21 Mar FHA Newsletter: April 2022
FEARRINGTON HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER
April 2022 Volume 41 Number 4
President’s Message
I am not sure that everyone is aware that we have a very active Long Range Planning Committee (LRPC). Composed of volunteers who are interested in the future of the Village and who want to make sure that we maintain our uniqueness, the committee meets monthly and reports directly to the Board (let me know if you would like to serve on this committee; it’s always good to get new perspectives). The FHA vice president sits on the committee as the Board liaison.
In the end of 2020, it was the LRPC that conducted a community survey to find out what issues were of the greatest concerns to residents. Much to our delight, we received 900 responses. Analysis of the data led to the creation of four subcommittees: 1) Paths and Trails, 2) Village Attractiveness and Renewal, 3) Aging in Place, and 4) The Gathering Place. All four committees have now submitted their reports to the Board, and they will soon be posted on our website. These reports are fascinating to read, but the Board also knows that it will take even more work to turn recommendations into action. Some of this work has already begun, which is why I thought it would be a good time to provide an update.
Paths and Trails: After mapping all the existing walking paths and trails, the subcommittee members looked for places that interconnect between paths to enhance convenience and enjoyment. They also thought that it might be possible to improve safety by getting crosswalks installed at busy and potentially dangerous intersections (Note: The NC Department of Transportation [DOT] will only install a crosswalk if there is a path or a sidewalk on either side.) They then analyzed the feasibility and desirability of the improvements on their “wish list” and came up with three short-term projects located in three different parts of the Village. That’s when reality began to set in. The DOT is not opposed to paths in general (as long as they don’t have to pay for or maintain them) but they have strict standards regarding where they can be placed along state roads (and most of the roads in the Village are state roads). So right now, the group is focusing on getting a short, 50-foot path from the end of the Creekwood Trail up to Village Way, so that a crosswalk could be installed there. In the meantime, the group is looking at the possibility of a few other new paths that might be of real benefit to the community.
The Gathering Place: This subcommittee’s recommendations have already resulted in several Wi-Fi/network improvements, including the installation of a new Netgear Orbi Mesh Wi-Fi Router, which is providing superior Wi-Fi connections throughout the building. Passwords for the new network are also prominently displayed in the building. A new phone system has been installed serving both the management office and the hospitality office volunteers. A decision to paint and recarpet meant that decades of “stuff,” including files, old records, etc., had to be reviewed, sorted, and discarded where appropriate. In addition, an architect is meeting with the committee and our director of facilities, Mark Haslam, to determine how to make better use of the existing space within The Gathering Place, and how to better meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. Installation of solar panels and an electric vehicle charging station is also being considered.
Village Attractiveness and Renewal: Subcommittee members walked every part of our community to determine what needed to be spiffed up. It soon became clear that everyone has to play a part for this subcommittee to be effective. The Fitches were given the portion of the report applicable to the land they still own, and they have started addressing some of the concerns raised. For example, they installed new gates at the maintenance yard on Weathersfield and will soon pave the road leading up to them. The different service groups and the FHA have also received lists of items they need to address. A community clean-up day will hopefully bescheduled soon so that street signs can be cleaned and tree limbs that are blocking such signs can be cut back. A volunteer has agreed to keep track of all the improvements that have been made and ones that are still needed.
Aging in Place: This subcommittee quickly learned that there were many different viewpoints regarding what can be done and/or should be done to help residents who live in Fearrington remain in their homes, so their report was just submitted to the Board. Fully recognizing that we are already so fortunate to have Fearrington Cares in our community, the group looked for ways to better market their services while looking for ways to offer residents even more. For example, would it be possible for Galloway Ridge to offer meal and van services for Fearrington Village residents on a fee basis? Since the Board is just beginning to discuss this report, please stay tuned.
Two other committees that came about as a result of the community survey are just getting to work now. One is the Covenants Committee, which is working to create a single document that would apply to everyone in the Village, since Fitch wrote a slightly different document for each neighborhood as it was built. They also hope to update the covenants, since many things have changed since the mid-70’s. We have also created a Futures Committee, to try to predict and understand the effect of the long-term external and internal influences on the future of Fearrington Village. Their aim is to project future outcomes and prepare responses that could mitigate problems, improve daily life in the Village, and protect our residents’ financial investments. Both committees would love to have additional volunteers, so if you are interested, please send me an email!
-Rose Krasnow, president@fhaboard.org
FHA Board Members Our Fearrington Homeowners Association (FHA) is a volunteer, non-profit organization dedicated to the health, safety, and welfare of residents. In addition to fostering resident participation, the FHA is responsible for maintenance of common property and covenant enforcement. For additional details, including job descriptions, visit the FHA tab on our webpage fearringtonfha.org.
The Belted Gazette
Submissions Content deadlines are the 15th of the previous month. All persons submitting content will receive a confirmation email. Email submissions to: editors @fearringtonfha.org. Do you have content for an upcoming newsletter? Email us at the above address and we will send you the Newsletter Guidelines. The Belted Gazette is produced by the Fearrington Homeowners Association (FHA), by and for the residents of Fearrington Village in Pittsboro, NC. The Belted Gazette contains community news, reports from the FHA Board members, items of interest to residents, and announcements of club and neighborhood activities. The Belted Gazette is published electronically 11 times a year (July/August is a combined issue). A link to the current issue is emailed to all residents who have an email address in the FHA Directory. A PDF copy of the current issue and back issues can be found on the FHA website (fearringtonfha.org). | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In recent conversations with fire and ambulance personnel, when asked what is the first thing you look for when you enter a home for a health emergency, the answer was the content in the resident’s File of Life magnetic sleeve holder.
The “File of Life” program has been endorsed by hospitals; emergency medical technicians (EMTs); municipal, medical, and senior-citizen organizations; police; sheriff departments; and fire departments for over 20 years. As of late 2021, the program was being used in over 5,000 communities and over
18 million homes across the US.
The red plastic “File of Life” magnet sleeve comes with one blank form, made to hold basic vital medical information. Both the red sleeve and the blank form it holds are available FREE at the FHA Hospitality Office, and you can also download a blank form from the FHA website by using either the link that
1. allows you to complete the form online and then print it
– OR-
2. use the version to download the blank form and complete it by hand.
You should consider completing one paper form for each person in the household, placing the completed forms in the red sleeve provided, and placing it on a visible area of your kitchen refrigerator. If a magnet won’t work on some visible area of your refrigerator, you may need to tape the sleeve in place.
Chatham County sheriff deputies and fire and ambulance personnel are trained to look for the red sleeve when they arrive, especially if a person is unconscious. The more information they have, the faster they can safely act.
Please be sure that an EMT can quickly distinguish the correct form to choose for each household member if there might be a doubt. Use a brief description on the form; a small picture attached to the form would be best.
If you have already completed and are using the form, remember that the information should be kept up to date by completing a new form.
A Covid-19 initiative version of the form is available here
—FHA Health, Safety, & Security, healthsafetysecurity@fhaboard.org
A Fearrington Springtime Tradition
For many years, the “official” start of spring in Fearrington has been the annual FHA-sponsored easter egg hunt. Dozens (or more) of Fearrington two- to seven-year-old children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends showed up with their baskets to scoop up as many of the 1500 hidden eggs they could find: blue, pink, yellow, green, and purple plastic eggs, all with a surprise inside. And if they found a GOLDEN EGG, a prize was waiting for them. It was so much fun. Then Covid struck. For two years we have had to cancel this very popular community activity, but . . . THE EASTER EGG HUNT IS BACK.
The hunt is on for Saturday, April 16, at 11 am at the playground at the end of Benchmark (rain date Sunday, April 17, at noon).
Here is how it works. The children are divided into three groups by age—two- and three-year-olds (and under), four- and five-year-olds, and six- and seven-year olds. Children three and under will be called first to hunt in the area designated for them, while the other two groups wait patiently with their parents or older siblings. Once the first group has had time to find their eggs—about 10 to 15 minutes—AND NOT BEFORE, the four- and five-year-olds will get their turn, in their designated area, followed by the sixes and sevens about 10 to 15 minutes later. Don’t worry. Each age group has their own area, and each age group has a chance at their own 500 filled eggs AND a golden egg. While the older kids are waiting their turn, they can talk to the Easter Bunny and have their picture taken with him. There will also be snacks and bottled water. After all three Golden Eggs have been found, there will be a very short prize ceremony. Be sure to bring your cameras.
If you think the little guys are the ones having all the fun, you are mistaken. We need their older brothers and sisters and other helpers to decorate the playground beforehand. We also need two volunteers who are over 5’2” tall to wear one of our two bunny suits. There is one other task that needs doing a few days before, and that is filling those 1500 eggs with surprises. If you would like to volunteer to decorate the playground, be a bunny, or fill eggs, please email Maggie Tunstall at metunstall@nc.rr.com.
An Index to The Belted Gazette
Was there an article in The Belted Gazette during the last two years you would like to read again, or recommend to someone else? Do you know how to find it? There are archival copies of newsletters on the FHA website, but it can take time to search through all of them. Now there is an index you can use to find whatever you are looking for, quickly. It lists most of the feature articles and the Scene Around Fearrington photo collages.
The link to the index is https://fearringtonfha.org/index-to-belted-gazette-features/. You can find it from the home page of the website by checking the main menu under Belted Gazette Newsletter. The index will be updated every month.
Community Affairs Volunteer Appeal
Introducing new opportunities for volunteers with limited spare time and unlimited abilities…
One & Done
“One & Done” volunteer jobs have a clear beginning and a clear end. Many can be accomplished in a short period of time. Most are jobs that you can do on you own and at your own pace. Every month the newsletter will post a job or two that are deemed to be “One and Done” opportunities. Check out the three possibilities below, and choose the one that is right for you. Hurry! First come, first served.
Are you a woodworker?
We need someone to repair the decorative bird feeder outside of The Gathering Place. It would be nice to get it ready for Arbor Day on April 29! Contact Pam at community@fearringtonfha.org.
Do you sometimes feel like taking a hammer and ripping up something?
Here’s a constructive (destructive?) outlet for those feelings. We need someone to remove the quarter round strips from the baseboard in an office at The Gathering Place in preparation for new painting and carpeting. Contact Mark Haslam at facilities@fearringtonfha.org.
Does reading the news about voting rights get your blood pressure up?
Well, here’s how you can make voting easier in Fearrington Village—at least when it comes to electing officers to our FHA Board. Homeowners associations (HOAs) such as ours can now use electronic processes rather than cumbersome paper ballots. Review the legislation regarding HOAs and electronic voting and advise us on options for voting process right here in our village. Contact Judy Graham at secretary@fearringtonfha.org.
Do you have ideas for a One & Done? Share them with community@fearringtonfha.org.
—Pam Bailey, community@fearringtonfha.org
FHA Open Board Meeting
The FHA open board meeting was held February 21, 2022, as a webinar. The minutes with answers to the questions raised are posted on the FHA website.
Over 200 residents attended. We were fortunate to have two invited expert speakers: Lt. Philip Richard from the Chatham Sheriff’s Office and Village resident Fran DiGiano.
President Rose Krasnow welcomed everyone, introduced the Board and invited speakers, and described several matters of community interest.
The Creekwood mail kiosk has needed renovation for some time. More than a year ago, plans were approved by the Postmaster. However, we only received one bid, which was well above our budget. We have asked Hobbs Architects, P.A., to take a new look at this project and help us get it underway. A proposal is expected in a week.
For Beechmast Pond, we have examined all three options (restoring to a stream, converting to wetlands, or enlarging the forebay). We have the near-term cost estimates, but we need to carefully evaluate the long-term costs to see the full cost to the FHA. We expect to make a decision sometime this year.
Lt. Philip Richard, Pittsboro Sheriff’s Office, Special Operations-Community Service, discussed tips for protecting ourselves and our homes. Phone scams are all too common, and people need to be vigilant to identify and avoid them. Nobody from the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office will ever call you with threats or requests for money. A common scam is to call you and try to scare you with some story. They then provide a phone number or website for you to contact. NEVER provide credit card numbers, social security numbers, bank account information, Medicare number, etc. Even if it looks legitimate and you want to make contact, NEVER use their phone/website information or link. Rather, independently seek out the phone number/website of interest so you know whom you are truly dealing with.
We can avoid some major vulnerabilities to our homes and its contents. Houses with overflowing newspapers in the driveway or packages sitting on the porch are targets for thieves thinking that no one is home. If you are away, ask a friend or neighbor to make sure such things don’t occur. Also, you can call the non-emergency number for the sheriff’s office (919-542-2911) and ask for a “house check” for up to 14 days/year. Deputies will come by once in the day and once at night to check for risks/problems. Where there is a high density of houses, criminals can easily walk through the area looking for crimes of opportunity, many of which can be prevented by keeping doors/windows and cars locked and the garage door closed. If you are a victim of theft, the national database of serial numbers can be helpful, but this requires your having a list of serial numbers. Go to http://chathamsheriff.com/ for more information.
Dr. Fran Digiano, professor emeritus, Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, UNC-CH, discussed wide-ranging issues related to drinking-water quality in Fearrington Village.
Fearrington Village and Pittsboro drinking water have different sources and different treatment facilities. The Village’s source is Jordan Lake, with a water volume of 72-150 billion gallons. Pittsboro’s source is the Haw River, with a much smaller volume. The Haw River flows into Jordan Lake about 6.5 miles south of the intake of FV source waters. Therefore, under normal conditions, the status of the Haw River downstream water flow has no significant influence on Village source water. Under heavy rain conditions, the gates of the downstream dam are closed, and a small quantity of the Haw River may back up and enter the intake of Village water.
Municipal drinking water has a number of chemicals regulated by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA publishes maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) of 90 chemicals that are set as close to the level of no known or expected risk to health as feasible, using best available treatment technology and taking cost into consideration. If exceeded, customers must be notified. MCLs are intended to be protective. For example, acceptable risk is 1 cancer per 1 million people, assuming exposures for 70 years and consumption of two liters of water/day (approximately two quarts/day). If the information on a chemical is insufficient to develop an MCL, but still indicates concern, a health advisory level is developed and provided to state agencies. A number of residents are concerned about exposure to PFAs (a group of several polyfluoroalkyl substances). At present, PFAs are on a contaminant candidate list and are not an MCL (an MCL is expected within 3-4 years). They are ubiquitous in the environment and in the blood of many Americans. Most health-risk knowledge comes from high-dose animal toxicology studies and population studies (epidemiology). Some contaminants in the PFAs group have caused or have been associated with cancers or adverse effects on cholesterol levels, the liver, thyroid, immune system, fertility, and development.
Currently, the North Chatham Water Treatment Plant (where we get our water) does not have a process dedicated to removing PFAs but is still capable of 50 percent or more reduction by addition of the adsorbent, powdered activated carbon, both at the water intake and within the plant. PFAs are lowered below what many experts think the MCL will be.
Virtually everything in life carries a risk, making it essential to consider relative risk. For example, in North Carolina the rough estimate of cancer deaths from all regulated chemicals (not just PFAs) is about 54, compared to over 20,000 deaths from all cancers, 14,000 deaths from Covid-19, and 1600 deaths from car accidents.
In summary, our water meets all current EPA regulations, and few, if any, synthetic organic chemicals are above detection limit in our water supply. PFAs in our tap water is below the likely future MCL. In any case, far greater sources of health risk exist.
Communications Director Tony Carroll moderated the question-and-answer segments following each presentation. Written answers to the questions are published on the FHA website as part of the minutes.
Scene Around Fearrington would like to feature favorite Fearrington pets in the May issue. Please send your photo to LesPalmerartstudio@gmail.com. You will be notified if your photo is selected.
Scene Around Fearrington
By Betty King
Betty King is a long-time naturalist, botanist, and birder and has been an active gardener here in Fearrington for the past 20 years. She directed the landscape program in Countryhouse for many years and developed a public woodland garden near Weymouth Close that features all the plants mentioned in the article below.
Come Walk with Me
Essay by Betty King
The seasons have turned a page, and it is finally, thankfully, spring, or nearly so. While the calendar often insists on disagreeing, the promise of spring renewal is unfolding before my very eyes. I walk the bare woods and with the snowy mantle of the past winter barely brushed from my mind, I physically and metaphorically yearn for respite from the heaviness of cold and snow, and from Covid and isolating and the unkindness swirling around our very society. I yearn for hope, for small indicators of normalcy and resiliency. I want something that will tell me we’re going to be all right, that a higher power is guiding us, that beauty is all around. And I know I can find all that in nature, if I just look.
I wander through time and space, and my eyes hungrily search for some sign of the fulfillment of a promise, the reprieve from unrelenting chill and the darkness of soul. And then there it is, the first upturned faces of a spring beauty, proof that, indeed, the time for winter and all its harshness has passed. Like a dark, hopeless dream, the past season will soon wither into a year gratefully forgotten. There’s a lesson in bravery in this little wildling. Long before any of the larger and sturdier plants have emerged from the safety of dormancy, this dainty, almost fragile, flower has taken an audacious leap of faith and pushed up through sometimes freezing ground, trusting that conditions will favor its ability to bloom and set seeds—in other words, to continue life.
On its heels, trout lilies bloom, unmindful of the chancy weather and winter-bound earth. Flaunting any thought of possible killing freezes, their backward flaring yellow petals nod above splotchy green leaves. It stands almost alone in the winter-weary landscape, a beacon of assurance and hope. This diminutive little beauty makes us a bold promise: It’s a new year, unburdened by past difficulties.
A bit later, I discover with utter delight that the bloodroot is blooming. Its mere presence can send a waning spirit soaring. I don’t know why. Maybe it’s the purity of the stunning white petals and the rich, yellow stamens; a thing of beauty. Like an apparition, the flower itself will last only a few days before dropping its petals to form a spear-shaped pod filled with shiny black seeds. Its endearing quality, however, must be the clasping, encircling leaf that surrounds the single flower stalk. Like a caress or a protective presence, it reminds us of God’s ever-present love and protection.
At this time of the year in early spring, the treetops begin to sing. Joining the songs of resident chickadees, titmice, and nuthatches, yellow-throated warblers, the first of the neotropical migrant warblers, arrive from their winter home. They are here looking for love, and singing is the key to romance. Many of these tiny birds, most weighing in at just a few ounces, fly thousands of miles on this annual migration back to the north and their summer breeding grounds. It is truly an astounding feat, but one we take for granted each year. Stop and think about it: How is this possible? How is a tiny bird, with wings only a few inches long and weighing less than a nickel, buffeted by winds and storms, and with no stopovers during its trip over open waters, able to accomplish such a journey? And how do they know just where to go? And when? This is a true miracle: a miracle of endurance and instinct, of trusting that the undoable is doable. It’s called faith.
Then the floodgates open. New life springs from the seemingly dead earth as wildflowers of all colors and shapes festoon the brown wooded floor. There are hepaticas, violets, trilliums, jack-in-the-pulpit, bellwort, wild geraniums, and so many more. Joining their brethren, ferns of many kinds and sizes unfurl their fiddleheads, dancing in the dappled shade. It is a time of abundance and exuberance in this wondrous spring show. It is enthusiasm on steroids, love of life at its best.
Then how can we, ostensibly a higher organism endowed with perception and insight, not also partake in this reverie? How can we not be uplifted? How can we let negativity hover about us like a swarm of blackened thoughts? I look around me at the splendor of earth’s gifts and I think, could this be the answer to what ails us.
Rooftop Solar for Your Fearrington Village Home
Part 1: What to Consider & How to Get Started
By Larry Newlin
Before moving to Fearrington Village, we had solar at our farm in Chapel Hill (although the technology and efficiency were dated). When we moved here, we knew we wanted to participate in a clean-energy future, which unfortunately conventional energy companies typically don’t encompass. This article shares our research experience, the many factors we considered before taking the plunge, and an explanation of how to get started.
We’re sold on these attributes of rooftop solar and how it departs from more conventional forms of energy:
- No heat-trapping gases (like carbon dioxide) are generated.
- No fracking is required.
- There are no half-life wastes to bury.
- No sulfur dioxides, mercury, lead, or arsenic are generated in emissions.
- Little to no water is needed, unlike most generating plants.
- Rooftop solar takes up no open land.
How Solar Works
Once you have installed the solar array panels on your roof, the sun basically generates energy to power your home. Your panels are connected to Duke Energy’s net metering to track the amount of power your system generates, and then Duke Energy credits that power back to you each month.
We wouldn’t change our grandkids for the world, but we wish we could change the world for our grandkids
Why Solar?
Is making the world safer for your children and grandchildren top of mind? For my wife, Lee, and me, our major reason for going solar is the future of our family.
For the most part, conventional energy providers don’t rely on clean energy. Duke Energy, for example, has a meager 2% of its energy portfolio devoted to solar and hydro. About 62% of electricity comes from burning fossil fuels, primarily coal and gas. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), power generation accounts for 28% of US greenhouse gases.
Despite the myths, solar has become a lot more affordable in the past decade or so. Solar pricing has decreased dramatically in recent years—down a whopping 78% since 2010.
What’s more, the return-on-investment period for solar installation is potentially immediate. A Zillow study found that homes with rooftop solar sold for 4.1% more than comparable homes. Quality solar panels are a considerable home-improvement investment, increasing the value of your home by about what your system costs.
Solar panel efficiency, longevity, and appearance have also improved significantly, which translates into a significant increase in the long-term value of your home. (All three of the companies that provided us bids had generous 25-year warranties.)
There is a 26% federal tax credit (maximum $4,000) that can be applied within a four-year time frame of implementing solar. This credit is slated to decrease to 22% in 2023, and it expires in 2024 unless Congress renews it. Now is definitely a good time to consider solar for your home.
An appropriately sized rooftop array will offset your power bills to virtually nothing in peak months and will significantly reduce your bills during other months. Peak production months like April will generate energy credits for the next month’s bill. Overall, our contractor estimates that our new system will cut our energy use from Duke Energy by 91%. Duke Energy gets its energy from 22% coal, 39% natural gas/fuel oil, and 37% nuclear. And Duke Energy has plans for a number of new natural-gas-fueled power plants, primarily to replace retiring coal-fired plants. Solar installations reduce the need to build new power plants.
With energy costs and utility rates going up and up, your payback time frame (somewhere in the 8-to-10-year range) improves each inflationary day. For example, Duke Energy’s residential rate went up 5.3% on June 1, 2021. Domestic natural gas (Duke Energy’s number-one energy source for its utilities) had gone up 70% in late 2021 over its 10-year average. North Carolina has the fifth-highest natural-gas price in the country.
Before solar, we averaged utility bills around $144 per month, for a single-story house (about 2,100 square feet). Our solar contractor estimates that in 25 years, without solar, our monthly total would rise to $298. Our new solar array is estimated to provide $48,802 in savings over that 25-year period. That is more than twice our solar investment!
North Carolina’s climate and location are ideal for solar production—which is a major reason why North Carolina is number four in solar production nationwide. The Solar Energy Industries Association reports that North Carolina has over 7,200 megawatts of solar capacity, which is enough to power more than 846,000 homes. The accumulated investment in North Carolina’s solar industry now exceeds $9.8 billion, with more than 6,100 jobs created so far. Much of this capacity is in large-scale solar farms.
While residential rooftop solar installations among Duke Energy customers in North Carolina have quadrupled since 2018, only 1% of total households in the state have rooftop solar. We need a lot more North Carolinians to step up. And really, who better than Fearringtonians?
To borrow from an old Chinese proverb about tree planting, “The best time to install rooftop solar is today.”
How to Get Started
There are a lot of solar companies out there. Seeking proposals from highly qualified companies entails more than just getting quotes. They have knowledgeable sales staff who can translate technical jargon into easier-to-understand language.
For our selection process, we used these criteria:
- We wanted our contractor to be locally owned and operated, with their own crews—I was cautioned to stay away from national firms that don’t use their own crews and may use lower-quality products to sharpen their bids.
- We were looking for a generous guarantee of labor and materials (25-year range).
- We were looking for a contractor with five+ years of experience.
- We were looking for strong ratings/reviews.
Rooftop solar panel installation
We began by asking friends and neighbors which company they selected for their solar project and why. From that list, we chose three to receive proposals from. Yes Solar Solutions has done many of the projects in Fearrington, and they installed our daughter and son-in-law’s solar array. Southern Energy Management does both solar installations and clean-energy consulting, and they came strongly recommended by our realtor, who used them personally and refers them often. NC Solar Now is the largest of the three, and they gave us the lowest bid, with the most cutting-edge technology. They were recommended by the couple who bought our farm in 2020, who installed and now live primarily off the grid with their Tesla battery storage.
The marketing representatives of the companies meeting our criteria were well-informed and consultative. They will want to know utility bills for the past 12 months, the age of your roof, how much sun exposure you have and at what times of the day, and what your goals are.
For example, all of the marketing reps recommended against investing in the high cost of battery storage. You cannot simply switch it on in the event of power outages, and the technology and pricing are likely to improve. Currently, it would be less expensive to buy a generator to power your home during an outage rather than adding battery storage.
Next month, in Part 2, I’ll share what the implementation process entailed and additional issues we considered.
North Carolina Primary
Voting in Chatham County
By Jackie Walters, Features Editor
Here is the basic information you need, and resources available, for this year’s primary:
- To vote in Chatham County, you must be registered to vote in Chatham County and must have lived in Chatham County for at least 30 days before Election Day.
- In-person early voting takes place April 28-May 14 at any of the early-voting sites in the county. Visit the Absentee Voting page for locations and hours. Early voting on Sundays will be available from 12 to 3 pm on May 1 and May 8.
- Election Day is May 17. Fearrington and Galloway residents vote at The Gathering Place. Polls will be open from 6:30 am to 7:30 pm.
- To obtain an absentee ballot or to vote by mail, visit Absentee Voting | Chatham County, NC (chathamcountync.gov). Voters can request absentee ballots now. The County Board of Elections will begin mailing ballots on March 28.
- For people with visual impairments, an online voting option is available.
- A multipartisan assistance team (MAT) is available to come to assisted-living facilities and nursing homes to register voters and to help them to vote.
- To volunteer to work the polls and for any and all other questions, contact the friendly, knowledgeable, and accessible staff at the Board of Elections Office | Chatham County, NC (chathamcountync.gov).
This Month’s Food Trucks—Order Early & Enjoy!
By Wendy Snodgrass
Our weekly arrival of food trucks continues to bring diverse ethnic cuisines and other dinner specialties to The Gathering Place. The simple pleasure of these takeout dining options has many Villagers looking forward to the return of their favorite vendors, and we are pleased to welcome back…
- Bulkogi Korean BBQ – April 6
- Cousins Maine Lobster – April 13
- Succotash Southern Fusion – April 20
- Chirba Chirba Dumpling – April 27
Many of these food trucks have amassed a following of fans who tend to order in advance. This minimizes wait time and also potential disappointment if vendors are unable to accommodate additional orders. Pre-ordering is typically available a few days before arrival and is worth considering as these visits continue to grow in popularity. Place your order and leave feedback on our neighborhood hotspot page at www.streetfoodfinder.com/fearringtonvillage.
There is one notable exception… In order to pre-order from Cousins’ Maine Lobster, you must download their app from Google Play or the App Store. They begin accepting advance orders at 3 pm on the day of their arrival. A long line of lobster lovers will remind you why it’s worth it!
This Month’s Announcements
Please use the Announcement Submission Form to submit club and organization announcements, and email the form to editors@fearringtonfha.org.
Fearrington Clubs and Organizations
Fearrington Bulls & Bears Investment Club
The Fearrington Bulls & Bears Investment Club is a group interested in improving our members’ investment knowledge and capabilities. We do this through managing a small portfolio of stocks, making buy and sell decisions, and monitoring the US stock markets and trends. We meet monthly during non-summer months and share information, insights, and ideas about investing with fellow members.
Guests are welcome to participate in a meeting or two to gauge their interest in joining the Club. The next meeting will be on Friday, April 8, at 10 am at the Gathering Place and also via Zoom.
For more information about the Club or to join our meeting, please contact:
Anna Shearer, president, at 703-217-0322 or ashearer1219@gmail.com.
Fearrington Concert Series
The Fearrington Concert Series continues its vibrant season on Sunday, April 3, at 3 pm at The Gathering Place with a performance by the UNC School of the Arts. An ensemble of young artists from the guitar studio will perform selections from the classical era by Spanish and Latin American composers.
Future concerts in our series are scheduled for May 1 with the Zephyr Ensemble and May 22 with Solomon Eichner, pianist. Both of these performances will be at 3 pm at The Gathering Place. We hope that all attendees will be fully vaccinated. Masks are required when inside the building, and seating will be spaced. Individual tickets may be purchased for any of these concerts at the door for $20 per person if space is available. For more information, please contact Nina Alperin at 919-545-9011 or Barbara Hummel-Rossi at 516-864-4023 or Barbara.hummel.rossi@nyu.edu.
Fearrington Democratic Club
The Club’s meeting on Tuesday, April 26, at 7 pm will be a candidate forum for Democratic candidates for the Chatham County Board of Commissioners. County Commissioners are responsible for multiple issues, including public health, social services, development ordinances, environmental quality, and emergency management. When a final decision is made about whether the forum will be in The Gathering Place or on Zoom, that information will be publicized on this FHA website, the Club’s website (FearringtonDems.org), emails to Club members, the mail kiosks, and the Fearrington section of NextDoor. Livestreaming and recording of our meetings/Zoominars will also be available on the Club’s website.
Fearrington Dragons Mah Jongg
The Dragons are Ready to Play!
Fearrington Mah Jongg Dragons play on the second Saturday of the month, April 9, at The Gathering Place, from 1 to 4 pm, provided that The Gathering Place will be open to Fearrington groups that day and time. We will contact all members if we do not play on April 9. We play under the guidelines of The Gathering Place. As such, we must limit our number to 50, and all participants must wear a mask. Because of this limitation, it is important to cancel if you discover you are not able to play, so someone else can take your spot.
Contact Mary Donna Pond at mdpond@nc.rr.com to reserve your place.
Fearrington Duplicate Bridge Club
“We do not stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing BRIDGE.” Join us for a face-to-face game every Wednesday in April (6, 13, 20, 27). We play at 1 pm at The Gathering Place. Play the first time is free; after that, the cost is $7 to defray the costs. Questions, please contact Dianne Hale at haledianne@gmail.com.
The Fearrington Garden Club
Gardeners Sharing
Gardeners from Fearrington and Briar Chapel plan to share gardening experiences via a monthly group meeting starting in April. North Carolina can be a challenging place to garden, and it should be fun to share our knowledge and interests. No gardening experience is necessary. Come have fun and meet fellow gardeners! For further information, contact Jan Doolin at jan@janetdoolin.com.
The Garden Club has scheduled field trips to the Montrose Gardens in Hillsborough on Monday, April 4, and Wednesday, April 6, at 10 am. Nancy and Craufurd Goodwin bought the historic home in 1977 and have maintained and expanded the original plantings of owners Governor William Alexander Graham and his wife, Susan Washington Graham. The grounds include several 19th century buildings, a rock garden, a scree garden, extensive woodland plantings, and a large area of sunny gardens. The cost of the tour is $20. Parking is limited, so carpooling is necessary. Email Debbie Liebtag at dliebtag50@gmail.com to register.
Fearrington Genealogy Group
Tuesday April 12, 2022, 3-4 pm at The Gathering Place
Topic: The 1950 Census: What will you do? The 1950 Census is being released on April 1, 2022. Our members open discussion will cover what you can do to be prepared to find your family (or yourself) in the census records.
Newcomers welcome. Dues $15.00 (cash or check).
Contact Reece Jones for additional information, at 919-542-1598.
Fearrington Golf Club Spring Tournament
The FGC will sponsor a golf tournament at the Quail Ridge Golf Course in Sanford on May 5. The tournament is open to both members and non-members. The Spring Tournament application is available by contacting Tad McArdle at williammcardle66@gmail.com. The application and payment are due by Friday, April 29. The FGC also welcomes anyone who is interested in joining the club to contact Jack Kowal at moncksc@gmail.com.
Start: Shotgun at 8:30 am.
Format: The tournament will feature a match play and Bongo first two hole out putting. All participants are required to note their handicap on the registration form.
Cost: $60 per member or $70 per non-member
Prizes: A number of individual and team prizes will be awarded.
Lunch: Choice of platters: BBQ or cheeseburger with sweet or unsweet tea included in the cost.
Fearrington Green Scene
The next Green Scene meeting is one week earlier than usual. It will take place Wednesday, April 6, from 11 am to noon, in the large meeting room at The Gathering Place. Plenty of room for social distancing—and please wear your mask.
We’ll be discussing a plan for an Arbor Day event around the end of April. Also discussing initial plans for the Saturday, May 21, FHA co-sponsored “3-in-1” Community Recycling Event at The Gathering Place parking lot. Please mark your calendars—and tell your friends and neighbors—about this always-popular event.
I have a Zoom link for a replay of the February 21 FHA Open Meeting presentation on, “What’s In Your Drinking Water?” for anyone who may have missed it. Just give me a call. HAPPY SPRING! — Jason Welsch, Moderator, Fearrington Green Scene, 914-806-4852 (cell phone)
Fearrington Havurah
Our first in-person meeting of the year will be held at The Gathering Place on Tuesday, April 12, at 7 pm. Andrew Feiler, an award-winning photographer, will be giving a recorded presentation about his 2021 book, A Better Life for Their Children, Julius Rosenwald, Booker T. Washington, and the 4,978 Schools That Changed America. This watershed moment in the history of philanthropy (one of the earliest collaborations between Jews and African Americans) chronicles their ambitious program to build public schools for African American children in the segregated South between 1912 and 1937. We will enjoy each other’s company, and we welcome guests to join us.
Fearrington Monday Night Poker Club
Monday Night Poker plays at The Gathering Place weekly on Mondays 7-9 pm. We play several variations of straight 7-, 6-, 5-card stud or 5-card draw poker, only high games. There is a $2 fee to cover rent. We are looking for new members to join us. If you are interested, please respond to: weathersfield1@gmail.com.
Fearrington Republican Club
Your Fearrington Republican Club will have as guest speaker David Warren, Republican director of election integrity for the State of North Carolina. Our meeting will be Wednesday, April 27, 7 pm, at The Gathering Place. Come hear what safeguards are proposed for future elections. David will also talk about training programs for election volunteers. We also will have a donated piece of art for which you can purchase raffle tickets. All Fearrington and Galloway residents are welcome.
Fearrington Swim & Croquet Club
We are excited to announce the opening of Swim and Croquet Club memberships for new and renewing members! Covid-19 precautions from the state and county will be in place for the expected opening on May 7.
To keep up with inflation and capital improvements, we have increased the annual dues by 5%. To join, visit the FHA website, www.fearringtonfha.org, and navigate through Club Portal, Swim and Croquet Club, Membership, Click Here to Join / Renew. If you have questions, email us at fearringtonswimcroquet@gmail.com.
We hope to see you for another enjoyable year at the Club!
Fearrington Tennis & Pickleball Association
The Fearrington Tennis Association is now operating as the Fearrington Tennis and Pickleball Association. With the incorporation of the popular sport of pickleball, our membership rolls have doubled, from 55 to nearly 110. On our two tennis courts, up to four pickleball courts can be arranged. With this increased activity, we have had to block out times specifically for tennis and pickleball play and practice. The latest times are posted on the Tennis and Pickleball page on the FHA website.
The Fearrington tennis and pickleball courts are located in the Creekwood playground area at the end of Benchmark in the Historic District. For further information about tennis, contact Jim Rudbeck at mjrudbeck@gmail.com, and for pickleball, Art Gonzales at artgon@verizon.net.
Fearrington Village Singers
At last! Music is back in the air! After exactly two years of a forced Covid hiatus, the Fearrington Village Singers are rehearsing again on Mondays and Thursdays for two concerts in May. We encourage new singers to join our chorus in making music together. No audition is required, but three Covid shots and masks are. (We furnish the masks.) Note, too, our new concert venue and the dates: Sunday, May 8, 3 pm, or Tuesday, May 10, 7:30 pm, at Chatham Community Church, 1685 Andrews Store Road. For more information on singing or listening, contact FVSings@gmail.com.
Fearrington Yacht Club
Ahoy, mates! Our March 4 Mixer/Spring Fling was a huge success. Old friends, who had not seen each other since Covid began, reveled in each other’s company. AND we gave a hearty welcome to a bumper crop of new members. We still have wine and other goodies left for our next trip “Happy Hour” and/or the Fall Chowder Dinner. But we do need volunteers to do that planning. The FYC is a party & travel club which usually has two parties and two regional trips a year planned by members. NO YACHT REQUIRED! Be sure to see the “Feature Article” about the FYC in the January issue of The Belted Gazette. For event information and membership form, log onto the FYC page at: https://fearrington.org. Choose Clubs and Other Organizations from the menu or, contact Commodore Maggie Tunstall at 919-542-0031 or metunstall@nc.rr.com.
Women of Fearrington
Last year’s popular “Paws for a Cause” returns Saturday, April 23 (rain date April 30). Our spring stroll with a friend, two-legged or four-legged, is to benefit women and children in need in Chatham County. A $25 donation gets you a goodie bag, a chance to win great prizes from the raffle, and a lovely outing enjoying the spring flowers. More information and registration on our website.
When the sidewalks roll up, what goes on in the dark of night here in Fearrington? Don’t miss our free Zoom webinar Wednesday, April 20, at 1:30 pm. Roads End naturalist and photographer Mike Dunn will tell us what we might have been missing about “Fearrington Night Life”! Register here.
“Cinematic Conversations,” a new discussion group, will have its first meeting on Sunday, May 15, 2-4 pm, to discuss the film Belfast, which you can stream for a fee from several sites. Email Lily Grace for details and register online.
Our Spring Luncheon will be at the Inn at Celebrity Dairy, following a tour of the goat farm at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 18. Deadline for fee of $30.48 is May 1. Please register here.
Community Agencies
Chatham Connecting
It’s a lovely month in the neighborhood, a perfect time to look outward and think about fresh starts for yourself—and others. Please consider volunteering with one of the nearly 100 non-profit organizations and agencies that together serve those in need in Chatham County. It’s easy to find a match with your interests if you check out chathamconnecting.org. It is possible to volunteer as a family or as a neighborhood group. You can volunteer from home or on site. And skills needed by non-profits range from serving on committees or boards, fund raising and event planning, to helping organizations in need of tutors for children and adults. If you have a pile of things to donate, you can find non-profits that could use your items. Monetary donations are always welcome as well.
Chatham County Senior Games to Begin
PITTSBORO – Chatham County athletes and artists 50 and over have an opportunity to put their skills to the test when the Chatham County Senior Games & SilverArts kick off April 29, 2022.
Through May 13, 19 events to include archery, track and field, football throw, softball throw, fun walk, golf, croquet, disc golf, swimming, cycling, men’s bocce, bowling, table tennis, basketball shooting, cornhole, pickleball, tennis, women’s bocce, and horseshoes. Tennis events include singles, doubles, and mixed doubles.
Chatham County Senior Games 2022 sites include Carolina Meadows, Carolina Preserve, Duke Center for Living at Fearrington, Western Chatham Senior Center, McClenahan Park and Siler City Country Club, Northwood High, and Buffaloe Lanes of Cary. Also returning is Chatham County SilverArts, which encompasses creative expression in five areas—visual arts, literary arts, performing arts, heritage arts, and cheerleading.
Athletes and silver artists will compete at the local level for the right to compete at the North Carolina Senior Games (NCSG) & SilverArts in September and October.
Early-bird registration runs from March 4 through 18, with regular registration beginning March 19 and closing April 1.
Chatham County Senior Games was honored by NCSG in 2021 for having the highest participation increase over a five-year period.
Gold sponsors for the 2022 Chatham County Senior Games include Carolina Meadows, Humana, Chatham Parks and Recreation, and the Chatham News & Record.
For volunteer, sponsorship, and registration opportunities, contact Liz Lahti at 919-542-4212, ext. 228, or email liz.lahti@chathamcoa.org. Registration forms may be picked up at the Eastern Chatham Senior Center in Pittsboro as well as the Western Chatham Senior Center in Siler City. Registration may also be found at Chatham County Parks and Recreation, Carolina Meadows, Duke Center for Living at Fearrington, and Siler City Parks and Recreation.
North Carolina Senior Games, Inc., is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing year-round health promotion and wellness for adults 50 and older. NCSG, Inc., is sponsored statewide by the NC Division of Aging and Adult Services.
For more information on the Chatham County Senior Games, phone 919-542-4512 or 919-742-3975, or visit the Council’s website at https://chathamcouncilonaging.org/activities/senior-games/.
Community Remembrance Coalition—Chatham
We invite you to watch Mike Wiley’s one-man play, Brown v. Board of Education: Over Fifty Years Later, on Thursday, April 14, beginning at 6:30 pm. Following the half-hour play, a panel of participants will talk about being the first African American students to integrate Pittsboro High School in 1966. They had previously attended all-black Horton High School. To register for this free Zoom event, go to crc-c.org.
Friends of the Chatham Community Library
Join us for a book sale of thousands of general fiction, science fiction, and mystery books at the Chatham Community Library in Pittsboro on Friday, April 1, from 9 am to 5 pm and Saturday, April 2, from 9 am to 2 pm. All items will be $2. No bag day. Friends of the Library members receive a 10% discount on purchases of $5 or more.
This year the Friends have decided to hold several small sales with selected categories for a safer shopping experience. County and library health guidelines will apply. See https://friendsccl.org/Coming-Book-Sales for more information.
Sorry, we cannot accept donations at this time.
Fearrington Cares material is edited by their staff and volunteers. Direct comments or questions to them at (919) 542-6877 or info@fearringtoncares.org. —Edited this month by Emily Henderson |
Letter from the Director
Let This Darkness Be a Bell Tower
by Rainer Maria Rilke
(From Sonnets to Orpheus II, Translation by Joanna Macy and Anita Barrows)
Quiet friend who has come so far, feel how your breathing makes more space around you. Let this darkness be a bell tower and you the bell. As you ring, what batters you becomes your strength. Move back and forth into the change. What is it like, such intensity of pain? If the drink is bitter, turn yourself into wine. In this uncontainable night, be the mystery at the crossroads of your senses, the meaning discovered there. And if the world has ceased to hear you, say to the silent earth: I flow. To the rushing water, speak: I am.
As I reflect on COVID 19 while preparing this newsletter for distribution two weeks from now, I recognize in myself feelings I had two years ago. “I don’t know enough,” and “How shall we plan things” and “Can we agree on supporting each other.” I hope you have self-soothing activities that have been your balm while this pandemic unfolded its darkness across our nation and our hearts. Poetry is one I recommend.
We are 10 days into new guidance about risk mitigation strategies to avoid COVID infections. Using the CDC COVID-19 county level check tool, Chatham County level has moved from “High” to “Medium.” and if the trajectory continues, Fearrington Cares will have updated risk mitigation strategies required to be in the Center before this newsletter is published. At-Home COVID testing will be valuable in the transition; every home is eligible to order two sets of 4 free tests. Call 800-232-0233 or order online: www.covidtests.gov.
As “…this uncontainable night…” of living for more than two years in a pandemic is now intensified by war in the world, I encourage you as I did two years ago:
Do not isolate yourself, form a small group that you meet with regularly. Try to spend time out of doors every day. Pay attention to the ever-changing beauty of the North Carolina Piedmont; beauty like poetry, can be an antidote for grief, loss and hard transitions. Stay curious. Plan new ways to share your particular gifts with others, either formally volunteering with an organization or in your day-to-day interactions. Call me if you want to talk about it; I welcome your thoughts.
The Rumble and the Respite
Friday, April 8, 10:00 am-2:00 pm at the Fearrington Cares Center
Registration required
As you might imagine in a neighborhood of more than 2,000 individuals, with an average age of 72, there are a number of caregivers in Fearrington Village. Fearrington Cares is hosting a pilot program, “The Rumble and the Respite,” once a month that is designed to add fun and comradery to the lives of individuals who need assistance with activities of daily living, while affording their caregivers the opportunity to take a break from their daily and continuous caregiving responsibilities. For our program, the term “caregiver” will be used to describe an unpaid family member, most often a spouse, who provides direct care for activities of daily living for a loved one. Participation in this program will benefit both the caregiver and the care recipient.
The Rumble and the Respite is designed to provide a safe and enjoyable space, along with activities, for care recipients, while giving their caregivers a break from this daily responsibility. Fearrington Cares currently provides a regular monthly Caregiver Support Group, but for many caregivers, it is impossible to attend unless care is available for the care recipient. Our new pilot program will allow Fearrington Cares to provide respite by hosting an educational and entertaining session, including lunch, for care recipients. So long as it is okay with the care recipients, we invite the caregivers to leave and do something by themselves! Caregivers can contact Karen (919-542-6877 or karen@fearringtoncares.org) for details and to register before April 4.
If you know a caregiver who may not be getting to email as often as they might, please share this information and encourage them to call.
New Volunteer Driver Orientation
Tuesday, April 12, 1:00 pm at the Fearrington Cares Center
On occasion, one of your neighbors will find themselves in need of a ride, most often to a medical appointment. Please join our Volunteer Drivers who can help make this happen. You will be scheduled as a team member for only two weeks in the year and collaborate with the team to provide the pre-arranged rides. If you are available, please come to the Center for a one-hour orientation at 1:00 pm on April 12; otherwise, please drop in and complete a volunteer form to join our fabulous team of drivers.
Crossroads Conversations
Wednesday, April 13, 1:30-3:00 pm at the Fearrington Cares Center
Registration required
Have you heard someone say, “It can’t be done!” or thought to yourself, “It’s too complicated!” Or have you signed up for an impossible challenge or know someone else who did? How did it work out? Were the pundits right? Or did perseverance prevail? Was it worth it?
To get our conversation started, let’s hear how one woman approached her personal quest to read a book from every country in the world. How would you start? Join neighbors and enjoy hearing and sharing our stories. We can’t wait to see you there! Group size is limited to 16 vaccinated folks. Call Fearrington Cares 919-542-6877 to register before April 10.
How Healthy is the Air Inside Your Home?
Thursday, April 14, 7:00 pm via Zoom
Much attention has been paid to air pollution in the environment; somewhat less has been paid to the air quality inside our homes. Join Richard Cravener, Jr. as he reviews different factors that can affect the air quality in your home environment. The presentation will include information about heating and air conditioning and its maintenance, monitors for CO2 and CO, gas/wood fireplaces and cooktops, air purifiers and some interesting information about your windows.
Rich Cravener is the owner of Cravener Consulting Solutions with over thirty years of experience in the Triangle, providing health and safety support and education in the life sciences industry and in university settings.
Busy Hands Together
Tuesday, April 19, 9:30-11:00 am at the Fearrington Cares Center
Registration required
Do you enjoy handwork or have a button that needs re-attaching? Would you enjoy crafting with others? If you crochet, knit, make cards, scrapbook, needlepoint, or practice any other craft, we invite you to bring your project and join us at Fearrington Cares for a monthly get together on the third Tuesday of each month. This is an opportunity to get to know your neighbors and make progress on your favorite craft. If this sounds like something you would like to participate in, then let’s get together for crafting, conversation, and fellowship. We will be wearing masks and the group size is limited to 12 vaccinated folks. Call Fearrington Cares 919-542-6877 to register by April 16.
Staying Safer from Ticks and the Diseases they Carry in Chatham County
Thursday, April 28, 1:30 pm via Zoom
Summer is coming and that means an increased risk of tick bites and tick-borne diseases in our community. For up-to-date information and advice on prevention, diagnosis and treatment; a history of deer, ticks, and diseases in Chatham County; and personal impact quotes, join this program presented by Dr. Marcia Herman-Giddens, PA, MPH, DrPH, adjunct professor in the Gillings School of Global Public Health at UNC.
Dr. Herman-Giddens worked in the field of child health and maltreatment for over 25 years as a medical provider, advocate, researcher, and teacher. She became interested in tick-borne infections many years ago while practicing pediatrics at Duke University Medical Center. Her interest was further piqued when she moved to Chatham County 14 years ago and witnessed the changing environment and increase in tick disease rates in this area.
Join this program by going to fearringtoncares.org > Services > Education Programs. Click on the Zoom link 10 minutes before the program starts and please make sure your sound is muted.
Movement Classes at the Fearrington Cares Center(unless otherwise noted)Registration required for in-person classes (919-542-6877) Suggested donation of $2/class session (cash or check to Fearrington Cares)
| Support Groups Meeting in Person at the Fearrington Cares Center
|
Health Services Offered at the Fearrington Cares Center(9:00 am—12:00 pm, Monday-Friday)
| Support Groups via Zoomwww.fearringtoncares.org
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Welcome to New Residents
The following persons have been added to the Fearrington Village Directory between February 15 and March 14. Want to reach out to your new neighbor? You will find their contact information on our community web page. Go to: FearringtonFHA.org (click Find People under the Directory tab).
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Amy & Gary Derck | 549 Weathersfield |
| Angela Farrell | 6 Caldwell (1121*) |
| Ann Lion & Marc Luoma | 338 Whisperwood Close |
| Sergio Rodriguez & Ashley Yeager | 4038 South McDowell |
| Emily Silverman | 220 Windlestraw |
| Benjamin & Lauren Tillett-Wakeley | 13 Caswell (1135*) |
| Angela Vanore & Scott Wagner | 231 Greystone |
* Post office box number.
Are you a new resident?
To register your information in the Directory, please visit the FHA website at https://fearringtonfha.org. From the left menu (top right on a mobile device) choose Directory, then select New Resident. To confirm you are not a spambot, answer the two questions (answers: Cow and Fitch) and select Check answers. This should take you to the new resident directory registration page.
To obtain full access to website features, you must also create a website account (available only to residents or non-resident owners). You can do this by selecting the Login/Register link in the top menu. At the login page, click the Register button. There, enter in your information and select Register. Once your status as a resident or non-resident owner is confirmed by the Website Resource Team, you will receive an account activation email.
Are you an existing resident whose contact information has changed? Don’t forget to update your listing on the http://www.fearringtonfha.org website. Use the Login/Register link in the top menu if you aren’t logged in yet. Then, click the Directory tab on the left menu (top right on a mobile device), then select Edit My Directory Info. Directory updates can also be sent to directory@fearringtonfha.org. When you update your contact information online, the updates will be included in the Fearrington Village Directory & Handbook printed in January of each year. Stay in touch with your fellow residents by keeping your contact information current.
April 2022 Calendar
All activities will be held at The Gathering Place unless otherwise noted.
Mask Requirement: Due to rising infections and the unvaccinated, individuals using The Gathering Place must wear a mask when inside the building, whether or not they have been vaccinated. This is in keeping with CDC guidelines. If a club does not follow the rules, it will lose its use of the facility. Group leaders may decide whether to require their members to be vaccinated. Check the FHA web page for any updates to this policy.
| Day/Date/Time | Organization | Event | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday April 3 3 pm | Fearrington Concert Series | Performance by UNC School of the Arts | Nina Alperin 919-545-9011 Barbara Hummel-Rossi 516-864-4023 Barbara.hummel.rossi@nyu.edu |
| Wednesday April 6 11 am-12 pm | Green Scene | Green Scene meeting | Jason Welsch 914-806-4852 |
| Friday April 8 10 am | Bulls & Bears Investment Club | Monthly meeting; The Gathering Place & via Zoom | Anna Shearer 703-217-0322 ashearer1219@gmail.com |
| Saturday April 9 1-4 pm | Fearrington Dragons Mah Jongg | Mah Jongg | Robin Weinberger 919-219-5228 weinrob@msn.com Polly Williams 919-478-4260 pw82550@gmail.com |
| Tuesday April 12 3-4 pm | Fearrington Genealogy Group | The 1950 Census: What will you do? | Reece Jones 919-542-1598 |
| Tuesday April 12 7 pm | Fearrington Havurah | Andrew Feiler, A Better Life for Their Children, Julius Rosenwald, Booker T. Washington, and the 4,978 Schools That Changed America | Catherine Garland 301-466-0622 cgar613178@aol.com |
| Wednesday April 20 1:30 pm | Women of Fearrington | General Meeting webinar: Fearrington Night Life | Adrienne Lallo 512-917-6222 |
| Saturday April 23 (rain date April 30) 9 am-12 pm | Women of Fearrington | Paws for a Cause | Barbara Gilbert 919-533-6597 |
| Tuesday April 26 7 pm | Fearrington Democratic Club | Candidate Forum | Cheri DeRosia 919-923-4506 cheri_derosia@hotmail.com |
| Wednesday April 27 7 pm | Fearrington Republican Club | April meeting | Donna Stewart 919-533-6886 |
| Meeting Multiple Days in April | |||
| Friday April 1 9 am-5pm & Saturday April 2 9 am-2 pm | Friends of the Chatham Community Library | Book Sale Chatham Community Library, Pittsboro | Reece Jones 919-542-1598 reecejones@att.net |
| Monday April 4 & Wednesday April 6 10 am | Fearrington Garden Club | Field trip to Montrose Gardens | Debbie Liebtag dliebtag50@gmail.com |
| Wednesdays April 6, 13, 20, & 27 1 pm | Fearrington Duplicate Bridge Club | Weekly Duplicate Game | Dianne Hale haledianne@gmail.com |
| Upcoming Events in May | |||
| Sunday May 1 3 pm | Fearrington Concert Series | Zephyr Ensemble | Nina Alperin 919-545-9011 Barbara Hummel-Rossi 516-864-4023 Barbara.hummel.rossi@nyu.edu |
| Thursday May 5 8:30 am | Fearrington Golf Club | Spring golf tournament Quail Ridge Golf Course, Sanford | Tad McArdle williammcardle66@gmail.com |
| Sunday May 8 3 pm & Tuesday May 10 7:30 pm | Fearrington Village Singers | Spring Concert: America Sings | Kathryn Doster 919-353-5217 fvsings@gmail.com |
