Montreat Minute 11/22/24
Post Office Temporarily Closed
As you may have read earlier this week, the Montreat Post Office is temporarily closed and all mail is available at the Ridgecrest Post Office at 2 Tucker Road in Ridgecrest (if looking for GPS directions, it will be 2 Tucker Road, Black Mountain).
The reason for the temporary relocation is due to asbestos remediation. During the flood, floor tiles loosened. With the flood repairs, the contractor found the presence of asbestos in the tiles last week. Thus the building has been sealed closed and mail operations have moved to the two trucks in the parking lot, which has been quite a challenge for staff.
Mail will be available at the Ridgecrest Post Office Monday through Friday from 10:30am to 12:30pm, and from 2:00pm to 4:00pm.
All mail and packages have been removed from the building. Nothing remains in PO boxes.
This arrangement will continue until the asbestos remediation has been completed, and that date has not been determined. Jordan and Nova appreciate your understanding due to the inconvenience.
Gate Lighting for Christmas December 6
All are invited to the 2024 Lighting of the Montreat Gate for Christmas on Friday, December 6th. The event is sponsored by the Montreat Adult Summer Club, the Montreat Conference Center, and the Town of Montreat. The lights and installation was made possible through contributions from generous Montreaters. Everyone, Montreaters and the extended community, is invited to this special holiday event.
The community gathering will be from 4:30pm to 5:30pm at the gate. Just follow the sound of the Montreat Calliope playing Christmas carols, courtesy of Robert and Kristi Sulaski. Refreshments and fellowship will begin at 4:30 with the lighting set for 5:15, with children leading the effort with a countdown.
There will be handicapped and limited parking at the Memorial Garden, with other parking at the various parking lots at the Montreat Town Hall.
This has been a challenging fall and this event is a great way to visit neighbors and kick off the holiday season.
Bulk Pick Up/Storm Related Pickup on Tuesday, December 3
Bulk Pickup has been rescheduled to December 3rd. At that time, we will be picking up items ruined in the hurricane as well as usual bulk pickup items. For more information about items for bulk pick up, CLICK HERE. Take advantage of this free service (except mattresses, box springs, TVs/Monitors. The Town is charged $15 per item at the dump, so we are passing on the cost) offered by the Town.
Please do not block the roadway with your items.
Hurricane Relief Donations- Make a Gift in Someone’s Honor
Looking for a unique gift for someone? Make a donation to the Town of Montreat Hurricane Relief Fund in their honor and send them a card announcing your gift. The cards are preprinted with room for a note or your signature at the bottom. Cards are available by request from Angie Murphy ([email protected]) or by stopping by the Public Works building temporary administrative office.
Donations are helping us stay strong financially. CLICK HERE for instructions regarding how to make online donations and gifts by check. Pass the link on to friends who love Montreat and want to see it rebuilt. And don’t forget to get your cards.
MRA Opens Various Trails
Don’t just sit around after eating a heavy Thanksgiving meal—hit the trails! MRA has announced the reopening of some of the trails after the hurricane. CLICK HERE for a full listing of the open trails.
Tanner Pickett, MRA Vice President, reminds hikers to travel only on the trails that are listed as open and to remember to wear orange when hiking, as we are in the midst of bear season (Oct. 14-Nov. 23 and Dec. 16-Jan. 1). Unfortunately, the Robert Lake Park playground is still closed due to the hurricane.
- Town administrative offices are temporarily located in the Public Works building while hurricane related renovations are being done at the Town Hall. Hours remain the same, 8:00am to 5:00pm, Monday through Friday. We are grateful to MRA for letting us use their facilities for and extended period.
- The Town Offices will be closed for the Thanksgiving Holiday from noon on Wednesday, November 27th through Friday, November 29th. Normal hours will resume on Monday, December 2. Of course, Montreat Police will be on duty 24/7 during the holiday.
- With Town offices closed for the Thanksgiving holiday, there will be no Montreat Minute next Friday.
- The Presbyterian Heritage Center invites you to its Annual Christmas Tea at the Heritage Center on Wednesday, December 4th, from 3:00pm to 5:00pm. All are invited to attend this festive, free event.
- 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!
- Do you receive Montreat Code Red alerts, an emergency communications system used a number of times during the hurricane? If not and you would like to be added to the list, click on the following link: https://townofmontreat.org/code-red/ and provide your name and phone number to be called in the event of an emergency.
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!