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WMPOA Annual Meeting

11:00 a.m. Saturday,

July 21, 2018 in the Clubhouse

Calendar of Events*

7/5 Board Games, 7:00pm 7/12 Garden Club Meeting, and Potluck, 6:00 pm 7/19 Bunko, 7:00 pm 7/21 Board Meeting, 8:30am 7/21 WMPOA Meeting, 11:00 am 7/26 Bingo with Bob, 7:00 pm 8/2 Card & Board Games, 7pm 8/9 Garden Club Meeting and Potluck, 6:00 pm 8/16 Bunko, 7:00 pm 8/18 Board Meeting, 8:30 am 8/23 Bingo with Bob. 7:00 pm 9 /6 Card & Board games, 7 pm 9/13 Garden Club Meeting and Potluck, 6:00 pm 9/15 Board Meeting, 8:30 am 9/20 Bunko, 7:00 pm 9/27 Bingo with Bob., 7:00 pm *All events are at the clubhouse unless otherwise noted. Check the Calendar at the office or our Website for changes. Also check the Community Calendar for other activities in the area. Our Website is

www.walnutmtnga.com

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Come out and vote!

Walnut Mountain’s Annual Meeting and Election will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 21, in the Clubhouse. At the meeting, property owners will vote by secret ballot to fill three 3-year term positions on the Board of Directors. Each lot owner is entitled to one vote per lot owned, as long as the owner is current in their assessment and is in good standing otherwise. More than ever, your vote is very important to the future of Walnut Mountain, so please try to attend.

The meeting will begin promptly at 11:00 a.m., but plan to arrive by 10:45 a.m. so that we have plenty of time to verify your voting eligibility and certify your lot number(s). Remember that members are entitled to one vote for each lot owned. If more than one person owns the lot, they will need to determine among themselves who will vote. Please advise the check-in person which owner will be the voting member.

CANDIDATES - Each year the POA Nominating Committee is responsible for coming up with qualified candidates to run for election to the Board of Directors. Beginning on Page 2 you will find, in alphabetical order, profiles of the six declared candidates who have agreed to serve our community for the next three years. Those declared candidates are: Shyla Brenan, Toby Brewster, John Dean, Lynne Pitters, Frank Randall, and Linda Tison. However, others may come forward before the meeting date, and our Bylaws also allow nominations from the floor.

PROXY -- If you are unable to attend the meeting, but want to vote, please fill out the enclosed proxy and mail or fax it to the WMPOA. A property owner may vote by authorized proxy for one other property owner if the proxy is submitted by the July 13th deadline. Proxies will not be accepted the day of the meeting.

You are invited to attend the Board Meeting which begins at 8:30 a.m. prior to the Annual Meeting. Please plan to attend the luncheon following the meeting.

The Mountaineer Walnut Mountain Property Owners’ Association Volume 155 July 1, 2018 Volume 144

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CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION TO WMPOA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SHYLA BRENAN

I’d like to introduce myself to those that don’t know me. My name is Shyla, and I’ve lived here 17 wonderful years. I am running for the board for the first time because I want to continue working on The Mountaineer. I

have assisted Don Nickle for many years, helping with the writing, editing, formatting and folding of the mountain newsletter. Don is retiring from the Board this July, and I want to take his place as Communications Chairman. I graduated from the University of Florida, where I majored in English and Theatre and got a degree from the College of Education. I taught 7th grade English for 8 years in Florida and had several secretarial/bookkeeping positions in Florida and California. Then I was hired by Delta Air Lines in reservations sales and service. I served on the Architectural Control Committee for eight years, Communications for 15 years, Beautification for five years, and have worked in the office and the Welcome Station. I am a member of the Walnut Mountain Garden Club, and I also volunteer for Gilmer Arts, Homeward Bound, and Paws & Claws in downtown Ellijay. Reading is my passion. And I’m a NASCAR junkie!

TOBY BREWSTER Hello! My name is Toby Brewster, and I am running for the Walnut Mountain Board of Directors. Throughout my life, I have strived to obtain new heights in my life, such as hiking the Appalachian Trail, becoming a Wilderness First

Responder and Swiftwater technician and many more certifications.

Career wise, it has ranged from hospitality, multiple restaurants, and many customer service jobs. I have now started my career in the commercial plumbing field for a company based out of Tunnel Hill, Georgia. Although I am rather new to the neighborhood, I have observed multiple operations of the mountain, and I believe that my input would be a valued asset to the community. Not knowing many people may seem to be a hindrance for me to some; however, in my opinion, it allows me to give an “outside, looking in” opinion that will not be affected by impressionable factors. I believe that there are many projects that must be tackled to improve the infrastructure of our community to a proper operational capacity. I will not take short cuts in order to get a project finished early, and I will dutifully do research on the best way to properly do what is needed. I promise to do everything in my ability to better the community.

JOHN DEAN I have been a property owner at Walnut Mountain since 2004 and a full-time resident since 2008.

I graduated from Adelphi University with a BA in history. I later returned to St. Petersburg College and

graduated with an Associate’s Degree in Nursing.

After a 20-year career, I retired from Clearwater Police Department in Florida. I worked as a registered nurse in various critical care units until full retirement.

I believe in transparency. Doing what is best for the majority, not for the benefit of a few. I would like to see fewer closed-door board meetings and better disclosure about how our money is spent, before it is spent.

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LYNNE PITTERS I would be honored to serve on the WMPOA Board of Directors if the residents feel I can help improve our mountain. My desire, like yours, is to enjoy our home and live at peace with our

neighbors as we progressively improve our community. We have had our cabin for over 20 years. After college I worked for stock brokerage firms in Atlanta, handling trading of millions of dollars in stocks and bonds. After two years of driving to Atlanta, Laura and I moved to Walnut Mountain full time. I started my own companies, Blinds by Design and A+ Quality Service. I was on the WMPOA board several years ago. I feel I will bring to the board experience needed to help make wise and frugal decisions. I understand the dynamics of the board and feel I can communicate. Issues I would like to continue to improve upon are roads, water, and the upkeep of our amenities. If all of us could focus on respecting one another, we could accomplish what is needed and create the peace we all seek. Thank you.

FRANK RANDALL I was born in Columbia, SC but moved to Dallas, TX shortly thereafter. I went to high school and college in the Dallas area (University of Texas at Arlington). My under-graduate degree is in economics. After graduation, I worked for

Kroger, where I attained the positions of assistant manager and liaison between stores and the corporate office. I moved to Georgia when I was in my late 20s to attend graduate school at The University of West Georgia in Carrollton, where I received two graduate degrees in counseling psychology. After a few years working as a counselor, I completed an MBA with a focus on finance at Kennesaw State University. Also, I received a certified financial planner certificate. I am the owner

of Whole Life Psychotherapy. I have belts in four different martial arts, including a 2nd degree black belt in Aikido. Currently, I am practicing Jujitsu at Grace Barra in Blue Ridge. I’ve been married to Susan for over 20 years, and we have a basset hound (Sam) and a Maine Coon (Wyatt). We have lived in Cobb County for most of our marriage, but we always vacationed in the mountains of North Georgia and North Carolina. When we got the opportunity to move, we chose Walnut Mountain last August. I love being in the mountains, breathing fresh air, seeing bears, deer, and other beautiful wildlife.

LINDA TISON I would bring to the Board a very varied background. From 1971 until 1976, I provided communications assistance at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Atlanta, GA. Following this, I spent nine years with Burger King restaurants, being responsible

for inventory control, training, and managing 30-60 crazy teenagers, handling corporate and health department inspections, and increasing profits for nine stores.

I have been in business management with several construction and real estate corporations, some of which I have owned, and have handled all aspects of running a corporation. I currently have a Florida real estate broker’s license with a GRI and a master’s in real estate. On the personal side, after passing a background check, and a superior judge court order, I’ve been raising grandkids for the last eight years. The youngest is now 18. I enjoy planning parties and events. I always have. For all of our family’s special occasions, I was always the one in charge of the planning. In every job I had, I was always the person who also planned the special events, whether formal or casual, small scale or a hundred or more guests. To me, it’s fun!

I love my Walnut Mountain community and, with your vote, I would like the opportunity to bring my energy and management skills to the Walnut Mountain Board of Directors

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THE PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Much has happened since our last newsletter and sadly not all of it a joy to share. In the short time since February, when I became president, three major issues have come to a head; with all needing immediate attention. It has been extremely time consuming and anxiety causing. It has not been easy, but I was and am determined to see them through. One, of course was the polarizing issue of over two years involving two property owners who also, at varying times, were two board members. The current board, and all boards involved have done their very best to work it out and close the matter. It is now closed. I hope this community, regardless of what or who you believe, can put this to rest. As was said in the statement released to this community, there was no alternative but to follow the direction of our attorneys. Despite rumors to the contrary, only two attorneys were involved in this and both came to the same conclusion. Two, the pool recently became but another unsettling issue. Our pool has developed some major problems, many of which were underlying and not obvious. The pool was built sometime close to fifty years ago. Unfortunately, records were not kept. It has been very hard going back and trying to retrace the history of various repairs implemented on this asset. In fact, as our wonderful Connie mentioned to me, there is very little history available regarding past problems, occurrences, or issues for us to review; misplaced papers and records have gone by the way of past board and property owners. Now we can only work with the facts we know and what we have put before us. As you may be aware, the pool work has begun and is in progress. Three, and most importantly, is our staff. Our staff has been confronted by a small number of residents who have made their work experiences quite miserable. On the one extreme are a few people who have taken it upon themselves to use profanity, yelling, and belittling verbiage to each and every employee on a somewhat regular basis. On a lesser scale, but still an impact, is the continual griping going on and the strife amongst homeowners to homeowners, board members to board members, and lastly of course board bashing. Unrest and heavy turnover on the

board has made all employees, but mainly Connie and Dale, very apprehensive. Think about it from their point of view, there is no consistency for them. Not only do board members change regularly on a yearly basis, but the unstable board of the past eight months and to a lesser degree the past three years has been even more stressful. People new to the community, often without prior experience, and certainly without understanding of the history and dynamics of this community, have volunteered to serve but are totally unprepared. At the encouragement of our new law firm, I will be suggesting all new and current board members be required to attend a class. This class will be tailored to us in hopes of preparing all members for the board experience. Without clearer understanding of our bylaws, unintentional misinterpretation often occurs. We need to better understand our own rules, determine roles and responsibilities, and most importantly, how to implement our fiduciary duty to our community. Yes, shortly we will have a whole new board; virtually no one on the board with the exception of two will have been in their current placement for more than nine months. I beseech this neighborhood to work together and back the board members, whoever they may be. It took all I had in me to hold on, many could not. I would like to put the past in the past and try for all of us to move forward with a bright outlook on the future. From my short time on the board and in this community, I have two simple suggestions to offer:

1. History, history, history … we need to make an effort to keep better track of what has occurred in the past. I can’t help but feel the pool issues would not have been as hard to tackle, had we had more knowledge.

2. We need a community that respects and backs its board and employees, and a board that respects each other. Despite our difference we all have the mountain’s best interest at heart; let us show it.

I will state again, I welcome diversity to the board. There is no better way to assure fair treatment and the interests of all than a diverse and multi-faceted board. Please let’s all learn from this terribly unsettling last year and a half. I ask each and every

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person in the community, please come forward and serve, whether on the board, through committees, positive input, staff and board support, attendance and participation, or if nothing else, by not making your unhappiness so obvious and pervasive. I believe that is the only answer for all of us. I thank you for letting me serve you this past three years on the board and previously on committees serving this board and community.

Marjory H. Walsh ___________________________________________

ATTENDING A BOARD MEETING There are three different phases in a Board meeting: (1) the Business Meeting, at which the board discusses and makes decisions based on a pre-established meeting agenda, (2) the Resident Open Forum, where residents (like you) can address the Board with your ideas, comments and/or suggestions pertaining to our community, (3) the Executive Session, which is conducted without homeowners present to discuss issues related to legal issues, personnel issues and/or non-compliance hearings. Residents can attend the Business Meeting, but they are not allowed to speak to the Board during this portion of the Board meeting. Residents are encouraged to attend to observe only. During the Resident Open Forum, residents are permitted to address the Board for a limited time. An important point to remember is that although important issues may be brought to the Board’s attention during Open Forum; don’t expect the Board to act on these issues at this time. Many issues are turned over to management for research and to determine the options available. The more prepared the Board is before deciding, the better the decision will be. Homeowners are not allowed to attend the Executive Session. Sensitive legal, personnel and/or hearings are dealt with during Executive Session.

RESIDENT’S FORUM Although Board Meetings are in place to conduct the business of the Association, the Board would love to hear from you. This enables residents to hear the discussion and decision making of the Board. If you have something of concern that you would like the Board to discuss in Regular Session, please call management at least 10 days prior to the meeting to request your item to be placed on the agenda. _________________________________________

FORMATION OF THE BOARD Three directors are elected by the property owners for a term of three years at the annual meeting in July of each year. This is a reduction from four due to a change in our Bylaws. According to these Bylaws, vacancies that occur during the year are filled by a vote of the remaining board members. The Board meets within ten days of the election to elect their officers. The president appoints the chairs of the various committees according to their special skills and interests. The board cannot make any rules or regulations that do not apply to them as well as all property owners, and a majority must agree for passage.

________________________________ VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT

While I have only been Vice President for a short period, in that time a lot has happened here on the Mountain. The board signed a contract to have our pool properly repaired. Sadly, although necessary for liability and safety reasons, these repairs have caused the pool’s opening to be delayed. Work began on June 7, and if the weather permits and no unexpected problems arise, it should be opened by mid-July.

A long-term project is nearing completion, as 300 of our 400 new water meters have been installed and, installation of the last 100 should be completed shortly.

There has been a rash of gate problems recently which required parts that are not normally in stock, causing a delay in repairs. We hope to have fewer disruptions in the future. Contractors have been out looking at our roads to give us bids and time-frames to do the paving that we can afford. Only one bid has been received so far, and sadly it was almost $25,000 over our paving budget.

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I have been very impressed by the hard work and dedication of all of our employees. However, recently several homeowners have verbally abused some of our employees to the point that they considered quitting. This has to stop! Please, we need to hear of your problems and complaints, but they can be made and are more likely to get quick resolution if they are presented in a polite, professional manner without getting angry or emotional. I have encouraged our employees to call me or another board member while the abuse is occurring if it becomes confrontational, and we’ll try to resolve the problem or diffuse the situation. The Board has resolved to put an end to this harassment by fining those who are responsible, and other legal action may be taken if necessary.

Don Nickle, Vice President ___________________________________________

BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE

Despite the wet and cold start to Spring, the Beautification Committee held their workdays. Flowers were planted in the barrels at the clubhouse and by the bench next to the mail kiosk. The areas next to the mail kiosk and Welcome Station were weeded and mulched. New assorted flowers and bushes were planted across from the picnic tables by the pool. Flowering baskets were hung at the Welcome Station. Some of the numerous plants and bushes that were planted this year are begonias, geraniums, canna lilies, variegated boxwood, and salvia. The Beautification Committee meets monthly February through April and September through November. Members share ideas and plans to make our mountain community a haven for beauty and tranquility. We continue to work closely with our maintenance staff in addressing certain projects. We encourage all residents to keep our community clean and an attractive place to live. If you would like to be a member of our committee, please call Sherri McGuff, 706-635-5883, to join or with any questions or concerns.

Sherri McGuff

ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE

The ACC has undergone some transition in the last couple of months. Our chairperson, Alice Frasher, resigned from the Board of Directors. Bob DeMeo served a short stint as chairperson and then I was appointed by the Board to take his place. The ACC currently consists of four members. We find this to be a good working number for decision making consistency and because we can fit in one vehicle as we travel around the mountain! We meet weekly to process requests from property owners. Based on what we see as we travel the mountain, we have a few reminders: Inoperable vehicles, including those with flat tires, are not to be left on any property in Walnut Mountain. No signs of any kind are allowed, including advertising for contractors doing work on property.

No trees, shrubs, bushes or other vegetation having a diameter or 4” or more shall be cut, destroyed, or mutilated without prior written permission of the association. Please be sure to check your property boundaries before cutting trees and do not cut trees on common property or on a neighbor’s property without the neighbor’s written consent. No property owner shall make any encroachment onto the common property. All property around the lakes in Walnut Mountain is common property. No structures, including steps and docks, are to be constructed on common property without prior written approval of the association. Additionally, any dock that is constructed on a lake in Walnut Mountain is not a “private” dock.

All homes are required to have a reflective “911” address displayed. Display of the lot number is also highly encouraged. A complete list of items that require ACC approval can be found in the Walnut Mountain Rules and Regulations and the Walnut Mountain CCRs. As we all enjoy summertime on the mountain, let’s continue to work together to preserve the beauty and integrity of our mountain as well as our property values. Carol Callicutt, ACC Chairperson

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Is That Snake a Friend or Foe?

Our woods and yards are full of wildlife that spark

imagination. There is one type of wildlife that often causes

great concern when we see them. Several snake species call Georgia home. The purpose of this article is to educate the reader on which snakes are our friends, and which are our foes. There are a total of 46 snake species in our state. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources states that Georgia has the greatest amount of diversity in snake species of any state in the country. Only six of these snake species are venomous ones that can pose a threat to humans. These six “foes” are Southern Copperhead, Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, Timber Rattlesnake or Canebrake, Pygmy Rattlesnake, Eastern Coral Snake, and Cottonmouth or Water Moccasin. Only three of these species call the North Georgia Mountains home – the Southern Copperhead, Timber or Canebrake Rattlesnake, and Pygmy Rattlesnake.

The Southern Copperhead loves to call wood piles and leaves home. Their No. 1 defense is camouflage, and they will stay perfectly still, hoping they are not noticed. As long as you watch where you step and avoid walking in their living room (off the trail), their defense mechanism should work.

The Timber Rattlesnake or Canebrake Rattlesnake is a large and heavy -bodied snake. Their favorite places to call home include underground dens in the winter and hollowed out logs or stumps the rest of the year. The Pygmy Rattlesnake is the smallest venomous snake in our state. Their bite can cause serious muscle and tissue damage at the bite site. They love to eat small insects and lizards. Their homes will be in places close to where their food source lives, such as rock piles in the woods, or stumps.

The other 40 species of snakes in our state that are not venomous provide many benefits to the world around us. They keep down on the rodents, insects, and other animals that we often identify as pests.

A non-venomous snake that is common is the brown water snake. They are often mistaken for venomous snakes due to their semi-triangle-looking head and coloring. They love to bathe in the sun on vegetation above the water’s surface. Their only danger lies in the fact that if they feel threatened, they will strike, and their bite can be most painful.

Some of these species, like the Eastern King Snake, do the best job of all. They establish territories, and will eat venomous snakes that come into their territory. You do not want to harm or kill these snakes when you see them in your yard or around your home. All these species represent the “FRIENDS” of the Georgia snake population and should not be harassed or harmed

According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Venomous Snakes of Georgia document, they cite the following Georgia state laws regarding the treatment of snakes “in Georgia, it is illegal (a misdemeanor, punishable by up to a $1,000 fine and a year in Jail) to possess or kill many of the state’s non-game wildlife species, including non-venomous snakes (O.C.GA 27-1028) It is also illegal to disturb or destroy the dens, holes, or homes of wildlife, or use explosives, chemicals, or other devices to drive wildlife, including venomous snakes, from those homes. Hopefully, the reader will exercise caution when in the outdoors and realize that we have more FRIENDS in our beautiful North Georgia mountains than we do FOES.

Chief Rebecca Strobl www.facebook.com/chiefstrobl (from an article “Staying Safe”)

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MEMORIAL TREES & SIGNS

FOR SALE: Lot H78 on Mountain Oak Road (a buildable lot.) Asking $8,000. Contact Barbara Johnson-Simmons at: 706-276-1688 or 706-273-0094

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MEMORIAL TREES & SIGNS There are several trees and markers on Walnut

Mountain that are in memory of folks that have gone ahead of us. The most notable of these is the Lawrence Stanley Nature Trail sign on Sleepy Hollow. Mr. Stanley was not a homeowner on Walnut Mountain, but a great friend of the early homeowners. He was extremely knowledgeable about plants, trees, and shrubs and was present at homeowner meetings to share his knowledge. Just outside the trail entrance, the Garden Club placed a stone and planted a tree in honor of Len Nizinski, husband of Laura Nizinski, one of the founders of the Walnut Mountain Garden Club. 0n the top of the hill in front of the Office, there are three trees. The first and biggest, a red Maple, is in memory of Sharon Dones, Secretary of the WMPOA from 2005 to 2007. The bench in front of this tree was donated by Lynne Pitters and Laura Hickson, very good friends of Sharon’s. Behind this tree are two dogwoods. One of them is in memory of Gary Troxell, Treasurer from 2005 to 2008 and the other in memory of Ed Sands, President from 2005 to 2008. These were planted by their wives. In the green space by the entrance pond, Kelly Russell planted two trees in memory of his late brother, Lamar. (The three dogwoods are from the Beautification Committee, as well as the red bud on the other side of the pond.).

Shyla Brenan

HISTORY OF INDEPENDENCE DAY School children in America learn the basic history of the events surrounding the Fourth of July, but the details of this monumental occasion in American history somehow fall through the cracks. Although July 4th is celebrated as America’s official split from Britain’s rule and the beginning of the American Revolution, the actual series of events show that the process took far longer than a single day. The original resolution was introduced by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia on June 7, 1776 and called for the Continental Congress to declare the United States free from British rule. Three days later a committee headed by Thomas Jefferson was appointed to prepare an appropriate writing for the occasion. The document that we know as the Declaration of Independence was adopted by Congress on July 4th although the resolution that led to the writing of the Declaration was approved two days earlier. All of this had occurred with some of the delegates to the Congress not even present; New York, for example, did not even vote on the resolution until July 9th. Even more interesting is the fact that not a single signature was appended to the Declaration on July 4th. While most of the fifty-six names were in place by early August, one signer, Thomas McKean, did not actually sign the Declaration until 1781. Nevertheless, July 4th was the day singled out to mark the event of the United States establishing itself as a nation. Only four American holidays are still celebrated on their proper calendar days: Halloween, Christmas, New Year’s and Independence Day. Of all the secular holidays, the Fourth of July is the only one whose celebration date resists change. Even in more provincial times, suggestions to alter the day of the festival to the preceding Saturday or the following Monday when July 4th fell on Sunday were protested.

IN MEMORIAM James Hutchins

M19

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The feeling about the sanctity of America’s Independence Day was best expressed in a quotation from the Virginia Gazette on July 18th, 1777: “Thus may the 4th of July, that glorious and ever memorable day, be celebrated through America, by the sons of freedom, from age to age till time shall be no more. Amen and Amen.”

Bear Picnic

Feeding Time on Walnut Mountain

Welcome New Residents Steve & Donna Batts 87 Owltown Road Terra Berry 53 Laurel Ridge Donald & Julie Martin 1285 Walnut Ridge Frank Dale 172 Sleepy Hollow Patrick & Cynthia Grady 1056 Walnut Ridge William Sprunk & Barbara Baez 843 Mountain Oak Jeff & Cindy Scott 1575 Walnut Ridge Rhonda Yabrow 1090 Walnut Ridge

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Recycling Update

There’s been a lot of interest recently in our community in getting an effective recycling program up and running. “Nextdoor” comments include things like:

Where we used to live there was a good recycling program.

Think of how much garbage dumpster space we could save. It’s the right thing for the planet. I didn’t know how to recycle here until the last newsletter.

There are several action items either ongoing, pending or still under evaluation:

1. The Garden Club has endorsed recycling as a worthy initiative. 2. Joy and I are bringing home the recyclables and reusables from clubhouse events we attend, like

Garden Club meetings, and Bingo nights. 3. Joy and I will start recycling all the junk mail from the two large containers in the mail kiosk.

Note this means they may no longer be used for anything but recyclables; no garbage! Here are things you can do:

1. Reserve a trash can in your house for recyclables (paper, cardboard, any plastic with a triangle number on it from 1 to 6) and take it to the Gilmer Country recycling center less than a mile east on 515 from its intersection with Turniptown Road.

2. Keep your aluminum of all kinds (cans, pie pans and sheets, foil balls) separate and empty them into the wire cage near the WM garbage bins; they go to support the fire department in the county.

3. Save your plastic bags and take them to the receptacles at Walmart when you shop. 4. Refuse to use plastic drinking straws whenever possible. 5. Carry your own reusable bags for shopping. 6. Take any glass recycling to the Pickens County Recycling center, about 2/3 of the way down 515 to

Jasper: Pickens County Recycling Center 3141

Camp Road

Jasper, Georgia 30143

Phone: 706-253-8871

Doing any or all of these things will make a difference. Shoppers in the USA use 1 plastic shopping bag per resident a day; Denmark shoppers use around 4 such bags a year. Less than 1/5 of plastic globally is recycled; Europe recycles 30%, China does 25% and the USA recycles only 9%.

As recycling gets going here, we will investigate an onsite pickup program that would collect the recyclables here at Walnut Mountain and transfer them to the recycling center for us.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

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YOU COULD BE WRECKING YOUR HOME –AND NOT KNOW IT (YET)

Homeowners often make these nine common -- and avoidable -- mistakes. Don’t be one of them. No. 1 - Using bleach as a “cure-all’ for your home. Bleach can eat through sealant on stone surfaces like granite. it can discolor laminate and colored grout, fade enamel and acrylic tubs, dissolve vinyl and linseed -based flooring like linoleum. It corrodes seals in garbage disposals. In addition, bleach kills mold on nonporous materials like grout. Whitening grout with bleach creates a mold feeding ground. Water and vinegar are all you need for most cleaning jobs. To clean your disposal, just put cold water and ice down it. No. 2 – Training ivy to climb your house. Anything that climbs on the house will damage it. It may look good, but by sending roots beneath siding and shingles, it can create an entrance for insects and moisture. No. 3 - Relying on chemical drain cleaners. The most common active ingredients in these solutions are hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid, and these can corrode you pipes Even the baking soda and vinegar combination can result in cracked pipes, as the reaction causes a buildup of pressure. No. 4 – Using glass cleaners on mirrors. Spraying can lead to what is commonly called “black edge.” Instead, clean mirrors with a lint-free microfiber cloth, dampened with warm water. Use a second cloth and dry immediately. No. 5 – Planting trees too close to anything. You don’t want a tree pushing through your driveway, sidewalk or, worse, your foundation. Position trees according to their maximum height, crown size, and root spread. For perspective, even a small tree reaching less than 30 feet tall, needs t least 6 feet of clearance from any exterior wall. Also, watch out for evergreens. If planted too close to the house, they encourage mold growth. No. 6 – Using the wrong caulk. There is kitchen and bath caulk, concrete caulk, gutter caulk, mortar caulk, etc. Using the wrong caulk can compromise the bond and the structure. Before heading to the store, check an online buying guide to find the right match for what you are doing. Odds are there is a specific caulk for it.

No. 7 - Over-sealing counter tops. Take care of your counter top, but don’t smother it. Applying sealant too frequently can create a cloudy or streaky appearances on surfaces like natural stone and concrete. How to know when it is time to reseal? Drop some water on a high use area of the counter top. If the water doesn’t remain beaded after fifteen minutes consider resealing, but always refer to your manufacturer’s recommendations. No. 8 – Over mulching. A layer thicker than three inches can suffocate plants and prevent water from reaching roots. No. 9 - Piling firewood next to your exterior wall is a ‘‘no-no.” It is like opening a bed and breakfast for termites. Anything that creates a dark climate-controlled area near your house will invite termites. Twenty feet is a safe distance from home for firewood, but still not so far to fill your fireplace.

GA/NC MOUNTAINS AND LAKES REGIONAL GUIDE.

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Outdoor Recreational Fires An outdoor recreational fire is permitted on owner occupied improved lots under the following conditions:

The Fire Condition Status as indicated on the sign across from the Welcome Station is Moderate or Lower.

The fire must be attended at all times, until completely extinguished.

The fire is at least 15 feet from all structures

There is a means to completely extinguish the fire (fire extinguisher or water hose)

Approved Fire Containers Outdoor recreational fires are restricted to the following containers:

Chimenea with ember inhibiting screen in place

Outdoor fireplaces with ember inhibiting screen in place

Approved outdoor LP gas burning fire pits

Fire pits which comply with the following guidelines:

o Located on a flame proof surface o Ember inhibiting screen in place at all

times Use only approved fuels, as listed in the Rules and Regulations.

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Property Owners: Please take note of the companies that advertise in The Mountaineer and utilize their services. Their ads help reduce our printing costs.