Thursday. December 9. 1982 Volume 30. Number 49
Member of the NCPA
Second class postage paid
at Black Mountain. MC 2#7il
! 80 en/oy Chomber bonquef
byKemGeer
The Black Mountain-Swannanoa
Chamber of Commerce held its 23rd
annua! Christmas banquet Monday
night at Assembly Inn. One hundred
eighty citizens celebrated the organiza
tion's contributions to the quality of life
in the Swannanoa Valley.
During a social hour before dinner,
guests looked at displays which includ
ed Townlift illustrations and historic
photographs of the old railroad from
Black Mountain to Mt. Mitchel. and the
new "Welcome to Swannanoa" signs
sitting in an arched window with the
Montreat Christmas tree as a backdrop.
Traditional country wreaths and
quilts and quiet fiddle music by J.C.
Naves and the Musicmakers lent a
sense of historic continuity to the
events, as did such comments as "I
remember when the library was just a
little room above the firehouse" over
lapping, "I don't know when Wendell
Begley sleeps."
Hometown warmth continued
through the banquet as Andy Andrews
welcomed guests, installed the new
Board of Directors and introduced the
past year's president.
Awards were presented to several
community leaders: to Carl Bartlett for
special work in helping the Chamber
obtain a new location: Bob Watts for
Dr R)]]v Graham joms other
quests at the H!ack Mountain
Swannanoa Chamber of Com
merce banquet. (Photo by Kem
Geer).
leading the community in the Towniift
Program (and also the Governor's
Community of Excellence Award):
George Venturella for overall participa
tion in community and youth activities,
especially the Sourwood Festival:
Wendell Begley for service on the
Economic Development Committee;
President Bill White (who was not
present) for service as Board president;
Susan Garland for services with the
small business people and for coordi
nating the Downtown Merchant's
group: and Margaret Slagle for service
on the board and participation in making
Black Mountain an excellent commun
ity. A plaque was presented to Ed
Weber for his service as manager of the
Chamber of Commerce for 12 years H e
was not present to accept it.
George and Nnda Venturella were
the first area family to receive the Great
American Family Award for their
outstanding contributions to the quality
of local life. The Venturellas were
selected for the award by the Jaycees.
Reports were given by the heads of
Chamber committees
P!an cou!d reduce phone cost
Hearings are now under way by the
North Carolina Utilities Commission on
Southern Bell's plan to offer its cus
tomers additional choices in how they
are billed for local telephone service. A
public witness hearing was held in
Asheville on Dec. 1 with full hearings
beginning in Raleigh on Dec. 7.
Under Bell's proposal, called Local
Measured Service, both residence and
business customers would have the
option of continuing with present flat
rate service at present rates or choosing
one of several measured options. The
measured options coluld mean savings
of up to $5.05 a month for residence
customers and $6.25 a month for
business customers.
Local Measured Service would be
available to customers served by the
company's all-electronic equipment of
fices. At present Black Mountain sub
scribers are equipped, with Swannanoa
subscribers presently scheduled for
conversion within a few years.
The plan, if approved, could become
effective in early 1983.
Bell has emphasized that the meas
ured plans would be strictly optional.
Customers who wish to stay with the flat
rate would not need to initiate any
action with the company.
Monthly bills for measured service
customers would vary according to their
ability or willingness to limit the use of
the phone for outgoing calls. As with
flat-rate service, all Southern Bell
customers, including those on meas
ured options, could receive an unlimited
number of incoming calls at no addition
al charge.
"We believe our customers deserve a
choice," said R.W. Fleming, Bell's
district manager in Asheville. "Today,
all customers pay the same price-a flat
rate. Low-users help pay for high users.
There's no opportunity for the low-use
customer to save on the basic monthly
rate. Measured service would offer
customer choices they do not now
have."
Fleming said that, according to the
company's customer usage studies,
nearly 50 percent of Bell's present
customers could save money under
Local Measured Service by sticking with
their current usage. Others, he said,
could save by voluntarily restricting
their calling.
"We know Local Measured Service
isn't for everyone," Fleming said, "and
we intend to continue with flat-rate
service for those who desire it. The
important thing is that customers will
have a choice."
Residence customers would have two
measured service choices, standard
plan priced 15 percent below the
present flat rate, and a low-use plan
priced 40 percent lowre.
Black Mountain customers would pay
$9.05 each month under the standard
measured option as opposed to the
current flat rate of $10.95. Those who
choose the low-use plan would pay
$6.30 each month. Those who decide to
keep the flat rate would continue to pay
$10.95.
Both plans have built-in allowances
for usage. The standard plan allows for
$6.20 in usage in Black Mountain. The
low-use plan allows $2 usage. Custom
ers can control their telephone bills by
choosing when and how much they use
25 years of service
C. Donald Barnwell received a ?5 year pin Monday mominn from
Postmaster Roy Blankenship for his service to the Swannanoa Post Office.
Barnwell is a city letter carrier serving (Irovemont. Shcrwo<xl Forest and the
Warren Wilson Road area. He and his wife Sue live at 1140 Bee Tree Rond.
They have one daughter. Kim
the telephone for outgoing calls.
The cost of each chargeable cail made
during a billing period is subtracted
from the allowance. & a customer uses
all his monthly allowance, pricing from
that point will be added to his bill.
During the first six months that
measured service options are available,
customers can switch to measured
service and back to flat rate at no
charge. This will give customers an
opportunity to determine if measured
service meets their needs.
Business customers could choose
from a standard option or a tapered
option which offers discounts for higher
volume of calls. Both business meas
ured options would be priced below the
existing flat rate. Fleming said busi
nesses that depend mainly on incoming
calls could benefit greatly from meas
ured service.
'' Perhaps the most compelling reason
for measured service is that, as local
rates move toward their full cost in the
fully competitive marketplace, many of
our customers might otherwise find it
difficult to continue with telephone
service," Fleming said. "Today in
North Carolina about 88 percent of our
households have service. As the rate for
flat-rate service goes up, many of these
customers might be priced out of the
market."
Dr Ri!!v Graham and his wife Ruth
attended the banquet Dr Graham
spike about his appreciation fnr the
Swannanoa Valiev and how much it
means to him. and dosed the meeting
with a prayer
United Way
funds
aiiocated
Buncombe County United Way allo
cations were approved Nov. 30 for 1983
by the United Way Board of Directors.
They were announced this week by
Karle R Lehman, president.
The largest percentage increase went
to the Buncombe County Rescue Squad.
The $15,000 allocated to the Squad next
year is a 50 percent increase over 1982.
Othen agencies receiving large per
centage increases were Caring for
Children, an agency providing emer
gency shelter for abused and neglected
children; Upstream Program, a volun
teer program working with high risk
mothers; and Irene Wortham Center, an
intense program for retarded children
and adults.
Funds collected during the current
campaign will go to 36 service agencies.
Two agencies receiving funds for the
first time are Hospice of North Carolina,
a statewide program giving technical
assistance to local hospice programs,
and Helpmate, a spouse abuse
program.
Other Buncombe County agencies
receiving funding are: American Red
Cross, American Social Health, Arthri
tis Foundation, Asheville Day Nursery,
Asheville Lion's Eye Clinic, Association
for Retarded Citizens, Black Mountain
Christmas Cheer Fund, Boy Scouts,
Boy's Club, Buncombe County Heart
Association, Children's Home Society,
Consumer Credit Counseling, Epilep
sy Association, Family Service Center,
Florence Crittenton Services, Flynn
Christian Fellowship Homes, Handi
Skills, Hominy Valley W elf are Services,
International Social Services, National
Council on Aging, N.C. United Way,
One Family Fire Fund, Pisgah Girl
Scouts, Rape Crisis Center, Research
Fund of N.C., Salvation Army, Swan
nanoa Community Council, United
Health Services, WNC Cerebral Palsy,
Y.M.C.A., Y.W.C.A. and United Way
of America.
/Mrs. /Mc/Mohon receives
/(sutidhef'srfiijo award
Mrs. Annie McMahon, recently se
lected Buncombe County W oman of the
Year, was awarded a Certificate of
leadership Saturday for service to the
WNC Community Development Pro
gram. The award was presented to Mrs.
McMahon at the awards luncheon at the
Inn on the Plaza by Jim Graham, N.C.
Commissioner of Agriculture.
Mrs. McMahon was nominated by
the Buckeye Cove Community Club for
Woman of the Year. She was selected
from 19 other entries for the county
award. She received the award during
Farm City W eek Oct. 8 at the Asheville
Mall from Ed Biddix Jr., county
extension chairman.
Mrs. McMahon is president of Buck
eye Cove Community Club, treasurer of
the Swannanoa Community Council and
nutrition chairman of the Swannanoa
Valley Crafters. Her nomination states,
"She has been the driving force behind
the ciub members in the completion of
the community center, and as a result
we are 95 percent completed. She has
also spearheaded the fund raisers,
making them a success."
A native of Buckeye Cove, she is
married to latt McMahon. They have a
son, David, vice president of the Dalton,
Ga. Banrett Carpet Milts, and two
grandchildren.
She has been a church hostess,
Sunday School teacher and choir mem
ber for many years at the First Baptist
Church. She was employed by Beacon
Manufacturing.
Mrs. McMahon was also named
Woman of the Year in 1980.
——- nnt-Mur' Tito-1
Annie MrAtnhnn
Santa brought Christinas to Black Mountain Saturday in a grand parade
featuring over 30 entries. (More photos on page 6 - 7)
Ho, ho, ho ?
Swannanoa youngsters
send Jeffers fo ^tctrifio!
Swannanoa children are among the
hundreds of thousands getting their
orders in to Santa in plenty of time for
Christmas. First and second graders at
Swannanoa Elementary shared their
letters with The News before mailing
them off to the North Pole.
Here's a sample of what the kids are
asking for for Christmas.
Dear Santa and Elves, I want a lots of
surprises. I have been good four My
Dad. ! have done chop Wood. Joshua
Gant.
Dear Santa, I have forgot what I have
did good. I want a box of toy food and a
toy car. From Jeremy Sigman.
Dear Santa Claus. I want a telephone
it has cartoons, 2 barbie house with a
swimming pool with barbies in it. and a
Annie mansion. I didn't be mean, I've
been good. I didn't pinch anybody and I
paid attention to Mommy. I love you,
Santa Claus. Misty Dawn Rowe.
Dear Santa, Merry Christmas! I
would like a snowwalker plese. How are
you? I am in the second grade. I love
you. I would like star wars figures. I
would like a Remote control Dukes of
Hazard car. Your friend, Shane Gard
ner. I love you.
Dear Santa. I have helped my mother
clean house. I hope I get a a watch and
skates. Nicole Moore.
Dear Sant and Elves. I want an Atari I
want a remote control tank. I Want Pac
Man and I want frogger. I helped my
Daddy Carry the trash. If Atari is to
much then I want a GI Jo. love Bryan
Franklin.
Dear Santa. I would like a collecovi
sion and some cartridges. I would also
like a donkey kong game. I hope that I
will have a safe Christmas. I hope my
dad will have a safe trip coming home.
Imre, Sammy Mikolajczyk.
Dear Santa. I would like a doll
bassinet, and an Orange Blossom doll,
and a Strawberry Shortcake doll buggy
and a diaper bag. If 1 keep trying to be
as good as gold, f'u'.i you t:y to bring
me all that? We are going to put our
Christmas tree up on the 5th of Dec.
which is Sunday. I hope that this
Christmas is the happiest Christmas for
me ever. And my brother wants a
whiri-whiri riding toy, but I reaUy don't
^tnow if you can get that much. But if
we're good, piease try to bring us that.
Love, Wendy A. Showaiter.
Dear Santa, I've been a good giri this
year. I hope you bring me an Atari
Video game or a re a! camera or a rea!
teiephone. I hope you can bring me one
of them. I don't care which one of them,
but I hope it's the Atati Video game.
Have a merry merry Christmas! Love,
Celena Chapman. P S. I'U have coffee
and cake waiting on you.
Dear Santa, I Ieve You. How are your
nine raindears, especially Rudoiph?
He's my favorite. For Christmas I would
tike GI Joe Jeep and a Slam Shifter. You
friend, Dewain Stamy.
Dear Santa Claus, How is Rudolph? I
hope some night I will get to see his big
bright red nose. I hope I will get a
Simon says and a stuffed Garfield and a
tape recorder and Merry Christmas
Santa. Ieve Rhonda Wilson.
Dear Santa, I am in the scend grade. I
!.ove you. I am eight years old. I wish I
could have a cat hut I cannot have pets
in my house. I would like hug from you.
Your friend, Erin Glynn. XXXOOO
Dear Santa Claus, I Love you. Will
you bring me a recordplayer and Fresh
and Fancy and some Barbie dolls arid A
snoopy tooth brosh? I am in Ms. Cody
and Ms. lewis room. You frind, Debbie
Reynolds.
Dear Santa Claus. I am seven years
old and I am in the second Grade my
name is Patria Pace I want a doll house
and a remote barbie car and barbie doll.
How are your elves and how are your
raindears especially Rudolph? Your
friend. Patria Pace.