Welcome to Spring!
At
least we hope so. The past few weeks have brought us significant snow,
an unwelcome ice storm, and a few cold days that seemed like they shot
right down from the Arctic. But at least we are now in the promise of
Spring.
The
board of the community club has been working our way through the maze
of getting a new structure in place. The restoration committee has taken
on the heavy load, meeting with county staff, state staff, surveyors,
architects, builders, people who manage permits, and through as much red
tape as you can imagine. But we know the result is in sight, and our
meeting place will stand once again.
Many
of us rush to Fairview or Asheville, or the other direction to Lake
Lure or Hendersonville. But take time to enjoy the scenery, as trees
start to green up and daffodils pop out of the ground. Each day in this
beautiful gorge is a gift!
Chuck Mallory
President, UHNGCClub
Spring Dinner Together on Tuesday, April 21, 6 p.m.
As the weather warms and the days grow longer, we will again gather on the grounds of the community club for a pot luck picnic. Join us on April 21 at 6 p.m. Remember as you plan, there is no running water or electricity. We will have tables, chairs and plates, silverware and napkins. We will also provide tea and water. We look forward to seeing everyone and updating you on what the board has done over the winter. Rain date will be Thursday April 23. (If we have an early afternoon rain shower, we will still meet. Only move to Thursday if raining at 6 p.m.)
Bears celebrate no-more-ice-day!
Gerton Post Office Is Open for Business
On Wednesday, March 4, the Gerton Post Office opened for business with its usual hours 12 noon until 4 p.m. Though we could collect our mail in Gerton since last May 2025, we could not mail a letter from there. Now a permanent person should soon be in place. So, once again we can mail letters, packages, buy stamps, and perform other postal business without driving to Fairview. Except for the postal boxes, all the shelfing and counters are new since the storm. Thanks to those in postal power who made this happen!
Holiday Party at Laughing Waters
On a beautiful pre-Christmas Saturday afternoon (December 20), UHNGCC hosted its annual holiday party at the Laughing Water Retreat Center. Jane Lawson (middle) generously donated her space for the gathering of our community. Through the 3-5 p.m. gathering time, about 38 neighbors dropped in to chat with neighbors and catch up on local news. With thanks to Karen Owensby and Ellen Boyle (above on right) for hosting the event.
The food was plentiful and delicious -- enough for a light supper and plenty of cookies and special pies for dessert.
There was room to stand and chat or sit and talk at length. For many, it had been a while since they had seen each other.
Steve Jones, Liz Payne, and David Bailey provide music from the loft during our gathering.
College Scholarship Opportunities
Journey Scholarship
WNC Communities is excited to announce that applications are now open for the 2026 George H.V. Cecil Journey Scholarship. Deadlines for submission is March 16, 2026. All questions regarding
the scholarship, including the application completion and submission,
can be answered by the scholarship coordinator scholarship@wnccommunities.org. Send a note to this email link and request the application form be sent directly to your email.
UHNGCC Scholarship
Each year, UHNGCClub offers a $500 scholarship paid to the recipient's school to help with tuition. A resident of the greater Gerton community may win the award twice, but not in consecutive years. Fill out the following application and submit to any board member:
1. Name
2. Address
3. email address
4. Accredited school to which you have been accepted (any two- or four-year accredited college past the secondary level is acceptable). Address to which the award may be sent.
5. Contributions you have made to the greater Gerton community.
6. What are your plans for a major or what do you see yourself doing in the next five years?
Deadline: May 15, 2026
Update: Gerton Fire and Rescue
Chief Jay Alley
As we
start into the spring season, I would like to give everyone an update on
how things are progressing at our station. As many know, our station
was damaged during Helene. The mountain behind our station slid into the
station and damaged the rear of the building. We were fortunate to get
that part corrected quickly. Unfortunately, our septic system was
destroyed and had to be replaced. Since the part of the mountain that
slid was where our septic field and the repair area was located, we
could not reinstall our septic in that location. We found that we would
have to install a treatment system to be able to continue to utilize the
station. After purchasing the two tracts of land beside and across the
street from us, we began the process of getting the system approved and
installed. After almost a year we finally received the state permits to
begin construction of the system. What you see today is the installation
of the system. This has been a long and difficult process. The
contractors have done an outstanding job of overcoming several difficult
obstacles to get the system installed. We have had a portable septic
system at the station for a while that allows us to keep our staff there
24 hours a day.
I would like to thank everyone for their
prayers and support through the last year. We have faced several issues,
and they have been handled and resolved by our great staff. Our newest
tanker arrived and is in service. EMS 71 is still being staffed out of
our station. EMS 71 consists of a Henderson County Paramedic and an EMT
from the Henderson County Rescue Squad. We have given them quarters and a
bay to house their ambulance. EMS 71 is scheduled to be here as long as
it is needed. I have been told by some of the commissioners that until
the roads are fixed, EMS 71 will be here. There are some days that they
are not staffed fully. We are fully prepared to continue our medical
response regardless of their staffing.
There is a lot going on
in our community and within the fire department. We are busy answering
calls and training our firefighters. Our station is staffed 24 hours a
day. I would ask everyone to please call 911 when you have an emergency.
We still have a few folks who will call the station to report
something. This only slows down our response. Remember if you call from a
cell number to always tell the dispatcher that you are in Henderson
County. 911 calls from a cell phone hit a Buncombe County tower. We are
here to serve and protect you. Please let us know how we can help you.
Thank you for your support. Take care.
Neighborhood News
Russell Jay Anders -- October 31, 1953 – January 4, 2026
Russell Anders
was born in Elkhart, Indiana, to Virginia and Harold Anders. He was the
fourth of six children—sharing that fourth spot with his twin sister,
whom he proudly claimed as “the other half.” Russell
retired as a First Sergeant in the United States Army, a role that
reflected his dedication, leadership, and love of service. He had a
joyful spirit and was known for whistling and singing wherever he went.
His beautiful voice blended seamlessly with the church choir, where he
sang with heartfelt devotion.
An
avid golfer, Russ especially cherished his annual fall golf trips to
Myrtle Beach with close friends. He was a devoted Minnesota Vikings fan
and generously gave his time as a youth football coach. After his
military service, he worked as a postal clerk, was a proud member of the
VFW, and was excitedly in the process of becoming a Mason.
Russ
loved his family deeply and without distinction—there was no such thing
as “step” in his world, only love. He cherished his siblings, often
bragging about having his very own twin sister. Above all, Russ truly
and profoundly loved his wife, Gloria.
He
was preceded in death by his mother, Virginia; his father, Harold; his
brother, John; his first wife, Sharon; and his beloved firstborn son,
Aaron—his best friend and golfing partner.
Left to honor and miss his presence are his siblings,
Virginia Hetrick, Dick and
Vicky Anders,
Bill and Kath Anders and his twin, Ruth Bingaman, along with multiple nieces and nephews. His wife, Gloria; his children Amy Anders,
Andrea Wahlgren;
Miriah Truluck Rhodes and her husband
Jacob;
Tarin Truluck, Terry and her husband
David; and Jane Negrete; his daughter-in-law
Tina Anders; and his grandchildren
Donovan Anders Deck and wife
Priscilla,
Brittney Anders,
Makenzie Wahlgren, Keira Wahlgren, Kaleigh Conroy, Kansas Conroy, Louis
Rhodes, Knox Conroy, Chloe Terry, Georgina Rhodes, Kolby Harp, and
Everette Negrete. He is also survived by his great-grandchildren, Malaya
and Sophia. Many folks lovingly referred to him as PADRE.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at
The Church of the Transfiguration Bat Cave, Bat Cave, North Carolina, with interment following at Bearwallow Baptist Cemetery, Gerton, North Carolina.
Russ's service on January 17, 2026
THE ECHO OF THE GORGE, a publication of the UHNGCClub will come out on a schedule that will be as needed, but at least once a quarter, until we have a physical space from which to report. Please send Margaret Whitt any news items you would like to place in the ECHO (margaret.whitt@du.edu)
Photo credits: Margaret Whitt, Chuck Mallory, Karen Owensby, Ellen Boyle, David Earnhardt, and Teresa Garrick.
Officers for the new year, 2026: President Chuck Mallory; Vice President Ellen Boyle; Secretary Karen Owensby; Treasurer Teresa Garrick. Board Members: Stan Mobley, Mike Hamlin, Margaret Whitt, Jim Earnhardt.
