Webmaster
10-27-2007, 09:50 AM
This was a first of its type for me. I haven't been to a Council meeting before so had no expectations. There was a reasonable turn out of a little under 20 people who attended. It was great to sit at a large conference table, made from a collection of folding tables, and we discussed a number of topics related to the community. While I knew of some folks at the meeting, I'd only actually met a few before. It was a pleasure to meet and spend time with many neighbors!
The conversation was lively and there was a lot of input. General conversation covered a wide range of topics including children, young and grown, family and folks reaching transitions in life. There were bits of Greenwater history and comments about hunting, about the Lahar warning system, and about some of the long relationship between the Community Center, the Fire Department, and the area. Many of the comments were like the a tiny opening of a door leading to 40 years of local history. The comments were both informative and very interesting!
I remember one commenter that suggested a strong relationship between the decline in Community Center activities and the increased availability of TV in the area. For those not familiar with the area, due to the remote location and complex mountainous territory, Greenwater has only had widespread access to TV due to the growth of satellite TV over the last few years. How TV has changed the Greenwater culture in only a few years is a clear reflection of similar changes across the country over the last 40 years.
The Council meeting itself had a formal beginning time and the time was noted on the clock. Teresa Steel, did an outstanding job of leading the meeting! She had detailed records to help with planning of upcoming events and also kept the meeting on track. Other Council members in attendance included Carol Miller and Evelyn Morris who were coordinators and volunteers for upcoming events. All 3 of these ladies are long time Greenwater residents and have contributed countless hours to the Community.
There were a number of items on the evening's agenda. Some of the topics included events, such as the recently past PC-NET presentation on Saturday (October 13). Other items of discussion included requests for volunteers and plans for several upcoming events.
Upcoming events to be held at the Community Center include:
• The Halloween Party on October 27 between 3 and 6 PM.
I spoke with Tiffany Wasilk (663-2609). She asked that those who want to attend contact her so she can get an idea of how many may be attending. She asked that all bring food and treats and said that events will include:
A costume party with judging for the kids best costumes
Bobbing for apples
Cupcake decoration
Someone will be taking photos
• There is a Commissioner’s meeting, held on the 3rd Monday of every month, starting at 7:30 PM. Open to the public.
• The White River Recreation Association Annual Meeting on November 3. The meeting begins at 5:30, social hour at 6:30, and dinner at 7:00 pm.
• The Harvest Dinner Party. November 10 with a social hour starting at 6:00, and a potluck dinner at 7:00.
There were requests for volunteers to aid in these events. If you’re interested in volunteering, contact Teresa Steel at 663-2626.
There was a very informative discussion regarding the pending change of the Council members. At the end of this year there will be a total of 7 people needed for the Community Council. Several folks expressed interest in the upcoming Council openings. All were encouragement to submit ideas and to persuade others to attend the meetings. All were encouraged to submit their names for Community Council Members and also encouraged to volunteer. Everyone who lives in the Greater Greenwater area is encouraged to participate.
About an hour and a half after it started, the Council meeting was adjourned.
The meeting was a delightful experience! There is something that is irresistible about neighbors gathering for community events such as this. My hope that the Community Center meetings will be ever more widely attended as will Community events. Attending really is a lot of fun. You can learn a lot, contribute a lot and help to make a difference in your community. If you are in or by Greenwater come to the next meeting. If you are far from here, find out when your local Community Council or Community Center meets and join in.
The conversation was lively and there was a lot of input. General conversation covered a wide range of topics including children, young and grown, family and folks reaching transitions in life. There were bits of Greenwater history and comments about hunting, about the Lahar warning system, and about some of the long relationship between the Community Center, the Fire Department, and the area. Many of the comments were like the a tiny opening of a door leading to 40 years of local history. The comments were both informative and very interesting!
I remember one commenter that suggested a strong relationship between the decline in Community Center activities and the increased availability of TV in the area. For those not familiar with the area, due to the remote location and complex mountainous territory, Greenwater has only had widespread access to TV due to the growth of satellite TV over the last few years. How TV has changed the Greenwater culture in only a few years is a clear reflection of similar changes across the country over the last 40 years.
The Council meeting itself had a formal beginning time and the time was noted on the clock. Teresa Steel, did an outstanding job of leading the meeting! She had detailed records to help with planning of upcoming events and also kept the meeting on track. Other Council members in attendance included Carol Miller and Evelyn Morris who were coordinators and volunteers for upcoming events. All 3 of these ladies are long time Greenwater residents and have contributed countless hours to the Community.
There were a number of items on the evening's agenda. Some of the topics included events, such as the recently past PC-NET presentation on Saturday (October 13). Other items of discussion included requests for volunteers and plans for several upcoming events.
Upcoming events to be held at the Community Center include:
• The Halloween Party on October 27 between 3 and 6 PM.
I spoke with Tiffany Wasilk (663-2609). She asked that those who want to attend contact her so she can get an idea of how many may be attending. She asked that all bring food and treats and said that events will include:
A costume party with judging for the kids best costumes
Bobbing for apples
Cupcake decoration
Someone will be taking photos
• There is a Commissioner’s meeting, held on the 3rd Monday of every month, starting at 7:30 PM. Open to the public.
• The White River Recreation Association Annual Meeting on November 3. The meeting begins at 5:30, social hour at 6:30, and dinner at 7:00 pm.
• The Harvest Dinner Party. November 10 with a social hour starting at 6:00, and a potluck dinner at 7:00.
There were requests for volunteers to aid in these events. If you’re interested in volunteering, contact Teresa Steel at 663-2626.
There was a very informative discussion regarding the pending change of the Council members. At the end of this year there will be a total of 7 people needed for the Community Council. Several folks expressed interest in the upcoming Council openings. All were encouragement to submit ideas and to persuade others to attend the meetings. All were encouraged to submit their names for Community Council Members and also encouraged to volunteer. Everyone who lives in the Greater Greenwater area is encouraged to participate.
About an hour and a half after it started, the Council meeting was adjourned.
The meeting was a delightful experience! There is something that is irresistible about neighbors gathering for community events such as this. My hope that the Community Center meetings will be ever more widely attended as will Community events. Attending really is a lot of fun. You can learn a lot, contribute a lot and help to make a difference in your community. If you are in or by Greenwater come to the next meeting. If you are far from here, find out when your local Community Council or Community Center meets and join in.