Quarterly Community Newsletter
April 2026
Spring is in the air as many trees are budding or bursting. The oaks, maples and elm should begin leafing next week. Pollen and allergies are heavy duty right now and will be until the pine trees burst around Memorial Day. The hummingbirds have arrived and the chipmunks have emerged from their den. February was a very cold month with each week bringing an ice storm, a snow storm and multiple consecutive days below freezing. March saw a few days in the freeze area and many flowering plants like daffodils and forsythia blooms were very short lived.
Our fourth installment of our special assessment was due along with the regular assessment March 1st. If you have not sent in your payment, please do so. Interest charges will be added soon, and a couple of liens need to be filed. We have one more year for the special assessment, 2027. Proceeds will be used for the new well that will be installed in 2027.
Dam News: Congratulation to John Pappas for his diligence and efforts in getting the repairs done on the dam. I am happy to report we have received a letter from the State of NC stating our repairs have been completed per their requirements. Please take a moment to thank John for this endeavor. He has worked on this project for more than 12 years and saw it through to completion. GREAT JOB JOHN!!!
Speaking of the dam.. if you rent your home out or have visitors, please advise them the dam is not a recreation area, either by walking down the access road or by boat. There is NO FISHING allowed on the dam. Please direct your renters to the community park for fishing. We have a beautiful dock that was finished last year for their use. The lake was stocked with hundreds of fish that should be growing nicely by now. Enjoy fishing throughout the summer.
There has been a significant shortage of rain for the last 9 months. We are in a deficit of over 11 inches. There currently is a state wide ban on open fires and this includes fire pits. The only burning allowed is by use of propane tanks because they do not release embers. This is being strictly enforced. If you rent your home, please make sure your renters are aware of the ban. You can reach the Fire Marshall for Transylvania County at 828 884 3168 or 828 884 3108 for more updates or information.
New members needed for the Board. At least one member will be leaving the Board this fall. This member is a heavy hitter, meaning he handled major projects, like the dam. We need members to step up and take on community roles and responsibilities. Currently, we need a Chair for lakes and dams committee. John Pappas did the heavy work and will stay on the committee to help guide the new Chair. You do not have to be a full-time resident. Since the dam work has been completed, we do not anticipate a huge time commitment. We will also possibly be needing a new Treasurer. This job has a time commitment requirement. You do not need to be a full-time resident for either of these positions, but we need members. The Treasurer does need to be on the Board but can work with a bookkeeper, who will report to the Treasurer. Many members of our community have spent years on the Board, it is now time for new members to step in. Without the cooperation of our members, we will have to start hiring out management of our community. This is not cheap and changes the personal involvement that makes our community a special place. These new positions will need to be filled starting in September. Use the summer months to get familiar with the roles and join the physical work our community needs. If you would like to have more information about these roles, please call me at 941-350-7390 and I will put you in touch with the person who can best advise you. Beautification will also be looking for volunteers to work in our community doing various task and projects. Wanda Misinco will be sending out an email with details. Come be an active participant in our community.
If you need or want work done on your property such as landscaping or tree removal here are a few vendors that have worked very well with members of our community. Always get a couple of quotes as they can vary significantly and remember to ask for insurance coverage.
Boyd McNeely 828-553-1135
Roberto Martinez 828-230-7939 also does concrete work. Best to text him
Villafranca tree service, flooring and painting; (Henry) 828-384-4845
Food for thought: while visiting my daughter in Port Charlotte Florida in March, I had to opportunity to watch gopher turtles. My daughter has three that come to her yard. She waters them (they absorb water through their shells) and hand feeds them watermelon. Imagine my surprise when I witnessed a turtle approach a dried-out pile of dog poop and chuck down a piece. I would not have believed it if I did not see it myself. It turns out that dried out dog poop is like candy to a gopher turtle. They love the protein and the grains. It took it 3 days to consume a pile from a pit bull. Now you know…