FRIENDS OF LAUREL PARK
Board of Directors Meeting
September 11, 2023 – 7:00PM • Fleetwood Clubhouse
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The meeting was called to order by Ed Mattern at 7:02 pm at the Fleetwood Clubhouse. Other board members in attendance were Mike Erwin, Bill Jacobs and Kathy Martin, Sandy McGlashan, and Jim Wilson. Absent was Susan Hileman and Town Council liaison to FLP Kristin Dunn.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Nothing major to report.
MONTHLY REPORTS
The Secretary’s report, Treasurer’s report and Operating Budget were all approved.
BOARD MEMBER UPDATE
Bill notified the FLP that he and his wife will soon be moving to Tryon Estates. He is actively seeking to replace his board position with someone who lives at Fleetwood so that board meetings can continue to be held at the Fleetwood Clubhouse.
INVESTMENTS – Jim
Approximately a year ago the FLP set aside funds in interest bearing instruments in anticipation of the centennial year and the route 64 project. One instrument is a CD with a local financial institution and the other, a US I Bond. Recent interest rate fluctuations prompt consideration of more advantageous investment options timed to coincide with the maturity of both instruments in the next two months.
Jim recommended the CD be renewed with the same financial institution, and that the I Bond be liquidated and reinvested in another short-term U.S. Government instrument. He also suggested consideration be given to investing any end of the year funds in a manner and an amount to be determined later.
Mike moved that we reinvest the CD and liquidate and reinvest the I Bond funds as discussed above. All agreed.
DONORS AND SPONSORS
In the last 30 days, we have added four new donors with donations totaling $730. (There were three new sponsors at $130, plus one for $500!) The History Tour shuttle bus is technically a new sponsor. They were paid only $200 (rather than $300) as they requested that $100 of their fee be used as a donation.
WELCOME PACKETS – Mike, Sandy
Mike and Sandy put together about 30 Welcome Packets which are filled with lots of materials, including new recycling brochures. We are awaiting the final approval and wording for the Foot Path map. When received, Carol will produce the brochure, and it will then be added to the packets. Also, a list of all the boards and committees—even though there will be future changes—has been included. The packets will be available at
the last two concerts for new LP residents (2023). In addition, Bill provided a spreadsheet of new residents for Mike and Sandy to distribute.
HISTORY TOURS – WRAP
We discussed earlier (see Donors and Sponsors). The tours were great and there was lots of praise, as usual! However, there was a waiting list and we had to turn away a few people. Paul and Knox will put their notes together for future tours. We will likely do several history tours during the centennial; there is a preliminary budget for six tours.
PA SYSTEM – Ed
We spent money for a speaker and microphone; however, the system turned out to be disappointing. It didn’t really work for the intended use on the history tours, so the system was returned.
PARKS & GREENWAYS VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION LUNCH – SATURDAY, SEPT. 16
We talked last month about this and are hoping all can participate.
MUSIC EVENT – SATURDAY OR SUNDAY, SEPT. 16th OR 17th
Those helping with the set up will meet at Jump Off at 2:30pm. Needed are 4-6 mats; there will be one gazebo only. Bring trash cans, plus cones are needed to mark off the food truck area. The band, Two Step Too is ready to go, and The Welcome Packets are complete and will be available. We’ll have 15 vanity plates to sell for $15 each, check/cash only. The food truck will be Flat Rock Village Bakery’s (wood-fired pizza).
COMMUNITY PARTNERS DAY, MONDAY, OCT. 2, 9am-12pm
This is a combination shredding and informational event to be held at the First Congregational Church. We’ve taken part in the past; however, the FLP logo was erroneously omitted from flyer this year. Bill has represented FLP at this event in the past and said that most people attend to shred and run. He agreed to set up the tent and be present to provide materials and information.
MUSIC EVENT, FRIDAY, OCT. 6
Autumnwud will perform, and the concert is expected to be well attended. No rain date and no food truck.
TRUNK OR TREAT, SATURDAY, OCT. 28
The event will be run by the LP Police Department. Juliet (face painter) unfortunately will not be in town for the event. Kathy is hoping to have a car present and is researching decorating ideas. She mentioned seeing an Avett Brothers concert where the band was dressed as mummies, and it may be something we can emulate. Ed will check with Bobby to see if more candy or money is needed. More discussion about this event will be scheduled for next month’s meeting.
RECYCLING EVENT – THURSDAY, NOV. 2
This 4pm event will be held at the First Congregational Church, and HC Environmental Programs Coordinator Amy Schmitte will present the program. She’ll speak for about 30 minutes. The Leave No Trace program may be added to the program. Sandy will work on that and report back at next month’s meeting. A question came up during our discussion regarding issues with recycling—are the blue bags getting recycled? What is recycled? Good questions for Amy at this upcoming event.
FOOT PATHS – MIKE
Mike has no new updates. He is still waiting to hear from Jennie Brown, who is chairing the Foot Paths committee. Parks and Greenways meet tomorrow morning, so after that, they should decide and release the map and the name of the paths.
LEAVE NO TRACE – SANDY
This new facet of Leave No Trace education includes information with actionable steps to help people practice Leave No Trace values in their home and communities. This was discussed earlier (see Recycling Event above).
CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE – JIM
Jim reported that he and Kristin have been working on a plan for the New Year’s Gala and the 4th of July events. These two events will account for about 50% of the budget. The Hendersonville Country Club does not want to submit a bid for the gala more than a year out, so are unwilling currently to commit. The Town Council’s desire is to have it at the CC, because it is in Laurel Park. Even though that is preferable, it may have to be held elsewhere. The Council wants to have a commemorative wine for the event, and Marked Tree Vineyard has given an estimate of $25/bottle. There will also be a centennial beer from Trailside Brewery. The hope is that by December, the committee will have a precise budget, and then know what will be needed for sponsorships. The sponsorships will be tiered. The top tier will be one sponsor for the entire year and there will be individual sponsors for each event throughout the year. There will be a charge for the gala (which may take care of the event cost), but not for July 4th.
A preliminary budget is drafted at about $26,000, but Jim reiterated this is very preliminary. The FLP concert series is not included, presumably because FLP will cover those costs. However, the Committee is now planning for seven concerts during the year, including July 4th. The New Years Gala and a special centennial wine are not included in the budget. The official Laurel Park License Plates commemorating our upcoming Centennial in 2025 are on sale now at Town Hall and at Friends of Laurel Park Events. The cost is $15 each (cash or check only) and proceeds go toward Centennial Celebration events.
ADJOURNMENT AND NEXT MEETING
The meeting was adjourned at 8:13pm. The next meeting is scheduled for 7pm on Monday, October 9, 2023, at the Fleetwood Clubhouse.
Respectfully submitted,
Sandy McGlashan, Board Member