Catching Up 5.1.2026
- Martha Dobson
- May 1
- 4 min read
The HOA Board has selected a new property management company, Cedar Creek Management Services, a local team based in Cashiers. This change comes from both community feedback and the Board’s experience, with the goal of improving service and keeping things closer to home. The transition from IPM is underway and may take up to 90 days. As part of this transition, the HOA will also move its banking operations to a local institution, First Citizens Bank, providing greater oversight and accessibility. We’ll share updates along the way and appreciate your patience as we make the switch. - Kay Lucas, HOA Secretary
Outpost and Post Office door locking update. The doors are now equipped with magnetic locks, which close automatically and eliminate issues with doors failing to lock properly after use.
The new black keypad is mounted on either side of the doors on the wall.
Tap the screen to light up the numbers on the keypad if they aren't already on, then enter your code followed by the check mark to unlock. The old keypads on the door handles don't work now and will be replaced with a metal plate to avoid confusion and maintain the integrity of the doors.
Once inside, exiting is easy: a motion sensor automatically unlocks the door as you approach. If the sensor does not work, a manual exit button is also available to unlock the door.
Current access codes will remain the same for now:
Outpost: 3003 check mark
Post Office: 2425 check mark
As we move forward with updating the gate system, the plan is to transition to individual personal codes for each owner, to access the main gates and community buildings. - Katie Nicholson, General Manager
More hemlock trees were treated this past week for the hemlock wooly adelgid bug that kills hemlocks. Gabe, the specialist, used the stem injection method to treat the trees to avoid potential water contamination from a ground drench treatment. Trees at Julie and Charlie Falls and along the creek bank running under the Green Trail's bridge near Fish Shack were injected, about 25 in all. Treated trees are marked with spray paint, low on the trunk, blue for drench treatment and yellow for stem injection. The treatments last about 5 years. Kay Lucas is keeping track of treated trees on a spreadsheet.
The HOA Board has approved money to refurbish the fitness room on the top floor of the Outpost. New flooring will be installed, and new exercise equipment, workout mats and resistance bands will soon be ordered. Watch for updates on when the room will be closed to install the new floor and equipment.
The trash dumpsters have bear stickers now reminding everyone to shut and latch the dumpster side doors. Katie reminds us that household trash can go in a dumpster, but not construction trash. Also, please break down boxes, and remember that moving boxes consume lots of dumpster space. Jackson County has cardboard recycling facilities that can handle your boxes, too, if you'd rather recycle. The addresses are 4560 Hwy 107 South, Cashiers, and 7355 Hwy 107 South, Glenville.
A camera is watching the dumpsters. It went live April 20 and, in its first few hours of operation, surveilled a person improperly dumping construction trash in a dumpster. Situations like that are followed up by HOA staff. The camera automatically zooms in and follows movements. Broken lights, previously installed in that area, are repaired and operate by motion sensor.
Four Chinquapin Summer Party/Concerts ranging from rock to beach music to bluegrass are on tap this season. Enjoy them on May 23, July 5, September 5, and October 17. Check out band details on the Chinquapin Party/Concert post dated 2.23.2026. Owner Resources, Calendar. Look for more information on the first band (Dillon Brown & Company) and the party formats on the website in the next week. Will Patterson and family are catering the May 23 party - they will be cooking pulled pork and brisket. Vegetarian side dishes will be provided.
The Maps & Trails page is updated. Many thanks to Kim Knapp and his skills to develop the map and all the new trail information. You will see links to click to get more directions about how to use the information. Remember to scroll to see all the information you open.
The rental page for the Discovery Cabins is live now. Calendars for availability and info about sending date requests are on the website, www.chinquapinowners.com, and owners or their families can rent a Disco, as they're informally called. Note: The cabin owners manage all rental activities for those properties. Use the website rental portals for booking and inquiries. Do not call or email Rhonda or Katie about the cabins.
North Carolina statewide BURN BAN, effective March 28. No open burning. This is still in effect in Jackson County and the rest of the state, excepting Macon County whose Fire Marshal's Office lifted the county's ban April 28. Western NC, including Highlands and the Cashiers area, has suffered several wildfires since then, fueled by Helene's downed trees. Fire crews from mutual aid stations respond to wildfires, and the US Forest Service contributes on land and by air with water and fire-retardant air drops. A sustained drought plays into the fire danger. Last week, Highlands Mayor Pat Taylor wrote this about the drought and how much rainfall (click to download) is required to catch up to its usual amounts. His words apply to Cashiers, Glenville, and everywhere.
The first Lake Glenville High Falls Dam water release of 2026 was April 25 and Chinquapin resident Baker Martin was there to record the rush of water and take us all for a Go-Pro guided kayak trip down the river! Thanks for sharing these great videos, Baker!
Click the links below to watch Baker's videos:
Find the schedule for the remaining releases on the website Calendar page. If you don't want to hike to a viewing point, Happ's Place restaurant offers trolley rides that will get you there. Email derek@happsplace.com to reserve a trolley seat.
Staff Contacts
office@chinquapinowners.com — general questions
maintenance@chinquapinowners.com — grounds or property issues
build@chinquapinowners.com — new builds, additions/changes to existing homes, tree work
Katie Adams Nicholson, general manager: katie@chinquapinowners.com | 828.399.1824
Rhonda Lekan: office@chinquapinowners.com
