Mountain Living - September 2013
- By Mac Lee
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- 09 Sep, 2013
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Autumn is in the air!
Although autumn does not officially begin until later this
month, there is already a cool change in the air in the mountains, signaling
things to come. My lower deck is lined
with plants in containers that I have accumulated over the last several weeks
just waiting for the last hot days of summer to pass so I can get them in the
ground. Susan reminds me that we are only
in the 5th year of our 12 year landscaping plan and each year I look
forward to this time of the season that is best for planting.
Exciting things are beginning to happen in Junaluska Highlands. Charles and Kathy Gross have broken ground on their new home on lot 8 on Kinross Lane. Ciro and Josie Sotelo have prepared their building site on lot 31 on Inverness Drive and should begin construction of their new home shortly. We welcome these new neighbors and look forward to their being a permanent part of our community.
I would like to provide to you an update on the landslide issue on Montrose Lane. After extensive and exhaustive meetings with engineers and contractors, the Board feels we may have found a safe, practical and less expensive approach to the issue, albeit it may only be a temporary fix. You will recall the slide took place on the fill side of Montrose Lane (south side) back in January as a result of torrential rains in the mountains. Original estimates of repairs ranged from $110,000.00 to well over $200,000.00 using a process called soil nailing to stabilize the bank. These estimates were well beyond the Association’s present cash reserves. Our options were to place a special assessment initiative before the membership to cover this extraordinary expense or to look for less expensive alternatives that could be paid out of Association reserves without a special assessment. Due to the tireless efforts of our Vice-President, Buck Williams, and Director, George Patrick, a plan was developed to improve the drainage ditch and the slope on the north side of Montrose Lane, create berms and shoulder improvement on the south side of Montrose Lane, and install an aqua diverter (no, it is not a speed bump) on Montrose Lane with the express purpose of diverting water away from the fill bank. Again, this may only be a temporary fix and we will continue to monitor the situation for any signs of erosion that may affect the safety and structural integrity of the road bed. Should evidence develop that suggests additional work needs to be done to shore up the fill bank to prevent further erosion; we would have to incur additional costs that may or may not be made from Association reserves. Thanks to Buck and George for spearheading this project.
You will recall that last month I informed everyone of the Association Annual Meeting on Saturday, October 19. We will have some important business issues to discuss and vote on, including the election of a new Board Member (Assistant Treasurer and Controller) and Secretary to the Board to replace Kathy Coleman and Jerry Doucet, respectively, who are rotating off after 4 years of valuable service. These are two key positions on our Board and I would ask that anyone interesting in serving on the Board in these capacities contact me as soon as possible. The ARC is also in need of additional folks to serve.
Finally, we would welcome pictures that you have taken in our beautiful community and wish to have posted to the website. These could be landscapes, nature, or other shots taken in Junaluska Highlands. We can’t guarantee we can post all pictures due to space limitations, but you may send them to our webmaster, Ron Brunsvold at ron@junaluskahighlands.com.
That is all for now. Please mark your calendars for the Annual Meeting on Saturday, October 19 at 2:00pm. More details to follow.
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.