Mountain Living - March 2016
- By Mac Lee
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- 04 Mar, 2016
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March Madness is on us again!
March is one of my very favorite months of the year. Just consider for a moment all that is going on throughout the month of March, to wit: Daylight Saving Time begins, St. Patrick’s Day with green beer and corn beef and cabbage, spring begins, and this year, Palm Sunday, Easter and Easter Monday all take place within the month of March. Add to all of that the fact that the phenomenon known as March Madness takes place in division I college basketball, culminating in the NCAA championship game April 4th in Houston, Texas.
For those of us who were fortunate enough to be born in the Old North State (nonnatives got here as the saying goes “just as soon as they could”), two important questions are soon posed when being introduced in a social setting: “What number?” and “What school?” The first question relates to what NASCAR driver do you follow, i.e. the number on the car. The second question is an effort to identify which ACC school you follow in basketball, because in North Carolina this must be disclosed under penalty of law under the assumption that everyone in the state must have a local school they follow in college basketball. When I was in college, several fraternity brothers and I attended what was then known as the World 600 NASCAR race in Charlotte. Got severely sunburned, couldn’t hear for 3 days after the race, and never knew who actually won and thus my NASCAR interests were brought to a screeching halt. However, during my formative years I was highly influenced by an uncle who graduated from the University of North Carolina and encouraged me to become a Tar Heel by taking me with him to many basketball games in Chapel Hill. The excitement of witnessing a live college basketball game with thousands of screaming students and fans was exhilarating and for me the die was cast and Carolina blue began to run in my veins. After college I was fortunate to have been accepted into law school at UNC and spent time in Chapel Hill until, at my young age, I figured out that for me a legal career was not in the cards. But I regress. Basketball in North Carolina is a given presumption. Folks that faithfully follow college basketball simply don’t get it why everyone does not share their passion for the game. If you are a Tar Heel, you hate the N.C. State wolf pack and absolutely despise the Duke blue devils. If you are among the great misguided and rout for State or Duke the opposite is true. Regarding college basketball there are no other teams in the state – with apologies to the Wake Forest demon deacons. When the ACC tournament begins on March 8th and the NCAA tournament starts on March 15th colors will be worn, flags will be proudly flown, other activities will be suspended without regret, and we will all be in front of our flat screens embroiled in the excitement of college basketball. Take in a game and you will be hooked too. Just make sure you have a sufficient supply of North Carolina’s official food – barbecue, and the official soft drink-Cheerwine, on hand as you watch and cheer on the Heels. Besides, if God is not a Tar Heel, why then is the sky Carolina blue?
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.