Mountain Living - February 2016
Spring is just around the corner!
February is Groundhog month. Although here in Junaluska Highlands we seem to have our fair share of the rodents, arguably the most famous woodchuck or whistle pig (as they are also called) is Punxsutawney Phil of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Back in 1887, Clymer H. Freas, editor of the then Punxsutawney Spirit , apparently lacking for something to do in the dull winter months, designated the 2nd day of February as the official Groundhog Day and declared Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania as the center of the universe for that purpose. Legend has it that if Phil comes out of his hibernation and sees his shadow, he will be frightened and retreat back into his hole and that there will be six more weeks of winter. Conversely, if Phil is unable to see his shadow, he will stay above ground and we will experience an early spring. On Groundhog Day, 2016, Phil did not see his shadow and thus we should anticipate warmer weather just around the corner. It is a little incredible to predict an early spring when we really have had no serious winter thus far here in the mountains. In fact, Phil’s record of being correct regarding the arrival of spring has only been correct just 39% of the time since the event began. However, the celebration makes for good press and a lively time for all in Punxsutawney.
On a serious note, in our Board’s never ending efforts to reduce expenses and improve services in Junaluska Highlands, we will be testing new street lighting in the coming weeks in our community. Presently, our streets are illuminated by 200 watt high pressure sodium lamps, the kind of lighting that puts out a shadowy, orange glow and a technology that is some 20 years old. Through a program offered by Duke Energy to communities such as ours, we can relamp all of our street lighting to state of the art 150 watt LED lamps and fixtures at no cost to the Association. The advantage to us is about a 12% savings in electrical costs per electrified pole and light per month and a much cleaner, whiter light for our streets. The advantage to Duke Energy is that LED lighting presents less maintenance and repair costs and can last up to 20 times longer than incandescent lighting. Duke will install one LED fixture and lamp on the pole at the intersection of Breckenridge Road and Inverness Drive as a demonstration to show the difference in the two lighting systems. If acceptable to our community, Duke will then change out all lamps and fixtures to the new LED lighting system. Some time ago the Board chose to de-electrify several of the poles on our streets in an effort to save expenses. We will be reevaluating this decision once the new lighting is installed.
The Architectural Review Committee (ARC) tells me that yet another property owner has submitted plans to construct a new home in Junaluska Highlands and that the ARC has approved the plans. The property owners anticipate construction may begin as early as this spring. This now makes two homes presently under construction with plans having been approved for two more homes. Once again, please remember that plans for new construction or alterations of existing homes, however minor, must have the prior approval of the ARC. Additional information, guidelines, and forms may be found on this website under the Building Information tab.
That’s all for now. Stay warm, notwithstanding the prediction of Punxsutawney Phil.
Mac
