THE LAKE LURE TRIBUTE

TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT

I’m sure most of you are aware that public employees are required to take a course in scheduling construction projects. The goal is to make them as inconvenient as possible - like putting utility lines in newly paved roads, or having them begin at the height of the tourist season and continue until the season is over.

In the spirit of that dictum, we have begun the FEMA dredging project, just as the weather turned nice and the tourists and summer residents started arriving. Snide comments aside, we had hoped we would have been able to do the dredging over the winter, but the requirements of survey work and the bidding process made that impossible. Alternately, we would have liked to delay the project until next winter, but we are paying for this work with a FEMA grant and those funds must be used by September 18. As a consequence, the head of the lake will be a construction site from now until the end of September.

We will do our best to maintain a channel along the south side of the lake to the harbor area, so that boats can continue to access the marina and beach. There will, however, be a "no wake" zone throughout the entire area to be dredged in the interest of safety. No wake buoys will be added to define the area and there will be signs and new channel markers put in

place to help guide boaters. It will be critical that boaters pay attention to the markers, both for their safety, as well as that of the dredge workers.

To make things even more inconvenient, we are using the impoundment areas on both sides of the river, including the Morse Park side. The material to be removed from the lake will be drained in those areas and then stockpiled for removal. There is a new temporary fence along the river to keep people and pets out of the construction site in the park, again for their safety. Walkers may continue to use the pathway around the park, just stay between the fence and the river. Large trucks are being used to haul the material away and they will be using the highway through Chimney Rock through the summer, another inconvenience.

As if this isn’t enough, our Town Center pedestrian walkway has been delayed and will begin construction soon. (Hopefully, this will cause only minor delays on Memorial Highway as the construction will take place along the side of the road.) And I have been told that the NCDOT will totally repave portions of US 74 in Bat Cave up to Gerton and US 64 through the Reedy Patch Gorge up towards Hendersonville, all starting soon.

Sounds like we all learned our scheduling lessons well!

The "Grand Old Dame" of Lake Lure

After several months of feverish activity, the Lake Lure Inn reopened this past month. My wife and

I had dinner there the first night, as did the mayor and several other notables from around town and there was a gala wedding reception the following day to start the staff off. I have had the opportunity to tour the building and I am quite impressed with the effort to restore, rehabilitate and remodel the "grand old dame" of Lake Lure. There is a new covered handicapped accessible front entry, a new covered dining terrace overlooking the pool and lake, a remodeled bar, stained glass in the stairways and new paint and furnishings throughout. Take a moment to stop by to check it out; in particular, go up to the landing between the second and third floors to see the new (old) gothic stained glass window. George and Hope Wittmer have done great credit to both the history and the future of Lake Lure.

TOWN COUNCIL ACTIVITIES

REGULAR MEETING: The regular town council meeting was held on Tuesday, April 12, 2005, 7:00 p.m., in the meeting room of the Lake Lure Municipal Center.

Under the "consent agenda," Council:

* approved the minutes of March 8, 2005 (regular meeting), and March 16, 2005 (special joint meeting);

* approved a fabric structure permit for Lake Lure Golf and Beach Resort;

* approved a request from Ken Jordan on behalf of the Hickory Nut Gorge Chamber of Commerce to hold a fireworks display on town property (Morse Park) Monday, July 4, 2005, contingent upon the Chamber being responsible for cleaning up debris after this event;

* approved a request from the Hickory Nut Gorge Kiwanis Club to: (1) suspend the town’s peddling ordinance for "Memorial Days Festival" being held on May 28-30, 2005 and the "Autumn Festival" held October 15-16, 2005; (2) close a portion of town street temporarily during these events (contingent upon vendors not leaving their vehicles and trailers parked in the closed portion of the street); and (3) use of town property surrounding the

Lake Lure Arcade Building including property along Pool Creek for selling crafts and food, fund raising, and music during these events; and

* approved a request from Pastor Larry Sanders on behalf of the Chimney Rock Baptist Church to hold worship services at the Lakeside Chapel located on town property and permitting access to the right of the town’s former boat landing in order to conduct lakeside services held on Sundays starting May 1, 2005 through October 9, 2005, from 9:00 a.m. until 9:30 a.m.

* held a public hearing and adopted Ordinance No. 05-04-12 amending the Town of Lake Lure Zoning Regulations, Title IX, Chapter 92, relating to non-conforming lots of record, non-conforming uses of land, non-conforming structures, non-conforming uses of major structures, and non-conforming characteristics of use;

* held a public hearing and adopted Ordinance No. 05-04-12B amending the Town of Lake Lure zoning map as requested by Rezoning Petition RZ-05-01 to rezone 4 lots from R-1A to R-1 and 18 lots from R-1A to R-1C;

* approved a portion of the request from Mary Ann Hollifield for the Crafty Tarheels as amended to: (1) hold craft shows on July 2-4, 2005, September 17-18, 2005, and October 8-9, 2005; (2) suspend 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 one self-contained camper to stay on town property located on the grassy area adjacent to the town community center/visitor center;

* authorized the town manager to write a letter granting permission to David Matheny for use of town owned accreted land for a lake structure;

* approved a request from Frank Campbell on behalf of the Hickory Nut Gorge Chamber of Commerce to suspend the town’s alcohol ordinance in order to serve champagne during a grand re-opening of the redecorated Lake Lure Visitor’s Center on Monday, May 23, 2005, starting at 5:30

p.m. and lasting approximately 2 to 2 ½ hours contingent upon the Chamber cleaning up or paying for someone to cleanup after this event;

* approved a request from Ken Roth on behalf of Main Street Festivals to: (1) hold a Lake Lure Festival of Arts on September 1-5, 2005 (setup will begin on September 1st); (2) suspend the town peddling ordinance to allow vendors to sell crafts and food; (3) grant permission to put up tents adjacent to town property along the pathway to the lake and throughout Memorial Point to the town’s gazebo in order to display art for this festival (contingent upon additional fees being paid for the extended use of town property); and (4) have offsite parking locations for festival attendees to be coordinated with the town manager; (5) coordinate with the Police Chief to hire Lake Lure police officers (paid by Ken Roth) to provide security checks and traffic control during this festival; town council requested that local artists be included in this festival; town council also stipulated that this festival not be advertised as a town sponsored event;

* reviewed a request from Genevieve Helms on behalf of Lake Lure Adventure Company to moor five boats adjacent to their Lake Structure;

* awarded a bid for the 2005 FEMA Dredging Project to Lake Norman Dredging and Marine Construction of Moorsville, North Carolina in the amount of $500,000.00 (lowest bidder) and authorized the town manager to negotiate a contract;

* appointed Town Manager H. M. Place III to serve as the town’s representative on the Isothermal Rural Planning Organization’s Technical Coordinating Committee;

* appointed Mayor Jim Proctor to serve as the town’s representative on the Isothermal Rural Planning Organization’s Transportation Advisory Committee and appointed Mayor Pro tem Dick McCallum to serve as the town’s alternate

representative during the mayor’s absence from the TAC meetings;

* authorized the advertisement of an offer of $1,500.00 received from Bill and Nancy McNary for upset bids to purchase certain town owned property (.74 acre tract; tax map 502–1-1 and recorded in Deed Book 497, Page 305, Rutherford County Registry) adjacent to Sunset Cove Road and declared this property to be surplus to the needs of the town;

* authorized the advertisement of an offer of $29,500.00 received from Rudy and Susan Esposito for upset bids to purchase certain town owned property (.3 acre parcel adjacent to Memorial Highway US64/74A; tax map 516–1-12) and declared this property to be surplus to the needs of the town contingent upon an appraisal and survey being provided prior to advertisement;

* approved a request from Dick and Joy Knight to rename their street from Isaac Walton Court to Knight Hollow Lane;

* scheduled a special workshop meeting on Wednesday, April 27, 2005, following the Lake Lure Marine Commission meeting, after 1:00 p.m. in the council meeting room of the Lake Lure Municipal Center to review a draft Capital Improvements Program with town staff members. (Note: this special meeting was rescheduled to Thursday, April 28, 2005, 10:30 a.m.); and

* approved a request from Beverly Bradigan and Lin Reed on behalf of the hospitalized veteran patients at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center at Asheville, North Carolina to suspend the town’s regulations prohibiting fishing from the dock behind town hall for a disabled veteran’s fishing tournament being held on Saturday, April 16, 2005.

REGULAR MEETING: A regular meeting of the Lake Lure Marine Commission was held on Tuesday, April 12, 2005, 1:00 p.m. in the council meeting room of the Lake Lure Municipal Center.

* held a public hearing and adopted Resolution No. 05-04-12 amending the Lake Use Regulations, Section 1.59 pertaining to rights implied by commercial licensing;

* approved a commercial application for David and Carol Bone and a commercial application for Andrew Johnson as recommended by the Lake Advisory Committee contingent upon the applicants meeting the criteria required before obtaining a boat permit; and

* scheduled a special meeting on Wednesday, April 27, 2005, 1:00 p.m. in the council meeting room of the Lake Lure Municipal Center in order to consider amendments to the Lake Use Regulations relating to fishing, insurance, length of boats, limits on numbers of commercial non-motorized boats, commercial operations, and extending the period to apply for 2005 commercial licenses to November, 2005. (Note: this special meeting was rescheduled to Thursday, April 28, 2005 at 9:30 a.m.); and

* held a discussion regarding lake issues.

GOLF COURSE NEWS

The Pro Shop is now open until 6:00 pm, carts can stay out until 8:00 pm. Since we allow 2 hours per 9 holes, this means that you can start 18 holes until 4:00 pm and 9 holes until 6:00 pm.

Also remember that Friday nights Captain;s Choice has began for the season. Play begins at 5:30 each Friday night. Teams are paired up each week before the start of play.

UPPER BROAD RIVER WATERSHED

Hello once again gentle readers of The Lake Lure Tribute. As I am writing this newsletter article, Spring has definitely sprung and I am asking myself why in the world am I not out tromping in the woods photographing wildflowers, looking for snakes, or on some other wild foray. Well, the answer to that question is quite simple. As Chief Bustle frequently reminds me, "Erosion is happenin’!" Therefore, as part of my commitment to improving water quality in the Upper Broad River Watershed, I am either in my office working on educational materials or out in the field locating existing erosion problems and working with landowners to try to reduce the impact.

During last year’s hurricanes, there were several landslides that occurred in and around our area. The most famous was probably the Peek’s Creek landslide that was responsible for the deaths of several people over near Franklin, NC. Landslides are naturally occurring events that have helped to shape the landscape of many of our mountain areas. If you look around Hickory Nut Gorge below the exposed rock, everything you see where trees are growing is essentially old landslide material. In other words, at one time much of that material was further up on the slope than it is now, and in many cases, the material is still moving. Landslides occur as a result of shallow soils overlaying bedrock on steep slopes. When water gets between the soil and the rock, the soil begins to move. The steepness and length of the slope, thickness of the soil, and amount of water will often determine the severity and extent of a landslide.

Landslides typically go unnoticed until they affect our everyday lives in someway such as when a road blows out or a part of our property slides away. Very often such noticeable landslides are the result of man and Mother Nature not being on the same page. Humans try to make nature work to our advantage rather than trying to work in conjunction with nature for a mutual benefit. This often results in poorly planned development. In the case of many slides, no attention is paid to the slope of the land or to the soil depth in relation to the underlying rock. Therefore, someone goes in and decides to develop the land. They put in roads, houses, water lines, utilities, and septic adding to the weight of the soil over the rock. Roads and roofs create impervious surface, creating more runoff which has to be absorbed somewhere. Very often it is simply more than the soil can handle on such a steep slope, so the ground begins to move and you get a landslide.

Landslides are most often unexpected, but when they occur, they can be deadly and incredibly expensive. They can severely damage property as well as take lives. In many cases it can cost upwards of $50,000 to properly repair a landslide. This does not include the costs of repairs to houses, roads and other structures which can get on up into the hundreds of thousands, depending on how much damage was done.

The UBRWPP is planning a watershed workshop for Thursday, May 19^th at 6:00 p.m. Our main topic of discussion will be landslides. Our featured speaker will be a geologist from the NC Geological Survey who will speak on the dynamics of landslides and how they occur. Some attention will also be placed on the role of development in landslide prone areas. We are also trying to line up some other speakers as well who might be able to educate us on flood damage and the costs of repairing landslides and flood damaged areas. This is a very important topic so please make plans to attend. Tell all your friends about it and write the date on your calendar. We would also like to get some of our contractors, developers, and realtors to attend, because this is important information that everyone who works with real estate and/or construction should know. Refreshments will be provided.

If you would like more information, please contact me by phone or e-mail. The date will also be posted on the UBRWPP website at www.upperbroadriver.org. If you have an erosion problem or if you know somebody else that does, please call me anytime at (828)625-9983 Ext. 123 or e-mail me at clintcalhoun@blueridge.net for details.

LAKE LURE YOUTH CENTER’S HAPPENINGS

"We think the youth center is a great place to be and we get to play and have fun, and gives our parents a chance to relax."

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 Rod or Yvonne Anderson at 828-625-0464.

Lake Lure Lakefront Owners Association (LLLOA).If you are interested in Lake issues and concerns and own lakefront property on the shores of beautiful Lake Lure, the LLLOA invites you to become a regular member. Associate memberships are also encouraged for those who are interested in our Lake. Each year members receive a directory of members, informative Muse Letters, and a first class mailed subscription to the Town of Lake Lure monthly newsletter, The Lake Lure Tribute. Members meet at the Town Community Center socially at least annually to meet neighbors and discuss issues. Annual dues are currently a modest $17.00. You may pick up an application for membership at the Municipal Center or call Bob Keith, Pres. at 828-625-2874 or Sue Forsyth , Treas. at 828-625-0885 for an application or any questions you may have.

The 19^th Annual Open Golf Tournament hosted by the Lake Lure Lions Club will be held on Friday, May 6, 2005. This event will be held at the Apple Valley Golf Club, Fairfield Mountains at Lake Lure, NC. Players can form their own foursome or request the Tournament officials to do so.

The entry fee is $50 per player and includes all fees, lunch, team prizes and electric cart for 18 holes, coffee and doughnuts prior to the 8:30 am shotgun start, hot dogs and liquid refreshments during and after play. A raffle and prizes will be awarded after play is completed.

All players must have a verified USGA handicap index by a recognized golf association or a written verification from home course professional.

The format will be an 8:30 am shotgun start and scoring will be on the basis of 2 net best balls per hole. There will be men’s and women’s divisions. Men will start from the yellow tees.

Net proceeds go to helping the blind, deaf or otherwise handicapped people in this area.

There will only be openings for 120 players so sign up quick. Call for an entry form or additional information @ 828-625-1878, 828-625-2888 or 828-625-3042.

The Friends of the Library will have their semi-annual meeting on Sunday, May 15 at 3:00 pm at the Mountains Branch Library. We are honored to have as our guest speaker, Robert Crummie, local doctor and author of "Dr. Bob’s Grocery Store Medicine". To quote Dr. Crummie, his book will make you "laugh, cry, feel angry, become happy, enjoy reading and learn about saving money, becoming healthy and living longer." The public is invited and refreshments will be served.

2005 Blessing of the Fleet will be held on May 29^th at 4:00 pm. at the Town’s Gazebo on Memorial Point.

Father Mickey Mugan, rector at the Transfiguration Episcopal Church in Bat Cave will ceremonially bless the Lake Lure Fleet of Ships as they circle into the harbor led by the Lake Lure police boat.

Landlubbers can enjoy the parade of the Lake Lure Fleet of Ships from the shore at the Gazebo. All are invited and welcome to watch. The Thermal Belt Brass Quintet will be playing music at the Gazebo to enhance this special tradition. To have your vessel blessed, please rendezvous at the old "Dirty Dancing/Boy Scout Camp" cove at 3:45 pm. Boats may be decorated with flowers but are not a requirement.

For more information call Nancy McNary at 625-1024, Mary Karr at 625-9781 or Robin Stanier at 625-4274.

Lake Lure Garden Club News would like to announce two exciting events for May and June.

On Thursday, May 26 at 2:30 pm at the Mountains Branch Library Community Room Mr. Doug Long will give a presentation on "Water Gardens".

His presentation will cover the benefits of a water garden, types of gardens ranging from a small patio garden to large ponds and waterfalls, selecting locations, construction types and maintenance of water gardens and plants. Come and learn about the most captivating element in a garden!

We will also tour a few of the water gardens in

Lake Lure Golf and Beach Resort. The cost is $3.00 per person - door prizes and refreshments are included.

The "Rutherford County Garden Tour" will be held on June 4^th and 5^th. Tour eleven beautiful gardens in the Rutherfordton and Lake Lure area over the weekend and support a good cause. The benefits go to Rutherford Housing Partnership and tickets are $15.00 per person.

Contact Latha Narayan at 625-1422 or tnarayan@bellsouth.net for more information.

Lakeside Chapel Worship Services will be held again this year from May 1^st until October 9^th. Each service begins at 9:00 am and concludes around 9:30 am. They are held next to the old boat landing behind the ABC store.

Come on foot or by vehicle or boat to enjoy the services in a beautiful backdrop setting of the surrounding mountains of the Hickory Nut Gorge.

The VFW will be holding a Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 30^th, in memory of veterans who have served our country . It will be held at the Veteran’s Memorial which is located between the Lake Lure Inn and the Arcade Building at 9:00 am.

Lake Lure Lions - Not just another club. The Lake Lure Lions are your friends and neighbors volunteering their time to address our communities needs. We currently have 40 members locally who are a part of the world’s largest service organization with approximately 45,000 clubs located in 194 countries. We have a world-wide membership of over one million five hundred thousand called the International Associated of Lions Clubs.

Lions Clubs are a non-political and non-sectarian with only one aim to help the less fortunate. We are encouraged to socialize and have fun. The main thrust of Lionism is service to others including the blind and hearing impaired.

Lions have underwritten huge multi-million dollar programs aimed at the prevention of blindness and the preservation of sight through research, treatment, and early detection. The NC Lions, including Lake Lure, have contributed much to research and treatment facilities at the Bowman-Gray Hospital Eye Clinic in Winston-Salem and the Duke University Medical Center in Durham.

The Lake Lure Lions Club contributes $25,000 a year to many worth causes including our local fire departments, emergency medical services, the library and pays for eye examinations and corrective glasses for needy persons. We also help sponsor the Christmas party for the blind, offer scholarships to qualified and deserving local senior high school students to further their education and other local emergencies. This is done through its annual golf tournament held on May 6^th, bingo, "candy days" collections, sales of blind-made brooms, counter mints and other fund raising activities.

Not one penny of the money collected from the public by any fund raising activities may be used for anything other than the various service projects. The member’s dues cover all club expenses, meetings, meals, conventions, or other administrative costs, direct payment by members, or by special designated administrative projects or rates. The work of the Lions is truly a zero overhead charity.

Lions clubs throughout North Carolina including

Lake Lure Lions are now working through the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, which is dedicated to finding a cure for the number cause of blindness.

Another recent effort is relief aid for the victims of the Tsunami disaster. Six and one half million dollars have been donated in this international effort of relief for that devastated region, with no funds being used for administrative costs.

Please contact one of our Lake Lure Lions and be our guest. We would like for you to join us for fun and fellowship while helping those in need in our community.

For more information call Lion President Donna Supinger at 828-625-1878.

Chimney Rock Park will be hosting many different guided trail hikes during May. Come learn about trees, wild-flowers and birds with one of the Parks specialist. Our very own Clint Calhoun will be guiding one of the tours which will take you to areas of the park seldom seen by guests. The cost is admission plus $5 for each hike or free for Annual Pass-holders. For more information or to sign up call 1-800-277-9611 or visit www. chimneyrockpark.com/events/index.php for all the details.

Kiwanis Memorial Days Festival - will be held (upon Town Council approval) May 28, 29 & 30. Artists and crafters from throughout the region will offer handmade wares such as quilts, sketches, pottery, watercolors, oil paintings, photography, jewelry, needle crafts, wood and leather crafts and all sorts fo artistic decorative items. There will be a DJ, Renny High, playing all sorts of music all three days. There will also be food vendors present.

Please contact Sharon Theiss at 828-429-8287 or Paula Jordan at 828-691-5008 if you are interested in having a booth at this festival.

The Annual Memorial Day Parade will be held on Monday, May 30^th. If you would like to participate in this parade highlighting your business, little princess, school, church or organization contact Steve Hayes at 828-625-1171. The parade starts at 12:30 pm and will go from the Lake Lure Post Office through Chimney Rock.

NOTICE

For comments about the operations of the Lake Lure Tours, call 828-625-4651.