Page 3 - PGA Community News - January '21
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January 2021                                                             January 2021                                                   PGA C.A.N.!, Page 3


      From The Editor: BE HERE NOW…



         While visiting the                             the  Eastatoe  River.  Most  recently  in  2017,  Patrick  D.   photographed the structures deep beneath the surface of
      western Carolinas recently,                       McMillan, Dan Whitten and Kay Wade visited the granite   the water. A church and graves from the graveyard were
      I was impressed with the                          cliffs that were created when the dam was constructed.   relocated before the lake was created but some gravestones
      number of  lakes with                             They were astonished to discover 2,000 plants of a desert   remain at the bottom of the lake.
      recreational activities.                          fern  normally  found  in Arizona  and  west Texas. They      Physical structures from our past may not last
      In the early 1900s, Duke                          returned several times with photographers to document   throughout our lives. The omnipresent COVID-19 virus
      Power (now Duke Energy)                           their revelations.  The most surprising fern was the   also makes us aware of the unforeseen circumstances that
      and its predecessor                               Copper Fern. It was the first recording of this triangular   can alter the way we live. Nature is remarkable in its varied
      companies desired to create                       frond species in the eastern United States. At first, they   gifts. In this new year of 2021, let us focus on family and
      hydroelectric power in the                        could not get close to it physically so they viewed it with   friends who have provided strength to face the challenges
      area. They sent scouts along                      binoculars. They returned with a young member of their   we encounter. The boat ride reminded me to be conscious
      the rivers to determine the                       group and an expert climber, Cody Davis, who clambered   of the present, enjoy it and relish the time we have together.
      feasibility of building dams and the resulting effect on   up the rock and retrieved some samples. They have been   Pasted on the inside of the boat was a profound thought,
      the land. When they decided to proceed with their plans,   dried and are now located in the herbarium at Clemson   BE HERE NOW.
      they would start to purchase properties.          University to officially document their presence in the      Until next month…
         Some  residents  have  memories  of  their  lives  on   western Carolinas.                                                    James A. Cioffi, Editor
      land that is at the bottom of a lake. Debbie Fletcher has      The biggest challenge was to determine how the ferns                 james@jcclaw.com
      documented the creation of Lake Jocassee in her books,   arrived at that man-made granite cliff. The question may
      Whippoorwill Farewell Jocassee Remembered and Images   never be solved but there would be other discoveries around
      of America Lake Jocassee. I found the lake by looking at   the lake. Three of the ferns, abundant in the southwestern
                                                        states in limestone rock, constantly shed spores that could
      a map of the North Carolina/South Carolina border. I saw   make their way in the prevailing upper air currents and  Community
      a body of water encompassing 7,500 acres with 75 miles
      of navigational shoreline and depths of 350 to 400 feet.   take root in this enormous granite cliff-face. The desert
                                                        ferns are found on the southwest and western exposures
      My research showed a boat tour company in Devil’s Fork   of the cliff. The shape of the cliff forms a cove and also  Safety
      State Park, Salem, South Carolina.
         It was a beautiful autumn morning when I entered the   provides a north facing exposure where another fern was
      park and drove to the dock area. Two hours on a pontoon   discovered growing just above the surface of the lake. The   By Keith Echols, Director of Security
      boat with a guide. The sun was shining brightly as we   moderate temperatures provided by the lake, the drainage   Allied Universal
      left the shore. Unlike most of the other lakes, Jocassee   provided by the angle of the cliff and the unique weather      Happy New Year everyone!
      has limited development around it. Duke Energy retained   of the area have come together to transform something      I hope everyone had a joyful and safe holiday. As
      ownership of some of the area and has allowed some   created by the destruction of a mountain by Duke Power   we move forward to put the trials and tribulations
      areas to be leased. To my surprise, the climate in the   in 1968 into a paradise for ferns that are unique to this   of 2020 behind us, I would like to begin 2021 on a
      Jocassee Gorges is tropical rain forest. One of the rock   area.                                       positive note with hope of continuing with the same
      cliffs we visited has species of plants that are very rare in      As we traveled around the lake, we encountered   progression. In 2020, PGA National saw a great
      the east. Dynamite was used on some of the granite rock   beautiful waterfalls that can only be seen from the water.   decline in its overall serious crimes. Crimes such as
      when the Jocassee dam was created in the late 1960s and   We learned that Attakulla Lodge is at the bottom of the lake   vehicle and residential burglaries were down over 40
      early 1970s. The entire hillside was blasted, quarried and   along with other structures and trees. It was a hotel within   percent from the previous year.
      denuded of all vegetation. The beginning of the movie,   60 feet from the Whitewater River. Guests escaped the      Your  participation and  vigilance are  largely
      Deliverance, shows the area during construction.   heat of Atlanta, Columbia and Charleston – many staying   responsible for the decline in crime within PGA
         Botanists first discovered a fern over eighty years ago   the entire summer. The Lodge was two stories high with   National. You remembering to lock your vehicle
      in the Gorges that is native to Jamaica in its gorges along   a wraparound porch. Perfect for a vacation. Divers have   doors helped. Remembering not to leave valuables
                                                                                                             in plain sight in your vehicles helped. Remembering
                                                                                                             to set your alarm, installing cameras, reporting
                                                                                                             suspicious people and activity all helped with
                                                                                                             increasing the overall safety of everyone within PGA
                                                                                                             National. Keep up the great work!
                                                                                                                As we embark on 2021 and await the unknown
                                                                                                             challenges, we must remember to always think safety
                                                                                                             first. Here are a few additional safety tips offered by
                                                                                                             the Palm Beach Gardens Police Department that may
                                                                                                             help you avoid some unforeseen pitfalls along your
                                                                                                             journey. When getting gas, do not leave purses and
                                                                                                             wallets on the front seat or center console of your
                                                                                                             vehicle. Do not leave your key fob in your vehicle. If
                                                                                                             you go to an ATM, check for people around the area,
                                                                                                             check ATM for skimmers, and make sure the ATM is
                                                                                                             in a well-lit area and a safe location.
                                                                                                                As your security provider, we are always ready to
                                                                                                             lend a hand and together we can make a difference.
                                                                                                             Never hesitate to call security at (561) 627-1600, if you
                                                                                                             see something, say something. Report all suspicious
                                                                                                             people and activities. Remember to close your garage
                                                                                                             door when not in use and always set your alarm when
                                                                                                             you leave your home.



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