Calendar of Upcoming Events
President's Note
Another delight of the season is the changing of leaves. Brilliant colors of red, gold and orange are on display all around us. Do you stop and admire the incredible beauty of a maple tree in its majesty? The drive on highway 74 to Asheville, highway 64 to Hendersonville or highway 9 to Black Mountain is ablaze with the beauty of autumn. Very soon, the leaves will fall, and the brilliant days of autumn will turn to the splendors of winter.
Aren’t we fortunate to live in a land of four seasons?
As the seasons turn to fall and winter, our thoughts turn to Thanksgiving and Christmas. We are again supporting Hickory Nut Gorge Outreach with food for the Thanksgiving HOPE (Help Other People Eat) bags. You, the incredible people of Gerton, have helped other people eat for many years; none were more important than the years of the Covid pandemic. This year, we have so far collected more than one ton of food for our neighbors. We will also have opportunity to provide Christmas gifts to those in our community who are in need.
May kindness return to you in the same beautiful way it was given.
And finally, in this – my last letter as UHNGCC president – I want to acknowledge the exceptional people who are our Board of Directors. These folks give generously of their time and money to help make our community the most special place on earth. I want to offer a very special thank you to Jean and Jim. You have given many years of service to Gerton and we are most appreciative.
Stan Mobley – Past President
Jim Earnhardt – Vice President
Sylvia Sane – Treasurer
Ellen Boyle – Secretary
Chuck Mallory – Member at Large
Jean Bradley – Member at Large
Margaret Whitt – Member at Large
Sarah Gayle – Member at Large
Karen Owensby
President, UHNGCC
groundedingerton@gmail.com
First Litter Sweep of Fall Season
The first litter sweep of fall was held on Friday, September 2, at 9:30 a.m. Eight neighbors gathered to clean up the highway between the two Welcome to Gerton signs. From left to right: Steph Israel, Stan Mobley, Pete Reese, Chuck Mallory, Steve Jones, Jim Earnhardt, and Sara Fletcher. Mike Hamlin, taking the picture. Together they returned with eleven bags of trash and four bags of recyclables. Many hands make light work. The next litter sweep will be held on Saturday, December 3 at 9:30 a.m.
September Meeting and Program
Outreach asked for soup of all kinds this time, so we once again provided soup aplenty! Jim Earnhardt delivered 225 pounds of soup on Thursday, September 22.
The Program was given by Peter Barr and Max Howes from Carolina Conservancy about trails, particularly the one near us where the gated access to parking lot opened the next day on Wednesday, September 21. A new loop—Strawberry Fields. Restrictions about hiking and their difficulty level are posted clearly on signs. What you take in, you need to take out. Further information can be obtained on the Carolina Conservancy website--maps, too. Members of the Clarke, Ager, and Hamilton families donated public access to their land.
Lots of volunteers came together to prepare the trail. Our UHNGCC is the epicenter of Gerton and trails now surround all of Gerton. Being on a trial makes us all feel better about where we live and life itself. Lots of questions and excitement from among the gathered neighbors.
Fundraiser for New Thermal Imaging Cameras:
Gerton Fire and Rescue Report
As an update from last year’s event, we were able to purchase the Lucas automatic compression device with the assistance of a grant we were fortunate to receive. We were able to place it on service in late January. This summer we had to use the device and it assisted us tremendously.
Over the last year we have added three new members to our roster. We are excited to welcome Riley Lyda, Tim (TR) Maloney and Ryan Lubbers. They are working diligently to get some of their certifications under their belt. So far this year, we have responded to over 70 calls for service. The department is maintaining the volunteers and occasionally have new ones join. We are so proud of all the volunteers. They train every week and respond to calls. We have two of our volunteers currently in technical rescue school. We are also offering the firefighter 1 & 2 classes at our station. Their dedication to training helps to prepare them for whatever situation we may encounter.
We have been planning and continue to train for incidents on the trails in our fire district. Last year 40% of our calls were trail related. This year we have already responded to multiple incidents on the trails. These calls do tax our department, but with the use of our mutual aid partners we handle each one.
We also want to remind you that as we change the time in November, to please change out your smoke detector batteries. If your smoke detectors are older than 10 years old, you should think about replacing them. We do have a limited number of smoke detectors and batteries at the station and can assist you installing them if needed. We also would like to pre-plan your home if you would be willing to allow us. Remember smoke detectors save lives!
The Thermal Imaging Cameras arrived this week. After training and charger installation in the trucks, they will be placed in service. This addition to our arsenal of tools will assist us to perform search and rescues not only in structures, but in nighttime searches. We want to thank everyone who donated to this cause and remind you to call 911 anytime you have an emergency. Please do not call the station since it could potentially slow response if no one is there. Also, anytime you call on a cell phone, make sure you let them know you are in Gerton in Henderson County. The cell towers are in Buncombe County and all cell 911 calls go to Buncombe County 911 center.
As always, please stay safe and call us when you have an emergency. We are ready and willing to respond to help. Thank you for all of your support!
Special Meeting on County Reappraisal at UHNGCC - 12/8
In preparation for Henderson County’s upcoming 2023 Reappraisal, the Assessor's Office is developing a schedule of public information sessions throughout the community. Representatives will be at UHNGCC on Thursday, December 8 at 6 p.m.
They want to make every effort to assist the taxpayers throughout this process, and this meeting is our opportunity to ask questions and gain clarity about the process.
When the last reappraisal occurred a few years ago, the representatives did a program at our regular monthly gathering, which shed a great deal of light. New neighbors might be especially interested in hearing about the process.
October Meeting and Dinner
Save the Date: Saturday, February 25, 3 p.m.:
Concert by Diego and Eva
Neighborhood News
Born in Canton, North Carolina, Rose Ann graduated Canton High School and later worked for Penny Insurance Agency in Hendersonville. After retirement, she and husband David were active members of the Gerton community.
With her bright blue eyes and a radiant smile, Rose Ann was known most for her kindness. As she would say, “if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.” She had an affinity for those who struggled, and they could always tell she genuinely cared.
Nothing made her happier than seeing her children and grandchildren grow and thrive. She would listen patiently as family called her often and conversations were long. She was the first person to call when something wonderful happened.
Rose Ann enjoyed singing and had a lovely voice. Hymns were her favorite as she grew up in the Methodist church with her mother playing the organ in weekly services. She also loved to bake, and this passion has passed down through the generations. Her great-granddaughters serve up extra big portions of her chocolate chip cookies almost every week.
Her life defined the word matriarch, and as her granddaughter Tina says, even as her memories faded, her love held us all together like glue. She lived a long life, but it wasn’t enough time for the rest of us.
Rose Ann was preceded in death by her parents Gudger and Grace Duckett, husband David, and brother Kerry. She is survived by her sister, Mildred Nelson of Atlanta; four children: Jan and husband Pete Pelaez of Asheville, Mark and wife Susan Powell of Mills River, Amy and husband Dennis Goss of Chapel Hill, and Sue Coons of Chapel Hill; five grandchildren: Angela and husband Patrick O'Kelly of Gerton, Tina White of Chapel Hill, Jay and wife Mary Goss of Hillsborough, and Ben and Joel Coons of Columbus, Ohio; as well as five great granddaughters: Mireya, Leila, and Elora White of Chapel Hill, Corbin O’Kelly of Gerton, and Lily Goss of Hillsborough.
The family would like to thank Aston Park Health Care Center for its wonderful care and Hospice for giving her peace in her final days.
Officers of UHNGCC for 2022: President - Karen Owensby; Vice-President - Jim Earnhardt; Secretary - Ellen Boyle; Treasurer - Sylvia Sane; Board Members - Jean Bradley, Chuck Mallory, Margaret Whitt, Sarah Gayle; Immediate Past President - Stan Mobley
