MONTHLY BOARD MEETING MINUTES

Friends of Laurel Park

Board of Directors Meeting

January 6, 2026

The meeting was called to order by Ed Mattern at 7:02pm at the Fleetwood Clubhouse. Other board members in attendance were Susan Hileman, Mike Erwin, George Evans, Ann McFadden, and Tom Felice. Mark Morse, Town Council liaison to FLP, also attended. Board member Myra Watkins was not present.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Ed thanked all the board members for 2025, a very successful year.

WELCOME NEW BOARD MEMBERS

Two new members joined the board, starting immediately. George Evans and Tom Felice both expressed their interest in the board’s activities.

WELCOME NEW LIAISON

The board also has a new Town Council liaison, Mark Morse. He was involved with the Civic Association and FLP in the past and is glad to be involved again.

ELECTION OF NEW OFFICERS

The board elected the officers for 2026 as follows:

Ed Mattern, President

Mike Erwin, Vice President

Susan Hileman, Secretary

George Evans, Treasurer

The slate was approved unanimously.

BOARD MEMBER TERMS

The minutes from 2025 indicated that both Ed and Mike’s terms were through 2025. Both agreed to serve another 3-year term. George and Tom also agreed to serve 3-year terms. A summary of all terms is as follows:

Ed, Mike, George and Tom – 2026-2028

Ann and Myra – 2026

Susan – 2026-2027

The terms were unanimously approved.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST FORMS

As is necessary each January, all board members signed a conflict-of-interest statement.

SECRETARY’S REPORT, TREASURER’S REPORT, 2025 OPERATING BUDGET

All reports were approved.

Ed started on a 2026 budget, and it was approved as a tentative budget as it closely follows the pattern of the past few years. George is meeting with Jim to get set up as Treasurer and will continue working on the budget at that time.

A discussion of the Ecusta Trail followed, as Mike reminded the board that approx. $10,000 was reserved for Ecusta Trail signage; Mark explained that the Town pays Henderson County to maintain trash, etc.

WINTER CONCERTS

Indoor Concerts will all be held at Echo Mountain Inn. Doors will open at 5:30 and the musicians will perform from 6:00-7:30. Steve at 828 TakeNBake will have entrees set up for sale. Conveniently, he will be making all food at Echo Mountain Inn. Echo Mountain Inn will provide drinks for sale.

January 18 Sunshine Drenchy Duo

February 22 Deb Bridges and ii-V-1

March 22 Hope Griffin Duo

April 12 John Perkins

Board members were asked to arrive a few minutes before 5:30 to ensure setup is complete.

OUTDOOR CONCERTS

Concerts will be held either at Jump Off Rock or Laurel Green Park. All concerts start at 5pm with a rain date included.

May 2,3 Sound Invasion TBD

June 20,21 Asheville Junction LPG

September 12,13 Showboat Band JOR

October TBD Autumnwud JOR

Autumnwud cannot come on Oct 10 or 11 but may be available on a Friday. Ed is still working on a date.

OTHER 2026 EVENTS

Ed suggested the board members think about what else to do during the year as he tries for one event/month. Some possibilities include a History Tour in July or August and maybe an Ecusta Trail walk or bike in July or August.

ILENE AND ALFREDO’S GIFT

In the past, the board has approved a gift of $250/qtr. to Ilene. After a bit of discussion, the board agreed to increase her gift to $300/qtr. Alfredo is the Fleetwood resident who opens the Clubhouse before each board meeting. The board approved a $100 gift card for him.

LIAISON REPORT

Mark reported that Bryan Hensley, the supervisor for Public Works, has noticed that the playground equipment needs to be updated/replaced and perhaps made more handicap accessible. This funding might need to come from grants or FLP as the Town is still struggling to get roads repaired from hurricane.

He further reported that Cheryl is looking for help from someone who could gather stories from residents to include in the newsletter; there are lots of folks who have stories to tell, she feels. The board liked the idea of a “Meet Your Neighbor” column and will start thinking about people to interview.

OTHER BUSINESS

The Town survey coordinator would appreciate help from FLP to remind people to fill it out. The deadline is January 16th and so far, only about 100 people have turned in a survey.

ADJOURNMENT AND NEXT MEETING

The meeting was adjourned at 8:18pm. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at the Fleetwood Clubhouse.

Respectfully submitted,

Susan Hileman, Secretary

Friends of Laurel Park

Board of Directors Meeting

November 11, 2025

The meeting was called to order by Mike Erwin at 7pm at the Fleetwood Clubhouse. Other board members in attendance were Susan Hileman, Jim Wilson, Ann McFadden and Myra Watkins. Deb Bridges, Town Council liaison to FLP also attended. Board member Ed Mattern was not present but did call in later.

GUESTS

Peter Parry joined the meeting as a guest. Peter had purchased the Town of Laurel Park’s bear from the auction; he named the bear Pisgah and his intention is to donate it to the Town and have it placed at JOR. The board gave him a plaque as a thank you. The timing for bear placement will be spring with hopefully a special ceremony.

VICE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Mike reported that plaques are in place by the bears carved by Louis Lachusa. Also, he reminded the board that Jim is retiring at the end of the year and Deb Bridges is rotating off. The board members all expressed their gratitude for the time and energy both had offered to FLP.

SECRETARY’S REPORT, TREASURER’S REPORT, 2025 OPERATING BUDGET

All reports were approved.

DONORS, DONOR THANK YOUS

There were three new donors since the last meeting and all thank yous have been sent. Jim reported that the number of donors still lags compared to previous years.

BEAR AUCTION WRAP

This year was a record year for the auction, raising money for local charities. In fact, many bears auctioned for $10,000.

HALLOWEEN EVENT WRAP

The Town Halloween event was a great success, lots of kids, adults and dogs. A note for next year, have dog treats in addition to candy to hand out. Thanks to Myra and Susan for setting up and donning costumes and thanks to Ed and his dog for providing moral support , both in costume as well.

CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING – DEC 3RD

Brandy Curry, as part of the Centennial committee, has been helping with the timeline and setup. The Town will be supplying refreshments, Virginia Erwin has been working with the choir from First Congregational Church for caroling, and the police will hold the Laurel Green parking lot for handicapped parking. Note, there is no rain date.

WINTER CONCERTS

Mike reported that Ed has all the winter concerts lined up:

January 18: Steve Robinson and Steve Kirkland, the Sunshine Drenchy Duo

February 22: Deb Bridges and ii-V-1

March 22: the Hope Griffin Duo

April 12: John Perkins

All concerts will be held at Echo Mountain Inn which will open at 5:30, with music from 6-7:30. 828 Take and Bake will provide an entrée for purchase and the Inn will sell beer and wine.

EVENT POSTCARD

Ann reported the next postcard is almost ready and will include events through April.

TOWN EMPLOYEE GIFTS

Last year, the board gave out $50 gift cards to all Town employees and agreed to do the same this year. Mike will get a head count for the number of employees including police, he is expecting it to be around 20.

CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE – JIM

Jim reported that the Committee is now dissolved as the Christmas Tree Lighting will be last event. Gary Anderson is going to retool the scavenger hunt book so it is just historical and have it available for sale. Centennial coins are still available for sale as well.

ECUSTA TRAIL

Jim reported last month about getting a committee together for the interpretive signage. The committee will include the mayor, Knox Crowell, a few folks from Friends of Ecusta Trail as well as Jim, acting as liaison for the board, and perhaps a few others. The goal is to have the signage in place by summer, 2026.

BUSINESS LIST

Ann worked very hard, visiting all the stores in Laurel Park and then updating the list. She will give it to Cheryl at the Town Hall.

LIAISON

The board offered many thanks to Deb for the great job she’s done as our liaison. Mark Morse will be the new liaison starting in January.

BOARD MEMBERS

Sandy McGlashan may be convinced to come back. Mike asked all board members to talk to neighbors and friends; he is hoping to get two new members for next year. Mike will ask Ilene to send out an email using the volunteer list and perhaps the donor list.

CRYSTAL SPRING FUNDRAISING

The Crystal Spring fundraising appears to still be about $3,000 short. Jim will check and if they are short of their goal, the board will revisit the issue in mid-December by email. There remains the possibility of another match, perhaps $500 this time.

HOLIDAY PARTY

The annual holiday party will be held 5:30-8 on December 16th at Susan’s house.

ADJOURNMENT AND NEXT MEETING

The meeting was adjourned at 8:16pm. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the Fleetwood Clubhouse.

Respectfully submitted,

Susan Hileman, Secretary

Friends of Laurel Park

Board of Directors Meeting

October 14, 2025

The meeting was called to order by Ed Mattern at 7:02pm at the Fleetwood Clubhouse. Other board members in attendance were Susan Hileman, Mike Erwin, Jim Wilson, Ann McFadden and Myra Watkins. Deb Bridges, Town Council liaison to FLP was able to call in for most of the meeting.

SECRETARY’S REPORT, TREASURER’S REPORT, 2025 OPERATING BUDGET

All were approved.

Jim gave the board an updated projection from now to end of year and assuming the known expenses are all paid and no more donations are received, the organization will end up with a $4,000 deficit. This does not however include receiving any funds from the bear auction.

DONORS, DONOR THANK YOUS

All thank you’s have been sent out.

SPONSORS SPONSOR THANK YOURS

No new sponsors this month.

GIFT FOR KNOX

Jim got the gift card for Knox. A committee of Mike, Jim and Ed will deliver the card.

CONCERT WRAP

Mike estimated 220 people attended, reporting that the band was great and everyone loved them. The Food truck was very slow even though the food was delicious. Parking remains the biggest issue. Some suggestions for next year:

Save a few spaces for handicap parking.
Rent a golf cart or two to ferry folks from their car to the venue. Deb saw a golf cart at Echo Mountain Inn; the board may be able to borrow it.
The board will also check in with the police next year to see if they have any suggestions.
Public Works has an ATV, maybe that could be used.

HALLOWEEN EVENT – OCT 25

Myra and Susan will set up at 3pm for a 5pm start. Myra is bringing a tent and some decorations for it. Susan is bringing a cauldron, a “tissue paper” fire and some folding chairs. Ed will join in as available.

BEAR AUCTION – OCT 25

Mike and Jim will meet downtown at 4pm with a poster about Laurel Park. The Auction committee discouraged elaborate displays.

BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS

Deb reported that it will be on Laurel Green Saturday at 10am.

BEAR NAMING

Ed thanked Mike for all the hard work communicating with Louis the bear carver. The final choices of names were Stormy and Unity.

FURRY FRIENDS EVENT OR ALTERNATE

While Ilene initially wanted to put together a Furry Friends event, she had very little interest from any sponsors or businesses that could set up a table and so has decided it is not worth the time and effort. The board will look at alternate ideas for next year.

2026 WINTER AND OUTDOOR CONCERTS

Ed has already had lots of interest from the bands that performed this year.

For the Outdoor concerts:

Ed suggested based on their popularity, that Autumwud return in October.
Showboat wants to return in September and the board agreed they are a good choice.
Another popular band is Asheville Junction and they have asked to return in June.

Mike suggested there be no concert in April, it’s too early, and just have 4 total outdoor concerts. He also thought the remaining band should be one that hasn’t performed at JOR before.

Winter concerts at Echo Mountain Inn possibilities include:

John Perkins, who performed this year.
Mike suggested Don Davis, a renowned storyteller, as a possibility.
Ed will ask Deb if the Godspell singers could perform a medley in March.
Myra suggested her friends Steve and Steve.
Myra also suggested Ellen Trnka.

Ed will check with Travis about what dates are available at Echo Mountain Inn.

ECUSTA TRAIL

Jim reported that the Friends of Ecusta Trail are still very interested in interpretive signage. Any signs need to be approved by Rails to Trails committee however. It is quite a process he reported, as specs, wording and visuals will all need approval. He suggested that a committee be organized to include the Mayor, Knox Crowell, some members of Friend of Ecusta and some member of FLP. Jim will keep us apprised of progress.

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

Ed reported that the Business directory is Included in the Welcome Packet and needs to be updated. He handed out a list of businesses he knows of and requested all board members to check the listings and update when possible.

BOARD MEMBERS

Sadly, Jim is resigning at the end of the year. Ed’s goal is to not only replace Jim but to add another member as well, to get to a total of seven board members. He asked that all board members have conversations with neighbors and friends. Mike will include an invitation in the next newsletter.

It was suggested that the volunteer data base be used to send out a personal invitation and Myra asked that Ilene send out the email as she had lots of issues with the last mass email she tried to send.

OTHER BUSINESS

Ann reported that the next postcard is due out in November and she will need dates for all the upcoming events occurring December-March by November 10th. Jim will ask Brandy to let Ann know the date for the Christmas tree lighting and Ed will check with Travis at Echo Mountain Inn about availability for the Winter concerts.

ADJOURNMENT AND NEXT MEETING

The meeting was adjourned at 8:36pm. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 11, 2025 at the Fleetwood Clubhouse.

Respectfully submitted,

Susan Hileman, Secretary