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In Asheville, amid the mountains of western North Carolina

Many thanks to our Crowfields staff for our lovely Autumn decorations.

Photo provided by Ellen James

CROWFIELDS

CHATTER

The following information

is featured in this issue:

President’s Report – page 2

CCA Meetings – page 2

Committee News – pages 2 & 6

2018 Executive Committee

Nominees – pages 3 - 5

Consolidation Update – page 6

Activities & Events for the

Month – pages 7

More Information on Activities/

Events – pages 8 & 9

Nature’s Nook – page 10

Garden Gal – page 11

Contributions from our

Community – page 12 - 15

Farewells – page 15

************************ Edited & Published by Mary D’Amore

If you have ideas or an article or

picture for the Chatter, please contact

Mary at 774-6505 or

mrd1087@charter.net

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Crowfields President’s Report Greetings everyone, this will be my last article as president of the Crowfields

Condominium Association, as I am not returning as the president for 2018. I feel good

about the things that we have accomplished as a community over the past two years, and

we have moved forward with the operation of the association. Many thanks to the Executive Committee

members that I have had the pleasure to serve with and of course to the various committee chairs and

members that have worked hard and volunteered their time. Our community is a great place to live and will be

made even greater with the efforts of your new administration. I feel that one of the best ways to move into

the future for our community is for us not to look back to pick up previous baggage that bogged down previous

administrations but to focus on the future for our association. I hope we will turn our eyes forward and see

what can be accomplished and not gossip about what has occurred in the past. Thanks for allowing me to

serve and good luck for all! Bob Ray, CCA President

CCA Meetings for November 2017

11/7 – EC Meeting 4:30 11/28 – EC Workshop 4:30

Committee News

Nominating Committee – To the Residents of Crowfields: Your Nominating Committee has thoroughly

canvassed our community for candidates who have the skills and interest in serving on the 2018 Executive

Committee. We wish to express our thanks to all who volunteered their service and to those who

recommended candidates. A number of those whose names were put forward declined to serve but

appreciated being contacted and considered. Our search has involved telephone and in-person interviews.

These deliberations have resulted in a slate that we believe represents the best interest of all Crowfields

residents. We have made great progress addressing some of our community’s most pressing issues, but there

is much more work that needs to be done. We appreciate the willingness of these individuals to serve.

Parker Moore, CCA Nominating Committee Chair

The following are the nominees for the 2018 Executive Committee offices as indicated.

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For President: Gene Presley

Gene is a native Ashevillean, a graduate of Christ School, UNC-Chapel Hill and UNC-Asheville and received a

B.S. degree in management and MLA in liberal arts. He joined the family business, a diversified electrical

enterprise with 200 plus employees, maintaining offices in Asheville and Greenville, SC. The firm performed

services in the Carolinas specializing mostly in industrial, medical and institutional projects. Acting as CEO until

retirement included preparing estimates, making and reviewing budgets, evaluating work in progress and sales

promotion. He has been active in his church, St. Mary's Episcopal, in a variety of capacities including

vestry. Other community involvement, he was on the Board of Directors of Christ School serving as Chairman,

other board services include, UNC-A, YMCA, professional association boards in North Carolina and South

Carolina and active in local Republican politics. Married to JoJo for 52 years, a Mississippi girl transplanted to

Asheville in her teens. Purchased in Crowfields in December 2013, moved in May, 2014. Children are living in

Mexico and Greenville, SC.

For First Vice President: Laney Siegel

Laney was born and raised in Cranford, N.J. She graduated from University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida

with a B.A. degree in Early Childhood Education. Laney worked in the medical industry (Delray FL) for many

years managing a Gastroenterologist office. Another job offer led her to work with medical software, installing

and supporting ‘Medical Manager’ in doctor offices from Key Biscayne to Jupiter Florida. The next chapter led

Laney to IBM, Boca Raton as a contractor, installing and supporting restaurant software, while traveling to

various cities to train other qualified staff to do the same. Once Laney got hired as a permanent employee

with IBM and moved to Charlotte NC, she was a Project Manager for internal security related projects for the

next 23 years. She is extremely organized and efficient with a logical approach to situations. After retiring,

Laney volunteered at Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte NC. Laney has always loved the mountains and

decided to finally move to Asheville last year. She may be new to Crowfields but she is not new to Condo and

Townhouse associations. Laney served on the Board of Directors for 3 years at her Condo in Florida and for 8

years at her Charlotte Townhouse. Laney is currently serving as Crowfields Cluster President as well as a

member on the Website Marketing Committee.

For Second Vice President: David Jones

David was born and raised in West Monroe, LA. He graduated from LSU in 1968, where he met his wife

Carolyn. In addition to a Bachelor of Science in Personnel Management, he has an associate degree in Physical

Distribution, and a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. During a stint in the US Army, while stationed in Heilbronn,

Germany, the first of two daughters was born. They live in Tampa and Austin. David worked 15 years in paper

manufacturing before completely changing directions and becoming a pharmacist. Pharmacy experience was

gained in many roles - retail, long term care, clinic, hospital and home infusion. He retired in 2012. David's

condo management experience includes serving as Director in a 713-unit FL condominium association.

More on Next Page

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For Secretary: Jane Fant

Jane was raised in Providence Rhode Island, received her B.S. from Westminster College and her M.S. from Fordham University. For 25 years, she was a research technician in medical school laboratories, and subsequently held administrative positions including Assistant Dean for Research (University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ) and Assistant VP for Research Administration (University of Alabama, Birmingham). Jane enjoys the outdoors: hiking, tennis and sailing; especially racing, which she did every weekend for over 15 years. She and her husband, David Slobodin, moved to Crowfields in 2011. You can often find her working in the community gardens. Currently, she is the secretary for Executive Committee.

For Assistant Secretary: Aileen Estra

Aileen grew up in New York before moving to Connecticut to study classical voice under William Metcalf at the Hartt Conservatory of Music. She has a Bachelor of Music degree from Hartt, as well as a Masters Degree in Education from CCU. When not performing onstage, she taught music and theater arts in the Southington, CT school system, and later, at Litchfield Montessori. She and husband Gil have been married for forty years, and have one son. After retiring from performing, Aileen went back to school for three years, and became a board certified holistic psychotherapist. She taught holistic psychotherapy at Northwestern CT State College, and had a private practice in Winsted. Now that she’s retired, she enjoys swimming, and hiking in our beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, and taking part in the activities of our Crowfields community. She currently serves as Cluster X President, and serves with Gil on the HR Creative Solutions subcommittee, and on the Grounds Committee.

For Treasurer: Calvin Christopherson

Calvin graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1969 receiving a degree in elementary education. He met Diana on a tour in Europe and they were married in 1974. In 1975 they moved to Great Neck, Long Island, New York where Diana had been living before their marriage. After moving to Long Island Calvin secured a position at the production headquarters of Helena Rubenstein, managing the company store and did a mail order business. In the late 1970’s, their daughter, Danielle, was born in New York; however, within two years from her birth Helena Rubenstein’s American production headquarters was closed. As a result they felt it best to return to the mid-west to raise Danielle in Minnesota, a quieter environment. In MN Calvin worked for a plumbing company as the office manager, later being employed at the prestigious Minneapolis Club working as an auditor. After several years he was hired by the U.S. Postal Service as a Supervisor of Distribution Operations and managed up to 200 employees, continuing with this position until retirement in 2012. During the 35 years they lived in MN the Christophersons enjoyed going on vacations/cruises to, of course, warm-er climates. The coldest day Diana remembers is when it was 73 below zero wind chill. Diana studied Sumi-e (Japanese Brush Painting) for over 25 years in Minnesota and at this time she is teaching at the North Carolina Arboretum. Calvin and Diana had in the past vacationed in the Asheville area and their choice to relocate is because of the mountains, its artistic culture and its people. We are so glad to be here – no more winters!! Hooray!!

More on Next Page

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For Assistant Treasurer: Jim Crook

Jim was born in the Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, Virginia. His childhood and adolescence were spent living

the life of typical “military brat”. After high school, Jim received a degree in Medical Technology and spent

several years working various departments within a hospital medical laboratory. When he began managing

people and STAT labs, he obtained a degree in Business Administration. During his career, he has managed

hospital departments; Urgent Care Centers; and, physician medical offices, managing as many as 16 offices in

eleven states concurrently. Jim resided in Hendersonville with his partner, David, for 30 years and was quite

involved in the community, Community Foundation and the Supporting Players of the Flat Rock Playhouse.

They relocated to Crowfields in 2013. At Crowfields, Jim is on the Website Committee and maintains two plots

in the community garden, one being a roadside plot of annual flowers.

For At large: Jill Lambert

Jill moved to Asheville in 2003 after having lived in Cincinnati, Ohio for 29 years. Jill attended the University of

Wisconsin where she met her husband Milt (married 55 years September 1). They have three children; a

daughter, Jeanne and son-in-law, Mike who live in Southern California and have three boys, a son, Dayton and

his wife Lixia who live in Knoxville, and a son, John and his wife Maureen who moved to Asheville a little over

two years ago. They have two girls ages six and three. While living in Cincinnati Jill was very involved with and

committed to volunteerism for many different organizations. She worked as Director of Development for the

Hemophilia Foundation for four years. Jill also paid the office bills and did the payroll for Milt's Orthopedic

practice. Since moving to Crowfields in 2005 Jill is currently serving on several committees: Crowfields

Neighbors, Creative Solutions, Social Committee, and Simple Suppers.

For At Large: Randy Langley

Randy and his wife Sandra of 54 years moved to the Asheville area from Illinois in 2002. Originally from Baton

Rouge, LA, they have lived in Virginia, California & New Jersey as well. Randy & Sandra have two daughters and

four grandchildren. They moved to Crowfields from Avery Park in Arden in January 2017. Randy studied

Chemical Engineering at Auburn and LSU. After completing his Doctorate at LSU in1969, he served 2 years in

the US Army as a Technical Operations Officer in the army’s nuclear power program. During the following 29

years, he held technical management as well as senior engineering positions in both the nuclear power and the

paper manufacturing industries. After moving to Asheville, Randy spent several years in the insurance field,

focusing on life and indexed annuity products. He is currently serving as president of Cluster B in Crowfields.

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An Update from the Consolidation Committee

The Bylaws Committee continues to work diligently incorporating owners’ suggested changes

to the original draft circulated throughout the community. The Committee is reviewing the bylaws line by line,

which is a tedious, time-consuming process. Once that task is complete, the suggested revisions will be given

to our attorney, who will incorporate them into a revised draft document. The timeline for a vote is not yet

finalized because we need to get the bylaws revised and out to the community first. A timeline for a vote will

be finalized when the bylaws become a document that will best serve the interests of the whole community.

We are all anxious to consolidate, but it is more important that we get this document right than that we get it

done quickly. We urge you to be patient with the process.

Community Meeting: After the attorney sends us a second draft containing all the owners’ suggested

changes, that draft will be emailed to all owners, and communitywide meetings will be held with another

opportunity for your input.

Owners’ Vote: After community meetings are held, the owners will vote on whether to accept these new

bylaws, which are written based on the assumption that Crowfields will consolidate into one condominium.

The bylaws and ballots must be mailed through the US Postal Service to each owner, and the votes must be

returned within a defined time (probably one month). It will take 129 YES votes (2/3 of all owners) for

consolidation to be approved. An unreturned ballot counts as a NO vote, so it is important that each owner

return the ballot.

Board of Directors Vote: If 129 or more owners vote YES, then the Board of Directors must vote by a

2/3 majority to consolidate.

Please feel free to reach out to any committee member with questions.

Cluster Consolidation Committee:

Anne Brady

Vince D’Amore

David Herbert

Gene Presley

Mary Bryan Roberts

Katherine Soderquist

Pat Stager

Charles Bennett ex-officio

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Activities & Events for the Month

Refer also to the online Activities Billboards and monthly calendars available on Crowfields Members website, which

can be printed if desired. For general activities questions, please contact Helen Eill at 505-2336 or hkeill@yahoo.com.

Contact persons for specific activities are indicated in blue following the activity listing below. Updates and reminders

for activities and events are communicated via the Weekly Activities Reminder distributed by the Crowfields Office.

Mondays

10:00 Men’s Coffee & Conversation (Mike Herzoff)

1:00 Crowfields Writers (11/27) (Elizabeth Addison)

3:00 Crafts & Conversation (Virginia West/Adrienne Williams)

7:00 Movie Night (Helen Eill)

11/13 – Sully/Hanks/Eastwood

11/27 – Barnum (musical)/Crawford/Hughes & Coe

Tuesdays

10:30 Senior Exercise (Gail McLeod)

7:00 Book Group (Fran Myers)

11/28 – Vanessa and Her Sister/Parmar

Wednesdays

10:00 Bridge Group (Geri Silliman)

1:30 Mah Jongg (Anne Simmons)

6:30 Simple Suppers (Carol Schmidt)

11/1 – Travinia/ Pasta with Chicken

11/8 – Tupelo Honey/Shrimp & Grits

11/15 – 67 Biltmore/Meatloaf

11/29 – Pomodoros/Eggplant Parmesan

Thursdays

10:30 Senior Exercise (Gail McLeod)

1:00 Hand & Foot Cards (Virginia West)

1:00 Thanksgiving Dinner (11/23) – see page 8

2:30 Living with Bears Presentation – see page 8

5:00 Bocce (weather permitting) (Gil Estra)

Fridays

11:00 Chair Chi (No Fee) (Maggie Crowell)

5:30 First Fridays Social (on 11/3) (Carol Schmidt)

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More Information on Activities/Events

Our Fourth Annual Crowfields Thanksgiving Dinner

This is an invitation to all residents wishing to come together with friends and family to

celebrate each other and our many blessings. We will gather at our Clubhouse on November 23, Thanksgiving

Day, at 1:00pm. A sumptuous Thanksgiving Dinner will be provided for a fee of $15 per person due by

November 9th. Person/s attending should bring an appetizer, side, or dessert. Tea and Coffee will be available.

Please feel free to bring a beverage of your choice.

Checks should be made out to Simple Suppers (Thanksgiving Dinner on the notation line) and placed in the

THANKSGIVING BOX at the Clubhouse. Anyone wishing to set tables/get the dining room ready, on Wednesday,

November 22, please contact Adrienne Williams 847-271-6134.

Living with the Bears and Other Wildlife

On Thursday, November 16, 2:30-4:30 at the Clubhouse, Justin McVey, NC Wildlife Commission,

will present a fascinating program about sharing our habitat. He will address our concerns about

animal behavior, safety, and avoiding incidents. Come learn about urban wildlife that also live at Crowfields.

Any questions? Contact Bonnie Gordon 828-773-1809

Crowfields version of Antiques Road Show - This event was well received with

approximately 30 residents who participated. Richard Hatch was charming and very informative.

We took our treasures home with new found appreciation.

More Activities/Events on Next Page

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More Information on Activities/Events

Every Thursday, weather permitting, several Crowfields residents enjoy a few games of Bocce.

It’s fun, exciting and unpredictable. Everyone is welcome.

Not a bad round above.

In the photo to the left, two red balls are touching the white ball. This is called

“kissing”. Dave Patterson and Jill Lambert are the first to accomplish this.

When the white ball is touched by a green or red ball, the team gets two points. For

two red balls touching the white ball, the red team made four points.

Information and pictures contributed by Gil Estra

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Crowfields

Nature’s Nook We Get Our Share of Bear

A mother black bear and her two cubs were relaxing and munching on acorns behind Cluster BB.

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Garden Gal

Timing Is Everything - Fall is here, the leaves are changing color, and it’s time for another question:

Q: “Anonymous” noticed that when our grounds crew prunes the shrubs in the front gardens of the clusters, they never seem to prune all the shrubs at the same time. There’s always one or two that they leave untouched. Anonymous wonders why? A: I had noticed that, too. The question was an intriguing one, so I asked Pete and Charles. Here’s what I found out: You may want to hack away at that overgrown rhododendron that’s blocking the view from your window, but there’s a right time to do it. Shrubs at Crowfields are pruned three times a year, but certain shrubs should only be pruned in the Spring, others only in the Fall. For example, rhododendrons, lilacs and forsythia are pruned in late Spring, or after they have finished blooming. This is because their blossoms form atop “old wood.” If they’re pruned in the Fall, the “new wood” that forms immediately afterward lacks the protective tissue (callus) of the old wood. Fungal spores, bacteria and insects could get into the open cut, and damage your plant. By contrast, plants that bloom in the Summer, such as buddeleia (butterfly bush), potentilla and crape myrtle, should only be pruned in winter or very early Spring, just before they push out the new growth. Pruning them at other times cuts off the forming blossoms. And then there are the evergreens: Broadleaf evergreens such as holly are best pruned in Winter, during their dormant season, while needle evergreens like juniper and boxwood should be pruned in early Spring to allow plenty of time for the new shoots to harden. Hydrangeas are a bit tricky. Most should be pruned before midsummer. To prune them at other times removes the flower buds. However, some of the repeat bloomers, like Endless Summer, can be pruned at any time of the year. Shrubs that do not blossom, like barberry and burning bush, can be pruned at any time of the year—except late Fall. Prune these shrubs too late in the year and the stems won’t have time to harden and form a callus before winter cold sets in. Complicated, isn’t it?! So, the next time you see our grounds crew out pruning and they leave your barberry or buddeleia untouched, know that they haven’t forgotten it. They’re just waiting for the right time. PS: Don’t forget to submit your questions to me at inspirationpoint53@gmail.com. Let me know if you wish to

be identified, or would prefer to remain “Anonymous.” I’ll choose one question every month, and do my best

to find out the answer for you.

Aileen Estra, Garden Gal

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Contributions from our Community

Spring Bulb Planting by Bonnie Gordon

It's time to plant Spring-Flowering Bulbs again! We were all pleased with the beautiful flowers looked last Spring. The Grounds Crew should get a big round of applause for their

work. I usually buy bulbs at BB Barns, but nearly every store will have them in October/November. "How do I keep the squirrels from digging up my newly planted bulbs and eating them? The bulbs were expensive!"

The simplest solution is to plant bulbs that squirrels and other rodents won't eat. These include glory-of-the-snow (Chionodoxa sp.), daffodils, alliums, grape hyacinths (Muscari sp.), snowdrops (Galanthus sp.), snowflakes (Leucojum sp.), Spanish bluebells (Hyacinthoides hispanica), squills (Scilla sp.), and spring star flowers (Ipheion uniflorum). Tulips and crocus are squirrel chow." [S. Bender "The Grumpy Gardener"., BH&G 52:10/47]

Last year at Crowfields, I planted tulips, alliums, daffodils, and hyacinths (16 of each) and tried a folk remedy. Results: --With NO PROTECTION, 37 out of 64 bulbs disappeared before flowering --With MOTHBALLS on top of the soil but under the mulch, 20 out of 64 bulbs disappeared before flowering --With MOTHBALLS on top of the mulch and soil, 9 out of 64 bulbs disappeared before flowering --With MOTHFLAKES on top of the mulch and soil, 7 out of 64 bulbs disappeared before flowering

To plant, dig a hole three times the depth of the bulb (about 5-6 inches deep). Plant the bulb flat side down, pointy side up. Pack the soil back into the hole, then step on the mound to compact it. Water well. Add 1" mulch. Sprinkle mothflakes. Squirrels and chipmunks find Lillies especially tasty. Pray for an early Spring! Note from Editor: This article was intended for the October Chatter but missed the deadline. Ideally, bulbs should be planted at least six weeks before hard, ground-freezing frost can be expected. A good rule of thumb is to plant bulbs when the average nighttime temperatures are in the 40- to 50-degree range.

Hard To Recycle Event – November 18, 2017

2310 Hendersonville Rd, Arden (10am to 2pm)

The recyclers collect and divert items that would normally end up in landfills, i.e., Styrofoam, Electronics,

Books, Batteries, Cooking Oil and much more. More informative links below, including items that have a fee:

➢ Accepted Recyclable Items - http://www.ashevillegreenworks.org/hard-2-recycle1.html

➢ Asheville GreenWorks website - http://www.ashevillegreenworks.org/recycling-information.html

Thank you, Angie McDonald for the reminder. Also, Angie is always glad to take Styrofoam.

More Contributions on Next Page

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The Municipal Election is happening now. Information provided by Jocelyn Baumgarten

Early voting from Monday, October 30th to Friday, 10-6; Saturday, November 4th, 8-1, will take

place at South Buncombe Library. Ballot: #18 Election Day voting, Tuesday, November 7th, will

take place at T.C. Roberson High School gym, off of Long Shoals Road.

Candidates for Asheville Mayor: Vote for one – Esther Manheimer or Martin Ramsey

City Council Candidates: Vote for three – Vijay Kapoor, Kim Roney, Dee Williams, Rich Lee, Sheneika E. Smith,

Gwen Wisler

[Current City Council members are: Esther Manheimer (Council ’09, Mayor ’13) Vice Mayor, Gwen Wisler (elected

‘13); Cecil Bothwell & Gordon Smith (’09 & ‘17); Elected ’15: Brian Haynes, Julie Mayfield, Keith Young.]

City of Asheville Charter Amendment: Vote Yes or No –

Shall the City of Asheville provide for six single-member electoral districts governing the nomination and

election of Asheville City Council members be approved? Mayor to be nominated and elected by City at large.

Asheville Art Museum Docent Program Information provided by Fran Myers

The Museum is recruiting docents. The next new docent training class will start in in Spring 2018,

but the application process begins in November 2017. If people are interested, they should sign

up as quickly as possible, because there is an interview process involved before getting scheduled for training.

The application takes approximately 15-30 minutes to complete. For more information on this Program, visit:

http://www.ashevilleart.org/education/get-involved/docent-programs/

Fran volunteers in the Art Library and would like to interest volunteers in cataloging books which have just

been donated to the library. She volunteers on Thursday mornings 10–12 at the Museum on the Slope (it’s

temporary location).

We are in the process of tallying the number of trash cans on the property in an effort to eliminate the

number of City receptacles that are not being used, or rarely used, which costs you money. It is my

observation that a lot of residents are not using these cans on a regular basis; therefore, it is our intention to

eliminate them, and the cost associated with them. The City cans will then be swapped out with previously

purchased Crowfields’ cans, which will be effective in further reducing the costs of trash removal. Additionally,

please remember to dispose of your trash in no less than 13-gallon size bags.

Thank you for your cooperation. Pete Ledford, Grounds Supervisor

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At the request of this editor, Georgette Love has provided us with a glimpse into her time in Miquelon.

Did you know that there is a tiny French territory in North America? No, I’m not talking about Quebec. It is the

Overseas Collectivity of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon. Although the archipelago is only 15 miles off the coast of

Newfoundland, Canada, it belongs to France. Jacques Cartier claimed the islands for France in 1536. Since that

time, they have bounced back and forth between England and France. They were finally ceded by the United

Kingdom in 1814 and for the past 203 years, they have remained French.

I am no stranger to these islands. I first went to Miquelon in 1966 with a French summer school program, and

before moving to Crowfields, I lived there for four years. Now I go back frequently to see friends and to get my

“fix” of the sea and tranquility. This past September, I went to Miquelon for the entire month to paint a mural

at their wharf. This is the third that I have painted since 2014. The reason for painting the murals was because

the ferry dock was so dreary and unwelcoming, and I wanted to brighten it up for the villagers and tourists.

The following pictures are of the wharf and the murals Georgette painted.

Left – First mural September 2014

Below – Second mural September 2015

Below (low wall) – Third mural September 2107

Continued on next page

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The writing on the waves says, Go where life leads

you but don’t forget where you came from.

This is particularly poignant for Miquelon (a village of 600

inhabitants). Their children leave for education and job

opportunities in metropolitan France and most of them

don’t return home to live.

If any of you would like more information about this

unusual outpost, I would be happy to answer your

questions.

Farewells

Eugene (Gene) Fisher, 97, of S 410 Drive, died Sunday, October 12th. Gene and his wife of

seventy-two years, Gloria, aka 'Roo', moved to Crowfields in spring of 2005 after living for several

years in a house they built in the Hy-Vista golf community. Originally from Cincinnati, the Fishers lived at

Hilton Head for 27 years where Gene was a builder/designer, and enjoyed fishing, photography and arts and

crafts. No children. Interment to be at a family plot in Cincinnati.