Newsletter December 2021

Scene Around Fearrington

All Aboard the Fearrington Light Railway

By Leslie Palmer

This month’s Scene Around Fearrington once again features a photographer’s captured images. While Jim Coplan’s photos are excellent, it is what he has created that will delight you.

Jim and Judy Coplan retired to Fearrington in 2016. Long before the move, Jim was already planning how to turn their backyard into a wonderland—a landscaped garden plus a garden railroad. Jim built most of the structures (which remain outdoors year-round), including a grist mill inspired by the Sudbury (MA) Wayside Mill and a covered bridge based on a prototype in Contoocook, NH. Jim also built all of the railroad cars from scratch. Trains are pulled by diminutive engines that work the same way as full-size locomotives, burning fuel (camping gas) to raise steam. Plants adjacent to the tracks include dwarf specimens and low-lying groundcovers, creating the illusion of trains running through a miniature world of their own.

Shortly after the railroad became operational, Jim began sharing his photos on Nextdoor. He recently created a group on Nextdoor, Friends of the Fearrington Light Railway, where he shares his creations and the changing scenes in the garden. “My goal,” he posted, “is to spread a bit of good cheer and give everyone a little mental respite. Ordinarily, I would have visitors in person, but times being what they are, for now, we will all have to settle for ND as a platform for sharing. Someday I hope to host guests again.” You can also see videos on YouTube or search for “Fearrington Light Railway.”

Jim grew up in Natick, Massachusetts. He is a retired pediatrician who specialized in working with children with developmental disabilities (www.drcoplan.com). His wife, Judy, is retired from a career in pediatric physical therapy. She is very tolerant of Jim’s activities, and one year gifted him with a sign that hangs over his workbench: “Still plays with trains.”

jcoplan48@comcast.net

.

Chatham Artists Guild Studio Tour

By Leslie Palmer

The 29th Annual Chatham Artists Guild Studio Tour will welcome visitors into member artists’ studios on December 4th and 5th and on December 11th and 12th. Fifty-four members of the Guild will offer original works of art, including paintings, sculpture, pottery, photography, glass, wood, jewelry, and digital and fabric art. The Tour is self-guided, allowing for a relaxing drive through Chatham County’s rolling hills and pastoral farmlands. Visitors can use the map provided in the Tour brochure, which can be found in the November/December issue of Chatham Magazine, in local shops, or online at ChathamStudioTour.org.

Eight Fearrington artists will welcome you into their studios:

Studio # 20 Lee Kazanas      57 Stone Ledge 518-524-1323

Stoneware and porcelain pottery plus garden sculptures

Lee has been a Studio Potter for over 40 years, working primarily in functional high-fired stoneware and porcelain. His work has been featured in dozens of gallery shows, primarily on the East Coast. For many years, he owned and operated a regional craft gallery in the Adirondack mountains of Northern New York. https://chathamartistsguild.org/artists/lee-kazanas/

Studio # 21 Leslie Palmer     110 Creekwood 919-929-9268

Drawings, watercolor & mixed media paintings, giclée prints

Leslie’s drawings and watercolor and mixed media paintings present images of layered color, understated texture, and subtle brush movements. This visual poetry speaks directly in the language of the soul, emotions…of intuition. Her desire is to encourage reflection, quiet contemplation—a respite from life’s chatter. lesliepalmerfineart.com  

Studio # 21 Karen West        Tour Only: 110 Creekwood 919-457-8090

Home Studio, by appointment only: 923 Woodham 

Oil paintings and prints inspired by diverse subjects.

Karen began painting while an attorney engaged in international development finance. As a result, several of her paintings capture universal emotions—joy, wonder, dedication, defiance. She also paints landscapes, still life paintings, and animals in their habitats. KarenWestgallery.com

Studio # 22 Lani Chaves       167 Wintersage 919-414-6003 

Light-filled watercolors inspired by nature, giclée prints, greeting cards

Lani’s watercolor paintings reflect her goal to be completely open to all styles and every kind of subject matter. Her aim is to discover the essence of what she is painting. In her studio, you will find framed and unframed original watercolors of all sizes, plus a small selection of greeting cards and notecards. LaniChaves.com

Studio # 23 Forrest C. Greenslade, Ph.D.    149 Tinderwood 919-545-9743

Nature-inspired paintings and sculpture

Forrest was that kid you could always find turning over rocks in streams, looking for what wonders nature would disclose. This curiosity about the natural world led him to a serious life as a scientist and organizational executive. Now in retirement, Forrest is again doing what he did in grammar school—turning over rocks and sculpting and painting the wonders that nature discloses. organicforrestry.com/

Studio # 24 Eric Saunders    485 Beechmast 919-533-3030 

Photography—outdoor landscapes and architecture, natural and urban\

Eric’s preferred subject matter is pieces of outdoor landscapes and architecture, natural and urban. He sometimes uses digital manipulation of images. His work is oriented to “seeing” effective abstract compositions and communicating these compositions using whatever technical control is appropriate.
hga-store.square.site/shop/eric-saunders/14

Studio # 26 Vidabeth Bensen           601 Stoneview 804-833-1401

Original hand-printed cards, t-shirts, framed and unframed prints, calendars

Vidabeth’s hand-pulled, original screen prints are created using stencils from hand-cut film, paper, or painted directly on the screen with drawing fluid and screen filler. Some of her work is printed on handmade paper and then collaged onto stretched canvas. Vidabeth’s recent work has taken a turn away from “edition prints” using more realistic subject matter toward “abstractions.” houseoflifeprints.com

Studio # 26 Minnie C. Gallman         Tour Only: 601 Stoneview 919-533-6616

Home Studio, by appointment only: 22 Speyside Circle

Photography and note cards depicting nature and eclectic subjects

Minnie’s photography is a creative outlet that encourages her to look at the world in a different way. While she enjoys photographing a variety of subjects—architecture, abstracts, people, boats, monuments, and old cars, her primary interest is nature photography. All her photos are printed on archival paper using archival inks. Minnie-Gallman.pixels.com.

Kindness, Pie, & a Strong Sense of Community

By Deborah Repplier

When you think about it, Fearrington Village is very eclectic, particularly in terms of neighborhood sections. Each neighborhood boasts its own unique character and charm, yet perhaps none more so than the OG—that is, the original section known as the “Historic District,” which covers Phases I – IV. The very first of these homes (a model house built on Benchmark) dates back to 1976, with the more recent houses being built in the mid-80s.

Architecture-wise, these homes retain a similar look and feel, with all being single-family dwellings offering a mix of one and two levels on wooded lots with sun-dappled trees. Some houses include garages. Many feature courtyards and screened porches. Property size runs from just under a half-acre to up to two or three. Where the diversity comes in is in the residents themselves. While much of Fearrington Village skews toward older adults with a median age of 72, the Historic District is home to all ages really, including a number of younger families with children.

Lucy and Sam Grist currently live in Phase I. They’ve sought out Fearrington Village twice as their home in the past 30 years. Lucy tells me, “We love the eclectic and maybe even eccentric elements of the Historic District. Nothing cookie-cutter about it, and the people who choose to live here are the same. We have neighbors in all ages and stages of life. It is so interesting to meet our neighbors. We moved in July of 2020 during the pandemic, and while we had met so many nice people in the neighborhood while just out walking, we were not aware of any neighborhood events where we could gather for fellowship. We wanted to bring our neighbors together just for the fun of it.”

The magnificent Piebald deer that inspired our Pie Parties Photo by Lucy Grist

The desire for fellowship is integral to both Lucy and Sam, perhaps stemming from Sam’s work as a Methodist pastor. While contemplating ideas for how they might inspire community to come together, they crossed paths while out walking with the elusive Piebald deer—a creature that has patches of white across the body due to genetic variations. Lucy was so wowed by this magnificent animal so rarely seen in the Village that it made perfect sense for the Piebald to become a mascot. And thus the idea of the Pie Party was born.

Party goers Grady Morrison & Betty Forbes enjoy the company & the pie Photo by Deborah Repplier

Yet while Lucy and Sam were the initiators of these neighborhood gatherings, folks have certainly stepped up to contribute, to weigh in on dates and times and frequency (Friday nights, quarterly)—and even to donate art, as one such gathering included an art swap. Turnouts have been a huge success. There’s currently a Nextdoor group called Historic District of FV Neighbors, where discussions about Pie Parties, pie recipes, and other things not even related to pie take place. Lynn Ferguson points out that the Pie Parties have been a “good place to meet new neighbors and to learn of all the ways to make special pies.”

Mary Charlton & Ted Ehrhard playing for pie Photo by Lucy Grist

The Pie Parties have been held at the bottom of Benchmark, next to the playground, picnic tables, and tennis courts. Participants have been varied, especially by age, and the events lots of fun. Musicians have volunteered to perform for pie. Kids play on the swings and run around racing and chasing. Well-behaved dogs on leash with tails wagging and eyes ever watchful for tidbits to drop meet and greet fellow dogs and humans alike. And the pie—oh my, the pie! There has been such a mix of platters appearing on the tables—and many liberal interpretations at that. From the most exquisite looking and tasting homemade endeavors (I’m thinking of Zora Maynard’s pear tarte—equally as eloquent as it was tasty!) to home-baked veggie quiches to store-bought apple pie to takeout pizza pie! And of course, there’s Grady Morrison’s now somewhat famous, highly requested chicken pie.

So many yummy pies to choose from Photo by Lucy Grist

Fearrington Village residents come from all over the country and beyond Photo by Lucy Grist

At the first gathering, there was a posterboard of a large map of the USA, and neighbors were asked to place a pin and write in the margins where they were from. Perhaps no surprise, people came from all over the country, some even born internationally—yet one thing they all shared: everyone feels happy to be living in Fearrington Village at this point in time! JoAnne Davis comments about the Pie Parties, “It’s been such fun, a nice way to meet neighbors and make them friends. I’ve been here almost 10 years and have not met so many neighbors in one place!”

Sam, Lucy, & brand new Historic District neighbors Edelle & Marcia Photo by Deborah Repplier

So far, there have been three Pie Parties with plans for a fourth sometime in early 2022, hopefully indoors at a south-of-Village-Way location. One day, we hope that Mister Fitch might come by. While the theme has and will continue to be “pie,” it’s not really just about pie, of course. These gatherings are a way for newcomers and old-timers alike to meet new friends. As Lucy explains, Pie Parties “offer people an authentic experience that is unpretentious and real, where they can let their hair down, visit intergenerationally, and, as we say in church ‘love on one another.’”

You’ll find more photos of Pie Parties and news about upcoming gatherings when on the Nextdoor group. This group was created primarily for the Historic District residents, but in the spirit of community and hospitality, all are welcome—especially if you love pie!

Originally from Massachusetts, Deborah Repplier moved to Chatham County in 2007—for the past 3.5 years, she’s called the Historic District of Fearrington Village home. More often than not, you can find her walking the trails with her two Standard Poodles.

A Change in the Weatherbend

By Tad McArdle

Rick & Sally Osmer. Photo by Tad McArdle

If you are among the many who have noticed some beautiful landscape changes along the north side of Village Way between Windstone and Beechmast, credit goes to Rick and Sally Osmer. The Osmers moved to Fearrington in the summer of 2019, just before Covid hit, and pretty quickly got to work on the large, wooded area that came with the house, with a back yard that widens dramatically as it approaches the Way. According to Rick, “We didn’t look for a place just in Fearrington; we had heard of Fearrington, but it was the house that attracted us. And now, as we learn more and more about this community, we tell ourselves ’We were so lucky we bought a house out here.’ We didn’t really know what a gift this village was. We just wanted a one-floor house so we could age in place as long as possible. And we really liked the house immediately. We had done a lot of gardening work in our yard in Princeton, so during the pre-vaccine Covid scare when people our age were very cautious about going out, we spent that time working on our property.”

Front garden with Hellebores Photo by Tad McArdle

Rick and Sally are ordained ministers who both served churches in their early years together. After attending Harvard Divinity School, Rick and Sally earned their Master of Divinity degrees at Yale. Then Rick earned a Ph.D. in Theology from Emory University. After Rick accepted an appointment as the Ralph B. and Helen S. Ashenfelter Professor of Mission and Evangelism at Princeton in 1990, Sally’s ministry turned to managing non-profits to help underprivileged people. She also served for a time as director of The Crisis Ministry, a large food pantry in central New Jersey. While Rick was teaching at Princeton, they built a house outside of Waynesville, NC, on the side of a mountain with “a bunch of good friends who lived in that area,” says Rick. “We always thought we would live there. But the problem was, we were 10 or 15 years younger than a lot of the people there, so when we reached retirement age, many of them had died or moved into care units. It’s not that easy to live on a mountainside. So we decided we would move closer to our daughter and our grandchildren, and you can see evidence of that scattered through the yard.”

Slope from Village Way with erosion-mitigation plantings Photo by Tad McArdle

Sally said, “We started in the front yard, clearing out a bunch of tree stumps and stinky mushrooms, and ended up with a nice rock garden, with lots of hellebores, some of which we transplanted to the bird garden in back. Our son gave us two Japanese Maples.”

Rock Garden Photo by Tad McArdle

According to Rick, one of the reasons they planted evergreens in the back yard was for privacy since they didn’t have screens on the bedroom when they first arrived. With a somewhat oddly shaped backyard sloping down toward the creek, erosion was a factor to cope with. “We were kind of driven to the planting. A lot of the water, even from up towards the Village, runs down. Some erosion was taking place, and so we had to do some stuff immediately. We built a baby rock wall, and I dug a little thing right behind it. Our next-door neighbor Dan Soileau has all kinds of equipment and knowledge. He’s been fabulous, has even done some things to his yard to help us out. So, we did that and then started planting stuff here to hold the dirt. The latest thing we’ve done is to build a little rock garden—we call it the bird garden, which is the final thing we built. That was over really leached-out soil, and last winter we planted some rye grass.”

Moss Path Photo by Tad McArdle

The creek area was totally covered with wisteria when they moved in. They had it bulldozed and covered in wood chips to keep the wisteria from coming back and to hold the bank in place. “We planted nandina and woodland holly bushes,” said Sally, “but they needed more sun, so we transplanted them. For the weeping cherry tree to turn red, we’ll have to wait till spring.”

Protective fencing Photo by Deborah Repplier

Rick and Sally have names for several of the yard’s intriguing features. Here is what they call their “Moss Path,” which started itself, moss being less critical of soil quality than most grasses. They have planted some winter grass, but it hasn’t come up yet, according to Sally. She is eager for the winter grass to get going and make the unplanted area prettier.

have had to install some protective fencing around some of their recent plantings because the superabundant Fearrington deer have been rubbing their antlers against the tree trunks to get rid of their summertime velvety covering containing a form of insulin that aids antler growth.

“The greatest thing about all this,” says Rick, “is that so many people stop and talk to us; they even stop their cars. You wouldn’t believe the number of people who stop by and say ‘You’re working so hard, you’re doing a great job.’”

The Osmers are fortunate to have found Fearrington, and Fearrington is no doubt happy to add these two thinkers and doers to its population. I once read of someone who dreamed that an entire army of theologians had appeared over the horizon, headed in his direction (can’t recall why). Considering the theologians I have met in Fearrington, including Rick and Sally Osmer, if that admittedly unlikely event should happen to me in real life, I would just grin and get my welcome wagon ready (“Coffee? Tea? So what’s it all about?”).

A native of rural western Pennsylvania, Tad McArdle has lived in Fearrington since 2010 and lives happily with his wife, Mary Roodkowsky, on North Langdon. Tad’s interests include writing, golf, the poetry of Emily Dickinson and Wallace Stevens, physical fitness, Latin and African percussion, and providing quick and simple solutions to the major problems facing humanity (any suggestions?).

More Food Trucks to Deliver Diverse & Delicious Takeout Dining

We continue to welcome visiting food trucks to the Gathering Place for your takeout dining pleasure. The growing diversity of vendors brings street food favorites from around the world conveniently to our neighborhood. The full schedule along with menus is always posted on our community hotspot page at www.streetfoodfinder.com/fearringtonvillage where you can sign up for a weekly email and also leave feedback for the vendors.

For the month of December, our schedule is as follows:

December 8 – Cousins Maine Lobster
December 22 – The Blue Window
December 29 – Chirba Chirba Dumpling

Online ordering is available through the hotspot page and most vendors begin accepting pre-orders the day before their arrival with one notable exception—Cousins Maine Lobster. To pre-order their lobster specialties, you must use their special app which is available from the App Store and Google Play. Also note that Cousins does not begin accepting orders until 3 pm on the day of their arrival. Additionally, keep in mind that all food trucks welcome walk-up orders, so please don’t be discouraged by technology or pre-order time slots being filled.

As we continue to enjoy this convenient and appetizing amenity in our community, please remember that food truck fare is not permitted in the Village Center. Kindly pick up your meal and let your taste buds travel afar while you dine at home.

This month’s Puzzler

Question: In the March issue of The Belted Gazette, Tad McArdle introduced us to CORA, the acronym for Chatham Outreach Alliance. As the Chatham Outreach Alliance prepares for the upcoming holiday season, this month’s puzzler asks: From what two languages could the name Cora derive and what are the meanings of those words:

Answer to November Puzzler:

Dawn Redwood: Fossil Tree in Fearrington Village Photo by Carol Kurtz

Question: Where are fossil trees located in Fearrington Village and what is their common name?

Answer:  Metasequoia glyptostroboides is a mouthful, but the common name “Dawn Redwood” runs easily off the lips. This fossil tree can be found at the edge of the south pond in Jenny’s Park (aka Camden Park), along the edge of the pond at Village Way and East Camden and in Creekwood Path areas where they were planted by the Arbor Day Committee. At one time, this tree was known only in the fossil record and was believed to be extinct for millions of years. In the 1940s, an unlikely discovery of living specimens in a remote area of China prompted the collection of seeds. Since the climate and soil parameters were unknown for the tree, seeds were sent to a diversity of locations. Fortunately, the fossil tree is adaptive to a variety of zones and soils. In the spring, the flat leaves which resemble needles are soft as a feather. Now in the fall, the tree will turn a beautiful bronze color