We had a great Mediterranean feast at our annual meeting that was made with local produce wherever possible. We had reports on roads, landscaping, organic garden/orchard and finances. We also had a presentation on sustainable gardening by Jody Bargerstock and Carol Hancock. We also had a talk on our 5-year plan.

The board and community members held numerous meetings in 2009 to create a 5-Year Strategic Plan. With the excellent help of Chuck Bargerstock, who has a background in strategic planning, we have created a forward-looking, exciting set of ideas. We put together statements of vision, mission, guiding principles, strategic goals and objectives. (Click here for the statements.) We are already moving ahead with some of the goals in the plan: road signs, pond/garden upgrade and web site updates.

We also made progress in our relationship with our neighbor Powder Horn Mountain Resort. They now offer a modestly priced Associate Membership to Brightwood owners which gives us the use of their amenities including trails, camping/picnic area, clubhouse, exercise room, pool, chapel, three lakes (with fishing) and tennis court.

In keeping with our 5-year plan, this fall we restructured the 7-acre common area with the pond, garden, orchard and picnic grounds. This common area now has a name: Brightwood Park. There are two new features: a sturdy wooden bridge over the creek so we can access our workshop and an excellent rebuilding of the pond by our contractor Charlie Townsend. The pond now has a rock lining around the edges, a nice walkway all around it and a pleasing rock waterfall at one end. It is a joy to take a stroll around the pond or sit on the bench and watch the waterfall. When the weather warms up, the grass that was planted should make a splendid green carpet next to the pond. We also want to plant flowers and bushes around the pond to complete the picture.

In 2008, Brightwood has made substantial gains in the area of energy conservation and sustainability. The Bargerstocks, the Hancocks and the Ryans had High Country Energy Solutions test and seal all air/moisture leaks to make their homes more efficient.

The Bargerstocks also put in a solar hot water system, rain barrels and an extensive garden. The Ryans installed a solar hot water system as well as adding 15 more solar electric panels to make a total of 2 kW. They are paid a total of 21 cents/kWH by Blue Ridge Electric and NC GreenPower for excess power sent back to the grid. The Ryans also planted a fruit orchard.