12 Sep FHA Newsletter July 2021
FEARRINGTON HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER
July/August 2021 Volume 40 Number 7
President’s Message
Criticism Dogs Us
If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they’ll kill you. Oscar Wilde
At two meetings with friends recently, I mentioned that I was in the final months of my presidency of FHA. To my surprise the responses I got were along the lines of “I bet you will be glad to get out of it; you must get a lot of grief from people!” Fact is, I don’t. Maybe it is because I try to make people laugh—sometimes at the most inappropriate things. It often makes my wife want to hide, which amuses me.
Yes, like other board members, I get a lot of emails and calls from people needing help or wanting action on something, but that is never a problem. People expect help. Sometimes, especially around covenants issues, tempers fray a bit. Our Director of Covenants, Ric Frank, deserves a medal.
Board members have disagreements, and we have residents who disagree with the board, but we do not let things get personal among us villagers. I was a corporate guy for a lot of years where competition was fierce, and then I worked in nonprofits or served on their boards. When we left Texas, I was on four nonprofit boards and President of one of them. All in all, things got antagonistic and personal more than I would have liked, but I always tried to lighten the mood.
FHA is busy with lots of area for disagreement. Beechmast Pond is a good example. We all agree it is important to preserve the natural setting, protect wildlife, and keep an attractive setting. It is also important to take the long view and to minimize demands on our budget. We may disagree about how to best accomplish all those goals, but we all want to acknowledge the disagreements and take a thoughtful approach to resolving the issues.
Our board of very competent people does work well together, and a key role for me is to facilitate that. There are heavy demands on time for all of us. We have disagreements, but we take the same thoughtful approach to resolving them as a group of friends. Two people have resigned, but that was for purely personal family reasons. As some terms for board members end, there will be openings on the board for next year, and you will hear more about candidates for these positions soon. Thankfully, Rose Krasnow has agreed to move from Vice President to President in the election scheduled for November. No one can do a better job than Rose to promote a congenial, cooperative approach to settling arguments.
The village dogs are an important constituency of mine as well. As I walk my dog Lily around, we meet lots of other dogs. In the four years we have been here I have met only three that have loudly displayed initial personal antagonism (and turn up noses at my jokes) when I try to discuss mutual concerns. I admit having trouble remembering peoples’ names, but I do remember dog names. I recently met a small white dog with a memorable name—TaterTot—who immediately came to agreement with me.
The dogs do the usual “meet and greet” that goes on between them as they explore solutions to their problems. I often wonder if things might not be better if people could develop an equivalent way to interact, one that, as it does for dogs, allows them to share their moods and feelings. At least it might be a way to prevent disagreements from escalating into dog fights.
—Carl Angel, 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 Publishing 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). | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Aging in Community Team
A key finding of the 2020 Fearrington Community Assessment Survey was the interest from a majority of respondents to “aging in place.”
In response, the FHA Board established a group of volunteers whose intent is to find ways to increase support and the quality of life for residents wishing to age in place.
Fearrington Cares provides residents with many resources and services through the varied programs they offer. The Aging in Community Team will work to identify additional resources available to support residents wishing to age in the community and in their homes as long as feasible.
Members of the Team are Karen Metzguer, Executive Director of Fearrington Cares, and residents Matt Alexander, Sheila Creth, Susie Eckblad, Abigail English, Bill Little, and Jane Woodard. Another five residents have contributed to efforts focused on identifying resources on specific topics.
The Team’s efforts began in May and will continue over the summer months.
—Sheila Creth
Beechmast Pond Survey Results
In May, residents of Fearrington Village were asked to participate in a survey on their preferences for maintaining Beechmast Pond. The survey presented five options suggested by Kris Bass Engineering (KBE), three of which would be changes to our current approach. Those options were:
• Continue with the current dredging activity every year
• Retain pond with an expanded forebay, with dredging every five years
• Remove pond and create a wetlands area, with bi-annual dredging
• Remove pond and restore it to a stream
• No opinion
The survey was open from May 14th through May 26th. Altogether, 353 responses were received. Below are the results of the survey:
| Response | Count | Percent |
| Continue with the current dredging activity | 26 | 7.4% |
| Retain pond with an expanded forebay, with dredging every five years | 71 | 20.1% |
| Remove pond and restore it to a stream | 12 | 3.4% |
| Remove pond and restore it to a stream | 222 | 62.9% |
| No opinion | 22 | 6.2% |
| Total Responding | 363 |
Over 62% of the residents of Fearrington who responded preferred the option of a stream restoration. The preferred option of a stream restoration is contingent on the FHA’s obtaining a matching grant to help cover the initial costs of the project. If the Board votes to pursue that option, then KBE will help in writing a grant proposal. It is also necessary that the proposal be sponsored by a nonprofit agency, and KBE will help to set that up.
The FHA Board will be visiting several restoration projects to acquire a better understanding of the possible end result of undertaking a restoration. Once the Board completes this review, it will vote on which option to pursue.
Meeting with NC Department of Transportation
On June 16, members of the FHA Board and the Walking Paths and Nature Trails Subcommittee met with representatives of the NC Department of Transportation (NCDoT): Justin Bullock, Chatham County Maintenance Engineer, Jennifer Britt, Assistant District Supervisor, and Blaine Ritter from the Traffic Service Office. The purpose of the meeting was to address several questions that have arisen concerning roads and pathways in Fearrington Village.
The Walking Paths and Nature Trails Subcommittee has developed a list of proposed improvements for roadside pathways and crosswalks. In this connection, a number of questions have arisen. The questions concern state statutes and regulations that might affect proposals for new or modified pathways and suggested crosswalks. The committee’s proposals, and the attendant questions, were addressed to the NCDoT representatives. You can read the full list of questions and proposals in a separate document.
For several of the proposals, the right-of-way for state roads limits possible locations for new pathways. There are also other requirements that might apply. For example, pathways must usually be located seven to ten feet from the edge of the right-of-way. If a drainage ditch parallels a road, it is usually better for a pathways to be built on the opposite side. For a crosswalk to be approved, it must connect two existing pathways. Exceptions to the rules can be allowed, with the approval of an encroachment agreement between FHA and NCDoT.
There was some discussion of other safety issues, such as the installing stop signs, or safety improvements at the intersection of Village Way with Highway 15/501. In addition, current plans for resurfacing village roads during the next fiscal year were outlined. Contracts for the work will be let soon, and the resurfacing should be complete by June 2022.
There was not enough time before this issue of the newsletter went to press to include more details. However, a summary of the discussion will be provided on the FHA Website, and should be available by the time this newsletter appears. Please check the website for up-to-date information.
—Gordon Pitz (communications@fhaboard.org)
Scene Around Fearrington
They say pictures are worth a thousand words; allow me to add few more. I’m an amateur photographer who believes in spontaneous and candid shots. Through my camera, I catch the visual beauty of nature, feel lucky to see the world in a unique way and able to connect with all my subjects—animate and inanimate.
In SoCal, going to the beach is like going to a grocery store, very habitual, weekends, weekdays and in-between.
As a result, I started carrying my camera outdoors all the time and taking random shots—still do it. If hobbies pass from parents to children, I believe my passion about photography came from my dad. I remember his Minolta and Kodak film cameras, manual focus, and all. He taught me a lot, including how to develop pictures!
My pictures may not tell a connecting story. The only common factor is sunlight/natural light and, of course, nature.
It adds the right narrative for the shot, boundless beauty or the attempt, you be the judge. I just appreciate everything I come across, and often times I am successful in catching the right mood.
—Priya Jain
Food Truck Trial Fosters Community
By Jackie Walters
A six-week trial with food trucks in Fearrington generated interest and a flurry of social gatherings among neighbors. Although the initial evening proved somewhat frustrating around process—there was confusion around ordering online, long waits for delivery, and a truck crew clearly overwhelmed by the huge volume of orders—the majority of residents were pleased with their food.
Picking up orders at the Umami truck Photo by Ed Lallo
Among my Bush Creek neighbors, one couple perhaps typifies the variety of conclusions based on the first night. Husband: “No more food trucks because they can’t get their act together.” Wife: “No worries, we’ll continue trying the new fare.” Both agreed the food from the Umami truck was good, as did my other neighbors. Subsequently, 12 folks from this group gathered for dinner as they eagerly participated in Gussy’s Greek Food and Munchilove’s brownies (June 2), as well as the Fish & Chips from The Paddy Wagon (June 9).
Your order is ready at The Paddy Wagon! Photo by Ed Lallo
Gathering outside to eat al fresco, partaking of adult beverages, and reviewing the food continued a tradition begun during the long months of pandemic restrictions. Everyone contributed something—snacks to tide us over while waiting for pickup notification, homemade wasabi, and yummy chocolate brownies. Strikingly, the email traffic cemented plans for getting together as soon as the FHA email about the first food truck night appeared.
Several residents picking up orders at the food trucks commented that they planned to take their meals home, grateful for some variety and for opportunities to sample ethnic cuisine in the neighborhood. Some were caring for spouses who had had recent health issues, and getting a take-out meal offered in the Village, delivered hot and on-time, was a welcome respite from having to prepare a meal or drive a distance to a restaurant.
Others, like the Bush Creek ensemble, took advantage of an opportunity to entertain, share a communal experience with food, and build on relationships fostered throughout the pandemic.
According to our Village food truck coordinator, trucks are typically booked months in advance and trying to obtain commitments from vendors was no small feat. In nearby communities like the Preserve at Jordan Lake and Briar Chapel, trucks come in at least weekly and are committed for the season.
Approaching these first trucks, our coordinator discovered Fearrington Village was an unknown market to them. Although vendors like to have an idea of numbers in advance, they agreed to come when all they were told was that there were 1200 residents with an appetite for dinner options. Uncertainty is no longer a concern, as one of the food truck promoters recently shared via email: “I am telling you Fearrington has been awesome!! …it is truly THE busiest community I have sent any of my trucks to in the last year, honestly. They are all dying to come back out/dying to have their first trip, lol. On top of it being busy, they said that people were truly so, so nice and kind.” That certainly sounds like the neighbors I know.
Jackie Walters is on the staff of The Belted Gazette and lives in the Bush Creek neighborhood.
It Takes a Village: Food Truck Help Wanted
Our FHA Board has approved having food trucks continue beyond the initial trial basis. To that end, there are a few volunteer slots to fill.
How would you like to be a truck greeter, or a coordinator of truck greeters? We need somebody willing to take responsibility for meeting the trucks about a half hour in advance on the dates they’re scheduled to assist them with parking—this also means putting out cones earlier in the day (at least for the summer months while people are parking at the pool).
We also need someone willing to own the responsibility for publicizing the trucks: posting on Nextdoor, submitting schedules to The Belted Gazette, printing and posting flyers at the mail kiosks, etc.
Note that for the summer, truck scheduling will likely continue to be somewhat irregular, but as soon as we’re able, the goal is to get them scheduled weekly. Please consider helping to make this endeavor successful! Send emails stating your interest to Deborah Repplier at drepplier@gmail.com.
Fearrington Village Food Trucks Page
We have a hotspot page that lists our complete food truck schedule! https://streetfoodfinder.com/fearringtonvillage will always have the most up-to-date information. Additionally, when pre-ordering opens closer to the “event,” you can link right from our hotspot page. You can leave feedback about the specific trucks, and perhaps most importantly, you can sign up for daily or weekly emails to send our schedule right to your inbox!
A couple of things to note: with one exception, all of the trucks use the Street Food Finder app for ordering (the same way you’ve been doing it). The one exception is Cousins Maine Lobster, which uses its own app and compiles loyalty points, etc. (you can download from Google Play or the Apple Store).
We will also continue to post info on our FHA homepage under the Announcements tab.
The Lyndfield Ladies—“Getting to Know You …”
By Tad McArdle
Lyndfield Close. Those of us who live here know just where it is. But what we may not know is that just about every day around 5 pm, a group of single ladies from the Close joined by one lady from nearby Wintercrest set up their chairs and meet for drinks (wine, milk, whatever) and for lively, intimate conversation. No matter what the weather, they have been observing this ritual since just before the pandemic put its grim and isolating hold on our nation.
Front row: Nancy Jenkins, Tina Patterson, Peggy Bard; back row: Liz Neer, Carol Palm, Dell Ford, Pat McCann, Chriss Johnson, Linda Baggish, Sally Phillips, Irma Baron, Debbie Solomon; way in the back is a guest of Nancy Jenkins; not pictured: Pat Brubaker, Rita Duffy, Jackie Mason Photo by Tony Daniels
I recently spoke to three of the Ladies: Nancy Jenkins (initiator), Tina Patterson (in it from the start), and native Londoner Peggy Bard, who recently celebrated her 95th birthday and, reportedly, has the best memory in the group. Nancy, the energetic pastor who finds listening to people’s stories “about as good as it gets,” was the one who got things going a short time before the pandemic closed down the country. According to Tina, Nancy is a very restless, active person who was “going bonkers” with isolation even before Covid-19 started, and who said one fine day in February or March, “I’m going out there with my chair.” She soon rang Peggy’s doorbell and went around the entire Close recruiting people, saying “Bring a chair and come on out!”
And they did. According to Nancy, every day around 5, people would look out their windows, and if anyone was out there, they would come out and join and just get to talking. Soon after the pandemic hit, conversation turned to toilet paper—where to get it, who was running out, etc. According to Nancy, her 12-year-old grandson asked her early on what they talked about; you can guess her answer. A shortage of toilet paper was a topic that in more formal circumstances might have served as a convenient icebreaker; however, given the range of topics that came up in the succeeding days, weeks, and months, it’s clear that these ladies were prepared to dive right in, no matter what the temperature or the subject. TV movies were a common topic, as were religion and recipes (several members were raised Jewish and exchanged some excellent Kugel techniques), and after some research, the group took votes on which area stores had the best bialys.
Politics came up occasionally, but without rancorous exchanges. According to Tina, there were some who did not vote the way the majority did, but they were not made uncomfortable by the discussion. “There was no war in the street.”
One major focus has been on people’s life stories. And when you hear life stories, what emerges may set you dancing or may be tough to hear; what the stories have in common is they are not your own. You may thenceforth see your own life differently.
Peggy Bard was 13 in London when World War II hit, and soon residents were rushing to air-raid shelters while terrifying sounds filled the air overhead. “The war changed everything,” she said. Her sister met and married an American G.I., and that eventually led to Peggy’s arrival in New York City in 1948 to visit that sister: “I was standing on the ship, waiting to get off, looking down at the pier where my sister and brother-in-law were standing, and there were loads of policemen standing around, and they were all carrying guns. And I had never seen that before. That was the first impression I had of America. I’ve gotten used to that now.”
In New York, Peggy began working in the talent industry having done similar work in London. She remembers doing background work for the movie, “The Red Shoes.” And that led Tina Patterson to recall that her mother had forbidden her to see “The Red Shoes” as she deemed it “too frightening.”
Tina’s mother had had a successful career in ballet. “My mother was very competitive and very tough,” she said. Tina wanted to be a ballet dancer as well. “But mom said no, as she was convinced that I didn’t have either the body (tight hamstrings) or the temperament. And she was right! After her ballet career, my mom turned to golf, and her near-fanatical approach led her to be a champion golfer. Then one day her husband’s father, a ’gallant’ fellow whose company she enjoyed, invited her to his fancy golf club for lunch. When the food arrived, he looked her straight in the eye and said, ’Now, it’s about the golf. It has to stop.’ Apparently, she had spent so much energy on golf that when her husband came home from work, she would be asleep, ‘dead to the world’.”
As time went by, and the daily meetings continued, the Lyndfield Ladies met each other’s needs. If there was trouble, they would gather ’round and deal with it. They would buy groceries for each other; they coordinated their Covid-19 vaccinations so that they almost all went to the Friday Center on the same day. They talked and they listened, and they learned.
So, the Lyndfield Ladies are going deep, day by day, discovering all sorts of things, and as Nancy summarized it, “We’re proud of ourselves, and we love each other.” As the song goes,
“Haven’t you noticed?
Suddenly I’m bright and breezy
Because of all the beautiful and new
Things I’m learning about you
Day by day … .”
“Getting to Know You” (Rodgers/Oscar Hammerstein II)
© 1951, Copyright Renewed, Williamson Music Company (ASCAP) c/o Concord Music Publishing.
Tad McArdle is a regular contributor to The Belted Gazette.
The Fearrington Puzzler
June’s Puzzler Answer
Submitted by Bill Sharpe
June’s Puzzler Answer
The concrete block in June’s Puzzler. Photo by Bill Sharpe
The large concrete block located off Barnsley remains as a remnant of the history of the land that is now Fearrington Village. It supported a steam engine to drive a sawmill for cutting and planing lumber. Jesse Fearrington (1919-2014) told me that the date on the block was 1912. The sawmill and steam engine were eventually moved up to sit beside Highway 15. In 1935 after the old Mount Pleasant Methodist Church burned, the Fearringtons prepared and donated lumber for the inside of the new brick church.
July/August 2021 Puzzler
Submitted by Gus Reed
Match the location in the table below with the column number containing its demographic information.
| Location | Column Number – Demographics |
| Chatham County | |
| Fearrington Village | |
| North Carolina | |
| Pittsboro |
| Demographics | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Education: BA or above | 44% | 42% | 50% | 78% |
| Median Household Income | $57,341 | $66,857 | $44,399 | $71,307 |
| Females | 51% | 52% | 60% | 61% |
| Males | 49% | 48% | 40% | 39% |
Check your answers in the table at the end of this issue.
Gus loves statistics and has two booklets with a focus on Fearrington.
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 Organization | |
|---|---|
| Concert Series | Dragons Mah Jongg!! |
| Duplicate Bridge Club | Garden Club |
| Golf Club | Green Scene |
| Swim & Croquet Club | Village Singers |
| Women of Fearrington | |
| Community Agencies | |
| Chatham Connecting | Community Remembrance Coalition |
Fearrington Clubs and Organizations
Please use the Announcement Submission Form to submit club and organization announcements, and email the form to editors@fearringtonfha.org.
Fearrington Concert Series
The Fearrington Concert Series happily announces plans for the upcoming 2021-2022 season. Music lovers and subscribers are invited to enjoy Sunday afternoon chamber music concerts at The Gathering Place beginning on September 12 at 3:00 pm with the THREE FOR ALL TRIO. Former subscribers will soon be receiving information about the entire 6-concert series. Safety guidelines will be in place with possible restrictions on audience numbers, spacing, etc.
Fearrington Dragons Mah Jongg!!
Fearrington Dragons Mah Jongg plays on the second Saturday of the month from 1-4 pm. We will play on Saturday, July 10, at 1 pm. We meet at The Gathering Place and will play under their guidelines. (Read the policy.)
As such, we must limit our number to 36. Contact Mary Donna Pond at mdpond@nc.rr.com to reserve your place. 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. Annual dues have been waived for 2021.
Fearrington Duplicate Bridge Club
“Play bridge. It’s cheaper than therapy.”
We of the Fearrington Duplicate Bridge Club agree. After a year playing on computers, we have begun to enjoy each other’s company around the bridge table once again.
Join us every Wednesday during June, July, August, and the first half of September at 1 pm in The Gathering Place under the directorship of John Torrey, our new leader.
The first time playing is free. If you’d like to check us out, come to watch. We charge $7/time for hand records, our participation in the American Contract Bridge League, and our director.
If you have any questions or need a partner, please contact Jean Hjelle, 919-548-6216 or jeanshjelle@gmail.com.
The Fearrington Garden Club
We eagerly anticipate the return of in-person meetings this fall. The board has been plowing on, with numerous ideas for programs and road trips under cultivation. Given the pandemic, we were unable to put forth and vote on a slate of officers last year, so several members have “overripened” in their terms. To ensure that no one is overwhelmed with duties, the board has been working as a lively collective. And with several programs already tentatively planned, it’s a wonderful time to join in and take a turn at the tiller. If you would like to help grow your Garden Club by serving on the board, please contact Susan Biddulph at sbiddulph@mac.com or 919-533-6306.
Fearrington Golf Club
The Fearrington Golf Club invites golfers of all abilities to join our club. Founded in 1990,
the club currently boasts a membership of over 50 golfers and is open to all interested players who reside in Fearrington Village and the surrounding area. The club offers year-round, scheduled play on Tuesdays and Thursdays at various courses in the area.
If you would like more information on joining and/or an application, please contact our Membership Chairman, Brian Wong, at bwong5705@gmail.com.
Fearrington Green Scene
The Green Scene usually suspends our monthly meetings in July and August when so many of us are off to the beach, the mountains, or other far-off places. But, in this era of Covid-19, when we haven’t had any monthly meetings for more than a year, we thought that we just might interrupt the pattern—at least for July.
There is certainly no lack of environmental topics—global, national, and local—deserving of attention. So, we will meet on Wednesday, July 14, at 11:00 am, in the large room of The Gathering Place—allowing for social distancing.
Potential topics include:
– United States rejoining the Paris Accords
– Update on modification plans for the Fearrington Wastewater Treatment Plant
– Progress report on the FHA Trails and Walking Paths committee work
– Cancellation of the Keystone XL Pipeline
– Review of results report for the May 15, 2021 “3-in-1” Event
The Green Scene welcomes any and all Fearrington residents who share an interest in sustaining and improving our environment.
—Jason Welsch, Moderator
914-806-4852 (Cell Phone)
Fearrington Swim & Croquet Club
It has been great to see members this season enjoying all the recreational activities available at the club. The upper lawn is being used for badminton, volleyball, tether ball, shuffleboard, and horseshoes, while the cabana has ping pong, and the lower level has croquet. And in addition to relaxing in the pool and on the lawns, members are exercising in lap lanes and water aerobics classes.
Croquet summer activities include Wednesday Wine and Wickets at 5 pm, First Sunday Organized Play, and a Summer Croquet Ladder. Contact Jan Droke at jantomdro@gmail.com to be added to the croquet email list.
For questions or comments, email us at fearringtonswimcroquet@gmail.com.
Fearrington Village Singers Alive and Well
What was that big group picnicking in Camden Park last May? It was the Fearrington Village Singers and their families. Director Matt Fry even brought his mother, whom he affectionately calls Momster. We haven’t been able to sing for a year because of the Covid-19 quarantine, but we are still together and hoping to be able to resume rehearsals in the fall. This depends on The Gathering Place and Galloway Ridge opening for larger groups like ours in September. Our goal is to create a holiday concert for you so we all feel as if we are getting back to the way we want things to be.
Women of Fearrington
Women of Fearrington is on hiatus for the summer, but the new board is at work making plans for 2021-22. All women of Fearrington Village and Galloway Ridge are invited to join us! See our website for the form to join or renew your membership.
In May, Women of Fearrington granted $34,195 to fourteen organizations for programs supporting women and children in need in Chatham County. Heartfelt thanks to our sponsors and all who supported our fundraising activities and the Wonderful Options Fund.
In April, Chatham County kicked off a six-month, community-wide celebration of its 250th anniversary. On Wednesday, September 22 at 1:30 pm, WoF will host historians who’ve delved into different aspects of Chatham’s culture, growth, and contributions to the Triangle and beyond.
Keep in touch this summer via the website, www.womenoffearrington.org, for information on welcome coffees, small group gatherings, cooking classes, road trips, and other upcoming events.
Community Agencies
Chatham Connecting
At last, life feels near normal! Non-profit agencies are powering up their activities and
seeking volunteers. No matter your age or interest, Chatham Connecting is the
starting point for learning about the needs of over 100 helping-organizations in Chatham
County. School vacation means there is time for children to get involved, and volunteering from home is an option for people whose outside activities are curtailed. Many agencies welcome new ideas for donation drives from groups or individuals. With studies showing the benefits of volunteering for mental and physical health, anytime is a good time to get involved. Your help and ideas will be appreciated.
Community Remembrance Coalition—Chatham
These activities will be taking place over the summer. To register, go to crc-c.org. All will be taking place via Zoom.
Saturday, July 10 @ 4 pm Virtual Storytelling for Children with Evie Evans, from Chatham Community Library featuring Black History stories
Wednesday, August 18 @ 7 pm Actor Sonny Kelly will perform his play, The Talk; made possible by a grant from the Paul Green Foundation
Thursday, August 26 @ 3 pm A book discussion of Wilmington’s Lie: The Murderous Coup of 1898 and the Rise of White Supremacy* by David Zucchino, hosted by Adele Kelly and Armentha Davis *Winner of the 2021 Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction
Fearrington Cares Center Is Closed July 5—9
The Center may be closed for the holiday, but our volunteers will be busy providing medical transportation and handyperson services. If you need assistance with either of these areas of service, call the center at 919-542-6877 and leave a message in the appropriate voicemail mailbox; a volunteer will be in touch with you.Re-Opening Fearrington Cares—Phase 2Re-Opening Fearrington Cares—Phase 2
“Risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection is minimal for fully vaccinated people. The risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission from fully vaccinated people to unvaccinated people is also reduced. Therefore, fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.” (CDC 28 May 2021) Using available guidance from the CDC and NCDHHS, Fearrington Cares is joining Chatham Council on Aging and other county agencies in opening in-person services. Please review our website (www.fearringtoncares.org) for a description of Phase 2 activities and guidelines. Note that some of our Movement Classes and Support Groups will be meeting in person!Fearrington Cares Board of Directors
Committee work is not the most exciting volunteer opportunity around here, but we sure do need and appreciate individuals who are able to serve in this way. Directors serve two years, beginning in September, and can choose to continue for one or two more terms. Please thank these individuals if you see them out and about.Continuing Directors: Barbara Hummel-Rossi Linda Patterson Mark Asman JoAnn Pitz Cathy Somer Anne Henkels Carol Kurtz Janine Griffin
Retiring Directors: Cindy Kahler Kay White Mike Hancock
New Directors: Mickey Kesselman Terry Lucas Carl Angel Gillian Rogers
Zoom Movement Classes
Support Groups & Education Programs Links Are on Our Website, www.fearringtoncares.org.
Click on the blue Zoom button on our home page and scroll to the correct program/class/support group. If you would like to practice a Zoom connection and meeting, email info@fearringtoncares.org and we will set that up. Note that some of our Movement Classes and Support Groups will be meeting in person!Movement Classes at the Fearrington Cares Center(except as noted)All classes 11:30 am In-person attendees must be fully vaccinated
| 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 Zoomfearringtoncares.org > Services > Support Groups
|
These People Bled for Fearrington Cares!
Story and Photos by Ed Lallo
The big white bus plastered with red crosses and Picasso-style human figures painted on its side sat in the nearly deserted Gathering Place parking lot. The loud hum of a generator broke the quiet as a lone masked figure entered the rear door. At the age of 86, Carol Goettman had walked over a mile from Galloway Ridge with a single mission: to give a pint of blood so others might live.
Carol Goettman
Fearrington Cares sponsored the American Red Cross bloodmobile on Thursday, May 13. From shortly after 9:00 am until 3:00 pm, workers retrieved pint after pint of blood desperately needed during the current shortage. On that day, the Red Cross collected enough blood product from 20 donors to impact up to 48 patient lives; three people had the chance to donate for the first time.
Dan Lewandowski
“I usually give blood about twice a year, when it is convenient,” said Goettman, sitting on a couch at the front of the bus drinking bottled water to replenish her fluids. “This was a very good process with no problems. I am amazed they still want my blood; it is tired blood for sure.” Goettman’s O+ blood is drastically needed by hospitals across the state. For more than a year, the pandemic has resulted in a severe blood shortage, not just in North Carolina but across the USA. Fearrington resident Dan Lewandowski had a great blood-giving experience. “It was a little close quarters, but the chair was very comfortable and the staff was great.” Lewandowski, a former Detroit resident with A+ blood, gives regularly every eight-weeks. He admits he has not upgraded to the Red Cross phone app to schedule his appointments. “I’m old school, I guess,” he said.
“As a volunteer Blood Donor Ambassador at the Red Cross’ Durham Blood Center I’ve watched the number of donors drop significantly over the past year,” said Fearrington resident, Jackie Walters. “Where three donors were scheduled every 15 minutes, we now have one or none. Keeping the blood supply current is critical for hospitals as the pandemic amply demonstrated. I’m a Donor Ambassador and a blood donor.” Walters reiterated the importance that neighbors, like those in Fearrington, give blood regularly to “Give Life.” “I think everyone should volunteer to give blood if they can,” said Goettman. “Anytime you have an opportunity to do something nice and useful, especially at this age, you have to take advantage of it. The only downside of the bus was I miss the good cookies you get afterwards in larger venues.”
Help Your Neighbors by Driving for Fearrington Cares
Upcoming Training Session
Wednesday, July 14, 1:00 pm at the Fearrington Cares Center
Fearrington Cares can always use more driver, handyperson, and computer support volunteers. We will have training for drivers on July 14. Our drivers provide transportation for residents to medical appointments, other health related appointments, and grocery shopping. Requests must be within a 25-mile radius of Fearrington Village. Our volunteers work in a team of three drivers and are assigned to cover one week at a time, two weeks per year. Good driving skills, a current driver’s license, and insurance are required. Drivers use their own vehicle. If you have any interest in or questions about volunteering, please call the Center (919-542-6877) for more information.
Enriching Your Retirement Years with Pets
Retirement and golden years beckon with the promise of less stress and fewer demands. However, we may find that even happily anticipated changes also feel somewhat disruptive and unsettling. Our pets can be one way to buffer the transition and enrich this chapter of life.
1. Pets require an established routine around which we can structure daily life. Maintaining a consistent schedule, especially for eating and sleeping, can be a boon to brain and body health.
2. Walking your pet, playing fetch with your dog, or dragging a string or ribbon around the house as “prey” for your cat to “catch” are good sources of exercise. Keeping physically active equals healthy aging.
3. Our pets are totally dependent on us for their care, safety, and their very lives. That can give us a sense of responsibility and purpose.
4. Pets provide companionship, a wonderful antidote to loneliness and isolation. Their unconditional affection and acceptance remind us that we are loved and lovable.
Pet ownership is not the right choice for everyone; however, incorporating these four points can enhance anyone’s days! For more information on caring for your pets, check out the Chatham Animal and Rescue Education website at www.chathamanimalrescue.org. CARE is a non-profit animal welfare organization that promotes responsible pet ownership through educating the community, providing targeted spay-neuter programs, and fostering homeless dogs and cats until they are placed in loving, permanent homes.
Welcome to New Residents
The following new villagers were added to the Fearrington Village Directory between May 15 and June 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 |
|---|---|
| Teresa Balatico | 28 Swim and Croquet (2020) |
| Jenna Best & Alec Senese | 101 Creekwood |
| Cheryl A. Brown | 477 Beechmast |
| Celeste Collins | 633 Spindlewood |
| Hans G. Fladung & Dr. Cathy A. Maahs-Fladung | 12 Macon (4012) * |
| John & Sheila May | E 210 E Wing ** |
| Anne Michael | 1312 Langdon Place |
| Jim Pearce | 409 Brampton Close |
| Susan & Virgil Riggsbee | 14 Macon (4014) * |
| Ann & Kenneth Samuelson | 19 Macon (4019) * |
*Fearrington Post number
*Galloway Ridge
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.
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 can use the same email address. Notices 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.
| Day/Date/ Time | Organization | Event | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meeting Weekly in July and August | |||
| Wednesdays 1 pm | Duplicate Bridge Club | Weekly Duplicate Game | Jean Hjelle jeanshjelle@gmail.com |
| Upcoming Events in September | |||
| Sunday September 12 3 pm | Fearrington Concert Series | Concert Three for All Trio | Barbara Hummel-Rossi 919-533-6248 |
| Wednesday September 22 1:30 pm | Women of Fearrington | General Meeting: History of Chatham | Adrienne Lallo 512-619-1365 |