26 Jun FHA Newsletter 2023-07 July/August
FEARRINGTON HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER
July/August 2023 Volume 42 Number 7
President’s Message
Greetings, Fearrington residents!! I wanted to start with a vigorous salutation because this may be the most important president’s letter that I have ever written. Hopefully, all of you will read it.
On Monday, June 12, the Board unanimously determined that our annual FHA dues need a “reset.” This means we will be coming to the community to seek your approval, since any increase greater than 5% needs a vote from our homeowners.
As our community ages and rapid growth occurs all around us, we think we are going to have to do more to keep our community competitive and our property values high. It seems that every month brings an announcement of a new development with updated infrastructure and all sorts of new amenities. Meanwhile, our current dues structure does not permit the FHA to do anything that we are not currently doing and does not provide us a sufficient “cushion” in our reserve account. We believe as a Board that we need to “reset the base” by raising our annual dues.
Our association is a big one (approximately 1400 homes), and the FHA is responsible for more things than you might ever imagine. We own more than 39 acres of common ground, which requires lawn mowing, tree removal, pond maintenance, and so forth. We are responsible for three of the mail kiosks as well as The Gathering Place. We maintain the playground and provide the doggy stations in Camden Park. We hold numerous community events, such as the Easter Egg Hunt, the Founders Festival, the newcomers breakfast, National Night Out, and others. We manage the FHA website and respond to architectural and tree-removal requests for the more than 500 homes that do not have their own service group. We ensure that our insurance coverage is sufficient. We put out our annual directory and the monthly newsletter. We act as an interface with Fitch Creations and follow the actions of the County Commissioners and the Planning Department so that we can speak out if necessary to protect the interests of our residents. The list goes on and on.
Yet, our annual assessments are incredibly low, the lowest in our area by far. When the Association was created in 1980, the annual dues were set at $10. They have never been raised by more than 5%, and sometimes they have been raised by less. While it is true that sometimes we end the year with a surplus, that is not because we have collected more than we needed. Rather, it is because our Board members are very frugal about what they can spend, meaning that we often decide not to do something that we think would be of benefit to the community. An increase becomes even more necessary because the cost of everything seems to be rising, from lawn cutting to generator repair to the cost of rebuilding a mail kiosk. Yes, we have money in our reserve fund, but it would not take much to cause it to dip below the acceptable limit. Just in this year and the next, we expect to spend more than $175,000 from our reserves.
We are seeking approval to reset the dues for 2024 at $25/month, or $300/year. Much of the additional money raised will go directly into our reserves, while the rest will go into our operating fund to enable us to do more to make this community a great place to live. We do not take this “ask” lightly, but we do think it is very important for the future health of Fearrington Village. When compared with the new communities all around us, our assessments are far lower. Our property values have risen tremendously over the last few years, and we want to make sure they continue to do so.
We have scheduled the vote of our residents for Wednesday, September 6. The meeting will be held at The Gathering Place. To achieve a quorum, we will need the attendance (either in person or by proxy) of at least 60% of our homeowners (only one vote per household), which means we need 840 residences to participate, either in person or by proxy provided ahead of time. If we achieve a quorum, the reset will only pass if two-thirds or more of those voting say “yes.” If we do not achieve a quorum, we will hold a second meeting no fewer than 30 days later. At the second meeting, the quorum requirement drops to 30% of our households (420 total), voting either in person or by proxy. Again, we will need at least two-thirds of those voting to say “yes” if the reset is to pass.
By the time this letter is published, we will be about to hold or will have held an open webinar meeting with residents to discuss this dues reset, and a link to a video of it will be posted in the “What’s New” section of our website. We will be holding a series of “Coffee and Conversation” get-togethers to answer the questions we are sure you will have. Before the September 6 meeting, we will send out a formal notice of meeting, proxies, and other necessary information. We will provide links to our current budget, our updated reserve analysis, and other material that can be found on our website.
We hope you will take the time to familiarize yourself with this issue so you can make an informed decision. Please make plans now to attend the meeting on September 6, either in person or by proxy. The future of our Village is important to us all. My term as your president will end in November, and my highest priority is to leave the Village on a firm financial foundation when I step down.
—Rose Krasnow, president@fhaboard.org
Save the Date—September 6, 2023
A residents’ meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, from 7 to 8:30 pm at The Gathering Place, to vote on a dues increase proposed by the Board. Please arrange to attend in person or by submitting a proxy. A formal notice of the meeting and a form of proxy will be sent to all residents approximately one month before the meeting.
Grounds & Facilities Report
Creekwood Mail Kiosk Update
The FHA has been working with an architect and several members of the community to design a replacement structure to the Creekwood mail kiosk. Some of the guidelines we followed for a new kiosk were as follows:
- Build the new kiosk at the same location as the current one.
- Maintain the open-air feel of the site while sheltering the actual mailbox portion of the building from the elements.
- Meet all current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and permitting requirements.
- Respect the architectural style of the historic district by designing a building containing similar features found at the nearby homes.
We feel that we have honored these guidelines and are proud of the design.
The new Creekwood kiosk deck will have a covered outdoor meeting area similar to the current one. The mail kiosk itself will use the new mailboxes given to us by the nice folks at Galloway Ridge. The new Creekwood kiosk will also include 48 new ADA-compliant US Postal Service parcel lockers, which is 40% above the recommended number, because of the heavy use that the existing lockers have received. The building itself will have a “shed”-style roof with clerestory windows matching the style found on many of the homes in the Historic District.
As of the writing of this article, we expect to present our plans to the county for approval in July and seek contractor bids shortly afterwards. Once we have a contractor and a construction schedule, we will relocate the Creekwood mailboxes to the Swim & Croquet kiosk for the duration of the construction project. During that period, Creekwood kiosk residents will be able to use their current mailboxes and keys at the Swim & Croquet kiosk.
In addition to being posted very soon on the FHA website, the kiosk plans will be posted on the information board at the Creekwood kiosk and will be available for review at the FHA office. Please stop by or contact the FHA office with any questions as we embark on this exciting project.
—Patrick McGahan, Chair, Grounds & Facilities, grounds@fhaboard.org
Communications Report
A few miscellaneous items:
On June 29, the Board held a webinar meeting with residents to discuss a proposed dues increase. A link to a video of the meeting will be posted in the “What’s New” section of our website home page, https://fearringtonfha.org.
The PowerPoint historical presentation that was presented on Founders Day is now available in pdf format on our website under “Fearrington Village Life > Historical Presentation” (click here). Heartfelt thanks to Leslie Palmer and all who contributed to this outstanding presentation.
Fitch Creations has advised us that the circulator pump between the upper and lower ponds in Jenny’s Park cannot be repaired and must be replaced. As it is a custom product, replacing the pump will take one to two months.
We have been advised that the NC State Extension has teamed with NC Forest Service, NC Urban Forest Council, and NC Wildlife Federation to encourage the removal and replacement of Bradford pear trees, which are considered an invasive species. NC State is offering to give a native tree replacement (up to 5 native trees) to anyone who signs up and then provides proof of removal—you can visit their web page at https://forestry.ces.ncsu.edu/2023/02/nc-bradford-pear-bounty/.
—Tony Carroll, Director, Communications (communications@fhaboard.org)
Health, Safety, & Security Report
Summer Storm Season Has Arrived
Summer Storm Season Has ArrivedStorm season in Fearrington Village has arrived! While we very rarely experience hurricanes here, we often experience strong storms and occasionally hurricane remnants. Power outages may result, lasting hours to days. It is time to prepare. Emergency preparation guidelines can be found on page 10 of the Fearrington Village Directory and Handbook or on the FHA website. (Remember to log in first.)
Your FHA has updated The Gathering Place to serve as a cooling station for those choosing to remain in their homes during these outages. The Gathering Place is powered by a generator. Multiple outlets will be provided for electronics charging; refrigeration is available for medicine storage; first aid kits are available for minor injuries; and energy bars are available. The Gathering Place is not an emergency shelter. If you choose to go to a shelter, these will be established by the NC Department of Emergency Management and the American Red Cross in locations outside of Fearrington Village.
If you have questions, please contact Steve Stewart, director of Health, Safety, & Security. His contact information is below, on the FHA website, and in the Directory.
—Steve Stewart, Director, Health, Safety, & Security, healthsafetysecurity@fhaboard.org
NOW HEAR THIS… NOW HEAR THIS…
The Board is pleased to announce that the new audio and video equipment for The Gathering Place (TGP) has been installed and is fully operational. The new equipment replaces several audiovisual (AV) components that were over 20 years old.
The new equipment includes two 85-inch Sony smart monitors for the “large room” and a 75-inch Sony smart monitor for the small conference room. They are all 4K ultra high-definition, high dynamic range monitors and deliver amazing picture quality. The monitors are internet capable, so as we add streaming services, we will be able to keep up with advances in technology.
In addition to the monitors, we have also added video meeting capabilities (e.g., Zoom, WebEx, Microsoft Teams) that will enable “hybrid” meetings to be held simultaneously in person and remotely. These utilize artificial-intelligence technology and can “zero in” on speakers as they move around the room. To move our presentation capabilities into the 21st century, we have also added wireless connections for our laptops and any visitor’s smart phone or tablet. (Wired connection is still available if needed.) In the large room, the entire system is controlled by a user-friendly touch screen for normal operations. More advanced control functions will require assistance from the AV support team, which should be arranged in advance using the email address below.
As a reminder, last year we added an AudioFetch assistive-listening system to deliver the audio portion of a program to your Bluetooth hearing aids, noise-canceling headphones, or noise-canceling earbuds. The new equipment is fully compatible with the AudioFetch equipment, so please take advantage of it when attending events at TGP.
Clubs and groups will be required to identify a member or two to become certified in the equipment’s operation. Residents making arrangements to rent the facility should identify their AV equipment needs when reserving the space.
We hope you will drop in on a Fearrington Cares “Film Nite” to experience the fantastic new equipment. Your Board is excited to bring this upgrade to TGP and trusts you will enjoy the added capabilities.
We welcome any comments or questions; please send them to AV-Support@fearringtonfha.org.
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Scene Around Fearrington
The Rains Come to Fearrington
By Gordon Pitz, with thanks to the photographers credited below
Rain at any time can put a damper on outdoor activities, but when the countryside is suffering from weeks of drought, and reservoirs run low, we realize how much we depend on the rains for our existence. Perhaps in recognition of that dependence, photographers seek images of rain that can be thrilling, beautiful, even amusing at times.
Click on any photo below to view an enlargement.
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Precipitation may be nothing more than a light mist. For the Belties, bred to tolerate severe weather, mere mist bothers neither mother nor calf. Heavy storm clouds gathering in the west suggest we ought to head for shelter. But first, some intrepid photographers have to record the sense of awe inspired by flashes of lightning.
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As rain comes to an end, we might enjoy a rainbow if we are fortunate, or marvel at a torrent of water overrunning a normally quiet spillway. If we look closer, we can even enjoy the beauty of individual rain drops. Drops of water have been left on petal, leaf, or bud, and they drip from the end of a twig. Rain will have filled ponds in the village, which then provide lovely reflections of trees and sky. Even a humble puddle in the Village Center offers shimmering reflections of the whirligig.
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Remember though, there are village residents who see nothing of value in a heavy rain.
Forthcoming Scenes around Fearrington
The Belted Gazette will not be published in August. The next issue will be September’s. A number of topics have been planned for the remaining issues of 2023. They include,
Black and White Photography: By eliminating color you can emphasize form and shape, texture, or the contrast of shadows and highlights.
Sunrise and Sunset: These are special times of day, when different colors and patterns emerge.
Fearrington at Nighttime: After the sun has set, a different view of the Village can emerge. The photographer uses whatever sources of light might be available.
Further explanations of these topics were provided in the May issue. If you have already taken photos that fit these topics, or if you feel inspired to try new challenges, please send your best efforts to Gordon Pitz (gfpitz@gmail.com).
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The Plant Is One of Pittsboro’s Hidden Gems: Trespassers Welcome
Story & Photos by Deborah Repplier
What do axe-throwing, a native plant nursery, farm-to-fork meats, an art gallery, and North Carolina spirits have in common? They’re just a handful of the establishments found at the vibrant community that is The Plant. Located on Lorax Lane (off 64 East Business), the space was originally cultivated as a flower farm in the early 1960s, and then transformed into an aluminum manufacturer for the military and aerospace industry. At some point the area was abandoned, covered in poison ivy, and home to various critters. In 2005, Tami Schwerin and Lyle Estill bought The Plant for Piedmont Biofuels, which pioneered the sustainable use of biodiesel made from cooking waste. Currently, The Plant is an eclectic collection of food and beverage enterprises, along with craft manufacturers.
Perhaps best known as the home of Chatham Beverage District, this diverse community includes such venues as Fair Game Beverage Company distillery, taproom, and North Carolina pantry; Starrlight Mead wine made from honey and ciders; Chatham Cider Works hard apple cider made from North Carolina and the Piedmont apples; and BMC Brewing (that’s “Bite My Cookie” for those in the know—and yes, they sell outrageously good cookies!). There’s also Vortex Roasters coffee and a considerable number of other businesses.
The thing about The Plant is that there’s something new to explore each time you visit. For three weekends this spring, in preparation for writing this article, I spent some time doing just that. The first weekend in late May just happened to be the one-year-anniversary event of Lilly Den Farm’s food truck (permanently parked there) and their marketplace, the Den. There was live music, a crowd of people dancing, kids on scooters and in strollers, a vintage mobile beverage cart with champagne on tap (Vita Miele), food, and drink. People were laughing and eating and playing. I poked about in most all of the businesses open that day, and one of my favorite discoveries was the little purple A-frame behind Fair Game. This charming boutique is Essence 4 You Candles. Shop-owner Michelle Thomas welcomed me and encouraged sniffing all her soy-made candles and body butters. As it turns out, the following weekend, Michelle was holding the first of her monthly candle-making workshops, which I attended along with about nine other industrious individuals. Spoiler: it was so much fun with delicious scents from which to choose.
On June 4, I visited The Plant again, this time to attend an artists’ reception at The Smelt Art Gallery, adjacent to BMC Brewing. The Let Freedom Ring exhibit by the Chatham Artists Guild runs through July 25, and it’s curated by Fearrington Village’s own Leslie Palmer. A number of the gallery pieces include works by Fearrington residents Jim Aiken, Daphne Boder, Vidabeth Bensen, Forrest Greenslade, Lee Kazanas, and Eric Saunders. The gallery is a project of the Chatham Artists Guild and is managed by Fearrington artists Leslie Palmer and Karen West. You’ll find watercolor, oil, and acrylic paintings; pastel drawings; ceramics; and photography.
After the reception, I stopped by Chatham Axes, which also offers Carolina Hemp Tours and CBD products. The former features axe-throwing for adults, which is actually a super fun and safe activity despite what the name may suggest.
To learn more about The Plant, the local businesses, and their hours, please visit www.theplantnc.com.
Originally from Massachusetts, Deborah Repplier moved to Chatham County in 2007—for the past 5 years, she’s called the Historic District of Fearrington Village home. She is the food truck coordinator and an occasional contributing writer for The Belted Gazette. You’ve likely seen her walking the trails with her two black standard poodles.
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Food Trucks for July & August
By Leigh Matthews
The following food trucks are scheduled to visit in July & August.
July 5: Handcrafted (Southern) featuring traditional BBQ. Vegetarian options include smoked portobello mushrooms stuffed with creamy spinach sauce. This food truck is not listed on Streetfoodfinder, so place your order here: http://www.handcrafted919.com. Handcrafted is owned by Melanie and Tim Britt; Tim is one of our North Chatham Fire Department volunteers. (Be sure to thank him for all he does!)
July 12: Doherty’s Paddy Wagon (Irish, American) serving “the best Fish & Chips in the Triangle.” Menu includes meat and vegetarian options, and don’t forget Bailey’s Chocolate Mousse.
July 19: Bulkogi Korean BBQ (Korean, BBQ, Asian Fusion) offering “authentic Korean BBQ with a yummy twist.” BBQ can be ordered with meat or tofu.
July 26: Cousins Maine Lobster (Seafood, Tex-Mex, Sandwiches) serving up lobster rolls, tots and other seafood delights, including shrimp, chowder, and bisque. Download their own app (link at our hotspot page) so you can study the menu and preorder.
August 2: Ta Contento Mex Fresh Food (Mexican) a local favorite serving fresh Mexican food, including dips, burritos and bowls, nachos, salads, tacos. Meat and veggie options.
August 9: Green Onions Bistro (Asian Fusion) featuring innovative meals such as dumplings, tacos, and noodles. Menu also includes veggie sides and “Banana Pudding Cup.”
August 16: Chirba Dumpling (Chinese) offering meat and veggie dumplings along with noodles and fried rice.
August 23: The Blue Window (Mediterranean) providing falafel, shawarma, gyro wraps, fries, hummus, stuffed grape leaves—all your favorites.
August 30: Cousins Maine Lobster (Seafood, Tex-Mex, Sandwiches) dishing up lobster rolls, tots and other seafood delights, including shrimp, chowder, and bisque. Download their own app (link at our hotspot page) so you can study the menu and preorder.
You can preorder at our hotspot page https://streetfoodfinder.com/FearringtonVillage (except for Cousins Maine Lobster and Handcrafted) or you can order at the truck. Pick-up is between 5 pm and 7:30 pm in The Gathering Place parking lot.
For a weekly reminder email—and a quick link to view the week’s menu—sign up at our hotspot page. Or, if you use Nextdoor, watch for our weekly announcement with the link to the menu.
For more info, please contact Deborah Repplier at drepplier@gmail.com.
Thank you for supporting our food trucks. See you there!
This Month’s Announcements
Please use the Announcement Submission Request form (https://fearringtonfha.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Announcement-Submission-Request_January-2023.pdf) to submit club and organization announcements, and 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 & Organizations | |
|---|---|
| AM Book Club | Duplicate Bridge |
| Fearrington for Life | Golf Club |
| Mah Jongg Dragons | Swim & Croquet Club |
| Tennis & Pickleball Association | Village Singers |
| Women of Fearrington | Women’s 9-Hole Golf Club |
| Community Organizations | |
| Chatham County Aging Services | North Chatham Elementary School |
| Continuing Education | |
| The School of Athens | |
Fearrington Clubs and Organizations
AM Book Club
Join the AM Book Club to discuss Isaac’s Storm by Erik Larson. This book chronicles the events surrounding the 1900 Galveston, Texas, hurricane that killed as many as 10,000 people. To Galveston’s resident meteorologist at the time, Isaac Cline, the idea that a hurricane could damage the city was “an absurd delusion”—until September 9. We will meet at McIntyre’s Books, Wednesday, July 19, at 10:15 am.
On August 16, we will discuss This is Happiness by Niall Williams, also at McIntyre’s Books at 10:15 am. Described as “quiet” and “charming,” this novel takes place rural Ireland. It is a story of the loves of our lives and the joys of reminiscing and is more setting- and character-driven than plot-driven, “like a long conversation around a fire.”
All residents of Fearrington Village and Galloway Ridge may participate, and we welcome new members. Questions? Contact Cathy Clare catfearr@gmail.com or Carole Yardley peacefulathome@bellsouth.net.
Masks, please.
Duplicate Bridge
Club duplicate bridge is a game in which agreeable partners can disagree. Join us for a face-to-face game every Wednesday in July and August. 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 cost is $7 to defray the costs. Questions, please contact Dianne Hale at haledianne@gmail.com.
Fearrington for Life
Opportunities to age in place are growing nicely. The first weeks of food delivery have surprised and delighted us with the numbers of people taking advantage of the program and finding it to their liking.
If you live in the Village and would like more information about frozen food and fresh food delivered to your door, or a chef who cooks in your own kitchen, contact Karen Shectman at Karenlshectman@gmail.com.
Golf Club
The Fearrington Golf Club got to play some great courses in the month of June. One of our longtime members, Boyd Webb, shot his age at Quail Ridge on June 15, a great accomplishment.
Here is our July Tuesday/Thursday schedule of outings:
7/6 Quail Ridge, Sanford, 9:10
7/11 Hyland, Southern Pines, 9:15
7/13 Mill Creek, Mebane, 9:00
7/18 Forest Oaks, Greensboro, 10:00
7/20 “The Summer Scramble” Tournament, Mill Creek
7/25 Carolina Trace, Sanford, 9:50
7/27 Quail Ridge, Sanford, 9:00
10/17“Fall Scramble” Tournament, Forest Oaks
Our August outings will be posted on our Club website, which can be found through the FHA website.
If you would like to join our Golf Club or try one of our outings as a guest, please contact Chris Horn, membership chair, cphorn.128@gmail.com.
Further info about the Golf Club can be found on the FHA website under Clubs and Other Organizations > Fearrington Golf Club.
Mah Jongg Dragons
The Fearrington Mah Jongg Dragons play on the second Saturday of every month from 1 to 4 pm at The Gathering Place. We will play on July 8 and August 12. Dragon members pay an annual fee (September-August) of $25 to cover rent of The Gathering Place and snacks and water. We send an email a week or so early to remind people to sign up to play. This year we are inviting non-members as well as non-residents of Fearrington to play in our games with a $5 charge per Saturday. You would also need to sign up to play. Our games are made up of experienced players, and the play is brisk! If you would like to learn how to play, contact Mary Donna Pond at 919-542-3452 or at mdpond@gmail.com.
Swim & Croquet Club
It’s not too late to join the fun at the Swim & Croquet Club! The summer pool season is well underway, and we have myriad activities for everyone to enjoy, from refurbished grills on the upper lawn to horseshoes, cornhole, badminton, shuffleboard, ping pong, croquet, and water Zumba. Be sure to check out the Club’s online calendar for more details on what’s happening each day. https://sites.google.com/view/fearringtonswimandcroquet/about/calendar?authuser=0
Poolside Happy Hour on Wednesdays has been a hit, so c’mon down with your beverage of choice (no glass allowed on Club grounds) and enjoy some camaraderie with fellow members.
Our Board is having a fit of a time trying to find a water-exercise instructor with the proper certifications and insurance. While three strong prospects have been interviewed, none could be hired—yet! If anyone has a lead on a certified and insured water-exercise instructor, please let us know as soon as possible.
Tennis & Pickleball Association
The 4th of July is around the corner. The summer is only beginning, though Labor Day will be here before we know it. Challenge yourself and your friends to a summer-long tennis/pickleball competition/celebration. You make the rules…get your exercise in and play 3x per week, first one to score 11 points 3 games in a row…reserve a court, create your own round-robin tournament, the possibilities are endless. Let us know what you create so we can share with the rest of our tennis/pickleball community!
Village Singers
The Fearrington Village Singers invite you to come sing with us! No auditions are required, just a love of choral music! Right now, we are actively recruiting both men and women to join us. We currently have 50 singers, but before Covid we had 70. We want to build back up to a mighty chorus, and you can help make that happen.
To learn more, pick up a brochure in your mail kiosk and use the email address on the back to contact our membership chair, Donna Corgnati.
Plan to rehearse two afternoons a week and to pay dues for each of our two semesters. Fall rehearsals start in September and end with our holiday concerts in December. We begin spring rehearsals in January to prepare for concerts in early May. We invite you to enjoy the fun of singing in a chorus and the opportunity to make new friends!
Women of Fearrington
2022-2023 Grant Recipients
We are happy to report that this year Women of Fearrington is awarding grants totaling $44,000 from the proceeds of our fundraising events, donations to our Wonderful Options Fund, and the support of our sponsors. This is the highest amount of funding WoF has ever awarded.
We are full of gratitude to all those who donated so generously to our Wonderful Options Fund, purchased Bluegrass Battleship tickets, shopped our Holiday Bakery & Market, and took part in the Spring Stroll. We also thank our many volunteers whose work made these events possible. Your donations allow us to provide meaningful support to organizations that help women and children in need in Chatham County.
Following are the recipients of Women of Fearrington grants for 2022–23. You will learn more about them in the coming year.
• Autism Society of NC
• Boys & Girls Club of Central Carolina
• Chatham Arts Council
• Chatham Literacy
• Chatham Education Foundation
• Chatham Outreach Alliance – CORA
• Communities in Schools of Chatham County
• Fuel Up at Perry Harrison School
• Hispanic Liaison of Chatham County
• Love Chatham
• Second Bloom of Chatham
• Sprott Youth Center
• The Learning Trail
• Webb Squared
• Wren Library
We thank co-chairs Jo Bolig and Adrienne Lallo, treasurer Barbara Cleveland, secretary Cathy Somer, and especially grants coordinator, Beth Coulombe, and assistant coordinator, Terri Lucas, for organizing the process and evaluating this year’s grant applications.
The July road trip: Chatham County Courthouse and Historical Museum, 9 Hillsborough Street, Pittsboro, Wednesday, July 19, 10 am. This is a free program.
Do you know why Pittsboro was not chosen by the legislature to be the site of the state’s public university? Come to a special meeting at the Chatham County Courthouse and Historical Museum. Cindy Schmidt of the Chatham Historical Society will reveal the surprising answer in a program highlighting the history of Pittsboro and Chatham County.
Come early to view the exhibits in the museum and stay after for an optional Dutch-treat lunch at the Modern Life Deli, 46 Sanford Road, Pittsboro. This program is open to Women of Fearrington members and new Village residents. Register here.
The August road trip: Jordan Lake Boat Tour, Thursday, August 24. Check the Women of Fearrington website under Meetings & Activities in mid-July for registration.
Show Your Village pride with a Village of Fearrington license plate. Cost: $20 each. All proceeds go to the Wonderful Options Fund. To purchase, contact Kathryn West here.
Women’s 9-Hole Golf Club
We invite Fearrington and Galloway Ridge social golfers to join us Tuesdays and/or Thursdays at Twin Lakes Golf Course (and occasionally other courses) and lunch afterwards. Membership is free, but golf and lunch are paid individually.
For further information contact:
Arlene Labenson at arl366@aol.com or 516-733-9914 or
Susan Lundblad at stlundblad41@gmail.com or 919-593-0316
Community Agencies
Chatham County Aging Services
Chatham County Aging ServicesChatham County Aging Services, formerly Chatham County Council on Aging, holds a “Jukebox Live!” music and dancing program every Friday afternoon from 3 to 4 at the Eastern Chatham Senior Center, 365 Hwy. 87 N., Pittsboro.
Each week features a different theme, often from live performers. Attendance is free.
For more information, call 919-542-4512.
North Chatham Elementary School
Volunteer Tutors Sought
The Learning Trail, a long-established volunteer program serving the Hispanic community, seeks tutors for elementary school students. The volunteers work one-on-one with the same child one afternoon per week, from 2:45 to 4:30. The lead tutor in each grade provides the lesson plans and materials. Orientation and on-the-job training are provided. Tutors come from varying backgrounds and are not required to have had a career in education. The program follows the school calendar, so there is no tutoring during school breaks or holidays. Also, substitutes are provided whenever a tutor may be absent. If interested, please contact The Learning Trail at info@thelearningtrail.org.
Continuing Education
The School of Athens
The School of Athens is on a brief summer hiatus and returns with:
1.The Oresteia, written by Aeschylus in the 5th century BCE, is a cycle trilogy of Greek tragedy about Orestes and the curse on the House of Atreus. The Oresteia is the only extant, complete ancient Greek dramatic trilogy. It was performed at the Greater Dionysia Festival in 458 BC, where it won first prize. The primary theme is the contrast between revenge and justice and shows the evolution in thinking from personal vendetta to organized litigation and justice. This literary work of art holds up well, and its themes are still wholly pertinent today.
The class will be presented by Professor Al Duncan, Department of Classics, UNC: https://classics.unc.edu/people-3/faculty-2-2/al-duncan/
2. Homer’s Iliad is tentatively scheduled for Wednesdays, Sept 27, October 4, 11, 18, at Chapel in the Pines, 10 to noon.
3. High Tea & Talk is planned for late July or August.
Register at: https://www.theschoolofathens.net.
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 Pat Skiver |
Fearrington Cares Hires New Executive Director
When you meet Fearrington Cares’ new executive director, Kim Schneider, you are greeted by her bright smile and warm spirit. She has been described as an open-hearted leader with a mind for business. Many of her thirty years in administrative roles included responsibility for operations, finance, and human relations at UNC healthcare settings. As a long-time resident of Chatham County, she has recently returned home after retiring from five years as the Chief Administration Officer for Women’s Health at the University of Pennsylvania.
Kim enjoyed her work at Penn Medicine integrating a Women’s Health Service Line structure across six hospitals and multiple independent medical practices. She found her work especially gratifying because it relied on developing relationships. She thinks this previous experience will serve her well in building relationships with Fearrington residents.
Working alongside of Kim to provide nursing services in the Fearrington Cares’ Clinic will be Aegis nurses, who get rave reviews. They will offer similar services in the Clinic to those that Karen Metzguer provided. Currently, Clinic visits can be scheduled for Monday and Wednesdays. When there is a Monday holiday, the Clinic will be open Wednesdays and Fridays. Clinic visits will be free as always, but Aegis will continue to offer additional fee-for-services in your home.
Kim joins Ellen Hoosick, Administrative Assistant, who answers the Fearrington Cares’ telephone, greets visitors, and schedules volunteers. She joined the staff last September. We hope to have an administrative coordinator on board soon to take Pat Skiver’s place doing our accounting and e-newsletter communications. We look forward to having a full staff by the fall when festivities are planned to celebrate Kim Schneider and all our staff with the Fearrington community.
—Linda Patterson, Fearrington Cares Board President
Fearrington Cares Center Is Closed July 3-7
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.
Aegis “Short Visit” Supportive Care Services
These services represent an innovation in home care services by eliminating the four-hour minimum shift that is usually required. Care can be scheduled for short periods of time, as little as 15 minutes. This program is not available for immediate, urgent, or emergency needs.
This program offers normal home care services such as assistance with compression hose, bathing, dressing, meal preparation, and medication reminders, as well as transportation to non-medical locations. The “Short Visit” option allows for one or more customized, short visits per day without having to schedule and pay for hours that may not be necessary. Services are provided by an Aegis nursing assistant.
“Short Visit” appointments will be available from 8 am- noon seven days a week. If there is enough demand, this program could be expanded to include some evening hours. If you call early in the day, same-day service requests may be accommodated, although advance request is preferred.
Fees are billed in 15-minute increments when you’re enrolled in the program; you only pay for what you need. You may call Aegis directly for more information or to request enrollment (919-442-5252) or speak with Fearrington Cares staff (919-542-6877) on weekdays between 9 am-1 pm.
Fearrington Cares Presents Summertime Film Nites
Thursday, July 6 and Thursday, August 3, 7:00 pm at The Gathering Place
Join your neighbors for summertime entertainment featuring a Fourth of July favorite and a classic American mystery thriller. Admission is free, and complimentary popcorn, beverages, and treats are provided. Your contributions to Fearrington Cares are gratefully accepted to support this and other programs in our community.
Remember that due to licensing restrictions, the title of the film cannot appear in public places like our mail kiosks or this newsletter which appears on a publicly accessible part of our website. If you would like to check the title of the upcoming movie, it is posted on flyers at the Fearrington Cares Center and The Gathering Place. You can also email us at FearringtonFilmNite@gmail.com for an automated response that offers the title and a blurb about the film.
Once you find out, please share the news with your neighbors! Word-of-mouth and personal emails are acceptable and appreciated, but please don’t post anything publicly.
Note that all films will be captioned, and the AudioFetch system at The Gathering Place offers hearing assistance. Download the AudioFetch app to a smartphone and listen with noise cancelling headphones or directly through Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids.
Update from the Fearrington Cares Program Committee
The FC Education Committee would like to thank all our neighbors who attended our sessions this past year (September 2022-May 2023). We so appreciate those who attended our Town Hall discussion either in person or via email and offered ideas for programming going forward.
During the summer, our group will be hard at work planning new sessions for the upcoming 2023-2024 season. Changes will be taking place based largely upon the feedback received from you all during the year. Some changes that the Committee will be discussing during the summer are:
1. Renaming the committee from Education Committee to Program Committee. As the landscape of this Committee broadens to include a wider range of health and wellness topics/areas of interest we believe Program Committee better supports the Fearrington Cares mission.
2. In meeting this broader scope, the Committee plans to offer a more interactive, participative format and experiential types of learning. Sessions will continue to be wellness and health focused, but with a more interactive, participatory gathering.
3. The Committee will be discussing the frequency and times of sessions as well as locations.
Please watch for periodic notifications from the Committee about the schedule beginning in September and what will be offered going forward. As always feel free to contact me at the email below if you have questions or suggestions. Thanks again for giving your time to us and supporting Fearrington Cares.
—Terry Lucas, Chair, tlucas9d@gmail.com
Program Committee members include Suzanne Burke, Nancy Chescheir, Beth Coulombe, Donna Costa, Karin LaCombe-Mulder, Carol Leatherman, Gillian Rogers, and Wendy Snodgrass
Blood Drive (Hooray!)
Tuesday, July 18, 9:00 am-1:30 pm at The Barn
After the successes of recent blood drives, Fearrington Cares and Fitch Creations are giving you another chance to donate blood and contribute to the health of neighbors in the community at large. These donations are critical to the supply of blood products needed in the Triangle and are more difficult to get in summer with increased travel plans for many. Call 800-733-2767 to schedule your life-saving appointment or go to www.redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code: Fearrington. Thank you in advance if you can join the community of blood doors in July!
Routine Foot Care
This service, provided by The Pedi Cure, is now available (for a fee) in the Center. The service will provide foot care by a professional pedicurist licensed with the state of NC. Appointments are made by calling Fearrington Cares when the Center is open Monday-Friday, 9:00 am-1:00 pm. A resident will contract with the provider and pay directly for these services.
A note from the provider and comments from residents:
My name is Wendy and I have over 25 years of nail care experience; Fearrington Cares has given me the opportunity to be of service when your toenails are long and/or thick, causing you discomfort, or when you are having a difficult time reaching your feet to trim your toenails. Perhaps loss of strength in your hands or vision changes are complicating things, consider making an appointment to come to the Fearrington Cares Center and let me help you have healthy feet.
I have had the pleasure of providing toenail and minor callous care for several residents since November and here is what a few have said:
Barbara said, ” I loved it and I’ll be back.”
Jill said ” Everything I expected in a pedicure…No… More than I expected, because it’s about the health of my feet.”
Shirley said ” It was good and worth every penny. Just delightful.”
Ready for Hurricane Season?
June 1 starts hurricane season, and it runs through November 30. NOAA forecasters are predicting a near-normal season for the Atlantic, with 12-17 named storms, 5-9 hurricanes, and 1-4 major hurricanes. The first five storms will be named Arlene, Bret, Cindy, Don, and Emily.
Chatham Community Emergency response team (CERT) has developed a hurricane preparedness checklist which you can find at this link. Even when you’ve been well prepared in the past, it’s an important to review so you are equally prepared in the future!
Celebrating Our Long-Serving Chair Yoga Instructor
Fearrington Cares has been fortunate to have the caring expertise of Tim Keim for 8 years and it is with mixed emotions that we wish him “all the best” in his move out of state this summer! He will be sorely missed after his last class on Monday, July 31.
No Busy Hands Meetings Until September
You may still be doing hand work over the summer but our twice a month group will not meet again until September 5th here in the Center.
Movement Classes at the Fearrington Cares Center (except as noted)Suggested donation of $5/class session (cash or check to Fearrington Cares). Mondays, 11:30 am—Chair Yoga (at The Gathering Place) (No Class July 3, Last Class is July 31) Wednesdays, 11:30 am—Otago Fall-Prevention Exercises (No Class July 5, 19, Aug. 16) Thursdays, 10:00 am—Chair Tap Dance (No Class July 6) Thursdays, 11:30 am—Line Dancing (No class July 6) Thursdays—Intermediate Yoga will resume in September Fridays, 11:30 am—Light Cardi0 (No class July 7) | Support Groups Meeting in Person at the Fearrington Cares Center
Alcoholics Anonymous: Mondays, 10:00 am (No meeting July 3) Parkinson’s Group: No Meetings in July or August Brainiacs Memory Café: Wednesdays, 10:00 am (No meeting July 5) |
Health Services Offered at the Fearrington Cares Center | Support Groups via Zoomfearringtoncares.org > Services > Support Groups Caregiver Support Group: Wednesdays, July 19, August 2, 16; 1:00pm Living with Chronic Conditions: Thursdays, July 20, August 3,17; 1:00pm |
Welcome to Our 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 |
|---|---|
| Terry K. Ames | C-204 C Wing** |
| Thomas (Tom) Earnhardt & Dana L. Jennings | 834 Langdon |
| Bruce E., Christopher, & Lynn D. Holbein | 920 Woodham |
| Barbara Lucido & Gerry Palmer | 688 Spindlewood |
| Keith & Nancy Matthews | 1393 Bradford Place |
| Gisela & Richard Miller | 4032 South McDowell |
| Julie & Mike Papay | 691 Spindlewood |
| J. Shangler | J-211 J Wing** |
**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 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 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 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.
July-August 2023 Calendar
All activities will be held at The Gathering Place unless otherwise noted.
These links will bring you to the online Combined Village Calendar, which is updated periodically from multiple sources. The Table below contains the calendar compiled by the editors from announcements that are submitted for publication.
Day/Date/Time | Organization | Event | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday July 5 5-7:30 pm | Food Truck | Handcrafted | Deborah Repplier drepplier@gmail.com |
| Thursday July 6 9:10 am Quail Ridge, Sanford | Fearrington Golf Club | Golf | Ken Indyk ken.indyk@gmail.com 919-259-8807 |
| Tuesday July 11 9:15 am Hyland, Southern Pines | Fearrington Golf Club | Golf | Ken Indyk ken.indyk@gmail.com 919-259-8807 |
| Wednesday July 12 5-7:30 pm | Doherty’s Paddy Wagon | Food Truck | Deborah Repplier drepplier@gmail.com |
| Thursday July 13 9 am Mill Creek, Mebane | Fearrington Golf Club | Golf | Ken Indyk ken.indyk@gmail.com 919-259-8807 |
| Tuesday July 18 10 am Forest Oaks, Greensboro | Fearrington Golf Club | Golf | Ken Indyk ken.indyk@gmail.com 919-259-8807 |
| Wednesday July 19 10 am Pittsboro | Women of Fearrington | Chatham County Courthouse and Historical Museum | womenoffearrington.org/ meetings-activities |
| Wednesday July 19 10:15 am McIntyre’s Books | AM Book Club | Monthly book discussion— Isaac’s Storm by Erik Larson | Catherine Clare catfearr@gmail.com Carole Yardley peacefulathome@bellsouth.net |
| Wednesday July 19 5-7:30 pm | Food Truck | Bulkogi Korean BBQ | Deborah Repplier drepplier@gmail.com |
| Thursday July 20 Mill Creek | Fearrington Golf Club | “The Summer Scramble” Tournament | Ken Indyk ken.indyk@gmail.com 919-259-8807 |
| Tuesday July 25 9:50 am Carolina Trace, Sanford | Fearrington Golf Club | Golf | Ken Indyk ken.indyk@gmail.com 919-259-8807 |
| Wednesday July 26 5-7:30 pm | Food Truck | Cousins Maine Lobster | Deborah Repplier drepplier@gmail.com |
| Thursday July 27 9 am Quail Ridge, Sanford | Fearrington Golf Club | Golf | Ken Indyk ken.indyk@gmail.com 919-259-8807 |
| Wednesday August 2 5-7:30 pm | Food Truck | Ta Contento Mex FreshFood | Deborah Repplier drepplier@gmail.com |
| Thursday August 3 7 pm | Fearrington Cares | Film Nite | FearringtonFilmNite@gmail.com |
| Wednesday August 9 5-7:30 pm | Food Truck | Green Onions Bistro | Deborah Repplier drepplier@gmail.com |
| Wednesday August 16 10:15 am McIntyre’s Books | AM Book Club | Monthly book discussion— This is Happiness by Niall Williams | Catherine Clare catfearr@gmail.com Carole Yardley peacefulathome@bellsouth.net |
| Wednesday August 16 5-7:30 pm | Food Truck | Chirba Dumpling | Deborah Repplier drepplier@gmail.com |
| Wednesday August 23 5-7:30 pm | Food Truck | The Blue Window | Deborah Repplier drepplier@gmail.com |
| Thursday August 24 Jordan Lake | Women of Fearrington | Jordan Lake Boat Tour | Women of Fearrington womenoffearrington.org/ meetings-activities |
| Wednesday August 30 5-7:30 pm | Food Truck | Cousins Maine Lobster | Deborah Repplier drepplier@gmail.com |
| Meeting Multiple Days in July/August | |||
| Wednesday July 5, 12, 19, & 26 August 2, 9, 16, 23, & 30 1 pm | Fearrington Duplicate Bridge Club | Duplicate Bridge | Dianne Hale haledianne@gmail.com |
| Thursday July 6 August 3 7 pm | Fearrington Cares | Film Nite | FearringtonFilmNite@gmail.com |
| Friday July 7, 14, 21, & 28 August 4, 11, 18, & 25 3-4 pm Eastern Chatham Senior Center 365 Hwy. 87 N. Pittsboro | Chatham County Aging Services | “Jukebox Live!” music and dancing program | Chatham County Aging Services 919-542-4512 |
| Saturday July 8 August 12 1-4 pm | Mah Jongg Dragons | Mah Jongg | Polly Williams pw82550@gmail.com |
| Upcoming Events in September | |||
| Wednesday September 6 7-8:30 pm | FHA | Residents meeting— Vote on a dues increase proposed by the Board | |
| Wednesday September 13 & 20 10 am to noon Chapel in the Pines | The School of Athens https://www.the schoolofathens.net | Class by special speaker—The Oresteia by Aeschylus | Blaine Paxton Hall bph7952@gmail.com |
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 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 (fearringtonfha.org). | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||