October 2013

A Monthly Publication for Balsam Mountain Preserve Members

Balsam Master Plan

A s many of you know, Balsam Mountain Group placed a conservation easement on 75

lots in December of last year as part of a plan to develop “enclave” properties closer

to the amenity core of the community. Over the past nine months, several different

scenarios have played out regarding the property that is (or will be) available to develop

additional inventory within Balsam. This picture has become clearer in recent months and we

can now proceed forward with a broader vision for the future.

To that point, we will be working diligently over the next couple of months completing our

conceptual Development Master Plan for Balsam. We are excited about the concepts we are

bringing to life and look forward to sharing them with you in December at the annual

Community Association meeting.

Real Estate sales continue to strengthen, and there have now been 32 property transactions

at Balsam through October 1st, 2013. Properties under contract at this writing include one

developer homesite, three resale homesites (all listed by our in-house brokerage), and one

Boarding House resale (also listed by our in-house brokerage).

The average price of the four homesites under contract is $253,750, a great sign that

properties are beginning to increase in value.

Just as exciting, all four homesite purchasers will become members of the Balsam Mountain

Club, further enhancing and strengthening the community.

Thanks as always for your support of the Club, and we look forward to seeing everyone over

the next few weeks as we celebrate the beauty of the Fall season.

by Bruce Fine, General Manager

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5TH

FINE DINING NIGHT FEATURING LIVE MUSIC

FROM BROOKLEY BAKER & CHARLIE HOPPER

Brookley was a semi-finalist on American Idol in 2010!

You are sure to enjoy this evening of music and fine dining.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11TH

BARN DANCE FEATURING

THE ROSS BROTHERS & J CREEK CLOGGERS

Our first Barn Dance this year was a huge success so don't miss another

great evening of food, dancing and camaraderie!

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18TH

DANA COOPER CONCERT AND SEAFOOD BUFFET

Join us for a great evening of live music by singer songwriter extraordinaire

Dana Cooper along with dining featuring Chef Ryan's Grand Seafood Buffet.

Grand Seafood Buffet and Show…$35.00 per person, Show Only…$10.00 per person

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25TH & SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26TH

OKTOBERFEST WEEKEND

Boarding House Winter Season Schedule

November 4

th, 2013 – April 30

th, 2014

Monday - Thursday: 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Continental breakfast for cabin guests

Friday - Sunday: 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Full breakfast

Daily except Tuesdays: 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Thursday - Saturday: 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Reservations Requested, Minimum 10 People

When Dinner is not being served, a To Go Cabin Menu will be available every day except Tuesday. Homeowners may also take advantage of this Menu. Selections must

be made same day before 2:00 p.m.

&

7:00 TIL 10:00

dress is country cowboy Friday Night’s Theme Buffet and Bar Will Take

Place at the Barn $25 Per Person

From the Mouths of… Well… You’ll See

I was going to write something else in this month’s column when what to my wondering eyes

should appear but a truck-load of a BMP member’s kids and grandkids and their friends (with apologies to Moore or Livingston) who showed up at the Nature Center. So, I got this bright idea that I should interview the posse about their interest in nature. I’m fascinated with the fact that most children in U.S. have an in-satiable and natural curiosity about the natural world. The only time (usually) I observe kids not having this curiosity is when they’ve been prejudiced by a caregiver. Luckily, this wasn’t the case with this group. This is also why we are lucky to have such great members who have chosen to call BMP their home. What follows are responses from the Burnett-Hipp collective and, please, enjoy. The question posed to the group was, “Why do you like nature?” The responses:

1) Kennedy Burnett: “I like animals because they’re AWESOME!”

2) Camilla Hipp: “I like nature because pelicans eat their babies.”

3) Hayne Hipp: “Some snakes eat their babies.”

4) Emmaline Hipp: “I like collecting rocks and I have happy feet when I’m outdoors.”

5) Reid Hipp: “I like chameleons because they change colors.”

6) Mother Burnett: “I like the fresh feeling of the air.”

7) Mother Hipp: “The outdoors/nature makes me feel free and calm.”

So, there you have it—from the “experts”—on nature. Can you top this?

by Michael Skinner, Trust Executive Director

www.bmtrust.org

Hayne Hipp (left), friend of the Burnett family and Kennedy Burnett, grand-daughter of Sandra and Jack Burnett took on everything nature could throw at them. More specifically, what Michael could challenge them with and they han-dled Kernel , the corn snake and Zeus, the Harris’ hawk with grace and aplomb.

Photos by M. Skinner

Life on the Edge

Some of us jump right into the thick of things,

and others live life on the edge. Notice the

big liver-like mushroom pictured below and

growing on the bottom edge of a tree.

You are probably all familiar with the

‘bracket fungi’ that seem to perch on the

side of snags and logs. We have samples

of these hard mushrooms in the nature

center, stuck to the poplar bark

walls and acting as artistic

nature displays or shelves

for plastic insects.

The gorgeous red mushroom in the photo is also a shelf, or bracket fungi with the binomial name Fistulina

hepatica. Being schooled in Latin will help you to translate the name to mean ‘liver-like with small tubes’.

And fun-guys like homeowner David Dickson get really excited when they discover a mushroom like this

one, fondly known as the BEEFSTEAK. Yes, some of these livery delights are edible in the raw (after

having been soaked in a nice marinade first – David’s suggestion).

Too bad I did not know about eating this thing raw when I

found it!!! Oh well, it was just after lunch and I was not hungry

anyway. I decided instead to go out on a ledge (pictured here

while hiking with friends in Panthertown). As always when

visiting a rock’s edge, I discovered something remarkable. I

found a nice big pile of bobcat poop and signs of black bear

travel nearby. Does my rock ledge support a large animal

highway? Well I was there, so the answer is probably yes.

Then my mind wandered to thoughts of mountain lions. Could

they be there too? Just in case, I scrambled down (from the

edge).

by Blair Ogburn, Senior Naturalist

In August we announced Balsam Property Owners David and Terri May had recently

taken the Stallion Championship at Arabian Horse Association’s Region 14 event at

the Kentucky Horse Park. Now their stallion, Master Jullyen V, has been featured in

the Arabian Horse Times and will be competing in the US Nationals in October! We

thought you would enjoy reading the following cover story.

as Published in the ARABIAN HORSE TIMES

Cover Story: Master Jullyen V

by MARY KIRKMAN

I n all probability, when Dave and Terri May purchased Master Jullyen V one day before he was named

2010 Scottsdale Signature Champion Yearling Colt over 95 others, everyone just figured they were

selecting a great stallion halter prospect. But the truth was, they were adding to their Arabian horse

family. The Mays already owned two of his full

sisters—Morning Glory V, a Scottsdale Signature

reserve champion and U.S. National Top Ten

Futurity Filly, and Mikayla Jullyen V, a regional

reserve champion in halter and rising star in

western pleasure—so they knew they were buying

a well-credentialed horse. But the future was open

for the colt. It would take Master himself to let them

know that he too should get a crack at top-flight

competition.

Following his victory, Master Jullyen, who is by

Jullyen El Jamaal and out of the Audacious PS

daughter Misti Morn V, was sent to Dan and Judy

Lynch’s farm in Cross Plains, Wis., to grow up. A

stunning 15.1 hands as a yearling, he needed

careful handling to fill out his leggy elegance

without too much stress on precocious bones and

joints. Dan Lynch oversaw a program that

emphasized nutrition and exercise, and sent the

colt out with other youngsters to learn equine

social skills.

“I kept an extremely close eye on his growth and his nutritional needs,” Lynch recalls. “We kept a balance of

his being a horse, and yet having some light conditioning as we went along. He’s super intelligent, and he is

a very understanding horse.”

Lynch also noticed that the colt developed the swashbuckling charm that translates into show ring

presence. “Master knows he’s got something special,” he smiles. “He gives you those looks, you know, like

‘Am I cool or what?’”

That was the inspiration for his name, says breeder Sheila Varian. “He’s always had a masterful aura,” she

notes. “He’s very imposing, in a gentle way.”

Finally, in the spring of 2013, when he was 4, Master was pronounced ready and sent off to trainer Keith

Krichke, who found him to have “a very willing attitude.” “He’s new, fresh and exciting,” says Krichke. “He’s

got a lot of eye appeal. When I showed him at Region 14, it was noticeable that people wanted to look at

him. He’s very long necked and elegant, and he’s very charismatic.” The judges agreed, and selected

Master Jullyen V Region 14 Champion Stallion.

That is not going to be all, Judy Lynch predicts. “I fully expect him to get even better down the road,” she

says. “His two full sisters have really bloomed as 5- and 6-year-olds.”

For the Mays, the Region 14 win was particularly sweet, but not just because they won. “Master was having

a grand old time out there,” Dave May reports. To his family, that is important.

So, it is now all systems go for Master Jullyen V to step up to the U.S. Nationals. He gets the opportunity,

says May, because he deserves it; his place in the hearts—and the future—of his family is already assured.

Dave and Terri May see their involvement in Arabians as long term; Terri, a casual rider, runs Lone Tree

Farm, their 130-acre boarding facility in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, and one of their daughters, Megan, rides

endurance horses. When Dave’s retirement next spring allows them to spend part of their time at Balsam

Mountain Preserve in North Carolina, some of their Arabians will go with them. But in the meantime, there is

Master’s luminous career to enjoy. They have just one cardinal rule: the welfare of their horses comes first.

“That’s what they’re all about,” nods Dan Lynch. “It’s not just winning a blue ribbon. It’s the horse that they

have in mind.”

And right now, the horse they have in mind is making a lot of people smile. “Master has a unique look,”

Keith Krichke says. “His whole demeanor is just exotic looking. He has a lot of quality; he’s definitely one to

reckon with.”

He’s clever, deep, crafty, poetic, melodic, ironic, and hilarious— in short, the best.

From the heartland

Friday, October 18th

Singer, Songwriter, Troubadour

“ “

B alsam Mountain is proud to bring you a dinner show with Dana Cooper at the Boarding House on October 18th. A true poet of song, Cooper engages and inspires audiences around the world with his quick wit, insightful stories and commanding

presence. He has performed on Austin City Limits, Mountain Stage and the Kerrville Folk Festival and his songs have been recorded by top-notch artists such as bluegrass star Claire Lynch; Irish vocalist Maura O’Connell; and luminary songwriters Pierce Pettis and Susan Werner. Cooper has become an integral figure in the Music City songwriting community collaborating with renowned writers such as Tom Kimmel, Sally Barris, Kim Carnes and Don Henry and has been invited to participate in songwriting workshops from Belfast to Copenhagen to Austin. His prolific endeavors have resulted in 20 albums, many of them critically acclaimed. His mixture of flat-picking, finger-picking and percussive strumming style is legend among other guitarists. Dana Cooper continues to tour the United States and Europe gaining new fans wherever he goes.

“ RSVP to Member Services at 828.631.1000.

Member-Pro Results

Low Pro

George Bryan IV 70, 68 = 138 Total

2nd Place

Sam Belfore and Zach Calhoun 67,

62 = 129 Total

1st Place

Steve Neubeiser and George Bryan

IV 65, 63 = 128 Total

Congratulations to our winners and

thanks to all that participated!

Sam Belfore and Zach Calhoun

Steve Neubeiser and George Bryan

A Medley of Fall Flavors Come to The Boarding House and Enjoy

New Lunch Menu Items For The Fall Season

Small Plates, Soups and Salads

Soup du Jour…..cup $4…..bowl $6 Smoked Tomato Soup…..cup $3 bowl $5 Fried Pickles…..$5 Onion Rings…..$5 Soup and Salad…..$7 Garden Salad…..$3/$6 (add grilled chicken…..$3)

Iceberg Wedge Salad…..$9 Fried Oysters or Shrimp, Bacon, Cherry Tomatoes, Bleu Cheese Crumbles, Cucumbers and Shaved Red Onion served over a hearty Iceberg Wedge. Accompanied by our signature Bleu Cheese Dressing

Roasted Sweet Potato Spinach Salad…..$8 Oven Roasted Sweet Potato with Dried Cranberries, Green Apples, Honey Roasted Walnuts and Gruyere Cheese served on a bed of Baby Spinach with our Plum and Nutmeg Vinaigrette

Chicken Salad on Mixed Greens…..$8 Ask your server about our Chicken Salad selection for today. Served on Mixed Greens with Cherry Tomatoes, Cucumbers and Red Onion with your choice of dressing and Crostini

House Dressings Ranch, Blue Cheese, Balsamic Vinaigrette, Apple Vinaigrette, and Russian

Big Plates and Sandwiches Served with fries, sweet potato fries, Yukon Gold chips, fresh fruit, onion rings or daily pasta

Turkey Reuben…..$8 Grilled Turkey and Sauerkraut with Swiss Cheese and Russian Dressing on grilled rye

Chicken Sandwich…..$8 Grilled or Cajun Chicken Breast with Lettuce, Tomato and Mayonnaise on a toasted bun

Balsam Triple Decker Club…..$9 Smoked Turkey, Honey Ham and Peppered Bacon layered with Crisp Lettuce, Ripe Tomatoes, Cheddar and Swiss Cheese and Mayonnaise served on your choice of bread

Po’Boy…..$9 Fried Oysters and Shrimp served on a Toasted Hoagie Roll with Provolone Cheese, Tartar Sauce, Shredded Lettuce and Bacon

Portobello Special…..$8 A marinated Portobello Mushroom grilled to perfection with melted Swiss Cheese, Spinach and Caramelized Onions, topped with a Roasted Garlic Aioli and our Balsamic Dressing on sourdough bread

Cuban Sandwich…..$8 Slow Roasted Pork Shoulder, Ham, Pickles, Mustard and Swiss Cheese on a pressed cuban roll

Fall Ham & Gouda Panini…..$8 Black Forest Ham with Barbers Orchard Apple Butter and melted Smoked Gouda Cheese, served on our fresh wheat berry bread

Southern Fish & Chips…..$9 Classic Fried Catfish Fillets served with our Beer Battered Fries and Tartar Sauce

Carolina Trout Plate…..$12 Fresh Carolina Trout served grilled, blackened or fried with your choice of side and a garden salad

Balsam Burger…..$8 add cheese…..$1 Choose Cheese: American, cheddar, Swiss or provolone Choose toasted bread: Whole wheat, white, rye or bun

*All sandwiches and large salads are available as a wrap at no extra charge.

save the

weekend for

Balsam Mountain Preserve’s

Oktoberfest!

October 25th - 27th

Details to follow.

Club Hours of Operation

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

Tuesdays. Tee times begin at 8:00am.

Practice Park: Open 7:30am to 6:30pm, closed

Tuesdays.

Trail Rides: By Reservation Only.

Pavilion: Open 24 hours.

Fitness Center: Open 24 hours.

Pool: Closed for season.

Tennis Courts: Open 24 hours.

Turnhouse: Open 11:00am to 3:00pm, closed

Tuesdays.

The Boarding House Restaurant:

Light Continental Breakfast:

Mon – Thurs, 8am – 10am

Breakfast:

Fri – Sun, 8am – 10am

Brunch:

Sunday 11:30am—2:00pm

Lunch:

Wed – Mon, 11:30am – 2pm

Dinner:

Wed – Sun, 6:30pm – 8:30pm

*Reservations Requested

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

Club Staff and Contact Information

Administration: 828.631.1040

Bruce Fine: General Manager

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

Stables: 828.631.1066

Natalie Altendorf: Stable Manager

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 Manager

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