Montreat Minute for October 16, 2026

October 16, 2026

Thank You, Montreaters: Sanitation Ordinance Compliance Successful!

Bear Aware sign featuring a silhouette of a bear containing the text Keep Bears Wild.

In its first week of enforcement, the Sanitation Ordinance had only three incidents of non-compliance which were resolved immediately. Town staff and Council are extremely grateful for everyone’s cooperation.

One point to remember: there is no such thing as a bear proof container or system! The best that can be done is a bear resistant container or system. Bears are incredibly powerful and clever. Three residents’ containers that had been previously certified were broken into. Such occasions are not unusual and can be fixed. When putting hasps and other hardware on container systems, be sure to use heavy duty hardware. If you need advice on how to secure your container, contact Town staff at 828-669-8002, ext 1.

Also, please note that the Convenience Center gate lock has been fixed and is operating as it should. Pick up your key fob at the Town Hall if you haven’t already done so.

Thank you again for working to make Montreat a Bear Aware community.

Made In Montreat Craft Show and Sale Returns Tomorrow, October 17th

A stained glass dragonfly, a necklace on a mannequin display, and a ceramic vase next to text reading Craft Show: Handmade. Local. Unique.

Made in Montreat, the highly anticipated annual handmade craft show and sale, will be held tomorrow, October 17th. Crafters and artists invite you from 9:00 am until 2:30 pm in Lower Moore Center. Creative items such as pottery, jewelry, fused glass, books, paintings, Mahjong gifts, Bear Aware tools, and so much more will be featured by Montreat crafters and artists.

No dogs please. Cash, checks or credit cards will be accepted. Don’t miss this very special opportunity.

PHC Presents Dr. Mark Valeri on Patriotism, The American Revolution, and the Reformed Tradition, Friday, October 23rd

A middle-aged man with graying hair wearing a suit jacket and light blue dress shirt stands in front of a stone wall.

Dr. Mark Valeri will be speaking on Friday, October 23rd as the PHC 2026 Distinguished Lecturer on the Reformation. As part of the America 250 celebration, Dr. Valeri will be speaking on “Patriotism, the American Revolution, and the Reformed Tradition.” The event will be held in Upper Anderson at 7:00 pm. The lecture is free and all are invited to attend.

“Presbyterian colonists in America were among the most patriotic supporters of the American Revolution”, stated Dr. Valeri. “This talk will describe their participation in the rebellion and how their Reformed theological inheritance, from John Calvin on, shaped their political views. It will also describe how the Reformed tradition led them to criticize the new nation and reject assertions of a religious national identity.”

He is the Rev. Priscilla Wood Neaves Distinguished Professor of Religion and Politics and Professor of History at Washington University in St. Louis. He is one of the country’s leading authorities on how Protestant Christianity shaped early American society—and how early American society, economics, politics, and ideas about religious freedom in turn shaped Protestant Christianity.

2nd Annual Support the Wilderness Day Tomorrow, October 17th

A rainbow arches over autumn-colored mountains under a cloudy sky.

The Montreat Conference Center is once again sponsoring “Support the Wilderness Day” event in Montreat. The second annual wilderness event will be held tomorrow, Saturday, October 17th. Enjoy a public hike, meet and greet opportunities, and presentations related to Montreat Wilderness. Also, 10% of sales at the shops in Moore Center will support the Montreat Wilderness.

For information, including a schedule of events and locations, CLICK HERE.

“Take a Hike” Musical Sunday, October 18th

Flyer for the musical production Take a Hike, featuring a historical photo of hikers John Mack Walker and Wade Boggs, written and directed by John L. Currie.

Tying in to MRA’s Support the Wilderness Day event, the Montreat Adult Summer Club will show the 2008 Take a Hike Montreat Madness Musical in Upper Anderson on Sunday, October 18th at 3:30 pm.

There were close to 150 Montreaters onstage or helping with the production. Whether you were part of the musical or arrived in Montreat afterward, you will see people you know. Enjoy the fellowship, fun, and popcorn! There is no charge.

Updates and Reminders

A hand writes the word REMINDERS in black uppercase letters, underlining it with a red line.
  • The Montreat Board of Adjustment will meet on Thursday, October 22nd, at 5:00 pm, in the Town Hall Community Room. The meeting will be live streamed. For a copy of the agenda and streaming instructions, CLICK HERE. All are invited to attend.
  • 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 Redalerts, an emergency communications system used a number of times during the hurricane and wildfires? To learn more about Code Red 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!