CEDAR MOUNTAIN NEWS FOR THURSDAY JULY 31ST 2025

Momma bear with 4 cubs robbing the bird feeder in Cindy Greene’s back yard in Cedar Mountain

 FAITH MEMORIAL CHAPEL in Cedar Mountain welcomes folks of all denominations to our services, held on Sundays at 11:00 AM.  We meet only in the summer and have no membership roll, so you won’t feel like a guest.  Each Sunday, we have clergy from different churches that visit us to lead the service and we are blessed to also have great music to accompany the great message!

On August 3rd, we welcome The Rev. Dr. Louis "Smokey" Oats.  Smokey was born in 1951 in Nashville, TN, the son of a promising fashion model and Caribbean drug lord. He joined the Episcopal Church during junior high school, and gave his life to Jesus one Sunday afternoon in a desperate bargain struck while dangling from the second story roof of the Parish house after failing to gain unauthorized access to the building before that evening’s EYC meeting.  He is married to Sharon (though even angels wonder why she puts up with him) and they have two daughters: Jessica (45) graduate of Harvard and Stanford Law School and Leah (43) graduate of MIT now with the government. 

This Sunday, we also welcome Dr. Brittnee Siemon. Dr. Siemon, mezzo-soprano, is a versatile collaborator and critically acclaimed artist. An active concert soloist, she is praised for her “powerfully expressive singing”. Reviews hail her voice as “sublime and other-worldly.”  Earle Oxner earleoxner@me.com

CEDAR MOUNTAIN ROTARY CLUB MEETING

Monday, August 04 5:30 PM

Cedar Mountain Community Center

10630-10640 Greenville Highway, Cedar Mountain, NC

Our featured speaker, Sergio Fernandez of The Bread of Life, will present information regarding their services, with a particular focus on assisting individuals in need of sustenance and companionship. Following the presentation, a potluck meal will be provided to encourage interaction among attendees. Please bring a dish to share. For additional information or to inquire about volunteer opportunities, please contact Cathy Haupert at 607-380-0889. We look forward to your participation.

CEDAR MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY CENTER POTLUCK

The Cedar Mountain Community Center will host the Transylvania Habitat for Humanity as our presenter for our Tuesday, August 12th Potluck.  Presenters will be Community Outreach Manager Adam Dewitte, Family Services Manager Jenni Kerr and Critical Home Repair Program Manager Cathy Wood.  Transylvania Habitat for Humanity was founded in 1984 and has since grown into one of Western North Carolina's most impactful nonprofits. With a mission to eliminate poverty housing, they are committed to ensuring every family in Transylvania County has access to a safe, affordable place to call home. To date, they’ve closed on 84 homes, serving more than 270 individuals and families—bringing stability, dignity, and hope to our community. In 2023, they expanded their services with the launch of the Critical Repair Program, which addresses urgent repairs that pose threats to health and safety, helping underserved residents remain safely in their homes. In response to the destruction caused by Hurricane Helene, they’ve also pivoted to include disaster relief, rebuilding damaged homes and strengthening community resilience. At the heart of all their efforts is a commitment to rebuilding hope and creating a better, more stable future for everyone in Transylvania County.

For the potluck please bring a dish to share by 6:15pm. So we can begin at 6:30pm.  Thanks a bunch. All are welcome.  See you there. 

COMING UP AT CMCC

 September 9th will be a Crock Pot Cook-off with no speaker.

 October 14th will be a BBQ fundraiser.

 November will be the annual Thanksgiving dinner and social hour.

RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE 

The Cedar Mountain Fire Dept Auxiliary will host a blood drive at the station on the 16th of August from 8:30AM – 12:30PM.  Preregistration can be made at the Red Cross.  Make your appointment now at https://www.redcrossblood.org/or call 1-800-RED CROSS. 

Blood: The most common type of donation, during which approximately a pint of 'whole blood' is given. This type of blood donation usually takes about an hour.  Power Red: A Power Red donation collects the red cells but returns most of the plasma and platelets to the donor. These donors must meet specific eligibility requirements and have type A Neg, B Neg, or O blood.

ROCKY HILL BAPTIST CHURCH 150TH YEAR CELEBRATION

Save the date! On Sunday, August 24 at 10:30 the members of Rocky Hill Baptist Church will look back on 150 years of worship and service in the Cedar Mountain Community. The celebration will take place on the annual Homecoming Day and will include worship, special music, a large display of historical documents, photographs, remembrances, and a meal of delicious homemade foods. Dr. Mike Whitson, Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church Indian Trail will bring the message. Mike attended Rocky Hill as a young boy, and he is a descendent of several early Cedar Mountain families. His parents, Jack and Ruth Burns Whitson, were longtime members of Rocky Hill Baptist Church. We look forward to a special day. Please join us!

RENT THE CENTER

The Cedar Mountain Community Center has been beautifully restored, remodeled, and improved. It's available for rental and reservations are going fast. The center now meets handicap accessibility guidelines. Reservations can be made by calling Caroline Chambers at 828-290-9662 or at https://www.cedarmountaincommunitycenter.com/rental.

AROUND THE HOUSE by Linda Packer Young

My honey and I attended the Sherwood Forest Friends program at the Red Barn featuring Josh Goforth Saturday night.  It was incredible and the Red Barn was full to nearly standing room only. They had to keep dragging out chairs from the store room to seat everyone.  Host, Carol McCullough, asked the crowd how many were NOT from Sherwood Forest.  A vast number of hands went up.  Thanks, Sherwood Forest Friends, for a great program.  Toes were a tappin’.

Please note that the deadline to submit articles for the Cedar Mountain News is Monday night. Let me know If your contribution will be later.  Email cedarmountainnews@gmail.com with all news.  Photos are welcome and need to be 900kb or more to be used in the paper.