Montreat Minute – Oct. 10, 2025
Mayor’s Summary of the October 9, 2025 Town Council Meeting
Greetings Montreat friends,
It was a beautiful, cool, Montreat fall day today—one that makes you happy to be in the mountains. My meeting summary follows below. Remember that the official minutes with far more detail will be in next month’s agenda packet. And, you can view tonight’s meeting recording by CLICKING HERE.
Public Forum
- Elizabeth Hamilton shared about Tree Board activities:
- 15 Hemlock trees on Town property were treated yesterday by Tree Board members Ashley Marratt and Elizabeth as part of the ongoing “Save the Trees” effort by the Tree Board. We are extremely grateful to them for their efforts.
- A new version of the Treasured Trees walk has been developed, which will be unveiled at a special walk on October 29th at 3:30. For a map of the Montreat Treasured Trees, CLICK HERE.
- Letta Jean Taylor expressed concern about the new 3-way stop sign at Appalachian Way and Oklahoma due to possible slippery conditions. Savannah Parrish said it will be revisited to ensure safe conditions.
CLICK HERE to read more of the Mayor’s Summary
Bear Hunting Season Opens– Be BearWise!
Bear hunting season began last Saturday, October 4th, and ends November 22nd, then resumes December 13th to January 1st, 2026. Please be careful walking and hiking during this period.
Stay alert as you walk and hike around Montreat and the trails. If you encounter a bear, remain calm, back away slowly, and never run. Wave your arms and act as “big” as possible. Give the bear plenty of space.
The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission recommends safe bear hazing techniques, including:
- Make lots of noise, including using air horns, whistles and other noise making devices
- Use bright lights to annoy the bear
- If you are in your car and encounter a bear in the street, get as close as possible in your vehicle and honk your horn
No matter what you do, do not jeopardize your own safety.
Support the Montreat Post Office
You may know that it is very important to support our Montreat Post Office. The Post Office’s viability for remaining in Montreat depends completely on the revenue it generates here in Montreat. For example, after Helene when their operation had to be moved to the Ridgecrest Post Office, our Montreat PO did not get credit for the stamps and package postage bought at Ridgecrest.
Thus, the importance of our buying stamps and sending packages from the Montreat PO rather than using other post offices or buying stamps online. If you are a part time resident, buy your Christmas stamps here rather than in your hometown.
You don’t want to go to Black Mountain to pick up your mail or buy stamps. Supporting our Post Office will help ensure we have postal service in Montreat in the future.
Made in Montreat Returns October 18th
Made in Montreat, the highly anticipated craft show and sale, is returning to the Lower Moore Center on Saturday, October 18th, from 9:00am to 2:30pm.
Beth Casper, coordinator of this year’s event, said the show will feature Montreat artisans offering a wide variety of hand made items. “Last year the Montreat artists and crafters’ event was cancelled by Helene”, Beth reminded everyone. “This year will be a bumper year to buy your Christmas gifts ahead of the holiday rush. We look forward to seeing you there!” Come for the shopping, snacks and fellowship.
Invitation to PHC 2025 Distinguished Lecture October 24
The Presbyterian Heritage Center invites you to hear Dr. Crystal Downing speaking on
“From Wittenberg to Oxford: The Re-formation of C.S. Lewis and Dorothy L. Sayers”.
Dr. Downing is a highly esteemed and internationally recognized expert on C.S. Lewis, Dorothy Sayers, and other “Inklings”. She served as Co-Director of the Marion E. Wade Center at Wheaton College, the foremost archive in the world for published and unpublished materials by and about Lewis, Sayers, J.R.R. Tolkien, George MacDonald, G.K. Chesterton, Owen Barfield, and Charles Williams.
Crystal was also co-holder of the Marion E. Wade Chair of Christian Thought and a Professor of English at Wheaton. Many will remember Dr. Downing’s excellent presentations at the “C.S. Lewis: Influence & Relevance Today” international symposium sponsored by the Presbyterian Heritage Center in November of 2019.
Dr. Downing will begin her lecture by highlighting Martin Luther’s recognition of the power of theater, and his use of drama to communicate the need for Reformation in the Church. Her focus will turn to Dorothy L. Sayers, also condemned by Christians for her reforming efforts.
The event will be held on Friday, October 24, from 7:00 – 8:00 pm in Upper Anderson. Admission is free.
Updates and Reminders
- The Montreat Tree Board will meet on Tuesday, October 14th, at 9:00 am in the Town Hall Community Room for its monthly meeting. The meeting will be live streamed. For streaming instructions, CLICK HERE. All are invited to attend.
- Do you receive Montreat CodeRed alerts, an emergency communications system used a number of times during the hurricane and wildfires? To learn more about CodeRed or 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 info@townofmontreat.org and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Have a great weekend and enjoy the autumn colors!
