FHA Newsletter, June 2021

FEARRINGTON  HOMEOWNERS  ASSOCIATION  NEWSLETTER
June 2021        Volume 40        Number 6

President’s Message

Magic in the Village

A village means that you are not alone, knowing that in the people, the trees, the earth there is something that belongs to you, waiting for you when you are not there.

—from The Moon and the Bonfire, by Cesare Pavese

I grew up in a small town in Ohio, and I remember it fondly. There was a kind of magic to life there. People formed close relationships in neighborhoods and came together to help each other through problems. When relatives grew old and were alone, they often came to live with other family members. My great-grandmother came to live with us as I was growing up, and she lived to be almost 100. It added to my experience in a wonderful way. In our town it was not considered “magic,” simply normal. Yet looking back, it was indeed magic.

For many of us, that magic disappeared as we moved into an era where children moved away to cities for their careers. City life is very different. It was later in life for most of us when we chose to move to Fearrington Village, for many different reasons, but I believe we all wanted to capture some of that feeling we had lost.

Because I am often out walking my dog, and because of the role I have played in the FHA, I meet a lot of people and hear many stories. For example, I recently was discussing dog walking and was told how neighbors had pitched in to walk and care for the much-loved dog of a seriously ill resident. We all know how neighbors here help each other when health or other issues arise. What affects my old heart even more are the stories of people who act as caregivers for their spouse or another family member—even though they may have physical limitations of their own.

Before moving here, I served as volunteer executive director of a home health agency, providing home health aides and other services to over 700 low-income elderly or disabled people. I learned a lot about the struggles people face for themselves and the stresses on caregivers. So, all the care our residents give to each other, or the support they provide to caregivers, is incredibly special.

In our village, I work with a wonderful group of people on our FHA Board. They are all quite different in backgrounds and come from different areas of the country. Each has his or her own views on any subject. Sometimes we argue, but in the end, we come together in the best aspects of a team. Each spends considerable time and effort on FHA business, yet no-one has anything to gain from this other than the satisfaction of working for the benefit of everyone in the village.

Even the worst curmudgeon must admit that this is surely a form of magic in our village.

We are looking for more residents to join that team to fill out our FHA board as we head into 2022. Please, if you are interested, and if you too would enjoy the satisfaction of working as a member of a team, send a note to our Vice President, Rose Krasnow (vp@fhaboard.org). Rose will, I hope, be our president starting next November. That alone reassures me about how well the FHA will care for our village.

Home is the place where, when you have to go there, they have to take you in.

—from The Death of the Hired Man, by Robert Frost

—Carl Angel, president@fhaboard.org

From Our FHA Board

Wastewater Treatment Update

Plans are moving ahead to upgrade the Fearrington Village Wastewater Treatment Plant. Fitch Utilities’ engineer is currently finishing the final in-house review of the plans. They will then need to get cost estimates from vendors and contractors, apply to the state (Division of Water Resources) for review and approval, and get a sediment and erosion control approval from the county. Since no work can begin until they have the necessary approvals, everything is dependent upon the timing of the review agencies, so we can’t yet tell you when the work will start.

The new treatment plant train will have aerated sludge storage tanks just as the existing one does, but the volume of the storage tanks will be substantially larger than was provided in the original tanks. The project also provides a better means for transferring waste sludge to the larger storage tanks. This is beneficial when the sludge hauler’s disposal sites are too wet, due to lots of wet weather, to allow sludge applications. The hauler has to leave the sludge on-site in this case.

Even though a new holding tank is being added on the existing site, the overall capacity of the plant will remain the same. Given the age of our existing tanks, Fitch Utilities plans to take each tank offline, one at a time, so they can completely scour it, make any necessary repairs, and recoat it. This work can only be done if the new tank is added, so that there will always be enough capacity to handle the current volume of wastewater. The changes being made should also improve the quality of the effluent being discharged into Bush Creek.

—Rose Krasnow (vp@fhaboard.org)

Hurricane Season Starts Early This Year. Are You Prepared?

Hurricane Fran, which struck the Triangle area in 1996.

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has moved the official start of the hurricane season from June 1st to May 15th. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center forecasts an above-average season, with 14 named storms and 7 reaching hurricane strength. Three or four are predicted to become category 3, 4, or 5 storms

NOAA map showing the tracks of all known hurricanes between 1851 and 2013 that came within 65 nautical miles of Virginia Beach.

Chatham County is 170 miles from the coast. Nevertheless, Fearrington and the remainder of the county have been directly impacted by past storms, and, in the near future, are likely to be affected again. The NOAA map illustrates how many hurricanes have passed near us during the last 160 years.

Being Prepared

Loss of power for several days, structural damage caused by wind and falling trees, and even flooding, are all possibilities with a strong storm. NOW is the time to start thinking about what you would do without electricity for days and with your home damaged by falling trees. In the past, the NHC has given the county a seven-day window to prepare for the possibility of an approaching storm. You may believe this gives you time to prepare, but NOW is the best time to develop a hurricane plan of action.

The Health, Safety and Security Committee’s Emergency Preparation web site goes into detail on how to prepare in advance for a coming storm. You and your family should review this information. You can access a convenient two-page PDF file on the FHA website.

Here are some additional points to keep in mind when preparing:

1. Charge all electronic devices̶—cell phones, laptops, iPads, etc. Remember to have chargers with you if you leave.
2. Keep a full tank of gas in your car. Do not park under or near trees that could fall on the car.
3. Have enough cash on hand. Cash machines will not work if there is no power.
4. In the event that you must evacuate your home, the county will activate a facility as a refuge to allow impacted residents to get out of harm’s way until they can make other arrangements. However, Covid-19, lack of privacy, and limited bathrooms and showers make a shelter an unattractive place to spend much time. It is better to stay with out-of-town friends or relatives if you can.
5. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends a two 2-week supply of water, or one gallon a day for each person. If there is an interruption of water service, it’s not a bad idea to fill up a bathtub with water to use in order to flush toilets.
6. Keep credit cards, insurance documents, current phone numbers, and passcodes ready to go with you.

You can call the Chatham Emergency operations center at 919-545-8181 with any questions during a weather event.

Illustrations taken from the Chatham Emergency Response Team website.

—Warren Ort, Health, Safety, and Security Committee

Robocalls: What You Should Know About Them

If you answer the phone and hear a recorded message instead of a live person, it’s a robocall. If you’re getting a lot of robocalls trying to sell you something, odds are the calls are illegal. Many are also probably scams.

Yes, a robocall trying to sell you something is illegal unless the company has your written permission to call you. Current Federal Trade Commission (FTC) rules allow some exceptions. Examples of calls allowed without permission are political calls, calls that are purely informational (e.g., weather warnings), debt collection calls, calls from some health care providers (provided they are not trying to sell you anything), and messages from charities, provided the charities make the call themselves. If a charity hires someone to make robocalls on its behalf, the robocalls can only go to members of the charity or to previous donors. They also must include an automated option to let you stop future calls.

So what should you do if you get an illegal robocall?

Unfortunately, robocalls are cheap, and it is easy for scammers and telemarketers to make calls over the internet from anywhere in the world.

Hang up. Don’t press any number. The recording might say that pressing a number will let you speak to a live operator or remove you from their call list, but it might instead lead to your receiving more calls. (The same goes for junk emails or spam that you receive on your computer. Do not click to unsubscribe, as doing so could result in only more spam.)

You may be able to reduce unwanted calls by using the FTC Do Not Call Registry. Go to donotcall.gov, or call 888-382-1222 from the phone you want to register. There is no charge to register your phone. If you receive an unwanted call after your number has been on the National Registry for 31 days, you can report it to the FTC. Report the number given on your caller ID and any number that you were told to call back.

This article was taken from the FTC consumer information website, consumer.ftc.gov.

—Warren Ort, Health, Safety, and Security Committee

Food Trucks at Fearrington

Perhaps the pandemic has left you tired of eating the same home cooking every night? At the request of residents who felt that way, the FHA Board has agreed to have food trucks serving outside the Gathering Place on a trial basis. Volunteers agreed to organize the enterprise, and while we initially hoped to have six trucks over the course of six weeks, the reality is that trucks book weeks (if not months) in advance. The good news is that there are five trucks scheduled to visit the Village over the next several weeks. The details are provided on the accompanying flyer, which provides web links to menus. Also, worth mentioning is the food being offered appeals to all, with a full range of vegetarian items alongside seafood, poultry, and meat.

The trucks will be in The Gathering Place Parking Lot from 5 to 7:30 pm on the dates given. Some trucks let you order ahead online, but not all. The expectation is that after you place your order and pick up your food, you will take it back home to eat. There will be no tables set up by the truck, and the Fitch’s have asked that residents not use the seating and tables at the Goat or at the Roost. Please avoid using the Village Center as a place to consume the food.

If this initial trial is successful, we hope it will be possible to encourage other trucks to visit the Village.

—Rose Krasnow, (vp@fhaboard.org)

Features

This Month’s Features

• Scene Around Fearrington 
• “Paws for a Cause” 
• 250 Years—Chatham County 
• It’s a Hit! It’s Outta Here! 
• The Fearrington Puzzler 

 

How to Stream Life

Story and photos by Ed Lallo

It has become a hot topic, even though it offers nothing but peace and calm. “Will it stay, or will it go?” That is the question.

The Fearrington Village Homeowners Association Board is in the process of determining the fate of Beechmast Dam and the pond it has created from the waters flowing from the stream along the Creekwood Trail.

Here are a few photos taken over the course of this year of the Creekwood Trail and the stream that feeds into Beechmast Pond. Both the trail and the pond are underutilized. Perhaps the question should be “How can we make the area pay for itself?”

About Ed Lallo

My business card read “photographer”; actually, it should have read “problem-solver.” My career has been telling stories with a camera. Photography is a powerful communication tool that reaches a wide variety of audiences.

A career that began in photojournalism for newspapers later expanded to contributing photographer for People Magazine and then work for corporate clients. I have traveled the world to places Google has yet to map; shooting for IBM, ExxonMobil, Learjet, Jack Daniels, Hallmark Cards, CSX Railroad, Walt Disney, Berkshire Hathaway and Dupont to name just a few.

“Life is a journey with countless stories all along the way. The most compelling are punctuated with striking images that call you back time and again.”

Many Residents Paused Their Saturday Routine for “Paws for a Cause”

By Pat Biggers, Women of Fearrington Publicity Cochair

Barbara Gilbert, event chair, shops at the sales table manned by Kate West.  Photo by Pat Biggers.

In April, Women of Fearrington held a spring fundraiser for our Wonderful Options Fund grants program. Paws for a Cause, a first-time effort, turned out to be a big hit! Although the Covid-19 pandemic presented us with many difficulties in execution, it also presented us with greater needs than ever for the women and children of Chatham County whom we put front and center in our fundraising efforts.

Jo Bolig registers with Debbie Liebtag and Joyce Brennan.  Photo by Ed Lallo.

Bob Biggers and Tucker.   Photo by Corrie Biggers.

Thanks to the generous response of many local businesses in providing raffle prizes and the equally generous response of our residents who participated, we were able to raise almost $4000 on Saturday, April 17—and have a lot of fun besides!

Each trail was marked and hosted, as here by Kathy Coughlan.  Photo by Ed Lallo.

Everyone involved enjoyed a lovely spring day. For a $25 donation, participants had their choice of trail and start time, and they received a goodie bag with trail maps, treats, and a raffle ticket for some great prizes. They also had the opportunity to visit our sales table, which featured Beltie cards and tea towels, homemade dog biscuits, and other treats. Many residents have asked for this to become an annual event. Stay tuned!

Neighbors Verity Dunphy, Judy Dimon, and Jackie Castle enjoy their stroll with Bubby, Izzy, and Maxi.  Photo by Ed Lallo.

Paws for a Cause is a good example of how Women of Fearrington has been able to adapt in this challenging year to maintain their mission of “Learn, Laugh, and Lead!” Instead of monthly meetings at the Gathering Place, we had interesting Zoom webinars, featuring such topics as Pauli Murray, recycling, and travel through wine. Road trips were closer to home and followed CDC guidelines, with trips to the M&M alpaca farm, Mark Hewitt Pottery, and hiking at Jordan Lake. Small group outdoor gatherings were added for some socializing, such a hit that we plan to continue these post-Covid.

Cathy Morehead and Bailey start down the Millcroft Path.  Photo by Ed Lallo.

Our Annual Holiday Market used online ordering and timed pickups and was a bigger success than ever. Our Christmas toy donation to the Chatham County Department of Social Services was expedited through direct donations via Amazon and, since we publicized it beyond our own membership, we had contributions from the whole area. We invited other Fearrington clubs, including the Garden Club, the Green Scene, and the Genealogy Club, to participate in some of our programs, and we plan to expand this in the future.

Art Gonales and Ann Melchior ready to hit the trail at Camden Park with Clancy.  Photo by Ed Lallo.

When we hear that “It takes a village,” now we understand which village that is! Thanks to all who did their part and more to make this an outstanding year for Women of Fearrington.

As ever, for more information, go to www.womenoffearrington.org. We would love for you to join us!

 

Celebrate 250 Years with Chatham County

By Jackie Walters, Features Co-Editor

2021 marks Chatham County’s semiquincentennial (i.e., 250th anniversary of its founding). Although the celebration kicked off with Founding Day on April 10, county residents still have many opportunities to mark the occasion before official events conclude in October.
According to Hilary Pollan, Community Partners Analyst for Chatham County, many events offer both in-person and virtual ways to participate. For example, the Great Chatham County Campout on June 26 corresponds with the Great American Campout held annually in June. Residents are invited to camp at a designated campsite, in your own backyard or in a homemade fort in your living room, and, for one night only, at the B. Everett Jordan Dam in Moncure. Community organizations will be sharing videos about camping tips, conservation, and the natural environment of Chatham County.

The campout, like most events, is sponsored by Chatham250, the official home of the celebration: HOME | Chatham 250. Its mission is “to celebrate Chatham County through diverse community centered events and activities that highlight Chatham’s uniqueness, rich history, and promising future.” There are five Celebration Themes: Creative Arts, Growth and Change, Agriculture, Diversity and Community, and Natural Environment.

Five major events highlight these themes (Chatham 250 Events | Chatham 250). In addition to April’s Founding Day, these include the Chatham County Communities of Color virtual lecture series beginning May 28 and concluding on Juneteenth (June 19); an Agricultural Photo contest on August 1; a Sidewalk Chalk Festival on September 11; and the Grand Finale in Siler City on October 23—the Chatham 250 Parade/Carvana. Learn more and register for these events and for theme passports on HOME | Chatham 250.

With over 31 community partners, Chatham 250 offers several ways to stay informed and be involved. According to Hilary, the best ways to stay abreast of opportunities are to register for the Chatham250 passport; check out Chatham County social media (e.g., Chatham250 on Facebook, Twitter, and Nextdoor); and subscribe to the Chatham News & Record and Chatham Magazine.

In addition to being a participant, there are also volunteer opportunities. Fearrington resident, Kimberly Steiner, wrote about her volunteer project for the Chatham County NC Historical Association (CCHA) in the April issue of The Belted Gazette [“Newcomer to Fearrington Records Chatham County’s Historic Structures”]. A primary partner of the semiquincentennial, CCHA is collaborating on five history projects this year, including profiling county artists and compiling histories of county churches. Perhaps you’ve been curious about all the roads nearby with ‘church’ or ‘chapel’ in their names?

Questions about events and opportunities? Email Hilary Pollan at chatham250thanniversary@gmail.com.

Whatever term you want to use for this momentous occasion in the life of our county—semiquincentennial, Quarter Millennial or Sestercentennial, join in the celebration. The next significant 250th will be the United States’ semiquincentennial in 2026!

 

It’s a Hit! It’s Outta Here!

Story and Photos by Doug Rhodes

Karen West, Covid-19 Slugger

The neighbors on Woodham gave Covid-19 a mighty whack, sending it well over the fence for a true home run. This all happened when these residents resurrected their monthly face-to-face Wine on Woodham driveway gatherings. Now mask-less, neighbors had fun wearing nametags and making reintroductions over adult beverages and fancy hors d’oeuvres. The pleasures of the afternoon were well supported by two jazz musicians who played old favorites, took requests, and soloed with their own riffs.

Jazz musicians “Griffanzo” Griffin and Danny Grewen

It was the trussed up Covid-19, however, rendered helpless in its confines, that was joyfully sent to oblivion by eager celebrants. The bruised cantaloupe festooned with raspberries carried the day and signaled the return of the Fearrington spirit and bliss.

The Fearrington Puzzler

Welcome Fearrington Puzzlers! We’ll offer this feature regularly for readers who enjoy learning more about our Village. We hope you’ll put on your puzzler hats, do a bit of research (on the FHA site perhaps), and then share your answers with your neighbors. You’ll find the answer to this puzzler in the next issue.

June’s Puzzler

Submitted by Bill Sharpe

A large concrete block still sits on the back of a large lot off Barnsley Road at the eastern edge of Fearrington Village. What was it used for?

The concrete block in June’s Puzzler

Resurrection fern on a downed oak tree

May’s Puzzler Answer

Submitted by Fearrington horticulturist Betty King

WHO: Resurrection fern
Pleopeltis (Polypodium) polypodioides

WHERE: Can be found growing on a downed oak tree across from 639 Spindlewood and also in the Woodland Garden at the entrance to Weymouth Close.

Resurrection fern usually grows on tree trunks and branches and is not often found in Fearrington. It reproduces from spores, not seeds, and in spring, the new growth begins as a fiddlehead and uncoils to become a frond. During dry periods, the fern curls up and looks dead, but it revives once rains come.

Announcements

Fearrington Groups and Organizations

June Mah Jongg!!

The Dragons are Ready to Play!

Fearrington Dragons Mah Jongg plays on the second Saturday of the month from 1-4 pm. We will play on Saturday, June 12, at 1 pm. We meet at The Gathering Place and will play under their guidelines. (Read the policy.)

As such we must limit our number to 36. (Sign up for a space.) Because of this limitation, it is important to cancel if you discover you are not able to play so someone else can take your spot. Annual dues have been waived for 2021.

Bring your own beverage; no food is allowed.

These games are for experienced players.

May the jokers be ever in your favor!!

Contact Robin Weinberger at weinrob@msn.com or 919-219-5228 or Polly Williams at pw82550@gmail.com or 919-478-4260 if you have any questions.

Want to learn how to play? Contact Mary Donna Pond at mdpond@nc.rr.com.

Fearrington Duplicate Bridge Club

“Take a Detour from the Ordinary: Play Bridge”

Fearrington Duplicate Bridge Club meets every Wednesday in June. Our game is held at The Gathering Place beginning at 1 pm. We play 24 boards.

Since each partnership is compared to others who have points in their range, you can be successful regardless of your ability level. We also welcome observers so you can learn if it is right for you. Generally, we have five or more tables. We then ask that you come with your Covid-19 vaccination notification, your own drink (should you want one), and $7 (which covers the cost of the handouts, use of the room, and supplies). The first time you play with us, there is no cost.

Should you be a single, you may bring someone outside of Fearrington who also has a love of duplicate bridge.

Any questions? Please contact Jean Hjelle, 919-548-6216.

Fearrington Film Club

Covid-19 restrictions are relaxing, and we look forward to a time when the Film Club can resume showing movies at The Gathering Place. The guidelines that are in place by the FHA will be followed. There will be no popcorn and treats until the “No Food” restriction is relaxed or removed. We’re eager to see familiar faces and new ones. All past paid memberships will be honored, and we’ll welcome new members and guests once guidelines are in place that will allow us to show movies safely and at a level that is comfortable for audience and Film Club team members.

NEW! Fearrington RV Club?

We are RV enthusiasts and now own a 25-foot motorhome. From 2015 to 2017, we lived full-time in our 5th wheel and travelled the country. I would like to explore the possibility of starting an RV Club in Fearrington. If you are interested in gathering with other RV enthusiasts to discuss RV’ing and your favorite places to RV, please email Cathy Janis at cathyjanis@gmail.com.

Fearrington Swim & Croquet Club

Summertime is here! Plan to escape to the club to cool off in the pool and to relax on our deck and lawn. This year several tables and chairs are set up for picnics and games on the upper lawn where volleyball, tether ball, horseshoes, shuffleboard, cornhole and badminton games are available. You may want to find out if any food trucks are planned for the evening before you make dinner this season. Food truck details will be posted on our bulletin board as we get more information.

The water aerobics class schedule is on our website and also posted on the pool bulletin board where last-minute updates are added.

Looking for a croquet partner or foursome? Ask to be added to the Croquet Players list. The list will be shared with members interested in setting up play. Contact Jan Droke at jantomdro@gmail.com.

We’re looking forward to welcoming new and renewing members this year. Dues are not increasing. Former members who did not join or who did not suspend their membership last year may pay the suspension fee now ($25 per adult member) and avoid the reinstatement fee of $100. To find our website, go to the Swim and Croquet page under the Group Section of the FHA website. If you have questions send an email to: fearringtonswimcroquet@gmail.com.

Fearrington Village Singers

How Singing Influences Our Health

The Fearrington Village Singers want to share the following benefits of singing—whether you sing in the shower or want to join us in the fall (if the pandemic allows). Experts recommend singing for at least 5 minutes daily, equating the benefits with that of physical exercise. (Adapted from AdiDisha Yoga.)

• Singing communicates to the body the “right” vibes that increase our vitality
• When singing, special chemicals release in the human brain that help us feel peace and joy
• Singing improves blood circulation in the throat area, which has a beneficial effect on vocal cords, tonsils, and numerous lymph nodes in the throat—and therefore significantly increases local immunity (in other words, we rarely catch colds)
• Singing improves the blood supply, which leads to brain activity intensification—the brain starts working more intensely, memory improves, any information is easier to perceive
• Singing is very useful for lung diseases, as it creates respiratory gymnastics that promote the development of chest and proper breathing, while significantly reducing the number of acute lung conditions
• With regular singing, the levels of immunoglobulin and hydrocortisone, which are signs of good immunity, increase in the body
• Singing has led to methods that treat stuttering and help improve diction
• Singing is used even in the fight against obesity—when nourished people still feel hunger pangs, singing two or three songs instead of eating helps to alleviate the urge to eat
• Singing improves blood supply in the head and generally rejuvenates the body, improving skin condition

Women of Fearrington

Activities of Women of Fearrington are winding down now for the summer break. We celebrated our successful, if unusual, year with a luncheon and tour at Lavender Oaks Farm in late May and look forward to a “new normal” year beginning in the fall!

WoF members with a birthday in April, May, or June will celebrate at lunch from 12:00—2:00 pm on Thursday, June 10. Each person orders in advance from The Belted Goat, where we can enjoy outdoor dining.

We plan on holding more birthday lunches in the coming months for those with birthdays in the second half of the year. For more information, contact Eileen McCorry: mccorrye@gmail.com. Please register here if you plan to attend in June.

For continuing up to date information, do check our website, www.womenoffearrington.org.

Community Agencies

Chatham Connecting

June is a great month to get going and get active. Chatham Connecting, www.chathamconnecting.org, lists more than 100 non-profits in our county that need help with donations and your volunteer time. With schools closed for the summer, check out our website’s special button that connects directly to youth volunteer opportunities. For adults, you can search for agencies or organizations needing volunteers and specific donations by clicking on one of the volunteer categories, with further information listed by both volunteer activity and interest. And if you prefer to work from home, we have a button that lists those opportunities. Chatham Connecting is a one-stop website to learn about all volunteer opportunities in our neighborhood. We thank you for your support.

Fearrington Cares Staff News

Fearrington Cares is delighted to welcome Teresa Balatico (teresa@fearringtoncares.org) as the new Administrative Coordinator and at the same time wish Pat Skiver a happy retirement! Although Pat nominally retired years ago when she moved from Michigan to NC, she subsequently became the first direct employee of Fearrington Cares and has served creatively and generously since 2008. Years of Board volunteers (especially treasurers!) and FC staff have been inspired by her big heart and have been enriched by her friendship. We are all grateful for her service!

Good fortune continues to shine on Fearrington Cares as we welcome Teresa. After an extensive search and now several days of orientation, we are discovering Teresa’s talents and compassion for others. Previous work has prepared her well for the multiple aspects of the role of Administrative Coordinator.

Three Sauces, Two Sides, and One Chicken: A Zoom Cooking Class

Thursday, June 10, 7:00 pm via Zoom

Nationally certified personal chef, former hospitality manager, and restaurateur, Leslie Chartier, is now the Chef/Owner of The Travelling Cafe (thetravellingcafe.com), where she offers a custom meal delivery service, dinner party catering, and cooking classes. At the Cafe’s culinary studio in Pittsboro, she and other local chefs teach and entertain via online, in-home private, and in-studio public cooking classes. She is also renowned for her bespoke cakes for special occasions and weddings. Leslie received her formal culinary training and bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management at Chatham County Community College. She was a class lead and culinary instructor for The Cooking School at Southern Season during its final two years.

Leslie will instruct us in the preparation of Mustard-Tarragon Cream Sauce (a tasty French classic), Zhoug (Israeli Spicy Cilantro Pesto), and Monkey Gland Sauce from South Africa (no monkeys will be harmed in the making of this Zoom class!). She will show us how to make haricot verts and new potatoes to accompany a roasted chicken and complete the lesson by using leftovers to prepare cold chicken and potato salads. Recipes will be provided.

Advance Directive Check-Up

No one should receive less care than they desire when living with a disability or chronic condition. How much medical care would you want if you had Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia? Many of us have real concerns that cognitive decline might impair our last years, but advance directives or living wills typically do not document our wishes in this specific situation. Unfortunately, dementia is an important factor that prevents people from guiding their own care. If, when you review your own documents, you find you want to add specific directives for dementia, a form may be downloaded from the nonprofit website dementia-directive.org.

Ambassador, Anyone?

Have you been wondering how to help maintain the high quality of life that Fearrington Village provides? One good way to “give back” is to serve as an Ambassador for Fearrington Cares. The main job of an Ambassador is to greet new neighbors soon after they move in and acquaint them with the services and programs of Fearrington Cares. Also, each Ambassador is asked to host at least two informal get-togethers a year—simple coffees or wine and cheese socials to which both new and established neighbors are invited to come, meet one another, and learn about current Fearrington Cares services.

Fearrington Village has twelve Ambassadors now, but we are seeking many more to cover every neighborhood. We need Ambassadors for Bush Creek, Camden Park South, Countryhouse Closes (except Weymouth), Henderson Place, the Historic District, The Knolls, McDowell Place, Montgomery, Richmond, Rutherford Close, and The Woods.

Please contact one of the following people if you’d like to know more about becoming a Fearrington Cares Ambassador: Janine Griffin (336-209-4204, jkgriffin001@gmail.com), Anne Henkels (919-542-2164, henkelsanne@gmail.com), Cathy Somer (919-533-6559, cathysomer2@gmail.com), or Karen Metzguer (919-542-6877, karen@fearringtoncares.org).

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

Zoom Movement Classes, Support Groups, and Education Programs links are on our website, www.fearringtoncares.org. Click on the blue Zoom button on our home page and scroll to the correct program/class/support group. If you would like to practice a Zoom connection and meeting, email info@fearringtoncares.org and we will set that up.

Are Pet Owners Healthier? Our Pets & Our Hearts

We all know our pets warm our hearts with their unconditional love and acceptance, but do you know how good they are for the physical health of our hearts as well?

1. Pet owners have lower blood pressures, lower cholesterol levels, and lower triglyceride levels than non-pet owners, all of which reduce risk factors for cardiovascular disease. These markers also decrease after pet adoption. (American Heart Association)

2. When pet owners encounter physical or psychological stress, they show smaller increases in heart rate and blood pressure and a faster return to baseline values after the stress has ended. The reactivity to stress is even lower and recovery faster when the person’s own pet is present. This resilience in the face of stress reduces cardiovascular risk. (American Heart Association)

3. Petting and stroking a dog or cat decreases levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) and increases levels of serotonin (the “feel good” hormone). (Cleveland Clinic) Petting an animal also releases oxytocin, a hormone associated with bonding. (Scientific American) All of these chemical reactions benefit heart health and create a sense of physical and mental well-being as a bonus.

The responsibility of a pet is not for everyone; if you choose it, Fearrington Cares encourages an ongoing thoughtful review of safety in your home with a pet. When we open our hearts to our pets, they may repay us by helping to keep those very same hearts healthy. In return for our care of them, our pets can take care of us, not only emotionally, but physically. Chatham Animal Rescue and Education (CARE) is a non-profit animal welfare organization that promotes responsible pet ownership through educating the community, providing targeted spay-neuter programs, and fostering homeless dogs and cats until they are placed in loving, permanent homes. Please visit them at www.chathamanimalrescue.org.

Swallowing Disorders Support Group

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with dysphagia or another swallowing disorder, you are invited to join a local support group facilitated by speech pathologist Nancy Vallejo Smith that meets via Zoom. Email SSGCarolinas@gmail.com for more details and a link to join. Additional information is found on the National Foundation of Swallowing Disorders website at swallowingdisorderfoundation.com/swallowing-support-groups/.

Welcome to Our New Residents!

The following persons were added to the Fearrington Village Directory between April 15 and May 14:

Are you a new resident? Visit the website at https://fearringtonfha.org and on the top menu click on “Directory.” Then, in the drop-down menus click first on “New Resident” then “List Me in the Directory.” and fill in the resulting form to let the web team know of your arrival.

Then, in the “Login Form” on the upper left, click “Create an account” and follow the instructions. Doing so will give you full access to website features. The account activation process is described here:

https://www.fearringtonfha.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=87

Are you an existing resident whose contact information has changed? Don’t forget to update your listing on the FearringtonFHA.org web site. On the landing page, click on the Directory tab on the top menu and then on Update Preferences on the drop-down menu. When you update your contact information online, the updates will be included in the FHA Directory & Handbook printed in January each year. Stay in touch with your fellow residents by keeping your contact information current.

June 2021 Calendar

The Gathering Place is open with Covid-19 guidelines in place. These guidelines will impact the way group meetings are held. Check with the listed contact person for more information about any restrictions.

A New Brood of Ducklings in Camden Park

Sophie, Mama Mallard, and ducklings    Photo by Josie Dickson