Merifield Acres Landowner’s Association

www.merifieldacres.org

NOVEMBER 29, 2018 VOLUME 5, NUMBER 11

Officers:

President

Kevin Hensley 374-2803

[email protected]

Vice President Chris Crouse

[email protected] 374-8090

Secretary Lee Baldwin

[email protected] (919) 623-3556

Treasurer Annie Hensley

[email protected] 374-2803

Architectural Committee*

Allen Weyman, Chair [email protected]

374-5070

Newsletter Emily Howie

[email protected] 374-1590

Website Hal Norman

[email protected] 374-1218

Merifield Appleseed Project & Orchard Day

On November 3rd, Merifield residents planted a total of 50 apple trees to revive the old apple orchard situated on the common area next to the Merifield airstrip. Lee and Rick Baldwin have initiated this wonderful project after extensive research and support from Century Farms Orchard in Reidsville, North Carolina.

The appeal to Merifield residents to sponsor an apple tree was very successful with 28 sponsors contributing to cover the cost of the trees and all related materials. Century Farms determined that the five old trees still alive in the orchard were heirloom apple varieties. The trees planted on November 3rd included the following varieties: 9 Grimes Golden; 9 Virginia Winesap; 9 American Summer Pearmain; 9 Arkansas Black; 2 Hewes Crab; 2 Summer Banana; and ten grafts from the old remaining trees. Lee has provided a document that shows a layout of the orchard:

On November 4th, Lee, Rick, and Merifield residents returned to the orchard to help set up the deer proof fencing around the new apple trees. This involved staking four poles around each tree and then stringing four segments of fishing wire at precise intervals around the poles.

2017-2018 Committees

Architectural Committee*

Allen Weyman, Chair [email protected]

374-5070

Aviation Rick Baldwin, Chair

[email protected] (919) 846-8001

Beautification

Chip Overton 374-5867

Common Grounds

Chair Allen Weyman

[email protected] 374-5070

Roads Chair

Mike Gupton [email protected]

374-2094

Database Assistant Treasurer

Joyce Woodfin [email protected]

Welcoming / Email

Committee Emily Howie

[email protected] 374-1590

Deer Control Scott Diamond

374-5887

Security David Hammer

[email protected] 374-0967

* Architectural Committee must approve tree removal of live trees over 6"

Everyone’s hard work was rewarded with hot dogs, hamburgers, chili, individual fried apple pies, hot coffee and apple cider, along with other goodies contributed by Merifield

neighbors. As the old saying goes, “A good time was had by all!”

A highlight of the afternoon was the arrival and presentation by Phil Beck of two large wooden apples that were carved by Phil and his colleague Wade. The carved apples will be permanently displayed in the orchard. Donors will be acknowledged on a community sponsor bulletin board to also be installed in the orchard. Volunteers will care for each tree.

The response of the Merifield Community to the Merifield Appleseed Project has been highly enthusiastic, and assures that next November another Orchard Day will be held to plant more apple trees. Thanks to all the sponsors and volunteers who have supported and participated in this endeavor. Lee and Rick Baldwin also deserve a huge thank you for launching this project and working so hard to achieve its success!

More orchard event photos will be posted in the new Gallery on merifieldacres.org. .

EMERGENCY CONTACTS FOR FALLEN TREES

Call:

Kevin Hensley

434-210-1370

-or-

Kent Galvin

540-842-8902

Facebook: Merifield

(Account is required)

MALA Board Meetings Mark your calendar now for the upcoming MALA Board Meetings scheduled the

2nd Tuesday of every EVEN month and held in the Hensley’s garage: Left at tennis courts, 2nd drive on the right on Occoneechee.

All Board meetings start promptly at 7 PM Board Meeting December 11, 2018

Other News & Items of Interest

Mecklenburg County History

The Library of Congress online collections contain many interesting items documenting the history of Mecklenburg County, Virginia. A “landowner’s map” created by Jedediah Hotchkiss in 1860 shows the names of some of the families who owned property in Mecklenburg County at that time.

See https://www.loc.gov/resource/g3883m.cwh00299/?r=-0.006,0.389,0.586,0.241,0 for the full detail of this map.

The extraordinary collections of the Library of Congress contain more than 167 million items, including more than 39 million cataloged books and other print materials in 470 languages; more than 72 million manuscripts; the largest rare book collection in North America; and the world's largest collection of legal materials, films, maps, sheet music

Clarksville Lake Country Chamber of

Commerce:

ClarksvilleVa.com

Town of Clarksville:

http://www.clarksvilleva.org/

Virginia’s Lake Region:

http://www.virginiaslakeregion.co

m/

and sound recordings. The Library is constantly adding material to its online digital collections, including full text books and even movies. You can explore and learn more about the Library of Congress online collections at:

https://www.loc.gov/collections/

Area Propane Prices Propane prices depend on your supplier, how much propane you use, and whether you own your propane tank. You will save money by shopping around. If you currently rent a tank from a high-priced provider, it might be cheaper in the long run to purchase their tank or replace it with your own. Prices as of this month show that Parker is still the least expensive: 2016 2018 Parker Oil & Propane Chase City 434-372-4616 $1.499 / gal $1.899 Davenport Energy S. Boston 434-572-4981 $1.89 / gal $2.049 Southern States Oxford, NC 919 693-6136 $1.99 / gal $2.599 Davenport Energy S. Boston 434-572-4981 $2.04 / gal $2.249 Service Plus Propane South Hill 434-447-3970 $2.45 / gal $2.799 AmeriGas South Hill 434-447-3600 $2.91 / gal $3.159*

Information provided by Butch Cheatham *A recent check with AmeriGas revealed that they do not quote prices without an account number, as the price charged depends on “who you are” (direct quote). The price quoted for a specific account was $3.75/gallon as of publication time. (Provided by Hal Norman)

Verizon FIOS?

At the October Annual Meeting there was a discussion about alternatives to the cable and Internet service currently available in Merifield. Specific interest was expressed in Verizon FIOS. Butch Cheatham has provided information with a link to a Verizon webpage with allows you to “register” and express an interest in having Verizon FIOS in our area. Please see:

https://www.verizon.com/home/fios-registration/?&CMP=EMC-CVZ_ZZ_F3_Z_ZZ_N_X00001

Note that FIOS, should it become available, has no bandwidth limit and offers much higher speeds and at significantly lower cost than current area providers.

Consumer Alerts Supplements Tainted with Prescription Drugs: Dietary supplements are not regulated by the FDA. See the following link for more information: https://www.consumerreports.org/dietary-supplements/dietary-supplements-found-tainted-with-prescription-meds/?EXTKEY=NH8AHTHOP&utm_source=acxiom&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20181030_nsltr_health

2018 Upcoming Clarksville and Area Events Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Campaign – Began on October 1st This campaign has been collecting toys for needy children throughout America since 1947 by providing a new toy for less fortunate children each Christmas. For more information, please see:

http://www.thenewsprogress.com/news/local/article_5144aa28-d7b2-11e8-b412-cb7808397bd8.html

South Hill Christmas Farmers Market – December 1st Event will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Market Square rain or shine. Contact Anna Cratch at the South Hill Town Hall with any questions – (434) 447-3191.

https://southhillchamber.com/images/christmas_2018.jpg

Mecklenburg County, VA – The Official

Visitors Guide:

http://www.myvirtualpaper.com/doc/visitmeckvaguide/mecklenburgcountryvisitorguide/201407160

1/#0

Lake Map:

http://www.kerrlake.com/map/map.ht

m

Lake Country Regional Airport:

http://lakecountryregionalairport.

org/

Lake Country SPCA:

http://www.lakecountryspca.org/H

ome.html

Mecklenburg’s Veteran’s Memorial:

http://www.kerrlake.com/memori

al/

Clarksville Government:

http://www.clarksvilleva.org/governme

nt/

Christmas Bazaar – December 1st

Sponsored by MacCallum More Museum & Gardens, Chase City, from 9:00 a.m to 1:00 p.m., Estes Community Center-SVCC

http://business.clarksvilleva.com/events/details/christmas-bazaar-997

Brunch with Santa at Cooper’s Landing – December 2nd http://business.clarksvilleva.com/events/details/brunch-with-santa-cooper-s-landing-1074

South Hill Christmas Parade – December 2nd http://business.clarksvilleva.com/events/details/south-hill-christmas-parade-3315

UCVR Christmas Open House – December 7th http://business.clarksvilleva.com/events/details/ucvr-christmas-open-house-3311

*Clarksville Annual Christmas Parade – December 7th

http://business.clarksvilleva.com/events/details/clarksville-christmas-parade-2018-7226

*Photos with Santa –December 7th http://business.clarksvilleva.com/events/details/photos-with-santa-3256

*These events are hosted by the Clarksville Lake Country Chamber of Commerce

2019 Upcoming Clarksville and Area Events: First Day Hike at Occoneechee State Park from 9:30am-10:30am, January 1st. What better way to start the year than being surrounded with all that nature has to offer. Join us for a 0.7 mile hike down Old Plantation Trail.

http://business.clarksvilleva.com/events/details/first-day-hike-01-01-2019-4555

http://business.clarksvilleva.com/events/details/scrooge-7446

Occoneechee State Park calendar

Occoneechee State Park 1192 Occoneechee Park

Rd., Clarksville, VA 23927

Phone: 434-374-2210 Email Address:

[email protected] Web Site:

http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-

parks/occoneechee.shtml

https://www.clarksvilleva.org/tobacco-ball-saturday-december-1st/

Weekly/Monthly events: • Friday Night Dance – Clarksville Ruritan’s Thrift Shop – Every Friday Night! 7 PM,

$5.00 admission. • Clarksville Ruritan’s Bingo – EVERY Tuesday night 7 – 9 PM at the center. • Fish Fry & BBQ – VFW Post 8163 – 3rd Thursday of every month, 5 to 7 PM.

Photo courtesy of Hal Norman

Lake Country SPCA As the end of the year approaches, please remember the Lake Country SPCA and all of the great work that they do to help animals in need.

http://www.lakecountryspca.org/lakecountryspca.org/Donations_and_Payments.html

News Alert! Please send Emily Howie any news or items of interest for publication in the next newsletter to: [email protected] (or call 374-1590). Thank you!