My greetings to everyone,
The initial and continuing impact of Helene has been widespread across our Tri-State area.
Power, cell phone and internet access are in different statuses depending on the location. The extended return of service reflects the level of damage and recovery. Our power companies and many crews from surrounding states are working extremely hard. The loss of life, damage and destruction in western North Carolina is overwhelming. The video, aerial, photograph and other images show the extent and impact of the torrential rains and winds. After considering the different factors from the storm, we cancelled our upcoming Lake Greenwood Show.
Saturday of the past weekend, I was able to go to a location with service south of our area to personally contact each of the members registered to attend the show. I was grateful to speak with almost everyone, and receive confirmations from my email messages for the others. Boat registration payments will be returned and Break on the Lake management was very supportive and will be refunding our deposit for the Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner. They offered this without any mention. I sincerely thank Art Swanson for all he has done in the organizing process. BOTL will welcome us back next year, and we will review the possible dates. We are also rescheduling our Annual Meeting to January. The date and location of the meeting will be determined.
We know that so many of our members are cleaning up, removing downed trees, making repairs, awaiting power and internet restoration and other issues for themselves and helping neighbors. John Heiderich has been in contact with Sonya at Lake Lure. As we can see, the damage is widespread and massive including Chimney Rock. The Town met yesterday to look forward in terms of next steps. She explained the impacts, and also advised that the Lake Lure Inn was not damaged and is hosting many of the people flowing into the area to assist. We were scheduled to meet with the Inn management next week to discuss our show in May 2025. All of that will take a far back seat to the huge work ahead for the area. I will be looking at different options to discuss with our leadership team as we set up the 2025 show schedule.
For those who would like to give indivdual support to the rescue and recovery efforts; the Red Cross is taking donations along with the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund and other organizations. Please check on line for the different options.
Our chapter leadership team has also authorized a $1,000 donation directly to the Town of Lake Lure to support the welfare of employees and the overall recovery process. Our chapter’s financial position is very stable and positive to support this donation, and we will not have an expense with the Greenwood show cancellation.
The damage at Lake Lure / Chimney Rock is hard to put into words, and we sincerelly look forward to our show returning in the future.
If you may know of an individual need please contact us at: brc.acbs@gmail.com. I check the email daily.
My best to all, and I hope and pray for the many families who have lost loved ones, and the overall recovery to come,
Respectfully,
Steve Dewire
Our 1954 Chris Craft down at Lake Lure has not been seen. We’ve had so much to concern us in Asheville. We have not been able to go down to the lake.
I will try to remind myself to update you on my Chris Craft after we take care of more demanding issues.
Tim Gallagher