Page 1 of 15 In Asheville, amid the mountains of western North Carolina Dear Crowfields Residents: As the current editor of the Chatter, I would like to inform the community that I will no longer be including creative writing pieces of work, such as poems, versus, short stories, etc. in the Chatter. I will not take the time to get into the reasons why this decision was made, but I will say that all past creative pieces were welcomed by me without bias or agenda. I never read or edited for content any piece that was submitted. As for all you creative writers in the community, hopefully you can find another way to distribute your works. Mary D’Amore, editor, Crowfields Chatter CROWFIELDS CHATTER The following information is featured in this issue: Property Manager’s Report – page 2 Calling All Mermaids – Page 4 CCA Meetings – page 5 Committee News – pages 5 & 6 Activities & Events for the Month – page 7 More Information on Activities/ Events – pages 8 & 9 Garden Gal – page 10 Nature’s Nook – pages 11 & 12 New Neighbors – page 13 Contributions from the Community – pages 13 & 14 Employees BBQ – Page 15 ************************ Edited & Published by Mary D’Amore If you have ideas or an article or picture for the Chatter, please contact Mary at 774-6505 or [email protected]
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CROWFIELDS · Garden Gal – page 10 Nature’s Nook – pages 11 & 12 New Neighbors – page 13 Contributions from the Community –pages 13 & 14 Employees BBQ – Page 15 *****
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Page 1 of 15
In Asheville, amid the mountains of western North Carolina
Dear Crowfields Residents:
As the current editor of the Chatter, I would like to inform the
community that I will no longer be including creative writing pieces of
work, such as poems, versus, short stories, etc. in the Chatter.
I will not take the time to get into the reasons why this decision was
made, but I will say that all past creative pieces were welcomed by me
without bias or agenda. I never read or edited for content any piece
that was submitted.
As for all you creative writers in the community, hopefully you can find
another way to distribute your works.
Mary D’Amore, editor, Crowfields Chatter
CROWFIELDS
CHATTER
The following information
is featured in this issue:
Property Manager’s Report –
page 2
Calling All Mermaids – Page 4
CCA Meetings – page 5
Committee News – pages 5 & 6
Activities & Events for the
Month – page 7
More Information on Activities/
Events – pages 8 & 9
Garden Gal – page 10
Nature’s Nook – pages 11 & 12
New Neighbors – page 13
Contributions from the
Community – pages 13 & 14
Employees BBQ – Page 15
************************ Edited & Published by Mary D’Amore
As I write this article, we have been experiencing many days of heavy rainfall. I guess the saying is true - when it rains, it pours. For some reason I don’t think that
particularly meant water from the sky; however, in this instance, I know it has little to do with rainfall at all. In April, I was happy to report that the two full time positions had been filled and we were on our way to a promising summer of catch-up work on the grounds. Well, unfortunately, this is where water had little to do with the aforementioned saying. Both new hires left shortly after their start dates. To be exact, one worked eight hours and did not return and the other worked eighty hours and turned in their notice. One made no comment as to why they left and the other stated the job was more labor intensive than expected. So now we’re back to square one. On top of that, our full-time employee Brian Bowers left in early April, (a planned exit) and to add insult to injury, Caroline our part time pruning guru left us in early May. A tale of woe for our already delayed grounds maintenance program. Fortunately, some relief is coming in the way of part time employees for the summer. One employee from last summer is retuning in mid-June and two others, one here now and the other to follow in the next few days. I have reached out to the Haywood Community College Horticulture Department and inquired if they have any interested applicants, as they may have just graduated or they may be out for summer break. No luck there so far. I have even resorted to asking other lawn care companies if they have or know of someone that would be interested in full time employment with benefits. Wouldn’t you know it, unemployment is at an all-time low, making it even more difficult to find qualified applicants. Those who are willing to inquire always ask that dreaded but most important question, how much does the job pay? Well to be perfectly honest I don’t know what your qualifications are so I can’t reasonably answer that. Their rebuttal, can you pay me “X” amount per hour, if not I am moving on. Of course, I can’t. Well that’s where the conversation ends. As before an ad will be placed with an online job listing site soon to see what’s out there. Let’s see how it goes this time around. For all the aquatic enthusiast out there, THE POOL IS OPEN. James and J.T. worked feverishly for the past few weeks to insure the pool would be ready for opening day. All work went smoothly and no surprises were encountered as they neared opening day. This year’s pool inspection (conducted by Buncombe County Health Department) included a post dusk lighting inspection. J.T. meet with the pool inspector after dusk to ensure that the proper lighting requirements were meet. The actual pool inspection was conducted the following day with all requirements of both being met and a valid permit in hand, the pool was opened on May 11th. There are three employees here that hold Certified Pool and Spa licenses. They are all responsible for insuring that the water chemistry is near perfect for your swimming comfort. J.T. especially takes great pride in insuring that the pool water and patio furniture is ready for your daily visit. Let me not forget Pete’s efforts, as he has added lovely flowering plants around the pool area for your visual delight. I hope everyone has the opportunity to visit and enjoy this relaxing amenity.
Continued on next page
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In the coming weeks and month Pete and staff members will be pruning seasonally appropriate shrubs.
This may include rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias and other spring blooming shrubs. Best pruning
practices will be used where appropriate. In many cases rejuvenated pruning techniques will be used. This
approach is not always favored by most onlookers because the plant is reduced to a smaller more
compact size, but often this is the best approach when trying to eliminate pests (such as bores), disease
damage, over grown and leggy plants. Typically, plants that exhibit flush new growth at the grown or on
off shoot limbs of the plant will be pruned in this manner. Shrubs in this heathy state do respond better
to rejuvenating pruning techniques.
Also, any building being painted this year will receive shrubbery pruning. Sometimes severe pruning is
needed to allow access for the pre-paint repair work and of course the painters when they arrive. It is
better to conduct controlled pruning instead of the plant being damaged by ladders, power washers or
any other damaging activity that could be detrimental to the plant. All workmen are instructed to be
mindful and careful while working around our mature plants but accidental damage does occur. We do
insist they report any such damage to us so we can respond accordingly. Buildings on the 2018 paint cycle
are O, P, Q R, S, T, U, V, A and B clusters.
Other shrubs that pose potential safety risks will also be pruned or possibly eliminated altogether. Shrubs
that will be addressed are located at poor line-of-sight intersections. Many intersections have become
blocked by overgrown junipers and other evergreen plants. In most cases junipers do not generate new
growth from old wood (the branch below green needle growth), that is why some plants will need to be
removed. They may be replaced with a more appropriate plant or we may simply redesign the bed
altogether. Intersections that will be affected are Clubhouse Drive @ Crowfields Drive. C, D and E cul-de-
sac @ Crowfields Drive and possibly a couple other parking areas that enter directly onto Lane or Drive.
Safety is paramount for walkers and drivers alike and that is why I feel this work must be done.
Summer is only a few weeks away and soon we will be attending the annual Employee Appreciation
picnic. I look forward to seeing you there so we can share some great food and light-hearted camaraderie.
Until then, enjoy the bounty of life we have been given.
Charles Bennett, CCA Property Manager
Page 4 of 15
Calling All Mermaids by Aileen Estra
Great news for all you swimmers and sunbathers—the Crowfields pool is now open! The water is perfect and pristine, and the temperature is a constant 83 degrees—pleasantly warm, yet cool enough to be refreshing when the summer sun is blazing. Comfy lounge chairs, high-top tables and canvas umbrellas make the space perfect for a quiet lunch with a friend, or an afternoon of sunbathing. Crowfields Building Maintenance Supervisor JT
Hollingsworth has been the man in charge of preparing our
pool every Spring for the past twelve years. JT is an Aquatic
Technician, one of three certified Pool and Spa Operators here at Crowfields. It’s a certification that must be
renewed every five years, so it’s safe to say that they all are up-to-date on the latest pool technology.
Preparation of our pool takes about two weeks. Once the pool cover is removed, the entire area is pressure-
washed, repairs made to the concrete, paint touched up and filters replaced. The pump, sand filter and heater are
serviced, and the pool lights are checked for proper operation.
Once the pool is filled, the pool water is treated with Triclor chlorine tablets, maintained throughout the season at a
low, two-parts-per-million chlorine level. Precise management of the PH and alkalinity of our pool means that the
chemicals will be kinder to your swimsuit and are less likely to make your skin itch.
When JT is satisfied with the PH and Alkalinity, inspectors are called in to check that pool conditions meet the strict
guidelines set by the Buncombe County Health Department. (A surprise second visit by the Health Department will
occur sometime in mid-summer, so the crew has to stay on top of things throughout the season.) Our Crowfields
pool has never failed an inspection—in fact, the inspectors have consistently commented on the exceptionally
pristine quality of the water. Hats off to you, JT
JT was also in charge of the recent rebuilding of the bridge by the Japanese garden.
And what a task that was! The Grounds crew accomplished most of the work during
the winter months, putting aside their lawn mowers and pruning shears in favor of
saws and hammers. The entire job took about four months to complete.
First, the old bridge had to be demolished, and the material carted away for eventual
repurposing. A tractor was brought in to lay down two 32-foot steel I-beams across
Dingle Creek. Pressure-treated lumber and Kona composite decking material was
used to build the actual structure of the bridge, with aluminum balusters and six-by-
six posts installed for added stability. The composite is amazingly strong and durable,
impervious to rot, and won’t need to be painted. Using this material gives the bridge
a 30-40-year lifespan. As a final touch, JT and James installed solar light collectors along the length of the bridge,
creating visual interest, and making the structure usable for evening strolls.
I can’t pretend to understand all the mechanics involved in the building of this lovely bridge—terms like “fluting
grooves” and “I-beams” go right over my head—but it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see what a beautiful job our
guys have done. Kudos to JT and the entire Grounds crew on a job well done!
Page 5 of 15
CCA Meetings for June 2018
06/6 – EC Meeting 4:00 06/26 – EC Workshop 4:00
Committee News
Consolidation Update
The Bylaws Committee received the input from their requested revisions back from the attorney in early May.
They met several times during May to review his responses and finalize what they believe to be the final draft
that will go out to our community. This final draft must be approved by the attorney (with the bylaw changes
they have added in May) and then will be submitted to the Executive Committee for their review and approval.
A tentative timeline has been developed that would distribute the revised bylaws to our community via email
in late June or early July, and then community town halls will be held in July. These new and extensive bylaws
will govern Crowfields in the future. Stay positive and tuned in. Thank you for your patience!!! We will keep
you informed.
Meanwhile you might like to know that the new bylaws grant more voting power to the individual owners than
our current bylaws do. This increased voting power means that the owners will have a bigger voice in decision
making than is now the case.
Please feel free to reach out to any Consolidation or Bylaws Committee member with questions.
Social Committee – Details for the Crowfields Annual Employees Appreciation BBQ and
Celebration scheduled for Friday, June 29th @ 12:00 noon is location on the last page of this Chatter.
Page 6 of 15
More Committee News
Website/Communications Committee – The Website/Communications Committee has resumed
its meetings after an extended spring break. We are actively reassessing all items posted on the Resident’s
(Private) website to determine if they are still current and where the responsibility lies for maintaining the
origination document(s). We are also reassessing our maintenance procedures making sure they are
streamlined and efficient and up-to-date so that future Website chairs and committee members will have a
clear understanding of the standards and procedures that have been established for our website. Please take a
couple moments to view our Member’s website. We welcome all feedback and suggestions. If you would like a
little help signing on to our website, feel free to contact any of our committee members: Jim Crook, Kirk
Douglass, Georgette Love, and Laney Siegel. Regards, Mary D’Amore, committee chair
Members Website Sign-in Information: http://crowfieldsasheville.com/for-residents/
Username: crowfields
Password: Trees4ever! (case sensitive)
Wildlife Study Ad-Hoc Committee – The Crowfields Wildlife Study Committee would like to thank
all residents who participated in the recent survey concerning our resident geese population. Once all of the
survey information is consolidated and analyzed, the committee will present the findings to the community at
a Town Hall Meeting on Monday, June 25, at 5 p.m. in the community building. Residents will be able to ask
questions and offer additional input at that time. Members of the committee are Dan Constant (chairman),
Georgette Love, Ellen James, Greg Silliman, George Watson, Bobby Ray, Jerry Crow and David Slobodan.
Crowfields’ Health Items Need A Home
We, Crowfields, have a good selection of Home Help Items now stowed in the
basement of 433, which I own. I will be selling 433 shortly and the items (Wheel
Chairs, Crutches, Potty Chairs, Walkers, etc.) need a new home. Trust me when I say it is not much
work and very rewarding. We also have a regular size electric (up and down only) bed that needs a