NMCA Fall Social and Membership Meeting
This year we are combining our fall social with a short annual membership meeting. Mark your calendars for Sunday afternoon, October 23, from 5 – 7pm for the NMCA fall member get-together and potluck dinner at the North Main Rotary Park/Bobby Pearse Community Center. We’ll gather in the Bobby Pearse Center with our food where we’ll have a few brief announcements at about 5:15; then, you can load your plates and eat there or in the pavilion. Bring your favorite dish….we’ll supply water, soft drinks and paper goods. Come visit your neighbors and enjoy an evening at the park. We’ll also have marshmallows so bring a stick if you want to roast marshmallows.
Halloween Activities in our Area
We have had requests from residents for safe Halloween Events where young children could enjoy the fun safely. As a result, this year NMCA will be joining Earle Street for their annual Halloween Parade and Trick-or-Treating Festivities! For North Main residents with small children, if you want to participate in the parade, please be at the west end of Earle Street by 6:15 pm on Monday, October 31. After the parade, there will be trick-or-treating on the street which will be closed for the event, so no traffic to worry about.
Other activities sent in by our members:
E/W Avondale/North Avondale is ready for a Monday the 31st evening Halloween extravaganza! Kids are welcome to trick or treat!
Boo in the Zoo http://www.greenvillezoo.com/specialevents.aspx
White Oak Baptist Church, 1805 Wade Hampton Blvd., is having a Fall Festival on October 30 from 4:30 to 7:30 PM. There will be games, a hayride, and more. Each child will receive a bag of candy, too. Children are welcome to come in costume, but we do ask that the costumes not be scary. We would love to see everybody there!
For adults, the Northgate Soda Shop will hold its annual Halloween Party on Friday evening, October 28, at 6:30pm. Prizes given for best costumes…1st, 2nd, and 3rd places. Please bring an appetizer to share.
For pumpkin patches, corn mazes, hayrides and other events in the Greenville area, check out http://www.pumpkinpatchesandmore.org/SCpumpkins.php
Recent Crime Activity in North Main
We recently sent out the following e-blast about recent crime in our area: On Monday (October 3) around 11:30 am there was a break-in on Simmons Court in the North Main neighborhood. The house was entered through an open window and a TV was stolen. The street was NOT deserted….there were several cars in neighboring driveways and people at home at the time. A house for sale in the Summit Drive area was entered and the appliances were taken. The neighbors on either side were out of town, so it would seem that someone had been watching for just this opportunity.
Since then we have also learned of vandalism in the area…. two trucks on East Avondale were vandalized Wednesday night (Oct 5). Windows were smashed, but apparently nothing taken from the vehicles. Two separate residences were affected. Other incidences of vandalism of property have also been reported on N. Main. Another resident warned that anyone selling a house that will be shown should make sure to remove or secure all valuables, even if there is a lock box in use. On Thursday morning (Oct 6) an employee for Summit Place Apartments (Summit Drive) found an outdoor shed padlock broken and tools missing from inside.
These should serve as warnings….Let’s all use every precaution….keep your doors and windows locked….be extra cautious and alert about unusual activity and report anything suspicious to the police nonemergency number (271-5333). Remember – Neighborhood watch is all about watching out for your neighbors!!
Weather Tidbits/ Climate Forecast
According to climate data, the average maximum temperature for Greenville in October is 71.8°F, the average low is 49.5°F and the average precipitation (rainfall) is 3.81”. The record maximum temperature for the period 1962-2006 was 92°F on October 2, 1986. The record minimum was 25°F on October 25, 1976. Over that same period, 1964 was the wettest October with 10.24” and the driest were 1962, 2000 and 2007 when we had no rainfall. http://www.dnr.sc.gov/climate/sco/index.php
Hurricane Hazel: Hazel caused $27 million (1954 dollars) in damage on October 14, 1954 after moving parallel to the coast and making landfall near Little River, South Carolina. Winds reached 106 mph and tides were greater than 16 feet at Myrtle Beach. The heaviest damage in SC was from Pawleys Island northward.
Greenville County Animal Care Services
We did an article earlier this year about the Humane Society’s move to their new facility on Airport Rd. That allowed Greenville County Animal Care Services (ACS) to expand and provide even more services. The following update was provided by ACS Community Relations Coordinator, Susan Bufano. “Just since May, 2011, we have had an amazing transformation while continuing and enhancing our proven Rescue and Lost and Found Programs. We added our Adoption and Retail Center and we have had 1485 adoptions since May, 2011. Our dog and cat Rescue Program thrived, with 2381 dogs and cats going to rescue as far north as Canada. We added a Foster Program, and there were 560 animals fostered on their journey to their forever homes. In June, we opened a beautiful new Low-Cost Spay/Neuter and Wellness Clinic. Hundreds of animals have been spayed/neutered and low-income citizens have received services for their pets through our Wellness program. Without our rescue partners, adopters, supporters and volunteers, we could not have helped so many animals. We look forward to more fun with you as we all work together to make our community better for people and animals.” Check out their website at http://www.greenvillecounty.org/acs/ to see how you can get involved or for information about adoptions, fostering, volunteering, etc.
On Saturday, October 15, ACS will be holding their Male Cat Neuter-a-thon. Only $15. Their goal is to neuter 150 male cats! Just call 467-SPAY (467-7729) for more information.
Hawk Watch at Caesar’s Head
From early September through late November of each year, members of the Greenville County Bird Club participate in a count of migrating hawks at Caesar’s Head State Park. The Hawk Watch is normally manned by volunteers who call themselves “Wing Nuts”. Why “Wing Nuts”? One day a few years ago, as the group was scanning the skies with binoculars, some of the tourists who came to the park to enjoy the view were heard to exclaim “that’s just a bunch of wing nuts”. The name stuck. It’s not unusual to see 200 to 300 hawks at one time soaring or circling in a thermal overhead. To date, the highest single day count was over 5,200 birds.
For more information about the Caesar’s Head Hawk Watch program, please contact Tim Lee, Park Interpreter, at (864) 836-6115 or by e-mail at caesars_head_sp@prt.state.sc.us. As results are compiled, the current year’s tally along with archive results since 2007 can also be viewed at the HawkCount website http://gcbirdclub.org/hawkwatch.html
Setting the Stage for Spring
“Delayed gratification is a foreign concept to many people these days, but it’s a virtue gardeners must embrace in order to enjoy the vibrant blooms of daffodils, spring crocus and hyacinth next spring. October and November are the ideal time for most S.C. gardeners to plant spring-flowering bulbs (coastal residents can wait until December), which need to experience a season of cold temperatures in order to bloom properly.” For tips on ground preparation, bulb selection, and planting check out a recent article by Greenville Extension horticulture area agent Cory Tanner at http://www.ecsc.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=734&Itemid=252Another resource for gardening advice and information exchange is Clemson Extension’s Upstate Horticulture Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/UpstateHort
Fall Plant/Garden Sales
The Greenville Humane Society plant and garden sale will be held Saturday, October 29, from 9am to 1pm at their new facility on Airport Rd. They will have a wide variety of plants for sale – shrubs, perennials, houseplants, and seeds. They will also be selling great garden accessories like tools, planters, garden art and more! Donations are welcome for plants and accessories! If you have a donation, please contact Terri at 864-235-2068 or ghsplantsale@gmail.com Dividing your perennials or bulbs and have extras? Consider donating them. They also welcome donations of gently used garden art, tools or accessories….anything garden related.
The Greenville Council of Garden Clubs will also be holding a fall plant sale Saturday, October 15, from 10am – 2pm at the Kilgore-Lewis House. See calendar below for more information.
North Main Park News
A small group of volunteers showed up Saturday morning, October 8, to help weed, pick up limbs and plant pansies at the North Main Rotary Park. Thank you to those dedicated individuals who gave up your Saturday morning to help!! The weather was gorgeous! The new mulch on the hill looks (and smells) great! If you haven’t walked through the park lately, the pink muhly grass alone warrants a special trip there. The bank and creek bed have been recently weed-eated by Cathy and Brad and crew (from the City) and hopefully things will still look good for our October 23 get-together. If you missed this work day, don’t worry….there will be others!
Hurling in Greenville
From NMCA member Matt Tollison: Greenville Gaels are a local group of men and women playing Ireland’s National game of Hurling. Very few of us are Irish so do not let your lineage stop you from trying a great sport. We practice every Wednesday night at Monagan Park at 6:15. These practices are designed to cater to new players. You don’t have to have any skills … just a great attitude and the willingness to try something new. Sundays we have a Pub league which is a full game at Hertklotz Park , starting around 2 pm. Anyone is welcome to join or watch the fastest game on grass. We have plenty of extra equipment and would love to see our North Main neighbors on the pitch.
Visit us on our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Greenville-Gaels-SC-Hurling-and-Gaelic-Football/121559127883187
Calendar
City Council Formal Meeting and Work Session schedules can be found at http://www.greenvillesc.gov/city_government/meet.asp
Now Through October- Saturday Market – Over 50 vendors. Opens at 8 am. www.saturdaymarketlive.com and facebook.com/saturdaymarket New this year, the market has partnered with The Children’s Museum to provide a kid-centric activities area every fourth Saturday of the month. Children of all ages are invited to participate in this free event!
October Educational Activities at the Market: Pumpkin decorating with paint and other craft materials.
Upcoming ‘Booth with a Cause’ Participants: October 22 – The Circle of the Children’s Museum http://www.tcmupstate.org/
October – February – Greater Greenville Master Gardener Training Classes meet weekly at the Clemson Extension Office in the Greenville County Square at 301 University Ridge. For more information go to http://www.greatergreenvillemastergardener.org/html/MGEducation.htm
October 13 – Hillcrest Garden Club Program: Gardening and Art. Speaker: Evelyn Jewell-Watkins. Evelyn, a Greater Greenville Master Gardener, HGC member and artist, will assist us in drawing a person and designing a card from wildflowers we bring to the meeting. (The HGC meets at 10am, second Thursdays at the Greenville Women’s Club. Visitors are always welcome. Call Mary Gilreath Roberts, 458-7735 or e-mail megil@infionline.net
October 13 – Light the Night Walk. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. 7PM. Furman University. http://www.lightthenight.org/sc/
October 15 – ACS Male Cat Neuter-a-thon. Only $15. Their goal is to neuter 150 male cats! Call 467-SPAY (467-7729) for more information.
October 15 – Greenville Council of Garden Clubs Plant Sale. Kilgore-Lewis House. 10am-2pm. Vendors will be on hand to sell their wares. Demonstrations: Container Gardening by Master Gardner Marguerite Warren. Seasonal centerpiece with pumpkins by Floral Designer from Country Boys. Food: Muffins and coffee from 9-10:30 and hotdogs, chips and drinks from 11:00 until….. http://www.kilgore-lewis.org/calendar.html
October 14-16 – St. Francis Fall for Greenville 2011…. chosen as one of the Top 20 events in the Southeast, by the Southeast Tourism Society. http://www.fallforgreenville.net/ This year area amateur and professional cake decorators compete and showcase their cake decorating skills in the Coppenrath Europe’s Bakery Cake Challenge. A new addition to the festival weekend, the cake decorating challenge will feature a birthday theme in honor of the festival’s celebration of 30 years. More info and entry forms
October 17 – North Main Blood Drive. Northgate Soda Shop. 4pm – 8pm.
October 17, 24, 31 – Home Canning Workshops. Clemson University Extension Office. 301 University Ridge. Workshops are 9am – 1pm on these Mondays. Cost is $30 per person per workshop. REGISTER ON-LINE at shopping.clemson.edu or CONTACT: Kimberly Baker: 864-232-4431 ext. 113 or E-mail: kabaker@clemson.edu For information on topics covered, see the flyer at http://www.clemson.edu/extension/county/greenville/programs/food_and_nutrition/canning_workshop_october_2011.pdf Space is limited…first come, first served basis.
October 21-30 (Saturdays and Sundays) – Boo in the Zoo. 4 – 8:00pm. Enjoy a safe, non-scary trick-or-treat event for kids 12 & under. Adults can come in costume too! See their website for additional schedule for members http://www.greenvillezoo.com/specialevents.aspx Telephone: 864-467-4311
October 22 – Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimers. County Square, 301 University Ridge. Check-in/Registration: 8:15am. Walk Start: 9am. http://www.kintera.org/FAF/home/default.asp?ievent=460246
October 23 – NMCA Fall Neighborhood Potluck Dinner and Membership Meeting. 5 – 7pm. North Main Rotary Park/Bobby Pearse Community Center.
October 25 – Safe Route to School (SRTS) National Course at Blythe Academy. 11:30am – 4pm. This is an excellent opportunity for your school to learn more about how to get involved and start your own Safe Routes to School program. PTA President, SIC Chairs, or other parent champions are welcome! Attendees need not be school employees! http://esmmsc.org/blog/2011/09/safe-routes-to-school-national-course-greenville/ or call 864-454-1031.
October 29 – GHS Plant & Garden Sale. 9am – 1pm. 206 Airport Rd. See article above.
October 29 – Project Rx: A River Remedy – 10am-2pm. St. Francis Millennium Campus, 2 Innovation Drive . Description: Project Rx is a community driven safe medication take-back event to protect our rivers and residents from unwanted and unused prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, supplements and vet medication. Remember to use a black permanent marker to block out any personal info on labels but leave the drug name visible to ensure proper disposal procedures. To find an Upstate location near you visit www.ariverremedy.com (Greenville County Medical Society and McAlister Square are additional locations in Greenville)
October 29 – Fernwood Nature Trail Cleanup. 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. The Sierra Club will once again partner with the City’s Parks & Recreation Department to clear and clean up the Fernwood Nature Trail in Cleveland Park. Volunteers will spread mulch provided by the City, clear out the invasive weeds and ivy and help clean up the trail. If you’re interested in volunteering, please contact Dennis Chamberlain at 430-3754 or wdchamberlainlaw@greenvillelaw.net. Volunteers should bring their own gloves and wear work shoes and weather-appropriate work clothes.
October 30 – White Oak Baptist Church Fall Festival. 4:30 – 7:30 pm. 1805 Wade Hampton Blvd. For more information: 338-0554.
November 12 – Caine Halter Lungs for Life 5K Run/Walk. Caine Halter YMCA, 721 Cleveland Street. For registration information, visit http://lungs4life5k.com/
Nov 19 and Dec 17– Earth Markets Greenville Holiday Markets – Michael McDunn Gallery, 741 Rutherford Rd. @ N. Main. 2-6 pm. Adding new producers each month, and fresh produce in season comes in as ready! Contact janettewwesley@yahoo.com for any questions or visit www.slowfoodupstate.com
For other community events, check the Greenville City calendar at http://www.greenvillesc.gov/calendar/Calendar.aspx?tID=0
Fall 2011 Programs at the Bobby Pearse Community Center
The following classes will be held at the Bobby Pearse Community Center, 904 Townes St., on the dates indicated. For additional information or to register for programs call Jonathan Jones at 864-467-4331.
Yoga
Date: Mondays; Now – Nov. 7 *No Class on October 31*
Time: 6:30-7:45pm
Cost: Resident Fee – $5 per class
Non-Resident Fee – $6 per class
Registration: http://www.greenvillesc.gov/ParksRec/CommunityCenter/
We invite you to join us at the Bobby Pearse Community Center for this 8 week yoga program, which is taught by Brooke Kleinfelter, who is a certified yoga instructor. This 75 minute class is taught once a week, and all levels are welcome; however, you do not need previous yoga experience to enjoy this class. Participants can pay $5 per class for city residents and $6 for non-city residents upon arrival. Participants are encouraged to register on-line for the entire 8 weeks for $40 for City residents and $50 for non-city residents. Participants do need their own yoga mat.
Baby & Me Yoga in Falls Park
Location: Falls Park (Rain Location – Bobby Pearse Community Center)
Date: Fridays; Now – November 18 (8 weeks)
Time: 11:30am – 12:30pm
Cost: Resident Fee – $5 per class
Non-Resident Fee – $ $6 per class
Registration: http://www.greenvillesc.gov/ParksRec/CommunityCenter/
This 8-week yoga class is taught by Katie Lee, who is a certified yoga instructor. The class is held in Falls Park and geared to caregivers and their babies, ages 8 weeks to 18 months old. Yoga classes for parents and babies can help strengthen the parent/child bond and improve a baby’s overall well-being. The benefits of yoga for both parents and babies are numerous. Yoga can help babies sleep better, digest easier, learn to relax, and stay healthier. For parents, the benefits include increased flexibility and relaxation. Participants are welcome to pay per class or register on-line for the entire 8 weeks.
City of Greenville Chess ClubLocation: Bobby Pearse Community Center
Date: Thursdays (on-going)
Time: 7:00pm
Do you enjoy playing chess? The City of Greenville’s Chess Club meets each Thursday at 7:00pm at the Bobby Pearse Community Center. Both rated and informal games are played, and everyone is welcome to join!
Writing Workshops:
In partnership with the Emrys Foundation, the City of Greenville Parks and Recreation Department is offering writing workshops this fall at the Bobby Pearse Community Center!
2nd Sunday Writing Workshops
Date: Sundays; October 9, November 13
Time: 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Cost: $5 per class
Contact: Jonathan Jones, 467-4331
Registration: Register at http://www.emrys.org/workshops-seminars/ or the fee may be paid upon arrival to the class.
These writing workshops are led by various members of the Writing Room faculty. They are designed to stimulate creativity and generate ideas for fiction and nonfiction. We’ll use a series of short in-class writing exercises to inspire new work and deepen your writing. Come prepared to write in class, to share your exercises without fear or self-judgment, and above all, have some fun. All levels are welcome!
Writing for Children: Creating Your Picture Book
Date: Sunday, October 16
Time: 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Cost: $25
Contact: Jonathan Jones, 467-4331
Registration: Register at http://www.emrys.org/workshops-seminars/
Follow the picture book process from the first draft of the manuscript to the finished book, and discover your role in bringing your story to publication. This workshop is for picture book writers and/or illustrators.
Samantha Bell lives in Northern Greenville County with her husband, four children, and lots of animals. She has published articles, stories, and poems both online and in magazines such as Learning Through History, Boys’ Quest, and Clubhouse Jr. She is also the illustrator of Cathy’s Animal Garden by Alma Little Publishing, as well as the illustrator of a number of picture books by Guardian Angel Publishing, including her own, It’s Birthday Time, Jake! Her children are her inspiration; they appear quite often in the illustrations — and in her stories, too!
Parents’ Night Out
Parents, do you need a night out without the kids? This program will provide an opportunity for you to have a Friday night out while we create a fun, recreational experience for your children! We provide participants with pizza, games, activities, arts & crafts, a movie and popcorn!
Date: Friday, November 4
Time: 6:00pm – 10:00pm
Cost: $12 for residents and $15 for non-residents
Participants: Youth ages 5-12
Registration: http://www.greenvillesc.gov/ParksRec/CommunityCenter/
The use of trade names or advertisements in this publication does not constitute endorsement or discrimination by the North Main Community Association.
