Montreat Minute for November 21, 2025 

MPD Schedules Community Gatherings 

Last August, Montreaters completed a survey sponsored by the Montreat Police Department. The purpose of the survey was to learn what Montreaters thought to be the most significant public safety concerns. A report summary was given at the September Town Council meeting (CLICK HERE for a slide summary). Town Manager Savannah Parrish also announced that the Police Department would be having some community get togethers to discuss the issues brought out in the survey.

Those community meetings have been scheduled. The first gathering will be on December 5^th at 4:00 PM in the Town Hall Community Room, just before the gate lighting. The initial meeting will be a meet-and-greet with the Police Department and other Town staff. Coffee and hot chocolate will be provided. 

Additionally, the Police Department will hold community drop-in gatherings on the following dates:

All are welcome to attend.

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Metropolitan Sewerage District Announces Reconstruction Project

The Metropolitan Sewerage District (MSD), the owner and operator of the Town’s sewer system, has announced a sewer reconstruction project on Calvin Trail. The MSD will be replacing approximately 710 linear feet of sewer line on Calvin Trail due to problems with the existing line.

Work will begin on Monday, December 1^st and is scheduled for eight weeks, depending on weather and other factors. MSD promises to “make the inconvenience as minimal as possible.” However, Calvin Trail will be closed during working hours (8-5 M-F). Limited access during working hours will be provided by MSD. The roadway will be open to normal traffic on weekends and non-work hours.

Those affected by the construction may contact an MSD representative:

• Michael Stamey at 828-768-2605
• R.L. Haynes at 828-284-7804

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Stop Signs at Appalachian Way and Oklahoma Road Removed

After observing traffic patterns over the past few weeks and listening to feedback from nearby residents, the Town has removed two of the recently installed stop signs at the intersection of Appalachian Way and Oklahoma Road. We will continue monitoring the area to ensure traffic is flowing safely and efficiently.

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Holiday Gate Lighting Set for December 5^th

The Montreat Holiday Gate Lighting will be held on Friday, December 5^th, at 5:15 pm. Sponsored by the Montreat Adult Summer Club and the Town, the event is for the entire family, especially children. Besides the “flipping of the switch” by the Mayor and children, there will be refreshments, holiday music from the infamous Montreat Calliope, and holiday favors for kids. Invite friends and relatives for this special time of holiday fellowship. Come light the gate then head into Black Mountain for Holly Jolly.

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Corrected Date for Montreat Post Office Christmas Party

Last week we announced the Montreat Post Office Christmas party. However, we gave you the wrong date. The correct date is Tuesday, December 9th. Be sure to stop by the Post Office and sign up to bring party food and beverages.

And don’t forget that Christmas stamps are still on sale. Each purchase of stamps is a demonstration that our Post Office is extremely important to our community and that we support it being here.

Did You Know?

This month’s Did You Know is thanks to an inquiry from Kat Achtemeier, who asked about the beautiful stone floors in many of the buildings from the 1920’s and 1930’s.

These buildings, including Anderson Auditorium, Assembly Inn, Gaither Hall, and the Way Out, share many common features and often were the result of President R. C. Anderson’s careful financial planning. For instance, when asked why the Assembly Inn was not built of brick, Dr. Anderson replied that “we could get better results for less cost.” He then proceeded to explain all the costs involved with using brick, as opposed to the cobblestones (river rock) which workers could simply harvest from Flat Creek. When they needed more, they opened the valves on the dam and the rushing water brought a fresh supply.

While the marble used in the floors did not come from Flat Creek, it was none the less “scrap” material. The Gray-Knox Marble Yards of Knoxville, Tennessee, donated the “scrap” for Assembly Inn. Workers there loaded it into rail cars free of charge. Montreat had to pay the freight to Black Mountain and then drayage to Montreat.

The labor on these buildings was completely local. Dr. Anderson hired Asheville architects to provide structural design but did the general contracting himself. He hired local foremen and some skilled craftsmen who trained workers to build with the cobblestones and lay out the marble floors. The mosaic design on the floors, while the result of using “scraps,” created an intriguing and beautiful effect. In many cases the individual pieces have their own unique pattern of veins and color shading.

The next time you are in one of the buildings, look closely at the floors. You will see large pieces and small, fit together to best utilize their irregular shapes. Marvel at the intricate patterns and subtle hues of pink that enhance the lighter pieces, and purple that enhance the darker pieces. Legend has it that some of the workers etched small faces onto some of the pieces, but this author has never seen one.

Ed. Note: During the construction of the Montreat Town Hall in 2020, we adopted Dr. Anderson’s approach of “scrap” marble pieces on the lobby floors. The tradition continued.

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 midgette@elon.edu.

Answer to above photo quiz: the left photo is Anderson Auditorium, the right is Assembly Inn

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Updates and Reminders

• Did you know that you do not need to use paper compostable bags for your leaves anymore? You may place them in plastic bags as well. But just make sure the only thing going into the bags is leaves!
• The Montreat Town offices will be closed on Thursday and Friday, November 27^th and 28^th, in observance of Thanksgiving. Sanitation pickup will occur as usual on Monday, Dec. 1^st. The Convenience Center will be open its normal schedule during the holiday.
• Do you receive Montreat CodeRedalerts, 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.