Mountain Living - October 2014
"Black squirrel winter coming?"
As a Haywood County Extension Master Gardener Volunteer I have to volunteer hours at the Extension Office each year to maintain my credentials. Recently I was in the plant clinic assisting the Horticultural Extension Agent and helping homeowners with questions regarding gardening and plant issues. Interestingly, I received two calls that day, both asking about the significance of the over- abundance of acorns this year. Master Gardeners are trained to only answer questions or give advice based on research based information provided through N.C. State University. While I could find no specific research on the supply of acorns this year, a local native came into the plant clinic on an unrelated matter and I took the opportunity to ask him if he knew what the large acorn supply meant. Having lived in Haywood County all of his life, he stated that he had always heard that the over- abundance of acorns was an omen for what he called a “black squirrel winter” and was nature’s way of providing food for animals, mostly bears, to fatten them up for the coming winter and that such a condition usually signaled a harsh winter to follow. Needless to say this is not a position that is founded on scientific research and I am sure the folks at N.C. State would frown on putting this theory forward; however I thought it to be an interesting tale and hope the coming winter does not rival the previous winter in any way.
On Saturday, October 18, 2014, we will hold our Association Annual Meeting in the Gaines Auditorium of the Bethea Welcome Center at Lake Junaluska Retreat and Conference Center at 2:00pm sharp. Many events have transpired since our last Annual Meeting and this will be a time that the Membership has an opportunity to understand how our Board of Directors has addressed these issues and managed the affairs of our community. We will have a power point presentation on the Montrose Lane slope slide and the extensive work that was required to remediate this problem and restore safety and structural integrity to the road bed. We will also discuss our financial condition and what measures the Board has undertaken to provide for the replenishment of our reserve fund out of which these expenses were paid. This is really the only time of the year that the Membership has an open forum regarding the activities within our community. I would encourage all lot owners and homeowners to attend this important event, that by the way, coincides with the Haywood County Apple Festival and should be a wonderful time to be in the expected colorful time in the mountains of western North Carolina. Following our meeting we will have a community social to relax and met or re-acquaint with our neighbors. If circumstances prohibit your attendance at the Annual Meeting, please return the proxy form that was sent out in the September 15, 2014 letter giving notice of this meeting or request a duplicate proxy from our Secretary, Kathy Gross, through the contact form tab on this website. It is vital we have a quorum of at least 50% of our members either in person or by proxy in order to conduct the business of the Association.
That’s all for now, hope to see everyone at the Annual Meeting.
Mac
