HOMEOWNERS’  ASSOCIATION  NEWSLETTER
November 2020      Volume 39      Number 10

President’s Message

Adapting

“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, it is the one that is the most adaptable to change.”—Charles Darwin

Out in the world it is common to hear that older people just cannot adapt to change. Well, just look around! We can see people every day in Fearrington Village wearing masks and social distancing but getting on with life. A real example is what Fearrington Cares has done in providing a drive-through clinic for flu immunizations. We are adaptable and resilient.

FHA has adapted as well, even though so much has changed. Yes, we have had to close The Gathering Place for most activities, but we are using it for a polling place for the upcoming government elections. Some activities such as the Easter Egg hunt have had to be cancelled, but we have not missed a beat in actions to keep our village the way we want it to be.

In fact, we have been aggressive in many areas to improve our surroundings and resources. Just as examples:

• We are changing our management company from Towne Properties to Associa/HRW to improve processes and add resources. More about this in this newsletter. You will hear a lot more as we move forward.

• FHA has set a direction to take on management of the trails and walking paths throughout the village, to assure they meet our needs at the lowest possible cost.

• We have managed to complete all our activities, with a strong emphasis on grounds and landscaping, within a very tight budget. We are always conscious of our responsibility as stewards of every dollar.

We have adapted by conducting most meetings via Zoom, including our recent open meeting by “webinar.” This allowed many more residents to participate and was highly successful. We are now planning our Annual Meeting, which will also be by webinar; this is taking a lot of planning and we are having to take a new approach to obtaining ballots for open board positions. So, we not only adapt but learn new processes, which will serve us well going forward.

“Older people just cannot adapt to change” – balderdash! (I had other words in mind, but the editors ruled them out).

—Carl Angel, president@fhaboard.org

From Our FHA Board

Wastewater Management Update

Important News!! Integra Water, which owns 95% of Old North State Water Company, has decided it no longer wants to operate plants in the State of North Carolina. As a result, they plan to sell the Briar Chapel Plant. We don’t know to whom, but it is our understanding that the potential buyers are not interested in managing an interconnected system between Fearrington Village and Briar Chapel. We are fairly confident that this idea, which we felt had many drawbacks, is dead. You have probably already read this if you use Nextdoor, but there are a lot of negotiations going on right now, so we don’t have much more to report—yet. Stay tuned.

—Rose Krasnow, vp@fhaboard.org

Change of Management Company

Beginning January 1, FHA business operations will be handled by a new management company. The current contract with Towne Properties ends this year, and a new three-year contract has been signed with Associa/HRW.

The new agreement is the result of a long search for a company that will support our FHA and the Board, now and in the future. We published a Request for Proposals last spring and received applications from nine management companies. We selected three finalists, and then conducted extensive interviews with company representatives. We also talked to board members of other HOAs in the region that had employed the companies. Associa /HRW was clearly the favored among the finalists.

A final contract was negotiated recently. In negotiations they have been anxious to meet our needs. The management fees will be about the same as those charged by Towne Properties, and locked in for three years. In return, an on-site manager has been retained, and Associa offers a number of services we do not currently enjoy.

Associa are also the managers for the Camden and Henderson Place service groups. In addition, Countryhouse and Bush Creek will be signing contracts with them. Millcreek Circle, which will become a service group in the next few months, and one or two other existing service groups, will probably select them.

The management company is responsible for financial management, including collections, disbursements, reports, and budgets. They also handle general administrative tasks such as maintaining records, filing reports, meeting insurance obligations, and administering rules such as covenants. The next few months will be a period of transition, and it is inevitable we will need to learn new procedures for conducting business. Eventually, however, we expect that all these operations will proceed more smoothly than we have been used to.

The improvements are likely to be most noticeable to board members, whose routine jobs should be facilitated. For residents, the most obvious result of the change will be that annual FHA dues are paid to a different company. However, when a problem or question about business operations does arise, Associa claims that their phone bank and internet, based response service is very easy to use and helpful. Residents of other HOAs that have worked with Associa have generally been positive about the help they offer.

Change of any kind often presents initial challenges, but once they have been overcome, it can turn out to have been a very good idea. More information will be provided in the newsletter and on the FHA website as it becomes available.

FHA Annual Meeting, 2020

As with so many things this year, we have been forced to make changes in the 2020 Homeowners’ Association annual meeting. It will be held as scheduled, Sunday November 15 at 5:00 pm. We cannot hold it in person, of course, but we will schedule a webinar to make it available to everyone who wishes to attend. An email invitation will be sent to homeowners early in November. The invitation will contain a link that enables you to register for the meeting. After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

If you attended the open meeting webinar July 16, you will be familiar with the procedures. It will be very helpful if you download beforehand the free version of the Zoom Client for Meetings. As an audience member, you will not be seen or heard, but you can ask questions of the speakers.

Prior to the meeting, a Summary of Board Activities for 2020 and the Treasurer’s Statement will be published on the FHA website. You can also find links to the reports on the FHA website: Look for Annual Meeting under the FHA tab. The links may contain only placeholders for now, but the reports will be available at least a week prior to the meeting.

During the meeting, speakers will give an overview of the most important issues that have confronted the FHA this year and describe the present situation with respect to the issues.

We hope to have time to respond to attendees’ questions on the topics described in the summaries. The webinar Q & A procedure will be used. This allows attendees to type in a question to be answered by one of the board members. We ask those of you who submit a question to provide a very brief heading describing the topic of the question, so it can be directed to the appropriate source.

In the next few days, ballots for open board positions will be circulated. We hope you will return your ballot (one copy per household, homeowners only) to a ballot box outside The Gathering Place, or by mail. The deadline for receipt is November 13. Results will be announced at the annual meeting.

We hope you will take time to attend the annual meeting and learn more about all the issues pertaining to life in Fearrington Village.

Problems with Package Deliveries

Recently there have been several problems with package deliveries by Amazon. Because they are now using their own delivery service, most problems occur because drivers are unfamiliar with the village.

Carl Angel, president of FHA, and Tony Daniels, treasurer, have been in touch with officials at Amazon.com, and we have taken a number of steps that should simplify the delivery process for their drivers. Most problems arise because each location in the village has two addresses, a street address and a PO Box number. In some cases, there is a simple association between the two; in other cases, they are unrelated.

Delivery people need a reference source that connects PO Box numbers to the associated street addresses. Jim Brooking, FHA webmaster, generated a suitable data base from the FHA directory. This was bundled with street maps and provided to Amazon.

We continue to explore ways to help Amazon drivers deliver packages to your home. It appears that the number of problems has been significantly reduced. There are still occasional problems, but they can be minimized if we all make sure both PO box number and street address are provided whenever ordering goods online.

Note that for some delivery services it may not be possible to determine if a package will be delivered to the house or to the mailbox, so to be safe be sure to include both addresses.

2021 Directory: Check Your Information

This is the time of year when we update the printed Handbook and Directory. We try to make it as accurate as we can at the start of the year, even though it may be out of date soon after it’s printed.

Please check your current directory listing—names, street address, phone numbers, and email addresses—to make sure they are accurate. You can do this by logging into the FHA website, clicking Directory, and selecting Find People.
Hint: If the directory doesn’t seem to be working, type the first two letters of the last name, then the remaining letters one by one.

If you need to make changes, you can send the corrected information to directory@fearringtonfha.org. If you prefer not to have an email address published in the directory, you can request that it be used only for newsletters and critical FHA emails.

If you are an officer with one of the Fearrington clubs or other organizations, please ensure the current directory information for that group is also correct.

 Gathering Place as a Polling Place, November 3

As a reminder, for the state and national elections on November 3, Fearrington residents will be able to cast their ballots at The Gathering Place, which will be open for that purpose from 6:30 am to 7:30 pm.

Every step will be taken to preserve the safety of voters and poll workers. Workers will be fully outfitted in personal protective equipment, and plexiglass shields will be in place between poll workers and voters. Voters will use disposable pens to mark their ballots and voting stations will be wiped down with sanitizer between voters.

Voters will be asked to wear a mask and observe social distancing designations inside and outside the building. Once voters enter through the main door, a one-way traffic pattern will direct them through the voting process. They must leave the building through an exit to the right of the kitchen. Curbside voting will be available and will be set up at the kitchen side of The Gathering Place.

Voting before November 3 includes two options. Early voting started October 15 but ends at 3 pm October 31. You can also turn in an absentee ballot at an early voting station. The closest location is Central Carolina Community College’s Health Sciences Campus, fronting 15-501 between Andrews Store Road and Jack Bennett Road.

Volunteers Corner

Thanks to Jason Welsch and all the volunteers who turned out to help with the Green Scene’s Fall 3-in-1 Shredding Event. Thanks also to Amy Ghiloni, RE/MAX Realtor, who not only helped to underwrite the event but pitched in along with her husband. It was a cool morning, but we were too busy to notice. Look for the statistics on what we collected in the December newsletter.

FHA Secretary Needed: Because of demands on her time, our valued secretary Leslee Shell, has resigned her position as of the end of the year. This is a very important job. We do not yet have candidates, but along with the nominating committee we are searching for someone. Duties are described on page 75 of the 2020 printed Directory. For more information, please contact Rose Krasnow at vp@fhaboard.org.

Things You Can Do Personally to Combat Covid-19

SlowCOVIDNC Exposure Notification App

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is recommending that individuals use the app, SlowCOVIDNC, to slow the spread of Covid-19. Information can be found at their website: https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/slowcovidnc.

Perhaps you’ve heard of similar apps being used elsewhere. The app notifies people when someone who has tested positive is nearby. Persons who have tested positive must have also voluntarily loaded and activated the app on their phone for it to be effective. The app promises to protect the privacy of users, while anonymously sharing data regarding potential Covid-19 exposure.

COVID Symptom Study

This app helps researchers understand how Covid-19 spreads. Relevant information can be found at https://covid.joinzoe.com/us-2. The study shares information from all over the world about the Coronavirus. Participation requires nothing more than reporting briefly on your health every day. There are literally millions of people who have volunteered to participate in the study. Many top research groups have joined and are making the information they discover known to others. If you want to know more about the research teams involved, or the media who are spreading the news they share, go to the website listed above.

Sign up to get the latest research from the study, direct to your inbox.

Both apps are available for Apple and Android devices and can be downloaded from the Apple App Store or on Google Play.

—Jan Kowal, editors@fearringtonfha.org

This Month’s Features

• The Land and the People: The Historic Cemetery at Galloway Ridge
• Our Surprising Neighbors, Part I
• Volunteer Spotlight: Clairbeth Lehn
• Photos from Residents

 

The Land and the People—
The Historic Cemetery at Galloway Ridge

By Mike Zbailey

A few yards south of The Arbor section of Galloway Ridge, inside an old stone wall, nine tombstones rise starkly above the barren ground. They tell the story of the Smith and Jones families, who lived on this land and whose legacy is an important part of American history up to this day.

The Jones Grove Cemetery at Galloway Ridge.
Photo by Mike Zbailey

All the complexities and contradictions of the southern slave-owning society of the 19th century influenced the lives of the eight family members and one friend buried in the cemetery. Francis Jones (1760-1844), the patriarch, was a veteran of the Revolutionary War and a major landowner. This land, called Jones Grove Plantation, was his crown jewel. The plantation house stood nearby on land now occupied by The Arbor. Jones once offered to donate part of his land for a college to be built at this location. He was turned down in favor of the small hamlet called Chapel Hill. Mary Parke Jones (1761-1811) was his wife and Ruffin Jones (1794-1836) was their unmarried son. Their daughter Delia Jones (1787-1852) is buried a few feet away next to her husband, James Strudwick Smith (1787-1852).

Strudwick Smith was the illegitimate son of William Francis Strudwick. The Strudwicks were a prominent family in Hillsborough and part of the upper class in this important town. The Smith family lived nearby but were poor and of a different social class. William Strudwick was seventeen years old when he fathered his son and did not marry the child’s mother. Strudwick Smith later said, “Having been born poor, I have had to be the architect of my own future. I procured the means of advancement through my own labor.” Aggressive and ambitious, Smith was unpopular among his colleagues because of his blatant self-promotion and brash style. After studying medicine briefly at the University of Pennsylvania and becoming a doctor in Hillsborough, Smith’s ambitions took him far afield from medicine. He owned a general store, distilleries, a copper shop, and a substantial amount of land, some of which he inherited from his father-in-law, Francis Jones. He was active in the affairs of Hillsborough and was a member of the US Congress from 1817 to 1821. He became a Trustee of the University of North Carolina in 1821.

The Smiths had three children. The oldest, Mary Ruffin Smith (1814-1885), was raised as a refined, educated southern lady of the time. Mary’s father purchased an enslaved fifteen-year old girl named Harriet to be her personal servant. In the census records, Harriet is identified as mulatto, a designation used for men and women of mixed race. Later, Harriet married Reuben Day, a freedman, and they had a son, Julius. Since they were not permitted to live together as a family, Harriet lived in a cabin in Hillsborough.

Maria Louisa Spear (1804-1881), the only nonfamily member buried in the cemetery, was hired to tutor Mary, and they formed a friendship that lasted their entire lives.

The sons, Francis Jones “Frank” Smith (1816-1877) and James Sidney Smith (1819-1867), both attended the University of North Carolina. Frank also attended the University of Pennsylvania Medical School and, although he did not graduate, he became a doctor like his father. James Sidney, known by his middle name, was high-spirited and difficult and developed a serious drinking problem. In spite of his behavior and a reputation as a drunkard, he became a well-known politician and lawyer.

In her family memoir, Proud Shoes, Pauli Murray, Sidney’s descendant, vividly describes Sidney’s stalking and sexual assault of Harriet. The next day, Frank, who had his own designs on Harriet, severely beat his brother and left him bleeding on the front lawn. Harriet became pregnant by Sidney, and in 1844 their daughter, Cornelia, was born. Frank then developed his own dominant relationship with Harriet, a liaison that produced three children—Emma, Annette and Laura over the next eight years.

Oakland—Price Creek Plantation on Smith Level Road.
Photo by Mike Zbailey.

In the meantime, Strudwick Smith’s aggressive land speculations and other ill-fated business ventures finally caught up with him, and he became mired in debt. He astutely sheltered most of his assets within his family before declaring bankruptcy in 1845. Even in the midst of the bankruptcy and its suits and counter suits, the Smiths, who all lived in Hillsborough, built a large house named Oakland at their property called Price Creek Plantation. The stately house still stands nearby behind a black iron fence on Smith Level Road. The entire dysfunctional family—Strudwick Smith, now mentally and physically incapacitated due to the strain of the bankruptcy; Delia, his wife, worn out from the family misadventures; Frank, the lecherous and now part-time doctor who maintained his bitterness toward his brother; and the drunkard lawyer-politician, Sidney—lived in the house. Frank’s and Sidney’s sister, Mary, appalled by her brothers’ lifestyle, brought her four nieces, her brothers’ children, to live in the house and be raised and educated as family members.

From this turmoil would come events that contributed to the post-Civil War survival of the University of North Carolina and which would have a major impact on American history in modern times as well as on the land on which we now live.

Next Month: Beyond the Tombstones—The Legacies

 

Our Surprising Neighbors, Part I

Story and Photos by Gordon Pitz

Fearrington Village is an idyllic place, a peaceful, rustic setting. In spite of development along the adjacent highway, there is plenty of farmland and unspoiled woods surrounding us. Surely, we should relax and sleep well feeling protected from all the threats that exist elsewhere.

Peaceful woods adjoining the village

Yet look more closely. Walk along Millcroft, for example, between South Langdon and Ashton, and you will spot an overgrown trail marked by a buried cable post heading south into the woods. Less than 100 yards along the trail, you come to a barbed wire fence displaying several ominous signs. What kind of facilities might AT&T be referring to that need threats of heavy fines or long prison sentences to protect them?

A serious warning

A satellite view of the area on Google Maps shows that less than a quarter mile from the nearest Fearrington homes lies an open field, labeled “AT&T Project Office.” Access to the field is via Big Hole Road, which connects with Mount Gilead Church Road. What is this big hole? Perhaps one can learn something by exploring the road.

Unfortunately, it may not be a productive exercise. Signs suggest you are not a welcome visitor. Pushing ahead anyway, you eventually encounter more imposing barriers to further progress.

So what do we know about this “AT&T Project Office,” and why is access so tightly protected? It turns out that, although quite a lot is known about its history, much less is known about what happens there.

Unwelcome

Perhaps the best account is given by War History Online, a website devoted to war history, owned by Timera, Inc. The facility was built in the early 1960s as a cooperative venture between AT&T and the US Government. It was designed to serve as a well-protected command and control center in the event of a nuclear attack.

Like other similar structures built around the country, it relied on a military telephone system, AUTOVON, which at the time was at the forefront of communications technology. Supposedly, this structure was built underground, 13 stories deep (the “Big Hole”). In other words, it was probably designed to function should Washington, DC be destroyed in an attack. Remember, the cold war with the Soviet Union was at its peak during the 1960s.

The end of the Big Hole Road

When the cold war came to an end, military strategies changed with the development of new technology. The site was officially deactivated in 1996. The Charlotte Observer reported in 2008 that the project had closed. The previously steady stream of traffic on Big Hole Road ended, and a Pittsboro trucking company reported hauling away the last of a load of sensitive equipment.

Those who might know anything about what went on at the Big Hole, or what is happening now, are notoriously silent. The silence, of course, has bred speculation and rumor. But perhaps the site really is just another military establishment that is languishing in moth balls. Some evidence supports this idea.

The trail that leads from Millcroft to the Big Hole offers a back entrance to the area. There are plenty of warning signs hanging on the barbed wire fence, but a fallen tree has created a large gap in the fence, and no-one has bothered to repair it. This lapse does not suggest a typical military concern for security.

The “back entrance” to the Big Hole

It might be noteworthy also that over 100 acres of land along Big Hole Road are currently for sale, advertised as suitable for development as a residential subdivision. The asking price is over $2.7 million, almost $25,000 an acre. Would land that close to a secret cold war site be that expensive if the site were still active?

Nevertheless, it is difficult to believe that nothing is happening behind those imposing gates. The grounds beyond the gates appear to be well-maintained. You may recall that in 2016, AT&T laid miles of high-speed fiber optic cable through our village, yet I know of no one who was able to access the cable. In fact, it was laid along that trail from Millcroft to the Big Hole. Of course, if someone were bold enough to take the back entrance and see for themselves what lies over the hill, we might have a more definitive answer. But count me out; I’ll live with the speculation. I can’t afford a $10,000 fine or ten years in jail.

 

Volunteer Spotlight: Clairbeth Lehn

By Leslie Palmer

Life in Fearrington would not be as wonderful as it is without the amazing, often unsung, volunteers who give their time and energy. This month we shine the light on Clairbeth Lehn: “Oh, You’re ‘That Person’.”

Clairbeth Lehn finds the people who live in Fearrington Village and their diverse backgrounds and experiences fascinating. Her volunteer role as FHA Gathering Place Scheduler brings her into contact with numerous residents, which she enjoys, but she admits, “I know so many of them by name and their activities, but I do not know who they are. I play Mah Jgong or attend the Concert Series and see a name tag and say to them, ‘I know who you are.’ When they see my name, they go ‘Oh, you’re That Person’.”

Being the person who helps to make things happen is not a new role for Clairbeth. It’s one she is comfortable with and has played throughout her professional career. But it only takes a few minutes of conversation to realize that she truly is “That Person.”

Clairbeth, known to her professional colleagues as C.B., was born in Philadelphia, PA, and grew up in its “burbs.” Graduating with a degree in Health and Physical Education from West Chester University in 1973, she began her career as a staff athletic trainer at the University of Pennsylvania. After receiving her certificate in physical therapy from Penn in 1977, she accepted a position at University of North Carolina’s Campus Health with dual responsibilities to the UNC Athletic Department as well as to the general student body. As a member of the UNC Sports Medicine Staff, Clairbeth had both male and female teams, with whom she worked and accompanied wherever they went. She recalls, “There weren’t too many days I did not enjoy going to work. Long hours sometimes but it was fun. I got to see many different places. Athletes are always fun to be around. Students are always fun to be around. I was offered the job opportunity at UNC and I stayed there for the rest of my career, retiring after 30 years.”

What Clairbeth may not tell you is that she was one of just two women to become the first members of the Mid-America Athletic Trainers’ Association (MAATA) and the first from North Carolina; that she was instrumental to the development of the sports medicine program at UNC; or that she was inducted into the UNC Sports Medicine Hall of Fame. She is listed as one of the Pioneer Women of the National Athletic Trainer’s Association (NATA). A little prompting may reward you with stories of her travels to Russia as an athletic trainer with the US Deaf Volleyball team in 1992, or how in 1993 she served as a US team athletic trainer at the Deaf Olympics in Bulgaria. Her photo was taken on a team trip to Australia. Closer to home, in 1994 the North Carolina Tar Heels women’s basketball team defeated Louisiana Tech 60–59 to win its first NCAA title on a 3-point shot with just 00:00.7 left on the clock, making it one of most exciting finishes in tournament history. Clairbeth was there, the person in the background, “That Person” helping to make history.
Looking for a house to buy in 1981, Clairbeth found her home in Fearrington Village’s Historic District. She has been a supporting member of the FHA Board, coordinating The Gathering Place scheduling and event calendar for more than fifteen years.

How did you first get involved with the FHA?

“I began volunteering for the FHA with The Gathering Place calendar. Two ladies were doing the calendar. Everything was on paper. I was talking with them and they asked if I would want to do it. When I took it over, I found a calendar software and started using it. At that point, it was not online. Once the FHA website was created by Jim Brooking, the calendar was added. That was when the calendar went public so that anyone could look at it anytime and find out what was going on. Before that people could not see all the events that were happening. I took it from a paper copy that simply kept track of the use of The Gathering Place to a computerized, accessible events calendar that easily allowed residents to see what was happening within the community and take advantage of the many activities and events.”

In your opinion, what is the most important work that this organization does?

“Meeting the needs of the residents in any way they can.”

Clairbeth views her volunteer position as one that flies under the radar. In making decisions about The Gathering Place, she has worked closely with past FHA Infrastructure and Facilities Directors: Lowell Kennedy, Carol Kurtz, Elizabeth Krull, and, in the midst of Covid-19, Mark Haslam. Whenever the calendar is not working, Jim Brooking, our FHA Webmaster, is the person who solves her problems. Throughout the years, Clairbeth’s volunteer time, efforts, and expertise have allowed residents to use The Gathering Place for meetings and activities with few scheduling problems. She states that sometimes it is a case of keeping all the balls in the air, a behind-the-scenes juggling act to keep everyone happy. But, she admits to having dropped the ball on occasion.

Do you have an anecdote or comment about volunteering that moved you?

“I just wanted to do something small to help. I like working in the background.”

Lastly, what is your favorite part about living here?

“How many diverse organizations there are. You can join anything there is and if you do not like what there is, you can make your own. People come and go in Fearrington. They make a group and that group lives on after them.”

Photos from Residents

A piebald deer (similar to the one pictured above) was observed grazing in the wooded area between McDowell and Fearrington Cares in mid-October by resident Ann Melchior. They are considered rare and carry many genetic abnormalities which sadly shorten their lives.

Fearrington Night Life. Look carefully at the cobwebs in the tree as seen through the gate. Photo by Sue Clark.

 

From the Editors

Would you like to write a feature article for our newsletter? Or do you have a topic you’d like to suggest? Is there a volunteer you’d like to nominate? We’d love to hear your ideas and suggestions, whether or not you want to do the writing yourself. We have two new forms which may assist you and us. They can be found on the FHA website (https://fearringtonfha.org/index.php) under the Newsletter tab. Look for Guidance for Feature Submissions, which also includes the Feature Article Request Form. Deborah Repplier and Jackie Walters, our two feature editors, would be glad to assist you. You may contact them via editors@fearringtonfha.org to ask questions or express interest.

—Jan Kowal, Newsletter Staff

You Still Have Time to Name Our Newsletter

The naming contest for our FHA newsletter is underway.

Many creative Fearringtonians have already pitched a name or two our way. And while we have many inventive suggestions already, there’s always room for more. So, if you have been procrastinating, or maybe just heard about the contest, you’re not too late. The deadline for submission is Saturday, October 31.

Submit your name ideas (up to three per resident) in an email to: editors@fearringtonfha.org In the email’s subject line write: My Idea to Name the Newsletter. In the email’s body, include your suggested name idea(s), as well as your own name, address, email, and phone number. All submissions will be acknowledged so please resend if you don’t get one within 48 hours.

Your newsletter staff is looking forward to picking the cream of the crop at our November meeting. Voting by the entire community will take place soon thereafter. Join in now before it’s too late.

—Ann Melchior, Newsletter Staff

Announcements

Fearrington Groups and Organizations

Fearrington Bulls & Bears

The Fearrington Bulls & Bears is a group of Fearrington residents who are interested in improving their investment knowledge and capability. We meet monthly during non-summer months and communicate even more regularly through an email exchange group to share information, insights, and ideas about investing.

Guests are welcome to participate in a group meeting or in an email exchange group to gage their interest in joining the club. The next club meeting will be held by Zoom (due to Covid-19) on November 13, 2020 at 9:30 am.

For more information about the club, the meetings, or the exchange, please contact:

• Anna Shearer, President, at 703-217-0322 or ashearer1219@gmail.com OR
• Jeff Robertson, Secretary at 704-562-7267 or jnrobertson001@gmail.com.

Fearrington Democratic Club

Election Day is November 3rd!! Of course, we urge everyone to vote, and probably many of you will have already done so by the time the newsletter comes out. Here is what to expect: unlike in some other states, North Carolina’s early votes and absentee ballots (except those delayed by the Postal Service for a few days) will have been counted by the afternoon of Election Day; those results will be announced soon after 7:30 pm. Results from the Election Day polling locations will come into county Boards of Elections on secure hardware that evening. The Democratic Club Board will wait for several weeks in November to see how results settle nationally, and then the board will begin planning new programs to start in January. Please continue to check the Club’s website: www.FearringtonDems.org for updated information.

The Fearrington Garden Club

While the club will not meet this month, we’d like to draw your attention to the annual Jenny Elder Fitch Memorial Lecture at the North Carolina Botanical Garden. Established to remember one of Fearrington’s founders, the lecture is always keenly anticipated. The free, virtual lecture, “Heirloom Seeds – Saving Stories, Preserving Biodiversity,” occurs on November 1, 2:30 to 3:30 pm.

Please go to the NCBG site for more on the speaker, to register, and to read about Jenny Fitch:
https://ncbg.unc.edu/event/annual-jenny-elder-fitch-memorial-lecture-heirloom-seeds-saving-stories-preserving-biodiversity/.

A reminder: we hope you will renew your membership to enable the club to fulfill its service mission of supporting the horticulture program at Chatham Central High. We are unable to collect dues in person this year, so please take your $15 (per member) check to the Garden Club’s mailbox in the Swim & Croquet kiosk. The membership form can be found in the Groups Portal https://www.fearringtonfha.org.

Fearrington Genealogy Group

Tuesday, November 10, 3:00 pm, Zoom teleconference. Details will be emailed to members early in November. New members are welcome. Contact: Linda Grimm at 919-533-6296.

Fearrington Havurah

Please join us on Tuesday, November 10 at 7 pm on Zoom. Our speaker will be Fearrington resident Professor George Lankevich. Dr. Lankevich will discuss Jewish song writers. These writers (think Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, Oscar Hammerstein, Sammy Cahn, Jule Styne) provided us with the songs that became the soundtrack to our lives. You won’t want to miss this entertaining presentation. If you are not currently a Havurah member, please email us at fearringtonhavurah@gmail.com for a link to register.

Fearrington Village and Galloway Ridge residents are always welcome. There is a $5 guest fee. For more information about Fearrington Havurah, please contact us at fearringtonhavurah@gmail.com.

Fearrington Swim & Croquet

What a year this has been for all of us. Our thanks go out to members for their patience regarding schedule changes. Balancing pool use, sanitizing, and staffing was tricky!

Now it’s time to plan for 2021. Your Swim & Croquet Board is looking for several new board members to help us plan for the challenges ahead. Contact us or consider volunteering when we contact you. Our email is fearringtonswimcroquet@gmail.com.

A review of the 2020 season included discussion of our new pool management company. They helped us adapt our facility to meet standards recommended or required by county, state, and federal entities. And in the end, we had the pleasure of seeing our members enjoying water aerobics, lap swimming, noodle socializing, croquet, playing with children, and relaxing with a book.

These 2020 activities and projects were accomplished while keeping the club financial reports on track to end the year with adequate reserves and under budget, even with adding an extra week to our pool schedule.

Members: watch for an email with details about our 2021 plans.

Fearrington Village Singers for November 2020

On December 3, 4 pm, individual members of the Fearrington Village Singers will open the season on Zoom celebrating their holiday memories through music and stories. Everyone is invited to watch. The Zoom link will be posted on fearringtonvillagesingers.org. Join us!

Fearrington Yacht Club

Ahoy, Mates! The FYC has regretfully cancelled the Caribbean Cruise planned for February 2021. You may keep your reservation if you so choose, but if you wish to cancel, please contact Ferris Bland at 1-800-514-9986 ext. 7020 or fbland@vacationstogo.com before November 17, 2020 for a full refund. We will try to reschedule once it is safe to do so. FYC Membership is open to residents of Fearrington Village and Galloway Ridge. NO YACHT REQUIRED! For event information and membership form, log onto the FYC page at: https://group.fearringtonfha.org?yacht. For general membership questions, contact Treasurer Sally Muncy, 919-619-8817. For club activities, or to volunteer with events, contact Commodore Maggie Tunstall at 919-542-0031.

Women of Fearrington

Our celebrated Holiday Bakery and Market will be held Tuesday, December 8, from 9 am to 1 pm, at 893 Ashton. All customers will pre-order (details here) and pay by check at timed pick-up where masked and gloved volunteers will bring orders to your car. Baked goods, greeting cards, mugs, and more!

All proceeds from the Market plus the donations of our sponsors go to our Wonderful Options Fund which supports various charities helping women and children in need in Chatham County. Learn more about these recipients at our webinar General Meeting Wednesday, November 18 at 1:30 pm. Register here to receive the link.

Come to our outdoor Brown Bag Lunch Friday, November 6, at noon, for a chance to socialize and meet old and new friends! Register here.

Take a hike in Jordan Lake Educational State Forest on Friday, November 20 at 9:30 am, followed by an optional picnic lunch.

Chatham County Agencies

Donate Unneeded/Unwanted 2021 Calendars!

At this time of year, many of us receive donation requests that include a gift calendar. If you don’t need/want those calendars, the Chatham County Council on Aging in Pittsboro and the West Chatham Food Pantry in Siler City do!

A collection bin, labeled “calendar donations,” will be placed near the front door of The Gathering Place from November 6–30. Thank you for your contributions to these worthy organizations!

Chatham Connecting

It’s November and as Thanksgiving approaches, we especially remember those in need among our Chatham County neighbors as well as the organizations that seek to do good. During this difficult year financial help or other donations will be especially appreciated. Take a look at the Chatham Connecting website (chathamconnecting.org) where Chatham County non-profit organizations, their needs, missions, and contact information are listed. Last year the CORA food bank provided a week’s worth of food for more than 900 individuals from mid-November thru December; this year the call for assistance is likely to be greater. You can help with monetary or food donations; for more information go to https://www.corafoodpantry.org/. Every year the Adult Services Unit of Chatham County Social Service has a Christmas Dreams program to provide gifts and ongoing needs to elderly and disabled adults. And Chatham Connecting lists many programs that aid disadvantaged children with special assistance during the holidays. Opportunities abound to help your neighbors—adults and children alike—and details are listed at chathamconnecting.org.

PORCH Turkey Breast Drive

Fearrington PORCH has continued its collections throughout the pandemic. Since March, our generous community has donated over 10,000 pounds of food and over $39,000 in cash to our Chatham County neighbors in need. All donations go to CORA, our local food pantry.

In November, in addition to our regular collection, we will do our annual turkey breast drive. Turkey breasts should be brought to The Gathering Place parking lot between 11:15 – 11:45 am on Monday, November 16.

For more information on Fearrington PORCH, please visit our website: www.porchfearrington.org.

Or, contact us at: Fearrington@porchcommunities.org.

Salvation Army Desperately Needs Your Help

The Salvation Army of Chatham County has requests for over a thousand toys to make it a special Holiday for those in need. This is for both Pittsboro and Siler City. You can put a smile on a kid’s face and help make those wishes come true by donating an unwrapped toy.

The younger kids would like toys, games, dolls, and the older kids would like sports equipment: soccer balls, basketballs, baseballs and gloves.

There is also a need for coats in good condition for those suffering from the pandemic.

Salvation Army volunteers will be at The Gathering Place from 9 am to noon on Saturday, Novmber 21 and 28 to collect your thoughtful donations of unwrapped toys and gently used clean coats.

The SunTrust Bank in Fearrington Village will have a collection box in their lobby from November 10 to December 7.

Questions, call Bob Holton, 919-545-0810.

Thank you for your generosity.

The Fearrington Cares Center will be Closed November 23–27.

The Fearrington Cares Staff will not be monitoring the phones or making appointments during the week of Thanksgiving. All messages left in the general mailbox will be retrieved on Monday, November 30, when the staff is back at work.

Living with Loss Around the Holidays

Thursdays, November 5 and 19, December 3 and 17, 1:00–2:30 pm via Zoom

Living with Loss Around the Holidays is a support group for those who have experienced the loss of a loved one—spouse, parent, child, family member, or friend. “The Holidays,” November through the end of the year, are often painful. This period may be filled with memories of loved ones no longer alive and with us in remembered, happy ways.

Meeting twice in November and twice in December at 1:00 pm on Zoom, this group is hosted by Judyth and John Branson. Residents of Fearrington since 2012, Judyth is a psychotherapist and John is a retired Episcopal priest.

This is a group where we talk about feelings: grief, being alone, emptiness, fear of the future, and doubts about ourselves. We will have a chance to speak of our loved ones and all that is good. There are no expectations; this is simply a chance to meet and talk in the safety of the group where confidentiality is maintained. All are welcome to one or more sessions.

Tips for Navigating Change During the Pandemic

Wednesday, November 11, 2:00 pm via Zoom

Join us for our third session to gain fresh perspective and polish up a trove of down-to-earth tools to help build your resilience and stress-resistance during these challenging times. This hour-long Zoom session is led by Vicki Field as your “guide by the side,” and includes time for brief remarks as Vicki sets the stage with self-reflection, fun exercises, and focused discussion. Handouts will be emailed to participants following each class if requested.

The holidays are bound to look different this year! Explore some practical ways to recharge your holidays with less stress and more meaning. Join for encouragement to review expectations, assess and set priorities, find a balance in old and new traditions, and avoid holiday overload.

Don’t Let Your Eyes Limit Your Lifestyle

Thursday, November 12, 1:30 pm via Zoom

Fearrington Cares Education Committee invites you to join us in a Zoom program focusing on common eye problems that we may face as we age. Dr. Nicole Penke, a specialist in cataract surgery and comprehensive ophthalmology, will be our guest speaker. Dr. Penke is a graduate of the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine and was Chief Resident in Ophthalmology at the Ross Eye Institute. She is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and has practiced ophthalmology in Virginia and Arizona. Dr. Penke recently relocated to Chapel Hill and joined the practice of Carolina Ophthalmology.

Zoom Movement Classes, Support Groups, and Education Programs Links Are on Our Website: www.fearringtoncares.org.

Occasionally Zoom program IDs and passwords will change; if you have saved a link it may eventually become inactive. Use the links on our website for a quick, current connection to all Zoom programs.

If you would like to practice a Zoom connection and meeting, email info@fearringtoncares.org and we will set that up.

Medicare Part D Assistance During Open Enrollment

October 15–December 7

If you’re a Medicare recipient with a Part D Drug Plan, Medicare recommends that you check available Part D plans yearly to choose the best one for your current medications. Plans and prices change every year and, if you choose the right plan, savings can be substantial.

Open Enrollment only lasts from October 15 to December 7 and your new plan will take effect Jan 1, 2021. Changes to Part D Drug Plans are generally not allowed after Open Enrollment ends.

Fearrington Cares offers appointments with licensed Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) Counselors, volunteers who live in our community, to help you choose wisely. Due to COVID-19, most appointments will be by phone; when necessary the SHIIP Counselor will meet with you. The procedure will be as follows:

1. Call Fearrington Cares, 919-542-6877, before December 1 to request a consultation with a SHIIP Counselor.

2. Indicate whether you want the pre-appointment form emailed to you or whether you will pick it up from the silver mailbox by the Fearrington Cares front door.

3. Complete the form and email it back to info@fearringtoncares.org or return it in a sealed envelope to the envelope in the silver mailbox by the Fearrington Cares front door.

4. One of our SHIIP Counselors, Judy Fitzgerald or John Sullivan, will contact you to make an appointment after they have reviewed your pre-appointment form.

Covid-19 Information

Fearrington Cares maintains a website with county, state, and national information about the pandemic and the virus: fearringtoncares.org/resources/covid-19-coronavirus-current-information/.

Fearrington Directory Changes

Welcome to Our New Residents!

The following persons have been added to the Fearrington Village Directory between September 15 and October 14:

Changes to the Directory

The following persons have made changes to their Directory listing between September 15 and October 14:

Calendar for November 2020

Fearrington Village clubs and groups will be meeting on these dates. All events are  held at The Gathering Place unless stated otherwise. However, The Gathering Place is currently closed due to Covid-19 restrictions. Please check with the contact listed for the most up-to-date information.