by Jim Proctor

Merry Christmas!!

It seems odd writing about Christmas before Thanksgiving, but with the deadline for this article here, I certainly don’t want to miss the chance to wish everyone the happiest holidays possible.

Well folks, the Diamond Jubilee celebrations are over. I don’t know about you, but for one, I had lots of fun celebrating our town’s 75^th anniversary. The Batty Ball and the Grand Ball were fabulous. Once again I would like to thank the following committee members for a job well done: Edith Bond, Bill Bush, Jim Hullender, Mary Jaeger-Gale, Janet Morris, Vickie Smith and Lyn Weaver. And of course our Gold Sponsors: The Chalet Club, Chimney Rock Park, Fairfield Resorts, Lake Lure Golf and Beach Resort, Larkin’s on the Lake, Mountain Bank and Mountain Lake Realty. A big thanks also to Stephanie Skipper for a great job decorating the conference center for the Grand Ball.

Our Governor, Mike Easley, wrote a proclamation proclaiming November 9^th, 2002, as the “Diamond Jubilee of Lake Lure and Centennial Celebration of Chimney Rock Day”.

TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT

by H.M. “Chuck” Place III, AICP

The Diamond Jubilee, A Postscript

With the closing notes of the last dance, Lake Lure’s 75th anniversary celebration came to an end at the Diamond Jubilee Ball on November 16^th. Back when the idea of a celebration first came up for discussion before town council, no one really had any idea how it would work or what would be done. Council decided to form a committee (as all good politicians are supposed to do) and appointed Bill Bush and Carolyn Cobb as Co-Chairs. After Carolyn left for points west, Jim Hullender took her place. This committee came up with the concept of a series of events running throughout the anniversary year that ended with the ball. Some events had marginal success financially, but most were very successful and all were a lot of fun! I particularly enjoyed the street dances.

The committee decided that there should be an anniversary project that would outlive the celebration. They decided to landscape the entrance to the town’s largest park and dedicated all surplus funds from all their various fund raising activities towards that end. The result was beautiful and a tribute to the committee, the town and all the folks that bought commemorative bricks for the walk.

Of all the events over the past year, I think my favorite was the Ball. It’s the first time in years that I’ve worn a tux to something besides my daughter’s wedding and Lynn was resplendent in her black, bead encrusted gown. Folks that I’ve only seen in flannel shirts and jeans or shorts were decked out to the nines and the Lake Lure Conference center never looked better. Stephanie did a great job decorating what can only be described as a “challenging” set of rooms. The band (actually, two bands) was super and so was the food. In all, we had a great time. And we were not alone in that opinion! I heard several folks say that this should be an annual event. What do you think? Give Linda a call at Town Hall and let us know if we should have another ball in the fall.

Funding for Utilities Expansion

Rutherford County has formally adopted a Water Extension Ordinance. This ordinance puts in place a mechanism that will allow providers of public water and sewer systems in the county (including Lake Lure) to receive grants and loans directly from Rutherford County for the expansion of those systems. The intent is to encourage providers to eventually be able to connect everyone in the county to central water and sewer. While this is a lofty and probably unattainable goal, this program will certainly be a step in that direction. The program will initially be funded by a low interest loan from the state that will be backed up by proceeds from 1/10 of one cent of the sales tax and the fund will be perpetuated through a share of access (hook-up) fees and/or billing fees over a 20 year period.

As a provider, we will be eligible for funding to expand our systems and will review our CIP for potential projects. This is an excellent program that was developed by a broad based county-wide committee of providers and staffed by David Odom of Odom & Associates. The county is to be commended for their foresight.

Dredging

Council has given the go-ahead for dredging of the river again this winter. It will take place between December and the end of March. Once again, this will be done at no cost to the town - we will trade the sand in the river for the dredging work.

In March, we expect to spend several weeks cleaning out Tryon Bay Cove. The work will be done by Lake Norman Dredging, the same company that did such a good job in the harbor near the town marina two years ago.

Belated Congratulations

I missed a very important date last month. October 4th was Director of Utilities William Grimes’ 20^th anniversary with the town. He has longer service with Lake Lure than any other full time employee ( part time employee, DeVault Edgerton has been with the town for 31 years) and should be congratulated for his service and loyalty. Pat him on the back and say “thanks for hanging in there” the next time you see him.

Season’s Greetings

It is the season to celebrate two of the most sacred times in the Judaic and Christian calendars - Hanukkah and Christmas. From all of us here at Town Hall to all of you, our wish for a wonderful and blessed holiday season!

TOWN COUNCIL ACTIVITIES

by Town Clerk Mary Flack, MMC, CTC

REGULAR MEETING: The regular town council meeting was held on Tuesday, November 12, 2002, 7:00 p.m., at the Lake Lure Municipal Center.

Under the “consent agenda,” Council:

* approved the minutes of October 8, 2002 (regular meeting)

In other activities, Town Council:

* heard a presentation from Kim Cole and Mary Johnson on Rutherford Life Care Services;

* adopted Resolution No. 02-11-12 fixing the date of the public hearing regarding a request from Ed Younger for an area contiguous to the Town of Lake Lure be annexed voluntarily pursuant to G.S. 160A-31 and Resolution No. 02-11-12A calling for a public hearing for initial zoning for Ed Younger’s property to be zoned R-3 (Resort Residential District);

* approved lease agreement between the Town of Lake Lure and J. M. Properties regarding sign on town property;

* approved budget amendments regarding Wastewater Treatment Plant improvements (EPA/STAG funding); increasing revenue account to $305,000 ; increasing expenditure account to $320,200;

* approved request from Mary Ann Hollifield for the Crafty Tarheels to (1) hold craft shows on July 4-6, 2003, August 30-31, 2003, September 1, 2003, and October 11-12, 2003; (2) suspended the town peddling ordinance to allow vendors to sell crafts and food; (3) use of the town community center kitchen area and the grassy area adjacent to the town community center/visitor center and between the town marina; and (4) suspend the town ordinance prohibiting overnight camping for these events to allow two self-contained campers to stay on town property located on the grassy area adjacent to the town community center/visitor center;

* tabled the adoption of fee rates for boat permits to be issued January 2003 for further review at the next Town Council meeting to be held on December 10, 2002; authorized the town manager to order boat permit stickers;

* approved delayed harvest (catch and release) of all fish to be caught in Lake Lure during the period of December 1, 2002 through March 1, 2003;

* reviewed recommendations from the Lake Advisory Committee;

* authorized the town manager to draft a lease agreement between the Town of Lake Lure and Alvin Coggins regarding use of the golf course club house for golf club repairs, and golf lessons;

* scheduled a joint workshop meeting with Lake Lure Town Council and the Chimney Rock Village Council on December 3, 2002, 2:00 p.m., in the Town Council meeting room of the Lake Lure Municipal Center regarding a joint utilities system;

* authorized the town manager to negotiate a contract with Lake Norman Dredging to dredge Tryon Bay Cove in 2003; and

* authorized the town manager to negotiate a contract with Deck Sand Company to dredge the river this winter.

TOWN EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH

by Betty Hinson, Personnel Director

Vicki Coggins, employee of the month, has been with the Town of Lake Lure since March of this year. Vicki works as a Police Office Assistant for our Police Department.

Vicki was previously employed with Egolf Motors of Hendersonville and presently provides administrative support for Classic Custom Golf which is owned by Vicki and her husband.

Vicki is a graduate of East Henderson High School and Blue Ridge Community College. She and her husband reside on Bills Creek Road and have two married children.

We are grateful for the good work that Vicki does for our Police Department and extend a special thank you.

COMMUNITY POLICING NEWS

by Chief Mike Bustle

“Booze It & Lose It” Campaign

Law enforcement officers across North Carolina are scheduled to initiate the annual “Booze It & Lose It” campaign against drunken drivers on November 22 through 30, 2002. Sobriety checkpoints are continually set up in all North Carolina counties as part of the state’s highly effective anti-drunk driving campaign. A 1994 study showed the campaign “cut in half” the number of intoxicated drivers found at late-night checkpoints. It is also taking a “bite out of crime” with other offenses such as drug violations, stolen vehicles, and fugitives from justice found at checkpoints and roving patrols. Please remember that if you drink, let someone else drive!

Project HomeSafe

The Lake Lure Police Department has joined Project HomeSafe, the nationwide firearms safety program, to promote firearm safety and distribute 300 free gun locks throughout the Hickory Nut Gorge region. Area residents will be able to pick up a free firearm safety kit with gun lock at the Lake Lure Police Department.

Project HomeSafe was developed by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) and is funded by the firearms industry and a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice. The program, which distributed over 3,000,000 firearm safety kits nationally through 2002, has been endorsed by the National Conference of Lt. Governors and is widely supported by law enforcement.

The program promotes firearm safety in the home and strives to ensure that a loaded firearm will not be left carelessly about the house where a child can access it. Chief Mike Bustle of the Lake Lure Police Department encourages all Lake Lure area residents to pick up a free firearm safety brochure and gun lock at the police department.

The free firearm safety kits offered by Project HomeSafe include a cable-style gun lock and a firearm safety brochure. The cable-style gun lock fits many different types of firearms and requires that a firearm be unloaded before being installed - an added safety benefit of the Project HomeSafe lock. The U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has approved the Project HomeSafe lock for distribution.

Please utilize this valuable security measure, especially in homes that have children about. Kits may be picked up weekdays, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., or from one of your local community police officers.

FIRE AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT NEWS

by Ron Morgan, Lake Lure Fire Coordinator

Winter Weather

Winter is approaching fast and as I write this we have already seen snow flurries in some parts of Town and there’s a chance of snow in the forecast. For those of you who know me well you know I like snow, not Blizzards, but a good snow. Unfortunately, due to the limited amount of snow we experience a good snow brings inevitable problems.

A good wet snow will bring down the weaker trees that are already intertwined with power lines causing several concerns. First, this closes roads, sometimes for quite a while, depending on how many trees come down at once and how many have power lines in them. Most of you probably know that our firefighters, public works and NCDOT get out and cut trees out of roadways regularly, however, if power lines are tangled with the tree we must wait for the power company to ensure the power is off before cutting the tree. This wait can be from one hour to several hours depending on conditions.

The main issue with power outage is that many people are not prepared to be without power for an extended period of time, hours to days. These conditions heavily tax our volunteer firefighters as we open and run shelters, transport people to shelters, check on elderly, and carry supplies to people who were unprepared. This is in addition to responding to motor vehicle accidents, increased medical emergencies, and unfortunately to fires.

NC Emergency Management strongly encourages people to be prepared to be in your home for 72 hours without power. This is really quite simple but requires some planning. First, you must have a backup source of heat such as gas logs, a wood stove or other approved indoor heat that does not require electricity to operate. Caution, only use heating devices designed for indoor heating, portable kerosene heaters are not designed to be used in unventilated areas. People suffer from carbon monoxide poisoning every year from using these kerosene heaters indoors. Next, you need sufficient food and water stored for each member of your family for 72 hours, remember you’ll need a manual can opener for those ready to eat can foods. Water should not be stored in empty milk jugs because bacteria can still be in the jug even after washing, you’ll need at least a gallon of water per day per person. Another tip is to fill your tub with water when they’re calling for a winter storm and you can use this water to flush the commode, etc. Other important items are a supply of your medications, flashlights, batteries, battery-operated radio, first aid kit, blankets, and baby supplies, if you have a baby in the house. A cell phone can be helpful, make sure your batteries are charged, and you have any other items you feel you’ll need. If you do need help don’t hesitate to call 911 and remember it will take us longer than normal to get there so don’t wait if you know you’re going to need help call us while you have some time. If you need to go to a shelter bring you’re supplies with you, especially your medications, it’ll make things go better for everyone.

Our normal shelters are located at the Chimney Rock FD, Bills Creek FD, and Lakeview Restaurant. We open these shelters as needed so if you need a shelter or help in an emergency call 911 and they’ll get you in touch with us. In severe weather all the Fire Stations are normally manned around the clock unless we’re on a call.

Driving in snow and ice is always dangerous and our roads don’t help any, our best advice is don’t get out unless you have to. Most of you would be surprised at how many people get out joy riding in the snow and end up needing help. This is a great time to spend time with the family at home.

If you have questions or would like a brochure on preparing for severe weather call our office at 828-625-9333.

Donations for New Fireboat

Hopefully, everyone is aware of our new fire insurance rating. This entitles everyone within 1,000 ft. of a fire hydrant or, thanks to our homemade fireboat, within 1,000 ft. of the lakeshore a reduced insurance rating of class 6 saving you about 25 –30% in property insurance rates. This has brought to the forefront our need to purchase a new commercially built fireboat. We have been requesting donations toward such a boat and the Lake Lure Lakefront Property Owner’s Association has started this fundraiser off great. They recently delivered checks to us totaling over $5300.00 from their members. They challenged their members to donate their first year’s savings in insurance premiums toward this new boat, and many met this challenge. Just for the record the new boat that is essentially a fire engine on water costs approximately $130,000 compared to the cost of a new fire truck at around $200,000. This boat would greatly improve our capabilities. One of our biggest concerns is safety, we regularly have to go out on the lake in severe thunderstorms and high winds to answer calls when we would tell everyone else to not even consider this, and we have had some close calls. This new boat would literally be seaworthy and increase the safety to our responders about 100 fold. Any donations would be greatly appreciated and can be made out to the Lake Lure Fireboat Fund and can be sent to the Lake Lure Fire Coordinator’s Office at PO Box 255 Lake Lure, NC 28746, or dropped off at Town Hall, donations are tax deductible.

The Fire Boat is operated jointly by all three of our volunteer fire departments, (Bills Creek, Chimney Rock, and Fairfield Mountains Fire Departments).

New Firefighting and Rescue Vehicle

The Bill’s Creek Fire Department has recently purchased a new Yamaha 4x4 All Terrain Vehicle (ATV). This has been a long time coming as the fire departments have used individual members ATV’s on numerous calls. The new ATV will be used for searches, wildland fires, carrying equipment in for wilderness rescues and in conjunction with a specialized trailer actually hauling injured victims out of wilderness areas. This vehicle will save much needed time in rescues and accessing remote wildfires. The ATV will not only be used in Bills Creek but be available for use in Lake Lure, Chimney Rock, and other areas when requested.

Bills Creek Fire Department used a combination of grant funds, special donations and a fundraiser to purchase the new ATV.

GOLF COURSE NEWS

by Charlie Greeson, Pro Shop Clerk

The leaves have fallen and so have the prices at the golf course. As you might imagine, winter rates were a hit last year. I’m not sure if that was the first time they had been instituted, but we’re going to do it again. With that said, here are the new rates for December 1, 2002 through February 28, 2003.

Weekdays Cart Greens Total

Mon-Thurs.

9 Holes $6.50 $7.00 $13.50

18Holes $7.50 $8.00 $15.50

Extra 9Member $3.75 $ 3.75

Extra 9Non-Member $6.50 $ 6.50

Seniors 55+

Mon.-Thurs.

9Holes $6.50 $6.00 $12.50

18Holes $6.50 $7.00 $13.50

All Day $8.50 $8.00 $16.50

Extra 9Member $3.25 $ 3.25

Extra 9Non-Member $6.50 $ 6.50

Weekends/Holidays

Fri.,Sat.,Sun.

9 Holes $7.50 $8.00 $15.50

18Holes $10.65 $10.00 $20.65

Extra 9Member $5.33 $ 5.33

Extra 9Non-Member $7.50 $ 7.50

Practice range available - irons only- balls $3.00 per bucket. All players must have their own set of clubs. Rental clubs are $5.00 plus tax per nine holes.

Membships Single Fam of 2 Addit

Annual $200.00 $300.00 $50.00

Semi-Annual $150.00 $200.00 $40.00

Current hours: Pro Shop open 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Last time for 9 holes with a cart is 3:30 p.m. Carts must be in no later than 5:30 p.m.

Prices, terms and conditions subject to change without notice.

For the time being, Captain’s Choice is still being held since we have enough players to justify the tournament. We play on Saturday’s at 2:30 p.m. Price is $12.50 per person, member or not. Y’all come on out and join in the fun.

HEALTH AND FLU CLINIC

by Martha Ledford

The Lake Lure Lions Health and Flu Clinic held on October 26^th had a record attendance. Services were provided by NC Dept. of Services for the Blind, Rutherford Internal Medicine Associates, OBGYN of Rutherford, Pardee Hospital Educational Services, Rutherford Living Care, and Hospice. Billy Moten, NC Dept. of Services for the Blind stated “if during a clinic only one referral is made, the clinic is worthwhile as early detection of glaucoma is so important to the prevention of blindness”. It is interesting to note that a referral from last years clinic reported that because of early detection her glaucoma is under control with only the use of eye drops.

A cancer research associate from Pardee provided counseling on prostate and breast cancer. A doctor from Rutherford Internal Medicine provided melanoma screening and OBGYN Associates from Rutherford provided bone density screening.

Attendance was 142, glaucoma screening - 90 (4 referrals), bone density - 58, blood sugars - 76, flu shots - 104, cholesterol - 26, melanoma screening - 12, numerous blood pressures, eye wills - 10.

Chuck Place, Lake Lure Town Manager, has been especially co-operative permitting use of The Town Hall Conference room, ideal space for the clinic. The Lions wish to express their appreciation to him, the Town of Lake Lure and to his staff.

CHRISTMAS WALK

by Shirley Massman

The Fairfield Mountains Chapel Women of the Church will be sponsoring their annual Christmas Walk on Monday, December 9th between 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. This year will feature The Lodge On Lake Lure, 361 Charlotte Drive and the following homes: Barbara and Bill Ashman - 2385 Buffalo Shoals Road, Mary Oddo and Peter Savoie - 190 Dalton Court, Mary Ellen and Jack Oliver - 106 Eagles Crestway.

Maps and/or directions will be available at any of the above locations or at Lakeview Restaurant. The Christmas Walk donation is $5.00. You may be stamped at any of the locations.

Lunch will be served in the Lakeview Restaurant at 12:00 p.m. – We invite everyone to join us. Please make your reservations by putting your name on the sign up sheet in the Chapel Fellowship Hall or by contacting Joselyn Watkins 828-625- 2122 no later than Thursday, December 5^th. The cost of the luncheon will be $11.00.

For more information about the Christmas Walk, contact Shirley Massman 828-625- 8132 or

Barbara Young 828-625-1200.

EVERYONE IS WELCOME – Please join us and bring your friends.

HICKORY NUT KIWANIS CLUB

by Linda Hayes

Guess Who’s Coming To Town?

The Hickory Nut Gorge Kiwanis Club announces “Breakfast with Santa.” Come one, come all to Santa’s breakfast on Saturday, December 7^th from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in Lake Lure. The sumptuous seasonal breakfast buffet begins at 9:00 a.m. at the Lake Lure Inn located across from The Beach on Hwy. 74A.

The costs are $8.50 for adults and $4.50 for children 12 and under. Santa arrives at 9:45 a.m. to hear all the Christmas wishes and to find who’s been naughty and who’s been nice.

A photographer will also be on hand to photo you and/or “your darling” with Santa. Photos are $5.00 per photo.

Annual Children’s Christmas Party

Later that same day, December 7^th, Santa will be at the Annual Hickory Nut Gorge Kiwanis Children’s Christmas Party. Admission is free and Santa will be at the Lake Lure Town Hall meeting room from 2:00 p.m.- 4:00p.m. There will be refreshments, games to play and gifts for all!

All proceeds along with collections from Kiwanis members and the community at large are used to support community service efforts in the Hickory Nut Gorge (HNG) area which encompasses areas of Rutherford, Henderson, and Buncombe counties.

The HNG Kiwanis, a community service organization, encompasses Chimney Rock, Lake Lure, Bat Cave, Gerton, Broad River, and Bills Creek. The HNG Kiwanis meets the 1^st and 3^rd Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. at the Lake Lure Inn. Proceeds from all projects and fundraisers go to Volunteer Fire, Youth Services and Sports, Hospice, Elderly Services, Helping Neighbors and others.

If you are interested in attending a meeting, please contact our President, Paula Jordan at 828-691-5008...we’d love to have you.

NEWS AROUND LAKE LURE

Lake Lure Newcomers invite those who are new residents in Lake Lure (24 months or less) to join them in various activities which include: potluck, gourmet, out’n about, theater, bridge/poker, book club, and hiking. Anyone interested in becoming a member, call Hugh or Nancy Pinney at 828-625-0867.

Lake Lure Beach and Water Works is closed for the season and will reopen the second weekend in May.

United Way Volunteer, Mary Ann Ransom, would like to thank the community of Lake Lure and HNG for helping United Way of Rutherford County to meet it’s goal for the year 2002. Many of you were most generous with your contributions and with your time.

The Garden Club would like to let everyone know that the December meeting has been cancelled and would like to thank everyone for a great November meeting. A special thanks to Barbara Bagwell for a successful event. Keep your eyes out for more garden info.

NOTICE

For comments about the operations of the Lake Lure Tours, call 828-625-0077.

The deadline for newsletter articles to be received at Town Hall for the January issue is December 18, 2002.

Send mail to Webmaster@ci.lake-lure.nc.us with questions or comments about this web site.

The Official Government Site of the Town of Lake Lure.

This Site is dedicated to the memory of former Mayor Jack Powell.

This web site is prepared and maintained by the Town of Lake Lure webmaster. The information contained in this site was believed to be valid at the time of posting. The Town of Lake Lure assumes no liability for damages incurred directly or indirectly as a result of errors, omissions or discrepancies. Moreover, the Town of Lake Lure is not responsible for the content nor endorses any site which has a link from this page.