27 Feb FHA Newsletter: March 2022
FEARRINGTON HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER
March 2022 Volume 41 Number 3
President’s Message
Where flowers bloom, so does hope. Lady Bird Johnson
Spring won’t let me stay in this house any longer. I must get out and breathe the air deeply again. Gustav Mahler
Although I am writing this letter in the first part of February in order to meet the newsletter deadline, I can’t help but realize that March will be upon us when this appears. A time of new beginnings. Hopefully, this spring we will see the pandemic continue to wane, with no new variant to knock us back, and we can at last start mingling more freely again.
While there are many walkers in the Village, I often wonder how many residents have really explored neighborhoods other than their own. Fearrington Village has continued to grow and evolve over the years, so we have many parts that make up the whole. We have the Historic District, with its big lots, huge trees, and Beechmast Pond. How many of you have ever seen the pond? You can take the Creekwood Trail to get there. Did you know that if you see a post with a blue spindle on top it means you have found a trailhead? There is one of those off Millcroft, near Langdon, that takes you to a Habitat Restoration Area. Two years ago, Maarten Simon-Thomas carved several model birds and placed them on the trail. They are hard to find, but well worth the search. I have seen seven.
Have you been to the Smokehouse, off Village Way near the mail kiosk? This historic structure houses the largest “Little Free Library” that I know of. You can drop off some books and magazines you no longer need or pick up some new ones for free.
Did you know that Woodham has the steepest hill in the Village, and there is a path that you can find at the end of Richmond that takes you to Henderson Place? The Fitches have also just extended the Millcroft Path to reach the newest streets of Halifax and Forsyth.
Of course, it’s always wonderful to walk around the Village Center, where the gardeners are now busy pruning and planting so that we can enjoy the many types of blooms that will soon appear. For this, we owe thanks to Jenny Fitch, who was the moving force behind Camden Park (often called Jenny’s Park) and the amazing landscaping in the Village. Recently, someone sent me an article about Jenny Fitch from a 2011 issue of Our State magazine. I loved the quote from Jenny’s son, Greg, who said “There was never a master plan. Things happened organically over time. She had a unique vision.”
Jenny passed away in 1995, but all of us continue to benefit from her vision. Hope to see you all outside this spring.
—Rose Krasnow, president@fhaboard.org
Health, Safety, and Security Report
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 Board is responsible for maintenance of common property and covenant enforcement. For additional details, including job descriptions, visit the FHA tab on our webpage fearringtonfha.org.
The Belted Gazette
Submissions Content deadlines are the 15th of the previous month. All persons submitting content will receive a confirmation email. Email submissions to: editors @fearringtonfha.org. Do you have content for an upcoming newsletter? Email us at the above address and we will send you the Newsletter Guidelines. The Belted Gazette is produced by the Fearrington Homeowners Association (FHA), by and for the residents of Fearrington Village in Pittsboro, NC. The Belted Gazette contains community news, reports from the FHA Board members, items of interest to residents, and announcements of club and neighborhood activities. The Belted Gazette is published electronically 11 times a year (July/August is a combined issue). A link to the current issue is emailed to all residents who have an email address in the FHA Directory. A PDF copy of the current issue and back issues can be found on the FHA website (fearringtonfha.org). | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The FHA Board has voted to reopen The Gathering Place, effective Monday, February 28. For the safety of our residents and volunteers, the existing mask policy, summarized below, will continue to apply at this time. Further changes will be considered depending on the level of transmission in our area and Centers for Disease Control guidance.
1. All individuals, including speakers and performers, must wear masks while in the building, whether or not they have been vaccinated. If a club does not follow the rules, they will lose their use of The Gathering Place. It is up to the group to determine whether or not they want to require that members or participants be vaccinated.
2. Participants must complete a sign-in sheet for tracking purposes. The event organizer is responsible for depositing the sign-in sheets in a drop box installed by the FHA office for that purpose. If any participant subsequently tests positive for Covid, the renting organization must inform the business office.
3. No participant may attend a meeting if they exhibit any Covid symptoms, such as loss of taste or smell or having a fever.
4. The renting organization is responsible for ensuring compliance with these guidelines.
The requirement to enter by the front door has been dropped. Groups should also be aware of the guidelines that have always been applied to users of The Gathering Place.
—Warren Ort, Director of Health, Safety, and Security (healthsafetysecurity@fhaboard.org)
Scene Around Fearrington
By Josephine Dickson
Thanks to photography, I see the world differently. Whether I’m out with my camera or strolling with a friend, I notice what’s going on much more closely than I used to. And at Fearrington, there’s always something worth watching for. It might be a cardinal eyeing a sunflower seed, Sophocles keeping the Camden ponds safe for the ducklings, a herd of Belted Galloways lined up in the snow, a young cousin enjoying a beautiful day, or a chicken making its careful way down the ramp. Would I have seen these occasions had I not had become used to thinking photographically? I don’t know. I do know that because of photography I was willing to wait to see what might develop. And I always appreciate the role that luck plays. The cow had to be looking at me and sticking out its tongue just as I pushed the shutter button. — Josephine Dickson
Chats on Village Paths—Interview with Ambassador W. Robert Pearson
By Henri Deschamps, Features Co-Editor
Photo courtesy of Bob Pearson
The Belted Gazette: Ambassador Pearson, when reading your article, “The Cairn and The New Year,” in January’s The Belted Gazette, I found its spirit inspiring and wondered who you were. I learned that you are a retired professional Foreign Service Officer who served as US ambassador to Turkey from 2000 to 2003 and who was director general of the Foreign Service from 2003 to 2006. I am regularly surprised at the exceptionally diverse backgrounds of the people who live here and the long and winding road that brought them to Fearrington. How did you come to live in Fearrington Village in 2015?
Ambassador W. Robert Pearson: There were four good reasons that led us to Fearrington. First, my boss at the US Consulate General in Auckland, NZ, in 1976 was a native of Wilmington, NC, and he retired to Fearrington in the 1980s. He invited my wife Maggie and me to visit him. We were not thinking of retirement, but we remembered what a great place Fearrington was. Second, Fearrington ran ads in The New Yorker magazine, and those funny cows with the white stripe were noticed by us and a number of our Foreign Service colleagues. Third, a number of Foreign Service retirees have decided to move to central NC—so we could join a great group that used to meet for lunch each month before Covid. Finally, our son, raised overseas, met a wonderful woman from Winston-Salem at law school. They decided to start their family in Charlotte, so we moved from Maryland to be only a couple of hours away from our two grandchildren. Fearrington was the only place we actually looked at before we moved. With all this going for Fearrington, you could say it was practically inevitable that we would end up here.
The Belted Gazette: Sir Henry Wotton is often quoted as saying, “An ambassador is an honest man sent abroad to lie and intrigue for the benefit of his country.” I won’t ask you if that’s true, but in what time, place, or way did you find your diplomatic mission most complicated, challenging, or satisfying?
Ambassador W. Robert Pearson: Diplomacy uses every tool short of war, and there are many. We start where values might be shared (like a Venn diagram) and then build outwards. Humans actually evolved to cooperate for mutual benefit; otherwise, we’d still be throwing rocks. Brussels and Paris were our most pleasant places to live and also very engaging professionally. In Brussels, we dealt first with the Balkan Wars, then the end of the Cold War and Germany’s reunification. In Paris, it was all about how to share our two great cultures, and our security and economic aims. On the difficult side, Beijing (in 1981-83) saw the opening to China, the biggest gamble we have ever made to avoid conflict. Today, the jury is still out. Conditions for diplomacy were tough, and we were working in a hard language. I was ambassador in Turkey for the 2001 war in Afghanistan, the 2003 war in Iraq, and the collapse of the economy in 2002. The Turks helped on Afghanistan but not with Iraq, and that didn’t play well at home. Holding the relationship together for a better day was the best we could do. In the toughest posts, we Americans pull together and support each other, share the worst, and try to see a better day. Diplomacy is a long-haul business—the toughest problems take the longest time. We try to be careful listeners, creative, and patient.
The Belted Gazette: My own usual response to crystal ball questions is, “The last time I looked at my crystal ball, the only thing I saw was my crystal ball.” What do you see as the most disturbing or promising crises and therefore opportunities in the next 25 years—globally, but also for “the common man” and life every day?
Ambassador W. Robert Pearson: Modern diplomacy is totally different from the world of the 18th and 19th centuries, which for some reason still rests in the public mind as what diplomacy is and does. Today, our first priority is to prevent nuclear conflict. That probably sounds surprising, but if that catastrophic eventuality never occurs, we might have world enough and time to continue to enhance human welfare. US leadership already helped expand global wealth by a factor of 10 between 1950 and 2020, from a global GNP of $9 trillion to over $90 trillion annually. Yet the global south is way behind us, pandemics rage, climate change is upending the environment, and poverty and education levels are unacceptable. We Americans are 5% of the world’s population; the health of our shared markets, friends, and democratic values will shape and be shaped by what happens with the other 95%. We are still strong. America and the countries friendly to us control nearly 60% of the world’s economy. The rivalry with Russia and China is part of our reality, as well, and will persist for an indefinite time. Our job is to manage those relationships and advance our interests. The stakes for everyone on earth are enormous. If we work with our friends and focus on what we do well, we can face the future with confidence.
The Belted Gazette: Thank you for your time, perspectives, and insights, Ambassador Pearson.
Celebrate March Gladness with a Winning Lineup of Food Trucks
By Wendy Snodgrass
Regardless of whom you’re rooting for this month, we hope you score a great meal with our featured lineup of food trucks:
March 2 – Las Gringas
March 9 – Cousins Maine Lobster
March 16 – Chirba Chirba Dumpling
March 23 – Gussy’s Greek Truck
Your game plan should include a weekly visit to our neighborhood hotspot page at www.streetfoodfinder.com/fearringtonvillage, where you can review the menus, pick your favorites, and order online for the week ahead. You don’t have to jump through hoops, but for Cousins Maine Lobster, you must download their app from the App Store or Google Play to get in the game. They begin accepting pre-orders at 3 pm on the day of their arrival.
Thank you, food truck fans, for your support! Let’s cheer on this winning combination of food trucks and Fearrington Village!!
| Fearrington Groups and Organizations | |
|---|---|
| Bulls & Bears | Democratic Club |
| Dragons Mah Jongg | Duplicate Bridge Club |
| Garden Club | Genealogy Group |
| Great Decisions | Republican Club |
| Swim & Croquet Club | Village Singers |
| Yacht Club | Women of Fearrington |
| Community Agencies | |
| Chatham Connecting | |
| Community Remembrance Coalition | |
| Continuing Education | |
| OLLI-Osher Lifelong Learning | |
Fearrington Groups and Organizations
Fearrington Bulls & Bears Investment Club
The Fearrington Bulls & Bears Investment Club is a group interested in improving our investment knowledge and capabilities. We do this through managing a small portfolio of stocks, making buy and sell decisions, and monitoring the US stock markets and trends. We meet monthly during non-summer months and share information, insights, and ideas about investing with fellow members.
Guests are welcome to participate in a meeting or two to gauge their interest in joining the club. The next meeting will be on Friday, March 11, at 10:00 am via Zoom.
For more information about the club or to join our meeting, please contact: Anna Shearer, president, at 703-217-0322 or ashearer1219@gmail.com.
Fearrington Democratic Club
The Democratic Club’s Zoominar topic on March 22 at 7 pm will be, “The Faces of Poverty in North Carolina.” More than 1.5 million North Carolinians today live in poverty. More than one in five are children. Behind these sobering statistics are the faces of our fellow citizens. Our speaker will be Dr. Gene Nichol, Boyd Tinsley Distinguished Professor of Law, UNC-CH. Since 2012, Professor Nichol has traveled the length of North Carolina, conducting hundreds of interviews with poor people and those working to alleviate the worst of their circumstances.
To register and get the Zoom link, please use this link. This event will also be recorded and posted on the club’s website: Fearrington Democratic Club – Welcome Page (fearringtondems.org).
Fearrington Dragons Mah Jongg
The Dragons are Ready to Play!
Fearrington Mah Jongg Dragons play on the second Saturday of the month, March 12, 2022, at The Gathering Place, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm, provided that The Gathering Place will be open to Fearrington groups. We will contact all members if we do not play on March 12. We play under the guidelines of The Gathering Place. As such, we must limit our number to 50, and all participants must wear a mask.
Because of this limitation, it is important to cancel if you discover you are not able to play, so someone else can take your spot. Contact Mary Donna Pond at mdpond@nc.rr.com to reserve your place.
Drinks and snacks will be provided!
May the jokers be ever in your favor!!
Contact Robin Weinberger at weinrob@msn.com or 919-219-5228 or Polly Williams at pw82550@gmail.com or 919-478-4260 if you have any questions.
Want to learn how to play? Contact Mary Donna Pond at mdpond@nc.rr.com.
Fearrington Duplicate Bridge Club
Join us for a face-to-face game every Wednesday in March. We play at 1 pm at The Gathering Place. Play the first time is free; after that, the cost is $7 to defray the costs. If The Gathering Place is closed, we will continue our duplicate games online. Questions? Please contact Dianne Hale at haledianne@gmail.com.
The Fearrington Garden Club
The Garden Club officers are finalizing plans for field trips to area gardens in lieu of a March 8 meeting. Please watch your email for exact details. To be added to the email list, please join the club. Click Here for a Membership Form.
Fearrington Genealogy Group
Tuesday, March 8, 2022, 3:00-4:00 pm, Zoom Meeting
Topic: Member reports and discussion on Roots Tech Conference sessions.
Newcomers welcome. Dues $15.00 (cash, please).
Contact Reece Jones for additional information at 919-542-1598.
Fearrington Great Decisions
Like many local groups, Fearrington Great Decisions has been on sabbatical during the pandemic. Given our community’s high level of civic involvement, we believe that Fearrington Great Decisions (which is not affiliated with the national Great Decisions program) has been and should remain a valuable resource.
During the past months, three of the leadership team members—Paul and Mary Johnson and Jackie Walters—have had to reassess their other obligations. I, Fred Welfel, alone remain interested in restarting Great Decisions in September if a few others would join me. We have learned that it takes a team to do Great Decisions properly. While identifying and recruiting speakers is most important, I also need people who can assume primary responsibility for the administrative and technical aspects of the programs from room to audio/visual setup at each program. If interested, please contact me at fearringtongreatdecisions@gmail.com.
Fearrington Republican Club
Your Fearrington Republican Club will meet on Wednesday, March 23, 2022, at 7 pm in The Gathering Place. After having to cancel our meetings in January and February because of restrictions placed on the use of our meeting place, we anticipate getting back to having our speakers once again. Our guest speaker for this meeting will be Republican candidate for Chatham County Sheriff, Marcus Globuschutz. Marcus is married and is raising four children in Chatham. He has an extensive law enforcement background. Bring a friend and come hear what our candidate has to say about why he would make a good sheriff for Chatham County. All Fearrington and Galloway Ridge residents are welcome at our meetings.
Fearrington Swim & Croquet Club
The Swim & Croquet annual meeting was held via Zoom on January 30. Please welcome our newly elected board members: Janet Barringer, Bo Bobbitt, and Nathalie Condoret. Plans are underway for another successful pool season beginning May 7.
Croquet continues year-round. The start time for Wednesday Wine and Wickets changes from 2 pm to 4 pm after daylight saving time begins.
Fearrington Village Singers
The return of the Fearrington Village Singers for the spring season may be imminent! Under the direction of Director Matt Fry, we will perform our matinee and evening concerts in early May. The FVS Board will make a final determination on the season, based on current safety data, by the end of February.
Rehearsals for the spring 2022 concert may begin in early March for men and women, venue TBA. Rehearsals begin at 4:00 pm and continue until 5:30 pm. Men’s sectional rehearsals are on Mondays, and women’s are on Thursdays, time and place TBA.
We welcome new singers! No audition is required, but you must be fully vaccinated and boosted against Covid-19. Masks are required, social distancing and ventilation will be arranged, and breaks are encouraged.
For more information, visit www.fearringtonvillagesingers.org, or contact FVS Co-President Kathryn Doster at kathryn.j.doster@gmail.com.
Fearrington Yacht Club
Ahoy, mates! Due to Covid, there has been yet another date change for the “Happy Hour Mixer” for current and former members and for new residents who might like to join. The mixer will be Friday, March 4, from 4 to 6 pm at The Gathering Place. Although the annual $15 per person membership dues are usually required for participation in FYC events, they are not necessary for this occasion. Membership applications will be available, and we will accept dues payments at the mixer. The FYC is a party & travel club that usually has two parties and two regional trips a year planned by members. NO YACHT REQUIRED! Be sure to see the “Feature Article” about the FYC in the January issue of The Belted Gazette. For event information and a membership form, log onto the FYC page at https://fearringtonfha.org/, and choose Clubs and Other Organizations from the menu, or contact Commodore Maggie Tunstall at 919-542-0031 or metunstall@nc.rr.com.
Women of Fearrington
Ever wonder about the historic marker at the corner of US 15-501 and Mt. Gilead Road? Don’t miss our free webinar Wednesday, March 16, at 1:30 pm. Local author Marjorie Hudson will present, “He Sold His Poems to Buy His Freedom: The Fascinating Life and Work of George Moses Horton, Slave Poet.” Register here. Also, if you are willing to help read Horton’s poems aloud during the Zoom, contact Adrienne at this address.
Get involved! Women of Fearrington are kind, curious and, above all, can-do! Check out our new Get Involved section on the WoF website. Every team will be glad to help you find a role. Don’t see an exact match for your interests? Scroll down to “Other,” and tell us about yourself by completing a brief skills inventory form.
Want to become a member and participate fully in all our activities? Click here to join or renew. Then you could sign up here for a guided tour of Cape Fear Botanical Gardens in Fayetteville Thursday, March 31, at 11 am; a joint venture with the Fearrington Garden Club.
Community Agencies
Chatham Connecting—Bringing Together Those in Need with Those Who Can Help
Spring is in the air. Daffodils are heading, and the Grecian Windflowers are open. As we look forward to more sunshine and better days ahead, our neighbors in Chatham County still face challenges. The Hispanic liaison is working hard to help the Latinx community, which continues to be severely impacted by the pandemic. Essential workers are getting ill, and, without paid sick leave, their families are having a hard time making ends meet. You can find out how to help with their needs as well as the needs of nearly 100 other Chatham County agencies and non-profits by consulting the Chatham Connecting website (chathamconnecting.org). The missions of the organizations listed on the website are diverse. Volunteer opportunities (including volunteering from home) and donation needs are clearly spelled out. Your neighbors will thank you.
Community Remembrance Coalition—Chatham & the Chatham County NAACP Branches 5377 & 5378
Zoom with us on Friday, March 18, at 7 pm for a program honoring the achievements of black women in Chatham County. Presenting will be Neasha Graves, Environmental Health Outreach Manager at the Center for Public Engagement with Science, UNC Institute for the Environment, and The Reverend Anissa T. Little, ordained elder in the AME Zion Church, director of Evangelism Durham District, and Eastern NC Episcopal District Conference Studies instructor. Ms. Graves is the niece of Margaret Pollard, the educator for whom Pollard Middle School is named. You can register for the event by going to the CRC website.
Continuing Education
OLLI-Osher Lifelong Learning
OLLI-Osher Lifelong Learning is a year-round educational community on the Duke campus as well as at other venues—including Galloway Ridge—for retired and not-so-retired folks. Courses cover history, literature, natural or social science, art, music, drama, and current events. Spring-term classes will be held primarily on Zoom with some in classroom settings (subject to change). Courses will be listed online starting in mid-March. Registration starts Tuesday, April 12, at 9 am and Wednesday, April 13, at 9 am. Spring term starts April 25. Go to learnmore.duke.edu/olli for class and registration info. If you have any questions, please email Warren Ort at warrensailo@aol.com.
Fearrington Cares material is edited by their staff and volunteers. Direct comments or questions to them at (919) 542-6877 or info@fearringtoncares.org. —Carolyn & John Boyle, editors |
NEW This Year: Two Small Group “Get-Together” Opportunities
Two new programs are being offered monthly in the Center. The purpose is to provide a forum to engage in friendly conversations with your neighbors. For the first few months, we ask you to call (919-542-6877) and preregister. This will allow us to create a safe environment with proper physical distancing for mask-wearing vaccinated individuals. Eventually, these will be drop-in opportunities.
Crossroads Conversations
Wednesday, March 9, 1:30-3:00 pm at the Fearrington Cares Center
Registration required
They say money cannot buy true happiness; but artificial happiness can’t be bad! Not so fast! In fact, a study by Dr. Robert Waldinger that has followed individuals for over 75 years has shown that having social connections is crucial for health and well-being. In this Crossroads Conversations, we will watch a short presentation by Dr. Waldinger as he shares lessons learned from this landmark research. After that, we will break into groups of four to five to reflect and discuss the information. Topics in this series will vary each month. If this appeals to you, we invite you to join us at Fearrington Cares on the second Wednesday of each month. We will be wearing masks and the group size is limited to 16 vaccinated folks. Call Fearrington Cares at 919-542-6877 to register before March 7.
Busy Hands Together
Tuesday, March 15, 9:30-11:00 am at the Fearrington Cares Center
Registration required
Do you enjoy handwork or have a button that needs re-attaching? Would you enjoy crafting with others? If you crochet, knit, make cards, scrapbook, needlepoint, or practice any other craft, we invite you to bring your project and join us at Fearrington Cares for a monthly get together on the third Tuesday of each month. This is an opportunity to get to know your neighbors and make progress on your favorite craft. If this sounds like something you would like to participate in, then let’s get together for crafting, conversation, and fellowship. We will be wearing masks and the group size is limited to 12 vaccinated folks. Call Fearrington Cares at 919-542-6877 to register by March 12.
The Rumble and the Respite
Friday, March 11, 10:00 am—2:00 pm at the Fearrington Cares Center
Registration required
As you might imagine in a neighborhood of more than 2,000 individuals, with an average age of 72, there are a number of caregivers in Fearrington Village. Fearrington Cares will host a pilot program, “The Rumble and the Respite,” once a month that is designed to add fun and comradery to the lives of individuals who need assistance with activities of daily living, while affording their caregivers the opportunity to take a break from their daily and continuous caregiving responsibilities. For our program, the term “caregiver” will be used to describe an unpaid family member, most often a spouse, who provides direct care for activities of daily living for a loved one. Participation in this program will benefit both the caregiver and the care recipient.
The Rumble and the Respite is designed to provide a safe and enjoyable space, along with activities, for care recipients, while giving their caregivers a break from this daily responsibility. Fearrington Cares currently provides a regular monthly Caregiver Support Group, but for many caregivers, it is impossible to attend unless care is available for the care recipient. Our new pilot program will allow Fearrington Cares to provide respite by hosting an educational and entertaining session, including lunch, for care recipients. So long as it is okay with the care recipients, we invite the caregivers to leave and do something by themselves! Caregivers can contact Karen (919-542-6877 or karen@fearringtoncares.org) for details and to register before March 5.
If you know a caregiver who may not be getting to email as often as they might, please share this information and encourage them to call.
Revitalizing Your Friendships:
An Upbeat Two-Part Program for Expanding and Nourishing Friendships—at Any Age!
Tuesdays, March 15 and 29, 6:30—8:00 pm via Zoom
With so much time spent in isolation lately, you may find yourself experiencing a “Friendship Gap.” What a great time to revitalize your social connections and bonds of friendship! Research shows that friendships play a significant role in our physical and -emotional well-being. So don’t let your friendships fizzle! Join presenter Vicki Field to learn ways to revitalize your circle of friends.
Vicki Field is a resident of Fearrington Village and co-author of Building the Bonds of Friendship at Midlife and Beyond. She has led workshops on this topic with a wide range of audiences for over ten years.
Join this program by going to fearringtoncares.org > Services > Education Programs. Click on the Zoom link 10 minutes before the program starts, and please make sure your sound is muted.
Readiness for Potential Emergencies
Thursday, March 24, 7:00 pm via Zoom
Our March Education presentation is a continuation of the February program on emergency preparedness by Fearrington resident Steve Kasnow, a volunteer with the Chatham Emergency Response Team (CERT). In this discussion, Steve will be joined by one of the leaders of CERT. Together they will present an overview of likely emergencies for our region and how, as residents of Fearrington Village, we can become involved in emergency preparedness for the Village and our county.
Join this program by going to fearringtoncares.org > Services > Education Programs. Click on the Zoom link 10 minutes before the program starts and please make sure your sound is muted.
NEW Movement Class Beginning March 11: Posture, Balance, and Cardio (PB&C)
Fridays, 11:30 am—12:30 pm at the Fearrington Cares Center
Bring your smile and love for catchy tunes to a new fitness class. We will move, lift some light weight, and get our heart rates up safely. Most importantly, we will laugh and have a good time! This class may be done sitting or standing and will not require you to get down on the floor. If you wish, bring your own light weights (1-2 lbs.); water bottles or soup cans can also be used. Please join Fearrington resident, Betty Robie, the “new kid on the block,” for a weekly energizer; become a “regular” participant and don’t be surprised if you’re walking taller by May! Pre-registration is required (919-542-6877)
Movement Classes at the Fearrington Cares Center
| Support Groups Meeting in Person at the Fearrington Cares Center
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Health Services Offered at the Fearrington Cares Center(9:00 am—12:00 pm, Monday-Friday)
| Support Groups via Zoomwww.fearringtoncares.org
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Invitation and Highlight: Caregiver Support Group
Caring for a tired or frustrated person who is living with advancing disease or decline can be as tiring and frustrating for the caregiver as it is for the “patient.” The demands of your loved one’s health can overshadow your own well-being, which isn’t good for either of you. Caregivers are welcome to join our virtual Caregiver Support meeting via Zoom twice a month to equip you with the necessary skills and the support you need. This group offers participants an opportunity to share experiences, vent, find support and comfort, and learn about additional resources in Fearrington Village and the larger community. The group is co-facilitated by Karen and Fred Shectman. Email karenlshectman@gmail.com to join and for Zoom information.
Blood Drive Success!
The Red Cross tells us that our blood drive at the end of January went beyond their expectations. They collected 50 units of blood product from 42 individuals, potentially helping 150 people! Furthermore, 18 of you were first-time donors! As you know, there is a historic shortage of blood and the success of our drive will help in many ways. The generosity of the Fearrington Villagers is never in doubt!
Free COVID-19 Tests! Well, Maybe…
COVID-19 will be with us for a while and testing will remain an important tool for living with this disease. Testing is crucial if you are having symptoms like coughing, fever, sore throat, or loss of taste or smell. It is also important if you have come into close contact with someone who has COVID-19 or if you will be gathering in a group, especially with vulnerable people. However, there is considerable confusion surrounding what kind of testing is available. Here is a summary of the main options:
- Every US residential address is eligible to receive four free FDA-approved at-home rapid COVID-19 test kits. Order kits online from www.covidtests.gov. If you need help placing an order, call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489).
- Every NC resident can request a free at-home COVID-19 test kit online here.
- Everyone in the US is eligible for low or no cost lab-based COVID-19 tests at community-based testing sites. A table of testing sites in Chatham County may be found here. Information about testing locations throughout North Carolina may be found here.
- Persons covered by private medical insurance: As of January 15, a federal government mandate has required private insurers to reimburse individuals who purchase up to eight at-home FDA-approved COVID-19 test kits. Lab-based tests may also be covered; check with your insurer to confirm what it covers.
- Persons enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan: You may be able to be reimbursed for COVID-19 test kits that you purchase; lab-based tests may also be covered. Plans vary; check with your plan to confirm what it covers.
- Persons enrolled in original Medicare: Current statutory limitations prevent you from being reimbursed for COVID-19 test kits that you purchase. However, Medicare expects to be able to process claims and provide reimbursement by “early this spring”, so stay tuned (Free COVID-19 Test FAQ) for further details. Medicare will currently pay for a COVID-19 test performed by a laboratory when the test is ordered by a physician, non-physician practitioner, or pharmacist. Medicare participants can also have one free laboratory test per year without such an order.
For more information and links about all things COVID-19, consult Fearrington Cares’ dedicated web page. Call Fearrington Cares (919-542-6877) if we can assist you with ordering your free at-home tests or in finding a free community testing site.
Welcome to Our New Residents
The following new villagers were added to the Fearrington Village Directory between January 15 and February 14. Want to reach out to your new neighbor? You will find their contact information on our community web page FearringtonFHA.org (click Find People under the Directory tab). Residents who are new may be under New Residents.
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Ann Marie (Annie) Anthony & Rick Schneegold | 897 Burwell |
| Linda & Samuel (Sam) Basch | 10 West Camden (1113*) |
| Ann R. & Michael T. (Mike) Broadway | 24 Yancey (1082*) |
| Donna M. & Lisa Costa | 44 Caswell (1195*) |
| Nancy E. Donny | 410 Brampton Close |
| Adam Erickson & Takara Priestley | 4242 Henderson Place |
| Luree S. Holt | 581 Woodbury |
| Frank L. Jackalone & Melissa A. Metcalfe | 497 Beechmast |
| Kim Colleen Klema | 381 Wintercrest West |
| James Thomas (Jim) McCormick & Margaret L. Normann | 511 Swim and Croquet |
| Connie & Edward McCraw | 9 Bladen (4009*) |
| Laurie J. Pahel, MD | 1372 Bradford Place |
| Alan & Linda Rimer | A-004 A Wing** |
| Cynthia M., Dewayne C., & Kimberly A. Vaughan | 46 Caswell (1196*) |
* Post office box number
** Addresses with a “Wing” designation are for 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.
March 2022 Calendar
All activities will be held at The Gathering Place unless otherwise noted.
Mask Requirement Continues: Due to rising infections and the unvaccinated, individuals using The Gathering Place must wear a mask when inside the building, whether or not they have been vaccinated. This is in keeping with CDC guidelines. If a club does not follow the rules, it will lose its use of the facility. Group leaders may decide whether to require their members to be vaccinated. Check the FHA web page for any updates to this policy.
| Day/Date/Time | Organization | Event | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
Friday March 4 4-6 pm | Fearrington Yacht Club | Happy Hour Mixer |
Maggie Tunstall 919-542-0031 metunstall @nc.rr.com |
Tuesday March 8 3-4 pm Zoom meeting | Fearrington Genealogy Group | Member reports and discussion on Roots Tech Conference sessions | Reece Jones 919-542-1598 |
Friday March 11 10 am | Bulls and Bears Investment Club | Monthly meeting via Zoom |
Anna Shearer 703-217-0322 |
Saturday March 12 1 – 4 pm | Fearrington Dragons Mah Jongg Club | Mah Jongg |
Robin Weinberger 919-219-5228 Polly Williams pw82550@gmail.com 919-478-4260 |
Wednesday March 16 1:30 pm | Women of Fearrington | WoF general meeting: Slave Poet George Moses Horton | Adrienne Lallo 512-619-1365 |
Tuesday March 22 7 pm | Fearrington Democratic Club | Zoom meeting |
Cheri DeRosia 919-923-4506 |
Wednesday March 23 7 pm | Fearrington Republican Club |
Republican candidate for Chatham County Sheriff, Marcus Globuschutz | |
Thursday March 24 3:30-5 pm | Women of Fearrington |
New Member Meet and Greet Belted Goat Tent | Mary Ann Petruska 443-602-1244 |
Thursday March 31 11 am | Women of Fearrington | Road trip to Cape Fear Botanical Gardens, Fayetteville | Mif Flaharty 808-234-0008 |
| Meeting Multiple Days in March | |||
Wednesdays March 2, 9, 16, 23, & 30 1 pm | Fearrington Duplicate Bridge Club | Weekly Duplicate Game | Dianne Hale haledianne @gmail.com |
Wednesdays March 2 & 9 2 pm | Fearrington Swim & Croquet Club | Wednesday Wine and Wickets at Fearrington Swim & Croquet Club | |
Thursdays March 3, 10, 17, 24, & 31 | Fearrington Village Singers | Rehearsals; for details, contact Kathryn Doster | Kathryn Doster kathryn.j.doster @gmail.com |
Mondays March 7, 14, 21, & 28 | Fearrington Village Singers | Rehearsals; for details, contact Kathryn Doster | Kathryn Doster kathryn.j.doster @gmail.com |
Wednesdays March 16, 23, & 30 4 pm | Fearrington Swim & Croquet Club | Wednesday Wine and Wickets at Fearrington Swim & Croquet Club | |