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Dear friends,
It is that time of year when we like to share with you our reflections on the past year and our plans and intentions for the next one.
For us at Laughing Waters and Hickory Nut Forest, 2019 felt like a year of reinvention and renewal.
On February 4th, we broke ground for a memorial for our beloved co-founder John Myers, who passed away on that date in 2018. His stone memorial sits close to the creek on the pathway that leads from the lodge to the orchard. Lovingly built by stonemason Joe Roberts, with a portrait of John by Leela Birdsong and words by Doc Klein, it is a place of peace and serenity where we can feel John’s presence.
The Hickory Nut Forest community worked hard all year to transition into a new chapter of self-governance. We rewrote our covenants and established a strong leadership team. Here we are celebrating together at a potluck in the orchard.
The orchard itself was a bustle of activity. We planted new apple, cherry and peach trees on Earth Day. The community garden was abundant and beautiful. And we had the gift of the presence of Buddy the bear who took up residence under the pear trees, cavorting daily in what he appeared to believe was his very own paradise, and gorging himself until the supply ran out.
Joan and Milan from Tampa joined the Hickory Nut Forest family and are actively planning the building of their new home. Here they are with their granddaughter.
The Laughing Waters team also worked hard all year to re-establish its presence in the world as a venue for events and retreats, in addition to being a gathering place for the residents of Hickory Nut Forest. This is our table at the
Henderson County Bridal Show in March.
Laughing Waters was the scene of some stunningly beautiful weddings last year.
The Eagle Condor Council continued to use Laughing Waters as a home base, centering on Earth-honoring teachings and experiences. In 2020 we plan to work with them to establish a non-profit called the John Myers Earth Stewardship Fund whose focus will be to provide opportunities for children to spend time in the wilderness, creating a love for the land and a desire to protect it.
Monica Suarez joined the Laughing Waters team as a marketing consultant. She is helping us to keep our website, logo, and social media up to date with the latest marketing trends.
Laughing Waters became a Superhost with Airbnb for the second year in a row, thanks to the dedication and outstanding customer service of our manager Heidi.
If you haven’t visited us, or if it has been a long time since you’ve been here, please come out to Gerton for a hike or a picnic, or come spend a weekend at Laughing Waters. Through the efforts of Conserving Carolina, the Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail (which goes right through our orchard and up to Wildcat Rock and beyond) keeps growing and expanding, and excellent hiking opportunities abound.
If you are interested in being part of an eco-community, there are still a few lots for sale in Hickory Nut Forest. The beauty that exists in every season of the year will take your breath away. Please contact Heidi at (828) 774-9838 if you’d like a tour or want to reserve Laughing Waters for a retreat or event.
All of us here in Gerton send you our best wishes for a rejuvenating and abundant 2020!
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Hickory Nut Forest · 3963 Gerton Highway · Gerton, NC 28765 · USA

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