Mountain Living - October 2013
- By Mac Lee
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- 04 Oct, 2013
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Mountain living at it's best!
I can’t imagine any place better to be at this time of the
year than Junaluska Highlands in the western mountains of North Carolina. Crisp, cool nights followed by pleasant,
moderate temperatures during the day make for terrific weather. We are already beginning to see some
indication of the turning of the leaves at the higher elevations. Virginia Creeper is now a brilliant red and
is to be followed by dogwoods, tulip poplars, red and silver maples, black
walnut, river birch, and finally the red, white and black oaks. I volunteered to answer the phones at the Haywood
County Extension office earlier this week and fielded numerous calls from folks
asking what kind of winter we should expect to see in the mountains. The Farmer’s Almanac is forecasting a colder
than normal winter with greater precipitation.
The old timers talk about the colors of the wooly worms and the abundant
amount of acorns that are falling from the oak trees as a precursor to a severe
winter. Only Mother Nature knows what
she will bring our way in terms of weather this winter and we will just have to
adapt to whatever it is.
I trust all Lot owners and Homeowners have received my letter of September 15, 2013 announcing our Annual Meeting on Saturday, October 19, 2013 at 2:00pm at the Bethea Welcome Center at the Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center. It contains a lot of information regarding what we will be discussing including important changes to our By Laws, the presentation of our 2014 budget, updates on our roads and water, and brief bios on folks who will be running for election to our Board. I urge everyone to attend this Annual Meeting and ask that your contact our Secretary, Jerry Doucet, at jddoucet@ymail.com prior to October 5, 2013 indicating your intentions to be present or complete and return the General Proxy form to Jerry by October 5, 2013. We must have a quorum of at least 50% of Members present or by Proxy in order to conduct the business of the Association. Immediately following the Annual Meeting, we will meet at Beth and Jerry Doucet’s home for a social time of making new or renewing old acquaintances.
Don’t forget to take advantage of Ron Brunsvold’s photo challenge and send your pictures of landscapes, nature scenes, mountain ranges, or any other photo within our beautiful community to Ron through our web site at www.junaluskahighlands.com. However, a word of full disclosure: Ron is a professional photographer and has taken some stunning pictures of absolutely gorgeous scenery here.
That is all for now. Looking forward to seeing everyone at the Annual Meeting.
Mac
Junaluska Highlands Book Club meets the First Tuesday of the Month at 6:30 pm. Hostess provides Dessert, Coffee and/or Tea. Book Discussion begins at 7:00 pm.
September 10
Stranger in the Woods by Michael Finkel
Hostess & Facilitator: Marie Aiken
October 8
Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult
Hostess: Jennifer Conrad
Facilitator: Joyce Brunsvold
November 5
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owen
Hostess & Facilitator: Kathie McCracken
December 3
“Eat, Drink and Be Merry!!”
Social Dinner or Dine Out TBD
Hostess: Patti Surak
Helpers: TBD (need 4). If you want to volunteer, let Patti know.
January 7
A Gift of Time by Jerry Merritt
Hostess: Tammy Wright
Facilitator: Kate Gross
February 4
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
Hostess: Suzanne Patrick
Facilitator: Kathy Bell
March 3
The Swan House
Hostess: Kathy Bell
Facilitator: Debbie Savage
April 7
Educated by Tara Westover
Hostess & Facilitator: Susan Lee
May 5
“Spring Fling” Social Dinner Meeting
Includes Book Selections, Signups for Hostess and Facilitators/Helpers for 2020-2021
Hostess: Jan Vittum
Helpers: TBD (need 4). If you want to volunteer, contact Jan Vittum.
June, July, August:
Summer Break
Reminders: Hostess sends an email to members in advance of the meeting. Please include: Title/Author, Time, Date, Your Address, Special Info (Parking, etc.) and a RSVP date.
Important: Please respond on/before the RSVP date so the Hostess knows how many are attending. Thank you!!
Note: If you need to switch a date to host, facilitate, help or request a substitute, please contact another member and see what you can work out. We are always willing to help each other!! :)
3 February, 2019
You have likely noticed the new yellow stripping between the entrance and exit gates. This is safety striping to help separate the lanes, but also serves the purpose of directing traffic toward the outside edges of the pavement. This is necessary because the magnetometer that detects the presence of vehicles and automatically opens the exit gate is a little touchy to set up. It has to be sensitive enough to detect small vehicles and open the exit gate for them as well as not being too sensitive when larger vehicle come in the entrance gate. If too sensitive the exit gate will open when vehicles come through the entrance gate, causing additional wear and tear on the gate opening system. The gate group has made numerous adjustments to the sensors trying to get the balance just right.
The roads committee (Charles Gross, Max Wicks, and Frank Lay) volunteers were responsible for getting the new yellow safety striping in place. The roads group has many other responsibilities concerning the J.H. community roads including signage, and road repair. Kudos for a job well done.
Thank you Gate Group (Phil Casso, Jerry Doucet) for your volunteer work in keeping the gate operational.
Kathy Bell is coordinating the meetings for Highlands Residents who want to participate in the book club this year. Meeting start with some general chit-chat, then there is a book discussion followed by light refreshments and merriment.
The Reading Calendar
September 11 “Station 11” by Emily St John Mandel
October 2 “Code Girls” by Liza Mundy
November 6 “The Aviator’s Wife” by Melanie Benjamin
December 4 Eat Drink and be Merry Social Dinner
January 8 “My Italian Bulldozer” by Alexander McCall Smith
February 5 “Isaac’s Storm” by Erik Larson
March 5 “TBD”
April 2 “TBD”
May 7 Spring Fling Social Dinner + Next year planning
The abandoned husbands club will occasionally meet on the same night for alternate festivities that may include dinner, a movie, or whatever else devious minds can conjure.
Mark your calendars now for the Junaluska Highlands community wide July 4th cook out and social at the pavilion next to the ponds. Planning is underway for this annual Community Event. This is a favorite get together for all residents, lot owners, and their guests. Meet and catch up with all your Junaluska Highlands Neighbors. A member of your party will have an opportunity to briefly tell about a memorable 4th of July, or what the 4th means to you (this is optional).
Junaluska Highlands Community Association
4th of July Celebration Picnic
Monday July 4, 2016 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the JHCA Pavilion
6:00-6:45 Meet and Greet
Appetizers, Welcome New Neighbors, Reflections
on the 4th of July,
Sing Along “America the Beautiful” and Blessing
6:45-8:00 Meal and Socializing
· Picnic is Potluck
· Cost: $5.00 per person. You and your guests are welcome.
· Children under 10 are free. You are responsible for paying for your guests.
· Each family is asked to provide an Appetizer, Side OR Dessert (not all 3).
· Bring your own chairs and beverages.
· Bar-B-Q Pork and Chicken, Paper Plates, Napkins, and Eating Utensils are provided.
RSVP to Joyce Brunsvold no later than Friday, June 24
Include in your RSVP:
· Dish you are bringing -- An Appetizer, Side OR Dessert Indicate any items that may be Gluten Free.
· Number of People/Guests in your party.
Weather Note: In case of inclement weather, Charles and Kathy Gross at 36 Kinross Lane have graciously offered their home for the picnic. Notification will be by email by 4:00pm on the 4th if the picnic has to be moved to the Gross’.
Thanks to David Vittum for the photos (see Gallery) from the Junaluska Highlands [2015] Spring Workday!
Also many thanks to the Home and Property Owners who generously contributed their time and resources to this annual Junaluska Highlands beautification workday and cookout.
There have been several sightings of bears in the JH neighborhood over the past several weeks. The bears are not timid. One was seen up close and personal on the Coleman’s deck. This bear was interested in bird seed that was in a feeder near the deck. Bears are a fact of life in this area and connot be completely avoided.
Be careful around bears. Do not attempt to wrestle with one. Do not allow your dogs to tangle with a bear, as the bear is likely to win this encounter. Do keep food sources and trash containers in bear proof containers or in a closed garage. Do keep your ground level doors closed and locked. Bears can climb, so upper level decks are not bear proof. If you encounter a bear in the outdoors, do not run, as this triggers an attack response. Also, you cannot outrun a bear. Avoid eye contact and back away if possible. If a bear does not know you are nearby, make some noise so he can avoid you. Bear spay is available as a last resort. This is a pepper spray that will burn the bears eyes, giving you time to depart the area (and leave the bear pissed-off). Small spray cans are not effective, only use the large spray cans designed as a bear deterrent (these can spray 20-30 ft in distance). Bear spray can be found at large outdoor/camping stores such as REI, or can be ordered on line from Amazon.
If you have persistent bear problems, contact animal control for additional help. Also let your neighbors know when and where you saw a bear.