Community News

LOCAL BRIEFS: Plant sale, foundation grants, city boards

Bullington Gardens will hold fall plant sale Sept. 10-11.

By Lightning Reports, Published: August 14, 2021

Bullington Gardens holds fall plant sale Sept. 10-11

Bullington Gardens, a horticultural education center and public gardens, will hold its annual fall plant sale on Friday, Sept. 10, and Saturday, Sept. 11, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, rain or shine.

The sale features many natives, perennials, trees and flowering shrubs. Many specialty dwarf conifers will also be available. New this year will be Bullington Garden’s spectacular dahlias, potted and in bloom to showcase each plant’s color and variety. Cash, checks and credit cards are accepted.

“Planting perennials, trees and shrubs in the fall gives them a chance to get their roots established before next spring’s growth,” said Joellen Johnson, a Henderson County Extension Master Gardener and Bullington Garden’s volunteer coordinator. “The weather is cool but the soil is still warm which encourages excellent root growth.”

For more information about Bullington Gardens, visit www.bullingtongardens.org or call 828-698-6104. All proceeds from the Fall Plant sale benefit Bullington’s mission to connect children and adults with the natural world through science-based horticultural education.

Foundation awards $182,600 in grants

The Community Foundation of Henderson County has awarded $182,600 from their Community Grants cycle to nine area organizations and projects in recent weeks, the foundation announced.

The Community Grant program is made possible by generous donors who have contributed unrestricted and broadly defined interest area gifts. The dollars are used to respond to current community challenges and to embrace emerging opportunities. The following Community Grant awards were recently made:

• $10,000 to Conserving Carolina to support strategic planning
  • $6,300 to Creating a Family to support the development and distribution of resource kits to
  grandparent-led families in Henderson County
  • $3,800 to Environmental Educators of North Carolina to support Henderson County teachers in attending the Southeastern Environmental Education Alliance conference
  • $10,000 to Henderson County Cooperative Extension to support the renovation and transformation of the kitchen in the Extension Center into a teaching kitchen.
  • $20,000 to Henderson Soil and Water Conservation District to support the restoration of Mill Pond Creek, including the creation of an access point for educational purposes
  • $50,000 to Hendersonville Connections Center for construction costs (contingent upon raising other funds to complete the project)
  • $27,000 to Safelight to support the replacement of its roof
  • $30,000 to St. Luke’s Hospital to support a new 3D mammography program
  • $25,500 to Veterans Healing Farm to support the construction of a deck with a handicap accessible ramp for its community center

“For nearly 40 years it has been Community Foundation’s honor and purpose to ensure that donors’ gifts are used to respond to the changing opportunities and challenges within our community,” Foundation President McCray V. Benson said. “Our Community Grants Program continues to provide support for countless projects and local organizations each year – helping improve the quality of life for thousands of our neighbors.”
Nonprofit organizations, IRS-equivalents or accepted fiscal agents wanting to be considered for Community Foundation of Henderson County’s next competitive Community Grants cycle are invited to submit applications to the Community Foundation by Wednesday, Sept. 1. Grant guidelines, the online application portal and more details about the Community Grants Program can be found at CFHCforever.org. Questions or requests for additional information regarding the grant application process can be obtained by contacting Program Officer Noelle McKay at (828) 697-6224 or nmckay@cfhcforever.org.

City seeks volunteers for advisory boards

The city of Hendersonville has openings on various advisory boards and committees and is looking for community-minded citizens to get involved with their local government.

“Boards, committees, and commissions are designed to give citizens a voice in their government,” said Hendersonville Mayor Barbara Volk. “The input our boards provide to City Council helps us make informed decisions and shapes the quality of life for our residents.”

The application deadline is 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 15, to allow City Council to consider vacancies at its December meeting. The City often has advisory boards which consist of both City and County residents. Some of these boards require that persons reside in the county but within the City’s extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) and some appointments are made through the County or other entity. Additional information regarding residency and appointment requirements are available on the City’s website.

Below are current and upcoming vacancies for the December 2021 appointment cycle:

• Animal Services Advisory Committee – 1 City appointed vacancy for At-Large member (must be a veterinarian)
• Board of Adjustment – 1 City appointed vacancy (must reside in City Limits)
• Board of Adjustment – 1 County-appointed vacancy (must reside in City’s ETJ - apply with Henderson County)
• Downtown Advisory Board Seventh Avenue Service District (MSD) Stakeholder – 1 City appointed vacancy (An MSD Stakeholder is defined as persons owning property within the Seventh Avenue municipal service district of the City of Hendersonville, or a business owner whose business is located within the Seventh Avenue municipal service district in the City of Hendersonville.)
• Downtown Advisory Board – 2 City appointed vacancies (Members-At-Large)
• Historic Preservation Commission – 4 City appointed vacancies (must reside in City Limits)
• Housing Authority Board – Mayor Appointment - 2 vacancies (Members-At-Large)
• Planning Board – 4 City appointed vacancies (must reside in City Limits)
• Planning Board – 2 County appointed vacancies (must reside in City’s ETJ- apply with Henderson County)
• Tree Board – 2 City appointed vacancies (must reside in City or City’s ETJ)
• NEW: Stormwater Advisory Committee – multiple vacancies (City Council is soliciting applicants to gauge interest in the formation of a Stormwater Advisory Committee. All interested parties are encouraged to apply.)

Serving as a member of a board presents opportunities for citizens to become more involved with issues that affect the community and make a difference in their City. Additional information and an application to apply are available at https://www.hendersonvillenc.gov/boards-and-commissions. For more information contact Angela Reece, City Clerk, at (828) 697-3005.

WCCA hosts ‘Stories from Mother of the Bride’

Western Carolina Community Action is hosting “Stories from the MOB (Mother of the Bride)” at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 22, at the Staton Pavilion at the Park at Flat Rock. The “Stories from the MOB” performance features a variety of short monologues from mothers of brides about choosing the dress, family relationships and wedding mishaps. The 75-minute show offers plenty of comedy, a little drama and is full of delightful adventure. Some seating is available but bring your own lawn chair for the best seat. For more information or to purchase tickets ($10) visit WCCA.org. All proceeds benefit the work of Western Carolina Community Action.