NMCA Newsletter (Jan/Feb 2022)

NMCA Announcements, Local Business, Newsletters, Park Committee, Social Events

 Happy Valentine’s Day!

 

Meet the new board…same as the old board…with one major exception.  We have a new president.

2022 NMCA Board of Directors:

President:    Steve Mills

Vice President:   Rhett Brown

Treasurer:   Kevin Parker

Membership Secretary:   Julie Proctor

Recording Secretary:  Phyllis Gilreath

 

A Message From our President

Welcome to 2022 and the NMCA (North Main Community Association).  The spring social is again set for May 1 at Larkins, and this is the main event each year to spend some time meeting neighbors from all over the NMCA area.  As you can see from the map below, the NMCA encompasses a large area and contains around 2500 households.  The NMCA encourages a sense of community while assisting the neighborhood with maintaining the quality of life we all enjoy.  The NMCA board is working closely with John DeWorken, our City Council Representative to ensure we have good communication with the City of Greenville so we can have assistance for neighborhood upkeep such as the Rotary Park, road and sidewalk maintenance, and safety issues.

I have twice been past president some years ago and decided to participate again so that Dave Modeen could take a well-earned break!  The NMCA board has 5 officers who serve for normally 1 to 2 years, and we have a goal this year to try and find some new volunteers to fill board positions as necessary.  The NMCA has been active over the years to restore the Rotary Park, encourage safety initiatives for pedestrians and cyclists, and interface with the city for input to code updates such as infill, storm water runoff, and tree canopy coverage.  Sometimes it appears the effect is small but when looking back over the past 30 years, the impact is certainly noticeable.

I look forward to meeting new neighbors and continuing to help our neighborhood as I can.  Some focus areas and initiatives will be highlighted over the next few months, and I hope to have increased involvement in our neighborhood through these efforts.  See you at the spring social on May 1!

 

2022 Dues

We hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday season.  As we start the new year, it’s once again time to renew NMCA dues.  We have not requested dues since COVID began until our 2021 fall social at Larkins Sawmill.  If you registered for that social via Eventbrite or some other method, you are up-to-date and should not be receiving this email.  Let us know if you think you have received this email in error.  Just email Northmaincomm@gmail.com 

Otherwise, you can pay your dues via Paypal on our website at https://northmaincommunity.org/nmca-membership/    Just scroll down to where it says donate.  Dues are still $20 for residential households and $30 for businesses.  (If you are both, you only need to pay for business dues, not both). Business members should have recently received an invoice.  If you have any questions, again, just email northmaincomm@gmail.com

You may also mail a check to NMCA, PO Box 571, Greenville, SC, 29602.

We appreciate your past and continued support.  Don’t forget to mark your calendars for the 2022 Spring Social at Larkins Sawmill on May 1.  We’ll be sending additional information later.

 

 

 NMCA Decals

We still have NMCA decals for those who would like them for their car, etc.  It helps to get our name our there to folks who may not know about us.  Just email northmaincomm@gmail.com to request them.  Also, we will not be printing business decals.  We found that they were not utilized enough to justify the cost.  Thanks for your understanding.

 

City News

  •  Vacancies on City Boards and Commissions: There are several upcoming vacancies on city boards and commissions in 2022. For terms beginning May 1, applications must be submitted by February 1. For terms beginning November 1, applications are due August 1.

Vacancies for May 1 include seats on the Design Review Board, Greenville Airport Commission, Springwood Cemetery Advisory Committee.

Vacancies for November 1 include Board of Zoning Appeals, Greenville Housing Authority, and Public Safety Citizen Review Board. For the entire list, go to https://www.greenvillesc.gov/1188/Upcoming-Vacancies

Individuals interested in serving on a city board or commission may complete an application online athttps://www.greenvillesc.gov/1190

Applications are accepted throughout the year and are reviewed by City Council prior to the expiration of a term and as unexpected vacancies occur during the year.

  • New Development Code: The City is in the process of writing a new development code that will align with

GVL2040 (the comprehensive plan) and address issues related to development across our community.

Much like GVL2040, public engagement and input are critical to the success of this important project and the City is employing a variety of tools to make it easy and convenient to participate in the process:

Follow along with the City’s two “animated” residents, Hank the House and Betty the Building, as they explore code-related questions

Take a deeper dive by reading code-related information and articles , which will be updated twice a month

Check the project website for downloadable monthly updates .

Throughout the process, the city will host monthly online “Code Connection” sessions where the project team will provide updates and answer community members’ questions about the project.

Learn more about the project at www.greenvillesc.gov/devcode and subscribe to receive regular project updates via email or text.

  • You’ve probably noticed the workmen in front of the Northgate Soda Shop at the corner of N. Main and Gallivan and the signs along N. Main. These are the safety improvements being installed.  Between now and March, the city will restripe bike lanes, install safety measures in front of the Soda Shop including clear pedestrian signage and added radar signage, add a crosswalk at Gallivan and add ramps and crosswalk at Kenwood Lane and E. Mountainview.

 

  • Trouble parking downtown?  The city has over 8,000 parking spaces, including more than 800 free on-street spaces. You can also park at one of the City’s 14 parking facilities, located just steps away from all the popular entertainment, shopping and dining destinations. The city also offers free parking on weekends in select locations, and many downtown merchants provide free or discounted garage parking for their customers.  Find out more about free parking days and see a map of all the parking garages at the city

 

  • State News, the “South Carolina First” Amendment was adopted Feb 8. It will prioritize South Carolina businesses and farms over out-of-state competitors, giving them a better shot at the limited number of licenses that could be made available for those interested in entering the cannabis industry. The SC Compassionate Care Act, the medical marijuana legislation was finally approved on Feb 9 after three weeks of debate, sending the proposal to the House for the first time since the first attempt at medical cannabis legislation was introduced seven years ago. If the legislation clears a forthcoming third reading vote for final passage, which is expected on Thursday, it will formally proceed to the House of Representatives (Nick Reynolds, Post and Courier).  Click here to learn more specifics about the bill.  To keep abreast of what’s happening in the State House, you can subscribe to get weekly updates by Sunnie Harmon of the Sunnie & DeWorken Group.

 

  • Rotary Park Garden Plan. One of our member families has been given permission by the city to develop the rectangular bed between the picnic shelter and the sidewalk at North Main Rotary Park. It’s a small space that’s never been planted, yet it has great potential. Some benefits of creating a pocket garden in this space include:
    • Providing interest and beauty in the park
    • Developing awareness of native plants
    • Developing interests in birds and pollinators in the park
    • Developing interest in gardening small spaces

Although the family is willing to cover the costs as a contribution, we thought there might be interest among some of our members to help out. One of the things that they would love to get are plants. We’re betting gardeners in our community have plants that they can divide and contribute, etc. While they want to focus on natives, it will also have some interesting non-natives. They hope to also get contributions of such items as 3 bags garden soil, 5 or so bags of manure-based compost and other items as time approaches.

The city has assigned a high school senior to work with her to install the garden this spring.

If you would like to help out with plants or contributions, please contact Beth Bradley at 803-960-4359 or email hawkbrad@msn.com   We’ll keep you posted as spring and the project progresses. Thanks!!

 

 

Local History

We know that many of our newcomers to the community, and probably some who have lived here for some time, may not be aware of the unique history of the North Main Neighborhood.  We have published two articles by North Main Historian Dr. Judith Bainbridge on our website.  Just go to https://northmaincommunity.org/north-main-neighborhood-history/ .  Judy is a retired professor emerita of English at Furman and a resident of North Main.   Her twice-monthly articles about Greenville and the Upstate were published for 22 years by the Greenville News.

Artisphere 2022

“Founded in 2003, Artisphere’s mission is to create a nationally recognized Fine Arts festival that enhances the quality of life and economic vitality in South Carolina. The 15th Anniversary of Artisphere in 2019 was a huge success. Applications reached 952, average artists’ sales were over $9,730, attendance neared 70,000 and economic impact grossed an astounding $9.1 million.

This year, we are thrilled to bring the 18th annual Artisphere festival back to Main Street the weekend of May 6-8th.  The festival will be back to its full footprint and will span downtown Greenville between the intersection of Broad and Main St and Wardlaw and Main St.”

This year artists represent 26 states and 17 different mediums.  View the 2022 Artists here.

Learn more about this years’ event on their website.

 

It’s Time to Get Back into the Water!

Mark your calendars for May 7that Falls Park on the Reedy River for an over-the-falls, family day of fun!!

The 18th annual Reedy River Duck Derby is set for Saturday, May 7th, at 2:30 PM

The 2022 Duck Derby will be a ‘back-to-normal’ event and an opportunity to see the kinds of projects Reedy River and Rotary International undertake in our community on a regular basis. “Our club is excited to bring back this local favorite and get back into the water! We’re especially excited about what the Duck Derby provides in the way of dollars to our local charitable organizations” said Duck Derby PR committee member, Cathy Harry.

Adoptions can be made through at http://ReedyRiverDuckDerby.com for $10 per duck or $30 for five entries. (Quack-Pack) The Rotary Club of the Reedy River Greenville will once again partner with Publix for the grand prize of one year’s worth of groceries. A full list of other prizes may be found on the race website.

 

For our Four-Legged Friends

Greenville County Animal Care is open Monday – Saturday, 12pm – 5pm (walk-ins welcome) MORNINGS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY.  Call 864.467.3985 or email adoptapet@greenvillecounty.org for assistance.  For hours of other services, check their website.

Some of you may be familiar with a wonderful program at Greenville County Animal Care (GCAC) called the Home-to-Home program.   This program is keeping animals out of the shelter.  For whatever reason, an owner may not be able to keep a pet…due to financial reasons, behavioral issues between pets, death in the family, etc.  Instead of surrendering to a shelter, the animal is listed on the Home-to-Home site and those interested in adopting make an appointment to meet them.  They are adopted straight from the home and never enter a shelter.  It’s definitely a win-win situation!!

April 30th, join us for the 10th Annual Mutt Strut presented by Papa John’s benefitting the Greenville Humane Society! Participants and their pups will experience a 2-mile walk/run through scenic downtown Greenville that finishes at our awesome Mutt Market after party! This year’s Mutt Market will be bigger than ever before, and include incredible live entertainment, vendors and plenty of sweet giveaways! Register early to save $10.00 now at www.ghsmuttstrut.com!

And check out these links on the GCAC website:

  • Searching For A New Place To Live That Accepts Pets?
    Check Out This Link: Pet Friendly Apartment Finder
  • Searching for a Pet Sitter in the Greenville Area?
    Check Out This Link: Pet Sitters  or ask your neighboring pet owners for recommendations.

Who let the dogs out?! The City of Greenville’s Arts in Public Places Commission has approved The Big Dog Show, a traveling art exhibition by sculptor Dale Rogers, set to arrive in Greenville in March. The exhibition consists of 20 8ft by 10ft corten steel sculptures of Rogers’ famous American Dog, located at Cleveland Park Stables and along Main Street in the heart of downtown.  Watch for more details.

 

February Gardening

As you start thinking about spring gardening (yes, I know it’s still February!), mark your calendars for the SC Native Plant Sale on April 2.  The time is 8am to 1pm at Conestee Park.  For additional information, please check their website.

Some gardeners are unsure whether to tidy up the garden now by removing dead plants. Sunflower stalks, grasses, and some perennials provide food and cover for wildlife. Birds can’t eat seeds that we cut down and relegate to the garbage or compost. Overwintering butterflies may also be removed with the debris. Also, remember that the dead foliage and stems provide a layer of insulation that will protect the crown and roots of plants during freezing weather. Read more at Dave’s Garden Website. And remember, our risk of frost continues till mid-April. And we have recorded a trace of snow on April 3, back in 1925.

Pruning – Winter is a good time to prune most trees and shrubs.  However, do not prune azalea, dogwood, forsythia, redbud and rhododendron – they should be pruned after they bloom, since they set blooms in the fall on the previous season’s growth.  If you prune now, you prune off the part that will bloom.  Almost anything that blooms after June 1 (except oakleaf hydrangea and late-flowering azalea cultivars… Oakleaf hydrangeas bloom on the previous season’s growth, so prune right after flowering in the fall or in early winter.) can be pruned safely; however, make sure there is no green wood which could start sprouting new growth if we have a prolonged warm period. See Pruning Trees and Pruning Shrubs for more information.

Tree Planting – The winter months when trees are dormant are excellent times to plant.  Be sure to plant no deeper than the plant came out of the pot, or the top of the root ball if ball-and-burlap.  Mix a little phosphorus in the soil where you plant. This encourages root growth which will help the plant get established so it will be ready to put out top growth come spring.

See Planting Trees Correctly for information on the proper way to plant a tree.

Transplanting – This is also a good time to move plants that have overgrown a site or that don’t fit the microclimate of that site (sun, shade, etc.)  Plants are dormant and will undergo less stress if transplanted now.  Be sure to plant at a similar depth from where they came and get as much of the root ball as possible.   http://www.clemson.edu/extension/county/laurens/yard_garden/01_january.html

Plant hardy vegetables and other cool-season crops, such as lettuce, cabbage, broccoli, beets, carrots, radishes, turnips, spinach, peas, and cauliflower. Start seeds of warm-season vegetables indoors.

It’s also a good time to check the pH of your soil to see if amendments are needed for plants you want to add.  Remember that azaleas, rhododendrons, hollies, hydrangeas, etc. prefer acidic soils (pH below 7).  Check this site for others.  Check with the Clemson Cooperative Extension Service for forms, costs, etc.

February is when you should consider fertilizing your fescue lawn.  For others you should wait until March.  Check out this site for timing info.

Too cold to get out and work in the garden?  Get out those catalogs and start browsing and making plans.  Maybe consider adding a water feature to provide water for birds and other wildlife.  Think about making your garden bee friendly.  Our pollinators need your help. There are over 16,000 recognized species of bees world-wide and there are many plants on every continent that rely on insect pollination. Without our bees, the world’s food supply is in grave danger. Urbanization and expanded agricultural business with unsuitable plants has reduced the food available to our bees. There are things that everyone can do to provide food, shelter and safety for our bees and if we all pledge to do our part, the combined millions of gardens can make a huge difference.

Our monarch population is starting to rebound since citizen gardeners have taken it upon themselves to plant milkweed. We need to do the same thing for our bees. Become part of the “polliNATION” and register your garden with the Million Pollinator Garden Challenge. Stand up and bee counted no matter where you live. Your pollinator garden can be registered anywhere in the world.

Have a yard, not a lawn, and let the little flowers and plants that sprinkle through the grass stay.  For more information on what to plant to give bees food for the longest period of time, click here or visit the Honeybee Conservancy website.

Free Trees  Trees help you save on energy, reduce your utility bills, and help clean the water and air throughout the Upstate. Thanks to Duke Energy, TreesUpstate has given away over 7,700 trees!

Energy Saving Trees is a program of the Arbor Day Foundation.  This program is locally administered by TreesUpstate and presented by Duke Energy.  Check their website for the next Free Tree Giveaway in Greenville and for great resources on tree planting and care.

 

For the Birds

It’s time to start cleaning out bird houses and putting up new ones. Bluebirds and other songbirds start scouting for spring nest boxes in February. Other birds may not nest until later in the season, but they may still use the available houses as shelters from predators, cold temperatures, and poor weather both before and after the nesting season. Birds that raise multiple broods each season often nest earlier as well. If a house is not up when these birds are ready to lay their first eggs, they may still investigate it as a nesting site later in the season.

Don’t forget the birds during cold periods. They need food, especially high calorie food such as black oil sunflower seed, suet, etc.  But more importantly, keep a supply of water available.

The Great Backyard Bird Count provides thousands of data points that show how the winter ranges of some birds have changed significantly due to the warming climate.  Click here to see the 2021 results which set another record!  Another good program is Project FeederWatch …a winter-long survey of birds that visit feeders at backyards, nature centers, community areas, and other locales in North America.  FeederWatchers periodically count the birds they see at their feeders from November through early April and send their counts to Project FeederWatch. FeederWatch data help scientists track broadscale movements of winter bird populations and long-term trends in bird distribution and abundance.

I’m seeing the effects of climate change in my own yard and hearing it from other birders.  I’ve never seen Golden Crowned Kinglets in the past, but this year they have shown up in several local backyards, presumably as they adapt to climate change.   Both sexes have the yellow crown patch.  Kinglets are active birds, foraging vigorously for small insects, and spiders. When foraging, kinglets have a habit of flicking their wings over the backs.

Click here to see photos of common SC winter birds and learn more about each one.

Birds are useful indicators of ecological change because they are highly mobile and generally conspicuous. As climate in a particular location changes, suitability may worsen for some species and improve for others.  Click here to see which SC birds are particularly vulnerable.

 

Weather Tidbits

According to climate data, the average maximum temperature for Greenville in February is 57°F, the average low is 35°F and the average precipitation (rainfall) is 3.84”.  Looking at records from 1890 to 2021 the maximum high was 81 on Feb 12, 16 and 27thth in 2017, 2018 & 1996, respectively.  The highest low temperature was 62 on Feb 21st, 2018.  The minimum high temperature was 20 on Feb 14th, 1899, and the minimum low was -5 that same day.  Maximum precipitation (rain) in a 24-hour period was 5.36” on Feb 6, 2020.  Maximum snow was 15” on Feb 15, back in 1902, which is still an all-time record.  Our snowiest winter was back in 1935-36 with 21.4”.

For March, the maximum high was 91on March 23, 1907.  The minimum high was 27 on March 2, 1980.  The maximum low was 65 on March 30, 1896, and the min low was 11 on the 3rd and 15th.  The max daily precipitation was 5.35” on March 26, 1901, and the maximum snow was 9.4” on March 13, 1993.

The year 2021 was marked by extremes across the U.S., including exceptional warmth, devastating severe weather and the second-highest number of billion-dollar weather and climate disasters on record.  The nation also saw an active wildfire year across the West as the north Atlantic Basin stayed busy with its third most-active Atlantic hurricane season on record, according to scientists from NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information.  Click here for a recap of the climate and extreme weather events across the U.S. in 2021.

As you know, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow and predicted 6 more weeks of winter.  But did you know that several other states have their own groundhogs?  In Georgia, the General Beauregard Lee, nicknamed “Beau,” is famous around the South for his accuracy, listed at 94% according to PolitiFact. Beau, one of Punxsutawney Phil’s strongest rivals, holds honorary doctorates from University of Georgia in weather prognostication and Southern groundology from Georgia State.

Woodstock, Illinois, where “Groundhog Day” was filmed, is home to Woodstock Willie, the local weather prognosticator, and the star of a weeklong festival in honor of the holiday. The prognostication in Woodstock is notably a reenactment of the 1993 film’s Groundhog Day ceremony.

Others include two nutrias in Louisiana, Pierre C. Shadeaux and T-boy; New York boasts 4:  Staten Island Chuck, Dunkirk Dave, Malverne Mel and Holtsville Hal.  Sir Walter Wally of Raleigh, NC, reportedly holds a better record than Phil.  Ohio has Buckeye Chuck, but Cleveland has Thistle the Whistlepig.  Oregon is hone to Fufu and Nancy the Hedgehogs and Filbert the Beaver.  Chattanooga Chuck delivers his forecast as a poem each year. There is also French Creek Freddie in W. Virginia and Sun Prairie Wisconsin’s Jimmy the Groundhog.

 

“I do not believe in pity, and I do not believe our world is fair, but I do believe we have the capacity to succeed in our dreams if we have the stamina and courage to endure the hardships that life throws in our path.”    George Wurtzel, Blind Woodworker in Greeneville, TN

 

 Shop Local

 

Keep your dollars in your community. The following companies are committed to preserving the beauty and economic well-being of the North Main Community and the greater Greenville area.  Please thank them and give them your business when you can. Hover your mouse over each company name to read a brief description or click to go to their website:

Small businesses have been hurt by the COVID pandemic and are still struggling as customers are still slow to feel comfortable to shop or dine inside. Please continue to support our small and local businesses as much as possible.  Thank you!

 

 

  Gardening and Plants

 

Law Firms/CPAs/Financial

 

Insurance

 

Retail/Home Décor

 

Realtors

 

Food/Drink/Catering

 

Personal Health/Well Being

 

Home Improvement/Builders/Architects

 

Miscellaneous Professional Services

 

If you would like to see your company listed here, please join the NMCA today!  Businesses do not have to be located in the North Main Neighborhood.  They only need to provide services to North Main residents.

 

Calendar

 

City Council Formal Meeting and Work Session schedules can be found at http://www.greenvillesc.gov/city_government/meet.asp

*** You can find all of the city events and meetings on the City Calendar website.

For other events in this area bookmark Go-greenevents  for a listing of various events with registration, etc., handled online to save needless waste of paper.

April 2 –   iMAGINE Upstate Steam Festival  11:00 AM - 5:00 PM @ Downtown Greenville (S. Main St – From Court to Augusta)  The mission of iMAGINE Upstate is to create meaningful experiences that promote a culture of lifelong learning and career readiness with an emphasis on science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM), innovation, and entrepreneurial activity in Upstate South Carolina. iMAGINE Upstate is a program of South Carolina’s Coalition for Mathematics & Science (SCCMS) at Clemson University.

May 1 – NMCA Spring Social at Larkin’s Sawmill on Graves Drive.  More details to come.

 

The North Main Community Association does not give, sell, or otherwise distribute your email or other information to third parties.

 

The use of trade names or advertisements in this publication does not constitute endorsement or discrimination by the North Main Community Association.

NMCA Newsletter (Jan/Feb 2022)
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