27 Jan FHA Newsletter February 2026
FEARRINGTON HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION
February 2026 Volume 45 Number 2
| Inside This Issue | |
|---|---|
| FHA & Other Fearrington News | This Month’s Features |
| Announcements | Welcome New Residents! |
| This Month’s Calendar | |
| About the Belted Gazette | |
President’s Message
 |
Steve Stewart |
As we began a new year, we welcomed on January 5 our new community manager, Hugh Henkel, with RealManage. Hugh has extensive experience in urban management as well as homeowner association management. He is now on site, so please stop by and introduce yourself.
Later in January we welcomed all new Fearrington residents. It’s always delightful when people find connections, whether of hometowns, places traveled, or work experience.
February events include the distribution of our Directory & Handbook for Fearrington Village. If you requested a copy, it will be brought to your door by your volunteer block contact.
The trimming of trees along the roadsides, by the NC Department of Transportation, begun in January, will continue in February.
In February we celebrate two illustrious presidents of our nation, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, who led our country through critical years. We also celebrate love and friendship on Valentine’s Day—a good thing to do any day of the year!
—by Ellen Shanahan, VP@fhaboard.org, on behalf of Steve Stewart, President
Don’t Forget to Vote in the Primary!
The FHA reminds you that the primary Election Day is Tuesday, March 3. For this election, as with every Election Day, voters in the West Williams precinct (including Fearrington Village residents) may vote only at The Gathering Place from 6:30 am to 7:30 pm. (During early voting, which runs from February 12 to 28, voters may vote at the Health Sciences Center [75 Ballentrae Court] and other venues.) You will need to bring with you a driver’s license or other photo ID to vote. Voters are encouraged to check for updates to voting requirements, voter registration, voter IDs, absentee ballots, polling places, and other important factors at NC State Board of Elections (Upcoming Election | NCSBE) and Chatham County Board of Elections (Elections | Chatham County, NC).
A Reminder from the Editors
A Reminder from the EditorsThe deadline for announcements and calendar info is the 15th of the month preceding the month in which the announcement is to appear. The form to be used to submit information is available here. Simply fill it out, save it to your computer, then attach it to an email and send it to the editors.
With pre-arrangement with the features editor, feature articles are due the 10th of the preceding month in which the article is to be published.
Thank you for adhering to these deadlines!
Breaking News about the Whirligigs!
Breaking News about the Whirligigs!
The Fearrington insider had news about our beloved whirligigs. You can find the article here. Here’s a photo of one restored whirligig that has been put on the side lawn near The Belted Goat.
Fearrington Cares Highlights
Fearrington Cares HighlightsWinterfest at The Barn 2026
Thursday, February 5, 7-10 pm
At The Fearrington Barn
Join us for an unforgettable evening of community, celebration, and giving—with a Mardi Gras twist! Whether you come solo, with a partner, or bring your neighbors, you’re in for a night where the good times roll. Mardi Gras masks are optional but encouraged for extra sparkle!Festivities include a DJ and dancing, hearty refreshments, and a cash bar with wine, beer, and mocktails.
Ticket revenue offsets the cost of the venue, food, service, and DJ. The silent auction is where your generosity fuels the work of Fearrington Cares! Auction items are a curated selection of experiences, services, and handcrafted items—all generously donated by Village members, local artisans and vendors, and service providers. Coming soon: Check our website regularly for updates and sneak peeks of auction items!
Living Well, Together: Part Two
The Serviceberry
Thursday, February 19, 4-5 pm
At The Fearrington Cares Center
Nancy Roman will lead a thought-provoking conversation about The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer—Potawatomi botanist, environmentalist, and professor at Syracuse University. The book challenges the current scarcity-driven economy of competition and resource hoarding, and offers, instead, the vision of a gift economy, symbolized by the serviceberry tree—where abundance is shared for mutual benefit and gratitude within the natural community.
Books available at a discount at McIntyre’s Books. A limited number of books are also available through Beth Coulombe (lisbeth.coulombe@gmail.com).
Registration preferred: Call 919-542-6877 (Mon-Fri, 9 am-1 pm)
Walk-ins Welcome!
Support Groups at Fearrington Cares
Alcoholics Anonymous
Mondays, 10-11 am
At the Fearrington Cares Center
Caregivers of Adult Children with Developmental, Intellectual, and Mental Health Challenges
First Monday of the month, 7-8:30 pm
At the Fearrington Cares Center
Parkinson’s Support Group
First and third Tuesdays, 1:30-3:30 pm
At the Fearrington Cares Center
Contact Doug Zabor at jdzabor@gmail.com.
Caregivers Support Group
First and third Wednesdays, 1-2:30 pm
Via Zoom
Contact Karen Shectman at karenlshectman@gmail.com.
Living with Loss (started 11/6)
First Thursday of the month, 1-2 pm
At the Fearrington Cares Center
PediCure Foot Care Services
Now on Thursdays and Saturdays!
At the Fearrington Cares Center
Put your feet on your priority list in 2026! Be proactive in preventing problems caused by having long or thick toenails. Commit to better care of your feet this year and come see our “foot nurse,” Wendy McCluney, at the Fearrington Cares Clinic.
To schedule an appointment, call the Center at 919-542-6877, Monday through Friday, 9 am-1 pm. Services are payable directly to Wendy.
Film Nite
There will not be a Film Nite in February.
Additional information about Fearrington Cares programs and services can be found on its website,https://fearringtoncares.org.
Galloway Ridge
Galloway Ridge Bus Service for Carolina Men’s Home Basketball Games
The bus will run from the Galloway Ridge main entrance to the Smith Center. Seats may be available for Fearrington Village residents and guests, with Galloway Ridge residents receiving priority. The round-trip cost is $5/person payable by check (no cash) made out to Galloway Ridge and given to the driver. Check in with the lobby concierge at least 1 hour and 30 minutes before the tip-off time.
Registration is required for the bus service at least two business days before the game.
To register, call or email:
Kathie Bright, Administrative Assistant-RE
919-545-2656
RE@gallowayridge.com
Monday-Friday, 10 am-3 pm
Transportation is not guaranteed if you call/email fewer than two days before the game or outside the days and hours listed above. You must provide your own ticket for the game. These are available from the Athletic Department Ticket Office (800-722-4335).
Special Events, Sundays @ 4
Hindsight Bluegrass
“Highlights of Traditional North Carolina Bluegrass”
Sunday, February 1, 4 pm—Chapin Auditorium
If you are familiar with the bluegrass music embedded in central North Carolina, Tommy Edwards’ Bluegrass Experience is a name that comes to mind immediately. The Hindsight Bluegrass Band brings together four of the original band members to perform traditional bluegrass once again. They bring together two guitars, banjo, fiddle, mandolin, and vocalists, with some members having over 50 years of experience, to perform old favorites that showcase the core of bluegrass music! Join us for an hour of traditional bluegrass that gets your toes tapping and you singing along to songs of your youth, like “The Blind Fiddler,” “Wayfaring Stranger,” “Tom Dooley,” “Freight Train,” and many more. No registration required.
Come hear Solomon Eichner perform on Sunday, February 15, at 4 pm, at Chapin Auditorium, Galloway Ridge.
Solomon Eichner has garnered international acclaim with piano performances throughout Europe and the United States. The 2025 season brought Solomon to new venues as well as reengagements on established series in cities throughout the United States. Now, in 2026, to Galloway Ridge!
Sponsored by the March of the Living Foundation, Solomon performed for the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz at the Krakow Philharmonic Hall, Jewish Cultural Center, and at Auschwitz in front of a crowd of 20,000 people.
Solomon is a prizewinner of the Liszt-Garrison International Competition; International Young Artists Competition, Washington D.C.; Golden Key Carnegie Hall Debut Competition; and Miami Music Festival Concerto Competition.
Originally from Baltimore, Solomon is a graduate of the Manhattan School of Music and Peabody Conservatory. Solomon maintains a faculty position in the NC Chamber Music Institute and currently resides in Chapel Hill with his wife, Becky, and newborn daughter, Skylar Gizelle.
The Onyx Club Boys, featuring Sophie Dal-Pra
Django Reinhardt’s Gypsy Jazz of 1930’s Paris
Sunday, March 8, 4-5 pm—Chapin Auditorium
The Onyx Club Boys team up with French vocalist Sophie Dal-Pra for a very special program of music popular in the “hot jazz” clubs of Paris near the end of WWII. The Onyx Club Boys introduce Django Reinhardt and his influence on 1930-1950’s music, known as jazz manouche. Sophie’s specialty is the classic tunes of Edith Piaf, Yves Montand, Charles Trenet, Georges Brassens, and Aznavour. Together, their music takes you on a musical journey of French chansons, valse musettes, jazz manouche, and New York swing. In this lively program, they mix toe-tapping dance numbers, “gypsy” jazz, and songs of heartbreak that we all know far too well.
What’s Happening in the Village Center
What’s Happening in the Village CenterThe Fearrington Farmers Market is held every Tuesday afternoon next to the Fitch Creations offices from 3 to 5 during standard time (from 4 to 6 during daylight saving time). Additional information about the market and its vendors can be found at https://fearringtonfarmersmarket.com/.
As a service to our readers, here is a link to the Village Center calendar, showing events at McIntyre’s Books, The Roost, and the Village Center shops: https://www.fearrington.com/calendar/.
We also remind readers that The Belted Goat is open Wednesday through Sunday, 9 am to 5 pm, and other Village Center shops are open on those days from 10 am to 5 pm.
Galloway’s Wine & Beer Bar is open Wednesday through Saturday from 5 to 8 pm, with live music from 5 to 7 pm. Patrons can enter through the downstairs door near McIntyre’s. On Fridays, people can order pizza online from The Roost for pickup from 4 to 6 pm and can enjoy their order at Galloway’s. More details can be found at www.fearrington.com.
This Month’s Features
| A Lantern Walk to Celebrate the Winter Solstice |
| Food Trucks |
A Lantern Walk to Celebrate the Winter Solstice, 2025
Gordon Pitz, with help from Beth Coulombe and Wendy Snodgrass
As the sun set on December 21, the shortest day of the year, 178 residents gathered near The Roost. Most were bearing lanterns, many of which had been constructed earlier by their bearer (see last month’s article about creating lanterns). This annual event began in 2021, when Beth Gold and Mariana Fiorentino introduced it as a neighborhood event in the Camdens. Fearrington Cares sponsored it the following year, and in 2023 the FHA joined them. This year’s participation was the largest yet.
Click on any photo to see an enlarged view.
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Christmas tree and illuminated Beltie welcomed the walkers (left). Lights came on in Fearrington Village (center), while Carolyn and Mary Edmonds and Wendy Snodgrass led the way (right). |
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Walkers circled the Village Center (left), passing the suitably illuminated Fearrington Barn (center), then entered Jenny’s Park (right). |
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A commissionaire aided walkers at the Jenny’s Park bridge. He guided Mary and Carolyn Edmonds (left) and Sherri Heuer (right). |
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At the end of the walk, walkers enjoyed refreshments (left) while they displayed their lanterns (right). |
A novel feature this time hinted at the long history of winter solstice celebrations. Participants were guided as they crossed the bridge in Jenny’s Park by a commissionaire, a distinguished gentleman in top hat and formal suit. He stood like a figure from the Dickensian era, projecting a sense of security and control.
The walk ended where it began, with suitable refreshments provided. Maggie Tunstall, Mary Edmonds, and Wendy Snodgrass coordinated the refreshments, which were contributed by the FHA. Fred Morris provided the PA system and technical expertise.
The walk ended where it began, with suitable refreshments provided. Maggie Tunstall, Mary Edmonds, and Wendy Snodgrass coordinated the refreshments, which were contributed by the FHA. Fred Morris provided the PA system and technical expertise.
Thanks go to Fitch Creations for allowing the walk to take place in the Village. The Village looked beautiful that evening and provided the perfect setting.
Beth Coulombe and Fearrington Cares deserve primary credit for organizing this event. Their planning, coordination, and volunteer support made the evening possible. The handmade lanterns, the leisurely pace of the walk, and the shared sense of community made it a special evening for everyone.
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Food Trucks for February
By Leigh Matthews
February 4: Ta Contento Mex FreshFood (Mexican) Salsa, guacamole, burritos, bowls, nachos, salads, tacos, sides, flan, tres leches
February 11: Tikka Masala Indian Grill (Indian, Halal, Health Food) Samosas, dumplings, curries, gyros, naan, rice
February 18: The Blue Window (Mediterranean) Plates, wraps, fries, stuffed grape leaves
February 25: Cousins Maine Lobster (Seafood, TexMex, Sandwiches) Maine and Connecticut rolls, tacos, tots, quesadillas, soups, whoopie pies. Note: they have their own mobile app for preordering available at their website, https://www.cousinsmainelobster.com.
Food trucks are located at The Gathering Place parking lot from 5 to 7:30 pm on Wednesdays. You may order and pick up at the truck. Or, you can visit our hotspot page and place your preorder for pick-up at the truck. (Cousins Maine Lobster has its own app for preordering.)
Our hotspot page, https://streetfoodfinder.com/fearringtonvillage, is where you’ll find the most up-to- date information, links to menus and pre-ordering, and a sign-up for weekly emails.
For more info, please contact Deborah Repplier at drepplier@gmail.com.
This Month’s Announcements
Please use the Announcement Submission Request form to submit club and organization announcements. Email the form, after saving it first so that we do not get a blank form, to editors@fearringtonfha.org. If you need assistance, one of our editorial team members will work with you if you email us at editors@fearringtonfha.org. | Fearrington Clubs and Organizations
Community Opportunities |
Clubs and Organizations
AM Book Club
On February 18 at 10:15 am, the AM Book Club will discuss Finding Margaret Fuller, by Allison Pataki, at McIntyre’s Books.
In the company of Ralph Waldo Emerson and his circle, a young, brilliant Margaret Fuller becomes “the radiant genius and fiery heart” of the transcendentalists. She inspires Louisa May Alcott, sparks Hawthorne to create Hester Prynne, and forms close bonds with Thoreau and Emerson. However, she yearns for more, leading her to defy societal conventions as an activist for women’s rights and a champion for humanity.
For more information contact Carole Yardley, peacefulathome@bellsouth.net.
Bocce Club
Bocce—it’s easier than you think—is great exercise, provides socialization, and is playable year-round! Mixed men’s and women’s open play takes place on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2 pm in the winter and 10 am the rest of the year. The bocce pitches are at the end of Benchmark off Creekwood in the Historic District. For more information, contact Jim Rudbeck at 919-444-3117 or jprudbeck40@gmail.com.
Democratic Club
Join the Fearrington Democratic Club as we host Robert Pearson, former US ambassador to Turkey and former director general of the Foreign Service. He will discuss the recent dismantling of USAID and address its consequences for US foreign policy.
Ambassador Pearson served under 6 US presidents and 11 secretaries of state during his long career in the foreign service and held diplomatic posts in New Zealand, Turkey, France, and Beijing. Ambassador Pearson currently lives in Fearrington Village.
The meeting will be on Tuesday, February 24, from 7 to 8:15 pm at The Gathering Place. Doors open at 6:30 for socializing. All Fearrington and Galloway residents and their guests are welcome. The program will also be available on Zoom. To request the Zoom link, please use the form on the Club’s website (www.fearringtondems.org) by 5 pm on January 27, and earlier is better.
Dog Club
Chapel Hill’s first 24/7 emergency room for animals opened in September 2025. Founded in 2014, Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG) has over 80 hospitals nationwide. Its web page claims VEG takes a different approach to pet emergencies. “…we keep things completely transparent, from our fully open and immersive environment to our focus on the customer.”
We have invited Dr. Robyn Hahn, medical director, and Rachael Fehl, hospital manager, to tell us about VEG, its services, and to explain its “fully open/immersive environment” concept. We anticipate they will also share what it is like to work at a full-time emergency clinic, where stress can be high for patient, pet owner, and physician alike. Join us on Thursday, February 19, from 1 to 2:30 pm, at The Gathering Place as we learn about this new emergency animal hospital just 20 minutes from Fearrington Village.
Duplicate Bridge Club
Join us for a face-to-face game every week in February. We will play on: Wednesday, February 4 & 11; Friday, February 20; and Wednesday, February 25.
We play at 1 pm at The Gathering Place. We’re always looking to add new players. Play the first time is free; after that, the fee is $7 to defray the costs. To sign up to play or if you have questions, please contact Dianne Hale at haledianne@gmail.com.
Fearrington Blooms Pickup Service
Your neighbors volunteering at the Second Bloom Thrift Store in Pittsboro are offering a free monthly service for Fearrington residents. Donations to Second Bloom Thrift store are now picked up from your home and delivered to the store in Pittsboro.
To request a pickup: email kathy@secondbloomofchatham.org with your address, phone number, and any special instructions. The February pickup is scheduled for Wednesday, February 18. Please email Kathy by Wednesday, February 11, to be included.
Second Bloom Thrift Store welcomes clean, gently used or new adult clothing and accessories, including fine and costume jewelry, shoes, purses, ties, scarves, etc. We don’t accept children’s clothing, housewares, furniture, sports equipment, or tools. Donations should be securely packaged and left on your porch or doorstep by 11 am for pickup by 2 pm.
Thanks for your generosity!
Fearrington Cares Film Nite
Film Nite is taking a short February hiatus, but we’ll be back on Thursday,
March 19, with another great evening of film. Stay tuned!
And a reminder: Film Nite happens on the third Thursday of each month for the rest of the year—great films, popcorn, and community. We hope you’ll join us!
Fearrington StoryCorps
Fearrington StoryCorps has collected for posterity more than 80 stories from our neighbors and friends. You can listen to excerpts online at FearringtonStoryCorps. Here are two samples:
- Mary Ellen Sweeney and Hoyt Taylor as newlyweds found adventure and discovered the essence of travel in Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro. Their travels continued to Machu Picchu, South Africa, East Africa, and Egypt.
- Patricia Watts grew up in a home filled with love. Her interest in genealogy led her to learn a surprising truth about her beginnings.
To tell your story, or to join the StoryCorps team, send an email message: FearringtonStoryCorps@gmail.com.
Fearrington Village Singers
Got the midwinter blahs, the midwinter blues?
Think it happens to only you?
Think how warm and cozy it is inside
With FVS singers close by your side
As we start to make music to welcome the spring
How we raise all our voices, and oh, how we sing!
It’s never too late to join in the fun.
You’re invited to join us, everyone!
The American Songbook, perhaps rock ‘n roll
To tickle your fancy and delight your soul?
Stay tuned for more details, come join us today.
No audition required, and come what may
You’ll have sixty new friends, and whatever life brings
You will lift up your voice, and oh, how you’ll sing!
To learn more about the Fearrington Village Singers:
Website: www.fearringtonvillagesingers.org
Email to: info@fearringtonvillagesingers.org
Mondays, 3:30-5:30 pm: Women’s rehearsals
Thursdays, 3:30-5:30pm: Men’s rehearsals
At The Gathering Place
Galloway Ridge
News from Galloway Ridge can now be found in the first section. Click here.
Garden Club
Fearrington Garden Club Meeting, February 17, at 2 pm, at The Gathering Place
Our guest speaker will be Jennifer Howard, whose topic will be “Cool season hardy annuals for cutting, and why we plant them differently in the South.”
You’ll learn which flowers thrive with fall or winter planting, how our local climate changes their growth habits, and how to adjust your planting schedule for better blooms and longer vase life.
Jennifer Howard is the farmer-florist behind Buck-Naked Farm and Henhouse Flowers in Pittsboro. She grows seasonal flowers for weddings, workshops, and local customers.
Genealogy Group
Tuesday, February 10, 3-5 pm, at The Gathering Place
“Belle, Duel, Asylum, and Survival: How I Used Genealogical Resources to Write a Scholarly Article,” by Dav Robertson
Betsey Devereux Jones, daughter of one of North Carolina’s richest men, led a life similar to Scarlett O’Hara’s—but a generation earlier. Dishonored by an indiscretion and the ensuing duel fought over her, Betsey was institutionalized in an insane asylum. But the very independence shown by Betsey—frowned upon in antebellum times—stood her well during and after the Civil War. Her life reflected the changes in women’s roles brought about by the war, from subservient belle to self-sufficient woman.
Librarian (retired) Dav Robertson will show how he began with an 1835 letter from Betsey to his 2nd great-grand-aunt (an intimate Pittsboro schoolmate of Betsey’s) and went on to use genealogical resources and archives to reconstruct the puzzle of Betsey’s life and publish her biography in the North Carolina Historical Review last year.
Citation:
Davenport Robertson, “Honor, the Duel, and Indiscretion: The Life of Elizabeth ‘Betsey’ Pollock Devereux Jones (1818-1879),” North Carolina Historical Review, v. C1, no. 4 (October 2024): 379-419.
Golf Club
The new year’s golf has been challenging due to the cold. Layering of clothes and adapting to the day’s conditions has been essential. Nonetheless FGC is well underway with its December-February Winter Series, a handicap-adjusted friendly rivalry for the 2026 winter season.
Fearrington Golf Club organizers place a priority on selecting a variety of interesting courses around the region, and many tee options are available to accommodate differing skill levels.
Here is our February Tuesday/Thursday list of scheduled outings:
2/3 10:00 am Mill Creek, Mebane
2/5 10:30 am Quail Ridge, Sanford
2/10 10:00 am Pinewood, Greensboro
2/12 10:30 am Quail Ridge, Sanford
2/17 11:00 am River Ridge, Raleigh
2/19 10:26 am Carolina Trace, Sanford
2/24 10:00 am The Woods, Whispering Pines
2/26 10:36 am Chapel Ridge, Pittsboro
If you would like to join our golf club or try one of our outings as a guest, please contact Chris Horn, membership chair, at fearringtongolfclub@gmail.com. Further info about the golf club and current outing updates can be found at our website. Click here.
Great Decisions
The Grand Strategy of a Free Republic:
The commercial, private, and non-governmental drivers of America’s rise to power
The Honorable John Hillen, DPhil
Distinguished Lecturing Fellow, Center for Politics (POLIS)
Executive-in-Residence, Political Science Department
Duke University
Former US Asst. Secretary of State for Political/Military Affairs
Thursday, February 12, 1:30 pm, The Gathering Place
To understand America’s rise in the world and its enduring source of competitive advantage, we must look beyond government policy and incorporate the broader energies of the nation itself—its commerce, innovation, and civil life. Through this wider lens, a clearer pattern emerges that explains how the design of the republic, the evolution of America’s strategic culture, and the sources of its enduring advantage are deeply connected. This approach elucidates not only what America has done abroad, but why it has engaged the world in such a distinctive and exceptional way.
Open without charge to residents of Fearrington Village, Galloway Ridge, and their guests.
Green Scene
NC WARN is a nonprofit environmental research and advocacy group, dedicated to promoting clean power and climate justice. In their more than 38 years of existence, they have explored many issues and championed many initiatives, in furtherance of those objectives. They have recently produced an 18-minute documentary film, The True Cost of Power: Duke Energy’s Climate Deception, which will be screened at the Fearrington Green Scene’s next meeting, in The Gathering Place, on Wednesday, February 11, from 11 am to 12 noon. Staff members of NC WARN will be on hand to explain current programs and host a question-and-answer session. All are welcome to attend.
Havurah
Instead of our regular meeting on Tuesday, February 10, we will meet at The Gathering Place on Sunday, February 15, at 11 am for Sunday brunch: bagels and lox and assorted beverages and goodies. Cost: $10 per person. If you plan to attend, please make check payable to Fearrington Havurah and drop off at the Swim & Croquet mail kiosk no later than February 7.
Mah Jongg Dragons
February’s Fearrington Dragons Mah Jongg game will be Saturday,
February 14, from 1 to 4 pm at The Gathering Place.
Our games are open to nonmembers, both in Fearrington and who live outside the Village. Guests from outside Fearrington must be invited by a resident of Fearrington. All guests will need to register and pay $5 each month or join the Dragons and pay a membership fee of $30 per year.
If you know of anyone who would like to learn how to play MJ, please contact Mary Donna Pond at mdpond@gmail.com.
Join us on February 14 for a fun-filled afternoon; snacks and drinks provided.
May the jokers be ever in your favor!!
Military History Club
Program: The Accidental Witnesses to the Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Explosion
Tuesday, February 17, 7 pm, at The Gathering Place
By accident of miscommunication, there was another aircraft and crew over Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. It was not part of the mission led by Paul Tibbets in Enola Gay. Come and hear how an accident of miscommunication almost compromised this most top-secret mission during WW II. This story is not in any history book.
Poker Knights
Poker Knights is a Fearrington Village club for poker players. All adult Fearrington residents are welcome to join. We meet every Monday evening at 7 at The Gathering Place for Dealer’s Choice games (no wild cards, no high/low games). Games played are five-card draw, seven-card stud, Omaha and their derivatives, as well as Texas Hold ’em.
We also meet every 2nd and 4th Thursday at 7 pm at The Gathering Place for a Texas Hold ’em tournament.
If you are interested in joining us, please contact Bob Spillane at 919-742-0744 or weathersfield1@gmail.com for details.
Swim & Croquet Club
Happy New Year to our current and prospective members of FSCC! As follow-up to our annual meeting on January 11, the Club is excited to announce that we are moving to a new, user-friendly online membership portal/app. The Club is also going “cashless” (no checks!) by only accepting credit card payments for initiation and dues payments; normal credit card fees apply, but we no longer collect convenience fees. Stay tuned for more information on this exciting transition. Additionally, FSCC will host the Chatham County Senior Games for golf croquet in mid-April. Senior games for golf croquet will be held on the Club’s croquet court on April 15, 2026. Registration information will soon be available from the County, so be on the lookout at your mail kiosk for more information.
Email the Club if you have any questions: fearringtonswimcroquet@gmail.com.
Tennis & Pickleball Association
Was exercise on your 2026 New Year’s resolution list? Consider tennis and/or pickleball play! For information on tennis, contact Karen Vaca at karenallenvaca@gmail.com; for pickleball, contact Nancy Roman at nancyellenroman55@gmail.com.
Pickleball play is now quiet play, meaning players must use noise-reducing paddle covers or US Pickleball-approved quiet paddles, which can be found here: USA Pickleball Approved Pickleball Paddles And Balls. Paddle covers are available from Quiet Strike and PB Mufflers. There are two scheduled times for non-quiet play: Mondays and Wednesdays at 12:30 pm. Please also be mindful of “people noise” which can be disruptive to nearby neighbors.
We encourage you to come out and play either or both sports as we work together to enjoy fun exercise while being considerate of our neighbors. Hope to see you on the courts!
Women of Fearrington
Women of Fearrington (WoF) February program and meeting on Wednesday, February 18, 1:30-3:30 pm, at The Gathering Place. Doors open at 1 pm. Guest Speaker: Kate Underhill, market manager, Chapel Hill Farmers Market. Topic: “Marketing & Managing a Farmers Market.”
Kate Underhill will share what’s unique about the Chapel Hill Farmers Market, where her role covers operations and maintenance to marketing and customer service.
This event is free to WoF members; guests and Village & Galloway residents are invited and asked to pay $5 at the door. All proceeds benefit our Chatham County grants program, Wonderful Options. Everyone needs to register, please. Go to the WoF website here to register and read more about our guest speaker. Refreshments will be served.
As we continue our 2026 expanded-beyond-cooking-classes, winter/spring series “EPICUREAN EXPERIENCES” classes #3 and #4 are OPEN NOW; EE #5, #6, and #7 OPEN at 9 am on Monday, February 2! Limited tickets available, so please register and pay quickly.
For details and to register, visit our website here.
EE#3 Bountiful Bread Baking
Donna Fehrenbach and Colette File, instructors—in a Village home
Friday, February 13, 9 am-1 pm
$45/person ($35 of this fee is a donation to the Wonderful Options Fund)
EE#4 Passage to India
Sharmila Udyavar, instructor—in a Village home
Saturday, March 7, 4-8 pm
$65/person ($35 of this fee is a donation to the Wonderful Options Fund)
EE#5 The Sweet Side of Brunch
Alex Buie, instructor—in a Village home
Saturday, March 28, 11:00 am-2:30 pm
$65/person ($35 of this fee is a donation to the Wonderful Options Fund)
EE#6 Mangia! Handmade Pastas & Homemade Sauces
Maria Ferraro Driver, instructor—The Gathering Place
Tuesday, March 31, 5-7 pm
$85/person ($35 of this fee is a donation to the Wonderful Options Fund)
EE#7 A Taste of Turkish Traditions
Refika Yousefi, instructor—Sancar Turkish Cultural Center, Chapel Hill
Saturday, April 18, 2-4 pm
$75/person ($35 of this fee is a donation to the Wonderful Options Fund)
Epicurean Experiences is a WoF fundraiser supporting women & children of Chatham County. Women of Fearrington appreciates your enthusiasm for these classes. Thank you!
Estate Sale Fundraiser
Need to declutter? Help yourself and benefit Chatham County women and children through an in-kind donation.
Bring your well-loved-but-not-worn-out household items to a Fearrington home between March 11 and 14 (by appointment only) for a multi-day sale, to be handled by a professional estate sale company later that month. Net proceeds will go to the Wonderful Options Fund.
Fine print:
- Exact date, time, and location of the estate sale will be revealed soon.
- NO: books; clothing; treadmills; anything that is broken/torn/dirty/stained.
- YES: furniture, linens in good condition, china, glassware, art, sporting equipment, rugs (clean & unstained), jewelry, knickknacks, miscellaneous kitchen, garage items (tools, gardening supplies), outdoor items (yard art, sculptures).
- You’ll receive a blank donation form for tax purposes when items are dropped off.
For more information or to arrange for donations, please contact Jo Bolig, jobolig@gmail.com.
There’s still time to renew your Women of Fearrington (WoF) annual membership! We welcome new members, too. One year is only $30! Click here to get to our membership webpage. Dues may be paid with cash, check, or credit/debit card. Easy, peasy. The WoF fiscal year, like many organizations, runs July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026.
Community Opportunities
Chatham County Historical Association
The Chatham County Historical Association continues its celebration of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. Join us on Sunday, February 1, at 2 pm in Pittsboro’s Historic Courthouse (9 Hillsboro Street) as Carole Troxler, professor emerita at Elon University, discusses “The Regulator Movement and the Revolution in the North Carolina Backcountry.”
In the 1760s, yeoman farmers in North Carolina’s Piedmont became increasingly angry about the corruption among the colonial officials who collected their taxes and enforced their laws. A wave of popular support for stricter regulation of these laws resulted in years of minor clashes between the farmer “Regulators” and the royal militia and culminated in the Battle of Alamance in 1771.
This little-known rebellion in North Carolina highlighted the growing discontent with colonial rule among American colonists and helped to set the stage for the American Revolution.
All are welcome. Admission is free.
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Welcome New Residents!
The following new villagers were added to the Fearrington Village Directory & Handbook between December 15, 2025, and January 14, 2026, either as new residents or existing residents with new addresses. 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 |
James K. (Jim) Archibald & Timothy S. (Tim) Jones | 127 Creekwood |
Elizabeth (Liz) Cothran | 343 Whisperwood Close |
Virgil Lee (Lee) Ellis & Thomas A. (Tom) Galey | 499 Beechmast |
Jay Emmer | 648 Spindlewood |
Grace E. Fasolino | 4105 The Knolls Close |
Therese Fowler & John Kessel | 927 Woodham |
Carol D. Gates | 4127 The Knolls Close |
Rory Hanlon & Alexandra Robinson | 87 Shagbark |
Paula E. Hartman-Stein & Rob G. Stein | 4042 South McDowell |
Karen T. King | 134 Weatherbend |
Carolyn A. & Thomas W. Maddox | 4620 Forsyth |
Joseph A. (Joe) & Judith Keenan (Judie) Miller | 398 Lyndfield Close |
Jo Moore | 4625 Forsyth |
Deborah J. (Debby) & Thomas P. (Tom) Morgan | 210 Hollyhock |
Gerald A. & Kathleen Mary Ponder | 7 Yancey (1022*) |
Kathryn H. (Kathy) & Thomas V. (Tom) Scarritt | 13 West Madison (1158*) |
Mary & Steve Schilling | 710 Spindlewood |
Albert (Al) & Barbara Segars | 4615 Forsyth |
James (Jim) Shaw | 411 Brampton Close |
Cynthia S. (Cindy) & Timothy A. (Tim) Stratton | 92 Meadow Run |
Marjorie A. (Marge) Suazo | 359 Linden Close |
*Fearrington Post 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 Residents. 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. Enter 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 https://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.
Moving Away? If you’re leaving Fearrington Village permanently, please let us know by emailing admin@fearringtonfha.org.
Death Notices: Residents may sign up to receive email notices of the deaths of current and former Village residents by emailing notices@fearringtonfha.org. Survivors wishing to submit a notice or obituary can use the same email address. Notices or obituaries should include the name of deceased, survivors (optional), date (and optionally cause) of death, particulars about funeral or memorial service, and any donations in memoriam.
February 2026 Calendar
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All activities will be held at The Gathering Place unless otherwise noted.
The links below will bring you to the online Combined Village Calendar, which is updated periodically from multiple sources.
The following link shows events that are scheduled by shops in the Village Center.
Other Events at McIntyre’s & Village Center Shops
The table below contains the calendar compiled by the editors from announcements that are submitted for publication.
| Day/Date/Time | Organization | Event | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday February 1 2 pm Pittsboro Courthouse | Chatham County Historical Association | Carole Troxler, Professor Emerita Elon University — “The Regulator Movement and the Revolution in the North Carolina Backcountry” | Mary Cullen Carroll mcullencarroll@ outlook.com |
| Sunday February 1 4 pm Chapin Auditorium | Galloway Ridge Special Events | “Highlights of Traditional North Carolina Bluegrass” | Terry Ames tkames@yahoo.com 919 923-3148 |
| Tuesday February 3 10 am Mill Creek, Mebane | Fearrington Golf Club | Golf | Mark Stafford Smith staff002@mc.duke.edu 919-971-6999 |
| Wednesday February 4 5-7:30 pm | Food Truck | Ta Contento Mex FreshFood | Deborah Repplier drepplier@gmail.com |
| Thursday February 5 10.30 am Quail Ridge, Sanford | Fearrington Golf Club | Golf | Mark Stafford Smith staff002@mc.duke.edu 919-971-6999 |
| Thursday February 5 7-10 pm The Barn | Fearrington Cares & Fearrington Homeowners Association | Winterfest | |
| Tuesday February 10 10 am Pinewood, Greensboro | Fearrington Golf Club | Golf | Mark Stafford Smith staff002@mc.duke.edu 919-971-6999 |
| Tuesday February 10 3-5 pm | Fearrington Genealogy Group | Monthly Meeting Dav Robertson— “Belle, Duel, Asylum, and Survival: How I Used Genealogical Resources to Write a Scholarly Article” | Barbara Ashby gjwl@aol.com 401-952-4426 |
| Wednesday February 11 11 am-12 noon | Fearrington Green Scene | Meeting— The True Cost of Power: Duke Energy’s Climate Deception | Jason Welsch 914-806-4852 |
| Wednesday February 11 5-7:30 pm | Food Truck | Tikka Masala Indian Grill | Deborah Repplier drepplier@gmail.com |
| Thursday February 12 10:30 am Quail Ridge, Sanford | Fearrington Golf Club | Golf | Mark Stafford Smith staff002@mc.duke.edu 919-971-6999 |
| Thursday February 12 1:30 pm | Great Decisions | The Hon. John Hillen, DPhil Distinguished Lecturing Fellow, Center for Politics (POLIS); Executive-in-Residence, Political Science Dept. Duke University; Former U.S. Asst. Secretary of State for Political/Military Affairs — “The Grand Strategy of a Free Republic: The commercial, private, and non-governmental drivers of America’s rise to power” | Liz Welfel welfeler@yahoo.com |
| Thursday February 12 7 pm | Poker Knights | Texas Hold’em Tournament | Bob Spillane weathersfield1@ gmail.com |
| Saturday February 14 1-4 pm | Mah Jongg Dragons | Mah Jongg | Polly Williams pw82550@gmail.com 919-478-4260 |
| Sunday February 15 11 am | Havurah | Sunday brunch | Art Lituchy 919-961-0271 |
| Sunday February 15 4 pm Chapin Auditorium | Galloway Ridge Special Events | Solomon Eichner Pianist “Great Romantic Composers: Classical and Contemporary” | Richard Falvo r.falvo@icloud.com 919 533 677 |
| Tuesday February 17 11 am River Ridge, Raleigh | Fearrington Golf Club | Golf | Mark Stafford Smith staff002@mc.duke.edu 919-971-6999 |
| Tuesday February 17 2 pm | Fearrington Garden Club | Guest Speaker— Jennifer Howard “Cool Season Hardy Annuals for Cutting – Why we plant them differently in the South” | Debbie Liebtag dliebtag50@gmail.com |
| Tuesday February 17 7 pm | Military History Club | “The Accidental Witnesses to Hiroshima” | Ken Samuelson krsmws@gmail.com 336-589-0542 |
| Wednesday February 18 10:15 am McIntyre’s Books | AM Book Club | Finding Margaret Fuller by Allison Pataki | Carole Yardley peacefulathome@ bellsouth.net |
| Wednesday February 18 1:30-3:30 pm | Women of Fearrington | Program & meeting— Kate Underhill Manager, Chapel Hill Farmers Market “Marketing & Managing a Farmers Market” | Jo Bolig JoBolig@gmail.com |
| Wednesday February 18 5-7:30 pm | Food Truck | The Blue Window | Deborah Repplier drepplier@gmail.com |
| Thursday February 19 10:26 am Carolina Trace, Sanford | Fearrington Golf Club | Golf | Mark Stafford Smith staff002@mc.duke.edu 919-971-6999 |
| Thursday February 19 1-2:30 pm | Fearrington Dog Club | Monthly Meeting— VEG: Chapel Hill’s New Animal ER Open 24/7 Speaker: Dr. Robyn Hahn, Medical Director | Ann Melchior amelchior@verizon.net |
| Thursday February 19 4-5 pm Fearrington Cares Center | Fearrington Cares | Living Well, Together: Part Two Nancy Roman— The Serviceberry By Robin Wall Kimmerer | 919-542-6877 |
| Tuesday February 24 10 am The Woods Whispering Pines | Fearrington Golf Club | Golf | Mark Stafford Smith staff002@mc.duke.edu 919-971-6999 |
| Tuesday February 24 7 pm | Fearrington Democratic Club | Meeting: Robert Pearson Former U.S. Ambassador to Turkey; former Director General of the Foreign Service — ‘The recent dismantling of USAID and its consequences for U.S. foreign policy” | Vickie Shea victoria.shea32@ yahoo.com |
| Wednesday February 25 5-7:30 pm | Food Truck | Cousins Maine Lobster | Deborah Repplier drepplier@gmail.com |
| Thursday February 26 10:36 am Chapel Ridge, Pittsboro | Fearrington Golf Club | Golf | Mark Stafford Smith staff002@mc.duke.edu 919-971-6999 |
| Meeting Multiple Days in February | |||
| Monday February 2, 9, 16, & 23 3:30-5:30 pm | Fearrington Village Singers | Women’s rehearsals | Jackie Castle jackiecastle@mac.com |
| Monday February 2, 9, 16, & 23 7 pm | Poker Knights | Dealer Choice | Bob Spillane weathersfield1@ gmail.com |
| Wednesday February 4, 11, & 25 Friday February 20 1 pm | Duplicate Bridge Club | Duplicate Bridge | Dianne Hale haledianne@ gmail.com |
| Thursday February 5, 12, 19, & 26 3:30-5:30 pm | Fearrington Village Singers | Men’s rehearsals | Jackie Castle jackiecastle@mac.com |
| Upcoming Events in March | |||
| Sunday March 8 4-5 pm Chapin Auditorium | Galloway Ridge Special Events | Onyx Club Boys & French vocalist Sophie Dal-Pra—Django Reinhardt’s gypsy jazz of 1930’s Paris | Terry Ames tkames@yahoo.com 919 923-3148 |
| Sunday March 15 3 pm | Fearrington Concert Series | Aurora String Quartet | Laura Johnson mcdowell@brevard.edu |
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, https://fearringtonfha.org.
| The Belted Gazette The Belted Gazette is produced by the Fearrington Homeowners Association (FHA), by and for the residents of Fearrington Village in Pittsboro, NC.
| Submissions The Belted Gazette contains community news, reports from the FHA Board members, items of interest to residents, and announcements of club and neighborhood activities. 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? Please read the Publishing Guidelines at https://fearringtonfha.org/newsletter-guidelines-for-d-hb/. 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 (https://fearringtonfha.org). | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Happy President’s Day