News

LOCAL BRIEFS: Park parking, UNCA grads

Hendersonville Elementary Cub Cats Rebecca Denson, Katelyn Boyette, Emily Edwards and Catherine Jones stand in front of the Interfaith Assistance Ministry van that they have just finished loading with 790 pounds of food.

By Bill Moss, Published: December 23, 2015

Cub Cats donate to IAM

Hendersonville Elementary Cub Cats Rebecca Denson, Katelyn Boyette, Emily Edwards and Catherine Jones stand in front of the Interfaith Assistance Ministry van that they have just finished loading with 790 pounds of food. The Cub Cats organized a Holiday Food Drive for IAM and the entire elementary school helped donate and collect the food.

Mills River to add parking lot at park

MILLS RIVER — File it under good problem to have: The popular Mills River Town Park at times experiences a parking crunch. By next spring, park-goers will have about 120 more parking spaces — enough to accommodate all the trail walkers, picnickers, fishers, dog walkers, tennis players and playground users.
The town’s engineer, G. Thomas Jones III of WGLA Engineering, told the council the firm would advertise the project for bids this month. After a bid opening and council approval in mid-January, construction will begin. The project should be completed by the end of April, Jones said. The town Council budgeted $425,000 for the parking lot, sidewalks and lighting.

Area students earn degrees at UNCA

The following students from Hendersonville graduated from UNC Asheville in December:
Christi Michelle Barnwell - Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Second Major in Psychology; Thomas Robert Benton - Bachelor of Science in Physics, Minor in Mathematics; Kelsey Nicole Brooks - Bachelor of Science in Management;
Melissa Castillo - Bachelor of Arts in Psychology; Jonathan Baker Dermid - Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication; Laura Fugate Engel - Bachelor of Arts in History, Summa cum laude, University Research Scholar, Distinction in History; Jessica Beth Fruchtman - Bachelor of Arts in Sociology; Jesse Robert Ivens - Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Minor in Management; Reuben Joseph Jacques - Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, Summa cum laude, Distinction in Chemistry; Olgierd Michal Pucilowski Jr - Bachelor of Arts in Psychology; and Erin Elizabeth Weber Boss - Master Liberal Arts & Sciences.
Mills River: Nancy Emmalee Alexander - Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication
Horse Shoe: Amanda Elizabeth Melton - Bachelor of Science in Management, Concentration in Marketing.

Gabe Justice achieves highest Sea Scout rank

John Gabriel “Gabe” Justice has earned the Sea Scout rank of Quartermaster, becoming only the third Boy Scout in the Daniel Boone Council to attain the rank.
The Quartermaster award is the highest rank that can be attained in Sea Scouts, a division of the Boy Scout Venturing program. In 2014 only 30 Sea Scouts nationwide earned the rank. Similar to the rank of Eagle Scout, the Quartermaster award requires that the Scout earn several ranks over a period of several years that involve water and boat-related activities and complete a service project. Justice’s project consisted of installing recycling containers for used fishing line around Lake Julian.
Justice is also an Eagle Scout with three palms and served on the National Boy Scout Board as the Southern Region Boatswain in 2014. The son of Ron Justice and Kim Gasperson Justice, he is a 2014 graduate of West Henderson High School. As a member of the North Carolina National Guard he received his paralegal degree on Tuesday at the Army Paralegal School at Fort Lee, Va.

Young Leaders wins $500 grant

The Henderson County Young Leaders Program was the November winner of a $500 grant that Millers Fine Drycleaning is giving as part of its 100th anniversary.
In June, Miller’s started the promotion of giving back to non-profits in Henderson County. To vote, add Miller’s Fine Drycleaning as a friend on Facebook and follow the instructions on how to nominate.
Henderson County Young Leaders Program uses camp as a means of providing unique opportunities for building character, leadership and resourcefulness in young people. “Henderson County Young Leaders Program has only been able to thrive because of the generosity of our community,” said Executive Director Kristin Dunn. “We are beyond grateful for what Miller’s Fine Drycleaning does every day to help local children.”

Workshop at Grace ‘recharges pray life’

The community is invited to join the members of Grace Lutheran Church on Sunday, Jan. 3, from 3 to 5 p.m. for the annual “Recharge your Prayer Life” workshop focusing this year on the Prayer Labyrinth. The workshop will conclude with fellowship and a simple soup supper.
Storyteller and artist Karen-Eve Pfotzer will relate the history, symbolism and stories of labyrinths followed by a guided labyrinth walk with water, stones and light. Such a walk or journey provides a balance in prayer form around the circles symbolizing life’s journeys, and everyone’s need for renewal, reconnection to others, to your own spiritual journeys, and a recharging spiritual practice.
To join the workshop, please register no later than Dec. 31 by calling the church at 828-693-4890 X304 (messages can be left on voice mail) or by registering online at
http://bit.ly/grace-recharge. Grace Lutheran Church is located at the corner of Sixth Avenue West and Blythe Street in Hendersonville.

Christmas Eve services are set

Christmas Eve services at Grace Lutheran Church will be held at 5, 7 and 9 p.m. Thursday. The 5 o’clock bilingual (Spanish & English) service will be oriented to children and families. The 7 and 9 p.m. candlelight worship services will celebrate the birth of Christ in word, music and sacrament of Holy Communion and include a traditional service of the Christmas story, familiar carols and special music by the adult choirs.