerton Post Office

Russell Anders was born and reared in Michigan. He has two associate degrees in Business Administration. He joined the army in January 1974 and retired in February of 1994. He has lived in North Carolina for the past 22 years, and in Gerton for the last four years. Married for 17 years to Gloria Black Anders, he and Gloria together have six children and nine grandchildren, with another on the way in April of the coming year.

He attends the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration in Bat Cave where he sings in the choir. Russell enjoys his family and playing golf. But his new interest: the intricacies of his days in the Gerton Post Office!

Places to Visit (if you haven't already!)

Ben Long's Fresco Trail includes nine frescoes at six locations. Names and locations are listed below. Each stop has different hours and each has a website. Best to check the website on google to find out hours for visiting. 

1. St. Mary's Episcopal Church

West Jefferson, NC  28694

       Mary Great with Child (completed in 1974)

       John the Baptist (completed in 1976)

       The Mystery of Faith (completed in 1977)

2. Holy Trinity Episcopal Church

Glendale Springs, NC  28629

       Last Supper (completed in 1980)

3. Chapel of the Prodigal, Montreat College

Montreat, NC  28757

      Return of the Prodigal

4. City of Morganton Municipal Auditorium

Morganton, NC  28655

      Sacred Dance and the Muses

5. Crossnore School

E.H. Sloop Chapel

Crossnore, NC  28616

     Suffer the Little Children

6 .St. Paul's Episcopal Church

Wilkesboro, NC

     St. Paul's Conversion

     St. Paul Writing His Epistles

From an article by Julie Farthing in Carolina Mountain Life (Autumn 2016): "The ancient art of fresco painting is the combination of sand, water, and pigment to form the images the artist sees through his hands. Because the mixed pigments are absorbed by the plaster, the paintings actually become part of the wall. Long speaks of the wall as the true interpreter of what the painting will reveal, and he has learned to read the wall."

Neighborhood News

Gene Earnhardt had successful hip replacement surgery on October 4.

Jim Earnhardt had successful knee replacement surgery on October 24.

David Earnhardt had successful triple by-pass heart operation and is doing well.

Jim and Sylvia Sane have returned from a two-week trip to the American West--visiting friends in Arizona and traveling into Colorado for some special sights of nature's wonders.

Among their stops, the Sanes visited the Canyonlands in Utah.

September - October 2016

July 4 Celebration

Over 100 neighbors with family and friends gathered at the clubhouse at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, July 4, for our annual celebration. We first had burgers and dogs from the grill with all the possibilities of adornment -- mustard, pickles, ketchup, cheese, onions, cucumbers. Thanks to Jim Sane for being our grill master. Everyone brought a side, so when the meat ran out--and, for the first time ever, we ran out of burgers and dogs before we ran out of people to serve, but we had baked beans, corn, slaw, watermelon, cataloupe, and cakes, cookies, and pies aplenty. Every seat was filled, and we spilled out to the patio with our seasonal umbrellas on each picnic table. We also had kids who quickly bonded and ran from the commons area on Chestnut Hills to the clubhouse and back again. 

Barbara Earnhardt offered an invocation about the importance of taking care of the place we live. It is attached here -- in case you missed it:
To the Holy Spirit of these Mountains and of our World,
We come together, under this sky and on these 450 million-year-old rocks,
To pay tribute to a way of life made possible
 By the clear water that somehow miraculously keeps flowing 
Down this mountain into our houses.        

May we be reminded today, if we have not thought of this before
That many generations before us kept careful watch
Over these resources,
That it has been their sometimes painstaking stewardship
Of gentle souls of women and men that makes it possible
For us to live here. 

May what we say and do here honor their spirits, this sky,
These rocks, this water.

And may the Holy Spirit of the Creator be well pleased, and say
“Good job!”   

We played BINGO until dark-- and winners got to choose a big candy bar. On the back, covered over with duct tape was an amount of money from $5 to $2 to golden $1 coins to 50 cents all the way down to 5 cents! 

And finally, when the evening pushed near to 9 p.m. and all the candy was claimed. We headed outside for our fireworks extravaganza. Thanks to Jason Moore, who once again, organized the show, which lasted until about 10 p.m. People came and went and came back again. And we look forward to seeing everyone same time next year. Gerton really understands community--and our July 4 evening is a declaration of it!

Bonnie Moore and family enjoy July 4 dinner on the patio before Bingo began.

Neighbors get re-acquainted at our cook-out.

Only one way to watch the fireworks on July 4.

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 send to editor Margaret Whitt at mwhitt@du.edu. Photographers this issue: Sylvia Sane, Shirley Boone, Faith Roberts, Ben French, Sam Earnhardt, Gloria Anders, Karen Hudson-Brown.

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.

Calendar of Events

September 3, Saturday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. GERTONFEST VIII. EVENTS:
8 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Community Breakfast - pancakes and sausage. $4 adult; $3 under 12
8 a.m.  until all sold - Homemade Baked Goods - cakes, pies, candy, brownies, cookies
8 a.m. - Silent Auction Begins; Prizes awarded at 6 p.m.

1 p.m. - Jig Saw Puzzle Races
1 p.m. - Trivia Bowl

3 p.m. - Team Spelling Bee (1 to 4 people on a team) $10 to enter; winner takes $50

5 p.m. - 6 p.m. - Bob Stepp and Friends (Live Music)

5:30 p.m. - BBQ Pork and Chicken. Eat in or Take out; $8 adult; $6 under 12

September 20, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. Community Covered Dish. Program: Kehren Barbour. (see related story below)

October 18, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. Community Covered Dish. Program: Jami Linn: What to do if you have a cancer diagnosis

President's Note

We missed having our annual play this summer, but we hope the event will return next summer, last weekend in July, as is our tradition. We were able to host a delightful evening in August with Becky and Pat Stone telling stories and singing (see story below). 

Our biggest fundraiser of the year: GertonFest VIII will be help Labor Day weekend, September 3. We hope you will turn out for a day of activities that celebrates small town living. From breakfast to dinner, something will be going on in the clubhouse. Make plans to drop by for an event or two--or plan to spend the day.

A call went out to bring school supplies and that you did! We were able to give over 100 pounds of supplies to the Hickory Nut Outreach for them to pass along to those who can use the help. As all of us are aware, these supplies do cost and when more than one child is in the family, the task can become a burden. It is easy when we come together to help each other. We have had a good year of giving food to the food bank as well. When you come to our monthly dinners, remember to bring a few items for our neighbors who might eat better because they had a helping hand.

I look forward to seeing you soon at GertonFest VIII. And thanks for always saying YES to our collective activities.

Margaret Whitt

Summer Litter Sweep

Early on the morning of Tuesday, July 5, eleven people showed up to pick up trash from the county line toward Asheville all the way to the campground close to Bat Cave. Gloria Anders was the organizing force, coordinated with the Department of Transportation and the Adopt-a-Highway program, and made calls for volunteers. Jim Sane arrived early and put out the new signs we have that say  "Litter Sweep in Progress." We have enough orange vests for all who want to help--and we had plenty of orange bags and blue bags for trash that can be recycled. Those who helped with the task included Jim Sane, Billy Gaines, Jean Bradley, J.W Davis, Sylvia Sane, Karl Bradley, Gayle Morris, Gloria Anders, Margaret Whitt, Stan Mobley, and Mike Hamlin. Lana Roberts and David Scoggins also showed up to help, not being aware that we had made a change in the posted time.

Our total count was 9 orange bags and 9 blue bags, one fancy hub cap. The trash included the usual number of beer and soda pop cans--and a good number of cigarette detritus -- butts, empty packs, and other wrappings. The DOT comes by and picks up the results and the bags are taken to wherever it is our roadside trash goes! Thanks to all those who helped. Many hands make fairly quick work!

Some of the volunteer team stand with the collected bags: from left: Billy Gaines, Jim Sane, Margaret Whitt, Gloria Anders, Gayle Morris, and Dave Scoggins

Follow-up on Speed Limit in Gerton: Letter from Major Frank Stout to Henderson Country Sheriff

Sheriff,

I wanted to give you some follow-up information concerning my outreach to Mr. Scott Cook, District Engineer of Traffic for Division 14 (NCDOT) out of Sylva, NC. Scott called me today and relayed the following information.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation conducted a traffic count on the US 74 in the Gerton community of Henderson County from 29 June 2016 through 6 July 2016.

The average daily traffic count during this period was 2,200 to 2,300 vehicles at two different locations where traffic was monitored and speeds measured. The total volume of traffic measured for this time period was approximately 15,500 vehicles. Their traffic study showed that the traffic in the 35 mile per hour posted speed zone averaged approximately 33 miles per hour.  This speed limit is in a more curvy section of the highway. The other location that was monitored was in a 40 mile per hour speed zone near the Fire Department in Gerton and the average speed of traffic in that area was 48 miles per hour. There is an 8/10 of a mile section of this roadway that has a 40 miles per hour posted speed limit. It does include the straightaway in front of the fire department.

Mr. Cook informed me the North Carolina Department of Transportation, based upon this information, will be reducing the speed limit in that area to 35 miles per hour. This will be consistent with the 35 mile per hour speed limit already in place in Buncombe County and will be consistent with their desire to respond to the citizen’s request for a reduction in speed through their affected area based upon the collected data. Mr. Cook personally oversaw the traffic monitoring and told me that it will take a short period of time before the new ordinance for a highway speed limit change can be brought before the governing board but the wheels are in motion for a reduction in the speed limit in the Gerton area.

Respectfully,

Frank

  

Major Frank T. Stout

Support Services/PIO

Henderson County Sheriff's Office

The view from the top of Bearwallow Mountain.

July Program

After 45 neighbors gathered for a bountiful feast on July 19, we played a game called "Connections." Here are some of the things we learned about each other:

• Ted Roberts and Dave Scoggins both served in Vietnam
• Virginia McGuffey and Jean Bradley have both traveled to the Holy Land.
• Danya Salos traveled with her high school volleyball team from East Asheville to Mississippi for the regional tournament--only to be beat by Fairview!
• Geneva Matteis has traveled to Aukland, New Zealand
• Addie Grindle is capable of folding her ear lobe into her ear! (this from secret talents)

In response to the question: If you did not have to consider your neighbors, what color would you paint your house? For obvious reasons, we won't name them, but the most popular color was Purple, followed by Red. 

Because of a motorcycle accident on Saturday, July 23, the helicopter was called to take the wounded to the hospital. We are fortunate to have the helipad, but sorry we sometimes have a need to use it!

A request went out to bring school supplies to our August meeting -- and that request was answered in plenty! UHNGCC took 117 pounds of school supplies to the Hickory Nut Outreach for their dissemination. This reporting of pounds includes a lot of crayons, pencils, backpacks, paper, pens, glue sticks, etc. Thanks to all who read the e-mail and showed up with school supplies.
And we took another almost 50 pounds of food! Remember to bring food for the gorge food bank to every dinner we have together!

August Program

Peter Barr of Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy (CMLC) spoke on the Upper Hickory Nut Trail System, after 53 neighbors enjoyed another good meal. In the past two decades, the CMLC has become responsible for an additional 30,000 acres of land. Trails have been completed in the Florence Nature Preserve (former Gerton neighbors who gave 600 acres of their land), up Bearwallow Mountain, and Little Bearwallow Mountain along the Tennessee Ridge (another name for the Continental Divide). Future trails will include at least three more routes, connecting a number of the now existing trails together.

Peter spoke about a plan to get a new trailhead and parking spaces available at Bearwallow Mountain, and he also provided an opportunity to sign up to help build the trails. Check their web site for further information and maps of what is going on: www.carolinamountain.org

Stones Entertain

Southern Tales and Tunes

Becky and Pat Stone came to UHNGCC on the night of Saturday, August 20, for an evening of story and song. Becky's stories were from the stockpile of Joel Chandler Harris; she selected several Br'er Rabbit tales that depicted him outsmarting his fellow creatures. Pat told several Jack tales, once again about how the lesser fellow in the mix outsmarts those with seemingly more power. The most stirring tale was one from Becky about the flood of 1916, focusing on a tree that proved to be the life saver of one woman who clung to it for more than eight hours. The maple tree still stands tall on the Biltmore Estate. Both Becky and Pat sang, accompanying themselves on the mandola and the guitar (as seen below). 

All who made it to the clubhouse enjoyed the evening.

September Program

Kehren Barbour will be our presenter at dinner on September 20. Below is an article about Kehren's art. Perhaps many/all of you have noticed the pianos that line the roadside just south of the community club. The article will help to explain what the pianos are doing there and will prepare you to enjoy Kehren's presentation to us.

Recompositions

by Joanne O'Sullivan        Reprinted from WNC Magazine

By the time a piano is played for the first time, hundreds of hours have gone into its construction by skilled artisans. If it is well-loved, the musicians who coax music from it will spend hundreds—if not thousands—of hours lingering over the keys, getting to know its particular qualities. But when the instrument is broken or damaged beyond repair, what happens to this object that has had such a storied life? Asheville artists Kehren Barbour and Michael Luchtan are creating new compositions with retired, abandoned pianos in their Gerton studio.

A painter with a professional background in set design, Barbour says she found herself asking big questions about the impact of human actions and consumerism on the environment. She moved from San Francisco to Boone to pursue a masters degree in sustainable development and Appalachian studies at Appalachian State University, moving to Asheville in 2013 and meeting her husband Michael Luchtan, a mathematician, composer, and music teacher. A friend who knew of their interests connected them with their first retired piano, which they decided to use as a material for exploring the idea of sustainability through art and music, and the Post Piano Project was born. The couple rented a former produce stand on Highway 74 in Henderson County to use as a workshop, dubbing it the Aeolian Harp Research Station. There, alongside the music of the creek and the sweep of the wind through Hickory Nut Gorge, the two create works of art with instruments that were destined for landfills.

When they receive a decommissioned piano (they’ve gotten donations from Piano Emporium of Weaverville and other sources), “We  document the piano and record what will be its last tune,” Barbour explains. “Sometimes somber, sometimes up-beat, we record a song as an act of requiem for the piano and its played life, and for the blessings of the artworks that will come from it.”
Then, a lengthy deconstruction process begins by weathering the instruments outside. “Glues that are used to hold a piano together are of a very high quality, and harnessing the forces of nature can be most efficient way to disassemble some of the pieces,” Barbour says, and it can take more than a year of weathering to prep a piano for “harvesting” its parts.

Once a piano is disassembled, Barbour uses each of the elements in different ways. The assemblages of her Tone Poems series (named after Strauss’ tone poems) are three-dimensional works consisting of anything from the wooden part of a piano body to the hammers that strike the inner cords when a key is played. Her collages are three-dimensional, too, but are composed of strips of veneer harvested from the decaying pianos. Weathering gives each strip distinctive tones and textures. While these two types of work are meant to become part of an art or music lover’s personal collection, Barbour’s installation pieces (she’s created four so far) invite interaction.

“The piano has so many voices—it exists in the realm of the fine and the folk, a place of fusion where its tone is an interpretation of the person playing it,” Barbour says. “I appreciate its versatility and I strive for something similar in my works.”

At the 2014 and 2015 ReHappening events paying homage to Black Mountain College, Barbour and Luchtan set up several of their installation pieces in the room where John Cage had worked on his famed composition 4'33". Consisting of the harps and soundboards from salvaged pianos, these new instruments collect vibrations from their environment by being played or even interacting with the wind.

So far, Barbour and Luchtan have dissembled 37 pianos, removing 20,000 pounds of materials from the waste steam and turning them into art. Equally important, Barbour says, are the conversations the artists have had as a result of the project—about music, art, and the way they can impact our overburdened planet.

On a summer afternoon amidst a crop in Edneyville, surprises await!

Notes from Our Little Free Library

from April 2016 - Brought my mom to Chimney Rock for her 51st Birthday. Have seen these little libraries online. This is the first one I have seen in person!        Dallas, NC

from June 2016 - We love books -- thanks for this lovely surprise. On vacation five hours from home.

                                                                                                      Smithfield, NC

from June 2016 - with love from Mississippi

I never believed that I would ever see such a wonderful thing like this in person. I'm so thankful and delighted I got to.                                                                        St. Petersburg, FL

from July 2016 - Love the Little Free Library. I'm from Dallas, NC and I'm a Book Lover. Tried using a Kindle but nothing compares to holding a Book and reading. Thanks for sharing. 

from July 2016 - Looking for a book by the fire tonight. Thanks.

                                                                                                       Rock Hill, SC

from Winter Park, FL. Staying on Chestnut Hill.

from August, 2016 - I just moved to Asheville from Connecticut. This is the second LFL I've seen. Add some poetry?

Neighborhood News

Jim Sane with actor Graham McTavish, who plays Dougal MacKenzie on the Outlander television show, share a moment at the Highlander Games in July at Grandfather's Mountain.

John and Lisa Earnhardt, atop Bearwallow Mountain, recently visited John's parents, Barbara and Gene Earnhardt

Karen Hudson-Brown takes a bow after her recent clavichord concert in Oregon. Here is hoping the crowd enjoyed her performance as much as we did here in Gerton! Among her audience was the man who built her clavichord. All seems to be going well for our former Gerton neighbor.

July - August 2016

The only helipad in the Hickory Nut Gorge was without its sign until the middle of May. Thanks to Jim Sane for re-painting and re-building the sign and to Jim and John Hathaway for returning it to the ground. Beyond the sign, the helipad can be seen --a black square, large and flat enough for a helicopter to land. This spot can be life-saving in a medical emergency.

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 send to editor Margaret Whitt at mwhitt@du.edu. Photographers this issue: Margaret Whitt, Sylvia Sane, Shirley Boone, Lana Roberts.

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.

Calendar of Events

July 3, FIREWORKS at Lake Lure

July 4, Monday, 6:30 p.m. Bring sides. Community cook out, Bingo, and FIREWORKS here in Gerton.

July 5, Tuesday, Community Litter Sweep. Meet at UHNGCC at 10 a.m. to help pick up the trash along 74A.

July 19, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. - Community Covered Dish Dinner. Program: TBA

July 29 and 30 - Summer Play CANCELLED.

August 16, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. Community Covered Dish Dinner. Program: Peter Barr of Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy on Upper Hickory Nut Trail System.

August 20, Saturday, 7 p.m. - An Evening of Southern Tales and Tunes presented by Becky and Pat Stone.Tickets $5 at the door or $10 per family; tickets may be purchased at July or August dinners.  Suitable for the whole family.

September 3, Saturday - GERTONFEST VIII - Events all day long. Beginning with Community breakfast, silent auction, team spelling bee, trivia bowl, and bar-b-cue and music in the evening. 

 Community Events: Not to be Missed!

July 4 - 6:30 p.m. We will begin the community event with a cook out of hot dogs and burgers, which will be followed by BINGO until dark. Close to 9 p.m., we will go outside for our annual GERTON FIREWORKS DISPLAY. Come for all or part of the evening! Bring your out-of-town guests, your kids, and grandkids. Entertainment and food suitable for all. Bring a side to go with the dogs and burgers, which will be provided. Bring a camp chair to sit outside to watch the fireworks.

July 29 and 30 - 8 p.m. The annual summer play this year has been CANCELLED, but we will still have a special event. (see below)

August 20, Saturday - 7-8:30 p.m. The Stones are well-known storytellers. Becky has provided programs all over western North Carolina. She has frequently appeared at the Fairview Public Library and at many local camps as a storyteller. Pat, who edits the award-winning Green Prints magazine, plays a number of instruments and sings. Both have appeared in years past for programs at the UHNGCC. This promises to be a fun evening--suitable for the very young to the very old--and all in between. Purchase your tickets at the July or August dinner or contact someone on the board. Tickets may also be purchased at the door on the night of the event---Saturday, August 20. $5 per individual or $10 per family.

President's Note

Ah----summer in the gorge. Just as when we were all young, summer seems to sneak up on us and then be gone just as we are getting ready to relax. The nights have been cool, even though some of our recent days have been hot and dry. Then we have a break, even if just for a short while, when the sky promises more rain than it plans to deliver. But we love to have our company come and visit and then we love to enjoy the peace after they leave. We need both--the crowds/noise/fellowship and the calm/quiet. Welcome to summer.

We had an extremely fruitful work/clean up time in late May, and for the first time we have a completely new facelift on our sign--last refurbished in the fall of 1988. Thanks to Jim Sane for all the time he invested in the sign. Thanks to Jim, too, for making sure our flags were up before Memorial Day. They will stay in place through Labor Day.

Please make plans to join neighbors for our annual July 4 celebration, beginning at 6:30 on Monday, July 4. AND then plan to return for our special evening with the Stones on August 20 (see above). The play had to be cancelled this year, but we look forward to what may be in store for us in the summer of 2017. 

We have some issues of concern under our clubhouse, but we are in the process of getting bids to repair what needs to be done. A full accounting will be forthcoming. Meanwhile, enjoy these days of family visits, hikes, swims, and leisure time. I will look forward to our time together in the community.

Margaret Whitt

May Program

Thirty-six neighbors came together on May 17 for good talk...

good food (and plenty of homemade desserts), before listening to a program from Ken Abbott,

photographer of Sherrill's Inn, home of John and Annie Ager. A year ago, Ken came for a program about his project, but we could not get our projector to work. Now, with the new smart television in place, we were able to see many images from his completed book Useful Work. Especially interesting was the hooked arm of the housekeeper paired with the hooked arm of the sterling silver pitcher, a 100+ year old wedding gift for Annie's grandparents, now used to bring spring water into the house. This photograph of silver pitcher beside glasses at the kitchen sink is now owned by the Museum of Modern Art in NYC. After the program, Ken (below) signed books for those who wanted their own copies. The book chronicles a life lived today in the midst of history and ancestry.

Spring Work Days

The tasks were three: 1) give the serving area a thorough cleaning; 2) re-paint the sign outside the clubhouse; 3) get started sorting out the information/pictures/documents for our history wall. But here is what really happened:

On the first day, May 18, Jim Sane and Mac McAdams got started scraping the sign and removing the white paint from the words "Upper Hickory Nut Gorge Community Center." Later Jerry Boone came down and helped, while Mac moved inside to clean up the rear closet in the back of the dining area. Sylvia Sane, Syble Freeman, Margaret Whitt, Sarah Gayle, and Shirley Boone started on sweeping, vacuuming, and mopping of the service area. But where to put all the stuff that was lingering in the service area? Mac finished the front closet and came back to tackle the storage closet. Sarah and Sylvia moved into the library and gave that floor a much needed cleaning. We took out the old lumber and lumber scraps; we removed the old unused computer and computer table. We made a pile of old broken tables and old way-too heavy tables (that have now been replaced by our new white lighter tables) and about a dozen old metal folding chairs. We called Habitat for Humanity to come take away our useful items, but they declined---saying Gerton too far away and our stuff not worth their time. Neither Hendersonville nor Asheville wanted our things. We will load them up and take them to Goodwill. In sum, a plan to clean ONLY the service area, turned into a thorough cleaning and re-organizing of two storage closets, one library, one dining area, and two bathrooms.

On the second day of spring cleaning, May 19, Sylvia Sane, Jean Bradley, and Susie Bancer showed up to work in the library and also to re-organize and attractively label all the drawers in the kitchen. Now, finally, it will be easier to find something without opening every drawer! These labels will also be a help to those who rent from us.

Finally, on the third day, May 20, Shirley Boone returned to finish the mopping and the cleaning of the bathrooms. Mac McAdams came back to finish the storage closet--making sure we could easily access what we need for the play and to make sure that nothing fell on top of anybody. More old lumber pieces were removed, so that they may have a second life in the dump! Margaret Whitt returned to continue going through several plastic bags of old papers -- tossing duplicate old ECHOES. Thanks to the good work of Jean Bradley and Virginia McGuffey a few years back, we have every ECHO organized and placed in a folder from 1967 through 1994. We know the whereabouts of the Echoes of the next decade, and will complete our file with current Echoes of the last several years. There is more work to do as we go through old newspapers and pictures--to figure out how to tell our story in an interesting manner and display.
In all, ten people showed up to help over the three days. What a great community effort!

Jim Sane puts the finishing touches on the completely re-surfaced, freshly painted, like-new sign. The last time the sign was replaced occurred in 1988! We should be good for another 30 years!

Saturday Early Evening Motorcycle "Incident"

Sometime in the late afternoon/early evening of Saturday, May 21, a person on a motorcycle spun out of control just across the street from the UHNGCC. The circular marks in the grass and the shattered pieces left for somebody else to clean up remained in the grass through the following week. An eye witness to the event reported that the person driving the cycle was able to get up and limp off from the site. In all likelihood, the incident was not done purposely; a higher speed than the posted 40 MPH was likely the reason that the incident occurred. As summer is upon us, if you see someone driving irresponsibly, please report to the Henderson County Sheriff Department.

The circular cut in the grass (one of several) just before the pieces of the cycle (above) suggests an unsuccessful attempt to get the cycle in control. Alas! This was not to be!

June Program

Henderson County Sheriff Charles McDonald and Allison Nock, Community Relations Media Specialist, presented the program on June 21.  Initially, Sheriff McDonald addressed the Strategic Plan of the Sheriff's Department (i.e., use of financial resources, reduction  of crime in Henderson County, Mission to provide high quality service to citizens of Henderson County).  Then, with the aid of handouts, he discussed crime statistics in Henderson County.  The focus of this discussion was highlighting the reduction of breaking and entering, number of extra security checks in Bat Cave and Gerton (these are responses to citizens calls).

The Q & A consisted of a wide range of topics.  Speeding/motorcycles in Gerton, leash law, speed limit in Gerton. Within a few days after the meeting, Allison Nock sent a letter to the club answering questions that had come up. Here is what she had to say:

Henderson County Communications Director had the following answers regarding Text to 911:

“It is possible that when the folks in Bat Cave and Gerton attempt to text to 911 it will go to Buncombe County.  It just depends on which cell tower the text is routed through.  If they try to text and it goes to Buncombe they will get a bounce back message that says text to 911 is not available-please call 911.  When Buncombe starts utilizing text to 911, they may be able to transfer the text to us--it just depends on their set-up.  At the very least, Buncombe would just relay the information to us.”

So – if residents’ texts are sent to Buncombe they will get a bounce back message until they are able to accept texts.  If any of your residents are concerned about this and would like to set up a test text message to find out where their text would go, they can email me at anock@hendersoncountync.org or call me at 694-3137 and I can put them in contact with our Communications Director to set up the test.

 A lady asked me about leash laws following the meeting.  The leash law in Henderson County says that if a dog leaves their owner’s property they must be on a physical leash.  Owners in Henderson County can employ a variety of techniques (tether, run, fence, etc.) to ensure their animals stay on their property.  Our AE deputies recommend that if a resident consistently sees a dog running freely (not on a leash) onto their property, they should take photos so that there is a date and time associated with the issue.  Typically, the first time a deputy comes out, owners are issued a warning, but eventually citations can be issued.  The photos provide evidence that can assist the deputies in building a case and issuing citations.

About 50 people enjoyed dinner together before the program, making June our largest turnout of the year. Eva and Diego played two songs on their violins to begin the evening. 

Neighborhood News

Adelaide Grindle, graduates from North Henderson High School this June. On May 17, at an all-county awards ceremony and reception for Career and Technical Education Scholars, held at the Technology Education and Development Center at Blue Ridge Community College, Addie was one of 23 seniors from North Henderson awarded a certificate and honor cord, which she will wear at the graduation ceremony. Well done, Addie! Addie is the daughter of Lissa Grindle and the granddaughter of Jim and Sylvia Sane. Addie is the winner of this year's UHNGCC Scholarship Award.

Three generations--mom Lissa, honor grad Addie, and standing, grandmother Sylvia. Photo taken at Lake Lure for Outreach Fundraiser in late April.

Bearwallow Baptist honored Gerton's high school graduates on Sunday morning, June 4. From left:
FreddieAnn Nappi, Kyle Stone, Addie Grindle, and Jacob Lyda.
In the fall, FreddieAnn will be taking a semester off school and has accepted a temporary leadership position with her church's youth group. She will then be applying to University of the Nations, which is a Christian college that focuses on training people to go into the mission field in whatever degree they have chosen. It is located in Kona, Hawaii.  By next spring, she will be beginning Discipleship training school and then continuing with a major in Communications with a focus in Photo Journalism.  Kyle has plans to pursue the world of work. Addie will begin classes at Isothermal Community College to pursue a career as a big animal vet tech. Jacob will begin classes at Blue Ridge Community College to study auto mechanics. Congratulations to all four of our high school 2016 graduates.

Addie Grindle celebrated both her birthday and her high school graduation at the clubhouse on June 11. She is pictured above with some of her awards from hard work at school!

Syble and Don Freeman are in Grand Junction, Colorado, with a mission team working on a project at Emmanuel Baptist Church, pictured below.

Grandkids Enjoy Gerton Offerings
From Left: Porter Freeman, Faith Roberts, Eric Freeman and Bryson Freeman spend time with grandparents, Claudia Freeman and Ted and Lana Roberts. Running water in a beautiful setting is timeless and fun, too!

Gene Kelsey, 91, passed away May 6, 2016

On May 6, 2016, Gene Kelsey went to be with his Lord and Savior at the age of 91. He and his wife Barbara lived in Orlando, Florida. Gene was also the brother-in-law of Patty Tanner, Virginia McGuffey, and Margaret Colwell.

For around 25 years Barbara and Gene spent spring, summer, and fall in Gerton on Little Bearwallow Road. Many of these years they taught Sunday School at Bearwallow Baptist Church and Bible studies to the youth. They were also active in serving this community club, participating in fund raisers, helped start the beautification along the highway, road signs in the area, and built the Welcome to Gerton signs.

Gene was in the first play, Harvey.               Submitted by Virginia McGuffey

Jean Bradley Carson

            Jean Bradley Carson, 83, of Vero Beach, went home to be with Jesus on Memorial Day, May 30, 2016, following a 60-year adventure with her husband Ed. They traveled much of the world together enjoying God's creation. Though her roots were deep in the soil of North Carolina, having been born in Charlotte, her feet were covered with the sand of South Florida, especially Miami, where she lived most of her life. She raised three boys into fine men. God graced her with deep compassion for others and an extraordinary love of life. She never tired of learning. She could dive on a reef or paint a sunset. She cooked southern but had a palate that enjoyed food from the world over. She was devoted to her family and was fast at making friends. She revealed to us the glory and love of God. She leaves behind her husband and co-adventurer Ed Carson; her three sons and their spouses, Ed and Kelly, Worth and Sandy, and Brad and Melissa; eight grandchildren, Jed, Zach, Shelby, Rachel (Joseph) McDaniels, Andrew, Nathan, Ben and Jack; and one great grandchild, Benjamin McDaniels. She is already missed, but we rest in the grace of our loving Lord Jesus knowing that she will "dwell in the house of the Lord forever." A service was held at Fairview Christian Fellowship, Fairview at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 4, with the Rev. Russell Harper officiating. Burial followed in Gerton at Bearwallow Cemetery.
                                          --as offered by the family in the Asheville Citizen Times