Montreat Minute 8/23/24
Montreat Minute for August 23, 2024
“Code Red” on Bears
Many Montreaters would agree that this season has brought more bear activity than in the past. Previously, most of the activity was sightings and bears getting into trash occasionally. This year seems to have brought significantly elevated activity. Not only are there more sightings and trash upheavals, even during the day, but much destructive activity has been reported. There have been numerous reports of bears breaking into crawl spaces and tearing out foundation vents.
But the most concerning activity is three reports of bears entering homes. In all three cases, bears entered in through screened windows. In two cases, no one was home. However, in the third case, people were in the house when the bear entered.
Why is this happening? The primary reason is bears know homes are an excellent food source, as told by the vast number of trash cans bears have gotten in to. Their primary natural food sources, nuts and berries, are scarce now. Why should they go foraging in the mountains when they can hit a trash can and satisfy their appetites?
How do we resolve it? Cut off their food source. Make sure trash is secured, meaning locked tightly. Use a bear proof trash container that securely latches. If you rent out your house, PLEASE inform renters of the seriousness of securing their trash. The majority of incidents reported to the Town are related to rental homes.
Here are other things to help control bear incursions:
- If possible, contain trash indoors and don’t put it out until Monday morning
- As much as Montreaters love birds, stop putting out bird seed until early winter. If you can’t “bear” that thought, use only one feeder and bring it in in late afternoon.
- Secure crawl space entrances and foundation vents with heavy duty materials. If bears can bend metal trash can lids in half, they can easily pull out a foundation vent or a plywood door on a crawl space. Bears don’t like bright light or noise, so put a flood light and a loud radio (if you can stand the noise!) in your crawl space.
- Keep doors and windows closed. Bears can easily get through dog doors. If you do not have air conditioning and need the windows open, open the upper sash instead of the lower. The Wildlife Resources Commission recommends driving a series of nails through a piece of plywood and placing the plywood, nail points upward, under windows.
If you have other solutions that work for you, share them by sending an email to [email protected]. We need all the help we can get!
Speaking of Bears, We Need Your Thoughts on a Survey
The Town Council and staff are planning on meeting with members of the NC Wildlife Resources Commission to discuss the bear issue in Montreat. But first, we would like your thoughts and to hear about your experiences.
If you have already taken the survey, thank you for your time and input. If not, please take a few minutes to complete the survey by CLICKING HERE. We want to hear from you.
Learn About the Upcoming Property Reappraisal
No doubt you have heard about the Buncombe County property reappraisal for 2025. Every four years, the county reappraises all properties to “ensure all properties are valued fairly and equitably.” A new appraisal will be done on January 1, 2025.
If you would like to learn more about property assessments or have questions, the county is offering a “Community Conversation” regarding Reappraisal 2025. Buncombe County Assessor, Keith Miller, will answer questions about the reappraisal, property values, tax relief, appeals and more at a forum on September 5th, from 6:00-8:00pm, at the Swannanoa Fire and Rescue Bee Tree Sub Station, 510 Bee Tree Road in Swannanoa.
Where’s Monte This Week?
Congratulations to Michael Melvin for correctly identifying that Monte was enjoying a “Montreat moment” at the bridge across Flat Creek near the columbarium parking lot. Michael won some Montreat merchandise from the Montreat Store.
Monte was busy again this week, still wandering around Montreat avoiding all the student traffic as he crossed streets and trails. He’s trying to teach the new flock of six Guineas about safe walking and crossing skills. But they don’t seem to be “getting” it.
After all that walking and teaching, Monte took a break at a cool, refreshing spot to reflect upon his adventures. Can you identify where Monte is in the photo below?
Where in Montreat is Monte this week?
Send your guess to [email protected] by Monday at noon to win a prize! First correct answer will win!
Did You Know?
The lake and dam, 1910
Ed. Note: The Presbyterian Heritage Center’s Nancy Midgette, author of Did You Know?, is taking some time off this summer. Because MRA will begin dredging Lake Susan shortly (see last week’s Montreat Minute), we are reprising an interesting story about Lake Susan and the dam.
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.
Stop by the PHC to see the current Lake Susan exhibit, including an actual 1920’s swimming suit!
Thanks to the Presbyterian Heritage Center, especially Nancy Midgette, for this glimpse from the past. Stop by the PHC for additional Montreat history and so much more. Have an idea for a future “Did You Know?”? Let Nancy know at [email protected].
Updates and Other Reminders
- Donations are still being sought to “light the Montreat Gate”. The Town of Montreat, MRA, and the Montreat Adult Summer Club have joined together to light the Montreat gate for the holidays. Please make a donation to help purchase the lights and other needed supplies. Make your tax deductible check out to the Town of Montreat and note it is for Gate Lights. Send it to Town of Montreat, PO Box 423, Montreat, 28757.
- Do you receive your own copy of the Montreat Minute or know someone who doesn’t? Sign up for the Sunshine List to receive the Montreat Minute and stay “in the know” about the Town’s happenings. CLICK HERE to sign up for the list!
Questions or Comments?
Do you have Town-related questions or comments to offer? 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!