Montreat Minute – Feb. 28, 2025
Montreat Town Hall Reopens After Hurricane Helene
On Tuesday, February 25th, Montreat residents and town officials gathered to celebrate the much-anticipated reopening of Montreat Town Hall. After months of repairs and restoration following the impact of Hurricane Helene, the community was eager to step back into the heart of local government.
The event was a joyful occasion, filled with shared appreciation for the beautifully restored space. Mayor Tim Helms and Town Manager Savannah Parrish welcomed attendees and answered questions about the rebuilding and the town’s continued recovery efforts.
The reopening of Town Hall stands as a testament to Montreat’s spirit of perseverance and unity. We are so happy that residents can once again engage with town services in the familiar setting of their beloved Town Hall.
Invitation to Attend Cottagers Membership Voting Procedure Review Committee Meetings
The Montreat Cottagers Membership Voting Procedure Review Committee meetings, initially planned for the fall, will be held on Thursday, March 13th, 2025 at 2:00 pm and on Thursday, March 20th, 2025 at 2:00 pm. in the Montreat Town Hall Community Meeting Room. You are invited to attend. The purpose of the Membership Voting Procedure Review Committee is to carefully listen to the concerns members and friends of the organization have concerning the voting procedures provided for in the organization’s bylaws. The committee will study and consider the concerns that are expressed and report its findings to the board of directors. The report will include any recommended revisions to the bylaw’s membership voting and related provisions. The members of the Membership Voting Procedure Review Committee are past presidents Dan Dean, Coleman Legerton and Mason Blake, and past membership director Gill Campbell.
Anyone who cannot attend the meetings in person may attend by Zoom. The Zoom link for the March 13th meeting is as follows: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84451753424. The Zoom link for the March 20th meeting is as follows: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83003763432. Members may also provide written comments to the Membership Voting Procedure Review Committee before or after the meetings. Comments should be addressed to the committee at P.O. Box 111, Montreat, NC 28757. If requested by the sender, written comments received before the meetings will be read aloud or summarized at one of the meetings.
Did You Know
Charles A. Rowland (1870-1964), a wealthy businessman from Athens, Georgia, provided significant support for Montreat from its inception until his death. His interest in Montreat was sparked by Weston Gales, an evangelist, whom he had met when Gales visited Athens to conduct a two-week session of evangelical services. Gales, one of the co-founders of Montreat, approached Rowland to be an initial member of the Managing Committee. Rowland, an active member of the Presbyterian church and heavily involved in the work of the YMCA, agreed.
In 1900, Rowland provided 25% of the cost to construct the community building (current Post Office). He organized the first Mission Conference in 1901. He negotiated with John Huyler, a wealthy New Yorker who had assumed the presidency of the Mountain Retreat Association, to fund the debt incurred as Montreat struggled to build a small community. Although initially hopeful that Montreat would remain an interdenominational conference ground, he eagerly supported the Presbyterian purchase when that became the most feasible way for Montreat to continue.
Although Rowland never constructed a home in Montreat, he remained quite involved in its growth. He was particularly interested in the World Mission Conferences, attending many of them until shortly before his death. Rowland wrote a pamphlet, “Genesis of Montreat,” that is available to read in the Presbyterian Heritage Center.
Picture: Group photograph from 1897 – Rowland is on the right in the bowler hat and bowtie
Open Burn Ban
Due to extreme fire danger conditions that are forecasted, including low humidity, and strong gusty winds, the Buncombe County Fire Marshal’s office has issued a burn ban effective Thursday, Feb. 27 at 2 p.m.
It applies to all open burning, including yard waste, debris, and land-clearing burns. Fires in pits, barbecue grills, cooking fires, warming fires, or chimenea and outdoor stoves smaller than three feet in diameter are exempt. This ban is in effect until 9 a.m. March 5 with the possibility of extension.
Updates and Reminders
- Landcare will meet on Wednesday, March 5th at 9:00 a.m. in Town Hall.
- Town Council will meet on Thursday, March 13th at 5:30 p.m. in Town Hall.
- 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 you would like to be added to the list, CLICK HERE.
Questions or Comments?
Do you have Town-related questions or comments to offer? If so, please send them to Angela Murphy at [email protected] and we will get back to you as soon as possible.