More work set for The Park at Flat Rock

The Park at Flat Rock

From the Hendersonville Lightning:

The Flat Rock Village Council last week authorized a $15,411 contract for stream and creek work and tentatively committed about $150,000 to renovate the clubhouse for restrooms at the village’s new park.

The council also agreed to appropriate $23,000 to operate the Flat Rock Recreation Foundation, which has set a goal of raising $567,950 for the park over three years through grants and donations.

The council agreed to move ahead on public restrooms in the clubhouse when cost estimates for a planned pavilion and separate restroom building came in above forecast.

Project manager Ed Lastein told the council that the village could achieve most of what it planned for the clubhouse including the restrooms, a park information area, office space and required changes for wheelchair access for about $147,000.

“I think this really satisfies all our needs,” he said. . .

Read it all.

A spring trip to the Aiken-Rhett House

Aiken-Rhett House, Charleston, SC

If you're planning a springtime trip to Charleston to see the gardens, you may want to visit the Aiken-Rhett House Museum (48 Elizabeth Street). Built around 1820, it was bought by William Aiken, Sr. in 1827 and remained in the family until 1975 when it was sold to The Charleston Museum.

Interior of the Aiken-Rhett House

William Aiken, Jr. (S.C. governor, 1844-1846) acquired property around Flat Rock's Highland Lake:

William Aiken, Jr. died at his summer home in Flat Rock, North Carolina, in 1887. He left his property to his wife and daughter. Harriet Lowndes Aiken [his wife] continued to live in the [Charleston] house until her death in 1892. Her daughter, Henrietta, and son-in-law, Major A.B. Rhett (CSA), raised their four sons and one daughter in the house. Upon Henrietta’s death, the house was divided between her children and their heirs. Two sons, I’On Rhett and Andrew Burnet Rhett, Jr. continued to live in the house until the mid twentieth century. . .

Aiken's daughter, Henrietta, was given the Flat Rock property in 1873 and it remained in the family until the 1910s.

Harriet Lowndes Aiken, wife of Gov. William Aiken

Nonprofit bookstore drops prices to counter e-books

From the Times-News:

With e-book sales up and paperback sales down, The Book Exchange of Flat Rock said it will change its prices and exchange procedures to bolster declining revenues.

The Book Exchange is a nonprofit bookstore in the old Flat Rock Post Office. Run by roughly 50 volunteers from the Ladies Aide Society of Flat Rock, the bookstore donates its profits back into community nonprofits, but because of lagging sales, its contributions are dropping.

In 2012, the bookstore was able to give $16,000 to nonprofits, but in 2013 the donation total dropped to $12,000. . .

Read it all and go buy a book!

Snowy day reflections

These were taken this morning when the snowfall was fairly light. Since the lake is drained, a light covering of snow really accentuates where the streams and the mud flats are. The main stream is King Creek, coming in from the south and running north, then over the dam to run alongside Statonwoods and the new park.

Looking south at King Creek

Causeway over to what we call "Big Island"

From Big Island looking north to the point

Bonclarken

King Creek winding through the lake bed

Towards the north end of the lake, right past the point

Resting

Uncle Burney's

Northern part of the lake, looking at the school

Northern part of the lake (the dam is at the far end)

Another candidate for Henderson County commissioner, district 1

Flat Rock is in Henderson County District 1, so we now have three candidates running for county commissioner to represent our district (primary in May).

From the Times-News:

But there were also a few surprises on the first official day candidates can file for the 2014 elections. Retired GE worker Hogan Corn declared his run for the District 1 seat on the Board of Commissioners held by fellow Republican Mike Edney. That raised the field to three, as retiring county GOP Chair Andrew Riddle also came in after the noon filing opener to pay his $207 fee and officially challenge Edney for his post during May's Republican primary. . .

Read it all.