Montreat Minute 1/6/23

January 6, 2023

Bear Hunting Season Concluded

The 2022-2023 bear hunting season concluded on Monday, January 2. There is no more bear hunting until next fall.

Unlike previous years, we are happy to report that there were no bear, hunting dogs, or hunter incidents reported or observed during the ‘22-‘23 season. We believe the Town’s bear hunting initiative and public information campaign apprised the bear hunting community of Montreat’s concern for its citizens and the measures taken to protect them. Please continue to be mindful of the bear situation, especially related to trash disposal and proper containment of trash.

Thank you for your assistance through bear hunting season. If you have any suggestions or comments to share, please email [email protected].

Town Council Meeting January 12, at 7:00pm

The Montreat Town Council will meet for its monthly meeting next Thursday, January 12th, at 7:00pm in the Town Hall. For a copy of the agenda, CLICK HERE. The meeting will be live streamed and recorded. For information about streaming the meeting, CLICK HERE. The Public Forum will begin at 6:30pm. Everyone is invited.

Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee Meets January 13

The Montreat Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee will meet on Friday, January 13th, at 10:00am in the Town Hall Community Room. All are invited to attend. The meeting will be live-streamed. For streaming instructions, CLICK HERE.

Did You Know?

The lake and dam, 1910
Stunt Day at the lake
The dam, store, and lake 1915

The earliest map of Montreat shows a proposed lake where Lake Susan is now.  The first dam, really a wooden sieve, nonetheless created a central spot for recreation.  Small boats could float around and each summer Stunt Day attracted a multitude of spectators.  

The flood of 1916 wiped out the earthen portion of the dam.  Although it was repaired, by 1923 it had become clear that the old dam needed to be replaced.  In October of that year Susan (Mrs. C. E.) Graham, who had already paid for two concrete bridges across Flat Creek, agreed to fund a concrete dam – with significant caveats.  MRA agreed that the area around the dam and down the stream would be made into and kept “as a permanent park.”  Specifically, the building then used as a bookstore (current location of Moore Center) would be removed, as would the garage and sawmill (current location of Walkup Building). 

The formal Memorandum of Agreement did stipulate that part of the park could be used as a playground for children.  That same year W. H. Belk donated funds to purchase playground equipment.  In short order all stipulated buildings had been removed, the new dam built, the playground installed, and Lake Susan had its name in honor of its primary donor, Mrs. Susan Graham.

Updates and Reminders

  • Town Offices will be closed on Monday, January 16th, in observance of Martin
    Luther King Day. Sanitation services will be delayed until Tuesday, January 17th.
  • The Town will be installing additional pet refuse receptacles along the paved path on Assembly Drive in the coming weeks. Please use, and encourage others to use, the receptacles. Additionally, just a reminder of the Town’s leash laws. All dogs must be under the control of a leash at all times within Town limits and trails. There are no exceptions.
  • Know someone who doesn’t receive the Montreat Minute? Tell them to email [email protected] and ask to be put on the Sunshine/Montreat Minute list.

Questions?

Do you have Town-related questions you would like answered? If so, please send them to Angie Murphy at [email protected] and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Have a great weekend.