21 Feb FHA Newsletter March 2023
FEARRINGTON HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER
March 2023 Volume 42 Number 3
President’s Message
I know that most of you are now aware that a house in the Village caught fire late in the evening of February 3. The good news is that the smoke detectors in the house worked, enabling the residents to get out of the house safely. The bad news is that the house and its contents were destroyed, which would be a traumatic event for any of us.
In the aftermath of the fire, the Board decided not to send out a blast email to every resident since the cause of the fire is still under investigation. Fortunately, the immediate needs of the owners were quickly addressed, thanks to the support provided by neighbors and the Fitches. When we learn more about the cause of the blaze, we will let you know. In the meantime, please be aware that the North Chatham Fire Department, which is located directly across the street from the Village, will be happy to inspect your smoke alarms to insure they are working correctly. I hope most of you will take advantage of this service because it truly could mean the difference between life and death.
On a much lighter note, many of you may have seen rescue vehicles at the corner of Weathersfield and 15-501 in mid-February. No, it wasn’t another vehicular accident. Rather, one of the Beltie cows got stuck in a tree. That’s in a tree, not up a tree. According to an eyewitness, all its feet were on the ground! Apparently, there is hay in the little copse of trees in that area, so I assume the cow was hungry. I’m glad to report that the rescuers were able to safely extricate the cow. Oh well—just another day in the life of our unique Village.
While I have always said that homeowner associations (HOAs) face similar issues no matter where they are located, I have also come to realize that the issues we all face change over time. For example, in the latest issue of Common Ground, the magazine for community association leaders, there was an article on electric vehicle (EV) charging stations that points out that an increasing number of residents are purchasing EVs and need convenient and accessible charging options. The experts noted that boards need to consider issues such as space, electricity, insurance, maintenance, parking, and aesthetics. This is not much of an issue if you live in a detached home, but it becomes more complicated if you live in townhouse. Already, residents have asked the FHA to consider putting in a charging station at The Gathering Place, and we would not be surprised to see some appear in the Village Center at some point.
There was also an article related to the fact that HOAs across the country are amending their rules to prevent investors from buying up a significant number of properties in a community and turning them into rentals. Two service groups in the Village (Countryhouse and Weathersfield) have already passed rental restrictions, and others are considering them. This is not an attempt to block rentals in Fearrington; rather, it is an effort to keep the number of rentals to a reasonable number so that our property values aren’t harmed (banks may not approve a mortgage if the number of rentals is too high), while making sure that investment companies don’t suddenly own enough units to take over a service group board. With all the growth we are seeing in Chatham County, these concerns are real.
Last but not least, there was an article that pointed out that the rising severity of storms can lead to skyrocketing insurance costs for HOAs. We are in the process of getting quotes from more than one insurance provider in the hopes that we can limit such increases, but we do expect our costs to rise. This is one of the many expenses we are looking at as we take a deep dive into our budget. We hope to present a lot of this information at our next open meeting in the spring. Stay tuned.
—Rose Krasnow, president@fhaboard.org
Community Conversation
“Coffee & Conversation” on Wednesday, March 22, 9:30 am
Residents are invited to attend this event at The Gathering Place hosted by FHA Board members. It’s an opportunity to share your ideas, express your concerns, and learn more about how the FHA is working for you. Coffee, hot tea, and breakfast treats will be served. RSVP to community@fhaboard.org to reserve your spot.
Communications Report
2023 Directories
2023 DirectoriesCopies of the printed 2023 Directory & Handbook have been distributed to all area coordinators and have been passed on by them to block contacts for distribution to residents. Each residence is entitled to receive one directory—please reach out to your block contact if you want a directory and have not received it. Additional copies may be obtained at the Hospitality Office for $7 per copy.
If you decide to dispose of your old directory, please remember that it contains personal information and dispose of it securely, for example at a shredding event organized by the Green Scene. The next such event is scheduled for the morning of May 20, 2023. Anyone wishing to purchase a copy of last year’s directory may do so at the Hospitality Office for $1 per copy, while supplies last.
Urgent Care – Directory Correction
I recently learned that the Avance Care office in the Briar Chapel Veranda operates on an appointment basis and no longer qualifies as an urgent-care facility. The closest urgent-care facility is now the UNC location in Chatham Park at 51 Mosaic Drive, Unit 100, Pittsboro, telephone: 984-215-6766. It is open seven days a week, 8 am to 8 pm. The online directory has been updated, but it is too late to change the inside cover of the 2023 printed directory—residents may want to make this correction by hand.
—Tony Carroll, communications@fhaboard.org
Grounds & Landscaping Report
Stay Clear of Waste Plant Construction
Stay Clear of Waste Plant ConstructionThe Fitch organization has advised the Board that construction activity at the wastewater treatment plant is about to intensify, which will result in more and bigger trucks and heavy equipment driving through the Village and entering and leaving the private road to the treatment plant. The road, off Beechmast just northwest of the intersection with Village Way, is marked “Treatment Plant 4615” and has a red “Construction Site” sign posted. Residents are advised to be vigilant and exercise care when walking in the area and are asked to stay off of the Treatment Plant road, which is a private drive and will not be safe for pedestrians during the construction period.
—Pat McGahan, grounds@fhaboard.org
Save The Date: Fearrington Founders Festival
Friday, May 5, 2-6 pm at The Gathering Place campus for the Fearrington Founders Festival. (Rain date: Saturday, May 6)
This year Fearrington Village will be 49 years old. To celebrate the occasion, the FHA, Fearrington Cares, Swim & Croquet Club, and Women of Fearrington are planning a festival. Not a lot of speeches, just a fun time to get to know your neighbors and others who have lived here previously.
Some of the activities being considered:
- Poster display with art, photos, and prose depicting our history (some say we are the second-oldest planned unit development in the state!)
- Fun Facts of 1974—some to remember and some to forget
- Door prizes
- Time in the barnyard with Farmer Bob
- Some neighborhood music groups to share their talents with neighbors
- Food trucks and ice cream
- Development of our own Fearrington Story Corps project
- Demonstration of the game of croquet
- Booths showcasing a wide variety of our clubs and their activities
- An “Alumni Reunion” of previous Fearrington residents to return and share memories
- The Fearrington Village Singers—their closing, ticketed, concert at 7 pm at Galloway Ridge (Chapin Auditorium)
Do you have memories, stories, photos, or videotape of Fearrington that you could share with us? If you care to dress up in the 70s fashion, it will add to the atmosphere of the day. More things are developing, so stay tuned. We need volunteers to help plan and execute, plus a couple of graphic artists. Questions or thoughts? Please contact Tony Daniels at tdanielsuk@icloud.com.
Scene Around Fearrington
Paintings by Leslie Palmer
“My husband, Jim, and I moved to Fearrington Village in 2000. Even after all this time, I find it impossible not to be awed by the beauty that surrounds us. For an artist, treasures that beg to be captured with paint on paper are just outside my door or a short walk away. My watercolors are a thank-you to our unique community’s natural wonders. An extra-special bonus is the friendship of neighbors and the many talented artists who also call Fearrington home.”
Leslie Palmer, LesliePalmerFineArt.com
Leslie Palmer is graphics editor for The Belted Gazette and was the editor for the Scene Around Fearrington section for almost two years. She is the creator of The Belted Gazette nameplate which changes with the seasons, as well as the Beltie graphics that adorn each issue, including the Belted Goat that introduces this section. If you are interested in seeing more of her work, you can view her website (LesliePalmerFineArt.com), or make an appointment to visit her studio.
Scene Around Fearrington in April
♫ April in Paris, chestnuts in blossom,
Holiday tables under the trees ♫
(Lyrics by Yip Harburg)
Well, it’s not Paris, but April in Fearrington has its own unique charms. In January, we featured a number of photographs of Fearrington in winter, as seen by local photographers. Next month we would like to do something similar to mark the arrival of spring. If you have one or two photos you believe capture the spirit of springtime in the Village, please send them to Gordon Pitz (gfpitz@gmail.com). Check the latest version of guidelines for photographs.
Solstice Lantern Walk 2022
by Mariana Fiorentino and Beth Gold
The second annual Solstice Walk drew over 80 Fearrington residents to the Village on the evening of December 21, 2022. Handcrafted lanterns of all sizes and shapes appeared and lit the night with soft glows. Many of the participants had attended lantern-making workshops held before the event.
Leaving the Village Center, folks walked quietly around Camden Pond with their lanterns flickering magically in the darkness.
Haiku and music scheduled as part of the program did not happen due to sounds of the fountain and the unexpected number of participants. Plans for a Lantern Solstice Walk and lantern-making workshops are already underway for this December. Watch for notices in the fall, and feel free to contact the authors if you have questions.
“Get Out There” Series—Part 2: Bocce and Croquet
Story and photos by Tad McArdle
Continuing our “Get Out There” series, we will slow the pace and increase the complexity, moving from pickleball and tennis to bocce and croquet. Let’s start with bocce.
Jim Forbes throwing the ball.
I was recently invited to join a bocce game on our local court, just outside the tennis/pickleball enclosure. Bocce courts can have any sort of surface—sand, grass, etc.—and even slant (which would give golfers an advantage—it’s like reading greens). Fearrington’s sandy court is 18 feet x 75 feet.
I was on the red team, as opposed to the green team, and was first handed the target, a little yellow ball known as “the pallino.” One starts by rolling the pallino down the court to anywhere within a designated area. Then the fun begins.Each team has four balls, larger and heavier than the pallino, and the way to win is to end up with a ball or balls of your team’s color being closest to the pallino at the end of the “frame.” The frame ends when each side has rolled all four of its balls. A coin toss determines who rolls first. Let’s say red starts and rolls a ball a foot from the pallino. Green then rolls until a green ball ends up closer to the pallino than red’s ball (may not happen!). The team with the ball farthest from the pallino continues to roll until one of its balls gets closer or until they’ve rolled all four balls. You will learn the remaining rules quickly, as I did, on the spot. Although not as taxing as pickleball or tennis, bocce creates an atmosphere of good fun, conversation, and meeting new people, while enjoying a game that started in ancient Egypt and has lasted as long as the pyramids.
(l-r) Jim Rudbeck, Dino DeFranco, Jim Forbes, Laura Jensen, Leo Shanahan, Jeanne Marie Patterson
According to Joe Mottola, a long-time player, “The social aspect has predominated over the competitive since bocce’s beginning here in the ‘90s.” Joe was instrumental in ensuring that women are part of the scene, aiming and rolling and having a blast. So if you’re interested, contact Jim Rudbeck at 919-444-3117, mjrudbeck@gmail.com, and before long you can “get out there” on Tuesdays and Thursday afternoons and start calculating: “If I hit the red ball and it knocks the green ball into the pallino which will then head toward the second red ball . . .” Or maybe just aim, roll, and see what happens (like most of us). You may jump for joy or weep in despair, but in any case, you might want to add bocce to your repertoire, because no matter where the ball goes, you will be happily involved, as was I.
Now let’s move on to croquet, not so ancient as bocce but carrying a thousand-year history, originating as jeu de mail (game of straw) in 11th-century France. The game was “borrowed by the British around 1300…[and] modified over the centuries: the Scots made golf out of it; the Irish turned it into croquet.”*
Fearrington croquet, dating from the early 1990s, is about as old as Fearrington Village. Our court is a big six-wicketer, the type world-class tournaments are held on. Its grass is well-trimmed to keep the balls rolling straight.
I was invited one recent Sunday to watch the action and, to my surprise, was handed a mallet and urged to take director John May’s place in a 2-2 team game. My only experience in croquet had been within my family as a child in the 1950s, on a court laid out like this.→
I was unprepared for the complexity of serious team play. As John says, croquet these days can be considered a combination of golf and chess.
A beginner (me) struggles to assume a perfect stance and hit a perfect shot, assisted by John May.
First of all, you must learn to control your distance. The heavy balls roll quite merrily through the grass, often farther than you intended. And if you see your shot stopping short, nothing you can shout will drive it further (unlike golf, where a ball bouncing toward disaster may respond to a sufficiently heartfelt plea). And then, you must refine your accuracy for two reasons: (1) the wickets are but a tiny smidgen wider than the balls, and any shot toward the wicket will not go through if your angle of attack is 45 degrees or more**, and (2) if you are aiming at a ball (either your own or an opponent’s), what matters is where both your ball and the struck balls end up, which of course depends on the force and precision of the impact. And if a ball comes to rest halfway through a wicket (known as “stuck in the jaws”), each team must figure a way to either knock it through or whack it back out of play, or block the opponents from knocking or blocking, depending on the positions of the other balls.
Mariana prepares to score a comparatively easy point.
Croquet is a game of skill and constant decision-making. To John’s chess/golf analogy I might add the board game, Crokinole, which is played on a slightly smaller scale and with a bit less shoulder action. Anyhow, croquet is lots of fun, and I found the players every bit as welcoming—and forgiving—as those in the other Fearrington sports I’ve covered so far.
Front row: Karin Ritter, Mariana Fiorentino, Mary Lou Huisking, Jan Droke, Mary Norgren, Edith Seno. Back row: Heather Williams, John May.
Karin Ritter moved to Fearrington in April of 2020. She told me she came “one month after Covid broke loose everywhere! I had never played croquet,” she said, and after contacting Jan Droke, director at that time, she started playing, with lots of coaching from John May. She finds it “fascinating to learn the strategy and how the rules play into the strategy.” And if you might be similarly fascinated, just contact fearringtonswimcroquet@gmail.com.
*Quote from Anthoine Ravez, president of the Fédération Française de Croquet
**The phrase “sticky wicket” comes from cricket, not croquet, but it fits both sports.
Tad McArdle, a golfer since the age of 12, continues to play with the Fearrington Golf Club and brings his golfing lore to exploring other outdoor games. He approaches a new sport with an open mind and a fearless disregard of looking like a novice. Tad participates vicariously in televised football and tennis, and loves watching PGA golf, humbling though it is.
Food Trucks for March
Food Trucks for MarchBy Leigh Matthews
The below visiting food trucks are scheduled in March—five dinner alternatives for you in early spring!
March 1: Doherty’s Paddy Wagon has poutine; Irish egg rolls; fish & chips; bangers & chips; sandwiches, including Reubens & Rachels; braised brisket; pastrami; and their famous Fish & Chipwich. And don’t forget Bailey’s chocolate mousse for dessert!
March 8: Green Onions Bistro features Asian fusion fare with both meat and vegetarian options. Enjoy dumplings, ramen, tacos, burritos, quesabirria, kimchi, scallion pancakes, and sides of yams or buttered corn.
March 15: Bulkogi Korean BBQ is a fan favorite! Bowls, bibimbap, mandoo, kimchi, and Korean BBQ quesadillas and tacos.
March 22: Cousins Maine Lobster serves yummy lobster rolls, lobster tots, lobster grilled cheese, lobster bisque, shrimp tacos, clam chowder, AND whoopie pies for dessert! Remember, you’ll need to download Cousins Maine Lobster’s app from Google Play or Apple Store to place your order in advance (and to start earning rewards!).
March 29: Gussy’s Greek Truck serves great tasting and very healthy Greek food, including pitas, Greek salad, souvlaki, Greek burgers and fries, appetizers, and baklava.
You can preorder on our hotspot page https://streetfoodfinder.com/FearringtonVillage (except for Cousins Maine Lobster) or you can order at the truck. Pick up is between 5pm 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 and preorder—sign up at our hotspot page. We also send out a reminder of which food truck is coming each week to our neighbors on Nextdoor.
For more info, please contact Deborah Repplier at drepplier@gmail.com.
Thank you for supporting our food trucks. Happy eating!
This Month’s Announcements
Please use the Announcement Submission Form (https://fearringtonfha.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Announcement-Submission-Request_September-2022.docx) to submit club and organization announcements, and email the form to editors@fearringtonfha.org.
Fearrington Clubs and Organizations
AM Book Club
Join the AM Book Club to discuss The Gilded Age: A Tale of Today by Mark Twain and Charles Warner. Arguably the first major American novel to satirize the political milieu of Washington, DC, and the wild speculation schemes that exploded across the nation in the years that followed the Civil War. Does history repeat itself? We will meet at McIntyre’s Books, Wednesday, March 15, at 10:15 am. All residents of Fearrington Village and Galloway Ridge are welcome to participate. If you have questions, contact Cathy Clare, catfearr@gmail.com, or Carole Yardley, peacefulathome@bellsouth.net. Masks please.
Card Knights
The Card Knights is a Fearrington club for poker players. All adult Fearrington residents are welcome to join. It meets on Monday nights at The Gathering Place. Ninety-eight percent of the meeting time is devoted to the poker game! The poker games played are five-card draw and its derivatives, Jacks or better to open, etc., and seven-card stud and its derivatives, Texas hold ’em and Omaha. The group does not play wild card or high/low games. These are all low-stakes poker games. The buy-in is five dollars ($5). For this amount, one can have all the excitement and fun as in a more expensive game. The Monday night game begins at 7 pm and ends promptly at 9 pm. Again, all Fearrington residents are welcome.
If you are interested, please contact Bob Spillane at 828-545-1152 or weathersfield1@gmail.com.
Carolina Club
The Carolina Club announces its Spring Fling, Tuesday, April 4, beginning at 5 pm at The Gathering Place. We’ll have socializing with drinks and a catered dinner, and our guest speaker will be “low T” expert Dr. Anthony Hackney, a Fulbright Scholar from UNC’s Department of Exercise and Sports Science. His provocative topic: “Testosterone: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.” Admission is $25. Contact jfmiller1977@gmail.com to attend.
Concert Series
The Fearrington Concert Series presents Duo Formosa on Sunday, March 19, at 3 pm at The Gathering Place. A scintillating program that includes a Grieg sonata, the exotic lyricism of Taiwanese music, and the virtuosity of Vieuxtemps and Sarasate will be performed by Taiwanese-born musicians Huifang Chen on violin and Catherine Lan on piano.
Individual tickets may be purchased on a space-available basis at The Gathering Place before the concert begins at 3 pm. Tickets are $25 per person and may be paid for in cash or by check made payable to the Fearrington Concert Series. No credit cards.
We continue to encourage attendees to be fully vaccinated and “boosted.” For more information, please contact Sheila Creth at sheilachapelhill@gmail.com or Judy Morris at jwmsings@gmail.com. Galloway Ridge subscribers or Galloway Ridge residents wishing to know more about the series should contact Nina Alperin at 919-704-8796.
Democratic Club
Local newspapers contain distressing articles about the environmental consequences of massive new factories coming to Chatham and their possible impacts on already impure drinking water and inadequate wastewater treatment systems. The Club’s speaker at 7 pm on Tuesday, March 28, in The Gathering Place will be Lisa Sorg, award-winning environmental reporter and assistant editor at NC Policy Watch. Her topic: “Environmental Effects of Industries in Chatham County.”
This event is open to Fearrington and Galloway Ridge residents and will also be livestreamed on Zoom. Because of the ongoing risk of new Covid variants, we request that all attendees be vaccinated and boosted and wear a mask. We encourage those not comfortable wearing a mask to consider joining the event on Zoom. To request the Zoom registration link, please use the contact form on the Club’s website: FearringtonDems.org > Our Club >. Contact us by 5 pm on March 28.
Dog Club
The next meeting of the Fearrington Dog Club will be at 1 pm on Thursday, March 16, at The Gathering Place.
“From dominance to cooperation—new ways of training your dog” will be the topic of our March meeting. Our speaker will explain how behavioral science has reshaped our understanding of how dogs learn and the best ways to train them. Club member Katie Baer, our presenter, brings to the topic her skills as a reporter and writer in the field of health, including canine health and behavior.
Join us for this interesting discussion!
Questions? Contact Ann Melchior, amelchior@verizon.net.
Dragons Mah Jongg
The Dragons Are Ready to Play!!
Fearrington Mah Jongg Dragons play on the second Saturday of the month, March 11, at The Gathering Place, from 1 to 4 pm.
We play under the guidelines of The Gathering Place. As such, we must limit our number to 50, and masks are optional.
If you do not wish to continue with the Mah Jongg Dragons, please contact Mary Donna Pond at mdpond@gmail.com so she can remove you from the mailing list.
If you wish to play without joining the Dragons, you may play for $5 per each Saturday that you want to play.
Duplicate Bridge Club
Join us for a face-to-face game every Wednesday (1, 8, 22, 29) in March, except March 15. We will play on March 17 of that week. 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.
Garden Club
Please join us on March 21 at 2:30 at The Gathering Place, when our speaker will be Margaret Pender, who owns Victoria Park Florist in Chapel Hill. She brings multi-generational knowledge and experience of floral artistry to her demonstrations and stories.
The Fearrington Garden Club is excited to announce our early spring tour of Montrose Garden, located at 320 Saint Mary’s Road in Hillsborough NC, on Thursday, March 30, at 10 am.
There is a $20 fee, payable upon arrival, by cash or check payable to Montrose Garden.
Please register by emailing Debbie Liebtag at dliebtag50@gmail.com by March 23.
Genealogy Group
The Fearrington Genealogy Group will meet on Tuesday, March 14, from 3 to 5 pm in the large room in The Gathering Place.
Topic: Roots Tech 2023: What Did You Learn?
This will be an open discussion of what members gleaned from a virtual sampling of the numerous and varied presentations given at the 2023 Salt Lake City conference.
Got genes? So do we! Let’s compare notes! Dues are $15/year, and membership is open to all members of the Fearrington community. Contact Barbara Ashby at 919-704-8030 for more information about club history and activities.
Golf Club
The Fearrington Golf Club is hosting our spring tournament at The Challenge Golf Club in Graham, NC, on Tuesday, March 21, at 9 am. The format is a four-person scramble. Single players are welcome, as the groups will be handicap-balanced.
The tournament entry fee is $85 and includes prizes for the top five teams and multiple closest-to-the-pins contests.
A great BBQ lunch is provided by Smokehouse at Steve’s. Contact Chris Horn at cphorn128@gmail.com or 919-523-9799 for more details or membership information.
The Fearrington Golf Club plays regularly, year-round, on Tuesdays and Thursdays at over 30 courses within an hour drive of Fearrington Village. New members are welcome.
Great Decisions
Nancy E. Roman
President & CEO, Partnership for a Healthier America
“America’s Broken Food Culture and What to Do About It”
Thursday, March 9, at 1:30 at The Gathering Place
We know that eating well and exercise are keys to healthy and happy living. Yet America’s food culture makes it hard to eat what we know we should. The default food culture is ultra-processed carbohydrates with lots of added sugar and salt, especially in underserved communities. This fall the administration convened the White House Conference on Hunger, Health, and Nutrition with an aim to begin the hard work of fixing our broken food culture. Nancy will discuss how we got here and how we can fix this problem.
Nancy Roman, who recently retired to Fearrington, is a national expert on the topic of food cultures. Her career has also included leading the United Nations World Food Program and one of the country’s largest food banks.
Questions? Contact Fred Welfel at fredatty@yahoo.com or 216-299-8241.
Republican Club
Your Fearrington Republican Club will have our meeting on Wednesday, March 22, 7 pm at The Gathering Place. Our guest speaker will be Hal Weatherman, who is seeking the nomination for NC Lt. Governor for the 2024 election. Hal is the founder and president of the Electoral Education Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing election integrity efforts in North Carolina. All Fearrington and Galloway residents are welcome. Our meetings last one hour, and light refreshments will be served after the meeting. Bring a neighbor!
Swim & Croquet Club
The Swim & Croquet Club annual meeting was held at the end of January, and our new board of directors was elected. Welcome to this year’s board: Jodi Allen, Janet Barringer, Bo Bobbitt, Jan Buehler, Nathalie Condoret, Brenda Ginsberg, Kelly Kerins, John May, Ed McCraw, Andrea Tarpley, and Esther Thyssen. Plans are underway for another successful pool season beginning May 6, 2023!
Our croquet program continues all year with scheduled events, lessons, and open play. This year there is a mentor program waiting to help you get started. We’ll get you set up on TeamReach, a sport management app that allows you to sign up for a scheduled event or find an open court time for your personal play. Come join us!
Questions? You can reach us at fearringtonswimcroquet@gmail.com.
Tennis & Pickleball Association
Happy Spring!
FTPA members…mark your calendars for our FTPA social, Wednesday, April 26, on the Swim & Croquet Club pool grounds.
There’s no need to cook, as the food truck (Cousin’s Maine Lobster) will be in The Gathering Place parking lot. FTPA will provide ice and non-alcoholic drinks. If you prefer, bring your own beverage.
Interested in tennis? Join FTPA tennis players for informal round-robin doubles play at 10:30 am on Monday, March 13. Fearrington Village residents at all levels are invited. Racquets are available to loan. Contact Karen Vaca at karenallenvaca@gmail.com to sign up.
Interested in pickleball? Sign up for free pickleball clinics Sunday mornings and Wednesday afternoons. Contact Betty Robie at Bettycrobie@gmail.com for more information.
Village Singers
In celebration of our 25th year Silver Jubilee, Fearrington Village Singers is announcing its new logo, designed by our multi-talented singer Kristen Skipper. The green field in the middle combines both treble clef and bass clef symbols into a novel musical design that indicates the wide range of voices in our chorus of men and women. The founding date of 1998 at the bottom marks the year when the group of men singers called Harmony Grits first joined the women’s group Village Voices to sing together under the name Fearrington Village Singers.
We are also pleased to announce that the Fearrington Village Singers have been invited to present our annual spring concert as the closing event of the Founders Festival Celebration on Friday, May 5, in Chapin Auditorium of Galloway Ridge. We will repeat this concert on Sunday afternoon, May 7, in Chapin Auditorium.
Women of Fearrington
It is still a great time to join in the fun, help others, and make a difference in our community. We look forward to sharing meaningful experiences with you! Please take a moment to renew your 2022-2023 membership, if you haven’t done so already. Thank you for your support. Click here for a membership form.
Women of Fearrington, Inc., continues to focus on providing assistance to the women and children of Chatham County through our Wonderful Options grants program. We have updated our website to link with each of the nonprofits who are current grant recipients. Our website is a great place to learn about us, join, donate, or even be tempted to volunteer. To donate, click here.
The March Small Group Gathering will be a luncheon on Tuesday, March 14, at 12 noon. The location will be announced Friday, March 10; guests will be contacted by email. Maximum of 6 guests; must be a fully vaccinated and boosted WoF member to attend. Check the website for more information and registration.
March General Meeting on Wednesday, March 15, 1:30-3 pm in The Gathering Place. Rose Krasnow, Fearrington Homeowners Association president, and Cindy Perry, mayor of Pittsboro, NC, will discuss What it Takes to Lead through Change. They occupy their current roles during a period of tremendous growth, change, and challenge. Whether you’re leading a committee, an organization, or your family through change, you’ll want to hear what these two pros have to say!
There will be a Wine & Cheese Meet & Greet with new members on Thursday, March 23, 3:30-5 pm at The Belted Goat tent. These are fun outdoor small gatherings for any members who would like to join us. It’s a great way to welcome our new members and form new friendships. Come and enjoy a glass of wine, tasty snacks, and fun conversation. For registration, please click here.
Community Agencies
Chatham Connecting
Bringing Together Those Who Need Help with Those Who Can Help
It’s March, and the daffodils that looked promising last month are now in full bloom. Spring is all around us. If your spirits are rebounding and you are considering new ways to get involved, please take a look at the Chatham Connecting website, chathamconnecting.org, to find a list of the many nonprofit organizations and Chatham County government agencies that are looking for volunteers, donated supplies, or financial assistance. In addition, the website lists information about upcoming events sponsored by various agencies and organizations. For example, the Chatham County Recreation Department has listed new activities that could be of interest for various age groups; CORA (Chatham Outreach Alliance), a food bank, is sponsoring their “Empty Bowls” benefit dinner on March 19; and the United Way is seeking program evaluation volunteers. At chathamconnecting.org you will find groups that would appreciate your help. Please get involved—your neighbors will thank you.
Chatham Education Foundation
Calling all volunteers! Are you looking for volunteer opportunities in Chatham County Schools? Tutoring, proctoring, lunch buddies, stacking books in the library, speaking engagements, and much more. Join the Education Volunteer Corps by following this link: https://bit.ly/3w73FRX. All 19 Chatham County schools are excited to meet new volunteers.
Chatham Literacy
SAVE THE DATE: Famed Southern Writer Lee Smith to Headline Chatham Literacy Spring Event
Southern author Lee Smith will headline Chatham Literacy’s spring author luncheon at Governor’s Club on Wednesday, May 17, from 11 am to 2 pm. Smith will discuss her newly released novel Silver Alert. Registration starts March 1. (Tickets $100/person, tables of 10 available). Contact www.chathamliteracy.org or call 919-742-0578.
Friends of the Chatham Community Library Book Sale
Join us for our spring 2023 book sale at the Chatham Community Library in Pittsboro. This will be a three-day sale on Thursday, March 30, from 9 am to 5 pm; Friday, March 31, from 9 am to 5 pm; and Saturday, April 1, from 9 am to 2 pm. Friday prices: hardbacks $3 and softbacks $2, audio/visual items $2. Most children’s books are $1 and $2. Friday is half-price day. Saturday is bag day: books are $5 per grocery bag, and a/v items are $1 per item. There are over 20,000 items in 26 categories, including exceptional collections of genealogy, art, and LP vinyl records. Members of the Friends of the Library receive a 10% discount on purchases of $5 or more.
See https://friendsccl.org/ for more information.
League of Women Voters
Join the League of Women Voters of Orange, Durham, and Chatham counties to recognize retired Representative David Price for his more than 30 years as a member of the US House of Representatives and to welcome Representative Valerie Foushee to her new role representing NC’s 4th Congressional district.
On Sunday, March 12, 2 pm, at the Chapel Hill Public Library, former Representative Price will share reflections on 17 terms in office. As a legislator, David Price was a sponsor of many bills, but counts his involvement with passage of the Affordable Care Act as a highlight.
Representative Foushee, who began her first term in January, will share her initial impressions of Congress and the challenges ahead. She began her public service on the Chapel Hill-Carrboro School Board, served as the first black woman on the Orange County Board of Commissioners, and was a NC state representative and senator before being elected to the US Congress in November 2022.
Continuing Education
The School of Athens
The School of Athens (http://www.theschoolofathens.net), is a new, independent, unaffiliated, nonprofit, adult academy of forever learning for the discerning adult.
There are still openings in the Ekphrastic Poetry class.
Ekphrastic poems are inspired by a visual work of art, such as a painting, sculpture, or photograph.
The Ekphrastic Poetry class meets on four Thursdays (March 2, 9, 16, and 23) from 10 am to noon at the Old Lystra Inn, 1164 Old Lystra Road, Chapel Hill. Class is limited to 20 participants and is taught by Blaine Paxton Hall (bio on website). Class fee is $75 and includes coffee and homemade refreshments.
Oishii! is now on waitlist. It will be offered again soon, so go ahead and register.
New event/course offerings in April:
Watch for upcoming full details in this newsletter and at https://www.theschoolofathens.net.
*Literary Memoir
*Overview of Gender-Variant Persons in Mythology, History, and Cross-Culturally
*High Tea and Talk
Register now: 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 Carolyn & John Boyle |
Free Hearing Screening
Tuesday, April 25, 1:00—4:00 pm at the Fearrington Cares Center
The UNC Hearing and Communication Center offers a wide range of hearing services including complete diagnostic evaluations, aural rehabilitation, and a variety of amplification and assistive listening devices. The Center will sponsor a free hearing screening for Villagers who want to learn whether they would benefit from a full hearing evaluation. Dr. Patricia Johnson will be on site for the hearing screenings and one-on-one counseling. Please call the Fearrington Cares Center (919-542-6877) to schedule a free 10-minute appointment. (Note that our first two sessions were fully booked, so this is a third opportunity for a hearing screening.)
Busy Hands Together
Tuesdays, March 7 and 21, 9:45-11:15 am at the Fearrington Cares Center
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 twice-monthly get together on the first and 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.
Opportunities and Challenges for the Forests of Fearrington Village
Thursday, March 30, 1:30 pm at The Gathering Place and via Zoom
The trees and forests are a significant part of the appeal of living in Fearrington Village. They offer shade, prevent erosion, and offer wildlife habitat. Join Matt Jones, Horticulture Agent with the NC Cooperative Extension Chatham County Center, for an overview of the tree communities in Fearrington, the major species, successional status, threats to forest health (including deer overpopulation and invasive species), as well as potential opportunities for improving forest health, and the health of our community.
This program will be followed by a walk in the woods with Matt next month on April 27 to identify trees, shrubs, and flowers in the forests. We will learn useful skills for plant identification as well as helpful botanical tools and resources.
If you plan to attend the March program via Zoom, please choose Education Programs under “Services” from the Fearrington Cares website (fearringtoncares.org) and join the meeting at least five minutes before the program begins.
Fearrington Film Nite Debuting
Thursday, April 6, 7:00 pm at The Gathering Place
This new monthly event will bring a diverse collection of films to The Gathering Place, and all Fearrington Village residents are invited to come and enjoy an evening of entertainment! Admission is free and complimentary popcorn and beverages will be offered.
This program is presented by Fearrington Cares, which has obtained a license permitting public showing of films from all major Hollywood studios and hundreds of independent and international producers. Donations will be accepted to defray program costs.
We are seeking individuals to assist with movie selection and coordination of these events, which will be scheduled on the first Thursday evening of each month. If you are interested in joining a team of movie buffs and event hosts, please contact Kathy Sandefur at kathyesandefur@gmail.com. Stay tuned…we’ll be announcing our lineup of upcoming films next month!
Poetry for Healing Workshop
Wednesdays in April (April 5, 12, 19 and 26), 1:00–2:30 pm at the Fearrington Cares Center
(Limited to 6-8 participants.)
Poetry can be very healing. If you have experienced a loss of a friend or family member or suffered from a traumatic change in your personal life/health, we are offering a 90-minute per week, four-week-long workshop, to read poems and share poems you have written with the group. Two Fearrington poets will lead the group and they will suggest ways to create your own poems and share them with the group each week. No prior experience writing poetry is needed to participate. We ask that you commit for all four weeks. For questions or to register, please email Jan Doolin at jan@janetdoolin.com.
Concierge Service: Healthy Feet!
A new service, Routine Foot Care, provided by Pedi Cure, is now available (for a fee) in the Center. The new service will provide comprehensive foot care by a professional licensed with the state of NC. Appointments are made through 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. More details can be found at fearringtoncares.org/staying-healthy/concierge-services/.
Movement Classesat the Fearrington Cares Center(except as noted)Suggested donation of $5/class session (cash or check to Fearrington Cares). | Support Groups Meetingin Person at theFearrington Cares Center
|
Health Services Offeredat the Fearrington Cares CenterBy Appointment(9:00 am—12:00 pm, Monday—Friday)
| Support Groups via Zoomfearringtoncares.org > Services > Support Groups
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Curious About Your Mail??
The US Postal Service has a free service available that allows you to preview your incoming mail. As the USPS sorting machines separate pieces of mail for delivery, they also photograph the mail. You can see these images of your mail every morning before it is delivered by signing up for Informed Delivery. You will receive an email with the mail images or you can go to a dashboard from your phone or computer to see this information. Typically, over-sized mail like large magazines (remember those?) will not be shown. You can also view status updates and tracking information about any incoming or outgoing packages you might have.
Did we mention this is free? Sign up here for this surprisingly useful service: www.usps.com/manage/informed-delivery.htm.
What Is Fearrington Cares? Just a Reminder!
We all think Fearrington Village is a great place to live and Fearrington Cares strives to be the heart of Fearrington. Like any collection of homes, Fearrington has a constant flux of people moving in and out. We want to call attention to Fearrington Cares for our new residents and remind our long-term residents about us and about our services.
Many developments have similar organizations and, in fact, Fearrington Cares belongs to the Village to Village Network of about 250 groups. But Fearrington Cares is unique because our services are free to our village. We might ask for donations, but none are required to participate in our programs and activities. In 2018 one of our volunteers, Jon Darling, wrote a wonderful article (express.adobe.com/page/C7GndWmFvQ2s1/) outlining Fearrington Cares for the Village-to-Village Network. Of course, the numbers are old, but the story remains the same!
Please visit our website for a brief history (fearringtoncares.org/about-us/history/) of Fearrington Cares and our mission. We are proud to be able to provide these services and more:
- Education programs
- Medical and childcare equipment loans
- Minor home repairs
- Transportation
- Nursing and first aid services
- Support groups
- Small group get-togethers
- Movement classes
- Concierge home healthcare services
- Vendor referral list
If you have any questions or would care to be a neighbor helping other neighbors by volunteering, please call us at 919-542-6877.
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. Go to: FearringtonFHA.org (click Find People under the Directory tab).
::
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Louise Barnum & Peter Ross | 197 Weatherbend |
| Priscilla L. Dennison | 491 Beechmast |
| Ian & Larson Glynn | 87 Shagbark |
| Charles (Chuck) & Margaret (Peggy) Hagen | 4401 Richmond Close |
| Sherry A. Henley & Raymond B. (Ray) Runyan | 4403 Richmond Close |
| Jean H. & Robert Chatham (Bobby) Neville | 4119 The Knolls Close |
| Peter (Pete) Sorenson | 351 Weymouth Close |
| Janet Stevens & John Welton | 823 Rushing |
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.
March 2023 Calendar
March 2023 CalendarAll 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 March 1 5-7:30 pm | Food Truck | Doherty’s Paddy Wagon | Deborah Repplier drepplier@gmail.com |
| Wednesday March 8 5-7:30 pm | Food Truck | Green Onions Bistro | Deborah Repplier drepplier@gmail.com |
| Thursday March 9 1:30 pm | Fearrington Great Decisions | Lecture Nancy E. Roman President & CEO Partnership for a Healthier America— “America’s Broken Food Culture and What to do About It” | Fred Welfel fredatty@yahoo.com 216-299-8241 |
| Saturday March 11 1-4 pm | Fearrington Mah Jongg Dragons | Mah Jongg | Robin Weinberger weinrob@msn.com 919-219-5228 Polly Williams pw82550@gmail.com 919-478-4260 |
| Sunday March 12 2 pm Chapel Hill Public Library | League of Women Voters of Orange, Durham and Chatham Counties | Celebration of the Changing of the Guard in NC’s 4th Congressional District— Representative David Price Retires, Representative Valerie Foushee Joins Congress | Jennifer McMillan Rubin rubin@lwvnc.org |
| Monday March 13 10:30 am | Fearrington Tennis and Pickleball Association | Tennis players informal round robin doubles play | Karen Vaca karenallenvaca@gmail.com |
| Tuesday March 14 12 pm Location TBD | Women of Fearrington | March Small Group Gathering luncheon | Carol Wade wade-a@sbcglobal.net |
| Tuesday March 14 3-5 pm | Fearrington Genealogy Group | Topic—Roots Tech 2023: What did you Learn? | Barbara Ashby 919-704-8030 |
| Wednesday March 15 10:15 am McIntyre’s Books | AM Book Club | Monthly book group discussion | Catherine Clare catfearr@gmail.com 919-704-8806 |
| Wednesday March 15 1:30 pm | Women of Fearrington | March General Meeting | |
| Wednesday March 15 5-7:30 pm | Food Truck | Bulkogi Korean BBQ | Deborah Repplier drepplier@gmail.com |
| Thursday March 16 1-2:30 pm | Fearrington Dog Club | Monthly Meeting— “Changing Approaches to Dog Training” | amelchior@verizon.net |
| Sunday March 19 3 pm | Fearrington Concert Series | Duo Formosa— Violin and piano | Sheila Creth sheilachapelhill@gmail.com Judy Morris jwmsings@gmail.com Galloway Ridge subscribers/residents contact Nina Alperin 919-704-8796 |
| Tuesday March 21 9 am The Challenge Golf Club, Graham | Fearrington Golf Club | FGC Spring Golf Tournament | Chris Horn cphorn128@gmail.com 919-523-9799 |
| Tuesday March 21 2:30 pm | Fearrington Garden Club | Fearrington Garden Club March meeting | Debbie Liebtag dliebtag50@gmail.com |
| Wednesday March 22 9:30-11 am | FHA Board | Coffee & Conversation | Community@fhaboard.org |
| Wednesday March 22 5-7:30 pm | Food Truck | Cousins Maine Lobster | Deborah Repplier drepplier@gmail.com |
| Wednesday March 22 7 pm | Fearrington Republican Club | Speaker— Hal Weatherman | Ernie Clarke 314-650-3480 |
| Thursday March 23 3:30-5 pm | Women of Fearrington | Meet & Greet | Mary Ann Petruska member.wof@gmail.com |
| Tuesday March 28 7 pm | Fearrington Democratic Club | Environmental Effects of Industries in Chatham County | Cheri DeRosia cheri_derosia@hotmail.com 919-923-4506 |
| Wednesday March 29 5-7:30 pm | Food Truck | Gussys Greek Truck | Deborah Repplier drepplier@gmail.com |
| Thursday March 30 10 am Montrose Garden 320 Saint Mary’s Road Hillsborough | Fearrington Garden Club | Montrose Garden Tour | Debbie Liebtag dliebtag50@gmail.com |
| Thursday & Friday March 30 & 31 9 am-5 pm | Friends of the Chatham Community Library | Book Sale | https://friendsccl.org/ |
| Thursday March 30 1:30 pm The Gathering Place & via Zoom | Fearrington Cares | Education Program: Forests of Fearrington Village | Fearrington Cares 919-542-6877 |
| Meeting Multiple Days in March | |||
| Wednesday March 1, 8, 22, & 29 Friday March 17 1 pm | Fearrington Duplicate Bridge Club | Fearrington Duplicate Bridge | Dianne Hale haledianne@gmail.com |
| Thursday March 2, 9, 16, & 23 10 am-12 pm The Old Lystra Inn, 1164 Old Lystra Road, Chapel Hill | School of Athens | Ekphrastic Poetry— Poetry class Instructor: Blaine Paxton Hall | Blaine Paxton Hall bph7952@gmail.com |
| Monday March 6, 13, 20, & 27 7-9 pm | Card Knights | Poker | Bob Spillane weathersfield1@gmail.com 828-545-1152 |
| Upcoming Events in April | |||
| Saturday April 1 9 am-2 pm Chatham Community Library Pittsboro | Friends of the Chatham Community Library | Book Sale | https://friendsccl.org/ |
| Tuesday April 4 5 pm | The Carolina Club | Spring Fling— Guest speaker: “low T” expert Dr. Anthony Hackney, Fulbright Scholar, UNC Dept. of Exercise & Sports Science— “Testosterone: The Good, the Bad, the Ugly” | jfmiller1977@gmail.com |
| Thursday April 6 7 pm | Fearrington Cares | The Debut of Fearrington Film Nite | FearringtonFilmNight @gmail.com |
| Saturday April 15 9 am-12 pm Rain Date: Saturday April 22 | Women of Fearrington | Spring Stroll | |
| Wednesday April 26 5 pm Swim and Croquet Club pool grounds | Fearrington Tennis and Pickleball Association | FTPA social | Betty Robie bettycrobie@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
| 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? Please read the Publishing Guidelines at https://fearringtonfha.org/newsletter-guidelines-for-d-hb/. 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). | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||