We're Waiting For You...

Okay, you caught me! No, we aren't seeing our flowers blooming yet but we are in between seasons here right now. The snow is gone but leaves have not yet unfurled so I dug into my files for some 'spring time' photos to try to entice you back.

We are in the middle of a projected four days of rain right now and temperatures are hovering in the mid 40s day and night. With the sun well hidden, I even have to admit that it feels cooler right now with our 30 mph wind gusts than winter days that are too beautiful to resist a walk in the still, quiet trails while snow would softly fall all around. Still, the break in the clouds reward us with a gorgeous long range view from many vantage points around the mountain and we have more and more great, sunny days than those that are less than perfect.

Before you know it, the golf course will be open, the pool will be in high gear, we have two events scheduled at our Pavilion by the pool in cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce (Frogmore Stew and a Barn Dance) that promise to be great fun, tennis balls will be bouncing on all courts and our hiking trails will once again be alive with young and old wanting to get back to nature.

So.................when can we expect you? We've missed your smiling faces!

Our Biggest Snow Yet This Season...

March 2, 2009
Big Winter Snowstorm of March 1st



Well, I think I finally did it...I've taken too many pictures to put on this blog post so if you want more, just email me and I'll send some more to you. The pool area appears to have snow covering the pool water itself but it is actually covering the pool cover. Still...an interesting shot.

The recreation building and parking lot were covered in about 15" - 18" of the white stuff, which really made for some interesting pics.

From St. Andrews, the Clubhouse and golf pro shop show up nicely on a cold winter morning.

Another shot from St. Andrews looking up #15 and #16.

From Grassy Gap Loop, here's a shot of #9 with the mountains in the background.

There was absolutely no way this day could have been clearer for mountain views. Looking down #10 from the deck of the Clubhouse.

The cart barn and Fairway Cafe appear to be at the end of a big field instead of the putting green.

The Fairway Cafe through the putting green arbor.

I've never seen the distant farms and mountains jump out at you as much as they did while shooting from the Clubhouse deck.

The practice area was buried beneath a foot and a half of snow. It was about 15 degrees on March 2nd when I took these shots. It became very windy later in the day and the temperatures dropped below zero overnight. It is now back up to a toasty 12 degrees!

Wish you were all here to enjoy it! :)

Yep, It's Winter Now!

January 12, 2009

The snow and moisture accumulation on the trees, coupled with the lack of wind, made for beautiful winter views today.

The brown of the branches and pristine white of the snow against a blue sky background was hard to pass up...so I didn't!

White on white on white. It was hard at times to tell trees from ground.

Kat's view... the most popular photo op on the mountain.

This picture was actually taken on Jan. 10th, and shows the practice facility a few days after receiving 5" of new snow.

It's Time to Plan Your Ski Vacation

November 8, 2008

A visit to Ski Beech these days will confirm the rumors across the mountain...a lot is happening and it's all good!

Snow blowers are ready to go when temperatures permit.

A lot of training, painting, refurbishing and moving things around is going on at Ski Beech.

We hear that the Beech Tree will be geared up with food, music and fun for the season.

The skate rentals are located within the same space as a cafe so you can grab a hot chocolate and something light to eat while getting ready to skate.

The exterior of many of the buildings have been painted or new siding put on.

The tunnel under the View Haus is completely painted with murals that are simply awesome!

Even the area leading to the restrooms has not been overlooked for mural spaces.

For more pictures and information on Ski Beech please check out http://beechmountainnews.blogspot.com/ and http://www.skibeech.com/.

Our First Snow of the Season

October 28, 2008


This female cardinal does not seem to mind the cold. The 3" of snow that we received between the night of the 27th and day of the 28th sure was pretty.

The distant farms outside of Banner Elk did not get as much snow as Beech Mountain but it still made nice views.

This titmouse and other birds were glad to find some seed amongst all that cold white stuff.

It was nice while it lasted. We are looking forward to getting a blizzard now!

It's Fall, Y'All

October 12, 2009


The Recreation Center is in full color.

One of the 'locals', framed by autumn's colors.

What a perfect day for strolling the roads and 'leaf-looking'.

I never knew mushrooms could look so beautiful. Two days later these were all dried up.

A great day for teeing off on the 10th tee.

The red maples sometimes appeared to be on fire.

Range after mountain range of color, and with the temperatures in the low 60s it was hard to leave the deck.

Lake Coffey reflected the colors of the season as the ducks glided over the still waters. The winds are picking up tonight so we will probably not be able to enjoy the colors much longer. Our next post may be of our first snow! Come back to check soon.

GOLF MEETING

The new Golf Committee is composed of (in order in the picture) : Jim Brunzos, Chairperson Joan Wichman, Carole Gatto, Becky Welsh, and Marvin Harris, who was not present.

Items discussed were play prior to Association Play, between 8-8:30, which brings in about $6,000 income. Co=Chairs during the Men's Member Guest. Brian gave a workup on Fleet Car recommendation for 2010. It was decided to not have a tournament over the Memorial Day weekend, and a Scoreboard Speaker System was discussed. A portable one is being purchased for the clubhouse, which could also be used for Golf and Tennis. Matt gave the financial update through August and September trends. Reports were given by BMLGA, BMLN, and BMMGA representatives. John reported that the accepted speed of play on our course, is 4 hours and 12 minutes.

GROUNDS AND GREENS COMMITTEE MEETING

The new G&G committee members are (in order in the picture): Hal Welsh, Suzanne Powell, Chairman Larry Tyner, Doug Danziger, and Phyllis Englander. Brian Barnes, GM and Matt LaVigne, Asst GM and CFO were in their appointed place at the table. And of course, Rory Ellington, our wonderful Golf Course Superintendent.

Some of the things discussed , were the repair of the Old Cart Barn for use as a Cold Storage Maintence Building, to keep Rory's eqpt. Lake Santis dredging is almost completed, Tees and Greens will be aerated, right after the course is closed. Matt gave the financial update through August and September trends. All club members should attend some meetings. Questions from the audience are allowed during the discussion. The schedule can be found in the News and Notes.

WINNERS FROM FIRST NIGHT GOLF TOURNAMENT

This was definately a fun tournament. We arrived at 5:00 P.M. and had Pizza, salad, beer or wine for dinner at the Fairway Cafe. All players were issued lighted golf balls, and lighted hoops to put around themselves and golf cart, so they could be seen. The Pro Shop had created special Par 3 holes on the back nine, that had lightsticks to identify the tee box, and distances were marked on the grass and on a printed sheet.

Here are the winners:

1st team: Harold and Rosalind Kaplan and Jan and Harriet Brooks 17.2 $18 ea.

2nd team: Hal and Becky Welsh and Richard and Sondra Rice 19.0 $16 ea.

3rd team: Bob and Judy Gallgher and Al and Louise Dale 19.5 $14 ea.

BMLGA's Guest Day

"A Day at the Beech" was a fun day for all members and guests. We have two guest events. Our Member-Guest, held the end of July, is our very fancy event, and our guest day is a very fun event, with the same contests and delicious food. John Carrin, Golf Pro, urged us to play promptly, because a storm was headed our way at 1:30, and he was exactly correct. Most foursomes still had one or two more holes to play, so he and his staff determined what holes were played by all foursomes, to determine the winners, and you can see, he was still smiling as he awarded the prizes. If you are a BMC member, with a Handicap Index of 37.1, call our president, Becky Welch @ 387-2376 for information on joining our group.