29 Jan FHA Newsletter: February 2022
FEARRINGTON HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER
February 2022 Volume 41 Number 2
President’s Message
Many people have heard me say “I am not a techie.” In fact, I often refer to myself as “roadkill on the information highway.” Nevertheless, I use technology on a regular basis, not only because it’s a necessity but also because it lets me get more done. That’s why I am so delighted that the FHA launched its new website in January. It has so much information that is easily accessible, particularly if you register, which is simple to do. Let me cite a few examples:
Using a desktop or laptop—on a mobile device you may first need to click the menu icon at the top right to bring up the left-hand and top menus, or scroll to see everything:
1) If you moved into the community so recently that your name didn’t make it into the printed directory, you can just click on Directory on the left-hand side of the home page, then click on New Residents, and add your information. By doing that, you ensure that you will be in the next directory. Long-time residents can also edit their information (let’s say you decided to drop your landline in favor of your cell phone). It’s easy to make such changes.
2) Do you live in a neighborhood with its own service group, as I do? If so, you have a second set of covenants and architectural control regulations that you need to pay attention to. How? Simply go to Service Groups in the menu on the left-hand side of the home page, and click on the dropdown menu under Select a Service Group, then your service group name. You can quickly learn who your management company is and get contact information for all of your board members. For many service groups, there is also a link that will take you directly to the service group’s website, where you can get a lot more information.
3) Can’t remember when a club you belong to meets? Simply click on Club Portal under Clubs and Other Organizations, choose the search link near the top of the page, and type in the club you are interested in. You can also click on the search icon (magnifying glass) at the top right of the Coming Events section on the home page, and enter the name of your club for a list of its upcoming events. Trust me, it’s really easy.
I also really like the bulletin board feature. That’s where you can ask for recommendations for a doctor or a dog groomer, advertise your upcoming estate sale, or address other topics of interest to residents.
I could go on and on, but I hope I have piqued your interest enough that you will go on the site to explore it yourself. You can also find information about the history of Fearrington Village, maps of our paths and walking trails, information about how to volunteer, and so much more.
Creating a new website is a tremendous effort, and I want to thank several people (apologies to those I may have left out). First a shout-out to Sarah Pohlig of Chatham Fullstack, who put in so many hours to develop the site in a user-friendly way. She couldn’t have done it without our committee of volunteers who worked with her every step of the way. These included our retiring webmaster, Jim Brooking; former communications director, Gordon Pitz; new communications director, Tony Carroll; and resident Chris Kaman. I particularly want to thank Gordon, who took on the task that no one else wanted to touch: coming up with an updated website. It wouldn’t have happened without him.
So what now? Our new website administrator, Conner Sandefur, describes his role as follows: “To empower residents to use the site, troubleshoot issues as they arise, and help the site adapt to the needs of the FHA and the community.” He makes it sound easy but it’s a big job. I hope all of you will log on to the site and give it a try. We think you will like it, and we welcome your feedback.
Rose Krasnow, president@fhaboard.org
FHA Board Members Our Fearrington Homeowners’ Association (FHA) is a volunteer, non-profit organization dedicated to the health, safety, and welfare of residents. In addition to fostering resident participation, the Board is responsible for maintenance of common property and covenant enforcement. For additional details, including job descriptions, visit the FHA tab on our webpage fearringtonfha.org.
The Belted Gazette
Submissions Content deadlines are the 15th of the previous month. All persons submitting content will receive a confirmation email. Email submissions to: editors@fearringtonfha.org. Do you have content for an upcoming newsletter? Email us at the above address and we will send you the Newsletter Guidelines. The Belted Gazette is produced by the Fearrington Homeowners Association (FHA), by and for the residents of Fearrington Village in Pittsboro, NC. The Belted Gazette contains community news, reports from the FHA Board members, items of interest to residents, and announcements of club and neighborhood activities. The Belted Gazette is published electronically eleven times a year (July/August is a combined issue). A link to the current issue is emailed to all residents who have an email address in the FHA Directory. A PDF copy of the current issue and back issues can be found on the FHA website (fearringtonfha.org). | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Updates from the Director of Communications
Handbook Update. The 2022 Fearrington Village Directory & Handbook (D&H) has been printed and distributed to residents. Residents are entitled to receive one copy per household; any residents who wished to receive a printed D&H and did not should contact their local area contacts. The information in the D&H is also available to logged-in residents on the FHA website under the Directory tab and is updated regularly.
Open Meeting Monday, February 21, 2022, 7:00 pm. The Board has scheduled an open meeting for all residents at which representatives of Fearrington Green Scene will make a presentation about the quality of our local drinking water. The Chatham County Sheriff’s Office has also agreed to send a representative to speak about local issues of interest. The meeting will be held by webinar on Monday, February 21, commencing at 7:00 pm. An email invitation containing further details and registration information will go out to residents in February.
Update Regarding Congruus LLC’s Application for CCO Map Amendment. On December 20, 2021, the Chatham County Board of Commissioners voted 3-2 to approve Congruus’ application to add 184 acres owned by Congruus to the Compact Communities Ordinance. Here are some highlights:
- The meeting was run under the board’s new procedures, which did not allow for speakers from the community on this topic because comments from the community had been received in past meetings.
- The deciding vote in favor was cast by Commissioner Diana Hales, who said she based her vote principally on the potential for improving Pokeberry Creek afforded by the Congruus development. Commissioners Mike Dasher and Jim Crawford also voted in favor, Commissioners Karen Howard and Franklin Gomez Flores against.
- The vote followed a long presentation by Adam McIntyre of Water and Land Solutions LLC (waterlandsolutions.com). Mr. McIntyre outlined an extensive remediation effort focused on Pokeberry Creek and its watershed, including a conservation easement over approximately 95 acres, which he has been discussing with Congruus and which he said would be facilitated by the development of all of the land in question as part of a single compact community. Since such an effort would require the consent of all affected landowners, having all of the land owned by a single owner would require only one consent.
- Congruus has not committed to adopting the conservation program described above. Any such commitment, as well as provision for wastewater treatment, affordable housing, etc., would be contained in a detailed development plan, which Randy Voller of Congruus stated would be submitted in the 2022 calendar year. Such a plan would be subject to review by the Chatham County Planning Board and to a separate approval by the Board of Commissioners.
- Before the vote, the attorney advising the board was asked by Commissioner Gomez Flores whether the map amendment under consideration could be subsequently revoked by the board, and the attorney responded that it could be, before the approval of a formal plan that would be binding on the board.
- A recording of the meeting can be found here. There is an Index icon on the left side of that page that brings up a scroll of the items considered at the meeting. Users can scroll to the evening session and within that to the portion devoted to the Congruus proposal. The discussion begins at hour 3:03 of an approximately 4-hour video.
—Tony Carroll, Director of Communications (communications@fhaboard.org)
Health, Safety, and Security Report
Two recent phone calls got me thinking about how we can make our village a better place to live.
The first call was from a resident concerning a neighbor who was setting off fireworks and using a fire pit to celebrate the New Year. The use of fireworks, while not specifically prohibited by most covenants, can be an annoyance to other homeowners and their pets. It can also pose a fire hazard if the woods are dry. Residents planning to use fireworks or a fire pit or to conduct outdoor burning should alert their neighbors and also be sure to check with the Chatham County fire marshal to be sure that it is permitted. During the last several months of 2021, when the woods were very dry, outdoor fires were banned.
The second call was about a small tree that had fallen on one of our side roads, blocking traffic. The tree was too heavy for me to move, and I had no one in the area to call for assistance. In desperation, I drove across Route 15-501 to the firehouse and asked for help to remove the tree. Two young firefighters agreed to help, drove over with a fire truck, and moved the tree to the side of the road. However, the firefighters told me that the firehouse is understaffed and that by taking away personnel, critical time could be lost in responding in the event of a real emergency. In past years Fearrington Village had an emergency response team made up of trained residents who could be alerted by phone or text about minor emergencies such as downed trees, assistance needed by elderly residents during severe weather events, and similar items. Let’s all give some thought to how we can revitalize our emergency response team in Fearrington.
Broken Streetlights—Reminder and Update
From time to time a streetlight in the Village may stop working. In order to arrange for Duke Energy to repair a broken light, residents must first report the information internally. Most residents should report this information to Kathy Wood of Associa HRW in the FHA Management Office at 919-542-1603, or by email to kwood@hrw.net. However, residents of Camden East, West, and South have a different system and should report this information by email to Lowell Smith (lowellsmith@bellsouth.net).
There is a five- or six-digit letter/number ID that should be clearly visible on the lamp post. This information, as well as the street and the number of a nearby house, should be included in the report. It typically takes Duke Energy approximately one week to respond once it has been notified.
Warren Ort, Director of Health, Safety, and Security (healthsafetysecurity@fhaboard.org)
By Annette Griffith
It was not until digital cameras came into being that I became interested in photography. When I could take unlimited numbers of pictures at no additional cost, I was able to experiment with close-ups, textures, or different views, taking many pictures of the same subject until I found one that I liked. The closeup of a pink peony is an example of my focusing on the texture of the petals rather than just taking a seed-catalog picture of a peony.
Before retirement, I worked as a music teacher and then an arts administrator in Greenwich, Connecticut. While supervising art and music teachers, I was able to observe many creative skills from the outstanding teachers I worked with. Shortly after I retired from education in Connecticut, I went on a mission trip to Mozambique, Africa, serving as the team photographer. Since then, I have donated all proceeds from my photo sales to the scholarship fund for the mission in northern Mozambique.
Villagers Partner with Western Chatham Chapter of NAACP to Collect School Supplies for Siler City Students
By Jackie Walters, Features Co-Editor
A recent campaign to collect school supplies for Siler City schools netted four carloads packed with donations from Fearrington villagers, according to Nancy Jacobs, a Fearrington resident who is a member of the Western Chatham Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). As chair of the Community Giving Committee of a local organization that seeks to live its values, Nancy saw a partnership opportunity when the NAACP chapter decided to focus this year on a service project to provide school supplies to a school in Chatham County.
Nancy’s home became donation central. When her home began to fill up, Nancy started sorting and organizing what arrived so she could inventory what supplies came in. Highlights include 17 new winter coats; 15 backpacks, 2 with USB ports; over 100 notebooks, as well as assorted paper supplies; 1,344 pens, pencils, and markers; 9 packages of crayons and art pencils; 75 packages of tissues; 24 bottles of hand sanitizer; and 4 Walmart gift cards worth $240.
“I’m amazed at how generous people were,” Nancy said. “Everything is brand new. Many, many people contributed, and most did so anonymously. Things just appeared on our porch.” Nancy explained that most, but not all, donors are residents of West Williams Precinct, in which Fearrington Village is located.
In the end, Nancy and her Community Giving/NAACP team, which included Sheriff Mike Roberson and his wife, Annette, filled four carloads to take to Siler City. There, one of the social workers from the middle school met them, filled her SUV with the donations, and set out to distribute the supplies.
Sheriff Mike Roberson prepares to drive to Siler City with his car filled with school supplies.
Photo by Annette Roberson
NAACP volunteers with one of four vehicles loaded with school supplies Photo by Annette Roberson
The Jacobs’ front porch with donated supplies Photo by Nancy Jacobs
More Food Trucks to Love
By Wendy Snodgrass
With a passion for diverse and delicious dinner options, we are pleased to welcome back two very popular food trucks and present a new possibility for your taste buds to love. The Blue Window returns to The Gathering Place on February 2 serving Mediterranean favorites. Ta Contento Fresh Mex Food will be here on February 9. Cousins Maine Lobster is back on February 16 to satisfy the cravings of our lobster lovers. Then fall head-over-heels with our newest find—the “feisty Southern fusion” of Succotash on February 22.
See our neighborhood hotspot page at www.streetfoodfinder.com/fearringtonvillage for complete menus and an opportunity to leave love notes for your favorite truck. Pre-order there to minimize your wait when it’s cold outside—but not for Cousins Maine Lobster. While they begin accepting pre-orders at 3 pm on the day of their arrival, you must download their app from the App Store or Google Play to order in advance.
Enjoy the possibilities this month and celebrate with food you love!
January Puzzler
Question: What river flows under this bridge? (→)
Submitted by Chatham County Historical Association
Answer: The Deep River. Built in 1908, this metal truss bridge replaced a covered two-span wooden truss bridge that is identified as Evans Bridge on an 1833 map of Chatham County.
Due to a lack of interest and support for the Puzzler, unless someone steps forward to take on this monthly column, it will be discontinued. If interested, please contact us via editors@fearringtonfha.org.
Fearrington Groups and Organizations
Artist Studios at Fearrington Village
Artist Studios at Fearrington Village hopes our friends and neighbors have enjoyed the artwork hanging at The Gathering Place. The exhibit, featuring works by several members of our group, has been on display since the pandemic began. Artists wishing to pick up their work or trade it for another piece should contact Leslie Palmer at 919-929-9268 or Lespalmerartstudio@gmail.com. Please do not pick up or drop off work without contacting her first. Additional artists interested in exhibiting should contact her as well. Our group welcomes all Fearrington artists. Watch for a notice in the kiosks and in The Belted Gazette for when we will return to our artist salons and other activities.
The Fearrington Concert Series continues its splendid season on Sunday, February 13, at 3:00 pm at The Gathering Place with a concert by pianist Solomon Eichner. Mr. Eichner will be playing pieces by the following composers: Chopin (Nocturnes), Liszt (Liebestraume), Schumann (Widmung), Debussy (Clair de Lune), and various pieces by Rachmaninoff and others. Please join us for what will be a varied and well-executed program. We hope that all attendees will be fully vaccinated. Masks are required upon entering the building and must be worn throughout the performance. Seats will be spaced for additional safety. Individual tickets may be purchased at the door for $20 per person if space is available. For more information, please contact Nina Alperin at 919-545-9011 or Barbara Hummel-Rossi at 516-864-4023 or Barbara.hummel.rossi@nyu.edu.
The Club’s Zoominar speaker on Tuesday, February 22, at 7 pm will be Dr. Aimy Steele, the dynamic executive director of the New North Carolina Project. That project’s mission, similar to that of the New Georgia Project founded by Stacey Abrams, is to make politics represent the needs of North Carolinians by investing in communities of color, expanding the engaged electorate, and creating #VotersForever.
To register and get the Zoom link, please use this link. This event will also be recorded and posted on the club’s website: Fearrington Democratic Club – Welcome Page (fearringtondems.org).
The Dragons are Ready to Play!
Fearrington Mah Jongg Dragons play on the second Saturday of the month, February 12, 2022, at The Gathering Place from 1:00 to 4:00 pm, provided that The Gathering Place is continuing to be open to Fearrington groups. We play under their guidelines. As such, we must limit our number to 50, and all participants must wear a mask.
Our January game was canceled due to rising Covid numbers; we will inform members if we decide to cancel in February.
Contact Mary Donna Pond at mdpond@nc.rr.com. to reserve your place. Because of Covid limitations, it is important to cancel if you discover you are not able to play, so someone else can take your spot.
Drinks and snacks will be provided!
May the jokers be ever in your favor!!
Contact Robin Weinberger at weinrob@msn.com or 919-219-5228 or Polly Williams at pw82550@gmail.com or 919-478-4260 if you have any questions. Want to learn how to play? Contact Mary Donna Pond at mdpond@nc.rr.com.
Fearrington Duplicate Bridge Club
“We do not stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing BRIDGE.” Join us for a face-to-face game on Wednesdays—February 2, 9, and 23, 2022. We play at 1 pm at The Gathering Place. Play the first time is free; after that, the cost is $7 to defray expenses. Questions? Please contact Valorie Zentil at vzentil@gmail.com.
Barbara Driscoll, president of New Hope Audubon, presents “How to Create a Bird-Friendly Yard in Any Space” on Tuesday, February 8, at 2:30 pm via Zoom. She will focus on cavity nesters like bluebirds and nuthatches. Barbara retired in 2013 after being a physical scientist for 27 years with the Environmental Protection Agency. She is an avid outdoor enthusiast and brings a wide body of knowledge to her presentation. Log-in information will be emailed to members. Membership is $15 annually. Please join! https://fearringtonfha.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/FGA_Membership_Form_for_Website.pdf
Tuesday, February 8, 2022, 3:00-4:00 pm, Zoom Meeting.
Topic: Planning for Roots Tech March Conference.
Newcomers welcome. Dues $15.00 (cash please).
Contact Linda Grimm at 919-533-6296 for additional information
As I write this message in mid-January, our world—and the activities of the Green Scene—continue to be very much influenced by the pandemic. Putting together programs that can be done safely and effectively is a challenge. We’re doing our best to be prudent, and we invite your participation to whatever degree conforms to your best interests.
For February, we have two significant programs on tap. The first is a road trip to the Sonoco Recycling Center in Raleigh. As you may be aware, this facility is the materials recovery facility (MRF) solid-waste management plant that processes most of the recyclables generated in our community. The facility tour is a joint activity with the Women of Fearrington, and it will take place the morning of February 9, 2022. Much of the guided tour takes place in a large, second-floor observation room with a large window-wall overlooking the complex operation.
Due to the space limitations dictated by Covid-19, we will be hosting two consecutive tours with a maximum of 12 participants each (6 each from each club). By the time this issue of The Belted Gazette goes to press, invitations to sign up (on a first-come, first-served basis) will have been sent to each organization’s email list. And the event may be sold out. If you are reading this and would like to attend, please call me at the cell phone number below to see if there might be any slots left.
Our second February program is on a topic of broad community interest, a presentation entitled, “What’s in Your Drinking Water?” by Fearrington resident Fran DiGiano, professor emeritus, UNC Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering. We are working with the Fearrington Homeowners Association to make it available to every household in Fearrington through a Zoom webinar. We are aiming for an evening in the latter half of February. When the date and time are nailed down, a blast email will be sent to the entire community with the specific timing as well as the Zoom link.
Feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.
—Jason Welsch, moderator, Fearrington Green Scene, 914-806-4852 (cell phone)
The Fearrington Photography Club has not met since the pandemic began. As soon as it is safe, we will resume collaborating with fellow local photographers. All are welcome to join us! For more information, contact Annette Griffith at annettegriffith@outlook.com.
Fearrington Swim & Croquet Club
This February, join us for Wednesday Wickets at 2 pm, and Ladies Day on Thursdays at 10 am. If you would like some instruction, contact Jan Droke at jantomdro@gmail.com.
We’ve been having lots of lovely sunny days to enjoy croquet. Come on out!
Pickleball Has Officially Arrived at Fearrington!
It’s official. Fearrington’s pickleball players have joined forces with the Fearrington Tennis Association. Pickleball lines have been added to the courts, and four roll-away nets are available.
Pickleball is the fastest-growing racquet sport in the 55+ age group. Last year 80 Fearrington residents started to play. With Covid, outdoor exercise is the perfect way to get moving and have fun with friends.
Wanna try? Sundays at 10 am are reserved for open playtime with loaner paddles. No need to sign up, just come. Dress comfortably with non-marking athletic shoes. You will be briefed on rules and receive tips from volunteer coaches. It’s a short learning curve to be ready to play.
Play times for pickleball and tennis are available on the FHA website by going to: www.fearringtonhoa.org > Clubs and Other Organizations > Club Portal > TENNIS AND PICKLEBALL > COURT SCHEDULE.
Questions? Contact Art Gonzales: artgon@verizon.net.
Ahoy, mates! Due to Covid, there has been a DATE CHANGE for the “Happy Hour Mixer” for current and former members and for new residents who might like to join. The mixer will be Friday, February 25, from 4 to 6 pm at The Gathering Place. Although the annual $15 per person membership dues are usually required for participation in FYC events, they are NOT necessary for this occasion. Membership applications will be available at the mixer along with news about upcoming events. The FYC is a party and travel club whose members usually plan two parties and two regional trips a year. NO YACHT REQUIRED! Be sure to see the article about the FYC in the January issue of The Belted Gazette. For event information and membership form, log onto the FYC page at: https://fearrington.org. Choose Clubs and Other Organizations from the left menu, or contact Commodore Maggie Tunstall at 919-542-0031 or metunstall@nc.rr.com.
As Covid lingers, pressures in food insecurity, housing, and childcare continue to mount for women and children in Chatham County. Please donate here to our Wonderful Options Fund to help our neighbors.
Where does your recycling go? Join us with the Green Scene at Raleigh’s Sonoco Material Recovery Facility to learn more. There will be two groups, at 10 and 11:30 am, on Wednesday, February 9. Limited capacity, so sign up soon!
Lindale Organic Dairy is the only organic dairy in Chatham and is owned by Cori and Neill Lindley. Hear their fascinating story at our general meeting Wednesday, February 16, at 1:30 pm, as they tell how they made the change from traditional to organic farming and thus saved a fifth-generation farm. Registration here.
On Tuesday, February 22, 10 am-noon we will have a Book Swap, limited to 12 fully vaccinated and masked participants who may bring two or three books to exchange. Refreshments provided. Sign up here.
Want to join Women of Fearrington to participate fully in all our activities? Here is the form.
Community Agencies
Chatham Connecting—Connecting Those in Need with Those Who Can Help
Bringing together those in need with those who can help.
Winter doldrums got you down? How about doing something good for yourself and for your Chatham County neighbors? Studies in Britain have proven the benefits to our physical and mental health that volunteering brings. What an excellent way to start the New Year—a win-win situation. If you are wondering how to get started, please check out the Chatham Connecting website (www.chathamconnecting.org) for a list of 100 non-profits and county agencies that need volunteers (including youth volunteers) or donations. There’s even a button on the site that takes you to organizations that can use your help while you work from home. Whatever you can do will be appreciated.
HOLD THE DATE: Author John Rosenthal to Keynote at Chatham Literacy Event
Author John Rosenthal will speak at Chatham Literacy’s Spring for Literacy luncheon at The Governors Club on April 5, 2022, from 11 am to 2 pm (followed by a book signing). Proceeds to benefit Chatham Literacy. Tickets available February 1, 2022, at www.chathamliteracy.org or 919-742-0578 ($100/person; tables seat 10).
Everything You Wanted to Know About Voting in Chatham County
The Chatham Unit of the League of Women Voters of Orange, Durham, and Chatham counties invites the community to a virtual forum with the staff of the Chatham County Board of Elections, Thursday, February 10, 2022, 7:00–8:00 pm. This event is being sponsored to promote dialog with and understanding of the role of the Board of Elections and how to vote in Chatham County.
The Board of Elections staff will discuss all things voting in Chatham County:
- Where to vote
- When to vote
- How to vote
- Tabulating the vote
… and more
Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and to learn about resources available to the public.
This forum is free and open to all—Register Here.
Your Vote Counts!
Questions Contact: Anne Triulzi, LWVAnne2021@gmail.com.
Fearrington Cares material is edited by their staff and volunteers. Direct comments or questions to them at (919) 542-6877 or info@fearringtoncares.org. Carolyn & John Boyle, editors |
Wednesday, February 9, 1:30-3:00 pm at the Fearrington Cares Center
Registration required
“China is a huge laboratory of innovation,” says retail expert Angela Wang, “and in this lab, everything takes place on people’s phones. Five hundred million Chinese consumers—the equivalent of the combined populations of the US, UK, and Germany—regularly make purchases via mobile platforms, even in brick-and-mortar stores. What will this transformation mean for the future of shopping? Learn more about the new business-as-usual, where everything is ultra-convenient, ultra-flexible, and ultra-social.”
If this topic intrigues you, we invite you to join us at Fearrington Cares for our next Crossroads Conversation. These will be monthly chats on second Wednesdays and conversation topics will vary each month. We will be wearing masks and the group size is limited to 18 vaccinated folks. Call Fearrington Cares 919-542-6877 to register before February 7.
Heart Rhythm Disorders: Diagnosis, Treatment Options, New Research
Thursday, February 10, 7:00 pm (via Zoom)
Dr. Anil Gehi will be returning to Fearrington (at least virtually). He is a Distinguished Professor at the UNC School of Medicine and Director of Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology Services in the Department of Cardiology. He will present a program designed to promote better understanding of the variety of heart rhythm disorders, their current treatment options, and promising new approaches to the diagnosis and care of these disorders. He will also help us to learn the best questions to ask our physicians when we are confronted with this diagnosis.
Join this program by going to the Fearrington Cares website (fearringtoncares.org) and choosing “Education Programs” in the drop-down box under “Services.” Click on the word “Zoom” 10 minutes before the program starts and please make sure your sound is muted.
Friday, February 11, 10:00 am-2:00 pm at the Fearrington Cares Center
Registration required
As you might imagine in a neighborhood of more than 2,000 individuals, with an average age of 72, there are a number of caregivers in Fearrington Village. Fearrington Cares will host a pilot program, “The Rumble and the Respite,” once a month that is designed to add fun and comradery to the lives of individuals who need assistance with activities of daily living, while affording their caregivers the opportunity to take a break from their daily and continuous caregiving responsibilities. For our program, the term “caregiver” will be used to describe an unpaid family member, most often a spouse, who provides direct care for activities of daily living for a loved one. Participation in this program will benefit both the caregiver and the care recipient.
The Rumble and the Respite is designed to provide a safe and enjoyable space, along with activities, for care recipients, while giving their caregivers a break from this daily responsibility. Fearrington Cares currently provides a regular monthly Caregiver Support Group, but for many caregivers, it is impossible to attend unless care is available for the care recipient. Our new pilot program will allow Fearrington Cares to provide respite by hosting an educational and entertaining session, including lunch, for care recipients. So long as it is okay with the care recipients, we invite the caregivers to leave and do something by themselves! We invite caregivers to contact Karen (919-542-6877 or karen@fearringtoncares.org) for details and to register.
Tuesday, February 15, 9:30-11:00 am at the Fearrington Cares Center
Registration required
Do you enjoy handwork, or have a button that needs re-attaching? Would you enjoy crafting with others? If you crochet, knit, make cards, scrapbook, do needlepoint, or practice any other craft, we invite you to bring your project and join us at Fearrington Cares for a monthly get together on third Tuesdays. This is an opportunity to get to know your neighbors and make progress on your favorite craft. If this sounds like something you would like to participate in, then let’s get together for crafting, conversation, and fellowship. We will be wearing masks and the group size is limited to 15 vaccinated folks. Call Fearrington Cares 919-542-6877 to register by February 11.
Personal Emergency Preparedness
Thursday, February 24, 1:30 pm (via Zoom)
Are you prepared for a natural emergency should one come our way? What are some of those emergencies we might face? Steve Krasnow, a resident of Fearrington Village and certified member of the Chatham County Emergency Preparedness Team, will discuss emergency preparations. He will describe items that need to be in your home kits and how one needs to be prepared.
Join this program by going to the Fearrington Cares website (fearringtoncares.org) and choosing “Education Programs” in the drop-down box under “Services.” Click on the word “Zoom” 10 minutes before the program starts and please make sure your sound is muted.
NEW Class Beginning March 11: Posture, Balance, and Cardio (PB&C)
Fridays, 11:30 am-12:30 pm at the Fearrington Cares Center
Bring your smile and love for catchy tunes to a new fitness class. We will move, lift some light weight, and get our heart rates up safely. Most importantly, we will laugh and have a good time! This class may be done sitting or standing and will not require you to get down on the floor. If you wish, bring your own light weights (1-2 lbs.); water bottles or soup cans can also be used. Please join Fearrington resident, Betty Robie, the “new kid on the block,” for a weekly energizer; become a “regular” participant and don’t be surprised if you’re walking taller by May! Pre-registration is required (919-542-6877).
Did You Know?
Movement classes are the single biggest program cost we have at Fearrington Cares. A donation of $2/class is much appreciated to help pay our instructors.
Invitation and Highlight: Brainiacs Memory Café Wednesdays, 10:00 am
Dr. Bere Miesen, a Dutch psychiatrist, introduced the Memory Café concept in 1997 as a way to break through the stigma associated with various forms of dementia. Our Memory Café is a safe and comfortable space where individuals living with one of a variety of memory disorders can socialize, listen to music, or enjoy other appropriate activities. Activities/discussions are planned by the group, but often focus on topics that are apt to cause one to reminisce about times gone by. That “connection” to the past can be as comforting as it is medically beneficial. Emphasis is often placed on activities where humor can be a central part of the enjoyment. If you or a loved one is living with a memory disorder, come to our group for support and to exchange information, while enjoying the company of those with things in common. Please let us know you are coming by calling the Center at 919-542-6877 to register.
Fearrington Cares would like to be an “information center” for children’s equipment you are willing to share when neighbors’ grandchildren visit Fearrington. Please call and let us know if you have such things as strollers, highchairs, pack and plays, or car seats available to share. Fearrington Cares will maintain a list so that if another resident has visiting family with those needs, we can put them in touch with you.
Get Informed: Women and Heart Health
It’s a long-held belief that heart disease is a “man’s disease.” But that’s just not true.
- Heart disease is the #1 cause of death among women in the US.
- At least 1 in 3 women’s deaths each year are caused by heart disease. (This includes heart diseases and strokes.) Compare that with breast cancer, which is responsible for about 1 in 30 deaths for women each year.
- Heart disease kills more women each year than cancer, lung disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and accidents—combined.
- According to the American Heart Association, about 18% of men over 45 who survive a heart attack die within a year. For women, the figure is significantly higher at 23%.
The key to surviving a heart attack is knowing the signs and then acting quickly. Women often fail to recognize that they’re having a heart attack, and they are less likely than men to seek emergency treatment.
What are the signs of a heart attack? It’s not always like the dramatic scenes from movies where people grab their chest and collapse. Symptoms for women can be different from symptoms for men. While chest pain or discomfort is still a common symptom, women can have other heart attack symptoms, such as:
- Pain or discomfort in other areas of the upper body (including the arms, left shoulder, back, neck, jaw, or stomach),
- Shortness of breath,
- Breaking out in a cold sweat,
- Nausea, vomiting or feeling of heartburn, or
- Severe fatigue.
Know your body and listen to it. If you think you might be having a heart attack, call 911 immediately. Don’t wait for someone to drive you to the hospital. Emergency workers can start treatment right away if you need it. Since women are sometimes misdiagnosed, make sure to tell the doctors at the hospital that you think you’re having a heart attack.
UNC Health Care Requests Magazines
UNC Hospitals is delighted to restart their magazine sharing program. Please help by donating magazines that are less than a year old. These magazines are distributed in waiting rooms and “provide wonderful distraction/reading pleasure for patients” reports a hospital representative. Please black out or cut off your mailing label and drop off your magazines at our Center between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm any weekday.
Medicare open enrollment seems a long time ago but choosing the “best plan” provides benefits throughout the year! Fearrington Cares is fortunate to have two stellar volunteer SHIIP Counselors who have volunteered. In 2021 John Sullivan and Judy Fitzgerald had 99 appointments, many of them with couples, and we thank them for the support and peace of mind they provided by reviewing plans this year. Fearrington Cares volunteers make us shine!
Fearrington residents also make us proud! The spirit of giving is alive and well here. You gave generously to the Fearrington Cares Angel donations drive to benefit Chatham County DSS clients. Jennie Kristiansen, the DSS director, and her staff give you warm thanks! You provided the following:
| • Socks: 484 (of all sizes and colors!) • Underwear: 413 • Pajamas: 123 (from infant to adult sizes) • Slippers: 8 • Gloves: 16 | • Hats: 157 (74 hand knitted or crocheted!) • 5 hand knit or crocheted baby blankets • 4 scarves • 3 winter coats |
The following persons have been added to the Fearrington Village Directory between December 15 and January 14. Want to reach out to your new neighbor? You will find their contact information on our community web page. Go to: FearringtonFHA.org (click Find People under the Directory tab).
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Elizabeth H. (Lori) Bottorf | 332 Whisperwood Close |
| Diane C. & William H. (Bill) Cherry | 4321 Millcreek Circle |
| Bryan Cochran | 4334 Millcreek Circle |
| Jessica & John Grahm | 4121 The Knolls Close |
| Joyce Kinney | 5 Caldwell (1119)* |
| Patricia B. & Steve B. Kutay | 1378 Bradford Place |
| Annilee, Martin F., & William S. Oppenheimer | 287 Stoneview |
| Robert & Tamara Poarch | 1370 Bradford Place |
| Maria A. Prio | 4 Yancey (1024)* |
| Arleen & Drew M., II, Young | D-204 D Wing** |
* Where house numbers and post office box numbers differ, the Fearrington Post number appears in parentheses after the street address.
** Addresses with a “Wing” designation are for Galloway Ridge.
Are you a new resident? To register your information in the Directory, please visit the FHA website at https://fearringtonfha.org. From the top menu choose Directory, then, in the drop-down menu, select New Resident, and then List Me in the Directory. Complete the resulting form with your information.
To obtain full access to website features, you must also create a website account (available only to residents or non-resident owners). Return to the website’s homepage and find the words Login Form in the left column. Click Create an Account and follow the instructions. You can read about the account activation process here.
Are you an existing resident whose contact information has changed? Don’t forget to update your listing on the www.fearringtonfha web site. From the landing page, you can click the Directory item in the main menu and then choose Edit My Directory Info on the drop-down menu. When you update your contact information online, the updates will be included in the Fearrington Village Directory & Handbook printed in January each year. Stay in touch with your fellow residents by keeping your contact information current.
Effective January 25, 2022: In view of the high Covid infection rate and the vulnerabilities of our Village population, and for the protection of our residents and volunteers, the FHA Board decided to close The Gathering Place through the end of February, effective immediately.
Unless otherwise noted, activities listed here have been scheduled for The Gathering Place. We suggest you contact the indicated person as to the status of these events.
| Day/Date/Time | Organization | Event | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday February 8 2:30 pm | Fearrington Garden Club | Barbara Driscoll, president of New Hope Audubon, presentation: “How to Create a Bird-Friendly Yard in Any Space” via Zoom | Anne Morris 919-533-6794 anne.morris.rcc @gmail.com |
| Tuesday February 8 3:00-4:00 pm | Fearrington Genealogy Group | Planning for Roots Tech March Conference via Zoom | Linda Grimm 919-533-6296 |
| Wednesday February 9 10:00 am & 11:30 am | Women of Fearrington | Road Trip: Sonoco Material Recovery Facility | Mif Flaharty 808-234-0008 |
| Thursday February 10 7:00 pm | League of Women Voters of Orange, Durham, and Chatham Counties | Forum: “Everything You Wanted to Know about Voting in Chatham County” via Zoom | Anne Triulzi LWVAnne2021 @gmail.com |
| Saturday February 12 1:00-4:00 pm | Fearrington Dragons | Mah Jongg | Robin Weinberger 919-219-5228 weinrob@msn.com Polly Williams 919-478-4260 pw82550@gmail.com |
| Sunday February 13 3:00 pm | Fearrington Concert Series | Solomon Eichner, pianist | Nina Alperin 919-545-9011 Barbara Hummel-Rossi 516-864-4023 barbara.hummel.rossi @nyu.edu |
| Wednesday February 16 1:30 pm | Women of Fearrington | WoF General Meeting: The Story of Lindale Organic Dairy | Adrienne Lallo 512-619-1365 |
| Tuesday February 22 10:00 am-noon | Women of Fearrington | Small Group Gathering: Book Swap | Carol Wade 203-215-8315 |
| Tuesday February 22 7:00-9:00 pm | Fearrington Democratic Club | Dr. Aimy Steele, Executive Director of the New North Carolina Project, via Zoom | Cheri DeRosia, 919-923-4506 cheri_derosia @hotmail.com |
| Friday February 25 4:00-6:00 pm | Fearrington Yacht Club | Happy Hour Mixer | Commodore Maggie Tunstall 919-542-0031 metunstall@nc.rr.com |
| Meeting Multiple Days in February | |||
| Wednesdays Feb. 2, 9, 16, & 23 2:00 pm | Fearrington Swim & Croquet Club | Wednesday Wickets, at Fearrington Swim & Croquet Club | |
| Wednesdays Feb. 2, 9, & 23 1:00 pm | Fearrington Duplicate Bridge Club | Weekly Duplicate Game | Valorie Zentil vzentil@gmail.com |
| Thursdays Feb. 3, 10, 17, & 24 10:00 am | Fearrington Swim & Croquet Club | Ladies Day, at Fearrington Swim & Croquet Club | |