News

LOCAL BRIEFS: Historic headstone, holiday concerts, honoring Carolyn Justus

Abraham Kuykendall Chapter members and guests marked the grave of Mary Jones Treadway at Ebenezer Baptist Church Cemetery.

By Bill Moss, Published: November 9, 2019

The Abraham Kuykendall chapter of the DAR marked the grave of Mary Jones Treadway, wife of Revolutionary War Patriot Daniel Treadway, on Oct 26.

The gravestone of this woman who drew her husband's pension in 1840 was replaced with a new stone and a DAR historic marker. This provides distinction of her remarkable life and contributions made in support of the Revolutionary War. Daniel and Mary were married in 1776. Daniel served as a militia soldier in North Carolina and later served in the South Carolina Militia. He fought in several battles and at the siege of Augusta, Georgia. Both Daniel and Mary Treadway received pensions for his service. Several DAR Chapters were also represented at the dedication at Ebenezer Baptist Church Cemetery.

NCSDAR State Historian Libby McAteer brought greetings from NCSDAR State Regent Carole Weiss. Also attending was Edward Buncombe Chapter member LuAnn Treadway Nelson, a distant relative of the deceased. Local chapter members from Joseph McDowell and Waightstill Avery chapters attended. Craig Issacson represented the Blue Ridge Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution. American Legion member Shuford Edminsten placed the new stone and marker. The North Henderson High School Junior ROTC posted the colors.

Blue Ridge Ringers perform holiday show

The Blue Ridge Ringers, an advanced handbell group under the direction of Karen Grady, will present the “Christmas Around the World” program featuring holiday favorites from Mexico, the former Czechoslovakia, Ukraine, the Caribbean, Canada, England, Germany and France and a traditional Jewish prayer for peace, at performances in Henderson, Transylvania and Polk counties in November and December. The concerts, free and open to the public, are scheduled at 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24, at Fletcher United Methodist Church in Fletcher; 4 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 1, at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Brevard; noon Tuesday, Dec. 3, at Transylvania Library in Brevard; 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, at Hendersonville Presbyterian Church; and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22, at Congregational Church in Tryon. There will be an additional performance at Tryon Estates in Tryon on Monday, Dec. 16, for residents and guests.

Holiday market offers produce, jams and crafts

SALUDA — Vendors will offer a selection of winter vegetables, jams and jellies, baked goods, honey and local crafts at the Saluda Holiday Market from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, in the town parking lot on West Main Street.
Craft items are allowed to be sold at the Holiday Market but must be locally produced using natural content. Vendors should arrive by 12:30 pm Saturday to set up. For questions about vending, email info@saludatailgate.com or call Shelley DeKay at 828-606-5713 or Walter Hoover at 828-749-5846. The Saluda Holiday Market is sponsored by the Saluda Business Association Inc. and the city of Saluda.

Bullington Gardens sells holiday greenery

Bullington Gardens, a horticultural education center and public gardens, holds its 15th annual Holiday Craft and Greenery Sale 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, and Saturday, Dec. 7.
The Holiday Craft Sale features nature-themed, handcrafted items, including free-standing owls and snowmen, holiday gnomes and ornaments. Wreaths and swags embellished with botanicals gathered on the Bullington Garden grounds and created by volunteers are ready for your home. Premium amaryllis, poinsettias, cyclamens and Christmas cactus plants are also available.
The Holiday Greenery Sale features premium, freshly-cut fraser fir trees ranging in height from five to eight feet. These native trees come from the Western North Carolina mountains and are wrapped for protection during transport. Also available are premium garlands in a 25-foot length, plus unadorned 8-inch and 12-inch wreaths. Orders can be placed online at www.bullingtongardens.org, by phone at 828-698-6104, or in person at Bullington Gardens. Holiday greenery must be pre-ordered by Tuesday, Nov. 26, as limited quantities will be available at the Holiday Craft Sale. Greenery can be picked up during the Holiday Sale, and weekdays thereafter.
Bullington Gardens is a proud supporter of our veterans, and believes all service members should be honored for their sacrifice. In partnership with local veterans and volunteers, Bullington Gardens offers Veterans Wreaths for sale. A $16 donation to honor a fallen veteran will provide a 12-inch wreath, decorated with a hand-tied red bow, placed by a volunteer on a gravesite at the State Veterans Cemetery in Black Mountain. Veteran wreaths can be ordered at www.bullingtongardens.org or purchased during the Holiday Craft and Greenery Sale. Bullington Gardens is located at 95 Upper Red Oak Trail. For more information, call 828-698-6104 or visit www.bullingtongardens.org.

Habitat raises roof on another new home

Henderson County Habitat for Humanity literally “raised the roof” on a new Habitat home under construction. The roof was built on the ground, then lifted into place by a large crane. It took around three days to construct and shingle the roof and less than 15 minutes to place it atop the house.

A crane lowers a completed roof onto a Habitat for Humanity home.Several Habitat affiliates have used the technique, including one of the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter work projects. Henderson County Habitat decided to experiment with this because it is expecting a group of 170 Woodswork Youth Volunteers who are coming to help build three homes in one week in June 2020. Using this technique, more people will be able to help construct a roof because it will be on the ground, so construction will move faster and be safer.

“We will not be doing this for every home, but the technique will be used when it is most appropriate, and it is good to know we have this option,” Habitat Construction Superintendent Bruce Gordon said.
Henderson County Habitat builds new homes with local qualifying families who then purchase their home with an affordable mortgage. Habitat has transferred titles to 13 homes so far this year and six additional homes are under construction. Established in 1989, Habitat has built more than 200 homes with qualifying families in Henderson County. For information on becoming a Habitat volunteer or homeowner, visit www.habitat-hvl.org or call 694-0340. To make a contribution, send a check to HC Habitat, 1111 Keith Street, Hendersonville, N.C., 28792, or donate online on the website.

Congregational Church raises $19,000 for hungry

First Congregational Church raised $19,000 for the annual Henderson County Hunger Coalition Hunger Walk thanks to several of its youth joining the effort. This is the ninth year the church has supported the event since Roy Harris challenged a small older congregation to help families who are having difficulty affording food for their families. That first year, the church collected about $4,000. First Congregational Church UCC of Hendersonville is devoted to social justice issues and the Hunger Walk is one example of community support. For more information visit fcchendersonville.org.

Congregational Church  announces forum topics

First Congregational United Church of Christ (1735 Fifth Ave. W & White Pine Dr.) invites all to its weekly Adult Forums in the Felix Building 9-10:15 a.m. Sundays.
• Nov 10: Habit of Love 4: Candor. Gary Cyphers continues the monthly facilitated discussion of Ashley lecturer Ed Bacon’s 8 Habits of Love, with a focus on Candor. Successful courageous conversations are from the heart, and allow love, rather than fear, to enrich our relationships.
• Nov 17: The Writers Forum, Rand Bishop. In the Forum, writers read their own work, any genre, to the group. If you’d like to read, contact Rand Bishop at 808-697-0090 or randbishop33@gmail.com. A retired professor of English, Rand facilitates a Writers Roundtable ever fourth Thursday morning at the church.
• Nov 24: My Near-Death Journey, Jim Nourse. Many people in Henderson and Transylvania counties know Dr. Jim Nourse as a psychologist, acupuncturist, writer and seeker of wisdom. A brain hematoma brought him to the brink of death in 2017, but it turned out to be an unexpected source of blessing and spiritual insight that continues to unfold.

DAR chapter will honor Carolyn Justus

The Abraham Kuykendall Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will present NSDAR Community Service Award to Carolyn King Justus at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14, at the Magnolia Room of Carolina Village. The award is given to a worthy individual for outstanding voluntary service.
In 2010, after leaving the state House of Representatives, Carolyn Justus turned her attention to the Henderson County community and the preservation of local history. She has served on the board of the Henderson County Heritage Museum since 2011. Because of her leadership and tireless passion for historical preservation and education, the Heritage Museum has become a living history of the community.
“Carolyn Justus is clearly one of the pillars of our community with regard to identifying and preserving our history and heritage,” Henderson County Veterans Services Officer Mike Murdock said.
Nancy Edwards, treasurer of the Henderson County Heritage Museum Board, said, “The Henderson County Heritage Museum would not be what it is today without the able and dependable leadership of Carolyn Justus.”

Foundation grant boosts Early Scholars

Community Foundation of Henderson County awarded Wingate University’s Hendersonville campus a $9,700 grant to help equip high school students with the necessary tools and knowledge to pursue a career in pharmacy.
Designed to target underserved minorities in area public schools, the Wingate University-Hendersonville Early Scholars Program will invite 20 freshmen and sophomores who have expressed interest in health care and put them on a path to achieve their goals. The scholars will be welcomed with a white coat ceremony at the beginning of the spring semester and will meet monthly for sessions that cover topics related to health care and professionalism.
Wingate University faculty mentors will challenge the future health care professionals with reflection assignments and offer shadowing opportunities so that participating students get a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to become a pharmacist. A collaboration with Henderson County public schools, the program will also support the school system’s STEM initiatives. The program will culminate with an awards ceremony.
“The Early Scholars Program will educate the students to understand that pharmacy is far more than working in retail — at CVS or Walgreens — but rather it includes a vast selection of opportunities such as careers in hospital, nuclear, or even veterinary pharmacy,” said Barbara Burke, regional director of external affairs for Wingate’s Hendersonville campus. “This is an exciting chance for students to immerse themselves in the world of pharmacy.”
“Providing area high school students with the knowledge and tools that encourage pursuit of a career in the healthcare field, especially those in pharmacy, is a great way to offer hope and ensure that future generations have pathways to new opportunities,” said McCray Benson, president of the Community Foundation.
Ultimately, the goal of the program is to produce more quality healthcare professionals for the region.
“Wingate is committed to recruiting students from western North Carolina and positively impacting the local workforce,” said Kurt Wargo, regional dean of the School of Pharmacy. “Nearly 70 percent of our graduates stay in the region to live and work.”
In addition to its doctor of pharmacy program, Wingate’s Hendersonville campus offers a master’s degree in physician assistant studies. The University is dedicated to being a leader in healthcare education.
Already, at its Hendersonville campus, Wingate University offers several health sciences career camps for high school students throughout the summer.