Fall 2016 Newsletter

Bowling’s Bylines: Moving On...

“Outstanding!” “One of the best ever!” “Top Notch!” “I was blessed!” “Thank you to the planners for a wonderful weekend!” These are some of the comments I heard after our Associ-ates Weekend in August!

The event started with the meeting of the Associates Board, which in retrospect, was historic. For the first time since we began in 1968, the Board will be going through a revitalization process. Last year, the Board directed the Executive Committee to bring to this year’s meeting recommendations that will lead to a new day for our support of Lake Junaluska - a place of Christian hospitality where lives are transformed through renewal of soul, mind and body!

The Executive Committee formulated the “Future of Lake Junaluska Associates - Report from Task Force” document, which was adopted unanimously. In turn, the Bylaws were amended to allow the current Officers and Board to serve for two additional years. The Board also voted to include the Director of Development of Lake Junaluska Assembly as an additional ex-officio member of the Board, as well as include the Director of Development and Episcopal representative as addi-tional ex-officio members of the Executive Committee. I am glad to report that work has begun to develop a Lake Junaluska Associates Mission/Vision Statement that will be the foundation on which a new structure will be developed to guide us in the years ahead.

Other important Board decisions were made that will be shared with you in other parts of this newsletter. The Associates have received two bequests - one from the Edythe and Richard Shaffer Trust Fund and another from the Donald Shell Estate. Your board approved placing 20% of these gifts into the Associates Endowment Fund and the other 80% to be used in Capital Pro-jects. With money that we have budgeted next year and these gifts, we have approximately $150,000 that can be spent on capital projects. The Projects Committee is prioritizing their list. One project that will be done soon is further additions to the Children’s Playground. That indeed is good news.

The weekend’s events were not lacking at all! Mountain Faith and the Kings Brass were superb. The Mystery and Secrets of the symbols presentation in Memorial Chapel was stunning, and we’ve had that treasure since the 1950’s and have just now discovered what and how special the symbols are. Likewise, the Memorial Service, New Chief Junaluska recognition and banquet were wonderful opportunities to visit with both longtime and new friends.

Our Membership Committee has challenged us to have 500 people attend next year’s Associates Weekend. Please start thinking of who you will invite and put the dates on your calen-dar - August 4-6, 2017.

Personally, I am very excited for what the future holds for us. We are moving on…to a new day for a revitalized Lake Junaluska Associates. Thank you for being part of it…

Blessings, Bob

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Officers

Bob Bowling

President

Sarah Tippett

Vice President, Program

Bernie Brown

Vice President, Membership

Irene Gattis

Secretary

Wannie Hardin

Treasurer

Frank Grice

Projects Chairperson

Conference Representatives

AWF: Margaret Stokes Bill Hust

FL: Ed Russell Sylvia Russell

HOL: Tom Hood Sarah Varnell

KY: William Turkington Don Rankin

MEM: Arleen Cooper John Holt

MS: Joy Carr Byrd Hillman, Jr.

NAL: Bobby Ray Hicks Charles Betts

NC: Dorathy Chance Bill Simpson

NGA: Bernie Brown Susan Pinson

SC: Walter Smith John Younginer

SGA: Pat Snipes Billy Oliver

TN: Sara Crump

VA: Janie Dowdy Norwood Montgomery

WNC: Stephen Berwager Julian Aldridge

Members At Large

Mike Leatherwood Mathew Pinson Gordon Goodgame Jack King Sue Lynn Johnson Jim Cox Cooper Stonestreet

Ex-Officio Members

Jack Ewing LJ Executive Director

Stephen Berwager Junaluskans President

Bishop Lawrence McCleskey

Episcopal Representative

Office Manager

Melissa Aldridge PO Box 67 Phone: 828-454-6725 Lake Junaluska, NC 28745 Email: associates@lakejunaluska.com

Lake Junaluska Associates Partners with Lake Junaluska, a place of Christian hospitality where lives

are transformed through renewal of soul, mind, and body.

2016 Associates Weekend Program Committee Report

For several years, some of the evaluations from the Associates Weekend have suggested that, as we are in a mountain region, we should offer some mountain music for our weekend entertainment. Our Friday evening concert this year was The Mountain Faith Band, a family string band from Jackson County, NC. They made the national spotlight on the tv show “America’s Got Talent” and have recently received the “Emerging Artist of the Year” award. They play the music they write and love to bring boundless energy, excitement and enthusiasm to the performing stage. For five years John Hooper researched the unique Ukrainian symbols that are found in the stained glass windows in Memorial Chapel. He then wrote the book, “Mystery of Memorial Chapel: Ukranian Pysanky Symbols in Stained Glass,” giving the history of the symbolism and of the placement of these symbols. On Saturday afternoon, he presented a most interesting and well received program in Memorial Chapel introducing and explaining these symbols that are unique to Lake Junaluska. The Saturday evening concert was amazing! Tim Zimmerman and the King’s Brass astound-ed the audience with their immense energy and talents! They were superb in every way, giving their very best and more to those in attendance!! This year, Rev. Jimmy Pennell was honored as the 2016 Chief Junaluska recipient. The new chief was introduced to Lake Junaluska in the early 1950’s, and through the years, his time at Lake Junaluska proved to be a transforming experience that became a way of life for him and later for his entire family. He brought his bride, Sandra, to the Lake on their honey-moon, and they bought their first house here in 1973. They became full time residents in 1999. His clergy career spanned 45 years in the South Georgia annual conference while he also served in many leadership capacities on varying boards and agencies. He served as President of the Junaluska Associates, as Chairman of the Lake Junaluska Community Council, on the Memorial Chapel communion team and Sunday usher for Stu-art Auditorium. He helped initiate the Interfaith Peace Conference and has served as treas-urer from its inception. He is known for his volunteerism and is an avid and talented pho-tographer. He is a leader and servant always supporting Lake Junaluska with his time and talents. Sincere congratulations to Chief Jimmy! Sarah Tippett, Vice President for Programming

A Gathering of Chief Junaluska Recipients

(Picture left to right)

Standing: Rev. Bill Lowry, Mrs. Hattie Polk, Mrs. Marie Metcalf, Mr. Ken Zulla, Mrs. Lounelle Draper, Mrs. Nancy Geyer.

Sitting: Rev. James Hart, Rev. Jimmy Pennell, Rev. Dr. Charles Turkington, Dr. Walton Garrett.

Rev. Jimmy Pennell

2016 Chief Junaluska

Projects Report

When the last payment of $52,318 is made, the Children’s Playground project will be finished. This $200,000 upgrade has given us a modern, up-to-date playground that any child can enjoy and love, as a large number of children have done this summer and into the fall.

Our Projects Committee has been listening to parents and the children about the playground equipment and recom-mended to the Board that we make at least two changes to the equipment: (1) add a bucket seat swing set for 3 to 5 year olds, and (2) replace the stainless steel slide, which gets very hot in the summer sun, with a tunnel slide. Both of these projects were approved and will be completed in the near future.

With the estimated cost of the above items being $11,000 to $12,000 of the $16,000 that was budgeted this year, the committee also recommended moving forward with the addition of a second basketball goal at the Shackford Court near the volleyball court due to the court’s popularity.

With the understanding that two estate gifts (Shaffer and Shell) along with next year’s budget, we will have approxi-mately $150,000, the committee recommended the following projects for 2017:

Upgrade Weldon Gym (new goals, barriers to keep vehicles out, new floor surface, and restroom updates) Purchase of Soccer goals and portable backstops for outdoor fields (by gym), plus drainage system for fields Completion of any additional updates to the Children’s Playground Maintenance of walking path and fencing upgrade along Rose Walk

All of these are worthy and needed projects that deserve our support. I wish to thank the committee members for their dedication and commitment to the work of the Projects Committee and our partnership with the Lake.

Frank Grice, Projects Chair

Finance Report

As we approach the end of 2016 we are happy to report that with one more payment, this year we will com-plete our $200,000 obligation for the playground project. This means that we will have additional budget funds during 2017 and in the years ahead to fulfill our mission for new capital projects to benefit the ministry of Lake Junaluska As-sembly.

Thanks to all of the Associate Partners for your continued support which enables the Associates to fulfill this mission through our annual budget. In addition to an annual gift each year, Partners can support our budget through memorial and honor gifts, purchase of memorial bricks, and undesignated gifts. The end of the year is a good time to remember our mission as Associates by making an additional gift to help support new projects in the coming year.

Wannie Hardin, Treasurer

Brickwalk at the Colonnade Reinstated

With the recommendation of the Projects Committee, the Associates Board approved the reinstatement of the Brick Walk at the Colonnade. Much enthusiasm had been expressed when it was announced that the Brick Walk would be closed at the completion of the project with two rows of brick. Due to the passion for this project, the space was reevaluated, and it was determined that a third row could be added to each side of the center block. This gives space for 242 bricks. Remember, the Brick Walk is an excellent way to express appreciation for a person or per-sons who are or has been special to you and yours, such as a family member, friend or spe-cial acquaintance, or to a pastor, Sunday School teacher, or someone who made a difference in your life. It is a special way it is to recall a baptism, wedding, confirmation or retreat at Lake Junaluska; to retain that special connection to Junaluska. The cost is only $100 per brick. Each brick may contain two lines with 16 characters per line, including spaces. Checks should be made payable to the Junaluska Associates and sent to the P.O. Box 67, Lake Junaluska, NC 28745. For additional information, please contact Melissa Aldridge in the Associates office at 828-454-6725 or associates@lakejunaluska.com. Thanks for your consideration of this special project! Frank Grice, Projects Chair

Membership Committee Report

As the Junaluska Associates are beginning the revitalization

program approved at the last Board meeting, we have a great

opportunity to prepare for a period of growth and renewed

enthusiasm. In this regard, the Membership Committee recog-

nized that one of the great attractions among the members is the

annual Associates Weekend. This past one was outstanding and

plans are underway for another great Weekend in 2017 scheduled

on August 4-6. With this in mind the Membership Committee

made the recommendation to the Associates Board that we set a

goal of 500 attendees for the coming year. This is almost twice as

many as attended this year. One way to accomplish this is for eve-

ryone to bring at least one guest with them next year. I challenge

each member to not only plan to come for the weekend next year but also to encourage others to come and bring a

guest. Snookie and I bought another couple last year and they joined the Associates. We are inviting two more couples

for next year. Lake Junaluska needs our love and support. Let’s set an attendance record in 2017.

Bernie Brown, Membership Chair

Special Request—We are looking to go digital…

In an effort to be good stewards of our resources, we are trying to send the Junaluska Associates Newsletter via email rather than snail mail. Please help us with this effort by sending your email to associates@lakejunaluska.com and opting to receive it electronically. You will receive the newsletter faster, and you will be able to share all our wonder-ful news with your family and friends by forwarding a copy to their email! Thanks to everyone who has already agreed to receive information through their email.

Families find bricks during

Associates Weekend.