September 2012

A Publication for Balsam Mountain Preserve Members

PLEASE

SLOW DOWN

Security has reported a higher rate of speeding than we

typically see on the mountain.

There have been some very close calls as a result of people driving too

fast and not obeying the 15 mph speed limit.

As per recommendations from the Advisory Board, we will begin to

impose fines for those who are caught violating the speed limit.

1ST

OFFENSE Warning

2

ND OFFENSE

$50

3RD

OFFENSE $100

4

TH OFFENSE

$150

**Fines will be added to your Club bill.

PLEASE SLOW DOWN.

It’s for your own safety and the safety of others.

Jimmy’s Corner

N ot since my time in military service have I had the pleasure of

working with such a dedicated and professional group of people

as our family of Balsam associates.

At every turn of my day I am greeted with motivated go-getters, problem solvers and

champions of Balsam Mountain Preserve. There is not a department at BMP that does

not shine. Food and Beverage continually puts forth an effort to be proud of that stands

above. Member Services is always there to answer questions and take care of the needs

of both members and guests. The Pro Shop staff and cart personnel never blink an eye to

go above and beyond for any request. Balsam Mountain Preserve Security is thorough,

thoughtful and as professional as any unit I have seen or worked with. Housekeeping and

the smiling faces they all seem to wear creates more drive inside of me than a sale at

Balsam Mountain Preserve.

Golf Maintenance inherited a course that had been in neglect for years and as a result has

raised the bar in order to bring this breathtaking course back to the splendor it once was.

We are not there yet, but this time next year I am confident it will be the best it has ever

been. We owe this to the strong work ethic, drive and vision for Balsam's course exhibited

by the Golf Maintenance staff.

Last and definitely not least is the rough and tumble crew on our Community Maintenance

Team. Selfless and committed this team works, thinks and performs as a family with a

true direction.

All this to simply say Thank You. Thank you for all that you do for Balsam's owners,

members, BMG and the entire community. I am honored and humbled to work among you

all.

Balsam Mountain Preserve

OUTSIDE THE GATES

September 2012

There’s no denying that the temperature rises this time of year in Western North Carolina. Head outside the gates

and check out some of the interesting outdoor festivals happening around the region this month.

BLOCK PARTY September 1st

Downtown Waynesville

ART AFTER DARK FRIDAY September 7th Waynesville

FIDDLER ON THE RIVER

FESTIVAL Dillsboro

September 16th

MOUNTAIN HERITAGE DAY Western Carolina University

September 29th

LEXINGTON AVE. ARTS & FUN FESTIVAL

Downtown Asheville September 2nd

HERITAGE WEEKEND

Folk Art Center, Asheville, NC September 15-16, 2012

S aturday night's party to raise money for the Balsam Trust exemplifies why Balsam Mountain Preserve is such a special place.

Thanks go to so many people (in no particular order) the Committee (pictured on the cover, missing Mary Arbaugh) for their creativity and hard work in organizing the event; the Members who donated their special talents, and those Members who bought them; the "wine angels" who donated the wine and beer for the evening; Dave Walters our awesome auctioneer, the golf agronomy crew who shared their warehouse and all those who showed up Saturday morning to help to convert the warehouse into the new Balsam Party Pavilion; the Maintenance crew

who moved furniture and helped clean up at the end of the night; Security who directed parking and shuttle service, Chef Jay and all of the wonderful folks from the Boarding House who served a delicious dinner and wonderful wine, Jimmy McDonnell for bringing Banks & Shane to entertain us and covering the expense of all the Balsam staff mentioned above and Michael Skinner for bring exotic animals to amaze us. The Balsam community had lots of fun and raised approximately $30K for the Balsam Mountain Trust! Thanks to everyone for making this such a fantastic night.

~ Janie Stratigos

The Nature of Things – You Bet Yer Asteraceae

W hile picking your favorite wildflower is something like, well maybe something like, picking your favorite color out of your box of crayons, there is a group which may make ‘picking’ (pun intended) a little easier this time of year. That group is the Asteraceae. And to help make it even easier, botanists

have teamed with geneticists, plant physiologists, taxonomists (of the cladistic, no, not sadistic, school) to sort through the morphologic and molecular differences. This new research protocol has whittled the group down from about a 600 some-odd species morass to a much-more-manageable 160 or so. The asters, or sunflower family, is the second largest family of flowering plants in the world – only the orchid family has more. So while you’re out and about take a moment to stop and smell the asters. (Truth be told most them will have no fragrance.) There are field identification characteristics of this group and while people will generally find it

easy to identify the ‘sunflowers’ blooming, the other asters become a bit more challenging. That’s because the individual flowers and groups of flowers arranged together at the end of the stalk (referred to as an inflorescence) tend to be so small and clumped together so tightly it is difficult to tell what’s what. So a couple of tools are suggested (and often required) to take your aster-sleuthing to Holmesian level. Those tools would be: 1) at least a10x hand-lens (often referred to as a jeweler’s loupe) of beefy nature. The smaller the lens you employ the harder it is to hold it steady, 2) field guides – we recommend Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide and Horn and Cathcart’s Wildflowers of Tennessee, the Ohio Valley and Southern Appalachians (there are others but these two are fairly indispensible for field work) and 3) a naturalist to help make the experience a little more enjoyable. A note about Newcomb’s guide – the book is outdated and there will be some plants you will not find and some of the scientific names have been changed (updated). The main object here however is for the individual, family or group to embark on a journey of discovery. What I find often as exhilarating as keying out an individual species of plant is to take a moment or two and observe what is associated with that plant. As you watch, look for the myriad insects and other invertebrates associated with the plant. You’ll be amazed to see all manner of butterflies, beetles, wasps, bees, ants, spiders, etc. taking advantage of the pollen and nectar produced by the plant. And you’ll often see the hunter and the hunted within close proximity to one another.

More than anything – enjoy the show – take some pictures and share them with us.

by Michael Skinner, Trust Executive Director www.bmtrust.org

Blair is dwarfed by the height champions (free-standing) of the flowering herbs found on the Preserve. The Asteraceae comprise plants that often reach 10 feet tall. The plants here are (behind Blair) New York ironweed (Vernonia novaborecensis) and Joe-Pye weed (Eupatorium fistulosum).

Super Easy BBQ Sauce...

… A KANSAS CITY CLASSIC

INGREDIENTS

1 t each: allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg and black pepper

2 t each: curry powder, chili powder and paprika

1 cup cider vinegar

2 t tabasco

4 cups ketchup

1.25 cups molasses

METHOD

Whisk together all ingredients until well mixed.

Let stand in refrigerator overnight for best results.

by Jay Horton, Executive Chef

MEMBER/PRO TOURNAMENT

Sunday September 9th , 1:00pm Shotgun Monday September 10th, 9:00pm Shotgun

*Two player teams comprised of (1) Member + (1) Pro Format: (1) Best Ball of the Twosome

(Members will play 75% of their Handicap) Tees: Members: Palmer Tees / Pros: Black Tees

Cost: $400/team All payouts will be in cash!

MEMBER/GUEST TOURNAMENT

Thursday October 4th – Saturday October 6th Thursday: Practice Round

Friday and Saturday: Tournament Rounds + Shootout *Two player teams comprised of (1) Member + (1) Guest

Format: (5) Nine-hole better ball matches per flight Cost: $400/player

Sign up by calling the Pro Shop at 828.631.1009 or email to Drew Marshall, Head Golf Professional, dmarshall@balsammountain.com.

UPCOMING FALL GOLF EVENTS

The first week in August provided great excitement on the golf course as the 5th Annual Club Championship took place. The Gross Championship Flight was extremely competitive after the

first round with three players within one shot of the lead. The Net Divisions were also competitive with everyone trailing Andrew Manidis’ net 67 after day one. Tournament players faced tough conditions and many players made moves during Sunday’s final round. Skip Hauser carded a final round net 70 to win the Senior Net Club Championship. Jan Fredman also shot a final round net 70 to win the Net Club Championship. Michael Fulbright locked up his third straight Club Championship title with a two-putt par on the 18th hole. Michael shot rounds of 87 and 88 from the Black Tees, besting out a charging Dave Walters by one stroke and former Club Champion Jim Thompson by two strokes. Congratulations Michael!

Club Championship Recap

1-Day Member-Member/Guest, August 18, 2012

1st Place $210.00/ea. Jim Thompson Skip Hauser 2nd Place $90.00/ea. Michael Fulbright Carl Menk

Congratulations to our winners and thanks to all that participated!!

Michael Fulbright, 2012 Club Champion

Gross Flight Senior Net

Club Hours of Operation

Pro Shop: 7:30am to 6:00pm, closed Tuesday

Practice Park: 7:30am to 6:30pm, closed Tues-

day

Trail Rides By appointment.

Pavilion: Open 24 hours.

Fitness Center: Open 24 hours.

Pool: Open 24 hours.

Activities: Beginning June.

Tennis Courts: Open 24 hours.

Turnhouse: 11:00am to 3:00pm closed Tuesday

The Boarding House Restaurant:

Light Continental Breakfast:

Mon – Thurs, 8am – 10am

Breakfast:

Fri – Sun, 8am – 10am

Sunday Brunch Buffet:

11:30am – 2 pm

Lunch:

Wed – Mon, 11:30am – 2pm

Dinner:

Wed – Sun, 6:30pm – 9pm

The Nature Center: 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily

Club Staff and Contact Information

Administration: 828.631.1040

Jimmy McDonnell: President

Bruce Fine: Vice President

Tina Jones: Business Manager

Member Services: 828.631.1000

Amy Coggins: Manager

Balsam Care

(Maintenance & Cabins): 828.631.1000

Pro Shop: 828.631.1009

Drew Marshall: Head Golf Pro

Activities: 828.631.1063

Stables: 828.631.1066

Security / Main Gate: 828.631.1011

Main Gate Emergency: 828.508.0116

Sales: 828.631.1001

Joe Dellinger: Sales Executive

Bill Minus: Sales Executive

Jamie Aquino: Marketing Assistant

RIDGE Lines Editor

Nature Center / Balsam Mountain Trust:

828.631.1060

Michael Skinner: Executive Director

Blair Ogburn: Sr. Naturalist

www.bmtrust.org

The Reserve at Lake Keowee

Contact Balsam Member Services at

828.631.1000 for all Activities and Reservations.

www.reserveatlakekeowee.com

Grand Harbor Golf & Yacht Club

Contact Balsam Member Services at

828.631.1000 for all Activities and Reservations.

www.grandharbor.net

Balsam Mountain Preserve | 81 Preserve Road | Sylva, NC 28779

866.452.3456

www.balsammountainpreserve.com