Mountain Living - September 2015
- By Mac Lee
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- 04 Sep, 2015
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Forecast for a season full of color this fall!
Recently, two articles pertaining to western North Carolina caught my attention. One had to do with the fall foliage forecast and the other had to do with weather predictions for the 2015-2016 winter.
At Western Carolina University there is a biology professor by the name of Kathy Mathews who has over the years become the prognosticator of the level of fall leaf colors each season. Her predictions are scientifically based on historical climate data in the mountains and over time she has proven herself to be more right than wrong. For the approaching fall season, Professor Mathews is predicting “…2015 to be a season full of color, perhaps the best in a long time.” Her conclusions are based on the dry summer we have experienced that will result in more of the brilliant red color in the leaves when the trees stop the process of photosynthesis and loses the chlorophyll green, revealing a class of pigments knows as anthocyanins that turn the leaf red in color . In our area, the color change usually starts in late September at elevations above 4000 feet and works its way down to the lower elevations. One of the many places to view the show of fall color is the Blue Ridge Parkway entrance beyond Maggie Valley and proceeding towards Waynesville, exiting at 19/23/74, the Smokey Mountain Parkway, a spectacular drive.
The Farmer’s Almanac has been around since 1818 when an editor by the name of David Young began to compile data from sunspot activity, moon phases, tidal actions, and more to develop a unique and very specific mathematical formula to predict weather and suggest ideal planting schedules for farmers. That formula has been a carefully guarded secret for 197 years, but has proven to be remarkably accurate. In the 2016 edition of the Farmer’s Almanac, the formula is predicting a “…super cold winter for the southeastern U.S.” Specifically, for the western North Carolina mountains we can expect a normal December, but a colder, with greater moisture levels, for January through February. Considering the bitterness of last winter here, that is not especially good news.
Lastly, our Junaluska Highlands Community Association Annual Meeting has been set for Saturday, October 17 at 2:00pm at the Gains Auditorium of the Bethea Welcome Center at the Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center. This is a time when the Members of our association gather to hear about what has taken place in the community during the past year and learn of the plans our Board has made for the future. That weekend is also the weekend of the Haywood County Apple Festival in downtown Waynesville, a street festival of music, crafts, and of course, locally grown apples. Details of the Annual Meeting will be mailed out to Members later this month, but mark your calendars now for this weekend to be in Haywood county.
That’s all for now…
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.